Watchdog Report Vol.16 No. 18 September 13, 2015 EST. 05.05.00 – I go when you cannot – Celebrating 16 Years of Weekly Publishing

>>> 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 fiscal help and new Sponsors and I have for 16 years now, reported back weekly how your billions of public dollars in local government are being spent. And how to do that is at the end of the WDR. Thank You. And to my Supporters and Sponsors, I thank you for your confidence over the past 16 Years. >>> CLARIFICATION: A story last week on a City of Miami Solid Waste assessment based on a resident’s tax bill was incorrect. And Miami CFO Christopher Rose gave the correct numbers:   “Just a quick update.  The City of Miami household waste collection fee actually generates $26.2 million (in the Proposed Budget) and the City pays the County $12.0 million to dispose of the waste that we collect (in the Proposed Budget).” Wrote the finance maven in a city with $130 million in reserves, but also dealing with multiple SEC investigations of past bond sale irregularities. CORRECTION: Also the Miami-Dade County Agricultural Manager is Charles La Pradd. I apologize for the error.

ARGUS REPORT – Heard, Seen on the Street

>>> With the images of the World Trade Center towers collapsing renewed this anniversary of Sept. 11, and reminds the nation how dangerous the world is and how playing terroist defense is no easy task, in a free open society and democracy 

One’s gut wrenches again with the 14^th Anniversary of 9/11 Friday, and the horrific heart wrenching images of people jumping out of the World Trade Center are seared in our minds and psyche and began what would be known as the War on Terror and changed the nation forever. The somber day was highlighted by Solomon ceremonies, and tributes around the nation, honoring the dead and their sacrifice as America once again reflects on the horrific event that was the most deadly terroist act in the nation’s history and highlighted the dangers of these groups and their violent indiscriminate nature and brutality and hatred for the United States.

>>> Arsht Center CEO Richards the organization’s pied piper updates WLRN listeners Friday on Arts Beat, twin halls feature Yo-Yo Ma to heavy metal, collaborates with County with Culture Shock and Ally camp all geared for children, volunteer corps amazing and includes Adrienne Arsht sometimes seating theater goes to their seats.

John Richard the President and CEO of the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County was on Friday’s Art Beat on www.WLRN.org  91.3 F.M.  Talking about all the upcoming shows and the wide global audience the Center has attracted including partnering with the County’s Public Schools and the once controversial Center has given a stellar performance over the past decade. Since it opened in 2006. But was delayed 20 months and had $100 million in change orders and ultimately cost the County $472.9 million and had become a County Commission “nightmare,” when it came to the twin halls construction back then. But since then thousands of Miami residents have seen performances there and with the new hip urban residents. It’s a happening venue and volunteers play a huge role in keeping costs (saving millions) down and they make up the usher corps and even philanthropist Adrienne Arsht might show you to your seat, and these volunteers help ensure a superior experience at the community marvel, that acts like a community, “civic engagement,” Center, and this theater interaction is bringing people together said Richard during the radio interview and upcoming musicians performing range from heavy metal bands to Yo-Yo Ma and Itzhak Perlman are coming in the weeks ahead and for more on what is playing at the halls. He also noted there are extensive programs for Children, like, Ally camp and the County’s Culture Shock program for children of all ages and has a wide following in the community. And for more on the Arsht Center’s programs go to: http://www.eventticketscenter.com/Event.aspx? ventID=30909&ppcsrc=THTR&gclid=CPyXn5Pd78cCFcGRHwodBRkMaA

Arsht Center webpage: The Arsht Center is home to the Sanford and Dolores Ziff Ballet Opera House, the James S. and James L. Knight Concert Hall, and Carnival Studio Theater, hosting a combined capacity of 4,800 among all three. The Florida Grand Opera calls the Arsht Center home, and the center has been honored by the presence of a multitude of famous actors and actresses, politicians and celebrities. The Arsht Center was opened as the “Carnival Center” in 2006 and was erected on the previous grounds of a 1929 Sears, Roebuck and Company Department Store, which in 1997 was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Two years after the Arsht Center opened, philanthropists Adrienne Arsht made a generous three million dollar donation to the facility with the intent of a more financially independent institution. The Carnival Center then adopted a new name to pay respect to Adrienne Arsht’s business contribution. The Center is currently the largest performing arts center in the state of Florida, and is the second largest in the US. To volunteer go to: http://www.arshtcenter.org/contact/

