Posted on Thu, Mar. 17, 2005

WILLIAM LEHMAN 1913-2005
U.S. Rep. followed `internal compass'

Former U.S. Rep. William Lehman died Wednesday at 91, after a career that brought him from a small-stakes car dealer to one of the nation's most influential congressmen.

BY AMY DRISCOLL
adriscoll@herald.com

Former U.S. Rep. William Lehman, a legendary figure of South Florida politics considered a visionary on racial issues and public transit, died Wednesday at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach.

He was 91. He died of heart failure, his family said.

A used-car salesman, teacher, school board chairman and powerful congressman who exercised broad authority over transportation spending in the United States, Lehman was remembered by friends and former staffers as a compassionate soul and a progressive voice who helped shape South Florida.

He was an Alabama-born Jew who opened a business in a black neighborhood in Miami and once traveled to Cuba to rescue political prisoners.
Known at home as the father of the Metrorail and Metromover systems, he was part of a renowned generation of Democratic politicians, including U.S. Reps. Dante Fascell and Claude Pepper, who delivered uncommon clout to Florida.

''A person like this can only come along in a community once in a century, twice in a century if you're lucky,'' said John Schelble, once Lehman's press spokesman and now chief of staff to Miami Democratic U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek. ``He was truly colorblind.''

At the news of his passing, condolences poured forth, from Miami to Washington.

A REAL `FOLK HERO'

Former U.S. Rep. Carrie Meek called him a ''real humanitarian and folk hero'' in Miami's poor communities. She recalled his car dealership, set in the heart of black Miami, and his fight as a school board member in support of mandatory busing to integrate schools.

''He felt very strongly about the people in the black community, and that wasn't just pious platitudes. He showed it in all the things he did. He showed it when he built his dealership. He showed it when he was on the school board,'' she said.

Mike Abrams, lobbyist and former state representative who had known Lehman since the 1970s, said the former congressman was guided by an unshakable sense of right and wrong.

''He was the most moral man I ever knew in politics -- and I've known a lot of men in politics. He was clearly guided by his personal principles,'' Abrams said. ``But that didn't mean he didn't know how to use his knuckles in the process. If he didn't think you had character, forget it. He was a character man all the way.''

Lehman's ability to reach people wasn't ruled by politics. U.S. Reps. Clay Shaw and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, both Republicans, counted Lehman as a friend.

''He was a Democrat through and through, and I'm a Republican, but that never interfered with our friendship,'' Shaw said.

Ros-Lehtinen characterized him as ``a gentleman to his last breath.''

Lehman was born Oct. 5, 1913, in Selma, Ala., the son of candy factory owners. He graduated from the University of Alabama, and married the former Joan Feibelman in 1939. They became the parents of three children -- two sons and a daughter, Kathryn, who died of a brain tumor in 1979. She had been a high school English teacher like her father.

`ALABAMA BILL'

He spent 30 years as a used car dealer, calling himself ''Alabama Bill'' in advertisements, before he got into politics. Lehman was elected to the Dade County School Board in 1966 and became chairman in 1971. His first election to Congress to represent a Northeast Dade district came in 1972.

The Biscayne Park Democrat was known for his low-key manner, for the Southern drawl he never lost -- and for his political power.

''The fact that he was so demonstrably Southern probably gave him an ability to play a conciliatory and constructive role in some of Florida's toughest times,'' said former U.S. Sen. Bob Graham.

In the years when the Democrats held sway in Congress, he rose to a position of great influence, a member of the so-called ''college of cardinals'' in the House. With an unpolished speaking style and quiet strength, he controlled billions of dollars for transportation as chairman for 10 years of the House Appropriations Committee's subcommittee overseeing highways, seaports and mass-transit systems.

MILLIONS FOR TRANSIT

He brought a significant portion of that money home to South Florida, with some $800 million going to the construction of the Metrorail transit system. Millions secured by Lehman also went to build bridges and improve the region's seaports and airports.

''Anyone who rides a bus or takes a train in this area, they owe it to Mr. Lehman,'' Carrie Meek said. ``That's the way poor people get around and he chose to make that his priority.''

Other favorite causes included support for Israel and the resettlement of Soviet Jews.

Sergio Bendixen, a Miami-based pollster who worked in Lehman's Washington office as press secretary and executive assistant from 1979 to 1982, said the congressman didn't need the trappings of success to boost his ego.

SMALL OFFICE

''He chose the smallest office -- a cubbyhole, really,'' Bendixen recalled. ``He was a congressman. He knew he was powerful. He didn't need all the plaques on the wall and the symbols that seemed to make other members of Congress happy. He was secure.''

Lehman was an unabashed liberal who voted against a constitutional amendment banning flag-burning, against military aid to the rebels fighting to topple Nicaragua's leftist Sandinista government and against sending troops to the Persian Gulf during the first Gulf War.

PRISONER RELEASE

But he won respect among conservative Cuban exiles in 1988 when he went to Cuba and negotiated the release of three political prisoners.

It wasn't his first effort for victims of political repression: In 1981, he won release of a political prisoner in Argentina, and in 1984, he smuggled a synthetic heart valve to a young patient in a hospital in the Soviet Union. He was also a strong advocate for Haitian refugees.

