The fifth Annual Palmetto Bay Canal Association Holiday Boat Parade is scheduled for Sat, Dec 20, 2013

Palmetto Bay’s own festive boat parade is scheduled for Saturday, December 20.  CLICK HERE to view the Facebook event page.  Once again, an annual "thank you!" to Rainer & Noel Schael, as well as all the members and participants of the Palmetto Bay Canal Association Holiday Boat Parade for organizing this event.  Spectators can enjoy the parade from Coral Reef Park, Bill Sadowski Park, or anywhere along the canal parade route. Gather your family and friends in the beautiful Palmetto Bay outdoors while celebrating the spirit of the holidays.

If you wish to enter your boat into the parade, or for additional information, please FB Message or email Rainer Schael at rainer@rs-env.com

I have posted photos from the 2013 event on the South Dade Updates Blog (CLICK HERE).

This is a wonderful community event that brings participants, friends and neighbors together in the holiday spirit, collecting canned food for a good cause, and is supported both by members of the residential community as well as a local business.

The Palmetto Bay Canal Association is made up of Palmetto Bay (and Pinecrest) residents that are both users and stewards of our local canal system. The group includes pleasure boaters, fishermen, skiers, canoers and kayakers.

Click the label “Boat Parade” label on the South Dade Updates blog to view posts and photos from prior Palmetto Bay Canal Association Holiday Boat Parades.

Happy Thanksgiving - 2014.

There is much to be grateful for this Thanksgiving. Alexandra, Katherine, Meredith and I wish you and your family the happiest of holidays. 

Like millions of others across this great country, we will celebrate Thanksgiving, honoring a tradition older than the nation itself. The Continental Congress proclaimed that the "inhabitants of these states" observe a day of Thanksgiving back in 1782.  Ever since then we set this day aside to give thanks for all our blessings, and this year we have many things for which to be thankful.

 

Please also take the time to remember and help the less fortunate.  Many families and children are doing with less, Take the time to become involved in a local charity, with time, if not a donation. There are many ongoing charities that are looking for donations and volunteers. The Palmetto Bay Canal Association will be collecting canned foods during its 5th Annual boat Parade scheduled for Saturday, December 20. 

 

Thanksgiving is the busiest traveling season of the year.  Please be aware and be safe.

 

One of my personal favorite quotes about a holiday:

On Thanksgiving Day all over America, families sit down to dinner at the same moment - halftime.

– (author unknown)

THANK YOU PALMETTO BAY! 2014 run off election results

I will have more to say in the near future, but for now I simply want to express my deep and sincere appreciation to my fellow Palmetto Bay residents.

Miami Herald coverage:
Palmetto Bay’s Flinn wins back his mayoral seat in runoff

By Lola Duffort, Special to the Miami Herald,11/25/2014 9:38 PM

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/palmetto-bay/article4151752.html#storylink=cpy

Palmetto Bay’s founding mayor, Eugene Flinn, has reclaimed his old seat, handily beating incumbent Shelley Stanczyk — his successor — in Tuesday’s runoff election.

And in the race for District 3, which represents the southern part of the village, political newcomer Larissa Siegel Lara beat veteran village activist Henry Clifford by a small margin.

“It's a very emotional night for me,’’ said Flinn, 52. “I'm just so pleased; I just want to look forward at this point.’’

Flinn, who was mayor from 2002 to 2010, took in 2,883 votes to Stanczyk’s 1,498. Siegel Lara garnered 2,278 votes to Clifford’s 2,035.

From the start, Stanczyk, 65, who has been on the dais since 2006 and mayor since 2010, faced a tough bid for reelection. She faced three challengers in the general election, two of whom, including Flinn, made a divided and bickering council during her tenure top campaign issues. Among the most divisive issues: the village’s protracted, expensive and unsuccessful fight against the expansion of Palmer Trinity, a private school in a residential neighborhood.

