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/
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| Nazy Sierra |
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| Elvis Maldonado |
Saturday, 29 June 2013
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!
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
Thursday, 27 June 2013
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. Monday, 24 June 2013
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
Saturday, 22 June 2013
Bait and Switch: Dade Medical College Theatre site plan was really an Urgent Care Center in disguise
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
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:
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:
Full article on link below:
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
Excerpt from Supermarket NewsThere'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.
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.
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
Thursday, 20 June 2013
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.
Wednesday, 19 June 2013
Reference Link:
Everybody Pays: MDX to Increase tolls on SR836-Dolphin Expressway
Toll hike remains on State Road 836 - Miami-Dade - MiamiHerald.com
Monday, 17 June 2013
It must be election season because the mudslinging has commenced. Miami Herald first slams Mayor Steve Bateman for alleged corruption then the Miami New Times slams him for alleged vandalism. The South Dade News Leader interviews the Mayor, he defends himself, says it's all lies or at least 90% of it. HIH is curious about the 10%. Is that like being "a little" pregnant? We're not sure but we're gonna try to find out. Then we get a new blog: goodmorninghomestead.org. A peculiar blog defending the Mayor with little color and lots of text but an interesting story with lots of question marks. Last but certainly not least we get this gem of an email today blasting Mayor Bateman for the alleged corruption and vandalism once more. Conversely, HIH will just report the happenings as we see them. We'll try really hard to stay out of the way of the mudslingers. We'll chime in from time to time, but really we don't make this stuff up, it truly does happen here in good ole Homestead. 
What to believe who to believe. This morning we wake up to a new blog in Homestead called goodmorninghomestead.org. This is not new in this town. Every election season we see blogs spring up out of thin air and then die as soon as the election is over. However, research to discern fact from fiction is hard work so interest fades fast.Everyone is entitled to their side of the story so someone wants to tell the Mayor's version of the truth. At HIH we believe in allowing all sides to tell it and let the reader be the judge. Sources tell us Frank May came up with this gem of a blog. We encourage our readers to read what that blog has to say and then come back and tell us all about it. See you real soon...
Sunday, 16 June 2013
After only one year in operation, the Okey-Dokey Grocery, a Russian-backed retail venture that envisioned opening as many as 400 small discount grocery stores around Florida, has closed or will close all of its stores, reported Supermarket News (SN). This includes the Homestead store located 28600 SW 137th Ave at Biscayne Plaza next to the Home Depot. The South Florida market is dominated by Publix Super Markets and new ventures like Okey Dokey cannot compete effectively. Additional competition is coming to the area as Walmart will build a Supercenter soon on the southeast corner of Biscayne Dr (SW 288th ST) and Speedway Blvd (SW 137th Ave).
Reference Link:
Reference Link:
Saturday, 15 June 2013
Miami-Dade County received approval to buy or take through eminent domain 15 parcels as part of a road-widening project for one of Homestead's fastest-growing neighborhoods in November 2007. Commissioners at the time approved on Nov 13th the widening of Lucy Street (SW 328th ST) from US1 to Farm Life School Rd (SW 162nd Ave) as part of a $21 million project funded by road impact fees. The project was supposed to be completed in 2010. Unfortunately, the financial meltdown in 2008 put a hold to this and other project throughout the county. This project is important because it expands a roadway that serves as a transportation artery for the city's east side by widening the road from two lanes to four, with dedicated left-turn lanes and a median. This east-west artery will provide additional capacity to the bulk of new residential and commercial developments. The project will also coincide with another project that's on hold: the Florida Turnpike Partial Interchange at Lucy Street. Reference Link:
HIH used ZipAtlas to bring below poverty level numbers into perspective for the Greater Homestead zip codes. One can quickly discern the more affluent areas in blue from the less affluent areas in red and everything in between. This Google Map with poverty data overlay reflects zip code 33031, Redland and Redland Edge areas as having the least household poverty at 4.79% followed closely by zip code 33035, Keys Gate at 5.23%. Conversely, Florida City in red has 34.54% of households below the poverty level.
According to the Census Bureau Quick Facts the City of Homestead has a median income of $38,724 below Miami-Dade county average of $43,957 and well below the Florida average of $47,827. The map reflects an obvious disparity between haves and have nots with no meaningful geographic boundary with the exception of the Florida Turnpike. The highway by itself is not a significant deterrence as well as the gates for the communities limiting access to residents and authorized visitors. The contrast in income may be indicative of why sporadic crime waves occur in Keys Gate as recently experienced in North Gate. It appears Keys Gate is a relatively more affluent enclave surrounded by significant poverty and nothing short of more community vigilance, activation of the AT&T Protection One alarm system by residents and increased police patrols is going to work to minimize property crime in the area. 
Reference Link:
Red Light Cameras: A Cash Cow Trap more than Safety Device
The South Dade News Leader interviewed four Mayoral Candidates. Incumbent Steven Bateman and Challengers: Mark Bell, Jeffrey Porter, and Reverend Dr. Joseph Sewell. Read all about it on the link below. Friday, 14 June 2013
In 2002 the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) passed the gay-rights ordinance and was subsequently upheld by the voters in the Fall. However, the existing Miami-Dade law doesn’t cover transgender people.
