Rumors About Front-Runner Dale Holness Is Really About Opposition To Black Political Power
BY BUDDY NEVINS
The rumors have followed Dale Holness throughout his 11 years on the Broward County Commission.
And the rumormongers have gone into high gear since Holness’ announced his campaign to replace U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings, who died on April, 6 after more than 28 years in Congress.
The overarching theme of these rumors: Holness is bent.
So far I’ve never seen any proof of these allegations. No proof at all.
It’s just 11 years of whispers. Allegations. Unsigned emails.
If anybody has real proof that Holness is involved in wrongdoing, send it along to Browardbeat@hotmail.com. Or to my pal Tony Man at aman@sunsentinel.com.
The late Alcee Hastings (with grey beard) and Dale Holness. Hastings’ son is supporting Holness.
To date it is really just rumors. Rumors spread by political insiders and the subtext is clear.
It’s the Good ‘Ol Boys versus the Good New Boys.
Holness is representative of the new Broward.
Broward’s new politics is largely black.
There is a largely white business community that has benefitted from government spending for a generation. Holness has insisted these insiders share the spoils with people who look like him.
White insiders don’t like it.
Those with power and money seldom want to give up any of it.
I saw a realignment like the one going on now more than a generation ago. Starting in the mid 1970s, largely Jewish retirees from the New York area moved into West Broward condos in big numbers. They quickly took over politics here.
One year Republicans held sway over everything from the School Board to city halls to the Legislative delegation.The next year any Democrat with a Jewish last name could get elected.
What followed was a dramatic change in government.
When Jews had the votes, Jewish-owned firms started getting government business. These firms were helped by a new crop of Jewish lobbyists. New Jewish law firms found their way into the courthouse helped by judges that the retirees from New York put on the bench.
Today it’s the blacks turn.
Broward is fast becoming a county with politics dominated by black Democrats.
The reason?
Some old white voters died. Some white voters moved out. Mostly blacks moved in.
Many white insiders are upset about the change. They have been in the driver’s seat for a long time and now they may have to ride in the back. Arguably Broward’s most successful black politician, Holness is a lightening rod for this animosity.
Yes, there are many other successful black politicians. Yet Holness is the only one with a political machine with tentacles in almost every corner of Broward.
No doubt he learned some lessons growing up in Jamaica where the entire political structure has been black-run for generations.
One lesson was the long game. For years Holness has been building a cadre of candidates he supported for office in city halls, the School Board, the courthouse and the Capitol.
Now this cadre is being called upon to support him for Congress.
Some have already surfaced. Mayor Dean Trantalis of Fort Lauderdale and Hazelle Rogers of Lauderdale Lakes, Sheriff Greg Tony and Clerk of the Courts Brenda Forman are just a few of those who announced support for Holness.
There are other candidates who want Hastings’ seat in Congress. County Commissioner Barbara Sharief and state Sen. Perry Thurston, if he enters the race, are formidable candidates.
But Holness is on top…for now.
He has momentum, as reflected in the two stories about his campaign on Page 1 of the Sun-Sentinel on subsequent days this week.
When you on the top of the mountain everybody will try to pull you down. That’s why the rumors about him have intensified.
Holness will surely be the target of attack ads in this campaign. Can Holness’ grass roots strength built up over years offset the attacks?
In an interesting twist, some white entrenched insiders are supporting Holness. They told me they would be happy to have him off the County Commission and in Washington where he can’t interfere with their business. Where he can’t lean on them to give up part of their contracts.
This twist is just another indication of how much in this race is about Holness.
And how much we will be hearing about the man from Jamaica during the next few months.
April 14th, 2021 at 4:35 pm
Carpe diem Dale Holness.
Holness will get the seat unless the Palm Beach County candidates upset the count, as I understand Holiness needs 50%+1,or a runoff is required. Holness presence in Broward at city and county level only (no Tally) is a huge advantage. The others who went to Tally and term limited or about to be have exactly what to show from their Tally gig? Nothing. The Repub majority saw to that. So they have no record of accomplishments for voters to know. Going to WashDC gets him out of the local scene for those that want him gone.
Cards are held by DeSantis who can delay this till end of 2021. Meanwhile Comm Holness just do your best on BCC dais and serve district 9 and all of Broward.
Sharief may have $$ but did little for those who didn’t get her ear or were in little circle.
April 15th, 2021 at 9:50 am
Thank you for this analysis.
However, you forgot to add that Holness has nothing to lose as he is facing term limits after this term. So is Sharief.
April 15th, 2021 at 10:42 am
#2 great point.Also yes from the buzz the last couple of weeks looks like Comm.Holeness is in the lead.That being stated, don’t blow it.
