Coral Gables City Manager David L. Brown announced his intention to retire and separate from the service of the City on January 31, 2009. In a prepared speech to the City Commission delivered on October 14, Brown explained his desire to “enjoy the fruits of life's labors and an opportunity to explore other pursuits.” The chief executive began working for the City nearly 28 years ago as a part-time lifeguard at Venetian Pool, moving up the ranks as an Assistant City Manager before being selected as the 12th City Manager of Coral Gables. Over the past seven years, Brown has been credited for improving city services, including a comprehensive rewrite of the zoning code and the City Charter, the operational efficiencies of key City departments, the investment in infrastructure, technology and communications and the restoration of most historic monuments. Under his leadership, an aggressive Capital Improvement Program culminated in the Ponce de Leon Median, the Museum Parking Garage, over 55 Traffic Calming projects and extensive road, sidewalk and sewer improvements throughout the City. In the last few years, the City has seen the restoration of DeSoto Fountain, the exterior of the Water Tower, the City Hall Cupola, the Merrick House and the City’s entrances and plazas. Among the successful projects that the City completed under his watch are the Coral Gables Trolley, the upcoming Coral Gables museum, and new programs and services for the senior population. During his tenure, City reserves grew from $600,000 to more than $10 million. In 2005, Brown was selected as City Manager of the Year by the Florida League of Cities. The City Commission is in the process of conducting a search for a new City Manager.

After an extensive search, the City of Coral Gables will enter in negotiations with a new company to operate the Country Club of Coral Gables. Liberty Events, a Canadian company with a successful record of restoring historic properties in Toronto, submitted a proposal to manage the Country Club after the previous contractor abandoned the project. This summer, an evaluation committee reviewed the proposal and deemed it worthy of presentation to the City Commission for approval. The Commission unanimously authorized on October 14 to begin negotiations with Liberty for the long-term leasing of this facility. The new contractor plans to upgrade the Country Club facility to include a fine dining restaurant open year round and accessible to the general public. A Letter of Intent outlining future plans for the Country Club is in the works and requires further Commission approval.

This year’s Halloween will be bigger and funnier than ever before in Coral Gables. The City Beautiful will be offering plenty of activities for the entertainment of adults, children and even your pets. Activities will start as early as 10 a.m. for little ones on Friday, October 31st with Gymnastics Halloween Fun Day. This is a free event for children 6 months to 5 years of age who do not want to wait until sunset to start having fun. Children are encouraged to dress in their favorite costumes early in the morning and go to the War Memorial Youth Center, 405 University Drive, for a special event. At 4 p.m., take a stroll along Miracle Mile and celebrate the tradition that is Halloween on the Mile. Children and adults can walk along the Mile collecting candy from retailers and restaurants. Kids and chaperones can check in for all activities programmed as part of the 11th Halloween on the Mile at the Miracle Theater, 280 Miracle Mile. After the Mile, get ready for a “terrific” experience at the haunted house Nightmare at 405, an event hosted by the Parks and Recreation Department. The doors to the haunted house open at 6 p.m. for those who dare to enter. Admission is $3.25 per person. If you’re not much of a thrill seeker, don’t worry: spend the evening playing carnival games for only .50 cents a ticket. Nightmare at 405 will close its doors at 10 p.m. And last but not least, be sure to get a costume for your best four-legged friend since pets will also have a contest. The Pet Costume Contest will take place at 7 p.m. at JohnMartin’s Pub, 253 Miracle Mile. The Humane Society of Greater Miami is hosting this free event and will also provide the pets prizes. For more information on events occurring in Halloween, Coral Gables on October 31st, 2008, click here.

There are only six days left until Election Day so it is important to be election ready. The November 4th General (Presidential) Election is expected to have a very high turnout. Miami-Dade County is introducing a new optical scan voting system. To view an online demonstration on how to use a new voting machine, click here. Early voting is now taking place at the Coral Gables Library through November 2. Polling places have new extended hours and will now be open until Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Polling places will be open on Saturday, November 1 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday, November 2 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. If you choose to vote on Election Day, polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. There are six proposed constitutional amendments on the ballot. To review these issues prior to voting, click here. To view a sample ballot, click here. For additional information, call 305-499-VOTE (8683).

The City of Coral Gables and South Florida Commuter Services have united to make The City Beautiful a greener place. Residents, merchants, and visitors of Coral Gables are being asked to leave cars at home for at least one day during the “Green Your Commute” week, November 10-14. Besides the benefit of saving money by using public transportation, walking or biking to and from home and work, participants will also be doing their part to protect the environment. By registering and pledging to leave cars at home during the week, participants have the chance to win a 3 day/2 night Hawks Cay Resort getaway, a $100 gift certificate for Christy’s Restaurant, a dinner for two for Caffé Abracci, a $100 gift certificate for Ortanique on the Mile, a $100 gift certificate from Fleming’s Steakhouse, various gift certificates from members of the Business Improvement District and the Coral Gables Community Foundation, gift cards from Montica Jewelry, Men-n-cure Salon, OXXO Care Cleaners at the Village of Merrick Park, Dunkin Donuts, a free fuel card, plus other great prizes. To register to Green Your Commute, click here.

The City’s Green Forum is a popular web forum among the City’s residents who are very environmentally conscious. The forum has served as a great place to exchange ideas and comments to make Coral Gables a more eco-friendly community. There are many ways to improve the environment. Share what environmentally friendly measures you’ve taken or make suggestions for a greener Gables by sending an email to e-news@coralgables.com. Your comments will be posted on the Green Forum. To read what’s been suggested so far, click here.

EVENTS ROUNDUP
For the definitive guide
to upcoming events in the
City of Coral Gables,
click here

TRAFFIC

Coral Way and Segovia Street: Construction of a roundabout on the intersection of Coral Way and Segovia Street is on schedule. For the next two weeks, workers will be milling more asphalt, pouring colored concrete for the sidewalks, and installing light poles. The following streets are now closed and will remain closed throughout the duration of the project: Coral Way at Segovia Street, North Greenway Drive at Segovia Street, Segovia Street at Coral Way and Segovia Street at Biltmore Way. Local traffic will be permitted through the area at all times. Signs are positioned just outside the construction zone that clearly mark detour routes. The roundabout is scheduled to be completed by December 15, 2008. 

Biltmore Way and Granada Golf Course, November 1: The Alzheimer’s Association is holding its Miami-Dade Memory Walk in Coral Gables on Saturday, November 1. The walk will be affecting traffic between 9 a.m. & 12 p.m. in the following streets: Westbound Biltmore Way in front of City Hall, Anderson Road, and South and North Greenway Drive around the Granada Golf Course. Avoid the area as the stated streets will be closed to accommodate pedestrian traffic.

Biltmore Way and Granada Golf Course, November 2: The Alliance for Lupus Research is holding its Research 3K Walk in Coral Gables on Sunday, November 2. The event will affect traffic from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the following streets: Westbound Biltmore Way in front of City Hall, Anderson Road, and South and North Greenway Drive around the Granada Golf Course. Avoid the area as the stated streets will be closed to accommodate pedestrian traffic.

Red Road from Coral Way to S.W. 22 Street: Florida Department of Transportation has rescheduled the roadway improvements on Red Road between Coral Way and Southwest 22 Street. Last weekend was the first official weekend of work. From now until November 15, drivers should avoid travelling through the area on the weekends as the FDOT will be improving the drainage system on the eastside of Red Road and restriping the roadway. As a result, Red Road and the sidewalk will be closed in the mentioned construction zone on Saturdays and Sundays from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Only local traffic will be allowed through the area. Detour routes will be clearly marked as drivers approach the area.

CITY OF
CORAL GABLES

MISSION
Dedicated people providing exceptional services to residents, businesses and visitors while preserving our heritage.

VALUES
Accessibility
Accountability
Competency
Dedication
Innovation
Integrity
Loyalty
Responsiveness

Visit the
City of Coral Gables
web site:
www.coralgables.com
 

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