HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 1979-01-17 MinutesSPECIkts
OF MEETING HELD DN
PREPARED BY THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLEFIK
CITY H AL L
RALPH G... oNmIE
CITY CLERK
MUTES OP gPEC1AL METING Op THE
C2TY COMM1SS1014 61` MU NI MAMA
ee**
On the 17th day of Jahuary, 197§ the City Corm fission of Miami,
Florida met at its regular meeting plate in the City Mall, 1b06 'Pan
American Drive, Miami, Florida in Spacial session.
The meeting was called to order at MO O'C1oek A.M. by Mayer
Maurits A. Terre with the following members of the Commission found to
be present;
ALSO ?RESENT:
Commissioner Rose Gordon
Commissioner (Rev.) Theodore Gibson
Vice -Mayor J. L. Plummer, Jr.
Mayor Maurice A. Ferre
Joseph R. Grassie, City Manager
R. Fosmoen, Assistant City Manager.
George F. Knox, City Attorney
Ralph G. Ongie, City Clerk
Matty Hirai, Assistant City Clerk
An invocation was delivered by Reverend Gibson who then led those
present in a pledge of allegiance to the flag.
A motion to waive the reading of the minutes was introduced and
seconded and was passed unanimously.
SELECTION OF ARMANDO E. LACASA TO FILL THE UNEXPIRED TERM OF
COMMISSIONER MANOLO REBOSO.
Mayor Ferrel Good morning ladies, and gentlemen.
Rev. Gibson: Good morning, sir.
Mayor Ferrer This is a Special City of Miami Commission Meeting for the
purpose of discussing and possibly selecting the vacancy created by the:recent
resignation of Commissioner Manolo'Reboso. Now, 1 would like to. start these
proceedings with a statement and I would like to apologize and I hope it
won't be to lengthy,,but ask for the forbearance of my fellow Commissioners
and members of the public. Now, and then I will ask: if there is any other
member of the Commission who wishes to make:a statement and then we will proceed
from that point on. First of all, let me begin by; saying that in my opinion,
Commissioner Manolo Reboso served this City very well with a great deal of
'intelligence,'a great deal of dedication and'I think that the City has been
better off for his having'served. He served with dignity and I think he has.
loft an important mark on the City for which all of us, our Cuban Americans,
Latin Americans, all citizens, Black and White', men and women are grateful to
Manolo Reboso for his services, Secondly, I want to point out what the process
has traditionally been in the City:of Miami. and 1 would start by the law. The
Charter of the; City of Miami Says that upon the creation of a vacancy,that the
City Commission will appoint that vacancy within a ten day period, Since Reboso
tendered his resignation effective the 19th of January, we would have until.
tionday 29th, Is that correct?
Mr,AWN; I think he subm tted,it on the 3.Oth,,.
Mayor .Wm Qh, 1 beg your pardon= Yes, I'm sorry
41
Mr1 Ongiet On the h .iith
Mayor rata: Ca the ninth) hot the t iheteehthp tti }fifths go mhos he.
submitted his ftaitlhatjoi 6n the ninth we would have until tha h btite€iit
which is this taming Friday at 5 Ms or the and oft o , Well) f guess to
12 PA to appoints., Abaaht theta should the City of MiAMI Ceditiblibil do trot
cope to ail agreatment by midnight oh the hi ieteenth, thigh under eibr sate
there Wad have to be art eiectiOn fib lees than thirty deys Af%dt istoo Wore than
forty five days in which that,,, the candidates would submit their hattee and
ruts for the public office and to fill the vacancy, If etie person i was tint,
able to gather SO1 plus one vote, there would have to be a tun=off election
between the two tie candidates, Now, have I stated anything that isn't the
way the Charter reads?
(tACK0ROUND COMMENT OFF THE PUBLIC RECORD)
Mayor Ferret Alright, now, that's the way the law is written, I would like
to also at this time, put it►to the record the historic fact that traditionally
the City ofMiatni Commission has filled these vacancies.,. Marie would you
give me the list, if yott would please.
(BACKGRbt1Nb COMMENT OFF THE PUBLIC RECORD)
Mrs, Gordon: Mr. Mayor, my question is as to whether or not a special election
requires a run-off or simple majority?
Mayor Ferrer Yes, Oh, I see.
Mrs, Gordon: I believe in a special election a simple majority and no run-off
is needed,
Mayor. Ferre: Ok, good, that's why I asked.
Mr, Plummer: No run-off? No run-off.
Mayor Ferre There is no run-off, I stand corrected, that's why I want to go
through this so that we all understand... there is a lot of confusion on this.
I'm wrong, there is no run-off. In other words, according to the law, whoever
is the high voter would then be selected is the Commissioner. Now, I would
like to say that I was the author in 1969 I. think, of a change which subsequently
was voted upon by the electorate in Miami that changed the Charter. Before
that time a member of the Commission who resigned, the vacancy would be filled
for the unexpired term. Now, it was my opinion and still is my opinion, that
even though we should not... we should try not to cause special elections, that
I' thought it was appropriate, that whenever there is a City of Miami election
and there is one every year because we have... and on the odd years we have
a City Commission election and on the even years we always have general elections,
but I thought it was appropriate that, that person should submit her or his
name to the people for approval so that at the most, at the very most a
person could not serve in an appointed position for more than twelve months:
In this particular casewhoever gets nominated or elected will serve until the
November election at which time that person must, submit his or her name to.
the electorate and be elected. Now, the third point I wanted to make is, I
wanted to remind all of you historically what has happened in the past. These
were the people that upon vacancies have been selected to serve on the City of
Miami Commission. In 1951 Mr. Cecil E. Kirby for the unexpired term of Robert
L. Floyd. In 1959 Mr. Fred C. DeVant for the unexpired term of James H. High,.
In 1962 Mr. Sidney M. Aronowitz, now of course, a Federal. Judge for the unexpired.
term of Henry Balaban. Judge Aronowitz subsequently submitted his name and
was elected on the 28th of November of 1963. M. Athalie Range in 1966 for
the unexpired term of Sidney Aronowitz. Maurice Ferre in 1967 for the unexpired
term of Steven P. Clark, J. L, Plummer in 1970 for the unexpired term of Maurice
Ferre. Edward T. Graham for the unexpired term of David T. Kennedy. Judge,..
now Judge Arten M, S.egendorf in 1971 for the unexpired term of M, Athalie Range,
Theodore R. Gibson in 1972 for the unexpired term of Edward T, Graham and finally
Manolo Reboso in July of 1972 for the unexpired term of Irwin Christie. i
guess what I'm saying is that the historical record going back to 1951951 shows
without anyexceptions,.,
g1
C ACKOROUNb ObMMFNT OPP TUR PUBLT.G R COADs
Mayor Petrel I'm going to nAkt that port
thACR ROUND COMMENT OPP THE PU8LI= MOM
Mayor Petrel That without any eXteptiena arose the year 1051, thin City of
Miami Cott fission has appointed vadanties rather than doing through the expette
of att eleetioti► Now, I would say and I would like to point out as /tote.just
did, that the four peoplethat are sitting on t:hie dais, everybody trtt
Ives dotdon origittaliy tret►e to this Cohibittiot by being appointed.. Not,, that
doesn't make: it either good ar bad beeause the feet it that we've all had to
ruts attd we have all aubtnitted Oar tAMO to the electorate and in tty ease,
have run for Mayor three time. Yes, I have submitted ury rrathe et three different
occasions to the`eleotorete, so we have all been elected et this point Now,
let's get into the specifics of what we are about and what the alternatives
Are.` As I see it, we have four alternatives'today. One is to go to en election
in thirty days after the Friday and no more than forty=five days. I think I
have already expressed my opinion on that. The second alternative that we would
logically have is to appoint somebody on a tetaporary basis and wait until the
Hay:election where we have a County election any way:attd therefore, we would not
go through the expense of an election and then that person, he of she -would: be
elected in May and serve thru November. tow, let fine express my opinion on that.
I think it has merit on the surface, but on further analysis what you find is
this, that you would have somebody who would have to campaign very quickly for
an' election which is not covered by our Charter and therefore, there I would
imagine we would have to have a runoff if there wasn't a clear cut... unless
we, of course, set the rules differently and I don't know the law of that. tut
I think what makes it difficult is that, that election which as you know is
at best a tentative election because l understand as, of; yesterday, Commissioner
Harvey Ruvin and others are trying to figure out a way in which they will not
cause a four hundred thousand dollar expenditure for an election as to whether
or not you could smoke or not smoke in certain parts of Dade County. And therefore,
I think that by the time it's all over there probably will not be elections.
However, if there is an election, in my opinion, the people that are going to
come out and vote are people that have very: strong opinions about smoking or
not smoking and therefore, may not necessarily be representative of the total
community as we would want it. Furthermore,- I think it's an imposition upon
candidates or future candidates to run for a public office in May and then have
to run again in November, now and I think it would just create all kinds of
potential problems.
Mrs. Gordon; A question to Mr. Knox. Is that a fact they have to run again
in November if they are elected in May? I don't'believe that's a fact.
tit. Knox: (INAUDIBLE)...that the main election would be available upon the
election of a City Commission because the Charter requires that this special
election be held at the outer limit 55 days after the- resignation of the
Commissioner who resigned which would not... which would be'some°time in
April rather than some time in May.
Mrs. Gordon: Then they couldn't be used at all?
Mr. Knox: And they should not be use, unless the City Commission, number one,.
refuse to appoint someone. Number two, refuse to hold an election and their
was a court order which would order the election and in which that would be
an alternative if the first two don't happen and the court orders an'election.
in May.
Mayor Ferrer' It's a violation...
Mrs. Gordon: But the question was really whether or not someone elected by
whatever means that: he came in election in May, would they have to run again?
The time person in November?
Mr, Knox; Tee, they would.
Mrs, Gordon; They would juit beserving a partial.,, they will have to run
again in another epeeia1 el.eor tot?
Mayor Yerre;
St
Its Nove er,
Mt; kftOkt Yes, MA' affix ift any avant the hereon who tou'
eltettd to thisvaeaney Would have to run in November-,
Mfg:. Cordon t 6k.
Mayor Petra And the treason is that: the charder teads as follows. This is
what the law 'says. It says "the vacancyshall be filled by a selection of
eleetibh until the next general election or the next City of Miami Commission
e .ettion tahithever tomes first and that, that person gill serve and furthermore,
it says that person will serve for the unexpired tent of the vacaney he fill
or she filled." Which means that whoever gets elected it November will tat
be a Coffissioner for four, but only two. So that's one of the alternatives
that I think we'i9e got to eonsider. NOW, and l have given you by logic on
that. _Now, that 'means there is two things, One is to select somebody who
ton( its to run in November and secondly, to select somebody, who commits clot
to ruff in November. Now, with regards to these commitments, l would like to
point out that it is against the constitution of the United states to deprive
any tititen of his right to seek for a elected office and there are numberous
occasions in the history of our Country and our community of people who have
sworn they would pot seek office if appoint and have and have. The classic
example, of course, is Gerald Pord who upon being named the President of the
United States made a very specific statement that he would neither seek nor:..
would he accept the nomination to be a Candidate for the Presidency and of
course, he did just that. Here in our own community we have many cases of that,
we have the case of former Senator Harry Ring, tse . have the case of former
Mayor Ed Foge, We have the case of former. CommissinnAr _SAnAti 1?,ihin +Ri?l
all of who when selected said they would not run for office and subsequently
ran for office. So I think that history is rampant with the process of`people_
who will not run for office who eventually run for office and that's their
constitutional right. Now, it nevertheless is a fair question. Now, I think
for all of us to ask... and I have asked all of the members who are aspirants
whether or not they, would run in November. The reason why I have asked the
question and why I think it's important is very simply this. All of us
who are here have submitted ourselves to the will of the electorate, we run
for public office. If we, appoint somebody, that person's appointment is only
for nine months, he or she will have to submit themselves to the electorate
in nine months. If a person is appointed who does not state that he intends
or she intends to aspire, I personally think that the attitude of that
individual is somewhat different than the attitude of a person who is going
to put his or her neck on the proverbial chopping block and I want people who
are sitting here casting votes to be able to realize that whatever they say
and whatever do and however they vote is going to be judged by the people
eventually. Now, that doesn't mean that somebody who would not run in
November could not do it with dignity and objectively and with honesty. I
just think it makes it harder for somebody who doesn't have to be judged by the
people to cast votes and it just makes it that much harder because he doesn't
have the same constraints and, requirements that we have. I happen to think...
I happen to be against the concept of authorities because Ithink eventually
people must submit themselves to the scrutiny of the electorate. Now,1 sr_.t••
I would like to point out that we in this country live in a Republic... this
is a Republic. It is not in the Greek sense a Democracy. A Democracy is
when the people elect and make all of the decisions directly. A Republic is
a government in which the people elect people who in term will make` decisions
in representation of the people. This is a Republic and therefore, we and
the members of Congress and the President and the Governor and people who
get elected are elected to make decisions in accordance, first of all with
the constitution and secondly, with the laws of the land. Theconstitution
of the City of Miami is the Charter and that constitution specifically states
that it is our responsibility to select somebody and therefore, I conclude
my states this morning with regards to this with a very simple proposition,
that if possible, we should select an individual to fill the vacancy that is
now existing. I recognize anybody else who wishes to,.,
Rev. Gibson; Mr. Mayor, I want to make a comment which is not a popular one,
I believe all of us ought to realize that We are about to engage in making
perhaps the most significant decision in the history of Miami, Most significant
because of the composition of this community racially and ethnically and en
awful lot is going on this pit for all of us, whether we like it or not an
awful lot is going od the pit, .And l .hope that any fellow Commissioners mill
share and do share *ny attitude or, any concept of my perception of the importance
of this act, l would think that because of the composition to this Commission
gi
that 'instead of doitg what I think we mAy dt3 Or instead Of fail roil What We
have already suggeoted, that another way be used mid when eke known what
that way,,, what I would like to propose as the way, 1'0 not sa,yit5g my way
is the right way, I scant to put mind an the table. I knoV AA ebon AA I asy
it ibmond ie going to say "weii, Cibeon you don't have time to do that", i
don't buy that we have time to do everything we waist to do acrid if ut really
want to do it, tie will get committee to do it end this is scant 1 want to
suggest. Number Midi Theodore dibaoh is not a LAtin, Rose &ram is tot a
Latih and Plummer is not a Letit, I'm speaking for myself, they ten deny all
of that when their tied comes. The only real Latin on this Commission is the
2oaybt ettd he is a Puerto Rican, Al Ohe of the thitiga 1 hope, 1 will hover
be guilty of oeyitg that 1 weht to choose Latin ieaderahip, Ili hot a Latin
eta I want to tell you what 1 leertied in try election, I don't know the Latins
I would hope therefore, that the four of us or either three, i would be happy
to abstain, the three of lib will get three outstanding Latin citisens or
three outstanding Latina in this community to come back And bring to us the
bathes of three persons, whether they be men or whether they be women, I don't
care I have no hang-up about tale -chauvinist. 1 just sooner be run by a
women or as be run by a mean, it makes no difference to me, that we will Come
up and appoint three outstanding or four, each of us, so each of us will have
the right to choose and have some input. Appoint four members of this Latin
community who would know all the skulduggery about you and come back and say
these three people any one of which we could live, I would be opposed to
having them tell me, I would be opposed to having them write this, this is.
my first choice, second choice, third choice, I would be opposed to that,
But if they went out and came back and they could do it over night, that's
the thing I want to speak... you know, I refer to. If the three or four
people we would appoint are genuinely interested in this community they will
sit up all night if need be. They would come back with three names and I !.
would be willing to vote to put any one of those three on the Commission. I
know politics doesn't run that way. Politics says "well, you know, I want my
man and man of my choice, I understand that, but I think that this decision is
so important, number one, that I want to take as few chances as possible.
Number two, I want to be intelligent as I vote and I'Il feel safe that if I
could get the kind of and .caliber of man or men or woman or women on that
Committee, I` would do the following. In the first place, their reputation.
will be on the line too. When things go wrong... first of all when they come
in would be said "you know, I'm on the line" they won't be able to pass the
buck. Secondly, if that should happen the Latin community can't accuse me,
Black Theodore Gibson out of the Ghetto an American of choosing Latin leadership.
Now, I know that wouldn't set well with all of you who want to be appointed
because you are afraid that you may, not get in the number. Well, may be you
should be in the number. And I believe that we are going to do what's right
for this community: and I' believe we are going to set a tone. I offer that as
a suggestion. That then will not be partisan because" listen to this, if
Theodore Gibson appoints I will have my part of the partisanship in the pot,
if Plummer appoints somebody he will have his part of the partisanship in the pot,
if Rose appoints somebody she will have her part of the partisanship in the pot
and if the Mayor appoints somebody he will have his part of the partisanship in
the pot and so we will get four parts of partisanship.Any other way, the
following will happen, we then have to depend on who's partisanship is being
considered, that's number one. Number two, we will not be intelligent. I
had to say to my assistant the other day when I saw her, that we were to have
each person resume. I said 'I understand that, we ought to able to know something
about those people, but you know the danger of that I said to my assistant...
I said that... not she said to me why don't you like it? I' said the secretary
at the church I serve and you who workk'for me' down here write my resume
don't you? She said "yes", I said what do you all put on there? She said "what
will make you look good". I said "well, what's going to stop a man who gives
we his resume now who wants to be appointed from not putting on there what
makes him or her look good" she said "I get the message". All of this that
I have I want to conceive to you. Unfortunately, I'm not that smart, I have
two Doctorate Degrees in Theology, one Masters in Theology, one Bachelor
Theology and one Bachelor of Arts to try credit and with all of that I'm not
euaxt enough because what's written on the paper will not serve us up here and
serve you out there. Now, I have made my suggestion. i'tn not angry with anybody,
I preach for a living, so when you hear tme talk you are talking to the guy
who preaches and so I have to express myself in the manner in which I do because,
that's hew I earn nor bread, I don't earn'it up here, And I want to shut up on
that
Mayor ?erre Alright, at this time Vs going to recognigs the other two
sI
05
members of tha Co 10s1nn Who may have An arpresg on of their pogit onA And
then Pathet if you wish, 1 would be happy to rehognila you to eflake that it tha
form of o MUM
Ray. Gibannt
Mayor Perm
Plummer:
Mayor Perre;
Mrs. Gordon:
Alright, airs
Alright, sts t, bt Rose.
Ladies first,
Rost?
1'h reading the Charter, t will be back to you in a Moment.
Mayor Ferret ok, well, let's just wait a moment, Unless you want to make a
statement. Alright, Mrs. Gordon?
Mrs. Gordon: bid J. L. make a statement.
Mayor Ferret No, he said ladies first, so.
I'm not going to get in the middle of that
I don't tare that's between you,
one.
Mrs, Cordon: Ok, I'm going to simply say I understand Father Gibson's.
dilemma and appreciate his concern. I had to be out of town from last Thursday
which was about forty-eight hours'after Manoloresigned until late Monday night,
knowing that I would not be here and knowing the great responsibility that I
was facing, I asked the Miami $Gard of Realtors` political Affairs Cotmnittee
to`interview and evaluate all of those candidates.who..made themselves known
and being interested in the appointment.' They interviewed and evaluated
seventeen candidates in a two day period Tilt questions that they asked were
questions relating to the community philosophy of the individuals and the
Committee selected after notifying me that many of the people they didn't
select were highly qualified or qualified people too, they selected six people.
1 feel comfortable with the results of the evaluations, I don't personally feel
that I need to go back into a Committee again and then I would like to also
ask Father Gibson whether he will be bound, is he delegating his selection
then to only those persons that tome forth from this select Committee that he
is talking about or is his he.., are you Father Gibson, still retaining the
right as a Commissioner to make al determination of your own? And I reseve the
right to make a determination of my own even though I have received these six
highly qualified persons in the evaluation process.
Rev.: Gibson: Mrs. Gordon,_I will bedelighted to answer. I thought I was
crystal clear, but I will go and be even clearer if I can. You can set the
rule saying that even though they recommend, you retain the right to put anybody
else's name in there if that's what you want to do. I say to the public right
now, if you give me a person, I give a person, the Mayor gives a person, Plummer
gives a person I an willing to be bound. by the names that are brought in providing
I don't have to be bound by the order in which they come. I will also say that
I will be delighted if the three of us,'if the four. of us will appoint a person
and:you want'to then put in your name after, but at least I would be intelligent
having had a blue ribbon.COmmittee who will see to it that some of..the game
playing will not be` played. Have I made myself clear? Have. I?
Mrs. Gordon: As clear as you can make it, Father.
Rev. Gibson: Alright. One thing I'pride myself on is I certainly know how
to use that king': English.
Mayor Ferre; Alright, Mr. Plummer? ,. Rose, are you finished?
Plummer?
Mr. Plummer;Mr. Mayor, would you prefer.,. i know you would prefer i don't
speak at all, but...
Mayor Ferro: No, that's not true, not on this oeoasi.oa.
Mr, Pl'ir er; Alright, would you prefer that 1 speak ea an individual first
or to the proposition of Father Gibson?
Mayor:Fette; Wall, l think what I hope..,
06
Mr, Plummer: tet IA decide. Let tie decide.
