By Lou Hernández
Sweetwater Commissioner Ian Vallecillo is indicative of the city’s growing new identity. A resident of Sweetwater since 2017, Vallecillo, 31, is part of a younger generational shift of residents leading the city forward. Ian is a Coral Park High and FIU graduate with a double major in Political Science and International Relations.
“After graduation, I interned for the City of Doral and then the City of Sweetwater as a grant administrator,” divulged Vallecillo. “The internship in Sweetwater turned into a job as an assistant to the grant administrator—and then I became the grant administrator, working directly for the mayor’s office. As a result, I met a lot of people in the political world. I’ve always liked politics since I was a kid. In 2000, I watched my first presidential election, and that was a crazy one. I built up enough connections as grant administrator for me to run for commissioner on my own in 2021. The mayor [Orlando López] was the first to get behind me, and I also had the support of State Representative David Borrero.” Vallecillo defeated former Sweetwater commissioner José Guerra for his seat.
The political newcomer ran successfully on platforms of public safety and improving government services, including increased police funding, along with the capacity for officers to be held more accountable, if required. “I also ran on beautifying the city,” he added. “When I was a grant administrator I brought in grants for trees and capital improvements and developing parks, for bettering transit, with new routes and an on-line application, and I maintained grant funding for free meals at the Senior Center.” One of his core focuses was easing the tax burden for the city’s 21,000 residents. “We delivered on lowering taxes,” the commissioner proudly stated. “We lowered our taxes for the first time in six years.”
With respect to public safety, Vallecillo teamed with his fellow commissioners to oppose a proposed bail reform initiative for the city, involving the implementation of cashless bail for misdemeanors and low-level felonies. “They were going to use algorithms to determine whether a person is likely to commit another crime, if released,” scoffed the commissioner.
One of things the first-term commissioner said he is committed to ensuring is the continuation of community events. “We have regular food distribution, diaper distribution, and street cleanups,” he informed. “On March 19, I’ll be with volunteers from FIU and other schools, partnering with a non-profit, cleaning up streets. We’ll be using our little pick-up sticks and bags. The students accrue community service hours.”
Working for his constituents takes place indoors as well. “I have sessions with my interns and we brainstorm to put together legislation,” explained Vallecillo, the cultural biproduct of a Cuban mother and Honduran father. “I give them ideas; they give me ideas. After some back and forth, we draft it and then go to our city attorney and get it on the agenda.”
Vallecillo is intent on addressing what he views as “lack of trees, dilapidated facades and too much concrete.” He wants to make the city look better, especially the parks. “I created the Neighborhood Improvement Advisory Board,” he revealed. “We filled the board with people who are professionals in different fields. We have an assistant city manager, a surveyor, someone with Parks and Recreation, and an accountant. They all come together to give us different ideas. As an example, they proposed animal cruelty legislation which the city did not have. I intend to add it to the commission’s agenda for passage into our city code.”
Recently, Sweetwater landed extra territory from a portion of unincorporated Dade, an area west of Dolphin Mall. “It’s an industrial and commercial warehouse zone,” the commissioner explained. “I helped write our annexation application, myself and Robert Herrada. We beat out the City of Doral, who also wanted to annex the land. Because it was a non-residential area, no referendum was needed. The joining will bring in more tax revenue for the city. Before all those businesses there had to go downtown to apply for permits and things. Now they can go right to our city hall. Their government is now closer to them, and their police.”
A husband of six years to wife Cristilyn with three small boys, ages four and under, including a newborn, Vallecillo reflected, “Sweetwater has changed and modernized a lot. I have been able to be a part of it, first as a city employee working with grants, and now as a commissioner.
“Sweetwater has a skyline now.”
