Will Furry; running for Village Council
We have asked the Village Council nominees to send us a little something about themselves and their vision and their reason for wanting to be elected to the Village Council. Here is the next in the series, Will Furry:I’m originally from Southern California, but I’ve lived in the Grove for nearly 10 years — and I’m proud to call this little bayfront village my home. My amazing wife Jamie owns a business in the area, and we actually met and fell in love right here in the neighborhood. We were married at Plymouth Congressional Church where we are members. Many people may have seen us walking with our most popular family member, Spartacus, the fearless Chihuahua. Our family of three resides in a modest Center Grove cottage. Professionally, I am a Realtor for Avatar R.E. Services, and have an extensive background in finance and real estate. I plan to use my expertise in these areas, as well my good old-fashioned people skills, to work on behalf of the Grove.
If elected, I will work with our citizens, businesses and government officials to preserve the essence of the Grove — its natural beauty, image and quality of life. In addition, I’ll collaborate with the BID and other associations to maintain and improve our status as the world-class destination that we are. Furthermore, Coconut Grove is a huge tax base for the city of Miami and in light of their budget shortcomings, it’s my opinion that the role the Village Council plays has never been more important.
I believe the Coconut Grove Village Council is a voice for all that is Coconut Grove, and is also a vehicle to relay our wants and needs to our elected officials. I want to not only join, but also help lead this prestigious group. As a part of the council, one of my top priorities will be to ensure that we get our fair share of tax dollars reinvested back into our community. The Grove is facing many issues — the FPL power lines on US1, Waterfront Master Plan, Village West revitalization, and a challenging business landscape for our local entrepreneurs. But I am ready to face these challenges head on, and work hard to get the results we deserve.
I truly believe we can make Coconut Grove an even better place to live.
The previous bio sent in was by Stephen Murray and Renita Samuels-Dixon.
posted by Tom Falco at 10:00 AM
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19 Comments:
Hey will, how do you feel about the 3am restriction?
Since that's the hottest topic before the council and in grove at present, i'd really like to hear the candidates views. Particularly since the majority of our current council is AFRAID to face the issue.
To Anonymous,
It's my opinion that the 3:am restriction is unfair to existing business that entered into leases and built there business plan on the old 5:am rule. Other establishment that serve alcohol in the Grove located north of Bird Ave can stay open until 5:am. I feel this is an unfair double standard. I will mention that I have spoken to the police in the area and they say that they have seen a reduction in crime under the 3:am rule.In closing I don't think this should not be a I win You lose issue, we should put our heads together and find a compromise that works for both sides.
Well spoken by an upstanding individual, and a local business owner that really cares about the Grove.
Like your response, Mr. Furry. "All or nothing", and "I'm right , you're wrong so why don't you leave town" rarely works when settling an important issue. It's up for discussion and should be discussed, not fought over with accusations and drama.
We would like to know where Will stands on the Coconut Grove Playhouse situation?
spoken like a true politician , I,d say.....WAFFLED !
"we should put our heads together and find a compromise that works for both sides."
4am? lol.. CI
Great to see a dialogue going. Personally, I disagree with "Anonymous." I find it refreshing to have a candidate willing to work with both sides to find a common ground. We all either work or live in the Grove — or in some cases both. I'm not interested in a candidate who wants to divide us. Let's vote for someone to unite us.
I appreciate all the response to my earlier post. Let me be clear on the 3 a.m. issue. I am for restoring the old 5 a.m. law. I was also quoted on this position in the Miami Herald last Sunday. As to the playhouse, I feel that it is an important part of our history and should be restored and returned to a fully operational theater. The arts have always been a part of Grove culture, and as a community we should do all we can to preserve and expand them.
Anon 5:25 and 6:08 - Maybe this guy means it. Let's not be so cynical. Someone is going to take this job and I hope whomever does cares about the Grove and does a good job of listening to all sides and makes informed decisions. It won't be easy.
Thanks for the clarification Will. I like that you're putting your views out there. That's what we need from these candidates. Not bios and "what I believe in" essays, but their stance on pertinent grove issues.
I don't care if someone's been here 20 years or 20 minutes, I just want them to know and have considered the ongoing debates.
Also, please some candidate say that you want to save Kennedy park. that dog park ruined everything,and it is now the most disgusting place in the grove. I would rather tour a sewage plant than walk anywhere near it.
"saving Kennedy park". I Wouldn't go as far as calling it "disgusting" "sewage". It's actually reasonably well maintained, they planted nice new trees, grass is trimmed.. it's trash-clean, besides the occasional dog-poo field mines.. Gotta be careful if you like to run in the grass.. How do you propose to fix that? Law enforcement? And what about opening up the Water Views in the Bay a little, for a change in the Grove? (let's call them "Oasis Grove Waterviews") What ever happened to the erradication of those invasive Seaside Mahoe infesting the entire park, as promissed in 2008?
