Fort Lauderdale says goodbye to Mayor Seiler

Like so many other days as mayor of Fort Lauderdale, Jack Seiler’s Thursday started with an early breakfast about city business, included a few hours at his law firm, some time at City Hall, and an evening of running from one event to another.

For years, the highly visible Seiler’s schedule has been packed with ribbon cuttings and public appearances, like Saturday’s grand marshal gig at the St. Patrick’s Day parade. But Seiler’s social calendar will drop off soon, when he leaves public office on March 20 after 25 years as a local fixture. The former state representative and Wilton Manors mayor faces term limits and is forced into political retirement, at least for now.

“This is the most enjoyable and rewarding job I’ve had of all my jobs,” Seiler said this week. “I’ll definitely miss this job.”

He’s had tough days, like when a gunman shot people a year ago in Fort LauderdaleHollywood International Airport, and he’s faced his share of criticism. But, he said, “I can’t think of a day I didn’t enjoy the job.”

His replacement — former police chief Bruce Roberts or attorney Dean Trantalis, both current city commissioners — will be elected Tuesday and sworn in March 20.

A popular figure who never lost an election, Seiler, 54, said he’ll run for office again one day. But for now, with two kids in college, he said he can’t afford to take a public office that requires him to shut down his law firm, like the state attorney general post he toyed with running for. He said he’ll take a break, and continue working on the Orange Bowl Commit-