In Miami, the last impression many tourists have is gas stations like this - near the Airport - that is charging $1 more than gas stations less than 3 blocks away! That does not bode well for bringing these people back!
When it comes to promoting South Florida, there may not be anyone who will do more to shine the spotlight on this area than me. That’s why what was discovered by Channel 10 on Monday was quite disturbing.
While I still fully intend to talk about the great things going on in our community over the next few weeks, I need to address the two gas station owners across from Miami International Airport who openly admit that it’s the tourists who pay the price for $4.60 a gallon for regular, so what the heck!
My first inclination would be to call them idiots who are getting fat off of tourists - not locals - and it would anger me to probably go over there and try divert traffic down the street, where the price is cheaper and the business would like your last impression to be positive.
The hard work we have done to attract tourists from across the country and throughout the world in these tough economic times, and the parting shot we have from these two heartless people is we are going to charge you nearly a $1 more a gallon than any other gas station because we have you trapped in your rental car in a foreign area!
It’s people like this that all of us would hope, when we travel to other areas, that we aren’t getting screwed by. They can charge what they want, and the tourists will pay it. Whether it’s illegal or not, what these business owners are doing is not the right thing to do.
While they claim to be trying to get the money back that taxes are taking out of their business, many others who are in the same area seem to be doing just fine – without putting any burden on the very people we want back again – and again.
I have such low tolerance for people who try to scam others. These are not residents of South Florida who actually care about what economy will be like when they drive people away because they are ripping them off and giving us a bad reputation.
I am so tired of promoting and trying to come up with sound ideas to attract new visitors - when you have foolish business people - do their best to make them NOT want to come back.
By the way, I am a supporter of making a dollar, but when it comes to making it on the misfortune of others, it's not a hard-working dollar in my book.
SOBE Wine & Food Gourmet Trucks Coming Saturday Night to
Gulfstream
Now, I will do what I set out to do before watching that horror how on TV this past Monday. It's all about promoting this community and the areas around us. That is Saturday night, Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach will play host to the Gourmet Food Trucks, highlighting the official festival closing party of the South Beach Wine & Food Festival.
Admission to the SOBE closing party at the Ritz-Carlton was $95. The event is sold out.
Admission to Saturday’s night’s event at Gulfstream, to be held at the Pisco Porton Tiki Hut, is free.
Trucks at Gulfstream will include Gypsy Kitchen, Mr. Cheezious, C&S Brisket Bus, The Fish Box, The Rolling Stove, Cool Haus and Islas Canarias’ Cubancube.
Gulfstream Park is the home of Ten Palms American Kitchen and Stone Crab Parlor and Sammy’s Jewish Soul Food. Chef Ralph Pagano, Gulfstream’s Vice President of Hospitality, is known worldwide as host of the popular television show, Pressure Cook, and for his appearances on Iron Chef America and Hell’s Kitchen.
MARDI GRAS CASINO’s 2012 FIREHOUSE COOK-OFF!
Instead of Iron Chefs, we will watch Fire House Chefs throwdown their tastiest creations. This smoking hot event will take place on Sunday, March 11, from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., when local fire departments will compete for a $400.00 grand prize, and vendors will compete for a $100.00 best booth prize.
Delicious BBQ, face painters, live entertainment and more will be featured the entire day. Admission is only $5.00 per person. Proceeds will benefit the Hallandale Beach Fire Rescue Benevolent Fund.
The fund was created to directly to support YOUR local Firefighters and Paramedics. It provides assistance to local firefighters, paramedics and their families who may require financial assistance with unforeseen, unavoidable emergencies caused by the hardships of illness, injury or death. It supports and sponsors the Specialized Competition Teams of Hallandale Beach Fire Rescue, such as the ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) Competition Team, Honor Guard Team, Vehicle Extrication Team, The Firefighter’s Combat Challenge Team and the Florida Firefighter Olympic Athletes. The Fund is also used to improve the quality of life for local firefighters while on duty and provide them with simple comforts during their 24-hour shift away from home.
The Hallandale Beach Fire Rescue Benevolent Fund relies on the support and assistance from the community, our neighbors and the citizens. 100 percent of donations go directly to the HBFR Benevolent Association in support of its members. A fun day for the whole family, South Florida Aquatics will also be present offering car washes while you enjoy the BBQ excitement.
Located at 831 North Federal Highway Hallandale Beach, FL 33009 1.877.55.SLOTS.
The South Florida Sun Times is all about promoting and highlighting the positives in our communities. Have an event that will take our area to the next level, let Larry Blustein know. sfsuntimes@aol.com - Follow us on TWITTER @ sfsuntimes.
