Jose “Pepe” Diaz gets no challenge, just steps into mayor of Sweetwater job

Jose “Pepe” Diaz gets no challenge, just steps into mayor of Sweetwater job

Two city commissioners will face challenges in May election Without a challenger, former Miami-Dade Commissioner Jose “Pepe” Diaz became mayor of Sweetwater again last week — and secured his third retirement check on the public trough. Qualifying ended Friday and Diaz, mayor there from 1999 to 2003, was the only one who wanted to lead […]

Five mayors back Jose “Pepe” Diaz — but not homeboy Orlando Lopez

Five mayors back Jose “Pepe” Diaz — but not homeboy Orlando Lopez

Miami-Dade Commissioner Jose “Pepe” Diaz will launch his re-election campaign in Doral Thursday with the mayors of five cities in his district who are supporting his bid. Doral Mayor Juan Carlos “JC” Bermudez, Hialeah Mayor Carlos Hernandez, Hialeah Gardens Mayor Yioset De La Cruz, Virginia Gardens Mayor Spencer Deno and Medley Mayor Roberto Martell will host […]

South Miami’s Bicycle Bob rides again — in Sweetwater

South Miami’s Bicycle Bob rides again — in Sweetwater

South Miami Commissioner “Bicycle Bob” Welsh is at it again — but this time, he’s passing out flyers from his two-wheeled throne more than a few miles away in the city of Sweetwater. Welsh is supporting activist Deborah Centeno, who hopes to become the city’s first Nicaraguan-American mayor. He says he has distributed more than […]

Sweetwater plaza name veto previews divisive mayoral race

Sweetwater plaza name veto previews divisive mayoral race

Sweetwater Mayor Jose Diaz just won’t have it. He says that a Brothers to the Rescue Memorial Plaza on 109th Avenue just across from FIU will not have to share its name with the Nicaraguan poet hero Ruben Dario. He vetoed last month the commission’s actions to do just that and the veto is expected […]

Sweetwater creates job for Hialeah councilwoman’s son

Sweetwater creates job for Hialeah councilwoman’s son

With one hand, Sweetwater Mayor Jose Diaz fired a bunch of people to “clean house” and get rid of the cronies left over from the administration of former and disgraced Mayor Manny “Maraña” Maroño, who is now serving three years in the pen on federal public corruption charges. With the other, Diaz hired Alexis Martinez, […]

Sweetwater names commissioner…maybe Maroño’s dad?

Sweetwater names commissioner…maybe Maroño’s dad?

The arrest last month of Sweetwater Mayor Manny “Maraña” Maroño on federal bribery and extortion charges left the city shocked (a little), embarrassed (a lot) and one commissioner short after Jose Diaz became acting mayor when the governor suspended Maroño. The decision was slated to be made Monday night, but because Commissioner Manuel Duasso was missing […]

Big surprise is that only 2 electeds were arrested in sting

Big surprise is that only 2 electeds were arrested in sting

You mean, there were only two? That’s one of the questions I am left with after Tuesday’s big news that Sweetwater Mayor Manny Maroño and Miami Lakes Mayor Michael “Muscles” Pizzi were arrested on federal bribery and extortion charges. Ladra is not too surprised that these two mayors — both of whom have been accused of abusing their power in […]