VotersOpinion has been in existence over eight years now, and not once … not ever … has any one of our “targets” called us to complain.

Until now.

Intelligent public officials understand that the minute they get on the government payroll, they become fair game for public criticism and media scrutiny.  It comes with the territory.  They put on their Big Boy (or Girl) Pants, suck it up, and do their jobs.

North Bay Village Attorney Norman Powell never got that memo.

Within an hour of being dubbed our Douche Nozzle of the Year, Lawyer Stompy Foot called to whine like a baby.

And then he threatened this blogger with a subpoena.

I then suggested he call my attorney if he needed anything else.

Next, in order to document this bat shit crazy telephone call, we wrote to Jose Arrojo, the Executive Director of the Miami-Dade County Commission on Ethics and Public Trust, this self-explanatory email:

Good afternoon, Mr. Arrojo.  I hope all is well with you.

This morning I posted a blog commenting on an article published in the Miami Herald about former North Miami Beach Attorney Jose Smith and North Bay Village Attorney Norman Powell.

Approximately an hour ago I received a telephone call from Norman Powell, who asked me why I wrote that blog.  I told him I was moved to write it after reading the Herald article.  He then complained that his “friends and family” were upset that I called him a “douchebag,” at which point I corrected him that I referred to him as a “Douche Nozzle.”  I also reminded him that I’ve written about him several times before, but have never received a phone call from him about any of my previous blogs.

He then rattled off a list of his “accomplishments” and asked why I didn’t write about any of those.  I responded something to the effect that I only write about the things that interest me.

He then asked me where I got my information for my blog, and I told him from the Miami Herald article, as well as other sourced material.

Mr. Powell then became testy with me, at which point I asked him if I should expect a “cease and desist” letter or a lawsuit for writing mean things about him.  (He is currently suing North Bay Village blogger Kevin Vericker, so I assumed this was where the conversation was going.)

He told me he wasn’t going to sue me because he didn’t have the time, but in the next breath he told me he was going to have to “schedule me for a deposition.”  I asked him for which case I would be deposed, and he said for his lawsuit against Kevin Vericker and his Ethics Commission complaint against Jose Smith.

I then asked him if he was also planning to depose Miami Herald reporter Sarah Blaskey for her article, to which he responded, “I hadn’t thought about it, but thanks for giving me the idea.  I will now.”

At that point I advised him that since we were now adversaries, he would have to communicate with me through my attorney, Michael A. Pizzi, who is being copied with this email.

I am also copying Jose Smith, blogger Kevin Vericker and reporter Sarah Blaskey, since they also now appear to be unwilling parties to whatever Mr. Powell has in store for any or all of us.

I was subsequently advised that Mr. Powell also called Kevin Vericker and thanked him for “expanding his defendant Class to Stephanie Kienzle.”

I am writing to you, Mr. Arrojo, because although I am not sure what Mr. Powell may do next, I felt it necessary to make full public disclosure to you about this odd telephone call and the details of my conversation with him, especially as it relates to his ethics complaint against Jose Smith.

I am also advising you that I will seek legal advice as to whether or not I should file an Ethics and/or Florida Bar complaint against Norman Powell.

Thank you once again for your service to the residents of Miami-Dade County.

Regards,

Stephanie Kienzle

But, wait.  There’s MORE!

North Bay Village blogger Kevin Vericker responded as well.  He wrote:

Mr. Arrojo, I received a call today at 3:16 PM.  These are my notes from that call, although I should mention that following a conversation with Ms. Kienzle, I do now believe the caller was Norman Powell.

As Ms. Kienzle mentioned, I am the defendant in a lawsuit brought by Mr. Powell and so I was surprised that he directly phoned me.  Below are my notes in the event that they are relevant to the current investigations.

Today Dec 13 at 3:16 PM, I got a phone call from 786 275-6923, which a google search shows as Norman C. Powell.
My recollection is as follows:
A high pitched voice said, “Hi, Kevin.”
I responded “Yes?”
Caller:  Is this Kevin?
Me:  Yes
Caller:  This is Norman Powell.
Me:  Okay.  What’s up?
Caller:  I just wanted to call and thank you for expanding my defendant class to Stephanie Kienzle.
Me:  (no reply)
After the pause
Powell:  Have a nice day.
Hung up.
The thing is, I’m not sure it was Powell himself.  The voice sounded nervous and high pitched.  Powell has a distinct measured speaking style and a lower voice in normal conversation.   It did not sound like him.
I did a quick search on the number 786 275-6923 in Google and it shows as Norman Powell’s Office.  It’s not a number I have in my contacts.

Please note that I am not filing an ethics complaint at this time as I am unsure if there are grounds.  I am however seeking legal advice as this seems harassing.

Thank you,

Kevin Vericker

In the meantime, Norman …

And …

We’re thinking that Norman Powell isn’t exactly the sharpest knife in the drawer, but we can’t wait to see what he does next.

Get that corn popping.

Damn, I love this job!

Stephanie