Mayor Perm We11, then don't ask tie the question.
Mt. Plummer: Aright, alright, I'f geared of, your nawer, that'a the problem,
tat trio speak first to rather Ciboon'a propoaai of a Committee, Of no secret
is the fact that Father Gibson its a very dear friend and I respect his opinions,.
but I also respect m tight to differ with his opinion§ and We are atilt friends
and 1 think that's why he is such a good friend. 1 disagree with pather'a
proposal and Idisagree for this reason+ We are elected officials contrary to
the feet that three out of the four were originally eeleeted, we did stand the
test at the election and t't happy' to say that bath tithes that 1 offered thy
natte to the electorate, I was not even put into a runoff, I think it says
>§otnethinge The buck stops here, right here et thin table.' The people of this
eotmnunity did trot elect anyone that 1 might choose to it fact assist; help make
my decisions. 1 would like to believe that every matter that comes before this
Commission for a vote, 1 take as a serious matter and normally do my hotnework,
I have done any homework it this particular ease, it is a tough decision for.
many, many reasons,' but all I am saying is when my decision is trade, it will
be trade by me and the people will be able to judge whether they feel 1 trade
a good decision or a bad decision because it was mine, `-I would be opposed to
a Committee, 1 think gather had the right as tose`had the right and 1 respect
Rose's opinion, but I at no time will ever be bound from what 1 feel is my
right to choose that individual who'1 think is best suited to serve this
City. Now, as to my vote. Mr► Mayor, there is only one person sitting in
this room who has better than a good idea of the way my vote will be cast
this morning and even she... as I walked out of the door from my home this
morning is not definite in the way I will vote, because my dilemma is simple
without an easy answer. I was able to take the eighteen candidates and through
a process of my own mind reduced it to two and either one are acceptable, but
I can't vote for two people, I have to vote for one. Unfortunately,... no,
fortunately both of those people, even though friendship has no parts in my
evaluation and elimination, both of the people I consider to be friends and
1 say fortunate because I` think that it gave me an edge to know the individuals
better than if it were someone who I did not know and as. Father says "no one
ever puts in a resume anything, but to make them look good". I am prepared
this morning to make that very tough decision of selecting one of the two
because I can only hope and pray that the one that I do not vote for will
respect my opinion and respect me as an individual, that two people I had to
choose one. It is not a popular thing, it's like choosing between your two
children, but you had to in fact, in the final analysis only vote for one. Mr.
Mayor, I am prepared to vote. I do feel and I will express, I would hope that
this Commission would adopt the system that this Commission used for the selection
of Civil Service and that system being that we have a memo letter from the
Clerk indicating those people who have indicated their interest to serve and
that's very important' to meand that the Mayor before a roll call or somewhere
during discussion, would ask if there is anyone else who wishes to be considered
and then we would take our little piece of paper which is this morning unusual
because we have it all printed up and we would cast our vote. The business of
this City is most important and as such we must operate as a full Commission.
Mr. Mayor, I make my statement simply, I'm prepared to vote.
Mayor Ferre Alright, you have now heard the opening remarks of all members
of the Commission. Now, I' would like... Rose, do you have something you want
to add?
Mrs.'"Gordon: Well, I will hold mine. I was going to ask how many of the'persons
that applied are in the room, but...
Mayor Form.: Yes, I'm going to do all of that in a second. In fact, here is
what I woud like to do next and then I'm going to recognize Father Gibson:for
the purposes of making a motion, are you leaving or what? Well, we
Will wait until he'gets back,
Rev. Gibson; We will watt for him,
Mayor Verret, It's too important for us not to,..
ORE COMMISSION IS AWAITING MR, P MM R'S RED)
07
Mayor Parte: Alright, 1`vat going to make this statement. tna at the opirthna
in this eemmuft ty is, that wt should appoint aothbody who it not seeking this
affiee, but who is a blue chip individual that we would aeieet from somehow
but there in the community. Now, the trouble with that is, that number one,
what is the definition of blue chip, now and i de not.., 1 am a Jeffersonian
by nature and i de not believe in elitist beesuee the feet that aefebody is
a banker or somebody is a lawyer or has a 1ot'of education does net neeeeeariiy
mean that, that person is beyond reproach or othetwiee, we would not have had.
the Watergate and we would not have what is called White -cellar Crimes of
which plague the 'nation ad much as Clue=eoilar.Critie. tecondiy, how do you
force somebody so called blue chip to seek an office who the or he does not
wsnt. Now, 1 want to tell you that 1 have called a lot of bankers, Presidents
of bank, professionals and encouraged them to run for pubiie office, with
the ekdeption of may be two. 1 Was told by most of these people that the
board of birectors of the bank would not permit them to do it, that they would
do it only for a short term period just to help out, they would do it if
selected, they do it because they were forded into it, hot because they really
wanted to do it and when you really pushed none of them really were that
interested in serving. Therefore, my position is this, l think you eat only
take into consideration those people who want the job, I think it's unwise
to go out and look for people who will not accept the job, Now, how do We
then insure thatthere is a sufficient universe for us to select from? Well,
I think the way you do that is with all the the publicity and advertising
this has gotten. I want to apologize at thie time for my takinq the prerogative
of telling the Clerk last week to put an ad in the newspaper to ask everybody
to submit their names by 4 O'clock yesterday afternoon. Normally, that is
a decision that should have been brought to the Commission Chambers for a
discussion and for a vote. Unfortunately, not all members of the Commission
were available, time wasn't the essence because the Charter gives us only
ten days, I was not acting presumptuous because the constitution of the
United states would preclude that kind of rule to be set any way and therefore,
anybody who is a candidate, who wants to be a candidate is candidate up until
the moment we vote and obviously it's an open procedure. My interest in
doing what I did was in trying to get the community to talk so that other members
who might be interest would submit their name. The proof of the pie is in the
eating and the fact is that we do have twenty, I think, or more than twenty
applicants for the job. And at this time before we take any further steps,
I would like for the Clerk, if you would please, to read us the names of all
of those people who have applied because there are some that you do not have
that I have and I wish to submit at this time.
Mr. Ongie: The list of persons who have submitted letters of interest or
resumes to the Clerk are a Demetrio Perez, Jose Luis Correa, Wilfredo Gort,
Ceferino C. Rodriguez,.'.I don't know how to pronounce this first name, it's
J- u-v-a-n-a-1 Pina.
Mrs. Gordon: Mr. Mayor, wouldn't it be better if we could get
and send it to us?...
a list typed
Mayor Ferre: Yes, yes, I'll tell you could you get the list typed? In the
meantime, why don't you just read them into the record so that everybody who
is presenthere in the public...
Mr. Ongie: Yes, alright.
Mayor Ferre: Or if you want, I would be happy to do it myself, either way..
Mr. Ongie: Alright, you can pronounce them better than I can.
Mayor Ferre: Is my list and your list the same?
Mr, Ongie;': I think so, sir, I'm reading from the memorandum I sent
Commission last night,
Mayor Fermi: Ok, the list,., is this your list?
Rev. Gibson; Yes.
Mem Ferri: Well, why don't you give no the clerk's list,
(MMCKGKQWP OPT INAUPIBt,E)
tire. Cordon: yes, baosuea oomebadp taay flat bt ate youritti
lov. Ciboati Right, right
MayorParra: And theft We are gaiug to get a toy. you aaa, theta are several
people that are flat on there like Rratk Cobo that I think ehouid have eta.
Alright, individuals that have outfitted their tame§ to Clark'a Office ate
Defetria Patel, dose Luis Correa, Wilfredo dart, Cafarino.CI Rodriguez,
Pine, iuraberto duat Aguilar, Armando E. Lacasa,...
Mrs. Gordon: Extuse Me, Mt. Mayor, wauid it be possible if When you etatt from.
the bop ask that to stand ups
Mayor Ferret I'm going to do that next, let the read the whole list and that
tome bark.
Mrs. Gordon: Alright, ok.
Mayor Ferret Alright, Xavier L.`Suarez, Eladio Armesto, Edward Vincent Nodarse,
Evaristo L. Marina, Carlos Rodriguez Quesada, Leslie V. pantie, Jr.) Louis
Martinez, Hiram Gomez) 'Mango 'Reyes, Thomas M. Taylor, Roberto Sanchez. Now,
the reason why I asked for this to be done into the record is that I would like
to add the names of Frank J. Cobo to that list who has requested consideration,
Luis Lauredo who has requested that he be considered andboth of them known
to all of us here and I have a third letter whieh is similar to these other
two and that is Maurice Rizikow. Now, I think Maurice Rizikow'is
known to all of us as the gentleman who has been a suceessful businessman on
Flagler Street and who is...
(BACKGROUND COMMENT OFF THE PUBLIC RECORD)
Mayor Ferre: Alright, and lastly Emilia Diaz who submitted her name at
5:04 yesterday afternoon. Now, I would like to ask at this time if there are.
any other individuals in the audience or that anybody is aware of who are
aspirants to this job?
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Mayor, for the record, so that I'm not accused at a later
time that will abide by your decision as to whether to add or not to add.
One of the people that took the prerogative of visiting with me during this
period was. is it Joe or Joseph Carollo...
Mayor Ferre: Oh, I beg your pardon, Joseph Carollo.
Mr. Plummer: .
was available.
the Clerk. He
never received
in his support.
.. and he indicated that he was not seeking the job, that he
I indicated to him to surrender as I did to all.a resume to
indicated to me that he was going to, the Clerk tells me he
it, but I did receive about four or five letters from citizens
Mrs. Gordon: Who was
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Carollo So Mr. Mayor,
just wanted it on the record.
Mayor Ferret I would say that Mr. Carollo has talked to enough of us that
he is definitely a candidate.
Mrs. Gordon: Yes, he has made his desires known to me too.
Mr. Plummer: Ok, so I just want it on the record that he did indicate to
me and that he did not submit a resume, according to the Clerk.
interviewed and evaluated by the.
they submitted to us,
Mrs. Gordon; He was one'of -those that were
Board of Realtors, his name is on' that list
Mayor Yerre; Alright.
Kr, rlu r: Caro lo's is?
Mkt. Gordon Yes,
Bi
09
Mr. Plummet: Me went is the board of Realtor§ but did not submit s re
Mrs. Cordon: Apparently he did submit one.
Mayor metre: Oh, t % uld like add and with my apologies because nbviousiy
think l did not read the nand o€ 'hoes M. Taylor, did I?
Mr. Ottgie: No, airs
Mayor Parte: And... or Roberto Socha/ Ss We have Thohas M, Taylor and
Roberto Sattthet. Alright, attd we also have a gentlemen by the batile 6f William
Eugene Jackson who has submitted his resume. Now, as I count that hakes
twenty = ''our or is it twenty"three?
Mt. Ongie: You have my list now, sir. you have added eight hates to whatever
is oft the list.
Mayor Ferre: 1\ efity..four naMes, NOV, f would like...
Mrs. Gordon: Maurice did you call Paul Cejas?
Mayor Ferre: No,'I don't have his name here,
Mrs, Gordon Well, he was also interviewed.
Mayor. Ferre: Alright.
Mrs. Gordon: Gustavo Zenoz?
Mayor Ferre: Who?
Mrs. Gordon: Gustavo Zenoz?
Mayor Ferre: Oh, Gustavo Zenoz, the former
Mrs. Gordon Yes, did you call his name?
Mayor Ferre: No, l did not. Z-e-n-o-z, Gustavo Zenoz.
Mrs. Gordon: Did you call Eladio'Armesto, did you call his name?
Mayor Ferre: Yes, his name was called.
Gordon: Ok.
Z-e-n-o-z..
Police Officer.
Mayor Ferre: And who was the other one you told me?
Mrs. Gordon: Paul Cejas.
Mayor. Ferre: Would you spell that name?
Mrs. Gordon: C-e-j-a-s, he is an accountant. I don't know if he is here or
not.
Mayor Ferre: Alright, now that increases the:list of twenty-six applicants.
Now, I certainly would feel that when twenty-six people submit their names,
that obviously this has had sufficient publicity and that the community isn't,,,
Mrs. Gordon: Mayor, here is another one laying here..
Mayor Ferre: Miss. Diaz,
Mrs. Gordon:
yes
I've called that.
Mayor; Ferre Yes, I called... this is Ms, Diaz, There are twenty-six candidates,
l will ask now at this time are there any members in the public or people
present or is anyone aware of any other candidates who are seeking this office?
Would you stand up and state your name?
Mr, pluum r: On the record,
$1
10�
vNlinNTMRb MAIM: R: Mr. Mayor, diattnguiahed Cetmmiaaionera, have been
asked by Mr, Pedro Peter Bernal uha has been serving an the bard of 1I1T for
six and a half years to submit hie tam to your opinion. Thank you, very
much.
Mta. Cordon: 11as'reause been furnished?
Mayor Pare: Now, has a reauffie of hie been furnished is he here?
UN/MT/PIED SF R: No, ha it3 not here, sir.
Mayor Peree: There are now twenty.sevett candidates, i would like to say that
with the exception of seven, 1 have interviewed twenty of the twenty.iseven and
of the seven that I have tiot interviewed the only ones that 1 do sot know are
notes M. Taylor, Umberto,,, I bean, that 1 don't know in the sense that 1
really haven't had an opinion to get into things, PaulCejas and 11uttaberto Juan
Aguilar. Those are the only three that I do trot know in depth what their
backgrounds and ideas would be. NOV, I think Commissioner Gordon had a good
point and I would like to ask the people who are here, first of all who are
candidates to stand up and I will read your name and would you please stand
up so that at least you will be recognized by members of Ole Commission.
Rose?
Mrs. Gordon: Mr. Mayor, do you think that we could take a couple of minutes
and let theta come to the microphone. I certainly would...
Mayor Ferret Rose, before we do that I would like to have,.. to:put Father
Gibson's motion to the test.
Mrs. Gordon Well, even if his motion passes, the same:information of listening.
orsee them is going to be important to us,- we are going to make a decision..'.
Mayor Ferre Well, I think the sequence in my opinion should be first we take
Gibson's issue and secondly we deal with the results after that and then I have
no objections to asking each to step up.
Mrs. Gordon: Alright, as long as we give them that opportunity today because...
Mayor Ferrel I would agree. At this time I would like to as Mr. Demetrio
Perez to stand please. I would appreciate if we do not applaud because that
I think might give a false... and you know, this is not a popularity contest
and I would be most grateful for the public just respecting that wish. So
Mr. Perez would you please stand? Mr. Jose Luis Correa, is. Mr. Correa present?
Would you please stand over here, so everybody can see you, alright sir. Mr.
Wilfredo Gort, is Mr. Gort present? Is Mr. Gort present? Mr. Ceferino C.
Rodriguez, is Mr. Rodriguez present?
Rev. Gibson: There he is, sir.
Mayor Ferre: Mr. Rodriguez. Mr. Juvenal.Pine, .is Mr. Pina present? Mr.
Pins are you here? Mr. Jevenal Pina. Mr. Humberto Juan Aguilar, is Mr. Aguilar
present? Mr. Aguilar are'you here?
(BACKGROUND COMMENT OFF THE PUBLIC RECORD)
Mrs. Gordon: Where?
Rev. Gibson. Up stairs,
Mayor Ferre: Would you come down here Mr. Aguilar for a moment please, so
everybody.'.-. it's hard to see up under those lights. Alright; sir, thank you,
very much. Mr. Armando E. Lacasa, Laeasa here? Is -Mr. Lacasa here?
Mr.. Xavier I.. Suarez, is Mr. Suarez.,, Mr, Suarez. Mr. Eledto Armesto? Mr.
Edward. Vincent Nodarse, is Mr. Nodarse here? Mr. Kvarieto 1. Marina? Mr,
Carlos Rsdr'iguez Quesada, is Carlos Rodriguez Queaada present? Leslie V,
Panti.n, Jr. is Mt. Fantin here? Mr, Pentin. Mr, Buis Martinez, is Xr.
Louis Martinez here? Mr• Martinez. Mr, Hiram Loner, is Mira comer here?
:Is Mr. Gomez here? Mango Reyes, to Mt, Reyes here?
rs. Gordon; Is Reyes here?
Mayor Ferro: la Mr, Meno]o Reyes here? Is he here? 'Wolf, Reyes,
Thomas M. Tayinr, is Wt Taylor here? i'homag M. Taylors Mrs Roberto
tanehet, is Mrs Sandia present? Mr. crank Cobol is Mr, Lobo present? Mr,'
Luis Lsuredo, is Mr, tautedo present? Mr. Maurice Ritiknw or Maurice
ltiiikbw, is he present? le Ms, dial present? Pm11i1a bias, Mr, Custava
2eno2, is Mrs 20162 present? Mr, Eenor? elk. Mr, Paul Cjse, is Mr. Paul
Was present? Is Mr. Wag here? Mr. Paul Cejas and Mr. Pedro peter
terttai,'is Mr, ternai present?
Mrs. Gordon: VAS Mr& tejas here?
Mayor Ferre: No, Mr. Ce; as is hot
CejAt? Alright, we
here. Is Mr. Paul WAS present? Mr.
Mts . Gordon: Ras Mr. Pita here? No, he was riot here
Mayor Ferret
Mrs. Gordon:
Mayor Verret
Mr. Plummer:
Mayor 1erre:
Mrs. Gordon:
Mr. who?
Pina.
Pina, Yes, Mr. Pina... where is Mr. Pina?
Nod he was not here.
No, hewasnot here.
Is Xavier Suarez here?
Mayor Ferre: Yes, is Mr. Carollo here, that Mr. Joseph
Carollo
p also known
as Joseph Carollo. Is here Mr.Joseph... Joe Carollo?
Mr. Plummer: Are you going to send it down to the Clerk and let them type
it?
Mayor Ferre: Yes, I'm going:to give this all back to the Clerk. And I'm
going to ask the Clerk to type these names, not in alphabetical order, but
the way they were received and then we will... and have them available for
the Commission in a few minutes. In the meantime, we have.., Plummer don't
go because we've got Gibson's feelings which I think we've got to discuss and
I think..: my personal opinion is that the opinions have been amply expressed
here and it's a question of the will of this Commission as to what they wish
to do and therefore, I would recognize Father Gibson to make a motion.
Rev. Gibson: Mr. Mayor and members of the Commission, I want to make sure
everybody understands that Gibson has no desire to enforce his wishes or
will uponanybody My wish is to try` to do what I think the fairest: most,
equitable and just thing for this community, along with the: fact I'm glad
you are giving me this opportunity to make my motion: I trust that this
audience can see what a dilemma we are in, even when you called all those
names that you really don't know that:we really...` certain us, the Mayor is
fortunate. He has.'already'interviewed twenty...' do you say?, twenty of the
number. I'm not that. fortunate, so I'm ignorant. I don't mind acknowledging
--my igornance and so as to help me not be not be ignorant, but to be'enlighten,_
offer a motion to the Commission_ that each of us will appoint a Latin which
would make a total of four and that we would turnover, these names or any other
names to them and let them come back and say to us, any of these three, any
one of these three we think will -sere this community best. That's the motion.
Mayor Ferre, alright, sir.: We have a motion on the floor, is there a second
to the motion? Is there a second to the motion?
Mrs. Gordon. I will second the motion,,.
Mayor Ferre: alright, the motion has been seconded by Mrs. Gordon.
Mrs, Gordon: with the consideration that
Father finds himself in and with that in mind
Mayor Ferre, Alright, I have a not here that
Do anybody else want to recommend somebody as
candidates at this time?
W. Plummer; Wait a minutes wait a minute.
I have had for the dilemma that
I would second the .notion,
there might be another candidate.
a candidate? Are there any other
Mayor Verret Alright, Mtn Leotard./
Leonard.: Mayor Ferre And fellow commiationers t would like to
on the tomiriatien a potential Dry &award henry Deorgie, M.D.
Mayor Ferre: Now, have you diacussed thin with bt. Georgia?
Mr.teonardi: Yea,
Mayor Part: And ha hat agreed that his name should be submitted
Mrs anardi: Yes, ha has,
Mayor Ferret Has he sent in a resute?
Mr. teonardi: No, he hasn't, he just arrived this morning.
Mayor Fette: Is Dr. Georgia...
Mrs. Gordon: Is he here!
Mayor Ferre: Would Dr. Georgia step forward? Alright, thank you, very much,
Dr. Cook. Alright, now we have... Mr. Clerk, one further name Edward M.
Georgia, M.D. which now brings the total to twenty-eight, if I'm not mistaken.
Alright, now we have a motion on the floor by Father Gibson and a second by
Rose Gordon, is there further discussion on the motion? Now, Mr. City Attorney,
since we have a Commission of four, I wouldlike to before we vote on this
get the ruling as to how the process Roes and correct me ifI make the wrong
statement As I understand it, from parliamentary procedure.when a motion is
made and there is a tie, then the motion' is defeated.
Mr. Knox That's correct, sir.
Mayor Ferre: Now, therefore, for this motion to pass, it needs three votes.
Is that correct?
Knox: Yes, sir.
Mayor Ferre: I just wanted to get that on the record before we vote and then
have the discussion later. Now, .is there any questions as to the statement
made by the City Attorney. Alright, -is there further discussion on the motion,
if not, would you please call the roll on the motion?
