Watchdog Report Vol.12 No.35 January 1, 2012 Est.05.05.00 – I go when you cannot – Happy New Year

>>> 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. The Watchdog Report webpage is free, has no ads, pops-up quickly and is just the news in a mainstream reporting manner.

>>> RED ALERT: I NEED FINANCIAL HELP IF THIS IS TOO CONTINUE AFTER 12-YEARS AND HEADING INTO 13-YEARS IN MAY: 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.

>>> This week’s Watchdog Report is a blend of the past year’s important stories and a few new ones for the past week. May you and your family and friends have a Great, Healthy and Prosperous New Year.

ARGUS REPORT – Heard, Seen on the Street

>>> “Mother Ayers after county mayor’s office sit-in gets her five-pay period of back pay from Miami-Dade to the tune of $277,000 before Christmas

In last week’s Watchdog Report, I wrote about the Georgia Ayers Occupy Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez’s office and by my deadline last week. I did not know if it had been resolved satisfactorily. In an email Tuesday county communication representative Suzie Trutie wrote, “I wanted to update you on the funding for The Alternative Program, founded by Ms. Ayers. The County wired $277,000 to The Alternative Program on Friday, December 23rd, wrote the assistant director if communications for the county.

>>> PAST JAN. WDR : Now, both U.S. Reps elect in the spotlight, Rivera in Herald investigative story, Wilson in Watchdog Report for financial disclosures

Miami’s two newly minted U.S. congressional representatives are under fire, after U.S. Rep. elect David Rivera, R-Miami got a front page story in www.miamiherald.com Friday, and U.S. Rep. elect Fredericka Wilson, D-Miami finances has been profiled in the www.watchdogreport.net the last two weeks and in her case, with property values collapsing, there is no way her listed properties are the values she lists on the yearly state disclosure forms for 2008 and 2009, yet the mortgage remains the same and no rent income is listed. Both won their office with great fanfare, but Wilson, elected to Florida Congressional District 17 drew early attention after saying she would ask to be able to wear her trademark hats in the U.S. House Chambers, against the rules, but decided against it, after a firestorm of criticism in the media and by political pundits.

Wilson

Rivera

What about Rivera’s committee assignments in the House?

Rivera in The Herald story is saying he did not get any money from Flagler Dog Track officials that had three payments totaling $510,000 going to Millennium Marketing, that has his mother and godmother as corporate officers, to get slots passed in Miami, and it looks bad to say the least. Further, Michael Putney, senior political reporter for WPLG Channel 10 www.justnews.com has called for Rivera to disclose his IRS 1040s and end the matter before he is sworn in Jan. 5 and this issue will dog Rivera in the comings days ahead if not addressed. Also, Rivera has gotten two plum committee assignments, he is on the Foreign Affairs Committee soon to be chaired by U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Miami and he also is on the Natural Resources Committee given his congressional District 25 spans across the Everglades and the billions of federal dollars needed to clean-up the River of Grass in the coming years.

What about Wilson’s four real estate holdings?

Wilson owned four properties during 2009 and her home was purchased for $492,000 in Sept. 2007 and is now valued at $400,000 on her disclosure forms, and a second home valued at $150,000 on the disclosure, currently has a value of around $97,000. A duplex property had one of the addresses being sold in May for $75,000, though the current owner is “motivated,” to sell it again and a forth property valued by the lawmaker at $75,000 was sold for $62,000 this past July.

What about any rental income?

Wilson, with these four properties, one of which is a duplex, lists no rent as having come in during this two-year reporting period and while the properties depreciation in value is understood, it is a puzzle that she did not receive any rental income from these properties. Since it is safe to say, she lives in her primary home, a six bed, four bath 3,419 square feet house on a 7,500-foot lot, where property taxes were around $8,804, and the new home was built by builder D.R. Horton. And she may have to explain how she has been able to carry these homes financially if they were in fact vacant, but either way, she has a cloud hanging over her head when it comes to these disclosure forms that needs to be resolved. Readers should stay tuned. >>> Jan.1 2012: Miami New Times updated the story this week on local federal elected leaders net worth: http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/riptide/2011/12/david_rivera_has_8000_frederic.php#more

>>> OCT: WDR: S. FL is #1 when it comes to fraud in all its forms, $60 billion in Medicare alone lost through scams around America

This week’s Watchdog Report will be dedicated to fraud, waste and abuse of public dollars in all forms and South Florida is ground zero for such wayward activity. Further, fraud of public programs is such a problem we are where fraudsters do their beta sites and once perfected, export these scams to other parts of the United States. Last week, a man found out the risk for such a crime when a federal judge sentenced him to 50-years in prison after stealing $205 million in Medicare dollars. The federal Medicare and state Medicaid programs are “pay and chase” said the top FBI SAC John V. Gillies at a fraud forum last year at UM and until that changes. Scam artists will continue to try to bilk the programs vital to the health and welfare of Miami-Dade residents.

However, South Florida got its first taste of widespread fraud after Hurricane Andrew (or St. Andrew as some people call it for all the money it brought to the devastated county, but also had around 40 residents killed) back in Aug. 1992. And it is fair to say the bulk of Dade residents affected did very well with their insurance policies that had many of the companies being very cooperative. Since the disaster was so bad and could have been a public relations nightmare for the companies at the time. However, the lack of aggressive prosecution of windstorm insurance fraud back then seems to have opened the floodgates to fraud and all types of scams from mortgages, to Pill Mills have become rampant. From Palm Beach south and in Tampa where prosecutors are also doing a high volume business busting these people.

Here in Miami around 2003, the local U.S. Attorney’s office created its first FBI Medicare fraud detail that has grown to now two details, and these prosecutors and investigators form the backbone in this war on bilking the system, and are said to be the most experienced in the nation, after all the cases they have prosecuted over the years. The cost of the fraudulent activity is well over $60 billion a year nationally and that is not chump change when it comes to scarce public dollars. Further, this amount of fraud is a nightmare for our elected leaders at the state and federal level and why to a certain extent the federal government has been so reluctant to properly fund the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP). Since up to 20 percent or more of the around $10 billion needed was projected to go to administration and waste, fraud and corruption said experts, and with billions of dollars involved. It made it easy for federal lawmakers nationwide to shoot down this needed funding given the reputation the area has and why it is not just the money, but also the fiscal black eye it gives the region on a national scale when it comes to how these funding dollars get spent.

>>> PAST WDR: Nov. 2008: Green Iguana non-protected, exploding in population, but also a food getting around $12.00 a pound in some countries

The Green Iguana, an exotic and non-protected species in Florida, rapidly populating, causing some local governments to regulate the pests was the meal for the day Wednesday at Fairchild Tropical Gardens on a beautiful clear morning, which highlighted the gardens natural beauty. A staff member from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission detailed the history of the iguana coming to Florida from South and Central America and these first arrived here in Coral Gables and Hialeah in 1965. The species would then spread along the east coast of the state hitting Broward in the later years and the west coast of Florida in 1990’s said Scott Hardin, a commission exotic species coordinator.

