Watchdog Report Vol.12 No.50 April 15, 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 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.

>>> I was on Joseph Cooper’s show on WLRN/NPR, Topical Currents on Apr. 9, from 1:00 to 1:30 p.m., to hear the show go to http://www.wlrn.org/radio/programs/topical-currents/archive/

ARGUS REPORT – Heard, Seen on the Street

>>> FBI Dir. Mueller leaves Miami Beach with a gift; eight people are nabbed for shaking down club owner, including one M-DPD giving security for fake cake delivery in Aventura

When Robert Mueller, III, the Director of the FBI spoke at the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce luncheon recently he did mention he was leaving a gift for the community when it came to public corruption of officials. The community on Wednesday found out about this gift with the arrest of a host of high-ranking Miami Beach code enforcement employees, fire inspectors and even a Miami-Dade cop in a marked cruiser giving cover for well over five Kilos of sham cocaine, part of an undercover operation done by the Bureau. Mueller in his speech stressed the need to tamp out public corruption and public officials that abuse their positions that destroys “trust” and, “impacts the health and safety of our communities, and takes a significant toll on our pocketbooks, wasting untold tax dollars every year,” said acting Special Agent in Charge Dena E. Choucair at the press conference announcing the arrests. The FBI agent went on to say, “Public corruption erodes the public’s confidence in government institutions and public servants” and when these “corrupt officials break the law for their own personal gain. They violate the principles they are sworn to uphold” and these public corruption investigations serve as a “reminder to all public officials that no one is above the law,” the veteran special agent said. >>> To report corruption at any level to the FBI call 305.944.9101.

>>> Press release: Eight Individuals Charged and Arrested in Two Separate Corruption investigations ~ Miami Beach Code Compliance Officers, Miami Beach Firefighters, and a Miami Dade Police Officer among those Charged in Corruption Probe

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Dena E. Choucair, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), Miami Field Office, announce that eight individuals have been charged in two separate complaints involving public corruption allegations.  The first complaint, 12-2494-Garber, charges the lead code compliance inspector for the City of Miami Beach (Jose L. Alberto), four Miami Beach code compliance officers (Willie E. Grant, Orlando E. Gonzalez, Ramon D. Vasallo, Vicente L. Santiesteban), and two Miami Beach firefighters (Henry L. Bryant and Chai D. Footman), for their participation in a scheme to extort cash payments from a South Beach nightclub.  The second complaint, 12-2495-Garber, charges Daniel L. Mack, a Miami-Dade police officer, and Henry L. Bryant (who was also charged in the first complaint), for their participation in a drug trafficking conspiracy in which they agreed to transport and protect what they believed to be multiple kilograms of cocaine.  The defendants are expected to make their initial appearances in federal court today at 2:00 p.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Barry Garber.

U.S. Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer stated, “When government officials misuse their offices and abuse their power to line their own pockets and satisfy their greed, they erode the public’s trust in good and efficient government.   It is incumbent upon all of us to adopt a zero-tolerance policy for corruption, at any level of government.  I encourage victims to come forward, report shakedowns of this kind, and help us shine a light on backroom corruption.” “When corrupt officials break the law for their own personal gain, they breach the public’s trust and violate the very principles they have sworn to uphold,” said Dena E. Choucair, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Miami Division.  “This should serve as a reminder to all of our public officials that no one is above the law.” The first complaint (the extortion complaint) charges Alberto, 41, of Miami Beach, Grant, 56, of Miami, Gonzalez, 32, of Miami, Vasallo, 31, of Miami Beach, Santiesteban, 29, of Miami, Bryant, 45, of Miami Gardens, and Footman, 36, of Miramar, with one count of conspiracy to commit extortion under color of official right, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1951(a).  If convicted, the defendants face a maximum statutory penalty of up to twenty years’ imprisonment.

Miami Beach nightclubs are subject to inspection by both the City of Miami Beach Code Compliance Division and the City of Miami Beach Fire Department for compliance with municipal code regulations.  Both the Fire Department and the Code Compliance Division can issue citations for code violations.  According to the extortion complaint affidavit, in early June 2011, Alberto, the lead code compliance inspector for the City of Miami Beach, solicited a cash pay-off from a Miami Beach nightclub owner in exchange for not enforcing a large fine for a code violation.  The nightclub owner reported the alleged extortion to the FBI, which commenced an undercover investigation.  During the investigation that followed, an undercover FBI agent posed as the manager of the nightclub and, along with the nightclub owner, made a series of cash pay-offs to Alberto and co-defendants Grant, Gonzalez, Vasallo, Santiesteban, Bryant, and Footman.  The purpose of the cash pay-offs was to allow the nightclub to continue operating and to avoid any future potential code violations.  According to statements made by Bryant in a recorded conversation, he and Alberto had worked together “for about twelve years on every little gig that [they] had.”  Bryant also bragged that he and Alberto had kept another business open despite multiple code violations because the business had paid them “four grand.”  Over the course of the investigation, which lasted seven months, the undercover agent paid more than $25,000 in cash pay-offs to the various Miami Beach public employees.

The second complaint (the drug trafficking complaint) charges Mack, 47, of Miami, and Bryant, of Miami Gardens, with conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and 846.  If convicted, the defendants face a maximum statutory penalty of up to life imprisonment. According to the affidavit filed in support of the drug complaint, in early December 2011, the undercover agent and Bryant discussed the possibility of recruiting police officers who could provide protection for the movement of cocaine.  Over the following weeks, during recorded meetings and conversations, Bryant explained that he knew police officers that would escort the cocaine and that he would personally move the cocaine in his own vehicle.  After reaching an agreement with the undercover agent, Bryant transported what he believed to be cocaine from the nightclub in Miami Beach to pre-determined drop-off points in Miami-Dade County on two separate occasions:  on December 21, 2011, the defendants moved approximately nine (9) kilograms of sham cocaine; on January 14, 2012, the defendants moved approximately ten (10) kilograms of sham cocaine.  On both occasions, Bryant picked up the sham cocaine and returned for cash payment.  On both occasions, Bryant’s vehicle was escorted by the Miami-Dade Police Department police cruiser assigned to defendant Mack, who had been introduced to the undercover agent as a police officer who would be providing security for the movement of cocaine.  At that meeting, Mack wore his Miami-Dade Police Department uniform, was armed, and drove his Miami-Dade police cruiser.  For these two transactions, the undercover agent paid the defendants a total of $25,000 in cash pay-offs. >>> The case was investigated by the FBI Miami Area Public Corruption Task Force, assisted by the Miami-Dade Police Department Professional Compliance Bureau and United States Customs Border Protection Office of Internal Affairs.  These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jared E. Dwyer and Robin W. Waugh. A complaint is only an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. >>>  For more go to: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/04/11/2742513/feds-bust-miami-beach-code-inspectors.html

>>> “New Low At The UN”, With Passage Of Weak Security Council Resolution On Syria, Says Ros-Lehtinen

Press release: U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released the following statement today regarding passage of a resolution at the UN Security Council regarding the ongoing brutal crackdown in Syria by the Assad regime.

