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Citizen Boards Should be Heard, Appreciated, and Valued

3/27/2013

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As appears in today's River Cities Gazette, and as you may have heard, there was some brief (and overdue) passionate debate at this past Monday night's meeting from Councilwoman Grace Bain and Mayor Garcia.

The controversy stemmed from the minutes of the March 6, 2013 meeting of the Architectural Review Board (ARB) to which I serve as liaison -- 
and perceptions of impropriety by Councilwoman Bain, and later by the Mayor, who (it turned out had not actually read the meeting minutes in advance, by his own admission from the dais) but instead had all present in Council Chambers sit quietly while he hastily skimmed them.  As an attorney, I read quickly, but four full pages of text in 45 seconds is insufficient preparation for meaningful comment, much less the comments that followed.

The Mayor attempted to characterize my remarks to the ARB as "out of line" even though the City Attorney, Jan Seiden, clarified that as Liaisons to the Citizen Boards, our role is to listen, answer specific questions, and address issues between the Board and the Council.  The attorney further clarified that any of the Council who took issue with my comments had the ability to respond in writing or in person to the ARB, but he declined to join the Mayor and Councilwoman in suggesting that there was anything inappropriate in my comments.

Listening, and responding to questions from the ARB members is precisely what I did.  Because he was not present, and did not take the time to read the minutes in advance, he found it politically convenient to instead suggest  the discussion relating to the questions and issues posed was "taking control of the meeting."

I've posted the full video below, as well as the minutes from the meeting that drew this response.  

Frankly, the minutes of the ARB meeting are not even complete.  There is a representation that "discussion ensued  regarding why previous Board members left the Board," which was in large part led by Ana Paula Ibarra, who is the only member of the ARB who did not resign nearly 15 months ago.  In a nutshell, the ARB worked hard to approve wayfinding signage and to place that signage throughout the City, while taking into account the "sign pollution" that makes finding things in our community so difficult and the cost of design and implementation of the signs.  



The plan was approved by the City Council when Billy Bain was Mayor and the City's consultant was asked to build on the ARB plan while tying it into the new zoning code on 36th Street that the consultant was preparing to present to Council.  The consultant returned almost a year later, completely disregarded the work done by the ARB, and curried a vote from the Council that approved of their custom (and expensive) plan.  I don't think the Council should have dismissed the recommendations of the ARB the way it did and it amazes me that the change of a single person on the Council created a completely different attitude about how we should do business. 

As I said in my comments at the close of the meeting, I stand by my remarks.  I take my responsibility as Board Liaison very seriously, and I actually attend those meetings -- in that respect, sadly, I am the exception, not the rule.  I believe we have smart, talented residents and we must make greater use of our local citizen expertise instead of turning to expensive outside consultants.

I sincerely hope to have the opportunity to continue to support and enhance the role that our Citizens Boards play in moving Miami Springs forward in the coming two years.


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Voting Is Your Right - And Mayor Garcia Is Trying to Tamper With It.

3/23/2013

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In last night's mail (3/22/13), I received an innocent-looking mail piece from Mayor Garcia's campaign.
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Inside were two pre-printed, addressed postcards to assist voters in requesting absentee ballots.  On the surface, this seems like a very kind and sincere gesture to assist people in having their voices heard.  Then my husband pointed out a troubling detail.
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Look closely at the address on the back.  It's a Miami Springs P.O. Box, and not the actual Miami-Dade Elections Department.  For the record, the proper contact information for Absentee Ballot Requests is:

Attn: Absentee Ballot Section
P.O. Box 521250
Miami, Florida 33152

Phone:
305-499-8444


Email:
ABUnit@miamidade.gov

Naturally, the question then, is - what is at P.O. Box 661413 in Miami Springs?
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Yes, you read that correctly.  The Mayor is trying to trick voters into sending Absentee Ballot Requests directly to him, instead of to the Miami-Dade Department of Elections where they must go to be processed.

The deadline for ballot requests to be received is 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 27th.  That is an awfully tight turn-around time, and there is a genuine risk that someone might send back one of these cards, thinking it is going to Miami-Dadel Elections, and miss the deadline.

