Good News in Homestead: Reduced Property Tax Rate for 2014

According to the Miami Herald, on July 31st The Homestead City Council unanimously voted to advertise via the state-mandated letter known as a "TRIM Notice" a reduce the city tax millage rate to $5.9215 from last year’s rate of $6.2435 per $1,000 of taxable property for the 2013-2014 budget starting on Oct. 1.  The advertised rate sets the ceiling millage rate and they can only further reduce it.

If the advertised rate becomes final, the owner of a $170,000 home would pay about $728, down from $749 this year. These figures assume the owner qualifies for the standard $50,000 homestead exemption, and that the home’s taxable value increased by 1.7 percent, the maximum allowed this year for an owner-occupied home.

The council will hold two public hearings on the budget: 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 11 and 5 p.m. on Sept. 25 at the William F. Dickinson Community Center.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/08/02/3539223/homestead-looking-at-lower-property.html#storylink=cpy

Homestead looking at lower property-tax rate - Homestead / South Dade - MiamiHerald.com

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Humbled Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez Makes 180 Degree Turn on Proposed Tax Hike!

A contrite and humbled County Mayor, Carlos Gimenez, admits to making a misstep with a 930-page budget proposal to hike county taxes this coming Fall.  We at Homestead is Home (HIH) called him out as a flip-flopper which appears he got wind of it since he mentioned it during his recent speech.  Mind you we did Tweet it directly @MayorGimenez so it appears to have resonated with him.  However, that's what he would've been had he stuck to his tax hike.  You see we at HIH did not forget his pledge to reduce county government.  The bloated government behemoth that usurps the citizens hard earned dollars to fund the lavish salaries of the well connected and their families in this county.  The reorganization effort the Mayor undertook was noteworthy but fell short of reducing the actual numbers of staff in county government.  It's not enough to rearrange the chairs and shuffle staff from one office to the other, the Mayor must get rid of obsolete departments and continue to consolidate others.  He must accelerate the implementation of technological advances to make county government more of a self-service approach for the citizens. Only by reducing actual positions can county government maintain let alone reduce taxes. Attrition also works yet very slowly since it appears every county worker is holding on the sweet deal they've grown accustomed to at the county taxpayers' expense.  Fact is if there was a better deal out in the private sector they would've taken it already.  Don't believe the hype when they cry out for higher pay and benefits since someone else just as qualified is waiting to take the job for so much less if given a chance.

County Mayor Carlos Gimenez Flip-Flops on Tax Rate Hike! @miamidadecounty @MayorGimenez @MiamiDadeFire City of... http://t.co/xnzIHDM1Sb
— Homestead is Home (@HomesteadisHome) July 16, 2013

Reference Articles:
Miami-Dade mayor calls his proposal to hike tax rate a political ‘misstep’ - Miami-Dade - MiamiHerald.com

County Mayor Carlos Gimenez Flip-Flops on Tax Rate Hike!

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Homestead Schools' Grades are IN!

Excerpt from Miami Herald article:  Florida school grades drop under new formula.

Even though student test scores have held steady — and are in some cases rising — Florida has a record-high 107 F-rated schools this year, state education leaders announced on Friday.

That has put supporters of Florida’s A-to-F grading system on the defensive. And the total number of failing schools only stands to get larger, as letter grades for high schools and some combination schools haven’t been tabulated yet.

The drop in school grades is a result of dozens of changes to the school-grading formula in recent years, at least some of which made it more difficult for schools to perform well. The state says it is “raising the bar” to make sure students are fully prepared for college or a career, but the constantly shifting standards have left school districts and school administrators crying foul.

“If you look at the key indicators, we did go up,” said Kathleen John-Louissaint, principal of Morningside K-8 Academy in Miami. “We are doing well … the grade doesn’t really reflect what we’re really doing as a school.”

Miami-Dade Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said, “There is no validity necessarily attached to this year’s A, B, C, D or F.”

School Grades Reference:  Miami Hearld
Source:  Florida Department of Education

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County Mayor Carlos Gimenez Flip-Flops on Tax Rate Hike!

