Centners’ talk of ‘sprinkling’ money around reeks of a Miami-style spin | Opinion

Money to throw

Re: the March 24 story, “Centners downplay ties to arrested Miami commissioner, say they ‘sprinkle money around.’” The Centners spun a tale in their interviews with the Broward State Attorney’s Office about “sprinkling money around” to various organizations, about which they claim ignorance as to the who, what, when, where and why.

“Sprinkling” is what you do with breadcrumbs, not $245,000. In addition to the stench of corruption that surrounds this tale, there are two other troubling matters.

Did the public get a fair exchange when the State Attorney’s Office granted immunity to the Centners for the mendacious sludge they gave in return, as the Herald reported?

As self-described “educators” of young children, with an obligation to at least appear ethically and morally upright to their students, the Centners have failed.

Shouldn’t they pack up and leave town before the “sprinkling” becomes a deluge?

Betsy Warwick,

Miami

Haiti heartache

Recent events in Haiti are heartbreaking; a country at the bottom of the ladder now seemingly falling off it entirely. One cannot imagine what it must be like to live in such depraved chaos.

Instead of reaching out, trying to offer a helping hand to those refugees who somehow make it to our shores, our leaders seek only to repel them and deny any comfort.

What will our governor do next, authorize his state militia to shoot incoming migrants on sight?

How awful that we, the world’s richest country, cannot think of a way to help. What a sad commentary on our society.

Raphael Cole,

Davie

Costly slipway

The city of Miami is moving forward with ill-conceived access to the Marine Stadium basin and Biscayne Bay from an additional Rickenbacker Causeway site. Directly across the site is a critical wildlife area; its shoals will likely be trampled despite protective signage.

Jet skiers already abuse the basin and deaths have occurred. Increased access will have safety consequences. Members from the Miami Rowing Club dread motorizing this safe harbor. Proposed plans require 72 truck/trailer parking spaces, which will insure another barren tarmac.

How will the city attract an operator for the stadium with a competing boat ramp?

Miami is jeopardizing a $62 million bond (for stadium renovation) for an unnecessary $15 million ramp. Traffic and congestion is already a problem on the Rickenbacker from Crandon Marina. The city claims it is restoring an existing ramp. The ramp will interfere with fully renovating the Rickenbacker Marina and will obstruct the walking path envisioned in the Virginia Key Master Plan.

This seemingly innocent project, approved by a previous administration, must be reconsidered. Miami City Commissioner Damian Pardo must place this issue on an upcoming agenda meeting and allow a public hearing.

Steven Leidner,

Bay Harbor Islands

Hypocrisy all over

Listening to Vice President Kamala Harris talk about the crisis in Haiti and the gun violence epidemic is laughable. If the administration really wanted to do anything about these problems, it would have done so. Instead, all we get is talking points and no action.

What’s even funnier is listening to Sen. Marco Rubio talk about Haiti. Right away, he pivots and says that Marxism has ruined Haiti, and of course, then changes the subject to Cuba.

If Haiti wasn’t a nation whose citizens are mostly of African descent, our government would’ve done something long ago.

Seth Wexler,

Plantation

Ultra maxed out

How outrageous that an entire city must be annoyed by loud music All that thumping, from Brickell to the Venetian, only to line the pockets of a few producers while breaking the eardrums of our kids.

Move this venue to an indoor establishment, preferably in another city.

Who ever is promoting this horrible noisy intrusion should be voted out of office — pronto. This is surely not sitting well with tax-paying residents.

Sandra Gilbert,

Miami Beach

Who’s paying?

Determining which of the applicants will be chosen to live in the building mentioned in the March 24 Herald story, “Nearly 20,000 people register to live at 113-unit Hollywood affordable-housing complex,” will be extremely difficult.

The article describes a $93 million complex. That means the average unit has a construction cost or is valued at more than $800,000. In today’s market, a property of this value would rent for upwards of $5,000 per month, multiples of the units would rent for between $1,100 and $1,400 per month.

Clearly, the developer is not in business to lose money.

How is the shortfall accounted for and who is paying for it and is this the blueprint for future development?

Richard F. Katz,

Cooper City

Usual politics

The author of the March 24 letter “Schumer’s comments” has misinterpreted events. Sen. Chuck Schumer, President Joe Biden and Democrats support Israel’s right to defend itself against Hamas.

How do I know this?

Because they have continued to give arms and money to Israel. And because we give so much, we have the right to give our opinions too, which Schumer, Biden, and some Democrats have recently done.

Playing politics?

Of course. Welcome to the world.

I remember when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu supported ex-President Donald Trump’s re-election and openly criticized Biden in 2020, yet Biden didn’t react childishly as Trump did when he called Netanyahu a traitor for congratulating Biden on his election win in 2020.

Israelis criticize the United States when it suits them and we criticize Israel when it suits us. Nevertheless, the money and the arms continue to flow.

Corey Mass,

Miami Beach

Biden-bashing

The March 24 op-ed, “RFK Jr. strikes fear in heart of Biden campaign,” is more about trashing President Joe Biden than independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The author, Boston Herald-based Biden-basher Joe Battenfeld, can only refer to Biden’s campaign as “especially worried” and that Kennedy’s vice presidential choice could be a “bigger threat to Biden.”

Battenfeld also stated that Biden continues to unravel, that he got no boost from his “State of the Union” speech and finally, he reminded us again of Biden’s age.

No truth in the news today. A.I. could have done better than this.

Bill Silver,

Coral Gables

Better leaders

Sen. Marco Rubio sold out our teachers as part of a deal to become speaker of Florida’s State House in 2006.

Now, he’s at it again, trying to prove he’s feckless enough to be Donald Trump’s 2024 running mate, by voting against the bill to keep the federal government open. Sen. Rick Scott simply didn’t vote.

We should replace them with senators who put Florida and country ahead of their political ambitions.

Philip K. Stoddard,

South Miami

Seeking peace

As a Vietnam veteran, I remember each day of service and the oath given to serve our country. My service from 1967-1968 brings constant memories, not only what occurred in Vietnam, but also the days after and what I have learned.

Countries must strive for peace without physical aggression. Our country is democratic, with the principles of equality and liberty. We help other countries with the same belief, that freedom and human rights are paramount.

March 29 is National Vietnam War Veterans Day. We remember the service of all those who participated, their outcomes and their health issues upon their return. The Pentagon Papers exposed that the American public was misled and the war was extended, costing thousands of military and civilian deaths.

My respect is for all veterans, our military, our Veterans Administration and especially the generation of World War II and the unity in service by our military, civilians and allies.

The goal must be to reach peace at home and worldwide.

Louis Cohen,

second vice president,

Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 23,

Tamarac