Shame on Mayor Garcia for putting campaign tactics ahead of sincere concern, and putting your rights at risk in the process. I think he owes us all an explanation, and an apology. 
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Springy Leaks writes about open government, public imput, and ethics law

3/20/2013

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Check it out.
http://wlrn.org/post/floridians-would-get-right-speak-public-boards-under-proposed-legislation
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March Madness:  What's a girl to do? 

3/20/2013

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I love college basketball.  Really love it.  I grew up in a basketball family and my mother and uncles went to Indiana University.  My grandparents lived in Indianapolis.  I even went to IU for my freshman year. 

I also really, really love the first round of the NCAA tournament.  I have been to see the show more than once  and it is much more exciting in person than on TV.  Four games the first day and two the second -- it is a virtual basketball bonanza. 

I was happy that IU was ranked first at the beginning of the season.  But, imagine my surprise when I realized, pretty early in the season, that UM was going to be going to the tournament as well as long as they did not implode.  I did not go to UM, but I married into the UM family after all. 

Here we are, the tourney is upon us, brackets are set and locations are announced.  And much to my dismay, my two favorite teams, UM and IU are in the same geographical division -- the East.  How disappointing. I think they should both be able to go to the final four.  Both are excellent teams and both play on Friday, March 22.  How could this happen to my beloved Canes and Hoosiers?  Well, it is going to be a busy Friday, March 22.  And I guess they will meet in the sweet sixteen. 
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Miami Springs Newest Salon: Z'est Jolie Salon

3/19/2013

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Today I went to Z'est Jolie Salon on Westward Drive and got my hair done. It looks fantastic. I wish I had the time, and money, to get it done three times a week. It would be so worth it. #daretodream

They are running a special for their opening, $20 mani pedi and $40 deep tissue facial on Tuesdays.

I hope they consider becoming members of the Chamber. I also really hope they make it -- the whole experience was just lovely.
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Little League Softball Starts Spring Ball

3/19/2013

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A couple of weeks ago, MSLL kicked off on a chilly Miami morning. The photo is of the team Our firm is sponsoring, the Purple Crush. I was honored to throw the first pitch for the first softball game, and amazingly it was a strike.

Sports are important, and girls sports are especially important. We should be proud that we make them a priority in our little community, Miami Springs.
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The Sunshine Open Records Law Under Attack

3/10/2013

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At the December 10, 2012 Council Meeting, I suggested that the Council consider passing an ethics (in government) ordinance and putting a Citizens' Bill of Rights on the ballot which would allow residents to consider and vote whether or not to include it in our City Charter.  Other cities have ethics ordinances, and they provide important safeguards for citizens because, unlike the Miami-Dade County Ordinance that presently governs our Council, they are clear and more importantly, they provide "teeth" for enforcement in the event that they are violated by those who are elected to serve the community.   At the time I suggested it, it really seemed like a no-brainer.


I am not sure whether anyone on the Council read the documents for a proposed ethics ordinance-- it was actually Doral's, and their ordinance is lengthy and specific -- but the other Council members agreed that there was no need to have a Bill of Rights or Ethics Ordinance, because "there was no one in the City who did not trust the Council."


In fact, the City Attorney suggested that we have a special meeting to discuss the particulars of the proposal and the Council rejected that as well.  I moved that we have a special meeting to discuss it and it died for a lack of second.  I have uploaded the video of the discussion here.


Councilwoman Bain asked me why I would even make a motion if I knew there was no support and I replied that if there was no support it would die for a lack of second.  I was truly surprised to find myself surrounded by public servants who refused to discuss ethics.


Part of the ethics ordinance would include doing things that would make government more transparent and making information more available to the citizens.  I have championed these causes for the entire time I have been on the Council and I will continue to do so.  It was suggested to me that perhaps certain Councilmembers wanted to avoid the issue simply because it was election time.  I say that election time is the best time to talk about ethics and transparency, because citizens are more engaged, and the ballot box is the only place where they can make a change to the City Charter.