In May, Commissioners Bruno Barreiro and Audrey Edmonson filed a trans-inclusive amendment, which was co-sponsored by Commissioners Barbara Jordan and Sally Heyman. The amendment passed on first reading with an 11-1 vote. Only Miami-Dade Commission Vice Chairwoman Lynda Bell voted against.
Next, the amendment must pass the commission’s Health and Social Services Committee, which is chaired by Edmonson. A vote is scheduled on July 8. If three of five committee members approve the amendment, it goes back to the full commission for a final vote, probably in the fall.Reference Links:
Thursday, 13 June 2013
Eye on Miami received confirmation from City Hall and has reported on their blog that Mark Bell is running for Mayor and has opened a campaign account. In this picture Mark and his wife County Commissioner Lynda Bell are shown. Reference Link:
For Whom the Bell Tolls: Mark Bell Running for Mayor?
According the City website the Red-Light "Safety" Program is in place for the purposes of reducing red-light violations, crashes and injuries because it is "believed" that an automated red-light camera program reduces the number of red-light collisions and injuries associated with these crashes.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) says it does. However, the National Motorist Association says otherwise. The National Mortorist Association was the organization that fought and succeeded in having the 55MPH National Speed Limit repealed. So who do you believe? You be the judge though evidence is mounting that red-light cameras have become an alternative funding mechanism for cities like Homestead to pad their budgets. So much so that lobbyist through the FDOT had the yellow light time shortened according to a recent article in Florida Today. Red light cameras generated more than $100 million in revenue in 2012 in approximately 70 Florida communities, with 52.5 percent of the revenue going to the state. The rest of the revenue is divided between the cities, counties, and the camera companies. In 2013, the cameras are on pace to generate $120 million.
According to the Miami New Times, this past Wednesday, June 12th, Gov. Rick Scott signed legislation that forbids cities from ticketing drivers making a right-hand turn on red. The new rules Scott signed are part of a 226-page highway safety bill. As part of the new law, drivers can no longer be cited for a right turn on a red light as long as they stop, even if they stop past the line. Scott also signed off on giving drivers 60 days to deal with a red-light ticket instead of the 30-day window most cities use. Also, The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) also announced this week that it's planning to lengthen yellow-light times. As a result of the updated state law, Homestead followed suit and updated the local ordinance to comply accordingly as reported by the South Dade News Leader.
Reference Links:
http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20130515/NEWS01/130515020/Florida-quietly-shortens-yellow-lights-resulting-more-red-light-camera-tickets
http://southdadenewsleader.com/issue/south-dade-news-leader/article/florida-city-homestead-amend-traffic-light-ordinance
http://southdadenewsleader.com/issue/south-dade-news-leader/article/florida-city-homestead-amend-traffic-light-ordinance
Excerpt from Miami New Times
A dispute over a locked gate prompted Miami attorney John Ruiz, operator of La Ley Sports Complex in Homestead, to call the police on Mayor Steven Bateman this past March 7. According to a recently released investigative report, Ruiz accused Bateman of cutting the lock to the northwest gate of the complex at 1601 SE 28th Ave. so that students and parents could access a road that leads to the neighboring Keys Gate Charter High School. Ruiz, who had locked the gate, claimed the city had no authority to allow the school to use the road, which is part of the complex's property.
Read the rest of the story on the link below:
Homestead Mayor Steven Bateman Accused of Vandalism - Miami New Times
Tuesday, 11 June 2013
In Keys Gate the alarm system is monitored by AT&T Protection One and paid through the association. The monitored alarm system goes off when tripped by the motion sensor or a door or window is opened. Residents are able to add other services upon request for an additional fee. Once tripped Protection One contacts the homeowner via telephone to the house or mobile phone. Otherwise, shortly thereafter the company calls the Police Department.
This will not be the first time nor the last that residents fail to turn on the system and get robbed. Then indignant at the circumstances they yell and scream at the Keys Gate Community Association (KGCA), Homestead Police Department , CBS News 4, neighbors, you name it. "Something must be done!" they say, Indeed: Activate the Alarm and chances are this would have never happened. Don't bother going to KGCA requesting to increase alarm monitoring for glass braking and smart phone monitoring. The alarm system isn't being turned on anyway so why pay more in maintenance fees for a service that will go unused.
This will not be the first time nor the last that residents fail to turn on the system and get robbed. Then indignant at the circumstances they yell and scream at the Keys Gate Community Association (KGCA), Homestead Police Department , CBS News 4, neighbors, you name it. "Something must be done!" they say, Indeed: Activate the Alarm and chances are this would have never happened. Don't bother going to KGCA requesting to increase alarm monitoring for glass braking and smart phone monitoring. The alarm system isn't being turned on anyway so why pay more in maintenance fees for a service that will go unused.
The Homestead Police Department did a fine job apprehending two suspects that allegedly broke into this and other homes in the North Gate Village in Key Gate. They do a great job after the fact but are unable to be everywhere all the time. Homestead Police needs the residents' help: Be vigilant and proactive, by turning on the alarm system so these robberies happen less frequently.
Reference Link:
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