County Mayoral Candidates Face Off In 1st Debate

MIAMI (CBS4) -- The three leading candidates to replace Miami Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez gathered for their first debate Friday during a luncheon sponsored by the Latin Builders Association.

"This is our time now after the recall," said former state Rep. Marcello Llorente, the least well-known of the contenders. "It is our time now to chart a new course for Miami Dade County, for the place that we call home. Our community demands it and expects new leadership and a new vision."

County Commissioner Carlos Gimenez stressed his years of service – especially the time he spent as the Miami city manager, where he helped lead that city out of a financial crisis.

"What is my greatest feat? It is bringing the City of Miami back to respectability," he said, "bringing the city of Miami to over $140 million in reserves."

Hialeah Mayor Julio Robaina argued that as the strong mayor of a major city he has the experience to lead the county and its $7.5 billion budget.

"I've been able to deliver those services be able to do it without raising taxes, without raising the fees on the business owners of this community," Robaina said.

All of the candidates agreed to lower property taxes, cut wasteful county spending and eliminate regulations that get in the way of job creation.

"As mayor you have my commitment to end some of these perks that we see there," said Llorente. "That will ensure and deliver to the people that we feel their pain. No more $800 car allowances. No more slush funds."

The day's only fireworks developed around the decision to build a new stadium for the Florida Marlins. Both Llorente and Gimenez stressed they opposed the deal that allowed the stadium to be built.  Robaina also expressed his disapproval of the now unpopular stadium.

"I do support baseball, I do support the Marlins being in this community," Robaina said. "But there is a great reason why that stadium isn't being built in Hialeah – because it wasn't a good deal for this community and it wasn't a good deal for the taxpayers."

Those comments drew a sharp attack from Gimenez.

"I'm just a little puzzled," Gimenez began, "because I could have sworn I saw Mayor Robaina standing in the well during the county commission meeting when we were debating the Marlins deal, saying he supported the Marlins deal, it was a good deal, so I am a little surprised about his statements saying it wasn't a good deal etc. That's exactly what he did and I have the tape to prove it."