Watchdog Report Vol. 10 No. 32 January 10, 2010
CONTENTS
Argus Report: FedEx Orange Bowl events shine warm light in Iowa & GA as reporters call in stories from Jungle Island, below zero in Hawkeye state
Florida: Gov. Crist trying to light fire to campaign, state budget next year coming in at $4 billion short, and is former Mayor Carollo running for senate seat 36?
Miami-Dade County: Mayor Alvarez cuts loose chief of staff Morales, there is still county PD, IG and ethics commission probes
Broward County: Commissioner Ritter in her own words concerning Watchdog Report story last week
Palm Beach County: State Rep. Domino in the spotlight, elected in 2002, had $23.7 million net worth through 2008
Duval County: Gov. Crist names two men to Jacksonville Aviation Authority
Manatee County: Gov. Crist taps two for Medical Examiners Commission
Monroe County: Press release: Cold Weather Shelters Open in the Upper Keys
Miami-Dade Public Schools: Eight mature bishop wood trees dodge the chopping block at Miami High, Miami HEP board votes 6-3 to spare the “invasive” trees
Public Health Trust: Community gets medical reality check with 40 dialysis patients: PHT fighting for its financial life in the months ahead
City of Miami: In essentially 48-hours, two new commissioners will be elected, dismal voter turnout expected, but what of the absentee ballots
City of Miami Beach: Monday kicks off new pedestrian block on Lincoln Road
City of Coral Gables: Historic Biltmore Hotel working with city on $2 million in payments owed
Community Events: — Women of Tomorrow luncheon Jan 21 – Miami Beach preservationist is being honored for continued work – Downtown Bay Forum – Jackson Hospital leaders: President Roldan, M.D., & PHT Chair Copeland
Editorials: Local corruption is systemic statewide; voters must engage and watch their public institutions, $14 billion in public institutions locally
Letters: Reader on Watchdog Report’s target rich environment – Happy New Year
Sponsors – Publisher’s mission statement & Subscription information is at the bottom of this issue
>>> Just because you do not take an interest in politics does not mean politics will not take an interest in you. –Pericles (430 B.C.)
>>> The Watchdog Report publisher would like to thank the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation www.knightfoundation.org for funding the University of Miami’s Knight Center of International Media http://knight.miami.edu within the University’s School of Communication www.miami.edu assistance to rebuild my web site www.watchdogreport.net that is now on line again, since the previous one was shut down in July 2008. Past reports will continue to go on line in the future, potentially as far back as May 2000. This institutional support is a major break through for me, and I am deeply appreciative of the help these two substantial international institutions have given me at a time the site was an unbudgeted expense and to keep the Watchdog Report a community education resource, while also being a decade old news service.
>>> I will be on Topical Currents, hosted by Joseph Cooper, WLRN/NPR 91.3 FM on Monday, Jan. 11 at 1:00 p.m., and part of the discussion will be the Jan. 12 election to determine the next Miami commissioners for Districts 1 & 5. To listen in go to www.wlrn.org
>>> 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. >>> There will be no Watchdog Report next week, for I have to raise money and while you will still see me at a couple of key meetings that include the county commission committee meetings, the school board and the PHT committees to name just a few. You will now know what happened at many of them and if you think that presence is important watching your public institutions. Consider supporting my efforts to go when you cannot. Thank You.
>>> Corrections & Clarifications: The Orange Bowl Committee is helping restore Moore Park in the city of Miami contributing over $2.5 million for this project. Further, in last week’s report, a graph was run done a few years ago showing the PHT’s fate when it came to cash flow in the coming years, and the lack of cash on hand is diminishing at a faster rate than first anticipated and this summer could be when the organization is unable to make its payroll.
ARGUS REPORT – Heard, Seen on the Street
>>> Orange Bowl events shine warm light in Iowa & GA as reporters call in stories from Jungle Island, below zero temperatures in Hawkeye state
I checked out the FedEx Orange Bowl Committee Coaches Luncheon on Monday held at Jungle Island and over 650 people attended the celebratory event including television stations sports reporters from Iowa and Georgia covering the game. The reporters were calling in their stories and you had to see the look and excitement in their voices as they told how great it was to be in sunny Miami, even if by our standards it was cold, but nothing like the below zero temperatures in Iowa, or the slightly warmer numbers in Georgia. The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets faced off against the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Iowa team prevailed in the 76th Orange Bowl game. The event brings in between $100 to $200 million in economic impact and supporters of both teams were spotted in local restaurants and hotels for days.
What political leaders attended the event?
The luncheon brought a number of political leaders together and U. S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa was the ranking politician, County Commissioners Sally Heyman and vice Chair Jose “Pepe” Diaz, and school board member Tee Holloway were there alone with Mayors Don Slesnick, II, Horace Feliu, and Shirley Gibson, the Miami Gardens mayor where the stadium is located. Information on Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa Official site includes his weekly report, constituent services, news, biography, photos, legislative information, voting record and committee information. http://grassley.senate.gov/ – 20k – Cached
>>> Last week’s Watchdog Report noted that a push was underway at the county to update Land Shark stadium with enhancements that would protect fans from rain after a deluge fell a few years back at the Super Bowl held here in Miami. Follow up stories done by the www.miamiherald.com and www.wfor4.com last week detail what any changes might look like (I incorrectly reported a retraceable stadium roof was desired) and the total cost of the makeover is estimated at $250 million. The local Super Bowl Committee chaired by Rodney Barreto said the preliminary discussions are because of the concern the venue would no longer be competitive with other new state of the art stadiums like the one in Dallas. However, others note that there is a big difference between Dallas and Miami in February and South Florida is a highly desirable location. Further, the Dolphins owners say the stadium was fine as it is.
>>> U.S. Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart, R-Miami is the featured speaker at the Elephant Forum noon luncheon Jan. 11 held at the Rusty Pelican restaurant on Key Biscayne. For more information on the event and cost: contact Mary Ellen Miller at 305-377-9187. Diaz-Balart is the ranking Republican on House Rules Committee, the first committee created by our Founding Fathers in the U.S. House.
