02-28-62SpMtg FEBRUARY 28, 1962.
A special meeting was held in the Council Chambers at 3:00 P.M.
with Vice-Mayor Oliver W. Woodard, Jr., in the Chair, City Manager
Louis J. Smitzes, City Attorney John Ross Adams, Mayor Walter Dietz
and Councilmen George Talbot, Jr., and George V. Warren being present.
.Vice-Mayor Woodard called the meeting to order announcing that
same had been called for the purpose of con~eying to the Governor
of the State of Florida the desire of the City Council of Delray
Beach that Martin Kellenberger, who was duly elected to the office
of Sheriff of Palm Beach County by the county,s qualified voters in
November, 1960, be reinstated to said office as a result of having
been cleared of all charges and indictments -brought against him by
the Grand Jury.
· Vice,Mayor Woodard commented further: "I feel that it would be
prier possibly to send a telegram because they are considering
Kellenberger,s reinstatement, and if it is the desire of the Council
I would like to see that we either state that we support the County
Commission, s statement or send them a statement of our own, whatever
is your desire."
City Clerk Worthing was asked to read the following telegram sent
to Governor Bryant on February 26th by the Board of County Commission-
ers of Palm Beach ~ounty, signed by Chairman Lake Lytel.
"At their regular meeting this morning, the Board of County
Commissioners of Pal~ Beach County made and passed a motion
recommending to you that Martin Kellenberger, the duly elected
Sheriff of Palm Beach County who was suspended by you as a re-
sult of being indicted by the Grand Jury, be reinstated as
Sheriff. In making this recommendation comments were made to
the effect that Palm Beach County has received'much unfavorable
publicity due to the many charges and counter charges resulting
from the indictments brought against him by the Grand Jury. One
indictment was prosecuted by the County Solicitor's Office before
a JurY and he was found not guilty. Four other indictments brought
against the suspended Sheriff were dismissed upon recommendation
of the same Grand Jury because of insufficient evidence and con-
fusi6n among the witnesses who testified that they had perjured
themselves in their testimony. Further, the County Solicitor's
Office, after an investigation made by them, refused to prosecute
because of unreliable and perjured evidence.
"The County commissioners feel that this recommendation, if
followed by you, will give all of the officials in Palm Beach
County an opportunity to propemly planfor the development and
betterment of this County. In doing thi~, you will return to
office the Sheriff who was duly elected by the people of this
County. We offer you our full cooperation in any matter con-
cerning the administration of our County Government."
~ollowing discussion, ~. Warren moved that the following telegram
be sent to Governor Farris Bryant.
"The City Council of the City of Delray Beach heartily endorses
the action of the Palm Beach County Commission, taken during
it's regular meeting on February 26th, 1962, rela$ive to the
reinstatement of Martin Kellenberger to the office of Sheriff
of Palm Beach County. /s/ Oliver W, Woodard, Jr.,Vice-Mayor."
The motion was seconded by Mr. Talbot and carried unanimously.,
The meeting adjourned at 3:~Q~p~M~ on motion byMa~or Dietz.
R, '~.~ WORTHING . ~ ~,~,~ ,,
APPROVED:
VICE-MA Y 0 R -~ TM 2,28-62