Danielle’s Message to Palmetto Bay: STFU!

Palmetto Bay wanted to turn two acres of vacant land into a neighborhood park.

     Danielle Cohen Higgins wanted to give it to just five neighbors.

     And when the Village dared to object?

     She ripped up its letter on camera.

THE BACKSTORY

     The property is a little over two acres in Palmetto Bay, occupied by FPL transmission towers and unsuitable for conventional development.

     Five nearby homeowners wanted to buy it for $14,000, divide it among themselves and fence it off.

     Palmetto Bay wanted to acquire it for a public park.

     County staff considered both proposals.

     The staff recommended Palmetto Bay.

ENTER DANIELLE

     Cohen Higgins sponsored legislation to sell the property to five private homeowners instead.

     The Village objected and asked that the proposed transaction be investigated.

     A commissioner could have responded with documents.

     Or an explanation.

     Or maybe even a little professionalism toward a village she supposedly represents.

     Danielle chose performance art.

     She recorded herself holding up the Village’s letter and tore it in half.

THE GALL

     Think about that.

     Palmetto Bay asks to preserve public land for public use.

     Our County Commissioner wants to hand it over to a handful of supporters.

     The Village raises questions.

     And rather than answer them, she tore up the letter for the camera.

     That isn’t representing Palmetto Bay.

     That’s treating every Palmetto Bay resident with contempt.

The irony

     The County Commission ultimately blocked the proposed sale and sent the matter back to committee. The parties were directed to work toward a compromise that could still permit a park while addressing the neighboring homeowners’ privacy concerns. 

     The Village made a fair offer.

     The five homeowners threw a tantrum.

     They are still holding their breaths in the corner, turning blue.

     So, after all the theatrics, cooler heads had to clean up the mess.

     Danielle Cohen Higgins may have torn up the letter.

     Palmetto Bay voters haven't forgotten who was holding it.