| Re: November 18,2019 |
Subject: Re: November 18,2019 by TommyT-Bone on 2019/11/18 19:19:46 It's more of the politicians that are at fault. If you build it, they will come. Developers have lined the pockets of those that would see fit to permit growth into sensitive environmental areas. They developers are already taking over farm country block by block working their way to the edge of the Everglades. Like I said, I moved here to a quaint little city of 25,000 people. Hurricane Andrew cut that in half. It has since grown to over 70,000. mainly a bedroom community for those willing to make the drive to Miami. 1 1/2 to 2 hours one way during rush hour. Developers have bought out sections of Miami block by block from downtown heading in all directions. Sue's family moved here from New York back in the 1940's The Army had chased the Seminole and Miccosukee tribe south and into the glades in the late 1800's. Henry Flagler along with other visionaries built the railroad. Those that came mostly became farmers or shopkeepers. They had to endure the heat, mosquitoes and other biting insects, alligators, snakes and more. I remember in the 1980's the Miccosukee tribe avoided contact with outsiders. Few spoke English except for the children that were taught in school. They lived by the old ways in open Chickee huts made from cedar posts and Sable Palm thatched roofs. A common kitchen area was set in the middle of the camp. My brother in law married a Miccosukee woman and over time I was introduced to many of the tribal members. Sue became good friends with her sister in laws mother and was until her recent passing. We know Tigers, Tigertails, Osceola's and also many tribal leaders. We also knew the medicine woman. The white man was not often trusted. For good reason I can assure you. Back then the tribe was just under 300 people. It has grown to about 500 but many are of mixed blood. The Seminoles had built a casino back in the 80's. They were more mainstream and had integrated with the settlers all along trading back when the railroad came. Blacks had also settled in the Miami area in an area known as Overtown and Liberty City. They also settled an area outside of Coconut Grove known as The Black Grove. So all along this area has had a variety of people. Some even from the Bahama's, Jamaica and Cuba. Once the Miccosukee built a casino back in the late 1990's everything changed for them. They got a share of the profits from the casino profits so with such a small population they all made some good money. A husband, wife,and two children of Miccosukee descent were making about 100k a year not including whatever they did for a living like airboat operators, gift shop workers, alligator wrestling, making crafts or working at the casino. Suddenly they had money. They started building houses, some moving off the reservation. They bought cars and boats and electronics. The lack of trust though continued. The kids were going to better schools and some of the then younger tribal members that were about my age were earning degrees through higher education. The culture started slipping away. The elders were still living in isolation but the kids were out. They were exposed to everything. And they ate it all up. They had everything they could want and they could afford it. I really loved South Florida back before then. It is a place now lost in time. Well, anyway. I hope you enjoyed some of my ramblings. Ya, I still live here and don't know if I'm going anywhere fast. The world keeps changing around me but I still like to escape time. Live a simpler lifestyle. Try to stay away from what's coming. Kind of like the tribal elders. One by one the old timers are gone. |
