Miami Lakes Vice Mayor Tony Lama is stepping down from his position to take a job with Amazon in Seattle, Washington, a lifelong dream of his that he couldn’t pass up.
Lama made the announcement at a workshop two weeks ago at the Roberto Alonso Community Center at Royal Oaks Park.
Lama said his phone has been flooded with calls since he put his house up for sale and decided to share his future plans with his colleagues and residents who attended the 2018 Strategic Business Plan workshop.
“I love this community, I wanted to raise my children and live here forever,” said Lama, a software engineer. “But sometimes God presents an opportunity in life that you can’t walk away from”
Lama said it was a difficult decision to leave behind a community where he and his wife raised their four children, learned family values, and served a “great” group of residents.
“I want you to know I love Miami Lakes and what the council team does and will continue to do for Miami Lakes,” he said.
Lama said his resignation takes effect in July.
According to the town’s charter, since Lama has more than two years left on his term, Mayor Manny Cid can fill the vacancy by appointing a resident to serve on the council until the town’s next general election in 2018.
He must nominate a candidate within 30 days following the occurrence of the vacancy, and council members must approve his confirmation.
However, if council members and the mayor can’t agree on a candidate, a special election will be called to fill the vacancy no later than 90 days following the occurrence of the vacancy.
Lama was first elected to the Miami Lakes Town Council in 2012, when he defeated incumbent Richard Pulido for Seat 3, and he won reelection last year after defeating attorney Elizabeth Delgado.
He was voted the town’s vice mayor following the swearing in ceremony.
Since he took office, Lama initiated the town’s mobile app, Lakes Life, for residents to track various town services, find local businesses and report potholes and sidewalks to be repaired. The app also allows residents to track down and ride Miami Lakes Moover in real-time and view bus routes and schedules for the transit service.
Lama also sponsored an ordinance to allow developers to speed up their building projects by allowing them to pull a permit before the final plat is recorded by Miami-Dade County.
For transportation and mobility issues, Lama and Councilmember Nelson Rodriguez initiated the first Miami Lakes Traffic Summit, where state and county officials gathered to offer solutions to the town’s traffic problems.
Lama also sponsored a charter amendment to bring fairness to the selection of volunteer committees, the Green Energy/PACE Initiative, and the Lake Water Quality Awareness program.
The town’s elected voices praised Lama for his work.
Cid said Lama will be missed and wished him well on his future endeavors.
“Every kid dreams of changing the world, Vice Mayor Lama will have the opportunity to do so with his new position at Amazon.com,” Cid said. “Tony is leaving a strong legacy in the Town of Miami Lakes. His presence on the Council will be sorely missed as he championed many initiatives including the review of the police contract which is the model for the contract cities, Lakes Living app that has enhanced communications with our residents, and the 67th Avenue interchange on the Gratigny, which is a game changer for traffic on that important avenue.
“This Council has a very special and unique bond forged through years of working together. His work on the Council comes to an end but his journey as an ambassador of the Miami Lakes brand is just beginning. I wish him and his family all the best in Seattle.”
Councilmember Nelson Rodriguez said Lama was more than just a colleague, but a “great friend” he will be missed.
“Thank you for the great friendship we have developed over the last five years,” he said. “We wish you great joy as you enter the next chapter of your life. You’ve managed to balance a job that required worldwide travel, your duties as an elected official and most importantly, your family, without missing a beat. Amazon is lucky to have you join their team.”
Councilmember Frank Mingo said, “It has been a pleasure to serve with Vice Mayor Lama. I wish him the best on his new venture.”