Watchdog Report Vol.13 No.34 January 13, 2013 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.

>>> Red Alert: If you think it is important to have an alternative mainstream news service, I hope you will consider becoming a financial supporter for I do have to live and pay my rent. I also want to thank again all those people and organizations that have supported me and I have been honored by that trust and support of my efforts over the past almost 14 years.

ARGUS REPORT – Heard, Seen on the Street

>>> Everglades Coalition Conference talks of some progress, funding and correct water levels still needed, but invasive reptiles & plants major concern to health of ecosystem

The 28^th Everglades Coalition Conference was held at the Historic Biltmore Hotel this week and while water flows through the River of Grass were one topic, it was the issue of new plant and reptile invasive species that stunned the crowd of Everglades’s supporters. And political supporters that attended the conference included Gov. Rick Scott coming by the hotel and talking to environmentalists but was not speaking at the conference that included two local members of Congress speaking, U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman- Schultz, D-Miami and U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Miami. And Ken Salazar the U. S. Secretary of the Interior was the Friday night keynote speaker for the events dinner at the hotel. The restoration of the Everglades first started in the late 1990s and while the state was aggressive in it’s funding during the Gov. Jeb Bush and Gov. Charlie Crist’s administrations overall. The collapse of the global economy in 2008 put a halt to much of this new funding, though federal dollars that had lagged in years past contributed roughly $1.5 billion over the past four years of the President Barack Obama administration and the cleanup effort has been essentially a nonpartisan issue for both local political party leaders over the decades.

However, critics of the slow progress charge that it is the reduction of state water management districts funding pushed by Gov. Rick Scott who feels the taxes are a burden to residents and businesses in these tough times. And the Districts were a key funding component to these massive ecological projects being done. And others note the people polluting the waterways and rivers are not paying there fare share of the price for the restoration, and they believe these companies, especially Big Sugar should share more of the cost burden.

http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/01/11/3178577/everglades-activists-hope-to-maintain.html

What are the invasive reptiles of concern?

While the Burmese Python’s proliferation in the Everglades has caught the national medias attention, there are a host of other reptiles including the Nile Monitor, the green Iguana and both can grow to around seven feet to the slightly smaller Argentinean black and white tegu lizard that has joined the invasive species invasion force and female reptiles lay around 35 eggs a year. The Nile monitor has been spotted in the Village of Pinecrest area and Iguanas that first came in the mid 1960s to South Florida have proliferated. Moreover, in the case of the Burmese python that can grow to 20 feet and more than 144,000 have been imported since 2005 into the United States and hundreds of them ended up in the Everglades National Park since then. Documents on the subject indicate some 230 pythons were removed alone in 2007, but the female snakes reproduce and these are laying dozens of eggs every year. To report one of these invasive reptiles go to www.myfwc.com

Tegu	Nile Monitor

Tegu Nile Monitor Wikipedia photos

>>> Press release: Diaz-Balart Celebrates Dedication of C-111 Spreader Canal Western Project

Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), founder and co-chair of the Everglades Caucus, attended the dedication of the C-111 Spreader Canal Western Project, the first project to be completed in the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP). In 2004, Congressman Diaz-Balart authored H.R. 3785, which authorized the land swap between the State of Florida and Everglades National Park in order to construct the canal. The purpose of the canal is to restore freshwater flows to Florida Bay through Taylor Slough and to preserve clean water for Everglades National Park and maintain flood controls for eastern communities. H.R. 3785 was signed into law later that year. “I am pleased to join the South Florida Water Management District in today’s dedication of the C-111 Spreader Canal Western Project. The canal is a key component to restoring fresh water flows in the Everglades. Florida is blessed to have a natural treasure like the Everglades, and we have an obligation to preserve it for future generations.”

>>> California Man Sentenced to 34 Years in Prison for Traveling to the

Dominican Republic and Sexually Abusing Minor Boys

Press release: Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Alysa D. Erichs, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI), Miami Field Office, announce that defendant Troy Douglas Brimm, 50, of Modesto, California, was sentenced on Thursday, January 10, 2013, to 34 years in prison, followed by a life term of supervised release for traveling from the United States to the Dominican Republic and engaging in illicit sexual conduct with minors.  On August 29, 2012, a jury convicted the defendant of two counts of traveling from the United States to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, to engage in illicit sexual conduct with minor boys, and committing the offense while required to be registered as a previously convicted sex offender under the federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act and California law.

According to trial evidence, on October 23, 1991, Brimm was convicted of sodomy with a 16-year old boy in Stanislaus County, California.  On January 21, 1997, Brimm was convicted of receipt and distribution of material involving the sexual exploitation of minors in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California.  On July 18, 2001, Brimm was convicted of performing lewd and lascivious acts with a child under fourteen (14) years old, again in Stanislaus County, California.  Brimm was required to register as a sex offender as a result of these prior convictions. Evidence at trial also showed, that on October 20, 2009, Brimm flew to the Dominican Republic, where he sought out shoe-shine boys, offered them food and money, and then performed sex acts with these boys. >>> Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of ICE-HSI, the Dominican National Police, and the Puerto Plata Prosecutor’s Office.  Mr. Ferrer also thanked the Miami-Dade Police Department and the United States Marshal’s Service for their assistance in this investigation.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Maria Medetis and Francis Viamontes. 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.

>>> Press release: Canadian Citizen Sentenced in Scheme to Defraud Consumers Purchasing Pharmaceuticals Online Former Owner of Online Pharmacy Sentenced to 48 Months in Prison

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Stuart F. Delery, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s Civil Division, and David W. Bourne, Special Agent in Charge, Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigations (FDA-OCI), Miami Field Office, announced today’s sentencing of Andrew J. Strempler, of Canada.  At today’s hearing, U.S. District Judge Jose E. Martinez sentenced Strempler to 48 months in prison for his role in a scheme to defraud consumers purchasing pharmaceuticals online.  Strempler was also ordered to pay a forfeiture of $300,000.  A hearing to determine the amount of restitution has been scheduled for February 26, 2013.

In October 2012, Strempler pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud in connection with his role as owner and president of Mediplan Health Consulting Inc., a Canadian company that also operated under the name RxNorth.com.  RxNorth was an Internet, mail and telephone order pharmacy, through which Strempler and others marketed and sold prescription drugs to residents of the United States. According to court documents, the FDA advised Strempler in a 2001 letter that his prescription drug sales would be illegal in the United States if the drugs were not FDA approved. The FDA letter explained that the FDA approves drugs based on evidence that they are safe and effective, and that the quality of drugs from foreign sources could not be assured.

Strempler and his co-conspirators unlawfully enriched themselves by selling prescription drugs to individuals in the United States, falsely representing that RxNorth was selling safe prescription drugs in compliance with regulations in Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States.  Strempler obtained the prescription drugs from various other source countries without properly ensuring the safety or authenticity of the drugs. In fact, some of the drugs sold by Strempler included counterfeit drugs. Strempler caused prescription drugs from foreign countries to be shipped to a facility that Strempler operated in the Bahamas.  Prescription orders made through RxNorth were then filled at the Bahamas facility, with labels on the vials and drug cartons stating they had been filled by RxNorth in Canada.  Strempler then used indirect routes involving multiple countries to ship packages with prescription drugs from the Bahamas to individuals in the United States.  Shipments mailed from the Bahamas, containing packages addressed to individuals in the Southern District of Florida, included counterfeit prescription drugs.

