Watchdog Report Vol.11 No.27 November 21, 2010 Est.05.05.00 – I go when you cannot

CONTENTS

Argus Report: Camillus feeds 800,000 people in 2008, needs financial help on new 340-bed shelter, Mayor Regalado & Commissioner Sarnoff calls for CRA expansion and life extension

Florida: Inaugural restraint goes out the window, Scott plans two-day bash with 6-ticketed events, how will public react after campaign rhetoric

Miami-Dade County: Let the legal battle begin, Mayor Alvarez, Braman, Ruvin to get their day in court Dec.1, mayor’s recall in the balance

Broward County: State Reps. Gibbons & Waldman are in the spotlight after questions are raised about residency, Net worth for Gibbons $205,000 and Waldman comes in at $1.04 million

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

Orange County: Gov. Crist taps Judge Michael “Mike” Murphy of Orlando to the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court.

Monroe County: FDOT Public meetings scheduled for Keys & Miami-Dade, residents and public asked to get involved via a number of ways

Miami-Dade Public Schools: Board taps longest serving member Hantman & Feldman for leadership roles on nine-member board

Public Health Trust: VP Butler frustrated $18,000 in Botox lost gets media story, but not $22 million in pharmacy savings, department costs flat six-years, like “loaves and fish when it comes to miracles”

City of Miami: Mayor Regalado still mum on commission chair & vice chair, Commissioner Dunn sworn in Monday, time is running out

City of Miami Beach: Commission shoots down Curry as Building Dept. head, closed out state atty. investigation the concern

Coral Gables: Dade Commissioner Gimenez speaks at Ponce luncheon Monday, residents should check out the event

City of Palmetto Bay: Hail Mayor Stanczyk and Council member Fiore, local elections sometimes the most intense

Community Events: Downtown Bay Forum Dec. 1 Forum luncheon speaker County Mayor Alvarez — The Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Dec.1 is featuring Public Health Trust President and CEO Eneida Roldan, M.D., as its featured speaker — Mango Strut upcoming events

Editorials: Civility must be maintained as part of public policy discourse, if we are not to ruled by the mob — Candidate campaign sings are litter straight and simple now that elections are over, need to be picked-up

Letters: Reader on U.S. Rep. Ros-Lehtinen story — Reader on Mayor Alvarez’s salary versus schools Supt. Carvalho

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.)

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>> 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 to financially support and maintain my webpage.

>>> 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. I almost did not write this week because of my financial condition. And while I as so many others are facing tough times. I hope you or your organization will consider helping in a small or larger way and help keep another voice on line and in the media. A convenient form is at the bottom of this week’s Watchdog Report with all the instructions on how to support this newsletter and news service that started its 11^th Anniversary on May 5.

>>> May you and your family have a safe, happy and reflective Thanksgiving Holiday and we should remember all that has occurred in the nation since the very first meal between the Pilgrims and the local Indian Tribe centuries ago. This holiday along with the Fourth of July are celebrations that cut across religious lines and brings families together in America and while I may not write next week because I have to raise money. My best to you, your family and friends during this special holiday.

ARGUS REPORT – Heard, Seen on the Street

>>> Camillus feeds 800,000 people in 2008, needs financial help on new 340-bed shelter, Mayor Regalado & Commissioner Sarnoff calls for CRA expansion and life extension

With Camillus House ramping up for the massive Thanksgiving meal on Thursday I decided to look back to last year to see the size and scope of their activities to help those homeless and living on the streets. Here is what was written back then.

>>> PAST WDR: NOV. 2009: Camillus House, in downtown Miami held its 12^th Thanksgiving Feast for over 1,000 homeless and needy people on Thursday and 125 turkeys were used in the mass meal. An annual event held by the Brothers of Good Shepard, an order that founded the organization in 1960 dedicated to helping the homeless and poor in our community was larger than in the past given the tough economic times. Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado, (net worth $5,000) the city’s past representative on the Miami-Dade Homeless Trust attended along with Miami Commissioners Marc Sarnoff, (net worth $2.28 million) the body’s chair, and newly minted Commissioner Francis Suarez, and state Rep. Julio Robaina, R. South Miami (net worth $661,000). “Hope is where the heart is,” is the organization’s mantra and through the course of a year, more than 1,500 meals are served a day for a yearly average of 600,000 free hot meals in 2008. At this year’s event, over 160 volunteers participated and it involved massive planning with the swelling number of people.

