Watchdog Report Vol.13 No.11 July 22, 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.

>>> To all those readers who say to me during the week they will contribute in the near future, now would be a great time if you can. All the information is at the bottom of the WDR.

ARGUS REPORT – Heard, Seen on the Street

>>> The nation is stunned again by Aurora massacre, Presidential campaigns suspended, but will tragedy inject civility into race, independent voters getting lukewarm about Obama & Romney

After the massacre of movie goers in Aurora, Colorado Friday night that included the death of a six-year old girl. President Barack Obama and GOP champion former Gov. Mitt Romney have suspended most of their political campaign events and after the past barrage over the weeks of negative ads by both camps in the media. http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/07/21/2905735/names-of-victims-emerge-in-colo.html This lull and time for reflection after again another tragic shooting, should give each campaign pause about how they run the race going forward. For, while hard core party members from both political persuasions know whom they are supporting. The around 40 percent of independent voters around the nation are increasingly having doubts about either candidate, and it will be these voters that will determine the next president. And this lack of candidate enthusiasm is a byproduct of the unending negative campaign ads that essentially depict Obama or Romney as the devil, or at least a relative of Lucifer.

The Watchdog Report has covered a variety of political campaigns or events over the past 16-years, the people’s political attitudes at these gatherings are so rigid now that they come off as having a phone to God. And this rigid political attitude is not working for this independent or no party affiliation electorate and why former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson is getting a look see running as a Libertarian Party presidential candidate. Johnson, like Ralph Nader did in the Bush versus Gore 2000 presidential campaign could play a pivotal role in how the race plays out, and while he is not on most people’s radar. This period of presidential campaigning dormancy plus the 2012 Olympics beginning in the days ahead could allow this political dark horse to get some traction in the weeks ahead with these disillusioned voters. And in November bleed both Obama and Romney of this key voter group. Because for the independent voters, tragedies such as the recent massacre, is more symptomatic of our country as a whole and how it is not working in so many ways. And for them every bad thing that happens around the nation, including all the murders in our cities like Chicago and Miami now seems to be, just viscous people in our midst, or about someone wanting notoriety and fame (be it infamous) and all this killing collectively seems to bring to a end the American ideal of common decency, good will to others and believing in the nation’s common good.

We now are all collectively reflecting on the fragile nature of life and our loved ones importance after yet another event of bloodshed on are own shores, conceived and executed by a young American in graduate school. And such an event as this reminds us all, that threats to America’s safety and security comes in many forms including from within. And a lone threat like alleged shooter James Holmes, 24, is just a manifestation of a much larger problem that has left 12 people dead and 59 injured by the over 100 rounds fired. And the family and friends of the dead and wounded are in my prayers, with the only question left. Will such a horrific event start a galvanizing process for a more moderate dialogue in our society, or will politics ramp back up to the take no prisoner’s mode and urban communities just continue the killing of their youth and innocents through more rampant bloodshed.

For both Obama and Romney could set an example in setting a new tone and discourse predicated on making their points on the strength of their arguments, not the stridency of they or their surrogates voices. Though most critics and campaign pundits say, that will never happen and it will be business as usual in the months ahead. But the candidates will be gambling if that negativism is the only message, for voters are looking for ideas and solutions. Something that seems in short supply on the campaign trail and the Aurora tragedy will be a dark cloud over the race. Reminding all voters that despite major tragic events, nothing in the long run will change and only fuels this independent voter’s discontent for the current candidates and the preservation of the status quo.

>>> White House press release: Statement by President Barack Obama on the Shooting in Colorado

Michelle and I are shocked and saddened by the horrific and tragic shooting in Colorado. Federal and local law enforcement are still responding, and my Administration will do everything that we can to support the people of Aurora in this extraordinarily difficult time. We are committed to bringing whoever was responsible to justice, ensuring the safety of our people, and caring for those who have been wounded. As we do when confronted by moments of darkness and challenge, we must now come together as one American family. All of us must have the people of Aurora in our thoughts and prayers as they confront the loss of family, friends, and neighbors, and we must stand together with them in the challenging hours and days to come.

>>> Press release: Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) released the following statement in regards to the shooting that occurred at a movie theatre in Aurora, Colorado early this morning:

“I am deeply saddened by the events that occurred this morning in Aurora, Colorado. Moviegoers went out for an enjoyable time at the theater, yet their evening turned into a scene of horror and violence. I extend my condolences to the victims and their families and hope that the person responsible will be held accountable for their malicious and cruel actions.”

>>> Press release: Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) voted today to require the Administration to detail the specific cuts it would make to the Defense Department and discretionary spending to fulfill the terms of the sequester. The Sequestration Transparency Act, H.R. 5872, was approved by an overwhelming bipartisan majority of 414 to 2. Under last year’s Budget Control Act, an automatic across the board $1.2 trillion cut would take effect on January 1, 2013, to comply with spending reductions required by the law. Half of the cuts would come from our armed forces and the other half would come from non-defense discretionary spending that are federal programs not related to Medicare and Social Security.

Said Ros-Lehtinen, “Last year’s budget deal required an across the board cut of $1.2 trillion on defense spending and on non entitlement programs. Passage of this legislation would require the Obama Administration to detail where it would make these cuts and by how much. Obama’s own Defense Secretary and our former Congressional colleague, Leon Panetta, has already said that these proposed cuts, known as sequestration, would have a dramatic and negative effect on our nation’s ability to defend itself. Further, if these cuts are carried out, they would weaken our armed forces at a time our nation faces multiple overseas threats.

But our armed services won’t be the only ones who feel the pain of this sequester. The economic impact of these arbitrary cuts will be felt far and wide, with Americans once again forced to bear the brunt of the burden for the unchecked, profligate spending of their government. These cuts will cost our state of Florida nearly 80,000 jobs, most of which are private sector jobs, and cost us billions of dollars in lost revenue. While the House continues to work on a resolution to avoid the looming sequestration cuts, some of our colleagues in the Senate, and the Administration, remain content with inaction – and the debilitating consequences of the sequester that will ensue. We can do better and we must.”

>>> 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 91.3 FM 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 and The Florida Roundup on www.wlrn.org

FLORIDA

>>> CFO Atwater in the spotlight, former Senate president, elected in 2010 to statewide office, had $1.68 million net worth through 2011

Jeff Atwater is in the spotlight this week and the Republican Florida Chief Financial Officer was formerly the Florida Senate President through 2010, before he ran for the statewide office defeating his GOP rivals in the primary and in the general election. He defeated Democratic Party champion Loranne Ausley when he got 57 percent of the statewide vote to her 39 percent and two independent candidates bleed off 4 percent of the total Florida vote in that race.

http://www.myfloridacfo.com/sitePages/agency/cfo.aspx

What do we know about Atwater’s finances?

