Media Borough. PA. , appears to be a well-planned family-friendly city – and hosts a Rotary International club – How do I know? I see signs.

The sign mission uproar reported on Wednesday, July 25, 2012, ‘Rotary international has 50 year sign removed. You gotta be kidding me. Why? Another landmark removed in the name of “progress”?’ has caused family and readers to submit stories and information regarding other communities and their relationship with Rotary. Come on Mayor and Vice Mayor, stop leading a condo board and lets really start looking at some living and breathing communities people are proud of instead of closing ranks and shutting down.  Here is a sign posted in Media Borough. PA.  Check it out, posting an article that it is:  Best Places to Raise Kids: The 15 Most Family-Friendly Philly Suburbs. And South Dade Updates notes that they are proud to indicate that they have a Rotary International club.

From the official town website and article:

If you are forgoing city for 'burbs, as a parent you want two things: safe streets and good schools. But after that, the choices vary: A touch of urbanity? Wide-open spaces? A charming downtown? We crunched the numbers, analyzed the data and forayed out into the field. No matter your preference, we found a locale worth moving to

Population: 4,282

School district: Lower Merion

Average SAT scores: 574 math / 589 reading / 576 writing

Crime rate: 1.49 violent crimes per 1,000; 13.86 nonviolent per 1,000

Median home price: $382,000

And, when you pull into town, you know where and when to find their local Rotarians.  This appears to be a very nice community, maybe others can tell us, as the late Paul Harvey used to say; “the rest of the story.”

Elect Susie Castillo for Miami-Dade County School Board District 5. Fundariser this Monday, July 30, in Doral.

I am calling out to all my friends, including those in South Dade not physically located in School Board District 5 to help in the School Board election. I am posting my strong recommendation for Miami-Dade County School Board, district 5.  You may be only vote for one thanks to single districts, but all the School Board Members have a profound impact the quality of our entire school system - and our local property values.  You can donate to Ms. Castillo's campaign even if you cannot vote for her.  We need quality leadership to guarantee quality schools.  Please, now is the time to make a donation, even if you have never made a political donation before.  $50, $25, even $10 is important.  Join us on Monday, July 30, 2012,to meet the next School Board member, District 5, Susie Castillo, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Law Vegas Cuban Cuisine - 11500 NW 41 Street Doral,  FL 33166.  Please RSVP to electsusiecastillo@gmail.com

Maximum contribution is $500 per person, corporate, personal or PAC checks.  You can also donate online at http://www.electsusiecastillo.com/ or mail check to P.O.Box 226543, Miami, FL 33222

Making a statement. When is it contrary to code in Palmetto Bay?

The current Palmetto Bay council recently enacted an ordinance that restricts political yard signs. No signs may be displayed more than 90 days prior to an election.  This sign is outside this period.  Someone is daring Palmetto Bay officials to cite him for exercising his free speech.  Is this sign contrary to code? Will Palmetto Bay enforce this restriction upon free speech or will the ordinance be selectively enforced only against challengers to the Mayor's slate of candidates?

Or maybe, just maybe, this homeowner is merely upset because a 50 year landmark for the Rotary club was taken down.

The above sign is located at 7790 SW 176 Street in Palmetto Bay. Such civil disobedience.  My bet is that this homeowner is daring Mayor Stanczyk to take action..

Questions for Mayor Stanczyk.  Let's be consistent.  Are the Antique Flea Market business signs (photos provided to me by a reader) recycled from your campaign, really more pleasant to look at or more permissible at than political signs?  Do these signs really belong as placed on May 2, 2011? Did you have a permit for these signs or did code enforcement ask you to remove these signs placed near your business?

Rotary international has 50 year sign removed. You gotta be kidding me. Why? Another landmark removed in the name of “progress”?

Palmetto Bay is about to celebrate its 10 year anniversary (2002-2012). What has the local Rotary International club done for our community over these same past ten years?  How about raise approximately $250,000.00 for our community over this same period of time.  It seems that this group is being repaid by having its internationally recognized sign removed from its US1 location, a location where it has stood for approximately 50 years. Is this sign making way for a new beautification project?

Current officer, Foundation Administrator, and Past President (2Xs), Edward Ludovici (a 25 year Rotary member) was surprised to receive a visit from an official earlier this week who asked him for information on a permit for the sign which has stood for 50 years at its now former location.  Permit?  After 50 years?  Information exists that a permit does in fact exist, but regardless, the sign was removed. Note that as another historical aside, Mr. Ludovici Is a member of the Ludovici & Ludovici law firm, a law practice that traces its local roots back to 1959 with Philip Ludovici.

