I was finishing my neighborhood "exercise" walk this morning, and I encountered about a half dozen campaign signs that said "Vote Ryan Huntington." They were all on 119th St between 6th and 8th Avenues. They had one of those square symbols in the upper right corner, and if you focus your smart phone camera on it, you get more information. But not much more. I have no idea where Ryan Huntington lives, except I'm guessing it's in the Village. His wife is Danielle, and he has three sons, all of whose first names start with H. He's a firefighter.
If you want to know more, you have to enter his Instagram page, and since I'm opposed to social media (a discussion for another time), I'm not going to do it. Oh, what happened to old fashioned BP campaigning, where candidates actually walked the Village, knocked on doors, met you, told you about themselves, and answered questions? One of the cluster of signs I saw was in front of Chester and Sandi Morris' house, and Chester wouldn't allow someone to put a sign there if he hadn't met them. So Ryan (is it OK if I call you Ryan?) must at least have met Chester, and probably Sandi.
There have already been a lot of Dan Samaria's reused signs around. And I know Dan is running for the term that ends this coming November. But Ryan (I'm going to assume it's OK) had signs made, which he would not have done if he had no ambitions past this coming November. Frankly, the first thing that struck me about Ryan's signs was the darkish green color, and the upside down triangle outline (the BP outline) in the middle. It was as if they had something to do with Vermont. Maybe Ryan comes from Vermont. Or not.
If I'm being honest and uninhibited (not like my usual inhibited self), I have to say BP politics have fallen apart. In the past, it was the occasional dysfunctional oddball Commissioner. Now, it's almost all of them. It's been years since anyone except Mac Kennedy and I has actually campaigned -- you know, knocked on all the doors, and had sometimes lengthy conversations, and left flyers, and stuff -- and almost as many years since we've had a BP Commissioner who knew anything about the Park, and cared. (And you know these people wouldn't get elected if we didn't vote for them. So the lack of ambition and expectation is not just theirs.) For a short time in the past eight years, Roxy Ross did the Village a favor. Now, it's just Mac. (I was hoping John Holland would decide he wanted more than to keep a seat warm for a month or so, but I haven't heard that he does.
This is why it's also been years since we had a competent and remotely interested manager. And if we don't have a competent and remotely interested manager, then we have a police Chief whose main interests are being a big dog and collecting a nice check. Actual improvements in the Village? Um, not remotely.
I don't know if I should wish Ryan good luck. Good luck with what? He's got a day job, a nice family (I'll assume), and he probably makes enough as a firefighter that he doesn't need the $2000. As I said, I have not the slightest idea where in the Village he lives, how long he's lived there, what he knows about the Village (its strengths and problems), and what is his vision, apart from getting elected, which I assume he wants, because he paid for the signs. Should I imagine the no longer expectable possibility that he'll knock on my door, and campaign like a BP candidate? Or am I supposed to find out everything I want to know from Instagram? That's not gonna happen. The Village is a tiny place. If things have become that impersonal now, I'll just vote for Dan Samaria, or not bother voting at all.
Well, I've had some back and forth with one of our neighbors who knows a few things about this guy, or what he posts on Next Door. Our neighbor offered to clean up some of this "campaign" mess by giving me some facts about Ryan and his insights, such as they are. I told our neighbor I'm not looking for a summary from her. I'm looking for a visit from Ryan. I want to know how long he's lived here, and how much he knows -- and how he knows it -- about the areas in which he's reportedly formed opinions. But I'm not going to hold my breath, even though our neighbor told me Ryan lives on 119th St, and so do I, and campaigning the length of 119th St would be an easy start for him.
ReplyDeleteJust to give one example of today's back and forth, our neighbor says Ryan is aware that Village residents are concerned about street safety, and he mentioned something about a traffic study. Does Ryan know we've had them? Does he know what they concluded? Does he know what we did with those conclusions?
And has he undertaken any involvement with the Village, so that he'd know how things work? Has he served on any Board? I have no reason to assume he didn't, and no reason to suppose he did. He's like many of our more recent candidates: he's latched onto some issue, had brilliant flashes of inspiration about it, and figures he can dope out what being a Commissioner entails. I wonder if all fires are the same, and if firefighters just get, and rely on, on the job initiation and training.
As I said, Ryan has gone to the trouble and expense of having signs made. He's got ambitions beyond November of this year. His promise to work hard for the Village is worth about as much, or as little, as the same promise from any Commission candidate. And we've seen where that promise has taken way too many of them.
