Watchdog Report Vol.11 No.45 April 3, 2011 Est.05.05.00 – I go when you cannot
CONTENTS
Argus Report: Obama makes the case for helping Libya rebels, but critics across the spectrum wonder what the end game is?
Florida: Sweetwater Mayor Moreno trying to help with Scott administration and $35 million in past funding for Jackson Hospital
Miami-Dade County: Will six Charter questions be stripped from May 24 ballot on Monday by the BCC if reconsider of legislation passes?
Miami-Dade Public Schools: Carvalho calls for “equity” when it comes to state funding per pupil, M-DC gets $6,721 but Duval gets $6,996 and that is not right
Public Health Trust: Now there are Lash, Migoya, and Raju as PHT CEO finalists, but time for health trust significant changes in FTE numbers looming in the months ahead
City of Miami: Commissioner Dunn says “Dr. Dunn not producing [jobs] as he should have;” FIU professor fires back with $3 million CRA request for Roots in the City program
City of Miami Beach: Will $56.6 million in new water & sewer construction clog getting to the Beach even more?
City of Coral Gables: Mayoral candidates Cason, Korge and Slesnick verbally pound each other at last debate, $197 million pension liability highlighted
City of Doral: Doral begins 90-day warning period for red light camera safety program
Village of Pinecrest: Tony Pinecrest turned 15 in March, has come a long way from mango farms & pine forests
>>> Other stories around Florida
Broward County: The magnificent eight for IG/ethics czar, Murawski and Scott have Miami-Dade ties, one ethics advocate, and the other atty. for county IG office
Palm Beach County: Miami-Dade man sentenced for obtaining fraudulent mortgages in Palm Beach & St. Lucie Counties
Escambia County: Gov. Scott taps Susan K. O’Connor and Garrett W. Walton to the Board of Trustees, University of West Florida.
Community Events: How to run a clean political campaign forum held by county ethics commission – Baptist Health CEO Keeley speaking at Greater Miami Chamber luncheon – Ethics forum
Editorials: While cell & texting while driving is being debated, what about people at public meetings where it just looks rude and a lack of concentration?
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>>> I was on WLRN/NPR 91.3 FM Monday on Topical Currents hosted by Joseph Cooper for an hour. To hear the show: http://wlrn.s3.amazonaws.com/default/FDFC4857-5056-9F5A-9DB8AE7028BF0C87.mp3
ARGUS REPORT – Heard, Seen on the Street
>>> Obama makes the case for helping Libya rebels, but critics across the spectrum wonder what the end game is?
President Barack Obama made his case Monday night why, after a UN resolution, NATO and other allies including the Arab League have helped protect citizens from Libyan army forces ordered by the country’s strong man Muammar Gaddafi to wipe out rebel forces trying to overthrow the four decades dictator. Obama said it will not begin the process of mission creep and their would be no American forces on the ground but the CIA and other assets are being brought to bear, and if ground forces are needed. The other nations part of the coalition will provide the troops, said the president.
However, critics question what the end game is for the fluid situation that has rebel forces stalled and falling back after running into determined Libyan army forces last week, better equipped than the rebels, and the debate is should these rebellious forces be armed by the United States and NATO or not. Further, Obama has critics who insisted we do more to help the rebel forces and was too soft and late at the beginning, others question why Libya and what is the national security concern for America, and others cannot believe the nation has taken on a third Muslim country in a region that is under going political changes at a staggering rate with a life of its own. Since the removal of Egypt’s longtime President Hosni Mubarak after a protracted period of demonstrations against the regime over a month ago.
>>> Press release: U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, made the following opening statement this morning at a hearing entitled, “Libya: Defining U.S. National Security Interests:”
“The President’s address to the nation on Monday on the situation in Libya was a welcome development, but left many questions unanswered. The President justified intervention by asserting ‘There will be times … when our safety is not directly threatened, but our interests and values are.’ The President has also said that he authorized military action to ‘enforce UN Security Council Resolution 1973’ and the ‘the writ of the international community..’ “Whether we agree or disagree with the decision to intervene in Libya, concerns have now been raised across both sides of the aisle about implied future obligations under the ‘Responsibility to Protect,’ a vague concept first articulated in a UN General Assembly Resolution more than a year ago, which the UN has endorsed but failed to define.
“Compounding those concerns are reports that Senior Director of Multilateral Affairs on the National Security Council Staff, Samantha Power, reportedly helped lead the charge to intervene in Libya based upon this principle and over the objection of military planners .“Some Americans therefore question whether we have assumed obligations to forcefully respond to crises elsewhere, including Ivory Coast, Sudan, or Syria. Another area of concern is that the scope, duration, and objectives of the NATO-led operation and the political mission have not been sufficiently defined. Nor have the anticipated short, medium, and long-term commitments of the United States.
“The President has called for Qaddafi to step down in favor of a government that is more representative of the Libyan people. However, Administration officials have also said that Qaddafi himself is not a target and that the United States is not pursuing regime change. “But then, Reuters reported yesterday afternoon that the President had signed a ‘secret order authorizing covert U.S. government support for rebel forces seeking to oust the Libyan leader’ and that the President had said the objective was to apply “steady pressure, not only militarily but also through these other means” to force Gaddafi out.’
“Mr. Deputy Secretary, which is it? What is our objective?
“Further, what are the contingency plans if Qaddafi is able to cling to power? Would a political agreement that left Qaddafi in power be an acceptable outcome? What are the implications for Libya, for the region, and for the United States if this civil war reaches a stalemate? When referring to the Libyan opposition, is the President referring to armed rebels, to members of the Transitional Council, or to both? And what do we know about the armed forces? What do we know about the members of the Council? What assurances do we have that they will not pose a threat to the United States if they succeed in toppling Qaddafi? How will opposition forces, both political and military, be vetted? “Just yesterday, Secretary Clinton stated that Resolution 1973 amended or overrode previous UN Security Council resolutions imposing an arms embargo on Libya. The Secretary said the resolution: ‘amended or overrode the absolute prohibition on arms to anyone in Libya, so that there could be a legitimate transfer of arms if a country should choose to do that.’ How is the U.S. defining ‘legitimate?’ Does the Administration contend that UN Security Council Resolution 1973 overrides U.S. prohibitions? That UN resolutions create U.S. laws?
“There are reports that some opposition figures have links to al-Qaeda and to extremist groups that have fought against our forces in Iraq. My constituents are asking me: Just who are we helping and are we sure that they are true allies who won’t turn and work against us? “These are valid concerns, particularly given the Administration’s less than stellar record on promoting democracy and good governance in Libya, which would have included funding organizations run by the Qaddafi family had this Committee not intervened by not signing off on the funding.
