Watchdog Report Vol.12 No.23 October 9, 2011 Est.05.05.00 – I go when you cannot!

>>> The Watchdog Report publisher would like to thank the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation www.knightfoundation.org for funding by the Knight Foundation with technical support from the Knight Center for International Media http://knight.miami.edu within the University of Miami’s School of Communication www.miami.edu to 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 and I hope you or your organization will consider helping in a small or larger way and help keep another voice on line 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 has celebrated its 12th Anniversary May 5, 2011.

>>> I was on Issues hosted by Helen Ferre on WPBT and to watch the show go to; “Fast and Furious” Weapons – The U.S. program dubbed “Fast and Furious” allowed for American weapons to enter Mexico in an effort to combat crime.  Could this be the reason for the increase in violence in Mexico? Guests:
Susan Kaufman Purcell, Ph.D., University of Miami >>> “Occupy” Rallies
Two Republican favorites announced they won’t run for president this week and the Wall Street protests continue to grow.  Will the “Occupy Wall Street” movement be the Tea Party for the left? Guests: Sean Foreman, Ph.D., Barry University Doug Lyons, SunSentinel;  Daniel Ricker, Watchdog Report >> to watch the show go to http://channel2.typepad.com/issues/

>>> CLARIFICATION: School Board Member Lawrence Feldman, Ph.D. did not meet recently with Arts and Minds Academy charter school owner Manny Alonso-Poch as might have been assumed in last week’s Watchdog Report. Feldman in an email last week wrote he only learned who Alonso-Poch was in the elevator after reading about it in the Watchdog Report last week.

ARGUS REPORT – Heard, Seen on the Street

>>> Jobs of Apple dead at 56, expanded the internet universe for decades to come, called the Edison of our time

Steve Jobs, the founder of Apple at 56 is dead, he transformed the digital world, and his company’s technology helped found the Watchdog Report, which was started by me using a purple iMac on May 5, 2000. The device was my first computer for in my capacity in business at the time. I had staff that did my computer work and I was late to convert to the technology. The easy to use iMac grew on me over time and it was its search engine that really got my eye as I delved further into politicians and others past and present community affairs. The iMac was prominently featured on my desk in a front-page photo in a Neighbors story back in 1999 on me and it was the technological seed that created this weekly report.

Later, I would later go to a PC technology but the Apple experience and ability to draw me into the internet realm cannot be dismissed and was a key ingredient to creating the Watchdog Report. The man who only spent one semester at Reed College before dropping out and starting Apple in his parent’s garage has been likened to inventive titans like Thomas Edison and he broadened the world’s horizons like never before. From the lowest to highest of us and I suspect it will be a while before we see another person that has had such a profound impact on civilization, society as a whole and his passing leaves a creative passion and intellectual void on the planet, and his life will be one for the history books. May you rest in peace, Mr. Jobs. You have made your lasting mark on the world for decades to come.

>>> Verizon here to stay says terremark CEO Bailey, Cloud technology key to acquisition of company founded by Medina

Kerry T. Bailey the president of terremark a Verizon Company was the featured speaker at the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon on Wednesday at Jungle Island. Verizon acquired local company Terremark Worldwide for $1.4 billion that created an internet Network Access Point (NAP) in downtown Miami built by Manny Medina. Medina, a business phoenix after losing his shirt building a new headquarters’ in Coconut Grove for General Development Corporation (GDC) that went belly-up leaving him in desperate financial straits. However, the man rebounded with the development of the NAP around 2002 and he plowed money into creating cutting edge technology that also had significant security technology.

Bailey told the audience the company bought terremark because of its “cyber technology” that includes building “excellence and extensive Cloud technology,” he said. Verizon, with $106 billion in global revenues, 321 offices around the world, is broken into three business platforms. The former security intelligence expert said, “Everyone in the room is using Cloud technology” and believes the “whole Cloud Computing piece has changed everything,” and traditional IT companies are trying to figure out their companies role with this new technology that is revolutionizing the industry. He noted, “With Cloud we made it simple”, to use it only takes “minutes to build”, and it “grows, and shrinks with your use” and “really changed how IT and businesses work,” he said. Here is a story on the acquisition:  http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703399204576108641018258046.html >>> And here is an explanation of what Cloud Computing Technology is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_computing

>>> Press release:  Roll Call article by U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart: From the tornadoes that ravaged Alabama and Missouri to the severe flooding along the Mississippi River to Hurricane Irene’s pounding of the East Coast, we have been reminded throughout the year of the dramatic manner in which major storms can disrupt communities and destroy lives. The economic losses associated with major weather events in 2011 are already among the most costly in the nation’s history. Ten disasters this year have resulted in combined damages of more than $40 billion. Mother Nature is sending us a wake-up call. We need to answer it and move decisively to promote sound strategies to mitigate the devastation of future disasters and to save taxpayer money. The foundation of our national response should be the statewide adoption of model building codes that will make our homes and office buildings more resistant to nature’s forces. It is not enough to simply pass another supplemental appropriations bill and wait for the next storm to hit.

As Congress takes urgent action to help communities rebuild from Irene’s devastation, it is vital that we seize this opportunity to encourage states to update their building codes in a manner that will protect property, save lives and ultimately reduce taxpayer exposure to natural disasters. While the evidence is overwhelming that strong building codes work, most states have yet to adopt them or put in place inspection mechanisms to ensure compliance. That’s why we — along with our GOP colleagues Reps. Richard Hanna (N.Y.) and Steve Southerland (Fla.) — have introduced the Safe Building Code Incentive Act. This legislation provides a financial incentive for states to voluntarily adopt and enforce model national building codes for the construction of new residential and commercial properties. Qualifying states would receive an additional 4 percent in post-disaster relief grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to address long-term hazard mitigation, such as improving drainage structures, restraining cables on bridges and installing window shutters for hospitals and other critical facilities. Encouraging states to adopt model national building codes can help fortify our nation’s defenses against major storms. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Louisiana State University’s Hurricane Center conducted a landmark study on the effectiveness of model building codes. The findings were eye-opening. If strong building codes had been in place, wind damage from Katrina would have been reduced by 80 percent, saving $8 billion.

LSU also studied the effect of Katrina in Mississippi and found that with strong building codes in place, economic losses would have been reduced by $3.1 billion and that almost 40,000 buildings would have been spared major damage.

Given the financial realities facing the nation and the fact that the Joint Committee on Deficit Reduction will suck up much of the oxygen in Washington this fall, an obvious question about our legislation and any supplemental funding bill is: Where will the money come from for the additional relief assistance?

