Miramar News | November - December 2020

November - December 2020

MIRAMAR REMEMBERS CITY EMPLOYEES LOST DURING THE PANDEMIC During this unprecedented year, the City of Miramar has lost 3 hard-working and dedicated employees who will be missed tremendously. Our hearts and prayers continue to be with their loved ones and colleagues left behind.

John Kee, Parks and Recreation Administrator

Crystal Braddy, Customer Service Specialist with Engineering

Rolston Thomas, Public Works Maintenance employee within the Landscape Maintenance Program in Public Works

In City Government

WHO’S WHO

CITY OF MIRAMAR OFFICIALS

Mayor Wayne M. Messam

Vice Mayor Maxwell B. Chambers

Commissioner Winston F. Barnes

Commissioner Yvette Colbourne

Commissioner Alexandra P. Davis

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November - December 2020

MESSAGE FROM THE CITY MANAGER Hello Miramar Family, As a community, we have been through some challenging times over the past few months. The COVID pandemic has caused us all to stop in our tracks and take stock of what really matters in our lives.

Thanks to you, our loyal residents and business owners, we are getting through this together, one day at a time.

Through your resilience and dedication, I am pleased that we are pulling through as One Miramar – each day we celebrate the multicultural diversity, drive and community spirit that bond us together.

Together, our pride, passion and energy propel us forward to build communities across a city we are proud to call home.

As part of One Miramar, we have created a web page at MiramarFL.gov/OneMiramar where you can make your suggestions and

provide ideas on how to improve our community.

You will get regular updates on all the projects and infrastructure improvements taking place in Historic Miramar out east.

You’ll learn about what has been completed, what’s in the works and what’s on the horizon.

For those who have been struggling to make ends meet, my team at the City has also been working hard to ensure that programs that provide mortgage and rental assistance are easily and readily available to you.

Remember we are One Miramar – we stand strong together with the continued determination to build a cohesive community built on mutual trust and respect.

We are One Miramar strong!

Stay safe and healthy.

REMEMBERING A TRUE VISIONARY- ED ANSIN MARCH 9, 1936 - JULY 26, 2020 The City of Miramar celebrates the life of Ed Ansin.

Ed was the proud owner of WSVN Channel 7 and was a bold pioneer and trailblazer in the TV News landscape.

On November 28, 2018, the Miramar City Commission issued a Proclamation and gave Ed keys to the City, dedicating the day as Ed Ansin Day. In the 1980s, Ed envisioned a potential market for a Commerce Park at the Miami-Dade and Broward County line. He spearheaded efforts to construct and plan a business park and worked with the City to re-zone property for what would later become Sunbeam Properties’ Miramar Park of Commerce- a business park sitting on 580 acres, over 5 million square feet of office and industrial space. The Miramar Park of Commerce is now South Florida’s largest commerce park hosting

over 170 companies.

Ed had the foresight to recognize Miramar’s ability to be attractive for business because of its strategic location among international airports and seaports and its central location to Miami-Dade and Broward County.

As the largest private land owner in the City, Mr. Ansin’s leadership and support was integral to the City’s creation of the Miramar Water and Wastewater Infrastructure and Assessment Program in the early 1990s, which was considered innovative for its time and allowed the City to fund and construct state of the art water and wastewater facilities and transmissions lines through the use of developer contributions. This then resulted in the development of central and west Miramar.

Ed lent his name to the Ansin Sports Complex, the City’s premiere track and field venue, as well as the Miramar Cultural Center’s Ansin Family Art Gallery- which provides access to great works of art to the community for free.

His lifelong contribution to philanthropy was seen through his unwavering support of organizations such as the United Way, the Red Cross, AntiDefamation League, Habitat for Humanity, Feeding South Florida Boys and Girls Club and Best

Buddies.

City of Miramar employees and residents have benefitted from the success of the Ansin Family making Miramar a premiere destination.

Ed made a long-lasting commitment and dedication to enriching our community through the ongoing growth and development of the beautiful city of Miramar.

Ed’s contribution to the growth of the City of Miramar is unmistakable. He left his mark on all of us and on our beautiful city.

The City of Miramar owes a debt of gratitude to Ed Ansin and was honored to work alongside such a kind, caring and giving pioneer.

Ed will be greatly missed by his Miramar family.

Miramar News is produced by the City of Miramar’s Office of Marketing & Communications

November - December 2020

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MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR Wayne M. Messam

My Fellow Miramarians, Hoping everyone is doing well and staying safe. These are still trying times and we must do our best to protect ourselves and our neighbors while finding a way to continue safely moving forward both personally and professionally. The same holds true for us in Miramar - we take the safety of our employees and residents very seriously but we too must move forward.

As we enter into the first quarter of the new fiscal year, it is time to update you on the State of our City.

Our Virtual State of the City was held on Thursday, October 29th. As you are aware, it’s been a very different year for all of us and I was able to share behind the scenes steps the City had to take to adjust to the impact of COVID-19 including:

attending school it has not been without challenges in this virtual learning environment. This may be a new way of learning for our children but it also presents an economic challenge in accessing hi-speed internet. As a result, I have launched the Mayor Messam No Digital Divide Challenge. This partnership with Comcast provides internet access to families for $9.95 per month for 6 months. My goal is to support 100 families who may have to choose between paying rent or buying food and providing internet for their child to learn. If interested, please contact the Principal at your respective Title 1 School.

I am challenging Mayors from all Broward County cities to identify and support families who may be challenged in their respective cities. As a Miramar business or resident, if you would like to join me in sponsoring a family for a few months or make a donation, please contact my office at 954.602.3151 or send an email to me at wmessam@miramarfl.gov. It’s a truly worthwhile cause.

