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Yes…clean up the language and references that are no longer applicable.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

 

 

 

North Bay Village Halloween Party at City Hall

My daugther Maggie
Grandaugther Maya
Grandson Jake attended the event 

Saturday October 27, 2012 North Bay Village Hallowen Event from 7:30 pm to 10.:30 pm Haunted House and Costume Contest at City Hall and Parking Lot, originally planned at Dr. Paul Vogel Park but they scratched the site due to bad expected weather. They had hair painting, by " THE CUTTING ROOM" , Goody Bags for boys and girls, Yummy Food sale by D'Bella Pizza and Refreshments by the Optimist Club.

North Bay Village residents
waiting on line for the
Haunted House

A great crowd turned out for the events. Deputy City Manager Jenice Rosado and the whole North Bay Village City Hall Staff put together this very succesful event. 
North Bay Commissioner Richard Chervony was helping out with the refreshments at the Optimist Club Table



THE NORTH BAY VILLAGE STAFF
HAUNTED HOUSE

Mayor Connie of North Bay Village in Costume
controlling the crowd at the Haunted House

                               "PUTTING NORTH BAY VILLAGE FIRST"



My Humble Opinion on the State Amendments

No. 1 Constitutional Amendment Article 1, Section 28….Health Care Services:


Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution to prohibit laws or rules from compelling any person or employer to purchase, obtain, or otherwise provide for health coverage, permit a person or an employer to purchase lawful health care services directly from health care provider; permit a health care provider to accept direct payment from a person or employer for lawful healthcare services; exempt persons, employers and health care provides from penalties…you can read the rest!

No, No and NO! This basically puts the State against the Federal Government, the Supreme Court and the Affordable Care Act. We cannot have it both ways; what in the world our state elected official were thinking. Please vote NO!!

No. 2 Constitutional Amendments Article VII, Section 6 Article XII Section 32:

Veterans Disabled Due to Combat Injury; Homestead Property Tax Discount
Proposing an amendment to Section 6 of Article VII and the creation of Section 32 of Article XII of the State Constitution to expand the availability of the property discount on the homestead of veterans who became disabled as the result of combat….you can read the rest!

Yes! Whether you are Republican, Democrat, independent or a Martian…we need to do everything possible for our young men and women who defend and stand for our country; especial those who become disabled.

No. 3 Constitutional Amendment Article VII, Section 1 and 19 Article XII, Section32
State Government Revenue Limitation

This proposed amendment to the State Constitution replaces the existing state revenue limitation based on Florida personal income growth with a new state revenue limitation based on the inflation and populations changes. Under the amendment, state revenues, as defined in the amendment, collected in excess of the revenue limitation must be deposit into the budget stabilization fund… If you want you can read the rest….I you kidding …This is a big NOOOO!!!!

No. 4 Constitutional Amendments Article VII Section 4, 6, Article XII, Sections 27, 32, 33


Property Tax Limitations, Property Value Decline, Reduction for Nonhomestead Assessment Increase, Delay of Schedule Repeal

(1) This would amend Florida Constitution Article VII, Section 4(Taxation; Assessment) and Section 6 (Homestead Exemption). It would also amend Article XII, Section 27, and add Sections 32 and 33, relating to the Schedule for the amendments.

(2) In certain circumstances, the law requires the assessed value of homestead and specified nonhomestead property to increase when the just value of the property decreases. Please you can read the rest….No, No and No!!! This is manipulative and dangerous.

No.5 Constitutional Amendments Article V, Sections 2, 11 and 12
State Courts

Proposing a revision of Article V of the State Constitution relating to the judiciary


The State Constitution authorizes the Supreme Court to adopt rules for the practice and procedures in all courts…and so forth, you can read this further on your own…

it’s about power and more power… Please!!! Vote NOOOOO!!!!!

No.6 Constitutional Amendments Article 1, Section 28


Prohibition on Public Funding of Abortions; Construction of Abortion Rights
This proposed amendment provides that the public funds may not be expended for any abortion or health-benefits coverage that includes coverage of abortion. This prohibition does not apply to an expenditure required by federal law, a case in which a woman suffers from a physical disorder, physical injury, or physical illness that would place her in danger of death unless an abortion is performed, or a case of rape or incest.

