Watchdog Report Vol.10 No.28 December 13, 2009

CONTENTS

Argus Report: Democrat Ferre tries to ratchet up heat on U.S. Rep. Meek in 2010 U.S. senate race, former Miami mayor had 2.16 million net worth in 2008

Florida: Jury finds Rev. Gaston guilty, could have political ramifications in Miami, presiding Judge Butchko had $779,000 net worth through June

Miami-Dade County: Mayor Alvarez feels blowback from aide’s outside job in Panama; Watchdog Report is badgered on commissioners Holiday Parties

Broward County: School board member Parks in the spotlight, had $1.26 million net-worth through 2008

Palm Beach County: School Board member Benaim in the spotlight, up in 2012, had $6.5 million net-worth through May

Hillsborough County: Gov. Crist: Regarding Hillsborough County School District and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation ($100 million) Grant

St. Lucie County: Gov. Crist today made the following reappointment: Children’s Services Council of St. Lucie County

Duval County: Gov. Crist today announced the following appointment of York to Jacksonville Port Authority

Brevard County: Gov. Crist appoints Jeffrey Mahl of Indialantic to the 18th Judicial Circuit Court.

Leon County: Gov. Crist appoints Leon County Judge James Shelfer of Tallahassee to the Second Judicial Circuit.

Miami-Dade Public Schools: Audit committee gets expanded roll in “evolutionary” budget review process, will be another set of citizens eyes

Public Health Trust: Mayor Alvarez nixes countywide taxing district, tough political haul without his support; fiscal challenges remain

City of Miami: Ethics ordinance passes first reading; Suarez calls for “Oath of Honesty” but will it really change Miami’s culture?

City of Miami Beach: Parking woes on Beach get worse say residents, goes from 40% to 52.6 % in 2009 that have trouble finding spot

City of North Miami: Council goes with Benford as new city manager

City of Coral Gables: County incorporation moratorium put on hold with 3-3 vote, “vote was good result” for people in Miami-Dade, says Slesnick

City of Homestead: New Homestead mayor Bateman faces ethics campaign violation

City of South Miami: Commissioner Newman dodges one ethics complaint, unfortunately, many more complaints to go

Community Events: Children’s Home Society Holiday Toy Drive — King Mango Strut Parade set for Dec. 27, marchers wanted!

Editorial: State ethics commission should look at Miami-Dade ethics advocate as model, commission has issued 1,200 opinions since creation

Letters: Reader on Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club on MB plug

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.)

>>> 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.

>>> 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.

>>> CORRECTION & CLARIFICATION: Nine candidates qualified for Miami Commission District 1 and, Mariano Cruz’s name was not listed yet on the city’s election web page when I checked. Further, because of the city’s charter, there will be no runoff Jan. 12, for either District 1 or District 5 where there are also nine candidates and the top vote getter takes all. To see the list of candidates that qualified go to http://www.miamigov.com/City_Clerk/Pages/Elections/candidates.asp

ARGUS REPORT – Heard, Seen on the Street

>>> Democrat Ferre tries to ratchet up heat on U.S. Rep. Meek in 2010 U.S. senate race, former Miami mayor had 2.16 million net worth in 2008

The U.S. Senate race in 2010 continues to ratchet-up with Democratic Party challenger Maurice Ferre sending out e-mails to the media and others criticizing his main rival for the party’s nod. U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek, D-Miami (net worth $62,000 in 2002) and his stance on Afghanistan and the congressman’s backing of the President Barack Obama plan to increase troop levels in the country, that has the more liberal party base up in arms, because the president during the election indicated he would be winding down the war, not prolonging it that now includes this surge of new forces. Ferre, 74, jumped into the senate race because he believed he was a realistic alternative over Meek who has served in Congress since 2003, after serving in the Florida senate. Ferre, a former Miami Mayor and Miami-Dade county commissioner, and state representative has been in many races over the years but the trend over the last decade has not been good. In 1996, he ran for county mayor and lost, in 2001, he ran a failed bid for Miami mayor losing to Manuel Diaz in the runoff and in 2004. He again missed the runoff cut that produced county Mayor Carlos Alvarez (net worth $1.6 million). Ferre believes that in central and north Florida he will have voter appeal as well as in South Florida but that remains to be seen. Ferre a former visiting professor at Princeton University at first said he would not accept campaign money from companies that do business with the Miami-Dade Expressway Authority since he is a voting member on the body. But last week in the www.maimiherald.com he said he would take contributions from these firms since it is legal and he does need the money if he is to run a statewide campaign.  Meek, has already raised millions over the past months since his announcement and since he is on the ways and means committee. He is getting campaign contributions from around the nation as Ferre expects to do.

What do we know about Ferre’s finances?

Ferre through Dec. 2008 had a net worth of $2.16 million and he lists $200,000 in household goods. He has $255,000 in cash, there is $1.82 million in property, there is $477,000 in investments, including stocks, and there is $39,525 in fixed assets. His listed liabilities are $493,000 with Greenpoint mortgage and $137,000 is owed on assets that have increased over the fair market value and its initial cost. Income for the year for the former mayor was $15,758 from Regions Bank, Air 2, LLC kicked in $17,070, a Committee on Critical Challenges, Inc. paid him $50,000, social security contributed $8,993 and the city of Miami retirement fund gave him $3,917 for the year. Other property listed are a 1999 Mercedes Benz valued at $13,300, a 2001 BMW is worth $11,225 and a boat comes in at $39,525 states his Florida Form 6 financial disclosure form. Editor’s note: Ferre appeared Sunday on Michael Putney’s This Week In South Florida go to Michael Putney – Station News Story – WPLG Miami Michael Putney came to Local 10 in 1989 to become senior political reporter and host of “This Week In South Florida with Michael Putney. …http://www.justnews.com/station/269244/detail.html

>>> Veteran Miami Herald investigative journalist Dolan saying sayonara; also covered Iraq for McClatchy papers

Jack Dolan, the veteran award winning investigative reporter for The Miami Herald is saying sayonara to Miami. He is heading out to the Golden State of California to join the Los Angeles Times as the capital bureau head and he will be missed. Dolan got one of the few job offers in the industry over the years and he has a calm but determined reporting manner. He has done some great work over the years for the daily paper and there are many at county hall that will be glad to see him, and his keen news eye go. He and Matthew Haggman have recently been giving some members on the Miami-Dade Commission heartburn and the mayor’s office is not happy either. At a recent Miami-Dade ethics commission daylong conference, Dolan on a panel when asked if stories about how public money is spent was news, even though it might not be illegal. He said emphatically, “H… yes!” and that is the kind of man he is and his hard nosed, relentless reviewing of public data will be missed. I wish him and his family well; the Watchdog Report gives Dolan, a Tip of the Hat, for his stories not only were talked about after these ran but also changed the community and political discussion in the process.

>>> 2010 Census most critical activity in coming months, South Florida lost almost $2.6 billion in federal funding over past decade

The Watchdog Report covered a number of public meetings last week regarding the upcoming U.S. 2010 Census and these public entities and other organizations must mobilize like never before, trying to get an accurate count of South Florida. For we as a community were hammered by the undercount in 2000 to this day, and that performance cannot be repeated. Senior Census administrators came to the public schools board meeting Wednesday and for the three states under these administrators charge. They need to hire 100,000 workers and expect to need to interview about 600,000 applications to get the smaller group, and being bilingual is a plus for many of the areas that have to be counted. One word when it came to getting a complete count during the discussions came up; “fear” and all its many forms, from deportation, landlords that don’t know four families are living in one home, to just not wanting to have any contact with government, regardless that it is the U.S. Commerce Department doing the required every decade confidential census that rewards communities with federal dollars, and political clout at the national level. >>>  For more information go to www.2010census.gov and for jobs go to www.2010censusjobs.gov

>>> U.S. Rep. Ros-Lehtinen Press release: I am delighted to send you my best wishes for a Happy Hanukkah.