Yours in Service,

Panelists from the 2020 State of the City Address L to R: Mayor Messam, Leah Carpenter, CEO of Memorial Hospital West, Silvia Montalvan, Miramar Firefighter Paramedic and Major Shalida Smith, Code Compliance Manager with Miramar PD. Photo credit to Gregory Reed

• Our Economic Climate – Miramar remains a leader in corporate activity.

• Hear from actual COVID-19 survivors, here in our City.

• Resources provided to our residents and businesses.

You can watch a replay of this year's State of City on MiramarFL.gov/sotc.

As our children have begun

Wayne Messam Mayor

Earlier this year, Mayor Messam celebrated Mom’s with a drive-thru Mother’s Day event.

Photo credit: Greg Reed- Drive-thru graduation for High Schoolers at Miramar Regional Park

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November - December 2020

MESSAGE FROM THE VICE MAYOR Maxwell B. Chambers My Fellow Residents, What a year 2020 has been!

In one moment, we were going about our lives as usual and then the next we are faced with a deadly pandemic that has brought hardship to millions of hardworking individuals, families and businesses throughout the world. As Vice Mayor of Miramar, safeguarding your health and well-being is one of my highest priorities. Allow me to share information on programs that are available that can help to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19: Food Distribution: Weeks passed after the onset of this pandemic, families who were out of work and without a paycheck sought help. Early March of this year I began to hear from residents who were being impacted by COVID-19. In an effort to assist, I launched the first food distribution outreach that has led the way to what is now the largest distribution site in all of South Florida. Pastor David Range was gracious enough to allow us to use his church premises, at the Miramar United Methodist Church where we began distribution, serving almost 500 families.

It soon became evident that the need was greater than imagined and so we moved to a City owned facility at the Miramar Multi-Service Complex where we served over 2,000 families.

We soon outgrew this facility and we moved again to a much larger location, the Miramar Regional Park at 16801 Miramar Parkway, Miramar, Fl 33027. Every Thursday from 8 am to 10 am, food items may be picked up utilizing a no contact, drive-thru method. Currently we assist approximately 3,000 families per week from this location. In order to ease the pressure from those not able to make it to Miramar Regional Park, packages are distributed from two other sites.

Miramar United Methodist Church, 2507 Utopia Drive, Miramar, FL 33023, has a contactless, grab and go distribution system, where we serve 200250 families per week. Families are welcomed to pick up from 8:00 am to 10:00 am.

From Holiness Born Again Church, 6452 Pembroke Road, Miramar, FL 33023 we package and deliver to the sick, shut-in, elderly and those without transportation. A few walk-ins can be

accommodated. We assist another 200 families in this way, each week.

If you know anyone who meets these criteria and need to have food delivered to them, a friend, neighbor or family member, please call my office at 954-602-3154.

Mask Distribution: As the pandemic progressed and we learned more about COVID-19, I became especially concerned about our seniors. To protect them, I began mask distributions in April 2020.

However, at that time, masks were very hard to find. To combat the shortage, I began an operation to manufacture cloth masks. Residents have been able to pick up masks at various locations throughout Miramar. In addition, residents who didn’t have transportation were invited to text requests to cellphone number 954-604-9912.

Masks were either delivered or mailed to them. As your Vice Mayor, I implore you to protect yourselves and others. If you are a Miramar resident and in need of masks, please call my office at 954-602-3154 or text MASK and your address to 954-604-9912.

Drive-up COVID-19 Testing Site: A few months ago, no one could have imagined how the entire world would be thrown into turmoil by this new virus. As I reflected on the progress science made and the lessons we have had to learn to deal with it, I made a commitment to do all I can to help to save lives.

Recently I partnered with Homesafe1st to offer anyone who wishes to get tested, a convenient and free, supervised, self-administered saliva test with a 24 hour turn around on results. This type of testing is kid friendly as it is painless and easy for children.

The mission of Homesafe1st is to save lives by isolating and eliminating the coronavirus. They are an emergency management and awareness solution that specialize in connecting resources to underserved communities. As someone who has experienced COVID-19, this partnership is very important and fully aligned with my goal to keep our communities safe, especially the residents of Miramar.

The efficient testing and public safety solution from Homesafe1st handles awareness, pre-registration, appointment setting, antibody & PCR testing, delivery of lab results, patient follow ups, and contact tracing.

We must not let our guard down.

Testing is essential to help control the spread of this virus. The Homesafe1st program works relentlessly to support and empower communities served.

Homesafe1st not only administers the test but follows each case to recovery.

Individuals understand that they are not helpless and will not be alone after a positive test and those that are negative are given valuable information to continue to protect themselves and others. Homesafe1st recognizes that the single most important intervention for breaking chains of transmission is contact tracing and quarantining, so these activities are an integral part of the program.

Through partnership with Amazon, Homesafe1st utilizes a cloud-based call center in a 24/7 operations with HIPAA and Johns Hopkins Contract Trace certified agents.

Registration is easy. In order to expedite your testing please preregis-

ter at homesafe1st.com/covid or by calling 800-935-9505, or scan the QR code below for easy access to the registration portal.

DO NOT CONSUME FOOD OR CHEW TOBACCO 30 MINUTES PRIOR TO BEING TESTED. The test is FREE. There will be NO out of pocket cost to you; NO co-payment and NO deductible. However, under the CARES Act if you have health insurance, the government requires that you use it. Persons without insurance will be able to get the test done at NO cost (social security numbers are not required).

If we are ever to eradicate this virus, it is essential that everyone has access to COVID-19 testing. Through a special arrangement with a nonprofit organization, persons out of immigration status can be tested at this site at no cost to them and without ID.

