As we bid farewell to 2023, I am pleased to present a retrospective of WakeUp NMB’s journey throughout the year. Remarkably, it has been a full year since the inception of WakeUp NMB, and what a transformative year it has been. The organization has evolved into a timely and impactful presence in our city, a development we are grateful for.

The roots of WakeUp NMB trace back to May 22, 2022, when it emerged on the social media platform Nextdoor. As a sitting commissioner at that time, I harbored concerns about the city’s trajectory. I took my outspoken nature and commitment to good governance to Nextdoor, believing it to be the platform where I could engage an audience and awaken them to the developments in our city government.

Residents who resonated with my posts embraced the call to join in my mission for a return to transparency, accountability, and fiscal responsibility at City Hall. With an election looming within six months, there was an urgency to halt questionable practices, notably the excessive spending at City Hall that had persisted for almost two years. The residents recognized that North Miami Beach was at a crossroads, and unless they united to elect a new commission, the city’s future was in jeopardy. Those who collaborated through Nextdoor meetings became a formidable force for change.

On November 22, 2022, exactly six months after the group’s formation on Nextdoor, three experienced commissioners were elected, marking a significant step towards restoring ethical leadership to NMB.

Following this victory, the dedicated volunteers were eager to meet in person, discuss the election’s outcome, and explore ways to continue safeguarding our city from tumultuous times. It was during a meeting on December 6th that 24 NMB residents decided to establish a nonprofit named WakeUp NMB (WUNMB), adopting the motto “Shining A Light On Local Government.” On that pivotal night, a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and a Board of Directors were selected. Additionally, funds were raised to present a holiday basket to the NMBPD, expressing gratitude for their unwavering commitment to keeping our community safe.

January brought the commencement of our activities for the year, marked by our inaugural General Membership Monthly Meeting (GMMM). During this session, we delved into strategic discussions on advancing our mission and initiating efforts to recruit new members. As a collective, we attended Commission Meetings, where regrettably, three elected city officials were consistently absent. This raised concerns among our members, highlighting the challenges that lay ahead. Despite the meetings being unable to proceed due to a lack of quorum, the mayor graciously permitted public comment, allowing our members to express their dismay at the situation and the absence of representation, which hindered the government’s legislative capabilities.

Undeterred by these obstacles, we persevered, and later in the month, achieved a significant milestone by formalizing our status as a 501(c)(4) organization. This pivotal step solidified our commitment to advocacy and positioned us to make a lasting impact on behalf of our community.

February’s commission meeting unfolded as a repeat of the past, with Commissioners Fleurimond, Joseph, and Jean once again failing to attend. This marked the third consecutive meeting without achieving a quorum. A troubling trend was emerging, particularly noteworthy as Commissioner Joseph had not participated in a meeting since October, further deepening concerns about the lack of active engagement from elected officials in fulfilling their responsibilities. The persistent absence of essential members cast a shadow over the governance process, underscoring the challenges faced in ensuring a functioning and representative decision-making body.

During this time, our nonprofit began to take form, with efforts focused on designing a distinctive logo and launching our Facebook page to expand our online presence. Meanwhile, at our GMMM, discussions about the future of our city took center stage. The absence of official meetings posed a challenge, putting crucial decisions by our government on hold. Nevertheless, our members remained committed to navigating these hurdles and contributing to the discourse on the direction our city should take, even in the face of the temporary pause in official proceedings.

March brought a significant development as WUNMB proudly announced the resignation of Ottinot Law P.A., the law firm that had been hired in the middle of the night in January 2021 to represent the City of North Miami Beach. The firm’s staggering monthly salary of $60,000.00 had raised eyebrows from the outset. However, their departure became imminent due to a combination of poor performance, the senior partner’s apparent favoritism towards certain elected officials, and a highly publicized incident captured on camera. This incident involved the same attorney holding a door closed on a local TV reporter, trapping him in a City Hall stairwell. The resignation was not only a relief but also long overdue, marking a positive shift in the dynamics surrounding the city’s legal representation.

During our March GMMM, we were pleased to welcome Bruce Lamberto, the Chair of our Public Utilities Committee. His presence provided a valuable opportunity for our members to gain information and insight into our water plant. Mr. Lamberto delivered a brief history of recent events concerning the utility and shared insights into the necessary infrastructure developments.

The session proved to be engaging, with our members actively participating by posing numerous questions and offering insightful comments on the state and future of our utility. This collaborative dialogue allowed for a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities surrounding our water plant, fostering a sense of community involvement and awareness among our members.

