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| Raquel A. Regalado - Member of the Miami Dade County School Board |
I had a delightful lunch Friday with an admirable woman, Raquel A. Regalado. We share a love of bread pudding. My father would make it and she said her mother was 'the best' at making bread pudding. This brought us to a discussion of her mother also named Raquel (Her maiden name was Ferreiro but her married name was Raquel R. Regalado). She died at 72 years old in 2008. Raquel R. had had a daily radio show for about 30 year --- since 1972. It was where she met her husband, a fellow broadcaster, Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado. Her show was called "What others won't say." (That would also be a good
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| Raquel R. Regalado - Radio Host |
Raquel told me about this one particular day when she was about 7 1/2 years old. After her mother had interviewed Janet Reno (little Raquel always listened to the shows) she was left with a big question. She ran out to the elevator as Janet was leaving and stuck her arm in the elevator. She said: "You hold office right?" Janet Reno said yes. The doors were closing, Raquel stuck her arm in between the doors again: "You were elected, right?" Janet said yes again. Reno stepped out of the elevator to talk to the little curious girl. Raquel said, "Do you mean a woman can be elected and hold office, I thought only men could do that." Janet Reno assured her it was true (It was 1981 and Reno was the State Attorney). “Do I have to be as tall as you?" Raquel asked. “No” Reno chuckled "Are you sure?" Raquel insisted “My mom isn’t tall.” “Yes” Reno said “and if I’m wrong you can always wear high heels.”
Remember, most little girls at this age were home playing with dolls. Raquel Regalado was busy meeting and listening to politicians and the movers and shakers in Miami. Raquel said she never liked dolls, she was obsessed with Radio Shack and wrote an article about it.
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| Both Raquel's with Tomas Regalado Center |
It goes without saying, she said the conversation once home was always about politics too. If anyone has had a political education, it is Raquel Regalado and it shows. The vastness of her knowledge about Miami Dade County was astounding. She talked about her vision for transportation, preserving the UDB line, increasing high paying jobs, the Value Adjustment Board, and even a lot of stuff way over my head -- but I nodded politely while stuffing bread pudding in my mouth.It was an enjoyable lunch and I had great company to share it with, a little girl now all grown up and a member of the School Board, with aspirations to be a woman in politics to make a broad difference for the entire community. Thank you Janet Reno for telling little Raquel what could be...
(There are reports that Raquel will run for Mayor of the City of Miami or Mayor of Miami Dade County, but not from me...yet. Also see October 7th blog)
27 comments:
Ah, two years out and the drumbeat begins....
Really tough to get behind nepotism.
What a wonderful story. Where is the Herald that this story of Janet Reno was never reported?
Look at Thomas Regalado, he is so young. I never knew the Mrs. was so beautiful. Was a story about a little girl, so sweet. Did you ever come up for air from your bread pudding?
Very nice interview Genius. I appreciate that your work goes on consistently, not merely at election time.
Perhaps a regular feature, something akin to Steven Colbert's "better know a district."
This is your best blog. The story is so good even if she is going to run. You got a good one out of her.
No doubt she will run but what a breath of fresh air she is. Listen to her on the school board.
Raquel is sharp, capable and confident. She has been duly elected to a countywide office. Hailing from a political family is not nepotism, it is carrying on a family tradition of service. No matter how tall she is, she towers over the inept dwarf that currently calls himself the County Mayor. Run Raquel, Run.
Many of the current county politicians do not seem to have a vision of how to make Miami Dade a better place. Your interview shows someone with some history of Miami and vision.
By the way, my dads bread pudding was spectacular. I didn't want to get in a pissing match about bread pudding. It did lead to a nostalgic conversation - and thoughts of childhood, for that I am greatful.
My dad was a real estate broker and my mom was a saleswoman for him. All they ever talked about was real estate. I know more about real estate then most salespeople. When I first went to Lincoln road in 1992 I said this is a good investment. I just didn't have the money. It is amazing what children absorb from their parents. Call me anytime to look at houses. I could do that for fun. Just don't like the drive between them.
very interesting. Hmm - hope she thinks about the County Mayor position. She sounds like she could give Carlos a run for him money and would be a real asset to all of us. She is one reason to listen to school board meetings.
I worked in Miami radio through the 80's and 90's, and I remember Tomas' kids were always around the stations and interested in everything. They are a very decent family. All are intelligent, dedicated, and honest. Raquel would make a great Mayor. She truly cares about people. And she is definitely uncorruptible.
SPARE ME PLEASE....... G.O.D. tell us the truth did you CHOKE on the bread pudding or BARF IT OUT. Personally I am tired of the nepotism and pseudo royalty in this town.
Nepotism vs Earned Respect
Nepotism
Is patronage bestowed or favoritism shown on the basis of family relationship, as in business and politics.
Earned Respect
Is demonstrating leadership and deserving being elected, for the years of service and benefits to our community.
Yes it is indeed possible for those with a familiar family name and contacts to have an easier time raising funds for a political campaign. While others deserve our support after proving their value to our community through years of service. Raquel does have a familiar name, but she also has our trust, appreciation, gratitude, respect and support for what she is has accomplished on our behalf. To paraphrase Shakespeare… A Raquel by any other name would still be a most valued leader.
Sure Harry, just like when your were appointed to the city's film office by Regalado without any experience.
She lost 42,000 of her dad's campaign money,,filed her own financial disclosure a year and a half late, was caught driving with a suspended drivers license, and her home was foreclosed on this February. Sounds like she is perfect to be Mayor in Dade County. Imagine the stuff we don't know about her.
The Regalado name will surely bring lots of lobbyist cash just like chum in the water brings sharks.
Whatever happened to doing your public "service" then going back to the private sector. If its true about foreclosure Ms. Regalado best get her own financial house in order before embarking on any campaigns.
Aren't you off topic? I was writing a different story Carlos. You are going to trash her when she isn't running? I see you are doing opposition research already. ... And on Harry too???
Raquel spoke about issues with her x and the cost of her daughters therapy not covered as reasons for the foreclosure.
She didn't lose it. She said, she turned it over to the bank because it was upsidedown. As part of her divorce decree her x would get half of the value even though he doesn't pay child support. Child support is separate from joint property. I think this is personal stuff and not the stuff of opposition research. She might not have a lot of money. She doesn't have 3 pensions.
Raquel has some good ideas. She was 100% correct to fight Jorge Lopez and the idiot judges who wanted a $393 Million blank check. Raquel needs to open a business and hire employees. She needs seasoning. Armando Gutierrez and some of the thugs surrounding her father are red flags. She should be able to beat Carlos Gimenez so long as he only outspends her 2 to 1.
The Regalados didn't get rich from radio or politics. That is a breath of fresh air. Having an autistic child is difficult and trying to make ends meet as a single mother makes me admire her all the more.
She isn't running and that is not the subject of my story so please keep on-topic. We shouldn't be mentioning thugs that's the pot calling the kettle black. I am amazed at how afraid the opposition is of Raquel. I assume they believe Gimenez is vulnerable and they are right. He is surrounded by thugs. But now I am getting off topic, no more off-topic.
Such a lovely story and these people have turned it into an attack. Shame on you men. How dare you attack a single mother trying to keep her family together and to help her daughter.
Off topic.
Any chance you will share your dad's bread pudding recipe? Might be something different for Xmas guests!
It had something to do with eggs bread vanilla sugar butter that's all I can remember.
It would be interesting for you to sit with more of our elected officials, perhaps we can learn more about what motivates them. I am sure many have interesting stories. Just a thought.
Raquel Regaldo needs to distance herself from Armando Gutierrez and other creeps who surround her family.
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