Watchdog Report Vol.11 No.10 July 11, 2010 – Est. 05.05.2000
CONTENTS
Argus Report: U.S. Gen. Fraser, one-year as South Com commandant, works with 19 countries on mutual security “partnerships”
Florida: Since Apr. 22, UM – CSTARS starts tracking catastrophic oil spill; U.S. Sen. Nelson wants plan and understanding of size & movement of spill going forward
Florida Supreme Court: Chief Justice Canady tapped by Gov. Crist in Aug. 08, had net worth of $442,000 through Mar.1
Miami-Dade County: An “apology” is demanded by Mayor Alvarez, ethics director Meyers demurred after testy exchange on budget independence
Broward County: Mayor Keechl faces opposition in 2010, face of county, had net worth of $1.03 million through 2009
Palm Beach County: Vice Chair Marcus in spotlight, dodges political purge, had $138,000 net worth through Dec. 09
Escambia County: Gov. Crist taps Brunie Emmanuel of Pensacola as a Point of Light for volunteerism in his community.
Lee County: With Commissioner Janes death, Gov. Crist taps Manning of Cape Coral
Monroe County: State Rep. Saunders facing opposition in McPherson, legislator had $687,000 net worth through 2009
Miami-Dade Public Schools: Audit department finds $130,000 in over billing, Charter School landlord busted, owes $31,000 in property taxes over six years
Public Health Trust: Some commissioners’ verbally beat-up PHT trustees, Vice Chair Medina feels the heat but money at Trust is scarce
City of Miami: Regalado, Carollo, Dunn, Suarez take CDBG road trip to D.C., looking for congressional waiver given social service needs of elderly
City of Miami Beach: CPA & Commissioner Weithorn featured speaker, with $30 million to cut in city budget, challenges ahead
City of Coral Gables: Taxpayers should keep an eye on commission as TRIM notice begins property tax process
Community Events: Meet judicial candidates — Meet county commission candidates for Districts 8
Editorials: Dirty Dozen in Broward, corruption spasm continues, but will voters rise up in South Florida and demand better?
Letters: Reader got a laugh on Grove Cloister’s story – Happy 4th of July from VA
Sponsors – Publisher’s mission statement & Subscription information is at the bottom of this issue
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>>> 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 Mediahttp://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.
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ARGUS REPORT – Heard, Seen on the Street
>>> U.S. Gen. Fraser, one-year as South Com commandant, works with 19 countries on mutual security “partnerships”
U.S. Air Force General Douglas Fraser addressed the Greater Miami Chamber’s 23rd Annual Service Person of the Year Awards luncheon Wednesday at Jungle Island and hemispheric “partnerships” were the theme of the day. The general before coming to Miami was stationed in Honolulu but his extensive military career has sent him around the world over the decades. Here in South Florida, after a decade of uncertainty if Southern Command would stay in Doral, after moving in the 1990s from Panama, the command will be completing its new headquarters in Doral this fall. He said the help of the Chamber and its members really assisted in that new location actually happening.
Power of Partnership was the title of the general’s speech and much of what his command does is “focused on building partnerships” with the countries in the command’s area. He said leaders he works with have a “collective desire” for “economic prosperity” and by working together with these nations and being a “partner, that is success,” he said. South Com is one of six geographic combat commands and it stretches from the eastern Pacific to the Atlantic and the mission is “security and stability” of the Western Hemisphere that is “rooted in freedom, the rule of law” with an emphasis to “work the region diplomatically.” The 1975 Air Force Academy graduate said the region had a “very low” threshold when it came to a “conventional military threat” to the United States. However, the new issue was non-traditional threats such as Weapons of Mass Destruction from rogue groups or terrorists that many times try to win over local residents with food and shelter, but Fraser said “people don’t feel safe” and no one wants to “live that way.”
Fraser said the command works with 19 countries in joint operations that includes “trafficking in illicit drugs, money, weapons, human beings, and [exotic] animals. He said when it came to the drug trade that was a “$400 billion global enterprise,” and noted these people go to the “path of least resistance” and why some big seizures “not seen before in Europe” have been occurring. He said the challenge was to “put pressure throughout the region” with a common goal of “detection and monitoring” of trafficors and hand off this information “to local or international law enforcement,” he said. Key West also plays a critical role with 13 international agencies located there when it comes to this war on drugs.
The general highlighted another aspect of the command’s mission talking about the relief efforts initiated after the Jan. 12 devastating earthquake in Haiti. He said his organization played a key role that involved around 22,000 military personnel and 21 ships helping with the massive global relief effort. He told the attendees that currently there are about 550 military people in the country now, that includes medical teams and working on projects such as “building schools.”
>>> With 46 states with over $180 billion in budget deficits, past deficit financial spending catching up with nation
With the national news media www.msnbc.com stating there are 46 states that face budget deficits next year to the tune of over $180 billion. It highlights not only the hollowing out of nation’s financial assets, but the grim reality when it comes to public employees salaries and pensions, given an economy that minimum might take four to five years to rebound from. California leads the deficit pack with a $19 billion shortfall and here in Florida, it will likely come-in around $7 billion less than needed. Here in South Florida, the local counties are facing bleak prospects and the 35 municipalities in Miami-Dade and the 31 cities and towns in Broward are going to have to deal with this vexing budget problem, after decades of economic and property tax growth that left many public entities feeling fat and happy when it came to tax dollars.
>>> Press release: The National Association of Latino and Elected Officials (NALEO), the premier partner of the Census 2010 according to a nationwide survey of Latinos by the Pew Hispanic Center, is proud to announce a 69% participation rate of the Census 2010 from Miami-Dade County. This is an increase of a full 2% from Census 2000. This increase is due to the hard work of the Census 2010 partners in collaboration with Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Miami-Dade County and numerous municipalities. Enumeration is still taking place and will continue until July 10, 2010. “Miami-Dade County Public Schools is to be commended for the monumental task that it undertook in informing parents, students and the community of the Census 2010. Miami-Dade County Public Schools in conjunction with the Complete Count Committee should be commended for increasing the participation rate to a new high,” said School Board Member Ana Rivas Logan and NALEO Board of Director.
