Watchdog Report Vol.10 No. 25 November 22, 2009
WATCHDOG REPORT
Miami-Dade, Florida
Vol. 10 No. 25 November 22, 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: U.S. Sen. LeMieux comes to Jackson Memorial Hospital, ground zero when it comes to $525 million medically uninsured cost
Florida: Predators & others under Julia Tuttle drops to 37, Miami Mayor Regalado & Book asks Gov. Crist & FDOT for help
Miami-Dade County: National Adoption Day kicks off with 80 adoptions at Miami Children’s Museum, Circuit Court Judges Cohen & Sarduy say really special event
Broward County: Commission taps Keechl as mayor, elected 2006 after taking out Republican Scott, had $1.02 million net worth
Palm Beach County: Former director of housing at NOAH Development Corp. pleads guilty to housing fraud and misuse of funds
Clay County: State Sen. Wise in the spotlight, chair of key committees, had $876,000 net worth through Dec. 2008
Martin County: Local individual and St. Lucie residents convicted of committing series of armed robberies
Monroe County: Health Department continued its health advisory regarding dengue fever in Key West
Miami-Dade Public Schools: Board leadership changes with Member Stinson still chair, but Member Tabares Hantman tapped as vice Chair over Perez
Public Health Trust: Developer Swerdlow making the rounds, health Trust to vote on $48. 5 million three-year nursing services contract Monday
City of Miami: Mayor Regalado calls for two commission district elections after process gets “tainted,” by commissioner elect Suarez
City of Miami Beach: Hail Mayor Bower, Commissioners Libbin, Exposito and Gongora, watchdogs hope they follow the political straight and narrow path
City of Coral Gables: Outdoor restaurant at Gables CC 2-2 tie, Mayor Slesnick and Commissioner Anderson on vote
Community Events: League of Cities to give out free turkeys at multiple sites – MAM Ball Dec. 5 – Children’s Home Society Holiday Toy Drive
Editorials: PAST WDR: Feb. 2005: State of our community’s top public institutions are reviewed by the Watchdog Report — PAST WDR: Dec. 2003: The community needs to stop blaming the press for everything
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 you and your family have a great, safe and reflective Thanksgiving Holiday on Thursday and keep in your mind the many other people that may not be so fortunate to have family and friends around them, but may be in harms way protecting the nation.
>>> 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.
>>> Two checks again 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 newsletter and news service. Thank you.
ARGUS REPORT – Heard, Seen on the Street
>>> U.S. Sen. LeMieux comes to Jackson Memorial Hospital, ground zero when it comes to medically uninsured cost
With the historic U.S. Senate vote Saturday night 60 – 39 to allow discussion of a health reform bill that has been working its way through the Senate but there is much more work to be done, and a future bill finally passed will probable be more centrist in nature. The vote considered another major step in the process now allows the senators to debate the bill and there will be legislative miles to travel before Congress gets to sleep in the months ahead.
>>> PHT gets visit from U. S. Sen. LeMieux and U.S. Rep. Diaz-Balart brothers
Newly minted U.S. Sen. Charles LeMieux, R-Fl, along with U.S. Reps. Lincoln and Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Miami are visiting the Jackson Health System main campus on Tuesday and the senator and congressmen all voted no on new healthcare reform legislation introduced by House and Senate Democrats and they are going to ground zero when it comes the issue of the medically uninsured and its $525 million cost to Jackson. The health trust has been hemorrhaging red ink for years under the onslaught of uninsured patients and the associated medical costs and while there is also a half-cent sales tax on county sales helping mitigate these costs. Since 2000, the revenue from the sales tax that peaked around $191 million a few years back has not kept pace and Jackson closed out the year ending in Sept. with a $48.5 million loss.
What about Sen. LeMieux in the nation’s most exclusive club?
The new junior senator appointed to the office by Gov. Charlie Crist earlier in the year has been trying to settle into the body, which has some of the most arcane legislative procedures and rewards tenure, but he is trying to make an impact while in office. He is an attorney and was a former chief of staff for Crist and since the governor is running for the office in 2010, he is considered a caretaker. However, Crist is finding that his bid for the office is running smack into former Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio, R-Miami, who also is running and the young Cuban American was given no chance originally when he announced his candidacy. Nevertheless, he has gradually come from behind in the polls with conservative Republicans around the state in a closed primary race in August. Crist, while having over $6 million in his campaign war chest, is being savaged by some conservatives for the state accepting federal stimulus money and giving President Barack Obama a hug at a rally last March kicking off the federal stimulus program, that’s overall cost is sending Republicans through the roof when it comes to running up the nation’s exploding debt, that has China holding roughly $1 trillion of the nation’s paper.
Crist used some of this federal funding to shore-up and balance the Florida budget this year but with state revenues still lagging the next budget round that starts in July. It will be crunch time with billions of dollars less coming into state coffers. However, Crist’s voter appeal is solid with independent voters but the 19 percent of the state’s voters don’t get to weigh in during the primary and while the governor is trying to distance himself from the Obama administration and it’s spending, it continues to be a drag on his campaign within his own party.
What about the Democrats senate champion?
On the Democratic Party side U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek, D-Miami (net worth $62,000 in 2002) is likely facing former Miami Mayor and County Commissioner Maurice Ferre and former North Miami Mayor Kevin Burns in their party’s primary in August and Meek has a significant fundraising advantage over the challengers.
>>> PHT press release: Please be advised that Senator LeMieux and Congressmen Lincoln Diaz- Balart and Mario Diaz-Balart are scheduled to participate in a tour of the Ryder Trauma Center and host a brief press event (to immediately follow the tour) on Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at 8:30 a.m. The tour will begin and end in the West Wing Board Room, followed by the press event.
>>> White House press release: Statement by the President on the Release of the Annual Household Food Security Report
“As American families prepare to gather for Thanksgiving, we received an unsettling report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture that found that hunger rose significantly last year. This trend was already painfully clear in many communities across our nation, where food stamp applications are surging and food pantry shelves are emptying. It is particularly troubling that there were more than 500,000 families in which a child experienced hunger multiple times over the course of the year. Our children’s ability to grow, learn, and meet their full potential – and therefore our future competitiveness as a nation – depends on regular access to healthy meals.
My Administration is committed to reversing the trend of rising hunger. The first task is to restore job growth, which will help relieve the economic pressures that make it difficult for parents to put a square meal on the table each day. But we are also taking targeted steps to prevent Americans from experiencing hunger. Earlier this year, we extended help to those hit hardest by this economic downturn by boosting SNAP benefits. And Secretary Vilsack is working hard to make sure eligible families are able to access those benefits as well as the School Lunch and Breakfast Program. In addition, a bill I signed into law last month invests $85 million in new strategies to prevent children from experiencing hunger in the summer. Hunger is a problem that we can solve together, and I look forward to working with Congress to pass a strong child nutrition bill that will help children get the healthy meals they need to grow and succeed – and help keep America competitive in the decades to come.” >>> View the full USDA Household Food Security report here: www.ers.usda.gov/features/householdfoodsecurity/
>>> Press release: Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, a senior member of the Florida Congressional delegation, voted today, Wednesday, to reauthorize the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) at $1 billion per year from 2010 to 2014.
The legislation requires that all AFG grants be made on a competitive basis to fire departments of a State to protect the health and safety of the public and firefighting personnel throughout the nation; to State fire training academies; to fire prevention and firefighter safety research and development programs and to volunteer, non fire service EMS and rescue organizations. The bill also sets aside 10 % of the funds for AFG grants to be used to make grants to fire departments for fire prevention programs. It also allows for funding to be utilized providing grants to institutes of higher education, a national fire service organization or a national fire safety organization to establish and operate a fire safety research center. Said Ros-Lehtinen, “These grants have been instrumental throughout the nation in protecting the health and safety of the public and firefighting personnel against fire and fire related hazards. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to take up the bill and approve it.”
