Civic hype: the Performing Arts Center fiasco is another sign of misguided priorities.

The latest round of cost overruns and delays at the once-heralded Miami Performing Arts Center (MPAC) is a clear indication of the continuing misjudgment and misguided priorities of Miami-Dade's political leadership.

Like the Miami Arts Museum (MAM) and other cultural boondoggles, the MPAC is a continuing drain on the limited public resources available to our community. Rather than spend much-needed public money on private, elitist organizations, our elected leaders should address the truly pressing concerns of our county:

* Our schools are falling apart. <