There is a rumor that the unreformable majority of the county commission may appoint Alex Penelas as interim county mayor this morning, pending a county-wide election. I am curious to see the commission at work, without the heavy presence of former commissioner Natacha Seijas. You will know me by the blue HAZMAT suit I will wear and a laptop wrapped in clear plastic.
It should be self-evident why ordinary citizens with nothing to personally gain from the outcome would want to protect themselves from the radioactive waste of the ethically challenged, unreformable majority. What is not so clear is why anyone would waste their time. On the other hand, it is an instructive lesson in civics and there ought to be a requirement at Miami Dade high schools where students choose an issue-- say, on rock mining for instance, or nuclear power at Turkey Point or the UDB-- and observe the county commission deliberate and then give their report in a written thesis; a prerequisite for graduation. These students, too, would wear HAZMAT suits at County Hall. Over the 'down' escalator from the ground floor to the hearing chambers a decontamination sprayer has been installed. At the bottom of the escalator yellow dotted lines lead to an area to dump Tyvek coveralls, gloves and masks to be recycled. Always be recycling, right?
Penelas was the worst of the worst, when he was county mayor as might have been predicted by the solid phalanx of lobbyists who hung out like vultures on the 29th floor. News at the Herald that this once promising Democrat has been loan-sharking in the wilds of Hialeah for collapsed real estate deals while pretending on Miami-Dade politics for Spanish language TV, isn't exactly far from the picture he painted as mayor with highlights such as appointing the former mayor of Homestead to be county manager. Get the drift?
I am with Miami Today publisher Michael Lewis on the issue of Carlos Alvarez who succeeded Penelas, unsuccessfully it turned out. With strong mayor powers, Lewis says, Alvarez could have been much worse and the cronyism and inattention could have been deployed to much worse effects for Miami-Dade. Another rumor circulating, is that Norman Braman is prepared to launch more recall campaigns against sitting commissioners. If the county commission even entertains a discussion this morning about putting Penelas back in-- as an interim "steward" of local government-- I hope Braman will come out like a slingshot in response: I'd suggest going after Joe Martinez or Pepe Diaz first. But Javier Souto might not be bad, either.
If the public had a chance to really, really listen to Souto who would be battling for his political life, voters might finally get the point.
5 comments:
The commissioners from even numbered districts began their new terms in November 2010, so Souto is safe for now. The Charter protects an official in his or her first year of a new term.
As for the rest, let Emperor Palpatine -- Norman Braman -- try. He has the right. Better yet, let he and Victor Diaz gather signatures for charter amendments they want to see on the ballot.
I'd like to see the Charter Changes by petition now and not another recall until after November 2011. By then, hopefully the BCC will be neutered by the will of the people of this County.
I think every BCC member not supporting real Charter change (not the "le Pew" dog and pony show) should be a target of a recall and the reason I gave a target of after Nov 2011, that's when the remaining 12 can be recalled in one huge petition drive.
I'm sick of all of them, even Gimenez, who I happen to like for the most part.
However, if the BCC appoints Penelas or anyone as interim Mayor, I'll donate to Braman's PAC to recall any BCC Member who votes yes on that one.
Why not appoint Kendall Coffey as Interim Mayor? He's smart, bilingual, wouldn't want to be in the job past March 2012.
Since his wife was appointed County Attorney for Broward, there's no conflict of interest.
A win-win for Miami-Dade!
I completely agree with your idea about high school students being required to follow an issue through the County Commission. I think this should be a statewide requirement. A startling number of people have no idea how the local decision-making process works.
Really, Katy Sorenson should be appointed interim mayor. Skip the interim election.
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