Watchdog Report Vol.12 No.38 January 22, 2012 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. 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.

>>> I will be back to back on WLRN/NPR 91.3 FM www.wlrn.org Monday Jan. 23 from 1:00 p.m. to 1:30 on Topical Currents hosted by Joe Cooper, and on Friday Jan. 27 at noon on the Florida Round-Up show,  where I am on a radio panel moderated by Miami Herald host Phil Latzman discussing the Republican primary Jan. 31, and other state legislative issues and readers should listen in.

ARGUS REPORT – Heard, Seen on the Street

>>> Gingrich stuns Romney in S.C. with 40% win, Romney must strike back in Fla. to curtail Big Mo

In a stunning upset, Newt Gingrich surged over Mitt Romney in South Carolina Saturday after two local debates showcased the former House Speaker’s debating skills and seemed to have the former Massachusetts governor tongue tied when asked about releasing his tax returns. Gingrich fended off questions about an “open marriage” issue his former wife said he requested and attacked the “elite media” for that being the first question in the Thursday night debate last week to cheers from the crowd. Gingrich gushing confidence at rallies since then even chided Romney when he left a campaign event where the two were expected at the same time, but Romney showed up early and departed, and it made the presumed front-runner look weak. Now both men are coming to the Sunshine State where the big prize is the 50 delegates in the closed Republican Party primary that is a winner take all race that and will have over 2 million voters coming to the polls. The other contenders Rick Santorum (17 percent of the S.C. vote), the former Pennsylvania U.S. Senator and U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas (got 13 percent of the vote) both say they are staying in the presidential race and Paul will likely persevere given his hard core voter base but Santorum, if he does poorly in Florida. He will drop out for the lack of money that will hinder his campaign in the state that has 10 media markets and the campaign ad time is not cheap.

Here in South Florida and around the state, the issue of illegal immigrants is a real hot button for people on either side of the debate and while Romney, Santorum and Paul want stricter enforcement of existing laws. Gingrich has stated he thinks there should be a legal pathway for people to follow for those people that have lived in America for years, have raised a family and paid taxes rather than deporting them and breaking up a family that has children born in the U.S. and are citizens. Gingrich is also very well liked in the Cuban-American community though he has made past statements that English should be the dominant language, classes should not be taught in Spanish for newly arrived Hispanics, and believed they should take remedial English classes. However, he apologized for that comment and that sums up what makes the former House Speaker politically dangerous in a general election. Since he can fire up a crowd of supporters with great red meat rhetoric, but he verbally meanders and has a habit of putting his foot in his mouth and with this win. It remains to be seen if his mouth in this much larger state is his greatest liability.

Romney, the steady technocrat had a terrible week including two poor performances at the South Carolina debates where he flubbed his response when asked about when he would release his income taxes. Romney is said to be very personal with family and friends but he comes off stiff and periodically awkward in his manner and Gingrich is focusing on that perceived disconnect with voters that has many Romney supporters concerned about the enthusiasm gap with the candidate. However, the race is far from over and Romney has a formidable campaign organization, plenty of money but the shellacking in South Carolina dissolved him putting the national race away in Florida. And he now finds himself in a real verbal fight for his political life against a foe that shows no reluctance to go for the throat, something Romney has to face and overcome. If he is to prevail in what is now essentially a two-man horse race. >>> Editor’s note: I have met both Gingrich and Romney in the past and there is very little similarity between the two men.

>>> Once again, Camillus House breaks ground, new Direct Care Building aided by Baptist Health’s $1.5 million injection for respite care program

Camillus House continues to have ground breakings at its new location in the Miami Medical District and on Friday the organization did it again with the requisite shovel brigade of officials and supporters for a new 31,000 square-foot Direct Care Building that features a 20-bed medical respite care program that is being sponsored by Baptist Health South Florida and run by Camillus Health Concern. Baptist in a $1.5 million financial partnership with Camillus made the new medical care program possible and it “will serve individuals who are homeless and in need of bed rest in order to recover from an ailment.” Camillus Health Concern will provide “onsite primary healthcare services to individuals residing on the new campus as well as to non-residential clients,” states the press release. The new building will also have another 48-bed overnight shelter for men and women and includes showers, clothing exchanges, laundry and mail services. The new building is expected to “earn a Gold LEED Certification” that also applies to the whole Norwegian Cruise Line Campus and this latest addition to the sprawling new Camillus House complex will be of great benefit to the community.

>>> Press release: Statement by Secretary Clinton ~ New Visa Guidelines

Over the last year, the Department of State has been committed to improving the visa process, decreasing interview wait times in key tourism markets such as Brazil and China and increasing the number of visas we issue – without compromising border security. We are excited to take these efforts even further in support of the President’s travel and tourism initiatives, opening the door to new jobs and exports.  More international visitors to America means more revenue for our cities and states, and we are making it easier for tourists from other countries to experience all that America has to offer. Demand for visas has increased dramatically in recent years, so this administration has made it a priority to increase our capacity while maintaining our strict security standards.  By extending interview hours, adding Saturday appointments, hiring additional staff, and opening new facilities, we have reduced visa wait times in countries around the world.

With today’s announcement, our consular officers will now be able to waive interview requirements on a case-by-case basis for many tourists and business travelers who have already spent billions of dollars in the United States.  This will make it easier for these visitors to return, stay in our hotels, eat in our restaurants, buy American products and enjoy all that America has to offer. The Department of State plays a significant role in supporting both our economic security and border security.  This update to our visa requirements will encourage greater investment in the United States, helping to create jobs and power American growth without compromising the safety and security of the American people.

>>> Press release: Germany’s Reduction of Aid to Nicaragua Demonstrates Consequences of Fraudulent Elections, Ros-Lehtinen Says

U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released the following statement on Germany’s decision to decrease foreign aid to Nicaragua due to the fraudulent reelection of Daniel Ortega.   Statement by Ros-Lehtinen: “Germany’s announcement that it will decrease foreign aid to Nicaragua shows the consequences of Ortega’s fraudulent elections in Nicaragua.  This act by the German government is a result of the illegal measures instituted by Daniel Ortega when he blatantly ignored the rule of law and constitution in Nicaragua.

