Miramar News April 2022

R&B ARTISTS KEITH SWEAT AND STEPHANIE MILLS COMING TO THE MIRAMAR CULTURAL CENTER

Keith Sweat, legendary R&B singer, music producer and songwriter born in Harlem, New York, Sweat was discovered singing at a nightclub in 1987 In November of the same year, he released his debut album, “Make It Last Forever,” which sold more than three million copies On the R&B charts, “I Want Her” hit #1 and the title track hit #2 His next album, “I'll Give All My Love To You,” hit #3 on the Billboard 200 chart, and “Keep It Comin’” debuted in the Top 20 on the album charts Sweat released his fourth album “Get Up On It” in the summer of 1994 and followed with Keith Sweat in 1996, his self-titled fifth album which hit #5 on the Billboard 200 and gained quadruple platinum status The single “Twisted” hit #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and “Nobody” hit #3 In 2008, Sweat released “Just Me,” followed by “Ridin’ Solo” in 2010, and Til’ the Morning in 2011 The R&B and pop icon has delivered five straight #1 albums and sold more than 25 million records

After much success as a recording artist, Sweat ventured into the producing side of the business In 1992, he discovered the group Silk and produced their debut album which resulted in a #1 hit, “Freak Me ” In 1995, he did

the same for R&B group, Kut Klose Sweat then helped form his own super R&B group with Gerald Levert and Johnny Gill called LSG in 1997 LSG released two albums that sold more than three million units and singles

Keith Sweat will perform at the Miramar Cultural Center on Friday, April 22, 2022

Stephanie Mills came to fame as "the little girl with the big voice" as the star of the hit Broadway play, #The Wiz, an adaptation of L Frank Baum's classic book The Wizard Of Oz. She had many R&B hits such as "I Have Learned to Respect the

Power of Love," "I Feel Good All Over," "(You're Puttin') A Rush On Me," "Something in the Way (You Make Me Feel)" and "Home" along with one certified million selling single, "Never Knew Love Like This Before " In addition, she also had five gold albums: “Whatcha Gonna Do With My Lovin',” “Sweet Sensation,” “Stephanie, If I Were Your Woman and Home ”

Born on March 22, 1957 in Brooklyn, NY, Mills honed her rich vocals singing gospel music at Brooklyn's Cornerstone Baptist Church as a small child At age 9, she began appearing in the Broadway play +Maggie Flynn She was presented with first prize after winning "The Amateur Hour" talent contest six weeks straight at New York's famed Apollo Theater when she was nine That success led to her being chosen as the opening act for The Isley Brothers, eventually becoming good friends with lead singer Ronald Isley. Many years later, Isley would manage and later marry singer/songwriter Angela Winbush, who co-wrote one of her number one R&B hits.

Stephanie Mills will grace the stage of t h e M i r a m a r C u l t u r a l C e n t e r, F r i d a y, May 27, 2022.

For tickets, visit www.etix.com

Commissioner Alexandra P. Davis

Commissioner Maxwell B. Chambers

Commissioner Winston F. Barnes

Vice Mayor Yvette Colbourne Mayor Wayne M. Messam

MESSAGE FROM THE CITY MANAGER

H e l l o M i r a m a r ! I t i s a l r e a d y A p r i l a n d w h a t a n e x c i t i n g t i m e i t h a s b e e n f o r o u r b e a u t i f u l C i t y A s w e m o v e f o r w a r d t o a p o s t - C O V I D - 1 9 n o r m , w e a r e q u i c k l y r e s u m i n g n o r m a l a c t i v i t i e s , b u t s t i l l e nc o u r a g e y o u t o t a k e p r e c a u t i o n s b y w e a r i n g m a s k s w h e r e n e c e s s a r y, p r a ct i c i n g s a f e h y g i e n e b y w a s h i n g h a n d s r e g u l a r l y a n d s a n i t i z i n g s u r f a c e s a s n e e d e d We a r e e x t r e m e l y e x c i t e d t o b e a p a r t o f t h i s y e a r ’s i n n o v a t i v e a n d f o r w a r dthinking global w inners for the S mart 50 Aw a r d s N o t o n l y i s o u r c i t y b e i n g r e co g n i z e d f o r o n e s m a r t c i t y p r o j e c t , b u t w e a r e b e i n g c e l e b r a t e d f o r f i v e s m a r t c i t y p r o j e c t s . J u s t l a s t y e a r, w e t o o k h o m e t w o a w a r d s a n d c o n t i n u e t o b u i l d o n o u r s u c c e s s e s O u r s t a f f h a s b e e n w o r k i n g f o r m a n y y e a r s t o i m p l e m e n t

s m a r t c i t y s o l u t i o n s , w h i c h a l l o w s M ir a m a r t o p r o v i d e e f f i c i e n t a n d t e c h n o -

l o g i c a l l y a d v a n c e d s e r v i c e s t o o u r r e s i d e n t s a n d b u s i n e s s e s O u r c i t y w o n a w a r d s f o r t h e f o l l o w i n g p r o j e c t s :

• B o d y - Wo r n C a m e r a s f o r C i v i l i a n

L a w E n f o rc e m e n t S t a f f

• C i t y o f M i r a m a r M a s s N o t i f i c at i o n P l a t f o r m

• C l o u d - B a s e d R e c o r d s M a n a g em e n t S o f t w a re

• G u a r a n t e e d E n e r g y, Wa t e r, Wa s t e w a t e r S a v i n g s P e r f o r m a n c e C o n t r a c t P ro j e c t

• G u n S h o t D e t e c t i o n Te c h n o l o g y

A d d i t i o n a l l y, t h e C i t y w a s a l s o r e c o gn i z e d a n d a w a r d e d t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l D a t a C o r p o r a t i o n 2 0 2 2 N o r t h A m e r i c a

S m a r t C i t y Aw a r d i n t h e c a t e g o r y o f

N e x t - G e n E m e r g e n c y S e r v i c e s f o r t h e

M i r a m a r P o l i c e D e p a r t m e n t ’s R e c o r d s

M a n a g e m e n t S y s t e m M y h e a r t i e s t c o n -

g r a t u l a t i o n s t o a l l t h e w i n n i n g m u n i c ip a l i t i e s ! A s m u n i c i p a l i t i e s , w e c o n t i n u e t o l e a r n f r o m e a c h o t h e r a n d g r o w t og e t h e r

M i r a m a r i s o p e n f o r b u s i n e s s , s t r o n g e r t h a n e v e r b e f o r e , a n d w e e nc o u r a g e a l l o u r l a rg e a n d s m a l l b u s i n e s s o w n e r s t o r e g i s t e r w i t h u s a t m i r am a r f l . g o v / b u s i n e s s . T h e D e p a r t m e n t o f E c o n o m i c D e v e l o p m e n t a n d R e v i t a l i z at i o n i s h e r e t o a s s i s t y o u w i t h b u s i n e s s r e s o u r c e s t o m e e t y o u r g o a l s a n d o b j e ct i v e s . We l o o k f o r w a r d t o w o r k i n g w i t h y o u !