Atwater through Dec. 2011 had a net worth of $1.68 million and he lists $20,000 in household goods. There is $1.02 million in a Northern Trust IRA and his home in Palm Beach is worth $285,000. He lists liabilities with Bank of America of $20,879 and $35,978 and the income for the year was $150,000 from the state of Florida in his official capacity, Northern Trust kicked in $3,053 and Bank of America contributed $53,370 for the year.

>>> Barreiro and Diaz de la Portilla going at it, flyer slams DLP divorce and his ‘family values’ after wife asks for DV restraining order

While Congressional and state legislative office races around Florida are heating up, some of the nastiest are happening here in South Florida. And one of these battleground legislative districts is for Florida House seat 112 that covers parts of Coconut Grove, Coral Gables and along the coast. Republican candidates in the primary race are veteran politicians state Rep. Gus Barreiro, R-Miami and former state Sen. Alex Diaz de la Portilla, R-Miami and one of them will face Democratic Party challengers Alex Dominguez or Jose Javier Rodriguez in the general election Nov.6.

Diaz de la Portilla, the former majority leader in the upper house before being termed out in 2010 is trying to go back to his political roots since he was a state representative before going to the Senate. However, he has been dogged over the years with controversy including an over $300,000 campaign election fine that went to court. And his two attorney’s Ben Kuehne and Richard Sharpstein just out lawyered the assistant state attorneys from one of the state’s smaller counties sent to prosecute the case. Since Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle had to recuse herself from the matter since she knew the defendant and was a family friend. Diaz de la Portilla, would essentially win the case and ultimately paid a under $10,000 fine.

But he would then not pay his legal bills to the attorneys and the obligations were listed on his financial disclosure forms for years later. Further, a nasty divorce from Claudia Davant is being used against him. After she filed for a temporary injunction for protection against domestic violence back in May of 2010 and an opposition campaign flyer bringing up this issue is hitting GOP voters in the district. The flyers are being sent out by Conservatives United and it is located in Melbourne Florida and the tag line on the flyer showing the wife’s filing document for the restraining order asks, is this the former legislator’s idea of ‘family values’?

>>> And the campaign battle rages on between state Reps. Diaz and Logan

And the race for Florida House District 116 between two veteran but freshman Republican House representatives Jose Felix Diaz and Ana Rivas Logan is also getting ferocious now that they are competing for a new redistricted seat and they face no opposition from Democratic Party candidates, so it is a winner take all race. That race got ink by http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/07/21/2905618/in-legislative-races-whos-playing.html and the columnist makes the case this race is not only politically ugly but is almost a free-for-all with the charges flying that will only get more intense leading up to the Aug. 14 primary.

>>> Press release: FLORIDA’S TAX FREE WEEKEND SCHEDULED FOR AUGUST 3- 5 – If you’re already thinking of purchasing supplies for your kids’ back-to-school shopping needs, then mark your calendars for the first weekend in August. This year, Florida’s sales tax holiday weekend has been scheduled for August 3-5, 2012. The three (3)-day sales tax holiday begins at 12:01 a.m., Friday, August 3, 2012, and ends at midnight, Sunday, August 5, 2012. During this period, no Florida sales tax or local option tax will be collected on sales of clothing, footwear, and certain accessories selling for $75 or less per item, or on certain school supplies selling for $15 or less per item. The law mandates that no sales-tax be collected on the sale of clothing, wallets, or bags, including handbags, backpacks, fanny packs, and diaper bags. But it excludes briefcases, suitcases, and other garment bags, having a sales price of $75 or less, or on sales of certain school supplies having a sales price of $15. Click here to view a complete list of clothing and accessory items and their taxable (T) or exempt (E) status during the tax free weekend.

>>> Children’s Movement of Florida Voices of Florida – We all have a story, a story that defines us. It is our collective story, our challenges and our triumphs that inspire a movement. Floridians from all walks of life have joined together with an understanding that the future of our state rests on the well-being of our children. Visit The Children’s Movement website to read their stories and share your own.

FLORIDA SUPREME COURT

>>> Justice Quince in the spotlight, up for retention but solid jurist, had $901,000 net worth through 2011

Justice Peggy A. Quince is in the spotlight this week and she is one of the three justices that will be on the Nov. 5 ballot seeking a statewide retention vote of her performance on the top bench. Quince, when she was chief justice a few years ago, showed up once at the Miami-Dade Commission meeting. And she was a very gracious yet approachable person as people in the chambers began to recognize her and realized who she was. Further, Quince has avoided controversy in her personal life over the years and legal insiders say her performance on the bench was solid and she followed the laws of Florida when making her rulings with her colleagues from the bench.

What do we know about her finances?

Quince through Dec. 2011 had a net worth of $901,117 and she lists $75,000 in household goods. Her assets include $311,000 in deferred compensation, there is $42,400 in a credit union, a checking account has $10,000, her home in Tampa is worth $283,000, a home in the state capital is worth $300,000, and her contributions to the Florida DROP is $261,000. Her liabilities include $220,000 and $155,000 owed to Wells Fargo, and a credit union wants $7,000. The jurist’s salary for the year was $156,477, and was the only income and she lists receiving two gifts over $100.00, and these are benign.

>>> Court’s Bio: Justice Peggy A. Quince was born in Norfolk, Virginia, in 1948. She is married to Fred L. Buckine, (retired) attorney at law, and they have two daughters, Peggy LaVerne, a graduate of Florida A & M University, and Laura LaVerne, a graduate of the University of Central Florida. Justice Quince graduated in 1970 from Howard University with a B.S. Degree in Zoology; she received her J.D. Degree from the Catholic University of America in 1975. While a law student she was active in Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity and the Black American Law Students Association; she received an award for her work with Catholic’s Neighborhood Legal Services Clinic. In 1999, she received an honorary doctor of laws degree from the Stetson University College of Law. In 2004, she received an honorary doctor of laws degree from St. Thomas University School of Law.

Justice Quince began her legal career in Washington, D.C. as a hearing officer with the Rental Accommodations Office administering that city’s new rent control law… On December 8, 1998, Justice Quince was appointed by the late Governor Lawton Chiles and Governor-elect Jeb Bush to the Florida Supreme Court. Justice Quince is a member of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church. Her civic and community activities include membership in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Jack and Jill of America, Inc., the Urban League, the NAACP, and The Links, Inc…>>> Justice Quince’s office may be reached in Tallahassee by phone at (850) 922-5624. Her judicial assistant is Glenda Larry and staff attorneys are Susan O’Halloran, Ashlee Pouncy and Jeremy Dicker. Attorneys or law students interested in clerkships in this office should check our Law Clerk Recruitment Page. There also is information on Internships.

