The Miami Herald is having a hard time grappling with the controversial issue of Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, triggered by a calcified board of trustees and officers whose actions have alienated long-time members and supporters. The simmering dissent may be addressed through a new proposal to add term limits to the Garden By-Laws. The proposal would allow an additional three year term for current trustees who want to continue to serve and an orderly rotation for a new slate of officers. There has been no response, yet, by Garden officers who could decide to place the proposal on the agenda for the annual March meeting or continue to block reform.
6 comments:
Why would garden officers continue to block reform for the betterment of the garden? This does not bode well in the public opinion and only causes one to seriously consider the intentions of some.
As I understand it, the Herald was supposed to be running an comprehensive piece discussing the recent Fairchild goings-on and membership discontent. It's disturbing that as a corporate partner of the Garden, it hasn't yet done so.
And why is the Herald having a hard time grappling with this issue? Their initial coverage of the Caroline Lewis story seemed accurate and well-reported, but they have not devoted any space to the follow-up term limit story, only printing a self-serving (and feeble) letter from Bruce Greer that does not address any of the community concerns.
While he puts forth their noble horticultural accomplishments, the Garden continues hosts decidedly un-educational nonbotanical events like this weekend's cycle races. What's next: monster truck shows?
It's tough to pretend this campaign of signs, airplane banners and well-reasoned comments from Garden insiders as well as the community doesn't exist.
It seems that Fairchild's "leadership" has their heads in the sand. Time for the local media to jump in on this one and lend support to bloggers. Herald? DeFede? New Times? Broadcast?
I saw the protesters, but I don't understand (yet) the issues. Please explain.
How are term limits automatically "reform?" There are planty of rational arguments against term limits, or at least that there are other more targeted ways to solve a particular organizational problem.
for all the details on this issue go to www.termlimitsforfairchild.org
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