Although America’s participation rate stayed constant at 72%, Florida’s Census 2010 participation rate of 72% was 3 percentage points higher than the Census 2000 participation rate. The final demographics will be published for the public in January 2011. The final numbers will be seen first by President Barack Obama by December 31, 2010. This data will be used for congressional apportionment. Some states will likely gain (or lose) seats in the U.S. House of Representatives based on the 2010 Census count. By March 31, 2011, the Census Bureau will release more detailed data to help states redraw congressional, state, and local legislative district boundaries, in a process called “redistricting.” “Knowing the importance that the 2010 census is going to have on Florida and for Hispanics, Florida’s NALEO members made a yeoman effort in mobilizing and informing the community. We are all proud of the results,” said Juan Carlos Zapata, NALEO Educational Fund Chairman and Florida State Representative, District 119. >>> The U.S. Census counts every resident in the United States, and is required by the Constitution to take place every 10 years. The 2010 Census will help communities receive more than $400 billion in federal funds each year for things like: hospitals, job training centers, schools, senior centers, bridges, tunnels and other public works projects. “This has been the most important census ever for our community, the NALEO Educational Fund, and the ya es hora HAGASE CONTAR! campaign. Local and national partners came together to implement an unprecedented outreach campaign, yet the credit belongs to the Hispanic community in Florida who responded to the call to make itself count,” said Arturo Vargas, Executive Director, NALEO.
>>> Press release: Broward Bulldog has been accepted into the Investigative News Network. The Investigative News Network is a national collaboration of nonprofit journalism organizations that conducts investigative reporting in the public interest. Only 40 organizations have been offered membership by the Investigative News Network. Membership requires meeting rigorous operational and reporting standards and solidifies Bulldog’s position as a credible source of hard-hitting local news. The decline of the for-profit print newspaper industry has sparked a burgeoning not-for-profit model which recognizes the changing landscape of news delivery and consumption. Successful news organizations are moving away from the labor-intense and high-overhead printing process to one of 2.0-based efficiency, around-the-clock access and mobility. However, instant news gratification must have checks and balances to ensure the integrity of the source and the content. Voluntary membership in The Investigative News Network is one way on-line, nonprofit news organizations can be held accountable for their business practices and the information they gather and release. “To be recognized by our peers for our contributions to this emerging model is one of the best compliments we can receive,” said Dan Christensen, editor of Broward Bulldog. “We look forward to helping build the foundation of collaborative journalism and learning from like-minded newsrooms.” >>> Broward Bulldog is an independent, not for profit online-only newspaper created to provide authoritative local reporting in the public interest. We are Florida’s first non-profit regional news site staffed by veteran, professional journalists. Our reporters provide issue-oriented and investigative coverage of government, politics, the courts, education, business, the environment, health and public safety. For more information about contributions and sponsorships, contact Kitty Barran, Director of Business Development, at 954-817-3434 or kbarran@browardbulldog.org.
>>> If you believe it is important to have someone watching your public institutions consider supporting the Watchdog Report for no money came in over the last week and I do have to live, thank you! The report is also shorter and with less real content because I am still weak and do not have my past energy level that allowed me to write all day Saturday and Sunday as in the past almost 11-years that I have been doing this. I ask for my readers understanding during this time. >>> Further, I have been honored over the years by being named a WFOR-4 Hometown Hero in 2000, being profiled in a major way by The Miami New Times, The Miami Herald, and the Orlando Sentinel which ran as a nationwide story on me in the Tribune papers on Jan. 2003 and UNC Chapel Hill naming me one of the top columnists in Florida in a multi-state study of the media back in 2004. I also thank Joseph Cooper for the opportunity to be on the WLRN/NPR showTopical Currents on www.wlrn.org since 2000, including yearly election coverage since then, and also the opportunity to be on Helen Ferre’s show Issues on issues@wpbt.org numerous times over the past decade.
>>> 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
>>> Since Apr. 22, UM – CSTARS has been tracking catastrophic oil spill, U.S. Sen. Nelson wants plan and understanding of size & movement of spill going forward
U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-FL had a huddle with professors at the University of Miami’s Center for Southeastern Tropical Advanced Remote Sensing (CSTARS), part of the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, concerning the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, and its impact on deep cold water coral reefs and other creatures, while the massive spill is migrating throughout the Gulf Thursday morning. Nelson meeting in Coral Gables above his office with about ten people, including the Watchdog Report and a reporter and cameraman from WPLG Channel 10. He said the first course of action was “to kill the well,” and “stop the gushing of 60,000 barrels a day,” and that has to be followed by “scooping-up the oil before it hits shore,” and when it reaches beaches to “get it off.” He said the real question is “unknown about how much oil is underneath the surface, where is it going and what will the effect be on the health of the Gulf,” he asked. The senator said his mission has been trying to get the U.S. government “off its duff” and wants CSTARS to get a plan along with the 21 other consortium members to help “understand what is happening below the surface,” he said. He noted that the beaches he has visited at “night have tar balls” when these wash on shore, but in the hot daytime, the oil melts and covers the beach surface like unusual asphalt. The senior Florida senator said he took photos of the black tar on the beaches to a Senate Democratic Caucus meeting recently, and members were shocked at the widespread damage to the environment, he said. He also questioned the large amount of disbursements that have been used, and “with so much oil could microbes [even] consume it,” he wondered.
The professors could not give a solid answer on a number of the questions for there has never been a spill of this size, or chemicals used in this quantity ever before. They believe as much research as possible is necessary and we should “learn the maximum from this event” believing we “need to learn as much as we can” from this catastrophe, because “it will happen again” they all agreed. They also noted there were 14 satellites from around the world’s nations getting data from the sky and research ships have “located deep sea [oil] plums,” already and the experts said, “Radar imagery is the best way to see the oil.”
The CSTARS professors showed four satellite photos that were enlarged and what surprised the Watchdog Report besides just the incredible size of the affected area along the states coastlines. It was how far some of the oil intrusion had gone into the marsh and wetlands in Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi and the Florida Panhandle coast. They also said when it came to concentrations of oil on the Gulf floor, it will “most of the time come to the surface” over time. They said new models are being created to track the currents moving the gigantic oil mass and they are combining all the technology available “to get a picture of what is happening [underwater],” said the scientists.
What about the U.S. debt and deficits?
