Good news about Sunny Isles Beach making headlines
By Bari Auerbach

Have you heard the good news? Sunny Isles Beach has been garnering exciting international exposure as the city continues to bask in a brighter image – becoming renowned for being “Florida’s Riviera.”

Sunny Isles Beach recently earned the distinction of being named the “No. 1 emerging travel destination in the United States” by Trip Advisor - the largest online travel community…Last month, millions of viewers saw the city’s beautiful beaches televised on MTV spring break specials…And just about every week, Sunny Isles Beach is making newspaper headlines highlighting proactive Commission initiatives perpetuating the city’s renaissance.

‘Going Global’

Did you know about one million vacationers visit Sunny Isles Beach every year? And even more are sure to keep coming thanks in part to the efforts of Ibis Romero, executive director of the Sunny Isles Beach Resort Association. Focusing on gaining exposure for the city via travel agents and tour operators, Romero formerly worked for the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau before becoming the city’s own “powerhouse promoter” last year.
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From distributing novel USB flash drives featuring a Sunny Isles Beach promotional video – to extensive travels spreading the news about the city’s most desirable attractions, Romero is helping Sunny Isles Beach “go global.” She recently returned from trips including stops in Cannes and Barcelona. And in a recent Herald article creating more exciting exposure for the city’s surge in tourism, Romero noted, “We were all over the place…New York, Germany, Mexico and Brazil.”

‘Worldwide Web Exposure’

The new and improved Sunny Isles Beach website www.sibfl.net is now making it even easier for people around the world to “reach the beach” with just a click of their computer mouse.

The new website features everything residents, visitors and business owners need to know about life in the city including information about transportation, recreation and public safety; building and development; beach conditions routinely updated by lifeguards with laptops; plus special events and announcements. (Movie Night: Golden Era April 8; Sunny Serenade concert April 16; Arbor Day April 25; Summer Camp registration going on now.)

The www.sibfl.net website also has user-friendly links to a complete calendar of events, current water restrictions, Government Center departments, a forum for contacting the city, plus “in the news” articles and columns.

‘Generating Attention’

Sunny Isles Beach recently made headlines again for an innovative power outage prevention concept facilitating the installation of generators at city businesses such as supermarkets, pharmacies and gas stations. The cost of installing the generators would be split between the business and the city (police forfeiture funds will help subsidize the city’s expenditure).

The City Commission endorsed the plan, devised with assistance from Vice Mayor Lewis J. Thaler, to create a more “hurricane-ready” city. The Commission also advocated the merits of encouraging neighboring cities to adopt similar “split the cost” generator programs.

‘New Views’

“The new look” of Sunny Isles Beach has also been generating a lot of positive publicity as new parks and improvement projects keep enhancing the city’s allure. The debut of the city’s first public school and adjacent Pelican Community Park featuring a little league baseball field are among the most highly anticipated new amenities. Residents are also looking forward to the opening of Heritage Park and a parking garage by the Lehman Causeway as well as a major drainage project, road renovations and landscaping enhancements throughout the city.

The city’s escalating tax base has been yet another newsworthy success story generating international media coverage shining a spotlight on the role development of luxurious new properties has played in the revitalization of Sunny Isles Beach.

‘Newsworthy Events’

Whether it’s a gala anniversary celebration, a frighteningly fabulous Halloween party, an Easter extravaganza, Sunny Serenade concert, yacht cruises, family movie nights or a fine art fundraiser – Sunny Isles Beach is always “in the news” for staging fun, enriching and exciting events.

According to Cultural and Human Services Department director Susan Simpson, the recent MTV spring break film crews and staff descending on Sunny Isles Beach last month generated lucrative economic impact and priceless notoriety. Now, the city is hoping to create a repeat positive performance by hosting an offshore powerboat race in June coordinated by OSS (Offshore Super Series Powerboat Racing Association).

‘Issues and Ideas’

Issues being discussed and resolved at Sunny Isles Beach City Commission meetings are now regularly featured in neighborhood newspapers, reflecting heightened interest in city happenings.

From the resolution of law suits enabling the city to acquire a parcel of land next to Government Center and welcome a new luxurious development – to a compromise solution allowing residents who drive commercial vehicles to park closer to their homes – “breaking good news” about Sunny Isles Beach is making headlines virtually every week.

Sunny Isles Beach residents are also frequently in the news for their good deeds and accomplishments. Just some of the articles recently featured focused on:
* The story of one of the city’s many Holocaust survivors, Ann Feig Rosenheck, who spoke to students about her harrowing experiences; *The honor bestowed upon former Commissioner Danny Iglesias, who had a city street named after him for years of dedicated service; *The idea to start a Sunny Isles Beach Walking Club led by volunteers
Walter and Elaine Mischler.

‘Richly Rewarding’

All the exciting exposure Sunny Isles Beach is receiving is paying off in increased tourism and more families with children becoming permanent residents – enjoying life in the city with enviable attractions. But anyone needing even more proof that the city is experiencing unprecedented prosperity can just ask to see a copy of the latest municipal audit report prepared by the independent certified accounting firm Rachlin, LLP.

“We’re proud Sunny Isles Beach is in excellent financial health,” said Mayor Norman S. Edelcup.

According to the audit, Sunny Isles Beach assets exceeded its liabilities at the close of the most recent fiscal year (Sept. 30, 2007) by $93,166,401 net assets. Of this amount, $20,048,561 unrestricted net assets may be used to meet the government’s ongoing obligations to citizens and creditors

The city’s total net assets increased by $14,931,394 - primarily attributed to the acquisition of property and other capital improvements. And as of the close of the current fiscal year, the city’s governmental funds reported combined ending fund balances of $43,311,358 - an increase of $4,652,063 in comparison with the prior year.

‘Be a Newsmaker’

There’s probably no better source for great stories about the City of Sunny Isles Beach than residents of Sunny Isles Beach…So if you have something positive to report, help start spreading more good news by contacting Ibis Romero via email: ibis@sibfl.net