Time: 7:30 PM
Date: Wednesday, April 30
Place: Jorge Mas Canosa Middle School, 15735 SW 144 ST
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
MEETING TONIGHT!
All residents are reminded that we will be having our public meeting with representatives from Miami-Dade Facilities Planning tonight. Anyone interested in learning more about the project is welcome and encouraged to attend.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Signs of Change
Over the past week and a half, the Citizens of Greater Stonewood have been doing exactly what Miami-Dade Schools should have been doing from the beginning-- talking to people. By hosting yard sales, casting e-mails and pounding the pavement, considerable interest has been cultivated in HHH1. And it seems regardless of the sample size, the consensus remains the same-- this is the WRONG location for a 2,000 student high school!
Over the past two days, residents have begun proudly displaying signs of opposition like the one pictured above. We will continue to call attention to this ill-advised project and look forward to hearing from residents who feel the same.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Miami Herald Highlights Concerns About HHH1...
This article appeared on Sunday, April 27 in the Neighbors Section of the Miami Herald. Kudos to Yudy Pineiro for covering the story...
Sunday, April 27, 2008
An Open Letter to Ana Rivas-Logan, District 7
The following letter was mailed and faxed to the office of Ms. Rivas-Logan on Monday, April 21, 2008...
Ms. Rivas-Logan,
Please accept our formal invitation to attend our upcoming meeting with Miami-Dade Schools regarding the development of high school HHH-1 at the intersection of southwest 160 Street and 152 Avenue. As you are aware, this meeting has been called by our group of concerned homeowners who feel this major project has been pursued without the benefit of public scrutiny. Due to our concerns regarding significant impacts to roads, traffic patterns, noise, property values and crime, we have requested that the school board present our residents with their plans for this new school on Wednesday, April 30 at 7:30 p.m. at Jorge Mas Canosa Middle School, at 15735 SW 144 ST.
I greatly appreciate the opportunity afforded me to address the School Board last Wednesday. I hope my call for a temporary pause in preconstruction is quickly heeded as the site continues to see much activity even as I write his letter. I would like to also take this opportunity to remind you of your pledge at our first meeting to have your staff look into alternate locations for this school. All the residents eagerly await to hear the results of this investigation.
Again, please accept this letter as notice of our emphatic opposition to this project. We hope you will take seriously our concerns and be available to attend this upcoming gathering. Your presence would be most welcome.
Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions regarding this issue.
Sincerely,
Larry Perez
Citizens of Greater Stonewood
Ms. Rivas-Logan,
Please accept our formal invitation to attend our upcoming meeting with Miami-Dade Schools regarding the development of high school HHH-1 at the intersection of southwest 160 Street and 152 Avenue. As you are aware, this meeting has been called by our group of concerned homeowners who feel this major project has been pursued without the benefit of public scrutiny. Due to our concerns regarding significant impacts to roads, traffic patterns, noise, property values and crime, we have requested that the school board present our residents with their plans for this new school on Wednesday, April 30 at 7:30 p.m. at Jorge Mas Canosa Middle School, at 15735 SW 144 ST.
I greatly appreciate the opportunity afforded me to address the School Board last Wednesday. I hope my call for a temporary pause in preconstruction is quickly heeded as the site continues to see much activity even as I write his letter. I would like to also take this opportunity to remind you of your pledge at our first meeting to have your staff look into alternate locations for this school. All the residents eagerly await to hear the results of this investigation.
Again, please accept this letter as notice of our emphatic opposition to this project. We hope you will take seriously our concerns and be available to attend this upcoming gathering. Your presence would be most welcome.
Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions regarding this issue.
Sincerely,
Larry Perez
Citizens of Greater Stonewood
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
An Open Letter to Dr. Wilbert "Tee" Holloway, District 1...
The following letter was mailed to the office of Dr. Wilbert Holloway, District 1, on Monday April 21, 2008.
Dr. Holloway,
I just wanted to send a quick letter to sincerely thank you for the time I was afforded to speak before the board on Wednesday regarding the HHH1 project. I appreciate how receptive you and the rest of the board were regarding our concerns.
Dr. Holloway, you in particular seem to have understood that there are significant questions regarding the manner in which the Facilities Planning Office engages the communities in which they propose to develop new schools. This issue of “process” strikes at the very heart of our concerns and, despite assertions made by the Facilities Planning Department that night, we remain discontent with the quality of efforts made to involve our community in the process.
We are troubled by the potential for future impacts to our area in the form of traffic, noise, crime and property values related to HHH1. We fully intend to remain involved in the process going forward. I would respectfully ask that you and other members of the board continue to question the manner by which such site decisions are made, and continue to acknowledge the crucial role residents play in the proper planning of such an effort.