Statement by Ros-Lehtinen: “The United Nations appears to have reached a new low by placing the Assad regime squarely in the driver’s seat, and preserving Russia’s ability to continue to arm the Syrian regime. “Instead of doing what is required—increasing the full scope of sanctions against the Syrian regime—this resolution seems doomed to repeat the mistakes of the past.  The people of Syria deserve more and need more in order to stop the bloodshed spearheaded by the Assad regime”

>>> 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

>>> State Rep. Lopez Cantera throws his hat into M-DC Property Appraiser race, faces incumbent Garcia Aug. 14

State Rep. Carlos Lopez-Cantera, R-Miami (Net worth $1.75 million) after he said sayonara to the Miami Commission on Thursday at their monthly meeting. He then released a press release that he is running for the Miami-Dade County Property Appraiser taking on incumbent Pedro Garcia (Net worth $1.1 million) elected a few years back to the countywide Charter Office. For decades the county had a property appraiser who was part of county government and was not elected but that changed in 2009, and Garcia beat out now state Sen. Gwen Margolis, D-Miami (Net worth $5.17 million). Garcia in his seventies after a past Watchdog Report indicating his age and possible being vulnerable to a challenger. He joked with me last week at the commission committee meeting about the story and the comment, but Lopez-Cantera is a formable campaigner and fundraiser, and he was the Republican majority leader in the Florida House before being termed out in 2012. He is also involved in real estate investments and development, is married with a child and his supporters include Norman Braman, the billionaire auto magnate, who said on WPBT2 Issues hosted by Helen Ferre recently. He thought there should be a place for Lopez-Cantera locally in elected office now that he is leaving the state legislature.

Further, the state representative did the City of Miami a favor when he inserted language exempting the new Miami Marlins baseball stadium garages of  county property payments, excluding the commercial part of the garages. Garcia was considering ruling that county property taxes should be paid on the parking facilities that had Miami Commissioner Marc Sarnoff (Net worth $2.08 million) on Thursday saying he was in multiple meetings with senior county official’s years ago, and he said it was clear the city built lots costing around $100 million, but when financed comes out significantly more over the years. Sarnoff said during he was assured by the county leaders the lots would be exempt he told fellow commissioners while thanking Lopez-Cantera for the sweet legislative move when the representative inserted the exemption in a large state transportation bill at the end of the session that got the city off the hook.

>>> Former Miami Commissioner DeYurre tests the judicial waters, faces former state prosecutor Pooler for circuit court judge Aug.14

Former Miami Commissioner Victor DeYurre is stepping back into the political world and is running as a Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge for the Group 049 slot on Aug. 14 against attorney Teresa Pooler and for both of them, this is the first time they are trying for the judiciary. DeYurre, a low profile attorney since he left political office in 1995, was one of Mayor Xavier Suarez’s campaign supporters in the 1997 race. However, that election was thrown out and nullified after an investigation discovered wide spread voter fraud including Manuel Yip voting for years after he died and Mayor Joe Carollo in 1998 was installed in the office. The former commissioner, the son of a Havana mayor, is a Star Trek fan and for years was married to his wife Betty, but they divorced a few years ago. After it was revealed, he had a daughter by another woman, now a prominent municipal attorney, and years ago. (Editor’s note: I only write about something like this because I hold judges to a Special Status in the community, given the role they play in a democracy, and this fact is a widely known by many people, and is what I consider a public secret).

Further, DeYurre also chaired a Miami Charter Review Committee in the late 1990s that had the sole goal to put a ballot issue to the electorate, to force a new election and oust Carollo from office. Coconut Grove zoning attorney Tucker Gibbs at the time was the only one on the charter panel that voiced any dissent to this targeted legislation at the mayor. And these Charter Review proceedings were only televised six months later, even while the charter panel members talked to the public as if the cameras were on in the old commission chambers. When in fact the proceedings were actually not being televised. At the time, I was the first citizen to speak once the cameras were on and I detailed essentially what had just occurred and how commissioners were acting as if they were talking to the people by camera, and nothing was farther from the truth.

So far, in this race, DeYurre has raised $183,419 but $150,000 of that is a loan to the judicial campaign and he raised another $37,375 from contributors. Pooler, a Smith College and University of Miami law school graduate is a former state attorney, who went into private practice in 1991. She has $105,835 for her campaign war chest and she loaned the campaign $100,000. >>> Here is a local blog’s take on DeYurre: http://justicebuilding.blogspot.com/2011/11/election-central.html

>>> Will state Atty. Fernandez-Rundle & PD Martinez sail to victory unopposed?

The 11^th Judicial Circuit State Attorney Katherine Fernandez-Rundle (Net worth $1.75 million) in office since 1993 and Public Defender Carlos J. Martinez seem to be cruising to reelection and neither Democrat has a challenger yet. Fernandez-Rundle has $413,000 in her campaign war chest that includes a $48,000 loan to the campaign and she has expended $13,400 of this money. Martinez has raised $112,800 for the campaign of which $40,000 is a loan and he has spent $15,100 to date, state campaign records through Mar. 31. He was first elected in 2008.

>>> Children’s Trust approves $13.9 million for five Healthconnect programs

The Children’s Trust of Miami-Dade is chugging along and the over 30-member board has resulted in the trust being insulated from many political pressures that come into play with smaller boards of this type since its creation in 2002 by county voters. The organization has a around $100 million budget now and is the only significant funding source to help children to develop and flourish from birth to when they reach 18 years old. On Monday at their board meeting, the group approved a $13.9 million contract with five providers for the Trust’s Healthconnect in Our Schools program state backup documents. One of providers is the Public Health Trust, Jackson is getting $1.5 million in funding, and these contracts will run through June 30, 2013.

What about some of the members on the Trust?

The 33-member board has a wide variety of people being appointed from the governor’s appointments to the Miami-Dade Legislative Delegation and the state lawmakers’ appointment is state Rep. John Patrick Julien, D- North Miami, and he currently represents House District 104. However, with redistricting, the man is slated to run for House District 107 in 2012 and he has raised $41,800 for his campaign war chest and has spent $31,200 for the race. He has a Republican challenger Zoraida Barreiro but the man has yet to raise any money for his campaign through Mar. 31, 2012.

What do we know about Julien’s finances?

Julien through May 31, 2011 had a net worth of $125,000 and he lists $50,000 in household goods. His 2006 Mercedes Benz is worth $19,000, there is $26,377 in investments, and two properties are valued at $160,000 and $147,000. His liabilities are $134,000 with Bank of America, SCCU is owed $108,521, his income for the year was $25,000 from Bique International, and the state of Florida kicked in $29,000.