“The record on transfers of military-related items involving Libya is also disconcerting. For example, for over a year, I requested a detailed national interest justification for two proposed weapons transfers to Libya. The Department failed to give us the justification. Ultimately, the cases were withdrawn after Qaddafi began the slaughter of civilians. “Remarkably, however, the Committee received a letter from Secretary Clinton earlier this week regarding the overall Congressional consultation process for defense sales and seeking to limit the time for Congressional review. It is ironic that ill-advised weapons transfers to the Qaddafi regime were only stopped as a result of this Committee’s due diligence, yet the State Department now complains about our efforts to carry out careful due diligence on all weapons transfers. “I hope the Administration will commit to working with Congress effectively and transparently to address vital national security and foreign policy concerns relating to arms sales. “The Committee will continue to press for answers on the U.S.. strategy in Libya going forward and our short, medium and long-term commitments.
>>> Press release: IBOPE Zogby Interactive: Most Fear Future Quagmire in Libya Yet most agree military intervention prevented civilian deaths
An IBOPE Zogby interactive poll taken in the days before President Barack Obama’s speech to the nation on Libya finds high levels of concern about possible negative outcomes there. More than 70% are concerned Col. Muammer al-Gaddafi will not be deposed, the U.S. will get bogged down in a long conflict and that a new government that might replace Gaddafi will be hostile to the U.S., yet 63% agree that military intervention by the U.S. and allies prevented the deaths of large numbers of Libyans by Gaddafi forces. Meanwhile, President Obama’s job approval rating of 46% remains almost unchanged from other recent IBOPE Zogby polls. Please click the link below to view the full news release on our website:
http://www.zogby.com/news/2011/03/29/ibope-zogby-interactive-most-fear-future-quagmire-libya-/
>>> Press release: Minkow pleads guilty to conspiracy to manipulate common stock in Lennar Corp.
Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and John V. Gillies, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, announce that Barry Minkow, 44, of San Diego, CA, pled guilty this afternoon to conspiring with others to manipulate the stock price of Lennar Corporation by making false and misleading statements about Lennar Corporation’s business operations and management. Sentencing has been scheduled for June 16, 2011 at 8:30 AM before U.S. District Judge Patricia A. Seitz. According to the charging document and the plea agreement filed with the Court today, Minkow operated Fraud Discovery Institute, a for profit fraud investigation firm based in California. In this way, Minkow developed ties with federal law enforcement agencies as a purported fraud-finder. As part of the plea, Minkow admitted making false and misleading statements alleging wide-spread improprieties in Lennar Corporation’s financial reporting and business structure, and attacking the personal character of Lennar’s management. According to the charges and the plea agreement filed with the Court, Minkow was hired to put economic pressure on Lennar to pay money demanded by a business partner in a prior land deal. To this end, beginning in January 2009, Minkow used the Internet, press releases, e-mail communications, Youtube.com videos, and the U.S. mail to broadcast false and misleading statements about Lennar, with the intent of artificially depressing Lennar’s stock price.
In today’s plea, Minkow admitted that he abused his relationship with federal law enforcement agencies to report false allegations of criminal conduct purportedly committed by Lennar and its management. Once Minkow confirmed that his allegations had successfully induced law enforcement to open a criminal investigation, Minkow used that knowledge and information to trade Lennar securities for his own benefit. Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the FBI and the cooperative efforts of the Miami Regional Office and the Washington DC Office of the Securities and Exchange Commission. This case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Ryan Dwight O’Quinn and Cristina Perez Soto. A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls.
>>> Watchdog Report this week is shorter than normal for a number of reasons, health, wealth and future moving after over a decade in same rental cottage
This week’s Watchdog Report is shorter and not as thorough because last week I faced some personal issues, including my health, money and having to move after 14 years with a benevolent landlord. Who has now lost his job and is causing the change of my residency, including all my legal boxes of documents, with what people said at meetings all the way back to 1997, and is quite a treasure trove of information.
>>> 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.
FLORIDA
>>> Sweetwater Mayor Moreno trying to help with Scott administration and $35 million in past funding for Jackson Hospital
The Watchdog Report caught up with Sweetwater Mayor Manny Moreno Thursday at Miami City Hall and I asked him about the $35 million being held by Gov. Rick Scott’s office destined to go to Jackson Memorial Hospital and appropriated in last years budget but came with conditions. Terms state Sen. Mike Haridopolis, R- Melbourne says have been fulfilled in a letter from the senate president to Scott. Moreno supported Scott early on in his campaign against expected Republican primary candidate Bill McBride, the state’s attorney general and former congressman but Scott unleashed a barrage of attack ads that defined McCollum with many voters as the same old politician and if they wanted a new face, ideas and jobs. Scott was the answer with his “lets get to work” mantra and in total he spent over $72 million in his successful bid to be the governor of Florida after beating Alex Sink by only 60,000 votes of the over 5 million Florida voters that participated in the general election.
Scott wants to make Florida business friendly but critics say he is putting residents at risk by freezing state regulatory rules, and environmentalists are going through the roof when it comes to the governor’s stripping regulations affecting development and the environment in different state departments. He is doing what he said he would do during the campaign, but the cuts are deep and between the Republican super majority House and Senate. The judiciary is the new target with its around 1,000 judges statewide and there are calls to split the Florida Supreme Court into a criminal and civil court each made up of five members. There is also a move afoot to have judges to be retained get 60 percent of the vote and the dissolving of the Judicial Nominating Committees that sends a slate of names to the governor to select from when he needs to replace a vacating judge. Long serving judges, state attorneys and state public defenders are crying foul and they question if the goal is to force out more experienced judiciary allowing more inexperienced judges, with perhaps a different judicial philosophy to begin to dominate the bench in the coming years ahead. Further, state attorneys and public defender offices are also getting hammered when it comes to there funding and new assistant lawyers for both organizations pay just under $40,000 for first year hires. And these candidates, with law school loans, cannot live, especially in Miami-Dade and many go to private law firms where they can make well over six digits in yearly salary.
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
>>> Will six Charter questions be stripped from May 24 ballot on Monday by the BCC if reconsider of legislation passes?
