Our thanks to Harry Emilio Gottlieb for the tip on the quote.

"Under fire for delivering double-digit raises to his closest advisors during a budget crisis, Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez has defended himself by saying the perks were part of a broader staff reorganization that eliminated jobs and saved money. But many of the executives whose jobs disappeared are still working for the county, in some cases at higher salaries -- raising questions about how much the cutbacks have saved taxpayers." - The Miami Herald, 8/30/2009

Some of the locals in Coconut Grove have requested a suitable note for placement on vehicles whose drivers can't quite get the hang of parking or driving in a reasonable or courteous manner, notably municipal employees who regularly park hither and yon in a manner that would get mere civilians ticketed in an instant. Herewith a possible candidate:

Anyone sufficiently inspired to print and use these tickets can click on the little paper clip symbol over here on the left where you'll find a PDF with three tickets laid out on an 8.5 x 11 inch page.

This post was instigated and egged-on by one Harry Emilio Gottlieb, gadfly extraordinaire.

Ah, the Fire Fee scandal, the secret real estate deal with the Manager and a Commissioner, the sneaky salary boost, the spot-zoning reversal by the court, the ethics fine, the FTAA riot, the ballpark giveaway to the multimillionaire owner, the budget disaster...hey, we couldn't have done it without you. Godspeed, Magic Manny.

A special thanks to Harry Emilio Gottlieb for the suggestion.

   For the past few months, this blog has focussed on such weighty national issues as Republican philandering family value poseurs, Alaska's newly departed Guvner Fruitcake and the ever-popular conservative wingnut poobah, Fatboy Rush.

   But with this past week's news that a shark had been sighted flopping about on Miami's Metromover and later turning up dead in the street, it is time again to turn to turn to the magical weirdness that makes Miami a perennial leading contender for gold medals in WTF? competitions from all over. That, and the fact that we have local elections coming up this fall that promise to entice from the woodwork the usual colorful assortment of the minimally employed, the perpetual candidates, the why-nots and the slickly coiffured front men for all the usual suspects in need of all the usual favors.

   Check back in from time to time. It won't be long before we've heaved a gratuitous cheap shot at your favorite candidate.