More dishonest tactics from an increasingly desperate Miami-Dade incumbent Commissioner Lynda Bell?
Among the poll workers who showed up at some of the polling locations in District 8 Tuesday were paid burly men wearing black t-shirts that made them look like police officers supporting her.
But they’re not.
One of the men posted at St. Richard’s Catholic Church, 7500 SW 152nd Street in Palmetto Bay, said that he was not a police officer and was just trying to make a few bucks. His English was not very good, but he said that the shirts were provided to him by the campaign.
Other police imposters were spotted at Devon Aire Elementary on 122nd Avenue, The Crossings and the South Dade Library, making the concerted effort like this was an Election Day plan all along.
But it is misleading because Miami-Dade Police have not only endorsed Daniella Levine Cava. They have very ardently endorsed her. And they’ve been working at polling locations and phone banks to get her votes.
But the black t-shirts with striking white reverse type say “Save our Police, Vote Lynda Bell,” with her punch number.
Didn’t Bell support Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez‘s plan to fire close to 300 police officers at one time? Why, yes, she did. How is that saving our police?
PBA President John Rivera said it was not surprising that Bell would make such a statement or have some imposter cops at voting precincts, given some of Bell’s other exaggerations and lies — like how Levine Cava supported the Marlins stadium.
“Her entire campaign has been a fraud,” Rivera told me.
In the case of her chief of staff, Ruben Arias, perhaps the t-shirt should say “Save My Job.” Arias, photographed here to the left, has reportedly taken a leave of absence to help his boss campaign. Let’s hope he isn’t getting a paid leave of absence.
Other employee unions are supporting Levine Cava, too, because Bell has been harsh on employees — both on the dais and in her rhetoric off the dais– and is one of the mayor’s pocket commissioners. She’s been overheard at polling places saying that she supports police, she just doesn’t support a tax increase to give them raises.
But that’s dishonest, too. Police are not looking for ra
ises. They just question how Bell supports the mayor’s proposal to fire hundreds of police officers while she tries to give her political sugardaddy, private developer Wayne Rosen — one of the bigger contributors to her campaign — $5 million in taxpayer funds to build a private parking garage and retail building in Palmetto Bay.
Levine Cava just seems more willing to hear both sides — not that she’s promised anything to any of the unions except an open and reasonable mind.
“The only thing she gives us is hope,” said county firefighter Omar Blanco.
Lynda Bell misleads with imposter cops to keep office added by Ladra on
View all posts by Ladra →
Its possible for the uninformed voters that this Tshirt fraud might have cost Bell votes. With the Mo. situation and so much negative one sided media coverage on Law Enforcement it looks like a “hate the Police” bandwagon lately that some voters might have said F them COPS. Karma is a B, Good riddance Bell!!
Sam and Erick – it’s about integrity. If a fake out election day move is “brilliant”, then so is a fake out use of your tax dollars to take junkets to Asia, syphon tax dollars for furnishings and needless office rent, tit for tat deals to get family positions in other municipalities, changing an ordinance to benefit the family business, etc.
A stunt is brilliant if isn’t intended to hurt or be conniving. This is telling of her street fighter, poorly educated character.
Ladra. Bite me!
what’s the freaking issue? just voted. where does it say their cops? impersonating? Ladra, you’re really grasping at straws. You are quickly developing a blog fetish with Lynda, much like your counterpart Eye on Miami… so much for any originality….
Why is everyone upset over this? They are not impersonating cops, they are wearing a tee shirt.
I find the following repulsive.
If you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor. If you like your healthcare plan, you can keep your healthcare plan. Period!
Bell just got in the union’s face, give her team credit. Brilliant election day move.
This is a perfect example of Lynda Bell’s lies and deceit as she pays people to trick the voters into thinking that the police endorse her. She belongs in handcuffs!!
Her OWN Chief of Staff was wearing one; they’re pictures of him everywhere!
I hope she calls these IMPOSTERS if she ever needs the POLICE!!!
No, lover. They do not. But they are obviously meant to imply that they are cops.
And, no, lover, they are not. They admitted they were just workers told to wear that shirt and stand looking tough.
Maybe it’s good strategy. Maybe it backfires. One thing for sure: She’s pulling out all the stops. This is gonna be a close one.
Love, Ladra
Do the shirts say anywhere that they’re cops? Just because the union bosses didn’t give her money doesn’t mean that all first responders votes for Levine, some of us voted for our hometown girl!
WOW! Just Wow! When you think Lynda Bell couldn’t stoop any lower; well she sure goes ahead and proves us wrong.
Lynda, this is not ethical, it is not right, how low have you fallen??
One of these imposters is across the street at 9211 SW 152 street right now.
Wow, what a con artist.. but then integrity never was Bell’s strong suit.
Did anyone who knows Bell expect anything different? If she isn’t making up stuff about her opponent’s record, then she is lying about hers.
But her fans down there love it..the slogan “she’s our home town girl” is code she puts out for the flatbilly mouth breathers who buy into this crap.
Her platform is ” I may be a sleaze-ball politician but I am YOUR sleaze ball politician.”
Glad to see her go.
“I may be a sleaze-ball politician but I am YOUR sleaze ball politician.”
I think you pretty much summed up everything that is wrong with American politics right there.