Miami Beach robbed voters of the chance to decide on homelessness tax | Opinion
Beach homeless
Miami Beach commissioners silenced the voice of 20,000 voters and robbed them of the right to vote on a homelessness tax mid-election. This is undemocratic. The tax was a critical opportunity for residents to fund the Miami-Dade Homeless Trust through a 1% food and beverage city tax. The funding would have positively impacted those who are unhoused on the Beach and adjacent municipalities.
Homelessness is a symptom of the lack of support for social services, skyrocketing housing costs and increasing poverty. Lack of solutions, funding and now criminalizing only exacerbates it. Following an Oct. 1 law, police officers may issue fines, make arrests and forcibly remove those found camping or congregating in public spaces. Instead of forcing people into jail cells, we should be investing in services that help them find a place to live, putting them on a track toward secure shelter and keeping our communities safe. Dehumanizing those who are homeless will not resolve the issue.
As Beach Commissioner Alex Fernandez was quoted in the Miami Herald’s Oct. 31 editorial, “We are sticking our head[s] in the sand if we think we will arrest our way out of homelessness.” He is right. Criminalizing homelessness and defunding solutions to address it should be the catalyst for our local municipalities — and Congress — to finally act on our housing crisis. We all deserve to have our voices heard.
Yanick Perodin,
RESULTS Miami,
Miami
Mentoring kids
Miami should seize the opportunity to bring Friends of the Children, the professional youth mentoring organization supported by world champion gymnast Simone Biles, to our community. The organization empowers youth through long-term relationships with professional mentors (called “Friends”), starting in kindergarten and lasting through high school.
For more than 30 years, the organization has created proven, transformative change in the lives of thousands of youths across the country — increasing graduation rates and reducing entry into the foster care and justice systems.
Since late 2023, by local invitation, Friends of the Children has been exploring whether there is a desire for their program to help meet the needs of children and families in Miami-Dade County. The answer should be a resounding “Yes!”
Every year, about 170 children in Miami aged 4-6 enter the foster care system. Many of them are served by Florida Foster Care Review (FFCR), a local organization that helps children and young adults impacted by the foster care system. Long-term mentoring is often a critical service and one of the most challenging for FFCR to deliver.
What if every one of those children had a “Friend” to help them dream big and succeed? Even better, what if we gave them a Friend before they enter the system, keeping them safe, stable and at home with family?
We need more local champions to help make it happen. Will you join us?
Erinn Kelley-Siel,
chief expansion officer,
Miami
Candice Maze,
chief executive officer,
Miami
Biltmore — or less?
Re: the Oct. 31 Herald story, “‘Tacky’ makeover halted at historic Biltmore Hotel. Coral Gables says work not approved.” So many questions come to mind, such as, are full restroom renovations “cosmetic?”
Do any of the contracts or invoices between the hotel operator and the general contractor, project manager, structural engineer, or any trades with which it contracted directly mention or require permits?
Are any of the involved professionals LEED-certified? Were any green standards, evaluations or practices considered or used for the “dark and dingy space?” Were any engineering evaluations needed or done to assess the additional weight of the new chandeliers?
Have any of these companies done work in Coral Gables before — with permits? Are there any cost pass-through provisions of the operator’s lease that come into play and will they come into play for the re-do?
Is the National Historic Landmark designation in jeopardy? Will the National Park Service be involved?
Looking forward to the Herald’s continued coverage of this fascinating story.
Robin Fleming,
Pompano Beach
The people govern
We should not want our government to operate like a business. Businesses create winners and losers by maximizing their own profits at the expense of others. The role of good government is to level the playing field so that everyone thrives.
Some businesses increase their profits by paying workers the absolute minimum, by cutting corners and thereby polluting our air and water, and by promoting products even when they know they cause harm. Good government controls these tendencies, which protects responsible businesses and the general public. With large contributions to election campaigns, mega businesses garner influence with government to ensure legislation is favorable to them.
I want a government of, by, and for the people — not of, by, and for business.
Helene Dudley,
Miami
Choosing good
A few weeks ago, my husband and I saw the film, “White Bird.” This movie’s message was so impactful.
“White Bird” depicts the worst and best of humanity and its essential theme is one of empathy, moral courage and kindness; that one act of kindness, whether big or small, can change the course of a person’s life.
In the film, Nazis have invaded France and have begun taking Jews away. A little girl asks her father, “Why do they hate us so much?” Her father responds, “Because some people have darkness inside of them and cannot see the light in others.”
Each and every one of us has choices to make. It is as simple as choosing love over hate and lightness over darkness. We must always be aware that those who don’t remember the past are condemned to repeat it.
It is my hope and my prayer that righteousness and goodness prevail and people can be respected and treated equally no matter what they look like, where they come from and by the content of their character. For it is only then that humanity can be preserved and our beloved nation can heal.
Hydie Pettinger,
West Kendall
Beautiful people
The City of Miami beach just stiffed the county in support of the Homeless Trust because, as the mayor claimed, the money will not be spent in the community. However, when they do rent a number of beds at a local hostel for homeless people, their hair is on fire.
Must be because they are not like the nubile young women featured on the Bikini Hostel’s website.
Eric Hess,
Miami Beach
Fair or fraud
Here’s a guide to today’s and all future elections: if Republicans win it’s fair, but if Democrats win, it’s fraud.
P. F. Balbi,
Miami Beach
Youth perspective
It’s thrilling to see that nearly 45% of registered voters have cast their ballots through mail or early voting. I sincerely hope these numbers rise to all time highs by the end of Election Day.
As a high school student, I can’t vote yet, but this is something so important to me. I implore all those who can vote, to please do so. You represent the millions of youth who wish they could. You are the voices that represent Americans. And you have the chance to change the outcome of this election that will determine life for our future generations.
Anagha Iyer,
Miramar
Halloween boo-ks!
My third annual Book Give-Away Extravaganza in lieu of Halloween candy was a success. Several kids and parents noted it is their favorite house and wait all year for this. The free library in front of our house was the impetus for this idea and this year we gave away in excess of 500 books.
As the holiday season approaches, perhaps think about books in lieu of gifting technology or games; we have proof that children prefer to simply hold and own a book.
Ossie Hanauer,
Miami