Trolley Talk: $4.1 million in stimulus funds stretched citywide
Last spring Brickell neighbors learned that the City identified federal government stimulus funds that would pay the capital costs of a trolley system for the Brickell neighborhood and business districts, an idea—a dream really—voiced by many over the years but never before with a source of funding. Inspired by the success of the rubber-tired Coral Gables trolley system, a four-mile route was identified, selected to ease traffic congestion and improve the movement of people in Miami's central core of Downtown, Brickell and Biscayne Boulevard.
All were sold on the idea, seeing it as the ideal solution for the area with its dense residential base and huge influx of workday traffic. The trolley could permeate side streets and parts of the city that are currently unreachable by the rail system, including Brickell Key and Brickell Bay Drive. Residents were asked to answer a survey about how much they would use the trolley, which BHA and others posted on their websites. Everyone wrote letters of support for the plan. Everyone got on board.
Since last spring the trolley plan has grown to include a Health District line, Allapattah line, Coral Way line, Overtown loop and Downtown line with routes stretching from NW 40th Street south to Miracle Mile in Coral Gables, interconnecting at some point with the Coral Gables trolley line. Westward, the Allapattah line goes to 27th Avenue.
It's ambitious. Some Brickell residents and business people who are eagerly awaiting implementation worry how far that $4.1 million in capital funding will go, now that it's a citywide undertaking. And then there's the nagging question of where the ongoing operational funding is going to come from. Niggling items like insurance, maintenance, drivers. A tough question as we read daily about the City struggling to cut roughly 20% of a half-billion dollar budget. And worrisome given that Assistant City Manager Bill Anido reports, as conveyed by Assistant Transportation Coordinator Lilia I. Medina, that as of the end of September they "have not determined an operational date" and further, which department is going to be responsible for operations and maintenance "is still under discussion within the City of Miami."
However, José González of the City Manager's Transportation staff, provided this reassuring update on the Biscayne-Brickell service:
"FDOT has committed to fund 50% of the annual cost to operate the Biscayne-Brickell trolley service for a three-year period (under the State's Transit Service Development Program) once service begins. Due to the State's financial contribution, the City envisions implementing this service in advance of the other trolley routes funded with stimulus dollars. It should also be noted that the City is implementing the Biscayne-Brickell trolley service in strong partnership with the DDA."
Green space: Still looking for parks
On the cover of the BHA News that came out last March, we heralded a unique public-private partnership conceived of by Commissioner Marc Sarnoff promised to provide residents open park space in an undeveloped private lot owned by long-time developer Tibor Hollo. Site plans were drawn. Neighbors and media were notified. A press conference was held on the site and photos were snapped.
We were all excited by plans that included a pedestrian path along Biscayne Bay, a boardwalk, benches, pergola, soccer space and a sand space for volleyball. There was to be low plants and spaces designated for tots and dogs. The two-acre site was a step in the right direction, even if it was for a limited time of just a few years until the market changed for development.
Approaching a year since the press announcement in December '08, the site remains unchanged and neighbors have been asking what's happening. All we see is the green of weeds and a depressing chain-linked fence instead of the idealized vision of last year.
Residents are urged to not give up hope. BHA is told that Commissioner Sarnoff is still working on finding space and keeping his promise to area neighbors to make a park for Brickell area residents a priority.
"Tibor wanted to do something more permanent in the area," David Karsh, senior staff member for Commissioner Sarnoff explained. "The temporary park concept isn't off the table yet, but has been back-burnered as an even better, permanent solution is pursued on another parcel of land."
Another lot of similar size is being negotiated that would be a permanent park for residents, not something that must be returned when market conditions change, Karsh said. "Tibor will contribute greatly to that."
Details, including where the parcel is located, aren't being released until the deal is signed and the ink is dry. The new possible site is promised to be convenient for Brickell neighbors. Stay tuned...
Southeast 25th Road green space by the bay to be restored
Residents have endured months and months of reconstruction of the marina and seawall at the Brickell Biscayne property. The construction wasn't the problem, but the usurping of public property by the contractor—with half the little patch of green fenced off for their convenient, seemingly unlimited storage—has been a source of ire for a long time. Not to mention an eyesore. The small area with a couple of benches and a bayside view is to be cleared by the contractor at the time of this printing and the land restored by October 15th, the time their permit expires. Residents should see new sod, the replacement of a mahogany tree and benches back in place.
