The Coconut Grove Village Council is back, baby!

The Village Council is a force to be reckoned with these days. It's gained it's momentum again and it's a pleasure to attend the meetings. Above are seven of the nine members from left, Renita Samuels-Dixon, Heather Bettner, Chair Michelle Niemeyer, Stephen Murray, Kate Callahan, Patrick Sessions and David Collins. Missing above are new council member David Himmel and and David Wells.

The Village Council has taken on various issues that people want to hear about, many, or I should say most, pertain to the neighbors and neighborhoods and less with business, although there is a mix of both. Their main issue now is the tree massacre. The Council, lead by Michelle Niemeyer, has taken charge, they have stopped the job from proceeding until all parties meet and figure out a solution to the destruction. It's in their hands now. The County and the City are taking the Council's lead in this.

At the monthly meetings, there are crime watch reports by the police commander Richard Gentry and the local Grove cops and many politicians stop by to share their views, just last week Commissioner Xavier Suarez came to speak on the state of the county and while present, he swore in the newest Council member, David Himmel.

Issues taken on by the Village Council recently include the tree massacre situation also the recent issue with the traffic light issue on Main Highway at The Cloisters and on-going discussions of Halloween, and how to contain it and cooperate with the neighbors.

It's getting good and there's usually a full house. The Village Council is always open to putting anything of interest on the agenda and neighbors are bringing their concerns and they are getting results. The Village Council puts it's clout where it's mouth is. Recently, Commissioner Xavier Suarez stated that he would bring all Coconut Grove-related issues to the Village Council before taking them any further. If the Council had a problem with an issue, he would take it back, rework it and not present it to the community until the Village Council approved.

The council also has subcommittees which meet throughout the year:

Historical Committee, chaired by Renita Ross Samuels-Dixon
Planning and Zoning, chaired by Stephen Murray
Funding, chaired by David Collins
Waterfront, chaired by Michelle Niemeyer
Ad hoc Mercy Hospital Committee, co-chaired by Patrick Sessions and Kate Callahan
Ad hoc FPL power lines Committee, chaired by Stephen Murray
Tree Watch, chaired by David Collins, co-chaired by Liliana Dones
CrimeWatch, Liaison, Kate Callahan
Ad hoc PointeGroup Committee, chaired by Renita Ross Samuels-Dixon

To join any committee, or to have anything placed on a meeting agenda for the main Village Council meetings, please contact Michelle Niemeyer at mniemeyer@paymyclaim.com.