The cops have been out and about deferring drug deals around S.W. 59 Pl. and S.W. 68 St., at least as far as we can see. However, some elders in the public housing neighborhood think there’s more action than there should be at this popular drug busting area.
The amazing part: literally just down the street is the city pool, a school and two new doctor’s office. This is one of those “ah-hah!” moments. The city needs to keep the pressure on the bad guys so that visitors, moms, dads, kids (and patients at the doctor’s office) feel 100 percent safe.
Really, guys, let’s row, row, row the boat a little more sensibly down the stream. Just when I think it’s ok to call South Miami “safe,” our commissioners float the idea of creating a new U.S. state called “South Florida.” I’m surprised they didn’t christen it “South Stoddard” or the “Republic of Harris.”
‘Tis reported one reason for the action is that locals can address the issue of rising sea levels. Hmmm. Knowing our commanders, there must be other reasons under the surface that are driving this submarine through a blurry periscope.
Vice Mayor Wally Harris, the most vocal proponent of this latest attentiongatherer, got so carried away at the meeting he was heard to say former county Commissioner Katy Sorenson supported his latest project. But, alas! He was wrong, and Katy had to notify him that he muffed that call.
Anyhoo, we’re delighted to hear that the commission is concerned about rising tides that may sink the city into Biscayne Bay – so at least they better hurry up and start the Madison Square project to help deal with the stubborn poverty that already is drowning so many of our citizens. Oh, and while you’re at it, how about paying the folks at City Hall a bit more in their pockets, and raising cop salaries too, so that both can reflect the pride they deserve while working for the City of South Miami?
“City gets spanked by judge.” Yes, our city was dealt a legal and financial blow as a result of firing Chief Orlando Martinez de Castro in 2013. Recently a trial judge ruled in favor of the chief in his wrongful termination lawsuit. At the end of day (so far, anyway), the city must pay the chief. And our City Hall coffers may well be on hook for bigger bucks than otherwise expected, the exact amount to be mediated.
So, come on, elected City Hall pols, get with it. Admit you were wrong (so sayeth the judge); end the constant side trips into unnecessary law suits once and for all. Tell the city attorney to give Orlando the money he deserves. Won’t hurt you one little bit – it isn’t dough out of your pockets – just another bill Joe Taxpayer coughs up for your mistakes, your pride – or both!
Thank goodness road work on Sunset Drive from near S.W. 65 Ave. to the west is over. The median landscaping and irrigation are nice and new asphalt paving looks the way it should, making the ride nice and smooth. Now if my fellow drivers would just keep their minds on their driving instead of trying to text Singapore, or someplace, we’ll all be that much safer. BTW, just cuz’ it’s easy driving there now, best not to speed because the cops are handing out very expensive speeding tickets these days.
Next city election is February 2016 and Commissioner Josh Liebman is already in full campaign mode, out and about to get reelected to his second four-year term. Josh was pretty green when he came out of nowhere to win his seat but has served South Miami citizenry in honest and refreshing ways, garnering lots of supporters throughout the city.
All things told Mayor Phil Stoddard has also done a pretty darn good job this go ‘round, even with a few mistakes that will cost the city some big bucks. His (very green) supporters stay active and enjoy voting. Then, of course, there’s Robert Welsh who goes by your choice of Bicycle Bob, Bobby, Bobble Head (my favorite) and a few others that people have created over the years. At the end of the day, Bobble Head did get elected by the people of South Miami and what they’ve seen is what they’ve gotten. Bob came into office ‘off the charts’ and over the last three years has come closer to the center (or, could we have moved closer to where he is?). In any case, we may have to drop the Bobble Head moniker if only because he just doesn’t seem as odd as he once did when coming aboard ship.
Got any tips? Contact me at 305-669-7355, ext. 249, or send emails to Michael@communitynewspapers.com.
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