Only in Miami Can a Tribute to Veterans Be Uprooted — Literally

Dear publishers, editors and news directors:

I have been following news reports regarding the fate of palm trees in Los Angeles; most will not be replaced as they die out. The good news is that some critical locations (specifically Sunset and Hollywood boulevards) will continue to have palms maintained. In Miami, however, hundreds of full-grown, decades-old, native royal palms (the city's official tree – appearing on its seal) are in jeopardy of being removed from the city's gateway boulevard (namely, Biscayne Boulevard), based on a community group's personal opinion.

On Nov. 11, 1926, at a combined Arbor Day and Armistice Day celebration, Mayor Edward Romfh and City Manager Frank H. Wharton planted the last of the royal palms that were to become Biscayne Boulevard's trademark. The thoroughfare was then dedicated to “Veterans of All Wars.” That was the official birthday of Biscayne Boulevard. Eighty years later, many Miami citizens and business owners are hopeful of preservation. See our petition at www.savepalms.com/PetitionSigs.html.

 Since January 2006, more than 80 royal palms have been removed courtesy of the Florida Department of Transportation-sponsored reconstruction of the boulevard. Initial reports claimed that the trees were being removed because they were “in the way” of heavy equipment and installation of the new drainage system. The truth is the drainage system was installed down the middle of the boulevard. In fact, other trees along the boulevard were left in place during construction and pipe installation: www.savepalms.com/Spared.html.

Oddly, as the palms are coming down, Miami’s own ordinance is being ignored: Sec. 609.3.2 (1) "Along Biscayne Boulevard, the pedestrian open space and the ground floor frontage shall be so designed, improved and located to provide an attractively landscaped appearance using royal palms and other types of tropical plants suitable to its gateway role.” Biscayne Boulevard and its landscape appear to need the protection similar to that of Coral Way – as “Scenic Transportation Corridor.” The Upper Eastside section of the boulevard, recently designated as the MiMo Historic District, is in particular need of preservation. Architecture buffs will agree, MiMo (Miami Modern) was built for palms.

Bob Flanders, co-founder of the Upper Eastside Miami Council (the group appointed “design partner” by FDOT), is promoting the decision to transform our historic boulevard by way of some very slanted opinions. For instance, aside from comparing the royal palms to the likes of concrete poles, the royal's fronds are claimed to weigh 75 pounds when they fall suddenly – causing accidents.

Royal palms are Miami's official tree and are the most regal of all palms; it takes months for a frond to wilt, brown, dry and ultimately fall at a weight of only a few pounds. Flanders also claims that “all (including federal law) deemed royal palms inappropriate for Biscayne's narrow roadway.” The fact is that the two horticultural professionals attending the “charrette” did not, in any way, agree that the full-grown palms should be removed. The federal law he is referring to is for freeways/highways. Yes, four-lane Biscayne Boulevard is U.S. 1, but it is hardly a highway.

 Many citizens, visitors and business owners are bewildered that the palms have been removed while the FDOT landscape plan is still in its design phase (meetings are pending for the first weeks of December and January). In Los Angeles, it appears that the city has taken into account the beauty and history of certain areas. In Miami, it's who you know and how quick you can tear something down under the radar.

 I am hopeful that preservationists and city officials will not miss the opportunity to do the right thing. Plant trees, plenty of trees – but preserve grand Biscayne Boulevard as “Gateway to Miami,” dedicated to veterans of all wars, lined with royal palms for another 80 years.

Respectfully,

Sean-Paul Melito
Miami

***

Employee Unions: The Ultimate Special Interest of Miami Beach

Letter to the editor:

With no major issues driving the Miami Beach election, the question is why did so many narrow interests bundle very large campaign contributions to the winning candidate, which, together with personal loans to the campaign, amount to a $106 cost per vote? 

The answer is the same as last year's election for a commission seat: to secure a position of influence on their candidate. City unions, in particular, recognize the importance of city commissioners in the renewal of their contracts. Their active support, combined with that of development and entertainment industry interests, pyramids the resources available to the candidate they choose, and overwhelms any ordinary public-interest citizen who dares to make a serious entry into the race. 

This permanent special interest consortium not only poured funds into their standard bearer, but to guarantee victory, used personal attacks that had nothing to do with the issues, disgusting voters in the process.