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Continued from previous page __________________________ MASH and EMAP Programs Financial Assistance for Electric, Water, Gas and Rent Payments: When I first assumed Office, The City of Miramar had a great program called MASH which assists seniors with their electric, water, gas and rent payments.

However, I find that persons under 60 also need a similar program given the current challenges. For this reason and at my request, EMAP was created to assist residents 59 and younger. Last year the programs were allotted $30,000 each (total of $60,000) with funds transferrable from one program to the other as the need arises. For fiscal year 2021, I requested increased funding for these programs. I am pleased to announce that Miramar residents will enjoy even greater benefits in this new fiscal year.

MASH – Miramar Assisting Seniors in their Homes provides financial assistance to qualifying households with at least one person aged 60 or older who is experiencing a crisis. MASH assists clients with a maximum benefit of $550 during each fiscal year. This includes electric, water and gas bills, as well as, rent payments. Households will qualify for one benefit (EMAP or MASH). Benefits cannot be combined.

EMAP – Emergency Miramar Assistance Program provides financial assistance to qualifying households with occupants 59 years old and younger, experiencing a crisis. EMAP assists clients with a maximum benefit of $550 during each fiscal year. This includes electric, water and gas bills, as well as, rent payments. Households will qualify for one benefit (EMAP or MASH). Benefits cannot be combined.

Miramar resident’s having trouble paying for rent, electric, water and gas please call my office at 954-602-3154 to find out if you qualify for assistance.

Resilience: Bouncing Back from COVID-19 To help residents and businesses bounce back from the effects of COVID-19, I will be introducing two programs: Telehealth Smartphones and Tablets Program: Your health and longevity are very important to me, so to empower and save lives, I am collaborating with EagleForce Health and Homesafe1st to bring smart phones or tablets with unlimited talk, text and data for 24 months to qualified patients (adults and children). To find out more about

this program, please call 954-6023154.

Back to Work, Back to School, Back to Life; A Program to Help Lessen Food Insecurity: With schools closed and some parents out of work, it has become more burdensome for some families to find meals for the kids at home. Providing fresh and healthy cooked meals that considers the special dietary and cultural needs of the recipients, can make a huge difference in the speed to economic recovery.

This program solves the issues of food insecurity and unemployment for many residents and can ease the burden on Miramar’s food industry due to loss of income. Our local restaurants and delivery services will be an integral part of this program. If you are a resident or business in Miramar, please call my office at 954-602-3154 to find out how this program can be beneficial to you.

Other Initiatives: Country Club Ranches Water Distribution System Improvement Project: I have been instrumental in providing potable drinking water to Country Club Ranches, designed to improve public health, enhance fire protection and provide safe and reliable drinking water to the community. The original plan was Phase 1, a public right-ofway. However, this was subsequently divided into three phases: Phase 1A, Phase 1B and Phase 1C. • Phase 1A is bounded by Old Miramar Parkway to the north, SW 137th Ave to the west, SW 41st Street to the south and SW 136th Ave to the east.

• Phase 1B (Bid Alternate) bounded

by Old Miramar Parkway to the north, SW 141st Ave to the west, SW 41st Street to the south and SW 139th Ave to the east.

• Phase 1C (Bid Alternate) is on Old Miramar Parkway, from SW 136th Ave to SW 124th Ave. We are currently in the process of advertising for prospective bidders which should be out on Demand Star

by October 28, 2020. The targeted start date is February/March 2021 Cost Estimates: • Phase 1A - Approximately $1.3 M • Phase 1B - Approximately $1.6 M • Phase 1C - Approximately $800K Budget for Project: • Fiscal year 2021 - $2.80 million

(this includes money from FY20) • Fiscal year 2022 - $1.0 million Goal for the next 3 years: • Complete Construction of Phases 1A, 1B, and 1C • Design Services only for Phases 2 and 3 (for private roads.) Easements will be required from residents to move forward with construction.

Traffic Calming Devices: Our roadways, especially within the inner communities, have been plagued by cars speeding all hours of the day and even faster at nights.

Sleeping residents are being disturbed by the overbearing noise of engines racing and the screeching sound of tires as drivers maneuver hand brake turns, leaving circular tire marks as evidence of their activities. I have visited developments such as Huntington in West Miramar and 68th Avenue in the East where residents are concerned about their safety and the anticipation of accidents.

I am pleased to announce that working with the City Manager, Miramar Police Department and Engineering Department, funds have been allocated to install traffic calming devices in areas that need it the most.

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Upcoming Events: Harvest Drive-Up for Miramar Schools, “Supporting Families Through COVID-19” – November 6th, City Hall from 2:00 pm – 5:00pm and November 7th, Miramar Multi-service Complex from 11:00am – 1:00pm and Sunset Lakes Community Center from 2:30pm to 3:30pm. Please contact your child’s school to be added to the list or call my office at 954-602-3154.

Max 1000 Turkey Drive-Thru Giveaway, November 21, City Hall, 9am – 1pm and Miramar Multiservice Complex, from 2:00pm – 5:00pm.

Please sign up on max1000turkeygiveaway.eventbrite.com or call my office at 954-602-3154.

Hispanics on the Move, November 22 – A drive-thru parade in celebration of the lives and contribution of Hispanics to the City of Miramar and beyond. Please call my office at 954602-3154 for further details.

“Everything starts with loving and caring for each other. Please remember I’m always here for you.”

- Vice Mayor Maxwell B. Chambers.

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MESSAGE FROM COMMISSIONER WINSTON BARNES

Greetings Miramarians!

The Coronavirus pandemic has brought a number of harsh realities to our city in particular and across the country in general. We have learnt that when tough times come around, a lot of people are impacted and our resi-

dents are no exception.

From that experience, we as a city have been able to assist many of our residents with our weekly food drive.

