This rude guy from channel 41 in Miami was pushing old ladies (I mean mature women) at a County Commission District 8 candidate's debate in Pinecrest last night. He had his camera on his shoulder and was harassing a candidate who didn't want to be interviewed. The video guy pushed Candidate Albert Harum-Alvarez's mom out of the way twice to get in the candidates face. Mrs. Harum said she almost fell once when he pushed her. He also pushed a few other people, ramming them with his camera. Finally he was told he had to keep his camera on the tripod or leave because of his bizarre behavior. He did put it on the tripod for about 2 minutes, as you can see here, he asked Taddeo a few questions, then he quickly packed up and left. Shame on you TV Station 41 in Miami for hiring an old-lady-pusher. (I had a video of him but it wasn't working well). 
56 comments:
What?! And no reprimand from Taddeo over the abusive behavior from this nimrod who was obviously there to film her?
This stooge was most probably paid by Taddeo to interview her. At the expense of little old ladies.
I know she needs all the publicity she can get but really, this is just wrong! How low will political morals sink?!
Unfair. Taddeo's campaign is not her. I think she saw what she has to do and will do it. She is too much of a lady to let the campaign turn ugly.
Too bad the people on Taddeo's campaign are turning it ugly whether she (the candidate) like's it or not. She hired them, they reflect on her.
I think with all the attacks on one candidate coming from the Taddeo Camp, Bell is going to end up winning Dist. 8 because she's staying out of the fray and moving forward. I suggest the other candidates do the same, or they're going to implode their own chances.
And, please stop saying "Katy" said or thought or whatever. Run on you're own, not on someone's coat tails.
But if you want to go there, Katy never would have run a dirty campaign like some of the candidates are doing.
That's the same guy Bruce Greer hired to film protesters at Fairchild Tropical Garden to wach in private.
I was at the same event. I did see the videographer.
The main focus was the Environment regarding questions for this forum.
Taddeo was completely lost in her answers.
Flinn did a good job answering in typical political fashion.
Alvarez did a wonderful job selling his Green HOUSE concept to the point that the moderator continued to request for him to stay on topic.
Bell stated facts and referenced studies. She did a wonderful job hitting all points.
I've never heard of Channel 41. Is that like a local public access?
In any event, on another note, and as I've written before - Candidates Bell, Taddeo & Albert, please remove your signs from public right of ways. You're littering our roads.
As to Taddeo, where are your expenses on your campaign report? I've recieved three mailers, nothing reported, all of them without the "union" label. Also, what about your sign, t-shirt and other expenses? They all say paid for by your campaign.
Oh Evelyn Greer's husband? Isn't she a Taddeo campaign volunteer? I know several others affiliated with the Greer camp are involved with Taddeo.
Pinecrest resident
There were mainly campaign volunteers at the debate last night. Take the comments as such: One campaign throwing a barb at another campaign. I did see this guy pushing women. They should have called the cops on him.
Channel 41 is a Spanish language station. The videographer was videotaping Annette Taddeo in Spanish. I did not see him tape Obdulio Piedra or any other candidate that spoke Spanish. He did not come for the debate. He left before it began.
One of the campaigns got him there, that was pretty obvious.
In Pinecrest, Mayor Flinn was strong on Holding the Line. At the Farm Bureau's candidate forum he said each case to move the UDB should be decided on its own merits.
Matt Haggman asked Albert if he was addressing a question on sea level rise when Albert was explaining a plan to use the county's woody waste for carbon offsets on the global carbon market, creating revenue from waste. Albert was RIGHT on topic, because excess carbon in the atmosphere is causing sea level rise. Albert's already doing this "carbon sink" work at his home.
Albert did talk about his home, which is a stellar accomplishment: 75% reductions in energy use, without expensive solar photovoltaics. FPL would be paying HIM if he installed PV. Albert didn't talk about all of his environmental accomplishments, because the list is too long. Unlike the other candidates, Albert has led battles on the environment instead of just talking about them.
I believe that Flinn was one of the original Hold the Line organization members. He has been consistent in all the venues.
I know he feels that special uses that is being pushed in the ag lands is moving the line by sneaking in the development and labeling it ancillary to ag.
Opening hotels and calling them Bed and Breakfasts is not ag. Opening a winery that is a Friday and Saturday entertainment venue has nothing to do with ag.
Bells desire to over rule the FAA and turn the Homestead General Airport (out by the winery, on the edge of the Glades) into a Jet Port for the benefit of the track and winery, is another attempt to move the UDB by approving businesses. You have to read deep between the lines.
In theory, certain groups and special interests are moving the line by going from the west side and intending to meet the line on east. Soon they can say "see there is no difference" between the both sides of the line. The fact remains, the county can't afford to provide the needed services (fire and police, in particular) to that sprawled out area.
