 |
| Did the community see this map or know of the area to be renamed? |
In a unanimous last minute decision with little discussion, the City of Miami Commission agreed to call the LARGE area in the above graphic, Little Haiti. The Community within the boundaries was not properly informed.
The pandering going on in the City of Miami is making me sick. Too many people are running and they all want the Haitian vote. It is "Let's not offend the Haitian community" -- but in doing so you are dissing the history of African Americans, the White Community and the Bahamian American community and their long past in Miami, before Miami was even a city. Come on Commissioners do the right thing instead, if there is a veto and you have a second chance.
To saddle a large portion of the African American community and many up-and-coming neighborhoods with a name they do not want is lunacy.
This change is going to hurt property values - blanket names do that - and anger African Americans and White Americans --- disregarding their historic places, like Lemon City. Why don't they just call Coral Gables by some blanket name too? Or maybe Miami Lakes could be called little Hialeah. Haitians occupy North Miami in great numbers too. Are you going to rename North Miami Little Haiti North? Where do you stop? Let's call Aventura little Israel. And we can call Doral, Little Venezuela. You can call my house Little Spaghetti Haven...I am Italian. But I want you to include all my neighbors so it is meaningful for me or I will stand up and scream at a meeting and stomp my feet and imply with my shenanigans: No vote for you!
I think this issue is sensitive and has to be heard in the community in the context of a Charrette with a facilitator (a Charrette is a meeting in which all stakeholders in a project attempt to resolve conflicts and map solutions). A Charrette has to be planned with all the stakeholders invited if there is a veto and there should be a veto. You can't just scream and shout to get your way and intimidate mealy-mouthed politicians running for reelection. You have to be civilized. Dragging a bunch of noisy people to a meeting shouldn't guarantee a win.
This isn't about Haitian pride to name a too large area of the city after a Country of origin (a country that the name supporters left). This is about sanity in our Neighborhoods and people practicing being neighborly and respecting the history of a place to which they immigrated. There is enough bad blood within our communities without adding to it. This designation takes in too many neighborhoods. You should think before you vote Commissioners. Make sure the community is on board. Ask who drew the map. Did you even listen to Enid Pinkney, a Miami born Black Citizen with Bahamian roots, a respected historian, former President of Dade Heritage Trust, and member of the Virginia Key Trust when she spoke before your vote? What about listening to Arva Moore Parks, Ph.D. or Alma Brown? No you didn't listen to any of them. You just listened to the LOUD, not respectful.
Little Italy in New York...almost all Chinese now. Name change: Chinatown 2? Little China Italiano? New York's China-Pizza Hood?
Here Are letters written by others on this topic:
PROTECTING MIAMI'S HISTORY AND HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOODS
Little River - Lemon City - Edison
On Thursday, May 26, 2016, Keon Hardemon, a pompous, arrogant, politician with NO RESPECT for the History of Miami, presented a Resolution to eliminate, and erase three Historic Neighborhoods from Miami and rename them Little Haiti.
We, who spend our time, energy, and money protecting, preserving and restoring the History of our beautiful Miami City are greatly troubled that the other four Commissioners who voted for this Resolution also have a flagrant disregard towards the "Protection and Preservation of Miami's History and Historic Neighborhoods".
These three Historic Neighborhoods, Little River, Lemon City, and Edison were created at the end of the 19Th Century and the beginning of the 20Th Century. They are a very important part of Miami's History.
Mayor Regalado, I ask you to VETO this Resolution immediately!! (GENIUS - I ASK YOU TO VETO AS WELL).
As the Mayor and Leader of our Beautiful Miami City it is your responsibility to "Protect and Preserve Miami's History."
if the Haitian Residents living in Miami want to name a section of Miami "Little Haiti", there are plenty of residential areas west of Little River, Lemon City, and Edison Neighborhoods that are not name designated.
I was born In Miami. I grew up with friends and family living in the Little River, Lemon City, and Edison Historic Neighborhoods.
I purchased my Home in the Upper Eastside because this area of Miami is part of my past, my present, and my future.
Any Society or City that does not "Protect and Preserve" it's History is doomed to fail.
Sincerely,
Eileen M Bottari
Historic Palm Grove
-----------------
Distinguished Miami Mayor and Commissioners,
It has come to my attention that there is an effort to rename one of Miami's historic neighborhoods, Lemon City. (RE 11 on May 26, 2016).
