Issues

Some Issues to ponder in Campaign 2009

City of Miramar

As the city approaches build out, the management of our resources and facilities will become the focus of activities. The pioneering section of our city has benefited from new sewer systems that have now been mainly completed and we hold out hope that the current budget constraints at both the federal and state levels will not delay un-duly, the State Road 7/441 corridor improvements from which this section of our city would so greatly benefit from.

This section of the city is sharing too, in the fine amenities now being offered in the brand new Multi Service center situated at the site of our old city hall. It is most gratifying to hear the compliments from especially the seniors who have already been benefiting from the services offered in this new facility.

We also share in the joys experienced by city residents who have made use of the facilities at the regional park. From pool/water activities to football an soccer tournaments, residents continue to share in the wonderful facilities offered across the city.

The city of Miramar has been very fortunate to have had the current management team at the helm, even before the current serious financial crisis struck and as such, the city has benefited from not only responsible but forward planning, in ways many other cities simply have not. This has resulted in the completion of the above-mentioned projects, including the just completed Ansin Sports Complex. Further, we have taken the decision that additional projects will operate on a pay as you go basis, and the city in a fiscally secure position.

Through our social services department among others, the city has sought funding from various sources to assist our residents who have been faced with foreclosure related challenges. I have arranged form residents to attend foreclosure related seminars and have had specialists speak with homeowner groups in the city. I have also arranged one-on-one relationships between specialists, including attorneys, and homeowners facing mortgage and foreclosure challenges.

In an on-going fashion, the city mounts a visioning session on an annual basis where publicly, all planning is brought up as is funding for these projects are discussed with stakeholders drawn from across the city and from professional groupings that interact with the city. We take pride in this interaction as the city of Miramar continues to be one of the most transparent municipalities in the entire nation.

At my bidding also, the management of our city has regularized the use of city vehicles although some amount of work needs to be done in this area to remove any possibility of abuse, especially in the current fiscal crisis situation.

As a city, continue to enjoy the push toward a greener environment. From the new greenways to enhanced recycling efforts, to the permission for golf carts to be used on certain thoroughfares we are increasing activity in this area. LEED registered type building activity has been underway in our city and only recently, staff at city hall unveiled a new program that seeks to promote recycling and re-use in offices and common areas at the city center complex. This is but another example of how staff has been demonstrating their understanding of accountability.

I am very proud that at my bidding, our city clerk’s office no longer provides the voluminous reams of paper that were provided in back-up material for commission meetings is now a thing of the past. Commissioners, city attorneys and the city manager now utilize laptop computers for commission meeting materials.

The city will be participating in Bike Month in March following a recommendation I made to staff about making our city center more and more bicycle friendly. This promotes inter-personal relationships that strengthen the social fabric of the city and as well, health lifestyles. In addition, it increases awareness of our extensive network of bicycle lanes across the city and of course, reduces the use of gasoline saving both money and preserving the environment.

Both the police and fire departments have been provided with optimum equipment and training opportunities. In both areas however we have manpower shortage challenges but we are aware this is a problem faced by many police departments across the county and the state.

Our police department now enjoys newer facilities in offices rented in the industrial park along Miramar Parkway. This is however temporary but it also relieves a rather un-healthy situation that existed at the old police department building. Fortunately too, the city of Miramar has been able to attract both county and state funding for various amenities and facilities for the police department.

Response times have been drastically reduced as our fire department now occupies all the planned firehouses in all sections of the city.

Maybe most remarkable however, is the fact that both the fire department have sought ways, through their own initiative, in which their remuneration and benefit packages have been improved with no outlay from the city coffers. Their recommendations especially on pensions have been most helpful.

I have also been able to cause developers to act in a more responsible and responsive manner over the years I have spent in office. In a recent case I entreated a developer to remove the overgrowth in a certain section of the city even though this developer is some time away from the start of construction. While the developer sought to avoid the undertaking I insisted that in wanting to be a good corporate citizen, they would want to facilitate folk who would soon become the neighbors of their clients. In a very responsible fashion the overgrowth was removed in a matter of days after my intervention.

While we face a number of software challenges, our radio and television channels are improving the service they offer residents in providing information and entertainment. The radio channel proved invaluable in the post-Wilma days, when residents needed information that helped them literally weather the storm. Our city website continues to be one of the most interactive in the county and state making the notion of government in the sunshine a powerful reality.

I continually offer support to staff both at commission meetings and when I encounter them variously, for the great work they do for the residents of the city through their knowledge and commitment, and how their dedication assists management and the commission in the work they seek to do for our residents.

As clear indication of the integrity with which I have sought to serve this city, I recall that only months after my first election in 2003, I was the only commissioner to vote against a pay raise for commissioners. As I promised then, I used the difference in salary to create a scholarship fund that now stands at $19,000.00.

I continue to be the most accessible commissioner in great part because of my substantive job situation as a radio broadcaster. I am also convinced that I can run on the basis of my record of accomplishments, attention paid to the community and my integrity in public office.

Winston F. Barnes
City of Miramar Commission Seat #3
Election March 10, 2009.

