Is the City shunning the Village Council?
I find it odd that the City of Miami is shunning the Village Council and refusing to allow them to use City Hall space anymore for their meetings. When in reality, the City of Miami should vacate the Grove and actually have their offices in downtown Miami, not at the Grove's high-end waterfront location.
The City should allow the Cocoanut Grove Village Council access to City Hall because of the mere fact that they are actually in Coconut Grove. It should be out of pure courtesy.
I still have not heard back from Mayor Regalado about City Hall regarding the Village Council. I know he has much more pressing problems on his desk at the moment, they don't even have a City Commission at this point, without a quorum, there is no Commission, is there?
On the other hand, if the Grove wants to be it's own city and wean itself away from Miami, it might be a good idea to start with the Village Council and have the Village Council meet away from City Hall and not depend on Miami City Hall for anything at this point. The mayor seems to have turned his back on the Grove, let's all turn our back on him.
posted by Tom Falco at 8:00 AM
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56 Comments:
Grape, that's a gloomy picture of City Hall. I hope that's not a a picture of things to come..
Jeez Grape, the man has not been in office a week and now you are asking your readership to turn their backs on Regalado. Cut the man a break! You know that he did not dictate the closing of the facility against the VC, it was the puppetmaster, Commissioner Sarnoff. Perhaps you are asking your readership to turn their collective backs on the 'wrong' man?
Although the words art and Coconut Grove are synonymous---use art/artist to game Miami City Hall in a creative manner designed to attract people to the Grove. As of last week a $1.3-million complaint/lawsuit, related to art in Coconut grove was dropped on the Mayor's desk, which the new mayor must address. A lot of free press far and wide could bring a lot of people into our Grove to see this creative friendly gaming.
This gaming activity can be free and spontanious if someone with authority, vision & direction picked up the reins.
The Mayor, in writing, NOT anyone else, ordered the City Manager to refuse to let the Council meet and he confirmed his decision verbally at his swearing in party.
I agree, he's busy so why was his first official act to throw out the CGVC. BTW, the chamber sat empty that night.
The Sailors' club or another cool venue would be better than City Hall. The City hardly ever listens and especially hardly ever acts according the the Grove's specific needs and desires. Most of the Grove's generous tax dollars end up anywhere else but in the Grove anyway. We've tried seceding from the City in the past, and we'll try again in the future. It's the only way for our Village to improve by leaps and bounds. CI
The City should move the seat of government back to downtown Miami. What was the reason for moving offices and abandoning downtown in the first place?
Everyone who visits us from out of town remarks how odd it is that Miami's city hall exiled itself to what is an inner suburb.
I'm sure the space could be used for far better things. For example, a museum documenting the history of pontoon airboats (joking)!
Anonymous at 8:47.
You state Mayor Regalado ordered in writing, Pete Hernandez to refuse to let the VC meet at City Hall.
You wouldn't happened to have a copy of that written statement would you? Didn't think so!
The New Mayor did what they all do, suck up to get elected and then do whatever they want. Why did anyone else think differently would occur this election and this new Mayor? Now is the time to become our own City. We should move ASAP while they are in flux of a crime infused City Hall. We have every reason to want to be removed from City of Miami to becaome City of Coconut Grove. The time is now!
If Coconut Grove is removed from the City of Miami to become the City of Coconut Grove what would happened to Commissioner Sarnoff? The Puppet Master will NEVER allow that to happen! He now runs the City of Miami and that includes Coconut Grove. He is NOT going to give up that power.
Grape has the memo's
Tom, I'll just say I'm sorry you're now realizing the result of the election. Me, too.
The only memo I have is from the City Manager, speaking for the Mayor, no one has seen any written orders from the Mayor.
Grape, it was not an order from Mayor Regalado, it was a suggestion. Perhaps Commissioner Sarnoff can give us some more input on how this all came about?
The persistence of the fantasy that Coconut Grove could somehow de-annex itself from the City of Miami, while providing ample grist for the mill here in the comments section of The Grapevine, only serves to perpetuate the notion that Grovites exist in some sort of alternate reality with only tenuous connections to reality.
No wonder you're not taken seriously by the adults in charge.
Grape,
Come on. do you seriously think that the City Manager used the Mayor's name without his knowledge? He's already hanging on by a thread.Or that the Mayor's failure to respond to the city manager, the CGVC, you or anyone else that sent him numerous emails asking him to deny he ordered it and to reinstate the CGVC meeting was an accident. Lose the conspiracy theory and face reality. For what ever reason, the Mayor's action was deliberate and a slap in the face to every Groveite,especially you since you endorsed him and he won't even talk to you.
Don't forget when the memo was written he wasn't even the Mayor yet. What's up with that? I think it's clear what really happened, but I think it's just as clear that after he learned about it the Mayor could have done something about it with one or two phone calls, and did not. We immediately made an official request on the 11th, pursuant to the "new policy" to ask for the time slot back and were told there was no procedure in place. How's that for "community access?" So, the room sat empty. Welcome to the new Miami!
"The persistence of the fantasy that Coconut Grove could somehow de-annex itself from the City of Miami.."