Six days and six nights have passed and it's hard to keep track of County Mayor Carlos Gimenez' tax rate fumble.  One day he wants to raise the taxes to ensure firefighters and librarians keep their jobs and turning Miami-Dade county into a domestic pet sanctuary.  The next he wants to forgo county services and layoff some folks.  So which is it?
 I mean was he so out of touch with the taxpayer that he actually proposed a tax increase in one of the poorest counties in the country.  Lets not forget that our median income is $44,000 for a family of four.  I tend to repeat this over and over because people forget often due to the massive fraud perpetrated by the people in South Florida where "Fake It 'til You Make It" is a continuous running theme.
We shouldn't hold our breath though, Mayor Gimenez may have genuinely had an epiphany and back tracked his tax increase proposal, but given that it has only been six days we at HIH figure we'd give him until the end of the month to know for certain where he stands on the tax rate issue. Remember your pledge Mayor Gimenez we surely wont let you forget!

Miami-Dade mayor flips on property-tax rate hike, will cut services instead - Miami-Dade - MiamiHerald.com

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2013 City Council Election: Show me the Money!

In support of transparency in the political process HIH is providing insight into the campaign finances of the candidates for the City Council next November.  If the cash on hand is an indicator of who will be in office you will readily discern who will win.  While money by itself wont sweep candidates into office it surely helps to get them there.   Click on the names of the candidates to see the Campaign Treasurer's Report Summary for Quarter 2.
We figure there is more money yet to be doled out by the campaign contributors but may be waiting on the sidelines until after the Primary that will be necessary for the Mayor and Council Seat 4 (Southwest).  We're also still waiting for Jeff Porter's and James Wyatt's to file their respective reports.




Mayor:
Steven Bateman
Mark Bell 
Jeff Porter (not available)
Dr. Joseph G. Sewell

Council Seat 1 (Northwest)
Stephen Shelley
James Wyatt (not available)

Council Seat 4 (Southwest)

Jimmy L. Williams III 

Rochenel Marc

Ezzard C. Horn

Norman L. Hodge Jr.

Council Seat 5 (Malibu Bay/Waterstone)

Elvis R. Maldonado

Nazaria (Nazy) Ramallo Sierra

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FPL’s Transmission Lines on US1 or Bust?

The largest purveyor of electricity and political contributions, Florida Power and Light (FPL), is adamant  about getting its way when it comes to laying out new transmission lines along US1 and Everglades National Park. So much so they now influence the Public Service Commission (PSC) to the point where all commissioners have a utilities background.   Never mind a Governor that is a large recipient  of FPL's campaign contributions.  When former PSC chairwoman Nancy Argenziano resigned in the fall of 2010, she delivered a stinging criticism of the panel: "The PSC is a revolving door with the utilities it regulates" as reported by the Herald Tribune.
 Now the inevitable is happening for FPL has strategically placed itself as a mover and shaker in politics whereby only friendly to utilities PSC commissioners are appointed so it's no wonder they feel embolden to discount and literally ignore the local municipalities and their elected leaders with their plan to install new transmission lines.   It's up to the citizens of the affected cities and Kendall to rise up and be heard.  2014 is an election year and Governor Rick Scott wants to get elected badly even if he's not the most likable politician.  If our local leaders play their cards right they might just get their way to this electrifying affair.

Reference Links:
Herald Tribune - Analysis of Florida PSC

FPL’s plan to place transmission lines along U.S. 1 and the Everglades jolts several communities - Coral Gables - MiamiHerald.com

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Too Many Chiefs & Not Enough Subordinates at Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Dept.

I reported a few days ago that County Mayor Carlos Gimenez was welching on his promise to cut the fat at County Hall.  By cutting the fat we mean getting rid of duplicate and unnecessary positions that have a meaningful impact on the county budget.  We didn't mean performing a reorganization tantamount to moving the chairs around, eliminating empty positions and calling it a day.

Only one day has passed and Commissioner Xavier Suarez has revealed to the County Mayor, an ex-Fire Chief for the City of Miami, I might add, that the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department has 75 Chiefs.  He goes on to detail an analysis whereby there are more supervisors in the department than necessary for the amount of subordinates they oversee.  To add insult to injury these supervisors make between $100K-$200K per year.  For a county where the median income is $44K for a family of four, that is some serious money.