Nelson when asked by the Watchdog Report after the meeting about the off the wall national debt climbing over $13 trillion. He said, “It will be a long slog but we have to address the [growing national] deficit,” he said.
Quote of the week
Nelson, after staff got a cup of coffee for him. He told the people in the room they were welcome to partake in the java that was brought into the room if they liked. The Senator elected in 2000 and again in 2006, after years in congress including being a mission specialist on the Space Shuttle said “We aim to please, and are a full Senate shop,” he joked but the coffee was appreciated. >>> For more information go to Bill Nelson, U.S. Senator from Florida: Home The official Web site of US Senator Bill Nelson from Florida. >>> And to see what is going on at the Oil Spill web page at UM go to www.rsmas.miami.edu.oil-spill/
>>> Sen. Nelson press release: Undersea unknowns prompt lawmaker to seek answers
With concerns mounting about oil lurking deep beneath the Gulf surface, Florida Sen. Bill Nelson will head to Coral Gables on Thursday to meet with local scientists who are using radar technology and high-resolution satellites to track and monitor oil plumes. Specifically, Nelson wants to find out what the researchers can do to detect subsea oil and other toxins resulting from the Deepwater Horizon spill. The senator will meet with experts from the University of Miami’s Center for Southeastern Tropical Advanced Remote Sensing (CSTARS) at 10 a.m. Thursday in the 2nd floor conference room of the Rasco, Reininger, Perez, Esquinazi & Vigil law firm located at 283 Catalonia Avenue in Coral Gables. The meeting comes a day after Nelson proposed new legislation aimed at forcing the government to do more to address undersea plumes. Among other things, the legislation would give the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 45 days to come up with a comprehensive plan to locate and assess the environmental and health risks posed by submerged oil, gas and other toxic substances. The bill would also establish a program within NOAA to carry out the plan.
>>> Press release: Gov. Crist today announced the following reappointments: Charter School Review Panel
Kimberly “Kym” Elder, 50, of Nokomis, executive director and founder of Island Village Montessori Charter School, reappointed for a term beginning July 7, 2010, and ending April 11, 2011.
Sherry A. Hage, 42, of Fort Lauderdale, vice president of education for Charter Schools USA, reappointed for a term beginning July 7, 2010, and ending April 11, 2011.
Dr. Tim S. Kitts, 54, of Lynn Haven, principal of Bay Haven Charter Academy, reappointed for a term beginning July 7, 2010, and ending April 11, 2011. Kitts will continue to serve as Chair of the Charter School Review Panel.
FLORIDA SUPREME COURT
>>> Chief Justice Canady tapped by Gov. Crist in Aug. 08, had net worth of $442,000 through Mar.1
Charles Canady, the recently named Florida Supreme Court’s chief justice is in the spotlight this week and Gov. Charlie Crist appointed him to the bench on Aug. 2008.
What do we know about his finances?
Canady’s net worth through Mar.1, 2010 was $442,000 and he lists $50,500 in household goods. His home in Lakeland is valued at $310,000, there is $159,692 in a federal thrift, a deferred compensation plan has $69,700 and bank accounts have $36,966 in them. His only liability is a $195,000 mortgage, his judicial salary was $159,587 and he lists receiving no gifts over $100.00.
>>> Court’s web page: Chief Justice Charles Canady was born in Lakeland, Florida, in 1954. He is married to Jennifer Houghton, and they have two children. He received his B.A. from Haverford College in 1976 and his J.D. from the Yale Law School in 1979. Justice Canady practiced law with the firm of Holland and
Knight in Lakeland from 1979 through 1982. He practiced with the firm of Lane, Trohn, et al., from 1983 through 1992. From November 1984 to November 1990, Justice Canady served three terms in the Florida House of Representatives, and from January 1993 to January 2001, he served four terms in the United States House of Representatives. Throughout his service in Congress, Justice Canady was a member of the House Judiciary Committee. For three terms, from January 1995 to January 2001, Justice Canady was the Chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution. On August 28, 2008, Justice Canady was appointed to the Florida Supreme Court by Governor Charlie Crist and took office on September 8, 2008. For more information go to http://www.floridasupremecourt.org/justices/canady.shtml
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
>>> An “apology” is demanded by Mayor Alvarez, ethics director Meyers demurred after testy exchange on budget independence
A testy exchange between Mayor Carlos Alvarez (Net worth $1.74 million) and Ethics Commission Director Robert Meyers at Thursday’s county commission meeting had the mayor demanding “an apology,” that he did not get. He said, “I demand that [apology] because he insulted me,” and “the commission.” He later said there “have been hundreds of investigations” since the ethics commission was first created in 1998 and there has been no retaliation. The mayor had sent a memo to Commission Chair Dennis Moss (Net worth $342,000) and the commission on Jun.8 and previously reported in the Watchdog Report. He noted that the ethics commission staff had not followed in the five percent cuts that the rest of the county employees had and the organization was different from the rest of the county when it came to this sacrifice. Alvarez said about the memo that there was “no conspiracy when an ordinance passed” and in the case of the cuts, eventually all employees would be hit with the five percent reduction “forever,” he said.
Meyers in rebuttal noted that the ethics commission does not follow many of the county salary increases over the past 12-years in lockstep and the commission made cuts within its set budget compared to what the county was doing, including the furlough of ethics staff. Meyers said ethics commission staff “have not kept pace” with other county employees and the body “should be able to spend its money” as the commission pleases since it is an independent body and while not saying it was planned. The mayor’s memo “castes the ethics commission in a bad light” and the attorney noted there have been investigations in the mayor’s office recently and believes the mayor’s memos “timing is suspect.” Meyers also said he reports to the five-member ethics commission, and they said when it came to the cuts “if you can do it some other way” do that. Meyers noted the budget office and manager were aware of what the organization was doing over the years, and some outsiders have been waiting for this challenge of the ethics body’s independence, by either the county commission or mayor, which on the county organizational chart, gives the ethics commission a dotted line to the county. Since, voters created the ethics commission by a Charter change.
