Watchdog Report Vol. 10 No. 23 November 8, 2009
WATCHDOG REPORT
Miami-Dade, Florida
Vol. 10 No. 23 November 8, 2009
Daniel A. Ricker, Publisher & Editor
Est. 05.05.00 I go when you cannot & A community education resource & news service —
Celebrating My Tenth Anniversary since May 5th, www.watchdogreport.net & Former, Miami Herald independent news columnist
CONTENTS
Argus Report: Historic healthcare reform bill squeaks by U.S. House by two votes, Republicans challenge cost over decade
Florida: How much will the drip, drip, drip of Rubio hurt Gov. Crist, with closed Republican Primary in Aug.?
Miami-Dade County: Commissioner Martinez says using e-mail; Chair Moss gets $75,000 for four “program officers” pay
Broward County: The takedown of Rothstein, Eggelletion, Gallagher, has other officials nervous about possible blowback
Palm Beach County: Gov. Crist sets congressional Dist. 19 primary Feb. 2, General Election April 6
DeSoto County: Gov. Crist today reappointments four to: DeSoto Hospital Board
Charlotte County: Gov. Crist appointment to: Children’s Services Council of Charlotte County
Monroe County: Gov. Crist today taps Adam Goldstein for Governor’s Point of Light for Adoption Awareness Month.
Miami-Dade Public Schools: Board member Hantman asks FDOT to have speed and crossings signs at all Dade high schools; drivers have been clocked doing 90 mph.
Public Health Trust: Tensions between Jackson & UMMMS come to light, over 50-year relationship important to both organizations
City of Miami: Mayor elect Regalado wins in landslide, now the real work begins, union negotiations on pensions ahead
City of Miami Beach: Mayor Bower trounces election opposition; Commissioner Libbin goes for voter gold with 83.4 % of vote & Runoffs for Group II and III commission seats
City of Homestead: Mayor Bell gets the ax by voters, Mayor Bateman comes in with 58.8 % of citywide vote
Community Events: Moving the Masses on Intelligent Transportation – Miami Women’s Club benefit
Editorials: Sunshine Law is great legislation, most public officials get it; however, others do not and will be written up — The press must gather at the mountain pass, work together, if not to be overwhelmed by public institutions
Letters: Reader on Obama Health Plan and religious beliefs – Reader on county’s WiFi – Reader on WLRN show Tuesday
Sponsors – Publisher’s mission statement & Subscription information is at the bottom of this issue
>>> Just because you do not take an interest in politics does not mean politics will not take an interest in you. –Pericles (430 B.C.)
>>> May we all remember the sacrifices Americans have made over the past centuries and the price in blood and treasure this Veterans Day, with are heart heavy after the massacre at Fort Hood where 13 people died and dozens more were injured last week. I for one will not forget these people and those in harms way are in my thoughts and prayers.
>>> The Watchdog Report publisher would like to thank the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation www.knightfoundation.org for funding the University of Miami’s Knight Center of International Media http://knight.miami.edu within the University’s School of Communication www.miami.edu assistance to rebuild my web site www.watchdogreport.net that is now on line again, since the previous one was shut down in July 2008. Past reports will continue to go on line in the future, potentially as far back as May 2000. This institutional support is a major break through for me, and I am deeply appreciative of the help these two substantial international institutions have given me at a time the site was an unbudgeted expense and to keep the Watchdog Report a community education resource, while also being a decade old news service.
>>> I was on Topical Currents hosted by Joseph Cooper on WLRN/NPR 91.3 FM, Nov 3 and to hear the one-hour show go to http://204.13.1.19:81/
>>> No funding came in this week, so if you think it is important to have someone watching your public institutions consider becoming a supporter or sponsor. For there is no trust fund and I do have to live. A convenient form is at the bottom of this week’s Watchdog Report with all the instructions on how to support this decade old news letter and news service. Thank you.
ARGUS REPORT – Heard, Seen on the Street
>>> Historic healthcare reform bill squeaks by U.S. House by two votes, Republicans challenge cost over decade
With the U.S. House of Representatives passing a new national healthcare plan that is hoped to reform and assist Americans in getting into health plans while termed historic, only squeaked by with two votes to spare. The 1,990 page document that is said to weigh 20 pounds, saw 39 Democrats voting against the legislation that includes a “public option.” www.miamiherald.com However, the U.S. Senate may be a completely different matter and Florida Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson has said in the past he thought the “public option” was a non starter in the world’s most exclusive club and believed Co-Ops were the way to provide this option. In the House, leaders got a final push when President Barack Obama came to the Hill Saturday to meet with House leaders and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D.Ca., and he got the draft bill passed that would cover about 96 percent of Americans it is being claimed.
However, House Republicans voted in mass no, to the bill Saturday night citing the cost of the new federal health program, that ranges from $891 billion to over $1 trillion over the next ten years according to different financial analysis. Local U.S. Rep. Mari Diaz-Balart, R-Miami blasted the passage of the bill (see his press release below) along with U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Miami. Further, one Republican House leader on television said the bill was like a child created by the IRS and Medicare and future generations to come would be paying the massive bill.
>>> White House press release: STATEMENT OF ADMINISTRATION POLICY
H.R. 3962 — Affordable Health Care for America Act (Rep. Dingell, D-Michigan, and 6 cosponsors)
The Administration strongly supports House passage of H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act, a bill that represents a critical milestone in the effort to reform our health care system. H.R. 3962 will provide needed insurance reforms for Americans with insurance, expand coverage for those who do not have insurance, lower costs for families and businesses, and begin to reduce the Nation’s deficit. It meets the President’s criteria for health insurance reform: it assures that all Americans have access to quality, affordable health care that is there when they need it and does so without adding a dime to the deficit. This legislation is the product of unprecedented cooperation and countless hours of hard work by Members of the House of Representatives who share the President’s conviction that the Nation cannot wait another year for health insurance reform. They have forged a strong consensus that represents an historic step forward.
The House legislation includes critical reforms to the insurance industry, so that Americans will no longer have to worry that they will be denied coverage, or that their coverage will be dropped or watered down when they need it most. It covers virtually all Americans and ensures that all Americans with health insurance are protected against high out-of-pocket spending. The Administration is pleased that the bill includes a public health insurance option offered in an exchange. As the President has said throughout this process, a public option that competes with private insurers is one of the best ways to ensure the choice and competition that are so badly needed in today’s market.
The House bill also includes important health care delivery system reforms, and would extend the solvency of Medicare’s hospital insurance trust fund. Its Medicare and Medicaid policies promote integrated care, quality care, and primary care. It invests in research on the most effective treatments, prevention, and the health care workforce. It also makes critical improvements for Medicare beneficiaries including closing the coverage gap in the Medicare drug benefit known as the donut hole. In addition, it provides new options for long-term care. Moreover, the House bill is fully paid for and will help to reduce the deficit in the long-term. This bill provides the necessary health reforms that the Administration seeks – affordable, quality care within reach for the tens of millions of Americans who do not have it today, and stability and security for the hundreds of millions who do. The Administration appreciates the hard work of the House on this bill, which contributes to transforming the health care system. The Administration looks forward to continuing to work with the Congress on this legislation and urges quick action on this landmark bill.
