Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine can’t get a break.  His critics are among the most vocal in South Florida, and no matter what he says or does, they will attack him.

He’s not alone.

The mayors of every other municipality in Miami-Dade County have suffered the same antagonism from local activists starting from their very first day in office until they are termed out or voted out.  Some mayors deserve the condemnation, some do not.  But even the best of mayors can’t escape the daily barrage of vilification by those who refuse to be satisfied.

The latest kerfuffle in Miami Beach starts in 3, 2, 1…

The topic of development causes more contention than any other issue in South Florida.

A proposed project has launched the latest Miami Beach controversy between those who want progress, those who prefer the status quo, and those who don’t want their views blocked.

Never mind that most of them live in buildings that, when built, ended up blocking someone else’s view.  But, whatever.

On Wednesday, a Miami Herald article, Miami Beach asks if Mayor Philip Levine has voting conflict on Sunset Harbor project, reported, “A developer seeking a height increase for a mixed-used building in Sunset Harbour needs approval from the Miami Beach City Commission before the project can move forward.  But some have ethics concerns whether Mayor Philip Levine — who owns the building right next to the proposed development — should vote on an item that could increase his own property’s value.”

The usual and customary avid Levine Haters will promptly ignore the fact that the Mayor himself was concerned about a potential conflict of interest.  He took it upon himself to consult with Miami Beach City Attorney Raul Aguila to advise him whether or not he should recuse himself from voting on the project.

Mr. Aguila advised the Mayor that he didn’t believe there was a conflict, but that he would confirm his opinion with the Florida Commission on Ethics before drafting his legal opinion.

To his credit, Mayor Levine announced he would abide by whatever decision the Florida COE would make.

But, that wasn’t good enough to silence the critics.

Even members of the commission started eating their own.

At Wednesday’s council meeting, newly elected Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez, who expressed concern in a memo that the Mayor could benefit from the proposed variance, also came under attack by one of her colleagues on the dais, Michael Grieco.

It seems that Ms. Rosen Gonzalez has “been on four dates” with a local lobbyist whose client happens to oppose the project.

Yes, it really does get that personal.

Ms. Rosen Gonzalez rightfully responded that she’s being “unfairly attacked” for being “a single, independent woman.”

Having been falsely accused myself of “having flings” with a mayor or two simply because I supported their policies, I totally sympathize with the lady.  It is unfortunate even in the 21st century that women are still presumed to think with their lady parts instead of their brains.  But, I digress.

Yesterday, the Florida Commission on Ethics opined that Mayor Philip Levine has no conflict of interest regarding this project and that he is absolutely permitted to vote on the project.

The Miami Herald article, State: Miami Beach mayor has no conflict in Sunset Harbour vote, reported that C. Christopher Anderson, III, deputy executive director of the ethics commission wrote, “… it appears that any gain or loss which would inure to the mayor from the ordinance is remote and speculative [uncertain], and, thus, that he will not be presented with a voting conflict regarding the ordinance.”

Oh, boy!  Haters gonna hate even more now!

And I’m laughing my butt off.

Even though I grew up in Miami Beach, I left there decades ago for the “greener pastures” of North Miami (and eventually NMB).  I never looked back.  I still don’t have a pony in the race except as an observer in the peanut gallery.

I write about Miami Beach only from time to time when a topic interests me enough to care.  This one caught my attention because it always amuses me when elected officials are attacked simply for being elected.

Mayor Levine has probably figured out by now, as Ms. Rosen Gonzalez also will in due course, that there are some crybabies who will never be satisfied no matter what’s on the agenda and regardless of how they vote.

Some criticism may be justified, but I find that most of it is usually due to resentment.  Whether it be class envy, penis envy, or misogyny, there’s always someone who resents the fact that someone else has more money, looks, power, or something.  Jealousy is never pretty.

Every municipality has their share of terminally disgruntled residents.  Even elected officials who do the right thing, as Mayor Levine did in this particular instance, still have to navigate the viciousness and not take it personally.  It comes with the territory.

But, oh, it’s so much fun to watch the pandemonium from the bleachers.

I really do love this job!

Stephanie Kienzle
“Spreading the Wealth”