NewsHound
06-26-2008, 05:50 PM
DAVIE - Police Chief John George received $64,000 in severance pay to retire from his $133,000-a-year job in November. Altogether, with accrued time factored in, George was paid $120,125.
That was news to Mayor Tom Truex, who said he didn't know about the payout until he read it Wednesday in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
George's contract stated he would not get severance pay upon voluntary resignation. If he were fired, he would get 14 months' severance.
On Wednesday, George said he was not pressured to leave. He said he planned to retire before Town Administrator Gary Shimun came to town and negotiated the severance package.
Shimun could not be reached for comment despite three calls to his office.
The town has paid a total of $220,244 in severance to George, former Fire Chief Don DiPetrillo and former Assistant Town Administrator Ken Cohen, Davie records show. The three officials also were paid a total of $157,420 in unused sick and vacation time. The entire payout came to nearly $378,000.
Councilwoman Susan Starkey asked for the information during a June 18 meeting, when she criticized Shimun for dismissing several department heads since joining town government in fall 2006.
DiPetrillo was ousted in August. Cohen was fired June 6.
Shimun has defended his right to form his own management team.
The payouts have at least two elected officials questioning whether the town should stop offering "golden parachutes" to certain department heads.
Councilman Michael ******* said he thinks such payouts should be up to the Town Council.
Starkey agreed.
"Times are tight right now," she said. "We ought to look at renegotiating these contracts."
Vice Mayor Marlon Luis said Shimun told him about George's buyout package this week.
"He told me he had an opportunity to hire someone who was a good fit for the town," Luis said.
Patrick Lynn, who retired from the Pembroke Pines Police Department, took over as Davie's top cop Nov. 19. George's last day: Nov. 30.
Source (http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-flbpayoutbrfb0626sbjun26,0,3018478.story)
That was news to Mayor Tom Truex, who said he didn't know about the payout until he read it Wednesday in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
George's contract stated he would not get severance pay upon voluntary resignation. If he were fired, he would get 14 months' severance.
On Wednesday, George said he was not pressured to leave. He said he planned to retire before Town Administrator Gary Shimun came to town and negotiated the severance package.
Shimun could not be reached for comment despite three calls to his office.
The town has paid a total of $220,244 in severance to George, former Fire Chief Don DiPetrillo and former Assistant Town Administrator Ken Cohen, Davie records show. The three officials also were paid a total of $157,420 in unused sick and vacation time. The entire payout came to nearly $378,000.
Councilwoman Susan Starkey asked for the information during a June 18 meeting, when she criticized Shimun for dismissing several department heads since joining town government in fall 2006.
DiPetrillo was ousted in August. Cohen was fired June 6.
Shimun has defended his right to form his own management team.
The payouts have at least two elected officials questioning whether the town should stop offering "golden parachutes" to certain department heads.
Councilman Michael ******* said he thinks such payouts should be up to the Town Council.
Starkey agreed.
"Times are tight right now," she said. "We ought to look at renegotiating these contracts."
Vice Mayor Marlon Luis said Shimun told him about George's buyout package this week.
"He told me he had an opportunity to hire someone who was a good fit for the town," Luis said.
Patrick Lynn, who retired from the Pembroke Pines Police Department, took over as Davie's top cop Nov. 19. George's last day: Nov. 30.
Source (http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-flbpayoutbrfb0626sbjun26,0,3018478.story)