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 had one of the most successful council terms in town history and accomplished the following: Securing an independent zip code to be voted upon by Congress later this year, which would sharply lower auto insurance rates; secured $300,00 from the Miami-Dade Library system to renovate Miami Lakes Branch Library; I took on the county on special taxing districts and when turned over to the town, residents will see a huge savings on their tax bill; and I fought developers by implementing the mobility ordinance, which requires that developers mitigate traffic impact. I also sponsored the Royal Oaks Park playground shade canopy.”
If elected the town’s new mayor, Cid said the first issue he would like to address is the Miami Lakes brand.
“Whether you agree or disagree with what occurred during the past three years, I believe there is 100 percent consensus among residents that our brand took a hit,” he said. “I promise to work with all my heart and energy to rebuild the Miami Lakes brand. I also am committed to implement more community policing policies to keep our town safe.”
Michael Pizzi, who has raised $35,350, offers several reasons he’s running for political office for a seventh time, saying his track record of keeping his campaign promises makes him a cut above the rest of mayoral candidates.
“I have been a strong leader who has fought for Miami Lakes and gotten things done,” he said. “I was able to lower taxes and improve services with our new Government Center and Veterans Memorial, our youth center, our new fire station and improvements to our parks. Our residents want and deserve a leader who has a vision and is a fighter who is best equipped to protect our community and get things done. Residents do not want to go back to the past or risk their future on the unknown. They know Michael Pizzi is there for them always and will protect them from outside special interests.”
Pizzi said if he’s reelected, he wants to complete the projects he has already initiated that includes reducing traffic congestion on all of the town’s roadways, implementing a town-wide program for bike paths and pedestrian walking paths, improve public safety with more police officers on the city’s streets and continue to reduce taxes.
“I also plan to open our senior center and promote government efficiency,” he said. “With my proposals for a transit hub, better traffic signalization and proposed new east to west roadways, I would like a 20 percent traffic reduction. I also want to attract at least two five star restaurants and make Miami Lakes a destination for economic investment and entertainment without detracting from our quality of life.”
Wayne Slaton, who has raised $7,145, said he’s running for political office for a fifth time to return and protect the town’s once tranquil and highly acclaimed community, among other quality of life issues.
“The number one reason I am running again to serve as mayor is to make sure Miami Lakes is maintained at the highest standards,” he said. “Number two, to lead a people friendly, small town government to serve the needs of the residents and businesses. This was a core value of the incorporation movement. And number three, to lead our government and town council by example, with integrity and regained trust. Leading by example is showing respect for everyone.”
Slaton said residents are noticing a sense of government bureaucracy creeping into Miami Lakes.
“Every person who works for this town should be a public servant with a philosophy of ‘How may I help you, and never ‘It’s not my job.’ Instead of saying ’No, you can’t do that,’ we should be trying to help them find a way or an alternative,’” he said.
Slaton said residents believe Miami Lakes continues to be a great place to live despite their concerns over the lack of some services.
“They are concerned that some areas are not being timely maintained, street lights out, sidewalks, roadways and drainage needing repair, trees trimmed and replaced and projects taking too long,” he said. “The Miami Lakes Optimist’s clubhouse has been under construction approaching four years, and implementation of the eight year-old master plan for the total modernization of the ball fields has not even started.”
Slaton said traffic congestion is residents’ top concern.
“The proposed traffic signals synchronization will be great, some day, but it’s taking years to actually do anything,” he said. “In the meantime, I’ve proposed having direct control by our police officers in the mornings and afternoon, to get out there and direct/move the traffic at the intersections.”
Another concern for Slaton is senior citizens struggling to stay in their homes, and he’s proposing an increase for tax exemptions to make their lives a little more easier.
“We need to identify ways and means to help needy seniors struggling, both financially and health wise, with home maintenance assistance,” he said. “We need to prioritize the construction of a senior center.”