Yes, I know County Commissioner Sally Heyman gave away about $460,000 of our tax dollars to many good causes a couple of week ago -- much of it given to groups out of her district. It was reported in one of Matt Haggman's last columns for the Miami Herald.
The problem is, Heyman gave the money to non-profits close to HER heart, not mine and probably not yours. For example I wouldn't have given $5,000 to Lauren's Kids (Ron Book's daughter - the non-profit is in Ron Book's office) and the Latin Builder's Association would not have gotten my funds. Heyman gave to the Jewish Federation, but what about money to St. Bernard de Clairvaux Episcopal Church in North Miami Beach, in the heart of her district? They run a food program. Also money to Fairchild Tropical Garden Education -- not my choice. It is a case of selective giving, her selection to be sure but NOT HER MONEY. She didn't take a survey of the County or even her constituents on what to give to.
The Commissioners don't get that it might have a public purpose but it is OUR MONEY.
I think the County should not be funding non-profits and religious groups. Collect less taxes from me and let me do my own giving -- to the LBA, NEVER. I would give to help families left homeless or living in cars and to people losing their homes. I would also give to environmental groups. At yesterday's budget meeting Pepe le pew Diaz asked to use $25,000 for a Christmas luncheon and another $10,000 for a Spring festival. What?? That is so much worse than what Heyman is doing...he is literally buying votes in his district.
Here is a video of Sally Heyman listing all the groups she gave money to and how much. She admits she still has about $400,000 to go:
(Video Link)
18 comments:
Does anyone know which commissioners approved the carry over - once again of basically tax payer funded campaign contributions?
How is Ron Book not in jail?
Because the prisoners all have keys to the jail.
Genius were you at the meeting last night? VNS was there....she must miss county hall...
I wasn't there. I am depressed enough. I heard she lost a lot of weight.
I wouldn't call her a bitch. She is good on some issues, bad on others. She is better than most up there.
Just saw that VNS opened her campaign account for 2012!
She looked great last night. We my have her back soon. Now
I'm depressed too! BTW, Sally was embarrassing.
Less than half of one commissioner's "office funds" would be more than enough to restore the salaries of the 4 people in my division who are being laid off. I'm sure they and their families are really happy that the LBA, Pepe's party planner and some church groups are getting the money instead. Makes me want to throw up.
Where did you see her 2012 account?
What about the deal to keep Carrie Meek's daughter as a department director? Did you see that disgraceful motion?
This is public corruption, when you can take money that belongs to the people and dispose of it as you deem fit. And, commissioner Heyman is the one who wants to use the attorney general and police to go after taxpayers? The attorney general should be investigating each and every one of those commissioners, concentrating its efforts on public corruption.
The Charter Reform should include an item that allows no monies to go to the commissioners without an expense report that becomes public record. Commissioners should not have the right to make donations of this sort; it should all be part of the county budget as a whole.
If enough citizens would vote, we can clean up government. People, get off your butts and go to the voting poll, and vote them all out of office in their next term! They will start listening ---- because the recall was not enough!
Can Gimenez veto this stuff? They can't spend money without his approval, right? Or, has the money already been approved pending commission allocation?
If Seijas opened a campaign account, there must be something brewing in redistricting.
I guess the only way to get rid of her is to take her out in a body bag! Har har
Yes, Gimenez can veto this stuff but he won't. He is happy. He got 99% of what he wanted.
If I had to rate Hayman,s past preformance as a county commissioner she would rate out as average. She is not one of the commissioners that we have to get removed from office. Pepe Diaz to me should be the next to get removed. He lacks character, and is alledged to look the other way on many important issues, "I wonder why??"
To the anon asking about the carryover: there were no office funds carried to the next year. Commissioners expended the funds before the budget hearing.
To the anon that suggested Moss was somehow a "coward": He recused himself from two of five votes on the budget because he HAD TO. His non-profit receives some county funding and he couldn't vote on an item that he directly benefits from. Commissioners do that all the time. It isn't cowardly, its actually following ethical standards.
Bovo is another one to watch... has no character either and is being advised by VNS.... did anyone hear him say he didn't have enough time to review the budget? Same statements made by VNS last year... Keep an eye on Bov
GeniusofDespair I totally agree with you on these nonprofits and giving taxpayers money at their discretion. They should have returned the money to the general operating budget. This is their election assurance commissioner for life. Mayor Gimenez if you run in 2012 your next job is pull all the money from the commissioners and give us taxpayers some more relief. THIS MONEY ONLY ENCOURAGES CORRUPTNESS AMONG THESE COMMISSIONERS.
Even if Mayor Gimenez vetoes the slush fund each Commissioner has, the 13 Commissioners will override that veto for their own political fortunes. This needs to be put in a Charter amendment!
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