>>> Press release: Florida TaxWatch Releases the 2012 Turkey Watch Report ~ The annual budget analysis identifies $170.9 million in projects

For the second year in a row, despite another multibillion budget shortfall, a surprisingly large number of member projects and other projects historically referred to as “turkeys” found their way into the FY 2012-13 state budget.  Florida TaxWatch identified 159 appropriations (the largest number of projects since 2007), costing taxpayers $170.9 million.  This includes 16 economic development projects worth $21.3 million for which a veto is not recommended, but requiring further review and clearer accountability. (please see “Economic Development Projects” below). The annual Florida TaxWatch Turkey Watch spotlights legislative projects placed in the budget without the proper opportunity for public review and debate, which circumvent lawfully established procedures, or which non-competitively benefit a very limited special interest or local area of the state. Last year, Governor Rick Scott vetoed over 90% of the items identified as turkeys, and over the more than two decades of the Turkey Watch Report, Florida Governors have vetoed approximately $2 billion in projects that have appeared on the Florida TaxWatch turkey list. The “budget turkey” label does not necessarily judge a project’s worthiness, but instead is focused on the budget process, mainly instances where the Legislature has not followed its own policies and procedures to ensure the highest standards of accountability and government efficiency.

“Despite sometimes contentious budget debates of relatively small amounts of money, a large number of member projects found their way into the budget,” said Dominic M. Calabro, President & CEO of Florida TaxWatch. “While the legislature should be commended for making state government leaner and more efficient, and making, unpopular decisions in the best interest of Floridians this year, their achievements make the high number of Turkeys disappointing. In yet another budget year requiring substantial cuts, our legislators should have been as disciplined and consistent with taxpayer money as Florida families are forced to be with their own budgets.” There were some bi-partisan protests when member projects, some vetoed last year, starting showing up in the budget drafts of appropriation subcommittees.  But more kept getting added. Many of the items on the Florida TaxWatch turkey list were added in the budget conference process, after the full House and Senate had voted out their spending plans.  Even more were added after the conference committees had finished their work and unresolved issues were “bumped” to the leadership.  This year, 72 turkeys worth $82.6 million were added during conference. The report highlights several areas of the budget where questionable processes lead to numerous turkeys.  The legislature largely ignored the priority lists of the Board of Governors and Division of Florida Colleges in funded $100 million of higher education facilities.  Nineteen local water projects worth $19 million were put in the budget without review or input from the Department of Environmental Protection, despite a law requiring such a review.  Twelve projects worth $7 million were added to the economic transportation, most of them added in conference, without review of either the Department of Transportation or the Department of Economic Opportunity.

A Note about Economic Development Projects

The legislature provided funding for numerous economic development projects.  These projects were specified in proviso in the Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO).  Any of these projects that were added during conference received the “turkey” designation.  Several of the projects were included in either the House or Senate budget.  Due to the focus of this legislature and the Governor on economic development and job creation, and because there is no established process for selecting these types of projects, Florida TaxWatch is allowing for some legislative discretion for these projects that surfaced earlier in the process.  For all these economic development items, Florida TaxWatch is not recommending a straight veto, but recommends that the Governor, along with the Department of Economic Opportunity and Enterprise Florida, make an assessment of each project.  The assessment should determine if the projects are consistent with the goals of DEO and the state economic development program, that there is a reasonable assurance that they will provide new jobs and a positive return on investment, and that there are accountability and performance measures in place to safeguard the taxpayers’ investment.  If any of these projects do not meet those standards, the Governor should veto them.  There are 16 of these projects, totaling $21.3 million. >>> To see what else a turkey could buy, and to see the entire list of 2012 turkeys, download the entire report here and turkey lists (one sorted by county) here and here (counties).

>>> Kristi House needs your help to ensure legislation signed by Gov. Scott ~ The Florida Safe Harbor Act Needs Your Help!

The clock is ticking! As you know, both the Florida Senate and House of Representatives have unanimously passed the Safe Harbor Act. The new measure will provide services and protection rather than punishment to underage children caught up in a world of pimps and johns. Once again, this would not have been possible without your support! We need a last push from dedicated supporters like you! House Bill 99 is on Governor Rick Scott’s desk and we need to urge him to sign this bill into law. We have TEN days left to have this bill signed. Please cut and paste the following message and email to Gov. Scott’s office or call the office with the following message: rick.scott@eog.myflorida.com

1-850-488-5603

Dear Governor Scott,

On behalf of the child-victims of sex trafficking we all serve, I would be most grateful if you would sign House Bill 99. This law will allow Florida to become one of a few states in our union who truly address the dire need children caught up in a world of pimps and johns face. These children are victims of child sexual abuse and we need to end this epidemic. Please help us recognize commercially sexually exploited children as victims – not criminals. Please do not allow a lapse in time to stop this bill from becoming law. Thank you for your support and expeditious signing of this most needed law. (You’re Name)

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY

>>> Ordinance giving PA Garcia subpoena power moves forward at committee, but what of Clerk Ruvin’s role in process?

An ordinance sponsored by Miami-Dade Commission Chair Joe Martinez (Net worth $238,000) to allow the county Property Appraiser to issue subpoenas moved forward from a commission committee last week since it is “somewhat ambiguous,” said the number two staff member in the PA office. He said there “is no procedure to authorize this” action and the only way was to go through the state attorneys office. The issue comes up when the Miami-Dade Charter Office tries to see if homeowners who file for Homestead Exemptions are actually living there and it is their primary residence. It will also help the property appraiser to ascertain that same status in condominiums who are resistant to that intrusion by the new elected office created by voters a few years ago. However, a brisk discussion occurred on the dais among the five commissioners on the Internal Management & Fiscal Responsibility Committee. Committee chair Lynda Bell (Net worth $308,000) noted she was concerned about the item because “more and more power is going to the Property Appraiser” and even includes “procurement” and she said the commission was supposed to be the “checks and balances,” and “I have concerns about this.”

Commissioner Jose “Pepe” Diaz (net worth $64,200) thought the PA Pedro Garcia, Jr., “needs to get the job done,” getting the county’s fair share in property taxes and we are only “handicapping” the man from doing his job. He noted Martinez said when he brought up the issue in the past that everyone on the dais is “under more scrutiny” than ever before and Diaz was not concerned about some of the comments he heard from other commissioners. Further, Commissioners Barbara Jordan (Net worth $1.97 million) and Xavier Suarez (Net worth $328,500) both expressed they would “Like to have the Clerk [Harvey Ruvin] (Net worth 1.4 million) here,” said Jordan. Suarez agreed with her thoughts and wondered, “Who was going to be asked to sign a lot of subpoenas,” and it “seems to make sense to have the clerk issue the subpoenas,” the former Miami mayor said. However, the commissioners passed the legislation 5 to 0 with Commissioner Esteban Bovo (Net worth $25,800) absent and spending time with his family, but there was no committee recommendation on the item, and the legislation now goes to the full board where Ruvin is expected to attend and clear up the best way for the PA to issue subpoenas.