To g e t h e r, w e a r e s t r o n g e r a n d r e m a i n O n e M i r a m a r !

CITY MANAGER WHITTINGHAM GORDON

MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR Wayne M. Messam

School, led by former member of Third World, Willie Stewart with special appearances by Marcia Griffiths, Gramps Morgan and so many more We hope you can join us, tickets are available at ticketmaster com

It was my pleasure to host the Annual Ramadan Iftar Dinner on April 5th, in partnership with the Muslim Communities of South Florida It was a beautiful celebration with so many people attending from various cities in the County including several elected officials from other cities

It is such a pleasure for me to share with you information about a recent trip we took to Washington, D C to attend the Annual National League of Cities Conference The NLC hosts two conferences per year, one in November and one in March, that involves programming sessions for our youth For a number of years now, the Mayor ’s office and the office of the Police Chief of the City of Miramar have overseen a program for High School students from the City entitled the Youth Advisory Council This was begun to expose our students to the inner workings of government and share opportunities that may be available to them

During the first day’s sessions, the students were there as President Joe Biden, Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Ambassador Susan Rice, addressed conference attendees In addition, the students also met with the newly elected Congresswoman from the City of Miramar, Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick who spoke to our students about perseverance, achieving goals, following your dreams and serving the community Our students from Miramar High School and Everglades High School - Ammar Mansuri, Samara Lanza, Rachel Charles and Delicia Barnes, truly represented the City of Miramar well Chief Leonard Burgess and I were delighted that our students were so involved in the entire process and were so involved throughout This is the reason why we created the program If you would like more information on this program for your high school student who is a sophomore or junior, please go to miramarfl gov/youthadvisorycouncil

In addition to the Youth Advisory Council Program for High School Students, we have a performance coming up on Saturday, April 30th at the Amphitheater at Miramar Regional Park entitled Rhythms of Africa that will feature performances by students from Everglades High

The Longest Table is scheduled for Sunday, April 24th, 5 to 8 p m at the Amphitheater at Miramar Regional Park This is a community inspired event that I brought to the City to promote a sense of place and community here in Miramar This is a dinner discussion held outside in what will be the longest dinner table ever assembled in Miramar. Neighbors, friends, family, and co-workers will take part in a tasty dinner discussion Residents are encouraged pull up a seat and simply engage with one another in conversation with someone whom you’ve probably never met It’s the greatest way to step into another person’s own personal world The Longest Table is meant for talking over experiences and sharing a laugh or two in an aesthetically comforting environment I highly encourage residents to attend and invite a guest The more diversified we aim to be, the higher the uniqueness we present This event was extremely successful when I did it a few years ago, I look forward to this year as well.

You can register at https://mayormessamlongesttable eventbrite com

The City of Miramar has been named as a five-time recipient of the 2022 Smart 50 Awards for various smart city projects The official announcement was made by Smart Cities Connect Media and Research, a division of TechConnect, which annually celebrate the most innovative and influential municipal-scale projects in the world To date, awardees have represented projects from more than 15 countries Awardees reflect the changing priorities among municipalities This year, 30% of all projects assist with urban operations, 26% support improved mobility, and another 26% feature digital transformation

The winning projects are as follows:

1 Body-Worn Cameras for Civilian Law Enforcement Staff (Police)

2 City of Miramar Mass Notification Platform (Fire-Rescue)

3 Cloud-Based Records Management Software (Police)

4 Guaranteed Energy, Water, Wastewater Savings Performance Contract Project (Public Works/Utilities)

5 Gun Shot Detection Technology (Police) Yours in Service, Wayne Messam Mayor

MAYOR WAYNE M MESSAM

PHOTOS BY GREGORY REED

MESSAGE FROM VICE MAYOR YVETTE COLBOURNE

March is Women’s History Month, and it was an excellent time to reflect, recognize and inspire women With covid numbers down, it was great to be able to resume my annual Women’s Empowerment Luncheon with this year ’s theme of: See The Power in You, giving us the opportunity to reflect on the achievements of women.

ACHIEVEMENTS SUCH AS:

• American’s first female Vice President

• Our first Black Haitian American Democrat United States Congresswoman

• Not to mention, our first Black female Supreme Court Justice nominee, Ketanji Brown Jackson, who is from South Florida

It was a pleasure to recognize State Representative Marie Woodson and Miramar Mermaids founder, Grasy Noriega, for the work that they are doing to impact the lives of other women. Our amazing guest speaker, Donna Brazile, was both entertaining and inspiring I also celebrated Women’s History Month during our commission meeting The Haitian American Nurses Association (HANA) were given a proclamation in recognition of Women’s History Month and Miramar resident, Patricia Del Carmen Betancourt was given a proclamation for her years of efforts in recognizing International Women’s Day.

Vice Mayor Yvette Colbourne with students at Everglades Senior High following her presentation on March 4, 2022 Pictured to her right is Assistant Principal Mark Hoffman

Vice Mayor Yvette Colbourne attending Everglades Senior High School on March 4, 2022, to speak to students.

Vice Mayor Yvette Colbourne performing a Ribbon Cutting and welcoming Robeks Fresh Juice to Miramar.

Vice Mayor Yvette Colbourne presenting a Recognition Award to Grasy Noriega at her Second Annual Women's Empowerment Luncheon held on Friday, March 11, 2022

Vice Mayor Yvette Colbourne attending the Grand Opening of M13 African attire clothing store

Vice Mayor Yvette Colbourne attending the Grand Opening of M13 African attire clothing store.

YVETTE COLBOURNE VICE MAYOR

Donna Brazile and Vice Mayor Yvette Colbourne

MESSAGE FROM COMMISSIONER WINSTON BARNES

with them and hear their stories Being on the radio, I often speak with them about current affairs, however, there is a stronger connection when you are face to face and conversing with them about their families

My office hosted a Cyber Security Workshop for Seniors in partnership with Christway Baptist Church I must give thanks to the Miramar Police Department Community Resource Unit - Officers Yessenia Diaz and Jasper Sejour who lead the workshop in teaching our seniors how to be safe while online According to AARP’s report from March 22, 2022, Americans were hit by an unprecedented rise in cybercrime in 2021, with nearly 850,000 reports to the FBI and losses surpassing $6 9 billion Older Americans bore the brunt of the financial hit. We must continue to raise awareness about these predators

I’m your Commissioner Winston F Barnes

As we saw in the first quarter of 2022, the pandemic restrictions lifted, there seems to be a sense of normality with an increase in business activities and recreational events. None of this however means we should not continue to practice safety measures during these activities to protect ourselves and our families.

