Emiliano Antunez

LP News Online: April 2001: Emiliano Antunez gears up to run
for mayor of Miami (again)
A year after his first campaign for mayor of Miami was
halted by a court order, Libertarian Emiliano Antunez has
jumped back into the race.
On February 22, Antunez officially launched his second bid
for Miami's top job with a press conference at the Carretta
Restaurant.
Surrounded by family and supporters, the 38-year-old
businessman said, "My life and business experience make me
the most qualified candidate to understand what the
homeowners and small business people of Miami really need."
In his second bid, Antunez said he has learned from the
experience of his first campaign -- and said the same set of
circumstances exist in 2001 that led him to declare last
year that he had a "chance of victory."
Specifically, Miami's high taxes and scandal-filled
government make City Hall winnable for a Libertarian, he
said.
"[The city government] doubled the waste pickup fee,
instituted a new fire fee on all property owners, an ex-city
manager convicted in a kickback scheme still gets his
$60,000 a year pension, two former commissioners are in the
Big House -- and that's all just in the last [few] years,"
he said.
Antunez said he will offer voters nothing less than "a new
way of running the city," with a campaign strategy designed
to tap into voter anger over issues like the tax-subsidized
Miami Arena, irritating city agencies, and expensive trash
pick-up.
For example, he supports "competitive privatization of solid
waste collection, saving homeowners hundreds [of dollars]
and freeing them from the city's expensive solid waste fee,"
he said.
He also supports "eliminating the permits for simple home
improvements, such as painting or laying tile. [And] further
shrinking the intrusiveness of the building department and
minimizing the fees charged for necessary permits."
Finally, Antunez said, "Sports arenas should be bought and
paid for by pro sports franchise owners. I do not believe
that one cent of taxpayer money should be used to acquire,
build, or maintain a pro sports facility."
Professionally, Antunez is the president of a consumer
finance company and a dentist. He serves as Miami-Dade
County LP Chair, and is a past member of the Miami/Dade
Housing and Finance Authority. Antunez and his wife, Aida,
have one daughter and are expecting twins in April.
For information about the Emiliano Antunez for Mayor
campaign, or to make a contribution, write: Emiliano Antunez
Campaign, 888 N.W. 27th Avenue, Suite 4, Miami, Florida
33125. Or visit: www.antunez.org. Phone: (305) 642-1223.