BHA has been advised by its NET office that no ordinances were violated by this takeover of public space, although it's hard to believe given how long it's been, the number of neighbors adversely impacted and the spillover of debris that has been overlooked on the site.
In the same area, the City's portion of the seawall is deteriorating. Residents have alerted NET Administrator Liza Walton who has sent photos on to the appropriate City officials.
Simpson Park
The "second phase" to the effort to open up Simpson Park at its northeast entrance (above) for better neighbor access is underway, Commissioner Sarnoff's office tells us. We reported on the new entry and deck at the corner of Broadway (15th Road) and South Miami Avenue in the last BHA News, but the story had the usual bitter-sweetness of area projects. The new entryway looked beautiful, but alas, the gate was locked. There was some talk of funds needed to complete the project. The orange construction fencing there currently looks promising, but City budget talks of closing parks and of not being able to staff parks has neighbors concerned.
Aesthetics, Amenities
Hotel Urbano replaces blue eyesore
Neighbors have welcomed a construction site: the remake of the old Hampton Inn at 26th Road and Brickell Avenue. In most recent memory the property went through a particularly unsightly phase as the royal blue Brickell Avenue Inn. Complaints from BHA to the City revealed that the City of Miami doesn't have aesthetic standards for architectural choices like paint cover. It's anything goes.
The plans for the new site look appealing, the property is being improved, and no one is complaining. Hotel official said they are trying to be completed with construction in late November or early December and still hoping for an opening date before the end of 2009. They describe the new property as "a well styled, urban boutique hotel with a resort flavor….Well situated within the active Brickell Avenue." It will be less expensive than other hotels in the financial district of Brickell, but still "upscale." The summer (low season of May-October) will range from approximately $99 to $159 and high season from about $149 to $229.
Other details from the hotel's Director of Sales Caroline Appel.
- Special features and amenities include a resort pool with an indoor/outdoor restaurant (not named yet).
- It is going to be an art hotel, partnering with Art Fusion galleries for exhibitions throughout the year in the hotel.
- Meeting space is available for rental.
- Majority of rooms have either a city view or a poolside view and lanai rooms direct access to the pool from their terraces.
"During the week we expect we will cater to the business traveler, but we also consider ourselves a great place to stay for folks visiting family or friends in the Brickell area, Ms. Appel said. "They can stay close by and it's hip and fun."
Brickell's Historic Roots
From Dade Heritage Trust: A Contest for Student Photographers
The Dade Heritage Trust's student art and photography competition depicting historic sites continues through November 2, 2009 at which time all "New Faces/Old Places" submissions must be received. Open to all students in Miami-Dade County at the elementary, middle and high school levels, winning entries will be honored on DHT's website and at DHT's Preservation Awards Ceremony on April 28, 2010 at the Old Spanish Monastery. For details and registration contact DHT at (305) 358-9572.
Hot Advocacy Issues in Historic Preservation
Those interested in receiving DHT E-Alerts about endangered historic sites and timely preservation issues are urged to add their names to the email list. Alerts are sent about the Miami Marine Stadium, the Virginia Key Master Plan, the Heritage Network, the Bacardi Building, the Lemon City Cemetery, and the Morris Lapidus Mid-20th Century District, among other sensitive and timely sites and topics.
Send email to info@dadeheritagetrust.org to be added to the alert list.
From Historian Arva Moore Parks
Award-winning historian Arva Moore Parks, a Brickell neighbor just a block to the west in the South Miami Avenue Neighborhood Association, has published another Miami masterpiece, The New Miami: The Magic City.
When her Miami: the Magic City was originally published in 1981, it was hailed as the first comprehensive look at the history of Miami and its people. Now, in this third edition with 325 color pages, she has completely redone her work, adding new information and new photographs, both historic and current. This new book chronicles history from the pre-historic Tequesta Indians through last decades of the 20th Century, and adds the dramatic first decade of the Twenty-first Century comparing our day to past history-making events.
Ms. Parks brings it all into perspective, covering times of turmoil and triumph with humor and insight, as Miami's diverse population continues to mold the former tourist-oriented city into a glowing, complex, international metropolis.
Arva Moore Parks is a Miami native and community leader described by Miami Today as "…a rarity: a historian whose work meets the highest standards of scholarship, yet whose eye for romantic details makes history actually interesting to laymen."
BHA extends its congratulations and gratitude to Arva for helping us all understand more about our unique community.
