Watchdog Report Vol.10 No.19 October 4, 2009
WATCHDOG REPORT
Miami-Dade, Florida
Vol. 10 No. 19 October 4, 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: South Florida must get prepared for 2010 Census, community killed in 2000 during Elian saga, around $240 million in federal money left on the table per year since
Florida: Domestic violence accounts for 129 murders in 08, and 14,408 aggravated assaults
Florida 11th Judicial Circuit: PD Martinez in the spotlight, elected 2008, tough job given fiscal times, had $93,146 net worth through June 2009
Miami-Dade County: Domestic violence claims 14 in 08, already 22 victims in 09, and 8,500 restraining orders issued says local Judge Kelly
Broward County: PA Parrish in the spotlight, elected to the countywide job in 2004, had $647,000 net worth through 2008
Palm Beach County: PD Haughwout in the spotlight, office handles 50,000 cases; her net worth through Dec. 2008 was $1.94 million
Pinellas County: Gov. Crist appoints England and Ghovaee, to Pinellas-Anclote River Basin Board
Monroe County: Peryam, new sheriff in county, elected in Nov. 2008, had $121,000 net worth through July 2009
Miami-Dade Public Schools: Will there be changes on board in 2010, four incumbents up, will all run again?
Public Health Trust: Cash on hand at 25.5 days, each day represents $5 million, but $64 million monthly payroll & UM starts new physician conflict of interest code Jan. 1
City of Miami: Mayoral candidates Regalado and Sanchez, make their case at luncheon, not rowdy affair like earlier one at night
City of Miami Beach: Beach mayoral candidates at Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club forum, one candidate says he was threatened
City of Coral Gables: City Joins Other Fire Departments >>>To Deliver Top Ranked Cardiac Care
Village of Virginia Gardens: Miami Gardens mayor gets $13,150; council members get $4,200 annual salary
City of West Miami: Mayor and council members get $1,200 yearly, up to $600.00 for meeting attendance
Community Events: The Media panel at University of Miami, Pulitzer Prize and Miami Herald editorial columnist Pitts key speaker
Editorials: Will municipal and county worker morale effect services now with fiscal cuts, happened in Miami in mid 1990s —- PAST WDR: Nov. 2003: Commissions & trusts & authorities should be media & public friendly
Letters: Reader on Dr. Mendelsohn fraud case – New reader on Watchdog Report
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.)
>>> If you wish to be deleted, just e-mail me with that message and you are free to e-mail this on to friends.
>>> 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.
ARGUS REPORT – Heard, Seen on the Street
>>> South Florida must get prepared for 2010 Census, community killed in 2000 during Elian saga, around $240 million in federal money yearly left on table
The 2010 Census is fast approaching with less than six-months to go and last week a kickoff meeting was held by Miami Mayor Manuel Diaz, Miami-Dade legislative delegation vice chair, state Rep. Juan Zapata, R-Miami and other community organizations including the media www.miamiherald.com trying to get the word out about how important the Census is that has some people telling illegal aliens and others to not respond to the U.S. Commerce census forms in the months ahead. The Census is required every ten-years by the U.S. Constitution, but kept confidential from other federal agencies, has major ramifications for the nation and south Florida and in 2000, south Florida and Miami-Dade faced a major undercount of local residents.
In the case of Miami-Dade in 2000 the process kicked off April 1 and went through July but the community was dealing with the emotionally charged Elian Gonzalez issue, that had Miami’s ethnic groups split on what should happen with the young boy, who eventually was reunited with his father who came from Cuba and the federal government extracted the child in a late night Saturday raid on the home in Miami, a day before Easter. However, all this national coverage of the child months before and after the raid played into the hands of having a Census undercount, with some people sending their dogs after Census workers trying to get a count and while these peoples official identification said they were from the U.S. Department of Commerce. To many local residents they were still federal workers and should not be trusted. Further, the federal government uses a funding formula based on population to dole out some $400 billion in federal funds yearly and each person not counted costs local communities around $3,000 a year and political representation, and during the last count. Miami-Dade undercounted about 80,000 residents it has been estimated.
The Census workers also did what is known as “curb counting” where the workers looked for evidence of how many people might live in a dwelling, or a pink bike suggesting a young girl might live there as well. I remember the last decade’s Census because I began writing a column back then in The Miami Herald called the Public Citizen on Tuesdays on the editorial side, and I did multiple stories on how the community was getting clobbered on the count and even went on Radio Mambi with then PHT Chair Amadeo Lopez-Castro to talk about the issue and a couple of hundred people did call into the Census office after the show. However, this time Miami-Dade must do better, for it is a costly error that keeps on giving for a decade and that is not what we need at a time our public institutions are straining to keep about financial water.
The time line for the 2010 is, a Census questionnaires will be mailed out in February and March, April 1 is Census Day, and Census takers visit households that did not return the questionnaire by mail through July, and by law, the Census Bureau delivers the “population counts to the President for apportionment” in December. The new population data in March 2011 then is given to the states for the redistricting process. For more information about being part of the Complete Count Committee, made up of local people and organizations that will facilitate this count, go to www.MiamiCensus.com or www.census.gov/2010census
>>> White House press release: On Monday, October 5, President Obama will welcome doctors from across the United States to the White House. The doctors from all over the country will join the President in pushing for health insurance reform this year and have offered their help and support. As the Senate Finance Committee wraps up their work on health reform legislation, these doctors will come to the White House to share their unique perspective on the struggles that American families face every day when it comes to health care. The President and the doctors agree that inaction is no longer an option as so many people from all across America face rising costs and growing insecurity with their health insurance.
>>> Press release: U.S. Rep Mario Diaz-Balart Calls Hearing on National Emergency Alert and Warning System
This week Mario, as the Ranking Republican of the Transportation and Infrastructure’s Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management, participated in a hearing on the nation’s emergency alert and warning system, which dates back to the 1960’s. “The ability to warn the public of an emergency is a life or death matter,” said Mario. “Undoubtedly, our current system is not sufficiently adequate, comprehensive or efficient and needs to be brought up to speed with present day technologies.” “It is important that we ensure that our communities are properly prepared for a major disaster or national emergency. I demand that FEMA prioritize this matter and work with states and localities, as well as private partners, in identifying what works and implementing the necessary changes,” said Mario. “I thank Chairwoman Norton for working with me on this important issue that affects all Americans and also thank Chairman Oberstar and Ranking Member Mica for their support of the IPAWS legislation,” said Mario.
