Part II – results obtained. Evaluating Palmetto Bay's efforts in Tallahassee at the 2020 Legislative Session.

This is Part II of a series. Part 1 was - Evaluating Palmetto Bay's efforts in Tallahassee at the 2020 Legislative Session - goals set. What were the legislative goals set by the current mayor and village council for the 2020 legislative session?

Palmetto Bay may receive $100,000 out of the $3.2 million requested, barely over 3% of what was being sought. But, this $100,000 is $100,000 more than made it into the budget at this time last year (2019).  

The $100,000 in Stormwater funding will require a $100,000 match by local dollars (this is standard). But this is not the entire story as the hard and soft costs spent on staff time, travel, per diem, and a reported last-minute no-bid award of $10,000 for lobbyists count against that $100,000. These costs over the last two years have not been fully disclosed by Palmetto Bay (I'd like to see the actual numbers), but theses costs could come close to completely offsetting the $100,000 earmarked in the 2020-2021 State budget.

I am starting with the goals set in Village Council resolution no. 2019-121*, the annual legislative agenda which set the following priorities for funding, versus the actual results stated in each category below:

A. Supporting legislation that provides funding for traffic calming projects and public transit improvements and extensions for Miami-Dade County;

RESULT: ZERO. While municipalities such as Doral received a budget line of $350,000 for Doral Intersection Signalization Pedestrian Safety (HB 4201) (Senate Form 1832) for traffic improvement, Palmetto Bay had ZERO requested and therefore, ZERO was placed in the budget for Palmetto Bay. 

B. Requesting funding for South Florida Water Management District specifically for canal bank restoration to address the critical erosion needs in the Village of Palmetto Bay;

RESULT: ZERO. Palmetto Bay officials continue to talk lawsuits against the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD). Let's hope not as there are currently several lawsuits lingering out there which serve no other purpose than to destroy the collaborative spirit between Palmetto Bay and Miami-Dade County.  The goal of litigation is to gain a positive result you were unable to reach pre-lawsuit, not to try to impress residents with how much money can be wasted on filing lawsuits that fail to gain results. Please mayor & council: win a lawsuit - or at least move one forward, before any more lawsuits are filed.

C. Maximizing all available appropriation and funding opportunities to implement storm water and other needed infrastructure projects throughout the Village;

RESULT: $100,000 The standard funding received by any other municipality that make such a request.

D. Supporting any legislation and requesting funding assistance and partnership opportunities that support the age friendly city initiatives and the development of unique opportunities for individuals with special needs;

RESULT: ZERO. There was money placed in the State budget for projects in other municipalities - just not requested, and therefore not earmarked for Palmetto Bay or our special need residents. In fact, special need events have ended since the last election  case in point - Jonathan's Day. I was a huge supporter of these important efforts, but it has ended with my last term. Two years and done in Palmetto Bay. There is no current leadership or desire to see such programs continue here in Palmetto Bay. 

There were no policy initiatives that Palmetto Bay officials worked for in Tallahassee. And at home, well, this current mayor and council have killed any ability to have a community center - a place where serious senior programming can develop and move forward. Same for any incentives in any of the zoning code updates for senior housing or semi-autonomous special needs hosing within Palmetto Bay, Just like workforce housing, the current official attitude appears to be live somewhere else, there is not desire to have 'any of them' here.

E. Support any legislation requesting funding assistance and partnership opportunities for projects that enhance mobility and create a network of interconnected lanes in support of bicycle and pedestrian activity within the Village;

RESULT: ZERO. In fact, bike lanes are being undone in Palmetto Bay, which is contrary to the existing Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, the current 5 year capital plan as well as the current strategic plan. This mayor and council refuse to follow the plans. Additionally, Palmetto Bay is at risk of losing the $1 million TAP grant for bicycle lanes that was fought for and obtained under my administration. 
See prior related posts:

April 3, 2019, POD - Bike transportation - not sport - along 82nd Avenue. Will I get a response to my request? Dumping $1 million?

and

November 21, 2018, Follow up – requesting status of the$1,000,000.00 TAP grant, will the new council follow through to maintain our priority for bicycle lanes, attempt to repurpose the money or reject this grant?

My goodness, we are talking about a gift of $1,000,000 (One Millions dollars and no cents). Compare that to the currently alleged budget deficit for Palmetto Bay's FY 2019-20 budget which is alleged to be in the neighborhood of $1,000,000.00. Something is seriously out of balance here.

