>>> 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 www.knightfoundation.org to maintain my webpage. The Watchdog Report webpage is free, has no pops-up and is just the news in a mainstream reporting manner.

>>>> The Watchdog Report publisher needs help and I hope you will consider supporting me allowing me to stay out in the field so that I can keep at this and report back how your billions of public dollars in government are being spent on a weekly basis. And how to do that is at the end of the WDR. Thank You.

>>> May you and your family have a safe and reflective President’s Day this weekend.

>>> The Watchdog Report publisher Jan.16. Will be on WLRN 91.3 FM Topical Currents at 1:00 p.m. hosted by Joseph Cooper and Bonnie Berman www.WLRN.org

ARGUS REPORT – Heard, Seen on the Street

>>> 10 million Americans buy ACA health insurance but affordability is only with high deductible

With the end of the affordable Care Act enrollment Feb.15 some 10, million Americans around the nation have become enrolled in the program that is only affordable if you have a horrendous deductible that can push a family over the fiscal edge almost as easily. Then if you did not have health insurance at all. The Watchdog Report wrote about the issue of deductibles after the CEO of General Electric Jeffrey Immelt brought the issue up weeks ago at the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce luncheon and he believed that such participation was the only way to hold down these costs and employees “needed skin in the game” and these high deductibles did that the global corporation found.

BY THE NUMBERS: OPEN ENROLLMENT FOR HEALTH INSURANCE

>>>> Press release Dept. of H.H. Services: Since Open Enrollment for the Health Insurance Marketplace began on November 15, about 10 million people have explored their options, learned about the financial assistance available, and signed up for or renewed a health plan that meets their needs and fits their budget. Consumers heard about the Marketplace by talking with friends, from TV and radio advertisements, and in the news. They learned that this year’s Marketplace was fueled by more competition and offered more options. When they needed advice, navigators, assistors, and volunteers have been ready to answer their questions. Text messages, emails, and phone calls provided important deadline reminders. And when they were ready to sign up, an updated and more streamlined website, the Marketplace Call Center, and in-person assistance at enrollment events across the country have made it as easy as possible for them to do so. >>> This fact sheet below provides a point-in-time estimate as of February 11 of the many numbers behind the 2015 Open Enrollment period. 10 million The number of Americans who have already made getting health care Priority and signed up for or been automatically renewed for 2015 Marketplace coverage. $268 The average monthly tax credit for people who qualify for financial assistance in the 37 states using Healthcare.gov through January 30. 87% The percentage of Marketplace consumers who qualified for tax credits to make their monthly premiums more affordable in the first two months of open enrollment. 25% The increase in issuers competing for business in the 2015 Marketplace as compared to last year. 40 The average number of plans consumers can choose from this year. 1.86 million The largest number of users on one day to HealthCare.gov. Help is available. We’re working to meet consumers where they are, whether that’s online, over the phone or in person. Online: Information is available at HealthCare.gov or CuidadoDeSalud.gov.By Phone: Marketplace call center representatives are available to help all day, every day at 1-800-318-2596. TTY users should call 1-855-889-4325. The call is free.In Person: Find in-person assistance in your own community at localhelp.healthcare.gov. Like HHS on Facebook, follow HHS on Twitter @HHSgov, and sign up for HHS Email Updates Follow HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell on Twitter @SecBurwell

FLORIDA

>>> Cabinet member Putnam warns of impending water shortage in 2030, vital resource could change Florida’s growth model

The Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Adam Putnam in a tweet last week noted by 2030 Florida has a serious water problem and Putnam is a longtime Republican and his tweet about the state’s water supply shortage is sure to raise some eyebrows with the pro-growth community in the state and he is bringing up a fact that many are disputing but he does not cite the source for this predicament and warning. Putnam whose family are long time Floridians and is relaxed with the public when he campaigns is considered a prime candidate for governor in 2016 but is being dragged into the Gov. Rick Scott firing of FDLE Dir. Gerald Bailey that has yet to settle down for Scott and is now bleeding into the other Cabinet Members political careers and Putnam a former Congressman for a decade has the most to lose in this political firestorm.

>>>> FDLE Dir. Bailey firing still dogging Scott and FL Cabinet, will Ag. Commissioner Putney suffer from FDLE Bailey scandal?

