Here is a link to a debate between a subdued Mayor Eugene Flinn and Palin-perky-fast-talking Lynda Bell, moderated by Helen Ferre.Bell flat out rejects Amendment 4 - spewing the same old talking points of the developers and the Chamber folks. Ick to that. She of all people, at the epicenter of "developers gone wild" for 6 years as both a councilwoman and mayor in Homestead, SHE should know better. Even if she wants to take credit for an ineffective, short-lived moratorium - notwithstanding that she was in Homestead government for 6 years during the boom that busted Homestead -- You would think that at least watching the Batemen regime, helplessly as a regular citizen, should have taught her something about the value of Amendment 4. No. She is still clueless on a long term strategy on growth management. Homestead government is incapable of good planning or good government, it has been operating like a giant, festering, pus-filled boil for the past 17 years. Lynda Bell still thinks you can swab at it. Amendment 4 would lance it once and for all.
Flinn, in contrast, says he will probably vote for Amendment 4, but he says it is not important whether he supports it or not. He says there is nothing wrong with citizen involvement and he supports that and always has in Palmetto Bay...remember also that Palmetto Bay government isn't a glob of festering pus, it is functional. Let's face facts, no government official is particularly thrilled with Amendment 4, the amendment is proof that we lack faith in them. That must hurt the feelings of some of the ethical, growth management conscious public servants.
On budget Flinn says he would start at the top with his cuts and he suggests that they have to see what they can afford, saying there are a lot of things that are nice to have that you can't afford, but there are a lot of things you must have that should be budgeted. He is right on suggesting we need charter initiatives for the county. Flinn supports some at large Commission seats and he supports term limits for Commissioners. Bell totally avoided answering this question. At the end Lynda chided Flinn because Palmetto Bay was spending about ten million dollars to build a city hall to house city staff and it was there the broadcast ended. No rebuttal, so here is mine. Actually, the city hall is the anchor of a Palmetto Bay revitalization project. It is slated to be a Village Center with amenities for all citizens -- not just city staff. On the one hand Lynda Bell talks about jobs and supporting smart growth, yet she denounces a project that is on the US 1 transportation corridor, slated to be an innovative transportation hub for South Dade workers. Incidentally, the project doesn't sprawl the Village of Palmetto Bay, it draws people to the center. (See Flinn's Village Center explanation below.)
Finally, a reminder, don't vote for the anti gay rights, anti stem cell research use, anti assisted suicide, anti choice candidate please..hint, that is the one who looks more like Anita Bryant.
15 comments:
I think a cub reporter from the Herald could spend less than an hour fact checking Bell's responses, which were less than factual, and actually mythical in proportion!
The Vile one sure picked a winner here! When one works out of hatred (as VNS does), this is what you'd end up with.
Amendment 4 is a requirement for Homestead to recover. There has been so much bad governing there.
One has to wonder why VNS, who represents Hialeah, has such an interest in Dist. 8.
For those who are still undecided on this race, ask yourself what do you think will become of Redland and the unincorporated areas of Dist. 8 under Bell? Remember when the Farm Bureau donated to defend VNS during her recall? Then, the Vile one, returned the favor to the farm bureau with a donation. Why do you think VNS is eyeing this area? There's not an application outside the UDB she didn't like. And, do you think Bell is going to protect our Ag land or our farmers? Remember, she wanted the tractor removed from the Homestead logo when they re did it.
Anyone living down here knows her game and I really cannot urge the voters on the North end to really think long and hard before supporting her.
Flinn, on the other hand, has a very clear record of good government. And, while know one can make every voter happy, he at least has an open door and they've created one of the most livable/friendly place in the County.
The moretorum she hangs her hat on allowed every pending application through when the bubble was bursting. When you look at it closer, it was just a simple resolution with no teeth at all. It did nothing to stop all the crap approved already.
As a Dist. 8 voter, I cannot urge the undecided to really compare Flinn & Bell and their records, not rhetoric.
Are you guys looking at the same debate video I am? Your hatred for Bell is obvious, but come on. Clearly, Flynn said he was against Amendment 4 and what does Bell's views on issues like stem cell research, assisted suicide, pro choice, etc have to do with a non-partason race for a County commission seat?
Really, this is where you loose all credibility with people. You need to stick to issues that pertain to County government and reserve your detest for all things conservative for other venues that would be more appropriate.
you said:
Clearly, Flynn said he was against Amendment 4 and what does Bell's views on issues like stem cell research, assisted suicide, pro choice, etc have to do with a non-partason race for a County commission seat?
I said:
Non partisan means no political party.
you said:
You need to stick to issues that pertain to County government and reserve your detest for all things conservative for other venues that would be more appropriate
I said:
Actually I don't need to stick to the issues. This is my blog...I can do what I want. When Lynda Bell isssued this press release to Governor Crist recommending judges friendly to her cause she crossed the line and made her private life part of her public life: http://eyeonmiami.blogspot.com/2010/07/we-do-not-support-lynda-bell-for.html
When she gave her excess campaign dollars to the Altmonte Springs right-to-life group it brought her private life into to the public realm. She cannot separate her beliefs from her office, and I don't want her using the bully pulpit the way Natacha Seijas does.
