I did a public records request and got the Budget Recommendation for Miami-Dade Parks. They want to reduce the budget by $22 million dollars. They want to eliminate 222 full-time positions and 270 part-time positions. For example, they are going to reduce custodial service at Haulover Park by 50% and they are slashing security guard services at Haulover and at Crandon (both beaches are tourist draws). Haulover isn't very clean now, what can we expect in the future? There will be a 25% cut in mowing and trimming: Parks is predicting 8 inch high grass and weed infestation. They are getting rid of 10 full-time positions at the zoo (maybe the annoying guy that appears on the news talking about the zoo - I hope - probably not).This isn't funny, I shouldn't joke. When people don't have money they need their parks more. It is a place where you can have fun with your family for little money. How could they punish children? Why didn't the damn county save for a rainy day? Now I hate that stupid Marlin Stadium more than ever. I am going to pelt it with eggs when it is built. If I lived closer I would make a pilgrimage there every day to egg it. This sucks! The County is punishing the common folks for THE COUNTY BRASS squandering OUR tax dollars during the boom years. Off with their heads! As Eye On Miami savvy, reader "Fed UP" said about the tourist tax:
"I am tired of the "untouchable" money argument. Our mayor and others could have put the same amount of energy into capturing that money to stabilize the tourism support structure of this county. The public WOULD have supported that unlike the stadium project.There will be no tourism for tourism dollars if the crime is rampant and beaches are nasty. So, in the end, the general fund WILL be raided and we will have a minor league team, a whiny team owner and an empty stadium."
Oh, geez I just remembered, Souto is in charge of parks now -- Chair of the Miami-Dade Recreation, Culture & Tourism Committee. He has one weapon and he knows how to use it: Filibuster, Javier! Talk, talk and talk some more. If you keep them up all night, you will get what you want.
10 comments:
Burgess needs to be fired. How is this man still around?
I thought I would include this open letter I sent to County Commission Chair Moss:
The coming weeks will no doubt be filled with spirited dialog regarding the county’s FY 2009-10 budget. Given the $400 million shortfall, it is expected that many hard decisions will have to be made. I hope these decisions will be made in a spirit of compromise and fairness that protects as many of our public servants as possible, while broadly spreading the impact of reduced services. With careful attention, I’m certain our community can once again weather this temporary economic crisis.
As these talks begin, I ask that you remember the importance of our county parks to our collective quality of life. As of this moment, Miami-Dade Park and Recreation has already laid off 23 full-time employees to meet this year’s budget (Miami Today, July 16, 2009). I am especially troubled to learn of the proposed elimination of an additional 227 positions within the department in the coming fiscal year. (FY 2009-10 Proposed Budget, July 15, 2009, pg. 27) This drastic reduction in staff will guarantee sweeping closures of some of our most cherished programs and facilities. All six county-operated nature centers will be shuttered, and all environmental education and nature-based recreation opportunities eliminated. Family swimming facilities, including numerous pools and the popular beaches at Matheson Hammock and Homestead Bayfront will be closed. Resource management, maintenance, and security services to the parks will suffer reductions as well. And unless they are financially self-sustaining, afterschool, sports development and summer camp programs will be eliminated—likely ending these valuable services to the very communities that need them most.
That natural areas and outdoor pursuits have the power to nurture the body and calm the soul has long been recognized. The desire to preserve these opportunities for the benefit of all is an ideal that has been perfected in America over the last 140 years. Since then, our nation’s parks have become areas of inspiration and comfort in the midst of world conflict, the Great Depression, and 9/11. As we face the largest economic crisis of our respective lifetimes, can we afford to deny our community the simple, low-cost opportunities our parks offer? Furthermore, as our country moves boldly to build the bright, “green” future of tomorrow, is it right to close the doors to the very institutions and programs that have helped foster such ideals in our own community?
Our parks, and the professionals behind them, are more relevant today than ever. During the coming talks and budget negotiations, I hope you will recognize the important contributions these facilities make towards the preservation of both our natural and cultural heritage. The value of these areas can scarcely be measured in terms of dollars and cents, and consequently, are often undervalued during traditional cost/benefit analysis.
In considering tax rates for the coming year, I implore you to consider how I, and many others, would be more than willing to help augment public coffers for the express purpose of preserving access to the recreational opportunities and natural areas that have defined our south Florida existence for decades. Though there are many areas in county government worth tightening our belt around, our parks are simply not one of them. However, possible, please see to it that our parks remain open and available for all the families of our community.
If they got rid of all of their overpaid and under worked officials they could keep the parks in decent condition
This is a shame, parks are the most democratic of meeting places. Half the population of Miami can't afford to go to one baseball, basketball or football game.
What can we do? I am getting so depressed, I don't know what I can do to help.
I would suppose contacting the useless commissioners might help...Call Souto see what he is going to do, or not do.
Off with their heads...after they eat their cake.
But we are spending $650 million on a baseball park so that we can be a "first class city." See you there at Wretched Masses Day--free shopping carts to the first 50 in the gate.
I spend a lot of time in County Parks. I go to Crandon and Matheson Hammock and some of the smaller parks. I don't think it is fair to underfund our parks. The budget reductions should be done equally it is not fair to target what citizens like the best. It feels like punishment. I will vote for whomever runs against my commissioner if they do this to parks.
Actually, we are spending $2.4 billion, at least, for this stadium that will bring Miami in concert with other world class cities around the globe!!! Blah!!
Burgess needs to go, PERIOD!
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