>>> Press release: Mario Diaz-Balart Opposes Pelosi Healthcare Bill that Kills Jobs and Increases the Cost of Healthcare
Today the House passed H.R.3962, which costs $1.3 trillion, raises taxes by $730 billion, makes $500 billion in cuts to Medicare, burdens our already struggling States with a $34 billion Medicaid expansion mandate and massively increases federal bureaucratic control over healthcare decisions. The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office has said the bill will increase the cost of healthcare on American families. “It is unfortunate that Speaker Pelosi imposed this more than 2,000- page monstrosity on the American people that will kill jobs, devastate Medicare, impose huge tax increases and forces States to make reductions in education and public safety funding.” “The proposal I supported would have lowered healthcare premiums, increased access by guaranteeing all Americans, including those with pre-existing conditions have access to affordable health coverage, expands access through high risk pools and reinsurance programs, allows you to purchase any plan that fits your needs, even across state lines, allows small businesses and other organizations to band together to purchase affordable insurance coverage for their employees all while allowing you to keep the coverage you have and reducing the deficit by $68 billion.” “What the American people deserve and demand is responsible reform that will lower healthcare costs without raising taxes. Unfortunately the irresponsible legislation Speaker Pelosi shoved through Congress will devastate our families, seniors and small businesses with higher taxes, more government control, devastating cuts to Medicare and massive new debt on our children and grandchildren.”
>>> Press release: U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, spoke on the House floor today in support of a bill addressing the unjust imprisonment of two Chinese human rights advocates. Statement by Ros-Lehtinen: “Huang Qi and Tan Zuoren are two courageous individuals who sought to hold the Chinese regime accountable for its gross negligence in the shoddy construction of school houses which collapsed and caused the tragic deaths of schoolchildren during an earthquake last year. “These two brave men sought answers for the grieving parents of these children, but their efforts led to their own imprisonment on trumped up charges, followed by trials in kangaroo courts. “The United States must not be silent in the face of such injustice.
“Now is the time to speak up for Mr. Huang and Mr. Tan. Now is the time to speak up for all victims of human rights violations inside China today, from Falun Gong practitioners, to the Tibetan and Uyghur people, and to all those yearning to breath free in China.” >> Note: Ros-Lehtinen is a co-sponsor of H. Res. 877, which addresses the unjust incarceration of Huang Qi and Tan Zuoren, two Chinese human rights advocates imprisoned by the Chinese government for their efforts to seek answers regarding the deaths of schoolchildren due to the collapse of school houses during an earthquake last year. It has been widely assumed in China that the building materials used for these schools were substandard due to corruption involving those officials who authorized their construction.
>>> Zogby-ScoopDaily Poll: 54% of Likely Voters Believe Obama is Working Hard to Fulfill Progressive Campaign Causes
Press release: A year after the election of President Barack Obama, more than half of likely voters surveyed (54%) believe President Obama is making gains on the progressive causes he touted during his campaign, while 22% say he has abandoned many of those causes now that he is President, a new Zogby-ScoopDaily interactive survey shows. Half of First GlobalTM likely voters (50%) believe President Obama is working hard for progressive causes. First GlobalsTM represent the generation of Americans born between 1979 and 1990. The belief that the President has abandoned much of his progressive agenda is slightly greater among those age 18-24 (30%), and slightly less (22%) among First GlobalsTM – two separate demographics of young voters. Older voters are less likely to feel this way – 21% of those age 65 and older believe the President has abandoned many of his progressive causes, while 60% think he is working as hard as he can to achieve progressive goals.
Among likely voters of all ages who voted for Obama in 2008, more than two-thirds (68%) believe he is working hard for the progressive causes he embraced leading up to the election, but 17% of Obama voters believe he has abandoned many of those causes. Democrats and liberal voters show very similar results. One in four Republicans (26%) and political independents (25%) views Obama as having given up on his progressive agenda. The interactive survey of 3,544 likely voters nationwide was conducted Oct. 23-26, 2009, and carries a margin of error of +/- 1.7%. The survey was commissioned by ScoopDaily. Please click the link below to view the news release on our new website:
http://www.zogby.com/news/ReadNews.cfm?ID=1762
>>> Thanks to my supporters, the Watchdog Report, celebrated its Tenth Anniversary on May 5th. — Over the past ten years there have been so many stories and here are just a miniscule few that have been in the past 410 Watchdog Report’s that each has had almost three dozen stories or announcements per week, and that does not include around 100 Watchdog Report EXTRAS over this time. Back in September 2000, then county manager Merrett Stierheim gave the Watchdog Report the gift of a lifetime when I wrote he would be retiring by Feb 1 and he responded with a official county memo to the mayor and commissioners titled Rumor Control blasting my assertion that later became true. Other stories broken were that Miami Police Chief John Timoney was joining Miami in Jan. 2003 and that there was a man in Italy claiming to be a Miami vice Mayor and being wined and dined by Italian officials even though the city does not have such an office. Over the years I have covered almost every significant story regarding Jackson Memorial Hospital, the school board and county and sent a EXTRA from the PAC construction committee in the summer of 2003 noting the arts centers would be 20-months delayed and needed immediately over $60 million in new funding that ultimately came in at $472.9 million.
In addition, I have covered the Miami-Dade ethics commission and the Office of the Inspector General since there inception and over the years have done dozens of stories on people busted by both agencies since then. For me it is difficult to reflect sometimes on past stories because there have been so many and generally once I have done it I move on to the many other news stories that develop every day and spring up like weeds every week. I have tried to be the news contrarian, and if there is major media at an event, I will move on unless I have something significant to add, and given the size of our public institutions, something is always going on somewhere else. We may just not be aware of it.
>>> See what was said about the Watchdog Report in the Miami New Times 2003 — Best of Miami — BEST CITIZEN — Daniel Ricker – watchdogreport1@earthlink.net
Three years ago, we said Ricker was our Best Gadfly. Given his dedication and perseverance, this new honor, Best Citizen, is well deserved. Ricker goes to 2500 mind-melting meetings annually, from the Public Health Trust’s purchasing subcommittee to the Efficiency and Competition Commission to the Alliance for Human Services’ nominating council to the school board’s audit committee. Sometimes he’s the only public observer. Object: to be the Public Citizen for all those out there who can’t attend, and to connect and serve as an information bridge among the special-interest-dominated Miami-Dade governmental institutions that seem so problematic and indifferent to the democratic process.
This month his e-mail newsletter, The Watchdog Report, celebrates its fourth anniversary. In a former life Ricker made a handsome living as an international salesman of heart pacemakers. As the hard-working publisher of Watchdog Report, though, he’s struggling financially — this despite the fact that his weekly compendium of meeting summaries, analysis, interviews, and commentary has become essential reading for anyone involved in public affairs. What his written work may lack in polish, it more than makes up for in comprehensiveness. So raise a toast to the man whose official slogan says it all: “A community education resource — I go when you cannot!”
FLORIDA
>>> How much will the drip, drip of Rubio hurt Gov. Crist with closed primary in Aug.?
Gov. Charlie Crist, (net worth $466,000) after coasting on auto pilot since his Nov. 2006 election when it comes to his popularity with Floridians is finding his Republican base is being eroded by the constant attacks by former House Speaker Marco Rubio, R-Miami, (net worth $8,351) and with the primary in August, there is still time for the governor to fall lower in the polls. Crist has given the Rubio camp the gift that keeps on giving when the governor gave a hug to President Barack Obama last Spring and he used the federal money to balance the state’s budget, but the blow back by Conservative Republicans has not abated and the young Speaker who is traveling around the state is like the campaign Eveready Bunny, and while dwarfed when it comes to Crist’s $6 million plus campaign war chest. He has raised enough to be considered a viable candidate and if his raising of money catches fire. He could be a real problem for the one term governor.