>>> What about the new shelter near Jackson Memorial Hospital & VA?

Bob Dickenson, the Camillus House board chair told the crowd the organization’s goal was to be the nation’s “first major city to end homelessness” in the next ten-years in America. The former president of Carnival Cruises said it was important to get a new planned 340-bed facility, offering a variety of treatments at the shelter, funded and built. He said they have already raised “over $23 million” but that is short of the $40 million to be raised by the private sector. The past senior executive said Camillus “needs the help of Miami-Dade County” and the county commission to “expand the Community Redevelopment Agency, (CRA)” allowing some of that funding to go into the future project but is running into resistance at the county. Regalado said the new facility “is important and hopefully to this other site” that is so critical to those homeless especially those people that are a “family with children,” the mayor said.

Sarnoff, whose wife Teresa raised $35,000 for the outdoor feeding program recently, said it was “a little bit embarrassing” since “plans are all in place but we are a little stuck,” he said. The chair said two things needed to happen to make the new shelter facility a reality and it was to expand the boundaries of the CRA, and extend its duration of existence. “Tell County Hall it needs to be done now,” he said from a podium. >>> Camillus House Open the Door to Hope Capital Campaign >> Since its founding in the summer of 1960, Camillus House has served as a place of hope where our community’s compassion can come together to embrace those … http://www.camillus-odh.org/ – 9k – Cached >>> Links on “Camillus House” | Facebook All I have heard of Dr. Greer is that he is all heart. … Camillus House “Open the Door to Hope” — See how Camillus House is striving to end chronic…

>>> The Watchdog Report also on Thanksgiving Day stopped by St. Stephens Episcopal Church in Coconut Grove and they were also having their own feeding program that is done every year. As was the case at Camillus House, the number of people waiting in line for their fixings was larger than past years. I have been covering this annual activity at the two locations since 2000, and over the decade, you see the fluctuations in the economy through the number of people in distress and needing food assistance at these events that go on daily with little fanfare throughout Miami-Dade.

>>> Press release: Medicare Open Enrollment for Prescription Drugs is going on NOW by Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz

The end of the year brings with it many beloved annual traditions. As the holiday season begins, it is also important to consider your health care and prescription drug needs for the coming year. Nov. 15 marked the beginning of the open enrollment period for the Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. The open enrollment period, which ends Dec. 31, gives seniors the chance to consider whether another plan might better help you cover the costs of your prescriptions in 2011. I encourage you to re-evaluate your plan, especially if your prescription needs have changed in the past year. If your needs have not changed, it’s still important to check your plan to make sure that the reimbursement costs for prescriptions are still the most competitive, or even covered at all.

I am also happy to remind you that the heath care reform law enacted earlier this year provides for additional benefits for seniors.  If you are a Medicare Part D participant, starting in January you will begin receiving 50% discounts on brand-name drugs and 7% discounts on generic drugs.  As long as you are enrolled in a Part D plan, you don’t need to do anything to get these benefits. Additional benefits of the health reform legislation kick in for seniors next year with the elimination of co-payments for preventive care services including: Screenings for bone density, diabetes and certain cancers, Mammograms, Colonoscopies, and other preventive screenings. Possibly the biggest new benefit will be the free annual wellness visits for Medicare recipients, vital for the long-term health of seniors. Again, you only have until December 31st to make changes to your Medicare Part D prescription drug program, so I urge you to take the time to consider which Part D plan is best for you. You can compare plans by calling 1-800-MEDICARE or visiting www.medicare.gov

Florida residents can also contact their State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders (SHINE), at (800) 963-5337 or (850) 414-2060 or visit www.floridashine.org for more information.

I am proud to be an advocate for the seniors in my district, and my office is always open to you.  Whether you have a question, a comment, or you are having trouble with a federal agency, my office is here for you.  You can reach us in Pembroke Pines at 954-437-3936, in Aventura at 305-936-5724 and in Washington, DC at 202-225-7931.  You can also find me on the Web where you can sign up for my e-newsletter, at: http://wassermanschultz.house.gov

>>> Press release: OPERATOR OF MIAMI HIV CLINIC SENTENCED TO

57 MONTHS IN PRISON FOR ROLE IN MEDICARE FRAUD RING

Jose Garcia, 55, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Miami to 57 months in prison for his participation in a Medicare fraud scheme involving a Miami-area HIV clinic, the Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services (HHS) announced. U.S. District Judge Adalberto Jordan also ordered Garcia to serve three years of supervised release and ordered him to pay, jointly and severally with his co-conspirators, restitution of $7,992,391. Garcia was indicted in 2008 and was a fugitive for nearly two years before surrendering to FBI agents in May 2010.  Garcia pleaded guilty in August 2010 to one count of conspiracy to cause the submission of false claims to the Medicare program and to pay health care kickbacks; and one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud.

