New Fire Rescue recruits among those Carlos Gimenez had cut

New Fire Rescue recruits among those Carlos Gimenez had cut

From the chopping block to the firetruck: Forty new firefighter paramedics who were slated for the unemployment line last year during budget talks that threatened to shut down rescue units — will instead join the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue force after they celebrate their graduation this afternoon. Recruit Class #124 underwent 10 weeks of “intense” training, […]

Miami-Dade publicity stunt: Emilio Estefan to be ‘sworn’ in

Miami-Dade publicity stunt: Emilio Estefan to be ‘sworn’ in

From the Feel Good News file down at the Stephen P. Clark Center: Music mogul Emilio Estefan will be sworn in tomorrow as the first Special Ambassador representing Miami-Dade County. County commissioners approved an ordinance in December establishing a Special Ambassador program and nominating Estefan as the first to serve in this mostly ceremonial position. […]

Here we go again: Commission restores 5% under threat of veto

Here we go again: Commission restores 5% under threat of veto

Even under the threat of another inevitable veto, Miami-Dade Commissioners voted 8-5 Thursday to restore a 5% contribution for a group health care “trust fund” that county employees have been giving back to the county since 2009 and led to an impasse between the administration and 11 of the county’s labor unions. They passed Commissioner […]

Carlos Gimenez 5% ‘compromise’ still breaks promise

Carlos Gimenez 5% ‘compromise’ still breaks promise

Mayor Carlos Gimenez‘s alleged solution to the impasse with employee unions who want a the promised return of a 5% group healthcare contribution they’ve been giving since 2009 is to only give it back if he can whack their salaries — which is what the county obviously wanted in the first place. He calls that […]

Lopez-Cantera move could pave way to higher elected office

Lopez-Cantera move could pave way to higher elected office

Well, it happened. After reportedly much pressure, and just as the leaks predicted Monday, Gov. Rick Scott picked former State Rep. and Miami-Dade Property Appraiser Carlos “C-Lo” Lopez-Cantera as his No. 2 Tuesday. But how important is that appointed job – outside the campaign, that is – especially since the state has seemingly been running fine without one for 10 […]

Hialeah mayor strips political enemies’ names from landmarks

Hialeah mayor strips political enemies’ names from landmarks

Is Hialeah ex Mayor Raul Martinez‘s name off the front of City Hall yet? It’s been a couple of hours since the city Seguro Que Yes council voted 7-0 Tuesday on three resolutions by Mayor Carlos “Castro” Hernandez that strip the names of his political enemies from three city facilities:  Raul L. Martinez Government Center, Roberto […]

Three unknown Dade Dems look at first runs for public office

Three unknown Dade Dems look at first runs for public office

Three Democrat Party activists are looking at running for office for the first time in Miami Dade. One of them for circuit court judge this year and two of them forMiami city commissioner in the two years fe 2015 elections. And some people say that Ladra’s obsession with elections later this year is premature. Tony Diaz, the […]

Miami-Dade red light cameras coming at high speed now

Miami-Dade red light cameras coming at high speed now

Smile as you go under that yellow traffic light: There are many more red light cameras coming soon to 150 intersections near you. Yes, it appears that red light cameras — which have been limited to municipal streets — are headed to intersections in unincorporated Miami-Dade, after all. Or finally. This has been a long […]

Miami Beach cartoonist draws on Development Corp scandal

Miami Beach cartoonist draws on Development Corp scandal

You would think Miami Beach activist and amateur cartoonist Mike Burke would be sitting pretty, happy that the incumbents he railed against lost and glad that newly elected Mayor Philip “Fix-It Phil” Levine was taking over City Hall and everything else. He’s not. Burke is apparently perturbed, er, I mean inspired with the scandal that […]