Commissioner Barreiro's e-News for January has arrived!

I hope that you and your family enjoyed the 2017 Holiday Season surrounded by the warmth of close friends and family and are looking forward to 2018 with much hope and optimism for the new year. This year will bring plenty of challenges to our community from transportation and infrastructure issues, to working to reduce our homeless population as the new economy begins to kick-in and revive our tourism industry. Let me assure you that I stand committed in ensuring that the interests of our community will continue to be well represented at County Hall.

January is a time of renewal. It is time for fresh and new ideas and I look forward to hearing from YOU , for in order for any democratic government to function effectively, it needs the valuable input and engagement from its residents. This month's e-News is loaded with valuable information that may affect you and your family, as well as notify you of fun activities for the entire family to enjoy. I invite you to share this e-News with your family, co-workers and friends to keep them abreast of what's happening in their community and urge them to sign-up to receive their own monthly updates.

As always, my Commission staff and I are always ready to serve you with your needs and concerns regarding your County government. Should you ever need our assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me, as well as my staff who will be delighted to assist you with your concerns. For your convenience, you can also scroll down to the end of this newsletter to find the locations of my Main Office and my District Office in Miami Beach .

Dr. Martin Luther King Day

January 16, 2018

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a man of great personal and spiritual convictions who taught us that we must always fight for the values we believe in and never succumb to indifference. As we observe and celebrate his life, let us take heed of his immortal words which taught us that - “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. ”

On behalf of myself, my family, and my Commission staff, may you and your family commemorate the life of this truly remarkable man.

From the Dais...

Around Town

Commissioner Barreiro & The Barreiro Foundation, Inc., bring a little Holiday magic to underprivileged local children during their

"21st Annual Holiday Toy Giveaway"

Over 2,000 economically disadvantaged children and their families enjoyed an afternoon of holiday merriment, this past Sunday, January 7, 2018, as Commissioner Barreiro , along with The Barreiro Foundation, Inc. , co-hosted the 21st Annual Holiday Toy Giveaway at Commissioner Barreiro's main office in Little Havana. Each underprivileged child from District 5 took home a toy of their choice, a tradition which commemorates Three Kings Day as practiced in most Latin American countries.

"It is extremely rewarding to continue to co-host, alongside The Barreiro Foundation, this wonderful tradition of giving back to the economically disadvantaged children of our beloved community who may not have had an abundant holiday season as the rest of us. It is my hope that these toys brighten the children’s day as they return to school and helps them and their families start the New Year just right.” - declared Commissioner Barreiro.

‌

Commissioner Barreiro & City of Miami Leaders, discuss Transportation issues at the Silver Bluff Homeowners Association

The Silver Bluff Community is a beautiful area of the City of Miami where, regrettably, its residents have been experiencing severe traffic congestion and noise pollution for many years. Although the City of Miami has attempted numerous traffic-calming solutions for several years, the problem persists, hindering Silver Bluff residents' overall quality of life.

On October 21st of last year, I joined newly-installed City of Miami Mayor, Francis Suarez, and the new Miami Commissioner for District 3, Manolo Reyes, at a brainstorming session with the residents of Silver Bluff where several exciting, new ideas were proposed.

As County Commissioner, representing Silver Bluff, I am committed to working closely with the new Administration at the City of Miami in seeking effective and lasting traffic-calming solutions so that the lifestyle of the residents of this wonderful community is improved once and for all.

Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the

Centro Mater Foundation

On December 13th, I had the honor of recognizing the outstanding work of the Centro Mater Foundation by presenting its Board of Directors with a Miami-Dade County Proclamation commemorating the 50th Anniversary of its founding. By providing essential services such as: After School Care, Home-Based Programs, Services for Pregnant Women, Health and Nutrition Services, among other critical assistance. Centro Mater has served as a beacon of hope to thousands of economically disadvantaged immigrant children and their families of every nationality, race and faith. For more information on how you can help this most benevolent organization, please click on the Foundation's logo above.

Community Resources

Pay your Property Taxes Now & Receive 2% Discount!

Now through January 31st , pay your Property Tax Bill and receive a 2% Discount! To find out more and have the convenience of paying your taxes securely online, please click on the Miami-Dade County Tax Collector's website

Why Keep Paying Rent, when you can Buy?

Tired of moving and paying rent?

Consider Buying!

Learn more about the advantages and the joys of home ownership by taking advantage of Miami-Dade-County's

Homeowners Assistance Program

Miami-Dade County's Weatherization Program

Click on the Flyer below for Complete Program Information

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month

Did you know that between December, 2007 and December, 2016 , Miami ranks #11 among the 100 most populous cities in America with Human Trafficking cases?

Click the Red Hand and read the full report published by the National Human Trafficking Hotline website and find out what we all can do to stop this disturbing scourge affecting our communities.

Head Start Program Accepting Applications

Miami-Dade County's Head Start program is currently accepting applications for the current school year. The program is FREE for eligible families. For full enrollment requirements, please click HERE .

Think Green, Act Green!

You can recycle your clean, decoration-free natural Christmas trees by taking them to a Trash and Recycling Center or the West Miami-Dade Home Chemical Collection Center . Curbside pickup will be available by zones starting January 8th . If you don't want to wait, you can chop up your tree and place it in the green garbage cart, or use one of your own. Learn more about all your tree removal options by clicking Here .

Neat Streets Miami is extending its Grant Application Deadline to January 31st! Click below for Complete Information!

Kids' Corner

10th Annual "Every Drop Counts" Poster Contest Continues!

FINAL ANNOUNCEMENT

The Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department (WASD) wants County students to " Be Water Wise-it Affects Our Lives!" That's the theme for the department's 10th Annual "Every Drop Counts" Poster Contest .

All Miami-Dade County Elementary school students from Kindergarten - 5th grade are encouraged to submit an entry that illustrates the importance of conserving water. Each participant will receive a free T-shirt and a chance to win other great prizes . The winning entries will also be officially recognized by the Board of of County Commissioners !

The deadline for all submissions, February 2, 2018, is fast approaching. For more information about the contest or to download the official application, click on D-rop .

At the Show Time Auditorium...

Weekends only, beginning January 13th at 1:00 pm and 4:pm

Enjoy performances by our Theater Troupe, the MCM Players based on our favorite children's books. For more information, visit the Miami Children's Museum website

Talk of the Town

Casino Night to Benefit Miami-Dade Firefighters' Battling Cancer

Saturday, January 20, 2018

Our County's Fire Service is currently battling an epidemic that indiscriminately is affecting our First Responders. Firefighters are more likely to develop Cancer compared to the population they serve. The Miami-Dade County Firefighters Charities (DCFFC) , established in 1984, is funded through the generous contributions of Miami-Dade Firefighters IAFF Local 1403 , which includes firefighters, paramedics, and dispatchers.

To further these efforts, the DCFFC will be hosting their 3rd Annual "Casino Night: Craps, Roulette and Poker Tournament " this January 20th . Because their need is so great, I am honored to help sponsor this important event . It is my hope that you will consider attending this most entertaining and exciting evening which will benefit so many of our local heroes who have given so much of themselves in the line of duty, and who now need us at their time of need. For more information, please click on the banner below.

Thank you