HomeMy WebLinkAboutSubmittal-Peter Ehrlich to Commissioner Carrollo-LettersRE 11 on May 26th, 2016
Talking Points:
This is a nuanced issue.
Submitted into the public
record fp ite (s)
on S I City Clerk
This same item came up in October 2013 as a Discussion Item, with no
resolution.
It is apparent that stakeholders were not provided any notice and it was
only an accident that the African -American and Bahamian community
found out.
We need to hear from historians and from more members of the
community.
We should hear from Marvin Dunn, Paul George, Avra Moore Parks,
Enid Pinkney...the Dade Heritage Trust and perhaps many other
experts.
The borders in this item seem very haphazard. Obviously, a
cartographer was not involved.
It appears our Preservation Office was not involved?
We know from Thelma Peters book, "Lemon City — Pioneering on
Biscayne Bay 1850-1925" that our history and the history of this area is
extensive.
Obviously, we owe respect to our early pioneers who included "blacks"
and "Bahamians".
We now know that local property owners who own 55-65 acres to be
designated strongly support Lemon City and Little River and they
strongly oppose the designation.
Property owners who oppose the designation:
1
k6o - S\A5i401/4l-WVer E\vv-\\(,\ - �o Q_0\f&
Tony Cho — 15 acres and 200,000 sq ft for space.
Avra Jain and Matt Vender Worff — 12+ acres and 60 properties in
Little River
Submitted into the publi� C /
record f ite ( )
on 6 R u f f • City Clerk
Bennett Pumo — 200 buildings and 500 tenants in the area. 60 years in
Little River.
Mallory Kauderer — 8-12 buildings in Lemon City and Little River
Peter Ehrlich — 4 acres and 100,000 sq ft in 5 buildings and 18 tenants in
Lemon City. 18 years in the area.
Alberto Sbarra — Recently built 12-13 buildings in Lemon City and
Little River. The first new construction in 30 years.
Frank Rudman — 3 acres and 100,000 sq ft in Little River. 43 years in
Little River.
Silvia Wong — 3 acres and 60,000 sq ft in Little River. 25 years in Little
River.
List in formation...
These property owners and others pay millions in property taxes.
This issue needs more study.
We need to hear from African -Americans, Bahamians and we need to
hear from affected property owners.
We should defer this issue and bring it back as a Discussion Item first...
2
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Re: RE 11 on May 26t", 2016
From: Robert A Burr <rob@robertburr.com>
To: Khardemon @ miamigov.com;
Wgort@miamigov.com;
Fcarollooffice @ miamigov.com;
Fsuarez @ miamigov.com;
Krussell @ miamigov.com;
Tregalado@miamigov.com
Submitted into the public ( `' II
record fqr item s)
on S 19.E I �� City Clerk
Sent: Monday, May 23, 2016 2:55 PM
Subject: Lemon City / Little Haiti name designation RE 11 on May 26th
Distinguished Miami Mayor and Commissioners,
It has come to my attention that there is an effort to rename one of Miami's
historic neighborhoods, Lemon City.
As a family member of early pioneers of Lemon City, Little River, Arch
Creek and the Redland region, I'm concerned that the loss of a name place
-- made all the more famous by my friend Thelma Peters in her iconic
pioneer history book of the same name -- could be a short-sighted error in
judgment by some that might not appreciate our recent past.
Lemon City, Arch Creek, Little River, Buena Vista... these place names are
the last lingering remainders of our short history in South Dade. They are
associated with the bold and proud early pioneers that forged this territory.
My great grandfather Edward DeVere Burr was chairman of the Dade
Country Commission during the formative years of 1915 to 1921. His older
brother was state railroad commissioner for 25 years. His younger brother
established Burr's Berry Farm back in 1919. The brothers are buried in the
first plot of Miami's pioneer cemetery.
1
Submitted into the public
iteti ,
on record Ir71c
City Clerk
My hope and prayer is that as today's leaders, as stewards of our founders'
legacy, you will make every effort to respect, protect and admire such small
but significant vestiges of these living remainders. The erasure of such an
iconic place name is a travesty that deprives all who follow from some
significant clues to our past.
Every noteworthy group that contributes to the success and legacy of our
communities deserves some respect and admiration for their efforts, but
not at the expense of those that came before them, who forged a pioneer
wilderness into this world renowned bustling metropolis that we share --
and strive to protect.
