Plans for 27th Ave. to be discussed

Grove residents and business owners have another chance to give their opinions on cleaning up SW 27th Avenue -- a major entrance to the Grove. I think they need todo something with SW 32nd Avenue, too.

The Cocoanut Grove Village Council has scheduled a charrette with engineers and experts. This is tentatively planned for for Sat., Dec. 16 at 10 am at Coconut Grove Elementary (3351 Matilda Street).

Traffic circles and major landscaping have been suggested.

A few businesses have placed petitions on their counters to collect signatures against the project since many of their parking spaces would be eliminated with the tentative design plans.

James McCarthy, owner of the EZ Kwik, said the proposed plan would eliminate most of his parking, and also the loading space needed for trucks to drop off supplies. Berries is also worried about losing all of their parking.

''They want to take 30 feet off my property and take the street right up to the edge of the store,'' McCarthy said.

County Project Manager Priscilla Morales says that in worst-case scenario's where the business or property owners won't accommodate the plan (like giving up their parking areas), the county would use the eminent domain process to obtain the properties. Talk about balls. That's a great way for the county to treat concerned citizens.

"I just want to try and get a majority of the community content with what we're doing,'' Morales said. "I don't want them to think we're feeding them anything.''

NO -- just threatening to take their property away by force.

King Mango bidding update

So $5600.00 was the final price bid for the Grand Marshall position for the King Mango Strut. As you remember this was being auctioned off on ebay. Can't wait to see who bid so high, if it was before the election, I would assume it was Linda Haskins. But she probably would have had eggs mangos thrown at her.

Wonder if anyone is going to "play" her in the parade. That person surely will be booed and who knows what else by the spectators. I think the parade will be worth it just for that.

Protest set for Rua project on US1 and 27th Ave.

Developer Carlos Rua has reduced his request to 125 residential units per acre from a previous 300 at the 5.2 acre property at U.S. 1 and Southwest 27th Avenue (the old Latin American Restaurant location) in hopes of gaining approval from the county planning board.

But still, the neighbors are against massive development. There will be a large protest at 5 p.m. at the site (2780 SW 27th Ave.) this Tuesday. Join in if you are sick of this non-stop development.

More information on the project is available on the Village Council website, www.coconutgrovevillagecouncil.com.

The Development Impact Committee meeting will begin at 9 a.m. Wednesday at the Historical Museum of Southern Florida, 101 W. Flagler St.

New supper club in grove

Cielo Garden & Supperclub, opened yesterday in the old Mezzanotte space at 3390 Mary St., featuring live music and fine dining. They even have a MySpace profile here.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I wish you all a peaceful and happy Thanksgiving!

Sarnoff wins -- voters want a change

Well, Marc Sarnoff is now a new City Commissioner and Linda Haskins is out. The voters have spoken loud and clear. Herald details here.

I just voted

I just voted for Sarnoff. And the lady who signed me in said that her grandson has the same first and middle name as mine. So I found that to be a good omen. :)

Vote today!

Today is the day. Please go out and vote.

The choice is simple. If you want non-stop development, someone who is in the pockets of developers and big business including Home Depot (who votes on the Home Depot and developement issues while being paid by these people), then vote Linda Haskins. Oh yea, and if you want a puppet of Mayor Manny Diaz, Linda is the one.

If you want someone new, a breath of fresh air, a halt to over-development, someone who is not in anyone's pocket, someone who has not been paid off by big developers or Home Depot, someone who actually wants to offer a good quality of life to ALL OF DISTRICT 2, the answer is Vote for Marc Sarnoff. He is not in the Mayor's pocket and actually will be someone who will listen to the voters and put a stop to the nonsense in City Hall.

We need a change now people, before it is too late. VOTE MARC SARNOFF.

Linda's lies

This is a Response to Linda Haskin’s Negative Mailer

Linda Haskins has been sending mailers that are 5% fact and 95% lies.

