Dear residents,

Are you Election Ready? The Primary Elections are on August 14, but voters also have the opportunity to vote for candidates vying for different County positions, and on the County’s pit bull ban ordinance.

Remember that voting is the best way to make your voice heard in local government. Be sure to check your designated polling place and bring proper identification with you to vote. Precincts will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day.

Sample ballots are available online for download. More information is available at our Elections website.

Sincerely,

Commissioner Jose “Pepe” Diaz

• New ordinance requires barriers at shopping centers to prevent vehicles from crashing into storefronts. En Español
  
• Miami-Dade County adopts no-kill shelter program for Animal Services Department – the Mayor’s Administration must present a financially-feasible plan to the Miami-Dade County Commission in 180 days. En Español

In honor of Colombian Independence Day, Commissioner Diaz, who currently is appointed to the Intergovernmental Policy Advisory Committee, was joined by Mayor Gimenez to welcome Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Miriam Sapiro in celebrating the implementation of the U.S.-Colombia Trade Agreement at PortMiami on July 20. Commissioner Diaz spoke about the important economic role this agreement will have for Florida and Colombia. The commissioner and Mayor Gimenez also presented Ambassador Miriam Sapiro with the Key to the County. Commissioner Diaz joined Ambassador Sapiro on a tour of the cargo yard, where Seaboard Marine was being loaded with U.S. exports destined for Colombia.

At his annual “Military Appreciation Day” on June 30, thousands of active duty military and veterans, and their families, took part in this event, which included free food and racing for all military personnel. The event took place at Countyline Dragway, located at 19999 Okeechobee Road. Commissioner Diaz, who serves as the County’s military liaison, presented a special certificate to Hialeah police officer Lt. Leo Thalassites, the oldest living active cop in the United States. At age 85, Lt. Thalassites not only still serves the Hialeah Police Department, but he has also served in all five branches of the military. As always, this event was sponsored by Countyline Dragway’s owner, Anthony Muñoz, and Prologis. More>>

• En Español

Commissioner Diaz is happy to announce that 38 small businesses in District 12 have been awarded with the Mom and Pop Small Business Grant for 2012. Each business was awarded up to $2,500 to help their business grow.

The Mom and Pop Small Business Grant program was created to provide financial and technical assistance to qualified small businesses that are approved for funding. The program allows small businesses the opportunity to interact with local government and receive financial assistance to promote the local economy. Local businesses can use the grant to purchase equipment, supplies, advertising/marketing, inventory, building liability insurance, security systems and to make minor renovations.

Anyone interested in applying for District 12’s Mom and Pop Small Business Grant for 2013 can contact the commissioner’s office in December 2012 for more information on the program.

Miami-Dade County Health Department back-to-school immunization schedule

The Miami-Dade County Health Department’s Special Immunizations Program will be providing free back-to-school immunizations to children between the ages of 2 months to 18 years of age.  Parents need to bring their child’s immunization record. You can schedule appointments until August 3 by calling 786-845-0550. Walk-ins will only be accepted from August 6 through 31. 

• Download the schedule

Florida's tax-free weekend is August 3-5

If you’re already thinking of purchasing supplies for your kids’ back-to-school shopping needs, then mark your calendars for the first weekend in August.  This year, Florida’s sales tax holiday weekend has been scheduled for August 3-5. The three-day sales tax holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, August 3, 2012, and ends at 11:59 p.m. the following Sunday. During this period, no Florida sales tax or local option tax will be collected on sales of clothing, footwear, and certain accessories selling for $75 or less per item, or on certain school supplies selling for $15 or less per item.

The law mandates that no sales tax be collected on the sale of clothing, wallets, or bags, including handbags, backpacks, fanny packs, and diaper bags.  However, this excludes briefcases, suitcases, and other garment bags, having a sales price of $75 or less, or on sales of certain school supplies having a sales price of $15.  View a complete list of clothing and accessory items and their taxable (T) or exempt (E) status during the tax free weekend.

Small Business Development (SBD), under the Business Affairs Division of the Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources, has partnered with the South Florida Workforce Investment Board (SFWIB) and launched an initiative to assist contractors fulfill recruitment and hiring needs for capital improvement projects. SBD has created a link on their website that allows contractors to post job openings electronically. The link is a tool for contractors to fulfill the job posting requirements set by Miami-Dade County.  

The new initiative will allow SFWIB to match the job requirements submitted by contractors to the available workforce. In addition, residents interested in posting information for potential employment consideration may complete a questionnaire electronically. The intent is to provide a place for the community to submit information for potential employment consideration. The information that is provided will be made available to awarded prime trade contractors who may require that skill set.  For further information, please contact Veronica Clark at 305-375-4770.

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.

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