To the Editor: Most people knew my grandfather, George S. Engle Sr., as an oil tycoon. He made his fortune pulling crude from the swamps of Louisiana and the sands of Venezuela. He lived in what is now the Coral Reef Yacht Club, overlooking Biscayne Bay, and could have spent[Read More…]
Letters to the Editor
Spotlight readers weigh in on community topics.
The Obligation is Clear: Save the Playhouse
To the Editor: Dade Heritage Trust is deeply alarmed and profoundly disheartened by the latest structural failure at the historic Coconut Grove Playhouse, which resulted in the collapse of a portion of the third floor and now threatens the integrity of the building’s iconic façade. There will undoubtedly be investigations[Read More…]
Action Needed to Address Crime
To the Editor: I am writing to express my deep concern about the recent surge in incidents, including shootings, drug-related crimes and burglaries in West Coconut Grove. As a resident of this beautiful community, I am worried about the safety and well-being of our neighbors and my family. While Coconut[Read More…]
A Stronger, Fairer Miami Starts Now
To the Editor: Thank you for highlighting the charter petition effort in last week’s article – it’s so important to change the way Miami is governed. So many of us are frustrated with how things work at City Hall. But this amendment gives us a real chance to fix that.[Read More…]
Grove Playhouse: The Final Curtain
Dear Editor: Re Playhouse Demo Begins, I have been trying for seven years to get into the Coconut Grove Playhouse, and it finally happened today April 23, 2025. In less than thirty days, everything you see in this video will be gone (except for the historic pieces) and that area[Read More…]
More Commissioners Could be a Mistake
Dear Editor: The ACLU of Florida is gathering petition signatures to increase the number of Miami city commissioners from five to nine, in the belief that this will somehow improve our city government. Is that really a good idea? With the current system, if the good guys want to stop[Read More…]
Proposed Charter Changes Won’t Fix Miami’s Problem
Dear Editor: Re: A Petition Drive to Reform Miami City Hall: I know this ballot initiative is derived from a good place but if you go this route first, you will be putting the cart before the horse and our people will get run over by the current political structure[Read More…]
The Death of an Icon
Dear Editor: A cultural tragedy of epic proportions has been playing out in the halls of Miami-Dade County government since 2006 and is about to end with the death of a once world renowned theatrical and cultural icon. The County will destroy most of the Coconut Grove Playhouse leaving a[Read More…]
The Future of Coconut Grove is on the Line
Dear Editor: This week, the future of Coconut Grove as a low-rise neighborhood is on the line as the Miami City Commission will be considering a critical zoning issue that would allow for taller residential developments to be built along our major corridors. Why should you care? Because if we[Read More…]
Let the Curtain Rise Again: A Call to Save the Playhouse
Dear Editor: There are places in a city that are more than brick and mortar. They are vessels of memory, spirit, and story. The Coconut Grove Playhouse is such a place – a grand old dame of South Florida’s cultural soul, standing at the corner of Main Highway and Charles[Read More…]
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