Re: Mailer Received Nov 18th from Linda Haskins Campaign titled “Marc Sarnoff”

1. Linda Haskins sends a mailer (received Nov 18th) which states…”Neighborhood Payoff?” Linda Haskins quotes “Miami SunPost”…

“It’s (Mercy Hospital Condos) a good project whether some got paid to accept it or not…” -“Miami SunPost”, 05/04/06

What “Miami SunPost” actually stated Marc said…i.e. the full quote…

“It’s a good project whether someone got paid to accept it or not and it should stand on its own merits.”

2. Linda further attempts to deceive voters. Haskins quotes “Miami SunPost” …

Her headline… “His Plan to End Traffic Congestion?” And her quote…

“At the end of the day traffic and a dollar in your pocket is not going to change that.” “Miami SunPost”, 05/04/06

What “Miami SunPost” actually stated Marc said… i.e. the actual full quote…

“At the end of the day traffic and a dollar in your pocket is not going to change that. This is something we need to think about and stop right now.”

3. In the same mailer Linda Haskins states…”His Plan to Build Affordable Housing?”… “HE HAS NO PLAN!” Linda Haskins quotes http://www.marcsarnoff.com/ as follows…

“Because developers cannot make money building affordable housing…”
-www.marcsarnoff.com

What Linda Haskins failed to disclose was the next 25 words of that sentence… The actual sentence reads… i.e. the full quote taken off the website…

“Because developers cannot make money building affordable housing unless 25% of more of the costs are paid by you and I, the taxpayers, and the housing is practically given to low-income people.”

And the next sentence…also from the website…

“And unfortunately the people responsible for giving out tax dollars to create affordable housing give the money to their friends and colleagues, resulting in a house of lies.”

Marc actually gave a correct definition of affordable housing. Linda Haskins choose to distort Marc’s sentence and not disclose 25 words. (check http://www.marcsarnoff.com/ for yourself.) Linda Haskins took Marc’s sentence out of context as she attempts to deceive the voters for her personal gain.

4. In the same mailer Linda Haskins states… “His Plan for Parks and Greenspace?” Haskins states…He lobbied for a dog park to be built across from his private law firm so his private clients could park.

This statement from Haskins has many fallacies.

The park Haskins refers to is a public park. It houses a dog park and a separate area for children. It has several parking spaces on its west and south sides. There are fewer spaces now then there were before the park was constructed. These parking spaces are entirely public. It is a beautiful neighborhood park. Many people would call it a “pocket park” or a “small neighborhood park”. Since Miami ranks 55 out of 55 in park space per capita it would be wonderful if we had another 100 such parks. We could use at least 20 such parks in each District. For that we need leaders with vision.

Who can we trust?

Vote for Marc Sarnoff on Nov 21st.

Handmade election signs

This guy in Morningside has the right idea. I got these pictures from a reader.

He writes on the back of Marc's signs with magic markers. The front are intact.

He also uses old signs from defeated candidates. He sandwiches two together.

I'm traveling tomorrow. I've got to remember to vote after all this.

Waterfront update - again, no update

There is an article today in Neighbors about the waterfront development. Basically it says everything is at a standstill -- public input, at least is stalled. Who knows what they are scheming behind closed doors. Click here for the article.

Boycott Milam's?

People are calling for a boycott of Milam's because they support Linda Haskins.

I don't like Milam's and I don't like Linda Haskins. But let's face it, Milam's is fighting for their life. Since Haskins is for Home Depot's huge mega-store and since Johnny Winton sold out the residents and agreed to let the zoning change for a larger store than the current zoned size, of course Max Milam is going to be on their side. Milam's will be part of the mega-store -- that design by another Max -- Max Strang.

We should all be boycotting Home Depot, not Milam's. Home Depot is threatening to throw out Milam's when their lease is up if they can't build the larger store now, because Home Depot is a big childish bully and will do anything to get what they want -- like that spite chain-link fence that makes you have to drive all around the parking lot just to get to Milam's and Walgreens and even the shoe store, what is that all about?

