Now that North Miami Mayor Lucie Tondreau has left the building, Article III, Section 15 of the City’s Charter states, “If the office of a councilmember becomes vacant on or before the councilmember has served one half of his or her term plus one day, a regular or special election shall be held within sixty (60) days to fill the vacancy for the balance of the term.”
Since Tondreau was elected on June 4, 2013 and sworn in as Mayor on June 11, 2013, she had still not served half of her two-year term by the time she was suspended from office on May 20, 2014. At the last meeting, the North Miami City Council decided to hold a special election to take place most likely on August 26, 2014 to coincide with the primary election.
According to a political consultant familiar with North Miami politics, at least five individuals are gearing up to win Lucie’s vacated seat and finish her term.
There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that Kevin Burns will probably be the first in line to file. In fact, he’s even hoping to put the kibosh on a special election altogether by using his residency lawsuit (remember that?) as proof that “the office of the mayor is not vacant and that the entitlement to the office is also in dispute.” On Wednesday, May 21, 2014 before the ink on Tondreau’s suspension by the Governor was dry, Burns filed a new motion “to expedite ruling in a complaint he filed last June” challenging the her residency qualifications. The Circuit Court Judge originally ruled against him, which ruling he appealed. The appellate court then kicked it back down to the lower court, which has still yet to rehear the case.* Barring a decision by the Eleventh Judicial Circuit to nullify the 2013 election results (which doesn’t seem likely at this point), Burns is expected to throw his hat in the ring. (*Correction: The Third Judicial Court of Appeals has not yet rendered its opinion; therefore, it appears that Burns filed his motion with the appellate court and not the Eleventh Judicial Circuit.)
Considering that Dr. Smith Joseph spent over $212K on his bid for Mayor ($180,000.00 of which out of his own pocket), then demanded a recount claiming that 746 absentee ballots were missing after he came in third, chances are he’s not about to give up now that he can almost taste victory since he’s generally considered to be the frontrunner by political insiders.
Another 2013 mayoral also-ran, who got punched in the mouth for his efforts, Jean Rodrigue Marcellus is expected to try again. He stepped down from a safe seat on the council to come in fifth out of seven contenders in the general election. Apparently that wasn’t an epic enough fail to keep him from trying again. Can you say “glutton for punishment?”
Also thinking of stepping down from her safe seat to run for mayor is current Councilwoman Marie Steril. The Marie Antoinette of North Miami wants to step it up and bring her own special brand of ethical depravity to the head of the dais. She told the Miami Herald that she “would consider it.” Because North Miami hasn’t had nearly enough of its share of corrupt mayors already.
A dark horse contender in this potentially crowded race is rumored to be none other than State Representative Daphne Campbell, whose career highlight was dodging reporters after a medicare fraud scandal broke in July of 2011 while histrionically laughing, “Ooooh, I’m a celebrity!”
My source wrote, “State Rep. Daphne Campbell may run and combine her state house campaign with the mayoral one.”
I’m not sure if that’s even legal. Then again, when have silly little things like laws ever stopped career politicians from doing whatever the hell they want?
That’s why Ben Kuehne has a job.
In the interest of public service … and yeah, because I’m a yenta … I prepared a straw poll using the handy-dandy Survey Monkey. Here’s your chance to voice your opinion about who you think will most likely win the North Miami special election in August.
Simply click this link and choose one of the above possible candidates, or write in a name of your own choosing:
North Miami Special Election Survey
I’ll publish the results by Monday night.
Stephanie Kienzle
“Spreading the Wealth”
Hey Stephanie – so the appeals court DID finally rule on that burns case? Do u have any more info on that – when and ruling – been waiting around and never read anything. Thanks!
Barbix, thanks for bringing this to my attention. I thought Burns filed his motion with the lower court, but it appears he did not. See my correction above.
How about just leaving the position vacant? It’s not like any North Miami mayor in recent history has done anything good for the city. Think of the possibility of one less thief in office!
Stephanie … May we have ‘None of the above’ choice
North Miami deserves new leadership … A new face in the game … Someone who may up unite the city instead of the decade old playbook for conquer and rule…
North Miami have great assets like its parks, schools, citizens, police officers, and museum.
However, the current race card for leadership is like a bunch of glue factory horses who have seen their glory days … Calder has better picks on a hot
Tuesday afternoon in late summer.
