Five in Final Push
Eclectic Group Vies for Short-Term Beach Commission Seat

A rather unusual candidate in this race is Roger Abramson, who has raised $6,101.

Illustration by Marian Del Vecchio

by Omar Sommereyns

With endorsements announced, political forums on the record and the latest campaign reports filed, the Nov. 7 election for the open seat on the Miami Beach City Commission is getting nearer and nearer.

Five disparate candidates are vying for the seat vacated by Luis Garcia, who resigned to run for a state House seat: Michael Gongora, an attorney specializing in community association law, who, at 36, is the youngest of the bunch; Laura Leyva, 37, founder and director of the Family AIDS Coalition; Deede Weithorn, 48, a CPA and auditor who currently serves as the chair of the Budget Advisory Committee; Elsa Urquiza, 60, a retired acting director for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission; and Roger Abramson, 72, a retired concert producer and artist manager.

Mayor David Dermer has not officially endorsed anyone as of yet, according to A.C. Weinstein, his senior advisor.

In terms of political pull, Gongora is clearly in the lead, having raised substantially more money than all other candidates (a whoppin’ $101,439 as of Oct. 13) and having received endorsements from the Miami Beach Firefighters Union, the Fraternal Order of Police, CWA (Communication Workers of America), the Miami Beach Alliance of Condominium and Homeowners Associations, and SAVE Dade.

“I think I am the most qualified, proven leader [of the group] and my record of civic and community leadership stands on its own, including the numerous boards, committees and chambers of commerce which I’ve served on and lead,” he told the SunPost. (Gongora was elected to three consecutive terms on the Miami Beach Latin Chamber of Commerce and has served on both the Board of Adjustment and the Design Review Board.)

“My number one priority is quality-of-life issues affecting residents: traffic, transportation and parking,” he added. “These issues affect our daily lives and the simplest solution is the synchronization of traffic lights.”

Gongora’s contributions are mostly from attorneys, along with investors, developers and club operators. A glance through his amended campaign report also reveals a couple of instances of check bundling. For instance, real estate developers Century Homebuilders of South Florida LLC, Century at Giralda Avenue LLC and Century Laguna LLC each gave $500 donations. However, these “three” companies all have the same address (7270 NW 12th St.) and, as indicated on sunbiz.org, Sergio Pino is named manager of all of them. (Under election law, contributors are only allowed to give up to $500 to a candidate, yet they may circumvent this by giving checks under different names, even though they are the same entity.)

The other top contender in this race seems to be North Beach resident and longtime Beach activist Deede Weithorn, who has raised $46,898 so far (including a $30,000 loan). She has been endorsed by the Miami Herald, and during a recent candidates forum at the North Shore Park Youth Center, she was evidently the most knowledgeable about specific issues affecting the city, such as the North Beach Master Plan. Since 2003, she has been the Budget Advisory Committee chairperson and a member of the GO Bonds Oversight Committee. She has also worked on the city's Health Insurance Task Force and the Auditor Selection Committee.

Regarding difficulties faced by residents and businesses vis-à-vis the city’s Building Department, Weithorn said she would push to look into “best practices” in other cities, such as Coral Springs, where its online building department program is much more user-friendly and effective.

Referring to how North Beach has been neglected as compared to other areas of the Beach, she asserted at the candidates forum, “This community deserves the same quality of life as the rest of Miami Beach.… There are certain problems to solve – traffic issues, parking, illegal dumping, code enforcement.… As a commissioner, I certainly understand what it would take to fix them.”

A rather unusual candidate in this race is Roger Abramson, who has raised $6,101. Having spent most his career in the entertainment industry, he hasn’t had much experience in politics. However, he has expressed a strong dedication to community issues and seeks to distinguish himself as a candidate devoid of special interests who can provide a fresh perspective at the dais and help market the entertainment aspect of the Beach. Abramson also pointed out that he was the first candidate to openly oppose the Cirque du Soleil proposal for the Jackie Gleason Theater.

“What makes me the best is that I’m not a lawyer, a developer, Realtor or accountant – I bring very unique qualifications as an arts and entertainment administrator,” he told the SunPost. “This is what we need on the commission at this time, especially since issues like special events and the Jackie Gleason are very relevant now. I would bring 40-some years experience in that area.”

In fact, Abramson used to be one of the biggest concert producers in the country, putting on shows for everyone from Bob Marley and Peter Tosh to Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin. He also used to own a major amphitheater in Massachusetts.

Other issues Abramson wants to touch on include: implementing satellite “mini-City Halls” in North and Mid-Beach so residents don’t have to always trek to the main building on 17th Street; creating a more village-like atmosphere in North Beach and cleaning up the whole city while cultivating green space and paving bike lanes; expanding the Convention Center schedule and making the festival season more active during the summer; and offering better management of big-top special events.

Elsa Urquiza has raised $3,325 so far, along with a $50,000 loan. She underlines her experience in government – having worked for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for more than 30 years – as a main asset if she’s elected. Additionally, she insists she has the backbone to take on contentious issues since she originally joined the aforementioned commission when fighting for discrimination wasn’t a popular subject in the United States.

“First of all, we need a change, and we need it now,” she said. “I know how to get from A to Z without crossing M. I have the fortitude to say no when I have to. I have always worked for the people — not any other interests.”

Urquiza also emphasizes her open-door policy, “meaning me coming to you,” she said.

Commissioner Luis Garcia has endorsed candidate Laura Leyva, a healthcare professional who also runs the nonprofit Family AIDS Coalition. Leyva’s main stance, she said, is for citizens’ rights.

“I think that the Gleason’s future is bleak,” she told the SunPost. “I always stood for the voters and taxpayers to be the ones who decided its future since we own it.”

Leyva added that she supports small businesses and is against big-box retailers, explaining that they don’t belong in Miami Beach and can be situated in other areas throughout the county. Meanwhile, she believes the city should be managing its budget more judiciously, e.g. making sure there are enough police officers patrolling the city and that the Normandy Pool project gets completed before giving out dividends to property owners.

As for the reason she considers herself the best contender, she commented, “The way I present myself and my background will give a fresh new look on the commission. You know, a little bit of juice, a woman very dedicated to helping her community and one that has experience in business. I have that management caliber and I can definitely portray that on the commission.”

Comments? E-mail omar@miamisunpost.com.