''I'm a congressman,'' he told an aide inquiring about the danger of venturing into the Soviet Union. ``If they catch me, what are they going to do?''

DOWN-TO-EARTH

Despite his power, Lehman retained his down-to-earth sensibilities. He was a breakfast regular for years at Jimmy's restaurant on Northeast 125th Street in North Miami.

His two sons remembered him Wednesday as someone who never raised his voice but taught them the value of working for others.

''He'd get involved in things and he wouldn't skim the surface -- he'd get down to the very bottom,'' said Bill Lehman Jr.

``He just took great pleasure in being a friend to anyone.''

Their father always listened to his internal compass, financing cars for black customers in the '40s and '50s, when few other white car dealers would, they said.

''He would look at a man's arms and if they had salt on them, from sweating, he would know that was a working man,'' said Thomas Lehman. ``That was his credit check.''

Surgery for jaw cancer in 1983 left Lehman's speech slurred. But he stayed in Congress for another decade, until his surprise decision in 1992 not to seek reelection when his influence was at its height.

Friends say that even as he struggled with his speech and other health problems, Lehman maintained a sense of humor.

''I'm the only politician who can only speak out of one side of his mouth,'' he once joked, referring to treatment that left part of his mouth paralyzed.

But Lehman said he made up his mind to retire in 1992 for health reasons: He said he had ''a sudden realization'' that a 1991 stroke had made him a less effective legislator.

END OF ERA

His passing marks the end of a political era, said lobbyist Ron Book.

``They don't make 'em like that anymore -- him, Claude Pepper and Dante Fascell -- they're all gone now.''

Lehman is survived by his wife of 66 years, Joan; sons Bill Jr. and Thomas, and six grandchildren.

The funeral will be at Temple Israel at 1 p.m. Sunday. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the William Lehman Injury Research Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, P.O. Box 016960 (D-55), Miami, FL 33101.

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I thought I would post news of his passing even though some of you may not even know who he was ( the causeway in Aventura is named after him). I remember him being a very powerful Congressman that was able to secure billions of dollars for transit. Metrorail & Metromover literally wouldn't exist today without his influence at the time. I wish we had somebody representing us in Congress like him now.
He did a lot for Miami, rest in peace Mr. Lehman.

Why cant we have elected leaders like him anymore. They, for the most part are all career politicians and political hacks owned by small interests that dont care about the public in general. Hope we can fire some of those people next year. Thank you Mr. Lehman for all that you did for my home town and country.

Good news, more ppl should be informed of this information. :)

Truly a great loss... Great visionaries and statesmen are hard to come by these days.

great great man...

Yes, Nimby :) , Mr .William Lehman was a truly Great Man :) , he lived a great life and I wished he lived at least 6 more years to see the new MetroRail expansion completed to Miami International Airport and beyond to the west. I'm glad his named Beautiful 192 Causeway running through Aventura is one of the most tree planted and High skyline expressways in our Great state of Florida. :cheers:
His huge named green signs on His expressway makes me SMILE that he is in an even better place to live watching over his community, R.I.P. :cheers:

His name also appears on an Elementary school built in the mid-90's in the Sabal Chase subdivision of Kendall, at 10990 SW 113 Place
http://williamlehman.dadeschools.net/ (William Lehman Elementary)

With some googling, I also found the "William Lehman Operations and Maintenance Center" or the maintenance yard for the Metrorail near the Palmetto. Maybe they should have named a station for him, but not sure which one would have been best...

I am sure his name bears several other buildings around Miami.

Here's a great way to honor him.
[Old] Miami Intermodal Center
[New] William Lehman Intermodal Center

Here's a great way to honor him.
[Old] Miami Intermodal Center
[New] William Lehman Intermodal Center

I'm partial to something less cumbersome (and basically bilingual) like "Central Station" but I hear 'ya.

Lehman was a congressional giant for South Florida, and it's truly sad to see the piss-poor representation that followed.

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen is an embarrassment...the Diaz-Balarts only marginally better.

None of them are taken very seriously in Washington (where the Cold War ended nearly 20 years ago) and they certainly have dropped the ball when it comes to funneling money to one of America's poorest cities.

Of course, that doesn't matter. It's all about frothing at the gills over an old dinosaur in Cuba, regardless of what's best for Miami.

Broward and Palm Beach both have better representation---hopefully Dade will too before much longer.

For now, a fond farewell to Bill Lehman. A gentleman whose first priority really was Miami.

he allready has a causeway in aventura named after him
i think that is enough....

Lehman was a congressional giant for South Florida, and it's truly sad to see the piss-poor representation that followed.

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen is an embarrassment...the Diaz-Balarts only marginally better.

None of them are taken very seriously in Washington (where the Cold War ended nearly 20 years ago) and they certainly have dropped the ball when it comes to funneling money to one of America's poorest cities.

Of course, that doesn't matter. It's all about frothing at the gills over an old dinosaur in Cuba, regardless of what's best for Miami.This just in from the giving credit where credit is due department...
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen will be remembered for the way that she has championed the dredging/revitalization of the Miami River. Having spent some time with the Miami River Commission, I can tell you that this is quite and important issue that doesn't snare a whole lot of headlines. It's so easy to damn politicians when they are alive and worship them when they are dead.
I'm sure that Ileana will have bridge or two named after her for her tireless efforts with the Miami River. The project is under budget and way ahead of schedule. The same could never be said of the Metrorail/Metromover project.

