Watchdog Report Vol.13 No.15 August 19, 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.

>>> The Watchdog Report publisher was on WLRN/NPR 91.3 FM on Aug. 16 with Joseph Cooper on Topical Currents from 1:00 to 1:30 p.m. and on Friday Aug. 17. >> I was also on The Florida Roundup  panel hosted by Phil Latzman last week. >>> Political Columnists Dan Ricker & Buddy Nevins; Linda Gassenheimer & South Florida School Nutrition Thursday’s Topical Currents begins with election result analysis in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. We’ll speak with Watchdog Report publisher Dan Ricker about Miami-Dade ramifications, and long-time Broward political columnist Buddy Nevins about Broward. >>> To hear the WDR publisher on Florida-Round-Up on Friday go to http://www.wlrn.org/radio/programs/florida-round-up/

>>> Correction to the Watchdog Report that went out by email Sunday, Aug. 12, 2012, but corrected on the webpage. >>> Broward County Commissioner Stacy Ritter does not own a home in Kentucky, but has a loan from a lender there. This is the second time I made this mistake and apologize to Ritter for the error. >>> In addition, state Rep. Gustavo “Gus” Barreiro was critical of the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice in the past, not the Department of Children and Family as was reported. The WDR apologies for the errors.

ARGUS REPORT – Heard, Seen on the Street

>>> Nightmare of Hurricane Andrew still an indelible mark on South Florida 20 years later, you had to be here!

With the 20^th Anniversary of Hurrican Andrew fast approaching Friday anyone that was here in South Florida on that Aug. 24 evening will never forget the terror of the night and the sound of a freight train next to your pillow, if you had one. As trees snapped as if tooth picks through the night, roofs and homes were destroyed, and many lives were lost and the Category 5 Hurricane pummeled South Dade to bits. Andrew came to South Florida like an arrow to its mark and there was a stillness in the air the day before the landfall that gave the air a certain lightness in the August muggy heat. And I for one still notice this subtle change before a big storm approaches us here in South Florida and for just a second. I remember back to that event, and shudder.

Since then, we have rebuilt the South Florida community but it changed forever with many families leaving and moving to Broward or to other states but the community collectively looked deep into ourselves. And some of the best of Miami emerged in the aftermath as people came together to help neighbors or families now refugees. And the one thing I remember at the end of about 18 months after Andrew was the forever-endless sound of chainsaws in the distance, and then one day. It suddenly stopped and life began to return to normal and for us still here, the event is now decades removed. But if you experienced Andrew you will never forget it and reminds us all that we are just a hurricane away from having such a experience again, that I pray we don’t have again with all my heart. >>> Here is The Miami Herald’s review of the disaster: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/08/18/2958131/the-fury-of-andrew.html >>> http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/08/16/2956859/events-commemorate-hurricane-andrew.html

>>> Veteran Sen. Nelson faces son of iconic Sen. Mack, expect a spirited battle until Nov. winner could be decided by presidential race

U. S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-FL toured Miami’s Overtown’s small business community Thursday and now that the Republicans have chosen U.S. Rep. Connie Mack, IV, R-Naples as the GOP champion.  The verbal political gloves in the statewide race are expected to come off. Nelson, 70 is the only Democratic Party elected official in Florida and he was first elected to the world’s most exclusive body in 2000 when he defeated Congressman Bill McCollum. Since then he has brushed off the last Republican challenger Katherine Harris in 2006 when he garnered 60.3 percent of the statewide vote to Harris who only carried nine of the state’s 67 counties in that race. But this year could be different for the former congressman who rode on the Space Shuttle Columbia as a Payload Specialist in 1986 and followed Mack’s father. U.S. Sen. Connie Mack, III to the Senate after the elder Mack announced his retirement back then.

Now Nelson faces the son and Mack the younger kept a low profile in the GOP primary race that he won, avoiding candidate debates and attacks that he believed could be used against him in the general election by Nelson. Further, Nelson in political ads is accusing Mack of being a partier in his earlier years and getting into fights and having a history of liens and bad debt. However, Mack, divorced with two children, remarried in 2007 to Mary Bono Mack, the wife of deceased singer and Congressman Sonny Bono and he is an able campaigner who will be a stark contrast to Nelson’s measured southern drawl and down home gentle manner. And when it comes to the general election pundits suggest that whoever wins the Florida presidential race will determine who goes to the Senate. But this is expected to be a spirited race in a state that has already sent Florida Republican Senator Marco Rubio to Washington in 2010, though critics say Mack is not a Rubio in substance and charisma. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Nelson >>> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connie_Mack_IV

>>> Obama Administration on Idle Earmark Projects: Use It or Lose It “We Can’t Wait” Action Helps Florida Put People to Work, Improve Infrastructure

White House press release: The Obama Administration today announced that it won’t allow infrastructure funds to sit idle as a result of stalled earmark projects at a time when hundreds of thousands of construction workers are looking for work. U.S Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood is making $11 million in unspent earmarks immediately available to Florida for projects that will create jobs and help improve transportation across the state. These funds for Florida are included in a nationwide total of $473 million that is being turned back to all 50 states, the District and Puerto Rico. “My administration will continue to do everything we can to put Americans back to work,” said President Barack Obama. “We’re not going to let politics stand between construction workers and good jobs repairing our roads and bridges.” “We’re releasing these funds so Florida can get down to the business of moving transportation projects forward and putting our friends and neighbors back to work,” said Secretary LaHood.

President Obama has vowed to veto any bill that comes to his desk with earmarks and would support legislation to permanently ban earmarks. But $473 million in highway earmarks from FY2003-2006 appropriations acts remain unspent years later. Those acts contain provisions that authorize the Secretary to make the unused funds available for eligible surface transportation projects.  Effective today, state departments of transportation will have the ability to use their unspent earmarked highway funds, some of which are nearly 10 years old, on any eligible highway, transit, passenger rail, or port project. All states must identify the projects they plan to use the funds for by October 1, and must obligate them by December 31, 2012. “Particularly in these difficult fiscal times, Florida will be able to put these dollars to good use,” said Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez.  “These funds will create jobs in the short term and help bring about what President Obama called ‘an America built to last.’” To ensure that this funding is quickly put to good use to improve our nation’s infrastructure, funds not obligated by the December 31 deadline will be proportionally redistributed in FY 2013 to states that met the deadline.  A list of available funds by state can be accessed HERE

>>> Press release: EU Should Designate Hezbollah a Foreign Terrorist Organization, Ros-Lehtinen Says in Letter to Officials Notes recent attack against Israelis in Bulgaria

U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today sent a letter to senior European Union (EU) officials urging the EU to designate Hezbollah as a foreign terrorist organization.  For a signed copy of the letter, please click here.  Text of the letter follows: His Excellency José Manuel Barroso President European Commission c/o Delegation of the European Union to the United States of America 2175 K Street, NW, Washington, DC 20037

Dear Mr. President:

I write to respectfully request that the European Union designate Hezbollah as a foreign terrorist organization under a revised Council Common Position.  Reports indicate that Hezbollah was involved in the attack that killed 5 Israeli citizens in Bulgaria on July 18, 2012.  Hezbollah has executed attacks in the Middle East, Europe, and Latin America, killing hundreds of people and wounding countless others.  Hezbollah has also claimed responsibility for kidnappings of United States and Israeli citizens, as well as French, British, German, and Russian diplomats.  This organization clearly serves as a model for other U.S. and European designated foreign terrorist organizations.