One of my most recent encounters was when I had the privilege to meet and talk with a few of the seniors in our community during their regular walk. It was good fun to engage

Our Miramar Cultural Center hosted Peruvian artists Diego Val and Eva Ayllon in “Sabores Peruanos” which means Peruvian Flavors, and did their performance have flavor! I had the pleasure of opening the show with a Welcome to Miramar (Bienvenido a mis amigos a Miramar) The entire setting reminded me of when I was walking on the streets of Copenhagen and heard the music playing from the street performers Their performances took me back to that time I’m reminded that The City of Miramar is full of “Flavor” because of our diverse cultures. I look forward to more of these events

Until

COMMISSIONER WINSTON BARNES

Senior Citizens Cyber Security Workshop with Miramar Police Department Community Resource Unit’s S A L T (Seniors and Law Enforcement) Program Officer Yessenia Diaz

Commissioner Barnes with Diego Val Sabores Peruanos

Commissioner Barnes with Eva Allyon

MESSAGE FROM COMMISSIONER MAXWELL B. CHAMBERS

a remarkable artist, Norman “Humble Lion” Lawrence, popular Radio Personality and Community Servant, and Anthony B, popular Reggae Artiste All have made vast contributions in keeping the culture and legacy of our Black History alive

Dear Residents,

On January 18th and 19th your City Commission, including myself, traveled to Tallahassee It was very productive time attending Broward Days advocating for the needs of the residents of Miramar

One of the main priorities that I advocated for was the Miramar Water Main Infrastructure Improvements This includes improvements in Country Club Ranches Other items included Historic Miramar Drainage Improvements Phase V, Miramar South Central/South East Focal Point Senior Center, and Miramar Parkway LED Streetlight Improvements

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

The month of February is dedicated as Black History Month and here at the City of Miramar we proudly celebrated the achievements of African Americans, recognizing their role in US History

As the month came to an exciting close, on Monday, February 28th, ASHE brought the house down with an electrifying soldout performance of “Celebrating Garvey & Reggae”. Marcus Garvey was a Black nationalist and leader of the Pan-Africanism movement, which sought to unify and connect people of African descent worldwide

The evening started out with Steve Higgins singing the national anthem ASHE’s energetic and poignant portrayal of Marcus Garvey in their Broadway styled musical rendition was well received by the full house at the Miramar Cultural Center Awards were given to some of our very own Miramar residents such as Ky-Mani Marley, son of the famous Bob Marley, and Michael Dawson, entrepreneur Other awardees were Dale Holness, former Mayor of Broward County, Jean Garvey, daughter-inlaw of Marcus Garvey, Geoffrey Philps for his contribution to education, I Jabulani Tafari, Priest Douglas Smith, Andy Ballentine,

Everyone was in for a real treat when KyMani Marley collected his award and tantalized the audience with one of his father ’s famous songs, “Don’t Worry About a Thing” As if that wasn’t enough of a surprise, they were once again thrilled as Crooner Bunny Rose joined by the Consul General of Jamaica, Miami, The Honorable Oliver Mair, both did an amazing rendition of Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” Just before ASHE returned to the stage for their grand finale, Anthony B, once again had the crowd in throes of excitement as they sang along with him while he showcased his signature dance moves, no doubt making this event one of the best-ever to be seen at the Miramar Cultural Center

MIRAMAR FAMILY NIGHT 2022

Bring the whole family to enjoy a night of games, music, food, and fun at Miramar Regional Park, 16801 Miramar Parkway, Miramar, FL 33027 on May 28th from 6

10 pm

Wishing you a healthy, happy and holy Easter season

COMMISSIONER MAXWELL B. CHAMBERS

PHOTOS BY MARK JAMES

ALEXANDRA P. DAVIS

I O N E R

Hello, Miramar! I am grateful to be able to reach you through this medium once more As we continue to see the light at the end of the tunnel as far as covid is concerned, let us try to go back to some semblance of normalcy, being ready to pivot when necessary

I spent the first week of January visiting the State Capitol, Tallahassee advocating for our residents and businesses encouraging lawmakers to fund major City infrastructure projects as well as senior programs It was great meeting with our Miramar State Representatives along with our State Senator and seeing them in action February was Black History Month, and the city had a lot of activities for our families to enjoy They ranged from an outdoor movie night to a divine-nine super bowl watch party, just to name a few.

On February 3rd, I had the pleasure of launching the Annual Black History meets Reggae Month activities in the City of Miramar. The launch was sponsored in-part by Grace Foods and featured many of the local acts from the Afro Carib Festival line-up who entertained the audience.

On February 5th I had the opportunity to help sponsor the launch of the Broward Community ID program alongside Florida Immigrant Coalition (FLIC), Broward Legal Aid, the City of Miramar, and Broward County, to include former Commissioner Dale V C Holness as well as the

many volunteers. We were able to service and provide over 90 Broward residents with their Community IDs giving folks an opportunity to be truly seen! This was indeed an historic event. We hope to continue the outreach for Community ID’s as we seek to hold our next event on April 30th Broward County Democratic Black Caucus held their Black History event on February 12th We were entertained by Piper High School Marching Band along with African dancers as the Caucus recognized and honored black trailblazers in our community

The 3rd Reggae Icon Awards was held on February 24th which attracted a strong turnout to the Miramar Cultural Center under the theme ‘Black History Meets Reggae’ where several stalwarts in reggae and the Jamaican Diaspora were recognized Reggae legend, Bob Marley, who died in Miami in 1981, was awarded the Jamaica 60th Legacy Award posthumously; Marley’s wife, Rita Marley was given a proclamation; Reggae Icon Awards were given to legendary band, Inner Circle and radio broadcaster Clinton Lindsay. The Marcus Garvey Award was given to former Broward Mayor and Commissioner Dale V C Holness The emcees for the night were the Hon. Judge Norman Hemming and social media influencer and Jamaica 60th Am-

PROTOJE

Commissioner Davis at Afro Carib Festival

Commissioner Davis and Dale Holness

bassador, Julie Mango Patrons also enjoyed entertainment by Sharon and Skip Marley as well as saxophonist Joseph Tapper and vocalist Susan Sultry.

