Watchdog Report Vol.13 No.3 May 27,2012 Est.05.05.00 – I go when you cannot – Celebrating My 13th Anniversary

>>> 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.

>>> May you and your family have a reflective and safe Memorial Day and may we all ponder the blood and treasure so many people of our nation have sacrificed over the centuries to keep the Americans free and safe in this very dangerous world.

ARGUS REPORT – Heard, Seen on the Street

>>> Human Trafficking king pins trying to use middle school boys as pimps, to lure girl classmates into sexual slavery, global market $12 billion, #2 illicit industry to drugs

When you think something’s cannot get any worse when it comes to human trafficking of children, a local federal prosecutor and ICE special agent told the Miami-Dade School Board little boys are now being used as pimps for seventh and eighth grade girls, and in general over 200,000 to 300,000 of America’s citizen children are ensnared in this human tragedy at all ages a year, state U.S. Dept of Justice support documents. Barbara A. Martinez, the Chief Special Prosecutor and coordinator for the Project Safe Childhood and Human Trafficking Task Force for the Southern District of Florida U.S. Attorney’s office detailed this ugly activity, at this month’s board meeting. And the shocked school board members along with the school administration are staging a massive outreach program for parents and children in May and June to report any attempt by people to lure their youth into this dark world. Where younger children, especially females, get a premium price in the global black market of human trafficking. http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osdfs/factsheet.html >>> http://abcnews.go.com/US/domestic-sex-trafficking-increasing-united-states/story?id=10557194 >>> Here are some more heart wrenching child trafficking statistics: http://sctnow.org/contentpages.aspx?parentnavigationid=5827&viewcontentpageguid=29d295d1-5818-4e7a-bde1-f61690fa44a8

Only drugs are a bigger illicit industry

The human trafficking industry is the largest illicit industry after drugs state’s a U.S. State Department study, its value globally is roughly $12 billion and the activity is growing at a rapid rate, thanks to the internet, and webpage’s soliciting and drawing young people into the global pool of exploited children. Further, about 2.8 million kids runaway in the United States every year and roughly one-third of them in the first 48 hours of hitting the street. These runaways are now involved with prostitution or pornography, state’s the Center for Missing and Exploited Children. “Trafficking exists right in your backyards, in schools” and the “recruiting of these young people to become trafficking victims,” exists everywhere, said Carmen J. Pino, the ICE Asst. Special Agent in Charge in the Office of Investigation. “They hide in plain site,” and the mission is to get the message out to the community because it “is not just labor trafficking” like many people believe but we are “seeing more and more younger victims,” who are sexually assaulted sometimes up to two dozen times “in a night.”

Martinez said there are four federal prosecutors all focused on combating human trafficking and since 2004 this detail has been beefed up but she noted, “This does impact our schools, and the federal government prosecutes some 8 to 12 cases a year,” she noted. And “half of the sex traffic cases prosecuted is with minors” who many times have come from local junior and high schools, she closed. The Chair of the Kristi House Board Nelson Diaz, a local organization that protects and shelters such young victims and the organization helped get passed a new Safe Harbour bill in the Florida legislature this past session that decriminalizes minors caught and arrested in the trade, but were in the past prosecuted. He said, A 13 year old does not wake up and decide to become a prostitute” and these “victims have dreams.” These children “can be treated” and while there are some “700,000 new victims around the globe” these acts are a “viscous cycle of the past and present” and must be broken for ultimately it is “modern day slavery,” the private attorney closed.

School Board member Dr. Dorothy Bendross-Mindingall (Net worth $491,000) said she had “friends” who had to deal with this issue and this is more than “negative behavior,” these are “Mean and devious people,” and the students need to know “what the perils are,” she said. Board vice Chair Dr. Lawrence Feldman, who sponsored the board item, said if a student finds themselves facing such issues. They should “talk to their counselor” and they should “know you are not alone,” he said. And the former principal closed in a somber note saying, “Traffickers are trying to recruit girls from the middle and high schools” for this purpose which shows how entrenched the activity has become on a national and global scale. For information on Kristi House go to www.kristihouse.org >>> To report Human Trafficking to a federal authorities call 888.373.7888.

Feldman

Bendross-Mindingall

>>> Past busting of a predator: Fort Lauderdale Man Arrested on Charges of Sex Trafficking of Minors

Press release: Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, John V. Gillies, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, and Franklin C. Adderly, Chief of Police, Fort Lauderdale Police Department, announced that Van Lawson Williams, 49, of Fort Lauderdale, was arrested on charges of sex trafficking of minors, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1591(a)(1). Williams made his initial appearance today in federal court in Fort Lauderdale before U.S. Magistrate Judge Barry S. Seltzer, and will have a bond hearing on May 24, 2012 at 11:00 am before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lurana S. Snow. According to the affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, Williams met minor females, many of them runaways, in his neighborhood and invited them to stay with him at his Fort Lauderdale residence, promising them food and shelter. Williams would then convince the girls to work as prostitutes. Williams would allegedly charge the prostitution customers a fee for “renting” one of his bedrooms and would collect all the money the customers paid to have sex with the minor females. The complaint also alleges that Williams provided the girls with illegal narcotics, including marijuana, cocaine and ecstasy. >>> Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the FBI, the FBI-lead Minor Vice Task Force and the Fort Lauderdale Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Corey Steinberg and Scott Behnke. A complaint is only an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls.

>>> Cardenas the younger talks about getting the younger Hispanic vote out for Romney

David Cardenas, the son of attorney and major Republican political operative Al Cardenas spoke to the Miami-Dade Elephant Forum Monday at lunch and while in some ways he is a mini me of his dad. The Duke University and University of Miami graduate is also striking out on his own, though he has a touch of his father’s low baritone voice. Cardenas, the senior was the first Hispanic Chair of the Republican Party of the State of Florida during Gov. Jeb Bush’s first few years in office starting in 1999. The attorney is a passionate and a dynamic speaker and he frequently appears on the national political stage on news shows like Meet The Press most recently. Both the father and son have been major GOP Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney supporters and David is neck deep in the national campaign including being a statewide finance committee vice chair for the presumptive nominee’s race against President Barack Obama.

Cardenas told the luncheon attendees that they are not giving up on the Hispanic voters who might have been turned off to some of the heated anti-immigration campaign rhetoric in the GOP primaries and believes many of the core values that Republicans have are consistent with the Hispanic community. He believes family, education and the American Dream, along with a strong dose of entrepreneurial spirit is what drives many in that community, he said. Cardenas said the press “likes to talk about immigration” and trying to make it a wedge issue in the race but he believes that can be mitigated. He acknowledged that some of the past fallout on the subject was “self-inflicted” when other Republican candidates called for “[electrified] wired fences and this “rhetoric is not the way to draw Hispanics” to the party, he thought. He noted that “Hispanics are not a homogeneous group, is “not just field workers” and said they are like “like any other American, interested in fiscal policy, many are entrepreneurs” and “looking for the American Dream,” he said.

