Archive for April 2011

Watchdog Report Vol.11 No.46 April 10, 2011 Est.05.05.00 – I go when you cannot

CONTENTS

Argus Report: Baptist Health CEO Keeley talks healthcare 101, fluid policies in years ahead, nation spending $2.5 trillion yearly, almost 20% of GDP cannot be sustained

Florida: Three dueling FL budgets, around 1,000 state regulations falling by the wayside, but will Scott release the $35 million for Jackson Memorial Hospital?

Miami-Dade County: Commission to decide May 24 election date, short-term candidate field grows; Braman stays in charter change mix with media interviews

Miami-Dade Public Schools: Hialeah Gardens High students take road trip to Beijing, Xian, and Shanghai in June; experience will change their life forever

Public Health Trust: Jackson Hospital Governance Taskforce takes up task, give BCC a “path so it can survive and have a future,” says Chair Zapata

City of Miami: Grove BID approves $200,000 five-year loan to fix-up Playhouse parking lot, Sarnoff questions why GableStage chosen by county

City of Miami Beach: Wastewater and waterman break update on the Beach

City of Coral Gables: Mayor Slesnick and challengers Cason, Korge on winner take all race in their own words, election Apr.12

City of Doral: Doral begins 90-day warning period for red light cameras

City of Miami Springs: Hail Mayor Garcia, Council members Espino, Lob, Ator and incumbent Best, 32.7 percent voter turnout

North Bay Village: A Swimming Advisory is STILL in effect for Eastern Biscayne Bay, from 88th Street South to 57th Street on Miami Beach, And west to Cameo Island, North Bay Village (Middle bay)

>>> Other stories around Florida

Broward County: Medical office assistant and Broward school board employee among 12 charged with bank fraud and identity theft ring

Pinellas County: St. Pete Company and its president charged with conspiracy to sell bogus shrimp

Community Events: How to run a clean political campaign forum held by county ethics commission

Editorials: Jackson provides world-class healthcare, but clock is ticking as financial crisis looms, while providing $700 million in charity care

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.)

>>> If you wish to be deleted, just e-mail me with that message and you are free to e-mail this on to friends.

>> 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.

>>> CORRECTION: I misspelled Sweetwater Mayor Manny Maroño’s surname name last week.

ARGUS REPORT – Heard, Seen on the Street

>>> Baptist Health CEO Keeley talks healthcare 101, fluid policies in years ahead, nation spending $2.5 trillion yearly; almost 20% of GDP cannot be sustained

Brian Keeley, the decades long chief executive officer for Baptist Health South Florida spoke at the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon Wednesday at Jungle Island and between a clip of all of its impressive facilities that exist in Monroe, Miami-Dade and Broward counties, including opening a new $200 million hospital in West Kendall (to be used by FIU medical college students) in the coming days, but he also said, there are significant healthcare challenges ahead for the nation and locally, in the years ahead. Further, the hospital system executive said he could not comment on the Jackson Memorial Health System since he is on a Miami-Dade County Commission created taskforce looking at how the Public Health Trust should be possible governed, financed, and accountable to taxpayers since around $340 million in funding for Jackson is local public money, along with Medicare and Medicaid payments.

Baptist is a $2 billion, not-for-profit, faith based organization with over 13,500 employees, is affiliated with FIU’s Wertheim College of Medicine, and was founded in 1960 at its Kendall Drive, now 75-acre main campus (a street with the nickname “the road to nowhere” back then). But in the decades ahead the health system flourished to today where more than 1 million patients visit annually. Of this patient population, some 12,000 patients come from 100 countries, though primarily from Latin America and the Caribbean, to get their healthcare that is delivered by 2,000 physicians practicing at Baptist hospitals and clinics. And Keeley said the health systems hospitals give “around $200 million in charity care” and the new hospital in Homestead, opened in 2007, state’s a Florida 2009 ACHA report, provided $74.7 million in charity and uncompensated care for the year.

Keeley runs a health system with seven hospitals and 24 medical plazas and he noted the cost of healthcare continues to eat up a larger portion of the federal budget and healthcare reform is not new and something Presidents Roosevelt and Truman tried to do. He noted the national controversy in 1993 when Hillary Clinton tried to deal with the issue, and while President Barack Obama did get the Affordable Care Act passed by the then Democratic held Congress. Keeley said depending on what political party is elected, if Republicans prevail in the White House.” The whole [2,400 page] plan could be scrapped,” he believed and has 20 state Attorney Generals challenging the new healthcare legislation in the federal courts, on state rights and the federal mandate an uninsured individual is required to get health insurance coverage.

Keeley said what has been driving this healthcare reform is the cost of care, and while lawmakers are looking at a “bipartisan effort” for some “medical malpractice and tort reform” resulting in some “$220 billion in related defensive medicine.” It remains to be seen how that pans out in the future and he considered one solution to this issue might be “creating medical juries” made up of judges and physicians to review some of these malpractice cases. He said something must change because America has the “most expensive healthcare system in the world” and if this cost “trajectory” continues it would account for 100 percent of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product’ in the coming decades. He noted charity care patients must be treated when they present at hospital emergency rooms, but this is “inappropriate and a very expensive” healthcare model and said preventative medicine and local clinics are the way to go.