>>> Press release: FORMER COLOMBIAN PARAMILITARY LEADER SENTENCED TO NINETEEN AND A HALF YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON
Jeffrey H. Sloman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Mark R. Trouville, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration, Miami Field Division, John V. Gillies, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Miami Field Office, and Anthony V. Mangione, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Office of Investigations, announced that defendant Jesus Maria Alejandro Sanchez-Jimenez, a/k/a “Scooby,” a former leader of Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia (AUC), a paramilitary and drug-trafficking organization based in Colombia, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Joan A. Lenard. Judge Lenard sentenced Sanchez-Jimenez to 235 months’ imprisonment and a money judgment of $117,466,000. On July 21, 2009, Sanchez-Jimenez pled guilty to a superseding indictment, which charged him with conspiring to possess, manufacture, and distribute thousands of kilograms of cocaine in Colombia, knowing that it would be imported into the United States, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 963, and Title 46, United States Code, Section 70506(b). Prior to his arrest, Sanchez-Jimenez was the top lieutenant to co-defendant Carlos Mario Jimenez-Naranjo, a/k/a “Macaco,” the leader of the “Bloque Central Bolivar,” an arm of the AUC that was funded primarily through narcotics proceeds. From the mid-1990’s through 2007, the Bloque Central Bolivar controlled cocaine production, distribution, maritime seaports, and airstrips in the areas of Antioquia and Choco, among other locations in Colombia, through an army of several thousand men. >>> Mr. Sloman commended the DEA, FBI and ICE’s Office of Investigations for their work in this case. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alejandro O. Soto. 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.
>>> Zogby poll: Hearts Beat Charts — Why the Democrats’ stimulus bill isn’t clicking with voters. When it comes to understanding the power of words and how to appeal to voters’ emotions, Republicans have consistently outmaneuvered Democrats, who have wrongly believed that people can’t help but agree with them once all the facts are presented. The past three decades have shown that even on issues where voters may agree more with the Democrats, Republicans have still been able to hold their own and even win by successfully framing their arguments in ways that touch voters’ hearts and nerves. So now, when Democrats control government, they are having a hard time convincing voters to accept their legislation on health care and job creation, even with polling support. Case in point: A December Zogby Interactive poll found majority support for aspects of the stimulus bill passed last year, but opposition when we used the term “stimulus.” Please click the link below to view the full article
http://www.forbes.com/2010/01/06/democrats-republicans-stimulus-politics-opinions-columnists-john-zogby.html
>>> 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 to light fire to campaign, state budget next year coming in at $4 billion short, and is former Mayor Carollo running for senate seat 36?
Gov. Charlie Crist is trying to tamp down talk that his challenger Marco Rubio should be the Republican Party’s champion for the U.S. Senate race against one of the Democrats that include U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek, D-Miami, Maurice Ferre a former Miami mayor and county commissioner and a host of other candidates in the November General Election. However, Crist must first get through the closed party primary in August and while he leads the former House Speaker in fundraising. Rubio and the governor will be releasing their campaign reports next week, the 38-year old Cuban American will likely see an up tick in his campaign war chest, and polls are showing a tight race.
What about the state budget next year?
A knowledgeable source told the Watchdog Report that senior state legislative leadership believed the 2010-2011 state budget will be down by $4 billion and truly draconian service cuts in and out of statewide government are expected to occur as state revenue streams continue to lag.
What about Republican state Sen. Thrasher if elected state’s party chair?
State Sen. John Thrasher, R–Jacksonville, name surfaced immediately after Jim Greer’s sudden resignation, as chair of the Florida Republican Party last week which caught no one by surprise. Greer has been under the gun for his performance including heavy hitter party donors signing a letter saying Greer should move on and he was inhibiting the party’s ability to raise the big money needed for the 2010 elections. Crist had supported Greer but even the governor accepted the action last week. On that list of signers by party contributors were local Bush supporters such as Ed Easton, and Ambassador Charles Cobb. Also, Thrasher, a former House Speaker during the past governor’s first term, is also considered a Bush ally, has proven fund raising abilities, but has had issues with ethics in the past. Some republicans are also questioning how the state senator could do both jobs, and effectively carryout his senate duties representing his constituents in District 8. Thrasher also is facing an insurgent campaign of Broward Republican Sharon Day who has been tilting at windmills in the Democratic stronghold over the past decade, serves as a Broward state and national committeewomen, and she is the secretary of the Republican National Committee, states www.miamiherald.com political reporter Beth Reinhard on Saturday. For more information about Thrasher go to Senator John Thrasher (R) – Senators :Member Pages : flsenate.gov Senator John Thrasher. Bills Introduced. District Office: 9485 Regency Square, Blvd., Suite 108. Jacksonville, FL 32225-8145 (904) 727-3600 …http://www.flsenate.gov/legislators/s8
What about the state Sen. 36 race?
The Watchdog Report is told by a highly reliable source that former Miami Mayor Joe Carollo has filed to run for the District 36 state senate seat along with state Rep. Julio Robaina, R-South Miami and former county commissioner Miguel Diaz de la Portilla in the August primary and all are Republicans. Carollo, who narrowly lost his bid for reelection in 2001 when he came in third in the primary to Manuel “Manny” Diaz and Maurice Ferre and Diaz prevailed in the runoff as the city’s new mayor. Carollo since then has kept a low-key profile in the political wilderness, has remarried for the third time, but with his younger brother’s recent victory to the Miami commission. He may feel the name brand is coming back with voters and the state senate seems to be where he has set his new political path. However, the former mayor and city commissioner has baggage, including a domestic violence incident highly publicized with his then wife. Further, given the intense nature of the other two men’s campaigns, that so far, already has caused controversy with school board member Renier Diaz de la Portilla and a mailing to Republican super voters using public money causing a controversy after www.wfor4.com investigative reporter Jim DeFede broke the story recently. The senate District 36 seat is currently held by state Sen. Alex Diaz de la Portilla, R-Miami and he is termed out this year.
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
>>> Mayor Alvarez cuts chief of staff Morales loose, there is still county PD, IG and ethics commission probes
Mayor Carlos Alvarez, after weeks of turmoil over investigations of his chief of staff Denis Morales cut him loose Friday and the long time friend is going back to Miami-Dade police as a Sargent. Alvarez had faced a public firestorm first when he gave his inner circle pay bumps last year while he asked other county employees to do more with less and Morales was moonlighting in Panama, once on the county’s dime. The mayor told The Miami Herald www.miamiherald.com and www.wfor4.com that the issue had become a distraction to the administration at a time draconian cuts and concessions are being asked for given the falling county budget. So far, there are three investigations concerning Morales, and two other high-ranking county police officers. The county police are doing one, another investigation is ongoing with the county’s inspector general’s office and the Miami-Dade ethics commission is also probing the matter. Morales is taking a major pay cut going back to the police from his past pay of over $200,000 as chief of staff and the mayor says the office is being eliminated and other reorganization changes are coming, Alvarez said.
