Watchdog Report Vol. 10 No. 24 November 15, 2009
WATCHDOG REPORT
Miami-Dade, Florida
Vol. 10 No. 24 November 15, 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: FBI SAC Gillies with 460 special agents point of spear; committed to fight terrorism, fraud, and public corruption
Florida: Gov. Crist trying hard not to be drawn into Miami political vortex during commission meltdown
Miami-Dade County: Commissioner Souto continues verbal assault on deal making by commissioners & administration, has called county hall “Palace of Corruption”
Broward County: State Sen. Deutch goes for congressional seat, had $958,000 net worth through 2008
Palm Beach County: Clerk & Comptroller Bock is in the spotlight, elected in 2004, net worth of $1.84 million through 2008
Leon County: Gov. Crist taps Sherri Croom of Tallahassee as Governor’s Point of Light for Adoption Awareness Month.
Gadsden County: Gov. Crist has confirmed appointment of Gadsden County Court candidate Garner
Monroe County: FDOT road closures and work on highways
Miami-Dade Public Schools: Deferred school district maintenance and technology grows to $2.5 billion & AA donates $6 million DC-9 to Baker aviation school
Public Health Trust: UM President Shalala acts as envoy, hit the right mark when it came to being “contrite” after others controversial comments on Jackson physicians
City of Miami: Commissioners Spence-Jones arrested & suspended; Gonzalez resigns Monday, another Miami Moment, Gov. Crist hits 32 removals statewide
City of Miami Beach: Candidates vying in Groups 2 & 3 scouring for voters Nov. 17, how low will turnout be?
City of Coral Gables: Program clamping down on red light runners, 30-day warning period
Community Events: — Imagine Miami Changemaker Conference III: Show Us the Money! For Education, Healthcare & Human Needs
Editorials: Community diversity can strengthen or destroy us, but here in South Florida we must deal with this together — Publisher casually dressed fools a lot of people, public officials still under the spotlight
Letters: Readers on Mayors Regalado and Diaz – Reader on Homestead Air Show – Reader on banning cell phones while driving for county workers – Reader on publisher and WLRN/NPR radio show
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 Foundationwww.knightfoundation.org for funding the University of Miami’s Knight Center of International Media http://knight.miami.edu within the University’s School of Communication www.miami.edu assistance to rebuild my web site www.watchdogreport.net that is now on line again, since the previous one was shut down in July 2008. Past reports will continue to go on line in the future, potentially as far back as May 2000. This institutional support is a major break through for me, and I am deeply appreciative of the help these two substantial international institutions have given me at a time the site was an unbudgeted expense and to keep the Watchdog Report a community education resource, while also being a decade old news service.
>>> Two checks came in this week, so if you think it is important to have someone watching your public institutions consider becoming a supporter or sponsor. For there is no trust fund and I do have to live. A convenient form is at the bottom of this week’s Watchdog Report with all the instructions on how to support this decade old newsletter and news service. Thank you.
ARGUS REPORT – Heard, Seen on the Street
>>> FBI SAC Gillies with 460 special agents point of spear; committed to fight terrorism, fraud, and public corruption
John Gillies, the new FBI Special Agent in Charge for South Florida is making himself and the office visible to the public and he not only dropped in to see Miami Mayor elect Tomas Regalado Monday at his old commission office, but also attended the mayor’s swearing in ceremony later in the week. Gillies was profiled in The Miami Herald Nov. 3 www.miamiherald.com and he is a 24-year special agent with an accounting degree. His area of operation spans from Fort Pierce to Key West and the paper says the office is the fifth largest in the nation and there are 460 special agents. The Watchdog Report on Monday had an opportunity to speak with Gillies after his meeting with Regalado and he is quite intense and committed to weeding out a wide range of frauds that has South Florida being described by past U.S. Attorney R. Alex Acosta as “the graduate school” of this activity over 18-months ago when I asked about the huge number of Medicare fraud that topped $1.1 billion over a 13 month period.
Gillies, 50, hails originally from Chicago and attended Illinois State University where he got his degree and over the years has made a name for himself when it comes to fighting public corruption. He also had a press conference last week asking for help from the public and investors when it came to people burned by highflying attorney Scott Rothstein that has gone up to $1 billion in lost investor money in a scam. In the paper’s profile of the FBI’s top local cop, the story concludes with him saying, ‘We have vast responsibilities –not only here but also in Latin America,’ and when it is put in that perspective one can see he has his hands full here in South Florida and abroad.
What about all the Ponzi schemes in South Florida?
A reader pointed out to me that South Florida currently is the epicenter of these financial Ponzi schemes, that include Bernard Madoff in Palm Beach, R. Allen Stanford in Miami, and Scott Rothstein in Broward. And it shows how easily normal people trust and throw money at these financial predators where billions of dollars are now missing after all lived the high life leaving their victims with almost nothing left of their invested nest egg.
>>> Press release: FBI and IRS SEEKING TO IDENTIFY VICTIMS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH INFORMATION IN ROTHSTEIN INVESTIGATION
The Miami Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Miami Field Office of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) are seeking information from individuals who have invested in the Rothstein Structured Settlement Investment (RSSI) or from individuals who have information that would be helpful to the investigation. To facilitate information gathering, the FBI has established a dedicated e-mail address and an informational telephone line 1-800-CALL-FBI, “Rothstein Option.” Details of the investigation cannot be discussed at this time, as the investigation is ongoing. However, the FBI and IRS are seeking to identify victims and to obtain any information to determine the extent of any potential fraud. In an effort to determine the scope of the matter and the amount of losses that may be involved, investigators are requesting that individuals provide: Basic contact information (name, address, telephone numbers, e-mail address.) Amount of investments/losses with the Rothstein Structured Settlement Investment. Whether you can verify your investments by providing the most recent statements. Any additional information that may be helpful. >>>Information may be provided via dedicated e-mail address Rothstein.Investment@ic.fbi.gov or to informational telephone line 1-800-CALL-FBI, “Rothstein Option” (1-800-225-5324.) If you have investigative information that may aid the criminal investigation, you may also submit it via email or telephone. For those who would like to return funds received from Rothstein please call the 1-800 number and someone will get back with you with specific instructions on how to return the funds. Hard copy documentation may be mailed to: FBI Victim Assistance Program Rothstein Investment, 16320 NW 2nd Avenue, Miami, Florida 33169. If it is determined that you are a victim, the FBI will be in touch with you. Please note that due to the expected number of responses, it may be several days before you are contacted.
