Miami Today: Week of Thursday, May 31, 2018

MIAMI TODAY

WEEK OF THURSDAY, MAY 31, 2018

SUPPORTING THE ARTS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN MIAMI

New World Symphony WALLCAST concert — photo by Rui Dias

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WEEK OF THURSDAY, MAY 31, 2018

MIAMI TODAY

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WEEK OF THURSDAY, MAY 31, 2018

MIAMI TODAY

e We r in good company We’’re in good company

Miami Today is theMiami paper Today of record. is the paper of Covering allrecord. the Coveringand allcity the county county andfit city news that’s to news that’s fit to print, with insight print, with insight and humor as well and humor asand well as thorough as thorough and faithful coverage faithful of the coverage facts. the facts.

Aoftremendous A tremendous public service!

Daniella Levine Cava public service!

District 8 Commissioner, Daniella Levine Cava Miami-Dade County District 8 Commissioner, Miami-Dade County

There is news I can get in Miami Today that I see nowhere else. That compels me to be a regular reader.

Therebeen is news I can in Miami thatsince.

I see Have so for myget Herald yearsToday and ever nowhere else. That compels me to be a regular reader.

David Lawrence Jr. Have been so for my Herald years and ever since.

Retired Miami Herald publisher and now Lawrence Jr. of Florida chair of The David Children’s Movement Retired Miami Herald publisher and now chair of The Children’s Movement of Florida

Miami Today is a part of my regular Thursday routine. It has become my Miami Today is of a part my regular primary source newsofabout what’s Thursday routine.

It has become my really going on in “Miami Today”. primary source ofreading news about what’s I especially enjoy Editor and really going on in “Miami Today”.

Publisher Michael Lewis’ viewpoint I column. especially enjoy reading Editorand and Mr. Lewis’ thoughtful Publisher Michael Lewis’ viewpoint well researched column should be column.

Mr. reading Lewis’ thoughtful and mandatory for all public well researched column should officials. He is the unbiased voicebe of mandatory reading for all public reason in our community. officials. He is the unbiased voice of reasonAlan in our community.

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Weisberg Kainen Mark, PL Alan L. Weisberg Weisberg Kainen Mark, PL

Thomas R. Roth Principal Thomas Roth Grass RiverR.Property Principal Grass River Property

Communities are built on trust.

Trust is built on the sharing of reliable information Communities are built on trust.and common interests.

Miami Today beenonbuilding community for three and a half Trusthas is built the sharing of reliable information and decades, common providing interests. readers with consistently reliable information and helping to define evolvingproviding opportunities and Miami Today has been building community for three and aMiami’s half decades, readers boundaries.

Noreliable one whoinformation wants to beand informed failMiami’s to read evolving it. Anyone who wants and to with consistently helpingshould to define opportunities understand what’s this to region and whoshould will lead shouldit. read theirwho celebration boundaries.

No onenext whofor wants be informed fail us to read Anyone wants to ofunderstand leadershipwhat’s and vision, every week, on the front page.

Their opinion is clearly presented, next for this region and who will lead us should read their celebration backed by rational argument. is not partisanship petty difference of leadership and vision, every What week, comes on the through front page.

Their opinion isorclearly presented, but arguments for Miami progress. backed by rational argument. What comes through is not partisanship or petty difference Alberto but arguments forIbargüen Miami progress. Miami Today is a must-read Miami Today is a staple at our United Way Ansin building, as Miami Today is a staple our it greets everyone in ourat front United Way Ansin building, as lobby. It provides weekly business it greets everyone in our front insights, covers pertinent lobby. It provides weekly business policy issues and profiles business insights, covers pertinent and philanthropic leaders who policy issues and profiles business are changing the landscape of and philanthropic leaders who Miami-Dade, both literally and are changingThe thepaper landscape figuratively. helps of us Miami-Dade, both literally and keep our fingers on the pulse of figuratively.

Thecommunity. paper helps us the business keep our fingers on the pulse of Maria C. community.

Alonso the business President and CEO, C. Alonso UnitedMaria Way of Miami-Dade President and CEO, United Way of Miami-Dade

President, John S. & James L. Knight Foundation Alberto Ibargüen Former Publisher, The Miami Herald President, John S. & James L. Knight Foundation Former Publisher, The Miami Herald Miami Today provides me a quick and in-depth Miami Today provides overview of the issues, market, me a quick and in-depth and trends in our city – more overview of the issues, market, importantly, it highlights the and trends in our city – more players in our community. importantly, it highlights the players in our community.

Mike Pappas President and CEO TheMike KeyesPappas Company President and CEO The Keyes Company

Miami Today is the economic newspaper of reference in Miami.

It is always very Miami Today is the economic newspaper wellreference informed, and putsIt in is perspective the of in Miami. always very main economic debates Florida. well informed, and putsofinSouth perspective the Its are adebates great source to learn from mainpages economic of South Florida. thepages leaders shapesource Miami’s future.

Its arewho a great to learn from the leaders whoClément shapeLeclerc Miami’s future.

Consul général de France Clément Leclerc / Consul General of France Consul général de France / Consul General of France

TESTIMONIALS TESTIMONIALS

every Wednesday when the Miami Today is a must-read electronic edition arrives on every Wednesday when the my phone. It carries news you electronic edition arrives on can’t get anywhere else. my phone. It carries news you And it does so without editorializing, can’t get anywhere else. slanting or interpreting the news.

And it does so without editorializing, I truly appreciate Michael Lewis’ column. slanting or interpreting the news.

He calls it like he sees it and is not afraid I truly appreciate Michael Lewis’ column. to say the emperor has no clothes.

He calls it like he sees it and is not afraid And as it turns out, I find myself to say the emperor has no clothes. agreeing him a lot of the time.

And as itwith turns out, I find myself agreeing withRay him a lot of the time.

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President Ray Casas Wragg & Casas President Wragg & Casasto thank As a reader of many years, I want

Michael Lewis and Carmen Betancourt-Lewis for a readerstream of many I want to thankand an As unbroken of years, top-notch reporting Michael Lewis andcommentary Carmen Betancourt-Lewis for thought-provoking on Miami’s Brickell an unbroken stream of top-notch reporting and Avenue Financial District as well as our county thought-provoking on Miami’s Brickell in general. It has commentary been a pleasure to be able to Avenue Financial District as well as our county share the phenomenal success and impact that in general.

It has been pleasure to beCity!” able to Miami Today has hadaon the “Magic share the phenomenal success and impact that Ross Miami Today hasAudrey had on the “Magic City!”

Vice President Audrey Ross Compass Miami Vice President Compass Miami

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WEEK OF THURSDAY, MAY 31, 2018

MIAMI TODAY

We We hear hear you you

We especially enjoy our regular reading of the Miami Today because consider it our prime source of Miami accurate, Wecomprehensive especiallyweenjoy our regular reading of the Today community news – especially in terms of because we consider it our prime source of accurate, local governmentcommunity matters. We also– appreciate its terms excellent comprehensive news especially in of community event calendar, but our number one, “can’t miss” local government matters.

We also appreciate its excellent read in each issue is Michael’s editorial.

Even though we community event calendar, but our number one, “can’t miss” sometimes do not agree with his editorial. view, we Even alwaysthough immensely read in each issue is Michael’s we respect his opinions because we know his topics are sometimes researched, do not agreehiswith hisare view, we always immensely thoroughly facts accurate, and his love for respect his opinions because we know his topics are this community is unexcelled within the local media.