The exchange also included Commissioner Barbara Jordan (Net worth $1.9 million in 08) saying she thought the ethics commission should fall into line with the rest of county employees and took a shot at the body’s own ethics. Manager George Burgess said the ethics commission budget had been handled with “white gloves” trying to give them the budget they were requesting. However, Commissioner Joe Martinez (Net worth $270,000 in 08) noted the salary cuts “were not equitable” when looked at across the board. He believed some of this testy exchange came about because he had sponsored an ordinance giving the budgets for the commission auditor, IG and ethics commission to be moved from the mayor’s administration to the commission. Commissioner Katy Sorenson (Net worth $1.34 million in 08), said it was a “delicate situation” when it came to the body’s “independence” and she thought the commission was treading on a dangerous path when it comes to meddling with the ethics commission budget, a body approved by voters in 1996. She thought it was better to just “give a lump sum” to them and “just let the commission on ethics” do what they want, “within the budget constraints,” she closed.
The ethics commission approved by voters back then was then given an enabling ordinance by the county commission and began functioning in 1998, and since then the county commission has essentially backed the independent body’s funding. However, at the conclusion of this discussion, Moss said Meyers should go back to his commission and let them know the commission’s thoughts, and the director said he would take that message back to the body. For more imformation about both organizations go to www.miamidade.gov or www.miamidadeethics.com
>>> What was the first ethics commission meeting like?
Back in 1998, I attended the first Ethics and Public Trust Commission meeting and Meyers was interviewed for the job by the newly appointed commission back then. There was only one other person in the audience in the small meeting room in the downtown county courthouse at the time, and he looked at me and asked. “Who the h… are you?” and I responded “I am just a citizen,” but I will never forget that exchange with a prominent local attorney, and one of the reasons I do the Watchdog Report to this day.
>>> Political Teaching Moment, elected leaders back taxes are public documents, spare yourself the embarrassment
This week the Watchdog Report will try to have a political Teachable Moment when it comes to public records, voting on property tax millage, and not being current yourself when you are an elected leader. For the last few weeks, I have been writing about the need for the community’s leaders to be current with their own property taxes, as they in the coming weeks set the first property tax millage levels, that at the county will be done Jul. 20. I originally was not planning to write about this issue if the elected leader became compliant and current with their tax bill, but other factors came to light later on, and it has to be reported for everyone’s good. I say this because not only could it be used against an elected leader in an election, it could also have a chilling effect, or worse blackmail in some way. If it was not brought out into the sunshine, and over time could be a non-factor in the person’s political career, if voters so decide.
In this case, it is Audrey Edmonson (Net worth $281,000) first appointed by county commissioners to the District 3 commission seat after Commissioner Barbara Carey-Shuler announced her retirement mid-term in late 2005, and Edmonson won reelection in her own right in future elections. She is a school board long time district employee and former mayor of El Portal. On Friday, the commissioner led a delegation of her peers made up of Commissioners Dorrin Rolle (Net worth $1.02 million in 08) and Barbara Jordan to Haiti, and it will be her third trip there since the devastating earthquake Jan. 12 that has killed and injured hundreds of thousands of the nation’s residents.
What tipped the scales, when it came to writing this story was when I opened The Miami Herald www.miamiherald.com on Jun. 23, 2010, and in the Local & Statesection, was a state public notice concerning a summary of the Year’s Actions of the 2008 Miami-Dade County Value Adjustment Board. The board is made up of County Commissioner Carlos Gimenez (Net worth $753,000 in 08); school board Chair Agustin “Gus” Barrera, citizens Hani Jardack, Anibal Duarte-Viera and Edmonson was the chair of the VAT board. In Edmondson’s case, she paid her 2007, 2008, and 2009 property taxes on Jun. 21, 2010 state county receipt documents supplied by a commission office aide on Thursday, and the payment came after I told most commissioners weeks earlier they had 30-days, if they were behind in their property taxes to get current. Edmonson paid the outstanding balance of $6,886 by a $6,700 check and $200.00 in cash, she is now current, and the three Tax Deed Redemption Bill liens on the home for those years have been satisfied in full. The commissioner may not have been aware of how in the rears she and her husband were on their property taxes, since he is said to handle these matters, but getting it out in the open is the only way to end an issue that has been percolating below the community’s surface since the first year of the non-payment.
What about other counties and municipal leaders’ property tax payments?
The example of Edmonson will not be rare in the future given the state of the economy and residents in Broward, Palm Beach and other Florida counties should check that their elected officials are compliant in this obligation as the days click bye before new tax millage public meetings for next year’s budget will be held. And residents should do their homework when it comes to this issue, for there are others in public office out there just like here in South Florida.
>>> Clock is ticking when it comes to $720,000 federal lobbying contract, after July cost of activity goes up
The county’s proposed federal lobbying contract paying over $720,000 split by five firms was Four Day Ruled by Commissioner Natacha Seijas (Net worth $655,000 in 08) last week after an hour of debate, and then another almost hour of discussion concerning if Seijas had the authority to keep the contract from being voted on by the body. County Attorney Robert Cuevas, Jr., said Seijas was within her rights since the item was listed on the official county agenda, and it called for a vote and was a “action item” that fell under the commission’s own procedural rule and it will be brought back Jul. 20 when the commission meets again. However, if the contract expires Aug. 5, these lobbyist fees could go up from a new negotiated discount and it could run this way month to month with the three current ones getting $200,000 a year, if the new contract is not passed by the contracts end date.
Further, Seijas thought having so many firms getting only $144,000 would “dilute the efforts” and not make it worth the lobbyists while to advocate aggressively for Miami-Dade. However, she said four would be okay with her, the firms would get $190,000 each and she publicly noted during the discussion that the fifth firm’s cofounder not mentioned by name, Al Cardenas was in the audience, something she had not seen for years, she said. Commissioner Katy Sorenson also voiced concern about having five firms, saying it could be a “five-ring circus” when it came to coordination of the county’s lobbying activities in the nation’s capital.
What about the number of federal lobbyists used by the county?
Joe Rasco, the director of the Intergovernmental Affairs Office said when commissioners asked about the history and past number of these firms when his office was created. He said they had around nine, but that was pared down to a lower number that in 2007, 2008 was three firms, with two sub-lobbying contracts paying former Congresswoman Carrie Meek and Michael Abrams up to $75,000 a year each for their services in the capital.
>>> The county commission decided to workshop in the future the issue of what an immediate family definition is when it comes to having a conflict of interest and currently, spouse, parents and children only fall under this prohibition. The commission wants to expand the definition while also making it workable.
