Watchdog Report Vol.12 No.44 March 4, 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

>>> A win is a win, says Romney after squeaker in Michigan, carries Arizona as well, but many GOP voters still tepid about candidate

Mitt Romney politically lives another day after defeating former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pa., by a few points in Michigan on Tuesday when the younger conservative firebrand put the state in play the last few weeks of the primary in the polls. Romney grew up in the Wolverine State where his father was an auto executive and governor but his comments opposing the federal bailout of General Motors, a company that has now started to bounce back fell hollow to many voters. He also continues to make one gaffe after another that suggest he is out of touch, but the GOP voters are searching for a winner over President Barack Obama at all costs. And out of the current candidate field, that also includes former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and U.S. Ron Paul, R-Texas. Romney seems to be the one that could be elected, but there are still doubts among many of the party’s faithful and the all-important over 40 percent nationwide independent voters.

Even former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, 58, has weighed in on the tone of the sharp campaign rhetoric and as a Republican is feeling alienated from the party. He has been sitting on the sidelines this year but is questioning the long-term political damage that is being done in this GOB primary race that has harsh immigration law comments, and now contraceptive use by women is in the headlines. In interviews Bush has said this rhetoric is ‘a little bit troubling’ and seems to be feeding into peoples ‘fears and emotion’ instead of the presidential candidates articulating a future vision for the country. In the past Bush has said he believes a campaign based on ideas was a better strategy than just attacking President Barack Obama on his policies.

And Bush made a similar comment to the Watchdog Report right after the 2004 election at the Historic Biltmore Hotel, when I asked him about his brother’s win and put the story in my column in the www.miamiherald.com at the time. The younger brother of President George W. Bush suggested ideas were more effective in winning a campaign than just attacking an administration like Democratic challenger U. S. Sen. John Kerry; D-Massachusetts did in his losing race. And GOB leaders are seeing the same thing now with the Republican field and political pundits are weighing in if these attacks on each other and now women’s medical rights, will be a fatal political cocktail for the party’s ultimate champion in November.

>>> White House press release: President Obama nominated Judge Brian J. Davis to serve on the United States District Court.

“I am honored to put forward these highly qualified candidates for the federal bench,” President Obama said.  “They will be distinguished public servants and valuable additions to the United States District Court.” Judge Brian J. Davis: Nominee for the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida

Judge Brian J. Davis currently serves as a Circuit Judge for the Fourth Judicial Circuit of Florida, a position he has held since 1994.  He served as Chief Assistant State Attorney in the State Attorney’s Office for the Fourth Judicial Circuit from 1991 to 1994, having previously worked in the same office as an Assistant State Attorney from 1982 to 1988.  Judge Davis also worked at civil litigation law firms on two occasions during his legal career; he worked at Brown, Terrell, Hogan, Ellis, McClamma & Yegelwel from 1988 to 1991 and at Mahoney, Hadlow & Adams PA from 1980 to 1982.  Judge Davis received his J.D. in 1980 from the University of Florida College of Law and his B.A. in 1974 from Princeton University…

>>> Press release: Ros-Lehtinen Presses Clinton on Possible Cuba Invitation to Summit of the Americas, Iranian Activity in Western Hemisphere

U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today asked U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton whether the U.S. would boycott the upcoming Summit of the Americas were Cuba to be invited and pressed Clinton on the Administration’s approach to addressing the threat of Iranian activity in the Western Hemisphere.  Click here to view the exchange.  Statement by Ros-Lehtinen:

“Madame Secretary, I’ve heard from a number of my constituents, as you know I represent South Florida, the gateway to the Americas, who are worried that ALBA countries, led by Chavez, continue to pressure to invite Cuba to the Summit of the Americas in April, even though the Castro dictatorship does not meet the criteria to join the meeting as you know.  Will you pledge here today that if Cuba is invited that President Obama and you, Madame Secretary, will refuse to attend the summit meeting?

“On Iran and the Western Hemisphere: just last month Ahmadinejad’s Tour of Tyrants, as I called it, his trip to Venezuela, Nicaragua, Cuba, and Ecuador reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to undermine U.S. national security interests.  I’m concerned about Iran’s willingness to attack the United States homeland or our critical allies, such as Israel.  With the rising threat posed by the Qods force and its Iranian proxies, such as Hezbollah, in our region, will we dedicate more attention to these illicit activities in the annual terrorism report?  Lastly, what is the Administration doing to ensure cooperation from our allies in the Hemisphere with respect to Iran, and to hold accountable those countries that are supporting and enable Iran’s threatening activities? Thank you Madame Secretary.”

>>> 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

>>> Does state Rep. Metz have too much time on his hands? Banning of Sharia law in FL odd issue to push, veteran marine had $541,228 net worth through Jun.

The idea that a Republican Legislator is pushing for legislation banning Sharia law in Florida boggles the Watchdog Report’s mind and I cannot believe with the clock running out during the current Legislative Session Mar. 9, that one lawmaker is spending his precious legislative time on such a far-fetched topic. The issue is being pushed by state Rep. Larry Metz, R-Eustis but when he was challenged by state Rep. Elaine Schwartz, D- Hollywood to give an example of its application in the state. The Republican state representative could cite no example state’s www.miamiherald.com in an editorial piece last week. The United States Constiution makes the issue crystal clear when it comes to theology and religion in the running of government and we are a seculiar nation that repects all religions and the freedom to worship as we wish. But that religious freedom does not apply to government that is made of men and women who swear to uphold the nation’s laws, but also the state of Florida’s. And this needless discussion is about an issue that does not exist and the state lawmaker is off the mark with this one.

What do we know about the state representative’s finances?

Metz through June of 2011 had a net worth of $541,288 and he lists $$55,000 in household goods. The attorney and Marine veteran was first elected in 2010 to House District 25, after serving on the Lake County school board since 2004 after former Gov. Jeb Bush first appointed him to that body. His home is valued at $327,000 and there is $405,764 in other assets including $109,000 in a Fidelity investment account. His only liabilities are with the Navy Federal Credit Union where he owes $196,936 and $25,424 in loans. And his listed income was $160,901 from Metz Law, the Lake County school board kicked in $29,844 and the state House paid him $4,825.

Schwartz through Dec. 2010 lists a net worth of $1.74 million and has $62,000 in household goods. The attorney elected to the House in 2006 is a past Minority Whip in the body and the former assistant city of Hollywood attorney assets include a home valued at $272,000, there is $451,000 in stocks, a portfolio of bonds are worth $887,000, there is $85,551 in a IRA, and a baby grand piano is worth $12,000. The lawmaker lists a joint mortgage with her husband owed $66,100, her total income for the year was $101,579 that includes $29,697 as a legislator, and social security kicked in $16,548.

Metz

Schwartz

What about state Rep. Lopez-Cantera?

