Michael Miller

In business? Check this out…the Palmetto Bay Business Association tells us that their next meeting is on Thursday September 3, at Fleming - A Taste of Denmark, 8511 SW 136th Street. Be there for Networking from 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and the lunchtime program from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. “Connecting Our Business Community” is their motto, and it does that in a good way. This month’s speaker is Nancy Rackear of the Small Business Association. The Member Spotlight is on Mel Mendelsohn of Cruise Planners.

“Join us for a fascinating program and a great opportunity to meet more potential clients!”

At the meeting they will also welcome new members Ketly Stecher of I-Help, Linda Pescatore of Met Life and Ramesh Nyberg of Coldwell Banker. Can you help out those in need? Gently used school uniforms are needed for a good cause Recycle your child’s used school uniforms to benefit the less fortunate.

Palmetto Bay resident Suzette Rice is seeking donations of gently used school uniforms and shoes that your child has outgrown. You can simply e-mail her and she will pick them up. All sizes and colors are needed (navy and khaki for the bottoms). Suzette will match them to families and deliver them.

Suzette Rice says, “For those of you who know me, you know that I am involved in many community activities. Among the non-profits that I am connected with are two ‘service partnerships’ that serve the children in our community. These service partnerships are composed of non-profits which have come together to enhance services to the community by collectively bringing many different services and by networking our talents.

“Because the economic situation has worsened, demand on our various services has risen and our partnerships have been forced to tighten our belts due to severe funding cuts. In some organizations, this meant eliminating much needed services and staff.

“As we head into the school and holiday seasons one of the biggest gaps for us will be the provision of the items that would come from what our funders call ‘Flex-funds.’ The items we often tapped the flex funds were for clothing, food, school uniforms and supplies, emergency housing or utilities and of course, for Christmas gifts. Unfortunately, the flex funds are no longer available.

“Today, I am asking that if any of you have gently used school uniforms and shoes that your child has outgrown to please consider emailing me and I will pick them up. We need all sizes and colors (navy and khaki for the bottoms). We can even use men’s/misses sizes as the teens are needing uniforms too. The shirts are usually polo style with collars, while the pants are either solid shorts or slacks like Dockers style. Some of the girls have skirts or culottes. Once I have them in hand, I will match them to families and deliver them. I am very sure that between all our agencies all the donated clothing will be used.” While it may not seem important, having these children dressed and ready for school really helps them be a part of the school community.

“Being together” at school offers some stability when everything at home may be topsy-turvy. The average cost for a set of shirts and pants runs a parent about $20 a child, so this really puts the parent and child at a disadvantage when the family is already in financial crisis.

If you wish to donate school supplies they will be appreciated as well. Tax donation receipts can be provided on request.

Contact Suzette at: < >

Do you like scary movies? The first family movie night of the 2009/2010 school year will take place at Coral Reef Park on Friday, October 30, just after the sun sets. “Make plans to bring your chairs/blankets and meet up with your family and friends,” they tell us. “This event will be free to all, as always. This will be our Halloween feature film.”

Any suggestions as to the film? Call and provide your suggestions to any of your council members or contact village hall directly at 305-259-1234. Ask for Josie.

Shop local! Please continue to give your business to those stores and service providers in your own community, and you’ll help everyone.

Here are a few more:

Bud Stop Florist, 16705 Old Cutler Road
Call them at 305-255-0330 or visit their website at <www.budstopflorist.com >.

Golden Rule Seafood, 17505 S. Dixie Hwy. Palmetto Bay
Contact Courtney Reeder.
Voice:305-235-0661
Fax: 305-235-5183
Email: < >
H & R Block, 14689 S. Dixie Hwy., Publix Center, Palmetto Bay
Contact R. P. (Bob) Comotto
Voice: 305-278-9705
Fax: 305-378-6252
Email: < >
Web: <www.hrblock.com >

Keller Williams Realty, 15605 SW 77 Ct., Palmetto Bay
Contact Linda Robinson, Broker Associate.
Voice: 305-235-7763
Fax: 305-235-6098
Email: < >

Miami Acura, 16601 S. Dixie Hwy., Palmetto Bay
Contact Mark Isaia, General Manager,
Voice: 305-232-1400,
Fax: 305-238-3264
Email: < >
Web: <www.miamiacura.com >

Pitman Photo Supply, 13911 S. Dixie Hwy., Palmetto Bay
Contact Lowell Elsea, Vice President.
Voice: 305-256-9558.
Fax: 305-256-9789
Web: <www.pitmanphotosupply.com >

Councils needed, audience or not!

At an August meeting of East Kendall Community Council, a resident surmised that low attendance at Council meetings equated with disinterest in local affairs; that the only time people turn out is when a volatile issue occurs. The conclusion: Councils may be an unnecessary element in Metro government.

Regular meeting attendance, however, is neither a barometer of community interest nor the reason we elect those to act in our behalf in the first place. From Councils to Congress, people do not attend regular meetings of government bodies because they’re enchanted with watching those elected perform the routine responsibilities of their office.

We empower elected officials so we can go about our business without having to watch them perform, let alone monitor their actions. A ‘watchdog’ press has always performed that role in behalf of public interest as an essential part of how democracy works. It’s why Thomas Jefferson once said he’d prefer newspapers without government than government without newspapers (computerized communication won’t change that philosophy).

No, big audiences at government meetings are really barometers of dissatisfaction with a current issue, just as heated Town Meetings on federal health care reform are proving.

Lack of an audience is not a gauge of necessity to justify dismantling local Councils that operate as the only local voice in unincorporated areas of the county. They should remain in place, and we suspect Commissioners will realize that fact before removing them as their (and our) sounding board for non-zoning issues.

Update on Killian Library from MDC Parks says that clearing work at northwest corner of Killian Drive and Galloway Road is not designed to begin construction, just to open the area for recreational use by neighbors. Long-term construction of a new library in a “passive” setting as a joint Parks-Library project is still at least four years away in the BBC Capital Improvements bond funding, currently listed for year 2014.

Open House to develop more interest in the Biscayne Trail near Black Point Park and Homestead’s Bayfront Park will showcase Park Department’s concepts for the bikeway development, southernmost end of a project that interests bikers in southwest Dade who are also pushing for improvements fro SW 67 Avenue to downtown Miami. The Biscayne Trail meeting will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, September 16, in the Minor League Clubhouse of Homestead Sports Complex 1601 SE 28th Avenue.

For details, contact Park Planning at 305-755-7811.

Maj. Michael Herrera, Kendall Police District chief, advises that two residential crime trends continue to be a concern, including rims and wheels stolen from high-end vehicles (“especially Escalades”).

His advice: keep vehicles parked in well-lit areas. The other: tailgate doors stolen off pick-up trucks. Maj. Alexander Casas, Hammocks District commander, also reports residential robberies and commercial thefts are the only crimes with slight increases in recent months. Both say: keep police informed of all suspicious activities at once to give them the best chance of nabbing lawbreakers.

Thought for the Day:
There is always room at the top, after the investigation.
— Oliver Herford

Gary Alan Ruse contributed to this column. Got any tips? Contact me at 305-669- 7355, ext. 249, or send emails to < >.