This is a very good report on how our half penny tax turned into a transit boondoggle. You can see and hear transportation reporter Larry Lebowitz explain his research on the investigative report. If you haven't watched it, do so, it outlines where the money has gone, very comprehensive - aired on June 15th. And, hearing Marc Buoncotti, a volunteer on the Citizens Independent Trust (the citizens appointed to watchdog the money), lament the misuse of our $800,000,000 tax dollars will break your heart. Marc says the surtax was suppose to be "new money for new projects." He admitted he is embarrassed. Not your fault Marc. We know where the blame goes.
4 comments:
Wow. Very good clip.
Is the morning local news usually like this? That was a sixteen minute clip! If all important stories had that much local coverage, I'd consider getting my tv back.
An excellent piece, even Eliot Rodriguez could not spin it, which he has been known to do on transportation issues for the right people. The panel was strong and knowledgable. But I don't understand what took so long. CITT knew the money was being squandered (that's why the BCC had to shut them down), CTAC knew bad stuff was going on (ignored by BCC because they are "advisory"), and the people knew promises were not being delivered. The county went on a dog and pony show about 1 year ago to convince people "everything was OK"; always a red flag that says, "it ain't OK". The mayor probably knew because he retired Bradley which some commissioners tried to make into a racial issue. It took Larry of the Herald to connect the dots and the whole scheme unraveled. Reminds me of House of Lies. The problem is that the BCC will feign surprise, beat their chest's in indignation, call for reform and nothing will happen. Corruption and campaign favors have such a strong symbiotic relationship that reform is impossible. Maybe we need a Fed takeover of transit as well. Eventually, the BCC will become impotant and we will be a county run by the Feds.
Now if someone will only do an expose on zoning favors which we the people know have been happening for a long time; start with Rodney Baretto. Little by little with enough good reporting we might work our way through the various county departments then it will be time to cycle back through the Port of Miami (remember that scandle?).
In the meantime the people have the power at the polls to retire these dysfunctional commissioners, so get off your butts and help those brave souls running against the armour-plated incimbents.
The problem is that the BCC will feign surprise, beat their chest's in indignation, call for reform and nothing will happen.
You nailed it above last readers...this is exactly what will happen.
Keep up the good work, Larry. There are good people on the CITT who, I am sure, are thankful this is coming out. We need to put some teeth into this so the people's will can be enforced. Imagine that, what a concept.
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