We have come to understand that persons of all socio-economic backgrounds are grateful for this assistance.

We therefore give our heartiest gratefulness to all who have facilitated the drive thus far, from the suppliers to the County which has offered funding to the incredible Miramar staffers and volunteers who have made this venture possible.

I will venture to say, after nearly seventeen years of serving as commissioner in our fair city, this has been one of the most gratifying undertaking I have ever been involved in.

Commissioner Winston F. Barnes.

November - December 2020

THE CITY OF MIRAMAR DESIGNATED A TREE CITY USA® COMMUNITY BY THE ARBOR DAY FOUNDATION The City of Miramar received national designation as a Tree City USA community from the non-profit Arbor Day Foundation for the 18th year. Tree City USA designation is the framework for a healthy, sustainable urban forestry program in the City.

Deputy City Manager Whittingham Gordon stated, “We are proud to have once again earned Tree City USA status. Trees improve the visual appeal of a neighborhood, increase property values and help clean the air – ultimately contributing to a sense of place and quality of life in Miramar.”

Trees enrich our lives in numerous ways by providing cooling shade, attracting wildlife and purifying our water. Additional benefits include reduction in energy costs, preventing soil erosion and stormwater management.

The Tree City USA Program has been greening up cities and towns

across the USA since 1976. It is a nationwide movement that provides the framework necessary for communities to manage and expand their public trees. More than 3,400 cities have made the commitment to becoming a Tree City USA. The City of Miramar achieved Tree City USA status by meeting four core standards of sound urban forestry management: maintaining a tree board or department, having a community tree ordinance, spending at least $2 per capita on urban forestry and celebrating Arbor Day. The Arbor Day Foundation is a nonprofit, environmental and educational organization of nearly one million members, with a mission to inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. More information on the Foundation and its programs can be found at www.arborday.org.

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MESSAGE FROM COMMISSIONER YVETTE COLBOURNE

During this Covid 19 Emergency, I hope that you are safe, healthy and optimistic. As a community, we must work together to ensure that you, our Seniors, continue to receive hot meals and daily nutrition, but most importantly, know that I am concerned for your

AWARDS Indian American Month Earlier this year, I commemorated Indian American Heritage by presenting a City of Miramar Proclamation to the Indian community.

Sajan Kurian, accepted the proclamation on behalf of South Florida Indian Community and also received a Community Service Award for his leadership in the Community. Mr. Kurian accepted the accolades at a brief presentation at the Gandhi Square in Davie, Florida.

In 2017, I sponsored a resolution designating the month of August as Indian American Heritage Month in the City of Miramar. The resolution was unanimously approved by the commission.

well-being and care.

Limited availability for the seniors. To be added to the list, please call the office of Commissioner Yvette Colbourne at 954.602.3143 or email ycolbourne@miramarfl.gov

Haitian Service Awards In recognition of National Haitian Heritage Month, France-Martine Alcena, Magaly Prezeau, & Myrtho C. Valcin were recognized as community leaders, and champions in the community.

Women History Month Frecia Hurtado, from Haven Lake Estate was recognized for Women's History Month and presented with an award.

Caribbean Heritage Awards In recognition of Caribbean American Heritage Month, I presented community service awards to Caribbean Community and Business Leaders.

Recipients of the Caribbean American Heritage Month Community Service Award were Michael D. Young from the Belize American Chamber of Commerce (Belize); Allauddin (Allan) Baksh of Alimir Real Estate Holdings LLC (Guyana); Yolanda Henry, founder of Miss Miami Broward Carnival Pageant (Trinidad); Elizabeth "Prisca" Allick with the Grenada Cultural & Civic Association of South Florida (Grenada); and Angel G. Crespo, Diana López and Cesar Moliné of CASA WEPA, a Puerto Rican Association.

Awards were presented in the City of Miramar during a short, but meaningful ceremony. Due to Covid-19, only those being recognized were present.

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November - December 2020

2020 marks the 19th anniversary of 9/11 Every year since that fateful day, the United States comes together to remember the fallen. We remember the first responders and those who made difficult decisions. We remember the thousands of lives lost as a result of the attack and the families, friends and communities impacted by this senseless act.

Together, with the world, the City of Miramar pays homage and will continue to remember.

9/11... we will never forget.

Miramar officials honoring all 911 heroes

November - December 2020

Hello, Miramar! COVID-19 has impacted many of us since March of this year and I am thankful to provide you updates from my office through our very own Miramar News. The positivity rate and number of deaths in our city continue to fluctuate. We must continue to wear our masks, social distance and practice proper hygiene.

March 7th-11th I attended the National League of Cities Conference in Woolley Park, Washington D.C. with my staff. The National League of Cities allows municipal leaders to participate in learning opportunities that help us excel as leaders and provides access to creative ideas and best practices that resolve our community challenges. We also attended scheduled meetings on Capitol Hill with our state congressional delegates such as Congressman Alcee Hastings, Senator Marco Rubio and FEMA. Some of the key priorities discussed were COVID-19 (coronavirus) relief, development of Historic Miramar, affordable housing and transportation infrastructure development.

Upon returning, the Governor declared Florida a State of Emergency.

I instructed the City Manager to institute a 90-day moratorium on all water lock-offs which was extended to December 31st, 2020 so that our residents would have access to water which is so essential to keeping us safe

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during this pandemic.

After seeing our community being reported as having the third highest Coronavirus cases in all of Broward County, I spoke with the City Manager regarding issuing an Emergency Order requiring facial coverings in the City of Miramar for patrons and employees of all grocery stores, restaurants, hardware stores and pharmacies to help curb the spread COVID-19. This resulted in the City’s first Emergency Order being implemented.

