Remember when our local government held actual community workshops on the budget? Too few still remember.
Vice Mayor Mark Merwitzer invites you to your park - Coral Reef Park - for the only up close and personal community conversation.
Per Vice Mayor Merwitzer: He is hosting a community conversation THIS THURSDAY and he needs YOU there.
Thursday, August 28th
5:45 PM - Sunset
Coral Reef Park Gazebo (near 77th Avenue)
Our village is bringing in more money than ever before, yet we're being told we can't afford police patrols and park hours that families depend on.
Meanwhile, the budget includes:
40% pay raises for council members
$3 million for a private pickleball facility
Guaranteed health insurance for council after we leave office
Does this make sense to you? It doesn't to me.
Come share your thoughts. Bring your neighbors.
Mark wants to work together with you, the residents, on solutions that put families first, because when residents like you show up and stay engaged, we protect the Palmetto Bay we all love.
The budget gets finalized in September. That's when we need you most.
Wednesday night didn't go the way we wanted. The settlement agreement with the Village Center developer on Old Cutler Road passed 3-2, with Mayor Cunningham, Councilman Fiore, and Councilman Cody voting to approve the massive development deal. The deal they cut will bring 450 units, over 130,000 square feet of retail space, buildings up to 130 feet in height, and a 120-room hotel to Old Cutler Road.
But I want every resident to remember that we showed up. Over 100 residents packed Village Hall, and the strength of our community was undeniable. The level of civic engagement we've seen, from the Palmetto Bay Moms' Chat to our environmental advocates to neighbors from every corner of our village, is absolutely unprecedented in our community's history.
That energy in the room made our position clear, and I'm grateful that Councilwoman Matson stood with me in opposing this settlement and supporting my alternative proposal.
Let me explain the choice we faced. The court had previously ordered a much less intense 2017 plan. I pushed for the council to stick with this court-ordered plan instead of cutting a deal with the developer to end their legal blackmail against the village.
However, during Wednesday's meeting, the council chose to approve a settlement agreement that gives the developer more than the court-ordered plan required, adding over 130,000 square feet of retail space and a 120-room hotel that weren't in the original court order, while providing weaker protection for the 22-acre forest.
Here's what convinced me we were fighting for the right approach. During the meeting, our lawyer passed me a note stating that the last thing the developers wanted was my alternative, because it would only give them what they're legally required to receive, not the extra commercial space and hotel that the village was about to fold on. What this told me beyond any doubt is that even those involved in this development privately recognize that the plan without the hotel and massive commercial units was not only viable, but would give the developer so much less.
While I'm deeply concerned about the impact this settlement will have on our quality of life and traffic on Old Cutler Road, I refuse to let this discourage us. We have a major opportunity ahead. Two of the three council members who voted for this deal are termed out and ineligible for re-election in 2026.
That means we have the chance to remake this council together. We've proven that when residents like you get engaged, when you show up, when you make your voices heard, this community becomes unstoppable. They want you to be discouraged. They want you to go home and give up.
But that's not who we are.
We are a community that doesn't go down without a fight. We are neighbors who care enough to fill Village Hall on a weeknight because we love the place we call home. And we are the movement that will carry this energy forward to 2026.
Thank you again to everyone who stood with us, including the moms' groups, environmentalists, and concerned neighbors from every part of Palmetto Bay. This level of engagement with local government is unprecedented, and it gives me so much hope for what we can accomplish together.
Now for some good news!
I promised to fight for a 4th of July celebration, and I'm thrilled to share that we made it happen! After the Village announced the cancellation of our traditional celebration during our May meeting, I immediately reached out on behalf of residents who were heartbroken about losing this beloved tradition.
After the Village cancelled our celebration, I reached out to Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins's office for help, and I'm so grateful for their response. They have done an OUTSTANDING job putting together this incredible 'Fourth on the Fairway' celebration on incredibly short notice. Free entry, fireworks, live music, food trucks, mini golf, and more are coming to the Palmetto Golf Course on US-1 & 152nd Street. Gates open at 5 PM on July 4th!
See you under the fireworks!
Keep watching for updates. Keep staying engaged. Keep believing that we can protect the village we love.
If you have questions or want to discuss anything, please don't hesitate to call me at 786-309-6743.