This Proposed amendment provides that the State Constitution may not be interpreted to create broader rights to an abortion than those contain in the United State Constitution. With respect to abortion, this proposed amendment overrules court decisions which conclude the right to privacy under Article I, Section 23 of the State Constitution is broader in scope than that of The United States Constitution.

You are on your own on this one. Vote your conscious. I am Pro-Life and will be voting YES.

No. 7 was removed by court order

No. 8 Constitutional Amendments Article 1, Section 3
Religious Freedom


Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution providing that no individual or entity may be denied on the basis of religious identity or belief, governmental benefits, funding or other support except as required by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, and deleting the prohibition against using revenues from the public treasury directly or indirectly in aid of any church sect, or religious denomination or in aid of any sectarian institution.

You must be joking… words can be tricky! This is a big No, No, No!!! This is not about individuals, is about institutions. Say No!!!

No.9 Constitutional Amendments Article VII, Section 6 Article XII, Section 32
Homestead Property Taxes Exemption for Surviving Spouse of Military Veteran or First Responder

Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution to authorize the legislature to provide by general law ad valorem homestead property relief to the surviving spouse of a military veteran who died from service-connected causes while on active duty or to the surviving spouse a first responder who died in the in the line of duty…. You can read the rest on your own…

Sadly this is a NO! It mixes two different types of services. I am voting No on this one.


No. 10 Constitutional Amendments Article VII, Section 3 Article XII, Section 32
Tangible Personal Property Tax Exemption


Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution

(1) Provide exemption from ad valorem taxes levied by counties, municipalities, school districts and other local governments on tangible personal properties if the assessed value of an owner’s tangible personal property is greater than $ 25,000 but less than $ 50,000…. You can read the rest if you want…

I am voting No… no property should be exempt.

No.11 Constitutional Amendment Article VII, Section 6

Additional Homestead Exemption; Low-Income Seniors Who Maintain Long-Term Residency on Property; Equal to Assessed Value

Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution to authorize the Legislature, by general law and subject to conditions set forth in the general law to allow counties250,000 to an owner who has maintained permanent residency on the property for no less than 25 years, who has attained 65, and who has a low household income as defined by general law.
Many of our senior citizens are living under the poverty levels and are struggling to make ends meet. This law makes a lot of sense;

I am voting yes knowing that probably most of us will have to make up the difference. Yes!!!


No.12 Constitutional Amendment Article IX, Section 7

Appointment of Student Body President to Board of Governors of the State University System

Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution to replace the president of Florida and municipalities to grant an additional homestead tax exemption equal to the assessed value of homestead property if the property has a just value less than $ Student Association with the chair of the council of state university student body president as the student member of the Board of Governors of the State University System and to require that the Board of Governors organize such council of state university student body presidents...

I am voting NO!!! Sounds manipulating and power shifting

PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS MY HUMBLE OPINION

Read more at:

Miami-Dade County - Elections - For assistance, please call 305-499-VOTE
www.miamidade.gov

I want to share with everyone what my cousin Maria Sierra wrote yesterday on 10/24/2012.  Its a good piece and people can benefit from her research. I agree with Maria that the ammendments are very inportant and can be confusing. Please prepare yourself before voting. I encourage and urge every registered voter to go out and vote.

Mario Garcia

10/25/2012

Maria wrote the following:

12 days left until the election and now is the time to prepare!

