Trump's Many Libraries?

The Master Developer may be on his way to many Presidential Libraries.  At first I'd thought he'd refuse the site in downtown Miami because he'd want to tie his presidential library to a big development -- golf course, hotel, resort, etc. But The Miami Herald is reporting that Eric Trump is enthusiastic about the site -- two acres in the heart of Miami worth perhaps $200 million. Perfect for a high-rise with hotel etc. Maybe they can even make it a marketing point that it's next door to the biggest symbol of immigration in Miami. Not sure how they'd spin that, maybe something about anti-Communism and ... who knows. The land is a sweetheart gift from the state with basically no strings attached.

And then it occurred to me: There's no reason he should be limited to a single library. He could have a room off the lobby that he calls The Presidential Library -- and a building at a Palm Beach golf course -- and another in New Jersey. 

My wife, Kathy Martin, and I have visited a lot of presidential libraries. Each interesting in its own way. Reagan's has a show biz quality to it. Nixon's is not really a "library" -- all the documents from his administration are stored in Washington.

Each of Trump's will be distinctive, I'm sure. A friend wisecracked that Trump has   never read a book -- but so what? Collections of MAGA hats, presidential decrees, etc. The possibilities are endless. 

 

Why Cuba Is Ripe for Corruption

 A fascinating recent story in The Miami Herald about corruption in Cuba got me thinking about stories I wrote more than two decades ago – and I thought: “Of course!”

It’s inevitable. I saw the same process in Romania in 2001 – and thought it would be repeated in Cuba, though I misjudged the specifics. For the full analysis, click HERE. 

A Fabulous Novel about Miami

 Say Hello to My Little Friend may be the best novel ever written about Miami -- showing a lifestyle that rarely makes it into print. A work of genius. See more HERE.

Tom Petersen: A Special Public Servant

 For a half-century, he served Miami-Dade as VISTA volunteer, public defender, top administrator in the state attorney's office -- and finally judge. He was the only person I wrote two Tropic cover stories on. His quests continue to fascinate and trouble me. My memories of this extraordinary man are HERE.  

Miami-Dade Recycling To Miss Deadline

Miami-Dade's plan to change its recycling won't meet a March 31 deadline. Full story at the right, or click HERE

What To Do with Plastic No Recycler Wants

My esteemed spouse, super-recycler Kathy Martin, found a company that would accept plastic that our local recycling facilities reject. The cost was hefty -- as was the uncertainty about what happens to the stuff. Full story available HERE.  

FPL Finally Gets Smart About Burying Lines

 For decades, Florida Power & Light said burying lines was "not a silver bullet." Then it offered to underground if the community paid. Now, the worst areas are getting buried lines for essentially nothing. For full story see the page on left or click HERE.