Inside Miramar / Pembroke Pines (Nov-Dec 2022)

Ask Mayor Wayne M. Messam

How did Miramar grow to become a Cultural Destination for Residents & Visitors?

When I was elected Mayor in 2015, Miramar was a quiet bedroom community. Fast forward 7 years, we now have 40 active and passive parks, the Ansin Sports Complex, an Amphitheater and Skate Park at the Regional Park, a Bandshell at Shirley Branca Park, a Paw Central Dog Park and we are working on building 4 pickle ball courts!

Miramar now attracts regional and international guests to some of the best local and international concerts, festivals and social events in South Florida. The Miramar Cultural Center attracts world-class performers from all over the world and in 2023, the community can look forward to R&B Group, Boyz II Men on February 3rd, On Your Feet! The Story of Emilio & Gloria Estefan on March 10th and 11th and the legendary Jamaican Dancehall Artist, Shabba Ranks on May 12th. The City also hosts several FREE family-friendly events year-round.

In addition to support for businesses, the City of Miramar has incentives for individuals to purchase homes in our city. We work to continue to meet the needs of our residents and businesses who want to move to and grow in Miramar. The City offers various assistance programs including a First-Time Homebuyer Program that provides down payment and closing cost assistance based on income, as well as a Rental Assistance Program that helps eligible households with upfront deposits and utility connection start-up costs.

What is the job market like post pandemic in Miramar?

The City of Miramar provides a wealth of support services to recruit and retain businesses and, as a result, we have created thousands of high paying jobs. Miramar is the 13th largest city in Florida and the 4th largest in Broward. Since 2015, we’ve processed over 208,000 inspections to build over 65,000 units, and we are working on improving our response rate. Our number one goal for our business community is to attract, retain and help companies grow. Also since 2015, there has been over $377M in capital investment, over 2 million square feet of space added equating to about $800,000 in industrial and retail space and over $400,000 in office space, with an occupancy rate of 90%.

When I was elected Mayor in 2015, the unemployment rate was 4.9%. In 2022 it is 2.4% which is among the lowest in the nation and the lowest since 2007. We partnered with the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance and 4 years ago they named Miramar the Economic Development Partner of the Year. Our priority is to partner with developers to build on our footprint, infrastructure, and housing for companies in Miramar to attract high paying jobs and build a pipeline of talent moving into the City. Our residents can benefit from a partnership we have with Broward College’s Broward UP program that provides FREE workforce training and student support services online and directly in Historic Miramar. Our ultimate goal is to help our residents and businesses to thrive in Miramar.

See you there, Mayor Wayne M. Messam, CGC, LEED AP, BD+C

How has Miramar become a major economic player to help local businesses?

MAYOR WAYNE MESSAM 4 Ask The Mayor.

COMMISSIONER ALEXANDRA P. DAVIS / MIRAMAR 7 Comings and Goings with Commissioner Alexandra P. Davis.

PUBLISHER’S INSIGHT

Make It A Point And Get Involved In 2023.

GUNS FOR FUNDS

Guns For Funds Buyback Program on January 14th.

MIRAMAR FIRE AND RESCUE DEPARTMENT

Winter Holiday Safety Tips.

FLORIDA STATE SENATOR LAUREN BOOK / DISTRICT 35 18 Join Me In Helping Those In Need.

INSIDE REAL ESTATE

Real Talk with Rafael - Thinking About Buying A Home In 2023.

MIRAMAR POLICE DEPARTMENT

Cold Cases Are Not Forgotten.

MESSAGE FROM THE CITY OF MIRAMAR

City Of Miramar 2022/2023 Winter Field Closure Schedule.

MAYOR FRANK C. ORTIS / PEMBROKE PINES

A Very Busy Start To The New Year.

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Message from Commissioner Alexandra P. Davis

Hello Friends & Neighbors!

I am grateful to be able to reach you through this medium once again. Thank you for your continuous support.