The last year has been challenging for all who care about the security of the Jewish people and the State of Israel.  Global anti-Semitism has increased.  Israel’s right to defend itself has been relentlessly attacked – particularly at the United Nations, whose anti-Israel, anti-Semitic bias has been reaffirmed through the Human Rights Council, the Durban II conference, and the “Goldstone Report.”  Violent Islamist groups like Hamas and Hezbollah have continued to rearm in preparation for future attacks on Israelis.  And the Iranian regime, the leading sponsor of such groups, has drawn ever closer to possessing nuclear weapons with which it could make good on its threats of a world without America and Israel. At this difficult time, Jewish history – and the story of Hanukkah in particular – gives us reason for hope.  As the al HaNissim prayer notes, the many were delivered into the hands of the few, the wicked into the hands of the righteous.  In the face of persecution, the Jewish people survived and thrived.

The message of that story still rings true today.  Indeed, the very creation and flourishing of a Jewish state – after two millennia of exile – demonstrates that through our hard work, Americans and Israelis can continue to dwell in peace and security, standing together for their common interests and values.  As the Representative of Florida’s 18th Congressional District and as Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, I will continue to defend and support the U.S.-Israel alliance, so that it may thrive for generations to come.  Chag sameach.

>>> Press release: President Barack Obama’s job performance rating has fallen to 48% in a new Zogby Interactive survey, after holding steady at 49% since October. The Zogby Interactive survey of 3,024 likely voters nationwide found 48% approving of Obama’s job performance, 52% disapproving and 1% undecided. The survey was conducted Dec. 8-11, 2009, and carries a margin of error of +/- 1.8 percentage points. The table below shows Obama’s job approval on Zogby Interactive polls since July 24.

Obama Job Performance	Dec. 11	Nov. 6	Oct. 19	Sept. 28	Sept. 17	Sept. 14	Aug. 31	Aug. 21	July 24
Approve	48%	49%	49%	52%	49%	49%	42%	45%	48%
Disapprove	52%	51%	51%	47%	50%	50%	48%	51%	49%
Not sure	1%	<1%	1%	1%	.4%	1%	10%	4%	4%

Please click the link below to view the full news release on our website:
http://www.zogby.com/news/ReadNews.cfm?ID=1782

>>> Thanks to my supporters, the Watchdog Report, celebrated its Tenth Anniversary on May 5^th.

Over the past ten years there have been so many stories and here are just a miniscule few that have been in the past 410 Watchdog Report’s that each has had almost three dozen stories or announcements per week, and that does not include around 100 Watchdog Report EXTRAS over this time. Back in September 2000, then county manager Merrett Stierheim gave the Watchdog Report the gift of a lifetime when I wrote he would be retiring by Feb 1 and he responded with a official county memo to the mayor and commissioners titled Rumor Control blasting my assertion that later became true. Other stories broken were that Miami Police Chief John Timoney was joining Miami in Jan. 2003 and that there was a man in Italy claiming to be a Miami vice Mayor and being wined and dined by Italian officials even though the city does not have such an office. Over the years I have covered almost every significant story regarding Jackson Memorial Hospital, the school board and county and sent a EXTRA from the PAC construction committee in the summer of 2003 noting the arts centers would be 20-months delayed and needed immediately over $60 million in new funding that ultimately came in at $472.9 million.

In addition, I have covered the Miami-Dade ethics commission and the Office of the Inspector General since there inception and over the years have done dozens of stories on people busted by both agencies since then. For me it is difficult to reflect sometimes on past stories because there have been so many and generally once I have done it I move on to the many other news stories that develop every day and spring up like weeds every week. I have tried to be the news contrarian, and if there is major media at an event, I will move on unless I have something significant to add, and given the size of our public institutions, something is always going on somewhere else. We may just not be aware of it.

>>> See what was said about the Watchdog Report in the Miami New Times 2003 — Best of Miami — BEST CITIZEN  — Daniel Ricker –

watchdogreport1@earthlink.net

Three years ago, we said Ricker was our Best Gadfly. Given his dedication and perseverance, this new honor, Best Citizen, is well deserved. Ricker goes to 2500 mind-melting meetings annually, from the Public Health Trust’s purchasing subcommittee to the Efficiency and Competition Commission to the Alliance for Human Services’ nominating council to the school board’s audit committee. Sometimes he’s the only public observer. Object: to be the Public Citizen for all those out there who can’t attend, and to connect and serve as an information bridge among the special-interest-dominated Miami-Dade governmental institutions that seem so problematic and indifferent to the democratic process.

This month his e-mail newsletter, The Watchdog Report, celebrates its fourth anniversary. In a former life Ricker made a handsome living as an international salesman of heart pacemakers. As the hard-working publisher of Watchdog Report, though, he’s struggling financially — this despite the fact that his weekly compendium of meeting summaries, analysis, interviews, and commentary has become essential reading for anyone involved in public affairs. What his written work may lack in polish, it more than makes up for in comprehensiveness. So raise a toast to the man whose official slogan says it all: “A community education resource — I go when you cannot!”

FLORIDA

>>> Jury finds Rev. Gaston guilty, could have political ramifications in Miami, presiding Judge Butchko had $779,000 net worth through June

A jury found a Miami-Dade Pastor guilty last week and it is unknown how the conviction will play out in the future since the judgment has political overtones. Rev. Gaston Smith, the head of the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church was charged with taking $10,000 in public grant funds and using it for himself but there is another person involved in the story. And that is suspended Miami Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones facing her own set of charges by the Miami-Dade state attorney’s office. She says she is innocent, is running for the commission office again with the election Jan. 12 and it is unknown if this conviction will bleed over to her political campaign and her own trial in the coming months. Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Beatrice A. Butchko presided over the proceedings that concluded on Friday.

What do we know about Judge Butchko’s finances?

Butchko through June 20009 had a net worth of $779,000 and she lists $150,000 in household goods. There is $7,900 in cash, an IRA has $19,721, her home is worth $800,000 and her mother owes her $9,000. She lists liabilities with American Express owed $14,468, Sallie Mae is owed $7,000, the Dade Credit Union wants $14,000, an equity line is owed $2,210 and her home mortgage is owed $169,800. Her income for the year was $143,000 as a judge, she got $6,000 from the University of Miami and she reports no gifts. Her yearly financial disclosure appears to be benign.

>>> The Children’s Trust invests conservatively with $100 million in T-bills & other federal paper, safety and liquidity key element

The Finance and Operations Committee of The Children’s Trust of Miami-Dade County reviewed the $100 million in the organizations investment portfolio on Thursday morning and to say the securities are invested conservatively is an understatement. All the securities, while low yield are either U.S. Treasury Bills or government Treasury Notes and all these securities have one thing in common. These monies are invested in a “risk-adverse manner to ensure that safety and liquidity are the primary objectives” rather then “maximizing return on investment,” states the investment report done by RBC Public Fund Services.