COLUMN
The Future of Miami Marine Stadium
By Don Worth, Co-Founder, Friends of Marine Stadium
Located on Virginia Key, the Miami Marine Stadium sits vacant, closed since Hurricane Andrew and sadly covered with graffiti. Many Miami residents fondly recall magical nights under the stars watching events at the Stadium. It can happen again-as there is now an effort being made to bring it back.
The Structure
The Miami Marine Stadium may be the only Marine Stadium in the continental United States. It is clearly one of the most spectacular outdoor amphitheatres anywhere. The Stadium is an open-air structure, all made of cast concrete with a cantilevered roof of folded plates meant to mimic the waves of the ocean. One third of the structure is built over the water. Built in 1963, it was open for 28 years until it was closed by the City of Miami after Hurricane Andrew in 1992.
Miami Marine Stadium has seats for more than 6,500 people sitting on a dredged basin. The stadium is 6,000 feet by 1,400 feet and is in the shape of the famed Circus Maximus in Rome. The stadium was designed by Hilario Candela, who was only 28 years old at the time. A Cuban-born architect, educated at Georgia Tech, Candela was mentored by Max Borges, a Cuban architect who designed the Tropicana Nightclub, and he is a distant relative of the famed architect Felix Candela. Candela became President of Spillis Candela, which at one time was the largest Latin architectural firm in the United States.
An Illustrious History
The Stadium was originally built for boat racing, and hosted many hydroplane races. For live performances, a floating stage was moored on the opposite side of the lagoon from the stadium. It could be floated over to sit in front of the stadium amphitheatre. It was a popular venue for many artists, including Jimmy Buffett, Ray Charles, Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops, and a Sing Along with Mitch Miller. Other types of events included Sunrise Easter services, television shows (Mike Douglas), boxing matches hosted by famed promoter Angelo Dundee, a poetry reading by Ralph Ginsburg and Lawrence Ferlinghetti. In 1972, Sammy Davis Jr. hugged Richard Nixon during a campaign rally at the stadium.
Dozens—sometimes hundreds—of boats would moor around the floating stage and would honk their horns after performances. Swimmers would swim right up to the stage. The evenings were referred to by many people as "magical"— one of those "only-in-Miami" experiences.
The Marine Stadium has sat vacant since it was closed by the City in 1992 after Hurricane Andrew. Numerous development plans have been proposed for the site since then.
Group Formed to Restore Stadium
A group called Friends of Marine Stadium is working to restore the Stadium. This volunteer coalition of individuals and organizations is working with the assistance of Miami-Dade County's preservation group, Dade Heritage Trust. In October 2008, the structure was designated historic by the City of Miami's Historic Preservation Board. The Marine Stadium is now part of the City's proposed Master Plan for Virginia Key.
Friends of Marine Stadium has worked hard to build support for the Marine Stadium and develop feasibility plans. Recently, a group of national and local organizations, with the assistance of the World Monuments Fund, financed a new engineering study to estimate the restoration costs. The Marine Stadium has also been named to the National Trust for Historic Preservation's list of "11 most Endangered Places" in the U.S.
Two Girl Scouts, Kira Feldman and Hannah Imberman, are writing a book of "memories" of the Marine Stadium called "If Seats Could Talk." Anyone who has great memories about a time spent at the Marine Stadium is urged to send their one-page story to the girls via email, ifseatscouldtalk@gmail.com.
While great progress has been made, it will be a big job to restore the Marine Stadium. Anyone interested is invited to go to the website of Friends of Marine Stadium, www.marinestadium.org, get on the mailing list, and become involved.
Editor's Update: The City's proposed Master Plan for Virginia Key (which includes the Marine Stadium) was largely panned by citizens, community and environmental groups in June and unanimously rejected by the city's Waterfront Planning Board. Parks activists, boaters, rowers and environmentalists were hoping to see a plan that converted the environmentally degraded Viriginia Key into a recreational park. BHA had advocated for greenspace and playing fields for the growing population of children and teens in the Brickell neighborhood just across the Rickenbacker Causeway. At the time of this publication, the City has just released a new Virginia Key Master Plan which community groups, including the Urban Environment League, say is improved, but still proposes too much development yielding too much concrete and not enough green.
