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AUGUST 10 - 16, 2010
Commission candidates head second KFHA election forum BY RICHARD YAGER
Early voting for primary now through Aug. 22
W
hile no one disputed the importance of other county races, seven candidates for two Miami-Dade County Commission seats on Nov. 2 provided most of the pre-election “buzz” during a Kendall Federation of Homeowner Associations (KFHA) forum on Aug. 2. Miami-Dade District 10 Commissioner Javier D. Souto greeted long-established friendships before the forum got underway, later describing his intention to “keep services at high levels without raising new taxes” before a packed house at the Kendall Village Center meeting pavilion. “Continuing liaison with community organizations has always been necessary to reflect the voice of voters and is crucial to acting in behalf of the people,” Souto said. The commissioner, whose service began in the Florida House and Senate from 1984 to 1992 was first elected to the MiamiDade Commission in April 1993, followed by reelections to four consecutive terms from 1994 to 2010. Miriam “Mimi” Planas, seeking to oust the incumbent Souto from his seat, attacked “entrenched commission seats in a fight to establish term limits so that our communities can look forward to a new generation of leadership.” Their initial remarks led the second of three KFHA forums, including a third set for Sept. 13 for runoff candidates who survive the Aug. 24 primary balloting. The nearly three-hour session heard from five of seven candidates seeking Katy Sorenson’s District 8 commission seat, including Eugene Flinn, Albert HarumAlavarez, Obdulio Piedra, Lynda Bell and Daniel Marmorstein. Annette Taddeo and Jason Culler did not attend.
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FORUM, page 4
BY ROBERT HAMILTON
T
Miami-Dade Commission candidate Lynda Bell (standing) addresses KFHA forum as (l-r) Eugene Flinn, Obduilo Piedra, Albert Harum-Alvarez and Daniel Marmorstein await their turns.
Proposed county budget draws criticism at meeting BY RICHARD YAGER
M
ore than 60 West Kendall residents peppered county staffers with criticisms of Mayor Carlos Alvarez’s proposed 2010-11 MiamiDade County budget during an Aug. 4 meeting, vowing to carry a protest to commissioners during two September public hearings. The cost of raising $7.3 billion to maintain current services for Miami-
Dade County at the expense of a 13.4 percent increase in property tax rolls was the primary objections voiced during the meeting at West Kendall Regional Library in the Hammocks. It was one of six conducted countywide Aug. 3-4. The proposal would hold property tax revenues flat by adopting essentially a so-called “rollback” rate that would end a protective “cap” on tax ––––––––––––––––––––– See
BUDGET, page 4
he Miami-Dade County Elections Department is welcoming voters to the polls for the primary election with early voting now through Sunday, Aug. 22. For 14 days, including weekends, registered voters may cast their ballot at the location most convenient for them. Hours are flexible too, with sites opening as early as 7 a.m. and closing as late as 7 p.m. Before going to the polls, voters are encouraged to be “Election Ready.” Miami-Dade voters have been sent sample ballots to ensure that everyone has the chance to review it before going to the polls. It also is available on <www.miamidade.gov/elections> under “Sample Ballots” or by calling 3-1-1. It is printed in English, Spanish and Creole and prepares voters for what to expect on the ballot including candidate races and issues, how to properly vote, the early voting schedule and absentee ballot information. “By reviewing the sample ballot, voters know what to expect and will receive important information that’s needed in advance of voting,” said supervisor of elections Lester Sola. “The sample ballot also promotes the three ways to vote — early voting, absentee voting and reminds voters to go to their assigned precinct on Election Day.” Voters are reminded that whether voting at early voting or on Election Day, they
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VOTING, page 4