If the six Miami-Dade charter questions passed at the last board of county commissioners meeting Mar. 24 are reconsidered Monday and if accepted by the county commission. The six charter questions will not be on the May 24 ballot, along with candidates for mayor and commissioner District 13 candidates. Some county commissioners are stepping back from some of the proposals for a variety of reasons even though Norman Braman, the billionaire auto dealer magnate says he will keep the pressure on, and called the idea that term limits would kick in on 2024 essentially ludicrous. His first target was now recalled Mayor Carlos Alvarez and the second political thrust is charter reform. He has linked up with Victor Diaz, Jr., an attorney on Miami Beach who chaired the 2007-08 county Charter Review Board, where extensive public input was given, by phone, internet or in person to charter review board members, and included a wide swath of people from around the community. Recently, the two men have crafted “A Covenant With The People of Miami-Dade for Reform of County Government” as it is being called. To read it go to www.recallmayoralvarez.org Further, in a www.miamiherald.com story Saturday, Braman is saying he is amping up the pressure for wider charter changes and all options are on the table, including mounting another recall campaign against County Commissioners Joe Martinez, Dennis Moss, Audrey Edmonson, Barbara Jordan and Bruno Barreiro. However, there are six other commissioners recently elected that at the present cannot be recalled and since the 13 member board has an empty commission district 13. The body could be possible tied when it comes to these issues, and Monday’s special commission meeting in the commission chambers are expected to be a verbally lively and animated affair.
Further, some Miami-Dade County Commissioners are bristling at the fact Braman seems to be driving this recall and charter activity that had commission Chair Joe Martinez using the acronym “(WDBW) or What Does Braman Want” now at a public Sunshine meeting over a week ago. And it gives one the tension in the political air at county hall concerning this charged subject of the charter that in Braman’s idea should include a reduction of commissioners on the dais and two countywide seats, versus the 13 discrete commission districts now. And paying a decent salary, $92,000 to commissioners but ban outside employment, and only two terms for eight years starting in 2012 are among the ideas being suggested. Commissioners bought into the salary increase, and employment ban, but have significant problems with reducing the commission size from 13 to nine. Commissioners Moss, Jordan, Edmonson, Javier Souto and newly elected Jean Monestime, a Haitian, all voiced deep concern that the reduction of the board size would significantly reduce the elected opportunity of candidates who were not the dominate ethnic group, Hispanics in Miami-Dade, which is a minority majority community, that has Miami-Dade Clerk Harvey Ruvin as the only white countywide elected leader in such a office, noted Moss from the dais March 24.
The Watchdog Report has no easy answer to this vexing charter debate on what proposals should be on the county charter question ballot, but this community discussion must not further inflame ethnic tensions in Miami-Dade that is cutting across all ethnic groups in a county that teaches in 19 languages at the public school system. And that will be our community challenge in the weeks and months ahead to keep the debate rational and fair, where good governance and civility are the order of the day.
>>> Is ethics commission, seeking a new director, going to be prepared and supported at budget hearings in September?
With Robert Meyers, the only executive director the Miami-Dade Ethics and Public Trust Commission has ever had since 1998 leaving in the months ahead. His replacement now being advertised in the media, will not only have to get to know county commissioners and others on the fly. They will have to fight for the office’s budget during the county budget hearings in September. Over the years, there has been tension with county administrators and the ethics office that was created by a countywide vote in 1996 when it came to their funding. Though the commission has generally gone along with the ethics commission’s general funding requests at the end of the day. However, (now recalled) Mayor Carlos Alvarez went after the organization for a variety of issues, and Alvarez and Meyers have had sharp exchanges in the past, where after one at a county commission meeting. Alvarez demanded an “apology,” that he did not get from Meyers.
>>> Vet Pizano says around 500 dogs adopted during distemper crisis at shelter
Sara Pizano, DVM told the Watchdog Report Friday that the contaminated animal shelter is being sanitized after a distemper outbreak fatal to dogs, but not cats. A new shelter has been in the works for years and funding was included in the 2004 $2.9 billion General Obligation Bond passed by county voters back then. The veterinarian said after a plea to the public that around 500 dogs were adopted in the past weeks since the outbreak, but the sanitization procedure is no easy task and “jack hammers” have been necessary to get at areas that could harbor the disease. Further, the county commission on Monday will be voting on a resolution approving $6.6 million for a new warehouse property for a shelter and the legislation is below for this long sought facility allowing animal services to leave the old and jammed Medley facility.
8F1C: 110405 RESOLUTION APPROVING THE CONTRACT FOR SALE AND PURCHASE OF 3651 NW 79 STREET, CITY OF DORAL, IN THE AMOUNT OF $6,625,000, WITH MIAMI-DADE COUNTY AS PURCHASER AND ARC & CHILDREN INVESTMENT’S, LLC, AS SELLER FOR PROPERTY OF APPROXIMATELY 69,718 SQUARE FEET OF WAREHOUSE/SHOWROOM SPACE FOR THE PURPOSE OF RELOCATING AND EXPANDING THE ANIMAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT; AUTHORIZING THE USE OF BETTER BUILDING COMMUNITIES GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND PROGRAM FUNDS; AND AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR’S DESIGNEE TO EXERCISE ANY AND ALL RIGHTS CONFERRED
>>> BCC Chair Joe Martinez press release on Animal Shelter operation
After a canine distemper outbreak interrupted normal operations at Miami-Dade Animal Services (ASD) last Thursday, personnel worked quickly to address the situation and save as many pets as possible with record-breaking adoptions in six days. As the situation evolved, Chairman Joe A. Martinez asked Chair of the Public Safety and Healthcare Administration, Commissioner Jose “Pepe” Diaz, to oversee and work with ASD to keep residents updated and encouraged the community to help find the shelter’s dogs new homes.
According to the American Medical Veterinary Association, canine distemper is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus that attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems of puppies and dogs. At the ASD shelter, this disease was brought in by dogs and puppies left at the location that were not vaccinated. All dogs and puppies entering the ASD shelter receive the vaccine, but no vaccine is 100% immediately protective and cannot cure the virus from those who are already incubating. During 2009-10, 36,000 animals were abandoned at Animal Services, creating severe overcrowding that made it impossible to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. The last six months a large number of dogs and puppies were becoming ill and dying, which prompted ASD to invite the University of Florida Maddie’s Shelter Medicine Team to do an evaluation along with our ASPCA partners. Their recommendation was to stop the intake of dogs and puppies. As such, the department temporarily waived adoption fees to encourage residents to take the dogs home, with a disclaimer that the animals had been exposed to distemper and needed to be monitored for the next three weeks.
“I am happy to report that our Animal Services staff saved 467 pets after announcing the outbreak,” said Chairman Martinez. “Our department director, Dr. Sara Pizano, her staff, and Miami-Dade’s rescue partners have done an incredible job addressing the situation and saving as many animals’ lives as possible. Thankfully, we had hundreds of compassionate residents who opened up their homes to these dogs.” To further protect the animals at the shelter, ASD staff and volunteers are disinfecting the facility and have temporarily suspended the following services through next week: Rabies/Microchip Clinic, Intake of all dogs and puppies by the public, Stray dog pick up by Animal Control Officers (if unconfined), Spay/Neuter surgery for current shelter dogs and puppies , Owner surrendered pets. Only dogs that have been critically ill or suffering have been euthanized. For more information, please visit the animal services website at www.miamidade.gov/animals.
