Chased out: Juan Zapata leaves hostile work environment

Not everybody was shocked by the news Friday that Miami-Dade Commissioner Juan Zapata had withdrawn his candidacy and was leaving county government. Zapata — who has repeatedly expressed his frustration with the lack of transparency and the “cost of doing business” at County Hall — has had enough.

“For the past four years, it has been my honor to serve as County Commissioner for District 11. I have fought for the residents of Miami-Dade County to ensure that their tax dollars are not wasted and that we have the most efficient government possible,” Zapata, who is estranged from Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez, wrote to the elections department in his withdrawal letter.

“However, the time has now come for me to pursue other endeavors in my life,” he wrote, apologizing to Elections Supervisor Christina White for the inconvenience.

Zapata did not return calls and texts over the weekend. So we have no idea what these “other endeavors” might be? Incorporation? He’s been keen on the efforts of West Kendall residents to form their own city. Back to Tally? The former state rep has often said he preferred that elected position.

He’s expressed frustration with county government before. And often. Usually it’s peaks around September, when the commission considers the annual budget. Lately, with the museum giveaways and the taxing district fiasco, it’s been more of a permanent thing than a seasonal one. And it’s no secret that Gimenez wanted him gone. Everyone thinks the mayor put former Commissioner Joe Martinez up to run against Zap, one of his harshest critics. Although they fleetingly once buds, two have had problems for more than a year. Gimenez has publicly snubbed Zap at more than one event. And we are certain that his office leaked and spun that story about the Harvard course — the one he said he intended to pay himself, and eventually did. Because the mayor is a bully.

Now, no matter what happens, Zap’s term at County Hall will be marked not by his knowledge of budget operations and legitimate questions about contracts and taxing districts and county perks, not by his killing of $62 million in giveaways two years ago — but mostly by a false story planted by his enemy to smear him.

So Zapata gave up. “El Zorro” — who has come to our rescue time and time again — was basically worn out. Or chased out. The county commission is a hostile workplace for an honest and inquisitive community representative who gets dirt kicked up in his face every time he tries to make sense out of a hot mess or, here’s an idea, stop it.

But like with most things in life, this exit is both a good thing and a bad thing.

It sucks because — in addition to providing evidence that county government is not the place for a sane and thoughtful elected with no special interests — Zap was the lone voice of reason on that commission (especially now that Commissioner Xavier Suarez is all happy-go-lucky with the mayor he once blasted). Zap is the only one who asks all the right questions. He’s the only one unafraid to call the shell game what it is. He’s the only one willing to corner the mayor on his lies. And we’ll lose that in November. The only consolation we have is that, with any luck, Gimenez will be gone, too, and we won’t need Zapata so desperately.

But his exit also leaves me a little excited about the future. The future three months, that is. Because if there is someone sin pelos en la lengua on the commission, it is Zapata. And now, nobody is safe. It is open season on any commissioner who wants to use convoluted language to justify some inexcusable county expense or policy — or rubber stamp the next corporate or private bailout.

Ladra, for one, cannot wait until Thursday’s meeting.

And it’s hard to be angry at Zap for bailing. He was working in a hostile work environment.

But I can be disappointed. Especially since he should have dropped out before qualification ended. Because this leaves Martinez to run against some guy named Felix Lorenzo, who ran to oppose the incorporation effort. Which means that Martinez, who has lost bids for the mayor’s seat and a congressional seat, will finally get his coveted elected position back.

And while Zap only replaced him for one term, Ladra hopes Martinez knows he has big shoes to fill. And that his ego is not so big that he can’t see those shoes.

Carlos Gimenez, Joe Martinez., Juan Zapata

Chased out: Juan Zapata leaves hostile work environment added by Ladra on July 18, 2016
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