Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Contrary to contention of MSM, DNC & DWS, latest Rasmussen poll shows 61% of U.S. favor state laws that shut down 'repeat offenders hiring illegals


CNS News video:Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz denounced Republicans last week for believing illegal immigration "should in fact be a crime."

Related article at:

While I'm generally not a fan of polls conducted among Likely Voters -as opposed to habitual Voters- contrary to the U.S. Mainstream Media, the Democratic National Committee's army of apparatchiks on the blogosphere and their sycophants across the country in TV news rooms and newspaper editorial boards, not to mention, DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman-Schultz -who represents part of Hallandale Beach, and NO, it's NOT the blue-collar neighborhoods!- the latest Rasmussen Reports poll on immigration policy comes as absolutely no surprise to those of us with at least one foot anchored in reality.

In fact, it's
precisely what your own common sense and sense of fairness would tell you about Americans even before you saw the results -61% of the U.S. favors state laws that shut down 'repeat offenders hiring illegals.
Because, simply put, most Americans believe that everyone should have to abide by the rules and laws of THIS country.


Locally, n
o amount of biased, one-sided Miami Herald editorials or fact-free 'news articles' by Alfonso Chardy and Patricia Mazzei can change that.

These Herald articles all have something in common -they almost never publicly state that the position advocated by the very people the reporters seek to paint as sympathetically as possible, is, nevertheless, overwhelmingly opposed by the majority of the people living in this this country and this state, and they never reveal just how low that level of support is.


Amnesty for illegal immigrants does not and will not ever enjoy the popular support of the American people, and no amount of public demonizing by La Raza and the professional Latino advocacy/self-interest community will make it so.

Since their argument is not supported by either logic or reason or the 'numbers,' the reporters just ignore those inconvenient facts, and instead, write paens to the foreign-born parents who broke the law, intentionally overstayed their visa, never showed-up in court for their legal hearings, and in many cases, never learned much in the way of English in their 15-20 years in the United States, even as their foreign-born kids turned out to have figured it out.

Or, alternately, the Herald reporters try to make modern Peru or Colombia seem like a veritable hell-hole that no reasonable person would want to live in, even though the Herald itself, of course LOVES, LOVES, LOVES Latin America.

So which is it?
Emerging vibrant democracy or hell-hole?
It depends on what public image the Herald's editors want to convey to readers in their "news articles," doesn't it?

As I've stated in this space before a time or two, it's very, very curious that whenever they cover U.S. Naturalization ceremonies in South Florida, craving that money shot of the cute little kid waving the American flag, South Florida TV and print reporters -but ESPECIALLY the Miami Herald- NEVER EVER ask the new Americans who came thru the system LEGALLY after following the rules and doing the things required of them over a number of YEARS, whether they believe that immigrants who came to the United States illegally should benefit from breaking the law and get the same benefits as THEY now do.

No, that is a question that is NEVER EVER EVER asked by the South Florida news media.
And everyone knows why.

It's because the answers from the new Americans would NOT conform to the pro-amnesty bias of the reporters themselves and the media organizations that employ them. PERIOD.

They're so afraid of the truth and the power of that message being uttered by immigrants who followed the law, that the question never gets asked.
-----

Rasmussen Reports
61% Favor A State Law That Would Shut Down Repeat Offenders Who Hire Illegal Immigrants
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
The U.S. Supreme Court late last week upheld the legality of an Arizona law cracking down on employers who hire illegal immigrants, and most voters support having a similar law in their own state.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 61% of Likely U.S. Voters favor a law in their state that would shut down companies that knowingly and repeatedly hire illegal immigrants. Just 21% oppose such a law, and another 18% are undecided.

Read the rest of the story at:


-------
See also:

Washington Post

Supreme Court upholds Ariz. law punishing companies that hire illegal immigrants
By Robert Barnes
May 26, 2011

Arizona, the state at the forefront of efforts to crack down on illegal immigration, may revoke the business licenses of companies that knowingly employ undocumented workers, the Supreme Court ruled Thursday.

