Eye On Palmetto Bay » Issues

Mayor Bullies, Fails to Derail Town Hall Meeting

admin — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 03:18:30 +0000

Despite pressure from the Mayor of Palmetto Bay to derail a public town hall meeting, the event will take place as scheduled, on Thursday, February 2, at 7pm at Christ Fellowship Church.

At Wednesday’s Council workshop (referred to as a COW meeting, or Committee of the Whole), District 1 Councilman Patrick Fiore made known his plans to hold a town hall meeting for the residents, his second since taking office in November, 2010.

As soon as he made the announcement, his plans came under fire by Mayor Shelly Stanczyk. Stanczyk chastised Fiore for planning a meeting while she and other council members and the Village Manager would be away in Tallahassee to attend an annual event known as, “Dade Days.”

The mayor chided the Councilman, citing the “importance” of attending Dade Days, and the opportunities to meet with Miami-Dade’s state legislators in the hopes of securing state funds for Palmetto Bay. She even said, “All of the other council members” would be attending Dade Days.

At that point, Councilman Howard Tendrich chimed in and reminded the mayor he too was staying home and not going to the Tallahassee event. When Tendrich opined about the event being primarily a party, Stanczyk shifted her verbal assault in his direction.

[The ugly incident can be viewed via streaming media on the Village website. Go to http://www.palmettobay-fl.gov/content/streaming-media-archive then select the link to the Jan 18, 2012 Committee of the Whole meeting and scroll forward to 46 minutes and 16 seconds"]

Not only is the mayor’s bullying disrespectful, her assessment of the importance of attending Dade Days is off-base and underlines her own failure to secure any funding from state legislatures during her first year as Mayor of Palmetto Bay.

Dade Days IS a party. The event’s website touts the 2-day happening as a “…celebration of our community during the Florida Legislative Session..created to embrace our diverse cultural community.”

The time to visit Tallahassee and meet with our representatives is in the weeks prior to Dade Days, during the legislature’s early sessions. By the time Dade Days rolls around, much of the state’s available funding (if there is any in these challenging times) has already been allocated.

Dade Days - 2 day party to celebrate Florida State Legislature cultural heritage

Mayor Stanczyk may be comfortable spending the taxpayers’ money to attend the, “Paella Fest,” but she should withhold her caustic, misplaced criticism of any council member willing to stay home to meet with and listen to the residents.

The town hall meeting is open to all Palmetto Bay residents and will take place on Thursday, February 2, at 7pm at Christ Fellowship Church, 8900 Southwest 168th Street, Palmetto Bay, FL 33157.

What are your thoughts on this?

Court Orders Removal of Restrictions to School’s Expansion – Will the Village Comply?

admin — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 08:16:32 +0000

Appellate Court - "clear and unambiguous" in instructions to Palmetto Bay

A Miami-Dade circuit court has reiterated its instructions to the Village of Palmetto Bay to remove two restrictive conditions placed on Palmer Trinity School, paving the way for the school’s expansion plans.

For those of you keeping the box scores of circuit and appellate court motions, that’s:

Palmer Trinity - 4 Palmetto Bay - 0

The ($17 million dollar) question remains:

Will the mayor and village council follow the court order?

If past behavior is any indication, the answer is:

“Probably not.”

In February, the court ruled in the school’s favor to remove two conditions from a village zoning resolution put in place last year. The conditions include capping student enrollment at 900, and enacting a 30-year moratorium on any further expansion. The school was also granted a request to limit what areas of its zoning application can be further reviewed.

In May, Palmetto Bay filed a motion asking the court to, “clarify” what will be addressed at an upcoming hearing in the Palmer Trinity expansion case. According to the village, the election of new village council members and staff changes means entire zoning resolution should be reconsidered — not just the two conditions.