What about the Democratic U.S. Sen. Candidates Meek and Ferre?
While the Republicans battle it out U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek, D-Miami, (net worth around $62,000 in 2002) continues to be out raising money for his campaign that has him facing possible facing former North Miami Mayor Kevin Burns and former Miami Mayor and county Commissioner Maurice Ferre. Ferre, 74 says he will run an active campaign but the Watchdog Report recently spotted him at a famous Cuban restaurant on 8th Street and he was showing his age and it remains to be seen how much voter traction he will get in the Aug. primary.
>>> Press release: Gov. Crist today made the following reappointment and appointment: Children and Youth Cabinet
Judith L. Schaechter, 43, of Miami Beach, associate chair of pediatrics with University of Miami, School of Medicine, reappointed for a term beginning November 3, 2009 and ending August 27, 2013.
Steven J. Uhlfelder, 53, of Tallahassee, attorney with Uhlfelder and Associates, succeeding Dick Batchelor, appointed for a term beginning November 3, 2009, and ending August 27, 2013.
>>> Press release: Gov. Crist today announced the following appointments and reappointments: Florida Commission on Tourism (Senate confirmation required)
Harvey Campbell, 60, of Lake City, director of tourism for the Columbia County Tourist Development Council, succeeding Sandra Craig, appointed for a term beginning November 5, 2009, and ending June 30, 2013.
Jack Wert, 66, of Naples, tourism director for Collier County, succeeding Craig Miller, appointed for a term beginning November 5, 2009, and ending July 30, 2010.
John Perez, 39, of Punta Gorda, general manager of Burkhard Corporation, reappointed for a term beginning November 5, 2009, and ending June 30, 2013.
Walter Banks, 66, of Fort Lauderdale, president of Lago Mar Resort and Club, reappointed for a term beginning November 5, 2009, and ending July 30, 2012.
Carol Dover, 51, of Tallahassee, president and chief executive officer of Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, reappointed for a term beginning November 5, 2009, and ending July 30, 2010.
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
>>> Commissioner Martinez says using e-mail; Chair Moss gets $75,000 for four “program officers” pay
Commissioner Joe Martinez in an e-mail to the Watchdog Report last week wrote, “I never suspended my email. However, I am encountering difficulties with issues as simple as setting my calendar or even submitting a pull list to the Chairman’s office. Go figure,” wrote the commissioner last week. I had reported that he was no longer going to use that form of communication but that appears to not be the case. Martinez was elected in 2000 to commission District 11 that covers west Miami-Dade and is up for reelection in 2012. He also was the commission Chair from 2004 to 2006.
>>> Commission Chair Dennis Moss got permission from the county commission Wednesday to fund four program officers to the tune of $75,000 for the next few months while these people are incorporated into the Office of the Commission Chair. The people were staff on four boards that were defunded, had been sent lay off letters, but county staff said those termination letters have since been “rescinded.” The chair was asking for $75,000 in funding for the positions and more is expected later to be directed to make these positions permanent. The executives brought back were part of the Women’s, Asian, Black, and Hispanic Affairs committees.
>>> Moss also got support for trying to organize a future International Air Show to be held at Homestead Air Force Reserve Base, something similar to the Paris Air Show that draws the aviation industry and nations together trying to sell there civilian and military hardware.
>>> Who knew that County Commissioner Carlos Gimenez was one of the first SWAT medics in the late 1970s after Commissioner Barbara Jordan introduced legislation creating such a position within the police department at the county commission meeting Wednesday. Gimenez told commissioners when he was a fire and rescue officer with the city of Miami. He was one of a few trained that way around the nation at the time and suggested they select from fire-rescue staff, since the medical training needed is a longer process.
>>> Commissioner Audrey Edmonson is sponsoring legislation that will have the county Inspector General do background checks on people on county boards and one high profile person may have a problem, and I suspect there will be others.
>>> At an obscure public executive committee meeting of a very important board Monday, the Watchdog Report heard the first negative comments about Mayor Carlos Alvarez’s imposed five percent reduction for over 2,800 employees starting Nov. 1. The good news was there were only six of us in the room and I am going to watch this carping, who says it, and in the future will start writing these people up, who should be grateful they have a job, now that the nation has over 10 percent unemployed.
>>> OIG investigation results in guilty verdict against former Miami-Dade County Judge Phillip Davis and Joan Headley, November 4, 2009.
>>> Final Memorandum: OIG Review of Complaints Regarding WASD Donation Projects, IG09-13, October 28, 2009.
>>> Press release: Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez and Miami-Dade Transit are launching free wireless service on select Metrorail cars and 95 Express buses on November 12, 2009. The launch is an expansion of the Mayor’s Wireless Miami-Dade Initiative, which brought free wireless service to Tropical, Tamiami and Goulds parks. The expanded Wi-Fi pilot program is designed to improve the transit experience for residents and visitors, allowing riders to access the Internet via laptop or other wireless device. The pilot program will run through spring 2010. “Thousands of park goers are enjoying free Wi-Fi at our parks. Expanding wireless to our transit system is the next logical and exciting step to continue our Wi-Fi efforts,” said Mayor Alvarez. >>> WHO: Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez, Members of the Board of County Commissioners -WHAT: Wireless Miami-Dade Transit Launch, WHERE: Palmetto Station, 7701 NW 79th Ave., Miami, FL 33166, WHEN: Thursday, November 12, 2009, 11 a.m. >>> Demonstration of Wi-Fi connectivity on board a Metrorail train by Mayor Carlos Alvarez >>Wireless Miami-Dade is an initiative created to produce an environment that is technologically appealing to County residents, visitors and businesses. For more information on the Wireless initiative, visit www.miamidade.gov/mayor/wireless.asp.
>>> Press release: The Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department (WASD) will change its method of chlorination at each of its regional water treatment facilities for two weeks, beginning Monday, November 9th, and ending Sunday, November 22nd. Specifically, free chlorine, instead of the standard combined chlorine (chloramine) will be used during the treatment process. Both the Miami-Dade County Department of Health and the Department of Environmental Resources Management require this regular, free-chlorine treatment on an annual basis. This routine procedure is regularly scheduled each year, as free chlorine is considered an effective method of cleansing water distribution systems. County residents may experience some chlorine smell and/or taste in their water during this short-term changeover. This is normal as free chlorine has a slightly different taste and smell than combined chlorine. The temporary change does not cause adverse health effects and is a necessary part of WASD’s ongoing efforts to provide safe, potable drinking water to Miami-Dade County residents. >>> Residents who have any questions about the quality of Miami-Dade’s water during the annual chlorine purge, or at any time, may call a WASD laboratory at 305-520-4738 (for residents who live north of SW 8th Street); or 305-275-3170 (for residents who live south of SW 8th Street).
BROWARD COUNTY
>>> The takedown of Rothstein, Eggelletion, Gallagher, has other officials nervous about possible blowback
The busting of attorney Scott Rothstein is having a reverberating affect throughout South Florida and it is cutting across political party lines. Rothstein is accused of running a scam that could top over $100 million, gave lavishly to Republican and Democrats, and sprinkling cash around like fairy dust to top political figures. County Mayor Stacey Ritter for the Mayoral Ball got a significant donation from Rothstein for the affair and one of the top sources for what has been going on in the state’s second largest county check out Bob Norman’s http://blogs.browardpalmbeach.com/pulp/ . The attorney, who went to Morocco suddenly but then came back last week, has been holed up with FBI agents who recently cleaned out his legal office as investigators try to get to the bottom of what appears to be another Ponzi scheme.