This just in from the giving credit where credit is due department...
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen will be remembered for the way that she has championed the dredging/revitalization of the Miami River. Having spent some time with the Miami River Commission, I can tell you that this is quite and important issue that doesn't snare a whole lot of headlines. It's so easy to damn politicians when they are alive and worship them when they are dead.
I'm sure that Ileana will have bridge or two named after her for her tireless efforts with the Miami River. The project is under budget and way ahead of schedule. The same could never be said of the Metrorail/Metromover project.

Dredging the river IS important, no question, but I stand by my comments about Ros-Lehtinen.

She is routinely considered a flyweight in Congress, and has nowhere near the influence one would expect after over a decade there. People forget that she won the seat because of her husband, Dexter...not because she was particularly qualified.

She isn't. Never was.

I've met her. She's a charming person. But I'd be lying if I said she was impressive intellectually.

Washington swallows people like her alive...and I think Miami would benefit from something/someone more substantial than her. Someone who would actively fight for mor Fed money in a city that very much needs and deserves it.

My feeling is this:

Miami went from having congressional representation that FAR outstripped its size---people like Fascell, Pepper, and Lehman that brought home TONS of federal money---to having unprepared dweebs like Ros-Lehtinen and the Brothers Diaz-Balart once the city became genuinely huge.

Ileana and the gang have spent far too much time on Cold War politics (without realizing that nobody north of County-Line Road gives a flying crap anymore) and NOT enough time on Miami.

I say that because I LOVE Miami, OK?

But I will defer to you on the river stuff. That's a start.

Dredging the river IS important, no question, but I stand by my comments about Ros-Lehtinen.
She is routinely considered a flyweight in Congress, and has nowhere near the influence one would expect after over a decade there. People forget that she won the seat because of her husband, Dexter...not because she was particularly qualified.
She isn't. Never was.
I've met her. She's a charming person. But I'd be lying if I said she was impressive intellectually.
Washington swallows people like her alive...and I think Miami would benefit from something/someone more substantial than her. Someone who would actively fight for mor Fed money in a city that very much needs and deserves it.
My feeling is this:
Miami went from having congressional representation that FAR outstripped its size---people like Fascell, Pepper, and Lehman that brought home TONS of federal money---to having unprepared dweebs like Ros-Lehtinen and the Brothers Diaz-Balart once the city became genuinely huge.
Ileana and the gang have spent far too much time on Cold War politics (without realizing that nobody north of County-Line Road gives a flying crap anymore) and NOT enough time on Miami.
I say that because I LOVE Miami, OK?
But I will defer to you on the river stuff. That's a start.I'm still with you Spell...
What a great comment.
I say that because I LOVE Miami, OK?I understand. It's safe to say that most of us that are posting in the double digits also care.
You probably have a better handle on the State level Federal level leadership here in the 80's...I just immigrated from Michigan in 1992!
I do remember reading about the biggest wastes of money in the Jimmy Carter Administration...it was in a textbook and specifically named Detroit Michigan's People Mover and Miami, Florida's Metromover.
Man oh man, this proves your point. Even if the idea is not quite correct or timely...if you have some political clout in DC you get things done!
Excellent insight.

i think she is brilliant and frankly dont see how miami could be doing better with someone else there?

where are these other politicians going to get the money? all of it is going to this war.

next 10 years should be interesting ones especially if we get another republican in office start saving your money great depression here we go again.

i think she is brilliant and frankly dont see how miami could be doing better with someone else there?
where are these other politicians going to get the money? all of it is going to this war.
next 10 years should be interesting ones especially if we get another republican in office start saving your money great depression here we go again.Wow.
That is an amazing prediction that you just put in writing.
Put your money where you mouth is...and be accountable for you comments.
Are you one of those guys like my friend that predicted the "real estate bubble" in 2001???? Of course, he has been an idiot for 5 years, but will still say, "I told you so"
You aren't going to that are you?
Did you notice that the interest rates were at 8% in 2000 and they have hit historic lows? So low, in FACT, that homeownership, especially, minority homeownership is at the highest level in UNITED STATES HISTORY.

I'm sure that facts won't get in the way of your argument.
You may really believe that there will be a "Great Depression" in the United States, and that we should save our money and be prepared for the soup lines. When you are young, emotional, or uninformed, facts and logic never matter. Over ninety percent of every bar fight anyone has ever witnessed is testament to my assertation.

Pay attention the the Gross Domestic Product. Presidents don't have much to do with it....American people do. There will not be another Great Depression in my lifetime. Mark my words. You bet your money based on your emotional dislike for our President, and I'll bet my money based on logic and experience.