“Counterfeit prescription drugs sold through the internet pose a serious health hazard to consumers in the United States,” said Wifredo A. Ferrer, I.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida.  “These drugs can be adulterated, ineffective and unsafe. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to assisting the FDA enforce regulations to protect American consumers from these unsafe drugs.” “Today’s sentencing should send a clear message to anyone who operates an online pharmacy that sidesteps the FDA protections and defrauds consumers,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart F. Delery of the Justice Department’s Civil Division.  “Consumers need to be aware that prescription drugs purchased online may be counterfeit, substandard, or unsafe.”

“FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations, working in concert with the United States Attorney’s Office and other foreign and domestic government agencies, will protect the public health by aggressively targeting those responsible for counterfeiting prescription drugs,” said David W. Bourne, Special Agent in Charge of the FDA-OCI’s Miami Field Office.  “This case highlights that even when complex criminal networks engage in such illegal activities on a global scale from a foreign-based location, without regard for risk to human life, they are still held accountable for their actions in the United States.  We commend the United States Attorney’s Office in Miami and our international law enforcement partners for their tireless efforts in connection with the investigation and subsequent prosecution of this case.”

Mr. Ferrer thanked the FDA-OCI for its work in this investigation.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ana Maria Martinez of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, Roger J. Gural of the Justice Department’s Consumer Protection Branch, and Nathan Sabel of the FDA’s Office of Chief Counsel.  To learn more about safely buying medicines over the Internet, consumers should consult FDA’s BeSafeRX campaign at www.fda.gov/Drugs/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/BuyingUsingMedicineSafely/BuyingMedicinesOvertheInternet/default.htm”

>>> All photos in the Watchdog Report are taken from public government sites, and the Report goes on line at www.watchdogreport.net on Monday sometime during the day usually. >>> If you believe it is important to have someone watching your public institutions consider supporting the Watchdog Report for I am a low cost news service, yet I do have to live, thank you! Further, I have been honored over the years by being named a WFOR-4 Hometown Hero in 2000, being profiled in a major way by The Miami New Times and was Best Citizen in the 2003 Best of Miami of The Miami New Times, profiled twice in The Miami Herald, and the Orlando Sentinel ran a nationwide story on me in the Tribune papers on Jan. 2003, and UNC Chapel Hill named me one of the top columnists in Florida in a  multi-state study of the media back in 2004. I also thank Joseph Cooper for the opportunity to be on the WLRN/NPR showTopical Currents on www.wlrn.org 91.3 FM since 2000, including yearly election coverage since then, and also numerous times over the past decade. Further, I am a frequent guest on WWW.WPBT2.ORG on Helen Ferre’s show Issues, and have also appeared on  Eliott Rodriguez’s show News & Views on www.CBS4.com and The Florida Roundup on www.wlrn.org

FLORIDA

>>> CFO Atwater says diverse Miami-Dade is the big economic gorilla, accounts for 35% of FL economy, but only has 13% of state’s 19 million population

Jeff Atwater, the Florida Chief Financial Officer, for the Florida Department of Financial Services dropped a bombshell this week when it came to Miami-Dade’s contribution to state funding coffers. The county with only 13 percent of the Sunshine State’s 19 million residents accounted for 35 percent of the state’s GNP, and is the largest donor county in a state with 66 other counties. Atwater, a former Republican Senate President from 2008 to 2010 before winning this statewide office in 2010 gave the members at the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce Luncheon attendees on Wednesday a rapid-fire breakdown of the state’s finances and what the past six years of a contracting Florida budget was like for legislators having to craft a balanced budget that peaked from over $74 billion six years ago to the $69.9 billion for the current year.

Atwater said Miami-Dade is a juggernaut when it came to the creation and growth of businesses and any “comeback of a strong [Florida] economy is a Miami-Dade story,” Atwater said. He noted the county because of this robust economy, “paves roads all over Florida,” and this is why the state supported the Miami Port Tunnel and dredging the channel to 50 feet deep for the larger cargo and cruise ships. He said the goal of state leaders is “let your money stay in your pocket,” and Florida must live within its $69.9 billion budget, down from $74 billion six years ago and that meant, “Cutting expenses.” The former legislator who started his political career back in 1993 as a vice mayor of North Palm Beach said South Florida was an incubator, and we “need your innovative ideas,” when it comes to business. He also said state leaders have taken belt tightening action themselves and $2 billion in state debt over the last two years has been cut saving millions in interest payments on Florida bonds and Standard & Poor in August upgraded state “bonds grade to AAA,” Atwater said.

Atwater, a fifth generation Floridian and former banker then took aim at Washington and the Fiscal Cliff deal recently signed by President Barack Obama, but failed to address meaningful U.S. debt reduction and program cuts and is projected to cause a further “$4 trillion to the nation’s debt over the next ten years.” The CFO said officials in the nation’s capital 18 months ago could have started working on the deal but did not, versus addressing it as Florida did back then did, and leaders here “do not take the same path in Washington and both [political] parties are to blame,” in D.C. and when it comes to the $16.3 trillion debt of the nation. Neither party seems “to want to get us out of it,” and that is why Florida is such a key state in the nation’s economic recovery. He noted the Sunshine State has a $755 billion GDP, is the 17^th largest economic nation on the planet if evaluated in that manner and is “why a strong Florida is important to the nation.”

Atwater

>>> Gov. Scott concurs Miami-Dade critical to FL and state’s budget, pledges more funding for K to 12 public schools districts

Gov. Rick Scott had a workday Friday, the first stop was the Goya Foods new gigantic distribution center in the west Doral area, and then he was off to pack the shelves of a Sedano’s new supermarket on Bird Road in West Dade. Scott wearing a Goya hat stocked some of the company’s some 2,000 varieties of products with a company rep with him and the media followed closely as he went up and down the aisles. He told reporters that when he was in his late teens and later he had worked in a grocery store before, doing everything that needed to be done from cleaning the toilets, to working in the freezers (which he did not enjoy and did not like the cold) of the stores late into the night. The idea of workday’s for politicians was former U.S. Sen. Bob Graham, D-FL idea decades ago and he dug ditches and laid sewer lines to other more staid activities in his early political  years and when he was in the governor and in the U.S. Senate. Scott after talking to people pushing their shopping carts and slightly surprised to see the governor, that some and some did not recognize had a press gaggle with reporters covering the event at the end.

And the Watchdog Report asked him about the disparity of Miami-Dade’s tax contribution to the state and the state funding it gets every year from his office and the Florida Legislature. The governor, a former healthcare executive said that Miami-Dade economic impact to the state is why he comes here so often. He noted after numerous “trade missions,” around the world since he took office in 2010 that people he meets with overseas essentially “only want to talk about Miami,” and how to do business there he said. In addition, when asked about educational funding critical to Miami-Dade’s public schools that at the end of the month when his proposed budget is released. Scott said there would be a request for increased funding on K through 12^th grades for the state’s public schools he said.

