MIAMI – If budgets reflect values, people pushing for better transit think Metrobus riders should shift their focus to a series of meetings starting Thursday.

Miami-Dade County Commissioners will host a public hearing on the budget proposal for the 2024-25 fiscal year submitted by Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. 

Part of the plan moves $11.2 million away from the transit operations and maintenance budget. Nearly $11 million of those dollars, along with 36 jobs, would be absorbed by the county infrastructure department.

Mayor Levine Cava’s office did respond to emails or calls seeking comment. However, the mayor’s budget proposal said reorganizing bolsters “preventative maintenance functions.”

“What we’re concerned about with the budget is that we need more resources to address those concerns that the community has addressed to us directly,” Mark Merwitzer, Associate Director for Transit Alliance Miami, said.

The non-profit works to secure faster, more reliable transit. Over the last six months, as the county rolled out its “Better Bus Network,” which aims to deliver more routes to more people, Transit Alliance Miami surveyed 1000 passengers. On-time delivery is a problem for them, Merwitzer said.

“It’s not just with this administration, but it’s been suffering for very, very long for our bus passengers,” Merwitzer said. “Buses getting delayed equipment challenges; a lot of operators are calling out sick and also just in general when there’s a shortage of both buses, parts, and operators (demonstrates that) the county needs more.”

Ashley Betancourt lost her car in a crash two months ago. While she works downtown to earn and save money for repairs, the Miami-Dade College biology student dreaming of becoming a doctor depends on Metrobuses to carry her to class on time. She is 30 minutes too late too often, Betancourt said.

“It’s awful,” she said. “Sometimes my mom comes and picks me up. The other times I have to wait.”

Merwitzer encouraged riders who feel the same to share their concern during the Miami-Dade County Commission Public Budget Hearing Thursday.

Miami Jewish Film Festival Commemorates October 7 Anniversary with Special Screening of “We Will Dance Again” featuring Award-Winning Israeli Director Yariv Mozer

The Miami Jewish Film Festival commemorates the one-year anniversary of the October 7 terrorist attack on Israel with a complimentary community-wide screening of the powerful documentary We Will Dance Again with Israeli director Yariv Mozer in attendance on Saturday, September 21 at 8:30pm at Temple Beth Sholom and an encore on Sunday, September 22 at 1pm at Temple Beth Am.

We Will Dance Again offers a harrowing retelling of the tragedy that struck the Supernova Music Festival, where a celebration of peace, freedom, and love was shattered by an act of terror. Through the eyes of survivors, the film reconstructs the events of that fateful day, capturing the innocence and beauty of youth forever scarred by the tragedy. The film presents a chilling glimpse into the horrors of the October 7th attack, meticulously portraying the raw emotions and heroism that emerged in its wake. Positioned as a strong contender for the Academy Awards for Best Documentary Feature Film, We Will Dance Again stands as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity.

The September 21 screening at Temple Beth Sholom will feature a post-screening discussion with director Yariv Mozer, alongside Maor Elbaz-Starinsky, Consul General of Israel in Miami, and Scott Kaufman, Interim CEO of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation. Yariv Mozer will also introduce the encore screening at Temple Beth Am on September 22.

“This event is a profound reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the power of cinema to bear witness to history. We are honored to present We Will Dance Again and to welcome Yariv Mozer to our community, offering a platform for reflection, healing, and the celebration of life amidst the darkest of times,” said Igor Shteyrenberg, Executive Director of the Miami Jewish Film Festival.

This special community event, free and open to the public, is made possible through the generous support of Fred & Lundy Reynolds and the Consul General of Israel in Miami.

Event Details:

• What: Community Screening of We Will Dance Again

• When:
  • Saturday, September 21, at 8:30 PM (Temple Beth Sholom)
  • Sunday, September 22, at 1:00 PM (Temple Beth Am)

• Special Guests: Yariv Mozer (Director), Maor Elbaz-Starinsky (Consul General of Israel in Miami), Scott Kaufman (Interim CEO, GMJF)

• Admission: Free and open to the public

For more information about this event and the Miami Jewish Film Festival, please visit  www.miamijewishfilmfestival.org or contact MJFF at (305) 573-7304.

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The Miami Dolphins filled out their practice squad Tuesday when they picked up edge defender Derrick McLendon, according to NFL reporter Aaron Wilson.

McLendon, who is listed at 6-4, 250, spent training camp with the Carolina Panthers after signing as an undrafted rookie free agent out of Colorado. McLendon played one season for the Buffaloes after transferring from Florida State.

McLendon’s most productive collegiate season came in 2022 at FSU when he had 37 tackles and five sacks.

Here’s the full rundown of the Dolphins practice squad, which features 17 players because of the exemption they have for tackle Bayron Matos of the Dominican Republic:

QB Tim Boyle

RB Deneric Prince

WR Robbie Chosen

WR Dee Eskridge

WR Erik Ezukanma

TE Hayden Rucci

T Anderson Hardy

OL Chasen Hines

T Bayron Matos

DT Jonathan Harris

DT Naquan Jones

LB Derrick McLendon

LB William Bradley-King

LB Dequan Jackson

CB Isaiah Johnson

CB Nik Needham

S Jordan Colbert

As per usual, teams can elevate a player to the game-day roster up to three times during the regular season, with no limitations in the playoffs. And, as the result of the NFLPA rejecting an owner proposal, quarterbacks again will face under the same rules.

For reference, the Dolphins made 22 practice squad elevations in their 17 regular season games, plus two more for the playoff game at Kansas City.

Cameron Goode, Chase Winovich, Tanner Conner, Ethan Bonner and Melvin Ingram all were elevated three times during the regular season, with Goode and Ingram eventually getting signed to the active roster.

The Dolphins elevated at least one player for every one of their games except for the Week 8 game against the New England Patriots and the Week 9 matchup against the Chiefs in Germany.