‘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 […]

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 […]

Miami Lakes campaign cash: slow and mostly self-propelled

Miami Lakes campaign cash: slow and mostly self-propelled

There’s a crowded ballot in the race to replace suspended Miami Lakes Mayor Michael Pizzi, who was arrested last month on charges of bribery and extortion after a two-year FBI sting in which he allegedly accepted kickbacks for facilitating a bogus grants application. But only two of the hopefuls are experienced candidates with money to […]

Post-scandal Miami Lakes candidates qualify, 5 for mayor

Post-scandal Miami Lakes candidates qualify, 5 for mayor

Miami Lakes Mayor Michael “Muscles” Pizzi decided not to run, after all, for the seat from which he was suspended earlier this month, after he was arrested on federal bribery and extortion charges in an FBI sting where he allegedly and knowingly facilitated bogus grant applications in exchange for kickbacks and campaign contributions. The race to […]

Wannabes line up to replace arrested Mayor Michael Pizzi

Wannabes line up to replace arrested Mayor Michael Pizzi

What some people might see como una desgracia, otros los ven como una oportunidad. The handcuff marks on his wrists were probably still itching him when wannabes started talking about running to replace Miami Lakes Mayor Michael “Muscles” Pizzi, who was arrested Tuesday on federal bribery and extortion charges. One obvious hopeful is Vice Mayor […]

Big surprise is that only 2 electeds were arrested in sting

Big surprise is that only 2 electeds were arrested in sting

You mean, there were only two? That’s one of the questions I am left with after Tuesday’s big news that Sweetwater Mayor Manny Maroño and Miami Lakes Mayor Michael “Muscles” Pizzi were arrested on federal bribery and extortion charges. Ladra is not too surprised that these two mayors — both of whom have been accused of abusing their power in […]

Miami Lakes change passes via AB — but who voted?

Miami Lakes change passes via AB — but who voted?

Voters in Miami Lakes changed the way that council members are elected, choosing to choose them citywide instead of by district. Or did they? The problem with sending absentee ballots to everyone, whether they request it or not, is that you could end up sending ABs to ghosts. At least one was, in the case […]

Miami Lakes Mayor pushes hard on mail-in only vote

Miami Lakes Mayor pushes hard on mail-in only vote

With all the absentee ballot shenanigans going on here and there, one would think the county and a respectful municipality would not even imagine having an election that is exclusively and entirely through the mail. But that is exactly what the tony town of Miami Lakes is doing this month with a proposed charter change […]

Miami Lakes Mayor for charter change (read: candidates)

Miami Lakes Mayor for charter change (read: candidates)

Miami Lakes residents could change the way that their local leaders are picked in a special vote later this month that would change the city charter to have all the council members elected at large rather than by district. And at least one resident is supporting it publicly: Mayor Michael “Muscles” Pizzi. After voters started […]

Hialeah mayor helps Lakes Mayor raise funds

Hialeah mayor helps Lakes Mayor raise funds

While homegrown actor Andy Garcia hosts a fundraiser for Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez and Jeb Bush stumps for U.S. Rep. Connie Mack‘s senatorial bid, Miami Lakes Mayor Michael “Muscles” Pizzi had to settle for a lot less star power: Hialeah Mayor Carlos “The Rock” Hernandez and his Lakes council faction, er, I mean colleagues at […]