That should give you some baring on reality.
If it doesn't. There are a few sure fire ways to understand Republican policy.
1. Do your own tax returns.
2. Leave your current job and open your own business.
3. Employ more than 3 people and try to make their lives better.
4. Put you kid in a public school and attend a Parent/Teacher conference.
In other words, take control. Realize that you are the one that makes a difference and the government doesn't have control of you.
No matter who is the President, your success or failure is in your own hands in the United States of America.
Whether you think you can succeed or you think you will fail; either way you are right. - Henry Ford

I'm still with you Spell...
What a great comment.
I understand. It's safe to say that most of us that are posting in the double digits also care.
You probably have a better handle on the State level Federal level leadership here in the 80's...I just immigrated from Michigan in 1992!
I do remember reading about the biggest wastes of money in the Jimmy Carter Administration...it was in a textbook and specifically named Detroit Michigan's People Mover and Miami, Florida's Metromover.
Man oh man, this proves your point. Even if the idea is not quite correct or timely...if you have some political clout in DC you get things done!
Excellent insight.

Everybody that posts here started somewhere (probably around "1")...and this isn't the only Miami forum on the internet.

If I'm not in "double digits" my apologies. I'm posting here now because I truly enjoy this forum and share the same interests you do....at least I think so.

Safe to say we disagree about politics (I think Bush is an unqualified disaster of a president) but we all want what's best for Miami.

ROARK

PLEASE LOOK BACK AT THE FIRST GREAT DEPRESSION AND COMPARE THOSE DAYS WITH THESE AND YOU MIGHT SEE THE BIG PICTURE...

BUT YOU CANT BECAUSE YOU ARE A BUSH FANATIC

REAL ESTATE BUBBLE? UMM PLEASE TAKE SOME MICRO AND MACRO ECONOMICS AND THEN TELL ME ABOUT REAL ESTATE TRENDS.

BUBBLE IS ONE WORD I HAVENT USED SINCE I WAS A KID BUYING BUBBLE YUM AND YOU WILL NEVER HEAR ME SAY ANYTHING IGNORANT IN THAT NATURE AND IF YOU DO A SEARCH OF MY POSTINGS YOU WILL SEE HOW I HAVE BEEN ACURATE ABOUT ALL THE INFORMATION I HAVE POSTED ON HERE

I TOLD MIA BALLIN BOY ABOUT THE ICON PROJECT TWO YEARS BEFORE IT WAS EVEN ANNOUNCED. AS A MATTER OF FACT I WAS THE ONE THAT POSTED WHAT YEAR AND QUARTER TO EXPECT THE OFFICE BUILDINGS TO START BEING ANNOUNCED AND SURE ENOUGH THEY POPPED UP.

I WAS THE ONE THAT MENTIONED EMPIRE TOWERS A YEAR IN ADVANCE

CALL IT INSIDER TRADING IF YOU LIKE BUT IM WELL IMFORMED ON THE MIAMI MARKET AND HOW THIS GOVT WORKS. YOU MIGHT NOT LIKE THIS BUT THE SOCIALIST PARTY IS ACTUALLY STREGHTENING AND WHAT KIND OF ALLY DO WE HAVE FROM THE BRITISH WHEN THEY WANT TO SELL A NUCLEAR REACTOR TO IRAN? GOES AGAINST WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO...

OBVIOUSLY EVERYONE IS PICKING SIDES AND AMERICA IS NOT THE CHOSEN ALLY AT THIS POINT WE ARE GOING UNDER THANKS TO THIS IDIOT OF A PRESIDENT....

YOU MIGHT WANT TO TURN THE CHANNEL TO SOMETHING OTHER THEN FOX NEWS THERES A WORLD OF OTHER NETWORKS OUT THERE THAT REPORTS THE TRUTH OF WHATS GOING ON.

OH BY THE WAY HERE IS ANOTHER PREDICTION FOR YOU ROARK THIS ONE IS A BIT SOONER BUT I DOUBT YOU WILL BECOME A BELIEVER I TOOK THE EGYPTIANS 10 PLAGUES TO ACTUALLY BELIEVE IN MOSE'S GOD. I THINK YOUR JUST AS STUBBURN.....

CALIFORNIA WILL SUFFER AN EARTHQUAKE THIS YEAR 2006
AND THERE WILL BE A MASS EXODUS
TO FLORIDA (50%) AND ARIZONA (25%) AND THE CAROLINAS (25%)

THE QUAKE WILL TAKE PLACE IN AREAS OF SAF_SAS+SAP+SAN+SAO
KNOWN AS THE SAN ADREAS FAULT.

WHERE WILL OUR GOVT GET THE FEDERAL FUNDS FOR HELP?



HERE IS THE LATEST QUAKE NEWS

51170967 31 km WNW of San Simeon, CA May 14 2006 10:26:47 PDT 35.73 -121.52 3.5
51170844 2 km NNW of The Geysers, CA May 12 2006 03:37:29 PDT 38.81 -122.81 4.4
51170081 54 km W of Petrolia, CA Apr 16 2006 15:25:42 PDT 40.38 -124.92 3.6
51169777 13 km NE of San Simeon, CA Apr 7 2006 05:53:26 PDT 35.73 -121.10 3.7
51169770 17 km N of Willits, CA Apr 7 2006 03:04:28 PDT 39.56 -123.36 3.5
51169755 13 km NE of San Simeon, CA Apr 6 2006 18:06:54 PDT 35.73 -121.10 4.2
51169711 13 km NE of San Simeon, CA Apr 5 2006 07:36:52 PDT 35.73 -121.10 3.6
51169577 4 km ESE of Pinnacles, CA Apr 1 2006 04:26:00 PST 36.52 -121.10 4.3
51169417 10 km SW of Petrolia, CA Mar 25 2006 17:56:38 PST 40.27 -124.39 4.6
51169283 6 km SE of Moraga, CA Mar 21 2006 13:41:42 PST 37.81 -122.07 3.7
40183725 12 km SSE of Talmage, CA Mar 3 2006 04:49:51 PST 39.03 -123.12 3.7
40183357 30 km E of Lee Vining, CA Feb 16 2006 09:47:59 PST 37.98 -118.78 4.2
51167903 30 km E of Alum Rock, CA Jan 25 2006 07:29:57 PST 37.39 -121.48 3.7
40182619 28 km E of Alum Rock, CA Jan 15 2006 02:42:07 PST 37.39 -121.51 3.6

