Yuniett Gonzalez joins mayoral race

Government By Alexandra Herrera, Reporter Wednesday, July 31, 2024

     Yuniett Gonzalez is the third candidate to join the Miami Lakes mayoral race. 

     Gonzalez, Councilman Josh Dieguez and Vice Mayor Tony Fernandez all want to replace Mayor Manny Cid in November. Cid is term-limited and running for county mayor. 

     Gonzalez, 55, a 27-year Miami Lakes resident, founded and is chief executive officer of YUGO Company, a financial consulting firm. She is also a licensed Realtor. 

     Gonzalez lives on the west side of town. She said she earned a paralegal certification from the University of Miami. 

     As of July 26, Gonzalez reported no endorsements, political action committees nor any funding for her campaign. 

     In her questionnaire submitted to The Miami Laker, which will be published in full on www.miamilaker.com, she said, “I want to use my business expertise to contribute to a better town.” 

     Gonzalez said the town’s top three issues are safety, mobility and quality of service and administrative support. 

     “I will use crime prevention by reenforcing values with emphasis on the family, schools and public places,” Gonzalez said. 

     To manage traffic, she said she would “coordinate with the state and county transit offices to generate a preferential strategy during peak hours and raise awareness in residents through educational activities.” 

     For quality-of-service,  Gonzalez said, “We will offer timely solutions with personalized service.” 

     The town should create its own police force and fire department, she said. She would seek help from state, county and federal governments to “create initiatives that solve insecurities.”

     The town currently contracts with Miami-Dade County for fire service and law enforcement. 

     Blasting “requires management, experience, effectiveness and commitment to work tirelessly until the problem is resolved, she said.” 

     As for Optimist Park, she would “Engage business owners, the government and international institutions to raise funds” for repairs. 

     Gonzalez supports the rollback rate if it continues to benefit property owners. 

      “Our model must be effective in managing our resources, attracting investment, growth and capital to Miami Lakes,” Gonzalez said. “No to higher taxes. Ideas change the destiny.”