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Residents voice frustration as meritless claims materialize after Larisa Svechin beats incumbent by 37 votes on November 8 Election Day
SPECIAL TO THE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS
Runoff elections are a common occurrence in municipal politics. Regrettably, so too is mud-slinging – as is now the case in Sunny Isles Beach where the second-ballot race for Mayor is heating up between first-place candidate Larisa Svechin and incumbent Dana Goldman who ranked second with 37 fewer votes.
Much to the disappointment – and growing disgust – of many residents here, immediately following the election on Nov. 8, the Goldman camp launched an aggressive smear campaign against Svechin, by creating unprovoked – and some even say “crazy” – accusations that are unfounded and defamatory. Svechin quickly confirmed that none of the claims have merit and there are no records to support the assertions being made by her opponent’s campaign.
“Resident have voiced their frustrations and anger about the rampant, one-sided campaign negativity here in our normally quaint and civil city – and they just want it to stop,” says Svechin, who likewise is tired of the constant negativity, yet is now more determined than ever to keep fighting for what’s right.
In fact, Svechin has chosen to not respond to the defaming claims, other than by strengthening her resolve to get out to the voters and to get out her campaign pledges to cut spending, cut bureaucracy, cut red tape, stamp out corruption at city hall, “and to bring back the values that make Sunny Isles Beach great,” she adds.
Svechin has been meeting with residents, talking about issues important to them. During these meetings she also discovered that residents were turned away from the polls despite being registered voters. “There already exist so many obstacles for voters who actually want to get to the polls – and now they have to wade through false statements made by the Goldman camp? This is unacceptable!”
Pointing out that the U.S. Constitution protects the peoples’ ability for free speech – as an inalienable right, Svechin stressed, “Each person is allowed free speech, even elected officials and City staff. However, there are also protections that do not allow persons to make knowingly false statements, even during political campaigns. This is where we have a line which cannot be crossed given the dire implications to persons reputations and even the outcomes of elections. The people of Sunny Isles Beach deserve a fair and honest election,” she states.
“With the climate in the country and state against defamation, we should no longer have tolerance for bad behavior. Enough is enough. Egregious behavior and improprieties cannot be tolerated,” adds Svechin.
Noting that matters are already being handled on a larger scale and addressed in Tallahassee and beyond, she says that citizens have already seen at the Federal and State level elected officials, candidates, and others reprimanded for making false statements.
In fact, she further notes that Governor DeSantis recently removed Commissioners for breaking Sunshine laws. Additionally, elected persons and candidates in Alabama, Iowa, and Rhode Island, have recently had to pay restitution for defaming candidates.
“Dirty politics is unfortunately here to stay. However, when taken too far, it goes well beyond simply being ‘part of the process.’ Voters lose when they are denied the ability to make choice based on proposed policy and facts and are instead tricked into believing lies and ‘fake news’.”
Svechin continues, “We are a country built on values, integrity, a belief in the process and an expectation that the law will be abided by, and if not, then enforced.”
The entire community is highly anxious to see the results of the December 6 runoff, many of whom wish the best to the candidate who has shown integrity, honor, and honesty win – the hopeful future mayor of Sunny Isles Beach Larisa Svechin.
(Paid for and approved by Larisa Svechin for Mayor of Sunny Isles Beach.)
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