The Good Government Initiative at the University of Miami, founded by former Miami-Dade Commissioner Katy Sorenson with funding from the Knight Foundation, has announced the members of the 2012 class of elected officials.
The mission of the organization is to help develop and train elected officials as well as those aspiring to run for office. This year’s class includes office holders from Miami- Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. They represent municipalities, school boards and the state.
“Our goal was to assemble a balanced cohort of active, engaged leaders from South Florida who are eager to work with others and to develop knowledge and skills in governance,” Sorenson said. “They represent the future of leadership in South Florida.”
Classes will begin at the end of August and go through mid-November. Those selected will participate in training on a variety of issues, including budget and finance, ethics, land use, media relations, cultural diversity, and more.
Speakers and presenters for the class will include Sen. Bob Graham, U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez, former Miami-Dade Mayor Alex Penelas, and historians Arva Moore Parks and Paul George.
“So many current and former elected officials, administrators and community leaders have volunteered to share their knowledge and expertise with our class, and all will be enriched by the experience,” Sorenson said,
Area members of the second annual class include:
Mayor Franklin Caplan, Village of Key Biscayne;
Councilmember Joseph Corradino, Village of Pinecrest;
Miami-Dade School Board member Carlos Curbelo;
Commissioner Josh Liebman, City of South Miami;
Councilman Stephen Shelley, City of Homestead, and
Mayor Shelley Stanczyk, Village of Palmetto Bay.
For more information on the Good Government Initiative, go online to <www.goodgov.net>.
