The Springs Examiner
“Dedicated to Documenting Truth by Open and Transparent Communication with Miami Springs Officials Regarding Community Issues.”
Introduction
The Springs Examiner is intended to be a periodic report on certain vague details of government operations. Residents need and deserve truthful and comprehensive information about the inner workings of our local government. Government transparency is crucial for efficiency, accountability, and residents’ trust, and it forms the foundation for a healthy and engaged community.
Subject: Campaign Donors Connected to Town Center Development and the Danger of Special Interests Influencing Policy:
Dear Mayor Fajet;
Please keep in mind that this inquiry is meant to establish truth and facts, not create controversy. I appreciate and respect your willingness to work to serve the city. But we residents deserve the respect of transparency, and that has been very lacking in previous council cycles. You are the mayor and the most experienced council member. It’s time to end the longstanding obfuscation of information that may document city failures or be embarrassing to city officials. Please provide the residents with answers and your insights to the following questions. This communication and your responses will be published in their entirety in the local media. Thank you.Â
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Subject: Campaign Donors Connected to Town Center Development: Mayor Fajet, your mayoral campaign document dated 3-26-25 indicates two developers who donated $500 each near the end of the campaign. Please understand that I am in no way making an allegation or suggestion of any type of quid pro quo or unethical behavior between you and the developer/donors. But consider the optics and circumstances. The Town Center developers were given many favorable concessions during the development process. The city foolishly allowed them to conduct their own parking study, which resulted in our parking shortage disaster. City officials failed to impose an appropriate parking fee of over a million dollars. More recently, city officials changed the zoning to help the Town Center rent its commercial spaces to businesses that don’t fulfill the original requirement for retail and restaurants that the residents had been promised would “revitalize” downtown.Â
Mayor Fajet, in the interest of transparency, please inform the residents about your thoughts on receiving campaign funds from developers that appear to have been involved in the Town Center project. Granted, their $1,000 contribution is not a significant amount of money when your campaign had a total haul of over $40,000, which also included a $1000 contribution from a lobbyist. But we are a small town, and we have to be careful of the dangers of special interest groups like developers and lobbyists getting a foothold and attempting to influence policy.Â
Questions: 1. Can you confirm or deny that the two contributors were part of the development process of the Town Center? 2. If confirmed, were you aware that two donations to your mayoral campaign, totaling $1,000, were from developers tied to the Town Center? 3. Do you acknowledge that some people could regard it as inappropriate or a conflict of interest to receive funds from developers who previously benefited or could benefit from future decisions in your official capacity? Especially if those decisions did not represent the best interests of the residents. 4. Do you agree that we must stay vigilant about special interest groups that may use campaign contributions to try to influence city policy?Â
Thank you,
Jim Llewellyn
Walter Fajet Response**********************
Hey there Mr. Llewellyn
Sorry that my response took a bit to get back to you.
I wanted to craft the right words and give you a thoughtful answer.
As always, you can call me any time if you want to discuss further.
Here is my response:
Response to Inquiry Regarding Campaign Contributions and Transparency
Dear Mr. Llewellyn,
Thank you for your letter and for your commitment to the transparency of our local government. I share your belief that residents deserve a clear understanding of how their city operates, and I appreciate your efforts towards that end, as well as, the respectful tone of your inquiry.
Regarding the specific campaign contributions you mentioned, I would like to offer the following insights:
Public Disclosure and Transparency
The reason you are able to identify the specific affiliations and employment of the specific donors you are asking about, is that Florida election laws require every candidate to maintain a transparent public record. All donors, whether individuals or entities, must provide their name, address, and occupation or business type for the express purpose of public oversight. This system ensures that every resident has the tools to remain vigilant.
Contributions as Participation
In our democratic system, campaign contributions are a protected form of civic participation and free speech. My campaign received support from dozens of individuals, including residents, business owners, and professionals. I believe wholeheartedly, that they contributed to my run for office because they supported my track record and commitment to the continued improvement of Miami Springs.
Legal and Ethical Compliance
Based on County Ethics codes and Florida state laws, these donations do not constitute a conflict of interest. State law is clear that a conflict only arises if there is a specific “special private gain or loss” involved in a decision. Receiving a lawful campaign contribution from an individual or entity (even if they do business in the city) does not meet this threshold and therefore, is not a conflict of interest.
Independence of Judgment
I could not agree with you more, that we must remain vigilant regarding the influence of special interests. I can also state unequivocally that my votes and policy decisions have never been influenced by any donation. Every decision I have made as Mayor, and throughout my time on the council, has always been guided by what I believe is in the best long-term interest of our community and its residents.
I truly appreciate you bringing your concerns to light. Transparency is indeed the foundation of a healthy community, and I remain dedicated to serving Miami Springs with the integrity our residents expect.
Please feel free to contact me directly on my cell phone if you should have any questions or need further clarification.
With sincere appreciation,
Mayor Walter Fajet, Ed.D.
The City of Miami Springs
201 Westward Drive
Miami Springs, FL 33166
Phone: (786) 285-3794
Email:Â fajetw@miamisprings-fl.
