Watchdog Report Vol.11 No.25 November 7, 2010 Est.05.05.00 – I go when you cannot
CONTENTS
Argus Report: U.S. Sen. Elect Rubio says voters have given Republicans a “second chance,” not a mandate
Obituary: Former PHT Chair Lopez-Castro passes on trip to France
Florida: Let the “Great Experiment” begin with Republican gubernatorial candidate Scott win, almost half of state’s voters holding their breath
Miami-Dade County: Braman submits over 112,000 signed petitions for mayor recall, Alvarez strikes back with lawsuit, likely to be settled in the courts
Broward County: Mayor Keechl out, Republican LaMarca wins coveted District 4 seat, despite incumbent’s $600,000 campaign war chest
Palm Beach County: Alien smuggler and five migrants are sentenced in failed Palm Beach smuggling operation
Hernando County: Crist taps Sullivan again for Hernando County Housing Authority
Alachua County: Governor Charlie Crist appoints Minck and Gonzalez to the Gainesville-Alachua County Regional Airport Authority
Monroe County: Attorney Scales in the spotlight, 3rd DCA finalist, is local Key West man on 16th Judicial Nominating Commission
Miami-Dade Public Schools: New board line-up complete, Bendross-Mindingall, Curbelo and Regalado to be sworn in Nov. 16th
Public Health Trust: Dueling resolutions by Moss & Sosa on task force creation, or not, to study new governance model
City of Miami: Sosa, Regalado, and Suarez team up for $1.5 million, 4,500 sq. ft. multipurpose community center in Miami
City of Miami Beach: Commissioner Tobin gives his side of the story re Goldsmith ethics report; other asks do ends justify the means?
Coral Gables: Residents can buy one ticket; get two tickets free to the Cane’s vs. VT game Nov. 20
City of Doral: New Council Members Boria and Rodriquez are sworn-in Monday, public and friends welcome
Community Events: Community meeting on 40 story media towers downtown – Amigos for Kids — UEL discussion on Media Towers located near Arsht Center — Downtown Bay Forum Dec. 1 Forum luncheon speaker County Mayor Alvarez — Mango Strut upcoming events
Editorials: Nation’s voters tell lawmakers to get to work, chart new course, not destroy each other and find solutions — PAST WDR: NOV. 2008: Voters in South Florida have matured, regardless of length of line; everyone was serene through Nov. 4 — PASTWDR: Citizens speaking at MDC commission meetings almost extinct, commissioners need to be challenged by the public
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ARGUS REPORT – Heard, Seen on the Street
>>> U.S. Sen. Elect Rubio says voters have given Republicans a “second chance,” and not a mandate
The Republican Party has been given “another chance,” said U.S. Sen. elect Marco Rubio (Net worth $8,351) Tuesday night at the jubilant campaign victory party at the historic Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables and his proposed quixotic quest for the nation’s most exclusive club 19-months ago is over and he enters office on Jan.3. Rubio, 39, a former West Miami Commissioner before running for the state house in 2000 and called the “pick of the local legislative litter” back then by older state Rep. Dan Gelber, D-Miami Beach (Net worth $990,000), and he rose to be the speaker in the state House from 2006 to 2008. The father of four, an attorney, leading in the polls won by an even larger margin that had independent Gov. Charlie Crist (Net Worth $461,000) and U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek, D-Miami (Net worth about $175,000) trailing in the dust, with Crist facing his biggest setback in his 18 years of public elected office. Rubio in the three-way race got 49 percent of the statewide vote to Crist’s 30 percent and Meek’s 20 percent and it has put an afterburner on the state representative’s political future that has him along with other new elected officials on the cover of Time Magazine with the question how will they govern in the coming year. Attacks on the young speaker’s finances and past actions with a Republican Party credit card, and a house sale bounced off him as if he was wearing political Kevlar as he campaigned around the state while gaining national profiles in the papers including the New York Times. He leaves over the weekend on his first private trip to Israel. It is unknown what Meek and Crist will do after leaving public office but both are highly connected and should have no problem finding a job in the private sector.
What did U.S. Sen. George LeMieux say about the election?
Appointed Senator LeMieux spoke at the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce luncheon and he gave his analysis of the election and what he has observed while being in the body the past 14-months, after being appointed to the post by Gov. Charlie Crist, after Senator Mel Martinez decided to retire early from the body in the summer of 2009. The Senator, an Emory University and Georgetown University law school graduate said it was refreshing to get back to South Florida. He said the “people of the country spoke out” and “there were no rocks thrown in the streets” like in many countries during elections and voters “took their frustration and showed it in the ballot box” but noted those “people elected have a lot on their plate,” he thought. He also gave some advice to the newly elected officials warning, “If they don’t get it done,” they will be “accountable to the people” who are dealing with the “most challenging economy that anyone has ever seen” in future elections.
LeMieux discussed the importance of trade to Florida and its 14 port system and while trade is doing well, we “cannot take this for granted” noting the expansion of other international ports in the region. He also said the role of the military in the state is key, since there are “over 20 plus military bases, and includes “three Combat Commands,” he said. He also gave an honest appraisal of what goes on in Washington saying people don’t realize “the gross way Congress spends your money” and “there is no focus to how the money is spent.” The federal government has added “270,000 federal employees in the past 18-months” and said last year’s deficit was “$1.3 trillion.” He described how much money that was saying it would cover the state of Rhode Island if laid down and predicted a $25 trillion debt level in 2020 if deficits are not addressed and debt payments would be $900 billion in interest “and government would fail.” But he noted the people and nations owning our debt would have pulled the funding plug before that benchmark was reached. He called for the federal government to go back to 2007 budget levels, and believed that would alone bring the overall debt down to about $6 trillion in 2020. He also took a shot at the culture of Washington saying, “Most of my colleagues think their first name is senator” and believes “there is nothing America cannot do” and voters know this but its elected leaders must take a new cue because the political climate has changed. And voters have “to send the right people to D.C. where they should do what is right and then come home,” not treat it as a forever profession he concluded.
Who gained with the Rubio win?