Scott

>>> Press release: Governor Rick Scott, Lt. Governor Jennifer Carroll, and First Lady Ann Scott today invite students in kindergarten through 12th grades to participate in the Florida Black History Month art and essay contests. They also invite students, parents, teachers and principals to nominate full-time African-American educators in elementary, middle or high schools for the Black History Month Excellence in Education Award.

The student contests focus on the theme “Diversity in the United States” and Information about the contests and Florida’s Black History Month is available on Florida’s Black History Month website, www.FloridaBlackHistory.com. Governor Rick Scott said, “This contest is a great way for Florida children to learn about African American History and its important contributions to our state. I encourage Florida families and teachers to get their kids involved, and use this opportunity to provide children with an important lesson on what African American History means to our state and nation.” “As an immigrant from Trinidad, I am proud to recognize African-Americans who encompass a wide variety of nationalities and diverse backgrounds,” said Lt. Governor Carroll. “As Florida’s first African-American Lt. Governor, I hope to continue expanding on Florida’s already diverse environment.”… About the Student Contests Art Contest for Grades K-3 – The Black History Month art contest is open to all Florida students in grades K-3, and two winners will be selected. Essay Contest for Grades 4-12 – The Black History Month essay contest is open to all 4th through 12th grade students in Florida. Three winners will be selected: one elementary (4-5) student, one middle (6-8) student, and one high school (9-12) student. Winners will receive a 4-Year Florida College Plan scholarship provided by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation. Please visit www.FloridaBlackHistory.com to download complete guidelines and entry forms. All entries must be received by the Foundation no later than 5:00 p.m. EST, February 6, 2013.

>>> Press release: Florida TaxWatch Commends Governor Rick Scott’s Plan to Eliminate the Tax on Equipment Purchases

Florida TaxWatch commends Governor Scott for his announcement today to propose the elimination of taxes on the purchase of equipment to encourage manufacturing companies to grow in Florida. This job-creating step was a specific recommendation of the Florida TaxWatch August 2011 Research Report, Manufacturing: an Economic Driver for Jobs and Florida’s Future. This Report recommends eliminating this tax to “…reduce the penalties for accumulating productive capital in Florida,” and further concludes that, “Lowering taxes on inputs and machinery will encourage capital investment and its positive effects on competitiveness for Florida firms.”

Dominic M. Calabro, President and CEO of the nonpartisan, nonprofit public policy research institute, noted, “This tax has clearly been and remains an impediment to capital investment and the related job creation in Florida.  Florida TaxWatch looks forward to continuing to work with Governor Scott and the Legislature to improve Florida’s competitiveness and encourage the investment of private capital in our state.” ONTACT: Chris Barry, Communications Coordinator, cbarry@floridataxwatch.org 850.222.5052

>>> 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.

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY

>>> PA Lopez-Cantera takes helm of countywide office, bitter transition with incumbent Garcia still smarting from primary election loss

Carlos Lopez-Cantera the new Miami-Dade County Property Appraiser was sworn in on Tuesday in the Miami-Dade commission chambers in front of a packed house but only included five local county commissioners attending. In the audience were U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-FL and U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Miami, as well as a host of state legislators and municipal mayors and commissioners. The former state legislator and majority leader in the GOP controlled Florida House from 2008 to 2010 was termed out and the real estate developer and investor decided to run for this local office. He took on Pedro Garcia the incumbent sworn into the office on Jan. 6, 2009 after he beat then former state Sen. Gwen Margolis by getting 59 percent of the vote in a off day election with very low voter turnout.

However, in the more recent August 14 primary Lopez-Cantera got 51 percent of the countywide vote to be victorious after a viscous political campaign and television ads that suggested Garcia was soft on busting homeowners for Homestead Exemption fraud. Garcia in this race lost the absentee ballot vote count and he later charged there were absentee ballot irregularities but the man ultimately dropped the court challenge, but relations between the two men after the election was frigid. And Lopez-Cantera was not allowed into the PA secure office until Monday when he took over the important post, and early on after the primary election had Lopez-Cantera holding preliminary meetings in the bodega in the lobby of the Stephen P. Clark Government Center downtown.

Lopez-Cantera told the attendees after being sworn in by County Commission Chair Rebeca Sosa that customer service and user satisfaction was going to be the benchmark of his administration. And he unveiled a sign that would be out in front of the office. “Welcome, how can we help You?” it says. And the family man also noted the office’s website would be updated as well and a new day of transparency would be the order of the day. He also got some kind words from auto magnate Norman Braman who believed Lopez-Cantera was the kind of person that chose public service for the right reasons versus other politicians. And is why some county commissioners loath Braman after he engineered and funded a petition drive that recalled former County Mayor Carlos Alvarez back in the spring on 2011 and also took out long serving Commissioner Natacha Seijas in a parallel grassroots recall effort. For more on the office go to:  http://www.miamidade.gov/pa/about_us.asp

Lopez-Cantera

Garcia

>>> APPLY ONLINE FOR HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION IT’S FAST, EASY, AND SECURE

Press release: Building on the commitment to make the Office of the Property Appraiser more customer friendly, within the first week of his administration, Miami-Dade County’s new Property Appraiser, Carlos Lopez-Cantera, is proud to announce and put into service a 100 percent online homestead application process.  Miami-Dade homeowners can now go online to complete the entire application process for Florida’s Homestead Exemption and for the Homestead Assessment Difference, commonly referred to as Portability. The Homestead Exemption (HEX) provides for a $50,000 reduction in the assessed value of a homeowner’s primary residence, saving property owners thousands of dollars in property taxes annually.  Portability allows a homeowner to transfer a part or all of their HEX savings, when they move from one home to another.

Beginning today, homeowners can visit miamidade.gov/pa, where they can fully complete and submit their application directly to the Property Appraiser’s Office.

Upon the launch of the online application, Property Appraiser Lopez-Cantera stated, “This is one of the first of many customer friendly initiatives aimed at improving the service we provide to the residents of Miami-Dade County.  We look forward to announcing additional customer friendly improvements in the weeks and months ahead.” Applications for 2013 property tax exemptions are due by March 1, 2013. Commissioners Rebeca Sosa and Lynda Bell to be installed during historic ceremony as Chairwoman and Vice Chair of the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners

>>> Press release: In a defining moment in Miami-Dade County history, Commissioner Rebeca Sosa will be sworn in as the first Hispanic Chairwoman of the Board of County Commissioners. The installation ceremony will take place at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, January 18, 2013, where Commissioner Lynda Bell will also take the oath of office as Vice Chair of the Board. The ceremony is open to the public and will take place in the Commission Chambers of the Stephen P. Clark Center.

Chairwoman Sosa and Vice Chair Bell were elected by their peers on November 20, 2012, to serve a two-year term commencing on January 1, 2013. Chairwoman Sosa has served on the Board of County Commissioners since 2001 representing the residents of District 6, which includes areas in the City of Miami, Coral Gables, West Miami, Hialeah and Miami Springs. Vice Chair Bell was elected in 2010 representing District 8, which includes the municipalities of Palmetto Bay, Cutler Bay and Homestead.