That’s absurd…

Thankfully, the appellate division of the 11th judicial circuit court for Miami-Dade county sees it the same way. On June 1, the three-member panel of justices Joseph Farina, Joel Brown, and Norma Lindsey concurred – finding that the original opinion in this matter issued February 11 is, ”clear and unambiguous.”

Thousands of zoning issues are ruled upon each year by municipalities across the country. Imagine the delays and costs to taxpayers if unfavorable zoning hearings and ordinances could be challenged each time newly elected officials were sworn in, or new staff members were hired. Ordinances and resolutions are designed to transcend the individuals who enact them,for the sake of continuity, from one generation of residents to the next. The judges went on to say, “The Village of Palmetto Bay shall forthwith commence the required proceedings to remove the two quashed conditions from the Resolution or otherwise render those conditions ineffectual and take no further action that would be inconsistent with this Court’s prior Order of May 5, 2011 and this Order.”

How the mayor and council will respond to this latest court order is unknown. Four legal motions have been decided in the school’s favor, and the village has been admonished by the justices who ruled unanimously that Palmetto Bay, “…acted without substantial evidence” when it cut the Palmer Trinity enrollment cap and set a three-decade freeze on further growth. The triumvirate also referred to the village’s decisions as “arbitrary” and “unreasonable.”

Compounding the pressure on the village is a $17 million dollar lawsuit for damages filed by Palmer Trinity.

Isn’t it time to put aside any emotional and personal objections, and accept the court’s authority and this applicant’s legal rights? As a municipality, we do not have an endless pool of finances or resources to continue to challenge both the applicant and the courts.

Let’s hope the Mayor and council finally agree.

La Mela Italian Fusion Restaurant Closing for 2 Weeks

admin — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 22:59:27 +0000

La Mela Italian Fusion Restaurant in Palmetto Bay, FL closing until end of June, 2011

June 10, 2011 – THIS JUST IN. La Mela Italian Fusion Restaurant, located at 14151 South Dixie Hwy in Palmetto Bay, is closing for 2 weeks. Check on their progress by phone at 786-206-1108

<< We appreciate your business!

Thank you for your patronage over the past year. We have made the decision to close the restaurant for a few weeks to make necessary changes to the menu and staff. We will reopen new and improved soon. As a valued customer you will be the first to know!

We look forward to seeing you soon! >>

Plan for La Mela’s reopening by the end of June, 2011.

Guest Blogger – How the Village Council is Wasting Your Money

admin — Tue, 24 May 2011 20:24:05 +0000

Palmetto Bay Resident Questions Village's Legal Battle with Private School

As most residents are aware, the Village of Palmetto Bay is embroiled in a protracted legal dispute over zoning issues with Palmer Trinity School, located at 7900 SW 176th Street.

While the legal wrangling continues, the battle lines between those concerned about quality of life issues and supporters of the school’s expansion goals have been blurred by the prospect of escalating financial costs on both sides to continue the legal fight.

J.B. Harris, a Palmetto Bay resident and parent of a student at Palmer Trinity, feels recent court orders favor the school’s zoning variance request. Mr. Harris expresses concerns about the potential cost to property owners should the courts find the village liable for punitive damages.

Mr. Harris submitted the following blog, presented unedited, for our reader’s review and comments:

——————–

By JB Harris -

“REPORTING on the litigation front between the village council and Palmer Trinity School, recently three appellate judges granted the school’s motion to enforce the mandate of a lower court’s decision rendered in favor of the school. Among other things, the mandate allows the school to build out its south campus, which includes the clearing of trees and the construction of a chapel and other buildings.

For its part, the council has done nothing to comply with the order, although a public hearing on the matter is scheduled for June 21 at Christ Fellowship Church.

It will be interesting to see how those on the council, who care more about peacocks than pensioners, will advertise it or whether they will comply with the mandate at all.

With the recent appellate opinion, that now makes NINE judges who have told the council they are WRONG.

Last week Palmer Trinity also filed a motion to amend its complaint to add a claim for violation of its federal civil rights.

