Breaking News: County Commissioner Katy Sorenson will not run for re-election ... by gimleteye

I am troubled right now with the relationship between citizens and government. There’s too much mistrust and too much ill will. And it isn’t just between citizens and government, it’s between governments—city vs. county, county vs. state, county vs. school board—and even within our government we have fights between the legislative and executive branch, between elected officials and staff. People seem to forget that it’s not us and them – we’re a government OF and BY the people. We’re all in this together. - Katy Sorenson

In a 2 PM press conference, Miami-Dade County Commissioner Katy Sorenson will announce that she will not run for re-election. Commissioner Sorenson has represented District 8 since 1994, ascending as a political newcomer after a scandal embroiling her predecessor, Larry Hawkins.

Of thirteen county commissioners, Sorenson reliably represented the public interest, casting the sole "no" vote so often on controversial zoning issues that most lobbyists simply refused to meet with her. For 16 long years, and endless commission meetings that would have tested the patience of Job, Commissioner Sorenson still got her points across to the unreformable majority. 16 years is more than enough.

It is going to be a spectacle to witness, now, the unreformable majority of county commissioners "who might disagree but respect" Sorenson, offer best wishes and good tidings. Sorenson will continue to play an important role in South Florida and the community. We thank her from the bottom of our hearts and embrace her decision, though we will miss her. We hope for a dedicated public servant to fill her seat, and that her extraordinarily able and professional staff will continue to be best examples in county government, for good government. Here is her statement:


COMMISSIONER SORENSON’S REMARKS
February 4, 2010

Today I’m making two important announcements. The first is that I will not be running for re-election to the District 8 County Commission seat.

Let me say that I am very grateful to the residents of District 8 who first elected me in 1994 and returned me to office 3 times. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve them, and I’ve done my best to always put the public interest first.

I would also like to thank the 30,000 County employees for the excellent work they have done and continue to do for our community. It has been a pleasure to serve with them and to learn from them. I am particularly grateful to my own staff of 7 who serve the public interest every day, and do so with professionalism and enthusiasm.

I thank Mayor Alvarez for his support, Chairman Moss for his longstanding friendship and confidence in me and I thank my colleagues for their courtesy and respect, even when we disagree. I thank the mayors and councilmembers of all our municipalities, especially Pinecrest, Palmetto Bay, Cutler Bay and Homestead for their hard work and partnership in serving our constituents.

I appreciate the sacrifices my husband and children made so that I could serve the public.

Over the years, from post-hurricane Andrew to our current economic crisis -- with some good times in between -- I have fought for what I thought was best for all of Miami-Dade County, and I’m proud of the work we have been able to accomplish together.

I’m proud of our work preserving our two national parks by preventing the Homestead Air Reserve Base from becoming a commercial airport.

I’m proud of my fights against discrimination, including the passage of the County’s human rights ordinance that I sponsored which protects our County residents from discrimination based on sexual orientation.

I’m proud of my sponsorship of the Safe Neighborhoods Parks ballot measure which has added land and improved the parks and recreation areas for our community.

I fought to strengthen our building code to protect residents from the destruction we saw with Hurricane Andrew.

I worked to increase Head Start funding.

I supported the Performing Arts Center, which has become a jewel for our community and is now operating in the black, and I’ve supported the arts in general, which provide benefits to our entire society.

I fought for rights and resources for farmworkers, the backbone of our agricultural community. And I fought to preserve and defend agriculture, one of our largest industries, and give farms and farmers the tools to survive, including opportunities in agri- and eco-tourism.

I fought for healthcare expansion, particularly in South Miami-Dade.

I’m particularly proud of the County’s environmental efforts, including the creation of our Office of Sustainability, something I championed. I’m glad to now have so many allies on the commission in this regard. I sponsored legislation to cut fuel consumption, helped lead our move to hybrid vehicles and other alternative fuel strategies, and by serving as the Chair of the Mayor’s Sustainability Task Force, I continue to work on planning for the effects of global warming, climate change and sea level rise.