Inlove short, thoroughly researched, his facts are accurate, and his for we consider the Miami Today as one of our community’s this community is unexcelled within the local media. In short, for which grateful. wetreasured considerassets the Miami Todayweasare oneextremely of our community’s and we Dan are Bell extremely grateful. treasured assets for Trish which Dan Bell Miami Today continues Trish to beand a valued

business partner and community Miami Today continues to be a valued asset for our Coral Gables Chamber of business partner and community Commerce and business community. As asset for our Coral Gables Chamber of they celebrate their 35th anniversary, the Commerce and business community. As quality and integrity of news, especialthey celebrate their 35th anniversary, the ly local business news, are critical to our quality and integrity of news, especiallong-term success. Our Gables Chamber ly local business news, are critical to our counts on the team at Miami Today – ably long-term success. Our Gables Chamber led by Michael Lewis and counts on the team at Miami Today – ably Carmen Betancourt-Lewis – to led by Michael Lewis and deliver superiority and substance in Carmen Betancourt-Lewis – to their reporting. Miami Today. deliver superiority and substance in

Miami Today is my go-to community newspaper.

It contains relevant, to date and accurate reporting Miami Today is myup go-to community newspaper. which keepsrelevant, me in touch political issues, It contains up towith dateour andlocal accurate reporting real estate thoughtful discussions which keepsinitiatives, me in touch with oureditorial local political issues, and current events throughout our community.

The real estate initiatives, thoughtful editorial discussions antithesis of events fake news, Miami Today is professional and current throughout our community.

The Journalism which can be trusted and used as an antithesis of fake news, Miami Today is professional insightful tool as we in theand 21stused century.

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Partner Louis Wolfson Group III Pinnacle Housing Partnr Pinnacle Housing Group Since I arrived in Miami election

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day 2000, Miami Today has been Since I arrived Miami election my go-to sourceinfor coverage of day 2000, Miami Today hasdesign, been government, development, my go-to and source coverage of planning all for relevant urban government, design, affairs. As adevelopment, former journalist, planning and allMiami relevant urban I appreciate Today’s affairs.

As a former journalist, unbiased approach to concise, I appreciate Miami clear writing about theToday’s topics that Chairman, Executive Committee unbiased approach to are of interest to all keyconcise, decision BowmanIndustry Brown Practice Group & Financial Institutions clear writing about the topics makers in Greater Miami. Asthat a Chairman, Executive Shutts & BowenCommittee LLP are of interest to all key decision marketer of professional services, & Financial Institutions Industry Practice Group makers Greater As a my firstinthing afterMiami. breakfast Shutts & Bowen LLP marketer of professional I read Miami Today the day it comes out.

52 Wednesdays per year services, is to go I am a weekly reader.

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52 Wednesdays perjob year is tokey go keeps me up toreader. date and I am a weekly It Miami-Dade County and the City of Miami. provides me with leads, It lets me know what’s really going on in online to read intelligence and Miami trends.Today.

Even ifIt it grounded local Your coverageCounty of this and kindthe of news your keeps me upontothe date and Miami-Dade City ofand Miami. provides me with job leads, key doesn’t lead to a direct business insight in the editorials that Michael and happenings and developments. intelligenceMiami and trends. it grounded on the local Your coverage of this kind of news and your opportunity, Today Even keepsif me others write are on target.

It’s great to have doesn’t lead to a direct business Thank youand fordevelopments. keeping the insight in the editorials that Michael and well-informed for that in happenings opportunity, Miamipre-meeting Today keeps me this impeccable source of news about our the hallway, others write are on target. It’s great to have local business community Thank you for keeping the well-informed that in community.

I’ve been reading Miami banter that can for ultimately this impeccable source of news aboutToday our informed and engaged. the hallway, pre-meeting local business community as long asI’ve youbeen havereading been publishing it. lead to a winning project. community.

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Market President, South Florida Carlton Fields Communications Leader PennyFlorida S. Shaffer, Josh Markus Blue Ph.D. Steve Wright PlusUrbia Design Market President, South Florida Carlton Fields Communications Leader Florida Blue PlusUrbia Design The Greater Miami Chamber I cannot possibly overstate the critical role that Miami Today plays in our has enjoyed a decades-long The Greaterwith Miami Chamber community. I have turned to the paper throughout my professional life for the relationship Miami Today, I cannot possibly overstate the critical role that Miami Today plays in our has enjoyed a decades-long most relevant and objective public policy news and thoughtful editorials, much relying on them to share the community. I have turned to the paper throughout my professional life for the relationship with Miami Today, of which goes uncovered by other publications. I have learned so much from this news that affects South most relevant and objective public policy news and thoughtful editorials, much relying on them to share the little newspaper that punches well above its weight, and can honestly say that it has Florida’s business community of which goes uncovered by other publications. I have learned so much from this news that affects South and working together facilitated my career and made me a more informed leader and better educated little newspaper that punches well above its weight, and can honestly say that it has Florida’s business to make Miamicommunity a better public servant. My organizations have also benefited tremendously from advertising andtoworking together facilitated my career and made me a more informed leader and better educated place live, work and play. in Miami Today, providing us unparalleled access to a broad spectrum of Miami’s to make Miami a better public servant. My organizations have also benefited tremendously from advertising most influential business and community leaders, and I look forward to Joework Zubi and play. place to live, in Miami Today, providing us unparalleled access to a broad spectrum of Miami’s continuing that relationship in my new role.

Senior Vice President, most influential business and community leaders, and I look forward to Joe Zubi Communications Javier A. Betancourt continuing that relationship in my new role.

Senior Vice President, Greater Miami Executive Director Communications Chamber of Commerce Javier A. Betancourt Office of the Citizens’ Independent Transportation Trust Greater Miami Executive Director Chamber of Commerce Office of the Citizens’ Independent Transportation Trust TESTIMONIALS

No other South Florida publication covers Miami’s business activity well. Miami is required anyone No othersoSouth Florida Today publication covers reading Miami’sforbusiness wanting to so understand what’s goingisonrequired of importance Miami activity well. Miami Today reading tofortheanyone businesstocommunity who going is making happen. Thank for wanting understandand what’s on ofitimportance to the you Miami your immense contribution well-being of ourThank community. business community and whotoisthe making it happen. you for your immense contributionBowman to theBrown well-being of our community.

TESTIMONIALS

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WEEK OF THURSDAY, MAY 31, 2018

MIAMI TODAY

MIAMI TODAY

WEEK OF THURSDAY, MAY 31, 2018

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WEEK OF THURSDAY, MAY 31, 2018

A Singular Voice in an Evolving City

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MIAMI-DADE’S HOPES TO BE A WORLD CUP CITY RIDE ON A JUNE VOTE IN MOSCOW, PG. 40 HYATT ON HOLD: A proposal to extend a lease of City of Miami riverfront to Hyatt Equities LLC for a major redevelopment has been put off for a month and a half. The current proposal would clear the site at 400 SE Second Ave., including razing the James L. Knight Convention Center. Hyatt wants an extended lease in order to build a new Hyatt Regency hotel and two residential towers. Voters will ultimately be involved as it requires a city charter amendment to extend the lease impacting city-owned waterfront. The new lease and a ballot proposal were considered by commissioners May 10 but deferred to May 24. At last week’s meeting, without discussion, commissioners deferred the matter to July 12.

