North Miami, FL (LE FLORIDIEN) — On Monday, December 16, the City of North Miami marked a significant milestone with an induction ceremony to welcome its newly elected leaders, signaling a fresh era of governance and civic commitment. The event, held at the FIU Kovens Conference Center, imbued with a sense of pride and unity, saw the swearing-in of Mayor Alix Desulme, District 4 Councilman Frantz Charles, District 1 Councilman Kevin Burns, and City Clerk Vanessa Joseph. Together, these officials step into their roles as stewards of North Miami’s future, poised to guide the city toward progress and prosperity.
Alix Desulme was appointed as Mayor in December 2022, following former mayor Philippe Bien-Aimé’s unsuccessful attempt to retain his position after losing the runoff election for Miami-Dade County District 2 Commissioner to Marleine Bastien. Following Desulme’s appointment, Frantz Charles was chosen to fill the vacant District 4 council seat.
From heartfelt speeches to promises of progress, the ceremony underscored the dedication of these leaders to fostering growth, inclusivity, and opportunity for all residents. One by one, the newly elected members of the city council took the stage to take the oath of office for a new four-year term, with the exception of the mayor, whose term will be up for re-election in two years.
Vanessa Joseph, reelected unopposed as City Clerk, was celebrated for her ongoing dedication. In her remarks, Joseph underscored the importance of accessibility and efficiency in her role, promising to continue serving the residents of North Miami with integrity.
“Today, I stand before you deeply honored and humbled to begin my second term as the elected City Clerk of North Miami. This is not just a personal milestone but a collective celebration of the principles that guide our community: transparency, integrity, accountability, and servant leadership. These values will continue to guide every decision I make and every initiative I introduce as we move forward,” Joseph stated.
Rev. Father Reginald Jean-Mary (Notre-Dame Catholic Church) administered the Oath of Office to District 4 Councilman Pierre Frantz Charles. Charles’ partner Raymonde Jouissance held the scriptures he used in the ceremony.
“As your councilman, I pledge to stand by you, with you, and for you. I will remain authentic, listen respectfully, and act purposefully to ensure that your voices are heard and your needs are met. We are all in this together, and together we will build a stronger, more united community,” said Charles.
Charles highlighted his focus on addressing infrastructure challenges and engaging with local residents to prioritize community needs.
Overwhelmingly elected with the support of his community, former mayor Kevin Burns (2005–2009) was joined by his husband of 30 years, Rob Flint, and their daughter, Autumn Flint Burns, during his oath as District 1 Councilman. The Honorable Donald J. Cannava of the 11th Judicial Circuit of Florida administered the oath, while Burns’ daughter held the Bible.
Returning to public office, Burn expressed gratitude for the trust placed in him by the community. He vowed to use his experience to address critical issues.
“It feels good to be back,” Burns said. “I have to tell you that my family thought I was crazy. There were some heated arguments at the dining table about why I wanted to do this. Without the support of my husband Rob and our daughter Autumn—if they had said I could not do this, I would not be standing here tonight.”
Burns continued, “We are here to celebrate North Miami’s new leadership. We are an amazing city. We are one city. I will be the councilman for District 1, but the lines between Districts 1, 2, 3, and 4 shouldn’t divide us. As one city council, we are going to work for the residents of all districts. I am not territorial about District 1. We are one city—one city united. And what is good for one district is good for every other district.”
The new representative of District 1 took a moment to express gratitude to those who made his victory possible in the runoff election against Haitian-American candidate Vanessa Pierre two weeks ago. Burns thanked his family, volunteers, donors, and, most importantly, the voters who believed in his vision.
It is important to note that Burns, who is openly gay, replaces another openly gay leader, Scott Galvin, in the District 1 seat. Galvin, the longest-serving council member in the city’s history, held the position for an impressive 25 years.
In his long remarks, Mayor Alix Desulme vows to fostering transparency, growth, and inclusivity. Desulme emphasized the importance of unity, stating, “This is not just my moment; it’s our moment as a community. Together, we will continue to build a city that serves everyone and leaves no one behind.”
“To my fellow councilmembers, I look forward to working with each and every one of you to drive North Miami along a positive path by putting people first. Tonight is not just a moment to celebrate; it is a moment to reflect—on where we have been, where we are, and where we are headed.”
Looking back at our progress, together over the past two years, we have transformed North Miami into a city that works for everyone. Through your initiatives and collaboration, we tackled challenges and unlocked opportunities while staying committed to making North Miami safe for all. I am proud to share that we have achieved a 13% reduction in crime over the past year,” the first citizen of the city added.
Desulme was first elected to office in 2009 in a citywide election, making history as the first black City Clerk of the City of North Miami. He held the distinction of being the youngest and the first Haitian-American elected City Clerk in the United States.
In 2015, he was elected to the North Miami City Council representing District 4. The following year, he became the youngest Councilman to serve as Vice Mayor for the City of North Miami and won his bid for reelection to the City Council in 2019.
The ceremony, attended by local leaders, family members, and community supporters, showcased a collective spirit of optimism and dedication to progress. As the newly sworn-in officials begin their terms, North Miami residents eagerly anticipate their leadership in addressing key challenges, driving growth, and shaping a brighter, more prosperous future for the community.
In honor of the newly elected members, a celebration party featuring Haitian compas bands J-Beatz and Zenglen was held at the FIU Kovens Conference Center, where the induction ceremony took place, while another, featuring a performance by KLASS, was hosted at the Joe Celestin Center on the west side of the city. However, the decision to organize two separate events has drawn criticism, with many calling it an unnecessary and irresponsible use of taxpayer money. Critics argue that such spending is particularly concerning for a city that recently faced financial challenges. Mayor Desulme himself highlighted these concerns during his address, noting that North Miami currently has a reserve of only $5 million.
Adding to the controversy, District 4 Councilman Frantz Charles breached protocol by leaving the FIU Kovens Conference Center before listening to the mayor’s speech. Charles instead headed to the Joe Celestin Center, where the celebration party with the kompa band KLASS was already underway. This move sparked further criticism, as it was seen as disrespectful to the mayor and the ceremony’s formal proceedings.
Dessalines Ferdinand
Photo by Ricardo Saint-Cyr