THEREUPON THE FOREGOING MOTION was introduced by Commissioner Gibson and.
Seconded'by Commissioner' Gordon and defeated by the following vote:
AYES: Rev: Gibson and Mrs. Gordon.
NOES: Vice -Mayor Plummer and Mayor Ferre.
ABSENT: None.
late
ON ROLL CALL:
Mr. Plummer: I've made my thoughts known, I think, very clear. I have to
vote, no.
Mayor. Ferre: Now, before casting my vote, I would like to give an explanation.
I have very high regards for Father Gibson and his judgement. I think his
recommendation is a sound recommendation because I think it entails a great
deal of caution now and consideration in it. Now, I think this is the request
that he has made. Now, and I... these are difficult times'because you might
say things that might get people upset and I think we have to be very careful
about that. but as. Saint Jerome` said "if offense comes through eir t. then
is better that offense comes than truth be concealed". So t
i I think that the twenty-seven
really think that we al have Co spank our tai.n�s, ust submitted
candidates with the exception of three or four that have either j__.
their or have not been pursuing this very actively, are individuals that are
fairly well known around the community,
Nov,
I realise that Iparticular have
an advantage because speak.
Spanish
and-because I know most of them and I think
_. I
,that's why Father Manta have
oudeoiea lot of b�However,
� fin the peat
I might point out that ,wep people of d.,€ertntackgro
examp
the
we
selected by the cammissaQaers�iod �adn�h+so�opoe�ib�o�nueoi� mad had
4thalie Range, we had Edward Graham
at that time we eould have said and I think there Would have been same
iogie to it, that wt should let the Mask community really recommend co us
who the candidates should be. Ravi as a tatter a fett we have had several
people to thallenge.Athalie Range, Rd Graham and Theodora Gibson as to whether
or riot they were or were not the appropriate leaders to represent tha,Riack
community. And Theodore 'Gibson has without any doubt an two otegs ons proven
without any questions, that he has the support of tha people. Now, l think
that, that opportunity will be given to whoever is a 'COMMissioner this toting
NoveMbers goy, lastly my problem in this process 1s the preeedant that it
might set because as I said this is a Republican fort of Wetntient. Ne,t,
it cart be said yes, but in the past you haven't been + of sistent because you
let the people vote on such a silly thing as beet and why then ,would you... if
you let the people vote Oh bear% why don't you put this to a vote? but the
answer to that is that beer was obviously a very tonttoversial matter which
is_ttot covered; by the Charter itself and which the outcome of the election
which was to close in itself proves how controversial it was, NOW, the question
of the selection of a Coinmiss1otet for a vacancy is very di -early spelled out
in the Charter and the Charter does not say that a selection Committee should
be or should not be instituted, thats the prerogative, of course, of members
of the Commission and as I said I respect father Gibson's wise Counsel that we
do that. However, I. think I have to concur: for the reasons that I have just
explained with my apologies to Father Gibson for having this difference of
opinion with him that I vote in the negative,
Rev. Gibson: Mr, Mayor, I'm not debating the issue, I just want to make sure
for the enlightment of the people, two things. Athalie Range and Theodore
Gibson are American Who speak English. I want to make sure the Mayor understands.
that. The second thing is we have used this method before, I think it's reasonable
to point out that the Mayor lauded the work and activity of Manolo Reboso
and I remember so well, I advanced the same principle at the Commission at that
time and it worked. At least the Latin people never was able to say 'that -we
were giving them somebody that we didn't really know and I want to respect
the Mayor's position, that's his God given right just like Plummer's God given
right and we are going to vote on those names anyway.
Mayor. Ferre: Alright, now the next step, I guess in this process is Mrs.
Gordon would like for each candidate to step forward and make a brief, statement
Now, to do that since we have about twenty candidates and I'm sure the word
will now get out and all of them who are sitting at the Coconut Grove Hotel,
the Mutiny and other places waiting for the results will all rush here and
we will have all of the candidates in just a short while. That for us to do
this equitably I would like to share this decision with the Commission and
ask their opinion as to how many minutes you think each candidate should
speak.
Mrs. Gordon: Well, I guess it's probably going to be one of the most important
decisions they are going to make in this year and I would say that if they
need three minutes, I think three minutes is a reasonable period of time.
Mayor Ferre: Does anybody object to three minutes?
Mrs. Gordon: Everybody is not here you know, who are candidates.
Mayor Ferre: Sir? We don't have every candidate here, Well, 1 would say
this that 1 think it's prefectly well-known that we are in the midst of this
electoral decision. Anybody who doesn't show up, who doesn't have the interest
of showing his or her face here in my opinion must not be that interested in
the Joh. Now, 1 certainly will make this a completely open process, by that
mean, 1 will read out the names and ask the person to step forward, if by
any chance after the process is over at the last minute somebody rushes in,,.
if Peter Bernal tomes in and wants to be hegrd or Mr, X,Y,Z, I have no objections
to recognizing theta up unto the very last one. So we will keep this as loose
as possible.
.t 14
1
lummet: Mrt Mayor
Mayor Peru! Mr Mummer.
Mg, Plummer: Mtn Mayor, I do feel a aehae of fairness. One of the individuals
made it known to me yesterday and asked my advice, that they had a thilhattAtt
this morning and did l feel that they had to be there and my anaver weal of tourae,
no, you do not have to be there, Mr, Mayor,I would say and l merely offer this
for the suggestion, that as you said there probably... I don't egret, but they
are probably somewhere sitting on pins and needles waiting for the deeieioh of
this Commission and each and everyone have someone here who is waiting to
their quarter it that telephone to Bail there► f would Say Mr. Mayor, in the.
interest of fairness.
Mayor Jerre: Arid i agree.
ttr Plummer, that this COttission take a fifteen minute reeeas and that
anyone t►ho : wishes.1to try and locate those individuals that they are supporting
Or are with, that they be given ati opportutity to try and bring that individual
here, if the individual wants to cote.
Mayor Perre: Alright, Mr. Plummer, the chair will rule on this as follows and
that's overruled. your suggestion is valid, However, since we have at least
ten or fifteen candidates here, in the interest of saving fifteen minutes, let
us begin the process now. And 1 want anybody who wants to make a phone call
to feel prefectly free; to go make your phone call now and we will listen to the
people... the fifteen or so that are here which if 'toy mathematics is correct .
by three minutes and you know it never is three minutes,:we will take up at
least an hour. And that, gives an hour for: anybody who is not here to be here,
Now, anybody who wishes to go matte phone calls to tell those that are sitting
by waitingfor your phone call, to get over here because the Commission will
,listen'to their presentations, please do so at this time. Now, the:first
candidate that I have here as #i1 is Mr. Demetrio Perez. Mr, Perez, I'm happy
to recognize you at this time.
Mr. Perez All honorable Commission members...
Mayor Ferre: Mr. Perez, the rules that we have established is that each
individual has three minutes to make a presentation. If,you Mr. Clerk would
start the clock when they stop talking and you will let them know when two
minutes are up so:that they know they have one'minute and you can waive to
them or say something to them. Excuse me.
Mr. Perez: My name is Demetrio Perez, I am a 30 years old educator,
married with one child. I am presently a part-time Professor of Miami Dade
Community College and Florida Memorial College, Director of a community newspaper.
and President of the Bi-lingual Private School Association. I am honored. for this
opportunity here of being in front of you today., Therefore,, understanding the
meaning of every form of government on behalf of the people I am coming to this
meeting humbly requesting` the casting of your vote for the appointment tofill
a position in the Miami City Commission. And Honorable Commissioner Gordon,
Gibson, Plummer and'Mayor Terre, '1 want to appeal to all, of you:with the offering
of my credentials.my background that you have in your hands obedience and
dedication in favor for the continuous progress of this City. Thanx you, so
much for your patience.
Mayor Terre Thank you, Mr. Perez, At this time'we have Mr. Jose Luis Correa.
Mr. Correa. Mr, Jose Luis Correa, is he present? I don't see him so I imagine.,..
Is Mr. Jose Luis Correa present? I don't see'him so we will, then move on to the
next individual who `is Wilfredo Gort,
UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER:
he is on his way.
Mayor Ferro; Mr, Gort is,on his way, we will recognize him later on then.
Mr, Juvenal. Fins, to Mr. Pins present?
(BACKCROUND COMMENT OFF THE PUBLIC RECORD)
Mayor Ferro; He to on his way, Mr. Humberto Juan Aguilar, is Mr, Aguilar
present? Is Mr, Humberto Juan M id ler present? Ns is pot, Then we Witt
continue with Amends Leosse, IP he present?
st
1
MACkdkOttiti COMMENT Ott Tit pfifLtO ftBt kb)
Mayor Ferrel Ile is Oh hilt ways Mr: Javier 'guatet, it MI, NAM present?
Mr, guara21 Thank you, Mayor terra and thank you, hetbefa of 'the Co mission,
I would like to aka a brief stateMeht. I thank you, for tha opportunity 6f
being here before you acid I also thank those who have -cote here to give ate
moral oupports Ole thug that doettit tote out of tty resume, that I would
like to mention is that I'm one of fourteen ehiidren which my hest seep
relevant, but I think with a father Who ie A professor certainly gives one
e cperiehed in making a et►ail budget go a long way. If you ask tte what's the
most i ipsttatit criteria for your choice, aside frori honesty, of course, I
would let you know right away that it's service to the cottutity, Aid by
service I don't tears necessarily being on boards, we are all on boards, i
think the applicants have been on a variety of boards. I was dust recently
appointed to the board of Legal Services of. Greater Miami and I Wet in the
Citizen Advisory Cotmnittee to the bade County School Board coalition for full
funding of education and a variety of other boards, But I teat concrete
service to the cotnmunit y,something tangible and concrete and I want to give
you one stall illustration of what I'm referring to, And Father Gibson excuse
me, because this will be the second time you hear the story today, but this
has to do with a teed in the Mack cotnmunity at Reverend Elligan :place over
at 43rd Street and 12th Avenue for a basketball program. Me just got an
asphalt parking lot there and he wanted a basketball playground and I found
out that Reverend Max Salvador in the Spanish community had some baskets he
couldn't use and I asked him about those baskets and he said "you can have theta".
The weigh a couple hundred pounds and it took us about six. Saturdays and a lot
of broken hands to get theta off the ground and put them over at Reverend Elligan
Church, I:did most of the work with a little help from the people from Reverend
community._ •I think that's concrete service. I'm not saying one
doesn't need technical expertise and I presented to you a resume that's full of
technical expertise. I have experience in decision analysis, public policy,
law, engineering. I have done studies for the Environmental Protection Agency
on a consulting basis.
Ms. Hirai Excuse me, one minute left to go.
Mr. Suarez: I will finish very quickly. So I have the technical expertise
and I will understand decisions that come before us, but I'm talking about
concrete service. And not to mention, I want to add that I make a pledge to
this Commission as an. attorney I will avoid appearing before any judge if
I'm made •a member of the Commission or any administrative board or any other
official body of the State of Florida because I believe that it would be an
unfair advantage:to myself., Finally, I just want to state that I feel comfortable
in the world of Reverend Elligan at 43rd Street, Northwest 12th Avenue in the
Black section of town, I feel that s my world. I feel comfortable in'Little
Havana where I live, that's my world,'that's where my people are and I feel
comfortable in:the world "of non -hispanic attorneys who are'debating complex
legal matters and who are determining and all of us in the community are,
of course, the future of Miami hoping to make it an InternationalTrade
Center and a gateway to the South. My dream as a Commissioner would be to
bring those three worlds together, I thank you,
Mayor Ferre Mr. Eladio Armesto? `Mr. Armesto?
Mr, Armesto Good morning Mr. Mayor and fellow Commissioners 'As,you know
my name is`Eladio Armesto, I have been living here for eighteen' years, I have
four children and.I have been involved -in Community activities all over the
City of Miami, not only in Little Havana, but in other areas in the City.
My experience right now, actually, I am the Vice-chairman of the Community
Accion Agency, of. Dade County, we have,a budget of about' eleven and a.haif
million dollars, one thousand seven' hundred fifty'employees, Besides belonging
to the Administrative Board, I belong to the Executive Counse] of said board, Also
a couple of weeks ago I was appointed to the Legal Service of Greater Miami,
to the Board of:Legal Service with a staff of forty lawyers that held the
underprivileged, And I ant here hoping to serve my community and hoping to serve
the best of the whole community Latin,'Anglo, Black, Jewish, Greeks, whatever
they are and l think that by, my cperience 11411 be a compromise -candidate,
In' the same token 1 have :Mated in my:appiioation that 1 will not BOOS election
in November, if that is the way an4if:you choose to do it that may,'I offer
myname for consideration. Thant you, veryMach 404 l will abide by your deeision
and 1 will cooperate with any decision you,ke this morning,
16
Mayor Parte: Alright, thank you, bill Mrs RAward Nodarhe/ It Ng, Warta
ptetent? 'ttrs Edward t odamm , Mr. batiste Verbal
Marital Heyar Petrel COMMibilieftete
t i am g i to y am a t Cibthe iti #
tot aftd PlumMeri
you already have ragtime fib
1 want tb be Commistioter at the
ate Citylooa fotof iafor
bthe
a�following
the bn ytaunts
ak is
Number oe of all thehe
a betbet of the three Chamber§ h L r� h&mber of CO:Meted (CtAMACCL)nai tee
pop�tlatiott, � at a member of. t
19761 a ttet`nber of the it►teramariesnae netbf si Commerce
9 tincee 1. Atf7kaaednat been
�embmemberof the Pat A erioat Chatt,e af C
seekitg the endorsement of why of th&t it &t ilukay. beetHatt employee oatidpat► ant
all. of them fairly and different►
employer, as a Commissioner /iwiii be badable faatttbuknot�sthat 3 the
irka�te
om
bctb sides. Number three, it s a g
White Americans, Black AtnetIcans, Cuiatk eta titChet iandas inset orking
tts
as tell as i have White Americans,
as employees. i believe that a fact is worth more than a thousand words. Number four,
I have been a resident of the City of Miami for twenty years even when I had tb be in
Melbourne and Fort Lauderdale with Military and educational duties, I always kept Miami
as my niece of residence.
Ms. Hirai: Excuse me, one minute left to go.
Mr. Marina: I own the place where I -live in Miami, tt}►
own school is in Miami.
ican
As a member of the Civil Air pmoOmemberd tof the he Cry of Miami voth uban notary GlubainrExile..
organization and at the same t
I have proved that if appointed I will be a Commissioner
1n 1973 was
and ndidate will boffice ofsCityrCommissionerfor the ire in GroupnIV,+in 1977 1 was a
a candidate for the.Cuban candidate the way the only
candidate for the office of Mayor of Miami, by are ,?edicated to school, to "'c
yinterest
for Mayor and T finished in second place. t
family and to this community. I think that I have proved with acts my
in serving this City during all, these years, that is why I am here today in
front of you. If you, members of this Commission who Mismirepresent the
se pthat
eoplI
appoint me as the new Commissioner of the y
will not disappoint you and the people of Miami. Thank you.
Mayor Ferre: Alright, the next speaker will be Carlos Rodriguez Quesada.
Mr. Quesada: Mr. Mayor and Commissioners, I speak in my language espanol...
Mayor Ferre: I think Mr.... this is a really embarrassing thing, I don't
want to really put you into an embarrassing situation, ,but -I think out of
courtesy to him, let's have a translator.
Mr. Quesada:. I need in my position,'if necessary they correct my language
• i
sake n osnc
for your w
:--..w
Mrs. Gordon: Carlos I realize what you are saying, butear tmand I'inc
you are seeking the position of Commissioner, it would app
qualified a person you are and how concerned you are with the
bter people,iespecially
the.
thehow people who need -concern. I would think it would pro y
you
would do it in English, if you feel you really can't, then we will have an
interpreter for you.
Mr. Quesada: How do I feel, I need to express my nninion to this Commission, if
possible in espanol, I will continue my speech. Thank you.
Mayor Ferrer Mr. RodriguezQuesada, I want to completely... I want to reiterate
to you that you are entitled to an interpreter and.you have one available if
you wish to express yourself to the Commission.
Mrs. Gordon: Carlos, you can have an interpreter, I was going to help you
with the presentation.
r Terre: Of course. Well, 1 don't want you to in any feel that, that
Mayor opportunity and this
forces you to retire candidacy ,and you certainly have the opp Blest
is a hi. lingual community, that's porrect s And at this time I would to
ask the Manager to have an off$ciAlrinterpreter so
e volunteerst.u.d you
othpoint
eQ>�body Mr. Manager from the staff? Are
an� y�nR �� tech #'�, Sant�maria
e
staff? $ow, cotes on Joe, will you...
s�
§antama!ia : t vet t t volunteered,
Mayor Ferret ,lright % tits
Mt. uesaaa: (EPtAXa Its ttPANOL) .
Ms, Sahtataria t (TkANAUTtb pb t MA% OU AbA) Mrs Mayor and Cottighigtioneet,
sty hale it earlos kodrigue2 Quesasa and t rdpreseht of the tblAer slags of this
City. busing seVehteeh years 1 have been fighting for the waking
hg ' Mehl and those
ti AOritiee ih 'disaavahtai a to represent their interest. My aspiration
in this Co issioh, this is a bialingual County, At a tietih and a Cuban, if i cope
to this donmissioti, 1 would snake this C6rtrt iesioh a teal big i i tial ehrMidtioh4 Th
the last election of November, the year befOte last, praetiealiy five thousand
people 6f this community backed Me to represent theM ih this CoMniist;ibn.
My..vied
point on this issue is that this Ct t[ttniSSthh is hot the proper ohe to haute the
person 'to be oottta►issioner.Thei"e shoUd be interest that could affect this iiosition►
.Mete a o ti,61.1ty...eight people...
Ms. Hirai: Mr+
Quesada, one Minute left to go.
Ms. santamaria: If the people in the Commission would not go through a
primary election which is what they should do,.. I recommend the Commission
that the time to decide who the new Commission should be, should be between
those who were at the last election for the City of Miami as a count with
the backing of thousands of people from the community. My respect to the
Commission and the Mayor and my they consider, only not because the people o
interest is present, but all those who cannot participate because they are
working, to respect the population and the civil rights.
Mayor Ferre:' At this time we will hear from Leslie Pantin, Jr.
Mr. Pantin: Mr. Mayor and members of the Commission, I'm going to be very
brief...
Mayor Ferre Excuse me, Mr. Pantin. I would like to request the courtesy to
all of the speakers that we have silence in the chambers. Now, Mr. Pantin?
Mr. Pantin: Mr. Mayor and members of the Commission, I'm going to, be very
brief since I appeared before you a couple of weeks ago and had the honor of
being named to the Civil Service Board of the City of Miami where I now serve.
I think that my service to the community has been in the whole entire community,
not any section and the three times that I have been in the Civil Service Board
I have learned of many other problems that the City of Miami has especially
in the area of employment with 25% of our employees being CETA employees and
us having to face sometime this year a solution to that problem. Thank you,
very much.
Mayor Ferre: Thank you, very much Mr. Pantin. At this time I will ask Mr.
Luis. Martinez to step forward please. Mr. Martinez?
Mr, Martinez: My name is Luis Martinez and of course,' I know that each of
you:Commissioners and the Mayor have my resume, so there is nothing personal:
thatI can add,any personal information to that resume. Now, I would like: to
share my thoughts at this time with you. In the first place I want you'to
know that I have confidence in your good judgement and that I am completely
sure that'you are going to select the best candidate:
Mayor Ferre:' Excuse me, Mr, Martinez. I would once again ask for the people
in the back of the room, that if youwish to talk would you:please`step outside.
(EXPLAINS IN ESPANOL) ,
Mr, Martinez: I was saying that I have confidence in your good judgement,
I'm sure that you are going to select the best candidate, Whoever you select
is going to have my support% that is for sure, Now, the fact that I deoided
to put my name in the list of those who are trying to occupy the paape of
Mr, Eeboso is that I participated • in the last election; in which I obtain over
a hundred thirty—five thousand votes and in that election I'had the support of
other ethnic groups, including 49 �./2% of the A glo vote the .t its of-. the
onlythe Latins livid in this community, but as well as
- g � � In addition to that
I feel that a person who is searching for this kind of position should be or
should have gem 'kind at batkitg Prot tht community, And of Outlay ° % have
'heard ao a other tandidatee bert to Welt that they vili'reptesant all of
the sagmente of the popuiatiofi, but it stag to WA that I have already prover
that, that the people With thett votes`heve praven'that I do have the baekiug
of Ali of the ethnic groups of this Community,
Ms. Rirai: txtuae met one irate to, goy
Mr. Martian, Alright, Of tourse,'1 am a teacher, l run for the School
Board, but as f said to a riewstaan then t lass toyla in, a teatherris slab
a titi en,;a teacher is not a ieiand and if itis a eonternta eitiett and a
good teacher, he should be teneerned 'with all the problems that the to unity
where he iivea is facing and.of eourse,'itt this partitulsr tase it effects
me as a Cubit American and as a Latin eery melt the decision that you bay
take, Thank you, very tmteh,
Mayor yerre t Thank you, very much." ' Alright, Mr. Hiram Comely Is Mt. Gomez
preset►t? Mr. Matt.olo Reyes? Is Mr. Reyes present?
