As some of you may have noticed, Miami Beach, as other tourist cities around the globe, has Artist Vendors spread out around the city, delighting visitors and locals alike with their art and crafts. From meticulous replicas of our iconic life guard stands, to miniature paintings, breezy hand crochet dresses and tops, and most of all, fun and cute beaded jewelry as well as impressive jewelry art, created by silversmiths, carrying on family traditions, these make up the fabric of a city sponsored program that was founded 18 years ago.

Now, the city of Miami Beach wants to significantly cut down on these artist vendors, specifically the ones selling beaded jewelry and other popular wearable, handmade items, severely hurting many of the artisans that have worked under this program since it's inception. This will mean that many, mostly older people, will find themselves without a source of income, a very cruel and unecessary measure.

While it is true there are some vendors are resellers and one vendor of late has been observed selling illegal brand name knock offs, this is not a reason to severely curtail a mostly successful program by yanking away the ability of 50-60 people to support themselves.

The only thing the city needs to do is strengthen their certification process, eliminate resellers and simplify a highly defective old ordinance. They should work with artisans to craft a new ordinance and guide those who may need a little help to beautify their tables, to create a new and robust program for the future,  not enact a poorly thought out ordinance which is both punitive and ineffective.

We are asking the commission to scrap the current proposed ordinance and start fresh with one that is crafted in the spirit of cooperation and support.

Please sign if you support and enjoy the artisan vendors of Miami Beach!