MIAMI – Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez gave his State of the County address Thursday morning.
"The state of Miami-Dade County continues to improve and I'm more optimistic with each passing day," he said. "Our community has a lot going for it. An economy that is heading in the right direction. A county government that is working smarter and more openly as it delivers critical services to our residents; community partners who care deeply about our children's future and our community's long-term well being. A strong education system that is teaching a new generation of leaders and a growing entrepreneurship movement that is creating a new economy and new economic opportunities for our residents. These are indeed exciting times, optimistic times for our community."
Gimenez said Miami International Airport had its best year in terms of cargo and passenger traffic. He also said bio-research and a high-tech industry are starting to bloom.
"I'm hoping the next Twitter or Facebook will be born right here in Miami and that we will become the next Silicon Valley," said Gimienez. "Of course, we're not going to call ourselves Silicon Valley. We'll be calling ourselves something like 'Tech Beach.'"
Gimenez said problems still remain, like traffic gridlock.
"I think it's critical that we find a public transportation solution that moves lots of people because we cannot just continue to build additional roadways," said Adolfo Henriques, a business leader in Miami.
Gimenez also wants to curb gun violence in the county.
"For too long, too many of our children have fallen victim to senseless acts of violence," said Gimenez.
"His investment and partnership with me to bring about an end to youth violence in our community is absolutely on target," said Miami-Dade Public Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho.
Some wanted Gimenez to discuss other topics.
"Infrastructure, sea level rise, continuing unemployment, and those things really need to be addressed," said Katy Sorenson with the Good Government Initiative.
Gimenez didn't mention how negotiations were going with the Miami Dolphins on the county's involvement in the Sun Life Stadium modernization plan during his speech. He told Local 10's Michael Putney negotiations had just begun.