Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I hope you are enjoying this hot Miami Beach summer. Although the Miami Beach Commission doesn’t formally meet in August, we have many important committee meetings coming up. Please check the calendar below for a list of upcoming meetings. I also thought it was important to reach out to you concerning the elections earlier this week. Many important elections were decided in the August 14th Miami-Dade County elections.
First, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez was re-elected by a wide margin with roughly 54% of the vote with seven candidates running. As of election night his main rival had not conceded defeat despite getting roughly 31% of the vote. With a margin of over 50,000 votes between the two, it is safe to conclude that Mayor Gimenez will enjoy a full four year term in office. I endorsed Mayor Gimenez based on his performance in this short term since winning election last year. Also, Miami-Dade’s top prosecutor Katherine Fernandez-Rundle took 60% of the vote in the Democratic primary ensuring another full term for our State Attorney.
Next, with regard to the Miami-Dade County Commission District 5 race which covers South Beach and the strip of Collins Avenue up to the northern boundary of the City of Miami Beach, incumbent Commissioner Bruno Barreiro ended election night seemingly avoiding a run-off by just nine votes over the 50% margin necessary. However, a review of additional absentee ballots showed Commissioner Barreiro missing the needed 50% vote by eleven votes. State Representative Luis Garcia garnered 33% of the vote in the four-way race. At this time, the Canvassing Board will convene on Friday to count provisional ballots and determine whether there will be a run-off election between Barreiro and Garcia.
With regard to Miami Beach ballot questions, 75% of voters approved amending the Charter to allow a majority of Miami Beach Commissioners to convene a commission meeting. Also, a very important measure to allow for an additional 1% bed tax on hotel rooms for improvement of the Miami Beach Convention Center passed by a wide margin with 67% voting in favor. This measure was endorsed by the Miami Visitors and Convention Authority, Greater Miami & the Beaches Hotel Association and just about every tourism leader. These monies will not be collected until the City Commission passes an ordinance and determines how to move forward with the convention center.
Last, Democrat, David Richardson, took 33% of the vote and was the highest vote getter in newly created State House District 113 which includes all of Miami Beach. With no Republican opponent David Richardson is now poised to become the first openly-gay State Representative ever in the State of Florida. Congratulations David on this achievement!
Speaking of LGBT causes, this weekend marks a couple of milestones being celebrated in Miami Beach. On Saturday, August 18th Pridelines Youth Services is celebrating its 30th year of service in the LGBT community with a celebration at Casa Casuarina – the former Versace mansion. Pridelines Youth Services is dedicated to supporting, educating and empowering South Florida’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth in a safe and diverse environment. Also on August 18th, Score Nightclub on Lincoln Road celebrates its milestone 14 year anniversary with a block party on Lincoln Lane followed by festivities throughout the night with DJ Abel, Tracy Young and Real Housewives of Miami’s Elaine Lancaster. Congratulations to Gary, Billy and Luis on your anniversary!
Last, I want to wish my very close friend Christine Morales a very happy birthday on August 20th!
Michael
Your Miami Beach Commissioner
