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Since being elected in December 2020, Leanne Tellam has led the Palmetto Bay Council with smart and steady service as vice mayor.
Because of her skillful action and interactions, the village has balanced the budget and reestablished necessary reserves through fiscally conservative business management.
Under her leadership, Palmetto Bay has been able to address, execute, and plan out previously neglected maintenance of our vital infrastructure.
Significant sidewalks, local roads and drainage systems have been improved, all while managing a tight budget and keeping taxes low.
Village parks have improved through Tellam’s impact and influence too. Coral Reef Park’s previously demolished recreational building, once so important to village families, has been redesigned, fully funded and will break ground this fall.
Veterans Park is now fully designed and will begin construction soon, and the Parks Master Plan has been completed to provide further guidance and development of additional green spaces for our community to enjoy. Increased maintenance and repairs have been fully funded through budgeting and strategic planning prioritization.
Community safety has been a priority for Tellam, and she has built a strong relationship with the top-notch Palmetto Bay Policing Unit. Using her knowledge of boating and maritime law, she pushed for officers to be on the water, protecting homes on our canals.
The first Palmetto Bay Police boat now is operational and patrolling the waterways. The force has been increased, as well, with the addition of an administrative assistant so that officers can focus on servicing our residents’ needs.
Tellam continues to be a dedicated public servant, devoting her time to roles beyond the basics of vice mayor. She has agreed to serve as liaison to two resident volunteer committees: the Educational Advisory Committee and the Resiliency Committee. She was selected by the village council to chair Palmetto Bay’s Community Foundation and appointed to the board of directors of the Miami-Dade County League of Cities. Through these roles, she expands her impact on our community by improving our schools, facilitating recycling drives, and collaborating with leaders throughout the county to bring best practices and the power of partnerships back to Palmetto Bay.
“I am truly excited to be running for re-election to serve as your vice mayor,” Tellam said.
“I want to continue to take the trust my neighbors have given me and keep moving forward in a positive direction. I am committed to demonstrating maturity and a balanced approach, willing to compromise when needed and fight with all of my skills and experience when necessary.
“I have enjoyed working to address the challenges and opportunities facing our community.
I will continue to lead with integrity and a strong sense of purpose as I continue to protect our community, preserve our parks and public spaces, and promote resident interests through collaborative leadership. I hope to earn your support for another term.”
Vice Mayor Tellam has been a longstanding advocate for the community. In 2020, she was elected to serve on the village council in her current leadership role. Tellam graduated cum laude from Florida State University with a degree in Multinational Business and a minor in Spanish. She then moved back to Miami to attend Law School at the University of Miami.
She has served as a Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediator and practiced law, defending small businesses throughout South Florida. She currently teaches 12th grade Government and Economics and serves as the lead teacher for the Legal & Public Affairs Academy at Coral Reef Senior High School.
Nearly 30 years ago, she and her late husband, Doug, purchased their first home in Palmetto Bay, where she currently lives and continues to raise their three children.
Community service has always been a top priority for her. Tellam has taken leadership roles in many organizations, including the Junior League of Miami, Coral Reef Elementary and Palmetto Senior High Schools PTAs, Girl Scouts, Boy Scout Troop & Cub Scout Pack 711, and The Florida Bar Education Committee.
Her community involvement has included developing a 54-unit garden apartment complex for survivors of domestic abuse, and helping the Everglades Foundation launch a $10 million competition to foster scientific solutions to the green algae crisis. As vice mayor, she is passionate about honoring the great women who came before her and mentoring rising stars, especially here at home in Palmetto Bay.
To learn more visit leannetellam.com.
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