In a 5 to 3 vote, the court rejected arguments that control over illegal immigration is solely a federal responsibility and endorsed narrowly drawn state efforts to regulate the employment of those in the country illegally. Eight other states — Colorado, Mississippi, Missouri, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia — have passed similar laws that would punish companies for hiring undocumented workers.Link
Read the rest of the article at:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/supreme-court-upholds-ariz-law-punishing-companies-that-hire-illegal-immigrants/2011/05/26/AGhHG2BH_story.html

-
Fox News Channel video: President Obama's Border Speech Falls Short
http://youtu.be/yJcCQ5FthcM


For U.S. Government Accountability Office information on
Criminal Alien Statistics: Information on Incarcerations, Arrests, and Costs for Criminal Alien Statistics, see http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-187


Federation for American Immigration Reform YouTube Channel:
http://www.youtube.com/user/fairfederation

Monday, May 30, 2011

Begging Me -First song from Florrie's new six-track EP out two weeks from today, June 14th


Florrie - Begging Me (2011)

Some of you who come to the blog fairly regularly -and esp. those of you who have a highly-tuned pop sensibility that more closely mirrors my own than your friends' or that of the town you live in- have already dropped me an email or two (or ten) asking why I've been so slow to post this first song video from the second Florrie Arnold EP -six-tracks!- which drops two weeks from today, June 14th, when it's been on so many other websites already.
Good question.

Mostly, it's because I wanted to wait 'till this weekend since my intuition has always been that the original release date announced, in late May, would not prove practical for one reason or another.
I guessed right, too, since the news about the release date change came a week ago today in a post by Florrie herself at her website, ending
There will be more news coming over the next few days as it gets closer to the new deadline :) Sorry that you guys have to wait a bit longer, but I promise it'll be worth it!

Since I last posted on her back on March 5th, 2011 in a post titled, Say hello to Florrie - She's musically ship-shape in Bristol fashion, always equipped with a beat & melody -and has a voice & face you won't forget, I've come across her very useful BBC artist page, which has links to all of her various appearances on the myriad channels of the BBC mother-ship, national and local.

Earlier this month Florrie was the cover subject of the Sunday Times Style supplement and someone, perhaps one of the perceptive management consultants she uses, even was smart enough to see the wisdom and humor of snapping a photo of her reading the magazine with just one eye peering above the magazine.

Check out that March post of mine out and then check the following for more info on this amazing dynamo:
Florrie's official website, where you listen to her introductory EP, with FREE downloads:
Florrie's official YouTube Channel http://www.youtube.com/user/florriemusic

And we'll now end this post with her song from last year that still pops into my head every week at the strangest of times. Where was this song when I was at IU and could've used it?


Florrie - Give Me Your Love (2010)

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Video: First Look -"Gettysburg" -The History Channel's premiere of "Gettysburg" airs Memorial Day at 9 p.m. Eastern


Video: First Look - "Gettysburg" -The History Channel's premiere of "Gettysburg" airs Memorial Day at 9 p.m. Eastern, Directed by Tony & Ridley Scott.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwNJS8dwkYs&feature=player_profilepage

If you've never been to Gettysburg yourself, much less, like me, visiting after spending LOTS of time brushing-up on the various aspects of the 1863 three-day battle that you once knew pretty well, but which has since gotten a bit hazy, it's hard to fully comprehend what took place there.
How so many different aspects of our everyday life -as Americans- we now take for granted that could've been completely different if this battle had turned out differently.

In some ways, the more you actually know in detail about what happened there before visiting, the even harder it is to imagine, since when you are walking around there on a very warm day, all the details just seem like... well, an unbearable weight.

Pickett's Charge at Gettysburg by tour guide Gary Kross

Little Round Top at Gettysburg by tour guide Gary Kross

Five minutes from disaster!

As far as I'm concerned, nobody should ever contemplate running for president of this country who hasn't spent some quality time there absorbing the atmosphere and the might-have-beens.
And talking about it publicly.

