Community Newspapers SERVING MIAMI-DADE COUNTY SINCE 1958
SUN
NOVEMBER 15, 2010
INSIDE THIS
ISSUE DAMIRA FELDMAN PIANO CONCERT SERIES
Page 12
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BOOOGIE NIGHT FUN
S unny I sles B each
VOL. 28, NO. 46
The Sunny Isles Beach Thanksgiving Story BY BARI AUERBACH
J
ust as the Pilgrims set foot in the New World on December 11, 1620, pioneers dedicated to taking control of their own destiny and forging the City of Sunny Isles Beach accomplished their goal on June 16, 1997 and ever since, there has been much to be thankful for.
‘PIONEERS OF PROGRESS’ One of the most proactive chapters in the Sunny Isles Beach “Thanksgiving Story” dates back to the early 1990’s when Miami-Dade County still ruled and citizens subject to paying property taxes were not reaping the rewards associated with living in their own city. A group of people rallying for incorporation, known as “Concerned Citizens of Northeast Dade” were led by civic activists including the late Mayor David Samson. Brave and persistent, they made a pilgrimage downtown and secured support from a strong ally - Sen. Gwen Margolis. After freedom fighters formed a Charter Commission and drafted a Charter there was a landslide vote in favor of incorporation and the City of Sunny Isles Beach was officially born. But this was just the start of greater things to come. In 1997, newly elected members of the City Commission began the challenging task
of transforming a declining tourist destination into a vibrant, progressive city.
‘A NEW WORLD OF DIFFERENCE’ One of the first promises kept by the City Commission was the formation of a first-class Police Department. Thanks to a tribe of officers known as “the best in blue,” criminals behaving like wild Indians no longer posed a great threat to peace and security; state-of-theart patrol cars could ride like the wind to respond to calls; and a philosophy of community policing prevailed. With motorcycles, all terrain vehicles, jet skis and boats, vigilant patrols were always looking out for the welfare of citizens. Positive changes were happening fast…the only thing slowing down was traffic on Collins Avenue and around interior neighborhoods welcoming reduced speed limits. From the startup of a convenient shuttle bus service - to the creation of a Cultural and Human Services Department planning trips, concerts and special events for the whole community to enjoy, the wheels of progress continued to turn. Like emerging colonies, distinct city departments were also established – each with a proactive mission based on promoting the highest quality of life, working in conjunction with the City Manager. Public Works started
BOOOGIE NIGHT
(PHOTO BY JOEL BLACK)
––––––– See THANKSGIVING, page 10
The City of Sunny Isles Beach, Cultural & Human Services Department, presents the following upcoming events: Bingo o Wednesday,, Decemberr 1,, 2010 0 3:00 0 – 4:00 0 pm m
(PHOTO BY MIKE TRIBBY)
Page 20
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Winterr Festt Saturday,, Decemberr 4 5:00 0 – 8:00 0 pm
See inside for details on these and more!
SEE STORY & PHOTOS ON PAGES 2, 8, 20.