HomeMy WebLinkAboutSubmittal-Greg Bush-Letter from Gene S. TinnieGene S. Tinnie
74 NW 51 t Street
Miami, FL 33127-2114
November 18, 2014
Honorable Mayor and Commissioners:
Last week I and Mr. Guy Forchion, Executive Director of the Virginia Key Beach Park Trust, co-authored a
letter to you (duplicate copy enclosed) in which we felt honored to support the request of our neighbors
and erstwhile partners on Virginia Key, with whom we have enjoyed a cordial and productive working
relationship, the not -for -profit Friends of the Miami Marine Stadium (FMMS), for an extension of their
agreement with the City of Miami beyond the present expiration date.
However, in light of the numerous questions, issues, and concerns which have surfaced in the short time
since then, arousing much community interest, particularly in regard to the possibility that this
treasured citizen -owned asset might be lost to the profiteering schemes of a few private individuals
without appropriate public oversight and with very limited public benefits, I am compelled to modify
that previously stated support for the FMMS request, and respectfully urge that no action be taken on
this item until these issues can be fully investigated and full transparency can be achieved regarding the
present and future management of the Miami Marine Stadium.
Although I am writing this as an individual citizen, in the interest of time, I believe I can speak with
confidence on behalf of my fellow Virginia Key Beach Park Trustees in reaffirming our strong and
continuing support for the restoration and preservation of the Stadium as an icon of Miami heritage and
as an integral part of making the island of Virginia Key a rewarding destination for residents and visitors
alike, and as a legacy of citizen -owned patrimony to our next generations, but it is precisely for this
reason that we must make every effort to ensure that this vision is not compromised by schemes, no
matter how seemingly well -intended, that will essentially rob the community of the valuable property
that we own, with no hope of regaining it.
With this in mind, I urge you to consider the most effective ways to ensure a full renaissance of the
Marine Stadium as a public asset, and as an effective partner with other stakeholders on Virginia Key, in
keeping with the master planning process for the island, and not to act prematurely on the FMMS
request for an extension without the due diligence that will benefit ALL parties involved.
Thank you for your kind attention to this urgent matter and for your support of our community's best
interests.
Sincerely and with best regards, as always,
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