Miami-Dade County Commissioner Rebeca Sosa (Net worth $439,000) worked the crowd at the Greater Miami Chamber Luncheon, like a politician on a mission and she has known and been a friend to Rubio since he was a West Miami commissioner and she was mayor of the little municipality at the time. She would later be elected to the commission while Rubio went to the Florida House but for years, their district offices were across a hallway in a building near city hall and now she has the ear of the junior Florida senator.
>>> Baptist Health turns 50, long way from being the hospital on the road to “no where,” says CEO Boulenger
The largest private employer in Miami-Dade is celebrating its 50th Anniversary and Baptist Hospital of Miami CEO Bo Boulenger detailed the hospital’s system’s decade’s long trip down memory lane Wednesday at the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon. The hospital the brainchild of some local religious lay members who wanted to have a “Christian” hospital and the original site in 1958 for the facility was going to be next to Jackson Memorial Hospital and Cedar’s Hospital in the medical district downtown. However, fiscal constraints and a benefactor with millions suggested a better location was on Kendall Drive next to the Everglades back then and that became the main campus with its opening in 1960, with 55 beds for the health system that is now found throughout South-Dade and the Keys. The CEO said back then ambulance drivers would not take patients down the “road to no where” which was Kendal Drive. He said when the first operation was done, “a tonsillectomy” the medical instruments had to be brought from another hospital. Now, the flagship hospital on Kendall Drive has 680 beds, there are around 1,400 physicians, and Baptist Health South Florida employees 14,314 people “not that we keep count,” he joked. He also noted the hospital’s emergency room is one of the busiest in the state and the facility was ranked in the “top ten in the nation for patient satisfaction,” said the hospital CEO, who has run other hospitals in the system including Homestead Hospital in the late 1990s. >>> Editor’s note: My life was saved at South Miami Hospital at 4:00 a.m. in the morning this past February, since I “could not wait,” said my Vascular Surgeon Jorge Rabaza, M.D. and when I write about the Baptist Health System, I have to note this significant fact. For more information about Baptist Health South Florida go to www.baptisthealth.net
OBITUARY
>>> Former PHT Chair Lopez-Castro passes on trip in France
Amadeo Lopez-Castro Jr., a former Public Health Trust trustee and chairman from 2000-2002 has passed while on a trip to France with his wife said his friend Miami-Dade County Commissioner Javier Souto (Net worth $790,000) on Thursday at the commission meeting. Souto said the family expects to have the body back in the country by the weekend and the man “was a big backer of the PHT in the days of Ira Clark” and was a critical supporter in the trust’s acquisition of Jackson South Hospital, the creation of clinics, and noted these were “all issues here again,” regarding the commission. Commission Chair Dennis Moss (Net worth $342,000) after a moment of silence by the body said Lopez-Castro’s “heart was in the right place when it came to the PHT.”
Lopez-Castro, born May 25, 1936, chaired the health trust during the last years of President Ira Clark’s tenure and would often speak in front of the county commission complaining about the transfer of new costs to the Trust for inmate medical care and other others like the county’s retirement facilities. The banker and I during the 2000 Census went on Radio Mambi to inform residents why the Census was important, participation was down since it occurred as the same time as the Elian Gonzalez, that had Miami divided and in ethnic flames and the federal government was the last thing many residents wanted to be involved in, even if census workers were part of the federal Department of Commerce. He will be missed and the Watchdog Report sends its condolences to his family. To go to the family’s Guest Book: www.miamiherald.com/obituaries
>>> 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 –
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
>>> Let the “Great Experiment” begin with Republican gubernatorial candidate Scott win, half of state’s voters holding their breath
“The Great Experiment” has begun said one Republican political veteran on Wednesday with the election of healthcare executive Rick Scott (Net worth $218 million) as governor and Florida is about to find out what the man who used “lets get to work” as his mantra meant by that, and how it jibes with a legislature, court system and the Florida’s Sunshine Amendment Law and its open records requirement. Scott bested Alex Sink (Net worth $9.22 million), the state’s CFO in a hard fought and bitter battle that had Scott spending around $73 million for his out of the blue run for the state’s top spot. Sink, had hoped for a big turnout in South Florida of Democratic Party voters but she came up shy losing by around 60,000 votes and why last week I was critical of the “cheating” gaffe at the last debate between the two candidates, which proved to be a distraction for a few days running up to election day and made national news broadcasts.
What will change in Scott’s life?
Gov. Jeb Bush when he was first elected was asked what changed in his life, and he said it was the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Officers covering his security once he was the announced winner back in 1998. They started hovering over the new governor once it was determined he was the winner and it will be interesting how this new security detail, that is actually very discrete in their coverage, but effective for you either have security or you don’t. And that will be a new aspect in the life of Gov. elect Scott and his family.
>>> Incoming Speaker Cannon picks Legg and Lopez-Cantera for top leadership spots in house
State Rep. Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park (Net worth $209,000), the Speaker-designate in a memo last week to his members has chosen state Rep. John Legg R-Port Richey as the Speaker pro Temp and state Rep. Carlos Lopez-Cantera (Net worth 1.75 million), R-Miami was chosen to be the new Republican Majority Leader in the state house.
>>> Three finalist for Third DCA in the spotlight, Circuit Judges Fernandez & Emas are in the spotlight
The three finalists sent to Gov. Charlie Crist for appointment to the Third District Court of Appeals that covers Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties are in the spotlight this week. The candidates Crist can select from in the coming weeks are Circuit Court Judges Ivan Fernandez, Kevin Emas and attorney Edwin Scales, III (He will be covered in the Monroe County section of the Report). Fernandez a former Miami police major before starting to practice law has been a circuit judge for years and is highly respected by his peers and lost becoming the local Chief Judge last year to Joel Brown by one vote. Emas is also highly respected and they both are good choices to the appeal court.
What do we know about Fernandez’s and Emas’ financials?
>>> Fernandez through Dec. 2009 had a net worth of $50,000 and he lists $35,000 in household goods. His home is worth $500,000, there is $5,000 in a bank account, ING has $49,500 invested and he lists a mortgage with Bank of America owed $400,000. His income for the year was $142,500 as a circuit court judge and the Miami Police & Fire Retirement Fund kicked in $63,500.
