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District Office
8345 NW 12th Street
Miami, FL 33126
(305) 599-1200
Downtown Office Stephen P. Clark Center
111 NW 1st Street
Suite 220
Miami, Florida 33128
(305) 375-4343
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Dear resident,
Thank you for your support. I invite you to read this month's newsletter to be informed of matters that concern you as well as community events in your area. Summer is wrapping up soon and we are preparing to send our children back to school, so be sure to take advantage of the Back -to-School Tax Holiday from August 7 through August 16, 2015. Tax Week 2015
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Miami-Dade Youth Commission Serving District 12
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Congratulations to Aaron Valdes and Daniel Iglesias who will be serving as Commissioner Diaz's representatives on the Miami-Dade Youth Commission for District 12. Aaron is a freshman at Mater Academy Charter High School and is enrolled in honor courses. He is a member of the chess club and Mu Alpha Theta Club. He also enjoys helping the elderly in the community and assisting them with technological devices. Aaron has been in United States less than 3 years.   Daniel is a freshman who also attends Mater Academy Charter School, where he serves on the Executive Committee of the Key Club and also serves as the treasurer of the National Honor Society. Daniel plans to attend Yale University and become a doctor.
The Miami-Dade County Youth Commission provides young people the opportunity to participate in the process of County government and focus on matters affecting our youth. For more information on Miami-Dade County Youth Commission |
State Road 836 express bus service plans move forward
Plans for an express bus system on the Dolphin Expressway (State Road 836) took a big step forward on July 14, with the approval of legislation sponsored by Commissioner Diaz for an agreement enabling a partnership between Miami-Dade County, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and Miami-Dade Expressway Authority (MDX) for the creation of a park and ride facility on Northwest 12th Street just west of the Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike. Under the agreement, FDOT will transfer 15 acres of land to Miami-Dade Transit (MDT) for construction of the Dolphin Station Park and Ride, consisting of a bus terminal with 12 bus bays and 900 parking spaces. Commissioner Diaz recognized that without this agreement in place, the Miami-Dade Expressway Authority (MDX) will not be able to expedite the project completion date by 2 years, while the cost of construction will be split evenly between FDOT and MDT. Groundbreaking is expected in spring 2016, with a projected late 2017 opening. Commissioner Diaz has been a strong advocate for creation of a State Road 836 express bus route to downtown Miami and sponsored a resolution last year to make it a top County priority.
Parking Spaces for Disabled Persons
Commissioner Diaz sponsored legislation to hike the fine for people who illegally park in parking spaces designated for disabled persons. Anyone not displaying a lawful disabled parking permit will have to pay a $250 fine.
Crandon Boulevard bicycle safety improvements
Commissioner Diaz sponsored legislation calling for safety measures for bicyclists on the road leading to Key Biscayne and now County crews have started a five-month road resurfacing and bike lane-widening project along Crandon Boulevard between Bear Cut Bridge and the Village of Key Biscayne. The new bike lanes, which will be painted bright green, will be separated from vehicular traffic by a two-foot-wide striped buffer zone bounded by vibratory pavement markings similar to those recently installed along the Bear Cut and William Powell bridge bike lanes along the Rickenbacker Causeway. The improvements follow a number of hit-and-run cyclist fatalities on the roadway over the last several years that prompted numerous calls for safety improvements. Commissioner Diaz has been a strong advocate for safer roadways. In addition to successfully lobbying state legislators to toughen penalties for hit-and-run drivers, he has sponsored several resolutions to improve safety roadways. In addition to successfully lobbying state legislators to toughen penalties for hit-and-run drivers, he has sponsored several resolutions to improve safety on the Rickenbacker Causeway and other Miami roads.
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Commissioner Diaz receives "Governor's Veterans Service Award"
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Commissioner Diaz, who proudly served as a United States Marine, was extremely honored to receive the "Governor's Veterans Service Award" presented to him by Governor Rick Scott at the Robert A. Ballard Armory on July 27. The "Governor's Veterans Service Award" is presented to veterans who have served in the United States Military.
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Commissioner Diaz gives backpacks to children in District 12
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 On July 22, hundreds of children from the North Trail Summer Camp and the Town of Medley Summer Camp received new backpacks filled with school supplies at a back-to-school book bag giveaway event hosted by Commissioner Diaz. Each backpack had binders, spiral notebooks, composition notebooks, packs of paper, a pencil pouch, markers, crayons, highlighter, White Out, scissors, pens, pencils, a ruler and glue. The backpacks and school supplies were donated by Florida East Coast Industries. Philly Steak Sub Shop donated freshly baked cookies. |
Congrats to Town of Medley's Police Explorers Post 67
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 Congrats to District 12's Town of Medley's Police Explorers Post 67 for coming in 5th place in a drill competition at the Florida Association of Police Explorers' 2015 State Competition that took place in Melbourne, FL from June 21 to June 27. There were over 30 different Explorer Posts throughout Florida competing. The Town of Medley's Police Explorers Post 67 was established in December 2014 and allows kids from ages 14 to 18 years to interact with law enforcement and be involved in community events.