On March 22nd, after months of canceled meetings, a quorum was finally achieved, and a commission meeting took place. This meeting materialized only due to a court order mandating that all commissioners attend every meeting through the end of the year. It was during this session that a significant decision was made—the removal of the individual widely regarded as the most intolerable person to hold the position of city manager in NMB.

The collective relief was palpable, resonating not only among long-time employees but also within the resident community. The mayor and three commissioners, who had endured the challenges associated with the former city manager, joined in this collective exhale. The decision to terminate the city manager marked a turning point, offering a sense of optimism and a fresh start for the city’s administration and its constituents.

In April, WUNMB marked a significant milestone by hosting its first meeting at our new and current location, the William and Marjorie McDonald Center. The convenience of a dedicated space meant an end to the need for our members to transport their own chairs to temporary meeting venues. In expressing our gratitude, special acknowledgment was extended to our secretary, Christine Snelgrove, who generously allowed us to use her business space for the past four months.

During this meeting, our guest speaker delved into the nuanced concept of “What’s Okay To Say Today,” exploring the delicate balance in today’s world of free expression. This thought-provoking topic sparked a lively and engaging discussion among our members, providing a platform to understand and appreciate the diverse perspectives within our community regarding the boundaries of free speech.

In May’s GMMM,, we were honored to have the President-elect of the NMB Library Friends committee join us. During this session, concerns about the ongoing challenges faced by the library were brought to the forefront. A primary issue discussed was the shortage of staff, a direct result of budgetary constraints. The difficulty in recruiting new personnel emerged as a major concern, primarily attributed to non-competitive salary structures.

This presentation not only heightened awareness about the pressing issues confronting our local library but also spurred a thoughtful discussion among our members. The conversation explored potential solutions, community engagement, and the collective responsibility to address these challenges and ensure the sustained success of our community library.

On May 7th, numerous members had the pleasure of embarking on a nostalgic journey through time during the Magical History Tour organized by the City of North Miami Beach. The experience was both enjoyable and illuminating as we looked back into the rich history of our city. Particularly entertaining were the anecdotes about past leaders and the colorful mayhem they stirred during their tenures in office. It became apparent that disruption has been a recurring theme in the history of our five-square-mile city, highlighting the enduring spirit and resilience of North Miami Beach throughout the years.

During the City’s Commission Meeting in May, a significant decision was made as the commission voted to remove Michael Joseph from office. This action was taken due to his failure to attend the required number of meetings within a specified timeframe, as outlined in the city charter. Members of WUNMB supported this decision, viewing it as a just move in accordance with the established guidelines.

However, this event brought attention to a noteworthy realization—the interpretation of the city charter was subject to the discretion of the individual interpreting it. This discovery prompted a deeper examination of the charter and raised important questions about the clarity and consistency of its provisions. The incident sparked discussions within WUNMB and the community about the need for transparency and precision in the interpretation and application of city regulations.

June brought a whirlwind of developments for our city. In a surprising turn of events, Commissioner Joseph, who had been swiftly removed from office by fellow commissioners in May, found himself just as quickly reinstated in June by a Judge. This legal intervention added a layer of complexity to the dynamics within the city.

Amidst this, more chaos ensued when the Governor of Florida suspended the Mayor on three counts of voting outside his district. This unexpected turn of events caught everyone off guard, and once again, WUNMB found itself at the forefront, navigating through the challenges and advocating for transparency and good governance.

Despite the turbulence, there was a silver lining in June as Mario Diaz, our new city manager, was sworn into office. To celebrate this positive development, WUNMB organized a special meet and greet at the GMMM that followed the swearing-in ceremony. It was an opportunity for members and prospective members to discuss the path forward for our community.

July’s GMMM drew a crowd of engaged residents eager to gain insights into the workings of the city’s code enforcement. The event featured a comprehensive presentation by the department’s director, providing valuable information.

Attendees were educated on the responsibilities and challenges faced by code enforcement, gaining a deeper understanding of their role in maintaining a healthy, safe, and aesthetically pleasing city. The presentation delved into common violations observed throughout our neighborhoods and shed light on the various departments involved in addressing different infractions. The details shared during the meeting underscored the combined efforts required to uphold the standards that contribute to the well-being and beauty of our community.

In August, WUNMB continued its commitment to education by hosting another informative GMMM, this time focusing on the crucial topic of Internet Security. Recognizing the importance of members being aware of the subtleties of internet scams, the session aimed to provide valuable lessons on avoiding potential pitfalls that may not be immediately apparent.