Outgoing council member Patrick Fiore and retired business executive Peter England, the other mayoral candidates, endorsed Flinn when they failed to make it to the runoff.

As is typical in runoffs, the turnout was low. Of 16,478 registered electors, only 4,415 voted. About half of the votes came in absentee.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/palmetto-bay/article4151752.html#storylink=cpy

Run-Off Election Day - Tuesday, Nov. 25. List of polling locations in Palmetto Bay

Vote at your assigned precinct on Tuesday, November 25.  Polls are open from 7 AM to 7 PM.

CLICK HERE to view the official Palmetto Bay web page regarding this run-off election.

Polling Locations

Precinct:	Location:	Address:
806	Coral Reef Park	7895 SW 152 Street
807	Howard Drive Elementary	7750 SW 136 Street
808	St. Andrews Episcopal Church	14260 Old Cutler Road
809	Christ Congregational Church	14920 SW 67 Avenue
810	St. Richard Church - Parish Center	7500 SW 152 Street
811	Marlin Moore - Post #133	16401 SW 90 Avenue
819	Perrine Peters UTD Methodist Church (Temp)	18301 S. Dixie Highway
820	Edward & Arlene Feller Community Room (Temp)	17641 Old Cutler Road
837	Southwood Middle School	16301 SW 80 Avenue
844	Southwood Middle School	16301 SW 80 Avenue

PB Checks the record - a true comparison. I am running on my positive record, not misleading attacks.

Be careful what you print and distribute in those nasty attack ads. They may come back to bite you.  Comparing records is one thing, but distortion or falsely claiming credit is quite another.  It is fact check time courtesy of Lola Duffort of the Miami Herald:

Former friends — now foes — Stanczyk and Flinn seek to be elected Palmetto Bay mayor, By Lola Duffort, posted Friday, 11/21/14.

Two solid examples:

Zoning:
Stanczyk’s mailer says it’s his 2008 decision to deny rezoning that lead to the lawsuits – but Flinn points out that she voted “no” along with him then, and continued to do so after he left.

“It’s really funny — you’d think she would be giving me credit for voting with her on that. Instead she wants to blame me, even though she voted the same way,” he said.

Finance:
The Stanczyk mailer told voters that Flinn left office without getting the village rated – that’s not true, ratings were released in his last year in office. (Emphasis added)

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/palmetto-bay/article4055011.html#/tabPane=tabs-30a8a142-1#storylink=cpy

Read for yourself by clicking the link above (or HERE).  

VOTE this Tuesday, November 25. 

Please CLICK HERE to view my positive record for Palmetto Bay in detail.  I am proud of what we accomplished in our first eight years and there is much more we can accomplish, but we need to work together and stop the baseless attacks and name-calling. 

I humbly ask for your vote to continue the positive vision of Palmetto Bay!

Thank you,

Eugene Flinn

Political advertisement paid for and approved by Eugene Flinn for Palmetto Bay Mayor

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/palmetto-bay/article4055011.html#storylink=cpy

The Franjo Triangle Commercial Island Charrette Report – posted online and Sec. 30-50.18 of the Village Code

The Franjo Triangle Commercial Island Charrette Report – posted online (not available on the official Palmetto Bay website) at http://pbadupws.nrc.gov/docs/ML1021/ML102110564.pdf Note that this is an 84 page document and is a slow download.  This is “A Citizens’ Vision Plan” November 2004 and was a partnership with Palmetto Bay and the Miami-Dade County Department of Planning and Zoning, Community Planning Section. 

I have also posted links to the November 8, 2004, resolution accepting the Charrette report.(Resolution 04-89).  This resolution details part of the public processes employed in this Charrette.    Also see numbered pages 19 - 26 of the actual Charrette report.

The Village Code was created by ordinance known as the “Franjo Triangle & US1 Island Zoning District" (FT&I) was eventually adopted as of May 1, 2006.  First reading was held February 6, 2006, second reading was held April 3, 2006 and a third reading was held on May 1, 2006.  See: http://pbadupws.nrc.gov/docs/ML1021/ML102110563.pdf
This code section can be found on Municode and is codified under Sec. 30-50.18. - FT&I,Franjo Triangle and U.S. 1 Island District.