Gov. Rick Scott is now admitting the termination of FDLE Dir. Jerry Bailey could have been handled better after a firestorm erupted when he was fired or resigned (depending on who you believe Bailey or Scott) suddenly and the incident put the Florida Cabinet in the hot seat and the governor has been dealing with the controversy for weeks now with little abatement and a “independent investigation” of the matter is being considered by the Cabinet.

What is Miami-Dade doing about its water supply?

>>> Press release: MIAMI-DADE WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENT BEGINS DEEPEST WELL PROJECT IN STATE HISTORY

(The Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department (WASD) may not be digging to the center of the Earth, but the department is definitely going where no deep injection well has gone before – a depth of 10,000 feet.

“WASD has recently begun drilling the largest deep injection well in the State of Florida, possibly the country for a water resource purpose at our Central District Waste Water Treatment Plant (CDWWTP),” said WASD Director Lester Sola. “We will be drilling to a depth of 10,000 feet and as a result needed a special drill to be built to accommodate this project.”

The purpose of the deep injection well is to comply with future state laws that will prohibit the disposal of treated wastewater into the ocean by 2025. The new disposal method at CDWWTP has already been successfully implemented at the South District Waste Water Treatment Plant.

“Injection wells usually cap at a depth of 3,500 feet – well beneath the Biscayne Aquifer, our drinking water source,” said Sola. “While that depth provides a sufficient distance to mitigate impact to our drinking water, we are interested in exploring whether there are additional injection zones even further removed from the aquifer at deeper depths to establish additional safeguards.”

The project began in January and has already reached a depth of 1,000 feet. Depending on drilling conditions and rock formations, it is expected to be completed by September.

Information about the drill mast and drill bit: Built by Youngquist Brothers Inc., the mast height is 130 feet above the platform, a Gross Hook Load of 1,080,000 pounds, the drill bit has a diameter of 72.5 inches, weighs 120,000 pounds and a horsepower of 2,500. It is operated by electricity rather than diesel fuel, so there are no diesel fumes and its operation is very quiet so as not to impact surrounding properties. High resolution images are available upon request.

>>>> Gov. Scott still trying to tamp down firing of FDLE Dir. Bailey, sends out another press release on the matter

Gov. Rick Scott is about to release his state budget for the coming year and he has $1 billion in extra revenues that he wants to make into tax cuts on the internet and cable bills but local lawmakers are hesitant to support any cuts in revenue that may come to the state’s 67 counties and municipalities that could see their funding drop if these taxes are cut to what Scott wants some $673 million. But Scott is still being buffeted by the row over the firing of FDLE Dir.  Jerry Bailey and the controversial story still has media legs and continues to dog Cabinet Members and Agricultural Commission Adam Putnam is still unhappy with the whole affair that may come back to bite him if he runs for governor in 2016 and he is considered a GOP star after he was elected to the Congress at age 25 and left the body without scandal after a decade and ran for statewide office back in 2010.  And below is another press release with Scott’s explanation that came in this week

>>> And here is another press release from Gov. Scott on the firing: In case you missed it, please see detailed information below on accusations from Gerald Bailey. Click here to view the full FAQ. In light of recent media inquiries, please find the previously released FAQ below.   Click here to view the full FAQ.  Please attribute the FAQ to the Governor’s Press Office.

Q: Did Governor’s staff direct Bailey to target Interim Orange County Clerk Colleen Reilly as part of the investigation of two escaped inmates?

No, Frank Collins met with FDLE communications personnel to help coordinate an FDLE press conference. Bailey asked to speak with Collins and FDLE communications staff before the press conference. The discussions with Bailey were about how to provide the most complete account of who could have been involved in the high-profile escape of two inmates, which included both the Clerk’s Office and the Department of Corrections. The discussion was not about targeting any individual. Wrote John Tupps Scott’s Deputy Communications Director

>>> Will FDLE’s continued controversy over FDLE Dir. Bailey’s resigning or firing dog Gov. Scott in the months ahead? Tries to dispel it with a press release but will Ag. Commissioner Putnam buy into it?

With The Shake-Up at FDLE, the new Gov. Rick Scott administration is getting off to a shaky start when it comes to transparency and good governance and conflicting charges are flying about what exactly went down with the termination of the long serving Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Director Gerald Bailey and whether he was fired or resigned as the governor said. But the controversy continues in the media and is becoming a major distraction for Scott, “who is quoted saying Bailey did a great job [and is being petty,” and a further news story in the Herald shows the debate will not be going away. Since the law enforcement agency has a rich history of being apolitical and not getting involved in political matters.

