Sizing up the Mayoral Race - pt. 1

So, in my  original post I introduced myself and dropped the disclosures for the Mayor's race without further elaboration. I apologize, I wanted to be sure to get all the documentation posted first and foremost - and this race has the most to discuss, perhaps fittingly. The collective field for Mayor is an embarrassment of riches for the community with respect to passion, integrity, experience, dedication, leadership, service, and judgment. The challenge will be cutting through the bluster to find the right combination. Let's break down the documentation.

William "Billy" Bain
The former Mayor and incumbent Councilman reported $10,550 raised, including $2,750 of his own money. In addition, he accepted $1000 (legally) from City Vendor Becker & Poliakoff. Major contributions from local business included $1000 from from Mas Fuel (same owner as Orion Gas and Downstairs Market on 36th St.) and $750 from Milam's.  Other local contributors would be former Mayor J.C. "Chet" Field's firm for $100, and Medley's Big "E" Trucking for $300, and Veron [sic] Green from Sonic Aviation for $250.

Finally, there are contributions of $1000 each from the Orwellian-sounding "People in Need of Government Accountability PAC" (which, coincidentally, is a shoo-in for the "Most Unfortunate Acronym" award) and "Fighting for Florida's Families PAC", as well as $1000 from the more benign "Miami Realtors PAC". The influx of PAC money is out of character for Bain. His 6-0 win/loss record in Miami Springs elections is a testament to his natural, friendly manner. Instead, it's the outgoing Mayor who is a particularly prodigious fundraiser. Given that his reports reflect payments of $829.25, $3,049.50, and $829.25 to the outgoing Mayor's firm ZMG Media, Inc. for printing and mailing, it's unclear who is getting the greatest benefit of those PAC dollars. I have reached out to find out how those contributions came about, and will update with any new information I receive there.  UPDATE! Response received from the Chair of "People in Need of Government Accountability," State Senator Rene Garcia - HERE.

With respect to the other qualifying documents, nothing jumped out except that all of the qualifying petition signatures appear to have been collected by Billy's spouse, former Councilwoman Grace Bain. Except for one sheet that was circulated by Ms. Nora Lob, spouse of former Councilman George Lob.

So I guess we can't say, "Bain and Martin Marquez have nothing in common."

​(That's a joke - c'mon, there's no reason this can't be fun...)
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To be continued...  s/o