^wow rx,

im starting to believe that your a time traveler in disguise,

hopefully ur quake prediction is wrong but the tall office towers is true :)

I hope they all live, and dont move to Minnesota.
I agree with you Rx bush is aweful, mr 29% is the worst president we have had in my opinion, though others have tried.
Roark 8% interest rates were that high because the fed was trying to slow down the economy, you understand this right? Rates are lowest when the economy is poorest, then they go up as things improve.

ROARK PLEASE LOOK BACK AT THE FIRST GREAT DEPRESSION AND COMPARE THOSE DAYS WITH THESE AND YOU MIGHT SEE THE BIG PICTURE...Okay. Are you making a point? What is it?

BUT YOU CANT BECAUSE YOU ARE A BUSH FANATICI see the big picture already. What the hell are you talking about #1, and #2 I"m not a Bush Fanatic. I'm not fanatic about much at all. Where do you get off calling me that?? If I called you Capt. Capital Letters, I could easily support that name calling with the fact that you posted in all capital letters. Get it? You got to support your ascertations with some facts.
REAL ESTATE BUBBLE? UMM PLEASE TAKE SOME MICRO AND MACRO ECONOMICS AND THEN TELL ME ABOUT REAL ESTATE TRENDS.Done that, 15 years ago. Just finished the "Undercover Economist" on the plane, the education never ends. Thanks for asking politely! Now, allow me to "TELL ME ABOUT REAL ESTATE TRENDS".
http://www.restainer.com/skyscrapers/realestatecycles.jpg
YOU WILL SEE HOW I HAVE BEEN ACURATE ABOUT ALL THE INFORMATION I HAVE POSTED ON HERENope. I'm not a Bush fanatic!!! Definitely bad information. To a newby reading that, he might get the wrong impression. Shame on you.
YOU MIGHT NOT LIKE THIS BUT THE SOCIALIST PARTY IS ACTUALLY STREGHTENINGWhy would you assume that I might not like that? That is fine with me, to each his own. What year to you predict that they will strengthen to have the almighty force of the Green Party?
IDIOT OF A PRESIDENT....Nice policy, namecalling.
YOU MIGHT WANT TO TURN THE CHANNEL TO SOMETHING OTHER THEN FOX NEWS THERES A WORLD OF OTHER NETWORKS OUT THERE THAT REPORTS THE TRUTH OF WHATS GOING ON.Another faulty suggestion, about what I do with my life. Where do you come up with stuff?? In case you are truly interested in the truth, I don't watch television news and seldom read the newspaper. But I see where you are going....if you could possibly demonize, namecall and be dismissive of your fellow Americans the have differing viewpoints, you can dismiss their ideas. If you really believe that the President was an Idiot, you don't have to listen to his ideas or even study the policy for another second.
Done. That's it. No more effort, work, researching, fact checking necessary.
It is a great way for a party's leadership to keep it's voters in line.
Don't even listen to that other point of view...that guy is a poopy head. :)

I THINK YOUR JUST AS STUBBURN.....

CALIFORNIA WILL SUFFER AN EARTHQUAKE THIS YEAR 2006
AND THERE WILL BE A MASS EXODUS
TO FLORIDA (50%) AND ARIZONA (25%) AND THE CAROLINAS (25%)

THE QUAKE WILL TAKE PLACE IN AREAS OF SAF_SAS+SAP+SAN+SAO
KNOWN AS THE SAN ADREAS FAULT.

WHERE WILL OUR GOVT GET THE FEDERAL FUNDS FOR HELP?Classic!!! :cheers:
I'll be you $500 that you are dead wrong. I'll be willing to bet you another $1,000 that there isn't even a slight "EXODUS" of population moving from California to NC, AZ, & FL. How does less than 10% suit you? I'll log your prediction that 100% of the California population is going to move in 2006 after an earthquake into my Outlook calendar and remind you at New Year's what payment method to use!!
That's a good one!

Rx is normally a good poster. Making earthquake predictions though? That's Art Bell terrirotry. Do we need to send somebody over and check to make sure he's taking his meds?

Rx is normally a good poster. Making earthquake predictions though? That's Art Bell terrirotry. Do we need to send somebody over and check to make sure he's taking his meds?
yeah, he's usually a great poster. i'd like to push forth the idea that he was maybe drinking and typing.

so you suggest that the other half of america that didnt vote for him should just move?

i say pass a law that states if you didnt vote for him you dont pay taxes to fix his fuckups.

next time you want to disagree with me you might not want to say that i believe in a fucking realestate bubble.... becuase you are way off base


and for your info FAA is ready to agree on certain areas of miami hieght limit be raised so we can have 1000ft towers. study is being finalized

and all of california doesnt lie on a fault line only the coast which is what will happen they have been getting earthquakes about every other day from the beggining of the year

oh and as far as micro and macro economics dont think your the only one that has gone to school here roark.

we value your opinion but sometimes the "cuban that always wants to be right in you" gets in the way. and this coming from another cuban.

