Since last October’s election of Alex Penelas as Dade mayor, Natacha Millan has emerged as the most commanding — some would say domineering — influence on the county commission. None of her colleagues on the dais moved as quickly to fill the power void created when Penelas, Art Teele, and…
Over His Dead Body I am writing in reference to Jim DeFede’s column on the Versace aftermath (“The Versace Experience,” July 24). I was outraged reading his depiction of the ridiculous behavior certain people have shown. It has turned into a profoundly disgusting spectacle. Among those childish people making their…
Lead Stories *Explaining his June no vote in the California legislature on a bill to ban discrimination against gays, assemblyman-rancher Peter Frusetta told his colleagues: “I’ve seen thousands and thousands of [heifers and] three, maybe at the top four, had the hormonal imbalance … that makes them shy away from…
Here, this is the spot,” Jeffrey said as he guided Karen a few inches to her right. “That camera there is CNN.” Settling into the prescribed position, the 28-year-old part-time model adjusted her tight black top so that her considerable cleavage could indeed be considered by millions of viewers around…
Lead Stories *It took 26 years, but in June former inmate Frank Smith, age 64, became the first person to win damages related to the deadly 1971 riot at Attica prison, in New York. A jury awarded him four million dollars for injuries inflicted by guards after they recovered the…
Toni to Pot Opponents: Shove It Regarding Kathy Glasgow’s article: I have the greatest respect for Jim Hall (“Dope Detective,” July 10). His unique ability to offer unbiased information about drugs is a refreshing change from the usual drug-war rhetoric and lies. His observations, however, about the medical use of…
Lead Stories *At a May hearing, the Ohio state medical board began considering whether to discipline Toledo pediatrician Gary F. Gladieux, age 43, who was accused of having sex with three women during their visits to his office. The board cited a 1991 American Medical Association ruling that physician-patient sex…
Looking to add a little zing to their lineup, officials from the Office of Cuba Broadcasting have proposed several new programs for Radio Marti, including one featuring Dade County Mayor Alex Penelas and County Commissioner Miriam Alonso. According to an internal Radio Marti memo, the show would be “aimed at…
Take a Bow, Marcus and Elsie I would like to express my appreciation to Elise Ackerman for her interesting article about Marcus Garcia and Elsie Etheart (“Cause for Return,” July 10), two members of Miami’s Haitian community whose commitment to the betterment of the lives of their fellow men and…
Walk the Black Point Plank, You Scurvy Dog Sean Rowe missed an important point in his article “The Pirate of Black Point” (July 3). It may be true that the Dade County Park and Recreation Department has occasional management problems, but the Black Point Marina lease is not one of…
Lead Stories *A California pro-prostitution organization called the National Sexual Rights Council began a fundraising appeal in April for its campaign to get teenage hookers off the streets. For a $250 donation, the Council’s Pretty Woman Committee gives the donor a T-shirt and a membership card, but for $150,000 (which…
The following is a copy of a letter I sent last week to Chief Justice Gerald Kogan of the Florida Supreme Court. Your Honor: I am writing to you in the hopes of preventing a great tragedy. On your calendar is Supreme Court Case No. 90,805 — The Florida Bar…
Last month’s decision by the Dade County Commission to reject an ordinance that would have guaranteed equal protection for gays may have been the most important vote that body has taken in years. It is doubtful, however, that commissioners realized the significance of their action. After all, it’s hard to…
Lead Stories *In May the Russian press reported that 76 top aviation officials flying to the U.S. declined to take the national airline Aeroflot because of safety concerns, flying Finnair instead. And in March a rusty Stavropol Airlines passenger jet literally fell apart in the air and crashed, killing 50…
Brilliant New Plan for Thinning the Crowds on South Beach Regarding the “Stallonegate” article by Paula Park (“Good Fences, Bad Neighbors,” June 26), I agree with [open-gate proponent] Joe Beasley for this reason: If everyone in Dade who didn’t feel secure could put up fences, all neighborhoods would be enclosed…
Lead Story *In March, armed with evidence that a drug dealer had been killed with a single gunshot during a robbery by two men, Torrance, California, prosecutor Todd D. Rubenstein obtained separate convictions for both men for firing the fatal shot. Both robbers’ guns had fired, but one missed; a…
The Long and the Short of It Your story about the yacht Lone Ranger (“Mystery Cruise,” June 19) was interesting and informative, but there were a couple of small errors. She is 255 feet long, and the overhaul has been going on since early March. It has been our pleasure…
Lead Stories *The Federal Emergency Management Agency reported in May that only 946 of more than 10,000 households in Grand Forks, North Dakota, were covered by flood insurance when the recent floods hit. Four months earlier FEMA had begun issuing numerous advisories about imminent flood danger and spent $300,000 on…
Blumner’s ACLU: In Good Hands Without Me Paula Park’s story about the ACLU’s Robyn Blumner (“Free to Speak Her Mind,” June 12) left out some of the things I said, thereby possibly conveying a somewhat distorted impression of my views. I continue to support the ACLU, which has done a…
Myths: The Kids Got It Right After being torn apart by the pain permeating Lynda Edwards’s story “Myths Over Miami” (June 5), I had second thoughts. Ms. Edwards seems to think that the homeless children she wrote about are imagining a world of demons, angels, and war. But I think…
What are the odds that Miller Dawkins and Cesar Odio will be bunkmates in prison? And if they are, will Dawkins continue to order Odio around the way he did when he was a Miami commissioner and Odio was the city manager? Or will the big house instill a new…
You can’t blame Carmen Lunetta for being a cocky bastard. For years he got away with one of the most audacious scams in local history. According to Lunetta, the Port of Miami, which he has ruled like a Third World despot, was an economic powerhouse. From the cruise industry to…