>>> Legislation: 120384 ORDINANCE RELATING TO THE DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE PROPERTY APPRAISER OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY; AMENDING SECTION 2-70 OF THE CODE OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA TO AUTHORIZE THE PROPERTY APPRAISER TO REQUEST THE ISSUANCE OF A SUBPOENA FROM THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES; PROVIDING FOR PENALTIES, SEVERABILITY, INCLUSION IN THE CODE, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE

Jordan

Martinez

Bell

Garcia

Diaz

Suarez

>>> Republican’s tap Ben Powell as new local GOP chair, vote unanimous, replaces state Rep. Fresen who no longer had time for office

The Miami-Dade Republican Party voted recently to select a new local party chair after state Rep. Eric Fresen, R-Miami (Net worth $330,000) stepped down amid the party’s faltering finances and questions if he had the time required to give to the party committee. Republican Ben Powell, a Palmetto Bay resident, is replacing Fresen by a unanimous vote and he is said to be up and running with the presidential election coming on Nov. 5. Fresen took over in 2010 after U.S. Rep. David Rivera; R-Miami (Net worth $301,000) went to Congress and had been in that capacity for the last two years ending in 2009. Rivera back in 2008 fended off a try by now school board Member Carlos Curbelo for the party post by one vote, and prior to that in 2006 former Miami Mayor Xavier Suarez tried to become the top Miami-Dade Republican in the party, that had Suarez’s daughter speaking in support of her dad, and the attorney had gathered a small slate of supporters including his son Francis to vote for him. However, that effort did not pan out, Republican Party Chair Mary Ellen Miller was retained in the position, and Suarez since May 2011 is now the county District 7 Commissioner. He is up for reelection on Aug. 14 and has yet to get a challenger, and the elder Suarez is having his first big fundraiser on May 11.

>>> Press release: Commissioner Javier D. Souto will propose a new ordinance at the April 18 Miami-Dade Commission meeting prohibiting camping and laying across bus passenger benches or within bus shelters serving Miami-Dade Transit.

According to Commissioner Souto, the law would prevent inappropriate use of mass transit passenger facilities. The commissioner particularly noted persons that have taken up permanent residence in some bus shelters, refusing housing assistance from the Homeless Trust. “We live in a free country whereby everyone is entitled to choose his or her own lifestyle.  However, we have one of the best programs in the nation for homelessness, and yet we have persons who continuously refuse offers of shelter or rental apartment units,” said Commissioner Souto. “This loitering cannot infringe on the rights of transit users for whom we strive to provide clean and decent structures to shelter them from the elements. Our bus benches are meant to serve as a convenience to travelers, not as a bed or a personal office.”

Under this ordinance, camping  would be defined as the use of the bus passenger bench or bus passenger shelter for living accommodation purposes, including but not limited to, setting up any tents, shacks, or shelters for sleeping activities or making preparations to sleep. Bus passenger benches are to be used exclusively as seating areas for Miami-Dade Transit patrons. Standing on or lying across bus passenger benches is prohibited.

If someone continues the prohibited activity after given a verbal warning, a Miami-Dade Transit official, authorized security officer, or a law enforcement officer may direct the individual to leave the train, bus, bus passenger shelter, bus passenger bench or premises of the station. Any individual, who does not leave as directed, shall be subject to arrest for trespassing pursuant to Chapter 810.09 Florida Statutes and subject to a fine not to exceed $500. Violators can also be imprisoned for up to 60 days. In lieu of any fine or penalty, the court may order any person convicted of violating any provision of this chapter to participate in transit public service for a minimum of 10 hours. Such service may include graffiti removal, cleaning of transit vehicles, and maintenance of transit right-of-way. For more information, please contact Commissioner Souto’s office at 305-222-2116.

Souto

>>> GMCVB press release: RECORD ARRIVALS AT ‘THE NEW MIA’ (MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT) FOR THE SECOND  MONTH OF 2012
Passenger arrivals at MIAMI International Airport (MIA) increased in February 2012 with international passenger arrivals up +13.2% and domestic arrivals up +7.4% when compared to the same month last year. Total arrivals increased in February 2012 by +10.0%.

INTERNATIONAL MIA Passenger Arrivals

February  2012	February 2011	% Change
733,373	647,962	+13.2%

DOMESTIC MIA Passenger Arrivals

February  2012	February 2011	% Change
839,885	782,267	+7.4%

TOTAL MIA Passenger Arrivals

February 2012	February 2011	% Change
1,573,258	1,430,229	+10.0%

MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

>>> TASKFORCE ON DIGITAL LEARNING SET TO EXAMINE FLORIDA’S PATH FORWARD – Group of state educators, parents, business and community leaders will work with national and international policy experts to help shape education’s digital future –

Press release: Florida Department of Education Commissioner Gerard Robinson today announced the members of the Florida 2.0 Digital Learning Group, a new taskforce that will focus on digital learning in Florida. Following a series of presentations at the State Board of Education meeting on March 27 in Miami, the board voted to set up a taskforce to develop a comprehensive plan to make certain that the state has the infrastructure, instructors and institutional reforms in place by the 2014-15 school year to ensure that Florida remains a national leader in digital learning.

“Technology has changed the world we live in, the way we get our information, and the way we learn,” said Education Commissioner Gerard Robinson. “Many of today’s top careers did not even exist 10 years ago. Digital learning plays an important role in education in our state and it will become even more critical as we prepare students for college and challenging new 21st century careers.”

State Board of Education Chair Kathleen Shanahan stated, “The State Board urges the taskforce volunteers to think big and broad in the compressed timeline as we seek to move Florida forward on digital education. We look forward to hearing clear, directional recommendations at our May meeting.”

The Florida 2.0 Digital Learning Group includes 30 members, each of whom is assigned to one of three subcommittees: Infrastructure, Quality Instruction, and Institutional Reform. Similar to the approach used successfully with the Commissioner’s Taskforce on Inclusion and Accountability, each subcommittee will focus on a specific assignment and the entire group will convene to discuss all recommendations.  The digital learning group includes educators, parents, organization and business leaders, and legislative representatives from across the state.