Ed Ludovici & Dr. James Thomas
with offending signs. Gone after 50 years

Why am I writing about this?  Because as Palmetto Bay’s founding mayor, I am appalled at the apparent ill-treatment of an important community/charitable group.  Whether you think this sign is “pretty” or “worthy” of upgrading aesthetics along US1, it certainly has become a landmark over the last 50 years that should not be so summarily cast aside.  I do appreciate FDOT’s personal delivery of the sign back to Mr. Ludovici for safe keeping.  This sign is a symbol of an important worldwide organization, down to local Palmetto Bay, long before anyone ever thought of remaking an area from Perrine to Palmetto Bay. 

The local club, initially called the Rotary Club of Perrine/Cutler Ridge, is presently known as the Rotary Club of Perrine-Cutler Ridge/Palmetto Bay. The name “Palmetto Bay” was inserted approximately 10 years ago to honor the new municipality.  It is a shame that this appears to be yet another example of one-sided decorum in Palmetto Bay under current leadership.  More information can be found regarding this club on its website: http://www.pcrpbrotary.org/

I am researching this status this situation and will update reports as they become available.

It is unfortunate that Palmetto Bay’s official relationships have deteriorated under the present Mayor with local Church groups, private education facilities, business & economic development groups and now a worldwide group such as Rotary International.  This is another nail in the community relationship coffin.  Governments should be looking to foster solid working relationships to make us a true community.  This is a big step in the wrong direction.

It is my goal that the sign be returned to its historic location, reestablishing a 50 year landmark.  Quality towns provide for community organization informational gateway signs so travelers become aware of what groups meet in the community.  This is small town America, something Palmetto Bay wants to be. Palmetto Bay certainly is not too large for Rotary international.

No Photo Ops for Howard Tendrich, only additional opportunities to engage in public service. We all need to get behind Howard in his re-election campaign, for the good of Palmetto Bay

I am supporting Howard Tendrich in his re-election campaign.  No surprise. I find Howard to be one of the most positive people on the present village council. He votes based upon principle, not based upon who speaks the loudest. You can always depend upon Howard Tendrich to listen and carefully consider all sides of an issue before he votes.

One of his greatest strengths is his commitment to volunteerism. He is not a photo opportunity official, gone as soon as the cameras leave. I saw Howard on Saturday, 7/21/2012, at the Deering Estate Free day, working as grilmaster for the N.E.S.T.T. fundraiser. He worked start to finish, taking time from this store hours on Saturday.  Howard actually donates more than just his time, but actually reaches into his personal pocket book for charitable and community good. Show me another elected official who has done that for so long.  Howard is unselfish and sincere in his efforts.

Howard is well-known as the people’s voice for transparency and accountability.  He has lead the charge to place the check register on the web site. It is unfortunate that many of this up to date reforms have not been addressed by the current council.  Hopefully that will change in November. 

We need more people like Howard, who is genuinely concerned for the good of OUR community.  

Please join me in working to re-elect Howard Tendrich, Palmetto Bay Council, District 2.

Palmetto Bay and the bizarro world of non-disclosure: The continued lack of transparency from Stanczyk and Pariser.

When will the taxpayers of Palmetto Bay become fully apprised of the specifies of the next potential big lawsuit? The suit (Petition for Writ of Certiorari actually) is pending in the Circuit Court, Appellate Division, titled: Shores at Palmetto Bay, LLC v Village of Palmetto Bay.  This is the litigation that has resulted from the December 2011, summary denial of the Charter School application. 

The village officials may have finally ‘fixed’ the Palmetto Bay litigation link: see Thursday, July 12, 2012, What is the status of the Palmer litigation? Does anyone have the right to know?  (Thank you squeaky wheel).  The "Current Litigation" page now appears to be on a new link (CLICK HERE). 

But there is far from complete information which makes me more concerned than ever.  It leads a reader to erroneously think the listed opinions are the limit of Palmetto Bay's current litigation.  That is why this new and ‘improved’ page is misleadingly.  After all, it is entitled “Current Litigation in Village of Palmetto Bay” and, sorry Shelley Stanczyk and Brian Pariser, but I have to call you both out on this, it is entirely (as you both far too often accuse others) MISLEADING, if now outright dishonest, due to the fact that there is much more litigation going on at the present time. 

