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Miami, FL 33126
(305) 599-1200


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Miami, Florida 33128
(305) 375-4343

April 2018

Dear resident,

Thank you for your support. I invite you to read this month's newsletter to be informed of matters that concern you as well as events in your area. A friendly reminder that Sunday, May 13th is Mother's Day and I want to take this opportunity to wish all mothers and mothers to be, like my daughter Monique - an early Happy Mother's Day!        
Commissioner Diaz welcomes Telemundo to District 12
 
 

Commissioner Jose "Pepe" Diaz celebrated Telemundo's economic and social contributions to the county by dedicating the street adjoining the sprawling new facility as "Telemundo Way." The street renaming ceremony took place on April 2 at NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises' new global headquarters in West Miami-Dade. Commissioner Diaz, who represents the district where the new headquarters is located, sponsored the December 2017  resolution to co-designated Northwest 117th Place between 22nd and 25th Streets as Telemundo Way.  Telemundo, whose original headquarters was in Hialeah, is the largest producer of original Spanish-language content in the United States, with programming syndicated worldwide to more than 100 countries. Telemundo Center brings all of the division's offices, broadcast and production operations under one roof including Telemundo Network, Telemundo Global Studios, Universo channel, Telemundo's digital media operations and NBCUniversal International Group's Latin American offices. Welcome to District 12 Telemundo!  
Legislation News




On April 10 Commissioner Diaz sponsored a resolution urging Congress to protect U.S. military personnel and their survivors during future government shutdowns. The resolution urges Congress to approve legislation appropriating funds necessary to pay military personnel in the event of  government shutdowns and providing a permanent appropriation for payment of federal death benefits to survivors of deceased members of the uniformed services. 
 

Commissioner Diaz sponsored a resolution to have Miami-Dade County accept mobile payments to better enhance convenience to Miami-Dade County residents. 
 
Commissioner Diaz co-sponsored a resolution to fund the 2018 Miami-Dade County Youth Summer Job program.

Commissioner Diaz kicks off Autism Awareness Month in Miami-Dade County

Commissioner Jose "Pepe" Diaz kicked off Autism Awareness Month on April 10 with an event in the Stephen P. Clark Center highlighting the accomplishments of autistic children. This year's theme was "Ingredients for Success." County Mayor Carlos Gimenez, County Commissioners and students from The Dan Marino Foundation's Miami School - Marino Campus 
 took turns coloring a participatory mural by artist Gabriel "GG" Gimenez that remained on display in the lobby through the month of April. Commissioner 
Diaz sponsored the 2009 County Commission resolution declaring April as
Autism Awareness Month in Miami-Dade County and has been hosting the annual kickoff event every year. The specially designated month is designed to increase awareness about autism and treatment, as well as to encourage early testing for children. According to the Centers for Disease Control, autism is a complex neurobiological disorder that impairs communication skills and social abilities. There is no known cause or cure for autism, which is estimated to affect 1 out of every 68 children born in the United States. This event was a partnership with The Dan Marino Foundation's Miami School- Marino campus, Autism Speaks and South Florida Autism Charter Schools. 
 
Projects in District 12

Drainage Improvement Project
A drainage improvement project at NW 77th Avenue from NW 26th Street to NW 31 Street is underway. This project will fix flooding issues and consists of the construction of a storm drainage system with exfiltration trenches and solid pipe along with drainage inlets and storm manholes. The project is expected to be completed in June 2018.