“Democracy in Nicaragua is under assault by the Ortega regime and responsible nations should condemn last year’s presidential election in order to ensure that the Nicaraguan people are granted free, fair, and transparent elections.  Unfortunately, the Obama Administration has failed to take a proactive stance on this issue and Ortega’s systematic power-grab and subversion of the constitution has continued. As President Obama continues to ignore and turn his back on the Nicaraguan people, Daniel Ortega continues to look to Iran and Venezuela to invest in his regime.  I urge President Obama to re-evaluate our policies towards Nicaragua and take immediate action in order to reinstitute the rule of law.  The United States can no longer stand by and watch as democracy is blatantly disregarded in our hemisphere.”

>>> Press release: Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) released the following in response to the death of Cuba’s courageous heroes, Wilman Villar Mendoza. Diaz-Balart comments:

“Today, we mourn the loss of another one of Cuba’s courageous heroes, Wilman Villar Mendoza, who died at the hands of the ruthless Castro regime. “Villar Mendoza, part of the Patriotic Union of Cuba, ultimately lost his life for daring to protest the Castro regime’s increased repression. After his arrest on November 14, 2011, Villar Mendoza began a hunger strike that lasted more than 50 days. While in a coma, dying of pneumonia in the Juan Bruno Zayas hospital in Santiago, the Castro regime reportedly locked down the hospital to prevent supporters from visiting him and his family until he died.

“The Castro regime once again has revealed its true nature and has precious, innocent blood on its hands. It has not yet been two years since the regime murdered another hero, Orlando Zapata Tamayo, for similarly expressing his opposition to repression. These deaths are the results of Castro’s reforms.
“Soon, Cuba’s real criminals will have to account for these crimes. Until then, President Obama must cease rewarding the regime’s human rights abuses with unilateral concessions in the form of eased sanctions that channel hard currency to Castro’s thugs. It is shameful that this administration has chosen to assist the Cuban people’s oppressors in the face of such relentless, unabashed brutality. When the dictatorship finally fades to a grim aberration in Cuban history — as it inevitably will — the Cuban people will remember their friends. Sadly, the current administration is not a friend to the long-suffering Cuban people when it appeases and assists their abusers. Mr. President, the Cuban people deserve better. “My prayers are with Wilman Villar Mendoza, his wife Maritza Pelegrino Cabrales, his young children, and the brave activists that have suffered unspeakable brutality for expressing their solidarity with them. Villar Mendoza forever will be a blessing to the Cuban people in their struggle against tyranny, and we must never forget his sacrifice. God bless his soul.”

>>> 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.

FLORIDA

>>> ‘Stand Your Ground’ law gets challenged in stabbing, jury trial follows in Feb. with Judge Tarwick, net worth of $722,000

A Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge has ruled that a defendant claiming he was acting in self-defense when he stabbed a homeless man to death on Miami Beach will now go to a jury trial after the judge denied the ‘Stand Your Ground’ defense. The man was at a Beach nightclub when the incident occurred and the Miami-Dade state attorney’s office charged the man with second-degree murder and hailed the jurists decision. Now Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Daryl Trawick will preside at the trial expected Feb. 13 www.miamiherald.com and it will be the first time the state law passed by the legislature in 2005 will get a real court challenge. The law no longer required a person to retreat before defending oneself and allowed a person to use deadly force to protect themselves and the defense has worked in a number of past high profile cases throughout the state since the legislation passed. However, critics have suggested the law is too vague and allows people to almost create a fear of confrontation and to respond with a weapon and people around the state will be watching this case closely.

What do we know about Judge Trawick?

Trawick through June 30 2011 has a net worth of $722,000 and he lists $75,000 in household goods. His home is valued at $1.2 million, there is $9,000 in a checking account, a deferred compensation account has $12,800 and a time-share account is worth $20,000. The jurist’s liabilities are a $530,000 mortgage, another bank wants $45,000, a credit union is owed $5,200 and the time-share is owed $14,000. His income for the year was $137,970 as a judge, Miami-Dade College kicked in $8,900, St. Thomas contributed $6,666, and he lists no gifts received over $100.00.

Trawick

>>> Children’s Trust CEO Abety-Gutierrez stepping down in 2012, only top executive it has had since 2002

A former trustee of The Children’s Trust of Miami-Dade told the Watchdog Report Saturday that Modesto E. Abety-Gutierrez, the only president and CEO the organization has had since voters approved its creation in 2002 is retiring in the coming year. He had been the Miami-Dade County Children’s advocate prior to the Trust being created, was the right hand man to David Lawrence Jr., who was the driving force for creating the organization to fund children’s services and was the original Trust Chair, and is still listed as a Founding Chair on the Trust’s leadership banner. A national search is expected to be done to replace the president and the Watchdog Report gives Abety-Gutierrez a Tip of the Hat for the many decades he has focused his life on helping the children of Miami-Dade.

>>> Children’s Trust administration reviews contract performance measures for new trustees

The Children’s Trust www.childrenstrust.org held a Childhood Health and Development Committee meeting Thursday and with many new members on the large board. The administration did a presentation on how the money is awarded to program providers and how these were ranked for funding. The Trust is about all that is left for social services for children in Miami-Dade and the current budget is around $99 million given the depressed property tax role that a small millage percentage funds to the organization.

>>> David Lawrence gives Children’s Movement update

We won’t have a real children’s movement unless we have leadership in every corner of Florida. (And we do.) Today we introduce the leaders of the 17 regional committees – each with a real record of service, each with a real appetite for children being the No. 1 priority for decision-makers in our state. Look at the home page of the website for The Children’s Movement of Florida, which is www.childrensmovementflorida.org. See the map on the right, and 17 communities. Click on the one for your area, and you’ll learn why each leader is so involved. Thank you for believing, and helping. Dave Lawrence, Chair
The Children’s Movement of Florida P.S.: Children’s Week begins the 29th of this month in Tallahassee, and we’re a proud partner. But, in fact, every week ought to be “children’s week” in Florida. Click here to learn more.

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY

>>> With Commission poised to vote on mayor’s unions proposals, Commissioner Suarez drops memo bombshell on alternative way to save $38.2 million

With the Miami-Dade County Commission Tuesday set to vote on Mayor Carlos Gimenez’s veto of a 7 to 6 commission vote requiring a large portion of county employees in unions (especially the 5,400 police and corrections officers) to accept a further five percent cut of their salary that goes to offset the cost for their health insurance. Commissioner Xavier Suarez is firing back with his own alternative plan that is based on salary ranges rather than a flat reduction rate across the board. Suarez in a Jan.18 memo to the mayor and commissioners details his proposed option to the vexing dilemma and his office sent the document to the Watchdog Report last week.