Mrs. Gordon: Mfe 'Reyes, advised that he is itt a meeting at the Palmetto
Hospital where he is a consultant.
Mayor Ferre: Alright, Mr. Thotnas... I might point out and I don't... I think
Rose, that your request is a valid request and I agree with it and honor it.
There is a certain amount out of fairness too and in this sense that there
are many candidates who may have made cotnmitmetts not thing that there presence
was need. Now, anybody who asked myadvice and those that did ask my advice
I told them "if you are interested in the job, you ought to show at least the
courtesy of being present because: if you... well, have important engagements
or appointments, well, let me put it to you this way. Of all the Commission
Meetings you will have if you are selected the most important one is the one
where you are going to be appointed and if you don't have the interest to
cancel whatever engagements you have or whatever involvements you have to be
present, then I think what that means to me, anyway, is that in the future
you will also be absent on important crucial dates because you have other
conflicting things. I mean, certainly if somebody doesn't come on the day
he is appointed, then I think it could happen in the future. At this time,
I will now call on Thomas Taylor. Mr. Thomas Taylor? Mr. Roberto Sanchez?
IsMr. Sanchez here? Mr. Frank Cobo is in, San Francisco so he is another one
who has a valid reason why he can't be here. Mr. Luis Lauredo? Mr. Maurice
Rizikow? Ms. Emilia Diaz? Mr. Gustavo Zenoz? Is Mr. Zenoz here? Alright,
Mr. Zenoz?,
Mr. Zenoz: Mr. Mayor and Commissioners, I have respectfully submitted my
resume which I have in front of me. Very briefly I would like' to go over
stating that I came to this Country and I'm Cuban born. I came to this
County in 1930. I lived inNewYork City ten years, three years out of the
y one paars.d Kaye been
ten years''I spent in the U S Arm in Ja an and Korea. In1930 I moved to
the City of Miami and duringtweea Police officer,
y y
I have just left the department last August. I think I have demonstrated my.
loyalty to our country and,L,have served the City of Miami for the past
twenty. -one years, as' a Police Officer. I respect and love my community; and
I would feel privileged to continue serving the people of Miami as Commissioner
of this City. Thank you.
Mayor Ferre; Alright, thank you, very much Mr.. Zenoz. Mr. Paul Cejas? Is
Cejas here?' Is Mr. Cejas present at this time? Is Mr, Pedro Peter Bernal
present? Mr. Bernal?
Mrs. Gordon; Cejas also advised that he is on his way.
Mayor Ferre; Alright, we will recognize him when he arrives here. Is Mr.
Pedro Bernal:here? Yes, sir,
(BACKGROUND COMMENT Opp THE PUBLIC RR CORD)
Mayor Ferre: On his way•
(BACKGROUND cpmenwy THE puOac RECORPO
Mayor FsFrs;
Not wes& you aTa a pa'udidate, air, unless, YQu at•e speaking to
the issue. If you have something to say to the isste, pot On behal4 :or i
Bl
19
favor at A sandidite,
(tkekdkC Cot flit OPP Tilt
UnitRPM)
Mayor Perm: Na, sir, 1 don't think it'a a valid atatemen't, thin is not a
public hearing at thin time,
(BACOHOUN CoHM N/ OPP t ik pf hLIC k GORD)
MayonPart: It will be.i. this la a Commission Meeting at which we are
going through a process. 1f 1 were to allow you to interrupt it with something
that is relative to the Jamie, f would be unfair to all of those others who
will then stand up with similar requests and therefore, 1 must sak you to sit
down and at the end of the process l will, You know, depending on what the
COMnission wants to do for the three hours of discussion amongst members of
the public that ate present. I would hopefully not do that and 1 will tell:
you why. Now, this has been a matter known for the last week. Anybody who
wants to speak to me, I have spent twelve hours a day in this roots, upstairs
in the Mayor... anybody who wanted to talk to me, including Pedro Bernal...
I have answered all my phone calla religiously and anybody who wants to talk
to me,I have been available and if they vatted to express an opinion my ears
were opened and I don't think this is the appropriate time to do things that
should have been done previously. Now, we are back to Mr. Peter Bernal who
is on his gray. Mr. Edward H. Georgia? Dr. Georgia are you present? Dr.
Georgia?
Dr. Georgia: Mr. Mayor and
that I was going to be -here
excuse the expression, they
nominated this morning.:.
City Commission, if somebody were to say yesterday
today speaking before you I would say, if you will
were crazy, I'm a psychiatrist. My name has been
Mr. Plummer: No that has to be corrected, if you are here today .you are
crazy.
Dr. Georgia:, Well, let me say this, this is a challenge.. I have.been here
in Miami since 1949 and I have alway had interest government, but I have never
had an interest in entering it as a politician nor doI plan to launch a
career starting today. But as I was sitting in the audience earlier and hearing
the process of trying; to select a Commissioner to serve an interim term, or the
remainder of a term, I said "my goodness. -..`after my name:was nominated, let
me offer my services ifI can and do what I can to show that we have a truly
representative government' where people from crosses of life'including Doctors
can participate in our municipal government process. I am Latin and I speak'
Spanish and I happen to be licensed in five Latin American Countries besides
here in the States and I` think that probably I could by virtue of my background
help to satisfy some of the needs' that are: represented here, also by the Latin
community. Again, I emphasize I am not interested in a political career, I
would not run for reelection or run for election rather,'I'm satisfied being
a Doctor, but since my name was nominated I was offered a challenge and I
submit my services if they are called upon. -'Thank you.
Mrs. Gordon:
Georgia, you live in
the City of Miami?
Dr. Georgia: I live in Coconut Grove, yes.
Mrs. Gordon: Ok, just for the records. Do we have a resume
Dr. Georgia:
Mrs. Gordon: Ok,`
The resume is on the way.
Mayor Ferre; Alright, thank you, Dr, Georgia, At this time I would like to
ask Mr, Geferino Rodriguez to step forward, Is Ceferino Rodriguez here? fir,
Rodriguez?
Mr. Rodriguez; Mayor Maurice Ferre, Commissioner Gordon, Gibson, I appreciate
this opportunity by inviting me to speak here. As you well know,,,
Mrs, Gordon; Speak a litt1e bit louder Mr. Rodriguez, l can't understand you,
(COMMENT IN .SPANISH)
Sl.
0
1
•
Rodrigues: As you already know f ran for state repres+antative of the state
of Fiarida, and my emparianee, l was a lawyer" in cam and polities are fine
here in F oxide, l studied at the University at Merida, but f would like to know what
it the Situation beeeusa wsuid like to work Of the community. It's in this
opportunity f ootha out bete) f would like to work everyday tot the community,
Mayer Ferrer Thank you, very much Mr, Rodrigues, Now, MI, Rugene daokeon?
is Mr1 3aekgen present? Mr► daokson? Joseph Carollo or Csrollo7 Is Mr,
Carollo here? sir► Carollo? t Saw hit around a little while agog
Mr, p1uer: Can I ask a favor, if the TV doesn't need it, they turn but the
headache lights,
Mayor Ferrer Thank you► is Mr, Carollo in the audience? Mr, Jae,,, he is
down stairs, he is on his sway, ok,
(BACKGROUND COMMENT OFP Tim PUBLIC kBCORb)
Mayor Ferret I'm going down the list and then 1 will go over the list again
one more time. ls'Mr. Joseph Carollo or Carollo here?
Mrs. Gordon: Ok, they are out now,
Mayor Ferrer Alright, Mr. Carollo?
Mr. Carollo: I would like to thank you, Mr. Mayor and Commissioners, for this
opportunity to be here today. I think there are: enough people here today for
me not to be here a long time. I frankly feel that I'am qualified both in
education, in experience and most of all something that sometimes is hard to
cotae by. That is honesty and integrity. I think:my qualifications are known
to this Commission and my background to the people of this City, to this
community so I want bother in taking anymore of your time. I trust that you
will make the best decision for the City and hope God helps you in snaking the
decision today Thank you, very much.
Mayor Ferrer Thank you. Alright, then we will start now with the list up
at the top again. Mr. Jose Luis' Correa? Mr. Correa? Mr. Correa, I think I
see you back there. Ok.
Mr. Correa: Mr. Mayor and Commissioners, I want to say thank you, for giving.
to me the:opportunity...
Mayor Ferre: I would:like to ask the people in the
of giving Mr. Correa your attention,, Mr. Correa?
Mr. Correa: I would like to speak over here on this channel. My:name is
Jose Correa, I have lived in Miami for'twenty-five years. :I!m a businessman,
I assure you:that Ham going to do the best'of,my ability if I win today.
Thank you.
Mayor Ferre: iThank,yOU,-Mr. Correa. Alright, at this time 1 would 1ik to
see if Mr. Juvenal Pina is here. Is Mr. Pina here? 'Mr. Pina, step forward,
Oh, I beg your pardon.., I „ . Mr, Pina, would you sit down for a moment, I
skipped over. Wilfredo Gort and I know I saw him here:a moment ago. Mr. Wilfredo
Gort? Is Mr. Gort here? Alright, Mr, Willie Gort? Mr. Gort?
Mr. Goat: Good morning Mr. Mayor and members of the Commission. My name is
Willie Gort, Wilfredo Gort and I reside at 2660 Northwest 14th Avenue. The
reason I'm here this morning,because there is'a vacancy here to be filled
and I myself, I feel because' of the record that I have :the work that i have,,
done for this community deserve that appointment. I served on the City Zoning
Board for the last seven years and that to me has given me great experience
in -.what is Commiesion'busineeelH At the same time I serve in the different
community and different boards Or the youth and for the elderly and I'm aware
of many of the problems that we hays in -this City because 1 have been part of
those problonA and 1 have been par; of some of the solutions, But still there
is a lot of sol.utione to look for and 1 think I can part and'1 would Love
to be a part of that solution. M a buaineaswan, 1 pay taxes also and 1 know
the peoplewill lute to have a person witting there that will spend this tax
noney wisely for they i trovtmnt' of the'COmuunity, i Chia there is a lot of
program 1n here that benefit the oonity and they have much need €or these
at
21
back to have the courtesy
MMM
programs, but at the OHIO time 1 believe that bow 8t the programs that die
have it existent right now, rye can change them into eosnomie der eloptet t of the
stelas t4 have different atgmenta of the community that need§ eeonoffiio
improvement and l think thin Commiaeion la responsible to bring that up and
to improve that aegthent of the community, 1 tnyaeli 1 vouid tell you l will have
all the anavers, ;but 1 worked in thin ~community fora long time and l have
worked with everyone in every eeg'ent there it, l myself, l vould love to
wtrk with you and to make thin City what We destined la to be, the beat City
in the world, Thank you,
Mayor Pare: The next speaker is Mr, Juvenal Pine, Mr. Pine?
Mrs pine: My name is Juvenal Pine, 1 was educated here in the United States.,.
Mayor Ferret Mr. Pine, would you raise your microphone a little bit so we can
hear you better?
Mr. Pine: Cati you hear me now?
Mayor Perre: Yes,
Mr, Pine: My name is Juvenal Pina, I was educated here in the United States
at La Salle Institute, Troy, Mew York. I spent four years in Havana University,
graduated as a business administrator. I'm a businessman in this community,
1 have been participating with United Way, the Greater Miami Hotel Association
and with a lot of activities regarding this community. I also want to say
if Iam appointed. Miami has been so good to me that I want to pay it back.
Thank you.
:Mayor Perre: Alright, thank you, very much Mr. Pine. Mr, Humberto Juan
Aguilar? Is Mr. Aguilar here?
Mr. Aguilar: Mr. Mayor, and City Commissioners, a lot of people are wondering
why somebody my age, probably the youngest one to apply,for this position
would go out on the limb and apply for this position. As I explained to you
in the letter with my, including my resume, I have taken leadership decisions
in my school, the University of Florida, on many, occasions and when all the
applicants started coming in, I realized that a lot of them did not represent
my views I think the younger community shares. I think when Father Gibson
this morning said that we will be -making a momentous decision today, he was
very right. I think we'have a chance for the first time:to put somebody on
the Commission that'normally otherwise would not have a chance to be on the
Commission who would represent not only the Spanish community, but the community.
Atimeright nowt large and also the younger community. I know that my'chances are quiet
At
because I have no'becking,` I have no experience, the only thing
I can offer the Commission is work, a lot of hard work and a willingness to
learn the job and I would aways,give it a 100% effort on ny part. Now, should
you decide not to pick me for this position, I think you should realize that
there is a: movement afoot in Miami and in:this nation where the younger people
want to get involved, they want to work for their cities and their community.
'And I think there were many candidates today who were young. One of them,
Mr. Suarez, I think would make an excellent Commissioner and should you"decide
that I'm not that candidate, I would hope you realize' that Mr. Suarez is a
good and viable candidate. Thank you.
Mayor Ferre: Thank you,, Mr. Aguilar. Mr. Armando Lacasa? Now, ladies and
gentleman, I want to with all due respects tell you: that you are not necessarily
doing your favorite candidate a favor. It is,very easy as I was going to mention
when another candidate got another burst of applause,to find ten, fifteen,
:fifty or a hundred people to come and applause. And I think that we cannot make
judgements. on this Commission based on the applauselevel of any
individual
Now, I think you have to recognize that the candidate is going to speak for
hini or herself and is his or her beat advocate and I don't think that applause
really adds, in anyway to the final ultimate conclusions of how we are going to
vote and so, I respectfully submit that to you for your consideration, At this
time I recognize Mr. Lacasa,
Mr, Lacasa; Mr. Mayo and members of the Commission, I would like to welcome
this opportunity and express gay appreciation to you for giving me consideration
to fill the vacancy left f yCommissioner Reboso, I am not going to say only
what I am prepared to do for the City, I'm going to say that I have been doing
quite a bit for the last years. I have been involved in the comity affairs
of the City of Miami and of the Greater Dade County arem'for the last ten
22
years of my life as Chairman of the Community Development program of Little
Havana elated with the participation of over Aikty*five hundred people) I
got IO2 of the vote. I have worked through all these yeaira to mate this
trite ethnic community in which lad live an integrated comity. I am
familiar not only with the preditaments, with the needs and with the automat
of the Latin community of this County and of this City, I AM also very
familiar with the same situation in the case of the theta) in the case of
the Angles. I have worked with them all and I` pledge here today that I will
continue to do to. I don't see myself only as the representative for the
Latin oommr►unity if 1 shall be appoitted to this petition, 1 tee myself asa resident of
the City of Miami if appointed as a Commissioner of the City of Miami who
happens to be Latin, but who's responitibility is basically to the City of
Miami and to all of the residents regardless their ethnic batkgrounda. Thia I
think is a very important point because I think that I could serve better
the segment of the commutity from which I tome) the Latin, by giving this
City leadership and assurance that a Latin or a Black or an Anglo can tit
there and Sete the whole community without any prejudice whatsoever. And this
I repeat, is the best service that I think that.I tan do to my own community
because this will open the minds of everybody for an integrated conntnity,
Ms.Hirai: Mr. Lacasa, one minute left to go.
Mr. Lacasa: Today you are faced with a heavy burden of making this decision,
many qualified candidates are here, I am only one of them. I believe that
my track record proved that I can be of service to this Commission. I pledge
myself that if appointed I should divest myself of any interest whatsoever
that might be in conflict of interest with the City of Miami business and
that I will devote my time, my effort to make this City as strong as it should
be. Than you, very much.
Mayor Ferre The next speaker will be Mr. Edward Nodarse. Is Mr. Edward
Nodarse present? Is Mr. Nodarse, Edward Nodarse present? Mr. Nodarse? Alright,
Mr. Hiram Gomez? Mr. Manolo Reyes we know cannot come. Mr. Thomas Taylor?
Mr. Taylor?
(BACKGROUND COMMENT OFF THE PUBLIC RECORD)
Mayor Ferre: Mr. who? Mr. Nodarse. Alright, Mr. Edward Nodarse? Proceed
Mr. Nodarse.
Mr.Nodarse: Good morning Mr. Mayor, Mrs. Gordon, Father Gibson and Mr, Plummer.
I` take- this marvelous opportunity in addressing you as I` have been:priviledged
to do before in the past to tell you that I have submitted my resume as a
possible nominee to fill a position which presently has been vacanted by,
Commissioner Manolo Reboso, seek perhaps a rare opportunity to serve the City
and it's citizens whom I deeply love and which is part of myself. I have
always characterized myself by being a doer rather than a talker, therefore,
I would like to say within the, three minutes permitted that I feel at, this time
in all sincerity perhaps like each`and everyone of you on the: Commission has
felt when you have reeked the office which you presently` hold. That is that
regardless of allthe speeches and of all the things that one could say, it is
quite difficult to express what,onein his heart feels you could do for a
community: if given the opportunity to serve it to'the best of your ability.
and if given the opportunity. I believe that having lived in the City half
of my life and the other half of my life in Cuba, I wily bring, if given the
opportunity the members of the City Commission, the best of myself and also
a keen insight and to the needs of the citizens of the community of which I
Am part,'..
Ms. Hirai: Excuse me, one minute left to go.
Mr, Nodarse; ... not only all of the citizens of the City of Miami which would
be my concern, but I believe that.I could also bring in a keen insight into
the specific problems that oa a daily basis the Hispanic community within the
City face and particularly that of the Cubans which I am fortunate to know
that I have dominion of the Spani.eb language as well as I am aware of their
cu3.tures and of their heritages and their aspirations and their dreams. -I
tbaul you, very much.
Mayor Ferrer, Alright, sit, Thank you, very much Mr. Wodarse, Alright, now
I'm back yap to candidate 14,whicb is Hiram comet, Manolo Reyes, Thomas Taylor,
Is kir. Taylor beret Ladies and gentlemen, I need to ask you to be quiet again,
ago that all mombers of the public tan hear the proceedings. Mr. Thomea Taylor,
Mr, Roberto Saaehst, . Frank Cobol I:.said was in forn a, Mr. Luis ]aurcdo,
gl
Mt Maurice Altikow, Ms. tmilia hi p Mts Paul Caj
Mt,haral
Mrs a COMM! Me is en his way Mr, Mayas.
Rau. Oibsoni 'herd ha is
Mayor Petra:. Alright, Mr. ASas?
Mr. Cejasi Good morning Mr ► Mayor and..,
Mayor Petrel Mr. Cejas, would you use the other microphone/
Mt. Cejas: Yeas Good morning. I'm sorry f wasn't here earlierz 1 did not
Officially apply for the position and:I will tell you each and everyone of
you know that 1 had not personally contested you lot the position. Simply
because 1 felt that it vas 'duty and feel that you will go through that
process of selecting the most qualified and you will not be responsive to
individuals calling you and that type of activity. Therefore, 1 submitted.
discussed it with some of my friends and i felt that if the necessity was
there to select somebody based on qualifications, theft I would comedown to
you and please don't think that I'm being obnoxious or pretentious this
point, but i do feel that there is a responsibility to our community, to our
entire community to select someone who is qualified. `Why I think I'm qualified,
I don't know if you have copies of my resumes... you do.., if you do then you
know that my background is in finance, I'm an accountant and I'm a senior
principal of a CPA firm. I have practiced accounting in Miami for eight years,
I have a strong background in finances..
Mayor Ferret Mr. Cejas, excuse the interruption, you are right, I do not have
a copy of:your resume! Did you submit one to my office?
Mr. Cejas: No.
Mrs. Gordone You have his resume attached to the recommendations of or
evaluations of the Miami Board of Realtors they submitted...
Mayor Ferree I think the Miami Board of Realtors are really...
Mrs. Gordon: They do have it I, mean, it's on your desk.
Mayor Ferre: Yes, ok. They are really to be commended and we are grateful
to them for doing this, but in the future should there be another opportunity,
I think ... and if you are not selected we are not going to let you speak to
the second...
He submitted it to the Clerk. We got our copies from the Clerk.
Mayor Ferre: Oh
Mrs. Gordon:
ok. I don't have a copy from the Clerk's Office and...
We received it so...
Mayor Ferrer. Ok, well, I just don't happen to have it here, Excuse the
interruption, go ahead.
Mr. Cejas: So, therefore I feel that my background in finance as well as
community activities...' so of you would know that I have been involved in
community activities for many years. A passed. Chairman of the Spanish
American League against discrimination S.A.L.A.D I have chaired the.,
Biracial` Committee appointed by the Federal Court to insure desegregation
process in Miami, it took, place in a orderly manner. I have a strong background
of community activities as well as finance.` I'm fully aware of the problems
that the City faces at this point with budgets and labor negotiations. And
I:feel:that'I am qualified because of my background, my profession and my
involvement in our community and I was not prepared to make a speech. I
was told this morning to come down and express my feelings on it, I feel that
I am qualified main, because of my activities with the community, uy.profession
and I now the problems that you are facing and I thank you for the opportunity
and the' consideration and but:one thing 1 can tell you is I will serve
our coTnwunity wail if I'm chosen. Thank you, very touch.
