You will not believe this - trust me - Palmetto Bay is Totally Nuts. By geniusofdespair

This is a rant left on David Zisman's Cell, by newly elected councilman and John Dubois endorser - David Singer. David Zisman was the loser in the 3 way race now scheduled for a runoff.  He decided to endorse the better candidate, Erica Watts. Apparently this did not make new Councilman David Singer happy.

Hard to believe that 6,000 people actually voted for this guy.

The new Trump mentality: anything goes. Ick.

Link 

Dear Palmetto Bay Residents,

We are about to vote on the Runoff election (November 22) for Vice Mayor. This vote will impact the direction of Palmetto Bay for years to come.

Knowing both candidates very well, I recommend Erica Watts because she is knowledgeable, capable and above all, honest.

Erica has both a Law degree and a degree in Economics, giving her a very special set of skills needed to hold the office of Vice Mayor of Palmetto Bay.

Your Councilman Elect, David Singer is endorsing John Dubois. So why is Singer endorsing Dubois? It’s easy, David Singer is a business partner of John Dubois. In fact, David Singer owes John Dubois $500,000. Yes, that’s a Half Million Dollars.

David Singer has told me, he has no option but to support Dubois because of their business relationship.

Singer has recently attacked me on facebook and by emails, solely because I have endorsed Erica Watts. Many of you have seen his outburst on Halloween Night, threatening to sue a cameraman for taking his picture. We cannot have Singer's Business partner and friend Dubois on the council with him. If you want to learn more about John Dubois, just Google him.

Sincerely,

David Zisman

The Miami Herald is now a Cheerleader for Marco Rubio. By Geniusofdespair

From Yesterday's Miami Herald.

I watched that wacky Republican Debate and Rubio HAD NO SUCCESS. What is the Miami Herald talking about. I thought this was a news article but it was so chock full of bullshit I suppose it is really an Editorial on Rubio. They said "He did well last week" where??? "Strong favorable ratings" with who, the T Party? Club for Growth? Political experts think Rubio turned in a "stellar performance".  What political experts? Ick. Ick. Ick. Is the Herald switching from pushing Bush to pushing Rubio now that Rubio has jumped ahead of Bush in the polls? How about some news reporting instead of this kind of crap. Rubio's support is at 11% behind a loony, madman, lunatic who has more than double that.  Not saying much at all.

Anyway this puff piece sucks, the Miami Herald should be ashamed to have printed it and Rubio still sucks.

Mayor Gimenez Holds Fundraiser for Lynda Bell. By Geniusofdespair

Brian? Is that you?

Got this email from Brian Goldmeir - ICK, the Mayor is such a disappointment:

I hope you are having a great Friday Afternoon!  I wanted to let you know about a fundraiser that Mayor Carlos Gimenez will be hosting for his Friend & Colleague Vice-Chair of the Miami-Dade Commission Lynda Bell to help her kickoff her re-election campaign.

The event will be at the home of Ralph & Vicky Garcia-Toledo on Wednesday, May 1st from 6:00pm - 7:30pm.

Just so you know it is not too late to join the Host Committee!  

Sounds like a whose who of Lobbyists. She can raise all the money in the world, and I predict she will have $700,000 to $800,000 because she is a reliable a bad votes on just about everything.  This event is being held after her famous luncheon for those over 55.

I would never vote for her. But then I don't have the choice, thankfully I don't live in the district.

All I Can Say Is, It is Lucky For Carlos Gimenez that Joe Martinez is Such a Bad Candidate. By Geniusofdespair

Why on earth would Carlos Gimenez put Commissioner Lynda Bell prominently on the COVER of his first campaign flyer to voters?

This photo really turned me off big time. I'm not the only one turned off, I have had dozens of calls about this photo.

If Joe Martinez wasn't so bad, Carlos Gimenez wouldn't be looking so good.

Ick to this flyer. Actually NONE of the Commissioners should have been on his flyer. Seriously, Bruno Barreiro? Would you want to be photographed with him if you were running for Mayor?

Carlos Gimenez's PAC picked up another $378,370.00 this cycle. Joe Martinez's PAC, Get it Done only raised $115,200.00 ($30,000 from the PBA).

So Sad that this is So True. By Geniusofdespair

Jim Morin, cartoonist for the Miami Herald, is spot on. People can't get enough gore. This unfortunate story has legs because we are so shallow. A disturbed lunatic and a homeless guy -- it is pretty sad that our interest has made this front page news for almost a week. The Herald even has a narrated video of the attack. Ick.

Erik Fresen might run for State Senate - ICK! By Geniusofdespair

Rumor has it, from Erik Fresen himself, that he might run for State Senate -- depending on the Senate District Map changes --instead of State House. He hinted that he will also step down from the Republican Party Chairmanship (the stepping down part is good). The running in any office isn't.

God help us.  What does he think he is doing, running against Alex Diaz de la Portilla who already is running in the Margolis district? If I were in the district, as a registered Republican, I might (get the barf bag) have to vote for Alex, the better of the two, in the primary.

No chance of either of them getting my vote in the election, I would vote for the Democrat Gwen Margolis. You go girl!

