Cutler Bay Vice Mayor faces reelection challenge

Ernest N. Sochin (incumbent)

• Age: 76

• Occupation: Sales manager at Master Distributors, a national electronics distribution company.

• Education: Associate’s degree in electronic engineering, Wentworth Institute of Technology, Boston.

• Other: Former president of Whispering Pines Civic Association.

Ed Wolmers

• Age: 50

• Occupation: Owner of American Lenders Service Company of Miami, a towing and recovery company.

• Education: Associate’s degree in electronics engineering, National Education Center.

• Other: Member of original Cutler Bay charter committee and Cutler Bay charter revision committee.

Cutler Bay Vice Mayor Ernie Sochin faces a challenge from activist Ed Wolmers in the town’s Nov. 6 election.

The vice mayor’s race will be the only one on the town ballot. Council member Sue Ellen Loyzelle was automatically reelected because no one ran against her. The other three council seats don’t expire until 2014.

The vice mayor’s salary is $604.67 per month.

Sochin, 76, is a sales manager at Master Distributors, a national electronics distribution company. He has served on the Town Council since Cutler Bay incorporated in 2006. He represented Seat 2 on the council until 2008, when he became vice mayor. If he is reelected, he will have to leave the council when his term expires in 2016 because of term limits.

Wolmers, 50, a Cutler Bay resident since 1997, owns a franchise of a national towing and recovery business called American Lenders Service Co. of Miami. Although he was against incorporation, he is an active community member who served on the original town charter committee during incorporation and on the charter revision commission from late 2011 to mid-2012.

This is not Wolmers’ first campaign for a seat on the Town Council. In 2010 he ran against current mayor Ed MacDougall and in 2006 he ran for a seat on the council after incorporation.

In his bid for reelection, Sochin said the most important issues are education and what he calls “new urbanism.” To him, this means integrating more stores and recreational facilities into residential areas, specifically along Old Cutler Road.

“I love the idea of people being able to live and play and work in their own hometown without having to drive away,” Sochin said.

He also plans to get community businesses, such as the local Mercedes dealership, involved with high school students to offer apprenticeships for those willing to learn a trade.

“There are jobs but not people prepared to fill them,” Sochin said.

Wolmers said he wants to improve transparency and communication between the Town Council and the community.

“The council has the responsibility to respond to the community,” he said. “What can I do differently? Honestly, just stand up and fight for the people.”

Wolmers said he is running against Sochin because he believes he can play a more active role on the council.

“In the last year, I felt that he’s been asleep at the wheel,” Wolmers said. “He has not been 100 percent awake and fought for the people.”

He said he would also make it a priority to prevent bickering amongst council members and maintain decorum at meetings.

Background checks revealed little of note for either candidate, except Wolmers filed for bankruptcy protection in 1999 and was discharged three months later. Wolmers said the bankruptcy came after a long struggle with finances that were sparked by a 1991 boating accident that claimed the lives of his daughter and niece, both 4, and his 28-year-old brother.

Financial reports show that Sochin has raised $10,736 in contributions, $5,000 of which he loaned himself. Wolmers has raised $300, $200 of which he loaned himself.

Wolmers said he is not seeking contributions from residents due to the state of the economy.

“People are hurting right now,” he said.

A series of amendments to the town charter — the town’s constitution — have been proposed by the town’s Charter Revision Commission and will be included on the Nov. 6 ballot. Voters will be asked whether to:

Cutler Bay residents must choose a vice mayor and decide on more than a dozen changes to the Town Charter.

Council members cancelled plans for a tax increase, opting to spend more of the town’s savings instead.

Ten years ago, residents voted to incorporate the village of Palmetto Bay. Many positive changes have occurred, including improved quality of life, the sixth-lowest tax rate in Miami-Dade County, a AA bond rating and a $9 million reserve fund. However, it is election time and a new, politically motivated committee is creating an ugly atmosphere.

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Cutler Bay drops plans for tax hike

Cutler Bay residents will not see an increase in their property tax rate next year.

