Your vote matters! Fat Bear week 2025 is underway. Do not miss out! Voting opens at 12 PM, Tuesday, 9/23/2025

We have reached that time of the year - FAT BEAR WEEK. This is an environmental education event.  Some of the largest brown bears on Earth make their home at Brooks River in Katmai National Park, Alaska. Brown bears get fat to survive, and Fat Bear Week is an annual tournament celebrating their success in preparation for winter hibernation. 

 An annual favorite - (Information below lifted from https://explore.org/fat-bear-week):

Vote for the fattest bear of the year! Some of the largest brown bears on Earth make their home at Brooks River in Katmai National Park, Alaska. Brown bears get fat to survive and Fat Bear Week is an annual tournament celebrating their success in preparation for winter hibernation. Matchups are open for voting September 23-30 between 12 - 9  p.m. Eastern / 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Pacific.

This is a single elimination tournament. For each match-up, vote for the bear you believe best exemplifies fatness and success in brown bears. The bear with the most votes advances to the next round. Only one will be crowned Fat Bear Week champion. Meet the bears, fill out your bracket, predict your fat bear winner, and campaign for your candidate. 

SDU NOTE: The contest is held by Katmai National Park & Preserve to promote public awareness about the wild brown bears of Alaska. Like scenic drives to see the changing leaves, it’s become a popular fall ritual in the United States and around the world.

The 2025 Fat Bear Week bracket:

CLICK HERE to view this official bracket online.

May the fattest bear win!

New litigation against Palmetto Bay. What now? Waiting for the relevant documents to go public.

 A lawsuit was fled by resident Alan Farquharson against the Village of Palmetto Bay. This suit was filed on Wednesday, September 10, 2025.  I am posting the docket to date.  The case has been assigned case number 2025-017648-CA-01 and has been assigned to Circuit Judge Mavel Ruiz.

I am waiting to see the specifics.  The public docket to date merely lists "Other Civil Complaint" as case type.  It also appears that Mr. Farquharson has filed this case pro se, acting as his own attorney (at least for now).

The filings should be posted online for public view sometime Thursday, September 11, 2025.

Working remote. Hudson River Chestertown NY 8 25 2025

Another beautiful day in the Adirondacks. 

Vice Mayor Merwitzer - working to bring back a resident-centric local government - Join him at Coral Reef Park - this Thurs 8-28 5:45 PM

Remember when our local government held actual community workshops on the budget? Too few still remember.

Vice Mayor Mark Merwitzer invites you to your park - Coral Reef Park - for the only up close and personal community conversation.

Per Vice Mayor Merwitzer: He is hosting a community conversation THIS THURSDAY and he needs YOU there.

Thursday, August 28th

5:45 PM - Sunset

Coral Reef Park Gazebo (near 77th Avenue)

Our village is bringing in more money than ever before, yet we're being told we can't afford police patrols and park hours that families depend on.

Meanwhile, the budget includes:

40% pay raises for council members

$3 million for a private pickleball facility

Guaranteed health insurance for council after we leave office

Does this make sense to you? It doesn't to me.

Come share your thoughts. Bring your neighbors.

Mark wants to work together with you, the residents, on solutions that put families first, because when residents like you show up and stay engaged, we protect the Palmetto Bay we all love.

The budget gets finalized in September. That's when we need you most.

See you Thursday at the park!

Call Mark directly at 786-309-6743

August 7 - Purple Heart Day. Remembering America's Veterans - special recognition for Purple Heart recipients

Palmetto Bay became the first South Florida "Purple Heart City" in 2016 - as per resolution 2016-40 that I was proud to sponsor as Mayor of Palmetto Bay.  It remains important to continue this recognition.

This is a national day of recognition. Purple Heart Day is observed on August 7 each year and is a time for Americans to pause to remember and honor the brave men and women who were either wounded on the battlefield or paid the ultimate sacrifice with their lives.

See Channel 10 News online: Palmetto Bay becomes first Purple Heart city in South Florida - Flag-raising ceremony held to commemorate honor, By Peter Burke - Local 10.com Managing Editor, posted: 1:22 PM, August 10, 2016.

See prior related post of August 12, 2016, Recognizing our Purple Heart Awardees. Palmetto Bay is now a Purple Heart City! where there are additional photos from this 2016 event

CLICK HERE to view other related posts recognizing our Veterans for their service.

Just for fun - Palmetto Bay Bird Feeder Cam - common grackles - bullies at the feeder cam

Just for fun.  No politics - just watching birds with elbows - looking to dominate at the feeder cam.

Follow up. Helllloooo, McFly? Bueller,... Bueller? Anyone hear the real reason for canceling Palmetto Bay's annual Independence Day celebration yet?

