Five candidates have qualified to run in the April 9 special election to fill a seat on the Miami Lakes town council.
Seat 6 became vacant when Vice Mayor Carlos Alvarez resigned in November, citing personal reasons.
The candidates who completed their paperwork on Feb. 14 are: Hector Abad, a social worker in Miami-Dade County Public Schools; Esther Colon, a former manager of the town of Lauderdale-by-the-Sea; former Vice Mayor Nelson Rodriguez, a retired firefighter who currently works with American Airlines baggage services and at Barry University as an emergency medical services instructor; John Rogger, a public relations and media specialist for the South Florida Autism Charter School and an on-air radio personality and attorney Bryan Morera who specializes in business law in his own practice.
Three of the candidates who served on volunteer committees and boards in town had to resign from those positions to run for public office.
Abad was chair of the Education Advisory Board, Rogger was chair of Special Needs Advisory Board and Colon was a member of the Blasting Advisory Board.
Morera formerly served on the Blasting Advisory Board and the Neighborhood Improvement Committee and stepped down from both positions prior to the special election cycle.
Rodriguez served eight years on the town council and was term-limited in 2020. That year he ran an unsuccessful campaign for state representative, losing to current state Rep. Tom Fabricio, R-Miami Lakes.
Candidates briefly described their reasons for running. They will complete questionnaires that will be published in full at a future date on MiamiLaker.com.
Morera said he is focusing on some of the usual issues that Miami Lakers want addressed such as traffic, trees and sidewalks.
“Over the years I have seen the cow pastures disappear pretty much, traffic has become difficult to contend with at best and a nightmare at worst, some of our tree canopies have disappeared,” Morera said.
Abad wants to continue serving his neighbors in a greater capacity beyond what he has been doing on his committee and during his time in the school district.
“I want to be able to come up with policies that benefit the people,” Abad said, adding that he wants Miami Lakes to continue to be a safe community for his family and residents.
Rogger shares a similar vision for Miami Lakes, and wants to continue making it a more inclusive town for residents with special needs.
“I have always wanted to be involved in our community,” Rogger said. “I wanted to do something that makes a difference for people with special needs but [also] for everyone who lives here.”
Rodriguez said he initially didn’t intend to run for office again but decided to return to help provide guidance to the new council. After November, the council will have only have one council member, Ray Garcia, with experience.
“I think I can be a really good mentor to those new council members,” Rodriguez said. “And I think at the same time be ready to go, day one.”
Both Rodriguez and Abad said they were dismayed with how elected officials are performing, or not.
“I guess like all of the residents, I have become frustrated with the lack of progress with the current council,” Rodriguez said.
Abad mentioned a recent lack of momentum.
“We need to be able to have efficient government,” Abad said. “There has to be way for us to get along with each other because we’re not doing the people’s business.”
Candidate Esther Colon could not be reached for comment. She has previously run for town office, most recently in 2018 when she lost to Alvarez.
Voters will choose on April 9. A runoff if needed, it is scheduled for April 30. For more information on the special election visit https://bit.ly/49f6J0v.