>>> County web page on special meeting to call elections for mayor and commission District 13
The Board of County Commissioners will hold a special meeting on Monday, April 11 at 10 a.m. for the purpose of calling a countywide special election to fill the vacancy in the office of the Mayor and a district-wide special election to fill the vacancy in the office of District 13 County Commissioner in accordance with Section 1.07 of the Home Rule Charter and to provide for run-offs, if necessary.
In the event that an existing commissioner runs for the vacancy of the office of the Mayor, a second special meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 13 at 10 a.m. for the purpose of calling district-wide special elections in accordance with Section 1.07 of the Home Rule Charter: (1) to fill any vacancies in the Office of County Commissioners and (2) to provide for run-offs, if necessary. During this time, the County’s professional management team is being led by longtime administrator County Manager Alina T. Hudak. Miami-Dade County government is committed to a seamless transition as we await a new head of County government and district commissioner. Our mission remains the same: delivering excellent public services which address our community’s needs and enhance quality of life. Watch the March 24 Special Meeting March 24 BCC Special Meeting Minutes (Draft) Miami-Dade County Home Rule Amendment and Charter BCC Meeting Schedule County Manager Website
MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
>>> Carvalho calls for “equity” when it comes to state funding per pupil, M-DC gets $6,721 but Duval gets $6,996 and that is not right
Alberto Carvalho, the superintendent of the Miami-Dade Public Schools gave a grim financial update to the school board’s audit committee Tuesday and the news was not good since he returned from the state capital. He said the hit coming to Miami-Dade in funding was potentially $215 million and even with cost containment measures initiated in late 2008 and 2009. The costs for district healthcare, fuel, and utility costs, despite conservation measures continue to go up, the district cannot keep up, and this will result in layoffs in the future. Richard Hines, the district CFO said that while the district recently refinanced some Capital bonds used for the $1 billion in new school construction over the years and he was able to “have the extended liabilities out to future years,” said Carvalho. Hines said the debt service in the coming budget year was $242 million, even with pushing the “debt out five or six years into the future and with the state funding cuts. “We can’t pay employees with money we don’t have,” Hines said. He also noted the “school board must have a balanced budget or the board will be removed by the governor,” said the CFO.
What about the differential payments to other districts students?
Carvalho at the meeting also said it was unfair that Miami-Dade, a donor county to the state only gets $6,721 of state funding per student, but Duval County gets $6,996 per student in funding, a “$225.00 spread” that he believes “is an equity issue” and Miami-Dade is getting the short end of the stick. He further noted that in Pinellas County state funding is $6,969 per pupil and Palm Beach County is getting $6,984 he told the audit committee during a slide presentation of what the legislative session in Tallahassee might bring in the future for the nation’s forth largest public schools district.
PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST
>>> Now there are Lash, Migoya, and Raju as PHT CEO finalists, but time for health trust significant changes in FTE numbers looming in the meantime
After an all day meeting of the PHT search committee Wednesday interviewing the five finalists, the three candidates short-listed to be selected, as the new President and CEO of Jackson Health System is Carlos Migoya, Ram Raju M.D., and Myles Lash. The candidates will be brought in for interviews in the future with the full board after an extensive background check. The three men gave their reasons for wanting to run the health system with Raju and Lash having experience with running a hospital system the size of Jackson with 11,100 employees and going through $4.3 million in cash a day. Migoya, a former banker is the stalking horse in the process and he has essentially spent his whole life in Miami-Dade, knows the issues and leaders, has two degrees from FIU and after his time as the manager of the city of Miami in a pro bono basis. He would enthusiastically take on this new challenge, has said he would work for less than the maximum salary of $975,000, but noted he had to have competent people around him, including the health system’s number two who knew the healthcare industry and regulations, he told the search committee. For more on the story go to www.miamiherald.com
The search committee did a national search for a replacement of retiring President Eneida Roldan, M.D., and one of the three men is expected to assume that post in the coming month but the clock is ticking and Roldan and Interim Chief Officer Ted Shaw will have to make some tough decisions as July approaches when it comes to hospital head count, that has the hospital census down and longer lengths of stay than anticipated. However, Mark Knight the PHT CFO noted that the length of stay duration is skewed by patients that stay in the hospital (called outliers) for some 80 to 90 days and there are some patients that have been there for a year, he told me last week, when I asked him about the subject. Regardless the issue of cash on hand is getting more critical with a almost $80 million plus need coming in July and administrators are having to deal with this tough issue while looking for a new head of one of the nation’s largest public hospitals.
>>> PHT board elects Lapciuc, Arrizurieta, Zilber, and Ford to leadership positions
The PHT board confirmed its new leadership Monday at the monthly board meeting and Marcos Lapciuc is the Chair, Jorge Arrizurieta is the vice Chair, Martin Zilber is the Treasurer and Georgina Ford, R.N. continues as the board Secretary.
 Lapciuc |
 Arrizurieta |
 Ford |
>>> Jackson Hospital Task Force on governance taps Zapata & Dechovitz for leadership, 60-days to make recommendations to BCC
The Miami-Dade County Hospital Governance Task Force met Monday morning at the Beacon Council’s boardroom and the 20-member board with currently 19 members, with one opening, elected the leadership of the group. Former state Rep. Juan Carlos Zapata, R-Miami was named chair and Miami-Dade assistant state attorney Susan Leah Dechovitz was named vice chair of the body charged in 60-days to suggest ways to help Jackson Memorial System survive with a cash crisis looming in July, when normal salaries and money for state and federal drawdown monies come together forcing the need to have more cash on hand then normal. And the trust is struggling to create this cash pool to prime the drawdown funds coming to Jackson, and historically provides the largest pool of funds for this activity, then any other public hospital in the state.
Zapata said he was “surprised” that he got the nod from the task force and he is a candidate for the county commission in 2012, but he has chaired the legislative delegation for a number of years before being termed out in 2010 and he has a good relationship with state lawmakers. Dechovitz as a assistant state attorney who was part of the staff helping with a Aug. 5, 2010 grand jury final report that was formed to review Jackson’s operation, governance and future and the report was highly critical, and placed some of the burden on county commission meddling. The task Force is made up of some of the top community and hospital administrators in the county and they will be meeting in the future on Thursday’s around 3:00 p.m. and while some of the meetings will be at the Beacon Council, there will be other locations for these meetings as well. The Commission Auditor Office and the county Clerk’s office that do the record keeping of these Sunshine meetings are helping the group. On Tuesday, there will be a public meeting between Chair Juan C. Zapata, Members Donna Shalala and Steven Marcus and representative(s) from the County Attorney’s Office will also attend, and the meeting announcement is below.