Absent EU designation of Hezbollah as a foreign terrorist organization, Hezbollah has been able to operate, recruit, plan, train, and fundraise through Europe.  The EU has designated a number of other violent Islamist groups, including Hamas, as foreign terrorist organizations, while thus far failing to designate Hezbollah. Meanwhile, Hezbollah has provided training, financing and weapons to organizations on the European Union list, including Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. And the Iranian regime’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has long used Hezbollah as a proxy to fund, arm, and train violent extremists responsible for the deaths of U.S. soldiers, Iraqi citizens, and others. Cooperation between the United States and European Union is essential to combating the threat posed by foreign terrorist organizations.  I respectfully request that the EU act now to formally designate Hezbollah as a foreign terrorist organization under a revised Council Common Position. Thank you for your consideration of this request. Sincerely, ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN, Chairman U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee.

>>> 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

>>> Sen. President Haridopolis says sayonara, but is his political career over? Had $238,000 net worth through 2011

State Sen. Mike Haridopolis, R-Melbourne is in the spotlight this week and the long serving legislator is finishing out his political career in November as the past Florida Senate President. The man married to a prosperous physician is a university professor at the University of Florida in his own right though he once got a sweetheart book deal years ago some say based on his political influence. Now after being termed out, he is weighing his political future and he has a couple of million of dollars in political accounts that can be used later to fund any other political aspirations. But for now at the end of the year he will be out of office and insiders speculate that he might later run for the U.S. Congress in the years ahead.

What do we know about his finances?

Haridopolis through Dec. 31, 2011 had a net worth of $283,000 and he lists $50,000 in household goods.  He owns two companies called MJH Consulting and another is Ansley Way Rental Real Estate and he has $99,246 in the Flroida Retirement System and there is another $76,000 in deferred compensation. His home is worth $1.3 million and there is $325,000 in investment real estate. His liabilities include two loans owed $1.28 million, and $325,000 and income for the year was $74,615 from UF, the state kicked in $40,800 and MJH contributed $27,000.

Haridopolis http://www.flsenate.gov/senators/s26

>>> Press release: The Florida Department of Education today announced the conclusion of an investigation into test anomalies on the 2011 administration of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test. The investigation was focused on an unusually high number of erasures at four schools in Broward (Charter School of Excellence), Duval (Chaffee Trail Elementary), Gadsden (Greensboro Elementary), and Jefferson (Jefferson Elementary) counties. The investigation by the department’s Office of Inspector General revealed that although the number of erasures on test answer documents was above the conservative threshold of one in a trillion when tests are taken under standardized conditions, a determination could not be made about the cause of the high number of wrong-to-right erasures at three of the four schools (Charter School of Excellence, Chaffee Trail Elementary, and Jefferson Elementary). Although evidence does not support that teachers at Greensboro Elementary altered student documents, statements taken during the investigation revealed they did coach or interfere with student responses during the administration of the FCAT.

Through its contract with Pearson, the 2011 spring administration of the FCAT and FCAT 2.0 was the first year the Department of Education utilized a sophisticated analysis of test answer documents by Caveon Data Forensics to identify atypical testing results. In May 2011, Caveon identified 25 instances of excessive erasures at 21 schools throughout the state and asked school districts to conduct internal investigations at the flagged schools to determine the cause. As a result of these school district investigations, all but the four schools mentioned above were cleared of any wrongdoing.

>>> 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. >>> I find it unacceptable, as all of us should, that at least a half-million children in Florida – all citizens — have no health insurance. How could this be in our beloved country that seeks to be a beacon to the world? Health insurance for all children is one of the five major planks of The Children’s Movement. With the support of Florida Covering Kids and Families, The Children’s Movement is working with dozens of local partners to help build a meaningful signing-up initiative in more than a dozen Florida communities. Already we have: Completed 18 KidCare trainings around the state. Signed up, trained and deployed more than a hundred volunteers. Begun to build a growing collaboration between local school districts and KidCare outreach coalitions. It’s a good start, but only the start. If you’d like to become a volunteer, just click here. Another way to help is to make a contribution – of any size – to help support this work. It is easy. Just click here. A real movement isn’t possible without your helping in some meaningful way. Dave Lawrence, Chair The Children’s Movement

FLORIDA SUPREME COURT

>>> Justice Perry in the spotlight, tapped to high court in 2009 by Gov. Crist, had $1.2 million net worth through 2011

Justice James E.C. Perry is in the spotlight this week and he is the last Florida Supreme Court member that is scanned every year in the Watchdog Report. The respected jurist was tapped by Gov. Jeb Bush to be on the circuit court first in March of 2000, Gov. Charlie Crist named him to the seven-member high court in Mar. of 2009, and he has served without controversy and with legal distinction say people that know the man.

What do we know about his financials?

Perry through Dec. 2011 had a net worth of $1.2 million and he lists $411,000 in household goods. He has $306,000 in liabilities, his income for the year was $158,000 as a judge, and Social Security kicked in $21,200. His primary home is worth $625,000, a home in the state capital is worth $200,000 and there is $200,000 in deferred salary and the jurist lists receiving no gifts for the year.

>>> Court’s webpage bio: Justice James E.C. Perry -A native of New Bern, North Carolina, Justice James E. C. Perry was appointed to the Florida Supreme Court by Governor Charlie Crist and took office there on March 11, 2009. Before his appointment, he served as a circuit judge of Florida’s Eighteenth Judicial Circuit upon his appointment by Governor Jeb Bush in March 2000. Justice Perry later served as Chief Judge of the Circuit for a two-year term beginning July 2003.

He graduated from J. T. Barber High School. From there he attended Saint Augustine’s College, graduating in 1966 with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and Accounting. After serving in the U.S. Army as a first lieutenant, he went on to Columbia Law School where he earned his Juris Doctorate degree in 1972…

Justice Perry met his future bride, Adrienne M. Perry, Ph.D., while at Columbia Law School. A scholar in her own right, Mrs. Perry earned her undergraduate degree from the State University of New York at Oswego. She then went on to receive a master’s degree from Columbia University and a doctorate in education from the University of Florida. Formerly the Mayor of Longwood, Florida, Dr. Perry is currently a professor at Stetson University. Married since 1971, they have three children – all college graduates… Justice Perry is the 85th Justice to take office at the Florida Supreme Court since statehood was granted in 1845. 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

>>> Commissioner Edmonson faces Hardemon, Barreiro gets runoff squeaker, and Zapata and Machado face off in general election, Commissioners Jordan and Moss cruise to victory

Long serving County Commissioner Bruno Barreiro got some bad news on Friday when the canvassing board limited the number of provisional ballots that could be counted in the Commission Dist.5 race pushing him into a Nov. 5 run off race with state Rep. Luis Garcia, Jr., D-Miami-Beach. The election came right down to wire and a third candidate, Dr. Calixto Garcia did not make the cut. Barreiro out raised Garcia, who is getting support from auto magnate Norman Braman. But this is the first race of the slate of candidates pushed by the billionaire during this primary cycle where the candidate hung in there forcing an incumbent county commissioner to face a runoff. The other candidates supported by Braman were Miami Gardens Mayor Shirley Gibson who fought a tough and verbally viscous campaign against incumbent County Commissioner Barbara Jordan first elected in 2004, but Jordan prevailed. In addition, Commissioner Dennis Moss had to deal with Alice Pena sponsored by Braman who he dispatched getting 59 percent of the vote on Tuesday for another four-year term on the dais since he was first elected in 1992.