Our bill is crafted in a manner that won’t require a new appropriation to FEMA. The additional 4 percent of funding awarded to qualifying states struck by future disasters would be paid for by reallocating existing funds inside the FEMA-managed Disaster Relief Fund. Furthermore, additional research shows that investments in mitigation activities, such as the adoption of strong building codes, generate big returns for taxpayers and the economy. According to a 2005 FEMA-commissioned study by the National Institute of Building Sciences, for every $1 spent on hazard mitigation at the federal level, the nation reaps $4 in benefits.

The facts surrounding strong building codes are clear and widely embraced by disaster mitigation experts and emergency management officials. As Congress considers disaster funding in response to Hurricane Irene, the Safe Building Code Incentive Act can make our homes and communities safer and stronger while reducing long-term costs, ultimately saving taxpayer dollars. We can’t afford to pass up an opportunity to do something lasting for the American people.

Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.) is a member of the Appropriations Committee. Rep. Albio Sires (D-N.J.) is a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

>>> IBOPE Zogby poll: Herman Cain has opened up a 20 percentage point lead among likely Republican primary voters in the race for the Presidential nomination, and also holds a narrow lead among all likely voters over President Barack Obama. Cains share of the GOP primary has jumped 10 percentage points since Sept. 26 and is now at 38%. Mitt Romney is second with 18%, followed by both Rick Perry and Ron Paul, at 12% each.

The Oct. 3-5 IBOPE Zogby interactive poll also matches Cain, Romney and Perry against Obama. Cain led Obama, 46%-44%, while Obama is one-point ahead of Romney, 41%-40%, and leads Perry, 45%-40%. Please click the link below to view the full news release on our website:
http://www.ibopezogby.com/news/2011/10/06/ibope-zogby-poll-cain-expands-lead-over-gop-field-leads-obama-46-44/

>>> Will Whitefly disease ravage South Florida’s tree canopy, some Grove and Gables trees already infected?

A reader from Coconut Grove alerted the Watchdog Report about the infestation of Whitefly disease on the tree canopy and has also been a problem in Coral Gables over the past years. The disease causes trees to lose all their leaves and eventually die and the concern is the lush tree canopy is at risk. For more information on the disease go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whitefly

>>> To read a national story run in the Tribune papers on my life and how this all began done by Orlando Sentinel featured reporter Maya Bell go to: To read the section’s large front page story, but without the photos and smart box graphics, go to: `I Go When You Cannot’ – Sun Sentinel 20 Jan 2003 … Sometimes Dan Ricker lives in the dark so others may live in the light. … to his weekly Watchdog Report have finally mailed their checks. … http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2003-01-20/news/0301190341_1_ricker-school-board-president-miami-s-first-cuban-american

>>> 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

>>> Strike three when it comes to Gov. Scott administration losing public records, this has to stop

There he goes again, Gov. Rick Scott’s administration has once again lost emails for the third time, a no-no under Florida’s open records Sunshine Laws and this latest revelation that his BlackBerry’s emails have been lost http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/10/05/2439902/gov-rick-scott-e-mails-cleaned.html is causing eyebrows to be raised. Scott has asked the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to investigate how this lost information occurred that included many of the emails that pertained to the governor’s transition before taking office and other emails on an iPod in April. This third incident, which flies in the face of state record retention laws, cannot be repeated and Scott and his team need to lift their game when it comes to keeping public records. Scott an attorney and former CEO of Columbia/HCA, a conglomerate of for profit hospitals had to pay a $1.7 billion Medicare fine in the 1990s after the governor left the company with a golden parachute in compensation and these recent lost records are very troubling. Republican state legislators have been supportive of the neophyte politician but the fact these incidents continue is starting to strain that relationship and Scott has got to put an end to this destruction of public communications.

Further, Scott who shunned the state’s editorial boards before his election has been hitting these same boards now on a consistent basis after he concluded he might be able to win an election without the Medias help but cannot govern without that relationship. However, newspaper people are surprised at his lack of depth on many issues, especially ones that might be local. They say he gives a standard stock answer about getting people back to work, and limiting the size of government that has had him turning down a significant amount of federal dollars for local state projects and social service programs since taking office in January. And suggests his staff plays a critical role in many policy decisions and the 4,000 appointments across the board he is expected to make during his four-year term.

>>> Last week the Watchdog Report did a story on state Sen. Michael Fasano, R- New Port Richey and at the time, I did not have his financial disclosure form for the past year.

Fasano

What do we know about his finances?

Fasano through 2010 had a net worth of $1.24 million and he lists $80,500 in household goods. His assets include a home worth $155,000, a condominium in the state capital is valued at $190,000 and land in North Carolina is appraised at $80,000. His car is worth $30,000, a 401K has $483,800, an ING account has $179,000 and there is $27,400 in a pension account. The senator lists liabilities of $87,500 and $51,000 with Bank of America and he owes a credit union $28,300. His income for the year was $62,900 from FL Hospital in Zephyrhills, the investment house of Morgan Stanley kicked in $22,500 and as a lawmaker, and he made $29,530, states his financial disclosure form for the year.

>>> Press release: Governor Rick Scott names Eugene F. Zenobi of Miami as Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel for the region of the Third District Court of Appeal.

A sole practitioner since 1980, Zenobi has served as a contract attorney for the Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel for region of the Third District Court of Appeal since 2008.  Previously, he practiced with the Office of the Public Defender for Miami-Dade County from 1976 to 1980.  From 1970 to 1976, he practiced with Central Pennsylvania Legal Services. He received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Scranton and a law degree from the University of Miami.

“Eugene’s distinguished forty-year legal career has provided him with the knowledge and experience to lead defense lawyers and to achieve a high level of practice in the office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel,” said Governor Scott. “I am confident he will continue to set a good example of humility and fairness.” Zenobi succeeds Joseph P. George Jr. and is appointed for a term beginning October 4, 2011, and ending July 1, 2015. The appointment is subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

>>> Gov. Scott announced the appointments four appointments to the Board of Landscape Architecture.

Paul D. Kissinger, 47, of Fort Lauderdale, is a principal at EDSA. He succeeds

Ernest Paskey and is appointed for a term beginning October 5, 2011, and ending October 31, 2014.

Michael E. Pape, 58, of Lady Lake, is the president of Michael Pape and Associates PA. He succeeds Phillip H. Graham and is appointed for a term beginning October 5, 2011, and ending October 31, 2013.

Charles D. Powell, 39, of Panama City, is the business development officer for the Stewart Title Company. He succeeds Brian M. Walker and is appointed for a term beginning October 5, 2011, and ending October 31, 2014.

