Random observations on primary races in Florida

By Kenneth Bluh….
Miami-Dade County Commissioner Katy Sorenson’s decision not to seek reelection to her District 8 seat brought a lot of attention to a commission race that we rarely see as most commissioners seem to hold office forever, always getting reelected, as long as they want the job.
Being a mayor or former mayor seemed to meet the needs of the voters of District 8 as we find Palmetto Bay Mayor Gene Flinn and former Homestead Mayor Lynda Bell heading into a runoff.
Sitting county commissioner Dorrin Rolle, who usually wins reelection to his District 2 seat with ease, is facing opposition for the first time as a result of his problems as the former head of JESCA, a county funded nonprofit, that paid him a very large salary while the JESCA employees lost their jobs with bouncing pay checks that were never covered.
Voters were asked to approve a charter amendment that would eliminate the office of county manager. The voters seemed to have taken out their anger on county government by voting 58 percent in favor of eliminating the position. Voters should have realized that someone, not the elected mayor, must run the county government. I am sure that a new title will be given to George Burgess and he will continue to run the administrative side of the county as long as Carlos Alvarez is mayor. Perhaps call him vice mayor?
Voters also were asked to approve a county charter amendment giving the commission authority to abolish municipalities with less than 20 electors. Voters approved the amendment with 64 percent. I really don’t think voters understood what they were approving. Commissioners have been against incorporation for many years. Commissioners feel that that will lose authority and prestige when portions of UMSA incorporate. So, eliminating small municipalities is a move in that direction.
Money can buy almost anything. It bought a spot in the race for Florida governor, but it did not work in the Democratic primary for the United States Senate. How either Jeff Greene or Rick Scott got as far as they did in their respective races is unbelievable. What money can buy in state races is a precursor of what will happen in national elections in two years now that the U.S. Supreme Court has okayed unlimited campaign spending by corporations. Talk about buying an office — watch out for who might be the next president of the United States. A job bought and purchased by corporate funds.
The Senate race among Kendrick Meek, Marco Rubio and Charlie Crist will be the most interesting of all the contests this fall. Rubio must move toward the center, which will anger his base, the Tea Party. Meek is not well known north of Orlando but might get financial help from the guy he just defeated in the primary. Crist must keep his position in the political center with Democrats supporting a former Republican candidate.
Politics — what an interesting subject. If only elected officials would do what they promise during the campaign once they are in office.

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