After months of contention, much of it focused on the performance of former City Attorney Victoria Mendez, the City of Miami is moving on.
The City Commission approved the appointment of veteran staff attorney George Wysong as Miami’s top lawyer on April 25 by a vote of 4-to-1. Mendez was removed from the job on April 11 by the same lopsided vote.
District 3 Commissioner Joe Carollo cast the dissenting vote both times.
Wysong, who most recently served as Miami’s deputy city attorney, was sworn in immediately following the vote.
“I intend on working with all the city family with fairness, kindness, humility and respect” he said. “I hope to do you proud.”
Wysong was chosen by a selection committee that included former Miami Beach Mayor Neisen Kasdin, the choice of District 2 Commissioner Damian Pardo, who also led the effort to oust Mendez on April 11.
Pardo praised the selection process, and the choice of candidate.
“I am thrilled to welcome George Wysong as our new City Attorney,” Pardo said in a statement. “His selection comes at a pivotal moment in the city and provides much-needed stability within City Hall.”
Carollo voiced support for Wysong as well, but said commissioners, himself included, should have been given an opportunity to interview the job candidates before the vote. Commissioner Manolo Reyes disagreed.
“The selection committee was formed to get politics out of it,” Reyes said. “The main idea was to get us out it.”
