Got this in my inbox -- how true is all this? Is it a big deal who wins over there?

quote:

Please read the entire letter and make note that early voting takes place this Saturday and Sunday, from 9:00AM to 7:00PM, at Miami Beach City Hall or at the North Shore Branch Library, 7501 Collins Ave. On election day, Tuesday, Nov. 20, polling locations are open from 7:00AM to 7:00PM. Like many of you living here in beautiful Miami Beach, I have resided here since 1988 and witnessed its entire progression firsthand. I am writing you today because I strongly feel that everything we have built as a community in the past 20 years is in grave danger. Currently, there is a runoff for the mayoral race with two completely different candidates who will direct the future of Miami Beach. The race pits Commissioner Simon Cruz against Commissioner Matti Herrera Bower for the role of Mayor. Each candidate has a different view of how our city should evolve over the next few years. The view I support is balanced, fun, thriving, energetic and progressive. Yes, I want South Beach to be modern and cool. But as a longtime resident, I also want clean streets, happy citizens and protection for our neighborhoods. Simon Cruz will strike this balance. This is why the Miami Beach Police and Firefighter's unions, as well as State Representative Luis Garcia, Miami Beach Commissioner Jerry Libbin and Surfside Mayor Charles Burkett, all endorse Simon. Furthermore, it's important to understand the views of the opposition. In May 2004, I witnessed one of the most irresponsible actions in Miami Beach politics take place. A devastating attempt was made by the opposition to end nightlife and entertainment at 2:00 a.m. and restrict social events, private fundraisers and many things that are the essence of what makes Miami Beach the hottest city in America. Whether you like nightlife and entertainment or not, please realize that they did this without an impact study. Such a study would have shown that if you take out the driving force of tourism, nightlife and entertainment, the hotels and restaurants wouldn't be as full, and people would shop less. It would affect all of us. The economy could have crumbled. That plan was akin to the government of Las Vegas trying to ban gambling or the government of Los Angeles banning the movie industry. The opposition's argument was that people don't come to Miami Beach for nightlife and entertainment. This is absurd. We are the official nightlife and entertainment capital of the United States and have been on the cover of every international magazine anointing us this ten times over. Obviously we can't let this way of thinking prevail. The opposition claims they are on the side of the residents. I am a resident and I know that if you bring down the infrastructure of Miami Beach's economy, we all will be affected * whether you own a café, $300,000 condo or a $6 million home on the water. The opposition also claims that Simon Cruz is only supported by special interest groups. I pledge and promise to you that my only special interest in getting Commissioner Cruz elected is to preserve this beautiful community, which we have all built in the last two decades. I have known Commissioner Cruz for years. He is sincere, dedicated and progressive. He has been portrayed as being supported by special interest groups. It's a cheap campaign trick that we will overcome. On Sunday, Simon Cruz is having a rally on Lincoln Road, which is being hosted by Shaquille O'Neal and the Miami Beach Police and Fire Departments. I urge you to show your support for Simon Cruz at this rally and in the polls. Please meet us at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 18 at Lincoln Road and Euclid Avenue, and we will walk with you to City Hall (only two blocks away) to vote. If you need a ride to the polls, please simply call (305) 989-8887 and we will drive you. Please understand how important your vote is. In the general election on November 6, fewer than 300 votes separated Bower and Commissioner Cruz. Similarly, Ed Tobin beat Michael Gongora in one of the Commission races by only 31 votes. Every single vote in this election is absolutely critical. If you cannot attend the rally, please make every effort to vote on Tuesday, November 20 instead.

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"In a world of illusion you only see what you feel"