SURFSIDE, FL (VINnews-Exclusive) – With the Surfside mayoral election taking place this Tuesday, March 17, voters will once again decide who will lead the town in the next 2 years.

Candidate Shlomo Danzinger, who previously served as Surfside’s mayor for two years before losing the position to Charles Burkett, is now back on the ballot seeking to return to the role.

Danzinger says he is serious about the responsibility of managing the town and addressing the issues that matter most to residents.

In an exclusive interview conducted with VIN News on Sunday, Danzinger answered a series of questions about his priorities, leadership approach, and plans for Surfside’s future. Below are the questions and his responses.

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Mr. Danzinger thank you for taking your time to speak with us, lets jump right into it, what are your top three priorities if elected mayor of Surfside?

First, we need to restore stability and professionalism at Town Hall. Over the past two years, Surfside has gone through seven town managers, five police chiefs, and nearly all of our department directors. Many experienced employees with institutional knowledge have left. That level of turnover is unhealthy for any organization and has hurt Surfside’s reputation, making it harder to attract qualified talent. Our town needs steady leadership to rebuild a professional and functional government.

Second, we must stabilize our finances. The town’s operational budget has grown from about $30 million during my previous term to more than $60 million today, despite the absence of major capital projects. At the same time, the State of Florida is considering eliminating property taxes on homesteaded homes, which could significantly impact municipal revenues. That makes responsible financial planning and careful scrutiny of spending more important than ever.

Finally, the issue I hear most from residents is traffic. Congestion on Collins Avenue now regularly spills into our residential streets, sometimes leaving residents effectively trapped in town during peak hours. Trips that should take minutes can take 45 minutes just to cross the bridge to Bay Harbor Islands. Improving this will require regional cooperation, and I’m grateful that neighboring mayors who have endorsed me are ready to work together on both short term and long term solutions.

You previously served as mayor of Surfside for two years. If elected again, how would your leadership style or priorities differ this time compared with your earlier term?

When I first took office, I approached the role with a set of short, mid, and long term goals. What I quickly learned is that government often moves at a very deliberate pace. When you combine that with two year terms, it can be difficult to see large initiatives fully realized. Because of that, I believe leadership requires balancing long term vision with a strong focus on the immediate issues facing residents today. My priority will be addressing urgent concerns while ensuring every decision also supports Surfside’s long term future.

As for my leadership style, when I first ran for office I was not a politician. I ran because I wanted to get things done, and I focused heavily on achieving those objectives. In hindsight, some initiatives may have moved faster than the public process allowed residents to fully understand the reasoning behind them. That was an important lesson. If given the opportunity to serve again, I plan to create an advisory group of residents with expertise in different areas and representing the diverse communities that make up Surfside. My goal is to ensure more voices are heard and that residents feel like true stakeholders in the decision making process.

How would you improve emergency preparedness and disaster response in Surfside?

Surfside is a small town, roughly one square mile, and like many small municipalities we have limited resources. During my time in office, I focused on building strong working relationships with the State and with other cities across Miami Dade County. One example was establishing a sister city relationship with the City of Hialeah, the second largest municipality in the county. These partnerships were not simply symbolic. We put formal agreements and memorandums of understanding in place that allowed Surfside to access the infrastructure, expertise, and resources of larger cities when needed.

Unfortunately, those relationships deteriorated under the current administration, and the agreements we established were eliminated. That cooperation benefited Surfside during my tenure, and rebuilding those partnerships will be a priority so our town can once again benefit from the shared resources and regional collaboration that small municipalities depend on.

What steps would you take to ensure public safety and prevent tragedies similar to past building collapses?

During my time in office, Surfside helped lead the conversation on condominium safety. We passed new regulations and building requirements that were later adopted by Miami Dade County and eventually by the State of Florida. At the local level, we also created an open door policy and expedited process for any building reporting structural concerns so that issues could be addressed quickly.

I also regularly organized Condo Safety Forums for residents, bringing in state senators and other legislators to explain new laws and answer questions directly from the community. We invited experts and companies involved in emerging safety technologies, including seismic monitoring and secure virtual voting systems, to help condo associations better address safety issues and improve resident participation in important building decisions.