New Traffic Pattern for SR 836 Westbound
Newsworthy Items for the Community


Preparing for Hurricane Season
Hurricane season doesn't officially start until June 1 but in South Florida, planning for a hurricane is a year-round job for urban planners and government leaders who play a role in ensuring our community's resiliency against storms. Landscape professionals, urban planners, government officials, and residents are encouraged to attend Neat Streets Miami's Leaf Workshop: Hurricanes & Our Urban Tree Canopy, to discuss hurricane preparedness as it relates to trees and other urgent topics, on Friday, May 4, 2018, 7:30 a.m. - noon, at the Arcola Lakes Senior Center, 8401 NW 14 Avenue. The half-day workshop will feature national and local speakers who will focus on:activating and communicating with the public before and after a storm; maintaining our urban tree canopy year-round; urban tree risk assessment;debris management;creating resilient ecosystems and streetscapes; and the role corporations play in building a resilient community. The 2018 Leaf Workshop is sponsored by American Forests and Bank of America. The cost to attend is $10. For more information, please call 305-755-7849. 

12th Annual "All Kids Included Family Arts Festival
The South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center (SMDCAC) and the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs present the 12th Annual and free "All Kids Included Family Arts Festival" for children and the entire family on Saturday, May 5 from 10am-4pm at the SMDCAC, 10950 SW 211 Street in Cutler Bay. For more information call 786-573-5300 or visit www.smdcac.org

Help Miami-Dade better transportation and mobility by taking survey
Miami-Dade County needs your input on how to better improve transportation and mobility. Please complete the MDT 10Ahead online survey by July 31, 2018.

Water restrictions in effect for Miami-Dade County
According to the South Florida Water Management District, South Florida is experiencing a lower than average rainfall and water restrictions for Miami-Dade County are in effect. Learn more about the Do's and Don'ts here for the water restrictions.

Free Spay and Neuter services for pets available 
The Miami-Dade Animal Services provides to low-income residents receiving government
assistance free spay and neuter for their pets, which includes community cats. Learn more about this program

Commissioner in the Community
   
On April 9, Commissioner Diaz welcomes Telemundo to District 12 at the grand opening of Telemundo Way.

Commissioner Diaz attends the swearing in for City of Doral's new Police Chief Hernan Organvidez and Deputy Police Chief Raul Ubieta at the City of Doral Council Chambers on April 19th.

Commissioner Diaz joined Governor Rick Scott and several other elected officials for a meeting with Rosa Maria Paya and Antonio Ledezma to discuss Venezuela and Cuba on April 22.
 
Commissioner Diaz at the 2018 Autism Speaks Miami Walk at Doral Central Park on April 29.
Free Zumba classes at North Trail Park

The Miami-Dade County Parks, as part of their health and fitness initiative, will be offering free "Zumba Gold" classes to residents age 55 and older at North Trail Park Community Center, 780 NW 127th Avenue.  "Zumba Gold" mingles fun and energetic music with lower impact movements to improve balance, flexibility, cardiovascular health and muscle conditioning. For more information about Miami-Dade Parks Active Older Adults Program, contact Allan Tavss at 786-372-9701 or visit the website.

SR 836/826 Construction

On November 30, 2009, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District Six in partnership with the Miami-Dade Expressway Authority (MDX) began a reconstruction project of the State Road (S.R.) 826 (Palmetto Expressway) and S.R. 836 (Dolphin Expressway) Interchange. Now that construction has begun, there will be many upcoming lanes and ramps closures on the Dolphin Expressway. For more information about construction-related activities, please contact Oscar Gonzalez at 786-280-0983 or via e-mail at ogonzalez@mrgmiami.com. General information can be found at www.826-836.com. Motorists are encouraged to call 511 before they drive, or log on to www.fl511.com for real-time traffic and lane closure information.

 

Upcoming Events




 

 

 

 

 

 

I hope this newsletter has been helpful and as always, I look forward to your comments and concerns. I am happy to serve the following cities of Doral, Hialeah, Hialeah Gardens, Medley, Sweetwater, Virginia Gardens, and a large portion of unincorporated Miami-Dade County. 


Sincerely,

 
Jose "Pepe" Diaz
Miami-Dade County Commissioner, District 12


Miami-Dade County Commissioner Jose "Pepe" Diaz | | district12@miamidade.gov | http://www.miamidade.gov/district12/home.asp
8345 NW 12th Street
Miami, FL 33126