Answering your questions - how did we get to Palmetto Bay dropping one of its signature events - the 'downtown Independence Day celebration' - this event has always been promoted by the current elected officials, selling Palmetto Bay's Independence Day as when "The Village will ring in Independence Day with patriotic spirit and pride in a day filled with wholesome, all-American fun for the entire family!" This event had been FREE to the public thanks to the many sponsors and vendors who worked so diligently to bring this event to our community.
So why then was this wholesome, all-American fun for the entire family event abruptly cancelled without warning? For years, this has been the day when neighbors gather, children wave American flags, and families watch fireworks light up the summer sky. One of our signature events that really signed how Palmetto Bay is a great place to live work and play!
The village didn’t announce the termination publicly, hold a community meeting, or give residents a chance to speak up. Instead, they quietly mentioned the cancellation in passing during the May council meeting on just one slide in a PowerPoint. They claimed "The Shores Development" needed the space to build their high-rise. Really? This event was much more than fireworks and so little of it actually occurred on the Shores property. The choice to cancel rather than find a solution puts development ahead of our community values. Perhaps the real reason is they have no money. Or its no longer needed as a political event as 4/5 of this counsel is term limited. It was for the residents, not the politicians!
However, Palmetto Bay's Vice Mayor, Mark Merwitzer, is not to be deterred. He reached out to County Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins for a solution. She stepped up. High energy between them.
Thank you Commissioner Cohen Higgins - picking up as scheduling the first ever "Fourth on the Fairway" at Palmetto Golf Course. This will serve Palmetto Bay and surrounding areas now that local Palmetto Bay officials have "86'd" our downtown community Independence Day celebration. It was a great event while it lasted. Now, perhaps, the Commissioner's event can fill that void of great community community events. I'm impressed with the scope of the activities listed - food, live music, picnic on the green and - of course - fireworks!
Here is the note from the commissioner posted on her Instagram page:
"With the 4th of July fireworks cancelled by the Village of Palmetto Bay this year, we got to work to do everything we could to make sure this special South Dade tradition continues! So proud to announce the first ever Fourth on the Fairway!
After the 4th of July Parade in the morning in Cutler Bay, we can’t wait to see you and your families for a most spectacular fireworks show in the evening at the newly renovated Palmetto Golf course! It will be a showcase of our beautiful Miami Dade County park, a celebration of our nations birthday and an opportunity to come together as one community. Can’t wait to see you at Fourth on the Fairway!"
Thank you Commissioner DCH for stepping up and Vice Mayor Mark Merwitzer for looking out for our community in working to keep our Independence Day celebration going for the Palmetto Bay area. Personally, I would like to see our Vice Mayor get this event back on track here in Palmetto Bay for future years.
Vice Mayor Mark Merwitzer - a product of our village who has worked hard to for his chance to serve - and who is making the most of it, when others on the council are more concerned about accumulating perks or taking selfies.
There are important safety issues that need to be discussed by our council. Instead, Palmetto Bay residents rarely find anything useful on village social media - its more targeted to photos of the mayor and selected council members taken at past village social events.
Vice Mayor Merwitzer is focuses on village safety. Past history has shown is interest for the people. This is a reboot of a blog post from August 14, 2017.
SURPRISE, SURPRISE, SURPRISE - Per the Vice Mayor:
A salary and insurance is apparently not enough for their part time service, per the Vice Mayor:
Your council members want to give themselves a $24,000 car allowance while considering raising your taxes. They tried to push this through without public input. That’s unacceptable.
This reads like a enemies list - use of one's tax dollars against them. What a tangled web the Mayor and council have weaved against some neighbors who have been pursuing a legal process in regard to the "Tanglewood" surplus property (located under the FPL power lines):
The county urged the village to negotiate a compromise, but instead, the village spent over $132,000 of your tax dollars on a high-powered lobbyist to fight these residents. Worse, the contract was marked confidential, despite being publicly funded, and included plans to monitor “opposition activities,” meaning our own neighbors.
Taxpayer dollars should never be used to undermine residents who follow the rules.
Read the Vice Mayor's updates and get on his e-mailing list!
Hello,
I want to share what I've been working on as your Vice Mayor and how it affects your daily life in our village.
I recently had the pleasure of joining Michael Miller from the Community Newspapers to share with you what I have been working on. Watch my interview with Michael Miller to hear firsthand about our community’s progress and plans.
