Letters

SAME AM

It’s not surprising how the Grove is up in arms about such a simple issue. There’s a recession out there, and businesses need all the help they can get. This last year was definitely not the time to cut back the drinking hours from 5a.m. to 3a.m.. If the government is so set on protecting the Grove (and not any other areas in the city of Miami where you can drink much later – even some 24 hours) then maybe they should wait for the recession to be over and re-think it then.
This is no time for these pranks. Reverse the stupid ordinance, and let us enjoy. If the government wants to bring back their silly mandate, at least by then they will have come up with a better reason to do so. Because right now – it makes no sense.

Cheers,
Kurt Kimble
Miami

TOO SEXY

I have been a resident of Miami for half a millennium and I don’t know the city that is featured in the cover story of the December-January issue. If I did know it, I surely would not brag about it. And I am sorry you chose to do so. It is my first disappointment in your magazine.

Dolly MacIntyre
Coral Gables

IN THE AIR

Just finished the Sexy in the City issue. I learned more than I thought possible.
I think you missed the point – it’s actually in the Miami air we breathe.

Love the magazine!
Richard Jersey
Brickell

SO KOOCH WAS RIGHT

So former Notre Dame all-time great Bob Kuechenberg was right after all.
In October of 2007, he went off on Charlie Weis long before we all knew. I emailed Bob and told him I thought he was way out of line. Bob responded to me with “do you KNOW Charlie Weis?” I did not.
As it’s played out...Bob was right about Charlie’s dealings with alumni, staff and lastly...the failure of the team to perform. At the time.... Charlie was still riding high. Bob was the only one who forecasted what was to come.

Walt Gray
KCRA TV, Sacramento, CA (NBC)

THE COMMUNITY AND PUBLIC CORRUPTION

In the South Florida area, issues of public corruption are suddenly on everyone’s mind. Nothing could be better. Public corruption crimes fester in the twilight of people’s inattention. We can only fight the problem once we have lifted away the veneer that hides such activity. In a nutshell, that is what every public corruption and ethics investigation aims to achieve. Fortunately, we here in Miami have had both the commitment and the tools to put pressure on those individuals who have sought to plunder our public treasury or poison our political process. This is a responsibility I, as your State attorney, and my prosecutors take very seriously.

When I became Miami’s State Attorney in 1993, I placed an increased strategic emphasis upon fighting public corruption in our state courts. In 1995, I created a Public Corruption Unit, staffing it with experienced attorneys dedicated to fight this battle. I also created successful partnerships with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. Our Miami-Dade Police Department, along with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, now have specialized detectives that work closely with the prosecutors in our Public Corruption Unit. We also have developed a solid partnership with our federal prosecutor’s office to assist each other on corruption cases. As our federal partners develop new investigative leads from their long-term undercover investigations, at which they excel, we can be sure that another level of these crimes will soon be brought to light. Locally, the County Commission deserves credit for having created and funded our local Inspector General’s Office and the Commission on Ethics, both of which contribute to the anti-corruption fight.

Despite our many successes here in Miami-Dade, despite the prosecutions of corrupt County and City of Miami Commissioners, elected mayors and councilpersons, dozens of other municipal and police officials, as well as private sector individuals who sought to surreptitiously reach into the public’s wallet - the battle against public corruption is never over. For the weak or the arrogant, the many temptations appear to be too great.

Public corruption investigations are never simple and that complexity costs money. Almost every investigation requires forensic accountants and auditors, experienced prosecutors and skilled investigators to uncover the paper trail leading to bribes or stolen public money. Valuable expertise of this kind is always expensive to hire and expensive to retain. Anyone who feels that public corruption can be fought “on the cheap” has never prosecuted such a case nor has little real commitment to such prosecutions.

The 2010 Florida Legislature will inevitably face another difficult budget year since both our nation’s and our state’s economies have yet to roar back to life. Funding State Attorneys to vigorously prosecute corruption will be the real test of our legislators’ commitment to the anti-corruption fight. A failure to fund can only mean that this expensive area of investigation and prosecution must face the same potential cuts as every other section of a prosecutor’s office - no matter how much the public demands strong and vigorous public corruption action. But fortunately, the public has the loudest voice if it so chooses. Use that power by letting your legislators know that a relatively small investment in the area of fighting public corruption is certainly well worth every penny spent.

Katherine Fernandez Rundle
Miami-Dade State Attorney


MUCHAS GRACIAS

I just wanted to send you a couple of lines thanking you and your staff for your sponsorship to Viernes Culturales. It’s a special event for the Miami community, and we continue to welcome one and all the last Friday of every month, on Eighth street, Calle Ocho.

Thank you very much.
Cristina Urdaneta
Miami


 

 


WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND?
Send your letters to: Editor@MiamiMonthlyMagazine.com, or Miami Monthly, 3112 Commodore Plaza, Miami, FL 33133. Please include your full name, address and daytime phone number. Letters may be edited for length and clarity. Opinions expressed in this column do not represent those of Miami Monthly.