The Achiever

By Katherine Lewin

MIA FLYING HIGH: Despite a passenger drop in April at Miami International Airport, airport passengers and cargo were both up for the first four months of 2018, new figures show. Total passengers carried rose 2.31% in the first four months to almost 15.3 million from the same period of 2017, while cargo tonnage rose 3.84% to more than 788,000 tons. Domestic passengers for those four months were up 2.16% and international passengers rose 2.48%, the airport’s figures show. On the cargo side, international cargo rose 1.48% while domestic cargo tonnage – by far a smaller total amount – soared 18.85%. In April, total passengers at the airport were down 2% from April 2017 while cargo tonnage rose almost 3%.

HOME SALES SOAR: Total Miami home sales increased 12.9% in April, from 2,303 in April 2017 to 2,601, according to the Miami Association of Realtors. Total sales volume jumped 17.8%, from $1.01 billion to $1.19 billion. Existing condos saw the biggest increase, with the 1,384 transactions, up 24.6%, and sales volume rising from $401.7 million to $565.4 million, up 40.8%. Single-family home total dollar volume rose 4.9% to $633.3 million. Only 6.1% of all closed residential sales in April were distressed, compared to 10% in April 2017. In 2009, distressed sales comprised 70% of Miami sales. The median number of days between listing and contract dates for single-family home sales was 45 days, down from 49 days last year.

CONSUMER PRICES JUMP: Consumer prices in South Florida rose 3.5% for the 12 months ended April 30, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported, even though they dropped a tenth of a percentage point in the March-April two-month period. In the 12 months, food prices in the area rose 1.9%, housing costs rose 2.9%, fuel costs rose 1.2%, transportation costs rose 7.4% and medical care rose 10%. Price drops were in apparel, down 1.3%; recreation, down 1.8%; and education and communication, down 1.4%. Everything else rose 2% on average.

Dennis Scholl

Photo by Cristina Sullivan

Supporting local visual artists at ArtCenter South Florida The profile is on Page 4

Miami trolley to airport hub, rail platform on track

By John Charles Robbins

City and county leaders are touting two transportation improvements to ease traffic gridlock. If the demonstration projects win final approval and funds, the city would run a trolley route to connect with the Miami Intermodal Center (MIC) next to Miami International Airport and build a train station platform on the Northeast Corridor.

Last week, the Miami City Commission authorized administrators to submit the Northeast Corridor Proposal and the EastWest Corridor Proposal (to the MIC), in response to the Miami-Dade Transportation Planning Organization’s (TPO) invitation for SMART Plan demonstration proposals.

The legislation was sponsored by Mayor Francis Suarez, Vice Chair Ken Russell and Commissioner Manolo Reyes.

Mayor Suarez said, “These projects are a huge win for the City of Miami and a step towards seeing the SMART Plan come alive.”

The Strategic Miami Area Rapid Transit, or SMART, Plan prioritizes light rail or premium transit technology along six priority corridors, and a bus express rapid transit network.

China trip aids export of services

The regional TPO is governed by a board made up mostly of county commissioners, with representatives from municipalities and the school board.

Esteban Bovo Jr., who chairs both the county commission and the TPO, declared May 24 a “big day,” saying the city’s two demonstration projects launch SMART Plan service and will bring the area closer to interconnectivity.

In a press release that day, Mr. Bovo welcomed the city’s applications, including the Northeast Corridor Proposal, which would establish a train station for Midtown/Design District.

“Working to develop a demonstration project that will service the Midtown and Design District area along the northeast corridor, which will have both Tri-Rail and Brightline service, is a great way to begin activating the vision of the SMART Plan,” Mr. Bovo said.

“We still need to continue working with all stakeholders including Tri-Rail, Florida Department of Transportation, Brightline, and City of Miami to fully implement the project, as well as ultimately connect communities

along the entire northeast corridor,” he said.

In addition, Mr. Bovo said he’s looking forward to advancing all proposed SMART demonstration projects endorsed by the TPO Transportation and Mobility Committee.

“Together, all of these projects combined will significantly increase accessibility to transit and offer new congestion relief options to the residents of Miami-Dade County as well as the South Florida region,” he said.

The city runs a free trolley system, and an east-west route through Flagami is the last to be set rolling.

The MIC is a transportation hub linking multiple modes of transit to the airport: trains, buses, trolleys, rental vehicles and more.

Each demo project requires a local minimum pledge of 50% of the estimated cost from the sponsor.

TPO Executive Director Aileen Bouclé wrote to the city: “Funding is a collaborative effort, and depending on the scope and cost of the demonstration project, the TPO may seek federal and/or state funds to be allocated up to one half of the net project cost, but not more than the amount of funding committed by the project sponsor.”

Enterprise Florida is taking 13 small and mid-sized state companies on an export mission to Hong Kong and Guangzhou, China, this week, including one from Miami-Dade and one from Port Everglades.

Since 13 is the most Enterprise can bring into China, registration is closed. Enterprise will work with several other interested firms to set up their own matchmaking individual trips later this year, said Manny Mencia, its Coral Gablesbased senior vice president of international trade and business development.

“China is the largest market in the world. It’s a market of opportunity,” Mr. Mencia said. “We’re concerned about trade issues between the US and China, but we still think there’s going to be great opportunity and resources generated by these companies.”

Going through June 9 are AirMatt, Alternative Exports, Chicago Stainless, Citrusway, CPLS, Dais Analytic Corp., Fortune International Investments, Glades Formulating Corp., Ideas Forever Inc., Palladio, Palm Beach Naturals LLC, RFG Environmental Group and Port Everglades.

Working with the US Embassy in China, Enterprise vetted the companies and sent the embassy their goals and backgrounds.

Then the embassy’s Commercial Service assessed applicants and picked those it thinks could do best in the Chinese market, depending on their data and analytics.

China was Florida’s seventh global export market and the second-largest export market for services in 2017, according to the US-China Business Council.

Florida’s exports to China alone sustained 31,000 US jobs in 2016.

The worth of Florida’s goods shipped to China has grown 114% since 2008.

“This trip is only for service providers because, according to our data, the export of services from Florida is growing very fast,” Mr. Mencia said. Exports of “services have been growing faster than tangible products since 2011.”

BICYCLE LINKS TARGETED ON SMART PLAN CORRIDORS ...

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TEXTING NO-NOS ADDED: BIKING, SKATING, MOPEDING ... ...

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COUNTY FINES COLLECTIONS AMNESTY PULLS IN $577,000 ...

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GABLES STREETSCAPING GETS LONG-SOUGHT PLAUDITS ...

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OLYMPICS TRAINING SAILING CENTER GETS LEASE OK ...

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SEA LEVEL ISSUES SINK PLANNED CITY DEPARTMENT TIE ...

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VIEWPOINT: ADD METROMOVER FARE TO BUILD TRANSIT ...

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NEW ST. THOMAS PRESIDENT SEEKS ENROLLMENT GAINS ...

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WEEK OF THURSDAY, MAY 31, 2018

TODAY’S NEWS

MIAMI TODAY

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Grove sailing center that trains for Olympics gets lease OK

By John Charles Robbins

It wasn’t easy but the United States Sailing Center Inc. was able to keep its piece of the Coconut Grove waterfront for at least another decade.

The Florida not-for-profit corporation had campaigned for more time.

