Let's sit back and watch; will the race happen?

At yesterday's BID Marketing meeting, Naomi Evans, chair of the committee, made it quite clear that all Coconut Grove events will have to come to the BID 60 days prior to the event to notify the BID of the event, street closures and anything else that needs to be done.

This was in response to last week's Colombian parade, which apparently was not appreciated by some board members. The Colombian group came before the BID two weeks before the event and they were turned down by the BID, only to come back the next day and be approved, making the BID look like what they say has no merit.

So at yesterday's meeting, about an hour after Naomi made it clear that the new procedure will be the rule, a couple of ladies from the FICPA Educational Foundation told the BID about their upcoming 1040K Run/Walk, which is planned for April 15. The ladies explained that they had spoken with the City and the police and others already and that it would take place from City Hall and end somewhere on South Bayshore Drive.

Naomi and BID members turned the race down, saying that the new rule was 60 days notification, not the 30 that they were giving them.

Now we see what happens. Is this going to be the same business as usual? The BID said no, in no uncertain terms. Is the race going to happen? The ladies said they would take it to Coral Gables, but I find it interesting that they had the route map with them and also a flyer card with all the info on the race.

Let's see if it is business as usual. Let's see if this is secretly snuck through even though it was made clear by most of the BID marketing committee that this would not be the case. I was told on the spot by Ron Nelson, Commissioner Sarnoff's Chief of Staff, that the Commissioner will not step in to override the BID. Let's sit back and watch.