Early yesterday morning, the City of Miami tentatively passed its 2010-11 fiscal year budget. A budget predicated on the outcome of court challenges and legal opinions. Many of the city taxpayers voiced their concerns (pros and cons) on the proposed budget. My mission, is to save the Overtown CRA fund from being redirected into the City’s general fund—-to be spent at the city’s discretion. I am fighting alone against unchallenged forces, seeking to strip Overtown of much needed resources.
At the hearing yesterday, I questioned the wisdom of using CRA funds to balance the books, stating “it is not simply a matter of the legality of this proposal, but, rather, a moral question of how this loss of revenue will impact the Overtown residents quality of life”.
As I spoke, Richard P. Dunn, the appointed commissioner of City of Miami District 5, who oversees the city’s Park West/Overtown CRA, was absent. Nearby, in the City of Coral Gables, the law firm of Becker & Poliakoff was holding a fundraiser to support the absent Commissioner’s campaign for the District 5 seat. Dunn wouldn’t address whether or not he attended the fundraiser, he did say however, “I had to take care of something, It was real urgent,” promising to address the issue at Thursday’s Commission Meeting.
I am pleased to have been present not only to share my thoughts and concerns but to listen while City of Miami residents spoke up and spoke out sharing with city officials their opinions on the proposed budget. If you have not read the Miami Herald article already, please click here: City of Miami likely to raise fees, fines
