Public apology, and promise, to the people of Miami Lakes
Ladra is beside herself.
Part of the reason this watchdog needed that short sabbatical I took the past few weeks was because of the guilt I feel over having let down the people of Miami Lakes.
Sure, I was licking my wounds. Some of “November is coming” came and rolled over me. I was also starting to put a good dent in “the book” — two words I hope cause every politico in the 305 to wince, even if just a little.
Ladra has promised to keep her eyes on you, Mayor Muscles. Consider it my just and deserved penance.
But mostly I’m embarassed. Ashamed, really. And this is from someone who has never felt much shame in her life.
I let the people of Miami Lakes down. I basically turned the other way while a grassroots opposition that could have taken the reigns from Mayor Michael “Muscles” Pizzi — who has long been suspected of inside deals with a powerful developer and burning down his office to steal $200,000 – lost their just but miserable cause. I was distracted. Or, maybe, intentionally “misdirected” — a sneaky yet effective campaign tactic I learned about after getting embedded in one of the state campaigns last year.
And while it has been hard to face it — and it will be hard to look the people of Miami Lakes in the face — I’m going to have to. It is my promise — perhaps my penance — to go to meetings and look into any potential shenanigans.
Pizzi took the reign with a bit of a mandate in a 70-30 landslide over founding village Mayor Wayne Slaton, whose colorful yet ineffective campaign inclued a top 10 list of reasons why not to vote for Pizzi, ala David Letterman. Maybe Slaton should have turned to the Santeria gods and put mirrors around his yard signs.
Pizzi, who spent almost $70,000 of the $80,000 raised by Nov. 1, was better funded. Slaton didn’t break $30,000 in contributions — more than half of which were loans to himself.
Mayor Muscles also beat his old nemesis — and my truly talented dentist – Dr. David Bennett, a lontime Pizzi critic who has sued and threatened to recall the man. He wasn’t running against Bennett, but he may as well have been
. Bennett sure was running against him. But, alas, Doc — a fellow public records relisher — got beat 60-40 by firefighter Nelson Rodriguez. And Tony Lama — a secretive man who had an interesting exchange with Ladra on facebook, in which he basically said he wouldn’t talk to me — beat Richard Pulido, a schoolteacher and consistent anti-Pizzi vote, 56-40.
Expect Lama and Rodriguez to mimick Muscles.
But Pizzi didn’t get all his pieces, er, slate in. Newly elected Councilman Manny Cid, former aide to State Rep. Eddy “Here Comes Hialeah” Gonzalez, who is serving his last term as an elected official anywhere is my guess, might not be as eager to rubber stamp hizzoner’s hijinks as former Councilwoman Mary Collins in the closest of all contests — 52 to 48 percent.
Okay, okay. I know I have a sentence to fulfill. When is the next meeting?
Miami Lakes Resident
January 18, 2013 at 1:37 pm
Elaine-
I have to disagree with you, on expecting Rodriguez to mimic Pizzi. Nelson will do the right thing no matter who is sponsoring it.Why don’t have coffee with Councilman Rodirguez I think you will pleasantly suprised.
I like and respect David, but we both know Michael would have supported my dog against Bennet.Dave had seven times the money of Nelson and the endorsement of most of our elected officials,Nelson had grass roots support. If Nelson had really been Michael’s boy he would have raised a lot more than $10,000.
Nelson will an independent voice on the town council I hope you watch he does and give him a chance
admin
January 18, 2013 at 4:59 pm
Funny you should suggest that, Resident: Mr. Rodriguez happened to email me today to say we should have that cafecito.
And I will. And I will give him a chance. And not just because he’s a firefighter (though you all know that gets him in the door).
Several people have told Ladra that Rodriguez is a good guy. And your points are well taken.
I guess I feel bad for Dr. Bennett, who has fought the good fight for a while, and guilty for not supporting him enough. After all, he has been one of my strongest and most consistent defenders and supporters, even one of the first advertisers on Political Cortadito — not to mention the best freaking dentist in the world (and if he can deal with Ladra’s big, dirty mouth, he can help anyone!).
But, yes, Rodriguez will get a chance. He fights fires. I can’t wait to see how he does with the fiery fights at village hall.
– Love, Ladra
natacha
January 20, 2013 at 9:25 am
Miami Lakes is a great town thanks to the effort of the Grahams planing capabilities. There is nothing that the so called gentleman that was re-elected brings to the table, other that discord and promises never kept. Constant complain big victim role, and the promise to never be seen again (unless you catch him at the Billiard Club) one of our most outstanding places to take the family. His confusing and inner thoughts are at best a challenge, some how you feel that who cares what he thinks (it’s usually dysfunctional). I have high hopes for the council and as an owner of a property in the area I will be listening. Miami Lakers are good honest people and always deserve the best.