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

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Bait and Switch: Dade Medical College Theatre site plan was really an Urgent Care Center in disguise

The City Council on Wednesday during the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) project discussion endured Dade Medical College theatre.  Not the theater they promised to build, this one has to do with a little bait and switch in site plans.  The obvious question is:  Why would a for-profit medical college build a theater?   Of course only if it's a ruse to something more profitable:  An Urgent Care Center for children no less.

Below are excerpts from the indignant City Council members, which appears to be more theater and not one that any person would pay good money for either. 

“I’m a little confused,” Councilwoman Judy Waldman said Wednesday. “I sat through all those meetings and thought the whole intention was a school. To me, that’s not full disclosure. They have a letter of understanding with Miami Children’s Hospital, and this is the first I’ve heard of it? This opens a whole big bushel of

concern.”

Councilman Steve Shelly questioned the timeline and asked how staff would reconcile the mismatch between the site plan they received and the college’s new intentions. Corradino’s answer was the same one he gave during the review:

“He is getting approved for what is on this sheet of paper. You want to change the theater into something else, you need to get that reapproved.”

Vice Mayor Jon Burgess reacted similarly. “My concern is that an urgent care center isn’t a part of a university. To me, that’s different. I was sold one bag of goods and am getting another.”

I mean really does anyone think we're buying this supposed bait and switch theatrics?  Fact is this fiasco has been in the works for awhile now and it can stop but only if there's political will.   To top it off it's all perfectly legal. Here's another excerpt from the Miami Herald:

In the city’s option agreement with Dade Medical, however, one of the allowed uses of the CRA property is a medical outpatient facility such as the one Perez was talking about.

The worst part of this Looney Toons Theater is that according to the Miami Hearld, Mayor Steven Bateman is in clear violation of ethics rules.  He sat through the whole meeting knowing full well his wife has represented Dade Medical College in real estate transactions.  Mayor Bateman is either extremely stupid or a sociopath.  Either way, he's got some big cojones to sit there and look everyone in the face and act as if nothing is absolutely wrong with this picture.  

Miami Herald Excerpt:

According to a Jan. 16th memo sent by Joseph Centorino, executive director of the Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics, to elected officials across the county, the county code requires those with a voting conflict to “absent himself or herself from, [the] meeting during the discussion of the subject item.”

Councilwoman Waldman's opinion:

“He should not have been part of that discussion,’’ said Waldman. “I was shocked.”

Yes indeed, we all are;  November can't come soon enough! 

 Full article on link below: 

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/06/22/v-fullstory/3465186/change-in-plans-by-college-catches.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/06/22/v-fullstory/3465186/change-in-plans-by-college-catches.html#storylink=cpyRead more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/06/22/v-fullstory/3465186/change-in-plans-by-college-catches.html#storylink=cpy

Change in plans by college catches council by surprise - Homestead / South Dade - MiamiHerald.com

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South Dade: Homestead's Upcoming Water Wars

The Miami-Dade County government has neglected to upgrade the water and sewer systems for years.  Now faced with Federal lawsuits to comply with the Clean Water Act they have to get moving and bring the county-wide system up to minimum standards.   The county is not alone, municipalities like Homestead are also under the gun to fix their systems not just to maintain what they have but also to allow for future growth.  

The City of Homestead has grown significantly since Hurricane Andrew decimated the city in the summer of 1992.  So much so it now requires a Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion. The City of Homestead is unique in that it's the only municipality in Miami-Dade County that owns and operates a wastewater treatment plant. The city currently has a water permit capacity of (6 mgd) million gallons and it's projected that the city will need another (3 mgd) at an estimated cost of $50,000,000.  This is best case scenario so if history is any indication of the true cost of any infrastructure project, it will be double that:  $100M.  

The City leaders are well aware of these circumstances as an excerpt form the City of Homestead FY 2009/2010 Budget states:

“THE CITY OF HOMESTEAD FACES SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL CHALLENGES

The wastewater treatment plant has reached capacity and requires expansion.

The City of Homestead is the only municipality in Miami-Dade County that owns and

operates a wastewater treatment plant. The Wastewater Treatment Plant has reached

capacity as a result of our explosive population growth and will eventually require

expansion. However, new regulatory requirements along with operational improvements may generate an estimated cost of $50 million to upgrade the existing facility.”

