Hallandale Beach surprise
Joy Adams defeats Keith London in mayor’s race
HALLANDALE BEACH – Joy Adams, a political rookie making her first run for office, routed veteran Keith London in Tuesday’s race for mayor of Hallandale Beach, a small town known for its nasty politics.
“The voters have spoken,” London said. “I congratulate the new mayor on her victory. I am proud to have served my neighbors for more than a decade. I believe in Hallandale Beach. I will remain active in our community and will always be a phone call away to help my neighbors and our city.”
Adams, the owner of a local cleaning service, could not be reached for comment Tuesday night.
London stepped into the mayor’s seat when longtime Mayor Joy Cooper was arrested Jan. 25 after being caught in an FBI sting.
In August, London found himself at the center of a media storm after accusing a fellow commissioner of making a living from “sphincter bleaching.”
Adams has sparred with London from the audience during City Hall meetings, accusing him of not treating her and other residents with respect.
During her campaign, she vowed to “bring respect back” to
the dais race.
Adams has also said she would hire nine more firefighters, in keeping with a request from fire union leaders who say the department is woefully understaffed.
Business manager Mike Butler handily defeated teacher Steven Michael Carlo in Tuesday’s at-large election for commission Seat 1.
“I want to thank Steve Carlo for running a positive campaign,” said Butler, who was elected in March to serve the remaining term of Anthony if she won the mayor’s
Sanders.
“Though we disagree about how to solve some of our city’s challenges, I hope he will remain involved,” Butler said of his opponent. “As for the results, I am proud to have the trust of the residents of Hallandale Beach. It is time to move beyond the negative headlines and get down to business. For those who want to drag our city through the mud with name calling and ugliness, I have a simple message for you: Go away.”
Butler says he plans to work on three of the city’s toughest problems: taxes, traffic and trust.
Sabrina Javellana, a college student making her first run for office, narrowly defeated incumbent
Rich Dally in a fight for commission Seat 2.
Dally, who works in sales for American Express, was appointed to the seat in February when London took over as mayor after Cooper’s arrest.
Javellana said she wants to protect her hometown from runaway development and negative headlines.
As commissioner, she said she would consider merging the fire department with the county in a bid to boost morale.
The winners will be sworn in to office on Nov. 19.