Alvarez also has a recall petition being circulated and some of the county’s unions have gotten involved in the effort where over 50,000 valid signatures must be signed to get Alvarez’s recall question on the county ballot. Further, the county police department while saying the investigation is ongoing has not released any of the information to the state attorney’s office and frankly, the internal investigation could go on for months without a resolution. This internal investigation conflict question within county government where you have a strong mayor who was a former police director was first brought up in the past by County Commissioner Carlos Gimenez. And if any conflict or slowing of the investigation occurs, it could set up a court challenge by the inspector general’s office if the probe is rebuffed by the county police department regarding the release of documents and e-mails. Though to date, there has been no evidence of such stonewalling of the investigation occurring, and it appears to be on track but the Watchdog Report is keeping an eye on this probe.
>>> Chair Book and homeless advocate Burton have sharp exchange on Miami feeding program for homeless
The Miami-Dade Homeless Trust had an executive committee meeting Friday and a sharp exchange occurred between Ron Book and Ben Burton. Book the body’s chair and Burton, a homeless person advocate had a verbal exchange over the city of Miami’s proposed homeless feeding ordinance that is being discussed by the body and reported in past Watchdog Reports. Burton indicated his organization felt in these tough times people should not be penalized for trying to help the hungry and he said legal action might be the answer. Book shot back in a stern tone that Burton should not threaten the board and the advocate was out of line. Burton indicated he was directing the comment to the city of Miami if the city’s ordinance is too punitive. However, it was agreed that organizations already participating in the sanctioned homeless feeding program should be exempt from any qualifying requirement. Since these groups are complying by providing the indoor feeding settings, restrooms, and sinks and refrigeration for the food. The city of Miami commission is trying to regulate and tighten-up the proposed ordinance but due process and other legal issues also have to be considered in any such legislation.
Anything sad happen in 2009?
Book at the trust meeting attended by homeless representatives from Austin Texas trying to improve their own programs by seeing what the local organization is doing that has become a national model. He said in the past year, 99 homeless people living on the streets had died.
>>> Check out MIA Director Abreu’s interview and cost of facility’s debt in the future – $1 million a day by 2012 and that is major debt for the airport.This Week on Issues – 1/08 & 1/10 ISSUE TWO: Miami Airport Security: The attempted Christmas airplane attack has elevated security measures in U.S. airports and abroad. We discuss screening measures at Miami International Airport and the ongoing construction projects currently underway. Guests: José Abreu, P.E., Miami-Dade Aviation, Lauren Stover, Miami-Dade Aviation.
>>> The 33rd Annual MLK Parade is on, after fundnig concerns reported in The Miami Times last week
Press release: The 33rd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade and Festival will kick-off in Liberty City on the national holiday celebrating the civil rights leader this year. Dr. Preston Marshall, founder and president of the Dr. MLK Jr. Parade and Festivities Committee, Inc., announced today that all necessary funds were secured and the parade and festival will proceed. Rumors that the parade would be cancelled are not accurate and no announcement about the parade being cancelled or shortened was authorized by the Parade and Festival Committee, he said. County Commission Chairman Dennis C. Moss is sponsoring a resolution to provide $50,000 of Office of the Chair carry- over funds towards the Dr. MLK Liberty City parade and $50,000 towards the MLK West Perrine parade, the Chairmen’s Office has announced. >>> “The Dr. MLK Jr. Parade and Festival will be as successful this year as in the past,” Dr. Marshall said. “We have had significant challenges with funding, but with the community’s support we have been able to assemble the resources necessary for an event worthy of the celebration of the birthday of Dr. King.” The parade will kick-off on January 18, 2010 at noon at Northwest 10th Avenue and proceed west on 54th street to 32nd Avenue where the festival will be held at the Dr. MLK Jr. Memorial Park from 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. WHO: Dr. MLK Parade and Festivities Committee, Inc., Miami-Dade County Office of Community Advocacy, WHAT: Dr. MLK Jr. Parade and Festival, WHEN: Monday, January 18, 2010, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., WHERE: Northwest 54th Street from 10th Avenue to 32nd Avenue, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park, 3200 NW 62nd Street.
>>> Press release: Miami-Dade County is establishing a nine member Compensation and Benefits Review Committee to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of its standing personnel policies and to develop policies that will better manage the growth of costs while continuing to provide competitive wages, salaries and benefits. Members shall serve without compensation for a three year term and meet no less than four times a year. Qualified applicants should be Miami-Dade County residents and possess an outstanding reputation for civic pride, integrity, responsibility and business or professional ability; and shall have no financial interest, direct or indirect, in the compensation paid to County employees. Members of this Committee should be representative of the community at large and should have demonstrated expertise in human resources, organizational design, public management, or related fields. A Nominating Council will recommend candidates to the Board of County Commissioners for appointment. >>> Applications may be obtained from the County Executive Office, 111 NW 1st Street, Suite 2910, or online at www.miamidade.gov. All applications must be received by Diane Collins, Assistant Director, Clerk of the Board, at 111 NW 1st Street, Suite 17-202, Miami, Florida 33128. Applications can be e-mailed to clerkbcc@miamidade.gov or faxed to (305) 375-2484. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure electronic receipt of the application by calling the Clerk of the Board at (305) 375-1652. For additional information regarding the application process, please call Ms. Linda Weber at (305) 375-2670. Background checks will be performed on all applicants selected for an interview. If selected, Committee members will be required to submit financial disclosure forms.
>>> Press release: Miami-Dade Community Action Agency’s (CAA) Head Start/Early Head Start Program will begin its open enrollment for the 2010-2011 program year, which will begin in August of 2010. Applications are being accepted until April 30, 2010 for pregnant women and children ages two months to five (5) years old (after September 1, 2010). The program also provides services to families with children who are homeless. Applications are available at all Head Start/Early Head Start centers and CAA Community Service Centers throughout Miami-Dade County. Applications and a list of Head Start Centers may also be downloaded from the County’s Portal at www.miamidade.gov/caa/hsrecruitment.asp. >>> Head Start is a federally funded comprehensive child development program, serving low–income families. Services available through this program include health, mental health and nutrition, assistance with disabilities, education, social services, and parent involvement. Head Start strengthens the ability of children to cope with school and their total environment as they progress in age. In Miami-Dade County, the Head Start/Early Head Start program serves 6,756 children and families. We welcome children with disabilities. Head Start/Early Head Start is early childhood education that puts children and families first. For additional information or to locate a Head Start Center in your neighborhood, please call (786) 469-4622. WHO: Miami-Dade Community Action Agency, WHAT: Open Enrollment and Registration Campaign for the Head Start/Early Head Start Program WHEN Through April 30, 2010: WHERE: Miami-Dade County’s Community Action Agency’s Community Service Centers and Head Start/Early Head Start Centers. WHY: To provide free comprehensive child development services to assist low-income families who meet 100% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. >>> It is the policy of Miami Dade County to comply with all of the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The facility is accessible. For sign language interpreters, assistive listening devices or materials in accessible format, please contact David Allison at (786) 469-4682.