The word on the street in Miami-Dade is that state Rep. Carlos Lopez-Cantera; R-Miami (Net worth $1.75 million) will run against Pedro Garcia (Net worth $1.1 million) for the Miami-Dade Property Appraisers office in the August 14 primary. Lopez-Cantera a developer and commercial property owner is termed out in 2012 and currently is the House Majority Leader. He was first elected to the House in 2004, he is married with a small child and he has talked about running for possible office locally allowing him more time with his family.  Garcia elected to the Miami-Dade Charter created office, not a Constitutional office was sworn into office on Jan. 2009 and he has been low key and kept his head down just doing the job in a professional manner and has not drawn any major criticism since then. However, while he is active, he is older, was married in 1959 and could be vulnerable to a high profile challenger, with name recognition and a decent political narrative. The Watchdog Report contacted Lopez-Cantera on the matter by email last week but I did not get a response by my deadline Sunday.

Lopez-Cantera

Garcia

>>> Press release: “In all the debate over education, one fact stands undisputed: Children who go off to their first year of school unprepared are likely to struggle throughout their school careers and life, always lagging behind those who got a proper start.” These words from yesterday’s Tallahassee Democrat editorial — appearing hours before The Children’s Movement, Florida TaxWatch and others joined on the steps of the historic Old Capitol to insist that quality remain in Florida’s early learning system. (You can read the editorial and see pictures from the press conference by clicking here.) With almost no time left in this legislative session, you and I must speak up — now. Please take the time to contact the legislators on the conference committee who are deciding these issues of early learning. Let them know that you insist on a high-quality program for Florida’s children. Just click here. Conference meetings are this evening (Thursday). Please act now. Dave Lawrence, Chair, The Children’s Movement of Florida

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY

>>> MIA baggage system to start up on “trial basis” in April, MDAD & AA to review performance in May, says Abreu

After four weeks of past Watchdog Report stories covering the new $215 million, 13 mile automated security screening and baggage system’s implementation at Miami International Airport (MIA) North Terminal and the haggling between American Airline (AA) officials and Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez (Net worth $923,000). Miami-Dade Aviation Director Jose Abreu said Friday night that a deal has been made with AA and the new Baggage Handling System (BHS) will be fired up on a “trial basis” starting in late March or early April he said. He noted there would be roughly a month of this trial run and then the “Miami-Dade Aviation Department and AA will evaluate the system for reliability in May,” he wrote Saturday. Abreu has had to pull the activation trigger despite AA concerns the system was not reliable, after the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in late January demanded it be implemented and would improve not only passenger’s baggage screening but also the customs and immigration process at the facility that processed 38.2 million passengers last year.

Since then some terse letters had come from AA senior management in February to MIA officials but as was reported last week the two entities leaders shook hands and agreed not to sue each other. Abreu said the meeting this week was also cordial and while the airline was concerned about another Apr. 1 “crisis” when the BHS was first briefly activated. They agreed the current aging legacy baggage system would stay in place until any kinks in the system were worked out and the county aviation guru noted. “We know now how to spot a crisis,” since it has been dealt with before. And since this April meltdown, two subsequent BHS tests were acceptable and the one occurring in October that had 7,500 bags tested, only resulted in the “mis-placing of four” of the bags, and now Abreu feels confident that the time has come to fire up the system, he said. >>> The Miami Herald weighed in on the issue last week and to see veteran county reporter Martha Brannigan’s story go to http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/02/28/2666234/mia-in-heated-feud-with-american.html

Abreu

Gimenez

>>> GMCVB press release: RECORD ARRIVALS AT ‘THE NEW MIA’ (MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT) FOR FIRST  MONTH OF 2012
Passenger arrivals at MIAMI International Airport (MIA) increased in January 2012 with international passenger arrivals up +10.2% and domestic arrivals up +8.0% when compared to the same month last year. Total arrivals increased in January 2012 by +9.1%.

INTERNATIONAL MIA Passenger Arrivals

January  2012	January 2011	% Change
871,902	791,553	+10.2%

DOMESTIC MIA Passenger Arrivals

January  2012	January 2011	% Change
858,220	794,601	+8.0%

TOTAL MIA Passenger Arrivals

January 2012	January 2011	% Change
1,730,122	1,586,154	+9.1%

>>> Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez to Present Proclamation to Hispanic Achievers in recognition of Hispanics’ Contributions in Florida and U.S.

Press release: Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez will present a proclamation to the Hispanic Achievers on Monday, March 5, 2012, at 10:00 a.m., at the Stephen P. Clark Center, 111 NW 1st Street, Lobby, Miami, FL 33128.  The Mayor’s proclamation is in recognition of Hispanics’ valuable contributions in Florida and throughout the nation.  Hispanic contributions are also being commemorated by the Hispanic Achievers Specialty License Plate, which symbolizes the 500th anniversary of the discovery of the State of Florida by Juan Ponce de Leon. Additionally, leaders from chambers of commerce, health systems, associations, and other community organizations will be recognized at the event. Hispanic Achievers License Plate The Hispanic Achievers License Plate is a self-funded mechanism that supports the non-profit’s programs and other non-profit organizations throughout the State of Florida serving minority communities.  Revenues raised by the sale of the License Plates fund grants to Florida communities.  Proposals are evaluated and approved by the Hispanic Achievers Grant Council (HAGC) Members, which operates under Florida Law.  The License Plate is available at all Florida Department of Motor Vehicles and Tax Collector Offices.  For more information, visit www.HispanicAchievers.org.

>>> Press release: BCC Chair Martinez: I take this opportunity to provide you with the following information on road closures, activities and services that you may find useful.

Major ramp closure expected Starting Feb. 27, lanes are scheduled to be closed as work begins on the new left-side flyover ramp that connects the westbound Dolphin and southbound Palmetto expressways. Learn how you can help reduce traffic.

Registration is now open for Miami-Dade Parks Spring Break Camps Miami-Dade Parks Spring Breaks Camps are a great mini vacation for kids during the Spring School Recess, March 12-16. Parents will have peace of mind with fully-supervised, affordable programs for their kids to enjoy that include fitness, sports, nature-encounters, arts and crafts, field trips and more!

Free Paralympic Experience & Resource Fair The Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department in conjunction with several of its local Paralympic partners will present a FREE one-day Paralympic Experience and resource fair on Saturday, March 10th, at Tropical Park’s community center.

Second Saturdays are Free for Families

Adrienne Arsht Center AileyCamp Miami 2012 AileyCamp Miami is a summer day camp where middle school students are “turned on” to dance and come to respect the discipline of dance as a physical activity that requires athletic ability comparable to skills demanded by any sport. Also, campers will increase their leadership skills and enjoy a variety of social activities. Monday – Friday, June 25 – August 4, 2012; 8:30AM – 3:30PM. Ages 11-14, MDCPS Grades 6-8, SPACE IS LIMITED, NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

MIami Dade County Youth Fair Discounts The Miami-Dade County Fair & Expo will be in town March 15 – April 1. The Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade and the Miami-Dade County Fair are teaming up to offer discounts on both rides and admission now through March 14. Enjoying The Fair at a fair price. Now that’s what we call fun!

Knights Art Challenge It’s your turn to inspire South Florida’s growing local arts scene. The Knight Arts Challenge is a Miami-based initiative to draw the best and most innovative ideas out of local organizations and individuals seeking to transform the community through the arts.  Take part in a community rising to new levels of artistic achievement and global recognition. In the last four years, 109 ideas were funded. Is this your year? Applications must be submitted no later than Monday, March 19, 2012.

MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

>>> Perez tries to press case for school board waiver of activist Kairalla one last time, already given thumbs down 7 to 0 in Jan.

School Board Member Marta Pérez, Ph.D. (Net worth $2.18 million), continues her quest to get a school board waiver for a woman volunteer on four school board committees in violation of a board rule that was passed in October limiting the number of committee’s one person could serve on to two, without a school board two-thirds waiver vote. The issue involves Susan M. Kairalla and Pérez said at a board committee meeting Wednesday that she would like the board to grant her a waiver for the decade’s long public schools activist who also serves on the all-important School Board Audit & Budget Advisory Committee. However, in a past board committee vote in January the item went down in flames with a seven to zero vote and Pérez pulled if from the board’s monthly meeting agenda waiting for this second opportunity. Since the meeting date was changed and she could attend. Now the legislation goes in front of the school board at their monthly meeting Wednesday but people are puzzled why Perez is still making it an issue, after it was clear the board would not likely approve the request after the past vote, and had a number of sharp verbal exchanges between Perez and Board Member Raquel Regalado (Net worth $108,450).

UPLOAD PHOTO Perez

UPLOAD PHOTO Regalado

>>> District raises $1.8 million for United Way of Miami-Dade

The Miami-Dade Public Schools United Way of Miami-Dade Campaign for the year brought in $1.8 million of which $1.2 million was from the district’s employees, but overall there was an eight percent drop, said school staff last Wednesday. This represented a $106,000 drop from the previous year and was lower than in the past because of the reduced number of employees and the down economy. However, United Way was still thankful for the contributions “and still happy given the times,” said District staff.

>>> Jose F. Montes de Oca, the public schools district Auditor told the watchdog Report Wednesday that the forensic audit on a controversial Charter School in Coconut Grove should be done sometime in May or June. The Arts and Minds Academy is the charter school in question, and the owner of the building the school is in is Manny Alonso Poch. He started the school in 2004 and has been extensively reported on in the Watchdog Report since it opened on Commodore Plaza and he was getting $29,000 a month in rent from the nation’s fourth largest public schools district back then and this type of facility arrangement is known as a “related transaction.” Since then this rent payment has shot up to over $80,000 per month and the school was included in an extensive Miami Herald investigative story and there is a variety of the reasons why the audit has been initiated by the public schools district.

>>> The school board Audit & Budget Advisory Committee is meeting Tuesday at 12:30 p.m., and to read the agenda and back-up material go to http://mca.dadeschools.net/AuditCommittee/AC_March_6_2012/agenda.pdf

PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST

>>> PHT looking to loosen up Miami-Dade Cone of Silence procurement policy that applies to RFPs and other service contracts

The PHT is reviewing the county’s Code of Silence ordinance for contracts at the Jackson Health System said Joe Centorino at the Miami-Dade Ethics and Public Trust Commission Thursday and the legislation should be before them in the future, the new director and former state prosecutor said. He noted a request for opinion on this draft legislation was asked for, but the new legislation was still being hammered out but “would exempt the Code of Silence.”  He said the County’s Attorney’s Office was working on the new language and the request had come from PHT President and CEO Carlos Migoya and the Financial Recovery Board Chair Marcos Lapciuc. They are trying to tailor the ordinance for its application in a public hospital environment, versus what the county does when it comes to letting contracts and bids out. And the health trust buys hundreds of millions of dollars in supplies and the Cone limits contact a procurement officer has with a variety of people once a request for proposal (RFP) has been let out for bids for a wide array of products and services.

Further, the people involved in these procurement functions at Jackson have an expanded list of prohibitory people they can be involved with and could cause a conflict of interest. This large list of people that fall under the list includes a fiancé, brothers and sisters and the list is about 13 types of possible relationships that are conflicts of interests for a participant. However, this expanded conflict of interest legislation came about after a controversy and scandal back in the 1990s and while that may be forgotten with a mayoral election year. Any modification of the Cone may not be as easy as it might look, and the ethics commission since it is the controlling body monitoring this issue will review the changes and make a pronouncement on what is being proposed versus the past policy in effect since the late 1990s.

>>> Mass layoffs is shock therapy for PHT, nurses against at possible medical consequences

The Jackson Health System management earlier in the week announced it is planning to layoff 920 workers and not fill 195 vacant positions on April 6 and the nurses union is flabbergasted after the SEIU Local 1991 just a short time ago approved a new three year contract for the nursing staff, the largest bargaining unit at the health trust. Martha Baker, R.N., the union’s president believes patient safety and treatment is being put at risk. But the administration says the cuts are “surgical” and necessary to right size the health system that has lower patient admissions than planned and this staff needs to be adjusted down if the trust is to close out the year Sept.30 in the black, said CEO and President Carlos Migoya.

CITY OF MIAMI

>>> Commissioners to discuss, elections date, change is a mixed bag

The City Commission will be discussing Thursday at their commission meeting whether to change when the electorate votes for the municipal elections. Currently it is in the odd years in November and about 80 percent of all cities around the nation have such a policy. However, a Miami election costs about $1 million and could include a runoff election since a 50 percent plus one vote majority is required to capture the elected prize. One Miami commissioner I discussed this with last week said they had “mixed” feelings about the date change and the body will deliberate on the issue this week.

However, critics charge the election date is not the big deal, but whether an election is clean without voter fraud, especially when it comes to the widespread use of absentee ballots that has created a cottage industry for political operatives collecting these ballots.

>>> CPA Carollo predicts new auditor voted on at end of March

Commissioner Frank Carollo (Net worth $707,000) said last week the applicants for the Commission Auditor post vacant since June have come in and the search committee is reviewing the candidates and they will provide a short list of people to commissioners to vote on at the last March commission meeting, he said. Carollo, a CPA has been the point man on getting this person in place, especially with the upcoming budget talks looming. And city voters created the position of a commission Auditor back in 2001.

>>> Ethics Commission press release: As part of the settlement Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado (Net worth $7,500) accepted after admitting that he filed incomplete and inaccurate financial disclosure forms in 2010 and 2011(C 11-34), the mayor paid a one thousand dollar fine, promised to correct the forms and accept a of Letter of Instruction.   The Ethics Commission approved the Letter today regarding Mayor Regalado that stated, as the city’s leader, “He, of all people, should be especially diligent in filing correct and complete financial disclosure forms in a timely manner.  He should set the tone of ethical and transparent behavior.”

>>> Ethics Commission press release: A complaint (C 12-01) filed against a member of Miami’s OAB/Overtown Community Oversight Board during 2009 who had not disclosed her finances as required by the Conflict of Interest and Code of Ethics Ordinance was dismissed after Andrea Copeland fulfilled the requirement today.

Regalado

Carollo

CITY OF MIAMI BEACH

>>> Atty. Smith’s attack on Ethics Commission Dir. Centorino out of line say commissioners regarding report on free tickets to leaders

Jose Smith, a former Miami Beach Commissioner and now the city commission attorney blasted a report on free tickets to events done by Joe Centorino the new director of the Miami-Dade Ethics and Public Trust Commission and its staff. The report questioned whether the elected officials were using the free tickets for political reasons and he was livid at some of the language used in the report. The attorney also believed that the ethics commission was improperly moving into the affairs of municipalities and believed it was a matter for the city’s commission to take up, along with Mayor Mattie Herrera Bower. And he said there had been a planned discussion on the topic at an upcoming committee meeting.

