Watchdog Report Vol.12 No.48 April 1, 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.

>>> HELP: I NEED FINANCIAL HELP IF THIS IS TOO CONTINUE AFTER 12-YEARS AND HEADING INTO 13-YEARS IN MAY:  If you think it is important to have someone watching your public institutions consider becoming a supporter or sponsor. For there is no trust fund, and I do have to live and I hope you or your organization will consider helping in a small or larger way and help keep another voice on line in the media. A convenient form is at the bottom of this week’s Watchdog Report with all the instructions on how to support this newsletter and news service.

>>> Check out this week’s ISSUES on www.wpbt2.org hosted by Helen Ferre

>>>  This Week on Issues – 3/30 & 4/01 Mayoral Recall: One Year Later
This March marked the one-year anniversary of the recall of Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez and Commissioner Natacha Seijas.  Philanthropist and activist Norman Braman joins us on the program to discuss this and his ongoing fight to reform the County charter. Guest: Norman Braman, Braman Management Association. >>> Week-in-Review: Pope visits Cuba, Trayvon Martin Saga – We gathered a panel of journalists to discuss some of the week’s top stories, such as Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to Cuba and new developments from the Trayvon Martin saga. Guests: Patricia Mazzei, The Miami Herald, Tim Padgett, TIME Magazine, Daniel Ricker, Watchdog Report This Week on Issues http://channel2.typepad.com/issues/

ARGUS REPORT – Heard, Seen on the Street

>>> MAM & Science Museum moving forward, 180 giant sheets of Hurricane proof glass for Art Museum a challenge, Science wants extra $30 million next year

The senior staff of the Perez Art Museum and the Frost Science Museum that have new buildings going up on Museum Park in Miami’s Bicentennial Park and receiving a good chunk of public money from the $2.9 billion 2004 Miami-Dade County GOB made their presentations to county budget staff last Thursday. And both institutions want more Convention Development Tax (CDT) money in the future and the Frost Museum of Science is looking for a cool $60 million, not the $30 million in GOB money the county is planning to commit for the upcoming 2012-2013 budget year that has to be approved in September by county commissioners. The two organizations in total will get $265 million in public bond money and while being not-for-profits. The organizations governance model does not allow anyone but their board members to attend the board meetings. And for the general public and press it is a matter of a wing and a prayer whether the tens in millions in pledges are actually rock solid and will be fulfilled from a public verification perspective. They argue this is necessary for many large donors do not like it to be known of their contribution and an open meeting could inhibit philanthropic gifts.

The Perez Museum of Art has gotten $5 million in January of Jorge Perez’s $35 million contribution over ten years and the contribution includes $15 million of his own art. The new building is two weeks ahead of schedule is working to finish construction including the installation of 180 hurricane proof “sheets of glass” that was considered the “biggest hurdle” for the building expected to be completed at the earliest around September 2013, said Thom Collins, the executive director of Miami Art Museum (MAM). MAM has already received the bulk of its $100 million allocated of the public bonds but will receive the final $26 million in the coming budget year. The new $220 million structure currently under budget also includes $120 million in private funding. However, MAM staff noted the Perez donation is in the bank earning interest, and they have been “paying bills with the GOB” money and they are looking for “a construction bridge loan.” And the organization wants to raise more money since we “need $70 million to sustain the museum once built,” said Collins.  For more on the museum construction and donations go to: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/07/arts/design/jorge-m-perezs-name-on-miami-museum-roils-board.html?pagewanted=all

What about the Science museum?

The Frost Science Museum is also relying on private donations to augment the $165 million that is financed by the county’s GOB bonds for the new cutting edge design costing $275 million and includes the Frost donation of $35 million and $10 million from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation www.knightfoundation.org and there is “$25 million in transitional costs,” in the future said senior staff. Executive Director Gillian Thomas, first hired in 2003 has been a persistent advocate of a new museum and leaving the much smaller site in Coconut Grove that was once part of Historic Vizcaya Museum and Gardens that is located across the street. And she once carped at a county commission meeting back then that the museum would strike out on their own with a proposed bond, but held off after the organization was included in the massive bond program approved by voters in 2004. For more on the project got to:

http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/02/23/2658056/new-science-museum-to-break-ground.html

>>> Zen Village Master Tsai looking to help make Miami-Dade a better place

Master Chufei Tsai, the spiritual leader of Zen Village in Coconut Grove would like to reach out to people around Miami-Dade who would like to help to improve the quality of life of the community in the County. Master Tsai already has thousands of volunteers that have become members of Zen Village, which, among other interesting features, houses the only Stupa in South Florida. Zen Village in Coconut Grove was founded in 2005 after first becoming a non-profit organization in South Miami in 2000.

Master Tsai is a gentle soul and has an inner intensity and goodness that almost envelopes you when you talk to her. She believes one must take a holistic approach when it comes to trying to make society a better place for everyone. >> For more on the Zen Village or to participate in trying to make your community better go to: www.zenvillage.org

>>> Press release: Ros-Lehtinen Condemns Arbitrary & Wanton Arrests of Peaceful Pro Democracy Activists During Pope’s Visit to Cuba

Asks Red Cross to investigate, take appropriate actions against regime for masquerading its thugs as Red Cross volunteers

As His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI prepares to leave Cuba, U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, strongly condemned the arbitrary and wanton arrests of peaceful pro-democracy activists throughout the island before and during the Pope’s visit. Ros-Lehtinen has also written to the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) asking for a thorough investigation into media reports that an individual wearing a Red Cross shirt attacked a man who was protesting against the Castro dictatorship.  Click here for a signed copy of the letter.  Statement by Ros-Lehtinen:  “During His Holiness’ first papal mass in Santiago de Cuba, a man shouted ‘down with communism’ and was promptly detained and beaten by Castro’s thugs.  One individual who attacked him was wearing a Red Cross shirt and savagely punched and threw a stretcher at the unknown individual who simply dared to say what is on the mind of freedom-loving Cubans.  As a consequence of this heinous action against one unarmed man, I have asked for an investigation from the IFRC and for swift and appropriate action to be taken.

“Pope Benedict XVI ‘s message of peace and reconciliation has fallen on deaf ears among the aging dictators who have misgoverned Cuba for more than half a century. “Reports from the island indicate that the leader of the Ladies in White, Berta Soler, has been missing since last night and that the rest of the Ladies were holed up in their homes surrounded by agents of the dreaded Cuban State security services so they could not attend today’s mass.  There have also been arrests throughout Cuba with hundreds of pro-democracy activists being detained and beaten and SMS text services and internet access has been shut off to prevent the activists from communicating with each other. “Clearly, the repression by Cuban security agents has increased during this papal visit and it is sure to be more violent now that His Holiness has left the island nation. The Castro brothers should be wary of their future actions because the world, now more than ever, is watching. Their disregard for human rights and freedom will not go unanswered.”