Patricia Ireland What the Hell Happened to You? From Hero to Mute. By Geniusofdespair

Patricia Ireland, do you believe in anything anymore? 
 

Patricia Ireland was once the President of the National Organization of Women (NOW), from 1991 to 2001, Now Patricia Ireland is living in Homestead apparently laying low engulfed in her husband James Humble's shadow. Her days of preserving a woman's right to choose are sooo over!

Ireland's hubby, James Humble is much more active in the community. In fact I caught up with him in Homestead where he was having a meeting with the Mayor and with, of all people, his County Commissioner Lynda Bell. You have to get the irony of this. Lynda Bell is a commando against 'choice' for women while Ireland was one of the country's loudest voices for choice. Abortion rights is ghastly to Lynda.  In fact, Bell was the President of the State group Florida Right to Life. When she had extra campaign funds from her Mayoral campaign in Homestead, Lynda sent them off to the group in Altamonte Springs instead of giving it to needy groups in her City. According to their website Lynda Bell is still the President of the Miami chapter of Florida Right to Life. Lynda has been governing Patricia for years, first as Homestead Mayor and now as County Commissioner. Have you heard a peep out of Ireland? I would move or slit my wrists if I were Ireland -- but it appears she doesn't care!!

Patricia Ireland actually campaigned against Katy Sorenson at one time. Katy was one of the most supportive politicians in Florida of a woman's right to choose. What is wrong with Ireland? Her husband's doing? Is she a "stand by my man?"  I would think that if Ireland had an ounce of her old self left in her she would have done anything she could to keep Lynda Bell out of the County Commission. But ONLY being the good wife apparently is paramount for Ireland now.

I fondly remember having a drink with Betty Friedan and Frances Lear. Thank God they aren't here to witness the deafening silence of Patricia Ireland in Miami-Dade County on choice.

 The last time I saw Patricia Ireland was in a courtroom, she was trying to stop the Natacha Seijas recall. Ick.

More on Ireland.

Keeping Track of Florida's Downfall. By Geniusofdespair

Might as well call this Black Thursday, hard to keep up with the bad news.

Rick Scott, after already rejecting Bullet Train funds, is now rejecting $1 million dollars for a database to fight pill mills.

Rick Scott wants to gut the Department of Community Affairs (growth management) reducing staff from 358 employees to 40 and slashing the budget from $779 to $110 million. The DCA is our last line of defense from bad developments.

Land bought for Everglades Restoration, 18,000 acres, may be used by farmers because of budget crunch.

U.S. Rep. Thomas Rooney is trying to gut EPA clean water rules in the name of, he says, 60 national companies like the Chamber of Commerce. Clean water is a job killer he says. What about us? Don't we deserve clean water to swim in and to drink? Don't the fish and manatees deserve clean water to live in?

This post rates my Ick designation.

Beware of Associated Industries of Florida. By Geniusofdespair

If you will only read one of my posts this week: MAKE IT THIS ONE.

Gimleteye, sometimes irks me when he brings up Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) in passing -- I believe we need to highlight it. We are ALWAYS talking about them in articles but it seems we are not doing a good job of letting you know just how powerful they are to affect our lives. View their legislative priorities (hit read more) and you will know Rick Scott's legislative priorities and that of the conservatives in the legislature.

Be assured that Rick Scott is listening to AIF chief Barney Bishop. Read the article about Hospitals written by John Dorschner today in the Miami Herald and within the first few paragraphs he writes: "A powerful business lobbying group, Associated Industries of Florida" is agreeing with Scott on the issue. Bummer. In lockstep with Barney Bishop's group. Ick.

Etch the name of the group and their leader in your memory because you can bet 'your' Governor Rick Scott takes his marching orders from them. Busting unions is certainly something AIF will be more than happy to fund. Also AIF orchestrated the effort to kill Amendment 4. See Barney below talking about Rick Scott when he was running (they were friends then -- no surprise there):

link to video

AIF legislative priorities at a glance (you won't like this so don't hit read more if you don't want to get depressed - this is our future):

2011 Legislative Issues At-A-Glance
(remember all these are worded to TRY to sound good)....

Legislative Issues The following is a listing of additional issues that AIF will be involved in (as of February 1, 2011) for the upcoming 2011 Session. These issues and our positions can change based on amendments. When our position does change, it will be noted in both the Daily Brief and Weekly Update reports that AIF provides to members and legislators throughout the session.

Contracting

* Support legislation to ensure consistent, streamlined and fair contract elements for entities providing health and human services to the state of Florida by incorporating national accreditation standards into the existing health and human services framework; allowing the use of a centralized document vault and allowing agencies to designate a lead agency to ensure that monitoring is coordinated.

Economic Development

* Support efforts to reduce regulatory burdens that inhibit businesses’
ability to establish and expend in Florida.
* Support efforts to further expedite permitting processes within state agencies.
* Support reestablishing funding levels of Enterprise Florida’s economic development “Tool Kit.”
* Support legislation aimed at providing tax credits for venture capitalists that invest in Florida’s emerging businesses.
* Support efforts to broaden the reach of Florida’s Growth Fund to reach more emerging businesses.
* Support measures to help existing or emerging businesses access badly needed capital markets.
* Support efforts to streamline the state’s economic development organizations.

Education

* Support increasing access to rigorous coursework and increased high school graduation standards, particularly in STEM subject areas: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math; so that students can compete globally in the 21st century.
* Support efforts to increase education in the arts, multilingualism, multiculturalism, and technology literacy to assure the workforce is prepared for the creative economy.
* Advocate flexibility in plans to fulfill the mandates of the class-size constitutional amendment.
* Support the continuation of the Banner Centers for Workforce Development and Ready-to-Work programs.
* Support reforms that will keep our best teachers in the classrooms.

Elections

* Support efforts to re-establish Florida’s signature revocation process.
* Support reforms to the process for amending the state constitution by citizen initiative.
* Support efforts to change the life span of petition signatures for citizen initiatives from the current 4 years to 2 years.
* Support legislation designed to protect the secret ballot process in Florida.

Energy

* Encourage the exploration, production and storage of petroleum and natural gas in an environmentally safe manner while ensuring a continuous supply and reasonable cost of fuel for all of Florida’s needs.
* Support incentives for the use of hydrogen fuel and the future expansion of alternative fuels and clean coal technologies.
* Support environmental and economic regulatory policies that create a stable investment climate so that electric utilities can build more fuel diverse generation systems to meet Florida’s growing energy needs, and continue to maintain and enhance the transmission and distribution system.
* Oppose government mandates that will unnecessarily drive up the cost of essential energy services for businesses in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
* Support the expansion and building of future nuclear facilities in Florida.

Environmental

* Support “Incentive Based Permitting” for those companies who are good stewards of Florida’s natural resources.
* Support the environmental self-audit privilege.
* Support state funding for alternative water supply programs.

General Business

* Support legislation providing for personal identity-theft protection and for protection of personal and business data held by state and local governments while at the same time balancing the needs of commercial entities to have access to such information to service their customers and promote commerce.
* Oppose legislation that requires businesses to rely on flawed federal verification systems for immigration status of employees.
* Support efforts to create statewide regulation of fertilizer sales.
* Support constitutional amendment protecting Floridians’ rights to a secret ballot.
* Support efforts to require important corporate information to be published in our newspapers and not just on the internet.

Growth Management

* Support efforts to re-enact the Community Renewal Act.
* Provide for the “fast track” of any project deemed to be economic development.
* Support efforts to revise the role of the DCA so that its function is less of an impediment to job creation.

Health Care

* Support proposals that encourage employers to provide health insurance benefits to their employees.
* Continue to support proposals to inject market-based solutions into the Medicaid Program to ensure appropriate high quality and cost-effective care is provided to our state’s elderly, poor and disabled.
* Oppose the expansion of ad valorem taxing authority of state taxing districts for the funding of health care facilities.
* Oppose proposals that would introduce the government into the private contracting process between insurers and providers.
* Support efforts to ensure that Low Income Pool (LIP) Council dollars follow the patient and are distributed in an equitable manner.

Insurance

* Continue efforts to bring about affordability and availability of commercial and residential property insurance utilizing sound business principles.
* Support legislation requiring a 15% rate increase for all Citizens policyholders each year until its rates are actuarially sound.
* Oppose burdensome restrictions on health insurers, such as “any willing provider” and provider contract restraints that drive up the cost of health care.
* Oppose legislation that would place additional mandates on health insurance policies.
* Support the Insurance Commissioner’s efforts to pass legislation to eliminate abuses associated with stranger originated life insurance (STOLI) arrangements.

Legal & Judicial

* Oppose the weakening or repeal of any of the 2005-06 legal reform law.
* Support adequate funding of the judicial branch.
* Preserve the rights of parties to settle cases independently without interference from their attorneys.
* Continue support for existing caps on non-economic damages arising from medical malpractice lawsuits.
* Support legislation that offers basic protection from unnecessary litigation to business owners who offer their services to first responders during natural disasters.

Taxation

* Support legislation to adopt the 2011 version of the IRS code so that Florida businesses do not have to keep two sets of records.
* Support legislative ideas that would help to lower the rising cost of property tax for both homeowners and businesses across the state.
* Support legislation to reduce the communications services tax currently on all communications devices (except residential lines).
* Support efforts to enforce the fair collection of state sales tax.
* Fight the efforts to divert money from trust-fund revenue streams to general revenue.
* Support sales tax holidays, such as exemptions from sales tax on items to be used for hurricanes supplies, school readiness, and energy efficient products.
* Support passage of the Amendment 6 implementing bill.
* Oppose the enactment of combined reporting, or a “Unitary Tax” in Florida as well as increases in excise taxes.

Technology

* Encourage the enhanced government spending on IT in order to provide better services to citizens and businesses and to ensure that Florida’s state government remains at the cutting edge of IT.
* Support funding for redesign of legacy or outdated agency IT systems.
* Support increasing compensation and competency requirements for state CIOs.
* Monitor and influence any bill filed on the Agency for Enterprise Information Technology (AEIT), or data consolidation efforts.

Transportation

* Support the transfer of new revenues from tag and title fee increases to the Transportation Trust Fund.
* Strongly support legislation that allows for aggregate rock materials to be mined without obstruction from irresponsible interest groups or ill intended county/municipal moratorium.
* Support raising the weight limit on commercial trucks using state and local roadways to weight limits that equal those of our surrounding states.
* Support legislation exempting Auxiliary Power Units (APUs) from commercial truck weight restrictions.
* Oppose any efforts to raid the state’s Transportation Trust Fund.

Unemployment Compensation

* Require all unemployment compensation appeals referees to follow consistent and established criteria statewide for determining if an employee was appropriately discharged for cause and deny benefits in those cases.
* Require interpretation of the unemployment compensation benefits award statute to carry a neutral construction rather than be construed in favor of the claimant in all instances.
* Study alternative tax calculation methodologies that may produce more fair and equitable tax rates for Florida employers and identify all impacts prior to adoption.
* Permanently allow a quarterly payment plan that lets employers spread out their unemployment compensation payments over the whole year without penalties or interest.

Workers’ Compensation

* Oppose any efforts to erode the savings experienced by all Florida employers as a result of the AIF-supported 2003 Workers’ Compensation Reform Act which resulted in savings now of over 50%.
* Oppose the creation of a state fund or other state risk bearing entity.
* Continue support for increased funding for state fraud investigations.
* Oppose any efforts to statutorily establish procedures, guidelines or other provisions that are currently available through administrative action for which statutory authority already exists.
* Oppose any raid on the Workers’ Compensation Trust Fund without first giving money back to employers.

Workforce Development

* Support the establishment of career academies in Florida’s schools that will prepare Florida’s students with industry certifications to compete with students from around the world, not just other states.
* Continue support for Florida’s Banner Centers for Workforce Development.
* Support the “Ready to Work” program.

Workforce Housing

* Support full funding of Florida’s housing trust monies solely on housing.
* Repeal the cap on the Sadowski Housing Trust Fund.

OUR FILE ON ASSOCIATED INDUSTRIES OF FLORIDA

ICK: Citizens for a Better South Florida. By Geniusofdespair

Citizens for a Better South Florida: If you have among your board members an Enterprise Rent-A-Car staffer and a Florida Power and Light executive it is bad enough. But to have one of Holland & Knight's partners and most un-environmental attorneys - Juan Mayol ...you are not an environmental group any longer. You were pushing the envelope with engineers, Pres. Arsenio Milian, but we all still supported you. This guy can be an attorney and do what he wants, but when he enters the environmental realm it is a slap in the face. He doesn't walk the walk or do the talk. He does the TOTAL opposite on both ends.

On the Holland and Knight website it says:

"He represents builders and developers in all aspects of land use law through the entire development process, from zoning approvals to subdivision and building permit issues. In addition, Mr. Mayol handles environmental matters as they relate to the development process."

Juan Mayol is a totally ridiculous choice for a group focused on environmental education. Why are you giving him a green-washing? So he can raise funds for you and you in return can give him some green cover? He fights environmental regulations and finds environmental loopholes for his clients. He is always fighting to move the Urban Development Boundary at County Hall (Krome Gold, Lennar, Lowe's Big Box to name a few). Some education you will be giving our kids over there, teaching them that money trumps the environment. You might as well put Rick Scott or Stuart Miller on your Board, you couldn't get much worse than Juan Mayol.

Here is a list of all the Board Members at Citizens for a Better South Florida and after that is a 201l list of who Juan Mayol is lobbying for:


President
Deborah D. Swain
Milian, Swain & Associates

Vice-President
Donell Henry
Enterprise Rent-A-Car

Secretary
Deena R. Bell Llewellyn, RLA, ASLA, LEED AP
BELL+AQUI Landscape Architecture, LLC

Treasurer
Alberto Herrera, Ph.D.
Miami-Dade College
Directors

Kevin Cavaioli, ASLA, LEED AP
Hoover Pumping Systems

Fernando A. Craveiro de Sa, Ph.D.
Shaw Environmental & Infrastructure, The Shaw Group Inc.

Maria Dolores Espino, Ph.D.
St. Thomas University

Ramon Ferrer, M.B.A., CPQ
Florida Power and Light

Juan J. Mayol, Jr.
Holland & Knight

Daniel A. Milian, ESQ.
Jimenez, Milian & Associates

John H. Parker, Ph.D.
Florida International University

LOBBYIST LIST
MAYOL, JUAN
2011 Annual Registration: Submitted on 1/10/2011

Principal / Subject Registration Date / Status

PIONEER CREDIT RECOVERY, INC 1/28/2011
RFQ NO. 723 Open

EVENTSTAR, CORP 1/26/2011
LEASE AGREEMENT OR USE AGREEMENT FOR PARCEL B Open

DOLPHIN CENTER PROPERTIES, LLC 1/25/2011
CDMP AMENDMENT APPLICATION, DRI AND ZONING APPROVALS Open

BIRD 74 LLC 1/10/2011
SITE PLAN APPROVAL Open

RENZO MAIETTO 1/10/2011
ZONING APPROVAL Open

LENNAR HOMES, INC 11/17/2010
SUBSTANTIAL COMPLIANCE DETERMINATION FOR ENCLAVE AT BLACK POINT MARINA Open

GRM ACQUISITION CORP 11/2/2010
CDMP AMENDMENT APPLICATION Open

A&J&B GROUP LLC 10/28/2010
UNUSUAL USE FOR A PRIVATE LAKE EXCAVATION Open

NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING COMPANY, LLC 10/26/2010
2010 EAR Open

FIRST TRANSIT & FIRST SERVICES 10/22/2010
RFP 709 Open

ARTEC METAL FABRICATION, INC 10/13/2010
EQCB APPLICATION Open

SENTRY SECURITY SYSTEMS 10/13/2010
POTENTIAL AMENDMENT TO CODE RE: ELECTRIC FENCES Open

COUNTY LINE SOUTH PROPERTIES LTD 9/20/2010
ZONING HEARING Open

DOLPHIN CENTER PROPERTIES, LLC 9/20/2010
ZONING HEARING Open

SOUTH FLORIDA STADIUM, LLC 9/20/2010
ZONING HEARING Open

BAPTIST HEALTH SOUTH FLORIDA 9/15/2010
2660 BRICKELL AVENUE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS Open

GALCOR LLC 9/15/2010
SITE PLAN APPROVAL Open

LIFE CHURCH OF SOUTH FLORIDA, INC 8/26/2010
APPROVAL FOR CHAPEL AND RELIGIOUS RESIDENCE Open

LGV, LLC 8/18/2010
REVOCATION OF BUILDING PERMIT Open

PINEWOOD ACRES SCHOOL, INC 8/11/2010
MODIFICATION OF A PREVIOUS RESOLUTION, RESOLUTION 5-ZAB-207-96 AS AMENDED BY 5-ZAB-249-96, Z-23-97 CZAB12-19-98 Open

CONSOLIDATED REAL ESTATE INVESTMENTS 7/19/2010
ITEM 14A1 Open

GARDEN VILLAGE SHOPPING CENTER, LLC 7/8/2010
ZONING APPLICATION Open

CH2M HILL 6/21/2010
NONE Open

PROFESSIONAL HELICOPTER SERVICES LTD.CO. 6/9/2010
DEFENSE OF CEASE & DESIST ORDER FROM DERM Open

GRI-EQY (QUAIL ROOST), LLC 4/20/2010
ZONING APPLICATION Open

FUEL MIAMI, LLC 3/18/2010
BID PROTEST PRESENTATION IN REFERENCE TO RFP 702 Open

MACMILLAN OIL CO OF FL, INC 2/26/2010
COUNTY CONTRACT RFP 683; GASOLINE & DIESEL FUEL Open

KENDALL INVESTORS 172, LLC 2/17/2010
ZONING APPLICATION Open

KROME GOLD RANCHES II, LLLP 2/17/2010
ZONING APPLICATION FOR MODIFICATION OF PREVIOUS RESOLUTION #Z-28-08 Open

LEO A DALY- ARCHITECTS ENGINEERS 2/17/2010
COUNTY CERTIFICATION Open

RICARDO GOMEZ & OLGA C. GOMEZ 2/5/2010
ZONING Open

LYDIA I. GOMEZ TRUST 2/2/2010
NONE Open

WEST KENDALL HOLDINGS LLC 2/2/2010
MODIFICATION OF SITE PLAN Open

NORGE INVESTORS, INC 1/28/2010
LOBBYING THE BCC AND STAFF FOR AMENDMENT TO STANDARD URBAN CENTER DISTRICT REGULATION Open

LALEX II, LLC 1/15/2010
REZONING APPLICATION FOR PROPERTY FOLIO NO30-5907-000-0240 & 30-5907-000-0150 Open

LILIANE STRANSKY 1/15/2010
NONE Open

SALADRIGAS FAMILY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP 1/15/2010
NONE Open

ST. THOMAS THE APOSTLE 1/15/2010
PUBLIC HEARING 04-76 Open

SVSC CORPORATION 1/15/2010
MODIFICATION OF SITE PLAN Open

RETREAT CONSTRUCTION CORP 11/19/2009
ZONING APPLICATION Open

SOUTH DADE BUILDERS 11/16/2009
AMENDMENT TO ZONING ORDINANCES Open

SDG DADELAND ASSOCIATES, INC. 11/12/2009
EXTENSION OF THE DADELAND MALL DRI DEVELOPMENT ORDER Open

BAPTIST HEALTH SOUTH FLORIDA 10/26/2009
DISTRICT BOUNDARY CHANGE FROM AU TO BU-3; UNUSUAL USE FOR LAKE EXCAVATION & PRIVATE RECREATIONAL FACILITY Open

WRC PROPERTIES INC 10/26/2009
NON-USE VARIANCE Open

LUCKY START EXECUTIVE PLAZA, LLC 9/11/2009
ZONING HEARING APPLICATION Open

SPECIALIST PARTS INC 9/1/2009
ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATE OF USE Open

MCSF, INC 8/26/2009
ZONING APPLICATION Open

BIRD AND 87TH AVENUE VILLAGE, LLC 8/25/2009
ZONING APPLICATION Open

SW 112 INVESTMENTS, LLC 8/6/2009
APPLICATION FOR EXTENSION OF CAPACITY RESERVATION & RE-PLATTING Open

WESTCHESTER SPANISH CHRISTIAN CHURCH, INC 8/6/2009
ZONING APPLICATION Open

MD HOLDINGS II, INC 7/23/2009
REFORMATION APPLICATION FOR RESOLUTION NO. CZAB15-2-09 Open

KENDALL LAND DEVELOPMENT LLC 7/17/2009
ZONING APPROVALS FOR PROPERTIES WITH FOLIO NO 30-5906-001 Open

ARAMARK CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, LLC 7/15/2009
PROCUREMENT RELATED TO INMATE COMMISSARY SERVICES, RFP NO. 649 Open

CONSOLIDATED REAL ESTATE INVESTMENTS 7/9/2009
ZONING APPLICATION NO. Z09-098 Open

ARBITRON INC 6/30/2009
ITEM 11 A 2 / RESOLUTION TRACKING #091575 Withdrawn

ALCIDES & ANELY MORGADO 6/10/2009
ZONING APPLICATION FOR PROPERTY COVERED BY FOLIO 30-4903-003-0018 Open

ALCIDES MORGADO, JR. 6/10/2009
ZONING APPLICATION FOR PROPERTY COVERED BY FOLIO 30-4903-003-0018 Open

MILDRED MORGADO 6/10/2009
ZONING APPLICATION FOR PROPERTY COVERED BY FOLIO 30-4903-003-0018 Open

BAPTIST HOSPITAL OF MIAMI 4/30/2009
CDMP AMENDMENT APPLICATION Open

VERIZON WIRELESS 4/20/2009
ZONING APPROVALS Open

SOUTHERN BUILDERS AT LAKESIDE II, LLC 4/1/2009
PUBLIC HEARING 08-189 Open

RIVER CITIES COMMUNITY CHARTER SCHOOL, INC 3/5/2009
ZONING APPLICATION Z08-201 Open

KEY INVESTMENTS, LTD 12/10/2008
PUBLIC HEARING 07-0289 Open

NEIL KADRE 11/3/2008
ZONING PUBLIC HEARING APPLICATION Open

ARMANDO GARCIA 10/22/2008
ZONING APPLICATION FOR PROPERTY COVERED BY FOLIO 30-5930-000-1500 Open

LINCOLN-MARTI SCHOOLS LLC 10/17/2008
PUBLIC HEARING 07-0106 Open

LINDMARC DEVELOPMENT LLC 10/9/2008
DISTRICT BOUNDARY CHANGE AND ZONING ISSUES FOR FOLIO 30-4015-000-0070 Open

JOKEY & GRUMPY SPORTS GRILL, INC 9/30/2008
NONE Open

I & D ASSOCIATES INVESTMENTS CORPORATION 9/24/2008
ZONING APPROVAL / FOLIO NO. 30 4915 085 0010, *0020, *0030, *0040 Open

GOLD RIVER CORPORATION 8/13/2008
CDMP APPLICATION NO. 9 APRIL 2008 CYCLE Open

B & F MARINE, INC 8/7/2008
ZONING HEARING Open

MD HOLDINGS II, INC 8/7/2008
ZONING APPROVALS FOR MULTIPLE PROPERTIES Open

MEADOW VIEW SHOPPING CENTER , LLC 8/7/2008
ZONING APPL FOR PROPERTY FOLIO 3049160000570 Open

SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT HC, LLC 8/7/2008
ZONING APPL FOR PROPERTY FOLIO 3049160000570 Open

DESAMP, LLC 6/23/2008
NONE Open

SHOENSTATT, INC 5/8/2008
ZONING APPLICATION Open

LIVE OAK PARTNERS, LLC 5/7/2008
CDMP AMENDMENT APPLICATION Open

MANUEL DIAZ 5/7/2008
CDMP AMENDMENT APPLICATION Open

VANGUARDIAN VILLAGE LLP 3/6/2008
ZONING APPLICATION / REQUEST FOR NON USE VARIANCE Open

NEW TESTAMENT BAPTIST CHURCH, INC 2/22/2008
ZONING HEARING APPLICATION / MODIFICATION OF PREVIOUS RESOLUTION PLAN Open

BLUE LAGOON DEVELOPMENT LLC 1/10/2008
ZONING APPROVAL FOR PROPERTY WITH FOLIO30-3131-015-0010 Withdrawn

BRIGHT BUILDERS AT QUAIL ROOST LLC 1/8/2008
ZONING APPLICATION DBC TO EU-M LOCATED AT SW 200 ST ON BOTH SIDES OF SW 132 AVE Open

KROME GOLD RANCHES II, LLLP 12/20/2007
ZONING APPLICATION Open

County Hall: Where the Peter Principal is Alive and Well and Every Good Deed Goes Unrecognized. By Geniusofdespair

MUST SEE VIDEO:
(Video Link)

Although Katy Sorenson advocated for the Office of Sustainability for years, Natacha Seijas officially asked for it in the end so it wouldn't end up on a shelf like everything else Natacha doesn't like. Remember the Watershed Study? In short, I believe Sorenson wisely stood aside on the issue so it could flourish.

The Mayor's appointment in 2008 of Mr. Devesh Nirmul to head the Office of Sustainability, the one person who actually had expertise in the field, was quickly replaced with Natacha's picks. Seijas stacked the office with her friends (Suzy Torriente and Maribel --- That is in Maribel, Natacha Seijas' Chief of Staff, Terry Murphy's new wife).

Here, in a bold move, County Clerk Harvey Ruvin thanks Katy for her role in creating the office of Sustainability -- only after thanking Seijas and others. The Green-Washed Natacha Seijas - furious - quickly corrects Ruvin in this February 1st video clip of a County Commission Meeting. God forbid that Seijas should share ANY glory with her arch enemy Katy Sorenson. Ick and Ouch, Harvey! This is in such poor taste, even for VNS, I am aghast, and the snickering of those in attendance should tell you something.

Hasn't Natacha already shelved the 60 recommendations that Harvey Ruvin spoke of that the Climate Change Advisory Task Force came up with?

Lynda Bell's Bad Campaign Money. By Geniusofdespair

Just testing out nicknames... RTL Lynda, Lynda Ring my Bell, Lynda Bell-Ringer. Not there yet. Anyway...she is getting sworn in. Ick.

Here is one donor from her campaign report I never like to see -- Miguel De Grandy:

Miguel De Grandy
7540 SW 75 St
Miami, Fl 33143

Julie De Grandy-Cancio
10060 NW9 St Cir
Miami, Fl 33172

Bertha Galvez
10060 NW9 St Cir
Miami, Fl 33172
(Note same address as Julie De Grandy)

Miguel De Grandy PA
800 Douglas Rd
Coral Gables, Fl 33134

Lisa De Grandy
7540 SW 75 St
Miami, Fl 33143

New Tourism Campaign Slogans for Florida ... by gimleteye

Before, "Drill, Baby, Drill!", Floridians should have come up with the PR campaign to support tourism in case of "Spill, Baby, Spill"! Now that we can see the damage to coastal Louisiana, it is time to kick it up a notch, like the $75 million tourism campaign Congressman Meek proposed to be funded by BP.

Here are a few slogan concepts. I love the reader's comment: "Come in, the water's refined." Fab. (add your own):

Come to Florida, free flip flops for all!

Florida, we're open for oil business.

All the dead crabs you can eat!

Bare your booty on our beaches: the world is watching!

Seven times out of ten, you won't step in oil!

Texas and Louisiana support Florida tourism!

Safe above the high tide line: Florida!

Come to interior Florida and hear our crickets sing!

Florida: put some sand on that oil in your shoes

Florida, where flip flopping on oil exploration comes naturally!

Joe Martinez: He wants to be Mayor? By Geniusofdespair

This was County Commissioner Joe Martinez speaking, Nov. 4th, about moving the Urban Development Boundary for the Ferro application I wrote about yesterday. Notice he gets off the dais and speaks in the pit in favor of a private development. The audacity of him openly advocating for a private development should not escape anyone. Listen to him speak over and over about HIS DISTRICT, Joe Martinez couldn't care less about the rest of the County. He discounts all the speakers and the county's planning department that urged the Commissioners to hold the line. Commissioner Martinez says the people who shaped the UDB line were drunk and the State Agency DCA is irrelevant (because we have a home rule charter). He even takes a swipe at the Governor for the Cabinet's finding against the Lowe's big box store (last time the Commission voted to move the UDB for a store). Etch these video in your memory and when he runs for something else, because he will, you will remember that he didn't earn your vote. He apparently cares more about his district and moving the line for Mr. Ferro - the guy with the property OUTSIDE the UDB line. Warning: If you watch these 2 videos you will HATE this guy. Ick.


P.S. You might call and tell him that the reason his district has the least business property is because it has sprawled out and that every district has more of some things and less of other things. You could also mention, in regard to the 'hardship' he cited for his district of a deficit of stores, that the last thing Miami Dade needs is more retail stores - ANYWHERE.

Will County Commissioner Joe Martinez Run for Congress? By Geniusofdespair

One can only hope that Joe Martinez will run for Congress and actually win. The Miami Herald said today he is leading in name recognition in the district. Plastering his face all over buses and bus shelters, on our tax dime, sure helped. And, doesn't his district also have that giant retrofitted RV?

Here is my take on the Congressional District 25 race. The voters there will most probably put in someone I don't like. After all, they kept Mario Diaz-Balart there all those years. So why not get an added benefit: It will open up a County Commission seat in District 11. Yes, we might get another ass in the County seat but I don't think we could do worse. I believe Martinez can do less damage in Congress (many others to dilute his votes) and it will be the ego boost he craves. It is rumored he will run for County Mayor to fill this craving and that would be a disaster, he could win. Here is an example of the devious mind of Joe Martinez:


From Miami New Times April 7, 2009:
Joe Martinez seems a forthright and resolute guy. He was the first Hispanic elected by his peers to be county commission chairman. He publicly supported the highly unpopular John McCain for president. And he pushed to strip Jose Canseco's name from a stretch of SW 16th Street after the slugger admitted to juicing.

So it was exceedingly odd when, on March 23, he voted against the new $636 million ballpark for the Florida Marlins and then minutes later cast a ballot to award a no-bid stadium construction contract to a joint venture called Hunt/Moss.

How to explain that flip-flop?

"I was against the stadium funding," Martinez says. "But Hunt/Moss... seemed very qualified to me."

Here's what Martinez doesn't mention: He has accepted thousands of dollars in donations from half of the joint venture -- Fort Lauderdale's Moss & Associates -- a company with a history of violating campaign finance laws and a record of complaints about shoddy work.

Now taxpayers are on the hook for more than $2 billion in long-term debt, tying the local economy into a construction deal with Hunt/Moss that could have dire consequences if the project comes in late, over budget, or poorly built. That reality has plan opponents fuming.

"This whole deal has taught me... how our system really works," says Michael Burnstine, an insurance salesman who founded a grassroots group to fight the stadium plan. "It's not about protecting the taxpayers; it's about getting re-elected."

With his 'NO' vote on the stadium, Martinez gained the brownie points he needed to put in his bank to become Mayor, but in a stealth move, pushed a contract we all could have done without, for which he got campaign funding. This earns an 'ick' which brings my Ick Folder up to 44 posts.

Here is One Fundraiser I am Sure to Miss. By Geniusofdespair

I know where I won't be on February 24th, at this Javier Souto Fundraiser. The Host Committee is supposed to entice you to come. Rarely do you see one that alienates you and discourages you from attending but here it is: A Fundraiser hosted by State Rep./lobbyist Erik Fresen and County Commissioner Joe Martinez, Ick.

Miguel DeGrandy, Natacha's Favorite Lobbyist, Reprimanded by Supreme Court. By Geniusofdespair

Miguel DeGrandy, obstructionist appointed by Natacha to the Charter Review Committee, and also Vile Natacha Seijas' most favorite lobbyist, was reprimanded by the Supreme Court today. Miguel is also known for the wacko shaped districts, favoring Republican candidates, that we have in Florida. Anyway, back to the news, the Miami Herald said:

The justices Thursday accepted De Grandy's plea of guilty with conditions that included the reprimand for violating legal ethics due to a conflict of interest in his private practice. The Coral Gables lawyer at one point represented a bag wrapping company and later a competitor for the same contract with Miami International Airport.

Let me file this under: Ick, that is where most lobbyist news goes. His wrists are now officially slapped. I wonder if Miguel was invited to Terry's wedding?

No. 1 and 2 on the BARF-Meter this Month: John Thrasher and Alex Diaz de la Portilla. By Geniusofdespair

This is as outrageous as it gets. Beth Reinhard in the Herald today said:

The Florida Legislature, reeling from two separate influence-peddling scandals, has an opening on an ethics and elections committee. That's the panel that's supposed to help keep elected officials and candidates in line. And the guy picked to be the chairman is a lobbyist-turned-legislator-turned- lobbyist-turned-legislator who has gotten in trouble twice for violating -- wait for it -- Florida's ethics and elections laws? Welcome to Tallahassee, where term limits amount to a quick spin through the revolving door between public office and special interests.

John Thrasher is not new to Eye on Miami, see John Thrasher for Shame. Reinhard also said:

It could be worse. Thrasher could have been chosen to head the energy committee at the same time his wife is lobbying for offshore oil drilling. Except that honor went to Republican state Sen. Alex Diaz de la Portilla of Miami, who insists his spouse's position in the high-stakes debate over oil and gas exploration off Florida's coastline won't affect his position. Me: Ick. Claudia Diaz de la Portilla also lobbies the County for Bearing Point and Accenture, LLP.

What Were These People Thinking? By Geniusofdespair

When these men and women signed this document in 1957, little did they know what they created. Can you guess what this is about, what these 16 people signed, without hitting read more? You can hit on image to enlarge it.





This is what the signers of our Charter THOUGHT they were creating, instead we got the UNRESPONSIVE to the people County Commission.

Our County Commission, the bloated monster, created April 15, 1957 by the Home Rule Charter. Ick.

Miami Dade County Spends the Most on Lobbying but Gets the Least According to Lobbyist! By Geniusofdespair

According to the Miami Herald:

Even as Miami-Dade faces its most critical budget crisis in decades, the county is spending more money lobbying the federal government than any other county in the country....only the governments of Puerto Rico and Pennsylvania -- a commonwealth and a state -- have spent more than Miami-Dade County this year on federal lobbyists.

This gets my all time worst labels of: Boondoggle, ick and Sucks, which translates to BIS as usual. The Herald said:

The county in the first two quarters of the year paid the three primary contractors: Alcalde & Fay, $180,000; Cardenas Partners, $100,000; and Greenberg Taurig, $60,000. The subcontractors: Akerman Senterfitt, $40,000; Thurman Gould, $30,000; and the Carrie Meek Group, $18,000.

Lobbyist Al Cardenas said:

"Florida ranks at the bottom most of the time in terms of what it gets from Washington and clearly has to work harder than most,'' Cardenas said. "And Miami Dade, being the largest county in the state and one of the biggest in the nation, needs assistance more than most. It comes from a state that gets the least, so it stands to reason it would need more help in advocating for its interests."

Sounds like throwing all that money at lobbyists isn't doing much good. We have been lobbying for years, but as Al admits, we aren't getting much.