Dems approve new challenger in Atwater race

Democratic leaders in Broward and Palm Beach counties have formally picked political activist and Broward realtor Linda Bird for a place on the November ballot, in hopes of unseating Republican incumbent and incoming Senate President Jeff Atwater, according to a statement released Sunday night by the Florida Democratic Party.

Earlier this month, Democratic leaders announced that Bird was the preferred candidate to take over for former Democratic challenger Walter "Skip" Campbell, who abandoned his high-profile challenge to Atwater, a North Palm Beach Republican, for health reasons.

And now that members of the Democratic Executive Committees in both counties have officially approved Bird's candidacy, her name will be submitted to the Department of State so it can be placed on the November ballot.

Skip is officially off November ballot

The paperwork has been processed, and Walter "Skip" Campbell, the much-talked-about challenger to incumbent state Sen. Jeff Atwater, is officially off the November ballot, according to the state Division of Elections.

Campbell announced last Thursday that he planned to give up his high-profile bid to unseat Atwater, a North Palm Beach Republican who is set to be the next Senate President.

His official withdrawal starts the clock ticking for party leaders looking to get a replacement candidate on the ballot.

Party leaders have 12 days under state law to find a replacement, and a party committee is scheduled to discuss the issue at a special meeting on Monday.

Last week, Democratic leaders in Tallahassee tapped party activist and real estate agent Linda Bird as Campbell's successor.

But the choice isn't official until party leaders in Broward and Palm Beach counties approve the choice. And the issue created some internal party tension Tuesday at a closed-door Management Committee meeting of the Broward Democratic Party.

Sources inside the meeting said the Michael Albetta, president of the Florida Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Democratic Caucus, made a motion to endorse Bird's candidacy against Atwater.

The motion was seconded by Jack Shifrel, an area party leader, but was ruled out of order by Broward Democratic Party Chairman Mitch Ceasar, who told the group it was because Bird's candidacy wasn't yet official.

Bird, who also attended the meeting, said she considered the clash a simple procedural issue.

"I'm not official," Bird said. "The procedure [to endorse] cannot take place."

UPDATE: The state Democratic Party says no official date has been set for naming a replacement for Campbell because the party is still waiting to be formally notified of his withdrawal. But local party leaders say Monday is likely going to be the day.

Sheriff's candidates sling mud at debate

Who says debates are boring?

A debate between the five Democratic candidates for Broward sheriff drew boos, hisses and critical questions from the audience Tuesday night at a Democratic Party meeting in Plantation.

The candidates largely agreed on the issues -- they're all for deputies wearing bullet proof vests, gun control and improving department morale. So instead they focused on mudslinging about candidates' backgrounds -- with the help from the audience.

They talked trash about Scott Israel's internal affairs file and party switching, Bruce Udolf's association with Ken Starr and Wiley Thompson's departure from BSO.

The last man standing after the Aug. 26 primary will face Republican Sheriff Al Lamberti Nov. 4.

Here's the story

Skip says he's out, thinks Dems still have good shot at Atwater

It's official. After weeks of speculation, Democratic candidate Walter "Skip" Campbell says he's definitely pulling out of his state Senate challenge to Republican incumbent Jeff Atwater, of North Palm Beach.

"[The letter] is going in the mail tomorrow," Campbell said Thursday.

Campbell had said last month that he was thinking of quitting the high-profile state Senate race against Atwater, the incoming Senate President.

As reasons for ultimately leaving the race, Campbell cited a heavy caseload at his Fort Lauderdale law practice and health issues stemming from hip surgery in February. But while Atwater has already raised more than $2 million more then Campbell, the denied that the high cost of the campaign was factor.

Democrats have already tapped Broward realtor and political activist Linda Bird as a replacement for Campbell. And local party leaders, who would have to sign off on her candidacy, said earlier Thursday that they see no problem rallying behind her once Campbell's departure is official.

Broward Democratic Party Chairman Mitch Ceasar said Bird has a "political window of opportunity" in an election cycle where the idea of "change" has struck a cord with voters.

"She's a first-time candidate, which to be frank with you, is probably an advantage for her," Ceasar said.

But did the rumors about whether Campbell -- or the Democrats -- were "in or out" of the Broward-Palm Beach County race hurt the Democratic Party's chances?

Campbell says no.

"I can tell you no one has paid any attention to this race at all except for the press," Campbell said. "This race will start being looked at in September or October...I think the Democrats will have plenty of time."

Second openly gay candidate files for Fort Lauderdale mayor

Former City Commissioner Dean Trantalis is no longer the only gay man seeking the Fort Lauderdale mayor's job in 2009.

On Monday, Earl Rynerson submitted paperwork at City Hall to launch his campaign. Rynerson, a former San Francisco City Commissioner, owns CLAD Tile and Stone in Fort Lauderdale.

The gay community has been energized by the mayoral race after term-limited  Mayor Jim Naugle made a series of comments last year -- including about sex in public bathrooms -- that angered gay residents.

City Commissioner Cindi Hutchinson -- another candidate in the race -- spoke out against  Naugle last year.

Other candidates include defense attorney Steve Rossi and term-limited State Rep. Jack Seiler.

To announce his candidacy, Rynerson sent ''Fort Lauderdale Image Polishing Kits'' that include gloves, pre-moistened towels and instructions that include throwing politicians in the trash.

U.S. Rep Klein fails to sway FAA on baseball deal

U.S.  Rep. Ron Klein went to bat for baseball lovers and the city of Fort Lauderdale by trying to convince federal officials to help keep spring training alive in the city.

Looks like he struck out.

On  Wednesday, the Federal Aviation Administration sent a letter to city officials denying its request to keep rents low for the Baltimore Orioles. The team trains at a stadium in Fort Lauderdale near the Executive Airport which means that the FAA has a say in how the land is used.

The FAA says the city must charge tenants fair market value which translates to about $1.3 million. The team had been paying up to $120,000.

Klein and Fort Lauderdale city officials had met with the FAA to try to hammer out an agreement. But the FAA says there isn't anything else to negotiate -- the team can only stay if it pays the higher rent to the airport.

Now it looks like the team will move to Vero Beach, leaving the site empty after nearly 50 years of spring training in Fort Lauderdale.

Klein could not be reached for comment.

Broward sheriff and union may be close to a deal

The union that represents Broward sheriff's deputies will soon vote on a new contract proposal that has become an issue in the sheriff's race.

In May the Police Benevolent Association overwhelmingly rejected a contract that included three percent raises for three years. The union wanted 5 percent raises.

Sheriff Al  Lamberti said a new proposal will allow deputies to take care of their families while still meeting budget cuts in the $700 million budget. But he wouldn't reveal the proposed pay increase.