Collier County Commissioner Jim Coletta was invited to testify as a witness before the subcommittee. Mario said: “Commissioner Coletta always puts the needs of our community first. His leadership, service and commitment to Collier County are invaluable. I thank him for his willingness to join Congress as we explore how to best improve our nation’s public alert and warning system, and I look forward to continuing to work with him to advance the needs of Southwest Florida.”Earlier this year, Mario introduced H.R. 2591, The Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Act, which requires FEMA to modernize and implement an integrated public alerts and warning system. The hearing coincided with the release of a report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office critical of federal efforts to update the emergency alert system.
>>> Knight Foundation press release: Commission on the Information Needs of Communities in a Democracy: Calls for Urgent Attention to Nation’s Community Information Needs –What: 15 recommendations for sustaining democracy and meeting America’s information needs. Presented by the Knight Commission on the Information Needs of Communities in a Democracy. The first major national commission of its kind in the digital age
Commission Members: Theodore B. Olson, Commission Co-Chair, Partner, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher; former Solicitor General of the United States Marissa Mayer, Commission Co-Chair, Vice President, Search Product & User Experience, Google, Alberto Ibargüen, Commission ex-officio member, President and CEO of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation Walter Isaacson, Commission ex-officio member, President and CEO of the Aspen Institute Danah Boyd, Social activist and independent writer on youth and media John S. Carroll, Former editor, Lexington Herald-Leader, Baltimore Sun, and Los Angeles Times, Robert W. Decherd, President and CEO, A.H. Belo Corporation
Reed E. Hundt, Former Chairman, Federal Communications Commission,Benjamin Todd Jealous, President, Rosenberg Foundation and President-Elect, NAACP, Mary E. Junck, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Lee Enterprises Inc., Monica Lozano, Senior Vice President of ImpreMedia, Publisher & CEO of La Opinión, Lisa MacCallum, Managing Director, Nike Andrew Mooney, Executive Director, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), Donna D. Nicely, Director, Nashville Public Library, Michael K. Powell, Chairman, The MK Powell Group and former Chairman, Federal Communications Commission Rey Ramsey, Chief Executive Officer, One Economy Corporation Paul Sagan, President and CEO, Akamai Peter M. Shane, Commission Executive Director, Jacob E. Davis and Jacob E. Davis II Chair in Law, Ohio State University’s Moritz College of Law. Webcast:The event will be webcast live at www.knightcomm.org. >>>The Knight Commission on the Information Needs of Communities in a Democracy, funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and organized by the Aspen Institute Communications and Society Program, is the first major national commission to report on news and information in the digital age. It conducted a year-long study to assess the information needs of communities. It comprises 17 respected leaders from the fields of media, public policy and community organization, including co-chairs Theodore B. Olson and Melissa Mayer. Albert Ibargüen, Knight Foundation president and CEO, and Walter Isaacson, Aspen Institute president and CEO, serve as ex-officio members. Peter Shane, the Davis and Davis Chair in Law at the Moritz College of Law at Ohio State University, served as the Commission’s executive director.
The Commission held seven public forums and meetings in communities across the nation, and heard from more than 100 people, including community organizers, educators, journalists from old and new media, labor leaders, technology engineers and strategists, entrepreneurs, futurists, public officials, policy analysts, economic consultants and community foundation representatives. The Commission, in association with PBS Engage, also invited public input to its work, receiving over 1,100 recommendations which shaped its final report. More information about the Commission and its work is available at www.knightcomm.org.>>> The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation advances journalism in the digital age and invests in the vitality of communities where the Knight brothers owned newspapers. Knight Foundation focuses on projects that promote community engagement and lead to transformational change. For more, visit www.knightfoundation.org. >>> The Aspen Institute mission is twofold: to foster values-based leadership, encouraging individuals to reflect on the ideals and ideas that define a good society, and to provide a neutral and balanced venue for discussing and acting on critical issues. The Aspen Institute does this primarily in four ways: seminars, young-leader fellowships around the globe, policy programs, and public conferences and events. The Institute is based in Washington, DC, Aspen, CO, and on the Wye River on Maryland’s Eastern Shore and has an international network of partners. For more information, visit www.aspeninstitute.org.
>>> Past Watchdog Report starting to wrap up financial disclosure stories
The Watchdog Report will be wrapping-up the financial disclosure forms for state and local elected leaders in the months ahead and I try to do these during the summer when government leadership goes into hibernation. People ask all the time why I run these required yearly disclosures and it is because it is the only time we get to see financially what our elected leaders are up to when it comes to their personal finances. And over the years there have been surprises, such as Palm Beach Commissioners whose net worth suddenly jumps, to ex sheriff of Broward Ken Jenne who listed outside income around 2004 on his disclosure and ended with his going to federal prison. Over the past decade I have found well over 90 percent of respondents are straight up, and their disclosures are what I call benign but it is important to check and verify.
>>> Thanks to my supporters, the Watchdog Report, celebrated its Tenth Anniversary on May 5th.
Over the past ten years there have been so many stories and here are just a miniscule few that have been in the past 410 Watchdog Report’s that each has had almost three dozen stories or announcements per week, and that does not include around 100 Watchdog Report EXTRAS over this time. Back in September 2000, then county manager Merrett Stierheim gave the Watchdog Report the gift of a lifetime when I wrote he would be retiring by Feb 1 and he responded with a official county memo to the mayor and commissioners titled Rumor Control blasting my assertion that later became true. Other stories broken were that Miami Police Chief John Timoney was joining Miami in Jan. 2003 and that there was a man in Italy claiming to be a Miami vice Mayor and being wined and dined by Italian officials even though the city does not have such an office. Over the years I have covered almost every significant story regarding Jackson Memorial Hospital, the school board and county and sent a EXTRA from the PAC construction committee in the summer of 2003 noting the arts centers would be 20-months delayed and needed immediately over $60 million in new funding that ultimately came in at $472.9 million.
In addition, I have covered the Miami-Dade ethics commission and the Office of the Inspector General since there inception and over the years have done dozens of stories on people busted by both agencies since then. For me it is difficult to reflect sometimes on past stories because there have been so many and generally once I have done it I move on to the many other news stories that develop every day and spring up like weeds every week. I have tried to be the news contrarian, and if there is major media at an event, I will move on unless I have something significant to add, and given the size of our public institutions, something is always going on somewhere else. We may just not be aware of it.