  

However,  The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) delivered some bad news to the City by prorating a plan submitted and instead of allowing an expansion, the city lost 25% of its permitted capacity, or (1.5 mgd). This means it will now cost an estimated $75,000,000 to expand the wastewater treatment plant.  Once again we'll use historical trends to perform a cost analysis by doubling estimated cost:  $150M.   It appears leadership is a scarce skill set at City Hall, because this DEP action is unheard of and another unenviable position for a municipality to be in.  Lets go ahead and add Homestead for being uniquely placed on the  "screwed list". The City Council will now have to move fast as follows:

1. Get approval from DEP and perform an urgent expansion of the Wastewater Treatment Plant while meeting the new DEP conditions.  
2. Send notice to residents of the new water/sewer rates.  Warn them that the rates will rise significantly.  
3. Hold a Special Call to have residents air their complaints.  They need someone to vent to so the City Council needs to get ready to hear them out.
4. The city needs to negotiate a wholesale contract with Miami-Dade county.  The City is paying exorbitant retail rates for excess sewer flow.
5. The city needs to enter into a consent decree with DEP so anything they have to fix to achieve compliance is grandfathered under the new permit.  If this is done, the city may keep the original capacity at a fraction of the cost.

The worst part of this scenario is that residents of East Homestead paid for their capacity  impact fees when the houses were purchased. Now all the residents, old and new will be burdened with additional higher water/sewer rates.   Where did the money go?  That's a valid question for the City Council, especially the incumbents that are vying for reelection. 

The City Council and its administration are already privately criticized in professional circles for their incompetence on handling the Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion issue.  This blog is now exposing this problem so the residents can become aware and place pressure on the elected leaders.  The Leaders need to accomplish something productive and avoid the pending Water War that will take place at City Hall if nothing is done soon.  

Miami-Dade commissioners sign off on initial fee hike to pay for water, sewer repairs - Miami-Dade - MiamiHerald.com

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Election 2013 : Lobbyist Registration List

A Day in the life of a Lobbyist

by The Princeton Review

Whether lobbyists work for a large organization, a private individual, or the general public, their goals and strategies are the same. First and foremost, lobbyists must be adept at the art of persuasion, which is the mainstay of their job. They must figure out how to sway politicians to vote on legislation in a way that favors the interest they represent. This means tailoring appeals to specific individuals as well as to group voting blocs, such as Southerners or pro-choicers. 

Lobbyists also occasionally lobby one another. When normally opposing groups find a common area of interest and can present a united front they are extremely effective. Lobbying can be direct or indirect. Direct lobbying means actually meeting with congressmen and providing them with information pertinent to a bill being voted on. The lobbyist imparts her information with the help of graphs, charts, polls, and reports that she has hunted up or created. Needless to say, this is usually information that the politician might not otherwise have access to, that casts the matter in a light favorable to the interest the lobbyist represents. Sometimes, lobbyists will even sit down and help a politician draft legislation that is advantageous for their interest. 

Maintaining good relations with politicians who can be relied on to support the lobbyist’s interest is key. While lobbyists and their employers cannot themselves make large campaign donations to politicians, they can, and do, raise money from other sources for reelection campaigns. To be successful at all of this, the lobbyist must be well-informed, persuasive, and self-confident. Personal charm doesn’t hurt either, and lobbyists will often do social things like host cocktail parties, which allow them to interact with politicians-and opponents-in a less formal atmosphere. 

Indirect lobbying, sometimes referred to as grassroots organizing, is a bit less glamorous. Grassroots lobbyists enlist the help of the community to influence politicians by writing, calling, or demonstrating on the organization’s behalf. This means long hours spent on the phone and writing letters, trying to rouse the community to get involved. These lobbyists also report to politicians about the concerns and reactions they have gotten from community members. Indirect lobbying is also done through the media. Grassroots lobbyists write articles for newspapers and magazines and appear on talk shows to generate interest in and awareness of their issues. 

