100-2001 LTCCITY OF MIAMI BEACH
CITY HALL 1700 CONVENTION CENTER DRIVE M~,MI BEACH, FLORIDA 33139
www.ci.miami-beach.fl.us
~.~.~.
LETTER TO COMMISSION
May 18, 2001
TO: Mayor Neisen O. Kasdin and
Members of the City Commission
FROM: Jorge M. Gonzalez ~0/-~
City Manager
SUBJECT: NEW MIAMI BEACH POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE EXECUT][VE
DIRECTOR
This Letter to the Commission is to announce the selection of the new Executive Director of the
Miami Beach Police Athletic League. It is my pleasure to present to the Mayor and City
Commission, the new Executive Director of PAL, Officer Alkareem Azim.
Officer Azim is replacing Officer Bernie Winer who is retiring September 30, 2001, after serving
more than 29 years with the City and more than nine years with PAL, the last seven years as
Executive Director.
The City Ordinance that created PAL over 40 years ago requires that the Executive Director be a
police officer with the Miami Beach Police Department. Therefore, when Bernie announced his
retirement plans, the Police Department requested officers interested in becoming the new Executive
Director of PAL apply for the position. Officer Azim was selected from among a group of highly
qualified officers who expressed a desire to work with our children and lead PAL in the 21 st century.
Officer Azim has been a Miami Beach police officer since 1996. During this time, in addition to his
regular police duties, he has volunteered for many youth oriented programs, including serving as a
mentor in the Department's Miami Beach High School Mentoring Program. Officer Azim was
selected now so that he will have sufficient time with Officer Winer to ensure a smooth transition.
I also want to take this opportunity to commend Bernie Winer and the service he has provided. There
is so much to say about Bernie's contribution that it would be an injustice to reduce it to mere words.
Simply put, because of Bernie's leadership, inspiration and determination, the PAL will make an
impact on the lives of our youth for the next 50 years and beyond. This community owes him a debt
of gratitude we will never be able to repay.
Please join me in wishing both Officer Azim and Bernie Winer the best of luck and assure them of
our continued support of PAL and of it's programs.
JMG:RRB~.~D:PS