Charles C. Lambeth, 39, of St. Petersburg, is an associate at RE/MAX Action First. He succeeds Robert B. Bowden and is appointed for a term beginning October 5, 2011, and ending October 31, 2013. The appointment is subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY

>>> Contract rumble in commission chambers over $7 million contract has issue of “local preference” definition in crosshairs

Attorneys Richard Perez and Miguel De Grandy faced off on the issue of what was “local preference” when it came to a county contract costing $7 million that involved aerial photography of building heights and how it affects MIA’s operations. The two veteran county lobbyists at Tuesday’s county commission meeting went at it like legal prizefighters and when De Grandy helped raise the speaker’s podium for Perez knowing where the button was. Perez joked that help just cost him $200.00 and the two verbally battled it out in a fashion not seen for a while at county hall. But no where near the level of the MIA shrink-wrap baggage contract discussions back in 2000. That commission meeting debate went on for four hours in the packed commission chamber, had lobbyist Robert Holland in a tense moment calling then Miami-Dade Manager Merritt Stierheim a “racist,” and also included a half-hour discussion whether an appeals hearing judge was awake, dozing or full asleep.

The Watchdog Report contacted the attorneys after the contentious meeting and De Grandy on the losing side wrote back. “Based on this precedent, any law firm must now advise it’s out of town clients that they can qualify for local preference in Miami-Dade County so long as they pay for an occupational license, borrow  a storage room from a local company, and send an employee to do some work at this storage room at least 5 times a year.” Perez wrote back he was not authorized by his client to make a statement on the matter but it was a good show.

>>> Task force created to stop stealing of metal and copper conduit, thieves hit Commissioner Moss’ Optimist Club parking lot

Commissioner Dennis Moss said when it came to thieves stealing copper conduit in streetlights and air conditioners he has personal experience. The veteran commissioner and director of the Perrine Optimist Club said at the commission meeting Tuesday when the body was discussing legislation concerning the stealing of copper and the need of a new task force that it happened in the parking lot of his organization about two weeks ago. They thought it was a relay or something but when an electrician was called, they found the conduit was stolen out of the streetlights and only a small amount of copper was left near the pole he said. This stealing of metals is rampant in Miami-Dade and has caused people being killed on darkened streets and freeways and costs over $1,000. to relight the poles.

Moss

Edmonson

 

>>> Scrap metal task force ordinance passes County Commission >>> Press release: The Miami-Dade County Commission passed an ordinance creating a task force to combat the rise of scrap metal and copper wire theft in the community.  The legislation, sponsored by Vice Chairwoman Audrey M. Edmonson, stipulates that the new task force will formulate recommendations to the Board on the enforcement of ordinances regulating junk dealers and scrap metal processors. According to the ordinance, skyrocketing prices for metals, especially copper, have resulted in a significant increase in the theft of copper, aluminum, and other ferrous and nonferrous metal material in Miami-Dade County.  Such thefts include metal materials from light poles, which create power outages and endanger the health, safety and welfare of the public particularly the elderly and children.  According to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), 30 lights along I-95 between NW 30th and 79th Streets have been targeted in the past year alone. This has become economically burdensome to Miami-Dade since the County is required to expend funds to replace or repair the stolen or vandalized streetlights it owns. It costs approximately $1,000 to $1,500 to fix each damaged pole.

In addition, broken streetlights stripped of copper wiring were a factor in the recent death of a local woman who was struck near Northwest 7th Avenue and 59th Street by a driver who was unable to see her in the dark. The proposed task force will formulate recommendations on enforcing and amending ordinances regulating junk dealers and scrap metal processors, as well as educate businesses and the community on the effects of such ordinances. The task force will be comprised of 21 members appointed by the Miami-Dade Commission, various municipalities and Miami-Dade department heads, the League of Cities, the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office, Florida Power & Light, and residents.

“This isn’t just petty vandalism we’re talking about. Someone has died because of copper wire theft,” said Vice Chairwoman Edmonson. “Public property is damaged or destroyed for the sole purpose of criminals lining their pockets by selling illegally acquired materials. This task force will work together with our local scrap dealers and processors to educate them on the ramifications of accepting stolen metals. We want legitimate scrap dealers to stay in business and contribute to the County’s economy.”

>>> MIA staff watching AA finances carefully, airline controls 70% of all the gates, as debt payments in 2011/12 escalate to $1 million a month

County Administrators overseeing Miami International Airport are watching closely the news that American Airlines is having financial troubles since the international carrier controls 70 percent of the gates at the facility. The international airport has under gone an over $6.4 billion expansion adding a North and South Terminal over almost two decades while being a working international airport. Further, the airport and county have sold billions in bonds to fund the expansion and why landing fees per passenger are roughly $19.00 but the service of this debt is rising to the level of $1 million a day and is expected to occur in fiscal years 2012/13 wrote José Abreu, the Director of Miami-Dade Aviation Department last week.

Further, a past test of 5,000 bags using the new 13 mile automated bag system was okay but a second one is scheduled later Oct. 19 with the results available in the first week on November and the airline management is grumbling that they may want to enhance this new bag system and preliminary estimates are vague but one source suggested around $20 to $40 million might be needed to achieve this further upgrade. The Watchdog Report talked with Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez on Tuesday about this issue and he said he is very aware of the challenges and what is going on with AA financially. He also attended the first  bag test that went on for a couple of hours and understands the importance of MIA to the county and MIA’s ability to pay its future debt payments, that have some the bonds also guaranteed by the county’s general funds.

Gimenez

>>> County’s webpage: County Commission Redistricting >Following the release of the 2010 Census data, Miami-Dade County is in the process of updating the Commission District boundaries to comply with Federal, State and local requirements. Re-apportionment >There was a double-digit population growth in eight commission districts with District 9 leading the list at 33.1 percent, District 11 following at 20.4 percent, and District 8 third at 18.0 percent. These changes in commission district population will have ramifications on the boundaries of future commission districts. In particular, Figure 3 shows that over half of the current districts, assuming near equal apportionment, will be significantly different from those based on the 2000 Census data.

>>> For more information, please visit the County’s redistricting website at www.miamidade.gov/redistricting or call the County’s 3-1-1 information line.

>>> Don’t toss your old eye glasses! Donate them to someone in need – Press release: In an effort to help people in need, the Board of County Commissioners passed legislation spearheaded by Chairman Joe A. Martinez in which Miami-Dade County will partner with the Lions Club International to allow for the collection of eyeglasses and reading glasses for distribution to those in need.   The Lions Club International has a long-standing successful program to collect used eyeglasses and distribute them to people who have difficulty affording prescription eyewear. Miami-Dade will contribute to this great cause by setting up collection points in libraries and other public facilities throughout the county where residents will be able to discard of old eyeglasses and reading glasses.

