Watchdog Report Vol.11 No.36 January 23 – Est 05.05.00 I go when you cannot
CONTENTS
Argus Report: After Tucson tragedy, will Obama state of the union continue political evolution of the president?
Obituary: Horrendous killing of Detectives Castillo & Haworth shocks South Florida
Florida: New Ag. Commissioner Putnam in the spotlight, first elected at 22, goes to Congress at 26, had $714,000 net worth back in 2000
Miami-Dade County: “Where’s the beef?” when it comes to ethics violation punishments, say participants at ethics commission workshop on Beach
Broward County: State Rep. Gibbons tapped by voters in 2006, senior minority party leader, had $205,000 net worth through 09
Palm Beach County: Voters tap Abruzzo in 2008, represents Dist. 85, had net worth of $209,792 through May 2010
Monroe County: Residents should check out vintage B-25H Mitchell Bomber on Feb. 5 in Keys
Miami-Dade Public Schools: Better 2010 Census count than 2000 is gift that keeps on giving, federal monies will be up & two new congressional districts expected
Public Health Trust: Two Joes come on 17-member voting board; BCC Chair Martinez & Arriola are 180 degrees different in personalities
City of Miami: MESA moving forward with helicopter base on Watson Island
City of Miami Beach: City & County Commission honor deceased Circuit Court Judge Cypen with street name, first local circuit judge of Jewish faith
City of North Miami: Councilman Galvin Shocked and Disappointed by “Badge” Controversy – A Dangerous Misuse of Public Funds and an Insult to True Law Enforcement Officers
Coral Gables: Mayoral candidates Korge & Cason try to verbally sandwich Mayor Slesnick in forum
City of Doral: Camp under the Stars in the City of Doral – Enjoy an evening of campfires, an outdoor movie and other family fun
Community Events: U.S. Rep. Ros-Lehtinen at Elephant Forum luncheon Monday – Beach Mgr. Gonzalez speaks at Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club — THE MARGULIES COLLECTION AT THE WAREHOUSE — 2011 Beneath the Waves Film Festival: Call for Submissions – Submit your environmental film now! Films must relate to or focus on marine or freshwater systems or subjects – from documentaries to interesting…
Editorials: PAST WDR: DEC. 2004: Two national television anchors retiring, Brokaw & Rather- One of them will be missed — PAST WDR: Abusive language by public administrators is never acceptable in the public sector
Letters: Reader on Gov. Scott’s wanting to realign pension program
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 will start its 12th Anniversary on May 5.
>>> I will be on Topical Currents WLRN/NPR 91.3 FM on Feb. 2 at 1:00 to 1:30 p.m. hosted by Joseph Cooper and readers should listen in if they get a chance. www.wlrn.org
>>> Correction: The Miami Police Chief’s first name is Miguel Exposito.
ARGUS REPORT – Heard, Seen on the Street
>>> After Tucson tragedy, will Obama state of the union continue political evolution of the president?
President Barack Obama after a roller coaster ride in the national polls the last few months that started with the voter drubbing in November putting 63 new Republican members in the U. S. House, bounced back during the lame duck session by extending the Bush tax cuts. The repeal of “Don’t ask don’t tell” and ratification of the nuclear arms Start Treaty with Russia recently passed in the U.S. Senate by a vote of 71 to 26. He has moved to the political center and is getting his voice back with the general public and his poll numbers are inching upward with him getting about a 50 percent approval rating say recent polls. Further, after a traumatic two weeks since the killing of six people and wounding 13 others including U.S. Rep. Gabriele Giffords, D-Tuscan, and the target of the attack. The public has since hailed the speech with the grieving families earlier this week and he seems to be settling into his presidency, though the new Republican House last week voted to rescind the new national healthcare insurance law that still has Americans split about even on its merits and cost.
This will be Obama’s second State of the Union that has legislators agreeing to sit with each other despite their party affiliation in an effort to foster some congeniality in the body that for the past 15-years has been a verbal hornet’s nest of contentious words by both political parties. Critics say the speech has become a cheer leading rally where the president last year actually called out the Supreme Court Justices for a recent ruling, something not done before such a event in the past. And the country Tuesday will get to hear what he has to say, but one can be sure jobs, the economy and the nation’s defense will be his top priority in the months ahead, running up to the 2012 November presidential election.
>>> White House press release: The State of the Union and You On Tuesday, January 25, at 9 p.m. EST, President Obama will deliver the State of the Union address at the U.S. Capitol. Find out how you can get involved in the State of the Union and ask your questions of President Obama and senior Administration officials.
>>> Another WH press release: Yesterday, the Department of Treasury released a new analysis of the benefits of extending the American Opportunity Tax Credit, which was a key piece of the Tax Relief, Unemployment Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010. The analysis shows that as a result of the extension of the AOTC, 717,000 families in Florida will receive $1.232 billion – an average of $1700 per family to help pay for college. Recent analysis from the Department of Treasury also shows that thanks to the payroll tax break – another key piece of the Tax Relief, Unemployment Reauthorization and Job Creation Act – tens of millions of American workers are already seeing the boost in their paychecks. In Florida alone, 9 million people will see $5.7 billion in tax relief this year. For an interactive map outlining the state-by-state benefits of the tax relief law and a White Board video of Council of Economic Advisers Chairman Austan Goolsbee explaining the major pieces of the law, visit http://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/taxes/tax-cuts
>>> PAST WDR: Political and financial turbulence hit U.S. Reps. Rivera & Wilson, just sworn into Congress, but questions remain unanswered
U.S. Reps David Rivera, R-Miami and Fredericka Wilson, D-Miami were sworn into office last week but the GOB rising star is being pounded in The Miami Herald www.miamiherald.com for his personal finances and his mother and godmother’s role with getting local gaming passed back in 2008. Rivera (net worth $301,000), says he will once again amend his required financial disclosure forms to reflect a sale of a condominium to Millennium Marketing that he says was to repay a ‘$132,000 in undisclosed loans’ owed the company run by the two women state’s the paper, and he has filed a new financial disclosure for the Congress months earlier than required but has not made the documents public, and these forms won’t become public since it is not required for months. His spokeswoman is quoted in the paper saying Rivera filed early ‘in order to dispel any speculation surrounding his personal finances.’
