Hey, North Miami, I haven’t forgotten about you or your election.  As you can see, I’ve been kept quite busy with our NMB insanity, but you’re never far from my mind.

I just did a quick scan of the latest Campaign Treasurer’s Reports of the candidates running for mayor in North Miami, and I wanted to throw out a few comments for your consideration.

Candidate Gwendolyn Boyd did not report any contributions for this period and expended a modest $1,396.50, with her treasury still clearly in the black for over $22K.  I take this to mean that Ms. Boyd is out there meeting the residents face to face instead of spending a fortune on meaningless advertising.  As a resident and constituent of a local government, I know I am infinitely more appreciative of actually meeting candidates in person than I am of getting endless mailers, seeing ugly signs or hearing them blah, blah, blah over the radio.  After all, signs don’t vote!  I don’t know about anyone else, but I am much more receptive when a candidate shows an interest in what the people want, as opposed to telling them what they need.  Just saying.

Kevin Burns also reported a small contribution total of $1,025.00 and expended slightly more ($1,078.13), and still has over $8K in his coffers.  His expenditures were for gas, food, lumber and advertising, the last item being the largest expense at $665.00 to the Biscayne Times.  That’s a bargain compared to what the Herald charges for advertising.  Hopefully, Mr. Burns is also out there pounding the pavement and meeting the residents.

Modira Escarment, who I found out is a man and not a woman (sorry about that!), gave his campaign a loan of $29,800.00, then apparently took it back … assuming I’m reading his report correctly.   I’m not quite sure how he reported a “Total monetary contributions to date” of $1,000.00, but spent $30,800.00, which could mean that he spent $29,800.00 more than he took in.  Or, and this is the more likely scenario, it means that his treasurer has no idea what she’s doing.  Considering she didn’t itemize either contributions or expenses, I guess we’ll never know.  In any event, El Señor Escarment has some ‘splainin’ to do.

Is there no bottom to the deep pockets of Smith Joseph?  This guy really, really, REALLY wants to win, if his bankroll is any indication.  If the mayoral seat were for sale, he’d be the top bidder by a long shot!  As of his latest CTR, he’s loaned his campaign $105,000.00 and raised an additional $51,610.00, for a grand total of $156.610.00 in spending money.  This dude is serious!  Of course, at $154,780.96, he’s spent almost as much, leaving a measly $1,829.04 to blow.  Somehow, though, I don’t think his well will run dry any time soon.  This man loves to spend money.  From “electronic data” for $500.00 to “public relations” to the tune of $6,400.00 (Serious, WTF is THAT?), to radio ads, video production, jingles (JINGLES?) and tee shirts, Dr. Joseph is pulling out all the stops to be Top Dawg of North Miami.  Good luck with that.

Jean Marcellus raised $25,950.00 this reporting period, $13,350.00 of that in loans.  He spent $17,544.72.  On what, I couldn’t tell you, since he didn’t provide any back up itemizations.  I can’t comment on what I don’t know.

Anna “Sugar Cookie” Pierre raised $1,260.00 in donations, including two cash donations over the $50.00 legal limit (anyone wanna file a complaint?), and loaned her campaign $3,000.00.  Her expenses of $2,870.00 paid for gas, food and advertising, and a surprising $2,400.00 filing fee to the City of North Miami.  Does it REALLY cost that much to run for office in that city?  WOW!  Talk about discouraging people from running!  Madame “Mete Suk Sou Bonbon” spent her funds on the usual gas, food and advertising campaign expenses, but surprisingly spent $125.00 to FPL for “Light bill for office headquarters.”  Would those “headquarters” be in MIRAMAR, WHERE SHE REALLY LIVES?  Just saying.

As for the other NON-RESIDENT mayoral candidate, Lucie Tondreau, she took in $2,650.00 and spent $1,800.00 this reporting period, with over $22K still remaining in her account.  Nothing exciting to report here EXCEPT THAT SHE DOESN’T LIVE IN NORTH MIAMI!  What’s up with this crap anyway?

That’s the update for the North Miami mayoral race.  I’ll review the council candidates’ Campaign Treasurer’s Reports in the next few days and get back to you with my comments.

Election Day in North Miami is May 14, 2013.  PLEASE VOTE, AND VOTE RESPONSIBLY!

Stephanie Kienzle
“Spreading the Wealth”