Two Resignations Today: School Reformer Michelle Rhee (DC) and City Attorney Elizabeth Hernandez (Coral Gables)

October 12, 2010 Leave a comment

Rhee made a serious attempt at reforming education in Washington, DC; and Hernandez is leaving a highly debatable legacy in Coral Gables.

Rhee’s goals – higher student achievement, better teachers and greater accountability for their classroom performance – were generally shared by Rhee’s predecessors. But with new powers putting the struggling school system under mayoral control, Rhee pursued the goals with an unprecedented zeal.

She closed more than two dozen schools, fired teachers by the hundreds and spent more than two years negotiating a labor contract that gives principals new control over teacher hiring while establishing a new performance-pay system that ties compensation to growth on student test scores.

via D.C. Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee to announce resignation Wednesday.

 

Source re resignation of city attorney:  see George Volsky (article received via email), CITY ATTORNEY RESIGNS,  Oct. 12

Filed under Coral Gables, Government, Organization

Baptist Health a Poor Loser?

October 12, 2010 Leave a comment

See my post on the University of Miami agreement.  As a neighbor of the area, the recent approval process for the UM long-term master plan always had the feeling of being rushed through, although the city government followed all of its regulations and there were no secrets of approval.  The agreement included a 200,000 square foot health center ( hospital) and it was discussed in public.  It was included in the master plan and Commissioner Kerdyk briefly questioned the calculations for parking.

It is my understanding that the city has a number of built in controls and oversight of the development and traffic monitoring of the commercial-like area of UM along Ponce de Leon.  The BankUnited Center capacity will be expanded and almost certainly a hotel will be constructed in the area.

Some neighbors are convinced, and I heard this from several neighbors citizens, that this  development district extension in UM was approved fearing that the proposed Constitutional Amendment 4, if approved by voters, would require the citizens of Coral Gables to approve each and every master plan modification.

Presumably, Baptist Health bought Doctors Hospital assuming that they would have a local, let’s call it, advantage, because of its location in the center of Coral Gables.  Also, the new health center would compete directly with South Miami Hospital.

Let’s hope that a little competition will be good for Baptist Health, neighbors and students and staff at the university.

Filed under Business and Commerce, Coral Gables

The Coral Gables Museum: A Great Community Asset

October 12, 2010 Leave a comment

For those of us who missed the grand opening there is a wealth of information, videos and photos on the Coral Gables Museum website.  The museum is led by a highly experienced and professional manager, supported by a private foundation and provides great spaces for meetings and regular museum activities.  This is a huge asset for the city given its quality and location.

The Museum’s mission is to celebrate, investigate and explore all aspects of architecture, landscape architecture, design and urban planning as well as historic and environmental preservation, set within the context of one of America’s first and most successful planned communities – the City of Coral Gables.

The Museum is a true public/private partnership between the City of Coral Gables and the Coral Gables Museum Corp., a private, not for profit 501.c.3 corporation operating an educational cultural institution within a City owned facility.  The Museum raises its own operating budget to fund the exhibitions and educational programs it provides, through memberships, private and government grants, admissions, earned income and, most importantly, with contributions from community members who believe in our mission.

via The Coral Gables Museum, Coral Gables, Florida.

Filed under Coral Gables

A “New Agenda” for the City of Coral Gables

October 12, 2010 Leave a comment

Consider a list of issues and proposals for a New Agenda for a newly elected mayor, commissioners (old and new) and the city manager that could be discussed in the coming election campaign.

Help by sending your suggestions and I will include them all in a running list on a separate page on this blog.

Here are some example of what I imagine might be relevant or, at least, good ideas to challenge to candidates.

  • Prepare and discussion a long-range financial plan for the City of Coral Gables;
  • Freeze and/or reduce actual amount of taxes paid by citizens during the next three years;
  • Accelerate a plan of reducing pensions and health benefits, especially for firefighters and police;
  • Prepare a plan on how to reduce unfunded pension liabilities during the next five years;
  • Have a community town hall meeting at least twice a year to discuss the budget and other issues;
  • Develop a realistic and flexible agreement with the Biltmore that protects the taxpayers not just now, but in the coming years;

Filed under Community, Coral Gables, Election, Politics

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