Miami Springs: SpringyLeaks

Coming soon: Crackers Casual Dining

 

The River Cities Gazette reported on May 24th that the former Riverside Grille will be the new site of "Crackers Casual Dining."  

(Coming soon to Miami Springs:  Crackers Casual Dining.  THEO KARANTSALIS/FREELANCE)

Public works director resigns abruptly

The Miami Springs Public Works director who helped the city earn its “Tree City USA” designation and worked tirelessly though fierce storms over the years has resigned.

BY THEO KARANTSALIS
SPECIAL TO THE MIAMI HERALD

Miami Springs Public Works director Robert Williams abruptly resigned last Monday from his $97,549-year-post.

Williams started with the city in 1988 and worked his way up to the top slot.

“Robert has done every position in that department,” said Nery Owens, a 53-year resident who applauded William’s tenure. “The city website shows that public works has always provided excellent service.”

Owens, like other residents in the small city that prides itself on its “Mayberry” image, is on a first-name basis with most city employees.

“There will always be a special place in my heart for this city,” said the 6-foot, 300- pound Williams, well known for speaking with a distinct, deep bass voice. “I made a lot of friends along the way.”

Williams helped the city earn its coveted “Tree City USA” designation back in 1994, and worked tirelessly though fierce storms including Hurricanes Andrew to keep Miami Springs’ 14,000 residents clean and safe.

Tree pruning, debris removal, street and street light repair, solid waste disposal, maintenance of right-of-ways and the upkeep of municipal buildings are all some of the daily tasks performed by this department. The Public Works Department also serves as a support system to every department within the city.  

“His dedication to customer service will be missed,” said City Manager Ron Gorland, who added that the city will soon start searching for a replacement.

In the meantime, Arborist Tom Nash will serve as the city’s acting public works director.

“Another opportunity came up that was closer to home,” said Williams, the city’s only African American department head who oversaw a staff of about 50 people.

“It was one of the most difficult decisions I have ever had to make.”

Williams added that city discussions about possibly outsourcing some functions of Public Works weighed on his decision. This would include tree trimming, trash pickups and landscaping functions of the current Public Works Department that could potentially save residents up to $1 million per year.

Williams has one final message for his old friends and residents: “Thank you for working with me as a team to keep Miami Springs beautiful.”

Robert Williams, the public works director for Miami Springs resigned last Monday.  (THEO KARANTSALIS/FOR THE MIAMI HERALD)

Read more here:  http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/05/24/2815994/public-works-director-resigns.html#storylink=misearch#storylink=cpy

FOIA release names "spy" printers

You might want to think twice before you send an anonymous letter criticizing the government or its policies.    It can be traced right back to you.

For years, machine identification code technology has been used by printer manufacturers to burn a printer’s serial number – using microscopic yellow dots -- on each printed page. Though some printing companies have shared this information with the government, names have never been released -- until recently. 

The government, pursuant to a Freedom of Information Act request by freelance journalist Theo Karantsalis, has released the names of 10 printer manufacturers that have “fulfilled or agreed to fulfill document identification requests submitted by the Secret Service.”

The companies listed on the release include:  Canon, Brother, Casio, Sharp, HP, Konica-Minolta, Mita, Ricoh, and Xerox.

“Our privacy rights are eroding more and more each day,” said Karantsalis, whose original 2010 request was denied.  

But the Secret Service relented after he filed an administrative appeal and threatened legal action. For years, Karantsalis studied the mysterious dots using a blue LED light he got from the San Francisco-based Electronic Frontier Foundation, which published a tracking dot “decoding guide.”

But the EFF thinks that Karantsalis’ release has inadvertently shed light on a potentially greater privacy breach.

“The same yellow dots were instrumental in a recent DARPA ‘reverse shredding’ challenge that let one team reveal what was cross shredded,” said Seth Schoen, a Senior Staff Technologist at the EFF.  DARPA stands for Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.

“Just because you shred something, that doesn’t mean it has been destroyed," said Schoen, who feels this should be a “wake-up call” for the government and others who handle sensitive information. “They all need to review their shredding policies.”

Read more here:  http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/05/24/2815426/foia-release-names-spy-printers.html 

FOIA release names "spy" printers

 

“General Amos and I will lay the wreath together at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial as President Obama watches,” said Carter-Krell, as she boarded a flight in Philadelphia after attending “Heroes Day” at the Medal of Honor Grove at the Freedoms Foundation in Valley Forge. “It is a tremendous honor.”

Councilman quits mid-term; taxpayers to foot bill for special election

Published on Thu, May. 17, 2012                                                                                                                                   By Theo Karantsalis                                                                                                                                                                   The Miami Herald

Miami Springs City Councilman Dan Espino has abruptly resigned, leaving the city scrambling to appoint an interim commissioner.