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 NW 117th Avenue and NW 25th StreetThere will be a intersection improvement project at NW 117th Avenue and NW 25th Street. The construction of the left-turning lane includes clearing and grubbing; roadway widening; milling, resurfacing, adjusting manholes, installation of concrete curb and gutter, sidewalks, installation of detectable warning on walking surface, signage; installation of pavement markings and sodding. This project is expected to be completed in late September 2015. NW 74th St from NW 87th Avenue to SR-826Starting August 3 there will be a roadway improvement project along NW 74th Street from NW 87th Avenue to SR-826 consisting of widening and reconstruction of the existing road from a five-lane roadway to a six-lane divided roadway with turn lanes. The project will also have bike lanes, raised medians, sidwalk, curb and gutter, continous storm drainage system, pavement markings and signage, traffic signalization, roadway lighting, landscaping and irrigation. Project is expected to be completed in January 2017.
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Commissioner Diaz in the Community
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| Getting in shape at the "Morning Mile" event presented by AvMed at North Trail Park on July 6
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| Commissioner Diaz speaking at the VAREP (Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals) Miami on July 13
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| | On July 15, Commissioner Diaz visited the seniors in his district at the Goodlet Senior Center In Hialeah, as well as the seniors in the Town of Medley, City of Sweetwater and Virginia Gardens to discuss any concerns they might have |
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Public meetings for FY 2015-16 Proposed budget
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Interested in learning more about the County' s FY 2015-16 Proposed Budget? In the month of August, Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez and county staff will be holding town hall meetings for Miami-Dade County residents to address any questions or concerns they might have. See full site locations here.
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Free Spay and Neuter surgeries offered by Animal Services
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Miami-Dade County Animal Services (Animal Services) was awarded a $25,000 grant from Florida Animal Friends to offer qualified residents free spay and neuter services for cats and dogs for a limited time. The free surgeries will be available until the funds are exhausted. The grant
will enable Animal Services to spay or neuter approximately 700 dogs and 200 cats free of charge for Miami-Dade County pet owners who meet the eligibility requirements. Eligible residents include those on government assistance such as food stamps, Medicaid or Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). To qualify, a card or letter showing proof of eligibility must be issued in the pet owner's name and presented at the time of surgery. Spay or neuter surgeries are by appointment only. Appointments can be scheduled online at miamidade.gov/animals or by calling 3-1-1. Pets without a current rabies vaccine will be vaccinated at the time of surgery at no fee. The licensing fee of $5.00 for dogs will still apply and will be required at the time of surgery for dogs not currently licensed (must provide letter of eligibility.) There is no limit to the number of pets per household that may be presented for surgery.
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Miami-Dade participates in free Summer Food Program
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The Miami-Dade County Community Action and Human Services Department (CAHSD) will be participating in the Summer Food Service Program during the months of June, July and August at sites located throughout Miami-Dade County. The program will operate until August 21, 2015 and nutrition meals will be provided to children 18 years and younger regardless of income, race, color, sex, disability, age or national origin. |
| Would you like to serve your community? |
 Commissioner Diaz is looking for great people who would like to serve their community by representing District 12 in the following boards. If you have any questions, you can always call the commissioner's office and speak with Anabel Mendez. |
Free back-to-school Immunizations
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The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County's Immunization Program is offering free back-to-school immunizations to children between the ages of 2 months through 18 years of age. Locations and hours here |
Free Zumba classes at North Trail Park
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The Miami-Dade County Parks, as part of their health and fitness initiative, will be offering free "Zumba Gold" classes to residents age 55 and older at North Trail Park Community Center, 780 NW 127th Avenue. "Zumba Gold" mingles fun and energetic music with lower impact movements to improve balance, flexibility, cardiovascular health and muscle conditioning. For more information about Miami-Dade Parks Active Older Adults Program, contact Allan Tavss at 786-372-9701 or visit the website
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| Free Admission for Military at
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens until Labor Day
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Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is participating in Blue Star Museums, a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, Department of Defense and more than 2,000 museums across America will offer free admission to the nation's active duty military personnel, including National Guard and Reserve, and their families from Memorial Day, May 25, through Labor Day, September 7, 2015. The program is supported by MetLife Foundation through Blue Star Families, provides families an opportunity to enjoy the nation's cultural heritage and learn more about their new communities after a military move. Read more about the Blue Star Museum Program
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| Free Admission for Military at
the Deering Estate until Labor Day
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The Deering Estate is participating in Blue Star Museums, a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and more than 2,000 museums across America, by offering free admission to the nation's active duty military personnel including National Guard and Reserve and their families through Labor Day, September 7, 2015. Vistors of all ages can experience a Historic House Tour at Deering Estate and learn about the Town of Cutler, Perrine Land Grant, Richmond Family, Balloon Frame & Mediterranean Revival Architecture, and the Deering Family. Tours are offered daily at 10:30 am, 12:30 pm & 3:00 pm throughout the summer. |
Open enrollment for MDX Cash Back Toll
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If you drive on SR 836/Dolphin Expressway), 112/Airport Expressway, SR 874/Don Shula Expressway, SR 878/Snapper Creek Expressway or SR 924/Gratigny Parkway you could be eligible for a refund if you enroll in their "Cash Back Toll Dividened" program by August 31. For more information and to enroll visit www.mdxway.com/cashback
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 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 ogonzalez@mrgmiami.com. 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. |
I hope this newsletter has been helpful and as always, I look forward to your comments and concerns. I am happy to serve the following cities of Doral, Hialeah, Hialeah Gardens, Medley, Sweetwater, Virginia Gardens and a large portion of unincorporated Miami-Dade County.
Sincerely,  Jose "Pepe" Diaz Miami-Dade County Commissioner, District 12
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