Watchdog Report Vol.12 No.41 February 12, 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.

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ARGUS REPORT – Heard, Seen on the Street

>>> Local new Congressional Districts tighten races, Diaz-Balart, Lehtinen likely to win, but will Rivera’s race be a toss-up?

The Congressional redistricting of South Florida Districts is resulting in musical chairs when it comes to the constituents the incumbents might be representing in the 2012 election with U.S. Rep. David Rivera, R-Doral, the youngest member of the group in Congress, having the most challenging change in his new district when it comes to the G.O.P. base, that will now include the Florida Keys www.miamiherald.com . Rivera was elected in 2010 to District 25 after U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Miami vacated it to run in his brother’s Lincoln former District 21 that leans more Republican now by one percent after his brother decided to retire from the House in 2010.

Ros-Lehtinen’s new district is much more compact and she will no longer represent the Keys while Rivera’s sprawling new district includes much of the Everglades in South Florida, the Keys and ends on the Gulf side of the state. And Diaz-Balart inherits a major swath of south Broward and Collier Counties along with the northern part of Miami-Dade. Party affiliations in all three districts is either equal, as in the case of Ros-Lehtinen, and for the other two men there is only a one percent edge in the number of registered Republicans over Democrats. The big political variable is the rising number of independents and no party affiliation registered voters in these new districts. And the only other consideration is these new maps still have a healthy number of Cuban super voters who religiously turn out to the polls and have allowed Republican candidates to dominate local Legislative races at both the state and federal level even with fewer registered voters by a margin of almost 2 to 1 in Miami-Dade.

Ros-Lehtinen says she welcomes the redrawn maps that include voters she has represented in the past, after she filled U.S. Rep. Claude Pepper’s, D-Miami congressional seat after he passed away in 1989. Since then she has fended off periodic challengers, but was victorious and is now Chair of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee. And Diaz-Balart has the largest cushion with GOP voters, but it will be Rivera that may have the biggest challenge and so far, he is being challenged by state Rep. Luis Garcia, D-Miami Beach this November. Rivera in 2010 beat back a field of three challengers with the primary opponent being attorney Joe Garcia, a former member of President Barack Obama’s administration and former chair of the Florida Public Service Commission in the 1990s. Rivera in a bitter campaign back then garnered 74,855 votes to Garcia’s 61,133 and in this election, that margin will likely be closer, but he is a skilled campaigner and political strategist. But he has also been dogged by a variety of investigations and money that went to a company his mother ran to get local gambling passed for a local casino in Miami and all of this has left a dark cloud over his head. He says he is innocent of any wrong doing. Further, Rivera recently endorsed former House Speaker Newt Gingrich’s presidential campaign and the prognosis of that race suggests that Gingrich is fading in the polls and Rivera may have hitched himself to a falling star. For a past story on Rivera’s campaign back then go to: http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2010/nov/07/congress-election-david-rivera-district-25-ready/ >>> Editor’s note: The new redistricting maps drawn by the Republican controlled Legislature are being challenged in the courts.

>>> White House press release: CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU Director Richard Cordray Statement on the Mortgage Servicing Settlement

Today, federal and state agencies joined together in reaching an agreement that addresses mortgage servicing and foreclosure abuses by the nation’s five largest mortgage services. The settlement will provide $25 billion in financial relief to distressed homeowners and establish new servicer standards of conduct. Richard Cordray, Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), issued the following statement: “Widespread failures in the mortgage servicing industry have been well-documented. All too often, paperwork was lost, phone calls went unanswered, errors were not resolved, or documents were falsified. As a result, some families who qualified for loan modifications did not receive them in time to stop foreclosure.

“Today’s $25 billion settlement will help many struggling homeowners across the country stay in their homes. Under the terms of the agreement, the largest five servicers must adhere to new consumer protections and provide customers with options for avoiding the pain of foreclosure. “Going forward, the Consumer Bureau will be examining servicers throughout the industry to make sure they are following the law. We will also be issuing rules to bring greater fairness and transparency to the mortgage-servicing marketplace. And where we find unlawful practices, we will not hesitate to use our full authority to protect consumers and hold all servicers accountable.” >>> The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is a 21st century agency that helps consumer finance markets work by making rules more effective, by consistently and fairly enforcing those rules, and by empowering consumers to take more control over their economic lives. For more information, visit www.ConsumerFinance.gov.

>>> Press release: Ros-Lehtinen Votes To Give President The Line Item Veto Option & Reiterates Her Long Term Support Of This Important Tool To Cut Bloated Federal Budget

Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) voted today for the line item veto to give the president a new tool to control the bloated federal budget. The legislation, “Expedited Legislative Line-Item Veto and Rescissions Act of 2011” (H.R. 3521) will assure that the president has the authority to cut all or any dollar amount of funding from a particular program enacted by Congress.
Many state governors have line item veto authority and they use it to cut excess waste from their budgets. This legislation will make sure that the president has the same budget cutting authority as governors. The bill also includes a provision stating that funds saved from line item vetoed projects will go solely to deficit reduction or increase of a surplus. Ros-Lehtinen has long been a supporter of the line item veto, having voted for it when it came before the House in 1996.

Said Ros-Lehtinen, “This Congress has reduced federal spending by $95 billion below 2010 levels, making it the first time in modern history that Congress has cut discretionary spending two years in a row. Even though federal spending has been cut, the line item veto is badly needed so the president can cut wasteful programs even further. I have long supported giving the Executive Branch this authority and I can’t think of a better time than now to pass this important budget-cutting tool. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to stop their partisan political games and debate and approve this legislation and send it to the president for his signature. The American people are demanding reforms in the way we cut federal spending and this is a very good start.”

>>> Press release: Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) issued the following statement after the State Senate in Tallahassee approved the State House plan on Congressional redistricting.

Ros-Lehtinen’s statement: “I look forward to reaching out to the constituents of the new district I hope to represent. The residents of Congressional District 27 will find in me a hardworking, dedicated public servant who understands their difficult economic situations and who also emphasizes quality constituent service.
I have never forgotten that Members of Congress are accountable to those we represent. It is a high honor and a sacred trust to represent South Floridians in Congress.