It's a genuine eye-opener in ways that you can't really imagine until you actually see it yourself, away from the tours, standing in the middle of an immense field.

The other thing that immediately is noticed by many first-time visitors are the number of foreign visitors you meet there at the battleground, reminding you again -as if you needed reminding- that many other people far from this small Pennsylvania town realize its monumental importance, too.


Gettysburg - Pickett's Charge: The Plan


Video History Today video: Picketts Charge, Gettysburg, PA
-Gives present-day orientation of what took place and how it looks now.




Civil War historian Edwin Bearss


Gettysburg National Military Park homepage http://www.nps.gov/gett/index.htm

See other present day video of Gettysburg and other historical events at

NY Times video: DAR.fm -technology columnist David Pogue wonders if it will be the savior of AM/FM Radio in the U.S. IF not, le deluge...



New York Times video: Technology columnist David Pogue plays Doctor for the ailing American radio industry and posits a possible prescription -DAR.fm

Related article:
A Library of Listening, Made by You
By David Pogue
May 25, 2011

David Pogue's Bits blog:

Saturday, May 28, 2011

2011 NCAA Mens Lacrosse Final Four in Baltimore is a case of multiple story narratives colliding head-on; NU-MD rematch for Women should be awesome!

ESPN video: Lacrosse Final Four breakdown

The Memorial Day weekend has long been one of my favorite weekend because it combines the sheer excitement and mystery of the Indy 500 and the tough grit of the NCAA D-1 Mens Lacrosse Final Four, where defense almost always trumps showy offense.

This year is no exception as the four teams playing at M&T Stadium in Baltimore are a clear-cut case of multiple story narratives colliding:
In the first game at 4 p.m., Denver vs. UVA, the new kid-on-the-block with the proven coach vs. the traditional power eager for redemption, while the second game pits Maryland vs. Duke, a return to glory for a traditional power vs. the new king-of-the LAX hill.

(As some of you may recall me having mentioned previously, my middle niece is a freshman at UVA, Charlottesville being one of my favorite cities. I'm rooting for a UVA-Maryland title match on Monday, which'll help make the crowd a big part of the game.)

On Friday night, courtesy of Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic, DirecTV Channel 642, I was able to catch some of the D-1 Womens Semi-finals up in Stony Brook, Long Island.

I missed the first Semi of the night between Maryland and Duke, which saw the returning champion Terps defeat the Blue Devils, and caught the beginning of the second half of the North Carolina-Northwestern match.

In the past, I've caught LIVE or via tape all the Northwestern matches that have been telecast on the BigTenNetwork, but this year, I only saw one or two, so I was not as familiar with this group of Kelly Amonte Hiller-led Wildcats as years past, when Katrina Dowd channeled Isiah Thomas from our 1981 NCAA basketball title run, hustling, driving towards the net and either shooting or making crazy amazing passes.

It was a half largely dominated by the Wildcats, whose Shannon Smith scored with 18 seconds left in the match after UNC tied it twice in the last six minutes.

The win sends the Wildcats up against the Terps for a rematch of their classic title game last year in Towson which saw Northwestern's amazing title run end.
That might've been THE best sporting event I saw all year -by far.

Here's some information about watching the matches this weekend via TV or your nearest computer that may prove helpful for those of you reading this far from the sweltering madness of South Florida.

FYI: ESPN3 is ESPN's LIVE streaming channel, so you can watch the two Mens Sem-finals there on Saturday starting at 4 p.m., and the Championship match on Monday afternoon, too without Cable TV.

----------
Women's Final

Sunday May 29th Division I Women's Lacrosse Final - Maryland (1) vs. Northwestern (2)
to be televised LIVE at 4 p.m. Eastern on Mountain West Sports Network (The Mtn.), Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic (Plus) and joined-in-progress on The BigTenNetwork and streaming at www.NCAA.com

--------
Mens National Semi-finals

Saturday May 28th 2011 Division I Men's Lacrosse Semifinal #1 - Denver (6) vs. Virginia (7)
to be televised LIVE at 4 p.m Eastern on ESPN2 /ESPN3.com.
Semi-final # 2 - Maryland vs. Duke (5), on the same channels around 6:30 p.m.