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY

>>> Incumbent Commissioner Jordan & Mayor Gibson going toe-to-toe, are verbally annihilating each other, Jordan had $2 million net worth through 2011

Barbara Jordan, a current Miami-Dade Commissioner and past vice chair of the 13-member body is in the political fight of her life and she assured her fellow commissioners that she would still be on the body after the Aug. 14 primary election on Tuesday at the commission meeting. Jordan a former assistant county manager was first elected in 2004 after her mentor Commissioner Betty Ferguson decided not to run again. Further, Ferguson picked Jordan as her hoped for successor from the commission dais when she made the announcement she was stepping down. And Ferguson supported her in the primary, and Jordan won the District 1 seat after fending off the pack of challengers. She was later a vice chair of the 13-member commission, voted for the new Miami Marlins stadium publicly being financed but now being criticized by many people around the county. And she was the key swing vote last year at the Sept. budget hearings, forcing county employees in unions to kick in 4 percent of their salary for their health insurance. She now says she will not support that contribution again and Mayor Carlos Gimenez has set aside over $20 million in next year’s proposed budget just in case it is needed to cover any flip-flops by one of the commissioners.

However, over the years, she has voted to move the Urban Development Boundary (UDB), which diminishes the eastward hoe affect on development in her eastern urban district, and she sometimes seems to forget things she was involved with in the past, when she was a county employee. And in one case, she was the key assistant county manager for Jackson Health System up to 2004 and while many of the PHT committees and board meetings were a conflict for her. She should have sounded the alert to the county commission, mayor and manager early on that venerable and community icon Jackson CEO Ira Clark was having mental medical issues. However, Clark’s subsequent resignation ended up being very divisive and racial, when in many ways; some of this community anger in the Black community could have been mitigated. She also has been a supportive mentor for at risk youth in her community, and she was first resistant with the creation of the City of Miami Gardens in 2003 but has since changed her mind. The city is the largest African-American community in Florida, and has its first Mayor Shirley Gibson challenging Jordan for the seat and the verbal sparks are flying. One person last week who liked and knew both Jordan and Gibson and was politically astute said either one would be fine, but the way the race is going. They may verbally annihilate each other in the process she joked seriously. And Wade Jones is also running against the two women, but he has kept his profile lower in the race.

What do we know about Jordan’s finances?

Jordan through Dec. 2011 has a net worth of $2.03 million and she lists $99,000 in household goods. Her total assets are $2.45 million and she lists liabilities of $83,470 with DCFU, TIP Bank is owed $304,900, American Express is owed $7,942 and there is $29,594 owed to a mortgage. Her income for that year was $38,099 from Miami-Dade County, the Florida Retirement System kicked in $89,987 and social security contributed $25, 536.

What about Shirley Gibson’s income?

Gibson through Dec. 2011 had a net worth of $534,000 and she lists $38,000 in household goods. Her income for the year was $41,627 as mayor of Miami Gardens, the Florida Retirement System kicked in $18,856, social security provided $21,780 and a rental property contributed $1,185 for the year.

Gibson

What about Wade’s finances?

Wade through May 2012 had a negative net worth of $221,000 and his liabilities include a student loan owed $28,000 and a Chase Bank loan has a $193,000 balance on it, and his income for the year was $23,386 from Wolf Political Enterprise.

>>> Commissioner Suarez says campaign raised around $250,000, will return 60 percent of campaign donations to donors, rest used in overhead

Xavier Suarez, the Miami-Dade Commission District 7 representative who won a full four-year term on the body after no one challenged him by the filing deadline recently is planning to return “60 percent” of all his campaign donors’ donations he wrote in an email to the Watchdog Report on Friday. Suarez said, “The other 40% was consumed in the big fundraising effort, a banquet where each plate ($100 contribution) cost $35, plus some administrative expenses, which added up to 5%, netting the 60 percent.” The former Miami Mayor also indicated, “It was a lot more than $50,000,” that he had raised but that number was listed on the county elections webpage. And the Harvard trained attorney wrote he would have “the report emailed” to me when it is ready for filing. He further suggested the actual campaign raised in total at the May 11 fundraiser “was awfully close to $200,000… And the big event on May 11 raised about $150,000 from about 1,500 guests, at $100 each.” And when the Watchdog Report asked if he had any plans to try to run as the commission chair, that may have him trying to help some of the commission candidates leading up to the primary. He emailed back asking if we “can we discuss this after August 14.”

The issue of what Suarez was going to do with the money has been a behind the scenes conversation with some county insiders saying he might send some of that cash to candidates, possible to support of the Norman Braman slate of candidates. Hoping, if they won, they might support him in his bid to follow Commission Chair Joe Martinez on the dais as the top commissioner since
Martinez is now running for county mayor.

Suarez

>>> Mayoral candidates Gimenez & Martinez verbally duke it out, how low will this race go?

The Watchdog Report has been waiting for the Miami-Dade County mayoral race to heat up and with Aug. 14 looming in the weeks ahead. Mayor Carlos Gimenez and Commission Chair Joe Martinez took off the gloves at a Latin Builders Association luncheon at the Biltmore hotel http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/07/20/2904960/carlos-gimenez-joe-martinez-trade.html and voters should expect the fireworks to escalate, though Gimenez has a significant fund raising edge. And the up to $5 million in water damage to one hall of the Arsht Performing Arts Center that the county commission had to approve funding for last week is also becoming part of the campaign. Gimenez said the hall had to be fixed for the next fall season, and Martinez argues the consortium of companies that built it, that includes Miami-Dade personnel should have been on the hook more. The county instead is having a forensic engineering audit to be done to find any deficiencies in the construction, but it shows many of the issues and differences between the two candidates are not as wide as in many political races. And it remains to be seen how ugly the race will go but the sense of campaign urgency is on the rise and expect the attacks to continue. >>> There are also five other candidates running in the mayoral race including Edna Diaz, Gary Johnson, Farid Khavari, Helen Williams and Denny Wood. However, there fundraising efforts have been small and it is very difficult for them to mount a countywide campaign and to get their alternative message out.

Martinez

Gimenez

>>> Press release: Gov. Scott taps Lourdes Gimenez, wife of Mayor Gimenez to Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention State Advisory Group.
Lourdes P. Gimenez, 56, of Miami, is an administrative director with Miami-Dade County Public Schools. She succeeds Andrew J. Benard and is appointed for a term beginning July 19, 2012, and ending at the pleasure of the Governor.

>>> Press release: The Head Start / Early Head Start Program is now accepting applications for select sites for the 2012-2013 program year. The Miami-Dade Community Action and Human Services Department (CAHSD) Head Start/Early Head Start Program is accepting applications for the 2012-2013 program year for select program sites. Applications are being accepted to provide services to children three (3) years old (by September 1, 2012) to five (5) years old (after September 1, 2012). Applications are being accepted beginning July 19 through 26, 2012 from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00P.M. at the following program sites: www.miamidade.gov

>>> GMCVB press release: Greater MIAMI’s Leisure and Hospitality Industry JOBS increased +0.2% in June 2012 compared to the same period in 2011. This marks 2 years and one month of consecutive increased employment in Greater MIAMI’s Leisure and Hospitality industry. In June 2012, 112,800 people were employed in Greater MIAMI’s Leisure and Hospitality sector compared to 112,600 in June 2011. 2 YEARS AND ONE MONTH OF CONSECUTIVE LEISURE & HOSPITALITY JOB INCREASES IN MIAMI! GREATER MIAMI LEISURE AND HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY JOB$

JUNE 2012 JUNE 2011 % Change
112,800 jobs 112,600 jobs +0.2%

MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

>>> “Ethics is a passion for me,” says board Member Perez, will county Ethics Commission assume the role of ethics police at nation’s fourth largest public schools district, will require significant legislation

With School Board Member Marta Perez, “Ethics is a passion,” she said last week at the monthly school board meeting and while some things or actions may “be legal,” it may not “necessarily be ethical.” She made the comments at Wednesday’s school board meeting during the discussions whether the Miami-Dade County Ethics and Public Trust Commission should administer the public schools district ethics rules, and if the voluntary ethics advisory committee should be dissolved. After the leadership volunteers stepped down and district staff asked to be removed from responsibility to administer the committee.

Perez, in the early 2000s was the point of the spear on the school board in pushing the issue of ethics though she noted Board Chair Perla Tabares Hantman was also an early supporter of beefing up this area of preventing conflicts within the nation’s fourth largest public schools district. And the public district back then, after working with the Florida legislature on creating an inspector general and ethics committee. The offices were created and the county’s Inspector General Christopher Mazzella has that IG role at the school board. And Ethics Executive Director Joe Centorino last week said a similar arrangement could be implemented but he also noted that some legal legislation might have to be created since the county and school board were two completely different public entities and may have different statutes when it came to ethics laws for employees.

The idea of having the ethics commission come to the school district “as a district advisory body,” said Hantman first came to her a few weeks earlier. However, she did not know that Perez had also spoken to Centorino on the same matter and during the discussion with him at the speaker podium. Both elected leaders were slightly surprised the ethics maven did not mention earlier the other board member’s contact with his office. But it had Hantman noting the Sunshine Law that limits discussion between like board members on policy is working and Centorino did the right thing by not discussing the previous contact with either of them.

>>> A&M Charter school owner takes road trip to school board meeting, brings his hired gun Attkisson along for the ride

Manny Alonso Poch along with Osceola County Commissioner Frank Attkisson took a road trip to the Miami-Dade Public Schools Board Wednesday to watch if anything was discussed about the over one inch forensic audit that was done on the Arts and Minds Academy Charter School located on Commodore Plaza in Coconut Grove. The school has been in the spotlight since it first opened in 2004 and since Poch owned the building that would be the school that he also started. The school district considers it a “related transaction,” and over the years, irregularities caused the district to decide to audit the charter school, one of 103 charters in Miami-Dade.

>>> PAST WDR: A&M Charter School brings in hired gun Attkisson, makes strong offensive argument to critical district forensic audit, school’s auditor stands by document’s accuracy, Osceola Commissioner Attkisson net worth drops to $77,114 through Dec. 2010

The one-inch thick forensic audit of the Academy of the Arts and Minds charter school on Commodore Plaza in Coconut Grove was the talk of the Miami-Dade Public Schools Audit & Budget Advisory Committee meeting Tuesday, and school founder Manny Alonso-Poch brought in a charter school hired gun to defend A&M against the reports findings. Board members were told the consultant, Frank Attkisson, was a former state legislator and had been involved in writing some of the state legislation that dealt with the creation and operation of charter schools, of which Miami-Dade has 109 such schools. He immediately went on the verbal offensive when Audit Committee Chair Jeffrey Shapiro, a former prosecutor, allowed him to speak to the citizen-based board. And the man challenged the report’s findings as being inaccurate and was angry that the report was leaked to the Miami Herald early http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/06/21/2859749/audit-coconut-grove-charter-school.html before the appropriate time and blasted the school auditor’s findings as being skewed and conjecture. >>> Here is the link to the school district audit and A&Ms rebuttal http://mca.dadeschools.net/AuditCommittee/AC_june_26_2012/item8.pdf

Attkisson said that the school since 2004 had grown from 75 students to 450 students and of course, there were growing pains. But A&M has had “clean audit statements” over the years and the charter school “operates within state laws” and the school now is keeping with the “spirit and intent” of the school district’s findings. He said they are taking steps “to correct” some of the audit’s observations regarding the school’s governance and “the board is looking for three new members,” he told the audit committee…

What do we know about Attkisson?

Attkisson, who walked out quickly after the meeting, did not have a card and declined to speak to the media. However, the Watchdog Report thought a quick scan of the man might produce some insight on the past state official that treated the audit committee and the auditing department in a condescending manner and it is now clear why he felt so confident in front of this board. The businessman and charter school advocate has politically in the past been a commissioner and mayor of the City of Kissimmee, was elected to the Florida House in 2000 running as a Jeb Bush Republican, and after being termed out in 2008. He was elected in 2010 to the Osceola Commission and represents commission District 4, and while he was on a road trip. He seemed to think he was dealing with country bumpkins when he discussed A&M and casually chatted during the meeting with Alonso-Poch before being asked if he wanted to address the audit committee.

Attkisson

http://www.osceola.org/bcc/101-16548-0/frank_attkisson.cfm

What do we know about his finances?

Attkisson since 2007 has gone through some tough financial times and back in 2007 he had a listed net worth of $567,719 through Dec. 30th of that year. In the following year that net worth drops to $498,000 though his assets in total listed are $1.5 million and through 2010 his net worth drops to $77,114 and he lists $20,000 in household goods for all the last three years the financial disclosure forms are on file with the state. His current assets in 2010 include a home valued at $448,000, a tractor is worth $3,500, a Chevy truck is worth $30,000 and his 2006 mustang is valued at $6,000 with total assets for the year being $487,000. And his listed total liabilities come in at $429,000 for the year that includes mortgages owed $127,500 and $133,000, a lot loan is owed $103,000, American Express is owed $36,286 and Bank of America wants $30,100.

>>> Press release: School Board Member Renier Diaz de la Portilla is seeking to change School Board policy to prohibit political events from taking place in the district’s public schools. This is an issue that arose when the Obama campaign recently used Barbara Goleman Senior High School to host a political rally for the recruitment of campaign volunteers. The Board Member’s proposal seeks to clarify existing policy regarding facility rentals in Miami-Dade County Public Schools, while strengthening parameters for the type of events that should be kept out of schools.

