Commissioners rebuff Lynda Bell recall at budget hearing

Commissioners rebuff Lynda Bell recall at budget hearing

The topic of last night was the county budget, but a couple of Miami-Dade Commissioners decided to take the opportunity to criticize the elephant in the room: a recall effort against one of their colleagues. Commissioners Dennis Moss, Bruno Barreiro and Audrey Edmonson each said that the recall — announced last week when Vice Mayor […]

Vice Chair Lynda Bell stands by her vote despite recall raffle

Vice Chair Lynda Bell stands by her vote despite recall raffle

Vice Mayor Lynda Bell did not answer several calls to her cellphone to see how she felt about her name being “pulled out of a hat” for recall by a group of activists who are angry about budget cuts. But late Friday, her office issued a statement that shows she will not back down from […]

And the winner of the recall lotto is … Vice Chair Lynda Bell

And the winner of the recall lotto is … Vice Chair Lynda Bell

Ladra was almost right. I had bet on Miami-Dade Commissioner Esteban Bovo being the chosen one. After all, rumored recalls have dogged him since last year’s primary when his district aide was caught collecting absentee ballots at his Hialeah office. But my second choice was Vice Chair Lynda Bell. That was the name pulled out […]

Norman Braman did not talk taxes with Mayor Gimenez

Norman Braman did not talk taxes with Mayor Gimenez

Several people have wondered out loud whether Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez’s sudden change of heart on the budget, setting a flat tax rate, had anything to do with Norman Braman and a possible threat at a recall like the one that paved the way for his existence. I mean, all electeds cower at the auto […]

Fake Oliver Gilbert recall another bogus Brito bungle

Fake Oliver Gilbert recall another bogus Brito bungle

The rumored recall against Miami Gardens Mayor Oliver Gilbert has not materialized. Despite claims that there would be a petition filed last Monday by recall maven Vanessa Brito — who loves to take credit for the recalls of former Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez and Commissioner Natacha Seijas, even though it was Norman Braman‘s money that did it — there had been no paperwork […]

Natacha Seijas: From ousted official to kids’ author

Natacha Seijas: From ousted official to kids’ author

It is not that surprising that local attorney-turned-author and fellow political junkie Stephen Cody has written another children’s book. But that his co-author is former Natacha Seijas, who was recalled in an ugly weird thing that happened in 2011, might raise some eyebrows. The fact that the book is a children’s book on bullying is […]

Brito recall brings Doral drama to a new award-winning high

Brito recall brings Doral drama to a new award-winning high

Doral exploded alright. And the sparks seem like they will continue to fly for at least a few days. But it wasn’t, as expected, because of the kinetic energy between the two alpha males — Mayor Luigi Boria and City Manager Joe Carollo. I thought they would get into a mess all by themselves. Nah. They never stood a […]

Hialeah mayor helps Lakes Mayor raise funds

Hialeah mayor helps Lakes Mayor raise funds

While homegrown actor Andy Garcia hosts a fundraiser for Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez and Jeb Bush stumps for U.S. Rep. Connie Mack‘s senatorial bid, Miami Lakes Mayor Michael “Muscles” Pizzi had to settle for a lot less star power: Hialeah Mayor Carlos “The Rock” Hernandez and his Lakes council faction, er, I mean colleagues at […]