THIS IS WHAT I THINK ABOUT BUSH ALONG WITH 50% OF AMERICA

WHATS HIS POPULARITY RATING 20 SOMETHING LIKE HIS IQ?

http://img128.imageshack.us/img128/7889/371959083l8oh3gk.gif (http://imageshack.us)

http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/1039/bc4832233ig.gif (http://imageshack.us)

AND THAT IS WHY I AM MOVING TO LONDON UNTIL THIS MESS IS CLEARED

Yeah...usually a very strong poster, but something is up. Rx is vascillating wildly between posts of ALL CAPS to almost no caps. Someone should check in, maybe his little sister has gotten a hold of his password! :) so you suggest that the other half of america that didnt vote for him should just move?Never suggested that, never will.
and all of california doesnt lie on a fault line only the coast which is what will happen they have been getting earthquakes about every other day from the beggining of the yearSo, are you dodging the "put your money where your mouth is challenge", changing that brilliant prediction, where you posted, CALIFORNIA WILL SUFFER AN EARTHQUAKE THIS YEAR 2006 AND THERE WILL BE A MASS EXODUS TO FLORIDA (50%) AND ARIZONA (25%) AND THE CAROLINAS (25%) ??? I wouldn't blame if you did.
oh and as far as micro and macro economics dont think your the only one that has gone to school here roark.I don't think that and never did/will. That was a response to another humdinger of an accusation. The one where you posted UMM PLEASE TAKE SOME MICRO AND MACRO ECONOMICS AND THEN TELL ME ABOUT REAL ESTATE TRENDS.
we value your opinion but sometimes the "cuban that always wants to be right in you" gets in the way. and this coming from another cuban.Well, in your new spirit of inaccuarate posting, you might have forgotten that I'm not Cuban. I'm American, four generations so far. And it's true, I like to strive for accuracy and facts, always. It doesn't always happen that way, but making a day to day effort towards trying to be right shouldn't have a negative connotation if that is what you are implying.

Roark can you put some effort into not being an ass, just for once? :)

HE WOULD NEVER GIVE UP A FIGHT

MAKES ME WONDER IF HE IS A TAURUS OR SCORPIO.

HOW CAN SOMEONE BE ONLY FOUR GENERATIONS AMERICAN THAT MUST MAKE THEM SOMETHING ELSE BEFORE THAT ACTUAL FIRST GENERATION WAS AMERICAN?

MAYBE HES A "FIGHTING" IRISH...

Roark can you put some effort into not being an ass, just for once?

LOL, I just laugh thinking back to the summer when roark was dismissing my posts that there were much better real estate opportunities in the state for investment purposes, specifically I recommended Gainesville and Ocala.

According to the Florida Association of Realtor data, South Florida real estate appreciation peaked in the summer and has gone nowhere the last 6-8 months, while Gainesville and Ocala are both up significantly since the summer.

So damn it, I'm the time traveler, people! Give me my props!!!!

LOL, I just laugh thinking back to the summer when roark was dismissing my posts that there were much better real estate opportunities in the state for investment purposes, specifically I recommended Gainesville and Ocala.

According to the Florida Association of Realtor data, South Florida real estate appreciation peaked in the summer and has gone nowhere the last 6-8 months, while Gainesville and Ocala are both up significantly since the summer.

So damn it, I'm the time traveler, people! Give me my props!!!!
oooooooo logybogy 1, roark 0

roark, would you like to rebuttle?

Roark can you put some effort into not being an ass, just for once? :)Hold up...this cat is calling me names, making false accusations, and quite possibly bad catastrophe predictions, I defend myself rather than attack, and I'M the ass...
Yeah, okay....I'll grow up.

oooooooo logybogy 1, roark 0 roark, would you like to rebuttle?
Originally Posted by logybogy
LOL, I just laugh thinking back to the summer when roark was dismissing my posts that there were much better real estate opportunities in the state for investment purposes, specifically I recommended Gainesville and Ocala.Oh yeah...I remember it well. I admire your faith in those markets, and I still have faith in Miami MSA, specifically Miami Beach. You also mentioned Tallahassee in addition to Gainsville and Ocala. And you get props for calling those markets, they are definitley hot. I didn't really diss your call, I said that you pick 5 properties and I'll pick 5 properties and we will see what the return is...part of my point was that you will have to travel to those places to find them/maintain them, or pay someone to do that. If you are buying in your own backyard, it makes things a bit easier and less costly. 19% in my backyard is plenty for me.

Here is the latest (April 25, 2006) release from the National Association of Realtors.
Miami MSA #of Sales up 21% median price up 19%
Gainsville # of sales up 4% Median price up 28%
Ocala # of sales up 6% Median price up 27%
Tallahasse # of sales up 10% Median price up 12%

Florida's existing home sales pace slows, median price rises in March
Existing-home sales rise again in March, says NAR
ORLANDO, Fla. -- April 25, 2006 -- Slowly rising mortgage rates and higher levels of for-sale inventory influenced Florida's housing sector in March as the state's market continued to adjust on the heels of a five-year record pace. Statewide, sales of single-family existing homes totaled 18,881 last month compared to March 2005's sales of 24,091 homes for a 22 percent decrease, according to the Florida Association of Realtors® (FAR).

While housing industry analysts predict that home prices eventually will cool, annual appreciation currently remains in the double-digits in many markets throughout Florida and the U.S. Realtors report that demand continues to impact housing prices across Florida, as the state's warm weather, scenic attractions and favorable business climate attract new residents.

Last month, the statewide median price rose 17 percent to $248,200; a year ago, it was $212,600. In March 2001, the statewide median sales price was $121,600, which is an increase of about 104 percent over the five-year-period, according to FAR records. The median is a typical market price where half the homes sold for more, half for less.

The national single-family existing home median price was $208,500 in February 2006, up 11.6 percent from a year earlier, according to the National Association of Realtors® (NAR). In California, the statewide median resales price was $535,470 in February; in Massachusetts, it was $339,450; in New York, it was $300,000; and in Maryland, it was $294,577.

Looking to Florida's existing condominium market, sales of existing condos also decreased in March, with a total of 6,481 condos sold statewide compared to 8,388 in March 2005 for a 23 percent decline, according to FAR. The statewide median sales price for condos rose 2 percent to $214,200 last month; a year ago, it was $210,300. The national median existing condo price was $214,300 in February 2006.

In March, the average interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage was 6.32 percent -- still favorable for potential buyers, but higher than the rate of 5.93 percent a year ago. FAR’s sales figures reflect closings, which typically occur 30 to 90 days after sales contracts are written.

Among the state’s larger markets, the Miami Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) reported a 21 percent increase in home sales last month with a total of 942 homes sold; a year ago, a total of 777 homes sold. The median sales price rose 19 percent to $383,100; last year, it was $322,300.

Norka M. Diaz, president of the Realtor Association of Miami-Dade County and president and broker-owner of Norka Realty Inc. in Hialeah, says she sees a lot of first-time buyers entering their market. "Our inventory is up, but properties are really moving," she says. "People feel they are wasting their money by renting and are ready to buy, and mortgage rates remain favorable. Miami is a gateway for international travel and a great place to live -- it's fast-paced, with many business opportunities and things to do."

Jacksonville, another large Florida MSA, also reported a higher level of resales activity last month, with 1,701 homes changing hands for a 9 percent increase over the March 2005 figure. The market's median sales price also rose 15 percent to $197,400.

Among the smaller markets in Florida, the OcalaMSA had higher sales in March, with 598 homes sold compared to 566 homes a year ago for a 6 percent gain. The median sales price rose 27 percent to $161,100; a year ago, it was $126,800.

Gregory Lord, president-elect of the Ocala-Marion County Association of Realtors and co-owner of Homes To Ranches Realty Inc. in Ocala, says the area's laid-back lifestyle and friendly residents draw buyers. "People are still looking for the quality of life that Marion County has to offer," he says. "Our area remains a little more rural, with a relaxed atmosphere that appeals to many newcomers. And we're well-known in the horse world -- if people are looking for an equestrian community, this is the place to be."

Other smaller MSAs in the state reporting higher March sales compared to last year include: Tallahassee, where 499 homes changed hands for a 10 percent increase; and Gainesville, where 298 homes sold for a 4 percent gain. The median sales price also rose in those markets: in Gainesville, 28 percent to $218,600; and in Tallahassee, 12 percent to $173,500.

© 2006 FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS

Yeah, you have a point about staying in your backyard. I have a home near Gainesville and live there part of the year so it's easy for me to look in on my investment properties in the area. But I'm telling ya, take a trip up there and look in on some of the properties. I think you'll find a lot of value for a long-term investment, not to mention it's a beautiful area if you just wanted a retreat in the country.

Tell me where you can find something like this in South Florida for half a mil?

http://www.fsboingainesville.com/60401/

Tell me where you can find something like this in South Florida for half a mil?

Opa-Locka? Liberty City?

Actually, don't laugh. I'm increasingly convinced that buying ghetto properties is the route to true wealth. If you buy a crackhouse at a tax auction for ~$15k, demolish it for another $10k or so, and sit on it for a few years, you only have to sell it for $50k to double your investment... and if you just keep paying the $1-2k/year in taxes for a decade or two, and the area eventually booms for some reason... well, then you're like someone who owns a half-dozen properties along 79th street bought 10 years ago for almost nothing that are now worth $1 million+ apiece :)

Compare that to buying condos in Brickell... how much does it cost just to own a $360k+ condo somewhere. Even if you paid $250k for it at rock-bottom preconstruction prices, it has to gain more than a quarter of a million dollars in value to double your investment. Compare that potential to, say, 10 properties scattered around Miami's various ghetto neighborhoods, any of which could hit the jackpot... in time, probably at least half.

