We are all aware that this August 26, the leadership of District 11 needs to change. We need a new commissioner who will rise to address the many challenges that our community faces, many of which stem from the current leadership.  I have said that I am running for commissioner not to be someone, but to do something - to do what is difficult, but necessary, to address our community’s concerns.  I have listened to the residents and I have taken up their causes.  I have been defiant to the builders and developers that our incumbent so gladly serves. I have been forthright and public about my position.

What I want to do is take a little time to describe my vision for my first term.  The concerns of the citizens of Miami-Dade are mine, and our goals cannot be achieved without fundamental changes within the county.  I promise that I will act competently and independently, putting the residents whom I serve first.  Achieving some of my own goals will help us to achieve ours:

	Miami-Dade will be recaptured by its residents, and special interests will lose their influence over government.  Unfortunately, Miami-Dade County is largely controlled by developers and builders who bend our officials for their own agendas.  As your elected official, I will not stand for this.  I plan to urge law enforcement to aggressively investigate questionable transactions and prosecute the corrupt politicians and businesses who act illegally.
	County residents will be accustomed to receiving service and attention from their elected officials.  Each member of my staff will work to serve you while I’m in office.  Whether in person, via phone or emails, no concern will go unanswered on my watch.  No longer will the words “public service” be inconsistent with their meaning in Miami-Dade.
	More of our young adults, business leaders, and other responsible citizens will participate in public service and in politics.  Many young adults are intelligent, conscientious, and capable of successfully serving the public.  Otherwise interested young men and women, however, choose not to seek office for fear of not being seen as competent.  I would like that to change.  I would also encourage local business owners and other members of the public to do the same.  Attorneys, lobbyists, and members of law enforcement are too representative of our government, and know less about our needs than we do.   Real residents of Miami-Dade will make its best representatives.
	Public education in Miami-Dade will improve and test scores and graduation rates will rise in accordance with, or exceed national averages.  FCAT testing must be further evaluated and informed recommendations must be made based on evaluations. We must hold our educators to higher standards and reward them for results.
	Miami-Dade Schools will be untouched from budget cuts. Period. We can cut jobs and budgets from any other entity, but not from our schools. The future of our county and our nation should not be compromised. School personnel, activities, and programs should remain intact. School board officials, on the other hand, should not receive excessive salaries and benefits.
	Miami-Dade will become fiscally responsible, in part by creating business opportunities that will bring revenues to the County.  It is my belief that government should be operated as a blue chip corporation with much accountability and business sense.  Revenues received by the county will provide benefits and lower taxes for its residents.
	The Urban Development Line will not be moved. I have strongly opposed building to the west of our boundaries. If we left it up to developers, every quarter inch of the County would bear some type of structure.  I will not cease to fight for our families’ quality of life.  I support citizens’ efforts to hold our ground and protect our everglades and wetlands.

There are serious issues at stake in this election, and serious differences of opinion.  Each belief we hold, however, must be based on our consciences, and in the end we must work toward a common goal.  We are, after all, neighbors.  We cannot leave for the next generation, unluckier than we, to fix problems that have become even harder to solve over the years.  

If elected, I intend to prove myself worthy of your support by my service.  I won't spend one hour of my commissionership worrying more about my re-election than keeping my promises to the residents of District 11.  

Now, I call on you to help make my vision, our vision, a reality. I cannot be elected without you, and I humbly ask you send emails and make phone calls to your family and friends. Let them know that on August 26th, we have a chance to chart a new course and make a fresh start.  If you are able, please make a contribution to my campaign of any amount to ensure my campaign is fully funded so that I can take my message and vision directly to every District 11 voter.

Sincerely,

Whilly Bermudez

P.S.   We will argue about the issues in this election, as we should. If elected, I will work with anyone who is sincere about getting Miami-Dade headed in the right direction.  If you are interested in making a positive difference in the County and community today, please consider joining my campaign so we can work together to make Miami-Dade the home we want it to be.  Thank you.