Miami’s District 2 commissioner says she has earned a full term in office | Opinion

While I value the dialogue the Herald Editorial Board had with Miami Commission candidates, and though it recommended an opponent, I think it is crucial to highlight the work I have done in the short months since my election this year.

As a long-time District 2 resident, working mom, former investigative journalist and the recently elected city commissioner, I am uniquely prepared to address local issues. I have demonstrated accountability, transparency and passionate advocacy. I have initiated impactful action, including constituent outreach, park improvements, traffic solutions and resilience programs.

My initial priorities have been focused entirely on enhancing community well-being, promoting sustainability and fostering economic resilience. If allowed to continue to serve, I will expand my focus on implementing neighborhood revitalization initiatives, funding eco-friendly infrastructure projects, demanding greater transparency and collaborating with local stakeholders to stimulate economic growth and job creation.

The Editorial Board referenced a contribution that my political committee returned, but omitted that the candidate it endorsed also returned contributions. He returned these contributions from lobbyists and City Hall insiders, after this publication exposed misrepresentations in his campaign materials, where he said he had not accepted contributions from anyone in those groups.

These aren’t just campaign slogans to me — I believe in transparency and being responsive to our residents, and I have demonstrated this commitment repeatedly. Not only did I lead the effort to oppose mega LED billboards coming to our neighborhoods and vote against the measure, but I unilaterally raised the question on the dais, in direct opposition to the administrative effort to again defer the item, and successfully defeated it. I returned the contribution because residents made the case, and they will always come first.

Finally, I was recently elected chairwoman of the Omni-CRA, immediately ordering an audit of the CRA’s finances and getting right to work to clean up bad decisions that weren’t serving our community. I will continue to do the same as commissioner. I will continue to focus on transparent governance, fostering accountability and strengthening oversight at City Hall.

I am working diligently to file legislation to create the office of an independent inspector general, require public access to meeting logs through online postings and prohibit contributions from developers and lobbyists.

I will continue to lead with strong ethics and integrity because residents deserve that now more than ever. As a long-time resident of District 2, I will continue to be a fierce advocate for our neighborhoods and residents so we can finally turn the page on the corruption and scandals and ensure Miami’s best days come once again.

Sabina Covo represents District 2 on the Miami City Commission and is running for re-election.