According to court documents, Garcia operated Global Med-Care Corp. Inc., a medical clinic in Miami that purported to specialize in treating patients with HIV.  Garcia, his co-defendant Nayda Freire and others caused Global Med-Care to submit claims to the Medicare program for expensive HIV medication that was medically unnecessary or never provided. In return for a share of Global Med-Care’s profits, Garcia and Freire agreed with their co-conspirators to oversee the staff necessary to operate Global Med-Care; the Medicare patients whom Global billed to the Medicare program; and the transportation for the patients.  Garcia admitted he knew that Global Med-Care would need to pay kickbacks to its patients and that Global Med-Care could bill Medicare for HIV infusion services three times a week, for up to three months, for each patient.  Garcia also admitted that from April 2003 through August 2003, Global Med-Care submitted approximately $10.9 million in claims to the Medicare program for HIV infusion services that were never provided and/or medically unnecessary. Freire pleaded guilty in August 2008 to one count of conspiracy to defraud the Medicare program, and was sentenced by Judge Jordan on Nov. 12, 2008, to 30 months in prison.

Freire admitted that after payments from Medicare were made into the bank accounts of Global Med-Care, she and others transferred approximately $6 million of the fraud proceeds to sham management, marketing and investment companies owned and operated by co-conspirators Carlos, Luis and Jose Benitez.  Carlos, Luis and Jose Benitez and Thomas McKenzie were charged separately with health care fraud and other related crimes in an indictment unsealed on June 11, 2008.  According to the separate indictment, these co-conspirators allegedly provided the money and staff necessary to open Global Med-Care; the Medicare patients whom the clinic would bill to the Medicare program; and transportation for the HIV patients who visited the clinic.  That indictment also alleges that Carlos and Luis Benitez were the true owners of Global Med-Care. The three Benitez brothers and McKenzie were charged with participating in the commission of approximately $109 million in HIV infusion fraud and money laundering through Global Med-Care and 10 other HIV infusion clinics. On Sept. 18, 2008, McKenzie pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and one count of submitting false claims to the Medicare program, and also admitted his role in a $119 million HIV infusion fraud scheme.  McKenzie was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Alan S. Gold on Dec. 18, 2008, to 14 years in prison in connection with his role in the HIV infusion Medicare fraud scheme.  In addition to the prison sentence, McKenzie was ordered to pay $84 million in restitution to the Medicare program. The Benitez brothers remain fugitives.  An indictment is merely an accusation and the Benitez brothers remain innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. >>> Today’s sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer of the Southern District of Florida; Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division; John V. Gillies, Special Agent-in-Charge of the FBI’s Miami field office; and Special Agent-in-Charge Christopher Dennis of the HHS Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), Office of Investigations Miami office. The case was prosecuted by Deputy Chief Hank Bond Walther and Trial Attorney N. Nathan Dimock of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, and was investigated by the FBI and HHS-OIG. The case was brought as part of the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, supervised by the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida. Since their inception in March 2007, Strike Force operations in seven districts have obtained indictments of more than 825 individuals who collectively have falsely billed the Medicare program for approximately $2 billion.  In addition, HHS’s Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the HHS-OIG, are taking steps to increase accountability and decrease the presence of fraudulent providers. To learn more about the Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Action Team (HEAT), go to: www.stopmedicarefraud.gov. A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

>>> Zogby Interactive: 54% Believe Debt Commission Proposal a Good Starting Point More Want Spending Cuts & Fewer Taxes to Reduce Debt

A majority of likely voters believe the proposal made last week by the chairs of the debt commission appointed by President Barack Obama is a good starting point. However, among those with opinions about some specifics of the proposal, most voters say it goes too far in raising taxes and not far enough in cutting spending. Voters are also more likely to see the proposal as centrist (37%) or liberal (32%) than they are to see it as conservative (17%). Those results come from a Zogby Interactive poll of likely voters conducted from Nov. 12-15, 2010.