>>> Emas through Dec. 2009 had a net worth of $838,708 and he lists $40,000 in household goods and jewelry. He has $23,000 in cash, there is $4,500 in Savings Bonds, an IRA has $374,000, his home is valued at $600,000, cars are worth $50,500 and his total assets for the year are $1.14 million. His liabilities are a mortgage owed $242,000, Chase Bank is owed $26,353 and two other liabilities are owed about $30,000. The judge’s total liability for the year was $302,773, income for the year was $141,333 as a jurist, and the University of Miami kicked in $3,000. He lists one gift valued at $1,000 coming from his parents.
>>> Press release: Governor Charlie Crist today announced the selection of Melinda M. Miguel as the National President of the Association of Inspectors General as elected by the Board of the Association.
“Melinda’s leadership and commitment to enhancing public trust in Florida government throughout her career makes her an ideal appointment for this national position,” said Governor Crist. “She’s done a remarkable job for the people of Florida and I know she will be just as successful in her new leadership role.” The Association of Inspectors General consists of Inspectors General and professional staff in agencies that seeks to foster and promote public accountability and integrity in government through audit, investigation, and prevention of fraud, waste and abuse in government. The Association has over 550 members of government oversight professionals and provides professional training for inspectors general and staff throughout the nation. Melinda Miguel, the chief inspector general for the state, will also become the inspector general for the State Board of Administration starting on November 8, 2010. Miguel has been chief inspector general since January 2007, when Governor Crist appointed her to the post.
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
>>> Braman submits over 112,000 signed petitions for mayor recall, Alvarez strikes back with lawsuit, likely to be settled in the courts
Billionaire Norman Braman along with supporters brought by truck over 112,000 signed Mayor Carlos Alvarez (Net worth $1.74 million) recall petition signatures to Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts Harvey Ruvin (Net worth$1.38 million) on Friday and tension is running high with Alvarez’s attorney going to court to stop the process since deputy clerk Diane Collins approved the initial petition language rather than Clerk Ruvin. The Clerk says she is an agent of him and this was the same way Alvarez got the language for the strong mayor initiative done that the mayor sponsored back in 2005, but a court battle is expected. Both Braman and Ruvin are named defendants in the mayor’s lawsuit filed in a local circuit court by his attorney Bruce Rogow.
Since Braman began this recall movement last month it has picked up momentum and the former Miami-Dade top cop elected in 2004 is fighting back and accepting money for his defense PAC from a variety of sources including the Florida Marlins; see www.miamiherald.com and www.wcbs4.com, and these monies from vendors or organizations doing business with the county is raising some eyebrows. Though the mayor says it is legal and elected leaders get contributions from a wide range of people, including those that do business with Miami-Dade all the time.
Braman, after going upstairs in the Clerk’s building to watch the over 100 boxes of documents be accepted when he came down to the street he told the Watchdog Report and a reporter with Spanish television that this would “be resolved in court,” and the auto magnate felt Ruvin was not being truthful, this was “part of a delaying process,” and he looked forward to getting the Clerk and others “on the stand” in court to get to the truth, of what is happening behind the scenes. Ruvin says he is staying neutral in the matter and just doing his assigned job in the process. >>> Readers should stay tuned and see how this plays out in the weeks ahead.
Mayor Alvarez
I have been thinking about the downside of this recall effort and there are three scenarios that could play out in the future. First, what if Braman is unsuccessful in getting the 52,000 signatures that if done wrong could land the person getting the forms signed and notarized up to 60-days in jail, though I believe that number will be achieved since a professional organization is doing the signature gathering. The second is what if Alvarez prevails and is not recalled after this Herculean effort that will likely never occur again in South Florida, given the cost and risks in such a maneuver. And third is if Alvarez is removed, the county commission has 60-days to call an election or appoint someone by commission vote, and that appointment, would probable take place using the argument of avoiding another $5 million election cost, since the term ends in 2012 anyway. But an appointment opens a whole new bag of political issues and insider moves on the commission that I almost cannot contemplate at this time.
Further, a failed recall would eliminate any sort of citizen governor on keeping their elected officials in line since they run district wide, not countywide and that structure has successfully kept incumbents in office since 1994, unless they were arrested or just keeping the seat warm until new elections were held. Commissioners correctly note that elections every four–years do occur but the threat of a recall is the only emergency parachute voters have otherwise in case some politician really goes rogue, and the general public and county voters should watch this process play out very closely. For it could effect the political landscape for decades to come as Democracy in action unfolds in Miami-Dade in the months ahead.
>>> Commissioner Rolle after 12-years gets knocked out of office, Haitian Monestime now in the political limelight
Commissioner Rolle
Monestime
>>> Commissioner Sorenson says sayonara after 29 percent of her life spent on commission
Commissioner Sorenson
Commissioner Moss
Sorenson, from 2002 to 2004 was the commission vice chair and served under a variety of chairs including her first, now deceased Arthur Teele, Jr., and she said Teele made her feel welcome, “was always supportive” even when they did not always agree. She has been a long term off and on member of the PHT Nominating Council over the years picking the trustee slate of applicants and Moss said she had over the years “served honorable” and “served her constituents well” even while being “accused of being an idealist,” he said. The commission honored Sorenson Thursday with a crystal vase and bowl, flowers, and a county commission proclamation naming the day after the retiring commissioner during a ceremony that also had her mother in attendance.
What about the race to fill county commission District 8?
Former Homestead Mayor Lynda Bell seems to have eked out a victory over termed out Palmetto Bay Mayor Eugene Flinn for the District 8 commission seat though the results may be challenged. Bell received 21,787 of the vote versus Flinn’s 21,425 and a recount of absentee votes may be occurring to find out the ultimate winner, though Bell must be given the edge. www.miamiherald.com
Flinn
Bell
The county commission on Thursday authorized $750,000 to be allocated to the Community Periodicals Program and the amount is a similar to the previous budget year funding. The program pays generally free newspapers to run county events and other items which many times look like they originate with the papers reporters rather than the local county government, though there usually at the end has a county website listed for further information. Further, the program was tightened up back in 2003 after a critical county audit found six papers had received about $20,000 each during the year but the papers could not be found to exist when auditors checked.
>>> Merging of ITC, leadership selection causes stir at BCC meeting
An extensive discussion occurred at Thursday’s commission meeting after a legislative change that had the International Trade Commission merging with the department of Economic Development. Commissioner Natacha Seijas (Net worth $617,000), the past chair of the ITC said the two entities would be independent and as the discussion heated up among the body. Seijas suggested she needed to step out so that commissioners would feel comfortable and able to speak freely. Commission Chair Dennis Moss and other commissioners said it was not about the job Seijas has done which they thought had been great.
