There are 6 people officially running for Commissioner Katy Sorenson's seat and an additional 2 who are rumored to be running, and I never shy away from a rumor: They are Annette Taddeo and Leslie Bowe. Here is a quick fact about each of the candidates. Bell - right-to-life advocate and former Homestead Mayor; Culler - teacher and a coach; Gray - Chair of the County Planning Advisory Board also a Hold-the-Line organizer; Harum-Alvarez on Urban Environment League Board and Kendall Activist; Flinn - current Mayor of Palmetto Bay; Perreira is the President of 1st Rate Merchant Services & Direct Connect; Bowe - Worked for School Board and won a shitload of money in the lottery; last but not least, Taddeo ran for Congress.
21 comments:
The political intrigue is thick with this bunch. Look to see who is consulting for who and that will tell you a big part of who we might see in office. Is this a winner take all or will there need to be a runoff ?
Bowe is interesting. Didn't he get sued over those lottery proceeds? I think I know who he's been consulting with but am not sure so I'm not going to post my thoughts further! If I'm right, expect to see a ton of mass mail and tons of special interest money in addition to whatever "lottery" money he may loan his campaign.
http://www.miaminewtimes.com/2000-12-14/news/fractured-fortunes/
I googled him. There's a Greer connection with Pinecrest. With income of $850K per year, he can buy his own Commission Seat!
Just what we need. Going from Sorenson to him? Are you kidding me? I wonder if the Voter's will elect him or how they're going to play this one out.
Heaven help District 8. That may be a new blog if he files.
I am concerned at marginalizing the vote with so many people. There are a few good ones in here, but we probably pick one and make it happen.
I heard a rumor that not only will Annette Taddeo run for this seat but will raise over 250k in her fist month! With Annette in the race none of these other candidates have a prayer.
Interesting. This is a non partisian race, I hope those funds aren't coming from sub groups of the DNC, it will be an interesting financial report read though. There are some very good candidates, and it would just be a real shame that the one with the most money wins. Is that who the Voter's really want in Katy's seat? I doubt it. They have the final say!
Why is it Katy's seat?
Like Scott Brown said it is the people's seat when he was running for Senator of MA.
This is part of the problem, she has an excellent record on the environment, the UDB on occasion when she doesn't vote to transmit, a terrible record on taxes and the expansion of government to the detriment of taxpayers.
I for one am very happy she is leaving. The BCC has done their damage and they should all be thrown out.
Don't trust any of them. Giminez is the best of that motley crew.
One bit of advice, whoever gets the Farm Bureau endorsement, please discard as a serious candidate.
If we want the good to continue in Miami Dade County, we need to vote for PAM GRAY.
She was Katy's Sorenson's appointee to the PAB,(Planning Advisory Board). In a very short time after that, she was elected chair-person. Her expertise in several fields include:CDMP/Zoning savy, community activist in many
county proceedings, & will con-
tinue to give to all of Miami Dade
a better place to live.
And what some may not know, who
don't know her, she worked in in-
vestment banking for many years
and then moved on to Redevelopment
projects throughout this entire County. She has been providing
"workforce/affordable housing
with her redevelopment projects
in this community.
A vote for her will be a new
light on the Commission Seat.
Riley
Commissioners now have Supreme Court authority? Dumbass RTL comment.
It is katy's seat just as district 13 is Natacha's seat. Katy has made it an at-large seat. Albert is not called Alberto you --- who might be the actual moron.
To the anon who commented that Katy "has an excellent record on the environment, the UDB on occasion when she doesn't vote to transmit, a terrible record on taxes and the expansion of government to the detriment of taxpayers"
Name the time she voted to "transmit" a UDB move. She was on the front lines of the Hold the Line effort - before the Mayor ever signed on, and has consistently fought urban expansion into the Redland and what is left of Kendall farmland.
And I suppose the "terrible record on taxes" extends to her opposition to the Marlins Stadium financing.
