Politics & Chill: Miami Gardens Seat 4 Candidates Discuss Flooding, Development and Accountability

Flooding, housing affordability and whether Miami Gardens residents will benefit from the city’s growth took center stage as City Council Seat 4 candidates Cherry Prime and Rod Mack outlined their priorities during the Politics & Chill candidate forum.

Moderated by Hy-Lo News founder and publisher Janey Tate and radio personality Papa Keith, the discussion combined questions from moderators with an audience question-and-answer session about neighborhood concerns, local businesses and accountability after the election.

Cherry Prime, who identified herself as a teacher and community advocate, emphasized rebuilding trust between residents and local government. She said requests from residents seeking help navigating city services contributed to her decision to run.

“One is trust. One is gaining the people’s trust,” Cherry Prime said.

She identified transportation, traffic, affordability and helping residents understand city government as priorities. She also proposed creating a reference sheet directing residents to the appropriate departments and services.

Mack, a business owner who described a background in finance and business management, focused on helping existing residents participate in Miami Gardens’ development. He pointed to displacement in other communities as a concern.

“As communities change and grow, I want to make sure that we participate,” Mack said.

He said that participation should include access to jobs and business opportunities. He also proposed resident focus groups to identify priorities, including affordability, speeding and communication with seniors.

Questions about infrastructure brought the discussion to flooding along Northwest 32nd Avenue.

Cherry Prime said she had contacted public works about drainage concerns and wanted a flooding study, meetings with city administrators and greater resident involvement in identifying problems. She also encouraged residents to document neighborhood issues through the city’s reporting app.

Mack emphasized determining which government entity owns and maintains affected roads and drainage systems. He said addressing flooding would require coordination among the city, public works and Miami-Dade County.

“We need to know who’s in charge of the drainage and the drainage systems for those areas and how those have been maintained,” Mack said.

He also called for more durable traffic-calming measures, including speed bumps that would hold up over time.

Development became another point of discussion when moderators asked about the dispute involving El Dorado and nearby residents.

Mack said he would begin by bringing concerned residents together with the city attorney to understand their legal options. He said that approach would help determine what residents could realistically achieve and whether negotiations could secure sidewalks, lighting or other community benefits.

“I will stand up for them. I will take that fight as far as I can,” Mack said.

Cherry Prime emphasized community benefits agreements and bringing residents directly into conversations with businesses. She said those discussions should include accountability for commitments affecting nearby homes.

“I’m going to have a meeting, not just with El Dorado, I’m going to bring the residents there as well so they can talk as well,” Cherry Prime said.

On economic development, both candidates supported helping residents build and sustain businesses.

Mack proposed business incubators, assistance accessing grants and financing, and a more efficient permitting process. He described a conversation with a business owner who struggled while waiting to open and said delays can threaten businesses relying on limited savings.

“When we talk about streamlining the permitting process and code enforcement, it seems like a small thing, but to a small business owner, it’s huge,” Mack said.

Cherry Prime proposed a small-business hub connecting aspiring entrepreneurs with experienced business owners. She emphasized mentorship and sharing practical information about operating successfully in Miami Gardens.

“So just more, like I said, more conversations, more education, and more fellowship and partnership,” Cherry Prime said. “Partnership is huge.”

Questions about parks and recreation prompted both candidates to discuss opportunities beyond athletics.

Cherry Prime supported expanding youth internships through partnerships with businesses and other organizations. She also suggested working with neighborhood schools to create additional space for programming and mentorship.

Mack advocated for more technology-focused activities, including coding, podcasting and drones, within youth facilities.

The candidates also addressed housing affordability after an audience member asked how Miami Gardens could retain its Black residents.

Mack called for housing assistance and financial education, including helping families understand how to pass homes to the next generation.

Cherry Prime supported strengthening homeownership assistance and helping residents keep their homes. She also called for conversations with homeowners about neighborhood concerns involving properties occupied by multiple households.

Asked how they would remain accountable after the election, Cherry Prime proposed town halls, open office hours and workshops. She said residents should expect continued work after a campaign ends.

“You run, win, and you work,” Cherry Prime said.

Mack said he would continue Meet Me Mondays, consider rotating meetings throughout Seat 4 and create additional opportunities to speak with residents outside an office setting.

“I don’t believe that people always got to come to me,” Mack said.

He also stressed the need to reach seniors through methods beyond social media, describing encounters with residents who were unaware of assistance programs.

Cherry Prime said her commitment to the community would continue regardless of the election’s outcome.

“I will continue to show up for the community as I have,” she said.

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