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

Filed under Coral Gables

U.S. Latinos: Food Insecurity

December 20, 2006 Leave a comment

As reported by the
BBC and based recent studies: 

Latinos are the biggest single minority group in the United States.

The study said the “food insecurity” rate of Hispanics is nearly as high as that of non-Hispanic blacks.

It is substantially greater than that of non-Hispanic
whites, of whom only about 5% suffer from limited access to nutritious
food, according to US government statistics.

“Lack of access to resources is forcing far too many
Latino families into choices no-one should have to make, such as
between having a roof over their heads or putting food on the table,”
said Janet Murguia, NCLR President and CEO.

“A lack of affordable, nutritious food also has
devastating health consequences, such as increasing hunger and obesity,
affecting not only the Latino community, but the well-being of our
entire nation.”

One of the authors of the study, Jennifer Ng’andu, said
the Latino community was “practically invisible” when it came to the
issues of hunger and malnutrition in the US.

Filed under Government

Transporation is a well recognized mess and “what to do”?

November 30, 2006 Leave a comment

Businessmen offer solutions to S. Florida’s traffic woes

They’d like to see better-synchronized traffic signals. They’d like to see police make the enforcement of traffic laws a much higher priority. They’d like to see local government limit road construction to late evening and non-rush hours.

It would seem that the business community has few new ideas for “fixing” the transportation problem. Between the lines, I read that business wants “no more taxes” and there would seem to be little support for better public transportation, although the discussion seems to be lead to building more highways. No doubt we will be like LA in the not too distant future. Better to expand public transportation and establish the incentives to use it.

Filed under Coral Gables, Miami, Miami-Dade County

Coral Gables Annual Report

November 2, 2006 Leave a comment

Coral Gables commissioner: Annual report `a royal waste’

One of the City Commissioners, Mr. Ralph Cabrera, opposes the publication of the Annual Report of the City of Coral Gables.

”I thought the funds could be better used someplace else, like traffic calming or sidewalk repairs,” Cabrera said. “This is a royal waste of money.”

It is very unusual that the term “annual report” of a company or city would be applied to a document that does not include information on the financial management of the city and an auditor’s report. Many modern cities are making a special effort to supply city financial data to the citizens, and in this case, the City Commission and City Manager have missed an opportunity to increase citizen participation and knowledge of where taxes are going.

Filed under Coral Gables, Government

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