I’m proud that ‘smart growth’ is a term many of us our using and I’m proud of our victories in holding the line against urban sprawl. We didn’t win all of the fights, but we did bring awareness to this important issue, and I think the collapse of the real estate market shows that we were right about overbuilding.

But it would be foolish of me and the height of arrogance to take the sole credit for any of this. Because the truth is, none of this could have been done without the hard work and the support of the grassroots activists. I would not have had the success I have had without those thoughtful, committed citizens who volunteer their time and spend their own hard-earned money to fight for what they believe in – whether it’s the environment, adequate housing, immigration reform or human rights. They are the conscience of this community – the people with heart and soul. I have been privileged to stand with them on many occasions and to share some victories. There’s a lot we have done together that I am very proud of and I am so grateful to all of them.

But now it’s time for a new chapter.

Public service is important work, and I’ve taken my responsibility as a public servant very seriously.
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SELECTED LEGISLATIVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS

PROTECTING OUR ENVIRONMENT
Sponsored a resolution requiring that all new County buildings meet "green building" standards

Sponsored the "green building expedite" for private construction projects in unincorporated Miami-Dade County.

Sponsored an ordinance that created a solar energy job creation incentive for businesses locating or expanding in Miami-Dade.

Advocated for changes in Florida Law to provide new opportunities for renewable energy through new "net metering" rules, aggressive statewide renewable energy goals, and through tax incentives for residences and businesses.

Was instrumental in creating a solar water heater program for low income residences.

Sponsored a resolution requiring a plan for the implementation of biofuels in Miami-Dade and called for a study of crops that can be grown in the County for such a purpose.

Worked with the South Miami-Dade community and county agencies to create smart-growth town centers along the Miami-Dade Transit Busway to provide a more people-friendly model of development as an alternative to urban sprawl.

Called for a new curbside recycling program to improve the number and quantity of materials recycled in Miami-Dade.

Advocated for a second Home Chemical Collection Center in South Miami-Dade

Sponsored a resolution requiring a 20% reduction in fuel consumption within five years. The measure is expected to cut air pollution, lead to significant fuel efficiency improvements in the County fleet, and cut global warming emissions by more than 10 million tons.

Sponsored resolution to redesignate Miami-Dade County as a Clean City by the United States Department of Energy, to develop and implement a program to enhance the utilization of alternative fuel in Miami-Dade County and urging the participation of the U.S. Department of Energy in placing alternative fuel vehicles in the Gold Coast.

Blocked the creation of a commercial airport at the Homestead Air Reserve Base which would have had a devastating effect on the South Dade environment.

Sponsored resolution urging state and federal action and response planning regarding global warming.

Directed County Manager to study feasibility of a computer recycling program to deter dumping of used computers in landfills. Also sponsored resolution classifying computer equipment surplus and authorizing its donation to the Migrant Services Council, Farmworker Disaster Relief Center.

Sponsored resolution directing County Manager to report on underground injection control wastewater wells at the county's South District Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Advocated for legislation creating $2 billion in state funding for Everglades restoration.
Strengthened manatee protection legislation.
Was instrumental in expanding the county's Restricted Hunting Area.

Sponsored a resolution renaming Sunset Drive (S.W. 72nd Street) Marjory Stoneman Douglas Drive in honor of her lasting achievements on behalf of South Florida's environment and the Everglades.

Created a Beach Re-nourishment Task Force to seek a dedicated funding source for beach re-nourishment.

Formed the Ad Hoc South Dade Tourism Group with the Greater Miami Convention and Visitor's Bureau to develop agri- and eco-tourism.

Sponsored a resolution requiring that all new County buildings meet “green building” standards

Sponsored the "green building expedite" for private construction projects in unincorporated Miami-Dade County

Sponsored an ordinance that created a solar energy job creation incentive for businesses locating or expanding in Miami-Dade.

Advocated for changes in Florida Law to provide new opportunities for renewable energy through new "net metering" rules, aggressive statewide renewable energy goals, and through tax incentives for residences and businesses.