>>> Press release: Zogby Interactive: Voters Say Obama’s Deliberation on Afghan Troop levels Show Weakness, 73% Say Afghan War Important to U.S. Security, Afghan Government Not Reliable
A Zogby Interactive poll of nearly 2,300 likely voters conducted from Nov. 4-6 found a plurality (48%) saying President Obama’s deliberations on whether to increase Afghan troop levels showed weakness on his part, rather than strength. The survey also showed 73% both saying the war in Afghanistan is important to U.S. security and that the current Afghan government is not a reliable partner. The margin of error is +/-2.1%, and higher for subgroups. Respondents were offered two statements about Obama’s decision-making on increasing troops in Afghanistan. One said that Obama was showing strength by deliberating, gathering information from field commanders and assessing the political situation after the Afghan elections. The other said that delaying showed weakness since field commanders have made clear they need more troops and the Afghan political situation is already known. Here are the results of that question, with breakdowns by party affiliation and ideology. Please click the link below to view the full news release on our website: http://www.zogby.com/news/ReadNews.cfm?ID=1766
>>> Press release: Zogby Interactive: Obama Job Approval Holds Steady at 49% –Survey finds 47% of likely voters don’t believe Nov. 3 election results a reflection of Obama’s popularity; 41% believe election foreshadows 2010
President Barack Obama’s job performance rating is holding steady at 49% in the most recent Zogby Interactive survey, and nearly half of likely voters say last week’s election results shouldn’t be used to draw conclusions about the President’s popularity or what may happen in the 2010 election. Forty-seven percent of likely voters say the Nov. 3 election is largely about local and statewide affairs, and people should not try to draw conclusions about the 2010 elections and President Obama’s popularity from the results. But nearly as many (41%) believe that if one party did particularly well, it will be an important indicator about how the 2010 elections will turn out and will serve as a guide to the voters’ perception of President Obama’s first year in office. The vast majority of Republicans (72%) believe last week’s election may foreshadow the results in 2010, while most Democrats (77%) don’t think conclusions can be drawn from the results. >> The Zogby Interactive survey of 2,293 likely voters nationwide found 49% approving of Obama’s job performance, 51% disapproving and <1% undecided. The survey was conducted Nov. 4-6, 2009, and carries a margin of error of +/- 2.1 percentage points. Please click the link below to view the full news release on our website: http://www.zogby.com/news/ReadNews.cfm?ID=1767
>>> Thanks to my supporters, the Watchdog Report, celebrated its Tenth Anniversary on May 5th.
Over the past ten years there have been so many stories and here are just a miniscule few that have been in the past 410 Watchdog Report’s that each has had almost three dozen stories or announcements per week, and that does not include around 100 Watchdog Report EXTRAS over this time. Back in September 2000, then county manager Merrett Stierheim gave the Watchdog Report the gift of a lifetime when I wrote he would be retiring by Feb 1 and he responded with a official county memo to the mayor and commissioners titled Rumor Control blasting my assertion that later became true. Other stories broken were that Miami Police Chief John Timoney was joining Miami in Jan. 2003 and that there was a man in Italy claiming to be a Miami vice Mayor and being wined and dined by Italian officials even though the city does not have such an office. Over the years I have covered almost every significant story regarding Jackson Memorial Hospital, the school board and county and sent a EXTRA from the PAC construction committee in the summer of 2003 noting the arts centers would be 20-months delayed and needed immediately over $60 million in new funding that ultimately came in at $472.9 million.
In addition, I have covered the Miami-Dade ethics commission and the Office of the Inspector General since there inception and over the years have done dozens of stories on people busted by both agencies since then. For me it is difficult to reflect sometimes on past stories because there have been so many and generally once I have done it I move on to the many other news stories that develop every day and spring up like weeds every week. I have tried to be the news contrarian, and if there is major media at an event, I will move on unless I have something significant to add, and given the size of our public institutions, something is always going on somewhere else. We may just not be aware of it.
>>> See what was said about the Watchdog Report in the Miami New Times 2003 — Best of Miami — BEST CITIZEN — Daniel Ricker –
Three years ago, we said Ricker was our Best Gadfly. Given his dedication and perseverance, this new honor, Best Citizen, is well deserved. Ricker goes to 2500 mind-melting meetings annually, from the Public Health Trust’s purchasing subcommittee to the Efficiency and Competition Commission to the Alliance for Human Services’ nominating council to the school board’s audit committee. Sometimes he’s the only public observer. Object: to be the Public Citizen for all those out there who can’t attend, and to connect and serve as an information bridge among the special-interest-dominated Miami-Dade governmental institutions that seem so problematic and indifferent to the democratic process.
This month his e-mail newsletter, The Watchdog Report, celebrates its fourth anniversary. In a former life Ricker made a handsome living as an international salesman of heart pacemakers. As the hard-working publisher of Watchdog Report, though, he’s struggling financially — this despite the fact that his weekly compendium of meeting summaries, analysis, interviews, and commentary has become essential reading for anyone involved in public affairs. What his written work may lack in polish, it more than makes up for in comprehensiveness. So raise a toast to the man whose official slogan says it all: “A community education resource — I go when you cannot!”
FLORIDA
>>> Gov. Crist trying hard to not be drawn into Miami political vortex during commission meltdown
Gov. Charlie Crist was in Miami a number of times last week, once meeting with Miami mayor elect Tomas Regalado at the MIA airport director’s office Monday morning and later Wednesday when he attended the swearing in of the new mayor in the packed city’s commission chambers, and he stayed in south Florida over the weekend. Crist is more familiar than most with Miami and Miami-Dade politics and corruption and having the state’s largest municipality have a political meltdown is not what he needs at this time, facing lagging state revenues in the billions and finding Marco Rubio, the Republican former House Speaker (net worth $8,351) a more formidable candidate than anticipated in his 2010 party primary bid for the U.S. Senate. Crist, (net worth $466,000) knows that over a decade ago Miami that had a state appointed financial oversight board made up of people that did not live in the municipality and kept a financial blowtorch on the leaders and administration back then. The board dissolved in 2001 but one of the commissioners that chaffed being under this board was Regalado at the time.
Crist on Monday is attending a dinner in Miami and has said he will let voters make the call regarding the Miami Commission replacement. The commission may decide to hold a district election that Miami Manager Pete Hernandez thought might cost $300,000 to $500,000 at a time of tight budgets, he said Friday afternoon. Further, the governor has to factor in the resignation of Miami Commissioner Angel Gonzalez on Monday, part of a misdemeanor plea deal with the local state attorney involving the commissioner’s daughter getting a phantom job with a company doing business with the city and Gonzalez voted on the contracts. This leaves the governor with only a two member, of five commissioners on the dais though a third will be known by this Friday. Readers should stay tined and see how this whole thing plays out but it is another Miami Moment, and keeps the city in the national and international spotlight and that is not a good thing.
>>> Press release: Governor Crist Suspends Miami Commissioner, 32 suspensions to date
Governor Charlie Crist today suspended Miami Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones, who was charged today with grand theft, a second-degree felony. Last month, Governor Crist petitioned the Florida Supreme Court to impanel a Statewide Grand Jury to investigate criminal activity committed by public officials while acting in their official capacity. Katherine Fernandez Rundle, the State Attorney for the 11th Circuit Court, informed Governor Crist of the impending arrests. “I am grateful to Florida’s State Attorneys for their tireless work to uncover corruption and bring those who abuse their position of public trust to justice,” Governor Crist said. “Today’s events further demonstrate the need for a Statewide Grand Jury to identify necessary changes in current law and provide specific recommendations to combat corruption in our state.”
In a separate case, Miami Commissioner Angel Gonzalez was charged today with a misdemeanor count of exploitation of public position and resigned today, effective Monday, November 14, 2009. Governor Crist cited the arrest as further evidence that a Statewide Grand Jury is needed. Governor Crist deems it to be in the best interest of the public for a Statewide Grand Jury to review criminal activity committed by public officials while acting in their official capacity. Since taking office in January 2007, Governor Crist has suspended 32 public officials, including today’s suspension.
Anything unusual happen during the Crist visit?
When Crist came through the back door of the commission chambers building, the Watchdog Report was there and I was going to ask the governor about Scott Rothstein and his past friendship with the flashy attorney who sprinkled money around to both political parties. However, that did not occur, because Ron Nelson, Miami Commissioner Marc Sarnoff’s chief of staff stepped forward and handed Crist a letter he said was from a constituent who had asked it be hand delivered, and there is one happy resident, for that is what occurred. The Watchdog Report has no idea what was in the letter and I hope someone looked at it before it was passed to the governor and now becomes a public document under state laws.