And while Gov. Rick Scott is still being hammered over the firing, of Florida department of Law Enforcement Director Gerald Bailey. Some of the Cabinet members are calling for an independent investigator be used to investigate the matter. That caught Florida Cabinet members, Attorney General Pam Bondi, CFO Jeff Atwater taken unaware when asked by the press about the firing. Further, Adam Putnam a former congressman for a decade prior to taking state wide office in 2010 is considered to have a bright political future and potentially a gubernatorial candidate in the next cycle in 2020 and he is starting to take the lead in the matter and Putnam knows how serious the ramifications could be of the possible political intrusion with the FDLE that has a long storied history of being a nonpartisan state law enforcement arm but the controversy whether Bailey was fired by Scott and his contradictory statement by the governor that Bailey quite, which the special agent denies since Bailey was set to retire in just a few months which also puzzles critics. And for Putnam the political stakes are the highest and he needs to be the point of the spear in getting this matter cleared up for the longer it festers and lingers it will be corrosive not only to Scott but how the Florid Cabinet is viewed as a whole  and that dark cloud may well infect Putman’s future political career if not resolved for he is in a position to do something about getting to the root of the story and while below is a press release from the governor’s office on the controversy trying to end the debate and it remains to be seen if this explanation will tamp down the controversy, especially since Putnam is a longtime Floridian and he has the reputation of being a straight shooter.

Putnam

What do we know about Putnam’s finances?

Putnam through Dec. 2013 had a $7.8 million net worth and to read his full disclosure form go to http://public.ethics.state.fl.us/Forms/2013/234671-Form6.pdf

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, Jr., Chair the Children’s Movement. >>> Update: Two encouraging meetings… The first, a visit from the Governor to the Rainbow Intergenerational Child Care center in Little Havana where he discussed his early learning priorities. That includes his support for “Help Me Grow,” a statewide parent resource system where parents would be able — via phone and online — to get and she thought answers to questions about their child’s development and connected with the proper resources. The second, a meeting with future House Speaker, Rep. Jose Oliva from Hialeah. He’s a father of three, a real reader of history and student of policy, and committed to better understanding early learning. Dave Lawrence, Chair The Children’s Movement.

Three of the basics of building a real movement for all children: • Nothing is more important than a caring and knowledgeable parent. (Know that 71 percent of American mothers with children between birth and age 5 work outside the home, meaning high-quality, brain-stimulating child care is a major necessity.) • 85 percent of brain growth occurs by age 3. • Early learning is a continuum between before birth and age 8. (“Families are the ultimate pre-pre-school,” wrote Clare Huntington in The New York Times last September, adding, “I don’t want to rain on the pre-K parade, but we can’t pretend that school preparation begins at age 4. Four is better than 5, but zero is better than 4.”) All that brings to me to a Miami-Dade Public Schools initiative focused on the transition from child care to kindergarten. This week I spent time at the superb YMCA in Allapattah, a bit north of downtown Miami. I spoke with Drs. Maggie Abrahante and Marisel Elias-Miranda, two key people responsible for early childhood programs that the superintendent has made a priority in this nationally honored school system. They’ve put together an excellent handbook for parents of children headed for kindergarten, and also: • Five retired school administrators with a special interest in early childhood already have met with 400 child care center directors to give them a sense of what school is all about and the expectations for children. • Principals are meeting with center directors. • Parents are offered superb neighborhood workshops, one of which I attended. Wouldn’t that be smart to do in every school system? Dave Lawrence Chair The Children’s Movement of Florida

>>>>And if you would like to see you’re County or state elected leaders financial

Disclosures forms on file go to website (www.et hics.state.fl.us):

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY

>>>> Commissioners boring into County operations more aggressively, new budget will reflect their priorities more, role of Commission auditor increasing

This was the first week of the new County Commission committee structure created  by Commission Chair Jean Monestime and the new chairs and areas of responsibility resulted in some very positive in depth discussions on how the county runs and Juan Carlos Zapata in questioning how the cost of using Parcel B at the Arena is arrived at “($500.00).” He joked he was thinking about a “birthday” party there and he was told it would cost “$500.00,” to hold such a event there and Zapata wanted to know how these rates were arrived at for a variety of uses and Commissioner Daniela Levine Cava also joined the discussion. Further Zapata in the coming months wants the commission to Have a better feel of the finances and wants to empower the Commission Auditor’s office to help fill in some of the areas that are being discussed and the impact on the County’s future budget. However the commissioners are digging deeper into the County’s almost $5 billion to better craft a budget in the future that reflects the priorities of the elected leaders.

