Tomas Regalado Compares Himself to Bill Clinton

By Francisco Alvarado Tue., Aug. 9 2011 at 10:55 AM

In today's Miami Herald, you'll find an article by Miami City Hall beat reporter Charles Rabin that blathers on about Mayor Tomás Regalado's allegedly unflappable resiliency. Rabin, late to the game by a week, notes Regalado is facing a recall threat from the police and fire unions as the city faces a budget hole for the third consecutive year and the mayor is coming under fire for doling out golden parachutes to departing Miami executives.

"I feel like Bill Clinton," Regalado informs Rabin. "Some people really hated him, and some people loved him."

Can you believe that? A Cuban-American politician who in 2000 helped incite his constituents to stop the federal government from reuniting Cuban rafter boy Elián González with his father is now comparing himself to the U.S. president responsible for making sure the kid was returned to his dad.

Rabin's piece reads like a PR job concocted in the mayor's office as a response to Tim Elfrink's recent cover story chronicling the ten reasons Regalado should be recalled. Rabin doesn't even mention the New Times story, which was a catalyst for the unions' decision to recall Regalado. We've come to expect that from Chuckie. He's got a serious problem with crediting anybody who outscoops him. But we digress.

Regalado has been making the rounds at other media outlets to defend his performance. Over the weekend, he was a guest on Helen Ferre's WPBT show Issues to answer questions about the recall and the New Times story. During the taping, he insisted Elfrink's article was inaccurate. "He didn't do his homework," Regalado told Ferre. "Shame on the New Times."

You can view the interview below:

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Tags:

Charles Rabin, Helen Ferre, Tim Elfrink, Tomas Regalado

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$100,000 average

There are 4,100 employees at the City.They cost the taxpayers $410 MILLION per year. Isn't that an average cost of $100,000?

There might be a rookie cop getting $65,000 but there is another fat pencil pushing cop making $135,000. Average $100,000.

80% live outside Miami.

Nepotism

Ha, fat pencil pushing cop making 135,000? HAHAHA The only one making anywhere close to that is the boss. The average cop with 30 years of service maxes out at 68,000 a year. Do you really think a cop who works liberty city for 30 years doen't deserve to retire 68,000 a year? BTW he will only recieve 89 percent of that upon retirement for running towards gunfire while ungreatful citizens are running away. I guess the men and women of our armed forces shouldn't get paid for fighting wars either...

Peppy3000

Miami Mayor Tomás Regalado is telling Police and Firemen that they need to take more of a paycut to help the community.....yeah, right....OK Mr. A-hole, why don't you start off....with YOU taking a paycut and all of your Local Lawmakers playing God to everyone in Dead County sitting (hiding?) behind those expensive desks, podiums, etc to take a cut in their pay,,,,,,Yeah, I know, only

when the Hogs learn to fly. Unfortunately, all the HOGS are sitting behind the desks, podiums, etc....

Allencrespo

There are 1066 cops and the budget is 64,000,000.00 annually for cops pay. The average comes out to 60,037.52. Just for info the chief of police make 143,000.00 a year. Each city attorney make 168,000.00 and though the mayor makes 80,000 he has a 150,000.00 slush fund as do all the commissioners. A rookie cop starts at 43,349.00. I've been a cop for 9 years and I make 56,700.00. Do the math, thats an average raise of 1000.00 a year and after ten years of service that drops down to 500.00 a year. When I retire I will make 60,000.00 for 30 years of service. The mayor does for and the tax payers will pay his pension at 100% along with medical for him and his family FREE for the rest of his life. IN CONCULSION, THE HIGHEST PAID EMPLOYEES IN THE CITY ARE THE PEOPLE WORKING IN CITY HALL!

loveboat2010

Cops do not make an average salary of 100K they make 50k Regaldo does not take responsiblity for anything, every one is wrong accept for him. Although several dozen fire chiefs make 200k that does not represent the average city employee.

They don't care

The median income in Miami is $27,000 per year. The average income of City of Miami employees is $100,000 per year. City employees can buy or rent almost any residence they want. Strangely, most employees and almost all firemen live in Broward County. None pay taxes in Miami.

Whattheheck

Regalado hired his girlfriend to be a project specialist at 50,000 dollars a year. The same week he put out the furloughs for all city employees, he gave his girlfriend a raise to 76000 a year. Thats more then a cop or firefighter with 10 years on makes. Yes folks, he hired this girl after a hiring freeze and after taking pay from current city employees.

Stakeholders

When City employees live within the borders of the City is shows they know the City. It shows they are stakeholders. If they pay Real Estate here they might care.

Employees who live outside the City are just mercenaries. When employees live outside Miami they have no motivation to keep Miami's expenses down.

Out-of-town cops

Police Union members vote to recall Regalado. Too bad 95% of the cops don't even live or vote in Miami.

resident

I don"t understand the big deal with living in the City or not. Let me remind you only 18% of properties in the City are Homesteaded

Under investigation

Regalado's 2009 Mayoral Campaign election contributions are under investigation by the State of Florida. His daughter, Raquel Regalado was his Treasurer. Money from foreigners? Local Cuban Willy Bermillo payingg for influence?

Follow the money

Mayor Regalado is the stooge who wants to see Miami covered in billboards, mural ads and his favorite, 40 story LED billboards.

Tourists visit South Florida to avoid billboards. Regalado wants to hide the scenery behind Clear Channel, CBS and Carter billboards.

Follow the money.

Regalado is an idiot

If anyone needed proof Tomas Regalado was an idiot he goes and gives the Herald evidence. Not only is Regalado and his family corrupt but obviously Regalado is giving retards a bad name.

Regalado is the guy who stated on TV that the City would end the year with a surplus weeks before it was announced the City is actually facing a $61 MILLION deficit.