Plan to fly giant U.S. flag over Miami ruined by ‘dirty politics,’ businessman claims

Published January 08, 2015

A wealthy businessman is waving the white flag in his bid to fly a massive 40-story-high American flag over downtown Miami, contending that “dirty politics” is turning his “Flag of Gratitude” dream into a nightmare.

Mike Fernandez was born in Cuba and came to the U.S. in 1964 as a penniless child. He made a fortune in health care and wanted to show his appreciation to America with a 425-foot flagpole in Museum Park, adjacent to the home arena for the Miami Heat.

But Fernandez tells the Miami Herald that after several face-to-face meetings with elected officials that left him “flabbergasted,” he’s all but given up on his idea of making the nation’s tallest flag part of the city’s sun-splashed downtown skyline.

“Someone said to me, ‘If you hire someone I know, that can make it easier,’ Fernandez told the paper Friday. “To me, that’s plain dirty politics. Others said ‘if you could help me politically I can support you.’ To me, that’s blackmail and illegal. I’m just floored as to how the game is played.”

Fernandez, who was once Florida Gov. Rick Scott’s chief fundraiser, wasn’t naming names. He said South Beach is a possible alternative for the 16,000 square foot U.S. flag.

Commissioners contacted by the Herald said they never spoke to Fernandez or asked for favors.

Commissioner Francis Suarez, who was backing the flag project, found the accusations troubling. “If it’s true, that’s very sad that someone of his caliber would be shied away from working with the city on that basis,” he told the paper.

Fernandez expected to pick up the flag’s $10 million tab if Miami gave the okay to use Museum Park. He created a website to woo over those who initially voiced criticism.

URL

https://www.foxnews.com/us/plan-to-fly-giant-u-s-flag-over-miami-ruined-by-dirty-politics-businessman-claims