There are only a few new neighborhoods in the redrawn district and I’ve had the pleasure of representing these residents before in the Florida legislature or in previous Congressional districts. So it’s actually a ‘welcome back’ district for me. Everywhere I go, constituents share with me their anxieties about the lack of jobs, the rising costs of college tuition, their high mortgage payments, soaring insurance premiums and the overburdening bureaucratic regulations that are strangling their small businesses so it’s way past time for us to heed the message and get Americans on a path to prosperity.”

>>> 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

>>> Children’s Trust of M-DC CEO Abety-Gutierrez investigating how to retire in FRS, yet come back in six months

The Children’s Trust of Miami-Dade with a $96.7 million budget in 2011 for programs and services and is managing 300 contracts is trying to resolve a management issue that also includes crafting a succession plan for the top administrator. The issue came to the forefront recently when President and CEO Modesto E. Abety-Gutierrez, 60, the only top executive at the organization has had needed to make a decision regarding his retirement in the Florida Retirement System (FRS) after 38-years in public service. And the man began his career on Feb. 4, 1974 at Miami-Dade’s then called Dept. of H.U.D. At a Monday Human Resources Sub-Committee meeting Dr. Gina Cortes-Suarez, the sub-committee chair said given “The fact the Children’s Trust is barely 10-years old” it is important to keep its cutting edge work going when it comes to programs for children around the county and we must be sure “nationally,” that the organization continues to be “a leader,” in this field.

When committee members asked Abety-Gutierrez if he would like to stay in his capacity, if a way could be worked out with the FRS and they have rendered an opinion concerning the man. He said, “This is the best job in the state of Florida,” and “what has happened is the rules of the state DROP Program have changed,” causing this issue. He further said when it came to broaching the subject with Trust members. “I did not think that was in my realm to request that, and yes I would like to come back,” he said if that was possible after leaving for six months. The Trust attorney after a discussion of what his options might be and how to do it spiked the discussion when she noted. “Moe has to get the opinion” and “if it violates FRS that is the final word,” and there are no legal opinions except the one from the state and that ruling “is the only one that is binding,” intoned Miami-Dade Assistant County Attorney Maria Arista-Volsky.

The Watchdog Report contacted the president last week after the monthly board meeting of the Trust held later Monday and he wrote back. “The Board is assessing all of its options; on Monday for the first time, the possibility that I would retire and come back in six months was suggested. I was asked to consider this and report back in a month. During this month, I am to check FRS rules and regulations and determine if that is possible? I’m also to come back with a plan for succession for The Children’s Trust … and DRAFT a plan for a National Search,” wrote the long time children’s advocate.

The Trust was approved by voters in 2002 and reconfirmed in Aug. 2008 by county voters by a wide margin and the organization has been remarkable free of scandal. The Trust initially held back revenues in the early years while organizational capacity and accountability by providers was achieved and while available revenues have dropped since it is funded by a small percentage of the property tax millage rate. That saved extra money from the early years has cushioned some of the cuts to children’s programs and services though these are down from its hay day around 2006, when property values county wide soared by 21.3 percent and the organizations coffers were robust. Currently while the county and municipalities face nothing but cuts, including in services for children and park programs. The Trust is the only option for funding left for such services and is truly a children’s safety net organization.

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY

>>> It’s a go says MIA aviation director Abreu to AA and new 13 mile automated baggage system in N. Terminal, but will air carrier file a federal injunction halting phase in?

Jose Abreu, the Miami-Dade County aviation director fired off a Feb.6 letter to Marilyn DeVoe, the American Airlines (AA) Vice President for Miami Airport Service notifying the airline that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) expects the new almost 13 mile automated baggage system begin its phased in operation starting Feb. 28 at the new Miami International Airport North Terminal. The terminal’s Baggage Handing System (BHS) has been on hold for over a year but as reported in last week’s Watchdog Report. The TSA wants to get moving on the matter after all tests were deemed acceptable after the data was analyzed. Abreu, a professional engineer in the job since July 2005, wrote that the TSA “has reassured their total support and readiness to ensure a successful transition” and his “BHS team has begun all the necessary measures and preventative maintenance activities.” He asks for her “cooperation in having your staff prepared for this milestone which would be most appreciated and beneficial,” to the success of the mission. The MIA aviation guru also notes that his department “will not begin any demolition activities to the existing legacy system” or make any other changes to the old baggage system “until American has transitioned to the new BHS.”

MIA after almost two decades has almost completed its now $6.4 billion capital improvement program that when originally estimated at $2.2 billion was a low ball estimate and had to do with how the massive project was conceived and the expected costs and plans that were inconsistent with the reality of the project, said a reliable source last week. Further, in Abreu’s case he has to deal with the looming debt payments that in the future will come to a $1 million a day of debt service payments on the past construction bonds and with AA in bankruptcy and laying off thousands of employees, the success of the new BHS system is of critical importance. Further Abreu is planning to retire in November and he told the Watchdog Report last week he wants to get back to road construction, which he did when he was Florida Secretary of FDOT before taking the MIA assignment. Though Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez (Net worth $923,000) said later when asked I asked about this retirement. He said he would like him to stay on.

The new automated security and baggage system is the linchpin to MIA being able to meet these MIA and county financial obligations, and with AA accounting for 72 percent of the airports gates. Any diminishment in baggage service given the volume could have disastrous effects on the air carrier and why insiders are suggesting AA will go to federal court and try to seek an injunction stopping this mandated kick-off date. And readers will see in the future how this debate turns out but the clock is now ticking down to the end of the month.

Abreu

>>> Mayor Gimenez & Chair Martinez cross swords on Tuesday, let the 2012 mayoral race begin

Let the verbal battle begin at the Miami-Dade County Commission Chambers with the preliminary engagement between Mayor Carlos Gimenez and Commission Chair Joe Martinez (Net worth $238,000) running up to the county mayoral August primary. But with such a large field of other candidates, the race will likely result in a November run-off between the two men. This aspect became apparent at Tuesday’s county commission meeting where county staff faced a withering verbal barrage from a couple of the commissioners, including Jose “Pepe” Diaz (Net worth $64,200) when it came to aviation issues at MIA. This drama is expected to play out over the next six months running up to the Aug. 14 primary and the subject matter of the discussion will be the upcoming 2012-2013 budget that the commission approves. And if Gimenez wins in the primary the political battle will be over, but if there is the expected runoff. The two men will be going at it from the dais all through this September budget process and to say it will be contentious and verbally ugly will be an understatement.

