Eye on Miami Saturday Editorial Page September 19th: Hudstead Election, Fruit Fly Invasion Update... By Geniusofdespair

THE MIAMI HERALD NOW HAS A BRIEF SATURDAY EDITORIAL PAGE WITH A POLITICAL CARTOON AND AN OPEN MIC. IT IS SORT OF AN EDITORIAL PAGE. I started our page because they got rid of theirs...

Publisher of the Miami Herald Alexandra Villoch on the left...HEY WAIT A MINUTE, IS THAT THE MAYOR'S BEST BUDDY JORGE LUIS LOPEZ ON THE RIGHT???

THE MIAMI HERALD RE-DESIGN

I was told by Alexandra Villoch Publisher of the Miami Herald, that there would be a beefed up Sunday edition, with a new "In Depth section". She said "It would be full of deep, thoughtful and investigative stories, plus issues and idea, opinions and columnists".

On September 16th, I said about the Sunday promise: "I hope I am not as dazzled with blocks of color and blocky looking fonts this weekend as I was today."

I do find the newly designed newspaper MUCH SHORTER and there is more color. What could they be spending on ink? They probably say it is not shorter just more compact. They combined the local into the front section so you can't share the paper with your spouse. Alexandra offered me a second paper to combat that but hey, you just can have so much newspaper in the house. Sometimes I forgo reading the paper now. A lot of photos in it and drawings. It is more like USA today.

I have to say Villoch was very kind to respond to me a few times. I like that but I hate hate hate the photo above. You might as well stick the Mayor in the photo too.

UPDATE ON MY INVESTIGATIVE REPORT ON THE SHOPPING CART

On September 8th I did a report on a shopping cart filled with garbage that had been on the street for months.  Well, it is now gone! But not the garbage in it.  This is worse.

RUMOR HAS IT

Wayne Rosen who owns land in Homestead's Park of Non-Commerce through DOUG, LLC will submit plans to build residential housing in the POC.

His partners in DOUG, LLC are now Patrick Gleber and Clifford Lincoln. Those two are also two thirds of the Keys Gate Condomium Association which is the HOA for all of Keys Gate. They replaced Michael Latterner, who passed a couple of years ago.

They are said to be planning 2,700 square foot homes on approximately 5,800 square foot lots. I believe in 2010 the property was rezoned to agriculture to reduce the taxes, although the agreement on zoning allowed the city to collect the same amount they were collecting prior to the rezoning, they might have just wanted to screw the county. It could explain why Rosen is funding Building a Better Homestead which has Patricia Fairclough as beneficiary. It is run by Mark Goodrich, the same guy with the fake Waldman petition. Patricia has introduced the Villages of Homestead challenger, Larry Roth to Wayne Rosen as well.

Steve Shiver It is being alleged in some circles that Otis Wallace who has a long standing relationship with R.S. Shiver, Steve's father, appealed to his sister, Barbara Jordan to get Steve in at Opa-Locka.

Xavier Suarez will run for Mayor. Let's see after his gala October 10th at the Doubletree Miami Airport and Convention Center. It is a $200-a-head event. According to the Miami Herald: In an email titled "Kitchen Cabinet Update," Suarez previously noted attendees for a reception at Coconut Grove's Calamari restaurant included Miami Commissioner Keon Hardemon, developers Armando Codina and Wayne Rosen, lobbyist Brian May and Eidson partners Dean Colson and Roberto Martinez. The event raised money for Imagine Miami, a Suarez political committee that has collected nearly $120,000 in the 2016 election cycle, according to reports through April.

UPDATE ON THE ORIENTAL FRUIT FLY IN SOUTH MIAMI 

FROM THE FLORIDA FARM BUREAU: "State officials have identified the presence of more than 100 Oriental fruit flies in south Miami-Dade County. These flies attack more than 230 types of fruits, vegetables and nuts, proving harmful to our agricultural industry. According to reports, about 85 square miles of farmland are under quarantine, meaning fruits or plants can't be shipped or moved without approval."

HUDSTEAD (HOMESTEAD) ELECTION

Mayor Jeff Porter's Campaign Report Expenses for September

Homestead politicians are having to work for campaign cash. Patricia Fairclough is unopposed. Running for Vice-Mayor with $50,000.

Jon Burgess is challenged by a Bateman ally, Larry Meno. Meno was Bateman's bodyguard or something. Sources say he owes Keys Gate Community Association more than $16,000, but he wants to represent Keys Gate.

Merv Waldman is running for his wife's seat, challenged by Larry Roth and Willie Wamble. Merv who is 78/79, was born during the depression according to the carbon dating information available. Wamble supposedly was Fairclough's teacher at some point, Fairclough is supporting Roth and Wamble, not too happy with Judy and the petition scheme. Burgess is allegedly helping Roth. Elvis and Jimmie are nor supporting Waldman. It is rumored Rosen will not give another penny to Waldman after he funded the failed petition for Judy Waldman.

Mayor Porter has two challengers, Ramiro Orta and Steve McDuffie. Three of the candidates have Dark Horse Strategies as their campaign manager.

ABSENTEE BALLOT FRAUD INVESTIGATION

I would like to know: Whatever happened with the absentee ballot fraud investigation on the Mark Bell Mayoral campaign. Are they going to let the statute of limitation run out? Of course.