I am starting to come to the personal conclusion that neither of you can ever make complete and proper disclosure to the public.  Do you think we all are so stupid that we will never find out there are other cases pending, or do you both simply like to surprise us?  I know, we can all view the attorney’s report temporarily posted monthly with the regular village agenda, but who thinks that you have to go to so many different places to assemble your piece-meal information, especially when you allegedly have assembled what many thought to be a single site for all information.  Again, Shelley, that is misleading. This is another example of bad leadership; why so many people are getting disgusted with you and Brian.

Back to the page.  At the time I posted this blog article, the page provided only the following:

Current Litigation in Village of Palmetto Bay

Disclaimer: The following order is subject to an appeal and is not final during the pending litigation:

    Opinion Filed Dec. 22, 2011
    Petition Filed Jan. 23, 2012
    3rd DCA Decision (Not final):  July 5, 2012

What are the real cases of interest, why the page was actually set up?

Palmer Trinity Private School v. Village of Palmetto Bay ; Circuit Court Case No.: 08-28977 CA 30;
Palmer Trinity Private School v. Village of Palmetto Bay, Appellate Court Case No.: 10-259-AP; Palmer Trinity v. Village of Palmetto Bay under Circuit Court case no. 10-34016 CA 20

All are pending.  The Appellate Court Case No.: 10-259-AP may see a renewed motion for attorney’s fees and costs filed by Palmer due to the strong language contained in the recent Third District Court of Appeal decision and its award of fees and costs.  The original motion was denied without prejudice.

Interest readers and residents should start looking for what happens next in Shores at Palmetto Bay, LLC v Village of Palmetto Bay, pending in the Circuit Court, Appellate Division, case No.: 12-029, regarding resolution 2011-85. The petition for writ of certiorari for was filed on January 12, 2012, but is not getting much attention, but it will be soon.

Other lawsuits of little or no interest:

There is at least one personal injury lawsuit pending, which is unfortunately part of being a service provider: Justin Anctil (Parent) v. Village of Palmetto Bay, Circuit Court case 11-14303 CA 01 (others have been filed and settled, which are not unusual).

The village is nearly always a party in any foreclosure suit filed regarding to private property located within Palmetto Bay.  These are far too numerous to list.

Another example of bad leadership: Shelley Stanczyk and her bizarro world of one-sided decorum in Palmetto Bay

Come on Shelley, couldn’t you go a single entire meeting enforcing the decorum ordinance? What ever happened to the golden rule, ‘treat others as you would have others treat you’?

Village Code 2-45 defines Decorum.  Meetings have now deteriorated to the point where it is now read prior to each meeting. Shelley Stanczyk even brought it up for lesson at the Committee of the Whole workshop held Wednesday, July 18. She asked for more civility and particularly “to stop calling people out” or venting. Clearly the Mayor’s lesson, in practice, was lay off the Mayor, Vice mayor and Councilwoman from district 3, but the other two are fair and appropriate game.  I was disappointed to see Mrs. Stanczyk allow two separate speakers, coincidentally, both board members of the CCOCI to praise her, the vice mayor and council woman Lindsay, but then allow both speakers to personally admonish and ‘call out’ Howard Tendrich and Patrick Fiore in direct contradiction to her pleas made less than an hour earlier in the very same meeting.  Has she no recall of what she preached earlier or does the Mayor’s call for civility apply only to her and not to the two dissenters on the Palmetto Bay council?  Perhaps it was because these two council members crossed the CCOCI party line and failed to continue to support endless litigation. The two speakers can be viewed on the village web cast (1:57:45) and (2:04:09).

I ask that Shelley Stanczyk please take the time to actually read Village Code 2-45. It provides that all speakers must address their remarks to the mayor, speak in a dignified and courteous manner, and avoid admonishing individual members of the public, council and representatives of the village.   This is not what occurred however, when the CCOCI officers spoke.

Shelley Stanczyk failed to once again follow the long standing code for decorum and allowed personal attacks to be launched against the two council members who ironically were correct in their following of the law, but were nonetheless improperly ‘called out’ for failing to listen to the ‘will of the people’ and creating a ‘banana republic.’ Both Howard Tendrich and Patrick Fiore were judged ultimately correct in trying to follow the law, but they were one vote short. Had any of the other 3 on the council followed their vote and direction, and the advice of private legal counsel, the appeals would have ended much earlier and without imposition of fees and costs imposed against the village taxpayers which has still yet to be calculated.