Candidates Forum: Thursday, October 8, 2009 at Miami Science Museum
Brickell Homeowners Association's 18th Candidates Forum is scheduled for Thursday, October 8, 2009, 7:00 p.m. at the Miami Science Museum. The Forum provides an opportunity for candidates in key local races to present their platforms, while giving residents a chance to ask questions about matters of particular concern in their neighborhoods. All residents are urged to attend.
Along with BHA, Miami Roads Neighborhood Civic Association, Brickell Area Association and South Miami Avenue Homeowners Association are hosting the forum. Dr. Robert McCabe will serve as moderator.
Of particular interest is the City of Miami Mayor's race between Commissioners Joe Sanchez and Tomas Regalado who are running for the post soon to be vacated by term-limited Mayor Manny Diaz. Commissioner candidates from Districts 3 and 4, which represent our neighboring association's geographic areas, will also be part of the Forum. This race will be decided in the election on Tuesday, November 3, 2009, with a run-off, if needed November 17.
"With the mayor's seat open and three of the five commission seats up for grabs, the City of Miami's elected leadership will be significantly changed after November," BHA President Tory Jacobs said. "The Candidates Forum provides a good opportunity for residents to share their issues with candidates and get to know them a bit."
The Museum is located at 3280 S. Miami Avenue, across from Vizcaya. There will be refreshments, and ample free parking.
In Brief: Meet the Candidates for Miami Mayoral, Commission Seats
We are providing neighbors a brief introduction to the candidates here for key City races: City of Miami Mayor and neighboring Districts 3 and 4 Commission seats. Commissioner Sanchez and Commissioner Regalado are each leaving their commission posts and running for mayor. BHA's representative, District 2 Commissioner Marc Sarnoff, is not up for reelection this November, however, it is important to know the other candidates for the commission who might represent our City in the future. Our neighboring districts share many of BHA's goals and values for safety and quality of life, and it does take three of the five commission votes to pass measures, we are reminded.
We asked each of the candidates to give us a brief sketch of their political and work background, education, where they've lived and their family life. We also asked each if they had a message or plan for Brickell as an elected official.
The deadline to qualify as a candidate was September 19, resulting in two candidates for mayor, seven for the District 3 seat and four for the District 4 seat.
Mayor, City of Miami
Tomas Regalado
Background: Tomas Regalado, 62, has been a commissioner for more than a decade, first elected in 1996 at a time when there were no districts. He later was re-elected to represent District 4 in 1999, 2003 and 2007. A journalist, he was the youngest to anchor the news on Hispanic station Univision – Channel 23 at age 22. He also is a journalist for Radio and TV Marti, and was a columnist for El Nuevo Herald for five years.
Education: He attended the University of Miami's Kubik Center where he attended journalism classes and acquired a certificate of journalism.
Born and raised: Born in Cuba, he came to the United States during the Pedro Pan mission in the l960s and lived in the City of Miami, attending LaSalle High School and Lindsey Hopkins Vocational. He lives in the Shenandoah area.
Family: He was married for 38 years to his wife Raquel who passed away last February. He has three children: his youngest Jose lives with him; Raquel a patent attorney who also lives in Shenandoah; and Tommy, a reporter on TV Marti who lives on Brickell Key. He has three grandchildren.
Message for BHA: "Because Brickell is a signature place showcased around the world, I would strive to focus on safety and showing that Brickell is safe. Although there are many people that work there 9-5, there is also life after the workday, with restaurants and nightlife. So, people need to know that you can live, buy, eat and work in the Brickell area, with no fear of any problem, that it is clean, nice and safe and that it's fun to visit the area."
Joe Sanchez
Background: Joe Sanchez, 44, served in the United States Army for six years, and then was a Florida Highway Patrol trooper for 11 years. Commissioner for a decade, he has chaired the commission for three years during his tenure. He was also chairman of Bayfront Park, and cites achievements including working with the Downtown Development Authority to bring in a new Executive Director as well as getting representation for Brickell in the DDA, and also reforming the Community Redevelopment Agency.
Education: Graduated from Miami-Dade College and Miami Senior High School.
Born and raised: City of Miami
Family: Married for 18 years to Betty Sanchez with four children: Lucas, 15; Elisa, 13; Vinny, 7; and Isabella Nicole, 7 months.
Message for BHA: "We need to focus on these corridors which are vital to our city. Brickell is very unique because you have not only the corporate world, with top-notch firms and banks along the Financial District, but the residents, and we have to cater to the Brickell area because of its importance. We need to focus on my campaign slogan, 'Neighborhoods First' — infrastructure, streets, sidewalks, traffic circles. I think now, more than ever, we need to focus on getting our economy going and one of the places that provides a lot of employment to our community. We need to make sure to invest in these areas."
