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HARDENED CRIMINALS REMOVED FROM OUR AREA
In only three weeks, not three months like was originally
promised, the hardened criminals that were brought into our area from
Martin County were removed
A letter from Florida Department of Corrections
Secretary Michael W. Moore to WDFHA President Morgan Levy dated
November 24th, 1999 stated, "Governor Bush asked me to thank you
for your recent letter regarding the placement of inmates near the
Doral Community. I understand your concerns about having dangerous
criminals near your residential area and apologize for any anxieties
this matter caused you and others in your small community."
Moore went on to say that all of Martin County inmates
have been moved from our area. This was another good example of the
West Dade Federation of Homeowner Associations taking immediate action
when a threat to our community arises. Thanks also go to Governor Bush
and our District 12 Miami-Dade County Commissioner Miriam Alonso for
their help.
COURT REHEARING DENIED ON INCORPORATION
The Third Circuit Court has refused the request for a rehearing on the
county's denial of the Citizen's Bill of Rights filed by WDFHA
Incorporation Attorney Joseph Serota.
The Doral incorporation effort is now concentrating on
working with Mayor Alex Penelas to find a way to break the impasse
with the County Commission. The major obstacle to be overcome is how
to deal with the Metro Police Department--the local Police Benevolent
Association has been fighting with questionable tactics to discredit
those who support incorporation. They would be better served sitting
down at the table with the mayor and incorporation advocates to work
out an acceptable solution.
The WDFHA has passed two resolutions regarding
incorporation. Firstly, we intend to insist on having Doral's own
local street police when it is incorporated. Secondly, we want to
change the County Charter to take the incorporation process out of the
hands of the County Commission and under the State Legislature, which
is where all other counties must go for incorporation or annexation.
In a meeting between incorporation advocates and Mayor
Alex Penelas on December 3rd, 1999, the mayor repeated his willingness
to see Doral, Palmetto Bay, and Miami Lakes go forward with the same
plan that was agreed to for Pinecrest, Aventura, and Sunny Isles, once
the police issue is resolved.
Mayor Evelyn Greer of Pinecrest has been working on
the Let's Incorporate Now Coalition (LINC) negotiating team with the
mayor.
"Witness the turtle--Progress is made by sticking
your neck out!"
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE FORMED
The West Dade Federation Political Action Committee (PAC), Inc. was
recently formed to accept donations that can be used in support of or
in opposition to any situation that might
affect the Doral community. This could be to advertise
and obtain signatures for petitions to be placed on the ballot at an
election or to support or oppose candidates for election.
Watch this column for news next month after the PAC
bank account is opened and the first issues will be addressed.
A COMMUNITY-BUILT PLAYGROUND
Giuseppina Moriana, a new neighbor who lives at Doral Pointe, brought
a great plan to the last WDFHA meeting for a playground that is built
by parents and their children.
She brought three mothers who were involved in such a
project in Miami Springs to the WDFHA November 18th meeting. If you
had been there you would have seen their enthusiasm for their project
and like many of us you would have wanted to go right out and get the
playground started.
Giuseppina is working with WDFHA Park Chairman David Lococo to present
this plan to the County Parks and Recreation Department for their
approval.
Watch the Doral Tribune for a call for volunteers in
the near future.
ASPHALT PLANT NOT APPROVED
The WDFHA Development Committee met several times with the owners of
the property on the north side of NW 41st Street, immediately west of
the Turnpike.
Despite their desire to install a state of the art
asphalt plant at that location, the development committee could not
support it at that location. As you enter Doral from the north,
exiting the Turnpike, that asphalt plant would be the first thing you
would see.
Subsequently, the Doral Community Council denied the
zoning request for the asphalt plant at that location.
WDFHA REQUESTS SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL FOR 1500 STUDENTS
A resolution was passed at the November 18th, 1999 WDFHA meeting to
request the new high school for our community to be limited to 2000
students.
A site for the high school is still being sought. It
is up to the developers who have large tracts of land in the Doral
area to step up to the plate and work with the Miami-Dade School
Department to provide 30 or 40 acres for a senior high school.
LOOKING FOR A LIBRARY SITE
A shopping center location is currently being sought for an interim
library location. An empty store would serve as a library where books
can be ordered.
Once that is in operation, the next step is for the
County Public Library Department to build and operate a community
library.
Let's all put the pressure on some of these developers
who are now in the process of building more and more shopping centers
in our community. We need a library now!
NO WDFHA DECEMBER MEETING
Due to the holiday season there will be no December meeting of the
WDFHA. The next scheduled meeting will take place on January 20th,
2000, at 8 PM at the Doral Park Clubhouse.
BEST WISHES TO ALL OF OUR NEIGHBORS FOR A HAPPY
HOLIDAY SEASON AND GOOD HEALTH AND PROSPERITY IN THE UPCOMING CENTURY!
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