As a family member of early pioneers of Lemon City, Little River, Arch Creek and the Redland region, I'm concerned that the loss of a name place -- made all the more famous by my friend Thelma Peters in her iconic pioneer history book of the same name -- could be a short-sighted error in judgment by some that might not appreciate our recent past.
Lemon City, Arch Creek, Little River, Buena Vista... these place names are the last lingering remainders of our short history in South Dade. They are associated with the bold and proud early pioneers that forged this territory.
My great grandfather Edward DeVere Burr was chairman of the Dade Country Commission during the formative years of 1915 to 1921. His older brother was state railroad commissioner for 25 years. His younger brother established Burr's Berry Farm back in 1919. The brothers are buried in the first plot of Miami's pioneer cemetery.
My hope and prayer is that as today's leaders, as stewards of our founders' legacy, you will make every effort to respect, protect and admire such small but significant vestiges of these living remainders. The erasure of such an iconic place name is a travesty that deprives all who follow from some significant clues to our past.
Every noteworthy group that contributes to the success and legacy of our communities deserves some respect and admiration for their efforts, but not at the expense of those that came before them, who forged a pioneer wilderness into this world renowned bustling metropolis that we share -- and strive to protect.
Robert A. Burr
-----------------
Distinguished Miami Mayor and Commissioners,
I believe Mr Burr's letter shares the sentiment of a lot of local residents, businesses and stakeholders in the large area being proposed a name designation of "Little Haiti" in a resolution being put forth by Commissioner Hardemon. Like many of the large property owners in the area, we embrace and enjoy the Haitian community and culture. The reason why I was drawn to invest in the neighborhood was because of its history and diversity.
I surprising found out about the resolution being on this Thursdays agenda just this week.
I ask that such an important decision be deferred to allow for more dialog and consideration from the many residents, businesses, historians, and property owners who participate in this very large geographical area.
Respectfully,
Avra Jain
-----------------
Mayor Regalado,
Please veto this item.
Commissioners made a huge mistake. Commissioners should have done their due diligence. They should have asked the obvious questions:
1. Who drew the borders in Exhibit A provided with the item?
2. How many acres are included in the borders designated in Exhibit A?
3. Will approving this item be disrespectful to African-Americans and Bahamians and to other current residents and stakeholders?
4. Was proper notice provided? Not just putting the Agenda online the Thursday before the meeting BUT was there a concerted effort to NOT inform local businessmen and stakeholders within the affected area, African-Americans, Bahamians, Historians, journalists and other concerned citizens? Citizens testified they only had 1-4 days notice this item was coming up and less than 1-4 days to prepare rebuttals.
5. Why did every historian who testified on May 26th ask commissioners to defer or deny the item? Why?
6. Did anyone do an Economic Impact Study of how the legislation will affect existing businesses AND our tax base?
7. Were any historians asked to provide reports on the proposed borders?
8. Were any cartographers or map experts asked to provide reports on the proposed borders?
9. Why did the Chair or the Clerk not demand speakers be sworn in?
10. Is there are a concerted effort to erase the history of Lemon City and Little River?
11. Why were there NO publicly noticed meetings to discuss the proposed borders?
12. Since there was no historic or academic justification provided was the legislation entirely political?
For these reasons and for many more please veto RE 11 from May 26th, 2016.
Thank you,
Peter R. Ehrlich, Jr
38 comments:
Are the inmates running the asylum?
Mayor Tomas Regalado should definitely veto Keon Hardemon's dumb renaming scheme.
Couldn't agree more with the need for a veto. Good intro and letters.
Hardemon (and his staff) are terrible. Sad to be in his district.
Wynwood needs to be in the box and then the yammering will never stop. Jorge Perez will be at Commissioners offices with his fists in the air. Why? Because his investments will dip. Tourists will not go to little Haiti.
The elephant in this room is that Haiti does not have a positive connotation. It is a very poor country that can't seem to govern itself. The people are good, name bad for property owners.
At least Little Haiti will no longer considered a pejorative term. if critics are right and it drives down property values short term then helps the investors who come in and gentrify the neighborhood.
in Miami we don't care what you call it if we can make a buck.