If the village is found to have violated the school’s civil rights, the school would be entitled to all its attorney’s fees.

On May 18th, the trial judge presiding over the state case heard the school’s motion to amend its complaint and Joan Lindsay’s motion for protective order, which was filed to delay the taking of her deposition.

In the end, the court granted both motions.

The school’s revised complaint now has a claim for punitive damages against the village, which if high enough could ultimately bankrupt the village.

In any event, once removed, I predict the federal court will return the case to state court.

As a result, the state court judge will cancel other pending motions set for May 26th, since removal to federal court divests the judge of jurisdiction.

On another front, Lindsay’s deposition was also set for May 18th, but Lindsay’s attorney filed a motion for protective order, as referenced above, claiming that since the village was removing the case to federal court, Lindsay should not have to sit for her deposition, at least for the time being.

Although removing the case to federal court should make no difference whether Lindsay is deposed now or later, the big mystery is why her husband Jerry Templer (alias Frank Burns), bothered to emerge from the bushes around Palmer Trinity while on a clandestine surveillance mission, to file yet another self-serving affidavit, trying to explain away the illegal destruction of Joan’s personal computer with e-mail evidence of her cloak-and-dagger dealings with her buddy Shelley Stanczyk, no doubt showing the two of them scheming up ways to use the fist of government to destroy an innocent school and to deprive innocent kids of a quality education.

Further, according to my sources, the school has or will be demanding that the village tender its insurance policy limits to cover the damages the council has caused the school with this frivolous, vexatious, expensive litigation.

Of course the council will refuse, although it should tender the policy limits, because to do otherwise exposes all residents to additional financial exposure in the form of special assessments to cover the cost of litigation, including judgments and attorney’s fees.

Residents should also be aware that not all of Palmer’s claims are covered by the village’s insurance policy, which will make the outcome for residents even more expensive.

Just what the residents of Palmetto Bay need during this time of economic crisis.

It all seems so desperate and unbelievable to think how much of your money the council is wasting month after month to lose. Indeed, so outrageous is this profligate waste of money that every resident should demand an accounting of the millions frittered away by small-minded bureaucrats in the pursuit of selfish interests.

Given the fundamental truth that all political leaders, whether they govern small villages or large, possess a moral responsibility to set the tone for civility among their citizens and neighbors, it’s pathetic, as one outside observer recently noted, that “The Village of Parks has now become the Village of Hate.”

This is the legacy Stanczyk, Lindsay and Pariser plan to leave behind.

For those who voted for them, are you’re happy now? You voted against your own self-interest.

For the rest of us, recall anyone?

J.B. Harris“

=====================================

WHAT do you think? Do you agree with Mr. Harris’ points and emotion? Should all residents publicly request an accounting of the Palmetto Bay budget? What can we do as a community to avoid similar disputes in the future? We welcome your opinions and, as always, we encourage residents to submit guest blogs and story ideas about any village issues important to you and your family.

Resident Steamed Over Village Water Monument

admin — Tue, 17 May 2011 05:18:35 +0000

Is Palmetto Bay Art Project in Sync with County Water Restrictions?

With regional ground and surface water levels in decline and no significant rainfall expected in the coming weeks, the South Florida Water Management District issued a Water Shortage Order that went into effect on March 26, 2011.

With the state and Miami-Dade county calling upon residents to further tighten their usage of water, one Palmetto Bay resident questions an upcoming public art project that features a fountain-inspired water component.

Community Newspapers’ Gary Ruse recently reported Palmetto Bay’s new obelisk in the traffic circle located at SW 168th Street and 87th Avenue will get an artistic “makeover” as part of the village’s Art in Public Places Program. A key component of the project is a fountain with water jets shooting toward the sky.

Steve Kreisher, a Palmetto Bay resident for over 40 years, questions the practicality of the project and the implications of installing a fountain in a drought period.

