NORTH MIAMI – Public Administrator Mac-Kinley Lauriston on Tuesday, September 4, filed his candidacy to become the next Mayor of North Miami, getting the jump on three contenders considering campaigns to succeed Dr. Smith Joseph who is not eligible to run for a third consecutive term.
Lauriston, 52, has appointed a treasurer, Etienne Joachim, for his fundraising committee. It’s the first official step in any municipal campaign. He kicked off his official mayoral bid one week later at Nomi Grill in North Miami.
It was a well-organized political event for a first-time candidate. Nomi Grill (formerly known as Moca Café) was well decorated, and a mixed crowd took part at the campaign kick-off. Elected officials (past and present), business personalities, young professionals, as well as concerned citizens attended the event. Representatives of an important number of local presses (radio, TV, newspaper) were also on site to cover the campaign luncheon.
At 8:02 pm, Mr. Lauriston, accompanied by his wife Nadege Lefevre Lauriston and their three sons (Matthew – Mark – Jayson ) arrived at Nomi Grill. He made a hand-over-hand entrance as the whole crowd was applauding.
The event was emceed by Media Veteran Debra J. Toomer, Director of Marketing/Account Marketing Executive at WMBM 1490 AM Gospel Radio, Miami. She told everyone “who is able to help should do what they can to make sure Lauriston wins the upcoming May mayoral election.”
Pastor Foster gave the invocation for the night. He prayed for the assembly, most particularly the success of the candidate in this mayoral race. “Faith, integrity, courage, devotion, patience and perseverance. Mr. Lauriston needs basically all of these to make a good leader. And he has them,” the pastor said.
Josaphat ‘Joe’ Celestin, who made history in 2001 by becoming the first Haitian-American mayor of a sizeable city in the United States, was the one who introduced the candidate. The former mayor of the city of North Miami (2001-2005) made a wonderful introduction to present the candidate to the audience.
“It is with great honor and pride that I give you the man that I believe will lead North Miami into the next century,” Mr. Celestin said. “My friend for whom I am here to support along with other elected officials that are in the room (former North Miami Councilman Jean Marcellus – Broward County District 9 Commissioner Dale V.C. Holness – Maimi-Dade District 2 Commissioner Jean Monestime).”
“Mr. Lauriston, I am here to make to you a commitment. Based on what I know about you, as a person, a man of integrity, a husband, a father, a Christian, a man who believes in helping others; I know based on what you shared with me, you will do a good job as mayor of North Miami,” Celestin added.
The former mayor later told the crowd, “We need to work hard from now until May 2019 to elect this man as our next mayor. My future mayor, I promise you that I will be here for you and I will work hard so we can celebrate together with our community, the community that you love, the night of May 14, 2019.” When finished, Mr. Celestin asked the entire room to stand up and help him welcome the candidate to the stage.
Addressing the crowded room, Mr. Lauriston went on to thank, of course God for His blessing to allow him to stand that night in front of the cheerful audience, the wonderful team who put the event together, his wife Nadege for the sacrifices she has made to let him do what he loves best, helping others, North Miami former Mayor Joe Celestin for his outstanding support, and Miami-Dade District 2 Commissioner Jean Monestime for his presence, whom he has been by his side for many years, as member of his office staff. The candidate also thanked elected officials, friends and family members who were part of the audience.
“Today I am here to tell you that I’ve decided to step out in faith to place my future in the hands of God and the hands of the voters. I am declaring my candidacy to become the next mayor of the city of North Miami,” Lauriston said.
“I seek to become mayor, not for the power of the position, but rather to empower the people. For throughout history, those considered the greatest leaders were not those who ascended to the highest position, but rather those who used the power of their position to empower others.”
Later, the candidate told the audience that he has a vision to propel the city of North Miami. And that is the primary reason he made the decision to enter the mayoral race. Lauriston portrays himself as a deliverer and progressive person and vows that he will not shy away from making hard decisions.
