By Dessalines Ferdinand
North Miami Councilman Frantz Charles was appointed to his position during the Council meeting on January 10, 2023. He received the majority of votes to fill the District 4 vacancy, which was previously held by Alix Desulme. Desulme had left his position one month earlier to serve as Mayor, following the resignation of the former mayor, Phillippe Bien-Aime. Bien-Aime had resigned to run for the Miami-Dade County District 2 commissioner’s seat, a campaign in which he was unsuccessful. Councilman Charles is set to contend for his seat in the upcoming November election.
The race on November 5 will mark Councilman Frantz Charles’ first electoral challenge since his appointment. In this race, he will compete against at least two prominent figures within the Haitian community. Recognizing the crucial role of financial support in electoral success, backers of Charles—who has a 15-year history as a Haitian-born math teacher at Miami Central Senior High School—have begun organizing successful fundraising events to support his campaign.
On Wednesday, March 27, local lobbyist Marckenson Jeanty, also known for hosting the weekly talk show 360 Degree Media on WSFR 1580 AM, partnered with businessman Patrick Jean Maignan. As strong supporters of the District 4’s Councilman Charles, the duo hosted a fundraising event at Maignan’s North Miami Beach office to bolster his campaign.
Marckenson Jeanty took the lead in speaking to the generous donors, setting the stage for the event and sharing his proud endorsement of the candidate’s election bid.
Patrick Jean Maignan, co-organizer of the fundraiser, shared his thoughts on the significance of being an elected official. He lauded Councilman Charles for his dedication and integrity, highlighting his genuine concern for the well-being of North Miami’s residents, especially those in District 4. Maignan wrapped up his comments by voicing his backing for Charles and encouraging others to offer their support as well.
Former North Miami Mayor Kervin Burn, who held office from 2005 to 2009, praised Councilman Charles for his reliability and honesty. He recalled his tenure as mayor when he established sister city relationships with Delmas and Port-de-Paix. Burn highlighted a particular trip to Haiti in 2015, joined by Councilman Charles and other notable figures from the Haitian Community. During this visit, they traveled to Saint-Louis du Nord, Anse-A Foleur, and Port-dePaix. Burn expressed his admiration for the progress at Hopital Immaculée Conception, where he had supported various initiatives during his mayoralty. He emphasized Councilman Charles’ significant supportive role during this delegation’s visit to Haiti.
Mr. Burn went on to speak about the councilman’s strong character and significant integrity. He noted the councilman’s long-standing involvement in the community, pointing out that those familiar with him understand he is not someone who would deceitfully agree to something only to betray trust later. Mr. Burn also highlighted the councilman’s thoughtful approach to decision-making, stating that he carefully analyzes requests for support to ensure his actions benefit the city. If unable to support a request, the councilman straightforwardly declines and clearly communicates his stance on the issue, according to Burn.
Several other speakers took the stage, including North Miami community leader Mike McDearmind, John Blanc (a teaching colleague of Councilamn Charles), and his wife, Raymonde Jouissance. Each speaker, in their respective remarks, lauded the leadership qualities of the District 4 Councilperson. They unanimously expressed their belief that he merits reelection, enabling him to continue serving the residents of North Miami to the best of his ability.
In his speech, Councilman Charles shared insights into his personal ethos and commitment to public service. “This is me, this is my human nature. When I engage in any endeavor or take on any project, I aim for the highest outcome, not for personal gain, but with the community’s interests at heart,” he explained. According to Mr. Charles, his deep-seated passion for seeing the community thrive is what he brings to his role in the City of North Miami, particularly in representing District 4.
Councilman Charles addressed the current lack of dining options in District 4, acknowledging, “As of now, if you’re looking for a place to sit down for dinner in District 4, we don’t have such options, but they are on the horizon.” He emphasized the importance of advocacy and increasing awareness to facilitate change. His vision for his first term involves transforming North West 7th Avenue into a vibrant destination. He pointed out the disparity between the district’s east side, which boasts a variety of amenities, and the west side, which has been somewhat neglected. This ambitious project, he believes, will significantly benefit the district by balancing its offerings and enhancing the community’s overall quality of life.
Councilman Charles stated that his political motivation was driven by a desire to effect positive change, not personal gain. “I am involved in politics not for myself, but because I believe I can make a difference.”
He then drew a parallel between public service and education, identifying both as vocations aimed at serving others. “Public service, like education, is not about personal achievement; it’s a calling. Making a meaningful impact in the lives of residents is the value I see in it, and that’s why I am committed to this path,” the teacher articulated.
Councilman Charles emphasized the integrity of his campaign and the critical need for ongoing support. “You’re all aware that we’re running a campaign based on respect and cleanliness. However, to maintain our momentum, your extensive support is indispensable. I’m deeply thankful for the backing you’ve provided so far. Your help is crucial now and will be vital all the way to the end of this campaign. I count on you to help spread our message,” he declared.
Charles proposed a grassroots approach with a simple call to action: “Each one, tell one.” Looking forward, he anticipated a communal victory celebration: “On the evening of November 5, in a gathering as memorable as tonight’s, we will celebrate the election of a councilman to District 4, someone who is committed to living up to his promises and improving our district in the great city of North Miami,” he concluded, expressing optimism and determination.
Marckenson Jeanty uniquely began and concluded the event’s speeches. In his closing comments, Jeanty extended his gratitude to the attendees for their generous financial contributions to the campaign. He then proceeded to highlight what he referred to as the numerous achievements of Councilman Charles, underscoring the impact of his work.
Jeanty detailed the notable achievements of Mr. Charles throughout his recent 12-month tenure as the appointed representative for District 4. He listed several key initiatives led by Mr. Charles, including the organization of community events such as “Get 2 NoMi Meet and Greet” and the “Alleyway Clean-Up.”
Jeanty also mentioned the “Golden-Silver Senior Program Mother’s Day Luncheon,” aimed at honoring mothers within the community, and the “Local Business Development Town Hall Meeting,” focused on supporting small businesses in District 4, particularly along NW 7th Avenue. Additionally, he highlighted the “1st Homebuyer Session,” designed to assist residents in purchasing their first homes, and the “D4 S.M.A.R.T (Study Math and Ready Together) Tutoring Program,” an educational initiative to support local students.
Photo: Former North Miami Mayor Kervin Burn addresses the audience while event’s co-organizer Patrick Maignan (1st left) and Councilman Charles look on.