And during one meeting an advocate for Friends of the Miami-Dade county libraries spoke up up for the upcoming budget year and it was a stimulating discussion and Zapata asked Lynn Summers with Friends, “what should libraries if the future look like?” and the real issue Zapata “thought is getting people to go to the library,” because all the commissioners “value the libraries.” And Commissioner Barbara Jordan said in her district the “Libraries are always packed,” she said and kids from the school district use the facilities and she argued that “and more resources are necessary for the Library District. Further Levine Cava noted the libraries close at 6:00 p.m. and she found people there recently but they had to leave without finishing their kids homework” and were using the internet, she said at the new Unincorporated municipal Service Area (UMSA) committee meeting.

However the committee commission dynamics are different and the commission is evolving since voters approved a strong mayor form of government in its role of policies and how precious county public dollars are being spent and when it comes to transportation issues Commissioner Estephan Bovo, Jr., said “there is no one that is going to bail us out,” and Commissioner Estephan Bovo wants to see some progress or his time as chair of the Commission Transportation Committee will be a ’Failure” after two years and the residents “anxiety” concerning tolls is not going away and the Miami Expressway Authority “is not going anywhere,” given the bonds issued and paid for by tolls. He said, “We need to pick a corridor and get it done and show them [taxpayers] a project and people will get on board. For he believes, “WE have a car culture in this county [and his 13 year old son is lobbying for a car],” said Bovo.

What about the Articulated Hybrid buses?

A contract for some Articulated Buss for the County’s Transit department last week had Commissioner Bruno Barreiro grimly saying the large buses bring a lot of “ill will,” with taxpayers because people carp the large buses are never full and in the past was is a PR and “Perception,” nightmare for commissioners in the past and suggested to transit staff to judiciously use the large bus on high volume routes only since they have such high visibility and impact on drivers on county roads. Staff said they got the message.

A recent bus accident that resulted in a death was extensively discussed at the Transportation Committee meeting last week concerning the age of “county buses” that has some 70 percent of the county buses being “old,” which is a bus that is over “12 years old” and has over “500,0000  miles on it.” Said Transit Director Ysela Llort to commissioners “our vehicles are safe but are old,” the transit maven said and safety is “first” an is not a budgetary issue she told commissioners.”

What about the County’s CRAs?

The County with 11 Community Redevelopment Agencies (CRAs) that drain property taxes from the county’s general funds also came up at a Commission  committee meeting and Budge Guru Jennifer Moon said since there creation CRAs have diverted to slum and blight reduction some “$30 to $40 million, in general fund revenues over the years she said.  And around $1 million of that came from the UMSA part of Miami-Dade. And a frustrated Estephan Bovo, Jr., said we need to see some action [in getting new revenues for transportation],” and find ways to fund these projects. Bovo also said U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Miami is engaged and Bovo believes the county should fund “70 percent,’ of transportation projects and he only wants the state and feds “to top off the funding and find out ways to get some projects done.” Commissioner Dennis Moss said, “You are singing my song and you have allies,” here on the dais and Commissioner Jordan echoed Moss’ remarks and if we can get a little help from the state we can get it done. And the Congressman is in town to get an update from stakeholders on transportation issues that historically he has been a champion for in the Congress.

1)            >>> Press release: Transportation and Housing Listening Week

2)             Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), chair of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Subcommittee of the House Committee on Appropriations, will meet with local elected officials and stakeholders in the transportation and housing sectors next week as part of a listening tour in the 25^th District. The first meeting will take place at Miami International Airport on Tuesday, February 17, 2015. WHAT: Congressman Diaz-Balart kicks off transportation and housing listening tour in Florida’s 25^th Congressional District. WHEN : Tuesday, February 17, 2015 at 11:30 AM WHERE :Miami International Airport, 2100 NW 42^nd Avenue,  4^th Floor Auditorium, North Terminal D, Miami, FL 33126*Take the 3^rd floor moving walkways to the beginning of North Terminal D. Members of the press: Please RSVP to katrina.valdes@mail.house.gov by Monday, February 16^th at 4 PM.

What about the County mayor’s race?

Incumbent Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez brought in a whopping $500,0000 into his 2016 reelection campaign war chest in the first reporting period and Gimenez is trying to tamp down any other

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article9694805.html challengers.  Though Gimenez needs to be careful that voters don’t get the impression he is beholden to many of these people that many do business with the county and why they are contributing so much to his reelection campaign and the upcoming race and other issues was discussed on Helen Ferre’s show Issues on www.wpbt on Sunday at noon.

Further, So far no one has officially announced they will be challenging him for the office but former Miami Mayor Xavier Suarez is considering a run along with School Board Member Raquel Regalado and the mayor’s dynamics with voters has changed since he first ran for the office back in 2011 and he is seen as being overly sensitive if anyone criticizes him and there is some media footage that does make him seem angry when he is criticized and not a warm and cuddly mayor and that imperious attitude is getting old for some voters. And the discontent started with voters when he paid numerous vice mayors significant salaries and benefits that he says is necessary to get top people into government, but critics argue maybe these people should not be in public service. Since it might be for the wrong reasons, since government positions traditionally pay less than the private sector but also comes with a number of perks not found in the private sector.

What about charging to use the now free Metro mover?

Two Thirds of the County Commission has to approve a plan sponsored by Commissioners Sally Heyman and Barbara Jordan to begin charging the “30,000” riders of Metro Mover in downtown Miami that have been riding for free and is not being supported by the Miami Downtown Authority (DDA) and the CITT Trust is also against it. Because it would not bring in the necessary revenue if a toll was charged and was one of the promises voters were told when they voted to tax themselves a half cent for county transit services and brings in some $220 million of which much of that money goes to servicing debt on the transit system that includes Metro Rail but the sales taxes benefits was oversold to the public and there was not enough money to full fill the commissioners promises made to the public back in 2002.

TOP STORY – RECORD PORTMIAMI PASSENGERS IN 2014

In the months of January – December 2014, passengers through PortMiami reached record levels with an increase of +26.7% compared to the previous year. Sustained growth is due in part to the arrival of new, larger vessels and the variety of cruise options offered by PortMiami.

Record PortMiami Passengers January – December 2014 January – December 2013 % Change 5,210,014 4,112,125 +26.7

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

>>> Gov. Scott taps veteran school board employee Navarro to fill vacant slot on nine member school board, safe choice

Gov. Rick Scott in a safe choice named long time public schools employee Lubby Navarro to the vacant school board Dist.7 seat after U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbello, R-Miami was elected to Congress and the District 7 seat is one of the largest in Miami-Decade and Navarro who has been active in GOP politics for years is close with Schools Board Chair Perla Tabares Hantman and Navarro is also a former Community Council person and she is likely to have to run for the seat in 2016.

Navarro

>>> Press release: Miami-Dade School Board Chair Perla Tabares Hantman stated: “I am delighted with the announcement that Governor Scott has appointed Lubby Navarro to serve on the School Board representing District 7.  I have known Ms. Navarro for many years, in fact she once served as my board assistant,” said Hantman.

“Ms. Navarro is an incredibly bright and diligent young woman who is very well versed in the intricacies of  the educational system and will most certainly be an asset to the School Board, particularly as the Florida Legislature is about to embark on its 2015 session.  I know that she will use all of her experiences as a professional, as a civic activist, and as a mother to inform the decisions she will make as our newest School Board Member.  As Chair, I join my colleagues in welcoming her to her new post.” Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho stated:” I am incredibly pleased by the announcement of the Governor’s appointment of Lubby Navarro to fill the seat vacated by Carlos Curbelo’ s election to the U.S. Congress.  Ms. Navarro is a longtime advocate of public education and has a child in our school system.”

“Having served on the District’s lobbying team she is extremely knowledgeable about the District’s efforts to improve student achievement, and I know she will bring with her to the School Board dais the same tenacity and commitment to students she has exhibited over her many years of service to this community.  Ms. Navarro is a welcome addition to the Board and I look forward to working with her in her new role,” said Carvalho.

Navarro has nearly 20 years of public service experience, most recently serving as the executive director of Intergovernmental Affairs for Miami-Dade County Public Schools. She serves as a member of many community organizations including the Miami-Dade County Redland Community Council 14 and the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, Unites States Homeland Security, Seventh Coast Guard District, Division 6, Flotilla 65 in South Dade. Navarro received her bachelor’s degree from Florida International University.

