Dear District 12 residents,

As Chairman of the Land Use and Development Committee it is my pleasure to invite all engineers, developers, contractors, and the public at large to a workshop on the permitting and inspection process in Miami-Dade County.  The purpose of this workshop is to provide individuals with an opportunity to voice concerns and proposed solutions relating to inefficiencies with the building, permitting, and inspection processes in Miami-Dade County.  For locations and time, please click here.

If you should have any additional questions in relation to the workshop please feel free to contact my office at 305-599-1200.  I look forward to seeing you there to address your concerns.

Sincerely,

Commissioner José “Pepe” Díaz

• Resolution urging the Florida Legislature to enact SB 390, HB 1077, or similar legislation prohibiting or making it a criminal offense to make misrepresentations concerning solicitations for veterans. 
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• Resolution urging the Florida Legislature to change sentencing guidelines for hit and run accidents to impose minimum mandatory of 10 years.
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  Read release
• Resolution to create and establish the Homeowners Insurance Task Force in Miami-Dade County. 
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  Read release

View legislation sponsored by Commissioner

In order to highlight the importance of awareness about autism, Commissioner Diaz has been recognizing April as the National Autism Awareness month. 

Different events happening around Miami-Dade County are intended to educate the public about autism and issues within the autism community.

Currently 1 in 88 children will be diagnosed with autism, for boys the numbers are even higher, 1 out of every 54 boys will fall within the spectrum.  Find out how you can help by visiting autismspeaks.org or the Dan Marino Foundation at www.danmarinofoundation.org.

More than 600 people joined Commissioner Diaz at the annual District 12’ Spring Festival.

The event had something for the entire family - free food, games and even free gifts for children.

The children also took advantage of the new skate board park and new basketball courts.

>English release
>Spanish release

Commissioner Diaz likes to help others and that’s why he is very proud of his annual “14 Days of Neighborly Love” –Inspiring Random Acts of Kindness that took place in February. 

Last month, the CBS-WFOR station located in the Commissioner‘s district, invited him to discuss their new Neighbors 4 Neighbors initiative called “Helping feels Good”. 

The commissioner is proud to support this program that focuses on technology to create human connection to help a neighbor in need. Click here for more information.

On April 17^th, Commissioner Diaz served as the keynote speaker at the Florida Finance Summit 2013 at the Intercontinental at Doral Miami.

The commissioner spoke to over 200 business owners/executives and focused on the County’s infrastructure breakthrough, especially related to Miami International Airport and the Port Miami. He also focused on International Trade and the beneficial impact to our local economy. The Florida Finance Summit provided finance options for small-medium sized companies in Florida.

The summit addressed the many latest programs on SBA loans, export financing, commercial loans and non-conventional loans.

On April 27, Commissioner Diaz not only participated in “Comcast Cares Day” event but he also presented them with a proclamation.

Over 1000 people participated in planting, landscaping, re-burnishing, and renovating the grounds. Since 2001, “Comcast Cares Day” has served over 3,500 projects across the Country and this year, there project focused on improving Timothy H. Artman Park in the City of Hialeah.

The Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department, has announced that the Trail Glades Sport Shooting Range at 17601 SW 8th Street, Miami, has expanded its days of operation to include Tuesdays. 

The Trail Glades Sport Shooting Range is now open to shooting sports activities six days a week. Cease fire is 30-minutes prior to the stated closing times.

For directions and more information about the Trail Glades Sport Shooting Range, visit www.miamidade.gov/parks or call 305-226-1823

Early Voting for the May 14, 2013 Miami-Dade County Special Election regarding the modernization of Sun Life Stadium will begin on Monday, April 29 and run through Sunday, May 12.  Hours of operation vary to accommodate the needs of all Miami-Dade voters.

As in past elections, 20 Early Voting sites are conveniently located throughout Miami-Dade County. For the list of Early Voting locations and hours of operation, please visit Elections.

>See a sample ballot.

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 email Oscar Gonzalez or call 786-280-0983. General information can be found at 826-826 website. Motorists are encouraged to call 511 before they drive, or log on to Florida's Statewide 511 website 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 website.

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.

May 2 is National Day of Prayer

The National Day of Prayer is an annual observance held on the first Thursday of May, inviting people of all faiths to pray for the nation. It was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of the United States Congress, and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman. 

Commissioner Diaz is encouraging people of all faiths in his district to participate. Find out when your city is participating in the observance of National Prayer Day.

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