Why is Home Depot even allowed to take over the parking lot for no logical reason when nothing has been finalized yet?

A letter to the Herald

This was a letter to the Editor's of the Miami Herald:

Dear Herald Editors:

When the Herald endorsed Linda Haskins for Tuesday's run-off in today's paper, it described Mr. Sarnoff, who received more votes that Ms. Haskins on November 7, and who immediately had the support of all the other candidates that originally ran, as “a grass roots campaigner who believes developers and consultants have too much power at City Hall,” while “Ms. Haskins touts her experience, honesty, credentials, know-how and independence,” which are all, in fact, generic attributes that Mr. Sarnoff could also claim.

It was of little surprise that the Herald should take this position, for they are not actually endorsing Ms. Haskins, but Manny Diaz, who chose her as the interim commissioner. The $400,000+ campaign contributions to Ms. Haskin's campaign, few of which actually came from ordinary citizens in her district, were raised by Diaz supporters, big developers from here to New York, fancy law firms, construction companies, lobbyists, permit expediters and a lots of concrete lovers, many whose ads, and client's ads, pad the pages of The Herald.

While Linda Haskins supports Manny Diaz, I want my commissioner to support my interests as a citizen of this district, which Mr. Sarnoff as a leader in this community, as Chair of the Coconut Grove Village Council, Co-Chair of the TreeWatch Committee, and ordinary citizen who has spent countless hours trying to get a strong Tree Ordinance, and through whose efforts we will finally start to reforest our community, has done. He has my vote.

Liliana Dones
Coconut Grove

Editor's note: Let's not forget The Herald sold off very valuable land to a developer and the developer needs to build a mega-structure on the land in order to fulfill its need for greed and this is where Linda Haskins' vote is needed when zoning changes are needed. We already know Marc Sarnoff will not sell out on zoning issues.

Grove cops

Virginia Street at Grand Avenue

Grand Avenue, in front of Yacht Harbor and
the old Borders Books.

You can click on the pictures for a larger view.

Milam's and Linda Haskins

I received this letter from a reader:

"Just wanted to let you know that there is a huge Haskin sign sitting in the middle of the produce aisle at Milam's. I walked up to the manager and informed him that I would no longer be shopping there with a political sign in the store.

If anyone has any questions as to where Haskins loyalties lie, stop my Milam's. I always felt sorry for Milam's, but with that sign, I will now be boycotting them. You don't walk into Gardner's Market and see Sarnoff's face, so why do we have to look at hers in Milam's.

Shame on you, Milam's. It won't only be the Grove store I boycott. It'll be the Bird and Red as well. You owe Coconut Grove an apology."

It's no secret that Milam's has been supporting Haskins, she has said it herself. Is Milam's wrong? I see everyone's election signs all over, many businesses put elections signs in their windows. I am no supporter of Haskins, and I think she is terrible for the City and the Grove, but I am wondering if Milam's is wrong in this instance.

I do tell them they are sell-outs (to Home Depot) every time I am there, but I suppose I am a sell-out too, because I am doing business with them.

Saving money? Not here

I had to laugh when I saw this billboard about saving money, right over the Glaser Farmer's Market on Grand Ave. That's the last place you would go to save money, but if you want great organic fruits and vegetables, that is the place to go.

A vote for Sarnoff is a vote against Mayor Diaz

From Rebecca Wakefield's column in the Sun Post.

I tend to side with the little guys, and Sarnoff’s long record as an activist appeals to me. I’m a little disturbed by some of his tactics, but it’s understandable to feel that you have to use every weapon when you’re going up against a juggernaut. Because Sarnoff is not running against Haskins. He’s running against Manny Diaz.

Diaz, love him or hate him, seriously needs a challenge. It’s always dangerous, no matter who is in control, for one person to so thoroughly dictate the course of something as complex as a city on the verge of big changes. Challenge makes even a good vision better. I’m not convinced Linda Haskins is built for that role at this point.

