(Miami-Dade County, FL) -- On January 28 at Signature Gardens, Commissioner Joe A. Martinez helped pass the torch to the new chairman of the West Kendall Business Association (WKBA), while commending the accomplishments of its most recent leader. Commissioner Martinez presented WKBA's outgoing chairman Jorge F. Peña with a Commendation and praised him for his many years of dedicated service.  The Commissioner then installed the association's 2010 Board of Directors and introduced their new chairman, Frank E. Irizarry, Jr., of FirstBank Florida.

"The residents and business owners in the West Kendall area generate more tax dollars than what is returned to our area through county services," said Commissioner Martinez, a resident of West Kendall for more than 20 years. "Yet, this fact does not deter us from wanting to improve and expand our business relations. Business owners and community leaders have the responsibility of establishing the characteristics for the West Kendall business community to make it more attractive and accommodating to local residents."