Florida 2.0 Digital Learning Group
Name	Affiliation	Location	Subcommittee
Shirley Baker	Principal	Bay	Infrastructure
Pam Benton	Teacher	Pinellas	Quality Instruction
Jennifer Chapman	Business	Duval	Infrastructure
Marti Coley	Legislative	Multiple	Quality Instruction
Connie Collins	Principal	Seminole	Institutional Reform
Jimmie Davis	Organization	Leon	Institutional Reform
Erik Fresen	Legislative	Dade	Institutional Reform
Frank Fuller	Legislative	Leon	Institutional Reform
Sharyn Gabriel	Principal	Orange	Quality Instruction
Luis Garcia	University	Orange	Quality Instruction
Richard Hartshorne	University	Orange	Quality Instruction
Angela Holbrook	Teacher	Dade	Infrastructure
Lisa Jones	Organization	Clay	Quality Instruction
Nancy Kelley	Organization	Leon	Quality Instruction
Kim Kendall	Parent	St. Johns	Infrastructure
Steve Knopik	Business	Manatee	Institutional Reform
Michael Lannon	Superintendent	St. Lucie	Quality Instruction
Bill Law	State College	Pinellas	Institutional Reform
Michelle Licata	Teacher	FLVS	Institutional Reform
Jorge Martinez	Organization	Dade	Infrastructure
Lowell Matthews	Organization	Leon	Institutional Reform
Jim Miller	Business	Lake	Quality Instruction
Joe Pickens	State College	St. Johns	Infrastructure
Jeremy Ring	Legislative	Broward	Institutional Reform
Katrina Rolle	Parent	Leon	Institutional Reform
Robert Runcie	Superintendent	Broward	Institutional Reform
Cynthia Stafford	Legislative	Dade	Infrastructure
Kelli Stargel	Legislative	Polk	Infrastructure
Tom Townsend	Superintendent	Putnam	Infrastructure
Steven Wallace	State College	Duval	Quality Instruction

Commissioner Robinson also named the members of a Policy Advisory Group, comprised of national and international experts in digital learning, who will serve as a resource for content, policy and technical aspects as the Digital Learning Group develops their recommendations.

Members of the Policy Advisory Group include: Peje Emilsson, Founder and Chairman of Kunskapsskolan Education Sweden; Mario Franco, President of Mobile Communications Foundation – Portugal; Michael Horn, Executive Director of Education of the Innosight Institute and coauthor of Disrupting Class

Doug Levin, Executive Director of the State Educational Technology Directors Association; Susan Patrick, President and CEO of the International Association for K-12 Online Learning; Tom Vander Ark, Author of Getting Smart and CEO of Open Ed Solutions; John Watson, Founder of Evergreen Education Group, which produces Keeping Pace with K12 Online Learning. Subcommittee members will meet via webinar between April 18 and 20. The group will meet in person April 24 and 25 at the Collaborative Labs of St. Petersburg College. The intent is to present a plan to the State Board of Education at their May 10 meeting.

PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST

>>> BCC committee defers plan to dissolve Jackson Memorial International, Commissioners Heyman & Jordan had questions

A Miami-Dade County resolution sponsored by Commissioner Jose “Pepe” Diaz to dissolve the controversial Jackson Memorial International Inc. a Florida not-for-profit after a critical county inspector general’s report was deferred by commissioners sitting in the Public Safety & Healthcare Administration Committee after some critical comments from Commissioners Sally Heyman (Net worth $425,000) and Barbara Jordan objected to the legislation. Diaz saying he had been briefed on the item and it would bring the international program under the wing of the Jackson Health System (JHS) administration, not as a separate entity, that the IG report said lacked accountability. However, Heyman and Jordan had problems with the legislation and Heyman was tired of waiting to “get answers to “many of my questions” and when it came to new community clinics being opened. She was tired of being invited to healthcare competitors’ new openings of primary care centers but not Jackson’s. Jordan also carped she was tired of being told that the health trust’s emerging strategic plan could not be discussed in public with commissioners since it would alert the health system’s competitors of there plans. “I want to see the strategic plan [for JHS] and if we have to have a [closed] executive session, let’s do it,” she said.

Commissioner Javier Souto who has sat in the PHT board for years prior to the new seven member Financial Recovery Board established in the spring of 2011 to make for a more nimble governance of the health trust. He said the international program was important revenue generator since it many times brought in paying patients from around the world, and especially from the Caribbean, Central and South America nations but ultimately the item was deferred. Here are the IG reports: http://www.miamidadeig.org/Reports2011/09.82.2CloseOut.pdf >>>
Audit of the Management Services Agreement Between the Public Health Trust of Miami-Dade County and Foundation Health Services, Inc., IG09.98.2, July 14, 2011.

What about the Commission Auditor’s work plan for next year?

Charles Anderson, CPA, the Miami-Dade Commission Auditor is planning to look at the cost of charity care and patient bad debt that the county’s Inspector General believes is well over $1 billion and is causing the fiscal hemorrhaging at Jackson Health System and Commissioners approved his work plan for next year and includes this review of the health trust.

CITY OF MIAMI

>>> Commissioner Carollo completes negotiations with Auditor Guba, gets trimmed down compensation package of $145,000, confirmed by commission

Commissioner Frank Carollo (Net worth $707,000) completed the task of negotiating a salary for Ted Guba he told his fellow commissioners Thursday after about a four hour meeting with the man. The commissioners before they voted unanimously to bring the experienced auditor on board at their commission meeting asked what the compensation was. Carollo, a CPA, said the compensation package was considerable lower than the former Miami Commission Auditor Victor Igwe, Ph.D. Carollo said; Igwe was paid $183,000 in salary, $800 a month in car allowance and other benefits, including a month of vacation time that could be saved. Guba is getting $145,000 plus $500 for his car allowance, any leave time is “use or lose,” and he is getting only 20 days of leave a year, Carollo said. Guba will move and live in Miami and the commission approved him starting May 7. The position is a four-year term and the Commissioner Auditor can only be removed for gross incompetence or moral turpitude. Guba will be only the second Auditor and reports directly to the commission since voters created the Charter position in 1999 in a citywide election when it was approved.  After Miami had been rocked with scandals landing two ex commissioners in jail, Humberto Hernandez and Miller Dawkins along with ex City Manager Cesar Odio.

The Miami scandals politically also cost almost three decade long and then Commission Chair J.L. Plummer in a election in 1999, where the mortician lost to commercial real estate businessman Johnny Winton decisively in the race. However, after the vote creating the auditor’s post, there was an around 18-month lull before the commission set out to fill the job that had dropped through the legislative tracks. I remember this because I had a conversation about the oversight with now deceased Commissioner Arthur Teele, Jr., and he and the other commissioners had just forgot about it, and I wrote about it back then. This time around it took 10 months to find and hire Guba and the Watchdog Report wishes him good luck in his new capacity to be the commissioners and taxpayers independent firewall regarding oversight of the almost $500 million Miami yearly budget.

Carollo

CITY OF MIAMI BEACH

>>> Beach officials stunned by shake down arrests of seven code and fire officials by FBI; will there be more?