For nearly 100 years, the Lions Club International has worked on projects aimed at preventing blindness, restoring eyesight, and improving eye care for hundreds of millions of people worldwide. “For those who have glasses or contacts, imagine if you didn’t have access to basic eyewear anymore. How would you complete simple day-to-day tasks?” said Chairman Martinez. “Thankfully, organizations like the Lions Club International exist to help people who need assistance in maintaining better vision for a more fulfilling and happier life.” For more information on donating eye glasses, contact Chairman Martinez Office at 305-552-1155.

MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

>>> State Rep. Fresen to defend against being hit with a probable cause voting conflict regarding vote on charter school leg. in the House

State Rep. Eric Fresen, R-Miami will be defending himself or with an attorney on Oct. 21 in an ethics complaint filed by a Leon County woman that he has a undisclosed conflict of interest that was not disclosed regarding charter schools when he voted on a House bill. Fresen, the Miami-Dade Chair of the Republican Party has been actively promoting and lobbying for charter schools in South Florida and is a land use consultant and many times works for clients with state Sen. Miguel Diaz de la Portilla, R-Miami in front of elected body’s trying to get the zoning approvals.

He followed now U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio in the House Dist. 111 seat and was elected in 2008 and at Miami-Dade County. He is a registered lobbyist for Landmark Aviation. He also is leading the push for gambling in the Sunshine State and is pushing this legislation in the Florida House. However, he has been dogged about the fact his sister and brother-in-law are employed by Academica that runs a chain of charter schools throughout Florida and many of them are here in South Florida. >>> To read more on the story: Subject: Probable cause hearing set in ethics complaint against Miami Rep. Fresen | Florida politics blog: The Buzz | tampabay.com & St. Petersburg Times

http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/the-buzz-florida-politics/content/probable-cause-hearing-set-ethics-complaint-against-miami-rep-fresen

Fresen

http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/details.aspx?MemberId=4461&SessionId=70

>>> The Miami Herald did a front-page story Sunday on the Arts & Minds Academy written about extensively in the Watchdog Report since 2004. — Charter school in Coconut Grove draws controversy

http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/10/08/2443884/charter-school-in-coconut-grove.html

PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST

>>> FRB Treasurer Arriola adds levity to FRB meetings but some quips right on the line of bad taste at a high profile taped public meeting

Joe Arriola, a member of the Financial Recovery Board (FRB) needs to have someone cut back his caffeine intake and he was on a roll at a Special Board meeting that was followed by a vote on the AOA agreement with Florida International University Thursday. Arriola, a former PHT trustee and Miami manager came back to the PHT board in the end of winter and was later put on the seven member Financial Recovery Board formed this spring by the Miami-Dade Commission. The man is retired, made over $40 million when he sold his company in the late 1990s and has been knocking around the community since then. He appears on Spanish radio frequently talking about the city of Miami and its struggles, supports some candidates such as Miami Commissioner Marc Sarnoff, and his son Ricky was a key player in turning the Arsht Performing Arts Center around when he recruited a CEO from the Kennedy Center in the nation’s capital four-years ago.

On Thursday Jackson Hospital president Carlos Migoya reminded Arriola that “the tape is running” after he made a comment. And Migoya has felt the sting of his comments before because when ever the term marriage comes up. Arriola makes a joke about how many times apparently the CEO has been married suggesting it is a number of times, but it is an odd unnecessary comment in such a formal meeting setting. The mercurial executive also proceeded to verbally chastise the other FRB members because they were in ties and coats while he was just in an open shirt. Then he carped multiple times, about how lousy the food being served at the meeting was and his attitude reminded me of a college sophomore in a frat house.

Over the years, Arriola has been a prodigious fundraiser for many community causes and led the United Way’s drive along with Joe Natolie, then with The Miami Herald the United Way’s yearly fund raising effort. But he also comes off sometimes as a bully in his conversations with others and in his case. He seems to believe he has a phone to God sometimes, given his confidence that he is always right.  However, when Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez who has said it will be a woman when he appoints the seventh board member. The businessman may have to be careful with what he says and some of the off the cuff quips he makes. For when the old larger PHT board was in place, there were a couple of sharp verbal exchanges between trustee Robin Reiter Faragalli and Arriola concerning what she considered a Sunshine violation after he talked with another selection committee member who the CEO should be before the board actually voted. And given the fiscal challenges the PHT faces, the public hopes Arriola will verbally crank it down a little since he represents 2.4 million Dade residents on this premier citizen based board doing such important work for the overall health of the community and a health system that employees some 10,500 people.

Arriola

Lapciuc

                                         

What about the FIU AOA agreement?

Migoya noted when it came to the Annual Operating Agreements (AOA) with the medical schools for both FIU and the University of Miami. He said, these “AOAs will be evolving” and will cover “all the different services we will be getting from the medical schools.” He said past payments to UM, around $130 million a year ago, but now reduced were “in the past almost like block grants” and his primary concern was to “pay a competitive rate and get a good return on our investment,” he said. FRB Chair Marcos Lapciuc said the goal going forward with these medical schools was the health trust was in control of its destiny. “We are driving the bus [in these evolving negotiations] and it is going to be a great relationship, but we want to drive the bus,” he said.

What about the legislative flaw in creating the FRB?

When the county commission created the FRB months ago, a mistake in the legislation has Migoya on the AOA committee as a member. The CEO cannot meet with Lapciuc to discuss these agreements without it being a public Sunshine meeting, and they are the only two voting members on the AOA committee. Migoya said county commissioners know about this issue and Commissioner Barbara Jordan is going to introduce legislation correcting the matter. This change would allow Migoya to discuss issues regarding the different AOA matters with the FRB chair and another FRB member is expected to take the vacant spot after the CEO slot is removed from the committee in the future county legislation.

Jordan

CITY OF MIAMI

>>> Commissioner Sarnoff and District 2 candidates should voice position on redistricting, will Morningside and Belle Glades residents get the ax in 2013?

