Nate Geisler .............................

Nate Geisler

ATTENTION HOLD THE LINE SUPPORTERS, please arrive at the commission chambers at 9:00am. However, don't be discouraged from attending if you can not be there in the morning as the meeting will run late into the evening. WE NEED YOU THERE!

IF YOU HAVE ONE, WEAR YOUR GREEN HOLD THE LINE SHIRT OR ANOTHER BRIGHT GREEN SHIRT AND HELP STAND UP FOR OUR COMMUNITY!

Stephen P. Clark Government Center 111 NW 1st St. SECOND FLOOR CHAMBERS Downtown Miami 33128

Myth: developers claim that moving the UDB will create "affordable" homes and the american dream

Reality : Broward county has no urban boundary, they have already built to the edge of the everglades, and homes are more expensive there than in Miami-Dade county! Moving the line doesn't mean houses will be cheaper in the short or long run. Everyone knows that quarter million and half a million dollar homes outside the urban development boundary are not attainable for working families.

Myth: Schools and roads will be taken care of....??

Reality: schools in outlying areas are overcrowded and the county is years behind on road and sewer updates. Taxpayers will continue to foot the bill for sprawl beyond the UDB.

Myth: farms and open space won't be impacted if the UDB is moved

Reality: agriculture is the second largest industry in the county, and south Dade is an eden for tropical fruit, orchids, and other valuable products. Much of the land at risk is farm land, the last remaining in the county.

Myth: traffic will not become worse if the UDB is moved

Reality: Our county could lose federal funding for improved mass trasportation if the UDB is moved. Two Governmental Transportation Groups CITT- Citizen's Independent Transportation Trust and CTAC- Citizen's Transportation Advisory Committee and a third Transit issue group ART-Alliance for Reliable Transport have passed resolutions against moving the UDB.

Contact Nate 305-485-5949 htl@cleanwater.org To RSVP

Jonathan Ullman

Please click on this link or this picture to send a FAX.

Scientists say elevating 11 miles of Tamiami Trail (US 41), a 1928 road, is vital to restoring natural water flows to Everglades National Park and Florida Bay ? and that without a ?Skyway,? Everglades Restoration will fail.

The Corps of Engineers' analysis shows the Skyway is the only plan that will eliminate road kill, restore thousands of acres of natural habitat and provide nourishing fresh water sheet flow to marine life in Florida Bay.

The Skyway will create thousands of local jobs, pump millions of dollars into the local economy and offer a breathtaking panoramic view of the Everglades for visitors from around the world.

For more information, contact Jonathan Ullman at 305-860-9888, or visit www.build-the-skyway.com

Mike Robinson

Two Governmental Transportation Groups voted to Hold the Line this month.

The CTAC (Citizens Transportation Advisory Committee) joins the CITT (Citizens Independent Transportation Trust) as the latest governmental organization to join a long list of municipalities to vote to HOLD THE LINE.

The CTAC is the independent advisory committee which advises the Miami Dade County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). They cited the need for the current retention of the Urban Development Boundary Line in order to remain competitive for scarce federal monies for rail transportation projects which are urgently needed in Miami-Dade County.

Mike Hatcher, Chairman of CTAC said, " We realize the importance of maintaining a strong Urban Development Boundary Line so that scarce resources can be directed to the urban areas to promote quality growth."

The CITT i s the independent governmental organization created to oversee the popular People's Transportation Plan 1/2 percent tax to support capital transportation projects. Miles Moss, CITT Trustee, helped to create the CITT Resolution that was passed on Halloween.

Mike Robinson

If Hurricane Wilma hasn?t forced us to examine how we receive energy in this state than what will?

This is not to try to unduly criticize the heroic efforts made by Florida Power & Light and its employees. Their entire staff has been patient with the pleas from mayors to little kids wanting to know, ? WHEN, will it be ON??. When the lights returned in my area, people screamed their delight. It was if we won the electronic lottery jackpot. Our region has just become enlightened to how our society depends on cheap power for its existence. Something is definitely amiss in a society when you have to wait for an hour to fill up your vehicle because none of the gas stations have emergency generators to power the pumps. Tax policies that encourage the purchase of gas guzzlers instead of hybrid cars came to their inevitable consequences during this latest storm.