But Commissioner Rebeca Sosa wondered “why the merger” since it did not seem any money was being saved since the budget for the ITC was $1.27 million in the previous year but was now $1.76 million said county staff when questioned on the matter. Further, in the past the commission chair picked the chair of the commission that leads delegations overseas trying to drum up county business. In the proposed legislation being discussed the chair would be picked by the mayor, and the commission chair would select the vice mayor. However, after all was said and done, Moss instructed the county attorney’s office to create legislation that picked the new International Trade Affairs Committee leadership as it had been done in the past.
| >>> M-DC webpage: ITC is Now OEDIT – The Office of Economic Development and International Trade |
| On September 24th, 2010, the Board of County Commissioners formally created the Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT). The purpose of this new office is to promote Miami-Dade County as a Global Gateway for trade and to enhance access to economic development opportunities. This new office combines the functions of the International Trade Consortium with the County’s Qualified Targeted Industry (QTI) and Targeted Jobs Incentive Funds (TJIF) programs and the functions of the Office of Economic Development Coordination. OEDIT will also coordinate Miami-Dade County’s economic development agenda with the County’s key economic development partners.
The former International Trade Consortium Board will become the International Trade Advisory Board responsible for making recommendations to the Mayor and Board of County Commissioners on issues relating to international trade and the Miami-Dade Sister Cities program. OEDIT will staff this new board, as well as the County’s Social Economic Development Council. To highlight the importance to our County government of this new function, Mr. Ojeda will be reporting directly to the County Manager. The Miami-Dade Global Trader newsletter will now become the Office of Economic and Development and International Trade’s Trends newsletter. “With the continued support and leadership of the Mayor and Board of County Commissioners, our new agency will be a catalyst for increased coordination of economic development initiatives that will secure for our community its status as a Global Gateway,” Tony Ojeda said. |
>>> Press release: A new affordable housing project will bring hope to District 12 seniors looking for safe and comfortable homes. Federal, county, and city officials celebrated the groundbreaking of the Jose “Pepe” Diaz Elderly Building, named after Miami-Dade County’s Commission Vice-Chair. Vice-Chairman Diaz was in attendance, as well as Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart, Sweetwater Mayor Manny Maroño, and council members from Sweetwater and the City of Doral. The ceremony took place on Friday, October 29, 2010 at the Li’l Abner Mobile Home Park Recreation Area, 11239 NW 4th Terrace. The project will consist of a five-story building with 87 affordable housing units for low-income seniors. The residents of this facility will be able to enjoy a number of amenities, including a pool, domino recreation area, gym, exterior aerobic area, interior courtyard, and state-of-the-art finishes. The building will also be LEED Silver Certified in order to have a minimal impact on the environment.
Vice-Chairman Diaz was instrumental in obtaining the funding needed to get this project off the ground. A grant was provided through the Building Better Communities General Obligation Bond Program earlier this year. “My district was in serious need of affordable housing for seniors, who are living on a very limited or fixed income,” said Vice-Chairman Diaz. “I’m glad that this building is finally in its construction stage so it will soon provide a feasible housing option for many residents.” The housing project will take between 14 and 16 months to complete. For more information, please contact Vice-Chairman Diaz’s office at 305-599-1200.
BROWARD COUNTY
>>> Mayor Keechl out, Republican LaMarca wins coveted District 4 seat, despite incumbent’s campaign war chest
Mayor Ken Keechl (Net worth $1.03 million) got a surprise last week after he was ousted from office by Republican Chip LaMarca with the newly minted commissioner getting 50 percent of the vote even though with a much smaller campaign war chest than the $600,000 in the incumbent’s campaign coffers. Keechl was seen as a giant killer back in 2006 when he defeated former Republican Florida senate President Jim Scott, the incumbent for the seat. However, while Keechl had money on his side, voters in Broward, a predominately Democratic Party stronghold are less in numbers when it comes to the commission District 4 seat and given the weakness of the party’s brand in the Tuesday election. LaMarca was able to take advantage of the higher Republican turnout that pushed him into the lead, along with a third candidate who bled off some 5 percent of voters.
Keechl, as was reported in past Watchdog Reports, once he settled in on the body seemed to go along with the general culture of the commission that has had two on the body being removed for political corruption, and during the campaign. There was at least one television debate where he did no show up to defend his record, that included approving a $300 million plus new courthouse, and that absence along with other aspects of his campaign could have spelled his doom, at a time he was confident, almost “arrogant” that he would win.
Keechl
>>> For more on this race go to Bob Norman’s http://blogs.browardpalmbeach.com/pulp/2010/11/why_mayor_ken_keechl_lost.php#more or www.miamiherald.com
>>> 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
>>> Alien smuggler and five migrants get sentenced in failed Palm Beach smuggling operation
>>> Press release: Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Anthony V. Mangione, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations, Miami Field Office, and Randy Donnelson, Director of Air Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air and Marine Branch, announce the sentencings of defendants Kelsey James McQueen, 24, of the Bahamas, Juan Carlos Paredes-Rodriguez, 44,of the Dominican Republic, Oneil Black, 32, Andrew Fitzgerald Saint Aubyn Brissett, 45, Sheldon Lewis, 35, and Carolyn Denise Waddles, 36, all of Jamaica. These defendants were sentenced in connection with the April 2010, failed migrant smuggling venture, which resulted in the interdiction of the vessel Mary Carla. According to documents filed with the court, on April 28, 2010, CBP patrol vessels pursued the 41-foot sportfish vessel Mary Carla, which was registered in the State of Florida and had departed from the Grand Bahamas en route to the West Palm Beach area. This pursuit ended when Marine Interdiction Agents boarded the vessel and brought it to a stop. A total of fourteen (14) migrants were on board the boat, including Juan Carlos Paredes-Rodriguez, Oneil Black, Andrew Fitzgerald Saint Aubyn Brissett, Sheldon Lewis, and Carolyn Denise Waddles. Defendant Kelsey James McQueen was the boat captain. On April 29, ICE special agents arrested the defendants on federal criminal charges.
