How can we get Zita Wilensky, the 16-year Miami-Dade (FL) government employee who was fired for failing to learn to speak Spanish, her job back? (For background on this case, go to http://www.englishfirst.org/wilensky.htm.)

Longtime residents of Miami-Dade have convinced me that the way their government is structured, makes it difficult to hold any one government official personally accountable. The County has a Mayor, a County Manager and a Board of Commissioners, each of whom can pass the buck to someone else.

An English First activist solved the problem in her letter today to Miami-Dade's Mayor, Alex Penelas:

I also would like to point out that I will not be bringing any of MY tourist dollars to your fine town until I know you have made things right. If this means I have to boycott any and EVERY THING coming out of Miami, so be it.

I have sent the following letter tonight to the president of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, with a carbon copy to Mayor Penelas by e-mail:

Dear Sir,

Zita Wilensky, a Miami-Dade County employee with 16 years of service, was recently fired for failing to learn Spanish in 60 days.

Mayor Alex Penelas could easily make Zita Wilensky whole if he chooses to do so. Until she is rehired and properly compensated, English First will encourage our 150,000 members to boycott all Miami-Dade businesses.

If English speakers are no longer welcome in Miami-Dade County government offices, the American money of English First members is also no longer welcome in Miami-Dade County.

Sincerely,

Jim Boulet, Jr.

Executive Director

If you could send a similar letter as an individual or as a member of a group, please do so.

Mr. William O. Cullom, President/Chief Executive Officer, Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, Omni International Complex, 1601 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, FL 33132-1260

E-MAIL: execofs@greatermiami.com

TEL: 305-350-7703

Mayor Alex Penelas, Office of the Mayor, Stephen P. Clark Center, 111 N.W. 1st Street, 29th Floor, Miami, Florida 33128

E-MAIL: mayor@miamidade.gov

TEL: (305) 375-5071

FAX: 305) 375-3618

County Manager Steve Shiver, Office of the County Manager, Stephen P. Clark Center, 111 N.W. 1st Street, Suite 2910, Miami, Florida 33128

E-MAIL: cmo@ miamidade.gov

TEL:(305) 375-1032

FAX: (305) 375-4658 or (305) 375-1262

Gwen Margolis, Chairperson of the Dade County Commission

E-MAIL: District4@miamidade.gov

TEL: (305) 375-5128

FAX: (305) 899-2208

Thank you in advance for doing what you can. Zita Wilensky's firing has become a national issue, thanks to you. Now we need to win, so Zita and her family can have their lives back.

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