Read the whole column here.

Let's stop the high rises at Mercy

Mercy Hospital President John Matuska insists that the development of the hospital's land is important for them because they need the money to improve the 50-year-old facility, according to a Miami Today article.

In other words, "screw the neighbors, we need money".

I guess Matuska feels that by adding congestion to the area, which in essence, slows down all activity in the area, including ambulance arrivals, is a good thing.

The closing of the $96 million deal depends on the Dec. 14 Miami City Commission's ruling on whether to rezone the property to allow The Related Group to build three high rise condos on the property.

Now is the time to stop this. Vote for Marc Sarnoff on Dec. 21st. It is our opinion that Linda Haskins would vote to allow the rezoning. Marc will not.

Bidding updates on Strut Grand Marshall

As you know, the King Mango Strut's Grand Marshall position is up for bids on ebay this year.

To see updates on the bidding at ebay, click here. It's getting pretty high. :)

Sarnoff-Haskins on WINZ this morning

Today from 8 am to 9 pm, Mac Sarnoff and Linda Haskins are scheduled to be on the Jim Defede Show on 940 am - WINZ -- also on internet at: www.am940southflorida.com

I did live blogging of the radio show, it is quite long, so I moved it to a webpage.

Go here for live blogging: www.coconutgrovegrapevine.com/debate.htm

I don't think the debate really answered many questions. I am sorry they didn't have any call-ins. That would have gotten to the points we are interested in.

No bull

I love this bull in the old walkway where Borders used to be. It looks like it is by the same artist, Frederick Prescott, who did the giraffe and horse in Myers Park on S. Bayshore Drive, near 27th Ave.

The puppet

Photo from Old Grover.

You can see a bunch of Linda Haskins parodies here.

Questions for Haskins

A reader left this comment today. Hopefully we'll get some answers today.

"Hard working taxpaying residents of Miami are still waiting for answers. Why does "tax and spend" candidate Linda Haskins use a city owned SUV and a city paid driver to drive her, her campaign staff and her family to her campaign events? Why was Haskins permitted to use an army of taxpayer paid city staff workers all day on election day? Most were wearing Haskins T-shirts? Where they on city time? Tax & Spend Haskins appears to have an amazing disrespect for the taxpayers hard earned money."

Delicious lunch

For a delicious lunch, may I suggest Curry Chicken Salad at Focaccia Rustica's with a tortellini salad on the side. It's a great take-out item, or you can enjoy it right there.

It's amazing how the atmosphere is so European and elegant once you step inside the little restaurant -- it is right next to the Last Carrot, the 7-11 or whatever it is and Subway, but you are in another world once you step into Foccaccia Rustica (3111 Grand Avenue).

This 'n That

Some of the items in the This 'n That Thrift Shop, 3155 Commodore Plaza.

Grove meetings this week

Tues., Nov. 14, 12:30-2 p.m., Chamber of Commerce luncheon. Guest speaker from the Carnival Center for the Performing Arts. Wyndham Grand Bay Hotel, 2669 S. Bayshore Dr. Reservations: 305-444-7270. info@coconutgrove.com.

Tues., Nov. 16, 7-9 p.m., Cocoanut Grove Village Council. Info: 305-441-5966. Also televised on City of Miami Ch 77.

Mayfair's Farmer's Market revisited

I went back to the Mayfair Farmer's Market yesterday, and while I have to insist that it is not a Farmer's Market, but more of a sidewalk festival. I did enjoy it and I did get some incredible deals from the one fruit and veggie guy. Actually there are two, but one had incredible prices.

The people running the booths are super friendly and they are very welcoming.

I got a big bag of fruit and vegetables for only $11.00! I got huge grapes, a bunch of lemons, tangerines, fresh strawberries that melt in your mouth and more. The prices do put the Glaser market prices to shame, but I did end up at the Glaser market for my deep well water, coconut water, carrot juice and mixed veggie concoctions.

