Dr. Smith Joseph

Here is a picture of Gary Eugene who sworn in as new police chief of the North Miami Police Department. He is in this picture with Mayor Smith Joseph.

Gary Eugene, a 30-year law enforcement veteran and the Assistant Police Chief of the North Miami Police Department since December 2014, has been sworn in as the North Miami Police Chief, replacing Leonard Burgess, who announced his retirement earlier this month. Eugene began his career as a Police Detective of the Miami City Police Department in 1985. Gradually, in 1996, he became the first Haitian-born lieutenant within the department, serving the Little Haiti community. He is a holder of Master Degree in criminal justice from Florida International University, a bachelor's degree in liberal studies from Barry University and an associate's degree in criminal justice from Miami-Dade College. He completed graduate courses from two police academies such as, Southern Police Institute (S.P.I.) in Louisville, Kentucky, and the Senior Management Institute for Police Executives (S.M.I.P.) at Harvard's Kennedy School. One of Eugene's notable awards and commendations came from the U.S. Coast Guard for his seventh month's participation in search and rescue operations throughout the Caribbean Sea.

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Here is a picture of the new Mayor of North Miami Introduction Ceremony. This took place in North Miami City Hall

Mayor of North Miami Joseph Smith Introduction Ceremony

It is hoped that, following the introduction ceremony for Mayor-elect of North Miami Dr. Joseph Smith, he will be able to rebrand the image of North Miami after the 'bad leadership' attested to by former challenger and one-time mayor, Kevin Burns. Burns was undoubtedly referring to Mayor Smith's predecessors Andre Pierre, who during his time referred to the daughters of a councilman as prostitutes and issued police-like badges to his staff members, as well as ousted former mayor Lucy Tondreau, who was found in connection with a mortgage fraud scheme valuing $8 million.

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Here is a picture of the popular Radio host in the Haitian Community in Miami, Nelson Voltaire, AKA Piman Bouk. He is here with the new North Miami Mayor Smith Joseph. Biman Bouk as one who has a large audience on radio in the Miami area is a force you have to work with as a politician.

In early November, North Miami elected its new mayor, Dr. Smith Joseph. As a candidate for the seat, and winner by a slight margin, Mayor Joseph is no stranger to the influential commentary often found on Haitian talk radio. One such program is that featuring Nelson Voltaire, more popularly known as Pimon Bouk, whose influence over the listening diaspora was felt last year when, just before the run-offs, he influenced thousands of Haitians within the community, in Creole, to vote Haitian. With the might of Haitian radio behind them, it is no wonder so many of the Haitian community become elected officials.

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Here is a picture of one of the major investors in Haiti, Jerry Tardieu, as he was present after the election of Dr Smith Joseph in North Miami. In this picture, Dr Smith Joseph is in company of his wife and several supporters

Jerry Tardieu's Lesson: Perseverance will Yield Success

Jerry Tardieu is CEO of Petion-Ville's Royal Oasis Hotel, an author of numerous books on entrepreneurship and investing.

His latest "Investir et s'investir en Haiti: Un acte de foi" is for investors wanting to invest in Haiti.

Jerry says raising capital is the biggest barrier for investors wanting "to do business in Haiti." But he maintains abundant possibilities exist for those who persevere through uphill battles.

The Haitian American Chamber of Commerce of Florida has copies of his book available for purchase.

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Here is picture of the actual election result between Dr. Smith Joseph and former North Miami Mayor Kevin Burns. As a political new comer Smith Joseph beats out two-time former North Miami Mayor Kevin Burns for the mayoral seat vacated by Lucie Tundreau.

Edging out the former Mayor of North Miami, Dr. Smith Joseph won the seat as a first-time political runner after the suspension of the past mayor Lucie Tondreau. A registered pharmacist at the start of his career, Dr. Joseph continued his studies and fulfilled his goal of becoming a doctor of medicine and opened his own clinic in the North Miami area. The road to his election was not a quiet one, taking place amidst the uncertainty of a runoff and on the heels of the former mayor's suspension, but at the end, the results from the 21 precincts list him as the winner over former mayor Kevin Burns.

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Here is a picture of the two candidates running for Mayor of North Miami. Kevin Burns against the Haitian-American Dr. Smith Joseph

Will Haitian Voters Elect Kevin Burns North Miami Mayor This Time?

Former North Miami mayor Kevin Burns is facing Dr. Smith Joseph in a runoff for mayor. Acting mayor Phillip Bien-Aime has been substituting for Mayor Lucille Tondreau, arrested on mortgage fraud charges. Last year Tondreau beat Burns in a runoff for mayor.

Because Burns is white many feel it is an obstacle in a largely Black and Haitian electorate, but the unethical behavior of Tondreau may make voters rethink their racial bias.

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