The current mayor and council cannot afford to be turning down money - and then expect us, the village taxpayers to shoulder the burdens they create.

F. Seeking funding assistance for the Village’s FRDAP and other such FDEP projects to address park capital improvements and park property acquisitions.

RESULT: ZERO. Palmetto Bay became "the Village of Parks" under my administrations in large part through taking advantage of state programs such as the Florida Communities Trust (FCT) and FRDAP. Yet, it appears that there were no FRDAP applications even filed for this last cycle. Do I have to do everything myself? The Wayne Gresky quote is applicable here - "you miss 100% of the shots you don't take."

The year prior - 2019 legislative session recap - also known as "the year without a return on significant investment". Compare / contrast the present status of the Palmetto Bay appropriation requests (2019):

$ 1,790,800   Total money requested from the legislature limited for 3 projects, broken down as follows:
$   745,900   Multimodal center – location undisclosed (23% of the total estimated cost)
$   745,900   Enviro Center to be constructed at Coral Reef Park
$   299,000   Drainage for sub basin 61 (50% match from Village)

$ 1,790,800  Total money requested from the legislature to cover:
$ 6,089,800 Total cost of these proposed projects to the residents of Palmetto Bay.
$   ZERO        Received from the State of Florida for the 2019 efforts.
_____________________________________
* Please note that Palmetto Bay Resolution 2019-121 is NOT currently available under the resolutions page posted on the official Palmetto Bay website - only resolutions 1-33 are posted (CLICK HERE to view this page. CLICK HERE to view a screen shot of the page as it existed on 4/14/2020 - to document where this page has been updated in the interim).  

COVID-19 update released Thursday, May 14, 2020, by FLORIDA HEALTH– Palmetto Bay reaches 30, Pinecrest now at 10 and Cutler Bay reaches 3. Link provided to full daily report.

The short update for the Old Cutler Tri-City area of South Miami-Dade area: Palmetto Bay now at 30, Pinecrest 10, and Cutler Bay has reached 3 confirmed cases. Link provided to full report.

Source - official Florida Health Report for Thursday, May 14, 2020:

Cases          Area

14,742*        Miami-Dade County (Countywide) (inclusive of the municipalities listed below)

        3            Cutler Bay                      See page   12 of report
      30            Palmetto Bay                See page     8 
      10            Pinecrest                        See page   10

FLORIDA HEALTH report - Coronavirus: summary of persons being monitored, persons under investigation, and cases - verified as of Thursday, May 14, 2020, 10:00 AM. Data in this report are provisional and subject to change. An area is only listed if there is a confirmed report of the COVID-19 virus for that specific municipality.

The increases may be more an indication of the testing than an actual increase in occurrences.

CLICK HERE to view the official update for 5/14/2020 (764 pages - municipalities listed can be found beginning page 6 – 15)

Evaluating Palmetto Bay's efforts in Tallahassee at the 2020 Legislative Session. Part 1 Goals set.

We are deep into the month of May. It is time to start serious thought about the upcoming Palmetto Bay budget. The preliminary tax roll is released June 1. The final property tax roll is released one month later, July 1, 2020. However, Palmetto Bay is behind the 8 ball financially. So instead of preparing for the upcoming budget, the current mayor and council are still trying to correct the current budget failures they created in this current fiscal year. They need guidance from the community. When you love this village like I do, you want to assist through a much-needed grassroots effort to get this budget back in order. This is our money.

There will be a series of articles preparing readers for the Palmetto Bay budget. The upcoming 2020-21 budget will be key for the Village due to the unique year - two huge impacts to the 2019-20 budget, those being:

1. The unprecedented first-time ever budget deficit, caused, in my opinion, by the mayor and council failing to follow their own budget ordinance (an ordinance is a law) that they enacted - the budget is an annual financial strategic plan.

2. COVID-19. This will have a profound impact on revenues - for the remainder of this current budget year as well as next year. Affected revenues will include gas tax and state sales tax revenue sharing.

I ask the current mayor and village council to tread carefully for this upcoming year. Many businesses and residents of Palmetto Bay have suffered greatly from the economic impacts of the COVID-19. This coming year should be a return to my "government lite" and avoid the recent government excesses as well as the failure to follow the budget plan that is causing the current "million dollar" deficit.

