HomeMy Public PortalAboutLTC 218-2016 Bal Harbour Village November-December NewsletterVOLUME 2 • ISSUE 10
NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2016
MESSAGE FROM THE VILLAGE
INDUCTION MEETING
RECENT ACTIVITIES
AND EVENTS
JOIN US FOR OUR ANNIVERSARY FINALE
A TRIBUTE TO LATE CHIEF MARK OVERTON
CALENDAR
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IN THIS ISSUE
NEW VILLAGE COUNCIL, MAYOR AND
ASSISTANT MAYOR TAKE OATH OF OFFICE
(L-R) Councilman David Albaum, Assistant Mayor Seth Salver, Mayor Gabriel Groisman,
Councilwoman Patricia Cohen and Councilman Jeffrey P. Freimark.
The Bal Harbour Village induction of the new Council was held on November 21 and
included the certification of the Village’s November 8 election and the swearing in of two
new Council Members, a new Mayor and Assistant Mayor. New to the Council are David
Albaum and Jeffrey P. Freimark, replacing former Mayor Martin Packer and Councilman
Jaime Sanz. With the new Council seated, they nominated and voted among themselves
for Gabriel Groisman as the new Mayor, and Seth Salver as the new Assistant Mayor.
The Village Council also presented awards to Martin Packer and Jaime Sanz for their many
years of leadership, commitment and dedication to Bal Harbour Village.
More on the Induction Meeting on Page 3.
2 BAL HARBOUR VILLAGE NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016
MESSAGE FROM THE VILLAGE
THE VILLAGE COUNCIL
DAVID ALBAUM
COUNCILMAN District 4dalbaum@balharbourfl.gov
PATRICIA COHEN
COUNCILWOMAN District 3pcohen@balharbourfl.gov
GABRIEL GROISMAN
MAYOR District 5ggroisman@balharbourfl.gov
JEFFREY P. FREIMARK
COUNCILMAN District 2jfreimark@balharbourfl.gov
SETH E. SALVER
ASSISTANT MAYORDistrict 1ssalver@balharbourfl.gov
JORGE M. GONZALEZ
VILLAGE MANAGERmanager@balharbourfl.gov
DWIGHT S. DANIE
VILLAGE CLERKddanie@balharbourfl.gov
RICHARD J. WEISS
VILLAGE ATTORNEYWeiss Serota HelfmanCole & Biermanrweiss@wsh-law.com
INDUCTING NEW VILLAGE COUNCIL, 70TH ANNIVERSARY FINALE
The changing of the season has brought us slightly cooler weather and a flurry of special
events and activities, including the Village election. Please join us in welcoming our newly
inducted Council Members David Albaum and Jeffrey P. Freimark, as well as our new Mayor
Gabriel Groisman and new Assistant Mayor Seth E. Salver.
In recent weeks, hundreds of Village residents and visitors have enjoyed a 70th Anniversary
exhibit and tour, a holiday lighting event at Founders Circle, a blockbuster movie on the beach
and Unscripted Art tours and events. On December 10, Bal Harbour will host our final grand
70th Anniversary celebration with a concert on the beach. See Page 6 for your invitation. A
huge thanks to Village staff and volunteers who have played a role in the success of these
special events.
Also, the new and enhanced public beach access path at 102 Street and Collins just south of
the Oceana will be open soon. The walkway was designed by renowned landscape architect
Enzo Enea and features a wide, paver-lined walkway with wood benches and shaded areas for
residents to enjoy their walk to and from the beach. Additional information about accessing
the path will be provided to residents very shortly.
Remember to install the My Bal Harbour mobile app on your phone by going to the App Store
or Google Play Store and searching for “My Bal Harbour.” You can also sign up on our website
or via the mobile app to receive important information about Bal Harbour Village via text and
email. We also encourage you to follow us on Facebook@balharbourgov and Twitter@balhar-
bourgov. If you ever have any questions or need any information, please feel free to visit or call
Village Hall at 305-866-4633, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
3BAL HARBOUR VILLAGE NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016
VILLAGE COUNCIL INDUCTION MEETING
MEET THE VILLAGE’S NEW COUNCIL MEMBERS
DAVID ALBAUM is a Miami native who graduated from Miami Beach Senior High and earned
a degree in accounting and finance at the University of Florida. Recently retired, Councilman
Albaum served as controller and Chief Financial Officer to public and private companies
throughout his professional career. He also owned a bridge construction company and head-
ed a mortgage banking firm. From 2003 – 2015, Councilman Albaum worked as a financial
consultant. He is looking forward to sharing his knowledge and experience to serve Bal
Harbour residents as the new Council Member representing District 4.