Cardenas said his mission is to motivate the voters aged 18 to 29 and getting them to go to the polls and whose turnout helped Obama so much back in 2008, where the youth vote came out to the tune of 51 percent, up from 49 percent in 2004. He said getting this age group jobs is also a priority since around 59 percent of them after graduation are not finding employment while they also deal with their student loans. He said the ageing voting demographics will change and the youth vote will catch up in the coming years, noting the “average age of a U.S. Senator is 62 years old,” he said. He also believes Gov. Rick Scott (Net worth $103 million) will be reelected in 2014. >>> Check out Cardenas on www.wpbt2.org/issues >> This Week on Issues – 5/25 & 5/27 Political Week in Review Our guests discuss political stories of the week, such as Mitt Romney polling ahead of President Barack Obama in Florida, primary elections being held in two states, and Governor Rick Scott’s visit to Spain. Guests: David Cardenas, The Cardenas Group, Michael Hernandez, Penn Schoen Berland, Jose Mallea, JM Global Consulting, Daniel Masvidal, Masvidal Partners

>>> White House press release: Statement by the Press Secretary on Student Loan Interest Rate Votes in the Senate

With only 37 days left to stop student loan interest rates from doubling on July 1, Senate Republicans still have not proven that they’re serious about resolving this problem. For the second time this month, they voted to ask millions of students to pay an average of $1,000 each rather than close a loophole that allows the very wealthy to avoid paying their fair share. Now is not the time to refight old political battles, and certainly not the time to cut preventive health care measures. With only a few days left until student loan interest rates double, it’s time to get this done so hard working students get a fair shot at an affordable education.

>>> Press release: State Department Releases 2011 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, Ros-Lehtinen says “The United States must stand with oppressed, and promote human rights and freedom for all.”

U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, commented on the findings of the State Department’s 2011 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices released today. Statement by Ros-Lehtinen: “Today’s report serves as a reminder that while we have made great strides in the struggle for human dignity, there are still innocent people being oppressed by brutal dictatorships. In the last year, uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa have brought millions of people into the streets demanding greater freedom, accountability and respect for human rights.

“In Syria, the civil war unleashed by the Assad regime has resulted in human rights violations on a scale that has outraged free people everywhere. Responsible nations need to recognize the failure of the UN mission in Syria and finally impose crippling sanctions that will end the regime’s slaughter of innocents. Despite increasing pressure by responsible nations on Iran, the regime continues to brutally oppress its people, particularly women, and religious and ethnic minorities. I also remain concerned with the report’s findings regarding Saudi Arabia, including pervasive restrictions on universal rights such as freedom of expression, equal rights for women, children, religious minorities, and foreign workers. “In the Western Hemisphere, the report confirms the Castro brothers’ relentless attacks on opposition leaders and protestors who are increasingly subjected to unjust detention, harassment, and imprisonment in the island’s miserable gulags. Elsewhere in the hemisphere, Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez’s insatiable quest for power at any cost continues to lead to the criminalization of political dissent and obstruction of the free press.

“In Belarus, the Lukashenko government continues its campaign of abuse toward its citizens, making a mockery of democratic elections using vote manipulation, intimidation and arrests of political opposition leaders. The report also describes numerous violations by the Russian regime, including its serial contempt for the rule of law and its restrictions on freedom of expression.

“In North Korea, the regime’s long history of depraved misrule continues with arbitrary detentions, extra-judicial killings, disappearances, torture, and mistreatment of prisoners. The Chinese regime’s continued repression and coercion engineered to protect the ruling Communist party continues to result in illegal arrests and detentions, forced sterilizations, infanticide, restrictions on assembly, religious practice, extra-judicial killings, executions, and torture. Beijing must be held accountable in any bilateral or multilateral exchanges for its blatant disregard for human rights. “These Country Reports should serve as a call to action. The United States must stand with the oppressed, and promote human rights and freedom for all.”

>>> See what was said about the Watchdog Report in the Miami New Times 2003 — Best of Miami — BEST CITIZEN — Daniel Ricker – watchdogreport1@earthlink.net

Three years ago, we said Ricker was our Best Gadfly. Given his dedication and perseverance, this new honor, Best Citizen, is well deserved. Ricker goes to 2500 mind-melting meetings annually, from the Public Health Trust’s purchasing subcommittee to the Efficiency and Competition Commission to the Alliance for Human Services’ nominating council to the school board’s audit committee. Sometimes he’s the only public observer. Object: to be the Public Citizen for all those out there who can’t attend, and to connect and serve as an information bridge among the special-interest-dominated Miami-Dade governmental institutions that seem so problematic and indifferent to the democratic process.

This month his e-mail newsletter, The Watchdog Report, celebrates its fourth anniversary (Now in its 13th year). In a former life, Ricker made a handsome living as an international salesman of heart pacemakers. As the hard-working publisher of Watchdog Report, though, he’s struggling financially — this despite the fact that his weekly compendium of meeting summaries, analysis, interviews, and commentary has become essential reading for anyone involved in public affairs. What his written work may lack in polish, it more than makes up for in comprehensiveness. So raise a toast to the man whose official slogan says it all: “A community education resource — I go when you cannot!”

>>> 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

>>> Clarification on Monday to the WDR Sunday: >>> FL elections webpage off because of paperwork error by Sen. Diaz de la Portilla, not challenging Sen. Flores for Dist. 37

The Florida Secretary of State Elections webpage Saturday stated state Sens. Miguel de la Portilla, R-Miami and state Sen. Anitere Floris, R-Miami were both running in the same state Senate District 37 race this August 14. Diaz de la Portilla in an email Monday said the listing was a “mistake by his staff … filing the paperwork,” and “the paperwork correcting the mistake was submitted late last week.” He also noted he is running for state Sen. District 40. “Anitere and I aren’t running against each other. Our families have been close for 20 years. I will run in [Senate] District 40, which encompasses most of my current Senate District 36,” and he has yet to get a challenger. The Watchdog Report wanted to clear-up this inaccuracy in Sunday’s Watchdog Report in the Florida section since it was also the lead headline. I apologize to my readers for the need to clarify this issue and contacting you again by email.

>>>Here was the original story: Let the battle begin, state Sens. Diaz de la Portilla faces off against Flores for District 37 seat, expected to be a hotly contested race, how low will they go?

The Watchdog Report is watching two state legislative races closely since these match up seasoned high profile incumbents in the body running up to the Aug. 14 primary. State Sen. Miguel Diaz de la Portilla, R-Miami Net worth $486,000) is facing state Sen. Anitere Flores, R-Miami (net worth $163,000 in 09) and both of them are attorneys. Miguel, the oldest of his family’s brothers that includes Alex (Net worth $31,000 in 2010 and running for the state Senate in another district as well and Renier for a House seat and both men were previously in the legislative body). Miguel a former county commissioner is now a county and municipal lobbyist and Flores has been an attorney for FIU and is now involved running a local charter school.

Both candidates have a considerable war chest with Diaz de la Portilla having $164,000 for his campaign and Flores comes in close with $160,779 through March 31. Diaz de la Portilla followed in his brother Alex’s Senate seat in 2010 after the younger brother was term limited and Flores started her political career in the state House before going to the upper body in 2010. She is currently the Majority Whip in the Republican controlled Senate and for the past two years Flores has represented Dist. 38 and Diaz de la Portilla represented Dist. 36 but with redistricting in 2012. They now face each other at the polls for the new Senate District 37 seat and the race is expected to be intense, and possible politically ugly.

Diaz de la Portilla

Flores

>>> Expect political dogfight between state Reps. Diaz and Rivas Logan for Dist. 116 House race

The other race of interest to the Watchdog Report is the House District 116 election that has state Rep. Jose Felix Diaz, R-Miami (Net worth $100,000) facing off against state Rep. Ana Rivas Logan, R-Miami (Net worth $107,000) and both Diaz and Logan were elected to the lower legislative body in 2010. For the past two years Diaz represented Dist. 115 and Logan held the 114 House seat but with redistricting this year. The two politicians face off and with no other opposition to date and the Aug.14 primary will decide who goes back to the state House in November. Diaz has $160,000 in his campaign war chest and Logan has $119,000 through Mar. 31 with more campaign contributions expected to come to the race in the future. And the Watchdog Report predicts this House race will be hotly contested between the two candidates. Diaz is an attorney, with degrees from the University of Miami and Columbia University’s law school and he ventured into the political world for the first time in 2010.