>>> Press release: Coley, Gaetz plan legislation to require transparency by public/private organizations using tax dollars

Representative Marti Coley and Senator Don Gaetz today announced their intention to develop legislation that will clarify the extent to which Florida’s Sunshine Laws should be applied to organizations like Florida’s Great Northwest. Earlier this month Coley and Gaetz had separately asked Attorney General Bill McCollum to issue an opinion on whether the economic development group, funded in part by tax dollars, is required to open its meetings and its records to public scrutiny.  There is no definite deadline for the Attorney General to issue what would be a non-binding ruling.

“I believe it is of utmost importance that taxpayers have faith that their tax dollars are being used wisely and that means taxpayers should not be kept in the dark on how their tax dollars are being used,” said Coley (R-Mariana).  Coley is a member of Florida’s Great Northwest board of directors. “Entities like Florida’s Great Northwest are involved in sensitive negotiations with private companies to keep or bring private sector jobs to our area.  We hope that a practical solution can be found to ensure that this essential function isn’t compromised,” Coley and Gaetz explained.  “However, there are many functions of Florida’s Great Northwest and similar groups that can and should be carried out in the sunshine.” “Florida’s Great Northwest is an important and effective tool for strengthening and diversifying the economy of our region,” Gaetz (R-Niceville) said.  “However, it’s my view that a proper balance can be found to provide transparency in the use of public funds and effectiveness in encouraging job development in the private sector.” The two lawmakers intend to seek the advice and involvement of First Amendment advocacy groups as well as experienced business development leaders in crafting legislative language.

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY

>>> Mayor Alvarez feels blowback from aide’s outside job in Panama; Watchdog Report is badgered on commissioners Holiday Parties

The Watchdog Report contacted Mayor Carlos Alvarez’s office last week asking if all the employees in his inner circle had gone through county ethics training. Victoria Mallette, on Thursday said she thought they had since as county employees they should have gone through the program but said she would check but I did not get a response by Sunday’s deadline. During the call, she carped that Alvarez’s chief of staff, Denis Morales was being “pillared” in the media for his outside security-consulting job that took him to Panama a number of times. The Miami Herald www.miamiherald.com first broke the story that showed he had not used vacation time for one of these trips. Alvarez is quoted in the paper saying ‘Quite frankly I was rather disappointed that he used’ “paid leave instead of vacation [time]”. The mayor noted he would ‘never have approved it.’

Mallette said Morales was a hard working longtime county employee and he made a “terrible mistake” in judgment, she thought. The media has jumped on the story and her exasperation over the affair was apparent in the tone of her voice during the call. She also questioned what the difference was between a former county attorney’s teaching a legal course at FIU then what Morales did with his own outside employment. However, Morales is still under the watchful eye of the Miami-Dade Ethics Commission’s Advocate and the Watchdog Report believes this story may not be over for the younger police officer mentored over the years by Alvarez.

Any good news?

Mallette said there had been some progress with the county’s unions, saying solid waste employees were willing to take vacation day concessions, and the administration was still working with the other large labor groups looking for some concessions. The county every week is bleeding about $3.5 million now from the general fund, and this financial hemorrhaging first began Oct. 1, the beginning of the new county budget year.

>>> A story in last week’s Watchdog Report got me some blowback from a county commissioner’s aides concerning Christmas Parties held by commissioners. I was actually just trying to point out given the economic times a little restraint might be called for. However, two aides to Commissioner Jose “Pepe” Diaz (net worth $226,000) had other ideas and both objected to what I had written when I referenced Diaz’s penchant to hold Holiday events. They both said the event was for “elderly” residents and much of the events costs were covered by “sponsors,” and suggested it would cost the county very little in funding.

However, that also raises the question of who and why would someone sponsor an event for a commissioner. Diaz known for his “generous heart” loves to be part of such events for residents, who also happen to be voters, and since he is seeking reelection in 2010. He appears to be keeping these seniors happy in their twilight years. >>> Here is the Diaz press release for the affair: Vice-Chairman Jose “Pepe” Diaz hosts annual holiday luncheon for District 12 seniors : Vice-Chairman Jose “Pepe” Diaz’s much-anticipated annual holiday luncheon for seniors living in District 12 will be on Wednesday, December 9 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Doubletree Hotel, 711 NW 72 Avenue.  The event is always a treat for seniors who particularly enjoy the company of the famous Latin soap opera stars and musicians who come to celebrate with them.

“I love doing this event every year,” said Commissioner Diaz.  “I’m grateful that the stars who come to the party are able to help me bring the seniors in my district so much joy and holiday cheer.” The stars who participate in this event donate their time. Last year, seniors danced with actors Ariel López Padilla, Víctor Cámara, and Elluz Peraza. Sabado Gigante’s Rosina Grosso also attended, as well as singer José Luis Rodríguez (“El Puma”), who regaled guests with a performance. This year, Carlos Calderón will serve as Master of Ceremonies for the festivities. Calderón is known for his work on Univision’s television shows El Gordo y la Flaca and Acceso Máximo, and radio program “El Colmillo.” In addition to lunch and star appearances, seniors will also receive gifts and win prizes.  For more information, contact the district office of Commissioner Diaz at 305-599-1200. WHO: Miami-Dade County Vice-Chairman Jose “Pepe” Diaz, Latin soap opera stars and musicians as surprise guests, WHAT: Annual holiday luncheon for District 12 seniors, WHEN: Wednesday, December 9, 2009 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., WHERE: Doubletree Hotel – East Hall 711 NW 72 Avenue, Miami

>>> Ron Book, the Chair of the Miami-Dade Homeless Trust told a commission committee last week that there are just 35 S… P… under the Julia Tuttle Causeway now and he continues to push FDOT for guard railing to stop people from driving onto the encampment and adding to the numbers that peaked at almost 100 people months ago. The state transportation department had thought the county and city of Miami had wanted a high wall, which is not the case and guardrails, which are much easier and cheaper to install would do nicely say advocates. The city has been dealing with this issue for years now and it has attracted national media attention, that has driver licenses issued by the state listing the underpass location as the people’s residence.

>>> Commissioner Javier Souto wants some form of transcript or summary of county administration talks with banks that are financing county projects. He brought the item up, at a housing committee meeting after hearing an affordable housing project is in trouble and the county may lose $9 million invested in the project, because the prime bank holder will not make any more investment in the uncompleted project and the county has no money to spare.

>>> Press release: Three related complaints (C 09-16, C 09-17 and C 09-18) were dismissed by the Ethics Commission.   Attorneys Juan Mayol, Joseph Goldstein and Richard Perez registered as lobbyists for a developer seeking changes in the Comprehensive Development Master Plan.  During the application process, the property changed hands but the applicants remained the same.   The investigation determined that after the master plan process was completed and before the zoning application was filed, the lobbyists did register on behalf of the new company.

However, a second count in C 09-16 prompted the Ethics Commission to clarify — through a letter of guidance — the listing of lobbyist expenditures that should be reported.   Juan Mayol did file a required expenditure report, but it did not disclose $30,000 paid to South Miami-Dade community activist Kentward Forbes to bring speakers to public meetings to show support for the projects.  It was determined that many local lobbyists have interpreted current law as not requiring a listing of fees paid to community organizers as “lobbying expenditures.”

>>> A man who wants to take part in the City of Miami’s First Time Homebuyer’s Down Payment Assistance Program requested an opinion (RQO 09-44) on whether his mother’s employment as a loan specialist in the agency that oversees that program prevents him from applying.  According to the head of the Department of Community Development, Maria Gomez has no discretionary duties associated with approving or denying loans.  The Ethics Commission opined that as long as Daniel Gomez meets all criteria for the program, the city manager approves his participation, his mother’s employment status is disclosed in all relevant documents and his mother doesn’t participate in the administration of his loan, then Mr. Gomez should be allowed to apply.

