Calm down, let them film, the park will happen

I am not crazy about Comm. Marc Sarnoff's insistence that the Expo Center be demolished to make way for the Waterfront Master Plan right now. What is the rush? Why is it that the other four commissioners see that there is no rush? In fact, I am still a little bothered by the fact that I am in agreement with Commissioners Michelle Spence-Jones, Joe Sanchez and Angel Gonzalez. I feel like I am in the Bizarro World or something -- you know, up is down, in is out, black is white -- the Twilight Zone!

I know that Sarnoff is excited about the Waterfront plan, we all are.

I am glad to see that "Burn Notice" will be allowed to stay until they complete filming season three next year. Every one of the commissioners used their brains yesterday it seems, except for our own district commissioner, who should actually care about what his constituents want. Even the most die hard fans of the park plan have compromised and said the order of the phases can be tweaked a bit to accommodate the tv production.

If "Burn Notice" doesn't mind using the dilapidated Expo Center as home, why does anyone else?

I am even excited to see the place blown up as part of one of their episodes. But what's the rush?

I understand we all want open park land (love that), but why kill "Burn Notice" to have an empty lot sit there until the money is raised to even start the major park project? The idea of "showing progress" and that something is being done doesn't make sense. It's a done deal, the Master Plan has been approved, no one needs to prove anything to anyone. That is our park land now. Let's not celebrate by kicking out our friends and neighbors from "Burn Notice."

Why does it have to come down to the cast and crew from a famous tv program to actually stop production, show up at a Commission meeting, and beg for their livelihood when it all makes sense to allow them to work? The old building has been there for almost 50 years, is another year or so going to make a difference? Do you really want these people to lose their jobs or have to move production to Louisiana or somewhere else?

Yesterday's paper said tourism is drastically down. How about keeping this free Miami and Coconut Grove publicity machine running? Did you see the Barnacle on last night's show? Do you see how they film in a color noir sort of way? Every scene is a work of art. It exposes our community to the world. Did you see the last scene when they left Carlito's restaurant (shown above and below) driving off into the colorful world of beautiful people, surf boards, palm trees and a fantasy land? That was the Expo Center! Here is what it looks like when not on film.

It is such a high compliment to know that the cast and crew want to be in the Grove and not other parts of Miami. That means something. They are basically part of everyday life now and we all like it. The film industry is a clean industry and highly desired by every city in the nation. And we have it and for some stupid reason one or two people want to lose it for us.

Let's have a little class. It really is not about a tv show, it is about a group of people wanting to complete a project they started. Since it makes no sense to demolish the Expo Center at this point, it makes sense leave it and let them work until they absolutely have to go, which is what the Commisson seemed to decide yesterday.

Hopefully "Burn Notice" will go on for many years and hopefully by the time the third season is complete, some time next spring or summer, there will be another home for the production. And they can all stay in Miami, if not the Grove, and know they are welcome and wanted.

It's going to be sad when they leave the Grove. For them and for us.