However, ethics commissioners said it was just a report, and the tone Smith used they found offensive and the city attorney might have been better off to have just referenced his Feb. 28 memo he sent to the ethics commission. For the document laid out calmly in words, what the objections were versus when he was speaking. Smith said to commissioners “If you are going to involve yourself, what is the criteria and where does that end,” he said. Commissioner Nelson Bellido said to Smith “can’t you agree the report is a little more responsible [when it comes to handling these tickets] and can’t you see the positive input trying to improve this community, yet you are attacking the director,” the attorney said. Smith shot back these “are not allegations, but a statement of fact,” he said curtly.

However, the ethics commissioners noted they were just trying to improve the community and how these freebies were doled out trying to keep the political aspect to a minimum. Ethics Commission vice Chair Carleton Copeland echoed this advice saying, “We hope local governments will look at these recommendations,” because the practice can be perceived as out of line to the public as a whole. And the report has already resulted in Miami-Dade Mayor asking the County Commission this week to cut out the practice of getting around $102,000 worth of tennis and parking tickets for the upcoming Sony Erickson Tennis Tournament on Virginia Key, and he wants that money to go to the county parks department for kids programs. However, critics are crying foul because many of the tickets went to minorities who could not afford such an event in the past without these free tickets. >>> To see what The Herald wrote on this go to: Ethics commission votes to restrict doling out of free tickets to politicans – Miami Beach – MiamiHerald.com

>>> Press release: Ethics Commission approves guidelines regarding free event tickets for officials

After hearing comments by several speakers, the Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics and Public Trust (COE) today approved a report that includes guidelines local governments may adopt to change how politicians and public administrators distribute complimentary admission tickets to events at facilities within their jurisdiction.  The report stemmed from a joint investigation last year by the Ethics Commission and the Public Corruption Unit of the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s office, prompted by a dispute between the New World Symphony and the City of Miami Beach over allegations that city officials had demanded free tickets as a condition of their release of public funds for completion of the New World facility. While there was no violation of criminal law found, the probe exposed flawed policies that could result in unwarranted and inappropriate benefits for elected and appointed officials.

Representatives of Miami Beach told Ethics Commissioners that the situation was a departure from normal policies and objected to some of the wording in the COE report.  Miami Beach City Attorney Jose Smith said officials will meet to discuss revising the practice.  A survey of other municipalities uncovered similar practices.  City of Miami officials receive tickets for events at the James L. Knight Center, Bayfront Park and the Sony Ericsson Tennis Tournament.   Lease agreements with Homestead Miami Speedway and the Homestead Sports Complex require that skyboxes, parking passes and admission tickets be provided to that city’s officials.   When the Adrienne Arsht Center has “excess inventory,” representatives ask County Commissioners to suggest charities to which they should be donated.

The Ethics Commission report concludes there is “no good reason why event tickets received by a municipality through a contractual ‘public benefits’ clause… should pass through the hands of elected officials,” and recommends they be distributed to the public by an “objective, non-political mechanism,” that would deny elected officials the “unfair advantage of utilizing these tickets as an extension of their self-promotional or campaign activities.”  It also notes that politicians often attend events in what they call an official capacity, but “mere, passive attendance” should not be considered as an ”official function” and should be reported as a gift, under appropriate disclosure laws.   Ethics Commission members instructed staff to delve deeper into that issue to develop criteria for determining when a public official is attending an event in connection with official duties.

“We hope that local governments will take these recommendations seriously and expeditiously implement changes in accordance with this report,” said COE Executive Director Joseph Centorino, who promised the COE staff will closely examine ticket distributions  and investigate any instance where is appears that “public benefits” are exploited. Here is Herald’s take:  Ethics commission votes to restrict doling out of free tickets to politicians – Miami Beach – MiamiHerald.com

CITY OF NORTH MIAMI

>>> Leaders once again in the headlines, now Steril returns $6,000 donation from developer Swerdlow

People around the county are wondering what is going on with the elected leaders in North Miami that now has Mayor Andre Pierre’s home in bank foreclosure after he stopped making mortgage payments after realizing he was underwater. He financed the house bought for $353,000 in 2003 and later refinanced the house getting $560,000 in two loans in late 2007 using the home as collateral. However, the value of the house depreciated by $200,000 and he has been haggling with the bank trying to get a break on the notes outstanding but has yet to be successful and the mayor said he is trying to get a ‘loan modification,’ wrote the http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/03/02/2671560/north-miami-mayor-faces-foreclosure.html but he oddly said he did not know the bank was foreclosing. The mayor an attorney had a tough reelection race last year but he has been dogged by a variety of issues including driving a high end Porsche for months loaned to him by a friend and now this issue, which could suggest he is behind in his property tax payments as well.

What about Councilwoman Steril?

Further, Councilwoman Marie Steril received an Ethics and Public Trust ruling Thursday that when it came to accepting a $6,000 donation made with two checks from mega developer Michael Swerdlow to the none profit organization she runs and is the sole employee. The commission recommended she return the money (And was said to have done that, but when the WDR asked the lawmaker by email Friday if the check had cleared yet. I got no reply by my Sunday deadline).  Some of the comments by the five-member ethics commission included that while the donation was legal. But since she was the only employee and in the future would be voting on a 100-year development deal with Swerdlow. One ethics commissioner said this “did not pass the smell test.” And the commission recommended that she refrain from participating in the discussion and vote. Below is the press release on the issue.

>>> Ethics Commission press release: The Ethics Commission advised a North Miami City Council member to not vote or participate in any discussion involving developer Michael Swerdlow, who is negotiating a 100-year lease for the Biscayne Landing property, because of his recent contributions to her non-profit organization.  Councilwoman Marie Steril is the executive director of The Family Corners, Inc., which provides charitable work in Miami-Dade County and in Haiti.  Swerdlow recently contributed $6,000 to the organization.  Prior to receiving the response to Request for Opinion 12-03, Councilwoman Steril stated that she had returned the donation.   Still, Ethics Commissioners strongly recommended the councilwoman abstain from the issue since the donation indirectly benefited her and could be viewed as influencing her vote.  The opinion applies only to the unique circumstances involving a small organization receiving a benefit from a major developer close in time to a vote on a major project involving that developer.

Steril

CITY OF CORAL GABLES

>>> M-DC Commissioner Suarez goes after Mayor Gimenez, budget cuts “did not do justice to the rank and file” county workers

Miami-Dade Commissioner Xavier Suarez (Net worth $328,500) spoke at the Ponce Business Association Luncheon on Monday and the former Miami mayor detailed what he has done in his first nine months in office representing Commission District 7 in the 13-member body. Suarez the ninth of fourteen children joked that the luncheon crowd was expecting someone “young and dashing” referring to his son Francis, the Chair of the Miami Commission but they got him instead. The father said he had learned some things from his son who preceded him into elected office in 2009 saying the young attorney was “very deliberate and conciliatory,” something different from his own past political style.

