Patricia Keon is running for re-election to the Group III seat of the Coral Gables City Commission in the Apr. 11 municipal election.
Keon, elected on Apr. 9, 2013, has served on a number of city boards including the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board where she spearheaded the redevelopment of the Coral Gables War Memorial Youth Center.
She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Barry College in 1970. She went back to graduate school at Florida International University (FIU) in 1996 and completed a Master in Public Administration in December 1999. She worked as policy aide to Miami-Dade County Commissioner Jimmy Morales from 1999 until he left office in 2004.
Keon currently serves on the Dean’s Advisory Board of the School of Arts and Science at FIU.
She has three adult sons, two daughters-in-law, two granddaughters and two grandsons. Her late husband, Bill, passed away in 2008.
Keon responded to the following profile interview questions:
What motivated you to run for office?
I’ve always been an advocate for preserving the high quality of life we enjoy in Coral Gables and the city commission is where the final decisions about our city’s future are made. I believed I could be most effective in keeping our city running on the right track by serving on the city commission.
What do you think are the three most important issues facing the city today?
I believe managing growth, protecting the integrity of our residential neighborhoods, and ensuring our city remains among the safest anywhere are the top issues we face today.
Do you think the city does a good job of soliciting and listening to citizen input on projects?
I believe that it does, but I would be completely supportive of any additional avenues of communication that would enlist more citizen input. The city has numerous boards led by residents that hold regular and frequent public hearings in advance of every significant project that ultimately comes before the city commission. The vity also disseminates information through email and newspaper advertising. But if there are additional avenues that would reach more people, I would encourage that we use them.
Do you think that Streetscape was the right use of resources at the right time?
Improving Miracle Mile has been a longstanding goal and desire for our city. It probably should have been done more than a decade ago to help keep our downtown more competitive. Notwithstanding the challenges of the project and the unforeseen delays, the financing was done without affecting residential millage rates and I believe was a prudent and proper use of our public bond refunding plan.
Is the city managing development properly?
I believe there are many opportunities where the city can urge developers to improve their plans and make projects better for the community. We should encourage projects that provide more green space and public access. All development should be consistent with preserving the integrity of our neighborhoods and the character of our city.
Should the High Pines and Little Gables be annexed?
The annexation of High Pines and Little Gables has been a subject of discussion and analysis for years. And while the inclusion of both these areas each has its own set of concerns and issues, I believe their inclusion as part of Coral Gables is good public policy that we should embrace.
Why are you the best person for the job?
Few cities are as beautiful, well managed, or as financially sound as Coral Gables. I believe a number of my initiatives have helped make it even better. Today, Coral Gables has a Triple A financial rating from all three rating services — one of only three cities in Florida so designated.
The Tree Protection Ordinances I sponsored are protecting our canopy and helping us remain Tree City USA. My Neighborhood Schools initiative now let parents know which schools their children can attend and, by working with the Miami-Dade Public Schools, we now also maintain a 25 percent preference for admission to the International Studies Program at Sunset Elementary.
I’m also honored to be supported by three other members of the city commission — Mayor Jim Cason, Vice Mayor Frank Quesada and Commissioner Vince Lago.
These are a few of the reasons I believe I’m the best person to continue serving the people of Coral Gables — and I would be honored to do so.
