We have no choice in the matter.
Natalie Milian Orbis secured a four year term as Miami-Dade County Commissioner for District 6 when no one attempted to run against her and her reported million dollar campaign war chest.
According to an article published by FloridaPolitics.com, Orbis had “surpassed the $1 million mark in fundraising.” She also reportedly received an endorsement by Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz.
I’ll be frank. Orbis is a big improvement over her predecessor, Kevin Mario Cabrera, who left his post on the county commission to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to Panama.
But many unanswered questions remain with Orbis as Miami Springs will be facing an existential threat this fall from the possible elimination of homesteaded property taxes.
- Would Orbis support Miami Springs and Virginia Gardens efforts towards annexation or would she let us down like her predecessor? We don’t know.
- What will Orbis do to improve traffic and public safety on problematic County Roads like the Circle and Curtiss Parkway? We don’t know.
Unfortunately, when there’s no race and no competition, there’s limited interest by politicians to take a stand and take a position on key issues that matter to our community.
And as voters, we lost the opportunity to have candidates really work to earn our vote. A campaign allows the voters an opportunity to get to know the various candidates and the issues that matter most to them.
Instead, we the voters, lost the opportunity to have a choice in the matter.
Just as a reminder, Orbis was never elected to her current position. She was appointed by the Miami Dade County Commission. And now, with no one daring to run against her, she wins by default.
That said, Orbis has been very engaged in local events. She has a great attitude and has shown kindness and caring to our residents. She has the potential to be a great public servant for South Florida.
However, we still have unanswered questions and a bad taste in our mouths from the prior commissioner who pretty much thumbed his nose at both Miami Springs and Virginia Gardens residents.
While we’re happy for Orbis, we are still very wary.
What do you think? Let us know in the comments or via social media.
