Eight residents have filed paperwork to fill Seat 4 on the Miami Lakes town council.
The seat formerly held by Josh Dieguez became vacant when he was elected mayor on Nov. 26.
Dieguez, Vice Mayor Bryan Morera and council members Angelo Cuadra Garcia, Juan Carlos Fernandez and Steven Herzberg met at Town Hall on Dec. 23 to discuss the applicants.
One applicant, Nayib Hassan, attended the public meeting.
Dieguez has until Dec. 27 to nominate a candidate from the pool of eight. The town council will vote on the choice during the Jan. 21 municipal meeting.
If the council does not approve Dieguez’s nominee, a special election will be held to fill the seat.
"First and foremost, I want to thank everybody that applied," Dieguez told The Miami Laker. "We had a lot of very qualified people that stepped up including those who have run before and newcomers who have decided to increase their involvement with the town.
"Beyond that, I am going to take a few days to consider my options and the feedback from my colleagues and a decision will probably come sooner than Friday and it will likely come on the 26th and certainly be someone who shares my vision and will put Miami Lakes first," he said.
The applicants are: Esther Colon; Nayib Hassan; William Garciga; Mario Pinera; Pedro “Michael” Proenza; John Rogger; Alejandro Sanchez and Enrique Suarez.
- Colon, 71, ran in the April 9 special election to fill Seat 6 and lost to Morera. Colon is a retired public servant and former town manager in Lauderdale-By-The-Sea. She currently serves as secretary on the town’s Blasting Advisory Board and is a member of the Zonta Club of Miami Lakes, which promotes equal rights for women and girls. In her application Colon said she fully supports “the 2025 legislative priorities approved by the town council” to “secure funding for drainage, stormwater management, transportation and roadway infrastructure projects.”
- Hassan, 47, ran for council in 2016 and 2020 but did not win elected office. Hassan is a lawyer with his own firm. He previously chaired the Veterans Committee and was a member of the Public Safety Committee. Hassan received 34 letters in support, including from Fla. Rep. Tom Fabricio, R-Miami Lakes, Fla. Rep. Alex Rizo, R-Hialeah and School Board Member Roberto Alonso, among others. Hassan would focus on infrastructure needs such as repairing sidewalks and preserving the tree canopy. Also, advancing storm drainage projects, engaging with town residents and fostering collaboration. Additionally, he would work with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to uphold safety in the community. He told the council on Dec. 23 that he plans to run for a seat in 2026.
- Garciga, 54, works as an information technology consultant and previously served on the Neighborhood Service District Committee for Royal Oaks East. He listed his priorities as guard house improvement/renovation and get proposals for security at Neighborhood Service Districts. He also wants to keep the police force staffed properly and adopt technology.
- Pinera, 46, was an unsuccessful candidate in the November 5 election against Cuadra Garcia for Seat 1. Pinera previously served on the Education Advisory Board and Neighborhood Improvement Committee. He is manager for his family business MOP Foreign Cars Division. Pinera did not list what issues he would work on if appointed.
- Proenza, 53, is a middle school teacher and a commercial real estate consultant. He has served on the town’s Jerry’s Squad that helps elders prepare their homes before storms. He would focus on traffic studies and pedestrian and cyclist safety. Also, supporting small businesses. He has never run for office.
- Rogger, 38, was an unsuccessful candidate for Seat 6 on April 9. He is a radio host and digital marketing specialist, and currently chairs the Special Needs Advisory Board. Rogger would focus on traffic mitigation maintaining the tree canopy; shrub and sidewalk improvements. Also prioritizing safety by improving the town’s relationship with the county sheriff, improve council transparency by offering monthly workshops to include the public in decision-making; finding sponsors to help cover park maintenance costs and advocating for those with special needs by providing outreach and assistance programs.
- Sanchez, 40, is an associate at a commercial property group. He’s a decorated U.S. Navy veteran, currently a member of the Miami Lakes Planning and Zoning Board and previously chaired the Veterans Committee, and in 2016 was town Volunteer of the Year. Fourteen years ago, Sanchez reported that was arrested on suspicion of committing felony battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest without violence and a misdemeanor disorderly conduct. Sanchez blamed the incident that happened at a comedy club on “seizure medication” and pleaded not guilty to the charges. He reported that he was “never convicted.” The misdemeanor charge was not prosecuted; the felony charge was reduced to a misdemeanor offense, which was also not prosecuted, court records show. His priorities would include getting an additional exit point from Miami Lakes onto Interstate 75; get community service points for Scouts and high school students who support town committees and events and develop revenue streams with county, state and federal partnerships.
- Suarez, 62, is a consultant for a management company and previously worked as an executive postmaster for the United Stated Postal Service. He does not volunteer on any committees or boards in the town. Suarez said he would focus on beautification, finding solutions for rock mining blasting for residents; FDOT projects to improve traffic “in our surrounding boundaries;” public safety and programs for kids and senior citizens.