Does Stephen Cody Play Fair? By Geniusofdespair

Stephen Cody has an ethics complaint against South Miami Mayor Philip Stoddard.

Stephen Cody was hired by someone when we were examining ballots for the Lynda Bell/Gene Flinn election -- I was there and he was watching us. As I watched him looking over our shoulders, I thought "scum." After he had his license suspended as a lawyer by the Supreme Court, I made peace with Natacha Seijas's lawyer/friend Stephen Cody - even friending him on Facebook when he posted cute pictures of his granddaughter Olivia.  Those days are long over.

Cody doesn't play fair. He can be vindictive. He ain't no friend of mine.  I unfriended him in February, when he was attacking Phil Stoddard. He had Valerie Newman do a robocall for his PAC. Everyone knows that Valerie is a known enemy of Stoddard  and has been accused of questionable activity in that regard.

My last words to Cody as I unfriended him:

I doubt you care as much about feminism as you do at helping your pals at FPL.

 I really think that Cody,  in a corner of his clouded brain,  thinks he is being a good guy, but I am apt to believe he is just a hired gun. He has used this tactic before, in Miami Lakes for instance. I just do not like someone who plays by his murky rules and I don't like anyone lecturing me on what kind of a Me-Too survivor I should be. Sorry Steve, ethics rules are not in effect. No response needed by you. And since when does Ethics do anything anyway? This case is a no winner for them. The Mayor asked Council. That should have ended it. And, does Steve Cody have standing if he is not a lobbyist?

Did this make Stephen Cody a bottom feeder?

You are a bully still, trying to explain it away as you hide your supporters behind a 501-C4's.  I wrote this in 2012 about him:

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."

Who Will Be The Next Mayor of Miami Dade County? By Geniusofdespair

Rebeca Sosa, Esteban Bovo embracing Carlos Gimenez (looking at each other with goofy eyes), and Daniella Levine Cava.

I woke this morning thinking about who would be the next Mayor when Carlos Gimenez is forced to leave, thankfully. I am sure the planning has begun as the disastrous reign of Gimenez winds down -- another 2 years. He taught me one thing: The mistake a strong mayor can be. He has hurt the County in so many ways.  Also he is a mean-arrogant guy, and he has made his friends rich.

My guess for 3 candidates would be: Commissioners Daniella Levine Cava, Steve Bovo and Rebeca Sosa.

I do think that with Rebeca's husband's passing, she might be inclined to travel and enjoy retired life. Becky also made a bad blunder when she was Chair of the Commission, choosing Lynda Bell as her Vice Chair and letting her over-shadow the Chair at every turn.  In other words, she wasted her Chairmanship, not getting enough of a boost from it.

The other two, I have a suspicion they will run. I do think Daniella will have to deal with the Jimmy Morales curse "not being Cuban enough." One of his parents was not from Cuba.  Neither of Daniella's parents are from Cuba. Does it still hold that you must be Cuban to be Mayor? Levine-Cava is sharp, witty and very likable. I do think she is destined for higher office. Someone has to take Rubio out.

In County elections, because it is non-partisan,  the election is actually the primary in August. Only die hard voters "4's and 5's" vote in August.

Unless there are more than 2 candidates the election for County Mayor is in August. Does anyone know that? I really think having the County Government  non-partisan is a big mistake. People get too confused. If there are more than two candidates they are less likely to pass the 50% mark that is required to win. That is why Eileen Higgins, who won the District 5 race, must face Mrs. Barreiro in June. She won with too low a percentage. I think that Levine-Cava would have more of an advantage in a November election, because everyone knows the parties of the County Commissioners and aren't we expecting that blue wave?

Back to reality, "Ya Did Good" Dorrin Rolle has filed to run again. This could be a disaster for Jean Monestime. Rolle was the worst.

Whatever happened with the Charter Review Task Force recommendations? Will any of them get on the ballot? You can read the final report here.  

I don't think they did a good job. They kept the non-partisan and want to get rid of the term limit requirement that just got approved. They didn't approve eliminating the Strong Mayor. The Commission would have to approve this stuff to get it on the ballot. Maybe they did already. I am not following it closely.

Commissioner Joe Martinez is trying to kill New Cities in the County, Why?? By Geniusofdespair

You all whine that you want local news, here it is, now read it or you will only get national news.... this insane process for incorporation is impossible to explain so pay attention and don't hold me to 100% accuracy:

The last several years have seen 5 separate MACs that have been formed by direct county commissioner appointment. The commissioners who  formed them knew that to require ONLY a petition process is impossible as signatures are not easy to come by in gated communities and buildings - petitions don't work for MACs  because it is a long explanation at someone's front door - especially this high percentage (thank you Lynda Bell for the 20% instead of the Charter Committee's recommended 10%)...

County Commissioner Joe Martinez has never been a fan of communities in the unincorporated area of the county trying to form new cities.