Robert A. Burr
rob@robertburr.com
305-443-7973 office
305-439-1376 cell
http://www.robertburr.com/BunBurr.html
2
(Z C i I wtii--( z
Submitted into the public,( Lii
From: Bea Hines <bea.hines@gmail.com> record fo ite s) nu ,
II
To: Penny Lambeth <pl2@bellsouth.net> on 6 City Clerk
Sent: Monday, May 23, 2016 1:20 AM
Subject: Re: Important - Historic Lemon City in danger of losing its pioneer name to be called Little Haiti
May 26th
Somebody informed me of this. We need to pack the commission chambers to let our
voices be heard. Lemon City is a big part of our history. This has to be stopped.
On Mon, May 23, 2016 at 12:20 AM, Penny Lambeth <pl2 @ bellsouth.net> wrote:
This was sent to me by Enid Pinkney Penny Lambeth
Dear Friends:
The attached resolution asking for the historical I name of communities in
Miami (Lemon City) be changed to Little Haiti will be presented to the Miami City
Commission on Thursday, May 26, 2016. We do not know the time. You will have to call
City Hall to get the time. This agenda item has not been publicized so few people in the
community know about it. Please do what you can to get the word out. Please e-mail or
write commissioners about your feeling on the matter and please attend the
Commission Meeting to express your views at City Hall, 3500 Pan American
Drive. Names and numbers at end.
Another bit off our history may be removed. Penny Lambeth
"Lemon City is an old neighborhood by Miami standards. Named after the unusually
sweet lemon trees that grew in the area, Lemon City was the home to one of the
county's oldest schools, the Lemon City School, and first library, the Lemon City Library.
One of its early markets, Rockmoor Grocery, would go on to become the first Winn -
Dixie store.
A year before Miami's incorporation, the 1895 population of Lemon City was 300. The
area consisted of a second hotel, three general stores, a barbershop, a real estate
office, bakery, sponge warehouse, two or more saloons, a restaurant, blacksmith, livery
stable, separate post office, sawmill and photo studio. Being the bayside's 15-building
metropolis in 1895 the area attracted famous visitors -like Henry Flagler- and became
the commercial trading center of Biscayne Bay. There were 13 ships moored there in
1891, including the Emily B, a 3-ton, three -masted schooner that brought Julia Tuttle
and her family — including their cow Daisy — to Miami that same year. This is one of
our first cities."
Submitted into the public 1'' t,
record f r it s) ,ik
on S t 1"\ City Clerk
May 26, 2016 - RE 11 Formally naming historic neighborhoods "Little
Haiti" is opposed by many:
Many people like and respect the history of the City of Miami.
Over the past 4-5 years we heard rumors that several residents of the City of North
Miami and several residents of Miami Shores were interfering in the politics and the
history of the City of Miami. In September -October of 2013 these out-of-town activists
even prevailed upon a City Commissioner to propose legislation, which failed to pass.
The City of Miami consists of many historic neighborhoods. As Miami's population ebbs
and flows Miami's historic names survive, and in many cases prosper. Little River,
Edison, Brentwood, West Little River, Liberty City, Buena Vista, Spring Garden, Lemon
City, Oakland Grove, Brownsville, Railroad Shoppes Colored Division, Riverside,
Bellaire, Bayside, Elmira, Shenandoah and many others all survive.
We know that many Haitians have vacated the City of Miami over the past 15-20
years. In fact, the Federal Census states that from 2000 to 2010 12,800 residents vacated
District 5. We know from interviewing teachers and principals in the Lemon City and
surrounding neighborhoods that the enrollment in local elementary schools has declined
50% to 60% over the past 15-20 years. That is a decline of about 2% per year over the
past 20 years. Children, and of course their families, have left. Acknowledging the mass
exodus, the City of Miami recently completed voter Re -Districting and expanded the
geographic area of District 5 into District 2 to take into account residents who left District
5. Schools that were formerly so overcrowded that they were forced to use mobile
containers for classrooms in the 1980's now struggle to fill traditional classrooms in 2013-
2016.
On September 26th, 2013 City of Miami Commissioner Michelle Spence -Jones brought a
Discussion Item in front of the City Commission (DI.4). Titled "Little Haiti". Spence -
Jones stated she wanted to install an umbrella name over 4-5 historic neighborhoods
within the City of Miami. (Back -Up Document for DI.4 Oct 24 Agenda shows up to 14
historic neighborhoods were threatened). West Little River, Little River, Lemon City,
Oakland Grove, Edison, Oakland Grove, Bellaire, etc... Over the objections of many,
Spence desired to call this new large area "Little Haiti".
