Miami Lakes Mayor Michael Pizzi can’t step left or right at City Hall without 
running into a challenger.
Last month, Town Councilman Ceasar Mestre filed to run for the mayor’s seat now held by his one-time friend and ally. On Monday, Manny Cid became the second council member to file paperwork to run in what is now at least a three-man race — former and founding Mayor Wayne Slaton is also running.
It’s a quartet if Pizzi files to run, as expected. After all, he did fight so hard (and expensively) to get his seat back and he has said that the people want him there. What better way to prove it? But the again, who knows? Maybe he’ll take the his cut of the legal fees his dream team of attorneys is conning the city out of and run for the hills instead of mayor.
Read related story: Wayne Slaton, Ceasar Mestre go for Miami Lakes mayor
It could be a cuadrilla if Councilman Tim Daubert or Nelson Rodriguez get the itch, too. Why not make it a poker game? Ante up!
Cid, who was seeking re-election to his first term before Christmas (just look at the logo on his Christmas card), might be seen by some as the underdog.
But Ladra will go out on a limb and say he’s the front runner from Day One. If only by process of elimination.
We are fairly certain that Pizzi’s days are numbered and he won’t, as he suspects, get the backing of the town’s folk. Even residents who like him must be tired of the drama. Mestre is the more seasoned politician, but he also has more baggage. Pizzi’s old pal is also besties with his former brother in blue, Hialeah Mayor Carlos Hernandez, a self-confessed loan shark who dabbles in retaliation, abuse of power and absentee ballot fraud as well. Slaton is an old man trying to hang on to his former glory.
Next to them, Cid is practically a statesman.
He comes with Tallahassee experience, when he worked as chief administrative aide for former State Rep. Eddy Gonzalez. Since he was elected in 2012, beating former Councilmember Mary Collins with a slim 52 to 48 percent, he has pushed one initiative after another. Making town meetings more accessible through closed captioning. The locals as crossing guards. On demand bus service on Sundays for seniors to go to church or the grocery store. He’s served as chair of the economic development committee of the Florida League of Cities. He is now working with Miami-Dade Commissioner Esteban Bovo to move the administration of the county’s troubled special taxing districts to municipalities such as Miami Lakes (more on that later).
Read related story: Miami-Dade taxing districts = free-for-all shell game?
And then there’s the hometown charm. Cid has lived in the city since he was 8 years old. There is someone on every block that knows him. He’s polite and cordial and non-confrontational. In other words, he has all the makings of a very successful politician.
Cid told Ladra that his family convinced him over the holidays to run for mayor rather than for re-election.
“Those two weeks, hanging out with family, I zoned everything out and they told me, ‘If you’re going to run an election and you really want to change things, go for it. You can’t just be a timid soul,'” he said. “So I’m all in.”
He said he would run a positive campaign and that he would not attack his opponents. “Our families know each other. We go to community events together,” Cid said.
“This election is not about running against anybody. It’s like a pick-up basketball game. It ain’t personal.”
He apparently doesn’t think his opponents (read: Pizzi, mostly) will adhere to the same rule.
This is his announcement sent via email Monday:
After much prayer, serious thought and deliberation with family & friends about the future of our beautiful town. I have decided to announce my candidacy for Mayor of the Town of Miami Lakes.
Many of you know that I moved to Miami Lakes at the age of eight. I will never forget visiting dozens of homes throughout the Town with my parents during their search for our dream home. The sense of community and charming, old town feel so unique to Miami Lakes made this the obvious choice for them to raise a family.
My cherished memories as a child growing up in Miami Lakes, and now as a homeowner, business owner, husband, and parent of two children being raised here have made preserving our Town very much a personal priority. Those experiences and the hundreds of similar stories in our Town is what compelled me to run to ensure that we maintain those very same dreams and desires.
I don’t fail to realize that this election is bigger than me and that’s because we need to establish that the next generation of Miami Lakers inherit a better community. A community that respects all residents and their personal viewpoints; and where a fair and efficient government trumps power and money.
Lastly, I ask for your prayers. The next 10 months will not be easy. I have chosen this path because I am optimistic that we can continue to find ways to make Miami Lakes a great place to live and raise a family.
Thank you again for your support.
The election in Miami Lakes is Nov. 8. Qualifying doesn’t even begin until July so this can become even more interesting.
Councilman Tony Lama? Anyone?
Miami Lakes: Manny Cid becomes #3 to file for mayor added by Ladra on
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