02-15-2009, 01:25 PM
Mayor faces challenge from police officer
In the upcoming municipal elections, Hialeah Gardens Mayor Yioset De La Cruz draws an opponent.
BY LUCIA OROZCO
lorozco@miamiherald.com
Drawing an opponent for the first time since he was elected, Hialeah Gardens Mayor Yioset De La Cruz will face a former police officer for the city's top office.
Campaigning has stepped up in Hialeah Gardens as homeowners are flooded with mailings in the mayoral race between De La Cruz and Anthony Pilla.
Elections are set for March 3, but two council members have already claimed their seats. Council members Rolando Pilla and Jorge Gutierrez are unopposed and are automatically re-elected.
This leaves the mayor's seat alone, as the only item on the ballot.
Both candidates say they want to win to ensure the growth of Hialeah Gardens.
De La Cruz, who's served since 2000 and ran unopposed in 2004, said, ``The city has come a long way since 2000.''
And he expects to bring more businesses to the area, including restaurants, movie theaters and entertainment.
However, Anthony Pilla, a retired Hialeah Gardens police officer and no relation to the councilman, said he will run against De La Cruz because he is fed up with the inactive council, the administration's high salaries, and their cuts in the police force.
Pilla pointed to the $106,000 yearly salary allocated for the mayor. He noted that De La Cruz receives full benefits, plus a $72,000 expense account, which he is not entitled to keep records for.
Neither is the city council, who receive $128,000 expense account, divided by four members.
''So it doesn't matter if they go to lunch,'' said Pilla. ``They don't have to bring a receipt back they automatically get this lump sum.''
He said former Mayor Gilda Oliveros, who preceded De La Cruz as mayor, earned some $35,000 during her administration, 1996 to 2000.
De la Cruz said his high salary is due to his position as both mayor and city manager.
''We have police officers in the city that make $80,000 a year, and they receive better benefits than any council member,'' he said.
Pilla has the support of the rank and file police officers, who complain that under De La Cruz's administration, many of their programs have been cut. They also said that under the police contract proposed by De La Cruz in 2007, officer salaries are unfairly low.
Pilla said instead of having a large chunk of money go into salaries, the money should go toward the department.
But De La Cruz notes that the city has more police officers than ever before in the history of the city. Hialeah Gardens is budgeted for 38 officers, he said.
However, the police department's schedule contains only 31 officers, fewer than nearby Miami Springs
In the upcoming municipal elections, Hialeah Gardens Mayor Yioset De La Cruz draws an opponent.
BY LUCIA OROZCO
lorozco@miamiherald.com
Drawing an opponent for the first time since he was elected, Hialeah Gardens Mayor Yioset De La Cruz will face a former police officer for the city's top office.
Campaigning has stepped up in Hialeah Gardens as homeowners are flooded with mailings in the mayoral race between De La Cruz and Anthony Pilla.
Elections are set for March 3, but two council members have already claimed their seats. Council members Rolando Pilla and Jorge Gutierrez are unopposed and are automatically re-elected.
This leaves the mayor's seat alone, as the only item on the ballot.
Both candidates say they want to win to ensure the growth of Hialeah Gardens.
De La Cruz, who's served since 2000 and ran unopposed in 2004, said, ``The city has come a long way since 2000.''
And he expects to bring more businesses to the area, including restaurants, movie theaters and entertainment.
However, Anthony Pilla, a retired Hialeah Gardens police officer and no relation to the councilman, said he will run against De La Cruz because he is fed up with the inactive council, the administration's high salaries, and their cuts in the police force.
Pilla pointed to the $106,000 yearly salary allocated for the mayor. He noted that De La Cruz receives full benefits, plus a $72,000 expense account, which he is not entitled to keep records for.
Neither is the city council, who receive $128,000 expense account, divided by four members.
''So it doesn't matter if they go to lunch,'' said Pilla. ``They don't have to bring a receipt back they automatically get this lump sum.''
He said former Mayor Gilda Oliveros, who preceded De La Cruz as mayor, earned some $35,000 during her administration, 1996 to 2000.
De la Cruz said his high salary is due to his position as both mayor and city manager.
''We have police officers in the city that make $80,000 a year, and they receive better benefits than any council member,'' he said.
Pilla has the support of the rank and file police officers, who complain that under De La Cruz's administration, many of their programs have been cut. They also said that under the police contract proposed by De La Cruz in 2007, officer salaries are unfairly low.
Pilla said instead of having a large chunk of money go into salaries, the money should go toward the department.
But De La Cruz notes that the city has more police officers than ever before in the history of the city. Hialeah Gardens is budgeted for 38 officers, he said.
However, the police department's schedule contains only 31 officers, fewer than nearby Miami Springs