>>> Press release: Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) proposed the “FFC FOIA Transparency” amendment. It was adopted and included in H.R. 3309, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Reform Act of 2012. Diaz-Balart’s amendment would require the FCC to implement new policies and practices to promote greater public disclosure of how the agency handles the Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”) requests. “My amendment was in response to overwhelming data demonstrating the FCC’s apparent lack of transparency and openness with the American people. In FY 2011, the FCC denied more than 46% of the FOIA requests it processed, compared to about 7% across the entire federal government.

“President Obama and Chairman Genachowski have publicly stated that they will be the most open and transparent administration in history, which is a goal I think we all share. My amendment will provide accountability and shed light on controversies like the one dealing with LightSquared, which appears to have political ties. “Requiring the FCC to take additional steps will help bring the agency in line with its responsibilities for openness, transparency, and public disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act.  More importantly, these steps will give the American public confidence that the FCC is responsive to requests made by citizens and is in fact sharing information the public is entitled to receive.”

>>> Does how one drive reflect on a candidates fitness when running for office in Aug., especially with campaign signs on the car?

A note to candidates in the Aug. 14 elections, if you have magnetic campaign posters on your car, you might not want to drive like a maniac on major arterial highways. I watched a blue Audi convertible weave and zoom past on their way to the area around the county’s criminal court where I lost them on my way to Jackson Memorial Hospital Thursday morning, but it left an impression on me. Candidates should realize all it takes is one video of the way they drive or handle themselves in public to destroy a campaign and with the internet. Candidates should beware of such transgressions because it may come back to haunt you.

>>> Knight Center for International Media newsletter: One Water Continues to Reach Audiences Globally with Eight Screenings this World Water Day

The film continues to cross borders, physical and cultural, by showing at a variety of settings this World Water Day 2012.  With screenings spanning the globe, from British Columbia to Hungary, One Water continues to be a popular choice in media for discussing the world’s water crisis.  All screenings of the film are free.  If you are interested in organizing or holding a screening, large or small, please contact Lauren Janetos. For more about the film and related educational projects, visit http://onewater.org/education. www.knightfoundation.org

>>> 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 and was Best Citizen in the 2003 Best of Miami of The Miami New Times, profiled twice in The Miami Herald, and the Orlando Sentinel ran a nationwide story on me in the Tribune papers on Jan. 2003, and UNC Chapel Hill named 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 on www.CBS4.com .

FLORIDA

>>> How many dominoes will fall with FL House & Senate new districts, pitting peers, and what of FL Supreme Court’s possible maps for Senate?

While the Florida House redistricting maps have gotten the green light from the Florida Supreme Court, a redo of a past thrown out Senate redistricting map insiders say will have difficulty getting judiciary approval and since it is the upper body’s legislature’s second attempt. If these new proposed districts are not approved by the high court this time. The Court will draw the districts and it must be done soon since the candidates filing deadlines are fast approaching the June 8 deadline.

One veteran political statewide operative last week said once the maps are approved there will “be a lot of political dominoes” falling because some state legislators will face a opposing legislator or they may no longer live in the district after these final maps are drawn. The Court and legislators now have to work within the confines of the Fair Districts Amendments added to the Florida Constiution in 2010, after the legislation passed by over 60 percent of statewide voters that went to the polls back then. The new amendments call for legislative districts in both the state and Congress to be more compact and less political in nature but achieving that goal has been elusive in the Florida Senate. Now candidates can only wait to hear the high court’s decision, but it is safe to say. Many state lawmakers and congressional candidates are sitting on pins and needles to see if they have a political future or not, and once these maps are finally settled. It remains to be seen what the elected field will produce in some of these contested future races in the Florida House and Senate.

>>> Press release:  Gov. Scott announced the designation of David Wilkins as Florida’s Chief Operating Officer for Government Operations.  Wilkins will serve in this role in addition to his role as Secretary of the Department of Children and Families (DCF).

“I have asked David to serve in a chief operating officer role for the state, taking an enterprise-wide approach to improving agency productivity and reducing government bureaucracy,” said Governor Scott.  “David is uniquely qualified for this new role and I have asked him to replicate many of the operations, improvements and cost-cutting initiatives he has implemented as Secretary of DCF.  While Wilkins will serve as the lead, I have also asked all agencies and agency heads to actively participate in this state productivity and efficiency initiative.”

In his first year as secretary of DCF, Wilkins reduced the agency’s overall administrative costs by nearly $59 million and streamlined the delivery of administrative services by eliminating redundancies and standardizing processes.  He also enhanced organizational performance through the implementation of financial, technology and human resource management improvements.  Wilkins also introduced performance measure scorecards and launched operational redesigns of the child protection investigation and welfare eligibility programs. “I look forward to this additional role and am committed to increasing efficiencies in state government and protecting tax-payers hard earned money,” said Wilkins. Wilkins has more than 30 years of management experience and has served in numerous management roles throughout his career. Wilkins, his wife and their three daughters reside in Tallahassee, Florida, and are active in numerous charitable and community organizations.

>>> Press release: State Sen. Margolis press release: We have all heard about the tragic death of 17 year old Trayvon Martin.  At the center of his shooting is Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law.  One month since the tragic death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, the Sanford Police cite Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law as the reason for not arresting the shooter, George Zimmerman

Passed in 2005, the “Stand Your Ground” law was intended to help protect a person who had a reasonable fear of imminent death.  No one could have anticipated the law would be used to defend the actions of Mr. Zimmerman.  From the facts we know, after being explicitly told by the Sanford Police not to follow, Mr. Zimmerman pursued and shot Trayvon.  Both Former Governor Jeb Bush, who signed the bill into law, and Former Senator Durell Peaden, the bill’s sponsor, have said that the law was not intended to let an armed person pursue and shoot an unarmed teen.  How can you have a reasonable fear for your life when you disobey the police and chase after an unarmed child?

Stand your ground does not mean you can disobey the police, pursue, and confront an unarmed teen. I am officially announcing to you, my constituents, that changing or repealing Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law will be my top priority next legislative session. Protecting an individual’s rights to defend themselves in their home is extremely important to me, however not at the sacrifice of our kids.  This was not the intent of the law I supported and I will not stand idly by when I have the power to help protect my constituents. I have a grandson the same age as Trayvon Martin and could not imagine this happening in our back yard.  However, if this were to happen in one of the cities in District 35 and the Police negligently failed to investigate, I will personally call upon the Governor and State Attorney to step in immediately.  Let me be perfectly clear, no teen, whether black, Hispanic, or white should be placed in a position of harm when we have the ability to change the law. As always, I am grateful that you allow me to continue representing you!