Mayor Ferre. 'hank you, Mr.Cejas.. Alright, Mr, Cejas, just for ttte:record,
it has nothing tQ do with you. Put 1 want,to establish co the record that the
Clerk's office does Pot have;a record of your application and that we did receive
gl
Its I have it here before me how Alaubaitted by the Miami toard t beltora,
Mr, Ce j ea : Cruet, thank you,
Was Cordon: Mali, how did you distribute your resume Hr. Cages? I have a
copy from them, but8:. bid you deliver a copy to every office of the Cotaiission
or what?
Mr, Wag: Well, officially wt were not doing it nog, the turd of Realtors
and eon individual§ in the community has submitted reeuthe► I did not personally,
but..,
Mrs. Cordon: Oh, somebody else did it for you,,.
Mayor Verret W. Cejas, did you or somebody as you know of deliver your
resume to my office at anytime?
Mr. Cejas: 1 understand)... I did not personally, but I understand somebody
did.
Mayor Verret I received a copy of your resume from as I said the Miami Board
of Realtors this morning and.I received it because...
Mr. Cejas: 1 gave them my approval yesterday during the interview to go ahead
and do it.
Mayor Ferrer Ok, alright, thank you, very much. Alrightthenext speaker will
be Mr. Pedro Bernal. Is Mr. Bernal here? Is Mr. Pedro Peter, Bernal here?
Is Mr. Eugene Jackson here? Mr Eugene Jackson?` Alright, now I' will... I'm
going to call for a five minute recess because:/ have--got:to go to the bathroom.
And then we will get together again and... well, that's more important than
anything I would have been voting on here and I want you do know that. And
then in five minutes we will gather again together and see'if anybody else
like Mr.' Bernal has had the opportunity to arrive.
(THE COMMISSION TOOK A FIVE MINUTE RECESS AT 11:35 A.M.
AND RECONVENED AT 11:50 A. M.)
Mayor Ferre: At this time I will now ask everybody to take their seats and
lets see if we can get order in the house. Mr. Urra .would you please
take your seat? Mr. Lopez, would you please take your seat? Mr. Emero,
would you please take your seat? Mr.;Knox, would you take your seat?- Alright,
is everybody seated who wants.to be seated. Now, we are back to' the list.'
I would like to say that there is a'29th candidate that we forgot about and
I have been reminded of it and he is Manolo Vazta0ez.H Vazquez has been
called and he is on his way down here. ,Now, and I apologize if that is my
fault for not remembering, Mr. Vazquez's name. He did submit his'; application
early verbally. I don't think he submitted' it to the Clerk's Office and therefore,.
I assumed that he was not a candidate, but you: know, as I said everybody is
entitled.to come upbefore this Commission. So we now have'29 candidates
I will start again up atthe top with Hiram Gomez. Is he present? Hiram
Gomez? Then, we go to Mr. Manolo Reyes whom we know is not'present. Mr.
Thomas. Taylor? Is Mr. Thomas Taylor present?'
Mrs. Gordon; I wanted to make a note Maurice,...
Mayor Ferret Yes.
Mts. Gordon: .., regarding Hiram Gomez, I don't think Hiram Gomez is tot
here because he is not interested, Ithink he is not here because he is a
CETA employee and it would be, lets say, improper for him to take time to
come here this *rang when he is on payroll,
Mayor Verre; I think that's a very.,.
Mrs, Gordon; He is aeki_.ng why he is not here,.
UNIPANIIPTP s YAKER; rie Win g meeting.
Mayor Pena; He is in a meeting.
Mrs. Cordon: Yes and he i
Mayor Ferret l think that
submit into the record now
of the Commission because 1
Mrs r Gordon! Yes, sir,
MAW ,Pare! ... and J. tit Can Me get sate quiet out there'd There are
several candidates who vented to apply, but don't live in the. City and I at
speaking particularly of Manolo tatquet who as you know, wail a candidate
for Lieutenant Governor as he is a qualified and a wonderful Stan. He considered
moving into the City, but as 1 understand the law and i twat to say this into
the record because I think t,3e may have another Case in a foment, that the law
requires the individual who is to be appointed to be a resident of the City
of Miami as of the day of the appointment, so that person would have to be
a resident today, if the appointment is today or whenever) the appointment
Cones. So I think that, that somewhat changes that circumstance. There are
others who have also considered the position, for example, Ms. Carmen Marina
who is also. Dr. Carmen Marina who is also a qualified` individual who aspired
to the post. Iowever, Dr. Marina is involved with CETA and she would have a
conflict and therefore, she would have tO resign that position'. She could
resign and therefore, be a candidate. She has some involvement with CETA
and with the consortium and therefore, that is a conflict and... which is nothing
because she could resign and then she wouldn't have a conflict, but she is not
willing to resign. Now, the case of Hiram Gomez the same thing will be
applicable, that if he were to be a successful candidate he would have to
resign from anything that will be conflicting in any... and that's of course)
true of any candidate. Alright, now the last person I mentioned, I think was
Thomas Taylor and now we are with Roberto Sanchez...
Rev. Gibson: Mr. Mayor, let me add something. I hope nobody gets a bright
notion that he can live in hopes of being appointed and then move in the
City. I want to make sure that everybody understands where Theodore Gibson
is. I would unequivocally refuse to vote to appoint any man...
also an employee of the City and he:.i
this is something that perhaps l would like to
and I would like to share this with the members
hose are friends of yours. Rogow
•
Mrs. Gordon: Or woman.
Rev. Gibson: ... or woman to this Commission who does not presently live,
presently live in the City because then I believe you would be using the City
as a tool and that:.we cannot afford to take that gamble. Wait a minute, I'm
not speaking for anybody but Theodore. I cannot afford nor am I willing to
take that gamble. I think that if you loved the City of Miami you would have
cast your lots with us'and you wouldn't just use us as a convenience. I
want to make sure so my friends don't decide because I have one of them Mr.
Mayor, is somebody who's name you are calling who doesn't live, in the City
and when he approached me, I:said to this person "the law is; you must live
in the City", so,I don't want him to decide you know...
Mayor Ferre Alright, sir. Alright,..
Mr. Plummer: It was my understanding that at the tine:one of the people told
me that when they were ask to submit their resume, they were also asked toT
submit a copy of their voter registration. Now, I am traveling sinceI was.
told that. Mr. Clerk is that correct? Was that requested?
Mr. Ongie: It wasn't requested by our office, but we would check any candidate
that you...
M. Plummer: Well, I am then,.., let's get the record straight...
Mayor Ferre; Alright, wait a minute, J. L. before we get off in a tangent
I agree with you, but I would like to point out that you and I kno,i a lot of
people who have moved that have not changed their precinct number.
Mr. Plummer; Fine,
Mayor Fevre; 1 know of a dozen of them.
Mr, Plummer; I am assuming unless otherwised told that all of these names.
before us do in fact comply with the Charter'roquitentnt which states they
reside in the City of Miami.
26
fourteen years.
And Mf. Clerk, if that determine has tat been sada, than I toant to know.
Mayor Ferret J. t., the simple way of doing it is if that Ad we get into the
process whoever is Detected or of lean the finaiiat or Whoever gets saluted
is going to have swear under oath that he is a resident of the City of Miami
and that's the and of it. You know, and I think that's the'ainplest way,
Mr. Plummer: No, that's putting the cart after the horse.
Mayor rare: Well, obviously anybody who is not forewarned that he is going
to be put under oath that he is as of this moment a bsriafide resident of the
City of Miami is going to purger himself and t doubt very nueh if anybody
wants to go to jail.
Mr. Plummer:
twenty of the
Mayor Ferret
Mr. Plummer:
if you do trot
time.
UAL Mr. Mayor, if you have to objections I think there is some
candidates here and I would ask for the record at this title...
sir
... that any of those candidates who are listening and can hear,
live in the City of Miami will you please Make it known'at this
Mayor Ferret Now say it in Spanish. (EXPLAINS IN SPANISI). Alright, hearing
none, we will proceed with Mr. Luis Lauredo. Is Mr. Lauredo here? Mr.
Maurice Rizikow? Is Mr. Ritikow here? Ms. Emilia Diaz? Mr. Pedro Bernal?
Pedro Peter Bernal? Mr. Bernal.
Mr. Bernal: Mr. Mayor, Commissioner Gordon, Gibson, Plummer, I dust want to
take one minute of your time and I want to thank Raoul Pczo who placed my
name before you to try to replace what is to me probably an irreplaceable person
like Manolo Reboso. I just want to thank Raoul and you and fellow Commissioners`
and Mayor, but I do not live in the City of Miami, I live in Dade County and
I am very sorry. I think I` should move next year to Miami. Thank you, very
much.
Mayor Ferre: Alright, thank you, Mr. Bernal. At this time the next speaker
will be Mr. Eugene Jackson. Is Mr. Jackson here? And now Mr. Jackson. Now,
we would have Mr. Manolo Vazquez. Is Mr. Vazquez here? Mr. Manolo Vazquez?
I see then Mr. Luis Lauredo who has arrived and Mr. Lauredo, at this time the
chair recognizes you.
Mr. Lauredo: Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
Mr.`Plummer Luis, sir since you just arrived, are you familiar with the
ground rules?
Mr. Lauredo: No, I'm not familiar with what I'm here
Mr. Plummer: Ok, everyone before you has had the opportunity of three minutes
in which to say anything they want in behalf of their own candidacy.
Rev. Gibson: Let me ask a question, do you live in the City?
Mr. Lauredo: Yos, I have livedin the City for
Rev. Gibson Ahright, Rood enough.
Mayor Ferrer Alright, Mr. Lauredo?
Mr. Lauredo: Well, I am unaware of the procedure, all I have... I guess I can
say on behalf of my candidacy, first of all I would like to make` clear and honestly
clear what I have spoken to some of the members of the Commission before that
I.., and explaining my, I guess, nonactive candidacy and that is to say that I
would be very interested in serving the City of Miami in the capacity of
Commissioner without the condition of having to particularly decide now to
run in Noveuiber. I don't know whether that's material to the conversation, I
apologize if it isn't, I wasn't here. However, if that premise is established
I think that Lay qualifications, obviously some of you know I have been involved
with the City of Miami for many years.I know the workings of the City Commission
and the City Administration probably better than ,any other people that I have
heard mentioned as candidates. I,also had the privilege of serving a State
Government for many years and have therefore, the knowledge of the State
Government which is f think, critical to the working of a City.
Mayor Ferro; Excuoe um, Mt, Lauredo,
St
Mfg, Cordon: What it your position nog Mttauredo, are you with the State
dovernment now'
Mt. Lauredo t No, Ma'am i have my own company invelved in 1f►ternational Commerce
1 was director of International Coaeroe for the State of P1orida under Governor
Aaknew, 1 Baas familiar with the nett administration sifted 1 was a volunteer it.
the Graham campaign Prior to that t Waa in the campaign and i was very elosely
associated with the National Administration of President Carter, but i think
taking into consideration the i ►terreiatio iah1p that exist today or i dhoti ld
day interdependence between Municipal Government and the federal Government
and the :State Government, 1 think in that basis I'm immanently qualified to
serve, that 1 think my contacts it all of those other two government entities
Would serve the City welly 1 think most of you know one or have known the for
many years and you know of my knowledge of the City Cotnission Cork.
MsHtirait l+xeuse the one minute left to go.
Mr. Lauredo: e15, t'tn perfectly fine to entertain any questions if that's the
procedure. I don't want to delay,..
going q.. e. - p You have on
Mayor panne: No, we are not oi.n into a uestion period. a minute
to conclude your statement, We have no questions today,
Mr. Lauredo: That is 1 would say, my rush speech on try behalf nailing
those qualifications are outlined and my desire to serve the City, especially
if that is to serve the City until the next general election or after the
selection of the candidacy or the Commissioner that it would be up to me
to decide whether it would be appropriate for myself and the community I would
hope to represent whether I should therefore, be a candidate. But I would not.
very candidly be able to make a commitment to you out front that I would be a
candidate, but I think under those conditions aside, I think that I deserve your
full consideration.
Mayor Ferre: Thank you, very much Mr. Lauredo. Alright, now I thin:; that these
are all the speakers because the people that are not here... Hiram Gomez, we
heard is not able to be here because he is at a meeting that involves CETA,
Mr. Manolo Reyes has called from the Palmetto General Hospital that he cannot
come here, that's of course, a forty-five minute drive from Hialeah. Mr,
Thomas Taylor.,.. Mr. Thomas Taylor? Is Mr. Taylor here? Mr. Roberto Sanchez?
We have not heard from him. Frank Cobo is in California as I understand it,
Is that dorrect.Fausto?
(BACKGROUND COMMENT OFF THE PUBLIC RECORD)
Mr. Plummer: :But he is on the way back.
Mayor Ferre Mr. Rizikow, I talked to him, he said it was impossible for him
to, come: because he is in the middle of a Meeting:and cannot break it and Ms.
Emilia Diaz, is she here? Ms.' Emilia Diaz is' a professor of International
Law at the University of Miami and she is probably,'at the law school now Are
there any other candidates present who wish to be heard at this time? Are
there any other candidates present who wish to be heard at this time? Hearing
none, the public portion of'these presentations are now closed and we have
before us Mrs. Gordonand Father Gibson, a matter of the selection. Mr. Plummer?
Mr. Plummer: Thank you.
Mayor Ferre: We are now at the point of making our selections, unless somebody
else has any other recommendations of anything else you want to do.
Mrs. Gordon: These are the list of candidates and what do we do, write their
names?
Mayor Ferre; Oh, yes, there is only one point I wanted to... I forgot to make,
excuse me. Manolo Vazquez lives in Coral Gables, so you might strike his name
off.
Mrs, Gordon; Alright, among the others then, we will write down one and number
the ballot, our names are already on the ballot, so all we have to do is number
the ballot and write their names, Right?
Rev., Gibson; Yes,
gl
28
Mayor Pert: There is one of two procedures that us �ansr�
(EACitO tOtfth COMMENT T OPP TUE Pt5tiC k b)
Mayor ports: Thera is one of two procedures which this cbffiission can takes
The first.., and l will rule as to which I think wa should do and if the
COMftlaSiOn wishes to change that, then please let me knows Thera are two
ways of doing its One way is, the traditional way in which each member of
the Commission nominates a person and theta they are discussed and eubsequentiy
vote upon, The sedond way, is the way as Plummer pointed out that we selected
the CTA position and that is, assuming that we know all of the Band dates
that atebefore us, that each one of us should put a nave downs.,
Mrs. Cordon: Ott the ballots,
Mayor Ferret s.4 on the ballot w3.thout retry discussion so that we dontt
influence and so on and so forth with the sunehiine bit and then those that
are the candidatee, I:thitk would probably merit further discussion: Not,,
which is your.,; my ruling would be that we use this latter.
Mrs. Gordon: The latter is what we have done in all recent elections that
we have had.
Mayor. Ferret That's right, but that was not the way it was done its the
selection... the last'selection was mine in 1973 and prior to that, in 1972
for Plummet and' for Gibson and for Reboso..
Mrs. Gordon: Since there has been a team... a group that have worked together
we have done it by ballots and we have numbered our ballots as public records.
Mayor Ferre: Very good. Well, that's my ruling and if you have any... if you
have a different thought let me know.
Mrs. Gordon: It would be participation that way, that is strictly a matter of
making the selection and that's it.
Mayor Ferre: Alright, that's my ruling unless somebody wants to challenge it,
then' that's the way it is. Now, you are now- instructed to put number one up
at the top and your candidate and submit it to the Clerk.
Mr. Ongie: The results of the first ballot are, Mr. Lacasa received two votes,
Mr. Suarez received one vote and Mr. Perez received one vote.
Mr. Plummer Mr. Clerk, as much as I wish that the vote could be otherwise,
I think it is only fair that you read the vote of every Commissioner.
Mr. Ongie: Alright, sir, I will do that. The votes for Mr. Lacasa were cast
by Mayor Ferre and Commissioner Plummer. The vote for Mr. Suarez cast by
Commissioner Gordon and the vote for Mr. Perez was cast by Commissioner
Gibson.
Mayor Ferre: Alright, now we have three individuals that in my opinion we
should discuss further. Now, that does not preclude should we not be able to
cometo a certain conclusion by:a reasonable time that we would not consider other
people, but at this time' these are the people. I would like to, since I made
a vote, make a statement as to,.. and explain my vote, unless somebody wants
to do that first and!I would: let, somebody else have that... hearing nobody,
I will explain any position on this. In my opinion, the most knowledgeable-
people'that I would have normally voted for are Frank Cobo and Luis Lauredo.
ni
Now,'I'happy to see that the realtors in their interview also considered
Frank Cobo as one of those individuals, 1 also think that Manolo Reyes is
very qualified and the reason I mentioned these three.`.. and of course,
Eladio Arinesto and Dr. Edward Georgia is because they are the five that have
indicated : that they will not run in November. Now, 1 want to first explain
Chat the reason I would not vote first for Luis Lauredo and Frank Cobo or
Frank Cobo and ;Ads Lauredo is because they do not want to run in tloveinber
and in my opinion 1 think i.t'is important that a commitmenthe made to . the
City, whoever gets this appointment that be or she,will seek election and
put their neck on the chopping block like all of ns hove done, First
constitutionally, we'cannot.force anybpdy,to run pr not to ruin, but at least
it is something that l Can base n y pinion -and try vote on, Now,:snbseguent
to that, 1 have interview a lot of people and in m wind there arexfou individuals
that were €inalist@ and that were qualified to serve in this office, Live,
and ppasib4y there vas'a sixth, but there Was certainly definitely live
4
people that 1 gave aetiaua consideration to any of which would be acceptable
tel me and any of which 1 would be honored to serve with and would have to
problems. stow, fib iti.a publicly known 1 voted for Artaando taeaea and t want
to give an explanation as to how t AtCAM to that Banc ueion an that vote. Pint
of all Mt. Armando Imam has in hia letter of application dated, January 18th
stated that if appointed.he would itaediately resign any position that would
be a conflict of interest to the City of Mini...
Mrs. Mordent Who is that/
MAyor Ferret This is Latasa. nth addition, 1 would hot represent any elietita
in uy law practice that would have any business with the City of Mural either
directly or indirectly, so he has taken a position that he would riot practice
law in anyway that would be... impair hia credibility.
Mts. Gordon: ghat would happen to his position as stet
Mayor Verret He would have to resign and 1 asked that question that whether
he would resign all office community activities and the answer "yes". Hopi,
the second question that comes up is with regards to whether or not Mr.
Armando Lacasa as reported in an article written by Mr. Andy Rosenblatt of the
Miami Herald Sunday September 3, 1978...
Mrs, Gordon: What was that?
Mayor Ferrel There was an article written in the Miami Herald on Sunday
September 3, 1978 by Mr.' 'Andy Rosenblatt Herald Staff Writer, entitled "CETA
Official Develops Private Law Practice".
•
Mayorr rem (honed). Nov, in that snide there vere some implications Ahd
sotre Accusations that Wete very clear in their OAttife; and subsequent to that
the Miami Rersld has, an one far sure, And perhaps tva ochasions scht ua the
message that We should avoid conflicts of "cronyism" which of:oourse vauld
have precluded All of the appointments of the past 2O year=s and...lihclttdieg.
• those -of }etjra)...:because the implication of the turd "crafty" mesh§ aaeoeiate
'or friend, or person thet is invalved it the tame thitga that:you are. Se-
cotdly, the implication of that editorial was that somebody who was'it any way
involved in a CgrA scAt►dal -I think vas the ward used by the editor who:wrote
ghat article I therefore, since I knew that the Grand Jury hae:`made a survey
of this prbgraM requested a copy of the Orand Jury Report. I:would like to
read from that Report► It says, on page 9,'At the bottom of the page: "a
nuttber of the:programs surveyed illustrates the eonclusipns that CETA programs
can work. Of the seven programs appearing most effective, Nev.Careers, Dorsey,
Skill Center, Opportunities/industrialisation Center-(OtC), Vacations Careers,
South Florida Young:Adults And Saber, Rialeah Year'Around Youth,;72 formerly
Unemployed participants its these prograt`ns vere involved and at least 35 have been
placed in their present emplovment by the CETA_ oroarams and in which then. iartioi
pated with 31 utilizing new Job skills acquired in CETA training and 33 earning
a higher salary than at any prior; point in tithe it their job history." So,
therefore, the Grand Jury saw fit to point out some of the programs for recogni
tion,of which Saber vas one. But furthermore, it continues and says: "It should
be emphasized that these particular programs do not serve atvpical client groups
OIC for example serves a predominantly low income Black client population with
impressive results, while Saber achieves equally conmendable success with a pre-
dominantly Latin, clientele population." Now, "achieves equally commendable suc-
cess" and they are talking about impressive results, s0 I think this means that
the Grand Jury of all the programs'they saw realized that there were two that
are mentioned twice:and that are outstanding, one is OIC and the next one is
"Saber'. Now, that leaves the question of the accusation by Mr..Rosenblatt of
:the Miami Herald that the Herald found records showing:that on four different
occasions Mr. Lacasa had practiced law..and I'll read exactly what the state-:
_went said: "When there is°legal work to be done Lacasa, a former Cuban Refugee
Program official, says he does it at night, on the weekends, on lunch breaks
and by accumulatingcompensatory time." The Herald found records showing that:,
1) On August 9,:1977, Lacasa met with Miami Assistant, City Manager, Richard
Fosmoen, the Assistant Planning. Director, Richard Whipple, andPlanner -Jack
tuft, to discuss the re -zoning of some property at 2100_So. Dixie Highway. Lacasa
Was there on,'CETA time, he says he doesn't remember the nesting. 2) On February
24, Lacasa appeared before Circuit.Judge Milton Rubin to represent'Carmen.Marti-
nez in a divorce case. Lacasa said he was there on compensatory time.;, 3) On
the'afternoon of March 16, Lacasa` appeared before the Miami City Commission to
argue for a zoning variance to permit the' Northwestern Meat Co., to put a cold
storage plant on what:was'a--residential block. Lacasa represented. Northwestern
meats on CETA time. He said he did so as a community service, and was not paid
a` legal fee, and finally, on August 14 Lacasa represented another CETA funded
:agency, the controversial National CD Association of Florida, at a meeting of
City_ officials. He was there on CETA time but Lacasa'says this also was'a com-
munity service...."
