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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 1973-04-12 Discussion ItemM. you all know, there is a vacancy, at least on a temporary basis, in the post of Mayor of Miami. Since learning; of this situation, I have been concerned that this interim appointment should go to a person who fulfills several qualifications: First, the acting mayor should be a oerson of unimpeachable character. Second, the post should go to someone with an intimate knowledge of the City of Miami and its problems. Third, this should be a person who does not seek further political office in the city and will not use this temporary post simply as a springboard to future political gain, but will do a conscientious job for the city. Fourth, the acting mayor should be a person who has not in any way been tainted by any charges of wrong -doin; in his business or public life at any level of government. And lastly, but really most important of all, the acting mayor should be a person who has demonstrated leadership and who has a real feelins; for humanity and the underprivileed in our community. i am happy to announce to you that tomorrow= at the special City Commission :neetin ,I will nominate such a person. I have Prevailed upon one of the most highly respected Persons in ::iami -- Sidney Aronovitz -- to allow me to offer his name in nomination and I feel sure that my fellow commissioners will not pass up this chance to fill the actin mayor's post with such an excellent civic leader. Sidney Aronovitz served with distinction as a City Commissioner and for the past several years has done an outstanding job for this community as chairman of the Dade County i;ousing and urban Development fg Mayor of Miami., paE!e 2 Commission, better known as "Little has been in the forefront of many movements for the betterment of Miami and Dade County. -1e is a highly respected member of the Bar. He has never defeated for public office. i'ir. Aronovitz told me when I asked if 1 would nominate him that he was not seeking the job but would serve if selected under these conditions: First, that he hopes and believes as I do, that Mayor David Kennedy will be acquitted of the charges against him and that as soon as that occurs, i'ir. Aronovitz will relinquish the mayor's seat to Mr. Kennedy. Second, that in the event the charges against Mayor Kennedy are not disposed of prior to the \ovember city elections, 'Ir. Aronovitz will not, under any circumstances, seek election as mayor, but will leave the post for other candidates to fill. And third, that he will make no deals, secret or otherwise, for selection as actin2 mayor and will take the post only with no strings attached to it. I am satisfied that Sidney Aronovitz is the best possible choice for the post and I am happy that he will allow his named to be placed in nomination. ,e will be an excellent custodian of the public trust. of person I believe we should select as interim Mayor of Miami. It should be a person completely above reproach in his business and public life and one who is not tainted with any charges of wrongdoing. With regard to Mr. Ferre who I like very much personally, I have read from time to time of various charges being made against him or his company. I would like to know more about the status of these cases. For instances, I recall reading that Mr.. Ferre and his company were accused of being involved in price fixing conspiracy to raise the cost of concrete and that this action caused the City of Miami as well as other governmental units and individuals to pay more than they should have for concrete. I believe this was in the Federal Courts and may still be there. Then there were stories in the newspapers some time back about Mr. Ferre's company being cited for some 8 or 10 violations of Dade County pollution laws by causing both air and water pollution in Miami. I believe this was in Metropolitan Court. I want to know if he was found guilty of these acts against the environment. And, finally, just recently, I read of charges of income tax violations lodged against Mr. Ferre and his family by the Federal government in the amount of $28.6 million. Now, he may be completely innocent of all these charges, but before I would vote to select him as interim mayor of Miami, I would want to know specifically that none of these charges are pending and I would want to know__about their disposition and whether there were any_. • convictions, fines or settlements involved and what they were. 410 I would hope that our City Attorney wil'lresearch this and report back to us on this at our next meeting and ask the Attorney General Robert Shevin for a written opinion on these very important matters and whether or not we can legally appoint someone to the post of Acting Mayor if any of these charges are valid and pending.