Here is a roundup of some of the most talked about events that happened this year.
Florida and Miami Lakes remember native son, former U.S. Sen., Fla. Gov. Bob Graham
Bob Graham died in Gainesville of natural causes on April 16. He was 87.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered flags around the state to be flown at half-staff. He paid his respects to Graham on April 26 during a lying in state ceremony at the Florida Historic Capitol Museum in Tallahassee.
The next month in Graham’s hometown, scores of political notables joined Graham’s widow Adele Graham, the couple’s four daughters and relatives on May 11 for a celebration of his life at the Miami Lakes United Church of Christ. Graham was a devoted husband, father and grandfather.
A member of the family of dairy farmers and later developers who founded the Town of Miami Lakes, Graham attended Hialeah Elementary and Junior High schools and graduated from Miami Senior High School in 1955.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in 1959 from the University of Florida, where he was inducted to its Hall of Fame. He graduated from Harvard Law School in 1962 and was admitted to the Florida Bar that year.
After 40 years of public service -- as a state representative from 1966 - 1970, state senator from 1970 - 1978, governor from 1979 - 1987 and U.S. senator from 1987 - 2005 -- Graham was remains a role model for politicians today. He taught his staff that good public policy makes good politics.
His more than 400 workdays, when he would sweat alongside constituents as they paved roads, mucked hay or put out fires, earned the Democrat support from Republican voters.
He left the governor’s office with an 83% approval rating.
When one of two public schools in town were named for him, he called it one of the greatest honors of his life.
Graham’s legacy -- of promoting public education, protecting the environment and pushing for transparency in government, especially after the 9/11 terrorist attacks -- includes his eldest daughter, Gwen Graham. A former representative in Congress, she is Asst. Secretary for Legislation and Congressional Affairs in the U.S. Dept. of Education.
A new Town Council
It was a busy year for Miami Lakes voters, who went to the polls four times.
The town held a special election on April 9 for Council Seat 6 to replace former Vice Mayor Carlos O. Alvarez, who resigned.
It was followed by a runoff that month between Attorney Bryan Morera and retired government manager and community volunteer Esther Colon that sent Morera to the dais until Nov. 2026.
Attorney Steven Herzberg and Realtor Juan Carlos Fernandez won their seats without challengers during the August primary.
The General Election on Nov. 5 put construction manager Angelo Cuadra Garcia into Seat 1.
A Nov. 26 runoff for the mayor’s seat was between former Vice Mayor Tony Fernandez and Councilman Josh Dieguez, and Dieguez won.
They all join incumbent Ray Garcia on the council.
Dieguez’s former council seat will be filled either by his appointed candidate or after a special election in 2025.
Among election-related trends in town: More voters cast ballots by mail than in person, and during recent candidate forums moderated by resident and former Miami-Dade County Mayor Alex Penelas, have filled Town Hall.
The previous town council kept the millage rate flat at 2.0732 for fiscal year 2024-25.
Though the minority sought to cut it further, the others said they were tired of seeing diminshed services or borrowing from different funds to balance the budget.
Miami Lakes is the place for business
Growth remains steady. Daniel Angel, director of the town’s Building, Zoning, & Code Compliance department, provided figures for new businesses obtaining their first Certificate of Use and Business Tax Receipt.
In fiscal year 2022, 228 new businesses got their paperwork; in 2023, there were 231 companies and in 2024, 248 new firms established their presence in town.
The Miami Lakes Chamber of Commerce, the town’s Economic Development Committee and Business Networking International teamed up to host networking socials, boost entrepreneurship and help existing firms.
The Chamber’s monthly luncheons and their speakers draw healthy crowds to network and get insights on politics, education, medicine and other sectors of the economy. Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava’s audience numbered more than 100 people.
The Chamber’s annual Business Expo presented 45 exhibitors this year. The organization has continued to invest in community non-profits that serve children, donating $6,500 this year.
The Economic Development Committee held its second Business Boot Camp, when 60 attendees heard practical advice about how the town can support a business, financing a new entity, promoting it on social media and compliance with tax and labor laws.
Health care practitioners open in Miami Lakes
Listen closely and you’ll hear “Where does it hurt?” and “Say ahhh” a lot more around town.
Whether visiting a storefront dentist or pediatrician’s office or the latest location for a regional health care powerhouse, Miami Lakes has so many services available that residents may be able to have most treatment and testing needs met without leaving town.
Memorial Healthcare System is offering mammograms at its location in Palm Springs North, while Baptist Health South Florida is putting finishing touches on its Emergency Center that will open soon in Business Park West.
HCA opened its Florida Palm Lakes Emergency facility in March, to offer care for patients from Palm Springs North, Country Club, Miami Gardens and Miami Lakes at 18000 NW 57th Ave.
Select Medical Hospital, also in Business Park West, is building a single-story, 11,528 square foot addition on its six-acre campus to increase beds from 60 to 86. The long-term care facility treats patients with neurological and cardiac conditions, brain injuries and other illnesses.
Wellness centers, med spas and personal care salons that cater to specific areas of treatment of tend to the full body are also plentiful.
New housing in town
The Graham Companies’ latest rental property, South Pointe, has views of Graham Dairy Lake and will soon accept residents for 179 apartments at 8205 Commerce Way. Rents start at $2,375 for a 718-square-foot, one bedroom, one bath unit.
GT Homes’ Palma Del Lago development of 37 luxury estates is rising along Northwest 87th Avenue. Prices for homes with water views near the Maddens Hammock indigenous heritage site start at $1.5 million.
A caring community
Residents continued to support events that benefit their fellow citizens at big annual events.
The Mayor’s Gala raised $45,000 this year for people with special needs.
The Miami Lakes Food & Wine Festival funds grants administered by the Miami Lakes Town Foundation, which awarded $18,605 for education projects this year.
After our neighbors on the west coast endured damage from hurricanes, residents and local businesses gathered supplies for them.
And whether it was breast cancer awareness events at Miami Lakes Athletic Club or charity fundraisers held at the golf club, residents turned up and supported the causes.
Miami Lakes Golf Club closes for renovation
Golf course designer Bruce Hepner is overhauling the landmark course, a project that will involve planting native trees, moving and elevating some holes and repairing the irrigation system that dates to the club’s opening in 1962.
Coming next will be a new driving range and building, in a mixed use-project called The Residences & Shops on NINE. It’s a $110 million investment by The Graham Companies that will provide banquet facilities and 278 apartments. The pro shop and First Tee Miami remain open.
Lake Katharine Shopping Center
The shopping center on the east side of town was demolished and construction is underway for restaurants and retail businesses.
Flooded Streets
After four years of road construction, the town has eliminated much of the flooding it experienced after storms.
The town council made what Town Manager Edward Pidermann calls “two significant decisions, which dramatically improved the quality of life for many neighborhoods in town.” They approved an issue of municipal bonds, raising over $18 million of new revenues for the Stormwater Fund.
The council also directed $15.7 million received from the American Rescue Plan be used exclusively for more drainage projects and put into the Stormwater Fund, he said.
The year-long project to replace pipes on the east side of Business Park West is finished.
Traffic
If you have a car or ride in one, you likely have something to say about Miami Lakes traffic.
Though delays at lights and the vehicle volume in town are less than what commuters endure elsewhere in the county, a new traffic signal at Miami Lakes Drive and Northwest 79th Court brought out the keyboard complainers on social media.
Something most don’t mention: the unlawful drivers who “block the box” or don’t wait their turn, clog the intersection and delay everyone else.
Limestone mining
When he was secretary of the Blasting Advisory Board, Steven Herzberg created a plan to coordinate legal and political efforts to unify local affected governments, win support from state regulators and elected officials and turn to the courts to remedy property owners who say explosions during limestone mining on the west side of the county are damaging their swimming pools, driveways and homes.
As a councilman, Herzberg will continue to represent the town in those efforts, the council decided on Dec. 10.
Many local news programs reported on the issue, including Univision’s “Noticias 23,” which broadcast live from Miami Lakes on Feb. 6.