Wednesday, March 23, 2005
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CONTENTS:Election Update: Part 3 of a Series
Commissioner Kerdyk named one of “12 Good Men”
Grand Finale for Farmers Market
City Celebrates Arbor Day
Study Shows Drop in Violent Crimes
Awareness Campaign on Disability Issues
Remembering Our Fallen Officers: Part 2 of 8
Authors of Children’s Book on 9/11 Honored
State Attorney’s Office Promotes Community Programs
University Village Breaks Ground
Don’t Miss Second Annual Cabaret Night
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Election Update: Part 3 of a Series >>> On Tuesday, April 12, the City of Coral Gables will hold a Special Municipal Referendum Election where Coral Gables voters will be asked to vote on two proposed changes to the City Charter. The Charter is the City's Constitution. It defines what powers the citizens agree to give City government, and how that government should be structured. One of the proposed changes would raise the threshold for formal bidding on public works projects from $7,500 to $25,000. Currently, public works projects involving more than $7,500 trigger a formal bidding process, which includes advertising and the requirement for formal, written proposals. The $7,500 threshold was established more than 20 years ago in 1983 and today, even small-scale projects routinely exceed that amount. No matter what the threshold, the City's Procurement Code requires all projects, however small, to go through an informal bidding process. The other proposed amendment is to extend the Mayor's term from two to four years. This was discussed in the Feb. 23 edition of e-News. On April 6, we will publish a list of voting locations and more details on the election. Stay tuned.
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Commissioner Kerdyk named one of “12 Good Men” >>> Coral Gables Commissioner William H. Kerdyk, Jr. has been named one of South Florida's "12 Good Men" by the Ronald McDonald House-Miami, a "home away from home" for families of children being treated for critical illnesses at local hospitals. Now in its 12th year, the 12 Good Men Luncheon recognizes gifted, civic-minded men who give back to their communities and is one of the most notable fundraisers in South Florida. Commissioner Kerdyk was elected to office in 1995 and is now serving his third consecutive term as City Commissioner. He is highly respected in the community for his efforts to preserve the Coral Gables quality of life and his continual efforts to preserve City parks and historic landmarks. Commissioner Kerdyk has also been a strong proponent of traffic reduction measures, and spearheaded the implementation of the very successful Coral Gables Trolleys. Commissioner Kerdyk is currently an appointee of the Governor to the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). The 12 Good Men Luncheon took place on Thursday, March 17, at the Intercontinental Hotel in Miami. Since its opening 21 years ago, the 28-room Ronald McDonald House has provided temporary lodging for more than 16,000 families of critically ill children. Guests come from all over the United States and the world. For more information, call 305 324-5683.
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Grand Finale for Farmers Market >>> Come to downtown Coral Gables on Saturday, March 26, and join in the fun as the Farmers Market celebrates its Grand Finale Picnic from 11 a.m to 1 p.m. During the picnic, South Florida's finest chefs will serve up their tastiest creations for market-goers to sample for a modest fee. Music in the park will be by classical guitarist Juan Areco, and children and adults alike can enjoy a visit with baby animals courtesy of The Little Farm. Antique and classic cars will also be on display. Here is a list of the restaurants that will be contributing their culinary talents: JohnMartin's, Ortanique On The Mile!, The Biltmore Hotel, Mundo, Mariposa at Neiman Marcus, Carmen The Restaurant, Chispa, Tula Ristorante, Fleming's, Tarpon Bend, Caramelo Restaurant, and Affair to Remember. Early birds can come at 8 a.m. for Tai Chi in the Park with Al Agon of Perfect Balance. For more information, call the City's Development Department at 305-460-5311.
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City Celebrates Arbor Day >>> Come to Kakouris Park at 11 a.m. on April 6 for a tree-planting and talk in honor of Arbor Day. The event is co-sponsored by the Coral Gables Garden Club and Landscape Beautification Advisory Board. The guest speaker is Public Service Director Daniel Keys, who will give a talk titled: "The Urban Forest of Coral Gables — An Evolving Legacy Perpetuated." The day before this ceremony, during the April 5 City Commission meeting, the State Forrester will present the Tree City USA Award to the City. Kakouris Park is located at the intersection of Campo Sano Avenue and Campo Sano Court. For more information, call the City's Public Service Department at 305-460-5131.
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Study Shows Drop in Violent Crimes >>> A study of the Coral Gables crime statistics dating back to 2000 shows that violent crimes have dropped 45 percent. Congratulations to the men and women of the Coral Gables Police Department for their efforts toward keeping our residents and visitors safe.