Union negotiations this week coincided with the PBA screening candidates -- including Lamberti -- for the sheriff's race. The union endorsement isn't the key to winning the race but it would give a candidate or candidates a boost. Most of the Democratic candidates vowed to give the union 5 percent raises.

The Democratic contenders are Shak Dhanji, state human relations  commissioner; Scott Israel, chief of North Bay Village; Rick Lemack, assistant city manager in Hollywood; Bruce Udolf, defense attorney and Wiley  Thompson, former chief of staff to former Sheriff Ken Jenne. Israel and Lemack are on leave from their jobs.

The winner of the Aug. 26 Democratic primary will face Lamberti, the only Republican in the race, Nov. 4.

Bruce Udolf depicted as goofy in flier

The flier attacking Broward sheriff's candidate Bruce Udolf has surfaced and it depicts a rather goofy looking Udolf.

On Wednesday Udolf held a press conference to denouce the flier and a separate flier that attempts to smear Wiley Thompson, one of the other five Democratic candidates for sheriff. But Udolf said he didn't have a copy of the flier about him.

The Udolf flier is a cut and paste job that shows a photo of Udolf's grinning head on top of a guy wearing suspenders. It makes the high-profile defense attorney and former federal prosecutor look like some sort of smalltown farm boy.

Perhaps it is meant as a jab at Udolf's days working as a district attorney in Georgia. The flier asks "How could...Bruce Udolf want to be Broward sheriff?'' and then includes quotes and facts from news articles that cast Udolf in a poor  light.

The flier tries to discredit Udolf as a Democrat by linking him with Ken Starr. Udolf was recruited by Starr to assist in the Whitewater investigation into former President Bill Clinton. But Udolf said he stepped aside when the investigation turned to Clinton's sex life.

The flier also states that Udolf was ordered to pay $50,000. That refers to a fine in the 1980s after a carpenter claimed he was held for four days without a bail hearing or a lawyer while Udolf was the district attorney. It also cites his role in defending an FBI agent who received a short jail sentence for a DUI that killed two brothers in Broward.

The separate flier about Thompson cites his  Chapter 13 bankruptcy case. And it shows the African-American wearing a bowtie in a way that depicts him both as an "Uncle Tom'' and Louis Farrakhan follower, Udolf said.

Udolf and Thompson haven't disputed the facts in the fliers but are angry that they are anonymous. They said they are being targeted because they are outside of Broward's political establishment.

Thompson was a former chief of staff under Sheriff Ken Jenne and a higher-up in the FBI.

Who created the fliers -- which were written in a similar fashion -- is part of the growing political intrigue in the hottest countywide race in Broward. Another mystery: why is candidate Shak Dhanji under investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement?

The  other candidates in the Democratic primary are Shak Dhanji, state human relations commissioner; Scott Israel, on leave from his job as police chief of North Bay Village and Rick Lemack, on leave from his job as Hollywood assistant city manager.

Sheriff's opponents team up to decry fliers

Bruce Udolf and Wiley Thompson are running against each other for Broward sheriff.

They rushed to each other's defense Wednesday at a joint press conference to allege that someone distributed negative anonymous fliers smearing them.

But they didn't bother to bring full copies of the two fliers to show reporters.

Udolf said he didn't have a copy. Thompson only had a portion of the flier although his campaign provided a full copy later in the day.

The Naked Politics blog would like to see the flier about Udolf. Have a copy? Fax us at 954-527-8455.

The candidates were appealing to the courtroom of public opinion without the evidence. And these are two men familiar with the rules of evidence: Udolf is a high-profile defense attorney. Thompson was chief of staff to former Sheriff Ken Jenne and a former higher-up in the FBI.

The candidates generally don't dispute the facts in the fliers. They're angry that they lack disclosure as to who wrote them.

The flier about Thompson refers to his Chapter 13 bankruptcy after a divorce and states that he couldn't ''control his finances'' and questions ''Would you trust $700 million in taxpayer money to Wiley Thompson.''

Thompson said his personal financial troubles have no bearing on his ability to manage the sheriff's budget.

The flier about Thompson includes a photo of him wearing a bowtie to create an image that Udolf described as both ''Uncle Tom'' and Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan.

Udolf said the flier about him mentionned his role in the Whitewater investigation into former President Bill Clinton.

That's true. Udolf, a former federal prosecutor, worked on that case but removed himself when it veered into Clinton's personal life.

The fliers were distributed last week, the candidates said. The Udolf flier was distributed at a Democratic Executive Committee meeting. The flier about Thompson was sent to some elected officials.

The  other candidates in the Democratic primary are Shak Dhanji, a state human relations commissioner; Scott Israel, North Bay Village police chief on leave and Richard Lemack, Hollywood assistant city manager on leave.

The winner of the Aug. 26 primary will face Republican Sheriff Al Lamberti Nov. 4.

Trantalis files for Fort Lauderdale mayor

Dean Trantalis officially filed Monday to run for mayor in Fort Lauderdale in 2009.

He formally kicked off his campaign at ArtServe Monday evening. Trantalis, the city's first openly gay city commissioner, served one term between 2003 and 2006. He decided not to run for a second term.

In a speech Monday, Trantalis talked about his desire to lower property taxes, fight crime and overdevelopment while embracing the city's diversity. He offered no specifics regarding how he will lower taxes other than forming a task force to attract new industries.

The other candidates who are competing to replace term-limited Jim Naugle are City Commissioner Cindi Hutchinson, attorney Steve Rossi and State Rep. Jack Seiler. Rossi is the only Republican in the non-partisan race.

Environmental administrator to challenge Lois Wexler

The administrator of a little known environmental agency who has a colorful past in Cooper City politics will challenge County Commissioner Lois Wexler.

Russell Setti qualified to run Thursday. He will face Wexler Nov. 4 unless other candidates qualify by noon today which would lead to an Aug. 26 primary.

Setti is the administrator of the Broward Soil and Water Conservation District. In 2006, voters approved his proposal to turn the little known agency into a taxing authority.

He served three terms as  Cooper City mayor in the 1970s at a time when meetings stretched so late commissioners would see the sun rise. The Florida Commission on Ethics found him guilty of failing to disclose conflicts twice while he was mayor and in 1983  he was fined for letting vines grow on his home.

Setti will face an uphill battle against an incumbent who already has $107,000 in her account and will benefit from the visibility of serving as mayor this year.

Trantalis confirms Fort Lauderdale mayoral bid

Fort Lauderdale's first and only openly gay City Commissioner has decided to run for mayor, guaranteeing a feisty race between three well-known individuals who have served in elected office.

Dean Trantalis confirmed that he will announce Monday that he is running for mayor in the March 2009 election. Trantalis had been vague about his political intentions earlier this week although a Dolphin Democrats board member had said Trantalis told him he  planned to run for mayor.

