Recent developments in Surfside have caught attention as a former employee has initiated an ethics complaint against the town’s mayor.
Dina Goldstein, a long-standing resident and former employee of Surfside, has taken legal steps against Mayor Charles Burkett. Goldstein, who served the town for over sixteen years, claimed she became a target following her dismissal last summer. She alleged that the mayor took part in sharing private and confidential information about her on social media platforms, particularly the Nextdoor app and a citywide blog.
Goldstein’s commendable tenure, highlighted by awards such as the Police Civilian of the Year, was marred by an unexpected termination without a chance for her to contest the reasons behind it. Her husband, William Blumenkranz, recounted how well-wishers from the police department expressed their dismay over her dismissal.
The catalyst for the complaint was Goldstein’s discovery of her personal information, including her address and phone number, being disclosed publicly by Burkett. Goldstein stated this exposure led to a wave of malicious attacks and unfounded accusations against her. The surfacing of this complaint adds to the ongoing rift within the community, spurred by the mayor’s contentious activities over recent months.
Residents have witnessed Mayor Burkett engaging in unauthorized actions, such as interrupting police traffic duties and installing unsanctioned gates on public roads, which the county later removed. Blumenkranz voiced concerns regarding the mayor’s intolerance towards critics, suggesting that their family was targeted due to their outspoken nature.
Goldstein is determined to restore her reputation and hopes the ethics complaint will be a step towards this. Her ultimate goal remains not only to clear her name but also to possibly regain her former position. Mayor Burkett, on the other hand, has expressed through a text message to Local 10 News that he did not consider the confidentiality of the complaint to be a binding obligation.
The unfolding scenario in Surfside illustrates deep-rooted tensions between the town’s administration and its residents. As the ethics complaint proceeds, its implications may redefine governance and public trust within the community.
Source: Local10
