Miami Beach tries to ban private parties

[burnthebeautiful]

This is a whole new kind of insane...

Residents Battle Proposed Private Party Ban

POSTED: 6:57 pm EST January 17, 2007
UPDATED: 6:17 am EST January 18, 2007

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. -- Miami Beach residents and city commissioners are going head to head over a proposed amendment that would make it illegal to have private gatherings at home.

Residents met at the Miami Beach City Hall Wednesday afternoon to discuss the deep repercussions for the residents if the amendment passes.

The proposed amendment would ban all large private gatherings and would discourage private parties for events such as the Super Bowl or MTV awards in the city of Miami Beach.
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It may also limit the current status as a city that welcomes events of national prestige.

Such restrictions are unheard of in other world-class cities both in the United States and Europe, and residents said they just couldn't allow this in Miami Beach.

"So the intent of the ordinance we support," Alex Heckler, an attorney representing some homeowners', said. "However, the way it is written, it actually affects everyday homeowner and resident from having their own private events."

If passed, the amendment would make illegal any private gathering of guests in your home where together guests may bring in excess of $100 of food, wine or contribution to cleaning.

This would mean that 15 guests, each bringing a gift or bottle of wine worth more $7 each, would be considered a commercial event, in violation of the law.

"Any event were your receive over $100 in gifts, goods or services would therefore be illegal and you would be fined," Heckler said.

The party may be shut down immediately and homeowners or renters would be liable for fines that would begin at $1,000 and may exceed $15,000.

The ordinance would preclude, even on private property, such events as Christmas parties, cocktail parties, birthday parties, barbecues if gifts are exchanged or food or drink contributed wherein and the total value of all gifts exceed $100.

The law was originally intended to protect homeowners from the unscrupulous renting of homes for large parties where ticket charges, sale of alcohol, large amounts of traffic, noise, garbage and other such annoyances are causing neighbors discomfort.

"I think as far as the noise issue is concerned, that needs to be modified," concerned resident Karyn Robinson said. "At 2 a.m., I don't want my kids coming downstairs saying they can't get to sleep because of noise."

[Rosie the Riveter]

I can't believe it!!! This make my head explode -- but

It sounds like a fun opprotunity for Civil Disobedience to me --

:bigparty: :bigparty:

:rimshot1:

[Dreepa]

"Any event were your receive over $100 in gifts, goods or services would therefore be illegal and you would be fined," Heckler said.

Hell no birthday parties...... They might have to cancel Christmas!

[Pat McCotter]

Potluck family reunion!

Little Havana!

Bridal/Baby Showers!

[Dreepa]

Potluck family reunion!

Little Havana!

Bridal/Baby Showers!

I want them all banned!!!!!!!!!

[Pat K]

Those damn kiddy birthday parties, you know how pin the tail on the donkey leads to total chaos!!!

[error]

Most states haven't gone so far, but Florida actually thinks it can control what you do in your own private property. Like California, I consider it a lost cause.

[FTL_Ian]

Good riddance to FL.

Anyone want to buy my old house there?   

[citizen_142002]

Have you considered calling an agent down there and having them list it, Ian?

[KBCraig]

Most states haven't gone so far, but Florida actually thinks it can control what you do in your own private property. Like California, I consider it a lost cause.

For many decades, Florida has been busy earning its nickname of "Where NYC goes to retire".

The political fallout shouldn't be a surprise.

Kevin

[aries]

Birthday parties!

Ban!

[Raineyrocks]

In my opinion Florida is beautiful but a sucky place to live. We lived there for about 6 months and I hated it. The people were unfriendly and I've heard that they like to take people's kids off of them for any little thing.  Years ago a cop stopped in front of our house and asked me and my girlfriend  why our kids were dirty (they were playing outside, duh!), we told him that and he looked at us real creepy like , okay I'll let you slide this time. Gee, thanks how nice of you, jerk!
My dad and stepmother just moved from a retirement place there, they said they couldn't afford the taxes anymore so now they are living in a Georgia trailer park.
It seems like there is a new law or ban being made every single day in this country, are we really going to win this fight?  I'm still in for the fight but sometimes it seems hopeless.

[aries]

Vacations in florida are always nice, even month-long ones.

I'm pretty sure I wouldn't want to live there.... maybe have some property to visit in the winter when I'm retired. I think maybe I should graduate and get a job before I think about that though.

[eques]

My father lives outside of Orlando, Florida, living the semi-retired life from the tender age of... 43, I think?  He's been down there for... wow, it's almost been five years now, has it?

I don't have much desire to visit Florida, and that doesn't really sweeten the deal at all.

Maybe Arizona, but who knows what'll happen by the time I'm willing/able to get out there.

[Raineyrocks]

 I always wanted to go to Canada for a visit and look now I'm about maybe 2 hours away, it's awesome!
One of my dreams has always been to see whales and now I can do that up here, I feel so lucky that I can be a part of the FSP and do somethings I've always wanted to also!

Does anyone know if we would need passports to come and go to Canada?