Veterans Day - 2014 - Thank you for your service to our country

Veterans Day is a holiday honoring living military veterans. It is a Federal and State holiday observed by all 50 states.

I would like to take this opportunity to recognize and thank all US Military veterans for their service to our country.  Everyone should take a moment to honor those who have preserved our freedom and protected all of our rights, including the right to vote. 

Online article on Military.com: 8 Ways to Express Appreciation on Veterans Day

President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed Armistice Day on November 11, 1919. Other countries today also still recognize November 11th as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day in honor of the Armistice treaty which ended WWI. The U.S Congress amended this act on November 8, 1954, making this holiday Veterans Day as we know it today.

Military dot com list ways that you can celebrate and educate your children about Veterans Day:http://www.military.com/veterans-day/celebrate-veterans-day.htm

History dot com offers a wealth of information about Veteran’s Day: http://www.history.com/minisites/veteransday/

Thank you to every man and women who has served our county as a member of our armed forces

Please join us this Wednesday, November 12, from 6 to 8 PM at the PBVC - Palm Room

There is a run-off election on Tuesday, November 25, to decide the Mayor and Council District 3 positions.

I humbly ask for your vote.

I also invite you to join your friends and neighbors for what should be a fun event  this Wednesday, November 12, from 6 to 8 PM at the Palmetto Bay Village Center - Palm Room (3rd Floor).

Palmetto Bay mayoral, council races headed to Nov. 25 runoff - Miami Herald.com

An important read on the Miami Herald.com site:

Palmetto Bay mayoral, council races headed to Nov. 25 runoff, by Lola Duffort, 11/07/2014.

And yes, I am focused.  I am tuning out any distractions: “I’m focused on my record, and that’s what I’m campaigning on,”

But it is more than mere promises.  We will see a return to realization of village goals, including ... more traffic calming initiatives, expanded park programming, a village personnel audit, and a clearer timeline and goals for the village’s redevelopment efforts to create a commercial district in the southern area known as the Franjo Triangle.

Wings Over Miami event Saturday, November 1, 10 AM to 2 PM.

Wings Over Miami

 Kicks-off  Aviation History Month

(CLICK HERE to view complete & official info)

 

Saturday, November 1

10 to 2

Disney Studios makes a promotional stop

To celebrate their DVD release

of 

PLANES

FIRE & RESCUE

Children $3.00 ~ Adults $7.00

• See the Miami Dade Aviation foam fire truck and more
• Enjoy Disney Planes give-aways
• Register to win a Planes Fire & Rescue DVD
• Look at planes and meet Wings pilots
• Visit with WW2 veteran, Todd Silverman

Happy Halloween from our family to yours

Happy Halloween from our family to yours

Classic Peanuts- the Great Pumpkin.  Who is staying up late to wait for the Great Pumpkin tonight?

Happy Halloween 2014 from Eugene, Alexandra and family.

EYE ON MIAMI: Vote For Eugene Flinn in Palmetto Bay. Guest Blog ...

EYE ON MIAMI: Vote For Eugene Flinn in Palmetto Bay. Guest Blog ...: Letter to the editor of Miami Herald: As a long-time community advocate living in Palmetto Bay, I am very disappointed in the maneuverings...

Click the link above to read the entire post.  It is a great read, if I do say so myself, on the Eye on Miami Blog.

Thank you everyone, for all the love and support.  This campaign has been so positive. Let's work together to continue the vision of Palmetto Bay!

