Vanessa Brito Baits The County Commission. By Geniusofdespair

Sly as a fox?

Poker might be Vanessa Brito's forte. The Miami Voice chairman is forcing the County Commissioners to take a stand with her latest petition language which adds a retroactive clause to the proposed Miami Voice term limits petition.

County Commissioners Rebeca Sosa and the dastardly Lynda Bell are proposing a two 4 year term Home Rule Charter change. The County Commission has NOT approved this yet for the ballot.

Brito is proposing to amend the petition language she had submitted to the County Clerk to make it two four year terms but sitting Commissioners get only one term more. That will hurt. Brito said she would not proceed with the petition drive if the Commissioners make good on their two 4 year term change (without caveats) by putting it on the ballot. With one successful petition drive under her belt, it is not easy for the Commissioners to dismiss Brito. Her only weakness is funding but perhaps a car dealer might help her in that regard. So, she has forced their hand. Good! Let's see what unfolds.

Term Limits for County Commissioners, Let the Fun Begin! By Geniusofdespair

Vanessa Brito's "Miami Voice" is preparing for a citizen petition drive to impose two four year terms on County Commissioners. There will be no salary increase so it should pass. Vanessa Brito was the same person who ran the successful recall of County Commissioner Natacha Seijas, so she knows how to mount a petition drive.

This one is in the bag in my opinion.

Vote Yes, and Yes Again On 2 Miami Dade County Charter Changes, January 31st. Guest Blog by Vanessa Brito

Last year, we turned down proposed charter amendments that made a mockery of our needs. This year, we are still not getting what we want, but at least it got better...better enough to vote YES.

Most residents do not want to compromise, but in this case, it seems to be a necessary evil. Voting YES will ensure that residents and grassroots organizations will have more time to collect petition signatures for Charter amendments, without having to rely on Commissioners to put them on the ballot. Beyond that, we get to put an end to perpetual incumbency by voting YES on the second amendment, setting term limits to 8 years.

It seems like so much time has passed since Miami-Dade voters recalled Mayor Carlos Alvarez and I began the recall of Commissioner Natacha Seijas, but it has been less than a year since that historic and proud moment for voters. Now we have to keep that ball rolling, and these 2 charter changes will do just that.

With one week left to the January 31st GOP Primary and Special Election, it is expected there will be dismal turn out of Countywide electors even though we have these 2 important Charter Amendments on the ballot. Do voters know it is NOT just a Republican primary? Do they know that Democrats and Independents need to vote too?

I won't lie. I would love for Commissioner term limits to be retroactive, giving us an opportunity to completely restructure our local representation and government. The reality is, however, that unless the current commissioners approve such language for a special election ballot question to electors, it will not happen. Of course, we have one shot at getting retroactive term limits on the ballot, but that would mean that on January 31st, voters would need to approve the first proposed amendment Relating to Initiative Petitions and Elections on Charter Amendments. In this case, we would have a 120 days to collect petition signatures for a Charter Amendment. I can tell you from experience, 120 is much better than 60, any day.

I won't lie. I believe $92,000 is too high a salary for public service. Notwithstanding the almost three-figure salary, public servants should dedicate their time FULLY to responding to residents' needs and issues. That will happen if you vote YES. Commissioners will be barred from having outside employment. I would dare say that the bulk of County Commissioners that currently hold outside employment make much more than $92,000/year thanks to their connections to lobbyists, consultants, and departmental knowledge.

It is difficult to swallow a $92,000 salary, especially for people we feel have been representing themselves more than the taxpayers. Still, the second proposed amendment relating to Salaries, Service, and Term Limits of County Commissioners ascertains the one thing we have always wanted - for sitting Commissioners to finally have an 8 year term-limit. Last time the County Commissioners offered us 12 years and it failed - rightfully so.

I plead with the people of Miami-Dade to remember that the County Commission WILL NOT give you exactly what you want - not now, not any time soon. The Commission is hoping that you will vote down these amendments to justify their inaction on Charter reform in the future.

Has anyone wondered why Commissioners have not spent much time talking about these Charter Amendments and most non-Republicans are not aware that they have a right to vote on these Amendments?

Put it on your Facebook page and tell your friends and family to vote YES on these 2 Charter Amendments. Tell them: One will stamp County Commissioners with an expiration date and the second will give us more time to change that expiration date.