Statements don't equal facts.
I'm glad this blog is covering the race because the Herald can't be bothered. Not as important as Peacock art in the Grove I guess.
Regarding Mr. Bowe:
Everybody skirts around the fact that he won an elective seat in Pinecrest and he has worked hard to be a postive factor in our community. He continues to work at the school board even after winning the lottery. His character remains the same a committed person who treats everyone fairly; connected or not!
I repsect him because he could have just rode off in the sunset and lived a nice comfortable without the concerns of the average (income-wise) citizen.
Cullen is the Farm Bureau Person. He has ties to the guys.(And girls)
OK - so these comments might suggest what I fear. There are a few good ones in here. The vote will be spread among them, and the bad guy will get in. Its time for strategy.
Albert here. Yes, while my Italian grandmother called me "Alberto," my name is Albert. My wife and I put our last names together when we were married. Enid is Puerto Rican, and I'm a mutt!
This is a great field of candidates. I think anyone who worries about our democracy can take heart at the strong slate of citizens who've stepped up.
Good point: this is the people's seat. Katy has served it that way, and that has made her own name more renowned than the district number. We asked around, and most people didn't know their district number. But they knew Katy.
Let's take this discussion to the issues. This is what I've found voters want:
1. Leaders who will ask the hard questions, no matter who they're talking to.
2. Respect for the taxpayers' money and time. Shrinking budgets mean more tough choices ahead, and we won't be able to grant-write ourselves out of this pickle.
3. Transparency in government. Given the technology at our disposal, there's no reason we can't know much more about county contracts, calendars and accounts. Put 'em online and let the sunshine in.
Here's why I can meet these goals the best:
1. I'm not running for this office for glory, or to make--or keep--any friends. I've got great friends and family OUTSIDE of politics, and I have no problem saying what needs to be said, even if it makes folks uncomfortable. I love this community, and I won't stand for lies, incompetence or complacency.
2. I HATE wasting money, especially other people's money. That's what has made me a successful entrepreneur and consultant. Companies around the world hire me to bring efficiency to their business processes. They pay me more in three days than I'll make in one year as a commissioner, and they do it willingly because I save them many times more than that with my guidance. I'll do the same with the county.
3. After years of working under Florida's antiquated Sunshine Laws--conceived long before internet and email--I have a vision for making Miami-Dade County the most open and transparent government in the world. It will start with my office: my calendar will be online, and YOUR seat in that office will be available to constituents for all scheduled meetings.
Let's continue this dialog, both here and elsewhere. My Facebook site is becoming a bit of a news site on its own, breaking news on current issues. Drop me a line, and show up for my house tour on the last Saturday of the month. Candidates welcome!
Hmm. Will you be whipping up some of your grandmother's dishes on those house tours?
Dinner for 70? Lemonade, yes... eggplant parmigiana, non posso farlo!
I finally had the pleasure of meeting Mr & Mrs Harum-Alvarez at the Dice House this past Tuesday evening. Great people, I like them.
I will do what I can to help Albert get elected to KATY'S seat.
Also, I'll make an appointment to visit them at their Home for a tour and bring a dish myself.
I've known Obdulio Piedra for many years and I know him to be a very caring and honest person. He is a successful banker and is extremely involved in the community. He knows South Florida very well. Although I'm surprised he's running for "Katy's" seat, since I didn't know he had political aspirations before this, I know he'll do a great job and will bring the commission the needed business perspective and transparancy it sorely lacks.
Although not in the photo array, we got a post card today from Piedra. Seems he's a well-known behind-the-scenes politico in GOP national politics (John Cornyn's TEXAS Senate campaign) and the local exile community, according to '08 political campaign contribution reports. There's a lot of info on Google, mostly banking and big biz and political plum appointments. He's certainly not going to carry on Ms. Sorensen's tradition/good record.
I like Albert-Harum Alvarez. He is a well-known community activist and that's what we need right now, someone who will fight for the community.
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