>>>Public notice: A Sunshine Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 5, 2011 from 3p.m. to 5p.m. at the University of Miami, Office of the President, Ashe Building, 1252 Memorial Drive, Room 230, to review and discuss various hospital models. Those in attendance will be Task Force Chair Juan C. Zapata, Members Donna Shalala and Steven Marcus and representative(s) from the County Attorney’s Office.
>>> Press release: Commissioner Rebeca Sosa welcomed the first Miami-Dade County Hospital Governance Taskforce meeting held on Monday, March 28, 2011 at the Beacon Council. The historic meeting brought together 20 of the best and brightest minds in the healthcare industry in order to address the insurmountable problems facing Jackson Memorial Hospital. The Taskforce, created as a result of a resolution sponsored by Commissioner Sosa, is charged with studying and reporting on alternative governance models for operating Jackson’s Public Health Trust. They will advise the Board of County Commissioners as to what alternative hospital governance models exist across the nation, which may benefit and provide the changes needed to solve Jackson’s current struggles.
Commissioner Sosa stated in her opening remarks that she believes it is crucial to have a much broader perspective in governance models and to have the opportunity to consider any possible long-term solutions for Jackson. Commissioner Sosa is hopeful that this taskforce will be able to advise the Miami-Dade Commission on how to best address Jackson’s difficulties and financial woes. “We’re looking at a domino effect if we allow our safety net hospital to continue a downward spiral,” said Commissioner Sosa. “If the Jackson Memorial Hospital is forced to reduce the number of indigent patients it treats, this will trickle down and overwhelm private hospitals as well. The County needs to look at other models across the country for solutions in addressing the financial hardships facing Jackson.” For more information, please contact Commissioner Sosa’s office at 305-267-6377.
>>> Press release: University of Miami/Jackson Named No. 1 in Miami-Fort Lauderdale U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals Metro Area Rankings
University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center has been ranked No. 1 in Miami-Fort Lauderdale in U.S. News & World Report’s first-ever Best Hospitals metro area rankings, posted online March 29. The new rankings recognize 622 hospitals in or near major cities with a record of high performance in key medical specialties, including 132 of the 152 hospitals already identified as the best in the nation. There are nearly 5,000 hospitals nationwide. U.S. News created Best Hospitals more than 20 years ago to identify hospitals exceptionally skilled in handling the most difficult cases, such as brain tumors typically considered inoperable and delicate pancreatic procedures. In the most recent survey published in July 2010, University of Miami/Jackson was recognized as a Best Hospital in three specialties: ear, nose and throat, neurology and neurosurgery and kidney disorders. The University’s Bascom Palmer Eye Institute was ranked the No. 1 eye hospital in the country for the seventh consecutive year.
In the new metro rankings, in addition to the four specialties in which UM/Jackson is nationally ranked, the medical center also had eight high-performing specialties: cancer, diabetes and endocrinology, gastroenterology, geriatrics, gynecology, orthopaedics, rehabilitation and urology. U.S. News says the new metro area rankings are aimed primarily at consumers whose care may not demand the special expertise found only at a nationally ranked Best Hospital that may be far from their home. The rankings are designed to make it easier for patients and their families to find a hospital that has a record of high performance in key medical specialties in their health insurance network and perhaps closer to where they live. In the Miami-Fort Lauderdale metropolitan area travel distance is not as much of an issue as it is in other parts of the country.
“We are proud that the University of Miami/Jackson has been ranked as a Best Hospital for more than 20 years, and now to have this new distinction as No. 1 in the metropolitan area is an added bonus,” said Pascal J. Goldschmidt, M.D., Senior Vice President for Medical Affairs and Dean of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and Chief Executive Officer of UHealth-University of Miami Health System. “This distinction speaks to our mission to provide excellence in medical care to every single patient we encounter.” “It is a great honor for UM/Jackson to be ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the best hospital in the Miami/Fort Lauderdale area,” said Eneida O. Roldan, M.D., M.P.H., M.B.A., President and CEO of the Jackson Health System. “This recognition reaffirms UM/Jackson’s commitment to providing the highest quality of care to everyone who walks through its doors. It is also a testament to the unparalleled expertise of our medical staff and our cutting-edge research.”
The new rankings identify hospitals that performed nearly as well as the nationally ranked Best Hospitals in at least one of 16 adult specialties. To be ranked in its metro area, a hospital had to score in the top 25 percent among its peers in at least one of the specialties to be considered high-performing. Of the 69 hospitals in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale area, only 18 made the new ranking.
>>> Dr. Rogers says sayonara to PHT board, top caliber man and will be missed
The Watchdog Report was disappointed to hear of Mark C. Rogers, M.D., MBA, and a former Duke University medical school administrator had resigned from the 17-member PHT board last Tuesday, for he made a real contribution, but was frustrated calling the trust board the “most dysfunctional board he has ever been on,” he said at a past PHT board meeting. He gave new insight and asked questions that were salient to keeping the operation going and he was trying to provide public service help to the ailing hospital. He prepared to be on the board early on and attended a two-day PHT retreat before joining the board trying to increase his understanding of the challenges and he brought along his wife a physician to the retreat. His probing questions will be missed, and while only on the board since the end of October. The Watchdog Report gives him a Tip of the Hat for his time on the PHT board.
CITY OF MIAMI
>>> Commissioner Dunn says “Dr. Dunn not producing as he should have,” FIU professor fires back with $3 million CRA request for Roots in the City program
A major brouhaha has developed between Marvin Dunn, Ph.D. a FIU history professor and Miami Commissioner Rev. Richard Dunn, II and the city’s CRA director and staff over a request for continued funding that was once $245,000, but has now escalated to $3 million reports www.miamiherald.com Sunday. Dunn held a press conference last week after a front-page story done by the paper and blasted the story line he was good buddies with John Townson. He denied the professor’s assertion that he was trying to put him together with Townson, a professional chef, who gave the impression he was a friend of Dunn’s and had worked on his campaign. Commissioner Dunn said Townson had “never attended my church” and believed the paper mischaracterized the relationship “implicating that their was something underhanded” was going on, he said. The commissioner also demanded an apology from the paper in 24-huors (which he did not get), saying Townson, did not contribute to his political campaign and believed the front-page story in the paper “at best, [he thought] the article was reckless,” he told reporters gathered and handed out his comments to the media. The elected leader said it was about job creation and believed the professor did not live up to that bargain of creating the required number of jobs over the years since he started Roots in the City program in 2002. But the educator has fired back with the new request of a $3 million contract to run his Roots program that grows fresh food in the Overtown, and would provide some of these fresh vegetables to local residents who generally eat only canned vegetables, he is quoted in the paper. The current CRA contract expires Apr. 26 and a report on the Roots program is expected from CRA officials in the near future.
