I am told that Commissioners Sally Heyman, Audrey Edmonson and the Vile Natacha Seijas took a jaunt to S. Africa on a trade mission. Finally, I get the information.
Now I have another question: What the hell were they trading? Hmmm, what do we have here that they might want and visa versa? Can’t think of anything. Anyone have any ideas? And, how could anyone enjoy a trip with Natacha along? Torture.
Read "New Times" reporter, Francisco Alvarado's, very funny Travelin' Gnomes. In it Francisco said:
"Since 2002 you’ve shelled out at least $130,000 to send commissioners and employees around the globe."
That "YOU" is we the tax payers!
13 comments:
It's interesting to know who paid for that trip, us taxpayers? Maybe they traded ideas on how to fool and abuse their constituents. Our commissioners are masters in that field.
http://www.miaminewtimes.com/php/specialreports/index.php?report_id=472473
Will the vile Natacha now let someone post the banner condeming gonocide in Dafur in the lobby of the government center? What a hypocrit she is.
second anon -- thanks for the link i put it in the article...
How about Seijas for malaria? Not a bad trade.
If there was anwhere in the world where someone could learn about racial understanding, how to overcome overwelming problems and odds it is South Africa. Why more South florida cities that focus on international sister city agreements, like Coral Gables dont do anything with any city in Africa can only be explained by racism and closed mindedness. Note many cities in europe, where sister cities is very popular, have agreements with african cities so it is not uncommon. How alful that an exchange program with South Africa can be derided by the watchdogs in our community only shows more than ever why the watchdogs are all white. Why dont you figure out how to help Africa rather than kicking it?
Isn't that what the Beacon Council is for?
dear anon -- read the link to New Times in the article. they didn't go for the purposes you described...they went to create a Miami hub for airplane travel. also go to the right of our page and hit on "Defede: Ntacha Seijas is downright mean" and see what she says about Dafour. And, no one was kicking Africa. The question was: why did we pay to send three commissioners there.
The article said they went to promote a direct air route from S. Africa to Miami. Do you think the airlines are going to create a route just because a gaggle of Miami-Dade commissioners ask p-l-e-a-s-e? Of course not! The airline folks know perfectly well how many passengers fly to Miami (via DC or JFK first). As soon as they see enough passengers going from one city to another, they will start direct flights because it will be the right business decision.
These commissioners are just taking taxpayer-paid vacations, meeting the minimum number of local nabobs to justify their holidays abroad.
--John S.
Read the following article in Miami Today by Risa Polansky. Paris in April at the expense of the taxpayers?
Miami to seek private partner for streetcars
By Risa Polansky
Miami city administrators hope to develop a $200 million streetcar project as a public-private partnership, taking cues from European governments.
"The financing vehicle they use to deliver a lot of their facilities has not been used in the United States at all," said Chief Financial Officer Larry Spring. "In this structure, there are safeguards built in, a way for governments to control and share the risks with developers of projects."
Mr. Spring, along with city operations director Mary Conway and assistant transportation coordinator Lilia Medina, met last month in Paris and Madrid with government representatives, international streetcar experts and potential partners to plan what they hope will become a jointly funded transit system designed to relieve congestion in Miami's quickly developing urban core.
The trip, Ms. Medina said, could yield investors and contractors once the project is approved.
Should the city commission pass enabling legislation in the fall — pushed back from a May target date — city staffers would issue a request for proposals to construct, operate and maintain the project.
A schedule published last month forecasts that a contract will be awarded in December 2008 with the streetcar opening in December 2011.
In addition to the financial support administrators hope to garner if the commission approves a public-private partnership model, officials plan to fund the city's share through revenues and interest generated by the streetcar system and with transportation sales tax revenue and federal grants.
The system is designed to connect downtown activity centers, businesses and residential communities. Its proposed route runs east of the Miami River, serving Government Center through the Entertainment District, Wynwood, Midtown Miami, the Design District, Overtown and the Civic Center area.
Ahh... I was there, Paris was so nice this April, even as it was a little hotter than ususal. Just that global warming thing, nevertheless I guess I should look into who is traveling from Miami Dade government before I leave town again. Perhaps we could share a taxi and save some money.
South African Airways had a nonstop flight between SA and Miami years ago. They gave up and moved the flight to Atlanta when they teamed up with Delta. I'm sure if SAA saw potential in reinstating service to Miami they would have done so already. In fact, perhaps AA would have started service if there was money to be made. What a load of crap this trip was. When the property tax revolt takes effect, may these kinds of travel budgets be the first to suffer the ax.
Well I rather give my money to the French or the South Africans, perhaps they can give more to their people than the developers give us.
Post a Comment