Last Chance to Reserve for UEL Dinner!!!

Don't miss out on a great program and dinner! Hit on the invite to enlarge it.

From The County Recall Election to Modern Art: A Conversation with Civic Activist and Philanthropist Martin Margulies

6 p- 6:30 social time (cash bar) 
6:30-7:30 Delicious Dinner: (Cost: $25/$20 student)
7:30 - Program (The program only is free and open to the public)
 
Martin Margulies has been a successful builder who developed Grove Isle among other unique projects. He followed his passion for Modern Art and started the extraordinary Margulies Collection Museum located in Miami. (We will see a series of images from his collection.) His concern for the quality of life in Miami developed into several substantial philanthropic gifts to the residents. He has also become an outspoken advocate against the public funding for museums in Bicentennial Park as well as the Marlins stadium. Margulies is now supporting the Mayor Alvarez recall and efforts to stop state funding for the Dolphins (Sunlife) Stadium. He will be questioned by UEL Vice President and UM Professor Gregory Bush about how his life in development, art, and civic activism relate to each other.

The UEL Dinner on the Advertising Towers Near the Arsht Center

About 75 people attended the dinner forum on Economics vs. Visual Pollution: Mega Ad Towers and Public Media in Miami-Dade's Future.



Miami Dade County Commissioner Carlos Gimenez makes a point that media towers might have a place in downtown, the question is where are they appropriate. Gregory Bush, Moderator, looks on.



Mark Siffin listens as Dusty Melton makes a point about Miami Dade County signage law.



Gregory Bush, Mark Siffin and Eston "Dusty" Melton.

RSVP Today for the UEL Dinner!

Proposed City of Miami Media Towers, Subject of UEL Dinner November 17th

Don't miss the discussion Wednesday, November 17th. We have a panel on both sides of the issue. Frank Rollason, UEL Board member, thinks the towers have merit to help the financially strapped city and he wrote a blog post here in favor of the towers on August 12th. Others are not so kind saying the light will be too bright from the towers and that they will be a garish addition to the Performing Arts Center area. Our panel will present both sides and let you decide. We have Dusty Melton, a consultant involved with billboards issues for years who will be arguing the legality issues of signage. The Developer Mark Siffin will make his case for the towers. County Commissioner Carlos Gimenez will round out our panel.

Hit on the invite below to enlarge it and reserve for the dinner today!

UEL Dinner November 17th.

Hit on image to enlarge it.

Video of UEL October 20th Dinner Panel on Florida's Amendment 4

Link to YouTube

Hold the Date: Nov. 17th is our next dinner.

We are planning our next UEL dinner and we have a draft title of:

Public Information vs Visual Pollution: The Value of Signage and Public Media in Miami Dade

The invite will be coming soon but hold the date: November 17th.

Dinner Panel: Yes or No on Amendment 4

The UEL dinner on October 20th tackled the question: Is Florida Hometown Democracy (Amendment #4) The Best Answer for Growth Management? Here is the evening in pictures:


Former City of Miami Mayor Maurice Ferre makes a point in favor of Amendment 4.


Co-Presidents of UEL, Sonia Succar Ferre and Fran Bohnsack take a moment for a photo op.


County Commission Katy Sorenson spoke against Amendment 4 and Former City of Miami City Manager spoke for it.


Above: Helen Ferre moderated the Panel. Below: Former Miami Beach Mayor, Neisen Kasdin at the podium speaking against Amendment 4.


UEL Board Member Enid Pinkney and Charlayne Thompkins listen to an audience member asking a question. UEL Board Member Erika Brigman center.


UEL member Beatrix Baldan questions the speakers about the Amendment.


The audience listening to the discussion.

The UEL First Dinner of the Season is Tomorrow!

It is not too late to reserve for the UEL Dinner tomorrow night. The food at the Rusty Pelican is great and a bargain too! You get 3 courses, coffee/tea, tax and tip - All for $25! The cocktail 1/2 hour is friendly and newcomers feel at home quickly. We expect a lively debate on Amendment 4, after dinner.

If you have never been to a UEL dinner, or the Rusty Pelican, you will be pleasantly surprised.

The Time to RSVP is Now for UEL Dinner October 20th!

hit on image to enlarge it...all info is on the invitation.. .reserve today! Uelinfo@bellsouth.net

UEL October 20th Dinner: Panel on Florida's Amendment 4

To enlarge graphic hit on it.

