I am providing initial information relating to the Palmetto Bay Candidate Forum put together / hosted by Around Palmetto Bay. This event will be held inside the hanger at the Gold Coast Railroad Museum.
South Dade Updates. My best method for keeping everyone up to date on important matters affecting our community.
Monday, September 28, 2026
Palmetto Bay Candidate Forum put together / hosted by Around Palmetto Bay - Saturday, October 3rd - 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM.
Monday, November 18, 2024
The election results have been certified - and now its official: 24-Year-Old Mark Merwitzer Becomes Youngest Vice Mayor In Palmetto Bay’s History
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.
Sunday, November 10, 2024
Exciting times - 24 year old Mark Merwitzer - Palmetto Bay's next vice mayor
Wednesday, November 6, 2024
Congratulations Mark Merwitzer - Palmetto Bay's next Vice Mayor!
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.
Sunday, November 3, 2024
Palmetto Bay campaign - getting physical and out of bounds. Well, I see this uncivil behavior at the polls as a reflection of the uncivil behavior from the current Palmetto Bay Council
Did anyone imagine this type of behavior here in Palmetto Bay? I am shocked and dismayed. As reported by the Palmetto Bay Neighbors Alliance in an email of Sunday, November 3, 2024 - supporters of the current council members continue to sink lower in their brutal campaign tactics. Now the police have been required to get involved. This hurts. My Palmetto Bay is much better than this.
Where are the candidates to whom these campaign workers are responsible to either explain or reject this incident?
See below:
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Monday, October 14, 2024
Follow up on the the facts relating to the purchase of the Shore property (partial). Facts are facts. Documents cited.
How sad for Palmetto Bay. The present members of the Village Council who are running for re-election just appear to make things up - bogyman politics at play.
FACT - a resident obtained his own appraisal for the Shores property. Guess what. It confirms the value of the land. This was originally reported in a PRIOR RELATED POST of April 16, 2021, Wow. Facts are facts. I believe that the current mayor, vice mayor and other members of the Village Council owe a retraction and an apology to former Manager Silva.
I am reposting the factual response by former manager (and long time Village resident) Ed Silva:
This Council continues to refer to the appraisal done by a private resident to claim that we didn't get the correct amount of land in the downtown area. I'm providing a copy of an appraisal with the letter of authorization in which the appraisal company has been directed to only appraise the .98 acres of land. Look closely at the document and you shall see that the appraisal authorization letter clearly states that this subject property is a part of a larger 2.27 acre site. Ironically the appraised value for just the .98 acres was $2,050,000. There was no instructions to provide a value for the bigger right of way parcel. Now again ask yourself why having these documents the Council has elected to question the integrity of the Village Attorney and Village Manager who both are no longer associated with the Village? Seems a bit vindictive doesn't it?
Here is a copy of part of that appraisal:
Please watch the Video posted below where the Hon. Dexter Lehtinen explains the facts relating to this purchase. Please take note that this village council knows better than to attack Mr. Lehtinen in regards to the purchase.
This is in follow up to another PRIOR RELATED POST of October 10, 2024, Campaign lies exposed. Get the facts and avoid campaign lies. A great purchase for the village.
Not only did the Village obtain valuable land (that the village still owns - which is probably worth even more than what was paid for it), but we stopped the 1,400 student charter school that then Mayor Stanczyk enthusiastically approved (see the post for the resolution).
Sad that this is yet another example of their spin and deflection - and misrepresentation of the fact. Only the substances of the controversy changes. But then again, “a leopard never changes its spots”. It continues to be apparent to me that drama, chaos and lack of civility from members of this current village council remain the preferred method of official business in Palmetto Bay.
Saturday, October 12, 2024
Official bullying in Palmetto Bay - voters have a chance to change the culture from toxic to community
If anyone does not believe the extent of the bullying in our council (and there are three bullies), please watch the videos of past council meetings and you will see it for yourself. The worst kinds of role models for our kids.
Note that at
0.44 – mayor Cunningham stops the clerk from reading the resident’s comments
and attempts to squelch the opinion being read.
Note further
- The Mayor solicited a legal opinion from the Village attorney to try to stop the reading of the comment. 0.51 The Village Attorney opined that the
comments contained in that letter were protected. Not getting the opinion she was seeking,
she cuts off the village attorney from completing his statement regarding this
item of first amendment right.
Of course the mayor and a majority of the council stopped any further embarrassment by voting to remove the reading of any emails at future council meetings, but that is another unfortunate situation to be discussed at another time.
My opinion is that under this current mayor and council; its not what is said, but who says it.
Elections matter. Your vote is important. We incorporated Palmetto Bay to serve ALL residents, not the insider approved few.
This is not an isolated incident - please take the time to review this PRIOR RELATED POST:
June 4, 2024, Council Member Dr. Marsha Matson said it best - "No second for anti-bullying - wow"
But the mayor and other members of the Village Council say no - in the worst way - too chicken to second and publicly discuss the bullying and combating bullying in Palmetto Bay. And to what? Here is what they even refused to discuss: item 14-F of the agenda for the regular village council meeting of Monday, June 3, 2024. This was a simple resolution sponsored by Dr. Matson:
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND VILLAGE COUNCIL
OF THE VILLAGE OF PALMETTO BAY, FLORIDA;
AUTHORIZING THE VILLAGE MANAGER TO DONATE TO
THE VILLAGE’S YOUTH COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT TASK
FORCE FIFTEEN HUNDRED DOLLARS ($1,500.00) FOR
THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF ONE (1) BUDDY
BENCH FOR ITS ANTI-BULLYING PROJECT, AND TO TAKE
ADVANTAGE OF RECEIVING A SECOND “BUY ONE, GET
ONE FREE” BUDDY BENCH; TO JOIN WITH THE TASK
FORCE IN OPPOSING BULLYING AT VILLAGE PARKS AND
PROPERTY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
(Sponsored by Councilmember Marsha Matson)
The resolution merely sought support for a $1,500 contribution from the village for the Buddy Bench - a project that is being sponsored by Dr. Matson. Council Member Matson moved it forward but it failed for lack of a second. The council had previously been in support of Buddy Benches, but apparently not if it is sponsored by Dr. Matson.
