New Commission Chambers will be
dedicated to late Mayor Samson
By Bari Auerbach


When the new Sunny Isles Beach Government Center opens early next year, a plaque will be placed outside Commission Chambers dedicated to the late Mayor David P. Samson, considered by many to be “the founding father of Sunny Isles Beach.”

At the October 14 City Commission meeting, Mayor Norman Edelcup explained, “[We recently] marked the anniversary of the death of our first Mayor David Samson. Our city was really fortunate to have him as our first mayor. His vision and determination to create a new, luxurious community got off to a fast start under his leadership…We are a better community [today] as our own city then we were as an unincorporated area of Miami-Dade.

“Early in the year 2003 we began the construction of our new [Government Center] and Dave [Samson] was so proud…He would drive by daily to see the progress and was constantly pushing our staff to accelerate the construction. He wanted so much to see the building completed before the end of his term; and hoped he would have had at least a year left in his office to enjoy the Mayor’s office in the New Government Center. Fate intervened and that wasn’t to be.

“Earlier this year, the Commission determined that a new city hall would be called the Sunny Isles Beach Government Center; and today I would like to propose that we honor our first mayor by naming the public commission chambers the ‘David Samson Commission Chambers.’ We will have a bronze, three-dimensional plaque mounted at the entrance to the chambers commemorating David’s devotion and service to Sunny Isles Beach.”

Following a special presentation to “first lady” Marion Samson, Samson’s wife, Edelcup noted, “Hopefully we’ll be in our new [Government Center] by the end of February and we’ll celebrate with a city-wide party. The new building is very beautiful…[Our City Manager Christopher Russo] has [accomplished] a great task in completing the building ahead of schedule.”

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