Dade Dems phone bank for Alex Sink in Pinellas County

Dade Dems phone bank for Alex Sink in Pinellas County

Miami-Dade Democrats are going all out for one of their party candidates, hundreds of miles away, with a phone bank Saturday and a big to-do fundraiser next week starring none other than VP Joe Biden. Like they did with newly elected State Rep. Amanda Murphy‘s campaign last year — who eventually won the seat vacated […]

Zap! Mayor Carlos Gimenez stock drops, Juan Zapata’s rises

Zap! Mayor Carlos Gimenez stock drops, Juan Zapata’s rises

When Miami-Dade Commissioner Juan “El Zorro” Zapata foiled the mayor’s plans and voted to override his veto of a majority decision of the restoration of employees’ pay, he didn’t just end a prolonged impasse with 11 of the county unions. In one moment, the arguably low-key commissioner, whose office sends out fewer self-promotional press releases […]

Bruno Barreiro’s district digs, mortgage draw questions

Bruno Barreiro’s district digs, mortgage draw questions

Miami-Dade Commissioner Bruno Barreiro was facing a sorta soft recall movement — but that was before Thursday, when a Daily Business Review story sort of put a flame under that kindling. According to the DBR, Barreiro’s district office in Little Havana — suite 130 at 1454 SW 1st Street — is in a building owned by his parents, […]

Juan Zapata leads, rebuffs Carlos Gimenez 5% veto

Juan Zapata leads, rebuffs Carlos Gimenez 5% veto

Miami-Dade Commissioner Juan Zapata had the “leader moment” Ladra hoped for and became the hero for public employees Tuesday — and a hero for democracy everywhere. But that may not have been his intention when Zapata became the swing vote that gave the county commission the super majority it needed to override Mayor Carlos “Not […]

Miami-Dade 5% compromise will compromise democracy

Miami-Dade 5% compromise will compromise democracy

It should be resolved today — the 5% deduction taken from county employees since 2009 will most likely be returned to them in a piecemeal way. It will likely be fashioned after the agreement reached with the two unions at Jackson Health System, which happened without Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez, who keeps saying it is […]

Political Pics of the Week: Two weeks of electeds in action

Political Pics of the Week: Two weeks of electeds in action

After a week hiatus, Political Cortadito Pics of the Week is back. There were more parades last month for Martin Luther King Day — one in Homestead and one in Liberty City. There were luncheons and networking nights. Politicos went on radio and TV and commented on stuff, even, on the Justin Bieber DUI thing. […]

Michael Pizzi thinks he is still mayor, throws town party

Michael Pizzi thinks he is still mayor, throws town party

Former Miami Lakes Mayor Michael “Muscles” Pizzi — who was suspended in August after he was arrested on federal bribery and extortion charges — seems to think he’s still the town’s fearless leader. He’s been sending emails to his virtual constituents for months — one this week included a link to a fairly positive Miami […]

As bad mayors go down, where and who is Michael Kesti?

As bad mayors go down, where and who is Michael Kesti?

The question still hangs in the air like a thick fog? Where is Michael Kesti? And who exactly is Michael Kesti? The South Dade lobbyist and paid FBI informant is really the only reason why former Sweetwater Mayor Manny “Maraña” Maroño is facing three and a quarter years in the slammer for bribery and extortion […]

Sweetheart soccer stadium deal already has opposition

Sweetheart soccer stadium deal already has opposition

Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez and his new BFF, soccer star David Beckham will be promoting their plans for a Major League Soccer stadium on public land Wednesday. Opponents who are already calling this another case of “welfare for millionaires” because of the public land component might have a press conference to bash it on Thursday. Cutler […]

Beckham soccer stadium deal: Unknown and already it smells

Beckham soccer stadium deal: Unknown and already it smells

Plans for a Major League Soccer team and stadium are rolling along, like a black and white ball on an open field, so smoothly and quickly that the principal cheerleaders —  Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez and his new BFF, soccer star David Beckham, and Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber — will be stumping for […]