Antrel Rolle could be in Chicago for the 2010 season

Could Rolle be a fit for Lovie’s Bears?


written by

Matt Bowen
The National football post


Could you see Cardinals free safety Antrel Rolle(notes) playing in Lovie Smith’s Cover 2 scheme in Chicago next season?

According to AZCardinals.com — the team’s official website — Rolle will be released before the start of free agency. He is due a $4 million dollar roster bonus at the start of the new league year (March 5), and his salary for 2010?

A cool $12 million.

As the NFP’s Brad Biggs points out, the Cards already have one of the league’s highest-paid safeties in Adrian Wilson. Call it a money issue if you want, but the real story here is that Rolle is going to hit the open market.
Antrel Rolle would fill a big need in Chicago's defensive backfield.
AP
And Lovie and Bears GM Jerry Angelo should look to make a strong offer.

The safety play in Chicago during the ’09 season was brutal. And, in Lovie’s Cover 2 system — outside of the Mike Backer — the safety play is monumental to the success of the defense. The Bears need a playmaker, someone who can drive down off of the numbers and get to the football. They have players, and even young Al Afalava(notes) did showcase some ability to hold down a starting gig in Chicago, but there isn’t a player on that roster that compares to Rolle.

Not to mention the fact that Rolle can come down from the safety position and play man-coverage and pressure-man coverage on a No. 3 WR in the slot — which allows the Bears to keep their base package on the field.

Yes, there are other areas of the Bears defense that need to be examined — such as defensive end and the corner position opposite Charles Tillman(notes). But my question is simple: why not at least float an offer to Rolle when free agency opens?
Besides the pressure that Lovie and the entire front office is under in Chicago, and despite the addition of Mike Martz to the coaching staff, this Bears defense needs to get better. The Bears are short on draft picks, and I don’t see how drafting a safety on the second day will match up to the skills and experience of a player like Rolle.
A safety with corner skills and a team in Chicago that has a desperate need for a player in the middle of the field and in their Cover 2 scheme to make plays on the football and turn this defense back into a turnover machine? It’s a perfect match.

Rolle still has to officially hit the market, but the opportunity is there for the Bears to add some talent and speed to their secondary.

Antrel Rolle is the son of our Beloved Chief of police and a Hometown Hero.

Sick leave and vacation pay-out nets Landen with a 60K parting package.

Manager in text message scandal reaps nearly $60,000

Written by ELGIN JONES
The south florida times


HOMESTEAD — A former city department head who resigned shortly after it was revealed that he exchanged graphic emails and sexually explicit text messages on his city-issued Blackberry will walk away with nearly $60,000 in severance pay, courtesy of the taxpayers.

Robert Landen, 44, was the director of the Parks & Public Works Department. He was also a reserve police officer. He was suspended on Feb. 18 and was asked to clean out his desk, surrender his police equipment and city identification
 
“Mr. Landen’s resignation was accepted, period,” Homestead Acting City Manager Sergio Purrinos wrote in a Feb. 23 email sent to the South Florida Times. “He will be paid $59,598.81 for accrued sick leave and vacation [hours].”

Landen’s suspension followed questions from the newspaper to city officials about the explicit messages.
Purrinos did not disclose exactly how many hours of accumulated time the money that will be paid to Landen represents. City policy allows employees who leave city service in good standing to cash in accrued vacation and sick-leave time that they have not used.

Landen stepped down on Monday, Feb. 22, citing unspecified threats and concern for his safety as well as the safety of his family, according to his resignation letter. The letter did not mention the electronic message controversy.

“Over the past few days, the safety of me and my family has been threatened,” Landen wrote in his Feb. 22 resignation letter. “Due to these threats, I feel it is unsafe and may potentially pose danger to myself and my family if I continue employment with the City of Homestead. For this reason, I regret that I am unable to give a two-week notice.”

Efforts to reach Landen about the specific nature of the alleged threats have been unsuccessful.
When Purrinos accepted the resignation, he did not challenge the threat allegations. He also ended the city’s action on the electronic messages from Landen, which could have resulted in Landen’s termination.
“We have not confirmed such threats, plus workplace violence is simply not tolerated,” Purrinos told the South Florida Times. “Since Mr. Landen is no longer an employee, there will be no further action from me. Now, please let me get back to work.”

Landen was employed with the city of Homestead for nearly 26 years. He earned an annual salary of $106,912. City officials say his resignation followed his request on Friday, Feb. 19 to retire, a day after he was suspended. His retirement takes effect on March 1.

City hall sources say Landen has a clean employment history. Several supporters insist that he is a respected family man in the community, and that he is being unfairly targeted. Purrinos has not said what, if any, action is being taken against other employees who also send and receive explicit text messages and emails.

Records show that Landen was one of the city’s most prolific senders and receivers of emails and text messages.

In one discussion that Landen had with a woman on his city-issued Blackberry on Nov. 27, 2009, he asked, “How was ur [sic] turkey day? Did [sic] get enough breast [sic]?” 

The woman, who has not been identified, replied, “My breast could be sucked. ”he responded, “I need to see them.”

That exchange led to an even more graphic discussion in which the woman honored his request to send him photos.
Many of the messages obtained by the South Florida Times are too graphic for publication. The topics include sex toys, masturbation, oral sex and descriptions of sex acts. Other messages included exchanges of photographs.
Landen’s electronic messages were revealed in records compiled by Franklin Investigations, Inc. of North Miami Beach, a firm the city hired to investigate fired former City Manager Mohammad “Mike” Shehadeh.
Investigators concluded that Shehadeh engaged in political activities, visited risqué websites – one of which was described by a city council member as “pornographic” – and sent steamy messages to former Deputy City Manager Johanna Faddis.

