Braman Collects 90K Signatures In Recall Effort
MIAMI (CBS4) - Miami businessman Norman Braman's campaign to recall Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez has achieved one of its first goals.
On Monday, Braman announced that after two weeks of gathering petitions, they've collected 90-thousand signatures.
"Today I'm proud to announce that we have collected 90,000 signatures," Braman said at a newsconference. "This over the period of 14 days means that we have collected about 6400 signatures a day."
Braman says if the drive kept going, it would have collected 50,000 more signatures.
When the South Florida auto magnate started his campaign some questioned whether he would be able to collect the required 52-thousand signatures in 60 days. But momentum built quickly and lines soon formed at three sites across the county where petitions could be signed.
"I think people have reached a point where they are tired of complaining and they are ready to do something about it," Braman said. "I think that's been the universal reaction. It's interesting. It hasn't been a reaction of anger as far as the mayor is concerned. It's a feeling that they've been empowered. That they have a right to change government."
Braman launched the recall effort after county commissioners approved Alvarez's budget for the coming year that raises the property tax rate and raises the salaries of most county employees.
"174 million dollars in property tax increases to fund 132 million dollars in salary increases is not acceptable," said Braman.
Braman's announcement traveled fast on Monday.
"He (Alvarez) is going to lose," said Pastor Carlos de Jesus of Palabra de Fe. "People are fed up.. We are fed up. And we are not going to take it anymore."
Pastor de Jesus helped the recall drive by replacing the weekly affirmation on his church sign, with a message for voters to come on in and recall the Mayor.
"This is not only from the church but people who walked in," said the Pastor. De Jesus says he's never mixed his faith with politics---until now. He told CBS4's David Sutta that he is overjoyed with Braman's announcement.
Alvarez has defended his budget and the increased tax rate, saying it was needed to preserve vital services and avoid mass layoffs.
"I have always been preparing for an election and campaigns are great opportunities to cut through misinformation and get to the truth," Alvarez said in a statement. "As a 50-year resident of Miami-Dade County and a 34-year public servant, I care very deeply about this community and the people who call Miami-Dade home. I remain committed to serving the people of Miami-Dade County to the best of my ability until my term ends."
In the past, Alvarez at the same time has also said it's unfair to blame him for all the budget woes.
"The fact of the matter is I can propose and recommend the budget," Alvarez told CBS4 on October 1st. "But it's the County Commission that approves it."
While the increase will generate an estimated $178 million in revenue, it still leaves the county with less income than it had last year.
Alvarez has created a political action committee, "Citizens For Truth," to fight the recall effort against him.
In addition to the recall effort against Alvarez, another political action committee has been formed in an effort to gather signatures to recall five county commissioners who voted for the tax rate increase. The two recall efforts are not working in concert.
Now, the Clerk of the Court has 30 days to verify all the petition signatures collected. After that, Miami-Dade County Commissioners will set the special election to happen within 45 to 90 days.
Voters could be headed back to the polls as early as January or as late as March depending on how fast the commission moves.
The special election will involve the opening of 999 precincts at a cost of four to five million dollars. But, special elections have historically generated low turnout. In 2007, just 14 percent of voters showed up to make Miami-Dade's mayor a strong position.
CBS4's Peter D'Oench contributed to this report.
