County’s $15 Million Mistake?

The Board of County Commissioners will convene yet once again to debate the contentious purchase of the La Quinta Inn located in Cutler Bay—a decision that has dragged on for over two years and continues to raise serious concerns. Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins and Cutler Bay’s Town Council have repeatedly questioned why the County and the Homeless Trust remain fixated on this specific site, despite glaring issues.
The La Quinta Inn property, plagued by significant environmental concerns, is appraised at $10 million by the County’s own evaluations. Yet, inexplicably, the County is poised to pay over $14 million—a $4 million overpayment of taxpayer dollars. Environmental consultants estimate that cleaning up the contamination will cost at least $1 million, pushing the total expenditure well over $15 million. Why is the County intent on proceeding with... Read More 

Appearing recently on the Citizens’ Independent Transportation Trust (CITT) video podcast Mobility Matters, Florida State Rep. Alina Garcia (District 115) urged Miami-Dade County residents to get involved in public issues.
“I want to ensure that our county, and our state, and our country continue to go in the right direction and that we leave a better society for our families… a better place where they can work, play and raise their own children,” Garcia told Mobility Matters host Javier Betancourt, who also is the executive director of CITT.
“Government is complex, and unless you understand the way things work, it’s difficult to get things done even if you are an elected official,” she added. “I urge everybody to be involved and...Read More

Miami-Dade County property owners, both residential and commercial should carefully examine their recently mailed Truth in Millage (TRIM) notices. These notices, distributed by the Miami-Dade Property Appraiser, contain critical information about each property’s assessed value, exemptions, and the proposed taxes for the upcoming year. For property owners who identify discrepancies or believe their property has been inaccurately assessed, I encourage you to appeal your assessment through the Value Adjustment Board (VAB).
The TRIM notice is not a bill...Read More

Florida Blue Foundation, the philanthropic affiliate of the state’s Blue Cross Blue Shield plan, is pleased to announce $2.4 million in funding to seven nonprofit organizations across the state to help increase access to mental well-being services and support.
The grants will assist nonprofits with programs aimed at:

• Addressing youth mental health challenges; and/or
• Increasing the pipeline of mental health professionals

The big pictu...Read More 

For years, I have relied on The Miami New Times for guidance about where to go, what to see, and what’s going on in. Much to my chagrin, those days are over. To be clear, the New Times is still reliably thorough in listing its goings on. However, it is the critical journalism that has slipped.
I suspect they would defend themselves vociferously, going so far as suggesting that they simply harvest events and report what Miami is offering. If this were true, it would be sufficient, but that isn’t what they have come to do. I’m desperately trying not to be mean here, but it’s most evident in its edible sections. 
Like most foo...Read More

The Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS)  has received a Community Anchor Award from the NASA Office of STEM Engagement. This funding will both bolster the Museum’s impact on underserved youth in Broward County and transform it into a regional NASA STEM informal education community resource. MODS’ award is part of NASA’s $3.7 million grant funding to 17 museums, science centers, and other informal education institutions as part of their TEAM II initiative to ignite STEM excitement. It is one of 13 institutions across the country to share $510,000 in NASA Community Anchor Award funds.
“We are over the moon to have been awarded this prestigious NASA grant,” said Joseph P....Read More

On Monday, August 26th, 2024, Doral Mayor and Council, proudly inaugurated the eastern portion of Doral Central Park! This great milestone was celebrated with the community, alongside project contractor, Kaufman Lynn Construction, and architect, Bermello Ajamil & Partners, and several local community leaders. The new and exciting amenities include playgrounds, amphitheater, multipurpose fields, skate park and pump track, a boardwalk, fishing pier and kayak launch, pavilions, and outdoor fitness equipment.
Event attendees enjoyed music, food, inflatables, interactive games, giveaways, as well as an energetic concert at the brand-new...Read More