Is it time for a Grove exit? A 'Grexit?'
It sounds familiar as sometimes many of us feel that this is happening to Coconut Grove; too fast, too many changes. What if Coconut Grove had its own Brexit, a "Grexit" (Grove exit) which many people have discussed over the years? What if we left the City of Miami? The Grove of course would have to reorganize itself, but we would be seceding, unlike places like Pinecrest or Doral or Key Biscayne, which became cities, they didn't leave cities to become their own city, they were unincorporated areas of the county which became incorporated.
Prime Minister David Cameron resigned. Who would resign in the Grove to make way for new leadership? Mayor Regalado, Commissioner Ken Russell? And would we throw them out of City Hall on Pan American Drive? After all, that's on Coconut Grove property, so would our own Mayor and commissioners take over the space now? Interesting thought.
It's an interesting concept. Of course if we left the City of Miami it wouldn't make a blip on world markets or any markets, it would just be us reclaiming our freedom that was lost almost 100 years ago. It would make a blip on Miami's tax base.
I'm not in favor of Brexit, but I do like the idea of Grexit.
What would you like to see if Coconut Grove became it's own city/municipality, like it was way back in 1925?
posted by Tom Falco at 9:00 AM
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20 Comments:
Make Coconut Grove Great Again!
www.GrExit.com
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www.MakeCoconutGroveGreatAgain.com
The vote that annexed Coconut Grove to Miami was against all the rules of equity and fairness. Over 80% of Grove voters voted against annexation. It was a combination of an unfair State law and an underhanded City of Miami government that resulted in annexation. The City did not bring the matter up until late June when many residents had left for the summer. They required special registration to vote, since residents were out of town they could not register. The vote was held in early September and only 180 Grovites were able to vote. The City conducted a registration campaign over the summer and 4000 residents of Miami voted, so we were annexed against our will.
Despite the racial overtones of Brexit, a Grove de-annexation is spotless good and beneficial for everyone.
This would have to go to a City-wide referendum- meaning the rest of the City of Miami would have to vote in favor of the annexation of the Grove...I'm a hopeful person but this would seem to me an uphill battle, to say the least.
It would be a hard job to pry the very lucrative Coconut Grove tax base out of the greedy City of Miami hands.
Many residents wanted to secede from Miami over 20 years ago (when I lived there) and found it insurmountable at that time, what hope would there be today.
None!
Make a deal the officials can't reject!?
would not happen The City Of Miami counts on our heavy tax contribution we make for the rest of the city. They would all loose money. I truly wish this could happen.
Givvvveee iiiiittt bacccccck!
Make a deal the officials can't reject?
You would need to start by passing laws that limit where the collected taxes could be spent. It is not a surprise that Coconut Grove property owners have received far less than they have contributed.
I would volunteer my time for the effort. I believe that it could happen.
There is no way the city Miami would give up this tax base.
Count me in the Grovexit
A lot of opinions about how the City of Miami "would never let this happen" or something about a tax base. Does anybody know a lawyer that actually knows if/how the process could work?
If it can be proven that the original annexation was illegal and fraudulent could Grove property owners who are forced to pay taxes to Miami take the City to court seeking damages?
Until the court case is resolved Grove taxpayers could deposit their taxes in an escrow account, which would put a double hurt on Miami, which may prompt an early negotiated settlement with the City.
@Robin Parker - the statute of limitations passed long ago.
@11:44 - there are various attempts that could be made, but in my opinion, none have a realistic chance of success.
Litigation: SOL issue.
Referendum: would need to be city-wide. Not looking good.
Seeking redress from the state legislature: good luck, you better have NRA type money to throw around.
Thanks Anonymous...Question: Miami was incorporated in 1896, could there be anything in the original bylaws that could prove subsequent malfeasance in Miami's annexation of the Grove that would not have a statue of limitations?
Negative. Would be dumb, just like Brexit.
Sounds selfish to me. "Let's keep our tax dollars here and only help fellow elites in the Grove and the relatively small group of lower income residents; let the rest of the city rot." If this doesn't have racial undertones, I don't know what does. And we would be cutting our noses off to spite our faces. A less healthy city of Miami results in more crime, poorer roads, less tourism, less business investment, etc. all of which we will indirectly experience.. And this will drive down property values. This is a morally objectionable and economically irrational idea,
Keon Hardemon demands tax money from the Grove, Downtown, Brickell, Bay Pointe and Morningside be spent on his "friends and family" with some scraps left over for residents of Overtown, Brownsville and the other areas that never recovered from the McDuffie riots 25 years ago. Local commissioner Russell will continue to get steam rolled by the thug Hardemon.
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