dirty work ?

Exactly WHAT dirty work was being done? Asking questions about taxes being spent for the benefit of private interests, numbers that make NO sense, and Optimist connections that dont now (and NEVER HAVE) existed, is dirty work? We are back to the-you dont have enough people to make a valid inquiry- argument, which is ridiculous of course. Let the facts speak for themselves. Which numbers and figures presented are being disputed? on what basis? Are there ANY contradicting facts or figures being presented? the truth has only one voice, be it spoken by one, or many. The message is the same. Dont worry about the resident unnecessarily, as he is grown man and can take care of himself. He DOES need help tho, researching the accurate numbers and uncovering the truth. The truth shall set you free! Yes, together, we can.

no reply

Any and every Miami Springs taxpayer has a right to know where their tax monies are going- to whom, for what services and when, at what cost, and what the users were charged for those services. There are numbers posted all over the MS website, some of them accurate, but very few details about the pool and how THOSE numbers were derived. Why is that? The City Manager first said there were contracts with the swim teams, but that as quickly changed to "use agreements", and finally he admitted those dont exist either and they are here on a handshake and a "gentlemans agreement". No other dept in the City is run on those "agreements- why the pool? is that any way to run a business? provide a service? get fair market value? avoid, at least, the appearances of impropriety, if not illegality? demonstrate to the residents that their taxes are being well spent providing services to Springs residents? which IS the intent, no? Nobody has responded to the questions asked about the Optimist (lack) of connection- why is THAT? NO factual replies are forthcoming on ANY of the questions raised here- is that because there ARE no replies that make any sense? Like the posted revenues at the pool- pure fiction? creative accounting? Facts and figures have been presented here- disprove them if you can, with YOUR documented facts and verified figures. Lets talk numbers that are believable.

zip code approach works

Detailing the numbers of participants in the 33166 zip code addresses the area of concern and avoids any possible privacy isues. Great idea! How can ANYBODY object to that? The Gazette has been a lapdog and cheerleader for City Hall for years, practically since its inception. the City throws a lot of advertising business their way and they arent about to bite the hand that feeds it. When you go to lift weights you have to sign in. When you swim at the UM you have to sign in. When you request an FOI you have to sign in. when you go to zoning you have to sign in. its a way for management to document that they are providing services, and more importantly, services to the residents that pay their salary. is there ANY posible reason why a roster of names would NOT be provided to interested parties, especially residents whose taxes are paying for the pool? Somehow THAT is top secret information, while all the other city functions its just a matter of course and good business principles and practices? It may be moot anyway, as the zip code approach alleviates those concerns.

numbers needed?

Surely it is not being said that residents who; question posted numbers that are in conflict with the revenues claimed; wonder why public taxes are being used to subsidize private businesses; are amazed that Optimist connections that are stated that apparently DO NOT exist, and never have; are puzzled why we get so litle revenue from teams that practice here six days a week; and are confused by why a 100-strong private swim team needs a public handout that only benefits the swim team and has NO benefits to the actual swimmers- is anyone saying those concerns are not valid because not a lot of others are asking those questions? Maybe if more people asked those questions there would some real, validated, documented answers forthcoming. As posted, the pool revenues have no discernable relationship to the monies they SAID they took in. Not even close. Anybody care to explain THOSE incongruencies? After over a month, why are there no verifiable rosters presented? How many people have to make these inquiries for them to become valid? Those who believe the inquiries are invalid need to explain WHY they believe them to be invalid, using facts and verified figures to support your case. You can start by explaining the nonexistent Optimist connection claim.

passionate protests

As difficult as it is sometimes, lets see if we can focus more on the issues than the personalities involved, as it clouds the real issues and can detract from the impact that facts naturally have when simply stated. Lets let the facts speak for themselves and people can draw their own conclusions from that. Passion is a good thing and to live life without it is miss out on a lot of life's enjoyments. Its only a problem if it gets in the way of our goals. Passion with a purpose is my goal, so that I can be clearly understood and the discussion can move forward, towards a resolution of SOME sort, if at all possible.

exercise in American democracy

It was good to see the Council chambers packed again, as it does show that some of our residents care about what happens at the pool. I am afraid that most of the speakers missed the main point, however. NOBODY was saying that swimming isnt good exercise and a great sport, with LOTS of benefits to a lot of people all over the world. That much is pretty much conceded and indisputable. The point is that, in these VERY difficult times, can we afford to leave it open year-round? especially when there are so few of our own kids involved, and the losses are HUNDREDS of THOUSANDS of dollars to the taxpayers? That is the basic question, and doesnt even begin to address the propriety of subsidizing a private team with public tax monies. OR why numbers and statements were made WITHOUT any form of documentation or proof? Another question would be- why are we NOT getting the standard pool rental rates for the use of our pool? IF we were, at least getting those monies, our pool costs would be considerably less. There are several questions that still remain unanswered. The Aquatics/polo numbers make no sense if what they are telling us about revenues that were supposed to have been collected is true. Why would Gym say there is an Optimist connection if there IS NONE? If he would blatantly fabricate that statement it casts doubts about his credibility, and makes one wonder what OTHER statements are fabricated? Just because only one resident showed up to question the wisdom of all these issues does NOT mean that others do not care either. Plenty of concerned residents show up here and do a lot of valuable services to the city with their research and inquiries. They show up HERE and that is a valuable contribution. To say their points are invalid because they didnt show up at the Council meeting is ridiculous, of course. MORE community involvement is needed, but lets focus on resolving the real issues. It is conceded that swimming is great exercise and team swimming is a great sport. Now lets focus on the issues that are specific to OUR pool, and its operations. By the way, I am not hiding anywhere. I was there and I spoke. This is an exercise in American democracy. Comments are welcome.

fabricated figures

Making up a story about Optimist involvement that was apparently totally and blatantly fabricated makes one wonder what other things are fabricated, no? The numbers also appear fabricated, as if you claim Aquatics/polo admissions for 07-08 are $2150 and then claim that the High schools alone pay $1500 each, thats more than the $2150 right there! and that doesnt count MDAC practices, meets, MSSH rental fees, scuba, or any private rentals. MDAC was supposedly paying $200 per month for the past year (and more) and those annual rentals alone are more than the $2150 claimed ($2400). None of the numbers presented make any sense, and there are NO receipts, deposit slips, or bank statements to back up anything they have claimed. Some days 80 swim teamers are itemized and documented as using our pool, with NO income reported. ZERO. ZIP. NADA. Whose on first?