Miami Lakes Town Council candidate Xiomara Pazos said she’s not a lawyer, politician or lobbyist who are mostly beholden to special interest people that she believes led to the corruption charges of the former mayor.
Her opponent, incumbent Councilmember Ceasar Mestre, who’s an attorney, said he’s proud of his career and alluded to Miami Lakes’ accomplishments since he was first elected in 2010 as to why he is the better candidate for Seat 6.
The two squared off during a Candidate Forum at Miami Lakes Town Hall, where they answered questions and addressed local issues that were raised by residents to determine the best aspirant for the November 5 general election.
Former Miami-Dade County Commissioner Katy Sorenson, who’s now chairperson for The Good Government Initiative, served as the moderator during the sparsely attended event.
At the start of the debate, Mestre defended his track record not only as a councilmember, but as a civic leader after Pazos took a verbal swipe at his law and lobbying career.
“I am not lawyer, I am not a politician and I am not a lobbyist,” said the political neophyte. “Therefore, I am not here to make people look impressive. My opponent is a lawyer, a lobbyist, a politician and insider to the town.”
Mestre, 52, countered by saying he’s glad to be an attorney and instanced he’s the first candidate in Miami Lakes history to muster the endorsements from the entire Town Council.
“I am not apologizing for being a lawyer,” he said. “I worked full-time, then became a police officer and went to law school. I worked very hard to get to where I am. I wasn’t born with a Silver Spoon in my mouth.”
Mestre said the ideal Miami Lakes councilmember reflects the character of his campaign from 2010, which helped him beat an incumbent.
“Our town government should be run by professional, honest and active people with proven leadership,” he said. “I am very grateful and very humble to be the first candidate to be endorsed by the entire Town Council. That says a lot.”
Following his first election loss in 2008, Mestre said he resumed his civic duties by serving on the Miami Lakes Economic Development Committee, the Public Safety Committee and president of his homeowners association.
“Even when I lost in 2008, I still volunteered to help this town,” Mestre said. “We continued to strive to make Miami Lakes the best town with one of the lowest tax rates behind Pinecrest and Aventura.”
Pazos, 57, appeared to be unaware of some of the issues for Miami Lakes residents, including updating the Strategic Plan and the town’s capital improvement projects.
“But when I get elected, I will work on them,” she said.
Though she is devoid of public office experience, Pazos said starting her own business from scratch and working as a single mother prepares her for any challenges in the political arena.
She is CEO and president of Professional Medical Transportation Corporation in Hialeah, a non-emergency medical transportation company. The company has been in business since 1996 and is currently serving clients in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. As a business owner and parent, her commitment to her community led to public service.
In 1992, she began working at Vitas Hospice and was commended for excellence in patient care and remained there after she started her own company in 1996.
Pazos is also a past vice president of Serenity Point Homeowners Association in Miami Lakes.
Mestre, living in Miami Lakes since 1992, counts the enhancements made at the Mary Collins Community Center at Picnic Park West and the construction of the new youth center at Picnic Park East among other capital improvement projects as some of the town’s accomplishments.
“Now people can walk or jog at night with the new pathways and lights,” he said. “The sidewalks around town are be repaired yearly. Not once in a while, they get done yearly.”
In light of the Florida Supreme Court lawsuit filed by former mayor Michael Pizzi to force Governor Rick Scott to revoke his suspension to get his old job back, Pazos said the town should revise the town charter to prevent future similar cases.
She then questioned the town’s role in the lawsuit to defend the charter, which some residents say supports Wayne Slaton as the mayor following a 2013 special election to replace Pizzi following his arrest.
“The town should not get involved,” she said. “We need a fresher start and to revise the document.”
Mestre, who served as the interim mayor last year, said he wouldn’t change his vote that allowed Miami Lakes to hire a law firm to help the town protect its charter from any lawsuits.
“Last year was a very difficult period for Miami Lakes but we didn’t miss a beat,” Mestre said. “We went on to improve things in the town, and we voted on the issue of the charter because the charter has to be followed. I wouldn’t change my vote.”
Pazos said residents have been complaining about the lack of communication and responses from town staff.
She said communication is key to running a good town.
“They are complaining about trimming trees and not getting any responses,” she said. “I think the town should hire two part-time employees to respond to the complaints via e-mail. I know town staff is very busy but the residents want answers.”
For traffic congestion, Mestre said with 94 percent of Miami Lakes built out with the Dunnwoody Lakes residential project on N.W. 154 Street and 87 Avenue left, the roadways are clogged up during morning and afternoon rush hours.
To help alleviate the traffic gridlock, Mestre suggested encouraging businesses to allow employees to leave during staggered times.
Some residents indicated they have experienced late night vehicle break-ins in the far west portion of Miami Lakes but don’t report the crimes to the police.
Pazos said more police patrol and bike officers can prevent crime in the area.
Mestre said the town’s police special unit would focus on that area but also advised residents not to leave any valuable items in their cars.
Both candidates support the three town charter amendments on the November 5 ballot.
They include allowing residents to decide whether the town should consider future annexation plans through a referendum, resume pursuing the town independent town-wide zip code and allowing councilmembers to appoint residents to the city’s committees instead of the mayor.
Though Councilmember Frank Mingo is leading the campaign for the annexation charter amendment, Mestre initially proposed that any changes to the town’s boundaries should first go before residents.
Mestre said he was appalled at a study to determine if annexing Palm Springs North was feasible and that Miami Lakes residents wouldn’t be able to vote on the issue; residents in the unincorporated areas would only vote.
“Mingo came aboard and took it a step further to make a charter amendment,” Mestre said. “It was something that came close to annexation without our residents’ input.”
So far, Mestre has raised $46,800 for his campaign, while Pazos is counted at $3,166.
The Candidate Forum can be watched by going to the Town’s website, www.miamilakes-fl.gov, and go to the left hand side and click “Council Meetings,” then on the blue tab, click “Speciality” and lastly click on “Candidate Forum” to view.