I am guessing that any commissioner (current or not) should not being saying that they will never-ever move the line. It is a public hearing, and whether we like it or not, that means all sides of the argument must be heard.
Did anyone listen to Piedra? He had previously said that he would move the line only for economic reasons. He indicated that jump starting the economy may require that the line be moved (the first forum) and building would do that. Then last night he said no and came right back to the economy and jobs as the only issue in the district. He really believes that getting the line moved and the dump trucks rolling is what it will take to make his playmates happy.
Albert is a one track pony.
Why all the attacks on Taddeo? These attacks seem orchestrated by the other campaigns. The only one I see staying totally clean is Taddeo.
Annette Taddeo is a classy lady way too proper to run a dirty campaign. That is one of the reasons that Democracy for America (www.dfamiami.com) has proudly endorsed her. Her financial acumen and ethics will make her a valuable commodity on the commission by bringing honesty and business sense to the financial crisis we are experiencing in this county.
Yes, it's true Hispanic media loves Annette and long before she ever was asked by friends and community leaders to get involved in politics, they loved her as a sucessful business woman. It's not just one local channel, its national Hispanic media too. I think the reason they love her is because she relates to their audiance. Annette is my sister so biased I am but let me assure you that if Annette witnessed anyone roughing up anyone else, especially an elderly woman, she would be the first person to step in and stop it! No question. I don't know if you consider me a part of the Taddeo campaign or not but let me be the first person to apologize to Mrs.Harum for the rude behavior of the reporter. Annette knows full well that if you choose public service that you will be held accountable for perceptions that aren't always portrayed correctly but please folks attack her positions on community matters and not her sense of justice. In my biased opinion Annette is the best champion for injustices always!
Annette Taddeo's campaign has been issue oriented and clean. She is proud of support from doctors, teachers, nurses, SAVE Dade, Women's Campaign Forum and others.
I would suspect that with six candidates in the race, this is going to be a real humdinger of an election come August 24.
Thank you UEL and Tropical Audobon for hosting the Forum at Pinecrest Library. Too bad the air was not working better!
Taddeo may or may not be all she appears to be. When you talk about finances, why is her financial report so messed up in regard to her expenses. Three mailings, t-shirts, banners, yard signs and more. None of them are showing up and this stuff wasn't done within the last cycle. I didn't know anything about it until someone posted earlier and I was pondering on supporting her, but I don't like the Channel 41 crap and people getting hurt so she can get elected. That's wrong, dirty and ugly, whether it'f from her or her "staff". This is not a partisian race, and I'm also sick of the DNC soft money/volunteers.
I have a very funny feeling VNS is laughing. Bell is pulling ahead with all this other fighting. And, VNS would love nothing more than either Bell or Taddeo to "mentor"! Taddeo wouldn't know any better, Bell would know exactly what's going on (well, kind of)
Congrat's VNS, one of your ladies is gonna take Dist. 8!
See What happens when you go on Vacation G.O.D..
Too bad Annette, Albert and Gene haven't trained Rolle and Souto's opponents! For that matter Lynda, Obdulio and Danny could have schooled all of the folks running against incumbents too.
So you're saying, everyone did well last night. Right?
As far as Albert's "track" goes, he is the candidate with the "track" RECORD on environmental issues. Albert has been working on issues relating to the environment and overdevelopment for 20 years. There are many people who have worked by his side in the community who can attest to this. In regard to his home, it demonstrates one way that he has put his money where his mouth is. Last night it was clear from his answers that he has the most authentic depth of knowledge and original thinking in respect to the environmental topics that were the subject of the forum.
Since someone seems stuck on it, with regard to campaign expenses, many of the items aren't paid for right away, even mailings, t-shirts, etc. Companies will often bill for things like that and give terms of 30-90 days. They should show up on expenses later though. A lot of 'consultants' also delay billing the candidates, or get paid at the end, so they don't show up on expense reports either. Just the way it goes.
The District 8-related posts are so outrageous and entertaining that Genius could probably charge for participation! There's one anti-Taddeo blogger who's so creative they should change careers and write a fictional novel. I'm guessing there's a handful of campaign minions who spend all day here, reading and posting.
I must compliment Taddeo on her TV commercial which is much more appealing than the Rick Scott and McCullom ads.
Yea, and candidates also delay reporting certain expenses to avoid scrutiny.
Nice try, last anon.
Albert by the years:
1.5 years building a green house.
12 years on the PTA.
12 years working with Commissioner Sorenson's office.
15 years a schoolteacher in the inner city.
15 years a stay-at-home dad.
18 years building a successful world-renowned business.
18 years a father.
20 years a citizen activist.
