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anything else but police tactical training exercises.
Aviation business associates were not the only ones invited in the county’s April invitation, however. The invite encourages companies in the following industries to participate: Computers
, parts and services, telecommunication equipment and printers, cosmetics and skin care products, logistics and medical equipment.
“Mission delegates will explore business opportunities and participate in pre-arranged one-to-one business meetings, receive customized trade briefings and participate in network meetings with French business leaders, trade and industry agencies and government officials,” the invitation. And an itinerary shows there are dozens of events planned — tours and receptions and meetings with business executives, ambassadors, French mayors and the Marseille Chamber of Commerce.
The invitation also says these junkets work. Since the last trip in 2012, France has become our No. 1 European trade partner, moving up from being our 16th in 2013 to our 12th in 2014, according to the county. Last year, the French accounted for a total of $2.65 billion in bilateral trade — which was almost a 10 percent increase from the year before, the invite said.
But how much does Gimenez’s actual presence in Paris count? You could tell me that this company or that company relocated or opened a branch here and I would suspect that they would have done that anyway. What brings them here is numbers. Somehow, Ladra doesn’t buy that it is Kuryla’s slide show or the mayor’s dreadfully inadequate schmoozing skills or high fives when the planes fly overhead at the main event.
Companies come because it’s convenient. Because we are the gateway to the Americas. Because Miami is where it’s at.
What are we offering? Tax incentives? Public land? Can’t we offer that from the 305? And shouldn’t we first fix the protracted permitting process that scares businesses away? Shouldn’t we first be hiring police officers so we can protect everyone who comes here?
Y que pinta Lester Sola en este viaje? He has to be there to do what exactly? And what is Ferro’s role, aside from the mayor’s v
alet? Why does this smell like a family vacation? Because of the spouses. We already know that at least the mayor’s wife is going. How many other spouses tag along? How many times do us regular working folk get to take a significant other on a business trip like this one?
Spouses pay their own way, just watch. But how can we be sure that their airfare — since they aren’t renting a second hotel room — isn’t paid for by the same “sponsors” (read: county contractors) that fund community events like April’s Spring Fling in District 12 or the Taste of Haiti event earlier this month.
Commissioner Diaz did not return a call to his cellphone.
Read related story: County’s ‘Taste of Haiti’ paid for by special interests
A draft budget obtained by Ladra from the county shows that the total cost of the trip is just over $36,100 but that the mission’s revenue — in sponsorships and a $7,500 grant from Enterprise Florida, if the junket meets all the criteria (of course it will) — is more than $38.000. So we make a profit at the end 
of the trip June 20th? Don’t hold your breath.
The county will tell you that there is no cost to taxpayer for this junket. That it comes out of dedicated funds somewhere. Although PortMiami did put in $5,000 in port funds that Ladra would argue are tax dollars.
And I also imagine that all those high-priced directors (Sola alone makes $252,000 a year) will still be getting their salaries paid. They’re on the job, right? Otherwise it would be vacation. Wink, nod.
The average cost for each “mission leader” is $4,061, according to documents obtained from the county mayor’s office. Each leader also gets $500 for meals and taxis, in addition to the luncheons and other meals included in the itinerary and the close to $7,800 spent on ground transportation.
Delegates will be staying at the Crown Plaza for four days on the Paris leg of the trip, at a cost of $1,228, and at the Intercontinental in Marseilles for the other half at a cost of $726.
How much you wanna bet the mayor and his wife have the best room?
Can’t wait for him to post photos on twitter and Instagram of the view from the balcony and of he and his wife with Ralph and Vicky Garcia-Toledo, another lobbyist, having dinner at a quaint little bistro in Les Halles.
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