Rumor has it that Arthur “Duke” Sorey used taxpayer funds to order an ARMORED VEHICLE for himself, and that it’s scheduled to be delivered in January.
We heard that he claims “it’s in the budget” to justify the purchase of yet another expensive new toy.
We’d love for someone at City Hall to tell us that this is an unfounded rumor, but knowing Duke as well as we do, we’re betting it’s the absolute truth!
Once the shock of hearing this wore off, we did some research.
The premier authority on armored vehicles, Armormax, published a December 23, 2021 article explaining, “A bulletproof car might not be on everyone’s wish list; however, it serves the purpose of high-profile safety to certain demographics and individuals who need additional protection traveling. Common clients from Armormax® would-be CEOs, athletes, politicians, businesses, celebrities security companies, and any individuals who have a perceived threat that can see the value in having the upgrades on their vehicle.”
Apparently, Duke thinks he’s not only important enough to rate such an “upgrade,” but he also has reason to believe that someone wants to harm him or worse.
Keep in mind that not a single North Miami Beach Police Officer, who serve you, protect you, and literally put their lives on the line for you, has a bulletproof vehicle.
Yet, Duke Sorey, who is nothing but a glorified, overpaid desk jockey, thinks his life is worth more than theirs.
So many words come to mind right now that are not fit to print, but I will refrain for the sake of civility.
(Plus, I made a promise to Kazan, and I always keep my promises.)
We already know that Duke has ripped North Miami Beach taxpayers off to the tune of hundreds of thousands (possibly millions) of dollars.
But we can only imagine who else Duke has screwed over so badly that he “needs” a bulletproof car.
This whole scenario is just so beyond depraved, words fail us.
We do, however, have enough words to tell you approximately how much Duke Sorey’s personal Popemobile will cost North Miami Beach taxpayers, depending on the type of vehicle he ordered.
In an August 25, 2021 article, What is the Best Armored Car (in Each Price Category), “The Ford Raptor is an incredible armored truck that comes with many advanced safety and security features. It can protect you and your family from small firearms and a few rounds of AK-47.” This baby starts at $120K!
Then there’s the Lincoln Town Car, which is probably more Duke’s style, especially if it’s “pimped up,” is a bargain at $145K.
Of course, if Duke wants to pretend he cares about the environment, there’s the Tesla Model S, which “has advanced self driving cameras and LED floodlights that can protect you from terrorists and kidnappers even at night.” This vehicle starts at $190K.
There are plenty of choices available in the “rich people” price range of $500K to $1 million and above, with the BMW 7 Series top of the line model selling for a cool $3.5 mil.
Without a copy of the purchase order, we can only guess that Duke is staying with the “economy models” in the range of $100K to $200K.
Of course, all of this is pure conjecture for the time being since all we have is the word of a reliable source.
However, seeing as how Duke Sorey has already blown through millions of your tax dollars without blinking an eye, it’s entirely believable.
We can unequivocally tell you what Duke Sorey has NOT spent money on, starting with the City’s aging infrastructure, as evidenced by the massive flooding due to a burst pipe on Thanksgiving weekend.
North Miami Beach streets flooded for two days while NMB Water employees diligently worked on a temporary restoration until a private contractor could complete the job a few days later.
We don’t yet know how much that contractor’s bill was, but we do know that the asphalt repair alone cost $36,430.00.
We can’t help but wonder how much of this problem could have been avoided if Duke Sorey had responsibly spent your tax dollars on the City’s infrastructure instead of on parties, vacations, Michael Joseph’s and McKenzie Fleurimond’s harebrained schemes to build tunnels and tear down tennis courts, and of course, Paule Villard’s re-election, including the hiring of her campaign workers and her personal consultant, Willis Howard.
And now Duke thinks he’s so freaking important that he deserves an armored vehicle to protect him from whoever he pissed off enough to hunt him down in the streets.
Seriously, folks.
This despicable thug is your City Manager.
This latest fiasco is just another one of the many, many … MANY reasons Duke Sorey needs to be canned ASAP!
Literally.
Stephanie
My blood is boiling right now
As is mine.
We need to make a PRR for the purchase order. Do you want to have the honors?
Wow, that’s just enough.
Keep in mind, this is still just a “rumor.” We should take bets on whether it’s true or not LOL!
Really enjoy your “Take Out the Trash Cartoon”. ..it reminds me of what happened to Paule Vil-lardass a couple of weeks ago.
ROFLMAO!
I’ll make the PRR.
First North Miami,now North Miami Beach.No need for a expensive car as that. But, if he feels he is higher then though,sorry but not worth my taxes. I’d pay the homeless that kind of money 9n a hotel/ motel before giving away to anyone who isn’t the president. spend of few days and evening in a regular car in the street. As a homeless person
Maybe some will understand and value taxpayers momey
Is that even legal, if true, w/o an approval from the Mayor & Commission? Or, did it only require approval from the Commissioners?
Anything over $50K requires a Commission vote at a public meeting.
Duke does not care. He literally runs NMB like he is the king of a sovereign nation. Also, IF he did this, he ordered it before the election and he knew he already had his four-vote approval.
We also heard, but have not yet confirmed, that he somehow “bulletproofed” his office at City Hall.
Think about that.
If he needs a bulletproof car and a bulletproof office, why???
Think about all the innocent employees and residents who could caught in the middle of God knows what if one of Duke’s enemies come after him when he’s working.
This type of crap only happens in Hollywood gangster movies.
There is something seriously wrong with Duke Sorey and he’s a literal danger to North Miami Beach.
Their mode of operation to get approval for outrageous expenditures was to move them to the consent agenda, no discussion, 4 votes. This will now change.
Ok !!!!! If all this is true the most important now is how to stop him from getting this car ?? Because when he is out , that I hope is very soon! If us in his contact to take a car with him , that probably is …. That’s why he order such car , then he will walk out with the most expensive car in all NNB !! So there’s a lot of work to be done in BMB and I don’t know how it works and I’m not a resident of NMB either but this is insane! This can’t not continue and needs to Stop already !! My question is when is the commission will get together to send this corrupt City Manager out !???????
Okay, let’s clear a few things up. First of all, even though we have no reason to doubt the source, this still needs to be confirmed. Public records requests have been made, but we still need to get the documents. We can pretty much guarantee that we won’t receive any records as long as Duke is still the manager.
Rest assured, if this car is a real thing, he’s not taking it with him.
The next Commission meeting is December 20, 2022. Residents must attend this meeting and speak at public comment. With the new Commission in place, your voices will finally be heard.
Legit question here. When is his contract up? Does he have a golden parachute if his employ is terminated?
Unfortunately, the four Criminal Commissioners, Michael Joseph, McKenzie Fleurimond, Paule Villard, and Daniela Jean voted to give him an unheard of four year contract on April 20, 2021, which expires on April 20, 2025. His salary is $240,000 a year plus $137,537.28 in benefits a year.
Two months later in June, 2021, the four Criminals voted to amend his contract to increase his benefit package by $27,500 a year.
His separation package is by law 20 weeks’ of regular base pay and 20 weeks of health insurance premiums. This works out to $92,308 plus whatever the cost of his health insurance is. This is, of course, only if he’s terminated without cause.
Well maybe the armored car might be cause. Sounds like a capital investment that would need to be approved by the Council.
Hopefully.