Opposed to Casinos? Here's What You Can Do

The board of the Belle Isle Residents Association was the first neighborhood board to come out against casinos in Miami, and did so unanimously.

If you too are opposed to casinos, here are some specific suggestions from NoCasinos.org for things you can do to oppose additional casino gambling:


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NO CASINOS PETITION
     1  We are collecting signatures and contact information of supporters statewide.
     2  Here is the link to the petition page on the NoCasinos.org website:   http://nocasinos.org/petition/
     3  What You Can Do
            Click on the petition link above, complete the petition and submit it.  If you wish to volunteer and receive            
                emails fill in the boxes and submit.
                Forward this link to your contact list, ask friends to sign the petition and forward it to their lists.
            Add the link to your Facebook page and Twitter page.


FACEBOOK PAGE
     1  Here is the link to our new Facebook page:   http://www.facebook.com/NoCasinosFlorida
     2  What You Can Do
            Log on and "like" our page.
            Ask your Facebook friends to "like" the page too.

OUR MESSAGE - Part One
     1  Casino supporters don't want us to compare Florida to Nevada, here's why:
           NEVADA Is Number One
             #1 Unemployment Rate
             #1 Foreclosure Rate
             #1 Violent Crime Rate
             #1 Robbery Rate
             #1 Automobile Theft Rate
             #1 Personal Bankruptcy Rate

     2  Read the Politifacts article that confirms these statistics.
http://www.politifact.com/florida/statements/2011/dec/16/florida-chamber-commerce/fl-chamber-ceo-says-nevada-no-1-unemployment-forec/
         

List of Directors 2006-Present

List of Directors 2006-Present

(To be considered for membership on the Belle Isle Residents Board of Directors, please click on: Board Membership )

Board of Directors Elected 2012 (Terms expire January, 2014)

• Charles Urstadt (16 Island)
• Nancy Beckham (20 Island)
• Jean-Francois Lejeune with wife Astrid Rotemberg as Sub (20 Island)

Board of Directors Elected 2011 (Terms expire January, 2013)

• Scott Diffenderfer (20 Island) [President]
• Josh Fisher (9 Island) [Vice-President]
• Herb Frank (10 Venetian Way) [Treasurer]
• Sandra Money (3 Island) [Secretary]
• Barbara Frank (10 Venetian Way)
• Nancy Liebman (9 Island)
• David Leeds (20 Island)
• Monica Tracy (5 Island)

(Previous Boards:)

_________________________________________________

FROM 2011:

Board of Directors Elected 2011 (Terms expire January, 2013)

• Scott Diffenderfer (20 Island) [President]
• Josh Fisher (9 Island) [Vice-President]
• Herb Frank (10 Venetian Way) [Treasurer]
• Sandra Money (3 Island) [Secretary]
• Barbara Frank (10 Venetian Way)
• Nancy Liebman (9 Island)
• David Leeds (20 Island)
• Monica Tracy (5 Island)

Board of Directors Elected 2010 (Terms expire January, 2012)

• Barbara Cowen (3 Island)
• Jean-Francois Le Jeune with wife Astrid Rotemberg as Sub (20 Island Avenue)

(Previous Boards:)

_________________________________________________

FROM 2010:

Board of Directors Elected 2010 (Terms expire January, 2012)

• David Ballard (6 Farrey Lane)
• Barbara Cowen (3 Island)
• Keith Hark (10 Venetian Way) [Treasurer]
• Jean-Francois Le Jeune with Astrid Rotemberg as Sub (wife) 20 Island Avenue

Board of Directors Elected 2009 (Terms expire January, 2011)

• Scott Diffenderfer (20 Island) [President]
• Josh Fisher (9 Island) [Vice-President]
• Herb Frank (10 Venetian Way)
• Barbara Frank (10 Venetian Way)
• Gail Limburg (9 Island)
• Nancy Liebman (9 Island)
• Sandra Money (3 Island) [Secretary]

__________________________________________________
FROM 2009:

Board of Directors Elected 2009 (Terms expire January, 2011)

