2013 City Council Election: Show me the Money!

In support of transparency in the political process HIH is providing insight into the campaign finances of the candidates for the City Council next November.  If the cash on hand is an indicator of who will be in office you will readily discern who will win.  While money by itself wont sweep candidates into office it surely helps to get them there.   Click on the names of the candidates to see the Campaign Treasurer's Report Summary for Quarter 2.
We figure there is more money yet to be doled out by the campaign contributors but may be waiting on the sidelines until after the Primary that will be necessary for the Mayor and Council Seat 4 (Southwest).  We're also still waiting for Jeff Porter's and James Wyatt's to file their respective reports.




Mayor:
Steven Bateman
Mark Bell 
Jeff Porter (not available)
Dr. Joseph G. Sewell

Council Seat 1 (Northwest)
Stephen Shelley
James Wyatt (not available)

Council Seat 4 (Southwest)

Jimmy L. Williams III 

Rochenel Marc

Ezzard C. Horn

Norman L. Hodge Jr.

Council Seat 5 (Malibu Bay/Waterstone)

Elvis R. Maldonado

Nazaria (Nazy) Ramallo Sierra

Read More

eMail Broadcast Message Blasting Mayor Bateman for Ethical Lapses

Residents of Homestead received another email this afternoon from Concerned Homestead Citizens.  It reiterates the same story that all the major news outlet are reporting.  The media blitz on the Mayor has been relentless but the Mayor has provided the fodder even if his heart is in the right place.  It's one thing to try to bring jobs to Homestead by any means necessary.  That is a position one can easily defend.  It's quite another to try to profit from it at the same time.  The Homestead voters will be the judge come November.

Read More

Homestead City Council Election 2013: Seat 5 - Waterstone/Malibu Bay

This post is dedicated to providing the links to the candidate websites for Seat 5, representing Waterstone and Malibu Bay.


Seat 5  http://elvismaldonado.com/
Seat 5  http://nazysierra.com/

Nazy Sierra

Elvis Maldonado

Read More

It's Official: Mark Bell Candidate for Mayor of Homestead

Reliable source confirms Mark Bell has picked up a Candidate Packet at City Hall effectively tossing his hat into the ring.  Now we can consider this election a true competition for the Mayorship of this city.









Reference Link:
 For Whom the Bell Tolls: Mark Bell Running for Mayor?

Read More

On Your Mark, Set, Go! The Candidates for the 2013 City Council Election

The Homestead City Council 2013 election season will commence soon with possible primaries usually scheduled for October 1st, campaigns need to get in full swing between the August/September timeframe. The list of possible candidates that picked up their packets commencing in January are listed below.  Thank you Eye on Miami for providing the listing.

• Stephen Shelley is the incumbent for Seat #1 (Northwest) and is running to retain his seat against James Wyatt. James is a homeowner in Northwest widely expected to run for this Council Seat.
• Norman Hodge  was Councilman for Seat #4 from 2003-2007 and will run again to represent this Southwest Council Seat against the incumbent Jimmy Williams.  Political newcomer Rochenel Marc will also run for this Council Seat. 
• Nazy Sierra will be running for Seat # 5 (Waterstone/Malibu Bay) against the incumbent Elvis Maldonado.  Nazy lost the seat to Elvis in 2009.  Nazy has been an advocate for education and has been at the forefront of diversifying school options in Homestead.  
• Jeff Porter will be running for Mayor against Mayor Steven Bateman along side Reverend Dr. Joseph G. Sewell, a Baptist Pastor and political newcomer.  Jeff Porter was a Councilman from 2003-2007.  Jeff is a critic of the Strong Mayor form of government and favors the status quo.  Jeff ran for Mayor in 2007 when Mayor Roscoe Warren decided to retire forgoing another term in office.  Jeff lost the election to Lynda Bell who served one term after being unseated by the current Mayor, Steven Bateman.  
• Ezzard C Horn's City Council Seat aspirations is not known at this time.
• Note: Councilman Elvis Maldonado will be running for re-election on the ticket with Councilman Jimmy Williams  and  Mayor Steven Bateman.
• Note:  Lynda Bell was elected in 2010 to the Board of County Commissioners representing District 8, which now encompasses Northwest Homestead, Malibu Bay, Waterstone among other areas in the county after the decennial redistricting.

Reference Link:
http://eyeonmiami.blogspot.com/2013/05/homestead-elections-who-is-running-by.html#links

Read More

La LEY Sports Owner Gets Much Love from Bateman and Maldonado, Gets Public Reprimand from Florida Bar

John Hasan Ruiz, 5040 N.W. 7 ^th St., Ph. 1, Miami, publicly reprimanded following a Nov. 18, 2011, court order. (Admitted to practice: 1992) 

A tenant fell and was injured at an apartment complex owned by Ruiz. When she asked for insurance information, Ruiz told her that the co-owner had allowed the insurance policy on the property to lapse, and therefore, that the apartment was uninsured. Ruiz subsequently sold the apartment for more than $2 million and received $375,000 of income from the closing. When the tenant's case went to trial, Ruiz failed to disclose that he was a director and 50 percent shareholder of the owner corporation, and that the corporation had sold its only asset, the apartment complex. 

The court subsequently ruled in the injured party’s favor, and Ruiz paid her judgement and attorneys fees in excess of $200,000 from his personal funds. (Case No. SC11-1011)

Read More

Once A Week Bulk Pick-Up Starts January 3, 2013, Is There An Election Coming Up Next Year?

"Don't forget in Homestead you can have a contaminated city hall for decades but you better not contaminate the streets every other week."  -Misplaced Confucius 2012

GOOD NEWS! MORE SERVICE!

We have GOOD NEWS for you! The City of Homestead will be increasing the collection of recyclables and bulky waste from twice a month to once a week, beginning January 2, 2013 at no additional cost. Regular garbage pick-up days will remain the same. These additional collection days will allow all customers to receive bulky waste pick-up early in the week. Homestead is one of the few municipalities in Miami-Dade County offering bulky waste collection and recycling services every week. Residents will receive informational calendars with their updated collection dates throughout the month of December. The City has set up an Information Hotline, (305)224-GOOD for residents with questions regarding the new service and changes, or you can also visit www.CityofHomestead.com/GOOD  for additional information and a list of acceptable items for recycling and bulky waste pick-up.

Read More