Herald Staff

Hialeah Mayor Raul Martinez, talking to area radio stations, had these comments about The Miami Herald's investigation:

On WIOD -- "I'm not going to allow the media, I'm not going to allow The Herald to come in and run my city. We have an election in '85. If the people in the ivory tower want to get down and run for office, let them be with the crowd, let them be with the people and let them take care of the people's problems."
"When they stated in the article about 'self-proclaimed city of progress' I would say that the proof is in the pudding. They can come in and they can see the progress that we have achieved in the last three years.

"In reference to this being a Hispanic town, zoning issues have been going on in Hialeah for the 60 years the city has been in existence. So, it has nothing to do with whether these are Hispanic members or non-Hispanic members. I think it has to do with the progress of a city."

"All of the information that I've read in The Herald is that of allegations and innuendos. I don't see anything there that would lead me to believe any of it is true."

On WINZ -- "We cannot continue to manage government when people are making innuendo and accusations that are totally invalid. I have the trust that the council and the people that have been implicated are going to be cleared. Nothing's going to come out of it because I don't think (anything is) in there. At least I have not heard of any impropriety or wrongdoing by any council members."