First meeting in new village council chambers memorable

Michael Miller, Executive Editor

By Michael Miller….

Michael Miller, Executive Editor

From what we hear, last week’s historic first council meeting in the super new council chambers of the new village hall was a great event that was memorable and full of excitement for the members of the village council, some recently elected for the first time as well, and the residents who turned out to be there for the occasion and to see the “new digs.” And although it went well and promises to be a great setting for years of meetings to come, there were also a few amusing moments that serve to remind us that we are just human and that nobody (and no thing) is perfect.

First there was the “something borrowed, something blue” moment, and no, we’re not talking about a wedding. Seat 1 District Councilman Patrick Fiore left work in time to make the meeting but forgot to grab a coat, which isn’t normally a requirement for the meetings but was needed this time so the photographer who was hired to record the event for posterity could take individual and group photos of the council members. To the rescue was former councilman Paul Neidhart, one of the few guys there with shoulders big enough for his coat to fit Fiore, who loaned him the garment for the photos. The “something blue” was a mystery tint of color that appeared on the hands of Arlene Feller, wife of former councilman Dr. Ed Feller, just before the meeting. It may have come from icing residue on the edge of the board on which the large ceremonial cake was placed, when she helped staffers set things up for the post meeting party. It cleaned up okay.

Then there was the spiffy new twin television monitors which display shots of the council, including close-ups of the individual speaking, which is a nice touch, although the images seemed slightly out of synch with the voices.

And the new electronic voting system which records how the council members vote on each resolution was tested, and worked fine, except every time the council voted, the big monitor screens immediately went to a graphic saying “Thank you for attending—see you next time!” Sort of like, “Here’s your hat…what’s your hurry…” No doubt a minor technical glitch that’s bound to pop up the first time out, and will be worked out for future meetings. But hey — everything else was great. And it was so nice to finally see the council meeting take place in a real municipal council chamber instead of a place that looked like a borrowed school auditorium. Congrats, Palmetto Bay. You finally have a place of your own.

Craze for gourmet fare “on the go” has reached Kendall from Santa Monica, California, where “Truckers Food Court” began. It now has regular stops in this area at SW 65th Avenue and Bird Road and at the entrance of Tamiami-Kendall Executive Airport, where anything from Mexican specialties to sushi and wings may be purchased. Check Facebook for the Tamiami Truckers Food Court for details, we’re reliably told. Or you can search the web for dates and places.

South Miami Farmers’ Market newest to open in this neck of the woods this coming Saturday, January 22, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in front of the City Hall at 6130 Sunset Drive, just a block west of S. Dixie Highway. Native produce, artisan crafts, a yoga workshop, and fun for kids promises to make it a fun happening for the family. For more info visit www.southmiamifarmersmarket.com or send an email to david@earth-learning.org.

Politicians simply don’t get the ‘message’

East Kendall’s Commissioner Carlos Gimenez indicates he’s not above seeking the County Mayor’s job, should a recall of Mayor Carlos Alvarez end his term in office.

In his commentary before Kendall Federation of Homeowners Association last week, the District 7 Comish said he would “consider” running for mayor if Alvarez was deposed.

He already would face competition from Hialeah Mayor Julio Robaina and former State Rep. Marcelo Llorente, both of whom have announced candidacies in addition to others who openly covet the position without formal announcement.

All of which seems to add more fuel to the fire already burning in voters’ craws. “They just don’t seem to get the message,” said Carlos Garcia, co-chair of the “Rollback the Tolls” in Kendall, and who was sufficiently persistent during the KFHA meeting to secure Gimenez’s pledge to sponsor legislation that would make the MDX Board elective, a move the rollbackers believe will eventually lead to voter power over expressway toll and expansion decisions.

“At least, I’d be glad to re-look at the (enabling) action, taken by then Mayor Pinellas back in the 1990’s,” was Gimenez cautiously-phrased commentary.

The ‘message,’ however, continues to be that politicking for the next step up in careerism seems to be foremost in the current thinking of all Miami-Dade politicians, who treat lower offices as stepping-stones to a higher government post.

The media can somewhat share equal blame as TV media types as well as print reporters seem to dwell first and foremost on personal political ambitions in quizzing our pols, in preference to nailing specifics (like legislative action) on issues like jobs, taxes and foreclosure relief.

A fact that most observers generally shrug off with “well, that’s the way America works.”

And, whether you would wish it to be different or not, there’s a good deal of truth in that.

KFHA’s Salute to retiring president Miles Moss is long overdue for an individual who has devoted more hours to community service than many who get paid for serving in office. The genial host of KFHA meetings and goodwill ambassador for homeowner association causes deserves all the plaudits of the community- at-large for his conscientious devotion to put words into action where the greater good for Kendall has been concerned.

As President of the Winston Park community HOA (since 1973) , Moss had his hands full earlier in the month with a School Police arrest of a resident for distributing pornographic materials at elementary school and park areas. While the action remains under investigation, Moss said that the HOA will continue to examine what legalities may be open to residents to further protect their neighborhoods, especially should the accused individual be judged guilty only of the arresting complaint of trespass…a topic you can bet will come up at the Hammocks Police District’s next Citizens Advisory Committee on January 26.

Craze for gourmet fare “on the go” has reached Kendall from Santa Monica, California, where “Truckers Food Court” began. It now has regular stops in this area at SW 65th Avenue and Bird Road and at the entrance of Tamiami-Kendall Executive Airport, where anything from Mexican specialties to sushi and wings may be purchased. Check Facebook for the Tamiami Truckers Food Court for details, we’re reliably told. Or you can search the web for dates and places.

South Miami Farmers’ Market newest to open in this neck of the woods this coming Saturday, January 22, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in front of the City Hall at 6130 Sunset Drive, just a block west of S. Dixie Highway. Native produce, artisan crafts, a yoga workshop, and fun for kids promises to make it a fun happening for the family. For more info visit www.southmiamifarmersmarket.com or send an email to david@earth-learning.org.

Thought for the Day:

When in doubt, tell the truth.

— Mark Twain

Richard Yager contributed to this column.

Got any tips? Contact me at 305-669- 7355, ext. 249, or send emails to michael@communitynewspapers.com.


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