I was personally shocked and would respectfully disagree stating that no, CCOCI board members, I believe you have it backwards. A “banana republic” is created and maintained when government officials and a minority of residents refuse to act within the rule of law and that government and its official cater to the will of a small ‘ruling class’ in opposition to the general public.

Kudos to both Howard Tendrich and Patrick Fiore for not engaging and making the situation even worse. Shame on Shelley Stanczyk for not making it through even one meeting trying to change a lack of decorum situation. Respect is earned. Shelley Stanczyk should not continue to maintain a double standard, one that chastises those who disagree with her, while allowing negative personal comments against those on the council who may publicly disagree with her.

Please view another blog that I think has properly framed the issue, South Dade Matters, in a July 18, 2012, post “PB: NPO and Decorum” which raised the issue:

Will Mayor Stanczyk address the decorum of her minions who sit in the back of the chamber and heckle anyone with whom they disagree? Go to the video of the last council meeting at 1:07:39 to hear the ugly, empowered mob heckle a resident into silence. SDM notes that Mayor Stanczyk reprimanded the audience generally for their hostility towards the speaker.

Yet, SDM understands – and is willing to be corrected if wrong – that a family member of the Mayor participates in this practice. There is no doubt that most of the hecklers howl only when the Mayor’s, the Vice Mayor’s and Councilwoman Lindsay’s opponents are speaking.

SDM Wonders: Is the Mayor tacitly endorsing this repulsive behavior when she fails to discipline her admirers? Decorum cuts both ways – or at least it should.

(Emphasis added) (and further note that in my opinion, the reprimanding was done long after it occurred)

The banana label was clearly misapplied on July 18, 2012.

Update on the Palmer Trinity Litigation – Palmer prevails on its motion for attorney’s fees and costs against Palmetto Bay

Friday the 13th indeed. The three Judge panel entered an order on Friday, July 13, 2012, GRANTING Palmer’s motion for attorney’s fees. No amount is set. The issue has been remanded to the trial court to set the amount. Click on the thumbnail photo to see a larger size .JPEG of the order awarding fees.

What is interesting is that the fees are to be assessed solely against Palmetto Bay. The other Petitioners appear to have escaped sharing in the financial burden of the reimbursement of Palmer’s fees. The fees will fall entirely upon Village taxpayers.

Palmetto Bay officials will publicly discuss this issue for the first time at the Wednesday, July 18, 2012, Committee of the Whole meeting (COW)  (thank you goes to Howard Tendrich, the Palmetto Bay Council transparency watchdog). It is listed as item 2:

 Discussion re: Village of Palmetto Bay v. Palmer Trinity Private School, Third District Court of Appeal Appellate Court Case No.: No. 3D12-190; Lower Tribunal No. 10-259

CLICK HERE to review the COW agenda.

What is the status of the Palmer litigation? Does anyone have the right to know?

The Village council met last night (Wednesday, July 11, 2012) in what is known as a shade session.  I checked the village litigation page at 11:45 AM on Thursday, July 12, 2012, and found the “litigation” link to be dead. All information has been removed.  Clicking onto the litigation link for the Palmetto Bay official website only provided the following:

Page not found

The requested page could not be found.

__________________________________________

This is not acceptable.  Mayor Stanczyk needs to immediately drop her self-proclaimed allegations of  government in the Sunshine or “transparency.”  Palmetto Bay has gone fully opaque under her and Brian Pariser's terms of office.

Information can be made available to Palmetto Bay residents without giving up “trial tactics” or “attorney / client privileged” information.  Mrs. Stanzcyk was able to speak with the press for the July 7, article Appeals court slams ‘intransigent’ Palmetto Bay council. Herald Reporter Howard Cohen interviewed Shelley Stanczyk on potential next steps: “Right now, it’s hard to say,” Mayor Stanczyk said. Legally, the village could apply for a rehearing or ask the state Supreme Court to hear the case. 

“We haven’t had an opportunity to meet with Eve and haven’t had a chance to meet with the manager,” Stanczyk said. The council is expected to meet Monday night at its next regular council meeting. “The five of us have to make that determination,” she said.