HIH calls on the County Mayor to do more than pay lip service to the taxpayers of this county and cut the fat at the Fire Department.  We understand the "brotherhood" of Fire Fighters and all that jazz but it's time to honor the pledge made to the citizens he made to get elected.  Below is the letter from Xavier Suarez courtesy of the Eye on Miami blog.

Reference Links:
CBS4
EoM

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Real Estate: Price, Quality, Location - Pick Any Two

Buying a home is a life changing decision. Wouldn't it be great if there was someone to advise you on the tax implications of living in your new abode? This topic is usually avoided by the buyer who is usually more concerned with other aspects of home buying. Location, schools, purchase price, proximity to commercial areas, neighborhood ambience while property taxes, insurance and Homeowners Association (HOA) fees, not so much.

The city of Weston is an example of an upper class market with ever increasing property values and property taxes to boot. This choice city for many locals and foreigners alike has become Broward County's version of Miami Dade's city of Doral. Weston has lately been advertised as a "hot" real estate market in the news. It's truly a very nice city to live in and pleasant to visit but buyer be wary: all that shines may not be gold.

The problem with running to purchase a house in Weston and other cities like it are the high cost that come with living in choice locations. A "hot" real estate market can only mean higher prices and with it higher property taxes.  They go hand in hand and while it's a lucrative phenomenon for realtors and local government coffers, the buyers will be left with remorse once the tax bill shows up in their mailbox. 

A homebuyer in Weston will pay significantly more for a house than an equivalent house in Homestead. Weston's  aspirational market where homebuyers feel "they have arrived" is perhaps why so many are ready to pay so much more. 

Homestead is more of a value market. First time buyers, the middle class, and retirees who can afford to live in the city for a very long time without property taxes skyrocketing year to year.  The causal relationship between property values and property taxes is a product of our tax system as is the property value with homeowners insurance, both of which should be emphasized more often during home purchases.  Unfortunately the information is not appealing to the festive mood of home buying and counterintuitive to selling by the real estate agents. Realtors will say: Location, Location, Location. How about also saying: Taxes, Taxes, Taxes.

Reference Link:

http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/02/24/setting-your-homebuying-priorities-price-quality-location-pick-any-two/

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Citizens Insurance Representatives Explain Rate Increases & Depopulation Effort at South Dade Government Center

The board of the state run  Citizens Property Insurance Corp. voted to raise rates by a statewide average of 7% next year, adding $178 million in new insurance costs for policyholders.
Most property owners will face a 10.7% hike. That would translate to an average premium increase of as much as $300 or $400 a year.
Residents in Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties will have a chance to sound off to Citizens Insurance Representatives on Wednesday, July 16th at the South Dade Government Center located 10710 SW 211 Street Conference Room 104.  The meeting will run from 6:00PM-7:30PM.

All issues raised by the residents will be addressed from upcoming rate increases to the Depopulation efforts.

 

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County Mayor Carlos Gimenez Proposes an even Higher Property Tax Hike!

County Mayor Carlos Gimenez first proposes an overall property tax increase of 4.06% now it turns out it was actually higher at 5.37%, but he's supposedly made a "U-TURN" according to the Miami Herald and reduced the increase to 4.34%.  The beastly county government just can't get small enough for the citizens of Miami-Dade county to avoid ever increasing property taxes.  The Mayor may have outlived his usefulness in that he can't seem to nip-tuck the budget enough.  It appears the Mayor's pledge is a farce he never truly believed in. Unless the Board of County Commissioners step up and show some leadership property owners will be stuck with a huge tax bill come November!

County government has gone TAX crazy and a RECALL may be in order!

• 3.9% property value increase
• 5.37% Mayor's proposed tax increase
• 3. 8% already approved water rate increase
• $830,000,000 Jackson bond proposal 
• 54% increase Tolls on MDX 836 (Dolphin Xway)
• 8.8% Transit Fee increase

Miami-Dade mayor reverses course on proposed tax-rate hike, downsizes animal-shelter plan - Miami-Dade - MiamiHerald.com

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County Mayor Carlos Gimenez Proposes Property Tax Hike!!!