Di Clash – Rumble in Miramar, part of the Parks & Recreation Department’s Good Vibes Concert Series brought true dancehall flavor to Shirley Branca Park as Tek 9 Sound narrowly defeated KyTek Sound to walk away with the winner takes all cash prize

We closed out Black History Month Celebration with the highly anticipated 2nd annual Afro Carib Festival at the Miramar Amphitheater Various cultures converged with the sounds of reggae by Grammy nominated artiste Protoje, Afro Beats, by afrobeat sensation Afro B , Salsa from the Prince of Salsa himself, Gio Beta, Puerto Rican Reggaeton superstar EIX, and Kompa from Haitian artiste WID Patrons also enjoyed acts from local artists such as Alex Star and Tyler the Kid, as well as the opportunity to buy food and novelty items

On March 5th, I attended the Coalition of South Florida Muslim Organizations (COSMOS) annual community appreciation dinner! It’s always a great time with our beloved brothers and sisters as we celebrate their contributions to our community Diversity is our strength!

On March 11th City of Miramar made history by swearing in two public safety chiefs, Police Chief Leonard Burgess and Fire Chief Ray Perez! The city is certainly in good hands as we look forward to new leadership in our city of beauty & progress I recently attended the National League of Cities Congressional Conference in Washington D C It was a pleasure meeting with our congressional delegation to discuss how they can assist the residents and business owners of Miramar with infrastructure, water, senior and sports projects

During the month of March, we celebrated Women’s History Month and I am so thankful to have been surrounded by amazing women who have helped to shape the person I am today I continue to do my part in uplifting women and recently sponsored legislation in the City of Miramar granting a 90-day paid parental leave for new parents.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

COOL Church Egg Drop

Hosted by Commissioner Alexandra P. Davis

April 17th ,2022

City of Miramar Skate Park Grand Opening

Hosted by Commissioner Alexandra Davis

April 23rd, 2022

Community IDs Program

Sponsored by Commissioner Alexandra P Davis

April 30th, 2022

Haitian Heritage Celebration

Hosted by Commissioner Alexandra P Davis

May 21st, 2022

Stephanie Mills @ MCC

Hosted by Commissioner Alexandra P Davis

May 27th, 2022

Please take care of yourselves and each other

To contact my office regarding any concerns, please free to call (954) 602-3155 or email me at apdavis@miramarfl.gov.

You may subscribe to receive email updates from my office at www miramarfl gov/Davis or follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @4AlexandraDavis

Commissioner Davis with Aide, Aura Thomas EIX

GIO BETA SOUND SYSTEM CLASH

REGGAE ICON AWARDS

PHOTOS BY MARK JAMES

SENIOR WALK 2 WELLNESS

CONTRIBUTED BY JANIELLE BRATHWAITE

Walk 2 Wellness was first launched as a pilot in 2017 at the Youth Enrichment Center The walk was to celebrate and highlight senior accomplishments, that resulted from the Arthritis Foundation Walk With Ease, evidenced based programs performed annually at the Miramar Senior Center. In 2018 the Social Services Department partnered up with the Mayor and Vice Mayor of Pembroke Park to collaborate on a much larger walk which attracted the catchment cities that the Southcentral/ Southeast Focal Point served. The two following years 20192020 the walk returned to Miramar, hosted at the Corporate Pavilion and the Miramar Amphitheatre respectively

On February 22, 2022 the City of Miramar Southcentral/Southeast Focal Point Senior Center held its 5th Walk 2 Wellness, 5 senior centers, 3 counties, 22 cities and over 200 seniors, with the strong support of 12 sponsors at the event The W2W program had the pleasure to once again honor seniors within the senior center as a Walking Warrior The names nominated were avid participants of the ‘Step by Step with the City’ walking program held at the senior center

The recipients for the 2021 Walking Warriors were highlighted in the respective categories The 60s Age Group Edwina D

who walked 37,043 steps, 70s Age Group Noemi R. 36,117 steps, 80s Age group Gloria B 33,460 steps and the 90s Age group Edna W 4161 steps Thanks to the commission (Vice Mayor Yvette Colbourne and Commissioner Maxwell Chambers) for making the award ceremony special for the seniors. Special thanks to the Arthritis Foundation and Humana for providing the pedometers to our senior program for their health and wellness.

To our Walk 2 Wellness sponsors for making this event great Platinum Sponsors: Humana, Miami Jewish/PACE Center, Memorial Health Miramar, VidaMax Medical, Gold Sponsors: Healthy Partners, Medicare and Much More (MMM), Silver Sponsor: HCW Biologics, Bronze Sponsors: Aetna, Elite Health, Home Care Plus, Publix, Bartlett Podiatry.

Q & A WITH CAPTAIN TY SHAW-WILLIAMS

with the Urban League of Broward County. I am a committee member for the Girls Coordinating Council with the Children Services of Broward County and a board member on the Florida Restorative Justice Association. I have an active partnership with FIU for Police and Youth programs research with the Maurice A Ferré Institute for Civic Leadership and recently signed on as a Youth Advisor for Miramar PD’s Explorer Program

Q. What is the inspiration for mentoring youth? What is your why?

A. Thanks to my current Chief, Leonard ‘Lenny’ Burgess, I have approved allotted time to work with the Urban League of Broward County and The Justice Project of South Florida The Justice Project’s Taskforce discovered that teens are concerned about their day-to-day encounters with police officers These interactions shape their attitudes and behaviors The Taskforce decided to provide a neutral atmosphere where both law enforcement officers, and youth could have productive conversations in efforts to build a stronger community

Q. Discuss your role as mentor.

A. As a mentor it’s my goal to provide guidance and insight to youth about law enforcement officers to show them that we are all cut from the same cloth. As a mentor, I provide encouragement and feedback on Youth and Officers’ behavior and efforts Whether mentor relationships develop one-on-one or are established with a group of youth, we see to it that all youth get equitable time to contribute to discussions and activities

Q. Are there challenges you face while mentoring? If yes, what are they?

A. Yes, there are challenges

A lot of children come from broken homes and need daily mentorship that should come from their families and loved ones Some of the youth’s families are incapable of providing the youth with nurturing environments due to their own past traumas

Some youth need long term therapy and counseling to deal with their emotions and trauma that’s ignored or missed by their village

We recently sat with one of our Miramar Police Officers, Captain Ty Shaw-Williams to discuss some of the work the department has been doing in the community especially with the youth to engage and facilitate open and honest communication.

