There were no people at this meeting that were not employed by the County (the County Employees were wearing identity tags). Well maybe there were 10 people or 15 tops. The meeting started a 6pm. The top picture was taken at 5:55 pm. The second picture at left was taken at 6:30, still a meager showing.First and foremost: Why are they doing these meetings during the holidays? Second, the meeting was a waste of time because we all know the problems with the county are government related. You can strategically plan all you want, if the Commissioners don't play ball it is a game of futility.
They used our tax dollars to buy what they called "a participation device" that you press, to show your agreement with a numbered statement. Well, during the demonstration it showed 100% for something we all pressed. Except me and a few others pressed different numbers so it couldn’t have been 100%. So, I don’t think the devices were reliable. Big surprise there. I stayed an hour. It was just not happening for me.
9 comments:
I watched the meeting on video from the web.
It was clearly a huge waste of time and tax dollars to present this farce of a dog and pony show -without even the dogs and ponies.
I had thought there would be some sort of explanation about where the County was going to focus their new Strategic plan.
Nope, didn't happen.
Wasting time is not productive. Was the staff that were in attendance pulling in over-time?
It's a waste of time to attend those commission meetings. Anyway, you can yell, kick and get upset and still the commissioners do not care or even listen to your comments or ideas. 13 Fidel Castros ruling Miami-Dade County.
Same thing at the Charter Review hearing run by the commission, they would ask a question, Victor Diaz gave an answer and the others would talk amongst themselves not even listening. Martinez is a very disrespectful commissioner in that regard. Hope they enjoy their $115 a week.
I wonder how much the gadgets cost? Couldn't just have done a show of hands or passed out the cute little dots?
I read your blog often...and I will likely continue to do so...
but for all the important issues that might be raised here...a little credit where credit is due.
I also had an opportunity to watch the event. It did not strike me as a "dog and pony." I personally appreciated the effort to ask what issues were important to me. ...where i wanted to see the County going...
in your blog, which criticizes the County for being blind to the public interest, even this citizen focused effort is bashed...as shown, attendance at the event seemed weak, but isn't there some burden on the citizenry to show up??? ...and make this a worthwhile event?
I believe the public should have as many opportunities to communicate with its government as possible...and i hate to see such an opportunity met with such a sense of hopelessness.
Credit where credit is due?
Oh come on!
I made the comment about the dog and pony show and I stand by it as a government employee and a survivor of many dog and pony shows.
If the County really wanted community participation why did they not advertise in public venues such as the newspaper and in public services ads on television?
I read the local newspapers,watch the dreadful local news and more, yet where did I learn of this meeting-Here at Eye on Miami!
The sad reality is that the County ,led by the borderline criminals at the BCC, want the citizens to remain complacent and compliant so as not to interfere with their behind the scenes deals that are ruining this County for all of its residents.
Give us a meeting not scheduled during a holiday period and with sufficient notice to residents and you will get an appropriate audience.
You both have points readers. I like staff and think, for the most part, they try to do the right thing under tremendous pressure from most of the Godawful commissioners.
However, scheduling this forum during the holiday season and not telling anyone about it...well that is an interesting way to get the public NOT TO PARTICIPATE, don't you think?
Just having the thing downtown is an unreasonable burden.
Whom did they expect to attend? Government employees? Civic minded jurors and attorneys when they get out of court at 6:30? Or store employees who get off work and walk to the meeting and have to wonder about getting their cars out of the parking lots?
Plueeezeeee.
And do they really think any of us want to brave going downtown and parking or take the train when the sun sets at 5:25 and we are going to be wandering about the streets in the dark in an unfamiliar area?
Did the planners of the meetings forget that the condos are not exactly full of local residents to attend?
PS: Why did they spend the money on the gadgets? Whose budgets did they come from, how much did they cost, were they bidded out and was that something the county have lived without? We are living without buying fun things at home, shouldn't they?
Post a Comment