Where The Mayor Goes By His First Name and Answers the Phone
by Sheila
Former Delray Beach Mayor Jeff Perlman
I was frantic when I learned that Delray was hit hard and that most of the city had lost power. I was unable to locate my mother and aunt and I was concerned about their health and emotional state. A friend of mine told me to call the mayor of Delray Beach and gave me his cell phone. She told me that Jeff Perlman (the mayor at the time) was a nice man, very accessible and often took care of things personally.  She had his cell number because he personally took care of a code enforcement issue in her neighborhood the year before. In desperation, I called Jeff Perlman and despite the obvious stress he must have been under, he took my call! He immediately put me at ease and said he would make sure to locate my mom and aunt. Within an hour, he personally visited and made sure she was OK. He delivered ice, some water and asked if she needed any medical assistance or help of any kind. My mom instantly fell in love with Jeff...he insisted on first names only. Jeff called me back and put my mind at ease. He kept in touch with my mom and aunt through not only that first hurricane but the others that blew through gorgeous Delray on his watch. He joked that there were no hurricanes before he became mayor and there would probably be none after he left. I think he was right. Anyway, my mom felt protected and personally looked after. What a relief. And what a story of Delray's personal charm. Where else would a mayor handle my mom personally (not to mention me) while trying to care for 65,000 other people. My aunt told me that Jeff seemed exhausted but was spending his days driving the city trying to help connect residents to resources. I fell in love with Delray on that day, because of a special young mayor who cared for my mom and my aunt. Thanks for your wonderful Delray Beach website and Delray Beach Blog. Comment by Danika Dahl: Sheila: This is quite the story, even a bit emotional with sadness for your situation but then filled with elation of the personal efforts our mayor provided to you, your mom and your aunt! I cannot thank you enough for taking the time to write this fabulous and touching story and sharing it with me, my readers and even Jeff! I asked Jeff to submit some photos so I could add photos to your story. I did not tell him what the story was about -- but it just so happens that one of the photos he submitted was of him participating in a relief cause for hurricane Katrina. This picture ironically confirms his character as you've described. He said... "Me spinning?! Kind of nuts...but I'll do anything for a good cause." Spinning for Hurricane Katrina Relief Efforts  I will be sure to post a link of this web page on Jeff's personal Facebook profile. Thank you again for sharing such an inspiring story and thank you so much for your kind comments on my website. It's people like you and people like Jeff that make me love Delray Beach as much as I do. Besides it being a multiple award-winning beach town with one of the best Florida family beaches, there's also a very strong sense of community and caring in this town -- and your personal story confirms this. What a wonderful story Sheila! Thank you and please continue sharing your love of Delray Beach!
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