>>> State Sen. Garcia in the spotlight, first elected to office at 21, has $253,000 net worth through 2008
State Sen. Rudy Garcia, R-Hialeah is in the spotlight this week and he first won elected office at the tender age of 21 when he ran for a seat in the Florida House. He later won his District 40 seat in the senate in 2002 and has a firm grip on the senate district but is termed out in 2010.
What do we know about his finances?
Garcia through Dec. 2008 had a net worth of $253,000 and he lists $12,150 in household goods. The businessman’s home is worth $381,000, another house in Tallahassee is valued at $168,000, and his only liability was with Bank of America owed $308,000. He filed his 2008 IRS 1040 along with his state Form 6, reported income for the year was $89,034, and he paid around $10,000 in taxes. >>> Senator Rudy Garcia – Senators :Member Pages : flsenate.gov Senate VOIP: 5106. Email: garcia.rudy.web@ flsenate.gov · Tips on Effective Communication with your Legislator. Senator Rudy Garcia. District 40. Republican http://www.flsenate.gov/legislators/s40 – 55k – Cached
>>> State Rep. Zapata in the spotlight this week, wants to continue local leadership role, had $340,000 net worth through June 2009
State Rep. Juan C. Zapata, R-Miami is in the spotlight this week and he is running again to be the local delegation’s leader in the state capital as was reported in a past Watchdog Report. Zapata represents House District 119, he is termed out in 2010, and he is a businessman.
What do we know about his finances?
Zapata through June 2009 had a net worth of $340,000 and he lists $90,000 in household goods. A condominium is worth $150,000 and a Townhouse in Tallahassee is valued at $120,000. He has $2,000 in a savings account, there is $38,000 in a Schwab account and mutual funds account for $7,000. He lists liabilities on $148,000 with Regions Bank, he owes GMAC $119,000, American Express is owed $3,000 and a Guillermo Barcena trustee is owed $80,000. The legislator got $30,500 in income from the state in his official capacity, Congo de Oro contributed $6,500 and Zapata Consulting received $65,000 in consulting fees from Vista Health and Humana Inc.
On a separate filing Zapata lists the following information, IRA Vanguard Index Fund – P.O. Box 110 Valley Forge, PA 19482, $15,000.00 -Stock CDO Productions (10%) – 3399 NW 72 Ave Miami, FL $40,000.00, Property – 2731 Blairstone Rd. #139 & #39, Tallahassee, FL (50%) $85,000.00 Property – Unit 17, Golden Gate, Naples, FL, $100,000.00 Greenback Investment – P.O. Box 143751 Coral Gables, FL, $12,500.00 Zap Holdings, LLC – P.O. Box 143751 Coral Gables, FL, $35,000.00: Part C—Liabilities, [me and Address of Creditor, Visa- P0 Box 6401 The Lakes, NV 88901 1 $10,000.00 >>> Florida House of Representatives – Juan C. Zapata Representatives — A listing of current Representatives, Representative Bio Information and contact … Rep. Juan C. Zapata. Email Representative Zapata, http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/sections/Representatives/details.aspx
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
>>> Commissioner Souto continues verbal assault on deal making by commissioners & administration, calls county hall “Palace of Corruption”
Commissioner Javier Souto is on a major jag when it comes to county commissioners making deals and “trading votes” with the administration and wants these sessions between the two branches of government to be open to sunshine laws and either recorded or with meeting minutes. He sent the multi-page memo to the media last week, but did not copy the mayor’s office and Victoria Mallette, the mayor’s media representative told Miami Today she had not seen the memo, but the administration supported open and transparent government. Souto has been using the commission dais as a platform for what he believes are inside deals and said he “will not be pushed” and if you go after him he will be “like the Eveready bunny” and ultimately I will get you he again warned commissioners and the administration, at a committee meeting last week.
>>> Past WDR: What did commissioner Souto say about “the palace of corruption?”
Commissioner Javier Souto, a former state senator and long serving commissioner was fed up Thursday during some of the budget hearings trying to resolve the $208 million financial hole the county is in during the current year, but is making little headway. After the commission adjourned in the afternoon and will take up the issue of the three union cuts in benefits and salary, that is currently at impasse, again on Monday at 1:00 p.m. Every pay period without a resolution of the reductions costs the county around $4 million, but I was told by a reliable source it is actually a higher number and either way. The longer the commission drags this decision on, the more it will have to cut during the current budget year. Souto said he travels around the county and listens to what residents say and he noted the Stephen P. Clark Government Center had the moniker of “the palace of corruption” and he emphasized he was “for the little people” and noted when it came to the budget, “the manager controls the purse.” He said, “Don’t push me or you will get burned” saying he has seen everything over the years and some commissioners have gotten into “trouble” and while he is older. “My memory is fine,” he concluded.
>>> The issue of what to do with the Miami-Dade Community Councils got a vigorous debate last week at a committee hearing and it looks like some of the councils that are not having a quorum but cost money to hold the event will be consolidated into more functioning councils. The ordinance’s sponsor is commission vice Chair Jose “Pepe” Diaz and he said the proposal “was a work in progress.”
>>> Commissioner Carlos Gimenez wants the mayor to be the highest paid position in county government since Mayor Carlos Alvarez (net worth $1.66 million) is a strong mayor and at the top of the political pyramid. Gimenez is doing this because before Alvarez won that new power the commission had bumped up Manager George Burgess’ salary, that currently is about $100,000 more than the mayor’s is. Gimenez thinks it sends the wrong message about how county government works and believes the mayor’s compensation should be the highest.
>>> 2008 11th Jud. Circuit had 13,691 cases if certain laws were decrimeilized
A prelimanery report on the impact of the decrimilization of Certain County Ordinances was released and in 2008. The “11th Judicial Circuit processed 13,691 cases associated with these ordinances. Violations of only county ordinances had a caseload total of 6,451 and resulted in 911 bookings and another 5,540 promise to appear state’s the memo dated Nov. 12. A second set of criteria of Violations of County Ordinances and other charges saw the annual caseload jump to 7,240, there were 1,331 in bookings and 5,909 people promise to appear back in court. Further, the totals of this analysis for caseload was 13,691, there were 2,242 bookings and a total of 11,499 promise to appear.
A breakdown of the caseload by the top five-ordinance violations shows alcohol consumption with in 100 ft. of designated areas was 4,551 cases, there were 3,353 commercial vehicle markings violations and 1,140 involved people doing business without a license. Aggressive panhandling had 1,062 cases, remaining in parks after there closure brought 1,038 cases and “Other’s” had 2,547 cases.
>>> Press release: The Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department (WASD) will change its method of chlorination at each of its regional water treatment facilities for two weeks, beginning Monday, November 9th, and ending Sunday, November 22nd. Specifically, free chlorine, instead of the standard combined chlorine (chloramine) will be used during the treatment process. Both the Miami-Dade County Department of Health and the Department of Environmental Resources Management require this regular, free-chlorine treatment on an annual basis. This routine procedure is regularly scheduled each year, as free chlorine is considered an effective method of cleansing water distribution systems. County residents may experience some chlorine smell and/or taste in their water during this short-term changeover. This is normal as free chlorine has a slightly different taste and smell than combined chlorine. The temporary change does not cause adverse health effects and is a necessary part of WASD’s ongoing efforts to provide safe, potable drinking water to Miami-Dade County residents. >>> Residents who have any questions about the quality of Miami-Dade’s water during the annual chlorine purge, or at any time, may call a WASD laboratory at 305-520-4738 (for residents who live north of SW 8th Street); or 305-275-3170 (for residents who live south of SW 8th Street).
