Q&A with Lynda Bell

Tonight was Palmetto Bay's chance to hear from Lynda Bell, District 8 Dade County Commissioner. District 8 encompasses Pinecrest, Palmetto Bay, Cutler Bay, Homestead, and unincorporated areas of South Dade.

Arranged by Palmetto Bay Village Voice, Inc., an independent organization not affiliated with any government entity and hosted at the Palmetto Bay Village Center, Bell spoke in front of about 60 people and updated them on current events.

Her platform was all about transparency.  She said, you should see me...and all of me...all the time.  Government is meant to be open.

She reported that she moved her offices into Palmetto Bay (US-1 and SW 147th St) in order to help her constituents avoid having to go all the way downtown just to conduct South Dade business.

Her office build out was somewhat contraversial in the papers with some claiming excessive cost.  She reported tonight that the original estimate was $60,000 for the office improvements and she, by buying frugally and online, brought the cost to just $28,000.

She also wanted to let people know that each 3rd Monday of the month her staff is ready to stay after-hours to meet with constituents.  So long as they call and schedule a meeting, the staff is committed to staying from 6-9PM in order to commuicate during convenient times for residents.

There were a few Q&A softball questions as well.  Lynda seemed personable and quickly answered the queries.