Welcome Back to Miami Lakes Mayor Michael Pizzi. By Geniusofdespair.

Back in his office again!

Michael Pizzi

The first day back in the Mayor's Chair after more than a 2 year legal ordeal. You should become a Democrat Michael. The Republicans treated you like shit and weren't your legal teammates all Dems? Italians should not be Republican anyway.

I think a meatball and spaghetti celebration gala is in order, don't you? I will bring a fork. I can just see all the spaghetti and meatball platters around the Town Fountain. It would be glorious!

The Third District Court of Appeal Decided on Michael Pizzi: Mayor or Not. By Geniusofdespair

Michael Pizzi When He Was Mayor - During the Natacha Seijas Recall

Michael Pizzi is the Mayor of Miami Lakes, according to a decision of the Third District Court of Appeal.  See Oral Arguments below.

Miami Lakes: Oral Arguments for Town Appeal Against Judge Cardonne Ely's Opinion that Michael Pizzi Should Be Mayor. By Geniusofdespair

Watch it on YouTube

It is long but you can move it back and forth. It is very interesting to see what the 3rd District Court of Appeal heard and their comments.

Michael Pizzi said:

My vindication in a court of law automatically requires my return to public service. I look forward to the court’s ruling declaring that the Town must follow the rule of law by allowing me to resume my responsibilities as the rightful Mayor of Miami Lakes.”

Circuit Court Judge Cardonne Ely ruled Michael Pizzi was the rightful mayor of Miami Lakes but gave the Town 30 days to appeal. That 30 days expires April 30th, this video is the oral argument of the appeal (there are also reams of supporting documents to accompany the oral arguments).

Note from Michael Pizzi. By Geniusofdespair

This was just sent to me by Michael Pizzi:

I am still the Mayor of Miami Lakes, elected by 70% of the people, who I believe still support me.

I never betrayed the trust of the people of Miami Lakes and in the coming year the citizens will benefit from the opening of 87th avenue and the opening of new COmmunity and Youth Centers. Just a few weeks ago, we were an All America City finalist again, and our new Government Center is thriving and costing less than the rent we had been paying. The "allegation" against me is that a lobbyist who everyone said was honest, said we could apply for a grant from Americore to create jobs, and it wasn't going to cost the City anything. It passed unanimously and not a single tax payer dollar was spent or lost. The record is clear that I never asked for any benefit for myself and I will be fully exonerated.

Unlike other cases that drag on for years, where the targets get to provide evidence of their innocence, in my case I was arrested first and asked questions later. The first time I even knew I was being investigated for anything was after I was released the first day. I never asked for any money and took no money innappropriatley. There was no reason to target me. As you know, I rarely went to political events or traveled among the "in-crowd."

I said repeatedly that I all I ever cared about was helping the people get jobs if it was possible. I still drive my old Kia and live in the most inexpensive TOwn Home in the Lakes. I still eat at burger king.

Please remember that in America we are innocent until proven guilty. I want to thank all of my well wishers and supporters, and let them know that I never let them down and will keep fighting. I have fought big battles before, but its unfortunate that a Mayor elected and supported by the people has been removed without having his day in court and in a case when his "crime" was doing what he thought was in the public interest. God Bless.

Mayor Michael Pizzi
 ----------
It wasn't too long ago when I was calling into Michael's radio show.  He kept telling me to keep my dog quiet.  I assured him I didn't have a dog.  But he insisted I had one. Then he started talking about his Italian neighborhood in Brooklyn and reminiscing about his mother's cooking, that led to him asking a listener to bring him a hero or a pizza. Being Italian myself, that seemed logical when thinking about mom's cooking. This was all going on while we were actually having a conversation about some civic question.  Michael Pizzi is one of a kind. - Geniusofdespair

The Town of Miami Lakes Seems Doomed. By Geniusofdespair

This flyer scared the Bejesus out of me. The Dentist is running for Mayor? Oh, No! Wow, this Town is REALLY down on its luck. I wrote about the Dentist before, who is now runnning for Mayor, he was always a Natacha Seijas supporter he also tried an under-handed trick:

In February 2011 he tried to take the name of Vanessa Brito's "Miami Voice:"
Miami Lakes CPA David Southwell, organizer of Christian Financial Fellowship Intl, just opened a Corporation with David Bennett called, of all things, Miami Voice. they must be doing it to steal the thunder from the PAC Miami Voice because Lord knows, there is absolutely no funding benefit. I've seen their campaign reports.