Was instrumental in creating a solar water heater program for low income residences.

Sponsored a resolution requiring a plan for the implementation of biofuels in Miami-Dade and called for a study of crops that can be grown in the County for such a purpose.

Worked with the South Miami-Dade community and county agencies to create smart-growth town centers along the Miami-Dade Transit Busway to provide a more people-friendly model of development as an alternative to urban sprawl.

Called for a new curbside recycling program to improve the number and quantity of materials recycled in Miami-Dade.

Advocated for a second Home Chemical Collection Center in South Miami-Dade

Sponsored a resolution requiring a 20% reduction in fuel consumption within five years. The measure is expected to cut air pollution, lead to a significant fuel efficiency improvements in the County fleet, and cut global warming emissions by more than 10 million tons.

Sponsored resolution to redesignate Miami-Dade County as a Clean City by the United States Department of Energy, to develop and implement a program to enhance the utilization of alternative fuel in Miami-Dade County and urging the participation of the U.S. Department of Energy in placing alternative fuel vehicles in the Gold Coast.

Blocked the creation of a commercial airport at the Homestead Air Reserve Base which would have had a devastating effect on the South Dade environment.
Sponsored resolution urging state and federal action and response planning regarding global warming.

Directed County Manager to study feasibility of a computer recycling program to deter dumping of used computers in landfills. Also sponsored resolution classifying computer equipment surplus and authorizing its donation to the Migrant Services Council, Farmworker Disaster Relief Center.

Sponsored resolution directing County Manager to report on underground injection control wastewater wells at the county's South District Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Advocated for legislation creating $2 billion in state funding for Everglades restoration.

Strengthened manatee protection legislation.

Was instrumental in expanding the county's Restricted Hunting Area.

Sponsored a resolution renaming Sunset Drive (S.W. 72nd Street) Marjory Stoneman Douglas Drive in honor of her lasting achievements on behalf of South Florida's environment and the Everglades.

Created a Beach Re-nourishment Task Force to seek a dedicated funding source for beach re-nourishment.

Formed the Ad Hoc South Dade Tourism Group with the Greater Miami Convention and Visitor's Bureau to develop agri- and eco-tourism

ADVOCACY FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
Created the Working Group on Public Schools Overcrowding Relief which is tasked with devising workable solutions to school overcrowding and providing constructive suggestions on ways to ensure that adequate schools are built concurrent with new development.

Fought for increased funding to expand Head Start.

Sponsored legislation requiring day care centers to be included in all new county buildings.

Sponsored resolution urging state legislation providing for a domestic violence task force.

Supported legislation to assist in finding missing children.

Sponsored the parks bond issue, ensuring that south Miami-Dade received more than $52 million to fund much-needed capital improvements for our parks, beaches, natural areas and recreation facilities.

Served as Governor Lawton Chiles' appointee to the Governor's Commission to Study Building Codes and has been an outspoken advocate to retain hurricane protection provisions in the code.

Co-sponsored resolutions objecting to windstorm insurance rate increases and urging the Florida governor and legislature to address the rate increase and the structure of the Florida Windstorm Underwriting Association.

Sponsored legislation requiring common walls of townhouses to be designed and built as strong as outside walls.

Sponsored a resolution providing $150,000 to assist immigrant farm workers during the winter freeze of 1997.

Actively supported the creation of a performing arts center in Miami.


IMPROVING HEALTH CARE
Was instrumental in the creation of the Office of Countywide Healthcare Planning.

Sponsored legislation to promote healthy eating by reducing trans fats in County facilities.

Sponsored a resolution designating the Miami-Dade Biomedical Corridor in the south Miami-Dade area and sponsoring a resolution urging Florida legislature to provide funding for the development of a biomedical new business incubator

As Public Health Trust member, responsible for expanding services provided by Community Health of South Dade (CHI), including 24-hour urgent care.

Sponsored resolution urging Florida legislature to remove the local matching funds requirement from the Healthy Kids Health Insurance/Health Care Program, which provides low-cost health insurance to underprivileged youth.