• Scott Diffenderfer (20 Island) [President]
• Josh Fisher (9 Island) [Vice-President]
• Herb Frank (10 Venetian Way)
• Barbara Frank (10 Venetian Way)
• Gail Limburg (9 Island)
• Nancy Liebman (9 Island)
• Sandra Money (3 Island) [Secretary]

Carried over from prior year (Terms expire January, 2010)

• David Ballard (6 Farrey Lane)
• Barbara Cowen (3 Island)
• Keith Hark (10 Venetian Way) [Treasurer]
• Rosemary Ravinal (11 Island)
• Irene Sperber (11 Island)

__________________________________________________
FROM 2008:

Board of Directors Elected 2008 (Terms expire January, 2010)

• David Ballard (6 Farrey Lane)
• Barbara Cowen (3 Island)
• Keith Hark (10 Venetian Way) [Treasurer]
• Rosemary Ravinal (11 Island)
• Irene Sperber (11 Island)

Carried over from prior year (Terms expire January, 2009)

• Scott Diffenderfer (20 Island) [President]
• Josh Fisher (9 Island) [Vice-President]
• Herb Frank (10 Venetian Way)
• Barbara Frank (10 Venetian Way)
• Nancy Liebman (9 Island)
• Sandra Money (3 Island) [Secretary]

__________________________________________________
FROM 2007:

Board of Directors Elected 2007 (Terms expire January, 2009)

• Scott Diffenderfer (20 Island)
• Howard Farber (16 Island) [resigned]
• Josh Fisher (9 Island)
• Herb Frank (10 Venetian Way)
• Barbara Frank (10 Venetian Way)
• Nancy Liebman (9 Island)
• Sandra Money (3 Island)

Carried over from prior year (Terms expire January, 2008)

• Barbara Gillman (16 Island)
• Keith Hark (10 Venetian Way)
• Toby Maxwell (9 Island)
• Renee Savary (5 Island)
• Irene Sperber (11 Island)

__________________________________________________
FROM 2006:

Board of Directors (Elected 2006)

Herb Frank, President (10 Venetian Way)
Josh Fisher , Vice-President (9 Island Ave)
Sandy Money, Secretary (3 Island Ave)
Keith Hark, Treasurer (10 Venetian Way)
Barbara Frank, Director (10 Venetian Way)
Barbara Gillman, Director (16 Island Ave)
Nancy Liebman, Director (9 Island Ave)
Toby Maxwell, Director (9 Island Ave)
Renee Savary, Director (5 Island Ave)
Irene Sperber, Director (11 Island Ave)
Michael Walrath, Director (20 Island Ave)


Terms expire January, 2008:
Hark, Gillman, Maxwell, Savary, Sperber, Walrath

Terms expire January, 2007:
H. Frank, B.Frank, Fisher, Money, Liebman

Belle Isle Residents Association Annual Meeting

Belle Isle Residents Association Annual Meeting

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Join us for Wine at 6:00PM

Followed by the Annual Meeting at 7:00PM

20 Island Avenue Meeting Room (Belle Plaza)

ALL RESIDENTS ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND

Miami Beach officials will be on hand to discuss ongoing and upcoming projects, answer your questions and hear your comments on issues that affect our neighborhood.

To be added to our e-mail list or to apply to serve on the Belle Isle Residents Association Board, please send an email to bod@belle-isle-residents.org or call Scott Diffenderfer at 305-458-3334.

AGENDA

1.   Welcome and Introductions

2.   Project update/community information

·         Miami Beach Community Resource & Outreach Team – Lynn Bernstein

·         Belle Isle Park update/input from residents – Parks Department

·         Project Updates – Richard Saltryck, Public Works

·   Collins Canal seawall & Dade Blvd. shared use bike path

·   Restriping of Dade Blvd./Venetian Way and effects on traffic

·   Miami Beach/Miami-Dade County construction timeline on Venetian Way

·   Proposed West Avenue Bridge Update

·         Venetian Way Bridge Refurbishment/Replacement – Herb Frank

·         Destination Casino Bill Opposition Update – Sandy Money/Herb Frank

·         Other projects and questions from residents

3.   Upcoming Events affecting Venetian Way

·         American Fencing Conference – Jan. 23-27, 2012 – Bus Traffic

·         IMG Miami Marathon – Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012 – Road Closures/Race Logistics – Whitney Murphy

