Angel Burgos is new to elected politics but not new to Wilton Manors. Aside from living here for 14 years, he’s also a familiar face at events ranging from fundraisers to parties to community events. Now he wants to be a familiar face on the city commission.

“I’ve always had a passion for public service and being someone who gives back. Serving my city is the ultimate pleasure for me in the sense of what I want to do.”

Burgos has a Masters of Public Administration from Columbia University and works as a lead administrator for FIU, managing an annual $20 million budget and 70 people. While he hasn’t served on any city boards, he has sat on Funding Arts Broward, Island City Stage, and Lambda Legal. 

He believes his education and experience prepared him for elected office. “I’m running on a fresh perspective.”

Now, he says, is the right time to run. “I’m concerned about the number of projects and buildings that haven’t gone up. I think there’s something wrong with the process. I think there’s something wrong with how city government is operating and I think I can help.”

Balancing tax burdens with affordability is a universal concern he’s ready to address. “I hear a lot from small businesses on how long it takes to set up shop.” While he lauds city staff, he believes there is plenty of red tape to be cut.

The city, with less than two square miles of land, appears to be built out. But Burgos sees small spots here and there, such as a dry cleaner, vacant storefronts on Wilton Drive, and the Dixie Hwy. hotel lot that he says is a dead project.

“There are some nuggets of space that have not been developed. And look at Andrews Ave. There is room to build out.” He also sees growth potential along Dixie Hwy.

As far as building up, he says residents have spoken and six floors seem to be the generally agreed upon limit.

“It’s all about negotiations. It’s all about business development, having the right conversations and making sure it’s a win-win for everybody.”