Town of Miami Lakes & Surrounding Areas Story-Teller Dan Grech Vis- Vol
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Like and Follow Us Online TheMiamiLaker @TheMiamiLaker @themiamilaker www.miamilaker.com The original community newspaper for the Town of Miami Lakes & surrounding areas Story-teller Dan Grech vis- Vol. 44, No 17 305-817-4078 MIAMI LAKES, FLORIDA SEPTEMBER 7, 2018 its M.L. Chamber...Page 4 Gala Grand Opening for Miami Winners announced in the Town’s ‘Capture a Miami LakesBy Kayleen Padron 7-Elevenopen ‘coffin-like’ convenience freezer for ice making positive storeimpacts to the The Miami Laker staff cream, the store is the first in community of Miami Lakes. Lakes Moment’ contest Miami Lakes announced the two Miami Lakes runners The long-awaited 7-Eleven the area to have polished con- “We do school programs as far winners of the 2018 “Capture a enjoying the beautiful and store finally opened its doors crete floors, wood grain panel- as grants. We’re really big into Miami Lakes Moment” photo serene Graham Park. August 17 at the corner of ing and subway tiles to create a academics and sports, so the contest. Honorable mention awards Miami Lakes Drive and more modern look. A coffee bar store will be donating as we First place honors went to went to Andres Suarez for his Fairway Drive. New customers is located next to the freezer build relationships with schools. Juan Carlos Garcia for a breath- views of the lake at Commerce were greeted by tents from the with a variety of options includ- We’ve actually reached out to taking photo of one of the Way, and Susanna Inguanzo for Florida Lottery and the radio ing the traditional cup of joe and schools within a two or five Miami Lakes entrance features. capturing balmy breezes at a station Hits 97.3. Free Slurpees iced brews. mile radius of the store, we used Second place was awarded to Miami Lakes sunset. as well as complimentary Mon- “You won’t find another 7- to grant up to $711, but we Daniel Rodriguez who snapped The winners were recognized ster Energy drinks or Coca-Cola Eleven like this in Miami or changed that, and now we can a photo on his bike ride back at the September 4 Council products were also given to anywhere in South Florida. It grant up to $2,000,” explained from Miami Lakes Picnic Park meeting and the photos will be event-goers. has the skylights for a more Ingram. West that shows a large herd of published on the Town’s web- Mayor Manny Cid was also in contemporary style. We’re also “We’re glad to be in the com- the town’s trademark cows site, social media pages, and use attendance at the grand opening the first store in Miami with the munity, and we’re looking for- grazing in a field. in the Town’s marketing materi- along with his two sons, who company digital TV menu ward to a great partnership,” Jose Alvarez’s photo received als. were also enjoying the Slurpees board. So come take a look at concluded Ingram. third place honors for capturing to beat the summer heat. your beautiful 7-eleven!” “It was the largest grand open- chuckled Ingram. ing that I’ve experienced, and A new self-serve roller grill actually I think it was the largest with hot dogs and taquitos has that we’ve had in Miami,” said also been introduced to the district manager and field con- store. Starting September 26, sultant for Miami-Dade 7- the store will also be launching Eleven stores, Edison Ingram. a new way to order through “We had one of the largest their 7-Now App. Healthier crowds, we had over 1,000 cus- options are also available in tomers come in our store and their ‘better for you’ sandwich make a purchase.” case that offers healthier alter- The new store has many firsts natives like salads or protein for a 7-Eleven in South Florida. packs. In addition to an innovative The 7-Eleven will also be THE NEW 7-ELEVEN convenience store and Mobil gas sta- JUAN CARLOS GARCIA was the First Place winner of the Townʼs “Capture a Miami Lakes tion has opened on the corner of Miami Lakes Drive and Moment” photo contest with his shot of one of the Miami Lakes entrance features. Fairway Drive near the Cypress Village Shopping Center. (Other winners will be featured in future issues.) I I I I Council considers $2.5M News and Notes of interest Town Manager candidates St. Thomas University loan for Optimist Park during from the Town of Miami Lakes. narrowed to five plus two alter- launches football and budget discussions.................2 See pages.........................6 & 7 nates.......................................10 marching band programs.....19 I I I I A Look Humans of Miami Lakes: LIME mobility sharing Pace High celebrates State Community Calendar, 15, Zumba instructor Virnalis dockless bicycles come to champion team and 5A Coach School, sports and church news, Inside: Martinez-Arvelo.........4 Miami Lakes............................8 of the Year..........................18 18-29, Classified ads...28-31 PAGE 2 SEPTEMBER 7, 2018 THE MIAMI LAKER CouncilBy David L. Snelling considersmated $25 million budget for $2.5Mfees ($835,000), a portion loan of the town for officials could Optimist even ask from building Park permits for the The Miami Laker staff the 2018-2019 fiscal year, town’s property tax revenues them to do so. new Senior Village and Assisted Miami Lakes is once again which earmarks $2 million for ($7.1 million), cell phone tower In the town’s pay-as-you-go Living Facility; Lennar town- flirting with the idea of borrow- the park, leaving the town $2.5 revenues ($30,000) and capital- plan for capital improvement houses; Bob Graham/Elevate/ ing money to complete the mas- million short to finish the much- ization of electrical savings projects, Miami Lakes Optimist Crescent; and N.W. 57-59 ter plan for Miami Lakes needed improvements. ($60,000) will fund the park’s Park, which was built in 1969, Avenues development and $2.5 Optimist Park, which has been The $4.5 million price tag improvements for next year. had to share $15.7 million with million in carryover funds from delayed for 15 years, as the calls for building new basket- But Miami Lakes needs $2.5 other parks and recreation facil- 2017-2018. town’s pay-as-you-go plan is ball and tennis courts, an airna- million to try to win back resi- ities for the past 15 years. The police budget increased not working. sium, walking and bike trails dents whose kids play in parks According to Town Manager five percent, as the town bud- Keeping the same rate for and replacing the park’s lighting and recreation facilities in Alex Rey, Royal Oaks Park and geted $8.7 million for public property taxes at 2.3353 mills, system. Doral, Weston and Pembroke the Roberto Alonso Community safety services, which is 49 per- Miami Lakes released its esti- Parks improvements impact Pines since the town’s oldest Center got $7.2 million; $2.4 cent of the spending plan for park is not up to par. million for Miami Lakes next year. During a recent budget work- Optimist Park; $1.8 million for For other capital improve- shop, council members got an Miami Lakes Park West; $1.5 ment projects, Miami Lakes is overview of the proposed million for Miami Lakes Park projected to spend $3.8 million spending plan, which calls for a East and the town’s youth cen- for stormwater drainage im- mail-in ballot election to allow ter; and $1.5 million for mini provements including $1.9 mil- residents to decide if the town parks enhancements. lion for the Third Phase of roads should take out a short term Miami Lakes has decided to in West Lake (N.W. 148 loan. keep the existing rate for prop- Terrace/N.W. 148 Street/N.W. Council members will make erty taxes, which is expected to 149 Terrace; $1 million for the decision on rather to send generate about $7.1 million in Phase One of the Royal Oaks out the mail-in ballots during ad valorem revenues, and addi- roadway and drainage project; the town’s two budget hearings tional revenues are budgeted for and $837,000 for the second this month. the General Fund operating portion of the town’s canal bank Last year, Miami Lakes was expenses of $17.7 million. stabilization. planning to borrow money for The budget amount also For transportation capital the park but residents quickly includes a projection of rev- improvements, the town allo- shoot down the idea before enues estimated at $4.8 million cated $5 million for projects that include $2.3 million for N.W. 59 Avenue extension and boat storage yard; $1.1 million for Miami Lakes Business Park East (N.W. 60 Avenue); Do you have a family member or friend that needs $685,000 for a safe routes to daily activities, exercises, socialization and care? school project; and $441,747 for a project to widen the Palmetto Expressway and Ludlam Road. For public safety impact fees, “Miami Lakes Only Adult Day Service” Miami Lakes budgeted $430,597 for the town’s license plate recognition software, and a mobile speed radar. The license plate recognition 305-362-2202 software could help police track 13965 NW 67 Avenue, Miami Lakes down vehicles that are suspect- www.alwaysatyoursideadc.com ed in a crime. Miami Lakes has an $800,000 budget surplus, and each year, reserves 10 percent of the budg- et for emergency expenditures including hurricane clears-up and recovery efforts.