Michael Grieco’s open door policy goes off the hinges

Michael Grieco’s open door policy goes off the hinges

Newly-elected Miami Beach Commissioner Michael Grieco brandished tools from the dais when he told the hundreds of supporters who went to his swearing-in last week that he was going to take the door to his City Hall office off its hinges. Well, that’s one promise kept so far. The door came off Tuesday, leaving his […]

Doral State of the City address or confessional? Can’t wait

Doral State of the City address or confessional? Can’t wait

What with the political war between the mayor and the city manager, the multiple ethics and corruption investigations and the whispers of a recall against Doral Mayor Luigi Boria, Wednesday’s State of the City address may be a little more titillating than these sort of things traditionally are. It’s his first State of the City […]

Some pols toss turkeys; Adam Putnam flings Florida fruit

Some pols toss turkeys; Adam Putnam flings Florida fruit

It’s that awkward time of year between Thanksgiving and Christmas when politicians find its too late to give away turkeys and too early to distribute holiday gift baskets or toys to needy families. So let’s pass around some fresh Florida produce. Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam will visit two senior centers in Miami-Dade this week to […]

County commish gifts bring together holiday, election seasons

County commish gifts bring together holiday, election seasons

Miami-Dade County residents aren’t just getting turkeys from their electeds this holiday season. In District 12, the seniors get a holiday party Wednesday courtesy of Commissioner Jose “Pepe” Diaz, who throws one every year but will miss the annual shindig because he is still recovering from surgery at the hospital. In District 10, Coral Park […]

Congressional candidate Carlos Curbelo: ‘Get to know me’

Congressional candidate Carlos Curbelo: ‘Get to know me’

He holds the biggest campaign purse among the field of candidates and may have the bigger political profile on a national level. But Miami-Dade School Board Member Carlos Curbelo, who is running for Congressional District 26 in what most expect to be one of the hardest fought races in the country, wants you to get […]

Things to be thankful for: Corruption busts, libraries, firetrucks

Things to be thankful for: Corruption busts, libraries, firetrucks

As I pondered early on Thanksgiving Day the things that I was thankful for, and after I listed the usual suspects — health for me and my loved ones, family support, a talented and beautiful (and smart-ass) daughter, love, good friends that stick by you, passion for what I do, growth in readership — it gave […]

Holiday email: Good cheer or propaganda to county staff

Holiday email: Good cheer or propaganda to county staff

‘Tis the season — for a barrage of emails wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving. You think your inbox is getting heavy? It would be worse if you were a county employee. Every holiday — and not just Thanksgiving and Christmas, here, but we are talking Memorial Day, Veteran’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Martin Luther […]

Beach ‘Mayors powers’ charter change proposed after firing

Beach ‘Mayors powers’ charter change proposed after firing

In what seems like a poetic turn, the Miami Beach Commission aide fired by newly elected Mayor Philip Levine on his first day is also a member of the city’s Charter Review Board — and he’s recommending an amendment. After Alex Fernandez read in the Miami Herald that Levine had told the reporter, via text […]

Hialeah has post-election tax increase re-hearing

Hialeah has post-election tax increase re-hearing

Hialeah will have a budget hearing tonight to announce a raise in taxes. That’s right. Tonight. As in almost two months too late. And also a couple of weeks after an election in which Mayor Carlos “Castro” Hernandez and Council Vice President Luis Gonzalez vowed never to raise taxes. Coincidence? Yeah, riiight. The Florida Department […]

Miami Beach: A tale of two aides, Fired and Hired

Miami Beach: A tale of two aides, Fired and Hired

As expected, Alex Fernandez, the aide to Miami Beach Vice Mayor Deede Weithorn, was fired from his city job by the newly-elected mayor Tuesday for endorsing the opponent in the recent mayoral election. The city will defend its action by saying that Fernandez was an at-will employee. But everybody knows that it was because he […]