If elected again, I will make sure residents and condo associations have the tools and access to education they need, while the Town leads with a renewed commitment to prioritizing safety across our community.

Surfside has seen development and rising property values. How would you balance growth while preserving the community’s character?

Growth cannot be stopped, but it can and should be guided to ensure new development is harmonious with our town and consistent with Surfside’s comprehensive plan, which outlines responsible and thoughtful growth. Contrary to what some residents believe, zoning was not increased during my term. What we did was allow greater flexibility in architectural design within the existing square footage limits.

This approach encouraged more thoughtful and creative design while also incentivizing smaller scale construction that better reflects Surfside’s small town character and charm.

The current building permit process in Surfside is time-consuming and often delays renovations. Can you commit to making streamlining this process a priority from day one, possibly implementing a fast-track system similar to Miami’s quick permit approvals for simple renovations?

The current administration ran on a platform of stopping growth and development. As a result, processes we put in place to improve efficiency have been rolled back. For example, the digital permitting system we implemented to streamline approvals is no longer being used, and key positions such as our in house planner and plans reviewer were never replaced after they resigned. Today, most of that work is outsourced, which has significantly increased wait times.

We need to refocus on improving and expediting the permitting process so residents and businesses are not burdened by unnecessary delays. We should also explore eliminating permits for smaller, non structural improvements. Homeowners should not have to wait weeks and pay costly fees simply to paint their home or install new kitchen cabinets. Sensible reforms can protect safety while making local government more responsive and practical for residents.

Do you plan to retain the current police Chief if elected, considering the police department has seen frequent leadership turnover over the past two years?

The role of the Mayor and Commission is primarily legislative. With the exception of the Town Manager and Town Attorney, who serve at the will of the Commission, all town employees report to and are managed by the Town Manager. That said, the Commission sets the expectations for the level of service residents should receive, and we hold the Town Manager accountable if those standards are not met.

With respect to our police department, stability is essential, but so is strong leadership. The Chief must set the tone, uphold our values, and ensure officers provide the high level of service our residents expect. Community policing must remain a central priority, with the Chief building strong relationships with both community leaders and residents.

I have not yet had the opportunity to work with the current Chief, but I would evaluate his performance based on the feedback of both the community and the officers who serve under his leadership.

How would you strengthen the relationship between the Surfside Police Department and the community?

A strong relationship between the police department and the community begins with trust, visibility, and communication. Our officers should not only be responding to calls, they should be actively engaged in the community through neighborhood meetings, local events, and regular interaction with residents and business owners.

Community policing must remain a central priority. That means encouraging officers to build relationships with residents, community leaders, and the many diverse groups that make up Surfside. When officers are visible and approachable, it strengthens trust and helps them better understand the needs of the community they serve.

From a leadership standpoint, the Mayor and Commission set the expectation that public safety is not only about enforcement, but also about partnership. By supporting programs that increase dialogue and engagement, we can continue building a police department that residents feel connected to and confident in.

What measures would you implement to ensure first responders have the resources and support they need?

During my time in office, we focused on ensuring our police officers had the tools they needed to do their jobs safely and effectively. We invested in new off road vehicles so officers could respond to emergencies on the beach and navigate the flooding that Surfside experiences. We also upgraded critical equipment, including firearms, radios, and our previously outdated dispatch system. In addition, we expanded training opportunities and added new training modules to ensure our officers remained well prepared, professional, and ready to respond to the challenges they may face.

At the same time, public safety in Surfside also involves strong cooperation with trusted community partners. Organizations such as Hatzalah and private security teams that help protect our synagogues and schools play an important role in our safety network. Building and maintaining strong relationships with these groups helps ensure coordination and provides additional resources that strengthen the overall safety of our community.

What initiatives would you pursue to support local businesses and strengthen Surfside’s economy?

Supporting local businesses means making it easy for them to operate and for patrons to visit. Addressing Surfside’s parking challenges is critical so residents and visitors can access shops and restaurants. When I was in office, we made a point of using local businesses for town events, and I would continue that practice. We should also streamline permitting and licensing, and continue promoting community events that bring people to our business district. These steps will strengthen our local economy while preserving the small town character that makes Surfside special.