The US Sailing Center Miami is one of only 18 official US Olympic Training sites sanctioned by the US Olympic Committee, and the only one for sailing in the US. The city is the owner of real property and improvements at the site, 2476 S Bayshore Drive, and the US Sailing Center as lessee has been operating the center within David Kennedy Park since 1986.

City staff and representatives for the US Sailing Center had worked out a proposal for a new 15-year lease with two additional five-year options to renew.

The proposal first came up at a commission meeting earlier this spring but was deferred. Many residents and athletes who have used the sailing center spoke strongly in favor of the new deal, and some begged commissioners to do all they could to keep the facility in the Grove.

After debate over procedure and the appropriate duration of a new lease – with two-, five-, eight- and 10-year extensions discussed – the commission voted 4-1 for an extension of 10 years, with two additional four-year options to renew.

Commissioner Joe Carollo had

US Sailing Center had sought a new 15-year city lease with options but wound up with a 10-year lease.

concerns about the new deal, and ultimately was the lone “no” vote.

The matter required a four-fifths vote to waive competitive bidding and to execute the agreement.

The city charter provides that the commission may waive competitive bidding and referendum requirements when entering into a lease or extending a lease with a non-profit, noncommercial, water-dependent organization that provides marinerecreation services or activities to the community at any city-owned waterfront property, provided certain conditions are met on public access, public use, waterfront setback and view-corridor requirements, fair

return to the city, compliance with the master plan and requirements prescribed by ordinance.

The new deal will increase the rent to $2,250 a month or 12% of gross revenues, whichever is greater, to be increased annually by 3%.

The sailing center has been paying about $1,000. The resolution said the proposed rent was determined by two independent appraisers to be fair market rent for the property.

The US Sailing Center has agreed to “initiate and continue a summer sailing program specifically geared toward underprivileged children within the city, exposing the children to the benefits of the facilities for

the duration of the lease; and … the Lessee and the City desire to allow further public access through adjacent greenway areas to enable increased public participation in the programs offered by the [center] for the benefit of City residents,” the resolution said.

Commissioners Manolo Reyes and Ken Russell were pushing for more public access and new efforts to reach more youngsters.

“We need a more active effort to reach kids in Little Havana and Allapattah,” Mr. Reyes said.

A representative said the sailing center is working with the parks department to add more signage to

draw attention to the public access.

The organization is touting the new lease on its website. “Thank you for your efforts! The US Sailing Center Miami has a new lease,” reads the homepage.

Ed Cabassa, president of the sailing center, wrote: “After a long process of meetings, negotiations, deferrals and Commissioner input, we were successful in acquiring a new lease for the US Sailing Center. The Schoonmaker Center will continue to fly the Olympic Rings at Kennedy Park.

“This would not have been possible without the incredible support we received from the Sailing Community. Nearly 5,000 of you – from 32 countries and all 50 states – signed the petition confirming that the Center is an important part of the fabric of our sport and City,” he wrote. ”We look forward to working with the City of Miami, local residents and businesses to continue to provide an open facility for people to access the water whether it is in pursuit of their Olympic Dreams or their first sail on the Bay,” Mr. Cabassa wrote.

This volunteer-based organization provides public access to Miami’s waterfront, along with public storage and launching, regatta hosting, team training and community outreach.

The US Sailing Center Miami has hosted an internationally renowned Olympic Class regatta for 25 years, bringing thousands of world-class, Olympic-caliber sailors to the waters of Biscayne Bay.

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MIAMI TODAY

VIEWPOINT

WEEK OF THURSDAY, MAY 31, 2018

Miami Today is an independent voice of the community, published weekly at 2000 S. Dixie Highway, Suite 100, Miami, Florida 33133. Telephone (305) 358-2663

Add a Metromover fare, bond the money and build transit Miami-Dade made a huge mistake in 2002 when, to entice voters to support a tax for new rail lines, it made Metromover free. Ending fares shut off a small flow to fund new transit, and much of the sales tax was misspent elsewhere.

As a result, in 2018 we’re still hunting for revenue to build transit. Yet since 2002, traffic congestion has mushroomed from an annoyance then to a crisis today.

So when Commissioner Sally Heyman this month broached a $1 Metromover fare in order to build more transit, she took the right track. If she’d picked $2.25, equal to bus and Metrorail fares, she’d have been moving even faster down that line.

Today the county seeks six new transit corridors in its so-called Smart plan but only one – funded by the Miami-Dade Expressway Authority – has the money.

The rest is pretty much just a wish list.

So what happens if we listen to Ms.

Heyman and charge $1 for a Metromover trip? At today’s use level, we’d collect $303 million over 30 years – thus creating a real revenue stream for a new transit leg. Charging $2.25 as we do on all other county transit would bring the 30-year receipts to $682 million at the present pace, roughly enough to run mass transit between Miami and Miami Beach, and far more than enough to run new transit from Homestead to Dadeland to link into Metrorail.

That’s money the county should not leave on the table for another minute, even if it angers folks who consider their piece of mass transit, the Metromover, a free amenity while all other county transit users are paying $2.25 a trip. What is the justification for a free mover in upperincome downtown and Brickell while folks in lower-income areas pay full fare?

Of course, charging would hit some Metromover riders who are by no means upper income, just as all government taxes and fees apply to those who are not wealthy as well as the wealthy. We are sympathetic – but we also know that the transit system has a variety of part-fare and free passes available that would apply to Metromover were a fare in place just as they now apply to the rest of our transit. We also know that even at

$2.25 the county would be subsidizing another $3 to $5 per ride for every paying passenger.

The bottom line is that the public must pay one way or another if we are going to add to our woeful mass transit web as we must. There is no free lunch – just as there should be no free ride.

One reason the county refused to look at a Metromover fare two years ago when Commissioner Barbara Jordan logically called for one to fund added transit was that the mayor’s office said it would cost more to collect the fares than the county would get.

Frankly, we can’t believe the county could spend $303 million over 30 years to collect fares, much less $682 million for a full-fare system.

Maybe the administration was referring to collecting just the 25-cent fare in use before 2002 and the cost of collections for the first year alone, including installation of turnstiles. If so, modern technology offers the county ways to collect without major equipment. Between cell phones and visual recognition devices, far less costly collection methods would very rapidly more than pay for themselves.

And if not, why not try an honor system for fares? They’ve been used elsewhere,

collecting 95% to 97% of all that was due transit systems with no humans involved in making sure passengers paid.

Collecting 95% of $682 million is more than worthwhile.

To be intellectually honest, we admit that the county would have to do a sales job to maintain Metromover ridership if passengers had to pay. But then, as fast as the entire transit system is losing riders at a double-digit percentage clip each year, it ought to be mounting a massive sales campaign anyway, Metromover fare or no. Spotty as county transit quality may be, promotion of its use is far worse.

Ms. Heyman asked transit director Alice Bravo to study where else in this nation major transit systems charge no fares and she predicted the finding she expected: nowhere else.

But the bottom line is, no study is needed if Ms. Heyman and Ms. Jordan can find five other commissioners who also recognize that our need for transit expansion trumps the need to give downtown riders a free pass while everyone else pays.

Put a fare on the commission agenda, get it passed and you automatically have a fund flow that could be bonded today to build vital transit tomorrow.

Are we prepared for the artificial intelligence revolution?

Imagine a future where homes will be able to use the most efficient, cost-effective electronic technology, where sensors in dishwashers can determine the optimum amount of water to be used to clean a certain number of dishes and Jerry Haar regulate the intensity of the water jets based on the dirtiness of the material.

