There was dissention among constituents; some favored incorporation as a city, others vehemently opposed it. It was a give and take, with folks tossing things back and forth across the proverbial table. As in most politically volatile situations, there were accusations, insults and embarrassment.

The day of reckoning arrived, and when the votes were counted, those favoring incorporation had triumphed – making Cutler Bay the 35th city in the county and the youngest incorporated municipality in the State of Florida.

Perhaps out of wishful thinking that so prevails among the young, and in a move foreign to most governmental environs, the leadership of this budding city decided to bring constituents together to uniquely deal with their disagreements in order to find closure and, eventually, unity. With the full participation of the mayor, the entire government council and top public officials, they could bring differences to the table, and get any remaining negativity and hard feelings out in the open.

The event took place at the Founders Day Party, held at Cutler Ridge Park. The guest list: the entire city. On the surface, it looked like your everyday barbeque: hamburgers, hot dogs, rock climbing, bounce houses, face painting and clowns. Yes, there were presentations, and the usual pomp and circumstance you would expect to find at any municipal gathering.

And then things really got serious. A live auction to raise funds for senior citizen programming offered the highest bidders the right to throw pies in the faces of the mayor, commissioners, town manager and administrative staff. The mayor drew a hundred bucks, the town manager $75.

But it didn't stop there. Those willing to let it all hang out were invited into a roped off area where huge containers of baked beans, mashed potatoes, mayonnaise, oatmeal and cottage cheese were conveniently positioned for use as gourmet projectiles. Participants were invited to grab a handful and launch it at the target of their choice – no questions asked.

And dozens went at it. Globs of chow went flying as residents, city staff, mayor and commissioners all got in the ring and lived up to the standards set by the mother of all food fights – that gloriously gross gunk and goo fest in "National Lampoon's Animal House."

It was every kid's dream, and some adults' fantasies, as they lashed out at each other with substances carefully selected for their messiness component and stickability. Kids and grownups alike went crazy, and more laughter was heard, more congeniality experienced, and more grudges released than the organizers ever dreamed of.

At the end of it all, it was as if a modern day miracle had occurred. Everyone looked the same all covered with slop, and citizens, politicians and administrators, those on one side or another, all came together to celebrate their new city – full of hopes and dreams and plans that are theirs to make.

And a new day dawned in Cutler Bay.