Several high-level, well-paid Miami-Dade County executives are investing in a little job security. At least 24 department directors, assistant county managers, and executive assistants contributed money to Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez’s re-election campaign. Even the folks who handle the mayor’s image and field calls from the press gave cash to their boss’s $719,860 (so far) war chest.
Considering last year voters gave Alvarez the authority to hire and fire any county employee one would expect the mayor to think twice before accepting contributions from staffers who report directly to him or County Manager George Burgess. Alas, that wasn’t the case.
Banana Republican contacted 12 of the individuals who gave to Alvarez to ask them why they are supporting the mayor, who solicited them and if they attended any fund-raisers. Only one bureaucrat responded. Emergency Management and Homeland Security Director Charles Douglas Bass, who gave Alvarez $250 this past March 18, says he recieved a letter from the mayor's campaign at his home address asking him to attend a fundraiser. Bass says he didn't go, but that he sent a check.
"No one asked me to or coerced me to do it," he says. "[Alvarez] has been a great supporter of my programs and a great boss. I'd like to see him re-elected."
According to Alvarez’s campaign treasurer’s first quarterly report, the following people are supporting the mayor’s re-election bid:
Office of Communications –
Assistant Director Suzy Trutie, $500
Special Events Coordinator Pamela Regula, $200
Senior Media Relations Specialist Marie Bertot, $100
Media Relations Specialist Vanessa Santana-Peñate, $100
Media Relations Specialist Eric Esteban, $100
Media Assistant Zaida Andino, $100
Media Relations Specialist Owen Torres, $75
Office of the Mayor –
Senior Advisor Luis Andres Gazitua, $500
Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs Robert Villar, $250
North Dade Office Manager Keith Butler, $250
Director of Scheduling and Personal Affairs Delivette Gonzalez, $200
Office of the County Manager –
Assistant County Manager Ysela Llort, $100
Assistant Liliana Fernandez, $150
Executive Assistant Henry Sori, $200
Social Services Special Assistant Irene Taylor-Wooten, $300
Department Directors –
Fire Rescue Assistant Director Jane Feur, $500
Government Information Center Director Judith Zito, $500
Emergency Management & Homeland Security Director Charles Douglas Bass, $250
Planning & Zoning Director Subrata Basu, $250
Cultural Affairs Director Michael Spring, $250
Human Services Director Phyllis Tynes-Saunders, $150
Property Appraiser Marcus L. Saiz de la Mora, $150
General Services Director Wendi Norris, $100
Water & Sewer Director John Renfrow, $100
