Michael Lewis of Miami Today has it right in his editorial on getting rid of UMSA in Miami Dade county (the Unincorporated Municipal Service Areas) and letting the whole county incorporate like in Broward. Lewis says:
"The commission is diverted because most residents live in the nation of Umsa, the Unincorporated Municipal Services Area that taxes them while everyone else pays Miami, Coral Gables, Aventura, Palmetto Bay or the other municipalities. The county commission is the unofficial city council of Umsa. Every commissioner whose district has unincorporated land is that area's de facto mayor."
Further:
"Size doesn't determine government honesty and efficiency. But waste is easier and quicker to spot in smaller units. More important, smaller governments are more likely to do what voters need. That, not cost or honesty, is their allure. And that division of local needs from area-wide action is what our charter team should zero in on.
If we can't get rid of him, at least let's get Javier Souto out of the pothole business -- where he is stuck. He is the most parochial of the lot of them, Pepe "le pew" Diaz is a distant second.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Marco Rubio: why won't he meet with climate change scientists? ... by gimleteye
US Senator Marco Rubio is hiding from global warming and sea level rise. The Drudge Retort noted on March 14, 2012, a recent analysis that Florida is the most vulnerable state in the nation relative to sea level rise. By far. More than 40 percent of economic impacts to the nation from climate change would occur in the state that Mr. Rubio represents as US Senator. Yet Rubio will not meet with climate change scientists. Drudge might inquire (does he still live on Miami Beach, because more frequent flooding on Alton Road must attract his attention... ), why won't Marco Rubio meet with climate change scientists? Miami-Dade climate change deacon Dr. Harold Wanless presented Senator Rubio with a letter along this line last year. But Rubio, who promised to respond, never did.
Stop hiding, Marco Rubio. You could be a vice presidential candidate, and your inclination to ignore scientists is alarming.
Friday, April 27, 2012
Marco Rubio: Why won't you meet with climate change scientists? ... by gimleteye
Florida is in the cross-hairs of climate change, with its economy at severe risk. Yet US Senator Marco Rubio refuses to meet with qualified climate change scientists to review the facts. Dr. Harold Wanless, chair of the Dept. of Geology of the University of Miami, personally handed an invitation to Senator Rubio to meet with climate change scientists, who never responded to Dr. Wanless despite promising he would. Incredible that this is someone who is on the list of GOP vice presidential candidates. Truly un-believable.
David Rivera & Alex Diaz de la Portilla: A case study. By Geniusofdespair
Yes, this is only a 2008 election of Republican State Executive Committeeman but still very interesting. If you look at election day and early voting only, Alex Diaz de la Portilla got 16,178 and David Rivera got 15,592, that would have made Alex the vote winner. When you add in absentee ballots the story changes: David Rivera gets 3,028 more votes then Alex. David Rivera is one candidate that we KNOW is tied into to the absentee ballot machine. I am told he is the boletera's darling. In this election it is pretty clear that absentee ballots changed the results.
Most of the time when I complain that a candidate got too many absentee ballots relative to other voting methods, they tell me that Democrats don't use absentee ballots as much, so that is why absentee's are lopsided in favor of Republicans. Well, then, explain this one to me: This is Republican on Republican. I would expect in all manners of voting, the ratio would have been similar. But here the absentee's are lopsided. Why?
The Miami Herald blasted David Rivera in an editorial today re: the State Attorney's close-out memo.
On US Secret Service and TV News: Enough Already! ... by gimleteye
The U.S. Secret Service has been the lead story on network TV news for a week. Enough already. Enough!
Was it a serious breach of security? Yes. Is it the biggest story facing Americans? Not by a long shot.
How about the economy? Or Afghanistan and Iraq? I'm guessing that the passing freak show of the Republican primary, blown up like a Macy's Day Parade figure on network TV for the past six months, left a big gap and TV executives needed something purient and light to fit its absence.
How about issues of federalism and state authority? How about the fact that restoring the Everglades is a $20 billion project, involving a couple of million acres of land, and that the state of Florida only has five people working part-time to do monitoring of the Big Sugar polluters?
To me, there are many stories bigger than the U.S. Secret Service. But if you are going to investigate the U.S. Secret Service ad infinitum, how about the story of shifting morals over the decades and during times of severe economic crisis, suddenly human sexuality becomes an issue for dissection by the press.
Was it a serious breach of security? Yes. Is it the biggest story facing Americans? Not by a long shot.
How about the economy? Or Afghanistan and Iraq? I'm guessing that the passing freak show of the Republican primary, blown up like a Macy's Day Parade figure on network TV for the past six months, left a big gap and TV executives needed something purient and light to fit its absence.
How about issues of federalism and state authority? How about the fact that restoring the Everglades is a $20 billion project, involving a couple of million acres of land, and that the state of Florida only has five people working part-time to do monitoring of the Big Sugar polluters?
To me, there are many stories bigger than the U.S. Secret Service. But if you are going to investigate the U.S. Secret Service ad infinitum, how about the story of shifting morals over the decades and during times of severe economic crisis, suddenly human sexuality becomes an issue for dissection by the press.
Miami Herald Missed One Important Point in Report on N. Miami Mayor. By Geniusofdespair
The Miami Herald reported that North Miami Mayor Andre Pierre was walking away from his foreclosed home. They said about Pierre and his wife:
In 2007, they borrowed $567,000 against their 2,495-square-foot home, based on a 59 percent jump in the home’s value over four years. They took out two loans — one for $417,000, another for $150,000. At the time, the home’s market value was approximately $500,000, according to the county property appraiser’s records.
You can't get a loan for that much more than the house is worth even in the zany boom time. I suspect whomever made these loans for Bank of America (Tamekia Johnson is listed as preparing the documents) might be brain dead. Both loans were filed 11/15/2007 at 11:34.
In 2007, they borrowed $567,000 against their 2,495-square-foot home, based on a 59 percent jump in the home’s value over four years. They took out two loans — one for $417,000, another for $150,000. At the time, the home’s market value was approximately $500,000, according to the county property appraiser’s records.
You can't get a loan for that much more than the house is worth even in the zany boom time. I suspect whomever made these loans for Bank of America (Tamekia Johnson is listed as preparing the documents) might be brain dead. Both loans were filed 11/15/2007 at 11:34.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Commissioner Audrey Edmonson has a second challenger. By Geniusofdespair
Eddie Lewis of Miami Shores has signed on to challenge Audrey Edmonson. If it is the same Eddie Lewis, he also ran for Property Appraiser in 2008 getting 13.79% of the vote. He ran for Mayor in 2011 and got .67% of the vote. In 2006 he ran for Florida State House and lost again.
To be honest, I didn't even know Audrey's district went all the way to Miami Shores. I had to open a map to double check.
Lewis raised $11,620 for his mayoral campaign (all but $260 were loans to himself). He got $10 from Brett Berlin (what is that about? A fellow Democrat giving a pittance?). I don't consider this a serious challenge.
Folks, good intentions can't mount a decent campaign. If you can't raise any money, you can't win unless, of course, you are rich. You can then loan yourself the needed funds. You might be able to win with a third of the money of your opponent and a lot of hard work, but any less is pretty tricky. Ask Julio Robaina who lost to Xavier Suarez - He had less than a third ($76,808 to $254,016). The only exception I have seen is Jean Monestime. He had a credible $106,775, but that amounted to less than a third of Dorrin Rolle's $388,408.
To be honest, I didn't even know Audrey's district went all the way to Miami Shores. I had to open a map to double check.
Lewis raised $11,620 for his mayoral campaign (all but $260 were loans to himself). He got $10 from Brett Berlin (what is that about? A fellow Democrat giving a pittance?). I don't consider this a serious challenge.
Folks, good intentions can't mount a decent campaign. If you can't raise any money, you can't win unless, of course, you are rich. You can then loan yourself the needed funds. You might be able to win with a third of the money of your opponent and a lot of hard work, but any less is pretty tricky. Ask Julio Robaina who lost to Xavier Suarez - He had less than a third ($76,808 to $254,016). The only exception I have seen is Jean Monestime. He had a credible $106,775, but that amounted to less than a third of Dorrin Rolle's $388,408.
And Now, From The Florida Dept. of Motor Vehicles Department of State Security ... a real and true story by gimleteye
After a number of automatic, online renewals of my drivers license, The Florida Department of Motor Vehicles sent me a notice, requiring me in person to present three categories of proof of identity to renew my license. Mine is set to expire in one month. I though this was a little excessive, but hey: you can't be too careful these days. So I signed up online for an appointment-- a few clicks. So far, so good. I collected various proof of identity (a passport, bank statements, tax bills, health insurance card). That took half an hour or so. I appeared at the duly appointed time and day having braved nearly an hour of traffic.
At the door, the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles refused to accept documentation I provided to renew my license because I did not have my social security card. A passport, bank statements, health care card, tax bills were insufficient proof of identity according to the three categories, nor living in the same house for twenty five years. The DMV sent me to the Social Security Administration for a replacement of my social security card so I could prove identity to renew my drivers license. That took an additional hour of driving and an hour in the wait room.
There, for proof of identification Social Security accepted my ... drivers license.
At the door, the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles refused to accept documentation I provided to renew my license because I did not have my social security card. A passport, bank statements, health care card, tax bills were insufficient proof of identity according to the three categories, nor living in the same house for twenty five years. The DMV sent me to the Social Security Administration for a replacement of my social security card so I could prove identity to renew my drivers license. That took an additional hour of driving and an hour in the wait room.
There, for proof of identification Social Security accepted my ... drivers license.
Digging into the polluters ... guest blog
The following guest blog is from Larry Fink, formerly the lead environmental scientist for the South Florida Water Management District. It is reprinted with permission of the author.
Gimleteye's comments: Technical aspects of state and federal water quality law have been used by polluters as a smokescreen for the continued, non-stop pollution of Florida waters. Unfortunately, federal agencies are complicit.
The tragedy is that the media has failed to explain to the public the breakdown between federal and state jurisdictions and the damage, as a result, to federal environmental laws. Federal agencies like the EPA fear the enormous power of corporate polluters. Fink writes, "(Florida) polluters are intentionally muddying the waters by using the alleged unreasonable cost of compliance to water down (federal water quality law). This political sleight-of-hand covers up Clean Water Act heresy. We need to fight the polluters and their state and federal political apologists by exposing this heresy."
We need to expose more than heresy. We need to find a way to make the public understand that spreading hatred of government, as expressed by the Tea Party for example, is a deliberate tactic of wealthy polluters. "Limited government", the mantra of the Florida legislature run by the GOP, is a code word to enable big campaign contributors to get what they want, when they want it. It is easy to see what is going on, in Florida waters.
The following video is being played throughout the state and produced by the Florida Water Coalition. It is worth your attention to read the specifics as outlined by Larry Fink.
Read on:
Gimleteye's comments: Technical aspects of state and federal water quality law have been used by polluters as a smokescreen for the continued, non-stop pollution of Florida waters. Unfortunately, federal agencies are complicit.
The tragedy is that the media has failed to explain to the public the breakdown between federal and state jurisdictions and the damage, as a result, to federal environmental laws. Federal agencies like the EPA fear the enormous power of corporate polluters. Fink writes, "(Florida) polluters are intentionally muddying the waters by using the alleged unreasonable cost of compliance to water down (federal water quality law). This political sleight-of-hand covers up Clean Water Act heresy. We need to fight the polluters and their state and federal political apologists by exposing this heresy."
We need to expose more than heresy. We need to find a way to make the public understand that spreading hatred of government, as expressed by the Tea Party for example, is a deliberate tactic of wealthy polluters. "Limited government", the mantra of the Florida legislature run by the GOP, is a code word to enable big campaign contributors to get what they want, when they want it. It is easy to see what is going on, in Florida waters.
The following video is being played throughout the state and produced by the Florida Water Coalition. It is worth your attention to read the specifics as outlined by Larry Fink.
Read on:
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Sorry Jeffrey Bercow...and other news. By Geniusofdespair
The Board of County Commissioners added language stating “no person who is currently a registered lobbyist or who does business with the County may be appointed to serve as a member of the Charter Review Task Force.”
That takes Lobbyist Jeffrey Bercow off the Charter Review Task Force. It makes me sort of happy but I would rather not have the Task Force at all. Wish I could get rid of a few of the others members. I wonder if any of the others are doing business with the County, I checked them all for lobbying.
Rumor has it that Joe Garcia is going to enter the race against David Rivera. Expect a slug fest if that happens.
That takes Lobbyist Jeffrey Bercow off the Charter Review Task Force. It makes me sort of happy but I would rather not have the Task Force at all. Wish I could get rid of a few of the others members. I wonder if any of the others are doing business with the County, I checked them all for lobbying.
Rumor has it that Joe Garcia is going to enter the race against David Rivera. Expect a slug fest if that happens.
We Remember: What the Miami Herald failed to report about the Everglades Foundation today ... by gimleteye
I suppose the Herald has its reasons, but today's announcement that the Everglades Foundation hired Eric Eikenberg, chief of staff to former Gov. Charlie Crist, omitted salient detail. Eikenberg is "a seasoned Republican strategist" who will replace Kirk Fordham as CEO. He was deeply involved in the critical acquisition of US Sugar lands for Everglades restoration purposes; a necessary investment that was fiercely opposed by US Sugar's competitor: the Fanjul billionaires. The Fanjuls pervasive influence dominates Tallahassee the way Big Oil and once Big Tobacco did in Congress. Unfortunately, the Fanjuls also helped derail the full scale of the state acquisition. The point is that nothing in the Everglades is safe from Big Sugar unless it is in public hands, and even then the public records shows the taxpayers keep paying and paying and paying for Big Sugar's ongoing, relentless pollution of the Everglades.
The Fanjuls threw their support to Marco Rubio in 2010, who then defeated Crist for US Senate. Earlier Eikenberg had been chief-of-staff to then Congressman Clay Shaw, Republican. Shaw, at risk to his political career, was the only member of the Florida Congressional delegation to oppose Jeb Bush's plan to disguise the state's intervention through the neatly framed "Acceler8" in 2003. Bush subverted federal law by changing the terms of the federal state settlement agreement on the Everglades in order to please the Fanjuls. The Bush plan was subsequently ruled illegal by federal court judge Alan S. Gold in 2008 (and is still being contested by the state).
Here is what I wrote and published in 2005, for the Orlando Sentinel: "Everglades Spin Machine Busts Gasket" (Bush and his consiglieres complained bitterly to the Sentinel, of course.) :
The Fanjuls threw their support to Marco Rubio in 2010, who then defeated Crist for US Senate. Earlier Eikenberg had been chief-of-staff to then Congressman Clay Shaw, Republican. Shaw, at risk to his political career, was the only member of the Florida Congressional delegation to oppose Jeb Bush's plan to disguise the state's intervention through the neatly framed "Acceler8" in 2003. Bush subverted federal law by changing the terms of the federal state settlement agreement on the Everglades in order to please the Fanjuls. The Bush plan was subsequently ruled illegal by federal court judge Alan S. Gold in 2008 (and is still being contested by the state).
Here is what I wrote and published in 2005, for the Orlando Sentinel: "Everglades Spin Machine Busts Gasket" (Bush and his consiglieres complained bitterly to the Sentinel, of course.) :
Foreclosure Statistics. By Geniusofdespair
I am going to let the statistics tell the story. (Note from Gimleteye: The statistics, unfortunately, do not tell the whole story. Banks have been arbitrarily allowed to hold onto parts of their mortgage portfolios by the FDIC, using boom times assessed values, in order to prevent a massive collapse of the industry. The statistics would be much higher if banks had been required to mark-to-market their portfolios. One of the untold stories of the bust is how banks decide who to foreclose on, and who to delay. Just like some banks were too big to fail, some of the banks big mortgagees have also been too big to fail: Jorge Perez, Related Group, is one example. Perez' real estate failures should have been enough to keep him out of the development business for the rest of his life. How many millions did his misadventures in development cost bank shareholders and, through zoning and permitting, taxpayers? Or are we to believe that "it's all good." Journalists have failed to tell these stories. Perhaps our readers have personal stories to anonymously share along these lines ... )
Thank you Gimleteye, appreciate the feedback. Anyway, here are the statistics, maybe not such good news after all:
Thank you Gimleteye, appreciate the feedback. Anyway, here are the statistics, maybe not such good news after all:
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| In 2011 the foreclosure total for the first three months was 3,070. In 2012 it is more than twice that. |
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| In January 2009 there were 6,063; February 5,942; March 7,103: Total 19,108. We are at a third of those numbers in 2012. But don't rejoice yet, because in 2005 we had only 7,829 foreclosures for the whole year. This 2012 number of 6,255 is only for 3 months. |
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| Looking at this 2009 chart of Real Estate Owned by the lenders, Moss' Commission District 9 had the most by far. This is also where the worst sprawl development occurred. Sorenson's District 8 was also home to a lot of sprawl development and that came in second. I hope we learned that sprawl doesn't pay. |
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Broward New Times: George Zimmerman has more support than the Miami Marlins ... by gimleteye
The Miami Herald reports Marlins' president David Samson is going to run back to back marathons. What's the point? The Broward New Times cites a new poll by Public Policy Polling that only 15 percent of Florida voters count themselves as fans of the Marlins. 26 percent of Floridians think George Zimmerman is not guilty in the Trayvon Martin shooting.
Joe Biden's Visit: The Side Show. By Geniusofdespair
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| That is Senator Bill Nelson peaking out from the back of the Vice President's shoulder, Also in attendance was U.S. Rep Alcee Hastings. |
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| Mac-Kinley Lauriston Administrative Director for Commissioner Jean Monestime |
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| Also there from Lynda Bell's Office: Lynda Bell herself. |
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| Kerri Barsh, Rock Mining's favorite Lawyer and Lynda Bell hanging out. Either Lynda got her the water or Lynda is hogging two. Look a Kerri's body language, what is she hatching? She attends all of Lynda Bell's wetland advisory task force meetings. I would say this is a love fest. Of all the people who shouldn't show their faces at an Everglades event, these two couldn't care less --- by their actions. Lynda is propping up the 8 1/2 square mile people now, the biggest, single headache to Everglades Restoration. |
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| This Picture of Ron Bergeron wouldn't be as interesting except that is Bob Graham's finger on his belt buckle. Also the Wildlife Commissioner embroidered on his shirt "Commissioner ALLIGATOR Ron Bergeron. That is because he at one time wrestled with the animals. This guy is a big Republican donor. While he touts the importance of the Everglades, I think it is only for his rock mining enterprises. |
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| State Senator Nan Rich -- Like her a lot -- is running for Governor. |
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| The two stars of the event: Joe Biden and Robert is Here. Robert is the most famous guy near the Everglades, he runs the best Fruit Stand around. |
How Marco Rubio subtracts from Mitt Romney ... by gimleteye
The Mitt Romney campaign apparently expects that the American voter will have forgotten about the legacy of the Bush White House by the time November rolls around. But I don't think that legacy is dead and gone. To the contrary. In the New York Times, Paul Krugman picked up on the theme:
Just how stupid does Mitt Romney think we are? If you’ve been following his campaign from the beginning, that’s a question you have probably asked many times.The problem with Marco Rubio is that every trail to Rubio leads from the Bush legacy. It is too bad that Florida media won't pick up the theme; a point Eyeonmiami has noted before. Instead, Rubio is called "too inexperienced". On closer investigation, that would surely come if Romney chooses Rubio, count on the resurrection of the facts.
But the question was raised with particular force last week, when Mr. Romney tried to make a closed drywall factory in Ohio a symbol of the Obama administration’s economic failure. It was a symbol, all right — but not in the way he intended.
First of all, many reporters quickly noted a point that Mr. Romney somehow failed to mention: George W. Bush, not Barack Obama, was president when the factory in question was closed. Does the Romney campaign expect Americans to blame President Obama for his predecessor’s policy failure?
Yes, it does. Mr. Romney constantly talks about job losses under Mr. Obama. Yet all of the net job loss took place in the first few months of 2009, that is, before any of the new administration’s policies had time to take effect. So the Ohio speech was a perfect illustration of the way the Romney campaign is banking on amnesia, on the hope that voters don’t remember that Mr. Obama inherited an economy that was already in free fall.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Vice President Joe Biden on Monday visits Everglades National Park
For real: Ron Bergeron is making an appearance at the Joe Biden visit to Everglades National Park. Here are photos of his ride (Bergeron's, not the VP's). Ron is a very wealthy rock miner (exploiting Everglades limestone for cement), land speculator (exploiting Everglades wetlands for suburban sprawl), and claims to know more about the Everglades than anyone who drives a Hummer like his. By Jove, I think EOM has finally discovered who Ron Bergeron aspires to be. (Note: Bergeron is wearing his "black hat". His "white hat" remains in the Hummer on the dashboard.)
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| You really have to hit this car to increase the size to get its full impact. |
Marco Rubio and Congressman David Rivera ... by gimleteye
How Marco Rubio was pinned to the mainstream media as a high ranking member on the list of possible vice presidential running mate to Mitt Romney, without question or inquiry on qualifications, is a mystery. Rubio delivers a good sound bite. Anything else? Well, his close association with David Rivera bears scrutiny. This weekend the Herald published a detailed report on Rivera's barely legal financial shenanigans. Not a word about Rubio's long history with Rivera. (Search our blog, for more.) If Rubio were to be selected by Romney, he would be one step from the presidency and so it is time for journalists to sharpen their inquiries. Republicans have wagered spectacularly poor gambles on vice presidential picks; most recently Sarah Palin. Romney is campaigning with Rubio today, apparently to get a feel for the cut of his jib. Don't go there, Mitt.
What Can I Complain About Today? How About Some Readers. Geniusofdespair
I worked hard to expose some of the fraud surrounding absentee ballots in a 3 Part Series on Absentee Ballot fraud.
Now, in response the Elections Department is trying to do something about it. Instead of focusing on what is good about this, readers are complaining on who is administering the program. Don't they understand that when someone is doing something good, they should be commended? There is a time and a place to complain. This isn't the time or the place. I worked too hard to make a dent. I resent readers bashing elections here. I tried for many years to get Lester Sola to do some positive things about absentee ballot fraud. Never happened. The leadership now is OPEN to make positive changes. What more do you want? What I want now is for you to volunteer for the program. Even if you hate the people in Elections, it is what we have, when you are really lucky, you can get rid of what you have that irks you: The recall of Natacha Seijas. Her ouster wasn't done with complaints, that was done with action, a lot of work by Vanessa Brito. When I delivered my petitions the place was piled high with petitions and there were 3 people working on processing them. People were coming and going. It was a tremendous undertaking.
You have to work with what you have sometimes because giving up is never an option.
More, on Growth Management and John DeGrove ... by gimleteye
In response to one of my recent posts, "Gov. Rick Scott and John DeGrove: Gone", an anonymous reader wrote: "Gimleteye, John DeGrove... visionary, diligent defender of quality, value, and the relationship of good planning to higher quality of life. He will be missed. Unfortunately, I can't see your railing against our current governor, anyone with money and an interest, or against general free enterprise having a positive impact on adopting policies of good growth..." As a general matter I don't respond to invective, but in this case:
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Help Educate Voters to Combat Absentee Ballot Fraud. By Geniusofdespair
THIS IS WHAT EYE ON MIAMI WORKED FOR - if you know potential volunteers, forward this blog to them. PLEASE VOLUNTEER FOR THIS TRAINING by calling Gary Hartfield at 305.499.8372. We can help stop absentee ballot fraud with this program, do your civic duty! Remember: CLOSE ELECTIONS ARE BEING STOLEN by absentee ballot fraud!
Here is a letter from Election Supervisor Penny Townsley describing the program:
In this important election year, the Miami-Dade Elections Department is preparing for the implementation of a countywide voter education campaign. A number of outreach events are scheduled across the County to inform voters about redistricting, registration, and voter protection. Specifically, this Department will be providing supervised voting for absent electors residing in assisted living facilities within Miami-Dade County; ensuring that every resident living in the facilities is able to cast his/her vote in a safe and convenient environment free from fear, intimidation or exploitation.
Since this is going to be a busy election year, we are in the need of volunteers to assist us. Teams consisting of representatives from different political parties will be assigned to participate in various events to educate voters. Training will be provided and every effort will be made to ensure our volunteers are knowledgeable of all election related rules and regulations. We hope that you will join us in making sure the upcoming August 14th Primary Election and November 6th General Election are a success by providing your time which, in turn, gives our voters confidence in the electoral process.
If you want to make an impact on your community and be a part of this important democratic process, please contact Gary Hartfield at 305.499.8372 to become a part of our team.
Penelope Townsley - Supervisor of Elections
A big thank you from us to Penny and her staff for all their work in setting up this program. I have already volunteered.
Here is a letter from Election Supervisor Penny Townsley describing the program:
In this important election year, the Miami-Dade Elections Department is preparing for the implementation of a countywide voter education campaign. A number of outreach events are scheduled across the County to inform voters about redistricting, registration, and voter protection. Specifically, this Department will be providing supervised voting for absent electors residing in assisted living facilities within Miami-Dade County; ensuring that every resident living in the facilities is able to cast his/her vote in a safe and convenient environment free from fear, intimidation or exploitation.
Since this is going to be a busy election year, we are in the need of volunteers to assist us. Teams consisting of representatives from different political parties will be assigned to participate in various events to educate voters. Training will be provided and every effort will be made to ensure our volunteers are knowledgeable of all election related rules and regulations. We hope that you will join us in making sure the upcoming August 14th Primary Election and November 6th General Election are a success by providing your time which, in turn, gives our voters confidence in the electoral process.
If you want to make an impact on your community and be a part of this important democratic process, please contact Gary Hartfield at 305.499.8372 to become a part of our team.
Penelope Townsley - Supervisor of Elections
A big thank you from us to Penny and her staff for all their work in setting up this program. I have already volunteered.
Rep. David Rivera Lived off His Campaign Accounts. By Geniusofdespair
"In a memo wrapping up their case, Miami-Dade prosecutors said Rivera “essentially live[d] off” campaign contributions for almost a decade while serving as a part-time state lawmaker, paying mortgages on four different properties and jetting around the globe though he never held a full-time job or earned more than $28,000 a year."
Read the article, there is plenty more! It is important to point out his roommate for a few years was Senator Marco Rubio. Like he didn't know what Rivera was up to.
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