The following is a letter written to one of the Miami Herald editorial board members by Michael Rosenberg and Rita Schwartz, co-founders of the Pets’ Trust, after the paper’s Facebook live interview of Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez. With their permission, Political Cortadito is publishing it as an open letter to the entire editorial board.
“I don’t know if you and your fellow board members have watched the House Of Cards with Kevin Spacey, but
if not….your interview with Carlos Gimenez was like an extension of that show, particularly when he spoke about the Pets’ Trust. I have shared the Herald editorial video with several dozen people and they all commented on how visibly tense or annoyed he became when the words Pets’ Trust was brought up.
The Mayor loves to say about us “They just want to increase taxes and I’m not going to do it”. He says that over and over no matter where he is (House of Cards!). In 2012 when we first went to the Mayor and Commissioners about the idea of saving our animals, the economy was sinking, and there was no money. The only way to get the additional funds was to ask the community if they would agree to reach into their pockets to invest in our animals. The people of Miami Dade County said yes. In 2014, 2015, and 2016 there was no need to ask for a tax hike. The property tax dollars were pouring in. In 2015 over 250 Pets’ Trust supporters went to the County Commission meeting and 25 people spoke. NOT ONE ASKED FOR A TAX HIKE. They all said use the surplus to honor the vote. Watching the Mayor give you that same political answer, “they want to increase taxes,” is politics at its worse. He uses those words to dismiss the will of the people, rather than finding a way to honor the will of the people. He should not be our Mayor…EVER AGAIN!
During the interview he stated, “What do those Pets’ Trust people want?” I suppose you must believe he has been calling us day and night to find out that answer (House of Cards!). We have tried to meet with him for TWO YEARS! HE refuses to meet with us because facing the truth from those telling the truth is not something that is part of his make-up. He should be using us as an example of how democracy works. Of how people come together for a common cause. Rather, he denounces us publicly over and over.
How many more times do we have to hear him say and imply that that we are in it for the money!?!? He knows full well how those funds would be handled.
These slanderous charges are part of our lawsuit against him. The Mayor continues to tell the public that we are getting the money (House of Cards!).
We have written his office over and over and over demanding he stop saying this, or prove it. But, he doesn’t have to stop, and this shows us more than anything what kind of person and Mayor he is. When we hear this, we always ask for the proof. What doesn’t exist can’t be found, but the Mayor keeps saying it. The bully pulpit is aptly named in this case!
You asked him if there was a personality clash. He denied it, but there most certainly is. The Mayor does not like to be challenged with persistence, determination and facts. Can you imagine the atmosphere he has created among the people that work for him, who wouldn’t dare challenge him for fear of losing their jobs? I once asked a police major how many more officers she needed in her district. She would not answer for fear that it would get back to the Mayor. Can you imagine how much better our County could be if we had a leader that respected his employees….and respected the voters, a mayor that implemented the will of the people. Well we don’t have that. We have a government of fear.
Soon you will make an endorsement. Your editorials in the past two years have practically BEGGED people from the community to run for office so fresh ideas could re-energize our thinking, our way of doing things. Take a look at your endorsements these past two years. Sometimes new people are simply not qualified and you endorse the same old same old….but sometimes new blood stands out with character ideas so refreshing that it would be a sin to not have them as our leaders.
The people of the Pets’ Trust have watched Carlos Gimenez up front and personal for four years. He lied to us. He slandered us. He missed an incredible opportunity of using our example to inspire people to become involved.
If the Miami Herald were to endorse a person like that, it would suggest business as usual is okay, and that the change you speak of so often and eloquently for our community, will be delayed again.
In other words, the House of Cards continues to grow, and the people grow more and more distant from participating in government. Forty years of public service is enough. We need new and younger people with bold ideas.
I read that in the Miami Herald.
Michael Rosenberg and Rita Schwartz, co founders of the Pets’ Trust.
An open letter from the Pets’ Trust about the mayoral race added by Ladra on
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