Town council members decided in a 4-1 vote to keep the tax rate the same as it was this year: $2.57 for every $1,000 of assessed property value.

Under the current rate, the owner of a typical home with an assessed value of $115,000, taking the standard $50,000 homestead exemption, pays about $167.20 in property taxes per year. The council initially voted for a tentative rate of $2.80 for every $1,000 of assessed property value, on Sept. 10, but decided against the higher rate at Monday’s meeting.

Longtime homeowners can still expect a 3 percent higher tax bill due to increased assessed home values, however.

With the $2.57 tax rate, the town will have to plan to take an extra $372,000 from its savings account to balance the budget. This means a total planned dip of $2.1 million into the town’s reserves for next year.

Initially, most council members expressed concern over taking money out of the reserves.

“Things cost money,” council member Mary Ann Mixon said. “I’m all for not raising taxes. I want to give the public what they want, but I’m struggling about where it’s going to come from.”

Mayor Ed MacDougall and council member Sue Ellen Loyzelle echoed her thoughts, with Loyzelle saying: “I’m very nervous about dipping into the reserves.”

Council member Peggy Bell and Vice Mayor Ernie Sochin argued against a tax increase.

“I feel very comfortable staying at the existing rate,” Sochin said. “There’s no real danger in not raising taxes.”

In the end, only council member Loyzelle voted against keeping the tax rate flat. She had expressed concern about dipping into the reserves.

Interim town manager Rafael Casals said the town may not need to take as much money out of the reserves as budgeted.

“Historically, we don’t get to that number because we tighten our belt throughout the year,” Casals said.

Even if the town did take the full $2.1 million out of the reserves, it would be left with $13 million, which Casals said is about 74 percent of the town’s yearly expenses.

The Government Finance Officers Association says a healthy savings account should reach about 10-15 percent, Casals said.

“We’re super healthy because our reserves go well beyond that,” he said.

Cutler Bay residents must choose a vice mayor and decide on more than a dozen changes to the Town Charter.

Council members cancelled plans for a tax increase, opting to spend more of the town’s savings instead.

Ten years ago, residents voted to incorporate the village of Palmetto Bay. Many positive changes have occurred, including improved quality of life, the sixth-lowest tax rate in Miami-Dade County, a AA bond rating and a $9 million reserve fund. However, it is election time and a new, politically motivated committee is creating an ugly atmosphere.

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New classrooms and programs to debut Monday at Centennial Middle

When students arrive Monday for classes at Centennial Middle School in South Miami-Dade, they will see many of the traditional trappings of education. There will be long corridors, freshly waxed floors and the echo of new voices in stairwells.

But tucked away on the second and third floors, completed in a matter of months, is something new: A set of rooms that are part classroom, part brainstorming session.

Gone are the traditional, neutral-toned walls and tidy rows of desks. In their place are a giant work area, pained in pink, yellow and green, nooks with cozy furniture and, for the hungry, a kitchen nearby.

It’s part of iPrep, one of three specialized programs within Centennial this year as it opens up and begins its transition from a middle school to a senior high school. This year its students will be seventh- through ninth-graders.

And Centennial’s iPrep is among the dozens of new specializations debuting at various Miami-Dade public schools this year, with focuses ranging from to finance to technology to the arts.

Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho visitied the campus Sunday and called the programs part of the district’s “demand-driven reform,” giving students and parents more choices.

At Centennial, 8601 SW 212th St., students will be in one of three programs, which are called academies.

One is the Centennial Ocean Academy of Science and Technology, also known as COAST, which teaches marine and environmental studies.

The second is Liberal Arts, which focuses on the humanities, natural sciences and social sciences.

And the third is iPrep, which takes students outside the traditional classroom using innovative spaces and technology. It encourages independent work, and every student receives a laptop computer to use at school and at home.

The school also is working on certification for its Cambridge Program, a rigorous college-preparation curriculum similar to the International Baccalaureate program, said principal Yamila Carballo.