Marc Sarnoff, the incumbent Miami Commissioner for District 2 unveiled a mural on the side of the Coconut Grove Post Office Friday and he was in full campaign mode and Mayor Tomas Regalado and U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Miami attended. Sarnoff and his four challengers got a profile Friday in www.miamiherald.com and he has $417,000 in his campaign war chest versus none of others having $100,000 in their respective accounts. However, one issue that has not come up in campaign debates is what about the redistricting issue of the five city commission seats in 2012 in preparation for the 2013 municipal elections that has Regalado running again. Sarnoff’s commission district, with around 47,000 voters is the most impacted by the 2010 Census results that swelled the city’s population to around 450,000 residents. And one solution is to cut the seat’s geography by one third in the north part of the eastern sliver of a district that hugs Miami’s shoreline from Coconut Grove, Brickell, Downtown Miami up to Morningside and Belle Meade. I mentioned this issue to Sarnoff challenger Michelle Niemeyer Friday afternoon and she said many people that she spoke with in the Upper Eastside would not mine being represented by the commissioner in District 5; the closes seat contiguous with Sarnoff’s district and is held by Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones. Niemeyer said the residents feel Sarnoff, a Grovite, is under serving their needs and this northerner part of the district is the most distal area in the map to his Central Grove home.

Further, people in the Grove and Brickell have been hoping to have a more compact district that might end at the Miami River for example, some suggest. However, this issue should become a topic of future debates now, for once the election is over redistricting will be done for the next upcoming elections cycle and in he past when it comes to the Miami commission. The process is purely political and the Watchdog Report watched the process when former Commissioners J. L. Plummer and Johnny Winton did the new maps and there is a lot of leeway in the process. Further, the city is not hiring independent demographers like is being done at Miami-Dade County and the public school district, a process that will conclude for these public institutions by early next year.

Sarnoff

Spence-Jones

     

CITY OF MIAMI GARDENS

>>> Commissioner Davis calls for end of bullying, event to highlight tragedy on Oct. 12

Miami Gardens Commissioner Lisa C. Davis is holding an event to end bullying of people of all ages and it is being held Oct. 12. and the public is invited to participate.  For more information go to http://www.miamigardens-fl.gov/ . The city with over 100,000 residents was carved out of unincorporated Miami-Dade County in 2003 and its current Mayor Shirley Gibson along with then County Commissioner Betty Ferguson and current Commissioner Barbara Jordan were the driving force behind this incorporation that had some skeptics wondering if it fiscally would survive given its low property tax base at the time. However, Gibson and other elected leaders pulled it off and residents are happy with being governed locally and not by the county commission and is one of the incorporation success stories in Miami-Dade.

CITY OF MIAMI BEACH

>>> Mayor Bower at top of the hill, has $42,900 for campaign, challengers have half as much or less in their war chests

With another mayor and commission candidate debate scheduled in the days ahead, the Watchdog Report checked out the candidate’s last campaign reports through Sept. 23. Mayor Mattie Herrera Bower seeking her third term on the dais has raised $42,943 for her race and has spent very little to date of the war chest. Her challengers include Steve Berke who loaned his campaign $16,000 to bring his total to $22,324, Dave Crystal has $17,499 to work with and Laura Rivero Levy has $2,500 for her campaign. Group VI Commissioner Deede Weithorn has raised $38,036 and her challenger Maria Mervelo has $3,120 for the campaign.

For Miami Beach voters the most exciting race has to be the mayor’s race and Bower, the first Cuban American women to hold the top office has taken some verbal blows at past debates but as one recent debate attendee said. “She held her own” as especially Berke and Crystal lobbed critical accusations about her past leadership and the issue of her city pension and some of the criteria she used to get it. However, the days are drawing short up to the Nov.1 election, absentee ballots are going out, and that may be when Bower starts unleashing some of her campaign war chest to get these ballots back to the Miami-Dade Elections Department. Her campaign will also focus on getting the elderly Beach voters to the early voting polls in what is expected to be a low turnout election. Further, Commissioners Jonah Wolfson and Edward Tobin, both attorneys won another term on the dais after they faced no challengers by the candidate filing deadline.

>>> Miami Beach Candidates Debate, Tuesday, Oct. 11, Colony Theater, 1040 Lincoln Rd. Reception: 7:00PM to 8:00PM.  Candidates Debate, 8:00PM to 9:30PM.

CITY OF CORAL GABLES

>>> Commissioner Quesada faces local residents, elected in April, an attorney by trade

Commissioner Frank Quesada is facing the public on Monday at a luncheon and he was first elected in April after a tough winner take all race. He is an attorney, has a young family, and at around six feet four inches is hard to miss at public events. If you wish to go to the event contact PONCE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

www.poncebusiness.com >> poncebusiness@gmail.com >> “Keeping you abreast of the pressing issues affecting Coral Gables.” We meet the first and third Mondays of the month at JohnMartins restaurant (253 Miracle Mile – 2nd floor) at noon.  Lunch is $20 for members and $22 for guests. Please join us for lunch this Monday, October 10th.  Our guest speaker will be Coral Gables City Commissioner Frank Quesada. We meet at noon at JohnMartin’s restaurant (253 Miracle Mile – 2nd floor). Commissioner Quesada was elected as City Commissioner Group Four on April 12, 2011.  Mr. Quesada is an attorney with the law firm of Fowler Rodriguez Valdes-Fauli where he specializes in Maritime Law.  Frank is a former Board member of the Coral Gables Community Foundation and is Founder and President of United Against Cancer Foundation.  Frank is a graduate of St. Thomas University School of Law. Please RSVP for our luncheon at poncebusiness@gmail.com For upcoming events and our monthly newsletter visit us at www.poncebusiness.com

>>> Be A Good Citizen — Get Engaged and Stay Informed -Gables Talk: http://gablestalk.com -Gables Home Page: http://gableshomepage.com
Gables Gazette: http://www.cggazette.com -Enjoy your quality time in Coral Gables and stay tuned to this channel for more Great Gables Events. Robert A. Burr, editor Great Gables – a guide to the City Beautiful – Great Gables Events – a weekly list of events reply to: Rob@GreatGables.com web site: www.GreatGables/Events.html

CITY OF SWEETWATER

>>> Press release: About 2,000 homes to receive lower flood insurance rate after FEMA ruling on Sweetwater flood zone appeal

Miami-Dade County Commissioner Jose “Pepe” Diaz and City of Sweetwater Mayor Manny Maroño held a press conference on Monday, October 3, 2011 announcing the outcome of a long appeals process with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on flood zone issues. Classified as a high-risk flood zone by FEMA in 2009, Sweetwater has been an area racked by increased flood insurance rates for residents, despite the city completing a $20 million project to install pumps that prevent flooding, as well as additional maintenance to improve drainage near sidewalks. However, Commissioner Diaz and Mayor Maroño partnered to finally get this ruling appealed.