There's a young guy that sells turtles and all the stuff to house them. Wait, is that one turtle on top of the other? What are they doing?

Mad Hatter personalities

Here a few more pictures from the Mad Hatter Arts Festival.

Mad Hatter brings you back in time

Want to go back in time, when the Grove was THE GROVE? Drop by downtown Coconut Grove today and tomorrow for the Mad Hatter Arts Festival. It is what the Coconut Grove Arts Festival was back in the day, before it got too large and out of hand.

The Mad Hatter artists are spread throughout the Grove and not on top of each other and it's nice to walk, stop at the Farmer's Market at Mayfair, get a drink at Johnny Rockets or Starbucks and enjoy the art in between.

It's a perfectly sunny day. I'm going back soon. Please don't take my parking spot. :)

If you click on the pictures, they will open larger.

A Grove scene

At Cocowalk

Today in the Grove

Events today:

The Mad Hatter Arts Festival -- all around the Grove.

Mayfair Farmer's Market - Streets of Mayfair Promenade.

Glaser Farmer's Market - Grand Avenue, across from CVS.

I'll be out taking pics.

New art gallery opens tonight

The Heart of the Grove Art Gallery and Gift Shop opens tonight at the old Twice Around Shop at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church (3439 Main Highway). These are the GroveHouse artists who were kicked out of their last location at the Shops of Mayfair when the Coconut Grove Arts Festival outbid them for the space.

There will be free wine and cheese at tonight's opening from 6:30 to 8:30 pm and lots of paintings and sculptures will be offered for sale. That brings us up to this weekend's Mad Hatter Arts Festival, Saturday and Sunday.

Volunteer guides needed at Barnacle

The Barnacle is looking for volunteer guides. If you would like to volunteer your time, please contact them at 305-442-6866. Tell 'em the Grapevine sent you.

Barnacle photo circa 1890

Election quotes

“This is a true David and Goliath story. And it goes to show that you can’t just buy an election. The Diaz machine can’t win just with money. People matter more than money and they matter more than Manny.” -- Marc Sarnoff

“This is all grass-roots, and this is going to be like a wildfire. I don’t care how much money Haskins raises – the people won’t be bought. We’re about the preservation of neighborhoods, preventing the [proliferation] of high-rises, preserving our canopy and improving our park system.” -- Marc Sarnoff

''I'm probably going to support Marc on this one.'' -- former City Manager Joe Arriola

"I've just had so much fun.'' -- Linda Haskins

''People who want to believe that for a $500 contribution Linda can be bought are going to believe that. It's about solving issues, not creating an issue to be at the forefront, to make a name for yourself.'' -- Linda Haskins

Wanna be the King Mango Strut's Grand Marshall?

The Grand Marshall's seat for this year's King Mango Strut parade goes up for bidding on ebay Tuesday, Nov. 14 at 8 pm, give or take a few minutes. The auction will last seven days.This year is the 25th anniversary and will take place Dec. 31, through the streets of Coconut Grove. The theme is, "Still Crazy After All These Years."

For anyone intersted in getting in on the parade planning, the group meets Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m., at Tobacco Road, (626 S. Miami Avenue). The kick-off party for this year's parade is also Nov. 14 at Tobacco Road.

"If you have a group and a funny plan – great!" says Antoinette Baldwin. "If you want to participate but don't know what to do, don't worry, the wacky Mangoheads will give you something nutty to do." The Strut also needs behind-the-scenes volunteers. For more information, visit www.kingmangostrut.org .

Mad Hatter Arts Festival this weekend

2008 info here.


The Second Annual Mad Hatter Arts Festival is this coming weekend -- Nov. 11 and 12.

Coconut Grove streets will be taken over by artists and musicians. A treasure hunt is planned and there will be lots of activities for kids of all ages.Bring your nuttiest hat for the "Craziest Mat Hat" contest. You may win!