Logan, who has degrees from Florida International University and a Masters from Nova Southeast University in computer sciences, began her political career as a Miami-Dade school board member from 2004 to 2010. She and the rest of the local legislative delegation were honored recently for their past work in the recent legislative session to protect the nation’s fourth largest public schools district from major cuts in funding and other issues. Logan later joked after the school board ceremonies with the Watchdog Report asking why I was covering the school district’s board meeting? And she seemed to have forgotten the public district is the largest public institution in Miami-Dade with well over 40,000 employees, and while she is no longer at the institution. As the politicians come and go, the Watchdog Report continues to cover these public institutions regardless who is there in office at the time.

>>> State Reps. Bileca & Trujillo expected to coast to victory, challengers through Mar. 31 have zero money in campaigns

Two other House races are also being looked at this week and two Republican incumbents are facing light opposition so far and state Rep. Michael Bileca, R-Miami ($3.7 million) is facing Republican Engenio Perez and Democrat Jeffrey Solomon is also running for the new House Dist. 115. Bileca, a member of the Financial Recovery Board that is overseeing the running of Jackson Health System has $172,000 in his campaign war chest and $100,000 of that is a personal loan to the campaign through Mar. 31. However, both of his challengers to date are showing raising zero money for their campaigns.

The other veteran candidate is state Rep. Carlos Trujillo, R-Hialeah (net worth $13,000) running for House District 105 and he is facing light Republican opposition with Jose Diaz challenging him in the primary but Diaz has raised no money for the campaign versus the $107,825 in Trujillo’s war chest.

>>> Today, Governor Rick Scott announced the appointment of Ryan S. Neves to the Florida Film and Entertainment Advisory Council

Neves, 35, of Panama City, is a member of the Bay County School Board and owner of Neves Media Productions LLC. He succeeds Todd Roobin and is appointed for a term beginning May 24, 2012, and ending August 20, 2015.

>>> Florida TaxWatch Launches New Online Home

Press release: This week at its annual Spring Board Meeting, Florida TaxWatch launched its new website, which includes research broken down by issue area/topic, a full archive sorted by year, Florida “Tax Facts,” and many other new features. In particular, research reports will be tied to their press releases, abstracts (and key takeaways) of each Research Report will be available as a separate document, and many of the future reports will be accompanied by video and/or audio clips, to provide even more information about the report, or the subject on which it is based. Please note: the search functionality is still in development, so a keyword search may not return the results you’re looking for. Please see the Research page for publications by topic. The site, as before, can be found @ www.floridataxwatch.org

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY

>>> Jordan and Gibson to face off for commission Dist.1 commission race, likely to be tough race focused on leadership

Some of the Miami-Dade County Commission races are heating up and the Commission District 1 race could be ground zero for one hotly contested race that has incumbent Commissioner Barbara Jordan (Net worth $1.97 million) facing off against Wade Jones, and now political heavy weight Miami Gardens Mayor Shirley Gibson. Jordan elected in 2004 after being anointed by out going Commissioner Betty Ferguson on the dais as the chosen one to replace her ran essentially unopposed in 2008 and this is her first real challenge since the initial campaign. And in Gibson’s case, she is a campaign dynamo who helped found the county’s third largest city of 107,000 residents in 2003 when the municipality was a toss of the coin whether it would survive incorporation and is about 79 percent African-American.

However, Gibson took the fiscal lemon when it came to the property tax base of the city to a new level and made lemonade out of the challenge and through bumping taxes slightly, stimulating business investment and living within the city’s budget. She along with others have built a thriving community, living within its economic means, with residents interests heard at a local level, and this has muted any comments about the city’s survival from the skeptics over the past eight years she has been at the helm of Miami Gardens. She is for term limits of eight years and prior to becoming an entrepreneur. She served 16-years in the Miami-Dade Police Department. Further, Norman Braman is supporting her, the billionaire auto magnate is trying to push a slate of reform-minded candidates on the county commission and his help could help Gibson level the fundraising playing field. Jordan through Marc.31 had $46,445 in her campaign war chest and Jones is showing $1,550 for his campaign.

Jordan, a former county employee for decades who rose to an assistant county manager slot covering economic development and the Public Health Trust prior to her departure in 2004 to run for office has had a mixed time on the dais. She supported the new Miami Marlins stadium and has voted to move the Urban Development Boundary since then, which is odd. Since keeping inward development pressure, would benefit her inner city district. Further, her brother is Florida City Mayor Otis Wallace, her sister is Sandy Walker, a publicist and county lobbyist, and both have caught some critical ink over the years, though Jordan has never been directly implicated in any of these past issues of the other two family members.

Jordan

Gibson

What about Commissioner Suarez?

County Commissioner Xavier Suarez (Net worth $328,500) and Stephan Bovo (Net worth $28,500) are both on their way to being reelected unopposed as the early June deadline nears and Suarez through Mar. 31 has $50,000 in his campaign war chest to Bovo’s $28,200. Both men were elected in special elections back in May 2011 after Bovo replaced recalled Commission Natacha Seijas (net worth $617,000) after her recall by voters and Suarez filled the void created when County Mayor Carlos Gimenez (Net worth $923,000) ran and in a runoff won in June back then. There has been speculation that Suarez, a former Miami mayor might go for the gold and run for county mayor against front-runner Gimenez and Commission Chair Joe Martinez (Net worth $238,000) but a reliable source close to Suarez said last week. The man is not running for mayor and is sticking to his commission District 7 seat that he likens to “Texas,” given the affluent tax base of the district that snakes along the county’s waterfront coast from Little Havana to Pinecrest. Suarez in his inaugural speech that went on for 28 minutes said his wife, a Miami-Dade school teacher gave the go ahead for him to run for office only after she heard he would get free health insurance while in office and he currently is facing no opposition and is likely to get a free pass at the ballot box.

However, District 7 is a high maintenance group of constituents and there is a growing grumble among local leaders and residents that Suarez is not working hard enough in the job, and areas of the district feel neglected or things he says will happen are not followed through on is another complaint. And this type of performance is the opposite of his son Francis (Net worth $81,131), the current Miami Commission Chair who puts significant time in the field and at his office in city hall since he was first elected in 2009 and in some ways cleared the way for his father to have a second political future after continuous loses for any office he sought since 1997. Further, Suarez the elder, a Harvard trained attorney also seems to speak in a “stream of conscious” manner said one person that spends time with the man and at a past public Sunshine meeting with Commissioner Sally Heyman (Net worth $425,000) discussing how the county’s departments should be structured. He said, “God only needed Ten Commandments,” and suggested that same rationale should be applied to the county’s now around 25 departments after Gimenez pared it down by a over dozen less stand alone departments months ago during a major reorganization of county government.

Suarez also has a hard time sitting at commission board and committee meeting and even suggested that he be removed from being on commission committees but Martinez nixed that idea. The attorney also seems to dig up obscure documents and then grills county staff or more recently. Financial Recovery Board Chair Marcos Lapciuc about there conclusions and accuracy taking a professorial tone in the verbal exchange, where he sometimes does not even look at the person he is grilling as was the case with Lapciuc. And one long time person who has known him for decades believes he still believes the time he was mayor of Miami was some kind of Golden Age and does not realize the past is past, and what have you done for constituents now is what is important. However, regardless of this developing reputation and when it comes to the Texas reference some are calling him “All hat but no cattle.” The veteran politician will likely garner a full four-year term and district voters can only hope that he lifts his political game if he is to avoid the fate of Seijas in the future, after constituents call for a recall of the man given the nickname in the 1990s of “Mayor Loco.”

