Motivated by You. Delivering for You. Committed to You.
Dear Friends of District 8,
 
Tuesday is Election Day! I hope that those who are eligible will exercise your right to vote. There are a lot of candidates and a lot of questions, meaning a long ballot. Please be election ready and save yourself some time by reviewing your customized sample ballot before heading to the polls. All 901 polling places are open 7am to 7 pm. For more details, visit www.iamelectionready.org.

Protecting our democracy and ensuring that citizens have unfettered access to the ballot box is fundamental to our freedom. That is why I was so vocal regarding the need to open early voting sites on college campuses. It was my honor to sponsor the measure to open the Miami Dade College North Campus voting site to help ensure all our residents are given full access to voting.

As always, the District 8 Team is available to serve you. Reach out to us at  district8@miamidade.gov ; call us at 305-375-5218 (downtown office) or 305-378-6677 (district office); chat with me on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram .
 
Yours for a civically engaged District 8,
 
Daniella
Daniella Delivers
Legislative Highlights
On Tuesday October 23, the Miami Dade Board of County Commissioners approved several items related to climate resilience, solar power, and infrastructure improvements. Here are the highlights:
 
  • A proclamation designating Oct. 22-26 as Climate Resilience Week. Along with resilience leaders from the Catalyst Miami CLEAR program, I participated in the Southeast Florida Regional Climate Summit.
 

  •  A Solar Feasibility Study for County Buildings, in response to my resolution which called for a study on generating electricity and hot water using solar technology at County properties.

  • Allowing the County to exercise its right to sell the naming rights of the professional basketball arena, currently called the American Airlines Arena.
 
  • Approving an agreement between the County, Village of Palmetto Bay and Village of Pinecrest to fund the construction of a bicycle facilities improvement project along SW 136 Street from US1 to Old Cutler Road.
 
  • Urging the state to enact equal pay legislation.
 
  • My resolution calling for a feasibility study on creating "scramble" crosswalks in Miami-Dade County.
 
  •  My resolution formally setting the expectations for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) to be Gold Standard, cutting-edge and one of the best BRT services in the nation.
 

Keep Up with District 8
Keeping You Informed
On November 1 Team 8 joined the Miami-Dade Water & Sewer Department to inform our community about a new 12-inch sewer line being installed in phases along Southwest 92 Avenue. The project is part of the ongoing Capital Improvement Program. Read more.
Celebrating Halloween
We had a spooky good time with friends and neighbors at Halloween events sponsored by the Miami-Dade Police in Kendall and Leisure City. Hope everyone had a safe and happy Halloween filled with many treats!


Supporting Our Police
We celebrated at the Hispanic advocates’ awards reception on October 17 with our District 8 Champion, Police Major Carmen Castro. We were honored to recognize her for exceptional service to the community, her skills at engaging residents and making them feel safe, and her dedication to other officers. We are extremely proud to have her represent District 8.


Sharing Our Stories
On October 23 I hosted a My Miami Story conversation, along with 700 other groups across Miami-Dade, in an effort led by The Miami Foundation. We had a great conversation sharing our local experiences, discussing paradoxes in paradise, and brainstorming what we can do to make our community an even better place to live. A bottom line conclusion: More voter education needed.
Saluting Our Military
I joined Vice Wing Commander Col. Meyers (left), Homestead Mayor Jeff Porter (right) and thousands of others at the thrilling Wings Over Homestead Air & Space Show on November 3. It was a grand salute to our Reservists and all military men and women for their service.

Focusing on Transit
Thanks to Transit Alliance for encapsulating the sad state of our Transit system in their recently released Mobility Scorecard. I hope it is a rally cry that finally focuses attention on the need to reverse the devastating cuts to transit service. We must make Transit a priority now.
Constituent of the Month: Susan Holtzman
A big shout out goes to senior advocate and District 8 Advisor on Aging Issues Susan Holtzman! Susan provides expertise on aging issues and represents District 8 on numerous boards and committees including the Miami Age Friendly Initiative and the Older Adults Advocacy Task Force. Read more.

Highlighting Our Nonprofits:
Trauma Resolution Center
District 8 Nonprofit Academy graduate, Trauma Resolution Center , has provided trauma-informed counseling, education and victim advocacy services for over 23 years. As a client-centered agency, all services are designed to empower survivors of violence, abuse and other traumatic experiences to rebuild their lives, and replace fear and anxiety with confidence and hope for the future.
Adopt Me, Please!

Meet Sir Galahad! This beautiful horse, along with many other large livestock animals, was rescued and rehabbed by the South Florida Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Once health and trust are restored to its rescues, the SFSPCA arranges permanent, loving adoptive homes for them. Learn more.

What's Happening
Nov 7, South Dade Library

Nov 8, Cutler Bay

Nov 10, Cutler Bay

Nov 10, Pet Supermarket

Nov 10, Deering Estate

Nov 12, Palmer Trinity School

Nov 12, Homestead

Nov 12-16

Nov 17, Coral Reef Park

Neighborhoods Near You

Nov 28, Palmetto Bay Village Hall

SDMCAC 
Where a New Season Shines

 Great Family Entertainment

Every Saturday, 11AM - 3:30PM
PetSmart across from Falls Mall
Recycling News and
Tip of the Month
We’re not supposed to recycle plastic bags at home. Watch why.

On October 24 a truck full of recycling bins was delivered to The Shores for our new townhome pilot program in Cutler Bay.

New recycling enforcement sweeps aim to curb contamination through neighborhood education. Read more.
Extra! Extra!
The Rebuild Florida program provides grants to homeowners for repairing or rebuilding homes damaged by Hurricane Irma. They will be onsite to assist residents at the South Dade Government Center on Nov. 5-9, 9am to 5pm, and at the William Dickinson Community Center in Homestead on Nov. 7, 10am to 6pm. Additionally, residents are able to register themselves by calling 844-833-1010 or via the Rebuild Florida website: http://floridajobs.org/rebuildflorida .
Help Wanted!
Are you interested in serving your community? Please consider joining a County Advisory Board. These boards serve a vital function by advising the Mayor and the Board of County Commissioners on a variety of topics ranging from art and architecture to military and construction. For more information, contact Jason Smith at jtsmith@miamidade.gov or 305-375-5218.