Miami Today
1) Shake-A-Leg for disabled seeking city-aided upgrade
https://www.miamitodaynews.com/2019/09/03/shake-a-leg-for-disabled-seeks-city-aided-upgrade/
A water-sports organization in Miami Florida, Shake-A-Leg, is coming to its 30th anniversary also marking the date of the expiration of their contract with their location. They are hoping to regain another 20 year extension on their contract. Also, they hope to open their access point to a more punlic and commercial usage in order to make more money. The article explains the background of the organization as well as what the city commissioner thinks better usage of the land would be.
Their problem is that the organizations current management agreement, allowing them to stay on this city-owned water front, expires very soon. They are really pushing to extend this agreement for another 20 years. In addition they are asking to start capital improvement campaign to improve their program and expand it.
This organization's primary focus is to help teach students and people with disabilities, including veterans, how to sail amongst other water-sports. The owner, Mr. Hogan, is the one pushing for the extension. Growing up with a love for sailing and being left paralyzed at the age of 22 drives his passion to keep this organization going.
2) Miami-Dade Public Schools enrollment failing
https://www.miamitodaynews.com/2019/08/27/miami-dade-public-schools-enrollment-falling/
Despite the dramatic title of this article, the article is explaining and bringing to attention a slow decline in public school enrollment and an increase in charter school enrollment. The article states reasons for this may be that not every school starts on the first day of classes which is when the data is collected. Or, that tighter immigration standards are leading to less kids in classes.
The problem is that the amount of kids enrolling in public schools have been on a decline for years. The problem may be because of a parents postponing their kid from starting school until after labor day. Birth rates began to decrease around 2007-2008 so there are less kids in school in general. And, more kids are choosing to enroll in charter schools.
Miami-Dade public schools have this problem. They are a district of public schools in Miami from Pre K-12.
3) Shortage of Psychiatrists makes care spotty at best
https://www.miamitodaynews.com/2019/09/03/shortage-of-psychiatrists-makes-care-spotty-at-best/
This article focus's on the shortage of psychiatrists in high demand. More people are being diagnosed with mental illness and less people are getting the necessary treatment. There is often no one to refer them to after the doctor diagnoses them with even the slightly inclination of mental illness. This problem is acute for all ages. A children's crisis unit was just established helping kids who were abused or deal with severe psychological issues. Because of this lack of, these children are the primary group who are affected by the shortage.
The problem is that there is a large population of people suffering from mental illness who are not getting the services they need. Because of the lack of mental health professionals these people are not learning how to cope or overcome their illness putting a hold on their potential success in life. The current amount of mental health professionals only serve 16.3% of the need for these professionals nationwide.
Children who were abused, victimized, or have severe psychological traumas are the ones with the problem primarily. They encounter and face these hardships at such a young age and are sent to a facility with no one to treat them. They have to be transferred until they can eventually get the necessary help leaving it hard on the kid and anyone involved.
4) Florida roads smoother, sturdier but deadlier
https://www.miamitodaynews.com/2019/08/27/florida-roads-smoother-sturdier-but-deadlier/
This article talks about how Florida roads are doing in comparison to other states in the nation. It describes both the negatives and positives the state's roads have. Florida has dropped 8 places in its ranking nationally for in its annual highway report leaving them at 40th place. Florida was also ranked 2nd at worst financial spending nationwide with a whooping $241,000 average disbursement per-mile in comparison to a normal average of $71,117. Although, it has done a great job at road upkeep on both highways and neighborhood streets leaving only 0.14% of rural interstates in bad condition and 1% of urban roads in the same.
The problem is that Floridians spend so much time on these roads and Florida is ranked 3rd place in highest road fatalities. 3.87 deaths per 100 million vehicles. 2016 had the highest amount of fatalities since 2007 at 9,917 just in urban roadways. Studies have shown the number 1 cause is distracted driving. This is a serious problem. Florida barely has any laws restricting phone usage while operating a vehicle.
Floridian drivers are the ones with the problem. People commuting to work, school, or even just people getting around on a day to day place.
5) Coral Gables seeking trolly service
https://www.miamitodaynews.com/2019/08/27/coral-gables-seeking-weekend-trolley-service/
This article talks about the hope of expanding the city of Coral Gables trolly service to hopefully "feed downtown." Their services currently operate only weekdays from 6:30 am-8 pm Monday-Thursday and until 10pm on Friday. This idea has gone through the budget process numerous times. Although the mayor is currently satisfied, he knows there is room for improvement.
The problem is where to get the funding to expand the trolly service in Coral Gables. Expanding the service from 6:30 am - 8:00 pm to continue until 10 pm on all weekdays not just Friday would cost the city an extra $225,000 per year. Adding weekend service would cost an additional $532,000 per year. The expenses resulting the expansion of the trolly's services are just too much for the current budget without funding.
The people incurring this problem are the citizens who use the trolly service. Adding the extra service could save money on their commute or add more convenience to their lives. This includes but is not limited to, University of Miami students, workers, common people, etc.
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