Up until recently there was a third contender for the mayor's office, Juan Miguel Alfonso, who filed an oath of withdrawal from the race on September 14, 2009.
District 3, City of Miami Commissioner
Guillermo "Willie" Chacon
Background: Guillermo "Willie" Chacon, 44, is making his first run for office. He operates the South Florida Sports League, a non-profit organization providing sports and enrichment program for youth as well as sports programs for adults.
Education: Attended Miami-Dade College, graduated from Miami Senior High
Born and raised: Born in Miami, grew up in Little Havana.
Family: Married to Annamarie with whom he has three children, all boys, ages 12, 10 and 8. He also has a 20-year old from a previous marriage.
Message for BHA: "I am running because we need to maximize services to the people of the area without raising taxes, and to accomplish this the city's budget needs to be examined closely. Brickell area residents are paying for services they are not receiving, so we need more equality in terms of service. We need to provide maximum service to the residents without raising taxes and that means micro-managing the budget."
Antonio "Mico" Colmenares
Background: A retired colonel in the Marine Corps, Antonio "Mico" Colmenares, 49, became director of the American Red Cross-run BRAIVE Fund, where he covers five Florida counties from Monroe to Martin. The program helps war veterans by providing financial assistance as well as help with any other emergencies they may encounter. He also hosts a show on hurricane preparedness on Miami Latin.
Education: For 30 years he served in the United States Marine Corps. He holds mechanical and electrical engineering degrees.
Born and raised: City of Miami, has lived in District 3 for 46 years.
Family: Nine children and two grandchildren. One of his children is in the Air Force, stationed in North Dakota, another in the Marine Corps and set to deploy to Afghanistan in November.
Message for BHA: "I've always believed in the grassroots approach. I'm going to represent everyone. I'm very accepting of the diversity of our community. Whether you live in Brickell, the Roads or Little Havana, I will look out for the best interests of people. Through my international background, being stationed abroad, I learned about diverse cultures."
Pedro R. Diaz
Background: The youngest candidate at 22, Pedro R. Diaz started his own printing business after high school after spending time designing and maintaining web pages, designing business cards, flyers, invitations, signage and campaign mailings for a commission hopeful. "Understanding and managing the intricacies of the printing business has been fairly easy and I have never minded the time dedicated in designing something that made a customer happy, it is very satisfying," he said. He is a first-timer to the commission race. "I know that perseverance, dedication and the courage to face any adversity have played an important role in filling within me the driving force and desire to get ahead in life as well as in business."
Education: Attended Columbus High School and is currently attending Miami-Dade College, where he has already received a Certificate of Entrepreneurship.
Born and raised: City of Miami
Family: Single
Message for BHA: "As commissioner I would have an open-door policy following my slogan of 'Your Commissioner Next Door.' I know about the noise pollution issues in the Brickell area, and I would be willing to work with the Miami-Dade County-run airport to alleviate this problem and also to attract people to the Brickell area in the evenings, perhaps after they attend Marlins games."
Maria "Beba" Sardina Mann
Background: Maria "Beba" Sardina Mann, 49, has worked at major law firms in the Miami area for many years holding various administrative positions, but once she decided to run for commissioner she resigned her position and is a full-time candidate. She has been a member of the Silver Bluff Homeowners' Association and Miami Neighborhoods United and has fought against rampant development in Miami's residential neighborhoods. She served as a vice-chairwoman of the city's Planning Advisory Board and was an Urban Environment League board member.
Education: Graduated from Miami-Dade College, Associate's degree
Born and raised: Born in Cuba and came to Miami in 1961 raised in the City of Miami.
Family: Married, mother of two grown children: a 31-year-old son and 21-year-old daughter, two grandchildren.
Message for BHA: "I've lived almost 48 years in the district and the years I didn't, I lived on Brickell. The Brickell area I believe is one of our biggest jewels in the City of Miami because of the work-live kind of environment that people love. I believe there needs to be some connectivity between the residential community and the environment beyond 15th Road into the Financial District. I think Brickell suffers too much traffic congestion so having people walk to their jobs, to the Financial District, would be a great walking experience."
