Saturday, October 27, 2012

My opinion on the Miami Dade Charter Amendments

Funding Modernization and Construction of Public School Facilities through Issuance of General Obligation Bonds

 Shall the School District of Miami-Dade county fund a plan for modernization and construction of public school facilities throughout district, including educational technology upgrades by issuing general obligation bonds in an aggregate amount not exceeding $ 1,200,000,000 in one or more series….you can read the rest on your own. Go to www.miamidade.gov Miami-Dade County - Elections - For assistance, please call 305-499-VOTE


Basically to borrow money via bonds…We have no other choice but to say YES. Our children need the education and the facilities. Where is the LOTTO money!  Many are too young to remember.

 

Home Rule Charter Amendment Relating to Term Limits of County Commissioners 

Shall the Charter be amended to provide that County Commissioners shall serve no more than two consecutive four-year terms in office excluding terms of service prior 2012?

First hand this appears to be a good idea, however I am voting No! I f someone is doing a good job you can vote them back in; if not you can vote them out. I would hate to see a brand new inexperience commission every eight years. That’s scary.

 

Technical Amendments to Home Rule Charter

Shall the Charter be amended to clarify the titles of subsection, correct and update cross–reference between provisions, and delete references to office and agencies which have been abolished?

Yes…clean up the language and references that are no longer applicable.

 Charter Amendments Requiring Extraordinary Vote to Include Additional Land within the Urban Development Boundary

Shall the Charter be amended to require a two-thirds vote of County Commissioners then in office to include Additional land within the Urban Development Boundaries establish by the County’s Comprehensive Development Master Plan?

YES…this is beyond the Master Plan and should have two-thirds for approval

 

Charter Amendments pertaining to Changes in Municipal Boundaries and Creation of New Municipalities

Shall the Charter be amended to:

*Require the County Commission to consider the benefits of any proposed        annexation of commercial areas, when approving or authorizing an annexation

*Establish alternative procedure for creation of new municipalities in unincorporated areas of the county by petition which provides conditions for creation of new municipalities and a single election to approve the creation of a new municipality and approve its Charter, instead of two elections for these purposes?

Yes, simplify the process.

 

Charter Amendment Regarding Penalties and Enforcement of Citizens’ Bill of Rights

Shall the Charter be amended to eliminate the provision providing for forfeiture of office if a public official or employee willfully violates the Citizens Bill of Rights and allow, in addition to suit in civil court, the Commission on Ethics and Public Trust to enforce the Citizens’ Bill of Rights with penalties authorized by the Code?

I am voting NO and you should too, Elected Official must suffer consequences and this Charter Amendment provision should not! Be eliminated.

 

Charter Amendment Related to Option for Filling Mayoral or Country Commissioner Vacancy

Shall the charter be amended to:

*Extend the time to conduct an election fill a mayoral or commissioner vacancy from 45 days to 90 days from the decision to call such election and provide a time frame for qualification and any necessary runoff;

*Temporally transfer, during mayoral vacancy or incapacity certain mayoral powers to the commission chairperson, vice chairperson or commissioner chosen by the Board

Yes, this makes sense to me in case of a vacancy to continue to conduct city business.

 

Charter Amendments Regarding Mayoral Conflicts in County Procurement

Shall the Charter be amended to provide that when the County Mayor declares a conflict of interest in a particular procurement of a County contract, the chairperson of the Board of County Commissioner shall exercise all authority provided by the Charter or the County Commission to the Mayor with regard to such procurement including the authority to recommend a bid waiver?

No way!!! This can create even more conflict and favoritism

 

Non- Binding Straw Ballot on Funding Improved Animal Services Programs

Would you be in favor of the county Commission increasing the countywide general fund millage by 0.1079 mills and applying the additional ad valoren tax revenues generated thereby to fund improved animal services, including:

·        Decreasing the killing of adoptable dogs and cats (historically approximately 20,000 annually):

·        Reducing stray cat populations (currently approximately 400,000cats):and

·        Funding free and low cost spay/neuter programs, low cost veterinary care programs, and responsible pet ownership educational program?

 

I agree that stray cats and dogs are a problem but increasing taxes to address the problem, no way in today’s economy. No!

 

Non-Binding Straw Ballot Contracting with Companies Doing Business with State Sponsors of Terrorism

Would you support, to the extent permitted by law, prohibiting further use of taxpayers’ dollars to procure services or capital Improvement projects from companies actively doing business in countries that are on U.S. Department of State list of state sponsor of terrorism?

Yes…Duh!

 Respectfully expressing my humble opinion

Mario Garcia

October 27, 2012

                                 “PUTTING NORTH BAY VILLAGE FIRST”

 

 

 

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