Miami Lakes councilmembers appear for Bovo

A week before the county-wide primary election, three Miami Lakes councilmembers joined mayoral candidate and
Miami-Dade Commissioner Esteban Bovo, Jr. to announce their support.
Bovo was joined Monday by Miami Lakes Mayor Manny Cid, Vice Mayor Nelson Rodriguez and Councilman Carlos Alvarez outside the Mary Collins Community Center, where early voting for the primary was underway.
The three Miami Lake councilmembers said they had cast their ballots for Bovo.
He is among seven candidates seeking to replace Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez, who's term-limited this year and is running for Congress.
Former Miami-Dade Mayor Alex Penelas and County Commissioners Daniella Levine Cava and Xavier Suarez are also vying for the top county job.
Also seeking to become the next county mayor are businesswoman Monique Nicole Barley; Carlos Antonio De Armas, an entrepreneur and Ludmilla Domond, a Realtor.
If a candidate in that GOP Primary county mayoral race doesn't win more than 50 percent of the votes in the Aug. 18 primary, the two top vote-getters will advance to a run-off in the Nov. 3 General Election.
"I'm honored the mayor and council members are here today to support my candidacy for mayor," said Bovo. Miami-Dade Commission candidate Rene Garcia also appeared at the press conference.
“We've been working together now for the last nine years,” Bovo said. “We have been collaborating a lot to make sure that the issues important to the residents of Miami Lakes are being attended to. This is the same style of government I would like to take to the county as mayor."
Bovo said issues like better fire, police, water and sewer services and street repairs are area residents' top priorities for the county administration.
But Bovo said people must vote if they want to see improvements.
"This is an election I think people shouldn't sit out," Bovo said. "So many people are waiting for November because they are excited about the presidential election. And they should be, obviously.
“But local governments have more of impact on your life than the federal government does,” Bovo said. “We pass something one day and you will see it in action the next day."
Cid credits Bovo, who was elected to the county commission in 2011, with turning over the special taxing districts for lake maintenance and guard gates to the town to save residents money.
"He has delivered results to Miami Lakes," Cid said.
The town council is split on its support.
Councilmembers Josh Dieguez, Marilyn Ruano and Jeff Rodriguez are supporting Penelas, who has raised $4.8 million in campaign funds and political action committee money.
Cava, who joined the County Commission in 2014, is second in fundraising with $3.5 million followed by Bovo, who reported $2 million.
Suarez $1.6 million for his campaign.
Both Suarez, who also joined the commission in 2011, and Bovo are term-limited this year.
Cid also took the opportunity to endorse Rodriguez for his bid to represent Florida District 103.
The firefighter is seeking the Republican nomination against GOP rival and attorney Thomas Fabricio, who lives in Miramar, in the Primary.
The winner faces incumbent Cindy Polo, D-Miramar, in November.
"The vice mayor has worked hard on the town council for the last eight years," Cid said. "Everyone can see the 180 this community has done, and that's partly because of the work he has put in for the city council."
Said Rodriguez, who's term-limited this year: "It's a privilege to be with amazing people who have been supporting me for years."

In the photo are, left to right, Miami Lakes Vice Mayor Nelson Rodriguez; former Fla. Sen. Rene Garcia and a candidate for the Miami-Dade Commission; Miami-Dade County Commissioner Esteban Bovo, Jr., who is running for county mayor, and Miami Lakes Mayor Manny Cid. Photo by David L. Snelling, The Miami Laker.