Monday, July 27, 2009

Share the Road Miami

The City of Miami's bicycle initiatives continue to grow and bring fun, family-friendly events to our neighborhoods. The monthly Bike Miami Rides have brought people together from all over Miami and The Miami Herald has published a photo gallery from our last ride, which you can see HERE.
A recent success that I would like to share with you is the installation of Share the Road signage in Downtown. In the State of Florida, cyclists have the right to 'take the lane', which increases their safety and visibility on our roadways. We are happy that the County has responded to our requests to post these signs and hope that it will make Miami's streets safer for everyone.

If you are interested in knowing more about what we are doing to increase safe cycling in Miami, please visit www.miamigov.com/bikes or visit the Bike Miami Blog HERE. Also, I hope you'll join us for the next Bike Miami Ride on Sunday, August 23rd.

Friday, July 24, 2009

Using Stimulus Dollars to Green Miami


The City of Miami is on its way to using stimulus dollars to green our city and become more energy efficient.
Our City is slated to receive $4.7 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) from the Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) to “green” all 29 municipal buildings, which the City will leverage with private financing.
This week, the City Commission has approved the process to choose a contractor to perform energy audits and retrofits of many of our larger buildings.
The City will now have the ability to look at specific ways that we can save electricity and water usage. Once the buildings are “greened”, we will save up to 25% of in electric consumption. This will not only help our budget, but will also have an impact on our environment by reducing our greenhouse gas emissions.
Our first phase of building retrofits is set to begin in the next few weeks, using the guidelines of the Clinton Climate Initiative, eventually making many of our buildings Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified.

Read more about how ARRA funds are being used in our city on Recoverymiami.com

- Manny

Florida Bar's Green Building Committee Launch Blog

The Florida Bar's Green Building Subcommittee has a launched a blog with green-building resources and related information. Their most recent entry discusses Green Building-inspired art here in Miami. View the blog at http://www.floridagreenbuildinglaw.com.

Monday, July 20, 2009

Bike Miami Rides through Mimo with Great Success

Bike Miami Rides brought 65 new and experienced cyclists to Miami's historical MiMo district this Sunday. Thanks to everyone who took part and who are taking responsibility for becoming safer users of our city, county and state roads.

I would also like to thank everyone who has written to me and my staff about their experience on Sunday. One participant wrote:
"I took part in the Bike Miami Ride (BMR) this last Sunday, July 19th, 2009. I want to express my great delight with this program, I have lived in Miami since 1968, and yet we traveled through neighborhoods that I was not familiar with (East Buena Vista just to name one). I enjoyed that we traveled through the area and sited new restaurants and other businesses that I'll return to and try out thanks to BMR exposing me to this area.The route also took us past the Haitian Cultural Center, that was an eye-opening experience. Another reason I enjoyed this ride was because of the fine work the City of Miami Police Bike Patrol did. They were very friendly and helpful as they shepherded us through the streets and kept us safe. It was a special treat to have Police Chief John Timoney with us too. I also want to mention how great the NET office was. [The NET Administrator] opened the office and provided cold water bottles to the 65 or so participants. I want to heartily thank her for her service in addition to yours in informing us of the bicycling laws and rules of the road and acting as our tour guide. I would be remiss if I didn't mention Collin Worth and the yeoman's work he has done in promoting cycling in the City of Miami. I have had the pleasure of attending 3 Bike Miami Days and now this Bike Miami Ride, and will continue to take advantage of these rides in the future. I want to encourage the city to continue and even expand this program. because Miami is such an expansive city and not easily traveled on foot I believe it has become imperative that Miami become a more bike-friendly city and that we foster a bicycling culture. The Bike Miami Days/Rides, go long way in meeting both objectives and want to vocalize my support and encouragement. Additionally support and recognition are also in order for other organizations such as Critical Mass which has a chapter in Miami and also does much to educate and encourage cycling here.Thanks again and keep up the fantastic work! Regards, JOHN C."
For more information about these rides, please visit the Bike Miami Team Blog HERE.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

My Response to The Miami Herald on City of Miami Budget

Today, The Miami Herald published my response to the Sunday, July 12 article on the City of Miami Budget.
You may read the op-ed HERE, in both English and Spanish.
-Manny

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Working with the Department of Homeland Security to Improve the HSAS

This morning, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano announced the formation of a national task force to review the Homeland Security Advisory System (HSAS). I am proud to have been asked to join this group and look forward to working with Secretarty Napolitano and others to assess the effectiveness of the HSAS, which serves to communicate to the public on terrorist threats and protective measures within government and the private sector. You can read more about the new taskforce on the City website HERE or at the DHS website HERE.

Shake A Leg Miami Celebrates Summer Learning Day

Shake A Leg Miami is one of this City's great community non-profits. Shake A Leg provides children and the disabled with unique opportunities to connect with nature and to learn and grow as individuals and athletes. This year's summer program features an engaging environmental curriculum that I am proud to support. My thanks go to everyone at Shake A Leg for this video in celebration of National Summer Learning Day on July 9, 2009.

Saturday, July 4, 2009

Have a Happy and Safe 4th of July!


As you celebrate this 4th of July with your family, please follow all safety instructions when handling fireworks. One great way to celebrate the 4th of July safely is by joining the City of Miami in one of the largest fireworks displays in South Florida for America's Birthday Bash, in Bayfront Park in Downtown Miami.

Enjoy food and beverages, and a free Kids' Zone with inflatable slides, a "kiddie carousel," hoops, face painting and more. Bring the whole family!
- Manny