Artiles to sponsor Ladra’s law

Embarassed yet accountable State Rep. Frank Artiles (R, District 119 but he doesn’t live there yet) finally called me back today and said he had no hard feelings. “I know you were just doing your job and congratulations,” Artiles said, but maybe a little sarcastically, not like everybody else. While he will take full responsibility […]

Proliferation of the PACs

Newly former county commissioner Carlos Gimenez has more money for that mayoral bid than we first thought. More than half a mil, to be exact. Because he has two accounts. The campaign fund is the one with $229,295 in contributions, but the PAC Gimenez formed in November has raised more than that, with $277,716 in […]

Artiles’ "home" turf, Part II

Ladra had no idea when she started howling Tuesday about the residency violation by State Rep. Frank Artiles (R, Disrict 119, except he isn’t living there) that the post would resonate so loudly and so widely. But we are glad. Maybe all the outrage will lead to some action and common sense. Several people who […]

District 7 hopefuls to talk

Former State Rep. Julio Robaina (R, District 117) and former Miami Mayor Xavier Suarez, running to replace county commissioner and mayoral candidate Carlos Gimenez in district 7 will share time next Tuesday with the Miami Young Republicans, aka the Biscayne Bay Republicans.Both candidates will speak and present their differing visions for the county, discuss their […]

Mayoral forum is a yawner

Maybe it’s because Hialeah Mayor Julio Robaina and rapper-turned-political-columnist Luther Campbell, the most colorful of the county mayoral candidates, were no shows, but the forum Monday night presented by DFAM at some union building in Allapattah was a real snoozefest. Don’t take it from me. Ask anyone who was there. Better yet, ask those who […]

Artiles lives outside district

Lucky people of Palmetto Bay! You have not one but two newly-elected state representatives looking out for your neighborhood interests in Tallahassee: Rep. Michael Bileca (R, District 117), which encompasses parts of Pinecrest, Palmetto Bay and South Miami and for whom you actually voted, and State Rep. Frank Artiles (R, District 119), whose electors live […]

MIA fire union in Kate’s camp?

It’s not official yet, but the Miami Firefighter’s union — which has publicly aired its issues with city commissioner Marc Sarnoff — are most likely going to support one of his challengers, the polished and polite and professional Kate Callahan in the district 2 race.The endorsement is not out, but Robert Suarez, president of Miami […]

The ladies like Gimenez

Mayoral candidate Carlos Gimenez is apparently a chic magnet. Who knew? As plain and vanilla as some people say our former county commissioner and longtime city of Miami administrator is, apparently he doesn’t need a Mercedes “to impress the ladies,” as that cute little jingle produced by a political opponent goes on the radio. There […]

Cuban voters impact Gables races

There will be two new faces on the Coral Gables Commission starting Friday after voters in the City Beautiful sent a 10-year mayor incumbent packing and welcomed a fresh face that may have broken the record for a candidate’s absentee votes in the city’s storied history. Best thing to happen Tuesday is that the Cuban […]

ABs and vans of voters in Gables

So far, Coral Gables Mayor Don Slesnick’s biggest fear and worst enemy in his bid for re-election today has reared it’s ugly head and no, it does not go by the name of Tom Korge or Jim Cason. Evil, thy name is “low turnout.” Abismal, perhaps, is a better word. Because at this rate, the […]