JEFFREY P. FREIMARK is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Miami Jewish Health
Systems (Douglas Gardens), a 75-year old non-profit providing a wide range of care to the
South Florida elderly population. He is the non-executive Chairman of IKS Health, a Mubai-
based service provider to the healthcare industry, and serves on the boards of Radius
Ventures, Florida Health Care Association and the University of Miami’s Graduate Program in
Health Sector Management. His previous positions include the President, CEO and CFO of
Grand Union Company, a $2.3 billion public corporation. Councilman Freimark has served in
senior executive capacities for OfficeMax, Beverly Enterprises and Intelsat, the world’s larg-
est operator of commercial satellites. He is a long-time Miamian and earned his bachelor’s
degree in Accounting from the University of South Florida, an MBA from New York University
Stern School of Business and a law degree from New York University Law School. Councilman
Freimark and his wife Hollis have two adult children and are actively involved at the Perez Art
Museum Miami (PAMM) and Adrienne Arsht Center. Councilman Freimark is eager to provide
the leadership needed to “guide the future of this glorious seaside Village we call home.”
Councilman Albaum (R) takes the oath
of office from Village Clerk Dwight
Danie.
Councilman Freimark (R) takes the oath
of office from Village Clerk Dwight Danie.
MAYOR PACKER AND COUNCILMAN SANZ HONORED FOR THEIR DEDICATED SERVICE
Mayor Martin Packer and Councilman Jaime Sanz were recognized at the November 21 Induc-
tion meeting for their many years of leadership, commitment and dedication to Bal Harbour
Village. Councilman Sanz served on the Council for eleven years (2005-2016) and Mayor
Packer for nine years (2007-2016). They both received awards and praise for their outstanding
service.
(L-R) Village Clerk Dwight Danie, Village Manager Jorge Gonzalez, Assistant Mayor Seth Salver, Martin
Packer, Councilwoman Patricia Cohen, Mayor Gabriel Groisman and Village Attorney Richard Weiss.
(L-R) Village Clerk Dwight Danie, Village
Manager Jorge Gonzalez, Councilman
David Albaum, Assistant Mayor Seth
Salver, Mayor Gabriel Groisman, Coun-
cilwoman Patricia Cohen and Council-
man Jeffrey P. Freimark.
Newly elected Assistant Mayor Seth
Salver and Mayor Gabriel Groisman.
4 BAL HARBOUR VILLAGE NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016
RECENT ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS
BAL HARBOUR EXPLORES ITS FASCINATING HISTORY AT 70TH ANNIVERSARY EVENT
MOVIE NIGHT ON THE BEACH RETURNS, RECEIVES A FIVE-STAR RATING!
Bal Harbour Village has come a long way since it incorporated on August 16, 1946. Residents and visitors relived the Village’s
fascinating seven decades of growth and evolution on Sunday November 6. The afternoon included reviewing a historical exhibit and
a tour led by renowned South Florida historian Dr. Paul George and Claire Breukel, head curator of the Unscripted Bal Harbour Art
Program. The unique two-part exhibition began with an opening reception at the Sea View Hotel’s Florida Room that featured photos,
newspaper accounts and text highlighting key milestones in Bal Harbour’s history. The event continued with an outdoor tour along
the Village’s beautiful beach path, stopping to enjoy historical displays along the way. This exhibit will be the first of an ongoing se-
ries of outdoor public photography exhibitions on the beach path. A closing reception took place at the Atlantikos Restaurant at the
St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort.
Bal Harbour Village’s decision to bring back the tradition of a family friendly beach movie
resulted in a memorable “blockbuster” event showcasing the film Finding Dory. The party got
underway early with interactive and team beach games for children – all of which followed the
“under the sea” theme. Movie goers had plenty of food and refreshments to pick from, includ-
ing hamburgers, hot dogs, popcorn and the popular caramel apples with a variety of toppings.
There was even a surprise visit from the movie stars, Nemo and Dory. Most of the seating area
was filled by show time, with families sprawled out on blankets and in chairs and couches to
enjoy a wonderful evening under the stars on Bal Harbour beach.
(L-R) Village Manager Jorge Gonzalez, Assistant Mayor Seth
Salver, Jaime Sanz, Martin
Packer and wife, Susan Packer, and Village Clerk Dwight Danie.
5BAL HARBOUR VILLAGE NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016
RECENT ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS RECENT ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS
LIGHTING CEREMONY USHERS IN THE HOLIDAY SEASON
5K RUN/WALK EVENTS SUPPORT MT. SINAI AND THE FAMILY OF CHIEF OVERTON
UNSCRIPTED ART TOUR EXPLORES EXHIBITS AT NSU MUSEUM
Bal Harbour residents and guests gathered at Founders Circle on November 14 for a festive
lighting ceremony that marked the beginning of the holiday season. The evening program
included entertainment provided by the talented singers and musicians from the Hebrew
Academy and Ruth K. Broad Bay Harbor K-8 Center, a champagne sabering and delicious hors
d’oeuvres and refreshments. After remarks from Village officials, the evening’s highlight was
the lighting of the Christmas tree and Hanukkah menorah. Thanks goes out to our master of
ceremonies, neighbor and WSVN reporter Rosh Lowe, the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort and the
Conch Shell Cafe.
Two recent 5K run/walks attracted hundreds of participants and raised funds for important causes. On October 16, a run/walk
through Bal Harbour and along the beach path raised funds for Mt. Sinai Medical Center. On November 4, an event to support the
family of the late Bal Harbour Police Chief Mark Overton was held on Miami Beach. The event drew hundreds of law enforcement
professionals who participated in the memory of Chief Overton.