In the new area, three walls separating classrooms were torn down to create a single working space. It was repainted and fitted with different breakout areas so students can collaborate in whatever way works best. When they get hungry, they can shift over to the iCafe.

Also included in the improvements were renovated traditional classrooms and four new science labs, said Victor Alonso, the school district’s administrative director of design and sustainability.

The changes were made through a partnership of the Miami-Dade school district and town of Cutler Bay. Earlier this year, the town agreed to put about $2.7 million toward Centennial’s renovations and programs.

This year, Centennial gave up its sixth grade to Cutler Ridge Middle School and gained ninth graders. Next year, Centennial will turn over seventh grade to Cutler Ridge and gain 10th graders.

Eventually, the two schools will form one campus covering students from the sixth through 12th grades, with Centennial as the upper school.

Among the school’s first class of ninth-graders is 14-year-old Livan Bec, who will be part of the iPrep program. “I thought it was just a normal school,” Bec said, “Now there’s an exciting high school.”

A man who teaches P.E. at South Dade Senior High is accused of using his barber shop as a front for gambling and drug sales. 1351669350

In recognition of the gift, the nursing school — located at MDC’s Civic Center-area Medical Campus — will be renamed the Benjamin Leon School of Nursing at Miami Dade College. 1351671659

Miami-Dade got the support of its teachers union just before the deadline. The districts will find out in December if they win any federal money in the competition.

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Town Council OK’s smaller-than-advertised tax hike

Taxes may be going up in Cutler Bay, but not as much as initially proposed.

The Cutler Bay Town Council on Monday tentatively approved a tax rate of $2.80 for every $1,000 of assessed property value. That’s down from the $2.93 recommended by interim town manager Rafael Casals, but still an increase of about 9 percent from this year’s rate of $2.57.

With this increase, the owner of a typical home with an assessed value of $115,000, taking the standard $50,000 homestead exemption, would pay $192, an increase of $25. Under Casal’s original plan, the increase would have been $34. That assumes a home whose assessed value increased by 3 percent.

The new tentative tax rate would bring in an additional $372,000 in revenue for the town, Casals said.

The tax increase required four of the five council members to approve. Casals’ original proposal was defeated when council member Peggy Bell and Vice Mayor Ernie Sochin voted no.

“I feel that an increase in taxes will hurt our seniors, will hurt our working families, and will hurt those living on the edge,” said council member Peggy Bell.

But Mayor Ed MacDougall said town residents are willing to pay more because the budget includes money for a new high school — something the community has long sought.

“The biggest line item is the education of our kids, and there’s a price to pay for that,” he said.

The budget includes about $2.7 million to help the county school board add high school grades at Centennial Middle School starting this year. The town had previously been zoned for Southridge High School.

Eventually, the council agreed to the smaller tax hike, with only Sochin dissenting.

The council also approved the proposed budget for the 2012-2013 fiscal year, which accounts for $53.3 million in expenses.

One significant change from last year is a decrease in the police budget. This year the town allocated $170,000 for the one-time purchase of police cars, but the town is not planning to purchase new cars next year.

“There are no reductions in police staff,” Casals said.

Council members also decided to delay the start of principal payments on Town Hall and the building next door for another two years. According to Casals, this will save the town $882,000 for the 2012-13 fiscal year.

With this new savings, the town has planned a $1.7 million dip into its reserves, instead of the previously budgeted $2.3 million. This money will be used to cover the payment made for the town’s new high school.

This dip estimates that $13.5 million will remain in the bank, but Casals said the actual number could be higher.

“If staff continues to tighten the belt as it’s done before, we may not even reach that number,” he said.

Cutler Bay residents must choose a vice mayor and decide on more than a dozen changes to the Town Charter.

Council members cancelled plans for a tax increase, opting to spend more of the town’s savings instead.

Ten years ago, residents voted to incorporate the village of Palmetto Bay. Many positive changes have occurred, including improved quality of life, the sixth-lowest tax rate in Miami-Dade County, a AA bond rating and a $9 million reserve fund. However, it is election time and a new, politically motivated committee is creating an ugly atmosphere.

