Miami Mayor Rankles Commission with Veto of Airport Baggage Contract.

Publication: The Miami Herald (Miami, Florida) (via Knight-Ridder/Tribune Business News)

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COPYRIGHT 2001 The Miami Herald

Byline: Tyler Bridges

Feb. 26--In vetoing a lucrative contract to wrap baggage at Miami International Airport, Miami-Dade Mayor Alex Penelas went against an airport selection team, the county manager's recommendation and a County Commission vote -- and prompted accusations he was trying to help a major campaign contributor.

But Penelas is finding some support among county commissioners who agree with him that the decision to award the contract to Secure Wrap was flawed and needs to be reexamined.

"I thought the whole item was full of enough points that needed review," Commissioner Miriam Alonso said Sunday.

Penelas needs the support of at least five of the 13 commissioners for his veto -- cast Friday -- to prevail at the commission's March 8 meeting. Besides Alonso, two other commissioners -- Pedro Reboredo and Bruno Barreiro -- said Sunday that they would side with Penelas. Four commissioners said they expect to override the mayor's veto, and six commissioners could not be reached.

As commissioners have repeatedly noted in recent days, the business of wrapping...

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