Motivated by You. Delivering for You. Committed to You.
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Dear Friends of District 8,
I hope you enjoyed the holiday season and are getting a great start in this wonderful new year!
2018 was very productive and exciting for Team 8. We are proud of our achievements:
improving neighborhoods, expanding economic opportunity, increasing mobility, protecting our environment, and making government more accountable
. You can read about those in my
Year 4 Report
.
Special thanks to District 8 voters! I was greatly honored to be re-elected for another 4-year term to serve as your County Commissioner. Please take a look at these
reflections, insights and priorities
in my
installation speech
.
I believe that
good government is a partnership
between those of us who serve and the public. Only through your civic participation, and working to achieve shared goals, will we have the best quality of life for all. I’m looking forward to the year ahead – to embracing our County’s challenges and to celebrate our community’s achievements, together with the residents and businesses of District 8.
Yours for a happy, healthy, peaceful and prosperous new year,
Daniella
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Expanding Economic Opportunity
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There's still work to be done in the battle to achieve wage equity for women, according to the
second annual report on the status of women and girls in Miami-Dade Count
y
produced by FIU Metropolitan Center. The report is a result of legislation I sponsored in 2015, adopting the UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and requiring an annual report measuring gender equity in the county. In response to the report, the Miami-Dade County Commission for Women produced a list of
recommendations
.
Read more
.
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Key items approved by the
Board of County Commissioners
last month include:
- A report regarding new regulations for motorboats on the C-100 canal in response to my public safety and environmental concerns.
- A report that I requested on the Green Building Expedite Plan Review program which eases permitting for buildings incorporating green building principles.
- The 2017-18 Illegal Dumping Task Force Report, which I championed, including a thorough exploration of the problem and recommendations to better prevent, clean up and enforce regulations on illegal dumping.
- A report detailing the County’s efforts to coordinate with cities to address sea level rise.
- My resolution to purchase a building to house offices used by Deering Estate staff.
- An agreement with Virgin Voyages which paves the way for the County to construct a new state-of-the-art cruise terminal, using sustainable building standards.
- A contract with an engineering firm to evaluate the County’s available options to respond to sea level rise.
- My resolution urging Congress to adopt the Agricultural Trade Improvement Act of 2018 to promote fair trade for our South Dade farmers.
- A proposal to purchase additional CNG (compressed natural gas) buses to augment the County’s transit fleet. We need to replace the dilapidated buses in our fleet ASAP.
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Government Accountability
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Amendment 4 went into effect on January 8,
restoring voting rights to returning citizens
who have completed all terms of their sentences and have paid their debt to society, excluding murder and sex crimes. Kudos to Miami-Dade’s elections employees who were well prepared and continue to provide excellent customer service to our voters. Register online:
www.registertovoteflorida.gov
.
Watch my message.
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We had a wonderful holiday season
giving away turkeys and toys, and sharing joy with the South Dade Chamber of Commerce (pictured), Cutler Bay Business Association, Palmetto Bay Business Association, Chamber South, Greater Kendall Business Association and many neighborhood groups throughout South Dade.
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New Year Brings New Mayors
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Congratulations to the new Mayors in District 8: Mayor Karyn Cunningham, Palmetto Bay; Mayor Tim Meerbott, Cutler Bay; and Interim Mayor Stephen Shelley, Homestead. I’m looking forward to
improving our communities together.
Pictured with Mayor Cunningham, December 13, at Deering Estate.
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On December 14, Miami-Dade Parks Director Maria Nardi and I gathered at Debbie Curtin Park to officially dedicate new recreation and musical amenities designed to provide
a more adventurous and eco-minded public play space for youth. We were joined by the late Debbie Curtin’s husband Dan and family, Palm Glades Academy Principal Dr. Laura Ferreira Vesga, students and neighborhood families.
Read more.
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Supporting Our Farmers & Agritourism
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Team 8 joined the
Taste of Redland team and a community of “locavores” on December 16 for a fantastic farm-to-table and culinary experience. You too can join in on the delicious fun while experiencing all that is
Redland-Raised and Fresh-from-Florida at the monthly agritouism dinner and brunch events throughout the year.
Learn more.
Pictured with tropical grower Dewey Steele and Peter Schnebly, owner of
Schnebly Winery
.
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We enjoyed sharing holiday treats and playing New Year games last week with residents at
Pinewoods Villa Senior Center and Lakeshore Senior Center. A few lucky players took home some great prizes!
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Every fourth Friday of the month, local entrepreneurs gather at
Accelerate South Dade – our small business incubator – for a 90 minute Reciprocity Party! Please join us for this community gathering where
we build bonds of support for one another and prosper together.
Learn more.
New Year New Headshot! Deep discount studio session with
Claudia Rios Photography at Accelerate South Dade, January 31, 4-6pm. Only $49!
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Small Biz Spotlight: Grandstand By Joann Chan
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Looking for a new style for the new year? Check out the vintage-inspired clothing for every woman created by
District 8 entrepreneur extraordinaire
Joann Chan of Grandstand. She’s honing her business skills at Accelerate South Dade and is well on her way to be a big player in the fashion industry for years to come.
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Highlighting Our Nonprofits: MAC
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District 8 Nonprofit Academy graduate
Mexican-American Council
is working to ensure that every farmworker child is provided a
quality education and access to the arts
for a brighter future. Their Mariachi Conservatory was out in full-force this past holiday season and is preparing for more musical delights in the New Year.
Watch more.
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Did you get that Christmas pet you were hoping for? If not,
Miami-Dade Animal Services has a
furry friend for you! Team 8 recently took in this adorable kitty Leo.
Please resolve to
#AdoptDontShop and provide a fur-ever home.
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Where a New Season Shines
Great Family Entertainment
Every Saturday, 11AM - 3:30PM
PetSmart across from Falls Mall
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Recycling News and
Tip of the Month
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Check out this
WLRN article about “wishcycling” that features Palmetto Bay residents Jeff Oberg and Eliza Fendell. Their son Duncan and his Cub Scout troop are helping to spread the news, after learning the guidelines from me, that
greasy pizza boxes should not go in the recycling bin. Remember to recycle clean and dry cardboard, papers, bottles and cans.
Still have that Christmas tree up?
Go green and recycle it!
Read how.
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Attention homeowners:
To help as many Floridians as possible
repair and rebuild homes damaged by Hurricane Irma
, the deadline to register for assistance from
Rebuild Florida
was
extended to March 29
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Attention Transit Riders:
Don’t forget to use your
EASY Perks discounts
! Two favorites are returning in 2019: The Miami Youth Fair and Miami Heat home games.
EASY Card holders can take advantage of special pricing.
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