Dear residents,

I would like to take this opportunity to invite all my residents to my annual District 12 Spring Festival on May 3 at North Trail Park, 780 NW 127^th Avenue. This free community event will start at 11 a.m. and promises to be a fun-filled event for the entire family!

We will have food, an egg hunt, live entertainment, bounce houses and face painting. For the adventurous ones, we have rock climbing, zip lining, a mechanical bull and laser tag. Be sure to bring an Easter basket for the egg hunt, which will be at 12:15 p.m.

I look forward to seeing you and your entire family! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call my office at 305-599-1200.

Sincerely,

Commissioner Jose 'Pepe' Diaz
District 12

Commissioner Jose 'Pepe' Diaz and road safety advocates around the state scored a victory today as the Florida House passed a bill to stiffen penalties on hit-and-run drivers. The bill now awaits Gov. Rick Scott’s signature. The Aaron Cohen Life Protection Act would impose a minimum mandatory sentence of four years for drivers who flee the scene of a fatal accident – the same as for DUI manslaughter. The law was named in honor of cyclist Aaron Cohen, who was killed in 2012 on the Rickenbacker Causeway by a hit-and-run driver who was sentenced to less than a year in jail because there was insufficient evidence to prove he was drunk. Commissioner Diaz has been a strong advocate for improving roadway safety. Last year, he sponsored a resolution urging the Florida Legislature to pass the Aaron Cohen bill. He has also worked closely with bicycling clubs and the Aaron Cohen Initiative on their lobbying efforts, and in January he traveled to Tallahassee to speak at a Senate hearing about the bill. He is now working on legislation to implement bicycle and pedestrian safety measures on the Rickenbacker Causeway and other roadways.

Commissioner Jose 'Pepe' Diaz on April 8 helped unveil a new painting by internationally renowned pop artist Romero Britto in support of Autism Awareness Month. Romero’s son Brendan Britto participated in the unveiling. The painting will be on display in the Stephen P. Clark Center lobby through the end of April as part of this year’s artistic display to promote autism awareness. It will then be donated to the South Florida Autism Charter School. Commissioner Diaz sponsored the 2009 County Commission resolution that declared April as Autism Awareness Month in Miami-Dade County.

On April 6, Commissioner Diaz participated in the 14^th annual Miami Walk Now for Autism Speaks that took place at J.C. Bermudez Park in Doral. Commissioner Diaz presented a proclamation to Autism Speaks, in honor of the walk. Commissioner Diaz has been an advocate for Autism and sponsored legislation in 2009 declaring April as Autism Awareness Month in Miami-Dade County.

Commissioner Jose 'Pepe' Diaz has been reappointed to the Intergovernmental Policy Advisory Committee (IGPAC) as a representative of Miami-Dade County. Commissioner Diaz, who has served on the IGPAC since 2010, was reappointed by U.S. Ambassador Michael Froman on April 10. The IGPAC provides policy advice to the Office of the United States Trade Representative on trade policy matters that have a significant relationship to the affairs of state and local governments within the jurisdiction of the United States.

A project to improve drainage at NW 53^rd Terrace from NW 72^nd Avenue to NW 69^th Avenue started in April. This project includes the construction and installation of drainage structures, French drains, drainage improvements, grading sodding and roadway restoration including the construction of concrete curb and gutters as well as sidewalks -- where needed in accordance with the construction plans and specifications. The project is expected to be completed in September 2014.

Here are a few examples of how Commissioner Diaz has assisted constituents in District 12

On a daily basis, constituents either walk into the commissioner’s office or call to ask for his help regarding a variety of issues: filling out forms, getting a drainage system on private property cleaned, requesting recycling bins, guidance regarding their property in foreclosure, and more complex issues that usually require our office to do extensive research and work with other County offices to solve problems like the following:

Resident Mr. John Gomez who lives in Virginia Gardens called our office regarding the Okeechobee Metrorail station and the relocation of handicap parking spaces. Mr. Gomez was unable to locate the new handicap parking spaces due to street markings being faded and unreadable. Working together with our Miami-Dade Transit Department, there will be new readable signs for the handicap parking spaces at the Okeechobee Metrorail station. Mr. Gomez was grateful for the quick action taken by Commissioner Diaz’s office and the Miami-Dade Transit Department.

Miami-Dade Community Action and Human Services Department (CAHSD) Head Start and Early Head Start Program has started its open enrollment for the 2014-2015 year. Applications are being accepted until May 7 for pregnant women and children ages 2 months to 5 years old - before September 1, 2014.  In Miami-Dade County, the Head Start and Early Head Start program serves 7,234 children and families. Head Start is a federally funded comprehensive child development program, serving low–income families in Miami-Dade County.  Services available through this program includes: education, health, mental health, nutrition, children with special needs, social services, and parent involvement. Applications are available at all Head Start and Early Head Start centers and CAHSD Community Service Centers throughout Miami-Dade County.  They may also be downloaded from the County’s web website.

A concealed weapon course, for adults 21 and older, is now being offered at Trail Glades Range located at 17601 SW 8^th Street in Miami. Two-hour classes are offered on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The cost is $100 per person. For information on course times and required equipment, and to register, please call 305-226-1823. Reservations are recommended and walk-ins are welcome.

The Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department is pleased to announce that it has added three new Tai Chi class locations, as part of its line-up of free Active Adults 55+ recreational programming for residents age 55 and older. The new classes are underway at North Trail Park, which is located in District 12, Westwind Lakes Park and Continental Park. The classes are being provided free of charge through the support of Miami-Dade County Parks and Active Adults 55+ partner Chen Medical. Classes are taught by certified Tai Chi instructors and space is limited. Classes are being offered at North Trail Park, located in District 12. For details, call Miami-Dade County Parks Active Adults 55+ Program Coordinator and Advocate Allan Tavss at 786-372-9701.

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.

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.

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.

[email protected]

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