Mistake of the week
During Thursday’s county commission meeting, Commissioner Barbara Jordan told fellow commissioners that Miami Gardens was incorporated “in 2005” when discussing some bond money being directed to the city with over 100,000 residents. However, in fact, the city was founded in 2003, its mayor is Shirley Gibson, and the incorporation was done while Commissioner Betty Ferguson was in the county office, a position now held by Jordan, who at the time was a county assistant county manager, and she first ran for the county commission seat in 2004.
>>> Recent IG reports: Arrest of Water & Sewer Department Employee for Stealing County Tools, IG10-02, July 8, 2010.
>>> Final Report on Abuse of Miami-Dade County Restrictions on Outside Employment by the Mayor’s Former Chief of Staff and Miami-Dade Police Department Officials, Ref. IG09-96, July 8, 2010. –Exhibits 1-10 – Morales Exhibits 1-24 – Gonzalez Exhibits 1-43 – Vigoa Exhibits 1-22 – Alvarez Exhibits -15 – Artime Exhibits 1-25 – Valdes Exhibits 1-8 – Perez Exhibits 1-9
>>> Press release: Miami-Dade Public Housing Agency (MDPHA) in partnership with the Boozer’s Buddies Foundation, McCormack Baron Salazar, and Urban Strategies offers this summer the First Annual Boozer’s Buddies Basketball Camp for boys and girls ages 7 to 17, who reside in MDPHA public housing developments. The Boozer’s Buddies Foundation was established by Utah Jazz NBA Star Carlos Boozer and his wife CeCe to provide support to families affected by sickle cell disease. The foundation was inspired by their own son’s battle with the disease, who, upon his birth in 2006, has undergone life-saving treatment at Miami Children’s Hospital. During this experience, Boozer and his wife were moved by seeing other families struggle with medical costs and created the foundation to raise funds to advance new treatments. “We look forward to the summer of 2010 and the prospect of providing inspiration, enjoyment and education to the children of MDPHA,” stated Carlos Boozer. The Basketball Camp is free for MDPHA kids. Recruitment is taking place at the public housing management offices or by calling 1-877-330-2979. Each camp accommodates about 150 children and they will receive a camp T-shirt, and free sneakers. Special guest speakers will visit the Camp. The Camp will be held at the following Miami-Dade Public High Schools: Booker T. Washington High School: July 19-23 & July 26-30; Miami High School: August 2-6; South Dade area: August 9-13. This camp offers a positive alternative for low-income and at-risk youth to participate in an extraordinary summer experience,” commented Gregg Fortner, director for MDPHA. >>> MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC HOUSING AGENCY -701 NW 1st Court, Miami, FL 33136 – (786) 469-4100
BROWARD COUNTY
>>> Mayor Keechl faces opposition in 2010, face of county, had net worth of $1.03 million through 2009
Mayor Ken Keechl is in the Watchdog Report spotlight this week and he was first elected to his commission district in 2006. He unseated former Republican Florida Senate President Jim Scott, the commission District 4 incumbent in a bitter race, but Broward is a Democratic stronghold when it comes to voters and Keechl beat back the former state GOP lawmaker. Since then Keechl has settled in on the nine member commission and rose to the leadership position late last year. The attorney is up for reelection in 2010 and he has one Democratic challenger, Beverly Kennedy, Republican’s are fielding Chip LaMarca, and Chris Chiari has filed as having no party affiliation. Keechl is taking no chances on his reelection, he has raised $348,000 for his campaign war chest, and he has spent $191,000 of that treasure.
What do we know about his finances?
Keechl through Jan. 2010 had a net worth of $1.03 million and he lists $90,000 in household goods. He has eight homes listed on his financial disclosure form, two bank accounts and two retirement fund accounts in total valued at $3.7 million. His liabilities include eight mortgages and a loan totaling $2.76 million. The commissioner’s income for the year was $100,000 as an elected leader and another $142,000 came in from the law firm where he practices.
Mayor Ken Keechl’s Press Conference Regarding Gulf Oil Spill -Mayor Ken Keechl addresses Broward County’s contingency plan as it relates to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in the Florida Gulf. More…
>>> Mayor’s web page: Hello and Welcome! -I am extremely proud to represent the 1.7 million residents of Broward County and, in particular, the nearly 200,000 residents of District 4. Thank you for your vote of confidence. When you elected me to be your County Commissioner in November of 2006, your votes indicated that you shared my vision of an environmentally-sensitive, business-friendly Broward County. And, since my election, I have led the charge on the County Commission to lower your property taxes; to eliminate wasteful spending; to protect our dwindling open spaces; to ensure adequate funding for beach re-nourishment; and to put a stop to the over-development that has changed Broward County’s precious coastline. You may rest assured that I will continue to advocate these positions as your County Commissioner. Moreover, as your County Commissioner, I work for you. My two exceptional aides, Kathy Singer, Natalie Levy and I are always available to assist you with any problems you may be experiencing with your state, county, or municipal governments. If we can’t solve your problem directly, we will be happy to utilize our resources and connections to put you in contact with the appropriate governmental agency that can assist you. Please feel free to email Ms. Kathy Singer, Ms. Natalie Levy or Commissioner Ken Keechl. We can also be reached at our Ft. Lauderdale office at (954) 357-7004.
>>> 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
>>> Vice Chair Marcus in spotlight, dodges political purge, had $138,000 net worth through Dec. 09
Commissioner Karen Marcus, the body’s vice chair is in the spotlight this week and she has survived the political purge the past few years when it came to public corruption and a rendezvous with federal prosecutors that has sent a number of her past peers to prison. Marcus has been active in her commission District 1 and the Watchdog Report has not heard of anything negative concerning the elected leader over the years.
What do we know about her finances?
Marcus through Dec. 2009 had a net worth of $138,000 and she lists $60,000 in household goods. Her home is valued at $242,000, a rental property is valued at $98,000, and her two cars are worth $8,500 and $9,000. Her liabilities listed are mortgages owed $99,247, and $200,000. Her income for the year was $96,956 as a commissioner, and $300.00 came in from the Palmer Water Control District.