County Mayor Carlos Gimenez is out of his mind to think the county has recovered to increase property taxes now.  The  Mayor's proposes to increase the overall county tax rate by 4.06%.  This increase will supposedly avoid fire station and public libraries from closing plus pay for an animal welfare plan.

SAY WHAT?   Animal Welfare too?

This is  ludicrous for a county with over 10% unemployment we appear to be so wealthy as to afford the caring for homeless animals in perpetuity.  The Non-Binding ballot question voters approved means just that, NON-BINDING.  You don't have to, so cut the crap about funding it. As for fire stations closing, absolute baloney!

The marketplace has many qualified people willing to work for the county for less pay at any of the County Departments not just the fire stations.  The scare tactics are not working because we all know the only thing stopping the pay cuts is the cronyism and nepotism rampant at County Hall.

Mayor Gimenez stick to your pledge because you're welching on it.
It appears there hasn't been enough reorganization and consolidation at the county departments to eliminate unnecessary positions an reduce top-level salaries and executive benefits.  Get to it your work has just begun!

Miami-Dade mayor proposes higher property-tax rate - Miami-Dade - MiamiHerald.com

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Christian Family Coalition Trivializes Gender Identity and Self Expression

Miami-Dade Commissioners Audrey Edmonson, Bruno Barreiro (prime sponsor), Sally Heyman, Barbara Jordan and Rebeca Sosa have sponsored a resolution to provide for bathroom accommodations throughout the county for gender identity and/or expression.  In essence, this allows the transgender community access to private facilities.  This already exists in many establishments by providing for Unisex/Family Bathroom facilities and this ordinance would make the availability more uniform.

LGBT Hater Anthony "Executioner" Verdugo

However, no good deed goes unpunished so here comes Anthony Verdugo, Christian Family Coalition leader, at it again persecuting the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transexual (LGBT) community. It's  appropriate and somewhat ironic that Anthony's surname "Verdugo" translates into "executioner" in English.  He really belongs in the times of the Spanish Inquisition not 2013.  At a time of greater diversity and inclusion one would think the Christian Family Coalition would concentrate its efforts on eliminating poverty in the county.  A county who's median income tops $44,000 per year for a family of four, yet also tops the nation as the leader of luxury car sales according to Miami Today News.  Yes, a lethal mix of narcissism and unrealistic aspirations that's bankrupting our region.  That would be a worthwhile effort but not sensationally news worthy enough.

LGBT Hater Fred Phelps

Anthony's fixation with the LGBT community and it's struggles for a seat at the table of civil rights has come to define the very essence of his organization. So much so the organization is now employing scare tactics falsely claiming the Miami-Dade Commission wants to pass a "dangerous law that will force all places to open bathrooms and dressing rooms to transexuals. (men who allege they are women, and women to allege they are men. If one objects they will be fired, sued or fined!" Fred Phelps from the Westboro Baptist Church would be proud of Anthony "Executioner" Verdugo as he follows closely in his footsteps.

You can read the proposed Miami-Dade resolution verbiage here.

Reference Links:
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2013/07/christian-family-coalition-of-miami-dade-county-take-action-now-stop-transsexual-ordinance.html

 http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/riptide/2013/07/the_christian_family_coalition.php

 http://eyeonmiami.blogspot.com/2013/07/i-knew-christian-family-coalition-was.html

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Affordable Care Act: What is the Health Insurance Marketplace?

The Marketplace is a new way to find health coverage that fits your budget and meets your needs. With one application, you can see all your options and enroll.

When you use the Health Insurance Marketplace, you'll fill out an application and find out if you can get lower costs on your monthly premiums for private insurance plans. You'll find out if you qualify forlower out-of-pocket costs.

The Marketplace will also tell you if you qualify for free or low-cost coverage available through Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

Open enrollment starts October 1, 2013. Coverage starts as soon as January 1, 2014.

The Health Insurance Marketplace is sometimes known as the health insurance "exchange."

