An agenda change, an honor code and events worth noting

Change of plans. We hear from Steve Zarzecki of the Concerned Citizens of Cutler Bay that there’s been an agenda change for the next meeting which takes place on Tuesday, September 1. Seems that since the Town Council Budget hearings are this month the featured guest speaker will be Cutler Bay Town Manager Ralph Casals, who will discuss the town’s budget and how it will affect property taxes. Should be of interest to residents and business owners. The meeting is at 7:00 p.m. at the Cornerstone Church (formerly the Cutler Ridge United Methodist Church), 20740 Old Cutler Road. Admission is free. Coffee and donuts will be served. For the October 6 meeting the guest speaker will be Eric Fliss, Managing Director of the South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center. He will make a presentation about the program offerings at the center, with a video presentation of the facility and programs, brochures and flyers, too. For information, call Steve Zarzecki at 305-255-4351.

This sounds positive! We hear from Joseph Centorino, Executive Director of the Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics and Public Trust (COE) that a Miami-Dade County Commission committee took a step on August 25 toward adopting a Public Service Honor Code for elected officials and employees. The Strategic Planning and Government Operations Committee voted 5-0 to approve the proposal, initiated by the COE. “If the resolution, implementing order and ordinance – all sponsored by Commissioner Rebeca Sosa – are adopted by the full commission and implemented by the county, all officials and employees would be obliged to follow an honor code of conduct that revives a long-ignored 1964 County Administrative Order requiring that they report criminal government misconduct to appropriate authorities when they know about it. It adds directives that employees monitor their workplaces for misconduct, place the public interest ahead of personal loyalties, and cooperate truthfully with investigations.” Failure to abide by the code could result in disciplinary action.

Got kids who can sing? Jamie Perez Sutta tells us that the Children’s Voice Chorus (CVC) is holding auditions for its fifth season in South Florida. Rehearsals begin the first week of September, so if your child age 7 to 17 is interested in auditioning, call 786-216-7003 or email info@childrensvoicechorus.org right away. Rehearsals are held every Thursday from 5:15 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. for Prelude (beginning), and 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. for Harmony (intermediate) at Old Cutler Presbyterian Church, located at 14401 Old Cutler Road. “I am really excited to be embarking on a new season with CVC,” says Jamie Perez Sutta, founder and artistic director of The Children’s Voice Chorus.

“We have grown so much over the last four years, and I have loved watching our students mature, not only in their musical abilities, but in every aspect of their lives.”

For information, visit www.childrensvoicechorus.org.

In you’re in town for Labor Day Weekend don’t forget the Miami Home Design and Remodeling Show. Designer Vignettes for the Stars features five showcases that highlight Miami’s unique style and pay tribute to South Florida television news personalities. For the first time, South Florida interior design firms source work by local artists for inspiration. The Show takes place from Friday, September 4 through to Tuesday, September 8 at the Miami Beach Convention Center, 1901 Convention Center Dr., Miami Beach. Call 305-667-9299 or visit www.homeshows.net.

A worthwhile cause… We hear from Major Julie Miller of the Miami-Dade Police Department that the Police Officer Assistance Trust (POAT) charitable organization that was formed in 1989 by the Dade County Association of Chiefs of Police to provide financial assistance to law enforcement officers and their families in crisis situations as well as long term hardships will have officers participating in a 5K run on November 14, with the officers wearing their full uniforms, to raise awareness and much needed funding. If you’d like to support the organization by sponsoring a runner call 305-594-6662 or send an email to poatoffice@msn.com. Their website is www.poat.org.

Thought of the Day:
Real difficulties can be overcome; it is only the imaginary ones that are unconquerable.
— Theodore Vail

Gary Alan Ruse contributed to this column.

Got any tips? Contact me at 305-669- 7355, ext. 249, or send emails to Michael@communitynewspapers.com.


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