The healthcare executive noted “the number one elephant in the room” is the 50 million people in the country without health insurance and the cost of healthcare in the nation is about $2.5 trillion, which “will be soon be 20 percent of the nation’s GDP.” It is for this reason Baptist focuses so much on preventative care and has numerous programs that involve diabetes management, exercise, stopping smoking or drinking and other negative behavior that affects someone’s health in a variety of ways in the long run. >>> Editor’s note: On Feb. 9, 2010 at South Miami Hospital, my life was saved at 4:00 a.m. by vascular surgeon Jorge Rabaza, M.D. and his partners. He described whether I lived or passed at the time as “being a flip of the coin.” Not something you want to hear in your life.

>>> 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 I continue to face 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.

>>> Colombia Caucus Co-Chairs Praise Movement on Colombia Free Trade Agreement

Press release: Representatives Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Gregory Meeks (D-NY), Aaron Schock (R-IL), and Henry Cuellar (D-TX) released the following statement regarding the administration’s decision to act upon the Colombia Free Trade Agreement. Diaz-Balart, Meeks, Schock, and Cuellar comment:

“As co-chairs of the Colombia Caucus, we are pleased that the Administration is finally moving forward on the Colombia Free Trade Agreement. The FTA is a no cost means to increasing exports and creating much-needed jobs.

“Colombia has not only been a strong economic partner, but also a steadfast security partner to the United States. Colombia has distinguished itself as a global leader in fighting drug trafficking and terrorism, while undertaking unprecedented reforms to enhance labor and human rights.

“The longer we wait to pass the FTA, the more market share U.S. businesses lose to foreign competitors and the fewer jobs we create at home. We urge the Administration to send the Trade Promotion Agreement to Congress as soon as possible to open markets for American consumers, generate jobs, and grow our economy.” NOTE: In 2009, Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart, Gregory Meeks, Aaron Schock, and Henry Cuellar co-founded the Congressional Caucus on Colombia to strengthen political, economic, and security ties between our the United State and Colombia. Since its inception, the Caucus has held meetings and briefings with Vice President Angelino Garzon, Ambassador and former Defense Minister Gabriel Silva, former Trade Minister Luis Guillermo Plata, former Ambassador Carolina Barco, and other stakeholders.

>>> 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

>>>Three dueling FL budgets, state regulations falling by the wayside, but will Scott release the $35 million for Jackson Memorial Hospital?

With the state legislature finishing its fifth week in the two-month session, bills are going through at a face pace, since Republicans have a super majority in both the House and the Senate. But it is the state budget that begins July 1 that is getting all the attention with three dueling numbers of its size. Gov. Rick Scott proposed a $65.9 billion budget, the House wants a $66.5 billion budget and the Senate is shooting for $70.1 billion. However, either way, education, higher education, health programs, criminal justice, transportation and the judicial branch are all slated for cuts as the Florida economy continues to lag in its recovery. The governor and Republican legislators must now hash out the final details in conference of what the final state budget number will be, and Democratic elected leaders are on the sideline since there are only 51 of them out of the 164 legislators in the state legislature. www.miamiherald.com.

Democrat’s in the state capital liken the session like being in ‘Dante’s Inferno’ for them and believe some of this ‘ Republican aggressive agenda’ will be great for them in future elections, but state lawmakers today are moving quickly and can do what they want without the need for Democratic Party lawmakers support. One critical area important to Miami-Dade County is the cuts to the state Medicaid program that could result in Jackson Memorial Hospital losing as much as $200 million, on top of its already losing $330 million over the past two years. www.miamiherald.com

What about the $35 million for Jackson?

Miami-Dade Commission Chair Joe Martinez was planned to meet with Scott on Thursday afternoon in Palm Beach to discuss the release of the $35 million in funding for Jackson Memorial Hospital appropriated in last year’s budget but is being held up by the governor. However, Martinez in a email said because of scheduling issues they did not meet, but many believe the governor knows the issue and a number of state legislators are keeping the issue on the front burner, and it is hoped, one way or the other, a decision will be made on getting the impending state funding released.

Martinez

>>> Gov. Scott press release: After Targeting More than 1,000 Regulations for Repeal, Gov. Rick Scott Issues Executive Order

Governor Rick Scott continues to live up to his campaign promise to hold government accountable. Today, he issued Executive Order 11-72 reaffirming the Office of Fiscal Accountability and Regulatory Reform’s critical role in ensuring common sense and accountability in state regulation. In its first three months of operation, the Office of Fiscal Accountability and Regulatory Reform (OFARR) has reviewed more than 11,000 regulations and, with the help of other agencies, has targeted more than 1,000 regulations that could be repealed.

