Several people, including members of the first park committee formed shortly after incorporation, have verbalized the idea of building a Village Hall at the site known as Wayside Park on So. Dixie Highway. I did not intend to insinuate that Mayor Greer was the first to propose locating Village Hall at that location. However, while many have made the suggestion, they usually have prefaced the remark with, "Wouldn't it be great if we could ........." knowing full well that building government buildings on public parkland is nearly impossible (unless, of course, you are well connected and intend to build a sports arena).

I was simply praising Mayor Greer for her problem-solving skills and her ability to save face when she was "between a rock and a hard place."

Only Councilman Barry Blaxberg voted against purchasing the two acres on104th Street after listening for almost two hours to area residents voice their objections to the use of this land as a site for Village Hall. It is no secret that those neighbors were well organized and verbally hostile. Nevertheless, after more than a year of searching for a site to house Village Hall, the other council members felt that this site offered the best possibilities. Therefore, they reluctantly voted against the neighbors in order to serve the best interest of the overall community.

It was only during last month's council meeting -- when Mayor Greer notified the council that she had suggested the idea of a land swap to Miami-Dade County and that the county was entertaining the idea -- that the concept of a swap was ever presented. My intent was not to suggest that no one else could have thought of such an idea, but that no one had; and if they did, they did not pursue it.

THINKING "OUTSIDE THE BOX"
As in the case of Village Hall, thinking "outside the box" can sometimes solve problems in a simple manner. Perhaps the council should consider an "outside the box approach" to its community projects.Some Pinecrest residents are unhappy about Pinecrest's plan to curb main intersections. Perhaps the Village could take a more pro-active stance on community projects by providing news releases about them in advance. Conceivably, if those who were upset knew and understood what prompted a project, they might be less agitated.

Someone recently asked me what causes the Village Council to take on projects. In the case of curbing, as in most others, it was a combination of complaints and aesthetics. When motorists repeatedly drive onto the swale to make right turns day after day, it kills the grass and creates an unattractive patch in someone's front yard. This prompts a complaint and, if merited and reasonable, a response from the council. The bottom line, and I am just as guilty as the next person, is that it is not ok to constantly drive over someone's lawn in order too save a few minutes at a traffic light. It really is no different for any resident regardless of where a house is located. If traffic creates an intrusion into your yard, you would want some action taken.

I believe most residents would be less agitated and more understanding if they were aware of the reasoning behind a project. This could be accomplished if the Village produced a projects newsletter as needed providing resident information. Alternatively, Village officials could use this publication and others at virtually no cost to make residents aware of the objective for upcoming projects.

In general, people usually react differently and in a more positive manner when they are well informed. I urge the council to think and act "outside the box" more often.

I can be reached at 305-666-7969 or via fax, 305-666-8487.