North Miami Beach’s long search for a permanent city manager ended last week with the selection of Darvin Williams. But the decision immediately ignited fresh political conflict, including allegations of threatening behavior inside City Hall and renewed scrutiny of Williams’ record as a past city manager for Opa-locka.
The City Commission chose Williams from a pool of four finalists during a contentious public meeting on Jan. 20, marked by sharp divisions among elected officials. Williams secured the position on the first written ballot with votes from Commissioners Lynn Su, Jay Chernoff, Daniela Jean, and Fortuna Smuckler. Mayor Michael Joseph and Commissioner McKenzie Fleurimond supported interim assistant city manager Marline Monestime, while Commissioner Phyllis Smith voted for Rasha Cameau.
A subsequent motion to approve the selection by acclamation passed 6–1, with Joseph dissenting, as the city enters its centennial year and seeks stability after years of leadership turnover.
PUBLIC PRAISE FOR WILLIAMS
(Johania Charles for the Miami Times)
Darvin Williams was the former city manager at Opa-locka.
Public comment opened with strong support for Williams by residents hailing from both Opa-locka and NMB, with speakers urging commissioners to focus on leadership.
Opa-locka Commissioner Dr. Sherelean Bass spoke in Williams’ favor, citing his role in addressing long-standing financial and infrastructure issues in her city.
“It had been decades when one of our major commercial water customers basically refused to pay their water bill,” Bass said. “With Mr. Williams’ leadership, he was able to bring all parties to the table and secure a $1 million payment to the city of Opa-locka.
“You will not make a mistake by bringing Mr. Williams on as part of your family,” she added. “He is a man of integrity, transparency, and he can get the job done.”
Longtime North Miami Beach resident Irene Pilinger said Williams stood out during interviews.
(Courtesy Miami Times)
Darvin Williams has been appointed North Miami Beach City Manager
“I personally haven’t met Darvin Williams, but he impressed me most through this process,” she said. “I feel he’s the person who can best manage our budget, our staff, and our politicians.”
But even supportive residents urged caution. Ketley Joachim asked commissioners to ensure an “ironclad contract” and encouraged Williams, if selected, to learn existing systems before making sweeping changes.
COMMISSIONERS DIVIDED
Before voting, commissioners debated both procedure and qualifications. Commissioner Smith said her decision was guided by the city’s looming infrastructure and fiscal challenges, including issues at the water treatment plant. She also raised concerns about Williams’ wife serving as a councilwoman in Miami Gardens, a city currently involved in a multimillion-dollar legal dispute with NMB.
Commissioner Chernoff disagreed, arguing the relationship could be an asset rather than a liability.
“I don't think that having the wife who's a commissioner in another city that we're fighting with is a bad thing,” Chernoff said. “I think it's a way for us to maybe mend the fence and do something well.”
Joseph, however, struck a more cautious tone, emphasizing the city manager’s public visibility and symbolic role.
(Amelia Orjuela Da Silva for the Biscayne Times)
NMB Mayor Michael Joseph.
“This person will be at the forefront of our community,” he said.
Joseph told colleagues he had reviewed background checks and urged commissioners to consider what might become public, and how that could reflect on the commission’s judgment.
“There’s a lot of concerning stuff in some of these background checks that I am fearful, if it does get out, would be an embarrassment to our city,” he said.
After the vote, Joseph reiterated those concerns about Williams in a statement to Biscayne Times.
“Given his background check, he has a lot of issues that gave me serious concerns, and I didn’t feel comfortable voting for him to lead our city,” Joseph said.
Public record requests submitted to North Miami Beach and Opa-locka for Williams’ background materials were not fulfilled by publication time.
Following the appointment, criticism toward Williams’ tenure in Opa-locka resurfaced. Opa-locka Commissioner Natasha Ervin sharply criticized his leadership.
"The man is Satan," Ervin told the Biscayne Times. "He would lead you to believe that he's one person, while inside, he's someone totally different.”
Ervin alleged that once Williams’ position in Opa-locka was made permanent, he caused chaos, fired employees without due diligence, and maintained poor relationships with four out of five commissioners.
Williams was fired from Opa-locka in October 2024. Earlier, he filed a whistleblower complaint accusing then-Vice Mayor Ervin of embezzlement, a claim she denied.
Ervin also alleged the city later discovered 17 unauthorized bank accounts opened under Williams’ tenure.
Biscayne Times contacted Williams multiple times for comment but received no response.
POST-MEETING TURMOIL
(Ford Windows Treatment.)
Barbara Kramer, former commissioner, long-time resident and leader of WakeUp NMB.
The controversy deepened when Mayor Joseph filed a police report alleging that former City Commissioner Barbara Kramer threatened his life inside City Hall. Kramer, a longtime North Miami Beach resident, is also a leader of the civic group WakeUp NMB.
Joseph said Kramer approached him around 10:40 p.m. as he was leaving the commission chambers.
“‘I’m going to get you. I want to hurt you. Police can’t do anything about it,’” Joseph alleged Kramer said. “The nature of her statements caused me to stop and turn around, fearing an imminent attack. Ms. Kramer was directly behind me and held her hand in a threatening manner, which led me to believe she might have been carrying a weapon.”
Kramer denied the allegations.
“I have never threatened his safety, nor would I ever do so,” Kramer told Biscayne Times. “Allegations of violence are serious, which is why being falsely accused in this way is outrageous. Mayor Joseph has, on more than one occasion, claimed that his safety was threatened when it was not. In this instance, as in others, that claim is untrue.”
Joseph said video evidence exists and is under review by North Miami Beach Police and the State Attorney’s Office.
According to Joseph, the incident was not his first encounter with Kramer, citing a 2022 censure criticizing her conduct toward commissioners.
According to the police report, Kramer said she only told Joseph she was pleased by the commissioners’ decision to review the treatment of city staff.
“I served as a commissioner in North Miami Beach for more than 13 years and have been involved in this community for nearly two decades,” Kramer said. “I have been outspoken and critical of the actions of city officials on matters of public concern when warranted. That criticism is lawful and protected speech, and it does not constitute a threat.”