>>> See what was said about the Watchdog Report in the Miami New Times 2003 — Best of Miami — BEST CITIZEN — Daniel Ricker –
watchdogreport1@earthlink.net
Three years ago, we said Ricker was our Best Gadfly. Given his dedication and perseverance, this new honor, Best Citizen, is well deserved. Ricker goes to 2500 mind-melting meetings annually, from the Public Health Trust’s purchasing subcommittee to the Efficiency and Competition Commission to the Alliance for Human Services’ nominating council to the school board’s audit committee. Sometimes he’s the only public observer. Object: to be the Public Citizen for all those out there who can’t attend, and to connect and serve as an information bridge among the special-interest-dominated Miami-Dade governmental institutions that seem so problematic and indifferent to the democratic process.
This month his e-mail newsletter, The Watchdog Report, celebrates its fourth anniversary. In a former life Ricker made a handsome living as an international salesman of heart pacemakers. As the hard-working publisher of Watchdog Report, though, he’s struggling financially — this despite the fact that his weekly compendium of meeting summaries, analysis, interviews, and commentary has become essential reading for anyone involved in public affairs. What his written work may lack in polish, it more than makes up for in comprehensiveness. So raise a toast to the man whose official slogan says it all: “A community education resource — I go when you cannot!”
FLORIDA
>>> Domestic Violence accounts for 129 murders in 08, and 14,408 Aggravated Assaults
Domestic Violence week began Thursday and with the tough economic times, this tragic activity takes an up turn and the cycle of violence destroys families and relatives. Around the state in 2008, there were 129 murders, 11 manslaughters, and 14,408 aggravated assaults occurring on women, men or their relatives and children. A statistic sheet states “one in four women is abused by a partner at some point of her life” and “child abuse occurs in 50-70 percent of the homes where there is domestic abuse.” Further, “40 percent of teenage girls age 14-17 report knowing someone who has been hit or beaten by a boyfriend.”
FLORIDA 11th JUDICIAL COURT CIRCUIT
>>> PD Martinez in the spotlight, elected 2008, tough job given fiscal times, had $93,146 net worth through June 2009
Public Defender Carlos J. Martinez is in the spotlight this week and he won his office in 2008 and he had been the office’s number two for years. Martinez along with state attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle have large caseloads and these offices are the busiest in the state. He is a Democrat and has done a good job; given the financial challenges, both offices and the courts in general face around the state.
What do we know about his finances?
Martinez through June 2009 had a net worth of $93,146 and he lists $40,000 in household goods. His home is valued at $534,000, there is $19,977 in deferred income and a Toyota is worth $5,969. His liabilities include a federal education loan owed $91,654, Sallie Mae is owed $5,349 and a mortgage with Bank of America is owed $395,000. His salary in the countywide elected position was $145,278.
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
>>> Domestic violence claims 14, already 22 victims in 09, 8,500 restraining orders says local Judge Kelly
Domestic Violence month began on Thursday and there was a kick-off media event at the county’s main library downtown. Judge Carroll J. Kelly, the administrative judge of the Domestic Violence Division spoke with a backdrop of four red mannequins in red leotards representing victims of domestic violence called SEE RED and will be on display in the library throughout the month. Kelly said she and thirteen other county judges see the victims everyday and “if you don’t stop the cycle of violence, it will escalate” and it must “must stop now before it gets worse,” the veteran judge warned. She noted the local court’s issued “8,500 restraining orders” last year and here locally there have “been 22 victims already in 2009” with ages ranging from one-year old to 70. Domestic violence also has an impact on the cost of doing business for employers ranging from “$3 to $13 billion a year in lost days and reduced productivity,” state’s a statistical sheet.
What about Miami-Dade’s domestic violence stats?
In 2008, there were 14 murders from domestic violence, one case of manslaughter, there were 1,382 aggravated assaults and there were 3,266 simple assaults but it is still assault and there were 11 stalking cases.
>>> The Miami- Dade Commission meets Tuesday
The county commission is having its board meeting Tuesday and discussion about how to fund not-for-profits and other community based organizations and the arts is slated for a 2:00 p.m. time certain hearing. The commission punted at the final budget hearing regarding the level of funding for the different groups seeking public dollars
What about layoffs?
The Watchdog Report tried to chase down a tip that indicated around 669 people might be laid off and also if there had already been a security problem with one employee after being terminated on the 29th Floor of government center where Mayor Alvarez and Manager George Burgess have their offices. I contacted Victoria Mallette, the mayor’s lead press representative and she wrote back Saturday, “About 70 layoff letters went out on Thursday [and] the remainder will go out Monday. I will have to check on the exact number, [and there were] no security incident on 29 involving layoffs,” wrote Mallette.
Further, besides a across the board five percent salary pay cut, the administration is trying to rescind a $50.00 supplement for three unions employees, and $38.00 in medical payments for health insurance per every two week pay period. For low paid county employees this is almost a $180.00 reduction in further salary per month and that financial impact is amplified if a couple both work at the county. These enhanced payments were instituted around 2003 to the three union contracts to bring other county workers benefits in line with what police and fire rescue members were getting at the time.
>>> Readers should check out the new Miami-Dade IG audit of JESCA: Audit of the James E. Scott Community Association, Inc., IG08-66A, October 2, 2009.
>>> Press release: Miami-Dade Ethics and Public Trust Commission >>> Prior work doesn’t disqualify potential consultants
>>> Five companies hoping to provide construction inspection services for several Miami-Dade County departments filed “Requests for Opinions” with the Commission on Ethics and Public Trust to determine whether their previous work at Miami International Airport prevents them from taking on new jobs. A recently-released Notice to Professional Consultants, issued by the County’s Office of Capital Improvements, seeks outside contractors to oversee, coordinate and inspect the work of design consultants, surveyors and construction companies. The Code of Ethics Ordinance restricts entities from overseeing their own previous work in order to avoid a potential conflict and insure independent judgment.
Today, the Ethics Commission responded to the requests. Nova Consulting Group previously worked as a subconsultant, representing the Aviation Department on Concourse J reviewing construction documentation, quality assurance and compliance with construction documents. The local engineering firm also provided oversight management on soil testing and grading, drainage and pavement improvements. The Ethics Commission found (RQO 09-29) no conflict because the firm didn’t provide design or construction services on the South Terminal project, which would come under the new contract. A similar opinion (RQO 09-32) was issued to Ben Lopez and Associates which provided interior space planning for airlines that now occupy the South Terminal and for Bureau Veritas (formerly Intercounty Laboratories), which performed materials testing and environmental studies (RQO 09-37).
