And The Ignorance Continues
Dear Editor,
Your editorial ("And the SoBe Noise War Continues", SunPost, published February 6) really misses the point. The venues which are today the source
of aggravated noise violations are not located in what you refer to as "mixed entertainment and residential districts", your description of ALL of South Beach. Opium Gardens (the former
Amnesia) seduced its way into a residential neighborhood masquerading as a supper club, not an outdoor disco. Similarly, the restaurant Joia's recent efforts to remake itself into a
nightclub holding noisy outdoor parties into the wee hours of the morning, is an assault on the residential neighborhood in which it is located.
The fact is that all of the areas
fighting illegal, unlicensed outdoor entertainment venues are residential, NOT residential mixed with entertainment. The area South of Fifth is decidedly residential and not "mixed
entertainment and residential". Similarly, the area around 15th and Ocean Drive is not remotely similar to the area around 10th and Ocean Drive. The former is decidedly residential (1500
and IL Villaggio Condominiums). The Royal Palm and Loews Hotel are temporary residences for visitors; they are not outdoor entertainment venues and discos, nor were they permitted as such
when planned. Directly north of these hotels are the Georgian and the Decoplage, which are sizable condominiums whose residents are recipients of noise reverberating from outdoor pool
entertainment at these hotels. You obviously do not live there or you would not describe them as having "the occasional pool party". The Loews has frequent outdoor affairs with music, both
during the day and in the evening. Added to that the Royal Palm is applying for an outdoor entertainment permit. Can you imagine if all this were permitted with the addition of Ocean
Steps playing jazz? Furthermore the entire neighborhood surrounding the Creek at 24th and Collins is residential (Roney Palace Condominium and Hotel, Riviera Condominium, Mantell and Helen
Mar Condominiums, Chevy Chase Apartments etc). To describe all of these residential neighborhoods as "mixed entertainment and residential" neighborhoods is sophistry.
Your rhetorical
questions regarding the levels of noise objected to is also disturbing. Glossing over persistent neighbors' complaints and their insistence on complaining about noise violating the
Miami-Dade County ordinance and their right to quietly enjoy their homes is an insult to your readers and to our fellow residents. Your conclusion that South Beach would have to be
dismantled to protect the residents' rights to peacefully enjoy their property is absurd.
What has to be dismantled is the notion that the rights of the residents can be ignored. What
has to be respected is the County's ordinance regarding noise. What has to be supported is that venues, be they restaurants or hotels, may not break the law.
Yours sincerely,
Judy Goodwin
Running For a Cure
Dear Sirs:
I want to thank you for your congratulatory wishes to me in the "Murmurs" section of the latest issue acknowledging my
run in last week's Miami Tropical Marathon. (Published last week in Beach edition.)
I am hoping that you will be able to help me with my next marathon race which is scheduled for June, 2003. I am
running the Kona Marathon with Team Diabetes and raising money for the American Diabetes Association. I am committed to raising $ 4,500 for this.
I am excited about elevating my running to a higher cause so to speak and raise money for this worthy cause.
Diabetes has affected my life as well as so many in our community. I am hoping to increase public awareness of how widespread this
disease is in which nearly 1/3 of the 17 million people with diabetes not even being aware of it. I hope to have blood sugar testing at venues like Publix to make people aware that they
might have elevated blood sugars before its too late.
Again, thanks for the recognition in your last issue and your support for this cause.
Sincerely,
Todd Bass
[Editor’s Note: For more information call the American Diabetes Association at 305-477-8999.]