Mayor Maroño filed a Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) with FEMA to take Sweetwater off the high-risk map. FEMA recently responded to the appeal, removing certain areas of Sweetwater from this classification. About 2,000 homes will be affected by this ruling, allowing these homeowners to save on their flood insurance. “Many cities in Miami-Dade do all they can to prepare for our tropical climate and the severe weather it sometimes brings. The City of Sweetwater did everything possible to prevent flooding in the area and consequently lower the potential for property damage,” said Commissioner Diaz. “This successful appeal is truly a victory not only for Mayor Maroño and me, but for Sweetwater homeowners.”

>>> OTHER STORIES AROUND FLORIDA

BROWARD COUNTY

>>> Sun-Sentinel veteran reporter Wyman covering county hall says sayonara, scribe will be missed

Scott Wyman, the veteran senior writer for the Sun-Sentinel www.sunsentinel.com covering Broward County Hall since April 2000 is saying sayonara and he has been a effective scribe as he covered this important beat. He covered a wide array of stories over the years including the disastrous 2000 presidential election when he covered the canvassing board’s recount of the Gore and Bush votes that was followed by the flawed 2002 primary election. He was also in the thick of it covering the controversial removal of Broward Elections Supervisor Miriam Oliphant by Gov. Jeb Bush and in that case describing it as drama is an understatement. He also chronicled the arrests of a number of elected leaders over the years and it is his history of the legislative body that will be missed. And another seasoned reporter from South Florida is leaving the field and residents of the second largest county may see the information loss when it comes to county news coverage, because there is no substitute for community history. And the Watchdog Report gives Wyman a Tip of the Hat for a job well done and you will be missed in the pressroom in the county commission chambers. I wish you good luck in your new endeavors.

>>> 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

>>> BP claims fund fraud indictment unsealed, two individuals from Delray Beach snagged

>>> Press release: Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Henry Gutierrez, Postal Inspector in Charge, United States Postal Inspection Service, announce that Joseph Harvey, 51, and Anja Karin Kannell, 41, both of Delray Beach, made their initial appearances in U.S. Magistrate Court in Miami today in the largest financial loss case brought to date arising from claims filed in connection with the Deepwater Horizon explosion and pollution incident in the Gulf of Mexico.  The Indictment unsealed today charges the defendants with mail fraud, wire fraud, access device fraud, and aggravated identity theft, all in connection with fraudulent claims for lost income filed by the two defendants against the Gulf Coast Claims Facility, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1341, 1343, 1029(a)(2) and (b)(1), 1028A(a)(1) and (c)(5), and 2.  At the hearing today, Harvey and Kannell were ordered detained, pending further proceedings in U.S. Magistrate Court in Miami on October 11 and 13, 2011, respectively. According to the allegations in the indictment and statements made in Court, in June 2010, BP established the Gulf Coast Claims Facility (GCCF) to administer, mediate, and settle certain claims of individuals and businesses for costs, damages, and other losses incurred as a result of oil discharges due to the April 20, 2010 explosion and fire on the Deepwater Horizon.  To this end, in August 2010, the GCCF began receiving, processing and paying the claims from a $20 billion trust fund established for that purpose.

The indictment alleges that from August 2010 through January 2011, Joseph Harvey and Anja Karin Kannell filed fraudulent claims against the fund using thirty-four assumed identities.  The defendants used the actual names and social security numbers of individuals residing in Florida, but submitted addresses located in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle.  To execute the scheme, the defendants used the mail and the internet to open the claims, provide required forms and documentation, and instruct the GCCF how to disburse the payments.  Based on these false documents, GCCF issued payments to the defendants through accounts established in a fictitious name in a San Antonio, Texas credit union. In this way, Harvey and Kannell allegedly caused approximately $340,000 to be transferred from the GCCF to accounts they maintained in Texas.  The defendants then withdrew the funds using an ATM card issued in the fictitious account holder’s name at ATM machines throughout South Florida, and through wire transfers for the rental of luxury homes and the purchase of high-end vehicles and boats.

The indictment further alleges that the defendants used unauthorized access devices as part of their criminal conduct, consisting of the unique GCCF Claim numbers assigned to their fictitious claims.  Joseph Harvey is additionally charged with possessing and using without lawful authority the identification of another person, that is, the Social Security Numbers of two  individuals in December 2010. If convicted, each defendant faces a statutory maximum term of imprisonment of up to twenty years on each of the fifteen counts of mail and wire fraud and up to ten years in prison on each of the seven counts of access device fraud.  Additionally, Joseph Harvey faces mandatory consecutive terms of imprisonment of up to two years on each count of aggravated identity theft. Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the Inspectors of the United States Postal Inspection Service. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Watts-FitzGerald. An Indictment is only an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. >> 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.

PINELLAS COUNTY

>>> Press release: Gov. Scott taps Robert A. Gualtieri as Pinellas Interim Sheriff.

Gualtieri, 49, of Palm Harbor, has been the chief deputy for the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office since 2006.  Previously, he was an attorney at Ford and Harrison L.L.P from 2003 to 2006.  From 1984 to 1998 and 1982 to 1983, Gualtieri served as deputy sheriff for the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office and police officer for the Dunedin Police Department from 1983 to 1984. Gualtieri currently serves on the board of directors of the Sheriff’s Police Athletic League and is a member of the Police Executive Research Forum, International Association of Chiefs of Police and Florida Association of Police Attorneys.  He is also a Florida Sheriff’s Association Lifetime Honorary Member.  He received his bachelor’s degree from Eckerd College and law degree from Stetson University College of Law. Gualtieri succeeds Sheriff Jim Coats and is appointed for a term beginning November 8, 2011, and ending January 7, 2013.

BREVARD COUNTY

>>> Press release: Gov. Scott names Jacqueline Ann Watts and Richard A. Kane to the Construction Industry Licensing Board.

Watts, 55, of Tallahassee, is the president of Watts Mechanical Inc. She succeeds Scott Greenberg and is appointed for a term beginning October 5, 2011, and ending October 12, 2012.

Kane, 56, of Melbourne, is the president of Kane Contract Management. He succeeds Wilbert Malphus and is appointed for a term beginning October 5, 2011, and ending October 14, 2014. >> The appointment is subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

ST. JOHNS COUNTY

>>> Press release: Gov. Scott taps Christopher J. Greene and Mark P. Stanton to the Seventh Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission.

Greene, 52, of Ponte Vedra Beach, has been a partner at Purcell, Flanagan, Hay and Greene P.A since 2010. Previously, he was a partner at Brant, Abraham, Reiter, McCormick and Greene P.A. from 2004 to 2010.  Greene has also been a trustee of the Ponte Vedra Municipal Service District since 2010 and serves on the board of directors of Communities in Schools of Jacksonville.  He received his bachelor’s degree from Stetson University and law degree from the University of Miami.  He succeeds George Burden and is appointed for a term beginning October 3, 2011, and ending July 1, 2015.

