Behind the excuse of a budget deficit hides the thirst of control that traditionally flows through the veins of the County Commission... - Daniel Shoer Roth
A good citizen translated this for us...I hope you like it as much as I did:
GOODBYE TO DEMOCRACY IN DADE COUNTY - By Daniel Shoer Roth
The system of the government in Miami-Dade County has faults that sometimes places doubt in the authenticity of a local democracy. Commissioners are elected by their district’s residents and primarily they ensure their wellbeing, although their decisions affect the rest of the residents. This system allows them to be married to their office until death do them part or until a scandal causes a divorce.
However, within this system, there is aspect that functions democratically: the 10 community councils within the unincorporated areas of the county, such as Kendall and Redland. These councils make zoning decisions within their jurisdiction and make recommendations to the county about any proposed modification to the land-use comprehensive plan, which could change the identity of a neighborhood. These boards have seven members; six elected by voters within their jurisdiction and one appointed by the district commissioner.
Nevertheless, last Tuesday, on a first reading, the Miami-Dade Commission voted 8 to 5 so that commissioners themselves appoint members of the community councils instead of letting the public vote for them. The ordinance also reduces the number of community councils from 10 to four or less.
The effectiveness of these councils is that they represent their communities from within. Diluting them through the expansion of the jurisdiction they cover destroys their reason to exist.
These councils were created in 1996, as an initiative of then-commissioner Miguel Diaz de la Portilla, to stop the pressure from the communities anxious to incorporate as municipalities. The commission then argued that incorporation promoted pockets of poverty.
Because a house is the most costly investments for the majority of the residents, many prefer to have autonomy over their neighborhoods. This is the reason why so many residents strongly oppose any projects that are not compatible with the identity of the area where they live.
For example, if you are a homeowner and the Commission approves installation of a cellular tower next to your property, it is possible it will lose value. If zoning in your neighborhood allows four houses per acre and the Commission expands the density to six houses per acre, it will create more traffic and overpopulation in your schools.
Since members of the councils –all volunteers- know their area from corner to corner, they know better than anybody else whether a project is compatible or not.
In order to guarantee more democracy, the jurisdiction of each council has been divided into six areas and each one has a representative on the panel. However, each member must be elected by the voters of all the six areas. Meetings are held at night and within their neighborhood so that more individuals can attend. Whenever controversial project is debated, hundreds of residents attend the meeting.
Then why change a system that is functioning so well?
Even though community councils are popular among residents, they represent an obstacle in the way of developers and the powerful business interests behind them.
The commissioners that voted in favor or the ordinance proposed by Jose “Pepe” Diaz argue that the county will save funds by consolidating the community councils, as they require attendance by county personnel. It will also facilitate concession of permits to continue to build.
Behind the excuse of a budget deficit hides the thirst of control that traditionally flows through the veins of the County Commission.
By being the commissioners in charge of appointing the members of the community councils, they ensure their influence over the decisions of the community and the councils will become less independent. We will next see campaign contributors appointed to the councils as it happened with the Planning Advisory Board.
If this ordinance is approved, the residents of Unincorporated Miami-Dade will lose control over the future of their communities. It will be like saying goodbye to democracy in Dade County.
2 comments:
There's very little democracy in Miami Dade County already. When a system is in place that will almost ensure a Commissioner never loses and election, elected by their district bought by discretionary funds, it's not very democratic already.
I have a better idea for "Pepe" - why not just save everyone time and consolodate all the CC's in to the PAB, who's already in place. And, make sure meetings are in the day time, down town, and have zoning hearings on the same agenda as the CDMP amendments. It will save the zoning attorney's some travel time too since they can have a one stop shop! (this is sarcasim, but one never knows in this County.
I think the CC's could be consolidated to 6-8, 4's not enough. Elections by people who live in the area are the only way to keep these boards in check, though not full proof due to residency tampering.
If this "appointed" ordinance passes, say good bye to Redland as you see it now. It will go below the level of active Ag land viable for an Ag area and will look like a ghost town of unwanted development because the UDB will be breached, without proving need.
Kendall is already bought and paid for. This board has a few good members but the majority of them are Martinez clones.
Daniel is right; the community councils are about the only true democratic institutions left in Miami-Dade government. They are elected by the people from the area on which they will make decisions- all of them, not some stupid district like the commission where you get to vote for one of 13 people that control your life. The long arm of the commission greatly reduced the councils' representation when the commission decided that commissioners would appoint replacements. Prior to that, the council members made appointments. But the commissions hell bent on control have diluted their effectiveness by turning them into political boards. Rather than make the councils more impotent, the commission should return control to the councils. The old process was done in the open. Candidates made a PUBLIC presentation at a council meeting and people could come forward and support or reject a candidate. Now the commissioners appoint in private and only appoint members they make deals with.Why is it everything the commission touches turns to shit and then they "kill it" because it's not working?
Give us more Daniel maybe democracy will sink in!
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