>>> Press release: On Thursday, January 14th at 7:00 pm, Dr. Michele Williams and Brian Conesa will present their data and photos about the excavations in the parade grounds at Ft. Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas. This venture was sponsored by the Everglades National Park Service during Archaeology Month in 2009. Fort Jefferson is a six-sided building constructed of sixteen million hand-made red bricks, with the lighthouse being built in 1825. It was designated as a National Monument in 1935, and on October 26, 1992, the monument was upgraded to National Park status. A multi-phased, multi-year preservation project to stabilize Fort Jefferson has begun. The plan will include removing existing brick, documenting, cleaning then reusing these bricks with some parts of the park not accessible at times. >>> The free lecture will be held at the Visitor Center Auditorium at the Deering Estate at Cutler. In partnership with the Archaeological Society of Southern Florida, a non-profit, volunteer organization. >>> Estate EcoAdventure Tours are also offered throughout the year for an additional fee. For more information on the Deering Estate’s educational and cultural programs please visit www.deeringestate.org.
BROWARD COUNTY
>>> Broward Commissioner Ritter in her own words concerning Watchdog Report story last week
After the Watchdog Report ran a past report last week, Broward Commissioner Stacy Ritter weighed in by e-mail and I run her comments unedited. I would be more forgiving of the county commission in general. If they would stop having a luncheon together with almost 24 senior staff members after they elect the new year’s mayor that has been the body’s custom every year. I attended one of these events when they celebrated Commissioner Lois Wexler being tapped and while I could not hear them, since I was told it was “a private party.” The room they were in was glass and when someone points a finger at the port director while talking to him like Wexler did, and was reported in past Watchdog Reports. In one shot depending on the subject, all the people in the room would be contaminated regarding the Florida Sunshine Law violation, but does essentially inoculate all present if any issues of substance were discussed out of the public eye as is required by state law.
>>> Here is her e-mail: “Mr. Ricker: Regarding your Broward comments, please be advised of the following: First, the minutes of the meeting accurately reflected I was not there, as did the videotape, while the action report was incorrect. If the reporter had chosen to use more than one source, he would have realized that I was not attending the meeting in question. You may criticize the keeping of county records if you like, but there is always more than one source to check facts, especially when it comes to what is going at the Broward County Commission. The bottom line is that this was sloppy reporting, published on the front page of a major newspaper, and was widely inaccurate. Despite the retraction, the damage was already done. Yes, the public must insist on correct recording keeping from its governmental bodies. No less should we insist on accurate reporting from our journalists, which brings me to the second point, which is that my husband does not lobby any issues at the county commission including the subject of your article. He represents an entity in Tallahassee that had an issue at the county and had I been there, I would have recused myself as I have done on agenda items the subject of which is that entity because of the perception of a conflict. I would appreciate it if you would make the correction in the body of the article, rather than just copy and paste my e-mail as you have done in the past. Some readers may not scroll down far enough to see the correction. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Stacy Ritter, Broward County Commission, District 3,” the commissioner wrote last week.
>>> Press release: U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fl, who serves on the senate commerce committee received word today that Nova Southeast University is receiving a U.S. Department of Commerce grant for $14 million for design and construction of a science research facility. https://gns.ocs.doc.gov/public/ViewMessage.cfm?MsgID=c7k5r3rtik
>>> Investigative reporter Bob Norman and The Daily Pulp got a nice mention throughout a Miami Herald front page story on the corruption that has plagued South Florida for decades and as I have mentioned over the years. His investigative work is one of the major arrows in the fight against public corruption quiver in Broward County. To see his work go to >>> Broward Palm Beach News – The Daily Pulp: Bob Norman’s Blog … 8 Jan 2010 … Broward Palm Beach News.
>>> 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
>>> State Rep. Domino in the spotlight, elected in 2002, had $23.7 million net worth through 2008
State Rep. Carl Domino, R-Juno Beach is in the spotlight this week and he is a vice chair of a key committee, the Justice Council and he was first elected in 2002 to House District 42 and he has served as a majority whip in the past. He is a retired Navy commander an investment banker, and he has done very well in that capacity.
What do we know about his finances?
Domino through Dec. 2008 had a net worth of $23.7 million and he lists $1.02 million in household goods. His total listed assets are $25.09 million and his liabilities are $2.4 million. He has $5.7 million in a wide array of securities, there is $1.5 million in other investments, there are extensive real estate holdings valued at $11.6 million and a retirement account has $3.6 million in it. He lists liabilities of $854,000 with Wachovia Bank, Wells Fargo is owed $860,000, Orion Bank is owed $671,000 and there is $22,185 on a mortgage state’s his financial disclosure form for the year. Domino’s income for the year was $29,082 from the state, dividends accounted for $332,762, gross rental income was $251,000 and another $14,795 came in from a military pension. For more information got to Florida House of Representatives – Carl J. Domino Find Your Representative … Representative Carl J. Domino. District 83 .Florida State University, B.S., Accounting, 1966, Student government, http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/SEctions/Representatives/details.aspx?MemberId=4289&SessionId=42
DUVAL COUNTY
>>> Press release: Gov. Crist today announced the following reappointment and appointment: Jacksonville Aviation Authority (Senate Confirmation Required)
Ronald M. Weaver, 68, of Jacksonville, president of W. Enterprises Inc., reappointed for a term beginning January 7, 2010, and ending September 30, 2013.
L. Kelly, 57, of Jacksonville, director of Investigations with the Public Defender’s Office of the Fourth Judicial Circuit, succeeding Mary Burnett, appointed for a term beginning January 7, 2010, and ending September 30, 2013.