Here is one Key Biscayne resident’s take on Suarez?

“There was a lot of heavy talk last night from some Key Biscayne council members about the County and Miami ignoring Key Biscayne — when it came to planning and activities that affect our island community (12,000 residents in one square mile and $100 million (+) in tax money going over the bridge). At one point, heavy criticism was directed at [Commissioner] Xavier Suarez for his lack of informing the Village about what is going on, and not following up on contacts with council members, etc. (initially a response, but then nothing). Also his absence at County Commission meetings (“vacant seat”) when key issues are decided on that impact Key Biscayne. The clear take-away is that Xavier Suarez is not doing the job. And, of course, this led to what happens at election time,” wrote a long time Key resident and Watchdog Report reader last week.

What about Bovo?

Bovo, a former state representative from Hialeah is 180 degrees different from Seijas who he replaced and in many ways; he is a delight to have on the commission. He is brief in his conversation and gets to the point he is trying to make, believes the county should be involved in only “big ticket items” like running MIA and the Port of Miami and the commission should be a regional governing body and Miami-Dade should get out of the municipal services business letting the 1.1 million residents in UMSA incorporate.

He is a family man with a new little daughter and travels by Metro Rail to commission meetings and other events at the government center and residents are pleasantly surprised to see him standing on the platform waiting for the next train rather than tooling around in a county dignitary car. He also is unchallenged for reelection but so far in his time in elected office. People generally have yet to have a beef with him and he even opened a district office in Palm Springs, something his predecessor never bothered to do and her only office was at the Stephen P. Clark Government Center for almost two decades.

Gimenez

Suarez

Martinez

Bovo

>>> Homeless Trust taps Beach Asst. Manager Fernandez again, CEO Raymond says sayonara Jun. 30

David Raymond, the executive director of the Miami-Dade Homeless Trust for the past decade and is resigning from the post Jun. 30 is being replaced by former Trust director Hilda Fernandez, now an assistant Miami Beach manager. She is leaving that Beach post on Jul.22 and will begin her new post Jul. 23 but it is deja vue for her since she was one of the three past directors since the Trust was created in 1993. The Homeless Trust Board at their monthly meeting Friday unanimously confirmed her in the new position after her contract negotiations were concluded only the day before, said Trust Board Chair Ron Book. The Trust with around a $40 million budget is charged with administering countywide homeless services and is funded by local food and beverage taxes and HUD funding.

>>> PAST MAY WDR: M-DC Homeless Trust CEO Raymond resigns; Trust Chair Book says suitable replacement is in the works

David Raymond, the long serving executive director of the $40 million Miami-Dade Homeless Trust, created in 1993 has resigned. Raymond is only the third such employee the nationally recognized organization has had since its inception and he manages about 15 employees. The organization funds a host of social service providers including the CHAPMAN Partnership that has two facilities for the homeless in Homestead and Miami with around 756 residents http://www.chapmanpartnership.org/ , along with Camillus House and others.
The last countywide homeless census done in January showed a slight up tick in people on the street from June 2011 when there were 898 people living outdoors but was under 1,000 people versus some 8,000 back before the Trust was created. The other two people in this executive capacity over the past two decades were Sergio Gonzalez, now a University of Miami vice president and Hilda Fernandez, now an assistant city manager of Miami Beach. Ron Book, the long serving chair of the Trust told the Watchdog Report last week that he has an excellent candidate in mind and said Raymond’s replacement he thought would be an impressive choice but he declined to say whom it was. The Homeless Trust board will ultimately vote to approve a successor to Raymond in the future.

What about the Miami DDA?

The Miami Downtown Development Authority has had a task force meeting to discuss the homeless issue in the downtown area where the largest population of homeless can be found along with parts of Miami Beach. The task force at a meeting a few months ago wanted the Trust to dedicate more resources to the downtown. Though Raymond noted they dealt with the issue countywide and if the downtown was to get preferential treatment, why not Coconut Grove or Coral Gables for example he said at the time. Further, a federal court order hangs over Miami when it comes to this issue of dealing with the homeless and how they are treated. But the DDA and its Chair Miami Commissioner Marc Sarnoff wants more to be done to clean up the streets and end the panhandling that pedestrians face on a daily basis and includes part of Flagler Street being a no panhandling zone. And whoever replaces Raymond will have to deal with this ongoing issue of the concentration of chronically homeless in the urban core of Miami, as well as countywide. >>> This Extra is a special service provided by the Watchdog Report.

>>> Charter Review should focus on incorporation/annexation/ term limits and salary, not time for JHS governance discussion

The Charter Review Task Force held a workshop discussion last week on the issue of incorporation, annexation, the issue of county commissioners salaries, and the issue of Jackson Health System (JHS) and how it should be governed and while these issues were discussed. In some of the areas being taken on, there was a lack of information regarding some complex subjects like should JHS become a not-for-profit hospital system. And it was almost painful to watch some of the discussion, given the lack of understanding of the issues, and perhaps a better approach for the Task Force, given the short time left to deliberate, would be to focus on the incorporation, annexation issue, term limits, mayoral succession and commission salary. For some of the other issues are too complex to handle on the fly in such a setting.

What about the Miami Commissioners salaries?

Joe Arriola, a member of the Charter Review Committee and a former city of Miami manager from 2003 to Jun. 2006 when county commission salaries were being discussed and has been shot down some 11 times since 1957 by county voters. He said in the case of Miami commissioners getting a salary bump from $5,000. to $58,200. He said in 2004 when the question went on the ballot it was made in simple language and did not mention the $30,000 or so in other benefits commissioners would get as well. And he suggested such a tact might be the way to go if the question is to go on the ballot again. However, Arriola was incorrect about when the question was on the ballot, though he spoke with such authority on the matter. In fact it was on the Nov. 4, 2003 Miami General and Special Election and with 12,162 voters participating on the salary raise question. The charter amendment back then passed by 53.65 to 45.35 percent of the voters to approve raising commissioner compensation.

>>> Press release: Commissioner Javier Souto (Net worth $658,000) reaches out to Muslim community with a statement clarifying impassioned dais comments

I read Fred Grimm’s Opinion “Is it a plot, or just a huge, ugly house?” published in the Local Section of The Miami Herald on Thursday, May 24, 2012. I have enjoyed Mr. Grimm’s articles for years. However, satirical commentary that fuels and makes light of intolerance towards any community is wrong. The sarcastic comment in the final paragraph that maybe I “would be happy to change the code to zone out only certain kinds of people….You know what I’m talking about” is not only inconsistent with my long record of public service, it is simply untrue. Mr. Grimm took some comments that I made in a long impassioned speech and made them seem worse when he spliced them into his column. I apologize to the Muslim community for any words that I uttered out of frustration with the County’s Building Department and its Director for permitting this structure to be constructed in my community without a public hearing, while this same Department bullies long standing homeowners in this same community for building a tool shed, a back yard barbeque, a back yard gazebo or a roofed terrace and makes them spend $10,000 to go through a public hearing process or spend hundreds of dollars for a demolition permit to destroy the structure.
I am an elected official and should measure my words when speaking because anything you say seems worse when you later read it in print. However, I am human and I am anything but a politician. I don’t read flawless politically correct speeches from a podium or a teleprompter written by a bunch of professional speech writers. I speak from the heart and when I get frustrated and angry with the bureaucrats in our government, I lash out as most of us often do. I also make mistakes when the level of frustration and anger rises, as all of us do. When I make mistakes, I want my friends to point them out and let me know so that I can correct the mistakes and learn from my mistakes.

