Jamaican Running for Miami-Dade County Commissioner Promises ‘New Day’

Jamaican-born Marlon Hill, a prominent attorney in Miami-Dade County, is running for commissioner in Miami’s District 9.

With the Aug. 18, 2020 primary elections approaching, Hill, a Miami-Dade resident since 1985, shared his local connections in a virtual town hall meeting June 17.

“I rode my bicycle to Miami Southridge Senior High School, worked diligently, worked part-time at Cutler Ridge Mall and earned a partial scholarship to Florida State University,” he explained.

“At Miami Southridge and Florida State University I found a supportive system pushing me to excellence in every regard. But, I knew I would return to my hometown in Miami-Dade County.”

That return, Hill explained, was mostly fueled by his drive to improve his community.

“For far too long South Miami-Dade County has been neglected,” he said. “We must do better … District 9 residents, it’s time for a new day.”

PRIORITY

Community violence plaguing District 9 is among the top issues Hill said he plans to tackle if elected. He favors programs that support and re-train young black men involved in crime.

Hill’s law firm received a grant that helped establish a law academy at Brownsville Middle School, which he believes can be a model that can be replicated throughout the county.

“We can show our kids how they can shape the legal system as opposed to being a part of the legal system,” he said. “We need to do more for young black men, and to support the single mothers that are carrying the burden for them as well.”

In a time when white policemen are being increasingly charged with killing young black men and more revelations of police brutality and injustices against people of color are surfacing, Hill called for legal reform, especially of Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law which allows justifiable use of force.

“We are done dying!,” he said. “We are done dying! We need to take a look at a full criminal justice reform of our entire system where any black person, black man is dying for unnecessary reasons.

“We will have to work with our state officials to change this law. And also look totally across the board with regard to criminal justice reform to ensure that we continue to breathe and stop dying.”

OVERSIGHT

Hill said he would support funding for a civilian oversight board of the Miami-Dade County Police Department. The board, he added, would have to be closely scrutinized and should have subpoena powers. This, he said, help build trust between citizens and police.

Hill’s response to the groundswell to defund the police and redirect money to mental health, drug treatment and youth services invokes citizen involvement.

“We definitely need to re-imagine our relationship with the police department,” he explained. “Citizens must get involved with the budget process.

“The budget process is going to be coming down the pike in August/September. Budgets reflect priorities. Budgets reflect values, the values of South Miami Dade County.

“We want more support for our kids, we want more support for our seniors. We are approaching a period when COVID-19 is really going to put a strain on our budget and there are going to be some tough choices we will have to make. And some of those tough choices may land at the door of the police department and other departments as well, as we re-evaluate what our priorities are and what our values are and what we need as a community.”

COVID FIGHT

Concerned about the rising numbers of COVID-19 cases in Miami-Dade, Hill said as commissioner he would establish a pandemic and emergency disaster task force in the county to foster communication between the various communities. He said he has been going door-to-door in District 9, delivering face masks to the most vulnerable as he shares his belief in the connection between public health and the success of the economy. Hill sees small businesses as key to economic recovery.

As a small business attorney for the past 24 years, Hill explained he has counseled hundreds of small business owners in the county. He stressed that providing more technical, financial and community support to these businesses would drive the economy of South Miami Dade. Part of his strategy for stimulating growth is to convene a cross section of business leaders in South Miami Dade to discuss the tools needed to grow. Part of that plan would involve re-routing bus routes across the county to make it easier for residents to get to and from work.

However, for change to happen said Hill, citizens must be committed to action.

“For the next 60 days it’s very important that you as citizens remain engaged,” Hill said. “It’s very important that you get involved in the process. Register to vote, vote by mail.”