Please click the link below to view the full news release on our website:
http://www.zogby.com/news/ReadNews.cfm?ID=1922

>>> Check this week’s show on www.wpbt.org Issues: Here are the links to watch this week’s program on uVu. 1 of 2 The “Shellacking” of the Democratic Party – 2 of 2 The “Shellacking” of the Democratic Party

>>> GMCVB press release: JOB$…JOB$…JOB$:  GREATER MIAMI’S LEISURE AND HOSPITALITY JOB$ REMAIN SOLID IN OCTOBER 2010

In the month of October 2010, Greater Miami’s Leisure and Hospitality Industry employment increased +2.7% compared to the same period in 2009.  In October 2010, an average of 103,400 people were employed in Greater Miami’s Leisure and Hospitality sector compared to 100,700 for October 2009.

LEISURE AND HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY JOB$

October 2010	October 2009	% Change
103,400 jobs	100,700 jobs	+ 2.7%

>>> 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! 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 – watchdogreport1@earthlink.net

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

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

FLORIDA

>>> Inaugural restraint goes out the window, Scott plans two-day bash with 6-ticketed events, how will public react after campaign rhetoric

Restraint when it comes to Gov. elect Rick Scott’s (Net worth $218 million) inaugural events over a two day period on Jan. 3 and 4^th is not the order of the day, and could be a sign of how he will govern in the four years ahead. For $25,000, some Republican supporters can get a table for 10 at the parade, ball, and a special VIP dinner and the ticketed events are expected to cover most of the costs for the variety of celebration affairs that also has six others open to the public events, including the inauguration itself on Jan. 4 at 11:00 a.m. www.miamiherald.com

Back in 2006, when Gov. Charlie Crist (Net worth $461,000) was first elected, Florida Tax Watch www.floridataxwatch.org did a primer of what the new governor should expect during his time in office that includes making over 4,000 appointments to a wide variety of boards and judicial nominating councils around the state and it is these appointments that will also define Scott’s time in office. The office of Florida governor was consolidated under then Gov. Jeb Bush almost decade ago, including reducing the state cabinet offices to four, and now Scott, an outsider to state politics, has to seek the right people to fill these important and diverse posts such as the state’s numerous water management districts.

Scott spent about $73 million to garner the state’s top post, besting Democratic Party champion Alex Sink by about 60,000 statewide votes, but for many people in the state. He is an unknown person that met voters through the state’s media airwaves, taking his message to them directly and did not meet with any of the state’s 12 Newspaper editorial boards that all endorsed Sink in the gubernatorial race. For more information about the inauguration go to www.scottcarrollinagural.com

>>> Note to Lt. Gov. Kottkamp, leave office quietly, you are just political back-up

Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp’s attempt to get FDLE security for a trip to Italy reported in the www.miamiherald.com last week is beyond belief, and his public career ends Jan. 4 with the man being the persona of what an elected public servant should not be. Kottkamp believed he and his family could be a target with terrorists during the trip to Italy when he made the request that was denied by the FDLE. The attorney had tried to keep his political career alive by running in the Republican attorney general primary in August but was bested by Pamela Bondi, who later defeated state Sen. Dan Gelber, D-Miami Beach. The second in line as governor also had previous gaffs when it came to having his Florida Highway Patrol trooper traveling with him, including going to Georgia for a personal social event. Rarely has an elected leader, whose function is essentially only there just in case the governor dies, gotten so much press attention, but he continues to push the envelope when it comes to government perks to the end.

Has a Lt. Gov. ever taken over?

Over the past two decades, only Lt. Gov. Buddy McKay has had to fill the breach after Gov. Lawton Chiles passed at the tail end of his term in office in 1998 and McKay at that point had already lost the election to Gov. Jeb Bush.

>>> Press release: Gov. Crist Regarding Gubernatorial Transition

“In an effort to ensure a smooth and seamless transition for Governor-elect Rick Scott’s executive and management team, I requested today letters of resignation from my senior executive staff, agency heads and their management teams, as well as all staff within the Executive Office of the Governor. “There is no greater calling than to serve others, and I thank each of the dedicated public servants of my administration for their service to the people of Florida.  The efficient transition from one leader to another is a testament to our nation’s democracy, and my administration stands ready and willing to assist as needed.”