Mens title game on Monday May 30th at 3:30 p.m. on the same two channels.

I especially encourage you to take a moment and read the following columns about the growth of this great sport, NOT that you'd know this living in South Florida, where the University of Miami has neither a Mens or Womens D-1 lacrosse team despite having so many students from the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, or even a D-1 Field Hockey team, which is why the U-M is such an unappealing school for smart and talented women athletes.
It's simply NOT competitive nationally, let alone, within the ACC.

While the U-M dithers, the University of Michigan announced on Wednesday the elevation of Men's and Women's lacrosse to D-1 status.


The Washington Post
2011 NCAA men’s lacrosse semifinals showcase growth of sport
By Christian Swezey
Published: May 27, 2011

New York Times
Observing a Lacrosse Pioneer, McPhee Style
By George Vecsey
May 26, 2011

New York Times
Denver Crosses Lacrosse’s Great Divide
By Adam Himmelsbach

Baltimore Sun

Q&A with ESPN's Paul Carcaterra


Richmond Times-Dispatch
Desire is there for U.Va. lacrosse team
By Michael Phillips
May 28, 2011



Friday, May 27, 2011

Keith London's Wrap Up of the City of Hallandale Beach City Commission Agenda for May 16, 2011 and May 18, 2011; Sadly, it's all true!

City of Hallandale Beach Municipal Complex, May 18, 2011 photo by South Beach Hoosier.


To quote and paraphrase myself from February:

If you think your City Hall is screwed-up, read Hallandale Beach City Comm. Keith London's review of two recent days at the office -and it's all true!

The following comments are an email that I and many other Hallandale Beach citizen taxpayers and residents received from City Commissioner Keith London about the last two City Commission meeting, most of which I was present for.
From my perspective, they ring 100% true.
Sadly, all-too-true

The second meeting referenced below, of May 18th, started at 6 p.m. and didn't finish until after Midnight.
I left after 9 p.m.

I don't know about where you live, dear reader of the blog, but in this city, with its particular population and problems, it SHOULDN'T take six hours to conduct a public meeting when there is NOT some 'Code Red' issue before the commission involving dozens and dozens of members of the public speaking.
Especially for only four elected officials.

The ridiculous length of these meetings, as well as Mayor Cooper's longstanding inability to let someone speak without instantly giving her take on whatever they say as soon as they are finished, are exactly the sort of things that cause Hallandale Beach citizens and business owners to stay away and NOT participate.
It's for those reasons and so many others that I say with disdain, with the current crew in charge, there is no such thing at Hallandale Beach City Hall as a "time certain" agenda item.

I've edited the email below to erase lots of empty space, otherwise, it's as received -nothing added.

------
Everyone,

I have included both wrap-ups in one email from both of last week’s meetings.

The following is an update of agenda items and other issues discussed at the Monday, May 16, 2011 City of Hallandale Beach Commission City Manager/City Commission Workshop.

Highlights of this Workshop

· Hallandale has a “Deficit of Open Space”…insufficient parks to support the population.

· City Commission approves $17 to $39 million in expenditures on the Parks Master Plan.

· Commissioner London makes a motion to change the way Hallandale calculates “Public Open Space”. Currently, waterways are included in the calculation despite the fact that most residents do not have access to our waterways. - NO SECOND

· The City’s Beach Renourishment Project is on hold due to lack of funding!

· The next Commission meeting discussing the Final Summary Report of the Parks Master Plan is Thursday, July 14, 2011 at 6:00 PM


· Visit www.ChangeHallandale.com to read the latest about City finances

· Please visit www.KeithLondon.com to read the latest news article regarding Hallandale Beach Marina

--------------

CITY MANAGER/CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP AGENDA

MONDAY, MAY 16, 2011 6:00 PM

1. CALL TO ORDER

2. ROLL CALL

3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

4. PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS


A. Presentation of the Parks and Recreation Summary Report

B. Presentation of the Police Department Quarterly Report

C. Discussion of Utilities & Engineering Construction Projects


· The Commission learned the Bluestein Park water tower has been so badly neglected over the last 10 years (during the Mike Good and Mayor Cooper tenure) it may be more cost effective to have it removed. If this had been properly maintained, this would not have happened.