The Muslim community has been a strong supporter and good friend to me for a very long time and I have been very grateful and proud of our strong bond. I have been a generous supporter of the Muslim community as well. When the Muslim community requested a van for their Project Downtown to deliver food to the poor and needy, I gave my full support without hesitation. When the Muslim community needed seed money for a free clinic, I was there front and center as well. I have been invited to pray with my Muslim brothers. I have broken bread and shared many meals with my Muslim brothers. My personal appointee as County Commissioner to the Miami-Dade County Community Relations Board represents the Islamic community. On the 60th Independence Day of Pakistan, the Pakistan American Cultural Society presented me with their highest award as “A friend of Pakistan,” in appreciation of my friendship and goodwill to Pakistan and the Pakistani-American community.

On Thursday, a group of leaders from the Muslim Community, most whom I have known for many years, came to meet with me at one of my bi-monthly town meetings. We sat down in a circle and spoke about these issues from the heart. They agreed with my concerns about the structure that was constructed without following the proper process, and that this is not an issue of race or religion. However, they were offended by the article in The Herald, and explained to me that some of the statements that I uttered in a moment of frustration with the County Administration may be offensive to members of their community. I repeated some statements that I had heard from my constituents who are also very frustrated and angry with our County Government over this issue in a moment of a heated discourse and unintentionally offended my friends in the Muslim community. Once again, I offer my sincere apologies to my friends.

This is an issue of a structure that is completely out of scale and out of character with the existing single-family house residential district where it is being constructed. Section 33.5 of the Code of Miami-Dade County reads as follows: “All buildings constructed shall be of an architectural style and color which will harmonize with the premises and with other buildings in the same neighborhood. All questions raised on this subject shall be referred to the appropriate zoning board for recommendation.” This means that when a structure does not harmonize with the neighborhood, it must go before the local Community Council for a public hearing where the neighbors are provided due notice and given the opportunity to testify at the hearing. That process was not followed here.
According to your article, the owner of the nearly complete house insists that he’s building a family home for his Cuban-born mother. This young man, in his early thirties, is building his mother a nice 35 foot high, three story family home, with almost 9,000 square feet of living space composed of 11 bathrooms and 9 bedrooms, commercial kitchen, commercial elevator, and huge bundles of high tech electronic cables entering the structure. The Prayer Room/Exercise Room (as detailed on the blue prints on file with the County) on the third floor of his mother home is 70 feet long by 27.33 feet wide or 1,913 square feet. The square footage of the third floor alone is larger than the total square footage of most of the surrounding homes.

The reason why local governments throughout the United States have zoning codes is to protect the most precious and valuable investment of most families, which is their home and the residential character of their neighborhood.

This is not an issue of racism as you imply in your article. This is an issue of common sense and logic with respect to the placement of a mammoth structure, which has cost several million dollars to build, in a middle class single-family neighborhood with modestly scaled homes. If this home were under construction in “horse country,” the Redlands, Coral Gables, Cocoplum, Coconut Grove, Miami Beach or anywhere else where you have 10,000 square foot mansions, it would not be an issue and it would not raise an eyebrow. However, if I see something that does not make common sense on any level and is in complete contradiction to all our zoning laws, I must speak up. The fault does not lie with the owner of this property or the existing single family homeowners in the community; the fault lies with the County professionals that we hire to regulate the planning and construction of these structures and entrust to protect the residential character and quality of life of the homeowners that have lived in these residential neighborhoods for many year. For more information, please contact Commissioner Souto’s office at 305-222-2116.

>>> Press release: The Miami-Dade County Charter Review Task Force is holding a meeting on Wednesday, May 30, 2012, at 9:00 a.m., at Miami Art Museum, located at 101 West Flagler Street. Proceedings of the Task Force will be conducted in accordance with the Government in the Sunshine Law (FS 286.011) and the Citizens’ Bill of Rights of the Miami-Dade County Home Rule Charter.

On March 8, 2012, the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners approved Resolution R-253-12 creating a Charter Review Task Force. The Task Force is charged with reviewing the Home Rule Charter of Miami-Dade County; studying the final report of the 2008 Charter Review Task Force; reviewing amendments submitted to the voters since 2008; inviting knowledgeable members of the community to appear; conducting public hearings; hosting regional public meetings; and providing written recommendations to be presented to the Board of County Commissioners at their July 17, 2012 meeting. The Task Force consists of 20 members, 13 of the members are appointed by each County Commissioner, one by the Mayor of Miami-Dade County, four by each of the four largest cities in the County, and two by the Miami-Dade League of Cities. For more information about the Charter Review Task Force, visit http://www.miamidade.gov/charter/task-force-2012.asp. WHAT: Miami-Dade County Charter Review Task Force Meeting WHEN Wednesday, May 30, 2012, 9:00 a.m. AND Miami Art Museum WHERE: 101 West Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33130

>>> GMCVB press release: #2……DEMAND FOR TRAVEL TO GREATER MIAMI & THE BEACHES REMAINS STRONG ― GREATER MIAMI & THE BEACHES RANKS #2 IN REVENUE PER AVAILABLE ROOM (REV PAR), #2 IN AVERAGE DAILY ROOM RATE (ADR) AND #2 IN HOTEL ROOM OCCUPANCY FOR APRIL 2012 AMONG THE TOP 25 U.S. MARKETS

For the month of April 2012, Greater MIAMI and the Beaches showed increases vs. 2011, ranking #2 in Revenue Per Available Room (RevPar) at $143.30, #2 in Average Daily Room rate (ADR) at $178.82 and #2 in Hotel Room Occupancy at 80.1% among the Top 25 Markets in the U.S. Smith Travel Research compares the top markets in the United States based on Occupancy, Average Daily Room Rate (ADR) and Revenue Per Available Room (RevPar).

Top 25 Hotel Markets Revenue Per Available Hotel Room [Rev Par] April 2012
$ % Change vs. 2011
1. New York $217.11 9.6%
2. MIAMI $143.30 +4.6%
3. Oahu Island $135.01 +12.5%
4. Boston $122.51 +11.0%
5. San Francisco $119.06 +14.4%

Top 25 Hotel Markets Average Daily Room Rate April 2012
$ % Change vs. 2011
1. New York $253.80 +7.2%
2. MIAMI $178.82 +4.4 %
3. Oahu Island $173.83 +7.0%
4. Boston $163.43 +9.7%
5. Washington $154.52 + 2.0%

Top 25 Hotel Markets Average Daily Occupancy April 2012
% % Change vs. 2011
1. New York 85.5% +2.2%
2. MIAMI 80.1% +0.1%
3.San Francisco 78.1% +2.9%
4. Oahu Island 77.7% +5.1%
5. Orlando 75.9% – 0.5%

MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

>>> Clock is ticking for A&M charter school in the Grove, forensic audit results in late June, what will it show?

The forensic audit of the Arts and Minds Charter School on Commodore Plaza in Coconut Grove has been completed and the report is expected to be released at the next Miami-Dade Public Schools Audit & Budget Advisory Board meeting on June 26 and the public will see exactly what has financially been going on at the controversial school funded with public tax dollars. The Watchdog Report first flagged A&M in 2004 when it was first approved by the public schools district because it is known as a “related transaction,” where the building owner also started the school and reaped a rock hard tenet willing to pay top dollar rent that back then was $26,000 per month. That rent number would escalate to $69,000 in 2006 as the school population expanded and is now over $80,000 for the building surrounded by restaurants and bars in its tony Grove location.