Read More on the reference links below:

https://www.healthcare.gov

https://www.healthcare.gov/what-is-the-health-insurance-marketplace/

http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2013/06/healthcaregov-code-developed-by-the-people-and-for-the-people-released-back-to-the-people/277295/

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eMail Broadcast Message Blasting Mayor Bateman for Ethical Lapses

Residents of Homestead received another email this afternoon from Concerned Homestead Citizens.  It reiterates the same story that all the major news outlet are reporting.  The media blitz on the Mayor has been relentless but the Mayor has provided the fodder even if his heart is in the right place.  It's one thing to try to bring jobs to Homestead by any means necessary.  That is a position one can easily defend.  It's quite another to try to profit from it at the same time.  The Homestead voters will be the judge come November.

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Shameless & Ethically challenged Mayor Steven Bateman: An Undercover Lobbyist

Jim DeFede, journalist at CBS4,  has an expose on Mayor Steven Bateman that premiered on TV at 11PM last night.  It appears our ethically challenged Mayor has been on the payroll of Community Health of South Florida Inc (CHI). There's no problem with the Mayor having a second job considering the city only pays him $6000 a year for his mayoral duties.  The problem is he represents himself at County Hall as the Mayor of Homestead while lobbying the County Mayor, Carlos Gimenez and other staff for an additional Sewer pump in Homestead on behalf of CHI.  There's the conflict of interest the Mayor disregarded. The sewer pump will allow Homestead to permit additional residential and commercial developments in the city, one of them being a new CHI Clinic for children.  The Mayor has no shame to his game.  He will do whatever is necessary to bring growth and jobs to the city and if his bank account grows with it, well so be it!

The problem with his exuberance is that now the Mayor finds himself being investigated by the State Attorney's Office for this and the Dade Medical College conflict of interest.  The City of Homestead is no stranger to controversial Mayors. We had Steve Shiver already, another Mayor and subsequent County Administrator during Alex Penela's County Mayorship, who was sent packing for his ethically challenged ways.  Ironically, Mayor Bateman wants to bring back Steve Shiver as City Manager but doesn't have the votes on the City Council to get rid of George Gretsas.  Indeed, the sewer backup at City Hall is worse than we're led to believe.

It has become evident that Mayor Bateman has serious issues with holding office and his private enterprise. However, the only ones that can directly hold him accountable are the voting citizens of the city of Homestead come this November, regardless what the State Attorney's office determines.

You can read the expose on this link, there's even a video.
 http://miami.cbslocal.com/2013/07/01/homestead-mayor-privately-paid-by-firm-seeking-his-help/

The Miami Herald also has the in-depth story.

http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/07/02/3481006/homestead-mayor-steve-bateman.html

The Miami New Times now has a chronology of Mayor Bateman's ethical lapses.
http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/riptide/2013/07/homestead_mayor_steven_bateman_2.php

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BRAC 2015: Homestead Air Reserve Base (ARB)

Will Homestead Air Reserve Base (ARB) end up on the 2015 Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission (BRAC)?

The base is a possible candidate for closure in the next round of the BRAC 2015 as development continues to encroach on the flight path.   Already, there's the Keys Gate Charter High School built on the path against objections of the Air Force Commanders who provided an Air Installation Compatible Use Zone study (AICUZ).  With the building boom in Homestead returning to full steam, the area around the base will grown with more residential neighborhoods ensuring an eminent closure.  To top it off the city is vying to annex land east of the city for none other than to expand the tax base and build some more.  Regardless, of the city priorities one thing is for sure a BRAC in 2015 is going to happen and whether Homestead ARB makes it to the list is not a matter of if but when.  No reason the fret though, the land most definitely will be turned over to the county.  Will they turn it into Homestead Movie Studios or will it be another attempt at a commercial cargo relief airport  for Miami International Airport (MIA) similar to the Homestead Air Base Developers Inc (HABDI) tried to get back in 2001.  Who knows, guess we'll find out soon enough.

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Homestead City Council Election 2013: Seat 5 - Waterstone/Malibu Bay

This post is dedicated to providing the links to the candidate websites for Seat 5, representing Waterstone and Malibu Bay.