>>> Here is the unedited Suarez memo sent to Gimenez and his fellow commissioners

In light of the current budget impasse, I have looked for ways to cover the budget gap in lieu of imposing the 5% health care contribution upon county employees. The following proposals suggest different means to balancing the budget. These suggestions take into account the previous cuts suffered by our employees and also the perception that our workforce is bloated and overpaid. Using the base salaries obtained from payroll received from the Commission Auditor’s office on January 17, 2012, approximately $38.27 Million can be saved by implementing the following “sliding scale:”  Employees with base salaries at $50,000 contribute 1% of their base salaries; Employee contributions increase by a half percent at every $5,000 interval up to the base salary of $100,000. Employees with base salaries above $100,000 would have contributions that increase by 1% at every $5,000 interval until $150,000 with a maximum contribution of 15%; Employees with base salaries over $150,000 would have a maximum contribution of 15%, this would amount to an additional $4.9 Million in savings.

Another means of achieving a significant amount of savings, amounting to approximately $33.475 Million, is as follows: Employees with base salaries at $50,000 with a 1% contribution; Employee contributions increase by 1% at every $10,000 interval up to the base salary of $150,000. Employees have a maximum contribution of 10%; Employees with base salaries over $150,000 would have a maximum contribution of 10%, this would amount to an additional $3.28 Million in savings. (Please see attached chart for further clarification of the “sliding scale” used) It is important to note that these figures do not include the amount that would be saved if all positions were to be capped at $150,000. It should be noted that these suggestions do not cap all salaries as certain positions may demand a greater level of responsibility/expertise. These are just a couple of suggestions that would resolve the current impasse without having to lay off employees or diminish the quality of our services.

Percent Contributions by Salary Range
Base Salary Range (in thousands)	Contribution (15% max)	Contribution (10% max )
50-54	1%	1
55-59	1.5%
60-64	2%	2
65-69	2.5%
70-74	3%	3
75-79	3.5%
80-84	4%	4
85-89	4.5%
90-94	5%	5
95-99	5.5%
100-104	6%	6
105-109	7%
110-114	8%	7
115-119	9%
120-124	10%	8
125-129	11%
130-134	12%	9
135-139	13%
140-144	14%	10
145-149	15%

>>> Commissioner Bell pushes for four–year lobbying ban for her peers and mayor

County Commissioner Lynda Bell is pushing for a longer period of time before commissioners and the mayor can lobby the county commission after they leave office. She wants to increase that prohibited time from two to four years before these former officials can lobby the commission and this is seen as a positive step and will deter the perception of a lobbying revolving door that currently has a couple of past commissioners now doing that activity including former Commissioner Jimmy Morales who left the body in 2004 and state Sen. Miguel Diaz de la Portilla, R-Miami who left in 2000 and both men would not be affected by this legislation if it passes muster on Tuesday. http://www.miamidade.gov/govaction/matter.asp?matter=120066&file=true&yearFolder=Y2012

>>> Will UMSA incorporation of over 1 million residents get a green light? Commissioners Heyman, Bovo, and Monestime hope so

There may be light at the end of the incorporation tunnel that was suspended by the county commission on September 2007 and this ordinance repeal is being pushed by three commissioners and will be heard on Tuesday at the commission’s board meeting. The commission has resisted allowing the unincorporated portion of Miami-Dade called the Unincorporated Municipal Service Area (UMSA) with over 1 million residents being allowed to incorporate into smaller municipalities or be annexed by existing cities that would govern themselves, because it would also reduce the county’s administrative footprint. Commissioners Sally Heyman, Esteban Bovo and Jean Monestime are pushing lifting the ban and it remains to be seen if commissioners agree and decide to get out of all the county services business that includes police, fire rescue, zoning and solid waste pick-up. http://www.miamidade.gov/govaction/matter.asp?matter=112543&file=true&yearFolder=Y2011

>>> Press release: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has awarded Miami-Dade Transit more than $62.1 million in grants for Fiscal Year 2011. The money comes from the Urbanized Area Formula Funds and Fixed Modernization Funds grants.  Of the $62.1 million, approximately $61 million of the grant funds are for Preventive Maintenance (PM) expenses incurred during Fiscal Year 2011, and the remaining $1.1 million will be used for transit enhancements, security expenditures, and program support for the Metropolitan Planning Organization.

“We are pleased that Miami-Dade Transit has been awarded this long-awaited $62 million of federal grant funds. This demonstrates that much progress has been made in addressing the issues previously identified by the FTA,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez. On November 28, 2011, the FTA along with their contracted Financial Management Oversight (FMO) team began a Financial Management Oversight review of Miami-Dade Transit (MDT), which was completed on December 22, 2011.   After a thorough review by the FTA and the U.S. Department of Labor, MDT was awarded and executed the grants totaling more than $62.1 million.

>>> Press release: Commissioner Jean Monestime invites public to celebrate the 208th anniversary of the Independence of Haiti

Residents of Miami-Dade County are invited to join Miami-Dade County District 2 Commissioner Jean Monestime at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 24, 2012, at the Stephen P. Clark Center to commemorate the 208th anniversary of the independence of Haiti.  Commissioner Jean Monestime will also take this opportunity to recognize leaders from various sectors in the community. “Two hundred and eight years ago, our forefathers rebelled against their colonial masters to form the first independent black republic in the western hemisphere,” said Commissioner Monestime. “Today we remember Jean-Jacques Dessalines, Toussaint L’Ouverture, Alexandre Pétion, Henri Christophe, Capois La Mort and all the other heroes who broke the chains of slavery. We also use this occasion to recognize a few community leaders who are carrying the torch of freedom while paving the way for future generations”. Commissioner Monestime is the first Haitian-American to serve on the Miami-Dade County Commission. For more information, please contact Commissioner Monestime’s office at 305-694-2779. WHO: Miami-Dade County Commissioner Jean Monestime WHAT: Celebration of 208th anniversary of Haitian independence WHEN: Tuesday, January 24, 2012 – 9 a.m. WHERE: Stephen P. Clark Center, 111 NW 1st Street, 2nd Floor Commission Chambers, Downtown Miami, FL.

