The County’s new fiscal year began on October 1, but getting there wasn’t easy. On one hand, taxpayers were calling on their elected leaders to provide economic relief by keeping the property tax rates flat. On the other hand, doing so would mean placing services provided by police, fire rescue, the library system and the animal shelter in financial difficulty. Tough choices had to be made and in the end, while not every...

  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...

  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 swearing-in 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...

  Vice Mayor Manny Cid visited Miami Lakes Middle School in mid-September to meet with Liza DeYarza’s 8th grade class to discuss the Maddens Hammock site, the archaeological artifacts discovered in that area, and the importance of preserving and displaying historical artifacts. “It is important for all of you to understand that government affects everyone’s lives, and that it is very easy to be involved in your...

On October 10, Miami Lakes Councilmember Nelson Rodriguez presented Lissette Campos-Perez with a proclamation in honor of her being named the Tampa Chamber of Commerce and Hispanic Heritage Foundation Hispanic Woman and Business Woman of the Year. Campos-Perez was raised and educated in Miami Lakes and now serves as the director of Community Affairs for ABC Action News Tampa. She has received four Emmy Awards and over 20 local and national...