Blogging Black Miami

Politicians approve stadium deal based on trust?

City of Miami and Miami-Dade County Commissioners have put their collective necks on the line with the approval of the Miami Marlins baseball stadium. Not only was the more than $600 million deal not approved by the voters, there are so many loose ends that it's mind-boggling.

In these times of political corruption and squandered tax dollars, these two political bodies have, in essence, conceptually agreed to the mega-deal. Police coverage, minority involvement and other issues are too important to agree to on a handshake. Are these folks for real?

Anyhoo, it would be in the public's best interest to exercise close scrutiny of this issue. Prayerfully, this deal will not leave a debt for our children and grandchildren to satisfy.

Here's to hoping for the best but sleeping with one eye open.

Teen Dressed in Women’s Clothing Murdered

This is Simmie Williams; he is 17 years-old. Unfortunately he will not celebrate his 18^th birthday because he was shot on Sistrunk Boulevard late Thursday or early Friday morning in Fort Lauderdale, FL and died. His shooting may not have warranted mentioning on the pages of the Miami Herald except he was dressed in women's clothing when he was shot and in an area frequented by transvestite prostitutes.

Of course the sensationalism of the alternative lifestyle of this young man brought out the heathens and mean-spirited folks who chose to make inappropriate and offensive comments on the Miami Herald site. The Herald executives really should discontinue the comment feature or at least make sure the comments are moderated.

Two men were seen fleeing the scene where the shooting occurred.

Simmie was a son, grandson and uncle. Not knowing much of his story except of the incarcerated and absent father that too frequently describes the lives of many black boys. Regardless of his home environment and his lifestyle, he did not deserve to die that way.

My heart goes out to his mother and the rest of his family. May his soul find the freedom he was unable to attain here on earth. Ashé.

 

Police ask those with information to call Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-8477.

Unrest in South Miami government; 3 quit after manager fired

SOUTH MIAMI

South Miami manager's firing spurs 3 to quit

Posted on Thu, Feb. 21, 2008

BY JONNELLE MARTE AND ELAINE DE VALLE

jmarte@MiamiHerald.com

Three South Miami employees resigned or planned to resign in the wake of the firing Tuesday night of City Manager Yvonne Soler-McKinley.

Finance director Eliza Rassi turned in a resignation letter after the commission meeting where the manager was fired, according to two commissioners and the mayor. [More…]

Don't Drink the Water; Don't Swim in It Either

ENVIRONMENT

Lawmakers: Quit flushing into Atlantic

State lawmakers this week will begin reviewing a timetable for Miami-Dade and Broward to end decades of discharging wastewater into the ocean.

Posted on Sun, Feb. 17, 2008

BY CURTIS MORGAN

cmorgan@MiamiHerald.com

In Southeast Florida, a lot of what gets flushed winds up where people fish and sometimes swim.

Every day, six plants in Miami-Dade, Broward and south Palm Beach counties pump about 300 million gallons of sewage into the Atlantic Ocean. The brew is screened of its foulest components but remains nutrient-rich, not even clean enough to sprinkle on a lawn. [More]

Clinton Camp Insists Florida Votes are Counted

As the presidential campaign continues, the character of our leaders is exposed. It is an unfortunate lesson we continue to learn and most of those lessons have not been pretty lately. Case in point is the Clinton Campaign's attempt to have the Florida primary votes count.

Hillary Clinton is losing and needs every delegate she can get. She won Florida. Well before any of us voted in Florida we knew that our votes for the Democratic presidential nominee would not count and that Florida delegates would not be seated at the Democratic National Convention. That seemed rather foul from the beginning but the rules stood. We knew we were being disenfranchised and so did our Democratic leaders. Now they're continuing to break the rules.

In defiance of campaign rules, Hillary Clinton visited Florida just prior to the vote. Supposedly she was not campaigning; but she was and she knows she was campaigning. Now she is fighting vigorously to have the Florida votes counted. Not fair.

Yeah, not fair but this is politics or should I say politricks. This move should be expected and it cements her questionable character. If the Howard Dean and the Democratic leaders approve this move; it will also signal the lengths at which they will go to keep Obama out of the presidency.

The fair way to handle this is to continue to follow the ground rules. The second best way to deal with this is to have an election 'do over' which is not likely to happen. Any other solution compromises the integrity of the election process but this is Florida so I guess that's to be expected.

The Dems should focus their energy on the voting scandal in New York rather than dealing with an issue that was settled long before the Florida primary.