Trantalis served on the City Commission between 2003 and 2006. He decided not to run for a second term.

Trantalis' entry into the race has not drawn cheers from all gay political leaders because some had already agreed to support City Commissioner Cindi Hutchinson, an ally to the gay community. Both Hutchinson and Trantalis publicly critized Mayor Jim Naugle last year when he angered the gay community by making comments about gay sex in park bathrooms.

Hutchinson said Trantalis initially supported her campaign and participated in her kickoff fundraiser. But she said he sent her an email last week stating that he planned to run.

Trantalis said he initially supported Hutchinson but ultimately decided that he should run.

"I don't mean to leave my friends in a lurch but at the same time I have to do what I feel is necessary to advance the goals  I feel we need to achieve,'' he said.

State Rep. Jack Seiler and defense attorney  Steve Rossi are also candidates to replace term-limited Naugle.

Sheriff Lamberti qualifies for sheriff

Broward Sheriff Al Lamberti submitted his qualifying papers for election today surrounded by elected officials -- many of them Democrats.

Lamberti will try to do what few politicians have accomplished in recent decades in Broward: win a countywide race as a Republican. His message is simple: crime isn't a partisan issue.

"Judge my credentials,'' Lamberti said. "Not my voter's card.''

Among the city officials who are Democrats and showed up to support Lamberti: Cooper City Mayor Debby Eisinger, Weston Mayor Eric Hersh and North Lauderdale Mayor Jack Brady. Dania Beach Mayor Al Jones and Deerfield Beach Mayor Al Capellini, both Republicans, also attended. City offices are non-partisan but these officials have a stake in the sheriff's race because their cities have contracts with BSO.

In a presidential year, many Broward residents will vote a straight Democratic ticket. Also  Lamberti doesn't have the support of the rank and file because the union overwhelmingly rejected a contract in May. He is the only Republican in the race.

But Lamberti won't be the only candidate to face questions about his political party. Scott Israel, who is leading the Democratic pack in fundraising, has only been a registered Democrat since November.

Israel said he registered as a Republican while living in Long Island because his dad told him to so he could get summer jobs.

"I just kept it Republican but always voted Democratic,'' he said.

Israel said his plan to run for sheriff wasn't the reason for his party switch. He said he was disenchanted with the Republican party and concerned about the impact of budget cuts on public safety.

Israel, chief on leave from North Bay Village, and Richard Lemack, Hollywood assistant city manager on leave, have already qualified to run.

Also expected to qualify: Shak Dhanji, state human relations commissioner; Wiley Thompson, Sheriff Ken Jenne's former chief of staff; and Bruce Udolf, defense attorney.

The winner of the Aug. 26 Democratic primary will face Lamberti Nov. 4.

Ft Lauderdale mayoral race could split gay vote

Leaders in the gay community have pledged their support to Fort Lauderdale mayoral candidate Cindi Hutchinson. But now the city's first and only openly gay commissioner is planning to throw his hat into the ring.

Dean Trantalis plans to run for mayor in 2009, said Michael Albetta, board member of the Dolphin Democrats. Albetta said Trantalis told him his intentions last week.

Trantalis said he'll announce his political intentions at 5 p.m.  Monday at ArtServe in Fort Lauderdale.

The Dolphin Democrats don't endorse candidates. But Albetta has personally pledged his support to Hutchinson -- a friend to the gay community -- after Trantalis insisted he had no plans to run.

"I said 'Dean you are doing something really not nice. It's going to put a wedge in the gay community because myself and various other people in the GLBT community are supporting Cindi Hutchinson,'' Albetta said.

Trantalis narrowly won a commission seat in 2003 and didn't run for re-election. At the time he said the commission was dysfunctional and a strain on his personal life.

Also running for mayor: State Rep. Jack Seiler.

Sheriff Lamberti will hang on to Zachariah's donation

Sheriff Al Lamberti took a donation from a bigshot GOP donor who later became the target of an investigation for alleged insider trading.

Zachariah P. Zachariah, director of cardiology at Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale who raised $100,000 for President Bush's 2004 campaign, gave Lamberti $500 during the first quarter of this year. In May, the Securites and Exchange Commission filed a complaint alleging he committed insider training in a deal he which he earned nearly $600,000.  Zachariah has denied the charges.

Lamberti said he's keeping the donation until the legal proceeding comes to a close.

"I do believe in the American criminal justice system that you are innocent until proven guilty,'' he said.

Lamberti, the only Republican in the race, has raised about $300,000 which is far ahead of the six Democrats. Candidates will qualify for the race next week.

At times Lamberti has been coy about whether he would switch parties to run in Democratic-dominated Broward. But he ruled that out Friday.

"For 30 years in serving the people of Broward County I've been shot at, bitten, spit at, jumped in canals to rescue people and no one has ever been concerned about my party affiliation -- they were just glad to see me show up. But since this position requires me to declare a party -- as irrelevant as that may be to this position -- I will be remaining a Republican because any decision to do anything else admits that this position is about politics and in my heart I know there is nothing political about providing for the safety of the residents of Broward County.''

Janet Reno makes rare political appearance

Former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno will headline a fundraiser Saturday for a Democratic activist challenging Broward County Supervisor of Elections Brenda Snipes.

Adriane Reesey of Dania Beach is vice president of the Broward County's Dolphin Democratic Club, the largest gay political club in Florida. She also works at the Broward Sheriff's Office and has followed Reno's career in criminal justice.

"She was always one of my heros,'' said Reesey, who volunteered on Reno's campaign for governor in 2002. "I think she thought I was a stalker for a while because I would go to wherever she was speaking. I was in awe of her abilities and integrity."

Snipes also faces a challenge from non-partisan candidate Ellen Brodsky of Coconut Creek

Gutter politics? Or just an opportunity to wear really bad shoes...

A group calling itself the "Rising Republican Youth of South Florida," is holding its official kick-off: "Bowling with our Congressmen." Really.

According to the press release, "Republican youth from across South Florida will gather at Strike Miami Lanes at Dolphin Mall" to bowl with South Florida's three Republican members of Congress, Reps. Lincoln and Mario Diaz-Balart and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, whose districts include parts of Miami-Dade, Broward and Monroe counties, and who this year face their first substantial re-election challenge.

The event is being co-sponsored by the Republican Party of Florida, the Florida International University College Republicans and the University of Miami College Republicans.

Ariel Fernandez, president of the group, said it's "proud and honored" to have the three GOP'ers lace up.

"Our club is full of excited young individuals who are Republican and ready to be active participants in our democratic process," Fernandez said. "We look forward to being integral players this election year. Together with our co-sponsors, we are paving the way to victory this November."

