It’s been eight years since Luis de la Cruz sat in a Village Council seat, the final year of a four-year term under then-Mayor Mayra P. Lindsay and Vice Mayor Frank Caplan.
Fast forward to 2026, and the 50-plus year resident of Key Biscayne has decided to run again for one of three seats up for grabs in November (Oscar Sardiñas and Fernando Vazquez are eligible to try and retain their seats, while Ed London is termed out).
Islander News spoke with de la Cruz, a practicing attorney, on Tuesday morning and asked him three questions:
Q: So, what has changed from 2014-2018 and these past few years?
A: It was not a good experience … I was the first to point out that our stormwater system was not working. I did that in the first month of my first term in 2014. I went to the Village Manager then and I said, ‘I need to know the answers to these questions because it wasn’t built that long ago’ and that maybe there was a case of malpractice.
Former Councilman and current candidate De La Cruz has stayed involved in local politics, offering commentary and participation in local meetings.
(IN Photo / JR)
The Manager asked the Building, Zoning and Planning Director, who also was the Public Works Director, to look into it … the guy did a magnificent job. They surveyed every catch basin. One day, he sees me, and says, ‘Councilman, well, I’ve got some information you’re not going to like.’ It turned out more than 75 percent of the catch basins were non functional, not working at all, working like an aquarium with very slow leakage. They had not maintained them. … The outfalls weren’t working (properly) because the water wasn’t getting there, nor were the gravity wells. … It was horrible.
They realized the problem and finally reported it to the Council … The Manager worked on it for a year, and at the time (he was leaving). That project should have been front and center back then. GIT (did) the master plan in 2015. They already knew how to fix it then … unfortunately, we put it on the shelf (and then) I left the Council. Until recently, (the project) was brought up again and started with this crazy AECOM plan, so that’s when I paid attention again.
Q: Was one of the deciding factors for you to run again was that former Vice Mayor Brett Moss will be stepping in (unopposed) as the new Village Mayor?
A: Absolutely. I would have never run for Council had it not been for Brett to be the next Mayor. In fact, I was thinking of running for Mayor, but he’s a really good friend of mine and I wasn’t going to run against him. That was as strong a reason as any. I was not going to run for Council because I thought, as Mayor, you can drive the boat.
Brett Moss, right, tours the Waste Management recycling facility in Pembroke Pines with Helena Iturralde, co-founder of A Zero Waste Culture nonprofit. Moss, who is set to be the next Key Biscayne mayor, has made responsible infrastructure and environmental stewardship central to his 2026 campaign.
Photo courtesy: Christian Tribie
Although he has one vote, he has the power (to set the agenda, etc.). I have spoken to Brett on several occasions for a long time and we agree on just about everything, even though I had promised I would never do it (run for Council) again. It’s a lot of work, depending how much work you want to do, and you put in a lot of time. If the meeting is not fruitful, after you’ve done all this work, you just want to shoot yourself.
Q: Are you ready to hold up signs on the street corner in case several residents run for these seats?
A: I’m trying to get the other Council candidates to not pollute the Village with signs; some may need the exposure, and that will probably benefit the two (current) Councilmen … if they put up yard signs, I’ll have to go along. Standing on the corner? I’ve done it many times. It’s not my favorite activity.
I’m more of a sit down, roll-up-my-sleeves and get things done type of person. (If elected), I think we’ll do good things for Key Biscayne.
The message de la Cruz sent out Sunday on the Key Biscayne Environment chat line read:
OK! I’m going to do it!
I will be filing the necessary documents to offer myself for a seat on the Village Council this November.
I really didn’t think I would do this again. But I’ve come to the realization that it’s difficult to get the Village Council’s attention on many issues that I believe are important and that have not been properly addressed over the past eight years or so.
Over the coming weeks, I’ll explain in more detail what I mean and, more importantly, what I believe we can do to make things better.
One of my biggest commitments is to become the most accessible Council member this Village has ever had. I plan to establish regular times when I will personally be available to discuss whatever is on your mind regarding our Village. Whether we agree or disagree, you’ll always know I’ll listen, explain my views, and change my mind when the facts warrant it.
I believe we live in one of the absolute best places anywhere to call home. But I also believe we can make it even better, and that maintaining a community like ours requires constant attention, accountability, and hard work.
As all of you who read my posts know, I have been very unsatisfied with the performance of Village Management and Administration for quite some time. We pay a lot in taxes, and we should expect responsive, efficient, and accountable municipal government.
I also believe that, in recent years, the Village Council has too often stepped back from its responsibility to set policy. The Council’s job is to establish the policies that reflect the will of the community. Village Management’s job is to carry out those policies effectively. I believe restoring that balance is one of the most important things we can do.
This campaign won’t be about personalities or politics. It will be about good governance, accountability, transparency, and making Key Biscayne the very best it can be.
I need your help.
Please share your thoughts with me — either publicly or by direct message. Tell me what’s working, what isn’t, and what ideas you have for making our Village even better. I genuinely want to hear from everyone.
Finally, I hope to earn your vote.
My goal is that every person casting a ballot for Village Council will feel comfortable voting for me. And if, for any reason, you don’t think you can support me, I ask one favor: please reach out and tell me why. I may not change your mind, but I promise I’ll listen. Your perspective will make me a better candidate and, I hope, a better Council member.
I look forward to this conversation, and I hope you’ll join me.
Regards,
Luis F de la Cruz
Note: To reach Luis by e-mail, send to ldelacruz@delacruzcutler.com, or call or text (305) 785-6530.