Feud between Hialeah mayors set off by councilwoman

Raul Martinez just won't go away.

The onetime Boss Tweed of Hialeah, who beat a federal indictment and nearly won a seat in Congress last year, is taking on the empire of his successor, Mayor Julio Robaina.

"[Julio] has put some distance between us," Martinez told journalist Bernadette Pardo on WQBA-AM (1140) last week. "He wants to govern his own way... don't turn around and blame me for the financial problems in the city."

What set off the feud? Apparently a September 17 story in Riptide — "Where in the World Is Katharine Cue?" — which questioned the residency of the 22-year-old city council candidate. The story revealed that Cue had listed an address outside the city on a job application — even though city council members are required to live in Hialeah.

The same day the story hit the streets, Martinez appeared on Pardo's show. "Everyone knew she didn't live in Hialeah," he proclaimed.

The following day, Cue went on the air with Pardo, who brought up Martinez's assertion. "That is not true," Cue said. "I don't know why the mayor would say that. He has known me my entire life."

Last week, Martinez provided Pardo with documentation that confirmed much of Riptide's story about Cue. He says Robaina and a crony, former Republican State Rep. Ralph Arza, are corrupting her: "What really bothers me is how they are using this young lady and teaching her to lie."

So, is Martinez headed back into Hialeah politics? Probably not. But he is supporting Danny Bolaños, son of a former police chief, in his race against Cue for a council seat November 3.

And Cue is supported by Mayor Robaina, who — surprise! — declined to comment.