Kreisher outlined his concerns in an open email to the Mayor and council. The following is an unedited reprint of his email:

—– Original Message —–

From: Steve Kreisher

To: Shelly Stanczyk, Brian Pariser, Howard Tendrich, Patrick Fiore, Joan Lindsey

Sent: Thursday, May 12, 2011 10:03 AM

Subject: What are the village’s priorities?

Art over practicality?

It seems that about the same time SFWMD was ordering “water conservation” (see below), the Palmetto Bay staff requested (and Council approved) ADDING an EXPENSIVE ’water monument’ (?art?) to not only waste water, but add another ‘unsupervised’ water location for safety potential problems like in the Dog Park, add unnecessary ‘maintenance and operational expenses’ to an intersection (not a park) as well as ADD MORE DISTRACTIONS to a ‘traffic circle’ that already confuses drivers. Where’s the conservation and practicality? Is art necessary?

Not only could you have saved the water, but look at all the other costs you could have saved without it. Why not just paint it to look like water??????? No water, no pumps, filters, electricity, lights, leaks, cleaning, or lifeguards (or ‘lawyer expenses’) required then. (It’s not too late!)

That sounds ‘greener’ and more sensible to me!

Speaking of ‘more sensible and greener’, after six months why do we have old bottles hanging on clothes lines in front of the village hall… (?art?)….but NO BIKE RACKS (wasn’t that a goal, to walk/ride)???…and who’s going to sit on those benches out in the sun like that, and they are already rusting and not even bolted down for security.

Oh yea, ‘priorities’…….?????????

I’ll never figure them out….like the recent two-story ‘solution’ from staff in a one-story only neighborhood. Is staff really guiding you effectively?

Just say “no” and save us all some money, lawyer fees, and embarrassing art projects and unnecessary ‘negative quality of life’ impacts too.

Taxes are paid by EXISTING RESIDENTS, not artist or developers!

The economy is projected for at least three more years of housing costs and relative tax revenues plummeting, so stop committing monies irresponsibly. Please THINK OF LONG TERM IMPACTS and COSTS/benefits(?) of each and every project, BEFORE APPROVAL!

We, the residents, have to pay for it all…and live with it forever!

Miami-Dade Alert About Water Shortage Order:

Miami-Dade County Water Shortage Watch

“Because regional ground and surface water levels are declining, with no significant rainfall expected in the coming weeks, the South Florida Water Management District issued a Water Shortage Order that went into effect on March 26, 2011. Learn more about what the new water restrictions mean to you and our community. www.miamidade.gov/water “

********

We want to hear from you – the residents of Palmetto Bay! How do you feel about Mr. Kreisher’s comments? Should the village reconsider the water component of the art project? Will the art be a distraction to motorists or a welcome addition to our streets? Will mischievous kids put soap in the fountain to make it bubble (hence, more maintenance costs)? Please post your comments, and we’ll share them with our readers.

FDOT Proposes Dangerous Bike Lane in Village

admin — Fri, 13 May 2011 08:52:25 +0000

Should Cars and Bicycles in Palmetto Bay Share a Lane on US 1?

As absurd as it sounds, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) wants to encourage you to ride your bicycle in rush hour traffic along US 1 in Palmetto Bay.

As part of a major roadway project on state road 5 (also known as US Highway 1 / South Dixie Highway), FDOT proposes to restripe the outside lane, from SW 168 street to SW 136 street, to allow bicyclists to share the lane with motorized vehicles.

Are they serious?

Miami is a perennial top-ten finisher in studies that rank our area for bad drivers. An Allstate Insurance study found Miami drivers 31.6% more likely than the average motorist to have an accident. In another study, we earned the dubious distinction of being voted the home of the rudest drivers in America – two years in a row.*

Do we really want our bicycle riders to share a lane on South Dixie Highway with texting drivers and 18-wheelers???