Finally, I would like to invite you and other members of the board to attend the meeting we have convened with the Facilities Planning Office on Wednesday, April 30 at 7:30 pm at Jorge Mas Canosa Elementary, 15735 SW 144 ST.
Warmest Regards,
Larry Perez
Citizens of Greater Stonewood
cc: Rudy Crew, Miami-Dade Public Schools Superintendent
cc: Ana Rivas-Logan, District 7
cc: Commissioner Dennis Moss, District
Dr. Holloway,
I just wanted to send a quick letter to sincerely thank you for the time I was afforded to speak before the board on Wednesday regarding the HHH1 project. I appreciate how receptive you and the rest of the board were regarding our concerns.
Dr. Holloway, you in particular seem to have understood that there are significant questions regarding the manner in which the Facilities Planning Office engages the communities in which they propose to develop new schools. This issue of “process” strikes at the very heart of our concerns and, despite assertions made by the Facilities Planning Department that night, we remain discontent with the quality of efforts made to involve our community in the process.
We are troubled by the potential for future impacts to our area in the form of traffic, noise, crime and property values related to HHH1. We fully intend to remain involved in the process going forward. I would respectfully ask that you and other members of the board continue to question the manner by which such site decisions are made, and continue to acknowledge the crucial role residents play in the proper planning of such an effort.
Finally, I would like to invite you and other members of the board to attend the meeting we have convened with the Facilities Planning Office on Wednesday, April 30 at 7:30 pm at Jorge Mas Canosa Elementary, 15735 SW 144 ST.
Warmest Regards,
Larry Perez
Citizens of Greater Stonewood
cc: Rudy Crew, Miami-Dade Public Schools Superintendent
cc: Ana Rivas-Logan, District 7
cc: Commissioner Dennis Moss, District
Monday, April 21, 2008
Dennis McCarty Sounds Off on HHH1...
Kudos to Mr. McCarty for his letter in the April 20th edition of the Miami Herald!
Sunday, April 20, 2008
An Open Letter to Commissioner Moss...
The following letter has been transmitted to all three offices of Commissioner Moss via fax and U.S. mail...
Commissioner Moss,
Please accept our formal invitation to attend our upcoming meeting with Miami-Dade Schools regarding the development of high school HHH-1 at the intersection of southwest 160 Street and 152 Avenue. This meeting has been called by our group of concerned homeowners who feel this major project has been pursued without the benefit of public scrutiny. Due to our concerns regarding significant impacts to roads, traffic patterns, noise, property values and crime, we have requested that the school board present residents with their plans for this new school on Wednesday, April 30 at 7:30 p.m. at Jorge Mas Canosa Middle School, at 15735 SW 144 ST.
Over the past two weeks, several members of our organization have tried contacting you regarding this matter. Our efforts have been rebuffed by your staff, who assert that you will not intervene in school board matters. Be that as it may, we foresee significant impacts well beyond the footprint of the proposed project that do fall within the purview of the County Commission. Additionally, we are most troubled by the apparent lack of public input with which this project has been developed and are hopeful that members of the County Commission can help provide some oversight for what appears to be a rogue process.
Please accept this letter as notice of our emphatic opposition to this project. We hope you will take seriously these concerns and be available to attend this upcoming gathering. Your presence would be most welcome.
Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions regarding this issue.
Sincerely,
Larry Perez
Citizens of Greater Stonewood
cc: Rudy Crew, Miami-Dade Public Schools Superintendent
cc: Ana Rivas-Logan, District 7
Commissioner Moss,
Please accept our formal invitation to attend our upcoming meeting with Miami-Dade Schools regarding the development of high school HHH-1 at the intersection of southwest 160 Street and 152 Avenue. This meeting has been called by our group of concerned homeowners who feel this major project has been pursued without the benefit of public scrutiny. Due to our concerns regarding significant impacts to roads, traffic patterns, noise, property values and crime, we have requested that the school board present residents with their plans for this new school on Wednesday, April 30 at 7:30 p.m. at Jorge Mas Canosa Middle School, at 15735 SW 144 ST.
Over the past two weeks, several members of our organization have tried contacting you regarding this matter. Our efforts have been rebuffed by your staff, who assert that you will not intervene in school board matters. Be that as it may, we foresee significant impacts well beyond the footprint of the proposed project that do fall within the purview of the County Commission. Additionally, we are most troubled by the apparent lack of public input with which this project has been developed and are hopeful that members of the County Commission can help provide some oversight for what appears to be a rogue process.
Please accept this letter as notice of our emphatic opposition to this project. We hope you will take seriously these concerns and be available to attend this upcoming gathering. Your presence would be most welcome.
Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions regarding this issue.
