Local Politics

Homestead Mayor Steve Bateman Gets Put in His Place

At last week's May 15 Homestead City Council meeting, Mayor Steve Bateman got testy with local business owner Michelle Pederson, prompting her husband Kevin to call hizzoner out. The back and forth occurred during the citizen's comments portion of the council meeting after Homestead resident Mark Be ... More >>

Miami Dolphins Stadium Renovation: A Political Insider's Guide

Give Stephen Ross props. He stepped up to Norman Braman one billionaire to another and slapped him across the face with a clean white glove. With a full page ad undermining Braman's credibility in Tuesday's edition of the Miami Herald, Ross let Braman know he's got the cash to parry any attacks the ... More >>

Francis Suarez Will Challenge Tomas Regalado in Miami's Mayor Race

After weeks of speculation, City of Miami Commissioner Francis Suarez officially announced today that he will challenge Mayor Tomas Regalado. Suarez is only 35, and has spent barely three years on the commission, but his family connections have given him a boost to the top of the city's political la ... More >>

In Early Voting Debacle in Doral, Carlos Gimenez Fails To Lead

As the 2012 presidential election in Miami-Dade County spirals into calamity, alcalde fuerte Carlos Gimenez is doing nothing to stop another embarrassing, national indictment of our Banana Republic's voting system. Despite long lines of voters who waited two-to-six hours to cast their ballots during ... More >>

Otis Wallace, Florida City's "mayor for life," is corrupt with power

Udonis Haslem Really Is Thinking About Running for Mayor of Miami

After last night's game against the Kings, Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra joked that Udonis Haslem will "eventually ...be mayor of this town." Turns out that Haslem has actually given some thought to a political future, and may someday actually run for mayor of Miami. Watch out, Tomas Regalado.&nbs ... More >>

Miami's Five Worst City and County Managers Who Prove Merrett Stierheim Wrong

Over the weekend, Miami Commissioner Francis Suarez revealed he is entertaining the idea of eliminating the city manager's position in favor of the strong mayor form of government. His proposal, which would require voter approval to change the city charter, makes sense because it gives residents one ... More >>

Bringing Guns Into Child Care Centers: Florida Democrat Realizes That's Probably Not a Good Idea

​Earlier this year, the Republican-controlled Florida legislature passed an NRA-backed law that required all municipal governments to abolish their local gun control laws. Problem is, the state of Florida doesn't exactly have that many gun control laws, so now licensed gun owners across the state ... More >>

Indict North Miami Mayor Andre Pierre

Recall Tomas Regalado

Carlos Gimenez Adds Two Staffers, One at $225K Per Year

Genaro "Chip" Iglesias is back at County Hall. ​Carlos Gimenez is turning to a trusted face to help him run Miami-Dade County government. Banana Republican has confirmed Gimenez is bringing back Genaro "Chip" Iglesias, whom we predicted last week would be part of the new mayor's team. Iglesias wil ... More >>

Miami Lakes councilman used Facebook to skirt Sunshine Laws, resident says

Did Two Miami Lakes Councilmen Violate The Sunshine Law Via Facebook?

Miami Lakes Councilman Nelson Hernandez​Like any social-media-savvy politician, Miami Lakes Councilman Nelson Hernandez uses Facebook to correspond with his constituents. "This is the 21st Century," Hernandez says. "Why wouldn't I use a great communication tool to get my message across?"But a town ... More >>

Julio Robaina squirms and Michael Putney flubs

Recall Election for Alvarez and Seijas Set for March 15

Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez and County Commissioner Natacha Seijas better beware the Ides of March. Voters will take to the polls on March 15 to decide whether they want to recall the beleaguered politicians, the County Commission decided today. The decision to hold both elections on the ... More >>

North Miami Beach Manager Canned After Snitching On City Council

Kelvin Baker is no longer North Miami Beach's city manager.​The Miami Herald reports this morning that the North Miami Beach City Council fired Manager Kelvin Baker last night. Although no specifics were given, Banana Republican wonders if his termination had anything to do with Baker accusing som ... More >>

Ex-Hialeah Police Chief Rolando Bolanos trashes Mayor Julio Robaina on Facebook

Hialeah Mayor Julio Robaina Exposed on Facebook By Former Allies

City of HialeahJulio Robaina double-crossed two former allies who are now out to destroy him.​Last Wednesday, shortly before dawn, Rolando Bolaños logged on to his Facebook account to update his status regarding his favorite subject, Hialeah Mayor Julio Robaina. The ex-Hialeah Police chief inform ... More >>

