1675-20 New Hotels THE MIAMI HERALD
Copyright (c) 1997, The Miami Herald
DATE: Thursday, October 23, 1997 EDITION: Final
SECTION: Neighbors MB PAGE: 3 LENGTH: 139 lines
SOURCE/CREDIT LINE: By RICK JERVIS Herald Staff Writer
MEMO: See CAMPAIGN HELP at end of text
KASDIN REFUSES CONTRIBUTIONS FROM SOME DEVELOPERS
Miami Beach mayoral candidate Neisen Kasdin is sticking to his pledge to
refuse campaign donations from high-rise developers with pending projects at
City Hall.
But he doesn't seem to mind taking money from high-rise developers who have
already built them.
Kasdin's campaign finance report, filed Oct. 3, shows a $300 contribution
from Gumenick Properties, the group that built the 33-story Floridian luxury
rental tower on West Avenue.
But Kasdin, who so far has amassed close to $170,000, said his promise was
to refuse money from high-rise developers who have pending or proposed
projects before the city.
Kasdin made his promise earlier in the race to strengthen his stance as a
supporter of controlled development.
"No one who has contributed is contemplating a high-rise development that
I know of, " Kasdin said. "The only people who have contributed manage
properties or restore historic properties. Rehab developers do a good thing
for the community. "
Contribution records for Commissioner David Pearlson, Kasdin's main rival,
show he has rounded up $76,000, though new fund-raising activities have him
closer to $100,000.
Included in Pearlson's contributors: two $500 checks each from Century Duty
Free and Century Concessions, two companies owned by Sergio Pino, the
influential builder and businessman who has been spreading his money in
municipal election races all over Dade County.
Pino, former president of the Latin Builders Association, made headlines
earlier this week by donating more than $15,000 to candidates in Hialeah and
Miami.
At the behest of Metro-Dade Mayor Alex Penelas, Pino also bought tickets to
a Pearlson fund-raising event last week.
The other four mayoral candidates in the race have raised $35,000 between
them.