AN INTERVIEW WITH MAYOR DAVID SAMSON CITY OF SUNNY ISLES BEACH, FLORIDA

The City of Sunny Isles Beach, Florida, incorporated in 1997, didn�t just happen. With an honest and heartfelt direction to make the area he was living in a better place for all, David Samson became a mover and shaker in an area once called Unincorporated Miami-Dade County. Saddened by an atmosphere of deterioration, Mr. Samson knew that changes had to be made. David and his wife, Marion, "retired" to this Miami area in 1970. "I had sand in my shoes since 1947", explained the former Chicagoan. By the mid-1970�s David moved from a board of director in his condominium to its president. "Concerned Citizens", an organization made up of local residents that met to discuss issues of concerns in the neighborhood, invited Mr. Samson to attend the meetings. In 1977, he did. Recognized as a "get the job done" person, it wasn�t too long before he became the Executive Vice President. Membership which had started out with 11 people grew to 300. Improvements in everyday living started to move � a condo that was 25 floors high, only could battle fires to the 9th floor. With persistence, all the pipes were changed, and of course, this had a positive effect on the safety for the whole community. For those of us who lived in the area in the late 1970�s and early 80�s, going from the Sunny Isles area to the mainland could be a long trip. Once again, "Concerned Citizens" stepped in. The William Lehman Causeway was built. The population was increasing and the needs of the local residents could only be met one way � a city. And who better to run the city � David Samson. Today, Mayor Samson�s Sunny Isles Beach is a city in perpetual motion. With the success of such developers as Michael and Gil Dezer, the city has taken on a new look and feel. New parks dot the neighborhoods. A beautification program continues for the thoroughfare, Collins Avenue, and all those inconveniences like flooded side streets are being corrected. After so many years of dedication, City Council members and others wanted to show their appreciation to David and Marion Samson. A new park was built right on the ocean at 174th Street and Collins Avenue. The thought was to name it after David. He refused but said that if they wanted to name it in memory of his son, Gilbert, he would agree. Every day as the Mayor drives to City Hall, he passes his son�s park � the Gilbert Samson Oceanfront Park. For David Samson, his wife Marion and the City of Sunny Isles Beach are his life.

Lynn Handelman