Or.. What are your views about the increasing sight of homeless people, now comfortably Installed at Peacock Park's Amy Billig's "Trash" Garden, at Kenneth Myers and Kennedy? Thanks
Carlos Iglesia
To Anonymous 12:15 PM
I have not made any specific comments on Kennedy Park but I am an advocate for an approved water front. After reading your post earlier today I took a drive out to the dog park to take a personal survey. I do not mean to discount your concern but I did not witness the atrocity you portrayed. I did notice that there were several piles of dog waste and there was a slight odor but it was far from unbearable. There is a sign there explaining that owners of dogs must pick up after their pets so I feel that people just need to follow the rules that are already in place. If this is something that is of high importance to you I would recommend that you work with the Village Council to head a comity that would man the dog parks for a period of time reminding people in a neighborly way of there responsibility. In closing as a dog owner my self I am glade that the Grove has been identified as a pet friendly destination.
To Carlos Iglesia,
I am an advocate for an improved waterfront. It is my understanding that the water front master plan dose call for an increased water view. I know that there are some challenges with some of the protected growth along the shore line but I feel that once the plan goes into motion we will all enjoy a better waterfront experience. As to your concerns regarding the homeless in the Grove I have actual noticed a slight decline but in these economic times I think they feel if you have to be homeless what better place than the water front. The approach to this problem is simple most homeless don't work so they raise money through panhandling. If the residence and tourists stop giving the the so called "$0.80 to get on the bus" then they wont have money to go to the local convenience store to buy a 12 pack of bear and the walk around drunk harassing people. So I propose that we do what other business district have done and enact a no panhandler zone.
Actually anon 2:17, I was referring specifically to the dog park down there, which is a public nuisance and should be condemned, as opposed to the park as a whole, which is just kind of ignored by the city.
Will, remember the good 'ole days of "Your Grove? Let's Secede!" We shall try again one day..
"It is my understanding that the water front master plan dose call for an increased water view"
I'd like to know exactly where, how and especially When. What specific spots can and will be cleared? The only little water oasis any casual visitor can see from their cars is the Seminole Boat ramp.. unless they know a few intricate ways inside on foot.
And that's the entire Grove Bayside, roughly 5 miles, South, Central and North. To me, that's freaking unbelievable.. Any City would be taking advantage of Such coveted and unique Bay Views like we have no Idea..
I've been walking, running or biking thru the Grove just about everyday for years now. It's clear that there are more homeless people out there recently, and the Mangrove area at Peacock's park is just an eye-sore full of trash. Crocodiles love it, sure.. Stroll by when you get a chance, take a good look.
About Kennedy Park, what's your solution? I got one: surveyance: law enforcement: pick-up after the dog or pay the fine. Hey, the City could make a lot of money there, instead of killing us with parking tickets. Get rid of the despicable Seaside Mahoes. open up the water. We could talk for hours, 100 word max. here.
Carlos
Re the dog park at Kennedy Park. The Waterfront Master Plan calls for moving the dog park away from the water. It would probably make the most sense to put it near the parking lot, in shade under the trees. It seems like a lot of the complaints about dog poop in the park would be resolved if the dogs didn't have to walk all the way to the back of the park to get to the fenced area. Of course they go in the grass. Their owners not cleaning up after them is another issue, but if the fenced area was right there in front, with poop bags available inside, there would probably be a lot less of a problem.
Moving the dog park near the parking lot wouldn't help much, and aesthetically, right there by the Parking lot, (dunno, Mr Lemonade might opine on that). People walk their dogs to the park from all corners of the Grove, most don't drive them there. Dogs will poop when and where they want to, S. Bayshore, the Owners residence, or on the way to the park. 100 yards walking difference won't matter. The occasional left-over poop is all over the park, on the south side too; dogs are walked all around Kennedy Park, not just in the dog cage.
It's about education and enforcing the Laws: Pay a hefty fine if you're caught leaving your beloved mooch's poop behind. Hang a few prominent signs at key spots around the park, inside the dog park itself, warning about the legal consecuences. And enforce the law, sporadically, a few random, exemplary tickets. Educate people dog owners, and non-dog owners alike. Distribute some friendly, warning flyiers, explaining the deseases animal excrements can carry to the children playing there, the nasty flies it brings, the lack of consideration to your neighbors, or signs like they have behind City Hall about that. Then everyone would be Informed, and ultimately we would start to police each-other. Problem solved.
Why can't we make one of our many meter maids a poop maid instead?
Walk around the park fining everyone who doesn't pick up the poo. Will make just as much money or people will start picking up because they're being watched, and we've now saved money (in park maintenance) and made the park better!
Ya know why we can't do that - the MPA. they would refuse. the end.
FIRE THE MPA!! FIRE THE MPA!!
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