>>> GMCVB press release: RECORD LEI$URE AND HO$PITALITY JOB$ IN GREATER MIAMI AND THE BEACHES DURING MONTH OF DECEMBER 2011 AND 19TH CONSECUTIVE MONTH OF JOB INCREASES

Greater MIAMI’s Leisure and Hospitality Industry JOBS reached a RECORD high for December with an increase of +1.6% in December 2011 compared to the same period in 2010. This is the 19th consecutive month of increased employment in Greater MIAMI’s Leisure and Hospitality industry.  In December 2011, a RECORD 110,000 people were employed in Greater MIAMI’s Leisure and Hospitality sector compared to 108,300 for December 2010.

GREATER MIAMI LEISURE AND HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY JOB$

December 2011	December 2010	% Change
110,000 jobs	108,300  jobs	+ 1.6%

MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

>>> State denial of federal funds for district created charter school has attorney firing back in blistering letter to Fla. Dept of Education

A blistering letter to Adam Miller, the head of the Florida Department of Education’s Charter Schools director went out Jan.10 after the state denied a federal funding grant for starting a charter school approved by the Miami-Dade Public Schools Board last year. Below is the letter to the state but rarely has the Watchdog Report seen such a explosively written correspondence to state officials and the gloves are definitely off when it comes to this matter. The Watchdog Report requested this correspondence last week and readers can see for themselves how heated the communiqué is from the charter school’s attorney.

>>> Here is the unedited January 10, 2012 letter.

Adam Miller, Charter Schools Director

Office of Independent Education and Parental Choice

Turlington Building – Florida Department of Education

325 W. Gaines Street, Room 522

Tallahassee, FL  32399-0400

RE: ACADEMY FOR INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION- ELIGIBILITY FOR CSP GRANT

Dear Mr. Miller:

I represent the Miami Dade Foundation for Educational Innovation, which is the nonprofit charter holder for the Academy for International Education Charter School (AIE) in Miami Florida.  I write this letter to express the extreme outrage harbored by my client upon learning that the recently released Requests For Proposals to obtain the federally funded CSP Planning and Implementation Grant excludes district-managed charter schools.  AIE is a charter school by every definition under state and federal law.  The school was legally created as any other charter school and is entitled to participation as such in the RFP.  To our knowledge, there are no other district-managed charter schools with the exception of my client.  This exclusion, therefore, seems to be specifically directed at AIE.  This conclusion is supported by the fact that the Technical Assistance issued by your department mentions no exclusion of district-managed charters under “Eligible Applicants.”  Therefore, no legal basis exists for this exclusion.  We therefore demand a reconsideration of this decision to exclude AIE.

A few facts about AIE Charter School: A separately negotiated Management Agreement exists between the Miami-Dade Foundation for Educational Innovation (the nonprofit charter holder), and the Miami-Dade County School Board; A separately negotiated lease agreement exists between the parties;

The employees of the school are employees of the nonprofit charter holder, not the Miami-Dade County School Board; No members of the governing board of the nonprofit are employees of the Miami-Dade County School Board; The nonprofit has the right to terminate the Management Agreement without penalty or threat to its Charter Contract; The nonprofit has its own, independently retained attorney. In short, AIE Charter School is independent of the Miami-Dade County School Board and can operate as such.  Because that is the case, your unilateral exclusion of AIE from even applying for a CSP grant is arbitrary and capricious amounting to a deprivation of due process.

Through this letter, I am also making the following requests in accordance with Section 119.07, Florida Statutes: A copy of the FDOE Application to the USDOE for the award of CSP funds; A list of all district-managed charter schools in the state of Florida; and Any and all correspondence emails, etc. in your agency pertaining in any way to AIE Charter or any district-managed charter school in Miami-Dade County for the past two (2) school years. You may send the requests to the address at the bottom of this letter.  Please be informed that MDFEI reserves the right to seek an injunction under the Administrative Procedures Act against its exclusion from participating as a lawfully created and independently run charter school.

PLEASE GOVERN ACCORDINGLY.

Sincerely,

Corey M. Smith, Esq.

Board Attorney, MDFEI

Cc: State Board of Education Members; MDFEI Board of Directors

PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST

>>> Migoya juggling many financial balls as $10 million cash shortfall looms in Aug. again

With a looming cash crisis in August again rearing its head, Jackson Health System management is looking for ways to cut costs and enhance revenue streams in the future but first must stem losses right now as well to avoid going over this fiscal cliff. Donn Szaro, the organization’s Chief Strategy Officer said Thursday at the Financial Recovery Board committee meetings that there is a “bifurcated strategy” that involves a number of “ongoing initiatives at this time,” to stem the red ink “on a permanent basis.” He said the goal was to take “Jackson to the second level” saying the health system has “to be the epicenter of national health reform.” If it is to survive. He called the plan the “no longer business as usual transformation” and every aspect of the organization is being reevaluated. The strategist said the Trust is focusing on “business units” and accountability is the watchword in this new culture. He noted people account for the bulk of the costs at the hospital system and with patient “utilization down,” staffing levels must be adjusted to the environment.

When it comes to the University of Miami Annual Operateing Agreement (AOA) Szaro said the plane is to continue to work on it but will “just extend last year’s agreement” for the moment.  He said this was being done because so much of the discussion “reflected on the past, we need a new era”, and when the university’s budget year ends at the end of May. He predicted the following agreement will be “completely revised” and involve a whole “new relationship” that includes “a dedicated group of UM physicians that focus exclusively with Jackson” and “we will build a new Jackson.” He also noted when it came to the top-notch specialists at the UM Miller Medical School, “we will buy that” physician consult in the future. Further, CEO Carlos Migoya is aggressively trying to build the Jackson brand in South Florida and is courting community physicians to send their patients to JHS. Szaro said the goal was to diversify how patients are admitted to the main hospital that now has about 85 percent of patients coming from UM physician’s admissions. The strategist said the plan was “to expand [physician] access to bring in more patients” and to reduce that to 50 percent UM doctors admissions and supplement that with 50 percent of patients coming from FIU physicians and other local community medical groups. He further noted the AOA conversation still included “the 16 million in cuts to the [Miami] AOA agreed to before and the $36 million in clinical environmental savings” commitment by the university.