Manny Alonso Poch, the building’s owner and driving force of the school says there is nothing amiss fiscally but the district in the past has withheld funds to get compliance on certain issues with Poch and the school has been under the microscope by The Miami Herald www.miamiherald.com which did an extensive investigative story, that included one listed board member actually living in a South American country and he was unaware he was on the oversight board of the charter school. Further, Poch has had extensive turnover of top staff over the past years and he currently has a controversial top staffer Cecilia “C.C.” Holloman who is vice chair of A&M and she got some ink in late March in the www.miaminewtimes.com. Another high profile person is Jorge Fernandez, a fired former City of Miami attorney after he was busted paying for a son’s party at the Rusty Pelican with public dollars. He later argued he was entitled to spend his expense allowance provided by the city anyway he wanted, fought the issue in court, but the city prevailed in court, though Miami had to spend over $250,000 to end the legal matter. In his case, he is teaching ethics and government to the children attending the school. However, one way or the other the issue with the school is coming to a head and after writing about this charter school for the past eight years, the public taxpayer will finally learn if this public money was spent on the up and up at the school or not. Readers should stay tuned on this one.

>>> Will incumbents Karp, Feldman, Holloway and Curbelo waltz back into office unopposed?

There is a very good chance that four incumbent school board members will be reelected unopposed in June by the filing deadline if no challengers in the days ahead do not emerge. Board Member Dr. Wilbert “Tee” Holloway (Dist. 1) (Net worth $433,000), Dr. Martin Karp, (Dist.3) (Net worth $1.2 million), Dr. Lawrence Feldman (Dist. 9) (Net worth $2.56 million) and Carlos Curbelo (Dist. 7) (Net worth $226,000) (his two challengers, Horacio Huembes and Geno Perez have both withdrawn from the race) are facing no opposition to date. The only competitive race is for board seat Dist. 5 where David Espino with $100.00 in his campaign war chest is facing Susan Castillo who has raised nothing through Mar. 31. The two candidates are vying for the seat being vacated by school Board Member Renier Diaz de la Portilla (Net worth $-162,513) who is running for a state House seat. However, the incumbents took precautions just in case they got a challenger and Karp has $132,000 in his campaign war chest, Feldman has raised $128,000 for his race, Curbelo has $61,400 and Holloway has $8,800 for his campaign through March.

Curbelo

Holloway

Karp

Feldman

Diaz de la Portilla

PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST

>>> FRB trying to hit UM Jun.1 deadline for AOA, meets twice this week to discuss and then vote May 31 on contract

The Financial Recovery Board has called a special meeting Wednesday to discuss and review the University of Miami Miller Medical School’s Annual Operateing Agreement (AOA) that has been hammered out over the past year and the agreement will begin a new fiscal paradigm shift with the medical school and how the Trust pays for medical services given by its physicians and staff in the course of a year. FRB Chair Marcos Lapciuc called the “contract the most important and complex,” issue the FRB has to deal with over the years and this new version is even more difficult to hammer out since it is based on physician services provided and not just a lump sum that was almost “like a block grant,” Lapciuc has said in the past.

>>> A special PHT Financial Recovery Board meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, May 30, 2012 at 4:00 p.m. in the Ira C. Clark Diagnostic Treatment Center, Conference Room 270 located at 1080 N. W. 19th Street, Miami, FL 33128. The sole purpose for the special meeting is to be presented with a Trust/UM AOA update. >>> And this meeting will be followed on Thursday by the televised FRB monthly board meeting.

CITY OF MIAMI

>>> Should MESA be abolished as helicopter base gets approved, what about Carollo Amendment in Charter & voters?

The Miami Commission passed 4 to 1 to approve a contract with a helicopter company to build a base on Watson Island Thursday and the way the deal evolved is what has critics concerned, since the Miami Sports & Exhibition Authority (MESA), a city board populated with voting commissioners, initially approved it. The Watchdog Report months ago was the only press at the Mar. 29 MESA meeting when the vote was first taken and at the very beginning of the meeting chaired by Mayor Tomas Regalado (Net worth $8, 500). Commission Chair Francis Suarez questioned whether MESA was the right vehicle to be dealing with this issue since the city had a charter requirement that when it came to waterfront property, a public vote on the matter was necessary. City voters added the charter language dubbed the Carollo Amendment in the 1990s, but MESA provides a loophole to bypass this voter participation and effectively nullifies the city’s own charter. Suarez has in the past said he believes the commission should look at whether MESA is even still needed. Since it was primarily created to oversee the old Miami Arena, now torn down and the land sold during the Miami Mayor Manny Diaz (Net worth $1.8 million) administration.

The Watchdog Report writes about this because the commission should either ask voters to weigh in again on the matter of waterfront property and how it is used and if it should be repealed or retained, because this obtuse arrangement where the commission just ignores a charter requirement by using MESA as a way around it is wrong public policy. Editor’s note: My concern is not about the helicopter port but the use of an essentially obscure board to bless deals that involve precious public waterfront land, something in short supply in Miami.

VILLAGE OF COCONUT GROVE

>>> Grove BID gets new Dir. In Templer, from Wisconsin, is getting $95,000 in salary to kick start local businesses

The Business Improvement District (BID) has a new CEO and director and Curt Templer, from Wisconsin has been tapped to replace David Collins who resigned months ago. Collins has been the only BID director since its creation in the late 2000s and local merchants and property owners pay a surcharge to enhance Grove commercial interests and this money flows through the BID. However, months ago the BID also got some U.S. HUD CDBG grant funds and any mishandling of that federal money results in the local municipality being forced to pay it back like Miami did a few years ago to the tune of over $4 million. Templer is said to know the Grove, has friends here, and he has an undergraduate degree from Kent State University and a Masters degree from Syracuse University. Collins was paid in the $80,000s and Templer is getting $95,000. A major search was done and candidates from around the nation were interviewed by SKYPE and while their were two finalists at the end. One took a job in Indiana in the mean time and that left Templer as the only top ranked candidate. He was spotted Friday night checking out the Grove and the Watchdog Report welcomes him and wishes him the best of luck in this new capacity.

CITY OF MIAMI BEACH

>>> Commission through its actions gets to define what city will be in the future, with Mgr. Gonzalez leaving, they get clean slate

Even though the Watchdog Report was on vacation trying to raise money the last two weeks, I did break off and covered the commission workshop May 18 to discuss the replacement of Manager Jorge Gonzalez, and the proposals for the city administration to liaison with the FBI, county IG, county Ethics Commission and the meeting was held in a cramped conference room in the tony Alexander Hotel on the Beach. Email traffic by activists and www.miamiherald.com on the event afterwards state’s the facilitator used for the two day workshop got $9,000. for the gig and the Hotel cost for two days including a closed off lunch at Shula’s Steak House from the press and public cost $2,000. Commissioners Jerry Libbin and Deede Weithorn when I challenged the closed lunch Friday, where I could not even eat at a nearby table said when they get together like this. It is essentially boring both of them suggested and was in no way in conflict with the Sunshine Law and I should not be concerned.

