CGGazette reports "surprisingly positive" B&Z report–Article says otherwise

May 17, 2007 Leave a comment

The headline suggesting the results were “positive” does seems to differ considerably from the report in particular that: 

She added that while professionals had both positives and negative comments about the department in the focus groups, residential and commercial users did not have any positive things to say about the department in the sessions.

It is my understanding that the commercial users and the residential users are indeed the true clients of the B&Z–they pay the bills and the fees of the professionals and the city permits.  Of course, the so-called “professionals” most certainly would be hesitant to speak out against the B&Z because they need to deal with them daily and would not want to offend the City B&Z staff and management.

 

Source: News — B&Z report finally to be heard at commission (5/16)

Filed under Coral Gables, Government

Affordable Housing for Miami Political and Government Friends

May 1, 2007 Leave a comment

This demonstrates government ethics problems are not reserved for the Miami-Dade County government friends and authorities, the attempt of local governments to subsidize affordable housing can easily be gotten around so that there is not certainty that they will benefit the desired group, and the concept of “affordable housing” is a just another rouge to misdirect public funds to friends and political cohorts.  At least one commissioner is offended by what happened.

(CBS4) MIAMI CBS4.com has learned the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office has begun a probe into what one Miami commissioner is calling “insider trading” among some employees of the City of Miami who may have used inside information about a city-sponsored affordable housing program to buy up the publicly subsidized condos, re-sell them, and pocket profits of as much as 83%.
Other buyers appeared to have purchased the specially designated ‘affordable’ condos at “The Loft” for investment or re-sale, not with the intent of buying an affordable home with the intent of living in downtown Miami, as is the stated goal of the city program.
“It is the kind of thing that gives Miami a very very bad name,” said Commissioner Tomas Regalado, a member of the commission when the decision was made to use public funds to subsidize affordable housing at the project.

Source: cbs4.com – Exclusive-City $$ Buys Insiders Sweet Condo Deal?

Filed under Government, Miami

Miami Dade County is Better than Living in (say) Haiti–Thus Speaks our Commissioner

April 30, 2007 Leave a comment

Kathy Sorenson, 8th District Commissioner of Miami Dade County is living on another planet. She argues with a straight face that our government is pretty much ok, is not too bad in the way it spends our money and, except for a few embarrassing flaws, is much better than what you would find in another country where people don’t have good or any government. Granted Miami Dade County government is better than governments in Haiti, El Salvador, Kenya, etc. I thought we should compare Miami Dade County government to (say) Montgomery County Maryland in Washington, DC area, or take pick in any good, solid well run government in a U.S. metropolitan area.

With some notable and glaring exceptions, our county government functions reasonably well. If you don’t believe me, go to a country that doesn’t have a functioning government.

We have a greedy county government, overstaffed, (mis)managers of important projects for your city, quick to tax, quick to spend and quick to waste and with little time to look at the road ahead.

Time has come for our commissioners to do their job–run government in both good and bad times.

Source: Property taxes keep community working – 04/30/2007 – MiamiHerald.com

Filed under Community, Miami, Miami-Dade County

Key Challenges for the Commission

April 16, 2007 Leave a comment

There are a number of obvious challenges for the City of Coral Gables, the community and the City of Coral Gables Commissioners.

  • The 2008 City Budget and Greater Community Information and Participation in the Budgetary Process
  • The Building and Zoning Management and Organizational Crisis
  • Police Contract and Pension Financing and Reform for the Long Haul
  • Establishing Priorities for Financing Infrastructure for the Future
  • Begin to Face the Certain Increased Density of Population along the Dixie Highway Corridor (including the University of Miami)
  • City Government Staffing and Efficiency

Filed under Coral Gables, Government

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