OK, so NOW you can talk to the press, after all those previsous cautions that you had to keep tight lipped.  Don’t tell us how you are going to do it, but you can tell the residents as to whether you have accepted the jurisdiction and the decisions of the courts (plural) or whether we are moving forward incurring more costs and attorney’s fees.  Obviously the Palmer litigants will know, if you are either negotiating or will be pursuing additional appellate review, so why subject interested taxpayers to further delay?

Additionally for those looking for background, why is the village litigation page currently removed from the public view?

Click on the “litigation” label below to see prior articles relating to village litigation.  Please also review my prior posing Thursday, April 12, 2012 posting: I invite Mayor Shelley Stanczyk and Vice Mayor Brian Pariser to watch a video of the Wednesday, April 11, 2012 press conference and learn how to communicate information concerning court cases to the public. It can be done. Here is a good example:

Franz Kafka would be proud. The Stanczyk method of “transparency” reads like the Kafka novel: “The Trial."

EYE ON MIAMI: The 10 Top Re-uses for Parrot Jungle? ... by gimleteye

EYE ON MIAMI: The 10 Top Re-uses for Parrot Jungle? ... by gimleteye

Eye on Miami (EOM) is seeking suggestions for how to best reuse Jungle Island.  Go to the blog and add your own suggestions with the other readers. EOM states that the winner will be pulled from a hat at an upcoming joint meeting of the City and County Commissions.

This tongue in cheek blog post is generated out of the latest in the Jungle Island saga.  Read the latest article in the Miami Herald: Cash-strapped Jungle Island falls short in bid for expansion on Miami’s Watson Island, by Kathleen McGrory. 

It is reported that the Jungle Island and Miami city officials have not been able to reach a deal on a proposed expansion of the park. Jungle Island says it will reconsider its plans and do its best to make a $2 million payment on a federal loan due in August.

 “Jungle Island has made the decision to put its expansion plans on hold and reconsider our options for the future at this time,” park officials wrote in a statement.

Commission Vice Chairman Marc Sarnoff said the aviary attraction is simply reading the tea leaves.

“They see there is no stomach for any further concessions,” he said.

In the statement, Jungle Island officials said they plan to “meet obligations,” the most pressing of which is the $2 million payment on a federal loan due in August.

The iconic zoological park and banquet hall has been bleeding money since its 1997 move from Pinecrest to Watson Island, and has failed to follow through on a number of promises to city officials. All told, Jungle Island owes more than $26 million to the city and county, which have made most of the payments on the federal loan. The city also loaned the business $800,000 to help it pay back taxes in 2009.

In addition, the park has not been able to pay rent on its city-owned property in more than three years.

It is time for you, the reader and taxpayer, to have your say.  Have at it.

Reminder – Voter registration deadline is approaching: July 16. Other Key dates.

The next election is the Primary Election of August 14, 2012. Early voting begins August 4 and ends on August 11.

Official elections information is available online at http://www.miamidade.gov/elections/

To register to vote, residents must: be 18 years or older (pre-registration begins at 16); be a U.S. citizen; be a permanent resident of Miami-Dade County.

Note that July 16 is also the deadline for anyone interested in changing their political party affiliation. Since Florida is a closed primary state, it is important for voters to know what party they are registered as. 

Visit the Elections Department website and click on “Register to Vote.” After completing the online form, it must be printed, signed, and mailed to the Elections Department at: Supervisor of Elections, P.O. Box 521550, Miami, Florida 33152. This form MUST be postmarked by July 16 to be accepted as valid for this election.

CLICK HERE to request an absentee ballot.  Deadline for requests is August 8.

For more information, please visit www.miamidade.gov/elections or call 305-499-VOTE (8683).

Appeals court slams ‘intransigent’ Palmetto Bay council - Palmetto Bay - MiamiHerald.com

Appeals court slams ‘intransigent’ Palmetto Bay council - Palmetto Bay - MiamiHerald.com

A strong article that is a must read for those looking for a full update on what is happening in Palmetto Bay in its litigation, because, at least up to now, no one has been hearing it from the elected officials. 

Sub headline: Palmetto Bay leaders appear to have willfully disobeyed a court order when they placed unreasonable restrictions on a school’s expansion, an appeals court said this week. by Howard Cohen

Everyone is asking what will be next for the 3 member majority of the Palmetto Bay Council, Shelley Stanczyk. Brian Pariser, and Joan Lindsay now that the appeals court has handed them another loss in their ongoing efforts to stop Palmer Trinty from expanding.