>>> Press release: SCHOOL BOARD CHAIRMAN PERLA TABARES HANTMAN REAPPOINTED TO MIAMI-DADE METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION

Perla Tabares Hantman, Chairman of the Miami-Dade County School Board, was reappointed to serve on the Miami-Dade Metropolitan Planning Organization Governing Board (MPO) by Governor Rick Scott for an additional term, ending December 16, 2017.

“The MPO guides the transportation planning process in Miami-Dade County, and I am honored to serve on this Board for my fifth consecutive term,” said Ms. Hantman.

What about Regalado’s comments about “government working together?”

While Key Biscayne is suing the City of Miami over using the Miami Marine Stadium for the Boat Show and the attendant traffic, The Village Mayor Mayra Pena Lindsey, “said education is the a Absolut priority and the Village is committed to assist the “education of our children,” she said the school board  meeting Wednesday and working with school board member Raquel Regalado on a “compact agreement with the Village” and she believed the new compact showed “government  can work together,” which is in  contrast to the two lawsuits the city of Miami is dealing with and. Regalado is the daughter of the Miami mayor. And she noted that one of her schools recently got a great gift from an alumni when Gov. and U.S. Sen Bob Graham gave some of his political memorabilia to Miami Senior High that recently was restored to its historic former self said Regalado and to see other alumni go to   http://www.dadeschools.net/tv/?q=IsahXh4JBPRGsqNiOMV7fiH71H4JEBd8

PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST

>>> Opa-Locka to get JHS Health and Wellness Center

The PHT board passed a resolution that will create an Urban Health and Wellness Center in Opa-Locka where some 16,000 people reside and there is a critical need for healthcare delivery services to the lower income resident’s state’s PHT documentation on the matter.

CITY OF MIAMI

>>>> It’s official Gov. Scott picks Sarnoff to be on the M-DC MPO, regional transportation body

Its official Gov. Rick Scott has named Miami Commissioner Marc Sarnoff as his appointee to the Miami-Dade County Metropolitan Organization (MPO) a regional transportation body and he will serve on the large board along with Miami Commissioner Francis Suarez and it is unusual to have two members from the Same municipality on the MPO but Sarnoff applied for the slot and he was a big fund raiser for Scott in his reelection campaign last November.

Village of Coconut Grove

>>>> When it comes to name calling by Playhouse advocates, M-DC Cultural Affairs Dir. Spring says he “has been called worse”

With Architectonica winng the contract to create the conceptual plan for the Coconut Grove Playhouse contract that has yet to be approved by the County Commission to draw up possible plans for the iconic Grove Theater. The choice of the firm brings together some strange bedfellows since the architect will likely be Jorge Hernandez who was caught up in controversy regarding the Miami Marine Stadium deal with Miami and The man has close ties to controversial Grove businessman Manny Alonso Poch and his past controversy and conflicts had Marine Stadium proponents withdrawing and removing Poch from the stadium’s not for profit board. And any role Poch might have with Playhouse is unknown but local advocates on https://www.facebook.com/saveourplayhouse

have called and vilified County Cultural Affairs Director Michael Spring who is being referred to as “God” and when I asked Spring about the controversy he noted “I Have been called worse names,” he said Tuesday at a Commission meeting.

When it comes to preservation the Miami Commission took an unusual step to change the procedure and have a department director screen the requests that could go forward and preservationists are concerned it will open the door to widespread destruction of some historic homes and architectural designs in the coming years and the battle occurring on St Gaudens is just one such example

CITY OF MIAMI BEACH

>>> Mgr. Morales to speak at TMBC

PRESS RELEASE -Meeting Date: February 17th, 2015

Meeting Time: 8:30 AM, Meeting Place: Abuela’s Cuban Kitchen, 1654 Meridian Ave., South Beach Miami Beach City Manager Jimmy Morales will be the guest speaker at the February 17th meeting of the Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club.  Mr. Morales has served as City Manager since April of 2013 and seems to have the full support of the City Commission.  He has a law degree from Harvard University and served as a Miami-Dade County Commissioner for eight years. There is no charge for attending and everyone is welcome. David Kelsey, Moderator Visit our web site at www.MBTMBC.com (Miami Beach Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club).

