Billy Corben Instagram – While Miami Beach was hit by a 1-in-200 year flood, Mayor Steven Meiner and interim city manager Rickelle Williams were missing in action. It turns out, Williams has been on a taxpayer subsidized junket (read: vacation) to Art Basel in Switzerland with Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez, Meiner’s chief of staff Veronica Paysee, and economic development director Heather Shaw.
Nero fiddled while Rome burned — Rickelle Williams partied while Miami Beach drowned.
Residents whose houses and cars were underwater have complained of the city government’s sloppy emergency response and little to no communication via text, email or social media:
City officials ignored the forecast, began distributing sandbags the day AFTER the flood!
Mayor Meiner — the subject of a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission HR investigation into sexual harassment allegations by three women in the SEC’s Miami office where he works — has been radio silent until an email on Friday night, days after the storm hit.
It took @MiamiBeachPD FIVE HOURS to respond and redirect traffic on Alton Road where dozens of cars were stuck, people were fishing for tarpon in the street, and walking their dogs on kayaks!
Despite piles of debris, there are no bulk trash pickups available until late next week!
One resident told me: “During a historic flash flood emergency, emergency response has been ad hoc at best. Everyone in the government seems to be on vacation while we’re here suffering. Leadership has abandoned us.” @davidsuarezmb | Posted on 16/Jun/2024 01:28:37
