Eugene Flinn is running for reelection to the office of mayor of Palmetto Bay.
Flinn, a lifelong resident of Miami-Dade County, graduated from Southwest Miami Senior High and earned BA and JD degrees from the University of Miami. Married to Alexandra Flinn, author of books for young adult readers, they have two daughters — Katherine, a student at University of Florida, and Meredith, a student at Miami Palmetto Senior High. Mayor Flinn is an attorney.
His hobbies include fitness training, the arts, bicycling, rafting, and enjoying the outdoors in general. He also enjoys traveling and gardening.
Flinn is one of the founders of Palmetto Bay and served as the founding mayor between 2002 and 2010. In recognition of his service, Flinn has received the Steven J. Cranman Professional Public Service Award for exemplifying a superior level of commitment to the community by Chamber South, and the South Dade Leadership Award by The Rotary Club of Perrine-Cutler Ridge/Palmetto Bay. He has served in numerous community organizations.
All candidates were asked the following questions:
If elected, what would you do in the first 100 days?
“Convene a public visioning session with the village council. Assess the mandate from the electorate and work to update our current master plans — transportation, developmental, financial, parks master plan and budget five-year capital plans. Each election sets new priorities.”
What motivated you to run for office?
“The opportunity to continue to improve our wonderful community! I love Palmetto Bay, the people and our potential. I’ve developed significant knowledge and contacts which I continue to use to benefit our village. I see the enormous potential for our village and remain committed to demonstrating my leadership for years to come. My past actions show that I continue to be focused on working to make Palmetto Bay better.”
Why do you think you would be the best candidate for the position?
“I’m persistent and results oriented, and always responsive and engaged. I remain transparent. I communicate in person, at meetings, via e-mail newsletter as well as a blog — eugeneflinn.blogspot.com.
“I remain committed to ‘government lite’ having a low ratio of employees to residents.
“I am proud of the accomplishments of this Village, which include:
Completion of Florida’s first-ever LEED Platinum certified Municipal Center;
Obtaining grants and appropriations to create the “Village of Parks, and
Saving millions in reserves which earned Palmetto Bay an outstanding AAA bond rating.
“Working with the Village Council. We have renovated existing parks and obtaining additional park land as well as bringing diverse park amenities. We have also purchased and preserved bayfront, known as Thalatta Estate and Ludovici Park.
“We have developed family-friendly activities including our Earth Week events in partnership with our schools and in our parks including family movie nights. I remain proud of the many green initiatives that we have undertaken in Palmetto Bay and will continue to move forward to advance our efforts. I am committed to preserving endangered pine rocklands, including the threatened 22 acres along Old Cutler at the Palmetto Bay Village Center.”
— Gary Alan Ruse
