Survey: Phil Levine ekes by, but slate mates are slam dunked

Survey: Phil Levine ekes by, but slate mates are slam dunked

It’s an informal, unscientific and likely flawed survey, done online via email blasts through Survey Monkey, a free site that provides such services, but it gives us what could be the first glimpse of what will happen in Miami Beach Nov. 3. Despite all the bad press Mayor Philip Levine has gotten lately — what with the […]

Rebecca Towers and a campaign manager’s $10K a month

Rebecca Towers and a campaign manager’s $10K a month

UPDATED: This week, Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine was on the defense about everything, it seemed. He’s taking a PR hit on massive flooding he’s boasted about fixing in glitzy TV commercials paid for by shaken down vendors and developers through a shady PAC. And he’s been questioned by his coveted viejito voters for his […]

Carlos Gimenez opens second warchest for re-election

Carlos Gimenez opens second warchest for re-election

Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez filed to run for re-election Thursday and it was treated like news. Didn’t everybody know this was coming? He’s been running for mayor practically since he was elected mayor in 2011 after the recall of Carlos Alvarez. For at least two months, the campaign has stepped it up with ads paid […]

In Opa-Locka: Steve Shiver is in; Michael Pizzi is out

In Opa-Locka: Steve Shiver is in; Michael Pizzi is out

The city of Opa-Locka apparently is not big enough for two political crooks. Last month, former Homestead Mayor and Miami-Dade County Manager Steve Shiver — who has been accused of squandering millions in CRA funds for Homestead redevelopment after Hurricane Andrew, some of it going to clients he represented after he left the city — […]

Julio “The Good One” Robaina backs biz partner in House bid

Julio “The Good One” Robaina backs biz partner in House bid

The second fundraiser for the open state House seat vacated by Erik Fresen after next year happened last week in the private office of a sitting county commissioner and former mayor of South Miami. Jose Pazos had his campaign kick off at his office building, home to the business he shares with his partner, former South Miami […]

Phil Levine’s consultant pushes marina at Rebecca Towers

Phil Levine’s consultant pushes marina at Rebecca Towers

Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine was at Rebecca Towers last week, courting the elderly Hispanic voters that helped propel him to victory two years ago. He also took his whole slate of candidates — Ricky Arriola, John Elizabeth Aleman and Betsy Perez — who he wants elected so they can rubber stamp his decisions. But […]

Miami FOP endorses Mrs. Sarnoff with no screening

Miami FOP endorses Mrs. Sarnoff with no screening

The Miami Police union has endorsed Teresa Sarnoff, wife of Commissioner Marc Sarnoff, in the upcoming election to replace him. That’s not so surprising since Sarnoff last year approved raises, some as high as $10,000 more a year. What is a surprise is that they would be so obvious about the quid pro quo, giving […]

Video: Philip Levine fails to disclose properties, LLCs

Video: Philip Levine fails to disclose properties, LLCs

UPDATED: Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine is not the most forthcoming guy. He seems to have a lot of secrets and doesn’t feel like he needs to explain anything to anybody. He does not volunteer information. But, hey, you don’t get to be a millionaire by sharing all your secrets. His business is none of […]

Philip Levine’s camp blackmails challenger David Wieder

Philip Levine’s camp blackmails challenger David Wieder

UPDATED: Mayoral candidate David Wieder has gone to the Miami Beach Police with documents he received anonymously that amount to blackmail in an effort to get him to drop out of the race. Wieder told Ladra that someone had come by his office with an envelope with “For David Wieder’s eyes only” on the outside. […]