An information booth will be located at Cocowalk and you'll see the participants throughout the downtown Grove. For info, call 305-992-5438 or email louisd@aol.com

Marc Sarnoff comes out ahead

Well, Marc did it, now we just need to deal with the runoff. I think this sends a big message to "business as usual" at City Hall.

Herald story here.

Vote

Please get out and vote today. Do it now. :)

Waterfront update -- there is no update

We tried getting info on the Coconut Grove waterfront project, but apparently there is nothing new to post on the internet, according to Comm. Linda Haskins.

The new drawings/boards are supposed to be available in Ms. Haskins' office for anyone to see, but apparently people don't feel there are any new drawings to see, just the old ones, which can be seen on line here: http://dinnerkey.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=268

According to the Coconut Grove Waterfront Working Committee, they "do not believe this is the most recent work product from Sasaki [Associates, Inc.] and expect that at this stage of the process there should be at a minimum designs created using a CAD program, a traffic study, and a more fully refined economic study. "

The Committe goes on to say: "Assuming that to be the case, we hereby request of the Planning Department, pursuant to Article I, Section 24 of the Florida Consitution and Florida Statutes Chapter 119, that the most recent design alternatives and any supporting documentation including economic studies, traffic studies, presentation materials or explanatory materials be made public by posting them on the waterfront plan website immediately. We also request that announcements be made and a date set for the first official presentation of the three design alternatives that have been repeatedly promised to the public at the Coconut Grove Village Council and the Waterfront Advisory Board, as well as for the scheduling of public workshops to work with Sasaki in refining the three alternatives into one final plan.

"We are very concerned about the negative impact of the releasing of six-month-old conceptual drawings (represented as the most current work product) by Commissioner Haskins’ office, without any explanation, and hope that the immediate posting of Sasaki’s most current work product with the scheduling of official presentations and workshops will allow the process to get back on track in a positive way. Posting the alternatives and any explanatory materials would also allow stakeholders the opportunity to be more fully prepared to participate when the workshops take place."

And so the project drags on.

Crimewatch meeting Nov. 8

Wednesday, Nov. 8, is the All Grove Crimewatch Meeting
from 6:30-8 p.m.

The meeting will be at the Virrick Park Gym Conference Room
(3255 Plaza St.). For info, please email: rloupo@aol.com or call 305-310-8769 or email: ymcdonald@bellsouth.net

The website is here: www.grovecrimewatch.org .

Fresh new Milam's look

I tease Milam's a lot, but they really are making the store look nice. I think they are copying the Fresh Market, but no big deal. The produce section looks so clean and bright now and the displays are really welcoming.

Winton trial today

The trial of suspended Miami commissioner Johnny Winton was scheduled for today, Nov. 6, ironically, one day before a special election to find his replacement. I am assuming the trial will go on today, it was postponed from last month.

If Winton is found not guilty of resisting an officer with violence and also battery on a police officer, he will be able to reclaim his seat. The altercation was May 15, 2006.

Update: The trial is now January 2nd at 9 am.

Comments are now moderated

Comment moderation has been enabled. All comments must be approved before we post them. Too many people are getting nasty and ugly and do it anonymously.

Vote for Sarnoff on Tuesday

This was said about Linda Haskins in Jack King's column.

"She is pushy, ill mannered, abusive, downright nasty with staff, and fraught with behavioral issues that her former boss Joe Arriola thought might need professional help. More than anything else, she has a serious problem with the truth. Truth to her is whatever came out of her mouth last. Everything else is someone else's problem."

"Haskins scares me and with her complete disregard for governmental guidelines and the rule of law, I feel she is well on her way to becoming the next Miriam Alonso. That's the last time I saw this type of arrogant behavior. Vote for whomever you wish, but not for Haskins."

You can read the whole thing here: http://coconutgrovegrapevine.com/linda2.htm. The part about District 2 is at the bottom in bold letters on that page.

The Coconut Grove Grapevine endorses Marc Sarnoff in the Disctrict 2 City of Miami Commission Race. Let's keep it real, people. This is the Coconut Grove Grapevine, not the City of Miami Grapevine. We need to vote for the person who is best for the Grove.