>>> Press release: Zogby Interactive: Likely Voters Split on Obama Administration Transparency Survey finds 38% of likely voters believe Obama administration more transparent than Bush administration, 38% say less
Pledges to increase government transparency were a hallmark of President Barack Obama’s election campaign – but more than a year after his election, likely voters are divided over whether the new administration is more or less transparent than the Bush administration. Thirty-eight percent of likely voters believe the Obama administration is more transparent than the previous administration, but just as many (38%) believe there is less transparency now and 19% believe the level of transparency is about the same, a new Zogby Interactive poll shows.
| Likely
voters |
Republicans | Democrats | Independents | ||
| More transparency in government under the Obama administration than the Bush administration | 38% | 9% | 70% | 29% | |
| Less transparency in government under the Obama administration than the Bush administration | 38% | 72% | 7% | 41% | |
| About the same level of transparency under both administrations | 19% | 19% | 17% | 24% | |
| Not sure | 5% | 1% | 6% | 6% | |
Republicans and Democrats are split down party lines – 70% of Democrats believe the current administration is more transparent, while 72% of Republicans believe there is less transparency now than under the Bush administration. Among self-described political independents, more (41%) believe there is less transparency now, while 29% believe the Obama administration is more transparent. Twenty-four percent of independents believe the level of transparency in government is about the same under both administrations. Please click the link below to view the full news release on our website: http://www.zogby.com/news/ReadNews.cfm?ID=1769
>>> 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 –
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
Predators under Julia Tuttle drops to 37, Miami Mayor Regalado asks Gov. Crist & FDOT for help
The Miami-Dade Homeless Trust is asking staff of Gov. Charlie Crist (net worth $466,000) to assist in the issue of people living under the Julia Tuttle Expressway and the encampment of convicted S…. P… (Editor’s note: I cannot spell out the words without having problems with content filters but the issue has been well documented in the media www.miamiherald.com and nationally) and the number of people residing there has dropped “to around 37,” said Ron Book the chair of the local Trust. Book and new Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado (net worth $5,000) Friday said at the trust’s monthly meeting that in the meeting with Crist people the mayor will ask FDOT to install guardrails along the side of the road and that would stop people driving into the encampment while they are discussing “the bridge issue.” Regalado said Commission Chair Marc Sarnoff whose district has the site is very interested in getting this resolved, with Book predicting by Thanksgiving there would only be “about 30 to 32 people,” and both men, “with FDOT’s help” are working to “have a plan for these last 25 to 30 people left” in the coming weeks. Regalado said he would report back to the board regarding the governor’s office comments, he told trustees.
Regalado, Sarnoff and Book have been trying to get the issue resolved for over a year and complaints by local homeowners come in daily said the mayor and the trust chair. Further, the state actually issues Florida drivers licenses with the causeway address as their location and the city has taken the state to court. The trust with a budget of about $40 million is a national model since its creation in 1993 and the number of homeless on the street dropped from over 8,000 people on the streets back then to currently just over 1,000 but with the mild South Florida weather, the area is a natural draw for people living on the nation’s streets.
>>> State Sen. Dockery throws hat into Republican Gov. race facing AG McCollum
Bill McCollum (net worth $1.2 million) the Florida attorney general has gotten a challenger in state Sen. Paula Dockery, R-Lakeland, (net worth $2.8 million) after she filed papers in her bid to win the nod of the Republican Party in the 2010 race for the governor. And if she prevails over McCollum, she will likely face Alex Sink, (net worth $8.6 million) the state CFO on the Democratic Party side. Dockery notes that she brings a different perspective to the race saying McCollum has lost two past U.S. senate bids in 2000 and 2004 before winning his current office in 2006. He responds that he has better name recognition and has run for statewide office numerous times and that he should get the party’s call.
>>> Florida TaxWatch Releases Analysis of the Importance of Foreign Trade to Florida’s Economic Future
Press release: What do a decline in value of the U.S. dollar and Brazil’s economic growth mean for the future of Florida’s economy? According to analysis by the Center for Competitive Florida at Florida TaxWatch, these factors, and others, are converging to make international trade – and the industries that supply the goods for export – an increasingly important consideration for policymakers concerned with Florida’s economic wellbeing now and in the future. The report, International Trade: A New Pillar of Florida’s Economy?, begins by explaining that “Brazil’s economic future is especially important to Florida because Brazil is Florida’s largest international trade partner.” The analysis considers the positive trajectory of Brazil’s domestic economy, the relative strength of the U.S. dollar compared to Brazil’s currency (the Real), and Florida’s export statistics by country and by item exported to determine that international trade, with Brazil and others. These data emphasize that such trade is a vital part of Florida’s economy and must be a consideration of policymakers. The analysis continues by discussing how further decline in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to foreign currency can boost Florida’s international trade; however, the decline in value can also jeopardize investment in Florida’s industries. Florida industries such as the civilian aircraft industry, which make the goods that Florida exports, are vulnerable to the decline in value. Therefore, policymakers need to consider the importance of ensuring that Florida maintains a healthy climate for domestic and foreign investment, even if the declining value of the U.S. dollar acts as a discouragement for investment in Florida.
The analysis concludes: “In these regards, it is critically important that Florida and the U.S. provide healthy climates for domestic and foreign investment,” because without such investments, vital industries in which Florida is well positioned for continued growth in international trade, such as civilian aircraft, cannot expand. “A lower value for the U.S. dollar may spur U.S. and Florida exports for some time; however, if the expected fall of the dollar ultimately reflects less favorable long-term growth opportunities in the U.S., then investment and export growth will shrink and Florida could then lose another pillar of its economy.” Click here to view the full report or visit www.FloridaTaxWatch.org/research.
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
>>> National Adoption Day kicks off with 80 adoptions at Miami Children’s Museum, Circuit Court Judges Cohen & Sarduy say really special event
National Adoption Day Friday here in Miami-Dade was kicked off with 80 adoptions at an event held at the Miami Children’s Museum in the morning and a host of local judges from the 11th Judicial Circuit’s Juvenile Division did the honors. The Watchdog Report caught up with Circuit Court Judges Jeri Beth Cohen and George Sarduy after the event and they both said it was almost a magical moment given the number of children involved and it has never been done before regarding the number of children adopted at one time in the county. The Watchdog Report gives a Tip of the Hat to the adopting parents and their new young charges.
>>> Press release: Our Kids – National Adoption Day Talking Points >> Some facts about the 80 children being adopted at the Miami Children’s Museum tomorrow: 3 children are from the Miami Heart Gallery, 36 sets of siblings, the Largest sibling group – 4 children. Adoptive Parents: 35 relatives are adopting and at least 12 foster parents are adopting. Foster Care Length of Stay: Average length of stay in foster care: 2 ½ years and the longest length of stay in foster care was 6 ½ years. Age breakdown: the youngest child is 6 months, oldest child is 17.5 years old, 42 children are age 5 or younger, 29 children are between the ages of 6 and 12 and 9 are teenagers. The Racial/Ethnic breakdown was 24 children are Hispanic, 17 children are African American and 7 children are Haitian American. >>> For more information about adopting a child check out www.ourkids.us or www.thechildrenstrust.org.
>>> Community Periodical Program gets $590,000 boost in funding
The county’s Community Periodical Program got an extra $590,000 in its overall fund last week after commissioners approved the new funding that includes another $336,000 already funded in the current year’s budget. The money is coming from the human resources department that had $1 million in it for advertising county jobs, especially needed are corrections officers but some of that money has now been diverted to the papers. The county commissioners want to use the small free newspapers to get the county’s elected leaders message out and commissioners want to keep these small papers funded because these publications target certain ethnic groups and the last thing a elected leader wants is to be beat up in these local periodicals. However, one past commission discussion over the years has been why the county has to run certain ads in The Miami Herald and why a smaller less expensive paper such as The Daily Business Review could not be used instead. County staff clarified that The Business Review was fine in some cases but other government notices, and public notice information must be in the largest daily paper in an area, and that’s The Herald, said budget Director Jennifer Glazer-Moon. She also noted the administration “did not defund the program,” as some commissioners were suggesting, she told the body.