Rivera, the past chair of the Miami-Dade Republican Party all through his congressional campaign was dogged with financial issues and how he made his money and he was only reporting his around $30,000 salary as a legislator as his only income during many years. Further, he has now become an issue with new Republican House Majority Leader Eric Cantor; from Virginia who is instituting a ‘zero tolerance’ ethics policy when it comes to wayward congressional representatives but when asked last week after the swearing-in ceremony. The paper reports Cantor would not make any comment, but the Miami-Dade state attorney is looking at the matter and the high-ranking federal lawmaker may find this will not go away.
Wilson, as has been reported in past Watchdog Reports www.watchdogreport.net over the past decade had a normal progression of a increasing net worth from 2001 to 2007 but in 2008 and 09 her financial disclosures are almost identical. She lists no rental income despite multiple properties including a duplex sold over the summer, and her listed value for the properties is at the peak of the real estate boom that has many properties in South Florida losing close to 50 percent of their value over the past three years. Next week the Watchdog Report will be contacting her congressional office and ask for an explanation about the lack of rental income, and the property values listed, that if adjusted would likely drastically reduce her listed $405,000 net worth for 2009.
>>> Rivera & Wilson update
At a second swearing in on Monday with the rest of the South Florida Congressional delegation, the Watchdog Report approached Wilson after the event while she was getting photos taken with supporters and friends. However, I did not want to rain on her parade so I gave her a miss, but she has a simple solution, with little downside. If she just updates her financial disclosure forms to reflect the past two years economic downturn in her assets and amends these required financial disclosure reports on file with the state Ethics Commission, for I will continue to dog this issue until there is a resolution to this financial discrepancy.
 Wilson |
 Rivera |
>>> Rivera continues to generate press and www.miamiherald.com had a front-page story today on how he spent state Senate campaign funds, a campaign he closed in February when he decided to run for the Congress. However, he used this extra money for a ‘Thank You’ campaign says the paper, but since 2004 to 2010, he has spent $243,000 in such activity, the most of any state legislator. And this continued scrutiny of his finances is further drawing attention to his past financial blunders and misreporting on disclosure forms and his arrival to the House has been under a cloud. That he must quickly dispel if he is to be an effective legislator, and given his weight loss over the past months, may be affecting his health.
What about the state attorney’s office last week?
Kathy Fernandez-Rundle last week said she was taking public corruption prosecutor Richard Scruggs off the Rivera case and it is being assigned to Joe Centorino the head of the public corruption unit, so that Scruggs can concentrate on the prosecution of suspended Miami Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones. While this has the blogs in a twitter, the Spence-Jones case is important for the state attorney’s office and is considered a must win, after what occurred when Miami Commissioner Arthur Teele, Jr. was indicted and his subsequent suicide in The Miami Herald building years ago. Spence-Jones has been defiant all through this process saying she is innocent of asking and taking a bribe and believes the prosecutor’s case is trumped up. Further, the state attorney also passed the case over to the FDLE to handle, with help from Centorino.
What about the rumor of Democrat Fernandez-Rundle running for Congress?
I have heard from a couple of people that former U.S. Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart, R-Miami may be suggesting she run for Congress if Rivera is forced to step down in the future for the District 25 seat. Diaz-Balart when he first ran for the state house, ran as a Democrat but lost and later become a Republican, which started his political career. He also at one point early on was a National Organization for Women (NOW) candidate. The retired congressman also worked as a young attorney in the state attorney’s office where Fernandez Rundle was the number two in the office run by state attorney Janet Reno back then and replaced when Reno became the U.S. Attorney General under President Bill Clinton. However, the Watchdog Report believes this is pure speculation for the moment, but Rivera who is getting the cold shoulder from many in Washington does have an issue he must resolve. If he is to become a viable local congressional representative.
>>> Clock is ticking to enroll your kids in Florida Prepaid College Plan, enrollment ends Jan. 31, education bargain for Florida kids
Now is the time to sign up your new born and young children for the Stanley G. Tate Florida Prepaid College Program allowing them to lock in their College or University costs in Florida for when the time comes for their advanced education the program is a real education bargain for many families. The program to date has over 1 million children enrolled, has a number of plans to chose from, and it is the largest of its kind in the nation, the open enrollment ends Jan. 31 and for more information go to www.myfloridaprepaid.com or call 877-205-9266.
>>> Press release: U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today announced the Republican Members who will serve on the Committee during the 112th Congress. The roster includes eight Members from the 2010 freshman class. Statement by Ros-Lehtinen:
“The Foreign Affairs Committee is ready to hit the ground running with this great slate of new and returning Members. I know that the unique strengths, backgrounds, interests, and expertise of our Members will make this Committee robust and effective. “I am extremely thrilled to be equipped with such a talented team to carry out the Committee’s objectives of reining in spending, reforming and eliminating troubled programs, carrying out a strong oversight agenda, and showing support for America’s allies while increasing pressure against our enemies.” The Republican Members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee in the 112th Congress are as follows (listed by seniority): U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL), Chairman, U.S. Rep. Christopher H. Smith (NJ), U.S. Rep. Dan Burton (IN), U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly (CA), Vice Chairman, U.S. Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (CA), U.S. Rep. Donald A. Manzullo (IL), U.S. Rep. Edward R. Royce (CA), U.S. Rep. Steve Chabot (OH), U.S. Rep. Ron Paul (TX), U.S. Rep. Mike Pence (IN), U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson (SC), U.S. Rep. Connie Mack (FL), U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (NE), U.S. Rep. Michael T. McCaul (TX), U.S. Rep. Ted Poe (TX), U.S. Rep. Gus M. Bilirakis (FL), U.S. Rep. Jean Schmidt (OH), U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson (OH), U.S. Rep. David Rivera (FL), U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (PA), U.S. Rep. Tim Griffin (AR), U.S. Rep. Tom Marino (PA), U.S. Rep. Jeff Duncan (SC), U.S. Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle (NY), and U.S. Rep. Renee Ellmers (NC).
