Of interest to me, Richard Schaps of NYC gave, I believe he might be an Outdoor Advertising CEO. They gave as his occupation "CEO" perhaps trying to hide what line of work he is connected to. Also Jordan Schaps also of NYC gave and his occupation is listed as EVP. That is not an occupation whomever is doing this report. He got money from other outdoor media Corporations such as Gold Coast Advertising, Inc., Urban Advertising, Inc. and Dade Media, Inc. My favorite bad penny developer, Wayne Rosen was on the list (he also gave close to $30,000 to the PAC in the Spring). He figures prominently in Homestead politics. State Senator Gwen Margolis gave. There is a lot of farm money including money from Sugar Companies in Loxahatchee. I was looking for Rock Mining money and instead found a few donation from Castle Rock, Colorado with the occupation "CFO". Come on. It just makes my life harder and calls attention to it when you use a heading like that treasurer. I am going to look up who they REALLY are -- I believe the Colorado donations are related to emergency medical equipment.
In the PAC, Common Sense Now, Fernando Fraiz-Trapote gave $10,000. In the last election he gave $1,000 to the PAC the "Accountability Project" that was working against Gimenez. Is he now trying to make amends? I believe he is from Venezuela. BTW does Florida have a rule against foreign donations to PAC's? Probably not.
Actually, I did not find this to be a toxic campaign report except for the $7,500 of sugar money and the substantial PAC sugar donation of $10,000 on 7/28. What is this sugar money about?
Mayor Gimenez will be a formidable opponent in the next election with almost $1 million already raised.
13 comments:
Big Sugar sprinkles its ill-gotten gains on local politics, ensuring no candidate emerges from the minor leagues into the majors without being stamped with their watermark. You'll find this throughout Florida counties. It doesn't cost Big Sugar much. The few thousands or tens of thousands also serves as a warning, like wolves using scat to mark their territory. They are rich thanks to US farm policy, sugar's fat lobbyists and lawyers.
The fact that Carlos Gimenez takes so much money from the outdoor advertising industry is disturbing. Outdoor advertisers are primarily based out of state and their goal is to distract drivers and mar our visual beauty with their disgusting billboards.
Carlos Gimenez is especially suspect because he has done nothing to stop Clear Channel's illegal LED billboards.
What's up, Carlos?
Alvarez was much greener. I don't think Gimenez gives a thought to environmental policy - except to water it down within the County.
As usual Genius, a very thorough report. I was especially happpy to read your statement that you did not find this a toxic report except for the money from sugar.
That is why you are called "Genius." You never write with a kneejerk reaction. I have noticed every time that you do extensive research before you begin chastising wrongdoers.
The ugly fact is that politicians need money to run for office. As the former leader of the California Legislature, Jess Unruh said when he coined the phrase, "Money is the mother's milk of politics." No politician can survive without it.
What become disturbing is when they use those contributions to make policy. This may not be true for Miami-Dade County because so many of of our leaders have proven themselves to be dishonest, but I have never placed Gimenez in that category. In fact, I used to wonder why County commissioners did not like him and called him arrogant. I discovered that was because he did not vote in lock step with them all the time. He definitely had an independent streak and they hated that. So now he is the Mayor.
I see no reason to believe anything other than he is honest and I will not call him out for taking the political contributions you described. Until I can be shown that those contributions in any way caused him to make policy, I am alright with it because, unless we the people can provide him the funds he needs to win a race in Miami, we all have to realize that money is indeed the mother's milk of politics.
Thanks again Genius for your honesty and intelligence to know wrong from right. That is the beauty of your work and the main reason I read your blog so fervently.
With the approval of all these electronic billboards using so much energy, why should I worry about the type of lightbulbs I use?
Carlos Gimenez is well aware Clear Channel has well over 19 ILLEGAL LED BILLBOARDS in Miami-Dade County and he looks the other way. How many crimes is Carlos conspiring to permit as his handlers take in money from lobbyists and special interests?
He has been a great Mayor inheriting a mess... I'll contribute!
Carlos Gimenez needs to stay squeaky clean. Taking money from criminals and then giving them a pass on serious illegal behavior is no way to build a reputation.
On Spanish radio Gimenez sounds much more like Rick Scott than he does in English. That bothers me, a lot. Where does one go to find the campaign finance reports?
He isn't taking money from criminals. Other person: You can find campaign reports on the Dept. of Elections website.
Richard Schaps of NYC has been putting up billboards and visual pollution for 40 years. He is the owner of Van Wagoner, a huge outdoor advertising company. He comes to Miami to buy favors from elected officials. It was reported he and his son gave money to Carlos Gimenez. Both Schaps should have identified themselves as being in the outdoor advertising business. Gimenez's campaign people should have reported them as being outdoor advertiser industry promoters.
Clear Channel openly violates County laws.
As far as I am concerned the outdoor advertising industry promoters and it's lobbyists are all criminals. They take advantage of our beautiful scenery and our greedy elected officials to make money for themselves by defacing South Florida.
People want Gimenez to step up and enforce the County Sign Code.
Experience tells us that every lobbyist, consultant and special interest who contributes to these PACs expects something in return for their investment. That being said, with BIG sugar, Genting, contractors and eco-unfriendly companies contributing to Mayor Gimenez' PAC we can expect dark days in the future for this county.
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