FDOT meeting to display proposed bike lane construction

The roadway project was presented by FDOT in an informal public meeting on May 5. Proposed work includes repaving the highway and upgrading sidewalks, signage, and drainage – and the addition of the bicycle lane. At that meeting, EPB spoke with Charles Alfaro, a project manager with Metric Engineering, the firm contracted to oversee the construction. According to Alfaro, “The state has mandated an increase in bicycle transportation corridors.”

We reminded Mr. Alfaro that a long and safe bicycle lane already exists just 100 feet west of US 1 – along the South Miami-Dade Busway!

The busway runs parallel to US 1 and extends as far north as the Dadeland Metrorail station and as far south as Florida City. It includes a wide, marked bicycle lane – a safe distance from the congestion and traffic of the highway.

Here’s the irony – the busway was built by FDOT.

Our village politicians, Department of Planning and Zoning, and our residents need to step up. A second bicycle lane is not needed along the US 1 transportation corridor in Palmetto Bay. A shared bike lane with motorized traffic is not as safe as the existing bike path along the busway, and it is a needless expenditure of taxpayer dollars.

Comments should be addressed to:

Florida Department of Transportation
District Six Public Information Office
1000 NW 111 Avenue, Room 6134
Miami, FL 33172

or email: Marta.Rodriguez@dot.state.fl.us

or call: (305)-470-5873

Construction on the $3.8M project is slated to begin in July, 2012, and last approximately 300 days.

==========

Are there other transportation and safety issues that need to be addressed in Palmetto Bay? Please share your concerns with your fellow residents. Drop us an email to info@eyeonpalmettobay.com or text us at 305-720-7245.

* The AutoVantage “In The Driver’s Seat” Road Rage study ranks the driving habits and attitudes of motorists across the United States and chose Miami as the unfriendliest place in America to get behind the wheel – two years in a row.

Has a Sexual Predator Moved In Near You?

admin — Thu, 05 May 2011 08:30:14 +0000

Website Helps Palmetto Bay Residents Keep Tabs on Predators

Would you want to know if a sexual offender has moved into your Palmetto Bay neighborhood?

A web-based watchdog group has created a program that alerts subscribers when registered sex offenders move in or out of their area. Family Watchdog maintains a database of sexual offenders and can tell you when an offender moves in or out of your neighborhood. Alerts can be sent via email or text message as soon as a registered offender moves near you.It is a simple and fast program. You specify addresses that you want to watch and the distance around those addresses. As soon as a convicted sex offender registers an address in your area, you receive an alert.

Family Watchdog can also monitor specific offenders as well. They update their data on a dailybase from multiple state sex offender registries.

Studies* on the epidemic of sexual assaults that plague our society reveal some disturbing statistics:

• 1 of 5 girls and 1 of 6 boys will be molested before their 18th birthday.
• 90% of all sexual assaults against children are committed by someone the victim knew.
• The typical sexual predator will assault 117 times before being caught.
• The re-arrest rate for convicted child molesters is 52%.

Family Watchdog believes knowing who these people are and what they’ve done provides you with your best defense to protect your family – awareness. The website also offers public safety tips and information about product and medicine recalls, FDA alerts, even food allergies. For more information, visit http://www.familywatchdog.us

*Sources -

Russell, D.E.H. and Bolen, R.M., 2000. The Epidemic of Rape and Child Sexual Abuse in the United States. Newbury Park, California: Sage Publications.
Snyder, H.N., U. S. Department of Justice Statistics, 2000. Sexual Assault of Young Children as Reported to Law Enforcement: Victim, Incident, and Offender Characteristics.
Center for Sex Offender Management, (2001). Recidivism of Sex Offenders, Full Report and Statistics.

Double Fault: Council Shuns Residents, Votes Against Tennis Contract

admin — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 11:35:18 +0000

Palmetto Bay council meeting resident overflow into foyer. Inaudible televisions, outside tv not working, inadequate parking...