>>> Press release: Zogby poll: Majority Wants Healthcare Reform Repealed
Yet most say Repeal Attempt A Political Gimmick
Slightly more than 50% of likely voters favor repealing the healthcare reform bill passed in 2010, but by nearly identical percentages, they say the upcoming Republican plan to repeal is a political gimmick to satisfy opponents of the bill, and do not believe it will succeed, a new Zogby Interactive Survey finds.
The poll, conducted from January 7 – 10, also finds that 59% of voters favor new House of Representatives’ rules implemented by the Republican majority that generally allow more amendments and debate, and that a plurality (47%) agree with the Republican majority decision not to allow amendments to the bill to repeal healthcare reform. Do you favor or oppose repealing the healthcare reform bill passed last year by Congress?
| Responses | All Voters | Democrats | Republicans | Independents |
| Favor | 54% | 15% | 94% | 54% |
| Oppose | 43% | 82% | 4% | 42% |
| Not sure | 3% | 4% | 2% | 4% |
Totals may not add up to 100% due to rounding. Please click the link below to view the full news release on our website:http://www.zogby.com/news/ReadNews.cfm?ID=1941
>>> All photos in the Watchdog Report are taken from public government sites, and the Report goes on line at www.watchdogreport.net on Monday sometime during the day usually. >>> If you believe it is important to have someone watching your public institutions consider supporting the Watchdog Report for I am a low cost news service yet 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 numerous times over the past decade.
OBITUARY
>>> Horrendous killing of Detectives Castillo & Haworth shock the community
The horrendous killing of two veteran Miami-Dade police Detectives Roger Castillo and Amanda Haworth by felon Johnny Simms in a shoot out in Miami last week has rocked the community and reminds all of us what it is like to work in law enforcement, and the risks these officers take on a daily basis. I send my condolences to the families, but sadly, nothing can bring back these professionals just trying to do their job, of keeping the community safe.
>>> Gov. Scott press release: We are saddened to hear of the tragic deaths in the line of duty of Detectives Roger Castillo and Amanda Haworth of the Miami-Dade Police Department.
In memory of Detectives Castillo and Haworth, the Governor approves the flying of the State flag at half-staff from sunrise to sunset at the Miami-Dade County Courthouse, the City Hall of Miami, the Miami-Dade Police Department, and any other facilities managed by agencies seeking to honor Detectives Castillo and Haworth on the day of their funerals, Monday, January 24, 2011.
FLORIDA
>>> New Ag. Commissioner Putnam in the spotlight, first elected at 22, goes to Congress at 26, had $714,000 net worth back in 2000
Adam Putnam, the new Commissioner of Agriculture is in the spotlight this week and the Republican former congressman was first elected to the state house when he was 22 and was 26 years old when he went to the nation’s capital as a Freshman Republican Congressman. Putnam’s family goes back five generations in Polk County where the family raised cattle and citrus. The commissioner, a University of Florida graduate won his new post by getting 56 percent of the statewide vote last November when he dispatched in the race his Democratic Party challenger, Scott Maddox and the office is more powerful than many believe.
 http://www.freshfromflorida.com/ |
What do we know about his finances?
I got Putnam’s last financial disclosures with the state and that covered through 2000 when he was a state representative before going to congress in 2001. Back then, the legislator had a $714,000 net worth through Dec. 31, 2000 and he lists $78,000 in household goods. He lists land and buildings back then worth $137,000, there was $36,000 in banks, shares of stock are worth $543,000 and his only liability is $77,118 on a mortgage. Income for the year was around $97,000 and the state salary back then was $23,000. >>> Editor’s note: When he files his new financial disclosure form July 1, I will update these numbers.
>>> People and the press are still wondering how transparent the Gov. Rick Scott administration will be since in many cases a pool reporter, sometimes picked by the new governor’s staff sometimes are the only people covering what might be considered public events, or at least press worthy.
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
>>> “Where’s the beef?” when it comes to ethics violations punishments, say participants at ethics commission workshop on Beach
A Miami-Dade Ethics and Public Trust Commission workshop was held on Tuesday at the Miami Beach Botanical Garden and self-reflection of the commission staff and organization was the order of the day. The commission, established by county voters in 1996 and formerly formed in 1998 has the power to subpoena documents and people, has a office budget of over $2 million and watches over not just the county commission and its employees, but all the 34 municipalities elected leaders and employees as well. Further, a charter review task force did a past examination of ethics laws and penalties and while 18 recommendations were suggested, only “five of these have been adopted,” said Robert Meyers the commission’s executive director. He noted the other “13 are languishing” with the county commission and he believed it was important to convince commissioners “that they address some of these issues,” he thought.
Seymour Gelber, a retired judge and Miami Beach mayor and an ethics commissioner said the “ethics commission was created only after a crisis” of corruption and conflict of interest abuses hit the county and city of Miami in the mid 1990s and in today’s world 16-years later. “We can’t expect the county commission to do a lot for us” since “we may investigate them.” Further, since the independent commission gets funding from the county the judge suggested creating a “citizens advisory board” to help back up Meyers when he is in front of the elected body because “when Robert [Meyers] goes in front of the commission, it is with hat in hand,” which creates a problem when it comes to funding independence. Further, participants complained people think the ethics commission is a toothless tiger since the punishments are so mild saying when it comes to “politicians they sometimes only get a slap on the hand,” and “where is the beef” when comes to the actual penalties and fines imposed but set by legislators.
What did the Watchdog Report suggest?
I spoke to workshop participants about the beneficial affect that Letters of Reprimand can have on wayward officials or employees, which in some cases is more effective than a couple of thousand dollar fine. Since it is a public document from a credible oversight source and depending on the issue, can stop some politicians in their track as far as pursuing higher office in the future.
>>> Seijas gets her day in court Feb.7, Judge Donner moves it along, jurist has $5.79 million net worth
Local Circuit Court Judge Amy Steele Donner set the date Feb.7 last week to hear the appeal case brought by County Commissioner Natacha Seijas www.miamiherald.com regarding the signatures certified by Count Clerk Harvey Ruvin being challenged that has her on the March 15 ballot along with Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez. Seijas has tried to avoid being included on the ballot with Alvarez but county commissioners last week combined the two elections and Donner has agreed to hear the case challenging if all the signatures were valid quickly, given the time sentence nature of the activity and attendant costs.
 Donner |
What do we know about her finances?
