Hochkammer, Levine Cava, and Field… what do they all have in common?

Besides having household names in our community, what do Anna Hochkammer, Daniella Levine Cava, and James Field have in common? They all received endorsements by Miami’s Community Newspapers – despite former Pinecrest mayor Cindy Lerner’s objections, claiming we don’t have an “endorsement process.”

Yes, that’s what she said – big and bold and for everyone to see, right on her Facebook.

We have to wonder, however, why was the newspaper’s so-called non-existent process fine and dandy two years ago when we endorsed Anna for Pinecrest Council; and in July of this year, Daniella’s run for re-election to County Commission.

And why now that we’ve thrown our backing at James for Pinecrest Council Seat 4, is Cindy suddenly up in arms? Smells like sour grapes…

Her rant didn’t end there, though. She went on to question, “who is this Fields guy, a single guy.” Well, for your edification, Cindy, this guy’s name is Field – without the “s” (please feel free to verify the correct spelling in the reprint of his endorsement further inside this edition).

But wait a minute, let’s back up a little. What’s with this weirdly random “single guy” reference? What’s wrong with that? Both Bob Hingston, who served 10 years on the dais in Pinecrest Council, and Leslie Bowe, who served eight years, were single. Was the Village Charter mysteriously changed somehow, disallowing single men from serving? Moreover, would you have a problem with a single woman running?

Oh, for the record, Cindy, I’m single too. I hope that’s ok with you?

It seems a little crazy that I am even responding to a social-media rant, but please indulge me a bit longer. Because Cindy next attacks the Miami Dade County Police Benevolent Association, stating they endorsed James because they want a guaranteed vote on the dais in Pinecrest. Umm, if that were the reason, why did Katie Abbott go for the PBA interview, as Anna did two years ago – before proudly accepting their endorsement?

Here’s another one she snuck in. Apparently, Cindy wants James to prove he lives in Pinecrest. She goes on to say, “Does he? I don’t believe he does.” This is totally absurd, even for you, Cindy. I’ve been to James’s house, and perhaps he would have welcomed you over, too, once all his major renovation work is completed – well, maybe not now…

Her lengthy list of phony baloney finally concluded with an ominous thud: “Don’t be fooled…”

To which we say, yes, don’t be fooled by unfounded conjecture and misinformation. There’s too much of that going on these days.

So, Pinecrest voters, let’s just stick with the facts – and believe us when we say, this highly qualified Field guy is the right guy to serve our community as the next Seat 4 Councilmember.


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9 COMMENTS

  1. Andrew – your question is on point, and as someone who has served in on several Pinecrest community advisory boards/committees over the years (Community Center, Mayor’s Educational Advisory, Communications, Transportation, etc) I can tell you that James Field has had no demonstrable involvement in Pinecrest to date except campaigning. Traditionally, candidates for Council have served on a meaningly committee or two at a minimum, and generally begin to attend ALL of the community and council meetings early in an election year (if not sooner) to familiar themselves with local issues. I do not know anyone that has ever even seen Mr. Field at a community advisory board meeting or even the Inspire Pinecrest series of community engagement forums this year. We are a relatively small community, and the people who volunteer their time generally know who is active in the community and who is not. Mr. Field is definitely a “not active”. It is my understanding he only attended his first Village Council meeting this month. His opponent, Katie Abbott, has served on the zoning review board (and other committees) and is endorsed by its current chair and another member. And this “PTA mom” (with a masters from Columbia) raised over $500K for Pinecrest Elementary and Palmetto Middle to enhance our public schools – a key factor in maintaining the value of our homes, even if you don’t have kids in public schools.

  2. Can you really call someone a bully when you’re online, using a pseudonym, to name call and accuse, without providing proof, of stealing signs?

    I’m undecided still on who I’m voting for. This is Grant’s newspaper. Newspapers can print their opinions, and a citizen like Cindy can disagree.

    The part of Cindy’s post that concerns me the most about James, is that shes says he is not involved with any school, village committee or project in Pinecrest, and that’s the only aspect that’s not being addressed. So is that allegation true?

  3. Cindy Lerner is a bully who doesn’t like that there’s someone running against her little pet, Katie Abbott. They’re both bullies. They’ve been stealing the opposing candidate’s signs and slandering him. Bullies.

  4. Lots of empty endorsements out there that have no required criteria or record keeping for accountability. Perhaps Community Newspapers should lead by example, publish their own, or even conduct an investigation into the veracity of the endorsement processes that affect our local elections.

  5. So Cindy Lerner chose to “rant” on her personal Facebook page? That seems like an appropriate place to do so…regardless of whether you agree or disagree with her point of view. It’s her page. The perfect place for her opinion. Mr. Miller chose to publish his rant as a poorly written article in our community newspaper…extremely inappropriate and wholly unprofessional. Mr. Miller came across as a vindictive person going after someone with whom he has a history. I have to assume emotions got in the way of his composition skills amd judgement in publishing such a thing. This was not an Op-Ed section and Mr. Miller clearly abused his power with this article. I hope the Tribune will reconsider articles like this in the future.

  6. Dear Albert: Thank You for your reply and any time you will like to talk or meet with me to review your thoughts please call 305.323.8206 Grant Miller

  7. This is a community newspaper and Mr. Grant Miller’s opinion is his own and not the commuynity’s opinion or reflective of our community’s best interest.
    Mr. Miller should stop using a community newspaper to promote his ideas and opinions – even if he is the publisher.We not need someone that use his power as publisher to create divisions in our community.
    I used to enjoy receiving the Pinecrest Tribune but not anymore given Mr. Miller’s vitriolic writings.

  8. Absolutely RIGHT ON point. AND TRUE. I also grew up in Pinecrest. Horrible disgrace that Village residents are subjected to the carbon copy playbook of radical duplicitious personal character assasination as opposed to “civil discourse” limited to issues and ideas in election processes here and afar. “We the People” have the ultimate responsibility on Election
    Day. Thomas Jefferson words are as relevant now as when first spoken: “If we are to guard against ignorance and remain free, it is the responsibility of every American to be informed”.

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