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The Town of Southwest Ranches, Corrections Corporation of American (CCA), and DHS / ICE want to build one of the largest immigration detention centers in the nation within walking distance of thousands of homes; thus, reducing the quality of our life and our community. We do not agree with the federal government privatizing our immigration detention centers throughout the nation when there is clear evidence that privatizing our prisons creates a clear public safety threat. For ICE to continue to privatize these institutions and bring this safety threat through their "secure communities Initiative" to our community is unacceptable. Depriving someone of their liberty is a non-delegable governmental function and privatizing of such a function is infecting our nation like a virus.

The Town of Southwest Ranches has now entered into it's THIRD Fire Contract within the last year now with the Town of Davie, costing taxpayers $120,000 in ramp up fees. They are now closing several roads in western Southwest Ranches charging the tax payers $80,000 for the gates. They have paid an unknown amount of money for lobbying with ICE regarding this prison. They have several lawsuits against the Town, 1- Involving Open Meeting Violations on a November 5th meeting concerning the ICE Detention Center, 2- Open Records Violations, and 3- The Town is putting together a lawsuit to sue Pembroke Pines for breach of contract because the City utilized their exit clause and cancelled for convenience their Fire/EMS contract which included water and sewer at the last minute for the CCA prison. In the contract it states that there should be no third party beneficiaries. CCA would be a third party in this instance.

CCA has also filed suit in Federal court against the City of Pembroke Pines saying they are denying them water however the City had never seen a water application. The City did file for a Declaratory Judgement in State Court but that has been put on hold until the Federal Court hears the suit from CCA.

Is ANYONE CONFUSED as to why the Pembroke Pines/Southwest Ranches Fire Agreement was cancelled? The Town Attorney Keith Poliakoff attempted to "slip" into the agreement a portion that guaranteed water for the prison at CCA's request. This is something that should have been brought up separately. CCA should have brought it forward on their own in a water application. This is sleight of hand that CCA and the Town attempted to do because they were so afraid of CCA being on the Pembroke Pines agenda.

As of June 2012, ICE put out a statement that the site selection was no longer needed due to the fact that the extra bedspace was no longer needed. READ UPDATE HERE!


Friday, March 9, 2012

Message from Commissioner Angelo Castillo

Dear Friends:

We knew all along that the steps we took together would result in lawsuits filed out of frustration by CCA in response to the City Commission's actions of this week. We talked about it, I wrote you about it. We were served yesterday. Now, there will also be newspaper articles, some more sensationalist than others. Sadly, things have gotten to where we can't believe everything we read anymore nor is everything that we need to know about a story included in the articles. There will be lots of talk. But I'd like you to understand the following facts that nobody can dispute.



We had two contracts with the Town. One was a road closure agreement, the other was a fire rescue agreement. Both pf those contracts had termination provisions avaialble to either side, with or without cause. Pembroke Pines has never had any contracts with CCA, and CCA has no right per the terms of our two contracts with the Town, to rely on any agreement we ever made with the Town for any purpose whatsoever. They have no third party beneficiary rights. We never violated anyone's property rights. We simply cancelled two business contracts with the Town.

As to water and sewer obligations, our city has competing legal opinions and is in doubt of our obligations and rights under the law. The proper thing to do in that case is to ask for a declaratory judgment so that a judge can tell us what the law is and how to follow it. This step demonstrates the highest form of respect for property rights. The fact that some parties may be in a hurry to accomplish something or another doesn't change the fact that we, as a city, need to abide by the law which, in this instance, is unclear.

So, while some may be frustrated with these realities, and are probably reconsidering tactics that they might have more effectively used some years ago, I feel very confident that our City voted correctly on these matters. It's unfortunate that the frustration of others has caused a lawsuit to be filed however this was always anticipated. However, let me by crystal clear -- we violated nobody's property rights. For sure we violated nobody's civil rights. And for damned sure we had the right to cancel business contracts with the Town.

Notwithstanding, because our City has now been dragged into a lawsuit, there will be limits to what questions I can answer. This may cause frustration for residents who care and have questions. However, the residents of this City asked that we go down this path after fully understanding the consequences and risks involved. Nobody can say that these consequences, concerns, risks were not fully explained. They were. Our City chose that path. Now we must rise to face the consequence of that choice, and in doing so I don't want any of you to be scared or worried. We feel we are on sound legal ground in everything we have done and we are well represented by counsel who will handle the matter.

To the fullest extent permitted, I will continue keeping you informed.

Angelo
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5 comments:

  1. AnonymousMarch 9, 2012 at 11:24 PM

    what you guys did last wed took courage and it has not gone unnoticed. thank you. Not everything in life is about money and you guys understood this and voted with your hearts. again, thank you!!!

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  2. AnonymousMarch 10, 2012 at 12:14 AM

    Thank you for all that you've done. We've spent some very intense moments together. We have nothing but respect and admiration for the courage you've all taken knowing what lies down the road. Your residents can sleep better at night knowing that their government will protect them from the Predators lurking out there. They will also sleep better, because of people that care for their safety and protection. They will also sleep better because their real estate investment will stay stable. They won't have to abandon their homes and go bankrupt. The TOXIC CHEMICAL DUMP can be relocated to another area that is suitable for a PRISON Thank you from one "SMALL VOCAL MINORITY RESIDENT".

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  3. AnonymousMarch 10, 2012 at 10:23 AM

    Thank you Pembroke Pines! All of your efforts, time and energy is greatly appreciated! The residents of Pines and SWR thank you! You are saving both communities!

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  4. AnonymousMarch 11, 2012 at 9:38 AM

    Thank you for really listening and going to great lengths to resolve this. BRAVO to the 3 commissioners who represented their constituents.

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  5. AnonymousMarch 13, 2012 at 10:32 PM

    Faith is -- To fear nothing, To stand unswayed, The power to surmount whatever the obstacle. Thank you very much and we continue to stand strong on what is right!

    ReplyDelete

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