The attorney and engineer then described the county’s $7 billion budget that includes $2 billion in capital program funding. He said while county leaders have slashed some departments there is still a $4.4 billion operateing budget and he believes the way the cuts were done “did not do justice to the rank and file” county employees. He then railed that Mayor Carlos Gimenez brought in “five people” that were making around $250,000 each and believed that was “not a great idea when you are looking for union concessions,” he said. He also believes that county employees that were paid below $50,000 should not have had to take pay cuts, and punctuated the point noting that over 3,200 of the county’s 27,000 employees make over $100,000 he said.

Suarez further challenged Gimenez’s only whittling down county departments to 26 and he believed 10 departments would be more suitable, and once likened that number for being good enough for God and the Ten Commandments. He also challenged the concept of “span of control” which is the number of workers to management. At the county it is 4.9 people to a supervisor yet in the private sector that range of control is 10/1, he carped. When it came to the county’s $11 billion of debt, he believes “it all should be approved by county voters.” He noted had that been done with the new Marlins Stadium in Little Havana, that “would have gotten around the [property] tax issue,” he said.

When it came to $213 million in county GOB money for his commission district, Suarez said there is $45 million for the Virginia Key landfill restoration, a dump that once swallowed up a large earthmover machine. Another $20 million is available for the shuttered Coconut Grove Playhouse (Expected to be discussed at the BCC March 6 meeting), and $3 million is being set aside for the Miami Marine Stadium restoration project. He said he was meeting with Gimenez on Thursday and planned to have a “vigorous” discussion on these and other topics. The commissioner noted when it came to these projects that “We have not been moving very fast,” and “just to make a decision is another issue of government,” and believes the mayor waffles on many things way too much.

He said when it came to a controversial new 3 million cubic feet, five-story boathouse at Matheson Hammock Park (That has had 5,500 people signing a petition in opposition to the project in less than two weeks). He expects the county commission to discuss it at the March 6 meeting but said. “The problem with any discussion is because of the legal implications” saying the county commission “can’t influence the City of Coral Gables [commission] and violate the Jennings Law.” Further, Suarez invited the luncheon attendees to an upcoming fundraiser in May he is planning and will be a reasonable cost affair that will include food, music and dancing with his daughter Annie, an OBGYN physician singing at the event.

What about Suarez running for Miami-Dade Mayor?

Currently Gimenez and county Commission Chair Joe Martinez (Net worth $238,000) are registered candidates of the almost dozen candidates but there is talk that Suarez might throw his hat into the ring. People say the May 11 fundraiser will be a test for Suarez to see if he has the fundraising capability to pull off a countywide high stakes race on Aug. 14. And while he raised around $250,000 for the commission race, helped by his son, where he defeated former state Rep. Julio Robaina, R-South Miami (Net worth $661,000). It was a low voter turnout race, in a much more compact district, and the countywide electorate turnout and demographics will be totally different in this upcoming contest. Further, Suarez has past baggage that would be aired out again in public but when the Watchdog Report asked him Monday if he was running for mayor. “I have not ruled it out,” he said and this was the same reply he gave to www.miamiherald.com . He said the daily paper in the past suggested when he was running for reelection as mayor it was “Hypocritical” that he was trying to speed up projects, but he said that was not the case. “I was just taking advantage of an opportunity” back then and “we should always be speeding up projects” and if the mayor has a problem with this, “so be it.”

Further, the county commissioner and his son were no shows on Tuesday when Gimenez gave his State of the County speech in the Commission Chambers. Their absence, along with County Commissioner Javier Souto (Net worth $658,000), another Gimenez critic by the Suarez family is politically telling and the Watchdog Report believes the senior Suarez will run for county mayor, unless his fundraising efforts tank and he gets a tepid response from campaign donors. >>> Editor’s note: Suarez after the luncheon speech had lunch with John Rivera, the president of the county’s Police Benevolent Association (PBA) and also is a fierce critic of Gimenez.

What about Commission Chair Martinez?

Chair Joe Martinez is also in the mayoral race and this issue of Suarez joining the fray may help explain the snipping going on at the dais between the two men. That had Suarez at the last commission meeting bristling after Martinez made a comment about a group of homeowners in west Dade in a rural area that Suarez had represented years ago. And Suarez shot back that Martinez seemed to know more about his life in past years than he did. And it was an odd exchange between the two men at the time.

Suarez

Martinez

Souto

VILLAGE OF PALMETTO BAY

>>> Ethics commission suggests amendments to Cone of Silence law

Ethics Commission press release: Another Letter of Instruction approved today is directed to officials in Palmetto Bay as a result of a complaint (C 11-37) against the village manager and two other administrators who negotiated with a potential vendor before a contract award was issued.  The complaint was dismissed since it was determined that the negotiations were permitted by one portion of the town’s Code of Ordinances, but violated the section that established a Cone of Silence on the process to select private contractors.   The Ethics Commission strongly recommended that those ordinances be amended so they provide consistent and clear guidance to maintain the dignity of the procurement process.

CITY OF DORAL

>>> Clarification from the city of Doral press person on last week’s story: “I reached out to their [federal] Public Affairs Office.  So you know the [federal] prison is not located in Doral.  It’s east of the Palmetto,” wrote the city flack Natalie French.

>>> OTHER STORIES AROUND FLORIDA

BROWARD COUNTY

>>> Feds charge three Ft. Lauderdale men in $3 million insurance fraud 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), and Jose A. Gonzalez, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division (IRS-CID), announced the indictment of defendants Joel Steinger, a/k/a Joel Steiner, 62, Steven Steiner, a/k/a Steven Steinger, 60, and Henry Fecker III, 58, all from Fort Lauderdale Florida, on charges stemming from their efforts to defraud various insurance carriers through fraudulent applications for health insurance.  The indictment charges the three defendants with conspiring to commit mail and wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §1349, and with substantive mail and wire fraud charges, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1341 and 1343.  If convicted, they face maximum statutory penalties of 20 years in prison for each offense charged. According to the indictment, the defendants made false claims of employment with a shell company, and then with a non-existent corporation documented through forged articles of incorporation.  Each defendant made the false employment claims on applications for group health insurance submitted to various carriers between 2006 and 2010.  The false insurance applications and other materials were transmitted through mailings and wire communications.

As a result of these false claims of employment, two insurance carriers provided the defendants with coverage which they were not qualified to receive and which the insurers would have otherwise declined.  After receiving coverage based on of their misrepresentations, the defendants submitted claims of approximately $3 million. The conduct alleged in the indictment occurred while defendants Joel Steinger and Steven Steiner were awaiting trial on charges stemming from their alleged involvement with Mutual Benefits Corporation (“MBC”).  Defendants Steven Steiner and Henry Fecker are also awaiting trial on separate charges of money laundering and obstruction of justice relating to MBC. >>> Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the FBI and the IRS-CID.  This prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jerrob Duffy and Karen Rochlin. An indictment is merely 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.

>>> 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.