We closed out Hispanic Heritage Month on October 15th with our Latin Nights Awards Gala. This year’s honor local Hispanic leaders in our community. This year’s honorees included: Community Engagement Award, Ivan Parra, Broward Community ID Director, Broward Legal Aid; Education Award- Dr. Alexandra Alvarez Ed. D; Business Entrepreneurship Award-Robinson Marte, Co-founder Tribeca Restaurant; Business & Corporate Citizenship Award-Jorge Carballo, President & General Manager NBC-6/Telemundo 51, Miami. The event was emceed by Emmy® Award-winning journalist and news anchor, Jackie Nespral and featured live performances from award winning Venezuelan American singer Edward Mena and Gianpaul & Latin Soul Band. Dancers from the Fajardo Elite Dance Academy also performed their Latin dance moves.

October was Domestic Violence Awareness Month which was so important to highlight being that globally over 47,000 women and girls were killed by their intimate partners or family members in 2020 alone! I presented a proclamation to the Women in Distress organization, recognizing the work that they do to assist women and families facing this scourge!

Thanks to all who attended the Black British Heritage Celebration as we celebrated the contributions of Black Britons in the USA! This event showcased the British rich culture right here in Miramar and the South Florida region! Thank you again to the new Consul General, Rufus Drabble and his lovely wife, Stella for receiving the City of Miramar’s Proclamation proclaiming October as Black British History Month. Congratulations again to the honorees; Community Engagement Award- Anthony Fothergill, Chef; Entrepreneurship Award- Phillip Paul, Business owner; Business & Corporate Citizenry- Jacky Wright, Chief Digital Officer, Microsoft ; Arts & Entertainment- Barry Biggs, singer; Arts & Entertainment-Rory “StoneLove” Gilligan, DJ.

On November 5th, I hosted our 3rd Community ID event. Community ID events allow those who are unable to obtain a State issued ID for whatever the reason, the chance to be seen and come out of the shadows, right here in Miramar and the rest of the County! Turkey Tuesday was a great success again this year! After leaving the western suburbs of Sunset Lakes where we donated over 150 turkeys to our residents, we culminated Turkey Tuesdays at our Multicultural Complex in our historic eastern section where it was great to see some of my former students and parents all participating as we gave away another 150 turkeys! #ILoveMyCity

Please look at my upcoming events!

• Commissioner Alexandra P. Davis Presents Black History Meets Reggae Launch

February TBA, Miramar Town Center City Hall

• Commissioner Alexandra P. Davis Presents Reggae Icon Awards February 10th, Miramar Cultural Center Banquet Hall, 7PM-12AM

• Commissioner Alexandra P. Davis Presents DJ Sound-Off February 24th, Shirley Branca Park; 7PM-12AM

• Commissioner Alexandra P. Davis Hosts Afro Carib Festival Miramar February 25th, Miramar Regional Park; 6PM to 11PM

• Commissioner Alexandra P. Davis Presents Community ID’s March 4th, Miramar Multi-Service Complex; 10AM to 2PM

Please take care of yourselves and each other.

To contact my office regarding any concerns, please feel free to call (954) 602-3155 or email me at apdavis@miramarfl.gov You may also to receive my weekly eblast. You may subscribe to receive email updates from my office, sign up at www.miramarfl.gov/Davis

Your Humble Servant, Commissioner Alexandra P. Davis

Miramar and Print Isn't Dead

everyone with the pending news that mailed to every home and business issue. Well, the next issue is here Miramar. For the first time, all of the informative, timely, entertaining, same time.

Make It A Point And Get Involved In 2023

Did we really make it through this year? It was year full of higher prices all over the place including the grocery store and most definitely at the gas pump. I still can’t believe it cost me almost $90 to fill up my gas tank during the summer, but those were the cards we were dealt and for many of us, we have become very good at surviving and adjusting to circumstances that have been out of our control. Kudos to everyone still standing and fighting, it hasn’t been easy.

staple businesses that started with the magazine. We also added 13 need to advertise and promote your misconception that print is dead the end all be all for advertising. I extremely important because in point for you to read, research and or something going on in the City particular company or City website then hopefully becoming a customer also vital to hear from our key City Inside Miramar as a resource with information you need to know every 45