Just pathetic him and in line w/ Comm.Shariff’s ex( City Comm.Chambers) was so inappropriate.Stating he endorsed Holeness,fine but u did not have to embarrass her… Was just don because Sharief is a woman.Just nasty.
….Comm.Shariff,good luck.I was so turned off by Chambers stunt.Comm.Shariff explain the Medicare debackle and get it behind you.
Dale Holeness and Comm.Chambers,keep it on the issues instead of trying to make Comm.Shariff uncomfortable or your attempt to harass her ( yes)..
April 15th, 2021 at 4:47 pm
1. Unless there is AN INDICTMENT I think whether it is Commissioner Holness OR EVEN CONGRESSMAN GAETZ (who I LOATHE) it is UNFAIR for anything BUT FACTS BASED ON DOCUMENTS to be “hurled” at people.
2. SADLY EVERYTHING MR NEVINS WROTE ABOVE IS TRUE. TO BE FRANK, CONGRESSMAN NADLER who I’ve KNOWN SINCE 1985 IS ADOPTING RADICAL LEFT POSITIONS BECAUSE HIS ORTHODOX (Jewish) BASE IN BROOKLYN HAS BEEN REPLACED WITH PUERTO RICANS N BLACKS WHILE THE OBSERVANT MIDDLE CLASS JEWS IN THE UPPER WEST SIDE HAVE BEEN PRICED OUT OF THE MARKET BY YUPPIES WHO ARE WOKE TO THE SKIES.
3. The Left n Right ARE USING RACE AS THEIR RALLYING CRIES and WE MUST FALL BACK ON DEMOCRACY. VOTING FOR ALL PEOPLE WHO WANT TO VOTE…. EXTRA LEGAL n LEGAL TRICKS by one side or another IS THE ROAD TO PERDITION.
4. The Election in my old Commission District should be decided ON FACTS NOT SMEARS.
April 16th, 2021 at 10:02 pm
Am I being nasty to say IF MR NEVINS SPELLS A CANDIDATE’S NAME CORRECTLY, COMMENTS ABOUT SAID CANDIDATE SHOULD ALSO SPELL THE NAME RIGHT?
FROM BUDDY:
I have misspelled plenty of names over the years including on Browardbeat,com. I used to have copy editors catch my mistakes when I worked for newspapers (Remember those?). My kind readers today usually catch such mistakes and tell me about it.
April 18th, 2021 at 8:02 am
Well if the rumors aren’t true, I expect to see his newly elected State Attorney Harold Pryor endorse him seeing how he did so much to help Pryor.
April 18th, 2021 at 10:02 am
Dale Holness represented his COMMUNITY. He showed no expertise in foreign or domestic affairs. He would join most new members who are unqualified to be in Congress because of their lack of education about issues.
April 18th, 2021 at 11:02 am
Thank u Buddy ( #5).
April 18th, 2021 at 2:19 pm
Many local politicians jump from office to office in an odd hierarchy of town/city office, School Board office, county office, state office or variations of such.
IMHO: Dale Holness will reach his level of incompetence (Peter Principle) if elected to Congress. Of course, he will have plenty of company in that category.
April 18th, 2021 at 4:33 pm
@7.
Well he is originally from Jamaica so he has knowledge about the Caribbean.
S-S reporting suggested primary date Nov 2 and final election Jan 11 to the state of FL secretary of state.
April 18th, 2021 at 6:20 pm
The US Constitution calls for not more than one US Representative per 30,000 people. In light of the recent arguments for court packing, I think we should apply the same logic here. Instead of the 435 perfumed princes and princesses we have today, the number would be over 10,000. These pretenders at greatness would see their stature diminished to the level of city commisioners. Imagine, you could even get one on the phone. Every-day people would qualify and run and win. The house of the people would actually represent us.
April 19th, 2021 at 12:08 pm
Has he finally paid his back taxes?
https://www.local10.com/news/local/2020/09/03/broward-county-mayor-owes-nearly-20000-in-property-taxes/
April 20th, 2021 at 8:17 pm
As usual #11 is talking rubbish. The Constitution sets out rules which Amendments n Laws bring up to date. Honestly Sam the Sham is a Sham.
April 20th, 2021 at 10:39 pm
Now w/ Bobby Dubose in this race along w/ Send.Thurston it’s anybody guess who will prevail.W/ Dubose/ Thurston now in the race means Dale Holeness is no longer in the lead since votes Holeness would get will now be split between Thurston/ Dubose.This is actual good news for Sharif.
April 20th, 2021 at 11:58 pm
Where does Dale Holness live in Congressional District 20?