Stanton, 55, of East Palatka, has been a self-employed certified public accountant since 1988.  He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida.  He succeeds Paul Clare and is appointed for a term beginning October 3, 2011, and ending July 1, 2015.

COLLIER COUNTY

>>> Press release:  Gov. Scott appoints Reginald S. Gibson Jr., Russell T. Kirshy, F. Joseph McMackin III and Pamela Stewart to the Twentieth Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission.

Gibson, 47, of Naples, has been the vice president and associate general counsel for Hospital Management Services of Florida Inc. since 2009.  Previously, he was the vice president and associate general counsel at Community Health Systems from 2005 to 2009.  Gibson is currently a member of the American Health Lawyers Association.  He received his bachelor’s degree from Gustavus Adolphus College, law degree from William Mitchell College of Law and Master of Laws degree from DePaul University. He succeeds Christopher Vernon and is appointed for a term beginning October 4, 2011, and ending July 1, 2015.

Kirshy, 43, of Punta Gorda, has been a sole practitioner since 1998. Previously, he was an assistant state attorney in the State Attorney’s Office for the Twentieth Judicial Circuit from 1994 to 1998.  Kirshy has been a member of the Charlotte County Bar Association since 1994 and served as president and other leadership roles within the organization.  He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts and law degree from Suffolk University Law School.  He succeeds Randall McGruther and is appointed for a term beginning October 4, 2011, and ending July 1, 2015.  Kirshy is appointed from the list of nominees submitted by the Florida Bar.

McMackin, 65, of Naples, has been practicing with Bond, Schoeneck and King P.L.L.C since 2002.  McMackin has served on the grievance committee of the Florida Bar and as secretary of the Collier County Bar Association. From 1968 to 1970, he served in the United States Navy. He received his bachelor’s degree from Wesleyan University and law degree from the University of Miami.  He succeeds Lisa Barnett and is appointed for a term beginning October 4, 2011, and ending July 1, 2014.  McMackin is appointed from the list of nominees submitted by the Florida Bar.

Stewart, 55, of Naples, has been a sole practitioner since 2003. Previously, she was the land acquisitions manager for the Indian River County Board of County Commissioners from 2007 to 2008.  Since 2009, Stewart has been a member of the Naples Community Services Advisory Board.   She has been a member of the Collier County Bar Association and she chaired the real estate section from 2001 to 2002. Stewart has also been a member of the Naples Chamber of Commerce from 2009 to 2011, Collier County Women’s Bar Association from 2009 to 2010, Naples Area Board of Realtors from 2007 to 2009 and the Indian River County Bar Association from 2007 to 2008.  She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida, law degree from Loyola University School of Law and Master of Laws degree from the University of Miami. She succeeds Sharon Hanlon and is appointed for a term beginning October 4, 2011, and ending July 1, 2015.

MONROE COUNTY

>>> Real estate rising, “tourism up 22%,” Keys bouncing back says Administrator Gastesi

The Watchdog Report contacted Roman Gastesi, the Monroe County Administrator about how things were going in the nation’s most southern county that is highly dependent on tourism. He responded Sunday in email writing, “Things in our paradise, the Florida Keys are well. We started our new fiscal year with a leaner cleaner budget & organization. We consolidated a few more departments and eliminated more positions. The real estate market in the Keys is very active with sale prices rising. I predict that our property values will bounce back next year. Tourism is booming with the airport headed to a record year…up 22% for the year, 26% for August alone. Hotel occupancy rates also doing very well. Gas tax, bed tax, sales tax are all trending up. Say hello to all your readers and come down to our paradise to relax & play,” wrote the veteran administrator.
>>> FDOT Work Program public hearings Oct. 12 in Marathon, resident input invited

Since last year’s Work Program Public Hearing was such a success, the Florida Department of Transportation District Six is again streaming it online. Interested persons will be able to participate by emailing or phoning in comments or questions. Please help inform the public of this opportunity by posting the public hearing dates on your organization’s calendar  emailing the attached electronic flier to your members and/or posting the attached e-flier on your website. There is a link to the Work Program on the FDOT construction website, www.fdotmiamidade.com/work-program, where viewers can reregister beginning September 19 to participate online and view all related materials.

Those who attend the public hearing online will be able to view two-minute pre-recorded segments on major FDOT projects, as well as the live portion of the Miami-Dade public hearing. Online participants will have the opportunity to submit questions or comments via email or phone. If you attend the public hearing in person, FDOT project managers will be available to listen to your comments and answer your questions. Your opinion is important to the department. Miami-Dade County Public Hearing – Thursday, October 13, 7 p.m. FDOT District Six Auditorium -1000 NW 111th Ave., Miami Online Public Hearing can be viewed Thursday, October 13, 7 p.m. at www.fdotmiamidade.com/work-program Reregister beginning September 19. Monroe County Public Hearing -Wednesday, October 12, 6 p.m., Marathon Government Center 2798 Overseas Highway, (Mile Marker 50), Marathon

COMMUNITY EVENTS

>>> THE MARGULIES COLLECTION AT THE WAREHOUSE PRESENTS NEW EXHIBITIONS

Sculpture: Nancy Rubins, Bruce Nauman, Yuichi Higashionna, Kaz Oshiro, Izaak Zwartjes Photography: Mary Ellen Mark, John Baldessari, Jonathan Monk, Ed Ruscha, Isaac Julien Video: Hiraki Sawa, David Claerbout, Antonia Wright & Ruben Millares Painting: Gregor Hildebrandt, Lawrence Carroll, Lydia Gifford, Frank Stella, Justin Beal – Opens NOVEMBER 11, 2011 through APRIL 28, 2012- This November 11th, 2011 The Margulies Collection will open its 13th season of exhibitions. The exhibition will include new works of sculpture, photography, video and painting as well as the collection’s PERMANENT INSTALLATIONS of work by Ernesto Neto, Olafur Eliasson, Donald Judd, Magdalena Abakanowicz, Willem De Kooning, George Segal, Michael Heizer, Richard Serra, Sol LeWitt, Isamu Noguchi, Tony Smith, Michelangelo Pistoletto, Will Ryman, Joel Perlman, Franz West and John Chamberlain.

