Looking at the elections as of this writing, and drawing on names from the Golden Era of Florida Politics, the ’70s and ’80s, the name Gelber comes up very quickly. Although I have met the democratic candidate for Attorney General, Senator Dan Gelber (D., Miami Beach) at a recent Senate Reunion, the Gelber I remember so well is his dad, former Miami Beach Mayor and Judge Sy Gelber. The senior Gelber was an extraordinary public servant–very bright, charismatic, probing and all with a great sense of humor. He often reminded me of former New York City Mayor Ed Koch, but with a much more serious bent. It is obvious that his son shares the wonderful genes of his father, and unless I miss my guess, Senator Gelber has a very bright future in Florida politics.
