Surfside Community Watch is an independent group of engaged and caring residents. While we are not officially affiliated with the Town of Surfside, our mission is to keep the community informed about local events and happenings.
“Unconstitutional!” Florida FOP Blasts Surfside Town Manager
Last week, we exposed a shocking and unprecedented move by Surfside Town Manager Mark Blumstein: a secret gag order issued behind the backs of elected officials, muzzling town staff and forbidding them from speaking directly to commissioners. This directive was a blatant violation of the Town Charter — but it didn’t end there. Sean Kelly of the Florida State Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) has now fired back, issuing a formal warning to Blumstein, declaring the gag order a direct violation of the Constitutional rights of Surfside’s employees. The FOP’s intervention underscores just how dangerous — and illegal — Blumstein’s unchecked actions have become. But this is hardly the first time Blumstein has dragged Surfside into legal and ethical chaos. Earlier this year, Blumstein targeted Surfside Police Officer Rory Alberto — not for misconduct, but for answering the call of duty. While serving an active deployment with the U.S. military as a reservist, Alberto was abruptly placed on six months of paid administrative leave by Blumstein under the guise of an “internal investigation” that never took place. Behind the scenes, Blumstein attempted to coerce Alberto into early retirement — a blatant violation of federal law. Under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), employers are strictly prohibited from discriminating against service members or interfering with their reemployment. Blumstein’s actions weren’t just unethical — they were illegal. Attempting to force out a veteran for serving his country? That’s not just disgraceful — it’s a federal offense.
Blumstein’s reckless disregard for the law is nothing new. In 2023, while campaigning for judge, he was publicly reprimanded by the Florida Supreme Court for the use of his Navy uniform in campaign materials, a direct violation of Department of Defense regulations. The DOD had warned him multiple times, but Blumstein continued anyway. Sound familiar? Now, as Town Manager, Blumstein continues to make unilateral decisions without Commission approval — from new parking rules in residential areas to construction policy changes and added fees — all implemented without a single public vote. These are not minor administrative actions. These are policy changes that affect residents’ daily lives — forced through by an unelected bureaucrat operating as if he’s above the law. Blumstein’s latest stunt may open Surfside up to massive legal liability — lawsuits, federal investigations, and costly settlements are all on the table. Residents deserve better than to be governed by backroom edicts and power-hungry overreach. This is a textbook example of what happens when leadership fails, and a single man is allowed to run wild without oversight. The real question now is: Will the Surfside Commission finally grow a backbone and act? Or will they continue to watch in silence as our town burns through its credibility, its legal standing, and its future? We’re watching. And we won’t be silent. ------------------------------------------ Sources: Surfside Police Officer Rory Alberto Email.pdf Blumstein FL Supreme Court Reprimand.pdf Blumtien-Email-gag-order.jpg https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/miami-dade-judge-faces-discipline-over-campaign-ads/ |
Surfside Community Watch
Surfside Community Watch is an independent group of engaged and caring residents. While we are not officially affiliated with the Town of Surfside, our mission is to keep the community informed about local events and happenings.
Surfside has once again become an embarrassment as the dysfunction of our current Commission was on full display last month. In a reckless and stunning move, Commissioner Tina Paul moved to fire Town Manager Mark Blumstein without any plan or qualified replacement in place. What followed was a humiliating moment for our town: Commissioners looking out to staff in the audience and begging, “Will someone help us out?” At that point, one by one, employees declined to step into the leadership...
Surfside is in the middle of a full-blown leadership crisis. Our Town employees are leaving in waves, and the silence from our elected officials is deafening. Just last week, three key staff members abruptly resigned. Adrian Hernandez, who stepped in as Parks & Recreation's new Director after Tim Milian’s August departure, quit less than a month into the job. Deputy Public Works Director Frantza Duval resigned shortly after her Director, Randy Stokes, walked away earlier this year. In perhaps...
Reprinted from an open letter posted on NextDoor – August 11, 2025 - - - - - - - From: Shlomo DanzingerFormer Mayor, Town of Surfside, FLTo: Charles W. Burkett, MayorTina Paul, Vice MayorRuben A. Coto, CommissionerNelly Velasquez, CommissionerGerardo Vildostegui, Commissioner August 11, 2025RE: Formal Notice of Legal and Personal Liability Regarding Proposed Undergrounding ProjectDear Mayor and Commissioners,I am writing to place each of you on formal notice regarding the proposed Utilities...