The Ethics Commission issued mixed opinions for two other firms: Rodriguez, Quiroga and Associates, which was the Architect/Engineer of record for South Terminal Improvements, and The A2 Group, which as a subcontractor, was responsible for scheduling, cost management, surveying and estimating. In response to RQO 09-33 and RQO 09-34 respectively, the Ethics Commission determined those companies may provide construction inspection services for other County departments, but may not do so for the South Terminal of MIA.
A similar question was posed from the Office of Capital Improvements whether consultants who have or are providing planning studies for renovations at Vizcaya may provide design services on different upgrades at the historic mansion. Richard J. Heisenbottle Architects, P.A., participated in a 2005 Master Plan by generating floor plans of the existing Main House, Gardens and Vizcaya Village and served as a consultant for the renovation of the Café and Shop as well as the East and West Gate Lodges. Another firm, Heritage landscapes, LLC, is currently providing a comprehensive survey and assessment of the Gardens and Grounds. The Ethics Commission ruled (in RQO 09-31) that the previous work does not give the companies an unfair advantage in responding to the Request for Proposals and that they may perform design services for the next phase of renovation.
>>> The head of the Miami-Dade Aviation Department wants one of his deputies to continue performing services overseeing the new baggage handling system being installed in the North Terminal after the deputy retires from county service and goes to work for a private company. Max Fajardo is set to retire today (9/30) and has accepted a position of Vice President of TY Lin International — a subconsultant on the North Terminal project. As part of the current contract with the company, Director Jose Abreu would like to hire Mr. Fajardo as a consultant to continue oversight of the baggage handling system in his new post, citing his proven track record, knowledge and skills. The Ethics Commission determined (in RQO 09-36) that as long as Mr. Fajardo does not lobby county officials or agencies, his work would not violate the “two year rule” in the Code of Ethics Ordinance.
>>> While the Ethics Commission welcomes requests for opinions from elected officials from all municipalities within its jurisdiction, board members decided today they cannot answer questions that are presented anonymously. One local official, who is a licensed insurance agent employed by a financial services company, sought clarification (RQO 09-30) through an attorney on whether he or she can sell a life insurance policy to the owner of a landscape company that has a contract with the city.
>>> A newly appointed trustee for the Metro-Miami Action Plan asked whether he had a voting conflict because he serves as a consultant for a potential service provider to the agency. The Ethics Commission determined (in RQO 09-35) that Mark Douhit may participate in discussions and vote on matters related to the contract with Social Compact, Inc., as long as he does not benefit and is not directly affected by his vote.
>>> In other action today, the Ethics Commission dismissed a complaint against Sandra Ruiz, a councilmember in the City of Doral because it was determined to be legally insufficient. A private citizen filed a complaint (C 09-23) that the politician violated Florida Statute by leaving the dais and refusing to vote on an issue after taking part in the discussion last month. The Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics has no jurisdiction to enforce state law. >>> 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: The Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce has launched a survey of South Florida’s business community to determine needed services and programs in the post recession, new economy. Available online until October 30, the month-long survey incorporates questions about impediments to business growth, future needs, technology and what resources and tools are needed for business success. Developed in cooperation with public relations firm Golan Harris, the survey is designed to take no more than 10 minutes to complete. Results from the survey will be addressed by the Chamber’s Economic Stimulus Task Force, led by Chairman-elect Maria Alonso of Bank of America, which is providing resources, programming and tools to better assist South Florida’s largely entrepreneurial small and medium-size businesses. The survey is available online at http://www.insightexpress.com/s/RevG158581. As a bonus, those who take the survey will be entered into a drawing for $50 Macy gift cards.
BROWARD COUNTY
>>> PA Parrish in the spotlight, elected to the countywide job in 2004, had $647,000 net worth through 2008
Lori Parrish, the Broward Property Appraiser is in the spotlight this week and she was first elected to the countywide office in 2004. Prior to that election she was a county commissioner since 1988, was mayor three times while on the commission and her first elected office was on the school board in 1984. Parrish comes off as a folksy, straight talk politician and she aggressively transformed the appraiser’s office since she first took the post. Parrish also has benefited by getting along with the county commission versus Sheriff Al Lamberti who had a budget standoff for months with the commission but both sides reached compromises. For more information about the PA office go to www.bcpa.net
What about her finances?
Parrish, through Dec. 2008 had a net worth of $647,000, lists $228,000 in household goods. Her home in Davie is valued at $495,000 and she has $5,100 in a bank account. She owes $81,397 on a mortgage with Wells Fargo and her salary as the appraiser is $169,000 state’s her financial disclosure forms.
>>> BROWARD COUNTY MAN SENTENCED TO MORE THAN TWELVE YEARS IN MEDICAL EQUIPMENT AND MONEY LAUNDERING SCAM
Jeffrey H. Sloman, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Michael J. Folmar, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, announced that defendant Daniel Martinez, of Davie, Florida, was sentenced for his participation in a $20 million health care fraud and money laundering scheme. U.S. District Judge Paul C. Huck sentenced Martinez to a total of a 150 months’ imprisonment followed by an additional 18 months of home confinement. In July 2009, Martinez pled guilty to an Indictment charging him with related health care fraud and money laundering counts. The FBI investigation established that Martinez conspired with Jimmy A. Soto, Leonardo Lozada, Eliades Diaz, and Jose D. Claro to defraud Medicare through the fraudulent submission of $5.4 million in durable medical equipment (DME) claims during 2005 and 2006. The claims concerned a Hialeah-based DME company operating as Med-Pro of Miami, Inc (“Med-Pro”). Medicare paid Med-Pro approximately $1.3 million based on the false claims, which were for DME items that were neither prescribed by doctors nor delivered to Medicare patients, most of whom resided in the Treasure Coast area of Florida. After receiving the Medicare payments, Martinez used Soto and Diaz to recruit a series of check cashers who then laundered the stolen cash.
