Miami-Dade publicity stunt: Emilio Estefan to be ‘sworn’ in

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From the Feel Good News file down at the Stephen P. Clark Center: Music mogul Emilio Estefan will be sworn in tomorrow as the first Special Ambassador representing Miami-Dade County.

County commissioners approved an ordinance in December establishing a Special Ambassador program and nominating Estefan as the first to serve in this mostly ceremonial position. So the swearing in at 2 p.m. Friday is mostly pomp and circumstance, too.

In light of red light cameras that are coming and votes that hurt county employees and last year’s threat to close down libraries, County Hall needs a positive story to sort of take the pressure off. Make no mistake, dear readers and property tax payers: This is a publicity stunt.

I love the Estefans as much as any red-blooded Cuban American Miamense who grew up at the Te Bailables at the Big Five. But the “special ambassador” is symbolic post with no pay, no expense account and no real power. He  may serve for four years, but Estefan wasn’t elected to the position.

So the swearing-in is really just a photo op.

Commissioner Jean Monestime sponsored the ordinance to create the program. With “a formal representative for the County’s cultural and trade aspirations, we can continue to develop our community as the nexus between music, art, culture, and trade,” he said in a statement last month.

Really? So he’s going to promote Miami as a place for artists and events like the Grammys. Wait… doesn’t he do that already?

And is there a cost associated with this new program? I mean, does Mr. Estefan get any support staff? Ladra asked but nobody could tell me.

Special ambassadors are expected to attend meetings, events and social functions and to promote Miami-Dade County as a port for the arts. They are also to report to the county commission upon request. Does that mean that Chairwoman Rebeca Sosa can just summon the Estefans over?

Emilio Estefan, a 14-time Grammy winning music producer married to singing sensation Gloria Estefan, is also part owner of the Miami Dolphins. Might he be “ambassador” for the public funding to renovate the stadium?

Estefan, too, made a statement in a press release issued by Monestime’s office: “I have always been proud to support efforts that bring prosperity and opportunity to Miami and hopefully this position will allow me, and those who may follow after, to help contribute to the promotion and growth of our community,” he said.

So, in the interest of feel good news and nexus building, let Ladra nominate someone to take over for Estefan as special ambassador of the arts in 2018: Pitbull. Oh wait, he already does that anyway.

Timber!

  Carlos Gimenez, Emilio Estefan