Of his proposal, Diaz de la Portilla said; “I believe it is important that we clarify not only our policies, but our stance, as a Board, on the issue of renting public facilities for political campaign events. Public schools are not an appropriate venue for this type of activity. Schools are places for learning and ought to remain as such. We must have standards to preserve the integrity of our learning institutions.” Diaz de la Portilla’s proposal asks the School Board, as a whole, to direct the Superintendent to initiate rulemaking procedures to amend School Board policy, as needed, to prohibit political activities in Miami-Dade’s public schools.

PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST

>>> FRB Chair Lapciuc calls for a sense of “urgency,” as revenues drop, and what of UM AOA agreement and rainmaker physicians bringing in the patients?

“Transformational,” initiatives is what Jackson Health System (JHS) should be doing when it comes to some of the activity at JHS because time is running out said Financial Recovery Board (FRB) Chair Marcus Lapciuc on Thursday at the daylong FRB committee meeting. Lapciuc has been trying with JHS management to not only slash staffing levels to around 9,900 employees saving millions, but also bump up revenues from patients, but that revenue side continues to be below budget and any further reduction of patient admissions and their billing charges is putting the health system under further financial stress, he believes.

Lapciuc, an international executive and attorney said that while there are “$400 million less of expenses” there are some “very serious systemic issues” that still exist that are challenging, “The future of Jackson and the board.” He suggested given that the FRB is set to dissolve in 10-months that we “need some emergency plan, not in 30-days but now.” He noted, “It is on the revenue side” that really needs the attention and “Doctors bring in revenue” and while there is still talk about how JHS is “governed.” “Everyone realizes that Jackson must stay part of the county” though he carped there should be a fulltime liaison from the county administration at the hospital given the turbulent relationship over the past years. And with the frustration of the situation growing at JHS in his mind, if nothing was done. He believed they “were in deep crap” and he believes “we have to shake up the foundation” of how things are being done for time is running out for the status quo he suggested.

CEO Carlos Migoya’s staff fired back that things were moving forward and the biggest contract JHS has is with the University of Miami and the Annual Operateing agreement (AOA) and they are working diligently to complete the negotiations, hopefully by the end of July or mid August and they “are working through the remaining pointes,” said senior staff. Some of the stickier items are the set “of provisions for how we pay for uninsured care” patients and “both sides are working on that,” as well as “how service lines are supported from staffing levels [of UM Miller Medical School physicians] and it is a “complex process,” senior strategy staff said. However, Lapciuc wondered if the declining patient volumes in the future were not a real concern since “doctors are the rainmakers.” “How much weaker [in the future] will we be if this lower patient census continues and he is concerned that when it comes to negotiations with UM. The FRB chair is worried “we will be negotiating from weakness in the next four months,” and that is the big gamble JHS is making with the current course he believes. >>> Readers should stay tuned and see how all this plays out in the coming months as Migoya and his staff try to turn around this medical complex known as JHS.

CITY OF MIAMI

>>> Clock continues to tick to see if Jungle Island will make Aug. 1, $2 million HUD loan payment, Mayor Regalado believes they will

Mayor Regalado said the city of Miami expects Jungle Island to make the $2 million HUD payment around Aug. 1 and this is a key act. If the city is not to initiate stronger measures such as foreclosing on the attraction situated on prime waterfront land on Watson Island. The attraction recently paid for a full-page ad in The Miami Herald and the owners extolled all the benefits and jobs the facility has brought since opening around 2003. But the owners are facing strong head winds to any new 99-year lease or the acquisition and absorption of 13 acres of more land that would eliminate the Japanese Garden and two established yacht clubs, that provide social services activities and recreation for children who do not have accessibility to the waterfront. Jungle Island management has said they will make the August payment, but Miami officials are holding their collective breath. Since there have been so many years, when past rent and interest on the original $25 million federal loan were absorbed by Miami-Dade and the City of Miami, that also includes a $800,000 interest free loan from Miami a few years back to allow the facility to pay its property taxes to the county.

Regalado

CITY OF MIAMI BEACH

>>> Jackson Health CEO Migoya and trauma surgeon Nicholas take rode trip to TMBC, Ryder Trauma, community jewel celebrates 20th anniversary Aug. 3

Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club – July 18th, 2012 – Meeting Date: Tuesday, July 24th, 2012, Meeting Time: 8:30 AM Meeting Place: New Location: David’s Café One, Corner of Collins Ave. and 11th Street, South Beach – This week, Tuesday July 24th, the Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club will honor the Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital on its Twentieth Anniversary. Carlos Migoya, President and CEO of Jackson Health System, and Dr. Nicholas Namias, trauma surgeon and Co-Director of the Ryder Trauma Center, will be the guest speakers. Since it’s opening in 1992 Ryder has built an enviable reputation as one of the nation’s foremost trauma centers and until recently the only one in South Florida. Ryder, designated a level one trauma center, specializes in trauma surgery and critical care and treats approx. 3,500 seriously injured patients a year; in addition there are another 3,500 emergency surgery-consulting consults from the Jackson Memorial Medical Center, plus another 300 burn admission per year. There is no charge for attending and everyone is welcome. >>> Please Note the New Location for the Breakfast Club: We are now meeting at our new location: the recently renovated David’s Café One, at the corner of Collins Ave. and 11th Street. Visit our web site at www.MBTMBC.com (Miami Beach Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club). For more information contact David Kelsey.

CITY OF NORTH MIAMI

>>> What will city do with $17.5 million windfall from Biscayne Landing deal? –

Councilman Galvin press release: City to Allocate Biscayne Landing Revenue – The City of North Miami is scheduled to close on the Biscayne Landing development deal sometime between July 20-30th. At that time, we’ll be awash with $17.5 million of revenue from the developers, Oleta Partners. Over the coming months, the City Council will decide how to spend that money. Read More…

CITY OF CORAL GABLES

>>> Mgr. Salerno proposes further millage reduction, cuts taxes by $1.5 million in tony City Beautiful, third year in a row

The Watchdog Report asked Mayor Cason and commissioners if they had any comment to the budget for next year that Manager Pat Salerno introduced recently and is below and up to my deadline. I did not get any comments back on the proposal that will have public input in September and will be voted on by the end of that month by the commission since the new budget year kicks in Oct. 1.

>>> Gables webpage: Coral Gables Lowering Property Taxes AGAIN – The proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which starts on October 1st, was just released to the City Commission and the public by City Manager Pat Salerno. The budget calls for a property tax millage rate reduction from the current rate of 5.869 to a new rate of 5.669. The rate represents $5.669 per $1,000 of assessed property value. The City would be reducing property tax revenues collected by approximately $1.5 million. This follows a reduction in the millage rate a year ago from 6.072 to 5.869. This would also be the first time in more than 35 years that the City has reduced property tax revenues for three consecutive years. “Even during these challenging economic times, the proposed budget keeps us on the right path towards continuing to reduce taxes while providing quality services,” said Mayor Jim Cason.

The City’s workforce would remain the same at 791 full-time employees. That’s fewer employees than the City has had in at least the past two decades. The Capital Improvement program is budgeted at approximately $3 million. It includes funds for repairs/improvements to fire stations and the public safety building, as well as the replacement of playground equipment, and the purchase of green space. The proposed budget takes care of the needs and services of residents and businesses in the here and now, while looking ahead and anticipating how we will meet these requirements in the future. “We will make the community proud of how our continued dedication to the heritage and tradition of Coral Gables adds value to our citizens; that we are an organization residents can trust and believe in, and one they can admire for the good that we do and the future direction towards which we steer,” stated City Manager Pat Salerno in his budget transmittal message to the Mayor and Commissioners. There will be two public hearings in September before the final budget is adopted.

>>> OTHER STORIES AROUND FLORIDA

BROWARD COUNTY

>>> PASTWDR: Commissioner Lieberman running for judge is a question of temperament & experience; county voters should give veteran attorney McHugh a chance

Long serving County Commissioner Ilene Lieberman (Net worth $1.31 million in 2009 and through Dec. 2011 it has dropped to $931,161) for District 1 wants to move to the judiciary in Broward in August, and while she has name recognition. She is facing an experienced trial attorney in Kathleen Mary “Katie” McHugh and the judicial race for the contested seat should be a contest. Lieberman, an attorney is running in the County Court Judge Group 6 race, has never gone to trial in her legal career, was termed out on her commission seat, and she has decided to go for the gold and try to win a judge seat in the local courts. Given Lieberman’s past decades in elected public office at the county and municipal level. She does know how to run a political campaign but she also has worked for years as a lobbyist in her private life. And that life experience makes her an odd choice for the bench, a position given “Special Status” in a community and significantly different from being a commissioner.

Political insiders are giving her the inside track but McHugh should not be counted out and she got a decent television interview with www.local10.com investigative reporter Bob Norman last week. The 18-year practicing attorney worked three years as a Broward assistant public defender before striking out on her own in private practice. Her bio indicates she defends people charged with felonies, misdemeanors, homicide, robberies and domestic violence cases, which would make her a seasoned trial lawyer. The other wrinkle in this case besides Lieberman being a county commissioner is that McHugh, since early in her life, has been “legally blind,” she told Norman on air.

However, Lieberman has history with the Watchdog Report over the past 13-years and once while verbally pounding me in her office in 2004. She said, “I had a problem with lobbyists,” and I said no, only when they were elected leaders in some other capacity, and then they went in front of other officials like the school board or a local municipal commission, which she was doing at the time. Further, she felt Buddy Nevins, then a political reporter with the Sun-Sentinel and I picked on her unfairly, but that was not the case. And she is politically thin skinned and when I heard she was seeking to become a judge. It more than surprised me, it concerned me, and Broward voters need to reflect if a politician is what they want on the judicial bench, or someone that has spent their entire professional life in the legal trenches of the judicial system living and arguing the law.

Lieberman >> for more on her campaign go to http://ileneliebermanforjudge.com/ >> For more on McHugh’s campaign go to http://kmforjudge.com/

>>> Press release: Former Florida State Senator Sentenced for Tax Evasion

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, José A. Gonzalez, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), and Jeffrey C. Mazanec, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, announce that Muriel Amanda Dawson, 55, formerly of Broward County, was sentenced today to 6 months in prison, to be followed by 2 years of supervised release. Dawson pled guilty on April 23, 2012 to charges of felony tax evasion and failing to file a federal income tax return (Counts 2 and 5).

During her guilty plea hearing, Dawson admitted that in calendar years 2004 and 2005, she received substantial income from third parties. Nonetheless, Dawson failed to file income tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service during that period. Dawson also admitted that she failed to file federal personal income tax returns from 2006 through 2008. At all relevant times, Dawson was a Florida State Senator representing portions of Broward and Palm Beach counties. In particular, during three years in which Dawson served as a State Senator, Dawson failed to file any federal income tax returns, and failed to pay at least $29,000 in federal income taxes, excluding penalties and interest. >>> Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of IRS-CI and the FBI. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Carlton. 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.

CORAL SPRINGS

>>> Press release: Operators of Check Cashing Store Sentenced for Their Role in Treasury Check and Tax Refund Scheme

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Paula Reid, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Secret Service, Miami Field Office, and José A. Gonzalez, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), announced that defendants Wilson Lau, 75, and his wife, Kate Yuee Lau, 54, formerly of Coral Springs, FL, were sentenced today before U.S. District Judge Robert Scola. Wilson Lau was sentenced to 84 months in prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release. Kate Yuee Lau was sentenced to 24 months in prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release. Both defendants pled guilty on April 6, 2012 to one count of conspiracy, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §371. In addition, Wilson Lau pled guilty to one count of aggravated identity theft, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §1028A. The defendants also agreed to the forfeiture allegation in the Information, which seeks, among other things, a money judgment against both defendants in the amount of $5,262,297.

According to court documents filed in connection with the guilty plea, Wilson Lau was the operator of a check cashing store called American Quick Cash Depot, located in Oakland Park, FL, where his wife Kate Yuee Lau also worked. From January 1, 2009 until approximately June 22, 2011, the defendants conspired to buy, sell and receive U.S. Treasury checks bearing forged endorsements and to receive and conceal U.S. Treasury tax refund checks and tax refund anticipation loan checks, knowing that the checks had been embezzled or stolen. In addition, on June 22, 2011, Wilson Lau transferred, possessed and used the social security number belonging to the rightful payee of a tax refund check cashed at American Quick Cash Depot. According to court documents, Wilson Lau participated in a recorded conversation during which he cashed three U.S. Treasury tax refund checks knowing that they bore forged endorsements. In addition, the Laus are heard to instruct the individual who brought them the checks with forged endorsements to obtain fraudulent Florida drivers licenses in the names of the purported payees so that the defendants could falsely document the transactions.

In all, the defendants cashed approximately 4,000 U.S. Treasury tax refund checks and tax refund anticipation loan checks from January 1, 2009 through June 22, 2011, each of which was issued based upon fraud or bore forged endorsements, and each of which was accompanied by a false Florida driver’s license. The face value of these checks was $5,262,297. Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the U.S. Secret Service and IRS-CI. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard P. Murad. A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls.