>>> Press release: Volunteer Opportunity – Florida’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program needs volunteers to join its corps of dedicated advocates who protect the rights of elders who live in nursing homes, assisted living facilities and adult family care homes.  The program’s local councils are seeking additional volunteers to identify, investigate and resolve residents’ concerns.  Special training and certification is provided. All interested individuals who care about protecting the health, safety, welfare and rights of long-term care facility residents — who often have no one else to advocate for them — are encouraged to call toll-free 1-888-831-0404 or visit the program’s website at http://ombudsman.myflorida.com.

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY

>>> When it comes to lifting incorporation moratorium, BCC Tuesday “will beat this to death,” says Bovo

Incorporation will be the watchword of the day at Tuesday’s Miami-Dade County Commission and the number of people on the 13- member dais in support of creating new municipalities has been growing after the issue was put into a moratorium in 2007. The Miami-Dade Unincorporated Municipal Service Area (UMSA) has been an ongoing issue with county commissioners but shelved back then but with recalled Commissioner Natacha Seijas being one of the ringleaders against the idea, a counter movement has grown. However, this is no small move since UMSA has over 1.07 million residents and is 43.6 percent of the county’s total 2.5 million residents that includes 30.1 percent of the county’s property tax rolls coming in at $57.9 billion in the area. It is the 800 lb. gorilla political issue that the commission has yet to fully address over the decades. Yet the area is larger than any current municipality that exists and has split local residents over incorporating new cities and towns or keeping the status quo.

County Commissioner Esteban Bovo, Jr., at a preliminary budget department meeting concerning the Miami-Dade Police Department last week when the issue of incorporation came–up and its impact on the county’s overall budget. He said the legislation lifting the moratorium while controversial he is introducing, the former state legislator said.  He “believes there may be a lifting of incorporation on the commission” since there are new members on the dais. He asked budget staff. “If that step is taken” he wanted to know if “that will reduce financial revenue for the county and [if that happens] can we still accomplish serving that area?” he wondered. However, Bovo moved on after a brief explanation saying in his experience on the county commission since being elected in May after serving in the state House. “We will beat this to death on Tuesday,” he thought and the 13-member Commission probable will just do that when it comes to this matter that has a broad range of policy ramifications. Bovo, and Commissioners Sally Heyman and Jean Monestime are sponsoring the new incorporation legislation lifting the moratorium.

Esteban

>>> Here is the agenda item:   PDF ORDINANCE RELATING TO INCORPORATION; REPEALING ORDINANCE NO. 07-120 OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA; DELETING PROVISIONS THAT SUSPENDED PROCESSING AND CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSED INCORPORATIONS; PROVIDING SEVERABILITY, EXCLUSION FROM THE CODE, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE

>>> Historic Vizcaya needs some help in funding, Crown Jewel structure of the Americas

Miami-Dade’s most treasured cultural institution’s including one of the worlds 30 most important structures that include the Forbidden City in the list is teetering on losing its accreditation in the fall if a more constant revenue stream is found and has staff down to a skeleton crew, with pumps installed in 1910s still in operation. The Historic Vizcaya Mansion and Gardens in Coconut Grove has been hammered with county funding cuts over the last few years and with a new glass roof being installed.  The number of events like weddings and coming of age events and the attendant revenues has slowed, said Joel Hoffman the historic property’s curator.  He said soberly that the crown jewel of Miami-Dade historical sites needs help and most recently hosted the Congressional Black Caucus as well as a host of presidents of over nations over the decades.

A Vizcaya Trust member also told county budget staff that the complex is “internationally know” and “is the most perfect home ever built” in the Americas and if they lose accreditation there “will be grants” they will not be able to apply for, the attorney and volunteer said. Also Vizcaya is anticipating a $817,000 deficit, that includes $189,000 in carryover funding in its $5.3 million budget for next year and any further funding cuts “would devastate maintenance and presentation of this Nation Historic Landmark and tourist attraction,” state budget documents. Thus, Vizcaya needs fiscal help and if there are any philanthropists out their in preserving this historic structure and gardens go to http://www.vizcayamuseum.org/

What about the Science Museum property next door?

The Science Museum, which is getting a new building on Bicentennial Park and will be vacated, is part of the Deering Estate and is hoped to become again part of Vizcaya that has some county GOB money in it to restore the buildings, but the public school district is also looking at the buildings. However, deed restrictions favor the Vizcaya absorption of the facilities but some discussions have taken place about it becoming a school. However, the Watchdog Report contacted public schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho on the subject and he wrote back. “There were some discussions regarding an internship program at the museum to start this year. The concept of a school at that site is impeded by deed restrictions associated with the property,” he wrote back.

>>> Kendall soccer field to get 28 foot tall soccer trophy, will be easily seen by residents

The Miami-Dade Art in Public Places Trust has authorized a 28-foot high trophy with a black and white checkered soccer ball at the top to be assigned to the new Kendall Soccer Fields. The giant trophy in the future will be an iconic and easily visible marker of the playing fields that will be illuminated at night for all to see in the surrounding area. This occurred because any time county money is used for major capital projects, a small percentage of the money goes to pieces of public art to be installed. Some of the commissioned past projects over the decades range from pieces at the new Miami Marlins stadium and at Jackson South where over a million in art was commissioned for the hospital that had a over $100 million expansion. In the case of the soccer trophy, the cost was around $60,000 and it did look good when it was shown during a presentation to trustees a few weeks ago.

>>> Press release: Miami-Dade Community Relations Board urges positive change in wake of Trayvon Martin’s death – Dr. Walter T. Richardson, chair of Miami-Dade’s Community Relations Board (CRB), distributed a position paper to the community at large calling for justice for Trayvon Martin’s family, as well as supporting the re-examination of Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law. CRB officials, who seek to dispel and prevent community tensions and conflict, have already sent their condolences to the Martin family, including Ronald Fulton, Trayvon’s uncle and member of the CRB Executive Committee. In the paper, Dr. Richardson expressed that while the call for justice has been heard loud and clear in Miami-Dade, he urges residents not to let their outrage turn to revenge and violence. He praised local high school and college students who have led movements for peace in honor of Trayvon.

Dr. Richardson also outlined actions the CRB supports in the aftermath of Trayvon’s death: review of the “Stand Your Ground” law by state officials, full cooperation by the Sanford Police Department in the state’s investigation of the case, Sanford officials being receptive to the recommendations of the Department of Justice (DOJ) Community Relations Service, and DOJ prosecutors protecting the civil rights of both Trayvon Martin and George Zimmerman fairly.

“I’d like to be exposed to a credible investigation, a blind carriage of justice, and a comprehensive review of all laws that affect this case,” said Dr. Richardson. >> For more information, please contact the Miami-Dade Community Relations Board at 305-375-5730.