However, with his demise, there are real questions about his influence in political circles and it remains to be seen if any elected leaders in the county get dragged into this whirlwind that had suspended and charged Commissioner Joe Eggelletion, first with federal felony charges, and last week the state attorney brought new charges for the long serving county commissioner and former state representative. After he got a free membership at Parkland Golf & Country Club while also voting on a builder’s other projects. Further, there is Beverly Gallagher the suspended Broward school board member also busted by the feds and to say elected officials are nervous is an understatement.
Broward County has never gotten the scrutiny that Miami-Dade does and it appears their time has come and it cuts across not only the county but also the 31 municipalities where local municipal leaders often ignore the people’s interest and try to work behind the scenes when making deals but these wayward people should beware for out of all this. We now find that there are 450 FBI special agents (See Michael Putney’s column in www.miamiherald.com ) in South Florida out of the 10,000 field agents in the nation and that is no small number and leaders should keep this in mind in future deliberations, if they are to stay away from the warm embrace of federal prosecutors.
>>> Thank you for using the Broward County Commission Agenda E-mail Notification System. A new Broward County Commission Agenda is available. Point your browser to http://www.broward.org/commission/welcome.htm to view the new agenda.
CITY OF HOLLYWOOD
>>> Press release: SIX SOUTH FLORIDA RESIDENTS INDICTED FOR IMMIGRATION BENEFIT FRAUD Mastermind of scheme claimed to be an immigration consultant and attorney
Jeffrey H. Sloman, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Anthony V. Mangione, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Office of Investigations, announced that six defendants were indicted on charges of conspiracy to induce and encourage aliens to remain in the United States and making false statements in applications for immigration benefits. Indicted on October 29, 2009 were defendants Victor Abreu, 45, of Sunny Isles, Pablo Roldan, 38, Adriana Segundo-Zaldivar, 42, both of Hollywood, Sergio Alfaro, 45, and America Sophia George, 42, both of Miami, and Karina Vazquez, 37, formerly of Hallandale Beach. The defendants were charged with conspiracy, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371; false statements, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001; and inducing and encouraging aliens to remain in the U.S., in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1324. If convicted, they each face a maximum statutory penalty of ten years in prison. On Monday, November 2, 2009, ICE special agents arrested five of the six defendants; defendant Karina Vazquez remains a fugitive. The five arrested made their initial appearances Tuesday in federal court in Miami before U.S. Magistrate Judge John O’Sullivan. Detention hearings have been scheduled for Thursday, November 5, 2009 at 10:00 a.m.
In May 2007, ICE special agents in Fort Lauderdale began an investigation of Victor Abreu of Abreu & Associates, based on allegations that he was involved in immigration benefit fraud. Abreu and his employees were allegedly preparing false boilerplate immigration applications for illegal immigrants, including applications for employment authorization and employment visas. According to the Indictment, the defendants engaged in a scheme through which they solicited payments from illegal immigrants by falsely promising to assist them with immigration matters. The defendants would then prepare applications for the illegal immigrants, knowing that the immigrants were not entitled to the benefits sought. The scheme involved the preparation of benefit applications for at least 300 individuals from Argentina, Chile, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Venezuela, and Mexico, among other countries. After receiving payments, Abreu and his co-defendants prepared the false immigration documents. To execute the scheme, defendant Abreu falsely purported to be an immigration attorney and consultant. As a result of the scheme, some of the illegal immigrants obtained legitimate work authorization cards and driver’s licenses to which they were not lawfully entitled. Acting United States Attorney Jeffrey H. Sloman said, “Fraudulent schemes, like the one charged in this case, undermine the legal immigration process and can threaten our national security. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to enforce the immigration laws.” “The filing of false applications to obtain immigration benefits for individuals that are not authorized to be present in the United States puts the security of our communities at risk,” said Anthony Mangione, ICE Special Agent in Charge of ICE’s Office of Investigations in Miami. “Immigration benefits like these could be exploited by dangerous criminals to obscure their identities and cover their tracks. ICE will continue to aggressively pursue and criminally charge individuals who would exploit immigrant communities for their own self interests.” >>> An Indictment is only an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Mr. Sloman commended the investigative efforts of ICE’s Office of Investigations in Fort Lauderdale. The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Lorraine Tashman. A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
PALM BEACH COUNTY
>>> Gov. Crist sets congressional Dist. 19 primary Feb. 2, General Election April 6
With resignation of U.S. Rep. Robert Wexler, D-Palm Beach from his District 19 congressional seat Gov. Charlie Crist last week set the election dates for the special election. Crist set the Special Primary for Feb. 2 and the General Election is scheduled for April 6, state’s the governor’s Executive Order 09-242. The front running candidate for the open seat is state Sen. Ted Deutch, D-Palm Beach and the congressional district is considered a safe Democratic Party seat.
>>> BOCA RATON DEFENDANT SENTENCED IN CONNECTION WITH “PONZI” SCHEME
Press release: Jeffrey H. Sloman, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, John V. Gillies, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Miami Field Office, and J. Thomas Cardwell, Commissioner, State of Florida’s Office of Financial Regulation, announced that defendant William Kirschner, 63, of Boca Raton, FL, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kenneth L. Ryskamp to 10 years’ imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release. The Court also ordered him to pay $511,033 in restitution. Kirschner previously pled guilty to mail fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C.§ 1341. The defendant had been charged in a one-count Information filed on August 25, 2009. As set forth in the Information and the written proffer filed with his plea agreement, in or about November 2006, Kirschner incorporated a company named Brini Trading Group, Inc., which he operated out of his residence in Boca Raton, Florida. Kirschner told friends and other potential investors that they would make between 3% and 7% per month as a return on their investment, mostly through Brini Trading. In all, Kirschner accepted approximately $950,000 from eleven individuals to purportedly conduct trades on their behalf.
Of these funds, however, Kirschner only traded approximately $100,000, which he ultimately lost. Kirschner spent approximately $400,000 of the monies received to support his lavish lifestyle, and used the majority of the remaining funds to make substantial “Ponzi” payments to investors, using new investment monies to make payments to other investors. Mr. Sloman commended the investigative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the State of Florida, Office of Financial Regulation. The case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carolyn Bell. A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
DESOTO COUNTY
>>> Press release: Governor Charlie Crist today announced the following reappointments: DeSoto County Hospital Board
Lewis Ambler Jr., 61, of Arcadia, president of DeSoto Insurance Agency Inc., reappointed for a term beginning November 5, 2009, and ending July 1, 2011.
Rose C. Arrington, 60, of Arcadia, bookkeeper with the DeSoto County School System, reappointed for a term beginning November 5, 2009, and ending July 1, 2011.
Daniel Presilla, 71, of Lake Suzy, retired from the United States Air Force, appointed for a term beginning November 5, 2009, and ending July 1, 2012.
Jerry C. Waters, 61, of Arcadia, teacher with the DeSoto County School Board, reappointed for a term beginning November 5, 2009, and ending July 1, 2012.
CHARLOTTE COUNTY
>>> Press release: Governor Charlie Crist today announced the following appointment: Children’s Services Council of Charlotte County
Steve Dionisio, 42, of Punta Gorda, principal with the Charlotte County School District, succeeding Paula Hannon, appointed for a term beginning October 22, 2009, and ending May 17, 2013.
MONROE COUNTY
>>> Gov. Crist today recognized Adam Goldstein of Miami as this week’s Governor’s Point of Light for Adoption Awareness Month.