Advocated for HIV/AIDS prevention education.

PROTECTING CIVIL RIGHTS
Sponsored the Human Rights Amendment to the county's anti-discrimination
ordinance, adding "sexual orientation" to the list of protected classes.

Sponsored legislation extended County benefits to domestic partners.

Sponsored legislation creating pay equity for women county employees and mandating sexual harassment training for all county employees.

Sponsored legislation establishing a more equitable hiring selection process for women County employees.

Sponsored ordinances requiring dry cleaners and other services to charge equal prices regardless of gender.

FIGHTING CRIME
Sponsored legislation urging the Florida legislature to enact legislation providing for Domestic Violence Task Force to review domestic violence fatalities and make recommendations to improve agency responses and prevent fatalities. Also urged legislature to enact legislation exempting certain specified information on domestic violence fatalities from public records disclosure and to exempt certain meetings of the Task Force from public meeting requirements.

Sponsored ordinance requiring locking devices on firearms stored in Miami-Dade County.

Worked to add a Miami-Dade County Police Department Community Work Station at The Falls shopping center to serve surrounding communities.

Added police officers, three neighborhood bicycle patrol squads, and four police storefront substations.

Added a Robbery Intervention Detail to target high crime areas throughout District 8.

Established neighborhood patrolling as a priority.

Helped create the County’s Task Force on Graffiti and numerous anti-graffiti initiatives.
Sponsored legislation and worked with Mayor Alex Penelas on gun control measures.

Strongly advocated for the Safe Street/Clean Sweep program targeting serious offenders, which led to more than 5,000 arrests countywide and approximately 1,500 arrests in south Miami-Dade.

Sponsored legislation requiring the implementation of domestic violence prevention and intervention programs, as recommended by a 1994 Miami-Dade County Grand Jury report.
Sponsored legislation requiring employers to allow unpaid leave for employees experiencing domestic violence.
Provided leadership in campaign to end practice of firing guns to celebrate holidays.

FOSTERING GOOD GOVERNMENT
Sponsored ordinance prohibiting the county from contracting with persons who are more than 180 days late in making payments to the county on accounts of more than $25,000.

Co-sponsored ordinance prohibiting county lobbyists from engaging in certain lobbying activities and requiring county approval for certain lobbying activities.
Sponsored resolution establishing the Palmetto Bay Area Municipal Advisory Committee to study the feasibility of creating a new municipality in the area of Palmetto Bay.

Sponsored false claims ordinance to deter persons from causing the county to pay claims that are false, fraudulent or inflated and providing enforcement and providing penalties/damages for the submission of false claims to the county.

Co-sponsored legislation requiring contractors to adopt a code of business ethics prior to entering into contractual relationships with the county.
Sponsored legislation ensuring that the county's contingency reserve funds are only used for emergencies rather than commissioner's pet projects.

Consistently opposed requests for Seaport and Aviation promotional funds that had no connection to the Seaport or Airport.

Created and chaired a Revenue Sharing Task Force to make recommendations for mitigating the impact of incorporation on unincorporated Miami-Dade residents.
Worked to create a more fair and equitable method of disbursing federal funding to community organizations.

Voted against building a second arena in downtown Miami and continue to oppose public funding to private sports facilities.
Opposed the no-bid process for the redevelopment of Homestead Air Reserve Base.
Continuously opposed the use of fee waivers for county services.

Co-sponsored an ordinance reducing fraud in absentee balloting.

Co-sponsored an ethics ordinance establishing the county's Commission on Ethics & Public Trust to enforce county and municipal laws on ethics, conflict of interest and lobbying.

Co-sponsored legislation establishing the Office of Inspector General to provide oversight of county departments and contracts.

Demanded an Independent Private Sector Inspector General (IPSIG) investigation of Church & Tower in a county Water and Sewer paving contract.

Served on the Board of Directors of the Florida Association of Counties and chaired its Select Committee on Telecommunications.