Parades: A promo paradise for preening politicians in season

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Oh, Ladra loves a parade!

These processions of homage to a person, place or period of time are perfect stomping grounds for preening politicos who want to press flesh with the public.

The 24th annual Martin Luther King Parade in Miami Monday was no different.

Key to the scene were those city electeds who face the ballot judge later this year.

In attendance were Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado (riding in a fire truck with his daughter, School Board Member Raquel Regalado and a few other electeds), and Commissioners Francis Suarez — who recently announced his much anticipated challenge to the mayor — Frank Carollo and Marc Sarnoff, who was smart enough to bring his literature in the form of hand fans that were useful in the heat.

So was former Miami City Commissioner Richard Dunn, who filed to run for his old seat in District 5 on Thursday.

Francis brought his dad, Miami-Dade Commissioner Mayor Sir Xavier Suarez, who was very polite to Ladra despite the fact that we were on opposite sides of a state race last year.

Suarez gloated a little, after helping State Rep. Jose Javier Rodriguez beat his onetime friend and champion, former Sen. Alex Diaz de la Portilla, for whatever reason. Word was he helped JJ because of DLP’s rumored consideration of the seat at City Hall. But it was unnecessary. Because it looks like Dean DLP, who has done one of his disappearing acts, is not looking to run for mayor, despite some lobbying. Because that would certainly throw an interesting wrench in the race.

“Did you learn something,” he asked me, referring to my support of DLP’s campaign. “Was I right?”

I told him I learned more than I expected to, and was lucky to have been in a position to do so. And right about what?

He said “I still like the guy,” probably because he knows Ladra is still the Dean’s loyal, if estranged, friend and eager student.

I had to ask if he had changed his cellphone number, after a classic Dean DLP robocall last season told voters that “Crazy” Xavier Suarez was attacking him — then provided his private cell.

And he did not, Suarez told me, demurely admitting the piece was funny — in retrospect, naturally.

“The calls stopped,” said Commissioner Mayor X Sir, who was classy and such a gentleman, despite our apparent differences, reminding me that we had a lunch at Little Havana’s El Pub pending and telling me it was his treat, even though, as I reminded him, it is my turn.

What a marked difference from Hialeah Mayor Carlos “Castro” Hernandez, who turned his head when I greeted him. Granted, we have had more differences — and more dramatic differences — but still. Surprisingly, and refreshingly, Hialeah Council President Isis “Gavelgirl” Garcia-Martinez seemed genuinely  happy to see me, shouting hello from the top of the old firetruck they rode in.

“Happy New Year,” she shouted.

Also on the float were Hialeah Councilmembers Katherine “Clueless” Cue, Lourdes “Who” Lozano and Jose “Caradura” Caragol, riding in the back like some nino castigado. There were a couple of young guys on the truck, too, but we don’t know who they are.

Noticeably absent were Council Vice President Luis Gonzalez (who Ladra did run into at the swearing in of Miami-Dade Commission Chair and Vice Chair Rebeca Sosa and Lynda Bell last week) and Councilman Paul “Pablitiquito” Hernandez — both up for re-election this year — and Councilwoman Vivian Casals-Munoz, who may dare to run for mayor against Castro. (Someone should).

But maybe they rode in another float — like State Sen. Rene “El Salsero” Garcia did, ditching his Hialeah homeboys, hitching on to the truck with the Regalados and Miami-Dade School Board Member Dorothy Bendross Mindingall.

The City of Progress had a nice presence there, nonetheless. With police and fire departments represented and a large float from the city’s construction department to honor freedom. I think I saw Arnie Alonso there, which is expected since he’s the mayor’s overpaid shadow enforcer.

Should we do public records requests on any city costs?

Other cities were also very well represented — the most prominently being Opa-Locka. Not only was Mayor Myra Taylor and most, if not all, city commissioners there, but so was the city manager, the assistant city manager, the police chief, the deputy chief, the major, and the media department. No joke. Someone had to document the whole thing.

Also presente: State Reps. Cynthia Stafford and Daphne Campbell, photographed here with a wanna be politico — parades are good for them too — Lucie Tondreau, who is running for mayor in North Miami. Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez-Rundle, recently re-elected despite connections to absentee ballot conspirators and/or lack of vigorous prosecution of said crooks, was also riding in one of many convertibles. Congresswoman Federica Wilson was said to have missed it only for President Barack Obama’s inauguration.

And North Miami Councilman Michael Ryan, who wandered about before the parade looking for some, er, color for his vehicle. “I’m looking for a person who wants to be in the car with me,” he told me after I snapped his picture. “I don’t know anyone. It’s not my neighborhood.”

Don’t worry. He found someone. Looks like one of the locals.

You know who Ladra didn’t find? Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos “Not so Golden Boy” Gimenez. But he very well could have been there — just ducking me again, which has become a habit after Ladra loudly barked about her disappointment in his hookup with the Hialeah hoodlums.

For more photos go to Political Cortadito on facebook.