Early last month, the Aventura City Commission approved a special election for Nov. 5 to fill the vacant Commission Seat 2. This seat, which oversees the northern portion of Aventura, became available following the passing of Commissioner Michael Stern on July 25.
Upon consensus, the City Commission decided that the special election would be held alongside the Aventura General Election and the Miami-Dade County General Election, saving them nearly $50,000 in costs.
Democrat Cindy Orlinsky and Republican Gary Pyott, both Aventura residents for 30 years, are vying for the vacant seat.
(Courtesy of Gary Pyott)
Candidate Gary Pyott (left) with his daughter (right).
The Mayor of Aventura, Howard S. Weinberg, said the winning candidate should be a passionate community advocate and team player, as Michael Stern was.
“I expect whoever emerges victorious will try to step into Michael Stern's shoes.” Weinberg said. “That is, to be passionate about our city and always be available any time for any events we have and any additional meetings. I expect them to be a team player like Michael. The Commission is proud that we get along, unlike many cities you see, where one person says yes, the other person will say no, just based on personal animosity. We do not have that here.”
When asked about Aventura’s ongoing issues, Weinberg mentioned the need for a new school to accommodate the increase in families and children.
“A lot of kids end up on a waiting list every year. We're a victim of our success,” Weinberg said. “Our K through 12 school system is so popular that we don't have enough room for everyone. We have a lottery, and every year it is heartbreaking.”
Recognizing Aventura Mall as one of the nation’s busiest shopping centers, drawing around 25 million visitors annually, and noting the city's significant Israeli population, Weinberg is focused on enhancing safety measures.
“We are one of the safest cities,” he said, “but it's always a concern, especially in light of recent events like that of Oct. 7. We're very much out front in our support of Israel and their right to defend themselves. That upsets some people.”
ADVOCATE FOR QUALITY EDUCATION
(Courtesy of Cindy Orlinsky)
Candidate Cindy Orlinksy
Cindy Orlinsky, 54, a registered Democrat, has dedicated herself to serving her community, leading her to run for the empty seat on the city’s commission.
“My life has been based on helping people because I felt it was always the right thing to do,” said Orlinsky.
Born and raised in Hollywood, Florida, to Eastern European immigrant parents, Orlinksy is a proud first-generation American. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Business from American University in Washington, D.C., followed by a paralegal degree from Georgetown University. Upon returning to Florida, she completed both her MBA and law degree at Nova Southeastern University.
Encouraged by her mother to obtain her real estate license at 17, and disillusioned with the legal profession, Orlinsky transitioned to a full-time career as a commercial and residential real estate agent.
Orlinsky believes that her accomplishments have shaped her critical thinking skills and would help her succeed as commissioner.
“I wouldn't be the person I am today or have the knowledge and the ability to make educated decisions without my education, but also with my experience,” she said.
(Courtesy of Cindy Orlinsky)
Orlinsky (right) holding her certificate from the Citizen's Police Academy with Sgt. Hans Meastre (left)
A mother of two, Orlinsky advocates for quality education and youth empowerment. She has actively participated in her children’s school advisory groups and educational associations. Orlinsky is also involved with the Ellis Army Foundation, a national organization supporting terminally ill children. She chairs the Ellis Army Dirty Socks 5K Walkathon in Aventura, a seven-year tradition that raises funds for the foundation.
One of her proudest community involvements is her role on the Community Advisory Panel for the Aventura Police Foundation, an outreach program within the Aventura Police Department dedicated to enhancing public safety. Orlinsky also takes pride in her graduation from Aventura’s Citizen Police Academy, where she gained insights into law enforcement operations and actively contributed to community initiatives.
If elected to the commission, Orlinsky says she is committed to ensuring that the city’s police department has the resources and personnel to maintain strong safety standards.
Orlinsky also vowed to prioritize expanding school capacity to accommodate the city’s growing population. She emphasizes the urgent need to address the shortage of K-12 educational facilities and ensure that every child has access to quality schooling as Aventura continues to expand.
As a community advocate, she promises to continue fostering community engagement initiatives, such as the annual 5K, that unites her community.
“I want to focus on making informed decisions that promote growth, manage income and expenses effectively, and keep our city on a healthy path,” said Orlinsky.
ADVOCATE FOR COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS
(Courtesy of Gary Pyott)
Pyott (second-right) and Mayor Howard Weinberg (fourth-left) at a community event with the Aventura Police Department.
Gary Pyott, 66, a registered Republican, is confident in his ability to succeed as a city commissioner, due to his long-time involvement in community management and associations.
Born and raised in Pennsylvania, Pyott moved to South Florida in 1975 to attend a four-year sports administration program at Biscayne College, now St. Thomas University. He later opened his project management consulting firm, Association 1st LLC, which collaborates with homeowner associations to handle major capital project restorations. Pyott is also the senior vice president at Campbell Property Management, a South Florida property management firm.
Pyott has been involved in various community councils within the city, beginning as PTA president for Aventura’s City of Excellence School while his daughter attended the school.
Pyott currently serves as chairman of the Aventura Chamber of Commerce, a network of business leaders dedicated to fostering growth and generating tax revenue for schools and infrastructure. Appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, he also chairs the Regulatory Council for Community Associations under the Department of Business and Professional Regulation in Tallahassee, where he reviews and advises on legal changes, rule adoption, education requirements, exams, and professional conduct standards. Additionally, Pyott is a founding member and current board chairman of the Aventura Police Foundation.
Pyott emphasized how his involvement with Tallahassee and his experience working with homeowner associations from both a management and board of directors position gives him a unique vantage point to understand what affects residents in Aventura.
“My work gives me a great perspective to talk to them about what they are experiencing in rising insurance costs and capital projects that are affected by changes in laws over the last few years,” Pyott said.
Through their collaboration in the Police Foundation and the Chamber of Commerce, Pyott formed a close bond with Stern, whom he considered a dear friend. Pyott said his decision to run for Stern's former commission seat is driven by a commitment to honor his legacy and fulfill the work he aimed to complete in the remainder of his term.
If elected to the commission, Pyott said he will prioritize residents' safety by backing the police department, strengthening the connection between residents and their community associations to enhance their impact, and guiding the city’s future redevelopment to ensure it aligns with Aventura's long-term vision, rather than merely increasing the tax base.
“Redevelopment is inevitable, and we must make thoughtful decisions that truly benefit our community,” said Pyott.