What about the Nile monitor and Burmese python?

Bruce Greer, the chair of the Gardens oversight board welcomed the 33 attendees and he noted it was a topical subject and he had just recently spotted a Nile monitor near his home in Pinecrest. The Nile monitor and Burmese pythons have expanded their population in the Everglades especially over the years and the species have few predators to keep the numbers under control. One participant in the audience stated a biologist had done a study and estimated there could be “up to 60,000” (The Watchdog Report questions this number, but there is no question there are a lot of them out there) of these pythons in the River of Grass, but it could be the monitors capable of chasing down children and pets that could be the bigger problem to residents and the environment in the future.

>>> Nile monitor From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search
Nile Monitor

Conservation status

The Nile monitor (Varanus niloticus) is a large member of the monitor lizard family (Varanidae). Nile monitors grow to about 1.5 to 2 meters (4.5 to 6.5 feet) in length. They have muscular bodies, strong legs and powerful jaws. The teeth are sharp and pointed in juvenile animals and become blunt and peg-like in adults. They also possess sharp claws used for climbing, digging, defense, or tearing at their prey. Like all monitors they have a forked tongue, with highly developed olfactory properties. Their nostrils are placed high on the snout, indicating that these animals are highly aquatic, but are also excellent climbers and quick runners on land. Nile monitors feed on fish, snails, frogs, crocodile eggs, birds, small mammals, large insects, and carrion. In Southern Africa they are commonly referred to as “leguaan”, from the Dutch for iguana. [edit] Range -Nile monitors live throughout Africa except for desert regions. They have also been introduced to Florida.[1] In June 2007, they were sighted in and near Sanibel, Florida. In July 2008 one was spotted in Homestead, FL.[2] One 6′ long monitor was found in Oregon in September 2008.[3]

>>> National profile of the publisher in The Tribune papers Jan. 2003 & UNCCH 2004 media study that cites Watchdog Report having 100,000 readers weekly
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 >>> And to read a University of North Carolina Chapel Hill study on the media in the Southeast United States that mentions the Watchdog Report with 100,000 readers weekly, done back in 2004 and to read the Southern Media Study go to: 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 … – – Cached.

>>> 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, twice in 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. Further, I am a frequent guest on WWW.WPBT2.ORG on Helen Ferre’s show Issues, and have also appeared on Eliott Rodriguez’s show News & Views.

>>> See what was said about the Watchdog Report in the Miami New Times 2003 — Best of Miami — BEST CITIZEN — Daniel A. Ricker — Three years ago, we said Ricker was our Best Gadfly. Given his dedication and perseverance, this new honor, Best Citizen, is well deserved. Ricker goes to 2,500 mind-melting meetings annually, from the Public Health Trust’s purchasing subcommittee to the Efficiency and Competition Commission to the Alliance for Human Services’ nominating council to the school board’s audit committee. Sometimes he’s the only public observer. Object: to be the Public Citizen for all those out there who can’t attend, and to connect and serve as an information bridge among the special-interest-dominated Miami-Dade governmental institutions that seem so problematic and indifferent to the democratic process.

This month his e-mail newsletter, The Watchdog Report, celebrates its fourth anniversary. In a former life, Ricker made a handsome living as an international salesman of heart pacemakers. As the hard-working publisher of Watchdog Report, though, he’s struggling financially — this despite the fact that his weekly compendium of meeting summaries, analysis, interviews, and commentary has become essential reading for anyone involved in public affairs. What his written work may lack in polish, it more than makes up for in comprehensiveness. So raise a toast to the man whose official slogan says it all: “A community education resource — I go when you cannot!

FLORIDA

>>> PAST SEPTEMBER WDR: State Sen. Diaz de la Portilla in the spotlight, elected in 2010 to replace brother Alex, had $486,000 net worth through 2010

This week the Watchdog Report is looking at state Sen. Miguel Diaz de la Portilla, (R-Miami), and his brother former Senator Alex, after Miguel replaced him in his senate District 36 in Nov. 2010. Miguel is an attorney, a former Miami-Dade Commissioner and the first Cuban-American to be the body’s chair in the mid 1990s. He ran for Miami-Dade mayor in 2000 and 2004 but lost both of those races to former Mayors Alex Penelas and Carlos Alvarez but got the nod by voters when he defeated in the August Republican primary former state Rep. Julio Robaina, (R-South Miami) and former municipal mayor. After that victory, he only faced a write in candidate who got only 8 percent of the vote to the Senator’s 92 percent. The new senator is the lead government lobbyist for Becker Polikoff that also employs newly minted Mayor Carlos Gimenez’s son. During his years in political office, the elder Diaz de la Portilla pushed for the creation of a county inspector general office and was part of a group of commissioners that shifted some of the county’s budget expenses to the Public Health Trust around the turn of the Century. He is married and sits on a wide variety of committees in the upper legislative body.

What about his lobbying practice?

Through July at Miami-Dade County, he is registered to represent eight firms with the county and he does a brisk business with the local municipalities, especially when it comes to red light cameras at major intersections. However the projected revenue for these devices has come up short since there installation and the contract with Miami was modified recently to give the city some relief though the duration on the contract was extended. A few month’s ago he called me after a story in the Watchdog Report and said he had worked hard over the decades to build up his legal practice and insisted he did not get preferential treatment with public officials saying many of them were not really aware he was a state senator.

What about his finances?

The senior Diaz de la Portilla had a net worth of $486,000 through Dec. 2010 and he lists $140,000 in household goods. His Coral Gables home is valued at $830,000 and he lists a $483,000 mortgage. His income for the year was $418,000 from the law firm and the state of Florida kicked in $4,784.

What about his younger brother’s finances?

Alex Diaz de la Portilla was termed out of his Senate seat and he left public office in November but he is still required to file one last financial disclosure form for the year with the state and to date. The only disclosure for the political consultant on file is for the year 2009 where he lists a net worth of $31,643.

Miguel

Alex

FLORIDA SUPREME COURT

>>> PAST JULY WDR: Chief Justice Canady in the spotlight, tapped by Gov. Crist in 08, has $448,000 net worth through May

Chief Justice Charles Canady is in the spotlight this week now that the required yearly financial disclosure forms have been filed. The former congressman and Yale law school graduate has had a fast paced legal career from the halls of Congress to being General Counsel for Gov. Jeb Bush, and Gov. Charlie Crist elevated him from a Appeals Court to the state’s highest court in Aug. of 2008. He is now the Chief Judge of the seven member body.

What do we know about his finances?

Canady through June 1, 2011 had a net worth of $448,000 (up from $442,000) and he lists $59,500 in household goods. His home is worth $310,000, there is $165,000 in a thrift account, ING deferred income has $82,800 and there is another $56,425 in bank accounts. His liabilities include owing Wells Fargo $171,489 and a financed Hyundai is owed $14,600. His salary for the year was $155,574 and he lists no gifts over $100.00 for the year.

