Mar 23, 2006 6:16 pm US/Eastern
Attempt To Fire Miami's City Manager Fails
Commissioner Tomas Regalado Introduced Motion To Fire Joe Arriola
Regalado Did Not Get Needed Support To Pass Motion
by Gary Nelson
MIAMI (CBS4 News) ―
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Miami City Commissioner Tomas Regalado
CBS4 News
Miami City Manager Joe Arriola came under fire at City Hall Thursday as Commissioner Tomas Regalado introduced a motion to have Arriola fired. It was, however, a failed attempt.
During the Thursday morning commission meeting, Regalado motioned for a vote on whether to fire the manager, but could not get the needed support from a second commissioner to support his measure.
Arriola is at the center of controversies involving Miami's fire-fee fiasco and a business partnership with Mayor Manny Diaz and City Commissioner Johnny Winton.
Diaz, a close ally of the manager, has said repeatedly he has no plans to fire Arriola, despite widespread calls for his ouster. Diaz allies hold four of the five seats on the city commission, with Regalado the only dissenter.
Arriola has been criticized for his role in a $7 million settlement, or refund, of a city fire fee that was later ruled unconstitutional.
That settlement -- since voided by a judge -- went to just seven people, rather than city taxpayers as a class, and was roundly criticized as a move by the city to avoid paying a much larger refund.
Several witnesses testified Arriola had a role in reaching the settlement. Arriola denies he was aware that just seven people would get the refund.
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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