The drama continues to build - release the Shores files! Helllloooo, McFly? Bueller,... Bueller? Great movies and fun to quote - but running government is important business to be taken seriously and fair questions have been asked as to the real reason for canceling Palmetto Bay's annual Independence Day celebration. Any updates yet?

Vice Mayor Mark Merwitzer has been following up for residents - he asked the important question to staff - in this case whether the Shores at Palmetto Bay has even been issued a building permit. This question was asked at the Village Council meeting held July 21, 2025. See the video excerpt below - the full meeting is available on the village website.

The answer given was that the Shores property has not received a building permit; that the Shores has not yet paid the impact fees.

So then - construction was not imminent, not before July 4th or even now, after this event should have taken place - so how is this alleged planned construction a viable excuse to cancel a major beloved beloved community event? 

SEE PRIOR RELATED POST OF Thursday, July 10, 2025, Full disclosure requested - what was the real reason for canceling Palmetto Bay's annual Independence Day celebration?

You have questions.  We'd like real answers.

Crying fowl - roosters and hens are continuing to populate Palmetto Bay - coming home to roost.

More updates on how Palmetto Bay is rapidly becoming home to more non-native wildlife.  This well-meaning resident is doing the right thing - posting on Next Door and looking for someone to adopt - let's hope this Rooster is not targeted for elimination like the Coral Reef Parks ducks (and geese) suffered in recent history.

PRIOR RELATED POST: August 14, 2024, Reader submissions - Chickens & Roosters multiplying at Coral Reef Park - non-native species appear to be thriving.

Please - rescue and find a home for this guy!

🚨 Friendly Rooster Abandoned at Coral Reef Park — Needs a Safe Home 🐓

Hi neighbors — I walk through Coral Reef Park regularly and noticed that someone appears to have abandoned a white rooster there recently. He’s clearly domesticated — friendly, a little confused, and walked right up to me making soft sounds, like he’s scared or lonely.

There are a lot of birds and ducks in the park, and while people do feed them, this rooster is not equipped to live outdoors without proper shelter. He’s vulnerable to stray cats, raccoons, dogs, and the weather — especially at night when chickens can’t see well. Roosters also crow early in the morning, which might put him at risk of being removed.

I’d really like to help him find a safe, permanent home. If anyone has a coop, farm, or safe yard with hens, or knows someone who does, please reach out.

He seems sweet and healthy, and I’m happy to help cover his initial expenses (food, supplies, vet check if needed) to ensure he’s cared for.

Please message me if you can help or have any leads. Thank you 🙏

Full disclosure requested - what was the real reason for canceling Palmetto Bay's annual Independence Day celebration?

Really, why? Anticipated construction at the Shore property appeared to have been the excuse - but I received photographs that challenge this narrative.  I went out and looked for myself and yes - there's no construction.  No site prep - nothing looks imminent at that property so then how could this property force a cancellation of the community event.  For background - see PRIOR RELATED POST of Friday, June 27, 2025, Thank you Vice Mayor Mark Merwitzer - the facts - Commissioner DCH picks up where Palmetto Bay dropped our very popular Independence Day community celebration

Residents have noticed that the current conditions of the related properties and some have brought this to my attention.  The community review of the properties appear to dispute the stated reason (excuses?) to support cancelation of the Palmetto Bay Independence Day celebration.  I will let the photos tell the story (photos taken after July 5, 2025):

The photo above is taken from county property website and documents the involved vacant properties.  The top area is a 5 acre area owned by the Children's Hospital. The Shores Property is approximately 3 acres that is located directly east of the Municipal Center The property marked by the yellow boundary is owned by Palmetto Bay and is the panned home for the $3+ million for profit Diadem Pickleball Facility.

The photos:

Note photo above: Franjo Road landscaped median appears in the foreground 

Above: The Shores property shows no sign of construction - no fencing is up and the property is properly maintained (mowed) and appears free of any fencing or pre-construction preparation.

The Children's Hospital property has a vacant 5 acre component that has been part of Village events in the past.  Photos:

Finally - I am posting photos of the property owned by the Village of Palmetto Bay. Note that it is the only property with any debris.  There are piles of rock and overgrown, cars and trucks are parked on the property, but no fencing or other items staged on the property that would indicate that any construction is imminent:

Is Palmetto Bay's property maintained to code? I bet this property would be subject to Code Enforcement if it was privately owned.  I can't imagine that the condition of this property is anything but an eyesore for those who live nearby.

What is the real reason for the cancelation? I wonder if the owner of the Shores At Palmetto Bay simply doesn't want to work with Palmetto Bay officials. But what about other surrounding properties? 

The most important question is whether we have suffered the end of Palmetto Bay's Downtown Independence Day celebration, most of which was held on the municipal center property and a closed off Franjo Road.  

The current mayor and councils (between 2019 to date) could have reduced development at the PBVC - instead their ineptness created 570 units- Residential, a hotel and mega commercial.