Traffic Safety in Your Neighborhoods
When residents reached out to me about how rush hour traffic turned some of our quiet residential roads into dangerous shortcuts, I took action. The good news is that we're slowly making changes that work. I am exploring how we can remove these shortcuts from navigation apps and am working with our administration on adding traffic-calming measures to places that need them. Throughout my term, I want to do more than the old approach of adding speed bumps to streets and calling it a day. Your street could be next. Just email or call me, and I'll come walk it with you.
Fighting Distracted Driving
Distracted drivers put your family at risk every day. We've all seen it with drivers swerving between lanes while talking on their phone, or the near-misses when someone's texting instead of watching the road. These dangerous choices kill thousands each year and create those frustrating backups when phone-distracted drivers miss green lights. I refuse to accept this as normal. That's why I'm headed up to Tallahassee to fight for a complete ban on handheld phone use while driving, joining 31 other states that have already taken this life-saving step. Your safety on our roads matters more than someone's phone call.
Moving Palmetto Bay Forward
Since the election, I’ve been honored to serve as your Vice Mayor, focused on improving our community’s safety, infrastructure, and overall quality of life. Sadly, a fellow council member is now making false claims that I’m not the legitimate Vice Mayor, despite our fair and square election win. To counter these unsubstantiated allegations, the village had to spend $6,000 of your tax dollars onan independent legal opinion that fully confirmed my oath was properly administered. Despite that, this council member continues to push this debunked narrative.
Meanwhile, the real issues you care about are waiting. I remain ready to work with everyone to move Palmetto Bay forward. That’s what you elected me to do, and that’s what I’ll keep focusing on.
Looking Out for Good Government
I love parks. Like you, I want more green spaces for families and neighbors to enjoy. But how we create them matters just as much as having them. Many of you have asked about a property in northern Palmetto Bay, and you deserve the facts.
Nearly three years ago, local residents followed all the proper steps to buy land next to their homes, just as their neighbors did in 2018. But as they neared the finish line, the village sent Miami-Dade County a “poison pen” letter, attempting to derail the sale. The county urged the village to negotiate a compromise, but instead, the village spent over $132,000 of your tax dollars on a high-powered lobbyist to fight these residents. Worse, the contract was marked confidential, despite being publicly funded, and included plans to monitor “opposition activities,” meaning our own neighbors.
Taxpayer dollars should never be used to undermine residents who follow the rules.
Do I want more parks? Absolutely. But not through backroom deals and hidden spending. You deserve transparency and honesty about where your money goes. We can find new places to build parks, but once trust is lost, it’s hard to rebuild.
So I ask: What’s more important, another park, or a government you can trust?
Protecting Your Tax Dollars
Your council members want to give themselves a $24,000 car allowance while considering raising your taxes. They tried to push this through without public input. That’s unacceptable. This makes no sense when our Village is running out of money for basic needs like stormwater management and infrastructure repairs. I ran for office to serve you, not to pad my own pockets. Adding new benefits to council members while asking you to pay more would break your trust, and rightly so. I will be pushing to stop this proposal so we can focus on what really matters, like solving our financial challenges and protecting the services you count on.
Your Voice Matters
Every decision I make starts with asking, "How does this help our residents?" If you have concerns or ideas about improving Palmetto Bay, my door is always open.
You can reach me at 786-309-6743
Also, if you want to discuss any of these issues in person, just email me. I'm here to help!
A new generation is stepping up to lead. These are exciting times for Palmetto Bay.
The election was certified last Friday so the results are now official.
Mark's hard work and perseverance paid off in the face of vicious rumors and baseless attacks. He ran an outstanding positive campaign based upon his qualifications and vision for our community.
As reported in the Palmetto Bay News: Mark’s campaign was considered a long shot. He faced an incumbent vice mayor supported by influential figures like the county mayor, local school board member, village mayor, and current and former Palmetto Bay and Pinecrest councilmembers, to name a few. Despite these odds and running against an opponent funded by political action committees, his grassroots campaign resonated with voters eager for change.
Perhaps his biggest challenge will be working with Council Member Dr. Marsha Matson to restore civility, accountability and transparency to Palmetto Bay.
