Cutler Bay residents can expect to see a number of things going on in 2014, and although we don’t have a crystal ball we do have a few reliable sources, so we feel safe in making a few predictions.
There’ll be two important meetings in the coming months, so watch for the details to be announced regarding date, time and location. One is an update to the Transportation Master Plan which is being funded from a grant the town received through the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and is being conducted by the town’s transportation consultant, the Corradino Group. The other is an update to the Strategic Master Plan which will be done by Merrett Stierheim and Associates, who did the original one.
Poll vaulting…? Yep, it’s that time again, folks. Elections are coming up in the fall, on Tuesday, November 4, to be specific, so you can expect to see the campaigns gearing up in the months ahead. There are three seats up for election (or re-election): Mayor, Council Seat 1 and Council Seat 3. Mayor Ed MacDougall says this is his last year as mayor, so that job will be unencumbered by an incumbent. Seat 1 is currently filled by Councilmember Mary Ann Mixon and Seat 2 is occupied by Councilmember Sue Ellen Loyzelle, who both will probably be running for re-election. Vice Mayor Ernie Sochin and Seat 3 Councilmember Peggy Bell are not due for the election process this year, being in the middle of their current terms.
For anyone interested in running, the qualifying period is still a long ways off, and begins at noon on Friday, July 25, 2014 and ends at noon on Friday, August 8, 2014. All candidates must qualify for the election in the Office of Town Clerk, 10720 Caribbean Boulevard, Suite 105, Cutler Bay, Florida. Got questions? Contact Town Clerk Debra Eastman at <deastman@cutlerbay-fl.gov>. There’s a link to the Town Council District Map in PDF format on the Cutler Bay website at the bottom of this page: http://www.cutlerbay- fl.gov/council.php
Not so far ahead is the next Movie Night at Cutler Ridge Park. That’s on Friday, February 28, at 7 p.m., and the feature is DESPICABLE ME 2. Location: Cutler Ridge Park, 10100 SW 200 Street (the Elementary School Field). More details later…
Slightly belated birthday wishes to Vice Mayor Ernie Sochin, who celebrated his most recent one on January 18.
After 12 years as the president and CEO of the YMCA Alfred Sanchez has called it a day and resigned. One of the most recent notable events that occurred during his tenure was the April 2013 opening of the South Dade YMCA Center, located across from the Falls Shopping Center. It is beautiful, well equipped and ready for you and your family. From what I hear, Tom Den Boer, the former executive president of the South Dade YMCAjust might be drafted to come back as CEO of the YMCA. Yup, Tom who left in August 2005 and has been serving as the CEO of the YMCA of Rock County in Janesville, Wisconsin is being pursued by lots of local folks that want him back to help take the Y to the next level.
Okay, boys and girls, get ready to gasp! According to reports, Baptist Health South Florida had a pretty good year and enjoyed a 14 percent increase in profits, as its revenue went from $2.04 billion to $2.17 billion for its fiscal year that ended in September. And here’s more good news, it EARNED more than $360 million up from some $317 million the year before. Gee, that’s a bunch, huh? Okay, so here’s a bit more: South Miami Hospital did a tad under $500 million for the year that ended in September and made slightly more than $59 million for the last fiscal year. And let’s see, Doctors Hospital did some $200 million for the year and earned over $28 million. Then there is “The Mothership,” as it so fondly called, Baptist Hospital, which did over $860 million for the year and earned almost a $100 million bucks. The West Kendall Hospital had revenue of a bit over $155 million and lost some $4 million and Homestead Hospital did some $168 million in business and lost around $27 million. And last but not least, Mariners Hospital in the Florida Keys, had revenue of some $53 million and earned about $8 million. But wait, there is more: Baptist Health’s outpatient facilities had some $118 million in revenue and earned – some $22 million.
Thought of the Day:
If we did all the things we are capable of, we would astound ourselves.
— Thomas Edison
Gary Alan Ruse contributed to this column. Got any tips? Contact me at 305-669- 7355, ext. 249, or send emails to Michael@communitynewspapers.com.