Q. Capt. Shaw, please introduce yourself and tell Miramar News a little about your background?

A. Captain Tysheika Shaw-Williams is a Miami, FL native As a teenager, after witnessing the strained rel a t i o n s h i p b e t w e e n p o l i c e o ff i c e r s a n d c o m m u n i t y, I made a promise to myself to pursue a career in Law Enforcement to improve community relations I began my career in 2005 with the Margate Police Department as a Victim Advocate, Domestic Violence Practitioner After receiving a Masters’ Degree in Criminology in 2008, I joined the Miramar Police Department where I happily serve fellow officers and community today During that time, I used every opportunity to give back to the community by volunteering for charity events and serving as a mentor for Miramar ’s DREAM program for teenage girls (Determination Reveals Everlasting & Achievable Memories).

Q. What are some of the organizations that you are a part of?

A. I serve as the Executive Chair for The Justice Project of South Florida and am a Restorative Justice facilitator

My Why: Today’s youth is the future I believe in creating a legacy of love and open communication Youth are open to new ideas, approaches, and unconditional l o v e . I t ’s o u r r e s p o n s i b i l i t y a s a d u l t s a n d a s L a w E nforcement Officers to set them up on the best possible road to succeed and to encourage self-peace and humanity for the community. During my yoga retreats to other beautiful countries, I always make a stop to a school to donate school supplies, play kickball and dance with the young students. Supporting youth is truly a lifestyle for me

Q Where do you currently have mentorship programs?

A . I s e r v e a s a m e n t o r f o r t e e n a g e g i r l s a t t h e P a c e Center for Girls and as a Peace Circle facilitator for Miramar ’s “Breaking Barriers” event to bridge the gap bet w e e n l a w e n f o r c e m e n t a n d y o u t h C u r r e n t l y, I w o r k w i t h C o m m u n i t y R e s o u r c e O ff i c e r, Ry a n Ly t t l e w i t h Y P I ’s ( Yo u t h a n d P o l i c i n g I n i t i a t i v e ) f o u n d e r, D a n n y Smith (former President for the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Kanas City) to bring the program to the City of Miramar YPI’s mission is to build trust and breakdown stereotypes between youth and police

Q. What are some the strategies that you use to engage youth?

A. I encourage and guide underserved youth by giving them a voice to speak directly to officers and community stakeholders My team and I focus on the importance of respect, responsibility, relationship building, repairing, and strengthening relations between law enforcement and the community at large. We create an atmosphere of fun by engaging in activities together such as ice breakers and games. Most importantly, always make sure to have food and snacks for the youth. They are always hungry, and they are receptive with food. Some of them come from homes with no food in the refrigerator. Chick-Fil-A is a fan favorite!

As a mentor, it’s hard to see youth struggling with emotional and self-esteem issues All you want to do is relieve them of their pain, however; I know that I cannot heal them in one day. So, I absorb their pain as a mentor. I pray for their peace every morning at my altar and for my strength to keep going.

Q. How do you balance roles being wife, mother, Law Enforcement Officer, mentor?

A . T h a n k s t o m y C h i e f , w h o i s a g r a c i o u s a d v oc a t e f o r t h e c o m m u n i t y a n d y o u t h , m y m e n t o r i n g w o r k f a l l s u n d e r m y r o l e a s t h e C o m m u n i t y R e l at i o n s a n d O u t r e a c h F a c i l i t a t o r a t t h e M i r a m a r P o l i c e D e p a r t m e n t

Every month the PD’s Chaplains, Kim Morrow, who supervises the Chaplaincy Program, and Chief Burgess p r o v i d e a n o p p o r t u n i t y f o r a p r a y e r g r o u p t o m e e t Working in an environment filled with so much love and grace gives me the strength to love on our youth

With that, I commit to one mentoring or charitable event at a time to ensure that I can give my all to that event

Q. Within Miramar, do you find that the youth are receptive to mentorship programs?

A . Yo u t h a r e e x t r e m e l y r e c e p t i v e t o m e n t o r i n g p r og r a m s b e c a u s e i t a l l o w s t h e m t o b e s e e n a n d h e a r d i n a s a f e a n d j u d g e m e n t - f r e e s p a c e Wi t h i n a m e n t o r i n g p r o g r a m , y o u t h c a n f e e l a c c e p t e d , c o m f o r t a b l e , i ns p i r e d , a n d e m p o w e r e d

Q. What are your closing words for youth in the Miramar community?

A. You are Amazing.

You are so Loved.

You are Special.

You are Worth it.

You are the Future.

I trust you

CAPTAIN TY SHAW-WILLIAMS

Grand Opening and Ribbon-Cutting Event Planned for Saturday, April 23

The City of Miramar ’s first outdoor skatepark will open to the public on Saturday, April 23, 2022. The skatepark can be found at the southwest corner of Miramar Regional Park located at 16801 Miramar Parkway and is easily accessible from the 172nd Avenue entrance.

The media and the public are invited to attend the Grand Opening and Ribbon-Cutting event from 10:00 a m to 2:00 p m on Saturday, April 23rd. There will be a live DJ, refreshments, and giveaways

The event will feature a demonstration and lessons by skilled, reputable, and renowned skateboarding tutors from GOSKATE They will ensure that enthusiasts are well-guided to reduce accidents and they will also demonstrate proper skateboarding techniques Registration for the grand opening is available via www MiramarSkateParkOpening eventbrite com

Commissioner Alexandra P. Davis stated, “This grand opening was long anticipated and it’s great to see the skatepark

come to fruition Back in 2014, I commissioned the city to build the skatepark to provide our youngsters a safe space to practice and hone their skills We welcome skateboarders, rollerbladers, scooter riders of all different skill levels The skatepark is just another asset here within our great city that shows our commitment to building and sustaining healthy communities ”

The skatepark is 5,000 square feet and can accommodate up to 10 rollerbladers, skateboarders or scooters in the space simultaneously It will open 7 days a week during regular park hours of 8:00 a m to 9:00 p.m. daily, except Sundays when the park is open 8:00 a m to 8:00 p m

Structural design features include small transition ball pocket, small transition quarter pipes and hips, banks, banked hip, bank to ledge, metal handrail, downledge and more Helmets are required and other safety gear like knees pads are recommended.

