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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I have seven weeks but I am in district 2. And I don’t owe anyone favors. Just my neighbors and the residents of the City of Miami. Isn’t that the way it’s supposed to be?
BREAKING NEWS -Judge has ruled Miguel Gabela can run for City of Miami District 1 against Diaz de la Portilla
BREAKING NEWS- Judge has ruled Miguel Gabela can run for City of Miami District 1 Commission against Díaz de la Portilla
Part of me says they did the right thing by leaving the seat vacant and one less moving part to complicate the November election. The other side of me says there are already so many moving parts, Alex stands a fair shot of winning given that BS, pastelitos and name recognition are the coin of the realm among the low information voters of district one.
What’s the Spanish idiom for ‘Yes he’s a thief but he steals for us?”
” If ADP wins the November 7 election the best scenario would be for Governor DeSantis to suspend him again.”
If he running unopposed that is one thing but if not and he still wins hope the Governor stays out of it because there comes a point which has long passed in Miami where the city deserves what it gets.
You can not save people from themselves .
If ADP wins the November 7 election the best scenario would be for Governor DeSantis to suspend him again. Then the city commission could appoint someone temporarily again and call for a special election to coincide with the Florida Presidential Primary on March 19. Waiting 4 months from November to March would save the city the expense of having to hold a special election to fill District 1 and give more time for voters to get to know candidates wanting to run for the position
”So who is up for the challenge?”
I nominate Bob Menendez from NJ who would fit right in .
Help Wanted: A District 1 Miami resident to be commissioner for 7 weeks
I would not want the job if my life depended on it. I don’t have the degree of indecency and immorality to sit on this dais.
33125 Have not received any Benefit from Arrested Commissioner in The Past Term Could Wait 7 Weeks More , It will More of the SAME !
$50 says they appoint disgraced former commissioner Angel Gonzalez.
Horacio Aguirre is very well qualified. He has 40 years of public service to back him up.
Attend our Citizens First press conference on Saturday at 5 in front of Miami City Hall to hear why citizens want another political crony appointed as an interim when a duly elected candidate is only seven weeks away.
Is there any public official in our city that is not corrupt especiallly in district 1