Miami Lakes Community Service Officer Juan Rodriguez was named the Municipal Police Officer of the Year at the 41st annual Citizens’ Crime Watch of Miami-Dade recent award ceremony.The Town Council recognized this important achievement at the Mayor’s recent State of the Town Address.Rodriguez has consistently demonstrated his dependable community-oriented approach to policing, maintaining a great rapport with the Miami-Dade Police...

For Seat Three: Elizabeth Delgado said she decided to run for public office because she believes that in Miami Lakes, a “Baller’s” mom and good neighbor can still get elected without taking special interest money or having an entourage of consultants and professional campaign advisers.“I decided to run, invest my own funds without an organization of any kind, because that is the type of basic public servant we...

For Seat Five: Luis Collazo said he decided to run for political office because as a committed member of this community, “I have proven my leadership through service.”“I have served as chairman of the town’s Elderly Affairs  Committee and as president of the Celebration Point Condominium Association,” he said. “Public service is delivering on my commitment to continuing to serve my community. Serving...

Before Miami Lakes’ incorporation 16 years ago, resident Sean Schwinghammer said the community was mired in an uphill battle against Miami-Dade County’s plan to increase the height of a landfill west of 1-75.Schwinghammer, a member of the now defunct Miami Lakes Community Council, said the town didn’t stand a chance until his colleague, Michael Pizzi, took on a leadership role to stymie the expansion, which could have...

The Mayoral Race: Manny Cid, who’s the cash cow in fundraising with $65,460, said he decided to run for political office for a second time to continue with his duties but this time as mayor of Miami Lakes.“I first ran in 2012 to reform government which I have accomplished via performance based budgeting, live webcasting of town council meetings and placing our contracts and check book online,” he said. “I’ve...