Election season in North Miami is here.  Get ready for a long, hot summer.

Despite all the earlier rumors going around about who would file to run in the upcoming special election, as the Miami Herald reported, North Miami voters have three choices for mayor.

If anyone out there wants to complain that there aren’t any new faces to choose from, blame the person in the mirror for not taking up the challenge.

That being said, there are officially three candidates in this race:  Kevin A. Burns, Smith Joseph and Jean Rodrigue Marcelles.  Burns and Marcellus have each appointed themselves as Treasurer of their campaigns.  On June 11, 2014, Dr. Joseph appointed Aland N. Pierre-Canal as his Treasurer.

As usual, I started digging up what I could find on the candidates and I came up with some interesting information.  While none of it is earth shattering, I feel that the voting public of North Miami has a right to know as much about their future mayor before they make a decision.

For the record, all three candidates are bona fide residents of North Miami.

Even better, none of them have criminal records.

Considering this is North Miami, that’s a good start.

Between now and August, election season will be in full swing.  The three candidates are going to be out there doing what politicians do to get your vote.

Money will be raised.

Promises will be made.

Babies will be kissed.

Fliers will fill your mailboxes, ballot brokers will be at your door and campaign signs will litter your lawns.

Expect the usual players to amp up their presence in North Miami, making the rounds, selling their endorsements, trashing the opposition on Haitian radio.

Rumors will be spread.

Lies will be told.

Complaints will be filed.

Yes, folks.  It’s gonna be a very long, very hot summer.

Hide your babies.

Stephanie Kienzle
“Spreading the Wealth”