1639-21 Politics SAT APR 07 1984 ED: WEEKENDER
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: 10A LENGTH: 03 .71" SHORT
ILLUST:
SOURCE: OPINNION
LTELINE:
DEMO
DERMER SET HIGH STANDARD
Jay Dermer was a big person in a lot of ways. His political and
intellectual honesty matched his size. The kind of integrity he possessed is
not widespread in public life, and it certainly was not overflowing in the
Miami Beach Dermer served as mayor from 1968 through 1971 .
Although Dermer died of a massive heart attack at the relatively young age
of 54 , his family and friends should take comfort in the fact that he was one
politician who left something tangible behind, something beyond a plaque on a
concrete memorial dedicated more to the builders than to the people. More
than any other person, Dermer was responsible for putting the public beach
back in Miami Beach.
Able to combine his political interest with the public interest,
Dermer fought for what he believed would benefit the community most. His moral
standards were high and he thought it was his job to make those standards
stick to the facade of Miami Beach. Although Dermer had not been active in
public affairs for several years, he long ago left behind a standard of
conduct that other public servants would do well to adopt.
ADDED TERMS: dermer obituary
END OF DOCUMENT.