It is a shame that our Council squandered the opportunity to even discuss this change. much less put it before the citizens to vote for themselves.  I am deeply disappointed in Mayor Garcia and my fellow Council members for refusing to discuss the issues raised -- until this year I cannot recall a time in my four year tenure where the Council refused to even discuss an item.  Even if you happen to believe that a proposal is a bad idea, you should give it a hearing, do the necessary research and fight it on its merits.  That is the good government that our citizens deserve, and if I am elected, that is the way that the City Council will be run under my watch.
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Movie Night March 15, 2013

3/10/2013

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“I am the Lorax. I speak for the trees. I speak for the trees for the trees have no tongues.” 
― Dr. Seuss, The Lorax


It is time again for All Angels Movie Night.  We are at our new location, 1801 Ludlam Road, Miami Springs.  We are only having one movie, but it has an important message.  This is one of my favorite movies; it has a great message; and, it is not not just a kids movie.  It drills home the point that trees are important for our communities, for our culture.  

If any community is aware of how important the canopy is, it is Miami Springs.  I am proud that we take care of our canopy.  I am thrilled that All Angels is showing this movie at the end of "movie season" and I hope that you will join us at 7:30 on Friday, March 15, 2013 -- rain for shine.

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Power of the Press and the End of the Ludlam Pipeline

3/5/2013

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Last fall, a representative of Buckeye Development and Logistics contacted our City Planner and inquired whether our Council would entertain issuing a permanent pipeline Easement, Permit, or License, before Buckeye spent resources.  At the time, it appeared that the issue had been resolved.

However, on January 18, 2013, Buckeye Development & Logistics sent our City Planner a letter explaining that it was seeking to place a new route to complement or replace the current pipeline and that route would pass through the limits of the City of Miami Springs and the Village of Virginia Gardens.  

The letter fueled a story by Theo Karantsalis, which claimed that the proposed pipeline would be the sole source of jet fuel to the Miami International Airport.  Theo's story was overstated.  It was not being proposed as the sole source, but the overstatement certainly made residents stand up and take notice.   The Chairwoman of the County Commission was contacted as well as the City's lobbyist, Jose Fuentes.  The hoopla continued and Mr. Boone of Buckeye Partners, L.P. issued a news release clarifying that the January 18, 2013 letter was not a statement of intent, but instead a notice that Everglades Pipe Line Company, L.P. was conducting a feasibility study to assess potential options.  Theo Karantsalis wrote another story for The Miami Herald, which explained the status of the jet-fuel pipeline.

Thereafter, on February 28, 2013, the Manager and Mayor sent a joint letter explaining that there is no "form" City application for the type of project they were suggesting and reiterating the concern of the residents, schools and churches in the neighborhood.  Only a few days later, on March 5, 2013, Mr. Boone announced through a press release that the feasibility assessment had been concluded and that a pipeline relocation at the Miami Springs location was no longer an option under consideration.

I call this "the power of the press."  Theo's stories sure did stir up the residents of the City of Miami Springs, which in turn got the attention of the Chairwoman and County Commission.  If you look back to the beginning, it seems like much ado about nothing.  It goes to show that a little press can go a long way.


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Optimist BBQ Blast March 9, 2013

3/1/2013

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Optimist Club BBQ Blast next weekend... March 9, 2013.  On the Circle.  There is going to be a restaurant category this year.  Plenty of food for everyone.  If you are interested in having a team email miamispringsbbqblast@gmail.com or pick up an entry form at the Miami Springs Community Center.  For more information, contact Tony Silva 305-345-1019,
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    Beautiful Miami Springs.  There is no place like it.  THANK YOU for re-electing me to our City Council in April 2011.  It is going to be difficult to share information with our residents during or after Council meetings.  As a result, I will post to my blog often: Council items, neighborhood happenings, local events.  Please subscribe, bookmark the site, and visit often.

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Jennifer J. Ator, P.A.
901 Falcon Avenue
Miami Springs, FL  33166
jennifer@jenniferator.com