Meet candidates for Sunny Isles Beach mayor, commission. Here’s what they have to say

Sunny Isles Beach residents will elect a mayor and two commissioners on Tuesday, Nov. 3. We asked the eight candidates where they stood on key issues facing the city. Here is how they responded:

SUNNY ISLES BEACH MAYOR

Why are you running for office?

Dana Goldman: I’m running for mayor to elevate the interests we share as residents above all else at City Hall. My aims are to improve our quality of life on everything from affordability to traffic to public safety; to restore fiscal sanity to our public finances; and to end the brazen self-dealing that has become business as usual in local government.

Robert J. Spence III: Awaiting response

Larisa Svechin: I’ve delivered, and I’m not done. As mayor, I cut the tax rate four years in a row, now 1.65 mills, the lowest of any city in Miami-Dade County, fully funded PD, got e-bikes off our sidewalks and created transparent access to the budget. I’m running to keep Sunny Isles Beach safe, affordable and moving forward. Results today mean a stronger tomorrow.

What makes you the best candidate for the position you are seeking?

Dana Goldman: What sets me apart is my demonstrable ability to get things done by building consensus among my colleagues on the City Commission; my uncompromising commitment to ensuring integrity in government; and my “big picture” approach to confronting the interconnected issues facing our city with holistic, proactive plans rather than whack-a-mole reactions.

Robert J. Spence III: Awaiting response

Larisa Svechin: I’m the only candidate with a strong, solid, four-year record as mayor and a clear plan for the next term. I listen, I do, and I never give up. I get it done. I’m approachable, and I care. Residents know they can reach me, get straight answers and see results. I know what matters most to this city, and I stay focused on it. That’s the difference.

What is the most pressing issue facing the community you wish to represent?

Dana Goldman: Sunny Isles Beach must adopt a long-term framework to comprehensively manage growth by establishing the terms under which it will and/or will not proceed. Doing so will place us in a strong position to responsibly anticipate future needs and, most importantly, assure the future well-being of our city’s residents.

Robert J. Spence III: Awaiting response

Larisa Svechin: Keeping Sunny Isles Beach affordable and safe as costs climb across South Florida. Seniors and families can’t stay in a city that overspends, and no one feels at home if they don’t feel safe walking to the beach. My plan: hold our 1.65 tax rate, keep hiring police, make every sidewalk and crosswalk safer, and keep every dollar transparent.

SUNNY ISLES BEACH COMMISSION SEAT 2

Why are you running for office?

Robert Balciunas: Awaiting response

Alex Brisk: Awaiting response

Steve Hirsch: After a lifetime of legal work as an attorney and city and state law enforcement public service, I want to give something back to the city that gives me so much. I am running because I care deeply about its future and believe my life experiences and successes can help protect what we love, while making our city even better for the next generation.

David Vergel: I am running for office in Sunny Isles Beach because I believe there is more work to be done to improve the quality of life in the city. Having lived here since 2009, I have witnessed firsthand how the city has grown. At the same time, I have noticed some services could be further improved, and I will work with city officials to achieve that.

What makes you the best candidate for the position you are seeking?

Robert Balciunas: Awaiting response

Alex Brisk: Awaiting response

Steve Hirsch: I possess more than 40 years of legal, government, law-enforcement, executive, and community leadership experience. FBI National Academy graduate. Combined with 14 years of condominium governance, I bring the experience, integrity and knowledge to make informed decisions, manage taxpayer dollars responsibly and serve our residents from day one.

David Vergel: As a long-time City Commission attendee and speaker since 2016, I have gained an understanding of how our local government operates. Also, by enrolling in the Sunny Isles Beach Residents’ Academy, I was able to further expand my knowledge on what every city department does, and that would allow me to work hand-in-hand with them if elected.

What is the most pressing issue facing the community you wish to represent?

Robert Balciunas: Awaiting response

Alex Brisk: Awaiting response

Steve Hirsch: We must reduce traffic congestion and make our streets safer. My priorities include improving traffic flow with signal synchronization, protecting pedestrians at busy intersections and school crossings, addressing unsafe e-bike and scooter use, and pursuing practical transportation alternatives that reduce the number of cars on our roads.

David Vergel: The most pressing issue facing the community has to be finding a balance between development and infrastructure improvements. We must urgently upgrade flood mitigation and pumps, protect our beaches, ensure public safety, and manage traffic with sensible solutions for both drivers and pedestrians.

SUNNY ISLES BEACH COMMISSION SEAT 4

Why are you running for office?

Carolina Cruz Gonzalez: I am running to put residents first and protect Sunny Isles Beach’s quality of life, safety, community and future. As a resident, mother, attorney, contracts professional and jewelry small-business owner, I will bring fresh ideas, careful judgment, transparency and practical solutions to City Hall, ensuring residents have a voice in every decision.

Magaly “Maggie” Gordo: To unite every taxpayer in Sunny Isles Beach in standing up for our city. Our beloved city deserves buildings with strong foundations, beaches that are pristine, and transparency in the handling of our money by condo directors and city commissioners. We will ask for county and state support and the representation we have earned.

What makes you the best candidate for the position you are seeking?

Carolina Cruz Gonzalez: My legal and contract negotiation experience positions me well to analyze complex issues, ask the right questions and protect residents’ interests. As a small business owner, I understand the challenges entrepreneurs face. I offer a fresh perspective, strong professional qualifications and a genuine commitment to serving our community.

Magaly “Maggie” Gordo: My degrees in management, accounting and psychology, combined with extensive experience leading large teams in for-profit corporations, over 10 years of volunteer service on a condo board in SIB, and a track record of respectful advocacy before commissioners at SIB provide me with the necessary experience to effectively represent our neighbors.

What is the most pressing issue facing the community you wish to represent?

Carolina Cruz Gonzalez: Sunny Isles Beach must manage growth without sacrificing residents’ quality of life. The city must work with FDOT and Miami-Dade County to improve traffic and pedestrian safety. Growth must match infrastructure capacity, protect green spaces, strengthen flood resilience and be reviewed transparently for its long-term impact.

Magaly “Maggie” Gordo: According to a December 2024 University of Miami study, Sunny Isles Beach waterfront buildings have sunk as much as 3 inches. We will advocate at the county and state level for mandatory, independent foundation and structural inspections to determine the cause and potential remediation.