After the November 2026 election, three familiar faces will be leaving the Palmetto Bay Village Council: Marsha Matson, Patrick Fiore, and Mayor Karyn Cunningham. Love them, loathe them, or argue with them — and I’ve done my share of both — it is entirely fitting and proper for the Village to recognize what each of them has given to this community.

 

At the January 12, 2026 Village Council meeting, Councilmember Steve Cody has placed a resolution on the agenda that seeks to do exactly that: honor three public servants who collectively represent decades of service to Palmetto Bay.

 

Let’s start with Marsha Matson:

Marsha is one of the original founders of Palmetto Bay. That fact alone places her in a category few can claim. Over the years, I have joined so many others in the community who have butted heads with Marsha over policy, priorities, and — let’s be honest — style. But even her critics would be hard-pressed to deny one thing: perhaps no one loves Palmetto Bay as much as Marsha Matson.

 

She has been a tireless advocate for the environment from day one, long before “sustainability” became a buzzword. Protecting green space, preserving the Village’s character, and defending the natural assets that make Palmetto Bay unique have been central to her public life. That kind of commitment deserves recognition.

 

Councilmember Cody initially proposed naming The Woods in her honor, an idea that made a great deal of sense symbolically. County regulations, however, make naming the preserve itself difficult, if not impossible. But the Village is funding the nature trail that will be installed in The Woods and that trail can — and should — bear Marsha Matson’s name. It is a practical solution that honors both her legacy and the law.

 

Then there’s Patrick Fiore:

If you’ve ever had a pothole swallow your tire, a sidewalk buckle, or drainage problems on your street, you know exactly who residents call. Patrick Fiore is the Infrastructure Councilmember — the guy who answers those calls and gets things done.

 

More importantly, it was Patrick’s leadership that pushed the Village to purchase a drain vac truck. That may not sound glamorous, but the impact has been enormous. That single decision strengthened Palmetto Bay’s Community Rating System score, which translates into millions of dollars saved in flood insurance premiums for residents over time. That’s not politics — that’s true leadership bearing a tangible benefit.

 

After 12 years of service, it is entirely appropriate that the Public Services Building bear Patrick Fiore’s name.

 

Finally, we come to Mayor Karyn Cunningham:

 

The resolution before the Council will name the new Community Center in Coral Reef Park after Karyn.

 

Karyn is the first person to serve on the Village Council for 12 consecutive years — four as a Councilmember and eight as Mayor. That kind of continuity and institutional knowledge matters. She has guided the Village through growth, conflict, a pandemic, hurricanes, budget fights, and more than a few contentious meetings.

 

Have Karyn and I clashed over the years? Absolutely. But even in disagreement, one thing has always been clear: she places the Village first. Every time.

 

She is also a woman of immense modesty, and I suspect she will say she doesn’t deserve this honor — especially if it requires her to vote on it. But I can think of very few public officials in South Florida who are more deserving of having a community center named in their honor.

 

What often gets lost in the back-and-forth of local politics is just how demanding the role of Mayor actually is. The job never really turns off. It requires constant availability, patience in the face of criticism, and the willingness to absorb blame even when decisions are collective. Over eight consecutive years as Mayor, Karyn Cunningham has carried that burden with steadiness and grace.

 

She has been the Village’s chief ambassador, its crisis manager, and — more often than not — the only adult in the room.

 

Her leadership style is not flashy, and it is not self-promotional, which is precisely why it has worked. Palmetto Bay is better organized, more financially stable, and more respected today because of her tenure.

 

Councilmember Cody’s proposed resolution to honor these long-term, dedicated public servants isn’t about ego or politics. It’s about recognizing service while the people who provided it are still here to see it. Palmetto Bay has benefited from all three of them. Honoring them now is not just appropriate — it’s the right thing to do.

Share with me any questions or concerns you may have by calling me at 305-323-8206 or via email at grant@communitynewspapers.com.


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