|
Feature Stories
ALEX PENELAS The People’s Mayor
Miami-Dade County Mayor Alex Penelas said he wakes up everyday with the dream that his actions will contribute to the well-being and prosperity of the diverse population of Floridians he serves. He is the proud Mayor of a community that welcomes over 30,000 new residents each year – many of them escaping tyranny, poverty, fear, and oppression.
|
|
|
Alex Penelas - Miami-Dade County Mayor
|
|
A son of Cuban immigrants who fled communism in search of the American dream, Penelas witnessed the struggles and victories of Miami Dade County’s vast immigrant community during the past decades. Penelas strongly believes that he is an example of America’s blind embrace and the unconditional opportunity that it offers to anyone willing to seek their dreams.
From his early childhood, Penelas was deeply inspired by his parents, Mirta and Luis Penelas. It was his late mother Mirta, a loved and devout member of Miami’s Cuban American community, who inspired him to take part in the county’s leadership. The humble origins and gentle nature of his parents shaped Mayor Penelas into the person he is today: a man of integrity, character and devotion to the community.
During his early days as an undergraduate student, Alex Penelas attended St. Thomas University where he received a B.A. in Political Science while graduating summa cum laude. In 1985, he graduated cum laude from the University of Miami School of Law. He also received an honorary Doctor of Law degree from St. Thomas University.
|
|
|
Alex Penelas - Miami-Dade County Mayor
|
|
Penelas first entered public service in 1987 as a councilman for the City of Hialeah, where he served until 1990. In 1990 he became the youngest person to ever be elected to the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners, where he served for six years.
In 1996, Penelas became the first executive mayor of Miami-Dade County, and was re-elected to a second term on Sept. 5, 2000. He represents over 2.1 million residents and exercises authority over the largest metropolitan government in the Southeastern United States.
His administration has focused on reducing crime and corruption, and on senior citizens’ and children’s issues, all while streamlining government. Under Mayor Penelas’ leadership, Miami-Dade County has experienced the lowest combined tax rate in 12 years, welfare rolls have been reduced by more than half, and crime rates are at the lowest levels in 30 years.
|
|
|
Alex Penelas - Miami-Dade County Mayor
|
|
The number of overall violent crimes for unincorporated Miami-Dade County is down five percent compared to 2001, and down 44 percent from 1996 -- despite the area’s population growth. While slight increases in robberies were reported in other major U.S. cities, unincorporated Miami-Dade County experienced a two percent decrease in robberies – the lowest since 1979.
Healthcare, and the lack of it, for the working uninsured is an issue that Mayor Penelas also feels very passionate about. More than 450,000 residents in Miami-Dade County do not have access to affordable and convenient healthcare. With the county’s population growing in size and diversity, the challenge becomes further complicated. The population affected includes children, the elderly, immigrant families, the working uninsured, the poor and undocumented residents.
As a response to this problem, Mayor Penelas created the Mayor’s Health Care Access Task Force. This 52-member group’s goal is to bring together public and private sectors to identify health access barriers; discuss ways to provide residents with quality, convenient and affordable healthcare coverage through governmental and private partnerships; and to create public awareness of available and new programs.
|
|
|
In 1994, he married his wife Lilliam, whom he describes as the “love of his life.” They are the proud parents of two boys, William and Christopher. The Mayor and his wife have been lifelong residents of Miami-Dade County and most recently were recognized as Family of the Year by Greater Miami Family Counseling Services.
|
|
Mayor Penelas has also played a significant role in coordinating two transportation summits. This gathering of ideas for transportation improvements from the general public set the foundation for the People’s Transportation Plan, which was approved in November 2002. According to Penelas, this proposal will result in the overall improvement of Miami-Dade's transportation system.
On a statewide level, he spearheaded the Universal Pre-K Plan to provide free, voluntary pre-kindergarten education to all Florida four-year-olds. This plan was overwhelmingly approved by Florida voters in November 2002, and will be implemented throughout the state by 2005.
Mayor Penelas has continuously pursued the betterment of the community, fueled by strong ideals that demand quality of life, excellence within the community and understanding of daily concerns of all citizens.
He is a man of the people, fueled by the community’s spirit and whose dreams and efforts continue their quest for prosperity to all.
|
