Old Guard Attempts NMB Comeback

On Nov. 8, North Miami Beach voters will get a chance to vault the city back to the future – If former veteran commissioners Jay Chernoff and Phyllis Smith have their way.

That could be a tall order for an explosive commission at a pivotal moment in the city’s history, where massive development, political patronage, infrastructure pressures, rising utility rates, ethnic conflict and longstanding corruption issues make for a volatile cocktail in this diverse city of 44,000.

Chernoff and Smith, with a collective 32 years of past service on the commission, are just two of eight candidates for three at large seats. This pivotal election will test the durability of the council’s current makeup.

In early 2021, the young, new majority bloc quickly replaced the old management with City Manager Arthur H. Sorey III, who is on a four-year contract at more than $247,000 a year, and City Attorney Hans Ottinot, whose boutique law firm is paid $720,000 a year.

If Chernoff unseats Group 2 incumbent Paule Villard and Smith prevails in the wide-open Group 6 seat, commission control could flip the other way, though Smith could find a strong opponent in attorney Mark St. Vil, vice chair of the planning and zoning board.

“The city needs to be changed because of the strong four who are pushing the council in wrong direction,” said Chernoff. “They are spending too much money, wasting resources and hired a bad city manager.”

“I came back because the tax dollars are not being spent wisely for residents and businesses and visitors.” said Smith.

Local officials counter by pointing to wise investments in rental and mortgage assistance programs, small businesses grants, college scholarships for first-generation graduating high school seniors, and the opening of a senior center. They are also proud of passing significant campaign finance and ethics reform.

The Candidates

In Group 2, Chernoff, a 64-year-old Realtor and commissioner from 1989-2007, is taking on at large Group 2 incumbent Paule Villard, 62, a retired police sergeant who trounced him 63%-37% in 2018. Both will face Hubert Dubé, 63, a master electrician.

In Group 6, Smith, a 76-year-old Realtor and commissioner from 2007-2020, is busy going door-to-door running for the open seat vacated by term-limited Barbara Kramer, who has served since 2009. Smith faces Wrendly Mesidor, a 30-year-old marketing representative and community activist, and attorney St. Vil, 32, whose platform emphasizes career development for the young, affordable rentals for the working classes, and improved information and services to the technologically challenged and seniors.

Group 4 incumbent Fortuna Smukler, 59, will face one challenger, Realtor Hans Mardy, 57. Smukler’s platform stresses fiscal responsibility, fewer events consuming employees’ time and enhanced public safety.

Smukler has already lined up a roster of endorsements unrivalled by any other candidate, including Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, County Commissioner Sally Heyman and State Sens. Jason Pizzo and Shevrin Jones.

In the money race, incumbency clearly has its rewards.

Smukler had racked up $76,177 in contributions by Aug. 10, while Villard posted $59,760. Chernoff reported more than $16,000; Smith had $5,800; St. Vil had $3,071; Mesidor had $3,215; Mardy had $6,000; and Dubé was at $2,500.

Early voting runs 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 24, through Sunday, Nov. 6. All seats are at large. No candidate forums had been scheduled as of this writing. If no candidate in Group 2 or Group 6 captures more than 50% of the vote, the top two will face a runoff.

Snyder Tennis Center Update

As reported in the Biscayne Times last month (“NMB Snyder Tennis Courts Future in Balance”), plans were underway in North Miami Beach to offer up the 10-acre Judge Arthur I. Snyder Tennis Center and adjoining Daniel D. Diefenbach Bicentennial Park acreage – located next to the Ancient Spanish Monastery – for development.

Indeed, on Aug. 25, the city spent more than $67,000 on a pre-launch party for nearly 150 guests for the project, at which noted architect Kobi Karp unveiled a plan for four 25-story towers on what’s now a quiet stretch of West Dixie, where city codes permit towers of 30 or 40 stories.

But in early September, long-retired Jeffrey Mishcon, 81, who served as a popular mayor from 1989 to 2005, questioned the legality of the city’s plan to redevelop the land.

A subsequent investigation by Judge Snyder’s son, attorney Michael Snyder, revealed that the city cannot develop the park without a countywide referendum, according to Article Seven of the County Code of Ordinance.

“I’m glad they nipped this in the bud and gave my family some peace of mind,” said Daniel D. Diefenbach Jr., the 83-year-old son of the pioneer and longtime city manager for whom the park is partially named.

The effort is on hold for now.