After Leaving the County, Steve Shiver Made A Killing In Homestead

Via Steve Shiver's Facebook Former county manager and Homestead Mayor Steve Shiver lobbied city officials despite rules barring from doing so.​On July 23, 2004, Steve Shiver plunked down $1.5 million for 4.2 acres in a severely depressed neighborhood of Homestead. The city's former mayor and ... More >>

Richard Pulido Needs A Manners Lesson

Miami Lakes Councilman Richard Pulido (bald guy in the tan jacket) berated the town's female clerk and kind of fibbed to Banana Republican.​Miami Lakes Councilman Richard Pulido is a petulant bully who thinks state and town laws don't apply to him, judging from his abrasive behavior with other tow ... More >>

Early Reports: Miami Police Chief John Timoney Has Resigned

City of Miami Police Chief John Timoney has resigned, according to sources. His resignation comes as Tomas Regalado is being sworn in as mayor. Regalado made firing Timoney a frequent point in his campaign. It appears Timoney beat Regalado to the punch before he could pressure the city man ... More >>

Millions in Car Allowances and Other Perks Safe From Budget Cuts

Alex Izaguirre​Tomorrow evening, Miami-Dade County Commissioners will finally set the budget for the upcoming year. We already know that Mayor Carlos Alvarez is proposing some seriously draconian cuts and will make good on his promise to lay of 1,700 employees, which does not bode well for south F ... More >>

The Return of Loco Joe

Alex Izaguirre​ The tepid race to replace Miami Mayor Manny Diaz could soon get a shot of Sazon if the chatter emanating from city hall is true. A handful of political consultants said earlier today that former Mayor Joe Carollo is seriously considering jumping into the contest. As of now, it ... More >>

Ridin' Dirty

Miami-Dade County execs drive expensive cars on the taxpayers' dime.

County Execs Drive Expen$ive Car$ on the Taxpayers' Dime

​The more Riptide dissects Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez's proposed budget cuts in order to make up a $427 million shortfall, the more we realize el alcalde fuerte is not gonna mess with his executive staff's perks. The mayor's spokeswoman, Vicki Mallette, confirmed Alvarez will not ax the ... More >>

Most County Executives Safe from Budget Cuts

Alex Izaguirre​UPDATE: Earlier this week, Miami-Dade County spokeswoman Vicki Mallette responded to my earlier report regarding executive salaries. I apologize to my readers for not posting her response sooner.She insisted that Alvarez is proposing in the budget a ten percent reduction to the coun ... More >>

Big Money on Top at Miami-Dade County Hall

When in doubt, pay the chiefs and forget the workers.

Wait. Who's the Boss in the Gables?

Coral Gables Muckraker George Volsky Busts City Manager David Brown

He's going down for wasteful spending.

Helen Williams Probably Won't Be Our Next Mayor

In Carlos We Trust, Really

Arriola Resign? Fuhgeddaboutit!

In the wake of Miami's fire fee scandal, the city manager goes nuclear on the Herald, Tomas Regalado, and taxpayers

The Dullness of Being Manny Diaz

Miami used to be a punch line, but now the joke is on bored reporters

Double Speak

Talking out of both sides of your mouth is tricky, but Carlos Alvarez is getting the hang of it

Up in Flames

A fire inspector tickets his employer

Billboard Verdict: Illegal!

The Fidel Factor

Carlos Alvarez wants voters to give him unprecedented power, but his foes are locked and loaded

If Signs are Outlawed…

…Then Only Outlaws Will Have Signs

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

Letters from the Issue of , 2002

An irrelevant mayor's race and an irrational foreign policy

MAYOR X

There are good reasons to vote August 31, but the county mayor's race isn't one of them. Here are five reasons why.

Who's that Man Behind the Badge?

Good question, but a bad situation for a mayoral candidate

No Way Joe

And then there were three ... North Miami Mayor Celestin's job candidate cuts anything but average

Letters from the Issue of May 22-28, 2003

The Hialeah 3

They're young, they're idealistic, they're in for a wild ride

Stierheim in Brief

The Hialeah Gardens "Darkie" Problem

Official city policy: Black people not welcome here

A Man in Fool

Free cops for your next event? Dorrin Rolle says yes.

The Art of War

Rep. Carlos Lacasa adds a new chapter to the Sun Tzu classic, set in Miami-Dade County