Franklin Investigations’ records also contain thousands of emails and text messages from city council members. Sexually explicit messages of other city staff are also included.
The company’s investigation revealed at least one racially derogatory email sent from Landen’s city-issued Blackberry.

“OMG!! [Oh my God] Ur not going to believe this [expletive]!!!,” reads a Nov. 26, 2009 email sent to Landen, which he forwarded to other people, using the Blackberry. “I got a tattoo of a [N-word] on my shoulder, and now my [expletive] arm quit workin [sic]!”

South Kendall Construction Co. Tries to stick it to their homeowners

Builder facing Chinese drywall suits files bankruptcy

By NIRVI SHAH
nshah@MiamiHerald.com

A South Florida developer that is the target of many Chinese drywall lawsuits has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection.
South Kendall Construction Co. built hundreds of homes in South Florida, but many in recent years were built with the imported wall board that many believe is the cause of bad smells, corrosion and breathing problems for homeowners.
They include Homestead homeowners Jason and Melissa Harrell, who filed suit last March. Their case is expected to go to trial in June.
Miami attorney David Samole, who is representing the company, could not be reached late Thursday.
Victor Diaz, one of the Harrells' attorneys, said he plans to file a motion that would lift the automatic hold on proceedings against the company because of Wednesday's bankruptcy filing. The case against other parties in their suit, including Palm Holdings, Keys Gate Realty and Banner Supply, won't be affected by South Kendall's bankruptcy filing.
Other Chinese drywall lawsuits also target companies that have declared bankruptcy, including WCI Communities. The fate of that litigation isn't yet known. WCI set aside several million dollars to address homeowners' claims, but the sum is far less than the amount homeowners want.
Diaz said bankruptcy could be beneficial for homeowners who have sued South Kendall.
``It may present an opportunity to speed the resolution of the claims,'' he said.
Court records show the company grossed about $4.8 million in 2008 and about $1.2 million through November 2009, when it closed down.
Company owner Patrick Gleber also owns Miami's Tobacco Road restaurant and bar.

Lynda Bell speaks out about daughters arrest.

Written by

Jennifer Lebovich, and Tania Valdemoro
for the Miami Herald

A daughter of former Homestead Mayor Lynda Bell turned herself in to authorities this week to face a charge of aggravated assault with a firearm.
The charge against Jenna Maldonado, 28, stems from a fight on Super Bowl Sunday after she threatened her live-in boyfriend with a gun, according to an arrest affidavit.
Bell, who lost a contentious mayoral election in November, said the charge against her daughter is ``a purely political vendetta.''
The Homestead police officers union, a branch of the Dade County Police Benevolent Association, endorsed now-Mayor Steven Bateman over Bell in the Nov. 3 election.
John Rivera, president of the Police Benevolent Association, denied Bell's accusation.
``I think her statement is ludicrous at best,'' he said Wednesday. ``It has no validity.''
Maldonado is a Homestead reserve police officer.

Jenna Bell could do 10 years for gun charges

I guess some people are living in a dream world.

Governor Charlie Crist "Should" Suspend Homestead Mayor, Steven Bateman?

This news headline is what should read in the Miami Hearld in the near future. The city of Homestead's staff should not safeguard a public official who has misused city property and then covered it up. Where's the Police Report Mayor Bateman? We as the citizens of the City of Homestead, deserve to know!

 
 
 
 
 
Originally
Posted by KG_Dreamer (aka Kevin Sullivan) on 2/21/2010
On the site Homestead is home

Someone is really streaching the truth on this one.
Why would Mayor Bateman need a police report in the first place? Councilman Williams, Mayor Bateman and a driver were on their way back from a city related business trip in Orlando. They were traveling at the posted speed limit when they had a tire blow out. 
How many of you fill out a police report when you have a blow out? The incident was never a secret, but it wasn't broadcasted either.
My question is, who knew about this and who took thoes pictures at the body shop. I think there is a rat in city hall. A BIG FAT SMELLY ONE!

Jenna Bell (Maldonado) Jailed for Super Bowl antics

http://cbs4.com/local/homestead.maldonado.police.2.1514745.html#addComments

Rookie Homestead reserve Police Officer Jenna Bell Maldonado appeared in a Miami-Dade bond court Tuesday after being charged with a felony for allegedly threatening her boyfriend with a gun.

Jenna is the oldest daughter of Former Mayor of Homestead Lynda Bell.

Well Jenna, I must say that this is a better look for you.

 Anything is better than those wife beaters and flip-flops that you wear with your tight spandex pants. 

Homestead Police officer suspended for misconduct

POLICE INVESTIGATE OFFICER WHO ALLEGEDLY PULLED GUN ON HER BOYFRIEND

written by Elgin Jones and the South Florida Times Staff

full story:

http://www.sfltimes.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3918&Itemid=201

"Gun Hungry" Jenna

Jenna Bell (Maldonado) suspended and under investigation by MDPD for misconduct (alleged misuse of her weapon in a domestic violence incident). Guess she really likes guns, even off duty...It is officially an active criminal investigation with the Domestic Crimes Bureau.

And they say Bateman and his team abuse power... Really???

Good thing she like handcuffs too!!

She can always go back to bartending.