CITY OF PLANTATION

>>> Press release: Former Plantation cop Guaracino gets 43 months in federal Big House for mortgage fraud scam

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Henry Gutierrez, Postal Inspector in Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Tom Grady, Commissioner, State of Florida’s Office of Financial Regulation, and Addy Villanueva, Special Agent in Charge, Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), Miami Field Office, announced today’s sentencing of defendant Joseph Guaracino, a former Plantation Police Department Officer.  U.S. District Judge James I. Cohn sentenced Guaracino to 43 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release.  Guaracino was also ordered to pay $2,969,439.00 in mandatory restitution to financial institutions.  Guaracino was immediately remanded and taken into custody by the United States Marshals Service. In November 2011, Guaracino pled guilty to a one count Information that charged him with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371.  His plea came after his trial on multiple counts of mail and wire fraud and false statement counts resulted in a mistrial in September 2011.

According to the charges and other documents filed with the court in connection with the plea, Joseph Guaracino engaged in a scheme to defraud mortgage lending institutions by making false statements in mortgage applications regarding income and occupancy.  Many of the homes purchased by Joseph Guaracino were flipped for a profit, but a substantial number went into foreclosure. >>> Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Florida’s Office of Financial Regulation, and FDLE.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Laurie E. Rucoba and Jared M. Strauss, and Senior Litigation Counsel Michael Patrick Sullivan. 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.

TOWN OF DAVIE

>>> Three Memorial Hospital Vendors Convicted in Bribery Scheme

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 Jose A. Gonzalez, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division (IRS-CID), announce that, after a 6-day trial before United States District Judge Kenneth A. Marra, a jury convicted defendants Thomas Kennedy, 44, of Davie, Robert Andrei, 70, of Davie, and Thomas Pacchioli, 52, of Weston, of all charges against them.  Additionally, defendant Richard Cohen, 45, of Wellington, pled guilty during the second week of trial. The jury found the defendants guilty of participating in a bribery and kickback scheme in connection with the award of facilities maintenance contracts at Memorial Regional Hospital (MRH), in Hollywood, FL, and Memorial Hospital West (MHW), in Pembroke Pines, FL.  Both hospitals are part of the Memorial Healthcare System, an organization that receives more than $10,000 in federal assistance each calendar year.

According to evidence presented at trial, the defendants and companies they controlled were vendors for the Maintenance Departments at MRH and MHW.  The defendants and their companies paid kickbacks — in the form of cash payments, checks written to nominee corporations, and home generators — to hospital employees Elliott Gordon, Anthony Merola, and Adil Osman.  In return for the kickbacks from the defendant vendors, Gordon, Merola, and Osman provided the defendants and their companies with millions of dollars of construction, repairs, and maintenance work at MRH and MHW.  Gordon and Merola previously pled guilty to an Information charging them with conspiring to accept bribes.  Osman previously pled guilty to a substantive charge of accepting bribes.  Gordon and Merola were sentenced to 38 and 33 months in prison, respectively.  Osman is pending sentencing. Additionally, defendants Kennedy and Cohen participated in a scheme to defraud MRH and MHW by rigging the bidding process on numerous vendor contracts worth over $10,000.  Both defendants used the names of real corporations without consent and shell corporations they established in the names of other people to bid against themselves and guarantee their acquisition of lucrative maintenance contracts.

All the defendants were found guilty of a conspiracy to provide kickback payments to MRH and MHW employees in connection with the award of facilities maintenance contracts at MRH and MHW, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371.  The defendants also were convicted of substantive violations of Title 18, United States Code, Section 666(a)(2), for paying bribes to specific hospital administrators in exchange for the award of vendor contracts.  Finally, Cohen pled guilty to, and the jury convicted Kennedy of, mail fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1341, for their involvement in the fraudulent bid rigging scheme. Sentencing for Cohen, Kennedy, and Pacchiloi has been scheduled for May 18, 2012.  Sentencing for Andrei has been scheduled for May 25, 2012.  At sentencing, the defendants each face a maximum statutory sentence of five years in prison for violating Title 18, United States Code, Section 371; 20 years for violating Title 18, United States Code, Section 1341; and 10 years for violating Title 18, United States Code, Section 666(a)(2). >>>Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the FBI and the IRS Criminal Investigation Division.  Mr. Ferrer also thanked the management and security personnel at Memorial Healthcare System for their assistance and cooperation in this investigation.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Neil Karadbil 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.

PALM BEACH COUNTY

>>> Five Defendants Charged in Mortgage Fraud Scheme Attorney and Bank Vice President Among Those Charged

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, Jeff Atwater, Chief Financial Officer, State of Florida’s Department of Financial Services, and Tom Grady, Commissioner, State of Florida’s Office of Financial Regulation, announced the filing of an criminal information charging defendants Jacinto Puentes, 53, West Palm Beach, Elinor Puentes, 52, West Palm Beach, Theodore Tarone, 43, West Palm Beach, Raul Salabarria, 55, Royal Palm Beach, and Rogelio Ramirez, 42, Port Saint Lucie, with one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud in connection with a multi-million dollar mortgage fraud scheme.  If convicted, the defendants face a statutory maximum sentence of thirty years in prison. Friday, three of the defendants, Jacinto Puentes, Elinor Puentes, and Raul Salabarria, made their initial appearances and were arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge James M. Hopkins in West Palm Beach, Florida.  Defendants Elinor Puentes and Raul Salabarria were released on $250,000 personal surety bonds.  Defendant Jacinto Puentes was held on a $50,000 corporate surety bond.  The remaining two defendants are scheduled to be arraigned on Wednesday, February 29, 2012.

According to the information, the defendants engaged in a multi-million dollar scheme to fraudulently obtain mortgages through the use of false documentation.  More specifically, from November 2006 through November 2007, Jacinto Puentes and Raul Salabarria found seventeen properties in Florida and Tennessee for which they sought financing above the actual sales price quoted by the seller.  Defendant Jacinto Puentes prepared and submitted loan applications containing false information and false supporting documentation, including false verifications of bank deposits from Wachovia Bank’s then Assistant Vice President, defendant Rogelio Ramirez. According to the information, defendant Elinor Puentes and others required the sellers to use the services of co-conspirator attorney Theodore Tarone as the settlement agent.  Defendant Tarone prepared duplicate HUD-1 settlement forms to reflect the two different selling prices.

The lender received a HUD-1 with an inflated purchase price, while the seller received a HUD-1 with the actual sales price.  Through this scheme, the conspirators received approximately $8 million in loan proceeds for the purchase of those 17 properties.  Some of the defendants diverted approximately $500,000 of the loan proceeds for their personal benefit. >>> Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the FBI, the State of Florida’s Department of Financial Services, and the Florida Office of Financial Regulation.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kerry S. Baron. An Information is only an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. >> A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls.

ST. JOHNS COUNTY

>>> Press release: Gov. Scott taps Fred N. Roberts Jr. to the Ocklawaha River Basin seat on the Governing Board, St. Johns River Water Management District.