“Adam is not only a top-notch business executive, but also a true humanitarian and community leader in South Florida,” said Governor Crist. “His vision and advocacy have improved the foster care system in Florida, consequently changing the lives of vulnerable children in our state. He strongly believes that foster children in our state deserve loving, permanent homes, and I am so grateful for his efforts on their behalf.” Since 2002, Adam has been an active volunteer and board member with Our Kids of Miami-Dade/Monroe Inc., an organization created to assist in the response to the need for local control and leadership of Florida’s child welfare system. As a founding board member, Adam served as chair of the Board of Trustees of Our Kids from 2006 to October 2009. As chair of the System of Care Committee during the start-up and transition phase of Miami’s foster care privatization, he led the team that helped create and implement a redesigned system of care for Miami-Dade and Monroe counties’ foster children. Under his leadership, Our Kids has cultivated a cooperative, collaborative partnership with the Department of Children and Families, the Juvenile Court, the Guardian Ad Litem Program and the Community-Based Care Alliances. Adam is also president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International. Adam has also dedicated his time to public service. In 2008, he was selected by Department of Children and Families’ then-Secretary Bob Butterworth to serve on the agency’s Statewide Task Force on Fostering Success representing all Community-Based Care Boards across the state. Adam continues to search and derive innovative ways to better the lives of foster children in Miami-Dade and the Keys. “Adam is an invaluable member of the Our Kids Board,” said Frances P. Allegra, executive director of Our Kids of Miami-Dade/Monroe Inc. “His vision and direction have allowed Our Kids to become the organization it is today. We are proud and fortunate to have him as our champion.” >>> AAA Auto Club South is the supporting sponsor of the Governor’s Points of Light Award. This program recognizes Florida residents who demonstrate exemplary service to the community. Award recipients are announced weekly. A panel of judges comprised of leaders in the areas of volunteerism and service evaluate all nominations and make recommendations to the Governor. Occasionally, the award is presented to outstanding organizations. The Volunteer Florida Foundation manages the program. For more information, or to submit a nomination, go to www.VolunteerFloridaFoundation.org.
MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
>>> Board member Hantman asks FDOT to have speed and crossings signs at all Dade high schools, drivers have been clocked doing 90 mph.
Press release: At its October 29, 2009 meeting, the Miami-Dade Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) approved a Resolution sponsored by Ms. Perla Tabares Hantman, in her dual role as School Board Member and Vice Chair of the MPO. The Resolution urges the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to amend its procedures to require school speed zone signs and school crossings at all senior high schools in Miami-Dade County.
“I am sponsoring this item as a matter of student pedestrian safety in our high schools,” said Ms. Hantman. She further indicated, “My research shows counties may opt to enforce stricter standards. Such is the case in Broward and Hillsborough Counties, where current policies mandate reduced speed zones for all schools, including high schools. I believe that senior high students in Miami-Dade County, the fourth largest school district in the nation, should also benefit from stricter safety measures”.Current FDOT standards for establishing 15 mile per hour school speed zone signs and school crossings specify that only elementary and middle schools are eligible for these speed control measures. In Miami-Dade County, school speed zone signs are not permitted at new high schools, unless deemed necessary under special circumstances, as justified by an engineering study. This situation has created a disparity in our schools, where most of the high schools that were built prior to the mid-1990’s have the speed zone signs (62 percent of all high schools), and the 20 high schools built after the 90’s do not (38 percent of all high schools).
>>> M-DCPS TO HOLD ATTENDANCE BOUNDARY COMMITTEE MEETING >> WHO: School district officials, school staff, parents and interested citizens WHAT: Attendance Boundary Committee Regional Community Meeting, (Re: Martin Luther King Elementary School) WHEN: Thursday, November 12 at 6:30 p.m., WHERE: Holmes Elementary School, Media Center, 1175 NW 67 Street, Miami. WHY: An Attendance Boundary Committee Community Meeting is scheduled to address proposed boundary changes that may impact students attending Martin Luther King, Holmes and Liberty City elementary schools. The changes are being proposed in order to re-purpose Martin Luther King Elementary School.
>>> MIAMI SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY, WHO: Miami-Dade County School Board Members, Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho, elected and District officials, students, and community members, WHAT: Miami Senior High School Groundbreaking Ceremony WHEN: Monday, November 9, 2009, 11 a.m., WHERE: Miami Senior High School, 2450 S.W. 1st Street, Miami, FL 33135 – WHY: The project is comprised of on- and off-site improvements, new construction, renovation and historic rehabilitation. Miami Senior High School opened its doors in 1902 as the first high school in Miami-Dade County. Built in 1927, this current structure is a Nationally Registered Historical Landmark. The main buildings and gymnasium are historic buildings, with the overall site being designated with landmark status.
PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST
>>> Tensions between Jackson & UMMMS come to light, over 50-year relationship important to both organizations
The PHT board and University of Miami Miller medical School officials that met last Monday in a summit learned a important lesson when it comes to “frank” talk about the 50-year plus relationship between the University and Jackson Memorial System when it comes to the press and public meetings and it was not pretty. The head of Miami’s board of trustees said the quality of the physicians being hired by Jackson were not top notch saying ‘I wouldn’t send my family to many of them,’ he is quoted in www.miamiherald.com that later in the week prompted Phillip T. George, M.D., the UM board of trustee chairman to write a letter Friday to the editor where “I apologize” for the remark that “was indeed ill-advised.” However, it shows the institutional pressure and the physician’s “frustration’ while trying to deal with “complex and often-difficult circumstances in which both institutions operate their shared public mission,”his letter states. I had heard about the meeting but was told it was not open to the public, but apparently more than one trustee attended and that opened up the discussion to become public and the meeting was well attended including by The Herald.
>>> What about the tensions behind the scenes?
Over the past few months, I have gotten a number of e-mails from people in both organizations saying there were real challenges ahead for the relationship between the two institutions. One writer even suggested I might act as an envoy between the two entity’s leadership since I have covered both since late 1997. However, I did not report on it hoping the parties could work out some of the issues, but these issues are not easily solved and does not just deal with clinical issues, but also legal suits and the fact the university’s physicians are not protected by Sovereign Immunity from lawsuits like Jackson employees. And suing attorneys are focusing on the private university for their settlement payouts that reached over $30 million a few years ago and reported in past Watchdog Report’s. All this discussion also has to be framed with the challenge of giving $525 million in charity care.
>>> What about the Jackson/UM brand around the county?
On Wednesday I had lunch with a friend and mentor when it comes to understanding health systems and the recent proposed federal healthcare reform legislation and one of his comments was the strong brand Jackson and University of Miami has in the community when it comes to world class medical care, and the combination is the envy of many urban areas where public hospitals don’t come close to delivering the kind of medical services done here. And the crown jewel of the two organizations is the Ryder Trauma Center established in 1992 and the facility and staff also helps train Army medical personal before they deploy over seas and that has gone on since 2000. My advisor also was concerned about the length of the draft legislation and questioned whether it would be better to expand current Medicare programs by changing the eligibility criteria. And since the program is already in place, would not create a new bureaucracy and a new health plan no one will understand, he thought.
>>> November 10, 2009 PHT All Day Committee Meeting Schedule. The PHT All Day Committee Meetings will be held at the Mental Health Hospital Center (MHHC), 1695 N. W. 9th Avenue, Miami, FL 33136.
>>> The Televised PHT Board meeting date and location will remain the same (November 23, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. in the Ira C. Clark DTC Conference Room 259).
>>> Please be advised that the Miami-Dade Delegation Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 12, 2009. The meeting is scheduled from 12 noon to 2:00 p.m. in the West Wing Board Room.