That means the request was DENIED. In effect - each and every member of the village council - other than Dr. Matson - opposed this request.
How's that for institutionalized bullying? #PalmettoBayProud
Thursday, September 26, 2024
A campaign email from candidate David Singer - a positive message to remove the toxic culture in local government.
I received this campaign email on Wednesday, September 25,2004. I was struck by its simplicity and how positive this political message is for Palmetto Bay - CLICK HERE to view this actual message online.
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Sunday, September 1, 2024
Bring back fiscal responsibility - Candidate review - David Singer for Palmetto Bay Council, District 2
Here is an election website worth a look. Far from the usual platitudes. Read his real skills and experience and what it brings to Palmetto Bay. I have seen him in action on budgets. He is focused and fair. The works hard at preventing government wasteful spending so that our tax dollars actually go to the delivery of true municipal services.
His education includes both Florida State University and the University of Miami.
He has vast experience. CPA and Real Estate agent, Eight years in public accounting, specializing in auditing, and experience in forensic auditing for various law firms.
"Palmetto Bay isn't just where I live—it's where my heart is. I'm committed to bringing our community together, giving every resident a voice, and steering our village back to the path of progress and harmony."
-David Singer
David Singer has the skills and the proven track record. David will bring fiscal responsibility back to Palmetto Bay.
CLICK HERE to view his official website.
Monday, August 19, 2024
MiamiHal Host Hal Feldman talks with candidate for Palmetto Bay Vice May...
Saturday, November 7, 2020
Historic day - both Fox and CNN agree: Joe Biden is president-elect; set to be our 46th US President. VP-Elect Kamala Harris sets history as our first female VP of color
Counts done! CNN & FOX now agree (watching between CNN & FOX for the diversity of opinions. (Ballot count on, count off). Now let the healing begin. Congratulations to Biden and special congratulations to Kamala Harris who is our first female VP, first female VP of color (I will simply refer to her as VP-elect Harris).
Monday, October 5, 2020
"Un-dorsement" reconsidered. This election is too important for the direction of Palmetto Bay. Miami’s Community Newspapers is endorsing Ed Silva
Breaking news. "Un-dorsement" reconsidered. This election is too important. Miami’s Community Newspapers is endorsing Ed Silva
It is not what the Village can do for a candidate, it is what that candidate can do for Palmetto Bay.
Here’s why Miami’s Community Newspapers is endorsing Ed Silva…
Here’s a real look at the most qualified candidate running for Vice Mayor and why we think he is deserving of your vote:Ed Silva’s work in both the private and public sector has been exceptional and he will bring great value as Palmetto Bay’s next Vice Mayor.During his time as the Village’s manager, he focused on important core issues including the environment, transportation and promoted transparency in government. As Village Manager, Ed balanced the budget and increased its net worth by $8 million.The bottom line for him is to support and engage the community.He has as a priority on walkability and bike-ability of the downtown, with a focus on supporting restaurants, offices and open spaces. To that end, as Village Manager he spearheaded the negotiations in acquiring 9 acres on Southwest 168 Street for an open space/park.
After seeing the missteps that the Village Council has been making, we decided it’s time for us to step up and deliver a message that the Village needs strong leaders that have real relevant experience that can help lead Palmetto Bay into the future. It’s clear that these are not normal times and Palmetto Bay needs and deserves, the most qualified public servants that can deal with Covid and the economic deficit that is upon the citizens of Palmetto Bay.Click the link to read the full well-reasoned endorsement of Ed Silva: Miami’s Community Newspapers is endorsing Ed Silva, by Community Newspapers, October 5, 2020
Friday, August 23, 2019
Not so breaking News - Xavier Suarez has announced that he is running for Miami-Dade County mayor - press conference held Fri, 8/23/2019
CLICK HERE to view a few relevant blog posts relating to Commissioner Xavier Suarez and his efforts on Transportation as well as Human Trafficking.
The above is the Facebook live video posted by Michael Miller, Publisher of the Community Newspapers.
Monday, December 17, 2018
Wednesday, August 29, 2018
Correcting the record. My opponent continues to dodge her votes in creating our downtown code. She owns a 100% approval record for creating it (as do I), but she also voted against extending the moratorium.
The ONLY vote where my opponent voted opposite any of my votes was on 7/19/2017, where she voted AGAINST extending the David Singer DUV Moratorium - Palmetto Bay Resolution 2017-97. This resolution passed by a 3-1 vote (the Vice Mayor was absent). Palmetto Bay's Planning Department would have been flooded with applications for 8 story buildings had the moratorium extension not passed. Perhaps my opponent failed to understand the significance of this vote. The question is:
Did she fail to understand what she was voting or has she simply 'flipped flopped' on this issue?
Another truth is that this DUV code has won award for sustainability. See August 23, 2017, The Smart Growth Partnership - The Village of Palmetto Bay wins a smart growth award for its DUV Code.