·         Miami International Boat Show – Feb. 16-20, 2012 – Bus, Boat Traffic

4.   Treasurer’s Report

5.   President’s Report and all other questions from residents

6.   Approval of the Minutes from the January 2011 Annual Meeting

7.   Nominating Committee

·         Board of Directors Slate for 2012 & Election of new Board Members

8.   New Business

9.   Adjourn

PLEASE SAVE THE DATE FOR THE BELLE ISLE RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING

The meeting will take place Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 7:00pm at 20 Island Avenue (Belle Plaza) in the Board Room.   Join us for wine at 6:00pm followed by the Annual Meeting at 7:00pm.

ALL RESIDENTS ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND

We will have City of Miami Beach and Miami-Dade County officials present to answer your questions and hear your comments on issues that affect our neighborhood including:

• Proposed Construction of the West Avenue Bridge over the Collins Canal
• Venetian Causeway Construction Update
• Venetian Causeway Bridge Replacement Plans
• Shared Bike Path on Dade Blvd.
• 31 Venetian Way New Construction Project Update

The complete agenda will be posted in all buildings and on our website www.belle-isle-residents.blogspot.com 48 hours prior to the meeting.  If you have a topic you would like to discuss, please send an email to bod@belle-isle-residents.org prior to January 12 and we will try to address it at the meeting.

If you would like to be added to our e-mail list or wish to apply to serve on the Belle Isle Residents Association Board, please send an email to bod@belle-isle-residents.org or call Scott Diffenderfer at305-458-3334.

Thank you and Happy New Year,

Scott Diffenderfer

President, Belle Isle Residents Association

Realtor, Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate

1691 Michigan Avenue, Suite 105

Miami Beach, FL 33139

Office: 305.938.1870

Cell: 305.458.3334

Fax: 305.402.0155

www.scottdiff.com

Rally to Oppose Casinos

A HUGE TURN OUT WILL SEND A MESSAGE!!!

COME TO THE RALLY TO OPPOSE  CASINOS IN FLORIDA 

Rally with us at Miami Beach City Hall one hour before the 

Mayor and Commissioners vote on the gambling issue. 

RALLY ON MIAMI BEACH 

Wednesday, December 14 at 4:30pm 

Miami Beach City Hall – 1700 Convention Center Drive 

Speakers: Dan Gelber, Norman Braman and more 

Come out and bring friends. 

Learn why casino gambling is so bad for Miami and Miami Beach.

MIAMI BEACH COMMISSION MEETING 

Commission will Vote on the Issue of Destination Casinos 

Wednesday, December 14 at 5:30pm 

Miami Beach City Hall 

Belle Isle Residents Association Opposes Destination Casino Bill

Dear Belle Isle Resident,

After much discussion and consideration, the Board of Directors of the Belle Isle Residents Association has voted to oppose expansion of gaming in Miami Dade County.   The vast majority of our board feels that the negative effects of gambling in our community, including the social implications, potential crime and damage to our reputation as a cultural destination, will far outweigh any increase in tax revenue that casinos may bring.

At this point we neither oppose nor endorse any specific proposal for a destination resort, but we strongly believe that our local leaders and the state legislature should oppose the Destination Casino bill pending in Tallahassee.

