Miami-Dade Endorsements - County Offices

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CANDIDATES TO COUNTY OFFICES


SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER, 5
Daniel “Dan” Espino


PROPERTY APPRAISER
Carlos Lopez-Cantera


COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, 1
Shirley Gibson


COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, 3
Alison Austin


COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, 5
Bruno A. Barreiro


COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, 9
Loretta Riley


COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, 11
Juan C. Zapata


MAYOR
Carlos Gimenez


COMMUNITY COUNCIL 5, AT-LARGE
Ira J. Paul


COMMUNITY COUNCIL 10, AT-LARGE
Miriam “Mimi” Planas


COMMUNITY COUNCIL 10, SUBAREA 106
Victoria E. Tomas


COMMUNITY COUNCIL 11, SUBAREA 112
Daniel Ojeda


COMMUNITY COUNCIL 11, SUBAREA 116
Carolina Blanco


COMMUNITY COUNCIL 12, SUBAREA 122
Matthew Larsh


COMMUNITY COUNCIL 12, SUBAREA 124
Angela “Angie” Vazquez


COMMUNITY COUNCIL 12, SUBAREA 126
Alex Duran


COUNTY QUESTION: Repeal of County’s Pit Bull Dog Ban
YES


Comments:

The most contested county races are for mayor and property appraiser although expect a few surprises in the county commission races as Norman Braman is backing a slate of candidates there, too.

My opinion is low of the current Property Appraiser, Mr. Pedro Garcia, who has done little to assist the common homeowner and everything to support a county commission looking to solve its fiscal problems. Garcia is running despite his pledge to only run for one term since he is now nearly 75 years old. I take issue that foreclosures and short sales are still not adequately taken into consideration when our property tax burdens are being considered - we are all paying more in taxes because of Mr. Garcia. Former Florida House Majority Leader and State Representative Carlos Lopez-Cantera is actually going out of his way to tackle the big issue of property taxes from the position of county property appraiser. This is admirable and besides the lackluster performance of the current property appraiser, Lopez-Cantera should be the obvious choice here.

As for incumbent commissioner, Bruno A. Barreiro, he is a rare figure who has not been involved in scandal or otherwise noted as performing poorly. Better to support someone you know rather than a stranger you don't is the case here.

On county question - isn't it ridiculous that we're the only county in the state that has breed specific and extensive ban on pit bulls? Vote YES to repeal.