As Mayor, Lauriston said he will work to provide the North Miami Police Department more resources (one of the best in the country, he noted) to be even more effective. He envisions a North Miami that is more inclusive. He told the audience that government is more effective if it is a reflection of the diversity of its population. He also envisions a North Miami that is responsive to its citizens, values excellence in its service, champions transparency, and guarantees equity in the way it conducts business. The mayoral candidate also wants to invigorate North Miami by attracting more businesses and support the extension of existing businesses.
About the North Miami Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), Lauriston promises to use it in a more effective way to attract businesses so the city can create jobs which will provide living wages for its residents in order to improve their quality of life.
“To attract more businesses, we must make it easier for businesses to operate in North Miami,” Lauriston said.
As mayor, Lauriston said, he will focus on the real issues affecting working families. Unnecessary programs need to be eliminated, so the local government can allocate more resources to the city’s more pressing priorities and also put money back in the pockets of the residents.
Mr. Lauriston strongly believes that the City of North Miami cannot reach its true potential if any segment of the population is not able to reach their full potential. “For Years, we have made sporadic progress, but have not excelled in the way we promote economic development; we have not excelled in the way we bridge the gap between East and West; we have not reduced the gap between the haves and have-nots. We can do better. We must do better.”
Affordable housing, the acceleration of sea level rise in the east side of the city, which is putting these houses and their owners in danger, programs for the youth and seniors were some other subjects addressed by candidate Lauriston.
The candidate concluded his speech by telling the crowd, “Electing a leader is a decision that requires careful consideration. Familiarity must not be a criteria. Someone may be your neighbor, may look like you, talk like you, and yet may not share your values nor possess the character to make them ready to represent you. Before we cast our vote, we should consider the ethics and the integrity of the candidate and support a candidate that will set a good example for our children and who will enhance the reputation of our community.”
The North Miami mayoral race is so far a three-person contest as Councilman Philippe Bien-Aimé (District 3) and retired doctor Hector Medina have also filed for the position. Three other seats (District 1 – District 4 – City Clerk ) are also up for next year’s election scheduled for Tuesday, May 14.
Scott Galvin (District 1) is so far unopposed, however, Councilman Alix Desulmé (District 4) will have to face Claude Rivette as opponent. Elizabeth Jeanty, Vanessa Pierre, Vanessa Joseph, Esq., and Ronald H. Platt will compete for the City Clerk seat to succeed Michael A. Etienne, Esq. who has been in that position since May, 2011.
The current Mayor, Dr. Smith Joseph, has been in office since 2014 when he won a special election to complete the rest of ex-Mayor Lucie Tondreau’s term (suspended from office by Florida Governor Rick Scott a day after she was charged as part of an $8 million mortgage fraud scheme. She is serving a 65 month sentence and is set at the end of next year). Joseph was elected to his first two-year term in 2015 and faced no opposition. He won a second term in May 2017, beating two opponents rather easily: retired doctor Hector Medina and Danielle Beauvais, who was, at the time, referred to as a ‘joke candidate’.
By Charter, the City of North Miami hosts municipal elections every two years to elect the Mayor and City Council members by district. Each election year, North Miami voters elect to fill the Mayoral seat and two Council district representatives. The elections are administered by Miami-Dade County Elections Department in partnership with the North Miami Office of the City Clerk.
The Mayoral position is elected to a two-year term. Each individual can serve a maximum of two consecutive terms. The City Council is elected by district to four-year terms. Beginning with the election in 2013, Council representatives can serve a maximum of two consecutive four-year terms. The City Clerk is elected to four-year terms. Beginning with the election in 2013, the City Clerk can serve a maximum of two consecutive four-year terms. All candidates in North Miami municipal elections must win by a 50% plus 1 margin.
The candidate filing period runs through April 4, 2019. Residents have until April 10 to register for the election. If a runoff election is necessary, it will take place June 6.
Living in a Democratic Republic means we, the people, have a say in who represents us in local, state, and federal government levels. It’s an incredible right that was fervently fought for hundreds of years ago and that has been defended since. It’s also an amazing responsibility.
Men like Mr. Lauriston and women who seek office have the opportunity to change the outcomes and landscapes of the future of our communities.
Dessalines Ferdinand/ Le Floridien
