Collazo launches campaign for council

Miami Lakes Town
Councilman Luis Collazo has filed papers to run for a second, four-year term in November.
Collazo, 46, opened up a campaign account on June 19, according to town election records.
So far, he’s running unopposed to retain Seat 5.
Collazo was first elected to the town council in 2016 and if he wins this race, after completing another four years of service, he will be term-limited.
The clinical social worker said he decided to run for reelection because he wants to continue to keep taxes low while maintaining a high level of municipal services.
Collazo also said he wants to protect both the town’s tree canopy which raises property values, as well as watch out for wildlife in town waterways.
“When a large section of our tree canopy was threatened, I led the charge to preserve these mature trees from being destroyed,” Collazo said.
“I have successfully pushed for enhanced safety measures for our waterways to protect human life, wildlife, and our waterfront properties,” he said
Collazo said he has a soft spot in his heart for children with special needs, and he wants to continue advocating for their well-being.
“I also successfully advocated for the adapted playground equipment for special needs children in our town [so they can] enjoy our parks,” he said. “The first installation of this equipment is currently being enjoyed at Miami Lakes Picnic Park West.”
And Collazo said he wants to continue to be on the front line with the council during the town’s battle with state, county and city governments to keep the Northwest 170th Street bridge closed to traffic.
The dispute escalated into an ongoing lawsuit that is delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic’s effect upon county court.

Collazo said he has lived in Miami Lakes for the past 41 years. He is married to Clarisell De Cardenas, the town’s communications director, and they have two young sons.
Collazo said he earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in social work, both from
Florida International University.
Collazo is the latest candidate to file papers to run in the town’s election.
Raymond Garcia, a member of the Miami Lakes Neighborhood Improvement Committee and a health insurance manager, is running for Seat 3, which is currently held by Councilwoman
Marilyn Ruano.
Ruano, an accountant, told The Miami Laker in February that residents have asked her to run for mayor.
Ruano said she is going to be a candidate in the
November election but has not yet said for which office, nor has she opened a campaign account.
Her decision about which office to pursue will affect Garcia’s plans, as he said he thought her council seat would be open if she runs for mayor.
Mayor Manny Cid, a restaurant owner, and
Antonio Fernandez, chair of the Miami Lakes Youth
Activities Task Force and a member of the town’s
Neighborhood Improvement Committee, are both unopposed in their campaigns.
Fernandez runs a
technology services firm. He is seeking to win Seat 1, currently held by Vice Mayor Nelson Rodriguez.
Rodriguez is term-limited and running for a seat in the state legislature to represent District 103.
Cid has raised $70,590 for his campaign; Fernandez has $10,100 in the bank, according to town election records.
Garcia has raised $1,575.
The qualifying period for candidates to file papers to run begins at noon on July 27 and ends at noon on Aug. 5.