Arbor Day in Miami Springs!

05/30/2012

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City Manager Ron Gorland, Councilwoman Jennifer Ator, and Park and Parkways Chairperson Eric Richey. Photo courtesy of Wally Clark at www.beautifulmiamisprings.com.
Today is Arbor Day in Miami Springs.   Mayor Richard Wheeler led the agenda, which included a proclamation, a poem recited by a student from All Angels Academy, and the planting of a tree at Curtiss Mansion.

In addition, I was THRILLED to learn that this year we are on track to plant 100 trees in the City.   Since I have been on Council, I have encouraged the City to plant 100 trees a year and finally are meeting the goal. It is fair to say I am pleased!

Thank you to City Manager Ron Gorland, the City Arborist Tom Nash, the community partner that donated the tree, the Board of Park and Parkways, all the citizens in attendance, and Wally Clark of www.beautifulmiamisprings.com for the photo.   It was a beautiful day all around.
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Miami Springs Arbor Day Celebration

04/28/2011

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Arbor Day -- the day to celebrate all things green and shady.  The holiday originated in Nebraska in 1872 and is now celebrated worldwide. 

Miami Springs is the most beautiful, safest, friendliest place to live in South Florida.  We live in Miami Springs because it is a community in an urban area where there are not very many “communities” left.  Those of us with children, especially small children, revel in the fact that there are hundreds of eyes and ears -- starting at the top with our police force, including our neighbors and friends, and ending in our own backyards -- looking out for the safety of our children. 

While our churches, clubs, and organizations -- those small groups -- are the basis for our community, it is our commitment to our green space that further sets us apart from our neighboring cities.  I can’t imagine anyone in Miami Springs advocating for development of our precious golf course, but maintaining our “green triangle” takes more than just a commitment to the golf course. 

In 2009, the Council changed the ordinance to allow citizens to cut down any tree without replacing it.  I strongly opposed the change.  With the assistance of the Board of Park and Parkways, we rescinded the changes to the ordinance and the Code. 

I also advocated for money in the budget to pay to replace the trees we have lost within the city.  This year we have already purchased 33 trees and have submitted a grant for an additional 75 trees.  I hope to reach my goal of planting 100 trees in Miami Springs this year -- and every year after that as well.
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