But this latest reunion with my Coleman gas lamp has caused me to examine how other regions and countries tackle the energy problem. Although the United States has longed talked about our unsustainable energy infrastructure, the South Florida Power issues should awaken regional complacency in the same manner that California experienced during the Enron induced price fluctuations.

It?s a sad state of affairs when we must look overseas to find suitable inspiration. Germany is thinking long term. In 2000, they passed German Renewable Energy Law (EEG) that provides economic incentives for renewable energy. There is a 20 year guaranteed above market place buy back from the utility company to individuals and companies producing solar energy. The law has created an explosion in venture capital firms wishing to capitalize in exploding solar market. Currently close to 11 percent of Germany?s electric power is created by renewable energy.

In addition to providing mechanisms for entrepreneurship and innovation, Germany is decentralizing their power infrastructure much the way the Internet operates. This is a real home security initiative. How can a terrorist knock out power to a nation of people when everyone is generating their own power? German Utility companies voiced strong opposition to the bill. Their utility companies went so far as to challenge the constitutionality of the new law. Thankfully, they lost all of their court battles and are now adapting to a new energy paradigm.

Other States are beginning to see the vision in offering more tax incentives towards this technology. California energy utility companies offer buyback programs based on the size of the system generating capacity or 50% of the cost of the unit. New Jersey offers a slightly more generous 5.3 cent per watt buyback. Contrast these states with no buyback incentive programs for the ?Sunshine State? of Florida.

South Florida should seize this golden opportunity to provide state energy leadership by the creation of a new energy paradigm. We should shift the energy discussion away from allowing coastal drilling and underground power lines towards providing a true independent, secure power source.

Mark Walters was recently elected to represent the nationwide ICO program by becoming the Southeast regional representative.

His region is comprised of Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. His new duties are forcing him to resign as dual ICO Miami roles of Treasurer and Co-Chair.

Mark Walters is a busy man. He serves as board member for the Virginia Key Beach Park Trust.

The Department of Environmental Protection is to hold an energy Forum Wednesday, December 14, 2005 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The Forum will include a panel of experts to address Florida?s energy supply and demand as well as solutions to support Florida?s future energy needs.

The Knott Building Room 212 404 South Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399 CLICK TEXT FOR MAP

Mike Robinson

The Great Rosa Parks may have passed away this past month but have you heard of our famous environmental / civil rights Activist M. Athalie Range? Born in Key West and a graduate of Booker T. Washington Senior High School, this political matriarch took Miami by storm where she integrated the Miami City commission by becoming the city?s first African-American Miami City commissioner in 1965.

Mrs. Range is currently the chairwoman of the Virginia Key Beach Park Trust. Under her tutelage and leadership, she is helping to preserve the last remaining 88 acres of Miami?s publicly owned ocean front land.

A recipient of over 150 awards during her professional lifetime she still looked great in her shoes during the her 90th birthday celebration this past month at the Eden Roc Hotel. Congratulations Mrs. Range.

December 10 Everglades Day Hike- Hike three different habitats- Ahinga, Gumbo Limbo, and Pinelands trail. Enjoy a gourmet lunch with kindred spirtis. Cost: $10/12$ non member, Contact Kaatje Bernabei c bernabei@braddock.dadeschools.net

December 18 South Dade Bike - Meet at Black Point in South Dade, bike 12 miles to Homestead Bayfront Park, swim, then bike back to Black Point for a Sierra Lunch Cost: $10/$12 non member Leader: Dan Cruse (305) 661-2975 or Madeline Piero (305) 595-9376

This Month Eileen Smith, PhD.. will discuss "Environment Activism within Diverse Communities" Eileen erased the stereotype that environmentalism is a "white" phenomena by providing concrete examples to the contrary.

December 12, 2006 Holiday Party Pitch-in Contact Ken Smith 305-275-0180

January 9, 2006 Monica Woll From Florida Bay Outfitters discusses her Grand Canyon Trip.

email: miamisierra@gmail.com

web: http://florida.sierraclub.org/miami/