South Miami city staff says bye to Phillip Stoddard at city park picnic

South Miami Mayor Phillip Stoddard is stepping down (kinda) after 10 years in office because, he says, he is termed out. And on Thursday, city employees threw a retirement party for him at Jean Willis Park, which is right next to City Hall.

“The city of South Miami employees are pleased to recognize Mayor Stoddard for his devotion and dedication. Please join us for a luncheon as we celebrate his 10 years of service,” reads the invitation.

A few dozen employees helped themselves to a buffet of coleslaw, corn on the cob, baked beans, chicken and baby back ribs from Shorty’s BBQ, which isn’t really in South Miami but just outside on U.S. 1 by Dadeland. There’s also one on Bird Road by the Turnpike and in Doral. Couldn’t the group find a restaurant inside the city to support with their business? That looked like a lot of food.

Commissioners Luis Gil, Bicycle Bob Welsh and Walter Harris were there, as was City Manager Steven Alexander and Deputy City Manager Shari Kamali, who will take over the city administration in May. Kamali said Commissioners Josh Liebman, who is running for re-election, was also there, but Ladra left early and did not see him.

Not around: Sally Philips, the would-be mayor that Stoddard wants to put in his place. That’s good. Because it would have turned a city event into a campaign event.

Kamali told Ladra that everyone in the city administration and staff was invited before asking for other questions in writing and then referring those to the city clerk.

For instance, who paid for the catering and out of what budget? And what would be the cost if some South Miami resident wanted to rent the park for a birthday party? Still waiting for the answers.

Employees with the AFSCME Local 3294 union enjoyed the picnic and told Ladra they are staying out of the election altogether, not endorsing anyone. “We’re straddling the fence,” said union President Randolph Brown said. “We have to work with whoever comes in.”

But he and the colleagues at his table also indicated that they were happy with the direction of the city and liked that Stoddard had made the environment a priority.

“We’re in a heck of a lot better position than we were 10 years ago,” Brown said. “From that standpoint, he’s doing a good job. We hope whoever comes into office will try somehow to follow suit.”

Many longtime political observers say that Stoddard could have argued another term. Term limits were not instituted in South Miami until after his first term, so he could be grandfathered in. Stoddard — who has been riding around campaigning for Philips — says he is self terming out because it has been 10 years and that’s what he championed. But he is so invested in Philips’ campaign, that he is using his consultant and his political action committee for her.

Ladra asked Kamali if the city attorney had issued an opinion on the term limits. No answer yet.

Even though the two have had a falling out and Commissioner Harris is supporting former mayor Horace Feliu — one of five candidates that want to replace Stoddard, and arguably the front runner — he was at the picnic to pay respect to his onetime ally.

“Well, he and I have been friends a long time,” Harris, who sat at the table furthest away from Stoddard, said about the mayor. “Right now, we’re political enemies. But we’ll be friends again.”

His wife, Eda — who has gotten into a public fight with Stoddard on the Next Door app — is less forgiving. She said she didn’t go to the goodbye picnic because “I didn’t want to throw up on the table.”

Horace Feliu, Phillip Stoddard, South Miami Election

South Miami city staff says bye to Phillip Stoddard at city park picnic added by Ladra on February 6, 2020
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