M-I-A doesn't just shuttle passengers and cargo from here to there, it powers our economy.  One out of every four jobs in this community is somehow connected to the airport.  We must keep it competitive, and we are.

The grand opening of the South Terminal allows us to pour more resources into the North Terminal.   Twice the size means twice the potential.  More than 800 workers are on site every day, and that number is growing.  But to get the job done right, it takes more than manpower.  We must make decisions that make sense - decisions that are financially prudent and free from the influence of special interests. Our reputation rests not only on what we build, but how we build it.

A less visible, but no less significant accomplishment of 2007, is the 20-year consumptive use permit we secured.  It is the jumping-off point for a $1.8 billion water reuse plan.  Right now, we reuse only 5% of our water.  That's changing.  Once our aggressive water reuse plan is realized, we will be recycling nearly half of all the water we use - enough to fill four million swimming pools.

Historian Thomas Fuller wrote "We never know the worth of water till the well is dry."  I'm here to tell you that our well was nearly dry.  State water managers didn't want to deal with us and a building moratorium wasn't far off.  A combination of professionalism and political capital helped turn things around.  I want to thank Water & Sewer Director John Renfrow and County Commissioner Natacha Seijas.  Together, we are making sure Miami-Dade County is getting responsible and realistic about water usage.

As we turn the tide on how we think about water, we are also turning the tide on criminals.  Two years ago, murders - fueled by gangs and drugs - were up 45%.  Kids were shooting kids and assault weapons were the weapons of choice.

The Miami-Dade Police Department stepped up enforcement.  We instituted a Gun Bounty Program.  The concept was simple, turn in someone with an illegal gun and get a reward.  To date, 80 firearms have been seized, 43 people have been arrested, and those who provided the information took home a $1,000 reward.  The result, murders are now down 9%.

We must reinforce our efforts.  We must continue to ensure violent crime goes down.  We cannot skimp on public safety - ever.  It would be a disservice to this community and the officers who risk their lives every day.  Officer Jose Somohano gave his life to protect this community.  Two others - w unded in the line of duty - are with us today - Officers Tomas Tundidor and Christopher Carlin.  Please stand.  These officers - and their colleague, Officer Jody Wright, who is recovering from surgery - can tell you what it's like to be in the line of fire.  They can tell you what its like to lose a fellow officer.  No matter what challenges lie ahead, we must continue to tell our public safety officials - our police officers, fire fighters and corrections officers  -  "We've got your back." 

While not a violent crime, the crime of Mortgage Fraud is rife in our community.  Miami-Dade County has the 4th largest mortgage fraud rate in the nation.  We're doing something about it.

With Commissioner Katy Sorenson by my side, the Mayor's Mortgage Fraud Task Force announced the arrest of more than 17 individuals.  Another 1,000 cases are under investigation.  We created a code of conduct manual for real estate professionals and an online fraud reporting system.

Mortgage fraud and the sub-prime mortgage crisis have shown us that the housing market can impact our economy.  We're telling the fraudsters, "not in our backyard."

As we protect our residents from fraud, we are also helping those who might otherwise find themselves on the wrong side of the law.
Young offenders at our Juvenile Assessment Center are getting a second chance and sparing themselves a criminal record.  Since the JAC opened 10 years ago, juvenile arrests are down 42%. 
Now, the White House is calling.  Washington DC's Office of National Drug Control Policy will hold a summit in our community later this year touting Miami-Dade County's Juvenile Assessment Center as the model juvenile justice facility for cities and counties around the nation.  Let's recognize Director Wansley Walters and our champion for children on the Commission, Sally Heyman.

Young offenders aren't the only ones being given a new start.  South Florida Workforce - with guidance from Commissioner Rebeca Sosa's Blue Ribbon Re-Entry Task Force - is improving employment prospects for ex-offenders.  Dollars are being earmarked to train job providers and improve support systems for those who have served their time and are ready to re-enter society.

The goal is to reduce the recidivism rate.  Every ex-offender living an independent and productive life is one less person taxing our justice system.

We're getting our house in order when it comes to affordable housing programs.  We're working with US HUD to clean-up years of neglect and mismanagement inside the Miami-Dade Housing Agency. 

We're also making better use of local dollars and programs to uplift low-income families.  We're partnering with organizations that have proven track records - like Habitat for Humanity.

After years of being displaced, dozens of Scott-Carver families returned to their neighborhood and affordable homes. 

With local resources, 700 units were made available for sale or rent in 2007.  Almost 1,000 more units will be online by year's end.

Brick by brick, Commissioners Audrey Edmonson and Dorrin Rolle, stood by my side and helped our government begin the process of rebuilding. I thank you.

As we rebuild our housing programs, we're also taking a closer look at the future of our transportation systems.

We've enjoyed successes.

The South Miami-Dade Busway began shuttling passengers from Dadeland South to Florida City.  Commissioner Dennis Moss helped champion this project.  As a result, we've seen robust ridership.

Additionally, 25% of our 2,600 traffic signals are now part of an integrated system that will improve signal timing and traffic flow.  We're adding 60 signals to the system each month in an aggressive effort to get the job done.

Later this year, I-95 North will get two additional express lanes, where motorists can opt to pay a toll for a speedier commute.

There is no one solution to our traffic problems.  But together with the Florida Department of Transportation, the Miami-Dade Expressway Authority, and our Transit and Public Works Departments, we are making improvements.

We've also suffered setbacks.  Our federal partners have expressed concern about our financial plan on the Metrorail expansion, specifically, the North Corridor. 

Vice Chairwoman Barbara Jordan and her colleagues on the Commission have expressed similar concerns.

Let me be clear and I am going to say this in the simplest and most direct way I know how, the North Corridor is a priority, and will continue to be a priority.  We are not giving up.  There's no secret plan to kill the project.  We are going to resubmit our proposal to the federal government and make it work.

At the same time, we have to get real about our long-term plans.  There's a big difference between what we have and what we are hoping for; what we want to do, and what we can do.  It's time to make tough decisions and I ask for the Commission's support as we move forward.

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