And in 50 years the Paul George's of the future will be giving walking tours to the neighborhood with the story of the areas colorful past and backstory to it's many name changes and Hardemon will be remembered as one of the first generation of Miami's elected black leaders who sold out his people for personal gain proving assholes come in every color
Keon Hardemon shows the public how inexperienced he is. Or corrupt. Haiti? The most corrupt and chaotic country in the western hemisphere? Does Hardemon know Haitians are not property owners? (Well, maybe haitians own 1% of the properties in those areas but they are selling out fast.) They are tenants. Soon they will all be priced out or evicted. Putting the Haiti name on those neighborhoods just labeled them as ghettos to the public. Hardemon pandered to a few loud Haitians as he screwed African-Americans.
Do you want to kill gentrification? Rename your street MLK Boulevard.
The city commission spent hours listening to mostly pro little Haiti advocates most of whom don't even live in the city
The biggest loud mouths last Year asking, no , demanding this name change, reside up in Broward.
This is very much in character with his puppet regime he is. Staff from previous Commissioner, unresponsive, know it all, does not show up or respond in Neighborhood concerns not his color.
Voters should not have given the name Hardeman a second chance.
Hardemon is corrupt. But there were four other commissioners in the room. None spoke up. (Sarnoff was corrupt but even Sarnoff would speak up occasionally). All five were cowards. The Mayor should veto the POS renaming.
Ken Russell? The dude needs to get educated.
Eileen was way to kind to Hardemon
You are right the Haitians will be priced out of there. Most of those speaking were probably from North Miami.
Yup. The loud aggressive Haitians were from Miramar, N. Miami, Broward County... Keon and his staff had them bused in to influence the gullible other commissioners. It worked.
The area will be stuck with the name long after the people have abandoned the area because the area is too large. They needed to focus on the heart and soul of what really is little Haiti not just place a map on a general area. That way a bustling district will develop with colorful shops and restaurants that actually attracts tourists rather than repels them, for fear of a crime ridden neighborhood.
The real problem here is Hardemon. The way he conducted this vote was dishonest . He had plenty of time to gather people to ride buses and make statements. But he didn't tell the business owners who pay taxes nor the historians that watch our history. This whole boat was done too quickly without any notice to people involved. Except Haitians they got plenty of notice .
I think all are agreed that the boundaries need to be tweaked. Is that such a bad thing? WHO DREW THE BOUNDARIES IN THE FIRST PLACE? No one seems to know.
No one seems against Little Haiti. It could be a vibrant area encompassing the cultural center and the Carribbean market, with shops... A downtown with crafts and galleries. It doesn't have to be so humongous to be inclusive and respectful of the community.
Edison, Lemon City, Little River, West Little River... Why are the Haitians and their stooge Hardemon trying to erase Miami's history? What is their financial motivation?
This debate is so hilarious. So now all of a sudden you guys care that much about African-Americans and Bahamians? Where was the care when Overtown got ripped from underneath us? Where's the care with what's just and right for the people and community of the Liberty Square Project? Where's the care when the boundaries of West Grove continues to get encroached upon? Where's the care with the overbuilding and gentrification? We don't buy it. Don't start caring now about my people just because it affects you. We see right through it.
It's interesting that many of the debaters against the naming of Little Haiti are gentrified residents who are only now just claiming Little Haiti. Where were you in the 80's and 90's let alone just 5-7 years ago?
Where were we in the 80's? Really. Do you really blame us for not being around in the 80's to report? I wasn't here in the 80's. The newspapers were doing the job in the 80's and 90's. In the 90's we were fighting HABDI and other issues like trying to stop public land giveaways (American Airlines Arena) and saving historical Virginia Key Beach from development with Athalie Range, Maude Neubold, and others. I did Virginia Key for a couple of years with YOUR PEOPLE that care about preserving history. No one is fighting for YOUR PEOPLE in this issue. We are fighting for historical context which SOME of your people wants to preserve, my friend Enid for example. We are also fighting the heavy handed tactics of Keon Hardemon, trying to ram this issue past some of the stakeholders, by not alerting them. We care about openness and inclusion of the people in issues that effect their neighborhoods.
You know what, you can write for free for us like we write for free, and address your issues. We wish we had the time to cover everything but we are not a newspaper with a staff. Take your selfish griping elsewhere or pay us to cover specific issues.