Lobbyists tend to work long hours-between forty and eighty hours per week is normal, and when a bill is up for vote they will usually work through at least one night. But the least attractive part of being a lobbyist may be the profession’s less-than-spotless reputation. While most are undoubtedly scrupulous, some lobbyists have been known to grease a palm or two where persuasion falls short, and the rest must suffer the public’s mistrust. These honest lobbyists, who represent every segment of society, take refuge in the knowledge that they are working to promote causes they believe in.

Reference Links

http://www.princetonreview.com/careers.aspx?cid=88

http://fl-homestead.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/270

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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?

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A Publix proposed for Venetia Groves

A new Publix has been on the drawing board for Venetia Groves for quite awhile.   Publix Supermarkets Inc. bought the land in April 2007 and in similar fashion to Walmart plans to build when market conditions make the venture worthwhile. These two indirect competitors have jockeyed for position to discourage direct competitors, such as Whole Foods and Target respectively, from setting up shop in the city. However, it will be their unique competitive advantage that will make the difference.  Publix with its superior customer service and higher-end product selection is in a singular market position allowing it to rightfully claim "where shopping is a pleasure." Conversely, Walmart with its "every day low prices" will continue to compete using that strategy though the claim is subject to debate given its recent bouts with inventory shortages and a 2011 Stanford University Research Study. According to a recent Bloomberg.com article customers are fleeing Walmart for Target and Costco in droves as shelves go empty.

The 39,000 square foot Publix store will be maller than other Publix stores in the city though it will feature a pharmacy with a drive-thru similar to the one at Oasis plaza. The site plan provided further below illustrates entrances and exit to the site from Palm Drive directly from the east bound lane, an entrance and exit from the Valencia Gardens Drive and an entrance and exit from Tennessee Rd (SW 167th Ave).  I don't see how the entrance and exit onto Palm Drive directly is going to work. The roundabout already makes that area a traffic challenge without having to add more complexity with this entrance/exit.  On the bright side, there's a traffic light on SW 167th Ave that will ease traffic congestion in and out of the Publix parking lot.

The future looks bright for these two companies as a renewed interest in residential construction in the city. This may soon prompt Publix to break ground at Venetia Groves and Walmart at the Airbase location.  We will keep you posted on any further development.

Historical Trivia: Venetia Groves used to be called Valencia Gardens during the platting process and it was renamed during the building phase, hence why the road still holds the previous namesake.

Reference Links:
http://keysgate.blogspot.com/2007/02/another-publix-on-palm-dr.html

http://egvsys.miamidade.gov:1608/wwwserv/ggvt/txcaw01.dia?folio=1079290010050

http://local.cityofhomestead.com/WebLink8/DocView.aspx?id=17635&dbid=0#

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

Mark Bell owner of The Redland Hotel may be running for Mayor of Homestead, FL.  The unofficial word in town is that he's seriously considering it.  The suspense has the city elders flummoxed in that his wife is the venerable Lynda Bell, Miami-Dade County Commissioner for District 8 and Ex-Mayor of Homestead 2007-2009.  The city would get a bargain by having twice the expertise for the price of one.  Already a power couple in South Dade rubbing elbows with the well connected throughout the county, the Bells would become even more so of a power couple if Mark were to win.  It would also be a vindication for Lynda whose Mayorship was cut short by the current Mayor Steven Bateman.  Political guerrilla warfare may be possible in Homestead depending on the candidates and a coup d'état may not be out of the question if only figuratively speaking.

                   These photo of The Hotel Redland is courtesy

                   of TripAdvisor

This photo of The Hotel Redland is courtesy of TripAdvisor

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Steven Bateman: No Sense or No Nonsense Mayor? You Decide

1. The Mayor has short fuse, so he apologized, but on this issue he is correct   $30M for a new City Hall at the Washington Ave and Civic Court site is unaffordable.  It's been a bad idea all along that has not gotten better with age.



2. Though he owes thousands in fees to the City he hires Debt Collectors to go after residents that owe money to the City.  The irony doesn't go unnoticed as reflected by the Huffington Post article.  When you get recognized by the big time bloggers you must be famous or infamous, you be the judge.