>>> GMCVB press release: RECORD LEI$URE AND HO$PITALITY JOB$ IN GREATER MIAMI AND THE BEACHES DURING MONTH OF FEBRUARY 2012 AND 21ST CONSECUTIVE MONTH OF JOB INCREASES

Greater MIAMI’s Leisure and Hospitality Industry JOBS reached a RECORD high with an increase of +4.6% in February 2012 compared to the same period in 2011. This is the 21st consecutive month of increased employment in Greater MIAMI’s Leisure and Hospitality industry.  In February 2012, a RECORD 115,000 people were employed in Greater MIAMI’s Leisure and Hospitality sector compared to 110,000 for February 2011.

GREATER MIAMI LEISURE AND HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY JOB$

February 2012	February 2011	% Change
115,000 jobs	110,000  jobs	+ 4.6%

MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

>>> Supt. Carvalho goes for the gold, raises $7 million in federal challenge, district gets $70 million back says board Vice Chair Feldman

Alberto Carvalho, the nation’s fourth largest public schools top administrator hit the bulls eye by raising $7 million in funding that is matched by $70 million from the federal government in a funding education challenge created by the President Barack Obama administration. Carvalho has used every opportunity to get this challenge out to the public and donors, and he was successful in bringing home the federal bacon for public education, said school board Vice Chair Lawrence Feldman last Wednesday while attending the Miami State of the City delivered by Mayor Tomas Regalado.  Carvalho has been a dynamo since taking the reins of the public school district in Sept. 2008 replacing Superintendent Rudy Crew.

And he saw the fiscal issues hitting the district, state and local government way ahead of others and he immediately started paring down employees, reviewing every single contract, and for the last few years. He has mitigated some of the draconian funding cuts that have come from state officials, though this year there is a $1 billion increase at the state level, but after three years of cuts, funding still lags behind. The public schools under Carvalho’s watch have created a variety of Magnet Schools and has expanded charter schools edging to about 100 in number but that has cut some 50,000 students from the public schools since the 1990s when these were first started, and has decreased the attendant per student state funding.

>>> Press release: The State Board of Education announced today that Holmes Elementary School and Booker T. Washington, Miami Central, and Miami Edison senior high schools have demonstrated adequate progress to exit “Intervene” status under the state’s Differentiated Accountability compliance requirements. The schools have met state-mandated requirements related to school improvement planning, educator quality, curriculum alignment, Florida’s Continuous Improvement Model, and monitoring processes and plans. “Three short years after a threat of closure by the state, these iconic schools today stand as beacons of hope and opportunity for the communities they represent,” said Superintendent of Schools Alberto M. Carvalho.  “Perseverance, determination and a laser-like-focus on instruction, at the hands of expert teachers and leaders and with grassroots community support, have transformed not only the quality of education in these environments, but the future standard of living their students will enjoy.”

The schools will officially exit intervene status on July 1, and will not be at risk of closing. “This is wonderful news for our students and teachers who have worked incredibly hard,” said School Board Chair Perla Tabares Hantman. “This is the right decision for our children, our schools, and our community. It’s important that students and teachers have every opportunity to demonstrate that they can meet rigorous instructional standards and excel academically.” School Board Member Dorothy Bendross-Mindingall said, “I am delighted that our team of educators, parents, and community leaders banded together to show love, dedication, and respect for our children. When that commitment is shown our children are successful. They no longer have to feel that they are not learners.”

PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST

>>> JHS gets strategy body blow with death of VP Szaro, last thing Migoya needed at this critical transformation stage

The death of Donn Szaro on Saturday, 61, the chief strategy officer of Jackson Health System is a body blow to the organization since he was deeply involved in the crafting of a recovery strategy at the health trust that is currently laying off or not filling over 1,100 positions, a large number are nurses, and his death in the middle of this transition impacts all of South Florida residents. Szaro, who came out of retirement to join President and CEO Carlos Migoya as part of the new management team last year in the early summer had settled into the job and an important strategic retreat was being planned in the future that he will now not be a part of. I sat next to Szaro on Thursday morning at a special Financial Recovery Board meeting and while a big man and over weight. He had good color and the cause of death is unknown at this point but it has devastated anyone that has known him.

In my case, I am shocked and saddened at the man’s death especially during this critical time that has the health system with only 15 days of cash and having lost well over $420 million over the last three years, and will do over $1 billion in charity care including bad debt losses. Migoya has lost a friend as well, the two men were a team one year during the United Way of Miami-Dade’s yearly fund raising drive, and they were comfortable with each other and their thought process. Now Migoya a former banker brought in this past May has to quickly cast a new net to find a top-notch replacement for this critical role at a time the president already has his hands full.

Jackson is a colossal health system with a relationship with the University of Miami Miller Medical School and Florida International University new medical school. The institution had 9,800 employees in February, but also lost $3 million for the month, and will “be still tight for cash in June,” said staff at the monthly FRB meeting Monday. However, their was some good news last week after state legislative Medicaid cuts could have cut state funding by around $40 million were averted with the Florida Legislation session over. And State Rep. Michael Bileca, R-Miami, a FRB board member told his colleagues that part of this success in keeping the Miami-Dade delegation together on Jackson which accounts for 17 percent of the state legislatures representatives. He said it was the new management team Migoya had assembled. And that fact created, “A fundamental change [during this Legislative] session showing it was not business as usual at Jackson,” said Bileca, a CPA.  Now Migoya has to act adroitly since this void exists in his management team going into this critical juncture for the health trust.

>>> Press release: JACKSON HEALTH SYSTEM MOURNS LOSS OF CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER DONN SZARO

The Jackson Health System family is mourning the death of executive vice president and chief strategy officer Donn Szaro, who died March 31 in Sarasota, Fla. Szaro, one of the nation’s leading experts on healthcare accounting and strategic management, was 61. Szaro came out of retirement in 2011 to join Jackson’s transformation team because he believed in the health system’s mission and recognized its potential for long-term success.

“Donn was more than a partner; he was friend,” said Carlos A. Migoya, president & CEO of Jackson Health System. “At a time when Jackson – and me personally – needed a champion, Donn put his retirement aside to join in our important work.”

Prior to joining Jackson in 2011, Szaro had a distinguished 35-year career with Ernst & Young LLP, founding its Global Health Science Industry Practice. He twice led practices into billion-dollar annual revenues, first with domestic health care and later with the global health science practice. He was service partner for some of the nation’s largest hospitals, a coordinating partner at major biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies and captain of the team that audited the largest-ever American healthcare company. Prior to that, he worked as an independent hospital consultant and was often recruited to speak as an expert on hospital business strategy throughout the United States and in Europe, China, India, Singapore and Australia.