Gimenez

Martinez

Diaz

>>> Homeless population up; Jan. census has 840 people living on streets; deaths are up as well to 97 souls in 2011

The preliminary Miami-Dade homeless count had 840 people living on the street and that is up from 789 at the previous year said David Raymond, the director of the Miami-Dade Homeless Trust http://www.miamidade.gov/homeless/ . The number jumps many times in the winter as people from the northern United States flock to the warmer weather in South Florida, but another important figure is on the rise as well.

Over the years the number of homeless that died on the street was dropping and two years ago 77 people perished on the county and cities streets but that trend has changed and in 2011 97 souls died on the streets for a variety of reasons, but this is not a good sign. >>> Miami-Dade is a national model of programs when it comes to shelter and continuum of care programs for the homeless and their families and is in public/private partnerships with the Chapman Partnership, Empowering the Homeless, and Camillus House are two main examples of these private not-for-profit service providers. For more on these organizations go to www.chapmanpartnership.org and www.camillushouse.org

>>> Press release: County Commissioners Lynda Bell and Rebeca Sosa are Co-Sponsoring legislation intended to put term limits on the November ballot.

If approved by the Commission, the ballot question will ask voters whether they want to amend the Home Rule Charter to limit Commissioners from serving no more than two consecutive 4 year terms. Once approved, the question will then go before the voters during the General Election on Tuesday, November 6, 2012. Initially, Commissioner Bell sponsored legislation, which put this question to the voters, exclusive of any other item. But her suggestions, at the time, were not considered. Commissioner Bell and Commissioner Sosa are the Co-Sponsors of the original legislation, which brought the question of term limits to the voters.

“The residents of Miami-Dade County are justifiably frustrated with the never-ending “tug of war” between themselves and their local elected officials. It is my responsibility to listen to them and acquiesce to their needs. That is why I, along with my colleague, Commissioner Rebeca Sosa, are Co-Sponsoring a legislative item which asks the voter to approve no more than two consecutive 4 year terms in office for all County Commissioners, effective immediately upon its passage. It is not lost on me that serving as a Commissioner comes with great responsibility, one that is unmatched and built on a profound public trust. By working together, we will make great strides towards a better community that represents all of its people.” Said Commissioner Bell.

Bell

Sosa

>>> Press release: Miami-Dade County is requesting Expression of Interest from interested qualified parties to provide Head Start Program services.

Miami-Dade County is seeking Requests of Expressions of Interest (REOI) from qualified parties to provide Head Start/Early Head Start (HS/EHS) Program services. As part of the 2012 budget approved by the Board of County Commissioners, the County is seeking to contract out Head Start/Early Head Start services currently provided by the Miami-Dade County Community Action and Human Services Department (CAHSD). Parties interested in providing these services must complete and submit the REOI documents by February 29, 2012 at 2:00 PM in order to be considered for a County (HS/EHS) contract. The REOI documents will be available online beginning Monday, February 6, 2012 at www.miamidade.gov/dpm >>> Head Start/Early Head Start is a federally funded, comprehensive child development program, serving low–income families. In Miami-Dade County, the Head Start/Early Head Start Program serves 6,756 children and families. Who: Miami-Dade Community Action and Human Services Department What: Requests for Expressions of Interest to provide Head Start Program Services When: REOI documents available on Monday, February 6, 2012 Where: Online at the Miami-Dade County’s Internal Services Portal Site www.miamidade.gov/dpm

>>> Press release: TRI-COUNTY BEAT THE HEAT SPAY AND NEUTER week for cats

In an effort to help reduce the pet overpopulation problem in Southeast Florida, six animal shelters have joined forces to provide spay and neuter surgeries for all owned, feral and free roaming cats. The weeklong event is taking place from February 21st through February 25, 2012. The service is available to all residents of Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties. Surgeries can be scheduled at any one of six convenient locations. There is no limit to the number of cats that any individual can present for sterilization. The cost is the same at all six locations; $15.00 per cat, which includes the sterilization surgery, rabies and FVRCP vaccines and a microchip. Appointments are required and can be scheduled by calling the desired location. “The goal is to sterilize 1650 cats over the course of the five day event. This is a critical step to reducing the number of cats and kittens received in shelters throughout the spring. While kittens are cute, the sad truth is that there are often more kittens than there are homes for them,” said Alex Muñoz, Director, Miami-Dade County Animal Services. Southeast Florida Region Spay/Neuter Coalition Members:

Broward County Animal Care and Adoption (954) 359-1313 ext. 9271

Humane Society of Broward County (954) 895-3605

Humane Society of Greater Miami (305) 696-0800

Miami-Dade Animal Services 311

Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control (561) 233-1261

Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League (561) 686-3663

>>> GMCVB press release: RECORD DEMAND FOR TRAVEL TO GREATER MIAMI AND THE BEACHES REMAINS STRONG FOR FULL YEAR 2011 RESULTING IN DOUBLE-DIGIT INCREASES IN GREATER MIAMI’S TOURIST-RELATED TAX COLLECTIONS

For the full year of 2011, the 2% Food and Beverage tax collections from hotels in MIAMI-Dade (excluding MIAMI Beach, Bal Harbour, and Surfside) generated $6,161,098 compared to $5,247,176 in 2010, an increase of +17.4%. January through December 2011 Convention Development Tax (CDT) collections for Greater MIAMI and the Beaches of $55,681,609 compared to $47,766,332 for the same period last year represent a +16.6% increase. The MIAMI-Dade Resort tax collections (excluding MIAMI Beach, Bal Harbour and Surfside) for January through December 2011 totaled $18,686,498 compared to $16,525,524 in 2010 for an increase of +13.1%.