>>> Office Information: The phone number is (850) 410-8092. His judicial assistant is Pam Stewart. His staff attorneys are Dalana Johnson, Kristina Samuels, and Jeremiah Mosley. The mailing address is 500 South Duval Street, Tallahassee FL 32399-1925.
Attorneys or law students interested in clerkships in this office should check our Law Clerk Recruitment Page. There also is information on Internships.

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY

>>> Commissioner Suarez calls for massive reform of county government, believes over $500 million in savings could be achieved, while creating 2,300 new jobs

It’s done, a Miami-Dade Commission Task Force report released Dec. 30 to Miami-Dade Commission Chair Joe Martinez and his peers by Commissioner Xavier Suarez suggests the county could save up to $427 million in operational savings, and through the sale of viable county commercial property could bring in $130 million for a total possible number of $200 million from that activity when other factors are considered. Suarez had been given the assignment by Martinez and he has been meeting with county staff, Martinez and Commissioner Sally Heyman (in a Sunshine meeting), the commission’s Auditor Charles Anderson and others over the past few months.

The Watchdog Report covered the Heyman/ Suarez meeting in a past issue and some of the statistics are astounding. Suarez’s mission was to see how Miami-Dade government “could be streamlined in a meaningful way,” and the “task assigned to me was monumental,” wrote the attorney and former Miami mayor. He notes the county owns “4,500 facilities/ or fee lots,” and it leases another approximately “158 properties.” Suarez also highlights the number of county departments there are, that while these have been consolidated to “26 separate departments” by Mayor Carlos Gimenez and another “three are self supporting enterprises, plus the Public Health Trust.” He still feels that number could be further refined and at the meeting with Heyman. He suggested ten departments might be the way to go, since “God” needed only “Ten Commandants,” he suggested back then, and that is the road he took. He is suggesting in the report that there should only be ten departments in total and ten salary levels for each of these organizations. He writes that while the county has a $4.4 billion operational budget and $1.67 billion is committed to the capital project budget. He believes this streamlining can be achieved.

Suarez, who represents commission District 7 that snakes along the east coast to the bay from Little Havana to Pinecrest concluded there “is $14 billion in outstanding debt of which $11.4 billion is supported by special taxes/ franchise fees and other non-ad valorem taxes tying-up $765 million” of this income stream, he wrote. He sarcastically says the “county has concocted 33,000 budgeting codes,” there are ten labor unions that includes 27,000 employees, who fall into “2,000 different salary levels,” versus the federal government that uses “22 basic General Service pay classifications for 2.84 million employees.” Further, County documents indicate 3,000 employees get over $100,000 and the general span of control for employees is 5:1 per supervisor, and when it comes to the county’s Fire and Rescue Department. There are 2,000 firefighters of which 689 (or 1/3) that are supervisory and calls the 2:1 ratio “ludicrous.” And he suggests eliminating 80 positions of ranking officers making over $150,000 realizing a “$12 million savings.” He also called for the “immediate cessation of any [new] non-general obligation bonds,” which should be put to voters for their approval and the consolidation of county staff into the 29-floors of office space at the Stephen P. Clark Government Center downtown. He believes these reforms would not only save well over $500 million but also “create 2,300 jobs,” he estimates.

However, this report has to be read with a grain of salt since it also attacks indirectly Gimenez’s first reorganization effort that the mayor says is evolving with this much more radical roadmap for county government. Further, Suarez is toying with possible running for county mayor in 2012 but he has acknowledged he is not the best fundraiser though his campaign war chest dwarfed his challenger’s funds when he first ran in the spring in a special election. That fundraising issue first surfaced in his past elections in 2001 and 2004 that he lost. The most recent past election in 2004 had him getting public campaign financing from the county and a run for mayor would bring out the subsequent audit done on where these public dollars went. And only because the legislation passed by the county commission creating this fund did not specify this money be segregated. The audit is a great read on how the campaign operated but allowed the now commissioner to avoid any slap on the wrist. And he has emailed the Watchdog Report in the past that he has never run a sloppy or inappropriate campaign during his whole political career, but the ethics commission audit suggests otherwise. >>> Editor’s note: It remains to be seen, how the county commission reacts to this report in the coming months but it does bring to light the size and scope of Miami-Dade government and how it operates. And the Watchdog Report predicts that a couple of the suggestions might be incorporated in the future, but overall I do not believe the commission will agree with a wholesale reorganization of such scope.

>>> Press release: MIAMI-DADE COUNTY LABOR CONTRACTS AND IMPASSE ITEMS PUBLIC NOTICE

A meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Miami-Dade County will be held on January 5, 2012, at 9:30 a.m., where among other matters to be deliberated, a public hearing will be held to consider impasse items for the Police Benevolent Association (PBA) Rank and File, and Supervisory units; and Government Supervisor Association of Florida (GSAF) Local 100 Supervisory and Professional units. The County and the unions are at impasse regarding the issue of an additional five percent employee contribution of base wages towards the cost of health care. Additionally, the County has reached tentative agreements with the Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 291; American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 3292 Solid Waste Employees; AFSCME Local 121 Water and Sewer Employees; and AFSCME Local 199 General Employees unions. Members will vote on the contracts on January 4 (TWU); January 6 (Solid Waste); January 9 (Water and Sewer); and January 20 (General Employees). If the TWU collective bargaining agreement is approved by the membership on January 4, it will be placed on the January 5 agenda for ratification by the Board. If the agreement is ratified by the union membership and the Board, the parties’ impasse regarding the issue of an additional five percent employee contribution of base wages towards the cost of health care will be placed on the January 5 meeting agenda for a public hearing to resolve the impasse.

The County and the four unions are at impasse regarding the issue of an additional five percent employee contribution of base wages towards the cost of health care. In each instance, an agreement has been reached with the unions to waive a hearing before a Special Magistrate and bring the matter to the Board for resolution of the impasse. The County and the unions have agreed to waive the insulated period during this impasse period, thereby permitting communication between the parties and the Board on the impasse item. WHAT: Labor Contracts and Impasse Items Public Notice at Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners Meeting WHEN: Thursday, January 5, 2012 9:30 a.m. WHERE: Stephen P. Clark Center, 111 NW 1st Street, 2nd Floor Commission Chambers
Miami, FL 33128

>>> PAST OCTOBER WDR: A “line in the sand,” says Souto must be drawn when it comes to 442,000 homeowners with Homestead Property Exemptions, some of which are fraudulent but not prosecuted