I thought I'd share some information with you about where to go to find information about the ballots for Miami-Dade County for the upcoming elections … for those in oth...er Florida counties or other states please check with your local elections department for possible sample ballots .
Aside from the elections going on there are a TON of amendments on the ballot and they are just as important so take some time to research them.
Below is the link where you can enter your Last name, birthday and house number (home address) so you can print your personalized sample ballot for Miami-Dade County. Included there are your specific district representatives and issues . Please take the time to prepare yourselves & vote !
* The printed sample ballot is between 9-12 pages depending on your district - it prints in spurts - looks like it has to compress the file or something so don't walk away from the printer after the first 3 pages like I did the first time :) .
On the miamidade.gov/elections site you can also find the locations open for Early Voting which runs from this Saturday 10/27 through 11/3. Those locations are open from 7am-7pm everyday and you can go to ANY location.
* this only applies to Early Voting. On election day you have to go to your assigned location.
When voting at any voting location, whether at an early voting site or on Election Day, be sure to remember the following:
Bring your voter registration card along with a current and valid identification that contains your name, photograph and signature. Acceptable forms of identification include:
Florida Driver's License
Florida identification card issued by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
United States Passport
Debit or credit card
Military identification
Student identification
Retirement center identification
Public assistance identification
Neighborhood Association identification
Print your Personal Sample Ballot :
http://www.miamidade.gov/elections/regist-status.asp
See More
Miami-Dade County - Elections - For assistance, please call 305-499-VOTE
www.miamidade.gov
AB Tracker

The old city hall is nothing but a memory.

The elections will be over before you know it. The new commission will be sworn in and things will settle to normalcy.  We have a lot work ahead of us.  Finally! The old city hall is nothing but a memory. The residents of North Bay Village will have a unique opportunity to plan for our own future.   Please share your ideas as to which structure should hold the new city hall. I for one will like to see a multipurpose building. One that houses a police station, city hall, youth center, fire station and a senior center. My wish list includes a lookout tower for our law enforcement to keep our city safe.   This is a tall order but why not? What is your opinion?  

I cannot wait to see the day our city hall and police department are removed from the Lexi. It is a store front with absolutely no character. I will like to know whose great idea that was, spending $14,000.00 each month, I think?  While we are on the subject of the police department, we need to tame the police budget beast. Please attend the commission meetings; we cannot afford to continue ignoring what our city needs. We deserve a safe, clean and thriving North Bay Village that we can afford.  Looking forward to seeing our neighbors take interest in our future!

 

Mario Garcia

October 20, 2012

                                            PUTTING NORTH BAY VILLAGE FIRST

Newly Elect Commissioners Orientation

On Wednesday October 17, 2012 from 6 pm to 9 pm newly elected Commissioner At Large Mr. George Gonzalez and newly elected Commissioner for North Bay Village Ms. Wendy Duval attended the new commissioner orientation. Mr. Dennis Kelly along with his staff, Ms. Nina Boniske City Attorney and Chief Daniels did their best to demonstrate a general idea of the rules and regulations to be adhered to by our city officials.  Newly elected Mayor Connie along with Vice Mayor Lim were present to offer their support as well as Lobbyists Fausto Gomez and Omar Franco.   Ms. Yvonne Hamilton, City Clerk is away on a well deserved vacation.

The departmental heads made their compact general presentations and offered further meetings to continue the orientation. The offer to tour the Waste Water Plant on 1851 Galleon Street was made. I certainly hope that Commissioners Gonzalez and Duval along with Mayor Connie, Vice Mayor Lim, and newly elected Commissioner Chervony accept to tour the water waste plant. Additionally, maybe City Manager and his staff can tag along to see this shameful eye sore of an area. Maybe then they will notice an ignored area by the North Bay Village Officials.  I challenge every resident of North Bay Village to drive by the area and voice your outrage.

Putting North Bay Village First! Please clean this area up. Our residents deserve nothing less!

Mario Garcia

October 18, 2012

                                                                  “PUTTING NORTH BAY FIRST”

 

 

Our Children's Education is going to get better!

Thumbs up to Mayor Connie, Vice Mayor Lim, Commissioner Cherbony and Commissioner Blumberg for approving the funding for the International Baccalaureate Program ( IB) program in yesterday's commission budget meeting (September 27,2012). Commissioner Chervony and Commissioner Blumberg were concerned with the unreserved reserves balance being depleted. When the vote was split 2 / 2 we were alarmed that it would create an impasse. The commission rolled up their sleeves and discussed the issue until it was resolved, demonstrating what good government can do when they work towards a common goal; “Putting North Bay Village First”.

Mario Garcia

September 28, 2012