>>> In RQO 09-45, a Construction and Renovation Supervisor for the County Parks and Recreation Department asks if he can serve as a qualifier for a local construction company on local road projects.  The Ethics Commission decided that Daniel Crawford may do the outside work as long as he does not participate in any bid or contract for Miami-Dade County.  Crawford also must provide his department with a list of all of the private company’s clients semi-annually and may not use county time or resources on projects related to his outside employment.

>>> Finally, Ethics Commissioners paid tribute to their colleague Erica Wright, who resigned her position to run for the District 5 seat on the Miami City Commission.   Ethics Commission Chair Kerry Rosenthal presented Wright with a plaque, praising her for serving “with honor and distinction.”  As required by the County Charter, the chief judge of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court will appoint a replacement.   The candidate must have served as a U.S. attorney or assistant U.S. attorney, state or assistant state attorney, county or assistant county attorney, or city or assistant city attorney. >>> 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.

>>> Press release: South Florida Workforce: Accelerate South Florida Community Forum

On  Monday, December 14 from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM the South Florida Workforce Investment Board is hosting a Community Forum on the 18th floor of the Stephen P. Clarke Center, 111 NW First Street.  The Forum provides an opportunity for the community to learn about South Florida’s Workforce’s Accelerate South Florida Recovery and Action plan and the employment and training services that are available to all eligible citizens, particularly those impacted by the economic downturn.

Hispanic Coalition Job Fair

WIS International, one of the largest suppliers of Inventory Counting Services worldwide, is looking for an Inventory Manager, Inventory Supervisor and an Inventory Associate.  If you are 18 years or older, bilingual, familiar with computers, you are urged to come on December 15, 2009 from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM to Hispanic Coalition located at 5659 West Flagler Street with your resume.  For more information, please contact Hispanic Coalition at 305-262-0060.

>>> Temporary Workers Needed for 2010 U.S. Census

The Census Bureau is accepting applications for temporary jobs helping with next year’s count of the United States population.  Most assignments will last five to ten weeks, require U.S. citizenship, a driver’s license, use of a vehicle, and a background check.  The ability to speak a second language is a big plus. For more information, please call 866-861-2010 or visit www.2010Censusjobs.gov.

BROWARD COUNTY

>>> School board member Parks in the spotlight, had $1.26 million net worth through 2008

Robert D. “Bob” Parks, Ph.D., is in the spotlight this week and he has been a three-time chair on the school board. He represents District 7 and lives in Pompano Beach and he is a veteran educator. http://www.browardschools.com/schoolboard/members/parks.htm

What about his finances?

Parks through Dec. 2008 had a net worth of $1.26 million and he lists $140,000 in household goods. His home is worth $600,000, there is $388,000 in a retirement fund, there is another $13,338 in the Florida Retirement Fund, and he lists no liabilities. His listed income was $34,256 as a school board member, the state of Florida kicked in $67,352 and TIAA-CREF contributed $25,000, states his financial disclosure form.

>>> Press release: Gov. Crist announced the appointment of David A. Haimes of Plantation to the 17th Judicial Circuit Court.

“David epitomizes the spirit of a dedicated and committed public servant,” Governor Crist said.  “With over 15 years of legal service under his belt, I am confident he has the expertise and insight to serve the people of the 17th Circuit well.” Haimes, 44, has served in the United States Attorney’s Office as an assistant U.S. attorney since 2003.  Previously, he served as an assistant state attorney with the Florida State Attorney’s Office of the 17th Judicial Circuit from 1999 to 2003; as a judicial law clerk for the Honorable William Dimitrouleas from 1998 to 1999; as a trial attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice from 1995 to 1998; and as a judicial law clerk for the Honorable William J. Zloch from 1993 to 1995.  He earned a bachelor’s degree from University of Notre Dame and a law degree from Notre Dame Law School. Haimes will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Robert B. Carney, effective December 31, 2009.

>>> Press release: MIRAMAR MAN PLEADS GUILTY FOR PARTICIPATION IN MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR PONZI SCHEME

Jeffrey H. Sloman, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and John V. Gillies, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), Miami Field Office, announced that defendant Abner Alabre, 33, of Miramar, pled guilty today before U.S. District Court Judge Kenneth L. Ryskamp to one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud in connection with a scheme to defraud more than 600 investors throughout South Florida.  Sentencing will be before U.S. District Judge Kenneth A. Marra, but a date has not yet been scheduled. On November 20, 2009, Brian Taglieri, 39, of Jupiter, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud in connection with the same investment scheme.  Sentencing has not yet been scheduled.  Ronnie Bass, Jr., 37, of Miramar, remains charged with conspiracy to commit securities fraud and money laundering, substantive securities and wire fraud, and money laundering.  Michael Muzio, 45, of Tampa, is also charged in this case with conspiracy to commit money laundering and substantive money laundering for assisting the transfers of proceeds of this scheme.  No trial date has been scheduled. According to the charges and statements made in Court during the plea, from around April 2008 through March 2009, Homepals Investment Club, LLC and its affiliates operated as a Ponzi scheme that promised investors a 90%-100% return in just 90 days.  Although investors were often told that these high returns would be generated through securities trading, the defendants simply used new investors’ money to pay promised returns to existing investors. The defendants raised more than $12 million from investors by selling unsecured notes issued by Homepals Investment Club LLC and Homepals, LLC.  Investors were induced to invest in the scheme by materially false and misleading representations and omissions of material facts.  As a result of this fraudulent scheme, hundreds of investors have lost more than $6 million.  According to the Indictment and in-court statements, the defendants used the Ponzi funds to buy, among other things, interests in a night club, a cigar business operated by Michael Muzio, and to pay for unauthorized personal expenses for the other defendants. >>> Mr. Sloman commended the investigative efforts of the FBI and the cooperative efforts of the Miami Regional Office of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).  In a separate action, the Miami Regional Office of the SEC filed a parallel civil complaint seeking injunctive and other equitable relief.  The criminal case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Dwight O’Quinn.  >>> An Indictment is only an accusation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

>>> 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

>>> School Board member Benaim in the spotlight, up in 2012, had $6.5 million net worth through May

School Board Chair Monroe Benaim, M.D., is in the spotlight this week and he is up for reelection in 2012. The physician represents District 1 on the board of the third largest public school district in the state and he lives in Jupiter. http://www.palmbeachschools.org/Board.htm

What do we know about his finances?

Benaim, through May, 2009 had a net worth of $6.5 million and he has $225,000 in household goods. His listed assets are $17,550 in a bank account, there is $15,312 in an IRA, autos are worth $50,000 and two boats are valued at $100,000 and $12,000. He lists extensive real estate holdings with houses in Miami and Coral Gables. He owes Wachovia $608,000 on an equity fund and the only listed income for the year came from the school district, which paid him $40,932, and there was $500.00 in interest and dividends.

>>> Press release: HEDGE FUND ADVISOR SENTENCED IN $194 MILLION HEDGE FUND COLLAPSE

Jeffrey H. Sloman, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, John V. Gillies, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, and J. Thomas Cardwell, Commissioner, State of Florida’s Office of Financial Regulation, announced that defendant Won Sok Lee, formerly of Singer Island, FL, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kenneth Ryskamp on wire fraud charges for his participation in a massive hedge fund fraud scheme.  Lee was sentenced today to 298 months in prison (60 months on Count 1; 238 months on Count 2), to be followed by 3 years of supervised release.  In addition, he was ordered to pay $78,525,567.34 in restitution. In December 2006, Won Sok Lee, Jung Kim, and Yung Bae Kim were indicted on charges that they orchestrated a massive investment fraud in the operation of various hedge funds under the umbrella of the KL Group, LLC, initially in California and later in Palm Beach County.