BROWARD COUNTY
>>> State Sen. Deutch goes for congressional seat, had $958,000 net worth through 2008
State Sen. Ted Deutch, D-Delray Beach is in the spotlight this week and he is running for the congressional seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Robert Wexler, D-Boca Raton on Jan. 3, in the middle of his seventh term in the House. Wexler has said he will support Deutch for the congressional District 19 seat that encompasses Palm Beach and Broward Counties, and is considered a safe Democratic Party seat. Deutch was to be termed out in the state Senate in 2014 but has now set his sites higher in the political food chain, Gov. Charlie Crist has set the primary for Feb. 2, and a General Election is scheduled for April 6 for the congressional seat. The state senator is an attorney and has been on senate committees involving Banking and Insurance, and Finance & Tax.
What do we know about his finances?
Deutch through Dec. 2008 had a net worth of $958,000 and he lists $200,000 in household goods. There is $82,500 in stocks, bank accounts have $230,000 in them and a mutual fund is valued at $146,000. His home is worth $680,000 and his interest in the law firm Broad & Cassel is worth $100,000. The senator’s liabilities are $305,000 owed to Wells Fargo, Bank of America is owed $13,000, income for the year was $250,000 from the law firm, and $30,000 came in from the state as a legislator. From his senate web page >>> Senator Ted Deutch – Senators :Member Pages : flsenate.gov Senate VOIP: 5091. Email: deutch.ted.web@ flsenate.gov · Tips on Effective Communication with your Legislator. Senator Ted Deutch. District 30. Democrat http://www.flsenate.gov/legislators/s30 – 57k – Cached
>>> Investigative Reporter Norman goes for gold with video of attorney Rothstein
The Watchdog Report wants to give investigative reporter Bob Norman a tip of the hat for his incredible coverage, including a video last week of Scott Rothstein eating at the Capital Grille in Fort Lauderdale appearing to have not a worry in the world after the discovery of his $1 billion scam that has imploded his law firm. For more of what Norman has uncovered go to his site and good hunting Bob. http://blogs.browardpalmbeach.com/pulp/
>>> 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
>>> Clerk & Comptroller Bock is in the spotlight, elected in 2004 , net worth of $1.84 million through 2008
Sharon R. Bock is in the spotlight this week and the attorney was first elected to the office in 2004 and was reelected in 2008. The Clerk’s office was first established in 1909 and there are currently 740 employees in the state Constitutional Office.
What do we know about her finances?
Bock through Dec. 2008 had a net worth of $1.84 million and her total assets through the year were $2.7 million. Her household goods account for $350,000, an 11-unit apartment building is valued at $1 million, SFH in Palm Beach Shores is valued at $800.000 along with a single apartment in Singer Island worth $300,000, and there is $250,000 in mutual finds and an IRA. The attorney lists liabilities of $517,000, $335,000 on loans with Washington Mutual and Comerica and income was $155,000 in her elected capacity, and $2,000 came in from the properties.
>>> From web-page: Sharon R. Bock, Esq. Clerk & Comptroller, Palm Beach County Clerk & Comptroller Sharon R. Bock is a tireless advocate for continuous government improvement who encourages the use of industry best practices to address the major fiscal and ethical challenges facing Palm Beach County. Now in her second four-year term, she was first elected to the office of Clerk of the Circuit Court in November 2004. Upon taking her oath as Clerk, she immediately modified the organization’s name to Clerk & Comptroller to more accurately reflect the office’s duties, services and public purpose. As Clerk & Comptroller, she serves a local population of more than 1.2 million citizens as the County’s Chief Financial Officer and Auditor, Clerk of the Circuit Court, County Recorder and Clerk to the Board of County Commissioners. Currently, she manages the third largest Clerk’s office in Florida, administering a $58.7 million annual budget and overseeing more than 700 employees in six locations.
Clerk Bock has earned the nickname of County “watchdog” by identifying waste and government inefficiencies through her Division of Inspector General and Auditdepartment. Since taking office, she has identified an estimated $20 million in questionable costs, lost revenue and potential losses. She also conducted high-profile audits of the Palm Beach County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, Convention Center and County debt practices. In addition, Clerk Bock and her team of investment professionals protected $70 million of taxpayer dollars by removing all County money from the state investment pool prior to a freeze of the fund in 2007. Her strong reputation in the financial arena has led to requests from County Commissioners, other constitutional officers, and the courts for various information including financial analysis, trend reports and financial or performance audits. Another primary objective for Clerk Bock is public education and awareness that promotes transparency and accountability in County government. Her commitment is demonstrated through her publication of the award-winning Checks & Balances: Your Guide to County Finances, an easy-to-read citizens’ guide to County finances. In addition, she established a Speakers Bureau, E-Newsletter and “Clerk Alerts” to provide timely information and resources on topics such as identify theft, legislation, fraud and other matters of public concern. Clerk Bock brings to her position nearly twenty-five years of experience in the private sector as a financial consultant, real estate lawyer, title company owner and general manager. She first joined the Clerk’s office in 1998 as Chief Deputy Clerk for Court Services. She was promoted to Chief Deputy Clerk in 2003; the same year she helped the office earn the prestigious Governor’s Sterling Award for Organizational Performance Excellence, the highest achievement of business excellence in the state of Florida. As Chief Deputy Clerk, she created the organization’s first ever customer feedback system and developed a public web portal that provides access to court and official records. http://www.mypalmbeachclerk.com/sharonbock.aspx
>>> HELICOPTER BUSINESS OWNER AND HIS COMPANY FOUND GUILTY OF MAKING FALSE STATEMENTS TO THE FAA
Jeffrey H. Sloman, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and John W. Long, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General, announced that defendant James Howard, Jr., and his company Pompano Helicopters, Inc. (“Pompano Helicopters”), were found guilty by a jury in West Palm Beach, on November 5, 2009, of making false statements to the Federal Aviation Administration, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1001 and 2. Defendant Pompano Helicopters was also found guilty of one count of mail fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1341. Howard remains on bond pending sentencing. At sentencing, Howard faces up to five years’ imprisonment, a fine, and mandatory restitution. According to the Indictment and evidence presented at trial, Pompano Helicopters was a Florida corporation that provided flight instruction to students and supplied television stations and news networks with helicopters. News Copters of America, Inc. (“News Copters”) provided helicopters and helicopter pilots for use in newsgathering and reporting, motion picture and aerial photography and cinematography. Defendant Howard was the owner and president of both Pompano Helicopters and News Copters.
In 2000, Pompano Helicopters borrowed more than $4 million from Textron Financial Corporation (“Textron”) and granted Textron a security interest in nine of its helicopters. The security agreement was filed with the Civil Aircraft Registry at the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”). Howard personally guaranteed the loan. In 2002, Howard and Pompano Helicopters sold one of the nine helicopters without Textron’s knowledge. Moreover, Howard kept the proceeds of the sale for his own use. Howard used News Copters to funnel the money and to conceal the fact that the buyer had paid Howard directly for the helicopter. In addition, Howard filed a false release and disclaimer with the FAA, purporting to release Textron’s interest in the one helicopter that had been sold. The FAA relied on this false information and released the helicopter from the FAA’s Civil Aircraft Registry. >>> Mr. Sloman commended the investigative efforts of the Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Aviation Administration. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lois Foster-Steers and Ryan O’Quinn. >>> 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 http://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.
