The Miami City Commission will have a special meeting Saturday to decide how to fill the vacancy caused last week by the arrest of Alex Diaz de la Portilla on public corruption charges that include money laundering, bribery and criminal conspiracy.
His colleagues see on the dais could do a number of things:
- They can appoint someone to the seat.
- They can call a special election.
- They can just let voters choose on Nov. 7, the already scheduled city election where de la Portilla is still running for re-election.
What do you think they are going to do? In fact, there may already be someone in mind.
Read related: Alex Diaz de la Portilla is suspended after arrest on public corruption charges
A notice for the special meeting says: “All persons interested in being considered for a potential appointment to the vacant District 1 seat must attend the special meeting and bring a current government-issued photo ID and voter registration card.” They’ll also need to complete three forms that can be obtained from the city clerk before being named:
- Vacancy Affidavit of Appointment; and
- Form 1 2022 Statement of Financial Interests; and
- State of Florida Candidate Oath.
Any appointee will serve only for the remainder of the unexpired term, which ends when the results are read on November 7.
So who is up for the challenge?
Ladra has heard two names: Horacio Aguirre, chairman of the Miami River Commission, son of the founder of the Diario Las Americas Spanish-language daily newspaper, and onetime candidate who lost in 2019 (got 10%), and Mercedes “Mercy” Rodriguez, who is very politically connected.
Aguirre, who is the community’s choice, is an ally of former Mayor Tomas Regalado, so he’s unlikely.
The smart money is with Rodriguez, current member of the city’s Planning and Zoning Appeals Board who just happens to be Diaz de la Portilla’s appointment. The former policy advisor to Miami-Dade Mayors Alex Penelas and Carlos Alvarez, Rodriguez also serves on the Miami-Dade County planning advisory board as Commissioner Keon Hardemon’s appointment. Hardemon also hired ADLP’s girlfriend and now wife, Vanessa Garcia Azzam.
It’s all very cozy.
Rodriguez, needless to say, could very well be Diaz de la Portilla’s proxy. Ladra thinks the other sitting commissioners should know.
Read related: Miami’s Alex Diaz de la Portilla arrested on corruption, pay-for-play park deal
Of course, there could be more people show up put their names in the hat between now and Saturday night. Remember how many wanted to be appointed to District 5?
But who would want to do this for just seven weeks? Just like in D5, the appointee will run for the seat.
There’s very little chance that the commission would call for a special election when they can just use the Nov. 7 general election and save between $300,000 and $350,000.
Diaz de la Portilla really thinks he can win. His brother told Ladra so. But even before he got busted for abusing his power, he was loosing luster among voters. Auto parts dealer Miguel Gabela knocked on doors since February and has been gaining ground, which is why his home was carved out of D1 in the redistricting process.
And even if he is elected — using a localized version of Donald Trump’s political witch hunt defense as campaign fodder — it is almost certain that Gov. Ron DeSantis will just suspend him again.
ADLP and lobbyist attorney Bill Riley Jr. were both arrested Sept. 14 on political corruption charges. Authorities claim that the two conspired to launder more than $245,000 from Riley’s clients, owners of The Centner Academy, in exchange for the commissioner’s help in getting practically exclusive use of a public park where they want to build a $10 million sports center for the school.
This special committee meeting is at City Hall, 3500 Pan American Drive, and will be broadcast live for members of the public to view on the City’s website, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and. for city of Miami TVs on Comcast, Channel 77. The public can submit comments online as well.
Public comment will be the first thing at the meeting, which starts at 6 p.m.
Help Wanted: A District 1 Miami resident to be commissioner for 7 weeks added by Ladra on
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