City of Sunny Isles Beach Official Website
By George “Bud” Scholl, Mayor
(June 2, 2020) – June marks the unofficial beginning of summer here in Florida, and this year, it’s looking quite different than usual. Even though we are still encouraged to stay home as much as possible to slow the spread of the Coronavirus, there are still a multitude of reasons and ways we can celebrate the new season.
Many of our young residents are graduating this month from elementary, middle and high school as well as undergraduate and graduate programs. Though your ceremonies may be smaller and online, this is still an exciting time to commemorate your success with your family. As you end one chapter, a new one is right on the horizon just teeming with new opportunities.
June 1 also is the start of hurricane season. While you prepare your homes, supply kits and emergency plans, the City is doing the same. We have three portable pumps ready to deploy in case of flooding during strong storms, our trees have been trimmed, and we have a sandbag program in place to distribute to residents in the event of a storm. We also procured several contracts to accelerate the hurricane recovery process including debris removal contracts and debris monitoring in the event we should need them.
Though summer can bring some stormy weather, it is also the perfect time to get outside and connect with nature when the sky is clear and the sun is out. With select parks open, we know that our residents can safely venture outside to get active and play. You might not score a winning goal in a soccer game with all your teammates and playgrounds will be closed to your young ones for a little while longer, but you can still make the best of this time.
Take this summer to learn a new skill, reconnect with your family, or study a new subject. There are many ways to grow personally from your own home. The City is regularly posting new recreation classes and programs on our social media pages and SIBTV that you can do right from your living room. And while you’re on your computer, don’t forget to fill out the census! It takes no more than five minutes and you can do it all online at 2020census.gov. Without your input, the City may be left out of millions in future state and federal funds. Remember, we all count; homeowners, renters, anyone residing in Sunny Isles Beach as of April 1, 2020.
Even though we are separated, we can still find connections. I know the last few months have been difficult. Some of us have been tested in ways we never thought imaginable. And as we see more reopenings across the City and County, it might seem natural to lower your guard. We have been fortunate enough to have a low number of reported cases in Sunny Isles Beach, and that is largely due to our residents following the stayat-home order, social distancing, and CDC guidelines. Let’s continue to keep our count down.
As I have said before, there is no one size fits all solution during a time like this. I appreciate the cooperation, kindness and respect for each other that I have seen from most of our residents throughout this challenging time. There is still plenty to do while wearing your mask and keeping that six feet of distance between others.
I hope everyone finds enjoyment this summer while continuing to stay safe.