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One hundred days ago, I made a promise to bring government out of the office and into the neighborhoods. That means meeting people where they live and solving problems on the spot.
We are moving staff out of their offices and onto the streets, in your neighborhoods and at your doorstep. That is how we have been able to respond faster, cut red tape, and make a real difference in daily life.
Two of our biggest successes so far have been the launch of the first-of-its-kind Text Message Help Line and Knocking with Natalie senior outreach. You can now text our office at 305-267-6377 to report an issue, ask a question, or share an idea. No hold times, no bureaucracy — just a real person ready to help.
For seniors and residents with mobility challenges, my team brings concierge-style help directly to their doors. No buses, no long lines, no running from office to office. We come to you.
During the early days after taking office, while meeting neighbors in Flagami, I spoke with a grandmother out with her grandchildren. She told me she wanted a Golden Passport for Miami Dade Transit but had not been able to get one. She was caring for two toddlers while her daughter worked, and the thought of taking multiple buses in the heat and rain and then waiting in long lines at a government office felt overwhelming. I knew we had to make it easier for people like her to get the services they need.
From my first day, I have made it a priority to take county government into the neighborhoods. In just 100 days, that approach has meant resurfacing more than 22 miles of roads, giving thousands of drivers smoother and safer commutes. It has meant installing speed tables in residential areas where parents have worried about speeding, and starting rehabilitation work on bridges. It has meant creating spaces for families to gather, like the new playground coming to San Jacinto Park in Little Gables, and making streets safer with more than 80 new 25 MPH signs near schools and parks.
It also means looking after the people and businesses that keep our community strong. We launched the Expectant Mothers Parking Voucher Program to waive state fees for temporary parking permits, removing a small but meaningful burden for moms to be. We awarded $5,000 Mom and Pop Grants to dozens of local small businesses so they can grow, hire, and keep our economy strong. We provided summer camp and swimming scholarships to children across our community, giving them new opportunities to learn and play.
Public safety continues to be front and center. We partnered with Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz for targeted patrols in high-priority areas, and I have walked neighborhoods with officers to hear residents’ concerns directly. We cleared illegal dumping sites, cleaned storm drains to reduce flooding, and kept our neighborhoods looking cared for. When families needed a little extra help, we partnered with Feeding South Florida to host four major food distributions, providing hundreds of households with healthy meals.
One hundred days in, I am proud of our team and what we have accomplished, but I am even more focused on what comes next. I will continue to fight for our residents during the budget process to ensure we protect core services, cut waste, and keep more money in your pocket.
Let me be clear, I will not support a budget that raises taxes, increases gas prices, or forces you to pay to park at Tropical Park or A.D. Barnes Park.
The lesson from these first months is clear: government works best when it shows up, not just in social media or press releases, but in the streets, the parks, and sometimes right there on your front door. That is where the work matters most, and that is where you will find me.
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