POLICE CHIEF FRED MAAS – OUR REAL HOMETOWN HERO
If Sunny Isles Beach residents could vote to choose their most beloved and respected public figure, there is no doubt that Police Chief Fred Maas would be the winner by a landslide. He has been an integral part of our community since 1998 and has led our great police force with honor and dignity. It is no surprise that he has been the recipient of many awards – all of them well deserved – and he has earned a very special place in the hearts of everyone in Sunny Isles Beach.
We wish Chief Maas a healthy and happy retirement. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!
What’s even worse is that despite the Chief’s multiple recommendations that Captain Michael Grandinetti take his place, the City Manager (Rick Conner) has absolutely no intentions of doing so. In fact, he already has the job search posted off-site (http://www.cb-asso.com/active.html).
I’m certain at this point the wealth of experience and knowledge at Government Center is all but decimated at this point. Add another employee to the long list of fired/retired/resigned under the new City Manager: after more than 10 years of service, the Assistant Finance Director has also “retired” as of October 1, 2010. Key people who have been fired/retired/resigned under the “Rick-geme”:
Doug Haag, Finance Director
Alyce Hanson, Administrative Services Director
Edel Fonseca, IT Director
Clay Parker, Building Official
Robert Solera, Community Development Director
not to mention the entire Parking Enforcement Department!
Jaime Eisen, Chief Structural Plans Examiner
Bill Evans, Public Works Director
After countless opportunities to do so, the Sunny Isles Beach Police Department has finally opted to go union. Why would they do this when the City has historically provided our fine Police Department with everything they ask for? It might be because he decided announcing changes to the employee Health Benefits would be a good thing to announce after the PD held its annual union vote instead of before. Too bad the information leaked out.