The defendants were subsequently indicted and pled guilty. Defendant McQueen pled guilty to alien smuggling, attempting reentry after deportation, and failure to heave. Defendants Paredes-Rodriguez, Black, Brissett, Lewis and Waddles pled guilty to attempting to illegally reentering the United States after deportation. The defendants were sentenced as follows. On October 1, 2010, defendant McQueen was sentenced to a total of 84 months in jail. Defendant Paredes-Rodriguez was sentenced to 36 months in prison, Black was sentenced to 18 months in prison, and Brissett was sentenced to 36 months in prison. On October 8, 2010, defendant Lewis was sentenced to eight months in prison for illegal re-entry after deportation of an alien convicted of a felony. Lastly, on October 29, 2010, defendant Waddles was sentenced to 24 months in prison. >>> Mr. Ferrer commended the cooperation and investigative efforts of ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations in West Palm Beach, CBP’s Office of Air and Marine and Field Operations, and the U.S. Coast Guard. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William T. Zloch. A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
>>> Press release: Gov. Crist picks Murvin for Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission
Belinda Murvin, 47, Palm Beach County Deputy Sheriff, reappointed for a term beginning November 5, 2010, and ending August 1, 2014.
HERNANDO COUNTY
>>> Press release: Gov. Crist today taps Sullivan again for Hernando County Housing Authority
Paul H. Sullivan, 65, of Hernando Beach, retired correctional officer, reappointed for a term beginning November 4, 2010, and ending August 1, 2014.
ALACHUA COUNTY
>>> Press release: Governor Charlie Crist appoints Minck and Gonzalez to the Gainesville-Alachua County Regional Airport Authority
Mark Minck, 45, of Newberry, mortgage loan officer with HomeBanc N.A., succeeding Billy Brashear, appointed for a term beginning November 3, 2010, and ending July 31, 2013.
Roderick F. Gonzalez, 47, of Alachua, risk manager and administrator of the Eye Surgicenter, succeeding Remzey Paul-Samarrai, appointed for a term beginning November 3, 2010, and ending July 31, 2011.
MONROE COUNTY
>>> Attorney Scales in the spotlight, 3rd DCA finalist, is local Key West man on 16th Judicial Nominating Commission
Attorney Edwin Scales, III, is in the spotlight this week since he made the cut to be on the 3rd District Court of Appeals along with two other judges. He is in Monroe and the Watchdog Report knows very little about the man but I did review his yearly financial disclosure forms, but he only has to file a Form 1, which does not give much detailed financial data.
What do we know about his finances?
The attorney lists his law practice as his occupation and he owns two properties in Key West. He is general counsel for Buggy Bus, Conch Tour Train and the St. Augustine Historical Tours state’s his disclosure form.
MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
>>> New board line-up complete, Bendross-Mindingall, Curbelo and Regalado to be sworn in Nov.
Former state Rep. Dorothy Bendross-Mindingall, D-Miami handedly beat school administrator Rhonda Vangates in the race for District 2. The state representative came in number one in votes in a crowded primary and in the general election; she got 55 percent of the vote, knocking out Vangates, an attorney and former aide to Miami Mayor Joe Carollo.
In the District 7 school board race, Carlos Curbelo beat Libby Perez by getting 53 percent of the vote after an earlier primary, and she was an aide to Board Member Marta Perez (Net worth $2.18 million). Curbelo, prior to running for office worked with U.S. Sen. George LeMieux, the Republican junior senator and he also ran unsuccessfully to be chair of the Miami-Dade Republican Party but was beaten by state Rep. David Rivera, R-Miami (Net worth $301,000). He also been serving on the county’s MPO board.
>>> Press release: EXPERIENCED TEACHERS WANTED — Are you an experienced teacher? Do you want to work in a profession where the rewards are priceless? Miami-Dade County Public Schools has just the opportunity for you. Biology, chemistry, physics, and science teachers are needed at schools across the District. You must be highly qualified and have a valid State of Florida teaching certificate. Other requirements may apply. To learn more about how you can teach in Miami-Dade County Public schools, visit www.jobs.dadeschools.net and select Recruitment Information.
PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST
>>> Dueling resolutions by Moss & Sosa on task force creation, or not, to study new governance model
PHT board legislation that would have created a new committee to study the governance model of the health trust, was deferred at a health trust meeting weeks ago and it is headed down in flames if County Commissioner Dennis Moss’ legislation passes banning such an action or activity to take place. The county commission has slowly been closing a vice when it comes to oversight of the health system. Over the years, the body has gone from being a 21- member board, with no voting commissioners to a 15-trustee board plus two now voting commissioners. The subject of a new governance model was a major discussion at a retreat the health trust held last month among a number of trustees arguing that it must be changed.
But the trust is a creation of the county commission and any such new independence is a non-starter for the moment and the legislation sponsored by Moss is likely to pass unless Commissioner Rebeca Sosa’s alternative legislation asking for the establishment of a task force to look at “alternative models for operating the Public Health Trust to ensure it has the governing and financial structure necessary to fulfill its crucial mission,” gets passed instead. Moss in his resolution on the agenda of Friday’s Health, Public Safety & Intergovernmental Committee wants the PHT to “cease, terminate and discontinue its formation of any auxiliary organizations (Task Force) regarding governance models for Jackson Health System,” which clearly states his opinion on the matter. >>> Editor’s note: Since the committee did not have quorum with only Commissioners Sally Heyman (Net worth $425,000) and Javier Souto attending, the two resolutions could not be acted upon, and Sosa’s legislation was last deferred Oct. 14 by a vote of 4-0.
>>> Will PHT daylong committee meetings be televised and be viewed on the web?
The PHT all day committee meeting is Tuesday and there is a debate going on if these should be televised so people could see them later on the web. The board meeting is already televised and these are now being held at the county commission chambers but the committee meetings are held in the Ira C. Clark Diagnostic Center and have not been televised. A couple of trustees believe adding taping to the meeting would enhance institutional transparency and allow more people to see the extensive debate and discussions that occur, versus a board meeting only, where most issues have already been hashed out in the committee and the amount of conversation among trustees and hospital staff is truncated.