>>> County Atty’s office does not sanction phone-ins for members on county boards, will not count for quorum or vote
Multiple county created board members last week including people on the Domestic Violence Oversight Board, the Public Health Trust, and a state created board, The Children’s Trust of Miami-Dade all inquired why members on these boards couldn’t just call in during meetings, and it is especially an issue with the over 30 member children’s trust board. However, assistant county attorneys at these meetings have all said the same thing. Here in Miami-Dade, any member on a board can listen in and participate by phone concerning the discussion but they cannot be counted for a quorum or vote on matters taken up and voted on. The county attorney’s office made this ruling years ago, based on a opinion from the Florida Attorney General’s office that indicated only “under extraordinary circumstances” could this occur and there is “no clear statutory authority permitting such participation, or creating an exception for extraordinary circumstances,” state’s a PHT assistant county attorney in a Nov. 10 committee meeting minutes. Further, the attorney said another reason for this ban was someone might challenge a matter in court and the county attorney’s office wants to avoid any ambiguity about who attended a meeting and what was the correct vote taken at the meeting.
Any examples of past problem votes?
While the person did attend the meeting, made it a quorum and did vote. PHT trustee Raul Masvidal did not mention at a meeting a few years ago that police had recently charged him, after an incident, and the Fiscal Affairs Committee passed the items at the time, and after that charge was disclosed in public. The health trust trustees had to revisit the action and revote on the items and Masvidal was removed per county code from the board.
>>> PAC II in South Dade Cultural Arts Center, will now be completed Dec. 2010
The South Dade Cultural Arts Center that has been delayed years for a number of reasons, including having to redo the building’s curtain wall system lurches along and in the minutes of an Oct. 28 Cultural Affairs Council meeting. The new completion date is now Dec. 2010 and Michael Spring writes that the relationship between the contractor, The Tower Group and the county has resulted in a “positive and productive working relationship with department staff,” he is quoted in the meeting minutes. The project despite the delays is still on budget, there is $3.2 million in retainage on the project “leaving a $5.6 million balance to complete the project,” states a county document.
>>>M-DC Ethics Commission press release: Community Council member accused of misreporting income
The Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics and Public Trust today found probable cause that Patricia Forbes violated the Conflict of Interest and Code of Ethics Ordinance by failing to report earnings. The South Bay Community Council (#15) member stated on financial disclosure forms that her sole source of income came from her position as a data input specialist for the Miami-Dade County School Board. However, investigators looking into Complaint 09-27 determined that Ms. Forbes received checks totaling $4,200 from the non-profit entity “CIVIC” during 2006 and $2,240 from the same organization in 2007.
Earlier this year, the Ethics Commission found probable cause that Forbes’ husband also failed to disclose income he received from various sources on financial disclosure forms he filed for 2005, 2006 and 2007 as required by law. The complaint (C 09-05), filed by the Independent Advocate against Kentward Forbes, alleges that the Board Member of the Naranja Lakes Community Redevelopment Agency wrote that he had no primary source of income, but state records show he is the registered agent for several incorporated entities, including “Citizens Integrated Voices Inspiring Changes (CIVIC),” “Civic Services” and “Naranja Optimist Club, Inc.,” through which he received several thousand dollars for consulting services and community organizing. He also was paid $26,000 by the First National Bank of South Florida during that period. Today, Mr. Forbes stated his intent to file a motion in preparation for his defense.
>>> A complaint (C 09-32) against the former mayor of Homestead was found NOT legally sufficient and dismissed by the Ethics Commission. A citizen alleged that during her recent campaign, Linda Bell violated Voluntary Fair Campaign Practices by falsely claiming the endorsement of Homestead’s police chief. The Ethics Commission determined that since Ms. Bell did not sign the Voluntary Fair Campaign Practices form, she cannot be bound by it.
>>> The Ethics Commission dismissed complaints (C 09-14) against Anthony Cutler, a former member of the City of Miami Equal Opportunity Advisory Board, and Charles Cutler (C 09-15), a former member of the City of Miami OAB/Overtown Community Oversight Board. The brothers failed to complete the required financial disclosure forms for 2007 that were due July 1, 2008. Investigators have learned that Anthony Cutler is in jail and likely headed for state prison. Additionally, they have expended considerable effort to serve notice to Charles Cutler without success. The Commission ruled that the public interest isn’t met by continuing pursuit of the complaints, but they could be re-filed.
>>> The Commission also dismissed a complaint (C 09-22) filed by a former worker against various employees of the Public Health Trust for violations of the Whistleblower Retaliation Ordinance because it was time-barred. The Commission ruled the complaint could be filed in the name of the labor union or fellow employees who made similar allegations of wrongdoing under the Conflict of Interest Ordinance.
>>> As a follow up to an opinion (RQO 09-39) issued last month about a person’s ability to speak before the County Commission, Miami-Dade Commissioner Carlos Gimenez asked the Ethics Commission to clarify certain terms that may constitute negative comments by a speaker. But because the words “personal,” “slanderous” or “impertinent” are not defined by the Board of County Commission’s Rules of Procedure and cannot be judged in the abstract, Ethics Commissioners declined to clarify the terms without a more specific set of facts.
>>> Ethics Commissioners did determine which County board members are required to file financial disclosure reports. That request (RQO 09-42) came from the Acting Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners, Diane Collins, who noted the different varieties of advisory boards. The opinion states that annual financial disclosure is required by members of all County boards created by ordinance or resolution to advise on specific topics, all quasi-judicial boards, groups staffed by County personnel or funded by the County, semi-autonomous boards created by state law which make recommendations and awards for County programs and all boards that are required to abide by the Conflict of Interest Ordinance.
According to the same opinion, financial disclosure is NOT required by members of the Metropolitan Planning Organization and its subordinate boards, the Children’s Trust, Port of Miami Crane Management, standing nominating committees for various boards, independent entities created by state law (the Industrial Development Authority, Health Facilities Authority and Education Facilities Authority) and task forces or ad hoc committees that exist less than one calendar year. Members of The Miami-Dade Expressway Authority and the Planning Advisory Board do NOT have to file financial disclosure forms with the County, but must file under state law.
>>> The Assistant Director of the Department of Water and Sewer (WASD) asked (RQO 09-43) if a company that is providing engineering services for the North Dade Wastewater Treatment Plant may serve as manager at-risk for construction of a disinfection system at the same facility. Under an existing contract, Brown and Caldwell, Inc., (BCI) has recommended that WASD change the chlorination system and wants its construction division to bid on the work. The Ethics Commission opined that BCI may provide construction management services for a new facility, but not if the company handles design work or writes the bid for the proposed plant.
>>> Miami-Dade’s Procurement Management Department asked the Ethics Commission to amend its Rules of Procedure to allow more flexibility for those making presentations before a selection committee. Currently, rules require that anyone who appears on behalf of an individual or firm must register at least two days before the meeting. The Commission agreed to change the rule to permit registration up to the time of the oral presentation. >>The Ethics Commission was created in 1996 as an independent agency with advisory and quasi-judicial powers. It is composed of five members, serving staggered terms of four years each. Through a program of education and outreach, the Commission seeks to empower the community and bolster public trust.
