Lovin’
Stories About Fungus. Ka-Ching!
Great Story this week on
fungus [“The Fungus
Among Us,” published June 14]. Your story was very
well-written and I really enjoyed it.
Thank you,
David B. Leshner,
president, MDS, Inc.
Mold Detection Services,
Inc.
Miami
It’s Always Kosher in
Bay Harbor Islands
Kosher baloney anyone?
Frances Neuhut complains
that the April 17 election for a Town Council seat in Bay
Harbor Islands, in which her husband Denis lost, wasn’t a
“kosher election”?
[“Not a ‘Kosher Election,’” published June 7.]
Not possible, say I.
After all, doesn’t Sandra Snowden, our local resident
Christian Crusader, make it plain every Christmas season
that the problem is that Bay Harbor Islands apparently is
much TOO kosher?
Marty Monroe
Bay Harbor Islands
Dog People: Seeking
Common Solutions to Open Spaces and Distancing Selves From
Certain Individuals
We’re writing to clarify
for the community and SunPost readers some facts
relating to your articles
“Resident Barking” [May 3] and
“Tuesday in the Park with the SWAT Team!” (June 7).
*Responsible
Dog Owners of Miami Beach (RDO) is a non-profit, Florida
registered corporation with a federal 501 c3 tax status.
*Our
track record since 2005 of providing positive results
through the efforts of our volunteer base in the City of
Miami Beach (CMB) is real.
*
We offer and are involved in some unique programs and that
have proven valuable to dogs, dog owners and the rest of the
community. To name a few: dog bite prevention, dog
fostering, Canine Good Citizen (AKC), Doggie Good Manners
team, Responsible Dog Owners of Miami Beach Day, an
agreement with the CMB to assist in refilling dog “doody”
bag dispensers, working with the CMB on the creation of the
much anticipated beach-spot for dogs and responsible dog
owners, and three members have been recognized for their
efforts by Commissioner Gross and the CMB with a Certificate
of Appreciation.
*We
believe in our volunteers’ good intentions when they want to
participate in the mission of our organization — “To make of
Miami Beach, and the future cities where we might extend, a
dog-friendlier city, and a place where dogs, dog’s owners
and the rest of the residents can have an enjoyable, easy,
and respectful relationship.”
*RDO
does not perform criminal background checks on our
volunteers! If we had ample funding, we would do a lot of
things!
*The
Petition for Lights at Pine Tree Park was done entirely by
Bear Smirnoff and Mike Jones. RDO was asked to help
post-petition.
*On
April 22, we requested members to attend the April 25
Neighborhood Affairs Committee (NAC) meeting based on
statements from Mr. Lowenstein’s letter that potentially
threatened to undermine Pine Tree’s Bark Park.
*After
that meeting, we asked Mr. Smirnoff to explain allegedly
questionable methods used in illustrating Pine Tree Park
“issues” that surfaced during the meeting.
*Mr.
Smirnoff has denied any involvement with the RDO. He has
slandered the organization in writing with a posting in the
park. Mr. Jones has also denied any involvement with our
organization.
*RDO
terminated its short-lived relationship with Mr. Smirnoff
and Mr. Jones on May 13.
*It
came to light during the NAC meeting that Mr. Lowenstein
appeared to have more in common with our mission than his
letter to the CMB led us to believe. Afterwards, we spoke
with him directly for the first time.
*Since
the NAC meeting, and with Commissioner Jerry Libbin’s
leadership, the RDO and OPNA are working to build a public
consensus on Pine Tree Park and produce an agreement that
will benefit everybody. We are all working together to find
a common solution.
*The results of
Commissioner Libbin’s efforts will be presented at the July
NAC meeting.
Yours truly,
Board of Directors
Responsible Dog Owners of
Miami Beach
Change Is Not For
Everyone: But It Suits Us Practical Urbanites Just Fine
Dear Editor:
Unlike Mr. Abramson
[Letters, “Hip and Trendy Name? We Don’t Need No Stinkin’
Hip and Trendy Name,” published June 7], I commend Joyce
Meyers and the North Beach Development Corp. for their
efforts to transform North Beach. This is the last area in
Miami Beach that remains partially blighted and rundown. Its
potential, however, like the rest of Miami Beach, is
enormous. As a fairly recent arrival to North Beach (after a
decade and half residing in South Beach), I am thrilled that
progress is being made to create long overdue change. It
gives me hope to see the potential of a charming and unique
neighborhood evolving.
I can understand Mr.
Abramson’s fears, however. Change is not for everyone.
Personally, though, I would love to be able to shop and dine
more frequently in my own neighborhood. Unfortunately, the
“dollar” stores, shabby (and often dirty) restaurants,
Laundromats, and profusion of abandoned properties will not
suffice!
Asandra Lamb
Miami Beach
MAM: Inspiring Me to
Move to Miami in a New York Minute
To Whom It May Concern,
I sympathize greatly with
Mr. Riley. Why is it rarely accurately reported that the
museums will only occupy 20 percent of the park? They are
constantly regarded as monster museums or buildings taking
over the park. It is preposterous and irresponsible
journalism, inciting these last minute doubts
[Wakefield, “Jammed at MAM, published June 7].
I refer not to the
SunPost reporting alone, but to the wide swath of the
same such nonsense in the Biscayne Times and the
Herald to name a few. ”Filled with fancy buildings?” The
park will not be FILLED with fancy buildings: That is gross
misrepresentation and it is shameful. The park will, for the
most part, remain “green.” Would someone please report this
truth! The park as it stands now is derelict and an
embarrassment and almost ALWAYS completely abandoned, except
for an occasional unsavory character that makes the park
even less likely to get used. Yes, it is perhaps the most
spectacular piece of real estate in Miami, which is why it
needs to be utilized to its full potential, with world class
museums, MUCH public green space and a place of beauty for
all. The mention that there are three people opposing this
is yet another interesting fact. Why is it not reported that
Marty Margulies runs the Margulies Collection and would
stand to lose his status as a the reigning king of art in
Miami? You would think that he would be a fervent supporter
(and donator to the collection) of the museum if he cares
about art in Miami. Who can we, who support the museum,
write to and e-mail?
To clarify, I am moving
to Miami in October, partially drawn by the excitement of a
cultural campus brought to its fruition by the singularly
qualified Terence Riley. Although I do not have money, per
se, to donate, I will most certainly give the gift of any of
my art to further his good work with the collection.
James Wilkins
New York