>>> Retired judge appointed to Ethics Commission

Press release: Just days after retiring from the bench, Judge Lawrence A. Schwartz has been appointed to serve on the Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics and Public Trust.   Judge Schwartz was appointed by Chief Circuit Court Judge Joel Brown to succeed a fellow retired jurist, Judge Seymour Gelber, who did not seek reappointment at the end of his most recent four-year term on the Ethics Commission. Judge Schwartz sat on the Circuit Court since his appointment by then-Governor Lawton Chiles in 1997 through his retirement December 31, 2012.  The Northeast Miami-Dade resident won election to County Court in 1991 and served in all divisions until his elevation.  The law, however, was not his first career.  Schwartz taught sixth grade for five years at Lake Stevens Elementary in Carol City.   After earning his Juris Doctorate from the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law, Schwartz was a deputy district attorney in Sacramento, California, for a dozen years.  The Miami Beach native returned home in 1987 to work as an Assistant State Attorney in the 11th Judicial Circuit prosecuting economic crimes.

“I hope to provide impartial, clear thinking and legal input when matters are brought before the commission,” Schwartz said of his appointment.  The husband of 40-years to Miami-Dade County Court Judge Caryn Canner Schwartz, father of two and grandfather of one, will be sworn in at the Ethics Commission’s next meeting – 2 p.m. January 24, 2013, in Suite 820, 19 W. Flagler St. in Miami.  Judge Gelber, who has served as an Ethics Commissioner since 2005, will also be honored at that meeting. >>> The Ethics Commission was created in 1996 as an independent agency with advisory and quasi-judicial powers. It is composed of five members, serving staggered terms of four years each. Through a program of education, outreach and enforcement, the Commission seeks to empower the community and bolster public trust.

>>> Press release: TOP CONSUMER COMPLAINTS FILED IN MIAMI-DADE COUNTY IN 2012 – The Consumer Protection Mediation Center of the Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources (RER), has released its Top ten (10) complaint list for 2012, today. The yearly report comes as the department celebrates its sixth consecutive year hitting the million-dollar mark for recoveries.  In 2012, the Consumer Protection Mediation Center recovered the sum of $1,212,198 in reimbursements for consumers. Common consumer grievances were related to monetary losses or dissatisfaction with products or services.  For the sixth year in a row, motor vehicle repair complaints ranked first on the list, totaling 696 complaints, a 29 percent decrease from 2011. Second on the list was for-hire transportation followed by housing service, towing, and automotive sales.

Rank	Category	Number of Complaints
1	Vehicle Repair	696
2	For Hire Transportation	394 *91 related to lost items
3	Housing Service	175
4	Towing	171
5	Automotive Sales	153
6	Mail Order	127
7	Utilities	118
8	Cell Phones	99
9	Retail Stores	96
10	Transportation	86

Consumers who use the department’s mediation services rely on in-house experts to reach a positive resolution with businesses.  To register a complaint or receive general information on consumer issues, log on to the Miami-Dade County Business Affairs and Consumer Protection website. The Consumer Protection Section strives to ensure an equitable and fair marketplace for both businesses and consumers.

>>> GMCVB press release: Tourist-Related Tax Collections – RECORD DEMAND FOR TRAVEL TO GREATER MIAMI AND THE BEACHES REMAINS STRONG IN JANUARY – NOVEMBER 2012 RESULTING IN INCREASES IN GREATER MIAMI’S TOURIST-RELATED TAX COLLECTIONS
Through the first eleven months of 2012, the 2% Tourist Development tax collections (excluding Miami Beach, Bal Harbour and Surfside) totaled $18,532,582 compared to $17,040,324 in 2011 for an increase of +8.8%. The 3% Convention Development tax (CDT) collections for Greater Miami and the Beaches totaled $54,500,593 compared to $50,666,081 for the same period last year representing a +7.6% increase in 2012. The 2% Hotel Food and Beverage tax collections from hotels in Miami-Dade (excluding Miami Beach, Bal Harbour, and Surfside) generated $5,971,039 compared to $5,588,166 in 2011, for an increase of +6.9%.

City of Miami Beach 3% Resort Tax Collections totaled $26,990,515 compared to $25,078,123 for an increase of +7.6%. The 2% Food and Beverage tax collections in Miami Beach generated $22,266,644 compared to $21,210,236 in 2011, for an increase of +5.0%.
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY

2% TOURIST DEVELOPMENT TAX COLLECTIONS
January-November 2012	January-November 2011	% Change
$18,532,58	$17,040,324	+8.8%
3% CONVENTION DEVELOPMENT TAX COLLECTIONS
January-November 2012	January-November 2011	% Change
$54,500,593	$50,666,081	+7.6%
2% HOTEL FOOD AND BEVERAGE TAX COLLECTIONS
January-November 2012	January-November 2011	% Change
$5,971,039	$5,588,166	+6.9%

MIAMI BEACH

3% RESORT TAX COLLECTIONS
January-November 2012	January-November 2011	% Change
$26,990,515	$25,078,123	+7.6%
2% HOTEL FOOD AND BEVERAGE TAX COLLECTIONS
January-November 2012	January-November 2011	% Change
$22,266,644	$21,210,236	+5.0%

MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC SCHOOL

>>> Supt. Carvalho unveils new compensation & performance criteria for future principals, says new incentive and review policy is “best in the nation”

A sweeping new proposal for how public school principals will be paid, be reviewed given their school assignment and based on a variety of other criteria was hailed this week at a school board committee meeting. Alberto Carvalho, the superintendent of the nation’s fourth largest public schools district told board members the new policy will become a national model and will take into account what a principal will face when taking on a challenging inner city school with thousands of teenagers.

Carvalho said “most principals” make a base salary of “around $90,000 and while many people will apply to run places like Palmetto High School or Mast Academy on Key Biscayne, very few potential principals will apply for such a top spot at Edison High School for example. He said the new program “incentivizied them staying in them,” the more demanding urban schools and the policy also takes into account small schools versus much larger schools, Carvalho said. He also noted this new program would begin in the coming months and “nobody in a position now loses or gains anything,” and he said the “compensation plan was a two sided coin.” “If a school is a more difficult environment,” that will be taken into consideration but it also judges the “principals performance in that environment,” that also will include a bonus if an outstanding job is being done leading the school. He said the new policy “is a right step in the right direction on principal compensation,” and acknowledged. “Is it perfect? No,” he said “but it is the best in the nation,” he thought and the program will be implemented “progressively” as principal openings come open in public schools and it will be “carefully monitored,” and any problems with it will be brought back to the nine member school board for their review, Carvalho said.

Board Chair Perla Tabares Hantman said after the briefing that her concerns were assuaged and she just wanted the district “to treat people and principals fairly.” Board Member Carlos Curbelo said the program put the district “ahead of the curve” and was a “smart system given the new economy,” the board was having to live with when it came to public school funding. And Board Member Raquel Regalado gave a thumbs up as well to the program saying the “Principals are doing God’s work,” the good ones are “really believers and an inspiration” and it was important “to retain these fantastic people,” she closed. And Board Member Martin Karp, Ph.D. called the program “innovative,” in its approach and scope, and given there are ten different “grade level configurations.” The district “will continue to experiment,” with this new initiative said Carvalho to the school board members. Moreover, the item D-22 will be on Wednesday’s agenda and will be voted on by the full board to begin the initial implementation of the program. A program that a host of principals over the last two years along with staff have worked on to get the desired incentive results for future principals in the over 400 plus public schools found in Miami-Dade.