Speaking of not being easy, many of you post or comment on the Next Door Neighbors App about many things such as the noise at the amphitheater, the blasting or the copper pipe leaks hitting many of our communities. Many chime in with an opinion or a suggestion to the problems facing us out in west Miramar and Pembroke Pines but my biggest frustration is the lack of participation and involvement by the vary ones who do most of the complaining. There is only one solution to the things that drive all of us nuts, you have to be engaged and involved. Join a City Board; they are listed on the cities websites. Run for your HOA Board and get involved in making

on the great things happening in Camps you will find in this issue.

your community a better place to live. Volunteer whenever you can at your local school or church. Trust me, we are all very busy raising our families, working and just trying to survive but it is very gratifying being involved and making a difference.

I want to thank all of the contributors who provide content for all of you to read throughout the year. Sharing your knowledge and expertise in your selected fields to the readers is much appreciated and adds so much value to my publication. To the many businesses that continue to advertise in the magazine in the hopes of earning you the readers business, I thank you as well. Simply put, without you there is no magazine to mail out throughout the year.

Before we know it, school will be out and summer will be here. Enjoy the spring and Mother’s Day feel to this issue of Inside Miramar in the city you call home.

I wish everyone the happiest of Holiday seasons and the healthiest New Year possible. We all have been through a lot the past few years but we’ve made it and that’s what so rewarding and fulfilling. Here’s to ringing out the old and ringing in the new in the two cities you call home.

Sincerely, Chris Koval President/Publisher

Nearly 200 Guns Collected In 2021 During Miramar Police’s Guns For Funds Buyback Program

The goal of the Guns for Funds buyback program is to get more firearms off the streets. It is 100% anonymous and allows for individuals to safely dispose of their guns and receive gift cards of up to $100 for each handgun surrendered; up to $150 for each semi-automatic rifle or shotgun and up to $200 for each rifle turned in. All guns brought to the event must be unloaded and placed in the trunk of a vehicle. There is no limit to the number of guns dropped off and no identification is necessary. Free gunlocks will also be provided at the event.

“Anything we can do to remove unwanted guns that could get into the wrong hands is what we will continually strive for” stated Commissioner Alexandra P. Davis who launched The Guns for Funds buyback program. “After overspending during the holiday, January is an opportune time for residents to turn in their unwanted guns for funds.”

New Event Planned for January 14, 2023, To Get Even More Guns Off City Streets

The Miramar Police Department will stage another Guns for Funds buyback drive after a successful haul of nearly 200 guns voluntarily turned in, in 2021. The event will be held on Saturday, January 14, 2023, from 10am-2pm at St. Stephen Protomartyr Catholic Church located at 2000 South State Road 7, Miramar, FL 33023.

Guns for Funds buyback is in partnership with the Broward Sheriff’s Office, Broward League of Women’s Voters, and Crime Stoppers.

To learn more about the Guns for Funds buyback program, please call 954-602-4000 or visit www.MiramarPD.org/gunsforfunds

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Message from Senator Lauren Book

Dear Neighbors and Friends,

I want to wish you all a joy-filled holiday season and offer best wishes for the new year.

In doing so, I also acknowledge the reality that many families in our community are struggling and for so many, the holidays can be an even more stressful time. In this regard, instead of the usual legislative tidbits and my work fighting to lower your homeowner’s insurance costs during the recent special session (which is ongoing while I write this to you), I would instead like to offer a few suggestions of local charities helping our neighbors in need.

I wish nothing but peace and joy for your family and hope that you and your loved ones can take a moment and reach out to help those who need a hand up during the holiday season. I know that 2022 (and for that matter 2020 and 2021!) has been a tough year for many with inflation, supply-chain interruptions, the pandemic and so many other issues making things even more challenging for many hard-working middle-class families, so let’s ring in the new year with wishes for peace and prosperity for everyone.

Thank you for allowing me to serve you as your State Senator. And, as always, if I can be of service to you and yours, please reach out by calling my office at 954.424.6674 or email me at book.lauren.web@ flsenate.gov.