The tourney will be held at 7 Friday night at Strike Miami Lanes at Dolphin Mall, 11401 NW 12 Street.

Broward Commissioner to address Congress

Broward County Commissioner Kristin Jacobs has been invited to testify before Congress next week to talk about the proposed Clean Water Restoration Act.

Jacobs, whose year as Broward County Mayor was declared the "Year of the Environment," will address the U.S. House of Representatives' Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on April 16. She was invited to speak by the committee's chairman and the bill's sponsor Congressman James Oberstar, D-Minn.

The bill's co-sponsors include U.S. Reps. Ron Klein, Debbie Wasserman-Schultz and Robert Wexler, all from South Florida.

Lamberti rakes in cash in Broward Sheriff's race

Interim Broward Sheriff Al Lamberti raised a staggering $310,430 for this November's sheriff's race, according to the campaign finance report he filed Wednesday -- his first since joining the race in January.

Lamberti's first quarter fundraising total means he raised almost as much as his other six challengers combined in the first three months of the year. And Lamberti, the only Republican in the race, likely will need that cash to woo Broward's largely Democratic voters in what is expected to be a heated -- and an expensive -- race.

The full list of first-quarter fundraising totals:

• Lamberti: $310,400
• Scott J. Israel, chief of police for North Bay Village: $124,300
• Bruce Lee Udolf, private criminal defense attorney: $95,900
• S. "Shak" Dhanji, a state human relations commissioner: $42,900
• Richard J. Lemack, Hollywood assistant city manager: $42,400
• Wiley Thompson III, former administrator under former Sheriff Ken Jenne: $19,800
• Pat Aahara, a retired Palm Beach County sheriff's lieutenant: $0

Republican incumbents, Senate candidates top fundraisers for Broward state seats

An economic slowdown and the legislative session's fundraising blackout didn't stop Broward's Republican legislators from adding huge sums to their campaign warchests during the first three months of 2008.

Topping the list for all of the county's legislative races is state Sen. Jeff Atwater, a North Palm Beach Republican and future Senate president, brought in a staggering $546,579 for his re-election battle with Democratic challenger and former state Sen. Skip Campbell.

Not far behind Atwater is Majority Whip and Republican state Rep. Ellyn Bogdanoff, of Fort Lauderdale, who raised almost $67,000 in the first quarter of 2008, roughly 12 times more than her Democratic challenger Christian Chiari.

The county's two open state Senate seats are also bringing in plenty of campaign cash. Former Democratic state Reps. Eleanor Sobel, Tim Ryan and Ken Gottlieb raised a combined $75,800 this quarter for their primary battle to replace state Sen. Steve Geller, who leaves this year because of term limits.

And the four Democrats vying for the seat state Sen. Mandy Dawson, D-Fort Lauderdale, will leave open because of term limits, brought in a combined $56,065 during the first three months of the year.

Some Broward's top individual fundraisers:

• Atwater: $546,600
• Campbell, $179,700
• Bogdanoff: $67,000
• Sobel: $31,300
• Ryan: $27,100
• State Rep. Marty Kiar, D-Davie: $25,100
• State Rep. Franklin Sands, D-Weston: $23,500
• Chris Smith, candidate for Dawson's state Senate seat: $21,700
• Hazelle Rogers, candidate for state Rep. Matt Meadow's soon-to-be-open seat:$21,200
• State Rep. Evan Jenne, D-Dania Beach: $20,200

Atwater brings in 500K in first quarter of 2008

State Sen. Jeff Atwater, R-North Palm Beach, brought in $546,579 during the first three months of 2008 to help him in his re-election battle against Democratic challenger Skip Campbell, according to campaign finance reports released Thursday afternoon.

Atwater's first-quarter fundraising -- which includes a roughly one-month fundraising blackout for the legislative session that started March 4 --  bring his campaign total to more than $1.7 million, some of which he has already spent to run a couple of cable television ads in the Broward and Palm Beach County homes in his district.

Campbell, who filed paperwork to run against the future Senate president in January, also filed his first campaign finance report of the election. He brought in about $180,000, including a $100,000 loan to himself.

Another Democratic challenger, Robert Ostrov, also filed his first report, collecting $6,400 since entering the race in January.

Hutchinson apologizes for using city supplies for Lauderdale mayor's race mailing

Fort Lauderdale Commissioner and mayoral candidate Cindi Hutchinson apologized Thursday for a "momentary lapse in judgment" when she used city supplies to send a campaign mailer. Hutchinson, who leaves her commission seat in 2009 because of term limits, is facing Democratic state Rep. Jack Seiler in a bid to replace the term-limited Jim Naugle.

The full statement issued by her campaign Thursday:

There has been an allegation that an envelope with materials regarding my Mayoral campaign was sent from City Hall and then returned because of an addressing error. I am issuing this statement to set the record straight and apologize for this mistake -- I used a city envelope, label and about $4.00 in postage for my campaign needs.  I am sorry that some may have the perception that I didn't live up to the standards that have characterized my eight years as a City Commissioner. Throughout my tenure as a City Commissioner I have prided myself on the trust that our residents and those working in the Commission office have felt towards me and I have always focused on providing positive leadership for our City. This momentary lapse of judgment underscores my commitment to work harder to retain the trust of our citizens.  I am sorry, and this will not happen again.

Senator wants to end poo-pumping practice

A state Senate committee Wednesday unanimously voted in favor of Sen. Burt Saunders' plan to end South Florida's practice of pumping 300 million gallons of sewage into the ocean every day.

Six wastewater plants in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties are the only ones in the state that shoot treated sewage a few miles offshore through big pipes (left). Saunders, along with environmentalists and divers, wants the South Florida Water Management District to stop it by 2025.

His bill gives the plants until the end of 2018 to significantly upgrade the way the wastewater is treated, paving the way for it to be reused for industrial and other purposes on-shore.

State moving ahead with Alligator Alley lease deal

While South Florida legislators call it "irresponsible," the state Department of Transportation is moving ahead with a plan to lease Alligator Alley to a private company. DOT officials on Thursday announced on their website that the state would officially start the process to solicit proposals on leasing the 78-mile stretch of road that links Southwest Florida to Broward County.

DOT officials have briefed Gov. Charlie Crist on the possible privatization deal, which ultimately must be approved by the Legislative Budget Commission. One analysis done last year said that leasing Alligator Alley - which currently generates about $23.5 million a year in tolls - would yield $504 million for a 50-year lease that envisions tolls going up to $3 next year and eventually to $6.75 in the next decade.
More here.

Rep and Dem party chairmen weigh in on primary do-over

Broward Democratic Party Chairman Mitch Ceasar and Broward Republican Party Chairman Chip LaMarca both had another chance to enter the debate about a Democratic revote, following Hillary Clinton's resurgence Tuesday night.