As reported,  Florida’s Third District Court of Appeal said the village of Palmetto Bay acted either from “wishful thinking” or “more likely a willful disobedience” when the Village Council placed a 900-student limit on Palmer Trinity School after a lower court told the city, in effect, to allow up to 1,150 students.

There were strong words from Councilman Patrick Fiore in the article, who as quoted states that “…the council majority of Mayor Shelley Stanczyk, Vice Mayor Brian Pariser and Councilwoman Joan Lindsay had wasted the taxpayers’ money on fruitless litigation.”

“Three members of this council, despite knowing what the village’s chances were of being successful in this appeal, decided to move ahead and continue to spend taxpayer dollars and, once again, the court has ruled in favor of the applicant,” Fiore said Friday.

The city hired White & Case, one of the largest and most prestigious law firms in the United States, to work with City Attorney Eve Boutsis on the latest appeal.

Even before the latest appeal, the city’s legal bill on Palmer Trinity had come to $600,000.

I don’t think the message is getting through.  Herald Reporter Howard Cohen interviewed Shelley Stanczyk on potential next steps:  “Right now, it’s hard to say,” Mayor Stanczyk said. Legally, the village could apply for a rehearing or ask the state Supreme Court to hear the case.

“We haven’t had an opportunity to meet with Eve and haven’t had a chance to meet with the manager,” Stanczyk said. The council is expected to meet Monday night at its next regular council meeting. “The five of us have to make that determination,” she said.

It is also important to note that Palmer Trinity still has a lawsuit pending against the city for tuition lost due to the village’s decisions.

Stan Price, who has represented Palmer Trinity stated very stong words in the article, staring that: “I feel very elated and very pleased with the court’s order. It has taken us six years to get to this point of time,” he said. “The most telling was that Chief Judge Wells basically came to the conclusion that the city was acting in bad faith and its actions belie someone wanting to do the right thing. Judge Schwartz concurred and indicated that everything the city was doing was superfluous. That’s what we’ve been saying all along. But there are a few individuals in this city who don’t want a school in that city and the court has recognized the school’s right to exist and to expand. We’d like to think every time we’ve come to the end of the road but there’s another stumbling block. Is this the end? With this town, you never what the end is.”

We might know more on Monday (July 9 regular Palmetto Bay Council Meeting), but then again, Shelley Stanczyk and Brian Pariser continue to elude what I feel is their obligation as elected officials to properly advise village residents of the status and goals of the ongoing litigation, see:  Sunday, February 5, 2012, SDU post, An (unofficial) update on the PalmerZoning litigation; Palmer I, II and III. The present standard of court review

Palmer Prevails in litigation. 3rd DCA denies Palmetto Bay's petition for writ of certiorari

The Third DCA released its opinion today, Thursday, July 5, 2012.  The 3 member appellate panel DENIED Palmetto Bay's petition for writ of certiorari.

CLICK HERE to read the entire 22 page opinion.  Note this opinion is NOT final until disposition of timely filed motion for rehearing.

Breaking Independence Day news. Just in case you missed it! 'Black Widow' wins hot dog eating contest with 45 - Other Sports - MiamiHerald.com

'Black Widow' wins hot dog eating contest with 45 - Other Sports - MiamiHerald.com

The Associated Press reported that Sonya Thomas, of Alexandria, Va., also known as “The Black Widow of competitive eating” broke her own record by consuming 45 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes to win the women's competition at the annual Coney Island contest. The Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest has been a city tradition for 97 years.

I wonder what is for dinner?  And note this is listed under "other sports".

A listing of South Dade Events today, July 4th. Have a Happy and Safe Independence Day

Sign up for the South Dade Updates delivered to you via e-mail. Review the July 4th Activities special: CLICK HERE 

Remember: FIREWORKS MAKE FOR A STRESSFUL EVENING FOR PETS

July fourth is a busy day for pet shelters. Many pets get frightened and run off during fireworks. 

Please review the Miami Herald: Consider pet safety during Fourth of July fireworks, Experts provide tips for keeping pets relaxed and safe during Independence Day festivities, by Alejandro Bolívar 

Fireworks and cook-outs on the Fourth of July may be fun for humans, but not so for pets. Independence Day brings risks for these animals, both inside and outside the house. “I recommend not taking them to the party,” said Dr. Maria Diaz, a veterinarian at Banfield Pet Hospital in Coral Gables. 

