Week of June 11, 2009
MADE IN DADE: Miami-Dade-made products may soon display their local origin. Commissioners at the Government Operations Committee Tuesday directed the administration to study creating a voluntary program to identify goods grown or produced in the county. Good, Commissioner Natacha Seijas said. "I'm tired of looking at things that say "Made in China.'" Commissioner Joe Martinez's proposed legislation says the program could "stimulate the local economy and better inform local consumers." The full commission is to vote July 7. TRACKING RACE AND GENDER: Miami-Dade Commissioner Barbara Jordan was to propose at a Housing and Community Development Committee meeting Wednesday that the county collect data on the race and gender of county contractors and their employees. The information would make clear "whether corrective legislation is necessary to address any improper disparity in county contracting and how to best target that legislation," her proposed measure reads. A federal order forbids the county from mandating race- or gender-based set-asides in contract awards. But, Ms. Jordan's proposed legislation notes, "federal courts reviewing legislation addressing improper disparity in government contracting look at data collected to assess the constitutionality of such legislation." STRINGS ATTACHED: After the roosters came the guitars. About 32 10-foot Gibson Guitar fiberglass structures are slated for Miami's streets as part of the guitar-maker's public arts project, known as Miami GuitarTown Project, which raises money for local charities. Sponsors pay $2,500 to $5,500. Miami Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones asked that one guitar be placed at the Little Haiti Cultural Center and the Lyric Theater in Overtown. Chairman Joe Sanchez, who requested another guitar for Little Havana, said the 32 guitars should be spread around all of Miami's neighborhoods. The 10-foot guitars to arrive soon are to be exhibited in Miami streets for about four months. Stephanie Grindell, director of public works, said the project includes the display of another 30 regular-sized guitars painted by local students. |
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