“We must draw a line in the sand,” said Commissioner Javier Souto ($658,000) and “the law is the law” when it came to people that fraudulently claim a Florida Homestead Property Exemption at two locations impacting county revenues he said in the millions. The former state legislator said if this is not done “the mafia” will run us and residents might as well leave “Florida” or even the United States because “the rule of law no longer applies here,” he believed at a county commission committee meeting on Tuesday. The commissioners on the committee were grilling county Miami-Dade Property Appraiser Pedro Garcia, Jr., and his staff on the number of people getting fraudulent exemptions. Garcia and his staff said 442,000 homeowners had the exemptions and if the exemption was removed. The county would get back around $140 million. The office gets around “3,500 leads” about fraudulent homeowners and most are anonymous but many include couples that are getting divorced or a near by neighbor. The property appraiser said some of the recent media reports have outraged many people, but many of the homeowners don’t know the rules of the program. Garcia cited one owner who had his exemption on a home worth around $90,000 versus another he owns worth around $300,000 and the lack of education is part of the issue.
Further, a representative of the inspector general’s office said cases they have passed to the state attorney’s office are not being pursued since the office “declined to prosecute,” she said. Commissioner Sally Heyman (Net worth $425,000) said during the discussion after Souto went ballistic, that the matter was of concern and a “problem” but hoped it would “not become a witch-hunt,” she tempered. However, a knowledgeable person on the issue said one of the reasons the state attorney does not prosecute is it takes years for the case to be resolved and is costly, and any money recovered does not go to the county’s general fund, but to the clerk’s office, and this is not some windfall to the county’s coffers.

Heyman

Souto

What do we know about Garcia’s financials?

Garcia elected in a special countywide election on Jan. 6, 2009 is the first elected property appraiser since Miami-Dade County’s Home Rule Charter was crafted in 1957 and he has been in real estate since 1974. Garcia faced off against Gwen Margolis, a former Miami-Dade Commissioner, past Florida Senate President and now back in the upper state house in a low turnout race back then. He has kept his head down since then, saying the numbers are the numbers as the real estate market collapsed thoughout Miami-Dade and he has yet to generate much controversy in the community at large.

Garcia through Jun. 7, 2011 had a net worth of $1.1 million and he lists $85,000 in household goods. His home is worth $387,000, an investment property is valued at $223,000, and some of his other assets are $150,000 in CDs, a retirement plan has $55,000 in it, and he filed his 2010 IRS 1040 for the year, which is the disclosure Gold Standard. His liabilities are a mortgage owed $59,387, Mercedes Benz is owed $13,161, and his salary in his official capacity was $153,000 plus benefits. He also continues to list his past company, Exclusive Reality Corp. where he is listed as president and director but no income is referenced on the disclosure form. For more on Garcia go to http://www.miamidade.gov/biographies/PA.asp

>>> PAST WDR: MAY: Who knew discussions between Commissioner Heyman, Lapciuc, Migoya, on PHT issues should be secret, felt like NORAD nuclear launch codes might be discussed

What should have been a routine public Florida Sunshine meeting in the second floor conference room at the Stephen P. Clark Government Center used by county commissioners for meetings Tuesday afternoon had County Commissioner Sally Heyman suggesting maybe it should be cancelled, since there were 16 others in the room including a county clerk taping the meeting, county staff members from a number of departments, and the Watchdog Report. She had thought she would be only discussing what was going on at the PHT with PHT board Chair Marcos Lapciuc, and new PHT CEO Carlos Migoya alone, and the previously planned meeting was an attempt to give county commissioners a heads up early and get to know the new CEO who started May 1. However, it was an advertised public meeting, and also included PHT trustee Joaquin del Cueto attending, but that body was dissolved and put in hibernation for 24-months earlier in the morning at a BCC meeting.

However, del Cueto and Lapciuc have both been named to the new seven member Jackson Health System Financial Recovery Board (FRB) newly created by the county commission and that board is getting organized on Monday at 1:00 p.m. at the Ira C. Clark Diagnostic center. While Heyman was possible technically right, county assistant attorney Gene Shy noted the meeting was advertised and while he did not say no when it came to whether it was a public meeting. Heyman remarked “your making us nervous” after his comments saying Migoya and her “will get together another time [in private],” she said. However, it would have looked very odd if they did not have the discussion after everyone was gathered in the small conference room.

Heyman, an attorney and former state legislator and cop, won another commission term in 2010 unchallenged for her northeast Commission District 4 seat, and she often cites the need for “transparency” and the importance of “process.” But at this meeting, she oddly challenged the issue, that in fact, it might not be public since the PHT 17-member board was now dissolved, but she changed her tack when she started to see some of the reactions of people attending the meeting, and it ultimately was a productive session. However, she continued referring to wanting to have private discussions with Migoya a number of times during the discussion, and after the meeting, she met with the CEO and former banker for about 25 minutes alone in her office.

The Watchdog Report usually does not flag some of these public meeting indiscretions but the meeting was unusual and I along with the county’s clerk’s office have the only audio recordings of the proceedings. Heyman gave Migoya information that she had requested over the “last 18-months” and one document included all the real estate the trust and county owned, trying to find ways to reduce their rental costs and where PHT staff was working such as the DuPont Building in downtown Miami, that has finance and collections people working over the past years. Further, Heyman since joining the PHT board four months ago, but now in hibernation. She has saved the health trust some $500,000 by pushing a state contract program that returns a two percent hit to the entity and was one of her pet projects. But on this afternoon, she joked, “I make myself nervous” at the beginning of the meeting and for what was an innocuous meeting. She made it seem like nuclear launch codes might be discussed and when at the end. I was shaking my head at some of the discussion and I said (something I rarely do) that I felt like we were at NORAD where things are very hush-hush, given you are dealing with nuclear ICBMs, which clearly was not the case in this meeting concerning Jackson.

Lapciuc

Heyman

>>> PASTJULY WDR: Mayor Gimenez says changing county employee culture like “eating an elephant, one bite at a time”

Newly minted Mayor Carlos Gimenez (Net worth $923,000 up from $871,000 the year before) in a short but sweet speech to the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon crowd Wednesday outlined his goals and vision for Miami-Dade in the months and years ahead, and changing the county employees’ culture. He said it will be like “eating an elephant, one bite at a time,” during what he hopes will be a mayoral term that ultimately ends in 2020 if he is reelected twice in the coming years. Gimenez said he was committed to reducing the county’s budget and the property tax rate paid by residents by 1.2 percent, cutting the 27,000 county employees by 1,300 people, while also improving services that protect the elderly and children, but also includes a strong nod to public safety issues and resident security. Gimenez a former Miami manager and county commissioner is cleaning house in his administration and a number of department heads have moved on or been cut loose since the June 28 election catapulted him into the top spot. Further, he plans to reduce the number of county departments “by half” and “believes in leadership by example” and has cut $1.5 million from his own office he told the luncheon crowd.

Gimenez said his new top staff has “Over 100 years in county and city government” and he is committed to “transform the culture” of county hall and residents needs and interests will be the new attitude and the “watchword will be to do the right thing,” he said. The former firefighter also noted that the “trust” residents have had with their government is broken and he is committed to “earn that trust” back and you “earn trust one slice at a time,” when it comes to the county’s taxpayers. He also said trust cannot be established without credible and “meaningful Charter Reform” with the goal to “make Miami-Dade County a model for municipal government,” he said.

