Conexion Miami / Wayne Smith honored in Miami
On Sunday, Feb. 1, the Alianza Martiana together with other groups who have worked tirelessly for better and fairer relations between the U.S. and Cuban governments, and which included a representation from Progreso Weekly / Semanal, celebrated the release and return of the remaining three of the Cuban Five to Cuba, and the announcement by Presidents Raul Castro and Barack Obama that their respective governments would proceed with the re-establishment of diplomatic relations, which had been broken for more than half a century. The guest of honor that afternoon, during the event held in Miami’s Embassy Suites Hotel by the airport, was Wayne Smith, who established the first Interests Section in Havana during the President Carter years. Smith received a plaque and heartfelt thanks from all the speakers that day. He was honored for his decades of work in Washington, DC.
Cuban consulate in Tampa
Tampa’s Cuban Consulate closed in 1961 when diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Cuba were severed. The talk of re-establishing one springs from executive orders from President Barack Obama to increase trade and travel opportunities in Cuba. An office that cuts through bureaucratic red tape in relations between the two countries would get plenty of work in Tampa. Leaders in Miami already have rejected the idea of a Cuban consulate. And U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Tampa, said she would push for a Cuban consulate in Tampa.
Marco and Mario need to listen
Both Sen. Marco Rubio and Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart have expressed themselves vehemently against ObamaCare. It only shows how distant they are from the people who voted them into office. It turns out the top 10 zip codes where the most people signed up for coverage are in Florida, and 5 of the top 7 sign-up zip codes are partially or entirely in Rep. Diaz-Balart’s district.
Feeding the planet
Miami-Dade College will host a day-long forum to explore America’s relationship with the “Old World”, and how the food, health and identity of people on both sides of the Atlantic have and continue to evolve in a parallel yet inseparable process. The event will celebrate the United States’ support and participation in the 2015 World’s Fair to be held in Milan, Italy, themed “Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life.” If you’d like to attend it’s on March 12 at Miami’s Freedom Tower, 600 Biscayne Blvd. Click here for more info.
Dynasty
Mitt Romney announced this week that he would NOT run for president in 2016. That leaves former Florida governor Jeb Bush as the frontrunner among republicans to garner the presidential nominee. If Hillary Clinton does decide to run, and all signs point to her doing so, then it’s beginning to look like both candidates will be anointed before they meet the voters. And if either candidate happens to win the White House, it will mean that except for Barack Obama, a Bush or a Clinton would have occupied the White House – as president or VP – since 1980. Did someone say dynasty?
Future mayor of Miami or Miami-Dade
Tomas Regalado is mayor of Miami. He is the man who stood in the crowd while recalcitrant Miamians showered concertgoers with spit, batteries and Coke-cans when Cuba’s musical group Los Van Van first visited our city in 1999. His term is up next year. Some feel his popular daughter, known as Raquelita and currently on the county’s School Board, will run and probably win. Others say she has set her sights on a bigger prize: mayor of all of Miami-Dade County. That seat currently belongs to Carlos Gimenez, who has already started raising money for a potentially very strong challenge. We’ll be following Raquelita’s rise (or fall) and see if she turns out a progressive candidate that better represents Miami going forward than her father, who turned out to be a Miamian who looked backward…
Fired FDLE commissioner firing back
Former Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Gerald Bailey served as commissioner for eight years under three Republican governors and enjoyed the kind of reputation that made him seem infallible. But Bailey was abruptly forced out of his job in December by Gov. Rick Scott. Now there are calls for state and federal investigations into the matter. Bailey has said, for example, that Gov. Scott insisted FDLE officers chauffeur members of the governor’s campaign staff – not part of their duties. Bailey also told the Jacksonville Times he felt pressured to hire people handpicked by Scott and also claimed he was directed to delete solicitation emails he received on his state account from Scott’s campaign after he complained.
Is she or isn’t she … a Latina?
Say hello to Elena, says the Disney publicity machine. She’s the latest Disney princess and the first of Latin descent. Disney says she’s “inspired by diverse Latin cultures and folklore”. Elena of Avalor – starting in 2016 – is aimed at children aged two to seven. She reflects “the hopes and dreams of our diverse audience,” says Disney’s Nancy Kanter. But not everyone is convinced. When the news was reported Latino media responded that the new doll does not specify that Elena is Latina. Rather, they said, the statement says the princess is “inspired by diverse Latin cultures and folklore.”
League of Women Voters call for Medicaid solution
The Miami Herald reported that a drive for Medicaid expansion grew when the non-partisan League of Women Voters of Florida called on legislators to find a “unique and flexible Florida solution” to cover an estimated 750,000 uninsured people this year. In a conference call, the League’s president, Deirdre Macnab, said the debate over Medicaid expansion will become more acute as many safety-net Florida hospitals face the loss of nearly $1.8 billion a year in federal funding. Florida is among 22 states that still have not chosen to expand Medicaid as called for in the Affordable Care Act.
‘I did not have sexual relations with that woman…’
The Florida Supreme Court will hear arguments in a Monroe County case next week hoping to define what the definition of sexual intercourse is. The question stems from charges filed in 2011 against Gary Debaun under a law that requires HIV-infected people to inform potential sexual partners about the disease before having sexual intercourse. Debaun was accused of not providing the information to a male sexual partner. It brings back Bill Clinton’s now infamous: “I did not have sexual relations with that woman.”
Disparity between rich and poor
Few states reflect the growing gap between the rich and not-so-rich as much as Florida, two studies released this week show. The wealthiest 1 percent of Floridians saw their incomes grow nearly 40 percent between 2009, when the Great Recession ended, and 2012, according to one analysis by the Economic Policy Institute. The analysis by the progressive Washington think tank showed that over the same period, other state residents saw their incomes decline an average 7.1 percent. Only Connecticut, New York and Nevada have greater disparities.
Get help applying for citizenship
Florida New Americans is inviting you to attend Citizen Day on Feb. 21. They will be assisting dozens of current legal permanent residents apply for citizenship. With the help of volunteers, pro bono attorneys, and community partners, they will be assisting legal permanent residents who are eligible to apply for citizenship. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the South Dade Senior High, Auditorium, 28401 SW 167th Ave, Homestead, 33030.
Carbonell Awards
The 39th annual Carbonell Awards, which honor excellence in theater, were announced last week. Sixteen of South Florida’s theaters earned nominations for a variety of shows produced during 2014. Theaters in Miami-Dade County earned a total of 50 nominations; theaters in Palm Beach County earned 44 nominations and theaters in Broward County earned four nominations. Nominations were spread over 34 shows from theaters stretching from Cutler Bay north to Jupiter.
Improving schools in Miami-Dade
Superintendent of Schools Alberto M. Carvalho, School Board members and community leaders will participate in a series of special events taking place across Miami-Dade County to kick-off school bond projects resulting from the overwhelming voter approval of the $1.2 billion General Obligation Bond. The bond will be used to modernize and construct school buildings throughout the district, expand student capacity, enhance facility safety, and provide technology upgrades at all schools.
Apply for the Knight Arts Challenge
Looking for funding for your arts project? The Knight Arts Challenge, which supports the best ideas for bringing South Florida together through the arts, is now open for submissions. Anyone can apply. All it takes is 150 words to fill out the initial application at www.KnightArts.org. The deadline is Feb. 23.
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