Here is part 1 - Evaluating Palmetto Bay's efforts in Tallahassee at the 2020 Legislative Session - goals set.

What were the legislative goals set by the current mayor and village council for the 2020 legislative session?

The Village Council passed resolution no. 2019-121*, through a unanimous 5-0 vote on September 23rd, 2019. This was the annual legislative agenda which set the following priorities for funding:

A. Supporting legislation that provides funding for traffic calming projects and public transit improvements and extensions for Miami-Dade County;

B. Requesting funding for South Florida Water Management District specifically for canal bank restoration to address the critical erosion needs in the Village of Palmetto Bay;

C. Maximizing all available appropriation and funding opportunities to implement storm water and other needed infrastructure projects throughout the Village;

D. Supporting any legislation and requesting funding assistance and partnership opportunities that support the age friendly city initiatives and the development of unique opportunities for individuals with special needs;

E. Support any legislation requesting funding assistance and partnership opportunities for projects that enhance mobility and create a network of interconnected lanes in support of bicycle and pedestrian activity within the Village;

F. Seeking funding assistance for the Village’s FRDAP and other such FDEP projects to address park capital improvements and park property acquisitions.

The year prior - 2019 legislative session - Compare / contrast the present status of the Palmetto Bay appropriation requests (2019):

$ 1,790,800   Total money requested from the legislature limited for 3 projects, broken down as follows:
$   745,900   Multimodal center – location undisclosed (23% of the total estimated cost)
$   745,900   Enviro Center to be constructed at Coral Reef Park
$   299,000   Drainage for sub basin 61 (50% match from Village)

$ 1,790,800  Total money requested from the legislature to cover:
$ 6,089,800 Total cost of these proposed projects to the residents of Palmetto Bay.
$   ZERO        Received from the State of Florida for the 2019 efforts.
_____________________________________
* Please note that Palmetto Bay Resolution 2019-121 is NOT currently available under the resolutions page posted on the official Palmetto Bay website - only resolutions 1-33 are posted (CLICK HERE to view this page. CLICK HERE to view a screen shot of the page as it existed on 4/14/2020 - to document where this page has been updated in the interim).  

Update on the ‘Gold standard BRT”. A single qualified bid was received by Miami-Dade County for the BRT line along US1. The Final Bid is $326,172,000.00. What this means for Palmetto Bay. Renderings posted.

Update on the ‘Gold standard" BRT. A single qualified bid was received by Miami-Dade County for the BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) line along US1.

The BRT will have a profound impact on the future of Palmetto Bay and every community to the south that drive up US1 as well as through Palmetto Bay neighborhoods to reach destinations to our north. Simply saying it is critical to our future is an understatement. 

After reviewing the deliverables of this bid, my first though is of that 1970’s era song by Paul Simon. How does that song go? Oh yeah:

Slip slidin' away

Slip slidin' away

You know the nearer your destination

The more you're slip slidin' away

And, most importantly, Palmetto Bay lost the 174th Street Transit Station. This was a key component of the downtown development and it was in the plans as late as 2019.

Here we go – more cement on the project, unless Palmetto Bay officials expect the total package to miraculously take a new form through a series of deep change orders. 

The final bid is $326,172,000.00. But most importantly, Palmetto Bay lost the 174th Street Transit Station.

What this gets us, the commuters of South Miami-Dade County:

• This is getting us the BRT line – the promised special buses with stations that provide level boarding (adding the bells and whistles to a bus that the county tells us will change your mind and will get you riding these special buses).
• A parking garage on 168th Street (pictured)
• Train type mast arms on the cross streets that cross US1 (the traditional arms that close off traffic to the original diesel trains that historically ran along the original rail line).

The following is where this bid falls short for Palmetto Bay residents:

• Metrorail on grade only in the future – when? Well, let’s be honest. We now get the BRT. That will not be upgraded, if ever, until that is maybe 40-60 years from now.
• A parking garage on 168th Street - What this doesn’t get us – 174th street Transit Station (which could have been built with County money – a recurring theme with the current mayor and council – ‘could have’ but failure to deliver).  
  
• This removes the 174th Street transit station that was a long cornerstone of the FT&I, DUV and current version of the revised DUV. 
• No station for the residents and businesses means a greater need for individual transportation as the current DUV passed by the current mayor and council is not a transit oriented development, is much more reliant on personal vehicles due to the lack of a major transit stop at 174th street.