Donner through May 2010 had a net worth of $5.79 million and her home is valued at $1.2 million, apiece of land is worth $47,500, PB Land is listed at $1 million, a pension account has $1.2 million, and there are $2.3 million in stocks and bonds. She owes Wells Fargo $164,000 and another obligation to Morgan’s Restaurant is $116,768, and she filed an IRS 1040 extension for 2009 and plans to file her tax form when it is completed regarding what her income for the year was.
 Alvarez |
 Seijas |
>>> Park users in South get break on parking rates, Seijas livid not the same for north residents
The Miami-Dade Commission approved waiving parking fees at some regional parks in South Dade but similar parks found in the north part of the county still has people paying parking fees. Commissioner Natacha Seijas made a big deal about the issue Thursday at the BCC meeting since her parks were not getting the benefit nor the residents living in Districts 1, 2, and 3 where residents are less likely to be able to afford the parking charge less. The item passed 8-3 but Seijas did not have two allies on the issue – Commissioners Barbara Jordan and Sally Heyman since both were absent from the dais.
>>> Press release: Miami-Dade Commissioners Jean Monestime, District 2, and Lynda Bell, District 8, will be guest speakers at a special hot topic luncheon hosted by the League of Women Voters of Miami-Dade County on Tuesday, January 25, 2011, at the 94th Aero Squadron Restaurant, 1395 NW 57th Avenue. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet the newly-elected commissioners and ask questions from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. The event is open to the public, with lunch being $25 per person. Interested residents may contact Terry Coble, League President, at 305-751-0504 or terryarose@bellsouth.net to reserve a space. WHO: Miami-Dade County Commissioner Jean Monestime, District 2 – Miami-Dade County Commissioner Lynda Bell, District 8 – Hot Topic Luncheon hosted by League of Women Voters of Miami-Dade County on Tuesday, January 25, 2011 from 12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. at the 94th Aero Squadron Restaurant
1395 NW 57th Avenue, Miami
>>> Press release: The Children’s Trust launches a multilingual media campaign around the release of star-ratings for child care centers in Miami-Dade County as part of its Quality Counts initiative, aimed at improving the quality of child care in Miami-Dade County. A directory of child care centers and their stars is available at www.thechildrenstrust.org or by calling The Children’s Trust Helpline at 211.
Quality Counts includes 445 participating centers and family child care homes, serving 28,500 children. As part of the initiative, more than 4,000 child care teachers have utilized scholarships towards training and certification in early childhood development. A study presents the initiative’s positive impact on Miami-Dade’s early childhood workforce.
Quality Counts is a voluntary quality rating improvement system that rates programs on a set of standards related to teacher qualifications, teacher/student ratios, curriculum, learning environment, parental involvement and program administration. Participating programs work hard to improve their programs, guided by information from a baseline assessment. A star rating of 1-5 is published after a center is rated for the second time to allow for making improvements with the help of provided incentives. More than three-fourths of participating programs rated for the second time have improved their quality. ARC Project Thrive, a child care center for children with special needs in Florida City, last year earned four Quality Counts stars. “The educational incentives have been a big plus, and they’re reflected in the quality of the care our children receive,” said Executive Director Maria Barros. “Quality Counts has made us a better center.”
The multimedia campaign is designed to inform parents about what to look for in a quality childcare center in order to make the most informed choice about the best care and education for their children. “We know that the care and education a child receives from birth through age five lays the foundation for everything from good interpersonal skills to future success in school,” said Modesto E. Abety, president and CEO of The Children’s Trust. “Research shows that every $1 of investment in high quality early education saves us between $7-$13 later in the need for intervention and deeper-end services – the return on investment is significant.” Quality Counts is designed and funded by The Children’s Trust in collaboration with the Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade Monroe, The Early Childhood Initiative Foundation/Ready Schools Miami and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, for a total annual investment of $9.7 million. >> The Children’s Trust is a dedicated source of funding created by voter referendum in 2002 to improve the lives of children and families in Miami-Dade County by making strategic investments in their future – because all children are our children.
>>> Press releases: GREATER MIAMI’S LEISURE AND HOSPITALITY JOB$ INCREASE IN DECEMBER 2010
In the month of December 2010, Greater Miami’s Leisure and Hospitality Industry employment increased +1.1% compared to the same period in 2009. This is the 7th consecutive month of increased employment in Greater Miami’s Leisure and Hospitality industry. In December 2010, an average of 105,400 people were employed in Greater Miami’s Leisure and Hospitality sector compared to 104,300 for December 2009.
GREATER MIAMI LEISURE AND HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY JOB$
| December 2010 | December 2009 | % Change |
| 105,400 jobs | 104,300 jobs | + 1.1% |
>> DID YOU KNOW… Miami International Airport (‘The NEW MIA’) Reached New All-Time High for Annual Passenger Traffic in 2010
Miami International Airport (‘The NEW MIA’) set a new all-time record for annual passenger traffic with 35.6 million passengers in 2010, shattering the previous record of 34.5 million set in 1997. MIA’s total passenger count grew 5.35%, with international passengers increasing 5.8% to 16.89 million and domestic traffic jumping 4.97% to 18.8 million. MIA continues to benefit from American Airlines’ commitment to expand service at its Latin American and Caribbean hub. Together with American Eagle, its regional affiliate, American Airlines added more than 30 new daily flights in 2010 and now operates 310 flights per day at MIA – approximately 70% of the airport’s total traffic. In addition, eight other carriers began new international routes at MIA last year.
BROWARD COUNTY
>>> State Rep. Gibbons tapped by voters in 2006, senior minority party leader, had $205,000 net worth through 09
State Rep. Joseph Gibbons, D- Hallandale Beach is in the spotlight this week and the legislator was first elected in 2006 and the businessman was a former municipal commissioner. Gibbons, 62, and is the Democratic Party Minority Leader pro tempore for 2010-2012 in the House. He is on the Appropriations Committee, the Rules & Calendar Committee and is on the Government Operations Approbations and Rulemaking & Regulation subcommittees. He represents House District 105.
 Gibbons |
What do we know about his finances?
