Spotlight 45-241025 Pension Vetoed

In your Spotlight

  • Mayor vetoes commissioner pension
  • Protests defer action on tree law
  • Halloween and outdoor gatherings

As City Hall heats up, the Spotlight reports on the rapid fall of the city commission’s lifetime pension.  Citizen outcries put changes to tree ordinances on hold.  Cooler seasonal temperatures herald outdoor gatherings.


The Miami City Commission gave up the lifetime pensions they awarded themselves last week after Miami Mayor Francis Suarez vetoed the move.

By Don Finefrock

After voting on October 15 to give themselves lifetime pensions, the Miami City Commission beat a hasty retreat Thursday in the face of strong public opposition, a change of heart by one commissioner, and a stinging veto by Mayor Francis Suarez.

The mayor’s veto killed the pension plan approved earlier this month on a 3-to-2 vote. Commissioners needed four votes to override the veto. Instead, they let the veto stand without a challenge. 

None of the five commissioners spoke in favor of the pension plan on Thursday, and no one defended the earlier vote with the exception of District 1 Commissioner Miguel Gabela, who had voted in favor of lifetime pensions but then reversed course.


Opponents call the changes a developer giveaway that will weaken tree laws and hamper efforts to enhance canopy.

By David Villano

The Martin residence, under construction in North Coconut Grove, where 71 trees were removed without a permit.

Facing heated opposition from environmental and civic groups, the City Commission on Thursday deferred its discussion on a proposal to weaken the City of Miami’s tree protection laws. The item will be taken up at the Commission’s December 12 meeting. 

Critics say the  proposed changes would remove some permitting requirements for tree removal within construction sites, loosen city oversight of existing tree laws, and reduce tree-planting mandates after trees are removed or relocated.

The new ordinance would also replace the city’s Tree Trust Fund – an account to operate tree-planting programs across the city – with a new, unrestricted account that could be tapped for general use. 


Family Halloween and Nature’s friends

Don’t wait for migrating birds to come to you, join the Tropical Audubon Society for a close-to-home bird watching adventure. Saturday 10/26, 7:30-11:00 a.m. at A.D. Barnes Park 3401 SW 72nd Ave. Reservations here.  Free, donation suggested.  Metrobus Route 40, right down Bird Rd.

Family-friendly Spooky Bike Ride  starts the Halloween week.  Friends of the Commodore Trail, Friends of the Underline and the Dade Heritage Trust all share the lead… and we all need more friends.  Saturday 10/26, 10:00-12:00 a.m. from Vizcaya Metrorail Station.  Free, but registration is required here.

The Great Halloween Chalk-a-thon colors Fuller Street guided by GroveHouse Artists and sponsored by the Grove’s Business Improvement District.  Saturday 10/26, 2:00 – 4:00.  Fuller St. Costumes optional.  Free.

The BID’s Movies-in-the-Park features Hocus Pocus It’s super easy to ride your bike to the show because there’s a free bike valet run by Bike Coconut Grove.  Peacock Park.  Saturday 10/26,  5:30-9:00 p.m. Free.

Before Tea and Poets falls to the wrecking ball, young adults hang at this old-school late-night coffee shop hidden inside The Shops at Sunset Place.  Saturday is Band Night.  A recent evening featured an ever-changing group of U-Miami and high school musicians and vocal artists jamming on songs from the Great American Songbook.  By Metro to University Station.  10/26, 8:00 p.m.  Free.

On Halloween Grovites know the neighborhood’s many small streets are welcoming to youngsters.  Some streets have well-deserved reputations as kid-magnets, while others are upping their game to make the evening special.  Walking is best, as parking is always scarce, and cars can be dangerous especially for little ones. 

Newcomers can follow the little ghosts and gremlins in their family to:

Save Me a Seat

The comedy King James highlights the impact of former Grovite LeBron James on the people of Cleveland.  It opens at GableStage Friday, 11/1. Tickets.

Miami Waterkeeper and Friends of the Commodore Trail have organized a casual morning of personal connection and environmental clean-up on a beautiful bayside Sunday morning, 11/3, 9:00-11:00 a.m. Near Kennedy Park.  Free registration.

The New World Symphony’s Concert for Kids celebrates Dia de los Muertos. Sunday, 11/3, 11:30 a.m. Lincoln Road, Miami Beach.  Tickets were still available as the Spotlight went to press.


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