23 years married to dancer and teacher Enid Harum-Alvarez.
Eugene Flinn and Lynda Bell have some experience working on green initiatives. Obdulio Piedra, Annette Taddeo and Danny Marmorstein have business experience. But Albert is the whole package. He's actually done the stuff the other folks have talked about.
I know Taddeo is a lady but she has to be careful who she hires to film her interviews.
She may not realize that some of these people she hires may also be papparrazzi and they will stop at nothing (as it was evident last night) to get wat they want.
That guy should have been arrested!
I'm stunned at this Channel 41 "reporter" or whatever he was. Albert, if you're reading, I hope your Mom is okay.
To the Taddeo camp, who seems to be trolling too much on EoM, one of your ex staffers has their own blog, why don't you go over there and sell your candidate. She isn't working with the voters in Dist. 8 or on this blog.
The Ros Lehtinen campaign was two years. The candidate in 2006 got 38% of the vote with less than 100k in the bank. In 2008, Obama was a huge factor, plus Taddeo's own funding, what, she gained 2 points?
Very good point last anon! Taddeo looks very nice but basically, she's an empty suit - just look at the way she answers questions posed to her. The moderator had to continually stop her to remind her what the question was.
Your comments proves what I've been saying for quite a while now. Taddeo didn't give Ros-Lehtinen a run for her money - President Obama did!
She thinks that she can hop-scotch her way back to a Congressional campaign in 2 years by using a County Commission seat as her spring board - I don't think so! And the voters of District 8 don't appreciate it!
If its true that she has such a passion for her community, let her prove her stripes by taking to heart the advice given to her by the Miami Herald Editorial Board and run for the Pinecrest Town Council or even run for Mayor of Pinecrest.
Again, Thank You last anon for pointing out the truth!
I was there and heard the interview of Ms. Taddeo. I happen to speak Spanish and heard the camera man ask Annette for an interview when she walked in. He told her he was there to interview Mr, Flinn and he refused, he kept badgering ms. taddeo to answer why Mr. Flinn wouldn't want to be interviewed. She did not take the bait. She said he should ask Mr. Flinn. That she doesn't speak for him. She never said anything negative about Flinn like it seems he wanted her to. So all these people saying she hired this man, it sure didn't look that way to me. It looks to me like 41 was looking for a story, and they didn't get it. Instead Taddeo took the high road.
leave Taddeo alone. Just because your candidate is losing, don't talk badly about the front runners. If she is a front runner, it is because she has done a better job than the others and voters like her..
Stop whining like a baby.
I think Ms. Taddeo would not be behind such gruff behavior. She is lovely...a bit empty headed...but very lovely. I think it is unfair to blame her for this guy's behavior.
To the last anon who thinks that "Taddeo would not be behind such gruff behavior."
Don't be fooled, Taddeo knows how to play dirty with the best of them. Just take a look at all the adds she put out 2 years ago against Ros-Letinen. 3 out of 4 adds she put out were very negative and she was nowhere on the videos, except on the final disclaimer when you hear her voice.
It appears that a pattern of attack is emerging against Flinn. Flinn is seen scrambling around the room avoiding the press - (the same Spanish language press that loves her soo much)- while the same reporter goes straight to Taddeo for comment.
Guys, that IS NO accident!
My mom's fine, thanks for asking! She is enjoying this thread so much that she ALMOST blogged herself. (quote: "I don't know a blog from a block.") We think she looks incredibly cute just READING a blog.
Annette is the consummate lady, and would never encourage the kind of rudeness the cameraman dished out. In fact, all the candidates have been very gracious to my mom. Lynda always asks about her, and Danny's wife and my mom have hit it off.
My own favorite candidate's mother—other than my own—is Obdulio's mom. She's a doll. And she's just as much on her son's team as my mom is on mine!
Danny is the best of the candidates in that his ideas are so brilliant. We desperately need such a talented and effective man as he is...to shape the bloated bureaucracy!
I was there Thursday evening. It was a good forum. We got to hear all of the candidates. I came away with this conclusion about the candidates for district 8. Three of the candidates would fall in lock step with the rest of the Miami Dade commission, two would just get eaten alive by the commission, and the one that stood out to me was Albert Harum Alvarez. He knew the issues and gave unique solutions to the issues facing us. He has a strength and knowledge that the others lack. Also, it is nice to see his mother coming to his forum. I home that she is OK after what happened.
Thank you all for your comments. I don't believe some of it, I left out some misinformation -- such as that Taddeo didn't release her campaign reports-- she did in a timely fashion. Once and for all-- we don't really know where this newsman came from. Let's hear it for Albert's mom for joining the world blogging (sorry I called you an old lady -- it just was more blog worthy wording).
