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District 12 Newsletter
Commissioner Jose District 12 e-Newsletter

Dear residents,

Thank you for subscribing to the District 12 e-newsletter! As always, this monthly publication will inform you of the latest programs, events, and opportunities taking place in District 12 and Miami-Dade County. Make sure you remain subscribed to keep in touch, or visit my website any time for updates.

Sincerely,

Commissioner Jose 'Pepe' Diaz
District 12

February 2014
Legislation sponsored by Commissioner Diaz

Legislation

Resolution to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety on the Rickenbacker Causeway, Brickell Avenue, South Bayshore Drive and surrounding area.  Learn more about this legislation.

Resolution urging the United States Congress to enact, “The strengthening the child welfare response to Human Trafficking Act of 2013.” Learn more about this legislation.

Resolution modifying transit fare structure for Miami-Dade County veterans to not pay a fare if they have not received a dishonorable discharge and their household income does not exceed the standard threshold applied to  determine eligibility for low-income, senior citizen’s additional Homestead exemption. Learn more about this legislation.

Resolution urging the Florida Legislature to pass HB7015 that would expand education and employment opportunities to Veterans of the United States Armed Forces. Learn more about this legislation.

Resolution condemning the Venezuelan government for using violence and intimidation against its political opposition; expressing support for those Venezuelans who are valiantly fighting to restore their nation to a peaceful and democratic state and urging the Federal government to take immediate diplomatic action. Learn more about this legislation.

Rallying for "Aaron Cohen Life Protection Act"

Aaron Cohen Life Protection Act

Commissioner Diaz is happy to report the “Aaron Cohen Life Protection Act” is moving forward both in the Florida Senate as well as in the House. On February 18th, it passed the Transportation and Highway Safety Subcommittee in the House and on February 19th, it passed the Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Tourism and Economic Development in the Senate. Last April, the Commissioner sponsored a resolution urging the Florida Legislator for tougher sentences to drivers found guilty of leaving the scene of a crime. Last month, he also traveled to Tallahassee to speak on behalf of the “Aaron Cohen Life Protection Act” in the Florida Senate Transportation Committee. Visit the website to follow the bill.

Commissioner Diaz's statement on Venezuelan government's violence against its people

Venezuela

The alarming events of the past week in Venezuela are sending shock waves around the world, but particularly to our Miami-Dade County community, who is so tightly interwoven with our Venezuelan brothers and sisters. As the County Commissioner representing the City of Doral, which has the largest concentration of Venezuelans living in the United States, I want to express my solidarity with the people of Venezuela as they face the Venezuelan government’s violent acts of repression against protesters and political opponents. Outraged by the ever-increasing reports of human rights violations, violence and abuse of power on behalf of the Venezuelan government; I commend the courageous students and other Venezuelans who are standing up in peaceful dissent and urge the citizens of our county to stand in support of those who are demanding democracy and exercising their universal human rights.

Read the rest of Commissioner Diaz's statement.

"14 Days of Love - Inspiring Random Acts of Kindness" Initiative

14 Days of Love

In its third annual year, “14 Days of Love – Inspiring Random Acts of Kindness” initiative, people, businesses and companies have really given back to the community between February 14 to 28th. This year was no different and Commissioner Diaz was extremely proud of those inspired to pay it forward.  For more information on this initiative visit our Facebook and Twitter pages.

For some of the events, click on the links below:
Aaron Cohen
Sunpass Give-away
Farm Share Food Giveaway

Commissioner Diaz welcomes Blue Bell Ice Cream to District 12

Blue Bell Ice Cream

On February 26, Commissioner Diaz joined Hialeah Gardens Mayor Yioset De La Cruz  and council members to welcome Blue Bell Ice Cream distribution center to Hialeah Gardens from Miramar.  Commissioner Diaz presented Blue Bell officials with a congratulations certificate on their grand opening. The Commissioner along with other guests were treated to a tour of the center as well as some delicious Blue Bell ice cream. The center is located at 13295 Okeechobee Rd and has about 40 employees, as well as a fleet of refrigerated trucks that deliver ice cream to supermarkets in Broward, Miami-Dade and the Florida Keys.  For more information, please visit the website.

