Frank Mingo: A trade for Nelson Hernandez? One theory

Frank Mingo: A trade for Nelson Hernandez? One theory

Granted, Ladra has been accused of being slightly overly suspicious before. I haven’t met too many conspiracy theories I didn’t like. One of my favorite former senators says that I am way too jaded. But what some people call paranoid, others might call vigilant. Astute, even. So, here’s the latest conspiracy theory that occurred to […]

‘New & improved’ Nelson Hernandez runs as the anti Pizzi

‘New & improved’ Nelson Hernandez runs as the anti Pizzi

In his quest to be the next Miami Lakes mayor in the whiplash election that ends today, Councilman Nelson Hernandez is trying hard to set himself apart from the last Miami Lakes mayor, who was arrested last month on charges of public corruption. Almost too hard. Some might think Hernandez is running against former Mayor Michael […]

Early voting ends today in Homestead, Miami Lakes election

Early voting ends today in Homestead, Miami Lakes election

More than 1,100 people have already voted in the Homestead primary as early voting opens today for the last chance to cast a ballot before Election Day Tuesday. That includes 810 absentee ballots returned as of Friday and 169 and 154 early voters casting in person on Thursday and Friday. That’s already more than the […]

Fraud alert: ABs drop in Homestead, Miami Lakes

Fraud alert: ABs drop in Homestead, Miami Lakes

While all eyes are on the Miami-Dade County Commission and its budget hearing today, there will be phones ringing off the hook at the homes of voters in Miami Lakes and Homestead, where there are city elections Oct. 1. That is because absentee ballots drop for voters in both cities Tuesday and Wednesday. Miami-Dade Elections […]

Miami Lakes campaign cash: slow and mostly self-propelled

Miami Lakes campaign cash: slow and mostly self-propelled

There’s a crowded ballot in the race to replace suspended Miami Lakes Mayor Michael Pizzi, who was arrested last month on charges of bribery and extortion after a two-year FBI sting in which he allegedly accepted kickbacks for facilitating a bogus grants application. But only two of the hopefuls are experienced candidates with money to […]

Mayoral mailer makes mockery of mafia endorsements

Mayoral mailer makes mockery of mafia endorsements

A couple of mailers in the lickety split Miami Lakes election are causing a little bit of tension among two one-time allies who are now running against each other in the crowded five-point race. David “Doc” Bennett has already sent out two mailers with photos of him and his family and him with two legislators […]

Post-scandal Miami Lakes candidates qualify, 5 for mayor

Post-scandal Miami Lakes candidates qualify, 5 for mayor

Miami Lakes Mayor Michael “Muscles” Pizzi decided not to run, after all, for the seat from which he was suspended earlier this month, after he was arrested on federal bribery and extortion charges in an FBI sting where he allegedly and knowingly facilitated bogus grant applications in exchange for kickbacks and campaign contributions. The race to […]

Hialeah AB mafia backs Nelson Hernandez in Miami Lakes

Hialeah AB mafia backs Nelson Hernandez in Miami Lakes

Miami Lakes Councilman Nelson Hernandez thinks he can win the special mayoral election by lining up support from the Hialeah-Tallahassee mafia, which is throwing him a fundraiser next week. Sen. Rene Garcia, State Reps. Jose Oliva, Eddy “Here Comes Hialeah” Gonzalez and Manny Diaz, Jr., as well as Miami-Dade Commissioner Esteban “Stevie” Bovo have invited […]

Rep. Jose Oliva lends juice for Miami Lakes sprint election

Rep. Jose Oliva lends juice for Miami Lakes sprint election

Qualifying hasn’t even started yet in the spring Miami Lakes election, set for Oct. 1, and already there are candidates with signs and handouts, knocking on doors and sending mailers. Council candidate Frank Mingo — who is seeking to replace the outgoing Councilman Nelson Hernandez, who is seeking to replace the suspended Mayor Michael “Muscles” Pizzi, who […]

Ceasar Mestre drops from Miami Lakes mayoral race

Ceasar Mestre drops from Miami Lakes mayoral race

Miami Lakes Interim Mayor Ceasar Mestre — who was vice mayor until the arrest last week of Mayor Michael “Muscles” Pizzi on bribery and extortion charges after an FBI sting operation — has dropped out of the race to replace Pizzi permanently. In a text message to his friends and other council members, Mestre said […]