Szaro’s storied career was dedicated to reinventing modern healthcare for a new era. In doing so, he worked with more than 500 hospitals across the country providing strategy, financial advice and operational assistance. He touched countless trendsetters in the industry and he made a lasting impact on the healthcare industry. A third-generation Floridian, Donn is a former Florida State University Seminole football player who graduated with an undergraduate degree in accounting. He completed advanced executive studies at Yale, Northwestern, Duke and Harvard universities – and then went on to serve in leadership roles at some of the state’s most prestigious civic organizations: the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, the United Way of Miami-Dade, the FSU College of Business and the FSU Seminole Boosters. He has also been an advisor to the healthcare board of governors at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. “Jackson Health System sends our deepest condolences to the Szaro family and we recommit ourselves to honoring Donn’s legacy in the work we do each and every day,” Migoya said. Memorial services are pending.

>>> FRB looking for professional liaison for board & administration

Marcos Lapciuc, the FRB chairman is creating a “board liaison to management” for the oversight board and he has asked FRB Member Mojdeh Khaghan, an attorney to head the subcommittee doing the search for the person. The chair believes this new position in the future will “improve board governance” and the person will be allowed to have “full participatory powers” in management discussions. He wants the person to have hospital expertise and wants Khaghan to draft a job description after consulting with the other six board members. She will act as the headhunter in getting the word out for people to apply, then review the people’s resumes along with two other FRB members, and they would then bring five finalists to the board for their consideration in the months ahead.

Khaghan

Lapciuc

CITY OF MIAMI

>>> Whirly birds coming back to Watson Island base with MSEA vote last week

The Miami Sports and Exhibition Authority Thursday voted on a new contract after ten years of discussion to allow a company to run a helicopter service on Watson Island, something done in the past but discontinued years ago. Linden Services Corp., will manage the heliport but will not fly the whirly birds themselves and the representative noted this is a first step. And in the future will include getting approval for the base by a number of government agencies before the flights start. And Miami-Dade’s “DERM Department is one of the difficult ones,” when it comes to these approvals said the companies top official when it came to getting the aircraft back into local service. Linden will be investing $250,000 initially and another $100,000 in the coming years and that is why the rent to the city is only $2,200 a month for the first two-years for the waterfront location.

Rick Guthrie, a member of the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department said that the new base was needed in the county speaking as a citizen and supporter. He noted over the decades  Watson Island and the aerial service has been used in past television shows like “Miami Vice and CSI Miami,” he said and facility would highlight the Miami skyline and the city’s image as a World Class City. Commission Chair Francis Suarez during the discussion noted “we debated the rent for a few of the past meetings” saying “no one wanted to give away the farm” and they had spent $20,000 “on our own appraisal,” he said. In addition, Commissioner Willy Gort during the discussion noted when it came to the value of the site. “It depended on the use of the land,” when it came to any valuation.

Gort

Suarez

>>> Gov. Scott announced the reappointment of Nola A. Garcia de Quevedo and the appointments of Dr. Michelle D. Ramba-Roddenberry and Richard C. Wohlfarth to the Board of Professional Engineers.

Garcia de Quevedo, 54, of Miami, is the president of Star Bot Inc. She is reappointed for a term beginning March 27, 2012, and ending October 31, 2014.

Dr. Ramba-Roddenberry, 40, of Tallahassee, is an assistant professor at

Florida A&M University – Florida State University College of Engineering. She is appointed for a term beginning March 27, 2012, and ending October 31, 2013.

Wohlfarth, 60, of Lake Mary, is a site civil engineer and chief operating officer for IBI Group Inc. He is appointed for a term beginning March 27, 2012, and ending

October 31, 2013. >>> The appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

CITY OF HIALEAH

>>> Press release: Sixteen South Florida Residents Charged with Operating Hialeah Commercial Aircraft Cockpit Window Repair Company without FAA Certifications

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Marlies T. Gonzalez, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General, Region 4, John V. Gillies, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, Richard Walker, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Office of Labor Racketeering and Fraud Investigations, Alysa D. Erichs, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI), Cynthia R. Lorenzo, Interim Executive Director, Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, and Sergio Lopez, Manager, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) South Florida Flight Standards District Office, announced the unsealing of a twenty-one count indictment charging sixteen defendants in connection with the continued operation of ATR Aircraft Transparencies Repair Inc., a Hialeah-based company that overhauled large commercial aircraft cockpit windows, despite having had their Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certificate to operate revoked.

Arrested today were defendants Rangel Fernandez, 41, of North Miami Beach, Ivan Fernandez, 66, of Miami Lakes, Dennis Romero, 48, of Hialeah, Lisbet Gonzalez, 43, of North Miami Beach, Luis Balarezo, 48, of Miami Lakes, Saul Hernandez, 46, of Hialeah, Hermes Reyes, 58, of Hialeah, Pedro Leon, 47, of Hialeah, Aileen Bermudez, 57, of Hialeah, Geovanni Hernandez, 29, of Hialeah, Francisca Diaz, 53, of Hialeah Gardens, Chabela Aneiros, 57, of Hialeah, Ivonne Portales, 43, of Hialeah, and Diego Garcia, 65, of Hialeah, and Myrian Cobo, 39, of Orange Park.  One defendant, Jerry Frystak, 67, of Seminole, remains at large.

The indictment charges Rangel Fernandez, Ivan Fernandez, Jerry Frystak, Dennis Romero, Lisbet Gonzalez, Luis Balarezo, Saul Hernandez, Hermes Reyes, Pedro Leon, Aileen Bermudez, Geovanni Hernandez, and Francisca Diaz with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1349.  Rangel Fernandez, Dennis Romero, Saul Hernandez, Pedro Leon, and Hermes Reyes were additionally charged with aircraft parts fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 38.  Dennis Romero, Lisbet Gonzalez, Geovanni Hernandez, Chabela Aneiros, Myriam Cobo, and Ivonne Portales were charged with wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343.  Hermes Reyes and Diego Garcia were also charged with mail fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1341.  Finally, Rangel Fernandez was charged with visa fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1546.  If convicted on the conspiracy count, the defendants each face a maximum statutory sentence of up to twenty years in prison.  If convicted of aircraft parts fraud, the defendants face a maximum statutory sentence of up to fifteen years in prison.  If convicted on the wire and mail fraud counts, the defendants face a maximum statutory sentence of up to twenty years in prison.  If convicted on the visa fraud count, defendant Rangel Fernandez faces a maximum statutory sentence of up to five years in prison.

According to the indictment, between August 2009 and August 2010, the defendants falsely certified to commercial aviation customers that the aircraft cockpit windows they sold were airworthy.  In fact, however, the defendants knew that they were not authorized by the FAA to certify the airworthiness of aircraft cockpit windows.  To execute their scheme, the defendants purchased “as removed” aircraft cockpit windows in the open market and then backdated numerous documents, including FAA Form 8130-3’s, work orders, and traceability documentation, to make it appear that the aircraft cockpit windows had been retrieved from ATR’s inventory while its FAA Repair Station Certificate was still valid.  As well, the defendants allegedly altered the serial numbers on the aircraft cockpit windows that had been sent to ATR by the commercial aviation customers to make it appear that the aircraft cockpit windows had come from inventory rather than from the true commercial aviation customers.