The first thing he did after being re-elected to his West Kendall District 11 seat last year was to immediately disband the two MACs formed by his predecessor, Commissioner Juan Zapata. You can always count on Joe Martinez to be totally for himself.

A MAC, which stands for Municipal Advisory Committee, is a committee which is appointed by one or more commissioners in a county commission district to study and evaluate the possibility of forming a new city within borders designated by those wishing to form a new city (The borders are subject to approval by the county). It is step 1.

 The formation of the MAC is the process required by the county to start the study of an area's incorporation. The MAC studies the financial feasibility of the services that would be enjoyed by the residents, and weighs the options and advantages of cityhood as opposed to staying part of the county's unincorporated area. The MAC meetings are open to all residents who wish to learn about the municipal incorporation process. There is extensive input by the residents and required public meetings. At the end of this process, the voters are able to vote for or against forming a new city in an election. The MAC process usually takes from 1-2 years to be completed before going to a vote of that areas' voters. So the 20% petition requirement just to form the MAC is total OVER-KILL. How many more hoops can you think of for the public to jump through Commissioners?

Joe Martinez - Charter Member of our "Unreformable Majority" on the County Commission.

Now, Commissioner Martinez has proposed an ordinance which passed, 11-1 at first reading, at the most recent BCC meeting. It allows the formation of a MAC only by petitions, with 20% of the proposed area's signatures-- killing direct county commissioner appointment. This ordinance will now go to the Government Operations Committee on November 14th which will vote on whether or not to move this ordinance back to the BCC for second hearing. If this ordinance is then approved at the second hearing, it will kill future incorporation efforts which is the intent of the commissioner's ordinance.

The last several years have seen 5 separate MACs that have been formed by direct county commissioner appointment. These commissioners know that to require a petition process of no fewer than 20% of the signatures of the residents' voters voting in the affirmative is almost impossible to do. It is time consuming, costly, and very difficult to do in this day of gated communities which can deny access to petition gatherers as well as residents being loath to open their doors to people they do not know. No other petition process in the county requires such a high percentage of voters--all others petition drives require a minimum of only 10% of registered voters for whatever cause they are seeking to gather signatures for. Therefore, these commissioners know full well that this 20% signature requirement is an impediment to forming a MAC and, thus, they directly appointed their area residents to a MAC to make it possible for a MAC to be created.

It is incredible that a 20% signature level would then be required--this percentage is higher than the usual percentage of voters that turn out in a non-presidential election!

Residents need to be aware that the possible passage of this ordinance will disallow residents the right to explore forming new cities. A MAC allows all the facts to be "on the table" and evaluated by the residents. Legislation that places such impediments to the MAC process is ill advised, and basically nullifies the ability of residents to make up their own minds as to how they wish to have their municipal services provided. 

Okay, we all know Opa Locka is a city that should never have been formed...but it is the right of the people to choose their destiny or poison. Unincorperated areas gives too much power to Commissioners. It smells...sort of like Joe Martinez's egotistical cologne.

Hudstead (aka Homestead) Update. By Geniusofdespair

A new watchdog Facebook Page exists for Hudstead: True Homestead (not to be confused with True Blessing Car Care on Krome Avenue).

Their mission is: This page is to expose corruption and ethical failings in the City of Homestead and its Police... (Tall Order)

Here is a video starring, I think, the owner of the site Dr. James Eric McDonough:



James have you looked at Wayne Rosen? Wayne, I have decided that you should restore the golf course to a park, like they did in Palm Aire (Pompano Beach) because you owe the people of Homestead so much and you have gotten rich off of them. Not a cut the grass park but a more natural park. I think you should talk to The Trust for Public Land. Maybe you can even get tax write-offs. Don't be so greedy Wayne. Help the people who stupidly bought your homes with the promise of a golf course. And, let them form an independent Homeowner's Association. It is time (over 20 years of buildout--come on!).

I think this is a site worth following. It appears to focus on police...I followed all their links.

RUMOR:

Lynda Bell has her house for sale for $385,000 according to Zillow and has already moved to Tallahassee where she has bought some rental property.

HUDSTEAD: Wow! this is a Who's Who in Homestead.

This Ethics Complaint is so interesting. Everyone in Homestead is named, Shiver, Munz, Wayne Rosen, Lynda Bell, Mayor Porter.  Lynda Bell is so vindictive...

Lynda Bell and Steve Losner made an ethics complaint against Judy Waldman, about a "Citizen" petition that would have lengthened Waldman's term. Even Mayor Porter was behind it although he stated citizens initiated it:

We received a call on Tuesday from Mark Goodrich. He stated that he was working with the Mayor on an initiative petition and wanted to confirm the procedures we follow for signature verification. I told him that he needed to also contact you to assist him with the preparation of the package.

Just in case he has not made contact, he stated that he already had 3,000 petitions ready for verification. I did not ask for the name of the petition, but it is an Initiative Petition.

