Let's look at this blast from the past from Natacha Seijas, doesn't sound like she was liking the Marlin's deal all that much just a few weeks before she voted in favor of it. Not for the reasons you would expect: That it was such a BAD DEAL for us the taxpayers. Not a word about that. Note how her concerns are mostly related to the Unions...the one group that supported her to the end, even supplying lawyers to fight her recall.
Do you think Seijas REALLY paid for that seat in the 13th row:
The readers’ forum
One-man crusade weakens County Commission
When Miami-Dade County commissioners deliberately delayed the petition process last year to merge the recall initiatives on a single ballot, I warned them that they might one day regret their decision. That day has come. Their attempt to curry favor and appease an upset wealthy citizen has apparently backfired. Norman Braman, during his recent appearance on the Issues program on WPBT, declared the recall election last year only a partial success. He now wants to finish the job.
Apparently he doesn’t like to lose. When the elected officials voted to use tourist-tax dollars to build the stadium over his objections, he was incensed. He sued the county to stop the deal, but he lost. He didn’t accept defeat in court. He appealed to individual elected officials hoping they would reconsider the stadium decision. I know because he tried, and failed, to persuade me. Had I reconsidered my vote and stopped the stadium, perhaps I would have remained in office until the end of my term. My principles didn’t allow me to entertain that hollow alternative.
Though the conclusion of my years of public service was unceremonious, I don’t regret my vote to build the stadium or my vote to support social services. I purchased my Row 13 seat and plan to enjoy the stadium like thousands of other baseball fans. While the stadium will soon be an iconic feature of Miami’s magical skyline, I’m troubled by the damage the stadium debate has caused to our civic life.
The County Commission, the elected governing body of Miami-Dade County, has been seriously weakened by this one-man crusade of retribution. The integrity of our metropolitan government has been seriously eroded by the submissive posture taken by some elected officials. It’s hard to make difficult decisions for the future of the community when you are always looking over your shoulder. Fear shouldn’t be the common denominator in a governing body.
I look forward to the Marlins having a winning season. But most of all, I look forward to the day when our politicians stand tall, examine their consciences and make the tough calls on behalf of the community. Until then, I will see you at the ballpark.
Natacha Seijas, Hialeah
10 comments:
VNS fighting for LEED Certification of the Stadium! Who would have thunk it?
Yes, that was Terry Murphy, his wife was the head of the Sustainable Department they had at the County - is it still there?? It morphed into something I didn't like last time I looked...Terry's fingertips were all over that part of Seijas' memo.
The funny thing about that Sustainability Office .. it was filled with incompetent political hacks with huge salaries and not one had any sustainability experience.
The Marlins Ballpark is Gold LEED certifitied. First Gold in the Country with a retractible roof.
I read Seijas's Letter to the editor in the Herald and I thought it was sour grapes and too, now she's out to pasture and somewhat forgotten she needs a little sympathy sitting in her row 13 seat at the Big Fish stadium.(maybe by herself) Bet the big voter re-call turn-out still lingers......
Oh for goodness' sake, GoD, get a clue!
Murphy's wife had been a Seijas staffer for years until she caused VNS so many problems that she was "hand-placed" at WASD. When her arrogance compiled with her ignorance and her vulgarity became too much of an embarrassment, the sustainability position was created for her by Seijas. The woman can barely be understood, can't write and is a joke around the county. However, no one could touch ger because she was protected Everything ever attributed to her was written by Murphy with whom she had a decades long relationship before their recent marriage.
Anon above--you are right on target! the entire sustainability dept. was created for Maribel Balbin who is as vile or worse than Seijas.
And do you guys actually think Seijas could write that letter to the Herald? Or the Memo for that matter? Murphy has been and still is Seijas little puppy,writer and bully.
I wanted to give Murphy the benefit of the doubt, that he turned over a new leaf. But then his group ASPA gave Lynda Bell an award. That is when I realized he was beyond redemption. Terry Murphy still is a lapdog and always will be.
Actually you are all wrong. The Office of Sustainability was not created for Maribel, a cushy job at WASD for water conservation was. The Office of Sustainability was created at the behest of Harvey Ruvin who was pushing hard at the time for the County to take a lead role in developing a Climate Change Task Force and a compact agreement for the region. Unfortunately, the Office was turned over to Susie Torriente, former assistant County Manager. Maribel never ran it and stilll doesn't. It was Susie and when she left, Lee Hefty. Maribel either left WASD or was moved from there due to budget issies into a prominent role in Sustainability last year.
Maribel Balbin is still in the sustainability department making more than $80k+ and she's still the most unqualified employee in that department.
Post a Comment