Just what are a couple of Miami Beach electeds who are not in contested races this
year going to do with the funds they shake out of city contractors and would-be developers for their political action committee?
That’s the $1 million question.
The two ads produced so far by Relentless for Progress — the PAC chaired by Commissioner Jonah “Pottymouth” Wolfson that is being investigated by the Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics and Public Trust after collecting nearly $1 million in funds — seem to be doing two things at once: (1) Laying the groundwork to push the three open seat candidates supported by Mayor Philip Levine so he can get the stacked commission he needs to change zoning and do whatever he wants and (2) reaching further than the city limits.
Read related story: Ethics Commission looks into Miami Beach shakedown PAC
Because, and let’s take the second part first, you can limit your advertising with Comcast to a certain zone or area, but Ladra has seen RFP’s 30-second TV spot at least twice now — in Kendall. Most political campaigns do not waste money on a larger audience that can’t vote in their particular race, adding fuel to the rumors that Levine is eyeing a run for county mayor or a senate seat.
“Here in Miami Beach, we have a new saying, “Just get it done,'” the Levine says, 
walking around a bustling South Beach and like he’s talking to people outside of the city. Hence the word “here.”
He tells them about the street flooding fixed with the installation of new pumps and the local roads repaired “on budget and ahead of schedule,” and boasts about hiring a new police chief “to keep the peace and rebuild the trust” as well as some improvements “underway” at North Beach.
Aren’t improvements always underway somewhere? And is he talking about the 22-story skyrise building proposed for land where two stories is now the maximum?
The ad has to be for outsiders. Because folks in Miami Beach aren’t buying it.
“He goes on about how Ocean Drive is getting better and how our roads have improved. I have yet to see any of that,” Charles Urstadt said at the last commission meeting earlier this month. “What I do see is a ‘new Miami Beach’ that appears to pay for connections and money at City Hall.”
Read related story: Miami Beach $500K+PAC tied to city vendors, contractors
Urstadt, a community activist and former planning board chairman, said he is concerned about the clawed grasp that political hitman consultant David “#@$%&!” Custin has on City Hall.
Custin, he said, not only helped get Levine elected, but Commissioners Michael Grieco and Joy Malakoff, too.
“David Custin also joined with Commissioner Wolfson to form a group that has raised hundreds of thousands if dollars from developers and city contractors. That group is behind those slick commercials the mayor looks so good in.
“David Custin is currently working on the campaigns of three candidates — Betsy Perez, John Elizabeth Aleman and Ricky Arriola.
And David Custin is a consultant for developer who is pushing a scheme for oversized tower on Ocean Terrace,” Urstadt said, making the connections painfully clear.
“There is an appearance of conflict that cannot continue.”
He suggested Levine, Grieco, Malaoff and Wolfson recuse themselves from
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