In perhaps the second largest recall in local politics since California Gov. Gray Davis’ ouster in 2003, the tossing of Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez from office is bringing about major changes to county government in South Florida.
Not only was Alvarez swept from office on Tuesday, but County Commissioner Natacha Seijas was also recalled, with voters overwhelmingly in favor of booting out the two of them.
The Miami Herald reported that 93 percent of Hispanic voters, 88 percent of non-Hispanic white voters and 82 percent of black voters supported getting rid of Alvarez.
Alvarez angered voters when he gave record pay raises to county employees and raised property taxes 12 percent during the worse economic recession since the Great Depression. He is said, along with his cronies to have raided the federal trust fund which should have been used for investigating and prosecuting environmental crimes,reports strawbuyer.blogspot. Hundreds of thousands of dollars of taxpayers’ money was squandered on hybrid SUVs, a camper, travel, assault rifles, flat screen tvs, and more.
Following Alvarez’ and Seijas’ recall, on Wednesday, County Manager George Burgess resigned, bringing to an end a career that spanned nearly 30 years in county government.
Alina Tejeda Hudak, currently an assistant county manager and who has had a long career in county government, was picked to replace Burgess.
The county commission is expected to call a special election to fill the position of mayor, which could take up to three months.