>>> The Good Government Initiative at the University of Miami Invites you to its third Community Conversation and Luncheon >> Wednesday, October 12^th – Northern Trust, 700 Brickell Avenue, 9th Floor, 11:30 a.m. registration, 12 p.m. lunch, 12:30 p.m. panel begins Featuring:  Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez. Mayor Gimenez will share his vision for the future of Miami-Dade County and for restructuring county government. Host:  Katy Sorenson, President and CEO – The Good Government Initiative – Ticket Prices: $30 Individual Ticket; $50 GGI Contributor (Individual Ticket + $20 donation) $500 Table of 10; $15 Student/Concerned Citizen. Checks should be made payable to: Miami Foundation, Credit card payments can be made via PayPal (no account necessary to use PayPal) *There are a limited amount of seats available. Registration will close on October 5th. NO payments will be accepted at the door.

Please click on “register now” button below for registration and payment. Register Now! – If you would like more information, please contact: Lourdes Lurigados, The Good Government Initiative, info@goodgov.net 305-689-8210.

>>> Kristi House is holding its 12^th Annual Touch a Heart Dinner & Auction on Nov. 4 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Miami. One special guest is actor and Grammy wining songwriter Carlos Ponce and for further information and to make reservations go to www.kristihouse.org or call 305.547.6802.

>>> Baby boomer “mega reunion” set for Tropical Park – South Florida baby boomers  will descend on Tropical Park on Saturday, October 29, 2011, for a first-of-its kind daylong event called “BIRDSTOCK,” featuring classic rock bands, South Florida food and drink favorites, a craft show, classic cars, local authors, casino games, trivia contests and more.  All proceeds will benefit Alzheimer’s disease with direct contributions to The South Florida Alzheimer’s Association’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s, and Easter Seals of South Florida Senior Services. Bird Road Baby Boomers is a Facebook phenomenon started in as a place for “kids” who grew up in South Florida, to meet online, swap stories and share memories.  From its humble beginnings, BRBB now has a following of more than 6,200.  With all the chat, it became apparent that a MEGA reunion was in order. The main event is “Birdstock” at the Equestrian Center at Tropical Park, 7900 SW 40 St.  A pub crawl and dine around Coconut Grove is planned for Friday evening and the weekend will close with a Sunday brunch. Tickets are being sold in advance online. For complete details visit www.birdstock.info.

>>> Society of Environmental Journalists Conference, Miami, Oct. 19-23

Shark tagging, coral reef and Everglades exploration, a deep-freeze collection of biomedical samples from the ocean, rising sea levels, oil and water, an eco-fashion show… this is just a taste of topics and events waiting for you at SEJ’s 2011 Annual Conference hosted by the University of Miami. Register soon — SEJ’s ever-popular tours are filling fast! See the draft agenda, book your hotel, find a roommate or ride-share, advertise/host a reception and more.  http://www.sej.org/

EDITORIALS

>>> Shrinking media corrosive to good governance given roughly $14 billion in Miami-Dade public institutions, will the fox be guarding the hen house?

Readers have asked me why I write about reporters and journalists when they leave South Florida or no longer have a job and it is because they take their historical knowledge of people and the community as a whole with them and this history cannot be replaced except through tenure in the local news field. Here in Miami-Dade there are critical political issues being discussed across the board from county Charter changes, how Jackson Health System, the public hospital system should be governed and the nation’s fourth largest school district faces fiscal challenges when it comes to capital projects and maintenance. However, the average person cannot see what these public institutions are doing so any information they get in the scheme of things is almost after the fact since the Medias resources are constantly contracting.

Founding Father and the nation’s third President Thomas Jefferson knew the importance of a free press to the health of the Republic and its importance is reflected in the U.S. Constitution First Amendment highlighting the role of freedom of speech. I write about this because while blogs have popped up around the world trying to fill the news void, and in many cases these bloggers are carving out an important niche. But it is also a patchwork of information with some writers having their own agenda, which is reflected in the writing regardless of political leanings. However, how these people survive if they do this on a full time basis is the challenge to this new breed of citizen journalists and writers tend to come and go, depending on personal issues, finances, or health. But when you consider Miami-Dade County and all its public institutions represent around $14 billion in taxpayer money. There was never a more critical time for the media’s role to not only shine light on waste, fraud, abuse and corruption but also how these institutions are functioning that includes positive news but may never get out because the lack of overall media resources.

Newspapers and television stations around the nation are trying to keep morale up in the face of fiscal cuts that have coworkers taking a hike but the fact remains any attempt for good governance and public policy is difficult if the media does not cover the activity and the public is left in the dark. Financial issues have consistently dogged the Watchdog Report over the past 12-years since I made the report free to all and I continue to believe that was the way to go. For in my case, I wanted the public at all levels to read about their public institutions free regardless of status and realized a small number of people getting the Report would actually create a group of insiders in a community already run in many ways by some of these same people. The question for the future is what happens when the press corps has contracted so much but the public institutions remain, and how will elected leaders govern without the media diligently watching over their shoulders? And if my past empirical observations of public institutions give any indication of what the future will hold it should concern all of us that pay taxes for when this point arrives. The fox will be guarding the hen house and that is not a good thing.

LETTERS

>>> Reader’s editorial on young children in The Herald recently: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/09/30/2433138_infants-toddlers-need-our-attention.html#storylink=addthis

Wil Blechman M.D.

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THE HONORABLE STANLEY TATE

>>> Watchdog Report supporters – $2,000 a year

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SHUBIN & BASS     www.shubinbass.com

>>> Public, Educational & Social institutions – subscribers at $1,000 or less

CAMILLUS HOUSE, INC.   www.camillushouse.org

CITY OF MIAMI www.miamigov.com.

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COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP FOR HOMELESS www.cph.org

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GREATOR MIAMI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE www.miamichamber.com

GREATER MIAMI CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU www.miamiandbeaches.com

HEALTH FOUNDATION OF SOUTH FLORIDA  www.hfsf.org

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MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC SCHOOLS BOARD www.dadeschoolsnews.net

PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST & JACKSON HEALTH SYSTEM www.jhsmiami.org

THE BEACON COUNCIL   www.beaconcouncil.com

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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA    http://www.firstgov.gov/

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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 550 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

Copyright © of original material, 2011, Daniel A. Ricker

>>> 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 >>> >>> To read the full section large two page front page story, but without the photos and smart box graphics, go to: `I Go When You Cannot’ – Sun Sentinel 20 Jan 2003 … Sometimes Dan Ricker lives in the dark so others may live in the light. … to his weekly Watchdog Report have finally mailed their checks. … http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2003-01-20/news/0301190341_1_ricker-school-board-president-miami-s-first-cuban-american >>>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 >>> 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.

General subscriber’s names will not be published in the Report. To subscribe to the Watchdog Report please use the form below as a subscription invoice.

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