MANATEE COUNTY
>>> Press release: Gov. Crist today makes one appointment and one reappointment: Medical Examiners Commission (Senate confirmation required)
Donna Hayes, 66, Manatee county commissioner, succeeding Elizabeth Porter, for a term beginning January 6, 2010, and ending July 1, 2013.
Jim Purdy, 56, public defender, Seventh Judicial Circuit, reappointed for a term beginning January 6, 2010, and ending July 1, 2013.
MONROE COUNTY
>>> Press release: Cold Weather Shelters Open In The Upper Keys
1. The Burton Memorial United Methodist Church, located at 93001 US Highway 1, Tavernier, will be operational as a Cold Weather Shelter for the Upper Keys when temperatures drop below 50 degrees. Hours of operation are 9:00 PM to 7 AM. Any individuals desiring to serve as shelter managers may call Pastor Kerry Foote at (305) 852-2581, or, e-mail him at Kmf_bmumc@bellsouth.net.
The Island Christian School, Family Life Center, located at 83400 Overseas Highway, Islamorada, will also be operational as a Cold Weather Shelter for the Upper Keys when temperatures drop below 50 degrees. Hours of operation are 9:00 PM to 7 AM. Any individuals desiring to serve as shelter managers may call Dick Shainline at (215) 859-2144.
MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
>>> Eight mature trees dodge the chopping block at Miami High, Miami HEP board votes 6-3 to spare the invasive trees
While the school district is feeling the financial blow, around a $6 million loss because there are more students than the state thought and the money is limited and spending for each student goes down. The district also got a rebuke at the City of Miami’s Historic and Environmental Preservation Board on Wednesday concerning the drop off site for students at the Historic Miami High School undergoing major renovations. The school site has eight mature bishop wood trees and the distinct wanted them removed and 12 new trees around 20 feet would be planted, though no tree mitigation was required since the trees in question were “invasive” and could be removed without “mitigation,” states backup documents. Luis Garcia, an assistant school board attorney argued the case in a passionate way at the HEP and the meeting got lively and the board chair and city attorney a number of times had to intervene in the discussion cutting off the periodic outbursts by attendees and speakers. However, after hearing the schools arguments and the pleas of local residents concerning the tree removals, which include “five protests,” coming into the public works department where the director denied the removal permit, state board documents. The HEP board ultimately voted 6 to 3 to deny the district’s appeal and school board members got an update on Thursday at the Facilities Committee by staff. They said the “original application was denied” but the district “does have alternatives” and the administration assured board members none of this “will delay the project’s” completion date.
PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST
>>> Community gets medical reality check with 40 dialysis patients: PHT fighting for its financial life in the months ahead
With the issue of around 40-people, no longer getting dialysis at Jackson Memorial Hospital’s contracted out dialysis centers and Baptist Health South Florida, University Of Miami and Mercy Hospitals are now picking up the patients for the next month. It is finally dawning on the community the financial challenges facing the health trust that just keep on mounting. People have come-up to me last week saying now they know why I cover this institution every week over the past decade and it is a community medical jewel fighting to meet its payroll later in the year. The health trust board is having its day-long-committee meeting at the Ira C. Clark, Diagnostic Treatment Center on the second floor Tuesday Jan. 12 and the two-inch agenda has some grim news in it.
President Eneida Roldan, M.D., and PHT Chair John Copeland, III, were on “This Week in South Florida” hosted by Michael Putney today and they articulated the challenges the public institution faced, but also some ways if there is community involvement, support and help in the state legislature to continue to provide quality medical care for all, versus as was done decades ago. The medically uninsured get the less complex implantable device that applies to pacemakers for example, and most people do not remember when Jackson in 1980 was on COD with many medical companies. One could be in the operating room and the medical procedure not starting until a certified check was brought to the OR. It is for this reason I have watched the $2 billion health trust so intensely because it is such a medical treasure for all residents in Miami-Dade and South Florida.
Further, much of the new awareness has come about from the media www.miamiherald.com but as I point out in an old WDR from Dec. 2003. The challenges facing Jackson did not suddenly pop-up, but has been building for years, and while the county increased its maintenance of effort during the good times, that funding now has receded. Moreover, on top of this is the over now $100 million in unfunded mandates the county passed on to the trust in 2000. To be fair the number back then was about $60 million but has since climbed to this new level. However, the biggest factor in the financial hemorrhaging at the PHT is the well over 500,000 medically uninsured in the county and the dedicated half –cent-sales-tax was able to cover these costs up to 2000. However, the health trust revenues from then on could not keep up and the number grew to a 2004 $84 million hit that took care of negative adjustments charges from as far back as 1988. Since then hundreds of millions of dollars have been saved in one timesavings or ongoing savings through efficiencies and other actions. However, when you give $525 million in charity care that is the financial challenge and readers should stay tuned as Jackson Health System tries to resolve this vexing problem. To see Putney’s show go to >>> Michael Putney – Station News Story – WPLG Miami Michael Putney came to Local 10 in 1989 to become senior political reporter and host of “This Week In South Florida with Michael Putney. http://www.justnews.com/station/269244/detail.html
>>> What about the ethics training and conflict of interest course?
Members of Jackson’s staff have been going through an ethics and conflict of interest course about being on procurement and selection committees and the example given in the back up documents. That trustees review is a copy of Gerard A. Kaiser’s, M.D., signed form, which is used as the sample document.
>>> PAST WDR: DEC 22, 03: Foreign patient uncollected debt goes to $85 million, but may be misleading
The PHT’s fiscal affairs committee met Tuesday at 8:00 a.m. and trustees learned from staff the results of an extensive internal audit that was initiated by Treasurer Andres Murai months ago. The internal audit has found that $25million in un-reimbursed costs has been spent on patients that either live outside Miami-Dade or reside overseas. The trust has 95% if these costs factored into their reserves. The issue of treating patients from outside of the county first hit the press months ago when a foreign patient, severely burned was transferred to Jackson Memorial Hospital and later unfortunately died. However, the patient’s care cost $2.6 million, and it had to be written off. The PHT has since changed their policy regarding the care of these types of patients.
The report notes that 53% of the costs came from patients that came to the emergency room for treatment where the health institution must treat patients regardless of their ability to pay. The internal audit states that after sampling 22 self-pay patients it was found the estimating deposit amounts were “deficient.” It states only $199,000 was collected from this sample of patients but their total amount of medical care came to $3 million. The audit notes that the institution must beef up its ability to collect on international patients coming to the health system for care and note that “historically 95% of the $25 million in receivables from non-resident self pay accounts are written off.”
