The council in South Miami changed significantly Tuesday when a new mayor and two new council members were elected. Mayor Javier Fernandez, a former state rep, and Council members Steve Calle and Lisa Bonich were sworn in on Wednesday.

Former Mayor Horace Feliu was rejected by voters once again — for the fourth or fifth time — giving Fernandez 63% of the vote. The new mayor is seen as someone who can bring energy and ideas and, importantly, someone who listens to the residents and will champion their priorities.

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Less than two weeks before Election Day, South Miami City Attorney Thomas Pepe issued an opinion last week that the city’s $250 limit on campaign contributions was null and void. It has been since July, 2021.

That’s when the state legislature passed a bill that not only pre-empted municipalities from restricting contributions to less than the state limit of $1,000 per person or entity, but also retroactively scrapped any limits already set. The South Miami $250 contribution limit was passed in 1991.

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All of the candidates in the South Miami election have agreed to participate in a forum Wednesday organized by outgoing Commissioner Walter Harris at the American Legion Hall.

Harris is termed out. Both his seat and the mayoral seat are open, since Mayor Sally Philips is not running for re-election.

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