Community Newspapers SERVING MIAMI-DADE COUNTY SINCE 1958
JULY 18, 2011
Four Seasons Cultural Series, Aug. 10
S unny I sles B each Sun
Annual Progress Report from Mayor and City Commission
Dear Friends and Neighbors:
O
ur summer season, the fourth performance, of our 2010 – 2011 Four Seasons Cultural Series will be held on Wednesday, August 10, 2011 at the Norman S. Edelcup Sunny Isles Beach K-8 School. The upcoming concert will feature a strings group made up of international musicians.Leading the group is Deya Deynova, an accomplished cellist who spent her early years training in Europe and then receiving her higher education degree in the United States. She has
Together, we recently celebrated the City’s 14th Birthday at Samson Oceanfront Park and the grand opening of Heritage Park. The birthday celebration and the grand opening of the Heritage Park were joyous events where residents enjoyed the annual Offshore Power Boat Challenge at Samson Park and music, games, and splash fountains at Heritage Park. The City Commission is extremely grateful for your support. With your continued support, we have accomplished so much in 14 years, and we are working on the final steps to complete the City’s green initiative,
which spearheaded the development of numerous parks in the City. Again, I take this opportunity on behalf of the City Commission to provide you with this annual progress report to inform residents of the status of certain projects and initiatives. FISCAL STABILITY Unlike certain local governments in Miami-Dade County, the City has operated within its means during this tough economic period. The City Commission has made a genuine effort over the years to spend your tax dollars wisely. We have exercised fiscal discipline in managing the City’s affairs. We have invested your tax dollars in capital projects to enhance the market value of your home and to create amenities for residents. The City’s fiscal discipline is evidenced by
–––– See FOUR SEASONS, page 20
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
VOL. 29, NO. 29
the fact that the City maintains a healthy rainy day fund of ten million dollars to maintain the operations of the City in case of emergencies. Additionally, this year we were thrilled to find out from Miami-Dade County that the City was one of ten municipalities that had an increase in property values. Property values in the City increased by 8.3% from the previous year. The increase in property values were due to numerous factors but we can point to our green initiative and infrastructure improvements as factors in keeping property values on the rise. As a consequence of increased property values, the City will be able to keep its tax rate steady and unchanged. The City has one of the
–––––––––––––––– See
REPORT, page 20
Experience Heritage Park
SUNNY ISLES BEACH K-8
BY SUSAN SIMPSON
Cultural and Human Services Director
C
ome take a walk with me through the City’s newest park, Heritage Park. This 4 acre park, although still new having only opened in June 2011, already tells a magnificent story. It starts with the City Commission making a commitment to have a park within safe walking distance for every resident of Sunny Isles Beach that would provide opportunities to play, relax,
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HEYMAN EVENT
socialize, meditate, exercise and run around. Our parks play a very important role in the lives, the health and the wellbeing of our residents which in turn will continue to increase property values and make Sunny Isles Beach more than a resort. It is now a premiere destination in which to live in. Heritage Park, once zoned for a multistory unit, was purchased by the City in 2006 with a requirement to provide parking for the Ramada Marco Polo Beach Resort for a monthly operating fee. It was the
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– See HERITAGE PARK, page 12
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The City of Sunny Isles Beach, Cultural & Human Services Department, presents the following upcoming events.
YELLOW GREEN FARMERS MARKET HOLLYWOOD SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, 2011
FESTIVAL FLEA MARKET POMPANO BEACH THURSDAY, AUGUST 18, 2011