A couple of mailers in the lickety split Miami Lakes election are causing a little bit of tension among two one-time allies 
who are now running against each other in the crowded five-point race.
David “Doc” Bennett has already sent out two mailers with photos of him and his family and him with two legislators who have supported him in the past. Problem is, those supporters have already decided to back his old friend and ally, Councilman Nelson Hernandez, who is now his main opponent in the mayoral race.
The mailers don’t outright say that Sen. Rene Garcia and State Rep. Manny Diaz, Jr., endorse Bennett — and, in fact, the photos were taken some time last year or earlier — but it leaves enough doubt about their so-ardent endorsement of Hernandez.
“These are just pictures of me with celebrities,” Bennett told Ladra. “If I had pictures of me with Dwayne Wade or Lebron James I would use those.”
It’s true that politicians are like camera whores. They’ll take their picture with anyone (anybody remember the photo Ladra took of Mayor Carlos Gimenez and Garcia with the boletera Deisy Cabrera?). I am quite sure that there are photos of Garcia and Diaz, Jr., at some function or another with Pizzi, who was arrested last month on federal bribery and extortion charges stemming from an FBI investigation into a kickback scheme.
And, if nothing else, it sends voters the message that, despite his serial name-dropping to show off who he knows, Hernandez is not the only one who might be able to get Tallahassee’s attention. I mean, you can tell from the snapshots that these people like Bennett, too.
“They endorsed me in the last race,” he said. “I haven’t changed in the last nine months.
“And no matter who the mayor is, these are professional politicians who represent us and they will work with anyone,” Bennett added. “It is their duty to help their constituency, and anybody who wins the mayoral election will be one of their constituents.”
But both Garcia and Diaz, Jr., were quick to point out that their likenesses were not to be confused with their stamp of approval for his candidacy.
“Recently my image was used in a Miami Lakes campaign ad,” Diaz, Jr., posted on twitter Aug. 27, which is the same day the mailers started to land in mailb
oxes. “I would like to clarify. The only candidate I’m supporting is Nelson Hernandez.”
“Despite my photo being used for political ads by another candidate for mayor of Miami Lakes, only @NelHern has my endorsement and support,” Garcia posted. And Diaz, Jr., retweeted him, because I guess he liked the way the Senator said it better.
Can you imagine how many eyebrows would be strained if he would send a mailer with the endorsements he had from two of the other mayoral candidates. Not just with pictures of Garcia, but also glowing recommendations from him as well as Hernandez and founding mayor Wayne Slaton, another mayoral candidate.
“Dr. David Bennett’s community service along with his strong business experience will enable him to be a very effective public servant,” Garcia is quoted as saying. “David Bennett is a man you can trust to do the right thing,” Slaton says in the piece.
And then this gem from Hernandez: “I wholeheartedly support David’s candidacy to help move Miami Lakes in the right direction.”
Of course that was before the two were vying for the same job.
Lucky for Hernandez, he had a fundraiser Wednesday night at The Pampered Chef — the one hosted by the Hialeah AB mafia — and Ladra heard that everyone and their mother showed up.
If that translates into campaign checks, Hernandez can send set-the-record straight mailers with endorsements of his own. Look for them soon in a mailbox near you.
Mayoral mailer makes mockery of mafia endorsements added by Ladra on
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[…] deadline. Most of that has gone to consultant Emiliano “The Dark Horse” Antunez, who has already produced two mailers for Bennett and is probably phone banking daily. Hernandez, meanwhile, has only spent about $1,600 of his […]
Curioso Na’Ma’,
interesting how you throw those that are close to Hernandez under the bus. What does his “Brickell girlfriend” have anything to do with this race? Once again, you sound like the child crying wolf, clawing your way to find anything negative about Hernandez, and it really shows your character and morals when you bring in other people to this blog.
And your last line, which let me bring up, “…makes you sound like one of those politicos sapingos de Hialeah.” yup…you really are a winner when it comes to blogging. You lost all respect, and validity from all readers with that comment.
And please, do tell us who the best candidate is?? Please grace us with your knowledge…Let me guess, you voted for Mr. Pizzi, correct??
Instead of bashing, criticizing, making false accusations, and just being plain negative about someone whom many of you are envious about because of who he is and what he has accomplished, why don’t you comment on the other candidates? Is it because many of you see Hernandez as the best choice for this race and are afraid to admit it?
Remember the old saying, it is better to have a plan and a goal and fail in trying accomplish them than to not succeed because of a fear to fail. Hernandez has not and will not fail because he has goals and visions for this town. What plans and goals do the other candidates have – I’ve yet to hear none.
Go ahead – post something negative about Hernandez. You will be admitting he’s the best choice for mayor.
Curioso,
The tone and content of your comments are more indicative of a person with a personal vendetta against Hernandez rather than a concerned Miami Lakes citizen.