I watched the 11 minute video. At 6 minutes Flinn said that "he would probably vote for it", meaning Amendment 4.
He does say it is a tough issue but he certainly, clearly said what I wrote.
Helen Ferre should interview with a different camera angle. She has people looking sideways at her, making them look shifty.
The debate discussed Jackson and Bell the disengenuous one claims that closing Jackson South would hurt women's access to health care. What chutzpah! Here is Mrs Pro-Life rah rah claiming to be concerned about women's health?!?
Then she tries to bash Flynn for building a city hall?? She lost her election partly because she wanted to build a new city hall in Homestead!! Her dream is now a vacant lot.
If you said that Coral Gables or Key Biscayne government was a boil filled with pus waiting to be lanced, you would get hundreds of angry comments. Homestead residents know their government is a giant squalid mess. No one objects to your portrayal.
The downtown Homestead City Hall was to be part of an urban transit village. All councils approved every motion from 2001 on this subject. The revitalization of the older downtown section was the goal, hey thought new and trendy businesses would join them in the future. That dream is DOA.
The project was delayed by the county and then in 2009 the new mayor decided it was out of touch with the current economic conditions. They had the money for it, that was not an issue. That money is now supposedly gone as they kept the millage the same despite a 31% loss of property taxes and values in Homestead. Nobody is talking about the missing city hall money just all speculation by many people.
Whoever is dumb enough to run for office in 2011 will find plenty of surprises and they won't be very happy.
Wouldn't you want to revitalize in the current economy? Arguments can be made either way but if not now when? 2030 maybe when all foreclosures are off the books from 2000. Vote for amendment 4 and vote everybody in office out every term, new rule.
"The downtown Homestead City Hall was to be part of an urban transit village."
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I thought it was because it was a block away from where Shiver bought a restaurant - before the Maggie Valley fiasco.
In any event, Bell is probably one of the least competent, tax and spend mayors in County history, and that's a hard place to be.
I want proof of the statements she put on and continues with. What other municipalities did she work with when she was on the Council or Mayor? Where are those 2,000 jobs created by those 350 businesses who relocated during her 1 - 2 year term as mayor in Homestead?
If she doesn't want to sound like the village idiot (which I truly believe she is), then she can provide proof of what she say's. If she doesn't - well, that say's more about her than I could write.
And, by proof, I mean list the names and addresses of those 350 businesses and the payroll taxes of those 2,000 jobs. Right, it's not going to happen.
Jackson South? Ms. RTL would rather see 1,000's of sick children, where the parent's can't afford to take care of them than allow the parent's choice. Which goes back to stick it to the taxpayer - she's not going to pay for their care.
Are you kidding me? How can anyone take this woman seriously as a candidate.
It is so obvious, Flinn is the only choice. The proof is in the past performance. Bell is not ready to return to Homestead council and certainly far from able to take on the issues of Miami-Dade County.
Flinn is a doer, accomplishing more in his 8 years than any of the other new cities. He has been and will continue to be an independent voice for the taxpayers. He has fought for low taxes and high services. He has built a strong community. The next Palmetto Bay council will not inherit any financial deficits. Strong AA & AA- bond ratings which is absolutely unheard of. Outstanding reserves.
Bell was part of a developing mess in her 4 years on the council and then exacerbated the problems in only 2 short years as mayor. She raised taxes 22%. Her city was ordered by the state to roll back taxes. The present council is still working through the issues left behind from the 6 years of her service. Sure, maybe all the issues cannot be charged to her, but she sure failed to resolve, let alone recognize, any of these issues. We cannot take the change as to whether she has learned from her past mistakes.
I have been sitting back and watching the ongoing debate. Absentee ballots are starting to be returned. Early voting starts Monday. Election Day is less than 3 weeks away. I can sit quiet no longer and must now comment.
Miami-Dade County is far too important. This is where I live.
We have to stop the sniping. We have to start electing some talent to the Miami-Dade County Commission. We need to all get behind the best candidate to lead our County and in district 8 it is clearly Mayor Flinn.
As someone living in Redland, I have the utmost faith in Eugene Flinn to support/represent the unincorporated areas in Dist. 8 and continue with his good government and policy. His record is second to no one!
He is truly the best man for the job.
As Commissioner, he will be OUR voice and our representative.
GO EUGENE FLINN! We support you in Redland.
The message that Lynda Bell is dangerous and will do or say anything to get elected is as important as the message that Gene Flinn is by far the most qualified of the two. Her criticism of the Palmetto Bay city hall demostrates her willingness to live by the theory of do as I say, not as I do. While on council and as Mayor she was a strong supporter of a new city hall in Homestead and I am sure that while going door to door bashing Flinn, she is neglecting to tell folks of her own history of public spending in Homestead. We must spread the word, Lynda Bell is not the person or public servant she claims to be and must be stopped. Pray for homestead though, because when she loses, she will be back with more vengeance and venom than ever.
Lynda was dishing up a lot of populist sound bites. I don't respect that. There was little substance there and a seemingly huge amount of truncating or misrepresenting the truth of what happened on her time clock as Mayor. However, she was telegenic. She is a pleasant looking person who could probably fool someone who is a bit naive. Gene, take heed. Maybe you need some insincere, sugary sound bites too.
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