on the take?

I dont see ANY debate that we are paying TRIPLE or more what the usual and customary costs are for new construction in Dade county. If the contractors are NOT receiving all this EXTRA money, who is?

Beasts of Burden

When Councilman Best says, ".. the reality of this project is on the horizon without the imposition of additional burdens", he means that the Council will not be burdened by actually doing DUE DILIGENCE, and looking at ALL the options in order to find the best deal for the RESIDENTS. The Council, in their infinite wisdom, has relieved us from that horrible task of becoming fully informed while, at the same time, relieved themselves of their sworn duty and responsibility to the people. Ever thoughtful and concerned about us, they have also eliminated for us the arduous task of voting, so that we are not burdened or inconvenienced by the process of exercising our democratic rights on this issue. This process of democracy can be SUCH a burden. We are fortunate to have City officials to relieve us, and them, of those democratic rights and responsibilities whenever they feel its needed.

predictos

The Best predictor of future behavior is past behavior. If you do your own research, as is recommended, and look at the past two financial debacles at the CC and the bathrooms its not hard to see what the next financial disaster will be. When facts and figures are quoted here there are NO opposing believable numbers presented, or even suggested, just wailing, whining, and vague accusations. This is probably because there ARE no credible numbers to counter with. While the Green components of the proposed gym are commendable there is NO other indication that City officials have learned ANYTHING from their most recent fiscal disasters at the CC and the bathrooms. AFTER comitting us to MILLIONS of dollars of new debt City officials will impose cutbacks in services, tax increases, etc to make up the difference and cover their butts and lack of common fiscal sense, vision, or awareness of the larger economic picture. Their recent construction history is not burdened by any hint of fiscal responsibility, oversight, OR common sense. Speaking of posteriors, will the promised kiss on Westward Drive be delivered before or after the festivities?

Best

Councilman Best is a nice guy and a decent human being and thespian. As a Councilman, well, hes a nice guy, a decent human being, and thespian. He is certainly a practiced actor and a quick study. Gym only has to tell him what hes supposed to think ONCE and he is able to regurgitate his lines flawlessly after that. He is a nice guy who can fully appreciate the value to be found in an ice cold libation... or two... or three... or more..... on a regular basis. It is interesting that he did not come out in favor of the new gym UNTIL the theater was put into the mix. He was firmly ensconsced on the fence, as he usually is, before that, awaiting direction. He sees himself as a visionary but there is concern that his vision (and agenda) is mainly centered on making the Bob Best Theater for the Performing Arts happen, no matter what the cost to the people who are struggling to live in a recession. Truly, like Billy, a vain tribute to himself.

full disclosure

In the stock market, if someone is selling a stock that they stand to benefit from, they have to tell whoever they am trying to sell it to. It is called FULL DISCLOSURE, and enables the person to judge the stock on its merits, not because the salesman wants to line his pockets. There are, apparently, some residents who dont believe in FULL DISCLOSURE, or perhaps have NEVER heard of that concept. FULL DISCLOSRE is the law in the stock market, for good reason. It helps to weed out the snake oil salemen and shysters. Why wouldnt that principle apply here? If the sales pitch of a $50 stock requires FULL DISCLOSURE, why wouldnt the sales pitch of a MULTI-MILLION dollar gym? In BOTH cases the saleman wants you to buy his argument in support of his product, yet with the stock pitch, at least he has to be honest and upfront about it. Last I heard the latest estimates on the gym project were a mere FIVE YEARS to complete and a final budget of a mere 15-18 MILLION dollars, based on the city's incredible lack of performance in the CC addition and the bathrooms. Most recently we have spent OVER $414,000 on TWO bathrooms (1116 sq feet). That comes to a little less than $400 a square foot, compared to normal new construction costs of $125 a square foot (an EASY triple), and is only the costs SO FAR. Is anybody disputing those numbers? If so, on what basis? The truth shall set you free.

capitalism

Local contractors should have the right to bid on local projects, as well as any other projects. Its capitalism. No problem there. To present yourself as an unbiased observer in making your comments, when in fact you DO have a substantial interest and stand to make BIG profits, is misleading and dishonest. At the VERY least state your self-interests up front so people can make an honest decision on the merits of your statements. Anything less is dishonest and self-serving. Honest local contractors we need. Dishonest and deceptive contractors make me wonder about their work and billing practices. If they will be deceptive and misleading even in their public statements, what will they do in their private transactions? Could they bill us for work that wasnt done? Substandard materials? Could they bill us for considerably more hours than was actually worked? Those types of deceptive public statements do not exactly engender a public trust. There is NO intent to slander any honest contractors. There IS a concern about those that are not honest and upfront with us from the beginning. Its becoming a troubling pattern of behavior.

cheerleading for profit

The latest contractor to write a letter to the Editor in favor of the Council putting a LOT of money in his pocket (Duh!) said that, IF the people were allowed to speak and vote on the gym issue, they might reject it, and elections have consequences. It is also true that the Council would be bound to act on that rejection, even if, God forbid, it was contrary to their own personal agendas. Fortunately for him, Mayor Bain, Best, and Garcia pushed this thru on a 3-2 vote, Dotson and Youngs dissenting. He will, like ALL contractors on ANY city project, make a LOT OF MONEY, on this project. The only unfortunate ones in this deal are the residents, who will be paying dearly for this disaster-in-the-making for DECADES. This guy can afford to pay for all the additional taxes, fees, etc that will be assessed, but lots of his neighbors wont. Who says cheerleading is a nonprofit activity? Certainly wasnt in THIS case.