But the professor went on the offensive and held a protest demonstration Saturday at the garden and he is clearly amping up his efforts to get some attention and funding from the CRA, elected Miami leaders and the Overtown community as a whole, where redevelopment over decades has come at a snails pace for local residents. Miami residents should keep their eye on this developing story that seems to have not played out yet.
OBITUARY
>>> Press release from Miami Commissioner Marc Sarnoff – “We are saddened by the loss of my friend T. Sinclair “Tory” Jacobs who succumbed to cancer on March 26, 2011, said Commissioner Sarnoff., “He served as a steadfast advocate for the Brickell area and its residents for more than 20 years and his death marks a new chapter for the community he served and loved.”
“On October 8, 2009, we led the City of Miami Commission in bestowing Tory one of its highest honors with the naming of S.E. 25th Road to “Tory Jacobs Boulevard.,” The Commissioner added, “It was one of my proudest moments as a city commissioner.” “It was a privilege to work side by side with Tory in his role as president of the Brickell Homeowners Association and as a longtime board member of the Brickell Area Association, where we tackled quality of life and related issues in Miami.” On a final note, Commissioner Sarnoff explained, “Together with Tory we successfully fought for increased beautification, noise and traffic abatement, as well as the launching of the Brickell Avenue Streetscape Plan and backing projects such as Mary Brickell Village. A great man has passed on but he leaves behind a great legacy for the residents and businesses of Brickell Avenue and the City of Miami to enjoy for decades to come.” Editor’s note: Tory was a great man and true gentleman, and an early financial supporter of the Watchdog Report for many years. Tory you will be missed.
>>> 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,CIP, Code, etc. hearings) http://videos.miamigov.com/
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
>>> Will $56.6 million in new water & sewer construction clog getting to the Beach even more?
The Miami-Dade County Commission has a $56.6 million contract on Monday’s agenda for approval that could effect the traffic congestion facing people trying to get on or off Miami Beach. Something that already is a problem and of concern for Mayor Mattie Herrera Bower and commissioners. The project involves two large pipes being replaced, one is a 20-inch water main and a second 54 inch one is a sewer line. The $1 billion Port of Miami tunnel is also underway as is part of the Venetia Causeway and this construction is making getting to the island city of around 89,000 people more difficult and impacts local businesses that thrive on tourists.
>>> Here is the legislation: 8R1A : 110628 RESOLUTION APPROVING A CONTRACT AWARD RECOMMENDATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $56,690,421.21 BETWEEN RIC-MAN CONSTRUCTION, INC. AND MIAMI-DADE COUNTY FOR DESIGN-BUILD SERVICES TO REPLACE AN EXISTING 20-INCH WATER MAIN FROM PORT ISLAND TO FISHER ISLAND UNDER THE FISHERMAN’S CHANNEL AND AN EXISTING 54-INCH SEWER FORCE MAIN FROM FISHER ISLAND TO SOUTH OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH UNDER GOVERNMENT CUT CHANNEL LOCATED WITHIN COMMISSION DISTRICT 5, PROJECT NO. DB10-WASD-01 ESP (Water & Sewer Department) PDF
>>> Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club – Meeting Date: Tuesday, April 5th, 2011
Meeting Time: 8:30 AM Meeting Place: David’s Café II, 1654 Meridian Ave., South Beach – Marcelo Llorente, former Florida House Representative for District 116, and currently a candidate for Mayor of Miami-Dade County, will be the guest speaker at the April 5th meeting of the Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club. >> Following the recall of Mayor Carlos Alvarez, and confirmation from the County Commission that a speedy election will be held to replace the Mayor, six candidates have emerged seeking the position, including Representative Llorente, who was first elected to the Florida House in 2002 and subsequently reelected in 2006. There is no charge for attending and everyone is welcome. David Kelsey, Moderator for the Breakfast Club. Visit our web site at www.MBTMBC.com (Miami Beach Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club). >> For more information contact David Kelsey.
CITY OF CORAL GABLES
>>> Mayoral candidates Cason, Korge and Slesnick verbally pound each other at last debate, $197 million pension liability highlighted
The upcoming mayoral race is getting nastier, and much of the candidate’s attacks are finding a forum in Spanish media outlets. The tony city has had low-key political races, others have been real political scorchers, and that is the case with incumbent Mayor Don Slesnick, II facing attorney Tom Korge and career diplomat Jim Cason. Slesnick ran a political piece last week listing all the prominent people that are or have supported him during the ten years in office and he only has to win by one vote, in the winner take all election without a runoff. The Miami Herald www.miamiherald.com ran the campaign fundraising results Thursday and Slesnick in total has raised $158,000 for his campaign war chest, Korge has $112,000 and Cason has $72,000 to get his name known to voters.
In past candidate forums Slesnick has talked about all the positive things done for City Beautiful residents as Korge and Cason hammer the incumbent on the city’s pension fund that needs over $197 million in funding in the coming years and the $4 million in back rent payments owed by the Historic Biltmore Hotel. Slesnick says the other candidates only criticize and don’t seek solutions to these problems, as he and commissioners have tried to do. However, Slesnick who says supporters urged him to run one more time got some bad news on Saturday when The Herald endorsed Korge over the veteran politician, and given the demographics of the Gables. The general circulation daily’s Editorial Board endorsement is a feather in Korge’s hat. The election is Apr.12, all the stops are being taken out by the campaigns, and municipal voters have begun to get their absentee ballots. Further, to watch the last mayoral debate go to http://www.coralgables.com/CGWeb/cgtv.aspx
>>> Press release: www.poncebusiness.com -“Keeping you abreast of the pressing issues affecting Coral Gables.” If you missed our Candidate forum for Coral Gables City Commission Seat 5 or would like to review the event, it is now available to view on our website. The link is www.poncebusiness.com/Candidate_Forum_Link_COAK.html The link provides the individual questions, as well as the opening and closing statements of each candidate. The Ponce Business Association would like to extend our thanks to all the candidates that participated in our Forums. Remember to vote on Election Day April 12, 2011.
