Monday, October 20, 2014

Some of my readers are a Buzz Kill on Lobbyists. By Geniusofdespair

In yesterday's post I posed the dilemma of getting a job I believe in and the concept of getting bribes doing it. In the comment section I started out as a bribe taker and realized, with your help, that what it meant was I had to agree with the lobbyists and I morphed into my usual moral character of doing the right thing on the job instead. It was a journey helped by your comments. What started out as an article in jest, moved to a learning moment for me. I could never take a bribe. But some of you, just will never get it, one asked: "Why would you target District 8"? Why not? She is hiring, and it was not a bad thing I was proposing. It made sense short of no one seeing the lobbyists.

Anyway, I am disappointed. The example of Johnny Winton was given. When he first came to office he would not see lobbyists. He said to them if the project is so good, send your boss to tell me about it. I think that is a great example of good government: The Johnny Winton Cure was what the reader said. It would surely put a kink in Lobbyist influence and save the businesses a ton of money. It was also said that people don't get to see their commissioners, they get to see the aides but the lobbyists walk right in. I am a witness to that. If we are going to attract new businesses to Florida they have to be able to talk to the Commissioners without hiring a $600 an hour lobbyist. Want to know what projects are coming up, look at the lobbyist registration list. Here is a list for a few months, be sure to hit read more people this is only about a third...

From:  7/1/2014  Through:  10/20/2014
Lobbyist    
Principal Registration Date

ACOSTA, PABLO
FRIENDS OF HIGHER EDUCATION POLITICAL COMMITTEE
7/7/2014
ADAMS, ALEXANDER W
ALPHA PLAN LLC
8/27/2014
AJMANI, KARIN
US IMAGING
9/11/2014
ALEXANDER, DICK
TRANSDEV NORTH AMERICA, INC
9/29/2014

VEOLIA TRANSPORTATION
8/22/2014
ALVAREZ, JORGE A
DADE MEDICAL COLLEGE, INC
7/21/2014
AMSTER, MATTHEW G
6520 DEVELOPMENT, LLC
9/10/2014

BAY HARBOR HOLDINGS, LLC
9/30/2014
ARCE, MERCY
ARCHDIOCESE OF MIAMI
9/10/2014

CHILDRENS RESOURCES FUND
8/29/2014
GRASS RIVER PROPERTY, LLC
9/10/2014
ARZA, HUGO
157TH AVENUE LLC
7/29/2014

ACADEMIR CHARTER SCHOOLS, INC
7/29/2014

ARCHDIOCESE OF MIAMI
9/10/2014

CHILDRENS RESOURCES FUND
8/29/2014

GRASS RIVER PROPERTY, LLC
9/10/2014

KTR MIAMI1, LLC
7/8/2014
ASPER, THAIS A
AMERICAN TRAFIC SOLUTIONS
8/27/2014

NOVA CONSULTING, INC
10/17/2014
AVINO, JAVIER F
ANDRETTI SPORT MARKETING, LLC
7/25/2014

THE GATEHOUSE GROUP, LLC
7/30/2014
BAILINE, RYAN D
GREATER MIAMI JEWISH FEDERATION
9/24/2014
BARRETT, JIL W
PHILIPS HEALTHCARE
7/8/2014
BELZER, CHARLES
CARE FUSION SOLUTIONS, LLC
9/25/2014
BERCOW, JEFFREY
BAY HARBOR HOLDINGS, LLC
9/30/2014
BERKOWITZ, JEFFREY L
SKYRISE MIAMI, LLC
9/15/2014
BERMUDEZ, JUAN CARLOS
SOUTHEAST MEDICAL CAMPUS, INC.
7/24/2014
BIERMAN, MITCHELL
HNTB CORPORATION
7/7/2014
BOOK, RONALD
ADVOCATE PROGRAM, INC.
9/25/2014

XSIGHT SYSTEMS, INC
8/25/2014
BOUVIER, ABBIE J
BAYER HEALTHCARE, INC.
7/30/2014
BOWEN, WINSOME A
AECOM
7/16/2014
BOZZO, JOSE
HILL-ROM
10/2/2014
BROWNSTEIN, ROBERT I
AECOM
7/16/2014
BURGESS, GEORGE
NV5, INC
8/27/2014
CASAS, RAMON F
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY FAIR & EXPOSITION, INC
8/7/2014
CASTRO, EDGAR O
APPLE INC
7/28/2014

