An Open Letter to Miami Beach

Dear Fellow Resident:

It’s been my greatest privilege to serve the only hometown I’ve ever known. I’ve sought to serve honorably and transparently, and would like to continue to help make our City the best version of itself. Today, therefore, I have filed for re-election as Mayor of Miami Beach.

Since I was elected in 2017, we have made significant positive strides for our City including:

• Creation of an independent Office of Inspector General for the City of Miami Beach.
• Use of “red teams” from the Rockefeller Foundation and Harvard University to review and improve our sea level rise and resiliency program.
• The creation and passage of our resident-driven GO Bond program of 57 capital projects that will serve as the template for addressing our City’s present and future needs by improving public safety, beautifying our parks and promoting greater resiliency.
• Creation of a STEAM plus program providing world class arts and culture curriculum to over 2,000 students in our public schools.
• Creation of a new “PlasticFreeMB” campaign including ordinances to ban use of plastic straws and bags from City property, docks, and sidewalk cafes, and engaging business community to work together on reducing use of other single use plastics. More than 80 restaurants and businesses are now plastic free.
• Expansion of the city’s trolleys to address congestion, so they are now serving 500,000 passengers every month
• Designation of two new historic districts (North Shore and Normandy Isle) in north beach, the largest historic designation in over 20 years.
• Placement of Miami Beach police officers in every public school in our feeder pattern, the first municipality in the county to do so, following the Parkland tragedy.
• Expansion of our City’s art & cultural programs and initiatives.
• Redevelopment of 5-6-7 Alton Road resulting in plans for creation of a new 3-acre park that will replace the empty lot and abandoned hospital building that is an eyesore.
• Participation with the City of Miami in the Bloomberg Cities Mayors Challenge to share data and efforts on resiliency preparation.
• A perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign 2018 Municipal Equality Index.
• Stricter enforcement of code issues on Ocean Drive and a new ordinance reducing noise on this iconic street.
• Approval of a Convention Center Hotel design that will activate the new convention center in ways that will benefit our community and local economy.
• New and more effective efforts to rein in illegal rentals from home-sharing platforms.

While much has been done, there is much more to do and follow up on. We are a City with high expectations of itself and its leaders. I look forward to knocking on your door and listening to your thoughts about our community.

Again, thanks for the honor of this Office. I will continue to work every day to warrant your trust.

Thanks,