There are several upcoming opportunities for you to learn more about gambling and let our elected officials know how you feel about the issue:

·         Community meeting with Mayor Bower, 6:00 PM Wed., Dec. 7, Botanical Garden

·         City Commission Workshop, 4PM, Friday, Dec. 9, Convention Center Hall C, Room 134

·         Gambling with our Future?  A forum presented by Urban Environment League of Greater Miami, December 10am to 12pm, The Light Box Theatre at Goldman Warehouse:  404 NW 26 Street (2 blocks west of Wynwood Walls on 26^thStreet)

o    Moderators: Albert Harum-Alvarez and Gregory Bush.  Topics include:

§  Downtown: A Legacy Worth Protecting Intro by Greg Bush

§  Jobs & Revenue? Video Introduction of Genting Proposal

§  Panel (1 hour)

·         Dr. Chuck Bohl, Director UM Graduate Program in Real Estate Development & Urbanism

·         Jorge Hernandez, Architect, VP Dade Heritage Trust

·         Katy Sorenson, President, The Good Government Initiative

·         Dan Gelber, Former State Senator from Miami Beach, Head of NO CASINOS – S FL.

§  Interview with Norman Braman, Businessman & Activist

§  Audience Q&A

·         Chamber of Commerce "Gaming Forum", 5:30PM-7:30PM Tuesday, Dec. 13, Convention Center Hall D.  If you plan to attend this meeting, it is advisable to click on this link to register for this event to secure a seat:http://www.chambermaster.com/directory/jsp/events/EventPage.jsp?ccid=166&eventid=5683.  Once you click on the link, on the right hand side under EVENT OPTIONS click on Register online.  It is a simple form to complete and and then print off the Order Confirmation.

·         Miami Beach City Commission discussion item, after 5PM, Wed., Dec. 14, city commission chambers. Residents should e-mail the mayor and commissioners on this matter:  MayorBower@miamibeachfl.gov, Deede@miamibeachfl.gov, Ed@miamibeachfl.gov, Jerry@miamibeachfl.gov, Jonah@miamibeachfl.gov, Michael@miamibeachfl.gov, Jorge@miamibeachfl.gov

For additional information about gambling, please visit the No Casinos Coalition website atwww.commonsensemiami.com.

If you do not wish to receive email from the Belle Isle Residents Association, please respond to this email with the word REMOVE in the subject field.  If someone has forwarded this to you and you would like to be added to our email list, please send me an email with your name, home address and email.

Thank you on behalf of the Belle Isle Residents Association Board of Directors.

Scott Diffenderfer

President, Belle Isle Residents Association

Realtor, Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate

1691 Michigan Avenue, Suite 105

Miami Beach, FL 33139

Office: 305.938.1870

Cell: 305.458.3334

Fax: 305.402.0155

www.scottdiff.com

Miami Beach Candidates Forum Tuesday, 10/11 (cosponsored by the Belle Isle Residents Association)

PRESENTS:

THE ULTIMATE CANDIDATES FORUM Tuesday, October 11th, 7 to 9:30  COLONY THEATRE 1040 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach

Hear what the Miami Beach Candidates have to say about the issues that matter most to YOU! OPEN TO THE PUBLIC OPEN BAR FROM 7 to 8 PM Complimentary cocktails provided by Ultimat Vodka Sponsors Atlantic l Pacific Management • Belle Isle Residents Association • Fashion Images, Inc. Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association • Green Monkey • Jonathan W. Segal, P.A. Lakeview Homeowners Association • Lower North Bay Road Homeowners Association Meland Russin & Budwick, P.A. • Miami Beach CDC – Flamingo Neighborhood Miami Design Preservation League • Nautilus Area Homeowners Association Palm-Hibiscus-Star Islands Association • Shop.com • South of Fifth Neighborhood Association Sunset Harbour Neighborhood Association • Sunset Islands 3&4 Property Owners Association The Brits of ONE Sothebys • Venetian Islands Homeowners Association Venetian Causeway Neighborhood Alliance                                  R.S.V.P. to: ABETTERMIAMIBEACH@GMAIL.COM For sponsorship information, contact: Andrew Resnick –AndrewResnick21@gmail.com Thanks to: Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce, ECOMB & Surfrider Foundation for promoting this event Forward questions for the candidates to: Debra Leibowitz –Beachbuzz@att.net  or  Sol Genet – SBGenet@gmail.com Come Join us at the After Party in the Well! http://www.facebook.com/pages/A-BetterMiamiBeach/168084635219?ref=ts

Traffic Delays: President Obama will be in Miami Beach on Monday, June 13th, 2011

From Miami Beach PD:
Expect traffic delays on Monday, June 13, late afternoon.
Please seek alternate routes and avoid Alton Road from 43 to 63 streets and the Julia Tuttle Causeway after 4:00 p.m. 'til about 6:30 p.m.