>>> Educator Pedron & Prepaid College founder Tate discuss state budget cuts to education

With many in the state questioning some of the cuts in education and its impact on future generations of Floridians, two education advocates, Stanley G. Tate and Eduardo Pedron expressed their thoughts on the subject on Eliott Rodriguez’s Saturday show and to check out their comments go to Eliott’s Insight: Two Champions of Education in Florida Tate and Padron Fight For Education Funding I can’t think of two people who have done more for education in Florida than Stanley Tate and Eduardo Padron. Tate is founder of the Florida Prepaid College […] CBS4–2011/03/24 in News & Views

Padron, Tate, Rodriguez

>>> Press release: Governor Rick Scott today announced the appointment of Judge Victoria R. Brennan of Miami to the Eleventh Judicial Circuit County Court

“I greatly admire the dedication to public service Judge Brennan has shown throughout her legal career,” Governor Scott said. “She is highly regarded by her peers both for her dedicated work ethic and consistently fair judgments. I believe she will continue to serve Florida in a just manner, showing appropriate judicial restraint while applying the law.” Judge Brennan, 48, has served on the Miami-Dade County Court since 2006. From 2005 to 2006, she was an assistant general counsel to Governor Jeb Bush. Previously, she was trial counsel with the statewide Guardian Ad Litem program in 2005, an associate with Hershoff and Lupino from 2003 to 2004 and an assistant state attorney with the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office from 1989 to 2003. She earned both her bachelor’s degree and law degree from the University of Miami. >> Judge Brennan will fill the vacancy created by the appointment of Judge Kevin M. Emas to the Third District Court of Appeal.

>>> Press release: Governor Rick Scott today announced the appointment of Linda M. Robison of Pompano Beach to the Commission on Ethics.

Robison, 62, attorney and partner with Shutts & Bowen, succeeding Albert Massey III, is appointed for a term beginning April 4, 2011, and ending June 30, 2011. The appointment is subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY

>>> Commission to decide May 24 election date, short term candidate field grows, Braman stays in charter change mix with media interviews

The list of candidates running for mayor in 2012 just keeps getting longer and now there are 16 candidates signed up on the county’s election webpage. However, a subset of these people are running in what is expected to be a May 24 election to replace recalled Mayor Carlos Alvarez, and candidates are expected for the open District 13 seat vacated by Commissioner Natacha Seijas. The candidates once the election is called, expected to be done Monday, will have County Commissioner Carlos Gimenez resign to qualify for office and that act is expected to create another commissioner opening for District 7, since Gimenez is an active mayoral candidate in the earlier race. And a second BCC meeting to set that election day is set for Apr. 13. The major candidates throwing their hat in this truncated mayoral term ending in Nov. 2012 are Hialeah Mayor Julio Robaina, Gimenez, former state Rep. Marcello Llorente, R-Miami, rapper and New Times columnist Luther Campbell, former Commissioner Jose “Pepe” Cancio, and former county transportation director Roosevelt Bradley.

What about the charter questions?

County Commissioner Jose “Pepe” Diaz in a memo last week is asking commissioners to reconsider the issue of some proposed charter changes that would possible go on the May 24 election date. He wants a more thoughtful charter review process, public hearings and while this may sound good. Critics charge the commission is just trying to stonewall any charter reform into the future where possible it would die down in the public and voters eyes. At a Mar. 24 commission meeting discussing the subject he said, “I have not had the opportunity to listen to the public,” and “change in haste is not good,” said Diaz. He also noted that while the voters have spoken they want “change” it should be done “holistically.” He also thought any charter changes should be on a general election ballot.

Commissioner Javier Souto remarked that “haste makes mistakes” and he along with Commissioner Dennis Moss were concerned if the board size was reduced from 13 members, that minorities in Miami-Dade, a minority/majority community would not be represented. Moss said Jean Monestime, the first Haitian American would probable not have been elected in the larger commission districts needed if there were seven, nine or 11 commission districts, that might include two seats that were countywide. Further, Commissioner Sally Heyman said, “I feel like this is being rushed” and is not “sound policy” and seems more “political expediency” and wanted to see charter changes and there “similarities in a matrix,” when the commission debated placing questions on a “straw vote,” but they killed that idea in the end.

Diaz

Moss

Souto

Monestime

Heyman

Gimenez

What about Braman and Diaz?

However, Norman Braman along with Miami Beach Attorney Victor Diaz, the last Charter Review Task Force chair in 2007-2008 have continued with their insurgent charter change campaign, to let county voters decide what should be in the charter, that would include term limits and would certainly kick in before 2024. The time current commissioners would be termed out if the commission’s proposed legislation is passed by county voters. However, Braman over the past six months has continued to make the media rounds and over the weekend he was on CBS 4 with host Eliott Rodriguez and also on www.wpbt.org Issues hosted by Helen Ferre to discuss his next move and his dissatisfaction on who some of the potential mayoral candidates might be, including past Mayor Alex Penelas. Braman rejected Penelas for the shortened mayoral term as being part of the problem and he is hoping a new fresh face will emerge in the now pack of candidates.

