Forced annexation of the City of Coconut Grove?
Matt Heitzenroder has posted an interesting account about the "forced annexation of the City of Coconut Grove" in 1925. That is here.
In 1925 97% of the voters in the City of Miami approved the annexation, interestingly enough, 87% of the Grove voters were against it. Because most voters lived in Miami and not the Grove, the item was passed with 88% in favor.
This was a time of the big boom in Miami and really, no one was forced. It was a legal vote, even though the Grove's wishes were not met. But everyone was going crazy at the time and thought that the Grove, along with all the other cities such as Little River, Allapattah, Buena Vista, Lemon City, Silver Bluff (Silver Bluff was a separate city) should be part of the big city of Miami.
Also, an interesting note: Key Biscayne used to be part of Coral Gables. Yup. There was a court case around 1941 where the Matheson family got Key Biscayne de-annexed because they were not getting any service. Now Key Biscayne, after being part of Metro Dade all those years following, is it's own city.
In 1925 97% of the voters in the City of Miami approved the annexation, interestingly enough, 87% of the Grove voters were against it. Because most voters lived in Miami and not the Grove, the item was passed with 88% in favor.
This was a time of the big boom in Miami and really, no one was forced. It was a legal vote, even though the Grove's wishes were not met. But everyone was going crazy at the time and thought that the Grove, along with all the other cities such as Little River, Allapattah, Buena Vista, Lemon City, Silver Bluff (Silver Bluff was a separate city) should be part of the big city of Miami.
Also, an interesting note: Key Biscayne used to be part of Coral Gables. Yup. There was a court case around 1941 where the Matheson family got Key Biscayne de-annexed because they were not getting any service. Now Key Biscayne, after being part of Metro Dade all those years following, is it's own city.
posted by Tom Falco at 12:07 PM
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15 Comments:
Grapevine, could you detail where you found the info regarding Key Biscayne? I wanted to delve a little deeper, thanks.
pretty sure if anyone tries to sue over this - no one would have standing (is anyone still alive and still lives in the grove now that lived in the grove then?)
even so, by paying City taxes and accepting city services for ~60 years,I think that person would have waived any ability to challenge; at least that's what Miami will say
Page 149 in the book "Key Biscayne" by Joan Gill Blank. Do a Google books search and you can read it on line.
@anonymous by that logic, then Native American's wouldn't have the right to self govern either.
Native american tribes are considered sovereign nations by the US Federal Gov't, that's why they govern themselves and negotiations are through the US Dep't of Interior. Coconut grove, however, isn't quite a soveriegn nation.
As we can see, all kinds of things have happened in the past that might not hold up to the scrutiny of law.
We shall see.
@anonymous They came a long way from where they are now. If they can achieve that kind of triumph, Coconut Grove surely can take back it's independence as well. If you haven't read the article that's posted, I highly recommend that you do: http://digitalcollections.fiu.edu/tequesta/files/2000/00_1_02.pdf
I'm simply playing devil's advocate in the comments. Too often people rattle sabres and get worked up on an idea without taking a look at both sides of an argument. I'm simply making the opposing argument. A lot of talk and meetings won't amount to much without money and political backing.
Is there ANY support on the County/City level (commissions, etc) for this proposal?
Has anyone really thought where the boundaries would be? What the tax base would be?
Is the West Grove involved?
Has anyone even approached the community leaders of the West Grove? (I doubt very many follow this blog, but I may be sorely mistaken)
Are the business leaders of the grove on board?
I know this might seem confrontational, but I;m not trying to be, I'm simply trying to engage in a discourse I find to be interesting.
I completely appreciate people playing devils advocate. It's welcome. It's needed.
Right now we're gather momentum and community support. We need people like you to ask the tough questions.
This can only be done with the consensus and support of community members. There is a lot of work ahead ranging from community canvasing to legal work to fundraising and strategize about the very questions you're asking about.
We need you and we need people like you - your interest is the fire we need to breath into this community.
I never felt once that our discourse was becoming confrontational. This is what we need. An honest public conversation for everyone to take part in. I welcome your thoughts and questions and more over we encourage you to join us for our meeting - if only to check out if this is something you do or do not believe in.
I hope to see you join http://grovetakeback.ning.com/ and I hope you join us at the meetings.
Google "Florida Statutes Section 171.051" for a look at state law on the matter of deannexation.
i think the energy would be better spent finding someone to run for commissioner that will put the grove first, or possibly add a district so our boy isn't spread so thin, or here's one...try to get the village council to get some actual pull within the City.
btw, i still think this is about the peacocks.
De-annexation won't happen without the consent of the rest of the City, period. And to get the consent of the rest of the City, you're going to have to explain how de-annexing the Grove would benefit them. Small chance, given that we are one of the City's piggy banks.
Nevertheless, I wish all the best of luck.
@silk, I agree with you. If we can't get it done, then we should find a way to have the Village council to have some pull. Nobody in the commission, including our own comissioner Sarnoff, ever listens to their wishes.
Maybe you need to define exactly what you want to accomplish before deciding on the method to use to get it. For instance, if the problem is overzealous police patrols and banning of peacocks, deannexation could be overkill.
Painful though it is, you also must recognize that you can't turn back the clock -- or the calendar. If you could, you'd have trouble deciding which page to choose. But you can't, so that's a problem you don't have.
Be grateful for small favors. ;-)
You do need a broader member base, and legal counsel.
There may be changes you can effect without trying to leave the city of Miami, and without costing a fortune.
I hope so.
@you can look it up
Thanks for the pointer - is this what you had in mine?
http://url.ie/maj
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