County Commissioner Dorrin Delano Rolle is accused of ethics violation in the Miami Herald today. The article basically says that Rolle formed a corporation that didn't go anywhere with 2 people (Coats and Bradley) lobbying the county commission. He has since voted on issues that these men lobbied on and that is the basis of the ethics complaint. He should have recused himself.I am sorry, I just don't see the difference with this case and what Commissioner Barbara Jordan did. She voted on many items that her sister, YES SISTER, Sandy Walker lobbied on (hit read more to see a list of her sister's lobbying history). For example, Jordan never recused herself from the crucial Lowe's vote to move the UDB line, even though her sister lobbied for them.
I just don't see how what Rolle did is any worse than what Jordan did. And, this whole thing is about a 'lucrative' shrink-wrap MIA contract, who shrink wrap's luggage anymore? The one company with Coats as a lobbyist, Sinapsis, also has Armando Gutierrez. In a side note, Jose Riesco is their registering agent. BTW Sinapsis, Susan Fried as a lobbyist? She has such a sour disposition, how could she influence anyone? Secure Wrap has lobbyists such as Miguel Diaz de la Portilla, Dusty Melton, Sylvester Lukis and Ramon Rasco. Secure Wrap, you will remember, was also named in Lobbyist's Miguel De Grandy reprimand by the Florida Supreme Court that I reported on January 7th. This is an example of how contract awards suck in the County Commission. See Sandy Walker's lobbying list:
HOLLAND & KNIGHT 4/12/2006
LOBBYIST EFFORTS FOR CDMP APPL FOR BELLSOUTH
HOLLAND & KNIGHT 4/12/2006
LOBBYIST EFFORTS FOR CDMP APPL FOR LOWES
MIGUEL DE GRANDY PA 12/16/2005
ON BEHALF OF ELECTION SYSTEMS & SOFTWARE
NEWEST KENDALL LLC 11/18/2005
NEWEST KENDALL CDMP APPLICATION
ADRIAN DEVELOPMENT GROUP INC 8/24/2005
MASTER PLAN APPLICATION- FUTURE LAND USE PLAN
15 comments:
Wrong is wrong, no matter the dollars involved. IF he will do thi, what else don't we know about ?
OK, so when Joe Martinez was providing security services to contractors and road consultant services - does this not mean that he probably should not have voted on any of the Comp votes regarding the UDB, let alone zoning issues. Is Charlie going to swoop in and indict some commissioners now?
Our ethics laws in the county are so full of loopholes they are useless. And when they are violated - a rarity - they get a slap on the wrist.
So many loopholes so little time...
Anonymous said: ((Robert Myers should be shrink wrapping chicken thighs at a Perdue factory for all the good he and his office do, on "ethics" in county govt. The funny part of is that Palm Beach County is looking to Dade as its model, given how many of its county commissioners are in federal lock up today. Government designed to fail.))
AMEN to that! If I hear "it's a gray area" from that twirp one more time, I'll lose my lunch. He and his office are useless.
Roosevelt Bradley? Is that the same guy who was fired from Miami-Dade Transit for nepotism and corruption? If so, why would they even consider giving him a big contract?
Same guy. Sort of makes you question Rolle's judgment doesn't it?
We should agree to pay county commissioners a reasonable salary for a full time job based on a state formula, as exists in Broward and other counties. Unlike Broward, however, we tie the higher salary with a prohibition against any and all outside employment. No average citizen who wants to serve can live on the $6,000 annual pay (even with the benefits), thus resulting in "consultant" jobs.
Woww
They do not take home $6,000. That is urban myth. They pay themselves $50,000, or more. The County gives them W-2's for $50,000 or so. They get expenses paid, free health insurance, a paid staff, car and drivers, cell phones, $200,000 per year to give to voters...travel expenses too. For the quality of their decisions they get way overpaid.
Term limits should be mandatory.
Anonymous I had to edit what you said. Please don't make accusations against people in our comment section.
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Anonymous said:
One of the sad issues of this story is that these corrupt politicians and their handlers are scarring potential serious investors away from coming into our community and investing at creating much needed jobs in our community and whatever good jobs there are these corrupt bunch try to take the business for themselves and their cronies and place the jobs at risk if not out right destroy them, shameful... It is clear by this article that the problem goes all the way to City Hall and Dade County Mayor ran on an anti corruption ticket? What a joke -- EDITED HERE --
Abuse is what it is, abuse of public trust to its core. Shame on our present politicians, but have no fear these issues will resound come elections, it will not be discarded, too much is just too much..
AND CORRECTION ON THE ABOVE COMMENT ON THE DISCRETIONARY FUNDS:
They were $300,000 (or more) have been eliminated in the budget but the Commissioners still have that ma and pop grant money.
No worries re your editing my piece Geniusofdespair, is your blog & most likely the right thing to do; not savvy on the blog world, just disgusted about the state of affairs of our great City. My intent was, and still is, to make sure that I voice my opinion, like I said before, I'm utterly disgusted. I've taken the time to research this issue, as I have others, and what I've failed to find is anything dirty or bad on the other company mentioned in this article; as it happens on all other bids with the entities being harm; by a majority good folks, by the corrupt and illegal practices of these bunch of crooks. I carefully read the article and who can blame anyone from hiring as many people as possible to protect their rights? I would bet, if I was a betting person and I'm not, that the principals of those companies being harmed by the shady practices of these crooks would rather not spend their hard earned $$$ paying people to do what should be done by those perpetrating the harm; surreal isn't??? TY for keeping this blog honest & real.
Is there anything bad to be said for the other company in the article, secure wrap?? I've searched & there are old articles, couple done by the miami herald, but is all good. Shameful if this company is a good company and are receiving this treatment. How about all of the other companies that Rolle has voted against on their contracts as mentioned in the article; what happens now? What a mess, so I guess once the lawsuits start flying, and they will, WE the people pay for the wicked ways of those we elect to protect same $$$; CRAZY, INSANE.
Maybe time to pass a law that requires those seeking public office to get "honesty and integrity insurance" so when they commit injustices and illegalities as described in this article, the cost associated with the legal process and compensation does not fall into our laps. WHAT A MESS THESE CORRUPT POLITICIANS CREATE FOR US. WHERE IS THE COUNTY MANAGER AND THE MAYOR IN ALL THIS? NO STATEMENT AS OF YET?
Heard rumor that Ethics commission is about to release a letter stating that in their opinion Rolle has done nothing illegal? THAT WOULD BE JUST TOO MUCH TO TAKE, if they do what WE the people can do about it? Enough is enough.
Great article.
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