LTC 203-2002
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
Office of the City Manager
Letter to Commission No. ~-dtJO;J--
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From:
Mayor David Dermer and
Members of the City Commission
Jorge M. GOnzale~. ~~
City Manager v . Ii
NATIONAL CI PARTICIPATION WEEK
Date: August 27, 2002
To:
Subject:
The purpose of this LTC is to inform you that the City of Miami Beach will be taking part in National
Civic Participation Week, which is intended to showcase American democracy and encourage civic
participation, honor the courageous spirit of the American people, and pay tribute to those we lost on
September 11, 2001. The U.S. Senate designated National Civic Participation Week with the
passage ofS. Res. 140, and will be celebrated September 11-17,2002. The Neighborhood Services
Department developed and is promoting "Participate Miami Beach" as our opportunity to participate
and support this worthwhile national initiative. The attached schedule of events represents the
events planned for Miami Beach. As of this date, I am very proud to inform you that the City of Miami
Beach is the only municipality in Miami-Dade County with planned events to commemorate National
Civic Participation Week.
As you review the attached schedule of events, you will notice that the first event, I signed the
Constitution, is scheduled for the September 11, 2002, commission meeting. The symbolic gesture
of signing a replica of the Constitution by each one of you reaffirms our City's commitment to the
American spirit of democracy, freedom and liberty. After the Constitution is signed at City Hall, it will
travel each day to a different public school in Miami Beach. It is a great opportunity to teach our
children about their civic duty as the future voters and leaders of our city.
The other scheduled events will afford employees and residents the opportunity to volunteer their
time and/or donate canned goods or clothing to one of the local organizations listed in the schedule.
I am encouraging my staff to participate at some level in at least one of the scheduled events. I am
sure that you will agree that this is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the spirit of Miami Beach
and our community's commitment to civic participation.
If you would like to participate in the "I signed the Constitution"school event(s) or anyofthe events
listed in the attached schedule, please contact Ramiro Inguanzo, Chief of Staff, at extension 6697.
A::2t
~~:'~ddaugh' Assistant City Manager
Vivian P. Guzman, Director, Neighborhood Services Department
NA110NAL CMC PAR11CIPA110N WEEK 9/11- 9/17
PAR TIC I PAT E M I A M I B E A C H!
In september 2002, America will come together in celebration of our democracy and
in tribute to those who lost their lives on september 11th, 2001.
"Pattielpate Miami BeacH' is our shared commitment with America - and our
weeklong pledge - to civic participation. The United states senate did its' part
designating this special week. Now it's up to each one of us. The City of Miami Beach
will give residents opportunities to Volunteer, Contribute, Communicate and Vote!
Dates. Event Schedule
Times
9-11-02 "I sianed the constitution" - The Commissioners, City Manager and leaders of
9:00 am our City will sign a copy of the constitution reaffirming their commitment to the
American spirit of freedom, democracy and civic engagement. The "Constitution"
will travel to public schools for announcements each day with representation from
our City. Let's teach our children about civic responsibility and voting as the
cornerstones of our democratic process.
Launching of The Neiqhborhood services Volunteer Network. Make your
community a better place or help others in need. Be a role model for your peers
and a mentor for our children.
12 noon Bia Brothers Bia Sisters recruitment for mentorship drive launched with
dessert presentation. If you would like to volunteer call Office of Community
Services. Maria Ruiz at 305-673-7000 ext 6491.
Ipm-3pm Register to Vote - The Neighborhood Services Department will register citizens
at Publix locations - Dade Blvd. & 68th & Collins.
3:00 pm - 6:00 "SALU11NG OUR HEROES" T-Shirts for Fire Fighter Families - Schools will be
pm decorating t-shirts to send to the families who lost fire fighters in the tragedy of
9/11/01.
9-12-02 . VotfIJ 1 om 3 pm Publix locations Dade Blvd. & 68th & Collins.
8:30 am - 5:00 Clothina Drive to Benefit the Miami Beach Community Clothing Closet at Miami
pm Beach City Hall. Drop off used clothing into the receptacle in the employee area
on the first floor.
Food Drive to benefit the Shelbourne House and Fernwoocl Apartments. Drop
off canned goods and non-perishables at first floor Miami Beach City Hall.
9-13-02 Loq Cabin Trainin9 Center Community Clean-up. The Log cabin is a
3:00pm - Training Center for the developmentally disabled adults located 8128 Collins Ave.
5:30pm The City is requesting volunteers for this process.
R . to yotfIJ 50m 70m Publix locations Dade Blvd. & 68th & Collins.
9-14-02 ECOMB Canal Clean-uD. City of Miami Beach in partnership with the non-profit
8:00 am - environmental group ECOMB to clean-up Tatum Waterway. You will receive 4
12:00 pm hours community service for this event! Call Luiz at 305-534-3825
www.ecomb.org or City of Miami Beach at 305-673-7580 for information.
9:00 am - 3:00 Loa Cabin Trainina Center Paintina - The center is at 8128 Collins Avenue
pm will be painted. Volunteers needed!
9-15-02 lOam Loa Cabin classroom decoratina - the classrooms at the center will be
-3 om decorated - volunteers needed 9 am - 5 pm.
9-16-02 Biscavne Elementarv Tree Plantina - Help us plant some trees after school 3
om - 5 pm.
9-17-02 both T-Shirt Packaaina - the T-shirts will be wrapped and mailed to the fire fighter
events from families in New York.
3:30pm - South Pointe Park Clean-uD. Let's pick up litter in South Pointe Park and
5:00pm show pride in our city parks!
m
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Date: August 22, 2002
Contact: Nannette Rodriguez
Phone: 305-673-7575
nrodriguez@ci.miami-beach.f1.us
"Participate Miami Beach" Shares a Commitment to Democracy
__ Celebrating the First Annual National Civic Participation Week--
Miami Beach, FL - National Civic Participation Week will be celebrated across America September 11-17,
2002. The week showcases American democracy and civic participation, honors the courageous spirit of the
American people, and pays tribute to those we lost on September 11. Participate Miami Beach is a shared
commitment - and a weeklong pledge - to ciYic participation. Miami Beach has scheduled several
opportunities for the public to volunteer, contribute, communicate and vote.
"The U.S. legislature did their part in designating this week. Now, it's our turn to do our part. Americans came
together after 9/11 and this week should remind us of how important civic involvement is to the democratic
process to which we have pledged," said City Manager Jorge M. Gonzalez.
On Wednesday, September 11, 2002, City of Miami Beach officials will kick-off the significant week with
the "I Signed the Constitution" program, in which a five-foot replica of the U.S. Constitution is signed
reaffirming a commitment to the American spirit of freedom, democracy and civic engagement. The public will
also have an opportunity to sign the document throughout the day at City Hall, Commission Chambers. The
"Constitution" will travel to each Miami Beach public schools for the morning announcements during the
week-long celebration.
The City will also be launching its Neighborhood Services Volunteer Network, a comprehensive
volunteer service program that will encourage public participation and utilize volunteers in their skilled or
interest areas. There are several capacities in where volunteers are needed, such as for neighborhood clean-
ups, office assistance, and as Goodwill Ambassadors. A recruitment effort for mentors will be launched for Big
Brothers Big Sisters on Wednesday, September 11, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., in the first floor lounge
at City Hall.
During Participate Miami Beach several environmental beautification projects will be held throughout the
City that will give citizens an opportunity to take pride in their community. On Friday, September 13, from
3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., volunteers are needed for a community clean-up of the Log Cabin Training Center, a
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page 2/Participate Miami Beach
Press release/City of Miami Beach
non-profit educational facility for developmentally disabled adults. On Saturday, September 14, from 8:00
a.m. to 12:00 p.m., in partnership with E-COMB, volunteers are needed for the clean-up of the Tatum
Waterway. Also on Saturday, volunteers are welcome to paint the Log Cabin Training Center and then on
Sunday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., to decorate its classroom. A tree planting, where volunteers are also
needed, will be held on Monday, September 16 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Biscayne Elementary School.
Another clean-up will be held on Tuesday, September 17 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., at South Pointe Park.
A voter registration drive will be held throughout the week at Publix Supermarkets. On Wednesday and
Thursday, September 11 and 12, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Friday, September 13 from 5:00 p.m. to
7:00 p.m., volunteers will be available at the Dade Boulevard and the COllins Avenue and 68th Street stores.
A clothing and food drive will also be held throughout the week at City Hall. The clothing drive will benefit the
Miami Beach COmmunity Closet and the food drive will benefit the Shelbourne House and Fernwood
Apartments that provide housing and services to the special needs population.
School children will also be "Saluting Our Heroes" on September 11. On Wednesday, September 11 from
3:00 to 6:00 p.m., school children at all Miami Beach public elementary schools, including Treasure Island
and Bay Harbor Elementary, will be decorating T-shirts that will pay tribute to the fallen firefighters that lost
their lives in the 9/11 tragedy. The T-shirts will be packaged and sentto their families on Tuesday, September
17 from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.
For more information on how to participate, contact the Neighborhood Services Deparbnent at 305-673-7580.
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