Gibbons through Dec. 2009 had a net worth of $205,000 and he lists $80,000 in household goods. A condominium is valued at $550,000, a 27-foot sailboat is worth $5,000, Gibbons Consulting is valued at $50,000, two loans are owed $460,000, and $13,000 is owed Household Finance. His income for the year was $29,000 as a state legislator, $55,000 came in from Akerman Senterfitt and Gibbons Consulting kicked in $12,000. He also lists Broward County and Linking Solutions as customers on the disclosure forms. For further information on Gibbons go to http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/details.aspx?MemberId=4400&SessionId=66
>>> Press release: Mortgage broker pleads to filing false tax returns
Wifredo A. Ferrer United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Daniel W. Auer, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, and J. Thomas Cardwell, Commissioner, State of Florida Office of Financial Regulation, announced the January 14, 2011 guilty plea of defendant John Sarji, 68, of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Sarji pled guilty to one count of filing a false tax return, in violation of Title 26, United States Code, Section 7206(1). Sentencing has been scheduled for March 25, 2011 before U.S. District Court Judge James I. Cohn in Ft. Lauderdale. At sentencing, Sarji faces a maximum of 3 years in prison and mandatory restitution for the taxes owed to the Treasury. According to the charging document and statements made in court, on or about March 21, 2007, Sarji, a licensed mortgage broker and employee of A-1 Capital Funding, Inc., knowingly filed a false 2006 IRS Form 1040 U.S. Individual Tax Return. Sarji failed to report a total of $469,600 in kickback payments that he had earned pursuant to an illegal Marketing Representative Agreement with TurnKey Title.
The payments violated both Florida law and the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) in that the agreement constituted an illegal referral fee or kickback involving federally regulated mortgage loans. Specifically, in tax year 2006, John Sarji failed to report $173,600 in income earned from his relationship TurnKey Title. Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the Internal Revenue Service and the State of Florida Office of Financial Regulation. This case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Marc Anton. 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
>>> 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
>>> Voters tap Abruzzo in 2008, represents Dist. 85, had net worth of $209,792 through May 2010
State Rep. Joseph Abruzzo, D- Wellington is in the spotlight this week and the legislator was first elected in 2008. He represents House District 85, is on subcommittees dealing with Business and Consumer Affairs, Economic Development & Tourism, Federal Affairs, and is on committees dealing with Economic Affairs and Finance & Tax.
 Abruzzo http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/details.aspx?MemberId=4458&SessionId=66 |
What do we know about his finances?
Abruzzo through May, 2010 lists a net worth of $209,000 and he has $113,000 in household goods. He has $8,200 in a checking account, there is $184.00 in a savings account, and a car loan is owed $20,027 and there is a $193,000 mortgage. He filed his IRS 1040 for 2009, his income for the year listed was $54,764, paid $5,519 in taxes, and he got an $8,000 credit as a first time homeowner.
MONROE COUNTY
>>> Residents should check out vintage B-25H Mitchell Bomber on Feb. 5 in Keys
Parents and kids have the opportunity to check out vintage aircraft including a legendary B-25H Mitchell Bomber along with a classic DC-7 and many other old planes and children from 8-17 can take free rides in some of the aircraft. If you have not checked out some of these old planes before. You will see how small and Spartan the insides are, the cramped space the flyers worked in, but successfully were overcome to give the Allies victory in World War II. For more information go to www.miamiherald.com/travel or http://monroecofl.virtualtownhall.net/pages/monroecofl_airport/soar/ or call 305.879.9306.
MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
>>> Better 2010 Census count than 2000 is gift that keeps on giving, federal monies will be up & two new congressional districts expected
School Board Chair Perla Tabares Hantman took a road trip to the county Commission Chambers Thursday afternoon for the 2010 Complete Census Count update from Census officials in Atlanta that mobilized every public institution and community group last spring to try to increase the number of people counted in the decade event that brings hundreds of billions to communities and states around the nation based on their population. In 2000, South Florida did a terrible job when it came to the Census and this activity occurred while the local community was bitterly split as the legal battle for the young boy Elian Gonzalez and his return to Cuba with his father. Local residents in many communities did not recognize the Census was done by the U.S. Commerce Department and much of the information collected was confidential and they blew off census enumerators who ended many times doing a curb count, estimating how many people or children might live in a home by a pink bicycle on someone’s lawn indicating a young girl lived there for example. In 2010, efforts were made to change this dismal count, the mail return rate for the Census forms rose from 70 percent in 2000 to 72 percent in 2010, and the rest of the people this last year got a visit from census workers.
The Census not only determines federal funding levels to the state, it also affects political representation in the nation’s capital and Florida is expected to get two more congressional districts making the state’s congressional delegation potentially the third largest in the nation coming in with 27 members in the House. The chairs of the Miami-Dade Complete Count committee were Mayor Carlos Alvarez, Hantman, Miami Gardens Mayor Shirley Gibson and North Miami Mayor Andre Pierre. The final census numbers will be forthcoming in the spring and redistricting of state and municipal leaders districts will be done in the subsequent coming months with the federal and state legislator districts necessary by the time of the state primary held Jan. 2012.
PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST
>>> Two Joes come on 17-member voting board, Martinez & Arriola are 180 degrees different in personalities
There are two new men on the PHT board now, one elected and the other a wealthy businessman and if a bear hug, catching the official from behind is any indication, the PHT meetings will be different in the future, to say the least. At a search committee meeting Wednesday, looking for a new CEO after Eneida Roldan, M.D. announced her retirement in June. Miami-Dade Commission Chair Joe Martinez attended and he is on the committee that for the moment does not have Mayor Carlos Alvarez on the body, while the mayor fights off a recall vote and his political life if it is approved by county voters March 15, but the 17-member board is about to get its new University of Miami representative on the board, Joe Arriola.
 Martinez |
Arriola, (a former Miami city manager, who also worked briefly with Merrett Stierheim at the public schools district in 2002,) during the search committee meeting stayed in the executive offices area but after the meeting came out and gave the new county commission chair a hug, but he did catch the former cop from behind, and in some ways, was not in keeping the right decorum with someone in that top commission office. Further, the executive’s appointment to the body by the university concerned some county commissioners as well, that had a previous PHT Nominating Council in 2006 shooting down his application to return to the health trust back then. After he left in 2003 to become the Miami manager. And the community residents and patients at the public hospitals and clinics hope he will crank down some of his rhetoric while he represents the UM Miller Medical School’s interests on the 17 member voting board charged with oversight of the $2 billion Trust.
