Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez Vetoes Resolution That Would Have Put Brakes On Formula 1
MIAMI (CBSMiami) - Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez stepped in Friday to attempt to save Formula 1 Grand Prix in Miami Gardens.
Mayor Gimenez issued a veto after the Miami-Dade County Commission had passed a resolution in October that would have put the brakes on the race.
"It is like having a Super Bowl every year here in Miami-Dade County," Gimenez said.
One provision would have prohibited road closures for races that are near residential neighborhoods in Miami Gardens specifically.
At the time, Miami Gardens Mayor Oliver Gilbert called it a "victory."
Other provisions called for commissioner approval to close roads for races and would require impact studies.
Another said if anyone wants to have a race in Miami Gardens, there would have to be a public hearing first.
Mayor Oliver Gilbert says, "The concerns raised by the citizens do not go away because of the veto."
Mayor Gimenez contends the economic impact of the race would be incredible. "It is a world-class event, it is like having a Super Bowl here every year in Miami-Dade County," he said.
Some Miami Gardens citizens worry about the noise and the pollution from high-grade gasoline. They held a news conference to say the fight is not over.
"We want our County Mayor to remember that he represents all of us and Miami Gardens is a part of Miami-Dade County and is a bedroom community," said Betty Fegerson.
County Commissioner Audrey Edmundson will push to override the mayor's veto.
"I tell you what I am certainly going to try," Edmundson said.
