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HomeMy WebLinkAboutM-76-0634PROPOSED CITY OF MIAMI PROJECT "ACTIVE IN MIAMI" (AIM) Submitted by Martin Fine July 1, 1976 We presently We are currently in the midst of our nation's glorious Bicentennial celebration and it should be marked by more than just symbolic fireworks. We owe it to ourselves and to our country to reaffirm our dedication to America, and to the ideals that were forged in the fires of our frontier tradition. We are blessed with a heritage second to none - and this heritage is the resolute quality of our people. PURPOSE Active in Miami (AIM) is conceived as a volunteer program, which will go far toward creating a better spirit of participation in our local novernment, a spirit which will last most assuredly well beyond the Fourth of July. It possesses a warm, human touch in that people and government will be drawn closer to one another. Project AIM has a two -fold purpose: (1) To give our citizens of all ages an unequaled opportunity to share their knowledge and experience in the level of government closest to them, their City of Miami government, and (2) To willingly volunteer valuable services to a City which is finding it increasingly difficult to pay for such vital services. RESOURCES This proposed program is essentially aimed at our retired people. But also, it would be of tremendous interest and benefit toward our investment in tomorrow - to recent graduates of the junior college system, and other college students and graduates who might want to include in their educational careers an opportunity to actively participate in government. Miami has an untapped source of energy, its retired people. have here in Dade County approximately 168,000 retirees, according to the U.S. Social Security Administration. (1) Miami has attracted a great number of talented individuals from a Variety of responsible positions, many of whom are seeking a rewarding outlet. These people have many skills and a high level of training and experience, which has been acquired over many years government service, education and other At present the City of Miami lacks of working in private industry, fields. an organized structure to take advantage of such an array of available talent. Project AIM could be the answer! BENEFITS Miami is fighting to avoid a S2.3 million deficit. The City Manager has reported that as many as 100 vacant city jobs will have to be abolished if Miami is to stay within its budget this year. Since the City is in no position to expand its services to the community, and may in fact be cutting back on some of them, a new and innovative structure is needed to provide for Miami's increasing needs. Project AIM could easily and without undue complications fill these urgent human needs. Of perhaps greater value is the intangible benefit of putting people in close touch with the city by providing a new opportunity for service. There is already a successful precedent by virtue of domestic Federal projects, such as VISTA and the Teacher Corps. Of course, the Peace Corps is an outstanding example of this concept, on an international basis. But rarely has local government, the level closest to the people, stepped forward to take advantage of this opportunity. Our citizens must realize Miami's problems are their problems. They must take personal responsibility for what happens here. Only then will there be greater sympathy, communication and interplay between government and the governed. As for the volunteers, who would draw no pay - yet render valuable services, they will be rewarded with a feeling of continuity with their past professions, and a knowledge that their skills are still needed. More important, 2 they will have a sense of involvement and responsibility in the everyday operation of their city. Their participation can be carried out on a part- time, or a full-time basis. It can be for just several months, for a year, or over a period of several years. The program should be flexible, both in the amount of time required and the type of work involved. It should afford a volunteer an opportunity to serve on a particular committee or task force, which now exists or is created in the future, or to serve in an advisory capacity to a specific department of city government. It is not intended that these volunteers would replace existing city personnel, or those who will be hired in the future. Rather, its purpose is to supplement the efforts of such employees, and to assist the city in carrying out its overall programs, to the benefit of all of its citizens. Mandatory retirement at predetermined ages is severely cutting into the tremendous wealth of experience available to our community. Furthermore, such 'early' retirement often can have a deleterious effect on the individual. The American Medical Association has reported, "Compulsory retirement on the basis of age impairs the health of many individuals...The physical and mental health of an individual can be affected by a sudden loss of status, lack of meaningful activity, fear of becoming dependent, and isolation. Man's increasing life expectancy," the AMA continues, "will prove of little use to him if at an arbitrary age he is denied the right to work and produce." IMPLEMENTATION In order for this program to be effective, it will require a great deal of sensitivity on the part of the city administration in working with and integrating these volunteers in the various departments and programs of the city. TARGET PROGRAMS 1. Department of Parks and Recreation. Teachers, recreation workers and athletic instructors would be particularly useful in such activities. Due to lack of funding and personnel, because of budget restrictions, wholesome channels of opportunity and self-expression are not nearly as available as they could be, both to our youth and the adult community. 2. Planning and Community Development. Expertise and knowledge gained in the past in other areas of the country, as well as in our own community, could be of tremendous assistance. 3. Housing Programs. This is, undoubtedly, a great need in our community. The input of both the young and the retiree could be of considerable value in helping assess priorities and in implementing various housing concepts. 4. Budgeting Process. Those with accounting or similar backgrouods could be called upon to share their collective experiences in reviewing proposed budgets, and could be an integral part of a continuing review process. 5. City Owned Property. Such new talent might be useful in evaluating the highest and best use of city owned properties, such as marinas, restaurants built on city owned property, the Miami Stadium, etc. 6. Other Administrative Agencies and Programs. Generally, the program would be directed to a broad range of retirees with various backgrounds. College students and recent college graduates would also be included. The following backgrounds would be of particular value: 1. Business 2. teaching 3. Government service at local, state and federal levels 4. Accounting 5. Law, medicine and other related professions 6. Military Project AIM is offered for your consideration. The rewards for both the city and those individuals chosen to participate are mutually excellent. It is hoped that the City of Miami will give Project AIM the full benefit of its time and consideration, for its potential is virtually unlimited.