Ladra told you it would backfire.
The ridiculous attack on Miami-Dade Commission candidate Daniella Levine Cava for her $50,000-a-year job running a 
multi-million non-profit social service agency has really gotten more nays and shakings of the heads than concern or applause. Ladra thinks it shows a certain desperation by Commission Vice Chair Lynda Bell, who can’t run on her record or come up with a decent attack.
Or her supporters, anyway. The video attack was paid for by her PAC, Good Government Now, which many suspect is an attempt to make it look like former Commissioner Katy Sorenson‘s Good Government Initiative at the University of Miami.
Now, the silly, non-substantive video — in which only the tiny print shows that the $500,000 “salary” was paid over 10 years — has spawned a counter video attack from former (suspended) attorney-turned-child book author-turned-video producing enthusiast Steve Cody.
Related story: New attack on Daniella Levine seems lame, may backfire
Cody had done a couple of web video ads against the Dolphins stadium scam last year. Both questioned whether or not (keyword: not) Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross, who had $4.4 billion at the time (it has since increased to about $5.5 billion) needed our public dollars or his roof and upgrades.
And, frankly, Ladra missed Cody’s video voice. I’m glad he is back — and wish he would do more.
What about the budget process and the threatened police layofffs? What about the libraries and the Pet’s Trust vote being ignored? What about Mayor Carlos “Tainted Boy” Gimenez and the public giveaways in his friends and family plan?
Steve, old buddy, you got a ton of material to work with. What the heck were you waiting for?
“It’s in line with my feelings about bullying,” said Cody, whose first book about bullying was written with former Miami-Dade Commissioner Natacha Seijas Millan.
In the new video he posted late Sunday, Cody says that “it’s a lie” when the commissioner tries to make people think her Good Government Now is the Good Government Initiative. He also says “Here’s part of the PAC’s attack ad. See if you can spot the other lie,” and then highlights the fine print where the $500,000 are collected between 2002 and 2012.
He also challenges Bell to pay the county back for the $50,500 she got paid last year — as the highest paid county commissioner.
The disclaimer at the end says “Unpaid Independent Advertisement by Stephen Cody Not Approved By Any Candidate.”
Can we pray for this to become a trend?
The source of this ad, however, is going to be salt in the wound because Cody was once a Bell defender. He apparently represented her against a challenge to her election in 2010 by former Palmetto Bay Mayor Eugene Flinn, who had lost by 362 votes. Cody spent two days at the Miami-Dade Elections Department as Bell’s attorney, former State Rep. JC Planas, and seven volunteers reviewed absentee ballot envelopes before they gave up. But Cody publicly announced his support for Levine Cava last week. Which only means we will get to see more of his videos soon.
“There will be more to come and the race and the money that has poured into the campaign from all of the lobbyists and lawyers and those who profit from having a commissioner who, to paraphrase Sally Fields, likes them — she really likes them,” Cody said.
Ladra, for one, can’t wait.
Daniella Levine gets more support from Bell attack ad added by Ladra on
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It is very telling of so many people who have worked for Lynda Bell that are now supporting Daniella…
To justa:
It’s only June, I am sure bell has half a dozens more anonymous attack ads chambered. Let’s face it, she can’t dazzle them with her brilliance so she’ll going to baffle them with her bullshit….and somebody called her out on it using his real name?…..Let’s kill the messenger!
OMG. No wonder he has lots of time to make videos.
Stephen Michael Cody, 16610 S.W. 82nd Court, Palmetto Bay, suspended for one year, effective 30 days from an Aug. 20 court order. Cody shall also pay restitution of more than $13,000 to a former client. (Admitted to practice: 1981) Cody was the subject of two Bar disciplinary matters and a contempt case. In one instance, Cody failed to inform a client of the Court’s order regarding attorney’s fees and costs and failed to communicate with the client regarding all subsequent matters in the case. Cody was charged with two counts of Uttering a Worthless Check by the State Attorney’s Office for the 11th Judicial Circuit. Cody also failed to contact the Bar’s Law Office Management and Assistance Service within the required time to schedule an office procedures and record keeping analysis. (Case No. SC12-1073
Truth be told Daniella Levine’s salary was about $60,000, benefits are about $25,000 and the travel and hotels were in the $30,000 range so the total is close to $115,000 for the last year on file. The ECO needs to do a better job uncovering the numbers.
As for Cody he is a Seijas lackey who is currently disbarred from the practice of law. Daniella really can pick her allies.
You’re very welcome, 🙂
Unless Sorenson along with frequent GGI presenter Dwight “Legalize It” Bullard got rid of their ethics violations there is nothing in common with the Good Government Now PAC.
That’s right they have both been fined for campaign violations and ignoring disclosure rules. Good Government Initiative indeed.
When the PAC gets fined, they will have something in common.
http://www.fec.state.fl.us/Final%20Orders/2007/037.pdf
http://www.fec.state.fl.us/FECWebFi.nsf/0/BE48C3A0F186C285852578F600573249/$file/124.pdf
Let’s see. So far these ads have generated name recognition for Daniella. Pointed out she is a long time resident of Dade County with a history of service to the less fortunate. She is well educated, financially stable and her opponent is small minded petty and vindictive.
Are you sure Katy Sorenson is not behind these ads?
Change where change is really needed…How about considering a very poor, very new, very brave candidate starting from scratch who is running against Commissioner Souto?
As the Commissioner heads into his second decade in this post, he has unfortunately become confused, with rambling, long-winded monologs that make no sense while everyone in the chamber rolls their eyes or winces. Will another term help Miami-Dade County?
One candidate, with no name recognition, is trying to fight for change. Marina. Look her up.
Thank you Steve Cody. Nice visual presentation of the facts.
Bell has nothing on Daniella because there is nothing to have on her. She has to make up silly things like this which anyone with a brain can figure out. She’s desperate.