I think the price, is next to lobby for free money, to spruce up the Haitian goose. After all, what good is a named Neighborhood without a repeat of the colossal money infused failed Haitian market on 2nd Ave.
I bet, it's about money to support wannabe business owners.
As a counter proposal: Rename Hardemon's 5 Blocks surrounding home to little Somalia.
Everyone paying property taxes should have been notified? Were they sent a letter?
Exactly. Keon Hardemon just took money from taxpayers to buy a house for himself. Why not name the 4-5 blocks around that house Little Somalia? And definitely do the renaming without informing any of his new neighbors! See how that works out for little bully Keon?
Follow the money... Watch Keon and the Haitians from N. Miami steal more money from the taxpayers.
Let's see... Divide and colonize... We know what's best... What about OUR heritage... Outside agitators... Loud and aggressive... Property values... [White] tourists won't go there... Appeals to false history and heritage...
Heard it all before; no doubt will hear it some more. It's the momentum of history wagging the tongues of hypocrites.
I remember when this language was deployed against the Cubans.
Malagodi- this issue was brought up by Hardemon as retribution against the manager for firing a well-liked but incompetent Haitian woman. He gave no one notice and the lead historians: Black.
Malagodi I take issue with the large swath of the area. I don't mind the name but confine it to a smaller area. Hardemon is said to have picked the boundaries. There was no consensus building before the vote with only 2 days notice.
The Haitian woman was fired by the City Manager for stealing and misappropriating taxpayer money. Obviously, the manager had reviewed a mountain of evidence. Keon hired the Haitian crook recognizing she would fit right in with the rest of his staff.
The biggest opponents of renaming 4-5 historic neighborhoods by the reviled name of Haiti came from blacks and Bahamians. Did anyone listen to Enid Pinkney or Alma Brown's speeches? Both women from black and Bahamian descent spoke re history. Interestingly, Keon put the Haiti name on top of Edison and its 100's of units of affordable housing used by blacks for 3 generations. Was Keon absent during History class? Social Studies? Or just corrupt?
The bloggers make excellent, factual points. Geniusofdespair is right; in New York, for example, the smart, respectful Chinese did not demand that the City erase the historic Little Italy name to where Chinatown has expanded. Similarly, the Haitian community in Miami should not have demanded, and been granted, the mapping of such a large area as Little Haiti, while obliterating the historic, well-known names including Lemon City and Little River.
"The smart and respectful Chinese..." as opposed to...
What is it driving this thinly veiled racist language, the name on a map, or the political assertion of Haitian identity? History would suggest the latter - again.
A few weeks ago I was at the Viscaya Metrorail station and came upon two German tourists who were clearly lost. "Where are you trying to go?" I asked. They took out a map and pointed to an area marked "Little Havana." I directed them to the correct station. No big deal. Hopefully there will be tourist maps that also say "Little Haiti."
WTF is really bugging you?
"We live within a totality which binds people together only by virtue of their alienation from each other."
What is bugging me the most? Only one segment of the community was told about the meeting... Not the property owners, not the Historians, not the African Americans- only the Haitians. If it was a fair hearing, it would have been more acceptable. The way it was done fueled a fire. You are off base. You weren't there. Insisting it is racist against Haitians is not the case just because you were part of racists actions in years gone by. If anything this was a stealth end run around the rest of the community.
It's been Little Haiti for decades now. It encompasses parts of Lemon City, Little River, and Edison. Some of the people that live there are Haitian and some aren't. Don't sweat it, people.
Keon Hardemon and the loud Haitians from N.Miami did a sneak attack on blacks and Bahamians. It was Pearl Harbor 2016. Not a fair process. No one was given a heads up, except the haitians. If Mayor Regalado was honest he would have vetoed that farce. Regalado's cowardice just cost his daughter votes.
It is apparent that the Haitians show extreme dislike for Afro-Americans. (We see that Haitians hate black Americans). We know Haitian students disrespect Afro-American students and now we see Haitians demand the Haiti name be put on top of Edison and other traditionally Afro-American neighborhoods. What could be more disrespectful? We look forward to seeing Keon Hardemon getting indicted for his various crimes.
"...stealth end run around the community..." Well stated.
Post a Comment