A very nice thank you from Vice Mayor Elect Merwitzer. I would expect no less as he is a product of this fine village:
Hello Gene,
I am truly humbled and deeply grateful for the trust you've placed in me as your new Vice Mayor. This victory belongs to each and every one of you who believed in a brighter, bolder future for our village. Together, we have shown that when a community comes together, we can create meaningful change.
To my incredible volunteers, friends, and neighbors who walked with me, knocked on doors, made calls, and shared their enthusiasm — thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your support and belief in our vision for Palmetto Bay have made all the difference.
Now, the work begins. I am committed to delivering on our promises—from traffic solutions to preserving our green spaces, reinstating the Neighborhood Protection Committee, and ensuring that every voice in our community is heard. This is just the start, and I am excited to work alongside each of you to move our village forward.
As a small request, if you have a yard sign supporting our campaign, please take it down as soon as possible.
Lastly, I encourage everyone to stay engaged. Let's continue to build a village that listens, learns, and grows together. I’m always here to hear your thoughts and concerns. Please feel free to reach out anytime at mark@markmerwitzer.com or via phone at 786-309-6743.
Thank you once again for your trust and support. Let's continue to make Palmetto Bay a place we are all proud to call home.
A new generation is stepping up to lead. Exciting times for Palmetto Bay.
Mark's hard work and perseverance paid off in the face of vicious rumors and baseless attacks. He ran an outstanding positive campaign based upon his qualifications and vision for our community.
I am excited to see what Mark will accomplish for Palmetto Bay. He is a true son of Palmetto Bay - born and raised in our fine village.
Perhaps his biggest challenge will be working with Council Member Dr. Marsha Matson to restore civility, accountability and transparency to Palmetto Bay.
A great video from a candidate who will present himself to the public. He is well qualified to lead. He has vision. Mark Merwitzer is a product of our village.
We should be proud of his accomplishments to date. Support an outstanding member of our Village for Palmetto Bay Council.
Some priorities for Mark Merwitzer:
Bring back the Neighborhood Protection Committee - disbanded by the current members of the village council.
Traffic. Mark works for Transit Alliance Miami and has expertise he can bring to the village council. He also wants to work with WAZE (and has worked with WAZE) to remove cut through streets.
Experienced in real community engagement
The current mayor and council have voted for every high rise apartment - check the record. Many village residents would trade where they work in a heartbeat to save themselves their long commutes - but this is not what the present council is permitting in development.
Update on transportation - and a breath of fresh air - Palmetto Bay has a candidate who actually understands transit and the issues relating to South Miami-Dade County.
Nearly 80% of those who took the time to vote - voted in favor of the non-binding straw poll on transit - "Does Miami-Dade County need to expand its existing rapid mass transit system? (Rapid mass transit is defined here as elevated Metrorail, passenger rail, and/or Metromover)" - as reported in the Miami Herald - Miami-Dade voters overwhelmingly say the county should expand rapid mass transit, by Catherine Odum, updated August 21, 2024
One source? Palmetto Bay's favorite son, Mark Merwitzer, the associate director of the advocacy group Transit Alliance, said he was pleased with the results of the straw poll. He said by voting in favor of this ballot measure, Miami-Dade residents made it clear they don’t want the “status quo” of “more highways and more traffic.”
Miami-Dade’s growing population has exacerbated congestion and traffic throughout the county.
Merwitzer added that he commends Gilbert, along with co-sponsor Commissioner Eileen Higgins, for their work.
(source above - the Miami Herald)
My take aways?
1. Residents have loudly proclaimed their concern as to the state of transit in Miami-Dade County.
2. Palmetto Bay has a resident - and candidate for Vice Mayor - who clearly understands the issues and is ready to advocate for Palmetto Bay.
3. Mark Merwitzer has demonstrated that he can work with County leaders on issues of great public importance.
MiamiHal Host Hal Feldman talks with Mark Merwitzer, the policy director at the Transit Alliance. This interview originally aired on May 30, 2024, when Mark had just announced that he is running for the Vice Mayor position in Palmetto Bay.
See Channel 10 online for the full story - excerpts below:
MIAMI – Advocates say Miami-Dade voters have a choice on the Aug. 20 ballot.
“More highways, more congestion, or a new option?” Mark Merwitzer, with Transit Alliance Miami, said.
