Watchdog Report Vol.13 No.9 July 8, 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.

>>> Correction: Nyah Ewan, was the young lady going to Washington D.C. and raising money for the trip in last week’s Miami section.

ARGUS REPORT – Heard, Seen on the Street

>>> State and local primary candidates trying to make their case with voters, but lesser known M-D County mayoral candidates carp media is shunning them

A host of political candidates turned out for the July 4th Miami-Dade Democratic Party fest on Wednesday held at Legion Park in Morningside and it was the first time that the Watchdog Report was able to meet many of the state and local candidates that included a variety of hopeful judges running for the bench as well. Both the GOP candidates and Democrats have a large number of their brethren running in the races and with the Aug. 14 primary fast approaching for some of them. Time is running out and they will drop off the public radar screen once the general election candidates are set and these runoff races are where the real campaign battles will be taking place.

What about the Miami-Dade County mayoral race?

Members of the media are being hammered in emails because we are not covering the five lesser-known candidates running for Miami-Dade mayor and focusing on Mayor Carlos Gimenez and Commission Chair Joe Martinez instead of covering the lesser-known ones. The other candidates running against Gimenez and Martinez for the countywide post are Gary Delano Johnson, Farid Khavari, Helen Williams, Denny Wood and Edna Diaz but they have yet to make much of a political footprint when it comes to voter recognition but they are almost universally crying foul. Khavari, an economist with a doctorate degree ran for Florida governeor back in 2010 but lost that race and he carps the media is not giving his campaign serious media time. Wood, an advocate for people with disabilities is angry the candidates were not invited to an upcoming mayoral debate that features only Martinez and Gimenez and they were excluded. Williams, who in 2008 got 35 percent of the countywide vote when she ran against now ousted Mayor Carlos Alvarez is also upset but political pundits, say that past vote getting was more of a protest vote against the mayor and the bad Miami Marlins Ballpark deal.

What about the Miami-Dade state attorney race?

Since 1993, Katherine Fernandez-Rundle has been the Miami-Dade state attorney and she is facing challenger Rod Vereen in a currently closed Democratic Party primary race because of two write in candidates but Vereen is hitting her hard and this may be the closest race in her political career. He is claiming she does selective prosecutions and that she has it out for the African American community that had now deceased Miami Commissioner Arthur Teele, Jr., committing suicide in the lobby of the Miami Herald in 2005. After he had been hit with corruption charges and then years later the falling apart of the state’s case against Miami Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones after a key witness recanted their testimony.

The long-term county top prosecutor said these cases are not selective, she has prosecuted and put in jail a wide variety of white collar and corrupt public officials over the years and the crime rate for Miami-Dade as a whole is down. Also, two prominent Republicans, former local U.S. Attorney Roberto “Bobby” Martinez and Armando Lacasa, a former Miami commissioner are challenging the ban on party voters from being unable to cross over in this primary race because of the write in candidates.

And that federal suit is trying to overturn a Florida elections ruling made in 2000 and has disenfranchised the other political parties voters from voting since then. And the Watchdog Report did a story back then how these write in candidates disenfranchised some 375,000 voters from both parties and when I went to one address in west Dade. The address the write in candidate put did not exist. However, both Democrats and Republicans over the years have used this loophole for political gain and they point out it is their party’s primary and why should people from another party’s voters be allowed to select their candidate. >>> Readers should watch how the federal court rules for there is not much time if the county ballots are to be changed and the April. 14, primary race deadline looming in the weeks ahead.

>>> White House press release: Statement by Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers Alan Krueger on the Employment Situation in June

While the economy is continuing to heal from the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, much more remains to be done to repair the damage from the financial crisis and deep recession that followed. It is critical that we continue the policies that build an economy that works for the middle class and makes us stronger and more secure as we dig our way out of the deep hole that was caused by the severe recession. There are no quick fixes to the problems we face that were more than a decade in the making. President Obama has proposals to create jobs by ending tax breaks for companies to ship jobs overseas and supporting State and local governments to prevent layoffs and rehire hundreds of thousands of teachers.

Today’s report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that private establishments added 84,000 jobs last month, and overall non-farm payroll employment rose by 80,000. The economy has now added private sector jobs for 28 straight months, for a total of 4.4 million payroll jobs during that period. Employment is growing but it is not growing fast enough given the jobs deficit caused by the deep recession. The average work week for private sector workers rose by 0.1 hour in June. Aggregate private sector work hours posted their largest gain since February, rising by 0.4 percent. The stronger increase in work hours than in payroll employment suggests that many businesses chose to expand on the intensive margin as opposed to the extensive margin in June. The unemployment rate was unchanged at 8.2 percent in June, according to the BLS household survey. The unemployment rate is 0.9 percentage point below its level a year ago.
Manufacturing employment continues to expand and manufacturers added 11,000 jobs in June. After losing millions of manufacturing jobs in the years before and during the recession, the economy has added 504,000 manufacturing jobs since January 2010–the strongest growth for any 29-month period since April 1995. To continue the revival in manufacturing jobs and output, the President has proposed tax incentives for manufacturers, enhanced training for the workforce, and measures to create manufacturing hubs and discourage sending jobs overseas.

Other sectors with net job increases included temporary help services (+25,200), leisure and hospitality (+13,000), and wholesale trade (+8,800). Retail trade lost 5,400 jobs, government lost 4,000 jobs, and motion pictures and sound recording lost 4,200 jobs. Local governments shed 14,000 education jobs. As the Administration stresses every month, the monthly employment and unemployment figures can be volatile, and employment estimates can be subject to substantial revision. Therefore, it is important not to read too much into any one monthly report and it is informative to consider each report in the context of other data that are becoming available. >> Alan B. Krueger is Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers.

>>> Press release: Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) issued the following statement regarding the plans by Venezuelan oil company, Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA), to start drilling for oil off Cuba’s coast.

“This joint Castro-Chavez venture poses an even greater environmental threat than previous drilling schemes because unaccountable dictatorships will be working side by side. We can be assured that the Chavez oil conglomerate will not cooperate with responsible nations to verify its safety plans and drilling methods. These companies such as Russia’s Gazprom, PDVSA and others only care about their profits and not about the abysmal human rights situation of the Cuban people at the hands of the dictatorship of the Castro brothers. These conglomerates drilling for oil off Cuban waters pose a great threat to ecologically delicate marine ecosystems in the Florida Keys. These risks could have been prevented if the Obama administration would have used all of its diplomatic resources to stop Repsol from drilling, which led to the door being opened wide for other companies to follow in their misguided footsteps.

My colleagues and I have had serious concerns regarding this dangerous scheme of the Castro tyranny and we object to any company drilling off the coast of Cuba. Any investments in Cuba’s energy sector would bring much needed economic gains to a despotic regime that undermines and threatens U.S. interests and allies. Just last week I authored broader legislation aimed at improving security in the Western Hemisphere to protect U.S. national security interests and bring much needed attention back to our Hemisphere. This legislation also contains provisions that would impose sanctions on corporations and persons that seek to enrich themselves and the moribund Castro economy while endangering our security and environment.”

>>> Press release: Asheville, North Carolina, Resident Pleads Guilty to Participating In $63 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme

An Asheville, N.C., resident pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Miami for her role in a health care fraud scheme that resulted in the submission of more than $63 million in fraudulent claims to Medicare and Medicaid in Miami and Hendersonville, N.C., announced the Department of Justice, the FBI, and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Serena Joslin, 31, a Licensed Psychological Associate, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Cecilia M. Altonaga in Miami to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud. Joslin admitted to participating in a fraud scheme that was orchestrated through an entity called Health Care Solutions Network (HCSN). HCSN operated purported partial hospitalization programs (PHPs), a form of intensive mental health treatment for severe mental illness, in both Miami and Hendersonville.

According to an indictment unsealed on May 2, 2012, HCSN obtained Medicare beneficiaries to attend HCSN for purported PHP treatment that was unnecessary and, in many instances, not provided. HCSN obtained those beneficiaries by paying kickbacks to owners and operators of assisted living facilities (ALFs) or by otherwise recruiting them from ALFs and nursing homes. According to court documents, Joslin admitted that she was aware that HCSN recruited patients who were inappropriate for PHP treatment. Nevertheless, Joslin agreed with other HCSN employees to, among other things, fabricate therapy notes and other medical records, and to direct therapists to fabricate therapy notes and other medical records, all to make it appear as if HCSN patients received appropriate PHP services. Joslin was aware that fraudulent claims to Medicare would be submitted on behalf of these patients. At sentencing, scheduled for Jan. 11, 2013, Joslin faces a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Eight other charged defendants, including the owner and operators of HCSN, await trial before Judge Altonaga. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty at trial.

Today’s guilty plea was announced by U.S. Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer of the Southern District of Florida; Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Xanthi C. Mangum, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Miami Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Christopher B. Dennis of the HHS Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), Office of Investigations Miami office. The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Steven Kim, William Parente and Allan Medina of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section. The case was investigated by the FBI, HHS-OIG and Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and was brought as part of the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, supervised by the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida. >>> Since their inception in March 2007, Medicare Fraud Strike Force operations in nine locations have charged more than 1,330 defendants who collectively have falsely billed the Medicare program for more than $4 billion. In addition, HHS’s Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the HHS-OIG, are taking steps to increase accountability and decrease the presence of fraudulent providers. To learn more about the Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Action Team (HEAT), go to: www.stopmedicarefraud.gov.

>>> Forgotten Soldiers Outreach group sends hundreds of thousands of care packages to overseas soldiers, needs your help

The Watchdog Report attended a political picnic and gathering Wednesday, I ran into two women with an information booth representing Forgotten Soldiers Outreach, and their mission is to send “We Care” packages to our U.S. Service men and women overseas. And over 250,000 packages have been sent to the soldiers over the years they said. Further, in the packages are a variety of needed supplies including hand wipes that can allow someone to clean their face and whole coffee beans that the soldiers just put in their mouth since coffee in certain places is hard to come by. The organization is a 501c3 Not for Profit and the motto is “Don’t Forget the Soldiers” and for more information about the national organization with a branch in south Florida go to www.forgottensoldiers.org

>>> All photos in the Watchdog Report are taken from public government sites, and the Report goes on line at www.watchdogreport.net on Monday sometime during the day usually. >>> If you believe it is important to have someone watching your public institutions consider supporting the Watchdog Report for I am a low cost news service, yet I do have to live, thank you! Further, I have been honored over the years by being named a WFOR-4 Hometown Hero in 2000, being profiled in a major way by The Miami New Times and was Best Citizen in the 2003 Best of Miami of The Miami New Times, profiled twice in The Miami Herald, and the Orlando Sentinel ran a nationwide story on me in the Tribune papers on Jan. 2003, and UNC Chapel Hill named me one of the top columnists in Florida in a multi-state study of the media back in 2004. I also thank Joseph Cooper for the opportunity to be on the WLRN/NPR showTopical Currents on www.wlrn.org since 2000, including yearly election coverage since then, and also numerous times over the past decade. Further, I am a frequent guest on WWW.WPBT2.ORG on Helen Ferre’s show Issues, and have also appeared on Eliott Rodriguez’s show News & Views on www.CBS4.com .

FLORIDA

>>> Gov. Scott in the spotlight, almost two years in office, but net worth takes a hit, drops from $103 million to $82.9 million

Gov. Rick Scott is in the spotlight this week and the former healthcare executive who used roughly $72 million of his own money to get elected has found it seriously impacts on his ability to make money. Scott who listed his net worth at $103 million in 2010 has seen that amount plummet to $82.98 million and has him saying when he runs again in 2014. He will raise money for his campaign by seeking contributions rather than self-finance the race and so far, the only announced challenger is state Sen. Nan Rich, D-Sunrise who is termed out in the upper body at the end of the year.

Scott has been hitting the airwaves saying Florida will not create health exchanges now that the federal Affordable Care Act has been sustained by the U.S. Supreme Court and he is instead focusing on the rising cost of healthcare. He still sits low in statewide job approval polls but his approval rating has up ticked a little since a low time dip in the 20s, but for many Floridians he is still an enigma. Scott the former CEO of Columbia HCA got a golden parachute when he left the company he made into a private hospital chain juggernaut in the mid 1990s, but the firm later was hit with a $1.7 billion healthcare fraud fine but he was never charged. Since then he dabbled in a couple of start up companies before he decided to enter the political fray in 2010 taking on first Republican Bill McCollum in the Republican primary and then later defeating Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, a Democrat, where he defeated her by one percent of the voting electorate. Since taking office, “jobs” have been his constant mantra but environmentalists are crying foul when it comes to dismantling a growth management department and denuding funding for many of the state’s numerous water districts that are charged with assisting in the massive Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Program costing well over $10 billion.

What do we know about his finances?

Scott through 2011 had a net worth of 82.98 million and he lists $185,854 in household goods. There is $71.5 million in a blind trust and he owns a host of securities and lists no liabilities.

Scott

>>> Press release: I’m a student and reader of history – usually at least a book a week – and my work with The Children’s Movement is built upon what I learn. I believe that a “movement” is about all of us and all children. In my estimation no progress in human history – with the exception of science and medicine — was achieved with anything less than pushing and shoving. The civil rights movement, the feminist movement, the very birth of our country – none came without people pushing…shoving…insisting (while, yes, trying to be courteous whenever possible).
On this day of celebration of freedom, I look back on the progress that we’ve made (and there has been progress), and find myself sobered by the statistics that tell us how much further we must go: The more than a half-million children in our state without basic health insurance. 38 percent of our public school fourth graders cannot read at grade level – and 90 percent of Florida’s children go to public school (and far higher amongst minority children). Almost a quarter of Florida’s children live in the full federal definition of poverty. (How can this be in the richest, most generous country in the world?) Today, as we celebrate our much-blessed country, let us not forget that nothing is more “American” than our insisting that every child has the chance to succeed in both school and in life. Dave Lawrence, Chair, The Children’s Movement of Florida

>>> Press release: Gov. Scott taps Alice J. Carlson and Ralph H. Haskins to the Big Cypress Basin Board.

Carlson, 57, of Naples, is the owner and president of AJC Associates Inc. She succeeds Mayor John Sorey and is appointed for a term beginning July 3, 2012, and ending March 1, 2015.

Haskins, 59, of Naples, is a retired development manager for Kitson and Partners. He succeeds Noah Standridge and is appointed for a term beginning July 3, 2012, and ending March 1, 2015. The appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

FLORIDA SUPREME COURT

>>> Chief Judge Polston named by Gov. Lawton Chiles, got retention in 2010 by 66 percent of statewide vote, had $766,000 net worth through May 2012

As in past years, the Watchdog Report is reviewing all the yearly financial disclosure forms for the seven member Florida Supreme Court and Chief Justice Rickey Polston is in the spotlight this week. Polston appointed to the court in 1998 by then Gov. Lawton Chiles, a Democrat. The jurist is adoptive parents of six children and he was last on the state ballot for a retention vote in 2010 where he was retained after getting 66 percent of the statewide vote to keep him on the state’s top judicial bench.

What do we know about his finances?

Polston through May 2012 had a net worth of $766,573 (up from $297,000 in 2010) and he lists $202,500 in household goods. His home is worth $550,000, there is $17,274 in bank accounts, there is $263,000 in certificates of deposit, and an inherited IRA has $73,718 in the account. The top jurist owes Citibank $417,000 and a credit union wants 13,375. His income for the year was $157,975 for being on the court and FSU kicked in another $13,500 states his financial disclosure report for the year.

>>> Court’s webpage: Chief Justice Ricky Polston

Hometown – Graceville, Florida Spouse – Deborah Ehler Polston Children – Ten (Adoptive parents of sibling group of 6) Degrees – J.D. with High Honors, Florida State University, 1986; B.S., Summa Cum Laude, Florida State University, 1977; A.A., Chipola Jr. College, 1975. Offices and Positions – Justice, Florida Supreme Court, October 2, 2008-present; Judge, First District Court of Appeal, January 2, 2001-October 1, 2008; Private Law Practice 1987- 2000; Adjunct Law Professor, Florida State University 2003-present; Certified Public Accountant 1978-present; Public Accounting Practice 1977-1984.

Legal Activities – Member, The Florida Bar. Admitted to practice before United States District Court, Northern District of Florida; United States District Court, Middle District of Florida; United States District Court, Southern District of Florida; United States Tax Court; United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit; United States Court of Federal Claims; United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit; United States Supreme Court. Certified Circuit Court Mediator (1997-2003). Florida Bar Appellate Court Rules Committee (2003 – 2006). Other Honors and Awards – Florida State University Most Outstanding Accounting Student, 1977; Beta Alpha Psi Honorary Accounting Society, 1977; Florida State University College of Law, Law Review 1985-86; Order of Coif. Legal Recognitions and Associations – Martindale-Hubbell AV rating and Bar Register Preeminent Attorneys; Tallahassee Bar Association; Tallahassee Inn of Court (alumni, former Treasurer); Florida Conference of District Court of Appeal Judges, Treasurer (2006 – 2008). Other Activities – Prior Church leadership, including being an elder, deacon and Chairman of Deacons, teacher of various student and adult classes; member, Florida Institute of C.P.A.’s; American Institute of C.P.A.’s. >> Office Information Justice Polston’s phone number is (850) 488-2361. His judicial assistant is Tamara L. Adkins, and his staff attorneys are Diane Cashin West, and Jessica Slatten. The mailing address is 500 South Duval Street, Tallahassee FL 32399-1925. 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

>>> As Mayor Gimenez & Commission Chair Martinez battle it out in mayoral race, mayor’s net worth up to $953,000, Chair’s drops to $220,000

Modified past WDR: The mayoral campaigns continue to rev up and the Watchdog Report is getting the perquisite campaign phone calls, and while Carlos Gimenez has been in office just over a year now since the recall of Mayor Carlos Alvarez. He is facing county Commission Chair Joe Martinez in the race along with five of other candidates and both men are feverishly raising money for their campaigns. That has Gimenez hoping for a clear victory on Aug. 14 and hoping he will not face a runoff race even with this large pack of challengers. Gimenez through the last reporting period in March had $694,000 in his campaign war chest to Martinez’s $111,700 but that gap is expected to close with the new campaign reports due. Further, with the new county budget for the coming year coming front and center at the commission in the days ahead and the setting of the Truth in Millage (TRIM) for property tax rates taking place. The two men will have to decide what to do when it comes to property taxes now that there is an up tick in property values. And will the elected body cut taxes again, or will they leave it, as is, which will automatically result in most people getting a property tax increase, now that the housing market around Miami-Dade has in many cases bottomed out with this 1.98 percent rise in overall county property values.

What do we know about Gimenez and Martinez’s finances?

Gimenez, a former Miami fire chief, city manager, and county commissioner prior to his mayoral election in June of 2011 had a net worth of $953,842 (up from $923,000 in 2011) through Jun. 2012 and he lists $60,000 in household goods. His home is valued at $810,000, a boat is worth $105,000 and three autos are valued at $30,500, $30,400 and $34,000. He has two IRAs worth $217,000 and 74,900. And his liabilities are $158,980 owed to Citibank, Bank of America wants $213,275 and a Miami credit union is owed $62,600. The mayor’s income for the year was $84,681 in his official office, he got $127,602 from his Miami pension and a Vanguard IRA kicked in $40,000 state his most recent public finance disclosure.

Martinez through May 2012 had a net worth of $220,000 (down from $238,000 the year earlier) and he lists $155,000 in household goods. The former county police officer’s home is valued at $440,000 and there is $40,000 in a savings account. He owes Regions Bank $392,000 for a mortgage and his wife’s vehicle is owed $23,000. The long serving commissioner, first elected to the commission in 2000 and its current chair listed $44,596 in income coming from Miami-Dade County and another $66,831 came in from Delta Five Security, a business he owns a third of.

Martinez

Gimenez

>>> Press release: Gov. Scott taps Thomas W. Logue, of Coral Gables, to the Third District Court of Appeal.

Since 1982, Logue, 56, has served as an attorney for Miami-Dade County. In that capacity, he has litigated hundreds of cases and appeals in both state and federal courts, including several high-profile cases for the County. He has handled cases in the areas of constitutional law, torts, contracts, taxes, civil rights, zoning, real estate valuation, copyrights, and bonds. Logue has served as counsel for the Board of County Commissioners and the Property Appraiser. He also has extensive experience drafting legislation and negotiating major contracts. Logue has been a frequent lecturer and adjunct professor of law, and he is the author of numerous articles on law and legal theory. He received a bachelor’s degree from Dickinson College and a law degree from Duke University School of Law. “Tom brings to the bench an impressive record as a litigator and appellate attorney,” Governor Scott said. “Equally impressive is Tom’s abiding commitment to judicial restraint. His career and his scholarly writings demonstrate a deep understanding of the notion that the rule of law, and not personal preference, must prevail in our courts.” Logue will fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Juan Ramirez Jr.

>>> Press release: Agreeing that taxicab drivers in Miami-Dade County should be treated fairly, Miami-Dade County Commissioners on Tuesday, July 3, 2012 approved a law making it illegal for cab companies to force drivers to sign unfair lease agreements as a precondition to driving a taxi. The measure, which was sponsored by Commissioner Jean Monestime, District 2, was seen as a win for taxicab drivers in the County who sought to level the negotiating field between powerful cab companies and the taxicab operators who actually provide the driving services to the County’s residents and tourists.

Under the new law, companies can no longer require a taxicab driver to lease, purchase or finance a vehicle from the company as a requirement in order to drive for that company. More than 30 taxicab drivers turned out to the Board of County Commissioners meeting to lend their support for the new law on July 3, as commissioners considered the legislation. “This marks the beginning of a new relationship between the taxicab companies and drivers,” said Commissioner Monestime. “These drivers are small business owners and they provide a crucial and necessary service to our community.”

>>> THE MIAMI-DADE ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT REMINDS VOTERS THE REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS JULY 16

Press release: Voting is the best and most impactful way to have a say in important issues that affect our community. The Primary Election on August 14, 2012 is an opportunity for Miami-Dade voters to cast their vote in races at all levels of government. “However, in order to participate in this important election, you must be a registered voter, and the deadline of July 16 is quickly approaching,” stated Penelope Townsley, Miami-Dade County Supervisor of Elections. “One of our most important missions is to encourage all eligible residents to register and to take advantage of three convenient ways to vote.”

To register to vote, residents must: be 18 years or older (pre-registration begins at 16); be a U.S. citizen; be a permanent resident of Miami-Dade County. There is no specific time requirement to live in Miami-Dade County to be considered a permanent resident. July 16 is also the deadline for anyone interested in changing their political party affiliation. Since Florida is a closed primary state, it is important for voters to know what party they are registered as. With the deadline just two weeks away, the most convenient option for those interested in registering to vote is to visit the Elections Department website and click on “Register to Vote.” After completing the online form, it must be printed, signed, and mailed to the Elections Department at: Supervisor of Elections, P.O. Box 521550, Miami, Florida 33152. This form MUST be postmarked by July 16 to be accepted as valid for this election. >>> Voters who wish to change their party affiliation can do so online by following the instructions above or by simply submitting a signed written notice that contains the date of birth or voter registration number by email or fax to: register@miamidade.gov Fax: 305-499-8371 Residents may also register to vote or change their party affiliation at a number of locations during regular business hours including: Two Miami-Dade Elections Department Offices by 5pm, (2700 NW 87 Avenue or Stephen P. Clark Center, 111 NW 1 Street) Public libraries; Most city, town and village halls; State public assistance agencies; Florida Driver License Bureaus. For more information, please visit www.miamidade.gov/elections or call 305-499-VOTE (8683).

>>> GMCVB press release: RECORD DEMAND FOR TRAVEL TO GREATER MIAMI AND THE BEACHES REMAINS STRONG IN MAY 2012 RESULTING IN INCREASES IN GREATER MIAMI’S TOURIST-RELATED TAX COLLECTIONS

In May 2012, the 2% Food and Beverage tax collections from hotels in MIAMI-Dade (excluding MIAMI Beach, Bal Harbour, and Surfside) generated $532,014 compared to $564,506 in 2011, an increase of +12.9%. The Resort tax collections (excluding MIAMI Beach, Bal Harbour and Surfside) totaled $1,557,685 compared to $1,400,922 in 2011 for an increase of +11.2%. The Convention Development Tax (CDT) collections for Greater MIAMI and the Beaches of $4,599,673 compared to $4,354,102 for the same period last year represents a +5.6% increase in May 2012.

MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

>>> Press release: Florida Education Commissioner Robinson’s Letter to Parents — Please note that Commissioner Robinson’s letter to parents regarding school grades has been posted on the Department’s website: http://www.fldoe.org/pdf/SchoolGradeParentLetter-July2.pdf.
More information on Florida’s school grading system is available at http://schoolgrades.fldoe.org. For questions about school grades, visit our parent resources at www.floridapathtosuccess.org.

>>> Press release: M-DCPS SUMMER WAVES OF LEARNING STARTS THURSDAY, JULY 5

Miami-Dade County Public Schools’ 2012 Summer Waves of Learning, an innovative assortment of educational offerings, will start July 5th. General operational dates are July 5 – August 1 for elementary and middle school students. Some offerings will have an alternative schedule. The Summer Waves of Learning program offers three distinct but interrelated learning waves. Each wave addresses the academic needs of students at all grade levels through both traditional and virtual learning offerings. The waves include the R-Learning Wave, which helps students who need remediation in core areas or recovery of failed coursework or assessments. The C-Learning Wave allows students to continue learning skills in order to compensate for losing any knowledge over the summer break and the E-Learning Wave gives students access to electronic web-based educational programs and external educational services. >> Drivers are asked to obey school speed zone limits and be aware of pedestrians at school crossing zones. For more information about the Summer Waves of Learning, visit http://summerschool.dadeschools.net/ or call 305-273-2830.

PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST

>>> Ryder Trauma Center celebrates 20 years in Aug. it took philanthropist Weiss only a few minutes to secure first $2.5 million in seed money from Ryder Corp. CEO Burns back in 1992, ultimately cost $28 million

In early August, the Ryder Trauma Center, the only Class I such center in South Florida will celebrate its 20th Anniversary and the community jewel is under siege financially. Now that a Class II Emergency Room has been opened at the private Kendall Regional Hospital in west Dade and is getting many of the car crashes that Ryder used to get, and includes many of these injured people having at least $10,000 in personal health insurance, PIP. Insurance that is required for automobile drivers and has helped buffer the cost of having a 24/7 facility that is fully staffed with physicians and surgeons regardless of the time of day.http://www.jhsmiami.org/body.cfm?id=204 >>> http://surgery.med.miami.edu/trauma/ >>> http://www.friendsofryder.org/index.php?p=details

The Watchdog Report covered the tenth anniversary of the facility back in 2002 and so did then Mayor Alex Penelas and when the Jackson Hospital CEO Ira Clark spoke during the celebration. Clark’s verbally confused and disjointed comments sparked a lot of conversation among attendees and had Penelas walking away saying essentially what was going on with the community icon running the hospital complex, who clearly was having some mental distress. And it would be known only later that Clark was in the first stages of Alzheimer disease and why he was having this difficulty. But Ryder over these years has become a community crown jewel and communities around the nation would kill for such a trauma facility for their own needy people, and south Florida residents should speak up and support this special trauma center that trains U.S. Army surgeons before they rotate to overseas military bases.

What about Jay Weiss?

Jay Weiss, a billionaire and local philanthropist told the Watchdog Report after the 10th Anniversary celebration was over that when he first called Ryder CEO M. Anthony Burns back in 1992. The conversation lasted only a few minutes and Burns agreed to help immediately, he said. But the dream of a new trauma center at the beginning was hampered because it needed some seed money to get started and Burns agreed to the first big donation of $2.5 million that ultimately cost $28 million to construct and furnish the trauma center with the high tech medical technology. That makes the center world known and accounts for the medical training of the majority of trauma surgeons practicing in Israel.

Jay Weiss
>>>Webpage Bio: A Fitting Tribute -The Jay Weiss Center for Social Medicine and Health Equity is a fitting tribute to a man who was known in the Miami community and beyond as a champion of the poor and those in need and as having a generosity that knew no bounds. Often called the best friend of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and Jackson Memorial Hospital, Jay Weiss spent over two decades championing the cause of public health. He served in a variety of roles during that time including the University of Miami Board of Trustees, and Chairman of the Miami-Dade Public Health Trust, which oversees Jackson Memorial Hospital. Mr. Weiss also served eight years as the Chair of the board of governors of the University of Miami/Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. He was a founding member of the Jackson Memorial Foundation and started the Mary Beth Weiss Research Center in memory of his wife, who died of lymphoma in 1977.

Mr. Weiss worked untiringly to ensure that the county’s poorest residents had access to quality medical care. In 1991, working closely with Jose Cancela and Mike Abrams, he spearheaded the campaign to pass a half-penny sales tax to support Jackson Memorial Hospital. The passage of the half-cent sales tax referendum on September 3, 1991 has provided a steady income for Miami-Dade’s only public hospital where access to world class health care is available to the citizens of Miami-Dade County, whether they be rich or poor – supporting Mr. Weiss’ belief in one standard of care for all. Mr. Weiss raised more than $150 million for University of Miami, including millions in his own contributions. He was responsible for the fundraising effort to build the Ryder Trauma Center. The need behind this initiative was the radically increased demand for trauma services at Jackson. Leading the effort to raise the needed funds, he secured the key $2.5 million donation from then Ryder System Chairman, M. Anthony Burns. Mr. Weiss was then able to help raise other contributions that made the $28 million Ryder Trauma Center a reality.

Today, Ryder is one of the busiest trauma centers in the nation. Shunning the spotlight, Mr. Weiss refused honors and accolades preferring to help quietly and without fanfare. He was posthumously awarded the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce Health Care Hero Lifetime Achievement Award. Both the Jackson Memorial Foundation and the Miller School of Medicine Medical Faculty Association have established Jay Weiss Humanitarian Awards in his honor for those who have shown dedication to ending inequalities in health care. The Jackson Memorial Ambulatory Care Center is named in his memory, and the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine erected a beautiful bronze fourteen foot statue in his memory. Perhaps the words carved on this statue capture best the spirit of Jay Weiss. Humanitarian, Philanthropist, Champion of those in need, Untiringly committed, Generous to a fault >> Mr. Weiss died on Saturday, January 31, 2004 after a short bout with lung cancer. He was 76. He is greatly missed by legions of people from all walks of life and his spirit lives on in the work of the Center named in his honor and memory.

CITY OF MIAMI

>>> Sarnoff with $1.98 million net worth leads the pack, Spence-Jones last with negative net worth of $173,000, much of debt in owed legal fees

With the passage of July 1, the due date for financial disclosure forms. The Watchdog Report has scanned all the financial disclosure forms for Miami elected leaders. And Commissioner Marc Sarnoff led the pack with a $1.98 million net worth (down from $2.08 million), followed by Commissioner Frank Carollo coming in at 748,000, (up from $707,000), Commissioner Willy Gort had $241,000, (up from $226,000). Mayor Tomas Regalado listed it at $18,801, (up from $7,500), Commission Chair Francis Suarez has a $99,500 negative net worth (down from $81,000), and Commissioner Spence-Jones because of past legal fees has a $175,315 negative net worth (down from $17,436 a few years ago).

>>> Sarnoff lists $694,000 in household goods, his law practice is valued at $500,000, and his home is valued at $1.3 million. There is $437,000 invested with Morgan Stanley, and he owes Bank of America $489,000, Citibank wants $160,000, HSBC is owed $209,000 and there is $20,178 in American Express charges.

>>> Carollo lists $55,000 in household goods, there is $82,000 in cash and there is also $879,000 in real estate. He owes Chase Bank $195,000 and another loan is for $82,000.

>>> Gort has $35,000 in household goods, a home in Tavernier is valued at $250,000 and a lot in Sebring is worth $7,000, and he owes Sallie Mae $145,000.

>>> Regalado lists $6,100 in household goods, his home, land is valued at $25,000, $59,601, a Jeep is worth $6,000, and there is $5,400 in savings. The mayor owes Chase $60,000 and Wells Fargo wants $23,300.

>>> Suarez has $15,000 in household goods, there is $152,757 in a savings account, his primary residence is values at $184,000 and another home is worth $68,980. His liabilities include owing Chase Bank $360,000 and Seterus Inc., wants $160,919.

>>> Spence –Jones has $38,000 in household goods, her home is worth $54,203, and there is $36,250 in an investment account. Because of past legal issues with the state attorney’s office, and later the charges being dropped after a key witness recanted their story. Spence-Jones now owes defense attorneys Michael Band $10,000, Lydecker & Lee want $71,363, Rachlin Cohen is owed $5,000 and Mortgage Star wants $217,000, state her financial disclosure form for the year.

Sarnoff

Carollo

Gort

Regalado

Suarez

Spence-Jones

What about Angel Zayon?

Zayon, the city of Miami communications director could have changed U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio’s life back in 1999 when they ran against each other for a local state house seat in West Miami. Zayon beat Rubio in the initial race but in the runoff, Rubio garnered the win by 64 votes sending the young legislator to the Florida House where he rose to become the first Cuban American Speaker of the House and the attorney was an early protégé of Gov. Jeb Bush. Zayon would go back to broadcasting on Hispanic television but he is tight with Mayor Tomas Regalado but he is a magnet when it comes to controversy, especially after a nasty divorce recently. The flack signs off on all press releases coming out of city hall yet he has mixed relations with members of the press.

What do we know about his finances?

As a director for the City of Miami, Zayon is required to fill out a financial disclosure form but it is not as intrusive as the form elected leaders are required to fill out. In his case he lists his income being from the city of Miami, he has a second job with controversial attorney John Ruiz, which involves a “T.V. program.” And his liabilities include Bank of America and Ford Motor Company but the amount owed is not listed nor is the amount of any of his compensation for the two jobs.

>>> Mayor Regalado Friday says Jungle Island lease extension will not be on Nov. ballot for voters to consider

While Jungle Island may be on this Thursday’s commission agenda, Mayor Tomas Regalado told the Watchdog Report Friday that the land expansion and asking voters to approve a new lease that will go for 99 years would not be on the Nov. ballot. He said both owners Bern Levine and Ron Krongold know about this and if they don’t make the owed $2 million HUD payment Aug. 1. Regalado said he thinks the attraction “should be foreclosed on.” The attraction has not made a rent payment, around $400,000 per year, to the city over the past three years; Miami gave the owners an $800,000 interest free loan a few years ago so the attraction could pay its property taxes. But there is still $15 million owed to U.S. HUD for an initial $25 million loan. And Levine and Krongold have plowed $21 million of their own money into the featured attraction but it still has run in the red over the past decade. http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/07/05/2883821/after-years-in-the-red-jungle.html

Further, there is another $10 million loan owed to an outside bank, Miami is on the hook for 80 percent of the federal economic development note, and Miami-Dade County’s liability is for the other 20 percent. A situation that has had both public entities making past loan payments for the HUD note for almost a decade, and these payments were first covered by the county for the six or so years there was not a signed agreement, between Miami, Miami-Dade County and Jungle Island and was only consummated by then Miami Manager Pete Hernandez and then county Manager George Burgess in 2007. That many people say was a coup for the county since it got the county off the hook for the much larger fiscal exposure. The Miami commission has been dealing with the attractions financial challenges for years and both sides are playing hardball while discussions continue. That has City Manager Johnny Martinez saying discussions are over with Jungle Island if the federal loan payment is not made on time, and the owners say they cannot make the payment and the clock is ticking down to the August deadline. >>> Readers should stay tuned and see how this game of chicken finally pans out.

CITY OF MIAMI GARDENS

>>> Voters will get to choose new district boundaries after 2010 if approved

MG webpage charter issue: Amending The Boundary Descriptions For Residential Areas One And Four — Shall Section 2.3(C) of the City Charter be amended to replace the reference to 191st Street in the description of the Southern Boundary of Residential Seat One to 178th Street and to replace the reference to 191st Street in the Northern Boundary description of Seat Four to 178th Street to reapportion seats as a result of the decennial census?

YES______
NO_______

BRIEF FACTS ABOUT THE CITY’S PROPOSED CHARTER AMENDMENT
The United States Census occurs every ten (10) years to obtain an accurate count of the country’s population. Census data is utilized to determine how federal funding will be appropriated. The redistricting data from the 2010 U.S. Census has also been provided to cities and counties to determine whether redistricting is necessary. The United States Supreme Court established a ten percent (10%) variance rule to determine whether redistricting is necessary. In other words, if each voting district is within 10% of each other in terms of population size, then there is a presumption that such district passes the muster test under the one-person, one-vote rule. If the variance exceeds 10%, then redistricting is warranted.

Each resident of the City of Miami Gardens is represented by the Mayor and two At-Large members of the City Council. In addition, the City is divided into four residential boundaries. Residents within each of the respective residential areas are represented by one member of the City Council. The 2010 United States Census revealed the City’s population sizes as follows: Residential Area 1 – 24,427 Residential Area 2 – 27,531 Residential Area 3 – 26,066 Residential Area 4 – 29,143. The results indicate a disparity, in excess of 10%, in the population sizes for Residential Areas 1 and 4. Based upon the census results, Area 1 is “too small by 2,368 people”, and Area 4 is “too big by 2,348 people”. Under the proposed Charter amendment, the southern boundary line for Seat 1 and the northern boundary line for Seat 4 will shift from N.W. 191st to NW 178th Street to reapportion the population sizes in Residential Areas 1 and 4. If approved, the end result of the Charter Amendment would make the population sizes in Residential Areas 1 and 4 more equal.

CITY OF MIAMI BEACH

>>> Commissioner Weithorn looking for five percent property tax reduction, will rest of commissioners buy into the idea on Wednesday?

Commissioner Deede Weithorn told the Watchdog Report on Wednesday that the new Miami Beach preliminary budget for next year is going to be discussed at this week’s Commission meeting Jul. 11 and she thinks, with the bump in property values. The commission should consider maybe giving taxpayers around a five percent property tax break since the economy is still hurting. The city has a major budget gap to bridge in the coming months and with Manger Jorge Gonzalez leaving. This budget discussion will be the first test to the new administration to fulfill the commission’s wishes if that is the way the body breaks when it comes to next years proposed 2012-2013 upcoming budget that begins Oct. 1.

>>> Asst. Mgr. Fernandez gets sayonara party from Beach friends & officials

Hilda Fernandez, a Miami Beach assistant city manager had her sayonara party from the City and the going away party for her Thursday was at City Hall restaurant and bar on Biscayne Boulevard in Miami. And most of the Beach commissioners were there including out going Beach Manager Jorge Gonzalez. Fernandez is going back to the Miami-Dade Homeless Trust as its CEO. The event was said to be lovely, and she starts her new Trust duties later in July at county hall.

>>> Press release: Meet your Candidates for State Representative in Miami Beach: August 7, 2012

The Miami Beach Democratic Club will be holding a public debate for the candidates running for State Representative (District 113) in the August Election. The debate will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 7, 2012 in the Veterans of Foreign Wars Meeting Room, at the Floridian, 650 West Ave., Miami Beach, first floor, southside. Parking is limited. The nearest South Beach Local stop is at 6th Street and Alton Road. The debate is open to ALL VOTERS (Democrats, Republicans and Independents) because the position of State Representative has only Democratic nominees and will appear on all ballots in the election on August 14th. Voters may vote early from August 4th to 11th or by mail by requesting an absentee ballot. For further information, contact Dave Patlak at dpatlak@yahoo.com or 305-519-4412. What: State Representative Candidates Debate When: 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, August 7th, 2012 Where: Veterans of Foreign Wars Meeting Room, at the Floridian, 650 West Ave., Miami Beach, first floor, southside Contact: Dave Patlak, dpatlak@yahoo.com or 305-519-4412

>>> Press release: Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club Meeting Date: Tuesday, July 10th, 2012 Meeting Time: 8:30 AM Meeting Place: David’s Café II, 1654 Meridian Ave., South Beach: State Rep Carlos Lopez-Cantera, running for Miami-Dade County Appraiser, will be our guest speaker at this week’s July 10th Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club meeting. Mr. Lopez is challenging appraiser Pedro Garcia, the county’s first elected appraiser. There is no charge for attending and everyone is welcome. David Kelsey, Moderator for the Breakfast Club. Visit our web site at www.MBTMBC.com (Miami Beach Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club).

CITY OF CORAL GABLES

>>> Clerk Foeman brings home the fiscal bacon with passport processing, accounts for around $150,000 in new Gables revenue a year

When it comes to free enterprise, who knew the local clerk’s office could be so creative and hundreds of thousands of new general fund dollars are coming into the office from passport application fees and other filing fees yearly. The brainchild of this activity was Clerk Walter Foeman and he was one of the first clerk’s to start this service in Florida years ago. Since then he has done a bang-up business with one week this spring bringing in $7,500 in passports fees and given the City Boatful’s reputation as the diplomatic corps hub in South Florida. This volume of passport applications apparently is quite considerable and the Gables Clerk’s office gets a $25.00 processing fee per application, (and that brings in roughly $150,000 a year), and when other city fees are included. The Clerk’s office brings in around $300,000 a year in these activities to the Gables general fund. Foeman was a veteran clerk in the city of Miami through the early 2000s, before he was selected to replace a long serving Coral Gables Clerk a few years later. And he has transformed the office since his arrival and has one of the most detailed webpage’s, created in conjunction with FIU that shows how public money is being spent.

Foeman

CITY OF DORAL

>>> City of Doral and E-Scrap Join Forces to Recycle

Press release: The City of Doral has initiated a great new program in partnership with E-Scrap, Inc. The program will provide our residents the opportunity to recycle old electronics, electronic equipment (from PDAs to mainframe systems), spent fluorescent lamps, ballasts, commercial and industrial batteries and mercury bearing devices. The objective is to recycle as much as we can and prevent recyclables from ending up in our landfills, thus contributing toward our Waste Wise Program. The public is invited every FOURTH SATURDAY of the month from 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm to our drop-off location at JC Bermudez Park located at 3000 NW 87th Avenue, Doral, FL 33172. Next drop-off day is this Saturday, June 23rd. For more information, please email publicworks@cityofdoral.com or call 305.593.6740 xt. – 6010 Keep Doral Beautiful is a City wide program aimed to reduce our carbon footprint by implementing new initiatives in our operations and services that contribute to the preservation of our natural resources.

>>> OTHER STORIES AROUND FLORIDA

BROWARD COUNTY

>>> Sheriff Lamberti in the spotlight, Republican in Democratic Party stronghold, elected in 2008, faces two challengers, had $672,000 net worth through 2011

As the ranking elected official in Broward County, Sheriff Al Lamberti is in the spotlight this week and he was first appointed to the job by then Republican Gov. Charlie Crist in 2007 after ex Sheriff Ken Jenne was indicted and ultimately sent to federal prison for almost a year. Lamberti faced a tough first race in 2008 when he sought a full four year term for the office that has a over $500 million budget and does policing for a host of the county’s 31 municipalities. Now in this election cycle, Scott Israel, the chief of North Bay Village who lost to him in 2008, is challenging him once again, and City of Hollywood Assistant Chief Louis Granteed is also running. And both challengers are Democrats in a county dominated by Democratic Party voters, and insiders were surprised when Lamberti first won given the weak GOP base of voters. However, he emphasized his competence in office and excluding a flap about his son attending the Super Bowl with him and having special credentials that died down. He has been a straight arrow in the post say most observers concerning his performance.

What do we know about his finances?

Lamberti through Dec. 2011 had a net worth of $672,800 (up from $557,000 in 2010) and he lists $110,000 in household goods. His home is valued at $174,000, a second home in Ormond Beach is worth $213,408, there is $3,766 in certificates of deposit, a credit union account has $3,766, a brokerage account with Morgan Stanley has $65,126 and there is $264,000 in deferred income. His only listed liability is $307,452 for a mortgage, his income as sheriff was $170,143, and he gets two small law enforcement payments of $2,000, and $1,560 in incentive pay states this year’s financial disclosure forms.

Lamberti http://sheriff.org/about_bso/admin/sheriff/about.cfm

CITY OF CORAL SPRINGS

>>> Press release: Gov. Scott taps Lynn D. Rosenthal, of Coral Springs, to the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit Court.

Rosenthal, 54, has been an Assistant United States Attorney since 1985. In that capacity, she has prosecuted international drug trafficking, money laundering, human smuggling, firearms trafficking, arson, tax fraud, bank fraud, bank robbery and many other federal crimes. She has also served in the Civil Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. From 1981 through 1985, she was an associate attorney at private law firms. Rosenthal received bachelor’s and law degrees from the University of Florida. “As a federal prosecutor, Lynn has litigated a wide range of significant cases and gained invaluable trial experience,” Governor Scott said. “I am confident that she will be an asset to the bench in the Seventeenth Circuit.”
Rosenthal will fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Susan Greenhawt.

SANTA ROSA COUNTY

>>> Press release: Gov. Scott names Judge Ross L. Bilbrey, of Pace, to the First Judicial Circuit Court.

Judge Bilbrey, 43, has served on the Santa Rosa County Court since 2006. Previously, he was managing partner with the Bilbrey Law Firm from 2003 to 2006 and practiced with Brant, Moore, Macdonald and Wells P.A. from 1997 to 2000. From 2000 to 2003, he was a civilian attorney with the Naval Legal Service Office of the Judge Advocate General Corps. Judge Bilbrey received bachelor’s and law degrees from the University of Florida. “Judge Bilbrey brings a wealth of experience with him to the circuit bench,” Governor Scott said. “He is committed to the fundamental principle that judges apply, and do not make, the law.” Judge Bilbrey will fill the vacancy created by resignation of Judge Paul Rasmussen.

VOLUSIA COUNTY

>>> Gov. Scott taps Judith Duggan Davidson, of Ormond Beach, to the Volusia County Court.

Davidson, 52, has been an assistant public defender with the Seventh Judicial Circuit Public Defender’s Office since 2002 and the office’s Flagler County Division Chief since 2010. From 1990 through 1996, Davidson taught courses in business law, legal ethics, and legal research and writing at Southern College in Orlando and at the University of Central Florida in Daytona Beach. From 1994 through 2002, Davidson taught Spanish at Grace Academy in Ormond Beach. She received bachelor’s and law degrees from the University of Florida.

“Judy’s wide range of life and legal experiences has prepared her well for the county bench,” Governor Scott said. “As a public defender, she has earned a reputation as a smart, fair, and dedicated officer of the court. I am confident those qualities will make her a wise and valued judge in Volusia County.” Davidson will fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Stasia Warren.

MONROE COUNTY

>>> Press release: Gov. Scott taps Harry L. Bethel and Zane F. Spitzer to the State Retirement Commission.

Bethel, 72, of Key West, is a retired director of customer service for the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority. He succeeds Hugh Robinson and is appointed for a term beginning July 5, 2012, and ending December 31, 2012.

Spitzer, 75, of Lynn Haven, is the chief deputy of the Bay County Property Appraiser’s Office. He succeeds Dr. Patrick Halperin and is appointed for a term beginning July 5, 2012, and ending December 31, 2015. The appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

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

>>> 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.

>>> 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

>>> New Miami-Dade Alliance promises to look after public tax dollars, the Watchdog Report after 16 years says good luck, but a lot of hard work now remains to be done

A variation of the long established Florida TaxWatch is being created in South Florida www.miamitodaynews.com and the not for profit is called the Miami-Dade Taxpayers Alliance www.mdtaxpayersalliance.com and initially plans to do a couple of reports a year in a neutral manner and hopes to publish reports that will help elected leaders and the community make a more informed decision on many future issues and how public dollars are being spent. And the Watchdog Report welcomes them to the fray (I wish they had done this back in the 1990s when it was really wild, but you take what you can get) of trying to keep a check on some government programs and of course waste, fraud and abuse. The organization is asking people for suggestions of what areas they should consider looking at in the future and one that comes to mind is the 11 Community Redevelopment Authorities countywide that are located from North Miami to Homestead and these redevelopment agencies get scant attention in the press or by the county’s inspector general’s office because of there quantity. And a thorough analysis by an outside body might prove very valuable since these organizations siphon off property tax dollars away from the county or municipalities general fund for local redevelopment but some CRA projects have gotten mixed reviews and CRA staff is many times well compensated.

The Alliance, once they start their activities will also find out that Miami-Dade and all its public entities are much more complex and intertwined than they can ever imagine, and if they want to save public tax dollars. They must field people who will cover and study materials from the wide array of public meetings, and they will actually need to understand the issues and process, because only in that way, will they be able to do what should be done best. And that is to kill and stop public dollars being wasted before it is spent and to nip some of these frivolous projects in the bud. Because that is where the real tax dollar savings will come from now that most of the major mega projects are concluded or nearing completion like the MIA expansion or the Miami Port tunnel.

And the Watchdog Report after 16 years of covering and studying public institutions has made this stopping of ill-conceived projects one of my hallmarks, and why I have continued doing this effort, but Miami-Dade cannot be seen as only black and white in documents. The public institutions and people that make them up are like a human tapestry or jigsaw puzzle that one has to fill in a little daily. Because any deal may involve nepotism, business relations or just plain who you know and get as a lobbyist. And the Alliance must keep that in mind, if it is not to become just another ivory tower group that periodically issues a report with a thud. For South Florida is a dynamic place, certain deals and projects sometimes happen quickly and the Alliance must have that nimbleness, that will also include a big dose of hard work in the information trenches. If they are to be successful in their primary mission of honest and neutral oversight of how public tax dollars are being spent.

LETTERS

>>> You used that line before, but more importantly, you also have ignored the Commission on Ethics other South Miami investigation, which may be part of the untold back-story to the Welsh complaint. Things are often more interesting than they appear.

Philip Stoddard
Mayor of South Miami

>>> A big thanks and a big round of applause to all wildlife lovers who supported last week’s call by South Florida Wildlands Association (SFWA) to protect the Florida black bear. The outpouring of support on behalf of Florida’s native bear was simply overwhelming. Unfortunately, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) had apparently made up their minds and could not be moved. In spite of all our efforts, last Wednesday the commission voted unanimously to remove the bear from Florida’s list of endangered species.

Put in place 34 years ago to bring the bear back from the brink of extinction (only about 300 left at the time of listing), the bear’s “threatened” status created a complete ban on hunting (with severe criminal penalties for poaching) and required consultation on privately owned bear habitat prior to development. Though definitely not out of danger, today about 3000 bears live alongside 19 million Floridians in isolated pockets of as few as 20 bears. They are still subject to new roads and development from Florida’s ever-growing population. For comparison, a 2010 survey found over 5000 manatees in Florida waters and the manatee remains a federally listed endangered species under the full protection of the Endangered Species Act.

Given the success the “threatened” status has had on Florida’s bear population, our disappointment in this historic decision runs deep. During the course of the discussion by the commissioners, all seemed to agree that the bear’s “threatened” status actually meant little. What was really important was “habitat protection” – and the commissioners pledged that now that the bear was de-listed, they would put all their efforts into protecting the bear’s habitat. Apparently, less is more. After years of watching irreplaceable habitat for bears, panthers and numerous other species destroyed and degraded by development, (only about 18 percent of the bear’s original range remains – 5 percent for the panther) that commitment remains to be seen. The FWC will not have long to wait to prove its land conservation credentials.

As we said in our last email, numerous projects which can impact bear habitat (including the introduction of motorized recreational hunting in the still pristine Big Cypress National Preserve Addition Lands – ironically championed by this same commission) are coming up for approval. Only this past Friday, SFWA received word that Florida Power and Light (FPL) submitted their “Hendry County Clean Energy Center” (at 3,750 MW of natural gas production, the largest fossil fuel plant in the country) to the Florida Public Services Commission (PSC) as part of the utility’s new “Ten Year Plan”. Proposed to be built on 3,000 acres of primary Florida panther habitat just outside the Big Cypress National Preserve, the property will also impact eastern indigo snakes, crested caracara, wood storks, and Florida black bear. Today our organization submitted formal comments to the PSC opposing that plant. We fully expect the FWC to join us in our efforts. >> In the two years since our formation, SFWA has emerged as one of the lead voices for wildlife habitat protection in the Greater Everglades. We are a 501c3 organization fully recognized by the IRS for tax-deductible contributions. The road ahead is definitely not going to be easy. It will definitely be long. Your donation to SFWA – in any amount – allows us to carry out and succeed in this important work. http://m1e.net/c?149735951-tL65btwR2uMzI%407653937-Hlz.7NocqONOw

Matt Schwartz
Executive Director
South Florida Wildlands Association

>>> Letter to M-DC Commissioner Souto,

On July 10, you will be on the county commission committee that will be voting to allow the people of Dade County to make a choice and create the Pets’ Trust ballot initiative. This will be a non-binding ballot question on the November 6th election that will ask our community if they are tired of killing our animals and want to create the plan to stop this madness. We call it the Pets’ Trust.

Since we have been killing 20,000 perfectly adoptable dogs and cats for years, we expect and demand that you allow the citizens of Dade County to be allowed to vote on putting in the life saving measures that the Pets’ Trust will provide. Please….vote yes and consider cosponsoring the resolution. We have the best opportunity in the history of Dade County to stop this killing. Please, become a part of the solution and vote yes in that committee. Become a part of saving lives….PLEASE VOTE YES.

Danny Wood

>>> 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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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