BROWARD COUNTY
>>> Commission taps Keechl as mayor, elected 2006 after taking out Republican Scott, had $1.02 million net worth
The Broward Commission tapped Ken Keechl, (net worth $1.02 million) as the new county mayor on Tuesday and he is the legislator who knocked off Commissioner Jim Scott in 2006, a former Republican Florida senate president. The new mayor represents commission District 4 and is the first openly gay mayor the county has ever had. Keechl, in this new leadership position should lead the charge for more ethics and transparency in county and municipal government and since he is an attorney. He has the skills to craft with other commissioners strong new lobbying rules that insulate the commission from the siren song of money and since the commission is paid a decent salary, over $92,000. The body should also consider limiting outside income for elected leaders. The commission also elected Commissioner Sue Gunzburger (net worth $1.34 million) as the vice chair and since the posts rotates on a yearly basis she is in line to become the mayor again, a post she has held in the past.
The Watchdog Report could not get up there this week and I don’t know if they all went out to a traditional luncheon with some 35 senior county staffers after the election of the new leadership, like a few years before when I followed them to a tony restaurant. Once there I was told the soiree was a “private affair” but it was held in a glass dining room and I just watched what they were doing with then Mayor Lois Wexler pointing a finger at the port director, appearing to be giving management directions, something that is considered forbidden under state law given the county’s charter. The Watchdog Report has written extensively about this kind of activity, that commissioners say is innocent, but given everything that has occurred in the state’s second largest county. Elected leaders might consider raising their ethics bar and that for one will help insure they don’t fall into the arms of federal prosecutors like some of their associate elected leaders on the dais, the school board and former municipal commissioner did in September.
>>> Press release by Commission vice Mayor Sue Gunzburger, commission district 6
The Broward County Board of County Commissioners passed the 2010 budget and the non-voted countywide millage rate in Broward County remains at 4.8889. The $3.3 billion budget, which includes the budgets for the Broward Sheriff’s Office, the Property Appraiser, the Supervisor of Elections, the Public Defender’s Office, the Broward State Attorney and the Clerk of the Courts decreased by $314 million compared to the 2009 budget. This represents an 8.7% decrease from the current year budget.
Property taxes should remain virtually the same for owners of homestead properties who have been long time residents. Owners of homestead property purchased within the last several years will, on average, pay $264 less than this year and owners of residential property without a homestead exemption are expected to pay, on average, $215 less than in the current year. The County Commission is charged with collecting all property taxes from Broward County residents. If you take a close look at your tax bill, you will see that your property is taxed by a number of other entities, including the municipalities, the Broward County School Board, hospital districts, water districts, etc. These other taxing authorities may have imposed additional taxes on your property and that could impact your tax bill.
I would personally like to thank all of you who called my office and sent postcards, petitions, letters and attended the Public Hearings to “Save our Libraries”. We were able to save our libraries for fiscal 2010, but closing a $109-million dollar gap in the taxpayer funded general fund meant making cuts in services, including closing most Broward County parks two days a week and closing the libraries on Sundays, except the public library at Nova Southeastern University. Modest increases to bus fares went into effect on October 1. 2009. >>> For full details on the 2010 Budget please visit my website at www.broward.org/sue.
>>> Press release: Gov. Crist Names Matthew Straeb of Fort Lauderdale as Governor’s Point of Light for Adoption Awareness Month
Governor Charlie Crist today recognized Matthew Straeb of Fort Lauderdale as this week’s Governor’s Point of Light for Adoption Awareness Month. “Matt’s outstanding and passionate work on a local level has helped shine a spotlight on the importance of adoption in South Florida,” said Governor Charlie Crist. “Matt is a tireless advocate, graciously lending his voice and energy to this very important cause both locally and nationally.” In September 2006, Matthew founded the Heart Gallery of Broward in response to the need he observed in his community for this service. During its short tenure, Heart Gallery of Broward has achieved an above-average success rate of 40 percent, having already helped place 48 children in loving, permanent homes. Recognizing the benefits a national network of Heart Galleries could have, he helped establish and organize the Heart Gallery of America in August 2008. As president of the national organization, Matt leads this group to share resources and broaden the pool of families seeking to adopt. The Heart Gallery of America, comprised of 100 individual heart galleries, also launched www.heartgalleryofamerica.org, a comprehensive reference tool and informational index for prospective families. >>> 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.
>>> 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.
PALM BEACH COUNTY
>>> Former director of housing at NOAH Development Corp. pleads guilty to housing fraud and misuse of funds
Press release: Jeffrey H. Sloman, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Timothy A Mowery, Special Agent in Charge, Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Office of Inspector General, and Ric L. Bradshaw, Sheriff, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, announced the guilty pleas of defendants George Kinsler III, 56, and Sheneiris Harris, 32, of Pahokee, Florida. Kinsler and Harris pled guilty to conspiracy to commit housing fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371, and making false statements to FEMA, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001. Kinsler also pled guilty to two counts of theft from an organization receiving federal funds, that is, NOAH Development Corporation, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 666. They are scheduled to be sentenced on February 5, 2009 at 2:00 pm before U.S. District Court Judge Kenneth A. Marra.
At sentencing, Kinsler faces up to ten years’ imprisonment on each of the two counts of theft from NOAH Development Corporation. He also faces up to five years’ imprisonment on the conspiracy charge and up to five years’ imprisonment on the false statements charge. Harris faces up to five years’ imprisonment on the conspiracy charge and up to five years’ imprisonment on the false statements charge. Both defendants also face mandatory restitution. According to the charging documents and statements made in court, Kinsler was Director of Residential Housing Services at NOAH Development Corporation. NOAH is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that provided housing, educational, and child development services to low-income residents of the Belle Glades community. To carry out its mission, NOAH is funded by federal, state and private charitable entities. As Director of Residential Housing Services, Kinsler was responsible for the fiscal management, maintenance and administration of NOAH’s housing properties and programs. On or about October 24, 2005, Hurricane Wilma hit Palm Beach County. The Belle Glades area was severely damaged. In response to Hurricane Wilma, NOAH instituted a Hurricane Wilma relief program to provide new rental apartments to low-income persons and families displaced by Hurricane Wilma in Palm Beach County. To fund the project, the Palm Beach County Housing and Finance Authority (PBC-HFA) awarded $1.2 million to NOAH. These funds were to be used to pay rent for individuals and families displaced by Hurricane Wilma for up to one year. As Director of Residential Housing for NOAH, Kinsler was responsible for determining which displaced individuals and families would be placed into the program. Despite the fact that his daughter was not displaced by the hurricane and did not qualify, Kinsler placed her in the program so she could have her rent paid for one year. In addition, despite the fact that his girlfriend was not displaced by the hurricane and did not qualify, Kinsler also placed her in the program so she could have her rent paid for one year. Due to Kinsler’s misuse of his position, from February 2006 to February 2007, NOAH and PBC-HFA paid approximately $16,000 for Kinsler’s daughter and girlfriend to live rent free. In addition, according to charging documents and statements made in court, from March 2007 to March 2009, Kinsler and another girlfriend, Sheneiris Harris, lived together at an address on Jesse Biggs Boulevard in Pahokee, Florida. This residence was owned by Kinsler and subsidized under a hurricane relief rental assistance program.
