Sweetwater election ends today, but war is just starting

Sweetwater election ends today, but war is just starting

Sweetwater Commissioner Orlando Lopez is expected to become the new mayor of Sweetwater after today’s elections. Not just because his allies, including Commissioner Isolina Maroño, are adept at the collection of absentee ballots. And not just because Deborah Centeno, a Nicaraguan activist who should win because she is the only really clean one, couldn’t muster enough of […]

Jesse Manzano and Carlos Gimenez together again for 2016

Jesse Manzano and Carlos Gimenez together again for 2016

Does this indicate the same type of campaign as 2012? It’s no surprise to some that Jesse Manzano-Plaza would reprise his role as candidate Carlos Gimenez‘s spokesman and message massager for the Miami-Dade mayor’s re-election bid next year. It was announced last week, that Manzano-Plaza had joined the G-Man team as “senior consultant” for the […]

Jeb Bush could announce presidential run in Miami May 18

Jeb Bush could announce presidential run in Miami May 18

The event is billed as a “reception” with Jeb and Columba Bush. But it has all the makings of an official announcement that the former Florida governor, son and brother of two past U.S. presidents, is running for president after all. No big deal. It’s expected. And Ladra can’t guarantee he is going to launch […]

Miami Beach Police already ignore video, so why body cams?

Miami Beach Police already ignore video, so why body cams?

Miami Beach Police are rolling out their body cameras this week. But what for? They have already proven that they are going to act with impunity — whether or not the camera is rolling. An officer who was caught on video clocking and kicking a drunk model in handcuffs was, indeed, found to have used […]

County’s ‘Taste of Haiti’ today paid for by special interests

County’s ‘Taste of Haiti’ today paid for by special interests

If you go to the Miami-Dade ‘Taste of Haiti’ event today promoted by the county and Commission Chairman Jean Monestime, just know that it wouldn’t happen without the help of some of the very people who come to the county for millions of dollars in contracts. Like the Easter Egg hunt and spring festival put […]

Carlos Gimenez’s ‘age friendly’ initiative for premium voters

Carlos Gimenez’s ‘age friendly’ initiative for premium voters

Ladra had to laugh out loud when she read the announcement. Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez, in partnership with the Miami-Dade Age-Friendly Initiative, will launch the “Mayor’s Age-Friendly Challenge,” encouraging business, civic and elected leaders “to take a pledge to help make our community more age-friendly.” Okay, I know that Ladra is a jaded bitch, but […]

Doral inquiry — a political pre-emptive strike vs JC Bermdez?

Doral inquiry — a political pre-emptive strike vs JC Bermdez?

A questionable $2 million city of Doral contract that is already being investigated by the FBI has been trotted out in public almost four years later in what could be a pre-emptive strike against former Mayor JC Bermudez, who is seriously considering a comeback. The city of Doral spent about $1.8 million in 2011 on […]

Open Miami Beach seats become mayoral power playground

Open Miami Beach seats become mayoral power playground

Three open seats on the Miami Beach City Commission this year have really brought the wannabes out of the woodwork: November’s Beach ballot keeps growing, with two new candidates, bringing it to a total of nine all-new faces in the three group races. And while nobody’s running yet against Mayor Philip Levine — who hasn’t […]

NMB’s Frantz Pierre threatens code compliance employee

NMB’s Frantz Pierre threatens code compliance employee

Don’t our elected officials ever learn? Here’s some free advice to them: Do not threaten city employees — especially when you are up for re-election. Apparently, and according to emails published by Stephanie Kienzle (who could be called the Ladra of the north), North Miami Beach Councilman Frantz Pierre and his wife came outside “aggressively approach” […]