Also, no parking along Alton Road from 43 to 63 streets from noon until 7:00 p.m.

Commission Report on Belle Isle Flooding (video)

Below is a 12-minute video on the Belle Isle flooding, taken from the June 1, 2011 Miami Beach City Commission meeting. It contains a report given by Miami Beach CIP Director Fernando Vazquez on the status of the Belle Isle flooding repair, along with BIRA president Scott Diffenderfer's response.

Click the play button below to start the video (might take a moment to get going). If your browser doesn't appear to show the full image, just click "Launch in external player" below.

Launch in external player

Courses Offered By The Florida Condominium Ombudsman's Office

CONDOMINIUM COURSES 2011  Florida's Condominium Ombudsman's Office Condominium Courses  The State of Florida Condominium Ombudsman's Office is introducing a new year in the series of Condominium Courses to be offered quarterly in partnership with the City of Miami Beach Community Resource and Outreach Team.  2011 COURSE SCHEDULE: March 31, 2011 - Serving on a Board of Directors June 9, 2011 - Condominium Meetings September 22, 2011 - Condominium Rules and Obligations December 8, 2011 - Basic Condominium Finances ***All classes will be held at the Miami Beach Regional Library, 227 22ndStreet, 1st Floor Meeting Room from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. For more information or to sign up for participation in the Condominium Course Series, please contact Lynn W. Bernstein, City of Miami Beach Community Outreach Coordinator, 305.673.7010, email lynnbernstein@miamibeachfl.gov To request this material in accessible format, sign language interpreters, information on access for persons with disabilities, and/or any accommodations to review any document or participate in any city sponsored proceeding, please contact 305.604.2489 (voice), or 305.673.7218 (TTY) five days in advance to initiate your request.  TTY users may also call 711 (Florida Relay Services).

Water Reclamation Project Community Meeting Notice

Ameresco Water Reclamation Project Community Meeting Notice

Click here for informative flyer.

COMMUNITY MEETING TO DISCUSS AND ANSWER QUESTIONS 

May 25, 2011  

6:00 – 7:30 pm 

Miami Beach Golf Club 

Community Room 

2301 Alton Road, Miami Beach 

For more information contact: 

MIAMIBEACH

Lynn W. Bernstein, Community Resource and Outreach Team

OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER

1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Tel: 305-673-7000 x6178  / cell: 786-229-3972 

lynnbernstein@miamibeachfl.gov

Meeting: City's Major Event Plan for Memorial Day Weekend

Can't go South on I-95 from the Tuttle most of this weekend

Thursday, March 3 through Saturday, March 5

Southbound I-95 Exit Closed from Westbound I-195 (Julia Tuttle)

The southbound I-95 exit ramp from westbound I-195 is scheduled to be closed Thursday night from 10:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m., Friday-Saturday from 10:00 p.m. to 11:00 a.m. and Saturday-Sunday from 11:45 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. for the installation of concrete pavement.

Drivers will be detoured to head north on I-95, exit at NW 62 Street and go west to continue south on I-95.

TRAFFIC ADVISORY: PRESIDENTIAL VISIT

On Friday, March 4, 2011, after 1:00 p.m., President Barack Obama will be attending a reception at the Fontainebleau Hotel, located at 4441 Collins Avenue, followed by a reception at a private home on Pine Tree Drive.

There will intermittent street closures as the Presidential motorcade travels on 41 Street, Collins Avenue, and Pine Tree Drive. All streets will reopen as soon as the motorcade completely arrives at its destination. Expect more congestion than normal in the surrounding area. Use Alton Road as an alternate.

Note: Large vehicles will not be permitted to stop in front of the Fontainebleau or on Pine Tree Drive during the President’s visit.