Hantman

Karp

Curbelo

Regalado

Carvalho

 

>>> Press release: LOCAL ART STUDENTS BENEFIT FROM $1 MILLION KNIGHT FOUNDATION AWARD

Design and Architecture High School and New World School of the Arts students will be able to take cultural field trips to expand their horizons, thanks to $1 million in new funding from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. Many Miami artists often begin their careers at one of two schools, DASH or NWSA. The new funding will help those students expand their educational opportunities by permitting them to attend pre-college programs and go on national and international trips for cultural enhancement. Students also participate in competitions that award college scholarships. The award was announced as part of $23 million in funding Knight Foundation recently committed to the arts in South Florida. The support brings Knight Foundation’s total investment in South Florida’s diverse and dynamic cultural community to $86 million in six years. >>> About the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation – Knight Foundation supports transformational ideas that promote quality journalism, advance media innovation, engage communities and foster the arts. The foundation believes that democracy thrives when people and communities are informed and engaged. For more, visit knightfoundation.org.

CITY OF MIAMI

>>> Suarez rakes $460,000 for a PAC, to Regalado’s $91,000 for his campaign, but will massive fundraising taint Suarez’s campaign in voter’s eyes?

The revelation that Miami Commissioner Francis Suarez has raised $460,000 for his political committee in just the last three months of the year to Mayor Tomas Regalado’s $91,000 during the same timeframe http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/01/11/3178579/commissioner-francis-suarez-flush.html shows the 35 year old attorney has a magic touch when it comes to campaign contributions, but this should not count the incumbent Regalado out of the race. Suarez, the son of former Miami Mayor Xavier Suarez, now a county commissioner representing much of the city of Miami appears to be hoping to follow in his father’s footsteps and while he has been coy on the subject with the Watchdog Report in the past. To have raised this kind of money for a PAC, originally created to push for a strong mayor form of government and eliminate the manager’s position like what occurred at the county but was shot down by Miami commissioners last year.

His father is assisting this new level of fundraising that while impressive could leave him open to criticism that he is being supported by the usual crowd of big business and developers that even had former Mayor Manny Diaz holding a fundraised for Suarez the younger. However, Regalado when he first ran in 2009 pushed that he was “The people’s candidate,” but his over $900,000 in fundraising for that race against then Commission Chair Joe Sanchez was much more than Sanchez’s $500,000 war chest. And he handily won that race after voter frustration over some of Diaz’s past policy decisions and the development of just over 90 condominiums and hotels during his eight years in office from 2001 to 2009. Readers should stay tuned as this race heats up running to the November general election that also has two other mayoral candidates.

Regalado

Suarez

What about former Mayor Diaz’s new book Miami Transformed?

Francisco Alvarado, a veteran Miami New Times reporter and long time observer of the city of Miami reviewed Manny Diaz’s new book this week and he has a similar opinion as I did over the Thanksgiving Holiday when I wrote a review of the tome, noted it was loaded with omissions and seemed to be a white wash of his administration. To read Alvarado’s story go to: http://www.miaminewtimes.com/2013-01-10/news/ex-mayor-manny-diaz-s-new-book-is-full-of-lies/

VILLAGE OF COCONUT GROVE

>>> Sayonara Coconut Grove Gazette after a couple of years, looking for someone to take over local free paper

Press release: Hi Everyone, Its with great sadness that we write this message to inform you that we’ve made the decision to close down The Coconut Grove Gazette. We’ve been weighing up our options for a while now; however at the end of the day we’ve been struggling with personal issues that make it unfeasable to become long term profitable. Unfortunately, while we made some great strides forward, its clear that we’re still playing a big game of catch up and have not got the financial backing required to truly fulfill our one big goal of making the Grove a better place for locals and small businesses. We would like to pass on the reins to someone with a vision for Coconut Grove who would like to begin a new chapter with the CoconutGroveGazette.com Newspaper, Website, Facebook page and Twitter accounts. To the right person, we offer: 1. 10,000+ Email Contacts List of Grove Miami and Art Afficionados, 2. Client List of Coconut Grove Advertisers, 3. 8 Website Addresses (URLs) and 3 active WP websites including www.CoconutGrovegazette.com 7. Distribution route of 90+ Coconut Grove Locations, 8. Template for Coconut Grove Gazette Printed Newspaper
9. Printer Contacts 11. FaceBook, Twitter and YouTube account. >> The paper and website have gained quite a following over the years and we’ve really been surprised at how popular it has become. We know with the right person in charge it can be more popular than ever as the only publication in town. If anyone is interested in more details, please let us know and please feel free to reply to this email directly, we’ll get it and try reply to as many as possible. Happy New Year and thanks for everything! Best Wishes, Joseph and Mary 786-399-0607
www.CoconutGroveGazette.com

CITY OF MIAMI BEACH

>>> Veteran watchdog Del Vecchio calls for transparency and public input when it comes to interviews and discussion about new manager

Frank Del Vecchio, the veteran Miami Beach observer of city hall and its government is rallying locals to participate and listen to the upcoming Jan. 16 commission discussion on the selection of a permanent Beach manager. The man makes some salient points that Mayor Mattie Herrera Bower should consider if this process is going to be a transparent exercise as it should be. Del Vecchio, a retired attorney trying to rally others sent the following email out last week on the matter. He wrote, “Commissioners will take a lunch break at the city commission meeting, Wednesday, January 16, and go upstairs to the large conference room on the 4th floor of city hall, to discuss the selection of a permanent city manager and to schedule public interviews of the candidates.

Florida law requires these discussions to be in the Sunshine, but because the mayor and commissioners leave the 3rd floor commission chambers and reconvene upstairs for a “Committee of the Whole” meeting in a conference room, few realize the meeting is open to the public. Those of you who have been following this process should try to attend the January 16 “Committee of the Whole” meeting to observe the deliberations. In the below e-mail I’ve asked the mayor and commissioners to interview all seven finalists in an open public meeting, so each can have a chance to make his or her case in person, and to give members of the public an opportunity to submit questions,” wrote the man. And here is a Jan.11 memo he sent to the mayor and commissioner titled City Manager Recruitment and Interview Schedule, Committee of the Whole, Jan. 16, 2013, Agenda Items R9E and R9F

“Dear Mayor and Commissioners: As you know, the public is vitally interested in your selection of a permanent city manager.  You have engaged in a careful process of recruitment and closely examined applicant qualifications in your October 24 and December 12 meetings. As you instructed, the search firm completed interviews with the seven leading applicants.* You will decide at your January 16 meeting which candidates to publicly interview and when. I respectfully request that you schedule all seven for public interviews, rather than pick and choose without giving each of them a chance to make his or her case in person at a public meeting.  I think the public will have more confidence in the process if each of the finalists is given this chance, and if the interviews are either broadcast live or taped for later showing on Public Channel TV-77.

One further suggestion:  At your January 16 Committee of the Whole meeting, instruct the city clerk to include in the notice of the candidate interview meeting that the public may submit questions to the Clerk, via e-mail or otherwise, to be provided to the members of the city commission for their use in questioning the applicants.