The breakfast debate at the Tower Club in downtown Fort Lauderdale was slated to be about the importance of "Principles or Package" in picking a presidential candidate. (Certainly a viable topic in a presidential race where discussions about "character," "charisma" and "likability" have gotten almost as much airtime as policy debates about health care, the economy and the war in Iraq.)

But as soon as people started asking questions, the discussion turned back to whether Florida's Democratic delegates would be seated at the Democratic National Convention later this year.

The answer from both party chairmen? Yes, but it's not clear when, how, what role they will play in the nominating process or whose to blame for all the confusion to begin with.

"A Florida and Michigan answer must be determined," Ceasar said. "Whether we revote or not, I don't know...What we do know is Florida loves attention. And we love to be in the center of the political universe. And we may again be there in May or June, where if you thought New Hampshire and Iowa had an invasion, that's nothing compared to what you'll see in Florida if there's a revote."

To hear part of the revote discussion: Download Ceasar_and_LaMarca.wav .

And to read more about a potential Florida revote click here.

Seiler to run for Fort Lauderdale mayor

It's official. State Rep. Jack Seiler plans to run for Fort Lauderdale mayor when his term ends this year.

Seiler, a Wilton Manors Democrat and this year's chairman of the Broward delegation, filed paperwork to run for the mayor's post on Wednesday, officially ending rumors about where he would go when he leaves the Florida House due to term limits at the end of this legislative session.

Seiler, a former Wilton Manors mayor, was elected in 2000 and has since earned a reputation as one of the most knowledgeable members of the Legislature.

He will be challenging Fort Lauderdale Cindi Hutchinson to replace current mayor Jim Naugle, who is term-limited out next spring.

Broward legislators to County Commission: budget help not likely

A joint meeting between the Broward County Commission and the county's legislative delegation Tuesday afternoon returned to a familiar theme: the state government-local government tug-of-war about spending and taxes.

Broward County likely will need to make more than $100 million in cuts to its $1.3 billion general fund as part of next year's budget, in light of rising county costs, a real estate slump and a statewide property tax overhaul approved by state lawmakers and state voters. And commissioners criticized state lawmakers for passing down costs to county government (the so-called  "unfunded mandates" to use the budget buzzword) and begged the Broward legislative delegation to fight future cost shifts.

But the county's mostly Democratic legislative delegation pointed out that they had waged debates in the GOP-controlled legislature over the last year to prevent the state's property tax reform plan from causing major cuts in local government services...with limited success.

And they added that while they feel the county's pain, they might not be able to do much about it. The Legislature is looking at major cuts this year too. The state will have to find a way to cut more than $2 billion during the lawmaking session that starts Tuesday.

"The state is facing its tightest year ever," said state Sen. Steve Geller, a Cooper City Democrat and the Senate Minority Leader. "You're not going to get any relief. More likely the state is going to cut programs in a way that will force the county to pick up the slack...You aren't going to get additional help from us. More likely you'll get additional pain."

Atwater hits airwaves in reelection fight

State Sen. Jeff Atwater's reelection battle against Skip Campbell has hit the television airwaves with an ad that targets the state's insurance companies.

In the ad, called "Holding Insurance Companies Accountable," Atwater, a North Palm Beach Republican whose district includes the northern part of Broward's east coast, talks about putting some of the state's insurance executives under oath during state Senate hearings earlier this year.

"We learned they used loopholes to skirt the law," Atwater says in the 30-second TV spot. "That's unacceptable. We were promised lower premiums....What they're doing is wrong, and these big insurance companies will be held accountable."

View the ad here.

So far, Atwater, who is set to become the next Senate President, has raised more than $1.1 million against Democratic challengers Robert Ostrov and Campbell, who ran a failed bid for Florida attorney general in 2006.

Broward Dems pick Pennsylvania Gov for Jefferson Jackson Dinner

The Broward County Democratic Party has picked Pennsylvania Gov. Edward G. Rendell to be the keynote speaker at its annual Jefferson Jackson Dinner on March 1 in Coral Springs.

"He has a great background," said Mitch Ceasar, chairman of the Broward Democratic Party. "And he's on everyone's shortlist for vice president."

In addition to serving at governor of the Keystone State, Rendell also has served as the mayor of Philadelphia and co-chairman of the Democratic National Committee.

But most recently he picked up press for comments he made to one Pennsylvania paper about the state's April 22 primary, which will likely play a big role in the tight Democratic nominating contest.

According to the Associated Press, Rendell, a supporter of Hillary Clinton, told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette editorial board that some white Pennsylvanians are likely to vote against Clinton's rival Barack Obama because he's black.

The remarks were reported on Tuesday. And the Associated Press reported that Rendell's spokesman said later that day that the governor didn't mean to offend anyone.

Ceasar said while he hadn't read any reports about Rendell's comments as of Wednesday morning, he said Rendell's staff picks and his record suggest that the governor just misspoke.

"I think he was basically saying we have two candidates that are groundbreaking in their own right, and we're in uncharted territory," Ceasar said.

Transexuals to get more rights in Broward

One woman shares her story about being too afraid to tell police about the two men who beat her for being transgender.

Another holds up a photo of her 7-year-old daughter and wonders what's going to happen when her classmates find out she started life as a boy.

One by one, more than 20 people shared their stories and persuaded the Broward County Commission to add ''gender identity'' and pregnancy to a list of protected classes, a civil rights milestone for the group that makes it illegal to deny housing or jobs to transgender or pregnant residents.

Tuesday's unanimous vote adds Broward County to a growing list of local governments nationwide that provide some civil rights protections to transgender residents.

In other counties and cities, critics have fought to prevent and repeal those changes, saying they're unnecessary and arguing it's wrong for people to try to redefine gender.

But at Tuesday's meeting, no opponents were heard. And supporters say they hope their silence means they don't plan to fight the decision in Broward.

''Either they're no longer watching us,'' Broward Vice Mayor Stacy Ritter said, ``or some of those nasty, name-calling, finger-pointing disrespectful people thought it wasn't worth it to attack us on this one.''

More here

Broward Oks Congressional wish list

On Tuesday, Broward's County Commission approved its federal legislative package for this year. On its more than 30-page wish list: more than $40 million in federal funding requests for beach nourishment, Port Everglades dredging and new buses and transportation improvements.

The county also will be pushing for perennial legislative issues like Everglades restoration, regional transit and funding for water improvements.

And, like past years, the county also opposes any legislation that would pass any costs down to the county, (the so-called "unfunded mandates) such as legislation that would require voters to present proof of citizenship at the polls and get a voter ID card.

Download broward_legislative_package.pdf .

New depo in gun-pulling pol case.