HOLIDAY FOOD DRIVE

This holiday season, please consider donating to the Broward County 365 Year-Round Food Drive to help feed the 200,000+ (including 80,000+ children) Broward residents who face hunger during the holidays. Canned foods, toiletries, and baby food/formula are greatly appreciated. More information, including drop box locations, can be found here: https://www.broward.org/FoodDrive.

CHILDNET ANNUAL TOY DRIVE

Join ChildNet as they collect toys to distribute to the more than 3,000 children in our care during the holiday season. Every child will receive at least three gifts. The toy drive runs through December 15 and donations may be dropped off at 1100 West McNab Road in Fort Lauderdale or 4100 Okeechobee Boulevard in West Palm Beach.

TOWN OF DAVIE HOLIDAY TOY DRIVE

New and unwrapped children’s toys are being collected through December 16. They will be given to more than 300 children in Davie who are in need. To donate, bring toys in their original packaging suitable for children up to 12 and teens ages 13-18. Donations may be dropped off during business hours at the Town Clerk’s Office, Pine Island Multipurpose Center, Fitness and Aquatic Center, Davie Police Department and Davie Fire Rescue Department

Sincerely, Senator Lauren Book District 35 Broward County

REAL ESTATE – REAL talk with Rafael / Business Insider

ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT BUYING A HOME IN 2023?

Many would-be home buyers saw interest rates climb and property values begin to drop as we entered the fourth quarter of 2022. This caused potential buyers to take pause, and for some, do away with the idea of buying a house altogether. So, what about buying a home in 2023?

If you are considering buying in the 2023, here are a few things to keep in mind ahead of making one of the biggest decisions and investments of your life:

1. ARE YOU READY TO BUY A HOME? You may think you are ready, but are you truly ready to buy? Buying a home takes time, research, and resources. Do you know what kind of home you are interested in buying? Is it a single-family home, a townhouse, a condo, etc.? All of that aside, you have more pressing matters to consider, such as…

2. IS YOUR CREDIT SCORE GOOD ENOUGH TO QUALIFY FOR A LOAN? Your credit score represents a good portion of your credit worthiness when it comes to securing financing. Maintaining a good score requires low usage of your credit (no maxing out your credit cards for the holidays) and no late or missed payments on your loans including but not limited to your car loan, credit cards, etc. If you are staying on top of your finances and not overextending yourself, chances are you are going to have a “loan worthy” credit score.

3. ARE YOU SAVING FOR THE DEPOSIT? Being able to put away money for your deposit does two things: 1. It allows you to have the necessary funds for down payment for your home, and 2. it shows potential lenders that you can put money aside which means you can potentially afford your mortgage payment.

4. DO YOU HAVE A STEADY INCOME? Your lender is going to require proof of income. You will need to show several months of bank statements as well as paystubs. Showing a long history at the same place of employment or at least within the same industry is a sign of stability.

5. ARE YOU WORKING WITH A LENDER? You will most definitely need to work with a lender to secure financing unless you are paying CASH for your home. Speak with your Realtor® to see if he recommends any lender(s) and be sure to also check with your bank and/or credit union. Don’t be afraid to shop around for the lender that best meets your financial needs.

6. HAVE YOU CONTACTED A REALTOR®? In addition to having the expertise, your Realtor® can help you navigate the market. From pulling listings and recent closed sales in a certain area you may be considering to helping you find the right home for you, your Realtor® is there to help you every step of the way from house hunting to closing and beyond.

For more information on buying or selling your home, please contact: Rafael Amador, Realtor® Commercial & Residential Real Estate REAL ESTATE EMPIRE GROUP 954.710.2345

Cold Cases are not Forgotten

The oldest cold case solved in Miramar history recently made national headlines. Evelyn Marie Fisher-Bamforth was raped and murdered on January 22, 1980, in her own home. She was 32 years old. Evelyn’s horrific murder was one that the Miramar Police Department, and her widower John Bamforth, could never forget.

“I cried for two days, just couldn’t stop. Then I began drinking heavily and turned to drugs. I think her death affected me profoundly… It changed my whole character… I had a lot of guilt at the time, because I wasn’t home when I should have been,” said Bamforth.

