Democracy. Miami Batistano style. No elections needed.

Miami Commission seat goes vacant -- for a few hours
http://www.miamiherald.com/1374/story/1217776.html

For the first time in 13 years, the city of Miami's most western district, the Flagami area, was not represented by Tomás Regalado.

But that only lasted for a little more than 10 hours.

That's because in order to qualify to run for Miami mayor in November, Regalado, whose commission post doesn't expire until 2011, had to proffer a letter of resignation by midnight, Sept. 4.

By early Friday morning, though, Regalado was back in his familiar seat on the end of the dais. Commissioners passed a motion appointing the 13-year commissioner to his former seat for the next two months.

Then, in a bizarre scene even by Miami's standards, Regalado was sworn back into office by City Clerk Priscilla Thompson.

``I feel great. I get to be commissioner again without an election,'' Regalado said.

But only for two months.

That's because the legal maneuver required to allow Regalado to regain his seat also allows him to run for the city's mayoral slot against Commission Chairman Joe Sanchez in November.

The moves also paved the way for the city to announce the race for Regalado's commission seat, also on Nov. 3.

At least six candidates are expected to qualify for that race. They are: Francis Suarez, Manolo Reyes, Oscar Rodriguez-Fonts, Denis Rod, Andres ``Andy'' Carlos Vallina and Franklin ``Pancho'' Monjarrez.

The six are currently signed up to run for the District 4 seat in 2011. They now must submit a letter to the city clerk telling of their intention to run in November.