And County Commissioner Audrey Edmonson is also in a runoff race as well and she is facing Keon Hardeman after the Braman supported candidate Allison Austin only got 16 percent of the vote to Edmonson’s 43 and Hardemon’s 20 percent of the District 3 vote. Further, former state Rep. Juan C. Zapata running for commission District 11 is facing a runoff against Manny Machado after he only got 48 percent of the vote to Machado’s 37 percent in the West Dade commission district.

Who could be the next possible M-DC commission chair?

With three commission races still up in the air, the political jockeying is going on behind the scenes at the county with the remaining commissioners on the dais. And some of the commissioner names mentioned to preside over the 13 member body who elects its chair after the general election concludes in November are Commissioners Barbara Jordan, a former vice chair of the body, Jose “Pepe” Diaz, Rebeca Sosa, and Xavier Suarez who won his first full term unopposed along with Estephan “Steve” Bovo. And Suarez backed Jordan in her tough reelection race against Gibson, which will be worth some political points. However, Suarez is new to the dais, and initially did not attend many of the commission and committee meetings in his first year but his attendance has gotten better more recently. But his constant reference to having gone to Harvard University is like Chinese water torture to his peers and while he is smart. There are concerns if he has the temperament and the time needed for the top job that is being vacated by Commission Chair Joe Martinez now that he has lost his mayoral bid to Mayor Carlos Gimenez, though the election may be challenged in the courts and he has yet to concede the race’s results. >> Readers should stay tuned and see how the commission at the end of the year fills this leadership void.

>>> Mayor Gimenez vows to wipeout “scourge,” of countywide voter fraud and the use of ballot brokers

Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez after he voted Tuesday at the Water & Sewer building on Le Jeune Rd. in response to a Watchdog Report question and the widespread use of absentee ballots and voter ballot brokers, known in Spanish as boleteros and any fraudulent ballots being counted. He said the problem “was countywide” and called it a community “scourge,” and “It certainly is more [here in Miami-Dade] than other [Florida counties] and he believes to end the practice that “we need different laws to get this done.” He affirmed it has been known for a long time now, is now a countywide issue and not just limited to Hialeah. And he will do everything possible to bring an end too this countywide voter fraud blight, said Gimenez who was reelected. However, he said “it was easier said then done,” but we “Have to stop it,” and “there has been a whispering campaign” for years when it came to candidates campaigns using these ballot brokers and “everyone knew about it.” He said his office has been working “with the state attorney’s office,” but he also noted the state legislature would have to get involved on some of the issues, but he concluded . We cannot eliminate it all but we “can eliminate a vast majority” of this ballot brokering and that was the goal in the future, said Gimenez.

>>> Voters go with former prosecutor over ex Miami Commissioner De Yurre for circuit court

Former Miami Commissioner Victor De Yurre lost his bid to jump-start his long ago political career as a circuit court judge when Teresa Mary Pooler trounced him getting 56 percent of the vote to his 43 percent for the Group 49 judicial seat. De Yurre who once described his past as some good and some bad thought his name recognition would slide him onto the bench but county voters seemed to have long memories and opted to go with the former assistant state attorney who also has been a Pee Wee football referee in the past. De Yurre during the campaign, worked the Cuban Exile community vote and his photo was seen in a variety of local free periodicals at different functions but that apparently was not enough with the majority of voters who remembered the tumultuous times Miami faced when he was a commissioner on the dais in the mid 1990s.

>>> Mayor office press release: I am saddened that Director Loftus has communicated his desire to retire from the Miami-Dade Police Department effective October 1.  Over the past year, I’ve developed a close relationship with him.  He is one of the finest directors we’ve ever had.  We’re losing a dedicated public servant and a consummate professional who has led this vital department with integrity.  He will be very difficult to replace; however, I respect and appreciate his desire to be more active in the lives of his loved ones.

Director Loftus has roughly one and a half years left in the retirement program, but has been thinking hard about retiring for several months.  While I have asked him to reconsider his decision, he is firmly committed to spending more time with his family, both locally and outside the state.  As a last attempt, I reiterated that the door is still open if he wants to reconsider. Being the Director of a law enforcement agency as large as Miami-Dade Police takes a huge toll on the individual and the family.  I appreciate Director Loftus’ dedication and full commitment to this community, the police department and his honorable service.  I am especially thankful for his steady leadership during such a difficult time period and his departure will be a great loss.

>>> Ethics Commission press release: COE members were updated on Ethical Governance Day activities on October 12, 2012, and encouraged other local governments, civic organizations and educational institutions to get involved.  Details can be found on the attached flyer or by visiting www.miamidadeethics.com.

>>> GMCVB press release: RECORD ACCOMMODATION$ AND FOOD $ERVICE JOB$ IN GREATER MIAMI AND THE BEACHES REPORTED FOR JULY 2012 MARKING 2 YEARS AND TWO MONTHS OF CONSECUTIVE JOB INCREASES

Greater MIAMI’s Accommodations and Food Service JOBS increased +3.4% in July 2012 compared to the same period in 2011. This marks 2 years and two months of consecutive increased employment in Greater MIAMI’s Accommodations and Food Service industry.  In July 2012, 101,200 people were employed in Greater MIAMI’s Accommodations and Food Service sector compared to 97,900 in July 2011 a +3.4% increase – 2 YEARS AND TWO MONTHS OF CONSECUTIVE ACCOMMODATIONS AND FOOD SERVICE JOB INCREASES IN MIAMI! GREATER MIAMI ACCOMMODATIONS AND FOOD SERVICE INDUSTRY JOB$

JULY 2012	JULY  2011	% Change
101,200 jobs	97,900 jobs	+3.4%

MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

>>> Education of voters and rock solid public oversight of $1.2 billion district bond necessary if skeptical voters are to pass it

With the school board on Wednesday approving asking voters to pass a $1.2 billion new bond on Nov. 6.  The job of selling the issue now is front and center with voters and the Watchdog Report in speaking to many people have found a certain resistance and wariness about giving the nation’s fourth largest public schools district new bond money. And a clear description of how the money is going to be used is a must, as well as strong citizen oversight in a watchdog role. The district in 1988 got voter approval for a earlier almost $1 billion bond that will conclude in 2017, and there is still about $161 million owed on the financial instruments and this new bond initiative would conclude in 2050 say state school district officials. However, in an earlier board meeting discussion, long serving school board member Marta Perez said the district better “get a big magnifier glass out,” to make sure this new money, if passed, is watched over since the earlier bond did have some scandals and controversy in the 1990s.