>>> Press release: State attorney Katherine Fernandez-Rundle statement on the pardon of Jim Morrison of the Doors being considered by Florida Gov. Charlie Crist and the state’s Clemency Board.

“In these tough economic times, it is not worth the time, the expense or the use of precious staff resources to uphold a pair of 42 year old misdemeanor convictions.  While I can never condone Morrison’s actions of exposing himself to an audience, I will not waste my lawyers’ time in an effort to fight an attempted pardon,” wrote the state attorney last week.

>>> The Children’s Trust taps recipients for Champions for Children’s Awards

The Children’s Trust of Miami-Dade held its 6^th Champions for Children Awards at Jungle Island Friday and hundreds attended to honor the selected people and their organizations. Over the years, the Watchdog Report has attended the meeting where the winners are picked and the discussion among the committee members and Trust staff is very animated. This year the event had a Haitian theme, in deference to the terrible earthquake Jan. 12 that devastated the nation and the lunch served was done with a Haitian flair.

>>> Press release: Now in its sixth year, The Children’s Trust Champions for Children awards ceremony honors individuals and programs that have achieved greatness in their service to children and families. Additionally, this year, The Children’s Trust Champions for Children Awards Ceremony will celebrate the resiliency of the Haitian people and its culture through the event’s décor, menu and entertainment. World renowned Haitian violinist Romel Joseph, a Julliard graduate and founder of the New Victorian School in Port-au-Prince will perform at the ceremony.  The New Victorian School was destroyed during the earthquake. Joseph was severely injured and lost both his wife and unborn child. Other musical performances are part of this year’s Haitian themed event. This annual, signature event has become one of the most coveted within the community of child advocates and in all of Miami-Dade County and serves as an inspiration to others to follow in the path of our award recipients. Awards are presented in the following categories:

>> David Lawrence Jr. Champion for Children Award – 2010 Recipient: Jean Caceres-Gonzalez, His House Children’s Home

>> David Lawrence Jr. Champion for Children Award – 2010 Recipient: Sister Lucia Ceccotti, Marion Center School & Services

>> Excellence in Public Policy – 2010 Recipient:  Senator Rudy Garcia

>> Excellence in Direct Service for Children and Families – 2010 Recipient: Daryl Miller, Miami-Dade Parks & Recreation

>> Excellence in School Readiness Programming – 2010 Recipient: University of Miami Linda Ray Intervention Center, Project “Hand n’ Hand”

>> Excellence in Youth Programming for School and Life Success – 2010 Recipient: Thomas Armour Youth Ballet

>> Excellence in Health Family or Community Services -2010 Recipient: The Children of Inmates Service Partnership

The Children’s Trust is a dedicated source of revenue established by voter referendum to improve the lives of children and families in Miami-Dade County by making strategic investments in their futures. For more information about the Trust go to www.thechildrenstrust.org

What about state Sen. Garcia?

State Sen. Rudy Garcia, R-Hialeah termed out after 26-years in public office both in the Florida house and senate was first elected to office when he was 21, and became the youngest House representative in the state’s history. Garcia, 47, was honored by the Trust for his work with children’s issues in the state legislature over the years and I caught up with him in 2002 at a McDonalds when he attended the Blue Ribbon Task Force on DCF and Rilya Wilson, who disappeared while in a home assigned by DCF and the young girl is missing to this day. He told me recently that in fact, I had been asking him about insurance issues since Hurricane Andrew back in 1992 and he did a good job, and was not the subject of any scandal. He has his hands full now with a twin boy and girl, about three months old, and the two young ones along with his wife, attended the affair.

