Coral Gables | Coral Gables Watch

Plan for Charter Reform Needs Real Mayor (“Braman for Mayor”)

March 19, 2011 Leave a comment

If you haven’t seen this in today’s Miami Herald, “vale la pena” read this letter on plans to improve the charter, a plan that is not a radical change, but a step toward modernization of a failed political system in Miami-Dade.

A few weeks ago, Norman Braman and I prepared and released a proposed “Covenant with the People of Miami-Dade County” that outlined eight specific ideas for charter reform. The notion of calling it a “covenant” was to signal that we believe the people are tired of political “promises” made by candidates for office — which are seldom kept after they are elected. Almost every candidate to replace Alvarez has expressed a general commitment to “charter reform,” but this “people’s revolution” should not be placated by generic political rhetoric. The voters of Miami-Dade need to insist on specific commitments to specific reforms and to do so in a manner that ensures accountability. We need any candidate who aspires to be our next strong mayor to covenant with the people for meaningful charter reform.

via Next, reform Miami-Dade County charter – Letters to the Editor – MiamiHerald.com.

Filed under Election, Government, Miami-Dade County

Rosenblatt Smear Evidences the Role of the FOP and a Strong Reason to Vote Against Sanabria

March 19, 2011 3 Comments

I don’t know a thing about Mr. Rosenblatt’s financial history, except for the very nasty, twisted political mailer, financed by the police union FOP, that we got in the mail in the last few days.

A careful reading of the mailer indicates that what happened to Mr. Rosenberg is happening to a not insignificant percentage of the county population in the thousands of foreclosures and bankruptcies.

It is not so much the mailer or Mr. Rosenblatt’s financial history that is a concern (I have not candidate at this time), but the certain arrogance of the representatives of our police that have carried out this sickening campaign.

No doubt the the police are afraid to lose their excessive pensions, salaries and other benefits.

And be sure now that you cannot count on Mr. Sanabria to vote for any changes in these excessive salaries, pensions and other benefits.

What says Mr. Sanabria about the smear against one of the candidates?

Filed under Coral Gables, Election

More On Why Not To Privatize Municipal Services

March 17, 2011 Leave a comment

…privatization often does not solve cities’ budget woes. Research shows that when municipal services are contracted out, costs can actually increase while service quality suffers. Sometimes these cost increases are experienced as contract cost overruns. Other times a city may fail to take into account “hidden costs” such as the administrative costs of seeking proposals, evaluating bids and monitoring the work. Hidden costs for the community can include reductions in wages and health benefits under private contractors, which drive more people onto public assistance and bring down wage and benefit standards in the field and in the community.

via Municipal Services | In the Public Interest.

Filed under Coral Gables, Government

For The Candidates: A Proposal For A NEW AGENDA For The City of Coral Gables

March 17, 2011 Leave a comment

This is the list of issues, problems and ideas for the future of the city Coral Gables Watch for inclusion in a needed New Agenda for the City of Coral Gables. Following is a list of examples of possible NEW AGENDA items.

Prepare and discuss with the public a NEW AGENDA for the City to face the major pending problems, such as unfunded benefits, taxation, staffing and organization;
The City Manager should routinely report to taxpayers the progress on the budget and organizational changes;
The city commission should agree on a new Code of Ethics;
Change the election dates for the city of Coral Gables to coincide with national and state elections.
Prepare and publicly discussion a long-range financial plan for the City of Coral Gables
Target a freeze and/or reduce actual amounts of taxes paid by citizens (not just millage rates) during the next three years;
Accelerate a plan of reducing pensions and health benefits, especially for firefighters and police;
Prepare a plan and publicly discuss 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 current issues;
Develop a realistic and flexible agreement with the Biltmore that protects the taxpayers not just now, but in the coming years from subsidizing the operators;
Undertake a review of financial mechanisms and the defective EDEN system to establish a modern, functional accounting of spending and revenues.