Doral Candidates Make Case For Mayoral Seat
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DORAL (CBSMiami) – The City of Doral has made headlines in recent years for its controversial city council. Public insults, multiple city managers fired and ethics investigations have made Doral's mayoral race one to watch. The incumbent is being challenged by some formidable politicians.
To put it lightly Luigi Boria's introduction as Doral Mayor was not a smooth one. In his first year in office, he butted heads with just about everyone. He fired multiple city managers. The city council drama was on the news weekly, sometimes daily.
Now, Doral's original mayor, JC Bermudez, is tossing himself back into the mix against Boria, along with Councilwoman Sandra Ruiz who is also offering to send Boria packing.
Ruiz, who has sat on the city council for more than a decade, said she has to do this in order to answer for years of insults from Boria. "That I need to stay quiet. That my voice doesn't matter, or that my vote doesn't count, or I don't know how things should be done. That's when I decided to do it," Ruiz told CBS4.
CBS4's David Sutta asked Boria about the loud criticism he's received. He was squarely focused on the future.
"We had built a platform that is going to be an icon for the next 4 years. And we have to finish what we started in 2012. We have a way to go. The best is yet to come. And we are moving forward," Boria said.
All three candidates are in agreement that Doral has some growth issues.
Ruiz explained, "The greatest issue that we have is the traffic. And we are talking about what we can do immediately. We need to work on cutting down the delays in the traffic. Cutting down at least 20% by being more innovative."
Boria said he has it under control.
"We have worked tirelessly and are improving new roads. We are actually envisioning new roads and we had a platform and we have a master plan for new roads that we are going to build," he said.
Bermudez called the city budget out of whack when it comes to traffic.
"In the last 4 years, we spent as much money spent on public information as we have our roads. And that is a misuse of public funds; let me rephrase that, not misuse, but not a good use of funds. The city doesn't need more advertising about how good it is, it needs more roads being fixed," Bermudez said.
Boria blames Bermudez for Doral's over development woes. "We have a plan. Other people don't have a plan," Boria told CBS4.
Bermudez on the other hand blames Boria for being, well, Boria. "The proof is in the pudding. I'll run on my record anyway against his. We are not even going to get into the issue of transparency," Bermudez said.
Ruiz is hoping she can mend her city come November 8th. "I know my community well and I think it's time for new leadership in the city of Doral."
Between the mayor's race and the candidates' seats there are a dozen people running for Doral's city council. That's enough to field a soccer team and have a sub.
One thing is clear come November 8th, the Doral City council will likely look very different.
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