Watchdog Report Vol.14 No.13 August 4, 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 To All: 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 trying to keep the community, state, nation and world informed of the political and governmental happenings in South Florida. How to support and contribute to the WDR is at the bottom of the report. Thank You

>>> The Watchdog Report will be back next week in full, but I had to spend time raising money this week. And if you value the weekly news report with a local, national and international readership. Please financially support my efforts of trying to keep the community informed weekly over the past 14 years of what these public institutions are doing with your around $15 billion in taxpayer dollars. To read past Watchdog Reports go to www.watchdogreport.net

>>> I am also on WWW.WLRN.ORG/topicalcurrents on Tuesday Aug. 6, @ 1:00 p.m. on Topical Currents at 91.3 FM, hosted by Joseph Cooper and Bonnie Berman and the topic will be the Miami-Dade County upcoming austere budget, and its impact on police, fire-rescue, libraries and animal services in the coming budget year starting Oct 1. And representatives from the office of Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez and other advocates will be calling in during the show to make they’re case, for or against, the upcoming cuts.

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY

>>> Mayor Gimenez goes on the road at town hall meetings, will not be the staid affairs of the past, trying to mitigate the overall cuts in Fire-Rescue, Libraries and Animal Services

Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez is going to be defending his modified budget this month at six town hall meetings in August, that did not raise the millage on homeowner’s property taxes. As he first proposed in July, but backed down days later, after a firestorm of out raged taxpayers, and the commission later shot down any higher millage rate. And while in past years these public meetings were staid affairs, this year they’re expected to be packed with advocates from animal rights groups, Friends of the Libraries and people protesting cuts in Police and Fire Rescue Services. Gimenez has been working to limit the cuts, and he recently announced some of the almost two dozen libraries being closed would be reduced to around “10 or 11.” And for more on the evolving county budget and the locations of the upcoming town hall meetings around the county that start at 6:00 p.m. go to  http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/08/02/3538648/two-more-miami-dade-libraries.html

However, advocates fighting the cuts of these organizations and services are girding up for a fight in the future, and the county commission could raise the property tax millage rate at its first public budget hearing meeting Sept. 10 at 5:01 p.m. in the county commission chambers. But a higher property tax millage rate would also require sending out new property tax notices at an unknown cost. However, since seven commissioners, of the 13 commissioners on the dais recently voted for the lower property tax rate, and shot down having a commission meeting on July 30. Insiders say the mayor will not ask for the increase in millage rate, nor will the commission, given the perceived sentiment in the community, that any tax increase would not fly with many voters, still struggling with the down South Florida economy. >>> For information about the public budget meeting in September go to  http://miamidade.gov/wps/Events/EventDetail.jsp?eventID=356974

However, critics of the proposed budget reductions note that in the case of libraries, the organization’s funding in the past has helped fund the County’s Cultural Affairs Department budget last year, and the money came from the libraries reserves. Further, when it comes to fire rescue services, the time to get to a medical emergency is over eight minutes, versus around six minutes in many communities around the nation (Though Gimenez is saying it may be only three fire units that are shut down, and some of the department’s deficit could be filled by federal grants.) In addition, the cuts also includes the Police Public Corruption unit being dissolved and instead. They’re will be more involvement with the FBI in the public corruption arena (And he believes it will further shield the activity from any political interference.)

Moreover, the supporters of funding expanded animal services spray and neutering programs, that voters passed with over 450,000 county votes in November (Though Gimenez says the program will get a 40 percent budget boost this coming year.) They are expected to turn out in mass at these public town halls and the county commission’s public budget hearing. >>> And to see Mayor Gimenez’s thoughts on the upcoming budget Sunday watch This Week in South Florida on WPLG Local 10. Where the mayor is interviewed by the station’s senior political reporter Michael Putney on the budget matter: go to http://www.local10.com/news/TWISF/-/18416996/-/30j7nz/-/index.html

What about the Watchdog Report on WWW.WLRN.ORG ?

On Tuesday the Watchdog Report will be on www.wlrn.org/topicalcurrents >>> on 91.3 FM at 1:00 p.m. hosted by Joseph Copper and Bonnie Berman and on the show. We will discuss the mayor and county commissioners proposed budget, and representatives from some of the affected parties and senior members of Gimenez’s office will be calling in, and readers should listen in.

>>> PAST JULY WDR:  Mayor Gimenez takes his lumps after backtracking on higher property millage rate, net worth for year $1.024, up from $953,000 the previous year

Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez is coming off a bad political week after he had to backtrack on his first proposed $6.35 billion county budget two weeks ago raising property taxes. And Gimenez was first elected to the office in June 2011, and he won a full four-year term in August of 2012. The retired Miami Fire Chief, former Miami manager, and county commissioner ran on lower taxes in the campaigns, but he was forced to back track this Tuesday when the county commission bulked and rejected his first proposed tax hike. That he later flattened, and the commissioners went along with the new proposal with only four of the 11 county commissioners present voting no to a lower property millage rate. However, this was the mayor’s first major political setback and Spanish radio, television was all-abuzz with Gimenez’s first tax proposal, and what was he thinking.