· Unfortunately, much of the City’s infrastructure has deteriorated thanks to poor regular maintenance.

· A $4 million beach renourishment project will not move forward because the City of Hallandale Beach was not awarded a matching $2 million grant.

o The City has $2 million budgeted for this $4 million project.

o The City consultant is still measuring the sand on the beach to provide a baseline in case we experience a hurricane or other natural disaster.

o The City will continue to look for funding sources.


5. CONSENT AGENDA

Approval of Draft Minutes - City Commission/City Manager Workshop of April 13, 2011

· Commissioner London again voted against minutes and will continue to vote against minutes until we return to summary minutes in support of government transparency.

· Other City meetings use summary minutes; why doesn’t the most important, the City Commission?

· Please go to the link to see what Hallandale summary used to look like


· Passed 3:1 London No. Ross absent


6. CITY BUSINESS

Presentation of Final Parks Conceptual Master Plan Designs
· Commissioner London makes a motion to make the residents’ petition part of the official record and minutes

o Some Hallandale Beach residents took it upon themselves to establish a petition with hundreds of resident signatures to voice their displeasure of a 4-story parking garage proposed to be built on South Beach in Hallandale

· Commissioner London’s Motion Passed 4:0 – ROSS Absent

· Commissioner London made another motion to include correspondence/petitions/information pertaining to agenda items dealing with development in the City (i.e., above petition) in the official back-up materials received by the City

· Commissioner London’s Motion Passed 4:0 – ROSS Absent

· The following individuals spoke regarding the Parks Master Plan in the different areas of the city:

o Keenan Johnson

o Gloria Jarvis

o Linda Cox

o Dave Smith

o Csaba Kulin

o Josephine Alongi

o Catherine Kim-Owens

o John Patchen

o Emma Pushton

o Etty Sims

o Marshall Frankel

FINAL SUMMARY

· At the end of the day, there are truly no winners or losers as far as the Parks Master plan is concerned

· Issues voted on and any decisions made will not take place any time in the near future due to lack of funding for all projects included in the plan

· This was an exercise of a big picture but not a reality

· The reality is the City of Hallandale Beach does not have the funding to implement any of these projects in the near future

· The financial scope of funding necessary to accomplish the goals of the Parks Master Plan shown ranges between $17 – 39 million

· Currently, the City has $5.5 – 7.5 million to fund this project

· No decisions were made on how to spend the actual funding available

· It should be understood, any decisions discussed and voted on during this meeting are not binding on future City Commissions

· The next Commission meeting discussing the Final Summary Report of the Parks Master Plan is Thursday, July 14, 2011 at 6:00 PM


B. Pursuant to Chapter 23, Section 23-107(5), Exception to Bid Requirements, Hallandale Beach Code of Ordinances, Request Authorization to Enter Into an Agreement with Ballard King and Associates in an Amount Not-To-Exceed $40,500 for the Development of a Parks and Recreation Operations and Management Planning.
· Passed 4:0 - ROSS Absent

7. OTHER

· Commissioner London discussed his idea of increasing the amount of open space throughout the City with little to no additional costs to the current residents

· Commissioner London expressed the need for the City to become more proactive in our Comprehensive Plan requiring developers to either provide land or money to upgrade our parks and open space

· Commissioner London made a motion to amend the Comprehensive Plan to achieve these goals – THERE WAS NO SECOND TO THE MOTION BY ANY OTHER OF THE 3 COMMISSIONERS

· City Manager Antonio agreed and thought the concept was worthy of discussion

--------------------------

Everyone,

The following is an update of agenda items and other issues discussed at the Wednesday, May 18, 2011 City of Hallandale Beach Commission Meeting.