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Letter: Palmetto Bay recall election would be costly

How to sound off

To submit your letter, email sandron@MiamiHerald.com or write Soapbox, c/o Neighbors, One Herald Plaza, Miami, FL 33132. Fax: 305-376-5287. Letters must address a specific LOCAL issue and must be signed with a name, city or neighborhood, as well as a telephone number for verification purposes. Letters more than 350 words will not be accepted, and writers are limited to one letter every four weeks. Letters will run as space allows and may be edited for length, style and clarity. The deadline for letters is noon Wednesday.

Ten years ago, residents voted to incorporate the village of Palmetto Bay. Many positive changes have occurred, including improved quality of life, the sixth-lowest tax rate in Miami-Dade County, a AA bond rating and a $9 million reserve fund. However, it is election time and a new, politically motivated committee is creating an ugly atmosphere.

The Recall Palmetto Bay 2012 effort is not only counterproductive, but could cost residents approximately $60,000 or more. Ironically, the alleged motivation for the recall is the village spending money to defend itself, yet this group thinks it reasonable to burden residents with $60,000 in recall procedure expenditures. While seeking to place blame squarely on current council members, legal cost relative to Palmer Trinity’s expansion began in 2006 with a different Village Council. The current council voted only once to appeal a court’s decision on Palmer Trinity’s expansion.

How do the three recall committee members justify burdening residents with an expensive recall? We have a mechanism in place to replace council members. If we don’t approve of their performance, we can replace them with our vote. Isn’t the real reason for the recall to help get their candidates elected so that they will have three votes on the council in order to support their development-oriented agenda and try to defeat the neighborhood protection ordinances?

Mayor Shelley Stanczyk, Vice Mayor Brian Pariser and council member Joan Lindsay have consistently provided support to their constituents’ concerns and opinions as expected, not serving the demands of special interests as evidenced by the Palmer Trinity issue. Residents deserve and expect that kind of dedication from their elected officials.

According to the campaign signs displayed in their yards and their close personal associations, the Recall Committee is supporting John Edward Dubois and Jim Araiza. Residents should take a look at candidates’ contributors. This will indicate what is in store for Palmetto Bay should candidates supported by special interest groups win the election. Check the financial reports for Dubois and Araiza on the village’s website (village clerk’s page – 2012 Election, Q1 and Q2). They have significant contributions from Palmer Trinity’s attorneys and charter school developers.

Anthony Gorman, Palmetto Bay

New development must follow rules

Residents have had the opportunity to view plans for a new shopping center on Old Cutler Road at Marlin Drive. The developers have presented their plans at a Concerned Citizens meeting in March and at a zoning hearing just this month. The plans all highlight that the anchor tenant will be a Publix Supermarket.

Yet, in two separate inquiries to Publix, they have denied that they have committed to move into this new location. A separate denial was also made in a letter to Community Newspapers several months ago.

The property that this shopping center is on is only zoned for a 25,000-square-foot building, but the applicants are requesting to build a 54,000-square-foot. “big box” retail building. Without a confirmed commitment from Publix to occupy this store, could we end up with an unwanted tenant occupying that space, or worse, an unoccupied building?

While many in the community welcome a new Publix, the developer’s plans are less then ideal and in no way reflect the vision outlined in the charrette, nor are they reflective of the town’s progressive environmental stance. Instead the applicant wants variances including fewer trees, more lot coverage, and less reflective paving materials in the parking lot. These environmentally unfriendly requests concern me and should concern Publix — the presumed anchor.

If Publix is truly planning to occupy this site, then we ask them to make their commitment clear to the community and our Town Council. We ask them to commit to ensure that this project is more then just another “big box” development and that they insist it is LEED certified or adheres to Florida Green Building Coalition standards.

Our council members should not be persuaded to veer from the community vision for Old Cutler Road, as outlined in the town’s charrette. All parties involved should strive to create a development that is in keeping with the values of the community that they will serve.

Barbara Condon, Cutler Bay

Park manager retires, says thanks

After 36 years of service with Miami-Dade Parks & Recreation, I will be stepping down and retiring at sunset on Sept. 30. I would like to thank the community for allowing me to be a part of your lives and having a positive impact in both at Cutler Ridge Park for 28 years, and now at Southridge Park for 8 years. It has been my pleasure to have taken care of your children. My staff and I have always tried to provide high quality programs. I hope you will continue to use Miami-Dade parks.

It is a very sad time for me, as this job has been my whole life. But now, it is time to step down. I will be remaining in Dade-County, and I hope to run into you all and continue to watch your kids grow into mature adults.

Barbara “Miss Pen” Penrod, Park Manager, Cutler Ridge Park and Southridge Park

Palmetto Bay residents face one of the most contentious local elections in Miami-Dade County this year. 1351273014

Some observers in Palmetto Bay have questioned whether it is legal for a candidate to accept campaign contributions from attorneys who are suing the village. The answer is yes. 1351272050

Palmetto Bay’s new Village Hall Complex achieved the highest rating in the Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) program from the U.S. Green Building Council. 1351281772

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Cutler Bay hires new clerk, talks about budget

Cutler Bay council members hired a new town clerk and talked about their annual budget Thursday night.

The Town Council chose Debra Eastman as successor to interim town clerk Missy Arocha.

Eastman, currently the Islamorada town clerk, has been a clerk for more than 30 years, first in New Hampshire and most recently in Miami Lakes, Surfside and Islamorada.

Interim town manager Rafael Casals worked with Eastman when he was the assistant town manager of Miami Lakes.

“The manager’s office has to work so closely with the town clerk,” Casals said. “It’s great to get someone like Debra that has so many years of experience under her belt.”

Arocha, who recently was named the assistant to Palmetto Bay town clerk Meighan Alexander, will remain with the town as a consultant until Eastman begins in late September or early October, pending final background checks and drug tests.

Next, Casals presented the council a preliminary proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

According to Casals, the proposed budget would take $2.3 million from the town's reserves to cover existing loan payments and the creation of a new high school.

The proposed numbers come out to a $2.7 million increase in the budget from last year. Changes include a $300,000 increase to public works for sidewalk repairs, a $300,000 decrease to the police department and a $50,000 increase to the town clerk’s office, which will provide for livestreaming council meetings.

Casals said police staffing will not be reduced.

The numbers can change later this month when the budget goes before the council for votes.

“This budget is going to include a situation in which we will be dipping into our reserves,” Casals said of the tentative figures. “This budget is a worst case scenario.”

According to Mayor Ed MacDougall, the biggest expenditure in the last year was the high school.

“When we look back at the course of the last six years, it’s unbelievable we haven’t had to go further into our reserves,” MacDougall said. “What I foresee, we’ll see a great improvement.”

The council members brought up raising taxes versus taking out money from the reserves as a topic that will be discussed at September’s hearing.

“Personally, I feel that we can’t take out any more debt,” said council member Peggy Bell. “Anything unnecessary this year I would hope and pray that our fellow council members put away for another year.”

MacDougall did not rule out the possibility of raising taxes to pay for the new school.

“The idea of the time was we want a high school and were willing to pay for it,” he said.

Among the items council members asked to be considered for the budget: LED signs for Old Cutler and Caribbean Boulevards, more programs for seniors, and a founder’s day for the town.

The two budget hearings will be held at 7 p.m. on Sept. 10 and Sept. 24 at Town Hall, 10720 Caribbean Blvd.

Cutler Bay residents must choose a vice mayor and decide on more than a dozen changes to the Town Charter.

Council members cancelled plans for a tax increase, opting to spend more of the town’s savings instead.

Ten years ago, residents voted to incorporate the village of Palmetto Bay. Many positive changes have occurred, including improved quality of life, the sixth-lowest tax rate in Miami-Dade County, a AA bond rating and a $9 million reserve fund. However, it is election time and a new, politically motivated committee is creating an ugly atmosphere.

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