And the where was this ball dropped? I had been all over this issue as an interested, involved resident and while serving as mayor – I had raised the alarm in my blog post of October 17, 2019, “We lost the 174th Street Station? I feel left out of the loop. Did I miss the announcement or were Palmetto Bay elected officials not going to tell us?”

  

So we can document that several items including the fact that:

1. The current mayor and council knew or should have known,

2. They were warned publicly – as posted on my blog – that they all read, and,

3. They did nothing to restore the 174 street transit station.

As a result: This will cause more traffic from the DUV development and removes it from being a true TOD.

Once again, how does that 1970’s era Paul Simon song go?:

Slip slidin' away

Slip slidin' away

You know the nearer your destination

The more you're slip slidin' away

Or maybe the appropriate Paul Simon song is "Stranded in a Limousine".

Don’t worry, we’re “all in this together”. We will have a picnic or a tree give away and all will be better. No – it won’t be.  Palmetto Bay needs to change its trademarked tag line from “Village of Parks” to “Village of bread and circuses”.

Free Mangoes - available after of 10:00 AM, Monday, May 11, 2020.

New batch of homegrown Palmetto Bay mangoes are out and available. Free to good homes. 

Once again, I have placed mangoes out front for friends and neighbors to take their fair share - and, as always, the mangoes are FREE OF CHARGE. You are doing me a favor by taking the fruit I cannot use. I will try to keep the bin full, but this appears to be a light year. 

You need to supply your own bag, preferably a reuseable Palmetto Bay tote! The mangoes have been placed in their tote placed at the usual location in the front yard. Note that the bin is under video surveillance, so don't even think of taking the cart!

I also have fruit that is NOT suitable for human consumption, but some have asked for their tortoises and other pets who may not mind that a squirrel took a bite or that the fruit split upon landing - contact me at eugeneflinn@bellsouth.net and we will make arraignments for those to take these fruit (these fruits are kept away from the mangoes that I am putting out) - no bad apples in this bunch.

Above - mango status at 10:00 AM.

Below - Mango stock remaining as of 12:30 PM, Monday, May 11. Social distancing has been maintained. I thank you all for helping me with our mangoes and do so in such a polite and neighborly manner.

PRIOR RELATED POST: April 28, 2020, Mango season 2020 has arrived! Support your local backyard grower.

Happy Mother's Day - 2020 - celebration in the time of social distancing

Enjoy this very special day! It will be a rainy day in South Florida, but don't allow that to dampen her spirit. I wish all of our mothers and grandmothers a very special Mother's Day.

As we honor our mothers on Mother's Day this year, I am filled with great pride and comfort when I think of all that my mother is and all that she has done and still is doing for me as well as her other children, grandchildren and even great-grandchildren. I can’t imagine where we would be without her. My mother worked tirelessly to give my sister, brother and me every advantage she could. She never stopped trying to expand our minds, our worlds, and our experiences. She helped us grow into the best people we could possibly be.

Sadly, many mothers never get the recognition they so rightfully deserve for all of the sacrifices they make. Sacrifices like going to bed hungry so we can go to bed full, working tirelessly so we may have a place to sleep, taking us to doctor visits, giving us our medications, our groceries, and making trips to movies and fast food places with our friends. Simple acts. But all selfless acts. What a mother does.

Mother’s Day is also a day to celebrate the warm and loving memories of moms who may not still be near but are always present deep within our hearts. Never far from us in spirit. And it is a day to remember the spirit and generosity of so many non-traditional mothers among us, because after all, a mother’s love comes in so many different and beautiful forms.

So don’t forget, your neighbor may be a mother, the cashier at the supermarket, your co-worker, customer, teacher and preacher may very well be a mom. Grandmothers, sisters, aunties… They have all made such an impact in this world … Honor them all, thank them all, and remember them all on this day.

Tell her you love her and show appreciation for all those years she has loved you back unconditionally.

A day to appreciate the loving presence other mothers have on their children, the wonderful things she does for them, and the compassion she shares so selflessly so that they may grow strong and know love and nurturing and sensitivity and understand

Happy Mother's Day!

Eugene Flinn

COVID-19 Weekender update Saturday, May 9, 2020, by FLORIDA HEALTH– Palmetto Bay reaches 27, Pinecrest now at 9 and Cutler Bay remains at 2. Link provided to full daily report.

