Sunday, November 13, 2016

Freedom of Expression


Protesting is a beautiful right that we enjoy in a democracy! Many countries don't allow this freedom of expression.  Rioting on the other hand is a crime and an act of terrorism! People are angry because the voters chose a direction that they may not agree with. I get that. The Saul Alinsky method has been figured out. The truth is that  Hillary Clinton defeated herself. The blame game is not applicable. We all know that her baggage was too much to overcome. People are genuinely concerned with the shrinking of the middle class and the expansion of poverty. Bigger Government is not the answer. To continue towards this road would  jeopardize our future. 

For those that threaten to leave our beautiful country if Trump won and have done so, I salute and admire you. But those that were just blowing hot air because they were so sure Trump was going to lose, next time don't rely on one sided predictions. Many are angry not because Trump was elected but because they are out of power. I can't imagine how they will feel if ever we implement term limits and postpone their ability to be a lobbyist. 

If you seek justification by pointing the wrong from the past by one party vs the other. Or simply looking to disrupt the process. Remember that two wrongs don't make a right.  Pleased have the decency, respect  and courage to  allow our system to work. You will have a chance in four years. It's the way our process works. Though you may be pleasantly surprised and  change your mind by then. 

Peace and love to all!

Friday, September 16, 2016

Political Lies


We are so intrenched with political lies from our elected officials and the media that it has become increasingly difficult to tell the difference between the lies and the truth! Additionally, it is difficult to separate the news from propaganda.  Lies, deception and propaganda repeatedly advertised until it is disguised enough that becomes an unconfirmed fact! Are we the voters that gullible?  

Patriotism confused with political position. Tactics more important than  principle.Many would do anything for a moment of fame.  One side can say or do anything and it is considered a message. While the other racist and lunatic. Dialogue, respect, responsibility  and proper etiquette elusive in politics.

 It's fearful to many where all of this will lead us as a nation
All inclusive categories have replaced individualism. People are packing together America the beautiful, compassionate, just and free with our ugly past without observing the great progress that we have made. Most Americans understand that we have much more work a head of us with plenty of room for improvement.  If we do not unite as a nation but divide as s people, the results may be disastrous and extremely difficult to restore.

This new era has reduced itself to two kinds of voters - Hillaryphobic and Trumpphobic. We are expecting the worst either way. The good thing is that if true, most likely we can only go up from there! No matter what happens on November 9, 2016, we have to get up and go to work and make ends meet some how! Respect of Family and Country is essential for survival. I believe in America do you? 

  1. 1. Oh, beautiful for spacious skies,
    For amber waves of grain,
    For purple mountain majesties
    Above the fruited plain!
    America! America!
    God shed his grace on thee,
    And crown thy good with brotherhood
    From sea to shining sea.
  2. 2. Oh, beautiful for pilgrim feet,
    Whose stern, impassioned stress
    A thoroughfare of freedom beat
    Across the wilderness!
    America! America!
    God mend thine ev'ry flaw,
    Confirm thy soul in self-control,
    Thy liberty in law.
  3. 3. Oh, beautiful for heroes proved
    In liberating strife,
    Who more than self their country loved,
    And mercy more than life!
    America! America!
    May God thy gold refine,
    Till all success be nobleness,
    And ev'ry gain divine.
  4. 4. Oh, beautiful for patriot dream
    That sees beyond the years
    Thine alabaster cities gleam,
    Undimmed by human tears!
    America! America!
    God shed his grace on thee,
    And crown thy good with brotherhood
    From sea to shining sea.



Thursday, September 15, 2016

North Bay Village burying the FPL cables?



North Bay Village residents and in particular North Bay Village registered voters, are  you aware of the  referendum to bury the FPL cables and other utilities that will appear on the November 8, 2016 ballot?

Estimated cost is  9.1 million financed  over 30 years interest  roughly at 2.4 %   ( typically adding about $ 90 per year tax to a house with a tax value of $ 200,000.)  sounds great on the surface! 

These estimates are based on a 25 % discount if all residents participate on the approval and hook up. The catch is that It is highly doubtful that 100 % will participate. RE tax increase is not the only cost to be incurred. If that was the case where do I sign up for it? 

Most residents at the Town Hall Meeting held on Wednesday 9/14/2016  sponsored by Mayor  Connie Leon Kreps agreed that most likely the estimate will fall short when all is said and done. It's fair to mention that none of the other commissioners attended this informative meeting.  Any amount over the 9.1 million would have to be from monies  yet to be determined.  No discussion as to how or from where the money would come from took place. 

It was discussed that hooking up from your electrical service box and the underground FPL upgrade will be paid by each individual home owner or condo owner. The guesstimate was between $ 3000 and $ 5000. This guesstimate did not include restoring and updating the electrical boxes from each customer hooking up. Given that many services are old, some dating back into the 1950's and not up to 2016 code, many customers would have to shell out $ 5000 to $ 10000 for updating their own electrical boxes and wiring to the underground service. It's fair to point out that the transformers are in a utility box above ground. If you are in luck 
(sarcastically speaking of course) it will sit on your property close to the sidewalk.

According to the FPL representatives, most of the benefits of burying the cables were aesthetic. ( FPL representatives suggested that we should go on the Long Boat Key web site to read the comments from those residents) FPL informed us that they were in the process of hardening their current status but held it back until the decision was made to bury or not to bury the FPL cables. It is important to define " hardening the present system ". Simply put this means replacing the current poles and wiring to the current, more wind resistant system of poles and wires. This upgrade brings no immediate and direct cost to the residents. It is FPL's responsibility to service and upgrade the system when necessary.  

The commission voted and decided to place this referendum on the ballot because it would not be fair to bury the cables based on a vote from (I believe ) 2008. Legally , on that vote it can proceed. The problem I see is that based on the way the referendum is written, residents will be voting on burying or not to bury the FPL cables without really being informed on how costly it can be to bury the FPL cables.

When  you read the ballot, it is like voting on an unaffordable, wishful dream blindfolded. It's like " hey, how would you like to turn your 3/2 house into a mansion?" (I am being sarcastic) Who would not say but of course go right ahead! Who would not want the FPL cables buried? Probably  most if not all? Who would want the FPL cables buried if they knew the cost? Probably not a single resident just based on taxes and personal costs for burning the FPL cables and other utilities. 

You will be voting in roughly less than two months on an item that most of us have absolutely no idea on the total cost in increased taxes, added village expense and at least $ 3,000 to $ 10,000  personal cost.  I am voting NO! You? 

There were many other problems discussed at the town hall meeting such as when there are rising waters, no work can be performed on buried cables until the water recedes.

 AT & T wants $ 200,000 up front from the village to do a study which will be applicable to the cost only if the upgrade is approved otherwise the money would be not refundable. 
Mario Garcia