By Nepthalie Yacinthe
MIRAMAR — Commissioner Riggs grew up in the City of Miramar and she is one of our own. She is the benjamin of 10 children. Her parents have 8 children of their own and adopted her and another niece. It was a real struggle for her family financially. She remembered not having a new backpack for school which clearly explains why Commissioner Riggs created the backpack giveaway to help bless a student in need. During thanksgiving season, she recalls going to Dade County to get one free. Turkey giveaway is another initiative by Commissioner Riggs. She attended Miramar Elementary and former Perry Middle, graduated from Miramar High in 1998. She was an adept student. She attended Broward College paying out of state fees. Commissioner Riggs understands clearly the pain of individuals that came to this country as a minor undocumented. A Registered Nurse by profession. She went to school on a county scholarship and she is forever grateful for that option. The only payback was for her to work for a county hospital. She obtained an associate then went to FIU for her bachelors then obtained her masters in nursing education. Nursing was the only thing she knew until she had a calling. It was not an easy feeling for Riggs which had no interest and was never exposed to politics. That higher calling helped her to focus on the city’s needs instead of politics. Many of the initiatives of Riggs are based on what the city wants, and others are needs that she knows exist based on her experience.
Honorable Riggs did not have a political background yet her heart lead her to pursue politics. She went in with the conviction to advocate for the residents of the beautiful city of Miramar. She heard about a 60 million dollars bonds that spike her interest. She kept searching for answers. It was said that the bond was to build a police department. She understood that very well because her husband at the time was a police officer. He spent 30 years serving in the police force. She knew that there was a hurricane that destroyed the police department which made sense that it needed to rebuild. The police officers had to be relocated to the Park of Commerce due to the destruction. The environment was bad because regular residents that needed to be fingerprinted for work had to use the same bathroom as someone that was arrested. She continued to look for answers. 20 million dollars was what was needed to rebuild the police department. She didn’t want to accept that money was being used for a want rather than a need. Riggs became proactive by attending the council meetings. She felt like better government was needed. She was begging other people she thought was qualified to run for office. Still, Riggs ignored that calling because she was a nurse not a politician. She rejected the tugging of the heart and every political sign. She pleaded with God to give her a different sign. She asked her husband to pray on it hoping that he will discourage her. Fortunately for the residents of Miramar her husband thought she would be perfect for the post. Commissioner Riggs did not find the way out that she was hoping for.
Riggs got to work and created her own cards. She claimed that she didn’t know what she was doing but she was what the city needed. She went to Chez Guyto Restaurant to articulate her plans and Mr. Guyto invited her to pass out her flyers on a Sunday so she can meet his many Miramar clients on Sunday. God started to place great people in her path. She met Mac-Kinley Lauriston which has just finished Jean Monestime’s campaign and the rest was a great advocacy story for the City of Miramar.
A commissioner’s role is to set policies and to govern. Riggs believes that she works for the people. She is championing the cause of the people. She is the voice of the seniors and the youths that might not have a voice.
Commssioner Riggs is not being highlighted just because she is Haitian, here are her accomplishments:
2015, Commissioner Riggs voted in support of creating 856 jobs, Opposed oil-drillings in our everglades, initiated development of fire station. Also Launched family initiatives yearly Free Turkey Drive, Free Back to School Backpack and Free-Swimming Lessons.
2016, systemized yearly Faith Leaders Assembly, Resolution for disaster relief, Establish Haiti Relief & Love for Haiti with personal funds, Launched annual National Day of Prayer in Miramar. She also Launched healthcare initiatives yearly with Free Mammograms, CPR Classes and Health Fairs.
2017, Organized historic Miramar Board, Established boundaries to Historic Miramar, Petitioned state representative “Stop the Blasting”, Championed for and accomplished diversity within city departments and initiated “Miramar You Need 2 Know”.
2018, Commissioner Riggs champions #MiramarCares Campaign for $1.5 Million dollars in 2019 budget year specifically for Historic Miramar, revitalization and redevelopment of Historic Miramar, Scholarships for 2018 graduating class, Re-Grouping Community Meetings, Launch Wellness Before Sickness Health Care Initiative and Public safety programs with first responders is currently in progress.
I have always voted with the Community. I think of the residents who wakes up in Miramar, said Commissioner Riggs. She always takes the time to listen to what the community wants. She got teared up as she referred to residents that she helps individually. The greatest needs are in Historic Miramar. The residents that can’t afford their rent or their monthly utilities. Commissioner Riggs created an account under Love for Miramar & Haiti Relief in which she dedicates $300 every pay check to help folks pay their rent and utility bills. Commissioner Riggs does not touch on her philanthropic side enough, but it was important to mention. It is a huge responsibility because the Haitian-American Community is counting on her to represent well and she is doing just that.
Commissioner Riggs sat down with the Seniors in 2016 to find out how she can better help. One lady answered “Nou bezwen yon moun ki konn pale kreyol’. I couldn’t understand because it was a large group Creole Speaking Seniors. There were 4 social workers at the time and the department had 67 employees. It’s 5.9 million dollars department. At this point she had to advocate and clearly understood her purpose in this role. Months went by and nothing was done yet She was receiving more complaints from the Seniors. They thought taking care of it was simply to have the bus driver with no social work background translates. Riggs needed to solve the issue. She brought it up to her colleagues for support unfortunately they didn’t see the need either. Riggs needed a call to action, so she reached out to the person that she thought could help, Haitian media personality Elizabeth Guerin. A group of concerned Haitian-American Miramar residents showed up at the council meeting. That’s the battle that she had to win in order to have 1 Creole speaking social worker hired. Now, when she visits the Seniors, she heard nothing but gratitude. “Mèsi wi Komisyonè, mwen jwenn asirans lan”. Soon, you can expect two hours of Creole Speaking information on Comcast due to Commissioner Riggs.
Commsissioner Riggs is needed in the government and deserves the votes of the residents. A vote for Riggs on March 12th as the Commissioner to the City of Miramar Seat 4 means a vote for all people and The Haitian-American Community.
For more info visit www.miramarfl.gov/992