Source - official Florida Health Report for Saturday, May 9, 2020:

Cases          Area

13,841*        Miami-Dade County (Countywide) (inclusive of the municipalities listed below)

       2            Cutler Bay                      See page    12 (out of 710 total pages)

     27            Palmetto Bay                 See page     8

       9            Pinecrest                        See page    10

FLORIDA HEALTH report - Coronavirus: summary of persons being monitored, persons under investigation, and cases - verified as of Saturday, May 9, 2020, 10:00 AM. Data in this report are provisional and subject to change. An area is only listed if there is a confirmed report of the COVID-19 virus for that specific municipality.

The increases may be more an indication of the testing than an actual increase in occurrences.

CLICK HERE to view the official update for 5/09/2020 (710 pages - municipalities listed can be found beginning page 6 – 15)

Exciting! Photos and videos from Operation “America Strong” flyover Miami/Palmetto Bay, Friday, May 8,2020

The flyover by the Navy Blue Angels was part of “Operation America Strong,” a national tour intended to “honor and show support for those on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic, and salute healthcare and essential workers.” 

Please feel free to share your photos and videos and I will post them here.

Downtown Miami:

Video credit for photos and video posted above: Tara Zionts via Craig Merwitzer.

Palmetto Bay area:

 Photo credit right: Paul Feder

 Above - video of Jackson South Flyover

From the Falls (area) Parking lots:

  Above photo credits - Mark Merwitzer - location - Falls parking lot

Photos & Video credit - immediately below - Alan Eisenberg - location - Falls parking lot

And here is how the flyover looked at sea (ok, Biscayne Bay):

Feel free to send me any additional pictures and/or videos. You all know where to find me. Please provide any information as to applicable photo credit.

‘Bikes are the new toilet paper’: Demand skyrockets as people rediscover bicycling - South Florida Sun Sentinel - a read relevant to both Bike Month and Coronavirus

Another in my series for May is Bike month - I continue to notice the increase in families - that's right - families - out for a family ride in our Palmetto Bay and surrounding communities.  Prior related post: Friday, May 1, 2020, It's May 1st. National Bike month has kicked off. Ride safe. Have fun. Kick off post. 

Here is a recommended read during this coronavirus lockdown: A great read for May is Bike Month - ‘Bikes are the new toilet paper’: Demand skyrockets as people rediscover bicycling, by Austen Erlat, South Florida Sun Sentinel | MAY 06, 2020 | 4:42 PM:

Banned from the beaches and locked out of the gyms, more people are staying healthy with a memory from childhood: a bicycle.

Stores from Fort Lauderdale to Orlando and across the country are sold out of bicycles as demand for new ones rapidly increased. Repair shops say they aren’t taking new jobs because of backlogs that will take months to clear.

Our South Florida communities are unique - on the coast where we benefit from cooling breezes with a year around climate that allows cycling 365 days a year. Why wait in a line for a sweaty machine when you can either gather the family or just solo, get on your bike at your home and find a destination such as Deering Point where you can look out on the water and otherwise enjoy exercise and time with family and/or friends.

Let's keep this going. Let's ride responsibly and come out of this pandemic closer and without gaining the COVID-19 (pounds from lack of exercise).

Enjoy a video I took of one of my Palmetto Bay Mayor - Family Bike Rides - this one from Earth Week (April 2017). This was a safe police escorted ride through some of our scenic highlights here in Palmetto Bay (the location in the video is the intersection of Ludlum Road and Coral Reef Drive. These were fun times!



Happy Bike month. I enjoy seeing everyone safely out and about in our community.

Keep that safe social distance!

Update - Miami Herald & WSVN - Operation “America Strong” to flyover Miami this Friday - link to story provided on blog post

The third time is the charm. The confirmations are coming in for Friday - see prior updates posted in the blog stories posted below.

Make sure you camera has film or adequate media card storage available and all batteries are fresh/charged. I will update with the flyover route when I receive it.

The flyover happens from 1 p.m. to 1:25 p.m. Friday, May 8, according to the city of Miami. The exact flight plan is pictured to the right, the routes with overhead times. This is also available on the Blue Angels’ Twitter page. See Miami Herald, Navy’s Blue Angels to buzz over Miami to honor healthcare workers and first responders, by Howard Cohen, May 06, 2020, 11:49 AM

WSVN - MIAMI - The U.S. Navy Blue Angels are headed to South Florida.

