8 • CARIBBEAN TODAY • APRIL 2011
FEATURE
Caribbean influence pushes new Miramar commish to make good on campaign promises SONIA MORGAN
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about what I want to do and have implemented…I’m able to effect change, make budgetary decisions and actually listen to the people…and find out how I can help.”
n the four months since Jamaican American Alexandra Davis won a seat on the Miramar City Commission, she has been TOUR OF DUTY working to make good on her Davis said after taking campaign promises and has office, she quickly went to been making inroads in the work in the city. First stop: A South Florida city. 24-hour tour of duty with the Davis, who ran on a politiFire Department to get a betcal platform of economic ter understanding of what they development, including the do. revitalization of east Miramar “I slept at the fire station, among other issues, believes woke up on calls, and rode there’s a lot to be done in her along with them,” she said. city, which boasts a significant She also dressed in full fireCaribbean American populagear and participated fighting tion. in rescue operations. - Contributed photograph However, she said she is Davis helps members of the Miramar Fire Department tend to a victim. “It was like the T.V. show committed to doing the work ‘Undercover Boss’,” Davis necessary to improve the city’s economy and ing City Hall to also thinks the city should bridge the gap between the people and “make use of the facilities we east and west Miramar. make it more have on the eastside to ensure Davis, who was born convenient for that there’s no blight, by bringin England to Jamaican residents to speak ing services and allowing (the parents and educated at face-to-face with residents) to feel a part of Wolmer’s Girls High me to discuss what is happening.” School and the their concerns Miramar’s east side will University of the West and address those be utilized for a Caribbean Indies in Jamaica, said issues that are America History Month event her Caribbean backmost important to in June. ground and education them is the basis influences how she operof my commitREVOLVING SEAT ates. ment to serve,” Davis, whose term ends in “Seeing people who Davis said. 2013, occupies what many conlooked like me in leaderMiramar sider a revolving seat. Since ship positions in Jamaica resident Pauline 2005 no one has served a gave me the impetus to Harrison likes full term. Jamaican-born forpursue public service and the way mer Commissioner Fitzroy believe I can do anything Commissioner Salesman is serving time in I put my mind to,” she Davis connects federal prison for bribery and told Caribbean Today with the commuextortion. Before that, he was recently. nity. suspended twice. Neither Carl “This helped me to “She goes to Lanke nor Barbara Sharief build character. It preevents, church completed their four-year pared me for United services and tries term. States.” to talk to the peo, Davis said she is in for - Contributed photograph Miramar’s diverse ple and find out the long haul. Salesman’s crimDavis gets to work in full firefighter gear during her recent 24-hour tour population is an inspira- of duty of Miramar’s Fire Department. what they need,” inal convictions, she said, have tion to Davis. She Hall said. “Not not cast a shadow on her role joked. believes “children do very well many elected officials do that.” as commissioner. Next stop was the Police growing up in this environment “There are aspects of his Department, where she rode because there are teachers, CHANGE tenure as a commissioner along with officers for 12 politicians and other profesWhile west Miramar which have been very helpful,” hours. She said she learned sionals they can relate to,” boasts pristine houses, clean Davis explained. “He was a much about their jobs and has adding that “Miramar is just neighborhoods and firm infrapeople’s commissioner and a greater appreciation for what one big melting pot of culture structure, the older, less affluthat is something that I want to they do. and we should embrace it.” ent east needs to be revitaldo as a commissioner. One of the most important Her own background ized. This is an issue Davis “We’re two different indithings Davis has done so far is has armed her with an imporbelieves she can work to viduals - you have to be in reaching out to the residents of tant tool to take on the task. change. With the numerous there for the right reason and the oft times neglected east “I certainly make no foreclosure properties and not my reason simply is to serve,” Miramar. apologies for being Caribbean enough code enforcement she added. Former Miramar American,” said Davis. “It has officers - eight officers to the “There are a lot more Commissioner George greatly influenced my out118,000 residents of Miramar politicians that have gone Pedlar, who is from Jamaica, look.” there are numerous things down recently and he is the is impressed with Davis. Public service is nothing that aren’t being done, she only Jamaican. Personally, I “I think she has a very new to Davis. She worked in explained. So Davis said she haven’t had anybody said anypositive attitude to her work,” the Ministry of Agriculture is working with code enforcething to me. And I think, for said Pedlar. “She campaigned and Fisheries in Jamaica and in ment to help bring the city up some reason, I’m not linked on reaching the people in the the government tax office in to code. And while most of the with him at all and I’m not east and has opened up a satelLondon. She was also an west side has home owners’ impeded from doing what I do. lite office there, which I administrator for Miami-Dade associations to ensure the It’s not something I have hangthought was a very positive County before winning the city properties are maintained, that ing over my head.” move.” commission seat. is lacking on the east. The reviBut Davis has not been He said she has made her“I have an understanding talization is ongoing, with functioning in a vacuum. self resonate with the commuof how the public service improvements on certain infraAccording to her, “I have had nity by being available to resiworks,” Davis explained. “The structure, like updating the enormous help from (Broward dents. great thing about the job that I sewer systems. County) Commissioner Dale “Anything to aid in bringdo now is that I can have ideas The new commissioner Holness (also Jamaican).
“I’ve watched his career over the years. He worked hard for his position. He has worked hard for people who came up after him and has helped me. Levoyd Williams, Vice Mayor of Lauderdale Lakes has helped and (U.S. Congressman) Alcee Hastings was a big help to me offering me advice and helping me with contacts and I do appreciate their kindness.” Davis has an ambitious political agenda, which includes forging partnerships with cities around to world, particularly for trade. She also wants to continue her meet and greet sessions with residents to address their issues. “Another initiative I’ve embarked on is to have the city join the fight with (U.S. First Lady) Michelle Obama against childhood obesity and become a ‘Let’s Move City’,” Davis said. “We will be having our kick off event at the town center on May 18.” Sonia Morgan is a freelance writer for Caribbean Today.
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Vol. 22, Number 5 • APR. 2011
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