In April, while facing these very chal-

lenging times brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, I recognized the need in our community to lend a helping hand to our friends and neighbors.

It is with this in mind that I launched a Drop & Go initiative where residents that are unable to attend the weekly food distribution sites, either because they are elderly, disabled, have young children or have no mode of transportation, have food delivered to them.

Volunteers have been able to deliver to over 6,000 homes providing produce from organizations such as

Meeting with Congressman Alcee Hastings in Washington, D.C.

Commissioner Davis celebrating Haitian Heritage Month

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Feeding South Florida and Joshua’s Heart Foundation, Bravo Supermarket, Dollar Tree and CVS. We have 15 -20 volunteers who have heeded the call to assist their neighbors using their own vehicles to drop off groceries contactless. In addition to the grocery items, residents have been given masks to assist in keeping them safe. Deliveries are done on a bi-weekly rotation in order to assist as many as households as possible.

For the month of May, we celebrated Haitian Heritage Month focusing on the culinary flavors of Haiti. We supported three Haitian restaurants, feeding the community and exposing patrons to the Haitian cuisine. May 11th commenced our first drive-thru food pick up and I was so thrilled to see the multicultural exchange and the love through food.

Meanwhile, we hosted drive-thru graduations for four of our community schools; Everglades High School, Miramar High School, Somerset Academy and Miramarvels Preschool.

The joyful events brought smiles to their faces as we took social distancing precautions. Special thanks to Miramar High School Principal Ms. Formoso and Asst. Principal Mr. Francois for allowing us to congratulate our Miramar High School seniors ahead of their drive-thru graduation as they picked up their caps & gowns. Shoutouts to my legislative assistant Aura and Marie Woodson who helped as a sponsor. We were able to give 2020 graduation keepsakes to the seniors for a job well done in spite of the impact of COVID-19.

The month of June is recognized as Caribbean-American Heritage Month where the significant contributions of Caribbean-Americans to the fabric of our nation, along with the culture and vibrancy of a people, are highlighted and celebrated. In honor of such a month, the Caribbean Bar Association

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Celebrating Grace Smith's 100th birthday.

in collaboration with the City of Miramar, under the distinct patronage of myself, hosted “Meet the CaribbeanAmerican Candidates & Civic Leaders”, a virtual meet & greet on June 25th, 2020. The event was hosted by Judge Norman Hemming, who kept us “LOL” (Laughing Out Loud) all the while keeping attendees well engaged.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Miramar/Pembroke Pines Chamber of Commerce for bestowing upon me the prestigious Coceano Community Leadership Award 2020 at the Pinnacle Awards and Installation of Officers online event that was held on June 30th. I am humbled by this honor and I will endeavor to continue to find ways to serve our business community as was done with the Biz-Fit tours and workshops over the past year.

Early August, I had the pleasure of celebrating our resident centurion Grace Smith, on the eve of her 100th birthday. We’d like to thank her family for allowing us to celebrate her life with them.

I also had the honor along with my colleagues of accepting 3,000 masks donated to the City of Miramar by the Korean Community Empowerment (KCE). These masks have been distributed to both residents and businesses to ensure they are equipped with proper personal protective equipment (PPE).

August was also Jamaica’s 58th year of independence. This was celebrated with a Motorcade at the Sawgrass Mills Mall, which was in collaboration with the Jamaica Diaspora Council, powered by the Consul General of Jamaica, Oliver Mair. We enjoyed 5 miles of

proudly parading our heritage and culture.

The primary elections were held on Tuesday, August 18th and I would like to congratulate all those who won their perspective seats especially our very own Marie Woodson who has volunteered in many of my initiatives.

The City of Miramar accepted another donation of 3,000 masks from LGY enterprises, a woman owned company.

These masks have been distributed throughout the community.

I’d like to thank all the well-wishers and condolences expressed during the recent passing of my father, Ronald Davis who was an active participant in the Miramar Senior Center and Miramar Senior Daycare. Rest in Paradise, dad. To all those who have lost loved ones during this time, please accept my sincere condolences.

The Hispanic food, culture and music was alive on display as I hosted our first ever Hispanic Heritage Month DriveThru “Celebrating Latin Flavors”. I partnered with 3 local Latin eateries; La Carreta, Tribeca, and Bravo to treat the first 300 residents who RSVP’d to a FREE lunch. We enjoyed the delicious cuisines brought to this country by our Hispanic neighbors celebrating their heritage through food!

I am pleased to have proposed and established the City’s first Dog Park; grand opening on October 20th at the Miramar Regional Park. As the proud owner of a dachshund, I know what it means for our furry friends to simply have a place for them to mingle.

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.

Receiving mask donation from the team at the Korean Community Empowerment

Drive-thru Miramarvels VPK graduation at Regional Park.

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Miramar Cultural Center Presents Art on the Go Intriguing artwork on display for the community to enjoy

The City of Miramar invites the public to experience Art On The Go at the Miramar Cultural Center ArtsPark (MCC) located at 2400 Civic Center Place, Miramar, FL 33025 in homage to recent intriguing art installations which can be viewed, free of charge, by all at MCC. Visitors can stroll through the Ansin Family Gallery to view the LOVE POP exhibit which showcases the work of Eduardo Sanabria, also known as EDO, a Venezuelan artist who resides in Miami. Edo’s work is based on pop culture and he utilizes shapes and vibrant colors to create pieces that have a Latino and Caribbean flavor. The exhibit features his new series, Influencers 2020 as well as his work Todas Las Salsas, which is a tribute to all the Latinos who made this Caribbean music genre popular. The exhibit coincides with the month-long Hispanic Heritage Month celebration. The exhibit will be on display through December 15, 2020.

