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Welcome to the Fall 2009 edition of District 8 news. This newsletter is published quarterly. You are receiving this newsletter as a subscriber of the miamidade.gov portal requesting news from District 8 or have subscribed through email request to district8@miamidade.gov. Click here to unsubscribe.
Mayor’s Sustainability Advisory Board
Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez and Commissioner Katy Sorenson, Chair of the Mayor’s Advisory Board for the development of Miami-Dade County’s sustainability plan, “GreenPrint - Our Design for a Sustainable Future,” hosted the first kick-off meeting on September 30, 2009. The County’s sustainability plan, “GreenPrint,” is being developed in order to make County government operations greener, and to improve the overall sustainability of the community. The Mayor’s Advisory Board, comprised of leaders from academia, tourism, real estate, environment, community, business, and local governments is charged with providing valuable feedback from a community perspective. |
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Wings Over Homestead
 The U.S. Air Force announced that The Wings Over Homestead air show will include a fly-over of the B-2 "Spirit" stealth bomber on November 8, 2009. The unique "flying wing" bomber is stationed at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri.
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds will fly over the skies of Homestead Air Reserve Base, Nov. 7 - 8, 2009. The world famous jet fighter acrobatic team will headline the "Wing's Over Homestead" Air Show at Homestead Air Reserve Base.
Former Palmetto Bay resident turned Thunderbird pilot, Maj. Sean Gustafson, will be flying the No. 4 slot aircraft at the air show. Maj. Gustafson made history as the first Air Force Reserve pilot to fly with the Thunderbirds since its inception in 1953.
Performances will include Special Operations and 101st Airborne Parachute teams, vintage WWII fliers and much more. A wide variety of aircraft, including modern and vintage warplanes, state of the art AWACS surveillance planes, helicopters, and more will be on display. |
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Commissioner Katy Sorenson tours Everglades Restoration project
Commissioner Katy Sorenson joined the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force, chaired by Tom Strickland, Assistant Secretary for Fish Wildlife and Parks for the Department of Interior, for a tour of the C-111 “spreader canal” project underway in southern Miami-Dade. Commissioner Sorenson welcomed the group – comprising Federal, State, Tribal and local partners - to Miami-Dade and provided information on the progress the County has made in fulfilling its obligation to this massive restoration effort. . |
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Homestead Air Reserve Base’s former Chief of Base Operations honored
Commissioner Katy Sorenson recently unveiled “Joseph Allen Fielder Avenue” in honor of Homestead Air Reserve Base’s former Chief of Base Operations. The new street co-designation includes a portion of SW 122 Avenue from SW 232 Street to SW 236 Street. Mr. Fielder served in the Vietnam War and eventually earned the ranks of Staff Sergeant (SSG) and Chief Warrant Officer 3 (CW3). During his final years of service, Fielder had the very important position as the Chief of Base Operations at the Homestead Air Reserve Base. |
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Commissioner Sorenson elected to leadership post with the South Florida Regional Planning Council
Commissioner Katy Sorenson was recently unanimously elected the Secretary of the South Florida Regional Planning Council by its members. Commissioner Sorenson rejoined the Council in 2009 when incoming Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners Chairman Dennis Moss reappointed her to the organization. She had previously served on the Regional Planning Council from 1994 to 2006. |
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New skate and spray park additions at South Dade Park make a big splash
District 8 residents have fun new ways to spend the summer at South Dade Park. On Wednesday, July 22, 2009, Miami-Dade County Commissioner Katy Sorenson and the Parks and Recreation Department hosted the ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new splash playground and the skate court at park site. The grand opening was part of a free "Skate and Splash Bash," where attendees enjoyed refreshments, games, and entertainment. The additions to the park include a skate court and 1,424 square-foot splash playground (spray park). The splash area is designed with interactive elements and accommodates those with disabilities. The skate park features various ramps and equipment that lets skate-aficionados watch and participate in the sport. |