Winston Barnes For City of Miramar Commission Seat #3 *Re-Elect* Barnes For Commissioner HOME ISSUES ABOUT CONTRIBUTE ENDORSEMENTS


	Some Issues to ponder in Campaign 2009 City of Miramar As the city approaches build out, the management of our resources and facilities will become the focus of activities. The pioneering section of our city has benefited from new sewer systems that have now been mainly completed and we hold out hope that the current budget constraints at both the federal and state levels will not delay un-duly, the State Road 7/441 corridor improvements from which this section of our city would so greatly benefit from. This section of the city is sharing too, in the fine amenities now being offered in the brand new Multi Service center situated at the site of our old city hall. It is most gratifying to hear the compliments from especially the seniors who have already been benefiting from the services offered in this new facility. We also share in the joys experienced by city residents who have made use of the facilities at the regional park. From pool/water activities to football an soccer tournaments, residents continue to share in the wonderful facilities offered across the city. The city of Miramar has been very fortunate to have had the current management team at the helm, even before the current serious financial crisis struck and as such, the city has benefited from not only responsible but forward planning, in ways many other cities simply have not. This has resulted in the completion of the above-mentioned projects, including the just completed Ansin Sports Complex. Further, we have taken the decision that additional projects will operate on a pay as you go basis, and the city in a fiscally secure position. Through our social services department among others, the city has sought funding from various sources to assist our residents who have been faced with foreclosure related challenges. I have arranged form residents to attend foreclosure related seminars and have had specialists speak with homeowner groups in the city. I have also arranged one-on-one relationships between specialists, including attorneys, and homeowners facing mortgage and foreclosure challenges. In an on-going fashion, the city mounts a visioning session on an annual basis where publicly, all planning is brought up as is funding for these projects are discussed with stakeholders drawn from across the city and from professional groupings that interact with the city. We take pride in this interaction as the city of Miramar continues to be one of the most transparent municipalities in the entire nation. At my bidding also, the management of our city has regularized the use of city vehicles although some amount of work needs to be done in this area to remove any possibility of abuse, especially in the current fiscal crisis situation. As a city, continue to enjoy the push toward a greener environment. From the new greenways to enhanced recycling efforts, to the permission for golf carts to be used on certain thoroughfares we are increasing activity in this area. LEED registered type building activity has been underway in our city and only recently, staff at city hall unveiled a new program that seeks to promote recycling and re-use in offices and common areas at the city center complex. This is but another example of how staff has been demonstrating their understanding of accountability. I am very proud that at my bidding, our city clerk’s office no longer provides the voluminous reams of paper that were provided in back-up material for commission meetings is now a thing of the past. Commissioners, city attorneys and the city manager now utilize laptop computers for commission meeting materials. The city will be participating in Bike Month in March following a recommendation I made to staff about making our city center more and more bicycle friendly. This promotes inter-personal relationships that strengthen the social fabric of the city and as well, health lifestyles. In addition, it increases awareness of our extensive network of bicycle lanes across the city and of course, reduces the use of gasoline saving both money and preserving the environment. Both the police and fire departments have been provided with optimum equipment and training opportunities. In both areas however we have manpower shortage challenges but we are aware this is a problem faced by many police departments across the county and the state. Our police department now enjoys newer facilities in offices rented in the industrial park along Miramar Parkway. This is however temporary but it also relieves a rather un-healthy situation that existed at the old police department building. Fortunately too, the city of Miramar has been able to attract both county and state funding for various amenities and facilities for the police department. Response times have been drastically reduced as our fire department now occupies all the planned firehouses in all sections of the city. Maybe most remarkable however, is the fact that both the fire department have sought ways, through their own initiative, in which their remuneration and benefit packages have been improved with no outlay from the city coffers. Their recommendations especially on pensions have been most helpful. I have also been able to cause developers to act in a more responsible and responsive manner over the years I have spent in office. In a recent case I entreated a developer to remove the overgrowth in a certain section of the city even though this developer is some time away from the start of construction. While the developer sought to avoid the undertaking I insisted that in wanting to be a good corporate citizen, they would want to facilitate folk who would soon become the neighbors of their clients. In a very responsible fashion the overgrowth was removed in a matter of days after my intervention. While we face a number of software challenges, our radio and television channels are improving the service they offer residents in providing information and entertainment. The radio channel proved invaluable in the post-Wilma days, when residents needed information that helped them literally weather the storm. Our city website continues to be one of the most interactive in the county and state making the notion of government in the sunshine a powerful reality. I continually offer support to staff both at commission meetings and when I encounter them variously, for the great work they do for the residents of the city through their knowledge and commitment, and how their dedication assists management and the commission in the work they seek to do for our residents. As clear indication of the integrity with which I have sought to serve this city, I recall that only months after my first election in 2003, I was the only commissioner to vote against a pay raise for commissioners. As I promised then, I used the difference in salary to create a scholarship fund that now stands at $19,000.00. I continue to be the most accessible commissioner in great part because of my substantive job situation as a radio broadcaster. I am also convinced that I can run on the basis of my record of accomplishments, attention paid to the community and my integrity in public office. Winston F. Barnes City of Miramar Commission Seat #3 Election March 10, 2009.