The August Commission Meeting served as a stark reminder of the ongoing need for organizations like WUNMB dedicated to bringing transparency to local government. Shockingly, Ordinance No. 2023-01 failed, highlighting the importance of WUNMB’s mission to shine a light on governmental proceedings. This ordinance, if passed, would have empowered the Miami-Dade County Commission on Ethics and Public Trust to address violations and impose consequences. However, the same commissioners who had contributed to the void in city governance by neglecting meetings were the ones voting against placing this ordinance under our ethics code.

This decision had significant implications, as without this placement, a higher authority could not discipline these commissioners for their actions, allowing them to continue their behavior without consequence. The incident underscored the importance of ongoing advocacy for ethical conduct within local government.

September brought a valuable opportunity for our members as we were privileged to host an excellent speaker, Jose Arrojo, from the Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics and Public Trust. During his presentation, Mr. Arrojo provided a comprehensive explanation of his agency, shedding light on his role as Director and outlining the responsibilities of his dedicated staff and board members.

The session emphasized the importance of an informed community, encouraging the principle of “see something, say something.” Members were empowered with the knowledge that they could truly make a difference by staying vigilant and engaged. The message resonated that, as citizens, it is crucial to ensure our elected officials are consistently working for the benefit of the community, remaining accountable and adhering to ethical standards. This insightful presentation underscored the crucial role of transparency and accountability in fostering a thriving and responsible local government.

In October, our GMMM faced cancellation as City Hall was closed for Columbus Day. The month unfolded relatively quietly, with no significant obstacles, allowing us to focus on the imminent December Mayoral Election.

WUNMB took an active stance in endorsing Evan Piper for the mayoral position. To facilitate an informed decision, our executive board devised a comprehensive questionnaire for both candidates to complete. Despite not receiving responses from the other mayoral candidate, we were pleased with the thorough and satisfactory answers provided by Mr. Piper. As a result, WUNMB wholeheartedly threw its support behind Evan Piper, highlighting the importance of transparency and accountability in local government.

In November, WUNMB continued its commitment to education with an informative guest speaker at the GMMM. Scott Dudley, representing the Florida League of Cities, traveled from Tallahassee to address our members. Mr. Dudley focused on the crucial concept of Home Rule, emphasizing the significance of each city governing itself rather than being subject to decisions made by politicians residing outside the community. He highlighted the potential threat to Home Rule posed by legislative efforts in the Florida State Legislature. If Home Rule were eliminated, it could lead to disastrous consequences, with external politicians dictating laws for cities without an understanding of their unique characteristics. WUNMB recognized the importance of protecting Home Rule to ensure that the needs of citizens are not only met but also reflect the distinctive character of their chosen community. The organization pledged to stay vigilant on this matter and actively advocate against any measures that could jeopardize Home Rule.

In a notable development, the November Commission Meeting was canceled due to the absence of commissioners. This absence served as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced in ensuring the consistent and responsible functioning of local government.

December marked a significant victory for North Miami Beach as Evan Piper was elected as the new Mayor, filling the vacancy left by the former Mayor who had been suspended by the Governor. This election brought the achievement of a seven-member commission, a positive development for the city. However, the weeks leading up to the election were marred by negative campaigning, including mudslinging and fabrications, which even impacted WUNMB. Despite the challenges, the hard work and dedication of WUNMB members, along with other contributing factors, played a vital role in Mayor Piper’s successful election.

The Swearing-In Ceremony on December 12th marked a new chapter for North Miami Beach, and the first Commission Meeting under Mayor Piper’s leadership on December 19th was characterized by a collaborative and proactive spirit. The meeting reflected a positive change, with all seven elected leaders actively working for the people. The fact that it took an entire year for this positive shift to occur was indeed astonishing.

WUNMB also participated in the city’s Snowfest event, contributing to the annual parade to emphasize the importance of community engagement and awareness. Advocating for the principle that local voices make local choices, WUNMB continued to stress the significance of transparency, honesty, and accountability in local representation.

As part of its ongoing efforts, WUNMB continued to express appreciation to the North Miami Beach Police Department by requesting and receiving donations from its members. This allowed the organization to bring holiday cheer to the dedicated men and women who work tirelessly to keep the community safe, marking the second annual gift of appreciation to the police department.

As we reflect on the challenges and triumphs of the past year, we eagerly anticipate the opportunities and experiences that 2024 will bring. With another election on the horizon in just eleven months, we look forward to navigating the journey together.

In the spirit of continued collaboration, we’ll be counting on your donation to WakeUp NMB in January. The year ahead promises to be filled with informative presentations and engaging events. We can’t wait to share this jam-packed year with you and the entire community.

Wishing you peace, health, and happiness for all. Cheers to a fantastic 2024 ahead!

Sincerely,

Barbara Kramer

President, WakeUp NMB