Lastly, the indictment alleges that the defendants created at least three different internal accounting records and logs to misrepresent the true business practices and financial condition of ATR to make it appear as if ATR was no longer in the business of repairing and certifying the airworthiness of aircraft cockpit windows.  Additionally, some of the defendants filed false unemployment compensation requests with the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Unemployment Compensation Program, to further the illusion that ATR was out of business.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of the Inspector General, the FBI, the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of the Inspector General, ICE-HSI, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, and the FAA.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Marc Anton is prosecuting this case. An indictment is only an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent 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. 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.

CITY OF MIAMI BEACH

>>> Libbin calls condo Presidents and residents to rise-up and call for Beach Condominium Ombudsman, vote on position in Aug.

Commissioner Jerry Libbin continues on his mission for a Condominium Ombudsman position within the city of Miami Beach administration and has drafted a letter he suggests be sent to the other commissioners, the mayor and the city’s administration. He believes given the large number of condominiums in the municipality with around 90,000 residents such a position is necessary. However, critics say in these tough times, the money could be used better and there is concern the position could become political given some of the charged internal battles that occur in some of these condominium associations, that also includes people renting some of the units, and have a different perspective. But he wants the position to be put on the August 14 ballot for Beach voters to weigh in on the necessity. Below is Libbin’s letter to condominium president and managers requesting they get involved in the matter.

>>> Libbin press release: Below is a letter I have drafted for your residents about the creation of a Condominium Ombudsman position in the City of Miami Beach. This is a position needed in our government to better serve our residents in condominiums and cooperatives.  The position would mediate and facilitate your condominium and cooperative service requests to the city pertaining to the Building, Code Compliance and Fire Departments, eliminating a lot of time and frustration and resulting in a more beneficial outcome for residents. I have provided a sample letter that residents can send the Miami Beach Commission requesting that a question be placed on the August 2012 ballot about whether or not the Ombudsman position should be created.  The emails for the Mayor and Commissioners have also been listed below for their convenience. Please forward this letter to all residents so that they may contact the Mayor and Commissioners to urge their support of the Condo Ombudsman’s position.  You may contact my office at 305 673 7106 or jerry@miamibeachfl.gov should I be of additional service to you. I look forward to working with you toward this essential goal.

>>> Here is the suggested letter: I am writing to urge you to support the Condominium Ombudsman position in the City of Miami Beach.  This is a much-needed position, which will assist residents and associations of condominiums and cooperatives with city services.  The position is designed to walk residents through procedures relative to Building, Code Compliance and Fire Department issues.  It will alleviate a lot of the frustrations currently experienced by residents and will expedite measures which are currently lengthy for even the simplest of requests relating to those departments.

I encourage you to establish the appropriate ballot question which if approved by the voters in the August election would create the position of Condominium Ombudsman as stated below: “There is hereby created the position of Condominium Ombudsman who shall assist condominium and cooperative owners and condominium associations in addressing issues relating to the City’s Building, Code Compliance, and Fire Departments and who shall submit written reports to the City Commission through the City Manager on a quarterly basis with regard to his/her findings. The Condominium Ombudsman shall be appointed by and report directly to the City Manager according to personnel regulations pertaining to unclassified service.” As a voter of Miami Beach, I request that you accept the above language and approve my request for it to be placed on the August 2012 ballet so that I, along with other residents, may vote to have this crucial position created.

CITY OF CORAL GABLES

>>> Mayor Cason wrapping up first year, a fine example of what a leader should be

Mayor Jim Cason in April will celebrate his first year in office and residents I talk to say he has done a solid job, especially getting the Historic Biltmore Hotel to update its contract with the city and settle back rent payments to the tune of around $5 million. Cason a former diplomat with the U.S. State Department and Ambassador ran a insurgent campaign back in April 2011 against incumbent Donald Slesnick, II and attorney Tom Korge but the winner take all race had Cason prevailing.

Cason, an Angelo who is fluent in Spanish since the election and was given a two year term, has run efficient commission meetings when I have stopped by over the past year, and the man handles the public discussion very well. He is married with a family and this was his first swipe at political office and he has kept his humble down to earth roots style and he is impressive and I once described him as a man and his principles that are like “still water that runs deep,” when it comes to integrity and political humbleness. The Watchdog Report wishes him another positive and productive year as head of the City Beautiful and he is a positive example of a person just trying to be a public servant trying to serve all the residents and taxpayers of the Gables.

CITY OF DORAL

>>> Press release:  Miami-Dade County, in partnership with the City of Doral and Dream in Green, is holding a Home Energy Savings Workshop on Wednesday, April 25th, 2012 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm (registration begins at 6:00pm) at the City of Doral Council Chambers. The workshop is being held to educate residents on energy efficiency and conservation and provide homeowners with information, resources and incentives to reduce their utility costs. Participants will receive a free energy savings toolkit valued at over $100 and learn to track household energy consumption/reduction. More importantly, residents will save money by learning how to reduce energy use in their homes by 20-30 percent. “This is a great opportunity for our residents to save money in the long run,” said JC Bermudez, Mayor of the City of Doral, “and a great example of how the Federal, County and Municipal governments can work hand in hand to benefit the community at large and protect our environment.” The free energy savings toolkit includes items such as a programmable thermostat, hot water gauge, LED sensor nightlight and compact florescent light bulbs (CFLs). According to ENERGY STAR, if every American home replaced just one light with an ENERGY STAR qualified CFL, we would save enough energy to light more than three million homes for a year, save about $700 million in annual energy costs, and prevent nine billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions per year, equivalent to the emissions of about 800,000 cars.

To register and for additional information, residents can call 3-1-1 or visit http://green.miamidade.gov. The workshop has limited space, and is open to the first 50 registered residents. Each participant will receive the free energy savings toolkit, limit one per household. The Home Energy Savings Workshops are part of the County’s award-winning Communitywide Energy Efficiency Campaign, an education program managed by the Office of Sustainability that engages residents to gain support for energy conservation, renewable energy, recycling, and waste reduction, and serve as a catalyst for long-term behavior changes resulting in reduced energy usage. To date, the campaign has resulted in a reduction of 4,041 metric tons of CO2e or $742,000 a year in energy savings. Other elements of the campaign include: showerhead and light bulb exchanges, $750 Savings Challenge, residential appliance rebate program and commercial rebate program. Learn more at http://green.miamidade.gov. On September 14, 2009, Miami-Dade County was awarded $12,523,700 through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program, funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and administered through the Department of Energy. The Countywide Energy Efficiency Campaign is one of 12 projects funded through EECBG. A complete project list is available at http://green.miamidade.gov.

