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Levine says that Grieco is “playing politics,” which is something that politicians always say when they are the ones playing politics.
“As your Mayor, I will never play politics with an issue as dire as flooding mitigation in our City,” Levine closed in his letter. “You can always count on my dedication to doing what’s right and to serve the best interests of our residents. I will work day and night to make these improvements and to make every dollar we spend count. Because when it comes to this city and to the people who live in it, I don’t play politics. I play, ‘Let’s get it done.'”
But lashing out like that against a colleague and former slate mate rather than welcoming the dialogue seems like playing politics to me. He is the one who is pontificating from his throne and writing an entire email message to stab a one-time ally in the back for having the, um, gumption to vote against him. Guess he’s surprised that Grieco is not the good little do-boy he wanted ala Commissioner Jonah “Potty Mouth” Wolfson. Grieco is more independent than perhaps Levine would like.
Read related story: Miami Beach decision looms as Levine slate threatens
The mayor also used the email — which was sent on “Office of the Miami Beach Mayor” letterhead — to inform and said the rate increase will average $7 per month, or approximately $.25 per day 
for the typical household. That could go up, however, in future years, according to the Miami Herald story, which also sites a poll done by City Manger turned-part-time-pollster Jimmy Morales that says that a whopping 87% of the people would tax themselves to fix the flooding problem. Who did they ask? How did they ask? When did they ask?
The funds, the mayor said in his letter, will finance the following proposed “upgrades”:
- Installation of 35 large pump stations
- Installation of 30 smaller pump stations
- Conversion of 21 injection pumps
- Repair of existing outfalls that discharge stormwater and installation of one-way flex valves
Wow. That sounds like a lot of work. Ladra can’t help but wonder who the lucky vendors and lobbyists are that will benefit from this. Who is Levine’s political partner, consultant David “*%$#)@!” Custin, lining up for this ka-ching?
“I will work day and night to make these improvements and to make every dollar we spend count,” he said. Who’s counting?
The situation is worth watching. Because, despite Grieco’s good intentions, obviously Levine has the votes he needs to increase the stormwater fees less than a year after buying his $2 million election with just slightly over 50% of the voters.
Business has begun.
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Miami Beach break-up: Philip Levine and Michael Grieco added by Ladra on
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