Bill Galvano can apparently count.
The former Florida Senate president terminated his contract with the city of Miami on Friday, a week after commissioners moved to fire him at a meeting earlier this month, citing the costly lawsuits that followed his manipulative redistricting of the state. Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla, Galvano’s buddy, had asked for a deferral so that the senator could come and defend himself against the stated “reasons” (read: excuses) for his termination, and the city was set to discuss it this Thursday.
But the votes to fire Galvano and hire lobbyist attorney Miguel De Grandy in his place were already there. And Galvano can count.
Las malas lenguas say that Carollo was really behind the move to ditch Galvano, even though Commissioner Jeffrey “Who” Watson made the move, and then Commissioner Manolo Reyes quickly agreed, as usual.
Read related: Miami’s dismissal of Bill Galvano is show of force vs Commissioner ADLP
This is reportedly because Carollo, who could face a real challenge in November, wasn’t going to get the VIP treatment he wanted on the redrawing of District 3. That, or Crazy Joe’s paranoia has gotten the best of him and he thinks ADLP and Galvano were going to screw him, which they probably were, seeing as how there’s a rift between the two electeds.
City Manager Art Noriega — who, Ladra is assured, is a real, live person — sent Galvano’s “resignation” from the project to commissioners and city staffers on Monday. But it seems he knew about it from before Friday.
“It was a pleasure to speak with you earlier this week,” Galvano wrote Noriega. “With that conversation in mind and given the discussion at last week’s City Commission meeting, I think it would be best for both the City and myself to go in a different direction regarding our contract pertaining to redistricting. Please consider this letter as official notice that I am terminating our professional agreement effective today.
Read related: Bill Galvano consults on Miami city’s redistricting plan — for $10K a month
“While I certainly respect the Commission’s right to want to further discuss my qualifications and experience, I do not believe this discussion will bring any new information to light. My qualifications are well noted.”
And I can count, he should have added.
“Redistricting, as you know, is a complex endeavor and from a legal standpoint requires precision,” he went on, in a seeming effort to prove his qualifications. “This process is rapidly becoming more difficult by the delays and inefficiencies of the U.S. Census Bureau. I have tremendous respect for the City Commissioners and their need to be focused and not distracted by other perceived factors. I do urge the City Commission to stay vigilant to ensure the accuracy of the data collected by the U.S. Census Bureau as we discussed at the meeting in November.
“It has been a pleasure to work with you and your staff. I have equally enjoyed my time spent with the individual Commissioners and wish the best and success to the City.”
Read related: Alex DLP takes city paid trip to Sarasota golf resort to meet with Bill Galvano
But Galvano wasn’t just having fun. He was getting paid.
But how much has he charged the city on his $10,000-a-month contract? Ladra has asked but doesn’t know. The city has only provided one invoice from November for work performed in October. It was for $10,265 — the $265 for travel and expenses during meetings with city commissioners from Oct. 20 through the 22nd. And Ladra doesn’t know if Galvano has presented the city with any work product.
That’s right. City commissioners met with Galvano in October.
And they know all about his previous redrawing’s legal troubles when they hired him in October.
Bill Galvano bows out of Miami redistricting gig after commission dis added by Ladra on
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