SYNOPSIS: At the January 16 Committee of the Whole meeting: (a) Vote to interview all seven finalists for the position of city manager. (b) Schedule interviews for a special public meeting of the city commission, in chambers, either broadcast live or taped for subsequent broadcast. (c) Instruct the City Clerk to advertise the special meeting in newspaper advertisements and on-line to the citys information lists, and include in his notice that the public may submit questions to him, via e-mail or otherwise, to be provided to members of the city commission for their use in questioning applicants. *FINALISTS:  Steve Barwick, Aspen, CO; Monica Cepero, Broward County; Robert Frank, Ocoee, FL; Emanuel Mayer, Miami Beach; Jimmy Morales, Coral Gables; Frank Rollason, Miami; Tom Wilson, Palm Springs, CA.

>>> Press release: Gov. Scott taps Melanie E. Damian to the Eleventh Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission.

Damian, 44, of Miami Beach, has practiced with Damian & Valori LLP since 2004. Previously, she was a partner with Tew Cardenas from 1996 to 2004. Damian received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin and a law degree from the University of Miami. She succeeds Rayfield M. McGhee and is appointed from the list of nominees submitted by the Florida Bar for a term beginning January 7, 2013, and ending July 1, 2016.

>>> Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club – Meeting Date: January 15th, 2013

Meeting Time: 8:30 AM Meeting Place: New Location:  David’s One restaurant, corner of Collins Ave. and 11th Street. Miami-Dade Commissioner Sally Heyman (District 4) will be the guest speaker at the January 15th meeting of the Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club.  Commissioner Heyman’s district starts at the north end of Miami Beach and continues north to Aventura. There is no charge for attending and everyone is welcome. David Kelsey, Moderator Please note new location.

Visit our web site at www.MBTMBC.com (Miami Beach Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club).

CITY OF DORAL

>>> Mgr. Stierheim out, new Manager Carollo gets to show his stuff as a doer, not just as a mercurial politician anymore, will there be a calm hand on the tiller of administrating tony city?

With the election of Doral Mayor Luigi Boria in November and the sudden resignation of Merrett Stierheim last week as the temporary manager while a search was to be done but Stierheim was excluded from the process. Now former Miami Mayor and Commissioner Joe Carollo, 57, has stepped into the management breach after the Doral City Council by a five to zero vote Wednesday night approved his appointment to the top administrative post where he is being paid $144,000 a year plus benefits . And Carollo, a career politician later on Thursday blasted Stierheim and suggested the veteran county and municipal manager and public schools superintendent did not believe Hispanics could govern themselves, which Stierheim scuffed off in a www.miamiherald.com response. Carollo now has 277 employees under his charge in the tony city of around 50,000 residents and a prodigious tax base and a median resident income range of around $90,000. Moreover, while in the past he has been able to help set public policy. He has never managed a large public workforce in his decades in politics until his political demise in the Nov. 2001 Miami mayoral race where he failed to make the runoff. And now Carollo has the charge of actually managing a large workforce that includes the municipality’s police department that is also in need of a new police chief. After Stierheim fired the long serving chief after reviewing an outside law enforcement investigation of the department and the chief’s involvement.

However, Carollo is a mercurial and paranoid man who while Miami mayor during the Elian Gonzalez’ crisis in the spring of 2000 worked the local Spanish airwaves and national media outlets inciting ethnic divisiveness that brought the city to a red-hot temperature when it came to ethnic relations and tensions were high across all ethnic persuasions in the community. He also earned the moniker of “Crazy Joe” and this new assignment where he is being paid handsomely given his experience will be his baptism of public management fire. And he has also had a controversial incident with a past wife where she was struck by a tea box he threw, then followed by an ugly divorce that had Carollo lamenting he was better off if he “was dead,” and that was followed by a third short marriage to Ana Alliegro now in the news and tied to a scandal involving former Congressman David Rivera.

And now the residents and taxpayers of Doral will get to see if the bombastic and controversial Carollo has changed his spots and can actually manage a municipal workforce. For this is not a political post where you can snipe and carp about what is going on, but actual actions and leadership is necessary and people in Miami-Dade will soon see. If he is up to the challenge of guiding a municipality with a calm hand on the leadership tiller. http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/01/12/3178725/for-joe-carollo-a-return-to-the.html

What about the new police chief?

The Watchdog Report is being told that Miguel Exposito, the fired Miami Police Chief and Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado nemesis may be tapped by Carollo for the top cop spot in the coming days. Carollo had been a strong supporter of the embattled Exposito during his tenure at the Miami police department and hovered in the commission’s hallways during commission meetings at the time.

CITY OF CORAL GABLES

>>> Controversy follows trolley maintenance center in Grove Village West, Cabrera criticizes Mgr. Salerno

A maintenance garage for the Coral Gables trolleys in the Village West in Coconut Grove has exploded in the media and is causing controversy with the local residents who feel that they are being exploited once again. The project is part of a developer’s deal and involved a land swap but the developer was required to find another piece of land they say could only be found in the Grove.

http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/01/12/3179454/controversial-trolley-garage-in.html Now the matter is drawing Gables commissioners into the fray and Commissioner Ralph Cabrera, Jr., noted that last year he had asked Manager Pat Salerno for some information on the project. The Watchdog Report contacted Cabrera about the issue and he wrote back. “As I’m sure you have already read. I initially brought the West Grove’s community concerns over the prospective project to the city manager’s attention in late 2011.

I asked him to take the appropriate action to communicate the project to the affected neighborhood. He never did. I then brought it up for discussion during a city commission meeting one month later. He publicly dismissed my request by indicating that I had never specifically directed him to contact the community’s leadership. Ironically, my initial email to him included the homeowner’s association vice president’s contact information. The sad part is… This community deserved more respect and sensitivity from the City of Coral Gables; especially since the project is being built for us and we will be it’s end user, wrote Cabrera who is also a mayoral candidate in the April election. In addition, Commissioner Maria Anderson also has her regrets on the matter. She wrote in an email, “As Commissioner, I wish we’d been briefed about this issue- I can’t understand why we couldn’t work a little harder to be better neighbors!  It’s an opportunity wasted…,” the veteran commissioner wrote who is termed out in April.

>>> Third District Court of Appeal Judicial Nominating Commission

Gov. Scott press release: Eliot Pedrosa, of Coral Gables, is a shareholder with Greenberg Traurig, P.A. Previously he was an enforcement attorney with the United States Securities & Exchange Commission from 2003 to 2004. Pedrosa received his bachelor’s degree from Florida International University and his law degree from Harvard Law School. He succeeds Lilly Ann Sanchez and is appointed for a term beginning January 10, 2013, and ending July 1, 2016.

VILLAGE OF KEY BISCAYNE

>>> MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS AND WASTE MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT TO BEGIN MINOR IMPROVEMENT WORK NEAR THE BEAR CUT BRIDGE

Press release: Residents of and visitors to Key Biscayne should note that the Miami-Dade County Department of Public Works and Waste Management (PWWM) plans minor improvements to the roadways on either side of the Bear Cut Bridge, in order to help traffic flow more smoothly.  Work will take place exclusively at night, from approximately 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., with a scheduled starting date of Monday, January 14, 2013.  The work should be completed by Friday, January 18, 2013, subject to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.  The work includes paving over parts of the median on both sides of the bridge to create a smoother transition for the maintenance of traffic.  Once completed, this work is expected to improve traffic flow onto and off of the bridge. PWWM is constantly evaluating the maintenance of traffic plan that has been established and its impact to all who use the bridge.  Adjustments will continue to be made as necessary to minimize inconvenience and to ensure the ongoing safety of all motorists, cyclists and pedestrians who use the bridge.