Additionally, renowned artists Ivan Roque, Jenny Perez, Jose Felix Perez and Nate Dee have created an epic set of murals for the Botanical Garden at MCC entitled WINDOWS TO OUR WORLD. The building’s architectural cathedral arches serve as the canvas for these talented artists. The four distinct pieces pay tribute to the array of cultures that have shaped the city's arts and culture landscape. The murals are the most intriguing artwork ever designed or created in this space at MCC. “We are beyond excited to showcase the unique talent of these artists,” stated Camasha Cevieux, Director of Cultural Affairs overseeing MCC. “The murals grace the arched wall-scape next to our botan-

ical garden and offer visitors the ability to reflect on their cultural heritage and those amongst our diverse community. They are truly Instagram-worthy,” she continued. “The artistic displays, which include the Love Pop exhibit by BB Musik, bring art to everyone in a beautiful, free public setting.”

The work depicted by the murals reflect the following themes: Hispanic Heritage Month- Artist Ivan Roque has created a piece that celebrates his Hispanic heritage. His natural compositions and color selections reflect his background.

Black History- Artist Jenny Perez celebrates Black History through her creation of lively expressionist figures and are both beautiful and colorful. Her work reflects her energy and excitement.

Earth Month: Artist Jose Felix Perez has created a richly textured mural of colorful vegetation loaded with gorgeous organic patterns.

Caribbean Heritage: Artist Nate Dee’s work combines figures, animals and nature. His work is very thought-provoking and is influenced heavily by his Haitian heritage.

The introspective murals can be viewed at MCC’s botanical garden, located between the Miramar Cultural Center and Miramar City Hall, offers waterfront views and is also home to the Vanishing View public art glass exhibition by Alison Sky. The Miramar Cultural Center ArtsPark serves a diverse and vibrant community within the City; and offers art exhibits that seek to inspire, educate and entertain guests.

To learn more, visit MiramarCulturalCenter.org.

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Congrats to the Graduating Class of 2020 Miramar High, Somerset Academy, Everglades High and Miramarvels VPK

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Thank You to our hard-working volunteers Weekly Feeding South Florida Food Distribution

The late John Kee, Reggie Williams, Rodney Best and Kelvin Baker volunteering at the Feeding South Florida Feeding event at Miramar Regional Park.

City staff including Fire and Police, after feeding thousands of families at the Feeding South Florida Food Distribution at Regional Park.

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Business Spotlights Chaffer- it has eight scoops of ice cream inside a stainless-steel chafing dish, topped with an avalanche of whipped cream, chocolate sauce, sprinkles and cherries.

Cleveland’s Old-Fashioned Ice-Cream 6933 Miramar Parkway Miramar, FL 33023 Phone: 754-888-9152 Open 11:30 a.m.-11:00 p.m.

Sun-Thurs 11:30 a.m.- Midnight Fri-Sat Cleveland Smith, former ice-cream maker at Jaxson's Ice Cream Parlor, has opened Cleveland's Old Fashion Ice Cream in east Miramar. Guests can enjoy over 48 ice-cream varieties which are made from scratch, including unique flavors like soursop fruit, grapenut, rum & raisin, Jamaican Easter bun and cheese, and sorrel.

The ice-cream shop also serves milkshakes, homemade fruit toppings and whipped cream. Cleveland’s has their own version of a Kitchen Sink, that Everest of ice cream on the menu at Jaxson’s called Cleveland’s

Spinalworx Chiropractic 16213 Miramar Parkway Miramar, FL 33028 Phone: 954-431-2366 Spinalworx is the Chiropractic office of Dr. Jill Westfall, a Chiropractic Physician with over 30 years of experience. Dr. Westfall has been a Chiropractor on Miramar Parkway for 18 years and has helped thousands regain their health and wellness with not only the therapies she provides but with the education

she gives to be sure every patient is thriving and improving their daily life both in and out of the office.

Dr. Westfall realized she wanted to be a Chiropractor when she started working for one while acquiring her undergraduate degree in Criminology and preparing to go to law school.

While working for a chiropractor began as a simple job, it soon opened her eyes to the incredible ways that individuals are not just helped but healed from experiencing excruciating pain in different areas of the body.

Dr. Westfall realized that her true calling was to relieve individuals’ pains and aid them in improving their quality of life particularly through Chiropractic care.

Dr. Westfall’s passion is helping others to discover ways to live a better more pain-free life so they can continue to do all the things they love and is evident every time she is with a patient. She prides herself in making patients feel as if they are part of the Spinalworx family as she designs individualized treatment plans to treat the specific needs of the patient. Whether a patient is experiencing pain or discomfort in the neck, back or even knees, wrist, shoulders or hips, Dr. Westfall can help with every joint in the body.

Spinalworx offers a wide range of services that include massage thera-

py, electrical muscle stimulation, ultrasound, disc decompression, hydrotherapy and of course spinal manipulation.

Food Fair Wholesale Fresh Market 6301 County Line Road, Miramar, Fl 33023 Ph: 954-505-4349 FoodFairMiramar.com Food Fair has a variety of international products catering to Miramar’s multicultural community with bulkbuying options for customers.

Shoppers will find a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, including organic options, in the large produce department. Food Fair’s seafood department provides shoppers with both fresh and frozen items. The store also has a selection of hot and prepared food options in the deli department, and its bakery department features fresh desserts and custom-order cakes.

LGY ENTERPRISES DONATES 3,000 MEDICAL LEVEL MASKS TO THE CITY OF MIRAMAR TO SUPPORT COVID-19 PREVENTION EFFORTS

The City of Miramar received a donation of 3,000 medical level masks from LGY Enterprises, LLC. The masks donated include 4 Ply Masks & 3D Masks which have 4 layers- one with melt-blown antibacterial non-woven fabric offering micro filtering up to 99% as well as NUT 95

Respirators which offer 5 layers of protection- 2 with melt-blown antibacterial non-woven fabric also offering micro filtering up to 99%.