Braman, a billionaire auto magnate’s campaign has set off a firestorm down at county hall with one Souto calling the two men’s efforts effort at charter reform something like what the “Taliban” did in Afghanistan. The former state legislator before being elected to the commission in the mid 1990s went after the Watchdog Report on Monday as well for comments I had made on WLRN regarding the charter review process, the county commission and other subjects, He suggested I was insensitive to poverty and our diverse community even though last week I noted those concerns in the Report. To see the program go to

Eliott’s Insight: Norman Braman Sizes Up the Candidates Don’t be surprised if Norman Braman cranks up another recall effort. That’s the impression I got after speaking to him about proposed county charter amendments. He and Miami-Dade commissioners are miles apart on issues […] CBS4–2011/04/08 in News & Views >>> And to hear what I said on Topical Currents hosted by Joe Cooper go to >>> http://wlrn.s3.amazonaws.com/default/FDFC4857-5056-9F5A-9DB8AE7028BF0C87.mp3 >>> Further, Braman will be the featured speaker at the Elephant Forum luncheon Monday April 25^th being held at the Rusty Pelican Restaurant on Virginia Key. To make reservations call Mary Ellen Miller at 305-377-9187.

>>> 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

>>> GMCVB Press release: DEMAND FOR TRAVEL TO GREATER MIAMI AND THE BEACHES REMAINS STRONG—GREATER MIAMI’S TOURIST-RELATED ROOM TAX COLLECTIONS INCREASE IN FEBRUARY 2011

Miami-Dade Resort Tax Collections (excluding Miami Beach, Bal Harbour and Surfside) for February 2011 totaled $2,147,521 compared to $2,033,778 in 2010 for an increase of +5.6 %. Miami Beach Resort Tax Collections for February 2011 totaled $3,925,151 compared to $3,877,200 in 2010 for an increase of +1.2 %.

MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

>>> Hialeah Gardens High students take road trip to Beijing, Xian, and Shanghai will change their life forever

Some students from Hialeah Gardens Senior High School will be seeing the world with school board approval on Wednesday, as they embark on a trip to Beijing, Xian, and Shanghai from June 20 to the 29^th. The nation’s fourth largest public school district with about 347,000 students and 90 charter schools boasts the tag line of “Giving our Students the World” and such a trip as this to the great cities in China will do just that. The district teaches in 19 languages is a national laboratory of children and peoples from around the world, and this is just one example of how education, teachers and curiosity opens the world. The Watchdog Report normally does not write about these kinds of adventures but having lived in Tokyo, Sydney and spent a large amount of time in China. I know these kids will be changed forever by this experience, regarding a country that most Americans don’t really know except they are holding some $1 trillion of the nation’s debt.

PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST

>>> Taskforce takes up task to give BCC a “path so Jackson can survive and have a future,” says Chair Zapata

The Hospital Governance Taskforce has been meeting and this past week there were two Sunshine meetings, a smaller group of the members met on Tuesday and a full taskforce meeting was held on Thursday. The 20-member body was created by the Miami-Dade County Commission and pushed by Commissioner Rebeca Sosa and their charge is to review over a 60 to 90-day period what would be the best governance, funding and accountability model for the financially struggling public Jackson Health System. They are looking at all the national governance models of other public, not for profit and private hospitals have been using or changed from another governing method to see if these might be appropriate for the PHT.

Sosa

Zapata

Taskforce member Donna Shalala on Tuesday said they should focus on perhaps “five governance models,” including public hospitals here in Florida that also have “academic healthcare centers.” She suggested they talk with representatives of these health centers to hear the pros and cons of their governance model. Former state Rep. Juan C. Zapata, R-Miami, the body’s chair said ultimately the mission of the group was “to show the county a path so that [Jackson] will survive and have a future,” he told attendees. Martha Baker, RN head of the nurse’s union questioned some of the discussion saying “a [governance] model is a tool , not a magic wand” and some of the issues she thought were important were the institution being “ flexible, nimble, and have access to the half-cent sales tax.

On Thursday, the discussion continued and the taskforce had a slide presentation of all the different governance models from Larry Gage, the president of the National Association of Public Hospitals and in the coming weeks the group will be focusing on which governance models they consider appropriate for the PHT in the future. Since the overall governance model was first set up back in the early 1970s, though the board size and how trustees are selected has changed a couple of times over the years. The most recent change was pushed by County Commissioner Dennis Moss around the mid 2000s and reduced the board’s size from 21-trutees to 17 members that now included two voting county commissioners, and the mayor no longer controls who is on the nominating committee. To review minutes of the taskforce go to http://www.miamidade.gov/auditor/hospital_goverance.asp

>>> Candidates to be on the 17-member PHT board are wanted and the application deadline is Apr. 18. For more information or an application go to

Apply to be a member of the Public Health Trust — Applications are being accepted for the Board of Trustees of the Public Health Trust of Miami-Dade County, the governing authority for Jackson Health System. Apply today by filling out the online form. The deadline for applications is April 18 at 4 p.m.

>>> PAST WDR: 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.

>>> Meeting announcement: A series of “Meet and Greet” sessions have been scheduled for next week to afford the Trustees and Jackson community the opportunity to meet the three finalists for the President/CEO position of Jackson Health System. The schedule for these sessions is provided below. Carlos Migoya, Monday, April 11th, at JMH in Clark DTC 259 from 4 to 5 p.m., Ram Raju

Tuesday, April 12th, at JMH in Clark DTC 259 from 4 to 5 p.m., and Myles Lash

Wednesday, April 13th, at JMH in Clark DTC 259 from 8 to 9 a.m. These events will be televised at Jackson North in the 2nd floor auditorium, Jackson South in Education Classroom 100, and at the DuPont building on the 7th floor, in room 725. Also on these dates the candidates will be touring the facilities.

>>> Meeting announcement: A special PHT Board of Trustees meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, April 13, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. in the West Wing Board Room. The sole purpose of the special meeting is to conduct the final round of interviews for position of President and CEO of Jackson Health System.

CITY OF MIAMI

>>> Grove BID approves $200,000 five-year loan to fix-up Playhouse parking lot, Sarnoff questions why GableStage chosen, by county

The Coconut Grove Business Improvement District (BID) unanimously approved a $200,000 five-year loan to Paradise Parking LLC to upgrade the area that it currently is running at the Coconut Grove Playhouse parking lot. The Playhouse has been a hot potato since it closed around 2006 with around $4 million in debt along with other liability issues. Since then there has been a tug of war between Miami and Miami-Dade County, which has $20 million in GOB funds for the facility, and the county’s plan in the years ahead is to save the historic aspects of the theater but build a roughly 300-seat facility that would be run by GableStage. www.miamiherald.com & www.miamitodaynews.com

However, Miami Commissioner Marc Sarnoff who switched tact’s in his battle with the ending of lawsuits said Thursday that Jorge Luis Lopez, a Playhouse board member and attorney had reached out to him and the commissioner “had apologized” for some of the past legal activity. Sarnoff said he wanted to “try a new day,” with these negotiations and the commissioner noted this enhanced parking lot move was “phase one” until the county got its act together, considered to be up to three to five years in the future. Sarnoff noted this move would “leave the $20.5 million intact,” and mentioned to attendees that there was someone willing to donate $10 million in the future to the Playhouse.

What about Spring?

Michael Spring, the director of the Miami-Dade Cultural Affairs Department has been the driving force for having GableStage and its artistic Director Michael Adler run the organization. However, Sarnoff questioned why Adler and thought the Playhouse had better name recognition and the proposed size of the facility would not give local businesses the economic boost these used to get from the old larger seating facility. He told the roughly 30 attendees that “Spring is h… bent on the 300 seats for Joe Adler,” and when it came to talking with the county department director about alternatives. “Talking to Spring is like talking to a wall,” said Sarnoff.

Sarnoff

Spring

>>> 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

>>> Wastewater and waterman break update on the Beach

Press release: Road restoration is underway. Temporary work was completed yesterday afternoon on the wastewater line at Harding Avenue and 71 Street, Miami Beach. Wastewater service has not been interrupted at any time. This break does NOT affect drinking water usage; just the disposal of it. Water is safe to drink. The beaches are safe to swim. Miami-Dade Health Dept & DERM continue to monitor water quality. As a precaution, DERM has issued a precautionary swimming advisory for eastern Biscayne Bay from 88 and 57 streets and west to Mid-bay Island. On April 6, a 10′ section of a 24″ line of a main wastewater force cracked causing the road to fail and an overflow of wastewater into the street. The cause of the break has not yet been determined.

>>EN ESPAÑOL – Las reparaciones de la calle han comenzado. El trabajo temporal se completo ayer en la tubería de alcantarillado en la avenida Harding y la 71 calle en Miami Beach. La policía proveerá detalles de tráfico para asegurar que el mismo fluya con normalidad. l servicio de alcantarillado no ha sido interrumpido en ningún momento. Esta rotura NO afecta el uso de agua potable (agua de la llave/pluma); solo el descargue de la misma. Es seguro tomar el agua potable. También es seguro nadar en la playa. El Departamento de Salud de Miami-Dade y DERM han sido contactados y continúan monitoreando la calidad del agua. Como precaución, DERM ha puesto un aviso de precaución de natación en la Bahía de Biscayne desde la 88 a la 57 calle. En el 6 de abril, una sección de 10 pies de una línea de cañería de 24 pulgadas reventó y causó un desbordamiento de agua de alcantarillado hacia la calle. El área continúa cerrada. La causa de la rotura no se ha determinada.

>>> Email into the WDR and a bicyclist’s plea: The battle to make Alton Road in Miami Beach pedestrian and bicycle accessible goes back to the roots of BASIC in 2007. BASIC members are invited to witness partial victory next Tuesday when the Historic Preservation Board discusses the 60% plans for the reconstruction of the Road between Fifth and Michigan. Yippee! Glory at the striped and dedicated bike lanes between 7th and Lincoln Road! Yes, our joy is tempered that the other half of this project, from Lincoln Road to Michigan, and the first two blocks near the flyover will only sport Sharrows, but we have come to learn to revel in what meager bits of thermoplastic we get. And this is BIG! We see this as a major advancement over the recommendations made when the project came out of the study stage in 2008, when there were no bike lanes. Nada. None.