OBITUARY

>>> Commissioner Jean Monestime father passes

Commissioner Jean Monestime announced the passing of his father, Mr. Vercilien Monestime, on Friday, February 3, 2012. Mr. Vercilien Monestime is survived by his wife, Angelina Monestime, and his children. Funeral services were held on Saturday, February 11, 2012 at St. James Catholic Church at 540 NW 132nd Street in North Miami.
MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

>>> Issue of one individual’s “exemption” on volunteer board committees limiting it to two, irks board members who shoot down Perez’s request at a board committee

An item put on the school board agenda for this Wednesday’s board meeting by Board Member Marta Perez (Net worth $2.18 million) did not pass a school board committee on Thursday after seven board members thought it was inappropriate legislation. Since it regarded a specific exemption for an individual who was named in the legislation allowing them to serve on multiple committees in defiance of a Board Rule passed last fall that limits to two. The number of committees a citizen can serve on. Board Member Rachael Regalado (Net worth $108,450) sponsored the legislation regarding the number of committees someone can serve on, and the implementation has been delayed since then. After past confusion on who would enforce the legislation, the district administration or the attorney’s office. Superintendent Alberto Carvalho made it clear last week it was his office that would administer the monitoring that has a small universe of individuals that fell into this classification of serving on multiple boards.

The exemption that Perez proffered, but was shot down at the committee meeting by 7-0 requested that Susan Maria Kairalla, a community activist for over a decade and close friend of Perez. That she be allowed to serve on the four listed committees she is on, including the community’s fiscal firewall committee. The all-important School Board Audit & Budget Advisory Committee where she is Perez’s appointment and Perez earlier had sent a testy memo disagreeing with the new board Rule and on the individual being removed from some of these boards and that got Regalado upset at the meeting since the issue became “personal.” Regalado noted during the discussion that she had removed a person from a school committee since they “lived in Broward County and this is not a personal thing,” she said. She noted the superintendent “is in charge” and had hoped Perez could have been at the committee meeting (but conflicted with her teaching job, though Regalado was willing to bring Perez’s item back at a committee meeting Perez could attend in the future), to avoid a nasty exchange at a televised school board meeting this week. Saying she did “not want to have this discussion on WLRN [radio and television].”

Board Chair Perla Tabares Hantman (Net worth $7.7 million) said she could not believe they were still discussing the item after a heated meeting on it in January where board members pressed the administration why there “was not compliance of a Board Rule.” And the veteran board member elected in 1996 said it “should have been resolved” by now. She reiterated her concern was not about this particular case, “but this is about Board policy and that it has become personal is inconceivable” to her after the majority of the board passed the legislation. She further noted other board members have removed three people that lived in Broward and the fact the “board is dealing with one individual is offensive.” Hantman also told the administration and attorney “when the Board speaks” and passes legislation “it is a mandate,” she stated.

However, after Board Attorney Walter Harvey noted only Perez could “pull the item” and committee members had only one choice, that was to shoot it down, and it is no longer on the advertised school board meeting agenda as of Saturday. It will be seen if Perez buys into this move that had Regalado worried it would degenerate into a “circus” at the televised board meeting and hoped they could “find a resolution to the matter and not turn this into a personal assault,” said the attorney. Regalado, the daughter of Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado also noted from now on this is the policy “everyone after will have to implement.”
However, Kairalla was attending the committee meeting working on her computer while the discussion was going on and she did not look very happy regarding the exemption denial. And the Watchdog Report predicts Perez will try to discuss the issue on Wednesday, but the issue has critics and others are shaking their heads why this essentially trivial topic should be so contentious, and take up school board meeting time.

Hantman

Perez

Regalado

PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST

>>> At last; Nurse’s union & administration comes to $52 million agreement in cuts per year, neither side happy

The PHT Financial Recovery Board is meeting Monday at 3:00 p.m. in the Miami-Dade Commission Chambers and on the agenda is the ratification of the SEIU Local 1991 union’s new agreement hammered out earlier this week, and expected to be voted on this week by the membership. The hard fought deal is not all of what both sides insisted upon but the agreement with the nurses union, the largest employee group out of Jackson Health System’s 9,300 employees has been hotly awaited. As the PHT is now in its fifth month of the current budget year and not having these concessions when it came to achieving a balanced budget at the end of September was becoming a more Herculean task as each day slipped by. The new agreement with the unions will save the health trust $52 million per year over a three year contract, though if efficiencies are found by unionized workers these cuts can be earned back as the hospital system embarks on a complete reorganization and structure change different from how it has operated over the past decades. http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/02/07/2629044/jackson-health-system-seiu-meet.html

What about PHT CIP issues in the range of $1 billion?

But this contentious union agreement is only one of the hurdles the public health system faces, that includes extensive capital improvement issues and there is currently not a significant budgeted item for this activity this year that overall comes in around $1 billion. To bring the Trust’s facilities into world class standards after years of only doing the minimum maintenance. Since roughly over $100 million of costs per year over the last 11-years has been shifted from Miami-Dade County to pay for inmate healthcare in the county jails, retirement homes and paying for the county’s fire rescue helicopters are just a few of the items paid for by Jackson.

>>> Press release: A special Public Health Trust Financial Recovery Board (PHT FRB) meeting has been scheduled for Monday, February 13, 2012. The special meeting has been scheduled as part of the PHT FRB One-Day Committee meetings and will immediately follow the Strategy and Growth Committee meeting, located in the Ira C. Clark Diagnostic Treatment Center, Conference Room 259, 1080 N. W. 19th Street, Miami, FL 33128. The sole purpose of the meeting is to present to members of the PHT FRB the following items for approval: 1) Resolution recommending for appointment the Class II Members of Jackson Memorial International, Inc.’s Board of Directors (Mark T. Knight, Chief Financial Officer, Jackson Health System)

(2) Resolution accepting the 2011-2014 Collective Bargaining Agreement among Miami-Dade County Florida, the Public Health Trust and the Service Employees International Union, (SEIU) Healthcare Professionals Local 1991, and forwarding such Agreement to the Miami-Dade County Commission for ratification (Carlos A. Migoya, President and Chief Executive Officer, Jackson Health System.)