Frank Del Vecchio
Miami Beach

***

And Now for Some More Political and Mathematical Analysis

Congratulations to Marc Sarnoff for his election to Miami City commissioner. And congratulations to all of his tireless supporters and registered voters of District 2 that dedicated their time and passion in a stunning effort to implement a positive change for Miami’s future. The voice of the people has spoken loud and clear that they are not pleased with Mayor Manny Diaz, his efforts to cement over our city, block our waterfront, grant up-zoning, acquiesce to developers and their lobbyists. The voters are also saying that they totally disapprove of his past friendship and real-estate partnership with the arrogant, argumentative and boisterous former city manager and the poster boy for anger management.

My heartfelt respect and gratitude goes out to my friend Linda Haskins for her many years of hard work, passion and dedication in helping to make Miami a better place to live and work. She has accomplished much on our behalf, had to deal with the aggravation and stress of working for the likes of our former city manager. She also had to deal with lies and innuendos concerning her character. Linda is a wonderful, caring, smart, honest, dedicated perfectionist who has been one of the best municipal stewards that Miami has ever had. She is very much aware of the shortcomings of the present administration and the dangerous road it has chosen to travel. Her dreams are to make Miami a better place. I hope that she will renew her passion and continue her efforts to move Miami in the right direction.

Now let’s do the math:

Miami City Commissioner District 2 Nov. 21 Runoff Election Results:

• Total Registered Voters: 36,017

• Linda Haskins Votes: 1,943

• Marc Sarnoff Votes: 3,524

• Total Votes Cast: 5,467

Percentage Votes Cast: 15 percent

Miami City Commissioner District 2 Nov. 7 Primary Election Results:

• Total Registered Voters: 36,017

• Linda Haskins Votes: 3,734

• Marc Sarnoff Votes: 4,323

• Total Votes Cast: 8,057

Funds Raised for Election Campaign

• Linda Haskins Contributions: $729,000

• Marc Sarnoff Contributions: $182,000

• Total Funds Raised: $911,000

Investment for Each Vote District 2 Nov. 21 Runoff Election

• Linda Haskins Investment: $195.00

• Marc Sarnoff Investment: $42.00

• Median Investment: $113.00

It should be of great concern to all of us that our quality of life is being determined by only 5,467 – just 15 percent – of the total eligible voters.

It should be of great concern to all of us that 2,590 fewer registered voters cast their votes for these two candidates in the runoff election than in the primary, even after all of the other candidates endorsed Marc Sarnoff.

It should be of great concern to all of us that the median investment for each vote was a staggering $113.00. And this amount does not even include the cost to the city for holding the primary and runoff elections.

Let this be a “wake up call” to Mayor Diaz, city commissioners, city manager, city attorney and staff. The people have spoken. They are not happy with their decisions, attitude, arrogance, condescension, unprofessionalism, aloofness and disconnect from the public needs and desires. If we had the right to “Vote No Confidence” and replace them right now, we would most certainly do so.

Miami officials: Please respect the voice of the voters and make the course corrections they desire and demand. This is the last chance for you to do what you were elected and hired to do. You are to serve the people. Your job is not a lifetime career. Your legacy will be best served when you do what is right for the people. So please work with Marc Sarnoff and help us all achieve a better future for Miami.

Harry Emilio Gottlieb
Miami

***

Return of the Haskins: A Conflicted Hope

To the editor:

There is speculation afoot that Linda Haskins will be reappointed to her previous management position with the city of Miami. Here is why that is a bad idea.

Whatever her prior performance in the position, she served as a professional charged with exercising best practice and good judgment in day-to-day operations that must surely have involved choices among less-than-ideal options. We trust our civil servants to do their best under these circumstances and will assume Ms. Haskins did hers as well.

Because of her brief tenure as an unelected officeholder and unsuccessful candidate, her credentials now include having received several hundred thousand dollars from some of the same individuals and entities who will almost certainly bring to the fore issues on which unbiased decisions by city staff will be needed. It would be asking too much of the citizens and indeed Ms. Haskins to believe that such bias was absent from any decision she might make. The situation is about as close to an “appearance of impropriety” as one is likely to encounter. 

Howard Beasley
Miami