According to the Indictment, documents filed with the court, and statements made during the plea hearings, the defendants used quarterly mailings and website postings to misrepresent to investors that the KL Financial Group was a hugely successful family of hedge funds.  In fact, however, the KL funds lost millions of dollars, and, in Ponzi scheme fashion, used new investors’ monies to make payments owed to previous investors.  From 2000 through 2005, KL received approximately $194 million in investor funds. Also charged in the Indictment were three hedge fund advisor companies that were owned and controlled by the individual defendants:  KL Group, LLC,  KL Triangulum Management, LLC, and Shoreland Trading, LLC.  The companies pled guilty in July 2007 to participating in the investment fraud conspiracy.  They were sentenced and were ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $78,525,567.34.  The corporations were placed on probation and a court appointed receiver continues to marshal assets for partial restitution to the defrauded investors.  As well, defendants John Kim and Yung Kim pled guilty to their involvement in the fraud, and were sentenced on July 17, 2008 to 220 months in prison and 75 months in prison, respectively.

Defendant Won Lee remained a fugitive from December 2006 until early 2009.  In 2009, federal authorities located Won Lee in South Korea.  He was extradited to South Florida in April 2009 to face the federal charges pending against him.  Won Lee admitted lying to investors to induce them to invest in the hedge funds and to keep their monies invested or to reinvest in different hedge funds.  The misrepresentations included false statements about the soundness and performance of particular funds.  Victims were told that the funds were profitable, when in fact, none were.  Lee also admitted his complicity in creating counterfeit clearing firm statements that were used to perpetrate and conceal the scheme. In addition, Lee admitted lying to a clearing house about the origin of monies used to buy and sell stocks cleared through Penson, a Texas-based clearing firm.  Lee also admitted to creating fictitious stock trading sheets, which were used to show a one-day profit of $22 million in a stock known as RIMM, the company that manufactures the popular “Blackberry” device.  The RIMM trade, however, never took place, and the fictitious stock trading sheets were used to fool investors concerning the profitable trades being conducted by the KL hedge funds. >>> Mr. Sloman commended the investigative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the State of Florida’s Office of Financial Regulation.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephen Carlton and Edward Nucci. 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.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY

>>> Press release: Gov. Charlie Crist: Regarding Hillsborough County School District and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation ($100 million) Grant

“I commend Superintendent MaryEllen Elia and the Hillsborough County School District for their enthusiasm and commitment to working with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation during the next seven years to improve student academic performance through rewarding high quality teachers both professionally and monetarily. The foundation’s generous grant award of $100 million will greatly enhance the work the district has already done in this area.

“I also want to express my appreciation to the many educators who will continue the district’s successful efforts to encourage and more accurately identify highly effective instruction in our classrooms. As a result of this spirit of cooperation, students are sure to have more opportunities to gain the knowledge and develop the skills needed to compete in an increasingly competitive global marketplace.”

ST. LUCIE COUNTY

>>> Press release: Gov. Crist today announced the following reappointment: Children’s Services Council of St. Lucie County

Queen S. Townsend, 67, of Port St. Lucie, retired educator, reappointed for a term beginning December 11, 2009, and ending November 13, 2013.

DUVAL COUNTY

>>> Press release: Gov. Crist today announced the following appointment of York: Jacksonville Port Authority (Senate Confirmation Required)

Joseph S. York, 41, of Ponte Vedra Beach, vice president of Legislative Affairs with AT&T Telecommunications, succeeding Ricardo Morales Jr., appointed for a term beginning December 11, 2009, and ending September 30, 2013.

BREVARD/SEMINOLE COUNTY

>>> Press release: Gov. Crist today announced the appointment of Jeffrey Mahl of Indialantic to the 18th Judicial Circuit Court.

“Jeffrey has over two decades of legal experience in both the public and private sectors,” Governor Crist said.  “He is not only a dedicated public servant with the necessary breadth of knowledge to serve, but also a veteran litigator with keen intellect.  I am confident he will serve the 18th circuit well.” Mahl, 55, has served in the Office of the Attorney General as a senior assistant attorney since 1996.  Previously, he practiced privately with Graham, Moletteire, Mahl and Tuttle P.A. from 1995 to 1996; with Reinman, Harrell, Silberhorn and Graham P.A. from 1988 to 1995; with Rowlee and Mahl from 1987 to 1988; and as a sole practitioner from 1984 to 1987. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Elmhurst College and a law degree from the Chicago-Kent College of Law at the Illinois Institute of Technology.  Mahl will fill the vacancy created by the elevation of Judge Bruce Jacobus to the Fifth District Court of Appeal.

LEON COUNTY

>>> Press release: Gov. Crist today announced the appointment of Leon County Judge James Shelfer of Tallahassee to the Second Judicial Circuit.

“Judge Shelfer’s extensive experience in the courtroom as a lawyer and a judge will help him rule from the bench with sound legal judgment and fairness,” said Governor Crist. “I am confident the integrity, dedication and knowledge he has demonstrated throughout his 36 years in the courtroom will continue in the Second Judicial Circuit.” A lifelong Florida resident, Judge Shelfer, 60, has served as a Leon County judge since 2001. Previously, he was a partner with Gardner, Shelfer, Duggar, Bist & Weiner beginning in 1978. He was a sole practitioner from 1976 to 1978. Between 1974 to 1976, he practiced with Cotton, Shiver, Gwynn & Daniel. Judge Shelfer earned a bachelor’s degree from Stetson University and graduated from Stetson College of Law. Shelfer will fill the vacancy created by the death of Judge P. Kevin Davey.

MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

>>> Audit committee gets expanded roll in “evolutionary” budget review process, will be another set of eyes

The school board Audit Committee is expanding its oversight role in the future and while continuing to be the community firewall when it comes to district’s audits and watching public monies. The nine-member board will also work with the administration during the budget process for the coming years. The issue came-up after board Member Marta Perez (net worth $2.4 million) among others requested the committee also review how the superintendent drew up his budget. However, the review will not cross into “policy matters,” said Frederick F. Thornburg, Esq. the committee chair. Richard Hines, Ph.D., the district financial guru known as the “magic man” after pulling together the nation’s fourth largest public schools budget said the new role “will have to be evolutionary” and the audit committee will review the budget process in July, said Hines.

>>> Press release: Miami-Dade County School Board Vice Chair Perla Tabares Hantman (net worth $8.4 million) has been designated as the Board’s representative to Miami-Dade County’s Complete Count Committee for the 2010 Census.  Subsequently, Ms. Hantman was appointed as Co-Chair of the County’s Complete Count Committee. Ms. Hantman and other community leaders attended the Complete Count Committee’s first meeting, on November 20, 2009, to discuss Miami-Dade County’s preparations for the United States Census, which will take place in 2010. The Complete Count Committee’s purpose is to educate and motivate residents about the importance of responding to the Census.  Given that Miami-Dade is home to a large foreign-born population, and has been identified as a “hard to count” area, an outreach effort is critical.