On September 26th, 2013 Commissioner Spence -Jones would not allow anyone from the
public to speak. She did have five (5) hand picked speakers lined up to praise her
scheme. At least three of whom lived outside the City of Miami. (N. Miami, Miami
Shores, Miami Beach). Spence -Jones stated that she wanted the City to formally and
legally name a large area of this northern section of the City of Miami as "Little
Haiti". She mentioned borders such as NE 36th Street or NE 47th Street on the south,
Biscayne Blvd or the FEC RR tracks on the east and the City borders on the north. We
have been unable to determine the proposed west border, perhaps I-95. We were unable to
receive Spence -Jones's proposed map for what she determined to be "Little Haiti".
1
Submitted into the public
record f rite (s)
on 51 V:, . City Clerk
Lemon City Cemetery Community Corporation
RE 11 on May 26, 2016 Agenda
May 23, 2016
To: Mayor Tomas P. Regalado
Commissioner Wilfredo Gort, District 1
Commissioner Kenneth Russell, District 2
Commissioner Frank Carollo, District 3
Commissioner Francis Suarez, District 4
Commissioner Keon Hardemon, District 5
City Manager Daniel Alfonso
The Lemon City Cemetery Community Corporation is concerned about the
pending legislation (RE 11 on May 26, 2016) that the City of Miami
proposes to change the name of Lemon City, Little River and some other
historical areas of Miami to "Little Haiti." We believe to do so will desecrate
the history and legacies of those communities.
On September 17, 1883 John Saunders, the jailer homesteaded 148 acres of
bay front from which Lemon City was developed. He was born in the
Bahamas about 1837. The first mention of Lemon City in public records was
Eugene C. Harrington's sale of the bay front to Charles S. B. Moffat,
December 28, 1889. The history of Lemon City is graphically described in
Dr. Thelma Peter's book, Lemon City, Pioneering on Biscayne Bay, 1850-
1925. The name Lemon City is purported to have come from the fact that
there were lemon trees on John Saunders' property and they were less sour
than other lemons especially when eaten with salt.
In Chapter Thirteen of Dr. Peters book on Lemon City she states that blacks
performed much of the hardest physical work that had to be done in the new
country. They worked on the railroad, built roads, dug ditches, worked for
lumber companies, in rock pits, and as laborers on construction. They also
cleared the land for landholders with a machete and the strength of their
backs. When the overseas extension of the railroad was announced there was
a rush of blacks to get jobs clearing the right-of-way on the Florida Keys,
blasting, loading and grading. A foreman of the Key Largo stretch of the
railroad, John Hill was quoted in the News Leader, January 18, 1962 that he
liked to hire Bahamian blacks because they were very good with a machete
for brush whacking. George
Submitted into the public
record flip- ite (s)
on 511,(111b City Clerk
Merrick, founder of Coral Gables said in his article "Pre-Flagler Influences
on the Lower Florida East Coast in Tequesta, 1941" that some Bahamian
blacks were living in Lemon City.
He paid tribute to these black Bahamians for changing the viewpoint of early
white settlers who saw the rocky country as forbidding and desolate from a
planting point of view. Bahamians knew how to plant on coral rock and how
to use it. They introduced pigeon peas, sour soup, sour apple, caneps,
sopotes and other fruits and vegetables. They knew how to build and were
hired as masons. They knew how to make lime mortar from rock and how to
use it in building. These pioneers did much to develop and cultivate the city.
The Lemon City Cemetery Corporation was incorporated in 2009 It was
formed to preserve the history and legacy of the Lemon City Cemetery when
there were plans to build affordable housing on the cemetery where 525
people, mostly Bahamians, had been buried. The Cemetery has local historic
designation and is the resting place of veterans of World War 1, an African
American incorporator of the City of Miami and many outstanding citizens.
We feel a great sense of responsibility to ourselves and the Lemon City
Community to preserve the history, heritage and legacy of Lemon City.
Changing the name from Lemon City to Little Haiti would further
marginalize the presence of Lemon City as a part of Greater Miami. It will
show disrespect for the existing name of Lemon City and its historical
contribution to Greater Miami.
Therefore be it Resolved: That the Lemon City Cemetery Community
Corporation respectfully request that the City of Miami NOT change the
name(s) of the historical Miami Communities to Little Haiti.
