Frank Lago, the chief of staff to Sweetwater Mayor Manny Maroño, has officially filed to run for Hialeah council -- challenging the weakest of the council members on the dais. That is, if Paul Henrnadez -- appointed two months ago to fill the vacancy created when the council president was appointed mayor -- even runs. As of Wednesday, he had not indicated he would.
Lago announced his candidacy Wednesday morning at the same time he released a July 13 poll that indicates he has high name recognition and would beat either Hernandez or Councilwoman Vivian Casals-Muñoz. Or as he put it, it "shows that I can win and do so by a large margin."
The pieces of the poll Lago released -- not the numbers reflecting the mayoral race -- show his name recognition, on the heels of a failed run for state rep, is twice as good as Casals-Muñoz. snd those are better odds. Hernandez has not filed to run for election to the seat, but activist and former water department employee, Daisy Castellanos, has marked Group 6 as her race (who violated campaign laws by spending money on t-shirts and a banner out of her own pocket. More on that later).
"I am the best candidate for this position," Lago wrote in an email to the media. "My experience as an administrator is what our city needs in these uncertain economic times. I reached the decision to run after numerous conversations with different residents and neighbors and most importantly, after consulting with my wife and family."
His wife, Liz Iglesias, lost a bid for council in 2007 despite some help from former mayor and current candidate Raul Martinez. But nobody knows who Lago will align himself with.
"Hialeah faces a difficult time and needs a new voice on the council, one that will advocate for fiscal responsibility and business development," Lago said. "Hialeah has long been a city known for its strong work ethic and industrial skill. Given that fact, I intend to work with the Mayor and fellow councilmembers to revitalize our business sector to spur job creation and investment. I also intend to ensure that we have a government that learns to live within its boundaries and serve as a model for our neighbors."
The announcement highlighted some of the figures in the July 13 Dario Moreno poll of 300 people that likely helped Lago make the decision:
"Frank Lago enjoys favorability that is on par with or exceeds incumbent members of the Hialeah City Council." Big deal? El manicero guy on 49th St. has more favorability.
"Frank Lago would easily defeat either Vivian Casals-Muñoz or Paul Hernandez for Hialeah council." Again, one would hope he could beat a two-month incumbent after spending $100,000 to get his name out during the race for the state house.
"Lago, along with Alex Morales, will be the favored to win the open commission seat." Now, what exactly does that mean? That Lago is trying to tie his name to Morales, whose numbers were also not released but who reportedly can get elected against anybody.
Now, Lago against Morales -- that would be much more closer to even contest and more fun to watch.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
25 comments:
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So Lago basically just wants to be an elected official?? Representative, Councilman, whatever? I am getting very concerned with what is going on in Hialeah. On one hand you have Morales apart from his family for purpose of qualifying and now Lago who just wants to be a made man. This is not good......RUDY you have a lot of cleaning up to do.
ReplyDeleteDid some judg say castellanos violated the law or was that "el gordo" Morales?
ReplyDeleteLago is headed for trouble ! In 2 years he will have major indictments. He is bad news.
ReplyDeleteSo the ballot is going to look like this?
ReplyDeleteYedra's seat- Alex Morales, Tony V., Francisco A. and Ramiro Sicre (Alex Morales takes it)
Vivian Casals Munoz- Cindy Miel and Danny Bolanos (Danny Bolanos takes it)
Paul Hernandez- Daisy Castellanos and Frank Lago (Daisy Castellanos takes it)
Caragol and Garcia Martinez ? No one is running against them? That's ok theres always RECALL
Super interesting Hialeah future November elections, Madame Ladra keep up your research but I know for sure who is going to be the next Alcalde de la ciudad que progresaba, Rudy Garcia Candala dice.
ReplyDeleteI keep reading these posts about Rudy Garcia being the next Mayor of hialeah. Where the hell has this man beeen for the last ten years? Where has this man been since the downfall of hialeah? I do see his signs all over my city but it seems since he is out of a job at a state level he just needs a job. Do not for once second tell me he cares about the city. If he did he would have been attending all the council meetings, been on the radio, television trying to expose the truth of what is happening here in the city of progress. So knock off the rudy crap.. The residents like me see right though his false claims of caring. Enough is enough already. Congratulations that he has collectedd so much money and filled the streets with signs. That means nothing at this time. Raul, although he is an asshole does care for our comunnity and has not missed an opportunity to question and bring to light what the truth is. He has a proved track record of revitalizing hialeah but in a different way. He cares. What is rudys plan for those employees who had all that money taken from them not in a legal fashion? What is rudys plan on that water plant that is not needed near the florida turnpike? Rudy will not raisse taxes even though i benefit from the low nature but lets be real here. I will gladly pay 100 more dollars per year of 10 dollars a month to restore this city. That takes everyone doing their part. Rudys part shold be going back to the state and hiding as he has done for so long.
