Michelle Niemeyer's side of the story
Here is Michelle Niemeyer's side of the story, responding to activist Grace Solares' letter in response to Michelle's first letter, in regard to Michelle's support of Comm. Joe Sanchez for Miami Mayor. Got it?
Grace,
May I call you Grace? Those who know me understand that I never stand on formalities, except with judges, whom I address as “Your Honor.” Just as I call our District 2 Commissioner Marc, I call Joe “Joe” and I call your candidate “Tomás,” the City Manager “Pete,” and my fellow Village Council members by their first names on the dais. I find people who do not hide behind the formality of their titles to be more open to discourse on an equal footing. Joe is one of those people.
I respect the fact that you spend a great deal of your time involved in community activities, as I do. I also respect your right to have opinions that differ from mine. We don’t all have to agree all the time. There are some major policy issues that distinguish Joe from Tomás, and people will have the opportunity to choose the candidate who best represents their vision for our city’s future. We have major issues to address: a stagnant economy, lack of affordable housing, transportation gridlock, and a need for tree canopy and more usable park space, among other things.
As far as Little Havana goes, I have never held myself out as an expert on that area, but it is close to where I live and yes, Grace, I do know how to find it. Some of my friends grew up there. Years ago I volunteered as a mentor to a high school student there. Since I moved to Miami, I have seen improvements in the residential neighborhoods in that area and I am aware that SW 8th Street has found a new life, families have returned to that historic neighborhood, and investment is flowing in an area that was stagnant a decade ago before Joe took office.
As far as the Grove goes, it is inaccurate for you to claim that every controversial development has been unanimously opposed by neighbors. The Grove has always been a place of activism and heated civic debate. As a Grove resident, I have seen powerful and emotional arguments on both sides of every controversial issue, and for everyone who participates in that debate there are another hundred people who do not and whose views are often not reflected by our most adamant activists. Joe moved for approval of the Mercy project on the condition that there would be a 25% reduction in height and scale. In case you were unaware, that project was supported by the Village Council and neighboring homeowners’ groups before it went to the Commission. Home Depot, to my knowledge, never actually came up for a vote before the Commission. A proposed NCD-3 cap on the size of retail stores was passed, which eliminated the possibility of big box stores in the Grove, and Joe was part of the unanimous vote that passed it. The Grovener was supported by the Civic Club, generally the Grove’s most conservative organization where development is concerned, as well as other Grove organizations.
Joe is open, honest, and proud of a proven track record of initiatives that have produced meaningful results. He votes for what he believes is right for the entire City for today and for the future. I know I will join the people of Miami in voting for Joe Sanchez – the candidate who votes with the next generation in mind, not the next election.
Sincerely,
Michelle Niemeyer
Grace,
May I call you Grace? Those who know me understand that I never stand on formalities, except with judges, whom I address as “Your Honor.” Just as I call our District 2 Commissioner Marc, I call Joe “Joe” and I call your candidate “Tomás,” the City Manager “Pete,” and my fellow Village Council members by their first names on the dais. I find people who do not hide behind the formality of their titles to be more open to discourse on an equal footing. Joe is one of those people.
I respect the fact that you spend a great deal of your time involved in community activities, as I do. I also respect your right to have opinions that differ from mine. We don’t all have to agree all the time. There are some major policy issues that distinguish Joe from Tomás, and people will have the opportunity to choose the candidate who best represents their vision for our city’s future. We have major issues to address: a stagnant economy, lack of affordable housing, transportation gridlock, and a need for tree canopy and more usable park space, among other things.
As far as Little Havana goes, I have never held myself out as an expert on that area, but it is close to where I live and yes, Grace, I do know how to find it. Some of my friends grew up there. Years ago I volunteered as a mentor to a high school student there. Since I moved to Miami, I have seen improvements in the residential neighborhoods in that area and I am aware that SW 8th Street has found a new life, families have returned to that historic neighborhood, and investment is flowing in an area that was stagnant a decade ago before Joe took office.