However, supporters of the bond note interest rates have never been lower to finance the activity, and construction costs for the moment are also at an all time low that the new construction would also be a boost in job creation and getting the construction industry back on its feet in South Florida. And the schools clearly need the attention, that had the district in the late 1990s needing over $200 million in new roofing necessary and the sealing of the schools from water intrusion and the subsequent collateral damage back then.

What do critics say about the bond?

Miami-Dade a donor county when it comes to the state is not getting its fair share of state educational funding and that is where the pressure should be put rather than asking local property taxpayers to fork over more tax dollars. Even though a majority of the ageing schools are over 40 years old, with the current outstanding debt consuming the bulk of any public funds that could be used for capital improvements in the nation’s fourth largest public district with over 350 schools and another 103 charter schools under its umbrella.

>>> Press release: MIAMI-DADE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD APPROVES BOND REFERENDUM FOR NOVEMBER BALLOT

At its August 15 meeting, the Miami-Dade County School Board approved placing a $1.2 billion General Obligation (GO) Bond referendum before voters in the upcoming November 6 election.  Proceeds from the bond issue would be used to modernize and construct schools throughout the district, including technology upgrades at all schools. The Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) approved Miami-Dade County Public Schools’ request to issue the GO Bond last week. The FLDOE’s review included validating projects’ needs, confirming the lack of available funding and reviewing the proposed GO Bond financing plan.

Approval of the GO Bond by the voters is essential to the District as it seeks a sustainable long-term solution to providing 21st Century Schools for all Miami-Dade students. The proposed bond issue will have minimal impact on the typical homeowner – a projected $10 in the first year.

Approving the GO Bond now makes sense because GOs issued in 1988 are being paid off, so homeowners will not experience a significant increase in taxes. Construction costs are significantly lower than their peak, and interest rates are at historical lows. Timing the issuance of the GOs now is critical in order not to add costs to taxpayers. Finding a solution to meet the District’s capital needs has been an ongoing priority for the current district administration and a recurring topic of concern for Board members. Over the last seven years, the District has made great strides to build new and replacement schools to comply with the class-size mandate. In total, the District delivered over 105,000 new student seats.

Since recent capital funding has mostly gone to provide new schools or additions, the needs of older schools have not been addressed.  Almost half of the District’s school buildings are over 40 years old, and over one third are more than 50 years old. The downturn in the real estate market over the last five years and the decrease in state capital funding have compounded the capital-funding shortfall.  It is impossible for the District to address the mounting needs of the aging schools and fund state-of-the-art technology for all schools without a voter-approved solution. The 21st Century Schools initiative will provide prosperity and security in the community as capital from outside the county will be invested within the local economy, and as a result, students will be better prepared for the 21st Century global economy. The long-term benefits of continuing the GO Program in 2012 far outweigh the minimal increase in taxes. Voters are empowered to determine if long-term needs of school facilities benefiting a new generation of students merit continuing the GO Program by authorizing $1.2 billion of GO Bonds in 2012. The Bonds will help enhance the safety and security of school buildings; renovate or upgrade every school; guarantee technology equity across all schools; seek stakeholder input while minimizing the burden to taxpayers; promote greater public/private partnerships; provide economic development and employment opportunities to our community; and provide transparency and confidence with citizen advisory and oversight committees to ensure timely and equitable distribution of projects. Superintendent of Schools Alberto M. Carvalho has guaranteed 100 percent local reinvestment of funds

>>> Press release: M-DCPS TO PROVIDE NEW COMPUTERS FOR $25 TO QUALIFIED STUDENTS

This coming fall, qualified 9th-grade students in Miami-Dade County Public Schools will have an opportunity to buy a brand new notebook computer for the whopping price of $25. That’s right, $25. It may sound too good to be true, but it is, thanks to a federally funded grant for the “LINK – Learn Ideas, Navigate Knowledge computer literacy program.” The school district anticipates using over a million dollars in grant funding to provide computers that will enhance students’ Internet access from home. They will have the opportunity to access valuable educational resources like the Miami-Dade County Public Schools’ Student and Parent Portal websites, and the Links to Learning online tools… For more information, please visit the LINK program’s website at www.link.dadeschools.net or call 305-995-3276.

PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST

>>> Success of new marketing campaign has to include high patient satisfaction with stay, if it is to be worth taxpayer’s money

While the Jackson Health System (JHS) Financial Recovery Board (FRB) Thursday passed its next year’s budget and approved the University of Miami’s Miller Medical School Annual Operateing Agreement to the tune of $99.5 million and further payments in the coming months during the transition period. The one thing that caught the Watchdog Report’s attention at the meeting was a new $1.15 million marketing contract with the Weinbach Group for the health trust and while the amount is not huge in comparison to what other hospital systems spend. The contract was passed only after the FRB members had an extended debate about how bad the firm’s proposal was and had FRB Treasurer Joe Arriola calling the whole process and presentation “crap.” However, one comment during the discussion was made that stuck with the Watchdog Report, and that is patients will try Jackson once.  But if there is low patient satisfaction after this first stay, than any new marketing of JHS will not get the intended results and patient satisfaction in today’s competitive medical world is the watchword of the day if this new marketing push is to succeed. >>> See what The Miami Herald said about the meeting. http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/08/16/2954689/jackson-health-system-shows-surplus.html

>>> JACKSON HEALTH SYSTEM BOARD APPROVES REALISTIC AND BALANCED BUDGET WITH A $35 MILLION SURPLUS FOR FY 2012-13

Press release: The transformation of Jackson Health System into a thriving organization took a giant leap forward with the approval of a realistic and balanced $1.6 billion budget that includes excess revenue over expenses of approximately $35 million next year. Adopted unanimously by the seven-member Public Health Trust Financial Recovery Board (FRB) during a public hearing Thursday, August 16, the budget now moves to the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) for consideration in September.

“We have to thank all of the Jackson team for their hard work and sacrifices that were made this year, which have made our aggressive plans to grow services next year possible,” said Carlos A. Migoya, president and CEO of Jackson Health System. “Our entire community should be proud of the progress.” The $35 million surplus, for the 2012-2013 fiscal year, represents a world-class turnaround for a system that lost hundreds of millions of dollars over the last few years, including $81 million last year, and could have lost as much as $400 million this year. The turnaround provides Jackson with numerous opportunities to move forward with its restructuring plans including: Improving our facilities and paying vendors more quickly. Recruiting more community physicians to bring patients to Jackson Memorial Hospital. Building up the Special Care Unit at Jackson North Medical Center. Expanding surgery, cardiac service and maternity at Jackson South Community Hospital. Improving the efficiency of our clinics and emergency rooms. Attracting more patients with the fast-growing reputation of Jackson Mental Health Hospital and mental-health programs across the system. In addition, as the current fiscal year winds down, “we expect to come within a whisper of breaking even when the fiscal year ends on September 30,” Migoya predicted.

