Miami Lakes Town Manager Edward Pidermann got a raise and a new contract.      The town council voted to extend Pidermann’s contract through Feb. 2027 during its Nov. 1 meeting, and to increase his salary to $215,000. He’ll also be eligible for performance-related bonuses.      “I am honored and appreciative of those who supported me,” Pidermann said after the...

     Miami Lakes town employees chose Budget Officer Melissa Hernandez as Employee of the Year for 2022.       “What can I say but thank you,” Hernandez said when she was honored with a plaque during the Nov. 1 council meeting. “I’m so thankful for this and I’m so appreciative to my colleagues.”      Town Manager Edward Pidermann said Hernandez was the...

     Miami Lakes voters returned incumbent councilmen Carlos O. Alvarez and Josh Dieguez to the dais on election night and chose Ray Garcia, who lost the last election but campaigned hard to win over residents this time.      On Nov. 28, the councilmen will be sworn in at town hall at 6 p.m. After the ceremony, a special call meeting will begin at 7 p.m. for the council to choose the new vice...

Miami Lakes voters on Tuesday night defeated a municipal bond proposal to fund $19.5 million worth of improvements in Optimist Park, the verdict after a series of passionate arguments that galvanized residents and elected officials for the last six months. About 55% of voters in Miami Lakes cast a ballot on the bond issue; of the 20,906 residents who are registered to vote, 11,478 cast votes, with 6,819 against compared to 41% (4,659) for...

Miami Lakes voters returned two incumbent councilmen to the dais Tuesday night and chose a familiar newcomer who lost in the last election but campaigned hard to win residents over. Carlos Alvarez and Josh Dieguez were re-elected to the town council and Ray Garcia earned a spot on the dais for the first time. Garcia won Seat 2 overwhelmingly. He got 63.5% of the vote and topped William Perez (29.3%) and Ian Medina (7.2%). For Seat 4,...