Seat 5  http://elvismaldonado.com/
Seat 5  http://nazysierra.com/

Nazy Sierra

Elvis Maldonado

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Ending the Fleecing of Taxpayers with Red Light Cameras

Excerpt from Miami Herald

"The mayor of Doral said Wednesday that he will submit to the city council a proposal to eliminate the cameras used to identify and fine traffic-light violators because he considers them an unnecessary mechanism for tax collection.

“These cameras have become a nightmare for the people of Doral,” Luigi Boria told El Nuevo Herald. “I believe these cameras are used to take money from the people, and we don’t need to continue to collect this type of indirect taxation.”

Do the right thing Homestead City Council and end Red Light Camera fines!

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/06/28/3475270/mayor-lets-end-red-light-cameras.html#storylink=cpy

Reference Article:
Mayor: Let’s end red-light cameras - Doral - MiamiHerald.com

Related Article:
South Florida cities with red light cameras scramble to meet deadline for traffic court

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/06/28/3476089/south-florida-cities-with-red.html#storylink=cpy

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Keys Gate: A Unique Community in the City of Homestead

Keys Gate is a hometown community within the City of Homestead.  The 13 developments are located in the lush tropical southeastern portion of the city immediately surrounded by community and city parks, multiple crystal blue lakes and Biscayne & Everglades National Parks.  Originally developed in the 1980s by a Canadian Company, Keys Gate has blossomed into a community of over 3000 homes averaging 2500 square feet and featuring amenities the 21st Century home buyers have come expect.

Keys Gate amenities include privately gated entrances with 24-hour roving security, in-house monitored alarm systems by AT&T Protection One, AT&T U-verse cable with more than 300 channels including HBO and Cinemax and high speed internet access all included in the HOA fee.  Everyone can also enjoy the community tennis courts next to the Keys Gate Golf Club.  Some communities provide amenities like Gate Security Guards, community pools, landscape and building maintenance.

There's only one Homeowners Association (HOA), Keys Gate Community Association (KGCA), and only one HOA fee that is competitively priced.  This unique HOA setup allows the community to negotiate bulk rate contracts that provide services to the residents at significantly reduced prices. Other communities in South Florida have multiple associations and fee structures that exponentially increase administrative and maintenance costs. There's also no Community Development District (CDD) since Keys Gate's main infrastructure was built in the 1980s.  Not having this and other underlying taxing districts significantly reduces homeowners' property taxes making Keys Gate one of the few planned urban developments (PUD) in South Florida without this tax burden.

Other amenities are the Keys Gate Charter Schools, K-8 and High School,  providing excellent educational opportunities to the children in the community.  Homestead Baptist Hospital is a stones throw away from the community providing healthcare services to residents in a brand new state of the art facility. Homestead Pavilion provides excellent shopping and multiple restaurants to suit everyone's tastes and budget. Downtown Homestead's Historic District provides the opportunity to explore the rich history of the city while also enjoying the art galleries, restaurants, and antique shops.

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New Homestead City Hall expected cost: $50,000,000

In the Miami-Dade County tradition of underbidding to get the contract, Bleu Network in Homestead had the winning bid to build the New City Hall in downtown Homestead's Historic District.  The background checks have begun, but we figured we could help out by doing our own public records check.  It appears the winning bid comes from a company owned by one of the Mayor's neighbors in the Fairways at Keys Gate.  Talk about keeping it in the neighborhood if not the family.  This winning bid is no surprise.  Bid low and submit change orders galore later.  Hence how we believe the $50M figure is within the realm of possibilities.  You've heard it here first!  






Excerpt from the South Dade News Leader

According to public records, the city contacted a total of 1,934 vendors to respond to the Request for Proposal (RFP) and a total of five vendors responded.

The five bids received were from:

•  Bleu Network in Homestead - $24,819,850  Winning Bid
•  Munilla Construction Management (MCM) in Miami - $26,209,000  Runner Up
•  Manhattan Construction in Naples - $25,883,881   Third Place
•  Link Construction in Miami - $25,641,571  Fourth Place
•  J. Kokolakis Contracting in Tarpon Springs - $28,280,000  Consolation Prize

After the bids were placed, the evaluation committee, comprised of Julio Brea Director of Public Works; Dennis Maytan Director of Parks and Recreations; Barbara Quiñones Director of Utilities; Elizabeth Mangual Assistant CRA Director; Christi Vizcaino Assistant Director of Finance; Tom Lambert Building

Official and Detective Antonio Aquino of the Homestead Police Department, ranked each company’s bid according to a criteria checklist.

With the recommendation signed, the background evaluations mentioned above have begun.

Read More on link below:
Homestead City Hall Update | South Dade News Leader - The Pulse of the Community

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Bait and Switch: Dade Medical College Theatre site plan was really an Urgent Care Center in disguise

The City Council on Wednesday during the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) project discussion endured Dade Medical College theatre.  Not the theater they promised to build, this one has to do with a little bait and switch in site plans.  The obvious question is:  Why would a for-profit medical college build a theater?   Of course only if it's a ruse to something more profitable:  An Urgent Care Center for children no less.

Below are excerpts from the indignant City Council members, which appears to be more theater and not one that any person would pay good money for either. 

“I’m a little confused,” Councilwoman Judy Waldman said Wednesday. “I sat through all those meetings and thought the whole intention was a school. To me, that’s not full disclosure. They have a letter of understanding with Miami Children’s Hospital, and this is the first I’ve heard of it? This opens a whole big bushel of

concern.”

Councilman Steve Shelly questioned the timeline and asked how staff would reconcile the mismatch between the site plan they received and the college’s new intentions. Corradino’s answer was the same one he gave during the review:

“He is getting approved for what is on this sheet of paper. You want to change the theater into something else, you need to get that reapproved.”

Vice Mayor Jon Burgess reacted similarly. “My concern is that an urgent care center isn’t a part of a university. To me, that’s different. I was sold one bag of goods and am getting another.”

I mean really does anyone think we're buying this supposed bait and switch theatrics?  Fact is this fiasco has been in the works for awhile now and it can stop but only if there's political will.   To top it off it's all perfectly legal. Here's another excerpt from the Miami Herald:

In the city’s option agreement with Dade Medical, however, one of the allowed uses of the CRA property is a medical outpatient facility such as the one Perez was talking about.

The worst part of this Looney Toons Theater is that according to the Miami Hearld, Mayor Steven Bateman is in clear violation of ethics rules.  He sat through the whole meeting knowing full well his wife has represented Dade Medical College in real estate transactions.  Mayor Bateman is either extremely stupid or a sociopath.  Either way, he's got some big cojones to sit there and look everyone in the face and act as if nothing is absolutely wrong with this picture.  

Miami Herald Excerpt:

According to a Jan. 16th memo sent by Joseph Centorino, executive director of the Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics, to elected officials across the county, the county code requires those with a voting conflict to “absent himself or herself from, [the] meeting during the discussion of the subject item.”

Councilwoman Waldman's opinion:

“He should not have been part of that discussion,’’ said Waldman. “I was shocked.”

Yes indeed, we all are;  November can't come soon enough! 

 Full article on link below: 

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/06/22/v-fullstory/3465186/change-in-plans-by-college-catches.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/06/22/v-fullstory/3465186/change-in-plans-by-college-catches.html#storylink=cpyRead more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/06/22/v-fullstory/3465186/change-in-plans-by-college-catches.html#storylink=cpy

Change in plans by college catches council by surprise - Homestead / South Dade - MiamiHerald.com

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Florida Turnpike Construction Starts July 2013 - 2016

If you use the Turnpike for your commute, you may want to give yourself more time in the morning if you work north of Cutler Bay.   Starting next month in early July through the summer of 2016, there will be construction on the Turnpike from SW 216th St north to Eureka Dr (SW 184th ST).  The $41M project will encompass lane widening from
Caribbean Blvd to US1 from six to eight lanes, sound barrier walls, asphalt replacement, new lighting, drainage and landscaping.

Reference Link:

http://www.floridasturnpike.com/construction_future.cfm

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Publix becoming a Social Media Supermarket

Excerpt from Supermarket News

There's good reason why Publix has more than 1.6 million Facebook fans. Compared with some retailers that touch base on social media here and there, Publix posts virtually every day — sometimes several times a day — with polls, recipes, new product announcements, store openings, savings and more.