CITY OF MIAMI

>>> Jungle Island check cashed, but any contract changes would have to be approved by city voters, says Miami Mayor Regalado

Mayor Tomas Regalado (Net worth $8,500) told the Watchdog Report Thursday that the $531,944 check from Jungle Island delivered earlier in February was cashed after checking with the city attorney and the action did not bind Miami into agreeing with any new contract. The tourist attraction management wants the city to extend the lease 50-years and includes adding more land to the tourist site on Watson Island that employs about 450 people. But the mayor noted the facility is on prime waterfront land that had been approved by voters in the 1990s and the issue would have to go back to these voters for any approval of changes in scope, he said. The attraction opened in 2003, as has been reported in past Watchdog Report has been behind in its payments since its inception. And the original $25 million U.S. HUD loan is still owed $15 million, back taxes and rent to Miami comes in around $15 million Regalado said and a major $1.2 million payment is due in August and that payment is of concern to the city’s administration.

What about the agreement with Friends of Miami Marine Stadium on Virginia Key?

Regalado when the Watchdog Report asked about the second deferral of the agreement by the administration with Friends slated to be voted on and listed in the Thursday commission agenda. He said it was withdrawn because Commissioner Marc Sarnoff (Net worth $2.08 million) was absent from the dais and he had some issues he wanted to address in the MOU. The mayor also said Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones (Old net worth $17,436) staff had some questions as well. And when I asked about an upcoming press conference concerning the Miami Marine Stadium. He said the event with The High Line, a New York City park and environmental group is still slated for Feb. 17 and is expected to proceed but had added a certain urgency in past discussions to get the MOU passed before this public event. For more information on the organization go to http://www.thehighline.org/.

Regalado

Sarnoff

Spence-Jones

Village of Coconut Grove

>>> Miami-Dade gets control of shuttered Playhouse mired in debt, but will anything happen this time?

Miami-Dade Commissioner Dennis Moss (Net worth $342,000) speaking in support of the renovation and rebuilding of the Coconut Grove Playhouse Tuesday at a commission meeting said the fabled theater has been a draw for the Grove businesses and with its demise in 2006. He hopes its reopening will revitalize the village and hopes the South Dade Cultural Arts Center will do the same thing for south Dade. Moss was speaking to county commissioners and Mayor Carlos Gimenez before the body decided to approve taking the property under county control. After the state threatened to take it back if things did not get moving that has left the facility dormant over the years and still has around $2 million in outstanding liabilities, said county cultural guru Michael Spring. The theater is in County Commissioner Xavier Suarez’s (Net worth $328,000) district and while he noted there was “the $2 million the mayor mentioned,” he also mentioned another around “$4 million” that will be needed to cover some of the other outstanding obligations, he said.

Suarez called the regional theater an “amazing jewel” and if we cannot “bring it up to speed.” The attorney and former Miami mayor said he would also seek private funds to cover any financial shortfalls. He noted there is $20 million in county funds available; he is working in “cooperation with the mayor [Carlos Gimenez]” on other possibilities including naming rights, though he joked after the “naming rights controversy” of the new Miami Arts Museum (MAM) that revenue avenue could be a touchy topic. And when it came to liens with the city of Miami on the structure. He thought the county “could clear all those liens” for around a “dime on the dollar or less,” he told commissioners. However, when it comes to the Playhouse opening again, nothing has been easy after it suddenly shut down and the county’s plan is to have Gable’s Stage run the operation if it comes back to life in a new form.

Suarez

Moss

CITY OF MIAMI BEACH

>>> Verbal Commission rumble during Lincoln Road contract harkens back to the past, Mayor Bower must ensure accurate public record

The Watchdog Report has been searching for a word to describe the Miami Beach Commission meeting Wednesday (and chaotic comes to mind), that on one private $3 million contract for the maintenance of Lincoln Road. The discussion went on for over two and a half hours, and had people shouting, speaking from the audience, clapping including hoots and howls, and all this resulted in a incredible inaccurate public record, as well as being disrespectful to elected leaders and the Beach’s residents watching on TV. The issue was whether a private company of Lincoln Road landowners should do the maintenance on the tony road filled with restaurants versus the city. But people either speaking in support or against the deal from both sides went at it at full verbal bore at the elected leaders on the dais.

Mayor Mattie Herrera Bower had her hands full keeping order during the discussion, that also had commissioners speaking directly to unidentified people in the audience, where there was an undercurrent of conversion in the audience, residents calling on cell phones, and even one person having lunch punctuated the overall proceedings. It was unruly and chaotic enough that I actually checked to make sure there was a Miami Beach Police Officer in the back of the chambers and he was diligently monitoring the situation but the turmoil harkened back to a past meeting around the 2000 time frame concerning some around $260 million in revenue bonds for Mt. Sinai Hospital. And at that commission meeting, it also had prominent people speaking from the audience and I wrote the meeting up back then as well, because the public record was flawed. And when I asked the court reporter transcribing the meeting what she wrote when people spoke from the audience. She said, they were listed “as speaker unknown,” but the incomplete comments were now part of the public record. It is not just Miami Beach where this type of drama occurs, but at any public meeting the chair must ensure participants feel safe to speak their mind, passions must be controlled and anyone from the public must speak from the podium where there is a microphone that records their comments. Anything less than that creates an inaccurate public record, that many times leads to lawsuits depending on the issues, at a time when every tax dollar is precious and should not be put in jeopardy because of a flawed public record.

Herrera Bower

CITY OF CORAL GABLES

>>> Resistance building for new boat warehouse at Matheson Hammock Park, developer Buoniconti says it is being misrepresented

The Watchdog Report has been getting a fair amount of email traffic concerning the development of a new working Marina around Matheson Hammock Park on Old Cutler Road. Marc and his father Miami Dolphins Legendary football player Nick Buoniconti are proposing the facility after they reached an agreement with Miami-Dade County but it still needs to be approved by Coral Gables review committees and the city commission. The proposed five-story boat warehouse is around 62,000 square feet and comes in at around 3 million cubic feet but its height is causing a stir with near by property owners. Who are mounting a counter drive and the City of South Miami Commission has already voted against it last week that had the younger Buoniconti crying foul since he was unable to explain their side of the issue at the commission meeting. Further, the Village of Pinecrest will also vote on the item at the end of February and it is clear this is a controversial project that the son says is being misrepresented by opponents and will be good for the community given the need for more marina facilities. I contacted the younger Buoniconti by an email I had for him asking for a comment but I did not get a response by my deadline.

