City Hall Bloodbath? Not So Fast, Miami
Regalado promised change, how soon it will come is another matter
By HANK TESTER
Updated 12:30 PM EST, Thu, Nov 5, 2009
Tomas Regalado has always been a low-key kind of guy. He is a radio announcer and has a TV show, but on the stump he is not going to blow you over.
But don't let Reglado's subdued style fool you. When Regalado, Miami's newly-elected Mayor, sets his sights on a project he is relentless. On Tuesday night he promised change in City Hall and that's a pledge that is written in stone.
But "not so fast "some Regalado advisers are saying. They understand that the new mayor's support from the police union will be the driving force behind the exit of Police Chief John Timoney. Reporters that have covered the police department do not envision a formal sacking of the tough Irish cop, though Reglado has already sent word that Timoney must go.
Canning Timoney is up to City Manager Peter Hernandez and knowing Hernandez, a true gentleman, it's likely he'll urge the chief to exit with a press conference, full of praise from the current mayor while announcing a future consulting on national and international police issues based out of Miami.
Regalado is also setting his sights on the rest of the appointed positions he has inherited. That concerns movers and shakers in and out of Dinner Key. The City Manager, and all the department heads will go through a vetting process. Regalado certainly knows where the bodies are and probably already has a good idea of who will stay and who will pack up. Regalado wants to make changes fast. He wants to make cuts in head counts and has already reduced his own salary.
"We do not want to see the City crippled," a City Hall insider said. "The City must function in the short term, we need an evolution not a revolution."
The question is will the new Mayor listen or will there be a bloodbath the day after the inauguration? Looking back on the past for clues -- his track record of saying no is infamous -- it's for certain that derailing Tomas Regalado is all but impossible.
Hank Tester has been covering news and politics in South Florida since 1992.
First Published: Nov 5, 2009 11:02 AM EST
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