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Home My WebLink AboutCC 2011-09-27 AdvertisementTHE MIAMI HERALD I MiamiHerald.com LOCAL & STATE H1 SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2011 1 5B 2012 ELECTION Panel picked to decide presidential primary date • Members of the Presidential Preference Primary Committee, which will set the date for Florida's presidential primary. BY STEVE BOUSOUET Herald/limes Tallahassee Bureau TALLAHASSEE AHASSEE — Flori- da Republicans don't yet agree on who should oppose President Barack Obama next year, but they agree that the state must play an early and decisive role ins, lecting their party's nominee. That goal took a step for- ward Friday with the selec- tion of a nine -member com- mittee that will quickly set the date of the state's 2012 presidential primary, most likely in early February. The formation of the committee is something of a formality. A consensus has taken hold among state Republi- can leaders that Florida should be fif th in the nation- al primary and caucus pa- rade, following only Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina The Republican National Committeehas decreedthat only those states can hold primaries caucuses be- fore March 6 without being penalized by losing half their delegates. But Arizona recently set its primary for Feb. 28. In response, South Carolina, which has been scheduled to vote the same day, is expected to move earlier. Advocates of Florida's "Go Fifth" strategy say its size, diversity and lack of predictability all make it a microcosm of the country, not to mention that Tampa will host the 2012 Republi- ca n National Convention. "You're running a nation- al race in one state, so how good are you at reaching out to 20 million people who come from diverse back- groundsf' said former Gov. Bob Martinez, a member of the date -selection commit- tee. "A large state like us with an early primary will tell us a lot about the candidates." Gov.Rick Scott appointed Martinez to the panel, along with a deputy chief of staff and former GOP political operative, Jean Ungru, and former Democratic Sen. Al Lawson of Tallahassee. Senate President Mike Haridopolos selected three senators: fellow Republi- cans Rene Garda of Hialeah and John Thrasher of St Au- gustine and Democrat Gary Siplin of Orlando, who at times votes with Republicans. House Speaker Dean Cannon chose three fellow lawmakers: Republicans Carlos Lopez-Cantera of Miami and Seth McKeel of Lakeland, and Democrat Cynthia Stafford of Miami. Each of the three Repub- liaanleaders was required to appoint a Democrat. Secretary of State Kurt Browning serves as the non- voting chairman of the pan- el, which will hold its first meetingSept.23 inTallahas- BROWARD COURTS Mayor's lawyer goes after witness IN The defense attorney for suspended Tamarac mayor Beth Flansbaum-Talabisco is seeking to discredit a key witness. BY PAULA MCMAHON Sun Sentinel The defense attorney for Tamarac's suspended may- or Beth FlansbaumTalabis- ris digging deep to dis- credit Broward County CCommissioner Ilene Lieber- man, a key witness in the criminal case against her former friend. Prosecutors Friday turned over Lieberman's telephone records and ss statement from former County Vice Mayor Jose- phus Eggel- letion — made public for the first ime — in response to re- quests from Flansbaum-Ta- labisco's lawyer, Larry S. Davis. The prosecution also agreed to let Davis again question an investigator for the Broward state attomey's office about whether Lie- berman is or was under criminal investigation her- self when she gave damning sworn testimony against FlansbaumTalabism. When Davis first ques- tioned the investigator un- der oath in August, prosecu- tors refused to let him an- swer questions about whether the state attomey's office was investigating Lieberman. FlansbaumTalabisco, 58, has pleaded not guilty to fel- ony charges that she secret- ly accepted$21,000 worth of help from father -and -son developers Bruce and Shawn Chait to attack her opponents in the city may- FLAN59AUM- TALA91503 lOERIMKUSJR/MIAMI IN THE SPOTLIGHT. Commissioner Ilene Lieberman is a key witness in the case against her former friend. oral electioninMarch2006. Prosecutors allege that, in return, Flansbaum Talabis- co, a Democrat, voted for the Chairs' controversial project Davis wants Lieberman's phone records because she has testified she was not in- volved in the fundraising group in question in Flans- baumTalabisco's case, but another witness has testi- fied that Lieberman