North Miami is once again being inundated by requests from “non-profits” for taxpayer handouts.  According to an email from Councilman Scott Galvin, on the Agenda for tonight’s council meeting three different organizations are lining up for donations.  Mr. Galvin wrote:

“Please attend tonight’s meeting, Tuesday, October 23rd.  It will be held at City Hall, starting at 7:00 pm. 

Already, groups are lining up and asking for their piece of the pie.  In addition to the Biscayne Landing item, we have three other requests for donations from the City: 

• $60,000 for a community festival, two weeks from now, including food, dancing, and face painting
• $45,000 for a non-profit to move to North Miami, rent office space, and hire three Peer Counselors
• A College Fraternity asking for up-to-$10,000 for a dinner event”

The Cash Cow known as Biscayne Landing is being milked for all it’s worth.  Let’s take a look at these New Groups on the Block:

1.  The community festival is being contemplated by the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, Inc., d/b/a Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, which is actually (and shockingly) located in North Miami.  The two day festival is scheduled to be held on Church grounds, and will offer food, drink, music, vendors and activities for children.  The Church’s introduction letter to the city states that, “By having this festival, new members of the community will learn about the proud Greek heritage and its contributions to the modern world.”  That sounds really, really cool!  Who even knew there was a Greek community in North Miami?  How refreshing!  Maybe the city will sponsor something that’s actually MULTI-cultural for a change.  This organization is a legitimate non-profit corporation (It’s a Church.  DUH!) and has complied with all the requirements of the City of North Miami and the State of Florida.  The Church is asking for a fee waiver and is requesting that certain streets be closed from November 3rd through November 5th, as well as possibly a temporary liquor license to sell wine and beer and a tent permit, if necessary.  According to the Agenda, the Church is asking the city to sponsor the event to the tune of $60,000.00.  While I’m sure this festival would be worth every penny, I have no idea if the residents of North Miami would be happy about paying out this kind of money.  Personally, if I were a resident and I felt that the city could afford it, I would most likely be in favor of doing so.  But, it’s not my city and it’s not my money.  The residents should attend the meeting and let the Council know how they feel.

2.  The second request for $45,000.00 is from yet another non-profit claiming to help “at risk youth” in Miami-Dade County.  Family Impressions Foundation, Inc. was formed in 2010, dissolved in 2011, reinstated in 2011 and is current for 2012.  Okay.  Ironically, it is located in North Miami Beach.  This organization claims to be a 501(c)(3), and is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a “public charity,” but is not listed in the Gift Giver’s Guide published by the Florida Department of Agriculture’s Division of Consumer Services, which resource I reported in Do the Right Thing.  Again, I’m not a North Miami resident and I have no idea why relocating this organization across the “border” from NMB to North Miami will cost $45,000.00, or even why this is necessary.  I do know, however, that there are a plethora of non-profits and other agencies that claim to work with “at risk youth” throughout the northeast Miami-Dade County area and you can just add this organization to the pile.  It’s website is more sophisticated (and has much better grammar) than that of Actions for Better Future, Inc., a “non-profit” desperately trying to grab money from North Miami Beach to (guess?) help “at risk youth.”  Scrolling across the bottom of its homepage are links to organizations such as the University of Miami, the Florida Department of Education, North Miami Beach Senior High School, the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, among others.  It makes no mention of how Family Impressions Foundation, Inc. is connected to any of these entities or if they are merely links to other pages.  I guess it’s a mystery.  Family Impressions Foundation, Inc. also publishes completely anonymous “testimonials” of young people claiming this organization changed their lives.  I could probably donate my time and write some “testimonials” for them, too, if they need to fill more pages.  Just saying.  However, the taxpayers of North Miami should decide if they want to “invest” in this organization.

3.  Finally, the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. wants the City of North Miami to shell out $10,000.00 to purchase two tables at an unspecified event during an unspecified date.  While this organization is a legitimate one, I have no idea if the residents want to spend this money.  Again, check out the details for yourself here and make up your own minds.  Seriously, do I have to do everything for you?  (Kidding!)

Either way, please show up at the Council Meeting tonight and have your voices fall on deaf ears.  As usual, Mayor Andre Pierre and his cohorts will do what they want regardless of the wishes of the taxpaying residents.  I feel your pain.

Stephanie Kienzle
“Spreading the Wealth”