How did the search committee meeting go?
Roger Quick, the lead headhunter looking for a replacement of Roldan talked with 40 community leaders in the last week including elected officials about the kind of person they thought should be considered and it is a mixed bag of opinions split between a veteran healthcare executive or a person with a proven turnaround record from the private sector. Quick said the duration of the search varied with some saying sooner was better than later, with an average national search taking 90 to 120 days said the recruiter. Martinez, born at Jackson Memorial Hospital said he could support “a strong business leader” and it is “not delivery of healthcare” that is the problem at this time, but the issue is “down to money or lack of money,” he thought. The commission chair acknowledged that despite the “media” and its “negativity” that “this hospital has made a lot of progress over the past 18-months” and it “takes time to change its culture,” he said.
Trustee Ernesto de la Fe, a past PHT chair said he thought sometimes you “are looking for certain qualities” and someone that might “challenge the status quo,” he suggested. He said because the process was public candidates were “putting their careers at stake, then left out in the cold” and a better way would be to identify the top people and focus on them because “we are going for the best,” he said.
Pascal Goldschmidt, M.D. the dean of the UM Miller Medical School was concerned with the turnover at the top slot and since his arrival this will be the third national search done for a chief executive officer. He said they should be looking for someone “who will be here for awhile” and “build a very strong team” by exercising “great leadership” in a rapid manner. However, as the list of criteria seemed to grow during the discussions, one trustee quietly joked that “walking on water” should be a requirement added on as well.
The search firm got the message and will go out and try to identify people from both fields but because the process is in public. Some top hospital administrators may not want to jeopardize their jobs by applying and this happened last time when Roldan was chosen, but two top hospital administrators in Ohio and Michigan also made the cut and were interviewed and it is unknown what impact that act had on their current career. >>> The search committee will review the candidates on the week of March 14th and the first round of interviews could start the week of March 28.
What about the outsourcing of county prison medical services?
Reporter John Dorschner, in The Miami Herald www.miamiherald.com Saturday wrote that Public Health Services (PHS) has gotten the nod for the roughly 6,100 prisoner’s medical contract that is hoped to save the PHT about $8 million, though exact costs currently have yet to be provided to the paper. The company beat out Armor Correctional Health Services, a Miami firm in the bidding for the contract that could go for 11-years. The Watchdog Report was curious whom these companies used as lobbyists during this protracted contract struggle since 2009 and county lobbying documents for the year show PHS used Sylvester Lukis as their advocate and ACHS used Teye Kutasi, Brian May, William Perry and Jose Villalobos. However, none of the persons names were on a current lobbying list from Jan. 20 and it is unknown if these men are continuing to represent the two firms.
CITY OF MIAMI
>>> MESA moving forward with helicopter base on Watson Island
The Watchdog Report covered the tail end of the Miami Exhibition and Sports Authority (MESA) meeting Wednesday at City Hall and one of the items on the agenda was the reestablishment of a Helicopter service on Watson Island, something that for years was available on the site. In the 1980s, I used this chopper service for a number of years and on one trip, I had a People’s Republic of China Liberation Army general and his staff on the aircraft as we viewed the Miami skyline and the Florida Everglades in the distance, and it was a fascinating way to see South Florida. I contacted the director of MESA Timothy Schmand asking him about the project and he wrote back. “We believe we made progress on the Watson Island Heliport yesterday. We’ve moved toward an understanding of the city’s revenue stream, subject to a pro-forma from the potential operator. The MSEA board requested a guaranteed base rent and we are waiting to hear from the operator on that matter. The heliport would be located on the south side of Watson Island, east of the seaplane base, with an easement between the two facilities,” wrote the executive.
>>> 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, PAB, Code, etc. hearings) http://videos.miamigov.com/
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
>>> City & County Commission honor deceased Circuit Court Judge Cypen with street name, first circuit judge of Jewish faith
Commissioners Wednesday approved naming part of the Venetian Causeway as Judge Irving Cypen Way, the first local circuit court judge of Jewish faith in the Dade County court circuit states back-up documents to the resolution. Cypen, the son of Russian immigrants was also a major benefactor to the Miami Jewish Home where he raised $75 million and donated $1 million to the organization himself. The jurist passed in Jan. 1999 and the Miami-Dade County Commission first passed the name change after county Commissioners Sally Heyman and Audrey Edmonson who share the area in their respective districts, sponsored it. The section along the Causeway where the name designation will occur is “East San Marino Island to West Rivo Alto Island,” state agenda documents.
CITY OF NORTH MIAMI
>>> Press release: Councilman Galvin Shocked and Disappointed by “Badge” Controversy – A Dangerous Misuse of Public Funds and an Insult to True Law Enforcement Officers
Earlier this week, two Miami-Dade police officers died in the line of duty when the badge they wore on their chests almost literally became a target for a murderous gunman. Those officers gave the ultimate sacrifice to protect our community.
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While that story unfolded, I was simultaneously learning of a disgusting situation in North Miami involving city-issued police-style badges. More than 40 police-style badges reading “North Miami Mayor’s Staff” were ordered by someone at City Hall. At this moment, no one can verify who has the badges or where any are being kept. Fingers are already being pointed over who ordered them. Click here to read Miami Herald coverage. The danger in handing out police-style badges should be obvious. I have already heard rumors that more than one person has been pulled over by North Miami Police during routine traffic stops and flashed these dubious “Mayor’s Staff” badges at officers. Although I’ve yet to confirm those rumors, if true, they are incredibly troubling and I invite anyone who might have solid detail on them to call me on my cell at (305) 582-0710.
In 1999, when I was first elected to the City Council, I was offered a badge that read “City Councilman.” I refused to accept it. I believed then, as I do now, that only true law enforcement officers should carry a badge. They have earned it and only they face the danger of sacrifice each day as a result. The situation, which has come to light in North Miami, must be fully investigated. Each badge must be accounted for immediately and the responsible parties must be held to full account. I call on anyone who is not a law enforcement officer but may have a North Miami police-style badge to immediately return it. Civilians, elected-officials, and their friends who carry mock-badges do not need or deserve them. Carrying them only mocks the police officers and others who continue to pay serious consequences, sometimes with their lives, to protect all of us.
