Postcard from a friend
Sent in by a friend:
I live on Mary Street. I absolutely love it.
Recently, a friend who lives outside the Grove told me that she is moving, and I suggested that she should move into the Grove.
She is well aware of the beautiful foliage, the bay, and the really cool people. I tried to explain to her the sense of community that she would feel if she lived here.
Her response was that despite all of those great things, the Grove is a little messy. I asked what she meant by that and she mentioned the garbage cans and the trash piles all over the Grove, even in front of multi-million dollar homes.
She is surprised that a resident would keep their dumpsters in front of their property all week, even on non-pickup days. She also mentioned the trash piles with junk and furniture on the swale area.
She's right. Garbage cans should be hidden from view and trash should be placed out on Thursday. This would help improve the appearance of out beautiful environment.
-----------------
This is a new series, I would like for all of you to send me your Coconut Grove observations (good or bad) and I'll run it as the Postcard From a Friend series. Any observation, long or short it good, if it's not good, please try not to use names of people or places. Email address is to the right, you can email your "postcard" there. Tell me whether you would like your name used or not. I like it better without names, but let me know anyway.
posted by Tom Falco at 5:00 AM
YOU MAY NOT LIFT THE PHOTOS & TEXT. IT'S COPYRIGHTED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. YOU CAN HOWEVER SHARE A STORY ON SOCIAL MEDIA BY USING THE LINKS HERE.
For linking to this one story, just click on the time it was posted & just this story will open for sharing - only through social media. Not copying and pasting.
14 Comments:
My neighbors are the worst for this. I have 2 neighbors that start their trash piles as soon as Friday after trash pick-up. One gets mad when people throw their dog poop bags into the pile. Some weeks she doesn't have a pile, but people still throw the poop in that spot. She gets pissed, but doesn't make the connection that she has conditioned the people to do it. The worst is when she puts a sign out complaining in English, and half the walkers are housekeepers that don't speak or read English.
I agree & years ago, when taxes were higher code enforcement kept this problem at bay. The county own rights to the 1st 13 feet from the road, but owners are responsible for maintaining their swells, but many do not. Most lawn maintenance workers blow trash into our roadways or onto adjacent properties. She's right and it's widespread in Miami, but no so in many communities in Southern Florida. It's a code enforcement issue that won't improve anytime soon.
I have lived in the Grove for about a year. Moved here from Colorado for work reasons. I found it alarming and disheartening the amount of litter, trash, piles around the neighborhood. We should start neighborhood clean up.You walk around and see a nice townhouse and the surroundings are just a mess. No pride in ownership?
Agree totally with "card message" and comments. Charming, cool, laid back do not have to equal "messy and trashy."
I can't believe in this day and age people still litter with impunity. I have lived on a nice quiet street off of Bayshore for 15 years and am amazed at how people throw their trash in the streets and on the sidewalk. Is it so hard to hold on to a fast food bag or beer can until a trash can is available?
We live in paradise but are surrounded by slobs with no respect for the environment or others. Certain segments of our community seem to be the worse violators of this.
I would love to see the penalties for littering enhanced and the police to actually cite people for violations. A little education in our schools about the evils of littering and environmental stewardship would also go a long way.
A property of what should be in great shape,Orange Grove Condos,on Virginia and Orange with townhomes hovering around a half million dollars or more in value looks as if it has been neglected for years.As an owner in a neighboring compex, I am beyond shocked that the owners and we understand the complex is all owner occupied units, could allow a property to become not only an eyesore, but not to have pride in their homes and community..The swail surrounding the property is dirt and plants on their last legs.Graffiti that has been on the wall of the property at the corner of Virginia and Orange is approaching its one year anniversary, Outrageous! A broken garbage can sitting on the Virginia side of their property has just passed the one month mark.The property having needed fresh paint for years.Overall a sad excuse for a gated townhome community, creating a major blemish in the true heart of Coconut Grove.
Police should do their job by ticketing anyone who throws trash out no matter how small or big, from a cigarette butt to dog poop.
Ultimately, it is Sarnoff that should take responsibility. He has the authority to send out the inspectors. The inspectors fine the offenders. Piles that are off-property so that the offenders can't be charged, should be removed and a "no dumping" signs put up. Sarnoff gets a salary to take care of our area. When our beloved Grove is all trashed out, he is the one that should be held accountable.
On addition to the garbage, poop bags, etc, what about dog poop around our town......
I can't believe that dog owners are happy to walk their dogs with no poop bags. I see this behavior often and purposely offer them a bag. They are always embarrassed, but the poop gets picked up.
I think the biggest offenders are the people who ride a bike or walk with their dogs unleashed. Are they really going to stop to pick up after their dog? I think not!
I am also appalled when I take my dogs to the dog park and see dog poop on the grounds. Put down your cell phones or look up every once in a while to see if your dog has pooped. THen pick it up.
Shame on you at the park if you see a dog poop and the owner doesn't that you don't go up and point it out.
Well looks like this postcard has struck a nerve - and should probably be discussed further.
I agree with the general comments.
From my point of view the issues are two-fold.
1. Education. Groveites (and city of Miami citizens as well) need to informed of the city codes. I think many of what we all see could be resolved if the homeowner knew the rules. And keep in mind we have a lot of rentals (UM students for example flock o the Grove) as well as international homeowners. It is naive to think they know all of the applicable rules.
2. Enforcement. Code Enforcement needs to do a better job. They first need to know we are not happy with what we see. And they need to get on the ball. We must not accept manpower/budget as an issue. If it is - hell I bet there are many that would volunteer a few hours a week to help...
Related to this second point. We should be aware that there is a NET office (Neighborhood Enhancement Team) in the Grove. I am one of those that does call them to report grafitti, street lights that are out, etc. I find that they are respnsive and within days usually the issue is resolved. I am now on a first name basis with Tonya Brown, the rep there. She enters the issue into their computer system which triggers a visit from Code Enforcement. It does annoy me that I have to police this and wish Code Enforcement would tackle it. But Nevertheless..
I suggest all to Google Miami NET, and save the ph number to your cell.
DKF
Guys, I've said it once, I'll say it a million times....The Grove needs to become a city, independent of Miami and its politicians and city officials.
Anon 11:18, I like it! Feel free to give me a call. (I can be found easily via Google). All the best.
I completely agree with 99% of these posts. The Grove does look rather disheveled on certain days of the week. How this is Sarnoff's fault is beyond me. The first little old lady to get a citation because her garbage can was left out and the usual anti Sarnoff crowd will be howling for his removal (which they usually do any way).
There does need to be stricter code enforcement, and I'd like to see a lot of the cars that parked in swales cited as well.
THANK YOU, Anon 1:28. I will call as well.
Everybody please call to report unsightly trash on the swale, and also bring your dumpsters around to the side of the house where they won't be seen.
Post a Comment
<< Home