By Juan Carlos Esquivel
After a long electoral contest, including a runoff election in the City of Doral, many might wonder if I would continue to keep a watchful eye on the events unfolding in our community.
Well, friends, the mambo has begun!
Despite witnessing the worst and dirtiest political campaign I’ve ever seen, I cannot remain silent or indifferent to the results of the runoff election announced yesterday.
As the title of my article suggests, The Mambo Has Begun, I’ve received a copy of the agenda for the first meeting of our city council (attached), which includes several items to be discussed on December 18.
Let me clarify: the swearing-in and official proclamation ceremony for the newly elected officials is scheduled for December 17, according to the official notification from the City of Doral (also attached).
Here’s the key question: How is it possible that, if the charter of the City of Doral states that any council member must propose agenda items at least seven days prior to a meeting, there is already a resolution proposed by a future councilwoman who has not yet been sworn in?
I understand that the mayor and Councilman Pineyro, who are still in office until the day of their swearing-in, have the authority to propose agenda items. However, I cannot understand how future Councilwoman Nicole Reinoso, without having taken the oath, has already proposed a resolution for the council.
This is what the law says:
The law prohibits—and I want to emphasize, clearly prohibits—a newly elected official from acting in an official capacity before taking the oath. According to legal provisions:
“A newly elected official cannot propose an agenda item for a meeting until they have been officially sworn in. Until then, they lack the legal authority to act as an official or participate in formal government processes, such as proposing agenda items.”
This act constitutes a violation of our city charter and a blatant disregard for the residents of Doral.
To make matters worse, another controversial agenda item is a proposal from the new councilwoman seeking to deny future Vice Mayor Maureen Porras the title of vice mayor and maintain her title only as councilwoman, arguing that the change to vice mayor “costs the city money.” This, however, is a benefit that rotates among council members for one year of their term and has been established since the founding of the City.
Is this how the newly elected officials plan to govern our city? If this is what we’re seeing before they’ve even been sworn in, I dread to think about what lies ahead.
Hold on tight, neighbors of Doral—this is just the beginning!
2024-12-18 Council Meeting – FINAL AGENDA
