How Alex Daoud Got His Groove Back
Filed under: Politics
This past Sunday night, former Miami Beach Mayor Alex Daoud proved he could still draw a crowd — and wow them with his wit and personality. About 100 people stopped by Books & Books in Coral Gables to listen to him talk about The Sins of South Beach.
If you're not familiar with the book, here's a recap: Daoud, who was born in Miami Beach, entered politics and took bribes. He occupied the mayor's office during a time of great change on the Beach — those Cocaine Cowboys/Miami Vice days — and helped usher in redevelopment. Daoud's book chronicles the corruption, the sex, the violence, and his federal conviction on bribery charges. He served 18 months in prison and testified against many of the South Florida players who bribed him.
Daoud returned to the Beach disgraced and humbled, but he hasn't lost his oversize personality or his desire for redemption, as evidenced during his recent appearance at the bookstore. Calling himself an "extreme extrovert," Daoud tearfully told stories about cops being killed on the Beach, the rape of an elderly friend, and the shame of being on trial. "I made a terrible mistake with my life," he said.
Daoud also cracked several jokes. When someone's cell phone rang, Daoud quipped, "If that's my ex-wife, I'm not here." The audience, comprising Daoud's elderly and Jewish former constituents, chuckled.
Probably the most surreal part of the evening came when Daoud put his arms around two foxy bodybuilder models. One was a blonde, and the other, a brunette, had a cameo on Miami Ink earlier this year. They were there to promote his book, mostly by looking sexy and ripped and wearing black minidresses with the name of Daoud's book in glittering rhinestones across their chests. "These are the sins of South Beach," said Daoud, ever the flirt. "If I did this when I was married, I'd be re-indicted."
The audience seemed to adore him. "I think that brunette one is his girlfriend," whispered one lady. "Alex has always liked those bodybuilder types." — Tamara Lush
The Pain Is Over
Filed under: Sports
At first, the game had the makings of a typical semi-tractor-trailer-tire-crushing-your-nut-sack vibe that the Dolphins seem to have perfected this season. The kind that says, "Look! We're gonna win! We're really gonna win! Nah, we're just fucking with you. We're not gonna win."
We were headed toward infamy the likes of which franchises never recover from. It was the Season of Shitstiny. The worst team ever! The 0-14 1976 Bucs were at least lovable in a Three Stooges–meet–the Bad News Bears kind of way. This Dolphins squad, being a complete wrecking ball to your groin, cactus enema kind of team, had no such redeeming qualities. At least until Sunday's overtime win over the Ravens, which marked the first time in NFL history a 1-13 team and its fans celebrated like they had just won the Super Bowl.
My feet still haven't touched the ground. My throat is raw and scratchy. My voice is shot. I sound like Jennifer Tilly after several rounds of scotch and cigarettes at a poker tournament. Yes, goddamnit, we won a game — and completely ruined the NFL's hopes of having an 0-14 team meet a 14-0 team in the process. Fuck you, NFL!
And Merry Christmas, Fins Nation! Turns out God doesn't hate us after all. He just kinda tries to avoid us at parties. But that's cool. I can live with that for now. — Chris Joseph
Perry's Cool Deal Goes on Ice
Filed under: News
A business venture at Miami International Airport involving a publicly traded company and a politically connected Miami businessman is getting scrapped. Since 1997, Airport Parking Associates, a partnership between William "Bill" Perry and Central Parking Systems, has operated the airport's lucrative public parking garages, which generated $6.8 million in revenue in 2006 alone. But it appears APA won't be racking up any more parking fees.
Earlier this year, the Miami-Dade Inspector General reported that APA, which collected a monthly $6,000 management fee, overbilled the county $500,000 during the past three years. Mayor Carlos Alvarez's chief of staff, Denis Morales, also asked the county police public corruption unit to investigate the company for criminal wrongdoing.
In a December 18 memo to county commissioners, Miami-Dade aviation director José Abreu recommends his bosses reject bids for a new management contract, in which APA was the winning bidder, and operate the garage with county personnel. He is also asking commissioners to end the current month-to-month contract with APA.
Abreu's decision comes on the heels of some unpopular press for Perry. This past October 2, a Herald report chronicled how the Miami-Dade Empowerment Trust saved his house from foreclosure with a last-minute $98,000 loan. Perry, who owns several restaurants at the airport in an unrelated deal, declined comment. — Francisco Alvarado