As far as the Grove goes, it is inaccurate for you to claim that every controversial development has been unanimously opposed by neighbors. The Grove has always been a place of activism and heated civic debate. As a Grove resident, I have seen powerful and emotional arguments on both sides of every controversial issue, and for everyone who participates in that debate there are another hundred people who do not and whose views are often not reflected by our most adamant activists. Joe moved for approval of the Mercy project on the condition that there would be a 25% reduction in height and scale. In case you were unaware, that project was supported by the Village Council and neighboring homeowners’ groups before it went to the Commission. Home Depot, to my knowledge, never actually came up for a vote before the Commission. A proposed NCD-3 cap on the size of retail stores was passed, which eliminated the possibility of big box stores in the Grove, and Joe was part of the unanimous vote that passed it. The Grovener was supported by the Civic Club, generally the Grove’s most conservative organization where development is concerned, as well as other Grove organizations.
Joe is open, honest, and proud of a proven track record of initiatives that have produced meaningful results. He votes for what he believes is right for the entire City for today and for the future. I know I will join the people of Miami in voting for Joe Sanchez – the candidate who votes with the next generation in mind, not the next election.
Sincerely,
Michelle Niemeyer
posted by Tom Falco at 8:00 AM
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18 Comments:
This letter reeks of traditional, demagogic politics, the classic political garbage tone we hear ad-nauseam during campaigns.. A brain-washed regurgitation of cheap little slogans, without much substance at all. What makes this Joe guy any different from Cement Manny? Exactly What?
Exactly what has this Joe guy done for the Grove lately? Specifically what?
I'd like to know the same Facts about the Regalado dude, as well, and exactly how they DIFFER on specific Coconut Grove Issues.
Instead of this Political Blurb of obviously biased and radically partisan hot air from Mrs. Niemeyer
Carlos.
Damn Carlos, you can sure be an a-hole know-it-all with your comments sometimes which is very funny considering you dont know anything about either candidate. Youre just pissy because of a stupid building on your precious waterfront that you likely visit less than once a week. Dry your eyes and get over it already.
Ms Neimeyer stated (assumed) fact on where Mr. Sanchez sat on each issue. Her statements challenged the accusations that Ms. Solares
made about Mr. Sanchez. Just because you hold a grudge about a stupid waterfront building doesnt mean Ms. Neimeyer's statements are "political garbage".
And for the record, I couldnt care less about who wins this election. I wouldnt vote for either candidate.
Joe is open and honest? Give me a break. How can she say this with a straight face? The truth cannot be hidden for long. Soon all eyes at the marina will start to talk, and they have. Good luck on this one.
Waahh, your comment loaded with vitriol deserves this much attention:
Ok, I'll bite for a second, Waahh.
1. You don't know me. You don't know what I do, with whom I deal with, the multiple Grove causes that I've been working on.
2. Yes, I don't know anything about either candidate, except what I read from others here and elsewhere. That's one of the reasons I blog here, to learn. Many here have equated this Joe guy with Cement Manny: more of the same, and given examples.
Further, I politely ask specific questions about both candidates, to learn more and form an educated opinion. That's why I'm not pulling for either politician yet, but I am very skeptic about ALL politicians, and politically biased letters like Michelle's.
3. What Ms. Niemeyer wrote are mostly GENERALITIES and political babble. Face it. I'm asking for specifics. I have a right to do so, just as much as she can ADVERTISE her political, partisan agenda here or elsewhere.
4. The "stupid" building is just one the numerous issues I am pro-actevely involved with, simply as a active neighbor. And it ain't stupid, as you obviously and without a doubt are. It's a major violation of the infamous Water Front Plan, and a clear example of the city of Miami's mismanagement of Cocoanut Grove interests.
5- Finally, if you must know, for over 3 years I've been living right across CharterHouse, where the Building is projected to be built, probably 100 feet away, right on S-Bayshore Dr. I run and walk by there about 3 times a week, this morning for instance. I happen to know every corner of this entire area like the palm of my hand. And I am probably more informed about the History of the Grove, it's tribulations and the specific issues at hand in detail, than you will ever be.
So piss off, and try to do something positive instead. Get involved, or on second thought, don't.
What's amusing is that there is no election!
I think its safe to say that Joe has agreed most of the time with Manny.
If you like Manny (the guy has AMAZING PR spin)
Then you'll like Joe...for this "new" future of Miami with this "new" generation.
This "new" Miami has been in the process for 8 years with Manny. I dont want to continue it. I live in Regalado's district (which also coincides with part of little Havana) and I may not have a towering building or a state of the art facility. However I don't have to worry about sidewalks being broken or my trash not getting picked up.
Do we want a sprawling metropolis or a city with more cops and firefighters?
Cheaper taxes or a bustling museum, like the arhst center which the city is paying millions per year for the next several.
These are questions you have to ask yourself.
Joe
Two things
Carlos, your right.
You should always ask and try to learn more. The politicians are here to SERVE US not to LEAD US contrary to popular belief.
And to the last comment there will be an election in November.
And Regalado publicly announced that he would not accept the nomination and is calling for a special election as per city ordinance (and what happened after Steve Clark died)
Joe
12:17 Joe: This is not a special election. Manny Diaz is termed out Nov. 2009. However, if Mayor Diaz was to be appointed to one of Obama's available positions, then an interim Mayor would have to be appointed. As to what happened after Steve Clark died, ask Teresita Zorrilla (Joe's Office Manager and Advisory)who married the poor old man and probably ended up with all his loot!
Carlos,
With your intimate knowledge of the Grove waterfront, were you ever able to learn anything about "this person" Monty Trainer?
Ah your right !
But to my knowledge if there can be no one appointed (i think within 15 days or so) a special election will be called.
As far as appointing a Mayor...I dont really think its a good idea. Obviously they cant vote for themselves so that leaves Spence Jones, Sarnoff and Gonzalez
meh
Hopefully this election wont be too nasty. Regalado only had to fight hard in the first election over 10 years ago, and Joe has never had a real fight in his district. The last thing Regalado/City/Sanchez needs is mudslinging
Joe
4:04 Joe: You are correct, the last thing we need is mudslinging. But if you have skeletons in your closet, sometimes it just happens. Joe Sanchez had it easy - he was appointed when Hernandez was arrested and then elected. On the second time around, he had to do some work. His opponent, Luis Fernandez almost won his seat by a very close margin. For what I understand, Joe Sanchez won because of the absentee ballots. You know, take the "viejitos" to vote.
Whoever the Mayor is, whether Manny stays or goes, the Mayor should be present at every Commission hearing and should sit on the dais and not watch the meeting from his office and come down when things are not going his way. Or maybe he stays in his office so some of the commissioners can text him with questions.
The mayor has a lot more on his agenda than to preside over a City Council meeting of 8 to 16 hours. That is why there is a Chair.
You are right about the Mayor's agenda - but somehow he always makes time for photo ops. He never misses one. Well the Mayor of Miami Beach sits at all their Commission meetings. It should be required and not to much to ask from our Mayor.
The mayor used to have voting power. However there was an election and they gave him strong mayor capability
However I do think the mayor should be at every meeting unlike commissioner the mayor position is full time. So although he is busy he will have plenty of time
Strong Mayor is the County, not the City. It is true that our Mayor never sits in and he is traveling most of the time (you can read it in the papers of his whereabouts making speeches and taking recognition) but one thing was pointed out recently. If the Mayor, who should be the Chair is not presiding, then a Commissioner appointed Chair carries the meeting, but he cannot vote. How is it that Joe Sanchez always votes? Not only that, passes the gavel at the end of all the presentations so he can push for the item? Something is wrong with this picture.
Yes your half right. A strong mayor is in the county (recently) however 12 years (or so ) ago, the Mayor used to vote and sit on the dias as "Mayor" and he appointed a vice mayor as a just in case if he wasnt there. However some time after there was an election to give the mayor "strong" capabilities. He would be able to appoint the city manager (the guy who runs the show) however he would have to give up his vote in the commission. Then they appointed a new commissioner (this was all before the City had districts WOW THAT WAS A LONG TIME AGO)
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