CITY OF DORAL
>>> Press release: Doral begins 90-day warning period for red light camera safety program
In an effort to prevent dangerous accidents resulting from drivers running red-lights, the City of Doral announced that its intersection safety cameras will begin taking photos of red-light runners at designated intersections beginning on Friday April 1, 2011 and issuing warning notices during a 90-day period. These cameras will capture still images and video of red-light running violations. During a 90-day warning period, a warning notice will be issued to the vehicle’s registered owner. There will be no fine for this warning notice during this time. However, at the completion of the warning period, citations will be issued. Red-light running is the leading cause of urban crashes according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Deaths caused by red-light running are increasing at more than three times the rate of increase for all other fatal crashes, and more people are injured in crashes involving red-light running than in any other crash type.
The first safety camera will be located at the following intersection: Southbound on 79 Avenue and NW 36 Street. Throughout the following weeks, 10 additional safety cameras will be installed in the following intersections: Northbound NW 87TH AVE @ NW 36TH ST / DORAL BLVD; Eastbound NW 36TH ST / DORAL BLVD @ NW 87TH AVE; Westbound NW 36TH ST / DORAL BLVD @ NW 87TH AVE; Eastbound NW 36TH ST / DORAL BLVD @ NW 79TH AVE; Westbound NW 36TH ST / DORAL BLVD @ NW 79TH AVE; Northbound NW 97TH AVE @ NW 41ST Street/ DORAL BLVD; Southbound NW 97TH AVE @ NW 41ST Street/ DORAL BLVD; Westbound NW 41ST Street / DORAL BLVD @ NW 97TH AVE; Eastbound NW 41ST Street / DORAL BLVD @ NW 107TH AVE; Westbound NW 41ST Street/ DORAL BLVD @ NW 107TH AVE: Additional cameras could be added in the future. >>> The warning period will give the Doral community an opportunity to become familiar with the system. Drivers in Doral are encouraged to slow down and definitely stop on red before the actual citations begin. This is a public safety program, and the City of Doral’s goal is to deter red-light runners and prevent collisions and deaths resulting from these violations. Cameras will operate 24-hours a day and capture images of every vehicle running a red-light at the intersection. Warning signs alerting drivers to the intersection safety cameras have been installed prior to the warning period. The program is administered by American Traffic Solutions, Inc. (ATS) with each violation reviewed and approved by the Doral Police Department prior to being issued. Red-light running is the leading cause of urban crashes according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Deaths caused by red-light running are increasing at more than three times the rate of increase for all other fatal crashes, and more people are injured in crashes involving red-light running than in any other crash type. Intersection safety technology is just one way the City of Doral will make local streets safer for everyone. For more information on the City of Doral’s Road Safety Program, visit www.CityofDoral.com.
VILLAGE OF PINECREST
>>> Tony Pinecrest turned 15 in March, has come a long way from Mango farms & pine forests
The Village of Pinecrest has had its 15th Birthday after being incorporated in March 1996, has about 18,223 residents, and is about eight square miles states a special advertising insert found in The Miami Herald last week. The tony community is known for its “upscale suburban ambience” states the insert and its creation was the dream of its first Mayor Evelyn Greer. She and others convinced the Miami-Dade Commission to allow its residents in the mid 1990s to vote for whether they wanted incorporation from the county, which they did. A substantial municipal park is named after Greer who later in 2004 when she was termed out, went on to serve on the public school board until 2008. The current Mayor is Cindy Lerner, a former state legislator and the other council members are Nancy Harter, Jeff Cutler, Joseph Corradino, and the vice-Mayor is Bob Ross. For more information go to www.pinecrest-fl.gov
>>> OTHER STORIES AROUND FLORIDA
BROWARD COUNTY
>>> The magnificent eight for IG/ethics czar, Murawski and Scott have Miami-Dade ties, one ethics advocate, and the other atty. for county IG office
While the Broward County Commission recently picked off veteran Miami-Dade County assistant Attorney Joni Armstrong-Coffey as the county’s top attorney, there may be one more person headed to the state’s second largest county, with two people that have applied to be the inspector general/ethics maven making the short list. The finalists are Roy Arrigo, Captain, Collier County Sheriff’s Office; James J. Cali, formerly of Broward Sheriff’s Office and formerly of the City of Fort Lauderdale, now director of internal audit at Bi-State Development Agency in St. Louis, MO; David A. Cardona, deputy assistant director of criminal investigations at the FBI in Arlington, VA; John J. Devaney, supervisory special agent – task force commander at the U.S. Customs Service in the Miami Money Laundering Task Force; Theodore P. Guba, formerly the inspector general and audit director at Florida International University, now budget and special projects consultant at the city of Doral; Richard E. Lober, a self employed law enforcement consultant who worked at FDLE, the state Office of Attorney General, and the Dept. of Environmental Protection; Michael P. Murawski, ethics advocate (started the office) at the Miami-Dade County Commission on Ethics and Public Trust; and John W. Scott, assistant legal counsel for the Miami-Dade County Office of Inspector General, wrote James D. Rowlee, the Senior Assistant County Attorney In the Broward Attorney’s Office in an email last week.
Murawski, is a former assistant state attorney, was the first Advocate for the ethics commission, and has been in the post for around a decade. Scott is a former assistant U.S. Attorney, came to Miami around 2004, and has been an attorney in the IG’s office, headed up by Christopher Mazzella, since then.
>>> Helen Ferre, the host of Issues on WPBT2 had Bob Norman and two other men on this week’s program talking about the resignation of Jim Notter as the Broward Public Schools superintendent and it is a great show. Norman is the investigative reporter that does the http://blogs.browardpalmbeach.com/pulp/ To watch it go to Issues – A Production of WPBT2 Issues has responded to the community’s need for in-depth representation of local concerns for almost 30 years, bringing together local leaders and…
>>> 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
>>> Miami-Dade man sentenced for obtaining fraudulent mortgages in Palm Beach & St. Lucie Counties
Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Rhonda A. Diffenbach, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, and Mark R. Trouville, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration, Miami Field Division, announce yesterday’s sentencing of defendant Hugo Oliva, 47, of Miami-Dade. U.S. District Court Judge Jose E. Martinez sentenced Oliva to 87 months’ imprisonment, followed by five (5) years of supervised release. In addition, Judge Martinez ordered that Oliva pay restitution in the amount of $886,418.97. Defendant Oliva previously pled guilty to mail fraud and money laundering charges in connection with a mortgage fraud scheme. According to court documents and testimony, this investigation began in May 2006, when law enforcement discovered marijuana grow house operations in numerous homes in Port St. Lucie. During the investigation, many of those homes were linked to co-defendant Manuel Caro. Manuel Caro was charged in 2006 for his participation in the marijuana grow house operation, but fled after being released on bond. Manuel Caro remains a fugitive.
