Congratulations to the graduates of the first Miami Gardens Citizens Academy. These individuals represent the successful completion of an inaugural 10-week educational program and the embodiment of citizen participation in government. Participants in this program had the opportunity to meet the City’s elected officials and professional staff who educated them about the purpose of local government, city services, interdepartmental collaboration, and the public servants employed by the City. Nineteen (19) loyal residents will graduate from the program and be recognized at the next City Council Meeting on Wednesday, September 14th, 2011:
• Claudette Armbrister
• Kevin Brown
• Steven Bellamy, Sr.
• Susan Burns
• Shannon Campbell
• James Clausell
• Milton Felton, Jr.
• Sonia Flowers
• Fannie Gilbert
• Rodney Harris
• Janice Isley
• Pamela Knox-Shuler
• Donald Koonce
• Flora Matchett Johnson
• Pearline Powell
• Hermain Remy
• Christopher Smith
• Tim Turner
• Sandra Williams
In an effort to increase citizen participation and engagement in the City of Miami Gardens, Councilman Oliver G. Gilbert, III established the Miami Gardens Citizens Academy by resolution on February 9, 2011. The program consists of interactive presentations by the various City departments and culminates into increased citizen awareness and involvement on boards, committees, and other community-wide initiatives. The course sessions range from the organization of the City, public safety, fiscal management, building permitting and code compliance and zoning. The next series of classes will start on January 26, 2012 and online registration will be available.