>>> WEST PALM BEACH MAN SENTENCED TO TWO YEARS FOR POSSESSION OF ILLEGALLY TAKEN SEA TURTLE EGGS
Press release: Jeffrey H. Sloman, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and William C. Calvert, Supervisory Law Enforcement Officer, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in West Palm Beach, announced that Bruce Wayne Bivins, 52, of West Palm Beach, Florida, was sentenced by U. S. District Judge Donald Middlebrooks to 24 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for his conviction for unlawfully transporting federally protected sea turtle eggs that were taken by him in violation of the Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. and the Lacey Act, 16 U.S.C. 3372. As a special condition of his supervised release after his release from prison, Judge Middlebrooks ordered that the defendant may not go within one mile of any U. S. seashore, including any beaches in the State of Florida. At sentencing, Bivins was facing a U. S. Sentencing Guidelines range of 10 to 16 months, but the government moved for an upward departure from that guideline range based upon Bivins’ prior criminal history, which included a prior state conviction for possession of 600 sea turtle eggs. Judge Middlebrooks granted the motion and departed upward to a sentence of 24 months’ incarceration.
According to the criminal complaint and other court filings, Bivins was stopped by a Town of Palm Beach police officer just after 1:00 a.m. on May 8, 2009, after he was seen carrying a dark bag near the waters of the Intercoastal Waterway in Palm Beach. After the police officer identified himself and asked Bivins to stop, Bivins ran away. The officer watched as Bivins ran toward the waterline and threw down the bag he was carrying. Bivins then came back toward the officer and surrendered. The bag was found shortly thereafter and searched by police. Inside were 119 Loggerhead sea turtle eggs. Officers observed that about half of the eggs were covered in sand, and the other half were not covered in sand, indicating that they may have been collected from a female sea turtle while she was laying the eggs and before they touched the sand in her nest. Officers also noted that Bivins had beach sand on his shoes and his elbows similar to the beach sand on the turtle eggs. Bivins pled guilty to the Lacey Act felony charge on August 25, 2009. >>> Acting U. S. Attorney Sloman commended the U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the Town of Palm Beach Police Department and the Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission for their work in the case. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Jorgensen. 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.
LEON COUNTY
>>> Press release: Governor Charlie Crist today recognized Sherri Croom of Tallahassee as this week’s Governor’s Point of Light for Adoption Awareness Month
“Sherri recognizes the importance of Heart Galleries in the adoption process and her activism benefits so many foster children in North Florida who have dreamed of being a part of loving, stable families,” said Governor Crist. “The opening of a North Florida Heart Gallery has ensured that potential adoptive families are aware of the wonderful children available for adoption, while continuing to promote adoption as a way for families to grow.” In late 2008, Sherri created and founded the Heart Gallery North Florida, the largest gallery in the state that includes 12 counties. She established a board, implemented organizational rules and regulations, and also inspired and mobilized her community to get involved in this cause. Sherri has recruited fellow adoptive parents, adoption case workers and other influential members of the community to come together to help place foster children with their forever families. Among her many important recruits are local talented volunteer photographers who take photos of the children, print and mount them for display at the gallery. Sherri is also a licensed foster parent and is the adoptive mother of two special-needs children. >>> AAA Auto Club South is the supporting sponsor of the Governor’s Points of Light Award. This program recognizes Florida residents who demonstrate exemplary service to the community. Award recipients are announced weekly. A panel of judges comprised of leaders in the areas of volunteerism and service evaluate all nominations and make recommendations to the Governor. Occasionally, the award is presented to outstanding organizations. The Volunteer Florida Foundation manages the program. For more information, or to submit a nomination, go to www.VolunteerFloridaFoundation.org.
GADSEN COUNTY
>>> Press release: Governor Charlie Crist today confirmed the appointment of Gadsden County Court candidate Kathy L. Garner of Quincy.
“As a lifelong resident of Quincy, Kathy brings to the bench a thorough understanding of the community she will serve,” Governor Crist said. “With more than a decade as an investigator, along with her experience as a child advocate, she has demonstrated the appropriate balance of compassion and justice needed by a judge.” Garner, 50, has been a child support hearing officer for the 2nd Judicial Circuit since 2004 and a sole practitioner with the Garner Law Group since 2000. From 2004 to 2006 she practiced with Barnes, Garner and Rayne. Prior to completing her law degree, Garner was an investigator for the Florida Department of Transportation from 1987 to 1992, for the Florida Department of General Services from 1985 to 1987, and with the Florida Commission on Human Relations from 1981 to 1985. She earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Florida A&M University and a law degree from Florida State University College of Law. Garner will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Stewart E. Parsons.
MONROE COUNTY
>>> FDOT press release: SR 5 (U.S. 1/Overseas Hwy) – Channel 2 Bridge (MM 72.6 to MM 73.1) Week of November 16, 2009
No lane closures or shifts are anticipated during the week. However, the northbound shoulder approaching the Channel 2 Bridge will be closed to allow for construction of electrical power to the bridge. Motorists are encouraged to call 511 before they drive or log on to www.fl511.com to get real-time traffic and lane closure information. For more information, please contact Will Thompson at 305-797-0962 or via email at will@QCAusa.com.
>>> SR 5 (U.S. 1/Overseas Hwy) – Grassy Key (MM 57.4 to MM 59.9) Week of November 16, 2009
There will be one lane closed during the paving operations between MM 57.4 through MM 59.9. Paving operations are projected to start on Monday, November 16, and continue through Thursday, November 19 between 8:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. In addition, travel lanes have been shifted to the north side of the road and narrowed from 12 to 11 feet in some portions within the project limits. Trained flaggers and law enforcement officers will direct motorists through the work zone as necessary. Please exercise caution and obey the reduced 45 MPH speed limit throughout the limits of the project. Motorists are encouraged to call 511 before they drive or log on to www.fl511.com to get real-time traffic and lane closure information. For more information, please contact Will Thompson at 305-797-0962 or via email at will@QCAusa.com.
>>> West Summerland Key at MM 34, and on Little Duck Key at MM 40 -Week of November 16, 2009
During the re-construction project, the boat ramps and parking areas at Summerland Key, MM 34, and Little Duck Key, MM 40, will be closed. This project should in no way impact traffic on Overseas Highway / U.S. 1 / State Road (S.R.) 5. Work will mainly be concentrated in the area directly adjacent to the ramps. To find the locations of alternative public boat ramps in this area, please visit: http://www.monroecounty- fl.gov/pages/MonroeCoFL_MarineRes/PublicBoatRamps.pdf >>> Motorists are encouraged to call 511 before they drive or log on to www.fl511.com to get real-time traffic and lane closure information. For more information, please contact Will Thompson at 305-797-0962 or via email at will@QCAusa.com. >>> SR 5 (US 1/Overseas Hwy) Hurricane Wilma Repairs at MM 10.873 to MM 10.962
MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
>>> Deferred school district maintenance and technology grows to $2.5 billion; AA donates $6 million DC-9
At a school board committee meeting Thursday, a discussion about the district’s building and IT infrastructure needs came up and the number of unfunded projects and ongoing deferred maintenance issues comes in around $2.5 billion said district CFO Richard Hines to the Watchdog Report. And that number is only going to grow as the state and the nation’s fourth largest school district puts off these projects and IT upgrades when more money is available, something the district is unlikely to see in the coming years.
>>> American Airlines is donating a McDonnell Douglas DC-9-82 valued at $6 million to the George T. Baker Aviation School for enhanced training in aviation maintenance and avionics programs offered by the school. The Watchdog Report thanks AA for helping our local students stay abreast of aviation technology.
>>> Press release: SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS ALBERTO M. CARVALHO ANNOUNCES MEASURES TO ENSURE ETHICS, FAIRNESS AND ACCOUNTABILITY
Superintendent of Schools Alberto M. Carvalho today announced a series of proactive measures intended to assure all M-DCPS employees are aware of requirements associated with Florida’s Code of Ethics, Sunshine Law and Public Records Act; and to tighten ethical standards in the school district, as well as maintaining transparency and fairness in business practices ensuring strict accountability for the public’s funds.
