The back-to-back resignations Monday of three key city of Miami administrators is part of what several sources call a “purge” of officials to make room for political lackeys who will answer to Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla.
Daniel Rotenberg, Director of the Department of Real Estate and Asset Management — better known as DREAM and a really good place to have a yes man or woman for your projects — Planning Director Francisco Garcia and Assistant City Manager Sandra Bridgman each sent their letters of resignation Monday.
Can’t you just imagine the deals commissioners and their favorite lobbyists can cook up with their people in those positions?
Read related: maimi manager says he did no wrong, exits in ‘couple of weeks’
According to a couple of City Hall sources and an attorney who works with the city, the next to go is the Zoning Director Joe Ruiz, pushed by a beating he took from Commissioner Joe Carollo a few meetings ago. And we all know how Carollo feels about Code Enforcement Director Adele Valencia. Her days are numbered, too.
Police Chief Jorge Colina is gone as of Jan. 31. He is set to be replaced by Assistant Chief Manny Morales. Doesn’t matter what the commissioners say about a fair and wide search. Blah, blah, blah. Poppycock. Ladra was told Morales has the job if he wants it.
This is all still part of the political power shift that started last year when Diaz de la Portilla — a former state legislator and Senator wheeler and dealer — was elected to the commission and joined Carollo and Commissioner Manolo Reyes in tossing then City Manager Emilio Gonzalez. Assistant City Manager Joe Napoli fled the sinking ship and the commission hired then Miami Parking Authority Director Art Noriega — part of Alex’s plan so he can do whatever he wants — and kept City Attorney Tricky Vicky Mendez because she gives them legal cover.
With a handpicked police chief, Alex and his allies — whoever they may be at any given time — can use the department as their own rapid response brigade. With a new planning director and finance director and zoning director — well there’s no limit to the projects they could manipulate.
It is not a coincidence that all three of these people — two of whom were brought in by Gonzalez — have “decided” to leave on the same day.
Read related: Alex DLP takes city paid trip to Sarasota golf resort to meet with Bill Galvano
“I would like to take this opportunity to note that making this decision has been difficult, as working at the city of Miami has been such a positive experience,” wrote Rotenberg in a memo to Noriega. “I have enjoyed working with staff at all levels, as colleagues, peers, and as friends.”
His resignation is effective Oct. 30. So is Bridgman’s, whose note was far shorter and less sweet. Garcia’s effective date is Nov. 6.
Ladra would be surprised if City Clerk Todd Hannon wasn’t updating his resume.
The Purge: Top city of Miami officials fall like dominos in power shift added by Ladra on
View all posts by Ladra →
