Miami Beach mayor lets AB aide go after election

Miami Beach mayor lets AB aide go after election

Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine used to call Leonor Hernandez the mother of Miami Beach. Today, we can all call her a clerk in the building department after Hernandez (seen in this photo standing next to Levine with a sign in North Beach) was fired from the mayor’s office last week and Commissioner Jonah Wolfson […]

It’s that time of year again: Turkeys handing out turkeys

It’s that time of year again: Turkeys handing out turkeys

Next week is Thanksgiving and that means that you can throw a rock in almost any direction and hit a politician giving away free turkeys. No, not the giveaway contracts and projects promised to friends, campaign contributors and family. These are real frozen turkeys to roast or fry or otherwise cook and put on a […]

Ethics Commission sues Hialeah Mayor Carlos Hernandez

Ethics Commission sues Hialeah Mayor Carlos Hernandez

The Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics & Public Trust announced Wednesday that it had sued Hialeah Mayor Carlos “Castro” Hernandez for his failure to pay $4,000 in fines and costs after an investigation found that he lied to the public through the media about his loansharking activities. Hernandez tried to pay: He sent the commission a […]

Troubled, bloated Miami-Dade ‘PR’ dept is investigated

Troubled, bloated Miami-Dade ‘PR’ dept is investigated

As if we needed another reason for a complete overhaul of the county’s communications department, another top administrator in what amounts to our government’s in-house PR department was forced to resign recently after she was found to be using department resources for her personal business on county time, according to sources at County Hall. Carol […]

The year of the underdog? Candidates breaking the mold

The year of the underdog? Candidates breaking the mold

The runoffs in Miami and Miami Beach on Tuesday ushered two unknown, first-time candidates to their respective city commission seats against established and well-financed opponents who were front runner favorites. Some political observers are looking at the victories of both Ken Russell in Miami and Kristen Rosen Gonzalez in Miami Beach as yet another sign of […]

Kristen Rosen Gonzalez wins in Miami Beach race

Kristen Rosen Gonzalez wins in Miami Beach race

UPDATED: There is a God. And he smiled on Miami Beach Tuesday. Kristen Rosen Gonzalez was elected to the city commission against a much better financed candidate who was propped up by Mayor Philip Levine, who had already won commission races for two cronies. Despite being outspent at least 3 to 1, Rosen Gonzalez won with […]

In Miami Beach, one last gasp for checks and balances

In Miami Beach, one last gasp for checks and balances

Voters in Miami Beach have one more chance, a rare opportunity, to elect an independent voice that will be the go-to checksand balances for a commission that has been stacked for and by Mayor Philip Levine. Kristen Rosen Gonzalez faces an uphill battle, however, as the mayor’s handpicked candidate, Betsy Perez, has had more money […]

Miami vote still counts despite Teresa Sarnoff tapping out

Miami vote still counts despite Teresa Sarnoff tapping out

Some voters might think they don’t have to vote for Ken Russell in the Miami commission runoff election Tuesday. After all, Teresa Sarnoff, wife of the termed-out incumbent, withdrew from the race after Russell beat her almost 2 to 1 two weeks ago. He’s basically the commissioner already. Well, yes… and no. The city attorney’s […]

County chairman fires chief of staff for unknown reasons

County chairman fires chief of staff for unknown reasons

Halfway through his rocky stint as Miami-Dade Commission Chair, Commissioner Jean Monestime abruptly fired his chief of staff this week, with no explanation. Gerard Philippeaux was told to clear out his things and leave the office Monday. Technically, he is on leave and his position is terminated Nov. 20, but sources say he has already […]

Betsy Perez backed by Miami Beach special interest PACs

Betsy Perez backed by Miami Beach special interest PACs

Just because the shady Relentless for Progress PAC was shut down after public outcry, that doesn’t mean that special interests do not firmly have their hands on the Miami Beach runoff election Tuesday. Sure, Miami Beach Commissioner Jonah Wolfson was forced to close RFP after residents and the media questioned more than $1.4 million in […]