New Times Targets Sarnoff…What’s really going on?

City Hall Stinks

There's a war on Dinner Key, and Marc Sarnoff is a bomb-thrower.

By Francisco Alvarado 

Published: February 14, 2008

• 

  Marc Sarnoff the solder.

• Courtesy of Michelle Spence-Jones

  

  Michelle Spence-Jones claims Sarnoff is trying to hurt her to deflect attention from his own misdeeds.

• Steve Satterwhite

  

  Billy Hardemon accuses Sarnoff of deceit.

• Photo courtesy U.S. Coast Guard

  

  Former City Manager Joe Arriola contends he never met with Sarnoff at the Grand Bay.

• Jorge Perez

  

  Mary Conway (left) claims she heard about the vote-selling scandal from friend Alicia Cuervo (right), who in turn heard it from former city Commissioner Rosario Kennedy ... who, of course, denies the whole damn thing ever happened.

• 

  Marc Sarnoff

  Subject(s): Michelle Spence-Jones, Miami City Hall, Marc Sarnoff, Coconut Grove

THE ARSHT CENTER CELEBRATES BLACK HISTORY MONTH WITH THE COLORFUL SONG AND DANCE OF PERÚ NEGRO

 

"A non-stop carnival of rhythm" (Los Angeles Times)

Saturday, February 23, 8 p.m.

MIAMI, FL– In honor of Black History Month, Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County presents Afro-Peruvian troupe Perú Negro in the John S. and James L. Knight Concert Hall on February 23, at 8 p.m., for an evening the Village Voice describes as "an inspiring night of black pride, South American style." The program will feature music from Peru Negro's new CD, Zamba Malató on Times Square Records. Perú Negro is a Chivas 18 presentation.

Multiple Grammy Award nominees (2005) and official Ambassadors of Peruvian Culture, Perú Negro's dynamic group of more than 20 singers, dancers, and musicians celebrates Perú's rich African heritage with an intoxicating mix of  "soulful music and sensuous dancing" (The New York Times).

In addition to Perú Negro's performance, the Center invites the community to celebrate African-American heritage with  Free Gospel Sunday on February 24 at 4 p.m. in the Knight Concert Hall featuring Johnny Sanders, the Florida Memorial University Gospel Choir, Pastor Avery Jones and the Avery Jones Singers, and New Jerusalem Primitive Baptist Church Choir.

The Arsht Center's Black History Month celebration began last weekend with a historic exhibition of '50s and '60s Nightclub Billboards from Miami's "Little Broadway" era and a phenomenal concert by Gospel legends Mavis Staples and The Blind Boys of Alabama.

Perú Negro's music combines African, Spanish and Andean harmonies and rhythms in a genre known as musica criolla. Performances feature ten extraordinary young dancers, throbbing percussion instruments, melodic guitar and passionate singing – a mix that forms the heart of Afro-Peruvian music. This high-energy performance will feature traditional Peruvian instruments such as the cajón, a wooden box-like drum instrument; the batá, a double-headed Afro-Cuban drum; and the unmistakable quijada de burro, the dried jawbone of a donkey (teeth included) which can be used as a scraper, a rattle, or a percussive instrument when struck with the palm.

Founded by Ronaldo Campos de la Colina over 30 years ago, Perú Negro was initially comprised of 12 family members. Now, more than 26 people are involved in the Lima-based music-and-dance ensemble. This tour, the group's most extensive concert schedule ever in North America, features the debut of the youngest member of the Campos clan, 14-year old percussionist Edu Campos.

Perú Negro is generously underwritten by Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, LLP; BiscayneAmericas Funds; Anica and David Shpilberg.

Tickets for Perú Negro are $15-$48 and available through The Arsht Center Box Office at (305) 949-6722 or online at www.arshtcenter.org. For group tickets (15 or more), contact (786) 468-2326.

The Arsht Center Education and Outreach Program will offer a series of master classes and workshops in dance, music and cooking, that will accompany this performance. Please visit www.arshtcenter.org/educate for more details.

For a video clip, audio samples, and additional information about Perú Negro, visit www.perunegro.org.

H.O.T. at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County offers full-time students and seniors (65 and over), and members of the military Half-Off Tickets purchased on the day of performance. Must present current picture I.D. on day of show at The Arsht Center Box Office Window; 1300 Biscayne Blvd., Downtown Miami. Subject to availability of seats at time of purchase. Limit 1 ticket per purchase. The Arsht Center Box Office is open 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday-Friday; beginning at noon on weekends when there is a performance scheduled; and two hours before every performance.

Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts is made possible by the public support of the Miami-Dade County Mayor and the Board of County Commissioners. The Arsht Center also receives generous support from private and corporate contributions to the Performing Arts Center Foundation of Greater Miami through its Alliance Membership Program, City of Miami Omni Community Redevelopment Agency and the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Arts Council, The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

CALENDAR LISTING

world music and dance

The Arsht Center presents

Perú Negro

A Chivas 18 Presentation

"A nonstop carnival of rhythm" (LA Times), Perú Negro has performed all over the world as official Cultural Ambassadors of Peruvian Culture.  Their high-energy show, a dazzling combo of celebratory dances and vibrant live music, bring to life the folkloric history of their ancestors. Perú Negro's album Jolgorio (2004 Times Square Records) received a Best Traditional World Music Album Grammy nomination and a Latin Grammy nomination. Their long-awaited new CD "Zamba Malató" was released on January 22^nd.

Generously underwritten by Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, LLP; BiscayneAmericas Funds; Anica and David Shpilberg.

Feb. 23 @ 8 p.m.
$15,$28,$38,$48
Knight Concert Hall

RELATED EDUCATION AND OUTREACH EVENTS

                                                                                            

Afro-Peruvian Dance Workshop                                                           

Thursday, February 21, 2008                                                                   

7:00 PM-8:00 PM, FREE

Ages 16 and up welcome

Beginner Level and above

Please come dressed to move

Peacock Education Center – John S. and James L. Knight Concert Hall

Peruvian Cuisine Cooking Workshop

Friday, February 22, 2008

7:00 PM-10:00 p.m.

Admission: $30.00 per person     

SPACE IS LIMITED                                                                       

Johnson & Wales University

1701 NE 127th ST. North Miami

     

Family Sing-along    

Saturday, February 23, 2008                                                        

11:00 AM-12:00 p.m., FREE                                                                     

Peacock Education Center – John S. and James L. Knight Concert Hall 

Reservations are required. To reserve a space please call 786.468.2270. For additional information, visit www.arshtcenter.org/educate.

'Goodwill' gesture gone unintentionally wrong? Oh pleeeeeeese!

Forwarded to me via e-mail:

Sarnoff aide may need to mend fences

Posted on Tue, Feb. 12, 2008

BY MICHAEL VASQUEZ

mrvasquez@MiamiHerald.com

City Commissioner Marc Sarnoff's office calls it a ''goodwill'' gesture gone unintentionally wrong, but Miami's purchasing director says what happened was a ''serious'' violation of City Hall's spending guidelines.

The interpretations involve a fence built by Sarnoff aide Ryan Alexander at Margaret Street Pocket Park in West Coconut Grove.

Alexander eventually billed the city $14,500 for the fence work -- a job not publicly advertised or subject to competition from other companies.

In a recent e-mail to Miami City Manager Pete Hernandez, Purchasing Director Glenn Marcos objected to the ''complete disregard'' for city rules involving the fence's construction.

Marcos noted that Alexander took the lead in picking a company -- his own -- to build the fence even though the Purchasing Department is supposed to pick vendors.

One of Marcos' e-mails calls the arrangement ''a serious procurement violation.'' Marcos declined to comment further Thursday.

In another e-mail sent directly to Alexander, a deputy purchasing official noted that city code specifically prohibits Miami from doing business with its own employees.

Alexander said he didn't follow city rules because he initially didn't intend for taxpayer money to pay for the fence. The plan, he said, was to improve the city-owned park with private funds from himself and a few friends in the construction industry.

''It was definitely a goodwill gesture,'' Alexander said. ``This park needs a little help, and we decided we would help.''

Alexander said the private-financing plan ran into trouble after his friends -- citing the economic slowdown -- backed out of a verbal commitment to pitch in.

Alexander then turned to City Hall, seeking a $14,500 reimbursement. By that time, the fence had already been built.

The $14,500 payment would have covered only what it cost to build the fence, Alexander says -- and would not grant him a profit.

Sarnoff says the unorthodox handling of the fence issue was done without his knowledge. Once he learned of it, he said, he instructed Alexander not to expect any reimbursement from City Hall.

'I just said to him, `I'm sorry to say this, but it just looks like you donated a fence to the city of Miami,' '' Sarnoff said Tuesday. ``I think he's learned his lesson and I don't see that any further action needs to be taken.''