If any city needs a business person as their mayor, it is North Miami as you have had missed opportunities to build on its location between Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami Beach. Plus, a new face can ask for a forensic audit of all city finances and operations.
Please someone enter the race and give a better choice.
Do you have any suggestions of whom that could be and what will it take to win the Mayorship vote wise — I am concerned about the timing of that election (late summer) will it effect voter turnout – do you know?
It is a primary election, which usually has a better turn out than a regular city election in May. All city election should really be held in November for the best turn out.
Ok-well likely then there may be a runoff schedule in nov!
By political insiders do you mean people who can read the writing on the wall? Lucy was a Haitian radio personality, she won on fame and nationality.
Kevin, beats me if he would be any good, doesn’t have either of those qualities, though Dr Joseph has the one.
Either way we all know North Miami loses.
The City of North Miami NEEDS an independent forensic financial audit of every department for the last 5 years!
Ellen, I notice how regular you are with this very comment you leave on the blogs and news outlets – keep it up! Maybe city hall will notice! Maybe throw your hat in for Mayor!
Ellen … How about past 13 years going back to May 2001 or when Lee Feldman left town … I am an agreement but we had poor financial leadership since the revolving doors of professional city managers
Ellen … How about past 13 years going back to May 2001 or when Lee Feldman left town
How about CRA fund being audited for past ten years as a starting point then we can work on auditing every city department and operations including the tennis programs? Both sides have used the NM’s hard earned taxpayer dollars as a personal piggy bank / slush fund
Look at millions sunk into the black hole at Pioneer Gardens at Rucks Park and Bel Aire apartments on ne 6 avenue … Council should take $ 6m grant money from the county and build the damn park at Rucks Park … At least, the kids will some place to play instead of stealing yours, mine, and everybody else hub caps in North Miami
After this decision, they should stop spending until forensic audit is completed
http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/05/22/4131526/plans-stalled-for-new-park-in.html
while i imagine the ease of access is different for someone hired BY the city to audit its institutions, does this type of “independent” auditor have access to non-public documents?
wouldn’t they be made public as part of the auditing proccess?
and what’s to stop the community from independently auditing it’s own government out in the open so everyone can see and judge for fairness?
Stephanie … I agree with you moving the city elections in both cities, NMB and NM, toward fall election campaign … It will generate more interest and sunshine on the operations for both city govts …turnout has always been decent in North Miami ever since Haitian American population started participating in elections … However, you were right about poor turnout in NMB … People are turned off but you get what you deserved in city services
It is the right of the citizens to ask for an independent forensic audit … The auditing firm is hired by the city manager and finance director … The annual audit contract is approved by the city council … So you may have some conclusion between city administration & council to sweep the dirty laundry under the carpet … Remember, three city council members and the city manager were indicted and removed from office by Governor Askew in 1971 because of financial irregularities in the bidding and awarding of contracts with the Sans Soucci Tennis Center along with sad conditions and maintenance of Cagni and Ben Franklin Parks …it was the first item addressed by the new reform city council of Hobie Feldman, Marco Loffredo Sr, Howard Neu, Mike Colonody, and John Stembridge under the city management of Larry Casey .. Franklin, Cagni, and Pepper Parks were renovated under Mike Rozos’ leadership with Jean Fountain’s assistance between 1973-75
It is the right of the citizens to ask for this type of audit … The auditing firm is hired by the city manager and finance director … The annual audit contract is approved by the city council … So you may have some conclusion between city administration & council to sweep the dirty laundry under the carpet … Remember, three city council members and the city manager were indicted and removed from office by Governor Askew in 1971 because of financial irregularities in the bidding and awarding of contracts with the Sans Soucci Tennis Center along with sad conditions and maintenance of Cagni and Ben Franklin Parks …it was the first item addressed by the new reform city council of Hobie Feldman, Marco Loffredo Sr, Howard Neu, Mike Colonody, and John Stembridge under the city management of Larry Casey .. Franklin, Cagni, and Pepper Parks were renovated under Mike Rozos’ leadership with Jean Fountain’s assistance between 1973-75
Ellen … You will be a new fresh face up there … Plus, they are other qualified persons like Judy Feldman, Jimmy Tate, Roger Bernstein, Alix Desulme, Armando Vidal, etc ….. North Miami has many citizens with expertise, skills, and abilities to address the issues and challenges while building the bridges