“Effective May 16, 2012, I resign from the Miami Springs city council,” said Espino, who read a good-bye letter at Monday’s city council meeting, paused, then took a big swig of bottled water.

There was brief applause but no discussion about it immediately afterward; neither from council members nor from residents during open forum. “Now back to the business of the city,” said Mayor Zavier Garcia, right after Espino explained why he was stepping down.

Miami Springs now finds itself in a position it hasn’t faced since the 1970s. Since Espino’s current term was scheduled to end in April 2013, the city must now appoint an interim commissioner within 30 days and then call for a special election — at a cost of about $27,000, according to City Clerk Magali Valls.  The winner of that election, scheduled to take place on Aug. 14, would serve out the remainder of Espino’s term.

At the end of the four-hour meeting, Garcia recommended that council members “bring at least one name that you would like to recommend for the seat” to the next meeting.

“Then we will discuss the process,” the mayor said. Espino said Florida law requires that he resign his council post while he runs for Miami-Dade County School Board. Florida’s “resign-to-run law” prohibits an elected official from qualifying as a candidate for other public office if the terms overlap.

Last February, Espino announced that he wanted to run for the District 5 school board seat that covers Hialeah, Doral and Miami Springs.

“I cannot thank the residents of Miami Springs enough for the confidence they twice had in me, as well as for the incredible support they are offering me now,” said Espino, who was elected in 2009 and 2011. Last month, Susie Castillo of Doral joined the race to fill the District 5 seat currently held by Renier Diaz de la Portilla, who has filed to run for the Florida House of Representatives.

The primary elections for the school board, which sets district policy for public schools within the county, also takes place on Aug. 14. 

Espino resigns

 

Miami Springs City Councilman Dan Espino has submitted his resignation, effective Monday, May 14.

Read more in next week's Miami Herald.

Espino Resigns

Developing...

 

 

 

Low-income apartments renovated in Brownsville

 

Published on Friday, May 9, 2012

By Theo Karantsalis
The Miami Herald

Community leaders celebrated the grand opening last week, of the recently renovated Mildred and Claude Pepper Towers, an apartment building for low-income senior citizens in Brownsville.

“The Claude Pepper towers are a unique example of a successful rehabilitation utilizing a combination of public and private financing sources,” said Steve Protulis, executive director of the Elderly Housing Development and Operations Corp., a nonprofit developer that owns the building.

Protulis thanked everyone who helped keep seniors in their homes during the $9 million rehab with “minimal disruption.”

The 15-month project created jobs for about 100 union construction workers, each of whom took great care to facilitate the process for elderly tenants. For example, in a single day, crews were able to pack up a tenant’s belongings, tear out and replace a kitchen and bathroom, and return the tenant to their unit in time for dinner.

“This is a wonderful facelift for the community,” said Miami-Dade Commissioner Audrey Edmonson, whose office is across the street at the Caleb Center. “I am pleased to be here and to see this development continue Claude Pepper’s legacy of fighting for the needs of the elderly.”

Edmonson has been an advocate for affordable housing throughout her district, which extends from Liberty City up to North Miami.

The need for affordable housing is evidenced by the waiting list of 800 people to get in at the Pepper Towers, 2350 NW 54th St.

All of the units have one bedroom and rent for $150, subsidized by taxpayers. Units are only available to pre-qualified low-income seniors.

Total funding for the 150-unit renovation plus rent subsidies was nearly $11 million, which was raised through the sale of low-income-housing tax credits allocated by Florida Housing Finance Corp. In addition, a Housing and Urban Development-insured mortgage for $4 million was handled by Wells Fargo.

The project was also awarded $2.3 in federal stimulus money.

The green construction used to renovate the Claude Pepper building, originally built in 1978, has tenants beaming with features like energy-efficient lighting, high-efficiency windows, new kitchen cabinets and counter tops, and full-size Energy-Star rated appliances.

Other amenities include a computer room, a gym and even a library.

“We have aerobics, bingo and sometimes charter a bus to go shopping at Wal-Mart,” said resident Carrie St. Lot, 69, who ran a well-known ice cream business on Northwest 15th Avenue for decades.

St. Lot’s “youth” is what led her to head a volunteer group at the towers that keeps seniors, many who are in their 90s, extra busy with special activities and field trips.

“I am a teenager compared to them,” she said.

Each floor has a “captain” who checks daily on residents by knocking on the doors or making phone calls. If no one answers, another resident will enter to make sure all is well. It is this sense of camaraderie that keeps the seniors close.

And almost every week, they all get together for a party.

“We love to celebrate each other’s birthdays.”

