Question 1. How will you ensure residents’ voices are heard?

If elected, how do you plan to stay engaged with Shenandoah residents and neighborhood associations like MSNA? What steps will you take to remain accessible, transparent, and responsive to community concerns? Past commissioners have had very different approaches—how will you foster consistent communication and accountability? Would you commit to regularly attending MSNA’s monthly meetings or sending a representative from your office?

Response: I won’t just attend monthly meetings and send monthly email updates — my office will also host bi-monthly Zoom meetings open to the entire District to discuss upcoming Commission agenda items and any concerns from residents.

 

Question 2. Traffic Safety in Shenandoah

Speeding and reckless driving remain persistent concerns on Shenandoah’s residential streets, particularly around schools, parks, and the library. In 2018, the City of Miami paid for a comprehensive traffic calming study by Kimley-Horn, which identified more than 250 potential improvements. To date, only a handful of those recommendations have been implemented. 

Will you commit to prioritizing and implementing the Shenandoah Traffic Calming Plan if elected? What specific steps would you take to ensure these improvements move forward and make our streets safer for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers?

Response: I’ve already developed a plan to slow traffic in our neighborhoods — one that’s thoughtful, cost-effective, and avoids the random, wasteful approach used today. Most importantly, I will sign the interlocal agreement proposed by Commissioner Eileen Higgins years ago — something our current District 3 Commissioner refused to do out of personal spite over the failed street closures in Silver Bluff. That agreement would finally allow the City to bypass the County and take real action on traffic calming.

 

Question 3. How will you support public safety in our neighborhood?

Please share your approach to keeping Shenandoah safe. How would you collaborate with law enforcement and the community to address crime prevention, emergency response, and neighborhood concerns?

Response: My approach to public safety starts with proactive collaboration, not just with law enforcement, but with the neighbors who know their community best. I believe in building trust between police and residents. I believe in better reporting of stats because I think many residents don’t report incidents of petty crime. We need better reporting so we can better assess the needs and provide the additional resources. 

 

Question 4. What is your vision for improving city services in Shenandoah?

Many residents face issues with trash/recycling collection and obtaining permits for routine maintenance like trimming trees. How would you work to improve the consistency and quality of city services in our neighborhood?

Response: As a longtime member of the Historic and Environmental Preservation Board, I was the one who pushed to revise our outdated Tree Ordinance. I worked with Commissioner Gabela to get that process moving. After nearly 10 years on the board, I’ve seen firsthand the flaws in the code and how they hurt both residents and the environment. As Commissioner, I’ll finally be in a position to ensure the City does its job, starting with restoring basic services like recycling, which hasn’t been provided since the vendor contract expired. I’ll also push to make sure Tree Trust Fund dollars are actually used to maintain the City’s large specimen trees much like Coral Gables does, and that our code clearly outlines which trees the City must prune annually. And finally, I’ll establish a streamlined, priority permitting process for residents and small businesses, so that permitting at the City doesn’t continue to be the costly and unfair burden it is today.

 

Question 5. How would you support beautification?

Shenandoah residents consistently express a desire for more tree canopy and neighborhood greening. What are your plans to support tree planting and increase our urban canopy as part of your vision for neighborhood beautification?

Response: Shenandoah residents are right to demand more tree canopy and green space and as a former member of the Historic and Environmental Preservation Board, I’ve long pushed for exactly that.  As Commissioner, I’ll reinvest Tree Trust Fund dollars directly into neighborhoods like Shenandoah to plant and maintain more trees, especially our specimen trees. I’ll also push for code changes that require more green space, deeper setbacks, and meaningful landscaping particularly in residential areas abutting giant cube homes and buildings, and along major transportation corridors. Our City should be setting the example but instead, we’re paving over it. Just look at the corner of 17th and Flagler, recently redone by our current Commissioner with zero trees and no green space at all. That’s unacceptable. Greener neighborhoods mean cleaner air, cooler and walkable streets, and a better quality of life and I’m committed to making that our standard, not the exception.

 

Question 6. Will you support recreational programming at City parks for all ages?

Will you continue to support these types of initiatives—and expand access to youth programs such as after-school activities, summer camps, and mentorship opportunities—to help keep children, families, and seniors active, healthy, and connected through sports and enrichment?

Response: Absolutely. I’ve seen firsthand how after-school and enrichment programs at Shenandoah Park have helped children with disabilities and seniors with early-onset Alzheimer’s stay active, engaged, and connected and I will continue to support and expand these efforts.  Our current Commissioner has spent over $1 million a year from his budget to fund a street market on Calle Ocho an event that was previously hosted for free by a local nonprofit. That kind of waste is unacceptable. As Commissioner, I would immediately repurpose those funds into real community priorities: youth and senior programs, neighborhood beautification, public safety, and small business support. Taxpayer money should serve the public good not political vanity projects. As Commissioner, I’ll fight to increase access to after-school activities, summer camps, mentorships, and senior programs. I’d also love to expand arts and music through our parks, especially now that our school system has cut so many elementary-level music programs. These programs build stronger, healthier communities and they deserve real investment.

  

Question 7. Resiliency & Flooding:

Shenandoah, like many neighborhoods in Miami, is vulnerable to flooding and other climate-related challenges. What strategies or initiatives would you support to improve neighborhood resiliency and address stormwater management or flooding concerns?

Response: The City currently has a department of resiliency yet its actual building codes run counter to resiliency. The first thing we need to do is revisit all our building codes to make sure that going forward those codes support our resiliency efforts.  

 

Question 8. Zoning & Development:

What is your position on zoning changes or development proposals that may affect the character and affordability of our neighborhood? For example, Agenda Item PZ-7 permitting the construction of a second, smaller residential unit (Ancillary Dwelling Unit, ADU) on single-family (T3-R) properties.

Response: Our biggest issue is NOT the ADUs in our neighborhood, our biggest issue is that we keep reducing the set-backs, frontage and easements for new construction, I will revisit Miami 21 and 23 codes because they have allowed developers to ignore the transect zoning requirements it was supposed to protect and I will immediately propose revisions to our code to make sure there is gradual transition between residential and commercial areas like Shenandoah and Little Havana.   

 

Question 9. Closing Question – Why You?

Why should Shenandoah residents vote for you? What sets you apart as the best candidate to represent and serve this community?

Response: I’m the only candidate with a real track record of fighting corruption and protecting our neighborhoods. I’m also the only one in D3 race who took the City to court to restore our elections — and won. That wasn’t just about courage, it was about doing what’s right. I’ve proven that I have the will, the experience, and the backbone to stand up to power and deliver for the residents of this city — no matter how tough the fight.