Getting the bums out is half the battle
Al’s Loupe
Getting the bums out is half the battle
By Alvaro F. Fernandez
alvaro@progreso-weekly.com
South Floridians talk a good game when it comes to democracy. Putting it into practice – now that’s another story. Although, I must admit, the upcoming March 15 recall election offers a glimmer of hope that the system still functions.
Under the knife of electoral democracy are Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez and County Commissioner Natacha Seijas. On Tuesday of next week we will know if county voters will opt to dump Alvarez and Seijas, or allow them to serve out their terms.
The recall has been spearheaded and financed by Miami billionaire businessman Norman Braman. If successful, it will unseat two of Miami’s most powerful politicians. The last time this happened here was 1972. At the time four county commissioners were ousted in this embarrassing fashion.
And if we are to believe the polls, and one was just released by Bendixen and Amandi International, expect sad tidings for both Alvarez and Seijas. Sixty-seven percent of those polled favor a recall of Mayor Alvarez. Seijas fares a bit better, but still a whopping 60% say the surly commissioner should be dumped too.
Shared sacrifice?
Let’s agree that Miami-Dade voters are frustrated with the things they see, hear and read about their elected and public officials. A baseball stadium give-away with taxpayer dollars; an airport expansion billions over budget and with no end in sight; a public transportation system not functioning properly and a department mired in corruption and inefficiency; a billion dollar tunnel that appears to please only big time political contributors; these are just a few of the things that have Miamians fuming.
Then last year Mayor Alvarez stated publicly that there needed to be shared sacrifice because of the difficult economic situation. He then proceeded to give his top aides huge pay raises and defended his $800 a month allowance to be used for a taxpayer-paid luxury car; this in spite of having two SUVs at his disposal for official business. Worse yet, one of his assistants, a friend from his days as a cop, was receiving a six-figure county salary while moonlighting during working hours in foreign countries training police officers in Central America.
Then the lid was blown off the top when the mayor presented his budget to the commission last fall. It included a tax increase to Miami-Dade residents – allowing for a raise to county employees. Eight commissioners, including Seijas, voted in favor and approved the budget. The county has not been the same since.
The silver lining: Voters seem finally fed up. If we are to believe the Bendixen poll, the mayor and all 13 county commissioners are in hot water. If elections were held today most would lose. That would not be a bad thing for Miami. Most have been there for way too long. And all they’ve done has been to enrich themselves and their friends. If the county has progressed, it has done so in spite of any of their efforts.
One bum for another?
Who will replace Alvarez, Seijas – and those who may follow next year? Will we replace bad public officials with just as bad? Are we to simply recycle state legislators who have not done any better at state and grant them new positions locally?
Surely I am in favor of getting rid of the bums. But that cannot be the end of our work as voters and civic activists. Miami leadership needs new blood. This is an ideal opportunity to make it happen. There is enthusiasm for change; we can’t allow this to die down once the mayor and commissioner are recalled – and even if they’re not.
As for leadership, it is also time to start looking at our so-called business leaders. Most, in my opinion, are a bunch of cowards. As much as I have disagreed with Norman Braman, and I have (another story for another day), you have to respect a man who has put his money and reputation to good use.
Other than Braman, when was the last time you heard the Greater Miami Chamber types clamoring for change or criticizing the corruption and waste that goes on in this town? Silence… if you are interested in their names, check political contributors to Mayor Alvarez, Commissioner Seijas, and many of the other commissioners.
The fact is that for corruption to work, yes, there must be a taker. But there’s always a giver.