>>> OTHER STORIES AROUND FLORIDA

BROWARD COUNTY

>>> Press release: Fort Lauderdale Investment Advisor Arrested in Las Vegas

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and John V. Gillies, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, announced the arrest of defendant George Elia on a criminal complaint alleging that the defendant committed wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343.  If convicted, Elia faces a maximum of twenty years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and a potential fine. According to the criminal complaint, starting in 2000, Elia owned and operated various companies, including International Consultants, based out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  From at least 2005 through 2011, Elia claimed to invest in publicly-traded stocks on behalf of investors.  As a result of these claims, investors gave Elia money to invest in common stocks that investors believed were trading on the New York Stock Exchange, NASDAQ, and others.

The complaint describes how, in August 2010, Elia met with an investor at the Ritz Carlton in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  At this meeting, Elia showed the investor a three-ring binder, which purported to contain Fidelity account statements and a summary sheet for Elia’s various investment accounts.  Elia assured the investor that the investor would recover money in about a year through Elia’s investments.  The investor agreed to wire money to Elia.  During the meeting, the investor used a telephone to photograph the Fidelity statements that Elia showed the investor. FBI agents reviewed the Fidelity records for Elia’s companies, which revealed that the actual balances in the Fidelity brokerage accounts that Elia controlled did not match the balances on the statements that Elia showed to the investor in August 2010.  According to Fidelity records, the total value of the trading accounts for the respective period was approximately $111,432.27, not the $8,241,923.38 that was set out in the documents that Elia showed the investor.

By the summer of 2011, Elia stopped sending investors quarterly statements, returning calls and emails to investors, and paying regular payments to investors.  Elia was arrested in Las Vegas on March 27, 2012, after arriving on a flight from London. Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the FBI.  Mr. Ferrer also commended the efforts of the SEC for their contribution to this investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney H. Ron Davidson. A Criminal Complaint is only an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless 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. 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.

>>> Gov. Scott names Debbie L. Kohl to the Board of Commissioners, North Broward Hospital District.

Press release: Kohl, 53, of Tamarac, is the chief financial officer of Broward Bank of Commerce.   Previously, she was the vice president of finance of Capital Business Credit from 2006 to 2009 and chief financial officer of First Choice Credit Union from 2003 to 2006.  Kohl has been a member of the Florida Institute of CPAs and the American Institute of CPAs since 2000 and the National Association of Professional Women since 2011. She also helped form and served as treasurer of Acts of Kindness for Kids and served as chairman of the CFO Council of the Florida Credit Union League.  Kohl received an associate degree from Broward Community College, bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Florida, master’s degree from Nova Southeastern University and a graduate degree in banking from Louisiana State University. She succeeds Rhonda Calhoun and is appointed for a term beginning March 29, 2012, and ending May 7, 2014.

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

PALM BEACH COUNTY

>>> Press release: Defendant Charged in Superseding Information in Broward and Palm Beach Counties in Pill Mill Operation

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, John V. Gillies, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, Mark R. Trouville, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Miami Field Division, and José A. Gonzalez, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division (IRS-CID), announced the filing of a Superseding Information against Steven Goodman, 67, of St. Petersburg, FL, in the continuation of Operation Oxy Alley, a coordinated investigation into pill mills in Broward and Palm Beach Counties.  To date, twenty-seven defendants have pled guilty, twenty-six have been sentenced, and one is pending sentence on an indictment unsealed on August 23, 2011, which charged thirty-two defendants, including Goodman. The indictment alleged that defendants Christopher and Jeffrey George, twin brothers, operated, managed and financed four pain management clinics in Broward and Palm Beach Counties.  According to the indictment and statements made in court, from 2008 to early 2010, these pill mills distributed approximately 20 million oxycodone pills and made more than $40 million from the illegal sales of controlled substances.  Thirteen of the thirty-two defendants were doctors.

Today, the United States Attorney filed a one count Superseding Information charging Steven Goodman with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371.  Goodman is a pharmaceutical wholesaler who owned and operated Medical Arts Pharmacy, Inc., in St. Petersburg, Florida.  According to the Superseding Information, Goodman used the U.S. mail to devise and carry out a scheme to defraud and deceive the Drug Enforcement Administration.  To execute the scheme, Goodman shipped large quantities of controlled substances to clinics owned and operated by the George brothers without first conducting due diligence activities as required by federal law.

The investigation and prosecution was the result of work by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.  The FBI, DEA, IRS-CID were assisted by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, the Broward Sheriff’s Office, the Hollywood Police Department, the Boca Raton Police Department, and the Davie Police Department.  Coordination efforts also included cooperation by the Palm Beach State Attorney’s Office and the Delray Beach Police Department, Jupiter Police Department, West Palm Beach Police Department, Boynton Beach Police Department, Medley Police Department, Homestead Police Department, North Miami Beach Police Department, and Sunny Isles Police Department.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul F. Schwartz and Lawrence D. LaVecchio. An information is only an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent 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.

>>> Gov. Scott taps Tamara Jones McKee to the Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board.

McKee, 41, of Boca Raton, is a self-employed actress. She is appointed for a term beginning March 29, 2012, and ending October 31, 2012. The appointment is subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

DUVAL COUNTY

>>> Gov. Scott taps Matthew F. Carlucci to the Commission on Ethics.

Carlucci, 55, of Jacksonville, has been the owner of Matthew F. Carlucci Insurance Agency Inc. for 31 years. He served on the Jacksonville City Council from 1999 to 2003 and from 1987 to 1994, serving as council president from 2001 to 2002. He served on the board of directors of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors from 1996 to 1998 and was president of the Jacksonville Police Council from 1995 to 1997. His community involvement includes membership in the Southside Businessmen’s Club and the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and the Jacksonville Historical Society. Carlucci received a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Florida. He is appointed for a term beginning April 1, 2012, and ending June 30, 2014. The appointment is subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

LAKE WALES COUNTY

>>> Gov. Scott reappoints MaryLeigh “Mimi” Hardman and names Kathy A. Fleming to the Florida Historical Commission.

Hardman, 76, of Lake Wales, is the president of Historic Lake Wales Society. She is reappointed for a term beginning March 28, 2012, and ending December 31, 2014.

Fleming, 50, of Jacksonville, is the chief administrative director of the First Light Maritime Society. She succeeds Nancy H. Maddox and is appointed for a term beginning March 28, 2012, and ending December 31, 2015.

SOUTH LAKE COUNTY

>>> Gov. Scott names Kasey C. Kesselring to the South Lake County Hospital District Board of Trustees.