3.  Notwithstanding #2 all debts may be forgiven by a City Manager.  Instead of paying the past due electric bill to the city you may make a political campaign contribution. You can read all about in our archives or head out to the Miami New Times.   Good news travels fast but bad news as with gossip and innuendo travels much faster.


Reference Links:
http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/riptide/2013/05/homestead_mayor_steve_bateman_1.php

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/03/steve-bateman-homestead-debt-collectors_n_1647572.html

http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/riptide/2011/10/steve_bateman_really_knows_how.php

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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

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Move Homestead City Hall to the East Side

A new City Hall for Homestead is the battle cry of those believing it will breathe life into Downtown Homestead's Historic District.  Mind you there is not one shred of evidence to this assertion.  A government building's primary function is to provide its citizens with the services they need.   The current proposed location on Washington Avenue has limited parking shoe horned on a parcel that's not easily accessible by the residents on the East Side of town.  One could venture to assume the purpose of this location was to limit access to the building by the residents instead of increasing it.  

The East Side of Homestead is where most of its citizens will reside in the future so why not move the permanent site there?  The temporary site is already on the East Side, a good move, since the old site on N. Homestead Blvd and Campbell Dr. has been evacuated due to mold.  The citizens of Homestead need the City Council to seriously consider where the demographics of the city will be by 2020.  With the recent approval by the City Council of an annexation study east of the city, it's obvious that the city will be growing in that direction.  If the annexation comes to fruition the city may nearly double in size. Notwithstanding areas that will not be built, like Homestead Air Force Base (AFB) and Biscayne National Park.

The city's geographic center has already shifted and more so if the city annexes the study area. Downtown Homestead has the potential to become a tourist destination be it by its historic significance, antique corridor, or art and music festivals.  However, this government building will not be the catalyst that will spur redevelopment.  Regrettably this idea has raised expectations unrealistically.  An idea conjured up with conjecture and emotion with little data to back it up.  It's time for the City Council to make wise investment decisions for the future of our city by deciding on an East Side parcel to build the new City Hall.


Reference Link:
South Dade News Leader

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Miami-Dade County to UMSA: Incorporation or Annexation

With the election of State Representative Juan C. Zapata to the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners (BCC) there will be a new drive to incorporate new cities and have existing cities annex areas adjacent to them.  Commissioner Zapata believes State Senators and Representatives can better represent municipalities directly versus going through county government.  Another reason:  Miami-Dade is in the process of spinning off the Unincorporated Municipal Services Area (UMSA).  The county will then be left to run the Airport, Seaport, County Fire and Police Departments, Water and Sewer Department just to name a few.

South Dade will  not be spared hence why the Homestead City Council held a Workshop to discuss the feasibility of annexing surrounding areas of UMSA, specifically Reland Edge and Leisure City. These areas have few options due to a limited tax base making incorporation a challenge. Even the tax base of Redland Edge and Leisure City combined isn't sufficient to support incorporation so that leaves the only viable option:  Annexation. In the near future these areas will get absorbed by newly created cities or annexed by Homestead because the status quo is unsustainable. The county has determined that it's simply too expensive to continue providing municipal services to these areas. With a $50M deficit this year alone the county will be putting the incorporation and annexation efforts in overdrive.  So unless Redland and Princeton incorporate soon and are willing to respectively accept Redland Edge and Leisure City, these areas may not have any other alternative than to allow annexation by the City of Homestead. The residents of these areas can choose one path or the other but they may not stay in UMSA forever.

Reference Links:

Miami-Dade lifts ban on new cities
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2012/04/03/miami-dade-commission-to-consider-lifting-ban-on-new-cities/

A case for incorporation

http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/06/18/2851787/the-case-for-incorporation-in.html

Commissioner Jean Monestime supports increasing property taxes for UMSA
http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/09/06/2988431/jean-monestime-proposed-county.html

Commissioner Juan Zapata supports incorporation of new cities (2 Links)

http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/04/23/3360701/task-force-considers-creating.html

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2013/04/group-tackles-creation-of-new-miami-dade-cities.html

Commissioner Juan Zapata supports creating new city:  West Kendall
http://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/blog/morning-edition/2013/05/could-there-soon-be-a-city-of-west.html

Miami-Dade Current Annexation Proposals

Miami-Dade County - Management and Budget - Annexations

The Politics of Municipal Incorporation in South Florida
http://www.law.fsu.edu/journals/landuse/vol122/lazega.pdf

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MDX Moves Ahead with Project Plan to Toll the South Dade Busway.