I asked the Coral Gables elected leaders by email last week if they could comment on the project but I noted since they fell under the Jennings Law. The Watchdog Report did not expect much in that way and Mayor Jim Cason, and Commissioners Maria Anderson and Ralph Cabrera Jr., all demurred in their comments. The mayor wrote regarding the project’s status. “All I can say is that this project has yet to be placed on the agenda of any of the quasi-judicial Boards through which it will have to pass before coming to the full Commission. The city does not control when or if the developer will decide to move forward and what will be in the specific application presented for review. As this may come before the Commission, and we will act in a quasi-judicial manner, our Commission cannot comment on this, unlike other cities that will not have a deciding role,” wrote the mayor elected in April 2011. Cabrera wrote, “As always, good to hear from you. Unfortunately, due to the quasi-judicial nature of this issue, I cannot comment on it one way or another. All I will say is that this project has been percolating since last September,” wrote the commissioner elected in 2001. Commissioner Maria Anderson also passed on the Marina complex question. For a longer story on the Marina boathouse issues and both sides comments on the matter go to http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/02/11/2636974/its-rich-vs-super-rich-in-boat.html

What else is going on at the Gables?

Anderson a veteran commissioner elected in 2001 wrote, “On Wed. Feb. 15, the Planning and Zoning Board holds a workshop (no public testimony) to discuss potential modifications to the truck ordinance. There will be a subsequent PZB meeting to hold a public hearing. It’s no secret that I support modifications to this ordinance to make it what it was originally supposed to be, a restriction on commercial vehicles. In the early 1960s, trucks were commercial vehicles, but now they are luxury, and life-style choices that merit thoughtful consideration. One speaker at a previous Planning Board hearing said it best, “No ladders, no signs, no cargo.” Keeping it simple would make enforcement easy. We are also looking at strengthening the “junky car” language. If it is aesthetics, then dilapidated cars are way more offensive to me than any personal use, well-kept truck. One thing is for sure, this issue will elicit passionate response from both sides on this issue. Stay tuned,” she wrote.

CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI

>>> Mayoral race down to the wire, Mayor Stoddard on what he wants to do if 2nd term

The Watchdog Report last week emailed the South Miami mayoral candidates Philip K. Stoddard and former city mayor and state Rep. Julio Robaina, R-South Miami for any last minute comments on the race and election Tuesday and what they would like to accomplish if the voters give them the nod. The city boosts a $29.1 million budget for the year when all revenues are included and it is one of 35 municipalities around Miami-Dade. South Miami was founded in 1927, there were 11,378 residents in 2010, and the city’s property tax base for the year was $1.42 billion and represents 0.74 percent of the county’s $192.26 billion assessed role value for the year.

Stoddard, the incumbent in an email Saturday wrote the following concerning what he would like to do if he gets another two-year term. “In my second term as Mayor of South Miami, I will continue the progress of the past two years and initiate new projects requested by the residents: Keep the city’s finances stable and the taxes low. Continue reforming the city pension plan. Support community policing and keep the police department on track for state accreditation. Protect residential neighborhoods from traffic and out-of-scale commercial development. Initiate the Greenways bike and walking plan throughout the city. Support the Communities for a Lifetime initiative in South Miami to enable elderly residents to remain in their homes. Determine the best way for City government to help local businesses thrive downtown. Work to keep a supermarket within the city limits of South Miami. Welcome Workforce South Florida into their new South Miami office space (we just signed the contract with them). Complete the first phase of the city’s LEED Silver affordable housing project. Pursue the Early Childhood Literacy initiative in South Miami. Finish the community pool with a private operator so as not to put a burden on city finances. Keep the CRA’s Madison Square project on track for completion and resume review of the City Charter,” wrote Stoddard. >>> As of my publishing deadline I have not heard back from Robaina on his plans if elected.

>>> OTHER STORIES AROUND FLORIDA

BROWARD COUNTY

>>> Press release: President of Broward Title and Escrow Company Charged in Multi-Million Mortgage Fraud Scheme

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Vance Luce, Acting Special Agent in Charge, United States Secret Service, Miami Field Office, and Tom Grady, Commissioner, State of Florida’s Office of Financial Regulation, announced today that defendant Michelle Austin-Wilks, 38, of Parkland, Florida, was charged in a federal criminal complaint with wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343, for her participation in a mortgage fraud scheme. If convicted, Austin-Wilks faces up to thirty years’ imprisonment on the wire fraud charge.

According to the criminal complaint, Michelle Austin-Wilks was President and Director of Direct Title & Escrow Services, Inc., in Oakland Park, Florida. Austin-Wilks and others allegedly engaged in a scheme to enrich themselves by fraudulently buying and selling residential real estate property in Broward County through straw buyers. These straw buyers obtained high value mortgages based on fraudulent mortgage loan applications and closing statements. According to the complaint, after the lenders approved the loans based on the false loan applications, Austin-Wilks prepared false HUD-1 Settlement Statements that, among other things, falsely represented to the lenders that the straw buyers were bringing their own money to closing. She also created and submitted duplicate HUD-1 Settlement Statements for the same real estate transaction, reflecting different sales prices to the seller and to the lender. The lender’s version reflected a significantly higher purchase price than the seller’s version of the HUD-1 Settlement Statement.

After closing, the lenders wired a total of approximately $3 million in mortgage loan proceeds into Direct Title & Escrow’s bank account, which was controlled by Austin-Wilks. Thereafter, defendant Austin-Wilks wire transferred $68,562 and $382,000, respectively, to a mortgage broker and a straw buyer for their assistance in the mortgage fraud scheme. The mortgage broker, Jinnie Mathurin, has pled guilty to one count of wire fraud and is scheduled to be sentenced on February 28, 2012, before U.S. District Judge Donald M. Middlebrooks. The straw buyer, Guhier Florvilus, has also pled guilty to one count of wire fraud and is scheduled to be sentenced on March 1, 2012, before U.S. District Judge Daniel T.K. Hurley.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the U.S. Secret Service and Florida’s Office of Financial Regulation. Mr. Ferrer also commended the U.S. Marshal’s Service for their substantial efforts in locating defendant Austin-Wilks in Jamaica and returning her to the United States to face charges. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Randy Katz. A complaint is only an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. >>> A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls.

>>> Thank you for using the Broward County Commission Agenda E-mail Notification System. A new Broward County Commission Agenda is available. Point your browser to http://www.broward.org/commission/welcome.htm to view the new agenda.

