I finally figured out why we are still waiting for a ruling out of Miami regarding the sex offender residency restrictions challenge filed by the public defender's office.
A trial on the issue had been scheduled for August with Judge Edward Newman presiding and Judges Sam Slom, Beth Bloom, Jose Fernandez, Mary Jo Francis, Maria Ortiz, Louis Krieger-Martin, Norma Lindsey, and Antonio Arzola all attending.
One of these judges is running for reelection.
That would be Antonio Arzola.
The rumor coming out of Miami is the ruling could be adverse. But as time goes on without a word, I'm beginning to wonder adverse for who?
Adverse to Arzola in the form of bad press should the ruling be against the county?
Is it possible the judges are holding off until the Election before tossing out the county ordinance?
Another funny--not so much ha ha, but flat incredulous....during my research of Antonio Arzola, I found the judge listed as an University of Miami School of Law Donor, Class of 1995.
Also listed as a donor?
Lobbyist Ron Book, Donor Robert L. Waters Endowed Scholarship Fund (page 29).
The same Ron Book who spoke before the judges during the preliminary hearing last June held on this same issue.
The same Ron Book chosen to chair the Community Affairs Affordable Housing Alliance. CASHA is the primary voice that Miami-Dade county commissioners will take direction from as they consider how to spend millions of dollars in funding for low and affordable housing to citizens of low to moderate income.
That would be the same county commission that listened to Mr. Book and as a result, implemented a residency restriction ordinance that all but banishes persons designated as sex offenders out of Miami.
Any one else starting to see a bit of a pattern here?