Miami Beach Mayor Matti Herrera Bower, Manager Jorge Gonzalez and Attorney Jose Smith sat stunned at a press conference held by U.S. Attorney Wifredo Ferrer that culminated with the arrest of seven Beach code enforcement officials and fire inspectors, plus another Miami-Dade police officer on Wednesday. Bower said the charges were ‘horrible’ that had these people shaking down a club owner for payoffs, but the businessman went to the FBI and an undercover sting was done resulting in the arrests last week. And when one reads the government report and what was recorded these people were saying, it was the casual nature of the conversation that caught the Watchdog Report’s eye, even though the men were asking for bribes. And federal authorities are saying the case is ongoing suggesting other Beach employees might have gotten caught up in this undercover net. Gonzalez released the below press release on the topic but it is a body blow to the city and readers will have to see if this bust is it, or is just the tip of the iceberg and there are more wayward officials that might have been complicit as well.

>>> Press release: Statement from Miami Beach City Manager Re: Employees Arrested on Corruption

I am extremely disappointed by today’s events. Abuse of the public trust by our employees simply will not be tolerated. As I have always done in the past, I will swiftly and aggressively pursue allegations of misconduct and corruption within our organization, and continue to work steadfastly with law enforcement to hold individuals accountable and restore the public trust. Today, I am ordering a full investigation into code and fire prevention cases handled by the accused beyond those targeted by this investigation. At the same time, we are undertaking a thorough review of policies and procedures in our code compliance and fire prevention operations in order to implement any necessary reforms needed to protect against future such incidents. We will work with law enforcement to determine if there are other issues that require action.

It is important that employees, residents and business owners alike report conduct that is not consistent with the integrity we expect of our public servants. To assist in that regard, in coming days we will establish an abuse hotline for anonymous tips to be reported, so that they may be turned over to appropriate authorities for investigation.

Jorge M. Gonzalez

City Manager

>>> Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club Meeting Date: Tuesday, April 17th, 2012

Meeting Time: 8:30 AM, Meeting Place: David’s Café II, 1654 Meridian Ave., South Beach

“Bobbie” Ibarra, Executive Director of the Miami Coalition for the Homeless, will be this week’s guest speaker at the April 17th meeting of the Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club.  The Coalition for the Homeless was organized in 1987 to promote community efforts to prevent and end homelessness in South Florida by establishing alliances with agencies and organizations. The Coalition is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization with a volunteer Board of Directors comprised of community leaders who have demonstrated a strong commitment to eliminating homelessness. The Coalition concentrates its efforts in three main areas: 1. Advocating for the rights of the homeless.2. Coordinating available resources.

3. Developing and supporting prevention initiatives. There is no charge and everyone is welcome to attend. David Kelsey, Moderator for the Breakfast Club.

Visit our web site at www.MBTMBC.com

CITY OF CORAL GABLES

>>> Truck moratorium extended to Jul. 15, commission waiting for zoning Bd. recommendations, says Mayor Cason

Coral Gables is extending the moratorium on trucks parked outside Gables homes to Jul.15 and the Watchdog Report contacted Mayor Jim Cason and commissioners about the further delay last week. The mayor wrote back, “It’s a courtesy to owners until the commission receives recommendations from the zoning board after its April 24 meeting to discuss possible changes to the existing truck ordinance. It’s possible the matter will come before the commission in the May/June time frame,” wrote Cason. Commissioner Frank Quesada wrote, “The Planning and Zoning Board is currently reviewing the ordinance as well as listening to public input from residents.  However, they have not yet finished their review of the ordinance and that is why the grace period was enlarged. When the board has completed their review of the ordinance, they will present their findings to the City Commission.  We will then review their findings and decide whether to keep the law as is, or modify the law based on their input and the input of residents,” wrote the attorney who won his office in Apr. 2011.

Commissioner Maria Anderson wrote, “I am hopeful that thoughtful modifications to the law will change this spring. It was never about trucks per se, just commercial vehicles, but over time, it was interpreted as all trucks.  It would be nice that trucks will hold equal status with army-vehicle trucks, the Hummers. It’s only fair…,” wrote the veteran commissioner. And Commissioner Ralph Cabrera Jr., weighed in writing, “For now, I am simply watching the process unfold.”

>>> City Extends Grace Period Until July 15^th For Compliance With Truck Restrictions

The City of Coral Gables has extended the grace period until July 15, 2012, for enforcement of the restrictions pertaining to trucks parked in residential and commercial areas. The City has granted this extension to provide more time for residents to come into compliance with the law. Enforcement would begin after expiration of the grace period if compliance has not been achieved. Fines are $100 for the first violation, and up to $500 for each subsequent violation. The City of Coral Gables has prevailed in the legal court case challenging the City’s ordinances restricting the parking of trucks. The Third District Court of Appeals previously upheld the constitutionality of section 4-411 and 4-412 of the Coral Gables Zoning Code pertaining to trucks parked in residential and commercial areas. The Florida Supreme Court has decided not to review this decision. For more information, please contact Code Enforcement at 305-460-5226.

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

>>> IG Scott getting some notches on his investigative belt, more critical reports in the future expected given political landscape

John Scott, the new Broward Inspector General brought in during the summer of 2011 has started to ramp up its released reports and the office was recently elevated in law enforcement circles http://www.broward.org/InspectorGeneral/Documents/CJAStatus.pdf and as the former federal prosecutor and his team dig into the county and its 31 municipalities. The organization is likely to find a mother load of new cases to investigate given the lack of resources directed in public corruption and waste fraud and abuse of public tax dollars in the past. Broward when it comes to corruption has always been in the shadow of Miami-Dade where voters established an ethics commission in 2006 and the county commission created the Miami-Dade Inspector General during a similar timeframe. But the state’s second largest county lagged behind with its elected leaders saying everything was fine in the county, but recent history over the years has proved that to be false, with the removal and jailing of a number of sitting County Commissioners and Broward school board members.

Back in 2010 when this office’s creation was going to voters. The Watchdog Report called for voters to rise-up and vote for this post, and at the time referenced for around $5.00. I had gotten copies of financial disclosure forms for municipal elected leaders and wrote about these politician’s information at the time. Voters on Nov.2 by 52 percent of the vote did approve the inspector general’s office back then, a national search was done, and Scott was tapped. He has been involved for many years as a federal prosecutor dealing with public corruption cases, and prior to being selected for this new job. He was an attorney in the Miami-Dade IG office and Scott received his undergraduate and law degree from Georgetown University. http://www.broward.org/INSPECTORGENERAL/Pages/Reports.aspx >>> http://www.broward.org/InspectorGeneral/Pages/Default.aspx

Scott

>>> Press release: Florida Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater announced the arrest today of a Miami shell company owner accused of creating more than 250 fraudulent certificates of insurance to help uninsured contractors avoid $2.1 million in workers compensation premiums.