>>> PAST JULY WDR: Community Periodical program has 375,000 readers of M-DC announcements, around $1 million spent on program, tightened up in 2003 after six papers got $20,000 each that did not exist

During a commission committee meeting last week, county staff indicated the Community Periodical Program had a reach of “375,000 readers” and this number includes the over 40 free periodicals the county funds to the tune of about $1 million to get the county’s side of the story out to residents. The Watchdog Report has kept its eye on this program since the 1990s and in 2003, a county internal audit found six newspapers had gotten around $20,000 each, but the papers did not exist and were unable to be found by county auditors.

After that scandal, the county commission tightened up the program but as the tense relationship with the press and blogs continued to escalate. The program’s funding continued unabated and whenever this funding is challenged by the county’s administration. The small local papers publishers come to the chambers, make their case, and given the wide variety of papers involved given the diversity of the community and the number of people who read these free weeklies or monthlies. The commission buckles and the funding continues generally at an even higher level than recommended by the county administration.

MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

>>> PAST WDR: M-DC Youth Commission picks anti-bullying & violence as top issues to emphasize with county and schools

The Miami-Dade County Youth Commission met in the county commission’s chambers Friday afternoon and the 27 member body, that includes a smaller number that vote made the number one issue they wanted to deal with “anti-bullying and anti-violence” that school kids face in Miami-Dade public and private schools. The bullying and violence issue beat out substance abuse by a decent margin and the commission members all had on red Miami-Dade County polo shirts for the meeting. The commission was the brainchild of county Commissioner Barbara Jordan (Net worth $1.97 million) who represents District 1 back in Jan 2010 state county back-up documents. The county commissioners got to select two members, but one must be from the Miami-Dade Public Schools and all have to have an interest in government and community while maintaining at least a 2.0 GPA.

They can serve two one-year terms and the televised public meeting was a delight to watch on the county cable station and Youth Commissioner Natalie Roberts chaired the body, the senior is interested in law and she kept the meeting moving, civil, commissioners engaged and transparent when it came to having the public comments added to the meeting record. The Youth Commissioners were sworn in Mar. 15 and the county ethics commission ruled that these kids from 15 to 18 did not have to file financial disclosure forms and county Clerk Harvey Ruvin (Net worth $1.38 million) did the honors when it came to them being sworn into the county commission advisory office. The fact the body picked bullying and violence in all its forms, shows the community what the children face when they venture out into the world as students, armed with current technology while other students have weapons of all forms.

Jordan

>>> PAST SEPTEMBER WDR: Press release: IBOPE Zogby Back-to-School Poll: 57% Want National Standard for Advancement 54% Say Test Score Cheating by School Officials Is Widespread

A majority of adults nationwide (57%) say there should be a national standard level of learning in the nation’s public schools before students can move from one grade to another, and, 54% believe test score cheating by school officials to improve standardized test scores is widespread, a new IBOPE Zogby Interactive survey finds In regard to the best way to evaluate teachers, 64% prefer an even mix of standardized test scores and classroom observation. The survey was conducted from Aug. 25-29. Please click the link below to view the full news release on our website: http://www.ibopezogby.com/news/2011/09/02/ibope-zogby-back-school-poll-57-want-national-standard-advancement/

PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST

>>> PAST OCTOBER WDR: Ryder Trauma Center under the gun with new centers opening, Kendall Regional Hospital already Provisional Class II

The success of the Ryder Trauma Center, a Class I Trauma Center is being challenged with Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) opening its own (Provisional Class II) Trauma facilities around South Florida. HCA through an agreement with the University of South Florida has been working to create these new facilities with the first at Kendall Regional Hospital in Miami-Dade. The Florida Department of Health has recommended six new trauma centers in Trauma Service Area 19 which also includes Monroe County and the private hospital chain is expected to also open centers at there hospitals in Aventura and recently bought Mercy Hospital. The new facility at Kendall Regional will have a helicopter pad and proponents say the time saved from going to the downtown Ryder location will save patients lives.

However, University of Miami physician’s months ago warned Miami-Dade County Commissioners of the consequences if these other trauma centers opened and its impact on Ryder that operates 24/7 and is a 166,000- square-foot facility with well over 100 beds in a number of medical configurations and treats 5,000 trauma patients a year. The facility, the crown jewel of the UM Miller Medical School and Jackson Memorial Health System has six operating room suites, 24 hour X-Ray, CT Scan, and laboratory and includes 20 intensive care beds. Ryder since 1992 when it opened has become a magnet for the severely injured and draws patients from the Caribbean and South America as well. The organization also trains U.S. Army trauma physicians before their deployment and that began back in 2000 and has continued after 9/11.

The concern physicians that practice at Ryder is they will get the toughest medical cases like gunshot wounds and the other trauma centers will get patients in car accidents and these patients generally have at least $10,000 in medical insurance that is required if you own and drive a car in Florida. This current insurance funding has buffered some of the costs associated with treating these gun shot wound patients, many of which don’t have health insurance. And having one central site has allowed UM/Jackson to provide world class trauma care and that will be eroded when these other centers draw many of the paying patients to their facilities. HCA has been trying to get into this business for years and has been putting pressure on the legislature and Gov. Rick Scott. The governor was the former Columbia/HCA CEO but left the company in the late 1990s after building it into the largest chain of private hospitals in the nation with over 300 such facilities after he got a golden parachute in stock, but HCA later paid a $1.7 billion fine for Medicare fraud, though Scott was not charged himself. Here is information on Ryder http://www.jhsmiami.org/body.cfm?id=204 and here is press announcements from Kendall Regional on the subject:http://www.kendallmed.com/our-services/trauma-care.dot and http://kendallmed.com/about/newsroom/detail.dot?id=75985e63-a89c-41e1-aac1-1ae947f06913

>>> PAST WDR: JUNE 2008: Blast from the past: PHT CEO Marvin O’Quinn’s presentation to the Miami-Dade BCC in June 2008 on the financial issues facing Jackson Memorial Health in the years ahead.

CITY OF MIAMI

>>> PAST JULY WDR: Mayor Regalado net worth rises to $9,300, Commissioner Sarnoff’s drops to $2.08 million, and Dunn comes in at $10,000 for 2010

With July 1 comes looking at elected leaders required financial disclosure forms for the past year and on Friday the Watchdog Report reviewed the information at the city of Miami’s clerk’s office, and all were filed on time. Looking at public official’s finances gives a clue into their financial life and what pressures may be hanging over their heads, or maybe none and those people that are financially secure are what I call generally benign public officials. In Mayor Tomas Regalado’s case he continues to be the poorest of the elected leaders with only a $9,300 net worth through Dec. 2010 (Up from $5,000 last year). His salary of around $97,000 was not listed but he does list his Homestead property that he shares with Jose Regalado. His main listed asset besides his home is a 2004 Jeep Cherokee worth $6,000 and he owes Chase Bank $67,000.

What about the commissioners?