Commissioner Yvette Colbourne stated, “We are so grateful for this generous donation from LGY Enterprises. These masks will go a long way in keeping our residents and frontline workers safe during this pandemic. We’ve seen that personal protective equipment, especially facial coverings, have been proven to slow the spread of the virus in communities like ours right here in Miramar.”

Luz Suarez and Gloria Suarez of LGY Enterprises presented the masks to Commissioner Yvette Colbourne, Commissioner Alexandra Davis and Vice Mayor Maxwell Chambers at Miramar City Hall. LGY

Enterprises, LLC (Lucy, Gloria & Yesenia) is a family women-owned business that offers exclusive distribution of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) in the USA and

Canada. Their products are imported from Vietnam and are fully registered and approved with FDA and NIOSH, CE certified and 510K certified.

Luz and Gloria Suarez presenting Commissioner Davis, Commissioner Colbourne and Vice Mayor Chambers with a donation of masks.

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City’s Chief Financial Officer

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THE MONEY LADY BLOG COVID-19 OPPORTUNITIES:

By Susan A. Gooding-Liburd, City's Chief Financial Officer

Okay! COVID-19 has sent our normalcy into a tailspin, to say the least.

It has caused me to re-think a few things that I had planned for 2020.

No more traveling (at least for 2 years) a no sweat, the borders to the places I want to visit are currently closed. Congregating in large crowds is no longer acceptable (no more than 10); it is now recommended to tele-commute from home or other places. Family gatherings are held to a minimum now that we are practicing social distancing. Most of our days are now spent communicating through our computers or phones. Distance learning, new businesses, and social media presence have moved us all into the future.

This may be the best times for some, or it may be the worst of times for others. Nonetheless, this is the times we are in, so make the most of it: New opportunities to launch a business, read a book, learn a new language, take a course, update your skills, meditate, or motivate oneself.

I love this quote “Live in the moment”. All good things await the person who is willing to think outside the box and be flexible. If you were one of the unfortunate ones to be laid off or even terminated, see it as an opportunity to emerge new. This is a perfect time to re-evaluate yourself and be prepared for the future.

Something big is going to happen; it is proven that every economic downturn is followed by economic recovery/boom, so do not just sit on the sidelines, and wait for someone else to help you. You must help yourself!

Do not look back five years from

now and wish you had done something different; plan now so that you will have no regrets. Get ready for the opportunities that will be presenting themselves, whether in investing (stock, bonds, real estate, commodities, etc.), getting your credit right, learning a new skill, starting a business, or re-evaluating your 2020 goals. Your new future awaits you now, stop delaying.

Invest in your future by investing in the stock market, real estate, or a business. Examples use your: a. Pre-tax $ - 401K-from employer b. Post tax $ - Roth IRA c. Financial Market (brokerage account) How can I build wealth or how can I leverage my money? Learn how to make money with money. Keep only your emergency funds at the bank.

Put your money in assets that will build wealth for you.

Here’s what you can do. Get educated on investing in stocks.

Investing in stocks is owning a piece of the company that you buy from every day.

You are putting your money in the pockets of the companies you buy from every day, why not own a piece of the Company so that when they profit you can enjoy a piece of the profit too. You pay for the nice houses they live in and the expensive cars they drive, so why not get a benefit too? If the stocks go up, you also benefit. There are many online tools that can help you get started or you can open a brokerage account. One comment I will share with you is to invest no

more than 10 percent of your portfolio in one company stocks. As you develop your investment portfolio, remember to invest at the level of risk you are most comfortable.

Getting your credit right so you can benefit from this crisis is a must.

There are no reasons why if your credit is not where you want it to be you are not actively seeking to know how to improve it. You must know your credit score and understand what is impacting it. If you don’t fix it, it will cost you more money. Six things that impact your credit score: 1. Timely payment (payment history) 2. Utilization of credit 3. Derogatory mark 4. Age of history 5. Total Accounts 6. Credit inquiries Due date: Making a minimum payment required on any previous outstanding balance on the credit card.

Statement date: Two dates are of importance: statement end date and the statement begin date.

Pay off your credit card before the due day. Spend after the statement end date; doing this will buy you some time. Do not default on your payment - you can even pay off the card before it is due. Keep your utilization low. Doing those two things will improve your credit score.

Learn a new skill. What new skill can I learn to improve my value in the market now? What language would I like to learn that would add value to the marketplace? What skills can I improve that would help me solve a

problem?

Start a Business: You do not need a lot of money. Start with what you know. Offering a service is the easiest way to start. Focus on the customer; go above and beyond in providing the service. It is so much easier to make money today than in the past. Be ready to persevere, keep improving on your services. If you can add value to the market place, the market place will reward you for it. Solve a problem! If you can solve a problem for your customers, they will reward you for it.

Re-evaluate your 2020 goals.

Am I on track with my goal(s)? If not re-assess them or change things around. If you did not set any goals at the beginning of the year, it is not too late. You have four months remaining in 2020. Set a few shortterm goals that you can accomplish by the end of the year.

If you don’t plan for your future, then you are planning to fail. There are short-term goals and long-term goals. Use your short-term goals to move you forward to your long-term goals and create the ultimate successful life. You can use the SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant/realistic, Time based) method to achieve any goal in your life.

Do not let what you have done in the past define your present or future. The past no longer matters.

Now is the time to change the results you are getting into an awesome and prosperous life filled with abundance. You are to come out of this pandemic better than you went in.

Be healthy and stay safe!