The number grows later in the week to $85 million, but $9 billion of charges involved in time frame
However, this was not all the money that was involved and a county Inspector General’s audit just surfacing states over a five-year period that $85 million in uncompensated care had been given. PHT CEO Marvin O’Quinn Thursday went before the Miami-Dade County Commissioners after this escalation in write-offs and explained to commissioners what had happened. O’Quinn opened his comments to commissioners by saying “I guess the honeymoon is over” since his arrival in July. The CEO then proceeded to explain the PHT’s finances and admissions referenced in the report. The bulk of the uncollected bills for patients came from the hospital’s main emergency room and about 120,000 patients present there a year.
The new CEO said the trust was going to address the issue head on and work to set and adhere to new guidelines since established on which foreign patients are admitted and nations that have delinquent accounts with the trust, cannot financially vouch or refer future patients. The president told commissioners that the way the press was reporting the issue was “maybe irresponsible” and he did not understand the scope of the new report until only an hour earlier. He said the institution’s finances are “very complex” and “convoluted” and that was true with any hospital system around the nation. He told county commissioners that $270 million had been collected from these 13,000 accounts checked and during the examined period, the PHT had $9 billion in overall charges. O ‘Quinn also noted that people that present at the emergency room must be treated and a continuum of care was necessary until the patient was cured. Further, he clarified that much of the $85 million includes “bad debt” and the $25 million first reported was still active and being pursued by the PHT.
O’Quinn expecting to be criticized was surprised when commissioners thanked him for his presentation’s clarity and County Commissioner Natacha Seijas said it was “very refreshing” that someone has “taken responsibility” at the institution after almost 10 years. Seijas had been a vocal critic of former PHT President Ira Clark who retired in July after being forced out of the position by the board. The love fest continued and County Commissioner Katy Sorenson said his explanation “was just terrific” and “your clarity and focus” of the issue makes it “clear to me that you are on the case.” Commissioner Javier Souto, a frequent PHT board and committee meetings attendee raised another interesting question about outside influence being put on the hospital administrator to get people admitted and treated. The former Florida Senator said O’Quinn should report to commissioners when he gets “pressure from x, y, z” and he realized the administrator was between a “rock and a hard place” sometimes. Commissioners Dennis Moss and Dorrin Rolle also gushed over how the relationship with the trust had changed and all commissioners felt a new era had truly begun. They told O’Quinn when it comes to the press they never get the story right and commission Chair Barbara Carey-Shuler said the recent Miami New Times story citing the $85 million loss “did not tell the story correctly.” O’Quinn acknowledged “we are not perfect” and there are “issues to be resolved” and committed to commissioners “to work it out.”
CITY OF MIAMI
>>> In essentially 48-hours, two new commissioners will be elected, dismal voter turnout expected, but what of the absentee ballots
The clock is ticking for the District 1 and District 5 Miami commission races and the winner take all election, has nine candidates in each race running and turnout is expected to be dismal Jan. 12. The candidates for District 5 were planning to have an event Saturday that all said they were planning to attend but the Watchdog Report could not get to the event at a local church in the district. Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado on www.wpbt.org said he is not endorsing any of the running candidates in the two races.
The Miami Herald endorsed Richard Tabia for commission district 1, that have insiders favoring former commissioner Willy Gort who left the dais in 2001 after a failed mayoral bid. However, charges are flying that voters are being coached and possible city workers might be working for certain candidates’ campaigns. (For more on that story go to www.miaminewtimes.com). In the district 5 race Erica Wright, a former Miami assistant city attorney and county ethics commissioner got the daily paper’s nod, but suspended Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones is not backing down on her claim she is innocent of the charges brought by the state attorney’s office and is favored to probable win. She also announced there would be a legal challenge if Gov. Charlie Crist suspends her again while she awaits her trial. >>> This Week on Issues – 1/08 & 1/10 : Interview with City of Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is investigating the City of Miami for possibly misrepresenting the city’s financial health. Mayor Tomas Regalado shares his thoughts on this plus the city’s upcoming special election and the issuing of a check to former Mayor Manny Diaz for unpaid time. Guest: Mayor Tomas Regalado, City of Miami
>>> Miami Clerk’s office: A SPECIAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION IN THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA TO ELECT CITY COMMISSIONERS TO THE OFFICES OF DISTRICT 1 AND DISTRICT 5 TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2010, PURSUANT TO RESOLUTIONS NO. 09-0512 AND NO. 09-0513
Click here the Official Ballot Click here for more information
>>> Commissioners should review how members are selected on important Civil Service Board, three members including Chair de la O leaving
The city’s Civil Service Board members are changing and current chair Miguel M. de la O is stepping down after years in that capacity along with two others and it is a great opportunity to review how people are selected on this important board where there is no screening nominating structure like with many other city boards. With the changing economic times, having a top notch board hearing these complaints brought by the administration and employees that also potentially impact the city’s general funds would be a good thing. And commissioners should create some qualification criteria for people that might apply for this important hearing board. >>> Clerk’s office: CIVIL SERVICE BOARD EMPLOYEE ELECTION, Pedro G. Hernandez, City Manager, has announced that on Thursday, March 4, 2010 and Friday, March 5, 2010, an ELECTION will be held for the City of Miami Civil Service Board Click here for more information
>>> Press release: MIAMI RESIDENT CHARGED IN $55 MILLION MEDICARE FRAUD SCHEME; SPENT $4.8 MILLION ON EXOTIC CARS, JEWELRY, AND HORSES
Jeffrey H. Sloman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, John V. Gillies, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Miami Field Office, Amos Rojas, Jr., Special Agent in Charge, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Miami Regional Operations Center, Christopher B. Dennis, Special Agent in Charge, Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, and Daniel W. Auer, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, announced that defendant Ihosvany Marquez, of Miami-Dade County, was arraigned today on an Indictment charging him with conspiracy to commit Medicare fraud, Medicare fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, money laundering, and aggravated identity theft. Another defendant, Michel De Jesus Huarte, was indicted for a closely related Medicare fraud scheme in September 2009, and pled guilty in November 2009. The Indictment alleges that Marquez, together with Michel De Jesus Huarte and other unnamed conspirators, operated and controlled seven purported medical clinics in Miami- Dade and Orange counties. These clinics were Zigma Medical Care, Inc., Tender Loving Care Medical Center, Inc., Professional Medical Health, Inc., Metro Med Care, Inc., San Diego Medical & Rehab Center, Inc., Eulogia’s Diagnostic Medical Center, Inc., and Stop Injury Medical Center, Inc. According to the Indictment, these clinics submitted at least $55 million in false claims to Medicare for infusion therapy, injection therapy, and other expensive medical treatments designed to treat Medicare beneficiaries suffering from a wide variety of ailments, including cancer, HIV, AIDS, chronic pain, and varicose veins. Based on these fraudulent claims, Medicare paid Marquez and his conspirators approximately $21.6 million.
