Below are the important Miami-Dade County Events that the Urban Environment League would like you to be aware of. Some are sponsored by the UEL, and we hope you’ll make the extra effort to attend these meetings in particular. Enjoy your summer!

July 15 – Nuclear Regulatory Commission Meeting about two additional nuclear reactors

July 13 – Waterfront Advisory Board – Virginia Key

July 15 – Parks Advisory Board – Virginia Key

July 21 – Planning Zoning and Appeals Board – Virginia Key

July 22 – City Commission Meeting – Virginia Key

July 29 – UEL Candidate’s Forum/Debate (State District 36 and 117)

August 3 – UEL Candidate’s Forum/Debate (State District 36 and 107)

August 11 – Election Meeting for UEL Members

August 12 – UEL Candidate’s Forum/Debate (County District

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Thursday, July 15

The NRC and the Army Corps will host public meetings at the Homestead YMCA, Harris Center, 1034 NE 8th Street, Homestead, FL  33030.  There will be two sessions, running from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., respectively.  During these meetings, the two agencies will make the same presentations on the process, answer questions, and then collect comments on the scope of the environmental review from the public.  Each meeting will be preceded by a 1-hour open house (noon to 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.) to allow members of the public to talk to the agencies’ staff members one-on-one.

Tuesday, July 13

The Waterfront Advisory Board at 6:30 regarding Virginia Key Master Plan. The Waterfront Advisory Board is the first opportunity to see the completed PowerPoint by the UEL coalition made to present to the various boards.

Thursday, July 15

Parks Advisory Board at 6:30 pm regarding Virginia Key Master Plan.

Wednesday, July 21

Planning Zoning and Appeals Board at 7:00 pm regarding Virginia Key Master Plan.

Thursday, July 22

City Commission meeting regarding Virginia Key Master Plan

At the Commission meeting, we anticipate discussion by City staff comparing the Community plan with the EDSA plan. The UEL supports the Community plan. Please let your voice be heard, commissioners need to hear all sides to make a reasoned decision.

Thursday, July 29th

Candidates Forum

Sponsors: URBAN ENVIRONMENT LEAGUE & TROPICAL AUDUBON SOCIETY

FL State Senate District 36 & FL State Representative District 117

Moderator: Oscar Musibay, Award Winning Reporter for the Florida Business Journal

South Miami City Hall

6130 Sunset Drive, Miami, FL 33143

7:00—9:00 Free Program, Doors open at 6:30

Invited Candidates:

State Senate District 36: Luisa Artiles, Miguel Diaz de la Portilla, Alberto E. Fortes, J. Nillo, Julio Robaina

State Represenatative District 117: Ana Alliegro, Michael Bileca, Lisa Lesperance, Ernie Martinez, Jose Pazos, Marcus Rivchin, Juan Carlos Robaina, Ralph Rosado

Tuesday, August 3rd

Candidates Forum

Sponsors: THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT LEAGUE and MIAMI NEIGHBORHOODS UNITED

FL State Senate District 36 & FL State Representative District 107

Moderator: Roger Carlton – Former City Manager of Miami Beach, Former Acting

City Manager of South Miami

Simpson Park

55 SW 17th Road, Miami, Florida 33129

7:00—9:00 Free Program

Light refreshments will be served, Doors open at 6:30

Invited Candidates:

State Senate District 36: Luisa Artiles, Miguel Diaz de la Portilla, Alberto E. Fortes, J. Nillo, Julio Robaina,

State Repesentative District 107: Gustavo Barriero, Tony Japour, Luis Garcia

Wednesday, August 11 – (For UEL Members only)

The Urban Environment League will hold its election meeting for Officers for the coming year. The event will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Coconut Grove Sailing Club.  At this meeting we must ratify our slate of Board Members and elect Officers, so your presence is important.  Please try to attend. The Coconut Grove Sailing Club is located at 2990 South Bayshore Drive.  We will be upstairs, either inside or out, depending on the weather.  In either case, come in casual comfort.  Also, individuals can order sandwiches and drinks from the Bar as long as they pay with a credit card.  So keep that as an option in case it makes for a long day for you.

Board: Proposed Slate

Fran Bohnsack, Erika Brigham, Greg Bush, Roger Carlton, Barbara Falsey, Anthony Garcia, Jennifer M. Garcia, Jeremy Glazer, Ruth Jacobs, Albert Harum-Alvarez, Jorge Hernandez, Nancy Liebman, Ernie Martin, Michele Markovits, Enid Pinkney, Benjamin Powers, Alberto Ruder, Sonia Succar-Ferre, Paul Schwiep, Violette Sproul, John Van Leer, Emilie Young

Thursday, August 12th

Candidates Forum

Sponsors: URBAN ENVIRONMENT LEAGUE & TROPICAL AUDUBON SOCIETY

County Commissioner District 8 Candidate’s Forum – We hosted the first District 8 Forum. We are anxious to see how the candidates have grown.

Moderator: Matthew Haggman, Award Winning Reporter for the Miami Herald

Thursday, August 12th

At Pinecrest Library Meeting Room

5835 SW 111th St, Miami, FL 33156

7:00—9:00 Free Program, Doors open at 6:30

Invited Candidates: Lynda G. Bell, Eugene Flinn, Albert Harum-Alvarez, Danny Marmorstein, Obdulio Piedra, Annette Taddeo

Know your candidates when you vote on August 24th in the Primary Election!

As soon as we get the video of the event, we will post the link online. We want to thank all the candidates for their participation. Here are the County Commission District 8 candidates in no particular order :Pam GrayJason Culler.Eugene FlinnAlbert Harum-AlvarezDaniel MarmorsteinAnnette TaddeoLynda Bell. Unfortunately, our photo of Lynda Bell did not come out, so we borrowed one from the web.

7 of the 8 candidates for the County Commission District 8 seat were at the UEL dinner last night and over 100 listeners were there to hear them. We now know how they stand on term limits, the strong mayor and other issues important to us all. We will be posting their photos tomorrow and the video will be on Youtube as soon as we can get it up there.Here are the questions the candidates were given (there wasn’t time for them all): Questions may include: 1. Many planning studies have recommended that development – including higher density development – be concentrated along transit corridors. What is your approach to this issue and how would you balance local concerns with the demand for higher density? (Some of these studies can be found on the Department of Planning and Zoning web site. 2. Miami Dade has a long and proud history of agriculture – providing fresh produce to the nation during the winter. What do you think is the future of agriculture in the County? What policies would you recommend? 3. Despite the amount of rainfall we receive, the County is facing real problems with assuring potable water in the future. What do you perceive as the biggest problem with water supply? What policies would you support? 4. Many see redevelopment and higher density development as incompatible with neighborhood preservation and community identity. Do you agree? What policies would you support to move your ideas forward?5. Miami Dade is sometimes viewed as an aggregate of fragmented communities and cities – rather than as a region with a common vision and goal. How do you see the relationship of cities and the County? What – if any – policies or programs would you support to overcome fragmentation? 6. At the moment, the County is facing serious fiscal challenges. Often governments respond by cutting vulnerable services such as park and recreation budgets and funding for maintenance of natural areas. What principles would you use to prioritize revenues and expenditures in the face of declining property tax revenues? 7. There is increased discussion of governance issues such as term limits, whether or not to retain a strong mayor – or to strengthen the role of the mayor; the need for additional commission districts – possibly including some at-large districts, the role – and independence – of advisory boards. What is your opinion of these issues?

County Commissioner Katy Sorenson, This dinner is for you!

Orchid and Onions Award Dinner

The Urban Environment League is hosting our Annual Award Dinner/Annual Meeting in honor of

County Commissioner Katy Sorenson

Masters of Ceremony:

Jim DeFede and UEL President Fran Bohnsack

Commissioner Sorenson will be leaving office this Fall to pursue a new and exciting chapter in her life.

Those of us who want to thank her will “Roast” with an Onion or “Toast” with an Orchid.

Please join us in saying goodbye to ‘Katy’:

Wednesday – June 16th

6pm Cocktails (Cash Bar) & 7pm Dinner

At the Rusty Pelican Restaurant

3201 Rickenbacker Causeway

Key Biscayne

3 Course Dinner $50

Your Payment is your reservation. No payment at the door!

Check/Paypal by June 11th – Space Limited Indicate whether you want to speak at the event.

Use Paypal at: www.uel.org

Send a check (made out to UEL) to:

Urban Environment League – Suite 114

1000 N.W. North River Drive

Miami, FL 33136

Questions? uelinfo@bellsouth.net – Phone: 786-472-0011

Ask about being featured in our keepsake program!

Include your email or phone number for reservation confirmation.

Public Policy Forum on Health Care Reform – Programs of the Miami Public Policy ForumForum 3: Health Care ReformWe will discuss the key elements of the recently enacted health care reform legislation,the arguments for and against it and the remaining problems with our health care system.Speaker: Linda S. Quick, President, South Florida Hospital and HealthcareAssociationDate: Tuesday, May 18, 2010 6:00-8:30 pm. Doors open 6:00 pm; program 7:00-8:30Location: CubaOcho Art and Research Center, 1465 SW 8th St., Miami, 33135,www.cubaocho.comCash bar and food available starting at 6 pm.Free and open to the public. For further information on the event, call 305-331-9938. TheMiami Public Policy Forum is a service of the Miami-Dade Democratic Party.