That future is closer than we think – ushered in by the “fourth industrial revolution.”

Coined such by Klaus Schwab, founder to the World Economic Forum, this technological revolution is fundamentally changing how we live, work and relate to one another.

It is exponential, unlike the linear pace of previous ones, and includes the Internet of Things, robotics, 3D printing, biotech and nanotech, autonomous vehicles, quantum computing and, especially, artificial intelligence (AI).

AI touches all of us now in myriad ways and has several dimensions: 1. Reactive machines that make predictions – chess algorithms are a good example.

2. Limited memory that looks into the past to find patterns – self-driving cars are a case in point. 3. Theory of mind, whereby people, creatures and objects can have thoughts and emotions that affect their own behavior (humanoids).

4. Self-awareness – machines with human consciousness (we are not there yet).

In a survey by MIT’s Sloan Management Review and the Boston Consulting Group, 85% of firms surveyed expressed belief that AI will provide a competitive advantage.

And no wonder. AI eases business operations and processes and boosts efficiency.

In the financial realm, finance, credit and insurance companies use it as lie detectors.

JPMorgan Chase’s Contract Intelligence (COiN) platform uses image recognition

The Writer

Jerry Haar is a professor and interim director of Executive and Professional Education in the College of Business at Florida International University and a global fellow of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, DC. software to analyze legal documents and extract important data points and clauses in seconds. FICO uses AI to build credit risk models.

Supply chain and logistics have the largest possibilities in terms of value creation after marketing and sales. Inventory management, delivery and distribution have been improving dramatically thanks to AI. UPS saves $50 million a year through process management using AI and tracking in real time optimum delivery routes.

Any consumer who buys online knows how AI custom-tailors marketing. For example, looking for a CD on Amazon of composer Gustav Holst’s “The Planets,” up will pop a message indicating that people who bought that CD also purchased other discs of similar early 20th century British classical composers such as Edward Elgar, Ralph Vaughan Williams, William Walton and Arnold Bax. The social and communication impacts of AI are not only promising but limitless. Siri, Alexa and Amazon Echo are the most relatable, while household chores, performed by cleaning robots such as the Roomba vacuum cleaner, are another case in point.

AI will impact transportation as well.

Imagine owning a car that is out Ubering for you while you are working your regular job.

In government services, AI is heavily employed in public safety, including parole screenings, crime prevention, and widespread applications in smart cities.

And in health care, patient monitoring is becoming far more efficient and effective,

freeing up medical staff for other tasks and research. Britain’s National Health Service is using computer vision algorithms to detect cancerous tissues, and IBM is working with CVS health and Johnson & Johnson on analysis of scientific papers to find new connections on drug development.

None of this should imply that there are no downsides or dangers from artificial intelligence. For there clearly are – mainly, losing control of AI operations due to a malfunction. A finance company can lose all its money in a fraction of a second if the machine learning algorithm it relies on for its investments malfunctions.An out-of-control AI automotive vehicle or a robot can be fatal, and malfunctioning medical equipment or an equipment fed with insufficient data can lead to a disaster. And since AI does not understand morality, we could wind up with lethal autonomous weapons and disappear as a species.

The most immediate threat, or rather challenge, from AI is to ensure that those whose jobs machines will replace (banking, apparel, mining, low-skilled machine

L etters to the E ditor

Overtown Metrorail hub best Brightline connector

There is a much closer and easier connection from Metrorail/Metromover to the new Brightline Miami Central train station.

This is the Overtown/Lyric Theatre Metrorail station, which is adjacent to Brightline and a few steps along a nicely landscaped sidewalk to the front door. This is much more convenient than using the distant Ferguson Metromover station or the Government Metrorail station as suggested in your interview with Brightline COO Patrick Goddard, Charles A. Dunn

operators) will be retrained or “skilled up” to remain employed.

While entire occupations are destined to be eliminated, research reports from Gartner and MIT estimate that rather than destroying jobs, AI will create over 500,000 jobs over the next three years.

BMW in Spartanburg, SC, is illustrative.

Its workforce more than doubled during the past decade, as cars that once had 3,000 parts now have 15,000. More and more workers are assigned to upgraded, higher-paying work checking the final output of robots.

As lower-level tech workers upgrade their skills, middle-level and higher-skilled jobs will be open to them. Welding torches and hammers will be traded in for manuals that teach the basics of software coding skills.

Although AI is very expensive to implement on a large scale and costs billions of dollars and considerable time to develop and maintain, according to McKinsey, it will become a dominant feature of our 21st century economy. It behooves of us all to prepare to survive and thrive in the brave new world of artificial intelligence.

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TODAY’S NEWS

WEEK OF THURSDAY, MAY 31, 2018

MIAMI TODAY

37

No texting while driving – or biking, skating, mopeding or... years, according to state records. distracted driving a primary location-related information report. Twenty-six percent of Since 2013, members of both offense. None passed. had risen from 74% in 2013 to respondents in a related study Efforts to reduce texting while chambers of Florida’s legislaSmartphone use for directions, 90% nationwide, according to by the center reported using their driving in Miami-Dade County ture have drafted bills to make recommendations and other a 2015 Pew Research Center devices “constantly.” are extending to young people riding bicycles, skateboards, hoverboards, mopeds and other similar vehicles.

County commissioners unanimously approved a resolution this month directing the mayor’s office to create and try strategies that could expand or supplement the county’s seasonal “Put It Down” campaign, a preventative program teaching high school students the dangers of distracted driving.

The unnamed new program will include installation of new signs throughout the county and other strategies to deter mobile device use while on roadways and in public spaces.

The resolution made no mention of “Heads Up, Miami!” – a similar campaign overseen by Neat Streets Miami, a county transportation board chaired

by Commissioner Dennis Moss targeting distracted drivers, pedestrians and cyclists.

Since 2012, the Florida Department of Transportation’s “Put It Down” campaign has targeted Miami drivers aged 16 to 24, the demographic most at-risk of injury from distracted driving. In Miami-Dade County, the campaign is coordinated by transportation employees and county police involved in Students Together Against Negative Decisions (STAND), an educational initiative presented in high schools through lectures, literature and educational efforts including a texting while driving simulator.

“Like anything, we want to continue to grow and impact more lives,” Miami-Dade Police Chief of Communications Hector Llevat said. “Luckily, through technology, through social media – things like that – we can leverage that and really impact more people.”

Showing the real-life repercussions of dangerous roadway behavior is especially effective, said Mr. Llevat, who mentioned STAND’s annual Youth Summit as an example.

“We bring in dynamic speakers who [go] all over the country, who have been involved in terrible car accidents because of DUIs or other situations, [and] talk to kids and really show them what exactly the consequences are of these negative decisions,” he said.

Nearly 6,000 pedestrians were killed last year in motor vehicle All year long we train and prepare, using the latest technology so we can be crashes nationwide, according to a report by the Governors ready to respond in good weather and bad. See how you can prepare Highway Safety Association, for storm season at FPL.com/Storm. which identified state legalization of recreational marijuana and smartphone use as potential contributing factors.

Florida banned texting while driving in 2013, but police must first witness drivers committing another traffic violation before being allowed to stop them. Neither the texting ban nor record-high seatbelt usage stopped vehicular, pedestrian This Th iss adv dver eerrtitisi isiingg is pa p id for by FP F L sh shar har areh ehol eh olde ol d rs rs,, no nott ou ourr cu cust stom st om merrs. s and bicycle roadway fatalities in Florida from increasing more than 31% over the next three

By Jesse Scheckner

“

“

Storm season is here.