The U.S. Constitution requires a national census once every ten years.  U.S. residents, including citizens and non-citizens, must be counted.  Census questionnaires will be delivered or mailed to households in March 2010, and Census workers will visit households that do not return questionnaires. The Census determines the annual distribution of more than $300 billion of government funding for critical community services, including education grants; Head Start programs; food grants; public transportation; road rehabilitation and construction; programs for the elderly; emergency food and shelter; and empowerment zones.  It generates thousands of jobs across the country and impacts our community’s voice in the U.S. Congress.  Community planners and governments rely on census data to determine where there is a need for additional social services and funding. The County aims to create awareness of the Census by spearheading an aggressive public awareness campaign throughout our County.  The campaign will focus on communities where ethnic and disadvantaged groups have had difficulties obtaining adequate information in order to participate in this important process for our community. The school district plays a unique role in ensuring that the Census counts as many of the County’s residents as possible.  Through the District’s communications network, including email, automated telephone calls, flyer distribution, social media and media relations, administrators will be able to inform parents and employees of the importance of the Census and encourage the participation of all of our residents. At its November  17, 2009 meeting , the School Board, following a proposal by Ms. Hantman, voted to support the U.S. Census Bureau Outreach Campaign to promote community-wide participation in the 2010 Census, and  requested that the Superintendent partner with local government entities to assist in these efforts.  www.2010census.gov

PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST

>>> Mayor Alvarez nixes countywide taxing district, tough political haul without his support, fiscal challenges remain

Some PHT trustees got some bad news Thursday during a joint meeting with the county when Mayor Carlos Alvarez said he could not support the creation of a new countywide taxing district www.miamiherald.com to financially fund the struggling health trust. The trust along with the administration has been looking for ways to increase revenue that is not keeping up with the $525 million in charity care the institution gives yearly and the number of medically uninsured given the high unemployment rate is only getting worse.  The Trust currently gets about $175 million in revenue from a countywide half-cent-sales tax but the organization has been looking at other funding vehicles, and a taxing district similar to what is in place in Broward County was one option. Another option would be to increase the sales tax to a full cent, but many public organizations also want that possible tax revenue, including Miami-Dade College.

CITY OF MIAMI

>>> Ethics ordinance passes first reading, Suarez calls for “Oath of Honesty” but will it really change Miami’s culture?

Ethics is in the air at the city of Miami and commissioners on first reading passed an ordinance that would require elected leaders, senior department directors and lobbyists to go through ethics training. The county ethics commission will do the training for the municipal leaders and employees, and the lobbyists will pay to get qualified by FIU. Commissioner Marc Sarnoff (net worth $2.28 million) the body’s chair along with Vice Chair Frank Carollo and Commissioner Francis Suarez all voted for the new legislation after two commissioners left the body recently. One Commissioner Angel Gonzalez (net worth $843,000) resigned after a plea deal with the local state attorney, and another, suspended Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones (net worth $17,436) is awaiting her trial. Spence-Jones says she is innocent and is running again for the commission District 5 seat along with eight other candidates and the winner take all election is on Jan. 12. Further, Robert Meyers, the executive director of the county ethics commission told commissioners during the public hearings that “six high ranking Miami officials” have run awry of the commission and the most frequent excuse is “I did not know,” or “no one told me,” the ethics maven said.

Suarez asked if maybe an “Oath of Honesty” might be one of the answers and the program is expected to be instituted for all employees in the future. The county found it had a similar problem with employees not being aware of what they can and cannot do or accept in the way of gifts or compensation in the late 1990s and everyone went through the ethics program and got completion certificates and the ethics course, now on line, continues to this day. However, when I hear this type of conversation I think about the day Riverside Government Center was a crime scene after the arrest of the bulk of the city’s capital improvement department that ran a private enterprise called The Firm from the facility. The organization was doing projects from Lake Okeechobee to Key West and at the time. A city employee next to me during the press conference that featured state attorney Katherine Fernandez-Rundle speaking said to another employee. “I have seen worse,” he said and that is the real problem facing Miami.

>>> A discussion on the city’s feeding program for the homeless had Sarnoff referring to a plan that the city of Dallas has instituted that had strict food preparation and handling guidelines, that included feeding people indoors, restrooms had to be available, and refrigerated food temperature had to be maintained at 47 degrees. He noted some of the small organizations that have recently started to feed people on their own might be serving food that makes the recipients sick afterwards and that was unacceptable. The city had a compromise plan begun in 2005 that consolidated the activity to a few sites but some start-ups have sprouted up and are causing trouble when it comes to this activity.

>>> Miami commissioners divvy up the board chair empire, Sarnoff gets DDA, Carollo Bayfront Park Trust, and Suarez gets MPO job

The three commissioners divided up some leadership roles on three important Miami organizations. Sarnoff, after some horse-trading with Carollo, the longest serving commissioner was voted to be the new chair of the Downtown Development Authority and Carollo was tapped to chair the Bayfront Park Trust and Suarez will be the city’s appointment on the county Metropolitan Planning Organization. Suarez a bit reluctantly took on the assignment that previously had been Sarnoff’s headache, since many of these meetings coincide with Miami commission meetings. To assuage young Suarez, 32, Mayor Tomas Regalado ( net worth $5,000) said if he wanted to get off the important transportation body after five months or so, the mayor would fill the spot on the large but important regional board.

>>> Ron Book, the chair of the county’s homeless trust after speaking on the downtown Miami homeless feeding issue got an unusual response from Sarnoff. The chair said after Book spoke he always feels like I should be standing around a campfire roasting some marshmallows, he said.

>>> Red light runners in Miami better beware of traffic light cameras after the commission’s discussion last week. Sarnoff noted the city is “number one” in vehicular homicides in the nation and that is an unacceptable condition he said. The oldest member on the commission said a traffic camera study found that “32 murderers” had been caught because of the photo devices, as well as a host of other criminals because they are the ones, many times that are running from the law after committing a crime, he said.

>>> Carollo had his first opportunity to use the commission gavel on Thursday and he said his wife called it the “hammer” and asked if he got to use it. The new commissioner held it up, and gave a rap, before passing it back to Sarnoff.

>>> A City of Miami Commission Meeting will be held December 17, 2009 at 9:00 a.m., at City Hall Commission Chambers, 3500 Pan American Drive, Coconut Grove, Florida.

>>> FORMER ICE AGENT PLEADS GUILTY TO OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE

Jeffrey H. Sloman, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Mark R. Trouville, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Miami Field Division, Gene Morrison, Special Agent in Charge, Department of Justice, Office of the Inspector General, Washington Field Office, and Steven J. Mocsary, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Office of Professional Responsibility in Miami, announced that defendant Richard Padilla Cramer pled guilty today before U.S. District Judge Paul Huck to a Superseding Information charging him with conspiracy to obstruct justice.  Sentencing has been scheduled for February 18, 2010.  Cramer faces a possible maximum statutory sentence of twenty (20) years in prison. According to the Information and statements made in open court during today’s plea, Cramer assisted Mexican drug traffickers and money launderers to obtain confidential information from U.S. law enforcement databases, including the National Criminal Information Center and the criminal information systems of the Drug Enforcement Administration and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).  During the time at issue, Cramer was a Resident Agent in Charge with ICE and was stationed in Guadalajara, Mexico.

