DEVELOPING STORY: If you can’t beat them at the polls, draw them out of your district.

That’s what’s happening in the city of Miami at today’s special meeting to redraw the new district maps that were tossed out by a court after several organizations and residents sued over gerrymandering (more on that later). The new map proposed by consultant Miguel DeGrandy cuts a corner of 17th Avenue off District 1 — about three homes, including the one where Miguel Angel Gabela, who is running against incumbent commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla, has lived in for more than 20 years.

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When Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed State Rep. Juan Alfonso Fernandez Barquin (R-District 118) as the new Miami-Dade County Clerk — to replace longtime clerk Harvey Ruvin, who died five months ago — he also called him comptroller, a financial role the clerk officially serves but which Ruvin had always de facto conceded to whoever was the county mayor.

Fernandez-Barquin, an attorney with a degree in economics and ambition, is likely not gonna do that. In fact, las malas lenguas say he is excited about making the role a more public elected post — he has to run for office again in 2024 — with the same powers as other clerks in other counties in the state.

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Ordered by a court to go back to the literal drawing board to define new commission districts for the city, Miami Commissioners will have a special meeting Wednesday to discuss which direction to take — including the possibility of abolishing districts completely.

But commissioners don’t want to hear from the public.

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Plus a few other interesting issues that will be raised

Newly elected Coral Gables Commissioner Melissa Castro is getting her stride. She has two items on the agenda for Tuesday’s city commission meeting and both should be passed unanimously — although Ladra has a feeling Mayor Vince Lago will come up with some excuse to block them.

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Coral Gables Mayor Vince Lago has been a busy boy.

Lago told the media that he is a businessman earlier this month after it was exposed that he was renting retail space to a developer of a luxury high-rise who has done other projects in the City Beautiful.

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Banker and longtime community activist Damian Pardo, LGBTQ+ champion and founder of SAVE, announced his candidacy last week for city of Miami commissioner in District 2. As a first time candidate, Pardo said he wants to “shake things up” and return to prioritizing residents.

¡Ya tu sabes!

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