However, the Watchdog Report is concerned because most people would have let the public or press into the room to dispel any concern of policy discussions occurring in this relaxed and informal setting, but the public will never know. And with Miami Beach starting to begin a new administration in mid July, the commissioners need to do everything in the up and up, with transparency and open to the public. If they are not to run afoul in the future, after a host of scandals, as they try to rebuild the city’s administration that will occur with Gonzalez’s departure, that already has Asst. Mgr. Hilda Fernandez joining the county’s Homeless Trust as its executive director Jul. 23th.

>>> Here is a reader’s comment on the retreat and what is next: “At its “Retreat” meeting today in the Alexander Hotel, the Miami Beach city commission decided on a schedule for appointment of an interim city manager. [Outgoing city manager Jorge Gonzalez tendered a resignation effective Sunday, July 8.]

1. BY MAY 30. Candidates submit resumes to city clerk Rafael Granado by Wednesday, May 30. [Rafael Granado]

2. Commissioners review resumes, individually talk to candidates by phone, skype, in person, as they choose, and allocate rating points.

3. JUNE 4. City commissioners interview the six finalists individually, in a meeting open to the public, but with no public testimony, in a city hall meeting room. One hour allocated to each. Three in the AM: 9 – 12. One-hour lunch break. Three in the PM 1 – 4.

4. JUNE 6. City Commission Meeting. Open discussion. Public comment will be taken. City commission will vote on the interim appointment.

>>> Press release: Commissioner Jonah Wolfson will be the Breakfast Club speaker Tuesday, May 29, 8:30AM, David’s Cafe II, 1654 Meridian Ave., Miami Beach. >> Since 1996, the Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club has been gathering every Tuesday at 8:30AM at a local Miami Beach restaurant for informal, non-partisan discussions of issues – political, governmental, etc. It is not affiliated with any other organization. We are currently meeting at David’s Cafe II, 1654 Meridian Ave., Miami Beach, between Lincoln Road Mall and Macy’s (formerly Burdine’s). There is plenty of parking at that hour in the adjacent municipal parking lot. One orders from the menu or simply has coffee. Guest speakers range across the political, governmental, business, and social issues spectrum. Sessions are open to everyone. Simply show up. www.MBTMBC.com

CITY OF CORAL GABLES

>>> It’s a go, June 5th residents get to plead their case to Gables commission for keeping or modifying truck ban ordinance

It’s a go; the Coral Gables Commission is to hear resident’s comments on modifying the local truck ban ordinance, in moratorium the last few years on Jun. 5 starting at 9:00 a.m., in the city’s commission chambers. The issue has been percolating for years and supporters on both sides are very passionate about the matter and if it will cause houses to drop in value if such vehicles are allowed to dot the city landscape. Former Mayor Donald Slesnick, II has fought opening up the legislation and notes the city has spent considerable costs to fight the ordinance in the courts and he is totally against any loosening of the law. However, Commissioner Maria Anderson, elected in 2001 with Slesnick sees it in another way and believes some changes can be made that will not affect the City Beautiful overall character and life style.

>>> PAST APRIL WDR: Loosening truck law passes local P&Z board 4-1, goes to commission next, Anderson hopes “civility prevails” in debate

The City Beautiful no trucks allowed ordinance in a grace period in Coral Gables got a go ahead to tweak the legislation at a city Planning and Zoning Board meeting Tuesday, and it is now headed to the commission in May. The city has spent around $200,000 defending the law prohibiting trucks from parking outside of houses and critics fear opening up the law would reduce property values of homeowners and the scenic beauty of the Gables. Former Mayor Donald Slesnick, II has supported the current no truck law and has been a vocal opponent of keeping the law. However, others say trucks have changed substantially over the decades and are not trades people utility vans, like long ago and commercial trucks will still be banned along with a few other restrictions if the law is made more lenient. The issue has been a hot topic issue for years after a resident challenged the law in the courts but it appears to be concluding. Last week I contacted Mayor Jim Cason, and Commissioners about the recent passage of the modified truck law and Commissioner Maria Anderson responded.

“As I’ve said in the past, this law was always to prohibit commercial type trucks…and that would not change. This would allow trucks used by families as a lifestyle choice. I love my hometown of 52 years and think thoughtful changes would not affect the cache of Coral Gables. We have not enforced this law for seven years, and yet property values continue to be among the steadiest in Miami-Dade County. We’ll see what happens, but bring your jammies to the Commission meeting, as this will be a long day with lots of emotion on both sides. May civility prevail! Stay tuned,” wrote the veteran commissioner in her last term since being elected in the spring of 2001. >>> Here is more on the subject: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/04/25/2766034_p2/coral-gables-zoning-board-pickups.html

>>> OTHER STORIES AROUND FLORIDA

BROWARD COUNTY

>>> Will Commission Dist. 7 stay all in the family, Mayor Rodstrom’s wife jumps into five-candidate pack, includes Rep. Jenne & former Commissioner Keechl

It’s good to keep an elected office in the family and Broward County Mayor John Rodstrom Jr., (Net worth $2.42 million) hopes that will be true for his wife Charlotte who filed a resign to run letter effective Nov. 19 in her bid to follow him representing Broward Commission District 7. Since he is termed out of office, as well as she is on the Ft. Lauderdale Commission where she has served since 2006 and is currently the vice mayor. She has been active in a variety of ways over the years, first as a PTA president to more currently as vice chair of the Broward MPO, a regional transportation organization and obviously she will have name recognition because of her husband. However, Mayor Rodstrom has his detractors over the years and he has been a fixture on the nine-member body for well over a decade. Further, he has been a high profile municipal and government bond salesman for a variety of banks during his years in office, despite his $92,000 salary. And he has been frequently spotted in Miami-Dade County at commission meetings and Miami Expressway Authority meetings over the past decade, but the real question for voters is do they want a dynasty or will they go with new political blood on the dais.

The District 7 county commission partisan race has a host of other Democratic Party candidates that include state Rep. Evan Jenne, D-Ft. Lauderdale, Ken Keechl, (Net worth $1.02 million) a one term county commissioner, Jerome Clair and Timothy Ryan round out the field of challengers and given the number of candidates for the open seat. A runoff to determine the final winner on Nov. 6 is expected.

John

Charlotte

>>> For more go to: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/fl-brief-lauderdale-rodstrom-resignation-20120523,0,5329117.story

>>> U.S. Sen. Nelson press release: The Department of Labor (DOL) is announcing over $20.5 million for a fifth generation of Reintegration of Ex-Offender (RExO) – Adult grants to 18 non-profit organizations to serve adult ex-offenders returning from incarceration to high-poverty, high-crime communities.
Grantees will deliver employment-focused services, including occupational training that leads to industry-recognized credentials in demand industries. Additional services provided by the grantees include mentoring and assistance connecting to supportive services such as housing, substance abuse programs, and mental health treatment. These grants will develop the participant’s skills and provide employment opportunities, in order to break the cycle of recidivism. The following organization in your district of state will be receiving funding through this program: OIC of Broward County, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
$1,212,000. A project abstract submitted by the grantee is attached. More information about this program can be found at: http://doleta.gov/rexo/

>>> 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: Palm Beach Man Sentenced for Mislabeling Medical Test Kits

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and David W. Bourne, Special Agent in Charge of the Food and Drug Administration Office of Criminal Investigation, Miami Field Office, announced today’s sentencing of defendant Jonathan Barash, 46, of Palm Beach, Florida. At today’s hearing, U.S. District Judge James I. Cohn, in Ft. Lauderdale, sentenced Barash to three years of probation, with 180 days home detention with electronic monitoring. Barash owned and operated a company called AtF first diagnostics through which he sold to the general public various test kits for sexually transmitted diseases, including kits to test for HCV and hepatitis. The test kits, known as FirstVue HIV Test Kit and FirstVue HCV Test Kit, were manufactured in China, and required FDA approval prior to their sale in the United States. The kits sold by Barash lacked pre-market FDA approval and had no FDA-granted investigational device exemption. As such, the FDA considered the kits to be an adulterated medical devices.

