Motivated by You. Delivering for You. Committed to You.
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Dear Friends of District 8,
As we enter into the Thanksgiving season, I want to express how thankful I am to serve as your District 8 County Commissioner. I wake up every day feeling honored to represent South Dade, and I hit the ground running to
advocate for your needs.
Yesterday, I celebrated my
third anniversary in public office by volunteering along with many other District 8 residents to restore a coastal wetland in Cutler Bay. I also released my
“Year Three” report, highlighting my past year of work for our community.
I’ve been working hard to expand economic opportunity and create jobs, to solve traffic problems and improve transit options, to champion our parks and environment, and to make government more accountable and trustworthy. I will continue to work hard for our residents and businesses. Please review the highlights in my report and share your ideas to help make our community even better.
Yours for a great District 8,
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Hurricane Irma Report & Recommendations
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I recently released a report outlining the most common issues that South Dade residents encountered before, during and after Hurricane Irma, and made a number of recommendations to improve the
County’s future disaster response
. I’ve called for more coordination with our community and faith-based groups as well as more communication with our residents.
Read more.
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Equal Pay Affidavit for County Vendors Approved
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The Miami-Dade County Commission approved legislation I sponsored to help
close the gender wage gap
. The measure will require County contractors to sign an affidavit affirming that they are complying with the Equal Pay Act of 1963. Studies show that roughly one in five women in Miami-Dade live in poverty, over half barely make ends meet, and that women make 87 cents to every dollar a man earns for the same job. By asking those who do business with the County to pledge to pay their employees fairly, independent of their gender, we are affirming our commitment to ending the wage gap.
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I was proud to honor the men and women that have so bravely served and protected our country by participating in the Cutler Bay Veterans Day ceremony and the Homestead Veterans Day celebration and parade.
Thank you Veterans for fighting for our freedom and protecting us from harm!
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I continue to serve as your
Water Warrior. On Nov. 9 I spoke to the South Florida Water Management District board members at their meeting in Doral. I urged them to make investments in the canal system to harden the structures against storm surge and better protect Miami-Dade residents from flooding, like we experienced from Hurricane Irma in Palmetto Bay. I also addressed the County's commitment to advancing Everglades’ restoration projects in Miami-Dade that would protect our water supply while providing flood protection for our farmers and residents. I asked them to accelerate the vital Biscayne Bay Coastal Wetland project.
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Charter Review Task Force Wants Your Ideas
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Do you have ideas on term limits, commissioner compensation, nonpartisan elections, and more? I sponsored legislation for
citizen review of our County Charter
and now the Charter Review Task Force wants to hear from you. Term limits, powers of the mayor, ethics, citizen petitions and more are covered by our Charter. We need your input! Anyone unable to attend one of the upcoming meetings may
submit ideas online.
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Traffic Solutions Conversation
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At my request, County Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW) traffic engineers prepared a report on their plans to pursue a new bridge across the canal at SW 87th Ave, north of 168th Street. I believe it is critically important to give the public an opportunity to review the data used by DTPW to make their recommendation and therefore have posted DTPWs documents on my website. I am reviewing the data and listening to extensive public input prior to making my own recommendations. I am also working with the Village of Palmetto Bay to find
traffic solutions that will benefit the most and hurt the least of our South Dade residents. Please join us for a
Telephone Town Hall meeting to discuss traffic solutions in Palmetto Bay and points south on Nov. 28 at 6-7:30pm.
Please register for the call.
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South Dade Solutions Summit
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I am partnering with Commissioner Moss and the Economic Development Council to present the
South Dade Solutions Summit
on Nov. 30, 9am-4pm, at Zoo Miami.
Please join us at this free community event to help create an economic development strategy for South Dade that will benefit all of us who live, work and play in this wonderful region. Together we can expand our economic vitality.
Register today.
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Last month, a group of constituents joined me in Cutler Bay for our first in a series of Table Talk gatherings where we had an interesting discussion about ideas for improving our neighborhoods. Thank you Cubavana Café for the delicious food, great service and hospitality. Our next
Table Talk will be held on Nov. 30, 7-8pm, at PS Green in the Crossings Shopping Village, 13067 SW 112 Street
. Hope to see you there!
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What's Your Great Idea for Affordable Housing?
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In keeping with my mission to deliver solutions to address the County’s housing affordability crisis, I am pleased to support #100GreatIdeas
Housing Affordability Campaign produced by Radical Partners. I urge you to join thousands of community members and leaders in sharing ideas to expand housing affordability.
Share your ideas and join the discussion.
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Arvida Park Groundbreaking Ceremony
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Please join the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department and the District 8 Team for a groundbreaking ceremony celebrating future improvements to
Arvida Park at 12830 SW 108 Street on Thursday, Nov. 30, at 5:30 PM. We look forward to seeing you there!
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Meet Koko (A17706663)! She is a very active three-year-old Labrador mix. Koko gives hugs and kisses all day and will make the perfect furry companion to an adopter who doesn’t have any other animals. As a part of the
Free-Fur-Fall promotion , Koko’s adoption is WAIVED through November 30, with her adopter only responsible for a $30 license fee. Her adoption includes neuter surgery, microchip, deworming and vaccination. Visit the Pet Adoption and Protection Center located at 3599 NW 79 Avenue in Doral to meet Koko and take her home!
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Join me on Facebook for a day of giving to our local nonprofits.
Adopt-A-Tree, free giveaway tree event in District 8, Nov. 18
Nov. 28
Cutler Bay, Dec. 2
Pinecrest, Dec. 6
Homestead, Dec. 14
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Recycling Tip of the Month
Keep plastic bags, food and liquids out of your recycling bin to prevent “contamination” from items that prevent the entire load from going through the recycling process.
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