WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2009

Slesnick Elected President
Of Florida League Of Mayors

Coral Gables Mayor Don Slesnick was sworn in as the President of the Florida League of Mayors, the nonpartisan organization of mayors representing the state of Florida. The installation took place during the annual meeting of the Florida League of Cities held August 13-15 in Orlando. He will serve a one-year term as President of the Florida League of Mayors.  More than 200 mayors representing cities, town and villages belong to the Florida League of Mayors. Created in 2005, the organization’s primary goal is to provide a platform for this tier of municipal leaders to speak out on issues of interest to their citizenry. The League is governed by a 21-member board of directors and works closely with the Florida League of Cities, the association that advocates municipal issues before the state Legislature and Congress.  

Beware Of Criminals Targeting Elderly Victims

The Coral Gables Police Department is warning the community about criminals targeting elderly victims, and is asking for information that can help catch these thieves. Criminals posing as utility workers, exterminators, or even contractors are targeting elderly residents.  Residents have been coerced out of their home or distracted while the impostors steal their cash, jewelry or other valuables. In one case, a subject approached the victim and offered to help unload the groceries as an opportunity to enter the victim’s home. In most cases the event will occur rapidly without the homeowner’s knowledge. If someone approaches you for assistance, tell them you will contact the police to aid them. If they indicate they are a utility company, call the utility company to verify the work. Be wary of anyone engaging you in conversation while outside your home. There may be a second person roaming your property. This usually gives criminals an opportunity to check for open doors or windows while you are distracted. Police believe that there are more victims who haven’t come forward. If you have any information that can help prevent these crimes from being committed to our golden residents, please contact the Coral Gables Police Department at 305-442-1600. The Police Department advises to never allow an uninvited stranger into your home, and if you suspect something is awry, to call law enforcement immediately by dialing 9-1-1. 

There’s No Place Like Home

Coral Gables @ Home, an initiative of the Coral Gables Community Foundation is the only non-profit membership program in Florida created to help senior residents remain in their homes and enjoy their independence. Members enjoy meeting neighbors with similar interests at monthly programs and socials, as well as receive rides to the airport, doctor and grocery store and grocery delivery when recovering from illness. The program also gives participants access to reliable, trustworthy home repair and service providers. Coral Gables @ Home members enjoy discounts at various Coral Gables shops and restaurants, free prescription delivery and a weekly selection of heat-n-serve meals also available for delivery. If you’re considering enrolling with Coral Gables @ Home, there are only 53 more Charter Memberships available at the introductory rate. If you’re not a golden resident but want to contribute anyway, volunteers are needed to drive or donate a vehicle. For more information, please contact Coral Gables @ Home at 305-443-4011. 

City To Hold Budget Hearings September 8 & 22

The City of Coral Gables is planning to hold two budget hearings to consider the adoption of the recommended budget for fiscal year 2009-2010. The meetings will take place on Tuesday, September 8 and September 22, at City Hall Commission Chambers, second floor, 405 Biltmore Way, beginning at 5:01 p.m. The budget hearings are open to the general public and attendees will have the opportunity to make public comments. To review a copy of the 2009-2010 Budget Estimate, click here. 