>> Commissioner Marc Sarnoff leads the pack with a net worth of $2.08 million through 2010 (Which is down from $2.17 million the year before). He has $500,000 in law practice stock, his townhouse complex is worth $1.3 million, and he has $493,000 in investments with Morgan Stanley and a bank account has $52,714, in it and there is $26,858 in a retirement account. The attorney, elected in November 2006 and up for reelection this November and facing four challengers owes Bank of America $496,000, Citibank $160,000, HSCB $185,000, Chase Bank $22,760, American Express is owed $8,747 and financing for a BMW and Mercedes Benz is $32,516 and $15,079.

>> Commissioner Frank Carollo, CPA is next in the financial net worth race coming in at $707,000 through 2010. His home and investment property is worth $879,000 and he lists $55,000 in personal goods. The man is married with a new baby girl, there is $51,500 in cash, and there is $8,000 in an IRA. His only liabilities are $200,000 with Chase Mortgage and $86,000 owed to EMC mortgage.

>> Commissioner Wilfredo “Willy” Gort elected back to the commission in 2009 after leaving the commission in 2001 after he lost the Miami mayoral race back then. The investment banker since then now has a net worth of $226,000 through June 28, 2011 and lists getting income from MFR Securities, the City of Miami ($55,000 in salary) and social security. He has a CD worth $12,000, a savings account has $50,000 in it and an IRA is worth $52,000. He lists a property in Tavernier valued at $250,000, another property in Sebring is worth $7,000, and two mortgages with Sally Mae and Bank of America come in at $145,000.

>> Commissioner Francis Suarez, a real estate attorney comes in next with a net worth of $81,131 through June 11, 2011, his home is valued at $185,000, and another investment property is worth $91,970. He lists $147,000 and $4,500 in savings accounts and there is $2,480 in a checking account. His liabilities are a Morgan Chase mortgage owed $360,000 and another lender is owed $162,000.

>> And Commissioner Richard Dunn, II is the final financial disclosure form reviewed and he comes in with a $10,000 net worth through 2010. The commissioner also a reverend lists income from the Faith Community Baptist Church and the city of Miami (The commissioners salaries is $55,000 with another some $30,000 in benefits), and lists $50,000 in household goods. His liabilities are $70,000 with Ocean Bank, the IRS is owed $30,000, and the U.S. Dept. of Education is owed $30,000.

CITY OF MIAMI BEACH

>>> Mayor Bower to face the TMBC and will take on activists questions on Mgr. Gonzalez’s fate in March

Miami Beach Mayor Matti Bower will be the Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club speaker, Jan. 3, 2012, 8:30AM – 10:00AM, David’s Cafe II, 1654 Meridian Ave., Miami Beach. >>> Since 1996, the Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club has been gathering every Tuesday at 8:30AM at a local Miami Beach restaurant for informal, non-partisan discussions of issues – political, governmental, etc. It is not affiliated with any other organization. We are currently meeting at David’s Cafe II, 1654 Meridian Ave., Miami Beach, between Lincoln Road Mall and Macy’s (formerly Burdine’s). There is plenty of parking at that hour in the adjacent municipal parking lot. One orders from the menu or simply has coffee. Guest speakers range across the political, governmental, business, and social issues spectrum. Sessions are open to everyone. Simply show up. www.MBTMBC.com

CITY OF CORAL GABLES

>>> PAST APRIL WDR: Hail Mayor Cason, Commissioners Kerdyk and Quesada, as Slesnick and Withers say sayonara to body

Mayor James “Jim” Cason and Commissioners Frank C. Quesada and William “Bill” Kerdyk Jr., were sworn in Friday around noon in the packed commission chambers and it was a bitter sweet affair for some of the losing candidates, especially in the tough mayoral race where Cason defeated Mayor Don Slesnick, II and Tom Korge in a three way winner take all race. Slesnick’s last duties in office was signing the election documents certifying Cason was the winner at the dais, and once this occurred a city worker removed Slesnick’s name off the mayor’s office door and replaced it with Cason. I had seen this done when Slesnick was first elected back in 2001, and at the time I marveled at the precision of the change, since government is rarely this nimble.

Kerdyk told Slesnick he was surprised “how visible you were” on the state and national stage over the past decade, yet always there “for employee functions,” he said. He also noted that while the city’s finances and pension were big election issues that there was $6.5 million in city reserves. Slesnick’s retirement by the voters was coupled with two decade long Commissioner Wayne “Chip” Withers stepping down after being termed out and his comments brought tears to many in the audience. He was first elected in 1991 and has been through Hurrican Andrew and many other major storms later, were just a few of the challenges he dealt with in his long career in public office. He said thinking about all the people and events was like “flipping through a rolodex,” joking younger people would not know what that was. He also praised Slesnick’s knowledge about people he met joking he “knows everything about an individual,” he suggested. Withers said the most memorable incident in his career was when the city’s fire rescue unit saved a child drowned in a pool and that is what made him proud about the tony municipality and the life saving services it provides to residents.

What about the mayor’s race?

Cason, who is fluent in Spanish, garnered 3,060 votes, to Slesnick’s 2,888 and Korge’s 2,721 votes and while he was behind when it came to fundraising. He worked the Spanish media outlets effectively and his time in the Foreign Service, including being stationed in Havana heading the U.S. Interests Section, with strong anti Castro credentials allowed the former Ambassador to win the race in the end. And when it came to the commission races, Kerdyk received 5,763 votes and Quesada running against a pack of challengers garnered 3,783 of the City Beautiful votes. Also at the swearing-in ceremonies were past Gables mayors as well as Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado, Commissioner Francis Suarez, and county mayoral candidate, former county Commissioner Carlos Gimenez, along with a host of families and friends.

CITY OF NORTH MIAMI BEACH

>>> PAST WDR: Former Mayor Rosner gets deadlock vote from ethics commission, Judge Gelber slams official for “make it happen” comment

Ethics Commission press release: After four partial days of hearings over the past several weeks, the Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics and Public Trust (COE) completed its action on complaints (C 09-02 & C 09-04) against former North Miami Beach Mayor Myron Rosner, but deadlocked on a two-two vote. It was alleged that Rosner, who was a licensed building contractor and a member of the Miami-Dade County Board of Rules and Appeals, proposed and completed several additions to his private home that required zoning variances. As a member of the City Council, Rosner discussed his displeasure about the variance process with the city manager at the time, who told his staff to resolve the issue. Building permits were issued for the improvements that violate the city code.

Two Ethics Commissioners voted that the evidence did not meet the “clear and convincing” standard required for finding Rosner misused his authority. One member recused himself from the proceeding. Two others believed Rosner should be found guilty of exploitation of official position. Commissioner Seymour Gelber, a former Miami Beach mayor and retired judge, issued a formal statement, noting, “When the mayor told the city manager ‘make it happen,’ he sent a message to his underlings. They knew what was expected of them and they made ‘IT’ happen. You don’t get smoking guns as evidence in these kinds of cases.” Referring also to the following complaint, Gelber said, “These acts will not be tolerated. Maybe both these cases will convince some public officials that their duty is not to themselves or friends but to the community as a whole.”