On Monday night, April 4, 2011, the Palmetto Bay Council voted against the renewal of the vendor’s agreement with the Jane Forman Tennis Academy, for the management of the tennis facility located at Coral Reef Park in Palmetto Bay. Gunther Karger, long-time resident and community activist, attended the meeting and addressed the Council in support of a renewal of the tennis contract. After the meeting, Mr. Karger wrote an open email to the Council and the community. Here are his thoughts concerning the result of Monday night’s Council decision:

————————-

“Monday, April 4, 2011

From: Gunther & Shirley Karger

Palmetto Bay votes against renewing Jane Forman’s Tennis Academy

Gunther & Shirley Karger say goodbye to Palmetto Bay

The people of Palmetto Bay crammed Village Hall at tonight’s meeting to urge the Village Council to renew the Jane Forman tennis academy contract. But the Council voted 4-1 to kill the program with Patrick Fiore the only councilperson who apparently listened to the people. The rest listened to the wisdom of village manager Ron Williams , politics and themselves. The council worked harder to find reasons to cancel the contract than logic to continue it. The council except Patrick Fiore:

Believed it’s worth paying Jane Forman $140,000 cash to see her go.
Decided it’s best to bring the tennis operation in house giving up $75,000 annual lease income to the Village
Believes it’s better to add expensive staff to the village payroll than letting an experienced outside vendor run a business she knows well.
Believes it’s better to see a successful operation leave and start from scratch with new in-house parks staff, having to spend over $200,000 to create a new operation than just leaving alone a well operating business.
Totally ignored the national trend toward less government by taking a step of potentially increasing village staff by 75%.
Decided that it’s OK to spend all this money because “it’s in the budget”.
Ignored the need to spend only wnat [sic] is really necessary given today’s economic reality

Tonight was in my opinion not a very good night for Palmetto Bay. Your leaders over-rode the voice of the people by believing they are wiser than the sum total of our residents. Tonight was another time confirming to me that public input in Palmetto Bay has become a joke, nearly meaningless and an exercise in show rather than substance.

What Shirley & I witnessed tonight, seeing the village hall overflowing with students, parents and teachers was not what we have come to expect during the 43 years we have lived here. This no longer seems to be a village of the people who voted for our own town to get away from “downtown”. We appear to have made full circle and returned “downtown” to what today is called Palmetto Bay.

What we experienced tonight made us feel less regretful about us leaving this community after 43 years and serving it in various roles. This week we will close on our new home in Homestead and will move there over the next two months. Although we will no longer appear at Palmetto Bay village hall on your behalf, we will still remain in Miami Dade County and will continue to address state and national issues.

Shirley and I wish each of you well. It has been our privilege serving you. We will not be far away and we may see many of you around Palmetto Bay. However, our appearance tonight at Village Hall ends our public service in this village.

Gunther (Gus) & Shirley Karger”

Gunther (Gus) and Shirley Karger

Barkin’ Up the Wrong Tree

admin — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 13:15:24 +0000

Emotions Sidestep Facts in Bid to Thwart Tree Removal

Last week, an email circulated throughout the Village of Palmetto Bay decrying the widescale removal of trees at the Hester property, a free-standing grove of mango trees bordering SW 184th street near SW 82nd avenue, and owned by the Palmer Trinity School. Written and forwarded by Betty Pegram, President of Concerned Citizens of Old Cutler Inc (CCOCI), the email assailed Palmer Trinity for bulldozing 33 acres of Mango trees, in violation of a, “standing signed resolution” by Palmetto Bay prohibiting the school from removing any trees until they have a building permit for their desired school expansion.

According to Pegram’s email, “Palmer Trinity has proven it yet another time that they have no regard for the neighbors, the environment or any agreements they have made with the residents and village.” Spurred on by Pegram’s words and emotions, CCOCI members and angered residents forwarded copies of the email to the village Council and Administration, demanding action be taken to halt the tree removal.