For more information, visit online at www MiramarParks org or call 954-883-6950

MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF OF POLICE

Interim Chief Leonard “Lenny” Burgess has been appointed the new chief of police for the Miramar Police Department Chief Burgess’ career spans 37 years of dedicated service to public safety He has served the Miramar community since 2016

Chief Burgess was born and raised in South Florida and is of African American and Panamanian decent He followed his father ’s footsteps, joining the U S Marine Corps, and later became a police officer Chief Burgess rose through the ranks, supervising numerous districts, bureaus and task forces for various agencies. He retired from the Miami-Dade Police Department as a division chief, but would not stay retired long In 2008, he was appointed deputy director of the Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department and in 2014 chief of police for North Miami. In 2016 he joined the Miramar Police Department as an assistant chief and was appointed interim chief in April of 2021

In addition to numerous certifications, Chief Burgess holds a Master of Science Degree in Criminal Justice, is a graduate of FBI National Academy and the Senior Management Institute for Police Executives at Harvard’s Kennedy School He has earned numerous awards and recognitions for his many outstanding achievements Chief Burgess is also the past president of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity and volunteers as a cadre leader with 5000 Role Models of Excellence, mentoring young men in our community

CHIEF’S MESSAGE

I am extremely honored to have the opportunity to lead the men and women of this dis-

tinguished department. We take great pride in delivering unparalleled police services to our diverse Miramar community Ensuring public safety, while maintaining the highest standards of professional ethics and integrity is our pledge to you

Our department has been at the forefront of modern policing, committed to 21st Century Policing strategies and the Eight Can’t Wait initiatives, promoting effective crime reduction while building public trust, reducing Use of Force incidents and increasing accountability Our dedicated professionals strive each day to strengthen community relationships, mentor youths, support senior programs, and deliver exceptional public safety and code compliance services, while ensuring a safer community and enhancing the quality of life in Miramar “Serving Our Community” is our mission and partnering with our residents is our goal.

As your chief, I believe in the importance of developing future leaders that are dedicated, compassionate and will instill a culture that inspires the succession of excellence Leading with intention, providing a clarity of purpose that will motivate our team to carry out our mission is my goal. As we continue recruiting a whole new generation of police officers that reflect our community, rest assured that the future of this agency will continue our commitment of providing the best service to our residents and businesses. Together, along with your support, the Miramar Police Department will be the model for success, not only in South Florida but the nation

Continued blessings to you and your families,

Chief Leonard “Lenny” Burgess

CHIEF OF POLICE LEONARD “LENNY” BURGESS

MESSAGE FROM FIRE-RESCUE CHIEF

Safety, Strategic Planning, Fire Training, Marine Operations, Fire & Explosives Investigations, Officer Training and Labor Relations. His accomplished career began with the City of Hialeah in Miami Dade County serving for 28 years While in Miami Dade, he was instrumental in creating numerous life safety programs responsible for the reduction of fires, injuries, and property loss He served as President of The Florida Chief Officers of Miami-Dade Association and mentored many new Chief Officers In 2015 Chief Perez received the “Florida Fire Marshal of the Year” designation by the Florida Governor for his innovative and progressive leadership with the Miramar Fire Rescue Department, which he has been serving since 2014

As a Senior Fire Chief Officer, he has attained a wide breadth of knowledge in the administration and operation of municipal government Chief Perez holds a Master of Business Administration and Master of Human Resources Management from Columbia University, a bachelor ’ s degree in Leadership from St Thomas University and dual Associates in Fire Science and Nursing He is also a graduate of Florida International University Strategic Management Academy As a public administrator, his policies have

been accepted and are often benchmarked as the standard for the Fire industry by other municipalities and state agencies His experience includes the direction and management of all Hazard Urban Municipal Operations and Emergency Services delivery as well as strategic re-organization of processes and personnel, building construction, revenue enhancement, grants administration, and community service programs

Chief Perez holds numerous National and State certifications to include: NFPA Certified Fire Protection Specialist, Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator, Firefighter, Fire Marshal, Police firearms Instructor, Paramedic, Registered Nurse, Fire Service Instructor III, Certified General Contractor, Public Safety Dive Master Trainer. A lifelong martial artist he holds the rank of 7th degree black belt and the classifications of Judge and Referee for the World Karate Federation Chief Perez is also a member of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the Building Officials Association of Florida (BOAF), the Florida Fire Chiefs Association (FFCA), the Florida Fire Marshals Association, the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI), and the Fire Chiefs Association of Broward County (FCABC).

To the members of our great Miramar community, from the residents, businesses, and fellow City employees to the many visitors of our beautiful City, it is my distinct honor to have been given the opportunity to lead the dedicated men and women of Miramar Fire-Rescue

When I entered the fire service many years ago, I was told that being a firefighter allowed me a very special membership into a unique family A family of brave, compassionate, honorable, and fearless warriors that embodied the mantle of trust bestowed upon us by those we serve; a family that transcended localities and placed the safety of others ahead of their own wellbeing.

I have never forgotten these words and today, I stand at the ready, as part of this great Miramar family, dedicated and committed to the service and wellbeing of our great city It is my commitment to meet our community’s expectations through excellence in service and public safety. We will uphold the mission, vision, and value of the Miramar Fire-Rescue Department through duty, respect, and integrity

Our future is bright, and as an organization we are prepared for the path to come, a path

of choice and determination. Choosing to look forward with hope, compassion, and enthusiasm, determined to effect change for the betterment of our service.

Winston Churchill once said, “To improve is to change, to be perfect is to change often”

I thank you and look forward to our future together

Sincerely,

Chief Ray Perez Miramar Fire-Rescue Department

ABOUT OUR FIRE-RESCUE CHIEF, RAY PEREZ:

Chief Ray Perez is a highly accomplished and decorated leader of the fire service bringing a distinguished 37-year career to his appointment During his tenure, he has been awarded multiple lifesaving awards, distinguished service awards and administrative excellence awards He brings many technical skills to the position at Instructor rated level including Incident Command, EMS, Special Operations, Technical Rescue, Fire Suppression, HazMat, Health &

CHIEF RAY PEREZ, MIRAMAR FIRE-RESCUE DEPARTMENT

Chief Ray Perez and Chief Leonard “Lenny” Burgess at the City of Miramar Public Safety Swearing-in Ceremony

FATHER’S M.I.A. SPRING GALA

Highlights of the recent “Father ’s M I A Spring Gala” held on April 2, 2022 The Miramar Police Department has supported this organization for numerous years and was honored to have attended the event Fathers M I A supports fathers on their path from Missing In Action to becoming Motived, Involved, & Active Miramar Chief of Police, Leonard ‘Lenny’ Burgess was also in attendance

HAPPENINGS IN MIRAMAR

PUBLIC SAFETY PERSONNEL WORKING TOGETHER IN MIRAMAR

Newly appointed Miramar Police Chief Leonard “Lenny” Burgess and staff visit United Methodist Church’s preschool and food volunteers. The church prepares 50-60 boxes of donated food to help families in Miramar and nearby communities. Much of the food is donated by Farm Share, Florida’s homegrown food bank. Connecting with our community and understanding its needs is essential to providing the best ser vice to our residents and businesses.