Local Official Firework displays:

INDEPENDENCE DAY FREE FIREWORKS SPECTACULAR 
BLACK POINT PARK & MARINA

Black Point Park & Marina, 24775 SW 87 Ave, Miami, FL

Band Performs - 7:00 to 9:00 PM

Fireworks - 9:00 to 9:30 PM

Coast Guard Flyover - 7:00 PM

More info is on the event flyer or call 305-258-4092. 

CORAL GABLES – FIREWORKS RETURNS TO THE BILTMORE

July 4th celebration returning to the Biltmore (Gables Home Page) 

The rockets’ red glare will once again dominate the night sky over Coral Gables as the city’s much-loved July 4th celebration returns next month.

If you go: The celebration will begin at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, July 4, at the Biltmore Hotel, 1200 Anastasia Ave., with the concert at 7 p.m. and fireworks at 9 p.m. Admission is free.

CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI – JULY 4th FIREWORKS AND EVENT

4th of July Celebration 
July 4, 2012
Time: 5:00 pm - 9:30 pm

Location: Show map
Palmer Park
6120 SW 67th Avenue
South Miami, FL 33143 
To view the announcement, please click here.

HOMESTEAD SPEEDWAY fireworks celebration 
Open house at the race track. The event is on the infield.  Music and children's activities are available. Doors open at 5 pm. For more information, click here.

July 4, 1776, the day we celebrate our independence from Britain and Democracy was born.

This is a holiday to celebrate, the day we celebrate the birth of our great nation, the creation of the greatest system of freedom and democracy. All of this occurred due to the great physical and financial sacrifice of the founders of this nation, the brave men and women of yesterday and today who have sacrificed so greatly to ensure the traditions bestowed by our remarkable founders. We owe them vigilance, and the willingness to defend the democracy they have passed on to us.

Independence Day has been celebrated since 1776.  But do you know the year that July 4 officially made a Federal Holiday?  Would you believe 1941? Check out the History.com page regarding July 4, for additional information.

Let us continue to look to a future that belongs to all of us - a future that ‘we, the people’ have the power to create.

I wish you all a wonderful holiday, and hope that the day’s happiness reminds us all of the importance of the Fourth of July.

Celebrations will occur throughout our community – there are many neighborhood block parties and bike parades and picnics on the beaches and in parks.

Please be smart if you plan on being your own pyrotechnician CLICKHERE and review the "Fireworks Safety" brochure put out by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue’s Fire Prevention Division. Have fun and be safe.

Happy Independence Day – 2012

Mayor Carlos Gimenez speaks to 100 community residents | Palmetto Bay

Mayor Carlos Gimenez speaks to 100 community residents | Palmetto Bay

From the Palmetto Bay News: Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez addressed a group of more than 100 South Miami-Dade County residents on June 6 at the Deering Estate at Cutler in Palmetto Bay. Photographs from this event are available on the PBVV Facebook page (CLICK HERE to view) 

The mayor was welcomed by Peter England, chair of the Palmetto Bay Village Voice, a citizen’s organization committed to transparency in government, which was the event organizer. 

The Palmetto Bay Village Voice has also recently presented a Seminar on the formation and importance of Citizens' Crime Watches in our community through the participation of Carmen Caldwell, Executive Director of Citizens' Crime Watch, as the featured speaker. 

The community outreach event was part of an ongoing series sponsored by Palmetto Bay Village Voice.  The Palmetto Bay Village Voice is a non-partisan, objective source for community news. The PBVV is a not-for-profit Florida corporation with the specific purpose to increase local government transparency and accountability through education and communication, and to promote active resident participation in our Village.

P.O. Box 571282

Palmetto Bay, Florida 33257

info@PalmettoBayVillageVoice.org

www.PalmettoBayVillageVoice.org

From the Cobert Report: Unscooped Dog Poop Crime-Busting Service. Coming to an HOA or condo board city near you?

I remember receiving a request for this type of service from a resident.  He was years before his time. Fortunately he moved.  Will this unscooped poop patrol be in Palmetto Bay's future? DNA registration for pets? Time will tell, but until then, enjoy this instalment from the Colbert Report. It really gets started at 1:42. And yes, you have to suffer the short advertisement that precedes the video instalment.