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Coral Gables JULY 7, 2009
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Sister City delegation from Guatemala visits Coral Gables BY MARIA ROSA HIGGINS FALLON he cities of La Antigua, Guatemala, and Coral Gables share a common thread of historic architecture, tranquil neighborhoods and love for art and culture. That bond was strengthened recently with the visit to Coral Gables by a delegation from the Guatemalan city. Six representatives from the government of La Antigua, including three commissioners, traveled to meet their counterparts in the City Beautiful. During their three-day stay, the delegation visited the Coral Gables Museum, University of Miami, Doctors Hospital, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, and Coral Gables City Hall. The Guatemalan visitors paid for their hotel and airfare expenses at no cost to the city. “Our sister city relationship with La Antigua began in 1993 and since then we’ve enjoyed sharing academic, cultural and business opportunities,” said Coral Gables Mayor Don Slesnick. “We are grateful for their friendship.” The delegation also received an official farewell from the Coral Gables Fire Department along with the donation of surplus fire equipment to be used by volunteer Guatemalan firefighters. The City of Coral Gables previously donated a retired fire truck to La Antigua, which is still being used today.
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Attorney makes time to serve his community
Coral Gables Mayor Don Slesnick (fifth from left) welcomes the delegation from La Antigua, Guatemala. To his left is Edgar Francisco Ruiz Paredes, La Antigua vice mayor, and to Mayor Slesnick’s right is Felipe Allejos Lorenzama, general consul of Guatemala in Miami. Also pictured are other members from the delegation.
Gables Great
BY PATRICK SMIKLE
BY GLORIA BURNS
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See
ATTORNEY, page 6
he July 1 Preliminary Tax Roll has confirmed a substantial decline in the countywide taxable value of existing properties in MiamiDade County of 13 percent, excluding new construction value. Compared to 2008, taxable value of existing properties declined by $31.8 billion. When adjusted for new construction of $8.4 billion, the 2009 countywide taxable value came in at $222.1 billion, a net decline of $23.4 billion or 9.5 percent. These figures, contained in the 2009 Preliminary Tax Roll released on July 1 by
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anny Garcia-Linares is a commercial litigation attorney as well as a certified public accountant. Despite a busy work schedule as a managing shareholder of the law firm of Richman Greer PA, Garcia-Linares still finds time to serve the community. Currently, he is president-elect of the Cuban American Bar Association
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PA: Preliminary roll confirms significant decline in values
MANNY GARCIA-LINARES
Property Appraiser Pedro J. Garcia, verify a countywide taxable value of $213.8 billion of existing properties, as compared to $245.6 in 2008. The decline was offset by the $8.4 billion in new construction value, which were projects started during the real estate expansion cycle and completed in 2008. These figures directly reflect market value declines throughout Miami-Dade County and confirm a trend, which had been projected in the June 1 estimates issued by the Property Appraiser.
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See
VALUES, page 6