Photo caption:  Residents of the Mildred and Claude Pepper Towers pose outside their newly renovated home on Friday.  (THEO KARANTSALIS/FOR THE MIAMI HERALD)

Gables lawyer named 11th Circuit judge

 

By THEO KARANTSALIS

Ariana Fajardo, of Miami Springs, has been tapped by Gov. Rick Scott to the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court.

“Ariana is committed to the rule of law and well understands the proper role of the courts within our system of government,” Scott said in a press release issued Wednesday afternoon.

"As a prosecuting attorney, and as a leader in the Bar, she has demonstrated integrity and a dedication to hard work.”

Fajardo, 41, fills a seat made vacant by the death last January of Circuit Court Judge Julio Jimenez.

"I am absolutely thrilled and excited to return to a career in public service," Fajardo said. "I look forward to serving as a judge."

Fajardo thanked the "many judges and lawyers" who have mentored and prepared her for the new role.

Fajardo is a member of the Cuban American Bar Association, a partner with Coral Gables-based Orshan & Fajardo and has served on the city of Miami Springs Board of Adjustments.

Read more here: Gables lawyer named 11th Circuit judge

Read more in next week's Gazette.

Photo courtesy of Ariana Fajardo.

Susie Castillo running for district 5 school board seat

Alex Electric keeps Miami Springs grounded

 

By THEO KARANTSALIS

If you get your wires crossed doing repairs at home or work, don't blow a fuse.  Call Alex.

“I have always enjoyed fixing things,” said Alex Varela, an electrical contractor and owner of Alex Electric Services. 

Since 1991, Varela and his dedicated team of 15 employees have specialized in keeping Miami Springs grounded.

“Electricity is serious business and you can get hurt if you don’t know what you’re doing,” said Varela, who added that his team has “seen it all” when it comes to wiring. 

For example, just because a wire is a certain color – like black, red or white – you should never assume what its function is.  This is what makes electrical work one of the most dangerous tasks that can be performed in a home or business.

“You have to be sure,” said Varela, who added that many older Miami Springs homes still have the old plug and cartridge style fuses that sometimes frustrate do-it-yourselfers into “taking shortcuts.”

Many buildings have not been upgraded since the city’s construction boom in the 50’s.

“Alex has upgraded a lot of old 60-amp fuses to circuit breakers for me,” said Larry Butler, a local real estate broker, who relies on Alex Electric to keep his rental properties in top “electrical” shape.  “Sometimes, I get a call from a tenant and need something done quickly and Alex gets the job done.”

Licensed and insured, Alex Electric relies on special equipment and years of experience to keep you safe and give you peace of mind. 

Some of the many jobs Alex Electric can tackle for you include:  

-         security cameras

-         lighting systems

-         kitchen remodeling

-         generators

-         telephones and computers

-         flat panels

-         fire alarms

“We have worked with Alex Electric for over 8 years,” said Henry Salvador, a project manager with Douglass Orr Plumbing.  “We have done all phases of work from domestic pumps, filtering systems, tankless water heaters and numerous other kinds of electrical work.”

Salvador added that Alex Electric is “timely” and provides “good workmanship.”

Add to Varela’s credentials the fact that he is an electrical “contractor.”  When he says he can handle “all jobs big or small,” he means it.  All construction work related to the design, installation, and maintenance of electrical systems falls within his purview.     

From low voltage wireless networks, energy-efficient lighting and backup power supplies to integrated building systems all the way up to high-voltage commercial power distribution lines.  Plus, Alex Electric can pull permits in any category including security and fire as well as provide residential and commercial real estate and insurance inspections. 

“More than 80 percent of my business is here in Miami Springs,” said Varela, who lives and loves his hometown, Miami Springs. 

He attends Blessed Trinity church, is a member of the Optimist Club and sponsors local youth soccer and baseball teams. 

“He treats his customers as if they were good friends -- and most turn out to be just that,” said Jose Mejia, a local process server, who has reached out to Varela both as a customer and a friend.  “He does a lot of work here in Springs.”

And in case Alex Electric hasn’t been to your house or business yet, call (305) 888-8830 for a free estimate.  The company also offers emergency and same day service and guarantees all work.

“We are known for doing things right the first time,” said Varela.

“And at a very reasonable rate.”

On the Web:  alexelectric.net

 

Box:

Alex Varela, 47, is married to Gina and they have two children, Stephanie, 11, and Alex, 8.

Hometown:  Born and raised in Miami Springs

What would you be surprised to know about Alex?  I graduated from La Salle and Belen Jesuit Preparatory School.

What would you be surprised to know about Alex Electric?  There is no electrical problem that we haven’t seen before. 

Alex’s advice for the world?  Go out and tackle the world, don’t let it tackle you.    

Special message from Alex Electric:  We really appreciate all of our loyal customers from Miami Springs.  It is an honor to serve you.