>>> Commission web page: Commissioner Marcus serves as a member of the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners, representing District One. She has also served as President of the Florida Councils Association and was President of the Florida Association of Counties from November 2000 to June 2002. Commissioner Marcus has served on the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council since first being elected to the County Commission. For many years, she chaired the School Advisory Council for Palm Beach Gardens High School, during the time her daughters attended the school, having graduated from there herself.
Since she has been in office, she has supported the acquisition of more than 1,430 acres of park and recreation property in District One alone. Through various funding sources, parks and beaches such as Ocean Cay, Diamond Head/Radnor, Riverbend Park and many others will be available for all of us to enjoy. Northern Palm Beach County has 22 parks and has more public beachfront property than any district in the entire county. Riverbend Park is considered the Ajewel@ of the County=s parks system and is located along Florida=s first nationally designated AWild and Scenic River@, in Jupiter Farms. The Park boasts 684 acres of natural beauty and historical sites and is now open seven days a week. In February, 2008, Palm Beach County purchased the 230 acre Hatcher/Halparin property, which is located immediately west of Riverbend Park in Jupiter Farms. A portion of the property will be used as a natural area preserve and storage for the treatment of stormwater, and the remaining property will being added to Riverbend Park. An advocate to protect Palm Beach County=s natural resources, Commissioner Marcus supported the acquisition of 29,000 acres of environmentally sensitive land to protect it from development. She helped garner the public=s support to approve a bond issue in 1991 to purchase environmentally sensitive land, and again in 1999 to preserve environmentally sensitive lands and agricultural property in the Ag Reserve. Commissioner Marcus received the Nature Conservancy=s distinguished Public Service Award and the Nature Conservancy=s Grassroots Leadership Award… http://www.pbcgov.com/countycommissioners/district1/biography.htm
Commissioner Karen Marcus: 301 North Olive Ave. Suite 1201, West Palm Beach, FL 33401 – (561) 355-2201 – 877-930-2201 (Toll Free outside the West Palm Beach calling area) Fax: 561-355-6094 Send an e-mail Commissioner Karen Marcus >> Board of County Commissioners
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
>>> Pres release: Governor Charlie Crist today recognized Brunie Emmanuel of Pensacola as a Point of Light for volunteerism in his community.
“Brunie’s service has not only prepared countless Floridians for times of disaster, his service has brought prompt relief in times of need as well,” said Governor Crist. “I applaud his outstanding leadership in the safety and preservation of Florida’s citizens and environment.” Emmanuel is the leader of the Be Ready Alliance Coordinating for Emergencies (BRACE) programs & services team, which implements programs and procedures to reduce loss of life, injury, property damage, environmental impact and economic loss due to disaster. Recently, he led more than 350 volunteers in a pre-impact cleaning of the beaches of Perdido Key and Johnson beaches, including the National Seashore. He has also facilitated the efforts of more than a dozen organizations to meet the behavioral, physical, case management, direct assistance, volunteer, and public information needs of those affected by the BP oil spill. Emmanuel also participates in the Poverty Solutions Program, Escambia VISTA Coalition, and Community Database Solutions development. >>> AAA Auto Club South is the supporting sponsor of the Governor’s Points of Light Award. Walt Disney World is an in-kind supporter. 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. Florida’s Foundation, formerly the Volunteer Florida Foundation, manages the program. For more information, or to submit a nomination, go to www.FloridasFoundation.org
LEE COUNTY
>>> With Commissioner Janes death, Gov. Crist taps Manning of Cape Coral
Press release: Gov. Crist today appointed John E. Manning of Cape Coral to the Lee County Board of County Commissioners. He will fill the vacancy created by the death of Commissioner Bob Janes. “As a long-time resident of Lee County with 18 years of public-service experience, John is ready to step onto the county commission and begin working immediately,” Governor Crist said. “I am confident he is committed to ensuring Lee County continues to be a great community for families and businesses.” Manning, 50, has been a consultant with the Fort Myers office of Malcolm Pirnie since 2000. Previously, he was a corporate benefit consultant for 28 years with both public and private sector clients. He served as a Lee County Commissioner from 1988 to 2000 and was a city council member for Cape Coral from 1982 to 1986. He received a bachelor’s degree from Northeastern University in Boston.
MONROE COUNTY
>>> State Rep. Saunders facing opposition in McPherson, legislator had $687,000 net worth through 2009
State Rep. Ron Saunders, D-Monroe County, is in the spotlight this week and he is the minority leader in the Florida House. He is facing three challengers in his race for House District 120, and the highest profile candidate is Republican Morgan McPherson, a former mayor of Key West. The attorney qualified to run again by getting voters signatures, and his district covers south Dade to Key West.
What do we know about Saunders finances?
Saunders through Dec. 2009 had a net worth of $687,000 and he lists $15,000 in household goods. His home and different properties are worth $410,000; $220,000, and $195,000. He lists liabilities of $83,000, and $70,000 and the lawmaker received $30,336 as a legislator, and $20,000 came in from his law practice.
MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
>>> Audit department finds $130,000 in over billing, Charter School landlord busted, owes $31,000 in property taxes over six years
At the June 24 Audit Committee, the schools own auditor found two major items on their own. In one case, a company called Bureau Veritas was found to have over billed the district $130,017 for “environmental site assessment and remediation services provided” and the department found these “billing errors and discrepancies,” state district documents. Further, a charter school landlord was busted for “overstating a charter school property tax exemption over the past six-years. The auditor’s report notes the district met with the county property tax Appraiser on April 26, and the office’s investigation “confirmed the improper tax exemption” for the Oxford Academy Charter School. Since then a “lien” has been placed on the property to “recover more than $31,000 in back taxes.” The nation’s fourth largest public schools district has about 88 charter schools, with more to follow, but some of them have issues like this where a landlord, may try to run other commercial expenses through a charter school located in the same building. It is for this reason why I always flag such a school when there is a “related transaction,” like a building owner starting a charter school that is guaranteed rent payments, since the public money comes from the district per student enrolled.
What else happened?
The school district with 355 public schools at different levels is under the watchful eye of the Audit department but also an Office of the Inspector General and both organizations have their hands full keeping watch, that had the audit office discovering about $300,000 in savings over the past year.
