To the Editor: Regarding PZAB Agrees to Split South Grove Property, I asked ChatGPT to give me an iron cage (opposite of a straw man) analysis of the responsibility of local officials to their constituents. This is what I got. I concur. IRON CAGE FRAMEWORK FOR DETERMINING OFFICIAL RESPONSIBILITY IN[Read More…]
Letters to the Editor
Spotlight readers weigh in on community topics.
Elected Officials Should Address Playhouse Concerns
To the Editor: The Historic Coconut Grove Playhouse is a publicly-owned, civic zoned property – intended for cultural and community use. Miami-Dade County plans to replace the Playhouse with a tiny (300 seat) theater, surrounded by more than 52,000 square feet of offices, restaurants, and retail (i.e. the definition of[Read More…]
Is the PZAB a Rubber Stamp for Developers?
To the Editor: Another outrageous lot-splitting looms on June 4 at Miami City Hall and the city’s Planning, Zoning and Appeals Board (PZAB) needs to hold the line. PZAB is often our last hope to combat over-development and lot-splitting in Coconut Grove. Our canopy, green space and culture is a[Read More…]
Finding the Playhouse’s Beauty
To the Editor: This morning (May 27) as I walked past the Coconut Grove Playhouse discussing with my friend how we are looking forward to its renovation and completion as a functional space, another walker comes up behind us and says, “What an eyesore. Can’t wait to see that thing[Read More…]
My Grandfather Saved the Playhouse. We Should Too.
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…]
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…]
