Please make sure that when you prepare the cover letter that it includes how the signatures should be verified, since your City Charter does not specify. Just in case, I have attached the sample cover letter.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Respectfully,

Kimberly M. Keels
Registration Manager
Miami-Dade County Elections Department

I took out three pages from Lynda Bell's ethics complaint (the whole complaint is at the end). Goodrich ended up with an elections complaint against him. Not much else happened, except they said "Judy Waldman was the driving force behind the petition drive." But, this is excellent reading to see how Hudstead got its name. What a snake pit of fools. A loathsome lot to be sure.

   k_15-39_waldman by geniusofdespair on Scribd

I Didn't Have An Interest in Sweetwater...Until Wayne Rosen's Name Popped Up! By Geniusofdespair

Wayne Rosen

Really, does anyone even know where Sweetwater is? I have no clue, near Doral I think. And if they have any water I suspect some of it might be polluted, especially because WAYNE ROSEN name turned up there.   Wayne has abused the yokels in and around Homestead  funding bad candidates since I started this blog (I have written about him almost 30 times).. After all, he did fund Lynda Bell's Commission campaign (or a PAC for Bell) after he funded Steve Bateman's Mayoral campaign to oust Lynda Bell as Mayor.  Those two left a bitter taste in Homesteader's mouths.  Lately he has been in the news about the upkeep of a golf course in Keys Gate. Or should I say lack of upkeep. It is a weeded, overgrown field.

Rosen has been branching out into Palmetto Bay affairs (but there is developable land there). Now here he is involved in the quagmired politics of Sweetwater. What is he up to in Sweetwater? He helped finance a campaign to recall the Mayor - Orlando Lopez - who ran on a platform to reform the City of Cronyism (the previous Mayor is/was in jail). Anyway, I don't care about the Sweetwater recall but the motivation behind the funding of it --- that I care about.

Here is Sweetwater. Golly, have I ever been there. I don't see water.

The Miami Herald reported today that Rosen funded  the recall campaign with a $20,000 donation.

Why is Wayne Rosen involved? He doesn't just dole out money. If he did he would fix up that golf course in Hudstead. Doesn't he usually have his eye on a return? This recall might not have happened/been successful if they didn't have his money.

Recalls are a bitch to launch. You have to get forms notarized and hire people to collect signatures (about $1.50 to $2 each). Then you have to pay elections to certify each signature.  $20,000 can be the difference in success or failure. What did Mayor Orlando Lopez do to Wayne? Probably nothing. I just think there is more to this recall than meets the eye. Any suspicions? I know X-Commissioner Lynda Bell's daughter had the fencing contract in Sweetwater. And what is with that helicopter there? Looney place.

The Next County Commission Chair Choice will be Dec. 6th. By Geniusofdespair

Miami Dade County Commissioner Xavier Suarez

It is that time again when the County Commission chooses its new Chair.  December 6th at the beginning of the regular meeting is D-day for the Chair choice. Our current Chair is Jean Monestime and he did a great job as did Becky (Rebeca Sosa) before him, except for her choice of Lynda Bell for Vice Chair who tried to take over the Chair position.

First, if a Commissioner endorsed or did a robo-call (Pepe Diaz) for the Mayor, I think they should not be considered for the County Commission Chair position. Like any Commissioner would be stupid enough to choose Pepe. We do not need a sycophant in this position. We need an independent voice, for the checks and balances part of our local government. The Chair appoints all the Committee members and the Committee Chairs. The Chair sets the Agenda.

Vying for the spot, according to County gossipers, are Commissioners Xavier Suarez, Joe Martinez and Steve Bovo. Long shots, Sosa again and Pepe Diaz (OMG no no no).

I would go with the X Man - Xavier Suarez. I think he would be fair. I think he would be good. He is smart (that would be a blessing don't you think?).  District 7 deserves a term as Chair. When is the last time District 7 has had the Chairmanship position?

Commissioner Suarez has done some very good, and unique projects:

County Commissioner Suarez reached out and established a winning community partnership. The Coconut Grove Collaborative, Home Depot, and TENUSA Inc. answered the call. With the Zika outbreak in many communities, the commission staff researched plants that repel mosquitoes and identified 11 plants to place with the flowers in the planters throughout the community. Plants include: Citronella, Lemon Balm or Horsemint, Catnip, Marigolds, Basil (lemon or cinnamon), Lavender, Peppermint, Garlic, Pennyroyal, Rosemary and Geranium.

Home Depot donated materials, tools, mosquito repellant plants, and manpower. TENUSA Inc. donated flowers and manpower. The Collaborative got Coconut Grove youth involved and assisted with getting members of the community to adopt planters for maintaining. Comm. Suarez and Commissioner Ken Russell (City of Miami) provided manpower. Side by side the partners worked under the hot and grueling summer sun mixing cement, mixing paint, and setting the planters. Then the deed was done: Repairing and replacing the planters for nature’s beauty. Now mosquito repellant plants are being added for natural mosquito prevention.