>>> OTHER STORIES AROUND FLORIDA

BROWARD COUNTY

>>> Fort Lauderdale Man Sentenced to Life for Sex Trafficking of Minors

Press release: Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Michael B. Steinbach, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, and Franklin C. Adderly, Chief of Police, Fort Lauderdale Police Department, announced yesterday’s sentencing of Van Lawson Williams, 49, of Fort Lauderdale, on charges of sex trafficking and attempted sex trafficking of minors, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1591(a).  At the sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Daniel T.K. Hurley sentenced Williams to life in prison. On October 30, 2012, a jury found defendant Williams guilty of four counts of sex trafficking of minors and one count of attempted sex trafficking of minors.  At trial, six victims, all runaways at the time they met Williams, testified that they worked or were recruited to work as prostitutes at Williams’ residence.  According to the trial evidence, Williams sought out minor female runaways in his neighborhood and invited them to stay with him at his Fort Lauderdale residence, promising them food and shelter.  Williams would then convince the girls to work as prostitutes, telling them that they could not stay for free but rather had to earn money to pay the bills.  The victims testified that on most occasions, they were required to give Williams the money they collected for their prostitution services.  Several of the victims testified that Williams provided them with illegal narcotics, including marijuana and crack cocaine, and that he engaged in or attempted to engage in sexual activity with them.

At the sentencing hearing, one of the victims read a letter she had written to the Court, describing the shame she still feels every day when she looks in the mirror.  Another victim, only 12 when she was prostituted by Williams, wrote a letter to the Court in which she described the damage that she had suffered as a result of Williams’ actions, and wrote of her dream to one day meet and marry a sweet man. >>> Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the FBI and the Fort Lauderdale Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark Dispoto and Corey Steinberg. 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.

>>> Governor Rick Scott taps Huizenga to Board of Governors of the State University System

Press release: Huizenga, 51, of Delray Beach, is currently the president of Rybovich Boat Company and Huizenga Holdings, Inc. Huizenga received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Tampa in 1985. He succeeds Hector Perez and is appointed for a term beginning January 10, 2013, and ending January 6, 2020. The appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

>>> 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.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY

>>> Gov. Scott taps three men for Hillsborough County Civil Service Board

Press release: Gov. Scott taps Simon M. Canasi, Albert L. Perotti and Ernie E. Trichler to the Hillsborough County Civil Service Board.

Canasi, 56, of Tampa, is a senior vice president for Merrill Lynch. He succeeds Patricia T. Spencer for a term beginning January 9, 2013, and ending July 2, 2015.

Trichler, 43, of Tampa, is an attorney with Trichler Law Center, P.A. He succeeds Robert M. Mitchell for a term beginning January 9, 2013, and ending July 2, 2015.

Perotti, 67, of Tampa, is the director of corporate security and emergency management at TECO Energy Inc. He succeeds Christine K. Bruno for a term beginning January 9, 2013, and ending July 2, 2015. The appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

COLLIER COUNTY

>>> Gov. Scott taps three Naples residents to the Board of Governors of the State University System

Press release: Lautenbach, 68, of Naples, is a retired partner from Clayton, Dubilier & Rice. Previous to this position Lautenbach spent 30 years with IBM where he served as vice president of sales and services. He is currently a board member of the Fidelity Investments and Eaton Corporation. Lautenbach received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Cincinnati and his MBA from Harvard University. He fills a vacant seat and is appointed for a term beginning January 10, 2013, and ending January 6, 2019.

Levine, 45, of Naples, is the senior vice president and Florida president of Hospital Management Services of Florida Inc. Previously; he served as the Secretary of Health for Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal and the CEO of Broward Health. Levine received his bachelor’s degree and two masters degrees from the University of Florida. He succeeds Gus A. Stavros and is appointed for a term beginning January 10, 2013, and ending January 6, 2020.

Morton, 65, of Naples, is a partner with Wasmer Schroeder & Co. Prior to this position he served as CFO and CEO of NCH Healthcare System until 2006. Morton received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame, his master’s degree from Florida Gulf Coast University and an MBA from the University of Miami. He fills a vacant seat and is appointed for a term beginning January 10, 2013, and ending January 6, 2020. The appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

>>> South Florida Regional Planning Board Road Show in seven counties and for more information go to http://seven50.org/uncategorized/registration-work-group-road-show/

>>> The Downtown Bay Forum www.downtownbayforum.org INVITES YOU TO OUR LUNCHEON MEETING ON WEDNESDAY — JANUARY 30, 2013 11:30 AM-1:30 PM “THE SURVIVAL OF NON-PROFITS?” The Impact of State Funding on Services. SPEAKERS: PATRICIA ROBBINS, President & CEO Farm Share

LAUREN BOOK, CEO & Survivor Lauren’s Kids VIRGINIA JACKO, President & CEO, Miami Lighthouse for the Blind, Pres. Of Florida Heiken Children’s Vision Program – MODERATOR DR. SEAN FOREMAN Dept. of History & Political Science, Barry University WOLFSON AUDITORIUM — TEMPLE ISRAEL

137 NE 19th Street  Miami   FREE SELF PARKING AVAILABLE Call ANNETTE EISENBERG (305)757-3633 Fax (305)754-2015 **RESERVATIONS REQUIRED $35 Membership ­­­___ $23 Lunch, member w/reservation __ $58 Membership & Lunch __$27 Non-Member or Member without reservation if space is available ___255 Table of 10 DOWNTOWN BAY FORUM P.O. Box 530916 Miami Shores, FL 33153-0916

>>> Friends, It’s finally here.  Please join me on January 26th for an EPIC event.
Overtown Music Project’s annual fundraiser will be at the Fontainebleau in
Miami Beach on Saturday, January 26, 2013, and will showcase a mash up of
an 18-piece big band with hip-hop, funk and soul. The event celebrates the
connection between Overtown and the Fontainebleau, a hotel where Count
Basie, Dizzy Gillespie and Etta James once performed. Several musicians who
played in Overtown’s numerous venues during its heyday, now in their 60s –
90s, will be showcased. The event funds our six annual events in Overtown and three programs geared toward bringing music back to the area permanently. Tickets can be found here: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/5147700912
>>> The Arsht Center and Gelb Promotions present AN ACOUSTIC EVENING WITH MATISYAHU – “Hearing Matis sing a cappella was nothing less than a spiritual experience. His voice soared, on point and pure, never once faltering…” – Miami New Times

MATISYAHU brings his acoustic show back to the Arsht Center following a sold-out performance in 2011 that received rave reviews describing the artist’s voice and stage presence as “tremendous, Zen-like, and enlightening.” MATISYAHU returns with local guitarist and longtime friend Adam Weinberg for another special acoustic evening featuring songs from his entire repertoire including his latest release, Spark Seeker, which debuted at #19 on the Billboard Top 200. AN ACOUSTIC EVENING WITH MATISYAHU will also feature a post-show question-and-answer session with the audience, bringing closeness to the artist-fan relationship. MATISYAHU began performing stripped down acoustic shows in early 2009, giving fans a more intimate and personal experience while simultaneously showcasing the simple statement of his songs, incredible vocal range, and beat box talents. January 19, 2013 at 8:30 p.m., John S. and James L. Knight Concert Hall, Adrienne Arsht Center 1300 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, FL 33132 Tickets range from $35 to $99. All programs, artists, ticket prices, availability, dates and times are subject to change without notice. Visit www.arshtcenter.org for up-to-date information for details and schedules.