The program, which is managed by the West Palm Beach Housing Authority and funded by HUD, was implemented to allow low income families who suffered hurricane related damage to receive rental assistance for a period of two years. In March 2007, Harris applied for and received housing assistance for the property that she lived in with Kinsler. Kinsler, as the owner of the Property, submitted documentation to HUD identifying himself as the Landlord. To qualify for this program, Harris and Kinsler were required to notify HUD of all individuals residing in the Property and all income received by those individuals. Harris and Kinsler did not inform the Housing Authority that Kinsler was residing there, and his income was not taken into account in determining the amount of the subsidy. As a result, not only was Kinsler an undisclosed tenant, but, as landlord, he received all of the payments from HUD to subsidize Harris’ rent. According to the charging documents and statements made in court, Kinsler and Harris’ housing fraud scheme resulted in approximately $25,000 in fraudulent government payments. According to charging documents and statements made in court, Kinsler and Harris also made false statements to FEMA after Hurricane Wilma in an effort to get FEMA hurricane relief funds. >> Mr. Sloman commended the investigative efforts of the Subsidized Housing Investigations Initiative, a partnership between the HUD Office of the Inspector General and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. This case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shaniek Maynard and 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 United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
CLAY COUNTY
>>> State Sen. Wise in the spotlight, chair of key committees, had $876,000 net worth through Dec. 2008
State Sen. Steve Wise, R-Jacksonville is in the Watchdog Report spotlight this week and he was first elected to the senate District 5 office in 2001. He is a retired educator with a Ph.D. and works as a consultant on the side. He was also a state representative from 1988 to 2000 and he is termed out in 2012. He is on numerous committees in the body and for more go to >>> Committee Membership, Education Pre-K – 12 Appropriations, Chair, Policy and Steering Committee on Social Responsibility Policy and Steering Committee on Ways and Means, Children, Families, and Elder Affairs , Community Affairs , Education Pre-K – 12 , Regulated Industries Rules, Joint Legislative Auditing Committee >>> For more on Wise go to Senator Stephen R. Wise – Senators :Member Pages : flsenate.gov Senator Stephen R. Wise. Bills Introduced. District Office: 1460 Cassat Avenue, .. Dee Alexander, Carol Chastain and Steven Richardson. Tallahassee Office: …http://www.flsenate.gov/legislators/s5
What do we know about his finances?
Wise through Dec. 2008 had a net worth of $876,000 and he lists $130,000 in household goods. His assets include $92,000 and $33,900 with Mass Mutual, there is $67,200 in an IRA, and stocks account for $60,766., His state retirement fund has $123,000 in it, there is $25,000 in a checking account, his home is valued at $180,000 and a condominium in Orange Park is worth $100,000. The senator’s liabilities are two mortgages owed $27,000 and $45,689 and he owes credit cards $1,500. He lists income of $67,944, and $32,658 from the state; social security kicked in $22,068, and his consulting company had a $10,487 loss for the year.
MARTIN COUNTY
>>> MARTIN COUNTY AND ST. LUCIE COUNTY INDIVIDUALS CONVICTED OF COMMITTING SERIES OF ARMED ROBBERIES
Jeffrey H. Sloman, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Joyce Dawley, Special Agent in Charge, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Edward M. Morley, Chief, Stuart Police Department; William McCollom, Chief, Tequesta Police Department, Frank J. Kitzerow, Chief, Jupiter Police Department, Donald Shinnamon, Chief, Port St. Lucie Police Department, R. Sean Baldwin, Chief, Fort Pierce Police Department, Ken Mascara, Sheriff, St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office, Robert L. Crowder, Sheriff, Martin County Sheriff’s Office, and Hugo Barrera, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, announced that a federal jury convicted defendants Michael Shane Ragland, 21, of Hobe Sound, and Deshawn Keith James, 20, of Ft. Pierce, of Hobbs Act robberies and firearms violations. Sentencing for both defendants is scheduled for March 1, 2010. After an eight-day trial that included approximately 35 government witnesses and more than 150 pieces of evidence, the jury found Michael Ragland guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit interference with commerce (robbery) by violence, nine counts of interference with commerce (robbery) by violence, both in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1951(a), one count of carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and seven counts of brandishing a firearm during in relation to a crime of violence, all in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 924(c)(1)(A)(ii) and (C)(I). At sentencing, he faces a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment as to each robbery count, and a mandatory minimum of 182 years’ imprisonment for the firearms violations.
Co-defendant Deshawn James was convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit interference with commerce (robbery) by violence; four counts of interference with commerce (robbery) by violence, all in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1951(a); one count of carrying a firearm during in relation to a crime of violence; and three counts of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, all in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 924(c)(1)(A)(ii) and (C)(I). At sentencing, he also faces a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment as to each robbery count, and a mandatory minimum of 80 years’ imprisonment for the firearms violations. Co-defendants Matthew Joseph Anderson, Aaron Alvin Taylor, Eliza Wesley Ramsdell, and Dewayne Bernard Mitchell Jr., previously entered pleas of guilty and have been sentenced.
The guilty verdicts ended a two-year multi-agency investigation, spearheaded by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the Stuart Police Department (SPD), which resulted in the arrests of six members of an armed robbery group based in the Hobe Sound area. The six members identified were responsible for at least ten (10) armed robberies of convenience stores from Jupiter to Fort Pierce, Florida. The robberies were committed between December 11, 2007 and February 22, 2008. U.S. Currency and cigarettes were the main items stolen from each of the stores. >> Mr. Sloman commended the investigative efforts of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), Stuart Police Department (SPD), Tequesta Police Department (TPD), Jupiter Police Department (JPD), Port Saint Lucie Police Department (PSLPD), Fort Pierce Police Department (FPPD), Saint Lucie County Sheriff’s Office (SLCSO), Martin County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF). In addition, Pennsylvania State Troopers and Quakertown, Pennsylvania Police Officers, were instrumental in this investigation, as they arrested the defendants who were in the process of committing another armed robbery in their state. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rinku Tribuiani and Carmen Lineberger. 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 http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
MONROE COUNTY
>>> The Monroe County Health Department continued its health advisory regarding dengue fever in Key West and launched an educational campaign this week after receiving final results of a recent survey on the extent of dengue infection in Key West.
Results received at the department late Thursday showed that 99 of the 240 Old Town residents who donated blood to the survey – 41 percent – tested positive for the dengue virus or dengue antibodies, indicating that they had contracted the mosquito-borne illness at some point in their lives. Of the 99 residents who tested positive for the virus, eight are thought to have contracted the virus in Old Town Key West at some point within the three months preceding the survey. In addition, a review of local hospital records as part of the survey suggests that some patients admitted as far back as early July may have been experiencing dengue-like symptoms. The survey was launched after three confirmed cases of dengue surfaced in Old Town Key West in August, the first locally acquired cases of the mosquito-borne illness reported in the state in more than 40 years.
The process of notifying survey participants is underway.
Researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Florida Department of Health conducted the survey with help from the Monroe County Health Department and the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District from September 23 to 27. “The results are significant in that they indicate the virus is present in Key West,” Monroe County Health Department Administrator Bob Eadie said. “To protect themselves and their families, individuals need to take responsibility for preventing exposure to this disease. It’s about taking preventive measures without rearranging your daily routine. Many cities in the world suffer from a great deal more exposure to the disease than Key West and yet continue to function normally.” In addition to the final survey results, the department confirmed that several more individuals had contracted dengue locally – including one in the Stock Island community of Key Haven – in the two months since the survey was conducted. Test results on three additional individuals are pending.
Anyone who reported dengue-like symptoms during and after the survey has fully recovered.
“It’s here, so we need to be extra vigilant with our mosquito control efforts,” Eadie said. “More importantly, it’s about people taking preventive measures themselves. Recommended steps are using insect repellent and installing screens.” The department is mounting an educational campaign on dengue with emphasis on the importance of individuals avoiding contact with and eliminating potential breeding grounds for mosquitoes. The Florida Keys Mosquito Control District has expanded its control measures to include increased aerial and ground spraying and environmental surveys, as well as working with residents and businesses to locate and dump containers on their properties that hold water where mosquitoes can breed. Dengue is a viral disease transmitted by Aedes aegypti, a species of mosquito common to the southeastern United States and the tropics. Dengue is not spread from person to person; however, if a mosquito bites a recently infected person, the mosquito can acquire and spread the virus. More than 100 million people contract dengue annually worldwide. Some experience symptoms, while others do not. Symptoms include high fever, headache, pain behind the eyes, joint, bone, and muscle pain, minor bleeding such as nose or gum bleeding, easy bruising and sometimes rash. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek care from a medical provider. “Currently, the main focus is on controlling the mosquito population and dumping containers that collect water where mosquitoes can reproduce,” Eadie said. “In light of the recurring rains that we’ve been having in Key West lately, the health department and Mosquito Control are relying on everyone in the community to make a habit of emptying birdbaths, buckets, ashtrays, boats, tarps, gutters, tires and anything else on their property that collects water.”
MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
>>> Board leadership changes with Member Stinson still chair, but Member Tabares Hantman tapped as vice Chair over Perez
The school board held its organization meeting Wednesday and the board after a year of Dr. Solomon Stinson’s (net worth $1.09 million) as chair and Dr. Marta Perez (net worth $2.4 million) as vice chair, the body made an adjustment. Perez was voted out and she was replaced by board member Perla Tabares Hantman (net worth $8.4 million in 07) as the number two. All three board members have been on the board since 1996 and Tabares Hantman is also vice chair of the Miami-Dade Metropolitan Planning Organization. Over the years, getting picked to the top two spots was not always easy, and in the late 1990s the board voted over 100 times trying to pick new leadership for the coming year, and to say things have settled down since some of the past tumultuous meetings over the past decade is an understatement.
>>> Press release: MIAMI – Dr. Solomon C. Stinson, School Board Member, has been reelected today for the fifth time to chair the Miami-Dade County School Board for the 2009-2010 school year. Dr. Stinson was elected to the School Board in 1996 to represent the schools in District 2. He previously served as chair in 1996, 1997, 1998 and 2008. School Board Member Perla Tabares Hantman, was elected as Vice Chair for the third time. Ms. Hantman, who represents District 4, was elected to the School Board in 1996. She was the first Hispanic woman to serve as chair and was elected for three consecutive terms in 1999, 2000 and 2001. Ms. Hantman also previously served as Vice Chair in 2005 and 2007.
PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST
>>> Developer Swerdlow making the rounds, health Trust to vote on $48. 5 million three-year nursing services contract Monday
Trustees at Monday’s PHT board meeting will be voting on a $16.1 million yearly contract with six contracted Nursing Agency Services to supply nurses to the institution and 31 vendors responded to the competitive request for proposals, with six being current vendors of the health trust. The total cost of the contract during its three-year life comes in at $48.5 million states trust documents.
>>> Developer Swerdlow in the spotlight given project at PHT
Michael Swerdlow, a south Florida developer was being shepherded around county hall Thursday by former county employee Guillermo Olmedillo (and registered county lobbyist Oct. 28 for the developer) and he had a meeting with county Commissioner Katy Sorenson in her downtown office. Swerdlow was later spotted Friday in the morning with PHT board Chair John Copeland, III at a local Grove restaurant and the health trust is seeking to collaborate with the man on a new building that will also consolidate some of trust offices scattered around Miami, including the finance department located in the DuPont Building on Flagler Street downtown. Copeland along with PHT government liaison Maggie Perez also stopped into county Commission Sally Heyman’s office Thursday around 11:00 a.m. Heyman months ago called for salary cuts for senior management at the trust and new president Eneida O. Roldan, M.D., complied bringing down salaries for the top administrators. Roldan, has gotten some decent press since taking over and recently John Dorschner, a veteran award winning Miami Herald reporter www.miamiherald.com did a major profile on her last week.
Swerdlow told the Watchdog Report Thursday, the trust had about 160,000 square feet rented outside the main campus and the intent was to house these employees at a new central site on the main campus. The project has been actively monitored by the county’s inspector general’s office and one of the developers past projects was the Biscayne Landing condominium development built of the old Muni Sport Super Fund site, but filling the condominiums has been slow going. For more on the developer go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Swerdlow
What about the $46.8 million loss last budget year?
The trust closing out the budget year that ended Sept. 30 with a $46.8 million loss is being watched very carefully by county financial analysts because the PHT is a creation of the county commission and any deficit could possible impact the county’s own general fund that is under the financial gun to the tune of $444 million in reductions this year alone. The county has already cut around $800 million over the past few years and with union negotiations of the four big ones moving slowly. The county is incurring a $4 million a week hit on the general fund budget in salaries, that have yet to be adjusted by 5 percent, as Mayor Carlos Alvarez has suggested, and ultimately the delay in these concessions, will make the administration’s response more draconian in the coming months since the only way to make-up for this hemorrhaging is by cutting services and personnel.
>>>Please be advised that a PHT Board Workshop on County OIG/Ethics Processes, including PHT Compliance Training is scheduled for Monday, November 23, 2009 (the day of the televised PHT Board meeting) from 12:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. in the West Wing Board Room. >>> 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).
CITY OF MIAMI
>>> Mayor Regalado calls for two commission elections after process gets “tainted,” by commissioner elect Suarez
Mayor Tomas Regalado Friday afternoon said any chance of a commission appointment of a person to resigned Commissioner Angel Gonzalez’s District 1 commission seat was “tainted” after Commissioner elect Francis Suarez’s comments last week on media outlets. Regalado said city attorney Julie O. Bru recommended that Suarez stop making the comments, since he is a county certified elected leader, but has yet to be sworn-in. However, the Watchdog Report contacted an ethics maven and he said the state’s Attorney General had ruled on this issue and may have ruled a certified candidate for elected office did fall under the Florida sunshine laws, even before being officially sworn-in. This is only important because on air he indicated he had talked with other commissioners about a possible replacement for Gonzalez’s vacant seat that will now trigger two commission district elections. The earliest an election can be held is Jan. 12 and the candidate-qualifying period would have to be Nov. 30 to Dec. 4, which by city charter has to be 38 days prior to the election. Further, there will be no early voting because the county needs around 50 days of notification and each commission seat election is expected to cost between $150,000 to $175,000 said one reliable source. Currently on the city clerk’s web page, the only candidates for office are Richard Tapia running for the District 1 commission seat in 2011 and Andres Carlos Vallina has filed for District 4 in the same year.
>>> What about the outside Homeless feeding program?
Mayor Tomas Regalado after the Homeless Trust meeting told the Watchdog Report in an exclusive interview that an indoor feeding program for the homeless, established around 2005 as a compromise to a possible city ordinance banning the activity and making people who fed these people subject to arrest is breaking down in its effectiveness. The city had consolidated the 60 or so churches and organizations that were feeding people on the street to five indoor sites but now there are others popping-up, even though the current program has feed almost 1 million meals since then. However, the mayor said Paul Ahr, Ph.D., the director of Camillus House was concerned about the policy deviation, contacted the mayor and they are working to bring an end of this wayward activity that had stacks of empty pizza boxes littering the streets recently. Homeless advocates note feeding people on the street creates multiple problems, including sanitary issues and doing it indoors where there are rest rooms and protection from the rain is the way to go they say.
>>> What about the question of lobbyist in the mayor’s office?
Regalado last week on www.wpbs.org Issues hosted by Helen Ferre said there is going to be sign outside his office that states. “If you are a lobbyist you have to register with the city clerk’s office to enter this office,” he said on the show over the weekend. >>> This Week on Issues – 11/20 & 11/22, >>> Interview with City of Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado. City of Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado was sworn in last week and promised to bring big change to City Hall. But big change came to him, with the recent corruption charges against two City Commissioners. We discuss this and what Mayor Regalado envisions for the future of the city. http://channel2.typepad.com/issues/
>>> 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/
>>> City of Miami Commission to Hold Special Meeting Regarding Commission Vacancies —Chairman Marc Sarnoff Calls for the Meeting Following Recent Events at City Hall
City of Miami Commission Chairman Marc Sarnoff, pursuant to Section 2-33 (1) of the Code of the City of Miami is calling a special meeting of the Commission on Wednesday, November 25th at 1PM at Miami City Hall located at 3500 Pan American Drive. The purpose of the meeting is to address the filling of a vacancy on the City Commission and to discuss the schedule for future City Commission meetings. No other business shall be conducted outside of that indicated above. For more information please contact David Karsh at (305) 250-5335 or dkarsh@miamigov.com.