The Miami-Dade Expressway (MDX) Authority moves ahead with financing a study to turn the South Dade Busway into a Toll Road for those willing and able to pay to get "there" faster.  These lanes will have variable prices up to $8.00 depending on congestion and rising with inflation in the future.

Get ready to pay South Dade because the MDX Authority, which is made up of developer friendly sycophants are "in it to win it!" South Dade citizens need to contact MDX and air their concerns in order to stop the tolling of all our roads.   South Dade is already burdened with the Turnpike as the only express road out of the area.  Many of our citizens are resigned to paying for the Turnpike as US1, even with its recent improvements, is still a local access road with its many traffic lights.

There is opposition to this project in the cities Pinecrest, Palmetto Bay, and Cutler Bay.  The City of Homestead?  Not so much.  Actually not a word from City Hall as to their position on this project.

Construction interests are very strong in Homestead and throughout the county. They have no interest in furthering Public Transportation when they can have a steady stream of income from tolls to build more roads.  These roads will in-turn facilitate their expansion to the Urban Development Boundary (UDB) and beyond.

If this seems like a machiavellian scenario, you're on point.  It's not a coincidence that land developers and construction interests are at the helm of MDX, it's by design.

Below are reference links for the project.

http://getmdxoffthebusway.com

http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/03/29/3313745/mdx-forging-ahead-with-us-1-express.html

http://mdxway.com/img/projects/future_projects/downloads/US-1-Express-1-Project-Fact-Sheet.pdf

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Former Homestead CRA Director Dan Wick Fired in North Miami Beach

NMB's CRA Sounds a Lot Like Homestead's CRA, a Waste of Time and Space


Reprinted with Stephanie's permission: http://www.votersopinion.com/?p=7093

The new “PC:” Politically Connected

Published December 12, 2012 | By Stephanie Kienzle

 

There are some strange things going on at North Miami Beach City Hall.  As you know, the former City Manager Lyndon Bonner was given his walking papers at the end of his contract in September.  Instead of looking for a new City Manager, the Council decided to shuffle the deck and rehire/promote the Current Assistant/One Time Interim City Manager Roslyn Weisblum.  This is the same Ms. Weisblum who immediately handed out raises the minute she was handed the interim position to temporarily replace the former-former-and-fired City Manager Kelvin Baker.  Obviously, she was the perfect candidate to fill the new vacancy, right?  Uh, huh.

As current (and future ex, I’m sure) City Manager, Ms. Weisblum has made some changes.  For starters, she fired the CRA Director Dan Wick.  I don’t know the reasons why she canned him, nor do I care, since I think a CRA is another one of those questionable ponzi schemes that we should abolish altogether, but that’s for another day, another blog.

Good old Ros decided that we didn’t need another CRA Director because it would cost too much money, which was probably the only good decision she’s made so far.  Then she blew that political capital by creating a position called “CRA Coordinator” and figured that the job was worth at least eighty thousand bucks.  Boy, that sounds familiar.  Where did I hear about this before?  Oh, yeah!  That’s EXACTLY what happened in North Miami!  You’ll remember that our sister city’s mayor Andre Pierre created just such a position for his crony, Lesly Prudent, to replace its then CRA Director Tony Crapp.  Smells like nepotism to me!

So who did Ros pick to fill our newly created “CRA Coordinator” job?  Glad you asked.

A woman by the name of Rasha Soray-Cameau just happened to be available.  Her resume is fairly impressive.  She received a Masters in Business Administration from Florida International University in 2007.  Ms. Soray-Cameau claims she worked for the Human Services Coalition from 1997 to 2004, and cites her job description as “oversight of staff, finance, contract management, human resources, day to day operations, negotiations with auditors, contractors and [illegible].”  From 2004 to 2009, she worked for the City of Miami/NET, where she was again in charge of “oversight of staff, community programs, met with constituent [sic] to deal with issues” and the like.  In 2009 she was transferred to the City of Miami/Little Haiti Cultural Center, where her job description was to “develop programs for cultural center, oversight of faculty, staff, events, grants management.”

