I love this job.

I don’t know who had more fun viewing last night’s North Miami city council meeting … Lance Dixon, Brian Andrews … or me.

While waiting for the Mayor and Council hire a city manager, I was following both of their twitter feeds, while tweeting my own thoughts and opinions.  The slo-mo drama was so intense.

Watching the #NorthMiami decision for city manager is like watching the bottom of the ninth.

— Stephanie Kienzle (@dwightyoakamfan) February 24, 2016

With bases loaded and a full count to boot!

Here’s how it all went down.

Several council members had clear opinions about what they were looking for in a city manager and who they didn’t want.

Councilman Alix Desulme insisted that he wanted to choose a city manager from outside North Miami with no political connections to anyone.  He also noted that he’d prefer to start the process all over again.

Councilman Scott Galvin also expressed the same sentiment, but did not rule out voting for an insider.

Councilman Philippe Bien-Aime insisted that he was not going to vote for anyone because he wanted to be able to choose a city manager and a city attorney at the same meeting.

At that point, Councilman Galvin admonished his colleague by telling him the law says he must vote one way or the other.  Councilman Bien-Aime retorted that he intends vote, but gave the impression that would vote “no” on everything.

Mayor Smith Joseph got the party started by making a motion to hire Marie Woodson.  Ms. Woodson is the assistant department director of the Dade Community Action and Human Services Department.  She was also one of my thirteen top picks when I reviewed the list of 62 applicants.  The Mayor waited for someone to second to his motion.  None came and the motion failed.  He was not a happy camper.

Councilwoman Carol Keys then made a motion to hire current Interim City Manager Arthur Sorey.  Galvin seconded her motion “for discussion purposes.”

After Galvin grilled Sorey about his shady questionable home purchase/loan through the city’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program, which I exposed last month.  Sorey claimed he received two legal opinions approving the deal.  Sorey may have convinced Galvin that it was all legit, but his plea didn’t convince three of the five council members who voted against making him city manager.

Gee, Art.  Too bad, so sad.

No worries, though.  There are still plenty of opportunities out there.

Councilman Scott Galvin then made a motion to hire current Finance Director Larry Spring, who was not in my top thirteen, but was on my Honorable Mention list.  Councilman Bien-Aime seconded the motion for discussion purposes.

Mayor Smith Joseph called Mr. Spring to the podium for a grilling about his position as the former CFO at the City of Miami during an SEC civil securities investigation.  Mr. Spring was never charged with any crime (although a former budget director was).  Nevertheless, Aleem Ghany hired him as North Miami’s Finance Director despite his being under that cloud of suspicion.  Although the Mayor challenged Mr. Spring to convince him to vote for him, he didn’t appear to be reassured.

No North Miami council meeting is ever complete without City Clerk Michael A. Etienne showcasing his arrogant buffoonery.  Last night was no different.

Just before he asked for a roll call vote, Etienne announced that he had something to say but would refrain from doing so.

Here’s a news flash, Michael:  Absolutely no one gives a flying rat’s ass what you have to say!

You might be an elected official…

And you might think you’re important…

But, guess what?

You still have a seat at the kiddie table.

You’re NOT a council member.

AND YOU DON’T GET TO VOTE!

You’d do well to keep your silly opinions to yourself.

Moving right along.

Councilwoman Keys, who noted that Spring was her second choice, voted yes, as did Councilman Galvin.  The Mayor voted no, along with Councilman Desulme, who stood by his conviction that he wanted someone from the outside.

There was dead silence when it came time for Councilman Philippe Bien-Aime to vote for or against Larry Spring.  Bien-Aime held the room hostage for several moments before finally saying, “Yes.”

The audience breathed a collective sigh of relief!

I told you the drama never ends in North Miami.

Newly hired City Manager Larry Spring addressed the Mayor and Council and thanked them for the opportunity.

Art Sorey was promptly sent packing back to the budget department, where he says he will “continue to work hard for the city.”

Or at least until he’s eligible for his pension.

Councilwoman Keys gave Sorey a consolation prize by saying, “You’re a great budget person.”

In an attempt to save face, Arthur Sorey told the Mayor and Council that he looks forward to working with Larry Spring.

I bet he does!

Now that North Miami finally has a permanent city manager, the Mayor and Council can turn their attention to hiring a city attorney.

This should be fun!

Oh, yeah.  I do love this job.

Stephanie Kienzle
“Spreading the Wealth”