Szaro also showed a proposed plane that could save or bring in around $1.1 billion over the coming years that involved a wide array of reforms and initiatives that included competing for a $30 million federal grant. He said everyone is being asked to “think about what they are doing and how to do it better” and likened the reforms and changes in the future like “going from a cave to the moon.” Further, while he praised the humanitarian missions the institution has under taken over the years like helping after the devastating Haiti earthquake last January. “We go out and help [Haiti] but it comes at a cost” and “We are entitled to more money from the state and in DC,” since we are providing this humanitarian help, he thought.

>>> Press release:  PREVENTING BIRTH DEFECTS ~ Jackson Health System Recognizes National Birth Defects Prevention Month – Birth defects affect approximately 1 in 33 babies is born in the United States and they are a leading cause of infant death.

January is National Birth Defects Prevention Month and Jackson Health System is committed to educating expectant mothers on how to increase their ability of having a healthy baby. Below are some steps a woman can take to prepare for a healthy pregnancy. Many causes of birth defects are unknown, but women can greatly increase their ability to have a healthy baby by not consuming alcohol, smoking and taking illegal drugs. Women who are trying to become pregnant should take 400 micrograms of folic acid daily, and continue to do so throughout the pregnancy. Folic acid is a B-complex vitamin needed by the body to manufacture red blood cells, which prevent major birth defects of the baby’s brain and spine. Pregnant women should see their doctor regularly for prenatal care, which helps keep both the mother and baby healthy. Babies born to mothers who do not receive prenatal care are three times more likely to have a low birth weight and five times more likely to die than those born to mothers who do get care. >>>

Jackson Health System provides a full range of maternity services to women throughout Miami-Dade County. These services are available at Jackson Memorial Hospital, Jackson South Community Hospital, Jackson North Medical Center, as well as Jackson’s network of clinics, North Dade Health Center, Jefferson Reaves Sr. Health Center and Rosie Lee Wesley Health Center. Giving birth at Jackson provides patients with around-the-clock access to some of the world’s top physicians, and a renowned neonatal intensive care unit, dedicated to protecting the health of mother and child.

CITY OF MIAMI

>>> If MESA passes MOU with Friends of Marine Stadium, commission will vote on item on Thursday, four-year deal

An agreement between the Miami Sports and Exhibit Authority (MSEA) with Friends of Miami Marine Stadium Inc. will be voted on Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. at the MSEA board meeting and if passed by that body. The contract will be in front of the commission on Thursday. The Memorandum of Understanding calls for the creation of a nine-member steering committee and will be in affect for up to four years. Friends is a not-for-profit organization trying to raise funds for the iconic stadium on Virginia Key but the job is considerable and the stadium has been left vacant since Hurricane Andrew blew through Miami in late August 1992. The oversight committee board will consist of three members of Friends, three community members with experience in comparable community projects, one educator from either NOAA, University of Miami Rosenstiel or Mast Academy, one member from a wide array of environmental groups and a commercial person from either a restaurant, the marine industry or Seaquarium rounds out the board. The head of the board will be the city’s planning director and support documents indicate there is no public money being used for this activity over the coming years.

However, the structure is in disarray and will take considerable funding in the tens of millions through grants and other sources to rehabilitate the iconic facility and is why the four year duration of the deal which had Miami-Dade County Commissioner Xavier Suarez in the past describing the project as “the ugly,” when it came to any short term progress and possible county funding for the project.

>>> Jungle Island looking for another 50-years of lease with city

A reliable source told the Watchdog Report Friday morning that Jungle Island is trying to get Miami to agree to “a 50 year lease extension,” after the attraction was approved by the city’s voters in 1995 allowing then Parrot Jungle previously in Pinecrest to move to its present site on Watson Island. The organization has financially struggled since it opened and has been reported in the Watchdog Report over the years but the issue is coming to a head in February when some financial payments are due to the city and county but may not be met. Jungle Island principles Bern Levine and Ron Krongold invested millions of their own money but also took out a $25 million HUD loan with Miami-Dade and a private $10 million loan with a private bank, while current, is another stone weighing down the attraction that employs over 400 people.

CITY OF MIAMI BEACH

>>> Federal trial juror cops guilty plea for asking for a bribe

Press release: Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and John V. Gillies, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, announced that Italy Champagna, 55, a former juror in a federal criminal trial, has pled guilty to charges of soliciting a bribe in exchange for agreeing to convince fellow jurors to vote not guilty in a criminal case.   Sentencing has been scheduled for April 4, 2012.  At sentencing, the defendant faces a statutory maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years.

According to the criminal complaint previously filed in this case, Campagna was a sworn trial juror in the federal criminal case of United States v. Arturo Marrero, pending in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, Case No. 10-60244-CR-COOKE.  On October 4, 2011, Campagna approached the father of the defendant outside the Courthouse in Miami and stated that he had information about the case.  Campagna gave the father a piece of paper with a telephone number on it, but did not identify himself by name or explain that he was a juror.

Later that afternoon, the defendant’s brother called Campagna and arranged to meet with him in Miami Beach to discuss the case.  At that meeting, Campagna revealed to the brother that he was a juror in the case and that some of his fellow jurors were inclined to convict.  Campagna offered to persuade other jurors to vote not guilty in exchange for a payment of between $50,000 and $100,000. The brother expressed skepticism at Campagna’s claims and said that he would get back to him the next day. The next day, on October 5, 2011, the brother began to cooperate with the FBI and made a recorded telephone call to Campagna to follow up on his discussions of the day before. The brother asked whether Campagna was still willing to help influence the outcome of the case, and Campagna answered yes.  The brother then proposed a meeting at the same time and place to discuss money and other details.  Campagna agreed. The brother stated that he had been able to get some money together but wanted to negotiate a final price. Later that day, the brother participated in a recorded meeting with Campagna.  Campagna reiterated that he could influence the jury and prevent a guilty verdict. The brother and Campagna then began to negotiate over price, and eventually settled on $20,000 as a deposit.  Campagna followed the brother to his vehicle to obtain the cash payment. The brother then handed Campagna what appeared to be a bundle of cash in a brown paper bag.  At that point, Campagna was arrested. >>> This case was investigated by the FBI-led Miami Area Corruption Task Force, which includes the City of Miami Police Department and the Hialeah Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian K. Frazier. 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.