During 2004 through 2007, Martinez also admitted operating five other Miami-area DME companies that submitted an additional $17 million in false claims to Medicare. Martinez unsuccessfully attempted to hide his ownership interest in these companies by placing them in the names of others, including relatives and friends. Martinez used the money to live an affluent lifestyle acquiring houses, cars and ten Rolexes watches worth an estimated $250,000. Judge Huck ordered these items forfeited along with millions in restitution payments to Medicare. The case came to the attention of the FBI’s Fort Pierce Resident Agency after numerous Treasure Coast residents contacted that FBI office to complain about Med-Pro’s submission of fraudulent claims to Medicare. In early 2009, Judge Cecilia Altonaga sentenced Soto to a 140 month sentence after he was convicted at trial in United States v. Jimmy A Soto, 08-20420-CR-Altonaga. Diaz was sentenced to 80 months in prison; Lozada was sentenced to 46 months in prison; and Claro was sentenced to 31 months in prison. Acting U.S. Attorney Jeffrey H. Sloman commended the investigative efforts of the FBI. The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney William J. Parente, Jr.>>> A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
PALM BEACH COUNTY
>>> PD Haughwout in the spotlight, office handles 50,000 cases; her net worth through Dec. 2008 was $1.94 million
Carey Haughwout, the Public Defender of the 15th Judicial Circuit is in the spotlight this week and she first took office in Jan. 2005 and has been reelected once since then. Her office has a $15 million budget with 200 staff, of which 100 are attorneys and it handles around 50,000 cases a year.
What do we know about her finances?
Haughwout, through Dec. 2008 had a net worth of $1.94 million and she lists $50,000 in household goods. Her residency is valued at $1 million, there is $5,000 in a bank account, Fidelity Investment accounts are valued at $600,227 and $182, 236 and there is $108,000 in Nationwide Retirement Solutions. Her salary in the countywide elected office was $132,564 and she lists no liabilities, state’s her financial disclosure forms.
>>> Press release: PALM BEACH COUNTY DEFENDANT CHARGED WITH PREPARING FALSE PERSONAL INCOME TAX RETURNS
Jeffrey H. Sloman, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Daniel W. Auer, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, today announced the unsealing of a three-count Indictment against defendant Julio Malqui, on charges that he willfully filed false personal income tax returns, in violation of Title 26, United States Code, Section 7206(1). Defendant Malqui had his initial appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ann E. Vitunac in West Palm Beach. A pre-trial detention hearing has been scheduled for October 7, 2009, at 10 a.m. According to the Indictment, defendant Malqui operated a tax preparation and bookkeeping business, Malqui Tax, in Palm Beach County, FL. He charged clients between $80 and $800 for his services. During each of the tax years 2004 through 2006, defendant Malqui is alleged to have filed false personal tax returns (Forms 1040) with the Internal Revenue Service for himself, in which he omitted a substantial amount of income earned through Malqui Tax. If convicted, Malqui faces a maximum term of imprisonment of up to three years for each count of filing false individual tax returns. >>> Mr. Sloman commended the investigative efforts of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emalyn Webber. >>> An Indictment is only an accusation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until he is 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.
PINELLAS COUNTY
>>> Press release: Pinellas-Anclote River Basin Board (Senate Confirmation Required)
Terry England, 59, president, England Brothers Construction Co. Inc., reappointed for a term beginning September 30, 2009, and ending March 1, 2012.
Housh Ghovaee, 52, chief executive officer, Northside Engineering, succeeding Rodney Fischer, for a term beginning September 30, 2009, and ending March 1, 2012.
MONROE COUNTY
>>> Peryam, new sheriff in county, elected in Nov. 2008, had $121,000 net worth through July 2009
Robert Peryam, the Monroe Sheriff is in the spotlight this week and he was elected in Nov. 2008 to the countywide Constitutional Office. He has been a member of the county’s sheriff office since 1981.
What do we know about his finances?
The long serving law enforcement officer had a $121,678 net worth through July 31, 2009 and he lists $50,000 in household goods. A property in Tennessee is valued at $17,000, there is $84,000 in deferred compensation, bank stock is worth $5,300 and there is $36,396 in a CD. He also has $132,000 in the Florida Retirement Account, a Pine Key lot is worth $13,000, there is $350.00 in savings, and his home is worth $250,000. Peryam’s liabilities are a mortgage owed $389,000, a student loan is $59,000, two car loans come to $15,000 and a credit union is owed $3,000. His salary as the top cop for the southern most county in America was $103,848. http://www.keysso.net/aboutsheriff/biograph.htm
MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
>>> Will there be changes on board in 2010, four incumbents up, will all run again?
The Watchdog Report noticed that four incumbent school board members are up for reelection and I do not know which ones might not run again after years of being on the board. Solomon Stinson, who represents District 2 and is the current board chair, has three people running against him, and Marta Perez, the board vice chair is also up in 2010. She represents District 8 and I suspect she will run again. However, what about school board member Agustin Barrera who represents District 6, who after years as chair, may decide to move on and not run again, though he has no challengers yet for the body. And will Board member Perla Tabares Hantman, representing District 4, give it another go and she has drawn a challenger, Manny Diaz, Jr. and he has raised $27,000 for his campaign and has spent $4,386 so far.
PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST
>>> Cash on hand at 25.5 days, each day represents $5 million, but $64 million monthly payroll and UM starts new physician conflict of interest code Jan. 1
The PHT had its monthly board meeting Tuesday and the two new trustees, Gladys Ayala and Judy Rosenbaum were both sworn in to the 17-member board that now has four women on it. Local Circuit Court Judge Orlando Prescott did the honors for the newly minted trustees and the other four incumbents, all in current or past senior leadership positions were John Copeland, III, Ernesto A. de la Fe, Georgena Ford, and Marcos J. Lapciuc. This board is the most important public body run by county citizens of good character and integrity. However, they face a daunting task, and are looking at ways to increase funding for the institution and one method being considered is trying to establish a countywide hospital taxing district but that task is not easy, and at a minimum would take at least two-years to achieve. If voters and elected leaders approved such an expansion of revenue funding for the health trust.
What about cash on hand?
A discussion by the administrative financial officer about available cash on hand gives one an idea the enormity of the issue at a public hospital that gives $530 million in charity care a year, that if calculated at retail healthcare prices comes in at around $800 million. Jackson, a $1.9 billion medical enterprise through September had roughly 25.5 days of cash on hand, and each day of cash represents $5 million. However, the health trust with 11,500 employees also has a $32 million per pay period payroll that is paid out twice or sometimes three times a month and the lowest level of cash on hand was about 18 days in the fall of 2004.
>>> What about the new ethics code for the UM Medical School?
Dean Pascal Goldschmidt, M.D. the head of the Miller Medical School told PHT trustees that the medical school is finalizing a new conflict of interest code for physicians and the document will include “serious sanctions and is important cutting edge language regarding conflict disclosures.” He said some past physician conflicts were “not disclosed to patients or peers” and expects the new code to take effect Jan. 1, he told trustees. The dean, a cardiologist also said we “are all aware of the [financial] challenges at the county” and reaffirmed the school’s “social commitment to Jackson” that he said is “stronger than ever,” he believed.
