Boca Raton deputy mayor quits to care for wife

By Patty Pensa | South Florida Sun-Sentinel

November 26, 2008

Boca Raton - After almost four years in office, Deputy Mayor Peter Baronoff officially halted his political career on Tuesday for the sake of his family.

Baronoff, who announced his resignation in early October, returned to City Hall for his last City Council meeting. His wife, Malinda, was diagnosed in June and is undergoing treatment in Houston. Baronoff has been spending most of his time with her there. The family declined to publicly disclose her condition.

"For me, this was a labor of love," said Baronoff, who also served as chairman of the Community Redevelopment Agency for two years. "I did this not because I had to, but because I wanted to. It's a tough goodbye, but you all know why."

Baronoff joined two council meetings over the phone since announcing his departure. He chose this week as his last so the city could avoid the $100,000 expense of a special election.

Instead, council members will appoint his replacement to serve about three months before Baronoff's seat is up for election in March.

So far, three people have applied for the spot: Roxanna Trinka, who owns an engineering and land surveying company; Daniel Reich, who owns an investment advisers firm; and Gunther Rincon Veracoechea, an anesthesiologist at Boca Raton Community Hospital.

It was an emotional farewell in front of about 40 firefighters who came to support passage of their new contract. The group gave Baronoff a standing ovation after Mayor Susan Whelchel presented him with a plaque recognizing his public service.

In 2005, Baronoff ran on a platform of controlling growth, safety and security, and fiscal responsibility. Baronoff, the CEO of two health care companies, was re-elected in March without opposition. As a council member, he championed a multimillion-dollar effort to create a pedestrian connection between Mizner Park and Royal Palm Place.

"It is with a great deal of regret but total understanding that we wish Mr. Baronoff a loving goodbye," Whelchel said. "We know that we will see him again."

Indeed, Baronoff led his comments with, "You'll get used to seeing me behind this podium."

He later did not rule out a political comeback at some point.

The couple has two daughters, ages 21 and 19.

Applications to fill Baronoff's seat are online at ci.boca-raton.fl.us, and must be submitted by Dec. 3.

Patty Pensa can be reached at ppensa@SunSentinel.com or 561-243-6609.