>>> Press release: Francis Suarez to be Sworn In as City of Miami Commissioner for District 4 -Ceremony takes place on November 25th at 6:00 p.m. Francis Suarez, joined by family, friends and supporters will be sworn in as City of Miami Commissioner for District 4 on Wednesday, November 25, 2009, at 6:00 p.m. at Miami City Hall, Commission Chambers, 3500 Pan American Drive, Coconut Grove. The community is invited to join in the celebration. WHAT: Francis Suarez Swearing In Ceremony as City of Miami Commissioner for District 4 – WHEN: November 25, 2009, 6:00 p.m., Where: Miami City Hall, Commission Chambers 3500 Pan American Drive, Miami.
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
>>> Hail Mayor Bower, Commissioners Libbin, Exposito and Gongora, watchdogs hope they follow the political straight and narrow path
Elected leaders gathered in city Hall Wednesday for the 11:00 a.m. swearing in of Mayor Mattie Herrera Bower to a second term in the commission chambers, as well as Commissioner Jerry Libbin, also re-elected and two new commissioners Jorge Exposito and Michael Gongora are now on the dais. Exposito won his Group II race against Maria Mayer garnering 53.8 percent of the vote over her, and Gongora bested Gabrielle Redfern when he got 59.8 percent of the vote for the Group III commission seat. Gongora had been on the commission for a year but lost his bid to retain the seat in 2007.
Anything happening on the Beach?
The mayor and commissioners should keep in mind why they ran for office for there is a variety of public watchdogs out there keeping an eye on what is going on in public and out of the public eye and any new elected officials who stick to the straight and narrow will have a successful political future and retire in the future with dignity.
>>> Miami Commissioner Sarnoff fires shot across bow of Beach convention center expansion
Miami Commissioner Marc Sarnoff is taking a shot across the bow of Miami Beach’s Convention Center supporters and he was quoted last week in Miami Today www.miamitodaynews.com considering the feasibility of a major Convention Center somewhere in Miami’s inner core. Sarnoff repeated these comments at The Downtown Bay Forum Wednesday at a luncheon event discussing downtown Miami. I was moderating the event along with two representatives with the Downtown Development Authority. He told the crowd he was warned not to try to do this suggesting a “mafia” group of people would retaliate against him politically if he kept pushing the issue. Readers should stay tuned and see how this whole affair plays out in the future that has passions running high.
CITY OF CORAL GABLES
>>> Outdoor restaurant at Gables CC 2-2 tie, Mayor Slesnick and Commissioner Anderson on vote
The Watchdog Report’s e-mails fired-up last week concerning a commission vote to have an outdoor restaurant at the Coral Gables Country Club and I contacted Mayor Donald Slesnick,II and commissioners about what the commission decided at Tuesday’s commission meeting on Friday. The mayor responded, “We “pushed” it to the next meeting on a 2 – 2 tie vote. December will be the final vote. Another tie and the application for dining on the North Greenway front lawn will die, or a majority will vote it up or down,” he wrote. Commissioner Maria Anderson on the other side of the issue wrote, “Stalemate, 2 for the outdoor dining [Anderson, Withers] and 2 against [Slesnick, Kerdyk], with Cabrera recusing himself. Lots of citizen participation. Comes back for a Dec. 15 vote, which if it ties again, will be a failed motion. What a shame that would be… [Check out www.gableshomepage.com for citizen comment].” The commissioner said the plan was for “a small café [32 seats] with a paninis, gelatos, cafes, etc., beer and wine on the corner of Granada and North Greenway,” she wrote.
>>> Further, Slesnick sent a statement from his office on the matter and his take on it and here is that in its entirety. >>> “Subject: RE: Country Club of Coral Gables
Thank you for your input on the application for a zoning change requested by the new tenant under a lease with the City to operate the building known as “The Country Club of Coral Gables”. While zoning applications are considered quasi-judicial and, I have been advised by the city attorney that all communications should be held on the record so to prevent any allegations of undue prejudice, I have always responded in detail to all e-mails from my fellow citizens, regardless of the nature of the issue before the city commission. Furthermore, I have always placed those communications in the public record. Notwithstanding my responses to residents, I always maintain an open mind and consider the evidence and testimony presented at the public hearing, without undue consideration to any communication which I may have received. However, I have been advised that I should not offer my opinions on this matter until after the Commission’s final vote. I have, however, cast a consistent ballot on this proposal at three separate hearings. While I will abide by the request not to discuss the matter privately, the following is a factual description of the events thus far.
This application has been heard at public hearing by the city commission three times and is scheduled for final public hearing on December 15, 2009. The public comment portion of the proceedings have concluded and the city commission will be discussing the final aspects of the remaining issue for consideration, which is a request for approval for outdoor seating on what is now the North Greenway Drive front lawn of this historic property. The city commission has already considered and approved an amended site plan providing for landscaping, porte a cochere, additional exterior architectural features, valet operations and employee parking, to name a few. After review of the evidence submitted and consideration of the testimony, I voted with the majority on these issues. However, as to the final and remaining issue, I have been and continue to be concerned about the potential impacts of outdoor seating in residential areas. I have maintained an open mind and am prepared to listen to the pros and cons of this request at the final public hearing, as we discuss the matter amongst the city commissioners. As I have previously stated on the record, this is not a debate over the pros and cons of “outside dining” – there are outside dining areas at the club site, which are approved and allowed within the current zoning – this is a site-specific issue. As I have already stated on the record, the larger issue is whether the Commission should amend the zoning code to allow a commercial use in front of a building next to a sidewalk within a residential neighborhood. There may be future implications for other neighborhoods. To better understand the issue you may watch the taped broadcasts on Channel 77 or you may request DVD’s of the meetings from Gables TV. I look forward to speaking more freely with you upon the final outcome of this matter. Best Regards, Don Slesnick”
COMMUNITY EVENTS
>>> Press release: Miami-Dade County League of Cities President Shirley Gibson announces the League’s 3rd Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Drive to be held on Tuesday, November 24, 2009. The League has partnered with the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians and Wal-Mart to provide 1000 turkeys and bags of non-perishable food items to the needy families of our community. Coupons have been distributed through the Miami-Dade County League of Cities’ board members. Four (4) separate distribution locations have been set up countywide (in the north, south, east & west) where individuals can redeem their coupon. The times and locations are as follows:
Doral: Miami Beach:
9:30am-11:00am 2:00pm- 3:30pm
J.C. Bermudez Park Miami Beach Bandshell
3000 NW 87th Avenue 7250 Collins Avenue
Doral, FL 33172 Miami Beach, FL 33141
South Miami: Miami Gardens:
11:30am- 1:00pm 4:30pm- 6:00pm
Jean Willis Park Brentwood Park
7220 SW 61st Court 19405 N.W. 32nd Avenue
South Miami, FL 33143 Miami Gardens, FL 33056
The Miami Dade County League of Cities wishes to thank all of the sponsors and volunteers that helped make this wonderful charitable event possible.
