Dear residents:

February was a time to celebrate, and not just because it was the month of love. Thanks to the help of several businesses and volunteers, I was able to launch the '14 Days of Neighborly Love' initiative to inspire random acts of kindness within the community. For 14 days, I partnered with several organizations to bring free or discounted goods and services to our residents. If you were one of the lucky recipients at any of these events, I hope it made your day a little brighter and that you were able to pass on the generosity to your fellow neighbors. It was a fantastic campaign and it could not have been done without our wonderful supporters in District 12.

Read more about the initiative in our monthly newsletter below. As a community, let's do our best to spread kindness throughout the year, not just once a month.

Sincerely,

Commissioner Jose 'Pepe' Diaz

On February 13, Commissioner Diaz kicked off the initiative “14 Days of Neighborly Love - Inspiring Random Acts of Kindness,” motivated in part by Valentine’s Day. The initiative involved businesses and organizations donating their time and services from February 14 to February 27 to District 12 residents as a way of showing love for their neighbors and community. Commissioner Diaz was thrilled with those who decided to pay it forward with kindness and generosity, which brought smiles to many residents. Commissioner Diaz hopes people make this initiative an everyday thing but says he will continue with the initiative every year in honor of Valentine’s Day. 

Below are just a few of the random acts of kindness that happened in District 12. For more information on all the events that took place during the initiative, visit the commissioner's website:

• Local gas station lowers price of regular gas
• 1,000 drivers gets free SunPass Minis and vouchers
• New grill donated to VA Hospital
• Residents surprised with free car washes

Commissioner Diaz joined Commissioner Javier D. Souto and Miami-Dade County Parks Director Jack Kardys on February 4 at the dedication of Veterans Way at Tropical Park. Veterans Way will connect visitors to the park’s existing Veterans Memorial, honoring veterans of the United States Armed Forces for their service during time of war.

The memorial site was revitalized after two citizens, Perry Adair of Boy Scout Troop 456 and Miguel Penton, a U.S. veteran of the Bay of Pigs, first approached Commissioner Souto about cleaning up the area for visitors, and then requested naming the connecting road Veterans Way. Commissioner Diaz, who also serves as the County’s military liaison also co-sponsored the resolution with Senator Souto and is glad Veterans Way will be more visible with signage, and hopes more visitors will be able to pay tribute to our nation’s courageous heroes.

As the Chairman of the Miami-Dade Sports Commission, Commissioner Diaz has made it a tradition to attend the ING Miami Marathon and wish all the runners good luck. This year, Commissioner Diaz waved at 25,000 runners as they ran passed him after shooting the flair, to start the race on January 29 in Downtown. 2012 marked the ING Miami Marathon’s 10th anniversary. The winner of the 2012 ING Miami Marathon race was Samuel Kipkosgei Malakwen of Kenya, who completed the race in 2:16:54.

Commissioner Diaz welcomed the Coast Guard’s newest 154-foot Sentinel-Class Response Cutter (FRC) “Bernard C. Webber” to the Coast Guard station in Miami Beach on February 2. The vessel will conduct missions at ports and waterways dealing with coastal security, fishery patrols, drugs, illegal migrant law enforcement, search and rescue, and national defense operations.

The cutter was named after Bernard C. Webber, coxswain of motor lifeboat CG-36500, from Station Chatham, Massachusetts, after his crew of three rescued the crew of the stricken tanker Pendleton, which had broken in half during a horrific storm in February 1952 off the coast of Massachusetts.  Webber and his crew of three – EN3 Andrew Fitzgerald, SN Richard Livesey, and SN Irving Maske –  saved 32 of the 33 Pendleton's crewmen who were on the stern section of the ship.  All four Coast Guardsmen were awarded the Gold Lifesaving Medal for their heroic actions.  Their successful rescue operation has been noted as one of the greatest in the history of the U.S. Coast Guard. The Bernard C. Webber will be officially commissioned in Miami on April 14.

NW 87th Avenue to NW 96 Avenue, along NW 170 Street
The Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department (WASD) is currently working on installing a 36-inch water main from NW 87 Avenue to NW 96 Avenue, along NW 170 Street, to better provide residents with high quality drinking water and continuous water distribution service. Traffic in the area will be detoured temporarily between the hours of 9 am and 4 pm Monday through Friday. The project is expected to be completed by April 2012.

NW 138th Street Bridge over the Miami River Canal from NW 113 Avenue to Okeechobee Road
The scope of work consists of, but not limited to, furnishing all supervision, labor, materials, equipment, tools.  The project consists of replacing the existing bridge with a new and wider bridge; turn lane improvements and replace existing signal at the intersection of Okeechobee Road and NW 138 Street. Work also includes a striped median with a center left turn lane, sidewalks, a continuous storm drainage system, roadway lighting, signalization, pavement markings and signage. Construction is anticipated to be completed by April 30, 2012. Mainline Closure: The bridge will be closed for the duration of the construction.  Detour: Motorists are advised to seek alternate route or follow posted maintenance of traffic (MOT) signs or detour route.

Have you been thinking of opening a business, but aren’t sure how to get started? You might want to attend a series of free workshops to educate the public on the steps required to open a business in Miami-Dade County sponsored by the Sustainability, Planning and Economic Enhancement Department (SPEE). The first workshop will be held on Wednesday, April 4, 2012 at 12 p.m. at the Miami-Dade County Permitting and Inspection Center located at 11805 SW 24th Street, Second Floor, Conference Rooms I and J. County staff will be available to answer questions and share their expertise on the necessary tools and information to start and operate a successful business. Seating is limited.  Only 75 slots are available, and will be given on a first come, first served basis.  Please call 305-375-3677 to reserve a seat.

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 lane and ramp 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 [email protected]. 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.

The Miami-Dade Community Action Agency’s (CAA) Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is currently assisting eligible residents with payment of their gas or electric bills.  The program assists individuals who are experiencing an increase in their energy bill due to the weather as well as individuals with final notices or those who have had their services disconnected.  Applications for LIHEAP are available Monday through Friday at CAA Service Centers like the Hialeah Service Center, 300 E. First Avenue, or the Sweetwater Service Center, 250 SW 114 Avenue. For a complete list of all the CAA Service Centers or to download the application, please visit the County’s website or contact the Miami-Dade Community Action Agency at 786-469-4600.

[email protected]

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