Tuesday was an eventful day for Miami Lakes Councilman Jeffrey Rodriguez, who ended the day with a promotion.
Rodriguez announced on Facebook and Instagram that he will not seek a second term in the November 2022 election.
That night during the town council meeting, the elected officials voted for a new vice mayor, Councilman Tony Fernandez nominated Rodriguez.
“I believe that all of us up here that make the decision to make the choice to make that sacrifice to pursue a seat on the council, each of us deserve at some point to be considered and elected vice mayor,” Fernandez said. “After today’s announcement … I will be voting for Jeffrey Rodriguez for vice mayor and I ask that my colleagues join me.”
In a year when there is no town election, the charter calls for the council to elect a vice mayor in the first council meeting in November.
Town Clerk Gina Inguanzo announced how the councilmembers filled out their ballots.
Councilman Joshua Dieguez chose incumbent Vice Mayor Luis Collazo and Councilwoman Marilyn Ruano voted for Dieguez.
Mayor Manny Cid and the remaining councilmembers chose Rodriguez, and he voted for himself.
“Thank you very much everyone,” Rodriguez said after he was appointed vice mayor.
He called not seeking a council seat next year “a very difficult decision” for him and his family.
“Serving this town has made me extremely proud, not only to be a resident but to be a part of something so much bigger than just ourselves,” Rodriguez said.
“I really accept this very humbly and hope to continue to make everyone proud in this last year that I have on the dais,” he said.
In his social media posts earlier in the day, Rodriguez said he would focus on improving town parks and infrastructure during the final year of his term.
Prior to his election to the council in 2018, Rodriguez was a volunteer on the town’s Economic Development Committee and served on the Planning and Zoning Board, including two years as chair.
Rodriguez is a partner at Adams Gallinar, P.A., where he practices corporate and real estate law, according to the town website.
He is married and has two children.