Coral Gables has a Fictitious Master Plan, or Is it Amendment 4?

November 1, 2010 Leave a comment

There have been several actions taken recently by the Commission of the city of Coral Gables that demonstrate that its members are 1) captured by developers;  2) captured by the “too big to fail” UM; and 3) desperate for money to pay for huge unfunded liabilities and softball contracts with firefighters and police.

Thanks to the soon-to-be-absent commissioners and mayor, who seem to care little about the future pattern of development of the city after they leave the deus, the city is stuck with a 20-year master plan for UM and a potentially hugely distorted pattern of development, traffic and transportation in the commercial district.  All of this is happening because the commissioners are terrified by the possible approval of Amendment #4 that would take city development out of their hands and put it in the hands of citizens.  Yes, their commitment to developers stand ahead of their belief in local democracy and citizens.  At least, for reasons he had, thanks to Bill Kerdyk for voting against these buildings (but sorry, he voted for the UM master plan and commercial-health district).

Vice Mayor William “Bill” Kerdyk sees a dangerous trend in Coral Gables’ central business district: upzoning properties one at a time.

via Gables approves taller buildings in business district – Coral Gables – MiamiHerald.com.

Filed under Business and Commerce, Community, Coral Gables, Government

Find Something Positive for Coral Gables

October 29, 2010 Leave a comment

Our economy continues to grow very slowly, there is no sign of resurging real estate, unemployment remains high and there is no inflation.

Conclusion for the city of Coral Gables:

  • We are years away from better property values
  • Freeze taxes (at least)
  • Don’t raise employees salaries when there is not inflation
  • Get hold of the budget
  • Cut staff
  • Reorganize
  • Cut pensions to the bone (better us the Florida state pension system
  • Reduce the number of “jefes”
  • Commissioners–check on the budget, not the leaf blowers
  • Etc., etc.

The U.S. economy expanded at a 2 percent annual rate in the third quarter and inflation cooled, underscoring the views of Federal Reserve policy makers who say more stimulus will be needed to spur growth.

via U.S. Economy: 2% Growth Confirms Outlook for More Fed Stimulus – Bloomberg.com.

Filed under Coral Gables, Economy

Coral Gables Citizen’s PAC to Meet

October 29, 2010 Leave a comment

For those interested in attending Monday’s meeting at 6pm you will find the information on the website.  There will be discussion on the upcoming elections in Coral Gables.

Filed under Coral Gables

On a US Lost Decade: Yes, Just like Latin America’s Lost Decade

October 28, 2010 Leave a comment

If this is true (or even half-true) then Coral Gables (South Florida and Florida) are in for a sustained period of stagnate property values and economic activity that neither the city commission nor the city manager seem ready to face.  Seemingly, only the voters can fix this problem.

…the Obama economic plan was a move in the right direction, but too small to generate a visible improvement given the scale of the economic crisis.

Wolf concludes bleakly:

With a political stalemate expected, further action will now be blocked. A lost decade seems quite likely. That would be a calamity for the US – and the world.

via Martin Wolf On Obama – NYTimes.com.

Filed under Coral Gables

← Older posts

Newer posts →