ReplyDeleteDaisy Castellanos will win? That is totally moronic to assume that. Ladra has given anyone who pursues that seat some ammunition with her findings regarding her money issues. And then let's not forget that Lago is coming off a recent election in which he has built up name recognition and infrastructure and has shown he can raise money. This race is at the very least a "Lago favored race" and more likely a "Lago cruises into victory" at this time. And I agree with above, why is Rudy getting a free pass? He really has been absent all this time. Moving on to answer Ladra's question with my two cents. I think Lago will run with Rudy. Sure his wife knows Martinez but Lago is a Republican through and through and given the hierarchical nature of the party it'd be surprising if he didn't. In the end I'm willing to bet Lago wins and proves he has more common sense than any of the jokes on the council and Daisy Castellanos.
ReplyDeleteDoes Lago even live in Hialeah? And has he been part of the Hialeah community that he knows it so well? Same question for Rudy. Why do these people think they can just run in whatever race they feel like? Because WE give them that power. Let's elect people that care about our communities lest we have another Frank Artiles on our hands.
ReplyDeleteRunning just to be an elected official -- why don't they go find jobs. Shame on them.
Ok lets see Lago wants to just be a politician and Alex had his strings fixed and he is going to work for Martinez and Bolonos is running for what! This is funny. The only one who has a shot to win is Hernandez and that's the fact. Hernandez for Mayor
ReplyDeleteIf the winner will be chosen based on the lowest IQ, then Carlito is the winner!
ReplyDeleteI love you baby!
Martinez is a communist!!! I have seen pictures with him and Fidel
ReplyDeleteStorm weather in the November elections in Hialeah. Cadela predict
ReplyDeleteFrank Lago does live in the city and has for some time. He just didn't live in District 110.
ReplyDeleteLago??? Lago who?? He would have a chance except that Isis and Carlos are backing him. So he is toast. Two current council members have chosen Lago due to the fact he has name recognition. Problem is that the name recognition will be tied to two peoplw who have maliciously and intentionaly destryoed the city. So Mr. Lago: DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME. If by chance you are elected because you are bieng supported by Carlos and Isis you will be forever tied to how they both helped destroy the city. Oh and one more thing.. You Mr. Lago were at the polls handing out Robaina cards and asking people to vote for him. That is the thing I WILL NOT FORGET! Crap. I almost forgot. Did you not hire sasha tirador? The absentee ballot fraud queen. BTW.. She screwed you and that cuban kid ralph. She took both of your check books and then went with that Oliva guy who Julio, Isis and carlos backed secretly.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely correct Lago_who said... nailed it on the head. Carlos and isis endoresment will cost him plenty of votes. I thought the girl from miami voice was lago's friend? She should have told him to run solo and not accept the backing of any council member that allowed the funds in the City to be squandered. The observations in Hialeah from people who live in Hialeah, are "The streets were never in this condition when Raul was mayor." The council and everyone tied to the former administration have left projects lingering for years! Lago should run and run fast away from any support provided by present council member.
ReplyDeleteI must concur...Lago who? That is why we uninformed masses can access the internet and gather up bits of information from more informed sources. This is what the Miami Herald had to say about Lagos back in May when he ran for State House. "We give the edge to Mr. Lago, 30. He is chief of staff to Sweetwater mayor Manny Marono and takes a pragmatic approach to some of the state’s more pressing issues, especially when it comes to revenue. Mr. Lago rightly wants to examine the tax exemptions for well-protected groups that continue to cheat the state out of revenue that it desperately needs; he also vows strong support for the Department of Environmental Protection, the target of the Legislature’s misguided efforts to weaken it this past session. Mr. Lago told The Miami Herald that the agency “has been instrumental in protecting the environment from abuses from out-of-control growth.” He would take a hands-off approach to the state’s dedicated trust funds — and to the state Supreme Court, which the Legislature tried to split in two.
ReplyDeleteMr. Lago, too, seems to have the interests of his constituents at heart, concerned that insurance laws stiff the taxpayer and that teachers deserve a more comprehensive evaluation of their performance, tied not just to a grade, but also to the “intellectual and emotional state of the student, and family dynamics.”
Either Mr. Lago had the Herald editorial board fooled, or he is a man after my own liberal heart. Of course, the Herald is not inerrant, or Ladra would still be on their payroll. It is nice to get a break from all this
dysphemistic verbiage that colors all Hialeah politics; so I share these nice words from the Herald, though they apply more to State issues; still they show he is a thoughtful man, a man with the people in his heart. Alas, I do not vote in Hialeah, so I will just remain a spectator. Runners take your mark!
Political Cortadito = Political Shill?
ReplyDeletehttp://southdadematters.com/2011/08/08/political-cortadito-political-shill/
Where's Waldo? I mean, where's Julio? Isn't there some unwritten rule that you remove your campaign posters after the election is over? Maybe recycle them, and use the reverse side for the next campaign, or to solicit donations for your defense fund. As I exit Hialeah via Okeechobee Road, there remains a plethora of Robaina and Gimenez signs along the way. Along this same train of thought, when do you take down you election campaign site? In searching for Waldo, oops, Julio; I still find the JulioRobaina.org site up. At first this is amusing, a bit of comic relief; but take some pride. Wipe up after you crap yourself. Take down your posters and your site; and work on that defense fund.
ReplyDeleteLickerprick
ReplyDeleteWhy a defense fund. Robaina has always been clear of any bullshit claim you guys came up with. He was a victim asshole.
We have been making money not selling drugs to all your alcoholic clients. Go play with your fired reporter and leave Robaina alone. Go find some other asshole to make up shit on. You have martinez, hernandez and garcia to go make up shit on.
For the record alcohol is a drug !!!! Lickerprick
Fired reporter you have been missing in action with your Hialeah soap opera.
Real truth of miami will always be around!!!! Only here to speak the truth!!! You assholes have been missing in action
ReplyDeleteOh Will........ You ignoramous. HELLO... Tell you what.. Make you a deal... Since you have multiple emails and multiple sites that you write on. When you come out and start posting on real and relavant information regarding Mr. Robaina, With your real identity, I will sit with you and show you all the information orginally handed over to the FBI myself. Oh and also the IRS. In the mean time go nack to posting your uninformed comments about Mr. Robaina till he is "hooked up". Oh by the way.. I hear not only did the Blanko family hand him up but also Current Mayor (my vote) Carlos hernandez, and Ms. Vivian handed him up also. Just a hint. Tell that to your wonder boy.. Remember???? They were part of loan deals also.. Or did you forget....
ReplyDeleteFunny that Will is so adamnent in Robaina's defense, seems he has not heard that justice takes it's sweet time. Will look at Regalado and the blog Investigation Miami that wrote about the campaign contributions that were illegal in 2009, FDLE just opened an investigation. What makes you so sure that there is no on-going investigation on the former Hialeah Mayor that is still on-going? If you have factual proof of his non-guilt show it. Otherwise it is still an open question??
ReplyDeleteWe have proof!!! There was never a case just rumors.
ReplyDeleteKiss my ass and good night losers.
Blanco Jr you rat!!
ReplyDeleteSorry, Won't, if I picked at a scab. Wherever Julio is hiding is fine by me. I don't wish the FBI or the IRS or criminal prosecution on anyone. I do whole-heartedly apologize. Still, my question was and remains; is it not time to take down the campaign posters and the campaign website? And thanx for clearing up the issue that alcohol is a drug. Absolutely. I do not consume alcohol, but I also believe that morality can not be legislated. I offer here an opinion from someone who did drink and legislate (hopefully not at the same time), a former legislator, district attorney, judge and college professor; Noah S. "Soggy" Sweat Jr. I hope this clears up the issue of alcohol consumption for ya.
ReplyDeleteMy friends,
"I had not intended to discuss this controversial subject at this particular time. However, I want you to know that I do not shun controversy. On the contrary, I will take a stand on any issue at any time, regardless of how fraught with controversy it might be. You have asked me how I feel about whiskey. All right, here is how I feel about whiskey.
"If when you say whiskey you mean the devil's brew, the poison scourge, the bloody monster, that defiles innocence, dethrones reason, destroys the home, creates misery and poverty, yea, literally takes the bread from the mouths of little children; if you mean the evil drink that topples the Christian man and woman from the pinnacle of righteous, gracious living into the bottomless pit of degradation, and despair, and shame and helplessness, and hopelessness, then certainly I am against it.
"But;
"If when you say whiskey you mean the oil of conversation, the philosophic wine, the ale that is consumed when good fellows get together, that puts a song in their hearts and laughter on their lips, and the warm glow of contentment in their eyes; if you mean Christmas cheer; if you mean the stimulating drink that puts the spring in the old gentleman's step on a frosty, crispy morning; if you mean the drink which enables a man to magnify his joy, and his happiness, and to forget, if only for a little while, life's great tragedies, and heartaches, and sorrows; if you mean that drink, the sale of which pours into our treasuries untold millions of dollars, which are used to provide tender care for our little crippled children, our blind, our deaf, our dumb, our pitiful aged and infirm; to build highways and hospitals and schools, then certainly I am for it.
"This is my stand. I will not retreat from it. I will not compromise."