There’s just one problem – there is NO standing, signed resolution prohibiting the removal of the trees – a fact confirmed by the Eye on Palmetto Bay in a direct conversation with village Manager, Ron Williams.

Over the span of five years of contested zoning hearings and court rulings regarding Palmer Trinity’s expansion, both proposed ideas and Council resolutions have come and gone. Any real or perceived prohibitions restricting the clearing of the grove have been pushed aside after two recent appellate court rulings against the Village of Palmetto Bay and in favor of Palmer’s application for expansion. Ms. Pegram’s email also asserted the “…wholesale destruction of the grove will displace the nesting peacocks, (and) destroy their eggs.” But Pegram failed to mention Palmer had consulted with local wildlife relocation expert, Todd Hardwick, prior to the removal of the trees. Hardwick advised Palmer not to touch the birds, since peafowl are roamers and will flock to the remaining trees. As to eggs, peahens do not begin nesting and laying eggs until April, with most nesting activity occurring later in the rainy season of the summer.

One fact is certain – Palmer is removing acres of fruit trees. However, a review of the permit issued to Palmer by the Department of Environmental Resource Management (DERM) calls for the installation of over 1200 new trees. In essence, the long-term environmental impact of the removal of the fruit trees is mitigated by Palmer’s plans to replace the trees.

Pegram’s emotions are understandable. Her home and those of many of the CCOCI members are adjacent to Palmer Trinity’s campus, and the uncertainty of the school’s planned expansion on the quality of life in their neighborhood is a legitimate concern.

Still, emotions cannot be allowed to cloud zoning issues. Fabricating or misstating facts concerning Palmer’s permitted clearing of their property perpetuates hard feelings on both sides and brings our community no closer to a resolution of this ongoing land-use dispute.

How do you feel about this issue?

WHO is Chris Scarano (and Why is He Smiling)?

admin — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 16:44:01 +0000

Passionate Letter Gains Attention of Palmetto Bay Residents

Move over Mayor Flinn…step aside CBS4′s Jim Berry and Esserman Nissan’s TV pitchman Chris Assmar. The most recognized name in Palmetto Bay, at least this week, might just be Chris Scarano.

With the stroke of a pen and a few hundred postage stamps, this little-known resident has done what every political candidate dreams to do - capture the attention, and hearts, of undecided voters.

Scarano’s open letter to the residents of Palmetto Bay could very well swing the November 2nd local election in the direction of political newcomers who promise greater fiscal discipline.

Not bad for a single father, struggling to make ends meet and keep his home from foreclosure.

Scarano, age 40, had grown frustrated with what he perceived as careless spending practices by the Village of Palmetto Bay. “I want to see a heightened sense of concern on the part of our local government,” says Scarano. “We have a long way to go before we turn the corner towards a healthier economy.”

Worried the message for fiscal conservatism wasn’t getting to enough residents, Scarano, father of 4 yr old Michaela, dug into his own pockets to pay for a mass mailing of a one-page diatribe outlining costly municipal projects and a need to elect “fiscally-responsible” reform-minded leaders for the open mayor and council seats.

Scarano tapped Jim Araiza for Mayor, and John Dubois and Patrick Fiore for council.

Scarano mailed his letter to hundreds of homes last week, and almost immediately residents began to ask, “Who is Chris Scarano?”

“I received no less than a dozen calls from residents who said they would vote for me based on the passionate plea Chris made in his letter,” said Jim Araiza, candidate for Mayor of Palmetto Bay (and Supervising Editor of the Eye on Palmetto Bay blog). “I’m just glad Chris supports my campaign and not one of my opponents!”

Scarano is pleased with the reception his message has garnered, and he is more than a little bit embarrassed by his sudden recognition. “I didn’t do this for any reason other than a concern for my daughter Michaela’s future. We just can’t continue spending the way we have been spending so far.”