Sincerely,
Larry Perez
Citizens of Greater Stonewood
cc: Rudy Crew, Miami-Dade Public Schools Superintendent
cc: Ana Rivas-Logan, District 7
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Public Meeting Annouced Regarding HHH1
An upcoming public meeting has been announced regarding high school HHH1. This meeting will afford residents an opportunity to explore the details of the proposed project, ask questions and voice concerns. All interested individuals are encouraged to attend.
Date: April 30,2008
Time: 7:30 PM
Location: Jorge Mas Canosa Middle School
15735 SW 144 ST
Miami, FL 33196
This will be your opportunity to learn more about potential impacts to our roads, traffic patterns, soundscapes and overall quality of life. All interested individuals are encouraged to attend.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Larry Perez Appears Before Miami-Dade School Board
Larry Perez appeared before the Miami-Dade School Board today and made a formal request to the board to stop all preconstruction activities at the HHH1 site until public scoping sessions could be completed. The full audio of his remarks can be heard below.
File Size: 7MB
Format: .wav
Following Larry's remarks, Dr. Wilbert Holloway (District 1) saw fit to ask pointed questions of facilitly planning staff present regarding whether or not a formal process is used with the public regarding the siting and planning of schools. Though adamant that such a process was followed, it was repeatedly stated that the limited amount of contact they've offered to our community far exceeds the norm on other projects. Doesn't sound like much public input is sought elsewhere...
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Here's Who To Contact
Everyone is encouraged to make their feelings known about this project. There are many people you can call, write, fax and e-mail to get your opinions out. Here's an introductory list to get you started...
Commissioner Dennis Moss, District 9
Stephen P. Clark Center
111 N.W. 1st Street, Suite 320
Miami, Florida 33128
Phone: 305-375-4832
Fax: 305-372-6011
E-mail: DennisMoss@miamidade.gov
1450 NE 2 Avenue, Suite 700
Miami, FL 33132
Phone: 305-995-1334
Fax: 305-995-2895
E-mail: alogan@dadeschools.net
Jaime G. Torrens, Chief Facilities Officer
Miami-Dade County Public Schools Facilities Planning
Miami-Dade County Public Schools Facilities Planning
1450 NE 2nd Avenue, Room 300
Miami, FL 33132
Phone: (305) 995-1401
Fax: (305) 995-1489
Miami, FL 33132
Phone: (305) 995-1401
Fax: (305) 995-1489
Fernando Albuerne, Administrative Director
1450 NE 2nd Avenue, Room 529
Miami, FL 33132
Phone: 305-995-7286
Fax: 305-995-4760
E-mail: albuernef@dadeschools.net
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Stonewood Homeowners Association Meets with School Board Representatives
At the request of the Stonewood Homeowner's Association, District 7 Board Member Ana Rivas Logan met breifly tonight with concerned residents to discuss the development of HHH1. Accompanying Ms. Logan at the information session was project architect Alejandro Silva, Administrative Director of Facilities and Planning Fernando Albuerne and Region 6 Director of Operations Alex Martinez. The gathering provided a cursory opportunity for residents to review preliminary designs for the school.
The meeting was well-attended by approximately 25 area residents who clearly expressed unanimous opposition to the project. Apparently to the surprise of Logan, residents cited numerous concerns ranging from increased traffic, congestion, truancy, lighting, and depressed property values. There was considerable discussion regarding the availability of alternate locations, especially given the option to use eminent domain such as was exercised to acquire the current site.
Before her departure, Logan echoed back to the room what she was hearing: the residents oppose the current plan for HHH1! Just prior to taking flight, she promised the room that her staff would investigate the feasibility of moving the project site elsewhere. As of tonight, Logan clearly received the wishes of the immediate community and only time will tell what she does with it...
Monday, April 7, 2008
Meet Your New Neighbor...
Miami-Dade Public Schools is moving forward with the construction of a new senior high school at the intersection of SW 160 Street and 152 Avenue that will comprise 150, 460 square feet and house approximately 2,000 students. The school has currently been dubbed "HHH-1".
Like most residents of the Kings Grant area, we have only this week found out about this project following the clearing of nearly 40 acres of former agricultural land. The area is now fenced and sports cryptic Miami-Dade Schools signs.
The project is apparently being implemented with absolutely NO dialogue with the residents. There was no public scoping on the project, no zoning hearing, and certainly no effort to engage any of the members of our community. This is particularly troubling given the impact such a project is expected to have on the quiet, low-traffic nature of our residential area. After only a brief period of investigation, it is clear that Miami-Dade Schools has shown little regard for the former owner of the property (which was condemned using eminent domain), and shows a similar interest in railroading the construction of HHH-1 without regard for local residents.
This blog has been started as a means of keeping interested parties informed and providing opportunities to make your voices heard.
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