>>> Last look at board Chair Stinson, leaving dais in Nov., had $1.22 million through 2009
School Board Chair Solomon Stinson, Ph.D. retiring after over a decade on the school board and 50-years with the district is in the spotlight this week. He was a long time teacher and senior administrator within the district though he never became the superintendent, something he desired but eluded him and he went the elected route. On the board, he has been chair twice and currently is in that capacity.
What about Chair’s Stinson’s financial disclosures?
This will be the last year I look at Stinson’s financial disclosure form, through Dec. 2009, his net worth was $1.22 million, and he has $35,000 in household goods. His home is worth $45,000 and another house is valued at $155,000. He has an IRA account, and he lists no liabilities. His income for the year was $101,043 from his Florida retirement fund, the school board kicked in $37,000 and $22,000 came in from social security for the year.
>>>Miami-Dade Inspector General’s report: Three Indicted in Connection with Southside Elementary School Modular Classroom Addition Construction Project Ref. IG09-10SB, July 1, 2010.
PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST
>>> Some commissioners’ verbally beat-up trustees, Vice Chair Medina feels the heat but money is scarce
The closing of Jackson South Hospital’s obstetrics unit, saving $2.5 million was the topic of the Miami-Dade County Commission meeting Thursday and the PHT board and administration got verbally beat-up by the elected leaders. Angel Medina, the PHT board vice chair noted they are being forced to make these cuts in service lines and he would love to keep the capability, but there is no money for such an endeavor. However, Sally Heyman (net worth $426,000) wondered why the closing just came to the PHT board at the last minute, as an addition to the agenda, and there should have been more consultation with the county commission. However, Jackson Health System is fighting for its financial life when it has to give almost $600 million in charity and uncompensated medical care, that cannot be covered anymore from a countywide half-cent sales-tax and county maintenance of effort payments.
What could help change some of PHT’s financial challenges?
Commissioner Javier Souto (Net worth $856,000 in 08) while verbally ripping into the Trust board saying it was like a child that has turned on its parents, the former state legislator has one idea that bears being pursued. He called for county and other public employees with medical insurance to consider going to the Jackson Health System for their medical care and that could offset some of the red ink that comes with the medically uninsured that is an almost infinite population here in Miami-Dade. He also asked private companies that benefit from the county to also step-up to the plate and use the health trust, that has affiliations with the University of Miami and Florida International University’s medical schools and medical care is award winning, he believes. He demonstrated his own commitment to Jackson by opening his shirt during the commission meeting and showing his surgical scar after heart surgery, perhaps not necessary to be seen by the public, but he made his point.
>>> This is why I have been doing the Watchdog Report for 11-years — Since May of 2000, I have been covering the PHT in all its aspects over the years and its financial challenges since then have never been far below the surface of any story over this time. In 2004, I ran the headline about the $84 million charge the organization was having to take for the year and the numbers in many ways never got that much better, week after week, month after month, to where we are today. Some of the county commissioners are carping about all the sudden press and media attention the hospital system with 12,000 employees is getting but that is what happens in Florida where the state sunshine and open records laws makes all these activities public events. However, the commissioners should also be asking why they and the Fourth Estate did not kick in earlier to alert South Florida of the pending financial train wreck. The chronic problem was apparent to anyone that read the Watchdog Report over the decade, but in many ways, my role seems to be of Cassandra for we, as a community did not necessarily have to be where we are today, if corrective action had occurred years ago.
CITY OF MIAMI
>>> Regalado, Carollo, Dunn, Suarez take CDBG road trip to D.C., looking for congressional waiver given social service needs of elderly
Mayor Tomas Regalado, Commissioners Frank Carollo, Francis Suarez and Richard Dunn, II are taking a road trip to the nation’s capital to see if they can get a waiver on the allocation percentages for Community Based Development Block grants that are given by HUD. The current percentage is 85 percent of these monies must be used for economic development and 15 percent for social services such as Meals on Wheels for elderly residents. Regalado at Thursday’s commission meeting noted the city had gotten such a three-year congressional waiver in the mid 1990s after the help of Congresswomen Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Carrie Meek who was on the House appropriation committee. On this upcoming visit, given the new fiscal reality, they will have a challenge, as Congress gets more concerned with the national debt and any expansion or modification of existing federal programs in place. Suarez in an exclusive interview with the Watchdog Report said Miami has a large population of elderly and poor and when it comes to economic development; it can be difficult “to measure.” He said the food program, which costs a couple of dollars each is much more needed, is well established in the community and the number of people fed can be easily documented reducing any potential abuse or fraud. He said the request was to modify the formula so that “up to 25 percent” could be allocated for the social service side, and the percentage increase would be a real boost given the demographics of Miami.
>>> HEP board passes county 10’ wide bike/pedestrian plan, but some confusion during presentation, only small part of Ingraham Highway involved
A proposed plan for a ten-foot wide bike and pedestrian path from Aviation Avenue in Coconut Grove south to Cartagena Circle in Coral Gables passed the Miami Historic and Environmental Board last week, but the county representatives presentation was confusing if someone watched on television. The county staff kept referring to the fact the route went down Ingraham Highway in the south Grove, rather than continuing on Douglas Road, to Edgewater Drive and then at the very end connects with the Historic Ingraham Highway section of the road. The Watchdog Report contacted County Commissioner Carlos Gimenez’s office last week and in an e-mail from a staffer. “I just got a call from the Press down at City Hall about the presentation the County is giving: That we, the County, intend on going down Ingraham Highway with the Commodore Bike Trail. there is no capacity for bike path down Ingraham to Cocoplum Circle.. Please set the record straight here so that we do not give out “bad info”. The bike path is to continue down Douglas and hook up with Edgewater Drive onto the Trail over the ped/bike path bridge over Waterway Canal….. Please confirm for Mr. Dan Ricker and this Office before we get flooded with calls,” wrote staffer Frank Balzebre.
>>> Chair Sarnoff’s net drops from $2.28 million to $2.17 million, feeling the squeeze like most people
Commission Chair Marc Sarnoff is feeling the economic squeeze and after reviewing his financial disclosure forms his net worth dropped from $2.28 million to $2.17 million through June 2010. In the coming weeks I will do a detailed analysis of all the Miami elected leaders disclosures and it will also include former Mayor Manuel Diaz’s last required form from last year. Readers should stay tuned.