According to the charges, to conceal their involvement in the scheme, Marquez and his conspirators recruited nominee or “straw” owners for each company, and paid them large sums of cash to sign the corporate records, bank records, and other business documents before fleeing the country to avoid arrest. One such nominee owner, Madelin Machado of Zigma Medical, was indicted in the Southern District of Florida in January 2008 (Case No. 08-20033-HUCK), and remains a fugitive today. Earlier today, U.S. Magistrate Judge Barry L. Garber ordered Marquez be detained pending trial. During the pretrial detention hearing, the United States stated that Marquez used $2.7 million of Medicare fraud proceeds to purchase numerous luxury and exotic cars, including a Lamborghini Gallardo, a Lamborghini Murcielago, a Ferrari 612 Scaglietti, two (2) Bentley Continental GTs, two (2) Mercedes Benz CL63s, and at least six (6) Mercedes Benz S550s. The United States further proffered that Marquez spent more than $500,000 on jewelry, and more than $1million on horses during 2007 and 2008. The United States further proffered that Marquez did not have any reported wages or earnings in the State of Florida, and therefore could not have made such expenditures with legitimate funds. >>> An Indictment is only an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. Mr. Sloman commended the investigative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ryan Stumphauzer and Daniel Bernstein. 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.
>>> The following e-mail was sent to (now former) Mayor Manny Diaz using his e-mail address on his extensive city web-page on Sept. 13, 2008 at 9:38 a.m. and to date there has been no answer from the mayor.>>> “Mayor Diaz, I wanted to ask you in the chamber today but not in front of Chair Joe Sanchez. My question is where did the extra $400,000 in the 2007 disclosure form come from? I will run what ever you respond unedited but I would appreciate closing this issue, as I am sure you do. Sorry but I have to ask. Best to all. Dan” >>>> The Watchdog Report through Dec.7 has yet to get a response or catch-up with Miami Mayor Manuel Diaz on where he got the extra $400,000 in cash listed in his 2007 financial disclosure forms. To see what CBS 4 reporter David Sutta’s take on this issue and the other city leaders financial disclosures go to cbs4.com Blogs . >>> Readers should stay tuned and catch the meeting on the city’s cable station channel 77. >>> Stream Channel 77, for all City of Miami meetings, (Commission, Village Council meetings, Waterfront, Zoning, PAB, Code, etc. hearings) http://videos.miamigov.com/
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
>>> NEW PEDESTRIAN BLOCK OPENS ON LINCOLN ROAD, MIAMI BEACH
WHEN: Monday, January 11, 2010, TIME: 1:00 p.m., WHERE: 1100 Block of Lincoln Road, between Lenox Avenue + Alton Road WHAT: Project and city representatives celebrate the new pedestrian promenade with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Lincoln Road’s Lenox Avenue to Alton Road block will open as a pedestrian only plaza and promenade, which completes the western portion of Lincoln Road. This block was previously open for vehicular traffic. The pedestrian expansion also provides a new beautiful western entrance to the world-renowned pedestrian shopping district. As part of a public/private partnership with UIA Management LLC, Robert Wennett, developer of 1111 Lincoln Road project, and the City of Miami Beach, this block of Lincoln Road was converted to a pedestrian plaza, in keeping with the Lincoln Road blocks to the east that expand to Washington Avenue.
The plaza features interactive public art by New York artist Dan Graham. A water garden with native trees and other features use Morris Lapidus’ legendary designs as inspirations. A new, multi-use structure on the north end adds 250 parking spaces and includes retail, residential and office space. Raymond Jungles, a Miami-based landscape architect, designed the public plaza and pedestrian promenade in collaboration with Swiss-based architectural firm of Herzog & de Meuron, the architect of the 1111 Lincoln Road project. Herzog & de Meuron are the designers of the Bird’s Nest Stadium for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing and the Miami Art Museum. Press contact: City of Miami Beach, Nannette Rodriguez, 305.673.7575 or 305.332.3153, UIA Management LLC, 1111 Lincoln Road, Mary Jessica Woodrum, 305.538.9320, x107
>>> From Commissioner’s Gongora’s newsletter: Important City Meetings to Attend in January: January 13, 2010- Miami Beach City Commission Meeting; January 19, 2010- Neighborhoods/Community Affairs Committee; January 19, 2010- Finance and Citywide Projects Meeting; and January 23, 2010- Land Use and Development Meeting.
CITY OF CORAL GABLES
>>> Historic Biltmore Hotel working with city on $2 million in payments owed
The Historic Biltmore Hotel and golf course, a jewel for the City Beautiful is facing tough financial times with the organization being around $2 million behind in its rent payments to the city. That number came up in a discussion over the holidays with Mayor Donald Slesnick, II and he said the administration was working with the high-end luxury hotel to come to a resolution, but in a way not to hurt the facilities ability to operate and continue draw tourists and others to the City Beautiful. The hotel is a unique experience and you step back in time with its beautiful ceiling murals and other period pieces and U.S. Presidents have dropped in over the years, including President Barack Obama who held one of his first fundraisers there early on in his campaign.