To attempt to draw a parallel between the allegations against Pizzi and Hernandez’s employment at Dade Medical College is a glaring and desperate attempt to tarnish Hernandez’s name. To suggest that Hernandez should be held accountable for the success of the students is comical and an insult to the intelligence of the readers of this blog who you are apparently trying to influence. Any intelligent, educated individual can clearly see that there are no similarities or parallels between the 2 scenarios you presented.
And any intelligent, educated individual also knows that broadbrushed, empty allegations such as the ones you have made are indicative of ignorance and desperation.
Rather than expend so much time and effort in trying to defame Hernandez, you would be better served to effectively sing the praises of the candidate you DO support.
Stay classy, Miami Lakes.
Dear Different,
There are clear similarities between the two scenarios. If you choose to ignore them it may have to do with your definition of ethics, influence peddling, etc.
I don’t know Nelson and I have no interest other than that of a resident. Can you please get off your high horse and tell us with a straight face that Nelson got the job with Dade Medical College because of his experience in finance and not because of his position or that of his political friends. It is obvious that DMC spends more money on politicians than on professors. And, similarly to Mr. Pizzi’s case, Sunshine Universal and DMC take money from the taxpayers and don’t deliver what is promised. But I’m sure Nelson did his due diligence. Or, wait, he also voted to allow Sunshine Universal to apply for the grant on behalf of the town. I guess, due diligence is not his thing.
Do 2 years as Junior Associate with New Century HM really make him an expert at anything, or is it his political friends and his position with the Town that got him the job with DMC.
Please don’t tell me what I should or should not do with my time. It makes you sound like one of those politicos sapingos de Hialeah.
Your closing line speaks volumes and should be a red flag to the readers of this blog – “CONSIDER THE SOURCE”!!
However, you have summed it up perfectly and I will quote you from your latest reply – “I don’t know Nelson…”
That is the only valid comment you have made in your desperate attempt to defame Hernandez. You are absolutely correct – based on the empty allegations you have made – YOU DON’T KNOW NELSON HERNANDEZ!
STAY CLASSY MIAMI LAKES!!
A candidate’s personal life should not be the main focus in a campaign. But citizens vote for individual who share there concerns and life experiences.
Nelson is a young man who does not own property here and still lives at home with his parents and they are supportive and lovely family. But I think is is an important for candidates to understand from personal experience the pressure of paying a mortage, taxes and property insurance and supporting a family.
I think many citizens are more comfortable with candidates who are living with the same issues they are.
M,
i respect your opinion, and though it does hold great merit, i do not believe his living situation should hold him accountable as to whether or not he knows the troubles and tribulations each resident is facing. Though he may not pay a mortgage, taxes, etc. I believe he has the best interest, and does put himself in each residents shoes, case in point would be the plan to eliminate property taxes, and bring in additional revenue to the town but charging outside residences to use the Town’s public parks, and other town resources.
This is just my opinion, and I believe he is the right choice for this town.
Miami Lakes should be renamed North Hialeah. I am so disappointed that Nelson would invite toda la mierda into Miami Lakes politics.
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So Curioso,
you’re judging this election based on how he runs a household? So you’re taking his private life in account? Seems like you’re stretching a bit. I ask you again. Prove your statement. He has no say in whether the students pass or not when he was working with Dade Medical College. Leave households, and family life out of this equation. I’m sure your household isn’t rainbows and butterflies.
Base your decision on merit, and good will. Not private lives of citizens and things they have no control of. Just a piece of advice from someone who has lived in Miami Lakes for quite some time.
1- Who elected you voice of anything?
2- Your scribble is called a “straw man” argument just to divert the attention away from the facts.
3- My comment was about ethics and skills. Hernandez takes money from people getting paid by the federal government and who do not provide the service they were hired to do. Additionally, he couldn’t be employed to run a news stand based on experience.
4- The facts are: Your candidate has no skills, experience or ethics.
Hernandez should run on his record as Councilman, not goodwill. Anyone can come up with a 5 plan for anything but not everyone can back it up with a record.
Goodwill, please, you sound like the girlfriend from Brickell, not anyone who lives in Miami Lakes.
What is the difference between Pizzi and Hernandez?
1- Pizzi allegedly took money from a company who he thought was receiving tax dollars for services it did not intend to perform.
2- Hernandez takes money from Dade Medical College who receives tax dollars (Pell grants) for educational services it does not perform (only 46% and 38% of Dade and Hollywood students, respectively, pass the state licensing tests)
Nelson has no apparent experience to run a household, much less a lemonade stand, is obviously just like the same as the other Mafiosi.
another “politician” riding the wave of past success.
Why would Bennett put those pictures of knowing very well those legislators are supporting other candidates in THIS election? Doesn’t he realize this is actually hurting him more than helping? Especially a day after Hernandez’s Fundraiser?
But trusting him with our town is a great idea…think before you vote People…