Your qualifying test drive raises $20 for Miami Palmetto Senior High School PTSA at Gus Machado Ford

The Miami Palmetto Senior High School PTSA receives $20 with a qualifying drive. See you there on Oct. 10 from 3-7 PM

What:     $20 for Palmetto High School. 
                 For every test-drive taken, Ford Motor Company will donate $20 to the school
Where:   Gus Machado Ford in Palmetto Bay
When:    October 10, 2014
Time:     3:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Facebook members - students, parents of a student, alums or a friends/supporters of Miami Palmetto Senior High should CLICK HERE to view the official Palmetto Facebook page.  Like the page to stay current on the happenings.

Miami Hal’s video - Palmetto Bay candidate’s forum held 9/30/14

CLICK HERE to view the full Miami Hal site. Over the past six years, Hal "MiamiHal" Feldman, a Realtor and resident of Palmetto Bay has covered our community events in video, newspapers and on his own blog (www.miamihal.com) to educate and enrich fellow Villagers. He covered the Candidates' Forum LIVE on the web (real time 9-30-14) as well as posting the video on-demand (CLICK HERE) for those of you who could not attend. Hal deserves much appreciation for his commitment to our community.

Palmetto Bay News - Candidate profiles article now online

CLICK HERE (or the additional link below) to view the Community Newspapers - Palmetto Bay News edition with the Candidates Profiles.

Palmetto Bay News 9.30.2014

I humbly ask for your vote and continued support.  We need to work together to complete the projects we began, moving Palmetto Bay forward; reestablish the original fiscal method of governance I created, that of “Government Lite” which was how we won awards for our budgets and received flawless audits under my original leadership, resulting in AA- bond rating. We need to invest in properly maintaining our roads, drainage and park improvements as delays will cost us more money when these items can no longer be put off. 

Too many people have asked me why the traffic calming program has come to a screeching halt since I left office.  I will restart our public safety traffic calming initiatives.

It is time to initiate a new long range plan process. 

I will also meet with parents about what playground equipment they want restored to our playgrounds and work to reinvigorate parks activities for all ages. We must take steps necessary to guarantee free public access at Thalatta Estate. We have more than ample village employees, so we should make sure our park concessions stands and buildings are open. We need to be reasonable in addressing renovating the building at Coral Reef Park.  

But this is such a small part.  I want to get you involved.  Please call me at (305) 302-3713 or e-mail me at eugeneflinn@bellsouth.net. More information and specifics are available on my campaign website: eugeneflinn.com.

Thank you!

Your neighbor and friend,

Eugene Flinn

Miami-Dade County - Miami-Dade County Elections - Absentee Voting - the deadline to request an absentee ballot for the Nov 4 General Election is Oct.29.

Miami-Dade County - Miami-Dade County Elections - Absentee Voting

Click the link immediately above to be taking to the Miami-Dade County Elections Department website.

Requesting & submitting a ballot

The deadline to request an absentee ballot for the November 4 General Election is Wednesday, October 29.

Any registered voter eligible to vote may request an absentee ballot online.

An absentee ballot can also be requested by email, fax, telephone or in writing at the following:

• Email: ABUnit@miamidade.gov
• Fax: 305-499-8401
• Telephone: 305-499-8444
  TTY Number: 305-499-8480
• Mail:
  Supervisor of Elections
  Attn: Absentee Ballot Section
  PO BOX 521250
  MIAMI, FL 33152

Notice: Absentee ballots mailed to an address other than the one on file in the Florida Voter Registration System require a written request signed by the voter.

Video of the Day - Introducing Bailey

EYE ON MIAMI: Picture of the Day: Purple Heart Men. By Geniusofd...

EYE ON MIAMI: Picture of the Day: Purple Heart Men. By Geniusofd...: Click on Eye on Miami for the full story and photos. How often do you go to dinner and have the opportunity to meet up with not one, but two Purple Hear Recipients?  Now that is 'rare air' in the company of two heros. A birthday dinner at local Palmetto Bay establishment French Bistro results in Bob Messer (Vietnam) meeting up with Robert Bohm (WW II). 

By the way, I cannot reveal the name of the blogger who celebrated the birthday, but let's just say that for this one special day, the "Eye" was on the blogger.