Miami is a fast paced community with a rapid fire news cycle. Our blog keeps you current on the most important issues affecting the tax payers of Miami-Dade county. Read, share, comment, and as always let us know what topics you want us to tackle.
Miami-Dade Sheriff’s race expands with Dem Broward candidate James Reyes
This is the Freddy Ramirez replacement candidate
Alex Diaz de la Portilla’s wife sues for divorce after arrest, foreclosure
Former Miami Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla lost his seat when he was suspended by the governor after an arrest for bribery and money laundering, among other charges. He lost his election when he tried to get back into office in November. He lost his house to a foreclosure auction.
And now he’s going to lose his wife.
Hard reception for Mayor Daniella Levine Cava’s $2.5 billion bomb bond
The $2.5 million bond proposal that Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava surprised on everyone at the State of the County address Wednesday has not been well received by everyone — especially some members of the county commission, which would need to approve any ballot measure.
Sen. Rene Garcia issued a statement late Friday that said the mayor is out of touch with residents.
Miami Mayor Francis Suarez to deliver State of the City address Tuesday
He should just apologize.
When Miami Mayor Francis Suarez delivers his State of the City address on Tuesday, he should open with a general apology to the residents and business owners who have had to put up with not just the crappy conditions of streets and parks and services, but also the corruption that permeates the dais, the city attorney’s office and even his pay-to-play deals with developers and other business interests.
Coral Gables Mayor Vince Lago stays mum on Form 6 lawsuit, requirements
The Coral Gables commission decided not to jump on the lawsuit that 12 cities have joined to challenge a new law that requires all municipal electeds to submit a Form 6 financial disclosure instead of a Form 1 — with much more information about income and sources of income than before.
Passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, the new law requires more transparency from city and town electeds.
Fritz & Franz Bierhaus wins three-week reprieve from Coral Gables commission
The city of Coral Gables wants to terminate the lease with Fritz & Franz Bierhaus — a German restaurant that has become very popular, especially for soccer games — but has given the owner three weeks to come up with a proposal at market value rent so he can stay.
This is the restaurant where both Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and Miami Mayor Francis Suarez waited to hear that FIFA had chosen Miami as a location for the 2026 World Cup.
Coral Gables commissioner, manager spar at City Commission meeting
Coral Gables City Manager Peter Iglesias can count. Only because he knows he has three votes, can the manager lash out at Commissioner Ariel Fernandez like he did at Tuesday’s city commission meeting.
Se puso feo.
Miami Commissioners defer decision on LED billboards in city parks
After several hours of discussion and passionate public comment, the city of Miami Commission deferred making a decision on the repeal of the ordinances that allow LED billboards on city parks and a moratorium on approving any such signage for 30 days while new rules are adopted.
Basically, they passed the buck to the state, which still has to approve the large sign being erected at the Perez Art Museum Miami in Maurice Ferre Park. Why it is being erected without clearing this hurdle is interesting. Perhaps the sign companies that contributed funds to certain city commissioners’ campaigns also touched state legislators and they’re not worried.
Mayor Daniella Levine Cava drops $2.5 billion bomb, er, bond plan at SOTC
Miami-Dade County has never been better positioned. That was the message sent by Mayor Daniella Levine Cava at her fourth (and, perhaps, final) State of the County address Wednesday.
“The state of the county is strong,” Levine Cava said to a packed house at Zoo Miami after the district Commissioner Kionne McGhee and Commission Chair Oliver Gilbert warmed up the crowd. She came out to the tune of Roar, by Katy Perry.
Coral Gables commission votes to audit Amazon buys on city-issued P-cards
A steam cleaner, a lint roller, pots and pans, three sets of silverware, Celsius fitness drinks. These are just some of the possibly questionable expenses that Coral Gables taxpayers are on the hook for when the city pays the bills on the purchase cards for a number of employees.
And nobody would be the wiser if former Miami-Dade School Board Member Lubby Navarro hadn’t been arrested earlier this month for grand theft for purchases with her own school board P-card.
