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Motivated by You. Delivering for You. Committed to You.
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Dear Friends of District 8,
Thank you for signing-up to receive our newsletter, keeping informed about our community and getting involved to make South Dade a great place to live, work and play.
It’s hard to believe summer is soon coming to an end. My staff and I have been busy supporting wonderful community events, working on proposals to enhance our quality of life, developing programs to help businesses and people prosper, and assisting our residents with many of life’s challenges.
We are also preparing for the upcoming County budget season, an important time for everyone to let their voices be heard. If you are concerned about transit, safety, animal protection or other County services, then please participate in a
County Budget Public Meeting on Tuesday, August 22, 6 PM, at either the South Dade Regional Library in Cutler Bay or at the Dickinson Community Center in Homestead. For a
list of all sites countywide, click here.
Yours for a great District 8,
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Styrofoam-free Beaches and Parks
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Miami-Dade County kicked-off the summer by banning Styrofoam containers on our beaches and public lands. I am proud to have sponsored this ordinance as Styrofoam not only pollutes our water and land, but also breaks down into small pieces - causing fish, birds and other species to mistake it for food and causing devastating impact to our ecosystems. I am pleased to see our community take this step in the right direction for our planet and will continue to
advocate for other eco-friendly policies
for our water and lands as your County Commissioner.
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Making Miami-Dade Sustainable
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The Board of County Commissioners approved legislation I sponsored adopting the
Envision rating
system for Miami-Dade County infrastructure projects. This will ensure sustainability is included in the planning, design, construction and operation of County-funded infrastructure projects. Read more details in the full
resolution.
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We recently awarded 43 small businesses in District 8 with Mom & Pop grants ranging from $1,000 to $6,000. This year’s program priorities were
people, planet and profit. Preference points were given to businesses that provided paid and sick leave to their employees as well as living wages. Read more about the
Mom & Pop program.
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Free Training Opportunity for Nonprofit Leaders
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Thirty-five organizations grew stronger by participating in the 2016 Nonprofit Academy.
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The District 8 Nonprofit Academy providing comprehensive, capacity-building training for nonprofit leaders, is free and
now open for registration. The Academy is focused on increasing our nonprofit organizations’ access to education and resources, while creating a supportive network. I strongly encourage our community’s nonprofit leaders to take advantage of this in-depth, local training opportunity and to register now as space is limited. Read the
evite and learn more about the
curriculum. For more information and to register, call 305-378-6677.
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Monday, August 28, 6 PM, at the Alper JCC, 1115 SW 112 Ave.
I am convening a meeting to discuss environmental issues at Devon Aire Park. Area residents are invited to hear presentations about the environmental clean-up, safety concerns and impact on park activities. Representatives from Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces, the Department of Regulatory & Economic Resources, and the Florida Department of Health will join us.
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Transportation Community Conversation
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Wednesday, August 30, 6:30-8:30 PM, at the Palmetto Golf Course Meeting Room, 9300 SW 152 St.
The Department of Transportation and Public Works has agreed to present transportation updates at a community meeting. This comes after my request to delay plans to pursue a bridging project across the canal at SW 87 Avenue, north of SW 164 Street, until further data could be obtained and public input received. Before the project could move forward, it would need approval from the Transportation Planning Organization, on which I serve. Updates on the US 1 traffic signal improvements and Old Cutler Road plans will also be discussed. Please join us as I am eager to hear from you.
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More Police Protection for South Dade
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Thirty-six of Miami-Dade's finest were sworn in on August 3 to serve our community as guardians of the peace. They are a mature, skilled and well-trained cadre who we welcome after they have received their award-winning Public Safety Training Institute preparation and passed their state exams. Thankfully 11 are headed to Hammocks District, 10 to South District and 4 to Kendall. We welcome you!
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Kendall Woods Estates Water Project Completed
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We met with an amazing group of young leaders from Girl Scouts of Tropical Florida Troop #713. They took action, went door to door, and distributed flyers alerting their Kendall Wood Estates neighborhood about the water project to replace contaminated wells. I am proud to have assisted in their efforts by convening the community and securing the funds to advance this vital water safety project. Thank you Miami-Dade Water & Sewer Department employees for all of your hard work, professionalism and great customer service!
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Ron (A1892909) is a friendly and very handsome five-year-old Chihuahua mix. He was found as a stray by an Animal Welfare Officer on August 2, 2017 and brought to the Miami-Dade Animal Services Pet Adoption and Protection Center. The way to Ron’s heart is with yummy treats and squeaky toys. He will be looking to find his forever family at the
Clear the Shelters pet adoption event on Saturday, August 19. Ron’s adoption is completely free which includes neuter surgery, microchip, vaccinations and a license tag! If you’re interested in making Ron the newest furry addition to your home, visit the Pet Adoption and Protection Center at 3599 NW 79 Avenue in Doral or email
pets@miamidade.gov .
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Back to School B
est Wishes to All of our District 8 Students and Families!
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We had a great time supporting the students from the Careers in STEM Summer Camp at the Cutler Bay Back to School Bash and Robotics Exhibition.
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Great in 8 Profile: Cassandra Harding
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Last summer, Cassandra was such an exceptional intern for District 8 that I highly recommended her for the
Jackson Miracle Summer Student Internship Program. This summer, Cassandra was matched with the Jackson South Medical Center Human Resources and Capital Management department where interns are paid $10 per hour for a 40-hour work week. She has assisted the team with data entry, communicating with employees, arranging hospital orientation events, note-taking during union meetings, and proposing a nurse retention program that will improve employee satisfaction by having more accessibility to administration. Cassandra said, “I am learning how to think strategically and dynamically, communicate better, and help develop a stronger system for an essential community institution like Jackson. I am very grateful for the nomination I received as this experience is helping to expand my career development.” Best wishes Cassandra as you return for your sophomore year at Davidson College!
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Recycling Tip of the Month
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Hurricane Andrew: 25 Years Later
Governor Rick Scott will be the keynote speaker at this luncheon hosted by the Economic Development Council.
August 24, 11:30 AM
Redland Golf & Country Club, 24451 Krome Ave.
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Your grass clippings are organic material that can be reused to benefit the environment. Instead of bagging the grass as you mow,
leave it on the lawn where it will return valuable nutrients.
Please also take care that the yard clippings do not clog our storm drains to help prevent area flooding.
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Friday Sept. 8, 6-8 P
Village Hall, 9705 E. Hibiscus St.
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Week of Oct. 16, 8 AM–4 PM
Cutler Bay Town Center, 10720 Caribbean Blvd.
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