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: Just as I did in the past, I will stay engaged with MSNA and will be focused on the issues of concern at the MSNA monthly meetings.  (Yes, we will be attending the monthly meetings)

 

Additionally, as a resident of Shenandoah, I can relate first-hand to the issues in our neighborhood and I look forward to using my knowledge and experience to once again, deliver results.

 

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: This is one of my priorities for the Shenandoah area.  I have had a lot of success teaming up with MSNA in the past, and I look forward to teaming up with MSNA again and making sure that we have the proper traffic calming devices in place to keep our neighborhood safe.  Additionally, as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), I will find the monies needed to make it happen.

 

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: I will support public safety in Shenandoah by strengthening community policing, improving response times, and making sure residents have a direct voice in safety concerns.  I will also invest in prevention, things like better lighting, safer crosswalks, and maintaining public spaces because safety comes from both strong law enforcement and strong community.

 

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 former law enforcement officer, I know first-hand about public safety and keeping our residents safe. I also believe in Community Policing and know of the strong relationship that MSNA has with our police department.  Through the budget process, I will seek to add additional police to patrol our neighborhood and make sure that our first responders have the tools needed to do their job.   

 

Additionally, in a medical emergency, seconds could be the difference between life or death.  Therefore, I will continue to focus at lowering the response time, especially from our paramedics/rescue going to an emergency call.

 

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: I have a history of teaming up with MSNA on beatification projects.  For example, the SW 17th Avenue Project, where I spearheaded the partnership of the City (D3 & D4), County and MSNA to fix (Mill and Resurface) SW 17th Avenue from US 1 to approx. SR836 and to include the islands with trees and greenery.   

 

Additionally, I partnered with MSNA and sponsored/passed a resolution in the City Commission to protect the tree canopy on historic Coral Way when the Florida Department of Transportation wanted to remove/eradicate some (up to 61 trees) of our beautiful Banyon Trees from 13th Avenue to 37th Avenue.  A few days after passing the resolution which included possible legal action, the Florida Department of Transportation withdrew their plans to remove the Banyon Trees.

 

Therefore, I delivered results before, and I will deliver results again!

I look forward to teaming up with MSNA again on tree plantings and other beautification projects.

 

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: Yes!  I will seek ways to expand some of the most successful programs as well as having movie nights and other amenities.

 

I am happy to say that I participated, supported and convinced others to support the first Shenandoah Day(s).  I am proud to see how it has grown over the years and the success of other new events like the Halloween in Shenandoah event.

 

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: As a Commissioner, I passed a resolution directing the City Manager to update the City of Miami’s Stormwater Management Master Plan to comply with the National Flood Insurance Program-Community Rating System (“NFIP-CRS”) and further directing the City Manager to ensure that sea level rise estimates, not addressed in the original plan, be considered in the Master Plan to serve as a tool to analyze areas of flood concerns, which impact threats of sea-level rise, public safety issues and property loss resulting from storm waters.  I will continue building on my past work to include various CIP projects to address flooding and ponding of water in several areas of our neighborhood.

 

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: As a native Miamian, I value and take pride of the characteristics of our neighborhood.  I would need to seek more information, including community input before I take a position.

 

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: Miami is my home.  It is where I was born and raised and where my wife and I are raising our daughter.

 

Simply put, I am about putting residents first and making a difference in their lives.

 

However, it takes more than being well-intentioned.  You need the tools.  I bring more than 30 years of experience as a Certified Public Accountant, Auditor and former Fraud Detective.  These unique skills are essential for the one requirement that the City Commission must do—pass a balanced budget.

Additionally, I have 8 years of experience as the former District 3 Commissioner, where I have a solid track record of delivering results and protecting your tax dollars.

 

Finally, the City of Miami has term limits and once the current District 3 Commissioner terms out, the remainder of the City Commission will average approximately 1.5 years of experience.  I am all for new people and new ideas, however it should be mixed with people that have experience and institutional knowledge.  I bring that experience and institutional knowledge and will be ready from day one to hit the ground running and deliver results that make a difference.