Highlights of this Wrap – Up

· Vice Mayor Sanders has a $25,000 conflict of interest!

· City Attorney Jove does nothing about conflicts!

· The Commission voted for an additional $20,000 to continue the City’s CAFR audit – “red flags” have been found

· Chabad of South Broward to receive a $200,000 loan to upgrade/enhance their buildings


· The next Commission meeting discussing the Final Summary Report of the Parks Master Plan is Thursday, July 14, 2011 at 6:00 PM


· Visit www.ChangeHallandale.com to read the latest update regarding the City of Hallandale Beach’s finances

· Please visit www.KeithLondon.com for any and all updates


REGULAR AGENDA

CITY COMMISSION, CITY OF HALLANDALE BEACH

WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2011 6:00 P.M.


1. CALL TO ORDER

2. ROLL CALL

3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

4. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION (to be heard at 6:15 P.M.)

· Dr. Bob Selz spoke regarding Agenda item 8A and his desire for the NE 8th and NE 10th to remain as one way roads and not spending unnecessary dollars to make changes

· Dr. Judy Selz asked the following question pertaining to CRA loans:

o What is the percentage of the City’s loans forgiven? – ANSWER – 15%

· Gerald Dean spoke regarding Agenda item 8D supporting RDC as a contractor for the proposed building on Foster Road.

· Csaba Kulin asked the following questions of the City Commission:

o What is the status of the development of the citizens’ budget advisory committee proposed by Commissioner London last year? – ANSWER – City Manager Antonio stated he provided a report and stated he felt this concept was not beneficial for a city the size of Hallandale Beach

o What is the status of the special internal audit? – ANSWER – It is 75% complete

5. PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS

A. Recognition of Hallandale Beach Veterans for their service in the Armed Forces

B. Proclamation Proclaiming May 2011, as Neurofibromatosis Awareness Month

C. Proclamation Proclaiming May 2011, as Florida Building Safety Month

D. Proclamation, Proclaiming May 21-27, 2011, as National Safe Boating Week

6. CONSENT AGENDA

A. Approval of Draft Minutes - Regular City Commission Meeting of May 4, 2011

· Commissioner London again voted against minutes and will continue to vote against minutes until we return to summary minutes so the residents have transparency in their government

· Other City meetings use summary minutes; why doesn’t the most important, the City Commission?

· Please go to the link to see what Hallandale summary used to look like


· Passed 3:1 London No Ross Absent


7. PUBLIC HEARINGS (to be heard at 6:30 P.M.)

8. CITY BUSINESS

A. Pursuant to Chapter 23, Section 105, Award of Contracts, of the City of Hallandale Beach Code of Ordinances, Request Authorization to Award Miller Legg and Associates, Inc. a Task Order for Additional Engineering Services for the NE 8th and 10th Signal Modification Analysis in Accordance with RFP #FY2007-2008-004, Continuing Services and Comprehensive Services, for an Amount not to Exceed $12,200. (Staff: Director of Utilities and Engineering)

o Passed 4:0 – ROSS Absent

B. Discussion of Acceptance of Calculation Report by D. Moss and Associates Providing Calculation of Economic Value of Access to Groundwater Located in the City of West Park. (Staff: Director of Utilities & Engineering)

TO BE HEARD AT 6:30 P.M.

o This item was deferred at the request of City Staff

C. Discussion of Comprehensive Annual Financial Report Presentation to Commission. (Staff: Director of Finance)

TO BE HEARD AT 6:45 P.M.