On a busy Thanksgiving Eve, a peeved Miramar City Commissioner Fitzroy Salesman got in line at a crowded grocery store and told the young customer in front of him to move to another line.

The customer, 18-year-old Lazavius Hudson of Miami, didn't budge.

Hudson told Salesman, ''I don't care how many f-----g items I got, if I wanna stay in this line I'm finna (sic) stay in this line,'' according to a deposition recently released by the Broward State Attorney's office.

More here

Did property tax vote kill elected mayor proposal in Broward?

A plan to change the make-up of the Broward County Commission won't go to voters in November, with some opponents saying Tuesday's property tax vote was a sign voters wouldn't approve any plans that would expand the size of government.

After three hours of debate, the county's Charter Review Commission rejected several proposed changes on Wednesday, included a suggested referendum to create an 11-member commission by adding an at-large mayor and county commissioner. The proposal, which won on initial vote in December, fell well short of the votes it needed to land on the November ballot.

One big question in the debate: What were voters voting for when the approved Tuesday's property tax referendum? Were they voting for less government? Were they voting for more efficient government? Or were they just voting to lower their property taxes?

There didn't seem to be much consensus...on that question or on much else.

Read more here.

Fixture in Broward politics on the ropes

Hollywood Mayor Mara Giulianti, who's been in office for most of the last two decades, is facing her strongest challenger in years. And it shows.

Her ads portray Hollywood Commissioner Peter Bober as pro-development -- even though he has voted against new projects more than anyone else on the commission. She even has the gall to criticize him for voting for development that she, too, supported. And though she's outspending him more than 3 to 1, a underground committee linked to lobbyist Ron Book, a Giuliani supporter, is producing illegal ads attacking Bober.

Catch up on what's happening in Hollywood here and here. And read the Herald's endorsement of Bober here.

Geller says he'll run for Broward commission seat

Sen. Steve Geller announced Tuesday that he plans to run for the Broward County Commission after he leaves his state Senate seat in 2008.

Geller, D-Cooper City, said Tuesday that he will be opening a campaign finance account this week to begin his run for the County Commission in 2010.

Right now, Geller, who serves as the Senate's minority leader until he is term-limited out in 2008, said he plans to run for Commissioner Sue Gunzburger's District 6 commission seat. But he said that could change if voters approve a proposed referendum to add two countywide commission seats, a plan moving through the county's Charter Review Commission.

"Until we know what seats will be available, I can't say with certainty I will be running for seat 6," Geller said.

Geller's Cooper City home lies outside the southeast Broward commission district, but its boundaries line up with the heart of his current Senate seat. And the longtime state legislator said he has conducted polling that shows he has greater name recognition in the area than Gunzburger does.

"It's an area I've represented to 20 years," he said. "It's a seat where I have practiced law for 25 years."

So far, no one has filed plans to run with the Broward Supervisor of Elections, but Gunzburger did issue a statement Tuesday morning saying she plans to run for re-election.

"I'm not panicked about this challenge, so let's first get past the 2008 elections," she said in a press release.

Geller was elected to the Legislature in 1988 when he won a seat in the Florida House, and he has served in the Senate since 1998. Geller has focused heavily on local government issues. Most of the county's parimutuels lie in his district, and he has gained a reputation as the Legislature's resident expert in gaming regulation.

Dinner and a (drag) show to raise money for LaFontaine

Mark LaFontaine, who hopes to become the first openly gay member of the Florida Legislature by winning the seat about to be left open by state Rep. Jack Seiler, is getting a little help from a current openly gay elected official.

U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, a Massachusetts Democrat and openly gay member of Congress, will help LaFontaine raise money at two events on Jan. 13.

Frank, who serves as the chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, will appear at a closed-door fundraiser at a Wilton Manors home that morning. But for the evening event, the campaign was looking for something "a little more off-beat," said Stephen Gaskill, LaFontaine's spokesman.

Their choice? Lips, a bar and restaurant in Oakland Park, known for "drag dining."

"We thought it would be something that people would turn out for," Gaskill said. "There are always fundraisers for $100 or $150, where you get the same thing. We thought it would be fun to have dinner and a show at an unusual location."

Definitely not your typical campaign fundraiser. Check out info here.

Rep. Klein touts Congress' record for Broward Commission

The Broward County Commission greeted a special guest Tuesday, when it took a break to hear from U.S. Rep. Ron Klein. Klein, D-Boca Raton, used his visit to tout some of South Florida's congressional achievements this year. On the list: spending reform, Everglades restoration funding, and $144 million in federal funding for Broward.

And the presidential candidates weren't the only ones talking about change today. Klein also used the visit to talk about worries that the country might be on the wrong track and praised Congress for agreeing to change -- at least when it came to granting committee posts.

"One of the most important responsibilities of any public official is to be accountable to the people we represent," Klein said. "I think there's a lot of frustration and there continues to be a lot of frustration about whether the county is moving in the right direction."

Campbell: I can beat Jeff Atwater

Former state Sen. Skip Campbell is thinking about his New Year's resolution for 2008 and it goes something like this: beat Jeff Atwater, the North Palm Beach Republican senator (whose Senate district has favored Dems in some recent elections.)

"I may be coming back,'' Campbell told the Miami Herald on Friday. "The Democrats are trying to get me to run against Jeff Atwater.''

Campbell said he will make up his mind after the New Year but, he says, in his unsuccessful run for attorney general last year, Campbell won in Atwater's district "and three polls show I can win again.''

Two weeks ago, Atwater was just named by his Republican colleagues the incoming Senate president, in line to replace Ken Pruitt in 2009.

Lauderdale's Moore seeks county post

Fort Lauderdale Commissioner Carlton Moore announced Monday that he plans to leave his city government seat to run for the Broward County Commission.

Moore said he will challenge longtime incumbent John Rodstrom for his Central Broward commission
seat in District 7. Moore said he would like to see the county focus more on fostering economic development along the beach and improving transportation.

The district, which Rodstrom has held since 1992, includes parts of Davie, Plantation, Dania Beach and downtown Fort Lauderdale. It also includes unincorporated areas such as Broadview Park, Boulevard
Gardens, Franklin Park and Lafayette Park.

Read more here.

Wasserman-Rubin agrees to $1,000 fine in ethics case

Broward County Commissioner Diana Wasserman-Rubin has agreed to pay $1,000 for violating state ethics laws when she voted on grant applications written by her husband.

In 2003, Wasserman-Rubin cast votes on land purchases based on grant applications that her husband, Richard Rubin, wrote for the town of Southwest Ranches.

Ethics investigators say those votes resulted in a $15,000 bonus for Rubin.

Florida law prohibits elected officials from voting on issues that will financially benefit themselves or an immediate relative.

Now, under the agreement worked out with state ethics investigators, Wasserman-Rubin has agreed to pay the $1,000 fine, acknowledge that she should have abstained from the vote and agree to a public reprimand.

