|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Two seats on the Village of Palmetto Bay Council were on the ballot, Vice Mayor and Council Member Seat 2, in the Nov. 5 general election. Incumbent Vice Mayor Leanne Tellam faced challenger Mark Merwitzer and incumbent Steve Cody faced a previous council member, David Singer.
With 100 percent of the eight precincts reporting, political newcomer Mark Merwitzer, a 24-year-old resident raised in Palmetto Bay, a graduate of the University of Florida with a degree in political science and a minor in urban planning, received 6,682 votes to Tellam’s 6,605 votes, a difference of 77 votes.
Merwitzer also is the associate director at Transit Alliance Miami and previously served on the Palmetto Bay Education Advisory Committee and chaired the Youth Community Involvement Board.
In response to an interview request, Merwitzer supplied a press release which stated in part: “I am truly humbled and deeply grateful for the trust you’ve placed in me. This victory is a testament to every resident who believes in a brighter, bolder future for Palmetto Bay. I couldn’t have done this without my incredible volunteers. We walked every neighborhood because your voice matters. Palmetto Bay deserves leaders who listen to residents, not special interests. This village shaped who I am. Now, I’m ready to serve the community that raised me.”
In the race for Seat 2 Councilmember, Steve Cody received 7,521 votes to David Singer’s 5,509 votes, a difference of 2,012 votes.
When contacted by phone and asked how he felt about being reelected, Cody responded.
“I’m delighted and especially elated over the fact that I got approximately 60 percent of the vote,” Cody said. “I won by 498 votes in 2020 and this time it was 2,012, so it was a much bigger margin, so I’m ecstatic.”
When asked what he wanted to focus on in the term ahead, Cody was clear.
“I want to make sure that the progress that we made to bring the village’s finances back into compliance continues,” Cody said. “We were facing deficits; we were spending money out of our reserves. We not only rebuilt our reserves; we’re building a Veterans Park, we’re building the Community Room in Coral Reef Park and we’re building a pickleball center at Palmetto Bay Park, and all without going into a dollar of new debt.
“I know the folks in Cutler Bay have been spending a lot of money, but they’ve taken on bond issues. We figured out a way to not do that. We’re still getting legacy projects built, but we’re not burdening our children and grandchildren with paying for it.”
Merwitzer and Cody will be sworn-in officially on Dec. 9.
ABOUT US:
For more Miami community news, look no further than Miami Community Newspapers. This Miami online group of newspapers covers a variety of topics about the local community and beyond. Miami’s Community Newspapers offers daily news, online resources, podcasts and other multimedia content to keep readers informed. With topics ranging from local news to community events, Miami’s Community Newspapers is the ideal source for staying up to date with the latest news and happenings in the area.
This family-owned media company publishes more than a dozen neighborhood publications, magazines, special sections on their websites, newsletters, as well as distributing them in print throughout Miami Dade County from Aventura, Sunny Isles Beach, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Brickell, Coconut Grove, Pinecrest, South Miami, Kendall, Palmetto Bay, Cutler Bay and Homestead. Each online publication and print editions provide comprehensive coverage of local news, events, business updates, lifestyle features, and local initiatives within its respective community.
Additionally, the newspaper has exclusive Miami community podcasts, providing listeners with an in-depth look into Miami’s culture. Whether you’re looking for local Miami news, or podcasts, Miami’s Community Newspapers has you covered. For more information, be sure to check out: https://communitynewspapers.com.
If you have any questions, feel free to email Michael@communitynewspapers.com or Grant@communitynewspapers.com.