>>> Miami Today Publisher Lewis says Miami is a “tale of two cities, of “haves and have nots,” he tells Coconut Grove Rotary Club luncheon

Michael Lewis the editor-in-chief and Publisher of Miami Today News founded in 1983, was the featured speaker at the Coconut Grove Rotary Club luncheon Wednesday, at the Coconut Grove Sailing Club, and the award winning newspaper man said Miami was a “tale of two cities,” of “haves and have nots,” he said. And we “get what we pay for,” when it comes to Miami-Dade County Commissioners salary,” which is $6,000., a year and another $45, 0000 in benefits for their public service. Lewis who read commission agendas and the backup material said it is almost impossible to digest all this information. Since being a commissioner is a part time job, and County voters have nine times rejected a salary increase for the 13 member body that now has term limits.

Lewis notes that government “coffers,” given the 9 percent property tax value rise, are full and he wonders how much will be banked in reserve since Miami is “such a cyclical community,” and Miami’s reserves this budget year is over $200 million, and complies with a charter rule and that number is far different from when the city was on the fiscal rocks and its bonds back in 1997 were rated as “junk.” But with the condominium boom Miami bounced back. However that boom created a “great divide,” of “the haves and have nots similar to segregation,” and for many people there chance to rise and prosper is “totally unequal.” He noted unemployment in July was 6.1 percent and a decade ago that was 3.1 percent and for “people at the bottom, times are tough,” he said.

Lewis said his readers are a “high income audience,” and our readers are “doing better,” and many of them are optimistic and “60 percent plan to buy a new house or condominium,” in the next year, he said. And Lewis was one of the first to read fully the Miami Marlins new baseball stadium contract, that cost when financed out to some $2.5 billion over the life of the bonds and has become a hot potato for elected leaders at Miami-Dade County and further fueled the suspicions of deal making not in the best interest of the county’s residents who get to foot the bill to the stadium on the old Miami Orange Bowl site.

The publisher also noted that County Commissioners were urging state legislators to loosen up the Florida Sunshine Law and public notice of meetings between any elected leaders on the same body. Saying if people had “mildly suspicious minds.” You might think at these meetings they could be “taking care of business without public knowledge,” he suggested regarding any law modification and here is an editorial Lewis did on the issue    http://www.miamitodaynews.com/2015/09/08/the-public-has-a-firm-right-to-view-the-publics-business/ .

http://www.miamitodaynews.com/. And all are welcome at Rotary events and the organization helps people get civically engaged and for more on Rotary and future speakers, that include Ron Magill of Zoo Miami and Children advocate David Lawrence, Jr., go to http://www.coconutgrove.rotary-clubs.org/

>>> And they’re off, the GOP holds its second debate Wednesday, Trump still leading the pack in the polls while others try to stake their claim 

With the GOP debate coming up Wednesday, and Texas Gov. Rick Perry dropping out. The winnowing process has begun of the large field of Republican candidates that had neurosurgeon Ben Carsen giving an extended press conference Friday that covered a host of topics and he came off as a calm and deliberate man, who is trailing Donald Trump, and Sen. Ted Cruz, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla. will all be trying during the debate to break out of the crowded field. And former Gov. Jeb Bush is becoming more animated, and he opened a campaign office in Miami Saturday and he is getting the backing of the local GOP establishment in his presidential bid. However, his record as governor is coming under increased scrutiny and in polls he is stalled in the middle with Rubio. Where he was once considered the front runner candidate but is trying to reboot his campaign but many candidates are finding people want change agents and people new to politics. Since past candidates have disappointed them so many times, and is why Trump “is surging more than anyone,” he said Saturday at a rally in Iowa. And while his comment about Carly Fiorina “look at her face,” has drawn blow back. And over the last few weeks I have been asking Millennials what they have thought about the candidates and their disgust with the status quo candidates was evident. And these emerging voters will be the key block if they decide they should vote or stay home since it won’t change anything in how their government functions and has money playing a disproportion role in who is elected, and Millennials have had it including the nation’s $18 trillion debt they are being saddled with for generations to come.