PALM BEACH COUNTY

>>> State Atty. Antonacci does his duty, had $4 million net worth through Mar. 2012, three challengers running to replace him in November

Peter Antonacci, appointed to head the state attorney by Gov. Rick Scott is not running for the office for a full four year term in the primary and the candidates to fill his shoes after the November general election are former state legislator Dave Aronberg, a Democrat, Dina A. Keever is running as a Republican and Robert Gersham is running under the political banner of No Party Affiliation. Aronberg, a former state legislator has $455,706 in his war chest and has spent $77,000 for the race so far. Keever has $57,092 and has she expended $18,000 and Gersham has raised $56,000 and has expended $21,700 for his race to date.

What do we know about Antonacci’s finances?

Antonacci through Mar. 2012 had a net worth of $4 million and he lists no liabilities on his state disclosure form. His home is worth $450,000, there are various stocks and other financial instruments in IRAs and his income from his state salary was $150,000.

Antonacci

>>> Webpage BIO: Antonacci represented Governors Graham and Bush respectively, as special prosecuting counsel in the Senate impeachment trials of Supervisors of Elections. From 2001 – 2005, Antonacci was a member of the Florida Commission on Ethics. In 2005, Governor Bush appointed Antonacci to the Second Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission. In 2006, Governor Bush appointed Antonacci to the Governing Board of the Northwest Florida Water Management District and Antonacci was reappointed in 2008 by Governor Crist. In 2008, Governor Crist appointed Antonacci to the First District Court of Appeals Judicial Nominating Commission. From 2000 until 2012, Antonacci was a shareholder in the GrayRobinson law firm. In March 2012, Governor Scott appointed Antonacci State Attorney of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit to serve the unexpired term of Michael McAuliffe who resigned in favor of a private practice.

BACKGROUND

Antonacci was raised in Hialeah, Florida attending Roman Catholic schools and received a B.S. in 1970, an M.S. in Health Planning in 1973, and a J.D. in 1979 from Florida State University. Antonacci was a public school teacher in Newton, Georgia; a health planner for the Health Planning Council of South Florida; while in law school, interned with the Tourism and Economic Development Committee of the Florida House of Representatives, and clerked for a state trial court judge.

ALACHUA COUNTY

>>> Press release: Governor Rick Scott taps Jeffrey L. Oody to the Santa Fe College District Board of Trustees.

Oody, 43, of Starke, is the president of Community State Bank. Previously, he was president of Capital City Bank from 1997 to 2012. He is a member of the Bradford Education Foundation and has served on the City of Starke Pension Board since 2001. Oody received an associate degree from Santa Fe Community College, a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Florida and a Master of Business Administration degree from Liberty University. He succeeds Richard C. Solze and is appointed for a term beginning July 18, 2012, and ending May 31, 2014. The appointment is subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY

>>> Press release: Gov. Scott names J. Brantley “Brant” Schirard Jr. to the Indian River State College District Board of Trustees.

Schirard, 51, of Fort Pierce, has managed Blue Goose Growers Inc. since 2009 and has served as the president of Southern Harvesting LLC since 2005 and Schirard Citrus Inc. since 1989. Also, he is vice president of the Florida Farm Bureau, where he has served as a board member since 2006, and is a past president and member of the St. Lucie County Farm Bureau since 1985. He received an associate degree from Indian River Community College and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida. He succeeds Jay “Hal” Roberts and is appointed for a term beginning July 16, 2012, and ending May 31, 2014. The appointment is subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

VOLUSIA COUNTY

>>> Press release: Gov. Scott taps Michael Shreeve to the Board of Chiropractic Medicine.

Shreeve, 57, of Port Orange, is a professor for the Palmer College of Chiropractic Florida and an owner of a private chiropractic practice. He is appointed for a term beginning July 20, 2012, and ending October 31, 2014. The appointment is subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

MONROE COUNTY

>>> Mayor Rice in the spotlight, elected in 2010, had $1.3 million net worth through Jun. 2012.

David Payne Rice, the Mayor of Monroe County who represents District 4 is in the spotlight this week, he was first elected in 2010, and the commissioner is up again in 2014. There is little on his biography that I could find but his financials were available with the state.

What do we know about his finances?

Rice through Jun. 2012 had a net worth of $1.31 million and his primary home is worth $364,000. His income for the year was $21,744 from social security, Monroe County kicked in $42,509, the Westcare Fund added $34,000 and there is listed some miscellaneous income of $1,5000 and $5,000. And his only liability is a bank loan owed $55,000.

Rice

KEY LARGO

>>> Two Doctors Charged with Oxycodone-Related Deaths Resulting from Broward and Palm Beach Counties Pill Mill Operation

Press release: Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Jeffrey C. Mazanec, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, Mark R. Trouville, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Miami Field Division, and José A. Gonzalez, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division (IRS-CID), announced the filing of a Second Superseding Indictment charging Cynthia Cadet, 42, of Parkland, FL, and Joseph Castronuovo, 72, of Key Largo, FL, both doctors, with dispensing oxycodone and other controlled substances that resulted in the death of nine individuals, among other offenses. The charges stem from Operation Oxy Alley, a coordinated investigation into pill mills in Broward and Palm Beach Counties. In August 2011, thirty-two defendants, including Cadet and Castronuovo, were charged with racketeering conspiracy, money-laundering conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and other offenses. Twenty-eight defendants have entered guilty pleas and been sentenced in connection with the August 2011 Indictment.

The August 2011 Indictment alleged that defendants Christopher and Jeffrey George, twin brothers, operated, managed and financed four pain management clinics in Broward and Palm Beach Counties. According to the original August 2011 Indictment, today’s second superseding indictment and statements made in court, from 2007 to early 2010, these pill mills distributed approximately 20 million oxycodone pills and made more than $40 million from the illegal sales of controlled substances. Thirteen of the thirty-two defendants were doctors, including Cadet and Castronuovo. The second superseding indictment charges Cadet and Castronuovo with conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances (punishable by up to 20 years’ imprisonment) and money laundering conspiracy (punishable by up to ten years’ imprisonment). Cadet is also charged with dispensing oxycodone and other controlled substances that resulted in the death of seven individuals (each count punishable by up to life imprisonment) and conspiracy to unlawfully distribute steroids (punishable by up to ten years’ imprisonment). Castronuovo is also charged with dispensing oxycodone and other controlled substances that resulted in the death of two individuals, and conspiracy to distribute oxycodone to persons under the age of twenty-one (punishable by up to forty years’ imprisonment). The defendants are expected to be arraigned on the new charges in West Palm Beach next week.

The investigation and prosecution was the result of work by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The FBI, DEA, IRS-CID were assisted by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, the Broward Sheriff’s Office, the Hollywood Police Department, the Boca Raton Police Department, and the Davie Police Department. Coordination efforts also included cooperation by the Palm Beach State Attorney’s Office and the Delray Beach Police Department, Jupiter Police Department, West Palm Beach Police Department, Boynton Beach Police Department, Medley Police Department, Homestead Police Department, North Miami Beach Police Department, and Sunny Isles Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul F. Schwartz and Lawrence D. LaVecchio. >>> Operation Oxy Alley is a result of the ongoing efforts by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The OCDETF mission is to identify, investigate, and prosecute high-level members of drug trafficking enterprises, bringing together the combined expertise and unique abilities of federal, state and local law enforcement. A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

>>> Downtown Bay Forum Miami-Dade mayoral candidate debate www.downtownbayforum.org Speakers: Hon. Carlos A. Gimenez, Mayor, Miami-Dade County Hon. Joe A. Martinez, Miami-Dade County Commissioner District 11- Moderator: Michael Putney, WPLG Channel 10 Date: July 31, 2012 Doors open 11:30 am, Lunch at Noon. Location: Wolfson Auditorium, Temple Israel, 137 NE 19 Street, Miami, Florida Free Self Parking Available on site Members: 22/with reservations, Non Members 26, Membership 30/year Tables of 10 – 250 For Reservations and Information, please contact, Annette Eiseneberg, 305 757 3633, or fax 305 754 2015

>>> Kristi House press release: Please mark your calendars! We hope you will join us for the 13th Annual Touch A Heart Dinner on Friday, November 2, 2012 at
the Four Seasons Hotel 7:00 p.m. Reception 8:00 p.m. Dinner For more information, please visit www.kristihouse.org or call: Bianca Fernandez – 305-547-6802 Mary Faraldo – 786-218-9748

>>> 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.

EDITORIALS

>>> Is mass murder becoming as American as apple pie and milk? All of us must help end this scourge of violence and finally learn it will eventually touch us all

“Now we are killing Amish school children,” said a friend of mine that had lived in New Jersey where he grew up. And he knew of the Amish in Lancaster County in Pennsylvania, how they lived, and their gentle ways, yet 10 young girls were shot and five of the hostages died in Oct. 2006. And today we have 12 people dead and dozens wounded at an Aurora movie theater, and the eruption of these now almost periodic mass murders is striking at the soul of the nation. For it is becoming clear for many people, that in many ways it could be any of us that suddenly snaps or acts out in this violent fashion, given the randomness and background of the shooter leading up to these events. And another American tradition is changed and going to a movie theater in the future will sadly not be what it used to be for many people, be they young or old. Further, in this case a six year old was girl was killed and as one young woman in college said Friday. What was a young girl doing there at midnight, “when she should have been home asleep,” except for the mother not being able to get a baby sitter? Now the young child is dead.

Further, this tragic incident brings home the fact that while this event was horrific, it happens everyday in America’s cities and Chicago has had more people murdered than have been soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan in the same months. And we as a people must deal with this murderous jag the nation seems to be on for the idea of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness flies out the window when our residents are hunkered down in their homes, holding their children tight. Praying a stray bullet might not turn their family life upside down with a member killed. And all of us should try in are small way to end this national scourge that is corroding the heart of our being, and making the nation not a country of promise and freedom, but of terror. Because this violence will touch all of us in some way in the future, if it is not addressed and it would be nice for once after such a tragedy. That we all demand it actually change and work together to make that happen even if in a small local way. For only darkness lies in the nation’s future, if we don’t get a handle on these acts of violence, that is slowly stripping our people of any innocence. Something we have had in many ways over the centuries and has helped make us the bright lamp of freedom and opportunity for peoples from around the world, that this ongoing violence is only helping to make dim.

LETTERS

>>> I have nothing against [Coral Gables Mayor] Jim Cason. We have known Ralph [Cabrera Jr.,] well for more than fifteen years and feel that he knows the workings of the City well, has devoted a lifetime of service to Coral Gables, and deserves to have an opportunity to lead it.

Jeannett Slesnick
Coral Gables

>>> Ramadan, Muslim month of fasting will begin on Friday July 20th, 2012 Muslims fasts from Dawn to Sunset

Please provide the news and greetings through the Public Service Announcement about the beginning of Ramadan. This may educate your readers/viewers about the arrival of this holy season. . Miami Herald has been greeting its readers by placing “BLESSED RAMADAN” as a banner headline. The traditional greeting to each other during this month is Happy Ramadan or Ramadan Kareem. There are many events which take place during the month of Ramadan through out South Florida, one of them is Ramadan open house where members from different faith-clergy-elected officials-law enforcement as well media personalities join Muslims to break fast There will two such events in Miami Dade County. You can also highlight how Muslim professionals continue working while fasting. A great example will be doing a story on Medical Students or Residents in Various teaching hospitals. These Muslim Residents fast while providing quality care to the needy. Stories about social and charitable work done by South Florida Muslims can be also be highlighted during this month. Organizations like NUR Center which provides shelter to victims of domestic violence. UHI CommunityCare Clinic providing free medical care to needy.
If you need any further assistance please feel free to contact me. Shabbir Motorwala 305 283 2261 shmotorwala@gmail.com

Shabbir Motorwala
Coalition of South Florida Muslim Organizations

>>> Please download and read the following report and be aware that the percentages noted for children are significantly lower for children ages 0-5, which includes the time of life when the basic foundation of the brain is being formed.
http://blog.governmentwedeserve.org/2012/07/19/the-budget-crunch-for-children-an-update/

Wil

>>> Thanks for all the great work that you do! I heard about Sarnoff in the City of Miami wanting to tear down the Convention Center and read about it as well in this report. I am an activist in the local film community and also work on a freelance basis on “Burn Notice”. I am glad that you see and understand the value of the show to the City of Miami and especially Sarnoff’s district. I was not there for the meeting. What was his reasoning? Was it an actual motion that was or will be voting on by the Commission? What is the next step in the process? Did any other commissioners support it?
This would be a horrible loss for the City of Miami and hundreds of full time jobs as well as 1000’s of shorter freelance jobs. This would be the end of the show. This year they will have enough episodes to go into syndication. It would cost way too much to rebuild sets and pay for another studio space that I really doesn’t even exists here. I also work on “Magic City” and was the person who searched for studio options. There were none. The show spent fortune turning an old boatyard into a studio. Are you aware of the potential train wreck for the photo and film industry in the City of Miami Beach? These repercussions could effect all of South Florida.

Christina

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

Supporting Sponsors $5,000
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Name & Address

Please make checks payable to: Daniel A. Ricker

Send to: 3109 Grand Avenue, #125
Miami, FL 33133 To contact the Publisher please e-mail watchdogreport1@earthlink.net