Two candidates who are seeking the Miami Lakes mayoral seat for next year are already familiar faces on the Town Council. Councilmember Ceasar Mestre and former mayor Wayne Slaton have thrown their hats in the ring to run for mayor in the town’s November 8, 2016 general election.
Last month, Councilmembers Manny Cid, Tony Lama and Nelson Rodriguez each filed paper work to run for reelection for their at-large seats. Since Mestre is running for mayor, he will vacate his seat with two years left on his term, which may be filled during the 2016 election as well.
Mayor Michael Pizzi told The Miami Laker he’s not ready to make a decision on whether he’s running again in 2016. “I’m just focusing on spending the Christmas holidays with my family,” he said.
Slaton, who served as the catalyst during Miami Lakes’ incorporation movement, was the town’s first mayor in 2001 and won reelection in 2004. He decided not to run in 2008 and unsuccessfully challenged Mayor Michael Pizzi in 2012.
Following Pizzi’s arrest on public corruption charges and subsequent suspension from political office, Slaton was elected mayor during a special election in 2013. Pizzi regained his seat following his acquittal and reinstatement lawsuits that forced Slaton to give up the mayoral seat early this year.
During a press conference at Town Hall flanked by council members, Slaton said he wouldn’t appeal the court’s decision to reinstate Pizzi but would run for mayor again in 2016.
“I acquiesced to the court’s decision so the town could move forward,” Slaton told The Miami Laker during a phone interview. “I told them at that time, I am not going anywhere.”
Slaton, who was chairman of the Miami Lakes Municipal Advisory Committee (MAC), a group of residents who worked with county officials to proceed with incorporation, said he’s running to make sure Miami Lakes maintains the highest standards.
“That is the No. 1 thing,” he said.
Slaton, owner of an electrical company, said he’s seeking to bring back a friendly government for residents, which he said was “the core value of the incorporation movement.”
He said, once again, he wants to lead the town’s government and Town Council by example, with integrity, honesty, truthfulness and honor.
“Leading by example is showing respect for everyone,” he said.
Slaton moved to Miami Lakes in 1973 and was the poster boy for civic and community activism by serving as president of his homeowners associations, long-time president of the Miami Lakes Civic Association, chairman of the now defunct Miami Lakes Community Council and chairman of the Miami Lakes Citizens Advisory Committee.
He led the Miami Lakes incorporation movement in the 1990s to bring a local government closer to home but was stymied by a loss of revenues dilemma to Miami-Dade’s Unincorporated Municipal Service Area (UMSA) budget, as three other communities were also seeking cityhood.
Aventura, Pinecrest and Sunny Isle Beach were allowed to incorporate but Miami Lakes had to wait until the county could resolve the problem, which led to the creation of the MAC, a group of residents picked by county commissioners to help Miami-Dade come up with solutions.
The county gave Miami Lakes the green light to become a city, as residents voted for the town’s charter on December 5, 2000 to make it official.
Slaton was elected the town’s first mayor in 2001 when he overwhelmingly beat out Ralph Mizrahi, Vince Lopez and Jack Weaver. In 2004, he defeated lobbyist Alex Gonzalez for his reelection bid but decided not run for a third time in 2008 to focus on the health of one of his family members.
Mestre, a lawyer, said he decided to run for mayor because “many” equally frustrated residents are calling for a change in leadership.
“Recently, many residents have expressed their concerns for situations our town is experiencing and the desire that we have a new chapter in Miami Lakes leadership in particular,” Mestre said. “They have expressed the trust they have in my actions, demeanor and contributions on the Town Council and asked me to run for mayor.”
Mestre said he has accepted the challenge for several reasons, including wanting to ensure that Miami Lakes is better off than its current situation and where quality of life is a priority instead of politics.
“I want to see the master beautification plan implementation,” Ceasar said. “I want to make traffic relief our town’s priority. I will use my background as an attorney, teacher and former police officer to maintain and improve our quality of life. I want to be the leader of the new chapter for Miami Lakes.”
Mestre was first elected to political office in 2010, when he defeated incumbent Nancy Simon for at-large Seat 6.
He served as vice mayor and then, acting mayor, following Pizzi’s arrest.
“I am the only person who has served as councilman, vice mayor and mayor for the town of Miami Lakes,” Mestre said. “I have served professionally, honestly and with dignity.”
A 22-year Miami Lakes resident, Mestre sponsored legislation for the first town-wide beautification master plan that is aimed at enhancing the aesthetics out the town’s major streets and intersections.
In addition, Mestre said he has been a pioneer in the town’s branding effort to bring new businesses to the town, and spearheading a marketing plan that includes a partnership with two of Miami Lakes’ biggest landowners.
Mestre was chairman of the Miami Lakes Economic Development Committee, which developed the town’s new logo, welcome packets with information for new residents and businesses.
“We participated, for the first time, in the International Shopping Center conference to market our town,” said Mestre said.
Mestre said regarding public safety, he proposed anti pill mill legislation, a public safety campaign to prevent vehicle burglaries, and prevented children from being exposed to drug paraphernalia.
He also co-sponsored legislation making it a prerequisite for kids participating in sports and other activities at the town’s park and community center to have an EKG to help detect any problems with the heart, in the wake of Brenna Vergara’s sudden death.
“I ensured that children in strenuous sports within the town undergo an EKG in order to prevent sudden heart failure, as occurred to one of your young residents,” Mestre said.
Mestre added that through his efforts, town residents have lighting to use the track at night at Miami Lakes Picnic Park West.