CPA Southwell says the corporation he registered "will promote betterment of Miami Lakes and work with other not for profits to gain grants and other funds to improve the community." Good luck with the funds from non-profits. Has anyone reading this blog post ever tried to get a nickel out of a non-profit?

Asked about this move by Southwell and Bennett, Vanessa Brito, Miami Voice PAC Chairman said:

"I'm not sure what their plans are, but I presume they will misuse the name of the PAC I represent."

The Pizzi Criminal Complaint has a lot of conflicting statements. By Geniusofdespair

From the Criminal Complaint Against Mayor Michael Pizzi

Read the ENTIRE FBI complaint in the post below.

Criminal Complaint: Michael Pizzi Caught in a Sting. By Geniusofdespair

Richard Candia Becker & Poliakoff Lobbyist - First Bernadino now Candia, You know how to pick them Jose Fuentes

 Sounds like Richard Candia is a slime and it sure sounds like he set up Pizzi.

 Criminal+Complaint+Michael+Pizzi+and+Richard+Candia 2

LINK TO MANUEL ROMANO CRIMINAL COMPLAINT

Mayors Michael Pizzi and Manuel Marono arrested for Bribery by the FBI. By Geniusofdespair

Sweetwater Mayor Manuel Maroño and Miami Lakes Mayor Michael Pizzi

Both were arrested related to bribes on Government contracts in their towns.  Two Lobbyists were also arrested according to the Miami Herald.  I would give my right arm to know the names of the two lobbyists also arrested. Sweetwater Mayor Manuel Maroño is the President of the League of Cities...I guess that is over. Rick Scott is suspending the two Mayors.

Who is Paying Attorney Stephen Cody To Disrupt Meetings in Miami Lakes? By Geniusofdespair

Stephen Cody Represented Natacha Seijas during the Recall.

The big question always comes down to: Who is paying Stephen Cody? He doesn't appear to do work when he isn't paid. He charged Natacha Seijas and her PAC's a small fortune over the years. He has had a shadow client before like he has in Miami Lakes. He tried to get Eugene Flinn thrown out of the District 8 County Commission race. Who paid him for that? No one knows.

We have an example of the importance that Cody puts on getting paid in a recent (4/13/2011) Florida Bar "Admonishment" where he was fined about $2,000 for minor misconduct. In the complaint, even though he had a $5,000 retainer, he did not answer calls from his client so she stopped paying 2 installments due. In return, he says for NON-PAYMENT, Cody then failed to send his client correspondence advising his client of the status of the appeal. In Cody's signed admission he stated:

"Respondent (him)  failed  to  send  written  correspondence  to Vazquez advising her of the status of the appeal and/or his failure to file the appeal due to her nonpayment."

 So why is Stephen Cody in Miami Lakes snapping photos and passing out 15 pages of stuff, most of it dismissed ethics complaints (deemed frivolous), at a meeting in Miami Lakes?  Kevin Morejon, a 20 year resident said he wanted to know.

Kevin said he went to the meeting held by Mayor Pizzi with 75  to 100 of his neighbors.
Pizzi was having the Town Meeting at the Royal Oaks Park Community Center  on January 17th at 7:00 pm. The topics were public safety, park and lake issues for homeowners in Miami Lakes. The town of Miami Lakes is a very long way from Cody's Palmetto Bay office. When people arrived, they were confronted by Stephen Cody, and some workers he brought with him, according to Kevin Morejon. He said Cody and his crew confronted everyone going into the meeting and passed out a  bunch of pages with an unflattering photo of Mayor Pizzi stapled on the front.  According to Pizzi the content of the pages were an old ethics report of false allegations against him. He said the multiple page flyer cut off the portion of the report that said that these were allegations from years ago and that they were all dismissed.

Morejon said that he didn't know who the group were crashing the meeting, until he heard an employee call the man in the blue shirt Mr. Cody. He said they were disturbing the residents and they were unprofessional. Morejon said "I thought it was wrong that they gave under-age kids the stapled papers.  Mr. Cody was taking numerous photographs too. I thought he was a photographer at first. My guess is he took 25 to 30 snapshots. It was very disruptive." Apparently for a time he was blocking the view of  Mayor Pizzi as he was talking, filming or snapping photos.

Morejon said, after I revealed Cody was an attorney: "Now you tell me he is an attorney. If he is a lawyer, I am surprised he was doing that.  Some residents left because they were scared." Then I said to Kevin: "What would you think if I told you that he was Natacha Seijas' lawyer?"  He said: "I would freak out. Why would she stoop to his level if she sent him? She might as well have been there herself giving out the papers." He said a lot of people ripped up the papers in front of Cody.

I also spoke to Mary Collins, of Miami Lakes who, like Morejon, wanted to know why Cody was in Miami Lakes. She said, "Why is Cody so interested in Miami Lakes he doesn't even live here?" Good question. If I had, to guess, this is who I think is paying Cody.  I told Mary that he was once Natacha Seijas's attorney. She said: "I didn't realize he was her lawyer but I did not sign that recall petition."

 Kevin assured me his is not helping Pizzi's campaign for reelection but he said he will vote for him because of what he has done for the Town. He said "More police are out there, the mayor came through stepping up and doing his duty, protecting Miami Lakes Residents.  Mayor Pizzi made Miami Lakes better, he is accomplishing goals and he tells the truth."

Kevin Morejon had one final thought: "I think Mr. Cody's behavior should be reported to the Florida Bar."

Another Bar complaint Cody?? Wasn't one enough?

Dentist Dave Bennett: Nuisance in Miami Lakes. By Geniusofdespair

Dr. Dave Bennett Talking to Natacha Seijas' Lawyer Stephen Cody

I have to say without even knowing this dentist I don't like him. At the Natacha Seijas trial where she tried to stop the recall he was there -- in support of Seijas. I snapped his photo.

In February 2011 he tried to steal the name of  Vanessa Brito's Miami Voice. He is just a nuisance and a troublemaker in my book. With Michael Pizzi up for reelection he is banking on throwing a wrench into Town Politics. It was reported that he is hosting non-sunshine meetings attended by Miami Lakes council members at eating establishments. I was even told that Terry Murphy, Natacha Seijas's former Chief of Staff, was in attendance. Ick. Come on Bennett, Seijas's reign of terror is over she has been recalled, thanks to Vanessa Brito.

I do have a good never told Seijas' story. An environmentalist told me last week that she went to a meeting with Natacha. The whole time Seijas held a stuffed manatee to her chest petting it, like the James Bond's villain Blofeld.  Over the years Natacha bragged she ate manatees in Cuba to any environmentalist in earshot. The environmentalists at the meeting went on with their presentation totally ignoring her rude behavior. Could you picture her being that disrespectful to a rock miner?

Seriously Miami Lakes and your councilmen, can you really be listening to Bennett?

Miami Lakes Mayor Pizzi sets the record straight. By Geniusofdespair

Michael Pizzi is running for mayor again and there is a disinformation campaign afoot, trying to smear him and fabricate Miami Lakes issues. I got the message that Pizzi is referring to as a press release and there was a photo of a jumbo jet attached to it. This isn't the first silly message I have gotten out of Miami Lakes lately, put out by someone who should know better. Here is the message from Mayor Pizzi:

An individual sent out an extremely irresponsible and false email stating that Miami Dade County is holding a public hearing tomorrow, January 9th, where they intend to vote to make Opa Locka Airport a full fledge commercial hub that will soon be sending jumbo jets over Miami Lakes. The information on that email is not true.

The facts are as follows:
1. A county transportation committee has an information only item tomorrow on a report by auditors that question the county’s handling on certain lease to developers at Opa Locka Airport. The audit report, which I have read, has nothing to do with commercial aviation at Opa Locka Airport.
2. I have personally spoken with Aviation Director Jose Abreu, who will be making the presentation tomorrow. Consistent with my prior discussions with him, there are NO items under consideration to fly commercial aviation at Opa Locka Airport.
3. I have also spoken with our own County Commissioner Steve Bovo as well as county commissioners on the transportation committee who have advised me that tomorrow’s item is an information only item pertaining to an audit relating to existing leases, and no votes can be taken anyway.
4. To even consider commercial aviation at any airport would require application to the FAA. That would take many years before we even get to the public hearing stage, and over a decade for anything like that to happen. No such application is under consideration or contemplated.
5. I personally sponsored a resolution several months ago reaffirming our town’s uniform opposition to any discussion of commercial aviation at Opa Locka Airport.

Based on the foregoing, the suggestion that Miami Lakes residents can soon expect jumbo jets at Opa Locka Airport shows a complete ignorance of the facts and is NOT TRUE. If at any meeting anyone in the county mentions commercial aviation at Opa Locka Airport, I will personally be there with our District Commissioner and 30,000 people. Based on my ongoing discussion with all of our county officials no one has that intention. Our staff will be at all county meetings on Opa Locka Airport and if this topic comes up I will be the first to know.

God Bless,
Mayor Michael Pizzi - January 8, 2012

Seijas Recall: Back from the Polls. By Geniusofdespair

I was in Miami Lakes getting signatures for the Natacha Seijas recall. It gave me something positive to do. I have to say she is not a very popular woman in her district. Anyway, it was a pleasant afternoon. I set up on an ant nest, one actually got in my pants and bit me on the ass. Aside from that, all went well, people were friendly and in a festive petition signing mood. I even got a couple of people to change their vote on the amendments. Life is good. Voting was brisk, there was a line when I got there about 11 and people were complaining. I was surprised at the turnout at the small precinct I was covering. There was not one sign there or anyone holding signs. I was by myself but busy for the 4 hours I was there.

The Miami Voice Group has the recall petitions for the vile one just about sewed-up. I would suppose they will go for a comfortable cushion. If you live in Miami Dade District 13 and want to sign you can go to:

Crown Medical - 8028 NW 154th Street
Weekdays: 8:00am-7:00pm or Saturday: 9:00am-12 noon

Hialeah Auto Center - 480 East 25th Street
Monday-Saturday: 11:00am-6:00pm

Arson in Miami Lakes. by Geniusofdespair

An overnight fire at the law of office of Miami Lakes Mayor Michael Pizzi was intentionally set, authorities said Wednesday. Natacha Seijas is his arch enemy, but I don't think she did it.

Councilman Nick Perdomo of Miami Lakes: What was that again? By Geniusofdespair

You can watch the WPLG video tape of the budget hearing. The City Manager of Miami Lakes was a cop in Liberty City earlier in his career. Councilman Perdomo was trying to ease the angst of the Manager over the lay-off of one of the Manager's assistants -- telling him that he would be okay, but Perdomo's choice of words were questionable at best. This is how he said it (see graphic from WPLG).

Good News: Michael Pizzi is Mayor of Miami Lakes! By Geniusofdespair

Attorney Michael Pizzi was elected Mayor of Miami Lakes. He has been one of the outspoken leaders on the Hold the Line campaign much to the dismay of his enemy, Miami Lakes resident, Vile Natacha Seijas. This could get good. She had better hope that she never has to go before the Miami Lakes Council as they might treat her as rudely as she treats everyone else -- including Pizzi.

Pizzi should make good use of the bully pulpit, we offer our congrats Michael!

Vile Natacha's Campaign Report. By Geniusofdespair

Out of 493 donations (through July 9th), Vile Natacha Seijas got one $25 dollar donation, five $50 donations and one for $75. The majority of the rest of her donations were for $500. She is certainly queen of the Engineering industry. She got 28 donations from Engineers, totaling $13,750.