Further, with the flat tax rate, Gimenez will only fund the Animal Services Department only $4 million more and not the $19 million originally proposed and that has animal activists up in arms after 445,000 voters approved more funding on a straw ballot question in the November General Election. And with the property tax reduction, he will also face other blowback, because it will result in numerous libraries being closed, and the cutting of over 120 firefighters, though the mayor says these are worst-case scenarios. However, this is the first political misfire Gimenez has sustained; though he also generated controversy, when he negotiated for a public/private deal with the Miami Dolphins that later did not materialize.

Gimenez

What do we know about his finances?

Gimenez through June 2013 had a net worth of $1.024 million which is up from $953,842 the year before. His listed salary for the year from Miami–Dade was $154,746 and to read the full disclosure form go to http://public.ethics.state.fl.us/Forms/2012/97170-Form6.pdf

>>> Homestead Mortgage fraud goes to front burner as M-DC PA enlists police help from school district, and 10 municipalities to find property tax cheaters

A host of Miami-Dade County and municipal leaders gathered last week to announce alliances between the county, public schools district and ten municipalities to fight Homestead Exemption fraud that is costing local government millions in lost property tax revenue. County Property Appraiser Carlos Lopez-Cantera has been pushing the issue since he was elected to the countywide office back in November, and the agreement with the Miami-Dade Public Schools District that gets around a third of all property tax revenue, was first reported in a past Watchdog Report. Lopez-Cantera said the assembled elected leaders, “All have police officers being trained” at another location in the building and he noted it was a “tedious process,” but it has to be done because these homeowners with fraudulent exemptions are “cheating on their taxes” and some “2,500 leads countywide” have come into the office, said Lopez-Cantera, a former state representative. Moreover, Public Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said the effort was to “stamp out fraud, abuse in government” but in a way that makes for “respectful government.” And Carvalho believes the outcome should be one that has “everyone shouldering the tax burden” and “in my case” these cheats are “depriving children of an education,” since he runs the nation’s fourth largest public schools district.

There are some 450,000 homes in the county with the state Homestead Exemption that lowers a property owner’s tax bill by $50,000 and fixes the rate of property value rise at no more than three percent a year. However, the fraud is considered rampant and a “moving target,” and there is estimated “some 20,000 plus” exemptions that are fraudulent in the county. And is why Lopez-Cantera said the PA office is training police officers from the public government entities to work in conjunction with the office to root out these property tax scofflaws. http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/07/29/3530194/miami-dade-10-cities-school-district.html

>>> Press release GMCVB: RECORD ARRIVALS AT MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (MIA) FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE 2013

International passenger arrivals for the month of June 2013 at Miami International Airport (MIA) increased by 6.2% and domestic passenger arrivals increased by 0.6%. Total passenger arrivals at Miami International Airport (MIA) increased in the month of June 2013 by 3.3%.

INTERNATIONAL MIA Passenger Arrivals
June 2013	June 2012	% Change vs. 2012
833,827	785,314	+6.2%
DOMESTIC MIA Passenger Arrivals
June 2013	June 2012	% Change vs. 2012
870,980	865,762	+0.6%
TOTAL MIA Passenger Arrivals
June 2013	June 2012	% Change vs. 2012
1,704,807	1,651,076	+3.3%

PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST

>>> PHT looking for trustee, only the best of the beat should apply to this premier citizen based board, and no conflicts a must

Public notice: Opening for the Board of Trustees of the PHT – Applications are now being accepted for the Board of Trustees of the Public Health Trust of
Miami-Dade County, the governing authority for Jackson Health System. There is one vacancy for the 2013 appointment process. The Trustee will serve without compensation for one year. The PHT Nominating Council will contact selected applicants for interviews and a background check. The Miami- Dade Board of County Commissioners, upon recommendation of the Nominating Council, will make the appointment to the Board of Trustees. Download an application by clicking here, or pick up an application at the: County Executive Office, 111 NW 1st Street, Suite 2910, Miami, FL 33128 — All applications must be submitted with a current resume or curriculum vitae. Applications must be received no later than August 13th by 4:00 p.m., and must be received by: Christopher Agrippa
Division Chief, Clerk of the Board, 111 NW 1st Street , Suite 17-202, Miami, FL 33128 Emails or facsimiles of the application will be accepted and can be sent to clerkbcc@miamidade.gov or faxed to 305-375-2484. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure electronic receipt of the application by calling the Clerk of the Board at 305-375-1652. For additional information regarding the application process, please call 305-375-5311.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

>>> TEDxMiami Thursday, October 24 @ 7pm, Knight Concert Hall — For four years, TEDxMiami has been a hub of diverse creativity, innovative ideas, and progressive thought leadership that has been a cornerstone of Miami’s creative, intellectual, and entrepreneurial audiences. The main event in the fall will feature live speakers giving unique, locally relevant talks. TED is an international nonprofit organization and its mission is to share ideas worth spreading. TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. Follow #TEDxMiami2013 for event updates and keep up with TedxMiami throughout the year on Facebook and Twitter. Member Pre-Sale: NOW! Public On Sale: Tuesday, July 30 CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS Or call 305-949-6722 today!

>>> LIFETIME FOUNDING MEMBERS & INITIAL SPONSORS IN 2000

ANGEL ESPINOSA – (Deceased) owner COCONUT GROVE DRY CLEANER’S

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THE MIAMI HERALD     www.miamiherald.com (2000-2008)

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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 14^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 800 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. Daniel A. Ricker, Publisher & Editor, Watchdog Report www.watchdogreport.net Est. 05.05.00, Copyright © of original material, 2013, Daniel A. Ricker

>>> 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

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