If you refuse to hear all information from your neighbor, refuse to look at other resources available to you to learn about the said candidate, then you don't have a pedestal to stand on. Get off your high horse. If you gave two shits about this Village, we would see you making public comment anywhere but this shitty "blog". If you disagree with instagram, ask someone to visit the young man's platform anywhere else and screenshot it for you. You can't be this facetious and expect people not to see through your egocentric bullshit. Anyone with a head on their shoulders knows you're just the left version of the good ol' boys where id things weren't done a certain way then they're damned to hell. Move along or get pushed to the side. It's people like you who get in the way of the real
Deletepeople of this Village who want someone like us to be there on the commission . For a person who is a medical practitioner your lack of empathy or understanding is honestly on point for a medical professional. You all gaslight everyone with your initials after your name like it means we should respect you more. Dr. Dickhead is probably not too far from
the truth. What it seems to me
is this young man has a family that he cares about enough to run for office to change things him and his family will directly benefit from. From my understanding in conversations with him he has a full plate but chooses to do this because he wants to make a difference in the place where his kids will grow up. He even told me he took vacation time to attend all the commission meetings. This is commitment because i wouldn't do that if it was taking away from my family and relaxation time.All the old crusty people who have grown children or never had kids who have ran and don't understand the commitment it takes to hold down a stressful job, a marriage, and to fully raise kids you're the problem. They don't have time to walk the Village over and over and over again. This is in no way an insult to how things should be done but to me, all my conversations with Ryan have been out walking to the park, walking my
dog or even driving by in my
car on the way to the store. He isn't hiding in a cave. He's always out with his kids in their electronic car or out in their yard. He goes to do what he can when he can and its sure of a hell lot more then other candidates. It's assholes like you who sit in their dark caves and then expect everyone to come bring their grievances to them. Grow up. Show up take a damn walk. I even run into Dan Samaria more than I'd like. If I had questions I can find everyone but Carlos Trejo. So truly if you were half as invested as you pander to your "audience" that you are then get off your high horse and actually participate and engage in the community, not just because the county mayor is coming into town. If Dan Samaria can do it then put on your brightest tightie whities on and be a big boy and go br part of the solution not part of the problem. Your jaded ass is just loving tearing people down without even getting the full picture. Your insecurity is showing.
why don’t you run for commissioner in November what’s holding you back you’re an expert
ReplyDeleteIf you want a conversation, come out from behind your mommy's skirt. Tell us who you are. If you don't do that, you will continue to be talking to yourself.
DeleteThe only one hiding behind their mommy's skirt is you. You don't need an identity to answer a question. You're too dumb to even find someone running for office who put their name and address on a public document. And you want someone on the internet to give their name and that'll solve the mystery of why Fred Jonas can't hold a conversation? You just want any and all excuses to not be accountable to the garbage that spews out of your mouth as fact. Any and all good points you make are overshadowed by your own ego. It bleeds through in everything you write.
DeleteYou can use your old signs just like Dan is using hes old signs you don’t have to spend any money
ReplyDeleteWow it’s amazing you love to criticize managers police chiefs yet you are one big pussy you talk a good game but you do nothing for the community it’s always the same with you Dr Dick Head
ReplyDeleteI apologize for being a big pussy, and talking a good game, but doing nothing for the Village. You said your name is what?
DeleteI am Doctor Bendd Last name is Oveer
ReplyDeleteWhy are they giving this Dumbo mayor Jonathan all the credit for fixing the high-speed traffic that goes through Biscayne Park ihes done nothing you should jump in and get this problem solved
ReplyDeleteWhy does the village of Biscayne Park need a mayor? We already have a mayor for Miami Dade County? It’s not Jonathan they should discontinue that position. Totally ridiculous. He’s not the mayor. The mayor of Day county is a woman
ReplyDeleteWhere geographically is Day County? I guess your brain took the day off when it was time to say that being a Mayor is purely ceremonial. We have a commissioner-run government; all with equal power. However, they are many Mayors that govern municipalities. Such as Mayor Suarez of the City of Miami who is also part of Miami Day County
DeleteThe residence of Biscayne Park did not vote in the mayor Jonathan Dumbo he was appointed by four commissioners. He does not represent the 3000 people that live in the village of Biscayne Park. This is not fair it should be removed from the charter if he wants to be the mayor, he hast to get the vote of the residence of the village of Biscayne Park, not for sitting commissioners, making him the mayor That needs to be changed. Miami Dade County already has a mayor. We don’t need to mayors in the same county
ReplyDeleteRepeat after me- "it's purely ceremonial". The Mayor acts a moderator and time keeper in meetings. Am I wrong, did we not have Mayors prior to Groth? What's the qualm now? And you're right we don't need two mayors in the same county; as there are 24 locally elected mayors for municipalities and 1 County Mayor of Miami Day.
DeleteThe Village clerk could run the meetings, eliminate the position of mayor of the village of Biscayne Park. The residence did not vote for him the residence don’t want him
ReplyDeleteAppointing, a mayor of the village of Biscayne Park, is equal and the same as the Castro Raul Castro appointing the president of Cuba, and nobody voted for him. How is this allowed? The title mayor should be removed immediately no one in the village of Biscayne Park voted for Jonathan Dumbo as the mayor Special election should be held specifically for mayors, not commissioners, appointing someone of their choice. Ridiculous
ReplyDeleteWhat a disaster last night at the meeting they had the entire police department in the building who were they protecting? What were they there for? This is getting ridiculous now not a chance that Ryan Huntington will be successful as a commissioner not not gonna happen
ReplyDeleteWhat ignoramas you are doctor you claim to vote for someone that you have no idea what high school he went never mind how does he drink he’s coffee. You shoot from the hip. You love to use this platform to spread liess and you can’t have a romantic relationship if god came from the heavens. Pathetic life even your kid lol. lol they know the truth. I love. Boston
ReplyDelete