Being a slumlord isn't sexy, but can be VERY profitable. If you're brave enough to actually try fixing buildings up enough to meet code and rent them out, it's even better, because you can spend almost nothing on maintenance and run them into the ground while taking in $500-1k/month in rent. People who rent $400k+ condos are fickle and demanding. They'll call their lawyer if they hear the toilet gurgle, even though they're only paying you $1,600/month to live in a condo that's costing YOU ~$2,400/month in mortgage, condo fees, taxes, and insurance. Compare that to someone who might be paying you $500/month in rent for a cockroach-infested hellhole with broken windows, central A/C that hasn't worked in a decade, and carpet that was laid during the Eisenhower administration... but you bought for less than $25k cash, and spend about $2,500/year on taxes & maintenance.

At least, that's the conclusion I've come to. Especially if you're not a realtor, and are just getting started. Screwing up badly with a $10k investment sucks, but isn't the end of the world. It's tuition in the College of Life. Screwing up even a tiny bit on a $300k investment can bankrupt you.

Anyway, just some food for thought. Roark? :)

I wish I could buy a crackhouse for $10K in Opa Locka!!!!

http://www.ewm.com/photolib/wyld/H796168_000.jpg

http://www.ewm.com/properties/view.asp?webid=285848431

But looking at the listings, this Opa Locka 2 bedroom 839 square foot piece of shit built in 1971 with a blue hurricane tarp roof from Wilma is listed at get this...

$163,500.

Oooooooh, I found another gem in Opa-Locka. :)

This "handy-man special" only costs $129,800.

http://www.ewm.com/photolib/wyld/M1029080_000.jpg

Dredging the river IS important, no question, but I stand by my comments about Ros-Lehtinen.

She is routinely considered a flyweight in Congress, and has nowhere near the influence one would expect after over a decade there. People forget that she won the seat because of her husband, Dexter...not because she was particularly qualified.

She isn't. Never was.

I've met her. She's a charming person. But I'd be lying if I said she was impressive intellectually.

Washington swallows people like her alive...and I think Miami would benefit from something/someone more substantial than her. Someone who would actively fight for mor Fed money in a city that very much needs and deserves it.

My feeling is this:

Miami went from having congressional representation that FAR outstripped its size---people like Fascell, Pepper, and Lehman that brought home TONS of federal money---to having unprepared dweebs like Ros-Lehtinen and the Brothers Diaz-Balart once the city became genuinely huge.

Ileana and the gang have spent far too much time on Cold War politics (without realizing that nobody north of County-Line Road gives a flying crap anymore) and NOT enough time on Miami.

I say that because I LOVE Miami, OK?

But I will defer to you on the river stuff. That's a start.

Intellect is not a pre-requisite for holding public office, and history is littered with "smart" government officials who turned out to be duds.

And since when is a government official in charge of hunting for government handouts just because the city they represent is poor? Since when is throwing money at a problem a solution?

Back on topic, perhaps MIA should be renamed.....Lehman International?

Hold up...this cat is calling me names, making false accusations, and quite possibly bad catastrophe predictions, I defend myself rather than attack, and I'M the ass...
Yeah, okay....I'll grow up.


It not just this man, you do this about everything. You just cant stand to see that others think things differently than you. You say you love Miami for its diversity? I dont see any love for diversity on this forum from you.
Oh, and RX does seem to have the inside track on a lot of info, Im very interested on what he has to say.

Oooooooh, I found another gem in Opa-Locka. :)

This "handy-man special" only costs $129,800.

http://www.ewm.com/photolib/wyld/M1029080_000.jpg

That has that nice hurricane ravaged look so popular in New Orleans these days.

imma go out on a limb, and say we've gone off topic.... not that i mind, just a careful observation

Hmmm. OK, I guess people have started to figure out that in another 10 years or so, downtown Opa-Locka (around the Tri-Rail station) will be an edgy, urban neighborhood that's still semi-affordable to those who are only moderately wealthy ;)

Oh well. There's still Liberty City. I made the mistake of taking 62nd Street(?) all the way to the upper eastside from Super Wal Mart in Hialeah at ~10pm a few months ago when I-95 was closed for filming and 195 and 836 were both gridlocked due to detours. Damn, that was scary. Literally, burned-out buildings. Really dirty looks from groups of people scoping out every car driving by (all 3 or 4 per hour, apparently). It's really been a long time since I've actually felt genuinely scared driving anywhere in Miami. It probably doesn't look as bad during the day, but at night (with 3/4 the streetlights broken, for that matter), it wasn't fun.

It not just this man, you do this about everything. You just cant stand to see that others think things differently than you. You say you love Miami for its diversity? I dont see any love for diversity on this forum from you.
Oh, and RX does seem to have the inside track on a lot of info, Im very interested on what he has to say.I agree...I love most of Rx's posts. Just not the one's where he makes false accusations.

Of course, I embrace people that think differently, especially when they can offer up refreshing ideas. Calling a person that you have never met a fanatic or an idiot isn't my notion of a refreshing "idea". Not saying that he doesn't have the right to post inaccuarate accusations.

What you posted, "you can't stand to see that others think things differently than me" is simply not true. For example, I don't have any tatoos, but am an afficianado of the lower back tatoos the permeate Flamingo and South Beach. I love that inking outside the box.

imma go out on a limb, and say we've gone off topic.... not that i mind, just a careful observation

I've been saying that all along about these dead people posts.