Miami Commissioner Joe Carollo wants old lackey to lead Bayfront Park Trust

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Jose Suarez has a 1998 arrest for soliciting a prostitute

In a pocket item for the Miami Commission meeting Tuesday — that means it is not on the agenda — Miami Commissioner Joe Carollo will propose making his former chief of staff, Jose Suarez, executive director of the Bayfront Park Trust, where he is chairman, for now.

After the LED sign controversy and other battles about the uses at Maurice Ferre Park, a fledgling effort began to remove Miami Commissioner Joe Carollo as chairman of the Bayfront Park Trust, with a petition circulated by the Downtown Neighbors Alliance. Almost 900 signatures have been collected on an online petition on change.org.

Could this be a move to keep Carollo’s dirty little hands on the parks after he’s gone? Nah, ’cause Suarez will be gone, too. The director is appointed by whoever the chairman is. The new chairman won’t allow a spy in the nest.

Read related: New petition drive aims to oust Miami’s Joe Carollo from Bayfront Park Trust

Suarez’s appointment was made as an “emergency” on Wednesday by the trust board. Former Executive Director Miguel Ferro resigned abruptly a few weeks ago. Nobody could tell Ladra why, but it might be health related. Las malas lenguas say Ferro, who worked in production at MegaTV from 2010 to 2012, had a heart attack late last year.

But maybe it has something to do with the financial audit that is reportedly being performed, having been requested by the city commission in January. When is that due? Can there be an interim director in the meantime?

Because it’s a pocket item, there’s no information on the “terms and conditions” or the salary and benefits offered to Suarez. But his appointment to be confirmed by the city commission Tuesday.

So it’s not a done deal. Commissioner Damian Pardo, who should be and will be the Trust chairman eventually, will likely say that it should be an open playing field and process where everyone can apply and be considered against a list of criteria. That’s what he should say.

Suarez, who actually ran against Carollo in 2017 was Crazy Joe’s chief of staff from March 2018 to August 2022. He left to become Global Director of Accounts & Strategy for XWeCan, a PR company that creates hype, according to his LinkedIn bio. He was a spokesman for the 1199 SEIU when he ran for office, raising just $16,350, according to his campaign reports — a lot came from labor sources — and came in 6th with 5% of the vote.

Read related: Joe Carollo’s own chief of staff has prostitution arrest in his past

Then he goes to work for Carollo? Tell me you’re a plantidate without telling me you’re a plantidate.

He also has a 1998 arrest soliciting prostitution after he approached an undercover police officer on Eighth Street and 31st Avenue and offered her “$40 for everything.” What a cheapskate.

Miami-Dade Clerk of courts records show Suarez completed pre-trial intervention and got a nolle pros from the system.

Is he really the best choice to lead the Bayfront Park Trust, which had a $2.7 million operating budget in 2023? Can’t the city do a professional search? Or even just open it up to applications?

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  Bayfront Park, Damian Pardo, Joe Carollo