Unscripted Bal Harbour visited
the NSU Art Museum in Ft. Lau-
derdale to experience Belief +
Doubt: Selections from the Francie
Bishop Good and David Horovitz
collection, featuring local and in-
ternationally renown multicultural
women artists. The private tour was
led by NSU Art Museum Director
Bonnie Clearwater and included a
light brunch.
6 BAL HARBOUR VILLAGE NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016
7BAL HARBOUR VILLAGE NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016
IN MEMORIUM
BAL HARBOUR POLICE CHIEF MARK NATHAN OVERTON
AUGUST 23, 1962 - NOVEMBER 3, 2016
Mark Nathan Overton, Chief of Police for Bal Harbour Village since January of 2014, passed
away on November 3, 2016. A law enforcement officer for more than three decades, he influ-
enced, inspired and encouraged hundreds of law enforcement professionals and was renown
for developing innovative approaches to police work that transformed several police agencies.
His peers throughout South Florida considered him “a man of unquestioned integrity.” Chief
Overton believed that police work was an incredibly important and noble profession.
Throughout his career, he worked to improve the image of police officers while improving
communication with residents. In his tenure at Bal Harbour Village, he encouraged police
officers to leave their patrol cars and mingle with the public to help build trust – employing the
use of bicycles and golf carts. Earlier this year, he made the Village the first small department
to convert their shotguns to non-lethal bean-bag shots that immobilize the target subject.
A native of Miami Beach, he joined the City of Hialeah Police Department at the age of 21 and
served in the Patrol Division, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), Criminal Investigations and
Narcotics/Special Investigations. Chief Overton worked his way through the ranks and was
promoted multiple times and was eventually named Chief in November of 2007. As Chief, he
transformed the Hialeah Department by expanding community police programs into five areas
all with their own commanders. “He gave the commanders autonomy and resources to act
like the area’s police chief,” recalled Bal Harbour Police Captain Miguel de la Rosa. “That way,
the unique problems in each neighborhood could be addressed. He put a heavy emphasis on
training.” By the time Chief Overton retired from the Hialeah Police Department in 2012, the
crime index had dropped by double digits.
He then served as Deputy Police Chief for the Miami Beach Police Department for two years
before coming to Bal Harbour. Village Manager Jorge M. Gonzalez hired Chief Overton in
Miami Beach and brought him to Bal Harbour Village. “He lived and breathed police work,”
said Mr. Gonzalez. “His priorities were always his family and policing. He felt that it was his
calling. In a very short period, he left a lasting impression on people.”
Throughout his law enforcement career, Chief Overton received numerous honors, including
Officer of the Year, the Purple Heart, Combat Cross, Distinguished Service, Outstanding Super-
visor and Award for Administrative Excellence. In 2015 he was awarded the “Man of the Year”
award by the Shomrim Society. He was a member of more than a dozen professional organi-
zations, including serving as President of the Miami-Dade Association of Chiefs of Police, and
member of the International Police Chiefs Association and Florida Association of Police Chiefs.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration from Barry University. Chief Overton is
survived by his wife of nearly 30 years, Esther, his son Marc and daughter Bianca.
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is scheduled to begin a bridge rehabilita-
tion project on the Haulover Bridge, affecting Bal Harbour. The work will require the closing
of traffic lanes, some sidewalks and roads under the bridge. The parking lot under the bridge
may also be closed at certain times. The closings will be temporary and will take place from
9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. on weekdays and weekends. Residents should allow for extra time when
traveling over the bridge and watch for posted signs, detours and speed limits. Please take
caution when driving, biking or walking near the constructione zone.
CONSTRUCTION WORK ON HAULOVER BRIDGE TO BEGIN IN JANUARY 2017 Area of construction
8 BAL HARBOUR VILLAGE NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016
Bal Harbour Village Hall
655 96th Street
Bal Harbour, Florida 33154
PRESORTED
STANDARD
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
MIAMI, FL
PERMIT NO.
2783
VILLAGE CONTACTSNormal operating hours for Village Hall are Monday-Friday,
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
VILLAGE HALL(305) 866-4633
BUILDING DEPARTMENT(305) 865-7525
POLICE DEPARTMENT(305) 866-5000
PARKS AND PUBLIC SPACES DEPARTMENT(305) 866-4633, Ext. 368
TOURISM MARKETING(305) 866-4633, Ext. 337
FINANCE(305) 866-4633
WEBSITES BALHARBOURFL.GOV (Village)BALHARBOURFLORIDA.COM (Tourism)
@BALHARBOURGOV@BALHARBOURPD
BALHARBOURGOVBALHARBOURPOLICEDEPT
Wednesday, December 7Architectural Review BoardVillage Hall, 10 a.m.
Saturday, December 1070th Anniversary ConcertOn the beach, near the Jetty, 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, December 20Council MeetingVillage Hall, 7 p.m.
BAL HARBOUR
- VILLAGE -
UPCOMING MEETINGS/EVENTS