Norman Braman Throws Down Gauntlet After Alvarez is Crushed in Miami-Dade Recall

Norman Braman, the South Florida auto magnate who led the successful drive to recall Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez, isn't wasting any time in his continuing campaign to clean up that county's government.

In an Election Night statement, the multimillionaire Braman said the "County Commission has made it impossible for citizens without the financial means to petition their government for change or redress of grievances.All of that must end."

Braman said he and Victor Diaz, chairman of the 2008 county charter review commission, have presented eight ideas as a covenant with the people of Miami-Dade county for charter change.

"This is a time for hard work and rededication," Braman said.

"We have presented specific proposals ranging from term limits for commissioners, to reducing the number of commissioners from 13 to nine, with two being elected at-large, to precluding commissioners from outside employment during their terms and from lobbying activities for a reasonable time after their terms end, to allowing charter reforms to be placed directly on the ballot."

Based on Tuesday's heavy voter turnout and Alvarez's crushing defeat, it's clear that newly empowered Miamians are stirring. Commissioners have been warned. They ignore Braman at their peril.