When asked to explain in her own words why she’s qualified for the position, she wrote simply, “I believe that my past work experiences dealing with constituent issues, economic development and issues [illegible] management and budgeting make me qualified for the position mentioned.”
Sounds qualified to me!

The fact is that I have no idea what qualifications are required to run a city’s CRA, or Community Redevelopment Agency.  Then again, I don’t have to know.  I didn’t apply for the job.  Considering that the word “CRA” does not appear on Rasha Soray-Cameau’s application, other than in the blank space after “Position Applied For,” I’m wondering why she thinks she’s qualified to run one.  But, more importantly, why does the City Manager think she’s qualified?

I’m also wondering why someone who thinks she’s qualified to be a CRA Coordinator believes that this position has anything to do with constituent issues.  Last time I checked, the management of a city, or its CRA, has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH POLITICS!

Unless, of course, the person seeking to fill this position just happens to be Politically Connected.  Like Lesly Prudent, for example, whose political radio show helped Andre Pierre win his election as mayor of North Miami.  Just who’s political career is this new hire advancing?  I’m just saying.
Whether or not Rasha Soray-Cameau is qualified for the job, she sure is Politically Connected.  Her list of Facebook friends is quite telling.  For starters, she’s friends with two women with the last name “Martelly” – Rosa and Midge, and a man by the name of Ralph Martelly.  As you know, “Martelly” just happens to be the last name of the president of Haiti, so I’m wondering if any of them are related to him.
Speaking of President Martelly, you’ll remember the hoopla during his visit stateside in July, when the City of North Miami shelled out $8,800.00 for police protection so that he could attend a gala at the Renaissance Ballroom given by Francois Adrien, owner of “Pikliz.com, a popular Haitian website.”

In a coincidence of all coincidences, one Francois J. Adrien just happens to be one of Rasha Soray-Cameau’s Facebook friends!   The fact that Francois J. Adrien lists http://www.pikliz.com on his Facebook page leads me to believe he’s the same Francois Adrian, owner of pikliz.com, who hangs with the Haitian Prez.  How cozy.

For Ms. Soray-Cameau, it sure doesn’t get more Politically Connected than that!
On December 2, 2012, ten days ago, I sent an email to North Miami Beach City Manager Roslyn Weisblum asking her questions about this new “CRA Coordinator” position, including the job description, whether or not it was advertised, and copies of all the other applicants’ resumes.  So far, just like ignored public records requests in North Miami, I have received no response.

What I do know, however, is that in the month or so that Ms. Soray-Cameau has been an employee of our city, she’s done little more than sit at the receptionist’s desk in the City Manager’s office and answer the phones.  Considering her resume, I’m sure she’s highly qualified to do just that.
Then again, so am I.  If I had known that this position offered a salary of EIGHTY THOUSAND DOLLARS, I would have applied myself!

Then again, I’m not Politically Connected.

But since no receptionist, no matter how well she can answer a phone, is worth EIGHTY THOUSAND DOLLARS, one just has to wonder what the hell is going on around here.
Enquiring minds want to know!

Stephanie Kienzle

“Spreading the Wealth”

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Could This Be Attorney Kelsay Patterson, Johanna Faddis' Lawyer?

http://www.bustedmugshots.com/florida/tampa/kelsay-patterson/38280031

 

Information:

Name: Kelsay Patterson
Location: Tampa, Florida
Age: 36 years
Processing Date: 11-30-2007

Alleged Violations:

BATTERY
DISORDERLY CONDUCT/ESTABLISHMENT
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Address

8875 Hidden River Parkway
Suite 300
Tampa, FL 33637

Phones

(813) 975-7269

Faxes

(813) 929-3810

Websites

http://www.kelsaypatterson.com

Other Offices

LAW OFFICES OF KELSAY PATTERSON
Main Office
The Miami Center Bulding, 201 South Biscayne Blvd., 28th floor, Miami, Florida 33131
(305) 913-7626

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John H. Ruiz Tells City To Govern Themselves Accordingly, Wow

In a letter sent to City Manager George Gretsas and Finance Director Carlos Perez La LEY's John Ruiz says the City of Homestead should be mindful it is being sued for at least $5,000,000.00 and they had better not shut off the power to the La LEY Sports Complex.