And interest is quickly growing in an offshoot to Publix’s traditional page: a career-oriented Facebook page. Currently followed by more than 6,500 people, the page includes job openings; associate profiles and testimonials; live chats with recruiters; and recruiter profiles and career-advice blogs.

“With our traditional Facebook page, we found that customers are our potential job seekers,” said Brous. “We wanted to provide customized content to potential associates and answer their questions about Publix as a place of employment.”

Publix is a model example of a company that knows how to use social media to its benefit, said Brad Nix, co-founder and chief strategy officer of Black Pearl Intelligence, San Antonio.

“Someone inside the organization understands how social media works,” said Nix.

Read More: http://supermarketnews.com/marketing/publix-has-klout-social-responsibility#ixzz2Wy2rQ6Gi

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Miami-Dade College Homestead Campus Expansion

A potential Miami-Dade College Homestead Campus growth spurt should incorporate a commercial component.  With Big Lots' closing last winter there's only Bealls Outlet and Winn-Dixie left as anchor stores at the underutilized Homestead Plaza.  The Plaza is located on the south side of Campbell Drive between Parkway and English Avenues. There is great potential to this plaza with the right mix of businesses.  Significant reconfiguring and remodeling is necessary in a way that is pedestrian friendly and conducive to a collegial environment.  Students should be able to easily walk, mingle, intersperse themselves between the campus and the plaza.  The possibilities are worth considering to revitalize the area before blight continues to spread.
The opportunity to make this happen will be coming sooner than later as the Walmart Neighborhood  Market will open sometime in the Fall on Kings Highway and Homestead Blvd.   The opening of the Walmart store will siphon more patrons from this Winn-Dixie's already fledgling operation as it's a well known direct competitor that effectively advertises "Everyday Low Prices".  The Winn-Dixie store's dated design is hardly appealing to current patrons, though it's in keeping with the mall's throwback construction of the 1970's.  The plaza needs the Community Redevelopment Agency's (CRA) help to bring it into the 21st Century.
















Another component that should be considered is adding a  Homestead campus to Florida International University (FIU).  This campus would alleviate South Dade residents from having to trek 25+ miles north FIU's Modesto A. Maidique (University Park) Campus on Tamiami trail.  The population of Homestead  continues to grow as the Census population counts reflect and it only makes sense to provide this essential service locally.
The time to act is now so we can meet the future challenges facing our community and provide educational and economic opportunities to our residents.  This area is a gem in the rough as its situated between the Busway and Historic Downtown Homestead.  All it needs is for the City Council and CRA in collaboration with MDC, FIU, and Homestead Plaza's owner to innovate a workable solution amenable to all parties.  We can all work together  to revitalize this part of town, all it needs is a little tender, love and care.

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Redland Fruit & Spice Park Festival

IF YOU GO 

What: Redland Summer Fruit Festival
When:  15 & 16 June 2013
Where: Redland Fruit and Spice Park, 24801 SW 187th Av
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Admission: $8; children 11 and under enter free
For more information: www.fruitandspicepark.org.

Fruit festival offers sweet and juicy fun in South Dade - Homestead / South Dade - MiamiHerald.com

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City Council Disavows Supporting Dade Medical College - However, Evidence Speaks for Itself

The Homestead City Council in their infinite wisdom and transparently duplicitous way are disavowing having supported Dade Medical College.  The scandal that is shaking the Homestead political scene in an election year has the incumbents running for cover.  Except, we have photographs that prove otherwise. 

First we have Elvis Maldonado being home schooled by CEO Ernesto Perez.  Then we have Mayor Steven Bateman and Vice Mayor Judy Waldman holding up a check from Ernesto Perez.  Looks like support to me.  Interestingly enough there are no books on the bookshelves at this college.  Must be an e-book college, impressive! 
Then we have Mayor Bateman shaking hands with Mr. Perez again.  While the picture looks like they posed, they appear to be like Best Friends Forever (BFFs).  Last, we have the grand avert of all.  Similar to those runway pictures famous people take when they're promoting a product or charity. The Mayor's jolly face infront of the Dade Medical College wall sure does look like he support the college a lot.  You can opt to believe them in spite of the evidence though.

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