Firefighter gave her some bucks. Firefighters FactPac gave her $500. South Florida Council of Fire Fighters out of Doral gave her $500. Florida Fire-Pac out of Tallahassee gave her $500. International Association of Fire Fighters Pac out of Washington gave her $500.

Dade County Fire Fighters Union gave her $500 (I think it should be illegal for Miami Dade entities to give money to Miami Dade Commissioners). She got $2,500 from Fire Fighting interests. This fire stuff (City Departments versus a consolidated County Department) is very interesting, it may end up dooming the County Commission.

She got 5 Brown donations (someone with that last name is trying to move the UDB) and one from a Corporation at one of the Brown addresses for a total of $3,000. I previously reported that Vile Natacha got $6,000 from Easton interests. Ed Easton is one of the major landowners of the proposed Lennar mega-development, Parkland, on the other side of the UDB. Lennar holds an option on most of the land.

Donations came from all over Florida including Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, Weston, West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Longwood, Lithia, Gainesville, Jacksonville, Deerfield Beach, Tampa, etc. Out of State we have donations from Maryland, Kentucky, New York, Colorado, Ohio and Texas. In fact, the majority of her donations came from out of her district. Within the county she got a lot from Coral Gables Companies.

If I were from Hialeah or Miami Lakes I would be angry at how their district election is financed.

Our Miami Dade Cities: Where is the Miami Herald? By Geniusofdespair

North Miami is experiencing a crime wave and there is fighting over the mega-development, Biscayne Landing. There are charges by the Mayor that affordable housing has been mishandled. And now the Mayor recants?? Why?

In Palmetto Bay there is a giant addition to a school that is creating a controversy. Surfside residents are rebelling against the Mayor and his redevelopment plans for their city hall, he has a challenger now. In South Miami there was one firing and three resignations...so far. In Miami Lakes the Vice Mayor has been accused of practicing Real Estate without a license. In West Kendall there is a development of regional impact being pushed by owner Lennar (on the wrong side of the UDB line) and the Herald reported it ONLY to the local neighborhood.

Our Cities are in turmoil. You wouldn’t know it if you read the Miami Herald. We don’t need sterile reports in “Neighbors.” We need some answers not descriptions of the facts. We need some research on "why." We need reporters to dig deeper, not the "Just the Facts" reports we are seeing. We need to see the issues brought to the front and dissected. It is meaningless for the Herald to report of the four vacancies in South Miami. That is just a symptom of a much larger problem. I want to know the WHOLE story: the larger story. While we are at it Miami Herald: Where is the story of the Charter Review Report that Lou Ortiz of Miami Today reported?

What has happened at the Miami Herald? Too busy with the ballpark boondoggle? Your local reporting sucks Miami Herald.

Miami Herald the "Johnny Come Lately" of Journalism. By Geniusofdespair

The Vice Mayor of Miami Lakes, Nancy Simon, is accused of practicing real estate without a license. We reported about it, January 31st, February 3rd and February 8th. The Herald put out it's story today: February 12th. The Herald went into excruciating detail with all her excuses: Blood clots in the leg...lost checks, etc. Don't care Herald!

Why is the Nancy Simon Story not in the Miami Herald? by Geniusofdespair

I am getting really worried about the Miami Herald. They are missing story after story. Did anyone see anything about the Vice Mayor of Miami Lakes, Nancy Simon, in the Metro Section of the Herald? I didn't. This complaint against her, of operating without a valid real estate license on numerous occasions, was signed January 18th. Why wasn't it reported, was it it in "Neighbors"? I can't believe the bloggers are scooping the Herald over and over. I got this off of Carlosmiller.com

FREE SPEECH UNDER ATTACK IN SOUTH FLORIDA: And Miami Lakes we feel your pain. By Geniusofdespair

(Hit on above to increase size)

Free speech is under attack in South Florida, here are five instances:

First Assault: Was Local Newspaper Intimidated to Drop a "Hot Potato" Story?