The measures include: Ethics training for all employees beginning with construction and maintenance project management staff; Reviewing procurement committee composition and adding additional outside individuals and/or entities who are experts in their fields, but have no conflicting business, personal, or monetary interests in the particular procurement transaction being considered; Establishing tougher standards regarding potential conflicts-of-interest and non-influence certification requirements for employees and procurement committee members, with specific consequences if those standards should be breached; Developing new contract language to make contracts more favorable for the School Board, by limiting the Board’s liability and placing more liability on those who contract with the Board; Strengthening and/or developing regulations and language associated with lobbying related to any and all procurement processes; Launching an awareness campaign trumpeting the expectation of ethics in the workplace. >>> The measures will be put in place in the months ahead.
PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST
>>> UM President Shalala acts as envoy, hit the mark when it came to being “contrite” after controversial comments on Jackson physicians
At a time, some insiders thought an envoy was needed to mediate the relationship between the Public Health Trust and the University of Miami’s Miller Medical School, who steps-up but Donna Shalala, Ph.D., the university’s president on Tuesday when she attended a daylong health trust committee session in the afternoon. The Watchdog Report was leaving the meetings when she arrived at a satellite mental health facility to attend the meeting where she responded to past comments made by the chair of the university’s board of trustees. One PHT trustee at the meeting said Shalala was very “contrite” in her comments, hitting it right on the mark, that was later covered by www.miamiherald.com. She said, I ‘personally apologize for statements by members of the university leadership team last week.’ This came after UM trustee chair Phillip George, M.D., recently said at a summit of the two organizations that when it came to Jackson physicians. ‘I wouldn’t send my family to many of them,’ and The Herald was covering the meeting and wrote about the exchange. However, as was reported last week in the Watchdog Report, George wrote a letter of apology to the paper’s letter section and with the president’s comments to the PHT trustees a de-escalation seems to have occurred. The UM president said while there maybe disagreements between the two entities, ‘I’m not going to say there won’t be tension in the future, but it will be tension with a smile on the face.’
Shalala, a former secretary of health and human services during President Bill Clinton’s administration has always been a strong supporter of public hospitals and in the late 1990s. Jackson’s president Ira Clark told PHT trustees that Shalala carried around the organization’s card in her purse and the health trust would be where she would try to go if she had medical issues, he said. Further, after the statements made Nov. 10, UM Miller Medical School Dean Pascal Goldschmidt, M.D., sent a major e-mail blast out repudiating the comments made by George. The cardiologist reaffirmed the importance of the relationship, between the public and private institutions that is over 50-years old and the quality of the healthcare being given, said a PHT trustee who had seen the Dean’s electronic message.
What about the trust’s budget?
The trust closed out the budget year Sept 30 reporting a $46.8 million loss and the administration is trying to stem this financial hemorrhaging while facing the rising cost of the community’s medically uninsured and roughly, $525 million is being spent on this activity at Jackson alone, and other hospitals also deal with this significant uninsured problem as well.
>>> The Televised PHT Board meeting date and location will remain the same (November 23, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. in the Ira C. Clark DTC Conference Room 259).
CITY OF MIAMI
>>> Commissioners Spence-Jones arrested & suspended, Gonzalez resigns Monday, another Miami Moment, Gov. hits 32 removals
How does one describe what has occurred this past week, with the swearing in of new Mayor Tomas Regalado on Wednesday, Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones being arrested Friday, and Commissioner Angel Gonzalez is resigning his office Nov. 16 as District 1 Commissioner he wrote in a Nov. 13 letter to Regalado. The mayor and Commissioner Marc Sarnoff are the only old members of the commission left after Regalado bested former Commissioner Joe Sanchez in a landslide Nov. 3 and prosecutors waited to after the elections to pull the trigger on the state corruption charges. Gonzalez accepted a plea deal and is cooperating with state and federal officialswww.miamiherald.com but Spence-Jones is charged with diverting about $50,000 in county grant money to herself. She says she is innocent and is going to trial believing she will be vindicated. In her case a letter stamped with former Miami-Dade Commission Chair Barbara Carey-Shuler signature on it, authorizing the change of where funding was going is at the heart of the charges. The former county commission chair is cooperating with authorities and told them in September she would have signed such a document and noted the stationary used did not indicate she was the body’s chair and thus bogus. Spence-Jones, now out on bail, on Friday night in awww.wfor4.com interview said she is innocent and if the document was fraudulent, who generated the document, she asked during the interview. The commissioner was just reelected with 82.7 percent of the District 5 vote and had her swearing in ceremony on Thursday where she lashed out at the state attorney’s office persecution of her and Gov. Charlie Crist suspended her from office Friday afternoon and how to select her replacement on the commission for the moment is a problem.
Since the city’s legislative body will not have a quorum, though Commissioner Frank Carollo is now on the body after his recent election for Sanchez’s old Commission seat. Crist has said he is not sure if he would get involved and the Miami Charter seems to be unclear on the exact process, given these circumstances, and when I asked the mayor about this legislative ambiguity. Regalado agreed there might be a need to have a city charter review and to clarify some of the language. The three men along with Manager Pedro Hernandez at a press conference Friday at 4:00 said the city was still providing the services residents expect and that this is a political problem, and its ultimate resolution will make the city stronger in the future, said Sarnoff.
Further, a runoff election is on Tuesday between long time candidate Manolo Reyes and Francis Suarez the son of former Mayor Xavier Suarez. The younger Suarez in the Nov. 3 election got 44.9 percent of the district vote with Reyes garnering 40.3 of the vote that had low voter turnout that is expected to be even less in this race. Further, on Spanish radio and television, the two have gotten into heated debates and to say the race is getting ugly is an understatement. That race’s results are expected to be certified by late Friday afternoon at the Miami-Dade Elections Department and the victor could be sworn in days later but the charter clock is ticking and it remains to be seen if it will be done in time to make a quorum of three elected leaders on the five-member body.
What about former Mayor Manuel Diaz?
Diaz who attended Regalado’s swearing in ceremony and Spence-Jones’ event the next day visited with Gonzalez at the former commissioner’s home on Friday afternoon. Diaz who never vetoed any legislation passed by the commission over his eight–years in office cleaned out his office over the past ten days and all the memorabilia he had collected as mayor was hauled out the door. Some of the sport’s items included items worth more than $100 and it is unknown if these items went into city storage or to Diaz’s office and home. Further, there is some confusion about the location of where all the files from his past two terms as mayor have gone. The issue with the sports memorabilia is only important because over all his years in office. He has never filed a gift disclosure form required when elected officials accept an item over $100 in value. The Miami-Dade Ethics and Public Trust Commission actually studies who files gift disclosures and in an Aug. 27, 2008 memo. The commission’s Executive Director Robert Meyers notes in 2007 that 74 individuals around the county and municipalities had filed gift reports totaling approximately $163,000 in value that included one “filer who reported wedding gifts in excess of $50, 000,” states the memo.
>>> What is with Gonzalez’s city hall office?
Gonzalez had one of the nicest commission offices in city hall, (though Sanchez’s old office has a shower, now occupied by Carollo) and so far, the occupants of Gonzalez’s office have not had the best political track record. Long serving Commissioner J.L. Plummer had the office in 1999 when he lost to ex Commissioner Johnny Winton and the day after that election now deceased Commissioner Arthur Teele, Jr., moved in. He was followed in the office by his replacement Jeffrey Allen, and when he lost to suspended Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones back in 2006. Gonzalez took the office over with great views of the Dinner Key marina and an expansive conference room. Gonzalez once remarked to another commissioner he thought the office brought bad luck, and for him and the others that has been true when it comes to their political destiny.
