Matti Bower

Matti Herrera Bower proved that money and union endorsements aren’t everything when it comes to winning a Miami Beach election. She had neither and still defeated the establishment-favored Simon Cruz in the city’s Nov. 20 election.

Since then the first female, and first Cuban-American mayor, has proved more than capable of holding her own against the big boys. And, she was kind enough to take a few moments to let us in on her personal favorites.

What are your favorite things to do in your spare time?

I love spending that time with my family and friends. I also enjoy the opera, theater and attending performances of our local art, cultural, dance and musical groups – all of which contribute to Miami Beach being a much more exciting place to live and visit. Admittedly, the spare time question may be one with a short answer.

What are the top things you want to accomplish as mayor?

One of my first initiatives was to try and develop an even better relationship between residents and government. I reinstated a monthly program that former Mayor David Dermer began in 2002 called “Mayor on the Move.”

It brings city hall into the different neighborhoods. The city manager and all of our department directors join me for a conversation with residents and businesses to hear what’s on their mind. It’s been both successful and enlightening, to say the least.

I’ve also created two new mayoral committees. One is designed to review the city’s inner system of transparency and accountability, and the other to bring together the leaders of the gay community to see how we can make Miami Beach even more gay-friendly to both residents and visitors. I am also continuing on with our CANDO committee, and hopefully it will create new programs to attract and retain cultural workers with affordable housing and [combination] work/live/gallery spaces. The committee is currently working on developing a monthly art walk in the Collins Park area.

The Mayor’s ad hoc Green Committee is also looking at a number of issues to lead the city into a more energy efficient future. And of course, with the coming fiscal year’s budget challenge, we all have to be more creative, but without losing sight of my long-standing advocacy for education, families, and the preservation and maintenance  of the safest and cleanest city our government can provide.

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