At this Thursday's City Commission meeting, Commission Chair, Joe Sanchez (who is running for mayor) will be sponsoring a resolution to keep the popular tv show Burn Notice based in the Grove, at the Expo Center. He would like to keep them filming through the 2010 season.Our district commissioner, Marc Sarnoff would like the tv show out asap, so the city can knock down the old Expo Center and make it a park.
Many feel that the show, staring Jeffrey Donovan, right, should remain until they are off the air, which could be well beyond the 2010 season, according to the tv ratings. It is the most popular show on the USA tv network.
The random people I have asked, believe that it makes no sense to throw out the successful production company. They are said to spend upwards of $6 million per season on expenses from local crew salaries to food, lodging, car and truck rentals, lighting, construction materials and all the money that trickles down from that. With tax rolls down and money tight, why not keep Burn Notice's money coming in as well as keeping the good publicity the show gives Coconut Grove throughout the world?
I am constantly receiving emails from tourists asking about the show -- they want to know where they can see the filming, how they can be extras, etc. The tourists are well aware that the show is based in Coconut Grove, I find that to be pretty astute on their part. Fans actually come to Coconut Grove because of Burn Notice.
I was on one of the tour buses coming in during Pow Wow and when we pointed out the Expo Center as the Burn Notice studios, practically everyone on the bus ran to the right side of the bus to gaze out at the building. They were quite excited. Many of the tourists were from foreign countries.
Why throw out a top tv show that is bringing lots of money and publicity to the area? TV shows don't last forever, their days are numbered, why not let it happen naturally? The park can happen in due time. This is one instance where I am behind Comm. Joe Sanchez 100%.
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