For Pembroke Pines, a trio of new leaders
The southwest Broward boomtown of Pembroke Pines has been growing and changing for decades — yet some things have not changed.
“The Pines” has had the same city manager, Charlie Dodge, for 35 years, and the same mayor, Frank Ortis, for 20.
Some will say that level of stability is a good thing. But the city would benefit from an infusion of new blood and new ideas to find new solutions to old problems, such as the nightmarish traffic brought on by too much growth and too little road expansion.
Mayor Frank Ortis is finally retiring, and in a nonpartisan citywide election March 19, voters will elect his successor. They also will choose two commissioners, meaning a possible new majority on the five-member commission — a chance for change that voters here don’t often see. Our recommendations follow.
Mayor: Angelo Castillo
Angelo Castillo, 64, was first elected city commissioner in 2004, and has been vice mayor four times. Along the way, he also lost a race for the Broward County Commission and for mayor in 2020, when he got 45% against Ortis.
Raised in New York City, he worked for five mayors there and for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and later held high-level positions for Broward County and at the sheriff ’s office. He wants a line-by-line review of all city spending and anticipates an early search to replace Dodge as manager. Castillo faults Dodge for what he claims is poor morale among police and fire employees, because they earn less than colleagues elsewhere. He wants a plan for the possible closing of multiple under-enrolled schools in the city.
“Our next challenge is managing a mature city with new urban challenges,” Castillo said in an online Sun Sentinel interview, citing flooding, public safety and a lack of affordable housing. He’s endorsed by the Sierra Club, which cited his “strong support for the environment.”
Castillo’s chief rival is District 3 Commissioner Iris Siple, 73, who has two decades of city governing experience and 16 years as a top official in the county clerk’s office. She calls herself a consensus builder, has Ortis’ endorsement, and asks why Castillo hasn’t solved the problems he cites, after 20 years.
A third mayoral candidate, event planner and former bank executive Elizabeth “Liz” Burns, 73, is a 25-year resident who said she misses the loss of so much green space, but she offered little in the way of a specific agenda.
Castillo’s demeanor may strike some as brusque or cocky, and in an online Sun Sentinel interview, Siple described him as having an “ugly temperament.” She accused Castillo of yelling insults at her at a Democratic club meeting in 2019 and produced a letter from city resident Larissa Chanzes supporting Siple’s claim — which Castillo denied.
Born in Cuba, Castillo is the only Spanish-speaking elected official in a diverse city of 180,000, where about 45% of the city identifies as Hispanic. He looks and sounds more like the Pembroke Pines of today — and of tomorrow, too.
Commissioner, District 2: Catherine Minnis
Voters in Broward’s second most populous city will also elect two commissioners on March 19.
The District 2 contest features Jay Schwartz, an incumbent, and two challengers: Brandon Carrero and Catherine Minnis, who made the strongest overall impression and receives our endorsement.
Minnis, 60, recently retired as a program coordinator with the county Office of Economic and Small Business Development. She had a long career in the public sector, including with Miami-Dade County, Broward schools and Miami-Dade College dating back to 1989. She calls herself “highly visible, approachable and willing to engage with everyone to address their concerns.”
Minnis, who would be the city’s only Black commissioner, has been active in civic endeavors, including Delta Sigma Theta sorority.
During an online interview, Schwartz, 53, who has held office for 12 years, was asked if Pembroke Pines will surpass Fort Lauderdale in population.
“I hope not,” Schwartz said. “I think we have too many people here to begin with.”
Minnis and Carrero immediately jumped on the incumbent, calling Schwartz an “elitist” and noting that he has voted for numerous apartments, condos and townhouses that have increased the city’s population. He said he has opposed “high-density” projects while in office.
Carrero, 42, a mortgage broker, is a firsttime candidate, like Minnis.
Both challengers hold Schwartz partly responsible for the city’s flooding and traffic problems. All three candidates completed detailed questionnaires and offered their visions of Pembroke Pines’ future.
Commissioner, District 3: Maria Rodriguez
Four candidates want to succeed Siple in the District 3 seat: Misael “Ace” Almeria, Maria Rodriguez, Glenn Theobald and Chris Ziadie.
In our judgment, the best candidate in the field is the youngest: Rodriguez, 28, was born in Colombia, attended Pines schools and the American University of Paris, and works as an outreach coordinator for County Commissioner Tim Ryan, which has taught her how city, county and state governments interrelate. Two Pines schools she attended are being considered for closure.
Rodriguez wants to revive a dormant city garbage recycling program, promote composting, repurpose an abandoned city shopping mall and improve communication between government and residents. She’s circulating bilingual campaign materials.
Her opponent, Ziadie, questioned Rodriguez’s qualifications, noting she is not engaged in the city, does not own a home and does not pay property taxes. “Maria needs to take a step back,” Ziadie said.
Taken aback by the criticism, Rodriguez said: “Most people don’t own a home.”
Pembroke Pines is a highly diverse city. Its population is getting younger. It’s time that a millennial sat at the table at City Hall. She does have a lot to learn, but has already come a long way in a short time.
Almeria did not show up for our online interview, and his candidate questionnaire was perfunctory. Theobald, 62, a 34-year resident, was a longtime law enforcement officer and legal advisor to the Miami-Dade police department and Martin County sheriff. He advocates cuts in spending, saying the city budget needs “a diet.” He called City Manager Charlie Dodge “disconnected” from the city workforce and has the endorsement of Hispanic Vote, a political action committee.
Ziadie, 58, making his fourth bid for a commission seat, has city advisory board experience and Iris Siple’s endorsement — even though he once ran against her. He also supports Siple for mayor. But Rodriguez’s youth and government experience give her the edge, in our opinion.
The Sun Sentinel Editorial Board consists of Opinion Editor Steve Bousquet, Deputy Opinion Editor Dan Sweeney, editorial writer Martin Dyckman and Editor-in-Chief Julie Anderson. Editorials are the opinion of the Board and written by one of its members or a designee. To contact us, email at letters@sunsentinel.com.