By Richard Yager….
Patricia “Shannen” Davis says she “looks forward to doing what’s right” following her reelection to Community Council 11 on Aug. 24.
Currently chairing the West Kendall Zoning Appeals Board, Davis won handily, 7,080 to 4,751 votes, over her only opponent, John P. Arrien who ran for the first time.
Davis’s total gave her 59 percent and Arrien 41 percent of the total 11,831 ballots cast.
“It was a wonderful and valued experience to have run side-by-side with my opponent during the campaign,” Davis said.
“I hope Mr. Arrien remains committed to community service as announced, and I look forward to doing what’s right for all the people in West Kendall,” she added.
“As a first time candidate, I very much appreciated the backing of so many in the community,” Arrien said. “I plan to continue to have an active voice in its affairs.”
Davis and Arrien ran for a district-wide “at large” seat created by Miami-Dade Commissioner Joe Martinez when no one qualified to accept an appointment when vacated in 2006. A seventh seat formerly held by Domingo Castillo, remains vacant.
A technical information specialist at Baptist Health of South Florida, Arrien said he would “definitely consider” serving in an appointed role, should that situation occur.
The Davis-Arrien race was the only contested seat on the West Kendall Council. Others elected unopposed for four-year terms on Council 11 are Miguel A. Diaz in Sub Area 113, and Beatrice Suarez, reelected to represent Sub Area 115.
In East Kendall, Peggy Brodeur, Alberto Santana and chair Elliott Zack, all unopposed, were reelected to four-year council 12 seats.
New four-year terms of reelected council members begin on Nov. 16, according to Carolina Lopez, Elections Department administrator. First-time council members (such as Diaz) customarily attend a council informational seminar before being sworn into office.
Carla Ascencio-Savola who resigned her Council 12 seat lost her bid in the Republican primary in the District 115 State Representative race to Jose F. Diaz by a count of 5,610 to 3,710.
Former chair of East Kendall’s Community Council 12, Ascensio-Savola said she would not seek a seat on that board again after resigning to run in the state office primary.
“I’m simply going to get a little rest and return to my business office, grateful to my family and friends for the support they provided to me,” she said.
