Council Update - December 2020

I am honored by the confidence our Community placed in me during the November election.  I intend to serve on Council the same way I have lived my life in Pinecrest: listening, serving, and finding ways to contribute to our Community.  In that spirit, I will be writing periodic emails updating our Residents.  I welcome your feedback. 
 
Our first Council Meeting since the election was last week.  I would like to share three key areas of interest to all of us: ECONOMIC STRENGTH and SECURITY, PUBLIC HEALTH, and PINECREST’S CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES.

Pinecrest Council met Wed. Dec. 8, observing social distancing rules and wearing masks for safety

ECONOMIC STRENGTH AND SECURITY

Our economic strength and security are top priorities.  When we incorporated 25 years ago, our Founders imagined that our tax dollars would be used most wisely under our own control.  Fiscal responsibility, making sure taxes remain low, and ensuring that our tax dollars are used to benefit our Community underpin our way of life.

We all know this has been a difficult year for businesses, and so one item that may be of interest to you is that Pinecrest recently received over a quarter of a million dollars in Federal CARES Act money, appropriated by Congress last spring.    Specifically, we have received $334,470 in coordination with the County.

There are three areas where the money is designated and County-approved: the bulk of it on subsidizing rent for local businesses to stay afloat, and also $50,000 respectively for business training and our local arts.  All of these decisions predate my time in office, but I am keenly interested in making sure our local businesses get needed support, and that Pinecrest receives the share the County allocated for Pinecrest.  There are so many small businesses that we know and love that make Pinecrest special, and local entrepreneurs are working heroically to maintain their small businesses.  Local government can and should listen to their needs. 

PUBLIC HEALTH

Although a vaccine is on the way, we need to continue to be vigilant.  We have a premiere testing facility here in Pinecrest that offers three forms of testing --  rapid results (within hours), PCR (slower results but highest accuracy) and antibody testing (to determine if you had COVID-19 in the past few months).  We have a drive-thru service that provides all three options. 
 
You can learn more about Milo Care, our provider, and its policies here.  You can also set up an appointment to avoid a drive-up wait time.  I have been tested there myself, and am happy to answer your questions if you need some help navigating our process.  We must help each other out and keep each other safe during this public health challenge.
 
Here is some helpful information on the Pinecrest testing center.  And remember to set up an appointment!

Location

The Village of Pinecrest
12645 Pinecrest Pkwy, Pinecrest, FL 33156

Time
Mon - Thu: 9am to 6pm and half day testing on Friday.

 
PINECREST CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES

With so many challenges for us and our loved ones, it is easy to forget the cultural offerings we are so fortunate to have in Pinecrest.    Here is one I want to highlight because it brought my family some joy and perhaps it will to yours, too.  Since Thanksgiving, our Village has offered Nights of Lights, where you can enjoy a stroll through our beautiful Pinecrest flora and fauna.  You can learn more here.   My family enjoyed ourselves the other night, as you can see below!

My husband, Skip Pita, and I at Nights of Light (right) and our daughters, my mom and me (left)

Additionally, this weekend offered another outstanding concert as part of the JazzAid Live at the Banyan Bowlseries.  This innovative 8-part concert series is adapted safely for COVID times, and a portion of the proceeds go to World Central Kitchen to help families in need.  The shows are at the Banyan Bowl, at $15 each or a bundle of 6 concerts for $75.  The shows are streamed live so that you can stay in the comfort of your home, making this Pinecrest cultural opportunity available to all of us.  This past weekend, Grammy award winner Kurt Elling performed, and we will have numerous opportunities in coming months to take in more top musicians!  You can purchase tickets here.

IN CLOSING

Some of us are young families, but as I learned in the campaign many types of people call Pinecrest home.  Many are Senior Citizens. We have younger Residents who do not have children.  My hope is that as we head into the holidays and turn the corner on a new year, each of you is able to find peace and comfort.  Perhaps Nights of Lights will provide some joy in your life, as it did for my family, and maybe you can enjoy one of the outstanding musicians performing at our own JazzAid Live.  Or perhaps you can just find solace in that 2020 is coming to a close.
 
Our legacy of Pinecrest is taking our fate into our own hands, so that we can live fuller lives.  We have a world-class police force that keeps us safe, beautiful parks and wonderful schools.  The story of Pinecrest has been one of creation and resilience.  2020 has been a difficult year.  Let us close us in the spirit of community that got us through it.