Yucet Batista, 29, was arrested following a joint investigation by the Department of Financial Services’ Division of Insurance Fraud and the Broward Sheriff’s Office. The investigation determined that Batista created a shell company, Y&L Construction Services, Inc., and used money service businesses to carry out the scheme.  She was arrested on multiple felony charges and was booked into the Miami-Dade County Jail. “I am proud of the work of my Fraud Division and this first-of-its-kind collaborative effort between the Broward Sheriff’s Office and the division,” CFO Atwater said. “As a result of bringing all stakeholders to the table, we are protecting the responsible players in the marketplace while ensuring those who are diverting more than a billion dollars from Florida’s economy are caught and held accountable.”

Just last week, Gov. Rick Scott (Net worth $103 million) signed HB 1277, sponsored by Rep. Daniel Davis (R-Jacksonville) and SB 1586 sponsored by Sen. John Thrasher (R-Jacksonville), aimed at curbing this complex form of workers’ compensation fraud.  In addition, CFO Atwater convened a working group in August 2011 to review the practices of certain bad actors in the check cashing services industry who were aiding in a complex workers’ compensation premium fraud scheme. The new law is based on recommendations from a work group convened in August 2011 by CFO Atwater to review the practices of certain bad actors in the check cashing services industry that aid in workers’ compensation premium fraud.  The work group released its report in November.

“This is the first time that we have detached detectives to work a task force with the Department of Financial Services and it proved worthwhile,” Sheriff Al Lamberti said.  “Fraud impacts and undermines honest businesses and the criminals who perpetrate it need to be pursued and prosecuted.  I look forward to future joint enforcement operations with DFS.” After Batista set up her shell company, she told her workers’ compensation insurance company, Ascendant Commercial Insurance, Inc., that she had been in the construction business for 10 years and that she had five employees. Investigation revealed that Batista had never been in the construction industry, but rather she created the company and obtained the workers’ compensation insurance policy for the purpose of “renting” it, or making it available to dozens of uninsured subcontractors for a fee. In her tax return last year, Batista reported $14.7 million in payroll. Ascendant determined, as a result of her underreporting her payroll, she underpaid premiums by $2.1 million. >>> This case is being prosecuted by the State Attorney’s Office of the 20th Judicial Circuit and the dedicated workers’ compensation fraud prosecutor in the State Attorney’s Office of the 11th Judicial Circuit. The Department of Financial Services to date has awarded almost $275,000 to more than 40 citizens as part of its Anti-Fraud Reward Program.  The program rewards individuals up to $25,000 for information that directly leads to an arrest and conviction in an insurance fraud scheme. Anyone with information about these or any other incidents of suspected insurance fraud is asked to call 1-800-378-0455. Citizens who provide tips can remain anonymous.

>>> 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.

SEMINOLE COUNTY

>>> Judge Recksiedler’s conflict in Zimmerman shooting case of Martin drawing press and concerns, jurist had $487,548 net worth through May 31

Circuit Court Judge Jessica Recksiedler is in the hot seat now that she is presiding over the trial of George Zimmerman who shot dead Trayvon Martin in a gated community Feb. 26, while he was a neighborhood watch volunteer and the killing of the Miami-Dade 17 year old student has reverberated around the nation and world. State Attorney Angela Corey, a law and order prosecutor was chosen by Gov. Rick Scott to take over the case and she charged Zimmerman last week with second-degree murder. But a hic-up has already come up since the judge’s husband’s law partner Mark NeJame, a defense attorney has been providing legal analysis for CNN on the case but is being asked by the Zimmerman family to get involved as well.

The judge brought up the issue in her courtroom on Friday, but Zimmerman’s defense attorney Mark O’Mara called the conflict and the time NeJame had with family members ‘significant,’ www.miamiherald.com and given the scrutiny on a national basis by the public, attorneys and law enforcement and the case highlighting the Florida Stand Your Ground Law that allows someone to shot someone if they are threatened is being tested on a national scale. In this case Zimmerman, after getting out of his car and approached the boy, apparently got into a tousle with Martin and ultimately fired his 9mm handgun killing the teenager dressed in a hoodie in the drizzling rain after the student came back from buying some Arizona Tea and Skittles at a near by convenience store near his father’s townhouse in the community.

What do we know about Recksiedler’s finances?

Recksiedler’s financial disclosure form with the state after her 16- months in office since being elected to the 18^th Circuit Court in 2010 states, she had a net worth of $487,548 through May 31, 2011 and she lists $50,000 in household goods. The jurist’s assets are $49,636 in a joint account with her husband, an IRA has $99,545 in it, there is $93,029 with Wells Fargo, her home in Stanford is valued at $305,000 and a 2005 Ford Explorer is worth $12,295. She lists liabilities that include a mortgage owed $129,929, Sallie Mae is owed $25,041 and a SunTrust equity line is a $7,287 obligation. Her income for the year was $117,198 from her old law firm, the state of Florida kicked in $58,676 and a 15 percent interest in her old law firm sold back to the partners in the fall of 2010 generated $40,000.

Recksiedler Bio: http://www.flcourts18.org/bio_recksiedler_sem.html

MONROE COUNTY

>>> Press release: SOUTH DADE AND THE FLORIDA KEYS OMBUDSMAN COUNCIL HOLDS ITS MONTHLY MEETING ON April 17, 2012

The South Dade and The Florida Keys Ombudsman Council will hold its April 2012 monthly meeting on Tuesday, April 17th, at Chamber South Conference room, located at 6410 SW 80th ST, Miami, FL 33156.  All interested parties are encouraged to attend. The South Dade and The Florida Keys Long-Term Care Ombudsman Council is a part of Florida’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program.  The council is made up of local ombudsmen whose goal is to improve the quality of life and care of residents of long-term care facilities, including nursing homes, assisted living facilities and adult family-care homes.  An ombudsman is a specially-trained and certified volunteer who has been given authority under federal and state law to identify, investigate and resolve complaints made by, or on behalf of, long-term care facility residents.  The South Dade and The Florida Keys Long-Term Care Ombudsman Council serves South Miami-Dade County, and the Florida Keys. WHEN: Tuesday, April 17, 2012, Time 12:00 p.m., WHERE: Chamber South Conference Room, 6410 SW 80th Street, MIAMI, FLORIDA  33143 FOR IINFORMATION: Individuals may call Enrique Valdes at 305-671-7245 or email valdese@elderaffairs.org For information on Florida’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, visit http://ombudsman.myflorida.com.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

>>> Press release:  305-358-9572 dadeheritage@DHT.comcastbiz.net Dade Heritage Trust Celebrates 40 Years of Saving Miami’s Historic Places

Since its founding in 1972, Dade Heritage Trust (DHT), Miami’s largest nonprofit historic preservation organization, has defended Miami’s historic buildings and sacred sites from neglect, indifference, and destruction by vandals and developers. When bricks were falling on tourists’ heads in 1988 from a decaying Cape Florida Lighthouse on Key Biscayne, Dade Heritage Trust led a million dollar campaign to restore it. When the Historic Miami City Cemetery was being desecrated, Dade Heritage Trust made it safe and beautiful. When the 2000-year old Miami Circle was going to be bulldozed for a high-rise condominium in 1999, DHT led a massive legal and PR campaign to save it. When the Miami Marine Stadium was slated for demolition in 2008, Dade Heritage Trust secured its historic designation to ensure its future.