The time has long past to stop the lies through proxies Mayor Cunningham - stop casting stones at me and prior counsel members for our affirmative actions in regarding the Palmetto Bay Village Center (PBVC). We took action. You crested a mess you could not recover from when your inept mishandling of the PBVC resulted in a viable $15 Million Bert J Harris claim. The residents will be taking it on the chin from your actions, not mine.

This includes former Mayor Stanczyk - after all she participated in and voted for the 2008 VMU district. A fact she never seems to step up and discuss. But in my opinion, more sinister was Mayor Stanczyk's championing the proposal to build an additional 40 units and a fire station in the environmentally sensitive 22 acres back in 2014.  

The facts? So when you really look at it - "my" ordinances resulted in a mere 10 unit increase at the PBVC as Mayor Stanczyk already vested 40 units and a fire station in 22 acres of sensitive land - so sensitive that it was placed on the EEL B list - and neither Stanczyk or Cunningham had anything to do with that attempt to preserve.  To the contrary, May Stanczyk wanted to develop a large portion of those 22 acres.  See Opinion, Community Newspapers, October 13, 2014, Mayor Stanczyk: Using the promise of a fire station as bait to develop protected native areas.

The PBVC blew up in 2022 - more than 4 years after I left office.  It is Cunningham's inept handling of the Palmetto Bay Village Center that has led to a MEGA project no one wanted; that we could not have even feared in our worst dreams. Her failure to address these issues, to follow staff recommendations to approve or even to simply following the law in 2022 has actually put Palmetto Bay at risk of not 400, not 420, 450 or even 480 units, but at risk of 2,385 residential units.

None of this was ever talked about in the open - at no time from 2019 to date were residents engaged to work with the developer through an updated Charrette process or town hall meetings.

The facts were spelled out in a 3 page letter of June 20, 2025. from attorneys for the PBVC - I suggest that the residents review this letter as in my opinion it seriously contradicts the propaganda that has been disseminated under your watch.

Again, the Stanczyk record is an attempt to actually develop in the 22 acres, creating rights of 40 units and a fire station. The Cunningham record is one of passive avoidance - simply taking a populist no-vote when staff has recommended otherwise which set this Village up for the multiple failures before the Courts. My advice to the current Mayor, Council Members back in December 2023: ‘when in a hole (and mayor, you dug a very hole) STOP DIGGING!’ See the Law of Holes.

But the village proxies continue to ignore the facts, try to rewrite history and pretend they actually cared when in fact you just had to keep being a populist, blaming others and milking that political football.  You had to keep digging.

RESULTS - The PBVC could have been limited to anywhere from 389 to 420, 450 if the 2022 zoning hearings and decision been handled with even slight skill - and a commitment to following the law. That its - application closed.  Now Palmetto Bay residents face an initial 450, then a max of 480 without any further council input (interference?), significant commercial including a 125 unit hotel (bringing the actual total number of "units" to between 575-605).  

Happy Independence Day - 2025 - Have a safe and fun 4th!

Alexandra, Katherine, Meredith and I all wish a very Happy Independence Day to you and your families! 

This is a holiday to celebrate, the day we celebrate the birth of our great nation, the creation of the greatest system of freedom and democracy. All of this occurred due to the great physical and financial sacrifice of the founders of this nation, the brave men and women of yesterday and today who have sacrificed so greatly to ensure the traditions bestowed by our remarkable founders. We owe them vigilance, and the willingness to defend the democracy they have passed on to you.

Independence Day has been celebrated since 1776.  But do you know the year that July 4 officially made a Federal Holiday?  Would you believe 1941? Check out the History.com page regarding July 4, for additional information.

Let us continue to look to a future that belongs to all of us - a future that ‘we, the people’ have the power to create.

Happy Independence Day – 2025.

Protect Your Pets on July 4th Protect your pets on this fourth of July holiday - it is not a 'pet-friendly' holiday.  They don't understand what all the ruckus is about. (See my blog post of June 24, 2016 - CLICK HERE - to view my full post and important links) July 4th weekends are a busy time for pet shelters. Many pets get frightened and run off during fireworks. Pets are severely distressed by the noise of fireworks. Remember, dogs' and cats' hearing is much more sensitive than ours, so those loud booms can be extremely uncomfortable! A wiser choice for your pet is for you to bring your pet inside the house and make sure that your special friend is safely tucked into a room with a television or radio on. It is recommended that if you are not staying home with your pet, make sure that their favorite hiding spot is available so they can run to a place in the house where they feel safe ---- this could be under the bed, in the closet or even their pet crate.  If you are home, stay near them, speak to them and let them know that they are safe. Please take the time - CLICK HERE - to view a .PDF put out by Miami-Dade County Animal Services - July 4th Pet Safety Tips.