To re-name portions of a public facility, including interior portions of a park, Section 82-503(b) of the City Code requires review by a Committee, and subsequently, a public hearing and a 5/7ths vote of the City Commission.
County Commissioner Sally A. Heyman was first elected to the District 4 seat of the Miami Dade Board of County Commissioners in September 2002, after serving in the Florida House of Representatives for four consecutive terms. Commissioner Heyman faithfully served District 4, which includes portions of the City of Miami Beach, for twenty (20) years.
As County Commissioner, Commissioner Heyman championed human rights issues, especially in the areas of: funding for social services; the protection and care of women, children and vulnerable adults; protecting personal freedoms; affordable healthcare; animal protection; and green sustainability initiatives.
Mayor Gelber’s recommendation for the proposed naming is particularly appropriate in view of Commissioner Heyman's lifelong advocacy for animals in Miami-Dade County. Specifically, during her tenure, Commissioner Heyman spearheaded many animal-related initiatives, including the following:
· Led efforts to create several dog parks in District 4, including the Haulover Park Dog Park and Greynolds Park Dog Park
· Lowered euthanasia rates for animals countywide
· Promoted adopt-not-shop initiatives
· Passed bonds to increase funding for basic animal services
· Created the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Peer Support Response K-9 Trust Fund
In honor of Commissioner Heyman for her tireless, twenty-year long service, and in appreciation of her love for animals and leadership on animal-related issues, the sponsor wishes to re-name the proposed interior portion of the North Beach Oceanside Park as the "Sally Heyman Dog Park."