CITY OF CORAL GABLES
>>> Mayoral candidates Korge & Cason try to verbally sandwich Mayor Slesnick in forum
A forum Tuesday night attended by around 125 people had mayoral challengers Tom Korge and James Cason taking verbal shots at long serving Mayor Donald Slesnick, II seeking another term on April 12 after being elected in the spring of 2001. The three way race so far has three capable candidates running with Slesnick a labor attorney, Korge a tax attorney and Cason a four decade Foreign Service Officer that rose to the rank of Ambassador. The race however is a winner take all affair so any candidate has to only win by one vote and we will see how voter turnout affects this three-way race for the top elected spot in the City Beautiful. The local Coral Gables Gazette has been critical of the mayor over the years and the paper helped ultimately drive out Manger David Brown a few years ago after a scandal with expense accounts and that controversy reflected on Slesnick. The Watchdog Report contacted Slesnick last week and asked how the debate went. He wrote back, “I felt very comfortable with the forum and its results (actually there were no “results” per se). The evening gave me the opportunity to directly address about 80 attendees with a realistic view of what a great city we live in and why we are uniquely positioned to take advantage of the coming economic recovery,” wrote the retired Army Lt. Colonel. >>> The Herald covered the mayoral forum and here is the paper’s story: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/01/21/2025453/mayoral-candidates-square-off.html and for more information about the mayoral candidates go to www.korgeformayor.com, www.votejimcason.com, www.donslesnick.com
>>> Here are the clerk’s office listed candidates so far, and the qualifying week is from noon Feb.21 to noon Feb. 25th.
| April 12, 2011 General Biennial Election |
||
| Group (I) | Group (IV) | Group (V) |
| James Caldwell Cason 1040 Alhambra Circle Coral Gables, FL 33134 (305)409-4061 Tom Korge Don Slesnick |
Richard W. Martin II 1234 South Dixie Highway Suite 156 Coral Gables, FL 33146 Frank C. Quesada Brad Rosenblatt |
William H. Kerdyk, Jr. 2631 Ponce De Leon Blvd. Coral Gables, FL 33134 (305) 446-2586 Richard Namon, Sr. |
CITY OF DORAL
>>> Press release: Camp under the Stars in the City of Doral – Enjoy an evening of campfires, an outdoor movie and other family fun during the City of Doral’s Camping under the Stars on Friday, January 28, 2011 overnight to Saturday, January 29, 2011, at J.C. Bermudez Park.
The event is open to the public and admission is FREE. Food and beverage will be available for purchase, and breakfast tickets are $5.00. Boy Scout Troop 552 will conduct its annual s’mores and Girl Scout cookies fund-raising sales on-site. All overnight camping groups must register. Camps site are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Registration is not required for patrons coming to enjoy the movie. Don’t miss the fun of Camping under the Stars! – City of Doral’s Camping under the Stars – January 28, 2011 overnight to Saturday, January 29, 2011 – 3:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. (Friday on site registration) – 6:00 p.m. Friday -10:00 a.m. Saturday (event times) – J.C. Bermudez Park, 3000 NW 87th Avenue >>>Over 1,000 participants expected. Activities include: Ring campfire, animal show, movie on a 4 Story Tall Screen: Despicable Me-Rated G, food and refreshments for sale, Flag Retirement Ceremony, demonstrations by: MDC Fire Department, Doral Police Department, Boy Scouts – Doral Troop 552, Jazzercise. Sponsored by Baptist Health.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
>>> Press release: MONDAY IN MIAMI: Ros-Lehtinen@The Elephant Forum Group To Preview Pressing Issues President Obama Should Address In His State Of The Union Speech
On Monday, January 24th, Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen will speak before the local conservative group “The Elephant Forum” and preview the important issues she thinks President Obama should focus on in his State of the Union address before Congress. (To make reservations contact Mary Ellen Miller at 305. 377.9187) – Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Stanley Tate and the other members of The Elephant Forum – Monday, January 24, 2011 from 11:30 am through 12:45 pm – The Rusty Pelican Restaurant, located at 3201 Rickenbacker Causeway, Key Biscayne >>> Said Ros-Lehtinen, “The new Majority will work towards finding bipartisan solutions to our pressing national problems. We will focus like a laser beam on job creation, strengthening our economic recovery through less taxes and intrusive government regulations, cutting the behemoth federal deficit and paying down our national debt so that future generations are not saddled by the mistakes of the present. President Obama should center his State of the Union speech on addressing these issues. We are a nation of civility and that should be paramount in our national discourse. I know that I will do my part and I expect all my colleagues to join me and others so that we may accomplish the difficult tasks ahead that will ultimately benefit the American people.”
>>> Beach Mgr. Gonzalez to speak at Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club
Miami Beach City Manager Jorge Gonzalez will be the guest speaker at the Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club Jan. 25, 8:30AM – 10:00 a.m., David’s Cafe II, 1654 Meridian Ave., Miami Beach.