Throughout the last four decades, Evelyn’s case was looked at time and time again. This past year, homicide Detective Jonathan Zeller decided to reopen the case yet again.

The files showed a call received by the department in 1980, months after the murder, cast a spotlight on an unfamiliar face. Law enforcement in Volusia County contacted the Miramar Police Department for assistance in a rape and attempted murder in their jurisdiction. Their suspect, Ronald Eugene Richards, lived in Miramar. The similarities between the Volusia County case and Evelyn’s case could not be denied. Richards, who was unknown to the Bamforth family, lived only 12 homes away from them. Unfortunately, in 1980 DNA

profiling forensics did not exist and detectives had no evidence tying Richards to the crime.

That all changed this year. Evidence stored for more than four decades was retested with the latest DNA technology. The results yielded a one in five-and-a half billion match to Ronald Eugene Richards. On November 30, 2022, a grand jury indicted him for sexual battery and murder, bringing us one step closer to justice for Evelyn.

John Bamforth, now 77 years old, remembers his wife as a calm and patient person, with a big smile. He has never gotten over her murder, “You never have closure, as you can tell. But certainly, justice for Evelyn is the most important thing,” an emotional Bamforth said.

The next step is to extradite Richards, who is currently incarcerated for an unrelated crime in Ohio, to Broward County.

“What’s most important is that even though nearly 43 years have passed, we did not let the person who did this get away with it. He will be held accountable.” Detective Zeller added, “It doesn’t matter how long ago the crime occurred, we are committed to investigating every cold case to see if new techniques can solve what was not possible to solve before. We will continue to fight to get justice for our victims.”

Message from Mayor Frank C. Ortis

Dear Readers:

It is always very exciting to start a new year with hope, resolutions and the knowledge that changes are inevitable but can also be exhilarating. We have many events, activities and programs planned throughout our city this new year for residents of all ages.

We start the new year’s off by honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the Charles F. Dodge City Center, located at 601 City Center Way, on Monday, January 16, 2023 from 10 am to 12 noon. This event will include music, poetry and speeches honoring the man who had a dream. A RISE and SHINE light breakfast will also be served as we celebrate kindness, acceptance and compassion together. For more info, please visit www.ppines.com/ specialevents or call 954-392-2216.

The City of Pembroke Pines has initiated a project for the replacement of aging residential water meters, 20-years old or older, throughout the city. This program is necessary to ensure continued accurate billing for all Utility customers. The new water meter will be equipped for mobile drive-by reading, eliminating manual entry of your monthly meter reading and will contain components to capture consumption usage on an hourly/daily basis and in graph format. This information, when requested, can help residents better understand monthly water usage habits or to determine if there is a leak.

RTS Water Solutions, LLC/Envocore will perform this work. Be sure to watch for your water meter notification -- If you

are a part of this program, you will receive two Door Hanger notifications. The contractor will place the 1st Door Hanger Notification (a white door hanger) on your front door within 2 weeks prior to when the work will start. The contractor will then place a second Door Hanger Notification (a white door hanger) on your front door once your water meter has been replaced. For more information or if there are questions, please contact the City of Pembroke Pines Utilities Department at 954-518-9000

Starting January 10, 2023 through March 10, 2023, Florida residents are invited to enroll their child(ren) into the 20232024 school year lottery for the City of Pembroke Pines Charter School System (PPCSS). The Pembroke Pines Charter School System has updated their lottery software. To complete a new lottery application, re-submit your child’s lottery application, re-enroll your child, or submit a reassignment application, go online to www.pinescharter.net towards the bottom left side of the screen click on Apply/Enroll/Re-enroll for further instructions on how to proceed.

To keep your child’s seat active, parents of currently enrolled PPCSS students are required to re-enroll. Parents who re-enroll by March 10, 2023 will be awarded one volunteer service hour per student. Applicants will be notified via email of the lottery results soon after the open enrollment period ends.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact my office at 954-450-1020, or by e-mail at fortis@ppines.com. Wishing you all a great, safe and prosperous new year!

Mayor Frank C. Ortis City of Pembroke Pines