CITY OF MIAMI
>>> Sosa, Regalado, and Suarez team up for $1.5 million, 4,500 sq. ft. multipurpose community center in Miami
Mayor Tomas Regalado (Net worth $5,000) and Commissioner Francis Suarez took a road trip down to the county commission chambers where the commission passed legislation for a new community center in Suarez’s district, a post previously held by the mayor, before he ran in 2009 for Miami mayor. Suarez in an e-mail about the project wrote back to the Watchdog Report. “We are grateful to the entire Miami-Dade County Commission for their unanimous vote to construct this facility in District 4. I am particularly grateful to the Mayor, Tomas Regalado, and County Commissioner, Rebecca Sosa, for their support of this project. The working class families that live in the area will embrace this project. It is a facility that will be used by all of our residents, young and old,” wrote the attorney.
>>> County press release: Commissioner Rebeca Sosa presented a resolution approving the allocation of $1.5 million from District 6 Building Better -Communities General Obligation Bond (GOB) Program towards the construction of a multi-purpose recreational facility in the City of Miami. The Board of County Commissioners passed the resolution during the November 4, 2010 meeting.
The new recreation center will be developed by the City of Miami in District 6 at West End Park located at 250 SW 60th Avenue. The 4,500-square-foot multi-purpose recreational facility will include a pool, gymnasium, outdoor ball fields, meeting rooms, after school care, cultural and arts programs and parking. “I feel proud to have contributed to what will be the city’s premier attraction and the focal meeting point for, families, seniors and children to gather and grow as a community,” said Commissioner Sosa. www.miamidede.gov
>>> Press release: Free Screening of the Film “Gerrymandering” At Miami City Hall November 12 Movie Night returns to the City of Miami – Miami Commission Chairman Marc D. Sarnoff will usher in a new season of Movie Night at Miami City Hall, with a free screening of the movie “Gerrymandering,” on Friday, November 12th between 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., inside Miami City Hall.
The documentary “Gerrymandering” is a smart, critical examination of how politicians carve up districts to make it easier for their political parties to win elections and hold on to power. The film makes a strong argument that the practice, known as gerrymandering, weakens our democracy and contributes to the political divide in the United States. The film is part of the Movie Night series, regularly hosted by Commissioner Sarnoff, and it is free to the public, who is encourage to come down to City Hall and meet the commissioner and other elected officials. Writer and director Jeff Reichert has been invited to the Nov. 12 screening and may be on hand to answer questions about the film. For more about “Gerrymadering” or Mr. Reichert please go to www.gerrymanderingmovie.com .
>>> 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 (Net worth $1.8 million), 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
>>> Commissioner Tobin gives his side of the story re Goldsmith ethics report; other asks do ends justify the means?
The Watchdog Report contacted all the elected officials and the bulk of the administration asking for a comment to an ethics close out report that I attached to the e-mail sent to them and last week Commissioner Edward Tobin, responded in the following e-mail below to the ethics investigation report regarding William “Bill” Goldsmith. The commissioner wrote, “I am obviously disappointed with the report. For almost 2 years, Mr. Goldsmith and so many others fought very hard against politicians, minions of very highly paid career government workers and their favorite grossly overpaid consultants. Each of these “bad guys” had their own selfish motives to fight hard to conceal millions of dollars essentially “stolen” from the taxpayer. With a strong air of bravado and cockiness these folks stalled, concealed essential data, lied, misrepresented, finger pointed and threatened, to cover up. Through an agonizing and expensive almost 2 year, forensic process Mr. Goldsmith and others were able to PROVE millions of dollars were misspent and wasted. We were able to PREVENT millions from being wasted. These very highly paid career government workers, their favorite grossly overpaid consultants and politicians decried a witch-hunt. Despite their tried and true tested methods for deflecting accountability, we were able to actually prove the malfeasance.
The facts (omitted) show that Mr. Goldsmith, the Venetian Citizens, myself, Commissioner [Deede] Weithorn and many others, had a multitude of facts to support the conclusion that the City might be the victim of corruption, inside dealing and gross mismanagement before and during Mr. Goldsmith’s involvement on the Venetians. The facts (omitted) consultation with the State Attorney’s Office and the Office of Inspector General almost a year earlier in regards to suspect corruption in the procurement process. We are all still waiting for a detailed explanation of how the City spent more than 2 million dollars of the 11 million dollar Venetian budget on soft costs (which included civil plans). The more than 2 million was spent before Mr. Goldsmith got into the mix. How much of the 2 million went to consultant Hazen & Sawyer. Early review suggested significant billing for matters not even within the design scope of the project. The engineering plans we paid for turned out to be almost useless. The City terminated their relationship with Hazen & Sawyer after paying them tens of millions of dollars for consulting. After being terminated, Hazen company employees, contributed thousands in one of the City commission races.
Some more omitted context; 6th and Lennox: The developer Mr. [Jeffrey] Berkowitz proposed 2.2 million for construction NO BID. Mr. Goldsmith and others balked and the price came down to 1.7 (approx.) Mr. Goldsmith convinced the City to put the work out for public bid despite the fact that we were ridiculed, vilified and stonewalled. Public bid for the work now completed cost the taxpayer’s 800 thousand. 44th Royal Palm-The work originally to be done and the work we finally decided to do was significantly different in scope. The Ethics report suggests the City wanted to spend 800k; Bill said the work could be done for 300k;the project is now on line to be done for 800k. What does this significant omission achieve.
In fact the original NO BID deal for 44th and Royal Palm proposed by Ricman and presented and approved by our Finance committee was for a limited scope of work which Ricman wanted 800k ( approx.). Mr. Goldsmith correctly observed the work could be done for less than half. The Ricman proposal included the need for significant demucking at a significant cost. Mr. Goldsmith insisted on seeing the geotechnical report which would show whether demucking was necessary. The City and the Contractor ridiculed, vilified and stonewalled. They danced around the issue and whether a report existed or whether testing was necessary. I think demucking was 25% of the 800k charge. The City and the contractor told us the whole neighborhood had just been completed and had required demucking. Mr. Goldsmith insisted on a new geotechnical, showed up with his engineer to the site on the day of the test. Guess what; no muck found. The City engineer abandoned the limited scope to be done at this location and instead significantly increased the scope of work. The public spoke up, fought hard against politicians, minions of high paid government workers and their vendor friends. The Historical account courtesy of the Ethics Commission- Those trusted and in the know reported some very suspicious activity. A rouge named Goldsmith looked like he may have been trying to make some dirty money on the side. For no apparent reason he stuck his nose into a government bid. Score another one for the bad guys, wrote Miami Beach Commissioner Edward L. Tobin, Esq. last week.