CITY OF MIAMI
>>> Mayor elect Regalado wins in landslide, now the real work begins union negotiations on pensions ahead
The Watchdog Report had lunch Thursday with mayor elect Tomas Regalado after the veteran commissioner trounced Commissioner Joe Sanchez in the election Tuesday and it was a trip down memory lane. The incoming mayor said in 1996 after he had been first elected to the commission. He was asked by then Mayor Joe Carollo to come up to his office and once inside. He was introduced to some FBI special agents and the mayor said a commissioner and city manager were about to be arrested for public corruption. Since then he supported out going Mayor Manuel Diaz in his initial bid for office in 2001 that also had the unions supporting Diaz over Maurice Ferre, who he bested in the runoff back then. However, cracks began to appear between the two and the mayor’s public relations machine cranked out releases relentlessly and Regalado once likened “Manny to an ice cream sundae,” and how many more can you eat before you say enough, he said back then.
Further, in this race against Sanchez, the municipal unions were with Regalado but there are tough pension negotiations coming up in the near future and this first face off will test the new mayor’s political mettle and it remains to be seen how these negotiations will play out, in the days and years ahead for the Magic City.
>>> What about commission Chair Sarnoff?
Regalado has stated he will appoint Commissioner Marc Sarnoff as the new body chair that will see Frank Carollo and another commissioner yet to be decided on the city dais. Sarnoff has parlayed being a local activist, Village Council Chair to winning a commission seat in 2006 in a hard fought battle against incumbent, but appointed commissioner Linda Haskins. He defeated her by two-to-one in votes and voters gave him a full four-year commission term in 2007. He is described by one long time follower of the commission as the “best politician pound for pound on the commission” and the last attorney that chaired the body was now deceased Commissioner Arthur Teele, Jr. The new commission chair is smart and does his homework, but he also has a way of making fun of people at their own expense. He also is still evolving politically and may grow out of making what come across as snarkey remarks periodically and while there are a lot of smart people in the world, it is a leader’s temperament that makes a great official.
>>> When will the new mayor be sworn in?
The new mayor is to be sworn in Nov. 11, on Veterans Day and it will not be the spectacle that Mayor Manuel Diaz’s had become in the past but will be a more low-key affair in the commission chambers given the economic times.
What about the other commission elections?
Incumbent District 5 Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones sailed to victory getting 82.7 percent of the vote and commissioner elect Frank Carollo garnered 52.2 percent of District 3 voters. However, in District 4 there is a runoff race pitting Francis Suarez, who got 44.9 percent against Manolo Reyes, 40.3 percent, being held Nov. 17 and there are no early voting sites prior to the election.
>>> With new mayor, will CIP get more independence?
The Civilian Investigative Panel (CIP) at their Oct. 20 panel meeting voted to not accept Shirley Richardson back, even if new funding came with her after the panel essentially fired her as the body’s executive director. However, she is a city employee and was brought into Manager Pete Hernandez’s office over the summer but the manager wants her reassigned to the CIP as a case investigator. The panel has rejected that idea and believes there should be more independence, from the city manager’s office, that does control the funding purse strings but that number does get approved by the commission. However, a more ominous issue looms in the future since there is a move to have the panel made up of appointments by the mayor, manager, and commissioners versus the current process. The CIP, one of a few in the nation, was created after Miami voters overwhelmingly passed the measure in Nov. 2001, along with the post of commission auditor. Currently most of the complaints the body has dealt with regard Hispanic residents and panel members noted the office should consider having a Spanish-speaking member on the staff. Currently, the CIP attorney Charles Mays is filling in managing the office.
>>> PAST WDR: JULY, 2009: Commissioner Sarnoff leads the pack with $2.2 million net worth, Mayor Diaz drops to $1.8 million, cash tumbles to $388,000
The Watchdog Report got the elected leaders financial disclosure forms filed July 1, this week and Mayor Manuel Diaz has dropped the most in net worth, and his cash on hand has dropped for the first time since being in office. The mayor through 2008 had a net worth of $1.8 million and his cash on hand dropped from over $500,000 to $388,000 and he has $230,000 in liabilities. Commission Chair Joe Sanchez through the same period had a $319,000 net worth and Commission Vice Chair Michelle Spence-Jones stated her net worth through July 2009 dropped to $17,346. Commissioner Marc Sarnoff now leads the pack with a $2.28 million net worth through June 2009, Commissioner Angel Gonzalez is worth $843,000 through 2008 and Commissioner Tomas Regalado still is the low one with his net worth coming in at $5,000. The assets listed are essentially the same as last year, and below is the last two-year’s disclosure stories for Miami elected leaders.
>>> Past July 2008 WDR: Commissioner Sarnoff dethroned as top dog, Mayor Diaz net worth $2.44 million to his $2.25 million through June 2008, a drop for the commissioner
The Watchdog Report received the financial disclosure forms for all the commissioners for the past year and Mayor Manuel Diaz wins the top net worth award of $2.44 million after being number two last year with $2.06 million. He displaced Commissioner Marc Sarnoff who had a net worth last year of $2.64 million but that has dropped through June 2008 to 2.25 million. Commissioner Angel Gonzalez reported $883,600; Commissioner Joe Sanchez posted $408,930 for the year, Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones has a net of $28,600 and Commissioner Tomas Regalado’s net worth is $5,000.
Diaz has $2.69 million in assets including real estate valued at $700,000, $500,000 and $200,000. He lists $543,000 in securities, and has $503,000 in cash with $66,000 in a retirement fund. Diaz has a family, there is $100,000 in household goods, and another $86,000 came in as a shareholder. Diaz’s liabilities are mortgages owed $176,000 and $74,000 with a total of $250,000 in liabilities.
Sarnoff in his disclosure through June 2008 lists stock in his law firm valued at $500,000, his connected townhouse is valued at $500,000 and $750,000, and there are $710,000 invested in securities. He lists $64,000 in bank accounts and $50,000 in AXA life insurance. The commissioner’s liabilities are $160,000 with Citibank and another $19,500 with Chase. A mortgage is owed $505,000 and he lists $400,000 in personal goods.
Gonzalez through Dec. 2007 had a net worth of $883,695 and the assets includes property valued at $268,000, $273,000 and $223,000. His 2002 SUV is worth $6,000 and there is $24,157 in a savings account and another $101,789 in a checking account. He owes $33,364 on a mortgage and he has $20,000 in household goods.
Sanchez listed income from the city and the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians, his home is valued at $175,294, and other real estate is valued at $479,549 and $185,080. His Chrysler is worth $22,000 and there is $32,900 in cash. The commissioner lists mortgages of $321,435; $47,298 and $117,205 and he owes Toyota finance $6,500 and lists $20,000 in personal goods.
Spence-Jones has a net worth of $28,676 through June 2008. Her assets are a home valued at $280,000, an investment account has $18,000, and there is $8,000 in a credit union. Her liabilities listed are a Citibank mortgage owed $223,000 and she owes Lydecker, Lee, a local law firm $74,324. She owes $18,000 on a Range Rover and there is $38,000 in household goods.
Regalado through 2007 lists a net worth of $5,000 and his only asset is his homestead. The commissioner owes Washington Mutual $110,094, Chrysler is owed $9,480 and he lists household goods valued at $10,000.