We’re ready. Are you?

After a storm hits, restoring power safely and as quickly as possible is our number one priority.

38

MIAMI TODAY

WEEK OF THURSDAY, MAY 31, 2018

TODAY’S NEWS

Gables streetscape gets thumbs-up after years of plans, work

By Rebecca San Juan

Newly widened sidewalks and updated features along Miracle Mile and Giralda Plaza in Coral Gables are inviting pedestrians to visit their favorite sites and linger long enough to discover new ones. Merchants rate the overall changes positively, with a few recommendations for improvements.

The Miracle Mile and Giralda Avenue Streetscape project spans from Douglas to LeJeune roads on the Mile and from the east on Galiano Street to the west on Ponce de Leon.

Venny Torre, president of the Coral Gables Business Improvement District, remembers when the idea for the streetscaping was first discussed in 2002. Years later, in the summer of 2016, shovels finally broke ground. The project ended almost two years later.

Hard work and dedication pays off, Mr. Torre said. “The result has been overwhelmingly positive.

What’s clearly distinguishable is the openness and the wide sidewalks and the walkability.

The seating and the landscaping are magnificent. As a whole, extremely positive responses.”

Jorge S. Kuperman, principal architect at JSK Architectural Group and Business Improvement District member, says he sees the difference. Giralda Plaza replaced

Photo by Cristina Sullivan

Expert advisory team left Miracle Mile positioned for the next 50 years, said Jillian Hornik of Jae’s Jewelers.

a concrete road in front of his office at 137 Giralda Ave. “Now people have to walk,” Mr. Kuperman said. “There’s no street in front of your store. And that’s all good.”

Most of the proprietors along the Mile rate the changes highly.

Maryellen Fonte of Daisy Tarsi at 311 Miracle Mile said, “Very happy with the results. We have

a great mix of retailers and restaurants now along the Mile. The streetscape is going to invite back the community to visit. It’s just more pedestrian-friendly.”

She also welcomes the end of ongoing construction after seeing significant losses during that time.

“It could be anywhere from 30% to 60%,” Ms. Fonte said. “Not every street was closed at the same

time, so before our street closure it happened that the other side was being done. It wasn’t affecting us much, and then it came to our side, the north side. That’s when you see the bigger dip.”

Others see the changes as an opportunity to improve business in the long-run. Jillian Hornik, owner of Jae’s Jewelers at 237 Miracle Mile and member atlarge of the Business Improvement District, said, “Thanks to the Business Improvement District and the Coral Gables government, they formed an expert advisory committee – design professionals, urban planners, engineers, transportation professionals, even retail experts and

F ilming

in

M iami

These film permits were issued last week by the Miami-Dade County Department of Regulatory & Economic Resources’ Office of Film and Entertainment, (305) 375-3288; the Miami Mayor’s Office of Film, Arts & Entertainment, (305) 860-3823; and the Miami Beach Office of Arts, Culture and Entertainment-Film and Print Division, (305) 673-7070.

Artex Productions Inc. Coral Gables. Looking for a charge. Metromover.

RSA Films, Inc. Los Angeles. Lincoln. Crandon Park Beach, Opa Locka West, Rickenbacker Causeway, William Powell Turnaround.

Imagina Content LLC. Miami. Directv. Swale Parking.

Oxnard Cats Entertainment LLC. Van Nuys. Total Divas.

Countywide, Miami Beach citywide.

Eastern TV. Doral. Love & Hip Hop Season 2.

Countywide.

Miami Children’s Initiative Inc. Miami. KickBall Promotion. Annie Coleman Development.

Duck Box Productions LLC. Miami. Maple. Rickenbacker Causeway Beaches.

ILLEGAL DUMPERS can expect penalties, fines and possible jail time. Dispose of your trash and debris properly!

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Miami is Still an Inexpensive Luxury Market Compared to Worldwide Markets

For more information or to report illegal dumping call 311 or visit www.miamidade.gov/311Direct

merchants to help design the best recommendation to make the sidewalk design for the next 50 years. It’s great to see this evolution of the street that will better support the merchants on Miracle Mile.”

Some storeowners, however, believe that a few tweaks can improve the experience.

Jossie Guelbenzu-Aldrich, owner of Jossie’s Couture Fabrics & Designs at 295 Miracle Mile, rates the changes as an 8 or 9 out of a possible 10. “The streets were in very bad conditions,” She said.

“I had customers that fell on the sidewalk. It was dirty. It needed a revamp.”

While the final product looks good, she says, the cleaning crew could do better: “They painted everything white and its super dirty. They need a cleaning team that comes and really gets into it every day.”

She also wishes for more lighting along the Mile. Ms. Guelbenzu-Aldrich said, “There’s certain places in the Mile where they put like four of these lights. I think we need more lights.”

Charles C. Bohl, director of the master in real estate development and urbanism program at the University of Miami School of Architecture, says he’ll judge the streetscape a success if more folks stroll the area.

“First, provide that activity space for Giralda and Miracle Mile,” Dr. Bohl said. “It’s ultimately to bring more diverse people to downtown to shop and dine. It creates this more inviting atmosphere where the goal is the people will stay longer. They’ll walk the Mile. They’ll walk Giralda. They’ll go to other shops.

“That’s really the broader goal, to make the entire downtown a more walkable, attractive space, to spend more time, to draw more visitors and to also be able to compete with other places that have done improvements with their streetscape.”

Mr. Torre says the Business Improvement District is shifting its attention to drawing in and retaining large crowds: “These are the goals for us to get the people out – we want to get dining, we want to get events, we want to get music on the streets. These are the things we’re working on right now.”

According to a new report by the MIAMI Association of REALTORS® (MIAMI) and the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), Miami luxury home sales surged 12.3 percent in Q1 2018 as median prices rose for the 25th consecutive quarter. The Miami luxury market is relatively hot, and one of the reasons for our surge in popularity is that we are still

an inexpensive luxury market, and buyers are taking note.

new tax law was implemented, but our cost of living is still considerably less than major Miami as a cities such as New York City, San Luxury City The Knight Frank’s Prime Global Cities Francisco, and Boston, allowing our residents to enjoy the home Index for Q1 2018, which ranks luxury residential properties in the top and lifestyle of their dreams without a lofty Manhattan or 5% of the housing market in each city worldwide, ranked Miami number West Coast price tag.

22 behind San Francisco, number 8, and Los Angeles, number 11.

Audrey Ross

Cost of Living Consideration Not only are people in high-tax states flocking to Miami after the

305.206.4003 aross@miamirealestate.com www.miamirealestate.com

40

MIAMI TODAY

TODAY’S NEWS

WEEK OF THURSDAY, MAY 31, 2018

Hopes to be World Cup city ride on June voting

By Marcus Lim

Miami-Dade’s hopes to be a World Cup city during the 2026 soccer tournament rest on whether the United Bid Committee (UBC), comprising the US, Canada and Mexico, secures enough votes June 13 to be the host nations. The county’s mayor and commissioners, who voted unanimously in favor of Miami hosting a match, await the votes to see if further action can be taken.

On June 13, a day before the 2018 World Cup in Russia, a FIFA Miami-Dade hopes to be part of the 2026 tournament. The match above was Brazil vs. Croatia in 2014.