Luis C. Morse
Background: Luis C. Morse, 69, was Florida State Representative for 14 years during which he ran the Department of Elderly Affairs. He cites an instrumental role in assisting Miami-Dade College president Eduardo Padron to securing funding to build the school's InterAmerican Campus on Southwest 27th Avenue. Currently he does pro bono community work and is on the board of the Penalver Clinic in Little Havana, a public health clinic, for which he raised the funds to open.
Education: University of Florida graduate, industrial engineering
Born and raised: Born in Havana, Cuba, came to Miami originally in 1960, then to New York and then back to Cuba in 1961. He returned to Miami in 1962 after being released from jail during the Bay of Pigs. When he returned from college he spent his time in Little Havana.
Family: Two daughters and two granddaughters
Message for BHA: "For 14 years as a State Representative I was very attuned to the needs of my community. I believe health disparity is an issue and so I am very concerned about the elderly in the community and will continue to advocate for them."
Several unsuccessful attempts were made to reach the other two candidates for the District 3 seat, Frank Carollo and Mavel Lopez, prior to the publishing of this News.
District 4, City of Miami Commissioner
Francis X. Suarez
Background: Francis Suarez, 31, runs Edge Title Company in Coral Gables where he handles legal aspects of corporate and real estate transactions. Prior to Edge, Suarez started Florida Land Group Title, worked at a Miami Downtown law firm and was in-house counsel for Doctor's Management Association. While this is his entry into a political race, he is familiar with the landscape as son of Xavier Suarez, who was the first Cuban-born mayor of the City of Miami in 1985.
Education: Bachelor of Business Administration and Finance from Florida International University, law degree from the University of Florida, graduating from both with honors.
Born and raised: City of Miami
Family: Married to Gloria Fonts Suarez
Message for BHA: "I'm going to bring a new direction to the City of Miami focused on reducing property taxes. For Brickell, this is a huge issue because of the security in the buildings. The City has wasteful spending and excessively high property taxes so the goal is to eliminate and reduce. The taxes prevent young professionals from moving into the City and pushes out elderly people and we have to reverse it. What's going to solve some of the macro problems is to bring in the young people. I'm an ambassador of the city and a small business owner, and I am pro bono counsel for my homeowners association as well as a board member."
Oscar Rodriguez-Fonts
Background: Oscar Rodriguez-Fonts, 47, is founding partner of Alvarez Rodriguez-Fonts law firm, has served as City of Miami assistant city attorney and assistant public defender in Miami-Dade. He was a congressional aide for nearly eight years for two United States Congressmen, served on the City of Miami's Code Enforcement Board and chaired the Florida Bar Grievance Committee for three years. He is a member of the Kiwanis of Little Havana and on the board of the non-profit organization Abriendo Puertas (Opening Doors).
Education: Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Florida State University, graduate of the University of Miami Law School.
Born and raised: Born in Miami, raised partially in Hialeah and mostly in the Greater Miami area.
Family: Single
Message for BHA: "I would like to have a study done in Brickell to implement a trolley similar to the one along Ponce de Leon Boulevard in Coral Gables. This would not be a replacement to the current bus system but a supplement. I believe it would ease parking and traffic in the area and also create a connection between Downtown and Little Havana. The dollars are available the People's Transportation Program (PTP) which each municipality receives. As long as the service connects between major routes, the Brickell area would benefit from this service."
Denis Rod
Background: Denis Rod, 57, is an executive with the import/export company, China/Latin America Trade Center. He volunteers at the South Florida Workforce. He served four years on the City of Miami Planning Advisory Board as a member and Co-Chairperson. He also served on the City's Code Enforcement Board for four years and describes himself as an advocate for "the underprivileged and the needy."
Education: A graduate of Miami Dade College and the University of Miami, he holds degrees in Education, Clinical Psychology and Cultural Anthropology.
Born and raised: Born in Spain, raised in Miami in the Grove Pointe Isle neighborhood in District 4, a neighborhood he says his grandfather helped create.
Family: Widower
Message for BHA: "We need to inaugurate more fire stations, staff and firefighters for our growing city and the safety of its citizens and I feel the same way for the Police Department and the need to include more Resource Officers working out of our Neighborhood Enhancement Teams (NET) offices. A sharpened budget needs to be put in place, where the resources we have, get put back into our community"
Several unsuccessful attempts were made to reach the fourth candidate for District 4 Commissioner, Manolo Reyes, prior to the publishing of this News.
Past Issues of BHA News