>>> Press release: FIU hosts swearing-in ceremony for Miami-Dade Legislative Delegation

Newly elected and re-elected members of the Miami-Dade Legislative Delegation will be sworn in at a local ceremony hosted by Florida International University. The newly elected leaders are State Senator Miguel Diaz de la Portilla, State Senator Anitere Flores, State Senator Rene Garcia, State Senator Gwen Margolis, State Representative John Patrick Julien, State Representative Carlos Trujillo, State Representative Jose Felix Diaz, State Representative Jeanette Nuñez, and State Representative Frank Artiles. The Honorable Barbara Lagoa, 3rd DCA will conduct the ceremony. Monday, Nov. 22 at 10 a.m., FIU College of Law, Large courtroom (Room 1000), 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, Florida

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY

>>> Let the legal battle begin, Mayor Alvarez, Braman, Ruvin to get their day in court Dec.1, mayor’s recall in the balance

Let the legal battle begin Dec. 1 after Circuit Court Judge Israel Reyes (No net worth figure, he filed his IRS 1040 and listed income of $220,000 on the joint tax return), scheduled Norman Braman’s attorneys request to begin deposing Mayor Carlos Alvarez (net worth $1.74 million) and Clerk Harvey Ruvin (Net worth $1.38 million) on possible that day, or at another time www.miamiherald.com. This is also the day Alvarez is to speak at a Downtown Bay Forum luncheon moderated by me, and was in response to Braman being the organization’s previous speaker in late October. Annette Eisenberg, the organization’s founder www.downtownbayforum.com on Saturday said the mayor was still on for the event that has hundreds of people attending including extensive media coverage given the community interest in this matter.

Alvarez is fighting the 112,000-recall signatures validity gotten over a 14-day period and the lawsuit he has brought to the court has named Braman, a billionaire who made his money as an auto magnate in the suit, along with Ruvin. Alvarez’s attorneys argue that the county charter says Ruvin must sign off on any petition language, not a deputy clerk, and is challenging the procedure in court. Ironically, this same method of the Clerk not signing the petition language was done by the mayor a few years ago when he sought a strong mayor form of government through a petition to put the issue on the county ballot, which was later passed by voters in a January election, but no one had challenged that method in the courts at the time.

And while Alvarez in his lawsuit has named Braman and Ruvin in the complaint, Braman told the Watchdog Report a few weeks ago after he had delivered the signed petitions to the Clerk’s office that he could not wait to get the mayor and clerk on the stand. After a testy exchange between Ruvin and Braman earlier in the Clerk’s office where they were covering the ground rules on how the signatures would be counted, and who could watch the process, that Ruvin says will be fair, and there would not be a conflict of interest, though the clerk’s office does get some of its $80 million budget to operate from the county. Braman back then said he could not wait to get the two men “on the stand,” and he believed Ruvin was “lying.”  And for Ruvin, a Democrat, this issue could be a politically defining moment when it comes to his elected career, since he is up for re-election in 2012. And how this plays out in the judicial system could have ramifications with voters in that race, where Ruvin since first being elected in 1992, has had little opposition for the countywide post.

Ruvin	Alvarez	Braman	Ricker

What about the forum luncheon?

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2010–11:30 AM – THE CASE FOR A RECALL WHAT EFFECT WILL THIS HAVE ON MIAMI-DADE? — SPEAKER:

MIAMI-DADE MAYOR CARLOS ALVAREZ — MODERATOR: DANIEL A. RICKER, PUBLISHER & EDITOR of the WATCHDOG REPORT www.watchdogreport.net — 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 – LOCATION:

MARRIOTT HOTEL–1633 N. BAYSHORE DR., MIAMI – $5.00 Valet Parking Available at Marriott Hotel – Reservations required

>>> Commission Taps Martinez & Edmonson for top leadership spots

The County Commission picked its new leadership for the next year after the swearing in of the new commissioners and the incumbents that were reelected Tuesday morning. Commissioner Joe Martinez (Net worth $245,000), later in the day and a former chair from 2004-2006 was given the top commission leadership spot and Commissioner Audrey Edmonson (Net worth $281,000) was chosen as the vice chair. Martinez a former Miami-Dade Police Lieutenant was first elected in a crowded District 11 race in 2000 and has been a strong advocate of the Dial a Life Program where recycled cell phones, were reprogrammed and given to seniors or others that needed a ability to communicate in a emergency.

Edmonson is a former mayor of El Portal and was appointed to Commission District 3 in Jan. 2006 after Commissioner Barbara Carey-Shuler resigned suddenly and the seat was vacant. Carey-Shuler supported Edmondson’s appointment by the commission and the school district employee subsequently won reelection in 2008. However, she is one of the five commissioners that activists are attempting to recall and they are in the process of collecting the required number of signatures. She also had an issue with her property taxes, as was reported in the past.

>>>PAST WDR: 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 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 & State section, 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 (Net worth $324,000), 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.

