From a Press Release: "On Friday, July 22nd, Mayor Gimenez was the keynote speaker at the Latin Builders Association Luncheon, where he discussed his budget plans and legislative priorities for the year ahead."
In office for a few weeks and already over to the LBA? I hope this isn't a harbinger of things to come. Must have been plenty of developers there with their tail between their legs groveling at Gimenez. The LBA endorsed Julio Robaina for Mayor, I hope Gimenez never forgets that.
18 comments:
don’t get your hopes to high… he’s a politician
He was a last minute stand-in for Rubio. He is on a publicity tour for his budget so it was a good fit.
You see, until there is a criminal code that makes ethic violations, felonies; there will be no penalty for politicians who associate at luncheons with thugs, , crooks, lobbyists, and deal-makers who squeak through every loophole and next to every grey area of the law.
Let's not make more of this than there is. The LBA is not composed of criminals and thugs. It is composed of Non-Supporters of Gimenez. No ethics violation to lunch with them. Waiting for my lunch invitation. Guess I can make him a keynote speaker at our one-on-one.
You gotta kiss the ass of the Latin Builder's assn to make it in this town. :(
The first anon is on the right track. The difference between the Mayor and the opponent he defeated is not much. Both are career politicians who could write a book on how to play this game with the LBA a must-read chapter.
LOL @ Genius...
Not surprising he had lunch there, afterall he'll be running for relection pretty soon and unfortunately there is A LOT of money that funnels from that audience (& affiliates) to policial campaigns.
Good to see I'm not the only who feels like first Anon. There is a Herald piece today about Gimenez meeting with "business leaders." One of these business leaders -- who supported Gimenez -- proposed the creation of a "task force to be more effective in dealing with them." For me, this is akin to creating a lobby. Here is the comment that I made to that Herald article: "Task force? This is how the problems created by influence begin. Gimenez MUST be alert to these problems. No "task forces" or "special representatives." If he intends to be a true and honest politician, everything must be on a one-to-one basis, even if he doesn't get eight hours of sleep. He shouldn't mind; after all, didn't he want to be the mayor?"
For laughing at me -- your other comment got booted. LOL at Great Observations.
Wasn't laughing at you... Laughing at the waiting for the lunch invite comment...
What? You think he wouldn't be interested in being a keynote speaker at a lunch with Eye on Miami? I too can make him feel important like the LBA. I will even get a plaque for him.
His job is to listen to everyone and represent everyone. Hopefully LBA won't be listened to and represented more than the rest of us or at the expense of the rest of us, but - hey, let's keep this in perspective.
No I thought "your lunch invite" for you to speak at the LBA. I'd pay to attend.
I'd love to skewer them on some of the foolish projects over the years particularly in my neck of the woods (West Kendall).
Went to the Latin Builders Luncheon. Rubio was the scheduled speaker but obviously couldn't be there. Gimenez spoke. Let me tell you:
He came in surrounded by 4 or 5 "pretty boys"; you know, the GQ type with the Armani suits and their hair slicked back and the dark glasses. Same as before - different faces, same type. He said, " there will not be a County Manager, HE will address all issues. If you need something, you will speak with HIM. There will however, be five Vice-Mayors, each of whom will be in charge of different issues and departments". (Huhh? What's the difference?).
Then... Walking around I was able to strike up a conversation with one of the guys in Gimenez' entourage, I learned that:
- He is keeping Alina Hudak as one of the Vice-Mayors as we all knew.
- He offered another Vice-Mayor position to Marcelo Llorente who is "mulling it over".
- He will also appoint one Black and one or two Anglos. (Just like that - they guy said it just like that!)
(Of course, these people will all need "Assistant(s) to the Vice-Mayor and Executive Secretaries".
- No cuts at the top where Department heads make $200,000 to $250,000.
- Some departments will be eliminated "but Top staff will be "re-assigned".
- "Much sacrifice is expected from the workers"
Summary: Disgusting! Unless the culture at County Hall is changed, nothing will change.
The indecency of Management staff receiving Executive Benefits including hundreds of dollars each month for car allowances must stop. The waste must stop. The immorality of awarding contracts to friends must stop. Buying from the most expensive vendors must stop. Cronyism and hiring only friends of friends must stop.
I don't think Gimenez is a bad man. Quite the contrary, I think he is a good person. But he should learn from history. Many well-intentioned good men self-destructed by surrounding themselves with greedy sycophants.
Gimenez needs to get on the ball.
Voters hate all the perks and all the take home vehicles.
Voters hate all the greed and all the stupidity.
Carlos? You listening?
Gimenez hires the financial idiot Ed Marquez for $267,000 plus benefits?
Carlos Gimenez = Carlos Alvarez
2012 is coming up fast.
Ed Marquez worked for the Marlins. Is he just a spy?
Why do the taxpayers have to pay traitor Ed Marquez?
Gimenez is looking like a dope.
Ed Marquez is a damn good man. If you are implying he is a spy because he is paid to do a job, you are more ignorant than i thought. Mr. Marquez could be one of the most comprehensive financial geniuses ( with a plan) that the county has seen yet. Do your research before you so ignorantly run your mouth.. Look back on Miami when it was about to be taken over by the State of florida. Marquez was the man that made it work form a financial standpoint.
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