FT. LAUDERDALE

>>> Feds charge local man in Wilton Manors Bank Robbery

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 Paul O’Connell, Chief, Wilton Manors Police Department, announced that defendant Cedrick Shivers, 47, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was arrested and charged with bank robbery. More specifically, Shivers was charged in a criminal complaint with bank robbery, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2113(a). If convicted, Shivers faces maximum statutory term of imprisonment of up to 20 years. The defendant made his initial appearance in federal court yesterday and a pre-trial detention hearing is scheduled for Friday, February 10, 2012 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robin S. Rosenbaum in Fort Lauderdale.

According to the affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, on February 3, 2012, Shivers entered a bank in Wilton Manors. Shivers approached the teller and presented a hand-written bank robbery demand note, instructing the teller not to active any silent alarms and not to provide him with any dye packs. Shivers’ note also instructed the teller to give him only certain denominations and threatened to bomb the building if the teller did not comply. After fleeing the bank with the money, a Wilton Manors police officer stopped Shivers for speeding. During the stop, the officer saw red smoke in the passenger compartment of Shivers’ car, red dye-stained money on the front driver’s seat, and red dye stains on Shivers’ white t-shirt. Shivers was then arrested. After his arrest, Shivers said to the police officers “you got me red handed,” a reference to the residual red dye on his hands. >>> Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the FBI and Wilton Manors Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Randy Katz. A complaint is only an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls.

ST. LUCIE COUNTY

>>> Press release: Miami-Dade Man Pleads Guilty to Money Laundering and Drug Conspiracy Related to Mortgage Fraud Scheme in Palm Beach and St. Lucie Counties

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Jose A. Gonzalez, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division (IRS-CID), and Mark R. Trouville, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Miami Field Division, announce that defendant Roberto Caro, 41, of Miami-Dade, has pled guilty to one count of money laundering in connection with a mortgage fraud scheme and one count of conspiracy to manufacture and possess with intent to distribute marijuana. Caro also pled guilty to a related charge of bond jumping, arising from his failure to appear in court in January 2011 on the original charges. Sentencing has been scheduled for April 17, 2012, at 1:30 p.m. before U.S. District Judge Jose E. Martinez. Caro faces maximum possible prison sentences of up to 40 years for the drug conspiracy, 10 years for the money laundering, and a consecutive sentence of up to 10 years for the bond violation.

Defendant Caro was first charged on July 15, 2010. According to court documents and testimony, this investigation began in May 2006 when law enforcement discovered marijuana grow house operations in numerous homes in Port St. Lucie. During the investigation, many of those homes were linked to co-defendant Manuel Caro, father of Roberto Caro. Manuel Caro was charged in 2006 for his participation in the marijuana grow house operation, but fled after being released on bond and remains a fugitive. Continued investigation led to the discovery of additional marijuana grow houses in St. Lucie, Palm Beach, and Miami-Dade Counties. According to a second superseding indictment, most of these homes were bought with funds obtained through mortgage fraud committed by co-defendant Hugo Oliva, a mortgage broker, through his company, MBA Mortgage Services, Inc., and his co-defendants, including Roberto Caro. To execute the scheme, the defendants submitted loan applications to mortgage lenders that contained false information, including false bank statements, W2 forms, pay stubs, verifications of deposit and verifications of employment.

The defendants in the mortgage fraud scheme were charged with various counts of conspiracy, mail fraud, drug charges, and laundering drug-related money through the purchase of the homes. On December 13, 2010, defendant Sergio Caro, 37, was sentenced to 37 months in prison and the Court ordered him to pay $671,166.36 in restitution to victim mortgage lenders. On March 29, 2011, mortgage broker and co-defendant Hugo Oliva was sentenced to 87 months in prison and ordered to pay $886,418.97 in restitution. Two additional co-defendants, Ilan Reyes, 37, and Orlando Dominguez, 44, both of Miami, pled guilty and were each sentenced to probation for a term of 5 years. Defendant Roberto Caro had been arraigned and released on bond for the original mortgage fraud and money laundering charges in September 2010. In January 2011, Caro failed to appear for a scheduled court hearing and thereby violated conditions of his bond. He remained a fugitive from justice until he was found and detained in Miami in October 2011. In the interim, the federal grand jury had separately indicted Caro for the additional crime of violating his bond conditions.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the IRS Criminal Investigation Division and the DEA. Mr. Ferrer also thanked the Port St. Lucie Police Department, the St. Lucie County Sheriff s Office, and the U.S. Marshals Service for their work on this investigation. The case arose from the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) long-term investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Theodore Cooperstein. >>> A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at 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.

DUVAL COUNTY

>>> Press release: Gov. Scott taps Scott D. Makar, of Jacksonville, to the First District Court of Appeal.

Makar, 52, has served as Florida’s Solicitor General in the Office of the Attorney General since 2007. Since becoming Solicitor General, he has argued five cases in the United States Supreme Court, as well as cases in United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, the Florida Supreme Court, the First District Court of Appeal, and the Second and Thirteenth Judicial Circuits.

Prior to his appointment as Solicitor General, Makar was chief of the appellate division and assistant general counsel for the City of Jacksonville from 2001 to 2007. Previously, he was an associate and a capital partner in Holland and Knight L.L.P. from 1989 to 2001. He was a judicial clerk for Judge Thomas A. Clark, United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit in Atlanta, Georgia. Makar received a bachelor’s degree from Mercer University, as well as two master’s degrees, a law degree and a doctorate in economics from the University of Florida. “Scott’s extensive knowledge of the law and experience in appellate courts is widely known and respected,” Governor Scott said. “I am confident he will consider every case presented to the appellate court in a thorough and fair manner.” Makar will fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Paul M. Hawkes.

ESCAMBIA COUNTY

>>> Gov. Scott names Darlene F. Dickey, of Molino, to County Court.

Press release: Dickey, 41, has been general counsel for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office since 2006. Previously, she practiced with Bozeman, Jenkins and Matthews P.A. from 2003 to 2005 after three years as an assistant state attorney with the First Judicial Circuit. After completing a bachelor’s degree, she served five years as a law enforcement officer, first with the University of West Florida Police Department, and later as a field training officer with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Dickey received a bachelor’s degree from the University of West Florida and a law degree from Florida State University.

