Well, folks, the results of the run-off election in Palmetto Bay were announced on the village website just before our deadline time for this issue, and there will be some new faces on the council at the next meeting. Out of 16,312 registered voters only 4,166 cast ballots in the run-off, which is just a bit over 25 percent. The new Vice-Mayor will be John Edward DuBois, who received 2,091 votes to incumbent Brian W. Pariser’s 2,063 votes, a difference of just 28 votes. In the Council Member – Seat 2 race, Tim Schaffer will be on the dais, receiving 2,170 votes to Jim Araiza’s 1,953 votes, a difference of 217 votes. It will be interesting to see if this actually changes the dynamics of the council when it comes to voting on certain hot-button issues, or if things will stay pretty much the same. One thing for sure, these close results clearly show once again the importance of everyone making the effort to get out and vote in these elections. With the new people on the council being selected by only a quarter of the village’s registered voters, the folks who didn’t vote better not grumble about the outcome.
Pets’ Trust goes forward as “we are writing the manual (for lack of a better word) for how it would work,” reports Michael Rosenberg of the solidly-supported county referendum for the animal-saving project.
“We are also creating a National Advisory Board with the top people in the country that will review our plans to make sure we are doing it right. Then, we’ll take that finalized plan to the commissioners. I have also been contacted from Orlando to see how to create an Orlando Pets’ Trust,” he continued. “I’ve received many calls from around the country stating how proud they are of the people of Miami. It’s very heartwarming what we have done. Almost 65 percent of the vote (near 500,000 votes). Our community has spoken. We have the love no matter what anyone says!”
Karen Peterson and Dancers staging a “Meet the Artist” wine and dessert benefit performance Saturday, Dec. 1 from 7-9 p.m. at the Excello Studio, 8700 SW 129 Terrace in The Falls industrial area. Renowned statewide dance group provides a chance for personal contact for this mixed-abilities dance program. Ticket sales will support a new “Talent Showcase” 15-week dance program for 225 middle and high school teens with special needs in the Miami- Dade Public Schools. Tickets are $35 in advance, available via PayPal at www.karenpetersondancers.org and $40 at the door. For details, visit that website.
Special concert news! We hear from Jessica Wade Pfeffer that last year’s popular art event, Pop-Up Piano Miami, is back again this year, with a special fundraising concert on Wednesday December 5th at The PERRY South Beach Hotel (formerly the Gansevoort). The funds that the project raises from the auction and ticket sales will be donated to Friends of the New World Symphony, the nation’s leading orchestral academy, and Kimbanguist Symphony Orchestra, Central Africa’s only symphony orchestra (recently featured on CBS’s 60 Minutes). Fundraiser guests will be able to enjoy special performances, a silent auction, and view the artistically transformed pianos before they hit the streets the following morning for Art Basel week. Hors d’oeuvres courtesy of The One Group and cocktails courtesy of GREY GOOSE Vodka. Guests will receive goodie bags with a surprise gift from Hallandale’s newest wine shop, Mas Vino, and nibbles from KIND Healthy Snacks. The event runs from 8:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. December 5. The PERRY South Beach Hotel is located at 2377 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach. Tickets are $100 and are available at www.popuppianomiami2012.eventbrite.com.
For information, visit www.popuppianomia.com.
Thought of the Day:
The trust of the people in the leaders reflects the confidence of the leaders in the people. — Paulo Freire
Gary Alan Ruse and Richard Yager contributed to this column.
Got Tips? Call 305-669-7030 or email michael@communitynewspapers.com