>>> Watchdog Report – July 8, 2007 — Commissioner Sarnoff wins income game, has $2.6 million net-worth, Mayor Diaz $2 million, Commissioner Regalado brings up the rear with $5,000. net
When it comes to July 1, it is always a special day for the Watchdog Report since that is when elected leaders yearly financial disclosures are due with the big political game being the governor and state legislative leaders, Commissioners from Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, and Monroe Counties and these leaders’ disclosures will be reported in the future but for now. I thought this week; I would open with the state’s biggest municipality, Miami. The city with a quirky history over the century has evolved over the past decade, but dark aspects of behavior when it comes to these elected leaders still raised its ugly head over that time, as a few commissioners were picked off the commission dais.
When it comes to personal wealth, this year’s financial disclosures show that Commissioner Marc Sarnoff, an attorney leads the financial pack with a net worth during the reporting period of $2.64 million, followed by Mayor Manuel “Manny” Diaz, also an attorney, reporting $2.06 million. Next in order is Commission Chair Angel Gonzalez reporting $767,711 in net-worth for the year and Vice Chair Joe Sanchez is worth $292,693 during the reporting period. Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones has a net worth of $97,000 and Commissioner Tomas Regalado brings up the financial rear reporting $5,000. in net worth. A few years ago, Regalado told the Watchdog Report after I had run the financial disclosures of the mayor and commissioners, “Yep I am the poor commissioner,” he told me at the time. A fuller explanation of these disclosure fillings will be in a future Watchdog Report.
>>> The following e-mail was sent to Mayor Manny Diaz using his e-mail address on his extensive city web-page on Sept. 13, 2008 at 9:38 a.m. and to date there has been no answer from the mayor.>>> “Mayor Diaz, I wanted to ask you in the chamber today but not in front of Chair Joe Sanchez. My question is where did the extra $400,000 in the 2007 disclosure form come from? I will run what ever you respond unedited but I would appreciate closing this issue, as I am sure you do. Sorry but I have to ask. Best to all. Dan” >>>> The Watchdog Report through Dec.7 has yet to get a response or catch-up with Miami Mayor Manuel Diaz on where he got the extra $400,000 in cash listed in his 2007 financial disclosure forms. To see what CBS 4 reporter David Sutta’s take on this issue and the other city leaders financial disclosures go to cbs4.com Blogs . >>> Readers should stay tuned and catch the meeting on the city’s cable station channel 77. >>> Stream Channel 77, for all City of Miami meetings, (Commission, Village Council meetings, Waterfront, Zoning, PAB, Code, etc. hearings) http://videos.miamigov.com/
>>> South Florida Workforce Awards $300,000 to the City of Miami to Expand the Elevate Miami Initiative
Press release: The City of Miami and South Florida Workforce Investment Board (SFWIB) have partnered to expand the outreach of Elevate Miami, a program geared at preparing South Florida residents and businesses with the tools necessary to effectively participate in the digital age. Elevate Miami is a part of SFWIB’s Digital Divide Project which strives to provide internet access to low-income South Florida communities. The long-term goal of the Project is the development of a thriving technology-skilled workforce. Elevate Miami will assist in achieving that goal by opening 38 public computer centers and teaching digital literacy courses to youth, adults, seniors and businesses. >>> SFWIB has awarded $299,440.00 in Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) resources to cover the costs of the digital literacy courses which are offered in two 12 week segments. The courses will be taught by 38 computer training instructors, and 38 technology coaches will conduct open lab training and one-on-one assistance. Approximately, 1,140 TANF eligible residents will benefit from this City of Miami-SFWIB partnership.
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
>>> Mayor Bower trounces election opposition, Commissioner Libbin goes for turnout gold with 83.4 % of vote & Runoffs for Group II and III commission seats
Mayor Mattie Herrera Bower easily fended off two challengers Tuesday garnering 76.8 percent of the vote and her fellow incumbent Jerry Libbin coasted back into office with 83.4 percent of the vote. However, there are two runoff elections between Jorge Exposito and Maria Mayer less than a percent apart in the vote for the Group II seat and Michael Gongora had the voter edge over Gabrielle Redfern who he faces in the runoff for the Group III commission seat on Nov. 17 and there are no early voting sites. The Beach races have gotten ugly over the past few years and it will be interesting to see what pops up in these candidates final election push, with the attended expected low voter turnout.
CITY OF HOMESTEAD
>>> Mayor Bell gets the ax by voters, Mayor Bateman in with 58.8 % of citywide vote
Lynda Bell, the Homestead Mayor elected two years ago got a rude awakening Tuesday night after voters turned her out of office with voters going with former Council Member Steve Bateman. Bell, as incumbent only got 41.2 percent of the roughly 14 percent citywide voter turnout and it showed the discontent felt by many in the municipality founded in 1913. Over the past two-years, I have been monitoring Homestead through readers from the area and to say some of the council meetings were contentious is a under statement. The new mayor now faces dealing with an economic crisis with a property tax base that has fallen over 25 percent this past year and all the empty homes in developments shows why voters wanted a change in the political status quo. For more go to www.miamiherald.com , Further, two other incumbents also were rejected by voters.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
>>> Moving the Masses on Intelligent Transportation >>> WHAT: Rethinking how we get from point A to point B means applying new technology and new policies to old assumptions and habits. It means improving drivers’ experiences, not just where and when they drive. And it could lead to advances in the cars we drive, the roads we drive them on, and the public transit we might take instead. Join the Chamber on Friday, November 13 for a conversation about transforming our transportation systems with Richard Varos, director, intelligent transportation solutions, IBM; and Mohammed Hadi, assistant professor, civil and environmental engineering, Florida International University; Bill Anido, assistant manager, City of Miami; Alfred Lurigados, director of engineering, Miami-Dade Expressway Authority; and Rory Santana, ITS Manager, District 6, Florida Department of Transportation. WHEN: Friday, November 13, 2009, 8:00 a.m. Registration and Breakfast, 8:30 -10:00 a.m. Program, WHERE: Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, 1601 Biscayne Blvd., Ballroom Level (Located inside the Hilton Miami Downtown)
>>> The Miami Woman’s Club, founded in 1900, is holding a Ladies’ Tea Party to raise funds for the restoration of its historic 1926 building on Biscayne Bay. The Tea Party will be held on Sunday, November 15 from 1:00 to 3:00 PM at the Miami Beach Botanical Garden, 2000 Convention Center Drive. There will be informal modeling of fashions by Koel, instrumental music, the beauty of flowers in the garden and other surprises. Tea tickets are just $35 with all proceeds benefiting the Restoration Fund. As part of the fundraising effort, there will be a number of Lifestyle Opportunity Prizes, such as a stay at the Sagamore Hotel, brunch at the SoBe Ritz Carlton, Broadway show tickets at the Arsht Center, wardrobe makeover, Feng Shui consultation and a faux finishing package. Opportunity prize tickets are $5 each or five for $20. Tickets for the Tea Party and the raffle can be purchased by calling 305-460-0157 or emailing macbirch@bellsouth.net. The Miami Woman’s Club, whose mission is community service, is a member of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, the largest organization of volunteer women in the world. For more information visit the website: MiamiWoman’sClub.org.
EDITORIALS
>>> Sunshine Law is great legislation, most public officials get it; however, others don’t and will be written up
The Florida Sunshine Law is a great thing, though for some elected leaders it is a real pain but last week Miami-Dade Commission Chair Dennis Moss welcomed me to attend a non-public briefing by staff Monday in the second floor conference room used by the body. That welcome contrasts to what would later occur at another meeting that was advertised on the county web-page calendar earlier in the day. There, the first question asked of me was who I was, even though I had a reporters vest on with multiple identifications and it was a contrast from the Moss reception just earlier.
