Why I’m Running
Residents first. El Portal always.
I was born and raised in El Portal, but wherever I was in the world, El Portal was always Home.
I am a third generation El Portal Resident. I am running for Mayor to help secure our future together: To protect our Village's Property Values and Neighborhood Character. To restore faith in our Village Government through transparency and better communication, fair and equal application of code, and have follow-through on the projects--and promises--we were led to believe would be implemented in our Village. And to look to our future, in the Village and region, together.
I am a resident and I am committed to El Portal.
A practical agenda for El Portal
Residents First
Restore and invigorate Village committees and systems so residents have a meaningful voice in key decisions.
Good committees bring good data and a range of opinions to the table. Let's make sure our decisions are fact-based and fleshed-out, and that benefitting residents first is where all decisions start from: Whether it's a public works project, new buildings or new state law, we should manage each situation with residents and property owners aware and involved--and our Village's health and safety top of mind.
Open & Trustworthy
Let's have improved budget transparency, make sure permitting and processes are uncomplicated and fair. And let's have real accountability for our tax dollars. Taxes may be one of life's certainties, but we deserve value for what we pay.
Protect El Portal
Let's protect our Green Infrastructure! Our Tree Canopy, and our Native Heirloom Trees, set us apart from other South Florida neighborhoods whose large-scale concrete "spread" means excess heat, bigger maintenance bills and flooding.
And let's finally implement our roads and Streets Master Plan to better manage traffic and maintain roads, in a way that makes sense to us now.
Addressing flooding, heat and traffic--protecting our true resources--protects property values and promotes quality of life. We need to finally take action, because once what we love is gone, it's gone.
Plan Before We Build
Most future projects in South Florida will need to consider things like traffic, flooding and how we commute in a new way. Let's get ahead of the curve by incentivizing or requiring larger projects in the Village to have some higher standards.
If space near Kavista and Little Farm were to include parks and recreation, athletic fields, shopping and other Green Space for our Village and community, busy Moms and Dads may not need to drive their little ones (or themselves) so far in Miami traffic.
Growth and development can be a great opportunity for our little, green slice of Heaven. It's how we manage it that counts, so let's avoid any "own-goals."
Hey! Are you already in a Committee?
When folks invest time in the Village and share good info, we all benefit! Sharing your expertise, passions or good data-points helps us get things done, can help keep us safe or even just learn a little more. How's that for "Learning by Committee?"
Props to you, Little River Conservancy, El Portal Woman's Club, Tree Board, Crime Watch, Democratic Women's Club, El Portal Garden Club.
And a shout out to all the Mom's groups, Mom's clubs and Moms, Moms, Moms out there! A mom's engagement builds up communities like nothing else. That's a committee to be thankful for.
Rooted Here:
El Portal has always been home.
“The things that made us want to move here or stay here for decades are worth protecting.”
George was born and raised in El Portal and is a third-generation resident. He attended Miami Shores Elementary, Horace Mann Middle School and Archbishop Curley-Notre Dame High School.
His professional experience spans real estate, project management, and film, television and media. After leaving for college and building a career, he returned to El Portal to help care for his aging parents and to live again in the neighborhood he has always loved.
Good Government & Government Structure
Good government isn't complicated. Our Village government works best when elected officials, village administration and department heads have clear roles--when qualified, accountable professionals are empowered to do their jobs, and residents remain their first consideration.
Clear roles
Reduce confusion about who does what, and hold them to the responsibilities laid out for them in the Village Charter.
Competence & Accountability
Let qualified, accountable professionals do their jobs while ensuring real checks and balances.
Residents at the Center
Approach decisions with El Portal's taxpaying residents and the Village's shared values in mind.
As Mayor, I will never vote to give myself a raise
Public office is a public service
The qualities that make the Village special.
El Portal's quiet streets, trees, birdsong, amazing neighbors, houses and yards, prime location and warm, relaxed lifestyle are our greatest assets. They define our property values, our contentment and our Village character.
Let's embrace our future by shaping it carefully. Addressing speeding and pedestrian concerns is doable. Putting our priorities first in a budget is doable. Making good decisions about balanced growth and development, addressing future traffic and flooding mitigation concerns while protecting our Village character is doable.
This is my donation QR code.
And here is a link to the George Alvarez for El Portal Mayor donation page.
I appreciate a donation of any size.
Events
Oct 27
Oct 28
Nov 3
Village Council meeting - CANCELLED
7:00 PM · Village Hall, 500 NE 87th St. Open to the public and neighbors. The meeting was cancelled by Village of El Portal municipal government.
Meet George Alvarez
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM · Please join me at my neighbors' home on El Portal's West side for a meet and greet.
Kids welcome. Light refreshments to be served. Because space is limited, please use this link to email alvarez4elportal@gmail.com to send your RSVP, and I'll provide the address. Thanks!
Election Day
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM · Your assigned precinct. George Alvarez for Mayor Ballot #126. Make your voice heard.
Check back for more community events or campaign updates.
Get involved
Donate
Any amount helps but contributions are capped at $1,000 per person.
“Let's lean into what makes El Portal special”
George Alvarez