I love this project. It is positive for the youth, the environment and proactive for Zika prevention (Zika shrinks testicles according to the Daily Mail...not sure if the Daily Mail is a credible news source but it is an intriguing to ponder the possibility and I checked: Michael Diamond is an MD and PhD. in infectious diseases at Washington University School of Medicine -- I am checking out news now so I don't print crap I find online and misinform you).

Anyway, what is your opinion?

Palmetto Bay and Cutler Bay Election Part 1. By Guest Blogger Tito

PALMETTO BAY - Part 1 (Part 2 - Cutler Bay Monday)

PB candidates for Vice Mayor

John Dubois is the incumbent. He and is currently under ethical review for violating FL Sunshine Laws (Herald 6/7/16) and has sued 10 locals and officials during his last 4 years in office (Herald 8/26/16).

Dubois offered his home to be used by an accused sex-offender in a case of home invasion that involved a 9 year old girl in the Mangowood neighborhood (CBS News 6/2/15, CBS News 4/28/16). Dubois said the accused was his friend's son and he was doing him a favor. Dubois also hosted a fundraiser for the sex offender.

Dubois also tries to influence county and local decisions that affect his property. Charged with an environmental violation by DERM for cutting down mangroves from his bayfront mansion (Herald 3/10/15), he helped to elect Lynda Bell to the county commission and also issued her a personal loan. Bell then spent much of her time on the council attacking DERM. Dubois lost this case and will have to pay for the violation and county legal defense costs. Faced with development rights on the Palmetto Bay Village Center that is two doors down from his home and needing votes on the council, Dubois is supporting David Singer for PB District 2.

Public records show a $500,000 loan between the Dubois and Singer and the loan is alleged to be in default as of August. If both Singer and Dubois are elected, Singer would be beholden to Dubois and votes would be suspect. Dubois' personal lawyer, Mr. Leary, had only one client. Now he has two. He also happens to be suing the Village of Palmetto Bay on behalf of Dubois' neighbor (of the horse farm property next to the library) to stop the council's 40 acre park decision. Dubois uses the same developer's lobbyist, Jose Castillo of Green Point Group, for his campaign management consulting as Cutler Bay's Loyzelle and Bell.

Erica Watts is a newcomer to PB politics. Watts has law and economics degrees. Watts positively utilized her background and developed extensive experience in public service with the Family Court. Locally she is a dedicated volunteer and is the President of the Coral Reef Elementary School PTA. She is also on the Palmetto Bay Education Advisory Committee and has been honored by both Miami Dade County and the Village for her innovation, leadership and public service. Watts has no sign of developer contributions on her campaign reports.

David Zisman runs a local fireplace business. He's running on his business experience but has TWO bankruptcies in his past (Herald 10/7/14). He got into local politics after losing a bid for a zoning variance. He ran for Mayor in 2010 and lost. He ran for District 1 in 2014 and lost. Zisman shares a love of heckling the council with David Singer. He's posted videos highlighting the relationship between Dubois and Singer but while the council considers serious issues, you'll likely find them together at the back of the room smirking at the proceedings and chomping on large bags of chips. Zisman has accepted campaign contributions from several developers including Wayne Rosen in past campaigns.

PB Candidates for District 2

Tim Schaffer is the incumbent. Schaffer runs his own financial services business and spent 15 years as a reserve and auxillary police officer. He ran in 2012 primarily backed by the anti-Palmer Trinity development folks. After lawsuit costs to the Village and the illegality of past council zoning decisions (Herald 7/6/12) impacted Village finances, he switched camps and worked to stop lawsuit hemorrhage and change the Village's legal representation. He has steadfastly supported the council decision to transfer development rights within the PBVC in order to stop potential owner lawsuits, save natural areas and create a park. In an effort to reduce traffic and head off further development, he recently passed a resolution to explore turning the old FPL power plant into a Village park. Sounds good but let’s make sure FPL cleans up. (GENIUS - LOL)

David Singer's campaign signs say "Stop Over Development..." but his background is in real estate development. He has accepted PAC money and campaign dollars from several development and construction companies. Singer supported the Palmer Trinity development, spearheaded the ineffectual "Recall Palmetto Bay" (New Times 10/22/12) and called supporters of former Mayor Stancyk, former Council member Lindsay and CCOCI a "merry band of mentally misfit followers". Inexplicably, many of these folks are now supporting Singer. This includes errant emailer Gary Pastorella. On opposing sides of a Firehouse location issue, Pastorella filed a restraining order against Singer after Singer sent numerous packages to the Pastorella home. Mr. Singer can regularly be seen on council meeting videos spewing personal attacks at the mayor and other council members during public comment. Singer doesn't yell at Vice Mayor John Dubois of course, because he  owes him big and is said to be in default as of August.

County Commission Chair Contenders, What the Gossips IN THE KNOW are Saying. By Geniusofdespair

 Audrey Edmonson feels dissed by Chair Monestime and they had words on the dais. Perhaps other Commissioners feel her pain and will make her the Chair.

Nah, It is the Hispanic turn. Yes, the County Commissioners run a strict, albeit fair, racist enterprise, except to White non-Hispanics. The Blacks and Hispanics take turns being chair every two years. The two White Commissioners don't get a turn. They do get to be vice chair sometimes. There hasn't been a White Chair since Gwen Margolis. Funny when you consider the make-up of the county population in 2015 Census data, 4% separate Whites and Blacks but there are twice as many Black Commissioners.

 Steve Bovo is the most likely choice. He has been being very nice to everyone, not the kind of nice he is to the pretty aides, just more polite. He is lobbying hard, minimizing the ethical lapses surrounding him.

 This one, Joe Martinez wants to be Chair so bad. What a nightmare this guy is. Thank the lord he doesn't have a prayer this cycle and then he will have to wait for the Black Chair reign. I hope to never see this bully as chair ever again.

Why not the X man? County Commissioner Xavier Suarez is in the running with Bovo according to my gossip pals, although they feel Bovo is the favorite, they like Xavier Suarez's chances. The money is on him as well. I think he would be fair. He would be my choice.

Rebeca Sosa is a long shot, she was a very efficient chair last time except for the fatal flaw: Becky appointed Lynda Bell as her vice chair and Lynda Bell tried to out-chair Becky. That was a Big Mistake!

Oh Lord, this would never happen. Even the Commission is not that dumb, to make Pepe Diaz the chair. He is a chair....just there, taking up space, parroting the lobbyists, reading their scripts.

So, Sunshine out the window, they are all jockeying for the position,  buttering up the never will be -- offering them Committees and most probably candy. I would guess Godiva, not shitty, cheap candy.  Maybe they are offering expensive cologne like "The Commissioner." I am sure there is a warehouse somewhere full of the stuff. Check with Joe Martinez, its creator.

Never to be: Souto. That is one thing you can count on. I don't think Souto would even vote for himself. He will die senile in office...if he isn't already...senile. I know he is not dead because he still talks and we all know after 6 seasons of the Walking Dead, they do not speak once dead.

Well, who do you think it will be. Give us a guess. The winner will get a bottle of the Commish.

Winner Last Night: Jim DeFede's Twitter Feed ... by gimleteye

Incredible that Joe Martinez, District 11 county commissioner, is back. Our blog had lots to say about Martinez when he was county commissioner, and we are sorry for Miami-Dade County this morning. (Here is one, from 2009, seven years ago! "Memo to voters who re-elect incumbents: stop the madness".) Who knows why and under what conditions Juan Zapata left a void after qualifying, so Martinez could have a clear shot at his return? (As for the rest of the results, at least Lynda Bell was defeated in a state house primary election ... by David Rivera.)

Early voting and absentee ballot results. By geniusofdespair

I am posting by phone:

US Rep

Tim Canova 39%
Debbie Wasserman Schultz 63%

Joe Garcia 49%
Annette Taddeo 50%

School Board

Modesto 'Mo' Abety 23%
Maria Teresa 'Mari Tere' Rojas 49% - Mayor's sister in law

Mayor

Raquel Regalado 32%
Carlos Gimenez 49%

State Senate
Dwight Bullard has 47% to 23% for Korge.
Jason Pizzo 25%, Gongora 23% and 29% Daphne Campbell.

State Rep

Lynda Bell 15%
David Rivera 38% Anthony Roriguez neck and neck with Rivera.

State Rep
Solomon is winning.
Daisy Baez is winning.

Now we wait for precincts to report.

There might be a runoff for Mayor. The precincts are starting to report. Looks like there is a runoff for Mayor. Gimenez failed to get 50%.

Election Day For MIAMI DADE COUNTY MAYOR and others. By Geniusofdespair

Get your sorry ass out there and vote. all politics are local and the local races are non-partisan -- like the Mayor's race. Non-partisan races are decided by the end of today. The absentee and early voting numbers will be released after 7. Come back and I will post the sure winners. If a person gets a lot of absentees they most probably will go on to win. Final results are after 10 usually.

I know you THINK you have a mayor if you live in a City or Town but you actually have 2 mayors.  One is a County Mayor. You pay plenty of County Taxes so vote.

I suggest you vote for Raquel Regalado. I know you have gotten a load of negative mailers on her that just happen to also be very dismissive of her as a  woman: Calling her "Raquelita" in a negative mailer irks me to no end. Carlos Gimenez had plenty of money to throw against Raquel to see what stuck...he even threw Donald Trump at her: 'Her demeanor is like his'. That one was very funny. Anyway, I would vote for Raquel to stop the parade of lobbyists and high salaries to staff hired to do Gimenez's strong mayor job for him.

If you don't vote we will have 4 more years and worse, Gimenez will have Joe Martinez to bully us with, the two pronged horror. Joe is a shoe in for County Commissioner. EVEN the Miami Herald couldn't endorse him and they love known candidates. 8 Years of Martinez will be brutal but with Gimenez too, it will be unbearable.

The judge races are also decided today. So is solar Amendment 4, (vote yes). Most of the rest is a primary  on State races for Democrats and Republicans. In my opinion, you are foolish if you are an Independent. Change your status often is my mantra. Mix it up so you they don't know what you are.

INDEPENDENTS: YOU MUST VOTE FOR THE MAYOR TODAY. You are not locked out of the Judges and Mayoral race. If either candidate gets less than 50% of the vote there will be a runoff for Mayor. Vote for the one you got the most mailers against: Raquel Regalado.

Will see you back here later!

NOPE! Don't vote for him. Gimenez and Lynda Bell made our lives miserable for 4 years. He always picks one county commissioner to do his dirty work.

SEE RECENT POSTS...

2016 MIAMI DADE PRIMARY: You Must Vote in August and Here is the Scoop. By Geniusofdespair

The absentee ballots go out today. The Election is August 30th. YOU MUST VOTE because of redistricting -- all the State Seats are up for a vote if there is more than one candidate.

Between Bullard and Korge in State Senate District 40, I have to go with Andrew Korge because he  has the best chance to win in this Hispanic District against Republican Frank Artiles in the General Election.  Korge has the money to fight this one even though I like Dwight too.  Korge needs to be more focused but he is on the right side of issues that concern me. Dwight took large campaign contributions from big sugar over the years but what concerns me is that translated into a vote. Bullard voted for a 2013 bill that gave big sugar a 30 year no bid lease.

In State Senate District 38 we have Democrats Campbell, Burns, Festge, Gongora and Pizzo. Jason Pizzo has been running a mailer blitz. They are excellent in design. I think people are reading them. Anyone but Daphne Campbell but I will vote for Jason Pizzo because he is becoming known and has the best chance against Daphne who is pretty evil in my opinion. I think she will win the primary because the super voters in this district are mostly black. However, since she is Haitian will African Americans vote for her? I do not know. Phillip Brutus took a gamble that she would win and is waiting for her in the General Election as a No Party Affiliation.

On to the State Reps.

In State District 108, anyone but Hardemon. There are 7 Democratic candidates. Don't know any of the candidates.

In District 114 I would vote for Daisy Baez.

In District 115 I would vote for Ross Hancock.

In District 118 I would vote for Robert Asencio in the General Election. There are, in the primary, 5 Republican candidates. I would vote for anyone except Bell. I would prefer keeping Lynda Bell out of politics. Of course, that means I support David Rivera over Bell.  I do not know the candidates in 120, 112 or 113.   Please recommend your pick.

Now, on the National scene Debbie Wasserman Schultz has a  REAL opponent who has killer mailers. His name is Tim Canova. I was going to vote for Debbie but the double-sided post cards Tim is putting out are on the money and address my issues big time. He even faults her with looking the other way on manatee deaths.  She has been silent on this big issue. Debbie your mailers suck, and taking money from Big Sugar is a Big Mistake. Give it back and I will vote for you even though you have that cloud over you from the Russian's hacking your email - trying to do in Bernie.

Tim Canova's post card mailer, 4 came in an envelope.

On the Amendments: Vote for 4. YES.

Do You Know Anything About Your State Rep and Senator? By Geniusofdespair

I have been asking around, no one seems to know who is representing them at the State level...and frankly they don't care much either. Well CARE! With redistricting, all the seats are being voted on. 

I would say educate yourself, but I am laughing too hard. Like that is going to happen. Just vote for Rick Scott...oops he isn't running.

Here is who is running in Miami Dade County (Look at the back of your voter registration card to see your State Senate and State Rep District, note do not look at an old card, only a new one):

STATE SENATOR
35 Braynon II, Oscar (DEM)
36 Garcia, Rene (REP)
Peralta, Anabella Grohoski (DEM)
37 Christian, Mercedes (NPA)
Diaz de la Portilla, Miguel
Rodriguez, Jose Javier (DEM)
38 Blemur, Anis (DEM)
Brutus, Phillip J. (NPA)
Burns, Kevin A. (DEM)
Campbell, Daphne (DEM)
Festge, Don (DEM)
Gongora, Michael (DEM)
Pizzo, Jason (DEM)
39 Artz, Brent (WRI)
Flores, Anitere (REP)
Mucarsel-Powell, Debbie (DEM)
40 Artiles, Frank (REP)
Bullard, Dwight M. (DEM)
Jimenez, Mario (NPA)
Korge, Andrew (DEM)
Logan, Ana Rivas (DEM)
Perez, Missalys (DEM)

STATE REP

105 Moreno, Patricio (DEM)
Trujillo, Carlos (REP)
106 Ballo, Nick (REP)
Hiller, Georgia A. (REP)
Kirkpatrick, Lavigne Ann (REP)
Maguire, Connor (WRI)
Rommel, Bob (REP)
107 Estime-Irvin, Mary (DEM)
Watson, Barbara A. (DEM)
108 Collie-Echoles, Taj (DEM)
Delica, Fayola (DEM)
Duge, Moise (DEM
Hardemon, Roy (DEM)
Menes, Francesca "Fran" (DEM)
Patel, Henry (DEM)
Steril, Marie Erlande (DEM)
109 Stafford, Cynthia A. (DEM)
110 Oliva, Jose (REP)
Puentes Sr, Carlos A. (DEM)
111 Avila, Bryan (REP)
Miyar, Sevi (DEM)
112 Davey, Michael W. (REP)
Duran, Nicholas X. (DEM)
Faura-Morales, Waldo (DEM)
Palomino, Rosa Maria "Rosy" (REP)
113 Parker, Jonathan H. (REP)
Richardson, David (DEM)
Valdes, Rey (DEM)
114 Baez, Daisy J. (DEM)
Couriel, John D. (REP)
Santana, Alberto L. (DEM)
115 Bileca, Michael (REP)
Hancock, Ross (DEM)
Solomon, Jeffrey Doc (DEM)
116 Diaz, Jose Felix (REP)
Rassner, Heath (DEM)
117 McGhee, Kionne L. (DEM)
118 Asencio, Robert (DEM)
Bell, Lynda (REP)
Pria, Carlos (REP)
Rivera, David (REP)
Rodriguez, Anthony (REP)
Rojas Tallon, Steven A. (REP)
119 Nunez, Jeanette M. (REP)
Pinell, Jeniffer (DEM)
120 Diaz, Kevin (DEM)
Horton, Dan (DEM)
Raschein, Holly (REP)

Anti Donald Trump Ad in the Miami Herald. By Geniusofdespair

Since I am a dying breed who still gets the paper Miami Herald, here is a full page ad trashing Donald Trump (comparing him to a scorpion) put in by Michael B. Fernandez, a billionaire with money to burn, who is also a loyal Republican.

You will have to hit the Michael B. Fernandez full-page ad to read it.

 Michael, unfortunately the only way to stop Trump is to help Hillary Clinton. Haven't you figured that out yet? You loyal Republicans are all alike. You would rather live with the "scorpion" then accept the lesser but predictable evil. Stupid man!

I am supporting David Rivera in the Republican primary over Lynda Bell. How is that for choosing to be realistic? I hate them both, but one is better than the other. Here is homework for you Michael B. Fernandez, watch the 11 hours of the Benghazi Hearings just like I did (not what Fox News tells you). After that watch marathon, I bet you will be giving to the smart, measured, articulate presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. Call me when you finish watching. Better yet, do the right thing for the country: Hold your nose and support Hillary Clinton.

Raquel Regalado For Miami Dade County Mayor. Guest Blog by Norma Rae

Raquel Regalado...Our Next County Mayor?

The working people are ready to get rid of another bad politician. Just like we did when Lynda Bell was making life miserable for people who punch a clock, we are going to send Crooked Carlos Gimenez packing. The unions worked hard to put Daniella Levine Cava in office, and now we are going to do the same thing for Raquel Regalado!

That’s right. The South Florida AFL-CIO, with unions representing electrical workers, plumbers, carpenters, laborers, bus drivers, teachers, sanitation workers, painters, librarians and a whole lot more have decided to support Raquel Regaldo. We are going to dump Mayor Carlos Gimenez.

The scene at the South Florida AFL-CIO headquarters was crazy this week. First of all, Ms. Daisy Black, after giving a great account of herself, and testifying about her commitment to the working people of the County, collapsed. The head of the Fire Union was there and gave her CPR to keep her going until they could take her to the hospital. We are all so sad that she passed. Her family should be proud that she was speaking out about improving the lives of other people until the very end. May God bless her and welcome her home.

After all that commotion, and thinking Ms. Black would be OK at the hospital, the panel interviewed Ms. Raquel Regalado. She is a School Board Member and a very popular Spanish radio host. Well, she seemed to know quite a bit about what our union brothers and sisters are looking for. She never talked about money, but she did say she would change the working conditions for folks. Raquel seems ready to give us what Mr. Gimenez never has: R-E-S-P-E-C-T.

She promised to enforce the wage laws that are on the books. The County has laws to make sure people are getting fair pay on construction contracts, but nobody ever checks. Raquel said she would make sure people are looking at those payrolls and stop contractors from cheating. She says Gimenez is afraid to bother those contractors, cause they have all paid him for his campaign.

Raquel also told the panel that she wants open competition for county jobs. Young people need to have an opportunity to work and stay in Miami. She says people will be hired and promoted based on merit, not political connections. She knows what we are looking for. No more lobbyists acting like recruiters. And she is getting rid of those $250,000 a year Do-Nothing Deputy Mayors. Amen!

Now Gimenez came to be interviewed, after his friend Andy Madtes told him Raquel was killing it at her interview. The Mayor showed up and was talking nonsense about how he was one of us. He said he was a union member when he worked at the city. The man just spent five years trashing and kicking the unions and then he has the nerve to be saying that! Well, we want nothing to do with him.

His friend Andy Madtes tried to have all the unions sit on the sidelines during this election. He asked that the interview panel recommend to the members that we do a “no endorse” for the mayor’s race. Well, when everybody showed up at the union hall and heard that line, they said no way. This race is too important to act like it doesn’t matter.

A man from AFSCME made a motion to support Raquel Regalado, and another man  stood up and seconded that motion. Next, the whole place stood up to vote for Raquel! Carlos Gimenez may have a whole bunch of money from those county contractors, but Raquel Regalado has a whole bunch of new friends. And we will all be out there reminding our families, our friends and our neighbors to vote for Raquel Regalado on August 30th. Check your voter registration now and be ready to clean up county hall this summer. It is time for a fresh start and a new leader. Vote for Raquel!

The Lynda Bell vs. David Rivera Race in Rep District 118. By Geniusofdespair

Rivera has raised $71,124 not including May or loans to himself running in District 118.

More of the Big Boy Corporate shitheads are there on Rivera's report, not so with his opponent Lynda Bell who entered the race later.

Lynda Bell raised $14,790 excluding loans to herself.  She does have Wayne Rosen on her report and her old friend Atlantic Civil -- Steve Torcise.

Anthony Rodriguez, also a Republican has raised $17,996, excluding loans to himself. Another Republican in race has raised $2,950, Steven Anthony Rojas Tallon.

Robert Asencio the Democrat in the race has raised $19,905.00, mostly from smaller donors, through April 29th.

I still believe that Lynda Bell is not running a serious campaign. David Rivera always puts extra people in his races, and they were good friends. He is using her campaign manager/good friend, Jose Luis Castillo. She launched her campaign from Rivera's office for the County Commission.  I think she is there for some reason, maybe to bleed off the white voters. Who knows, Rivera is so dishonest, it is anyone's guess on what is going on. 

Mayoral Candidate Raquel Regalado Says: Kill the Beacon Council. By geniusofdespair

The Beacon Council is just costing us funds since Mayor Carlos Gimenez cut the Cojones off of the group. When Frank Nero, the head of Beacon Council, publicly came out against gambling, also against Carlos Gimenez's wishes, he was quickly fired thanks to help from then County Commissioner Lynda Bell. The Agency has since folded into a do-nothing entity afraid of the Mayor and the funds put aside for job creation and incentives for businesses to move to Miami were raided for projects around the county. The Beacon Council doesn't create jobs they just exist and by existing cost us a lot of money. Mayoral Candidate Raquel Regalado is on target on this issue.

Run for the hills, Lynda Bell is running for House District 118. By Geniusofdespair

Lynda Bell is running against David Rivera for Florida House. This is very similar to another "Republican which is worse campaign": Donald Trump and Ted Cruz.  Can't they get a likable candidate? The Democrats have Robert Asencio.

The Republicans have:

Rivera, David (REP)
Rodriguez, Anthony (REP)
Rojas Tallon, Steven Anthony (REP)

And Lynda Bell who has not yet officially registered.

If faced with a choice of the two: David Rivera or Lynda Bell, I would rather roll my head down U.S.1 and hope a car crushes it or swim in the FPL cooling canals and get scalded. I could never choose between them.

Barf Report: Joe Martinez wants back in the picture in District 11. By Geniusofdespair

One of the worst County Commissioners we ever had -- Joe Martinez -- is threatening to run again even though he has not opened a campaign account for the District 11 seat.

I think that Carlos Gimenez hates the current Commissioner Juan Zapata so much that he would help Joe raise funds even thhough Joe ran against him for Mayor. The Mayor has spoken to Joe and Jorge Lopez is rumored to be behind the move to get Joe to run. Heaven help us if Joe Martinez gets back in office again. He was so toxic to the County Commission.

I like Juan Zapata. Maybe the moratorium he is requesting for his district has the developers up in arms against him. This is such bad news...I hope it does not pan out. Joe Martinez, the little power hungry thug tried for Mayor and for Congress, nothing worked so he is resurfacing for the County Commission. Ugh. Really, a barfable strong rumor till it is official. But, it would be like having Lynda Bell all over again, someone that the Mayor can count on to do his bidding: another puppet.