The city of North Miami Beach’s special mayoral race is in high gear. Now that the qualifying period has officially closed, residents have one month to weigh out potential candidates before the Dec. 5 election.
Although pickings are slim in quantity, residents may find that both names on the ballot hold some weight. Evan Scott Piper and Paule Villard, both former commissioners with decades of community involvement behind them, are the only two candidates running.
A third candidate, David Zapen, whose platform included building a basic income for North Miami Beach residents, pulled his name from the race before the qualifying period closed Oct. 21.
(Courtesy of Evan Scott Piper)
Evan Scott Piper temporarily served as a North Miami Beach commissioner in 2018 after Frantz Pierre was removed from office.
With only two options remaining, December’s election will be decisive, removing the potential need for a Jan. 23, 2024, runoff. Before the year is up, the city will have sworn in a new elected official to take former Mayor Anthony DeFillipo’s place and fill the now vacant seventh seat on the commission.
Unifying the Commission
Each candidate says they’re readily equipped to bridge differences within the commission amid ongoing controversies that have stunted progress over the past year, including DeFillipo’s arrest and subsequent ousting in June over charges of voter fraud.
“This whole city’s been sort of a circus for several years,” said Piper. “So my main priority is unifying the city, and that goes for everybody, but starting with the commission … We’ve got to be a team before we can win Super Bowls.”
(MDCR)
A trial for former North Miami Beach Mayor Anthony DeFillipo is currently scheduled for Nov. 13.
Residents have long felt that infighting and personal vendettas were getting in the way of advancing city business for several reasons.
When DeFillipo was first accused of violating the city charter for living outside of city limits, Commissioners Michael Joseph, McKenzie Fleurimond and Daniela Jean began to boycott the former mayor by missing meetings and breaking quorum. Litigation between present and absent commissioners ensued, resulting in Joseph’s removal and, later, his return. Even then, the six-person commission had trouble agreeing on controversial issues, resulting in a series of tied votes.
“My experience in observing many other governing bodies, from Congress to local commissions, has shown me that divergences of opinions and strong wills will produce clashes,” said Villard. “It behooves a leader to merge those differences into a workable solution for the benefit of the electors and residents.”
(Courtesy of Paule Villard)
Former North Miami Beach Commissioner Paule Villard (L) at a laptop giveaway event.
DeFillipo’s trial is currently scheduled for Nov. 13, although it has the potential to be rescheduled during a pretrial conference on the morning of Nov. 2. Commissioners and candidates have speculated of the possibility that he could return to office if he’s acquitted, potentially canceling the special election or subsequently nullifying its results.
Competing Résumés
Both candidates boast a history of serving their community. Piper, for one, is no stranger to replacing indicted politicians, having been appointed to the commission in 2018 after Frantz Pierre was removed from office by former Gov. Rick Scott.
Villard, on the other hand, served a full term as commissioner after being elected in 2018, although she lost her reelection bid to now acting Mayor Jay Chernoff last year. She is also a retired North Miami Beach police sergeant of 28 years, as well as a 31-year resident of the city.
“[My background] is concrete proof of my dedication to serve, and of my love for the city and its residents,” said Villard.
(Samantha Morell for Biscayne Times)
A six-member North Miami Beach commission resulted in three tied votes at the city’s July 18 meeting.
Piper is the president of the North Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce and a former chair of the city’s planning and zoning board. He also served as chair of the city’s Advisory Committee of Disabled Individuals; Piper has been in a wheelchair since surviving an airplane crash in 2001.
“I just figured that I’m one of the few people that have the skills and the ability and desire to be able to step in and do the job from day one, because I’ve pretty much done it,” he said.
Looking Ahead
Piper’s main priorities are to increase public safety by addressing a shortage of police officers, eliminate wasteful spending, promote responsible development and improve trash collection within the city.
Villard says she’d like to reduce taxes by boosting development revenue, strengthen the police and fire departments, and maintain fiscal responsibility.
How much of either agenda can be accomplished within less than a year is questionable, however. The next general election, during which the mayor’s seat is once again up for grabs, is scheduled for November 2024.
Piper is unsure as to whether he’ll run again for the full term, although he says he has certainly not ruled out the option. Villard, although initially discouraged by her 2022 reelection loss, showed no hesitation when asked about long-term goals.
“You can be certain I would have been on the ballot next year,” she said. “This special election is only a faster path to my victory.”
Former Commissioner Barbara Kramer is also a candidate in the 2024 regular mayoral election. She does not qualify for next month’s special election due to a provision in the city charter that requires former elected officials to wait two years after leaving office to run again. Kramer was termed out of office in November 2022.
The special election will take place on Dec. 5, 2023, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET.