Sasha, Alex: Unlikely cafecito pals

  • Sumo
Sasha Tirador hunting for
clients at a recent meeting.

Who would have thought that the two warring sides in the Hialeah elections could sit down to a cafecito at Chico’s on West 12th Avenue over race relations? Not Ladra.

But that is what happened Saturday afternoon when former councilman and candidate Alex Morales — who is running on an anti-incumbent slate and platform — met with absentee ballot queen Sasha Tirador, who worked for former mayor Julio Robaina‘s failed county mayoral bid and is now on the staff for four of the five incumbents (proving again that councilwoman Vivian Casals-Muñoz has been made an outsider). Both said they had been longtime friends and brushed off the meeting as if it was nothing unusual — even though each said the other had called it.

But Ladra is pacing and growling, anyway.

Julio Martinez, Raul Martinez and Alex Morales at a
recent city council meeting.

Morales is in an open seat and Tirador said she is helping his last minute challenger, former Housing Authority board member Lourdes Lozano, who everyone knows was planted in the race by the mayor. The professor said she told him at the time that she was not helping Lozano, but he is also running on a slate with former mayor Raul Martinez, former mayor Julio Martinez, former councilwoman Cindy Miel and former police officer and Hialeah Housing Authority official Danny Bolaños. Tirador is representing the incumbents in three of those races: Alcaldito Carlos Hernandez, Council President Isis “Guttermouth Girl” Garcia-Martinez and Councilman Jose Caragol.  She says she is also working for Pablito “Huh” Hernandez and “helping” Lozano, who is not an official client, run against Morales, her “old friend,” and force him into a runoff. She says she is not representing gun dealer and permit-smirker Tony Vega in the challenge against Casals-Muñoz, where Bolaños is running. “I will not represent Tony Vega. At least, I don’t think so.” But Ladra doesn’t believe that she is going to work on everybody in the incumbent slate except Vega? We think Tirador is out to get Vivian (more on that later) and that Vega and Hernandez are becoming allies before our very eyes and, so, I can’t help but think that Tirador will be collecting iffy absentee ballots for Vega, too.

One of the reasons I believe she is working, or advocating, for Vega is because one of the anonymous facebook profiles that have been attacking Bolaños and Martinez — and, most recently, me — sent me a personal message late last night with inside details about the cafecito meeting. “The conversation was really intimate of a classified nature… cozy and honest,” wrote “Ernesto Mirabal,” which is not the real user of the facebook page that used to be known as Hialeah First. It is the name of the man that Martinez had a physical altercation with on the Palmetto Expressway some years ago, an episode we will come back to later since it will become part of the smear campaign. The anonymous author (read: Vega or one of his campaigners) wrote that Morales had tried to distance himself from Bolaños, who had the weakest showing of the Back to the Future campaign slate in the firefighters’ poll. “Even the signs are distanced and never on the same pole. He thinks the only ones that can win are Frank Lago and him out of his whole slate. Even Raul is not where he wants to be. Food for thought. Ask him.”

Always a skeptic, Ladra did ask. Even though Lago is not on the slate — not yet, anyway. Both he and “Daring” Daisy Castellanos were at the grand opening of the Martinez/Morales/Bolaños campaign office Sunday afternoon and Martinez mentioned both candidates’ names in his platform speech.

Morales, who would never say that Martinez is not in the lead (c’mon, he is a very smart guy) and has consistently told me to watch as every incumbent is unseated in November, said he said no such thing. But he really didn’t have to. He’s not stupid, after all. He is the professor for something. And while he may have been dismayed early on by the numbers in that poll, Morales has been supporting Bolaños for months and says his momentum has increased tremendously. They’ve walked together and put up signs together. Many of their signs are posted side by side on fences and in yards. “I have put Danny’s signs up and he’s put up my signs. I have put my signs together with his. We have made the decision to support each other.” Besides, he knew that Tirador called him with some ruse about housing authority campaign rules so she could try to get some intel on the strength of the bonds between the slate mates. “She was there to obtain information on our slate and how committed we are. And I told her we were very committed,” Morales said. Tirador confirmed that. “Alex Morales made it very clear that he was supporting Danny,” she said.

But Tirador also told Ladra they met so the professor could get her professional assessment. “I have known Alex Morales since I was 14 and I’m 37. He was asking me for advice,” she said. I had to ask: Advice about what? “That’s a private matter between Alex and I. I’ve never had any issues with Alex Morales. Why shouldn’t I talk with him? We were jut picking each others brains.” It was so cordial, in fact, they walked over to Morales’ parents’ bakery in the same shopping strip and he gave her a tres leches.

“I met with Alex Morales because there is no reason I shouldn’t meet with Alex Morales and it’s not like the first time we are on opposite sides that we meet anyway,” Tirador told me. “Just because you’re on opposite sides doesn’t mean you can’t meet and pick each others’ brains.” Well, wait. Was he asking you for advice or were you picking each other’s brains?

And, yeah, just because you are on opposite sides does kind of mean that you can’t meet to pick each others’ brains. Or you can’t meet and expect everyone to think it was on the up and up. Most people I know would think it was odd. Like Martinez, who does not trust Tirador since she was accused of tampering with absentee ballots during his failed congressional run against Lincoln Diaz-Balart in 2008. (She was investigated, but the case was closed because while there was evidence that tampering occurred, they could not prove it was her doing).  Martinez was apparently not happy about the meeting.  “I told Alex, ‘Why in the world would you want to meet with that individual? Sometimes, he thinks he’s too smart. I love him, but I want to kill him sometimes,” said Martinez, who will only admit to supporting Morales, Bolanos and the other Martinez “because I want Caragol out of there.” Miel has to try harder if she wants his active support, he said. (More on that later).

But all this proves, Martinez said, is that the incumbent side that Tirador works for is trying to cause a rift or break within the Back to the Future cast. And, Ladra said, it proves that Martinez is not always completely in control of his crew.

56 Responses to "Sasha, Alex: Unlikely cafecito pals"

  1. lol you just pulled a "I know you are but what am I argument" from elementary. Yes that much is obvious that it was your response but again it was an insult not something for you to respond to seriously but again that is why this was entertaining for so long. Oh and I'm glad you've virtually admitted you were wrong since you did challenge me to prove that you had done something you claimed you didn't do. You get points for that on the maturity scale but you're still too short to ride on the roller coaster called Hialeah politics. At any rate thank you for the offer.

    Pansy

  2. Why would hernandez give you a interview? You are a joke that has lost all creditability!!! Go get a job and start paying your bills.

  3. Pansy… you are pulling it out of your ass. A fat one, I would gather. As you can see below, the only reason I made mention of time in writing, was because you spoke about it first… (see Pansy’s comment at bottom). Anyhow, I think you have bigger issues to deal with like selective amnesia, poor judgment, meager reasoning skills and emotional challenges. Having said that, and understanding you’re finished toying around with my persona, I think you and I could enjoy a cold beer and a few good laughs.

    Anonymous said…

    Hey fourth post. How about you take some of your own medicine and provide substance not that short and totally defensive crap that took you an hour to edit. Calling me a pansy while whining. Grow a pair, stop talking, and actually give some real reasons for your position.

    September 4, 2011 12:44 PM

  4. I am unabashedly biased against Hernandez's ridiculous lies and political retribution and cronyism and financial gifts in no-bid contracts to friends and campaign contributors. I did not START this way. But he has consistently lied or refused to give information. More than two months ago, I asked how much of the $8 million in the bank was in unencumbered funds not earmarked for special enterprise funds and he stopped the press conference right there and said that had to be asked in writing. The other reporters could not believe it. I didn't shout. I didn't call him names. He has me investigated and then denies it. But I will still talk with him if he wants to show me how this threat to fire firefighters is legit… except that he can't. Because it is not. Everyone knows that I am open-minded (my critics call it wishy-washy) and the total truth is that I can be convinced I am wrong so far. But nobody wants to step up to that challenge. Instead of looking for the kool-aid (I only drink coffee and Diet Coke), why don't you try to broker a meeting where he actually answers questions without saying "this is a balanced budget" like a robot? Am I supposed to not call him for the liar he is when he dodges around real questions and does things like investigate me and others? Please. I am honest about how I feel and what I think and that should be appreciated. I have no hidden agenda. I just want the truth. He is afraid of it.

  5. Apparently many people on this thread just started reading your blog. They seemed shocked that you are so visibly and unabashedly on one side of this election. Elaine, your losing credibility by the day. You are supporting a candidate that has more baggage than Michelle Spence Jones. Let me ask you a question that a fourth grader can answer. If you constantly denigrate Carlos and, all but put a banner on your page for the Martinez slate (no cute nicknames, the slate is what it is), do you think he should be friendly to you? Would you be? 

    Honestly, ask someone who doesn't follow Hialeah politics and ask them to read the last two months of your posts. They will tell you that you are moving further and further to one side. 

    You have yet to even agree with me that the firefighters need to accept concessions and that all the remaining employees, underpaid as THEY ALL ARE, took their medicine. 

    I agree that certain employees may have been given "botellas" when they were hired. The answer is so what??? The positions are not the "botellas", their hiring to that position may have been. These people just don't sit around and drink cafecito. Grow up, people who work for the mayor work for the mayor. Did Raul's people not support them when he campaigned. The remaing so called botella workers actually do put in time and serve a purpose for the city. Raul had his people and every mayor will do the exact same. This happens in every city, county, state and even at the federal level. It's part of the process, whether right or wrong. So spare everyone your one sided indignation. Again, stop with the bullshit and deflection and atleast report the other side every now and then.

    Your pissed off, like the union and Raul, that Carlos has actually made some impressive POLITICAL moves. Hell, I'll admit I've been surpised. Demagoguery? Certainly at times. Craven? Some of them. But the facts are the facts, the public is behind the push against the unions. When you see a liberal paper, like the Miami Herald, going after the unions it's obvious that public wants decisive action.

    You've sold your soul to Martinez, maybe not for money, but sold it regardless. He is the personification of the antithesis for everything "ladra" was created to fight against. 

    Last question, wherever they are passing out this Raul kool-aid let me know please so I can taste it…

  6. Sorry Ladra may next time I should have a camera for evidence but either way I do become indignant at times but find that asking questions in a tone of voice that is neither accusatory or "raised" helps me when speaking with others, just a tip, but I can see you do just fine too….

  7. Julissa, my dear, I have no idea what you are talking about. While I do admit to getting somewhat frustrated and shouting questions to Mr. Hernandez when he ignores me at City Hall, I never had any kind of confrontation with Mr. Robaina outside 670 AM. In fact, the only public verbal sparring we did was outside the University of Miami after a debate when he refused to talk to me for Channel 23 (I was working freelance for them) and actually tried to get me fired. But I was not yelling that he was lying. I was saying loudly to anyone who couldh hear that he was so scared of me that he wouldn't even answer basic, banal questions about the most cordial debate there had been so far. So, I don't know who you are confusing me with. There was no shouting match at Miami Guns, even though I did raise my voice when I insisted I do not work for anyone. Yeah, I become indignant. I think you should too.

  8. This seems in my view Sasha's take on the old maxim, "Divide and Conquer." She has extensive political relationships and if I were her I'd exploit that to hedge my bets. I mean seriously, who wants Lourdes Lozano as a candidate? She's weak and Alex will pretty much take the seat. If she can get a little something from Alex and the incumbents it's a win win for her.

    She could also be feeling out the other side. You can learn a lot by a person's body language and tone. You can tell if they're doing well if they project confidence or if they're nervous. Having met a few of the candidates so far you can tell who's doing pretty well and who's thinking (oh shit what did I get into).

    Pansy

  9. To my adoring fan,

    I find arguing with you amusing because you prove time and again how little resides in that skull of yours.

    Let's start with A.
    A)I prefaced my comments with this:

    "Whoever this person above is has some fetish with me (assuming it's the same person as in the other posts but after all there's no one else who would feel compelled to bring me up time and again)."

    Clearly if you're that person from my previous debate then it follows that my comments are directed at you. But, if I do have you confused, well then it's not meant for you is it now? I am now convinced that regardless of who you are, at the very least you're related to the other knucklehead to whom I will now apply the nickname of "Cunt" since were doling those out these days.

    Finally on this point, I felt compelled to comment because clearly I've left an impression on you and the fact that you keep bringing me up proves that and I find toying with you amusing but no mas.

    B) You have short term or selective memory (If you're Cunt). I accepted your challenge to find the part where you (or Cunt) decided to stoop so low on the credibility scale (ie let your child level debate skills come forward) when they actually responded how long it took to write something and in so doing answer what was clearly an attack not an actual point (though whoever Cunt is quickly brushed up on their spelling and grammar).Below please find the easy copy and paste job from the earlier article "Lago Leaves Job for Hialeah Seat" where you or Cunt did indeed respond with how long it took you to write a post (which is hysterical by the way lol).

    Anonymous said…

    Pansy… my comments were short and to the point. They were a response to your huffing and puffing. Unless you have a new definition of “whining” that’s what you were doing through your trivial and superfluous ranting. BTW, it took me about 45 seconds to write this comment and about 35 seconds for the previous one…

    September 4, 2011 4:17 PM

    There you have it. I am not pulling this out of my ass.

    C) That tone of righteousness is actually not that at all. Hell arrogance would be a better term but in fact it's intelligence. At this point though it's pretty obvious why the latter term escaped your mental grasp.

    I'm gonna keep my nickname and keep posting as Pansy because coming from you it's like a hunting trophy. You're an easy kill.

    Now I'm gonna try to elevate this discussion by bringing some opinions on the relevant article because I'm done toying with you, clearly you're not cut out for the world of politics…much less Hialeah politics.

    Goodbye my love,

    Pansy

  10. Julissa, always good to see how easily entertained you are… I bet you probably enjoy watching reruns of “Que Pasa USA”
    You must be a cheap date…

  11. @Ladra
    You know it really is comical that you say that Mr. Vega "insists on a lie" when you do EXACTLY that Ms. Ladra you scream and yell and accuse and when the person who is the victim of you verbal attack tries to explain or even talk you YELL louder than them and tell them they are lying so I can only imagine the scream fest that went on at Miami Guns sorry I missed it. AND NO I am not a Vega fan a man who "cried like a little GIRL" when they told him they were closing down his shop for having an ILLEGAL SHOOTING RANGE, they were putting people's lives at risk (you may want to look into that). But to my point you Ms. Ladra go in with an agenda and when you don't get the answers you are looking for and the gottcha you were waiting for YOU LOSE IT just like you did with Mr. Robaina outside the radio studios of 670am, where you were screaming and yelling like a MAD woman and not letting him even speak or explain, please excuse me if he refused to talk to you if you did that to ANYONE they would run the other way you are incapable of listening to anyone else's reasons or opinions unless they reflect you own. I don't think you are on the take or on the payroll for Raul Martinez nor did I think you were being paid by the Gimenez camp I really do just think you hate Robaina and everyone you assume he controls. That is your right is this great country we live in. But again PLEASE as I said to Lickerpoet PLEASE don't pretend to know who he is because you are making judgements that you are not in least bit qualified to do OF ANYONE you write about so just stick to the facts (albeit as you see them) and keep entertaining US!

  12. FYI: Mr. Vega also wrote this post by MiamiGunRange on a shooting enthusiast's site or blog last year, when he was fighting the city after they cited him for an illegal gun range.

    http://www.floridashootersnetwork.com/help-hialeah-closing-down-and-banning-gun-shops-t72489.html

    I say "may have" because he now denied it to me. Said anybody could have written it. I guess anybody claiming to be the owner of his gun shop COULD HAVE written it. But how likely is THAT? It sounds to me like Vega won't be accountable for his actions, or responsible for his words. Which include this later comment on the same May, 2010 blog, written just after he was cited in April:

    "Folks it's a really bad empty feeling when your elected officials turn their noses at you.
    I have spent the last 2 days at city hall and the reception has been very mild. Luckily I made a few donations during election season and those guys were more receptive…"

    Ladra can't help but wonder what the donations to him during THIS election season will make him more "receptive" to. And I wish your mom had that information before so she could ask more hard questions, Emilio.

    Sorry if you think these things are irrelevant. But I would rather have a former cop who made mistakes and owns up to them than a flip-flopping, permit-shirker (he hates that) who denies his own words and sends anonymous or cutely-named fictitious characters on facebook to attack me because I dared ask him about these things and point out his similarities with the current crazies in office. You are free to throw away your three votes on someone like this if you like. But Vega has to show me MUCH more to prove he would be a good elected up there. Danny already has, with honesty and integrity and by not denying his past or his brother, for whom he cannot and should not be expected to take responsibility but who he will not abandon. That sounds like a good trait to me. Everything he does NOW makes him the right candidate. And I did not get paid one cent to say that.

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