By Dessalines Ferdinand
The removal of Rasha Cameau as North Miami City Manager has sparked questions regarding her priorities and decision-making process. Accusations of a lack of cooperation from three Haitian-American councilmembers have drawn scrutiny to her tenure. Critics wonder if Cameau, also a Haitian-American, was more aligned with the city’s elite than with the broader North Miami population.
North Miami is home to a significant Haitian-American population. In 2001, Republican Josaphat Celestin became the first Haitian-American mayor of a large Miami-Dade County community. In 2009, Democrat Andre Pierre was elected mayor.
At the May 7 special meeting, many non-Haitian developers, architects, business owners and residents defended Cameau, citing her efforts to clean house and turn the city around. Dr. Rudolph Moise, the only person sharing Cameau’s cultural background who took the stage to defend her, didn’t make a strong case in her favor, according to many observers. Moise said, “Cameau was very supportive,” citing her help in securing a grant from the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) for his medical facility.
“Years ago, I built a beautiful facility on 119th Street, which cost over $4 million. I received $650,000 from the CRA, thanks to this woman,” Moise said, pointing to Cameau in the room. “Without her support, I wouldn’t have been able to create such a facility.”
Moise’s presence at the meeting to support Cameau could have been motivated by personal benefit.
In contrast, Wilkinson “Ken” Sejour, the owner of the Chef Creole Seafood Restaurant chain, expressed opposition to Cameau. “I support the Council’s decision, whichever direction they choose,” he said. “I want to share my experience applying to the CRA in North Miami. I don’t usually seek favors from government organizations, but I hoped to receive aid as a taxpayer. Unfortunately, I had one of the worst experiences and was extremely disappointed and surprised. As a business that employs people, I was dismayed by my experience with the CRA under Rasha’s management. After this, I vowed never to seek government aid again due to how poorly the CRA was run.”
Cameau said she was told, “The word on the street is that she is firing Haitians and replacing them with ‘blans,'” the Creole term for non-Haitians.
As City Manager, she was prepared to fire public works director Wisler Pierre-Louis, a Haitian-American, who resigned the same morning he was scheduled to meet with her.
According to Local 10 News, the City Manager documented her efforts to hold Pierre-Louis accountable for the shortcomings of a multi-million dollar water project. Some residents, citing The Biscayne Times, believe councilmembers circumvented Cameau to protect Pierre-Louis, possibly violating the city charter. Three complaints were filed last week with the state attorney’s office against Vice Mayor Estimé-Irvin and councilmembers Kassandra Timothe and Pierre Frantz Charles.
The circumstances surrounding Pierre-Louis’s resignation raise questions about the validity of these accusations. It’s unclear whether Estimé-Irvin genuinely overstepped her authority or if the recall efforts are based on speculation rather than evidence.
An anonymous figure deeply involved in North Miami’s Haitian community stated that Cameau seemed to use her positions as Head of the CRA and City Manager to favor individuals who shared her complexion. The person highlighted the contrasting experiences of Moise, who is light-skinned black, and Sejour, who is darker-skinned black—both of Haitian descent—to illustrate this point. It appears that Cameau’s support was frequently influenced by racial considerations.
As a Haitian-American city manager, Cameau should have garnered substantial support from her community. However, she seemed to lack broad backing from this demographic.
This division is striking given the large Haitian population in North Miami. The instance underscores concerns about potential preferential treatment and Cameau’s connections to wealthy business owners and residents, particularly those on the east side.
It is also intriguing that Mayor Alix Desulme, who initially supported Cameau’s hiring, was conspicuously absent from the proceedings. His absence could reflect a shift in alliances or a strategic decision to distance himself. Additionally, Councilman Scott Galvin, the council’s only non-Haitian member, was Cameau’s sole supportive vote. This lone stance raises questions about his motivations and whether his perspective aligns with the broader community.
None of the councilmembers have clearly explained why they wanted Cameau out. According to Councilwoman Kassandra Timothe, Cameau, who previously led the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), became City Manager without following standard protocol. Timothe, representing District 2, made it clear during the April 9 meeting when she moved to terminate Cameau. She said that Cameau’s appointment was procedurally incorrect.
The entire affair points to a fractured political landscape where certain interests may have been prioritized over others. While elite groups expressed overwhelming support for Cameau, the broader Haitian community seemed to feel underrepresented. This divide requires deeper reflection on the challenges of governing a diverse city like North Miami and finding ways for leaders to better balance the needs of all residents fairly.