As a part of their “America Strong” series of flights with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds over cities across the United States, the Blue Angels will conduct a Miami flyover on Friday at 12 p.m. The Blue Angels are also set to fly over Jacksonville, Friday.

Operation “America Strong” is meant to honor and show support for those on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic, and salute healthcare and essential workers.

The route the Blue Angels will take will be released Thursday. I will post a copy on my blog. Watch www.eugeneflinn.com, as always.

Yet another change as to the Flyover - this time to Friday, May 8 - the schedule remains subject to change.

UPDATE: Confirmed information for Friday, May 8, 2020:

Arrrg. Yet another change. This time to Friday, May 8. Mea culpa - I am so excited about this - as my local source says, he feels that this is a reward for the time spent in quarantine.  

I have to admit it, I am getting weary of the changes. So do I keep providing updates or simply forget about it.?This is not your usual event and changes happen ans this is political and many areas are clamoring for these flyovers, thus changes in schedules.

This is all according to the schedule of the Navy Blue Angels and U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. 

This, as in prior notifications, provides the disclaimer: Schedules could change. Watch this space for any updates/changes.

Keeping it in perspective - this is a time and date to go outside, or make way to an open field, to be ready to view. I calmed myself for this latest revision by saying, no one is including booking or cancellation fees with airfare or hotels. You know what I know when I know it.

EVENT: Both the Navy Blue Angels and U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds!

WHEN: Friday, May 8th - between 1:10 and 1:20 PM (times are approximate). Date is subject to confirmation.

WHERE: UP! - these planes are going to move fast - at 1,000 feet there will probably not be sufficient time to grab your camera and race out to see them - if you are waiting to hear them.  Fly plan should be posted with the mainstream media when complete and ready for publication.

There will be excitement in the air (presently scheduled for between 1:10 and 1:20 PM - times are approximate) Friday, May 8! My source updated the date and provided the expected time. All of this information comes from a Federal "little birdie" who has been keeping me up to date  - and it should bring many out of their homes this Tuesday. Do not miss it!

My current information is that the flyover should actually fly over or at least close to Palmetto Bay twice. I will continue to update as changes or additional details are provided. The times/details are fluid due to weather and scheduling. Many areas are clamoring for this show and in some cases various areas have been visited by either the Navy Blue Angels or U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. Some areas have been fortunate to have both the Navy Blue Angels and U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds together. It appears that South Florida will be blessed to have both!

So have your cameras and video equipment ready! The team will not be available to re-pose for a second chance at the photo. The flight altitude is said to be at 1,000 feet - this will be a sight to see.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: I will continue to publish updates, changes or additional information as it develops. Keep an eye on this space.  I am told that information and photos should be published in the Sunday edition of the Miami Herald.

Also see: As published in the Military Times online - Coronavirus | COVID-19 Updates - Blue Angels, Thunderbirds pay tribute to first responders in NYC flyover, The Associated Press

Photo credit - published in the Military Times:

National Bike Month day 2. Biking in the Coronavirus Era - Ride Heathy

Why riding a bike is a good idea in the Coronavirus Era

While social distancing is being recommended to help contain the spread of Covid-19, bike riding provides us with multiple benefits.

CLICK HERE to read why biking makes sense. 

Lots of people are recommending biking during the Coronavirus Era 
Including the former Governor of California, fitness champion, and Judgement Day expert: Arnold Schwartzenegger.

And of course in the long-term, beyond the Coronavirus Era…
…all the benefits that people, cities, businesses and our planet gain as a result of more people riding bikes all still stand. 

Riding a bike helps people to be healthier and happier, and it helps make our communities more liveable too.  Biking brings a host of benefits to businesses – from healthier staff, fewer sick days, and increased productivity.

Information provided by Love to Ride dot net 

Photos from past Mayor's Bike Rides (2017), Palmetto Bay, Florida.

Exciting update - Tuesday, May 5th - the Navy Blue Angels and U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds here in Old Cutler tri-city area

UPDATE: Confirmed information for Friday, May 8, 2020:

I am passing on the current information provided to me. This is all according to the schedule of the Navy Blue Angels and U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. Schedules could change, but confidence it high that this will be the final. Watch this space for any updates/changes.

QUESTION: What is red, white and blue and is set to zoom past Pinecrest, Palmetto Bay, and Cutler Bay at 1,000 feet?