According to the one-count felony Information and the facts discussed in court during the guilty plea, in January 2006, a Mexican money launderer who was hiding in Miami wanted to return to Mexico, but needed to determine whether it was safe to do so.  He arranged with criminal associates in Mexico to have his name and the name of his partner run in U.S. law enforcement databases to determine whether there were any arrest warrants or investigations pending, which would interfere with his ability to return to Mexico.  Thereafter, the money launderer was advised by his Mexican associates that they had a U.S. law enforcement contact who could obtain that information for him.  This individual turned out to be Cramer, who arranged to have the two men’s names run through U.S. law enforcement databases.  Printouts of these criminal records checks were provided to the launderer in Miami, who used the information to safely return to Mexico after the records checks revealed no pending warrants or investigations. >> Mr. Sloman commended the investigative efforts of the Special Agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, DOJ’s Office of the Inspector General with the assistance of ICE’s Office of Professional Responsibility, and the City of North Miami Beach Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Getchell. >>> 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.

>>> The following e-mail was sent  to (now former) 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 BEACH

>>> Parking woes on Beach get worse say residents, goes from 40% to 52.6 % in 2009 that have trouble finding spot

The Commission at their monthly meeting Wednesday passed the extension of temporary parking lot permits. Commissioners noted that public parking was scarce enough on the Beach and since tourism is such an important component of the city. This parking shortage has economic impact for not only the city but also businesses and residents living there as well. A survey done by the administration found that 77.2 percent of residents said there was “too little” parking throughout the city, state city agenda documents. “They (customers or employees) are almost never able to find a (parking) place nearby,” said 52.6 percent of respondents and that number carping about the lack of parking is up from 40 percent in 2007.

>>> Press release: Miami Beach Commissioner Jerry Libbin Hosts Forum on Condo Foreclosure Reforms TOWN HALL MEETING -December 14th – 5:00 – 7:00 pm, Loews Hotel, Miami Beach (1601 Collins Avenue)

Miami Beach City Commissioner Jerry Libbin will host a public forum to discuss planned reforms to state law that will protect Florida’s condominium unit owners from unfair assessments levied on them because of the residential real estate meltdown. Commissioner Libbin has been leading a grassroots campaign to reform state condo foreclosure reforms for more than a year. Libbin said his campaign has garnered strong bi-partisan support in Tallahassee and he hopes to pass meaningful reforms during the 2010 Legislative session this spring. Libbin also is organizing trips to Tallahassee next year for condo owners to lobby legislative leaders in person. Details of the trips will be available at the forum. Commissioner Libbin has invited the entire legislative delegations of Miami-Dade and Broward counties, and several South Florida legislators who have filed legislation for the upcoming session are expected to participate. Also participating will be lawyers specializing in condo association law and condo managers. Both will provide updates on novel remedies they are pursuing to mitigate the financial burdens placed on condo associations and unit owners because of the foreclosure crisis.

Loopholes in state law have allowed banks to escape paying their fair share of condo association fees. This has forced tens of thousands of Florida condo unit owners in good standing to pick up the tab. Under current law, banks can indefinitely postpone foreclosing on condo units that stop paying their mortgages and condo association fees. When banks do foreclose, they are only required to reimburse condo associations a small fraction of the delinquent fees owed. Worse, condo associations often have to sue banks to recover even these paltry amounts of delinquent fees. The result is that the remaining condo unit owners are burdened with sky-high assessments to make up the shortfalls, which in turn leads to a further increase in distressed units. “We must finally enact meaningful legislation to stop this vicious cycle and protect our state’s condo owners, tax base and economy,” Libbin said. “We must pull the plug on the free lunch that greedy banks are enjoying at our expense.” >> WHAT: Public forum to discuss planned reforms to state law that will protect Florida’s condominium unit owners from unfair assessments levied on them because of the residential real estate meltdown. WHEN: 5:00-7:00 p.m., Monday, Dec. 14, 2009. WHERE: Loews Miami Beach Hotel. 1601 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, Fla., 33139 (NOTE: Parking is available in a city-owned garage at 16th Street and Collins Avenue).

>>> TUESDAY MORNING BREAKFAST CLUB PRESS RELEASE:  Meeting Date:  Tuesday, December 15th, 2009, Meeting Time:  8:30 AM, Meeting Location:  David’s Café, 1654 Meridian Ave., South Beach

Publisher J. P. Morgan of the popular Miami Beach internet site City Debate.com, and a member of the city’s Parking and Transportation Committee, will be this week’s guest speaker at the December 15th meeting of the Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club.  Mr. Morgan is also the publisher of former Mayor Alex Doud’s popular tell-all book “Sins of South Beach”.  Those attending can expect a wide-ranging discussion of events and issues. >>> There is no charge for attending the Breakfast Club and everyone is welcome. David Kelsey, Moderator for the Breakfast Club. For more information contact David Kelsey.  To be placed on the Breakfast Club’s mailing list, contact Harry Cherry.  Both can be reached at: <TuesdayMorningBreakfastClub@Yahoo.com. To learn more about the Breakfast Club go to our new web site: www.MBTMBC.com (the Miami Beach Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club).

CITY OF NORTH MIAMI

>>> Council goes with Benford as new city manager

Press release: Russell Benford, Chief Administrative Officer for the City of West Park, FL, has been chosen at the City Council meeting on December 8th as the new North Miami City Manager.  A final vote to accept him by acclamation was approved 5-0.  Originally, the vote for Mr. Benford was approved by a 3-2 vote, with Mayor Pierre and Councilpersons Steril and Marcellus in support. Benford will start his new job with North Miami in approximately 30 days.  A contract, including his salary, must still be negotiated. In addition to leading West Park, Benford has also served as the Village Administrator in Hawthorn Woods, Illinois, and a Planner in Plano, Texas. Originally, I went into the evening hoping to elect Anita Taylor as manager, based on her previous track record in North Miami.  But I was certainly impressed with Benford’s vigor and enthusiasm during the interview process and am fully comfortable with his selection.  I have no doubt he will bring fresh ideas and perspectives.  For additional information about the City Manager selection process and other North Miami news, please visit www.scott-galvin.com

CITY OF CORAL GABLES

>>> County incorporation moratorium put on hold with 3-3 vote, “vote was good result” for people in Miami-Dade, says Slesnick

At a county commission committee meeting last week the issue of putting a moratorium on annexation was put on hold with a tie vote by attending commissioners. A number of municipal leaders spoke for allowing the general process to go forward but some county commissioners were concerned about the op-out of the unincorporated areas of the county that has over 1 million residents in it. Mayors from Doral, Medley, Coral Gables and other cities spoke in favor of the process. I contacted Mayor Donald Slesnick, II last week after the meeting and he wrote back to the Watchdog Report.  “The Commission Committee voted 3 to 3 on the proposed ordinance (which would have put a moratorium on all annexations and incorporations).  Thus, the ordinance failed to pass.  At least one of the Commissioners voting “yes” also expressed doubts about the legislation in its current form.  I believe that the vote was a good result for the people of Miami-Dade County, but I would suspect that the issue is not yet finally resolved,” wrote the mayor.

CITY OF HOMESTEAD

>>> New Homestead mayor Bateman faces ethics campaign violation

Press release: The Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics and Public Trust today found probable cause to a complaint (C 09-30) filed against the new mayor of Homestead by the politician he ousted this fall.   Former Mayor Linda Bell charged that Steve Bateman violated the Voluntary Fair Campaign Practices Act by claiming this past fall that he was endorsed by Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez.   Bateman was endorsed by Alvarez when he ran unsuccessfully for office in 2007 and he used a campaign flyer from that race in the recent contest without receiving Alvarez’s endorsement for 2009.   The charge will be set for a public hearing.  The Ethics Commission dismissed three other allegations concerning Mayor Bateman’s campaign.

CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI

>>> Commissioner Newman dodges one ethics complaint, unfortunately, 10 more complaints to go

A finding of NO probable cause was issued in a complaint (C 09-28) against South Miami City Commissioner Valerie Newman, who had been accused of accepting a contribution from a city vendor, which is against city code.  During her recent campaign, she did receive a donation from Ron Stroyne, who sold his company in 2006 to LAZ Parking, a current city vendor.  Part of the contract has LAZ paying Stroyne’s health insurance, but the investigation found that he is not an officer of the company and the contribution was made from him personally, so no violation occurred.

>>> Oct. 2009: Ethics commission press release: Ethics hearing to be set for South Miami City Commissioner >>> A finding of probable cause was issued today by the Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics and Public Trust on ten counts of violating the Code of Conduct in South Miami by City Commissioner Valerie Newman. The complaint (C 09-11), filed by former City Manager W. Ajibola Balogun, cites several instances in which the elected official used threatening and intimidating language during the performance of her public duties, attempted to influence city staff to issue permits, met directly with city employees without going through the manager as required (including attending a police roll call unannounced and discussing department business with officers), demanded special treatment from city employees, disrupted a staffer with personal demands and became involved in administrative functions.  The ruling sets the stage for a public hearing on the ethics violations.

>>> Is it over for Commissioner Newman?

While Commissioner Valerie Newman was exonerated on this complaint, she has other ethics complaints that she still must deal with and the matter is not closed. Newman at the meeting along with supporters who said she was a target and the complaints are political payback still faces these other matters and while the filings might be political. She did enough to warrant 10 other complaints and the municipal commissioner was sobbing during part of the proceedings.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

>>> 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.

>>> The King Mango Strut Parade is back on schedule at it will be held Dec. 27^th with setting up starting around noon for the event held on Commodore Plaza in Coconut Grove. On Tuesday an organizational meeting is being held at Greenstreet Café at 7:00 p.m. and on Wednesday there is a kick-off party and it will include the announcement of who will be the grand marshal for the event founded in 1982.For more information go to www.kingmangostrut.org or call the Mango Hot line at 305-401-1171. Editor’s note: Check out Sunday’s story in www.miamiherald.com

>>> 25th Annual Everglades Coalition Conference to be held in West Palm Beach January 7-10, 2010 Elected Officials, Environmental Groups, and Community Leaders to Discuss The Changing Face of Everglades Restoration

WHAT: The Everglades Coalition will host its 25th Annual Conference at the PGA Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens. Hosted by the Arthur R. Marshall Foundation, the conference will bring together leaders, elected officials, community and environmental activists, and the general public to discuss the Changing Face of Everglades Restoration, and develop solutions for the next ten years of the 2000 landmark law, the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan. Conference sessions focus on the state of Florida’s River of Grass Initiative, climate change, diversity in restoration, national restoration initiatives, and ecosystem services programs, among other topics. WHO: The Everglades Coalition is an alliance of 53 local, state, and national conservation, environmental, and civic organizations dedicated to full restoration of the greater Everglades ecosystem. Its conference is the largest annual forum for Everglades conservation and restoration, bringing together the Coalition’s membership with its local, state, and federal partners. Members of Congress and the Florida state legislature, and other political figures come to the conference to discuss their positions, pledge their support and present challenges to the community.

Conference speakers confirmed to date: Former U.S. Senator and Florida Governor Bob Graham U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Sam Hamilton Assistant Secretary of the Interior Tom Strickland Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink U.S. Congressman Ron Klein Assistant Secretary of the Army Jo-Ellen Darcy –Speakers invited: Florida Governor Charlie Crist, U.S. Senator George LeMieux, FL, U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, FL –WHEN: Conference Dates:  Thursday, January 7– Sunday, January 10, 2010 -*Press Conference:  January 8, 10:15-10:45 a.m. Note:  Press Conference will be preceded from 8:45 – 10:15 a.m. by Plenary Sessions I: 2020 Vision for the Everglades, moderated by John Adornato, National Parks Conservation Association, and will be followed by Plenary Session II: The River of Grass Initiative: An Historic Opportunity for Everyone to Win, moderated by Richard Grosso, Everglades Law Center, from 10:45-12:15 p.m. WHERE: PGA Resort and Spa, 400 Ave of the Champions, Palm Beach Gardens, FL (800) 633-9150 Website: www.pgaresort.com >>> This year’s conference is located near the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, where our fieldtrip will be held on January 10.  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Sam Hamilton will address the Coalition, and guided tours will be available to a remnant of the Cypress forest that once stretched south to Miami-Dade; a butterfly garden; and an 80-acre microcosm of the Everglades where restoration techniques are tested. For more information about the Everglades Coalition and the Conference, or to register online, visit: www.evergladescoalition.org. To have a registration form faxed or mailed to you, contact Pat Carr (954) 942-3113 or patriciacarr@evergladescoalition.org For press credentials, materials, and questions, contact Shannon Andrea at 202-454-3371 or sandrea@npca.org.

EDITORIAL

>>> State ethics commission should look at Miami-Dade ethics Advocate as model, commission has issued 1,200 opinions since creation

With all the arrests of politicians through out Florida over the past years that has Gov. Charlie Crist already suspending 33 politicians after almost three years in office is creating a call for stronger, clearer ethics laws that must include an advocate. The Florida Ethics Commission currently must wait for a complaint to come in before they can swing into action but another model exists in the state and that can be found in Miami-Dade. In 1996, county voters created the Miami-Dade Ethics and Public Trust Commission and in 2001, the body with county commission approval created the advocate office. The Advocate can pursue on their own cases that seem to be questionable from an ethical or conflict of interest standpoint. And while some critics call these ethic entities a toothless watchdog when it comes to enforcement and punishment. People forget they get their powers from the state legislature and county commission locally and any stronger legislation historically is slow going in the political process.

Critics also claim you are either ethical in your behavior, or you are not, and laws will not change their pattern of actions but just as you don’t speed in a expressway because of state troopers nabbing you.  The public and elected leaders over the decades have forced some ethics and conflict of interest legislation to be crafted but clearly more must be done, including increasing the penalties. The Miami-Dade ethics commission has issued 1,200 opinions or investigations since its creation and that is no small number and why state leaders should look at this organization not only as a model, but  the problem the body has in getting strong ethics legislation to put more teeth into the enforcing ordinances that clearly currently is lacking. Further, some people suggest legality is the ultimate test and dismiss any perception or appearance of impropriety and such an attitude would allow, for example, County Mayor Carlos Alvarez’s sisters to be county vendors. If they won a procurement bid since they are not immediate family. A status that is only limited to mother, father and siblings when it comes to a procurement conflict of interest and while I am sure the mayor and his sisters would not do this, it would be legal though there would be a media and public firestorm if something like that occurred at the county or with municipality leaders.

At both the state and local level, the call for greater transparency, openness, and ethical behavior of elected leaders is being called for from Miami-Dade to Broward and Palm Beach Counties and leaders should here this siren song of change. For it is becoming clear the electorate is getting antsy and being an incumbent may no longer be the advantage it once was and with primary elections just over 11 months away. Incumbents at all levels of government should consider embracing new ethics and conflict of interest reforms that currently has resulted in Florida having the highest number of elected leaders suspended by the governor over the decades than any other state. And that is one distinction the Sunshine State should want to shed, it only remains to be seen if the political will is there, and the political fear of inaction trumps leaders’ desire to maintain the status quo.

LETTERS

>>> Thanks for the kind words regarding the Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club.  Your encouragement is appreciated.

David Kelsey, Founder & Moderator.

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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 ReportEst. 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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