CITY OF CORAL GABLES

>>>> Gables Candidate forum voters get to hear candidates in their own words

The Coral Gables Forum will hold its bi-annual Candidates Forum for the upcoming city elections.  Our first forum will be for Group IV and V on March 2nd.  Our second forum will be for the Mayor’s race (Group I) on March 9th.  Both events will be held at the Coral Gables Congregational Church (3010 DeSoto Boulevard) from 7:00pm to 8:30pm.The doors will be open at 6:45pm so audience members can submit questions to ask the candidates.  Our moderator will be Eliott Rodriguez of CBS WFOR-TV.  If you have any questions please contact us at coralgablesforum@gmail.com.For more information on the Candidates Forum and future events please visit our website at www.coralgablesforum.com

Thank you,

The Coral Gables Forum

OMMUNITY EVENTS

>>>> South Florida Economic Summit Returns in two weeks

Special $99 Full Program Rate for Leadership Miami^® Participants & Students

The Greater Miami Chamber’s 2015 Economic Summit will explore top matters such as Closing the Skills Gap, Breaking Out of the New Normal, and dive into Miami’s current economic status in order to search for solutions to various concerns. The half-day program on January 29 at Jungle Island is geared toward learning about South Florida’s business strengths and opportunities for growth from CEOs and key industry leaders with a Luncheon address from R. Donahue Peebles, Chairman and CEO of the Peebles Corporation and Governor Rick Scott*. Confirmed speakers to date include: Norman Braman, Chairman, Braman Management; James Glassman, Managing Director and Head Economist for Commercial Banking, Chase; Julie Grimes, Managing Partner, Hilton Bentley; Michelle Henry, VP Sr. Philanthropy Manager, Chase; Avra Jain, Developer; Manny Medina, Founder and Chairman of the Board, emerge Americas, Allen Morris, Chairman and CEO, The Allen Morris Company; Beth Neuman, President and CEO, Starboard Cruise Services; Dr. Eduardo Padron, President, Miami Dade College; Doug Yoder, Deputy Director, Miami-Dade Water and Sewer with Moderator: Helen Aguirre Ferré, Bilingual Radio, Print and TV host; political analyst and Master of Ceremonies: Tom Hudson, Vice President of News and Special Correspondent, WLRN. *denotes invited. Contact: Liana Ventura, 305-577-5445 |lventura@miamichamber.com

Register Online

>>> The Margulies Warehouse will be reopen at the end of October and all adult admission charges $10.00 will go to Lotus House Women’s and Children’s Shelter in Overtown and students are free. For more go to http://www.margulieswarehouse.com/ and the Lotus House Gala will be Oct. 25th for more information go to http://lotushouse.org/

EDITORIAL

>>>> New Commission Chairs shaking up the House at County Hall

A revolution is  occurring at County Hall and Miami-Dade County Commissioners are leading it as they continue to challenge the strong Mayor (Form of government) and the Carlos Gimenez administration and commissioners are pushing county staff to explain more fully how the County’s 25 Departments are running and what they are trying to do versus other things they have not been done but were requested  in the past by commissioners and one of the challenges is to actually create a new mass transit corridor that has been discussed and studied to death but has yielded no real results and Gimenez up for reelection in 2016 is going to have to deal with the new found independent voice of the commission that seems to relish challenging the administrative assumptions and the way things have been done in the past and given the new budget cycle in September, Readers should expect commissioners to have framed the overall budget to their liking much more than in the past for the 13 member legislative body is feeling more empowered in their deliberations and this past week’s County Commission Committee meetings. Could be just a taste of this new found freedom With the Gimenez administration and the Commission now being Chaired by Jean Monestime who is pushing a “prosperity initiative” and the role of the body under this new legislative relationship the strong mayor form of government created and resulted in ex-Mayor Carlos Alvarez getting recalled by voters overwhelmingly in 2011 and he was succeeded by Gimenez in the office.

LETTERS

>>> Grove attorney gives update on HEP board hearing on St. Gaudens home

Good afternoon. Please note that the City of Miami’s Preservation Officer, Megan Schmitt, has advised us that the hearing before the Historic and Environmental Preservation Board on the 3529 St. Gaudens Road Historic Resource Nomination application will not take place on March 3, 2015. Instead, it will take place on April 7, 2015. We will keep you informed and hope that all of you can attend.

Regards,

Richard M. Zelman, Esq.

Sacher, Zelman, Hartman,

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