Zogby press release: Millennials Transform the Political Debate By: John Zogby Forbes.com Contributor

It has been said over and over that Millennials are looking for something different from American politics. They eschew yelling, ideological warfare, don’t watch Fox or MSNBC – or really much of anything else – and yet they are highly engaged in politics. After all, record numbers have turned out in the past two presidential elections. They tend to favor the Democrats over the Republicans – or at the very least, they tend to reject the Republicans outright and the only choice becomes whether or not they vote Democrat or not vote at all. If they choose not to engage this has little or nothing to do with apathy. It has everything to do with what they are looking for in candidates and political discussions. Very simply they want the job done, they want problem solving, they want authenticity, and they want more consensus than time-wasting posturing and party politics.

Please click on the link below to view the full release: http://zogbyanalytics.com/news/642-millennials-transform-the-political-debate

>>> Zogby Millennials Poll Reveals Depth of GOP Problem by: John Zogby Forbes.com Contributor

The Republican Party better settle on a candidate, a message, and resolution of its internal differences very soon or it faces a blowout in 2016. A new Zogby Analytics Poll of 850 adults 18-34 years old conducted on August 25 reveals that if Millennials turnout to vote, the GOP faces nothing short of a catastrophic election. The Zogby Poll was conducted online among that age cohort who are smart phone users – at least 86% of the total. President Obama receives a 66% job approval rating from the full group, which matches the vote percentage that he received in 2008. Only 29% disapprove. The President’s approval is enormous among men (75%), women (57%), and 18-24 year olds (68%), 25-34 year olds (65%), Democrats (88%), liberals (87%), moderates (66%), college graduates (62%) and those who have achieved less than a college degree (61%). White Millennials give him 57% approval rating, while his numbers have soared among Hispanics (72%), African Americans (82%), and Asian Americans (79%). Please click on the link below to view the full release: http://zogbyanalytics.com/news/638-zogby-millennials-poll-reveals-depth-of-gop-problem

>>> 13 Year Prison Sentence against Leopoldo López is a Miscarriage of Justice, Says Ros-Lehtinen “I call on all responsible nations to condemn this miscarriage of justice and call for Leopoldo’s immediate, unconditional release.”

Press release: Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R – FL), Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa, made the following statement following the sentencing of Venezuelan activist Leopoldo López to approximately 13 years in prison. Statement from Ros-Lehtinen: “It is well known that the kangaroo court in Venezuela is biased and influenced by the Maduro regime so it’s not a surprise that this shameful verdict against Leopoldo occurred. Leopoldo should be free and the people of Venezuela deserve to live under a free society; not under this regime that continues to violate human rights at every turn. The malicious use of the judicial system as an instrument to punish and persecute dissent is only part of the problem with Maduro’s brutal regime that persists on ruling Venezuela with an iron fist. I call on all responsible nations to condemn this miscarriage of justice and call for Leopoldo’s immediate, unconditional release. In addition, the United States should apply sanctions immediately against the judges, prosecutors, and prison officials who were involved in this politically motivated sentencing.”

In Response to Leopoldo López’s Unjust Sentence, Ros-Lehtinen Leads Bipartisan Letter to Secretaries Kerry and Lew Demanding Sanctions for Venezuela Justice Officials “The biased and arbitrary sentence is a flagrant violation of the Inter-American Democratic Charter.”

Press release:  Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R – FL), Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa, made the following statement after being joined by 19 of her colleagues in sending a bipartisan letter to Secretary of State John Kerry and Secretary of the Treasury Jack Lew urging the Administration to enforce the Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act and apply sanctions on regime officials in the Venezuelan court system in response to the unjust sentencing of Venezuelan activist Leopoldo López. Statement by Ros-Lehtinen: “The shameful verdict against Leopoldo is another example of the malicious use of the judicial system as an instrument to punish and persecute dissent that the Maduro regime employs to intimidate peaceful demonstrators who have committed no crimes other than advocating for freedom and democracy. The biased and arbitrary sentence is a flagrant violation of the Inter-American Democratic Charter and yet another attack on human rights by the Maduro regime. “This abuse is why my colleagues and I implore Secretary Kerry and Secretary Lew to impose sanctions under the framework of the Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act on the following individuals: Luisa Ortega Díaz – Attorney General of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, General Wilman Hernandez Aquino – Head of Investigations of the Directorate of Military Intelligence (DIM),Susana Barreiros Rodríguez – Judge of the 28^th Trial Circuit Court of Caracas,Narda Sanabria Bernatte – Attorney of the Public Ministry of Venezuela,Franklin Nieves Capace – