Javier Giraud is running for the office of mayor of Cutler Bay.
Giraud, the youngest of four children, is the son of immigrant Cuban parents. He is married to Aly Giraud and has two children ages 13 and 7. He earned his Associate of Arts degree from Miami-Dade Community College, his bachelor’s in Criminology from Florida State University and graduated law school at Creighton University in Omaha, NE. Giraud has worked for Miami-Dade County Commissioner Javier Souto as the district manager and as special counsel. He currently is a practicing attorney handling residential and commercial real estate and first party homeowner’s insurance claims.
All candidates were asked the following questions:
If elected, what would you do in the first 100 days?
“Traffic is a major concern for our residents. While as town mayor, I cannot control what our neighboring municipalities do, we can control the development that occurs in Cutler Bay. I will work with my fellow council members to amend the town’s land development regulations in order to prevent the over development of the Old Cutler Road corridor. Our LDR’s contemplate a downtown Dadeland and/or Doral along the Old Cutler Road. The property owners can build up to four story buildings along the corridor. If this corridor were to be built out to maximum density under the existing LDR’s it could lead to approximately 2,000 condominium units and substantially more vehicles on our local roads. We need smart growth, not unfettered growth. I would also meet with the school superintendent to renegotiate an inter-local agreement that was recently cancelled by the Town of Cutler Bay.”
What motivated you to run for office?
“My desire to help others. While studying at Creighton University, the university’s Jesuit philosophy emphasized service to others. In my personal life, I have served as a volunteer director of half dozen associations. I provide free legal services to organizations such as the Santana Moss Foundation. Currently, I serve as the president of the parent association for COAST magnet program at Cutler Bay Middle School. The Town of Cutler Bay has been running a deficit for several years now and the council has simply filled the budget gap with reserves — similar to what Miami-Dade County did with the half penny sales tax the voters approved for Metrorail extension, using those funds to plug budget deficits.”
Why do you think you would be the best candidate for the position?
“My past government experience drafting resolutions and ordinances, reviewing county procurement contracts and analyzing the annual county budget as well as my legal background provide me with unique knowledge and experience necessary to do the job that my opponents do not possess. One example: the town’s recent upgrade to its local bus shelters. They are aesthetically more pleasing than the monetized advertising shelters. However, the advertising shelters did provide shelter for our residents that are mobility impaired. The new shelters do not accommodate wheel chairs. I perceive this as a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.”
— Gary Alan Ruse