>>> What about the commissioners who voted for the Florida Marlin’s Stadium?
Not one of the three Miami commissioners that pushed through the Florida Marlins stadium is currently in office with Gonzalez’s resignation Monday and it is an ironic twist to a stadium deal, which after financing charges over the life of the public bonds comes in at $2.4 billion.
>>> Will ethics training be coming to commission, administrators and lobbyists? Regalado & Sarnoff will introduce legislation
Mayor Regalado and Commissioner Sarnoff will be introducing legislation requiring that all senior administrators, commissioners, and people who lobby the city must go through an ethics-training program run by Robert Meyers, the director of the county’s ethics commission. The ethics commission has been doing ethics training for years and there first big push was in the late 1990s when every single county employee, about 26,000 back then, went through the program and got a certificate of completion.
Anything odd about a Sarnoff idea?
The Watchdog Report was a little surprised Friday when Sarnoff was mulling whether they could call a special commission meeting over the weekend allowing Gonzalez to participate and the body would have a quorum with his attendance. However Gonzalez is set to resign from his office Monday after a misdemeanor plea deal was agreed to by the state attorney’s office and for Sarnoff to suggest this is a possible option caught me by surprise given some of his past rhetoric on the need for higher ethical standards and the tamping down of public corruption.
>>> On Wednesday, Miami Police Chief John Timoney announced his resignation to be effective in mid January after new Mayor Tomas Regalado persisted in his efforts that the chief who arrived in January 2003 must go. Regalado all through his campaign has said he wanted a new top cop for Miami and he is getting his wish. Further, the chief’s wife Noreen has taken over the administrative job at a local charity founded by Heat basketball star Alonzo Mourning and his wife Tracy. For more information on the charity go to ALONZO MOURNING CHARITIES, INC. – Overview Alonzo Mourning Charities (AM Charities) is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) public fundraising foundation. AM Charities’ mission is to encourage the educational http://amcharities.org/ – Cached
>>> PAST WDR: JULY, 2009: Commissioner Sarnoff leads the pack with $2.2 million net worth, Mayor Diaz drops to $1.8 million, cash tumbles to $388,000
The Watchdog Report got the elected leaders financial disclosure forms filed July 1, this week and Mayor Manuel Diaz has dropped the most in net worth, and his cash on hand has dropped for the first time since being in office. The mayor through 2008 had a net worth of $1.8 million and his cash on hand dropped from over $500,000 to $388,000 and he has $230,000 in liabilities. Commission Chair Joe Sanchez through the same period had a $319,000 net worth and Commission Vice Chair Michelle Spence-Jones stated her net worth through July 2009 dropped to $17,346. Commissioner Marc Sarnoff now leads the pack with a $2.28 million net worth through June 2009, Commissioner Angel Gonzalez is worth $843,000 through 2008 and Commissioner Tomas Regalado still is the low one with his net worth coming in at $5,000. The assets listed are essentially the same as last year, and below is the last two-year’s disclosure stories for Miami elected leaders.
>>> 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/
>>> Press release: City of Miami to Hold Pension Forum on Monday, November 16, 2009 >>> The City of Miami will hold a Pension Forum on Monday, November 16, 2009 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Miami City Hall, 3500 Pan American Drive. The Forum is open to the public and is encouraged to attend. WHAT: Pension Forum, WHERE: November 16, 2009, 5:00-7:00 p.m., WHERE: City of Miami City Hall, 3500 Pan American Drive.
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
>>> Candidates vying in Groups 2 and 3 scouring for voters Nov. 17, how low will turnout be?
The runoff elections for commission Group 2 is pitting Jorge Exposito against Maria Mayer, and in Group 3, Michael Gongora is facing Gabrielle Redfern. Exposito and Redfern got The Miami Herald Editorial Board’s nod on Saturday and on the Beach that could help the candidates but voter turnout is expected to be low given the Nov. 17 date and lack of interest in local races with the holidays fast approaching. Further, Mayor Mattie Herrera Bower will not be sworn in again to her second two year term until the election is over, and certified by the county and is expected late Friday.
CITY OF CORAL GABLES
>>> Program clamping down on red light runners, 30-day warning period
Press release: The City of Coral Gables announced the start of a new traffic safety program to prevent dangerous red-light running. On October 22, the City’s red-light safety cameras began taking photos of red-light runners at Alhambra Circle and South LeJeune Road /S.W. 42nd Avenue. Photo-enforcement cameras will capture still images and video of red-light running violations. During a 30-day warning period, a warning notice will be issued to the vehicle’s registered owner. There will be no fines during the warning period. At the completion of the warning period, citations will be issued. The program aims to protect drivers, passengers, cyclists and pedestrians from injuries or crashes caused by red-light runners. Cameras will operate 24-hours a day and capture images of every vehicle running a red-light at the intersection. The program is administered by American Traffic Solutions, Inc. (ATS) with each violation reviewed and approved by the Coral Gables Police Department prior to being issued. Red-light camera technology is just one way the City of Coral Gables will make local streets safer for everyone. For more information about Coral Gables’ red-light safety program, contact the Police Department Community Affairs Unit at 305-460-5402.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
>>> Press release: Wednesday, November 18, 2009: Downtown Bay Forum: Downtown Miami: Today, Tomorrow, What’s Next?
Speakers: Commissioner Marc Sarnoff, City of Miami District #2 Commissioner; Tony Alonso, Downtown Development Authority Board Member and La Epoca Department Store; Gary Ressler, President, Downtown Miami Partnership and ABC Management Services, Alfred I Dupont Building. Moderator: Helen Ferre- Host, Channel 2 Issues. >>> Luncheon 11:30 at the Marriott Hotel, 1633 N. Bayshore Dr., Miami. $5.00 Valet parking, available at Marriott Hotel. To reserve, call Annette Eisenberg (305)757-3633, fax (305)754-2015. $22 lunch for member w/reservation. $26 for non-member or member, without reservation if space is available.
>>> 69th Ramble coming to Fairchild Gardens
69th Fairchild Gardens Ramble this coming week and the garden’s are a community jewel that I called our community’s Camp David. For more information on the upcoming event go to http://www.fairchildgarden.org/events/
>>> November 18 – 6:30 PM, Miami-Dade County Commission For Women Meeting All meetings of the Commission for Women are open to the public, so everyone is invited to attend and learn about the work of the Commission for Women. There will be an opportunity for members of the public to make comments and share their concerns at the beginning of the meeting. Pinecrest – Evelyn Greer Park, 8200 S.W. 124 Street, in the Community Room Phone 305-375-4967
EDITORIALS
>>> Community diversity can strengthen or destroy a community, but here in South Florida we must deal with this together
At a Miami-Dade County Commission Committee meeting Tuesday morning, the issue of Miami’s great ethnic diversity came up and it was not verbally pretty. Here in the state’s largest county with 2.4 million people and a school district that teaches in 19 languages we must steel ourselves from highly inflammatory words for if you live in the county. You are on a ship and we are all in this together. Further, this response is very generational with people from all ethnics groups less than 35 asking what the issue is. They ask is a person competent, can they do the job, and that is it, and forget their color but for us older people, many still hear the beating drum of the past and that is a great community tragedy.
