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Dear Friends of District 8,

Thank you for subscribing and keeping up with the latest news from District 8. March has been very eventful and April promises to be an exciting month.

Since our last newsletter, we've had some busy County Commission meetings, many Women's History Month celebrations and a trip to Tallahassee.

Coming up, we have many exciting events, important legislation and even a TV show.

I would like to

 

Please do not hesitate to contact me or my team. We are always excited to hear your suggestions, listen to your feedback and answer your questions. Call, e-mail, stop by or connect with us via Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Yours for a better world,

Daniella

P.S. I hope you will enjoy and share our video about my recent adventure, "Postcards from the Everglades". What a glorious trip and national treasure! Our water supply, indeed our very future, depends upon the health of the Everglades. Send us your feedback please.

Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava
March 2015
What's Coming Up?

Board of County Commissioners Meetings
The BCC will be meeting on March 3rd and March 17th at The Stephen P. Clark Government Center. The meetings will begin at 9:30 a.m. with proclamations and recognitions at 8:30 a.m. 

Our office will be presenting the following legislation:

  • A resolution that directs the Mayor and the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs to inform the Commission about any pending or potential endangered species listings in Miami-Dade.
  • A resolution directing the Mayor to work proactively with US Fish & Wildlife Service to identify County properties where endangered species exist.
  • A resolution that requires County to provide public disclosure of the value of land donations or favorable lease terms given to nonprofits or for-profit businesses.

I would love to hear any suggestions you may have. Give me a call, send an e-mail or connect on Facebook and Twitter.

Remember to watch the BCC meetings live on Miami-Dade TV.


Tally Days
I will be visiting Tallahassee on March 24th-26th and speaking to legislators about Miami-Dade and District 8 priorities. Our County Government has a Top Ten List of the most pressing local items, including equal pay, Ludlam Trail funding and increased transit funding for Miami-Dade.

I will be urging the legislature to expand Medicaid in our state. Expanding Medicaid would give nearly one million Floridians access to healthcare, but our state government must approve it. Call your State representative and senator and tell them that Florida needs Medicaid expansion.

I will also urge  Amendment 1 funding to follow the will of the voters and focus on protection of environmentally endangered lands.

Remember, we all must hold our elected officials accountable. Take a look at the Top Ten List and call or write your state legislators to urge them to support these critical items for Florida’s future.


Mom and Pop Grant Applications are Officially Available!
The Mom and Pop Small Business Grant applications are now available online. You may also pick up a hardcopy application at our South Dade Government Center office.

Applications are available until March 13th and are due by March 20th.

On March 12th at 5:45 p.m., my office will be holding an informational session at the South Dade Regional Library.


Keep Up with Daniella

Journey Through the Everglades

This past November 2014, I spent four days canoeing through the Everglades "river of grass". Our County Information and Outreach department created this beautiful video of our adventure.

The trip was a perfect way to celebrate my installation as a Commissioner and showcase this environmental treasure. Did you know that 1 in every 3 Floridians gets our water from the Everglades? One of my goals as County Commissioner is to protect and restore our fresh water and unique ecosystem. South Dade residents are lucky to have the world heritage Everglades in our backyard.

 

              I kicked off my installation as a County Commissioner with a four day trip through the Everglades river of grass


 

District 8 Returns to the South Dade Government Center

I am happy to announce that the District 8 office has officially returned to the South Dade Government Center. On February 21st, Team 8 held its official office opening and kicked things off with a county services fair.

The South Ridge High School jazz band provided rousing entertainment and the ROTC Color Guard presented the colors. I was happy to hear that attendees were able to check out our new office, enjoy some goodies from Catering by Les and take advantage of our one-stop-shop services fair. Sharon of the Chapman Partnership told me in an e-mail: "Your Open House was awesome! I got a lot done personally." Thank you, Sharon, and everyone who came by, called and connected on social media. A special thank you to Homestead Hospital for sponsoring our wonderful event.

 

         It's official! Cutting the ribbon at our new District 8 office


 

Congratulations, Cutler Bay!

February 21st was a big day in South Dade! Cutler Bay celebrated Founders Day on the same Saturday as the District 8 office opening. Mayor Peggy Bell and the Cutler Bay Town Council held a great celebration and I was excited to present a proclamation from the County, honoring the town's 10th anniversary. Cutler Bay is a "green" and exemplary city in so many ways.

Presenting a Proclamation to the Town of Cutler Bay on Founders Day


 

Celebrating Black History Month

Black History Month is coming to a close and I was honored to be a part of many celebrations that highlighted the rich African-American traditions in our community.

Earlier this month, I attended the South Dade Gospel Fest, a beautiful gospel concert that showcased some amazing local talent. I got decked out for the Gospel Fest with a new hat from To God be the Glory. Among other activities, I joined the MLK Day Parades in Perrine (atop a fire truck) and Homestead (sharing a convertible with a most gracious Commissioner Moss)

At the Gospel Fest in my new hat from To God be the Glory


Daniella Delivers

Here's what happened this month on the legislative side:

I sponsored a requirement  that all private developers that were approved for economic development funds must have an agreement finalized by July 2015.  This is an effort to ensure that these allocations do not languish for an extended period of time and result in the job creation and infrastructure goals promised in the original approval. Any funds not obligated by July can be repurposed for other worthy projects.

The BCC unanimously passed two resolutions : one urging the Florida legislature to eliminate the five year waiting period for lawfully residing immigrant children to receive Florida KidCare; another urging  priority funding for our environmentally endangered lands from Amendment 1, recently passed with overwhelming support from Florida voters.


Contact Daniella and Team 8

District 8 Office
South Dade Government Center
10710 SW 211th street, suite 103
Miami, FL 33189
305-378-6677 Phone

Downtown Office
Stephen P. Clark Government Center
111 NW 1 Street, Suite 220
Miami, Florida 33128
305-375-5218 Phone
305-372-6073 Fax

E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.miamidade.gov/district08

Facebook: CommissionerCava   Twitter: @dlcava    IG: @dlcava

What's Happening?

Walking District 8

On March 21st, Team 8 will start our Walking District 8 program. We'll listen to your concerns and bring the county services directly to  your door, focusing on a different community each quarter.

I'd love for you to join us! Give us a call at 305-375-5218/305-378-6677, send us an email at [email protected] or reach out via Facebook or Twitter

 


 

Happy Bike305 Month!

March is Bike305 month. Check out the activities going on in Miami-Dade and celebrate biking in the 305. Look for members of Team 8 on our bikes and spread the word to others looking for transportation options, recreation and fun.

 


 

Big Day for Palmetto Bay

On March 7th, Mayor Flinn will hold a Bike with the Mayor Ride at Coral Reef Park. Afterwards, re-fuel at the 2015 Celebration Picnic.

 


 

Fit2Play Registration Begins March 2nd; Join Parks for People!

If you are looking for a fun way to keep the kids busy during spring break, Miami-Dade Parks is sponsoring the Fit2Play programs at parks throughout the County. If you are a fan of the parks, please reach out to join our Parks for People initiative. We will be examining the parks' budget and exploring ways to increase support for our parks and green spaces.

 


 

Homestead Office Hours

Thank you to the Mayor Jeff Porter and the City of Homestead for hosting my monthly Homestead office hours this month. March office hours will be held on March 11th from 4:00pm-6:00pm at Homestead City Hall. Please call 305-375-5218/305-378-6677 to make an appointment.

 

 

Delivering Excellence Every Day