UPDATE: Someone stopped him. This was deferred indefinitely.
Can you picture a Miami Dade Commission Museum? Wax versions of Commissioners Sally Heyman and Jose “Pepe” Diaz?
Miami-Dade Commissioners on Tuesday could direct the mayor to come up with a plan to establish a museum about the 13-member single district commission and its history. A report in 60 days should address the possible location, funding sources and potential collaboration with HistoryMiami and existing historical entities.
No, this is not a joke. It is the brainchild of Commissioner Javier Souto.
“The Board has a long and rich history, having been established by the Miami-Dade Home Rule Charter in 1957 as the legislative and governing body of the county with the power to carry on a central metropolitan government,” the item on the agenda reads. “To chronicle and archive this history, the Board wishes to create a Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners Historical Museum, whereby past and present members of the Board and other members of the community will be able to donate and contribute memorabilia, documents, and other relevant materials to keep and display for posterity.
Ooooh. Now Ladra knows what happened. Souto, who is termed out this year after almost 30 years in the District 10 seat, was cleaning out his downtown and district offices and realized his garage is not big enough to store all the crap he’s accumulated.
Plus, we all know Souto wants to be remembered as the protector of parks and the father of Westchester. Now that his annexation dreams have been dashed, perhaps this is another way.
Read related: Javier Souto pulls back Westchester incorporation post resident pushback
“Historical museums of this kind serve an important public purpose by telling a story about the past for the enrichment and betterment of present and future generations, and by honoring those who have come before us for their significant contributions to the community,” reads the resolution.
That’s why the public has been clamoring for museums with real historical value, like an African American History museum or a Bahamian Village museum.
Really, once a commissioner is gone, most of us just want to forget them.
The Miami-Dade Commission meeting begins at 9:30 a.m. in commission chambers at County Hall, 111 NW First St., and can also be watched online as it is streamed on the city’s website.