What do you know about it, grown-up? It's doable, not easy at all, but feasable. There have been thorough studies made, organized and sustained community efforts, twice. What do you know? You offer absolutely no specific reasons, so your comment is just a condescending mockery of yourself. CI
Come on Michelle...you know your buddy Sarnoff is behind this because of the 5:00AM closing issue!
"I'm sure the space could be used for far better things. For example, a museum documenting the history of pontoon airboats (joking)!"
That should be wide open Water Front Space, a park. Same as the place where the Sailor's Club is, and, eventually, same as where the Expo-Center is: Open Bayside. That's what the Waterfront master plan calls for, except, of course, no one can touch City Hall unless it's Obama himself. CI
Hey CI..It will never be done with Sarnoff in power! NOT DOABLE at this time!
Anon 10:05, were you under the impression I didn't think he was? That being said, the Mayor is in charge of the Administration, not any Commissioner, and if the Mayor had wanted to correct the situation he could have. He was aware and chose not to.
Want power?
See what Jimbo's did to remove the $5.00 entrance fee.
A campaign by Jimbo's fans resolved the problem.
http://www.jimbosplace.com/
Michelle, I'm sure the new Mayor did want to correct the situation, but he has to answer to Sarnoff.Sarnoff does not want it so the Mayor will not cross him. That's politics!
Commissioner Sarnoff is his own man. Mayor Regalado is not!
I read a letter posted by the Grape. Correct me, but I "think" I remember the letter/memo stated any meetings at city hall after November 11, 2009. Couldn't the meeting have been held as midnight was the date and time and as of midnight the mayor was ordering that a new scheduling would be in effect for all future meeting taking place at city hall?
Here's the reality of the de-annexation fantasy. To become independent of the City of Miami requires, in addition to a favorable vote in the Grove itself, a favorable vote of the REST of the City. Given that the Grove is a net contributor to the City's tax base, the probability of that happening is zero, nada, zilch. Now Carlos may point to countless studies suggesting that it is feasible. What he can't point to is any evidence that it is going to happen. A couple of meetings with Tony and Glenn huffing and puffing does not equal meaningful movement toward secession. Get over it.
Hey, here's an idea. Let's have a productive CGVC meeting tomorrow, then, set a date a week or two down the road, and announce that we're holding the next meeting at city hall. Then we all, AND I MEAN ALL, show up, and demand the use of the facilities that we own and pay for.
Oh, and of course, we will call the herald, and all the local news stations beforehand.
Yes, that's right people, I'm talking about actually using our first amendment rights to peaceably assemble and express our greivance. It's been too long since we've had a protest in the grove.
Isn't that who we really are? or at least claim to be when convenient?
Grown-up, anononymous, your all-mighty condescending tone and flawed, generalistic rhetoric merit ZERO attention. You are part of the problem, not the solution. CI
Okay first your for him and now your against him?
In an effort to reach a solution, why doesn't the council, at it's next meeting, appoint a committee to meet with the appropriate people at city hall to try to resolve this matter amicably.
I would suggest the committee consist of the outgoing and incoming commission chairmen.
As for the importance of this episode to the City of Miami, if it is as important as many seem to imply, why has it not appeared in the Miami Herald or on one of the television stations?
It was covered in the Herald last Sunday.
True but I'm not sure the Neighbors section qualifies.
Xavier Suarez- Lived in the Grove
Joe Carollo - Lived in the Grove
Manny Diaz- Lived in the Grove
Tomas Regalado- does not.
And for the record turning its back is things like Mercy Hospital, The Home Depot and The Grovenor.
And what does the Village Council do?
Seriously? Aside from recomendations ?
Grown up In the room post ahs to be the writings of someone at employed at City Hall. Also has everyone forgot that everyone at City Hall including the Mayor is our Hired help? They work for us and we need to stand up for our Rights. The Village Council are volunteers and they deserve alll the Credit. They don't get a nice pension. Let's see if the Commissioner and Mayor do anything regarding their own pensions?
Grape correct me if I am wrong...but did you not speak to the Mayor and he said that no one was getting kicked out?
Everyone keeps saying "kicked out" but are we not just making sure everyone can meet at City Hall?
Is that not something that even Michelle N mentioned would be a good idea ?
Apparently the village council does enough to scare the powers that be at city hall or they would not have been told to vacste. And yes, Regalado told me last week he knew nothing about the memos.
I tried to warn you all about Regalado. I am the one who said he is living in the past and that Sanchez is pro business. Business is what makes the world go 'round. Not exile politics spouted from a person who barely speaks english and came from spanish radio. Big picture, people! You voted for him so you have to live with the result.
You forget Regalado had the pension forum yesterday. All the ones complaining of democracy and transparency.
Who was there yesterday?
It was a particularly low turn out. Everyone likes to throw stones but no one wants to put them together.
Anon 12:40, if the City just making sure everyone had access to City Hall it would have been done with reasonable notice and a procedure in place for groups to apply for time slots. There would not have been a memo informing the only non-City group that was currently given that access that it must move its meeting, which had been on the City's calendar for months, to another location, with two days' notice. This was intended to keep the Village Council off the airwaves and anyone who thinks otherwise must have been brain damaged from drinking too much KoolAid.
