Miami-Dade’s challenges need common-sense solutions, not partisan debate | Opinion
The challenges we face in Miami-Dade County are not partisan and they should not become so, if we want to move Miami-Dade forward. That’s why it’s concerning that Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava is seeking to make the mayoral race a debate battleground for an ideological agenda better suited for Washington. This only divides our community, distancing the county from its core functions and responsibilities to the taxpayer of Miami-Dade.
From the moment I announced my candidacy for mayor of Miami-Dade County, my message has been consistent, and will continue to be: Protect taxpayers and provide good government for residents. When I pledge to not raise taxes, it’s because families cannot and should not pay more in taxes to bear the brunt of government’s waste. When I insist on accountability and transparency from County Hall, it’s so that we can effectively fund our police department and keep our community safe. It’s so that we invest in infrastructure projects that address pressing needs around transportation, water and sewer, ports and resiliency. That is good government.
COVID-19 has added a pressing challenge that requires the next mayor to work with everyone to implement effective ways to help stop the spread of the virus, aid businesses in their economic recovery and attract new industries to Miami-Dade that will create good paying jobs. All, while we continue to assist families that are financially hurting, improve accessibility to testing and working to prevent small business from closing permanently. Again, politicizing this effort is a disservice to our community and an obstruction to a much-needed recovery.
An example of an attempt to thrust our county into an ideological debate that has nothing to do with the current reality of Miami-Dade, is the call to defund police. The calls to defund or redirect policing is more about repeating an ideological battle cry from other cities, rather than understanding the challenges and realities of this county. Unfortunately, Levine Cava has been an advocate for these misguided ideological initiatives. We have seen how measures that demoralize and debilitate police have affected cities such as Seattle, Portland, San Francisco and New York. Common sense, not partisanship, tell us that is not what we want for Miami-Dade. People just want good government.
Our environmental challenges and mitigating the impact of climate change have proven to be above the partisan fray in Miami-Dade. As county mayor, I will work alongside all stakeholders, as well as with our partners at the state, federal and municipal levels of government. Together, we will make fiscally responsible decisions so that the county becomes truly resilient, resolves the Miami-Dade County Canal Clean Up, pushes for seaweed remediation at parks and tourism centers and fulfills our duty to provide safe, clean water resources for all residents.
We have recently seen the impact to Biscayne Bay as residents leave septic tanks behind. We are currently working on bringing the main county sewer lines closer to residents, while also educating property owners about how to take advantage of state subsidies and incentives from the PACE Program to dramatically lower costs. As mayor, I will continue to bring tangible solutions to our residents that will achieve the county’s resiliency and infrastructure goals.
These are not partisan matters that the county government must resolve. During this election, the differences between Levine Cava and me will be on our approach, philosophy and records. I want to protect the taxpayers and implement good government in a fiscally conservative manner, tailored to the needs of Miami-Dade to improve the quality of life of all residents.
For the sake of a better Miami-Dade, let’s leave the ideological battles for those in the halls of Congress and other cities in the country. Instead, let’s focus on the common-sense solutions that will make Miami-Dade County a worthy place for the next generation to live, work, and play.
Esteban “Steve” Bovo is a Miami-Dade County commissioner and a candidate for county mayor.
