Coral Gables | Coral Gables Watch

Spitzter’s Government Reforms: Dare Miami-Dade Commissioners Take Note

January 1, 2007 Leave a comment

A first step of the new governor of New York was to institute clear steps toward establishing honest government. Would it be that both state, county and local governments take the same interest in good, ethical and open government. One can only hope that Spitzer is successful and that other states learn from this challenge and be driven to change.

Spitzer enacted measures to limit political consideration and mandate ethical behavior by employees of the executive branch.They ban gifts from lobbyists; end personal use of state cars, computers and equipment; prohibit nepotismand ban ex-employees hired by the Spitzer administration from lobbying the executive branch for two years.

Other executive orders ban statewide officials _ including Spitzer _ from appearing in state-paid commercials _ stopping a practice expanded greatly under Republican Governor Pataki, which critics called free campaign ads.

Another measure established a state commission to make sure candidates for judicial appointments are qualified. Yet another order requires many public meetings to soon be broadcast.

Filed under Coral Gables, Florida, Government, Miami

Coral Gables Building and Zoning Study

December 29, 2006 Leave a comment

As reported in the Miami Herald, Coral Gables management is undertaking a two part study of the Building and Zoning Department. This department faces constant grumbling from individual home owners who are doing small projects and often face very inflexible, time consuming procedures and some unfriendly, indifferent and aggressive employees; and complaints from medium and larger developers who also suffer slow procedures in understaffed areas such as structural review. One B & Z employee has been charged for apparent grand theft and fraud, while the director of the unit is on paid administrative leave and has been rumored to being negotiating her retirement. Coral Gables did a study of the department a few years ago and a very substantial reorganization was recommended therein but has not instituted by the City. It is hoped that the issues of that study will come out in this new effort and that the deep organizational changes will be made to the benefit of all citizens.

Coral Gables next month officially will start an in-depth study of the city’s troubled building and zoning department.

The data gathering begins in January when a consultant will conduct
three focus groups — one each with residents, contractors and staff —
to learn how the city provides its services and where it falls short.

The consultant is Marily Rodriguez of Bal Harbour, who has 10 years of experience with this kind of work…

Filed under Coral Gables

DOT in Miami-Dade Procurement Problems

December 22, 2006 Leave a comment

Just a small demonstration of the difference between sloppy public procurement and administration of contracts in one office of the DOT and work well done another one.

Dozens of electronic message signs hang underused or in complete darkness over Interstates 75, 95 and 195 in Miami-Dade County and along U.S. 1 and Card Sound Road in the Keys.

Tattered green garbage bags cover 22 traffic signals on I-95 on-ramps. The ramp meters were installed in late 2004 and early last year, but they won’t be turned on until late next year.

The dark signs and bagged meters are a sore reminder of how technology was supposed to ease congestion on South Florida’s highway network by providing real-time traffic information and regulating traffic flow.

But two brutal hurricane seasons, unforeseen technological glitches and a prominent contractor’s failure to deliver on time contributed to Miami-Dade and Monroe’s problems, according to Florida Department of Transportation officials and records.

”I understand why people are so frustrated,” said Rory Santana, who supervises the technology program for the DOT district serving Miami-Dade and Monroe. “They see the signs and the [ramp meter] signal heads out there, and they assume they should be up and running.”

In Broward, drivers on Florida’s Turnpike, the Sawgrass Expressway, and Interstates 595 and 95 have been receiving markedly more information from overhead message boards that have been deployed since 2002.

That’s largely because the Broward FDOT district procured most of the signs now operating in one large bundle in 2002. The Miami office has been acquiring them contract by contract since 1999.

Filed under Government, Miami-Dade County

Shopping Problems on Miracle Mile

December 22, 2006 1 Comment

I am reproducing a interesting and sensible posting on website City Hall Confidential by a local mechant frustrated with the lack of shopping on Miracle Mile and maintenance problems with the City of Coral Gables.

A few weeks ago, I wrote to Mr Slesnick and other city officials regarding the deplorable conditions of the sidewalk in front of my store. How dangerous and horrible they have been allowed to get.

In all fairness, I have written back and forth with the Mayor, and he has shown concern and determination in resolving this continuing problem, and I honestly thank him for his efforts. Unfortunately, I only received 1 return email from a commissioner, that was more of a political respense than one of a problem solver or a concerned resident/citizen.

So, the reason for todays topic, is to mention, that today is Friday Dec 22. One or two shopping days BEFORE x-mas ( the friday and saturday when the mile is “busiest” in the year.) Needless to say, I must be pretty upset to stop all my work to write this.

When I arrived to work this morning, I was beyond speechless to find 4 contractors, with white work vans, not just placing new tiles and cement in front of my store, but along both my neighbors, and even down the block. They have equipment, jack hammers, cement bags, and the somewhat noticeable yellow “caution” tape down 1/2 the block, (which could also be misunderstood for a police or murder tape) blocking access from the street parking through to the sidewalk, and ultimately to the stores to shop.

Now, I dont want to sound unappreciative of this work, because it is coming out very nice and fairly quick, ( versus city workers doing it in a week vs 2 days) but the fact of when this work is being done. “Common sense” would dictate, that if the city tore it up a month ago, someone giving orders, would have waited a few more days until AFTER the busy season, when there are less people along the streets and stores are less crowded.

This is yet another event that shows to me that the city doesnt care about residents, merchants ( which also pay city taxes) or much about the BID. Nothing shows common sence or apathy to merchants trying to make a living along historic Miracle Mile. Actually, at the rate the Mile is going, soon only a handful of stores/restaurants will remain open, due to ridiculous rents, no traffic of shoppers ( note that the people walking dont carry shopping bags) or ugly areas.

Just my opinion of course.
Thank You.
Danny Lister Jr.
General Manager
334 Miracle Mile . Coral Gables,FL 33134 . (305)445-4360 . (305) 445-4367 Fax
5740 Sunset Dr . South Miami,FL 33143 . (305)669-4207 . (305)669-4208 Fax
www.listerjewelers.com