Vote of Confidence
By Bari Auerbach

Since the 2000 Census, the population of Sunny Isles Beach has grown to exceed well over 16,000 residents – yet not one resident chose to run against Mayor Norman Edelcup or Commissioner Roslyn Brezin, who were automatically reelected unopposed.

An election will be required on Nov. 8 to determine whether incumbent Commissioner Gerry Goodman will continue to represent the central area of the city - or if challenger Jack Cohen, president of Winston Towers 700, will assume Seat 2.

Edelcup and Brezin agree the lack of opposing candidates materializing by the Sept. 15 qualifying deadline is a strong indicator residents are “satisfied with the job the City Commission has been doing.”

‘Making of a Mayor’

On Sept. 11, 2001, Norman Edelcup defeated incumbent Commissioner Connie Morrow 642 to 397 votes for commission seat 4 (at-large). Shortly after the election results were announced, Edelcup noted, “I think the vote shows the people of Sunny Isles Beach really have confidence in my ability to represent them. I've been attending City Commission meetings and serving on the Citizens' Planning Advisory Committee for some time so I feel ready to 'jump right in.'”

In October of 2003, following the death of the late Mayor David Samson, Edelcup became interim Mayor - and then he was officially elected to the post in January 2004. Edelcup’s at-large seat on the Commission was filled by long-time resident/community activist Roslyn Brezin. Brezin’s nomination by Edelcup was approved by unanimous vote and she was sworn-in on Oct. 27, 2003 to fill the remainder of the term of the at-large seat (through Sept. 2005).

‘Promises Kept’

Shortly after Edelcup began serving as Mayor, he began stepping up efforts to share city progress reports citing proactive initiatives being undertaken to enhance the city. A “dynamic dozen” of the accomplishments he highlighted are as follows:

1. To encourage open public participation we have established the Mayor’s Advisory council by appointing 25 citizens on 5 sub-committees to advise on Traffic and Safety; Health and Welfare; Tourism and Development; Education/Schools; and Long Range Planning and Intergovernmental Relations.
2. The Commission conducts public workshops on issues of concern to our citizens in addition to having regular commission meetings that are educational and informative so citizens attending can more easily follow the governmental process.
3. The Commission has passed zoning, land development regulations covering the Town Center district establishing low, four story building heights along the west side of Collins Avenue; and strict building heights throughout the entire Town Center based on future street designs and widths. Wide front setbacks along Collins Avenue and Sunny Isles Boulevard along the required colonnades will assure the creation of pedestrian friendly open walks and plazas.
4. The Commission has approved the purchase of new city buses, resulting in upgraded free bus service on a seven days a week basis as well as extending the route to the Intracoastal mall and daily routes to the Aventura Mall.
5. We have significantly reduced the fees for permits for small projects that our homeowners wish to do when remodeling; and we have eliminated the registration fee for burglar alarms.
6. We have increased city revenues from developers by more than doubling the FAR bonus fees for high-rise developments.
7. We have started the process of obtaining property in the city for a future K through 8 Elementary School. We hope to see the school serve over 800 Sunny Isles Beach children currently being bused to schools outside the city. Currently the residents of Sunny Isles Beach are paying over $20 million to the Miami-Dade County School District each year while our children are transported to other areas.
8. We passed land development regulations facilitating a new city park built with developer funds on the site of the “Casino” property where once there was proposed a development of a high-rise condominium.
9. Our Commission amended the TDR ordinance to limit the amount of square feet that can be purchased by developers from the city-owned bank of transferable development rights.
10. We established a local resident Sunny Isles Beach Historic Preservation Board to formulate criteria for the preservation of historic sites within our city.
11. The city celebrated the grand opening of our new Government Center, housing city departments and the Police Department as well as a U.S. Post Office and Public Library.
12. Due to the financially sound state of the city, the Commission recently approved lowering property taxes to $2.95 per $1,000 of a property’s assessed value from the previous rate of $3.35

‘Responsive’ Ros Brezin

When Roslyn Brezin was first appointed to serve on the City Commission, Mayor Edelcup noted, “Ros has served for over ten years as a board member of the Arlen House and I think she has wonderful credentials for this job…She was appointed by Senator Gwen Margolis to our original Charter Committee when we first formed Sunny Isles Beach and she was one of the original five people who drafted and worked on the original charter.

