Political breakup: David Custin, JC Planas partners no more

Political breakup: David Custin, JC Planas partners no more

It seems that campaign consultant David Custin can’t keep a long-term relationship with anybody. Word is that Custin and his attorney pal JC Planas, who share a multitude of political clients and most recently conspired, er, I mean worked together to elect Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine, are at odds with each other. Is it […]

Big mistake? No Hispanic on Rick Scott’s shortlist for No. 2

Big mistake? No Hispanic on Rick Scott’s shortlist for No. 2

For months, we’ve been hearing so many Hispanic names floated for a possible stint as the No. 2 to Florida Gov. Rick Scott that many of us just assumed one would be picked. But we didn’t even make it to the shortlist. Locals Latinos in the mix were Sen. Anitere Flores, Miami-Dade School Board Member […]

Bruno Barreiro recall might be about the after-race

Bruno Barreiro recall might be about the after-race

Some have wondered if the effort to recall Miami-Dade Commissioner Bruno Barreiro is real. But one of the organizers says that the only reason we haven’t seen petitions yet is that the targetted elected has to be in office for a year first, by state law. Barreiro was sworn in last January and the effort is […]

Philip Levine, Michael Gongora smile for the holiday camera

Philip Levine, Michael Gongora smile for the holiday camera

Maybe it’s the holiday spirit. Among the attendees Thursday night at the Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce’s fourth annual LGBT Holigay Celebration and Toy Drive to benefit the Miami-Beach Police Department’s Toy Drive were newly elected Mayor Philip Levine and his campaign adversary, former Commissioner Michael Gongora, who lost the race last month […]

‘New kid’ runs vs ‘golden oldie’ Commissioner Javier Souto

‘New kid’ runs vs ‘golden oldie’ Commissioner Javier Souto

Calling himself the “new kid on the block,” Marco Antonio Valdes officially kicked off his campaign for Miami-Dade commission in District 10 on Wednesday with a happy hour at 94th Aerosquadron. Valdes calls himself a “muchacho” at 45. But that’s just because he is running against the county’s “golden oldie.” Valdes filed papers weeks ago […]

Downtown Homestead deal dies — if deadline not met

Downtown Homestead deal dies — if deadline not met

As expected, the Homestead City Council on Tuesday killed the deal between the city and Dade Medical College to redevelop 19 properties in the downtown and make it a vibrant, bustling commercial center. Well, almost. The college still has until January to get the site plans approved under the current agreement — for which an […]

Miami Beach Convention Center still at play in City Hall

Miami Beach Convention Center still at play in City Hall

No matter whose side you stood on during the Miami Beach elections, everyone agreed that the controversial redevelopment plans for the Convention Center and area surrounding it — including the potential for using other nearby public properties — was a driving force that swayed many of the voters against the incumbents, all of whom lost. […]

South Miami mayoral race revs up to be a raunchy, racy run

South Miami mayoral race revs up to be a raunchy, racy run

Just a little more than two months away, campaigns are already heating up for the mayoral and commission races in South Miami, which is kind of like what Coconut Grove might be like if we let those artsy fartsy people form their own government. And it looks like it could be a real fun one […]

Homestead’s dubious downtown deal is dead, now what?

Homestead’s dubious downtown deal is dead, now what?

You can expect the Homestead City Council today to kill the plan to revitalize the downtown vis-a-vis Ernesto Perez, founder and former CEO of Dade Medical College and serial campaign contributor, who has an agreement to buy 19 city properties under extremely favorable terms and wants an extension on his plans to develop the area […]

Mayor Horace Feliu comes back as commission hopeful

Mayor Horace Feliu comes back as commission hopeful

Former South Miami Mayor Horace Feliu — who was taken out of office after he was arrested the eve of election day on some trumped up charges that were later dropped — may be ready for a political comeback. But it won’t be as mayor. Feliu has filed paperwork to run against South Miami Commissioner […]