>>> City’s web page: Saturday, January 16 marks the beginning of the Coral Gables Farmers Market, to be held every Saturday until March 27. The Farmers Market takes place on the street between City Hall and Merrick Park and is the place to be if you like to buy the freshest produce, gourmet foods and delicious baked goods. Free Tai Chi sessions begin the activities at 8 a.m., followed by gardening workshops (9 a.m.), cooking demonstrations (10 a.m.) and children’s activities (11 a.m.). Coming up on January 16: Gardening 101 with Cindy David, Cooking demonstration by Charlotte Bistro, and Children storybook reading from the “Story of Martin Luther King Jr.” For more information, call 305-460-5311.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
>>> Two of our very special Women of Tomorrow people, Miami-Dade Coordinator Pam Edwards and Gala Chair Marisa Toccin, are being honored by the Weizmann Institute of Science at the 13th Women of Vision Luncheon, to be held Thursday, January 21, 2010 at the Miami Beach Resort & Spa, located at 4833 Collins Avenue on Miami Beach. The Women of Vision Award is a wonderful honor that I am proud to have shared with them way back in 2001. Several of our Mentors are already involved with Weizmann, in particular Dr. Randy Schenkman who is the Executive Committee Chair for the South Florida Region of the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science. Other Women of Tomorrow Mentors who serve on this year’s luncheon committee include Dr. Shulamit Katzman, Terri Shikany, Millinda Sinnreich, and Eileen Youtie. Also being honored this year are long time WOT supporters Norma Quintero & Stephanie Sayfie-Aagaard. >>> If you would like to support Pam and Marisa as they receive their awards from the Weizmann Institute, you can call or email the Weizmann Institute of Science for event tickets: Debra Herrmann, Development Associate, 954-964-8071, 305-940-7377, or debra@acwis.org. Tickets are $125 and space is limited so please contact Debra as soon as possible. Please see invitation below for more details and information. Best wishes, Jennifer Valoppi
>>> If you read Gerald Posner’s “Miami Babylon” you understand the lop-sided advantage developers and profiteers have over preservationists and environmentalists. You also learn that it was the foresight of a few tenacious developers who saw the commercial potential of Art Deco preservation that rejuvenated Miami Beach. Behind the scenes are the government officials, civil servants of integrity and vision, without whom the system would break down. One of these is the self-effacing Director of Historic Preservation for Miami Beach, William Cary. William after fifteen years out of the spotlight was in the middle of the action to recognize and preserve urban architectural uniqueness. These efforts have paid off in sustainable property values, a walking environment, and a tourist draw – good for residents and for the local economy.>>>A host committee of eighteen preservationists, supported by the Urban Environment League, is sponsoring a dinner to honor William Cary, Tuesday, January 19, 2010, 6PM, at the Bay Room, 9 Island Avenue, Miami Beach. If you wish to attend, the RSVP is by check, $40 per person, made out to Urban Environment League, c/o Nancy Liebman, 9 Island Ave. #408, Miami Beach, FL 33139, by January 9. For info. Telephone (305) 609-4288.
>>> The Downtown Bay Forum www.downtownbayforum.com INVITES YOU TO OUR LUNCHEON MEETING ON WEDNESDAY JANUARY 27, 2010–11:30 AM >>> JACKSON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL – HOW WILL IT SURVIVE? -WHERE WILL THE FUNDS COME FROM? >>> SPEAKERS: ENEIDA O. ROLDAN, MD, MPH, MBA, PRESIDENT & CEO PUBLIC HEATH TRUST & JACKSON HEALTH SYSTEM – JOHN H. COPELAND, III, CHAIRMAN OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST – MODERATOR: HELEN FERRE- CHANNEL 2 TALK SHOW HOST >>> MARRIOTT HOTEL–1633 N. BAYSHORE DR., MIAMI, $5.00 Valet Parking Available at Marriott Hotel Call ANNETTE EISENBERG (305)757-3633 Fax (305)754-2015 >> RESERVATIONS REQUIRED >> Membership Application &/or Luncheon Reservation (please print clearly) Name: _________________________________ Business: _____________
Address: ________________________ Phone No: _____________E-mail ___________________ Fax No. ______________$30 Membership ___ $22 Lunch, member w/reservation __ $52 Membership & Lunch __$26 Non-Member or Member without reservation if space is available ___$250 Table of 10 DOWNTOWN BAY FORUM P.O. Box 371633, Miami, FL 33137-1633
EDITORIAL
>>> Local corruption is systemic statewide; voters must engage and watch their public institutions, $14 billion in public institutions locally
The Miami Herald’s front page story today called The Roots of Corruption; How and why Broward County became such a hotbed for scandal www.miamiherald.com done by award winning veteran journalist John Dorschner, is a major contribution to the understanding of how people become corrupt and the damage done to the public institutions they are associated with in leadership positions. When I have traveled to Broward over the past decade. I was always told everything was just fine and the voters loved their elected leaders’ performance in general, but if you scratched deeper. You many times found not all was well in the world of public service in the state’s second largest county. Miami-Dade is politically considered by many in the rest of the state to be an anomaly of nature and only corruption exists there. But with Gov. Charlie Crist removing 33 elected leaders from office since Jan. 2007 statewide. That is not the case.
Throughout Florida, corruption, greed and cash have gone hand in hand for the last century and while examining wayward officials in South Florida is one way to go. The larger lesson is that voters and citizens must be engaged in how their public institutions are governed because the way it is currently working. Elected leaders die, retire or are indicted when they leave the dais throughout most of South Florida’s elected body’s history and why the media and watchdogs are so needed, especially with $14 billion in public institutions in Miami-Dade alone. Further, in that Herald story someone mentioned that elected leaders love that the press is on the ropes and that should scare everyone. For many politicians when they are out of office realize the role of the media and its important ability to do large-scale investigations of how your public tax dollars are being spent.
Broward and Palm Beach leaders and citizens should continue pushing for a local inspector general and ethics commission for these bodies are cheap when it comes to keeping the public trust of residents. A trust that once sullied is difficult to reestablish and that is one of the sad by products of corrupt officials. It casts a shadow on all of them in office and why the profession’s esteem with the public is in the tank. And unfortunately, for us all, that is not a politically healthy state of affairs that continues to drift in the wrong direction where nationally, statewide, and locally, leaders are at each other’s political throats. But the nation’s problems remain at all levels, corruption is just one of them, but its corrosive affect on the Republic is devastating to a free and vibrant society and must be stamped out as much as possible.
LETTERS
>>> Hello my friend. Happy New Year. Hope all is good and I wish you the best for 2010…. You really have a target rich environment down there now. God Bless Miami-Dade.
Steve
>>> We wish you the best for 2010, and we hope you continue giving us these incredible reports! Stay true to your style of reporting, you have many followers. God Bless always,
Dan and Marina
Miami, Florida
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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
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>>> 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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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
Small Business Supporters $250
Individual Supporter $150
Student Supporter $ 75
Any amount $
Name & Address
Please make checks payable to: Daniel A. Ricker/Watchdog Report
Send to:
3109 Grand Avenue, #125
Miami, FL 33133
Fax 305-668-4784
To contact the Publisher please e-mail to watchdogreport1@earthlink.net