Miami Beach Commissioner’s aide may have been a spy

Miami Beach Commissioner’s aide may have been a spy

Miami Beach Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez wasn’t getting her phone messages. She wasn’t getting invitations sent to her for events. She missed meetings that she wasn’t told about. She wasn’t getting her message out to the senior citizen centers where she campaigned among the seniors who elected her. And that’s because her aide may have […]

The Cortadito Calendar: Some meetings and a holiday party

The Cortadito Calendar: Some meetings and a holiday party

Week two of our new feature, The Cortadito Calendar: A weekly calendar of political powwows, government meetings and events with electeds. Stay informed. Get engaged. If you know any political happening that should be included in the Cortadito Calendar, please email the information to edevalle@gmail.com. And thank you. TUESDAY — Dec. 13 2 p.m. — The Unincorporated […]

Forum on controversial Miami Beach ‘train to nowhere’

Forum on controversial Miami Beach ‘train to nowhere’

Proponents and opponents of an imagined light rail train that loops around South Beach will discuss the pros and cons of the project at a community forum Thursday night organized by Miami Beach United. Last we heard, there are three possible deals on the table, all from qualified bidders. Proposals are due Nov. 3. But […]

Miami Beach commissioner wants electeds to kiss and tell

Miami Beach commissioner wants electeds to kiss and tell

Let’s call it the kiss and tell ordinance. Miami Beach Commissioner John Aleman wants to introduce legislation that would require all the elected officials in the city to disclose — on a printed form — the names of anyone they have sexual relations with that could benefit from their vote. It’s on the agenda for Wednesday’s […]

Philip Levine hastily adds preservationists to NoBe committee

Philip Levine hastily adds preservationists to NoBe committee

Betsy Perez may have lost the commission election in Miami Beach, but she’s got two nice board appointments, thanks to Godpapi Mayor Phillip Levine. Maybe she can steer more money her hubby’s way on the Cultural Affairs Board (She and Rudy Perez own a production company that put on the mayor’s centennial concert last year). […]

Political Cortaditos: This, that and the other thing — en breve

Political Cortaditos: This, that and the other thing — en breve

Sometimes, there’s not enough to report for a full blown story, but the info is too good not to pass on. So, to get you these tiny gems of political intrigue, Ladra introduces you to a new sometimes feature: Political Cortaditos — a collection of briefs, updates and small developments. Fatima Perez dumps Beach for […]

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 […]

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 […]