APRIL

POOL’s DAY AT THE MIRAMAR REGIONAL PARK AQUATICS COMPLEX

Employee Recognitions and Commendations

Sergeant Jehud Presume received the “Joint Service Achievement Medal” from Special Operations Command South in support of the Joint Task Force - Haiti Sergeant Presume was deployed to Haiti after the catastrophe earthquake in August 2021 Sergeant Presume demonstrated exceptional leadership and selflessness. He utilized his fluency in Haitian Creole, along with his police training to develop rapport with the Haitian National Police, assisted in medical evacuations and the transportation of 113,200 pounds of relief supplies

Sergeant Presume’s generosity also led him to receiving the “Making a Difference Award” for his outstanding mentorship from the South Miami Chapter of Jack and Jill of America in February 2022. We are proud to have Sergeant Presume as a member of the Miramar Police Department

The City of Miramar is setting trends and breaking records around the Country! The team comprising Public Works, Police and Utilities Departments, was awarded with a record setting, five awards at the Smart Cities Connect Conference held in Columbus, Ohio recently for its continued progress of implementing Smart City technology to provide better services to the residents of the great City of Miramar.

The Miramar Police Department congratulates officers Michael Lee, Johanna Cabarcas and George Richardson, who graduated from Broward College’s Institute of Public Safety on March 30, 2022

SERGEANT JEHUD PRESUME

2022 Event Dates

Sports Circuit at Ansin Sports Complex

T h e N o v a S o u t h e a s t e r n Tr a c k & F i e l d t e a m b e g a n i t s 2 0 2 2 s e a s o n o n S a t u r d a y e v e n i n g f r o m t h e A n s i n S p o r t s C o m p l e x T h e S h a r k s c o mp e t e d a g a i n s t F l o r i d a Te c h , Ly n n , Embry-Riddle, St Thomas (Fla ), and F lorida College

It was a tremendous start to our season, we had Aaron Weimer, Ivanova Yanes and Eden Toal setting numerous records,” said Head Coach Bryan Hagopian “We started our season with a win, busting the ‘rust off our spikes’ and we’re ready to rock-and-roll I’m excited to see what the future has in store for our team.”

Christina Adams was the first Shark to finish, placing second, in the 1500 A dams completed the race w ith a time of 5:11 32

Julie Bruggner (5th/5:23 61), Leah Marville (6th/5:24.42), Caitlyn Rogers (7th/5:24.91) and Ta y l a r S h e r m a n (10th/5:44 12) all added top-10 finis hes for N ova Southeastern

In the 800-run, Tessa Grotzinger (6th/2:41 26) and Lauren Breski (9/2:51.54) earned top-10 finishes for Nova Southeastern Holden Decker placed sixth in men’s 800-run with a time of 2:02 87

The Sharks absolutely dominated the 3000, with Ivanova Yanes taking the victory in 10:33.72. Following behind the

two-time Sunshine State Conference

First-Teamer was Eden Toal (10:36.67), Kamila Soja (3rd/10:44/15), and Corinne Renshaw (4th/10:49 74) Maya Espinosa (fifth), Isabella Aristizabal (sixth), and Lia Smerina (tenth) also raced well in the 3000-meter

Aaron Weimer and Joseph Salerno placed first and second, respectively in the 3000-run on the men’s side, with Weimer finishing in 8:46 31 and Salerno placing in second with a time of 8:48 98

THE BAHAMIAN AND BERMUDAN ATHLETES PUT ON A SHOW!

There were a few special guests in attendance at the Speed Capital South Florida Invitational; NACAC President Mike Sands (Bahamas), Bermuda Track & Field President Dr Freddie Evans and Former City Manager for the City of Miramar Vernon Hargreaves celebrated as Ansin Sports Complex was named the official home for Speed Capital South Florida

Over 150 athletes from the Bahamas and Bermuda took advantage of the opportunity to compete for qualifying marks at the CARIFTA games in April of this year

The Elite 16 Track & Field Invitational Hosted by St. Thomas Aquinas

Over 40 State of Florida High Schools

Track & Field Programs attended this year ’s event

Who are Miramar Code Compliance Officers?

CONTRIBUTED BY DUVARD FRANCOIS Code Compliance Supervisor

Our Mission is to promote and maintain a safe and desirable living and working environment We help maintain and improve the quality of life of our community by administering a fair and unbiased enforcement program to correct violations of municipal codes and land use requirements

We also work with residents, neighborhood associations, public service agencies, and other city departments to facilitate voluntary compliance with city laws and codes We empower community self-help programs, develop public outreach programs, and establishes community priorities for enforcement programs

We are truly a dedicated group of men and women who work regularly hard everyday day to address, solve and maintain quality of life issues to keep our beautiful City of Miramar safe We support and enhance quality of life When the City Commission adopts ordinances and regu-

lations that take into consideration the safety and the well-being of the public, we have the duty to enforce these rules because they are essentials to the safety and

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healthy living and working condition for

our community

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954-764-4357

• General Information: 954-602-4000

• Miramar Helpline: 954-602-HELP

• Code Compliance: 954-602-3174

• Criminal Investigations Division: 954-602-4120

• Human Resources: 954-602-3800

• Internal Affairs: 954-602-3843

• Property & Evidence: 954-602-4140

• Public Affairs: 954-602-4351

• Records Unit: 954-602-4300

• Victims Services Unit: 954-602-4130 FIRE

911

954-764-4357

954-602-HELP

Over the years, the professionalism and approach of our Code Compliance Officers have shaped our community for the better good. Our knowledge and expertise in city ordinances and our relationship with our residents, business owners, and civic associations are the fundamentals glues that cement and connect us to all the departments within our beautiful city Code Compliance Officers play a vital role in our community by impacting the property values and the image of our community while working to keep old building, homes and properties from becoming a blight factor

During Covid-19, we all have seen and witnessing significant transition and expansion roles of Miramar Code Compliance Officers It was unprecedented, but our Code Compliance Officers have gladly accepted their new roles, new challenges and they have succeeded beyond expectations by working extended hours to keep our city safe and beautiful

November 1, 2021 saw the implementation of the new Miramar Code Compliance software This new software, with its module suite, is designed for Code Compliance and is specially tailored to meet the needs of our residents, Officers and Management

As our City continues to grow and evolve, so too has the role of the Code Compliance Division This new software is customer facing and interactive The system allows residents to log complaints online and get responses in real time Officers get these complaints/concerns and investigate while on patrol The Officer is able to respond to the address and evaluate the validity of the complaint Should violations of the City’s ordinances exist, they can initiate a case on the spot Photos are taken, uploaded and a notice generated.

