CLOSING STATEMENT

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If you have stuck around to listen, thank you. 

It’s no secret that there has been a LOT of negative campaigning. Because of this, many residents ask why I continue to run. The reality is, I understand some of these issues better than anyone up here not just because of my background in real estate and construction and but also because I enjoy all of the amenities the town has to offer with my family. We go to the beach, I run on the hard pack, we get acai bowls at the farmers market, we attend the town parties, we go to our playgrounds, we participate in the youth sports’ programs. I am connected to the community. Not many candidates up here can actually say that. Many of them only start to come around when its election season, as I’m sure you have seen. So, I am running again because I know I can continue to be effective and I actually do care what happens to our community since I experience it first-hand.

However, I would like to comment on some of the baseless accusations for those who don’t know me and may have blindly trusted the word of those who have stated it. 

Let’s start with my business. I am a general contractor. I don’t design homes – I build and renovate them. I don’t control the “boxy” design nor have I swayed the P&Z board to approve any projects because I am not even hired for a job until AFTER plans are made and P&Z approves the design. And no, my business has not grown since my term started. In fact, 90% of the projects I’ve been involved in during the last two years were approved during the prior commission’s term and I will show anyone the record that asks me for it. 

As far as home and condo sizes go, no changes have been made to make them bigger or taller during the last 2 years…or 18 years for that matter. I do not want homes or condos to be any bigger or taller and I do not believe in changing a homeowners’ rights to make them bigger or smaller. Nobody here wants Surfside to become Sunny Isles. People have also falsely claimed that I stated that I would recuse myself on ALL zoning issues – that never happened. I did say that I would recuse myself when there was a conflict, I have done so, and I would continue to do so. 

Some claim that I have commandeered the Code Dept. I haven’t. In reality – I am under more scrutiny from Code Compliance because a group of spiteful neighbors fueling unjustified complaints. Also, no…I do not drive the Town’s golf cart all day, it is my own purchased with my money. 

As far as new development in Surfside, I’ve done zero favors and have not taken (or even been offered) any kickbacks from any developers. Again – no proof of this.  Further, not a single variance has been granted for any commercial project presented to this Commission. All were “by-right” projects.  NO Variances given.  While some may not like these projects, the property owners presented projects that were to Code. I recognize the legal implications of that as well as the tax benefits that will be enjoyed by our residents from these projects. My gain is the same as every other resident’s gain. 

So, despite the blatant lies that have been published to residents, every fake call to Code Compliance, every unsubstantiated ethics complaint that falls flat, the intimidation tactics of video-taping and cursing at me and my family when you see us around town, I am not going to allow those things to stop me from doing what I think is best for the Town.

I look forward to discussing more of the facts and issues that relate to our Town with anyone that would like to do so.