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Commissioner Katy Sorenson awards young athletes of Bay Area Mentors Summer Youth Athletic League
On Tuesday, July 28, 2009, Commissioner Katy Sorenson, along with representatives from Chairman Dennis C. Moss and Mayor Carlos Alvarez's offices, honored participants and contributors of this year's Bay Area Mentors (B.A.M.) Summer Youth Athletic League. During the award ceremony, held at the Palmetto Bay Village Center, students, coaches and supporters of the program received trophies, team pictures, plaques, and other gifts while they enjoyed food and refreshments. |
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South Miami-Dade residents urge Commissioner Sorenson and Commission to save programs and services at public budget meeting
It was standing room for many residents who attended a public meeting regarding Mayor Carlos Alvarez’s proposed 2009-10 County budget on August 18 at the South Dade Regional Library in Miami. Commissioner Katy Sorenson, as well as colleagues Commissioners Dennis Moss and Natacha Seijas, were in attendance to hear the questions and concerns of about 150 residents. Others at the meeting included Village of Palmetto Bay Councilmember Shelley Stanczyk, former Miami-Dade County Public School Board member Betsy Kaplan, Mercy Rodriguez from the Office Mayor Alvarez, and aides to Miami-Dade Commissioner Carlos A. Gimenez. Many residents were vocal about saving programs and services that Mayor Alvarez proposed cutting, such as elderly assistance programs, County Parks services, cultural and arts programs, domestic violence programs, and more. Others suggested cutting other services, such as overtime in all County departments, reducing the number of staff in certain departments, and limiting public construction. Despite the drastic cuts passed by the Commission at the subsequent budget hearings, Commissioner Sorenson was able to successfully advocate for funding for the Agricultural Extension and the 4H Program as well as 70% funding restoration for Community Based Organizations and Cultural Arts programs. |
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CONTACT US |
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E-mail
district8@miamidade.gov
Downtown Office
305-375-5218
Fax
305-372-6073
District Office
305-378-6677
Fax
305-253-7495
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Green Fact |
You can now receive federal tax credits for being energy efficient in your home improvements and with efficient cars. Click for more information
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National Rehabilitation Week at Annual Community Fair
Commissioner Katy Sorenson partnered with HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital (HealthSouth) of Miami in celebrating National Rehabilitation Week. The Commissioner invited the community to a free Annual Community Fair on Saturday, September 26, 2009 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at HealthSouth, 20601 Old Cutler Road, in Cutler Bay to learn more about health and enjoy fun family activities. In addition, Commissioner Sorenson, in conjunction with HealthSouth and Miami-Dade’s Community Action Agency, sponsored transportation for seniors living in three housing units in her district: Coral Bay Terrace, Saga Bay Apartments, and Lakeshore Apartments. Attendees spoke with rehabilitation experts, spoke to pharmacists regarding medication, listened to physician lectures about stroke and the flu, received samples of vitamins and other health-related products, participated in free exercise demonstrations from L.A. Fitness, toured HealthSouth’s state-of-the-art facilities, and received free screenings for bone density, blood pressure, body fat analysis, cholesterol, and blood sugar. Participants can also met WQBA’s Bertila Ramos, “The Plant Doctor”, to learn how to keep their plants looking green, and Clasica 92.3 FM's Chu Diaz, who broadcasted his show “Añoranzas de mi Cuba” (“Memories of my Cuba”) live on location. Also in attendance were representatives from Habitat for Humanity, Town of Cutler Bay, and Greater Homestead/Florida City Chamber of Commerce. |
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Clean Diesel Repower Rebate Program for Local Farmers
Miami-Dade County was awarded funds under the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009 National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program. This award will establish a rebate program for the purpose of repowering agriculture irrigation pump sets. The new engines will substantially reduce diesel emissions into the air and increase fuel efficiency. For more information please contact Agricultural Manager Charles LaPradd at 305-971-5091. |
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