BCR ENVIRONMENTAL, LLC
8/7/2014
CAZEAU, JEFF P
NV5, INC
8/27/2014
CORA, EDOUARDO
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY FAIR & EXPOSITION, INC
8/7/2014
CORREA, MAYOLY
TAKEDA PHARMACEUTICALS AMERICA
9/10/2014
CROOKS, EDWIN W
KPMG LLP
8/29/2014
CUMMINGS, PETER
RAM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY
8/14/2014
DE GRANDY, MIGUEL
FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
8/7/2014

FRIENDS OF HIGHER EDUCATION POLITICAL COMMITTEE
7/2/2014

SUNSHINE INSURANCE GROUP
8/28/2014

THE CORRADINO GROUP
9/19/2014

VAREC, INC
7/2/2014
DE LA PENA, LEONCIO E
9340 COLLINS AVENUE, LLC
10/7/2014
DELPINO, MOINCA
BAYER HEALTHCARE, INC.
7/30/2014
DIAZ, NELSON D
APPLE INC
7/28/2014

BCR ENVIRONMENTAL, LLC
8/7/2014
DIAZ, ROBERTO
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY FAIR & EXPOSITION, INC
7/21/2014
DIAZ DE LA PORTILLA, ESQ., MIGUEL
CANINE 101, INC
9/11/2014

CHABAD CENTER OF KENDALL INC
10/1/2014

J.H. PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, INC.
8/11/2014

KMART CORPORATION
8/26/2014
DICK, JULIE
EVERGLADES LAW CENTER
7/21/2014
DOTSON, JR., ALBERT
13 PISTA, LLC
7/9/2014

OXFORD AIRPORT TECHNICAL SERVICE
8/7/2014

PARALLEL INSFRACSTRUCTURE
8/12/2014

THE GATEHOUSE GROUP, LLC
7/31/2014
FAERBER, MARISSA
GREATER MIAMI JEWISH FEDERATION
9/24/2014
FAERMAN, ADRIANA
13 PISTA, LLC
9/2/2014
FERNANDEZ, JAVIER
FRONTON HOLDINGS, LLC
7/14/2014
FERRO, SIMON
CROWN CASTLE SOLUTIONS CORP
8/12/2014

LARKIN HEALTH SCIENCES CAMPUS, LLC
10/16/2014
FIORELLO, HEIDI
EMD SERONO, INC
7/10/2014
FOTINOS, DENNIS
ENWAVE ENERGY CORPORATION
7/6/2014
FRANCOIS, WENDY
13 PISTA, LLC
7/9/2014

GOODWILL INDUSTRIES OF SOUTH FLORIDA
10/14/2014

OXFORD AIRPORT TECHNICAL SERVICE
8/7/2014

PARALLEL INSFRACSTRUCTURE
8/12/2014

THE GATEHOUSE GROUP, LLC
7/31/2014

FREIRE, MICHAEL
157TH AVENUE LLC
7/29/2014

ACADEMIR CHARTER SCHOOLS, INC
7/29/2014

ARCHDIOCESE OF MIAMI
9/10/2014

GRASS RIVER PROPERTY, LLC
9/10/2014

KTR MIAMI1, LLC
7/8/2014
GARCIA-SERRA, MARIO J
CROWN CASTLE SOLUTIONS CORP
8/12/2014
GARCIA-TOLEDO, VICKY
13 PISTA, LLC
9/2/2014

ANDRETTI SPORT MARKETING, LLC
7/25/2014
GAZITUA, LUIS A
ABENGOA WATER USA LLC
8/20/2014

POLSTON APPLIED TECHNOLOGIES
7/11/2014

THE GEO GROUP INC
9/17/2014
GOLDSTEIN, JOSEPH G.
157TH AVENUE LLC
7/29/2014

ARCHDIOCESE OF MIAMI
9/10/2014

GRASS RIVER PROPERTY, LLC
9/10/2014

KTR MIAMI1, LLC
7/8/2014

LR 13-18, LLC
10/14/2014

METRO DADELAND ACQUISITIONS, LLC
9/4/2014

SUNSHINE INSURANCE GROUP
8/28/2014
GOMEZ, TIMOTHY R
AIRPORT AND AVIATION PROFESSIONALS, INC
8/7/2014

CONWAY TOURS D/B/A/ BIG BUS
7/25/2014

LAYNE
8/7/2014

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY FAIR & EXPOSITION, INC
8/7/2014

PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC
8/29/2014

SKYRISE MIAMI, LLC
9/15/2014

US IMAGING
9/11/2014
GREENE, DONNA M
SMITHS MEDICAL, INC
7/2/2014
HARTGLASS, LORI R
INTERNATIONAL ATLANTIC, LLC
9/9/2014
HASSUN, FRANCES
AIRPORT AND AVIATION PROFESSIONALS, INC
8/7/2014

CONWAY TOURS D/B/A/ BIG BUS
7/25/2014

LAYNE
8/7/2014

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY FAIR & EXPOSITION, INC
8/7/2014

MICROSOFT CORPORATION
7/10/2014

PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC
8/29/2014

SKYRISE MIAMI, LLC
9/15/2014

UBER
7/7/2014

US IMAGING
9/11/2014
HECKLER, ALEXANDER P
AMERICAN TRAFIC SOLUTIONS
8/27/2014

DACRA DESIGN MOORE (DEL) LLC
8/28/2014

INLAND PIPE REHABILITATION
7/23/2014

NOVA CONSULTING, INC
10/17/2014
WITT O'BRIEN'S
10/10/2014

WYNWOOD PLAZA LLC
8/28/2014
HENDRIX, ERIN
GREATER MIAMI JEWISH FEDERATION
9/24/2014

WITT O'BRIEN'S
10/10/2014
HERNANDEZ, JORGE L
UNITED STATES BLOOD BANK, INC
7/24/2014
HOHENSTEIN, ROBERT P
MIAMI DADE YOUTH FAIR EXPOSITION
8/7/2014
HOLLAND, ROBERT
FRIENDS OF HIGHER EDUCATION POLITICAL COMMITTEE
7/14/2014

TRIANGLE SERVICES, INC
10/10/2014

VIC THOMPSON COMPANY
7/14/2014
ILLAS, FRANCOIS
FLORIDA EAST COAST INDUSTRIES
9/11/2014
INAMDAR, NICK
THE GATEHOUSE GROUP, LLC
8/1/2014
ITURREGUI, CARLOS E
G18 TECHNOLOGIES
10/8/2014

PYRAMID HOTEL GROUP
8/27/2014

STRATECH
7/22/2014
JIMENEZ, CARLA B
HOSPIRA WORLDWIDE
10/15/2014
JONAS, MARK C
KPMG LLP
10/10/2014
JUAREZ, ENRIQUE
JONES LANG LASALLE
8/15/2014
KAEDING, SETH W
AESCULAP, INC
10/16/2014
KELLEY, RENA
13 PISTA, LLC
9/2/2014

OXFORD AIRPORT TECHNICAL SERVICE
8/7/2014

PARALLEL INSFRACSTRUCTURE
8/12/2014
KENNEDY, ROSARIO
BEEFREE
8/12/2014

WYNWOOD PLAZA LLC
7/10/2014
KENYON, BRIAN D
157TH AVENUE LLC
7/29/2014

ACADEMIR CHARTER SCHOOLS, INC
7/29/2014

ARCHDIOCESE OF MIAMI
9/10/2014

KTR MIAMI1, LLC
7/8/2014
KLEPACH, BENNY
DFASS GROUP
8/29/2014
KOSHAL, CARLI M
1097 LEJEUNE INVESTMENTS, INC
9/24/2014
KOTTKAMP, JEFF
AUDIBLE MEDIA GROUP
8/27/2014
KRISCHER, ALAN
157TH AVENUE LLC
7/29/2014