· A report/information was provided by the City’s new auditor as follows:

o The auditor requested an additional $50,000 to complete the audit

o During the course of the audit, many red flags have come up during the test cycles of the city’s books

o The auditor required over 40 journal entries be fixed

o The auditor is requiring the City to provide an actuary study for their professional management retirement plan – the city has never performed an actuary report on this before

· This auditor performs audits for more than 30 municipalities in South Florida

· Normally, 1,000 hours is budgeted for this type of audit; yet the first year they budget 1,300 hours for the initial audit

· They are currently at 1,800 hours for the City’s current audit – obviously showing a tremendous need for the City’s finances to be scrutinized

· The auditor stated if they are going to continue servicing the City they will have to revisit/revise the contract

· The Commission authorized an additional $20,000 in payment

· Csaba Kulin spoke and asked the Mayor to request from the auditors the type of “red flags” found – MAYOR COOPER NEVER RESPONDED

D. Pursuant to Chapter 23, Section 105, Award of Contracts, of the City of Hallandale Beach Code of Ordinances, Request Authorization to Award RFP # FY 2010-2011-001 Foster Park Community Center Construction Project to Recreational Design & Construction Inc. in an Amount Not-To-Exceed $1,589,600; furthermore, authorize a 10% Contingency for Unforeseen Circumstances. (Staff: Director of Public Works)

TO BE HEARD IN CONJUNCTION WITH COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AGENDA ITEM #3.B.

This item pertains to a proposed civic building at Foster Park
There has been little to no discussion of how this building will be utilized – hence what is the true need to spend $2 million on a new building since the Hepburn Center is two blocks away
Because of a conflict of interest due to financial incentives in the project directed to Weed and Seed (Jessica Sanders, Vice Mayor’s wife, is the site coordinator) and Eagles Wings (operated and controlled by the Sanders), Vice-Mayor Sanders had to recuse and remove himself from Commission Chambers during this discussion and was not able to vote on this item
The bidders receive additional ranking points for this project if they utilize local vendors/workers in the area to work on the project to hopefully stimulate the local economy and provide jobs
During the presentations from the two contractors present, the following information was provided:
$25,000 was to be provided to Weed and Seed to Bond and Insure workers for this project who could not obtain bonding independently
$24,000 was to be provided to Eagles Wings to employ part-time workers to train individuals in the concept of affordable housing
There are some red flags evident for payment of these services to both of these organizations for the following reasons:
Weed and Seed is not trained or authorized to issue both insurance and/or bonding
The training in the concept of affordable housing by Eagles Wings has no impact on the construction of a civic building at Foster Road Park
These financial incentives to both of these organizations are questionable at best!!!
Passed 2:1 – LONDON NO – ROSS ABSENT - SANDERS RECUSED AND UNABLE TO VOTE ON THIS ITEM
Final Summary

Commissioner London voted NO on this topic for the following reasons:

As much as it is nice to construct a new building in the NW section of town, we first need to refurbish and take care of the civic buildings already in existence (i.e., Hepburn Center located two blocks away)
There is only so much funding available at the City to fund projects, and there is no money allocated for projects in this facility once constructed
Currently, the Hepburn Center does not have adequate funding to provide the services asked of them
This money could be better utilized to fund needed programming at the Hepburn Center, as well as refurbish its existing structure
The Parks Master Plan consultants explained the City of Hallandale Beach has more than enough buildings and structures throughout the City; what is vitally needed is more services
It is necessary for the City to be fiscally prudent and not just spend money on a new building to win elections!

E. Consideration of an Application by Chaya Aydel Seminary, Inc. for funding in the amount of $200,000 through the Hallandale Beach Community Redevelopment Agency's Business Incentive and Enticement Loan Program. (Staff: CRA Director)

TO BE HEARD IN CONJUNCTION WITH COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ITEM #3.C.

· The Chabad of South Broward requested a $200,000 loan from the City’s CRA to upgrade their facilities

· This will provide approximately 20 additional jobs at this facility

· Commissioner London asked some of the following questions:

o Does this meet the constitutional requirement of separation church and state? – ANSWER – City Attorney Jove responded it does if the money is utilized for the building

o Is the City obtaining a first or second mortgage for this loan? – ANSWER – the City will not be 1st or 2nd but more like 3rd or 4th

· Chabad of South Broward will provide quarterly payroll documentation to ensure the creation of 20 jobs