Our residents are also now equipped to self-help themselves Residents, Officers, Employees, or anyone with an internet connection can now access Miramar ’s Code System and log a complaint, track a complaint or research the case history of any property within City limits

This new software is the easiest, least complicated, yet most comprehensive tool the Code Compliance Division has ever employed

The 21st Century has been called the era of science and technology and now with the implementation of the new software, we are now fully equipped, more effective and efficient in meeting the growing demands and challenges to come

Utilities Department School Tour

The City of Miramar Utilities staff headed by Director, Francois Domond, presented career opportunities and information in the Water and Wastewater industr y to graduating students from Miramar High School.

Women Who Handle Their Finances

CONTRIBUTED BY SUSAN GOODING-LIBURD Chief Financial Officer, Office of the City Manager MBA, CPA, CGFO

More women are bringing home the bacon than ever before According to a new report from the Center for American Progress, 42% of mothers were the sole or primary family earners last year An additional 22 4% were co-earners, meaning that they were responsible for 25% to 49% of total family earnings

Speaking with single mothers and a few of my successful sisters, they have shared that they are the main contributor to their household, and they are also interested in learning how to make their money go further In today’s society, these women are called breadwinners A breadwinner is bringing in most of the income in the household According to a recent article “Clever Girl Finance” published in January, women breadwinners are on the rise, and many women say they earn more than their spouses

Women should be proud that they can support their families and provide financial stability while they continue to climb the ladder of success It is important that women understand money management in today’s society, because women are more likely to outlive their partners So, managing your money and increasing your financial I Q goes a long way to make you be-

come financially independent

Understanding that money is a tool to be used will help you as a woman to make good financial decisions Set financial goals to avoid falling into bad habit traps Change your bad money habits to be in a better position to achieve financial success There is nothing wrong with acknowledging that you don’t know it all Breaking and changing your bad habits is not easy However, if you break a bad habit, you must replace it with a good habit to avoid going back to the bad habit

Seek good and sound financial advice, continue to learn, join a group that can help you get to your financial goals, (i e , an investment club) It is best to think long-term regarding your wealth and financial independence Don’t let unplanned events derail you from your financial goals, always keep them in the fore front of your mind when spending money Financial security can give you the peace of mind needed to live life on your own terms

FIVE TIPS TO BUILDING WEALTH:

• Pay yourself first. Become financially selfish – the first hour of your salary belongs to you.

• Control your expenses (live within your means - Budget both your income and your expenses). Make your money multiply.

• Protect your money from losses (reduce risk by diversifying)

• Increase your ability to earn

I am cheering you on my fearless, festive, fabulous, and financially independent sisters I believe in you!

Economic Business and Development is now Economic Development and Revitalization Department

T h e C i t y o f M i r a m a r ’s E c o n o m i c D evelopment and Revitalization Department f o r m e r l y k n o w n a s E c o n o m i c B u s i n e s s and Development went to Miami, April 12 through April 13th, as a sponsor and part i c i p a n t a t t h e U . S . C a r i b b e a n B u s i n e s s Conference 2022 hosted by South Florida District Export Council

Since the city is home to several major c o m p a n i e s w h i c h o p e r a t e g l o b a l l y, t h i s was a great opportunity to welcome future b u s i n e s s e s t o e x p l o r e M i r a m a r a s t h e i r city of choice to do business. We recently had the opportunity of engaging with over 1,500 business, trade experts and several leaders around the globe as we attended the 6th Annual Florida International Trade and Cultural Expo, also known as FITCE

N o v e m b e r 2 0 2 1 i n B r o w a r d C o u n t y, Florida as we displayed what we have to offer in their exhibit hall

The event was such a huge success the department continues to sponsor and disp l a y o u r p r o g r a m s a n d s e r v i c e s d i r e c t l y related to foreign direct investment Not to mention with plenty of land developed to bring in foreign direct investment and expand foreign trade zones for headquart e r s , m a n u f a c t u r i n g a n d t o a l l o w b u s inesses that can enter the U S market, has t h e d e p a r t m e n t e a g e r t o n e t w o r k w i t h other industry professionals and business l e a d e r s i n r e g i o n s a n d a r e a s a c r o s s t h e g l o b e i n h o p e s m e e t i n g n e w d e c i s i o n makers and our raise brand awareness as an All-America City

Mayor Wayne Messam with Mayor Of Accra, Ghana

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

Our Employee Spotlight features Mr. Adam Burden, who has been appointed as Assistant City Manager with responsibility for Public Safety and Emergency Management

Mr Burden has over 34 years of law enforcement, emergency management, security, and educational experience He started his career with the City of Miami in 1987, covering investigations, patrol operations, internal affairs, information/ technology, budget/finance, human resources, and planning/research He later retired as an Assistant Chief of Police for the City of Miami

His experience includes work as an Adjunct Professor, preparing students for careers in management While working for the largest

private security company in the United States, he headed its Miami division as the Director of Operations He also held leadership roles in the City of Opa Locka, as a Deputy Chief of Police, in the City of North Miami, as a Special Assistant to the City Manager, and in the City of North Miami Beach as a Senior Advisor to the City Manager

Mr Burden holds a Bachelor’s in Liberal Arts from Barry University and a Master’s in Management from St Thomas University and graduated from the Southern Police Institute 95th Administrative Officers Course He brings to the City of Miramar, a wealth of experience and knowledge in Public Safety and Emergency Management

ACM Burden, along with Fire-Rescue and Police personnel were present at the recent public safety day presented to preschoolers at the Miramar United Pre-School where fire safety, related careers and positive law enforcement interactions

were taught to the children at the school While speaking with Miramar News about his new role, ACM Burden was excited to share some of his vision with us and had this to say:

“I am truly honored to have been given the opportunity to oversee Public Safety in my hometown, Miramar I bring over 35 years of experience in this field to Miramar Moving forward the plan is for both Fire and Police to work in tandem in our delivery of service Citizens should expect from both departments, increased community engagement, access and greater accountability I believe community involvement in Public Safety is vital for achieving our goals of community safety ”

We welcome ACM Burden and look forward to the continued partnership of our Public Safety departments

Public Safety Partnership at the Miramar United Church Pre-School

ADAM BURDEN ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER - PUBLIC SAFETY AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT