Mayor nominates Alejandro Sanchez for Miami Lakes Town Council seat 4; confirmation set for Jan. 21

Mayor Josh Dieguez formally introduced Alejandro Sanchez on the evening of a public meet-and-greet as his nominee to fill the Miami Lakes Town Council vacancy in seat 4, saying the nomination will be considered by the full council at its next meeting on Jan. 21.

Dieguez said the nomination followed “article 2.5 of the Miami Lakes Town Charter,” which requires the mayor to name a nominee when a vacancy occurs, and described the local selection process he used. “In conjunction with town staff, I established an application process which was announced Friday, December 13th,” Dieguez said, adding that applications were made available on Dec. 16 and were due Dec. 20; the town received eight applications by the deadline. He said he met with council colleagues in a Dec. 23 sunshine meeting, two applicants were deemed viable, and he chose Alejandro Sanchez (Alex) for the seat.

At the meet-and-greet, Sanchez introduced himself and summarized his background. “I—'ve been a resident of the town of Miami Lakes since 2008,” he said, describing service in the U.S. Navy and extended volunteer work in town committees, including the Veterans Committee, the Planning and Zoning Board, the Town Manager Selection Committee and the Neighborhood Improvement Committee. He also noted previous local recognitions: being named volunteer of the year and serving as a veterans day parade grand marshal.

Sanchez outlined priorities he would pursue if confirmed, including a volunteer program to connect high-school students and National Junior Honor Society members with local events that need volunteers. He said the program would help students meet volunteer-hour requirements for some colleges and increase community engagement. On parks, Sanchez said he would seek county-level bond funds earmarked for municipal projects rather than proposing a new town tax. “So it wouldn't be a tax burden on any resident of the town of Miami Lakes,” he said, and emphasized work on both larger sites such as Optimist Park and the town—'s roughly 110 pocket parks.

Several residents and elected officials spoke in support. Resident Lee Medina described Sanchez as a longtime neighbor and volunteer, and Councilmember J.C. Fernandez said he had received mostly positive feedback about Sanchez from the community. No confirmation vote occurred at the meet-and-greet; Dieguez said the council would consider the nomination at its Jan. 21 regular meeting, when council members will either confirm or deny the mayor's nominee. If the council denies the nominee, Dieguez said the vacancy would be filled by special election within 90 days or at the next opportunity provided by the Miami-Dade Department of Elections, consistent with the town charter and state law.

Sanchez told attendees he intends to run for reelection in 2026 if confirmed, giving residents the opportunity to ratify or reject his service at the ballot box. “Miami Lakes is home. Miami Lakes is number 1 to me,” he said in closing. Mayor Dieguez reminded the public the Jan. 21 council meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. and said he expects the appointment item to appear near the start of that agenda so residents can observe and comment.

Votes at a glance: none taken at the meet-and-greet; the nomination is pending formal council consideration on Jan. 21.