Congress in Moscow is to vote to select the host country. Vying to be host are the UBC and Morocco.

Excluding those four countries, 207 nations’ soccer federations will vote, and a simple majority (50% + 1) will pick the host.

FIFA, the Swiss organization behind the global event, oversees every major soccer tournament from continental competitions to the most-watched European leagues.

In order for Miami-Dade to even begin preparations to be a potential site, the UBC would need to garner more than 103 votes.

On Jan. 23, Mayor Carlos Giménez released a 77-page memo detailing the county’s approved resolution that supports UBC’s efforts and hopes that Miami-Dade could be a site. A study by the Boston Consulting Group says the economic impact for each locale involved could be as much as $500 million.

Additionally, the bid being presented by Miami-Dade includes an agreement identifying Miami International Airport as the facility selected to welcome the estimated influx of over 400,000 people including players, coaches, executives, officials and fans anticipated to visit the county for the World Cup festivities and matches. & The county has been working with the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, which would show FIFA inspectors that Miami is fit to be a host site. Hard Rock Stadium is confirmed to be the venue of either group stage games or a quarterfinal game if the UBC secures the vote.

“Right now, we are waiting to see what happens,” said Jose Sotolongo, director of sports and entertainment at the convention bureau.

“Let’s assume on [June] 13th Jose Sotolongo the UBC gets the votes they need – we are still in 2018. FIFA will look at different cities and decide which game goes where, so we will be at a holding pattern for the next few years.”

Hard Rock Stadium has cemented itself as a one of the nation’s premier sports stadiums.Apart from being home to the Miami Dolphins football team, it stages international soccer games, last year hosting the second El Clasico, one of the largest soccer rivalries, between Barcelona To report a mosquito nuisance, visit www.miamidade.gov/311direct, and Real Madrid, and it will be hostcall 311 or download our free 311 Direct Mobile App. ing two more international soccer matches this July. It was also the site @305Mosquito of the Super Bowl in 2009. www.miamidade.gov/mosquito #DrainAndCoverMiami #FightTheBite The month-long World Cup

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DRAINCOVER

tournament that occurs every four years will pit 48 national teams against each other, an upgrade from the conventional format of 32 teams that the World Cup has employed since 1998. This will be the first time a FIFA tournament will have that many teams, attributed to “the evolution of [soccer] football’s global showpiece.”

For the UBC, 23 cities will be potential sites, 17 of them in the US. The US would host 60 games, and Canada and Mexico would host 10 each.

The announcement was made that the UBC would enter the bid to host the World Cup jointly in April 2017. It’s the first time three nations have joined together for the event.

The first time multiple nations hosted a World Cup was in 2002, linking Japan and South Korea.

“Our county is a top tourist destination where people come from all over the world to enjoy our culture and have a great time,” said Commissioner Rebeca Sosa, who sponsored the bid. “Hosting World Cup matches here, in the Gateway to the Americas, is a perfect fit. We have Rebeca Sosa world-class facilities like the Hard Rock Stadium and Miami International Airport, and the very best hospitality professionals in the country ready to welcome soccer fans from across the globe. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Government support is one of FIFA’s requirements for a host country, which is to provide operational, fiscal and administrative support. President Donald Trump has affirmed that he is supporting the bid and will do whatever it takes to ensure its success. While the UBC is doing its part to help secure votes, Mr. Trump himself has made public comments, most recently at the Rose Garden press conference, and even Tweeted that it would be a “shame” if other countries did not provide the vote.

“I hope all African countries and countries throughout the world, that we also will be supporting you and that they will, likewise, support us in our bid, along with Canada and Mexico, for the 2026 World Cup,” Mr. Trump said.

If the UBC wins, it would be the second World Cup held in the US, the first in Canada and the third in Mexico.

Mr. Sotolongo said that even though the local supporters are playing the waiting game, if the UBC succeeds, he knows Miami will have no problems passing any FIFA inspection.

“We are big in who we are and we are very optimistic for our community,” he said. “We have a good record and long line of top-notch sporting events hosted here, and we know the sports business inside and out, so we are very confident for our positioning here.”

Details: Miami Dade County’s memorandum: http:// www.miamidade.gov/govaction/legistarfiles/Matters/ Y2018/180082.pdf

46

MIAMI TODAY

WEEK OF THURSDAY, MAY 31, 2018

TODAY’S NEWS

New St. Thomas University president seeks enrollment growth

By Marcus Lim

St. Thomas University has selected a new president. A search committee has chosen David Armstrong, current president of Thomas More College in Kentucky, to be the private school’s next David Armstrong leader, stating that his vision matched theirs: to be a leading Catholic university.

With a proven track record and skills of increasing enrollment, fundraising and forging communitybased partnerships, Mr. Armstrong hopes his expertise will help raise the profile of the faith-based institution’s footprint “in Florida and beyond” and ensure that the university navigates through what he calls a challenging time in higher education.

“The value of higher education is questioned by both sides of the aisle,” he told Miami Today.

“Families don’t want to fund it, other students are getting free rides in other schools, it is a challenging time. We want to make sure that we will get a good positive trend enrollment growth.

“We have grown and set records everywhere I worked. There is an old saying from a nun, ‘If there is no margin there is no mission.’

We want to make sure we have the margin so the mission lives.”

He said his frankness on speaking about the challenges of higher education to St. Thomas University’s search committee helped him get the position, an exciting opportunity, he says, even though he wasn’t looking for another job and happy at his current leadership position at his Catholic liberal arts college, a position he held since 2013.

“I wasn’t looking for a position, I was just very honest on the value of higher education and a degree from a smaller Catholic, liberal art focus-based institution. I am very direct about the challenges those colleges face, so it was liberating to be very honest,” Mr. Armstrong said. “In my interview, I asked every person if they were ready to do what was necessary to put St. Thomas University in a position for the next 50 or 100 years to be a force.”

He said he was only drawn to the St. Thomas University position by the healthy respect he had for outgoing president Msgr. Franklyn Casale, the president for 25 years.

The pair have met numerous times at the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, where Mr. Armstrong fostered an admiration for him.

“To be able to follow him and his legacy is quite an honor. I look forward to working with him in the transition and know he will be a mentor to me in the future.

Though I wasn’t looking for a job at this time, he and the university made it very attractive to me,” Mr. Armstrong said.

Mr. Armstrong will assume official duties Aug. 1, and officially end his current role at Thomas More College a day before that.

St. Thomas University, based in Miami Gardens, has a total enrollment of 6,216. The school was founded in 1961.

The hunt a the new president

started in January with 2,000 applicants, who were slowly whittled down to just four confidential candidates by the end of April. After two days of interviews conducted by the search committee made up of about 20 members from the Board of Trustees, administration and students, they unanimously selected Mr. Armstrong.

At the start of the search, the committee was open to a candidate who wasn’t in a religious order, as numbers “are becoming more limited,” but the person had to enhance the interconnection of values between higher education and the Roman Catholic Church. Secondly, the candidate had to have the same

vision as the school to be a leading Catholic university. Members of the committee said Mr. Armstrong met both criteria, along with a strong background that gets results.

“David is a very strong Catholic with strong values and a very articulated point of view that gave us great confidence when he noted an important differentiator of our university was our Catholic identity,” said John Dooner, chairman of the Board of Trustees. “His vision and mission matched ours with strategic plans to fulfill those. He has what I call a not-to-be-denied attitude. His commitment to the mission of higher education was very compelling.”