Further, at the second public meeting that was not tape-recorded, the chair of the board did not introduce the six people in the room at the start and all through the proceedings. I did not have a clue who these board members were, though I knew one was a county judge, because she arrived late because of her jurist duties. However, what really got me was some of the public comments by the chair, who I later found was a county employee, and I am increasing my coverage of this critical board that does great work, and the Watchdog Report even named it a county best board because of the perfect attendance of past board members a few years ago. Overall, county employees are very professional and do right at public meetings and it is why when something odd like this happens, it catches my attention after doing this since 1997.
>>> The press must gather at the pass, work together, if not to be overwhelmed by public institutions
In the past I have written about the need for all the mainstream and local press and blogs to work together in what I call the Thermopile News defense in South Florida. A reader, the last time I wrote about this, asked what the Battle of Thermopile was and it is the story of 300 Spartans along with another 1,000 other men that met at a mountain pass in 480 B.C., and held off the attacking Persian Forces in a delay action the Spartans ultimately lost. I think of this strategy because as more reporters leave the field a greater news gap is created and public figures are increasingly getting a pass when it comes to veering off the path that is straight and true and there are no indications the media is growing, but is clearly contracting.
Here in Miami-Dade with 2.4 million people some media oversight by the Fourth Estate is necessary when you consider there is almost $14 billion in public institutions and involves some 300 elected leaders in some capacity around the county. The Watchdog Report for one is very often passing on news or what occurred at public meetings to other news outlets and the age of cut throat journalism is pretty much over with more news outlets making alliances with former competitors and that is the sign of the times, but coming together to make the remaining press as robust as possible must be done. And I ask, will you be at the pass watching your public officials and the money? Or will you leave the field and only become aware of what elected leaders are doing when it is over, the money spent or misspent and that is not what keeps the Republic strong. Something the nation’s Founding Fathers understood when they crafted the First Amendment.
LETTERS
>>> Mandatory health insurance for all is under consideration. Well, what if you are a Christian Scientist? Or a Seventh Day Adventist? For some people in our community, the health insurance debate goes way deeper than just dollars and cents… Will spiritual or holistic care remain qualified? Will Christian Scientists be exempted from mandatory medical insurance? If you would like to discover what some people in our community think about these issues,
>>> What ever happened to the concept of providing free WiFi service to the citizens of Miami-Dade? I see Miami Beach got theirs.
Gus
>>> Just heard you on WLRN. Fantastic! Do you also do Broward? If not, is there anyone who does?
Robert
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The Watchdog Report covers a few of the meetings attended weekly. It remains my belief that an informed public will make better decisions. Therefore, I go to meetings, make the presence of an informed citizen known, and bring the information to you. The Watchdog Report is in the fourth year of publication and it has been an honor to be able to send this information to you. It is sent to readers in Miami-Dade, Florida, the U.S. and the world. The Watchdog Report is sent to thousands free and while readers have been prodded to subscribe the results have been mixed. Over 250 reports and Extra’s have been sent since May 5, 2000 and over one million words have been written on our community’s governments and events. The report is an original work based on information gathered at public meetings, interviews and from documents in the public domain.
LETTER POLICY
I welcome letters via e-mail, fax, or snail mail. Letters may be edited for length or clarity and must refer to material published in the Watchdog Report. Please see address and contact information. Please send any additions and corrections by e-mail, fax or snail mail. All corrections will be published in the next Watchdog Report. If you or your organization would like to publish the contents of this newsletter, please contact me. Please send your request to watchdogreport1@earthlink.net
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Watchdog Report
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Copyright © of original material, 2009, Daniel A. Ricker
>>> Watchdog Report is expanding as a new service and this content is now available to other news media, no longer exclusive to The Miami Herald
The Watchdog Report is no longer exclusively with The Miami Herald, and excluding the one story a week that is printed in the paper on Monday in the Metro & State section by me. The rest of the 20 or so news stories weekly sent out Sunday in the Watchdog Report are now available to television stations web pages, and all the newspapers and other media in South Florida if the publishers have an interest to run part or all of the stories. Further, in 2000, I used to have some paper’s running the report in the Spanish press, that option is available again, and publishers should contact me. The news content will not be free, but you can pick and chose the stories of interest, edit them if necessary but you must still keep the general story intact. If you are a news outlet and would like to learn more about, the Watchdog Report and this offer contact me at watchdogreport1@earthlink.net for further information.
>>> Here is what past newspapers have written about the Watchdog Report publisher including a survey and regional study done by the U. North Carolina at Chapel Hill on the media in the southeast United States.
>>> The Miami Herald and Orlando Sentinel & Sun-Sentinel articles on the Watchdog Report publisher over the years.
Published on September 9, 1999, Page 1EA, Miami Herald, The (FL)
CITIZEN ADVOCATE’ KEEPS TABS ON POLITICIANS
Published on January 3, 2000, Page 1B, Miami Herald, The (FL)
MIAMI-DADE WATCHDOG WILL BE MISSED
Published on January 20, 2003, Page 1E, Orlando Sentinel
PAPERWORK TIGER, Miami’s citizen watchdog piles up government files in his quest to keep the “little people” informed.
>>>Watchdog Report publisher named ‘Best Citizen’ 2003 by the Miami New Times —The publisher would like to thank the weekly alternative paper Miami New Times for bestowing their 2003 Best of Miami, ‘Best Citizen’ award to me and I am honored. Thank you. To read the full story go to http://www.miaminewtimes.com/issues/2003-05-15/citylife2.html/1/index.html
From the spring of 2003: U. North Carolina, Chapel Hill: Southeast U.S. Media Report lists Watchdog Report publisher as leading Florida commentator >>> Selected excerpts from the report on Florida’s media sources
Those who do read the newspaper in Florida have a bevy of options for state government and political coverage. The dominant newspapers in the state are Knight-Ridder’s The Miami Herald (Acquired by The McClatchy Company in 2006) and the Poynter Institute’s St. Petersburg Times. Both papers endorsed Gore in 2000 but split on the 2002 gubernatorial race, with the Herald endorsing Republican incumbent Jeb Bush and the Times backing Democratic challenger Bill McBride.
Daniel Ricker of The Miami Herald also writes an influential column as well as an email newsletter called the Watchdog Report that goes out to more than 100,000 subscribers. FEBRUARY 2004 – Florida: Columnists in Abundance —ERIC GAUTSCHI, graduate student, School of Journalism & Mass Communication, UNC-Chapel Hill – D) LEADING COMMENTATORS – Resource Commentator Organization Type Web site –Steve Bousquet St. Petersburg Times Column www.sptimes.com/columns/bousquet.shtml -“First Friday” WPBT TV (Miami) TV Show www.channel2.org/firstfriday/issues.html –Lucy Morgan St. Petersburg Times Column www.sptimes.com/columns/morgan.shtml –Daniel Ricker Miami Herald/Watchdog Report Newsletter –www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/columnists/dan_ricker/ >>> Readers who would like to read the complete University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill Southeast United States Media Report go to view the complete report or download all the data used in this study. >>> Watchdog Report Editor’s note to the NCU/CH study: The subscriber number referenced is incorrect and applies to readership. The Southern Media Landscape (PDF) Daniel Ricker. Miami Herald/Watchdog Report Newsletter. www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald … circulation, 134,269. Dan Hoover leads the. publication’s ..www.unc.edu/~davismt/SouthNow.pdf – 574k – View as html
Watchdog Report Supporters Invoice-Form
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