As I reported in Frantz Pierre’s House of Cards on October 19, 2011 (https://www.votersopinion.com/?p=1556), North Miami Beach Councilman Frantz Pierre allegedly finagled from former Director of Public Services/City Manager Kelvin Baker a barrier in the alley next to his house for the purpose of preventing vehicular traffic from driving through. I also commented that someone claimed this barrier was actually placed there 15 years ago in an effort to prevent drug dealers from escaping. As fantastic a story as that was, I gave the person the benefit of the doubt until I could do more research and dig more dirt.
Thanks to the folks over at Google Maps, I found out that it’s possible to obtain satellite photos from previous years, and I was able to obtain images of the Pierre property from 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008. The pictures below will clearly show that the “jersey” barrier was not in Mr. Pierre’s alley until after May of 2007 when Frantz was elected. You’ll need to click on the individual pictures in order to enlarge them sufficiently to see whether or not the barrier is present.
Frantz Pierre was elected in May of 2007, and the barrier magically appeared sometime after that and before the image taken in 2008. As you can see, the proof is in the pudding. Or the satellite images, as it were. I’m just saying.
In case any of you are not aware, an easement is described as, “Right-of-way: The area of highway, road, street or alley, or other such strip of land, reserved for public use, whether established by prescription, easement, dedication, gift, purchase, eminent domain or any other legal means.” This description is taken right from the website of the City of North Miami Beach. Looks like good ol’ Frantzie has some ‘splainin’ to do!
Stephanie Kienzle
“Spreading the Wealth”
I thought the “jersey barriers” were to guide traffic as opposed to barricade traffic. If the city is going to close off an alley with a barricade, shouldn’t there be a “dead end” sign? Has Miami Dade Fire Rescue been notified that the ally is blocked with cement so they won’t try to go through there?
Does this mean that everybody can have a concrete barricade in their alley? What qualifications are required to ensure fair distribution of these barricades in the alleys of our city?
It seems like barricading the alley is altering the grid of the city.
It makes no sense to me that the city won’t take down this barrier.
The city should “Tear Down That Wall”
What a boob.
Let us put this into perspective. Mayor Mischon lived in this same building longer than Frantz Pierre, and has been mayor of our city for 16 years. Never asked for a barrier to be put up. Frantz came in for a few weeks as an elected official and a barrier was put up? Beats me.
NMBPD police officer threatened residents and I did not even see patrolling for these residents, much less barriers.
What goes for one, goes for all.
Warmest.
Kazan, if I’m not mistaken, former mayor Mishcon lives across the street and not in Frantzie’s building, which is a single family home. Are you talking about a different building, or something else?