According to documents filed in the case and statements made in court, Barash obtained the test kits from China, repackaged them and placed FirstVue labels and inserts in the boxes, then sent the kits by DHL to customers who ordered and paid for them online. Barash operated a website called “atfirstdiagnostics.com” and he used this website to advertise and sell the test kits. The website contained false statements about the company and the test kits, including statements that At First diagnostics developed and manufactured the test kits; that the test kits were FDA registered devices; and that At First diagnostics had offices in Ireland, Spain, California, New Jersey and New York. U.S. Attorney Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the agents of the FDA for their work in this matter. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Keene. A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls.

>>> Gov. Scott announced the appointment of Daliah Weiss, of Wellington, to the Palm Beach County Court.

Weiss, 41, has been an assistant state attorney with the State Attorney’s Office in Palm Beach since 1996. Currently, Weiss is chief of the county court and family violence units within the office. Prior to that, she was chief of the special victims unit. Weiss received a bachelor’s degree from Emory University and a law degree from Villanova University School of Law.

“During Daliah’s 17 years as a prosecutor, she has gained extensive trial experience in some of the most difficult cases,” Governor Scott said. “Daliah has also demonstrated leadership skills as the chief of multiple units, and I am confident she will be a great addition to the bench in Palm Beach County.” Weiss will fill the vacancy created by the appointment of Judge Gregory Keyser to the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit.

ST. LUCIE COUNTY

>>> St. Lucie County Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of Explosive Devices

Press release: Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Hugo J. Barrera, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Miami Field Office, announce that defendant Howard A. Lipson, 57, of St. Lucie County, pled guilty on May 18, 2012, on charges of unlawful possession of explosive devices, in violation of Title 26, United States Code, Sections 5861(d) and 5871. Sentencing will be scheduled for September 2012 before U.S. District Judge Donald L. Graham in Fort Pierce, Florida. At sentencing, Lipson faces a possible maximum statutory sentence of up to 10 years in prison.

Defendant Lipson was indicted on charges of unlawful possession of firearms by a convicted felon, and unlawful possession of unregistered firearms (explosive devices). According to statements made in open court and documents filed in the case, on April 12, 2012, Lipson unlawfully possessed in his home in Port St. Lucie a 9mm handgun and two .22 caliber rifles, plus a combination of black gunpowder, cannon fuse, and 7-1/4 inch PVC pipe with drilled end caps that were designed or intended for use as a destructive device. Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the ATF. Mr. Ferrer also thanked the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office for their work on this investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Theodore Cooperstein. A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls.

LEE COUNTY

>>> Press release: Gov. Scott taps Sandra Martin and Gloria Mills to the Rehabilitation Council for the Blind.

Martin, 50, of North Fort Myers, is the marketing representative for Visually Impaired Persons of Southwest Florida. She is appointed for a term beginning
May 10, 2012, and ending August 31, 2014.

Mills, 66, of Tampa, is president of IReScue Tax Planning and Consulting. She is appointed for a term beginning May 10, 2012, and ending August 31, 2014.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

>>> Press release: Start your campaign on the right track >> Before the qualifying period opens for several municipal elections, candidates, campaign treasurers and volunteers should learn the rules for running a clean race. They can do that by attending the next Campaign Skills Seminar sponsored by the Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics and Public Trust. The two-hour seminar takes place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 10, 2012, in the Palmetto Bay Village Hall. Speakers — including representatives from the Ethics Commission and the Elections Department — will provide essential information on fundraising and record keeping to candidates, campaign treasurers, volunteers and anyone else who wants to understand the legal and ethical obligations of seeking public office. The event is free and open to the public. Attorneys can earn Continuing Legal Education credits from the Florida Bar. Campaign Skills Seminar Tuesday, July 10, 2012, 6:30 p.m., Palmetto Bay Village Hall 9705 East Hibiscus Street*
Palmetto Bay, FL 33157 For more information or to reserve a seat, call Robert Thompson at 305-350-0630 or e-mail robthom@miamidade.gov. >>>The Ethics Commission was created in 1996 as an independent agency with advisory and quasi-judicial powers. It is composed of five members, serving staggered terms of four years each. Through a program of education and outreach, the Commission seeks to empower the community and bolster public trust. >> *just east of U.S. 1 at approximately S.W. 177 St.

>>> Press release: Registration Now Open for Miami-Dade Parks’ Summer Camps! Exciting Summer Camps are being offered by the Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department, June 11-August 17, 2012, at its parks around the County. Programs are affordable and fully-supervised. There’s fitness, sports, nature-encounters, arts and crafts, field trips and more! Camp hours: 9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m., with early drop-off/ late pick-up available. Miami Dade Parks provides inclusion services for children with disabilities who want to attend typical summer camps.

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

EDITORIALS

>>> People seem to forget words have meaning, from M-DC Commissioner Souto to a man calling a colleague on a high profile board “sweetie”

It appears to many people in South Florida that words do not in fact have meaning when they say them and sometimes I’m sorry, or can’t you take a joke is not enough to ignore some of these wayward comments. In stepping back the last two weeks from writing, I have seen a variety of such examples where someone’s mouth not only gets them into trouble, but also embarrasses them. Miami-Dade County Commissioner Javier Souto had such a verbal liftoff in a rambling passionate speech on the commission dais last week that concerned an over sized house in a residential community, and because of the Moorish design. He likened the structure to possible some Islamic activity, that he now says was a wrong reference and he did not mean to demean his Muslim friends in the community, but he did say it.

In a latter example, two senior male partners in a high end accounting firm having drinks in a bar with a new associate at the firm. They told her they would have her back, but of course only if she s…t with them and when I objected to this inappropriate conversation in public and happening right next to me, that also dragged the attractive bartender into the salacious conversation. One man rose up in indignation saying I “was embarrassing myself,” and couldn’t I take a joke for God’s sake. Lastly, what does one say to a prominent grown man, appointed to a number of high profile boards yet refers to a woman colleague on the small but highly important oversight board as “sweetie,” after he had a conversation with her, a Columbia University educated attorney.

South Floridians seem to say the weirdest things but many of these comments are not just politically incorrect but rude and demeaning and should not be tolerated. For civility and informed conversation never goes out of style and making fun of someone at their expense comes at a cost to the person making the comment, and while many of us think of ourselves as the proverbial class clown when some of these quips might be made. In fact, we demean ourselves as well and in a community of such diversity, with peoples from around the world and learning English in 19 languages in our public schools. Tolerance and respect of others social norms, culture and religions never goes out of style, and those of us that are blind to that fact only keep the community from attaining its true potential. A goal all of us should strive to achieve if we are to be the South Florida and the Magic City that we truly deserve. If only we can set aside our egos and self absorbed lives from our conversations and treat each other with the respect and dignity each of us deserves.

LETTERS

>>> By the way, congrats on 13 years my friend. Can’t believe it’s only been 13, you are an institution in this County! What would we do without you? I know I would be lost. Hope you’re doing well.
J C

>>> Congrats and best wishes on your 13th .

>>> 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 600 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 www.watchdogreport.net
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.

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Please make checks payable to: Daniel A. Ricker

Send to: 3109 Grand Avenue, #125
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