The Florida Commission on Ethics will decide whether to accept the deal on Friday.

Broward County names Lois Wexler new mayor

   Broward County commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to make former Broward School Board member Lois Wexler the county's mayor for the upcoming year.

   Wexler has spent the last year serving as the county's vice mayor, and she will take over for outgoing Mayor Josephus Eggelletion Jr., who ended his one-year term during Tuesday's meeting. Commissioners also voted to name former state legislator Stacy Ritter the county's new vice mayor, which puts Ritter in line to become the county's next mayor.

   The Broward County Commission manages spending for the county's parks, libraries, buses and other services. It also oversees the county's airports and Port Everglades.

   As mayor, Wexler will run commission meetings and set its priorities for the next year. She also will represent the commission at public events throughout the year. And she will guide the county through the selection of a new county administrator and through a controversial runway expansion at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.

Commissioner arrested for brandishing a gun

Apparently ticked off because the self-checkout line wasn't open, Miramar City Commissioner Fitzroy Salesman, pulled out a semiautomatic at a local Winn-Dixie, "causing shoppers to scurry in fear."

Read more about the Thanksgiving Eve gun incident here.

Shak - not Shaq - seeks Sheriff post

Shahrukh ''Shak'' Dhanji, a state human relations commissioner, filed paperwork today to run for Broward sheriff in 2008.

But Dhanji has insisted his website www.shakforsheriff.com isn't a play on the fact that Miami Heat basketball star Shaquille O'Neal has said in the past that he wants to be sheriff. O'Neal hasn't been specific about when or where he'll run for sheriff.

Dhanji applied to Gov. Charlie Crist to be appointed as sheriff after Ken Jenne resigned in September. But Crist chose Al Lamberti, previously a major at Broward Sheriff's Office.

Lamberti, who is a Republican and has the support of the rank and file, has said he will run. No Democrat with countywide name recognition has committed to running in 2008.

Jenne heads to prison for a year and a day

Former Broward Sheriff Ken Jenne was sented to sentenced him to 12 months and one day in a federal prison on fraud and tax-evasion charges Friday morning. His wife, Caroline, wept as the sentence was pronounced in the federal courthouse in downtown Fort Lauderdale. Jenne, 60, was taken immediately into custody by federal marshals. He will serve in a minimum security facility. The location of the jail was not announced.

Read story here.

Water waste at water meeting

Broward politicians and officials gathered for a breakfast this morning to discuss solutions to the region's water shortage crisis.

Tamarac City Commissioner Patte Atkins-Grad was miffed that the tables were filled with glasses of water -- many of which went untouched.

"This is a water summit and it irritates me to see all this wasted water,'' she told the crowd.

Atkins-Grad has encouraged restaurants in Tamarac to stop serving water to diners unless they ask for it.

Speakers talked about the need for Broward cities to work together to find additional sources of water including everything from waterless urinals to treating salty water. But no one talked about the cost. Chip Merriam, deputy executive director of the South Florida Water Management District, has said in the past that the price to develop new sources of water could cost in the billions.

Butterworth among those to plead for Jenne leniency

A parade of the politically powerful made its way to the federal courthouse in Fort Lauderdale Friday morning to speak kindly of former Sheriff Ken Jenne, who was to be sentenced for defrauding the public. Among the supporters was a predecessor in the sheriff's job, Bob Butterworth.

''[He] made a tremendous difference in Broward County,'' the former sheriff and Florida attorney general said of Jenne. ``Not just for this generation, but for others.''

Read story here.

Public corruption expert for Broward sheriff?

Bruce Udolf, a well-known defense attorney, said he will decide very soon whether to run for Broward sheriff.

"If I do decide to run it's because I think I can bring something important to the table regarding the issue of public integrity which is basically my area of specialty,'' he said.

The 55-year-old Southwest Ranches Democrat has never worked as a police officer, but his experience going after corrupt public officials might appeal to voters.

Udolf previously served as assistant U.S. Attorney in South Florida overseeing public corruption cases. He also worked on the Whitewater investigation of former President Bill Clinton. He has worked as a defense attorney for the past nine years in high profile cases including representing one of the Hollywood officers busted in a federal drug sting.

Sheriff Al Lamberti, appointed by Gov. Charlie Crist in September after Ken Jenne stepped down, has said he will run. He'll be a tough opponent because he has countywide name recognition, a long career in law enforcement and the support of the rank and file. But Lamberti is a Republican who will face a partisan crowd on election day in 2008.

Officially, the candidates to file paperwork indicating they are running are Billy Davison, plumber; J.M. Evans, private investigator; Richard Lemack, assistant Hollywood city manager; Philip Sweeting, former Boca Raton deputy police chief, and Wiley Thompson III, former aide under Jenne.

Hollywood official to run for sheriff

Hollywood assistant city manager Richard Lemack filed paperwork Tuesday indicating that he will run for Broward Sheriff in 2008.

Lemack will have to work hard to gain name recognition outside of Hollywood to take on Sheriff Al Lamberti who was appointed by Gov. Charlie Crist after Ken Jenne stepped down. Lamberti, a law enforcement veteran, is popular with the rank and file in the BSO.

But Lemack has party affiliation in his favor: he is a Democrat in a county in which Democrats outnumber Republicans two to one. Lamberti is a Republican. State Sen. Skip Campbell, a well-known politician in Broward, has said that he will probably support Lemack.

Lemack has held his current city hall gig since 2002. He previously served as the city's assistant chief of police.

Jenne is expected to face up to two years in prison when he is sentenced later this month for tax evasion and mail fraud conspiracy.

The other candidates who have filed to run for sheriff are J.M. Evans, a private investigator; Billy Davison, a plumber; Philip Sweeting, former Boca Raton deputy police chief and Wiley Thompson III, former administrator under Jenne. Evans is a Republican while the rest of the field are Democrats.

Political novice to take on Rodstrom

A law student who has never run for political office in the past has filed paperwork indicating he will challenge Broward County Commissioner John Rodstrom in 2008.

Mark Morales, 30, will graduate from Nova Southeastern University's law school in May.

"I'm about to finish school,'' said the Davie resident. "I figured it was time that I ran for something.''

Rodstrom has been a county commissioner since 1992. The district spans Dania Beach, Davie, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood and Plantation.

A key issue in the campaign will likely be the candidates' views on airport expansion. In June, commissioners voted to lengthen the south runway. Rodstrom was on the losing side of that vote and has been a frequent critic of airport expansion.

Morales said he supports airport expansion.

"I understand South Florida is very dependent on tourism,'' he said.

Both candidates are Democrats.

Hutchinson for Fort Lauderdale Mayor?