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MESSAGE FROM MIRAMAR FIRE RESCUE October was Fire Prevention Month. Since 1922, the National Fire Protection Association has sponsored the public observance of Fire Prevention Week, making it the longest-running public health observance in our country. During Fire Prevention Week, children, adults, and teachers learn how to stay safe in case of a fire. Fire Prevention Week is observed each year during the week of October 9th in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire, which began on October 8, 1871, causing devastating damage.

Throughout the month Miramar Fire-Rescue appealed to children, adults, and teachers to learn how to stay safe in case of a fire. This year’s Fire Prevention Week theme, “Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen!”, was all about inspiring and empowering children and adults to mitigate hazards in the kitchen by learning how to spot dangers, reduce risks, and respond in the event of an emergency.

Did you know that each year cooking and especially unattended cooking is the leading cause of home fires and fire injuries and 80% - 90% of households have some type of cooking appliance? There is an average of 173,200 incidents reported in the US annually.

This year’s pandemic has a lot of families cooking at home and staying home for most of their activities, so not only understanding when and where fires happen but understanding how to prevent them is key.

There are some easy to but essential tips for preventing a fire or related injury in the kitchen: • Never leave your cooking food

unattended.

• Set a timer to remind yourself that you have food cooking if it is in the oven.

• Keep a lid nearby in case something that is greasy where to catch on fire.

• Keep your cooking area clear of clutter.

• Keep the kids a safe distance away to avoid burns, scalds or spills.

In a typical home fire, you could have as little as one to two minutes to escape safely from the time the smoke alarm sounds, so beyond knowing how to prevent a fire, having a good escape plan and practicing can help you and your family make the most of the time you have.

Here are some essential tips to help you create a home escape plan: • Draw a layout of your home and choose two exits from each room (i.e.: door and window). Draw a path from each exit to the outside of your home.

• Make sure someone will help children, older adults and people with disabilities get out to safety.

• Teach children in the household how to escape on their own in case an adult cannot help them.

• Choose a meeting place away from your home where everyone can meet upon exiting.

• Once safely outside call 911, make sure everyone knows how to call 911.

Not only is it important to make a fire escape plan, but also to practice it.

As always, stay safe and practice your everyday preventative measures when you head out and about.

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THANK YOU TO OUR HOMETOWN HEROES Tony’s Unique Upholstery- made 200 reusable masks that were donated to Miramar seniors.

Tony's Unique Upholstering Upholstery shop in Miramar, Florida Address: 2122 SW 60th Terrace, Miramar, FL 33023 Phone: (954) 963-6886

CITY EMPLOYEE HIGHLIGHT ERIC FRANCOIS, SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER- UTILITIES DEPARTMENT The Utilities Department is pleased to recognize Eric Francois, Senior Project Manager in the Utilities Department at the City of Miramar.

Eric Francois started as an Engineering Inspector with the City of Miramar in December 2007. In 2017 he was promoted to the position of Project Manager and most recently to Senior Project Manager. Eric is in charge of managing the Utilities Department’s flagship projects such as the East Water Treatment Plant conversion from lime softening to nanofiltration facility, the addition of 2.5 MGD capacity to the City’s reclaimed water system at its Wastewater Reclamation Facility (WWRF) and the 30-inch reclaimed water pipeline across I-75 and into Dykes Road, and the Historic Miramar Infrastructure Projects Phases I through III. Prior to his stint with the City, he worked for the US Precast Corporation as a Design Engineer. He graduated in 1998 from Florida International University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Eric has handled one of the most challenging neighborhood projects implemented by the City which impacted over 900 home and business owners. He has shown not only his managerial skills in handling the project to keep it on track but also in dealing with residents who come to him for every conceivable issue related to the project. He has gone above and beyond his call of duty in handling residents’ concerns even during this pandemic period.

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YOUR CITY IS HERE FOR YOU

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YOUR CITY IS HERE FOR YOU

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MIRAMAR FIRE-RESCUE RECEIVES $5,000 CERT GRANT FROM VOLUNTEER FLORIDA TO SUPPORT DISASTER RESILIENCY IN MIRAMAR The City of Miramar announced that $5,000 in funding has been received from Volunteer Florida for its Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) and Citizen Corps programs.

CERT and Citizen Corps are training programs that prepare Floridians to help their families and neighbors in the event of a disaster in their community. Volunteer Florida administers funding for these programs in partnership with the Florida Division of Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management

Agency.

Miramar Fire-Rescue Chief Robert Palmer stated, “The volunteers in our community reinforce the work of emergency management officials and play a key role in taking action when disaster strikes. We are pleased to report that many of our residents have become trained through the CERT and Citizen Corps programs as a result of this funding.”

For more information on Miramar’s CERT and Citizen Corps program, visit MiramarFD.org.

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AN ARMY OF MOGS FROM THE MIRAMAR COMMUNITY GARDEN MOBILIZE TO GIVE BACK! Miramar Community Garden members, affectionally called MOGs (Members Of Garden), demonstrate their resilience by continuing to give back to the community despite the temporary closure of the Garden grounds due to social distancing safety measures. During its ten-year tenure, the Garden program has cultivated civic engagement where members volunteer their time and knowledge to empower the community with know-how on the ability to grow their own nutritious fruits and vegetables.

September marks the beginning of the new planting season and Garden

members mobilize by growing seedlings at home to later bring to the Garden. Just imagine, an army of MOGs growing seedlings at home… it’s a force multiplier! The seedlings will also be used at giveaways where the community will be able to receive healthy organic baby plants and education on how to grow at home. To stay up to date with the fearless MOGs, learn about upcoming seedling giveaways and other Miramar Community Garden updates, please follow us at facebook.com/MiramarCommunityGa rden/

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