ARCHDIOCESE OF MIAMI
9/10/2014

GRASS RIVER PROPERTY, LLC
9/10/2014

KTR MIAMI1, LLC
7/8/2014

LAND BARON 11, LLC
7/8/2014

METRO DADELAND ACQUISITIONS, LLC
9/4/2014
LANDSBERG, DAVID
GOODWILL INDUSTRIES OF SOUTH FLORIDA
8/29/2014
LAPIDUS, JEFFREY H
PROCACCI DEVELOPMENT CORP
9/10/2014
LASARTE, FELIX M
KEYS CROSSING LTD AND WILLOW LAKE ASSOCIATION, LTD
9/15/2014
LEMASTERS, RICHARD S
KPMG LLP
9/25/2014
LEPIOR, JEFFREY A
STRYKER MEDICAL
9/11/2014
LIU, AOLIN
SUNSHINE INSURANCE GROUP
9/24/2014
LLORENTE, MICHAEL
DUTY FREE AMERICAS INC
7/23/2014
LOPEZ, JORGE L.
FRIENDS OF HIGHER EDUCATION POLITICAL COMMITTEE
7/7/2014
LORET DE MOLA, HENRY
NOVARTIS
8/14/2014
LUKIS, SYLVESTER
HARRIS CORPORATION
8/29/2014

INTERNATIONAL ATLANTIC, LLC
8/29/2014
LURIGADOS, ALFRED
LR 13-18, LLC
9/11/2014
LYTLE, RICHARD A
ARJOHUNTLEIGH, INC
7/11/2014
MALLETTE, KELLY C
ADVOCATE PROGRAM, INC.
9/26/2014
MALOOF, AL
URS CORP
9/2/2014
MANCUSO, THOMAS P
ASTELLAS PHARMA US, INC
7/11/2014
MARANTE, ROLY
MCM CORPORATION
8/15/2014

SPRINT CORPORATION
9/5/2014

UBER TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
10/2/2014

WAL-MART STORES INC
10/9/2014
MARIN, STEVEN
FRIENDS OF HIGHER EDUCATION POLITICAL COMMITTEE
7/7/2014
MARRERO-PRIEGUES, INES
157TH AVENUE LLC
7/29/2014

ARCHDIOCESE OF MIAMI
9/10/2014

GRASS RIVER PROPERTY, LLC
9/10/2014

KTR MIAMI1, LLC
7/8/2014

METRO DADELAND ACQUISITIONS, LLC
9/4/2014
MARTINEZ, CHUCK M
ANDRETTI SPORT MARKETING, LLC
7/25/2014
MARTINEZ, EDGAR R
CML CONTRACTORS, LLC
8/19/2014
MARTINEZ-FRESNO, MANUEL R
MERCADO SAN MIGUEZ
10/16/2014
MATA, LUIS M
ACCELA INC
7/8/2014
MATEU, RONEY J
4311 PONCE INVESTMENTS, LLC
9/3/2014
MAY, BRIAN
AIRPORT AND AVIATION PROFESSIONALS, INC
8/7/2014

CONWAY TOURS D/B/A/ BIG BUS
7/25/2014

LAYNE
8/7/2014

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY FAIR & EXPOSITION, INC
8/7/2014

PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC
8/29/2014

SKYRISE MIAMI, LLC
9/15/2014

US IMAGING
9/11/2014
MAYOL, JUAN
157TH AVENUE LLC
7/29/2014

ACADEMIR CHARTER SCHOOLS, INC
7/29/2014

ARCHDIOCESE OF MIAMI
9/10/2014

GRASS RIVER PROPERTY, LLC
9/10/2014

KTR MIAMI1, LLC
7/8/2014

LR 13-18, LLC
10/14/2014
MCLAUGLIN, CAROLINE M
NATIONAL PARKS CONSERVATION ASSOC.
9/18/2014
MEHTA, EILEEN
GOODWILL INDUSTRIES OF SOUTH FLORIDA
8/29/2014
MELTON, ESTON E
A S M AVIATION SERVICES
7/24/2014

HIS HOUSE, INC
8/15/2014

MARVIN'S CORNER THERAPEUTIC COMMUNITY INC.
8/12/2014
MENDEZ, DIANA C
AMERICAN TRAFIC SOLUTIONS
8/27/2014

DUTY FREE AMERICAS INC
7/23/2014
MILLER, ROBERT W
TWIN SURGICAL
7/7/2014
MORRALL, MATTHEW E
LIBERTY TIRE RECYCLING, LLC
10/14/2014
MULVIHILL, THOMAS M
KPMG LLP
8/13/2014
MUNILLA, JORGE
MCM CORPORATION
9/5/2014
NEAL, JASON P
WASTE MANAGEMENT OF FLORIDA INC
7/15/2014
NORIEGA, LOUIS A
UNISYS CORPORATION
8/12/2014
NUHFER, ESTHER
NEUROSCIENCE CENTERS OF FLORIDA FOUNDATION INC
10/6/2014
OLMEDILLO, GUILLERMO
MUNDOMETS S. A.
9/8/2014
PASTORIZA, GILBERTO
ASCEND PROPERTIES, LLC
8/26/2014

SAN VICENTE CONCEPTS, LLC
10/1/2014
PEREIRA, SERGIO
E AND C ELECTRICAL SERVICES, INC
9/2/2014

VAREC, INC
8/19/2014
PEREZ, FATIMA
APPLE INC
7/28/2014

BCR ENVIRONMENTAL, LLC
8/7/2014
PEREZ, KATHY
EN POINTE TECHNOLOGIES INC
8/22/2014
PEREZ, RICHARD A
157TH AVENUE LLC
7/29/2014

ACADEMIR CHARTER SCHOOLS, INC
7/29/2014

ARCHDIOCESE OF MIAMI
9/10/2014

FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
8/7/2014

FRIENDS OF HIGHER EDUCATION POLITICAL COMMITTEE
7/2/2014

KTR MIAMI1, LLC
7/8/2014

VAREC, INC
7/2/2014
PINSKY, RICHARD `
TRANSDEV NORTH AMERICA, INC
9/29/2014

VEOLIA TRANSPORTATION
8/21/2014
PRADERE, MICHELLE
PRADERE MFG CORP
8/1/2014
PRENTICE, MOLLY M
AMS SALES CORPORATION
8/13/2014
PRICE, STANLEY
13 PISTA, LLC
7/9/2014

UNITED CEREBRAL PALSY ASSOCIATION OF MIAMI
9/16/2014
PROCTOR, JERRY B
CHRIST THE KING EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH OF MIA
9/4/2014

SUNRISE COMMUNITY, INC
9/4/2014
PUTNEY, MARK A
WEST KENDALL HOLDINGS LLC
9/22/2014
QUESADA, FRANK G
SECURE STORAGE OF MIAMI INC
10/10/2014
RADELL, MICHAEL
WESTSIDE AVENTURA 1 LLC
10/15/2014
RECIO, ANTHONY L
ASCEND PROPERTIES, LLC
8/29/2014

SAN VICENTE CONCEPTS, LLC
10/1/2014
REED, HAMISH C
HOSPIRA WORLDWIDE
7/10/2014
RILEY JR., WILLIAM W
BERMAN HOPKINS WRIGHT AND LAHAM CPA AND ASS, LLP
9/10/2014
ROSENBERG, MARK B
FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
7/25/2014
RUFFO, MARK A
ADVANCED PHARMA
9/9/2014
RUIZ, ESQ., ELINETTE
CANINE 101, INC
9/14/2014

CHABAD CENTER OF KENDALL INC
10/1/2014

J.H. PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, INC.
8/11/2014

KMART CORPORATION
8/25/2014
SEALS, NORBERT
RAM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY
9/2/2014
SER, LILLIAN A
CARS 'N CARS, INC
10/16/2014
SHARP, ROBIN C
ABBOTT LABORATORIES
10/10/2014
SHUBIN, JOHN
CROWN CASTLE USA
7/10/2014
SIEGEL, FRIEDRICH W
ELPAS-USA FOUNDATION, INC
10/8/2014
SLAVENS, TRACY R
157TH AVENUE LLC
7/29/2014

ARCHDIOCESE OF MIAMI
9/10/2014

CHILDRENS RESOURCES FUND
8/29/2014

GRASS RIVER PROPERTY, LLC
9/10/2014

KTR MIAMI1, LLC
7/8/2014

LR 13-18, LLC
10/14/2014

METRO DADELAND ACQUISITIONS, LLC
9/4/2014
SMEADER, MATTHEW F
COOPER SURGICAL
8/20/2014

COOPERS & LYBRAND
7/4/2014
SNYDER, JENNIFER S
13 PISTA, LLC
9/4/2014
SPAKOURIS, GEORGIOS
KPMG LLP
8/21/2014
SPIEGELMAN, DEBORAH
MIAMI CHILDREN'S MUSEUM
9/19/2014
STANDIFER, RICHARD M
BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB CO.
8/26/2014
STUMBERC, ERIC J
PROMIUS PHARMA
7/23/2014
TAPANES LLAHUES, MELISSA
1097 LEJEUNE INVESTMENTS, INC
9/24/2014

6520 DEVELOPMENT, LLC
9/10/2014
TONARELY, MILLIE
UCB, INC
8/19/2014
TORRES, ALBERTO J
157TH AVENUE LLC
7/29/2014

ARCHDIOCESE OF MIAMI
9/10/2014

CHILDRENS RESOURCES FUND
8/29/2014

GRASS RIVER PROPERTY, LLC
9/10/2014

KTR MIAMI1, LLC
7/8/2014

METRO DADELAND ACQUISITIONS, LLC
9/4/2014
TSAMOUTALES, FRANK N
ABENGOA WATER USA LLC
8/12/2014
TURANCHIK, ED
TRANSDEV NORTH AMERICA, INC
9/29/2014

VEOLIA TRANSPORTATION
8/21/2014
TYLER, KATHERINE M
M T F
9/25/2014
VALDERRAMA, ERICK A
MCM CORPORATION
9/5/2014
VALDES, ERNESTO R
BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB CO.
8/21/2014
VALLE HERNANDEZ, MONTSERRAT
MERCADO SAN MIGUEZ
10/16/2014
VALLI, DAWN
AMERICAN OUTCOMES MANAGEMENT, LP`
9/11/2014
VAZQUEZ, JAVIER L
GREEN VIEW DEVELOPERS, LLC
9/5/2014
VILLALOBOS, JOSE
FRIENDS OF HIGHER EDUCATION POLITICAL COMMITTEE
8/18/2014

TRANSDEV NORTH AMERICA, INC
9/29/2014
WALTERS, CLIFFORD
NOVA CONSULTING, INC
10/14/2014
WILKENSON, GUY
KPMG LLP
9/16/2014
ZAHN, AARON F
BCR ENVIRONMENTAL, LLC
9/18/2014
ZHANG, WEIGONG
SUNSHINE INSURANCE GROUP
9/24/2014

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

I don't understand why any organization needs to hire anyone to tell their story. To handle paperwork maybe, but if you have the right project and the right place, the outcome should be a no-brainer.

The lobbyist industry is self creating. They convince the world of the need for their services and it becomes job security.

Great to see gaitzua lobbying. He worked for himself doing that when he was with Alvarez. He certainly didn't allow a county job interfere.

Anonymous said...

The problem is politicians/elected officials. They crave getting elected and they need money so the lobbyists bundle the money and the more money they raise the more access they buy. Miami-Dade County and the City of Miami operate on a "pay to play" basis. Notice that billboard companies give a fortune to Marc Sarnoff so he became their biggest salesman. Pay to play. Sleazy.

Anonymous said...

Somebody should ask Marono and Pizzi about lobbyists. Evidently what they really do is broker bribes.

Anonymous said...

So basically we have Government by lobby and wen the deals turn out to crooked it's by law suit!
And this is what we are exporting to other shores?
Seems to me a little shock and awe could be applied right here, to straighten things out.

Anonymous said...

Keep an eye out for Josh Gelfman on the lobbyist list. He has recently resigned from the County Mayor's office, as Deputy Director of Regulatory and Economic Resources. He was recruited by Deputy Mayor Jack Osterholt and held the job for a relatively short period of time, serving as county rep on the Beacon Council. Now, guess what, he has accepted a position with a developer. And left county service rather quickly - probably trying to get out before the BCC was deciding to extend the anti-lobbying time frame from 2 years to 4 years for ex county employees. It'll be very interesting to see where he pops up and what projects he is representing.

Anonymous said...

The thing most people don't realize is that most of the lobbyists on that list never meet with the Commissioners or Mayor.

They lobby staff.

Anonymous said...

And not commissioner's staff or the mayor's staff.

middle management gets lobbied. department directors get lobbied.

that's where 99% of the decisions are made anyway.

Anonymous said...

13 PISTA, LLC shows up quite often, but I couldn't find in sunbiz.

and 157th Avenue LLC - the name makes me nervous. The agent Ron Swartz is from Tampa and it is listed as a Foreign corporation. What's that about?

Anonymous said...

They are critical to pay-to-play. Otherwise the companies would have to give the money directly to the elected official. But some have been known to bypass the pass-through and get the money directly.

Anonymous said...

Oh, the naivete displayed here never ceases to amaze. Why are there so many lobbyists? There are a couple of answers that have nothing to do with "pay to play" First, the county adopted a lobbyist registration law that is so broad that virtually anyone even thinking about asking to access county government would be wise to register. That's why when a person attends Lynda Bell's moronic "lobbyist training," you see dozens of people in surgical scrubs. These are the ladies and gentlemen who sell equipment and drugs to Jackson. Yes, under Miami-Dade's absurdly overbroad law, even these poor folks are dragged into the lobbying world.

Next, you must understand that certain processes the county are legally complex. For example, land use and zoning is not black and white and attorneys outside government often have conflicting interpretations of how the code can be applied. Sometimes the stakes are enormous and often the owners of the properties are companies; company directors must hire competent counsel or risk violating their fiduciary duty to the company.

Third, the county especially, but even many municipalities, create some bizarre bureaucratic structures that require hours and hours of time to negotiate. If you are a vendor trying to sell products to the county, you will find yourself in an endless loop of applications and follow up to try to get paid. Make no mistake: the county cannot function without vendors and we as taxpayers should not expect it to do so.

Finally, there is certainly lots of lobbying that is directly related to campaign work and yes there are some pretty ugly practices associate with this type of lobbying. It's a two-way street between lobbyists and elected officials who like to structure government to favor friends. Think: minority contracting goals. There really is no better example of cronyism at the county.

Miami-Dade is larger than many states and big, big money is on the table. Only the naive think such a large entity would operate without specialists.

Geniusofdespair said...

Don't call our readers Naive. EVER. Can you drive a bus? Can you operate a crane? Can you make 6 or 7 fancy cups of coffee at the same time at Starbucks? Can you wipe an ass of a critically ill patient? You are a know it all. I think about half of what you are saying is accurate. Lobbyists are not doing us a favor no how. They are in it for the money. Maybe less than half are relaying information, as you describe but the other half are scum who couldn't care less about the community and are only in it to line their own pockets, relaying bullshit.

Anonymous said...

Ditto, Genius said.

Anonymous said...

Oh, the naivete displayed here never ceases to amaze. Why are there so many lobbyists?


You are exactly the evil that lurks behind the county walls. We are not stupid. I would imagine that if you had to sweat to support your family, you would not be lobbying or insulting the intellect of the average county resident. You don't have the life skills to sustain a honest-to-GOD community or the average American family. You have just enough skill to mouth-off about bullshit corruption and you miss the point.

No government should be so complicated that one MUST hire lobbyists to intervene to process a RFP or application or address county employees or elected officials.

Somewhere between college and my adulthood, I must have gotten dumb and misunderstood that I have the right to petition my government. I don't that right comes the need to do it with a paid mouth-piece and in the shadows.

Anonymous said...

Sorry: I don't think that right comes the need to do it with a paid mouth-piece and in the shadows.

Anonymous said...

157 Ave LLC has some heavy hitters. It really makes me nervous too because 157 Ave goes across the UDB into Redland. I feel something big is being planned.

Anonymous said...

Bierman is short. Very short.

Anonymous said...

If I was czar all municipal business would occur in committee rooms with staff and or Commissioners, public and lobbyists allowed...Hammer out all the details in public....No "education" or "deals" behind closed doors....All discussions in public...
Steve Hagen, Green Landscaped Park Advocate

Anonymous said...

Bierman is a turd. He was one of the lobbyists scamming for the Miami Art Museum. He probably voted to give the name away for pennies.