CITY OF CORAL GABLES

>>>Press release: City Extends Grace Period Until April 15^th For Compliance With Truck Restrictions

The City of Coral Gables has extended the grace period until April 15, 2012, for enforcement of the restrictions pertaining to trucks parked in residential and commercial areas. The City has granted this extension to provide more time for residents to come into compliance with the law. Enforcement would begin after expiration of the grace period if compliance has not been achieved. Fines are $100 for the first violation, and up to $500 for each subsequent violation.

The City of Coral Gables has prevailed in the legal court case challenging the City’s ordinances restricting the parking of trucks. The Third District Court of Appeal previously upheld the constitutionality of sections 4-411 and 4-412 of the Coral Gables Zoning Code pertaining to trucks parked in residential and commercial areas. The Florida Supreme Court has decided not to review this decision.

Based on the provisions that have been upheld, the parking of trucks in residential areas is prohibited unless the truck is parked in an enclosed garage. Likewise, the parking of trucks upon the streets or other public places in the City is prohibited between the hours of 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. of the following day. The City’s truck ordinances seek to preserve the integrity of residential areas and the unique aesthetic qualities of the City of Coral Gables. For more information, please contact Code Enforcement at 305-460-5226.

VILLAGE OF PALMETTO BAY

>>> Gov. Scott taps again Parker, chooses Caruncho of Palmetto Bay and Kuntz of Winter Park to the Board of Governors of the State University System.

Parker, 49, of Jacksonville, has been a partner at Lawrence and Parker P.A. since 2000 and president of Linking Solutions Inc. since 2003. Previously, she was an assistant public defender from 1988 to 1991 and assistant general counsel for the Florida Department of Transportation from 1991 to 1995. In 2002, she was an aide to a Commissioner on the Public Service Commission. She currently serves on the Jacksonville Transportation Authority.  She has also served on the Jacksonville Housing Commission from 2002 to 2006, on the University of Central Florida Board of Trustees from 2001 to 2002, and as general counsel for Edward Waters College. Parker received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida. She is reappointed for a term beginning January 19, 2012, and ending January 6, 2013.

Caruncho, 53, of Palmetto Bay, has been the co-founder and chief operating officer of Preferred Care Partners Inc. since 1996. Prior to founding the company, he was a corporate healthcare attorney representing clients in the healthcare industry for more than 13 years. He serves on the Florida International University (FIU) Center for Leadership Advisory Council and has been a member of the FIU Foundation Board of Directors since 2006, and most recently served as the board’s chairperson. He has also served as a board member of the FIU Alumni Association, chairperson of the FlU College of Business Dean’s Council, and is a founder of the FIU College of Medicine. Caruncho received an associate degree from Miami-Dade College, a bachelor’s degree from Florida International University and a law degree from Nova Southeastern University. He succeeds Ann Duncan and is appointed for a term beginning January 19, 2012, and ending January 6, 2019.

Kuntz, 55, of Winter Park, has been president and chief executive officer of SunTrust Banks Inc. since 1999. Beginning his banking career with SunTrust in 1978 as a management associate, he later managed several different divisions of the bank’s operations. His extensive community involvement includes serving on the Scripps Florida Funding Corporation Board of Directors since 2011 and the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Council of Governors since 2006.  In addition, he has served on the Rollins College Board of Trustees, has been a member of the Florida Council of 100 since 2005, and the Enterprise Florida Board of Directors since 2006, including serving as a past vice chairman. He served on the Florida Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors from 2004 to 2010 and the Florida International University Foundation Board of Directors from 2002 to 2004.  Kuntz received a bachelor’s degree from Rollins College. He succeeds J. Stanley Marshall and is appointed for a term beginning January 19, 2012, and ending January 6, 2019. The appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

>>> OTHER STORIES AROUND FLORIDA

BROWARD COUNTY

>>> Deerfield Beach Commissioner Poiter gets slap on the wrist, can run again in 2015, sentencing judge Brown has $346,000 net worth

The slap of the hand of Deerfield Beach Commissioner Sylvia Poitier by Broward Judge Melinda Brown after the commissioner was found guilty of four misdemeanor counts has shocked some Broward residents. Poiter was removed from office last week when Gov. Rick Scott suspended her from office but people are objecting to the lenient sentence of one-year of administrative probation, 200 hours of community service, and a $1,000 fine, after the lawmaker failed to disclose a $46,000 loan from her brother who ran a not-for-profit slated to get a $30,000 loan from the municipality. Further, Brown withheld adjudication allowing the ruling to be expunged in the future and Poiter could possible run again for political office in 2015, and it is this fact that has people shaking their head about the sentence.  http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/01/17/2594276/governor-removes-poitier-from.html

What do we know about Brown?

Gov. Charlie Crist appointed Brown to the county bench in June 2010 and she was a former Magistrate and assistant state attorney. Brown, 55, has a family and is up for election to the Group 23 seat this year and she has an active campaign webpage but is facing no opponent to date. She has raised $18,250 and loaned $5,000 to the campaign war chest state election documents. Further, the Watchdog Report pulled up her financial disclosure forms and through Dec. 2010. She had a net worth of $346,000, and she lists $8,000 in household goods. Her home is worth $420,000, two vehicles are valued at $16,000, $4,000, a property in Kentucky is worth $20,000, and there is $8,000 in the bank. Brown’s liabilities include owing $6,687 on one vehicle, a Bank of America mortgage is owed $100,490 and Wells Fargo wants $4,395. Her income for the year was $134,720 and the only gift listed was a used judge’s black robe she valued at $100.00.

>>> Two more defendants sentenced in pill mill Operation Oxy Alley

Press release: Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, John V. Gillies, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, Mark R. Trouville, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Miami Field Division, and José A. Gonzalez, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division (IRS-CID), announced the sentencing of two additional  defendants in connection with charges stemming from Operation Oxy Alley, a coordinated investigation into pill mills in Broward and Palm Beach Counties.  Including the two defendants sentenced today, thirteen defendants have been sentenced to date on an indictment unsealed on August 23, 2010, which charged thirty-two defendants.  The indictment alleged that defendants Christopher and Jeffrey George, twin brothers, operated, managed and financed four pain management clinics in Broward and Palm Beach Counties.  According to the indictment and statements made in court, from 2008 to early 2010, these pill mills distributed approximately 20 million oxycodone pills and made more than $40 million from the illegal sales of controlled substances.  Thirteen of the thirty-two defendants were doctors.