Save the Date: First UEL Dinner is October 20th

Is Florida Hometown Democracy (Amendment #4) The Best Answer for Growth Management?

Speakers: Katy Sorenson, Neisen Kasdin, Maurice Ferre, Frank Rollason

Moderator: Helen Ferre

RUSTY PELICAN on Rickenbacker Causeway, Virginia Key

6 pm: Cocktail Meet-up, Dinner 6:30: $25.00

program only: 7 pm - FREE

UEL EVENT: October 13th Film Screening & Discussion

THIS EVENT WAS MOVED FROM SEPTEMBER 29TH TO OCTOBER 13TH BECAUSE OF RAIN --

RSVP TO uelinfo@bellsouth.net if you want to attend this free event in Miami Beach.

The UEL Dinner May 19th: District 8 Forum.

7 of the 8 candidates for the County Commission District 8 seat were at the UEL dinner last night and over 100 listeners were there to hear them. We now know how they stand on term limits, the strong mayor and other issues important to us all. We will be posting their photos tomorrow and the video will be on Youtube as soon as we can get it up there.

Here are the questions the candidates were given (there wasn't time for them all):

Questions may include:

1. Many planning studies have recommended that development - including higher density development - be concentrated along transit corridors. What is your approach to this issue and how would you balance local concerns with the demand for higher density? (Some of these studies can be found on the Department of Planning and Zoning web site.

2. Miami Dade has a long and proud history of agriculture - providing fresh produce to the nation during the winter. What do you think is the future of agriculture in the County? What policies would you recommend?

3. Despite the amount of rainfall we receive, the County is facing real problems with assuring potable water in the future. What do you perceive as the biggest problem with water supply? What policies would you support?

4. Many see redevelopment and higher density development as incompatible with neighborhood preservation and community identity. Do you agree? What policies would you support to move your ideas forward?

5. Miami Dade is sometimes viewed as an aggregate of fragmented communities and cities - rather than as a region with a common vision and goal. How do you see the relationship of cities and the County? What - if any - policies or programs would you support to overcome fragmentation?

6. At the moment, the County is facing serious fiscal challenges. Often governments respond by cutting vulnerable services such as park and recreation budgets and funding for maintenance of natural areas. What principles would you use to prioritize revenues and expenditures in the face of declining property tax revenues?

7. There is increased discussion of governance issues such as term limits, whether or not to retain a strong mayor - or to strengthen the role of the mayor; the need for additional commission districts - possibly including some at-large districts, the role - and independence - of advisory boards. What is your opinion of these issues?

June 16 Dinner to Thank Katy Sorenson

County Commissioner Katy Sorenson
This dinner is for you!

Orchid and Onions Award Dinner
The Urban Environment League is hosting our Annual Award Dinner/Annual Meeting
in honor of:
County Commissioner Katy Sorenson

Masters of Ceremony:
Jim DeFede and UEL President Fran Bohnsack

Commissioner Sorenson will be leaving office this Fall to pursue a new and exciting chapter in her life. Those of us who want to thank her will “Roast” with an Onion or “Toast” with an Orchid.
Please join us in saying goodbye to ‘Katy’:

Wednesday - June 16th

6pm Cocktails (Cash Bar) & 7pm Dinner
At the Rusty Pelican Restaurant
3201 Rickenbacker Causeway, Key Biscayne


3 Course Dinner $50

Your Payment is your reservation. No payment at the door!

Check/Paypal by June 11th - Space Limited Indicate whether you want to speak at the event.

Use Paypal at: button on right side of page
or
Send a check (made out to UEL) to:

Urban Environment League - Suite 114
1000 N.W. North River Drive
Miami, FL 33136

Questions? uelinfo@bellsouth.net - Phone: 786-472-0011
Ask about being featured in our keepsake program!
Include your email or phone number for reservation confirmation.

May 19th Candidates Forum

This dinner is shaping up to be a fascinating experience. We now have 8 candidates in the race as Rabbi Marmorstein just submitted paperwork this week and he has confirmed he will be coming. It should be interesting to hear the views of the candidates on countywide issues.

(Hit on the image above to enlarge it)

May 19th: UEL Dinner on County Commission District 8 Election

OUR DINNER IS TOMORROW!

RSVP for our dinner Today! uelinfo@bellsouth.net

RSVP Today!