A quick look at public records on bcpa.net shows Mr. Holness owns 7 properties in Broward (NONE WITH HOMESTEAD), all in his name, not a Corp or LLC (for limiting liability and capital gains minimization purposes), and all but first listed have unpaid taxes, which likely indicates six are free and clear/no mortgage (taxes and insurance paid through mortgage escrow with a loan).
494126DA1440 HOLNESS, DALE 2611 NW 56 AVENUE A529 (Paid Nov 2020 – escrow?)
494125JB0430 HOLNESS, DALE 4211 NW 19 STREET 191 (owed $1,465.48)
504218151010 HOLNESS, DALE V C 1660 SW 38 AVENUE (owed $5,860.12)
494126BC0030 HOLNESS, DALE V C 5311 NW 27 STREET 5C (owed $1,611.75)
494126AM0030 HOLNESS, DALE V C 2630 NW 52 AVENUE 11C (owed $1,611.75)
494126BD0080 HOLNESS, DALE V C 5327 NW 27 STREET D4 (owed $1,695.70)
494126CJ1230 HOLNESS, DALE VC 2800 NW 56 AVENUE E-406 (owed $1,509.81)
The delay of payment of property taxes is a matter between property owner and the county, and clearly many in the public know the past tax payments by Mr. Holness were delayed, late, tax certificates, etc. from the same records cited above. As a county commissioner since 2010 he clearly ‘got a pass’. Now with a high profile Congressional seat available the other candidates will likely make this fiscal irresponsibility an issue, given the BCC job pays about $95,000.00, with a substantial budget for the office, travel and staffers totaling about $700,000.00 to each commissioner, and likely commissions from the real estate business.
I expect the other District 20 candidates will get their personal financial houses in order if not already. Maybe Dale Holness will do the same. There is enough financial incompetence and irresponsibility in Wash DC. Broward voters do not need to add another elected to the tally.
FROM BUDDY:
The law only requires a member of Congress to live in the state they represent.
April 21st, 2021 at 12:43 pm
@15
From Buddy
So much for state residency only to go to Congress representing a district the rep is not required to live in, but does not BCC District 9 require elected commissioner to live in the district?
FROM BUDDY:
Yes, county commissioners must live in their district.
April 21st, 2021 at 1:39 pm
Buddy, if you want to allege that “white insiders” are the ones that have a problem with Holness, and you admit you have talked to those “white insiders” who want Holness out of the way, then you should name the “white insiders” and the specifics of your conversations rather than cast unsubstantiated aspersions at the entire white voting base. Isn’t that what investigative journalism is about?
FROM BUDDY:
Many sources would not talk if they weren’t given anonymity. I wrote “some” entrenched white business types told me they are supporting Holness to get him off the County Commission. I never wrote about “the entire white voting base.” I will write now that Holness has backing from many whites,
April 21st, 2021 at 7:41 pm
Typical elitist answer from #13. The idea of regular Americans running our own government scares the crap out of the likes of Count Chocula.
April 21st, 2021 at 8:55 pm
1-Unlike #14 I lived, voted, made campaign contributions, was at political n social.ocassions in the Hastings-Thurston-DuBose Districts.
2-HOLNESS SUPPORTERS n THURSTON or DUBOSE SUPPORTERS are 3 DIFFERENT GROUP
separated by
ancestry,
education,
religion,
income,
social status,
favourite foods n drinks,
and EVEN TASTE IN ART.
Even the ‘presumed’ Similarity between Thurston n DuBose voters is NIT THE SAME AS THEIR SUPPORTERS as opposed to ‘casually connected voters’.
A personal example I witnessed over 8 years is X; an influencial former Black elected official; PERSONALLY CLOSE TO ONE but listed as ‘close’ to.both Thurston n.DuBose.
April 25th, 2021 at 11:43 pm
Mr. Thurston’s six properties (one homesteaded) got the last two of his property affairs/taxes paid by March 30, 2021. Four of the six likely have mortgages, with taxes paid from escrow by Nov 2020.
484234060180 THURSTON, DAWN A & PERRY JR 301 NW 20 AVENUE
504114030120 THURSTON, DAWN A H/E THURSTON, PERRY E 6041 SW 13 STREET
504112120800 THURSTON, DAWN THURSTON, PERRY E JR 4740 SW 11 STREET
504206100410 THURSTON, PERRY E JR 721 NW 35 TERRACE
494126CA0070 THURSTON, PERRY E JR 5812 BLUEBERRY COURT 52
484234060190 THURSTON, PERRY EST 300 NW 20 AVENUE
May 1st, 2021 at 6:57 pm
The sooner Gov De Santis sets the dates the better – for Broward.
https://www.wflx.com/2021/04/30/lawsuit-filed-against-desantis-concerning-hastings-former-seat/?outputType=amp