The review of the medical school’s ethics code was assisted by a county ethics commission investigation of an Invasive Cardiologist practicing at Jackson but a UM employee. The doctor in question was shown to have directed implantable devices such as pacemakers and implantable defibrillators to a company sales person he dated. When the county ethics commission investigation was completed. The Miami Herald www.miamiherald.com did a great story on the whole affair that had national ramifications within the implantable device industry, and shows how blurred some medical companies relationships had gotten with physicians using the companies products, that also may include honorariums payments from the vendors.
>>> Goldschmidt also discussed the fact that “more kids have received more transplants than in the history of the hospital,” and these are “life changing events,” and these operations need to be highlighted in the community as a whole showing the importance of the medical center. He also discussed a recent patient “hit by a truck and near death” a few weeks ago that came to the Ryder Trauma Center. The physician is now talking to the parents about the patient’s recovery saying the community should realize the importance of the trauma center and its unique ability to treat injured patients, that results in changing their “quality of life.”
What about the new Children’s Hospital?
One of the many areas that has the health trust and the University of Miami Miller Medical School working together is the joint plan for a new Children’s Hospital on the main campus.
CITY OF MIAMI
>>> Mayoral candidates Regalado and Sanchez, make their case at luncheon, not rowdy affair like earlier one at night
Mayoral candidates Tomas Regalado and Joe Sanchez had another face off Wednesday at the Downtown Bay Forum luncheon and over 200 people attended the event moderated by Helen Ferre, moderator of WPBT Issues and it can be shown on line at « City of Miami Mayoral Debate | Main | Watch the full Miami Mayor’s Debate ». Both Commissioner Regalado and Sanchez answered questions from Ferre and the audience covering a broad array of topics and only periodically did one of the candidate’s supporters clap their hands after the candidates made a point. This was in contrast to an earlier debate held at the Miami Museum of Science that turned unruly with opposing supporters shouting different comments and insults at the candidates or their supporters while they tried to make their case to attendees.
What about Regalado and his radio & television shows?
Regalado told the Watchdog Report last week that he is no longer doing his radio show and he is trying to find a replacement for his television show. I asked because it is odd when a candidate is also active in the media while running down the home stretch these last few weeks leading up to the Nov. 3 election less than a month away now.
>>> Press release: The City of Miami Commission approved Mayor Manny Diaz’s proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2010 during the Second Budget hearing on Tuesday, September 29, 2008. The $512.9 million budget addresses a decrease in revenues while working to maintain essential services for the residents of the City of Miami without increasing the millage rate. This budget includes concessions made with all four City unions, as well as tiered salary reductions for non-union employees and other reductions across all departments. “The adopted budget is a responsible budget that continues to provide the necessary services to the residents of the City of Miami,” said Mayor Diaz. “To achieve this, we were forced to make sacrifices to ensure that the taxpayers don’t bear the burden.” >>> Highlights of the adopted budget: Proposed budget of $512.9 million, a decrease of $8.7 million, or 1.67 %, from the FY 2009 adopted budget. Proposed millage rate remains at 7.6740 mills. Decrease of 376 approved fulltime positions, of which are 159 filled and 217 are vacant. The reduction in positions does not include any sworn police officers or fire fighters.
>>> Candidate debate: City of Miami Mayors and Commissioners, District 5 Candidate Forum –“INFORMED VOTERS ARE INTELLIGENT VOTERS”
SPREAD THE WORD >>> When: Monday, October 5, 2009, Where: 698 NW 47th Terrace, Time: 6:00PM, Hosted By: Mt. Sinai MB Church – Rev. Johnny Barbers, II, Pastor, Moderator: Mr. Jim DeFede, CBS4 News, The Jim DeFede Show AM940-WINZ >>> The purpose is to provide an understanding about the record, experience and philosophy of each candidate to the voters. This community exercise is an essential aspect of the political education process. The Goal of this political forum is to help provide a greater understanding about each candidate as it related to the elected office they are seeking. Who will stand up for our community by creating solutions to crime in our area, provide and discuss housing, jobs, taxes, policing and other concerns that impact our lives daily. Come out to be heard and informed. “INFORMED VOTERS ARE INTELLIGENT VOTERS” SPREAD THE WORD — SPONSORS: The African American Christian Council of Clergy, Rev. Gregory Thompson, Pastor, The African American Grassroots Committee Tangela Sears, President, The Miami Community Police Benevolent Association Foundation Vernall Reynolds, President, and Michael Bradly, Vice-President.
>>> 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 BEACH
Beach mayoral candidates at Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club forum, one candidate says he was threatened
Beach residents have an opportunity to see their mayoral candidates up-close and personal if they attend the Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club meeting at 8:30 a.m., held at David’s II café near Macy’s. The Miami Herald Miami Beach mayoral candidate claims death threat – Beaches – MiamiHerald.com has a story detailing what Raphael Herman says happened to him and the death threat if he did not drop out of the race. Politics is local and the political front burner is on full tilt on the Beach as the election looms in less than a month.
>>> What about the mayor and commission races? >>> Clerk’s office: NOVEMBER 3, 2009 GENERAL ELECTION — The following individual(s) have submitted Form DS-DE 9 (Appointment of Campaign Treasurer and Designation of Campaign Depository for Candidates) Mayor (Mayor Bower’s Seat) Matti Herrera Bower, Raphael Herman, Joshua Larose; Group I (Commissioner Libbin’s Seat), Jerry Libbin, Oduardo Segui; Group II (Commissioner Gross’ Seat), Roger Abramson, Jorge Exposito, Maria Mayer, Sherry Roberts; Group III (Commissioner Diaz’s Seat), Alex Fernandez, Michael Gongora, Gabrielle Redfern, Luis Salom, and Martin Shapiro –*denotes latest change >>> Editor’s note: David Smiley in www.miamiherald.com did a great profile on the candidates Saturday.
