Minneola's city manager resigns
ROXANNE BROWN
Staff Writer
MINNEOLA -- Against the wishes of dozens of Minneola residents, employees and South Lake County residents, the City Council voted to accept City Manager Sam Oppelaar's resignation.
Mayor Dave Yeager and Councilwoman Kelly Price, who changed her previous vote after hearing public comments, cast the dissenting votes.
"Sam (Oppelaar) proved to his country what's he's all about, but I'm not here defending him. I don't have to, because his record here speaks for itself," Council member-elect Rick Roderick said. "When I take my seat next week, I'm going to be an independent thinker on council, not one that caves into nonsense stuff like this."
Many employees said they thought his termination would be a mistake and would cost the city unecessary money having to hire and train someone new.
No one spoke against Oppelaar.
"If the city should let you go tonight, then I'm sure whoever are the lucky ones who get you up will be sending them many letters of thank you's," said Bea Meeks, Mascotte's economic and development director who said Oppelaar's dedication went beyond Minneola to all of South Lake.
"I can tell you under oath that this man (Oppelaar) loves the city. He's dedicated and he has passion. I've mever worked for anyone like him and if you worked for him everyday, then you would see what we all see," Assistant City Manager Laura Zielonka said.
Last week, Oppelaar agreed to resign in exchange for six months severance pay after a 4 to 1 vote of "no confidence" was handed down by the council.
Vice Mayor Sue Cordova motioned to accept Oppelaar's resignation offer, including the pay package (at more than $50,000), six months health insurance and other contract benefits.
Cordova, who as of Nov. 4 will no longer sit on council, previously said she felt it was her "responsibility" to ask for Oppelaar's resignation because of calls she said she received from employees asking her to do so.
There are three seats open in next week's local elecion, which could mean a drastic change in the council's make up.
Talk suggesting Oppelaar could be re-hired if enough council support exists after the election was sufficient enough to require the motion to include a clause that should he return, the city would pro-rate his salary based on his severence pay-out.
Yeager spoke about Minneola's other two managers, one who he said resigned because she could not take the council abuse and another who was terminated becuase of council conflict before Oppelaar. Yeager also berated insinuations that some of his views were an infuence on Oppelaar's day-to-day decisions as manager.
"At the end of the day, I'm only 20 percent of the vote but some people act like I'm 180,000 percent of the vote," Yeager said, adding he still supports the city manager.
With Zielonka, the assistant city manager, on maternity leave, City Clerk Jan McDaniel was appointed acting city manager.
Friday, October 30, 2009 - www.dailycommercial.com/102809oppelaar