The following is Chris’ letter, unedited, in its entirety:

==========

Dear Village of Palmetto Bay resident,

This heart-felt letter comes to you from a fellow resident who has fallen in LOVE with our Village. The truth is that I’ve taken funds that were for my mortgage and struggling business to pay for this mailing.

The November 2nd election will be about the selection of candidates with the character to stand up for us. We may feel helpless in fixing national policies; but locally, we can make a difference. If you were considering whether or not to vote, hopefully this letter will motivate you. Early voting (with no waiting in line) is every day (11am-7pm) up until October 31 at the Coral Reef Library at 9211 SW 152nd Street. Weekend hours are 9am-1pm on Saturday or 1pm-5pm Sunday.

It sickens me to see three candidates with ONE agenda working together to gain control of our voice. We CANNOT afford to fight this losing battle against Palmer-Trinity. I attended the Palmer-Trinity hearing, and I’m not happy about more traffic on Old Cutler; but the law decided that they have the right to expand. Let’s stop wasting OUR money to fight them. We’ve already spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees fighting this battle with several hundred thousand more in the budget for next year. It’s possible we will be liable for the school’s legal fees costing us an additional $1 million+ dollars.

These are the issues that we need to be concerned with:

Thirty full time employees are moving from a $175,000 a year leased, class “B” office to a newly built $10.8 million class “A” Village hall (aka the Taj Mahal). That will cost nearly $500,000/yr in interest alone. That’s a $325,000 a year increase in the cost of office space plus $10.8 million in debt. The only difference between the Fed’s overspending and VPB is the Feds can print money; the Village must tax you.
Our Village staff and council are so busy cheering about not raising our millage rate. Oops… Everyone forgot to mention that it was kept about the same because of a $1.8 million mitigation fee that is no longer due to the County. Therefore they effectively increased spending by about $1.8 million.
We have a Public Information Officer who makes about $60K/yr in base salary. We’re not BP!
Our building and permitting department’s treatment of our residents and small business owners.
No bid contracts. They say it’s okay since the City of Miami does the same. We say it’s illegal.
Unnecessary or non-critical construction while in a recession.
$900k+ to build a hotdog stand in Coral Reef Park.
Over $2,000,000 for new street signs when only 10% needed to be fixed.
Over $100k annually on Thalatta Park, over $3m to buy it and it’s still not open to us residents.
The library cost our Village about $1 million above what it should have.
Wasted $600k+ buying a storage property for the Public Works department they didn’t need.
A failed public transit system that is being expanded & the list goes on and on…

We need to elect leaders that are fiscally responsible. Jim Araiza www.jimaraiza2010.com has the experience necessary to lead our Village as Mayor through challenging economic times. I also believe that Patrick Fiore www.patrickforpalmettobay.com and John DuBois www.johndubois.com will make great additions to our council. Please consider and research all of the candidates.

There is a passion within me to make our Village a better place to live. We should never tolerate injustice; especially when it’s our hard earned tax dollars on the table. If you would like to discuss any of the content within this letter or to discuss any of the other candidates, please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,

Chris Scarano
PalmettoBayResidentsMatter@hotmail.com

Eye On Palmetto Bay » Issues

Mayor Bullies, Fails to Derail Town Hall Meeting

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Court Orders Removal of Restrictions to School’s Expansion – Will the Village Comply?

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La Mela Italian Fusion Restaurant Closing for 2 Weeks

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Guest Blogger – How the Village Council is Wasting Your Money

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Resident Steamed Over Village Water Monument

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FDOT Proposes Dangerous Bike Lane in Village

* The AutoVantage “In The Driver’s Seat” Road Rage study ranks the driving habits and attitudes of motorists across the United States and chose Miami as the unfriendliest place in America to get behind the wheel – two years in a row.

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Has a Sexual Predator Moved In Near You?

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Barkin’ Up the Wrong Tree

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WHO is Chris Scarano (and Why is He Smiling)?

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