On August 15, 1977, Pompano Beach Mayor J. Maxim Ryder and Vice Mayor William J. Alsdorf resigned from those positions, but not from the City Commission.

To replace them, the commissioners elected Betty L. Wistedt, mayor, and J. Maxim Ryder(who just stepped down from being the mayor) as vice mayor.

In assuming the office, Ms. Wistedt became the first female mayor of Pompano Beach.