Respectfully submitted,
Enid C. Pinkney, President
Lemon City Cemetery Community Corporation
Media
5PORTAIL OR
Since 1963
Submitted into the public (r, I I
record fpr ie�(s)
on I h City Clerk
May 24, 2016
Mayor Tomas Regalado, Commissioners Wilfredo Gort, Kenneth
Russell, Frank Carollo, Francis Suarez, Keon Hardemon , City
Manager Daniel Alfonso
RE: City of Miami Commission Meeting May 26, 2016 - RE 11
My name is Frank Rudman. I am the CEO for Sportailor, Inc., a garment
manufacturer of sun protection clothing in the Little River Business District
(FKA Little River Industrial Park) since 1963. I am writing to you to explain the
reasons for denying the change of name of our area to Little Haiti as proposed in
your Thursday May 26 agenda Item RE 11.
The political immigrations that Miami has seen in the last 60 years, first the
Cubans (I am Cuban born and came to the USA in 1961 escaping the communist
government there), and then many other people came, including Haitians.
None of these immigrants had any money. They went to housing in the
cheapest and poorest sections of the City of Miami but as soon as they made
some money the Cubans moved out to Westchester and other neighborhoods. It
is hard to find a Cuban living in Little Havana this days, as you all know.
The Haitians came to 62nd street and NE 2' Avenue because of a church located
there that was helping provide food and clothes. But as soon as they made some
money, they moved out to North Miami Beach now 30% Haitians and North
Miami 80% Haitians. If you check the school records of our area you can see
the exodus of children leaving the area every year. Based on the evidence I do
not believe you can call this area the heart of the Haitian community anymore.
In fact, several years ago the Miami Herald published a long piece describing
123rd Street as the center of Haitian life in South Florida.
Our Little River Business District and Lemon City warehousing and adaptive
reuse district is the job creator in the NE City of Miami and Miami -Dade
County. We have over 3,000 people that make a living here. Many of the
businesses in this area cater to local trade and depends of visitors to do their
business.
Sportailor is a 53-year-old company located in Little River for 51 years with
100,000 square feet of property. We have a national business providing
merchandise to 50 states. Many customers come to visit us because we are so
6501 N.E. 2nd Ct. • Miami, FL 33138 U.S.A. • T 305.754.3255 • F 305.754.6559•W www.sportailor.com
5PORTAIL OR
Since 1963
Submitted into the public
record fo ite s � II
on 3 City Clerk
near to the Miami International Airport. These customers, are of course,
concerned with safety.
I strongly believe that associating the name Haiti and/or Little Haiti, which
represents one of the poorest and crime ridden countries in the western
hemisphere, to our area will be in detrimental to our ability to do business and
pay our Real Estate taxes which appear to increase every year.
It is difficult enough to stay in business in this economy. We face enormous
competition. We, the job creators, expect local government to help us grow. We
hope local government will NOT create problems or pass laws that handicap us.
I am respectfully requesting that you DENY the change of name to Little Haiti
for Little River and Lemon City, names engraved in the history of the city of
Miami since the 1800's.
Respectfully,
Frank Rudman, CEO
Sportailor Inc.
6501 NE 2"d court
Miami, fl 33138
6501 N.E. 2nd Ct. • Miami, FL 33138 U.S.A. • T 305.754.3255 • F 305.754.6559 • W www.sportailor.com
$PORTA I LOR
Since 1003
Submitted into the public
record f ite s
on City Clerk
May 24, 2016
Mayor Tomas Regalado, Commissioners Wilfredo Gort, Kenneth
Russell, Frank Carollo, Francis Suarez, Keon Hardemon , City
Manager Daniel Alfonso
RE: City of Miami Commission Meeting May 26, 2016 - RE 11
My name is Frank Rudman. I am the CEO for Sportailor, Inc., a garment
manufacturer of sun protection clothing in the Little River Business District
(FKA Little River Industrial Park) since 1963. I am writing to you to explain the
reasons for denying the change of name of our area to Little Haiti as proposed in
your Thursday May 26 agenda Item RE 11.
The political immigrations that Miami has seen in the last 60 years, first the
Cubans (I am Cuban born and came to the USA in 1961 escaping the communist
government there), and then many other people came, including Haitians.
None of these immigrants had any money. They went to housing in the
cheapest and poorest sections of the City of Miami but as soon as they made
some money the Cubans moved out to Westchester and other neighborhoods. It
is hard to find a Cuban living in Little Havana this days, as you all know.
The Haitians came to 62°d street and NE 2' Avenue because of a church located
there that was helping provide food and clothes. But as soon as they made some
money, they moved out to North Miami Beach now 30% Haitians and North
Miami 80% Haitians. If you check the school records of our area you can see
the exodus of children leaving the area every year. Based on the evidence I do
not believe you can call this area the heart of the Haitian community anymore.