>>> Press release: Miami Art Museum Ball Celebrates the Completion of Design and Development for the New MAM at Museum Park – MAM Ball -December 5, 2009
Miami Art Museum will hold its annual MAM Ball on Saturday, December 5, 2009 at the Fontainebleau, Miami Beach. This year’s gala celebrates the completion of the design and development of Miami Art Museum’s new 120,000-square-foot home in downtown Miami, scheduled to break ground in 2010. National Foundation for Advancement of the Arts founder Lin Arison will serve as the honorary Ball chair and MAM trustee Solita Mishaan and Steven Mishaan as Ball chairs. Held annually since 1983, the black-tie ball is considered one of the top 10 fundraising events among art museums nationwide. The MAM Ball is Miami Art Museum’s main annual fundraiser. Proceeds from the event sustain the museum’s exhibitions and educational programming. Miami Art Museum has the largest museum-based art education program in Miami-Dade County, and the largest art program outside the school system. During the past school year (2008-2009), the MAM & Schools program increased its audience levels by 30 percent, serving a total of 10,800 participants through the museum’s free program: free buses to visit MAM, free guided museum tours for students and their teachers, free classroom visits, free support materials for teachers at Teacher Workshops, and more. Individual tickets to the MAM Ball start at $750, and tables are $7,500 to $25,000. To purchase tickets or a table, contact Miami Art Museum’s special events department at 305.375.5935 or events@miamiartmuseum.org. >>> Miami Art Museum serves one of the most diverse and fast-growing regions of the country, where a confluence of North and Latin American cultures adds vibrancy and texture to the civic landscape. Miami Art Museum embraces its role as a cultural anchor and touchstone in a city that welcomes countless ethnic and age groups, lifestyles and ideas. Miami Art Museum’s far-ranging vision is expressed in the breadth and depth of its exhibition program, and education and public programs. The Museum continues to build its collection of holdings from the twentieth century through the present, as it embarks on a major new building and expansion project. The new Miami Art Museum at Museum Park, designed by Herzog & de Meuron, is scheduled for completion in 2012. Miami Art Museum is sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Arts Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts; with the support of Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, the Cultural Affairs Council, the Mayor and the Board of County Commissioners. Miami Art Museum is an accessible facility. For sign language interpretation or assistive listening devices please call Miami Art Museum’s education department 305.375.4073 at least five days in advance. Materials in accessible format may be requested. >>> Miami Art Museum is located at 101 West Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33130. Museum hours are: Tuesday through Friday, 10am – 5pm; Saturday through Sunday, Noon – 5pm; and third Thursdays (JAM@MAM), 5-8:30pm. MAM is closed on Mondays. Admission is free for MAM members, children under 12 and students (with valid ID); adults $8; seniors $4; JAM@MAM $10 (non-members), and Second Saturdays are Free for Families. Parking is $5 at 50 NW 2nd Ave. Overflow parking is available at 270 NW 2nd Street. Miami Art Museum is accessible via Metrorail, Metrobus and Metromover through Government Center Station. For more information about Miami Art Museum, please call 305.375.3000 or visit miamiartmuseum.org. Media Contact: Tracy Belcher/ 305.375.1705/ TBelcher@miamiartmuseum.org
>>> Dear CHS Friends and Supporters: It is that time of the year again when we gather with family and friends to celebrate the holidays. This year, while shopping for your loved ones, why not add a child in need to your list? The Children’s Home Society of Florida is conducting the Holiday Toy Drive for 2009 and your contribution—big or small—can help fulfill a child’s holiday dream. We welcome participation from all of your company employees, colleagues and friends. And we can provide you with wish lists. We have also updated our web site so you can see the lists of toys that kids love right now by age group—to help you select toys that will truly bring a smile to a child’s face. Here is a link to the web site with that information and more. http://www.chsfl.org/Locations/Southeastern/Holiday-Toy-Drive-2009
Our Holiday Toy Drive 2009 is also on Facebook. Join now for the most up-to-date information about our drive. http://www.facebook.com/#/event.php?eid=166368148228&ref=ts Without your help and assistance from so many others like you, the Children’s Home Society of Florida would not be able to ensure that more than 2,000 children we serve receive toys this holiday season.
EDITORIALS
>>> PAST WDR: Feb. 2005: State of our community’s top public institutions are reviewed by the Watchdog Report
The Watchdog Report after eight years of watching our public institutions thought it would be fun to look at the state of our major public institutions and how our leaders are addressing the problems these organizations face in the coming years. For the moment, the Miami-Dade Public Schools is the clear winner of the best partial turn around though years remain before the nation’s fourth largest school district fully rights itself and catches up with the surging student population that comes with the county’s extensive development. It got a break from the state this week when money for school construction was finally released and Superintendent Rudy Crew, school board members and school staff is going to public town halls to reconnect the district with community parents and it is working.
The City of Miami has made almost a 180 degree turn from the 1990’s when a state financial oversight board had to be established to insure fiscal discipline and financial security for the city’s residents. That board dissolved in late 2001 and with the election of Mayor Manuel Diaz, a new era began that included marketing Miami as the jewel of Florida and the international gateway to the Americas. However, with the massive development that has dozens of construction cranes dotting the landscape at anyone time comes the concern that the infrastructure will not be there to support the already 400,000 people in the city and these 60,000 new condominiums going up, with 8,000 planned for the banks of the Miami River. Further, there is a question of a major real estate bubble since speculators are buying some of the new units and they are not cheap. The city of Miami administration also is battling it out with the unions and any future settlements could have a major impact on the city’s bottom line in the future. Especially since there is, a delay between when a new development is finished and the appropriate tax monies arrive to the city’s coffers.
The two public entities that should be watched closely though are the Public Health Trust and Miami-Dade County. Both of these public institutions are linked and the financial health of each has an affect on the other. The county is facing funding demands from the Performing Arts Center, now costing over $410 million (and actually came in at $472.9 million) and tracking 20 months late from the original opening date as well as massive cost increases at MIA that total over $140 million more than the $360 million budgeted for a new $1.5 billion American Airline North Terminal. Further, another $143 million is needed for past and future transportation maintenance and that funding has yet to be settled.
Also, many of these county funds come from special tourist taxes or landing fees and any disruption in the tourism industry will have a profound impact on the county’s ability to continue paying for these obligations and county commissioners, the mayor and administration have to be very careful that obligations taken on today, will not suck dry general funds in the future impacting many critical social services and housing. Further, while the county continues to spin off new communities the number of employees at the county continues to grow. It is for that reason that the Watchdog Report calls for a one-year hiring freeze within the county for through attrition greater efficiencies will be achieved though county employees would have to work harder.
Finally, we have the PHT, an institution that has had a near death institutional experience last year punctuated by a $90 million hit as reported in the Watchdog Report this week that provides critical medical care to our community’s residents. The PHT board and county commissioners delayed in replacing community icon and former trust President Ira Clark and that was almost a fatal institutional error after three prior years of losses. The new administration under President & CEO Marvin O’Quinn through a massive restructuring and cost savings is trying to get the organization under control but he is finding endless problems under every rock turned over. However, the 10,500 employees at the health trust are slowly coming around to the new president and more employees are telling the Watchdog Report that they are seeing the change in management style and things are getting better.
Thus, the Watchdog Report thinks the school district is moving in the right direction finally, the City of Miami is better than the 1990’s but it still needs to be watched and the long-term verdict is still out. The county is stretched thin and is susceptible to any disruption of tourism and the PHT is on life support but with a little management luck, this public hospital may make it and continue to be the medical crown jewel of our community.
>>> PAST WDR: Dec. 2003: The community needs to stop blaming the press for everything
With the holidays coming for many in our community, it is time for residents and government leaders to stop blaming the press on everything that happens in the community. The publisher has to listen constantly to officials carping about how wrong reporting is but for example disgraced United Teachers of Dade President Pat Tornillo would never have been exposed if not for some determined press and television reporters. The convicted president even tried to discredit and destroy the people breaking the story and it shows the type pf person he really is. Sure, there are mistakes and hype sometimes in stories reported but in fact the community has too little press in place to do the job right and that is one of the reasons I started the Watchdog Report. I generally am a contrarian in how I cover the news i.e. if there is a lot of press there is very little I can report later and I move on to other meetings and events.
With the coming New Year the community should thank the press for the service they provide for the media is a critical component to Democracy and the framers of the U.S. Constitution understood that critical fact if a Republic form of government was to work properly. Here in Miami-Dade we actually have a need for more press. The Watchdog Report challenges the smaller community newspapers in our community’s mist to be more critical, and do a few in depth investigative stories over the next year because we have $12 billion in government in Miami-Dade and residents are certainly not getting all of the story of their government and public institutions in action and that should be changed.
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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
Daniel A. Ricker
Publisher & Editor
Watchdog Report
Est. 05.05.00
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
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