Village Council Candidates campaign at the HOATA

The regular monthly meeting of Coconut Grove Village West Homeowners and Tenants Association (HOATA) held September 28 was highlighted by presentations from seven of the 17 candidates running for the nine open seats on the Coconut Grove Village Council.

For many years, these meetings have been a requisite stop along the campaign trail for all candidates who will represent Coconut Grove Village West among their constituencies. HOATA has established itself as a forum for airing the pressing “issues of the day.” Whether it is zoning variances in Coconut Grove Village Center, a Miami-Dade County bond issue or judicial candidates vying for the bench; all have sought the approval of the community represented by HOATA.

Regular features of the HOATA meetings are reports each from the City District 2 and County District 7 commission offices, City of Miami Neighborhood Enhancement Team (NET) and Police Neighborhood Resource Officer (NRO), various public and private agencies make presentations and provide useful information for members. Community concerns are presented by residents and are deliberated upon. Consensus and resolutions are made to pass on to appropriate entities.

There are many issues deliberated by this neighborhood organization that are of interest to residents and stakeholders of Coconut Grove Village West and the broader Coconut Grove community.
“Our commitment is to the residents of all of Coconut Grove Village: that is; to inform, educate, motivate and yes even agitate for positive change and progress,” Pierre Sands, president of HOATA, said in a statement.
Sands further stated that: “The primary stakeholders of Village West have looked forward towards an improved quality of life and economic development for our historically rich and culturally rich community. There has been a continuing effort on our part to expand, sustain and create new businesses; to create jobs; reduce crime; improve the appearance of this historic neighborhood and protect its ecology. We are, indeed the stewards of our future and of those who trust and rely on our professed calling.”

HOATA has proposed that our elected officials, prospective developers and the area’s community development agency–Coconut Grove Collaborative–work together to create 150 units of attainable housing; 25,000 square-feet of retail/commercial space; and 100 permanent jobs for current and minority residents. A minimum of 33 percent of the jobs generated for West Grovers should be mid-level to management grade.
HOATA is seeking to work constructively with the Village Council and other organizations in Coconut Grove Village and to garner support for its own initiatives as well as to support the Council’s efforts to represent the entire Village of Coconut Grove at various levels of government.

The Coconut Grove Village West Homeowners and Tenants Association meets the fourth Monday each month. The next meeting is at 7 p.m. on October 26 at the Frankie Shannon Rolle Community Center, 3750 S. Dixie Hwy, Coconut Grove.