New Baseball Field at Hialeah Gardens High School

New Baseball Field at Hialeah Gardens High SchoolCommissioner Diaz attended the baseball field renovations at Hialeah Gardens High School for the school’s baseball team – the Hialeah Gardens Gladiators.  Some of the renovations included installing 29,000SF of new Bermuda 419 sod at infield, hips and portions of the outfield, adding 3 of new clay to the infield, new sprinkle system to newly sodded area and down sidelines, new sand and fertilizer to help establish new sod, new hand tools for field, new custom bases, new concrete pads at batting tunnels, new warning track material behind home plate and down 1st and 3rd base lines, new windscreen around baseball field and at batting tunnels, new BP turf protectors and new pitching mound and home plate tarps.  The renovations were made possible by the Miami Marlins and the Baseball Tomorrow Fund as well as the Toro Company, Turface Athletics and Covermaster Incorporated, as well as other local vendors. For more information, please visit their website.

Golden Passport Holders encourage to renew EASY Card

Golden Passport RenewalMiami-Dade transit is encouraging golden passport holders under the age of 65 years old, to please renew their EASY card before expiration date. Cardholders can check the front right-hand side of their EASY Cards to determine when their card expires. To find out about the renewal documentation you need, please visit the website, or call 305-891-3131. TTY users should call 305-499-8971. By renewing their EASY Cards before the date of expiration, these Golden Passport patrons can ensure uninterrupted Metrobus and Metrorail service.

Projects in City of Doral

Project: NW 97 Avenue Bridge over SR-836
Description: Four lane bridge and approaches
Comments: Construction completed

Project: NW 97 Avenue from NW 58 Street to NW 74 Street
Description: New four lanes/widen to four lanes
Comments: Joint Participation Agreement (JPA) for NW 97 Avenue from NW 70 Street to NW 74 Street in process

Project: NW 117 Avenue from NW 17 Avenue to NW 25 Street
Description: Traffic signal
Comments: Under design

Project: NW 74 Street from NW 114 Avenue to NW 107 Avenue
Description: Widen to 6 lanes
Comments: Design complete

Project: NW 74 Street from NW 107 Avenue to NW 84 Avenue
Description: New 6 lanes
Comments: Construction completed

Project: NW 74 Street from NW 87 Avenue to SR 826
Description: Widen to 6 lanes
Comments: Under design

Project: Telemetry Network Installation
Description: Countywide project which included three canal control structures in Doral
Comments: Completed

Project: Doral Arterial Drainage Improvements
Description: NW 12 Street from NW 84 Avenue to NW 107 Avenue & NW 107 Avenue Between NW 43 Street to NW 58 Street
Comments: Bidding

Project: Drainage Improvements
Description: NW 58 Street from NW 87 Avenue to NW 107 Avenue
Comments: Under design

SR 836/Dolphin Expressway closures

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 826-826 website. Motorists are encouraged to call 511 before they drive, or log on to the Florida Statewide 511 website for real-time traffic and lane closure information.

Looking for a job? Need to update your resume?

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 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 the website.

Need assistance paying your utility bills?

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.

Upcoming Events

March 8, 2014 – “Diabetes Research Institute Walk for Diabetes & Family Fun Day” For more information on this event, please visit the Walgreens DRI Walk website
Time: 7 a.m.  
Location: Sun Life Stadium

May 3, 2014 – Commissioner Diaz will host his annual District 12 Spring Festival. For more information on this event, please visit the District 12 website.  
Time: 11 a.m. to 3p.m.
Location: North Trail Park, 780 NW 127th Avenue

Contact Us

Downtown Office
Stephen P. Clark Center
111 NW 1st Street, Suite 220
Miami, Florida 33128
(305) 375-4343

   

District Office
8345 NW 12th Street
Miami, FL 33126
(305) 599-1200

[email protected]

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