Michael Pizzi mocks election turnout, says ‘I’ll be back’

Michael Pizzi mocks election turnout, says ‘I’ll be back’

On the day before the Miami Lakes special election Tuesday to replace him, former Mayor Michael “Muscles” Pizzi — who was suspended after his August arrest on public corruption charges — said, Fear not, supporters because he would soon be their leader again, regardless of the results in the race. “When I am exonerated of […]

Frank Mingo: A trade for Nelson Hernandez? One theory

Frank Mingo: A trade for Nelson Hernandez? One theory

Granted, Ladra has been accused of being slightly overly suspicious before. I haven’t met too many conspiracy theories I didn’t like. One of my favorite former senators says that I am way too jaded. But what some people call paranoid, others might call vigilant. Astute, even. So, here’s the latest conspiracy theory that occurred to […]

Homestead rejects Steve Bateman for Bell vs. Porter runoff

Homestead rejects Steve Bateman for Bell vs. Porter runoff

In what seems like an early guilty verdict, at least in the court of public opinion, former Homestead Mayor Steve Bateman — suspended last month after his arrest on public corruption charges — was shut out of the runoff in Tuesday’s primary city election. Former Councilman Jeff Porter came out of the first round with […]

Wayne Slaton wins post-scandal Miami Lakes election

Wayne Slaton wins post-scandal Miami Lakes election

In what many residents saw as a return to the town’s roots, Miami Lakes founding Mayor Wayne Slaton won the whiplash election that resulted from the arrest last month of former mayor Michael “Muscles” Pizzi on public corruption charges. According to results released by the town clerk just moments ago, Slaton won with a large […]

Homestead mayor’s race could be litmus for Lynda Bell, too

Homestead mayor’s race could be litmus for Lynda Bell, too

There’s another candidate in the Homestead mayoral primary today, though her name is not on the ballot. Miami-Dade Commission Vice Chair Lynda Bell‘s husband is running for mayor in the southern city where his wife was the only woman to serve in that top post (from 2007 to 2009) and some people see the mayoral […]

‘New & improved’ Nelson Hernandez runs as the anti Pizzi

‘New & improved’ Nelson Hernandez runs as the anti Pizzi

In his quest to be the next Miami Lakes mayor in the whiplash election that ends today, Councilman Nelson Hernandez is trying hard to set himself apart from the last Miami Lakes mayor, who was arrested last month on charges of public corruption. Almost too hard. Some might think Hernandez is running against former Mayor Michael […]

Hello FBI? Abuse of power continues unchecked in Hialeah

Hello FBI? Abuse of power continues unchecked in Hialeah

Talk about los pajaros tirandole a la escopeta. An investigation instigated by Hialeah Mayor Carlos Hernandez‘ chief goon against the former city mayor has been closed out after investigators said the complaint by Glenn Rice had no merit. Well, what keen investigative powers. Ladra could have told them that. And what a waste of time. […]

Hialeah candidate Marcos Miralles scores at council meeting

Hialeah candidate Marcos Miralles scores at council meeting

Ladra is going to have to start going to the Hialeah Council meetings again. They always get good right before an election. Last week’s meeting proved no different, when dozens of parents showed up — reportedly at the behest of Mayor Carlos “Castro” Hernandez — for a special presentation to renew a contract for a […]

Early voting ends today in Homestead, Miami Lakes election

Early voting ends today in Homestead, Miami Lakes election

More than 1,100 people have already voted in the Homestead primary as early voting opens today for the last chance to cast a ballot before Election Day Tuesday. That includes 810 absentee ballots returned as of Friday and 169 and 154 early voters casting in person on Thursday and Friday. That’s already more than the […]

Miami Lakes mayoral race looks like a close 3-way

Miami Lakes mayoral race looks like a close 3-way

Looks like the race for Miami Lakes mayor is turning out to be a vote of no confidence in former Mayor Michael “Muscles” Pizzi, who was arrested last month on public corruption charges. The general sentiment around town — where early voting is limited to tomorrow at the Miami Lakes library and 1,073 people have […]