I never saw an article and didn’t know about the issue until Miami Lakes people invaded my last post. I tried to look at the story but it is already off-line at the Herald. According to the not-reliable Fox news, Miami Lakes Vice Mayor Nancy Simon is accusing Gus Abella of stalking her and Gus is accusing her of practicing Real Estate without a license:

According to Simon's petition (for protection), her daughter was taking pictures of Abella's car outside of Publix. He believes she did it because he had a sign on his car that read "Vice Mayor Nancy Simon should resign."

Then, according to the report, he got out of the car and shook his arms at her or something, long story short: She got a 25 foot order against him.

First why does everything in Miami Lakes happen outside of Publix? Petition gatherers for the recall of Natacha Seijas got booted from Publix by police. Second, why is Abella wanting Simon to resign? I guess I would want her to resign as she is a boot licker of Natacha. However, there are alleged abuses of Simon practicing Real Estate without a license that Abella uncovered. Nancy Simon, FREC does not take kindly to practicing Real Estate without a license, you had better hope it ain’t true. In the crosshairs, the local rag covering the mess, the Miami Laker, got leaned on and the Editor said:

"We don't believe our role as a community newspaper is compatible with the extensive coverage expectations of local politicians."

Is he out of his mind or was he leaned on? I am guessing leaned on.

Let’s talk more about free speech abuses: (you had better hit read more – it get’s better)

Second Assault, Free Speech gets a Slapp Suit:

Developer Tibor Hollo has filed a lawsuit against a blogger.See Gimleteye's post January 29th.

Third Assault, Public Speakers are discouraged to speak out, often intimidated and belittled at public meetings. Here is a specific example:

A speaker making public comment at the Charter Review Task Force was intimidated by evil Natacha Seijas' appointee, Miguel DeGrandy. According to SunPost’s Rebecca Wakefield said, a Citizen, Mario Artecona made this statement and she describes what followed:

“I personally feel the group was manipulated by one of your members. Writing an op-ed piece and speaking about the greatness of parochialism, [he was] basically casting a shadow on anyone who wants to have a debate of regionalism versus district, [that they’re] somehow trying to take something away from minorities.”

Artecona didn’t mention him by name. But De Grandy, watching a tape of the meeting later (he’s a member, but wasn’t at the meeting), was incensed. De Grandy had, after all, written the op-ed piece in the Miami Herald a couple of days after the group had agreed that its members would funnel all its opinions through the task force’s chairman, Victor Diaz. I mentioned the squabble over this in a previous column.

So the next day, the task force had another meeting. De Grandy attended and let loose on Artecona and Diaz for some 30 minutes for impugning his reputation. Impugning may seem hard to do to a guy who is, arguably, the most successful lobbyist running the County Commission. But apparently it is still possible. “It ticked me off,” De Grandy told me. “The word manipulation involves some sort of underhanded behavior. Artecona insulted every member of this board as well as me. This is the second time someone took a pot shot at me. And because Victor Diaz, the chair, disagrees with me philosophically, he lets it happen.”

Diaz shot back. “While it’s my responsibility to make sure the debate remains respectful and high-level, I do not view my role as being the speech police,” he responded. “When you invite the public to speak, you have to be careful not to stifle it.”

Fourth Assault, Citizen Petitions To Ammend Charter Go Uncounted:

Valid Citizen Petitions, with a deadline of February 1st, may not be counted. The Elections Department had an election to contend with and by the end of today, they still have thousands of 3 petitions to verify.

Fifth Assault, State Tries to Censor Handouts at South Florida Meeting:

The South Florida Regional Planning Council is the local arm of the State Department of Community Affairs. It is where 3 counties' representatives decide policy issues of Regional Importance. The head of SFRPC staff took the handouts of a citizen speaker and would not hand them out until Council members insisted on seeing them. Head honcho, Carolyn Dekle finally distributed the hand-outs but would not change policy, saying that her staff should review all hand-outs. I ask: "What for, to censor them?"

Where is the ACLU in Florida, asleep at the wheel?