Mrs. Gordon: Excuse me, Mr, Mayor, I think I need to tell you, that I will
leave the Chambers at 1:30 P.M. and must pick up my grandchild -he has no other
way of coming home- and going:to California, so...at 1:30 P.M. I will leave
and if you wish to reconvene at 2:30 P.M. I'll come back.
Mayor Ferre: All right, now, furthermore, and I apologize for this but I.
think this is important to put all this into the record, I, when I` interviewed
Mr. Lacasa asked him about these supposed conflicts. Mr. Lacasa told sae that
he has given --I want you to listen to this because this is very...Rose, I
want you to listen because this is really a very key point, and I am going to
insist that this be put into the record under oath. Mr. Lacasa told me that
he had given to Mr. AndyRooenblatt and to the Miami Herald the employee time
records of each one of those cases, three out of the four, and had explained
that he had taken compensatory time which is completely acceptable in Federal,
State and Local programs and he had done it prior to the fact. Now, I submit
for the record and Will: ask the Clerk to put this into the record, that on the
day of September 9, 1977, which was the first case mentioned, Friday, Mr. Le-
Casa showed that he was from 2,to.5 absent from his job and took compensatory
time. He went to work at'6;15 in the morning and let that evening at 6 00
o'clock, 'and be did not work from 2 to 5 and so submitted in the emPleYee re-
cord.. •The second circumstance'',
Mrs. Gordon; Maurice, I don't realty think you are being €air.tc us. We are
31
here to select a enndidatt not to try the eAge of team in the newapep re
any other piece, I thttk we have to go on to the business we Are hare to
do,
Mayor Pare; Mrs, &orddn I will respect your opinion and Continue to put this
into the record,
Oft February 20th, to 6:03, :on the 24th of February, again the ea 6e pro-
cedure) and the third Brie was on Mareh 16, Again the 1llatie procedure vhich t
will submit itto the record, That leaves then one thing, which is the after
noon, which August loth. At that time, Mt, tame did indeed feet with the
Administration which regard to a CgTA funded program which of course he is
involved in, And I think that there i8 ho conflict, as I understcnd`it, in
that partieuiar ease. T think the next point that t wait to eubnit into the
record is the inference that it% the past there might or tight tot have been
wrong doing. In the month of May of 1978, Mr, tacasa Vila granted the right to
practice law and passed the`Plorida tar.The Florida tar, obviously, has very
rigorous procedures and somebodywho passed the Florida bar obviously must
have been carefully looked at. Therefore, I conclude that on the negative
side of these things` that t think there is ample explanation as to the logic
of this selection and reject the possible accusations of any wrongdoing in
the past.
Now on the positive side. On the positive side I think that Mt. Lacasa
is an individual who has fought and presented matters before this community
on many, many occasions. That does not preclude the fact that I think that.
Mr. bemetrio Perez is equally qualified, and the fact that I think Mr. bemetrio
Perez is a person who certainly warrants our consideration as does of course
Mt. Suarez, who was with us today, but.I thought it was important for me to
put into the record the explanation on this issue.
I'll recognize anybody else who wants to make a statement.
Anybody else who wants to make a statement?...Mrs. Gordon? ..Mrs Gordon,
are you with us? Would you get Mrs. Gordon and tell her we are waiting for
her?
(PAUSE)
Mrs. Gordon, would you like to make any statements at this time?
Mrs. Gordon: I've just received a Resume from Mr. Lauredo, I suppose everybody
else has received the same. Are we ready to continue voting?
Mayor Ferre: Yes. if nobody else has any other statements, we are now on the
second ballot.
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Mayor may I just ask and inquire. I think it is only fair
that to keep this from taking an atmosphere that none of us would want to see
are we going to reach a point of stalemate to where we will then consider some`
other alternative?
Mayor Ferre: I think all possibilities are open. I don't see how, legally,
you could preclude anybody who wants to change their mind, or submit new
names, or anything else, that's the way it is. I don't think we should have
any kind of a`close circuit on this. All right, are you ready for your second
ballot?
SECOND BALLOT:
Ongie: The results of the second ballot
Mr. Perez received one vote cast by:
Mr. Plummer: Call the Commissioner first and then the candidate.
Ongie: All right, sir.
Commissioner Gibson cast his ballot for;
Mayor Ferre & Commissioner Plummer cast
their ballot for;
Eladio Armesto
Mr. Lacasa
Mayor Ferro; Now, at this point we have Mr. Perez has one vote from Mrs.
Gordon, El.adio Armesto has one vote from Father Gibson, and Plummer and 1
cast our votes for Mr. Lacasa.
Mr. Ongie; Yes, sir,
Mr, Plummer; Exc'se ems. I'w wl• t g down hers. Did i understand you orrectly
that in the previous vote Father Gfhson voted for Mr. Perez?
32
jgiet Yes, Sit,
PlUMmett And this vote Mte'
Mr. tiagiet Yes, air
Mr. Pluthatt f lust vented to make sate that l did not get it baekwetds.
of Ferre: Ail tight, we have one m bahallotoatditheft we'llhtt ste waat
happens and beyond that l think we should
All tight, this is ballot nutlet three.
NI. ongiet The 'results of the thitd ballot.
Commissioner Gordon east her vote fort
Mayor Ferre and Comimissioner Plummer
cast their votes fort
Commissioner Gibson east his ballot fort
am trying to give you all some alternatives.
tdah voted fat Peres.
Mrs. Gordont t
Mayor Ferre: All right, let's see, we now have Ce3as and Pantie..:
Mr. Ongie: Yes, sir:
Mayor Ferret And who else?
Mr. Ongies Altogether? Armesto, Perez, Suarez, .••
We have 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 people that have now been nominated.
Mayor Ferre.
ntin and Armesto.
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Mayor, I
more ballot. At, such time
on an atmosphere that I do
elusion of the next ballot
discuss, if the same thing
Gibson's and let's go from
one but you can
of another
Mayor Ferre: Mr. Plummer...
know, I could remind you that...
Leslie Pantie
Mr: tacasa
Paul Ceias
Suarez, Perez, Lacasa, Cejas, Pa
will at this time indicate my willigness to go one
I personally feel beyond that this thing will take
not wish to be apart of. I think at the con-
it'then would behoove this Commission to then
occurs, alternatives including reviving Fin
atte think
theresame
. I think the -and I was try g
only bit your head against the wall so long.
Mrs.
Gordon
You
Mr. Plummer: I'm speaking only for myself.
Mrs. Gord
on: And I could remind you about Father Gibson that he was elected
on the 18th ballot.
Mayor Ferre: That's right, that's what I was going to say.,
Mr. glummer: Rose, I agree,' and I was the one who was honored...
Mrs. Gordon: Then I don't think we want to quit when we are this far ahead.
Mx. Plummer, ,..I was the one who was honored
(APPLAUSE)
Mts. Gordon,
It's important for us to at least express by way of a ballot
our, particular preferences tasking known tthehballote rforthat .we have a feeling
of confidence in the ones we are marking
Sr. Plummer; May.
Ms. Gordon; ,..giving your choice, giving everyone a choice.
layer Ferre;
ballot No, 5:
cnseiQn about
All right, awe are now on ballot No.
$ow, I think beyond
if we get:gyp that, I' think that we should have ao a open dig,-
the people that have bean nominated.
•
33
t
Mrs Gordan! f don't think that with three ballots we
Mr, Mayor, I think wets*,
Mayor Pere! 1 said that after five ballot
I think : a should have discus
MATILAALIAirk
Mrs O gie: The results of the fourth ballot:
Gottnissioner Gordan east her ballot for:
Commissioner Gibson east his ballot for:
Mayor Terre and Commissioner Plummer east
their ballots for: •
Manold Reyes
t4ilfrea6 dart
Mr► taeasa
Mayor Perret We now have 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 0, 7 people who have gotten at
least one vote. Suarez, Perez, to asa, Cejas, peiltin, Armeste and Gott.
Are you ready to take the fifth?'
Mrs. Gordon: t think you wanted some discussion. 1 would like to say that
Then I came to the meeting today, 1 felt very strongly that we should try to
have an interim appointee who would serve the Unexpired
p portion of this:
year until the election and that we leave the field then open for persons
seeking this position to run for election and, therefore, leave that person
totally without any kinds of strings attached-. You made a plea for us not
to consider that route, so I have not contained my vote just to those persons
who would not seek election. Dr. Reyes,:I would like`to say, has indicated
he would not seek election and he is extremely well qualified to serve this
portion of the year and permit those candidates who wish to become candidates
for the November election to seek that position. I feel very strongly .about
this candidacy. I have not discussed this with him, however, I have judged
him from his community activities and from his reputation in the community and
from the people who did an evaluation for me and rated him extremely high
together with..they rated Frank Cobo high because his experience, in this. City
government. They rated Paul Cejas very:high, they rated Leslie Pantie very
high, and they rated Juvenal Pina I don't know if I'm saying:his name right-
Juvenal Pina and Javier Suarez, so I just wanted to indicate'. -to you that
this is in my mind-- that I don't know how we are going to reach a conclusion
but I'm,willing to keep trying with yoU..-H I have indicated to you I have a
number of people so far and I have a number of others I would like to sub-
mit for our consideration.
Mayor Ferre: Alb right. Is there anybody who wants to make any other statements
about:any candidates or the procedures or the next vote? If;not, we'll please
go to the fifth ballot?
FIFTH BALLOT:
Mr. Ongie: The results of the fifth ballot:
Mayor Ferre and,Commissionez
Plummer cast their ballots for:
Commissioner Gordon cast her vote for:
Commissioner Gibson cast his vote for:
Mr. Lacasa (2)
Mr. Cejas (1).
Wilfredo Gort. (1).
Mayor Ferre: Is: there further discussion? Now, are we going to our sixth
ballot now?
Mrs. Gordon: I guess; we are.
.SIRT BALLO
?!r. Gngie; Results .of •tbe--sixth ballot
Mayor .Yerfe' and commissioner Plummer
cast ,thei2: _vptes for
Gonesioner Gordon oast. her ballot for;
Commissioner Gibson oast big ballot for,
Mr. Laeaaa (2)
Mr. Suarez (1)
Mr, Cejas (1)
34
Mr Plummer: Nt. Mayor, otee again, l only a teae my thinning for 'Waif
and taspett very moth COMtibbinef iatdon'a opinion, ate is entitled to here,
and rather.Cibaon and you yourself.
Mt. Mayor, after ail ba3.lota terteitt thinga..tt was not neceaary for me
.
to go to the sixth but to take my oomments. 1 think this Cot anion i 'e
ptesetltiy at an impasse it's the proper terminology". Mt. Mayor, I've in=
dusted before that my detiaiaft came down to two
people, tie,in fourfact,tame
vao g ceptable
down to four- and was able to arrow to two. Am* One of
tome but l had to rank. RN Mayor, I affi indicating at this time: that i see as
only alternative to go batik to the other three i tdividuala for further ton-
rsatiott. It other words, Rose, what l'ni saying, is that there were four people
who f felt eoni3detit --but ,astttis ou t�i�e�thaearist l canbte for go 'back and re�s�eak the other,
/ Witt Vote for
f ours i thitik it is only at
three. That's my opinion, that's what I'm ettitled to,
Mts. Gorgon: I wonder if you would now consider rather Gibsot:'s original. idea.
Mrb Plummer: Rose, let the indicate to you at this point my thoughts on that.
You will remember when Father gibson s motion came forth before y had come
decision to make. Let be tell you what my decision was andthen 1 think it
would explain at this point, I came prepared this morning to vote, and 1 did
.
not thinkthat it was proper to go the
hAtbthat this
Commission would be able to decide. this point, yes, I would'rIt was my hope reconsider
Father's suggestion, but I must tell you in all honesty that I will not appoint
to that Committee.
Nrs,,Gordont. Then there,'.W0n't be.,a .Committee.
Mayor.Ferre: I would recommend that we go to at least ten votes and we are
nowon_the.seventh ballot so 1 would recommend that we cast three more ballots
and if we are still at an impasse then we can discussthis. Would you then
right down ballot number seven.
Mr. Plummer: Let me ask on the record, Mr. Mayor, Father -of your original.
proposal, did you indicate that the Commission would be bound by the Committee's
recommendations?
Rev. Gibson: My concern was that I did not think we knew the people well
enough and that I was willing to let a'CCommitteeoff.,..nd Latin 1 say
ctmithis
tadvisedl
because I don't know any other way to say
o
us: here are three people eminently qualified, we would be satisfied with any
one of these three. When the question was raised further I said well, I will
even go to the point that we don't have to be necessarily bound by them --by
that number-- but the advantage of that is that theeto e
people
who
oAkn that was people
who are under consideration best would
have
indicated
thinking and I want you to know that I've been voting that way.' I've been
floundering out in the dark trying tfind.
i would be as hopingeI and id catch
n'ou all
l
thinking that any one of those people
you did so you know I would go for it, Plummer, I have no problem.
Mr. Plummer: Father, let 'um tell you my problem, I've got to tell you the
truth. My problem is any one that I would choose is under consideration,
that's ul problem.
Rev. Gibson: Any one of whom?
Mr. Plummer: Any one that I would choose to represent me on that Committee
is under consideration.
Rev. Gibson: Well, I'm going to tell you this, nobody on that 6ommittee -I'm
p person
for Theodore Gibson, I don't speak for anybody else- not a single
person on this list would I consider as en appointee, from Theodora Gibson,.
for this.
Mr. Plummer; Nor would I.
I have no problem rich finding some of the out-
Rev. Gibson; So, ttU.s t n ,.� outstanding Latin myself-- and say, look -
here Latins in this woos ityle, I'd Oven be to do say, You
bein lb bock
and that which o€ thosall these eathree would be acceptable and then, then,
brim back and _tall. me
you'll hive to bite the bullets
Mayor Re;
All right, ve'now biave the seventh ballot before ma. you write
tmber 'Wm" and you write our candidate on born, this and o more am
p
Mayan Perna '(eoht'd): and then I think that
these pgoeeadinga,
Mr, gia: The results
Mayor Perre and Commissioner
eaa their balloto for:
comqmia iontr Cordons oast her
Commissioner Gibson cast his
of the seventh ball
Plummer
ballot for:
ballot fort
Mayor ferret i4e are now ott the eighth ballot,
will have to
are:
BIORTH BALM_
Mr, Ongie: The results of the eighth ballot are:
Comnmissioner Plummer cast his ballot for:
Mayor Perre cast his ballot for:
Commissioner Gordon cast her ballot for
Commissioner Gibson cast his ballot for:
amide r All
Mr. Lacasa (2)
Mt, Suare2 (l)
Mt, Cejaa (l)
Mr. Lacasa (1)
Mr. Perez (1)
Mr.,guarer (1)
Mr. Cejas (1)
Mr. Plummer: Wait a minute now....read that one more time.
(CITY CLERK ttEPEATED THE ABOVE CASTING OF BALLOTS)
Mayor ferret We are now on the ninth ballot.
NINTH BALLOT:
Mr. Ongie: The results of the ninth ballot are:
Commissioner Gordon and Mayor Ferre cast
their ballots for:
Commissioner Plummer cast his ballot for:
Commissioner Gibson cast his ballot for
Mayor Ferre We are now on the tenth ballot and after
have some further discussion, I would hope. Let's see,
at this time the distinguished Mayor of Sweetwater, Mr.
with us. Thank you for being present with us today.
TENTH BALLOT:
Mr. Ongie The results of the tenth ballot are:
Commissioner Plummer cast his ballot for:
Commissioner Gordon and Mayor Ferre cast
their ballots for:
Commissioner Gibson cast his ballot for:
Mr. Perez (2)
Mr. Lacasa (1)
Wilfredo Gort(1)
that I think we should
I'd like to recognize
Jorge Valdes, who is
Mr. Lacasa (1)
Mr. Perez (2).
Mr. Armesto (1).
Mayor Ferre: Do you want to go another ballot? Ballot eleven.
ELEVENTH BALLOT:
Mr. Ongie: The results of the eleventh ballot are:
Mayor Ferre and Commissioner Plummer cast
their ballots for;
Commissioner Gordon cast her ballot for,:
Commissioner Gibson cast his ballot for:
fir. Lacasa (2)
Mr. Perez (1)
Mr. Cejas (1)
Mayor Ferret We are now on 12. 'W€]4, what do you want to do? ,.Go to
number 18?
Mrs. Gordon: I'll stay here until 1; O and then 1 have to go,
36
quay
w ALLT 1 ,.
Mor. Ot gie: The results of the twelfth ballet:
Commissioner Cordon east her ballot for:
Cemissiener Gibson east his ballet fort
Mayor Perre and. CoM1esioter Plumber east
their ballots for:
Mir1 Wean (1)
Mtr. Peres (1)
Mayor Pare: Okay, let's go to ballot number thirteen.
Mr, Lasses (2)
MF.N"t._BALLO
Commissioner Cordon cast her ballot fort Mr. Perez (I)
Commissioner Gibson east his ballot fort Mt. Suarez (1)
Mayor Merre and Commissioner Plummer Last
their ballots fors Mr. tacasa (2)
Mayor Ferret I guess thirteenth was tot the lucky number. I'll tell you
what, we are going to go until fourteenth and fifteenth and then we'll take
a short break.
Mrs. Gordon: I wonder if we ought to stop now and analyze at what the pattern
is so that we may consider the pattern in our next vote. There are a couple
of candidates who have received -but not on the same ballot- support from three
Commissioners.
Mayor Ferre: No.
Mrs. Gordon: Yes.
Mr. Plummer: Yes.
Mayor Ferret Lacasa...
Mrs. Gordon: No, he has not, he has only received from two.
Mayor Ferre Lacasa has received the votes of every vote that Plummer has
cast, he has received all but three of my votes, which three votes went to
Perez. So the only person, that has received three votes several times from
different members of the Commission ahat_1 know of- is Mr. Perez.
Mrs. Gordon: And also -correct me if I'm wrong- but I think Suarez also had.
Mr. Plummer: No.
Mrs. Gordon: No?
Mr. Plummer: No.
Mayor Ferre: Mr. Suarez has never received my vote.
Mrs. Gordon: No? The only person you voted for besides Lacasa is Mr. Perez?
The only one. So the only one who has had three different Commissioners with
support is Mr. Perez, that ought to be something we -ought to consider.
Mayor Ferre: That's correct. All right, now, the fourteenth ballot.
Let's see if fourteen is the lucky number.
Mr. Plummer;Mayor, I, once again, speaking only for myself, would like
nMr.
consideration -if there is no change in this ballot- of Father Gibson's revival
of his former motion.
Mayor Ferrer Let it go one more time, J.L.
Mr, Flummer: Sure, So as many as you want, but I'm ready.
Mayor. Ferre: Let's go to fifteen,
FOURTEENTO BALLOT:
Mr, gie: The results of the fourteenth ballot,
37
(kebilite of the Poutteenth taiiat emit'')
Mayors Pure end Commigaiater Plummer neat
their bal.ot§ for:
Commisaianer Cordon and Co miaaianer Oibsan
eat their ballots for:
Mayor Peree: Okay, this is the fifteenth ballot,
tIV.THENTH ,tALLetrt
Mr, Cngie: The results of the fifteenth ballot are:
Commissioner Cordon and Mayor Pare east
their ballots for:
Commissioner Plummer eat his ballot for:
Cot:rmissioner Gibson cast his ballot for:
Mr Laoaaa ()
Mrs Per (2)
Mr. Perez (2)
Mr. hacasa- (1)
Mr. Cej as (1)
Mayor
for the record sa athatte oyg���osition which 1to take a break rdidtn'tht �announ a would like
y my p announce before but
it is a part of the record now= there are , as I said, five candidates I think
that I'm willing to vote for, and I also made statements, I think, that those
candidates that I interviewed, that if any one of them were to get two votes
that I would not be the person responsible for denying them the seat and this
is why I voted my last vote the way I did, Now, we'll take a five-minute break.
