Opa-Locka FBO Gets Stay, New Eviction Order
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By George Larson
Opa-Locka Flightline, a Miami, Fla. FBO that lays claim to being the only such operation in the nation owned and operated by African-Americans, has received a new eviction order from AA Acquisitions demanding the company vacate in 120 days despite a stay of eviction issued less than a week ago against a previous eviction order.
On July 8, 11th Circuit Court Judge Jerald Bagley granted Opa-Locka Flightline's request to review a lower court ruling, the latest round in what is shaping up as a long legal battle between tenants and developers at the Opa-Locka Executive Airport under the Aviation Department of Dade County.
Anthony Robinson, a principal partner in Opa-Locka Flightline's management, says the most recent 120-day notice basically ignores the court's ruling and represents an effort to oust the FBO before the lucrative traffic arrives for the Super Bowl, which, along with the Pro Bowl, is slated to be played in Miami in early 2010. Attorneys have forwarded the latest eviction notice to the court as part of their continuing litigation, Robinson says.
Meanwhile, the race card is now face up as Ed Brown, another of Opa-Locka Flightline's partners, has drafted an appeal aimed at the Miami African-American community to boycott Miami International Airport and use Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood as a means to protest his company's treatment by the county Aviation Department. Using words reminiscent of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas's protest about his treatment during Senate hearings over his approval, the headline for the announced boycott reads: "Stop the High Tech Lynching, Protect Our Future." The text urges the recall of five elected officials, including U.S Rep. Kendrick Meek (D - Fla.) and four county commissioners.
The boycott also urges citizens to withdraw all funds from City National Bank, which is owned by Leonard Abess, a partner in AA Acquisitions. Robinson says community church leaders and prominent civil rights activists are behind the boycott effort, and his company is currently working on a media plan to publicize the boycott effort.
Photo credit: Miami-Dade Aviation Dept.