EDITORIALS

>>> People should call out leaders & community leaders living in a “parallel Universe,” saying what ever is expedient to the public

Over the past few weeks a number of people have described a couple of elected leaders and other ranking community leaders in major organizations as living in a “Parallel Universe” and these people seem to think they can say one thing to one person and something totally opposite to another without blinking an eye. And while in everyday life, some of these people would just be described as unable to tell the truth or keep their words or promises to others. Living in such an alternative universe also suggests a disconnect with reality and reality is one of the strengths one needs to be a leader that is generally headlined by people’s ability to trust what you say and do.

The Watchdog Report has seen and watched many top politicians and local public or private institution leaders over the past 16 years. But most of them had a similar trait and that is to speak frankly and truthfully, about matters rather then to try to endlessly spin an issue saying what ever might be convenient given the time and the audience. However, this verbal fabrication catches up with leaders as well as every day folks but it has different ramifications when it involves a community Great One and that is the problem. For it is up to the people that might be able to call such a person on the carpet to do so, and end the charade. For if, the emperor has no clothes on when it comes to their performance or policies then someone must step forward and interject reality into the situation. For if things are not going well, these problems will not get any better without some form of intervention. And when the Watchdog Report hears people using such terms to describe community leaders. I shake in my shoes for someone must intervene before things fall totally apart, which is what happens when these people are finally called on the carpet but it ultimately becomes too late.

LETTERS

>>> Happy New Year. You may want to start following what MDX is proposing for toll rate changes on the dolphin Expressway in the Airport Expressway. A 50% toll rate increase plus CPI, consumer price indexing on all future toll rate hikes. MDX will be holding a series of public workshop meetings about these toll rate hikes and open road tolling on the dolphin Expressway and Airport Expressway. You can see a full schedule and details on our website. www.rollbacktolls.com
Carlos Garcia

>>> Why do you call them the Domers instead of the Fighting Irish? Happy New Year!

DC

>>> 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

BERKOWITZ POLLACK BRANT Advisors and Accountants www.bpbcpa.com

RON BOOK

LINDA MURPHY: Gave a new laptop in Oct. 2001 to keep me going.

WILLIAM PALMER www.shutts.com

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 COMMISSION   www.miamidade.gov

MIAMI-DADE COMMISSION OFFICE OF THE CHAIR 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

MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC SCHOOLS 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 13^th 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, 2013, Daniel A. Ricker

>>> The Watchdog Report are now available to television stations web pages, and all the newspapers and other media in South Florida if the publishers have an interest to run part or all of the stories. Further, in 2000, I used to have some paper’s running the report in the Spanish press, that option is available again, and publishers should contact me.  The news content will not be free, but you can pick and chose the stories of interest, edit them if necessary but you must still keep the general story intact.  If you are a news outlet and would like to learn more about, the Watchdog Report and this offer contact me at watchdogreport1@earthlink.net for further information.  >>> Here is what past newspapers have written about the Watchdog Report publisher including a survey and regional study done by the U. North Carolina at Chapel Hill on the media in the southeast United States.

>>> The Miami Herald and Orlando Sentinel & Sun-Sentinel articles on the Watchdog Report publisher over the years. >>> Published on September 9, 1999, Page 1EA, Miami Herald, The (FL) CITIZEN ADVOCATE’ KEEPS TABS ON POLITICIANS >>> Published on January 3, 2000, Page 1B, Miami Herald, The (FL) MIAMI-DADE WATCHDOG WILL BE MISSED >>> >>> To read the full section large two page front page story, but without the photos and smart box graphics, go to: `I Go When You Cannot’ – Sun Sentinel 20 Jan 2003 … Sometimes Dan Ricker lives in the dark so others may live in the light. … to his weekly Watchdog Report have finally mailed their checks. … http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2003-01-20/news/0301190341_1_ricker-school-board-president-miami-s-first-cuban-american >>>Watchdog Report publisher named ‘Best Citizen’ 2003 by the Miami New Times  —The publisher would like to thank the weekly alternative paper Miami New Times for bestowing their 2003 Best of Miami, ‘Best Citizen’ award to me and I am honored.  Thank you. To read the full story go to http://www.miaminewtimes.com/issues/2003-05-15/citylife2.html/1/index.html

From the spring of 2003:  U. North Carolina, Chapel Hill:  Southeast U.S. Media Report lists Watchdog Report publisher as leading Florida commentator >>> Selected excerpts from the report on Florida’s media sources

Those who do read the newspaper in Florida have a bevy of options for state government and political coverage. The dominant newspapers in the state are Knight-Ridder’s The Miami Herald (Acquired by The McClatchy Company in 2006) and the Poynter Institute’s St. Petersburg Times. Both papers endorsed Gore in 2000 but split on the 2002 gubernatorial race, with the Herald endorsing Republican incumbent Jeb Bush and the Times backing Democratic challenger Bill McBride. Daniel Ricker of The Miami Herald also writes an influential column as well as an email newsletter called the Watchdog Report that goes out to more than 100,000 subscribers. FEBRUARY 2004 – Florida: Columnists in Abundance –ERIC GAUTSCHI, graduate student, School of Journalism & Mass Communication, UNC-Chapel Hill – D) LEADING COMMENTATORS – Resource Commentator Organization Type Web site –Steve Bousquet St. Petersburg Times Column www.sptimes.com/columns/bousquet.shtml -“First Friday” WPBT TV (Miami) TV Show www.channel2.org/firstfriday/issues.html –Lucy Morgan St. Petersburg Times Column www.sptimes.com/columns/morgan.shtml –Daniel Ricker Miami Herald/Watchdog Report Newsletter >>> Readers who would like to read the complete University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill Southeast United States Media Report go to view the complete report or download all the data used in this study. >>> Watchdog Report Editor’s note to the NCU/CH study: The subscriber number referenced is incorrect and applies to readership.

General subscriber’s names will not be published in the Report. To subscribe to the Watchdog Report please use the form below as a subscription invoice.

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Watchdog Report Supporters Invoice-Form

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

Supporting Sponsors $5,000

Sustaining Sponsors $2,000

Corporate Sponsors $1,000 (All levels above will be listed in the report with web-site link if desired)

Large Business Supporters $500

Small Business Supporters $250

Individual Supporter $150

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Name & Address

Please make checks payable to: Daniel A. Ricker

Send to: 3109 Grand Avenue, #125

Miami, FL 33133 To contact the Publisher please e-mail watchdogreport1@earthlink.net