HomeMy WebLinkAboutCRA-R-07-0003 Backup•
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Fort Lauderdale
Jacksonville
Los Angeles
Madison
Miami
New York
Orlando
Tallahassee
Tampa
Tysons Comer
Washington, DC
West Palm Beach
January 11, 2007
Mr. James Villacorta
Executive Director
Community Redevelopment Agencies
City of Miami
49 N.W. 5th Street, Suite 100
Miami, Florida 33128
Dear Jim,
Akerman
Senterfitt
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
One Southeast Third Avenue
28th Floor
Miami, Florida 33131-1714
www.akerman.com
305 374 5600 iel 305 374 5095 fax
Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to meet with me yesterday. For the past two
years it has been Akerman Senterfitt"s privilege to represent the CRA at the federal level. At the
direction of the CRA, we have successfully obtained over $1,000,000 in earmarks on behalf of
Camillus House. As you know, we were slated to receive an additional $200,000 this year but,
unfortunately, the federal budget was continued without earmarks due to the general election.
The change of party control in Congress has elevated two members of our delegation in a way
that can only be helpful to the broader community: Representative Debbie Wasserman -Schultz
has been appointed to the powerful Appropriations Committee and Representative Kendrick
Meek has been appointed to the equally important Ways and Means Committee. We have
excellent relationships with both. With the continued support of the other members of our
delegation, we can be very optimistic about our prospects for the upcoming Congressional
session.
I am pleased that you and Commissioner Spence -Jones intend to be proactively involved with
our continued efforts. I understand from Commissioner Spence -Jones that Camillus House will
continue to be a priority and that additionally, we should look for federal legislative or
appropriation opportunities in the areas of affordable housing, historic preservation and
economic development.
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January 1I, 2007
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It is essential that we begin the process of formalizing our appropriations requests and I will try
to organize a conference call with our Washington office as soon as possible. We will establish a
day for the Commissioner to make the Congressional rounds in Washington.
I have talked to Peter England , Director of Government Relations at Camillus House, and he
will join us in attending the CRA meeting on January 29, 2007. I look forward to a continued
and productive relationship.
Sincerely,
Michael Abrams
MIAIac
cc: Commissioner Michelle Spence -Jones
Peter England