Kibitzing with the politicians

There were some politicians at Thursday night's Coconut Grove Arts Festival party. I had some good opportunities to speak with two of them in depth - Commissioner Ken Russell (right) and Lt. Governor Carlos Lopez-Cantera, who I have known for a long time.

I don't like to bring up serious matters at parties, but I grabbed Ken and asked him about this petition to keep zoning from changing regarding that piece of property on Brickell. He knew about it and told me that he would consider the issue carefully. This is great news, it's nice to see someone with principles in office. Speaking of principles, while most of us left the party and went home to bed, I saw on Ken's social media sites that he went directly downtown from the party, to help do a census of homeless people so that the city can get proper funding to help them. In the process, he found warm places for people to stay, including a family who were huddling against the cold night.

Carlos, my friend for many years, always makes me laugh. He is just as down-to-earth as Ken is and he's a great and honest guy. He was our State Representative for many years in the Coconut Grove district and was termed out and now he is the Lieutenant Governor of Florida, which makes him Vice President of Florida, right under Rick Scott, the Governor. Carlos is running for Marco Rubio's Senate seat. He also Miami-Dade Property Appraiser at one time.

Every time I see Carlos I tell him, "I don't like your boss," meaning Rick Scott, and he just laughs. But last night he caught my ear and was, I think, trying to get me to vote for Marco Rubio for president. He's always been behind Rubio, so this is nothing new, and I find that to be Carlos' only flaw, his unwavering support for Rubio. Other than that, Carlos may not have any flaws.

I told him that I would not be voting for Rubio in this lifetime.

It was a good night and I'm glad we have both of these guys on our side - Ken and Carlos, not Scott and Rubio, who I highly question as being on our sides at all.

NOTE:

This came in from Ken after this story ran:

Hi Tom,

Nice write up in the Grapevine and Huffington Post.

While you probably read between the lines of my comments well, it should 
not be quoted how I intend to vote. I’m picky with my words to make 
sure that I’m not transmitting my voting intention through the press. 

There are still others who want to meet with me about the issue and I 
should not make an official decision until hearing all sides.

thanks,
Ken

Ken Russell
Vice Chair, Miami City Commission
District 2