By Gary Alan Ruse….
Edward P. MacDougall, who currently is the Town of Cutler Bay’s vice mayor, is in the running for the open seat of mayor in the Nov. 2 election.
MacDougall, a longtime area resident, has been married 42 years and has two children and four grandchildren, all living in Cutler Bay. He says that his decision to seek the top office in town government is out of his concern for continuity and the future direction of the city.
“I am running for the position of mayor because I want to make sure the work our citizens started 10 years ago is put on the correct path,” MacDougall said. “I do not want to see a town of over-regulation. I want to continue the neighborly tradition of a friendly Cutler Bay.
“Additionally, I feel that as I stated from the pre-incorporation days, we need to be fiscally responsible and not raise taxes. The administration of Cutler Bay needs to be as frugal and careful with the citizens’ money as the citizens have to be themselves.”
MacDougall said that he believes his skills and his experience during the past few decades will assist him in fulfilling the duties of the office of mayor.
“My background is one of public and civic service,” he said. “I did not just decide one day to become an elected official. I have been active in civic work for 25 years. I also hold an undergraduate degree, which includes studies in constitutional, civil and criminal law.
“When asked by [Miami-Dade] Commissioner Katy Sorenson to serve on the Cutler Bay Advisory Committee, and subsequent Cutler Bay Charter Committee, I stepped up for service. Since 2006, I have held the position of vice mayor of Cutler Bay, and I am seeking the leadership role of mayor.”
MacDougall served on active duty from 1967 to 1970 and in active reserve from 1970 to 1976 in the United States Army Reserve (Airborne) 20th Special Forces. He served two years of combat duty in Vietnam from 1968 to 1969, and was honorably discharged with the rank of staff sergeant.
MacDougall earned an AA in Criminology from Miami-Dade Community College in 1973, and a BS in Criminal Justice Administration from Florida International University in 1976.
From 1970 to 1981 he worked for the Miami-Dade Police Department as sergeant in the Cutler Ridge District, serving on patrol, in undercover narcotics, as a motorcycle officer and a burglary detective. He retired to enter into private business.
From 1981 to the present MacDougall has been chairman of the board and 100 percent stockholder of ChoiceOne Companies, including ChoiceOne Mortgage Corp., ChoiceOne Home Lending, Key Title & Escrow Inc., ChoiceOne Insurance Inc. and ChoiceOne Real Estate.
Additionally, in 2001 he taught mathematics basics in the Math Department of Miami Dade College.
“Having grown up in Cutler Ridge, raising my family here and watching Cutler Bay grow, I look forward to seeing a bright future develop,” MacDougall said. “It is very important that we have proper representation before Miami-Dade County, but we must always keep our small town personality.”
MacDougall’s professional and civic memberships include the Economic Development Council, chair emeritus; chair, Cutler Bay Municipal Charter Committee; vice chair, Municipal Advisory Committee, Cutler Bay Cityhood; American Legion; Police Officers Assistance Trust, board of directors, 1991-1998; Vietnam Veterans Association; Perrine Cutler Ridge Council; Perrine Cutler Ridge Enterprise Zone; Military Affairs Committee, South Dade Chamber of Commerce; Latin American Association of Insurance Agents; Professional Insurance Agents, State legislative liaison, and the Florida Premium Finance Association.
“My goal for the town is in keeping with our founding father Thomas Jefferson’s vision of a great democracy,” MacDougall said. “Government should be open to the people. I believe in total transparency so the citizens can be witness to and participate in their future. I also stand by the fiscal policy of having government live within our means. That is to say government should never overspend our money.”