In fact, several years ago the Miami Herald published a long piece describing
123' Street as the center of Haitian life in South Florida.
Our Little River Business District and Lemon City warehousing and adaptive
reuse district is the job creator in the NE City of Miami and Miami -Dade
County. We have over 3,000 people that make a living here. Many of the
businesses in this area cater to local trade and depends of visitors to do their
business.
Sportailor is a 53-year-old company located in Little River for 51 years with
100,000 square feet of property. We have a national business providing
merchandise to 50 states. Many customers come to visit us because we are so
6501 N.E. 2nd Ct. • Miami, FL 33138 L 3.A. • T 305.754.3255 • F 305.754.6559 • W www.sportailor.com
$PORTAIL OR
Since 1903
Submitted into the public I
record fojr ite (s) , I
on 6 I 7,6 I 6 . City Clerk
near to the Miami International Airport. These customers, are of course,
concerned with safety.
I strongly believe that associating the name Haiti and/or Little Haiti, which
represents one of the poorest and crime ridden countries in the western
hemisphere, to our area will be in detrimental to our ability to do business and
pay our Real Estate taxes which appear to increase every year.
It is difficult enough to stay in business in this economy. We face enormous
competition. We, the job creators, expect local government to help us grow. We
hope local government will NOT create problems or pass laws that handicap us.
I am respectfully requesting that you DENY the change of name to Little Haiti
for Little River and Lemon City, names engraved in the history of the city of
Miami since the 1800's.
Respctfully,
Frank Rudman, CEO
Sportailor Inc.
6501 NE 2"d court
Miami, fl 33138
6501 N.E. 2nd Ct. • Miami, FL 33138 U.S.A. • T 305.754.3255 • F 305.754.6559 •W www.sportailor.com
City
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Gone are the days when pinewoods stretched without end along Biscayne Bay,
when layersof newspapers protected one's body from mosquitoes, when coontie
starch was a staple, when bikes were the best mode of transportation on sandy
roads, and when Indians had a way of coming uninvited for dinner.
But to the early settler of Lemon City, a thriving pioneer community in what is
now Miami, Florida, these were everyday occurrences. The sparkling, witty spirit
of the late 1800s and early 1900s fills this book, and over one hundred illustrations
make life then spring back to life today.
Careful research into unpublished diaries and manuscripts, the area's earliest
newspapers, pamphlets, and periodicals, and countless interviews yielding oral
reminiscences have provided detailsabout actual persons— their loves, hates,
tragedies, and successes —in a unique subtropical setting.
Funny, factual, always fascinating, Lemon Cily is a model local history, of
interest to history buffs, residents, genealogists, and all those interested in the
simpler (if tougher) life-styles of bygone days.
Peters
Banyan
Books
Thelma Peters
LEMON CITY
Pioneering on Biscayne Bay
1850-1925
Submitted into the public 1\ J
I1
record fQr i e sI) t
on 5 11� . City Clerk
LEMON CITY
Pioneering on Biscayne
Bay 1850-1925
History buffs, residents, genealogists,
and all those interested in the simpler —if
rougher —life-styles of bygone days will
be fascinated by Thelma Peters lively yet
factual account of a once -thriving pioneer
community now part of Greater Miami.
Gone are the days when pinewoods
stretched without end along Biscayne
Bay, when layers of newspapers pro-
tected one's body from mosquitoes, when
coontie starch was a staple, and when
Indians had a way of coming uninvited for
dinner. But the sparkling, witty spirit of
these times —the late 1800s and early
1900s—fills this book.
Unpublished diaries and manuscripts
and the area's earliest newspapers, pam-
phlets, and periodicals were all carefully
researched. Countless interviews yielded
oral reminiscences and long -forgotten
photographs. Together these sources
provide rich details about the era when
the focal point of the town was the bay
with its docks and the sailing craft that
carried passengers, mail, lumber, and
general merchandise in to the home-
steaders. The changes that occurred with
the coming of the railroad in 1896 are
detailed —the advent of truckers, saw-
mills, new residents, and tourists —that
culminated in Lemon City being swal-
lowed up by the city of Miami in 1925.
The settlers of Lemon City endured
the hardships and loneliness of the fron-
tier as truly as any other pioneers in our
American tradition. Though in a subtropi-
cal setting, their failures were no less
bitter, their successes just as sweet as
those that other pioneers experienced in
(Continued on back flap)
$8.95
Sy.ey,xit.:44. lam.
6501 Northeast Second Court • Miami, Florida 33138
Cc) tiv,_‘.4A CsxkroQb