By: Sharon Aron Baron

Newly sworn in City Commissioner Michelle Gomez didn’t waste any time getting back to work after last Thursday’s close vote between her and candidate Mike Gelin to fill the commission seat.

One of the first things she did was go over the agenda for the workshop meeting with the city manager. Gomez said she is looking forward to meeting with residents and presidents of homeowners associations soon.  She realizes that many of them are working on their annual budgets this time of the year and wants to meet with them whenever they are ready.

Gomez was interim commissioner for over two years while Atkins-Grad was suspended from office while awaiting trial on corruption charges. After the jurors acquitted Atkins-Grad, many residents in her district felt that her “stupid” defense didn’t add up and formed a recall committee.  After nine months of work and two successful rounds by the committee, Atkins-Grad is no longer in her seat.   The seat, filled by Gomez who applied along with seven other applicants for the position, runs until November 2014.

 Today when Gomez returned, her nameplate in front of her seat was already in place.

 Said City Clerk Pat Teufel laughing, “We never get rid of these things.”

Gomez said she received a tremendous amount of congratulations from friends, residents, and other commissioners from around Broward County and said it was very nice.