>>> 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. It currently goes to his new e-mail address.>>> “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
>>> CPA & Commissioner Weithorn featured speaker, with $30 million to cut in city budget, challenges ahead
Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club -Meeting Date: Tuesday, July 13th, 2010 -Meeting Time: 8:30 AM -Meeting Place: David’s Café II, 1654 Meridian Ave., South Beach. Miami Beach City Commissioner Deede Weithorn will be this week’s guest speaker at the July 13th meeting of the Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club. The topic will be the city budget for the new fiscal year beginning October 1st. Miami Beach is no different than Miami-Dade County, the City of Miami, and the State of Florida – all are facing revenue shortfalls and each must deal with the issue of budget cuts. Miami Beach is lucky in that its short fall is only $30 million (compared to $100 million in Miami, and $400 million in Miami-Dade County).
Commissioner Weithorn, a CPA, is well versed in city budget analysis and is perhaps the most qualified of the Commissioners to help us understand what is being proposed and what can be expected. The continued drop in real estate values and property taxes in the last few years is only part of the problem; dealing with the growth in city spending during the boom (primarily in hiring, salaries, and pensions) may be an even worse problem. Join us as we preview the budget with Commissioner Weithorn. Everyone is welcome to attend. David Kelsey, Moderator for the Breakfast Club >>> For more information contact David Kelsey. To be placed on the Breakfast Club’s mailing list, contact Harry Cherry. Both can be reached at TuesdayMorningBreakfastClub@Yahoo.com Visit our new web site at:www.MBTMBC.com (Miami Beach Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club).
CITY OF CORAL GABLES
>>> Taxpayers should keep an eye on commission as TRIM notice begins property tax process
The commission is meeting Tuesday at their commission chambers and one of the items will be setting the preliminary Truth In Millage (TRIM) notice that city property owners will get in the mail in August and the body will set the final millage in September and includes two public budget hearings that are open to the public. Gables residents should keep their eye on the proceedings for it will have an impact on all residents in the tony municipality for the years to come, and there still is the issue of the unfunded pensions that looms in the months ahead. For more information about the city go to City of Coral Gables Web Site The official web site of the City of Coral Gables. This is a local government web site containing valuable information for residents, businesses, …http://www.coralgables.com/
>>> City web-page: Your Opinion Counts: Please Fill Out The Coral Gables Police Survey
The Police Department is currently undergoing the renewal of accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). This accreditation ensures that the Police Department remains in compliance with the high standards set forth by CALEA in all areas of policy and procedure. In order to assist in this process, the City of Coral Gables is asking you to participate in a short 12-question online or phone survey. Please take a few minutes to respond to the survey by July 15, 2010. To complete the survey by phone, contact the Police Department Community Affairs Office at 305-460-5491 and leave your name and number for someone to contact you. To complete the survey online, click here.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
>>> WEDNESDAY, JULY 14TH – Meet Your Judicial Candidates Network Luncheon, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, 5829 SW 73rd Street, 11:45am
>>> WEDNESDAY, JULY 28TH -Meet Your County Commission Candidates for District 8 and District 10, General Membership Breakfast, Miami Marriott Dadeland, 9100 South Dadeland Boulevard, 7:15am
EDITORIALS
>>> Dirty Dozen in Broward, corruption spasm continues, but will voters rise up in South Florida and demand better?
Recently, some elected leaders having a discussion moved away from where I was standing to keep me from hearing what they were saying, but given the Florida Sunshine Law, that prohibits leaders on the same body from discussing policies or other matters that may come to the dais, this wanting of a separation distance is odd, to say the least. Months ago, an elected leader from another county told me that they had a luncheon with their peers and county staff to promote “congeniality” on the board, but that event was closed to the public after I tried to attend the affair a few years ago, but watched through the glass walls of the dining room.
As we have seen in Broward County recently with a Dirty Dozen of officials at different levels being indicted or have already been sentenced to state or federal prison. It is clear a change of culture is necessary, that currently seems to be a culture of corruption as Gov. Charlie Crist said after he requested Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum convene a statewide grand jury, and the grand jury hearings happens to be in Broward. While the Watchdog Report is located in Miami-Dade, when I do go up to the state’s second largest county. I notice a difference, some good, and some bad when it comes to elected public servants. There they tend to be very adamant that everything is going great; there is not any collusion or secret deals, but what it seems is not always the case we are now finding out.
In Sunday’s Miami Herald www.miamiherald.com Daniel Chang did a line-up of the dozen politicians in Broward that have run afoul of the law over the past years and the county’s Public Defender Howard Finkelstein wrote a nice piece as well on “paying to play” in local and county politics there. In many ways, Miami-Dade went through the worse patch of this corruption in the 1990s and voters rebelled by creating an ethics commission and an IG at the county level with the ethics commission having the power to investigate what is going on at the 35 municipalities in the state’s largest county as well. Public corruption has been with societies since the dawn of time but in today’s world of internet, cell phones with videos and other recording devices it is mind boggling that some public servants did not get the memo that this kind of behavior must end. For these wayward individuals give straight-up public leaders a bad name, something not deserved, and only results in potential good candidates not wanting to participate in the political process. Voters may be slow to act when it comes to their elected leaders, unless a major wedge issue surfaces, and obliviously public corruption is one of those issues that sends the electorate over the moon. It remains to be seen how Broward voters react in the coming elections but they have an opportunity to begin turning around an inbred political system, that has had its share of problems. The only question is will they have the will to turnover a new page when it comes to ethics, conflicts of interest, or will more indictments be necessary, before the electorate rises up and says no more, only time will tell.
LETTERS
>>> I laughed out loud when I read this line by you about Miami’s failure to buy the now-developed “Cloisters” property for a park: “The only consolation local residents have is that every rock concert held at Peacock Park must drive the Cloisters residents nuts and it is not much but every Twisted Sister concert is at least something.” Keep up the great work and keep your great sense of humor.
T. L.
Coral Gables
>>> Happy 4th from Virginia the home of the founding fathers of independence!
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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 towatchdogreport1@earthlink.net
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Watchdog Report
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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 Columnwww.sptimes.com/columns/bousquet.shtml -“First Friday” WPBT TV (Miami) TV Show www.channel2.org/firstfriday/issues.html –Lucy Morgan St. Petersburg TimesColumn 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.
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