After the city of Miami commissioners adopted their development rules for the river -- choosing language that encourages residential growth, Miami City Commissioner Angel Gonzalez said:In previous years,``people didn't even bother to go to the river because all they would find there was cocaine and marijuana.''
Neighborhood activist Horacio Stuart Aguirre (pictured and always impeccably dressed) couldn't contain himself, said the Herald. He shouted: ''No, absolutely not! I live there Angel, and that is a lie...you're a liar!''
Gonzalez responded: ``Don't call me a liar, a--hole!''
13 comments:
Mr. Aguirre is a very respectable man in the community. I'm sorry I cannot say the same thing for Mr. Gonzalez who always seems to go into some type of tirade about Cuba or the river. I suspect he has some special interest in certain future projects to insist on condos over the marine industry. After all, he is a "consultant" when he's not a commissioner Why isn't anyone investing what is behind this move? Having a Commissioner call a citizen an asshole is not only vulgar and unprofessional, but low class. How did this guy get re-elected??
How do they all get re-elected? It is the abuela and abuelo voting I think.
Hopefully, this time it wasn't voters fraud as it was the first time in his political career. Wonder how he got off? Wonder why there is not an investigation regarding the Port of Miami River and the need to get rid of it? I agree, there has to be something behind this need to handicap the marine industry. Like we need more condos!
Mr. Aguirre and the fine citizens of Miami should approach this issue from the land use prospective, as well as the EAR which would reveal that there is not enough concurrency for whatever Commissioner Gonzalez envisions for development. In fact, there may be very thin ground for Commissioner Gonzalez and the other commissioners, since bartering away taxpayers' assets is called illegal contract zoning. I believe that the taxpayers should concentrate on demanding an audit of the absorption rate and vacancy ratio of the existing commercial and residential product that is not selling and then turn their attention towards the neighborhoods of Miami and the taxpayers with a Christmas Spirit of service. That service is called neighborhood revitalization and the existing taxpayers are well overdue. Also, the land use for the River area should take into consideration that all land use must be appropriate to support the neighborhood comprehensive plan of the City of Miami. Now, who is going to go to bat and find out how many plans are in compliance or noncompliance with the neighborhood comprehensive plan. Start with the Community Redevelopment Agencies, Downtown Development Authority, Miami 21 and ask DCA which land use plan
governs first serve for the taxpayers. Overlaying zoning to benefit developers might be found to exclusive and not engage the taxpayers. Thus, there is a valid purpose in the Neighborhod Impact Statements that seem to be missing in the City of Miami and those would shed light on land use planning.
I think guys like Angel Gonzalez get elected because decent candidates resist running. Who wants to be in office in Miami anyway? The pay is lousy and the job description pitiful. Quit your bitching and run for office or recruit other good people to run!
Maybe decent guys like Horacio Aguirre will decide enough is enough and run for office themselves. Change is in the air and incumbents like Angel Gonzalez should never be allowed to think they are safe from a good challenge ever again.
I don't care what goes up or stays near the river, but I do care about the appearance and upkeep of the area. If you travel, like I do, down south river drive from SW 27th Ave to NW 36 St you will see my concern. And to think that this area is highly visited by tourist since most rental cars are in this area. Commissioners, lets do something about this!!!
We should have an
In The Know Task Force for the people and get a Citizen's participation piece put back into Miami City Government. That includes real communication just like this!!
Anonymous who said "I don't care what goes up or stays near the river..." should care about the impact of what is built which will ultimately determine the appearance and upkeep of the area.
Planning is key. Land Use is key.
Revitalization is key. Preservation is key. Inclusive planning must include existing and projected taxpayers in order to protect the "appearance and upkeep of the area". Spot zoning is hazard and an impediment to your objectives.
The area described, 27th Ave to NW 36 Street is not City of Miami. It is Miami-Dade County and the city has no jurisdiction over it.
Commissioner Angel Gonzalez has declared “The Miami River Is Dead.” The reality is that any city that basses its future on mostly building more condos is destined for the grave yard. Don’t we have too many condos already? Isn’t the glut of housing one of the major reasons why Miami is in such dire straights, in a worst off recession and still one of the poorest cities in the USA? No city can depend on the building of more condos to be the economic engine to help it progress into the future. Building more condos is a very short term economic solution. A city can only be successful when it has a thriving commerce, proper infrastructure, adequate transportation system and fresh sufficient water. Miami was established in this wonderful God Given location because of the Miami River and the commerce that it has provided for these many years. Miami does not need more condos. We need more business, a cleaner and more workable Miami River and much wiser government leaders.
Harry Emilio Gottlieb
Harry Gottlieb is right! DCA must do more to infuse enforcement, regulation and oversight such as audits into the planning. Harry also might want to being a wise government leader! We also need housing choices and we need neighborhods with mom and pops and homes where children can enjoy free open space and parks! America is rich because of the types of neighbors and neighborhoods that can't be shared or experienced from condo balconies. The Spirit of America must be fed, together with its infrastructure! God bless our great Country and its people and those who speak out like Harry Gottlieb!
Commissioner Angel Gonzalez has declared “The Miami River Is Dead.” The reality is that any city that basses its future on mostly building more condos is destined for the grave yard. Don’t we have too many condos already? Isn’t the glut of housing one of the major reasons why Miami is in such dire straights, in a worst off recession and still one of the poorest cities in the USA? No city can depend on the building of more condos to be the economic engine to help it progress into the future. Building more condos is a very short term economic solution. A city can only be successful when it has a thriving commerce, proper infrastructure, adequate transportation system and fresh sufficient water. Miami was established in this wonderful God Given location because of the Miami River and the commerce that it has provided for these many years. Miami does not need more condos. We need more business, a cleaner and more workable Miami River and much wiser government leaders.
Harry Emilio Gottlieb
we definitely need some big changes to our local government in the upcoming 09 elections...so farall we're getting for candidates is more of the same embarrassing cast of characters!! Chack out miamiforchange.blogspot.com
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