Roberts, 33, of Ocala, has been an attorney with Klein and Klein Law Firm since 2006.  His community service includes serving on the board of directors for the College of Central Florida Foundation since 2009 and the Boys and Girls Club of Marion since 2008. Roberts received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and a law degree from Stetson University. He succeeds Arlene Jumper and is appointed for a term beginning March 2, 2012, and ending March 1, 2015. The appointment is subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

DUVAL COUNTY

>>> Gov. Scott reappoints  Alia Faraj and taps Sean S. Hall to the Florida Elections Commission.

Faraj, 47, of Tallahassee, has been a partner and executive vice president of Ron Sachs Communications since 2007. Previously, she was communications director for Governor Jeb Bush from 2004 to 2007.  Before serving as deputy chief of staff for the Florida Department of State during the 2004 election cycle, she was press secretary for Governor Jeb Bush for 2003 and 2004 and communications director for both the Florida Department of Community Affairs and the Florida Department of Children and Families for seven months in 2002. She has served on the scholarship board of the American Association of State Troopers since 2008. Faraj received a bachelor’s degree from Florida State University. She is reappointed for a term beginning February 29, 2012, and ending December 31, 2015.

Hall, 42, of Jacksonville, has been an executive business development manager and national sales manager for Panasonic Computer Solutions Company since 2003. Previously, he was a manager with Exabyte Corporation from 1999 to 2003, with Pomeroy Computer Resources from 1997 to 1999 and with Ikon Office Solutions from 1996 to 1997. He served in the United States Army and the Army National Guard from 1989 to 2006.  His community involvement includes serving on the Springfield Preservation and Revitalization Board of Directors and on the Better Jacksonville Plan Citizens Oversight Committee from 2007 to 2011. He is a founding member of the Political Leadership Institute. Hall received a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Florida. He succeeds Jose Rodriguez and is appointed for a term beginning February 29, 2012, and ending December 31, 2015. The appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

ALACHUA COUNTY

>>> Press release: Gov. Scott names Virginia Hipp Johns to the lay member seat on the Governing Board, Suwannee River Water Management District.

Johns, 57, of Alachua, is the president of John Hipp Construction.  Since 2011, she has been serving a second term on the City of Alachua Planning and Zoning Board.  She became a licensed underground and excavation contractor and a qualified storm water inspector in 2003. Johns received an associate degree from Santa Fe College and an interior design degree from Bauder College. She succeeds James Fraleigh and is appointed for a term beginning March 1, 2012, and ending March 1, 2013. The appointment is subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

COMMUNITY EVENTS.

>>> 24th Annual In the Company of Women Awards Celebration Recognizes 13 Miami-Dade Women – In celebration of Women’s History Month, the Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation, and Open Spaces Department and the Miami-Dade County Commission for Women, in partnership with The Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade, are hosting the 24th Annual In the Company of Women Awards Celebration presented by Macy’s, on Wednesday, March 21, from 6-9 p.m., at the Biltmore Hotel, 1200 Anastasia Ave., Coral Gables.  Thirteen local women will be recognized for contributions in their fields and to the Miami-Dade community.  The event also provides lasting support to the Women’s Park and park programs throughout Miami-Dade County.

The honorees include: Mayor’s Pioneer Award—Scherley Busch – Noted commercial photographer, well known for her distinctive photographic vision and interpretations of Florida’s people, places and landscapes.  Founder, director and creative force behind the Florida Women of Achievement project. Mayor’s Pioneer Award—Kathleen Woods-Richardson – Director of the Miami-Dade County Public Works and Waste Management Dept. and longtime, dedicated United Way volunteer.  She is the incoming Chair of the United Way Women’s Leadership Council. Arts & Entertainment— Carol Damian, Director and Chief Curator of the Frost Art Museum at Florida International University. She is active in the local arts community through her leadership roles on the Miami-Dade Art in Public Places Trust and the ArtCenter/South Florida Board of Trustees and her involvement in many museums in South Florida. Business & Economics—Brenda Hill-Riggins – Owner and president of Mars Contractors, one of the largest women and minority-owned construction contractors in Florida. In an industry dominated by men, she is a successful entrepreneur and mentor to many who still finds ways to give back to the community.

Communications & Literature—Ninoska Perez Castellon – Prominent journalist and political commentator at Radio Mambi/Univision Radio. A fierce human rights advocate, she has over 25 years of experience in the communications field where her work has reached a wide-ranging audience not only in the United States but also abroad. Education & Research—Irma Becerra-Fernandez – Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and a fulltime professor at FIU’s College of Business Administration. She is considered the top South Florida educator and researcher on entrepreneurship.  Founder and force behind the Americas Venture Capital Conference, she advocates for the advancement of women to break through the venture capital “glass ceiling.” Government & Law—Lynda Bell, Miami-Dade County Commissioner from District 8 and the first woman Mayor of Homestead.  Her concern for her constituents is exemplified by her focus on education, children, and a streamlined efficient government that still manages to address the needs of the community. Government & Law—Bronwyn Miller – Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge who has committed herself to helping the community through philanthropy and mentoring.  She is a member of several organizations, but has a special passion for helping the homeless and has held leadership roles in the Chapman Partnership. Health & Human Services—Ivon Mesa – Director of the Coordinated Victims Assistance Center and longtime advocate for the rights of domestic violence survivors.  She has dedicated her professional life to addressing the problem of domestic violence and has dramatically changed the way in which services are delivered to thousands of women in Miami-Dade County. Science & Technology—Sarah Elizabeth Messiah, Ph.D. – Research Associate Professor and perinatal/pediatric epidemiologist at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine whose work has been focused on childhood obesity.  She has a community-wide reputation for her commitment as a professional and for her activism in reducing childhood obesity, and she is dedicated to improving general health and wellness among children both locally and nationally.

Community Spirit Award—Jennifer Adger Grant – Accomplished accountant and long-time community activist who has given of her time and talents in organizations such as Delta Sigma Theta Sorority-Dade County Alumnae Chapter, the United Way, Greater Miami Chapter of the Links, the Junior League, and the Community Partnership for the Homeless. Posthumous honors—Elizabeth Ann Juerling – Beloved teacher, women’s advocate, leader of several women’s organizations, and supporter of historic preservation through her roles in the Dade Heritage Trust and The Villagers. Posthumous honors—Mary Abreu – Female public servant in the Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department, who served the community for over 22 years, leaving a legacy within the Miami-Dade Parks Department. >>> Nominations were solicited from the general public from October through December 2011.  Nominees must have a history of continued accomplishments in their field and have met these five criteria: professional development, community responsibility, leadership and vision, contribution to women’s progress and promotion of pluralism.  Award recipients were selected by a panel, comprised of some of last year’s winners and the event’s organizing committee.

>>> Tickets for In the Company of Women are $40 which includes the awards ceremony and pre-event reception, and can be purchased online at www.mdparks.org.  Contributions of $250 and above also afford at-risk women an opportunity to attend the event. In the Company of Women is made possible by the support of generous sponsors including Macy’s, Baptist Health South Florida, Covanta Energy, Florida International University, Waste Services of Florida, Inc., and Univision Radio. For more information about the event, call Vivian Greer-Digon at the Women’s Park, 305-480-1717. >> The Miami-Dade County Commission for Women was created in 1971 as an advisory board to the Board of County Commissioners, the County administration and the public at large about issues pertaining to the status of women.  The Commission for Women also advocates for women in the community and strives to improve their quality of life.  For more information contact the Commission for Women at (305) 375-4967 or at Morilla@miamidade.gov; or visit the website at www.miamidade.gov/advocacy/CFW_home.asp.

