By Dessalines Ferdinand
NORTH MIAMI – On the morning of Monday, December 12, six newly-elected and one appointed Miami-Dade County Commissioners were sworn-in, marking a major change in leadership for the Commission.
The ceremonial swearing in was held at Knight Concert Hall in Miami from 10 am to Noon.
Each new member of the Commission took the stage one-by-one to recite the oath of the office. Among them was Haitian-American Marleine Bastien, representing District 2 who replaces Jean Monestime, who reached the maximum terms allowed by law.
The swearing in of trusted community leader Marleine Bastien was conducted by the Honorable Markenzy Lapointe, another Haitian-American who was recently appointed by the Biden administration as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida. Commissioner Bastien was joined on stage by her three sons, Akim, Omar, and Tarik.
During her remarks, Bastien pleaded to advocate for equity and inclusion. She vowed to champion improving a public transportation plan that addresses the community’s needs. She also recommended that her colleagues work together to curb gun violence plaguing Miami-Dade communities.
Roberto J. Gonzalez (District 11), Micky Steinberg (District 4), Kevin Marino Cabrera (District 6), Danielle Cohen Higgins (District 8), Anthony Rodriguez (District 10), Juan Carlos Bermudez (District 12) are the other new faces were also officially installed as members of the Board of County Commissioners.
Well-known Haitian Bishop Gregory Toussaint offered an inspirational message at the closing of the ceremony.
HACCOF hosts a Community Celebration to mark Bastien’s era as beginning
Knowing how important the presence of Marleine Bastien at the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners is for the community, the leadership of HACCOF (Haitian-American Chamber of Commerce of Florida) hosted a community celebration at the Scott Galvin Community Center in North Miami to welcome and celebrate the political achievements of the former executive director of Family Action Network Movement (FANM).
The afternoon event gathered about one hundred guests. North Miami newly appointed Vice mayor Marie-Estimé Irvin, North Miami City Clerk Vanessa Joseph, North Miami Beach Commissioner Daniela Jean, and former Broward County Mayor Dale Holness were among the dignitaries present for the event.
Prinston Jean-Glaude, Vice-Chairman of HACCOF, was pleased to welcome them at the gathering.
“I am deeply honored to join you today in recognizing our guest of honor, Commissioner Marleine Bastien,” said the CEO and co-owner of Primary Medical Care Centers. “To say the least, her efforts have not gone unnoticed. From the moment she stepped into a classroom, Ms. Bastien has been a true asset to our community.”
He added, “A leader with a passion to serve and the courage to act! Commissioner Marleine Bastien has passionately embraced her purpose to serve others from an early age. At eight years old, she began tutoring literacy to other children and adults in her home village of Pont-Benoit, Haiti. Now, she is your Commissioner for the Miami-Dade County District 2.
“Mrs. Bastien, we applaud you and wish you much success in your new role as Commissioner of District 2. We know you will continue to strive. Welcome and once again, we look forward to working with you as you embark on this new chapter.”
Akim, the new Commissioner’s oldest son had a chance to address the audience to talk proudly about his mother. The young man especially pointed out the effect that the work his mom has done in the community has on the lives of people throughout the community.
“My mother never wavered in proposing her excellency to be of service for our community,” he said. “It is so interesting the impact a woman like that can have on the people. And she does it tirelessly. She has a profound impact on me and my brothers as well. I am so proud of you, Mom. I love you, Mom. Thank you for coming to celebrate my mother. I really appreciate it. She really appreciates it.”
Maxo Sinal, who Ms. Bastien refers to as her campaign chief strategist, was then called to present the newly elected commissioner.
According to Sinal, Bastien is one of the greatest candidates that he has ever worked with, and he truly believes that the new commissioner is set to succeed. She is trustworthy and passionate about changing lives.
“What really sets Marleine Bastien apart from the other candidates is her passion, integrity, courage,” said Sinal, before reading part of Bastien’s biography. “A strong desire to serve others, transparency, energy, determination, and commitment. These characteristics make me confident this afternoon that Marleine Bastien will be one of the most successful Commissioners that Miami-Dade County ever known.”
Addressing the crowd, the Commissioner thanked the board members of HACCOF for hosting the event in her honor. She showed love and gratitude towards her father, ‘Pè Bastien’ and mother ‘Manman Gina’ – who were present at the event – describing how monumental they were in shaping her life to become the well-known and appreciated community leader she is today.
Talking about her campaign, she reminded the audience that it was not about her. Her campaign was embraced by so many in a way, yet she did not want to mention names because she knew she’d overlook someone and every person who assisted her along the way was invaluable. She said, without a shadow of doubt, they know who they are.
She also added, “Now the real work begins. I will have an open-door policy. Even those of you who did not vote for me, you are welcome. Those of you who know me know that I love good negotiation. That is what I have been doing for forty years. I love a good debate, good ideas. You don’t have to agree with me. Please bring it on. Let us get to work for an inclusive, thriving, renewed, and successful District 2 where every voice is heard, and everyone finds a chance to make it! I am asking you to work with me for a better District 2 to never hear the word “the poorest district in Miami-Dade County” again, but a ‘prosperous and strong district.’”
As the daughter of Haitian immigrant parents and the first woman elected to serve in District 2, Marleine Bastien also believes that her representation on the Miami-Dade County Board of Commissioners matters for every young girl, no matter her ethnic background.
The event was a profound celebration of Haitian-American success, the fortitude of women everywhere, and highlights the potential and power available to entire communities who come together as one. HACCOF leadership showed exceptional character in hosting this event, providing food, drinks.
When our community works together, anything is possible. Whether we supported a candidate at election who didn’t win or not, when we set aside the small differences that keep us apart, we grow stronger, and that’s what this HACCOF-hosted event emphasizes: unity. When we are truly united, nothing can stop us from achieving the better life we all desire to have, the better community, the better city, the better county, the better state, the better nation.
The better world. Congratulations to Ms. Bastien and a heartfelt thank you to all who work tirelessly to make our community stronger in the long run.
Dessalines Ferdinand
Le Floridien