I don't like the new 'Farmer's Market'

I wanted to like it, but the new "Farmer's Market" at Mayfair isn't a farmer's market. It's sort of a flea market or sidewalk sale.

It's nice, don't get me wrong, but there are only about a dozen booths and only one sells fruits and vegetables. The rest sell junk, i.e. ice cream, hand bags, flowers, knick knacks and things like that.

I was hoping it would alleviate some of the wait time and high prices at the Glaser Organic Farms Market, just up Grand Ave., but there is no comparison. Since Glaser has to vacate their spot soon because of destruction construction, perhaps they can move into the Mayfair area and show them how it's done. The current vendors could still sell knick knacks on the side.

You can see these photos larger by clicking on them.

A pretty fall scene

Let's take a break from all this politics. Enjoy the scene taken from City Hall in the Grove. It's such a peaceful scene just steps away from Miami's chaotic political ground zero. You can see Scotty's Landing in the background (the striped awning). Click on the image for a larger version.

The ubiquitous construction cranes ruin the view in the background, but try to overlook them. I think one may just be Dick Bunnell, the dock builder's, barge.

I'm going to be checking out the new Farmer's Market at Mayfair tomorrow (Saturday), I'll take pics and report back.

District 2 map

You can see how large District 2 is on this map. Click on it for a larger version.

Letter to Linda Haskins

Linda Haskins' campaign has been emailing people, telling of her desire for quality of life, reducing traffic, etc. You can see the letter here.

This is one response to Ms. Haskins sent by a reader of this blog:

"Dear Ms. Haskins,

In response to your email asking for my vote.

I think quality of life begins with protecting the neighborhoods in your district. Allowing Mercy Hospital to build 400 foot high condos with prices starting at 3 million dollars is hardly affordable housing. Not to mention that it is 8 times larger the height limit allowed by current zoning. What is your position on Mercy Hospital?

Do you think it's right to wall off Biscayne Bay from the residents with condos and other concrete structures like the American Airlines Stadium? That is one of the most obnoxious uses of bayfront land I've ever seen.

As far as reducing traffic, how exactly do you propose to do that? By streetcars? By reducing Biscayne Blvd. by yet another lane for a mode of transportation that was retired from the city of Miami 80 years ago? The city has narrowed Grand Avenue, redesigned the on street parking so there is less. Every year businesses fail by the dozens in Coconut Grove because there is no convenient parking.

We used to have angle parking on McFarlane Road, then it was changed to parallel parking. There used to be 5 parking spaces for the library, now there are two or three. I don't consider that improving life for residents. Parking garages are unsafe, inconvenient and people get mugged in them. The one under the Sonesta Hotel takes credit cards only.

Is your affordable housing the 34 story condos proposed at every Metro Rail station? We don't have the infrastructure to support that idea.

What about your relationship with Home Depot and their lawyers? As you know Home Depot has trashed the 8th Street neighborhood. And you know they will do the same in Coconut Grove. Will you really vote against them when you've taken so much money from them?

So Ms. Haskins, before asking me for my vote, you tell me exactly how you propose to do the things you promise. What are your plans? I'd really like to know.

Thank you,
"A Concerned Tax Payer", District 2

Editor's note: All nasty anonymous posts will be deleted. If you have a different point of view, that's great, please don't be rude about it. If you want to be rude, have the balls to sign your name.

Farmer's Market Finds

Some of the loot I got last weekend from the Farmer's Market on Grand Ave. across from CVS.

New Farmer's Market

There's a new Farmer's Market at Mayfair, right on the promenade. Check it out this Saturday for the first time!

Halloween in the Grove

Halloween was wild in the Grove last night. Thousands of people crowded the streets, at midnight hundreds of cars were still lining up on 32nd and 27th Avenues, waiting to get in.

You can click on the pics to get a larger version.