Sally Heyman Looks Back

Even as her 35 years in public office come to a close, Miami-Dade County Commissioner Sally Heyman rejects the notion of a legacy.

She is known for correcting those who refer to her as “Commissioner” during her daily whereabouts, insisting instead on a casual first-name basis with anyone who spots her away from the dais. Heyman also has an unusual propensity to stay out of the limelight and bow out of photo-ops. As modest as she is, the 67-year-old politician may be among the last of a vanishing breed.

Heyman is a seasoned lawmaker who has held city, state and county offices. Elected without a runoff in a packed race for North Miami Beach City Commission, her political career launched in 1987. Seven years later, she became a member of the Florida House of Representatives – a position she held for four consecutive terms before a successful campaign put her on the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) for Miami-Dade in 2002.

She has represented the residents of District 4 for 20 years, an area

that comprises the 13 coastal cities of Golden Beach, Aventura, North Miami Beach, North Miami, Sunny Isles Beach, Surfside, Bal Harbour, Bay Harbor Islands, Biscayne Park, Indian Creek, Miami Beach, Miami Shores and North Bay Village.

The key to Heyman’s success, she says, has lain within her ability to maintain working relationships with the core governments of those 13 municipalities.

Closing Deals

When asked what are the top issues affecting her district, the commissioner highlighted transportation and affordable housing. Both countywide problems, in her eyes, their effects weigh heavily on the sprawling communities of northeast Miami-Dade, where high-density skyrises generate crowded streets and captivating coastlines bring in snowbirds and luxury developers.

To address the former, Heyman championed the construction of a Brightline commuter stop in Aventura, providing relief to road congestion and easily connecting residents to work and amenities in downtown Miami.

“Americans love their cars,” Heyman said, “but if we don’t give them a good alternative to get to where they’re going – even if they don’t like cars or don’t have one, they won’t have another option.”

After progress was stalled by the COVID-19 pandemic, the train stop is set to open later this month.

Other projects in the pipeline as Heyman’s tenure comes to an end include the construction of a new County Civil and Probate Courthouse on West Flagler Street, with completion slated for 2024, and a renovated Mental Health Diversion facility at 2200 NW Seventh Ave., which will work to keep the mentally ill out of county jails.

“For those people with mental illness and (poor) mental health right now, we lock them up for their safety or public safety … We need to treat them, and we need to treat them better,” Heyman said.

Both the courthouse and the mental health building – although spearheaded by Heyman – fall outside of the commissioner’s district, yet they stand to benefit residents countywide.

Résumé of Accomplishments

As projects wrap up, Heyman shines an equal light on past successes, particularly in matters of cybersecurity, public safety and environmental protection.

As a state representative, she addressed issues relating to juvenile justice. As a commissioner, she co-sponsored ordinances guiding solicitations of cybersecurity software and created the “At-Risk” Vessels Task Force to identify, regulate and remove environmental hazards in the county’s waterways.

In all other facets, Heyman works under a self-asserted motto: “Dignity, not drama.”

When back-to-school and holiday seasons arrive, she hands out gift cards for community-based organizations, schools or churches to distribute on their own accord, allowing residents to shop for supplies as they see fit – a strategy Heyman prefers to one-time events producing long lines and attention from the media.

Referred to as a “force of nature” by , the commissioner has a track record that awes many.

“She has made such a difference not only to her district, but countywide,” Levine Cava said. “She just has been really an amazing public servant for many, many years, and I’ve been proud to serve with her.”

“I’ve seen firsthand her determination and her unbelievable work ethic, especially on those issues that matter most to her and the community,” said Heyman’s successor, Micky Steinberg, who has collaborated with the co

mmissioner for years on several efforts.

Indeed, Heyman brings personal passions to the agenda – namely, animals and parks. The nature lover has worked to lower euthanasia rates countywide, promote adopt-not-shop initiatives and pass bonds to increase funding for basic animal services like vaccinations, as well as for tree expansion and additional park benches.

”It’s a nice gift,” said the commissioner. “Instead of a bottle of wine, you get someone a bench to sit at the park.”

Community Roots

Heyman’s appetite for public service was instilled in her at an early age by her late mother, a former public school teacher who always taught her to “make something better and get others involved.”

As a young girl Heyman would sell candy for her school’s parent-teacher association. Her fundraising efforts later continued on behalf of the band at her high school, where she was also a member of the local service club.

Her philanthropies carried on into adulthood when she became a schoolteacher herself, and later a m

ember of the public safety sector, employed by the city of Miami and North Miami Beach police departments.

“[My success] came from respecting the diversity of the county, putting my passions into action,” Heyman said. “I really like public service. I’ve done it all my adult life, so helping people is always a priority.”

With roots in the very neighborhoods that she serves today, Heyman brings the power of community into her policymaking. She remembers sitting through storms as a child and waiting until the eye of a hurricane came along so that she could finally run outside and join the rest of her neighbors.

What she didn’t know is that some decades later she’d be meeting with neighbors again – only this time to protect rather than to play. Every year at the beginning of hurricane season, Heyman mobilizes a team of law enforcement officers, grocers, medical professionals, fire rescue personnel, community organizers, cell phone service providers, politicians and more to create a preparatory plan for all foreseeable emergencies.

“Everybody comes together,” she said, “and that’s the spirit that I grew up with when I was a kid. Everybody thinks it’s gone, but no. Sometimes you just have to sort of give it a little nudge or encouragement – they’re all there.”

Moving On

Heyman will be termed out in November, and even though she speaks of the job with a smile on her face, she assures it isn’t just county rules that stopped her from seeking reelection.

If there’s one thing that differs from Heyman’s first day in office and what will soon be her last, it’s the onset of political cynicism.

“It’s been a hell of a run,” she said, “but I’m done with politics.”

Inclusivity became a virtue for Heyman as she learned the ropes of being a politician years ago. Back then, she’d debate with opponents in her city commission race and go to dinner with them right after. She would campaign with people across party lines. Now, she says, things are different.

Over the past few years, Heyman has seen how the pandemic has changed the fabric of the game. She has witnessed universal issues turn partisan, including gun violence and affordable housing.

“I think we could’ve evolved more civilly, and I don’t think some of the politicians who I’m seeing run for office are trying to do that,” she said. “Their campaigns are embracing divisiveness.”

Heyman says she’ll be happy to get back to her personal and professional lives, which have been on the backburner since she’s been in office.

At the same time, she compares her leave from the job to being pulled away from an unfinished jigsaw puzzle. Issues that in her view require continued attention include fire rescue gear safety and affordability, and the backlog of rape kits.

She plans to extend her efforts surrounding these matters as a volunteer, advocate or political consultant once her term is up.

“I’m going to be out soon, but the passion doesn’t go away,” Heyman said. “If it’s in you, it’s in you. You don’t have to hold office to be a public servant and help people.”