And there is the rub, my friend, that this change of heart by FDOT will rub folks the wrong way. Already there have been grumblings (last week at TPC), that parking spaces will be removed from the corridor. (They are being removed because they are illegal and unsafe, as they block clear sight lines around intersections and driveways, NOT to accommodate the bike lane). Because of the short-sighted auto-centric thinking that rules our community at the moment, we cannot rest, even with FDOT on our side. Please attend, (very very late on a long agenda attached), or send a note to Michael Belush, Senior Planner MichaelBelush@miamibeachfl.gov asking the HPB to support the proposed plans that makes room for everyone.

>>> Press release: Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club – Meeting Date: Tuesday, April 12th, 2011- Meeting Time: 8:30 AM -Meeting Place: David’s Café II, 1654 Meridian Ave., South Beach – Luther Campbell, candidate for Mayor of Miami-Dade County, will be the guest speaker at the April 12th meeting of the Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club . Luther is perhaps best known from his early rap music days as Luke Skywalker of 2 Live Crew fame, and most notably for his successful Supreme Court battle over censorship of his raunchy lyrics, seen by many as a significant free speech victory. Most recently, Luther has been making a name for himself with his weekly column in the Miami New Times. And now he is going after the Mayor’s job, and not just the Mayor of Miami or Miami Beach , but the Mayor of Miami-Dade County, with 28,000 employees and a budget of seven and a half billion dollar to oversee. There is no charge for attending and everyone is welcome. David Kelsey, Moderator for the Breakfast Club.

CITY OF CORAL GABLES

>>> Mayor Slesnick, and challengers Cason, Korge on winner take all race in their own words, election Apr.12

The Watchdog Report last week asked the three mayoral candidates Jim Cason, Tom Korge and incumbent Mayor Donald Slesnick,II if they had any last statements leading up to the Apr. 12 election and all three men responded. Cason is a former diplomat, Korge is a tax attorney and Slesnick is a labor lawyer. Slesnick is running one last time before he is termed out since being elected in 2001 along with Commissioners Ralph Cabrera, Jr. and Maria Anderson and took out long serving incumbents back then. During Slesnick’s tenure, the city has been hit by multiple hurricanes that had residents hot under the collar when the power went out for days in the tony municipality and had him wondering if it was worth it to be the mayor, as residents were openly hostile to elected leaders. However, since then he persevered in office and says the city is in better shape, though the economic downturn has made for significant financial challenges. Including the Historic Biltmore Hotel being behind in making its rent payments to the tune of over $4 million to the city. The men in their email responses wrote.

>> Cason wrote, “Dear Friends, I am deeply grateful for all you have done for my campaign to be your next mayor of Coral Gables. Thanks to each and every one of you for your help in: Visiting 8,000 homes, Walking over 300 miles, Making contributions from $5.00 and up, Putting up signs and posters throughout Coral Gables, Attending our many fundraisers, Opening your homes and businesses to my campaign, Telling friends, acquaintances, and relatives of my candidacy -Supporting my candidacy in many other way, great and small. Together we have made this race the most competitive in memory. Together we have exposed the serious issues confronting Coral Gables and we have proposed solutions that will work to make the City Beautiful, sustainable and great place to live.

With your selfless hours of assistance and volunteering, we have arrived at the threshold of a new Coral Gables, one with a government that works efficiently within its budget, is financially secure, is transparent, and is one that we can all be proud of. Without you, we would not have arrived at this moment. As we stand on the brink of victory, I repeat my heartfelt thanks and gratitude. Warm regards, Jim Cason.”

>> Korge wrote, “I want to thank everyone who has supported my campaign or taken the time to listen to what I have to say. I’ve walked door-to-door throughout the neighborhoods for the past few months and have been warmly received. I’ve spent the past 12 years serving on City Boards and am now running for Mayor because I love Coral Gables. I am a practicing business and tax attorney and also teach tax law as an adjunct professor at the University of Miami Law School. I have the background and experience to help the City through its current difficulties and to make it an even better place to live. I was born and raised in South Florida and have lived in Coral Gables the past 21 years. I’ve raised my family here. I work here, and like many of our neighbors, I’m happily committed to community service in Coral Gables.

I hope the voters will look closely at the issues raised in this election so they can make a well-informed decision about their next Mayor. I think I’ve demonstrated the leadership skills that would make me a good Mayor for our wonderful City. Indeed, The Miami Herald endorsed me for Mayor because “Mr. Korge offers voters intelligence, leadership and a willingness to make hard choices.” I hope the voters agree. But whether supporting me or one of my opponents, I want thank every voter for taking the time and making the effort to get involved in this election. Best regards,” wrote Korge.

>> Slesnick wrote, “I deplore the negative campaigning that has gone on during this election – it is not something that we should have to suffer in Coral Gables. It is also deplorable that candidates don’t have the guts to say what they want to say in their own name – they use outside third party entities to do their dirty work. I want to serve the people of Coral Gables for another two years – but not bad enough to stoop to those tactics,” wrote Slesnick.

>>> A story done by Matt Boker in www.gableshomepage.com states that the mayoral candidates and commission candidates through Friday have raised in total around $912,000 and that is not chump change. Slesnick in total has raised $193,000, Korge has $149,000 and Cason has $97,000 in their respective campaign war chests.

What about the commission races?

Commission Seat Group IV candidates are Rene Alvarez, Jackson Rip Holmes, Richard W. Martin II, Frank C. Quesada, Brad Rosenblatt and Gonzalo Sanabria. Commission Seat V candidates are William “Bill” Kerdyk Jr. and Richard Namon, Sr.

>>> 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.

CITY OF MIAMI SPRINGS

>>> Hail Mayor Garcia, Council members Espino, Lob, Ator and incumbent Best, 32.7 percent voter turnout

Miami Springs held there municipal elections Apr. 5 and Zavier Garcia was elected mayor with 53.7 percent of the vote, Dan Espino won the Group II seat with 68.7 percent, George Lobo captured the Group III seat getting 57.1 percent, Jennifer Ator will represent Group IV after garnering 53.1 percent and Council Member Bob Best ran unopposed. The little residential community has 7,886 registered voters and for these races. Voter turnout was 32.7 percent with 2,545 ballots being cast. For more on Miami Springs, go to http://www.miamisprings-fl.gov/

NORTH BAY VILLAGE

>>> County press release: A Swimming Advisory is STILL in effect for Eastern Biscayne Bay, from 88th Street South to 57th Street on Miami Beach, And west to Cameo Island, North Bay Village (Middle bay)

As a precautionary measure, a public advisory is still in effect to avoid contact with water including swimming and recreational activities in the waters of Eastern Biscayne Bay, from 88TH Street South to 57TH Street on Miami Beach, and West to Cameo Island, North Bay Village (middle of the bay). See attached map.

Residents are advised to avoid contact with surface waters in the area of this Advisory until the Advisory is lifted. The Department Environmental Resources Management (DERM) will continue to test the affected waters and the Swimming Advisory remains in effect for the areas mentioned above until test results return to background levels. The Advisory is required due to a break in a sewage pipeline in Miami Beach at Harding Avenue and 71st street, which occurred on Wednesday morning. Residents can view a copy of this map at www.miamidade.gov

>>> OTHER STORIES AROUND FLORIDA

BROWARD COUNTY

>>> Medical office assistant and Broward school board employee among 12 charged with bank fraud and identity theft ring

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Michael K. Fithen, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Secret Service, announced the unsealing of the March 15, 2011 indictment of twelve (12) defendants, charging them for their participation in a massive identity theft and bank fraud scheme. Charged in the indictment were defendants Erica Hall, 27, of Lauderhill; Jasmin Rembert, 33, of Miramar; Sharelle Finnie, 22, of Ft. Lauderdale; Rufus Bethea, 30, of Hollywood; Bianca Cook, 21, of Lauderhill; Courtney Gissendanner, 28, of Hollywood; Brandi Johnson, 39, of Miramar; Demarcus Hough, 30, of Ft. Lauderdale; Darren Baldwin, 43, of Ft. Lauderdale; Aaron Hough, 30, of Hollywood; Minnie Powell, 49, of Pembroke Pines; and Eloise Sermons, 24, of West Park. They were all charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1349, and conspiracy to commit access device fraud and identity theft, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371. Additionally, Erica Hall and Sharelle Finnie were charged with violations of HIPAA laws, in violation of Title 42, United States Code, Section 1320d-6. Darren Baldwin, Aaron Hough, Minnie Powell, and Eloise Sermons were also charged with substantive counts of access device fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1029. All but three defendants were arrested and made their initial appearances in federal court this afternoon. Defendants Sermons, Cook, and Hough remain at large.

According to the indictment, defendants Erica Hall and Sharelle Finnie worked as office assistants at two separate medical offices in Coral Springs and Fort Lauderdale, respectively. In this capacity, both Hall and Finnie had access to private patient identification information, including names, dates of birth, social security numbers, and other medical information. Hall and Finnie allegedly stole patient identification information and sold it to defendants Rufus Bethea, Bianca Cook, and Demarcus Hough. According to the indictment, defendant Jasmin Rembert was employed at the Broward County School Board in the teacher certification department, where she had access to sensitive personal identification information from teacher certification databases. Rembert allegedly stole personal identifying information, including names, dates of birth, and social security numbers, of numerous teachers in the databases and sold the information to Hough and Brandi Johnson. According to the indictment, defendant Courtney Gissendanner was the alleged organizer and leader of the organization. He was the ultimate recipient of the stolen information and would use the stolen identification information to fraudulently add Hough, Baldwin, himself, and others as “authorized users” on the victims’ credit card and bank accounts. The defendants then used the stolen personal identification information to impersonate the victims and to deplete their bank accounts and incur credit card charges as high as $128,000 in one case. If convicted of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, the defendants each face a maximum statutory term of thirty (30) years’ imprisonment. If convicted of conspiracy to commit access device and identity theft, the defendants each face a maximum statutory term of five (5) years’ imprisonment. If convicted of the HIPAA violations, the defendants each face a maximum statutory term of ten (10) years’ imprisonment. Finally, if convicted of the substantive counts of access device fraud, the defendants each face a maximum statutory term of ten (10) years’ imprisonment. >>> Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the United States Secret Service and the Broward Sheriff’s Office. This case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Marc Anton. An Indictment is only an accusation, and defendant are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

>>> 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.

