From the what-a-difference-a-day-makes
category: Freshly minted Miami-Dade Commission Chairman Jean Monestime took his oath of office Friday, and immediately pledged to use his position to defend the county’s neediest residents — who, by the way, live in his district — with a “Chairman’s Council of Prosperity Initiatives” he said he hopes will bring more people up out of poverty.
The first Haitian-American county commissioner and chairman, probably in the country, also asked his colleagues to help him bridge an “income inequality gap.”
Well, that’s sorta new.
“To the families and individuals in this community who are struggling to make ends meet, I understand the challenges you face,” Monestime said.
“At different times in my life, I mopped floors, mowed lawns, washed dishes and drove a taxi to put food on my table and on my family’s table. Along the way, I managed to earn an MBA and later opened a small business. Through hard work, the complete freedom we enjoy in these United States and God’s many blessings, my family now enjoys a modest degree of prosperity,” he said.
“Unfortunately, for too many of our citizens, prosperity is an elusive dream. Wages have been kept flat by the competitive job market. Housing costs continue to escalate. Tolls can cost a worker an hour of wages every day. Health coverage is still luxury item for many. And, a traditional mortgage to purchase a home requires the patience of Job and superior credit rating. Though the situation seems bleak for so many, I am confident that the County Commission can knock down many of these barriers to prosperity,” Monestime challenged.
“As elected officials, we have a duty and an obligation to make a difference in the lives of our citizens. I am asking my colleagues on the County Commission to focus all of their energy on reducing the income inequality gap, building wealth in our community through home ownership, businesses development and fair wages, thus, broadening our base of prosperity.”
It was inspiring. Today, he got applause. Watch. Tomorrow, they call him comunista on Cuban radio.
Read related story: Commission chair installation could draw political big wigs
The gist of Monestime’s message seemed out of line with the veritable who’s who of lobbyists, rich connecteds and electeds at what seemed, at times, a highly emotional installation ceremony.
Sen. Marco Rubio was not only
there but he swore in Vice Chairman Esteban “Stevie” Bovo — his typical charming self, improvising off another oath — and former Congresswoman Carrie Meek shone in the spotlight once again and was repeatedly grateful for the opportunity. Also in attendance, Lt. Gov. Carlos “C-Lo” Lopez-Cantera and Congresswoman Federica Wilson — bipartisanship the norm since Bovo is Republican and Monestime is a Democrat.
Bovo thanked his God, his very capable wife, his family, county employees, his staff, everybody and their mother in Hialeah, former Congressman David “Nine Lives” Rivera — who made a rare public appearance for his friend — and, of course, his “other mentor” Rubio, who also happens to be his wife’s boss. Viviana Bovo is the senator’s policy advisor and special projects coordinator. Is that another code term for absentee ballot operations?
“I wouldn’t be here without standing on the shoulders of my family,” Bovo said. “I try to be, as best I can, a role model to my children. And it’s difficult.”
Ladra bets it gets harder when the cops catch your aide stuffing 164 absentee ballots into the trunk of her car in the parking lot at his district office.
Read related story: Sergio Robaina’s plea protects Commissioner Steve Bovo
“And, again in another example of God’s grace and sense of humor, they become role models for me,” Bovo said.
Yeah, we think that’s a better idea.
Bovo also thanked outgoing Chairwoman Rebeca Sosa
for her service the past two years. “She’s a teacher at heart, and she’s been teaching at the dais, to have patience, eloquence and to always be gracious in how she deals with all of us.
“That’s going to be our challenge.”
He thanked Commissioners Dennis Moss, Audrey Edmonson and Sally Heyman for teaching him things along the way.
But Monestime stole the show with a speech, albeit read, that was downright — shall I say it? — presidential like, and that gave us a glimpse of just what kind of statesman we may have in the making here.
“Several decades ago, I arrived on the shores of Miami-Dade County as a teenage immigrant seeking a better life. Several decades later we are here experiencing the transformative power of the American Dream,” Monestime said.
“Isn’t America great?”
“Our diversity is our strength,” he said, and you can almost see a campaign for higher office forming.
“Now is our time.”
New Miami-Dade chairman pitches anti-poverty program added by Ladra on
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