Xavier Suarez petition, barbs keep him in mayoral mix

Xavier Suarez petition, barbs keep him in mayoral mix

It seemed for a while that Miami-Dade Commissioner “Mayor Sir” Xavier Suarez had gone soft on the county mayor and was biting his articulately critical tongue for one reason or another. Some speculate he wants his way on the proposed Museum Park underpass. Others say he’s seeking support on some future transportation initiatives or his […]

Political Pics of the Week: MLK, a rodeo and Miss Universe

Political Pics of the Week: MLK, a rodeo and Miss Universe

It was a busy week for Miami-Dade Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava, who was at all the parades, a Catalyst Miami event, the transportation summit and the opening of her office in Homestead. But it was a busy week on Instagram, twitter and Facebook, as electeds took part in MLK events, a rodeo, two parades — […]

Bill Johnson leaves county nest just as billions get ready to fly

Bill Johnson leaves county nest just as billions get ready to fly

From the timing-is-everything department. Water and Sewer Department Director Bill Johnson, who used to be director of the Port of Miami, has been tapped by Florida Gov. Rick Scott as head of Enterprise Florida, which recruits corporations to relocate to Florida and tries to retain companies that are thinking of moving. It’s a really soft […]

Carlos Curbelo talks to LBA members — and maybe clients

Carlos Curbelo talks to LBA members — and maybe clients

U.S. Carlos “Cry Baby” Curbelo will be among friends and supporters when he speaks today to the construction community at the Latin Builders Association’s monthly luncheon. He will likely even be among some constituents. Certainly he will be among contributors to his campaigns. But will he be among clients? Ah, this we don’t know because […]

Freshman Carlos Curbelo is on a roll — or is it a spin?

Freshman Carlos Curbelo is on a roll — or is it a spin?

Freshman Miami Congressman Carlos “Cry Baby” Curbelo is on a roll in Washington, D.C. The former Miami-Dade School Board member whose rise to Capitol Hill was planned and developed years ago by and with his mentors, Lincoln and Mario Diaz-Balart, has done a rather good job of making himself relevant in the short time he’s […]

Already scarce police forces put on parade patrol detail

Already scarce police forces put on parade patrol detail

The Miami-Dade Police Department is already short somewhere around 350 to 600 officers, depending on who you ask. And that number rising — as rookies flee to other departments and veterans retire. About 194 officers have retired or resigned within the last few months alone. On Monday, putting our neighborhoods at further risk, our police […]

Political Pics of the Week: Parades, oaths, keys and Cokes

Political Pics of the Week: Parades, oaths, keys and Cokes

The photogenic highlight of the week has to be the emotional installation ceremony where Miami-Dade Commissioner Jean Monestime was installed chairman. But there were other things going on this week, too. A ground-breaking, a ribbon-cutting and even a couple of parades. The first of two parades was last weekend as politicos pressed the flesh with […]

Cartoon Cortadito: Pam Bondi and the proverbial glass house

Cartoon Cortadito: Pam Bondi and the proverbial glass house

Miami Beach activist Mike Burke is also an intrepid cartoonist who sometimes submits his ideas to Political Cortadito. This week, he took aim at Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, who has done everything in her power to thwart marriage equality, defending the same-sex marriage state ban and becoming suddenly silent when a state court reversed […]

New Miami-Dade chairman pitches anti-poverty program

New Miami-Dade chairman pitches anti-poverty program

From the what-a-difference-a-day-makes category: Freshly minted Miami-Dade Commission Chairman Jean Monestime took his oath of office Friday, and immediately pledged to use his position to defend the county’s neediest residents — who, by the way, live in his district — with a “Chairman’s Council of Prosperity Initiatives” he said he hopes will bring more people […]

Miami Beach Mayor Levine takes over finance committee

Miami Beach Mayor Levine takes over finance committee

Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine has restructured the city’s finance committee, booting Commissioner Deede Weithorn, the longtime chair, and appointing himself and two cronies just as they get ready to tackle next year’s budget. The move — ten months before Weithorn is termed out — has everyone wondering just what he’s up to. Ladra will […]