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Vice Mayor Rodney Harris
As my term as Vice Mayor of the City of Miami Gardens sunsets, I reflect on the successes we have accomplished throughout the City, and specifically in my district, Residential Area Seat 3.
Residents in Residential Area 3 will enjoy a newly designed and renovated Bunche Park facility, including the new pool. At Bunche Park, our children will have access to alternative sporting activities such as gymnastics, archery and boxing, to name a few. I am equally proud of the number of Miami Gardens’ youth we have supported with the summer jobs program. Teens are provided an opportunity to be productive, while learning responsibility and earning money. Each year the program employs over 30 young people in Miami Gardens to work at various City facilities. This initiative is made possible with the financial support of the Rolling Lake Crest, Inc. Homeowners Association.
In addition, through the Success Through Empowerment Program (STEP), we continue to guide Miami Gardens’ young residents towards making good life choices, and avoiding negative interactions with the criminal justice system. Many of the STEP graduates have become productive young adults and responsible members of our community.
Lastly, one of the programs I am most proud of is our local Robotics STEAM competition. For the last four (4) years, this program has provided elementary and middle school students throughout Miami Gardens and Miami-Dade County the opportunity to compete and qualify for the State level Robotics STEAM competition.
Although my term in office as an elected official expires in 2020, my work as a servant in this community will continue.
Councilwoman Lillie Q. Odom
Later this year I plan to officially retire from public office and continue traveling.
As one of the founding members of the City, I sing the praises of Miami Gardens’ governmental achievements. My home, my City, is 17 years young, and it’s an elite member of the National League of Cities, Florida League of Cities, and other notable organizations.
As an elected official for over eight (8) years, my platform has always been outreach and education. Some of my established ongoing projects are HIV/AIDS education, sickle cell awareness, elderly financial abuse awareness, Military Veterans Affairs Board, preservation of the City of Miami Gardens’ history, honoring seasoned elderly mothers, book bag & toy giveaways and support and contributions to the arts.
During my tenure as Councilwoman I held annual toy drives for the youth in our City. I have been an avid supporter of our basketball tournaments and more importantly have supported and counseled the City’s karate program each year. I have also had several farm share events.
Close to my heart have also been our Seniors. I established the Computer Program for Seniors and initiated the Super Soul Steppers to the City.
In honor of Black History Month, I hosted my last Black History Extravaganza on Saturday, February 29 at the Betty T. Ferguson Recreational Center.
I thank you, the Residents, for allowing me to serve you.
Councilman Reggie Leon
As a newly elected Councilman I look forward to serving my City and continuing the transformation of Miami Gardens into a beautiful place to live, work and play. My main priorities as a Council member include the following:
To continue to educate Residents on how to navigate through the City, making sure the processes are user friendly.
To enhance educational, recreational and quality of life services offered to Residents.
To increase homeownership opportunities for young, black professionals.
To continue to focus on public safety.
I look forward to working with everyone in the community as we strive to achieve these common goals.
Councilwoman Katrina Wilson
In my capacity as Councilwoman, I will focus on the continued development of a culture of “we-ness” in the City of Miami Gardens by championing the collaborative engagement of our community, including both businesses and citizens.
The establishment and continuous support of the Elderly Affairs Committee have sponsored their travel to the State of Florida Annual “Senior’s Day “ in Tallahassee in the last eight years.
Councilman David Williams, Jr.
Fostering a passion and exposing Miami Gardens students to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) is one of my major initiatives. In February, I partnered with Florida International University to host the annual STEM Day for youth where participants received hands-on experience at the Aerospace Center, a campus tour with lunch, and awards. Additionally, I worked to establish butterfly, fruit and vegetable gardens to enhance science initiatives at Miami Carol City Middle School. The grand opening of the gardens took place on February 26.
Driving education for youth through science initiatives is important as we develop the next generation of leaders. In 2020, I will host the David Williams Jr. Science Award program and the opening of a new local flea market.
Councilman Erhabor Ighodaro
Our resilience as a community is undaunted even as we deal with the pandemic of COVID-19. We are in this together and we will continue to fight to provide our residents with needed relief as we survive through these times. That’s why on March 27th I asked our City, the County Mayor and the Governor to suspend the issuance of red light camera tickets. We will never relent in the fight to protect our families. Our residents should not be worried whether their drivers licenses will be suspended when the fate of their livelihood is under suspense.
In Miami Gardens, we have an abiding commitment that as we have an abiding commitment that as we grow, we would not leave our families behind.
That commitment is why I sponsored a resolution unanimously supported by our City Council to adopt Paid Family Leave for our employees. It is also why I sponsor diverse educational and entertaining programming, such as The Read to Lead Project for elementary students, Senior Prom and Senior Trips for our elders, and the Special Games for our youth with disabilities.
As we continue to grow and move forward, our priority should be to make Miami Gardens the “Number One” city for families.
