Commissioner Lama

By Alex Lama, Commissioner (Friday, March 4, 2022) – Elected officials are public servants chosen by residents to serve the community and make their lives better. Voters have entrusted these elected officials with the honor and privilege to carry out their duties in the most efficient, diligent and professional manner. As stewards of the community, public servants must always be …

By Alex Lama, Commissioner (Friday, January 7, 2022) – As we commence 2022, I wish you a healthy, prosperous and happy new year. I also want to inform you of important upcoming legislation proposals at the 2022 Florida Legislative Session in Tallahassee from January 11 – March 11, 2022. Local Ordinances SB 280 (Hutson) and HB 403 (Giallombardo) would require …

By Alex Lama, Commissioner (Friday, November 5, 2021) – Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. It is an ideal time to spend with family and friends, to relax, share some laughs and indulge in lots of food, especially my favorite dessert, pumpkin pie. It is a day to be grateful for what we have and for the good fortune …

By Alex Lama, Commissioner (Wednesday, September 1, 2021) – The resurgence of COVID-19 with its Delta variant is overrunning Florida hospitals as our state accounts for almost 18% of new cases in the U.S. per Johns Hopkins University. Many health experts warn that this new outbreak is the most severe so far and continues to spread at an alarming rate. …

By Alex Lama, Commissioner (Thursday, April 1, 2021) – At the end of January 2021, I watched with alarm as State legislators introduced bills that intend to erode local government’s abilities to protect and improve their communities. The relentless pursuit of certain Tallahassee legislators to exert power over municipalities’ own affairs is distressing and should remind local leaders and communities …

By Alex Lama, Commissioner (December 28, 2020) – As we begin 2021, several challenges continue to face South Florida. Unfortunately, the most pressing challenge is the Coronavirus pandemic. State legislators did not convene a special session in 2020 to address pandemic-related issues and therefore most of the decisions have remained under the control of the Governor. Session committee meetings begin …

By Alex Lama, Commissioner (October 30, 2020) – I would like to express my gratitude to the great staff and police department we have in Sunny Isles Beach. City employees and our police officers have done a wonderful job in helping residents navigate the health and financial hardships we have endured the last seven months due to the coronavirus. Throughout …

By Alex Lama, Commissioner (July 30, 2020) – Last month we celebrated the 244th birthday of the United States of America and as the fourth of July fireworks faded and the celebrations drew to a close, I kept thinking of how grateful I am to live in this country. Living here offers many of us the tranquility of personal safety …

By Alex Lama, Commissioner (June 2, 2020) – As we face the health and economic challenges of the Coronavirus pandemic, it is important to point out that a mental health crisis is devastating young Americans, with an increasing number suffering from depression and death by suicide. Suicides among Americans 10 to 24 years of age have spiked by 56% from …

By Alex Lama, Commissioner (April 10, 2020) – The past couple of weeks have been a true test for our country and our community. We are in an unprecedented time and it is imperative that we come together to stop the spread of the coronavirus. It is widely known that older individuals are more at risk for serious illness and …