The Watchdog Report sent Tobin’s comments to a number of my readers to get their thoughts on the matter and were familiar with the report and one wrote back, “It just seems like Tobin misses the point entirely. The report acknowledges that Goldsmith may have helped the City save money, that is not the issue; the issue was that, in Government, there are certain rules that have to be adhered to i.e. Sunshine law, Cone of Silence, transparency in bidding process. The end does NOT justify the means. You can not just throw a rouge agent like Goldsmith into the mix and have him play both sides of the fence without regard for the rules and ultimately steer a contract to “his” bidder even if it saves the City money,” thought the knowledgeable reviewer.
CITY OF CORAL GABLES
>>> Press release: CORAL GABLES RESIDENTS: BUY ONE, GET TWO FREE TICKETS FOR MIAMI HURRICANES vs. VIRGINIA TECH GAME -Special offer available to Coral Gables residents for November 20th college football game-
It’s great – to be – a Coral Gables resident… especially when you can get free tickets for a Miami Hurricane football game! Coral Gables residents will have a chance to buy one ticket (per resident) and receive two free tickets for the “Coral Gables Day” game between the Canes and the Virginia Tech Hokies scheduled for Saturday, November 20. Game time is still to be determined. The football showdown will take place at Sun Life Stadium, 2269 N.W. 199th Street in Miami Gardens. Thanks to a recently approved 20-year Development Agreement between the City of Coral Gables and the University of Miami, this special buy-one, get-two-free offer is available to Coral Gables residents only, with proof of residency at the time of purchase. This promotion is good for all available seating excluding suites and club seating. The Development Agreement, approved by the City Commission, stipulates that Coral Gables residents will receive this offer once a year and other special benefits such as free admission tickets for UM men’s and women’s basketball and men’s baseball games. More information on upcoming offers will be made available as arrangements are finalized. >>> Tickets will go on sale on Monday, November 8th and must be purchased in person at the Hurricane Ticket Office located at 5821 San Amaro Drive, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. This promotion is not available for online or phone ticket purchases. These special tickets will be available at the Ticket Office until Friday, November 19. For more information, call 305-284-2263 or 1-800-GO-CANES.
CITY OF DORAL
>>> New Council Members Boria and Rodriquez get sworn-in Monday, public and frinds welcome
Press release: City of Doral elected officials and members of the community will celebrate the swearing in of the new Doral Councilmember Seat 2, Luigi Boria, and Seat 4, Ana Maria Rodriguez, for a four year term in a ceremony to be held, Monday, November 8, 2010, at 6:00pm, at Doral City Hall, 8300 NW 53rd Street, Suite 100. WHAT: Swearing In Ceremony for new City of Doral Councilmember for Seat 2, Luigi Boria, and new Councilmember for Seat 4, Ana Maria Rodriguez.
WHEN: Monday, November 8, 2010, 6:00pm -WHERE: Doral City Hall Council Chambers, 8300 NW 53rd Street, Suite 100 -WHO: New City of Doral Councilmember for Seat 2, Luigi Boria, and new Councilmember for Seat 4, Ana Maria Rodriguez, accompanied by friends, family, city residents and municipal employees.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
>>> Community meeting to fight 40-story media billboard next o Arsht Center
Dear Miami on the Move Members and Friends: Bill Brinton, a tireless fighter for sane billboard policy in Florida and around the country, has kindly agreed to talk to us about the two uber giant mega electronic billboards that are slated to be built atop the Adrienne Arsht Center’s new garage complex. He will discuss the fine points of billboard law, the appropriate approval process and/or the lack thereof, and his organization Scenic America, founded to limit billboard pollution in our cities and along our highways. For those interested, Bill will stay afterward to discuss how to start a local Scenic America chapter. Please join us for this important meeting that will take place Friday, November 12th, 8AM-9:30AM. >>
NOTE THAT WE’LL BE MEETING AT A NEW LOCATION – THE LATIN CAFE 2000 AT BISCAYNE & 25TH. Breakfast will be available for purchase. RSVP here! Where: Latin Cafe 2000, 2501 Biscayne Blvd (25th Street), Miami, FL 33137 -(305) 576-3838 When: Friday, November 12th, 8AM-9:30AM – Parking: Plentiful and Free Behind the Restaurant RSVP: Click Here Please join us. It will be great to see you again.
>>> Please join Amigos For Kids for this year’s Miami Music Festival, Saturday, November 13, from 12-6PM at Bayfront Park. Amigos For Kids will be at the NBC Miami Main Stage, 1 of 3 stages, promoting its mission and creating awareness of its child abuse prevention message, There’s no excuse for child abuse® while jamming to the local sounds of South Florida. The event will showcase Bachaco, Conjunto Progresso, The Celia Cruz All-Stars featuring Tito Puente Jr., and Proyecto Uno. Lunch by Pollo Tropical. The fun starts at noon on Saturday, November 13th, and tickets are $12 at the gates. Please call for additional information or visit www.miamimusicfestival.org
>>> The Urban Environment League Invites You to a Panel Discussion -November 17th -6 pm – Cocktail Meet-Up With Cash Bar -6:30 pm – 3 Course Dinner: Economics vs Visual Pollution: Mega Ad Towers and Public Media in Miami-Dade’s Future
The recent proposal for mega media towers raise questions about the public process, economic benefits and limits of signage in our area. Speakers: Miami-Dade County Commissioner Carlos Gimenez; Eston “Dusty” Melton, Consultant;
Mark Siffin City Square/Mega Tower Developer; Moderator: Gregory Bush -The Rusty Pelican on Virginia Key, $25 – Dinner 6:30 pm (tax & tip included) Program only at 7:00 pm FREE! Use Paypal at: www.urbanenvironmentleague.blogspot.com or bring a check or cash, RSVP A MUST: uelinfo@bellsouth.net – Phone: 786-472-0011
>>> Downtown Bay Forum luncheon Dec. 1, noon – Marriot Hotel – Speaker, Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez and moderated by Daniel Ricker, publisher of the Watchdog Report. For more information go to www.downtownbayforum.com
>>> Mango Strut meetings – Kick-Off Rally to Restore Humor, Wednesday, November 10th at 7pm Greenstreet Café, 3468 Main Highway, Coconut Grove
Happy Hour Drink Prices >> Mini-Mango Rally/Meeting -Wednesday, November 17th at 7pm The Grove Spot, 3324 Virginia St, Coconut Grove >> Mini-Mango Rally/Meeting -Wednesday, November 24th at 7pm, The Grove Spot, 3324 Virginia St, Coconut Grove >> Mango Mixer/Meeting with the Coconut Grove Jaycees (The Original Mangoheads) Wednesday, December 1st at 7pm
Monty’s, 2550 South Bayshore Drive, Coconut Grove. The Strut will be held Dec. 26 on Commodore Plaza in Coconut Grove.