“Ros served on the Citizens’ Planning Advisory Committee after we became a city and worked on the Comprehensive Plan. She is presently on the Board of Directors of Concerned Citizens of Northeast Dade and has served in that office since 1996. She is also the secretary of the Sunny Isles Beach Civic, Cultural and Beautification Trust…I think she has worked diligently on behalf of the city for many years.”

During her term on the Commission, Brezin has also made it a priority to communicate with residents about positive improvements. One of her updates included the following message focusing on government accessibility and responsiveness:

“As you can clearly see, our City Commission has worked diligently to create a professional, efficient, businesslike government structure that is resident friendly and customer service oriented. We are here to assure the continued progress of making Sunny Isles Beach, the ‘City of Sun and Sea,’ the best community in all of South Florida and the destination of choice by people from all over the world.

“With the ongoing support and help from you, our resident citizens, we shall succeed in making this city everything we want it to be.

”As your Commissioner-At-Large it’s gratifying to act on your behalf. Those of you who have contacted me know that I will address each concern. We have an excellent staff to work with at Government Center…I’m here long enough to know that it doesn’t ‘just happen’ you have to work for it every step of the way. It starts with citizen requests. Make your needs known. No call to my office will go unanswered.”

‘Good Intentions’
“I have no agenda other than what’s good for Sunny Isles,” Commissioner Gerry Goodman was recently quoted as saying when asked about his upcoming bid for reelection.

On Sept. 11, 2001, Gerry Goodman was first elected to seat 2 (representing the central residential area) when he defeated incumbent Commissioner Irving Turetsky 513 to 507 votes.

Shortly after the results were announced, Goodman said, “I feel ready to take on the responsibility of commissioner because as a member of the Citizens' Planning Advisory Committee, I've been very involved in the city and I've also come to just about every City Commission meeting…I feel the people who voted for me understood what I want to do for the city."

Originally from Brooklyn, Goodman was elected six times and served 15 years on the School Board; and for 42 years, he owned his own business, manufacturing custom-made home furnishings. He moved to Winston Towers in Sunny Isles Beach in 1988 and got involved in the community by serving on the executive committee of Concerned Citizens of Northeast Dade - later becoming chair of the zoning committee.

During his term as a Commissioner, Goodman has expressed support for establishing zoning codes to ensure proper setbacks for proposed garages on Collins Avenue; and requiring developers to provide beach access points. He also serves as chair of the Community Traffic Safety Team Advisory Committee, established by the City Commission to encourage greater citizen participation in police and public safety affairs through the development of information, recommendations and general advice.

‘Ethical Choices’

Jack Cohen, Goodman’s opponent in the Nov. 8 election, is president of the Winston Towers 700 building and owner of USA America Tile. Issues he has brought up on the “campaign trail” thus far have included ethics and alleged over-development. Cohen has proposed creating an “independent oversight ethics committee” – a concept he spoke about when the City Commission was considering an ordinance amending a section of the City’s Code of Ethics.

At a July 22, 2004 meeting, an ordinance ultimately passed amending a section of the city’s Code of Ethics previously requiring only disclosure of personal investments that might create a conflict for elected officials and city employees. Per the amendment, the Code of Ethics no longer permits such an interest – even if it is disclosed.

During a public discussion of the ordinance, Cohen noted, “I am requesting that the ordinance be postponed for the moment…to open discussion for the formation of a new independent oversight ethics committee…I believe [Commission members] should be able to own property and do business in our city just as any other citizen has the right to do.”

Expressing his opinion at the time, Commissioner Gerry Goodman said. “If an issue came up where a developer wanted to build a building and [all members of the Commission invested in it] who would vote on the project? My [view] is that I would not prevent [an elected official] from buying anything he wants in a building after the CO is issued.

“Eventually, every rule and regulation [the present City Commission drafts] could be changed after Sunny Isles Beach is completely developed and there are no more ‘inferences’ from people…I think my motion [should be supported to allow real estate purchases after certificates of occupancy have been issued for buildings]. Then anyone who wants to buy real estate [can].”

For more information about the Nov. 8 election, phone Sunny Isles Beach Government Center: 305-947-0606.

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