T he L ast W ord MIAMI 21 FEEDBACK SOUGHT: City of Miami Mayor Francis Suarez will host the first quarterly Miami 21 Review and Enhancement Group on June 1. City residents, property owners and development professionals with interests in real estate development in the city are encouraged to attend the event, set to begin at 3 p.m. at City Hall, 3500 Pan American Drive. The purpose is to provide a venue for feedback relative to practical application of policies and procedures that affect the development process via Miami 21, the city’s zoning ordinance. The agenda will include an overview of the Francis Suarez Miami 21 permitting process, an open discussion on opportunities to streamline and improve the current permitting process, and a presentation on the concurrent electronic plan review process scheduled to begin in October.

JOB CHANGES AT CITY HALL: City Manager Emilio Gonzalez has appointed Chief Innovation Officer Michael Sarasti as director of Innovation and Information Technology, and Stephanie Severino as deputy director of the Office of Communications. Mr. Sarasti will now lead Information Technology in addition to continuing work he has been doing for the past two years of driving innovation, modern technology practices, process improvement, collaboration and customer service. Ms. Severino joined the city May 15 from Miami-Dade County, where she was assistant director of the Office of Communications for county Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez. In that role, she assisted with the oversight of the communications efforts for the county’s 25 departments. Ms. Severino joined Mayor Gimenez’s team as press secretary in 2014.

ILL WINDS BLOW GOOD: The six-month hurricane season arrives June 1, along with a week in which sales taxes will be lifted from disaster supplies. The discount means 90 cents to $1.05 in sales taxes won’t apply to a $15 package of batteries or $45 to $52 is left off a $750 generator. The June 1-7 tax holiday is expanded from three days last year. Floridians can buy without paying sales taxes during the period portable self-powered light sources for $20 or less; portable self-powered radios, two-way radios, or weather band radios for $50 or less; tarps or waterproof sheeting for $50 or less; ground anchor tie-down kits for $50 or less; gas or diesel fuel tanks for $25 or less; packages of batteries that cost $30 or less other than automobile or boat batteries; coolers that cost $30 or less; portable generators for $750 or less, and reusable ice for $10 or less.

COUNTY DELINQUENCIES RISE: Miami-Dade County government’s delinquent receivables were 8.6% higher at the end of the first quarter than at the same time a year ago, reports from the mayor’s office show. This year’s delinquencies of almost $52.5 million included all accounts of more than $2,500 that were more than 90 days delinquent, but do not include unpaid taxes. Nearly $17.5 million are from the public housing and community development department, $13.3 million from fire and rescue, $11.7 million from water and sewer, and $5.3 million from the aviation department. After 90 days, county departments must transfer these uncollected balances to the Finance Department’s Credit and Collection Section or to outside collection agencies. Last year at this time the total was $48.3 million, and the quarter before that it was $42.2 million.

DRUG AID ORDERED: Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Giménez will seek $2 million in federal funding to expand substance abuse and mental health services related to the county’s Adult Drug Court Service Capacity Expansion Project (ADC). The federal grant request, sponsored by Commissioner Sally Heyman, was unanimously approved during last week’s commission meeting.

If it’s accepted by the US Department of Health and Human Services, the grant will cover a five-year period and enable the ADC to “increase treatment access for a minimum of 200 participants, 40 individuals per year,” according to a memo from Deputy Mayor Edward Marquez. Funding will go to drug testing, substance abuse and trauma treatment, including as-needed monitoring services in a “supportive treatment environment” at the Trauma Resolution Center in Palmetto Bay. The center, according to its website, offers outpatient programming including one-on-one and group treatment, community education and other health activities.

PREPARING FOR THE STORMS: As part of Hurricane Preparedness Week and the Safe City Initiative, the City of Miami Division of Emergency Management is advising residents of steps they can take before hurricane season starts June 1: Trim trees on private property, call 311 for trees on public property; gather important documents for safe-keeping; check insurance policies for adequate coverage; consider flood insurance (policy becomes effective 30 days from purchase); meet your neighbors (you may need to help each other in an emergency); create or review your family plan, including contact information.

While Mr. Armstrong undergoes his transition, the university is also setting up an honors college, named after Msgr. Casale, which he will direct. The participants are the top 10% of the class.

A target of $5 million endowment for the honors college was set last November, and while that number hasn’t been reached yet, Mr. Dooner has said the number is “close enough to have a smile on our faces.” In the next couple of weeks, an advisory group of six, including Msgr. Casale, is to meet and speak in-depth about the “flesh and bones” of the program.

The first cohort is expected to take around 25 to 30 people. Details are

to be announced after the group’s first meeting.

Mr. Armstrong will spend the next two months juggling his duties at his current university and meeting with the schools at St. Thomas University. Though he admits it is a bittersweet moment, he is excited to start a new chapter in a new region.

“I’m from Cleveland and had enough winters to last a lifetime.

I always knew I wanted to get to Florida someday, I just didn’t think it would be now,” Mr. Armstrong said. “I have spent my life making sure faith-based colleges thrive and survive, and there is a great foundation here that I am happy to be a part of.”

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING Legal Advertising Termination of Parental Rights STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA ROCKINGHAM COUNTY

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE DISTRICT COURT DIVISION 18JT15

IN THE MATTTER OF: Carmen Alina Rodriguez, a minor child DOB: November 20, 2012

NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION

TO: Carlos Alberto Rodriguez Last known address of 10801 SW 40th Terrace Miami, Florida 33165 TAKE NOTICE that a Petition seeking relief against you has been filed in the above entitled action.

The nature of relief being sought is Termination of your Parental Rights with respect to the above- referenced juvenile.

You are required to make a written answer to the Petition to Terminate Parental Rights within forty days after May 31, 2018; and upon your failure to make a defense to the Petition within that period or to attend the hearing on the said Petition, the Petitioner will apply to the Court for an order terminating your personal rights to the above-referenced juvenile.

You have the right to be represented by an attorney. If you want an attorney, but cannot afford to hire one, the Court will appoint an attorney to represent you in this matter.

You may contact the Rockingham County Clerk of Superior Court (336-634-6130) to request a court-appointed lawyer. You may also hire an attorney of your choice at any time, waive your right to an attorney or represent yourself in this matter.

YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED of your right to be present for said hearing and to appear before the Court and show cause, if any there be, why the relief demanded should not be granted.

PUBLICATION DATES WILL BE: 5/31, 6/7 and 6/14/2018 This 31st the day of May, 2018.

Rebecca Whitney

Notice to Creditors IN THE CIRCUIT COURT IN AND FOR MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION IN RE: ESTATE OF ANA GOBANTES Deceased.

File No. 2018-001715-CP-02 Division: 05 NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of Ana Gobantes, deceased, whose date of death was March 14, 2018, is pending in the Circuit Court for Miami-Dade County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 73 West Flagler Street, Miami, Florida 33130.

The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is May 31, 2018 Attorney for Personal Representative:

Personal Representative:

Robert M. Trinkler, Esquire Florida Bar Number: 972088 ADRIAN PHILIP THOMAS, P.A. Las Olas Square – Suite 1050 515 East Las Olas Boulevard Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 Telephone: (954) 764-7273 eService: legal-service@athomaslaw.com

Timothy J. Stark C. Uribarri 13, 3-I, Bilbao Vizcaya, 48007, Spain

Pub dates: 5/31 & 6/7/18

48

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