Dear residents,

I want to thank all my residents that took advantage of my “14 Days of Neighborly Love-Inspiring Random Acts of Kindness” initiative. This is the second year I do this program and I owe it to all the businesses and organization that took part in this very positive initiative.  A big thank you to Finish Line Gas station, Rixys Alfonso, Doral Collisions Center and Exclusive Motoring, Florida Power & Light (FPL), Miami-Dade Expressway Authority (MDX), Blue Bell Ice Cream, Publix, PopChips, ISEAD Business School, Unilit Publishing Company, Dunn Co., Coca-Cola Bottling Co., A.F.E. Community Centers, Water & Sewer Dept. Union, Richard Blanco, Lawyer Miryam Barragan, Lawyer Marcia Desautu, Hairstyle Sharon, Dr. Eduardo Sanchez, Ig. El Buen Pastor, Libres Para Amar Ministries, L.A. Fitness, Huntington Learning Centers, CrossFit Doral, Millers Doral Ale House, Codinach Chiropractice and Wellness, and Hyberbaric & Vida Spa.

I can’t thank everyone enough but here’s one of my favorite quotes by Leo Buscaglia that really says it all “Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around”.  Next year, I hope more residents, companies and organizations join us in our endeavor!

Sincerely,

Commissioner José “Pepe” Díaz

Here are a couple of events that took place during Commissioner Diaz’s “14 Days of Love-Inspiring Random Acts of Kindness” initiative from February 14 to February 27, 2013.

> Pizza Party for elementary students
> Help at the pump
> SunPass Mini giveaway
> Discounted Gas

Available college scholarship for District 12 high school students

If you are a senior in high school in district 12 and getting ready for college, you might want to apply for Commissioner Diaz’s annual school scholarship for $1,000 to any Florida college or University.

The scholarship applications will be available starting March 1st until April 10, 2013 until 4 pm. The scholarship is available to students attending Doral Academy Charter High School, Mater Academy Charter High School, Ronald Reagan/Doral Senior High School, Belen Jesuit Preparatory School, Hialeah Educational High School and Hialeah Gardens High School.

Download an application or pick one up at the Commissioner’s district office, 8345 NW 12th Street or at their CAP counselor’s office in their school.

Commissioner Diaz in conjunction with the SE Regional Representative for the Secretary of Labor & the Miami District OFCCP and U.S. Congressman Joe Garcia hosted a much needed job fair for Veterans on February 21 at the Miami-Dade College- Kendall Campus.

The commissioner, who’s the Chairman of the Miami-Dade Military Affairs Board, knows all too well the struggles that veterans face when looking for a job.  Veterans who took part in this job fair, also walked away with Publix gift cards, which Publix donated to the commissioner’s “14 Days of Love” initiative.

Other participants of the job fair included the American Cross, Chamber South Military Affairs Committee, Town of Medley, City of Doral, South Florida WorkForce, The Beacon Council, the Coalition of Miami-Dade County Chambers of Commerce, CAMACOL, Miami-Dade Defense Alliance and Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce.

It’s that time of year again when income tax returns will soon be due to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).  Because identity theft typically increases during filing season, the IRS continues to alert consumers to be on the lookout for any suspicious e-mails containing the IRS name or logo.

If you receive an e-mail claiming to come from that agency, chances are someone is trying to gain access to your personal and financial information, and you have officially become a target for identity theft.

For more consumer tips, or to check the complaint history of a company, file a complaint or ask consumer-related questions, visit the Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources, Business Affairs Division website at www.miamidade.gov/business or call (305) 375-3677.

If you are a Golden Passport holder under age 65, Miami-Dade Transit encourages you to renew your Golden Passport EASY Card as soon as possible.   By renewing before the April 30, 2013 deadline,

Golden Passport holders can avoid long lines and wait times and ensure the continued use of their Golden Passport without interruption.  Following documentation is needed to renew your card, a valid state-issued Florida driver’s license or Florida ID showing a physical Miami-Dade County address, current year print-out from the Social Security Administration, verifying continued eligibility and your golden passport EASY card.

People can renew their cards at the following locations: Golden Passport Office at the Transit Service Center located next to the Government Center Metrorail station at 111 NW 1 Street – Second Level, Miami, FL 33128, open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Any 3-1-1- Service Center, open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed for lunch from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.) at the following locations:
South Dade Justice Center – 10710 SW 211 Street Cutler Bay, FL 33189
North Dade Justice Center – 15555 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, FL 33181
Miami-Dade Permitting Information Center – 11805 SW 26 Street, Miami, FL 33175

If you have any questions about your Golden Passport EASY Card, please call 3-1-1 or visit www.miamidade.gov/transit.

The Department of Property Appraisal will be mailing renewal applications for the Senior Homestead Exemption to those homeowners who qualified last year.

This exemption is not automatically renewed, and you must submit an application every year in order to verify your income. Your application must be submitted to the Department of Property Appraiser by MARCH 1, 2013. In addition, seniors who have applied for and received Florida’s Homestead Exemption for Seniors as of calendar year 2012, you will receive a $100 check from the Miami Dade County “Save our Seniors Homeowners” relief fund. 

If you should have any questions regarding your application or refund, please contact the commissioner’s office at 305-599-1200 or visit the Property appraiser’s office’s website at  www.miamidade.gov/pa/home.asp.

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 http://www.mdpls.org/. You can also click here for places looking to hire.

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.

The Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department is issuing its annual call for seasonal job applicants to fill the summer staffing needs of its summer programming and activities, traditionally the busiest time of year when families and kids on summer vacation frequent Miami-Dade County’s parks for its summer camps, pools and beaches.

> Read more information

The Miami-Dade County Youth Training and Employment program is part of Mayor Carlos A. Giménez’ Miami-Dade Education Partnership. The program, a partnership with South Florida Workforce, will provide jobs, work-readiness skills, and an opportunity to earn a paycheck, for low-income youth ages 18 to 21. Selected participants will work in entry-level positions in the County and earn $10.00 an hour. The program will run through October, 2013. Interested youth may apply at South Florida Workforce.

April 6, 2013 at 11 a.m. - Commissioner Diaz invites the entire family to his annual “District 12 Spring Festival”, taking place at North Trail Park, 780 NW 127^th Avenue. This event is FREE. For more information, please call the office at 305-599-1200.

[email protected]

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