Manager Hernandez, who would make the final call on whether an exception to standard procedure should be made and payment given to Alexander, did not respond to a message left with his chief of staff Tuesday.

In his e-mail to the manager, Marcos suggests a variety of additional steps be taken, including referring the matter to the Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics and the state attorney's office.

Alexander said he has accepted that he will have to eat the cost of the fence, built for his neighborhood park, where he walks his dogs. But he called Marcos' suggestions unnecessary.

''It appears that no good deed goes unpunished,'' he said. ``It's a $14,000 mistake that I won't repeat.''

Sarnoff Critics Mounting Via the Internet

Forwarded via e-mail:

from carlosmiller.com

Once hailed as an activist, now accused of being an elitist”

January 26th, 2008 · No Comments

By Carlos Miller
Marc Sarnoff’s next memo to himself should be a reminder to think before he speaks.

The Miami City Commissioner, who ran for office as a voice for the people, revealed that he is just as discriminatory against lower-income folks as any Miami politician who is in the pocket of developers.

The 20-year Coconut Grove resident who apparently never knew or doesn’t care about the bohemian Grove of yesteryear, stated the following, according to the Miami Herald, during a City Commission meeting where they were discussing changing the Grove’s last call for alcohol from 5 a.m to 3 a.m.

“Coconut Grove needs to start servicing the wealthy people,” Sarnoff said, complaining that affluent Grove residents are being forced to go to Coral Gables for their shopping needs.

So much for his political platform which is proudly listed on his Website:

“My motivation is to strive to attain goals that speak to all residents in Miami.”

Perhaps he should add that line to his list of memos to himself.

His most famous memo to himself so far is where he described a conversation with former City Manager Joe Arriola in which Arriola allegedly claimed that Miami City Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones was demanding $50,000 from a developer in exchange for her vote.

Not surprisingly, she ended up voting in favor of the developer, Jorge Perez of The Related Group, in December. The memo was mysteriously leaked to the media and prompted Perez to sue him for defamation.

That case is still pending, but just last week, Spence-Jones agreed to pay $8,000 to the Florida Elections Commission for “violating election laws by improperly giving cash to poll workers and failing to properly disclose her role in political ads during her 2005 campaign.”

With business as usual in the city, it’s enough to drive one to drink. Especially now that it turns out the commissioner who was described by the media as an “activist” turns out to be an “elitist”.

At least according to Coconut Grove nightclub owners, who insist they will go out of business if they are forced to stop serving alcohol at 3 a.m. Maybe they should have offered Sarnoff $50,000. That always seems to work with city officials.

Sarnoff, however, seems pretty much set against the nightclubs, according to this line from the Herald.

No longer, Sarnoff said from the dais, would the Grove serve primarily as a shopping mecca and playground for bar-hopping, loud-music-thumping college kids from the University of Miami and other schools.

Sarnoff didn’t explain exactly which rich Grove residents are being forced to shop in the Gables between the hours of 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. because of this unruly element. But perhaps it is longtime Grove resident Sue McConnell, who is described as a “strong Sarnoff backer” and stated the following:

“These are the kind of people that carry weapons with them.”

Just to prove her point, the Herald pointed out that “reputed gang member Victor ‘Magic’ Lopez” was arrested in connection with a double stabbing last year at a Coconut Grove nightclub called Vision. The incident occurred at 3:30 a.m.

The commission plans a final vote on the issue in the coming weeks. If passed, it would only affect those establishments in downtown Coconut Grove. As my clubbing days are over, I really don’t care what they end up doing.

But they better not mess with the Loggerhead's 5 a.m. cut-off time.

"Public safety kiosks" are a waste of money

Forwarded to me via e-mail:

Monday, February 11, 2008

I was laughing as I read the Herald story on the "public safety kiosks" as they call them. They claim that they are there just in time for the Arts Festival next weekend -- available to give advice to the many lost tourists.

Guess the "lost tourists" are too damn stupid to ask the 150,000 people milling around the streets enjoying the Arts Festival for advice and directions. The Herald thinks they need to go to some lacky in a $67,213 kiosk for advice.

Talk about a waste and pissing away of tax-payers' money. I am willing to do a test. Once the lacky is in place, I am going to play tourist and ask questions and see what I come up with. I am betting anything that they don't have a clue and the first thing they do is pull out a map and try to decipher it.

When are taxpayers going to have a say in what goes and what doesn't go in our neighborhoods?

I am tempted to ask for a list, by readers, of wasteful things that have been happening around here lately, but I don't think I have enough room to post them all.