Sometimes, there’s not enough to report for a full blown story, but the info is too good not to pass on. So, to get you these tiny gems of political intrigue, Ladra introduces you to a new sometimes feature: Political Cortaditos — a collection of briefs, updates and small developments.
Fatima Perez dumps Beach for Atlanta, Koch bros
Fatima Perez, who up until last month was chief of staff for Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine, has taken a 
new job — again — as state government affairs regional manager for Koch Companies.
Perez touts more than 15 years’ experience in state government — senior adviser to former Miami Mayor Manny Diaz, senior legislative aide for Florida State Rep. Annie Betancourt and Sen. Walter “Skip” Campbell, lobbyist for AT&T, lobbyist with Akerman Senterfitt and then became a partner with Southern Strategy Group in Tallahassee.
Either she is really good at climbing the political corporate ladder or she can’t keep a job. And it depends on who you ask.
Perez will move to Atlanta for the position (not Tallahassee?) and told FloridaPolitics.com she will be responsible for all state and governmental affairs for Koch Industries and its affiliates in Florida, and North and South Carolina.
Michael Gongora swears in Beach commissioner
Not only did Kristen Rosen Gonzalez beat the better
financed Betsy Perez, who was backed by Mayor Philip Levine, in the Miami Beach commission race last week. On Monday, she threw salt in the wound by having former Commissioner Michael Gongora swear her in.
Gongora, as you may recall, almost forced Levine into a runoff in the 2013 election that the mayor bought. It must have been especially fun for Levine to watch Rosen Gonzalez be ushered onto the dais by Gongora. I know that her supporters thought it was fun.
Rosen Gonzalez, who campaigned as an independent voice and often against Levine and his cadre of pocket commissioners, didn’t post a bunch of pictures with her new colleagues on Facebook. Just one of her with her family.
Her first commission meeting is Dec. 9.
New Miami Commissioner to swear in Wednesday
Miami Commissioner Elect Ken Russell, who took the city by surprise earlier this month when he won the first round election with an 18-point lead — causing 
perceived frontrunner Teresa Sarnoff to drop out of the runoff — will be sworn into office at noon Wednesday.
Russell told Ladra last week that his priorities would be traffic and overdevelopment, homlessness and green spaces, ethics and quality of life, por supuesto.
“I can affect a palpable change that people will feel,” he said, being way optimistic like first-time candidates often are. Ladra likes that.
His first commission meeting is Dec. 10.
Marc Sarnoff opens firm for … lobbying?
Outgoing Miami Commissioner Marc Sarnoff might have political
aspirations beyond the city but it seems that those will have to wait for now.Not just because his wife’s terrible 23% showing in the first round Miami election and subsequent withdrawal has hurt him politically a little, but also because we still don’t know yet if Miami-Dade Commissioner Xavier Suarez is going anywhere (and it looks increasingly like he’s not).
So, instead, Sarnoff’s opened a new company called Sarnoff Solutions.
“Our organization provides an exclusive service that finds opportunities to maximize corporate potential,” said the website. “Think of us as a ‘corporate matchmaker.’ We provide mutually beneficial synergistic relationships that deliver results. Our connections produce increased revenue and create ‘win-win’ scenarios. We capture hidden value and turn waste into profits.”
Well, well. Everything ‘cept that last line screams lobbying, don’t it? The matchmaking could be with government grants and contracts.
Just watch.
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Political Cortaditos: This, that and the other thing — en breve added by Ladra on
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1 every business listed for mark weithorn on the state website or county n city registers has FAILED in the past and the Voters Opinion website has commentary on this.
Although my archival n business successes are on the internet mark weithorn only has business disputes over money people claim he owes like Jeanette Stark the defunct SUN POST n currupt lobbyist Randall Hilliard. The is no Jim DeLand listed as a property owner or business operator in South Florida so who us blogging? Mark Weithorn or Randy Hilliard?
Actually from little Havana.
Wow Eric your incredible piece of writing is quite impressive. That Hialeah-Miami Lakes education really comes in handy.
I find the criticisms of Ms. Perez to be rather absurd. Koch Industries, which is one of the worlds most successful corporations, saw in Ms. Perez the intelligence, work ethic, and impeccable reputation that many politicians of both parties have seen before. Her counsel has been highly valued both in Tallahassee and here in Miami-Dade County. For her to have turned this opportunity would be the equivalent of a journalist turning down the opportunity to write for the New York Times or for a local tv reporter to turn down an opportunity with a broadcast network. Reading this “cortadito” should remind us all how petty provincial jealousies are alive and well.
BEWARE1111
When we destroy each other politically we forget we are being read not only by the Beach community, and rightfully so,
but by state of Florida Floridians and visitors.
The old saying “We will destroy you from within” certainly has a ring of truth from before and after this election.
In the past the election was over ….over and over. This election remains as a bad stomach ache to continue to hurt and pass foul odors.
It is difficult to start a new business in South Florida as Miss de Valle n I know without lots of money – personal, gamily, a wealthy special interest, but where or who can assist a termed out politician with a failed wife and a record of lying to Franisco Alvarado when he was writing for the Miami New Times when it mattered about being related to the RCA NBC Gen David Sarnoff family? I mean what billionaire developer would hire this guy? For his business expertise? He is the Mark Weithorn of Miami!
Mark Weithorn is a true business professional. He’s had so much success starting and building companies that he decided to offer his expertise to the citizens of Miami Beach. Unfortunately, the citizens chose not to embrace his business talent. Perhaps Count LF Chodkiewicz Chudzikiewicz will one day learn from and appreciate people with authentic business acumen.
Ladra-
It is his way of embezzling money from his wife campaign and developers into his pockets. It his time form him to collect. CHA CHING $$$$$