October 18, 2013
10/15/13
10:37 AM
Page 1
Halloween events for seniors, kids and families! ..........................See Pages 7 and 8
The original northwest Miami-Dade community newspaper for the Town of Miami Lakes & surrounding areas Vol. 39 No 20
305-817-4078
MIAMI LAKES, FLORIDA
OCTOBER 18, 2013
ML Chamber hosts M-D Property Appraiser Carlos Lopez-Cantera.(See Page 4)
Wayne Slaton, Frank Mingo are officially sworn-in
ACTING MAYOR Ceasar Mestre presents the town’s original gavel to newly-elected Mayor Wayne Slaton following swearingin ceremonies prior to the regular Town Council meeting at Miami Lakes Government Center on October 8.
Schwinghammer honored with Town’s Volunteer Service award
By David L. Snelling The Miami Laker staff From Miami-Dade Commissioner Esteban Bovo, Jr. and Miami-Dade School Board Chair Perla Hantman, to original councilmembers Mary Collins, Robert Meador and Nancy Simon, dignitaries and residents packed the Government Center’s council chambers to witness the swearingin ceremony for returning Miami Lakes Mayor Wayne Slaton and new Councilmember Frank Mingo. Before the start of the October 8 regular Town Council meeting, Town Clerk Majorie Tejeda swore in Slaton, flanked by his wife Margaret and 18-year-old daughter Grace. After he took the Oath of Office, Slaton got a standing ovation that reached a crescendo when Councilmember Ceasar Mestre, who acted as mayor following the arrest of Michael Pizzi, turned over the same gavel the town used since incorporation to Miami Lakes’ first mayor. “This gavel is 13 years-old and it has seen some good days and
bad days,” Slaton said while holding the ceremonial mallet. “We even used it to put up pictures in the original town hall on Main Street, the second town hall on Ludlam Road, on the west side town hall and now the new town hall building. This gavel goes way back.” Slaton, looking out in the audience, took a deep breath and said, “It’s so nice to be back. You all are so wonderful. I see a lot of familiar and friendly faces at Town Hall and residents here tonight. You all brought me back. If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t be here.” Slaton, 61, thanked his entire family, friends and residents for their stupendous support in electing him mayor again. “It’s sweeter the second time around,” Slaton said. In his new office at Town Hall, Slaton said he posted a picture of the original Town Council and Miami Lakes’ first Town Manager Merritt Steirheim to remind him how far the city has come. “It’s true, I’m all about history and the roots of this town,” he said.
Slaton, an electrical contractor, was elated that Town Manager Alex Rey informed him there is ample money in the budget to create another 5-year-Strategic Plan, which he called the residents’ vision for Miami Lakes’ future. The plan was the gist of his political platform that helped him get elected over former Councilmember Nelson Hernandez, Dr. David Bennett, Luis Espinosa and Edwin Romero during the October 1 special election, as Slaton won nearly all the precincts with 48 percent of the votes. “We are going to reach back out to the community and get the residents more involved in the 5-year Strategic Plan,” he said. “The plan will include what we have now and what can we do well in the future. We are going to get right down to business.” Slaton will serve out the rest of Pizzi’s term, who was arrested in August on public corruption charges and subsequently suspended from office by Governor Rick Scott.
(Please see Page 2)
Miami Lakes Pumpkin Patch hosts special events through October 26
ON OCTOBER 8, the Town Council presented Broderick Schwinghammer with the Mayor’s Volunteer Service Award for creating a new park for the town. Under Schwinghammer’s direction as Senior Patrol Leader and Eagle Scout candidate. Boy Scout Troop 566 of Our Lady of the Lakes, and 40 volunteers, worked for two days clearing an overgrown abandoned lot and creating “Poets Keep Park” located at 7350 Sabal Drive. The park includes signs with lines of poetry as well as a park bench overlooking the waterway. In making the presentation, then-Mayor Ceasar Mestre said, “These children, these young men, this is what makes our community different.” In the photo above, Schwinghammer is standing between Councilmember Nelson Rodriguez and Mestre.
A Look Inside:
Miami Lakes United Methodist Church’s 16th annual Pumpkin Patch remains open with special events scheduled through Saturday, October 26. The Patch will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The final half-load of pumpkins arrives at approximately 4 p.m. on Monday, October 23. Students needing volunteer hours are invited to help with the unloading by calling 305-821-7274, or emailing pr@miamilakesumc.net. The Patch feature pumpkins of all sizes along with decorative gourds of all shapes, along with retail items and Joni’s famous “pumpkin bread.” A variety of special events are ongoing:
(Please see Page 4)
STUDENTS from Miami Lakes K-8 Center enjoy a field trip to Miami Lakes United Methodist Church’s Pumpkin Patch. Special events continue at The Patch through October 26.
n Miami Lakes Zonta Club schedules Fall Flea Market for Saturday, November 9..............5
n Miami Children’s Hospital opens Miami Lakes rehabilitation center.................................9
n Miami Lakes seeks volunteers for Reserve and Auxiliary Officer program.....................13
n News and Notes of interest from the Town of Miami Lakes See Pages.......................7 and 8
n Miami Lakes Garden Club presents orchid growing program on October 28.................9
n Mother of Our Redeemer organizes school’s first cross country team...........................18
n Miami Lakes Educational Center students named National Merit Scholars.......19
n Community Calendar, 13, School, sports and church news, 16-25; Classified ads.........25-27