Political Predictions and Prognostications For 2013
By
Snappy2
Snappy's crystal ball is a little more cloudy and smudged than in 2009 probably in part due to the incredible ability of those in office in Homestead and those who control them to proverbially “get away with murder,” but here goes:
The hiring of Council assistants will pass 4 to 3 following a contentious discussion. Those up for re- election this year will have to answer to the voters but the one member in favor who does not stand for election in 2013 knows that the electorate has a very short memory.
Councilman Maldonado will face an election challenge from Nazy Sierra. This one is too close to call but it will be interesting to watch ethnic and gender politics at work to obscure qualification and accomplishment..... or lack thereof.
Former Councilman Norman Hodge will challenge Jimmie Williams but not after being challenged as to whether he meets the one year residency requirement at the time he files to run for office. (If he is allowed to file, this is a good indication that the “non- group” is at work and would rather see a reliable and controllable person in that Council seat rather than the unpredictable and largely absent Williams). I predict a win for Hodge.
Steve “Never Take A Stand” Shelley will face only token or no opposition and will mumble his way through to another term.
However….
Unless he lands a government job or well-deserved indictment, Mayor Steve Bateman, already off and running willfind himself in a primary facing a political unknown and either Jeff “The Last Great Hope of Old ,White Homestead” Porter or Steve Shelley if Porter decides not to run. With the help of LaLey and a power structure that only rarely opposes an incumbent,we the people may have to suffer through another two years of the Baitster.
Construction on the new City Hall will finally get started but not without the public kicking and screaming of the Mayor who would rather give an influential family six million dollars to build a turnpike exit so we can finally have that icon of mediocrity Steve Bateman has dreamed of and campaigned on for years… a Super Target.
City Manager George Gretsas will resign and move on to a city where his professionalism and honesty are appreciated and desired by both elected officials and the citizenry. The ensuing search for his replacement will be a sad comedy.
The usual roguesgallery of special interests will continue to prevail. Charter schools will proliferate on every corner with no traffic concurrency or respect for neighborhoods.
Huge budget savings will be accomplished with the disbanding of the Code Enforcement Department in recognition of our status as an anything goes community. Or, as Mayor Bateman calls it, “Business Friendly.”
The question of whether to sell the right to sell electricity will be buried in election year politics.
Finally, looking beyond 2013, it is no secret that a term limited Judy Waldman will begin her run for Mayor in 2015. The lure of higher office will be too much to resist for Lynda Bell who may seriously explore a run for Congress against Joe Garcia or will announce her candidacy to replace a retiring Ileana Ros-Lehtinen.
Snappy says stay informed and get involved.
Alex is right; this year they transferred an ADDITIONAL $5,000,000 dollars to cover taxes in addition to $6,250,000 before. Or a total of $11,250,000 this year. On average each household in the service are is paying $562.5 per year extra to cover shortfalls in taxes.
You cannot charge people more on their electric bill and say we are not raising your taxes.
Mr. Bateman, I know you are great in arithmetic (NOT). But please we are tired of "WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR SELF".
Did we ever collect the $3,000,000 the hospital owns to the city?
DO the people outside the city know that they are paying an additional 6% of their electric bill to subsidize Bateman Taxes?
Mayo, it is true that you applied for the budget director and were interviewed at the SFWMD, but Sir this does not mean that you know anything about budgeting.