Does the village council pay to use city hall. What does it cost to record the meeting? how many staff must show up to run security etc?
I am still not to clear why they get to use city hall in the first place.
Probably because the Grove residents support the WHOLE CITY.
Boy did you guys vote for the wrong guy....hey Harry...how happy are you with your choice now? Open wide....now swallow. Doc
Grapevine....
It is an inaccurate statement about the Grove supporting the whole city. there are 500,000 people who live in the City of Miami. And thats a gurantee that everyone outside of the Grove does not live in a project.
I just wanted to say how disappointed I am in the current situation with the Village Council. I have kept very quiet on this issue over the past week to allow the 'powers that be' try to work things out, but I find it unacceptable that we have yet to get a straight answer from anyone at the City as to why we cannot meet in City Hall. It is unfathomable to me that the Village Council, which has met at City Hall for quite a few years now, has had our meeting venue taken away with very little notice and no real explanation. If the intention is to allow more neighborhood associations to meet at City Hall, why cancel the only one that currently does meet there? It just doesn't make sense to any rational person.
Whether or not this is an attempt to silence the Council is a moot point -- we will continue to meet, we will have our meetings video-taped and streamed/archived on our new website, and we will continue hearing and voting on the issues that are important to Coconut Grove. All this fiasco has been successful in accomplishing is creating a more outspoken and angry incoming Council.
It is in the City's best interest to remedy this situation in a fair and amicable way.
-Stephen Murray
Councilman-Elect, Coconut Grove
Michelle, We all know from where the kool-aid is distributed....Comissioner Sarnoff?
I dont get what the big frickin deal is. Have your little meeting elsewhere, video tape it, YouTube. Done deal, and it doesnt cost the City any money.
And congrats to everyone who voted for Regalado and his ass backward thinking ways. You reap what you sow.
It is in the City's best interest.....
You do know that the City can get rid of the Village Council whenever it wants right?
I think this has to do with people thinking they are more important then they are
The VC did its best to appeal to the City to let us keep the meeting that had been scheduled in Chambers for 7 pm on November 12.
As I have said in this blog before, the City owes nothing to the Village Council, although the courtesy of allowing our scheduled meeting to go on would have been highly appreciated, I am sure I speak for my fellow council members in letting the City administration know how appreciative we are that we have been allowed to have the meetings there at all for the past several years.
We all know the rush memo, before the Mayor was even sworn in, to allow all community groups to have access to having meetings at City Hall made no sense whatsoever if indeed its true intent was to establish such a generous policy. Had that been its purpose, it would have been simple to include the one community group meeting already on schedule to go through with its meeting.
We were booted out on a technicality, as we were last month.
What has happened to the Village Council is not unlike, well, to use the Brady Bunch again, an imaginary episode where Greg, the older teenager used to having the family car for his weekend dates is suddenly told by mom and dad that he now has to share the car on a rotating basis with Marcia and Jan and the other kids. But Greg has a really hot date on Saturday night, and even though the other kids have nothing to do, he is told he can't use the car owing to this new policy.
So Greg says, "that sucks!" and slams the door to his room. Then he gets an idea. He goes out and gets a job and buys his own car. End of episode.
So instead of wasting time and energy complaining like teenagers, we need to simply go out and make do. Money equals power. Perhaps if Grove residents wrote a small (or large) check to the Village Council, they could have the funds to better serve the community. Better yet, if there was some way at all in which an infinitesimal portion of the taxes paid by Coconut Grove to the City could go to the Village Council, then so much the better. I am not sure this is doable. But certainly worth exploring.
Anon 7:54
"You do know that the City can get rid of the Village Council whenever it wants right?"
No they can't. We are an independent organization. The City has done pretty much the extent of their power 'against' us by taking away a meeting space. That's about it.
And in response to the "power" comment... this isn't a power issue on the VC's end. This is about fair representation and open dialogue, none of which we are being allowed. None of us on the Council are power-tripping, we are concerned citizens who VOLUNTEER our time (I put 20-25 hours/week into my activist projects) to discuss issue, on top of full time jobs and school.
Liliana- you've clearly been drinking more than kool-aid... and that's not even starting into what you must be smoking. Aim for coherence next time, not brady metaphor. thanks
Anon 7:54 - the city cannot get rid of the village council. Sorry buddy. It can stop recognizing it, but that won't get rid of it. the First amendment guarantees the "right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." Quite simply son (and I mean that as condescendingly as possible) it would be unconstitutional for them to "get rid" of the council at this point.
Thank you, Steve BM, for saying what I have wanted to say, so badly, but have held my tongue, or my keyboard as the case may be.
No....no taxes for the VC!
Really.....then how are they elected?
Grape, I think we are being hasty in this assessment. Which is a shame. I appreciate your new "fierce" style of writing, but I would use a more conservative tone if I don't know something for certain...
IN any event, YES you are right that it would be a courtesy and not an obligation.
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