MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — Miami Beach voters turned out on Monday, the beginning of early voting, ahead of the Nov. 4 election for city mayor and three commissioners.
In the mayoral race, Miami Beach Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez, who represents Group 1, is running against Steven Meiner, the incumbent and a former commissioner.
“Our city has gotten safer, has gotten cleaner, and it has even gotten drier with our resiliency projects,” Meiner said. “We need to continue that momentum.”
Rosen Gonzalez, a Miami Dade College communications professor who is on her second term as city commissioner, grew up in Miami Beach.
“Miami Beach is an iconic city and it needs a mayor to match it ... We need a leader than can focus us on our priorities,” Rosen Gonzalez said.
Meiner said the city, under his leaderhip, offers many services to the homeless that other cities do not offer. He said this and law enforcement is good for business.
“Lamborghini is opening up a shop here. Major watch companies from Switzerland opening up here because Miami Beach is the place they want to be,” Meiner said.
Rosen Gonzalez said she is worried about the cases of aggravated batteries and assaults that have increased. She wants more law enforcement.
“You can’t say, ‘We are safe now!’ Because, we are not,” said Rosen Gonzalez adding, “So that’s why, I suggest that the Miami Center Mental Health and Recover, we need to get it open. A true comprehensive solution, instead of just criminalization.
Meiner and Rosen Gonzalez both supported legislation to prohibit the homeless from setting camp in Miami Beach.
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