In the other case Judge Gelber referred to, the Ethics Commission approved a Letter of Instruction to the former Homestead city manager who settled a complaint (C 11-21) that charged him with “exploitation of official position” when he ordered reductions in bills generated by the city’s electric utility for two customers who sought relief from Homestead’s top politician. Noting indications that Mayor Steven Bateman pressured the manager to take the action, the Letter states that all public officials are “duty bound to act in an ethical manner.” It asserts, “Administrators and staff cannot allow themselves to be bullied or cajoled into committing questionable acts under the guise of keeping their elected officials happy.” The current city manager has since reinstated the accounts in question.

CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI

>>> PAST WDR: Vice Mayor Newman is hit with critical ethics commission letter of instruction; “tyrannical behavior” while not actionable “is inexcusable neverless.”

The Miami-Dade Ethics Commission dismissed a complaint against Vice Mayor Valerie Newman but the commission did issue a Letter of Instruction to the veteran municipal politician and here is a summary of the ethics commission action. >>> Following their dismissal of the complaint (C 09-11) against South Miami City Commissioner Valerie Newman last month, Ethics Commissioners today issued a Letter of Instruction to the politician. The charges, which originated in 2009 and were based on South Miami’s now-repealed Code of Conduct, accused Newman of bullying people inside and outside of city government. Even though the COE determined that proceeding with the case would not be a prudent use of resources, the Letter states that “Rude, boorish and tyrannical behavior by elected officials, while perhaps not actionable under an ethics code, is inexcusable nevertheless.” The Ethics Commission also states that “ethical behavior is not simply the doing what is right, but doing it the right way,” and hopes the Letter “impresses upon Commissioner Newman and all elected officials that they must be mindful that their behavior be at all times proper, honest, respectful, and professional…”

Newman

>>> PAST WDR JUNE: Vice Mayor Newman contends county Ethics Commission went over board, Ethics advocate Murawski says “95 percent” of the length of investigation’s time Newman’s fault

The Watchdog Report contacted the ethics commission advocate on why a investigation of South Miami vice Mayor Valerie Newman took almost two years and I sat down with the ethics commission Advocate Michael Murawski last Tuesday and he said “95 percent” of the delay was the fault of “Newman and her using two attorneys” in the course of the investigation. He said the second attorney did extensive discovery and there were also legislation changes at the city. He said the letter from the commission was sent to Newman’s attorney in May. Here is the complete closeout memo on the investigation and Letter of Instruction that has Newman challenging the matter claiming she was the one that was abused by the ethics commission investigators and commission and she will try to seek reimbursement for legal costs that were paid by the city she told www.miamiherald.com

>>> OTHER STORIES AROUND FLORIDA

BROWARD COUNTY

>>> Long serving state Atty. Satz in the spotlight, first elected in 1976, criticized soft on public corruption, had $1.34 million net worth through 2010

Broward state Attorney Michael Satz is in the spotlight this week and the long serving Democratic Party state attorney has been a fixture since he was first elected in 1976, but has been open to criticism that he has been soft on political corruption over the decades. Satz more recently when it comes to public official corruption has been more active but a statewide grand jury said the local public school district was rift with cronyism and public corruption and if it was legal, that the school board should be dissolved. Currently between the state attorney’s office and U.S. Attorney’s office these organizations have indicted, or convicted around a dozen elected leaders the last few years and while there has been a recent lull. The rate of arrests are expected to continue in the months ahead.

What do we know about his finances?

Satz through Dec. 2010 had a net worth of $1.34 million and he lists $99,570 in household goods. He has $336,000 in cash equivalents, there is $525,000 in real estate, stocks and bonds account for $173,000 and there is $220,000 in an IRA. His salary for the year as state attorney was $133,000 and his total income for the year was $170,265, state’s his financial disclosure form for the year.

Satz Bio: http://sao17.state.fl.us/mikesatz.htm

PALM BEACH COUNTY

>>>PAST WDR: Long serving Commissioner Marcus survived political purges over years, had $126,000 net worth through 2010

Long serving Palm Beach County Commissioner Karen Marcus is in the spotlight this week and she survived the commission purge a few years ago that had a majority of the body when all was said and done in federal prison. She has a strong environmental record and started out in the early 2000s in elected office.

What do we know about her finances?

Marcus through Dec. 2010 had a net worth of $126,075 and lists $60,000 in household goods. Her home is worth $232,000 and an investment property is valued at $92,660, there is $17,200 in savings and two cars are worth $8,000 and $12,660. Her liabilities are $89,000 and $184,000 owed to Chase Mortgage, and a Palm Beach Credit Union is owed $12,700 and $8,900. She lists her only income as being her $99,662 in salary as a commissioner.

Marcus >> For more information on Marcus go to http://www.pbcgov.com/countycommissioners/district1/biography.htm

MONROE COUNTY

>>> PAST JULY WDR: Mayor Carruthers in the spotlight, up in 2012, had $6.3 million net worth through Aug. 2010

Mayor Heather Carruthers of Monroe County is in the spotlight this week and she represents Commission District 3 of the nation’s most southern county. She is up for reelection in 2012 and represents Monroe voting precincts 5-9 and the former singer and financial advisor won her race overwhelmingly a few years ago.

What do we know about her finances?

Carruthers through Aug. 2010 had a net worth of $6.3 million and she lists $80,000 in household goods. She lists real estate valued at $720,000 and Pearls Property is worth $10 million, there is $249,000 in securities, a checking account has $4,000 and a life insurance policy is worth $50,000. Her liabilities are $4.1 million with the Bank of the Keys, Bayview Loan Savings wants $700,000 and $3,000 is owed on a VISA credit card. Her income for the year was $60,000 from the property management and $43,244 came in from being a county commissioner. >>> http://www.monroecounty-fl.gov/Directory.aspx?EID=21

COMMUNITY EVENTS

>>> Please find the Coalition’s detailed media advisory below regarding the 27th Annual Everglades Coalition Conference, January 5-8, 2012 – Everglades Restoration: Worth Every Penny! Please let me know if you have any questions or are interested in our complimentary media registration. Hope to see you there!
*Follow NPCA on Twitter: @NPCA -Protecting Our National Parks for Future Generations

EDITORIALS

>>> PAST WDR: APRIL: A brief history of the Watchdog Report over the past 12 years, but an odyssey that really started in late 1997 when waste, fraud and public corruption flourished in South Florida

In 2000 when I first started the Watchdog Report using a purple iMac armed with the power of the internet, my only goal was to create a public nervous system of information about what was going on at all the public institutions in South Florida in an attempt to reduce waste, fraud and abuse, good informed government while also trying to connect the general public with their public leaders and institutions. The decision to make the Watchdog Report free back May 5, 2000 was a conscious effort on my part and the fact I was single with no children also freed me up to do this on a full time basis, using roughly $500,000 of my own money over the years, everything I had. I also made the report free because I did not want to create a group of people, with inside information, but to make the public knowledge available to all, and when it comes to the Watchdog Report’s readership, that has been achieved. Since that time one of the unanticipated advantages of doing this is the people I have gotten to interview and ask questions too over the years. Ranging from current President Barack Obama (When he was a U.S. Senator), Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, Mikail Gorbachev, Gov. Jeb Bush (who I actually almost saw weekly since he was from Miami) and hundreds of other people and events over the years.

