Commission Quest

Miami-Dade's most coveted political prize is the chairman's Throne of Power. Those who dare to seek it must navigate the Swamp of Secrecy, endure the Guild of the Greased Palm, and avoid exposure by the Orb of Light

A A A Comments By Tristram Korten Thursday, Nov 25 2004

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But it might not be in the best interest of the commission to have a chair who is tight with the mayor -- shades of Penelas past. The risk is the chair being controlled by the mayor. ("Anybody who knows me, knows I stand on my own two legs," huffs Diaz.) Sorenson tactfully brought up this issue in her letter. "Our new mayor is eager to hit the ground running, and it is my hope that we will be able to work with him in a productive way," she wrote. "As chair I would defend commission priorities and powers.... There will certainly be differences of philosophy and opinion, but I know that I could address them forthrightly and professionally."

Meanwhile it's well known that there is bad blood between Commissioner Martinez (a former Miami-Dade Police lieutenant) and Alvarez (that department's former director). This could actually benefit Martinez if other commissioners deem it necessary to elect a chair who will butt heads with Alvarez, who has vowed to remove commissioners from the county's procurement process. "We're not the best of friends, it's true," Martinez confirms. "But then again, our current chair was not the best of friends with Mayor Penelas, and they got a lot accomplished. I would never let my personal relationship get in the way of our public duties."

Sam Weber

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Those not in the running -- Rebeca Sosa, Natacha Seijas, Javier Souto, Sally Heyman -- are undoubtedly being courted (discreetly) to commit for each round of voting. Ultimately, though, it's virtually impossible to divine who will support whom in a contest where no one is supposed to contact anyone else. But anything is possible, including clandestine deals in which votes are traded for favors. After all, a lot is at stake. This is the most powerful political position in Miami-Dade County.