25157: Hermantin(News)Haiti Politics have an impact on elections (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: leonie hermantin <lhermantin@hotmail.com>

Posted on Sat, May. 21, 2005





Local perspectives


NORTH MIAMI

HAITI POLITICS HAVE AN IMPACT ON ELECTIONS

Four years ago, the city made history by electing the nation's first-ever
Haitian-American mayor, Joe Celestin. At that time, a growing
Haitian-American population showed its power at the polls, installing a
Haitian majority on the council and spurning North Miami's political old
guard.

This year, politics in Haiti cast a long shadow over local elections. As a
result, the commission, including the mayor's office, underwent a
demographic shift. The council's Haitian majority is gone; Mr. Celestin has
been replaced by Kevin Burns, a white candidate who bested Jean Monestime, a
Haitian-American endorsed by the term-limited mayor.

What happened? Mr. Monestime was cast as an anti-Lavalas Party candidate --
that is, anti-Jean-Bertrand Aristide, who last year left under pressure as
president of Haiti. Mr. Aristide, however, remains a beloved figure among
many Haitian-American immigrants striving to make a better life in South
Florida. Popular radio hosts and other influential Haitian Americans cast
Mr. Monestime as elitist. On the day of elections, turnout was low overall,
and especially so among Haitian-American residents.

For his part, Mr. Burns ran a campaign of inclusiveness, engaging Haitians
and Hispanic residents. In some heavily Haitian areas, residents supported
Mr. Burns over Mr. Monestime.

Mr. Burns will be sworn in on Tuesday. For the good of the city, we hope
that Mr. Burns runs the mayor's office in the same spirit of accountability
and inclusiveness that characterized his campaign.