DHT will celebrate 40 years of preserving and promoting Miami’s architectural, cultural and environmental heritage with a fundraiser April 20th at the Coral Gables Country Club. The black-tie event is chaired by Judy Pruitt. Themed Dancing through the Decades, the evening will include a Bacardi cocktail reception, silent auction, recognition of Lighthouse Legend donor Robert J. Fewell, and dancing. Entertainment will feature former Coral Gables Mayor Don Slesnick as emcee and performances by World Champion Ballroom Dancers Vera and Vladimir Kosarev. ($200 per person; Call DHT for reservations, 305-358-9572.)  This celebration is part of DHT’s Dade Heritage Days, a two-month long festival of events at Miami’s historic sites. >>> Dade Heritage Trust, Miami’s largest nonprofit historic preservation organization, was founded in 1972 by Dolly MacIntyre as a 501(c)3 organization.  Dade Heritage Trust works to preserve and promote Miami’s architectural, cultural and environmental heritage through advocacy, education and restoration. With over 1000 members, Dade Heritage Trust is the leading voice for saving Miami’s endangered historic places.

>>> It’s prom season again and we are currently collecting gently worn dresses for our Mentees attending prom this year and we need your support to make this year’s event, even more successful than last year’s! Long and short dresses are welcome, as well as any other clothing/accessories that you are interested in donating. Items can be dropped off Monday – Friday between 8:30am-5:00pm at WOT offices located at 22 East Flagler Street, 6th Floor, Miami, FL 33131 – we are located on the 6th floor of the Macy’s building. Due to timing, we ask that all items be in WOT offices by no later than Thursday, April 19th. If you need the items picked up, please contact Beatrice Arias at 305-371-3330 or b.arias@womenoftomorrow.org to make arrangements and we will gladly have a WOT staff member pick up the donated clothing at your convenience. You will receive an acknowledgement letter after the event for your tax purposes. Thank you in advance for your donations and support – we are able to continue doing what we do, because of you! Warmest Regards, Women of Tomorrow

>>> www.downtownbayforum.org THURSDAY APRIL 26, 2012–11:30 AM -POLITICS AND ETHICS CAN THEY CO-EXIST? PRODUCED BY JOSEPH M. CENTORINO

SPEAKERS JOSEPH M. CENTORINO, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MIAMI-DADE COMMISSION ON ETHICS AND PUBLIC TRUST: DAN GELBER, FORMER DEMOCRATIC STATE HOUSE LEADER AND STATE SENATOR: KATY SORENSON, PRESIDENT & CEO -GOOD GOVERNMENT INITIATIVE AT THE

UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI – MODERATOR, DR. SEAN FOREMAN, DEPT. OF HISTORY & POLITICAL SCIENCE-BARRY UNIVERSITY >>> WOLFSON AUDITORIUM @TEMPLE ISRAEL, 137 NE 19th STREET, MIAMI FREE SELF PARKING AVAILABLE Call ANNETTE EISENBERG (305)757-3633 Fax (305)754-2015 Membership Application &/or Luncheon Reservation

EDITORIALS

>>> FBI Dir. Muller is right, ending public corruption & all forms of fraud require residents help, you can call in info vital to ending this scourge

Public corruption in South Florida has been a brisk business over the last two decades and from Palm Beach South. The arrests of public officials have continued with federal prosecutors leading the way. Back in 2000, Guy Lewis the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida told the Watchdog Report that when it came to “public corruption,” when it came to the U.S. Southern District of Florida’s emphasis. It was the federal prosecutor’s “number one priority,” he said at the time before 9/11 changed everything. Since then many things have changed but it highlighted the local nature and scale of the public corruption issue that has only gotten bigger with subsequent arrests in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties in the coming years since then. It was also this open nefarious activity in public institutions that helped create the Watchdog Report back in May 2000, since I began watching public institutions in a big way at roughly the end of 1997 and saw first hand how widespread it was and I realized the internet could create a public institution news nervous system that would be free to all that would detail some of this activity. And while some areas down here like healthcare and mortgage frauds have mutated and grown in how scammers try to corrupt the system. And these wayward individuals develop new scams, like watering down cancer drugs, or billing Medicare and Medicaid for limb prosthetics that people don’t need, or homes bought by people with no job or income getting bank mortgages, but the fraud has grown almost exponentially in size and scope and while federal assets here in the Southern District are formidable.

FBI Director Robert Mueller, III is right that only with the American public’s help can this scourge and waste of taxpayers dollars be stamped out, and while identity theft in Miami has now also hit the number one spot in the nation. Ending that identity theft fraud cannot be done by law enforcement alone because the federal agencies will never have the human assets to pursue every fraud case and this is where the public comes in. It is up to each of us to do what we can when you see extortion, intimidation, or waste fraud and abuse of the public’s dime for the limited tax dollars are all of South Florida resident’s money, not a select few. And given the economic circumstances of South Florida, every dollar counts, and when it comes to wayward politicians and other public servants crossing the line for personal gain.

If the public steps up, and augments the FBI’s efforts in reporting the graft by phone or with a cell phone video camera. Elected leaders or public servants trying such a shake down maneuver not only will have to worry about if the person they are talking too is an undercover federal special agent, but what if they are also a responsible resident with a cell phone who just calls the information in? And that identity doubt of who another person is, can be just enough to stop a public servant or official from doing the wrong thing and is why, if you are smart. You don’t speed in front of a state trooper in a highway for example and is why these undercover investigations are so valuable, because such a resource raises doubts in the bribe takers mind, and this physiological deterrent element works with many people that might be tempted going to the dark side of the law, and that is a good thing. >>> To notify the FBI of any form of public corruption call 305.994.9101.

>>> 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

>>> Thank you for your mention. As far as I know, Rueben Young’s status has not changed. Also – we will file on Tues, showing just under $140,000 for the campaign.

Clerk Harvey Ruvin

M-DC Clerk of the Courts

>>> The United States Supreme Court took my floating home case. Check out the following AP story http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/25/fane-lozman-houseboat_n_1378142.html

Fane Lozman

>>> Thanks for the report – I read quite a bit of the “news” and thought it quite good. I graduated from NMSHS years ago and then moved on…. Again, thanks for the Watchdog report – good luck with continued fundraising. It appears you have some heavy hitters behind you.

Charlene

>>> 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

BADIA SPICES    www.badiaspices.com

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

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