PB: Guest Post by David Singer
by SDM
Mr. Singer wrote this comment to an SDM post. SDM liked it so much that it rates its own post. Without further ado:
The Village of Palmetto Bay’s direction and future is at stake on November 6th.
The election of candidates and charter changes related to the Village of Palmetto Bay – the choices that you will make on this election cycle’s ballot - is a referendum on how best to define COMMUNITY.
The present Council, including Mayor Stanczyk, Vice Mayor Pariser and Councilwoman Lindsay have demonstrated during their tenure that their definition of COMMUNITY can be defined as purely residential housing and nothing else.
They support policies that result in the restriction of private schools that could ultimately eliminate them from our neighborhoods.
They feel that residents should leave the Village to worship, eat and shop because those activities are an annoyance to residential living.
They feel that reasonable noise and lighting from children playing baseball, football and basketball is more of a nuisance to them than it is a joy to those of us who are parents and a benefit to our future generation.
They’ve all been a part of depleting the Village coffers by 10+ million dollars in three years, part of which was on an overblown Village Hall as an extravagant monument to their wasteful bureaucracy.
And, maybe this is the worst of all, they support policies that build a virtual moat and wall around the Village to out keep non-village residents. To them, COMMUNITY stops at our borders.
Candidates running for office including John Dubois, Jim Araiza, Karyn Cunningham, Howard Tendrich, believe in a different definition of COMMUNITY.
While I am in not endorsing any of them by including their names or pointing this out, their view includes a measured balance of homes, schools, churches, businesses and opportunities for children. Furthermore, they support a sensible, responsible fiscal plan going forward.
This [post] isn’t meant to disparage the Mayor, Vice Mayor or Councilwoman. If you asked them, they would admit they desire to have ultimate control of all growth, lighting, noise, traffic and construction and they certainly have a right to their point of view.
But to what end? Should a church be allowed to expand if they have the land to do so? Should children be permitted to play outside even if you can hear their distant laughter in your yard? Wouldn’t you like to eat and shop in your COMMUNITY rather than driving 20 minutes or more?
Is it really sensible to place virtual roadblocks in an attempt to keep non-village residents out of our COMMUNITY? Is that what you do if you’re proud of where you live? Imagine if Pinecrest, or Coral Gables, or Cutler Bay did that to us?
This is not a type of atmosphere, which I choose to live in. I love the fact that there is the possibility for our Village to be an all-inclusive COMMUNITY to live in.
I’m requesting that before you vote on November 6th, you take the time to delve into what the candidates are advocating. I would request that you ignore lawn signs and petty tit-for-tat issues. I would hope that you vote based on the definition of COMMUNITY on its most all-encompassing meaning.
For the record, and hopefully to give you a level of comfort about my intentions: I, David Singer, have not given any contributions, committed my vote, endorsed, placed signs, run, walked or played patty cake with any candidate in this election. I am beholden to no one and no one is beholden to me. That’s just how I roll.
On November 7th, the day after the election, everyone in our COMMUNITY will still wake up, go to work, pay our bills, feed our families and celebrate life. The real question is in what type of COMMUNITY would you like that to be? Only you can decide with your vote.
David Singer
SDM Says: Sometimes others just say what SDM is thinking, only better.
The Case of the Missing Councilwomen.
Last Monday Night 9/22/2012 I attend what should have been a routine Zoning hearing for a guy that was trying to get a variance to build his home to the same height as every other in his community. Why he needed to be subjected to this in the first place is another story.
I arrived at City Hall and noticed the normal group of Shelley, Brian and Joan supporters were not there. At every meeting for the last two years they’re is an average of 10 of them. Only Warren Lovely showed up. Quite Curious? Next, Joan Lindsay did not show and it was announced she was sick. Joan has never missed a meeting since being elected. More reason to be curious?
Well, to make a long story short, the 4 remaining council members voted to give this guy his variance and rightly so. But wait a minute, why so generous? This council is known for not giving out a variance.
Were there political favors paid back here? Was there collusion here?
[The writer suspects that the Three Amigos got together in advance of the meeting, which would be a violation of the Sunshine Law if true. He believes they agreed that they would grant a variance in this situation.] Joan who never supports a variance chose to stay at home and not vote. That way she could not be accused of giving out a variance. Everyone gets what they want.
Well folk’s, [violating the Sunshine Law] is illegal. I am saying, I believe your Vice Mayor committed collusion on this variance. I want you all to know who you are voting for if you vote for Brian Pariser. Brian lies about the budget. Brian lies about Palmer Trinity. Brian commits collusion at most every Council meeting. Brian votes to keep law suits going using your tax dollars to fund them, even though our own city attorney recommends otherwise. Shame on you Brian.
Stay tuned for more!
Oh by the way, Joan was sighted at City Hall looking perfectly well the next day. Quite a recovery Joan. Even more Curious?
[SDM Ed Note: Sometimes people make comments that SDM believe go too far. If you do so, your comments will be edited. Be forewarned.]
Duly Noted. But sometimes the truth is brutal.