CITY OF MIAMI

>>> Mgr. Martinez must keep required qualifications in place, skill set waivers must be kept to a minimum & Power lunch takes Commissioners Suarez and Sarnoff to Versailles, only discussing the “elections,” says commission chair

When the Miami Financial Oversight Board was created in 1996 by then Gov. Lawton Chiles, one of the first things these people who did not live in Miami implemented, was to get people to run the city that actually had the upper level degrees needed to run the city and even mandated a college degree for the top post of manager, but that tradition is changing as more and more qualification waivers are being approved. And the most glaring example is Jessica Angel-Capo now the interim director of the code enforcement department, a fairly important position, but some of her actions has people questioning her temperament and credentials. And the Watchdog Report has first hand knowledge after observing the woman in a restaurant over a year ago and to say she was out of control in the public setting is an understatement.  As she loudly used the F bomb constantly for over an hour, as she downed her drinks with coworkers and a father with his daughter next to me had to move farther away so the girl did not have to listen to this crude verbal behavior.

I wrote an editorial on public officials conduct in the public domain after the incident but did not name Capo at the time though I talked to two city staffers with her at the bar and they are both trained attorneys. I pointed out to them this kind of behavior was totally unacceptable and they both agreed, with one of them later moving on to another high profile job and the other man is still with the city. But Miami Manager Johnny Martinez needs to lift the competency bar a little higher within the administration. Since not only is the city in a fiscal budget bind, but residents need to get people with the skill sets they deserve to do the job of running the city and that competency is eroding, and just puts a greater burden on the competent workers and that is a unfair state of affairs, and will lead to needless lawsuits.  http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2001-12-19/news/0112190053_1_interim-city-manager-city-finances-financial-oversight-board

Jessica Angel-Capo, Interim Director of Code Enforcement

What about past looks by the Watchdog Report of personnel files?

Back in the 1990s when I first started watching government, one of the first things I did was review about 250 Miami employees’ personnel files every week for about six months and what I found in some ways was shocking. With some city employees listing bogus degrees or major embellishments on their resumes and I actually contacted some of the major universities to verify the credentials and they were all too happy to say who had graduated, and who was a phony. But the exercise opened my eyes and would later result in the Human Resources department confirming these applicants’ credentials before the commission and oversight board approved the hires. For during that time in the old days before the oversight board, political patronage jobs in the old administration was wide spread and led to the $68 million budget meltdown in 1996 that made the city’s fiscal paper become junk bonds and while elected leaders squirmed under the scrutiny of the oversight board at the time. These outside people over the five years were successful in getting Miami solvent again. And the board was dissolved in Dec. 2001 after then Gov. Jeb Bush recognized the city had in fact turned around and had hefty reserves in the bank, and it had become a fiscally sound city again.

What else happened last week?

The Watchdog Report on Election Day decided to go to Versailles Restaurant in Little Havana on Tuesday since Mayor Carlos Gimenez was scheduled to eat lunch there and he did. However, he was not the only one at the iconic restaurant and Miami Commissioners Francis Suarez and Marc Sarnoff were also there with a posse of “friends,” said Commission Chair Suarez. Suarez and Sarnoff the commission vice chair were with a number of heavy weight lobbyists, an affordable housing maven, along with Sarnoff’s wife Teresa and both commissioners were driven to the event by a commission sergeant of arms. Suarez when the Watchdog Report asked what brought this group together said there “was nothing illegal” in them getting together, it was just “friends,” and since both commissioners were attorneys.

They both knew the limitations of discussing policy among themselves out of the sunshine of a public meeting, and they were just talking about “the elections,” he said. Some of the other people at the lunch were Steven Marin, a political operative and elections maven who also is a lobbyist, as well as veteran county lobbyist and attorney Richard Perez who also reiterated it was just “friends getting together.” And another luncheon member was Mathew S. Greer, the CEO of the Carlisle Development Group and while none of this is a violation of state law if no city commission business was discussed. The fact that Perez registered as a Miami lobbyist Jul. 3, for Grove Waterfront, LLC, as did Marin on Jul. 6 and the past controversial Request for Proposal was thrown out and is being rebid. It does make the gathering look odd though Greer is not a registered lobbyist with the city records show. To see who is a registered Miami lobbyist go to http://www.ci.miami.fl.us/City_Clerk/pages/lobbyist/lobbyist.asp

>>>Past June 2008 Miami-Dade County Ethics Commission study on the benefits that elected leaders in Miami get per year while in office. Note Mayor Tomas Regalado reduced his salary to around $95,000 when he took office in Nov. 2009. >>> In the City of Miami, Resolution R-05-0745 establishes the salary and compensation for the Mayor.  Specifically, Section 2 of this resolution states that “Mayor Manny Diaz shall be paid an annual salary of One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000).”  Thus, for calendar year 2007, the Mayor was paid a taxable salary of $149,999.91, according to the W-2 information provided to the COE.

On November 4, 2003, Charter Amendment No. 2 was passed increasing the compensation of each City Commissioner from $5,000 to $58,200 annually, to be paid in monthly installments.  Resolution R-03-1133 officially accepted Charter Amendment No. 2, which was adopted by the City Commission on November 13, 2003.  Therefore, the W-2 information provided to the COE by the City’s Finance Director, Ms. Diana Gomez, showed that each City Commissioner received an annual salary of $58,200 for the year 2007. With regards to taxable annual expense allowances, the Mayor and City Commissioners each receive taxable annual expense allowances as follows: Separate vehicle allowance in the amount of $10,800; Cell phone allowance of $3,600; and, Other expense allowance of $30,000. Lastly, the Finance Director stated that the Mayor and City Commissioners are not issued government credit cards nor do elected officials receive a travel allowance.  Travel reimbursements are paid when the travel expenses are incurred and reimbursement is requested by the elected official.  Such expense reimbursements are non-taxable.

>>> Press release: Owner of Miami Home Health Company Pleads Guilty in $60 Million Health Care Fraud Scheme — The owner of a Miami health care agency pleaded guilty today for his participation in a $60 million home health Medicare fraud scheme, announced the Department of Justice, the FBI and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).  Rodolfo Nieto Jr., 40, of Miami, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Cecilia M. Altonaga in the Southern District of Florida to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and to receive health care kickbacks.

According to the court documents, Nieto was the owner and operator of Ronat Home Health Care Inc.  According to court documents, during the time of the conspiracy, Ronat was a Florida home health “staffing agency” that purported to provide home health care and physical therapy services to eligible Medicare beneficiaries.  Ronat subsequently became a home health agency. According to court documents, from approximately January 2006 to approximately November 2009, Nieto accepted kickbacks in return for recruiting Medicare beneficiaries to be placed at Nany Home Health Inc., a Miami home health agency that purported to provide home health care and physical therapy services to eligible Medicare beneficiaries.  The owners and operators of Nany paid Nieto kickbacks in return for allowing Nany to bill the Medicare program on behalf of the patients Nieto had recruited through Ronat.  Specifically, as part of the scheme, Nany billed Medicare for home health services purportedly provided by Ronat.

In a related case, on April 25, 2012, Roberto Gonzalez and Olga Gonzalez, president and vice president of Nany, and their son, Fabian Gonzalez, all of whom operated Nany, were sentenced to 120, 87 and 87 months in prison, respectively, following their Dec. 19, 2011, guilty pleas to one count each of conspiracy to commit health care fraud.  From approximately January 2006 through November 2009, Roberto, Olga and Fabian Gonzalez and their co-conspirators submitted approximately $60 million in false and fraudulent claims to Medicare, and Medicare paid approximately $40 million on those claims. At sentencing, scheduled for Oct. 23, 2012, Nieto faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of $250,000 or twice the pecuniary gain or loss.

The 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; Jeffrey C. Mazanec, 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. >>> This case is being prosecuted by Senior Trial Attorney Joseph S. Beemsterboer of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section.  The case was investigated by the FBI and HHS-OIG, 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 its inception in March 2007, the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, now operating in nine cities across the country, has charged more than 1,330 defendants who have collectively billed the Medicare program for more than $4 billion.  In addition, HHS’s Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with HHS-OIG, is 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.

CITY OF MIAMI BEACH

>>> M-DC Commission Candidate Garcia to speak at TMBC – Meeting Date: Tuesday, August 21st, 2012 – Meeting Time: 8:30 AM Meeting Place: New Location: David’s Café One, Corner of Collins Ave. and 11th Street, South Beach

Representative Luis Garcia, back in the running for County Commission District 5, will be the guest speaker at the August 21st Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club meeting. Incumbent Bruno Barreiro lost the primary by nine votes, which now forces a run-off. Election night ended with Bruno the presumed winner, but a recount showed him nine votes short, opening the race to the runner-up, Luis Garcia. There is no charge for attending and everyone is welcome. David Kelsey, Moderator for the Breakfast Club. Please Note the New Location for the Breakfast Club.

CITY OF CORAL GABLES

>>> Mgr. Salerno raids Miami for Gables Asst. Mgr. Cueto, goes to Maryland for Dir. Keller

Coral Gables Manager Patrick Salerno has beefed up his senior staff, one of the criticisms leveled against him at a contentious commission meeting that had Commissioners Maria Anderson and Ralph Cabrera, Jr., being the point of the spear saying the manager had become a “sixth commissioner.” Salerno said that was not the case, he was only trying to change a entrenched culture when it came to city employees, and he needed to add some senior management and he ended up keeping his job after a 3 to 2 vote. Since that meeting last month, he has recruited two new people. And Nicole Cueto I briefly got to know while she worked for Miami Commission Chair Francis Suarez who said last week. He was sorry to see her go. But Cueto jumped at the opportunity and she has done a stint before with Coral Gables and the Watchdog Report predicts she will do a good job in this leadership new capacity.

>>> City webpage: Additional Staff Joins City’s Management Team – There are two new faces in the City of Coral Gables. City Manager Pat Salerno continues to rebuild and move the organization forward without increasing the number of City employees. As a result, the following new staff members have recently joined the organization:

Nicole Cueto will be returning to the City as Assistant to the City Manager. Nicole was previously an intern in the Mayor’s Office. She is currently working for the City of Miami as a senior staff assistant to Commission Chairman Francis Suarez. Nicole recently completed her law degree and has been admitted to The Florida Bar. She also recently received her MBA.

Jessica Keller is the new Director of the City’s Community Services Department. The Parks and Recreation, Parking, and Public Service functions were consolidated into the new Community Services Department. Jessica has significant experience in transportation planning, project management and engineering. She most recently served as the Director of Service Development at the Maryland Transit Administration. Prior to that, Jessica was the Chief of Planning for the Baltimore City Department of Transportation. She has a Master’s degree in Engineering from the University of Maryland and Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Analysis and Planning.

CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI

>>> Letter of Instruction approved for City Commissioner Welsh by county ethics commission

COE press release: The Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics and Public Trust today approved a Letter of Instruction for South Miami City Commissioner Robert Welsh, who was found to have violated the County Ethics Code earlier this year. The complaint (C 12-25) alleged that the commissioner, who was elected in February, spoke with two bidders in April about a pending city contract while the proposals were still under consideration, which is prohibited by procurement rules.  As part of a settlement agreed to in June, Commissioner Welsh paid $250 in investigative costs and will accept the Letter, which specifically instructs him to abide by the “cone of silence” and to contact the Ethics Commission if he is uncertain about the applicability of ethics rules.

CITY OF SWEETWATER

>>> County ethics commission says no probable cause in Mayor Maroño investigation

COE press release: The Ethics Commission found No Probable Cause that Sweetwater Mayor Manuel Maroño  violated the ethics code by exploiting his official position.   The complaint (C 12-29) was alleged by Florida Highway Patrol Corporal Carlos Ruiz, who coordinates trooper’s off-duty assignments for Florida Power & Light.  He and another trooper were working at NW 109 Ave. & 18 St. in May when a Sweetwater police commander told him that a city ordinance requires that all off-duty police work in that city must be coordinated by the Sweetwater Police Department.  As the off-duty work by Corp. Ruiz continued, Mayor Marono became involved and eventually FP&L removed Corp. Ruiz from that assignment.  Since Sweetwater does have an ordinance requiring that city officers get priority for off-duty work within the municipality, the Ethics Commission determined the mayor did not exploit his official position by having Corp. Ruiz replaced.

CITY OF NORTH MIAMI BEACH

>>> Ethics complaint against Mayor Rosner not legally sufficient and dismissed

COE Press release: A complaint (C 12-30) filed against former North Miami Beach Mayor Myron Rosner in connection with his membership on the Miami-Dade County Board of Rules and Appeals was found Not Legally Sufficient and dismissed.  A citizen alleged that while he was running for re-election in 2011, Mayor Rosner accepted campaign contributions totaling more than $10,000 from developer Russell Galbut, his family members and various corporations in which he has financial interests.   While he lost the re-election bid, Rosner continued serving on the Board of Rules and Appeals and voted in favor of Galbut at two meetings of that board.  The County ethics code permits elected officials who are also members of quasi-judicial boards to vote on matters related to campaign contributors as long as the member will not personally profit or be enhanced by the vote.

CITY OF VIRGINIA GARDENS

>>> Virginia Gardens Man Charged with Dealing in Firearms Without a License

Press release: Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Hugo Barrera, Special Agent in Charge, Miami Field Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Al Lamberti, Sheriff, Broward County Sheriff’s Office (BSO) and Ric Bradshaw, Sheriff, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) announce the filing of a criminal information charging Jose Antonio Quintana, 55, of Virginia Gardens, Florida, with one count of dealing in firearms without a federal firearms license, in violation of Title 18, Untied States Code, Sections 922(a)(1)(A).  In addition, the United States seeks the forfeiture of 90 rifles, 78 shotguns, 418 handguns and approximately 25,000 rounds of ammunition that were seized from Quintana as part of the investigation.

Quintana is scheduled to be arraigned on Thursday, August 24, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. before the West Palm Beach Duty Magistrate. If convicted, he faces a possible maximum statutory sentence of up to five years in prison.

According to the criminal complaint previously filed in the case, Quintana attended numerous gun shows across the State Florida between November 2008 and July 7, 2012.  At each gun show, Quintana sold firearms as purported “private sales.”  This practice allowed Quintana to benefit from a cash business without the expense of operating a storefront, reporting his activity to ATF, completing any ATF paperwork (ATF Form 4473), and without conducting the required background checks of any customers. During this period, undercover ATF agents purchased eleven (11) firearms, valued at $6,115.00 from Quintana at various gun shows.  In one of the undercover purchases, Quintana claimed that the law allowed him to privately sell a reasonable unspecified quantity of firearms.  In the recorded conversation, Quintana stated, “Let us say, twelve, twenty four, thirty six, fifty, firearms per year.  Let us say, reasonable. . . I surpassed that a long time ago.” >>> Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative and cooperative efforts of ATF, BSO and PBSO.  Mr. Ferrer also thanked the Miami-Dade Police Department, the Miami Beach Police Department, the City of Miami Police Department, and the Virginia Gardens Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam McMichael. >>> A criminal information is only an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls.

>>> OTHER STORIES AROUND FLORIDA

BROWARD COUNTY

>>> Voters reelect Commission Holness, first Jamaican lawmaker on dais, had $274,000 net worth through Jun. 2011

Dale V.C. Holness is in the spotlight this week and he won reelection to Broward Commission Dist. 9 after getting 55 percent of the low turnout vote of just 10.6 percent and having no Republican challenger on the general election. Holness, the first Jamaican elected to the commission is extensively involved in real estate and fended off challenger Robert McKinzie in the Aug. 14 primary in the Democratic Party dominated county.

What do we know about his finances?

Holness through Jun. 2012 had a net worth of $274,350 and he lists no household goods values. There is $12,300 in a savings account, a business is worth $40,000 and he owes three loans $32,000, $61,500 and $82,000. The commissioner’s income for the year was $92,097 as an elected official and he owns seven houses and two plots of vacant land.

Holness  >>> http://www.sfltimes.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=10814&Itemid=199 >>> County bio: Map|Website In their overwhelming endorsement for Broward County Commissioner Dale Holness, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel noted “he has a track record of rolling up his sleeves and finding solutions.”

That track record is well documented in his six years of public service as a Lauderhill City Commissioner. His solutions, as stated when sworn in to office to represent District 9 are broad: Job creation and economic development through expanded international trade. Capitalizing on Broward County’s geographic uniqueness as a Gateway to the Americas and our assets in Port Everglades and the Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport…

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

CORAL SPRINGS

>>> Press release: Gov. Scott taps Lori A. Gunn and Jenni C. Parsons to the K-12 Public School Facility Funding Task Force.

Gunn, 47, of Fleming Island, is a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty. She is appointed for a term beginning August 15, 2012, and ending June 30, 2013.

Parsons, 40, of Coral Springs, is the president of Coral Springs Charter School Parent Teacher Student Organization. She is appointed for a term beginning August 15, 2012, and ending June 30, 2013.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

>>> BrowardBulldog.org hosts 9/11 conversation with former Senator Bob Graham on September 11

Questions about Saudi Arabia’s possible involvement in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks have lingered for more than a decade. Over the past year, BrowardBulldog.org has reported how Congress and the 9/11 Commission were kept in the dark about a secret FBI investigation that found troubling ties between the 9/11 hijackers and Saudis then living in Sarasota.

Former Florida U.S. senator and two-term governor Bob Graham, co-chair of Congress’s Joint Inquiry into the attacks, was privy to top-secret information on suspected foreign support for the hijackers. He believes events in Sarasota offer important clues about what happened, and has called on President Obama to reopen the investigation. Join us at the Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale on Sept. 11 for a special evening with Sen. Graham on the 11th anniversary of the terrorist attacks for our program, “Unanswered Questions of 9/11: A Conversation With Bob Graham.”  Sen. Graham will answer questions and be available afterward to sign copies of his latest book, “Keys to the Kingdom.” >>> Ticket Options: Tickets are available at http://browardbulldog.eventbrite.com/ Meet Sen. Graham at the 5:30 p.m. VIP Cocktail Reception. $75 ticket includes drinks and hors d’oeuvres, lecture, upfront seating and priority access at the book signing. Pre-sale general admission tickets to the 6:30 p.m. lecture are available for $20 through Aug. 31; $30 on Sept. 1-11. Proceeds benefit Broward Bulldog.org, an independent 501(c) 3 nonprofit providing local watchdog reporting in the public interest.

PALM BEACH COUNTY

>>> Commissioner Aaronson saying sayonara after being elected in 1992, had $677,000 net worth through 2011

Burt Aaronson, the long serving Palm Beach Commissioner representing Dist. 5 on the body is in the spotlight this week and he was first elected in 1992. He survived the political purges that sent a majority of his peers to federal prison on public corruption charges a few years ago and he is a retired businessman. The man has twice been the public face of the county as mayor and he is being forced out of office because of term limits.

What do we know about his finances?

Aaronson through Dec. 2011 had a net worth of $677,600 and he lists $150,000 in household goods. He lists $316,900 in deferred compensation, there is $77,491 in the Florida Retirement System and a condominium is worth $ 130,000. His income for the year was $92,097 as a county commissioner, retirement benefits kicked in $22,450 and Social Security contributed $30,290 for the year.

Aaronson: http://www.pbcgov.com/countycommissioners/district5/biography.htm

PALM BEACH GARDENS

>>> Press release: Palm Beach Gardens-based TBC Corporation (TBC), one of the nation’s largest marketers of automotive replacement tires, will expand its headquarters in Florida.  This expansion project – a $12 million capital investment – will produce 175 new jobs. The expansion follows the company’s recent acquisition of Midas Inc., a long-time worldwide leader in the automotive services industry.  Midas is based in Itasca, Illinois, and TBC selected Florida over the Illinois site for this relocation project, which also retains 120 of TBC’s Florida employees. “This is our second Palm Beach Gardens expansion in the past three years,” said Larry Day, president and CEO of TBC.  “Not only does this growth allow us to serve our customers efficiently and effectively, it opens career opportunities in the tire and automotive services retail industry, as well as wholesale.”

TBC’s continuing investment in Florida through this project marks a significant economic development win for the state. “It’s a powerful example of Florida’s ability to provide the foundation companies need as a base for their operations, one that enables them to grow and better serve their customers,” said Governor Rick Scott.  “I am especially pleased that our strong economic development partnerships on the state and local levels helped TBC reach this milestone.”  Principal partners included the City of Palm Beach Gardens, Enterprise Florida Inc. and the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County. TBC’s expansion is a “win-win” for the residents and businesses of Palm Beach Gardens, Palm Beach County and the state of Florida, said David Levy, mayor of Palm Beach Gardens.  “The city’s incentive program, utilized by the TBC Corporation in its expansion, is a significant part of our economic development policy.  The program is a critical tool used in attracting, retaining, and expanding value-added employment opportunities for the City of Palm Beach Gardens. In this instance, we were able to bring 175 new positions into our community, as well as retain 120 others,” Levy explained.  “On behalf of my fellow Council members, I am delighted to welcome this growing business to this very unique city.” Kelly Smallridge, president & CEO of the Business Development Board, said, “Palm Beach County continues to charge ahead in relocating and expanding corporate headquarters.  This will have a significant positive impact on our local economy.”