At this point: let the best candidate win! Now go vote all of you and toss the negative attack mailers you all should be getting in the district
Do your own dirty work - don't try to manipulate me putz.
Calling me an idiot and insulting my friend Jim DeFede is the ultimate way to NOT get published here. Go bother someone else.
Danny for Miami!! Notice he's not a typical politician like the rest?
He'll shake things up downtown.
Incredible! It is obvious to me that these attacks on Annette Taddeo are being orchestrated by some other campaign. Some of these accusations are totally ridiculous misrepresentations that they further increase my suspicions. Then, there is the sheer number of anonymous posts.
Yeah! Annette bought off Channel 41. And the earth is still flat!
No, Sam. Annette is too much of "lady" and is above this type of behavior.
But Steve Marin IS NOT and Annette hired Marin.
Annette aired a tv ad on Sunday morning. Who does that for a $6,000 a year job? What's up with that?
Hey Genius,
what is this rumor that Mayor Flinn is being sued?????
Looked at his records with the clerk. Didn't see any lawsuits.
All of this garbage and accusations attacking Taddeo over what a TV reporter did? What's up with that?
What about the people attacking Flinn? That's okay with you?
To the poster questioning why Taddeo would spend so much money in TV ads for a $6,000 a year job.
Its NOT about the money - Its about the POWER!
Heck, even a Congressman only makes $187,000 a year. Taddeo is a multi-millionaire businesswoman who is simply trying to get to her intended goal - national prominence via a County Commission seat.
Take a look at the evidence. Right after she lost against Ros-Lehtinen, President Obama was seriously considering appointing her to be Commissioner of the SBA. Last year, she was seriously thinking of running against former Miami Mayor Manny Diaz for Chief Financial Officer of Florida (Alex Sink's current job).
Then, she was being seriously courted by the DNC to run for Congressional District 25 but somehow, Joe Garcia, beat her to it.
All of this indicates that her goals are not local but either national or state and by state, I mean statewide.
Congressional redistricting takes effect in just 2 short years - meaning new opportunities for potential challengers to current members of Congress or even maybe a new Congressional seat.
And what better way to launch a Congressional campaign than from a cushy but important, County Commission seat in just 2 years. And 2012 is the BEST time to run because in 2014, it would be way more difficult to challange a sitting Congressman/woman who's had time to consolidate their power since their election.
Even one of your bloggers mentioned a few months ago that he "didn't care how short a time Taddeo served on the Commission, as long as she made it to Congress."
Personally, I don't mind her going to Congress. What I do mind is HOW she's getting there. By pretending she cares about local municipal issues when, in fact, she can't get our of Miami fast enough!
To the poster questioning why Taddeo would spend so much money in TV ads for a $6,000 a year job.
Its NOT about the money - Its about the POWER!
Heck, even a Congressman only makes $187,000 a year. Taddeo is a multi-millionaire businesswoman who is simply trying to get to her intended goal - national prominence via a County Commission seat.
Take a look at the evidence. Right after she lost against Ros-Lehtinen, President Obama was seriously considering appointing her to be Commissioner of the SBA. Last year, she was seriously thinking of running against former Miami Mayor Manny Diaz for Chief Financial Officer of Florida (Alex Sink's current job).
Then, she was being seriously courted by the DNC to run for Congressional District 25 but somehow, Joe Garcia, beat her to it.
All of this indicates that her goals are not local but either national or state and by state, I mean statewide.
Congressional redistricting takes effect in just 2 short years - meaning new opportunities for potential challengers to current members of Congress or even maybe a new Congressional seat.
And what better way to launch a Congressional campaign than from a cushy but important, County Commission seat in just 2 years. And 2012 is the BEST time to run because in 2014, it would be way more difficult to challange a sitting Congressman/woman who's had time to consolidate their power since their election.
Even one of your bloggers mentioned a few months ago that he "didn't care how short a time Taddeo served on the Commission, as long as she made it to Congress."
Personally, I don't mind her going to Congress. What I do mind is HOW she's getting there. By pretending she cares about local municipal issues when, in fact, she can't get our of Miami fast enough!
both last postings were identical!!
Obviously by more than one from the Taddeo campaign :-bpremouci
That was my mistake. Somehow I sent my comment twice, when I intended to be only once.
My bad.
As I said - most of these attacks come from the campaigns. The 'bench warmer' theory...come on! Repeating that over and over in comments is making me crazy. Once was enough...20 times is ridiculous.
to the reader I didn't print on bench warming:
I am not saying what you are saying isn't or is true. I am just saying I have read that over and over and over in blog comments on this race. We get it. I get it. I am just tired of reading it. Find something else to attack...or say something GOOD about your candidate. That might be a better strategy.
Post a Comment