Today, U.S. District Judge Kenneth A. Marra sentenced two defendants, both of whom had previously pled guilty in September and October 2011.  Christopher Hutson, 31, of Wellington, pled guilty to one count of racketeering conspiracy and Christine Chico-Blume, a doctor, 59, of Jupiter, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.  Christopher Hutson was sentenced to 108 months in prison, to be followed by 1 year of supervised release.  Christine Chico-Blume was sentenced to 60 months in prison, to be followed by 1 year of supervised release. At present, twenty-eight of the thirty-two defendants named in the indictment have pleaded guilty, including clinic owners Christopher and Jeffrey George.  The sentencing hearings are scheduled to continue throughout January and February 2012. >>> The investigation and prosecution was the result of work by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.  FBI, DEA, IRS-CID were assisted by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, the Broward Sheriff’s Office, the Hollywood Police Department, the Boca Raton Police Department, and the Davie Police Department.  Coordination efforts also included cooperation by the Palm Beach State Attorney’s Office as well as contributions by the Delray Beach Police Department, Jupiter Police Department, West Palm Beach Police Department, Boynton Beach Police Department, Medley Police Department, Homestead Police Department, North Miami Beach Police Department, and Sunny Isles Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul F. Schwartz, Lawrence D. LaVecchio and Strider Dickson. >>> A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

PALM BEACH COUNTY

>>> Boynton Beach man gets 51 months in mail fraud Ponzi investment scam

Press release: Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, John V. Gillies, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, and Tom Grady, Commissioner, State of Florida’s Office of Financial Regulation, announced that Anthony F. Cutaia, 65, of Boynton Beach, was sentenced yesterday in federal court.  U.S. District Court Judge Daniel T.K. Hurley sentenced Cutaia to 51 months in prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release.  Cutaia had pled guilty in July 2011 to Count 2 of a Criminal Information filed in June 2011, which charged him with mail fraud in connection with his participation in a real estate investment scheme from 2003 to 2006, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section, 1341.  According to the filed Information and statements made during the plea hearing, Cutaia was the managing member and beneficial owner of CMG Property Investment Group, LLC, which purportedly engaged in commercial real estate investment.  Cutaia was also the host of “Talk About Mortgages and Real Estate,” a television and radio program.

According to the factual basis in the plea agreement, from March 2003 through December 2006, Cutaia entered into Contract Participation Agreements with investors.  These contracts stated that investors’ money would be used solely to purchase real estate contracts in Palm Beach and Broward Counties and that CMG would not collect commissions or fees until the properties were sold and a profit was made.  In fact, however, Cutaia allegedly invested little of the investors’ money in real estate and instead used the investors’ money to make payments to pre-existing investors and to pay his own business and personal expenses.  Mr. Ferrer commended the efforts of the FBI and the State of Florida’s Office of Financial Regulation for their efforts in the investigation and prosecution of this case.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emalyn H. Webber. >>>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.

ORANGE COUNTY

>>> Press release: Governor Rick Scott announced the appointment of Jeffry R. Jontz to the Statewide Nominating Commission. This Commission reviews the conduct of existing compensation claims judges and submits names to the Governor, from which he selects new appointments.

Jontz, 67, of Winter Park, has been an attorney with Swann, Hadley, Stump, Dietrich and Spears P.A. since 2005. Previously, he practiced with Carlton Fields from 1996 to 2005. He served as an assistant United States attorney for the Middle District of Florida from 1972 to 1974. In addition to his community service on the boards of directors of the Florida Symphony Orchestra and Junior Achievement of Central Florida, he has served as chair of the City of Maitland’s Code Enforcement Board and the City of Winter Park’s Board of Adjustments. Jontz received a bachelor’s degree from Drake University and a law degree from the University of Iowa. He succeeds David Beyer and is appointed for a term beginning January 20, 2012, and ending July 1, 2013.

NASSAU COUNTY

>>> Ga. Company brings 30 new jobs in next three years, skilled machinists and engineers

Press release: Governor Rick Scott announced that Brunswick, Ga.-based ALM Technologies Inc. (a.k.a. Definitive Design Inc.), a high precision aerospace manufacturing company, has announced that it will relocate to Yulee in Nassau County in early 2012, creating 30 net new positions during the next three years.  The average annual wage of the positions – to include skilled machinists, engineers and support personnel – will be $41,267, which is 137 percent of Nassau County’s.  The company also will make a substantial capital investment in Nassau, including the purchase of a building and new equipment for its operations.

ALM Technologies provides products for major aerospace suppliers in support of commercial and defense contracts.  The company was formed in June 2011 to acquire the selected assets of Definitive Design Inc., which had been privately held since 1996.  “We welcome ALM Technologies to Florida and look forward to its contributions to our aerospace and manufacturing sectors, which are vital to our state’s economic growth and job creation,” said Governor Rick Scott.  “With this announcement, the Sunshine State continues to show that it’s open for business.” “Nassau County and the economic development board provided exactly what we were looking for in our location search – a focused, detail-oriented and quick approach the entire way,” said ALM President Michael J. Piscatella.  “While the growth we expect may be inconsistent with the current economic conditions, the forecast for the aerospace industry is in the early stages of a strong upswing.  We trust that Definitive Designs can and will bring positive growth to Nassau County.”

The Nassau County Economic Development Board (NCEDB) was instrumental to the selection of Yulee from among the contending cities for ALM’s relocation.  “This is a big win for Nassau County.  Entrepreneurs are the growth drivers in this economy and that is what Definitive Designs will bring to our county – positive growth,” said Steve Rieck, executive director of the Nassau County Economic Development Board Executive Director.  “NCEDB’s job is not done.  We plan to continue working with Definitive Designs to provide any support they require with regard to workforce training, building permitting etc.  We brought them here and we want to keep them here.”