WHEREUPON the City Commission went into
a Brief Recess at 1:05 P.M, reconvening
at1t20 P.M, with all members of the Com-
mission found to be present.
Mayor Ferre: Okay, we are now on ballot No. 16. I would:.like to recommend
since Mrs. Gordon has to leave in about 8 minutes, that we just vote the
number of times we have left in these minutes and then we'll just have to meet
again this afternoon.
Mrs. Gordon: I will be glad`if you'd ask for 2:30 P.M., Mr. Mayor, It will
take me an hour to go where I have to go and come back.
Mayor Ferre: That's fine. All right, Mr. Plummer.
Mr. Plummer: Mr Mayor, may I not for any purpose other than once again may I
ask -and I hate to single out an individual- but any information that is brought
to me I think is warranted of determining...I would ask please Mr. Demetrio
Perez, are,you-present, sir?
Mayor Ferre: Mr. Perez?
Mr. Plummer Perez, may I ask your legal address, sir, for the
the record.'
record, into
Mr. Demetrio Perez: 904 S.W. 23rd Avenue, do you want to see the voter's re-
gistration?
Mr. Plummer: No, sir, I take your word for it, you know, at a later date if
you had to,it would have to be shown, but a number of people have indicated
that you do not live in the City and 1"said then I will ask him the question.
Mayor Ferre. No, no, what somebody has come to me and,,. --I did not bring it
up
homestead e because did
did not give it any credence to it-- is that M. Perez gets his
emption from Homestead, is what somebody told one and I said that
Mr. Perez; In iomestead?,.I don't have any property in Homestead,
Mayor Ferre, Well, my answer to this was that I did not bring it up because
I' said I've made a statement here•publicly and Mr. Pere; heard it that it is
a requirement to five within thr=Oity of Miami and that must be, obviously,
thorongh1y4eheeled out
Mr, Plummer; I am merely, MMr, Perez, I do not say that to hurt you in any
way. It was brought up to my attention and this individual said that you
Mr, Plater (cantle!): lived in lialaoh or had your legaCe i sie in Riaoeah
ae
and t think that any information that is brought to this
brought out and that's why it was brought out.
I had same information about it Iim ready for the commitment,
We are now on ballot number sixteenth.
Mr. Perear
Mayor Terre:
TE ALLoT t
The results of the sixteenth ballot are:
Commissioner Gibson cast his ballot for
Cot issioter Gordon east het ballot for:
Mayor ere and Cotmnissioter P1timer cast
their ballots fort
Mr. Gort (I)
W. Pith ()
4r Lacasa (2)
or Ferre: Now we havenother candidate, that is Mr.
Pittia.
May a ,..._
Mr. Plummer: I'm sorry, Mr. Ongie, would you please
(CITY CLEAR REPEATS TBE CASTING OF BALLOTS, ABOVE)
Mr. Plummer: Thank you, sir.
Mayor Ferret We we are on the seventeenth • and Mrs. Gordon has 51 minutes
left.
SEVENTEENTH BALLOT:
Mr. Ongie: The results of the seventeenth ballot are:
Mayor Ferre and Commissioner
cast their ballots for:
Commissioner Gibson cast his
Commissioner Gordon cast her
Plummer
ballot for:
ballot for:
Mayor Terre: Now, on ballot number 18. Well,
read
Mr. Lacasa (2)
Mr. Cejas (1)
Mr. Perez (1)
EIGHTEENTH BALLOT:
Mr. Ongie: The results of the eighteenth ballot are:
Mayor"Ferre and Commissioner Plummer Lacasa (2)
cast their ballots for:
Commissioner Gordon cast her ballot for: Mr. Cejas (1)
Commissioner Gibson cast his ballot for: Mr. Gort (1)
Mrs. Gordon; Well, do you think we should break now?
We are going to have two more votes, Rose, and then
Mayor Ferre: Nineteen.
we are going to break.
Mrs. Gordon: Nineteen?
Mayor Ferret Nineteen.
NINETEENTH BALLOT:
The results of the nineteenth ballot are:
Mayor Ferro cast his ballot for;;
Mr, Peter (I)
Commissioner Gordon and Commissioner
� Leas (2)
Gibson cast their ballots for;
Commissioner Plummer omit #de ballot Mr, Iaoeee (I)
for; -r'
mayor Terre; And the last ballot before we break for one hour which ie
ballot !kit 20
89
T/,ten NT ETIO 'lLii VTt_
Mayor Petra! Rae, at uhat time do you vant t
Mra. Gordon: At 2150 P6M. I'll be back
Mayor Pare! And then if ve don't get toe conclusion after that, you
know, we ere going to have to go to tote kind of arrangement.
Mr. Oxtgie: The results of the twentieth ballot erat
Commissioner Gordon and Mayor Perte cast
their ballots for:
Co inniseior er Plummer oast his ballot fort
Cot ,issiober Gibson oast his ballot for:
Mt. ?eret (2)
Mr. t aeasa (1)
Mr. Gort (I)
Mrs. Gordon: All eight, Mr. Mayor, can tote adjourn until 2:30 P.M.?
Mayor 'erne: Yes, we vill now adjourn until 2 # 3b P.M.
40
WHERtUPCN the City Commissiot wtnt into a
grief Recess at 1t O P.M. for purposes of
having Lunch* reconvening At W S P.M., with
All members of tha City Commission found to
ha present,
MA or Perm All right, ladies and geftiemet, we are back in seasior► for the
same purpose. tot me very quickly put this 3o perspective We have uaw gone
to ;0 votes...
Mrai Cordon: tit. Mayor,...
Mayor terra: ...in my opinion, I don't think that t.e can go such longer. I
think whet we ought to do, if it's the will of the majority here is to go for
maybe a aakiMuta.. ,
Mrs. Cordon: Mr. Mayor, eXcuse tae for interrupting you but I just want you
to knot., before you come to a conclusion that I have some informations that I'd
like to' relay
Mayor ferret. I will be happy to recognize you for that purpose as soon as I
finish my statement. I think that we ought, to have maybe 3, 4, a maximum of
5 more votes. If We can't come to a conclusion in 5 votes,' then I think that
I will change my position and'go along with'Father Gibson on the...to appoint
'a Committee My only request would be that we would nominate for that Committee
people that will be able to meet this afternoon, not that..We can conclude'it this
afternoorr, but let these people who are knowledgeable in the community come to a
fairly `quick conclusion in their'recommendations. If they can do it:in the next 4 or:
5 or 6 hours, I wily be happy to call another Commission meeting this evening at
700.pm to see if it can be'concluded and, if not this evening, then tomorrow
at 8:00 in the morning, and if not at 800 then at noon, and so on. We have until
Friday. Now, why would -I like to do it before tomorrow. We've got some very, Ve-
ry important matters to come up before this Commission tomorrow andI think it is
important that we have a full Commission,for whatever important matters come
before' us. Now, the argument has been made on this that how can we expect some-
bodywho's completely unacquainted with the: issues to vote, and I think that is
a valid statement. I think, however, that>at least that person can begin getting
involved in the process and it may be that that person would say -I would like to
respectfully request the Commission not to come to a conclusion on this particular
matter until 'I've had further time to get to it, and:that's a valid request, and I
certainly would honor that. Nov, absent some kind of an:agreement between now and
midnight Friday night it is my opinion that before we let midnight strike Friday
night that we should then call for an election in` May and that we should appoint
somebody to serve interim between now and May 8 Now, there is some question
as to the legality:of'it. Let me speak to the legality of it'and:how that...if
I'm wrong-, I'm wrong. The legality of it would be as follows. :The person who' is
appointed on an interim basis would agree to resign on the 8th of April, at which
time we would then call for an election in 30 days, which may be made > to
coincide with the Metro election. I want to make':it perfectly clear that that per
son:could very well renege on his promise to resign on April 6 and if that were the
case,,, we would be stuck with that person on the Commission until the November elec-
tion. I doubt however that anybody would have that kind of presumption to make a
public commitment to resign on April 8`end,then stay on until November. Now, absent
that I see no other alternative except. to go fora Special Election' -and if we do
not come with a clear cut recommendation from the' Committee,: if we cannot come to
an agreement by Friday at mid -day, as far as I'm concerned, I will. .this vote will
lock itself in'for a Special Election,: that's my position. Mrs.`Gordon.'
Mrs. Gordon: Mr. Mayor, I found a very curious thing:happening today in the ballot-.
lag, There have been more than one occasion where three: Commissioners have voted
for the 'same candidate but not on the same ballot. I believe than we ought to put
the written ballot now aside and start a:verbal discussion:and nomination and
selective. I believe that if we don't do that we cannot possibly hit the same bal-
lot, with the: same candidate at the same time and, 1t'a just turning into a ferse.
I would respectfully request that we begin a verbal nomination process.
Mayor Ferro; Of course, I have no problem in opening this up: for di.scussioa if
that's the will of the majority of this Commission, however, 1 would like Co very:
specifically point out the following and I don't: have the figures in front of one.
Da the first ballot the only person'that has been the recipient of the votes of
thee Viers of this ComMission hats bean Mr. Deietrio Fetes, since I have 0131
voted for DemetriP Perot and Armando Wass; Onthe first vote Father Gibson
opened with a vote,for Pemetrio Feret, On the fourth vote hoax Gordon voted for -
pemetrio Pena4 After haying4one 7 votes ad, Mrs.' Gordy., if you observe, had
Ash
41
voted for all of the recommendations .as i remember, `Y or post Of them, anyway*
of the Reg estate Advisory board which had spatific reeo,,,,,eftdationa, with the
tkeeption 1 think of Mr. Perez, who wan not on that, if 1 recall correctly i
thetithe point wan abundantly clear to me that there Was a pattern estabiiahed
as far as lira, Jordon was concerned, 1 Sean AA fay as the votes. Now, rather
Gibson followed a similar though tot enact pattern obviously with different
people bedAuse otherwise there would have been two votes, nobody hadtwo votes
at that point other than Armando tacasa. Now, from the 8th votejsite I wan...
it was obvious to to that tacasa did not have the majorityyt theft those the
person of those who had been voted upon previously who had gotten two votes who.
I could agree with)and that person wan bemetrio Peter so on that Vote I voted for
hetetrio Perot. Now, observe that happened oh the 9th vote, bi the §th vote
Rose Gordon voted for hemetrio Per and ao did 1 Now, on the 10th vote kose
Cordon and 1 again voted for bemetrio Peres, thooe vete the only two votes he
got► It was now apparent to me after those three votes that that vas not follow-
ing the pattern that I thought it might follow and sotthetefore3t theft went back
to Armando taoasa. 1 stayed with Armando Lacasa'through the 17th vote. Again,
in the last three Motes -18, 19 and 2 - I again did the same thing again and
with the same results. As far as I'm concerned, you know, this has beet a pattern
that I followed on two occasions, I'm perfectly willing to open this up for dis-
cussion but I just vatted to make that comment on the record.
Mrs. Gordon: .I would like to then nominate verbally betnetrio Perez.
Mr, Plummer: May we all...Rose, may we all; have our observations?
Mrs. Gordon: Yes, okay.
Mr. Plummer: Here again, even though mine had been somewhat stated before, Mr.
Mayor, I voted in the negative of Father's motion prior but I think at this point
we are dead -locked and I'm willing to give a try if Father's recommendation can'
get us off dead center. That does not exclude the point that I have tried to
make that is)that I need sufficient time to go back and talk to other people. Now,
I personally don't feel that we should continue b a lloting but I will, of course,
abide by the rules of this Commission if they wish to continue. As a Commissioner
I will adhere to the majority's rule but -I personally don't feel that more ballots
is, the answer at this point.
Mayor Ferre: Father, do you still feel that way?
Mrs. Gordon: Mr. Mayor...
Mayor Ferre: Excuse me, Mrs. Gordon, Father do you still feel that way?
Father Gibson: I feel the same way about the Committee now as I did before.
Mayor Ferre: A11 right, then I will change my decision and I will go along.
Mrs. Gordon: Mr. Mayor, I object, I put a nomination on the table...
Mayor Ferre: Mrs. Gordon...
Mrs. Gordon..... now,a nomination does notrequire a second,
call for a vote on my nomination.
Mayor Ferre: Mrs. Gordon is making a parliamentary move to force
her vote and I vote no, I'll be the first to vote,--- my vote is no...when there
is an enforcement of a situation I'll be happy to comply with that because of the
request that Father Gibson previously made which didn't have any support until Mr.
Plummer made his position and I want to make sure that it's very clearly under-
stood where I stand. We are not going to play games around here, Mrs. Gordon,
Mrs. Gordon; Mr. Clerk, please call the roll..
because it was made before your conversation, air.
Mr. Plummer What is the motion we are voting on?
NT$, Gordon; The motion was tQ .Place the nomination of Pemetrio
does not require a second.
Mayor Ferro; She's paying games,
Mrs. Pifer; Pine..
consequently I
42
It is not out of order
Peres
nd that
i 1en
•
P1rer: rifle
hear the tnotiotr
I just warmed to knew what I Wen voting
Mayor Perm There is a matien..thia noes not treed a second fot
Call the roll.
The following motion WAS introduced by Cotniasioner Gordon:
A MOTtOt4 bPPICIALLY NbMINAt1Nd b M T ttb PPt TO PILL THE VACANCY
CREATED by THE tPSICHATION OP COMMISSIONER HAtMM ° REIM.
AYES: Cbn nissiotier Rose Cordon
NOES: Ct isaioner (Rev.) Theodore R. Gibson
Vice Mayor J. L. Plummer
Mayor Maurice A. Ferre*
didn't
bt4 ROLL CALL
*Mayor Ferret For the reasons stated, 1 vote to.
Gibson: Mr. Mayor, I would like toi againpurge this Commission to appoint
aegroup of Latin citizens who would take this list of bates and come back with
three of the people..or the names of three people arid do not say to uswho would
be the first, second or third choice, but these are three people that we, in this
community believe you tan live with. Each of us will have the right to appoint
somebody to the Committee. The Committe, 1 believe, if indeed earnest, een work all night
if need be, notify the Mayor when they are ready, and ask the Mayor to call for
a'meeting,or we could agree that first thing tomorrow morning the Committee would
make its report. I want to make a commitment before. Any three people brought
back by that Committee I will be willing to support. That is a motion.
Mayor Ferre: There is a motion, is there a second?
Mr. Plummer: I'll second the motion, Mr. Mayor and once again I want to..so there
is no misunderstanding. umber one, that I'm not bound by the report they make, and
number two, it does not preclude my right as a Commissioner to speak individually
with the persons being considered, and I guess that's it.
Mayor Ferre: All right, now, Father there is a motion that you've made and Plummer
has seconded. Is there further discussion on the motion?
Mrs. Gordon: Yes, on discussion, Mr. Mayor.
Mr. Plummer: Excuse me....I'm sorry, go ahead.
Mrs. Gordon No, that's all right.
Mr. Plummer All right, Mr. Mayor, Mr. Grassie makes a point that maybe
when it is appointed.. each one, that an alternate in case that person could not
make it...let me also indicate, Mx. Mayor, that it is fully my intention, fully
my intention that that Committee will abide by the Sunshine rule, that that Com-
mittee will meet in open, public meetings and that if it is not the intention of
that motion, then I will vote against it. I' don't want any questions andI put
it up front and let it be known that if that's the way I've got to operate, that's
the way- they've got to operate.
Rev. Gibson:
Mr. Plummer:.
I will accept that as the intent of the motion.
Fine.
Mrs. Gordon: Mr. Mayor?..Discussion?
Mayor Ferret On discussion, Mrs. Gordon.
Mrs, Gordon; I would like to say in all deference to Father Gibson, J.L,, who-
ever..
Mayor Ferre: And whoever.
H a, Gordon; ...you are Whoever, After 20 ballots,I don't fiTtd the need there
that 1 found this morning before we cast the first one, 1 felt then that Father
had a request that had some merit. I feel now that there has been enough airing
of the candidates. At this time I'm not in favor of a Gottee assignment,
I don't think that it is the proper way to proceed, 1 think we An close to n.
COW114ei.e14 except it may not be' the conclusion that vow people want. So, l
will therefore vote against the motion when sly UAW is Called.
43
1.9/71
Mayor Part: Further d .atuss hn►, pail the roll,
The following biotin vas introduced by Cotr issioner dibaott, who
adoption:
MOTION NO 79.4
A MOTION TO CREATE A COMMITTEE FOR THE PURPOSE OP EVALUATING
RESUMES AND LETTERS OP INTEREST OP PERSONS SEEKING APPOINTMENT
TO SEAT IV OF THE CITY COMMISSION ON AN INTERIM EASIS AND
INSTRUCTING SAID COMMITTEE TO SCREEN THE AFORESAID RESUMES AN
SUBMIT THREE NAMES TO TIDE CITY 'COMMISSIONPbR CONSIDERATION AND
FURTHER INSTRUCTING THAT THE SAID COMMITTEE SMALL NOT RANK SUCH
THREE' NAMES,
Upon being seconded by Cotnissinner Plummer, the motion Sias passed and adopted
by the following vote=
AYES! Commissioner (Rev.) Theodore R. Oibsot
Vide Mayor .?. L. Nutter, Jr.
Mayor Maurice A. Fevre
NOES: Commissioner Rose Gordon
Mayor Ferre: All right
to nominate?
11 start with you Mr. Plummer, who do you want
Mr. Plummer: My nomination to the Committee, Mr. Mayor, is Mr. Juan del Cerro.
Mayor Ferre: And your alternate?
Mr. Plummer I'll have to think about that.
Mayor Ferre: All right, Mrs. Gordon, and Father Gibson who do you want?
Rev. Gibson: Mr. Mayor, I want to nominate Mr. Carlos Arboleya.
Mayor Ferre: Al].' right, Mrs. Gordon?..Any alternate Father Gibson?
Father Gibson I have to have time to think about that.
Mayor Ferre: Mrs. Gordon?
Mrs. Gordon: I would nominate Adam Jimeno and the alternate Alicia Casanova.
Mayor Ferre: A11 right. I will nominate Mr. John Laseville and the alternate
will be Manuel Vazquez. Now, we need the alternates for Father Gibson and
Plummer,in case the individuals who have been nominated cannot accept and as soon
as you can do that, I think the way to do this is to leave this open, and for you
to submit the name to the Clerk.
Mr. Plummer Mr. Mayor, I'll try to do that. Mr. del Cerro is present and he has
indicated that he will definitely be there so I don't feel the urgency for an
alternate, but I will come up with one,
Mayor Ferre I will try to verify with. John Laseville.. .And, when you call
Mr. del Cerro here?
Mr. Plummer Yes.
Mayor Ferre Juan, can you meet today?
Mr. Juan del Cerro; Yes.
Mayor Ferre. Adam Jimeno is here? Can you meet today?
Mr. Plummer; Starting say at six o'clock? YOU 1.{41ow, to give the people ampie
time to get here.
Mayor parre. Mr, Laseville, I've just nominated you to be my representative
to this Committee, Can you meet today? Could you accept? Then you can meet
today. That leaves Carlos Arboleya,
Rev. Gibson; Yes, I'm trying to get him right Pow,
Mr Plummer; What are we waiting for?
14
Mayor Tura t
(ONO PAM)
Mayor Terre: ladies and gentlemen, t think
that
at�t ageasked e is some
confusion and
if, you all sit dorm i v411 try tt clarify
Whether or not it is legal for at
Advisory
he Co i eter, theeAdvisorrte,
The Advisory Cotittee will not select they ate
Committee will advise, that's what advisory
hmmnetiscoiteeeabottt the residency it
it ry
nature, Now, the second question that
the City of Miami. Mr. Itnalt there is to requirement osesuch 1 kr w of it the reside
Charter that any advisoyo�tycommittee
Miami, is ghat correct'?within the boundaries of the
Mr.
Yes, sir, the Charter provides for certain committees, boards end
and
cotoiabiissiotiis and it Bets out: the requirements with respect o
the City Commission has the option toimpose, or
p�serrequirements
o
of that nature, when it did appoint p
Mayor Ferre: All tight,1 think that's clear now, so we have both of the guest
tions that have been now posed clarified.
We are waiting now for Mr. Arboleya to give us his answer and then we will
come to a conclusion.
bo you want to take a five minute break? All right, then we'll. take a 5
minute break wh le we ear
Now, ladies and gentlemen ve have now'an answer from Mr. Arboleya. The
answer is that he will accept
Al right, the decision is that Carlos Arboleya will accept and he can meet
at 4:30 PM. Now, Mr. John Laseville, are you here? Is M. Juan del Cerro...can
you meet at 4:30 PM? Mr. Adam Jimeno, can you meet at 4:30 FM? A find Johng t,then
the only one we are missing is'John Lase
(INAUDIBLE COMMENT OFF THE PUBLIC RECORD)
MayorFerre: All right, obviously, if he is here, he can meet in an hour, which
is 4:30 PM and so that the Committee will meet, I would hope here at least in
advise
Now, they
these Chambers publicly deliberate on their recommendations _
me when they have finished and once that is done 1 will call foAreaySpouecial CoM-
mission meeting. I would like to ask your time
able
tonight?
Mr. Plummer: Yes.