PINELLAS COUNTY

>>> Press release: ST. PETERSBURG FLORIDA SEAFOOD COMPANY AND ITS PRESIDENT CHARGED WITH CONSPIRACY TO SELL MISLABELED SHRIMP

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Hal Robbins, Special Agent in Charge, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and Adam Putnam, Commissioner, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), announced the filing of a twenty-four count criminal Information against Richard R. Stowell, 65, of St. Pete Beach, and United Seafood Imports, Inc. (“United”), of St. Petersburg, Florida. According to the allegations in the Information, Stowell is the President, sole shareholder, and owner of United Seafood Imports, Inc. Stowell, along with Mark Platt and Shifco, Inc., allegedly conspired to violate the Lacey Act by mislabeling and selling approximately one million pounds of shrimp. The shrimp, valued at more than $700,000, was ultimately sold to supermarkets in the northeastern United States. Platt and Shifco previously pled guilty and were sentenced on March 25, 2011 for their role in the conspiracy. If convicted, Stowell faces a statutory maximum penalty of up to 5 years’ incarceration and fines of up to $20,000.00 on each of the criminal counts in the Information. United Seafood Imports, Inc., would face fines of up to $500,000.00 per count. >>> Mr. Ferrer commended the efforts of NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement and the State of Florida for their work on this matter. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Norman O. Hemming, III. An Information is only an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. 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.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

>>> 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

>>> Jackson provides world-class healthcare, but clock is ticking as financial crisis looms, while providing $700 million in charity care

The long detailed story on the public Jackson Health System in The Miami Herald www.miamiherald.com today done by veteran and award winning reporter John Dorschner paints a almost $2 billion medical enterprise not only on life support, but may have run out of time. Jackson since 2000 has been bleeding red ink financially and the losses have risen sharply over the years with the first big hit coming in 2004, where the health trust lost $84 million with adjustments that went back to the late 1980s at the time. The public hospital system looking for its fourth president since 2003, the subject of a scathing Aug. 2010 state Grand Jury report that cut a wide and critical swath through the institution and how it is governed has been trying to right itself, and while progress in the hundreds of millions has been achieved, other areas continue to fiscally erode its cash on hand that has the institution blowing through $4.3 million in cash a day.

Now we have a governance task force meeting, and one PHT trustee Steven Nuell suggested in an editorial in The Herald today that a small group of five experts come together with a 30-day deadline and try to come up with financial solutions and would augment what the Task Force, created by the Miami-Dade Commission is doing right now. However, a July deadline is approaching and it is crunch time because if the trust cannot come up with essentially $100 million in cash at the time. It will affect the amount of federal draw down dollars the institution receives, at a time there is no other cash to infuse into the world class medical care facility, with two academic medical schools, and now roughly 11,100 employees, down from 12,500 two years ago.

Social medical triage is being looked at in the future and how that plays out will not be pretty, and while there is a major discussion on how to fund the PHT. Any changes of this nature are incredible complex and time consuming involving the state, county and city of Miami who actually owns the land the sprawling main campus is on and the University of Miami Miller Medical School is located after a over 50-year relationship with Jackson, where over 1,000 physicians get trained said UM President Dr. Donna Shalala recently at a public meeting. Florida International University’s fledgling medical school is also involved at Jackson, and the overall medical care is first class and the hospital recently was named number one by U.S. News & World Report in over 60 rankings of South Florida Hospitals, a real coup, yet the financial situation continues to deteriorate.

The Watchdog Report first started going to PHT meetings back in early 1998 and I watched this community jewel slowly get hammered by the issues facing it today, one financial drip at a time and is one of the reasons I have written well over a thousand weekly stories (including at least 75 of them being in The Herald when I was an independent weekly news columnist for the paper from 2003 to 2007. And I actually have had people email me asking why I wrote so much about JMH, if you can believe that now) since May 5, 2000, and for much of the time the WDR over the years has been the only consistent news source on a weekly basis trying to get the word out about the financial hemorrhaging going on at the public institution. A public institution once described in 2002 as “being on auto pilot,” when then President Ira Clark was first showing signs of being ill. But the health trust was not on autopilot and the half-cent countywide sales tax no longer could keep up like in the 1990s after the tax was passed in 1991 to be used only for Jackson, to provide trauma care and a host of other medical care to the needy.

Perhaps this situation should have been addressed back in 2004, but it wasn’t. Perhaps in 2008, but it wasn’t and with less than 90 days until July. I for one don’t have the answers (though there are many people that are absolutely sure they know what needs to be done) to this incredible complex and vexing problem. But the fact remains the financial clock is ticking and there is more than a sense of urgency and concern. Miami-Dade’s elected leaders, community leaders and the community as a whole must face reality that not only is the current system not working and unsustainable. We collectively must act now for this is a living and breathing enterprise, and if there ever was a time to push local politics aside and stick to the task at hand of keeping Jackson functioning. It is now.

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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

Est. 05.05.00

>>> 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.