>>> Amigos for Kids event: The Second Annual Celebration of Friendship Luncheon and Children’s Fashion show will be held on Saturday, March 31, 2012 at the Four Seasons. Many of you ask how you can get involved and help promote and support our mission of child abuse prevention & awareness. As you may know, April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and Amigos For Kids spearheads a Blue Ribbon Campaign in Miami-Dade County, including this fundraising event. If you would like your child to participate as one of the models in this year’s event, please respond to us by Tuesday, February 28, 2012. Space is limited, and commitment to participate is required.  Please feel free to forward this information to friends with children that may be interested. Fashion Show Theme – Island Cruising In The Tropics – Commitment requirements include: $ 20 fee per child ages 4 – 13 to participate as one of the models  One  ( 1 ) fitting session Two ( 2 ) practice sessions – Adult tickets to attend the event are $ 100 per person – tables set 12 and cost is $ 1,200.  Sponsorship & runway tables available. The attached form should be sent via email to: events@amigosforkids.org Thank you for your support and interest in our mission.  Rosa Maria Plasencia Executive Director Amigos For Kids, 801 S.W. Third Av., Suite 300 Miami, Florida 33130 P:  305 279 1155 F:  305 858 0794 www.amigosforkids.org

>>> Press release: Coalition of South Florida Muslim Organizations Community Appreciation Dinner –  Saturday, March 10, 2012 at 6.30 PM Double tree Hotel- 711 NW 72 Ave., Miami – Emecee Jim DeFede, CBS 4 Miami

In order to recognize the following individuals for their leadership and community building contribution Media Outreach, Antonio Fins, Editorial Page Editor-Sun Sentinel – Humanitarian Outreach, Rabbi Solomon Schiff, Community Relations Board – Judicial Outreach Judge Scott Bernstein Life Time Community Award Dr. Moeiz and Mrs. Farzana Tapia – Key Note Speaker Howard Simon, Executive Editor-ACLU >>> For information please call, Shabbir Motorwala 305-283-2261 Mohammed Shakir  305-812-4824 Faisal Syed 305-606-5933 Nidal Hozien 305-799-0000 Khalid Mirza 305-904-0074 >> NO CHILDREN UNDER 10 -No Baby Seating provided—–Dress Code- Business Attire

EDITORIALS

>>> Officials had better realize free tickets to non-official events a hot button with disillusioned voters

The issue of free tickets given to elected officials or any kind of gifts is something the average voter understands and now that the issue is in the public domain, elected leaders had better realize it drives the regular Joe on the street nuts. First, it was Congress making investments and trading stocks based on the impact of legislation the body is considering or voting on and the Watchdog Report got a firestorm of emails on this subject months ago. Now it is the local freebees for officials and while if the gift is over $100.00 it should be disclosed. It can still look seemly though a 2008 report Miami-Dade Ethics Commission study found only an insignificant percentage of leaders or county and municipal workers actually submitted any gift disclosure forms and had ethics staff wondering if no gifts were being given, or the public servants were just blowing off the required submission.

The anger Miami Beach Attorney Jose Smith exhibited at Thursday’s Ethics and Public Trust Commission regarding a report and recommendation regarding the disposition of these free perks was unwarranted and he should have offered a possible solution or change in policy rather that attack the commission director and staff. For the issue is now on the front burner here in Miami-Dade and it is not going away. And if elected officials are smart about this issue, they should get in front of this and make the process transparent and not political because the way the debate is currently going suggests thou protest too much. And for something easily understood by the voting public like these complimentary tickets if it is disregarded it is at the official’s peril. At a time, many voters just want to throw out the bums and this is just another example of officials feeding at the public trough.

>>> 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

>>> The new Fl. House Seat 106 drawn by the House Re-apportionment committee is a hybrid…it takes in all of the Beach but stops at Surfside and includes a large portion of east Miami…..Probably the strongest candidate would be an Hispanic…..look at Gus Barreiro to switch seats…no one on the Miami Beach commission could win this seat.

Rick

>>> Sen. Firestone made buildings accessible to the disabled ~ This morning I read that Senator George Firestone had died at the age of 80. As I read the Obituaries and article I cried. Not mentioned  is that in 1974, Senator Firestone sponsored the bill that would change the way Florida built buildings forever, a bill that would include, total access for the people with disabilities.

Getting this bill to the calendar, through killer committees, took unique lobbying and bill sponsorship. For instance, did not understand what Senator Baron and Senator Childers meant when they said they could not vote for the bill, but would not hurt me. When the bill came up in “killer” Commerce Committee these two senators, in unison, stood up and walked out the back door. I then understood their words. The bill passed out of committee. When we could not get it on the Senate Special Order Calendar, late in the session, Senator Firestone and Senator Graham requested to see me outside the Senate Door. Nikki Beare was the person sent to find me.

At the door, the Senators said that another bill I was lobbying was on the Special Order Calendar and they wanted to amend the big new construction bill onto that small bill. I asked why they needed my permission and they stated that we could lose both bills. I said that the big construction bill was more important and to go for it. Senator Graham hand copied the bill on amendment paper, and when the bill stood up Senator Graham, stood up, explained the big bill had been through

Committees and was on the calendar and the amendment was added. And it

passed with little opposition and was sent back to the House. The bill came up in the House the last night, took an amendment and was sent back to the Senate where it was accepted.

The bill was signed by Governor Askew in a private bill signing with me.

Governor Askew also signed 11 other bills I managed to get to his desk

that year. And we passed our constitutional amendment that session. And

our legislation, with the Firestone bill, now law shook the nation’s disabled and we woke up a sleeping “giant.” In the same year, S. Carolina passed an access bill with our language. In 58 days, we had passed legislation that shook the nation. The Firestone bill was the premier law that stopped building buildings with no ramps, no entrance access, no restrooms and no paths of travel in side

the buildings. The news today, did not mention the historic act, sponsored by Senator Firestone. People with disabilities, new and old, might want to remember

it was Senator Firestone who created that building access they take for

granted every day. Let his name never be forgotten. http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/03/02/2671649/former-florida-secretary-of-state.html

Denny Wood, President

Florida Paraplegic Association, Inc.

www.dignity4disabled.com

denny@dennywood.net

>>> Good job on WPBT2 show Issues today.

Carmen

>>> 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, 2012, 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.

********************************************************************

Watchdog Report Supporters Invoice-Form

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

Supporting Sponsors $5,000

Sustaining Sponsors $2,000

Corporate Sponsors $1,000 (All levels above will be listed in the report with web-site link if desired)

Large Business Supporters $500

Small Business Supporters $250

Individual Supporter $150

Student Supporter $ 75

Any amount $

Name & Address

Please make checks payable to: Daniel A. Ricker

Send to: 3109 Grand Avenue, #125

Miami, FL 33133

Fax 305-668-4784 -To contact the Publisher please e-mail watchdogreport1@earthlink.net