Mayor Gives Thanks in State of the Village Address

Mayor Mike Davey giving his first annual State of the Village address. Dec. 5 in the Key Biscayne Community Center (Annali Hayward/Key News)

The annual State of the Village address took a hiatus in recent years, but it was back with a bang Dec. 5 as Mayor Mike Davey took to the stage in the Lighthouse room of the Key Biscayne Community Center. A presentation of colors was followed by an impressive rendition of the ‘Star Spangled Banner’ from 9-year-old Isabella Velazquez, and then things got serious — for a moment.

Davey started with economics, praising the “political will and courage” of his Council to raise Key Biscayne’s millage rate this year (although it still remains one of the lowest in Miami-Dade County). Reserves are at approximately $15.1 million, he continued, and the Village’s debt capacity is $83.1 million.

Former Mayor Mayra Pena Lindsay with Former Council Members Betty Sime Conroy and Cindy Lerner (Annali Hayward/Key News)

“But there is much to do,” he said as he began outlining the challenges ahead. First among them was beach water quality, on which he said the Village would continue to work with the County as well as the City of Miami on sargassum seaweed management. The Rickenbacker Causeway was another area of focus both in terms of access and ageing infrastructure.

Davey assured his constituents the 2020 budget process would be greatly improved. “I promise we’ll do better,” he said.

He whistled through the main capital expenditure projects slated for 2020 and beyond, such as stormwater drain improvements, before thanking the island’s public school, police and fire departments.

Wrapping up Davey sounded a note of practical optimism, charging citizens with staying involved and participating. “We will always face challenges,” he said, but conquering them is possible “because of the quality of the people in this room.”

The audience gives a standing ovation (Annali Hayward/Key News)

“I’m confident that in 2020 things are only going to get better,” said the Mayor before dedicating the last lines of his speech to his wife Maria and daughter Mia.

With that, the ceremony moved on to a joyful recognition of all those who give up their free time to work tirelessly on the behalf of the community. Representatives of each organization accepted leather folders and applause as Davey gave a brief outline of their work and named every person involved.

The list was long but the audience was cheerfully rapt to the end — especially as the Mayor dutifully recited some 50 volunteer sports coaches names. Attendees were grateful to have a chance to publicly, warmly and loudly thank their neighbors.

“This is why I wanted to do this,” reflected Davey at one point. “We got away from it for a while and took people for granted, but all these people give their time.”

After the ceremony guests enjoyed a reception with food and beverages outside at the pool area.

Guests enjoyed food and drinks by the pool outside after the ceremony – including paella (Annali Hayward/Key News)

Those thanked were:

1. The 2040 Vision Committee
2. Art in Public Places
3. Board of Special Magistrates
4. The Education Advisory Board
5. Pensions Advisory Board
6. Land Acquisition Trust Fund
7. Athletics Advisory Board
8. Village Beautification Board
9. Winterfest Committee
10. Dog Park Committee
11. K-8 Schools Senior Volunteers
12. Chamber of Commerce
13. Key Biscayne Community Foundation
14. Historical Society
15. City Theater
16. Active Seniors on the Key Club
17. Fourth of July Committee
18. Outward Bound/Peace First
19. Trap and Neuter (cats) program
20. Youth Council
21. Kindness in the Schools
22. Key Biscayne Car Week
23. Piano Festival
24. The former Undergrounding task force
25. Lighthouse Run Committee
26. Many different sports coaches from football and baseball to rugby coaches
27. And Fill-A-Bag, who were accidentally missed, but thanked at the Dec. 10 Council meeting.