Thanks for the Professionalism, County:
Now Here Are Some Questions

Members of the RTDIC and Miami-Dade County Officials,

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your time and professionalism at the Nov. 29 RTDIC meeting [“Uncertain Future,” published Nov. 30].

We need some clarity as to the process once the RTDIC votes on the project. It was not very clear at the meeting. What happens after the RTDIC takes a vote? Does it go to the City of Miami Commission or to the County Commission first? Is the developer current on his lease payments?

An extremely important issue that left us with the utmost concern was the fact that the county indicated that they may consider the height of each floor to be 16 feet. It does not make much sense. Perhaps the first floor, which would be retail, but the floors above? Please consider a total height of 14 floors/150 feet.

The question as to whether there are any legal issues between the original RFP proposal that called for 14-10-1 and 240,000 square feet, accepted through the public process and then accepted by the County Commission, and the signed lease which the Commission accepted without public process, is still unanswered. Our understanding is that the commission directed the county manager to negotiate the lease (I believe that meant fine tuning the details not changing the lease), which then went back to the commission and was approved by them at 19-19-1 and 450,000 square feet. In other words: doubled, with no public process. Is that proper? Is that really legal? How can that happen? Is it possible for the legal department to look into that and give us their opinion before the next meeting?

What year was the SADD Plan done for the Coconut Grove Metrorail Station? Could it be that the needs at these stations have changed since then? Do the proposed standards meet the requirements of the Comprehensive Development Master Plan with respect to community stations?

One thing I didn’t mention at the meeting was the fact that there are approximately 19,000 condos for sale in Miami-Dade County, do we need more?

Finally, a truly mixed-use project, with services to the riders and the Community that will be no larger than the original accepted proposal of 14/10/1 and no higher than 150 square feet and 240,000 square feet, a pedestrian bridge crossing US 1 at 27th Avenue and circulators, is what the residents would ask you to consider.

If possible, I would like to sit down with each of you to discuss the pros and cons and any questions you and I may have. Perhaps together we can have a project that will make sense and be a model for Community Stations in Miami-Dade County.

I’d like to take this opportunity to wish you a wonderful holiday, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and a very Happy New Year. May you enjoy your quality of life with your family and friends!

Thank you,

Felice Dubin
Committee Chair, 27th Ave./Coconut Grove Metrorail Project
Cocoanut Grove Village Council

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For the Honor of the Holidays: Next Year I’m Gonna Demand My Nativity Scene Rights

Dear Mr. Berkowitz:

Thank you for your well-written Dec. 7 article “Here We Go Again.” This fear of a nativity scene seems to permeate Miami Beach.

Also, you don’t hear Christmas carols and you don’t say “Merry Christmas” to greet anyone. Until last year I was just an observer to this passing parade of stupidity. Then, somebody put a menorah up in our condo lobby. It was quickly followed by a Christmas tree. Having had enough, this year I asked the board to either do it right or not at all (i.e., put up a nativity scene because that is what Christmas is about). My elderly fellow unit owners moaned and the younger ones just passed it off as another Christmas freak. But I will be more aggressive next year and not even bother to discuss it with the board.

Thank you for your time. 

Lou De Carlo
Bal Harbour

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The Nature of God: Completely Unknown to the Likes of Snowden

Sandra Snowden states in reference to the establishment clause, in the U.S. Constitution, against the establishment of an official religion by government, “I must ask the courts again for equal protection against the town of Bay Harbor.”

I am deeply offended by this activist’s attitude and the money she has cost this community. And if she continues to pursue this course of action then it will leave me no choice but to ask the courts for equal protection against Snowden and the town of Bay Harbor. For her to make the statement that “they are putting Christians below those of the Jewish faith” is outrageous offensive and can do nothing but fan anti-Semitic feelings. Now I will take my tongue out of my cheek and state the real reason for my anger.

Over the last 62 years I have developed a deep and profound belief in God and a deep dislike for established religions. In studying comparative religions and pagan beliefs, Egyptian gods and goddesses, it becomes clear that the only enduring element is the belief in something greater than ourselves (God). In terms of evolution we are still primitive, and realizing my limitations to comprehend what God is I just believe in my need for something greater than myself.

Maybe next year I will publish my mythology. My birthday is Dec. 15 and maybe my symbol will be my image displayed along with the archaic symbols of the established religions. And know this, Ms. Snowden, my image will go above yours and not below the Jewish faith.

If man was created in the image of God, down the evolutionary trail we will find that in fact, we are god. Some act more godly than others. And activists are dangerous.

Thank you, 

Jeffrey Koster
Bay Harbor Islands