>>> Even the commission web-page picture was quickly updated  Tuesday after the swearing ceremonies www.miamidade.gov/commission

The county web page of the commission was updated and the banner shot on top of the page now shows Monestime and Bell during the discussion of the PHT International Foundation and must have been added to the web-page in the late afternoon, updating the past boiler plate photo of a commission meeting.

Monestime

Bell

>>> Other reelected commissioners sworn in were Sally Heyman (Net worth $425,000) and Rebeca Sosa (Net worth $439,000) who won without opposition and Javier Souto (Net worth $790,000) and Jose “Pepe” Diaz (Net worth $164,000) who bested their challengers easily.

Heyman

Sosa

Souto

Diaz

>>> MPO Secretary Mesa says sayonara to county hall and his planning responsibilities

Jose Luis Mesa, Ph.D., the secretary of the Miami-Dade Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) had his last meeting Thursday and the over 20 member planning board honored his decades of public service. Commission Chair Dennis Moss did the honors in the chambers “pit”, Mesa has done a good job, without a hint of scandal, and he will be missed. The Watchdog Report gives Mesa a Tip of the Hat for a job well done over the years.

>>> Miami-Dade County IG close out report to Property Appraiser Garcia
Property Tax Exemption Case Concluded, Ref. IG08-02-Z, November 28, 2010.

>>> Press release: The Beacon Council, Miami-Dade County’s official economic development organization, is an institutional partner in ARTS FOR A BETTER WORLD (“AFABW”), an endeavor to unite a large-scale commercial exhibition with the non-profit community-taking place December 1st through 5th, 2010. The event will showcase more than 45 world-class international and United States artists presenting important works across 40,000-square-feet at Soho Studios (Northwest 22nd Street and First Avenue, Miami). The ambitious program includes the largest curated exhibition in the Wynwood Arts District during Miami’s famed Art Fair Week, a healthy “Better World Café,” youth workshops and an interactive awareness project, utilizing 442 pounds of reusable materials. For more information, call 754.423.3226 or visit www.ArtsForaBetterWorldcom http://www.artsforabetterworld.com

BROWARD COUNTY

>>> State Reps. Gibbons & Waldman are in the spotlight after questions are raised about residency, Net worth for Gibbons $205,000 and Waldman comes in at $1.04 million

State Reps. Joe Gibbons, D-Hallandale Beach and Jim Waldman, D-Coconut Creek are having their troubles in Broward where Broward/Palm Beach New Times investigative reporter Bob Norman has been keeping an eye on their activities including whether the two men actually live in the House Districts they represent, as required by state law. http://blogs.browardpalmbeach.com/pulp/2010/11/jim_waldman_sham_district_residence.php

Gibbons, 62, a Democrat from Hallandale Beach is moving up the political food chain and is slated to be his party’s Leader pro tempore from 2010 to 2012 in the House. He was first elected in 2006, but this new controversy about where he lives could continue to dog him. Waldman, 52, was first elected in 2006, he was the Democratic Whip in his first two-year term in office through 2008, and the attorney works for Keiser University.

Gibbons

Waldman

What do we know about their finances?

Gibbons through Dec. 2009 had a net worth of $205,000 and lists $80,000 in household goods. His condominium is valued at $550,000; a 27-foot boat is worth $5,000, and his consulting firm is valued at $50,000. His mortgage is owed $460,000, Household Finance is owed $13,000, income for the year was $29,000 from the state of Florida, the law firm of Akerman Senterfitt kicked in $55,000, and Gibbons Consulting earned $12,000 state his financial disclosure forms for the year.

Waldman through Dec. 2009 had a net worth of $1.04 million and he lists $125,000 in household goods. His listed stocks are valued at $536,000 in total, there is $8,500 in bank accounts, there is $201,000 in two IRAs, and his home is worth $808,000, for a total of $1.56 million in listed assets. His liabilities are $500,000 with American Service, Wells Fargo is owed $148,000 and he lists a joint liability of $416,000. The attorney’s income was $306,631 for the year with $236,000 coming from Keiser University, the state kicked in $30,292 and $40,000 came in from his law practice.

>>> 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

>>> PAST WDR: DEC. 2009: School Board member Benaim in the spotlight, up in 2012, had $6.5 million net worth through May

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

http://www.palmbeachschools.org/Board.htm

Benaim