A measure on the primary ballot includes a non-binding question about expanding rapid transit in the county, specifically the existing Metromover and Metrorail systems.
It comes as choking congestion prompts county commissioners to look at elevated rail along the county’s East-West Corridor: a Metromover expansion along Flagler Street to Florida International University.
“The number one complaint about quality of life in Miami-Dade County is the traffic,” Merwitzer said. “Traffic is a nightmare and public transit is the solution to that.”
Miami-Dade County Commissioner Eileen Higgins summed it up thusly: “People are trapped in traffic.”
EDITOR'S NOTE: I am not sure how I will vote. I am far from pleased as to how the current half cent sales tax is being (mis)spent. I'd like to send a message and vote NO, but they will play the vote how they want to, regardless of the results.
UPDATE: I am posting a screen shot of the County Straw Ballot question. Do we really need to answer it? The answer is obvious. But note that this does nothing toward upgrading South Dade with anything elevated, which the prior mayors of Pinecrest, Palmetto Bay and Cutler Bay fought for. This locks South Miami-Dade into the bus; but now with the old fashioned Railroad style crossing gates (talk about antiquated technology).
Question – how many voices does it take to force the mayor
and village council to do the right thing?
Answer – over 730 voices involved in
a viral online petition.
Who are the real heroes here? Over 730 people
plus the three who truly lead the charge. Thank you to all those who spoke up
in person, in emails and in the online petition that became a tsunami forcing
the council to reverse court and promise to do what the manager said could not
be done.
Thank you once again to Council Member Dr. Marsha Matson, who has become
the Lone Ranger to Palmetto Bay residents. She acts on behalf of the
residents when the current mayor and remaining council members sit in stone
silence, oblivious in the face of needed action.
Dr. Matson was a catalyst of this latest action – remember we all were told that
(check the video snippet – provided courtesy of A Better Palmetto Bay)
Dr.
Matson: Can the multi-purpose
building in Coral Reef Park be moved to save the old tree?
Manager: I
don’t think at this point it can, ma'am. And we have briefed for the past year
that that there were a number of trees that we going to be removed.
FAIR
QUESTIONS: 1. When
was a landscaping plan presented to the public? (SPOILER ALERT – It wasn’t). 2. Why were no other members of the village council, including the mayor, following up and showing any interest or concern for the tree(s) at this meeting (or at any other time)? (SPOILER ALERT – because they didn't care until the viral online petition hit 700 signatures.)
We, the people, want government to be brought out from
under the shade and into the sunshine, not the passive areas of our parks through the destruction of our precious tree canopy.
THE OBVIOUS TAKEAWAY – the manager stated that for the past
year, they have advised as to tree removal – and only the Lone Ranger, Dr.
Matson, has ever raised an issue with saving
trees. Wow. Watch the video. Only Dr. Matson
is active and engaged. The remaining members of the council are disengaged,
actively disinterested, staring into space or reading papers or from their
electronic devices. So it fell to grass roots – led by Mark Merwitzer, Pam
Gorman and Palmetto Bay’s Lone Ranger. The Mayor and council had the
chance to involve the public, but they squandered the opportunity to allow the
public to participate in important decisions.
Thank you Mark Merwitzer, who is active and energetic, as
opposed to those stodgy members of the council who have no ideas and no ability
to follow up and represent the people when staff is attempting to move items
forward. Far too many members of this council are there for the
paychecks and benefits that they have awarded themselves. They don’t want to
take any action, accepting the will of the staff.
He has the will and ability to be the voice of the people.
And Thank you Pam Gorman, who initiated the petition and
rallied so many concerned residents to the cause.
No one would be evening learning of the proposed fate of
the trees, or would have had a voice in this matter, had it not been for the
leadership and determination of these three. They were instrumental
in this fight.
Action matters more than words. This fight is
not over until all the paperwork is completed. we need to remember that this fight is
not over. We must remain vigilant and ensure Mayor Cunningham and the other
Village Council Members follows through on the (appropriate) flip flop to now
save this the tree. Let us hope that this success translates into a new policy,
reversing this administration's terrible record and the
countless trees they have destroyed in the name of development, we
cannot afford to take her word at face value.
Thursday, August 28th
5:45 PM - Sunset
Coral Reef Park Gazebo (near 77th Avenue)
40% pay raises for council members
