Posted on 08/15/2006 8:45:53 PM PDT by stainlessbanner
ORLANDO, Fla. -- The mug shot of Orlando's mayor could be coming to a billboard near you. Someone mailed postcards criticizing Mayor Buddy Dyer and promised to put the same message on ten, 40-foot billboards around the city.
A spokesman for Mayor Buddy Dyer said he had not seen this postcard until Channel 9 started asking questions about it. Each of his fellow commissioners received one in the mail with a small clue about the motivation behind it.
The message couldn't be any bolder, but it's the small print that gives the most information. Tucked beneath Dyer's mug shot from his arrest last year, and the claim that if it were you you'd get ten years in jail, is the phrase "postcard inspired by Jose Fernandez."
"Jose Fernandez has his finger in everything going on out of city hall in the Hispanic community," said Danny Ramos.
Ramos is admittedly angry with the administration and Fernandez, who spent time as the city clerk and as Dyer's chief of staff. Ramos said Fernandez and Dyer cut him out of his own deal to launch a Hispanic business incubator, but he said he's not responsible for the postcards.
"I was involved to the point that I have knowledge of it," he said.
Ramos said a group of University of Central Florida students, who will remain anonymous, created the card and the large-scale promise printed on the back. The card says the image will begin appearing as ten 40-foot billboards beginning October 2006.
"This particular billboard will create vulnerability and get the message out that things aren't right in city hall," Ramos said.
And at city hall, the mayor's spokeswoman said the smear campaign is what's wrong.
"Charges were dropped and cleared 15 months ago and it's just unfortunate that individuals with these personal motivations would try and detract from the mayor moving the city's vision forward," said the Mayor's spokesperson, Brie Turek.
Ramos said Fernandez's current actions as senior advisor for business development incited the students to launch the grassroots effort with billboards that speak for the Hispanic community.
"There may be one there may be two but not ten. I think that was really their reaction to create a reaction," Ramos said.
Channel 9 tried to contact Fernandez for comment about being the inspiration for the postcard. He did not return calls, but his attorney called it outrageous conduct and said they are considering legal action against the people responsible.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating Fernandez and his involvement with the Hispanic Business Initiative Fund. That non-profit received a funding increase from the city after Fernandez started working for the mayor. Fernandez also received a $5,000 payment from the organization after he left.
Buddy's a Dem
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