COMMUNITY EVENTS

>>> Elephant Forum luncheon meeting, Monday Jan.23rd 94th Aero Squadron restaurant, 1395 N.W. 57 Ave (Red Road) Speaker:  Rudy Fernandez, Vice President of Government Affairs, University of Miami – Reservations:  please call:

Mary Ellen Miller, 305 377 9187.

>>> SAVE THE DATE – www.downtownbayforum.org January Meeting Topic: The Bankruptcy of American Airlines What does it mean for Miami? January 25, 2012 – Registration opens: 11:30 a.m. Place: Wolfson Auditorium, Temple Israel at 137 NE 19th St, Miami, FL (with complimentary onsite parking) For more information please click on Tickets For Reservations please call Annette Eisenberg — (305) 757-3633.

>>> Please join us for Casa Valentina’s Fifth Annual Community Appreciation Luncheon! You are invited to help us celebrate our successes over the past five years, and to hear our plans for the next five years and beyond… Wednesday, February 8, 11:30 am – 1:00 pm, Elizabeth Virrick Park Gymnasium, 3255 Plaza Street, Coconut Grove *Walking tour to Casa Valentina following lunch. Our new Program Director, Karen Haag, will discuss how Casa Valentina’s new program for young mothers aging out of foster care with babies will help these youth to form secure attachment relationships with their children. If you are able to attend, please RSVP to info@casavalentina.org by Friday, February 3. Special thank you to our sponsor: Fare to Remember Creative Catering!

>>> SOUTH MIAMI-DADE CULTURAL ARTS CENTER AND delancyhill LAW FIRM PRESENT 8TH ANNUAL BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION

The Langston Hughes Project featuring The Ron McCurdy Quartet and celebrity Spoken Word artist Malcolm Jamal-Warner

South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center (SMDCAC) celebrates Black History Month with a presentation of the Langston Hughes Project, Ask Your Mama, Twelve Moods for Jazz on Thursday, February 23 at 8:00 p.m. on the main stage. The performance features the Ron McCurdy Quartet with celebrity spoken word artist Malcolm Jamal-Warner. As part of this special evening, delancyhill law firm will host their 8th Annual Black History Month Celebration with a VIP reception honoring Miami-Dade County Commissioner Dennis C. Moss at 6:00 p.m. in the Black Box Studio. Proceeds from the VIP Reception will benefit SMDCAC’s education and outreach programs. Tickets to the performance are $30, $20, $10 ($5 tickets CultureShockmiami.com), $5 off orchestra level seats for students seniors and active military service members. Tickets to the VIP reception are $50 and includes entrance  to the performance. The public should contact SMDCAC’s Box Office at 786-573-5300 or visit www.smdcac.org. SMDCAC is located at 10950 SW 211 Street, Cutler Bay.

EDITORIALS

>>> Firebrand Gingrich, technocrat Romney duke it out in Sunshine State with Santorum and Paul trailing but what of GOP voter turnout?

With the Jan. 31 Republican Party presidential primary just over a week away, the question of voter turnout is on everyone’s lips that already has well over 400,000 absentee ballots statewide already going out. Turnout has been abysmal in local municipal elections over the past year and if there was ever a time for GOP voters to turnout, it is now given the fluidity of the race that has all the candidates being asked just one question. Can they beat President Barack Obama on the national stage and while you have to give Gingrich an edge when it comes to public speaking and getting a crowd stirred up. He also raises doubts for many in the party if he is steady enough and has the political temperament to not only take on Obama, but also to run the country.

Mitt Romney, a former Massachusetts governor is having an enthusiasm gap and on paper he seems like a great candidate but he is coming across as “distant” when he talks to crowds and with a personal fortune of $250 million. His response when it came to any speaking fees he earned being essentially peanuts, though was over a $300,000 amount caught many voters by surprise. Since many people would be over the moon to make that kind of money. Further, at Thursday’s debate he stumbled on whether he would release his tax returns, something he should have expected would come up. It suggests that he is having trouble finding a comfortable narrative about himself and his answers are not as smooth as a presidential candidate should be and suggests he is over thinking his response and how the words might affect the race.

For Rick Santorum and Ron Paul, the Florida primary may be the beginning of the last act though Paul will probable soldier on to the end but the real issue is voter turnout, and with early voting already begun, given the propensity of absentee voting, much of the outcome may already be determined and only can be changed if GOP voters in high numbers turnout to the polls for this candidate field. For the state’s GOP voters are choosing their party’s champion and if you are Republican, will you weigh in on the race or just be an armchair Republican carping about the candidate field, and in the coming days ahead, we will get the answer to this question.

What about the Miami-Dade Charter questions on the ballot?

Voters in Miami-Dade have a number of Home Rule Charter questions on the Jan.31 ballot including one that would pay commissioners around $92,000, but demands no outside income and creates term limits of eight years on the 13 member body but allows existing commissioners to serve two more four-year terms starting from 2012 on. While critics complain the extra terms for the incumbents keeps them in office way to long, it is the fair way to address the issue because making it retroactive is legally tenuous but voters are getting closer to what many residents say they want.

The Watchdog Report believes this is a start but would have preferred the question be put on the ballot in August or the November General Election allowing a larger number of county voters to weigh in and that may yet be the case. Since if it is denied on this round there are actually two more opportunities in the future and commissioners are increasingly willing to put the question of salary and term limits on the ballot, after years of ignoring the issue of term limits yet wanting a raise, and it is now up to voters to decide if commissioners have yet to earn that bump in salary or not.

LETTERS

>>> Clerk Ruvin helps stop WDR IT blockage

Since it appears that it was the Judges and their JA’s that were being blocked, the problem would most likely lies with the Adm Office of the Courts’ (AOC) IT Administrator not the Clerks office. I’ve  called Sandy Lonergan, OAC Administrator, who told be that they have recently installed some blocking type software that blocks unregistered individuals and organizations. She is checking further and promised to get back to me. In any event, since we at the Clerk’s Office are still receiving the WDR , I don’t think the error lies with us. I read the WDR regularly and find it to be a valuable media and def serves a public purpose.

Harvey Ruvin

Clerk

Miami-Dade County

>>> Just read this old email, Glad you survived your health scare and are keeping an eye on things! Thanks for your work. You obviously could write a great book about the dark underbelly of the Miami area!

Christina

>>> Thank you. We appreciate you and all you do.

>>> 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

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Please make checks payable to: Daniel A. Ricker

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