Bring back any memories?

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In 2002 City Council Rejected FPL's $115MM, Ten Years Later and Now with 22,000 Customers What Would They Offer?

FPL bid for Homestead utility
2002 Homestead City Council Rejected This $115MM Offer

Friday, July 19, 2002

by Deborah Circelli, Palm Beach Post

JUNO BEACH -- Florida Power & Light Co. said Thursday that it has made a $115 million bid to buy out the city of Homestead's electrical utility.

If the deal goes through it will be the first time in a least 35 years the giant utility, a subsidiary of FPL Group Inc. (NYSE: FPL, $52.39), has bought a municipal utility, according to an FPL spokesman.

Homestead City Manager Curt Ivy said the city has asked FPL to come back with a revised proposal by Sept. 1, however. FPL was offering to pay $7 million to $9 million immediately for some of Homestead's assets, which the city believes are worth more.

The bid for Homestead Energy Services includes buying out existing power contracts. FPL would also take over 16,700 customers and buy most of the city's assets such as powerlines, poles, transformers, substations and customer accounts.

The Homestead electric utility's 65 employees would be offered jobs if they qualify, and FPL would pay the city severance costs for employees who are not hired.

The deal will not include buying the utility's approximately 50-megawatt power plant, which FPL officials said is outdated and would be inefficient to operate.

"We think our proposal provides a good opportunity to Homestead residents," said Betty Marsenison, an FPL spokeswoman. "We're always looking for good business opportunities and ways to enhance shareholder value."

She said the total annual savings to Homestead's residential and business customers would be about $6 million annually, or 20 percent on customers' monthly bills.

If an agreement is reached, residents might need to vote for approval through a city referendum.
Homestead has been providing city residents with power since 1915; its utility is one of the oldest municipal electric companies in the state. The city has been seeking ways to save money in all its departments because of a $6 million deficit.

The plant is a money-maker, generating $25 to $30 million a year in revenues for the city. But Ivy said the plant is aging. It is harder to get parts, he said, and it would be expensive to upgrade the plant.
"We don't take getting out of the business lightly. This is an institution to us," Ivy said.

FPL has sought to buy a municipal utility before. In 1994, it submitted a proposal to Lake Worth to buy its electric system and plant. Lake Worth ultimately turned it down because the two could not agree on the price and terms.

Lake Worth residents have recently struggled with outages after lightning struck the city's primary transformer on July 9.

FPL spokesman Bill Swank said the company has not determined how to finance the Homestead bid. It could be done through existing cash flows, debt financing or through customers' rates.

If FPL sought to pay for it through rates of all its 4 million customers statewide, the Public Service Commission would have to approve the request. The PSC would also have to approve any rate proposal if 
FPL intended to charge different rates for Homestead customers than its current customers.

Under the bid proposal, FPL would also pay the city about $2.6 million annually in property and municipal taxes and franchise fees.

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Should Homestead Consider Selling The Power Plant?

Consider the following: 

The Board is political and have demonstrated an inability to explain why non-city residents are charged with paying into city reserves without benefit of those reserves.

The rates are substantially higher than FPL, as a matter of fact it's not even competitive.

The burden of employee salaries, benefits and pension would be absorbed by the new company, the subsequent relief would reduce the HES customer burden.

The political leaders would then be forced to work with the City Manager in cutting the multitude of wasteful efforts not only in HES but throughout the City, such as all of the celebrations and self aggrandizement lunches, dinners, picnics in the name of Homestead Energy Services.

To get the ball rolling this will require contacting the politicians and asking the City Manager for research, possible ballot initiative/referendum on this idea.

Over the next few days we will publish business and residential rates of comparative utility services throughout Florida. It's time for Homestead residents to stop paying non-competitive rates and wasteful programs and perhaps provide consistent standard uniforms to HES crews, such as the ones in the photo, embarrassing the Director and Mayor.

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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.

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