Ladra’s walk is taking a little longer than usual — that’s because we are Tallahassee-bound for Dade Days to see what all the hoopla is about.
The annual municipal melee is the week in which Miami-Dade legislators and elected officials from the county and its 34 cities, towns and villages get together to eat, drink, dance, drink, talk, drink and party. And drink. Oh, and maybe advance some issues or legislation in their spare time.
Well, what did you expect with Monty Trainer as the chairman?
This will be Ladra’s first time to Dade Days, admittedly a late bloomer. And I’m excited about all the possibilities. Not at the formal events and parties, of course. But at Andrews downtown or Level 8 or in elevators at A-Loft or the Hotel Duval.
Still, there is a schedule.
Our first stop will be the home of newly-elected State Rep. David Richardson (D-Miami Beach), who is having a very special invitation-only reception that Ladra, inexplicably, got invited to. Then we will be heading to the Cuban Pig Roast opening reception hosted by Miami-Dade Delegation chairman State Rep. Eddy Gonzalez (R-Hialeah). You know, because we can’t get a good caja china in Miami-Dade so we have to go to Tallahasee for one. At least I may get to see Sen. Rene “El Salsero” Garcia (R-Hialeah) show us some of his moves.
The traditional paella fest is the next day for lunch. Seems that Dade Days is not complete with the seafood and rice dish, first served by former Commissioner Rosario Kennedy, who takes credit for creating Dade Days when she was tyring to get state funding for Bafront Park.
A tradition, seen here in photos with former Gov. Charlie Crist and Gov. Rick Scott from Dade Days gone by, that has apparently stuck.
Wednesday, Ladra is putting on her other hat (as a
media consultant for public employees) and meeting with union leaders to discuss business and collaborations. Then there is the paella fest and from 2 to 4 p.m. we are invited to an executive session with Gov. Rick Scott, cabinet members and the Dade delegation.
The afternoon means a visit to Sen. Gwen Margolis (D-North Miami Beach). Then there’s the mu
ch anticipated “Mambo Kings” reception — sponsored by the city of Doral — and the after “It’s So Miami” party. Both are ticketed events to which Ladra has not been invited. Don’t worry. I always get in. If I want to.
Thursday begins with a bunch of committee briefings in the morning and then an awards luncheon where some of our local electeds will be honored for doing, basically, what they are supposed to do. Those include Aventura Vice Mayor Luz Weinberg, who gets the Elaine Gordon Award for public service. Others will be fetted, too. I just don’t know who yet.
Somewhere in between I hope to meet with Sens. Miguel Diaz de la Portilla and Anitere Flores as well as State Reps. Keonne McGhee, Carlos Trujillo (R-Doral) and Michael Bileca (R-Pinecrest) — if only to shake the hands of the last two after their strong words against the proposal to put public funds into the hands of a millionaire to fix a football stadium (more on that later).
Or raise a toast to that.
Are you in Tallahassee? Find Ladra. Maybe we can have a drink together. Or eat pork and paella.
Not at the same time.
Ladra goes to Tallahassee for drinks, er, Dade Days added by Ladra on
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