phoned him and asked him to set it up. Liebermantoldprosecu- tors she warned Flansbaum Talabisco that the mayor might have a conflict of in- terest if she voted on the Chaits' project, but the may- or told her she had made a commitment. The Chaits are central fig- ures in several criminal cas- es against local politicians. The two men are on proba- tion after they pleaded guil- ty to unlawful compensa- tion for giving $25,000 cash and a golf club membership to Eggelletion, who is in prison after pleading guilty m a related state case and a federal money-laundering conspiracy. Lieberman has been un- der scrutiny for several months after a judge or- dered that a liver transplant foundation for which she is a board member had to turn records of all donations it over The Chaits had made a $25,000 donation to the group, and prosecutors Wave been examining hether there was anything illegals about that, according to with knowledge ofs the investigation. Prosecutors T Donnel- ly and Jeannette Camacho said Friday they could not comment on anything to do withLiebermanor Commis- sioner Stacy Ritter, who was under scrutiny because of a golf carther husband s aid he received from the Chaits. Several sources familiar with the investigation have said it appears that Lieber- man and Ritter did nothing in exchange for either items and that no crimes were committed. Lieberman's lawyer, Bruce Zimet, said Friday that his client is in the dear. "I don't think the Chaits ever gave Ilene Lieberman anything. I don't think Ilene is under any kind of investi- gation...I think alot ofpeo- ple like to throw around names and allegations," Zi- met said. In Eggelletion's sworn statement, given in Novem- ber 2009 when he was coop- erating and planning to plead guilty to the state and federal charges he said the Chaits considered Lieber- man, Ritter and Ritter's lob- byist husband Russ Klenet "close friends" and thought Lieberman would vote for their project because, Eggel- letion said, the Chaits "had contributed a substantial sum of money to a project she wanted. I think it was But Eggelletion also said the Chaits were unhappy with Lieberman because they felt she was working against some of their real es- tate projects. DAVIE Sunrise cop arrested in Davie over tire slashing Sun Sentinel A Sunrise police officer is on admin istrative leave with pay after his arrest by Davie police Tuesday, authorities said. It stems from an incident at a gas station in the 3300 block of North University Drive, where Offer Milton Plante was seen slashing the tires of a car, according to the arrest report Awitness, T ance Avant, told Davie officers he saw Plante drive into the gas sta- tion, go into the store, come back out andpuncture three tires on the clerk's car. When Avant tried m inter - tine, he said Plante came at him with a large knife, screaming obscenities, the report stated Avant said Plante ap- peared intoxicated and off - balance, so he was able to push him to the ground, take away the lmife andholdhim until police arrived. Plante was treated for a cut to his forehead and was charged with aggravated as- sault and criminal mischief, police said. Sunrise police have launched an internal affairs investigation while Davie police are conducting a criminal investigation NOTICE OF AMENDMENT TO THE CITY OF MIAMI COMPREHENSIVE ZONING ORDINANCE ANY PERSON WHO RECEIVES COMPENSATION, REMUNERATION OR EXPENSES FORCONDUCTING LOBBYING ACTIVITIES IS REQUIRED TO REGISTER AS A LOBBYIST WITH THE CITY CLERK PRIOR TO ENGAGING IN LOBBYING ACTIVITIES BEFORE CITY STAFF, BOARDS, COMMITTEES OR THE CITY COMMISSION. A COPY OF THE APPLICABLE ORDINANCE IS AVAILABLE IN THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK (MIAMI CITY HALL), LOCATED AT 3500 PAN AMERICAN DRIVE, MIAMI, FLORIDA, 33133. AT THE SCHEDULED MEETING OF THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, ON TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 27 2011 AT MIAMI CITY HALL 3500 PAN AMERICAN DRIVE, THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION WILL CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING ITEMS RELATED TO THE PLANNING AND ZONING AGENDA, NOT BEFORE 2:00 PM: File ID 11-00585zt CLARIFYING LANGUAGE FOR PARKING REDUCTIONS, CORRECTING LANGUAGE AND CROSS REFERENCES, AND UPDATING THE REFERENCE DIAGRAM. Copies of the proposed resolutions and ordinances am available for review at Hearing Boards, 444 SW 2n° Avenue, 7"' Floor, during regular working hours. Phone: (305) 416-2030. The Miami City Commission requests all interested parties be present or represented at this meeting and are invited to express their views. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, all persons who require special accommodations in order to participate in this meeting should contact the Office of the City Clerk at (305) 250-5360 at Ieast three business days prior to the proceeding. Should any person desire to appeal any decision of the City Commission with respect to any matter to be considered at this meeting, that person shall ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made including all testimony and evidence upon which any appeal may be based (F/S 286.0106). Hearing Boards (Ad No. 11602) see. The committee is re- quired to set a date by Oct.l, and the committee is ex- pected to pin one down on Sept. 30. Florida's make -or -break role in the nominating pro- cesswas firmly established in2008 whenJohnMcCain's victory here was seen as clinching his grip on the nom ination. At the same time, former New York Mayor Rudy Giu- liani skipped the smaller early states to focus onFlor- ida, but when he puttered in the Sunshine State, his candidacy collapsed. Like a game of political chicken, Florida leaders are keeping on eye out on sever- al other states toying with hopscotching their way to the head of the primary pack, including Missouri, Michigan and Georgia "The temptation is to be as early as you can," said University of Georgia politi- cal scientist Charles Bull- ock "It's quite understand- able why Florida would want to get ahead of every- body els ebesides those four, but the difficulty is as you try to do that, you're not the only on Bullock agreed that Flori- da deserves to be a "star" among the states in the nominating process next year. "It's competitive where a lot of states are not," he said. Steve Bousquet can be reaches at bousquet@ sptimeccom or 850-2247263. 81ltfll0Illii1tml) J �savera MiamiHerald.com/, m dealsaver PAIL(7,5P of Coral Springs a North Palm Beach "Casual elegance for your patio." ALL CLEARANCE MERCHANDISE MUST GO !! INCREDIBLE SAVINGS OF UP TO 75% OFP STOREWIDE I i•"4 LOW PRICE GUARANTEE Specializing In The Largest Selection Of Quality Name Brand Furniture a Accessories. Let The Patio Shoppe Pmfessanels Design And Furnish Your Outdoor Room. Designers Welcome • Immediate Delivery We Shp Anywhere • We Export EE DELIVE FEATURING:. Main �1rft wens tifl:Z: rew�"s°rm scams h ore 7355 Sample Rd. Coral Springs eons Mon .•Sotopamaars 0r5,14Sun. 125 954-752-0161 1201 Federal Hwy. N. Palm Beach SP Meas., asp Mon {Sot IDS 30 • B� un 12•5 Open days 561-776-9990 1-800-287-4061 ...ro.%nse+_ran M®' Public Hearing NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED SUBSTANTIAL AMENDMENT TO MIAMI-DADE COUNTY'S FY 2008-2012 CONSOLIDATED PLAN A public hearing is scheduled for the Economic Development and Social Services Committee Meeting on October 26, 2011, at 9:30 a.m., in the Board of County Commissioners Chambers located on the second level of the Stephen P. Clark Center, 111 NW 1st Street, Miami, Florida. The purpose ofthe hearing Nth givelhe public pp rW sty to nt the p po d S bsl tial A d t to the FY 2008-2012 Consolidated Plan. The proposed amendment seeks a change in the use of three county -owned vacant parcels which are located In the Poinciana Industrial Center (PIC). Specifically, the proposed change of use will allow the County to lease the three vacant parcels to the State Department of Health for construction of a health dsnic. The parcels were acquired and maintained with Community Dewbpment Block Grant (CDBG) funds. The puNic is invited to attend and comment Federal regulations governing the CDBG program require thata paridpating jurisdiction provide citizens with reasonable notice of, and an opportunity to comment on, any Substantial Amendmentsla the Consolidated Phn. Afiam,-Dad Court}, Prowda equal access a d eepul oppar candles . employment and oo, hLY and dS not disoimma with davabilitie_ Accommnd ,o,a,ordasabled wont-Eng. Ypeakitg residrnh will he mahewaibblefree uponTea-2660 Please contact Ronena Crawford, Assistant Dlruror, at (786) 469-21.00, at least five () days prim to the m hearing with melt request_ A➢ason who deed.e mapper] arty deculon made try any board, agency or commission.. respect to any ratter conYMered at than meet?, or heaving Tull need a record of the Snchpenon may need to onYvre data verbatim record ofthe p ding iY made,Inlading tevtimony ardevdeae pan winch theappeal iY based_ For legal ads online, go to http://legalads.miamidade.gov