EVERYBODY LOVES SURFSIDE
My History
I was born at St. Francis Hospital (which is now Aqua, on 63rd Street, near Collins Avenue) and raised in Miami Beach.
I moved to Surfside in 1996 to take advantage of the unparalleled lifestyle and have lived here, in the same home, ever since.
Julia and I are the proud parents of William Michael Burkett (now 20). I enjoy skiing, diving, flying, boating & great food.
My Education
Pre-school: The Cushman School, Miami
Grammar: St. Patrick's School, Miami Beach
High: Archbishop Curley High School, Miami
College: University of Miami, BS, Finance
My Day Job
After I graduated from college, I used my savings from working as a construction site laborer to buy my first property in 1983. It was a home in Miami Beach that I renovated, with help from friends I hired, and then leased.
I then purchased my first building in Miami Beach's budding Art Deco District with the remainder of my savings. I renovated that building, was able to get a loan on the equity I created in the property, and bought my next property.
I did this over and over throughout the 80s, 90s and early 2000s.
I subsequently went on to expand on a national basis into an additional seven states.
I currently operate a national management and investment company, which I own 100% of, which oversees those investments.
For the record, with the exception of my home in Surfside, I do not own any property or have any financial interests in Town. My family did own property in Surfside's commercial district, but it was sold in the 80s.
My Political Life
When I lived in Miami Beach, I was:
A board member and chairman of the Miami Beach Housing Authority for nine years,
A board member of the Nuisance Abatement Board,
Member of the Code Enforcement Board,
Member of the Community Development Block Grant Board,
A Police Academy member,
A board member of the Miami Beach Chamber,
The President of the North Beach Development Corporation,
A board member of my neighborhood association, the La Gorce-Pinetree Homeowners Association,
I have also participated in many blue ribbon & ad hoc committees in Miami Beach over my 35 years living there.
When I moved to Surfside in 1996, my civic involvement was as follows:
In 2004, I ran for Mayor of Surfside and lost my first election by a hair.
In 2006, I was first elected Mayor of Surfside.
In 2008, I was re-elected Mayor of Surfside.
In 2020, I was re-elected Mayor of Surfside.
In 2024, I was re-elected Mayor of Surfside.
I'm proud of my record of service in Surfside to protect our town and its residents from exploitive predators interested only in financial gain at the cost of our precious small-town way of life.
My Political Views
While I serve as Surfside's mayor, my one and only interest is the success and well-being of our Town.
However, like all red-blooded, patriotic Americans, I love our Country, and want the best for it and our citizens.
When my service to Surfside is complete one day, I plan to run for Governor and hope that I can bring the passion and love I have dedicated to our beautiful hamlet on the beach, to all the citizens of Florida.
You can read more about the views and positions I would put forward in the Governor's campaign at my political positions website:
News that You Will Not Read in the Surfside Gazette
JOIN ME to help KEEP SURFSIDE'S QUALITY WAY of life intact
Contact me: Mayor@TeamSurfside.com 305-517-1175
Important documents
Copyright © 2022 Charles w. Burkett, Surfside Mayor All Rights Reserved.
The comments by Mayor Burkett contained herein are the opinions of the Fmr. Mayor, and the publication of said comments may not represent or reflect the opinions or policies of the Town of Surfside nor do they imply endorsement of, or agreement by, the other members of the Town Commission. ...but you probably already knew that.
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