When I have been on WLRN/NPR radio listeners from Palm Beach and other places ask why they don’t have a Watchdog in their community as well, and they may in the future but it takes an odd set of circumstances for someone to have the guts to try this. And in my case, it was a number of events including when federal officials extracted the young Cuban boy Elian Gonzalez that left the community in ethnic flames, combined with the widespread use of the internet back then, along with political corruption flourishing in the 1990s. Including some of these powerful people saying some really contemptible things, like “You little people, we are going to f….. crush you,” said one top political operative back then to me who later died from a heart anomaly. Though a number of people asked at the time, if I had killed him. I said no, I just told him when it came to long serving Miami Commissioner J.L. Plummer getting reelected after 29 years in office that it was going to be a tough race. Further, having lived in Japan, Sydney and spent extensive time in China and the rest of Asia where democracy sometimes is in short supply. It seemed here in South Florida there was a need for enhanced high definition transparency at public meetings and I attempted that assignment when no one else wanted to do it.

Now I am starting my soon to be the 13th year in May as the editor, publisher, and I again thank all that believed in what I was trying to do, and actually financially supported me in this activity that really began back in 2007. But morphed in 2000 into a news service and community education resource. Further, People ask me all the time what and why I have the Argus Report section, and it is in honor of former Miami Herald Publisher Alberto Ibarguen after I became an independent editorial columnist in the summer of 2000. He told me to be the “community Argus.” And at the time I emailed back. He and I were probable the few people who knew the Argus was a Greek mythical colossus with 100 eyes that protected the fawn Io, and would later morph in symbolism to the peacock’s feathers used by NBC for their logo. And I have tried to fulfill that Watchdog role in a small way, in this diverse and exciting community that I refer to as “colorful,” but is likely not to be repeated when I am gone. And why for me, publishing solo for these dozen years with over 100,000 readers is a milestone, that I thank my readers and supporters to allow happen, and while it has not been easy. It was necessary for someone to have done it, I just did not think it would have to be me, but here we are today.

>>> Past WDR: Feb.: Community tensions are hot, economic conditions and violence fuel the feeling

Anyone that does not think there is major social tension or the community is in a “crisis” is not listening to the people on the ground and in the trenches for the duration of this financial Great Recession is grinding down many in our community and it is reflected in the up tick in crime seen around the county. Further, the recent killings of law enforcement officers around the state and the seven shootings of local residents, all Black in Miami has stoked the fire of discontent and it is bubbling and manifesting itself in a variety of ways. Many community leaders are seeing it, the Miami-Dade Community Relations Board over 40-years old is dealing with it as best it can but the coming months and years ahead will not be easy as the economy slowly bounces back, but many of the old jobs are gone now. And without a job and income there is no life or opportunity for far too many of us that crosses a broad spectrum of people in South Florida.

At a Miami-Dade Homeless Trust joint meeting with the Community Partnership for Homeless (CPH) on Friday staff discussed who is homeless these days and it is not like in the past where 51.5 percent were living on the streets because of financial reasons. The new reason is disability or illness coming in at 48 percent states Trust updated documents and includes people with a third grade education to people with a master’s degree, attorneys and even physicians said staff. Further, documents indicate one in three people experiencing homelessness are in families which is becoming a bigger issue especially at shelters, because there is a increased number of men between 18 to 24 becoming part of the population and they “are not wanting programs” to help them get off the street and are “very resistance” to help and hang out in groups that creates a “concern abut security,” said H. Daniel Vincent, the executive director of CPH.

It is this community underside that cuts across all ethnic groups that sees the great wealth of some but find their world and finances going in the other direction that is causing this rising tension and when you factor in the demographics of South Florida with peoples coming from all over the planet. Those people that have great success need to be grateful and sensitive to what others are facing in their personal lives, be it sickness or financial distress because if you live in Miami-Dade you are on a ship. And we have yet to determine if it’s fate is a safe crossing or the Titanic, and with a social and economic iceberg looming on the horizon, how we deal with it will show what Miami is really about because whether you like it or not. We will collectively sink or swim together in the coming months of great challenges.

LETTERS

Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year wishing you all the Best, and Thank you for this page. I love to read it.
TC

>>> LIFETIME FOUNDING MEMBERS & INITIAL SPONSORS IN 2000

ANGEL ESPINOSA – (Deceased) owner COCONUT GROVE DRY CLEANER’S
HUGH CULVERHOUSE, Jr.
THE MIAMI HERALD www.miamiherald.com (2000-2008)
ARTHUR HERTZ
WILLIAM HUGGETT, Seamen Attorney (Deceased)
ALFRED NOVAK
LINDA E. RICKER (Deceased)
JOHN S. and JAMES L. KNIGHT FOUNDATION www.knightfoundation.org
THE HONORABLE STANLEY G. TATE

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

FLORIDA POWER & LIGHT www.fpl.com
RONALD HALL
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY www.miamidade.gov
UNITED WAY OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY www.unitedwaymiamidade.org

>>> Watchdog Report supporters – $1,000 a year

AKERMAN SENTERFITT www.akerman.com
RON BOOK
LEWIS TEIN www.lewistein.com
LINDA MURPHY: Gave a new laptop in Oct. 2001 to keep me going.
WILLIAM PALMER
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.
CITY OF CORAL GABLES www.coralgables.com
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH www.miamibeachfl.gov
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP FOR HOMELESS www.cph.org
THE STATE OF FLORIDA www.myflorida.gov
GREATOR MIAMI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE www.miamichamber.com
GREATER MIAMI CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU www.miamiandbeaches.com
HEALTH FOUNDATION OF SOUTH FLORIDA www.hfsf.org
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY www.miamidade.gov
MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC SCHOOLS BOARD www.dadeschoolsnews.net
PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST & JACKSON HEALTH SYSTEM www.jhsmiami.org
THE BEACON COUNCIL www.beaconcouncil.com
THE CHILDREN’S TRUST www.thechildrenstrust.org
THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY LEAGUE OF CITIES www.mdclc.org
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA http://www.firstgov.gov/
UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI www.miami.edu

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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Watchdog Report Supporters Invoice-Form

NOTE: Invoice is for Yearly supporter/sponsorship Rates: Thank you.

Supporting Sponsors $5,000
Sustaining Sponsors $2,000
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Please make checks payable to: Daniel A. Ricker

Send to: 3109 Grand Avenue, #125
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