· Passed 4:0 – ROSS Absent

9. COMMISSIONER REPORTS

10. OTHER

· At 11:00 PM the Commission unanimously voted to continue the meeting until midnight

· At midnight the Commission voted 3:1 – LONDON NO to continue until 1:00 AM

· Commissioner London left the meeting at 12:10 AM–

· This City Commission should be more efficient and able to utilize the time to accomplish the completion of all six City Business agenda items

Keith S. London
City Commissioner
Hallandale Beach

954-457-1320 Office

www.KeithLondon.com

http://www.facebook.com/KeithSLondon
-----

Thursday, May 26, 2011

As 'Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides' hits U.S. theaters, Sen. Ron Wyden puts “hold” on a controversial anti-piracy bill -Hollywood unhappy

,

Walt Disney Pictures video: International Cast - Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides



Walt Disney Pictures video: Making The Soundtrack - Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides: Hans Zimmer, Rodrigo y Gabriela on the music in the fourth installment of the film series. http://youtu.be/p86S3O3RorI


This afternoon, as 'Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides' hits U.S. theaters, Senator Ron Wyden has placed a parliamentary “hold” on S. 968, the PROTECT IP Act, a controversial anti-piracy bill making its way thru Congress with multi-industry support, making many in Hollywood unhappy according to Joe Mullin of paidcontent.


Senator Throws A Roadblock In Front of Anti-Piracy Bill
By Joe Mullin
May 26, 2011 3:53 p.m. E.T.
Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) made a move today that’s likely to make him a hero in the blogosphere—but a target for the entertainment industry. Wyden has put a “hold” on a controversial anti-piracy bill. While he supports the bill’s basic goals, Wyden said today he’s “not willing to muzzle speech and stifle innovation and economic growth” in the name of fighting online piracy.
Read the rest of the article at
http://paidcontent.org/article/419-senator-throws-a-roadblock-in-front-of-anti-piracy-bill/


Sobriety & seriousness for 7.46 miles was the NEW difficult task for some fans of the annual of 'Bay to Breakers' race in San Francisco


Wall Street Journal video: Drinking and Running?
WSJ correspondent Geoffrey Fowler reports from San Francisco on the efforts by organizers of the annual 'Bay to Breakers' race to clean-up its image this year by instituting some prohibitions on alcohol and imaginative floats on wheels during the race. But some traditions die harder than others.
http://youtu.be/j-SITi_xtts

Ironically, I'm watching the Marlins at Giants ballgame on TV while posting this, as the Marlins go for the three-game sweep over the reigning World Champs and go ten games above .500.


If Obamacare is so great, why do so many people want no part of it, esp. Union members? Barone: O Skirts Rule of Law to Reward Pals, Punish Enemies

The Beltway story du jour involves the ever-reliable and observant Michael Barone of the Washington Examiner explaining something in detail that you may have heard a little about about on the radio or TV, but never got an adequate explanation for -the overwhelming evidence of favoritism among Obama supporters in gaining waivers from provisions of Obamcare they said everyone had to obey.
Or as he puts it,
"Examples of crony capitalism, bailout favoritism and gangster government."

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Washington Examiner
Obama Skirts Rule of Law to Reward Pals, Punish Enemies
A Commentary By Michael Barone
Thursday, May 26, 2011

Question: What do the following have in common? Eckert Cold Storage Co., Kerly Homes of Yuma, Classic Party Rentals, West Coast Turf Inc., Ellenbecker Investment Group Inc., Only in San Francisco, Hotel Nikko, International Pacific Halibut Commission, City of Puyallup, Local 485 Health and Welfare Fund, Chicago Plastering Institute Health & Welfare Fund, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee, Teamsters Local 522 Fund Welfare Fund Roofers Division, StayWell Saipan Basic Plan, CIGNA, Caribbean Workers' Voluntary Employees' Beneficiary Health and Welfare Plan.

Answer: They are all among the 1,372 businesses, state and local governments, labor unions and insurers, covering 3,095,593 individuals or families, that have been granted a waiver from Obamacare by Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius.
Read the rest of the essay at: