Dear residents,

October marks the beginning of a new fiscal year in Miami-Dade County. Many of you took part in our budget hearings during the month of September and fought for the services and programs you felt were most important in our community. I thank those of you who attended and spoke on behalf of many worthy causes.
In the end, the County Commission approved rolling back property taxes to the millage rates even lower from FY 2009 - 2010, bringing many residents savings. . My colleagues and I analyzed the proposed budget extensively and were able to keep funding for programs that will continue to serve the residents in our community.
All the final decisions made on the budget for FY 2012-2013 can be found online at the County's budget website.

Sincerely,
 
Commissioner Jose 'Pepe' Diaz
District 12

At the September 4th Board  of County Commission meeting, Miami-Dade County Commissioner Diaz presented an ordinance requiring any  candidates for County or municipal offices to provide a report identifying the  names of all paid and volunteer campaign workers participating in absentee  ballot related activities. The ordinance, passed on first reading, aims to  bring transparency to the campaign process in bringing violators of absentee  ballot fraud and those who support them, to light. The ordinance requires a  candidate to file an electronic report identifying campaign workers and  volunteers whether directly or indirectly employed by the campaign; who take  part in absentee ballot related campaign activities. The form will be created  by the Supervisor of Elections and will carry penalties of up to $5,000.00 for  failure to report. Additionally, the fine cannot be paid as a campaign expense  but must come from the candidate's personal funds. The item will be heard at  the Infrastructure and Land Use Committee in November.

To commemorate the lives lost during 9/11, Commissioner Diaz joined other officials and P.A.R.K. (Perform Acts of Random Kindness) project at the 5K Freedom Run and Park Festival. The event took place on September 8 at JC Bermudez Park. Participants ran, jogged, or walked alongside military personnel, veterans and first responders in appreciation for their sacrifices and commitment to public service. The proceeds from the South Florida 5K Freedom Run P.A.R.K. festival will benefit military organizations. At the event, Commissioner Diaz guided the participants in a moment of silence for all the lives lost on September 11, 2001. The commissioner also honored our local fallen heroes, many who are recipients of the Miami-Dade County Medal of Valor and acknowledge their family members in attendance. For more information on the P.A.R.K. project, please visit their website.

Commissioner Diaz, who served as a U.S. Marine and is the military liaison for Miami-Dade County joined other elected officials at the eleventh anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attack at the annual ceremony of remembrance to honor those men and women that paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. The event honored the firefighters, police officers, military personnel and all those who perished in the attacks. The event took place at Tropical Park on September 11.

On September 13, Commissioner Diaz welcomed the new members of the Military Affairs Board to the first meeting where they discussed how to enhance the quality of life for our active, reserve, retired and disabled military personnel. The board’s role will focus on assisting servicemen and women with issues like healthcare, housing, loans, pension benefits, education, employment, incarceration, reintegration, unemployment benefits, disability claims, vocational training, and insurance. The board will also promote, attract and solicit military activities in Miami-Dade County. Commissioner Diaz, who serves as the military liaison for the County presented the legislation to create a Military Affairs Board back in May, which passed unanimously.

Election Day is right around the corner. Make sure you exercise your constitutional right by voting on Tuesday, Nov. 6. Visit Florida Department of Elections website for a listing of amendments to the State Constitution. Early voting starts on October 27 through November 3, 2012. For voting locations and to view the sample ballot, please visit the Miami-Dade Election’s Department website.

The Miami-Dade County Office of Community Advocacy will hold its monthly DMV to Go and FedAssist programs at the Stephen P. Clark Center lobby, 111 NW 1st Street on Thursday, Oct. 18. Residents can come in between 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to receive assistance in getting a driver’s license or identification card. Residents interested in obtaining a driver’s license or ID card through DMV to Go must make an online appointment on the Community Advocacy website. Space is limited, so residents are encouraged to reserve a time slot as quickly as possible. Those with appointments must bring proper documentation as required by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. A list of suitable identification is available at www.gathergoget.com. For more information, please contact the Office of Community Advocacy at 305-375-5730.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Jackson Health System will be hosting Mammogram and Makeover Nights  at three of their main campuses where women will be able to relax with their friends as they get makeovers and mammograms. These events are first-come, first-served basis and are designed for women age 40 and older who have not been previously diagnosed with malignancies.

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. 

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.

To help Miami-Dade County residents, the Miami-Dade Public Library System is offering a wide assortment of vital information and valuable assistance for job seekers!  From computer classes and access to the Internet, to help with resume writing, job interviewing skills and test preparation, the Library wants to help patrons prepare for and search for jobs. Free classes are held throughout all 47 branch locations and are available in both English and Spanish.  The Library’s website, www.mdpls.org, has created a “Job Search” section for individuals to access from any location 24/7. For more information, contact 305-375-BOOK (2665) or visit Miami-Dade Public Library System online.

October 28, 2012 at 8 a.m.  -  The Nike Factory Store Halloween 5K inside Dolphin Mall.  For more information, please visit their website.

[email protected]