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Awareness Campaign on Disability Issues >>> The Coral Gables Board on Disability Affairs, a group of citizens charged with advocating for disabled persons, is reaching out to the public with the hope of learning more about the needs of Coral Gables' disabled residents. In the past, the group has put on a "disAbility Expo" to connect disabled citizens with City and County services, it has worked with the Police Department to recruit volunteers to help enforce disabled parking violations, and it helped the City Public Works Department create a disability-accessible trolley route and design. This past Christmas, the Board organized a holiday concert at the Omni Colonnade Hotel, where children from Auburndale Elementary, both with disabilities and without, performed holiday songs. In order to plan for future advocacy projects, the Board would like to know what issues affect Coral Gables' disabled residents. To reach the Disability Affairs Board, call Beatrix Falstreau at 305-460-5008
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Remembering Our Fallen Officers: Part 2 of 8 >>> Over the next few weeks leading up to the May 5th Police Memorial Service, the Coral Gables Police Department would like to honor those officers who lost their lives while protecting the public. In this edition of e-News, we remember Homer Collins Barton. Sgt. Barton was 37 and an 11-year veteran of the Gables Police Department in 1938 when he was shot and killed as he served an arrest warrant at a Coconut Grove home. It was close to noon that day, June 6, and Sgt. Barton and one of his partners had flipped a coin to see who would go have lunch, and who would serve the warrant. His partner won the coin toss, so Sgt. Barton and another partner went to the home on Oak Avenue. As Sgt. Barton stood on the porch talking to someone inside the house, he was shot in the back with a shotgun. Sgt. Barton's partner, who had been covering the rear door, rushed him to a nearby hospital, but he died a few minutes later. Frizell McLaren, 32, was identified as the killer. Mclaren was convicted of first-degree murder and received a death sentence and was executed in 1941. At trial, McLaren was described as a heavy drinker who would frequently go into drunken rages. Sgt. Barton was one of five children to Elisha and Sallie Eastes Barton. He left behind a wife, Helen, and a 3-year-old daughter, Laura May.
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Authors of Children’s Book on 9/11 Honored >>> City Commissioners recently honored Alexis and Armando Joseph Bucelo, two Coral Gables youths who wrote "The Children of the Towers," a book dedicated to children who lost their loved ones during 9/11. The book was published in 2003 and is beautifully illustrated by Daniel Pontet and Grizelle Harrison. In it, the authors pledge solidarity with the surviving children of 9/11 and urge world leaders to promote peace. Alexis Marie was 19 and attending the University of Miami, and Armando Joseph was 17 and a student at Christopher Columbus High School when the book was published. They are donating proceeds from the book sales to the children of surviving families of 9/11.
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State Attorney’s Office Promotes Community Programs >>> The Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office would like everyone to know there are several successful and informative community outreach programs that are available on request for community meetings, business or association meetings, festivals and fairs, and other events. The goal is to bring the services available through the State Attorney's Office to the communities, for those people who cannot go downtown for information or help. The programs are: "Justice In Motion," a 37-foot mobile office equipped with the latest technology that brings the State Attorney's Office to the public; the "Child Info/Fingerprinting Program," which issues photo information cards and fingerprint cards to elementary school children, both of which would help law enforcement agencies if a child is abducted; the "SAO Kids Smart Program," where law enforcement officers visit elementary schools and other locations in Miami-Dade to teach children how to protect themselves from being abducted, and the "Identity Theft Prevention Program," where law enforcement officers give presentations to educate the public about identity theft, and how to prevent theft from occurring. The programs are funded by a Victims of Crimes Act Grant and the Miami-Dade Department of Human Services. To get more information on these programs, or to schedule one for an upcoming event, call Ulises Martinez at 305-547-0844, or Luis Martinez at 305-547-0754.
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University Village Breaks Ground >>> After many years of planning, the University of Miami will break ground on University Village, an on-campus village community for 800 upperclassmen, law and graduate students, at a special ceremony at 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 23. The new housing will be built on 12 acres in the area of Bird Road and Brescia Avenue and will feature stylish apartments, green space and landscaped courtyards. Existing housing at UM can only accommodate 27 percent of the student population, and the school hadn’t built new housing in the past 35 years. School officials believe the availability of more on-campus housing will allow the University to attract even more of the best and brightest students. It is the first time in more than 35 years that the University has built new housing and is much-needed, since on-campus facilities now only houses 27 percent of the student population. The project is scheduled to be completed by 2006. For more information on University Village, call 305-284-5478.
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Don’t Miss Second Annual Cabaret Night >>> The Coral Gables Congregational Church, at 3010 De Soto Blvd., is hosting a cabaret and Italian dinner at 6 p.m. April 3. The Department of Music Ministries at the church is putting on its Second Annual Cabaret Night, featuring Canticum Novum Vocal Ensemble, and the Chancel Choir and friends. Dinner is catered by Tropic's Catering. Tickets are $30 in advance. For more information, call 305-448-7421, Ext. 33.
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