CITY OF CORAL GABLES
>>> City’s web page: City Joins Other Fire Departments >>>To Deliver Top Ranked Cardiac Care
Since 2007, the Coral Gables Fire Department has been working with other fire rescue departments in Miami-Dade County to deliver top ranked cardiac care. The cities of Coral Gables, Miami, Hialeah, Miami Beach, Key Biscayne and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue collaborate with the Miami-Dade STEMI Network, a system that speeds the transport of heart attack patients to prepared hospitals facilitating the treatment in a situation when every minute counts. STEMI is an acronym for ST segment elevation myocardial infarction, a heart attack caused by a blocked coronary artery. Hospitals within the STEMI Network restore blood flow to a patient within an hour of arrival. Since its inception, the Miami-Dade STEMI Network has treated 1,800 patients experiencing life-threatening cardiac emergencies. Prior to the implementation of the STEMI Network, approximately 12 percent of patients suffering a blocked coronary artery would not survive. Thanks to this program, Miami-Dade County possesses today the lowest cardiac emergency mortality rate in the nation — less than 1 percent. This achievement has not been replicated anywhere else in the continental United States.
>>> Emergency Medical Transportation Fee >Goes Into Effect October 1 — Beginning October 1, 2009, the City of Coral Gables will begin billing for the new Emergency Rescue Transportation Service fees. No payment will be expected at the time of transport, and all persons will be transported regardless of insurance coverage or their ability to pay. The Coral Gables City Commission approved this new ordinance on second reading on September 22th in order to help cover the increasing cost of providing Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to the community and to rely less on property taxes and other City revenues. If you are a resident of Coral Gables and are covered by Medicare or Medicaid, the emergency rescue transportation fee will not affect you. If you are covered by private insurance, you may be responsible for any private insurance co-pays, depending on your coverage. For many years, the City of Coral Gables has been billing non-residents for these services but was the only City in Miami-Dade County that until now did not charge its residents for EMS transportation. The new charges are identical to the fees for services charged by Miami-Dade County to the unincorporated areas and the 30 cities it serves. To access the Citizen’s Guide to Emergency Rescue Transportation Fees which explains the charges and billing process, click here.
>>> Building Citizenship In The Community >> The City of Coral Gables is participating in a initiative developed by the Florida League of Cities. A recent roundtable organized by the Office of the Mayor gathered a group of community leaders to discuss civics and civility under the theme of “Building Citizenship in the Community: Back to Basics.” The mayors from the Village of the Palmetto Bay and the Village of Pinecrest, the Vice Mayor of Wellington, private and public schools representatives, as well as executives from the University of Miami, Dade Medical College, Coral Gables Community Foundation, Kiwanis International, and Coral Gables Museum were among the participants. In light of recent tragedies at local schools and national headlines about uncivil conduct in sports and music, the absence of civility is becoming more apparent each day. The group discussed the need to educate students on the essential integration of civility in our society and about the inner workings of municipal governments and the fundamentals of city services. For more information on the program, contact the Office of the Mayor at 305-460-5220.
>>> The Watchdog Report is running unedited excerpts from a report done on the 35 municipalities in Miami-Dade and leaders compensation and benefits while in public office by the Miami-Dade Ethics and Public Trust Commission last year. This week I will publish the compensation and benefits of leaders in the City of West Miami and Village of Virginia Gardens and it is the last story based on the ethics commission 37-page study. >>> Acknowledgements: The Miami-Dade County Commission on Ethics and Public Trust thanks the following individuals who contributed to the research and writing of this report: Sylvia Batista, Investigator, Victoria Frigo, Staff Counsel, Michael Murawski, Advocate Miriam Ramos, Assistant Advocate, Karl Ross, Investigator, Christina Seymour, Auditor.
VILLAGE OF VIRGINIA GARDENS
Miami Gardens mayor gets $13,150, council members get $4,200 annual salary
The Village of Virginia Gardens’ Mayor is paid a yearly salary of $10,000 along with a lump sum of $3,150 to cover expenses. This amount – $13,150 – is treated as taxable income. The Mayor is provided a Village-issued cellular phone, and like the Council Members can purchase office supplies with a Village credit card. Council Members are paid $350 a month for a total salary of $4,200 yearly. They are not given a cellular phone or Village vehicle. They do not have an expense allowance. They may only purchase supplies with a Village credit card reserved for that purpose. The card is in the Village’s name, according to Village officials. The Village Charter states that elected officials shall receive compensation of $175 a month, but officials said the Charter is superseded by the budget process. All travel and meals for elected officials are reimbursed at the rate set by state law.
CITY OF WEST MIAMI
Mayor and council members get $1,200 yearly, up to $600.00 for meeting attendance
The City of West Miami’s Mayor and Council Members receive a salary of $1,200 yearly. They also receive as much as $600 a year for meeting attendance. The City Charter established that elected officials receive $20 for each meeting they attend. Funds are budgeted for up to 30 meetings a year, or $600. Officials each have a budget of $2,400 for expenses and personal representation, but Commissioners are reimbursed only when receipts are provided. This money is not treated as taxable income. Officials are not issued City credit cards, and that the City Manager’s Office makes all arrangements for out-of-town travel. In such cases, the City Manager uses her personal American Express card and seeks reimbursement afterward. She said she does not accept any awards points in connection with official City business.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
>>> Press release: ETHICS AND THE MEDIA — “Principled Journalism and Government Relations in a New Era”
A one-day conference for South Florida journalists, government officials and public relations professionals sponsored by the Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics, the School of Communication at the University of Miami and the South Florida Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists >> FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2009 – 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., School of Communication, University of Miami, 5100 Brunson Drive, Coral Gables, Florida >> Keynote Speaker: Syndicated Columnist Leonard Pitts, Jr., Other conference presenters include: The Hon. Lynda Bell, Miguel Diaz de la Portilla, Esq., Helen Aguirre Ferre, Howard Finklestein, Esq., Dwight Lauderdale, Michael Lewis, The Hon. Harvey Ruvin, Chief John Timoney — Workshop Topics include: Media, Law and Public Access; The Revolving Door between Government and Media Government Information: Presentation and Perception, The Appearance of Impropriety >>> The $20 registration fee includes breakfast, lunch and a panel discussion on Political Smears and Media Manipulation >>> For more information contact the Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics at 305-350-0631 or ethics@miamidade.gov .
EDITORIALS
>>> Will municipal and county worker morale affect services now with fiscal cuts, happened in Miami in mid 1990s?
With the reductions in county and municipal work forces, will the remaining employees take out their reduced salary and compensation out on the residents? I ask this only after being in Miami in the mid 1990s when the city was bankrupt and had a state oversight board, the first of its kind, controlling every financial aspect of the city. At the time, some workers, though not all really treated the residents like an after thought, they did their duty to almost a bare minimum, and that cannot be allowed to happen again. Yes morale is down among municipal and county workers with property values in the tank but they still do have jobs at a time the nation continues to shed hundreds of thousands of jobs monthly and unemployment continues to rise.