>>> Press release: THE MARGULIES COLLECTION AT THE WAREHOUSE AFRICA: Photography and Video – JENE HIGHSTEIN: Large Stone Carvings -MICHELANGELO PISTOLETTO: Broken Mirror Painting … >>> Visitors are welcomed at the door for the price of a donation to the Lotus House Shelter for Homeless Women and Children. Adults $10.00, Miami Dade students are free of charge – For further information please call 305-576-1051 or visit our website at www.margulieswarehouse.com Contact: Curator, Katherine Hinds 591 NW 27th Street, Miami, FL 33127 p: 305.576.1051 / f: 305.576.4963 / mcollection@bellsouth.net
>>> Press release: 2011 Beneath the Waves Film Festival: Call For Submissions
WHAT Submit your environmental film now! Films must relate to or focus on marine or freshwater systems or subjects – from documentaries to interesting stories and research videos. Films with a conservation message are preferred, but not required. All films must be under 20 minutes in length. WHO Any amateur or professional videographer who is interested in preserving our ocean ecosystems for future generations is welcome to submit an entry. >>>
DEADLINE February 15, 2011. There is no cost for submitting an entry to the Film Festival; films will not be returned. WHERE The Beneath the Waves Film Festival this year will take place during the Benthic Ecology Meeting, March 16‐20, 2011 at the Renaissance Riverview Plaza & Battle House Hotel in Mobile, Ala. WHY Founded in 2009 by a group of concerned scientists focused on promoting their research, the Beneath the Waves Film Festival uses moving images to shed light and exact a powerful reactions from audiences. The goal is to motivate and stimulate the general public to protect and preserve our waterways. GUIDELINES Visit http://beneathwavesff.wordpress.com/ MEDIA CONTACT: Austin Gallagher Gallagher.austin@gmail.com Tel. 305‐421‐4536
EDITORIALS
>>> PAST WDR: DEC, 2004: Two national television anchors retiring, Brokaw & Rather- One of them will be missed
The stepping down of Tom Brokaw as a national news anchor this week was a sad moment for he has been a fixture on NBC for decades and his mid western roots and generally polite style were always apparent even when he was asking tough questions during interviews. However, the announcement that Dan Rather, the national anchor for CBS for decades is also retiring in the months ahead unfortunately is good news. For after decades of solid news service and reporting ranging from Vietnam, the White House, he blew it just before the national election in November when CBS broke a story, based on documents that turned out to be forgeries. The bogus documents indicated that U.S. President George Bush had shirked his military duty in the National Guard and the national news service ultimately retracted and apologized for the story.
The damage that story did to the media, and the apparent bias of the station toward one candidate over another was a slap in the face to everyone in journalism, and pushed the knife of perceived media bias a little deeper into the public psyche. The fact that it was CBS national with all their news resources after so many decades in the business, and with past anchors of the station including Walter Cronkite as part of their history. Rather’s jumping the gun in the middle of a tight and contentious presidential race cannot be forgiven, even with an apology for it was to grave an error.
Rather, is a major China Hand and the Watchdog Report had an opportunity to speak with him a few years ago when he came to Miami. It is a shame that his long and extensive news-reporting career ends in such a way but given the magnitude of the gaffe. It is necessary for him to go. For the public is skeptical enough about the press and when someone of his stature is not punished, it looks irresponsible to the average viewer. Both Brokaw and Rather will be remembered but for different reasons and it is a shame Rather has to fall on his sword but it is necessary if viewers are ever going to trust the station again. May they both continue to contribute to their profession in the future, but the national television station had to do something, and having Rather retire was one of them.
>>> PAST WDR: Abusive language by public administrators is never acceptable in the public sector
People in government, be it elected office or as an administrator need to be very careful how you speak to associates and people who use profanity in the public sector do so at your peril. While some people in private companies may get away with it, especially if they own the company that is not the case when it comes to public service and public monies.
A verbally abusive boss or manager is a time bomb for a future lawsuit that the public would have to possible pay for and creates a corrosive work environment and low employee morale. People at all levels in government need to keep this in mind before they lambaste someone for it can come back to haunt them and there is no defense for being verbally abusive, especially in the public sector.
LETTERS
>>> Reader on Gov. Scott’s wanting to realign pension program
If the Governor Rick Scott wants to realign the state employee pension plan by moving away from the current pension plan to one that more resembles pensions offered by private companies, he also need to realign the salaries to reflect what is offered by private companies. If not, there is absolutely no reason for qualified people to work for state government.
Lisa
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The Watchdog Report covers a few of the meetings attended weekly. It remains my belief that an informed public will make better decisions. Therefore, I go to meetings, make the presence of an informed citizen known, and bring the information to you. The Watchdog Report is in the fourth year of publication and it has been an honor to be able to send this information to you. It is sent to readers in Miami-Dade, Florida, the U.S. and the world. The Watchdog Report is sent to thousands free and while readers have been prodded to subscribe the results have been mixed. Over 250 reports and Extra’s have been sent since May 5, 2000 and over one million words have been written on our community’s governments and events. The report is an original work based on information gathered at public meetings, interviews and from documents in the public domain.
LETTER POLICY
I welcome letters via e-mail, fax, or snail mail. Letters may be edited for length or clarity and must refer to material published in the Watchdog Report. Please see address and contact information. Please send any additions and corrections by e-mail, fax or snail mail. All corrections will be published in the next Watchdog Report. If you or your organization would like to publish the contents of this newsletter, please contact me. Please send your request to watchdogreport1@earthlink.net
Daniel A. Ricker
Publisher & Editor
Watchdog Report
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Copyright © of original material, 2011, Daniel A. Ricker
>>> Watchdog Report is expanding as a new service and this content is now available to other news media, no longer exclusive to The Miami Herald
The Watchdog Report is no longer exclusively with The Miami Herald, and excluding the one story a week that is printed in the paper on Monday in the Metro & State section by me. The rest of the 20 or so news stories weekly sent out Sunday in the Watchdog Report are now available to television stations web pages, and all the newspapers and other media in South Florida if the publishers have an interest to run part or all of the stories. Further, in 2000, I used to have some paper’s running the report in the Spanish press, that option is available again, and publishers should contact me. The news content will not be free, but you can pick and chose the stories of interest, edit them if necessary but you must still keep the general story intact. If you are a news outlet and would like to learn more about, the Watchdog Report and this offer contact me at watchdogreport1@earthlink.net for further information.
>>> Here is what past newspapers have written about the Watchdog Report publisher including a survey and regional study done by the U. North Carolina at Chapel Hill on the media in the southeast United States.
>>> The Miami Herald and Orlando Sentinel & Sun-Sentinel articles on the Watchdog Report publisher over the years. >>> Published on September 9, 1999, Page 1EA, Miami Herald, The (FL) CITIZEN ADVOCATE’ KEEPS TABS ON POLITICIANS >>> Published on January 3, 2000, Page 1B, Miami Herald, The (FL) MIAMI-DADE WATCHDOG WILL BE MISSED >>> Published on January 20, 2003, Page 1E, Orlando Sentinel, PAPERWORK TIGER, Miami’s citizen watchdog piles up government files in his quest to keep the “little people” informed.
>>>Watchdog Report publisher named ‘Best Citizen’ 2003 by the Miami New Times —The publisher would like to thank the weekly alternative paper Miami New Times for bestowing their 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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