Assignment 5A- Identifying Local Opportunities
Opportunity #1
Article: Banning early voting on campuses is wrong, judge ruled. But Miami-Dade still said no
https://infoweb-newsbank-com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=pubname%3AMIHB%21Miami%2BHerald%252C%2BThe%2B%2528FL%2529/year%3A2018%212018/mody%3A0913%21September%2B13&f=advanced&action=browse&format=text&docref=news/16E6CAD134E30448
Description: Several organizations are urging the Miami-Dade county to allow early voting for college campuses in the residing area. Students are demanding for early voting to be allowed saying it encourages more people to vote. The elections department in this area didn't approve college campuses in the nearby area in their 25 early voting facilities. Elections department argues that the voter turnout for the early voting sites in these campuses in 2014 were among the lowest of the sites. Campuses like Miami-Dade college and FIU seem to be the most affected since they are 2 of the largest colleges in this area. However, the do plan to have an early voting site near the FIU campus nearly 2 miles close to it. Students continue to argue that if there was easier accesibility to vote, voter turnout would be great especially with all of the laws and tragedies that are occuring in Florida.
Problem: Providing only 25 early voting sites isn't nearly enough for a county like Miami-Dade. This area has a lot of residents and there are a lot of college students that could benefit from having on-site voting. Students are constantly busy and accessibility would encourage them to vote earlier, rather than voting later or not voting at all. Miami-Dade college is one of the largest campuses that Florida has and not providing a voting site can hinder the number of people who will vote.
Who: College students in the Miami-Dade area
Opportunity #2
Article: Miami Beach could soon arrest people operating Airbnb-like rentals without a license
https://infoweb-newsbank-com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=pubname%3AMIHB%21Miami%2BHerald%252C%2BThe%2B%2528FL%2529/year%3A2018%212018/mody%3A0912%21September%2B12&f=advanced&action=browse&format=text&docref=news/16E676710B323218
Description: Miami Beach is failing to control the illegal rentals market. They don't want businesses to operate without having a license. They are now trying to implement new regulations, they violator of the law will first have to pay a fine. If they are still unable to provide a license for the business that they are operating, they will be sent to jail. This new rule has also stated that any website, such as Airbnb are required to have listings that provide a license. The city officials argue that this is a necessary measure to maintain good living standards in this area. Airbnb countered with an argument saying the new rules violate a federal law that protects internet companies from what the users create in their website. With all these new rules, Miami Beach officials are still trying to find a way to enforce this since its providing a challenge.
Problem: Websites like Airbnb are providing people with opportunities to make money off of properties that they already own. They don't need a license to rent out their property through this website. Miami Beach is causing people to not only not being able to rent out their properties but from people losing out on the opportunity of finding a short-term rental for a cheaper price than other hotels or locations.
Who: Airbnb users, both people renting their property and people staying at the properties in Miami Beach
Opportunity #3
Article: Miami sneaker botique shutters store, frustrating resellers who haven't been paid
https://infoweb-newsbank-com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=pubname%3AMIHB%21Miami%2BHerald%252C%2BThe%2B%2528FL%2529/year%3A2018%212018/mody%3A0910%21September%2B10&f=advanced&action=browse&format=text&docref=news/16E5B154A7F124B8
Description: Sneak Attack a Miami based botique has been on a hiatus since September 1st. They were already behind on payments to the resellers that provided the merchandise for the store. Resellers began to express frustrations from the lack of communication from the management of this store. This store merchandise ranged from all different types of rare sneakers and exclusive clothing items provided by the resellers hoping they could make a good profit. This type of reselling usually goes online with items selling for a good amount of money. Resellers were told to visit the store in Miami since they were going to move it to another location. However, when they went to the location the store had been shuttered. Sneak Attack urged resellers in a public instagram post to contact them via email in an attempt to give them their merchandise back and the money the owed them. Resellers still haven't heard anything from management and haven't received any type of compensation.
Problem: Sneaker Attack has been evading paying the resellers and having any kind of communication with them. Resellers had given them rare items in hopes of receving the appropriate amount of profit from the store. Management hasn't gotten in touch with the resellers and they are losing out on the profit and the merchandise.
Who: Resellers who were giving merchandise to Sneaker Attack in Miami
Opportunity #4
Article: Miami Beach limits panhandling- but civil rights groups say that violates free speech
https://infoweb-newsbank-com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=pubname%3AMIHB%21Miami%2BHerald%252C%2BThe%2B%2528FL%2529/year%3A2018%212018/mody%3A0909%21September%2B09&f=advanced&action=browse&format=text&docref=news/16E5799BDF2C7030
Description: According to different civil rights organizations: Homeless people have the right to ask people for money or any kind of help in accordance with the 1st Amendment. These civil rights groups are demanding that panhandiling restrictions are removed from Miami Beach and any other Florida cities that have this restriction. They argue that rather than helping the homeless, they are adding to the problem by giving them fines and arresting them. Miami Beach officials argues that there are only a small group of locations like Banks or ATMs to which panhandiling applies. They also argue that this law hasn't been enforced since February. Civil rights groups want this law to be reppealed and for the ability to not have this law in place anymore so that it can't be enforced.
Problem: There are a lot of homeless people in Miami and their only source of income or food is asking people in the street. Panhandling provides a problem for them because if the ask someone they will be fined and they also have the chance of being placed in jail.
Who: Homeless in Miami Beach
Opportunity #5
Article: There are racoons with rabies in Miami-Dade
https://infoweb-newsbank-com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=pubname%3AMIHB%21Miami%2BHerald%252C%2BThe%2B%2528FL%2529/year%3A2018%212018/mody%3A0908%21September%2B08&f=advanced&action=browse&format=text&docref=news/16E524F02A79DEF0
Description: There have been several racoons in the Miami-Dade area that seem to be rabid. 5 racoons have been confirmed to have rabies in the Kendall area. Health officials are warning people with animals to stay away from the designated areas since they could be easily infected as well. They are also warning people to not get close as they could scratch them and they could pose a threat.
Problem: There are rabid racoons that can infect people's pets.
Who: People, pets and children who live in the Miami-Dade area
Hi Juliana!
ReplyDeleteI have to say that out of your five opportunities I think the strongest one is the 1st one about early voting. The fact that they do not have a place on campus could really hinder some people abilities to vote. I know plenty of people who would not be able to drive to an off campus voting spot, but if there was one on campus would definitely stop in for the few minutes it takes to vote. I am not sure if there is a solid opportunity for the 5th one however because I feel like the solution would be to call animal control. While I do agree rabies is a problem I am not sure that there is a large opportunity there. Overall though, I really liked your opportunities and learning about what is going on in Miami.
Raccons with rabies is definitely something I was not expecting to read about today. It is a very serious condition that can be harmful for many pets and pets owners. It is nice that people are warning each other about this situation. Regarding panhandling, I do not think it should exist. It is a discomfort when homeless people approach asking for money, but it is the only way they can eat. If they are such a big problem, maybe support houses should be created.
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