One of the challenges in these new economic times is to keep the cities and Miami-Dade County looking good for the tourism industry, the neighborhoods safe for our children and families, the schools educating our diverse population, and that will be no easy task. Public servants must keep their grumbling to a minimum out in the community, while providing vital services. For it will take all of us to dig ourselves out of the financial hole we have created locally and throughout America, and just as no wants a disgruntled elected leader, that same criteria should be demanded by the public, and customer satisfaction should not have to drop by the wayside, given these tough times.
>>> PAST WDR: Nov. 2003: Commissions & trusts & authorities should be media & public friendly
The Watchdog Report has witnessed the flourishing of numerous new public entities, to provide oversight to millions in new public tax funds and most of these commissions, trusts and authorities have the same similar problems. The issues are that staff is hesitant to give all the details pertaining to an item, or the attorney assumes the officials understand the legal risk of a decision and even more scary. How did elected leaders really vote on an issue because it was not done with a clear identifiable roll call or machine vote? The problem escalates in importance when it comes to elected bodies like the county commission or governing bodies in the municipalities and they should make efforts to correct the lack of clarity of their preceding and votes.
How accurate are the audio tapes and minutes at meetings?
The publisher at a number of committee meetings recently has made numerous observations of discussions by participants going on while the audio tape was being changed giving a gap that depending on the circumstances could yield critical information of events and what transpired. These tapes are actually there to protect participants and detail what was discussed and are critical to accurate minutes. All these new boards and their staffs should tighten up a little and get off to a good start and nip these problems in the bud, versus dealing with a possible scandal in the future made worse by incomplete or inaccurate staff explanation, poor advice from a attorney, or being unable to be sure what a vote was. The county’s electorate went out on a limb the last few years and passed some new taxes for a number of programs. All people involved in these new entities should realize the passage of these new taxes was a leap of faith by voters that necessarily does not have to be repeated in the future if these new funds are not accounted for and used wisely in our very poor community.
LETTERS
>>> Reader on Alan Mendelsohn scandal
I hope that you are doing well. The Alan Mendelsohn story is indeed shocking but was predictable. I feel sorry for his children and wife who were betrayed and will now struggle, as they have to move along with their lives. The nexus of lust, greed and power often represents the beginning of the demise triggering an uncontrolled free fall into the abyss of personal misery dragging everyone involved into it.
>>> Thanks for the Watchdog Report. Lots of interesting and informative stories to read about. Miami is certainly a unique and diverse community. I look forward to reading more of your reports.
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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
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Watchdog Report
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Copyright © of original material, 2009, Daniel A. Ricker
>>> Watchdog Report is expanding as a new service and this content is now available to other news media, no longer exclusive to The Miami Herald
The Watchdog Report is no longer exclusively with The Miami Herald, and excluding the one story a week that is printed in the paper on Monday in the Metro & State section by me. The rest of the 20 or so news stories weekly sent out Sunday in the Watchdog Report are now available to television stations web pages, and all the newspapers and other media in South Florida if the publishers have an interest to run part or all of the stories. Further, in 2000, I used to have some paper’s running the report in the Spanish press, that option is available again, and publishers should contact me. The news content will not be free, but you can pick and chose the stories of interest, edit them if necessary but you must still keep the general story intact. If you are a news outlet and would like to learn more about, the Watchdog Report and this offer contact me at watchdogreport1@earthlink.net for further information.
>>> Here is what past newspapers have written about the Watchdog Report publisher including a survey and regional study done by the U. North Carolina at Chapel Hill on the media in the southeast United States.
>>> The Miami Herald and Orlando Sentinel & Sun-Sentinel articles on the Watchdog Report publisher over the years.
Published on September 9, 1999, Page 1EA, Miami Herald, The (FL) CITIZEN ADVOCATE’ KEEPS TABS ON POLITICIANS
Published on January 3, 2000, Page 1B, Miami Herald, The (FL) MIAMI-DADE WATCHDOG WILL BE MISSED
Published on January 20, 2003, Page 1E, Orlando Sentinel, PAPERWORK TIGER, Miami’s citizen watchdog piles up government files in his quest to keep the “little people” informed.
>>>Watchdog Report publisher named ‘Best Citizen’ 2003 by the Miami New Times –The publisher would like to thank the weekly alternative paper Miami New Times for bestowing their 2003 Best of Miami, ‘Best Citizen’ award to me and I am honored. Thank you. To read the full story go to http://www.miaminewtimes.com/issues/2003-05-15/citylife2.html/1/index.html
From the spring of 2003: U. North Carolina, Chapel Hill: Southeast U.S. Media Report lists Watchdog Report publisher as leading Florida commentator >>> Selected excerpts from the report on Florida’s media sources
Those who do read the newspaper in Florida have a bevy of options for state government and political coverage. The dominant newspapers in the state are Knight-Ridder’s The Miami Herald (Acquired by The McClatchy Company in 2006) and the Poynter Institute’s St. Petersburg Times. Both papers endorsed Gore in 2000 but split on the 2002 gubernatorial race, with the Herald endorsing Republican incumbent Jeb Bush and the Times backing Democratic challenger Bill McBride.
Daniel Ricker of The Miami Herald also writes an influential column as well as an email newsletter called the Watchdog Report that goes out to more than 100,000 subscribers. FEBRUARY 2004 – Florida: Columnists in Abundance –ERIC GAUTSCHI, graduate student, School of Journalism & Mass Communication, UNC-Chapel Hill – D) LEADING COMMENTATORS – Resource Commentator Organization Type Web site –Steve Bousquet St. Petersburg Times Column www.sptimes.com/columns/bousquet.shtml -“First Friday” WPBT TV (Miami) TV Show www.channel2.org/firstfriday/issues.html –Lucy Morgan St. Petersburg Times Column www.sptimes.com/columns/morgan.shtml –Daniel Ricker Miami Herald/Watchdog Report Newsletter -www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/columnists/dan_ricker/ >>> Readers who would like to read the complete University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill Southeast United States Media Report go to view the complete report or download all the data used in this study. >>> Watchdog Report Editor’s note to the NCU/CH study: The subscriber number referenced is incorrect and applies to readership. The Southern Media Landscape (PDF) Daniel Ricker. Miami Herald/Watchdog Report Newsletter. www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald … circulation, 134,269. Dan Hoover leads the. publication’s ..www.unc.edu/~davismt/SouthNow.pdf – 574k – View as html
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