ANSWER: Both the Navy Blue Angels and U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds!

WHEN: Tuesday, May 5th - between 1:10 and 1:20 PM (times are approximate).

WHERE: UP!

There will be excitement in the air (presently scheduled for between 1:10 and 1:20 PM - times are approximate) Tuesday, May 5! My source updated the date and provided the expected time. All of this information comes from a Federal "little birdie" who has been keeping me up to date  - and it should bring many out of their homes this Tuesday. Do not miss it!

My current information is that the flyover should actually fly over or at least close to Palmetto Bay twice. I will continue to update as changes or additional details are provided. The times/details are fluid due to weather and scheduling. Many areas are clamoring for this show and in some cases various areas have been visited by either the Navy Blue Angels or U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. Some areas have been fortunate to have both the Navy Blue Angels and U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds together. It appears that South Florida will be blessed to have both!

So have your cameras and video equipment ready! The team will not be available to re-pose for a second chance at the photo. The flight altitude is said to be at 1,000 feet - this will be a sight to see.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: I will continue to publish updates, changes or additional information as it develops. Keep an eye on this space.  I am told that information and photos should be published in the Sunday edition of the Miami Herald.

Also see: As published in the Military Times online - Coronavirus | COVID-19 Updates - Blue Angels, Thunderbirds pay tribute to first responders in NYC flyover, The Associated Press

Photo credit - published in the Military Times:

It's May 1st. National Bike month has kicked off. Ride safe. Have fun. Kick off post.

May 1st is here - National bike month so "petals up!"

And note - Florida does not always follow the national dates. May is National Bike Month, but Florida has designated March as Florida Bike Month. Another example is National Arbor Day which is celebrated the last Friday in April, while Florida has officially designated the State Arbor Day as the Third Friday in January. The reasons are better weather year around. January has been seen as the best time to plant in Florida as well as the fact we can enjoy bicycling year around (note our windiest months are March, April and November). Most northerners are still waiting for a decent thaw while we are out riding and celebrating cycling in March.

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our way of life. I see so many new people returning to bike riding throughout Palmetto Bay.  Maybe it is because riding a bike is as easy as - riding a bike! Enjoy. 

Whatever the reason: enjoy and enjoy cycling safely. 

Many in Palmetto Bay and surrounding communities have noticed that many people, families, are rediscovering the joy of getting outside on a bike. It allows fresh air and exercise. I have heard many reasons from the gyms are closed, its something you can do close, but not too close to family as well as many need a safe break from the cabin fever that is setting in while working (or not working) from home. 

It also allows outdoor activities that can be shared – in a manner consistent with Social Distancing. If you are engaging, do it in a safe manner consistent with the emergency orders and social distancing. We must stop the spread, flatten the curve.

The critical issue is social distancing.  Being “outside” is not the issue.  I take the advice and example of Dr. Anthony Fauci, who is the longtime director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Dr. Fauci still finds time to hit the pavement for running workouts.

“I think the benefit for me is as a stress-reliever,” Fauci said in a 2016 interview. “I have a pretty high-stress job, so getting outside during the day and hearing the birds and smelling the grass is a very pleasing thing for me.”

Source: Dr. Anthony Fauci Is an Avid Runner, Even When He Works 19-Hour Days, The NIAID head and Coronavirus Task Force member is still reportedly logging 3.5 mile runs., Men's Health, by Lindsay Berra, March 25, 2020.

Personally: I have no doubts that this pandemic will create profound changes in our way of life.

Note: The League of American Bicyclists  has announced that May remains Bike Month, but that Bike to Work Day is rescheduled to September 2020:

“…given the extraordinary and constantly evolving impact of the pandemic on everyday life, the League is postponing our promotion of Bike to Work Week until September 21-27, 2020, with Bike to Work Day coinciding with Car Free Day on September 22, 2020. As the National Bike Challenge, a self-motivated pursuit of biking for transportation and recreation, kicks off in May and concludes in September, the League looks forward to continuing to encourage and educate people about the joys and benefits of biking throughout the Challenge timeframe.”

For that reason, National Bike Month will be different for 2020 – as offered by The League of American Bicyclists ; “Let’s use National Bike Month to celebrate what joy we have, the physical and mental health biking brings us, and the humble bicycle that unites us all, even as we must stay apart and at home.”