Help Decrease The Spread Of Flu Among Students

With school back in session, it’s important to follow the important guidelines set by health officials to help decrease the spread of flu among students and school staff during the school year. The Centers for Disease and Control Prevention (CDC) has issued guidelines for school administrators to decrease exposure to regular seasonal flu and 2009 H1N1 flu while limiting the disruption of day-to-day activities and the vital learning that goes on in schools. Among the recommended school responses are a) To stay home when sick. Those with flu-like illness should stay home for at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever, or signs of a fever, without the use of fever-reducing medicines. Students and teachers should stay home even if they are using antiviral drugs; b) Separate ill students and staff until they can be sent home; c) Emphasize hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette. Wash hands frequently with soap and water when possible, and cover noses and mouths with a tissue when coughing or sneezing (or a shirt sleeve or elbow if no tissue is available); d) Seek early treatment of high-risk students and staff. People at high risk for influenza complications who become ill with influenza-like illness should speak with their health care provider as soon as possible.  Early treatment with antiviral medications is very important for people at high risk because it can prevent hospitalizations and deaths. People at high risk include those who are pregnant, have asthma or diabetes, have compromised immune systems, or have neuromuscular diseases. The CDC may recommend additional measures to help protect students and school staff if global and national assessments indicate that influenza is causing more severe disease. Check with your school for specific information about how your children may be affected. For a complete list of the recommended guidelines for schools from the CDC, click here. The Florida Department of Health has launched the toll-free number 877-352-3581 to provide public health information and updates on H1N1 Swine flu.  The information line will be available from 8 a. m. to 8 p. m., seven days a week.  

Coral Gables Street Markers Are A Curbstone Tradition

You know you’re in Coral Gables when welcomed by one of the city’s stunning landmark entrances, and by the distinctive white stones painted with street names that make our City Beautiful so special. These curbside white stones with Spanish street names were not part of City founder George Merrick’s original design. They were introduced to Coral Gables in the late 1930s and have been a tradition and a topic of conversation ever since. There are approximately 2,620 street markers in Coral Gables and their maintenance and replacement is done by Sign Shop workers in the Parking Department. For purposes of maintaining them, the City is divided into 27 zones with up to 240 markers in each zone. This is a continuous project for the Sign Shop and once a zone is completed, they tackle the next and start the process all over again. City workers refurnish approximately 750 markers per year, which includes clearing around a marker, cleaning, scraping, painting and re-lettering the street names. In Coral Gables, you will find at least two street markers on every four-way intersection with the white stones placed on diagonal corners. The City of Coral Gables has tested several alternative paints for lettering to make the street names more visible at night, but no significant improvement in visibility has been achieved. A Coral Gables street marker weighs in excess of 300 pounds. 

Meeting Regarding FPL’s
New Transmission Lines Held Today

Coral Gables residents are invited to attend today’s informational public meeting regarding FPL’s new transmission lines. The meeting will be held today, September 2, from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at the Bank United Center at the University of Miami, Hurricane 100 Room, 1245 Dauer Drive. Today’s meeting is co-hosted by the South Florida Regional Planning Council and Miami-Dade County Department of Planning and Zoning. In June, Florida Power and Light filed a Site Certification Application with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to build two new nuclear units at Turkey Point with associated transmission lines. Within the City of Coral Gables boundaries, the overhead transmission lines are proposed within the existing transmission line corridor located parallel to Ponce de Leon Boulevard from Red Road (S.W. 57th Avenue) to Douglas Road (S.W. 37th Avenue). At this meeting, attendees will be given an overview of the project and the review process. The public will also have an opportunity to ask questions and provide comment. For more information, contact Karen Hamilton, South Florida Regional Planning Council at 954-985-4416 or khamilton@sfrpc.com or Paula Church, Miami-Dade County Department of Planning and Zoning at 305-375-2835 or church@miami-dade.gov. For more information on the FDEP Site Certification Application, click here. 

Golf Digest Magazine Names Local Golf Teacher
Among Best In State

Coral Gables resident John Pallot, director of instruction at The John Pallot Golf Academy at the Biltmore Hotel, has been named in Golf Digest Magazine’s “Best Teachers In Your State” list for 2009-2010. The golf industry’s most exclusive list of top teaching talent has been published in the August 2009 edition of this publication. This is the second time since 2000 that Pallot has been recognized as among the best golf instructors in Florida by the magazine. This year’s list was selected by more than 1,000 teachers who filled out an online ballot. There are more than 30,000 golf professionals in the United States who were eligible for consideration. Pallot, who is the founder of The John Pallot Golf Academy at the Biltmore Hotel, has devoted the past 25 years to teaching golf in the community.