EDITORIALS
>>> Nation’s voters tell lawmakers to get to work, change course, not destroy each other and find solutions
When U.S. Sen. Elect Marco Rubio, R-Fl said Republicans have been given a “second chance” and this tidal wave of GOP victories is not a sure thing in the future. He is right, for voters are not only impatient, they are incredible fickle and will adjust in a much faster manner now that they are armed with technology, than ever before in American politics. Tuesday showed what many pollsters predicted, though some exceptions slipped through the pollsters net, but on the whole. The mission in voters’ minds is to get the economy going again, people working, and the end of this endless economic misery that all too many find themselves in. The Watchdog Report over a decade ago wrote about the concern that government was not getting the job done as the two political parties took a no prisoner attitude when it came to the legislative process and voters in 2006 and 2008 pummeled Republicans that had Time magazine predicting the demise of the party, after the Bush, 43 presidency concluded. But those dynamics have radically changed and voters weighed in on the direction the country was taking Tuesday, and being an incumbent from either party did not guarantee a victory at all.
Further, money for campaigns has become like crack cocaine for politicians and there is never enough, and the attack ads this campaign season rarely focused on issues but rather the other candidate who was the devil, or possible a felon, if there was some old dirt in the candidates past like a DUI while in college. The ads on television ran 24/7 and only let up at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday when the polls closed and an eerie silence came over the airwaves with ads for toilet paper and toothpaste making their reemergence now that the candidates media buys were over. But both Republicans and Democrats have better get the message that competency, honesty and transparency must be the hallmarks of America if we are to reach our greatest heights yet, while also facing unprecedented fiscal challenges, and the two wars taking our nation’s blood and treasure on a daily basis. The question is if lawmakers at all levels get the message that business as usual cannot go on. For if it does there is always 2012 that includes a presidential election and with people in a topsy turvey mode, who knows what voters will do then if things have not changed for the better?
>>> PAST WDR: NOV. 2008: Voters in South Florida have matured, regardless of length of line; everyone was serene through Nov. 4
During the 2008 early voting and general election, that involved long lines of voters especially during early voting. The one thing that came out of the process was the overall civility of people at the polls. Rain, snow, sleet or hail could not have dissuaded south Florida voters getting to the polls but it was amazing, almost surrealistic in some aspects as people relentlessly came to vote. It showed a certain maturity has come to Miami-Dade voters because it hasn’t always been that way here in South Florida and it was refreshing to see people from both sides of the political aisle getting along generally though not agreeing on their respective candidate of choice while they stood in the lines and not only shows that Democracy is strong and vibrant but people can be civil and agree to disagree when it came to their candidate. Elections around the world are held in many different ways, from free to corrupt and it was America’s finest hour to see so many citizens doing their civic duty and a true testament about how Miami-Dade has changed for the better over the past years.
>>> PASTWDR: Citizens speaking at MDC commission meetings almost extinct, commissioners need to be challenged by the public
At last week’s Miami-Dade County Commission meetings, excluding one contentious item concerning a lottery for taxicab medallions almost no public spoke at any of the committee meetings, the only real time the public gets to give input regarding legislation passed by the commission. In 2002, when the commission created the committee system. I joked that it was a work program for the Watchdog Report because no one was showing up over 90 percent of the time except me. Since then there has been very little change in that public behavior, and many readers watch the proceedings from home but remark why speak because it makes no difference in the body’s decisions and some of this is true. However, the public is the great leveler since elected leaders do face the voters and while the incumbents are keeping their jobs over the past election cycle, public input is critical and should be encouraged. If our local government is to be kept on its toes and responsive to the community they govern that has a county charter dedicated to protecting the citizens and their rights from the governing.
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The Watchdog Report covers a few of the meetings attended weekly. It remains my belief that an informed public will make better decisions. Therefore, I go to meetings, make the presence of an informed citizen known, and bring the information to you. The Watchdog Report is in the fourth year of publication and it has been an honor to be able to send this information to you. It is sent to readers in Miami-Dade, Florida, the U.S. and the world. The Watchdog Report is sent to thousands free and while readers have been prodded to subscribe the results have been mixed. Over 250 reports and Extra’s have been sent since May 5, 2000 and over one million words have been written on our community’s governments and events. The report is an original work based on information gathered at public meetings, interviews and from documents in the public domain.
LETTER POLICY
I welcome letters via e-mail, fax, or snail mail. Letters may be edited for length or clarity and must refer to material published in the Watchdog Report. Please see address and contact information. Please send any additions and corrections by e-mail, fax or snail mail. All corrections will be published in the next Watchdog Report. If you or your organization would like to publish the contents of this newsletter, please contact me. Please send your request to watchdogreport1@earthlink.net
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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 Column www.sptimes.com/columns/bousquet.shtml -“First Friday” WPBT TV (Miami) TV Show www.channel2.org/firstfriday/issues.html –Lucy Morgan St. Petersburg Times Column www.sptimes.com/columns/morgan.shtml –Daniel Ricker Miami Herald/Watchdog Report Newsletter –www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/columnists/dan_ricker/ >>> Readers who would like to read the complete University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill Southeast United States Media Report go to view the complete report or download all the data used in this study. >>> Watchdog Report Editor’s note to the NCU/CH study: The subscriber number referenced is incorrect and applies to readership.
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