Many small businesses, particularly kosher restaurants and venues along Harding Avenue, face very high rents and rely heavily on the winter season, leading to frequent openings and closures. Are there any incentives or programs the town could introduce to help stabilize these businesses and support long-term success?

A strong commercial district benefits the entire town, and we should find ways to invest in it thoughtfully. One approach is using revenue from the food, beverage, and resort taxes to improve infrastructure, parking, and public spaces that support local businesses and make the area more inviting for residents and visitors alike.

At the same time, these are private businesses, and it’s important that residents are not asked to subsidize their rents or operating costs. The goal should be creating an environment where businesses can thrive on their own while the town provides the tools, amenities, and infrastructure to help them succeed.

How will you ensure residents feel heard and involved in key decisions affecting the town?

I have always maintained an open door at town hall, and I would often stay up late into the night responding to hundreds of emails and concerns from residents. Every meeting of the Commission is fully open to the public, with opportunities for residents to speak on every agenda item. I encourage everyone to take part in the process. These opportunities exist so that residents can actively help shape the future of our community.

What steps would you take to address coastal resilience and long-term climate concerns facing Surfside?

During my time in office, we implemented practical solutions to improve Surfside’s resiliency and address flooding. On the beach side, we raised our dunes, and on the bay side we increased seawall height requirements to better protect the town. We also instituted the “under-story” – permeable surfaces for new construction, upgraded drainage pumps, and incorporated stormwater management into planning and building requirements. Resiliency was built into every aspect of construction and planning.

There is still much more to explore, and I have been having insightful conversations on new ideas to strengthen Surfside’s resilience. I look forward to continuing that work.

If elected, how will you ensure transparency and accountability in Surfside’s town government?

Transparency and accountability start with open communication and clear expectations. I will ensure all meetings where decisions are made remain fully open to the public, with opportunities for residents to speak on every agenda item. I will maintain an open door policy, respond promptly to questions and concerns, and provide regular updates on town initiatives and finances.

At the same time, I will hold the Town Manager and staff accountable to the standards and expectations set by the Commission, ensuring that policies are followed and resources are managed responsibly. Residents should always know how their government operates and have confidence that decisions are made in the best interest of Surfside.

Surfside is a small town with a large Jewish population. Do you have concerns about rising antisemitism, and what steps would you take as mayor to strengthen security and preparedness to protect the community?

Surfside is fortunate to have a large, thriving, and growing Jewish community, one that attracts dignitaries from around the world, including foreign ambassadors, State Governors, and most recently the Prime Minister of Israel. With this prominence comes responsibility, and we are rightfully concerned about the rise in antisemitism across the country emanating from both sides of the political isle. The safety and security of our community must remain a top priority.

When I was Mayor, I built strong relationships with local, state, and federal agencies to coordinate intelligence, surveillance, and manpower when needed, working alongside our outstanding police department. On the legislative side, I drafted the original anti‑Semitism bill that was later signed into law by Governor DeSantis in Israel, and collaborated on state legislation focused on intelligence sharing to better protect faith‑based communities.

In a post‑October 7 world, I worked tirelessly to bring in additional resources to safeguard Surfside, and I will continue to ensure our community is proactive, prepared, and protected. The security of our residents, schools, and synagogues is non‑negotiable, and I will do everything in my power to maintain it.

What would you like to say to Surfside voters as they prepare to cast their ballots this week?

This election cycle has been short but intense. I’ve had the privilege of knocking on doors and hearing directly from many residents, and I want to sincerely thank everyone who took the time to speak with me, challenge me with thoughtful questions, and participate in shaping the future of our town. Surfside is a truly unique and special community, and in a small town like ours, every voice matters.

This election is an opportunity for us to move forward together, protecting our families, preserving our small-town character, and building a Surfside we can all be proud of. I hope to earn your confidence and your vote.

We want to thank you, Shlomo, for speaking with us directly. It was invaluable to hear your plans for Surfside firsthand, and we wish you the very best of luck in the upcoming election on Tuesday.