“Throughout Darlene’s career, she has gained valuable experience listening to all sides of the issues in order to gain the understanding needed to resolve conflicts,” Governor Scott said. “Her willingness and ability to apply sound and restrained legal analysis will serve the people of Escambia County well.” >>> Dickey will fill the vacancy created by the appointment of Judge John F. Simon to the First Judicial Circuit.

LEE COUNTY

>>> Gov. Scott taps Amy R. Hawthorne, of Cape Coral, to the Twentieth Judicial Circuit Court.

Hawthorne, 49, has been a sole practitioner since 1998 and served as an assistant public defender with the Office of the Public Defender for the Twentieth Judicial Circuit from 1993 to 1998. In 1993, she was an associate attorney with Bill Powell P.A. She served as a general civil magistrate for the Twentieth Judicial Circuit from 2010 to 2011 and an alternate special master for the City of Cape Coral from 2003 to 2005. Hawthorne received a bachelor’s degree from Columbus State University and a law degree from the University of Florida.

“Amy’s handling of cases as a civil magistrate has shown a clear understanding of the application of the law in a consistent and predictable manner,” Governor Scott said. “Her experience has given her the skills necessary to serve on the bench.” >>> Rodriguez will fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge John W. Dommerich.

COMMUNITY EVENTS.

>>> Press release: ASPA SOUTH FLORIDA CHAPTER WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH RECEPTION HONORS OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY SERVANTS

ASPA South Florida Chapter 9TH Annual Women’s History Month Reception honors six outstanding community leaders. This year’s reception will pay tribute to: Lynda Bell Commissioner, Miami-Dade County, District 8, Shirley Gibson Mayor, City of Miami Gardens, Lauren Stover Assistant Aviation Director, Miami-Dade Aviation Dept., Constance Collins President, Lotus House Shelter, Woodie Lesesne Co-Founder IN FOCUS Magazine & Lesesne Media Group, Barbara “Bobbie” Ibarra Executive Director, Miami Coalition for the Homeless

The winner of the Natacha Seijas Women in Public Service Scholarship Award in the amount of $1,000 will be announced and presented. The reception will take place on Thursday, March 22, 2012 at Jungle Island, 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, Miami, FL 33132 from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm. ASPA is the oldest and most prestigious organization devoted to enhancing excellence in public service. For further information, ASPA’s website can be accessed at: www.aspaonline.org/southfla Reservations for this event can be made by contacting Roslyn Alic-Batson at 305-375-5658 or emailing aspasouthfla@yahoo.com.

>>> 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

>>> Broward Judge Hurley needs to learn DV is not a little matter, but can lead to death for a parent and even siblings

John “Jay” Hurley, the Broward Circuit Court Judge that decided to tell a domestic violence victim’s husband last week to take his wife out to Red Lobster, and go to a bowling alley to make amends for not honoring his wife’s birthday is just another example of the self-absorption of some Broward officials, and lack of understanding of domestic violence behavior. Years ago, Judge Larry Seidlin made global news when he cried while trying to deal with the death of Anna Nicole Smith and her estate and he later was investigated for allegations he took advantage financially of an elderly women he had befriended. The point is what is with some of these Broward judges that seem to operate in another world and in the case of domestic violence. This recommendation by the judge flies in the face of reality since at one point the husband had his wife in a chokehold, a significant threshold when it comes to this activity. That has women experiencing at least 11 events on average before they leave an abusive or physically dangerous relationship if they survive.

Domestic violence advocates have bombarded Hurley since he made this controversial and almost patronizing ruling and these critics are right on the mark. For when it comes to violence in a household, be it a wife/husband or on children. Zero tolerance must be the watchword if society is to do its job of protecting some of are most vulnerable residents and in the case of the judge. He needs to spend some time volunteering in a domestic violence shelter because he will learn what a fearful family faces when it comes to this abusive activity. And I doubt he would be so flippant in his comments in the future, for there is nothing humorous about domestic violence that often leads to someone else’s death. And that fact is not a laughing matter.

>>> Check out the past national story in the Tribune papers: Paperwork Tiger
By Maya Bell, Miami Bureau, January 20, 2003

MIAMI – Sometimes Dan Ricker lives in the dark so others may live in the light. It’s not by choice. Miami’s self-anointed citizen watchdog depends on the people he writes for and about to finance his quixotic quest to attend nearly every government meeting in Miami-Dade County. That’s a lot of mind-numbing meetings — as many as 2,500 a year — but not a lot of income. So Ricker is always teetering on bankruptcy. He dashes to his post-office box daily, hoping subscribers to his weekly Watchdog Report have finally mailed their checks.

LETTERS

POSTED ON OUR BLOG http://fsamnews.blogspot.com Attached a link http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/editorials/os-pain-pills-editorial-0209-20120209,0,3698549.story to an interesting article published in the Sun Sentinel titled “Pill mill law sends ‘pillbillies’ packing.”
Indeed, we are making great progress: “In a state that had garnered the humiliating national reputation as the go-to state for Oxycontin, the number of oxycodone pills purchased last year by Florida doctors plunged an astonishing 97 percent. Overall oxycodone sales dropped 20 percent, according to figures from the Drug Enforcement Administration. Didn’t hurt that the roster of the top 100 oxycodone-buying doctors shed its overwhelmingly Florida vibe. Two years ago, 90 of the top 100 doctors hailed from Florida; last year, only 13 made the list.”
But more work needs to be done! We need to create awareness among our fellow colleagues to sign up for and to use the PDMP in their daily practice of medicine; we need to close loopholes that exempt doctors from using the PDMP which includes ALL physicians employed by the Veteran Administration resulting in a sharp increase of opioid use by VA patients.

I also suspect that those patients represent a source for illegal prescription opioid street sales. Furthermore, we must identify those doctors in the community which still prescribe prescription opioids in large amounts contributing to overdose deaths of patients. Even though I believe in educating them about safe prescription practices, I also advocate for swift revocation of their licenses to protect the public from their actions.

Bernd Wollschlaeger, MD, FAAFP, FASAM

>>> 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.

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Please make checks payable to: Daniel A. Ricker

Send to: 3109 Grand Avenue, #125
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