Boogie by the Beach celebrates ‘monster success’
By Bari Auerbach

Everyone who plans to attend the city’s “Boogie by the Beach” Halloween event Oct. 26 and 27 at Government Center is sure to have fun celebrating all the treats with no tricks that make life in the city something to howl about!
Once again, the city’s devilishly clever Cultural and Human Services Department is coordinating fun for the whole Adams family festivities. The method to the madness is just one more example of the spooktacular Sunny Isles Beach renaissance spawned by ultra-luxurious new developments, revitalization projects and soaring property values perpetuating “monster success!”
Even more good news really making residents shriek with delight is the City Commission recently approved the new fiscal year budget featuring lower property tax rates - rolled back nine percent from 2.6351 to 2.3979 mills per $1,000 of taxable assessed value.
Telling ‘Boast Stories’
While some other cities may be haunted by crime and declining infrastructures, vast improvements in Sunny Isles Beach since the city incorporated in 1997 have progressed so fast - it’s almost scary!
It was quite frightful when old rundown motels used to line Collins Avenue – but now, the wicked toll of time has been vanquished. Packs of progressive developers have invested millions to build exclusive oceanfront resorts and condominiums generating giant tax revenues that fund supernatural beautification and capital improvement projects.
Thanks to the Sunny Isles Beach Police Department, nefarious criminals sucking the lifeblood out of the city’s image were run out of town and police response times improved so dramatically, officers are now on the scene almost before anyone can say “Boo!” Due to vigilant traffic patrol, speed demons are also disappearing from city streets.
Since there’s never a skeleton crew at Government Center, citizens benefit from efforts made by expert department heads and members of city staff – always collaborating to enhance quality of life. The Mayor, Vice Mayor and City Commissioners also routinely lead meetings and workshops to discuss important issues and elicit public opinion - knowing you can’t rely on witchcraft to make progress magically happen.
In an effort to prevent any future hurricane horror stories, the city has passed ordinances pertaining to compliance with building codes and repairing and/or demolishing unsafe structures. Since South Florida weather can change as drastically as Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, the city also has plans in place to ensure construction sites are secured, mandatory evacuations proceed smoothly, traffic continues to flow and lines of communication remain open.

Especially good news for families with children is bats will soon be “swinging” around a new little league baseball field enhancing Pelican Community Park at 181st Drive and North Bay Road. Every mummy and daddy is also thrilled a neighboring K-8 public school is opening in the fall of 2008.
Just in case any little green men ever land in Sunny Isles Beach, they’re sure to feel right at home at parks throughout the city providing an abundance of green, open space. And now, the city has also spruced up Collins Avenue by adding lush landscaping reminiscent of a tropical-style enchanted forest.
More music to the ears of all those who appreciate community unity is even the Phantom of the Opera would smile at the city’s popular Sunny Serenade concerts. To find out about upcoming activities and events planned by the city’s Cultural and Human Services Department, be sure to check out the city website www.sibfl.net.
Turning to tales from the crypt of city history, there used to be a time when zoning debates were almost as contentious as Freddy vs. Jason – but now transfers of development rights (TDR’s) along with a development bonus system have combined to create a “win-win” potion.
As new properties rise, so do levels of municipal service and budget allocations for capital improvements - funded to a great extent by developers who know without “giving back” their projects don’t stand a ghost of a chance in Sunny Isles Beach! Make no bones about it - developments along the east side of Collins Avenue have also unearthed “attack of the killer retail revenues” as shops and restaurants formerly quiet as a graveyard are now busier than ever before.
Leaving no stone unturned, when it comes to finding dedicated leaders, there’s no need for a séance or Ouija board to call upon the “always at your service” Sunny Isles Beach City Commission: Mayor Norman S. Edelcup, Vice Mayor Lewis J. Thaler, Comm. Roslyn Brezin, Comm. Gerry Goodman, Comm. Danny Iglesias and as of December, new Comm. George “Bud” Scholl. City Manager John A. Szerlag, department heads and members of city staff are also part of the “Who ‘ya gonna call? Goal busters!” team on a mission to make the best even better.
So whether you come to the Boogie by the Beach event in costume or come as you are, every Sunny Isles Beach resident is sure to be wearing the same smile as they join in celebrating the city’s “monster success!”
Boogie by the Beach - the community’s invited -
Howl at the moon, bring the kids, get excited!
Another fun city event bringing people together –
Let’s all hope for picture perfect weather!
Come as a ghoul, a goblin or a ghost -
Join in three-cheers and a non-bubbly toast!
Have a great time and a happy Halloween -
Here’s to Sunny Isles Beach – the best city ever seen!

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