Tamarac Mayor Michelle Gomez {Photos by Agrippina Fadel}
By Agrippina Fadel
Mayor Michelle Gomez’s reelection campaign kick-off turnout surpassed volunteers’ expectations. With over 200 in attendance at Chow Time Grill and Buffet, the restaurant had to open another room to accommodate them.
A city commissioner since 2010, Gomez served as a vice mayor four times, then elected as mayor in 2018.
At the event, held on Jan. 27, Gomez thanked friends and family for supporting her campaign. “I am glad to have you on my team,” said Gomez, who made the speech twice in different rooms to include everyone.
“I love this city, and I will do everything I can to protect its residents, businesses, and employees,” she said, adding that running a campaign during the pandemic has its challenges.
“I like meeting people in person and small groups, and right now, it is harder because I don’t think the residents would want me coming and knocking on their doors,” said Gomez, encouraging residents to reach out through her email and phone number with any questions or concerns.
“I will always tell them the good, the bad, and the ugly. I will tell them the truth,” said Gomez.
She brought up projects that made her excited about the next term, including the capital improvement plan, water infrastructure, revitalizing of shopping plazas, more affordable housing, green spaces, and beautification of the city, she shared.
Through potential funding from the recently passed Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, Gomez said there would be better roads and landscaping, underground fiber infrastructure, and electric car charging stations.
Mayor Michelle Gomez at her 2022 reelection kick-off.
“Government is slow – I am a resident, and just like everyone else, I want things done yesterday. But initiatives take time – sometimes five or ten years. It also takes a lot of teamwork of the commission and the city staff,” said Gomez, “I enjoy the teamwork. I played a lot of team sports when I was younger.”
Resident Beth Starkweather said Gomez looks out for the best interests of the Tamarac residents instead of for herself.
“She’s got my full support. She listens to her residents’ and both sides’ opinions. I don’t agree with everything she does, but she makes careful and measured decisions,” said Starkweather.
District field representative for Metro-Broward Professional Firefighters Local 3080 William Duesler said Gomez is a great candidate who has been extremely supportive of first responders and fire rescue.
Kings Point resident Leslie Shuster said Gomez has been “fabulous for Tamarac,” has a big heart, and is always ready to help the residents.
“She participates in local charity events and is always around. At the “coffee with the mayor” meetings, we tell her about our problems, and she is always honest about whether she can help or not,” said Shuster.
Gomez serves on the MPO Roundtable Steering Committee, Broward County Affordable Housing Advisory Committee, Florida League of Cities, Broward Housing and Community Development Task Force, and Broward League of Cities.
She holds a law degree (J.D.) from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale and a Master of Arts in Public Communication from the American University School of Communication in Washington, D.C.
Gomez is licensed to practice law in Florida, the District of Columbia, and New York and is a Court Approved Arbitrator and a Certified Mediator. She is the president of Saunders, Curtis, Ginestra & Gore and has been with the company since 2000.
The fate of the mayoral seat will be decided in November 2022.
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