Mayor,Ferre: Would you rather meet in the morning?
fir. Plummer: If I have my choice I'd rather meet in the morning but' I'm avail-
able at any time between now and midnight Friday.
Mayor Ferre Mrs. Gordon, whatare your time preferences?
i h from Mr. Arboleya.
Mrs. Gordon Mr. Mayor, I would prefer we do it .this evening. If you think
that the Committee will be ready this evening then we could do it this evening.
Mayor Ferre: I can't tell what the Committee is going to do.. -.may I:have your
attention,' please,' members of the Committee that are here, Mr. Adam Jimeno, Mr.
Laseville, Mr. -Juan' del Cerro..all right, the threes four you, and r.anA boleYa,
Would you, if you can, select a. Chairman amongst th
f not
then each of you will take the
YouChaar�e instructed by8thisnship our Co�esioattondeliberate
cannot come to'an agreement.
and come back with three recommendations without any order or prefereence. eramake
individuals that are acceptable Ko you as the reommendations thatfyou or one..
tc this Commission. Whan you have dope c
,. home and
oo you, whoever is selected Chairman,:I will be in my office or at mylerkHand
'you will let me know, if you Would please, and then I will tell the whenCwill you be
the Clerk will Call the Conmisaion.H Now, mY question again is.
available?
Mrs, Gordon; 1 will be availableat any time.
Rev. Gibson! 4uytime you say, sir.
NAM
Yerre. ' Ail right, do yo* have: asiy preferences?..pluOmer says he prefers
t9gorroY morning,
95
JAh ISTS
Mr, Piu
tonight
Yea, and let me tell you vhy, Ive
Mayor Perte: All right, Mr, Plummer:
Mt, Plummer: .,I vauid liketo have more time,.
Rev, 0ibaan: Be ray gusat,
Mrs. Cordon: I would like to respettfuily remind you that va have an agenda
for tomorrov,
Meyor Pare:
Mrs, Cordon:
Mayor Ferret
Mr. Plummer: No, it can be tomorrow between 12:00 boon and 2:00 pt.
Mrs. Gordon: We have a dedication 'tomorrow.
Mayor Ferret We haVe a dedication tomorrow, as I recall, an important one up
in the Culmer area.
UNIDENTIFIED SPEAXER' tittle Havana,
Mayor Ferre: ..or tittle Havana, also an important area..
have to be tonight.
At vhat time do we start tomorrow?
And I eannot cote in before 9:00 o'claek.
Then it will have to be tonight, 3 L.
Mrs. Gordon: I would think that this is important enough
do it today. .. We ought to meet tonight, we are not sure
come up with any recommendation that we would be willing to,
that we would get a majority vote on those recommendations,
we can't make, and we may have to decide at some point that
pecial lettion and: we need time to prepare for that.
would imagine it'd
that we ought to
the Committee will
accept,:number:one,
that's an assumption
we have to havea
Mayor Ferre I agree with that. All right, so I don't think it's fair for me
to put any time constraints on any of you.
Mr. Plummer: Definitely not.
Mayor Ferre: You meet at 4:30 and hopefully...
Mr. Plummer Mr. Mayor, please let me interject my thoughts. Mr. Laseville made
a -comment that you've got your own free time',but tonight I don't want you under.
that kind of a time constraint. If it is convenient that you can finish what you
feel is the job needed to be done tonight, that's fine, but I don't want you under
any time pressure.
Mayor Ferre; In other words, you do your work as best you can and if you can't
come to a conclusion you come back and tell us that. If you come toa deadlock,
if you come to a point that you don't think that this is going to split all over
the place, please let me know. All right, good luck, best wishes and see you later
on. All right we now go into recess until we call a Commission meeting.
(BRIEFLY THEREAFTER)
Ladies and
tion, i. Plummer,
I think Commissioner Gordon has made a valid recommenda-
.
members of the press, and Father Gibson, I will now call a
Special Session at 9:00 pm this evening to see if there has been any further ad-
vance. Now, that does not mean, I want to make it very clear, following Plummer
recommendation, that this Committee may not come to a conclusion, if that is the
case then we'll break up immediately, If they have come to a conclusion then we
can follow the process, in that way you'll know at what time we are going to meet
and discuss.
WHEREUPON the City Commission went into Recess
at 3 ” I,M,, Teconveriing at 9;1.0 p,M, with all
members of the City Cession found to be present,
Mayor Ferro: All right, MT, Arboleya, you were the Chairman of the Committee
that wet, deliberated and same up with a recommendation. Would you give us the
results of your deliberations,
ou charged UA -with a
Mrs Atbosya: Members of the Ooiasyett Coitte+a yet,eeh�*
bility this afteraootr rye evaluated 29 tames,
re
our City
corded statements throughout the me rtieg. hey areted, two were ton-resall
idents offices Out of the 29 dames wh27 ic'k '� Wa cohdueted the eliminationbyy first reviewing bCity evs witsg ailr27 names to�begin �frot scratch, width we thought was
the
our obligation as the mgndateof the C��ithaMseeor�d��ii�atio��rote$�t�t
elitthatiott frot+ass 12 dames retained,
names remained, The fins' retomtsendation of this theme as sous re three
limes for eonsideratiot which y y ot may tot
ts
&wevetr :the Committee fesie that process
�e would appri�te the tondera�
have -beet careful itthese yeco �etidati �tspre-
Sett tion of these males as the'decisive vote is emits The three themes that we
seat to you are it no order ofany modusroftpteser►ting them to you.es art it to order of eir�e•first
will utilise the alphabet 66 asmy
loathe is Eiadio Armesto, _the the�three dames thatond name is yttierCotia�nitteethe
a� appointed by
this Armando Lacasa. Those ate
this Commission tame up with as the result of the meeting held this afternoon.
Mayor Ferre: Thank you very much, fir. Arboleya, for taking from your business
schedule, and I'd like to thank the other members of the Advisory Committee for
the work that you've done today. we
Ail right, I would imagine that the eithisa e that
ua have
now voted
20 times, this is the 21st ballot and I guess at
s an
further discussion, I will assume we would now start voting again.
Mr. Plummer: Are we starting over with a new numbering?
Mayor Ferret I would put 21.
Mrs. Gordon: There won't be any confusion that way.
TWENTY-FIRST BALLOT
Mr. ongie: Results of the twenty-first ballot
Commissioner Gordon: Mr. Gort (1)
Commissioner Plummer Mr. Lacasa (1)
Mayor Ferre: Mr. Perez (1)
Commissioner. Gibson: Mr. Armesto (1)
Mayor Ferre: Well, now we go to the twenty-second ballot
Mrs. Gordon: You fellows stick to the Committee.
(UNIDENTIFIED INDIVIDUAL MAKES A STATEMENT OFF THE PUBLIC RECORD)
Mayor Ferret No, no, no, this is not a public hearing....
(UNIDENTIFIED INDIVIDUAL): No, no, no Maurice...
Mayor Ferre: Can we get somebody to escort this gentleman outside at this
time. All right., this is a civic meeting in a democratic process.
Okay at this time we are up to the twenty-second vote.
TWENTY-SECOND BALLOT'
Mrs. Gordon: Fellows, come on, let's stop playing games.
Mayor Ferre: Is that the twenty second?
Mr. 0ngie: Coming up.
Mayor Ferre: No, this is twenty third coming up.
Rev. Gibson;No, the twenty second.
Mr. Ongie; On the twenty second ballot;
tr. Armesto. (1)
Cotssioner Moon;
Meyer Verve 6 Om-
taissioner pier;
Commtestoner Gordon;
M , LO MsA (2)
Mr, Gort (1)
t N elan „tALLC'
Mr, trigiat 011 the twe ►tp►th:ird
Comraisaio ier Cordon!
Mayor Pere & Commiaaioner
Plummer: ��{{ j yy�� ii�
CoMMiaaioneir dibbbft!
ballot:
Mr, Cott (i)
Mr, Lama (2).
Mr, Amato (1)
N lY4.0 U,iC l 11 _. DELL V 11,,,,,,
Mayor Pare; la this twenty-four nowt
Mr. Ongiet Twenty-four coming up.
Mayor Perre: 1 think that...let's go one more time and if we deadlock again
then let's have some disctissioni okay?
Mr. Ongie: On the twenty-fourth ballot:
Commissioner. Gordon: Mr. Gort (1)
Mayor Ferre & Commissioner
Plummer. Mr. Lacasa (2)
Commissioner Gibson: Mr. Armesto (1)
Mayor Ferret All right, is that the third time in a row that we have that
pattern?
Mr. Ongie: Yes, sir.
Mayor Ferre: Well, let's go one more ballot, which is the twenty-fifth and
then we'll talk a little bit, okay?
TWENTY-FIFTH BALLOT:
Mr. Ongie: On the twenty-fifth ballot:
Commissioner Gordon: Mr. Gort
Commissioner Gibson: Mr. Armesto
Mayor. Ferre &'Commissioner
Plummer:
Mr. Lacasa (2)
Mayor Ferre: A11 right, now, ladies and gentlemen, that means that..I think
that's the fourth vote in a row that's absolutely the same. I would surmise
from that, that we are getting ourselves into kind of fixed positions at this.
time, and I'm open for any suggestions. Do you want to vote one more time?
Do you want to discuss it?, or do you want to adjourn and start again tomorrow?
I, for one, I am about ready to call for an election. I would vote for the
electoral process and...(APPLAUSE)..Obviously, after 25 votes it's quite evident
that...I would like to make a statement which I'm going to say in English and
then I'm going to repeat it in Spanish because a lot of people in the Cuban
community, in the Latin community that are here, I want to express my opinion
to all of you. First I'll say in English and then I'll say it in Spanish.
I think that we deadlocked, which is evidently the way we are going at this
point. It's my opinion that if we can't come to an agreement, we are going
to have to go to the electoral process. Now, the cleanest way to go to the
electoral process is an immediate election in 30 days from Friday, or 45 days
or, ...I mean, after 30 and no later than 45. The second way is as it was
discussed somewhat this morning, which is somewhat complicated because we would
have to appoint somebody on a temporary basis who would resign April 8th so
that we could go in tandem with the May 8th election the county evidently will
have, and if they don't have that election -and Dan Paul I understand is going
to have a Petition floating around to be signed- and if he gets that around
we might have to, tandem without an election, And if we don't do it that way,
we just will calf for a Special Election, So those are the alternates,,.
Mrs, Gordon: Why you have set the parameters that they have to resign on
April 8th and not on the day that a person running for a seat.,,,inother words,
why couldn't the person fill the seat until maybe the 8th?
Mayor Perm; Doesn't it have to, be ,e vacancy for their being elected?
Mrs. OordQn. Np:, he would autpmati.cally.tender his resignation effective the
8th of Nay and the Cow ssfon would not have to be without a Commissioner for
a month?
48
Mayor Petrel Mr, City Attotney1
Me. iettok: The question has beeate whether or not an May. Oth, on the day of
the election, if a vaeanny oecurs..ftews sgain, I guess if soteone tenders a
resignation'whith is effective an May 8th, arguedty as of 12:01 A.M. on May
eth there will be a vaeanty on the Commission whtth may be filled by a
epecial Election. The'diffieulty with that position is that if that position
become§ vaeant on May 8th then we have to go back to the proeedrtte in whieh
ve are novo under the Chhartet, such that the CoMMiasibn would have 10 days
within which to 'appoint aotebody and if they fail to do it than an election
twat be held in 30 to 43 days after that.
Mayor rare: to ether words, what you ate saying is that to be perfectly
safe on this you would have to have a resignation when?.
Mr. Esiax: We'd have to eount the days, but ; the resignation would have to
take plate, acid the City Cotstnission would have to fail to appoint an individual
to fill the resigttatior within 10 days,and then we start counting 30 to 45
days.
Mayor Ferre: Oh, no, no, no. So in other words, what you tteed is forty days
from May 8th and by the time you get with that you are meetings until March...
right? So, in other words, whatever arrangements we make now would only be
until the end of March and then the person would then have to resign at the end.
of March, we'd have to go through a 10-day period, then call for a Special
Election 30 days later to coincide with May 8th.
Mr. Knox: Yes, sir.
Mayor Ferre: That's not a very happy solution either.
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Mayor,' may I offer one opinion? I have been told that a:
Special Election would in fact' --Mr. Clerk you'll correct me, I'm sure, if
I'm wrong-- would cost the taxpayers of this community $100,000, am I in the
ballpark?
Mr. Ongie: The figure is about $80000, I got the information yesterday.,
Mr. Plummer: Ali right.
Mayor Ferre: What? I'll tell you, $80,000 isn't -even though it's an awful
lot of money- but in view of what's involved here $80,000 is not going to make
a break situation for the City. I'd rather not have to go:to that expense, but
on:the other hand, we've already gone to 25 times and we can't come to an agree-
went, I don't think there is any:alternate than to go to an election. And I
would strongly recommend that even if somebody; gets>selected, if we vote again
tonight or tomorrow, you know, whoever is going to get that seat -after 25 votes
is obviously not going, to have a very clear mind of this Commission, to put it
mildly. The only ,one who has voted absolutely consistently is J. L. Plummer.
And:certainly I haven't, and I'm the first to admit it, yin: know, so I guess the
point is whoever gets the mandate, it's'not goingto,be a,very clear. mandate
from this Commission. And I really think that for the welfare of the City and
the good reputation of the City I`don't see that there'is really any choice but
to go to an election, and let it be decided in a public... -.That's the first
time that that's happened in the City of Miami but perhaps it's,taking a little
time to realize the reality of where we are. I'd like to make a statement which
I started to, first in English and then in Spanish, like Cuban -American friends
here, because`I don't want there to be any mistakes as to where L think we are going.'
It.we go to an electoral process, in my opinion, especially where it's tied
into the no -smoke ballot, or into Mt. Paul's resolution which he is now circula-
ting in which there will be a ballot if he gets the appropriate number of votes.
of signatures, with regards to land trusts and the use of the City land for
private leases! I think you are going to have an awful lot of negative votes
coming out, It is my considered, humble opinion, that it will bele very difficult
Campaign for somebody rho is not very well organized, and 1 think that the Cuban,
the Latin community has a:very strong chance of losing` that seat. I'a not say-
ins that there will be other candidates,,y'ou know, this is a der►ocratic process
and when there is as election, a lot Of people have just:recently ran for legis-
I:ative seats who have spent a let of .n►oney and a lot of of €art, xis are fairly
well known, and 1 absolutelyarautee you that .1 know of twp or ' scree who will
run in this election. and I know of,two pp three that are going Co be very hard
to beat, And remember this is a plurality rsoe, tt re is no mend round, So,
as
'4A N 1 7 1979
tot ample, 1 want to point this out, if there fire 2, or 4, or 3 Latin .
Ametitans, bt Cubah=Americans who tun for office, and there it 2 or 2
lliaclta, end ant Arglo=Saxon i don't need to tell you what the result is going
to be. Now, i wouldlike to ask which one of you here and all these groups
that you represent is going to guarantee that only 1 or 2 Latina or Cubans
Americans is going to tuns
(MOM Mkt TRANSLA S INTO SPANf gt :leg M M US 8TAfi T) :
�rYo gttiero tepetirib eh tspanol pats qua no se pietda exactstente
16 que yo he dieho aqui. 3espues de 23 votos at' me lute que vamos
a un 1tboeso electoral. TO r.reo que no quads btro media porque
sun de recibir un voto en las Oro imaa eieetiones, en las proximas
seleeciones, pues yo treo que eat individuo iio va a tatter un mandato
my elaro, quiet sea le persona. Asi que, yo cteo que pars el Bien-
estat publico de is ciudad, es preferibie que ttosotros vayamos a un
proteso electoral. Ahora, a mi la preocupacion que yo siempre he
tenido en el prOCeS0 electoral es de que quien me gerantiza a tti que
3, 4, 5 0 6 Cub$nos-At>sericano5 y Latinos no se vay an a postular?
Yo conoaco ye aqui a 4 que me han ditho que van pose io que'pase y
van bueno, van 4 o 5, shore, Si la comunidad negra at
postula 2 o 3 candidatos, o 1, y aqui los Anglo-Sajones postulan
1 candidato, yo no creo que tengo que decirles a Uds. quien va a
ganar esa eleccion cuando es una eleccion de p 1 u.r a l i d a d,
no es una eleccion donde hay tina segunda vuelta. Vamos a estar muy,
claros, asi es que yo'quiero que Uds..sepan to que se estajugando
aqui, por eso, mis queridos hermanos, es que yo queria ampliar
el consejo municipal en las ultimas elecciones. Ya Uds. ven por que
yo tenia la razon en eso, y ahora estamos pagando las consequencias
de eso, y Uds. que estuvieron en contra de eso pues'vivan con su con-
ciencia porque vamos a un proceso muy delicado ahora." (APPLAUSE).
Gibson: Are we on 26?
Mayor Ferre: Do you want to take one more vote? Mrs. Gordon, do you want
to take one more vote?
Mrs. Gordon: I already have 26 and 27 filled in.
Mayor Ferre: Now, wait a minute, there is a move over here to take one more
vote, Mr. Plummer, are you in agreement?
Mr. Plummer: I don't have no ballots.
Mayor Ferre: Mr. Plummer doesn't have any more ballots over here.
TWENTY-SIXTH BALLOT:
Mr. Ongie: On the twenty-sixth ballot:
Commissioner Gordon and
Commissioner Gibson: Mr.
Mayer Ferre and Mr. Plummer: Mr.
Mrs. Gordon: Do it again.
Gort (2)
Lacasa (2)
Mayor Ferre:` Well, I guess we have some movement here,
TWENTY-SEVENTH BALLOT:
Mr. Ongie: on the twenty-seventh ballot;
Mrs. Gordon and
Commissioner Gibson; Mr, Gort (2)
Mayor Ferre and Com--
missioner Hemmer; Mr, Lacasa (2)
Mayor Ferre; What number was;this?
Mr, °nie; That was twentyrseven.
Mayor Ferret ?hit 't8 28
, Otgiet Yea, girl
Mayor Ferre: till tell you what, Pose, let 'a keep ofi oiutotin until SO to there
Bee if this thing is stuck again and then at t p
is tot truth pit just talking anyway,
Mrs. Gordon: Maurice, let's duet stay here utti1 we teeth a tonciusiba.
(APPLAUSE)
Mayor Ferre: All right. What wag that, 28
11rL1`I -tIG It1 UMW_
Mr. Ongiet On the twenty-eighth ballot:
Cemmissioner Gordon and
Commissioner Gibson:
Mayor Ferre and Com-
missioner Plummer:
TWENTY-NINTH BALLOT:
Mr. Gort (2)
Mr. Lacasa (2)
Mayor Ferret All right, we are on twenty-ninth.
Mr. Ongiet Twenty-ninth ballot:
Commissioner Gordon and I� Gort (2)
Commissioner Gibson:
Mayor Ferre and Com- Mr.Lacasa (2)
missioner Plummer:
Mayor FerreL Al]. right, I'll tell you, let's go one ore anae d thenslet's
open it up for. discussion and then I, again, I'm going
again, I guess.
THIRTIETH BALLOT:
Mayor Ferret This is the thirtieth.
Mr. Ongie Thirtieth ballot:
Commissioner Gordon and Mr. Gort
Commissioner. Gibson:
Mayor Ferre and. Mr. Mr, i,acasa C2)
Plummer:
Mayor Ferre All right.
Rev. Gibson: Mr. Mayor.
Mayor Ferro: Father Gibson.
Rev. Gibson: Mr. Mayor and members of the Commission, 1 want to acknowledge.
thatsuggested the Committee process.
of all the members of the Commission I Bugg who are
I believed in it then and I believe in it now, I'trust those of you-
here as well asthoseof you who are not here saw it in my vote earlier in
the day that I Went perhaps all of the "would-be" persons woo would probably
be
elected. I made a commitment, ent, when you We me the Co minces thghat t $ would
be bound by three names, � bay: been , botnd by it.
1 yesis an awful. ,lot of money to eFend iht� egbieke tothese where �►ote main don'just have s�.1
Ands in view of that: 1 would.hope to
you tight off! switch my vote lowing,
� � the theme when �sfew�� tk��
but 1 dust . een't � see spending $0Q r0p0 in
sib
51
(2)
_4AH 1 to
you will have to lay off some several hundred CETA people. t just find it
diffiouit to take.,..i,run a ohurch mid t have to raise money end it isn't
easy and inssiu&h as L don't went todo it, t just hats to see us spend
$80,000 for an elention. (APPLAUSE)
Mayor Petrel This ie our thirty-first Vote,
(MUMS/at STATEMENT MADE OPP IRE PUSi►=C RECORD)
Mayor Pare: Yes, t guess so, after what Father Gibbon- has said.
Ongie: The thirty-first ballot:
Cotntnissioner Gordon: Mr► Gort (1)
Mayor Verre) Commissioner
Plummer and ComnLtssioner
Gibson:,.644►►.►►.►►.►.
lift a,
-ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the City Commission,'
on motion duly made and seconded, the meeting was adjourned at 9:45 P.M.,
Mr. tacasa (3)
ATTEST: RALPH G. ONGIE
City Clerk
MATTY HIRAI
Assistant City Clerk
52
JAW 1 _1$79'.