Over the past ten years I have tried to keep civility as a key ingredient in our community debates concerning a host of issues that we collectively have faced ranging from hurricanes, fraud, corruption, and race relations in South Florida have been just a few of the stories over the decade, but as we learned after the young boy Elian Gonzalez washed ashore. We collectively become part of the story and driving an ethnic wedge into the community debate gets us nowhere and only fuels the fires of hate and distrust of each other at a time we should be coming together. For if, you thought this year’s public institution’s budgets were bad and tough to balance, wait until the next two years numbers are rolled out and it will be only worse, and that is the reality that should be framing our discussion. For stoking ethnic tensions gets us nowhere, something many of the younger generations have already concluded but sadly still lingers with many of the older baby boomers.
>>> Publisher casually dressed fools a lot of people, public officials still under the spotlight
The Watchdog Report has recently been dressing in a tee shirt, jeans and a blue blazer plus my reporters vest and it remarkable how many people do not recognize me and say the strangest things. When I wear a suit, which for me costs money in dry cleaning, and is being done less given my fiscal condition but I am getting some little information nuggets, by almost being undercover in the field and elected leaders and administration staffs should remember just because I have dressed down. All the media tools I need are still there ready to be used. Public servants should realize they are all in the public eye and even someone who looks casual can be a problem given certain circumstances and people should keep that in mind in the future.
LETTERS
>>> Reader on lunch with Mayor Regalado
Next time you have lunch with newly elected Mayor Tomas Regalado perhaps you will ask him about the city business that required him to use 2000 gallons of gasoline in his personal vehicle, a Jeep Cherokee in one month’s time some years back
Alan Rigerman
>>> Reader on Miami Herald columnist Myriam Marquez’s story on Miami Mayor Diaz’s legacy
Your recent opinion letter in The Miami Herald, ‘How Diaz Helped Change Miami for the Better,’ is questionable. I don’t question your sincerity, but I do question your judgment. An overwhelming 72 percent of the electorate voted for a new mayor, which I interpret as anti-Diaz, anti-baseball stadium, and other results of his eight years as mayor.
If you have read your own publication over the last seven years, and other publications such as Miami Today, I question how you can reach the conclusions in your article. Apparently, Forbes Magazine, which ranked Miami in the top ten in crime and corruption, has also read The Herald when they came to their conclusions. His manipulation of scheduled meetings and back of the room deals, including his own salary and pension increases, are well documented. Just have a look at the downtown Miami streets and storefronts, as well as Little Haiti, Overtown, Little Havana, and you might change your mind about his accomplishments. In the end, voters have had the last word. Unfortunately these same voters were not even given the right to vote on the $2.4 billion expenditure of a private business using public money, but fortunately Manny Diaz is old news, and immaterial to the future of this city.
Martin Z. Margulies
>>> Changes in the Community Council models, leaving unincorporated Miami Dade with only one person their Commissioner elected, and I guess the Strong Mayor. Have enjoyed having these regional councils especially in West Kendall where we have no community buildings, courthouses, and public offices etc, just 250,000 citizens living. Told not to incorporate, because we are too large an area, and not to even do a study or Charette of the Downtown area. Whatever!
Martha
>>> Reader on Homestead Air Show last week
I attended Saturday (11-7) and it was great. A big commitment of air power resources, time, and effort. Professionally done, featuring the “Thunderbirds'” Air Force demonstration team — very special for South Florida, considering their busy schedule. I have gone to a lot of air shows across the country and this ranks the top tier. They expected 100,000 but didn’t seem to be getting anything like those numbers. (Most people seemed to be from Homestead). Miami always needs plenty of public notice well in advance. In addition, I was surprised that M-D transit did not run special busses to the show from Metro-rail’s South Dadeland station. No signs showing how to get to Homestead AFB, either. A missed opportunity for many. I was very impressed by all the new buildings at Homestead AFB, built since Andrew. It is truly a big, new and important base.
Ed Meyer, Key Biscayne
>>> I was interviewed (person on the street — actually county employee walking to her car after work type interview) about a proposal that a county commissioner has to ban county employees was using their cell phones while driving on official county business. I agreed wholeheartedly with the proposal.
Sara
>>> I just wanted to say that your WLRN/NPR talk last week was great!
Tiffany
>>> Publisher’s Statement on the mission of the Watchdog Report and the special people and organizations that make it possible: Government Subscribers/Corporate Subscribers/Sustaining Sponsors/Supporting Sponsors
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The Watchdog Report covers a few of the meetings attended weekly. It remains my belief that an informed public will make better decisions. Therefore, I go to meetings, make the presence of an informed citizen known, and bring the information to you. The Watchdog Report is in the fourth year of publication and it has been an honor to be able to send this information to you. It is sent to readers in Miami-Dade, Florida, the U.S. and the world. The Watchdog Report is sent to thousands free and while readers have been prodded to subscribe the results have been mixed. Over 250 reports and Extra’s have been sent since May 5, 2000 and over one million words have been written on our community’s governments and events. The report is an original work based on information gathered at public meetings, interviews and from documents in the public domain.
LETTER POLICY
I welcome letters via e-mail, fax, or snail mail. Letters may be edited for length or clarity and must refer to material published in the Watchdog Report. Please see address and contact information. Please send any additions and corrections by e-mail, fax or snail mail. All corrections will be published in the next Watchdog Report. If you or your organization would like to publish the contents of this newsletter, please contact me. Please send your request to watchdogreport1@earthlink.net
Daniel A. Ricker
Publisher & Editor
Watchdog Report
Est. 05.05.00
Copyright © of original material, 2009, Daniel A. Ricker
>>> Watchdog Report is expanding as a new service and this content is now available to other news media, no longer exclusive to The Miami Herald
The Watchdog Report is no longer exclusively with The Miami Herald, and excluding the one story a week that is printed in the paper on Monday in the Metro & State section by me. The rest of the 20 or so news stories weekly sent out Sunday in the Watchdog Report are now available to television stations web pages, and all the newspapers and other media in South Florida if the publishers have an interest to run part or all of the stories. Further, in 2000, I used to have some paper’s running the report in the Spanish press, that option is available again, and publishers should contact me. The news content will not be free, but you can pick and chose the stories of interest, edit them if necessary but you must still keep the general story intact. If you are a news outlet and would like to learn more about, the Watchdog Report and this offer contact me at watchdogreport1@earthlink.net for further information.
>>> Here is what past newspapers have written about the Watchdog Report publisher including a survey and regional study done by the U. North Carolina at Chapel Hill on the media in the southeast United States.
>>> The Miami Herald and Orlando Sentinel & Sun-Sentinel articles on the Watchdog Report publisher over the years.
Published on September 9, 1999, Page 1EA, Miami Herald, The (FL)
CITIZEN ADVOCATE’ KEEPS TABS ON POLITICIANS
Published on January 3, 2000, Page 1B, Miami Herald, The (FL)
MIAMI-DADE WATCHDOG WILL BE MISSED
Published on January 20, 2003, Page 1E, Orlando Sentinel, PAPERWORK TIGER, Miami’s citizen watchdog piles up government files in his quest to keep the “little people” informed.
>>>Watchdog Report publisher named ‘Best Citizen’ 2003 by the Miami New Times —The publisher would like to thank the weekly alternative paper Miami New Times for bestowing their 2003Best 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 Columnwww.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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NOTE: Invoice is for Yearly supporter/sponsorship Rates: Thank you.
Supporting Sponsors $5,000
Sustaining Sponsors $2,000
Corporate Sponsors $1,000 (All levels above will be listed in the report with web-site link if desired)
Large Business Supporters $500
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Individual Supporter $150
Student Supporter $ 75
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