A few weeks after she dumped the Republican Party, Fort Lauderdale City Commissioner Cindi Hutchinson has announced she'll run for mayor in 2009.

Hutchinson, who faces term limits, said today that she plans to run for the seat.

Hutchinson denies that her October switch to the Democratic Party had anything to do with her political plans. She said she's always been a liberal pro-choice Republican and didn't identify with the party.

The race is nonpartisan, but 49 percent of the city's voters are Democrats while 29 percent are Republicans.

Many candidates are expected to jump into the race to replace term-limited Mayor Jim Naugle. State Rep. Jack Seiler (D-Wilton Manors), who faces term limits in 2008, plans to run. Seiler, who grew up in Fort Lauderdale, said he plans to move back to the city in a couple of months.

Seiler switched from independent to Democrat in 1999 before he ran for the state Legislature.

GOP embraces new Broward sheriff

The Broward Women’s Republican Club Federated is taking newly appointed Broward County Sheriff Al Lamberti under its wing, inviting activists to meet him at a luncheon Wedneday in Oakland Park.

Broward Republicans are feeling just a little outnumbered these days. As the invite notes, all of the county commissioners, school board members and constitutional officers -- except for the newly appointed sheriff -- are Democrats. "He will be running for re-election in 2008 and we need to be there to help him," it reads.

For more information, go to www.BrowardRepublicanWomen.org

Shak for Sheriff?

The website for Shahrukh "Shak'' Dhanji, a Florida Human Rights Commissioner and potential Broward sheriff's candidate, is www.shakforsheriff.com, but he insists the address isn't a play on the Miami Heat star with an interest in law enforcement.

Dhanji said he was known as "Shak'' before Shaquille O'Neal was known as "Shaq."

"It's a nickname that has been used from time to time,"  said Dhanji. "I think I am older than he is."

Dhanji said his website was set up by a friend when he was seeking the appointed sheriff's position and that he'll take it down until he decides by Monday whether to run for the job in 2008. Gov. Charlie Crist appointed Al Lamberti to the job on Friday, with a term expiring next November.

O'Neal has said in the past that he's interested in working as a sheriff or undercover police officer in the future -- although he hasn't been specific about when. As a Miami Beach police reserve officer, he's helped officers solve a missing person's case and catch a hit-and-run driver.

--AMY SHERMAN

Gravel, Hugh Rodham agree to meet Broward Dems

A vow by most of the Democratic presidential candidates to swear off Florida campaigning after the state bumped its primary to Jan. 29 hasn't stopped Broward's Democratic clubs from trying to find alternate (albeit less famous) presidential speakers.

So although voters will have to pay for closed-door fundraisers to see candidates like Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, Deerfield Beach Democratic Club members will be meeting the former First Lady's brother, Hugh Rodham at a fundraising dinner-rally on Dec. 1.

And Oct. 21, Plantation Democratic Club members will get to chat with Mike Gravel, one of only two Democratic candidates to buck the Florida boycott.

So far, the former Alaska congressman has been little more than an asterisk in most polls, but he did baffle voters and Daily Show viewers with his indecipherable "Rock" video on YouTube.

Crist interviews surprise candidate for sheriff

A high-ranking prosecutor in the U.S. attorney's office who launched the official investigation into former Broward County Sheriff Ken Jenne is now seeking to replace him as interim sheriff.

    Jeff Sloman, a first assistant U.S. attorney, submitted his application to the governor's office on Saturday and met with Gov. Charlie Crist Monday afternoon. Crist said later that Sloman was "impressive" and had been highly recommended by House Democratic Leader Dan Gelber of Miami Beach.

   Sloman recused himself from the Jenne probe immediately because of his ties to the BSO -- he knew several top commanders personally. He said he did not handle the day-to-day operations of the investigation into Jenne's outside businesses but supervised the prosecutors on the case.

   Sloman, a Democrat, has been a federal prosecutor since 1990, first working in the Fort Lauderdale office from 1990 to 2003. He then transferred to the Miami-Dade prosecutor's office in 2003 as head of the Criminal Division, which investigates major violent crimes, economic and environmental crimes, counterterrorism/national security and public corruption.

     Jenne resigned Sept. 4 after confessing to taking tens of thousands of dollars from vendors who did business with BSO without reporting the payments on his tax returns. Jenne pleaded guilty to tax evasion and conspiracy to commit mail fraud. He is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 16 and will likely serve 18 to 24 months in prison.

   Soon after the Florida Department of Law Enforcement initiated an investigation into Jenne's outside businesses in 2005, Sloman and U.S. Attorney Alex Acosta agreed to join forces with the state agency and investigate the sheriff.

   Sloman, 49, decided to apply for the interim position after being approached several weeks ago by house Democratic leader Dan Gelber, a close Crist friend. Gelber approached Sloman several times and, after conferring with a number of people, Sloman decided to apply for the interim position.

     "I never thought of applying for the position until Gelber came up to me..." Sloman said. "He encouraged me to submit an application. I spoke with my wife and with Gelber again, asking him what I had to do to apply for the position."

   The interim sheriff will serve until a new sheriff is elected in November 2008.  Al Lamberti, 53, was named acting sheriff until Crist selects an interim sheriff.

   Sloman is one of 18 people who have applied for the interim job.

 

Hutchinson feeling blue

Fort Lauderdale City Commissioner Cindi Hutchinson switched her party registration Tuesday from Republican to Democrat, according to voter registration records.

Hutchinson said she's always been a liberal, prochoice Republican and has opposed the Iraq war.

"For the last eight months or so I have not aligned myself with the Republican Party and the decisions they have been making at the federal level and state level," she said.

Hutchinson faces term limits in March 2009, so the party switch is fueling speculation that she's contemplating a run for another elected office. Her chances at winning another elected office in Broward are much better as a Democrat because Democrats outnumber Republicans two to one.

Hutchinson insisted she won't run for a county position and probably won't run for the state Legislature either. But she left open the possibility of running for Fort Lauderdale mayor.

"You never know," she said.

The Fort Lauderdale politician said she doesn't remember why she switched parties before. She registered as a Democrat in 1990 and changed to a Republican in September 1999 -- a few months before she won her first nonpartisan seat on the City Commission.

New sheriff in town wants to stay

Broward Acting Sheriff Al Lamberti has officially applied for the position of interim sheriff.

Lamberti is one of eight people seeking an appointment from Gov. Charlie Crist until November 2008, when the interim sheriff would have to pass muster with the voters. If appointed, Lamberti will have the advantage of incumbency in next year's election. But he is a Republican in a county where Democrats outnumber GOP voters nearly 2 to 1.

Crist appointed Lamberti as the acting sheriff earlier this month after Ken Jenne plead guilty to earning tens of thousands of dollars in unreported income.