Long time Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts Harvey Ruvin has died
MIAMI - South Florida is mourning the loss of Harvey Ruvin, Miami-Dade's longest-serving elected official.
Ruvin was 85.
"He was the consummate public servant. He was here, there and everywhere for so many different causes," said Dr. Paul George, the historian for HistoryMiami Museum.
Described as funny, smart and easy to talk to, Ruvin, a University of Miami law school graduate, ran the country's 4th busiest circuit court for three decades.
But his career in public service began in the 1960s.
"When he was 30 he became Mayor of North Bay Village, which was a very affluent neighborhood. Then he became a Dade County, now known as Miami-Dade County commissioner. He was just a major force in politics for a long time," George added.
In the mid-1990s, before documents could be digitized as quickly as today, Ruvin is credited with helping implement a system to help his attorneys get case files quicker, according to the Miami Herald.
Ruvin's office also helped launch an electronic case management system to handle the crushing amount of traffic citations issued in the county every year and was instrumental in helping former felons restore their voting rights under Amendment 4, which passed in 2018, according to the Miami Herald.
George says Ruvin enjoyed learning the history of Greater Miami, and helping all the people who call it home.
"He pushed hard for the restoration of felons rights when the law was passed in 2018," George said. "He wanted to make sure he could facilitate the process for these folks to come back into the electoral system."
Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava says Ruvin embodied the best of government.
"It's not just the number of years. It's the breadth and the depth of what he contributed. He was nationally and globally known for his leadership in the environment and technology," she said.
The Mayor says Ruvin was a mentor to her and many others.
"He was just the kindest most giving, thoughtful, generous person we can imagine in public service. So his loss will be felt by thousands and his contributions will be eternal," she added.
"Harvey, in the last many, many years, decades, worked out a converted department store in downtown Miami," Dr. George said. "I can easily see that building in the not too distant future being renamed for Harvey Ruvin which would be very appropriate considering all the work he did in this community."
Now, for the first time in 30 years, Miami-Dade will have a new interim Clerk of the Courts.
On Monday, Luis G. Montaldo was appointed as Interim Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts.
The order will expire upon an appointment by the Governor or an election is held, whichever happens first.
"Mr. Montaldo was Mr. Ruvin's General Counsel and right hand for many years, and I am confident that he will well and faithfully lead the office of Clerk as it continues to provide essential services for the people of Miami-Dade County," Honorable Nushin G. Sayfie, Chief Judge of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit, said in a statement.