OKEECOHBEE  COUNTY

>>> Feds bust man who pleads guilty to arson fires in local convenience store

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Hugo Barrera, Special Agent in Charge, Miami Field Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Jeff Atwater, Chief Financial Officer, Department of Financial Services, Division of State Fire Marshal, Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigation, Dennis Davis, Police Chief, Okeechobee City Police Department, Herb Smith, Fire Chief, Okeechobee City Fire Department, and James Loftus, Director, Miami-Dade Police Department, announces that Christopher Van Hatcher, 33, of Miami, Florida, pled guilty yesterday to arson, in violation of Title 18, Untied States Code, Sections 844(i). Sentencing is scheduled for October 26, 2012, before U.S. District Judge Donald L. Graham in Fort Pierce, Florida.  At sentencing, Hatcher faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and maximum of 30 years imprisonment.

According to the stipulated factual basis filed in this case, Hatcher first burglarized the Handy Food Store located at 1408 South Parrott Avenue, Okeechobee, Florida to obtain Florida Lottery scratch off tickets. Before leaving the store, Hatcher set fire to the remaining lottery tickets which caused extensive fire and smoke damage.  First responders from the Okeechobee City Police and Fire Departments responded to extinguish the fire. Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative and cooperative efforts of all Federal, State and local agencies which all contributed to identifying Hatcher.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Adam McMichael. >> 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.

MANATEE COUNTY

>>> Port Manatee Prepares for Panama Canal Expansion Port project to create 595 construction jobs and 180 permanent jobs

Press release: Governor Rick Scott helped break ground today on the first 10 acres of a 52-acre container terminal at Port Manatee’s Berth 12. Expected to be completed mid-year 2013, it is the final piece of the port’s 11-year, $200-million expansion. The project is expected to create 595 construction jobs and 180 permanent jobs. The work at Berth 12 is aimed at attracting new cargoes expected with the completion of the Panama Canal expansion in 2014. The port received its first ship in October 2011 after being deepened to 41 feet and extended from 1,000 feet to 1,584 feet. “Florida is making the investment needed to get our ports ready for the expansion of the Panama Canal, and these investments will result in more logistics and manufacturing jobs in our state,” Governor Scott said.  “Shipping will be more efficient and economical, and Florida will be positioned as the shipping capital of the Gulf and Eastern seaboard.”

Governor Scott’s Vision for Florida’s Seaports

Florida is uniquely positioned to lead the nation in the volume and value of trade entering our ports. In preparation of the completed expansion of the Panama Canal in 2014, Florida’s investment in expanding and modernizing its seaport system has grown approximately 278 percent, up from $148.8 million in 2011, to $562.7 million in 2013 under Governor Scott’s leadership. In 2011, Governor Scott put forward an important funding plan to widen and deepen the Port of Miami to allow the state to capitalize on the larger Post Panamax ships that will bring cargo to and from the United States. This important project is projected to add 30,000 Florida jobs in the coming years while allowing our state to outcompete other states for the Post Panamax shipping.

MONROE COUNTY

>>> Commissioner Carruthers gets reelected with no opposition, has $5 million net worth through June 2012

Heather Carruthers, the Monroe County Commissioner who represents Dist 3 is in the spotlight this week and she was reelected unopposed when no one stepped forward to challenge the Democrat first elected in 2008. She is strong on fiscal accountability and trying to streamline government, is accessible to the public, and has frequent community town hall meetings. She raised $3,450 for her campaign and she is a successful businesswoman.

What do we know about her finances?

Carruthers through Jun. of 2012 had a net worth of $5.07 million and she lists $70,000 in household goods for the year. Her home is worth $425,000, a business is valued at $8 million and there is another $232,000 in investments. She owes a mortgage $350,000 and a business loan $3.7 million and auto financing wants $25,000. She filed her IRS 2011 1040 for the year and lists her total income as $78,901 for the year.

http://www.monroecounty-fl.gov/directory.aspx?EID=21 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cyv1k-IjkBs >> http://keysnews.com/node/37783

COMMUNITY EVENTS

>>> 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

EDITORIALS

>>> Braman commission candidate slate not a “bust,” forced entrenched incumbents to take primary election seriously and that is a good thing; past complacency by voters feeds leaders’ egos

While political pundits are calling Norman Braman’s efforts to get some new Miami-Dade Commissioners elected a “bust.” The billionaire auto magnate did put some fear into the incumbent commissioners and made them work to get reelected  and that exercise makes these incumbents better elected officials whether they want to admit to it or not. Over the past two decades the Watchdog Report has been watching and covering government, the one sure thing that I know is that candidates that win office unopposed tend to get very self absorbed and full of themselves and that is a very annoying political trait in an elected leader. Braman when he started this civic exercise was just trying to give voters an alternative to the status quo and he always said it was up to the county’s voters to decide the political fates of the commissioners up during this election cycle.

And while the Watchdog Report wishes Braman had vetted some of the candidates better, reelected Commissioners Barbara Jordan and Dennis Moss will be better elected leaders on the 13-member dais after this political ordeal and that is worth something. Since two other commissioners had already avoided that election challenge when no one ran against Commissioners Estephan “Steve” Bovo and Xavier Suarez and they both cruised into office and it remains to be seen how inflated these two men’s egos may be in the future. But it is clear county voters are still restless with some of their leaders and these elected officials need to be very careful not to take voters for granted and do what is right for their districts and the county as a whole. For political change is still in the air and once it starts it will be difficult to tamp it out in the years to come. And what Braman may have started at first, now has a life of its own, and we all will see what the coming years will bring, but one thing is for sure. Any wayward commissioner in the future will be held accountable in the decade to come and the days of just ignoring the will of the voters with disdain is over, and that is a good thing.

LETTERS

>>> Regarding the WDR story: FRB member state Rep. Bileca facing GOP challenger in primary and Democrat in Nov. If he loses, will it have a ripple affect on seven-member oversight board? As you appear to be someone who likes to get it right, please note. I have only lent my campaign $100 to open my campaign account, not $7,200 as reported, and also note Bileca reported to the Division of Elections incorrectly. If you look at the line-by-line contributors – not at the totals -He has lent himself $175,000 in addition to the $15,000 that was contributed by his owned dental clinics and $75,000 from the Republican Party (giving $50,000 in cash and $25,000 in kind). I thought as the “Watchdog Reporter” that you would appreciate my noting your incorrect figures in your story.

Dr. Jeffrey Solomon
Democratic Party State Rep. candidate for House Dist. 115

>>> The $300,000 fine by the FEC against Sen. Alex Diaz de la Portilla was reversed by the Third District Court of Appeal. The fine on remand was a minor $8,000 for a number of non-controversial violations that were technical in nature. The political negative messages against Alex Diaz de la Portilla are a fabrication that should be unmasked. If Politifact analyzed the opponent’s claim, the result would be “Pants on Fire.”

Benedict P. Kuehne

>>> These studies have been coming forward and show how seriously the developing brain can be affected by inappropriate care provided during the early months/years of life. This is an article, which provides a brief summary and is worth reading.http://www.chicagotribune.com/health/la-sci-orphan-brains-20120724,0,2653588.story

Wil

>>> 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.

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