Continued investigation led to the discovery of additional marijuana grow houses in St. Lucie, Palm Beach, and Miami-Dade Counties. Most of these homes were bought with funds obtained through mortgage fraud committed by defendant Hugo Oliva, a mortgage broker, through his company, MBA Mortgage Services, Inc., and his co-defendants, including Sergio Caro. To execute the scheme, the defendants submitted loan applications to mortgage lenders that contained false information, including false bank statements, W2 forms, pay stubs, verifications of deposit and verifications of employment. The defendants in the mortgage fraud scheme were charged with various counts of conspiracy, mail fraud, drug charges, and laundering drug-related money through the purchase of the homes. On December 13, 2010, defendant Sergio Caro, 37, was sentenced to 37 months in prison and ordered to pay $671,166.36 in restitution to victim mortgage lenders. Two additional co-defendants, Ilan Reyes, 37, and Orlando Dominguez, 44, both of Miami, pled guilty and were each sentenced to probation for a term of 5 years. >>> Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the IRS Criminal Investigation Division and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Mr. Ferrer also thanked the Port St. Lucie Police Department, the St. Lucie County Sheriff s Office, and the U.S. Marshals Service for their work on this investigation. The case arose from the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) long-term investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Theodore Cooperstein. 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.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
>>> Press release: Gov. Scott taps Susan K. O’Connor and Garrett W. Walton to the Board of Trustees, University of West Florida.
O’Connor, 59, of Gulf Breeze, is the president of The O’Connor Management Group. She succeeds Martha Gilluly and is appointed for a term beginning April 1, 2011, and ending January 6, 2016. Walton, 62, of Pensacola, is the president of REBUILD Northwest Florida Inc. He succeeds Catherine Kelly and is appointed for a term beginning April 1, 2011, and ending January 6, 2016. The appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
>>> Press release: How to Run a Clean Campaign — Citizens considering running for elected office can learn how to do it right by attending the next Campaign Skills Seminar sponsored by the Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics and Public Trust. The seminar, at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 7, 2011, at the North Miami Police Department’s Community Service Room, will provide essential information on fundraising and record keeping to candidates, campaign treasurers, volunteers and anyone who wants to understand the legal and ethical obligations of seeking public office. Speakers include representatives of the Miami-Dade Ethics Commission, the State Attorney’s Office and the Elections Department. The event is free and open to the public. Attorneys can earn Continuing Legal Education credits from the Florida Bar. Campaign Skills Seminar, Thursday, April 7, 2011 6:30 p.m., Community Service Room at the North Miami Police Department, 700 NE 124 Street, North Miami, Florida 33161 >>For more information or to reserve a seat, call Robert Thompson at 305-350-0630 or e-mail robthom@miamidade.gov. >> The Ethics Commission was created in 1996 as an independent agency with advisory and quasi-judicial powers. It is composed of five members, serving staggered terms of four years each. Through a program of education and outreach, the Commission seeks to empower the community and bolster public trust.
>>> Healthcare 2011 and Beyond, is the title of the Apr. 6 Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce Luncheon featuring Brian Keeley, the President and CEO of Baptist Health South Florida. For further information go to http://www.miamichamber.com/cwt/External/WCPages/WCEvents/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=2701
>>> Conference Focuses on Ethics in Public Office – Some of Florida’s most respected legal and political leaders will share their insights on challenges to the values and principles of those holding and seeking public office at a daylong conference sponsored by the Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics and Public Trust, St. Thomas University and the Daily Business Review. “When Politics and Ethics Collide: A Symposium on the Interplay of Ethical Standards in the Public Arena” will take place from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Friday, April 15, 2011, at the St. Thomas School of Law, 16401 NW 37 Ave., in Miami Gardens.
The keynote speaker will be Bob Butterworth, who has distinguished himself as former Florida Attorney General and Director of the Department of Children & Families, St. Thomas Law School Dean, Broward County Sheriff and judge. Featured panelists include Retired Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Gerald Kogan, Broward County Mayor Sue Gunzburger, Assistant Miami-Dade State Attorney Joe Centorino, Former Miami-Dade County Manager and School Superintendent Merrett Stierheim, Former Miami-Dade County Commissioner and President of the University of Miami Good Government Initiative Katy Sorenson, Florida Atlantic University Public Ethics Academy Director Norm Ostrau, Former Miami Mayor and Miami-Dade County Commissioner Maurice Ferre, among others. Topics for discussion will focus on the climate of corruption, campaigning and elections, the appearance of impropriety, lobbying and conflicts of interest. The registration fee includes morning refreshments, lunch and all materials. The cost is $40 if paid by April 13 and $50 at the door. CLE credits will be available. For more information and registration, log on to www.stu.edu/ethics or call Cathy Hayes at 305-623-2324. >>> The Ethics Commission was created in 1996 as an independent agency with advisory and quasi-judicial powers. It is composed of five members, serving staggered terms of four years each. Through a program of education and outreach, the Commission seeks to empower the community and bolster public trust.
EDITORIALS
>>> While cell & texting while driving is being debated, what about people at public meetings where it just looks rude and a lack of concentration?
While the debate is raging through state legislators around the nation about whether using a cell phone and texting should be outlawed while driving a car, a more subtle question should be asked as well. Should these devices be banned from public meetings because these are more than a distraction but annoying if you are the person speaking to the elected or public board member at public meetings? I watched a PHT trustee ask a question to one of the three candidates to be the new President and CEO of Jackson, no small responsibility, but while the man answered the question looking at the questionnaire. The PHT trustee listened briefly with rap attention but then started working in his I Pad key board and I wondered what the candidate thought of this lack of attention to what was being said.
I appreciate that in today’s world, multitasking is something that has been taken to a fine art, but there should be limitations when it comes to public meetings, especially when these are of such importance and it frankly just looks rude to the other people in the room focused on the discussion. When it comes to public meetings, I have been attending thousands of them over the years, but this new rise of personal communication devices in the public domain and there use needs to be debated. Because everyone’s time is valuable, but for some they believe, theirs is more dear and precious and to them I would say. If you are so busy that you brush off your duties in a public board capacity say sayonara to whatever public board you are on. For in these tough times of economic hardship, about to expand even further when it comes to education, healthcare access and social services. Using these devices while other volunteers and elected officials are grappling with tough issues and paying attention, is not just bad form and rude, but it diminishes the other board members that have to tolerate these actions, and making these people condone these actions is not a resume builder, when it comes to some ones commitment to public service.
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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
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Watchdog Report
Est. 05.05.00
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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NOTE: Invoice is for Yearly supporter/sponsorship Rates: Thank you.
Large Business Supporters $500
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Please make checks payable to: Daniel A. Ricker
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