Home Rule Charter Change: Ballot Language is Confusing. Guest Blog by Vanessa Brito

Norman Braman on Friday in the Miami Herald outlined why he is voting NO on all the Charter Amendments and Vanessa Brito of Miami Voice is saying the same for different reasons (see below). Eye on Miami is NOT necessarily in agreement with Vanessa or Norman. I probably will vote for 3 (Charter Review Task Force), 4 (Inspector General) and 6 (delete the Notarization requirement from petitions). However, I can see the dilemma of people trying to parse out what to vote for. Is it easier to tell people to vote NO on everything rather than see people make a big mistake and vote yes on the Strong Mayor question giving the commission more power? - Geniusofdespair

I will vote "no" on all the items - mostly because the items do not reflect the will of the people... - Vanessa Brito - Miami Voice

When we urged the Board of County Commissioners to push for significant charter reform, we expected REAL reform - reform that would be understood and embraced by the voters. A majority of the reform items (4 of the 6) are an aberration of what the voters have been asking for in the last decade. Though polls are not tell-all tools, they do give us an idea of what voters want to see and what needs to be done in order to subdue the voter apathy and cynicism toward the County Commission. The voters, before and after the march 15th recall election, have pushed for two eight-year term limits for County commissioners. Yet, the Commission agreed to place three four-year terms on the May 24th ballot instead. If that were not enough, the commission bundled term-limits with a salary based on state formula and a restriction on outside employment. These 3 points should have been placed on the ballot as separate amendments. However, our County Commissioners probably anticipated that if these items were placed separately, voters would vote in favor of term limits and oppose salary increase - not something the Commission would want. If the current rules are independent of one another in the Home Rule charter, then changes to them should be placed independently on the ballot. It makes "cents." In any case, I don't think this packaged item will pass, but we must be weary of the repercussions if it does. A $92,000 salary that is not fixed and based on the state formula and is likely to change every year does not sit well with me. Three four-year terms effective after 2012 would allow current County Commissioners to be re-elected until 2024. The packaged item should be bubbled wrapped and returned to dais.

As far as language for some of the other items, it's difficult to tell - mostly because legal jargon is not my forte and isn't for most of us. We asked for the removal of the notary statement, but also asked that the BCC review the municipal ordinance which, for starters, is mis-numbered, and requires one signature per page. One signature per page means thousands more forms must be printed and paid for - making it impossible for an average citizen to participate in the civic process.

Attempting to change government functions or policies by petitions epitomizes a true grassroots movement - one that is almost rarely financed by big money. This amendment item does not address these deep-rooted issues. On the surface, it all sounds great, but the ballot language doesn't reflect the real needs, meaning, this will not lead to real reform. Voting yes on the "...Amendment Regarding Petitions" means that the forms will not require notarization but will still require circulators (paid and not paid) to collect ONLY one signature per page.

Blow by Blow Report on the County Commission Meeting. By Geniusofdespair

Vanessa Brito speaks in reaction to SOME commissioners claiming today that there were not enough voters who voted, to make the recalls/strong mayor vote meaningful. Brito countered - that they, the County Commissioners, were elected with the same percentages.

----------
Yes I am weathering the storm. I will be at the County Commission meeting at 10 am and I will start reporting live by my IPhone. Stay tuned and keep checking back.

Election on the ballot for District 13 and Mayor on ballot for May 24th. No Penelas interim mayor.

Martinez is saying let's not govern by crisis. We have to start managing. Sosa wants to remove an item. Told out of order by attorney. Pepe Diaz now is arguing about charter. Talking about his town hall meetings. Oh, Pepe Le Pew -- so out of touch. He is saying for the good of all is listening to citizens. You never did that before.

Jordan asking election supervisor about numbers. Insinuating not enough people voted for strong mayor. Not a mandate. She should look at her own numbers --certainly no mandate for her. She is blaming media for influencing the public. She said she listens to her constituents in her district, what about the rest of us? You represent us all.

Gimenez likes four of the charter changes up for a vote. He said public was participating already 2 1/2 years ago during the charter review. He wants to keep the charter changes on the ballot even though he is against 2. He said he won't vote for them.

Souto is talking -- god help us. No one much is listening on the dais. Martinez has a smirk, he is talking to Audrey. Souto is now talking about feeling like vomiting on people. He had to appoint someone so he wouldn't vomit on people - at least now he has my attention. He is at 1984. We are a country of laws, lost me again. Bla, bla, bla. Ten minutes he hasn't said anything yet. (Hit read more...)


Martinez is back. Talking about Town Hall meetings AGAIN! It is how they are conducted and who is heard at these meetings -- that is what is important. The meetings can be manipulated. Martinez trying to adjourn the meeting. Now Moss. Saying nothing. Edmonson-- we cannot govern by threats (Braman's continued threats of recall I suppose is what she means) or in reaction to the media. Public needs to hear both sides of issues. Pepe Diaz is pulling his memo - I reported on it on Saturday. They are canceling Wednesday's meeting. No need. 11:04 am -- over.

Your Miami Voice: The Recall Video. By geniusodespair

Hot off the press the new video from Miami Voice.


Link to Video.