Kesselring, 44, of Montverde, has been the headmaster and chief executive officer of Montverde Academy since 1999. He served on the South Lake County Hospital District Board of Trustees from 2007 to 2011, and served as chairman from 2010 to 2011.  Kesselring currently serves on the board of the South Lake Chamber of Commerce.  He received a bachelor’s degree from Dickinson College and a master’s degree from Middle Tennessee State University. He succeeds Robert Hebeler and is appointed for a term beginning March 29, 2012, and ending July 5, 2013.

OSCEOLA COUNTY

>>> Gov. Scott taps Kimberly Hennecy as Osceola County Clerk of Court.

Press release: Hennecy, 41, of St. Cloud, has been the chief deputy clerk of the Osceola County Clerk of Court since 2009. During her 15 years serving in the clerk’s office, she has held various positions including accounting administrator from 2007 to 2009, chief accounting assistant from 2004 to 2007, Article V compliance officer from 2003 to 2004 and accounting assistant from 1997 to 2003. She received a bachelor’s degree from Liberty University.  Hennecy will serve during the suspension of Malcom Thompson.

MONROE COUNTY

>>> Press release: Keys Case Results in Jail Time for Lobstermen

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Otha Easley, Acting Special Agent in Charge, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement, Southeast Division, announced that Rush C. Maltz, 36, of the Saddle Bunch Keys, Florida and Titus A. Werner, 36, of Little Torch Key, Florida, were sentenced yesterday in Key West for conspiring to receive, purchase, sell, and transport lobster for distribution, in violation of federal and state licensing and catch limit laws, all in violation of  Title 18, United States Code, Section 371.

U.S. District Judge Jose E. Martinez sentenced Maltz to 18 months imprisonment, followed by two years of supervised release and Werner to a term of imprisonment of one year and one day, followed by one year of supervised release. In addition, Judge Martinez ordered Maltz to forfeit $62,000, representing the proceeds of the sale of two fishing vessels owned by Maltz and his charter fishing company.  The vessels were used in the commission of the crime.  In addition, at their own expense and under NOAA’s supervision, defendants Maltz and Werner are removing over 200 “casitas” that they had illegally placed in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. “Casitas” are structures placed on the ocean floor to lure and concentrate spiny lobster for harvesting. In January 2012, a third defendant in the case, Scott A. Greager, 48, of Stock Island, Florida, was also sentenced to a prison term and supervised release for his role in the conspiracy.

According to court records and statements made in court, from as early as May 28, 2007, through about March 2009, Greager owned Holiday Seafood Key West. Using a Florida Wholesale Dealer’s License issued in the name of Conch Republic Seafood Company, Greager made numerous purchases of spiny lobster from Maltz and Werner, knowing that the purchases involved the harvest and sale of lobster that were illegally obtained through the use of unlicensed structures and were over the daily limit of 250. The defendants attempted to conceal the purchases from the State of Florida by falsifying documentation submitted to the state regulatory agency. To further conceal the crime, the defendants regularly attributed lobster landing numbers to harvests from two different vessels — although both were owned by Maltz and operated by Maltz and Werner. Over just two commercial seasons, the three defendants made 113 landings of spiny lobster harvested from illegal casitas.

During the relevant period, Florida law set strict requirements for commercial harvest limits on Florida spiny lobster. Florida law also required certain licenses and endorsements for a seafood product harvester to lawfully operate in the State. Wholesale dealers, such as Greager and his business were prohibited from purchasing lobster without first confirming that the seller possessed all required licenses and endorsements, and making truthful and accurate reports of the transactions to the State.  Divers were required to hold a series of endorsements, including a highly restricted “CD” endorsement that was assigned to a specific licensee and a specific vessel. >> Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the Special Agents of the NOAA Office for Law Enforcement and thanked the Officers of the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission who assisted in bringing the case to our office. The criminal case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas Watts-FitzGerald and Antonia Barnes. 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.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

>>> April 2 – Women’s Chamber of Commerce – wine and social 5 PM Seasons 52 32l Miracle Mile Coral Gables $l5 – info@womenschamberofcommerce.org

>>> April 7 – National Coalition of l00 Black Women in Leadership breakfast – 8:30 Jungle Island $30 800-658-l282

EDITORIALS

>>> Public money oversight for Museum Park is entrusted to the two boards, members; they must be vigilant oversight firewall

Public Trust is what is being debated today, Jackson Health System is going through a major restructuring, but it is being done in the Sunshine and in a transparent way. However, when it comes to the Miami Science Museum and the Miami Art Museum (MAM), for the public it is a wing and a prayer since citizens, the press and the Miami-Dade Inspector General are kept in the dark. Taxpayers are contributing some serious public coin to the new museums that are not-for-profit entities, costing hundreds of millions of dollars combined and the county GOB money contributed to the projects is already being spent.

And frankly, the only fiscal firewall overseeing how this public money is being spent is Dan Bell, the chair of the Science Museum Board and Aaron Podhurst, the chair of MAM and their boards and the Watchdog Report hopes they are keeping a tight watch of this money. For the community cannot afford another repeat of the Arsht Performing Arts Center (whose meetings were open to the public, had a assistant inspector general present and the Watchdog Report covering the construction committee meetings) that originally was to cost $255 million. But the two halls would later have over $100 million in disputed changeovers, and finally came in at $472.9 million and 20 months late in 2006.

Further, while the top administrators of both organizations, Gillian Thomas and Thom Lewis told county budget officials last week in their internal meetings that private fundraising was going well and the millions in “pledges” were solid. The community has to trust them at their word on this issue, but what happens if private and philanthropic funding falls short, and leads to one or both of the museums to require more public money to complete the projects? Thomas when I asked that question said they would deal with that “if and when it occurred,” which is one way to look at the problem that will be possible looming in a few years ahead, if it occurs at all.

However, it is that possibility of needed future funding that concerns the Watchdog Report and while I strongly support the arts and science. It is still taxpayer’s money and we should pray all that is said by the organizations administrators comes to pass. For there is no more public money to be had for such cultural endeavors of this magnitude like with the Arsht Center. Especially while Jackson Health System; the public medical crown jewel of Miami-Dade having over $1 billion in badly needed capital infrastructure upgrades, and given the life and death nature of the hospital system, and its importance to the community. If there is any extra public money available in the future, it must be directed at Jackson and I hope the museums board members understand that fact. Since the press and public are kept in the dark on the fiscal and fundraising progress of the organizations while these new impressive structures go up on a good chunk of Bicentennial Park that is public property as well.

>>> 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.

>>> 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 COUNTY ETHICS & PUBLIC TRUST COMMISSION www.miamidade.gov/ethics

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY INSPECTOR GENERAL www.miamidade.gov/ig

MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC SCHOOLS BOARD www.dadeschools.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.

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Watchdog Report Supporters Invoice-Form

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

Supporting Sponsors $5,000

Sustaining Sponsors $2,000

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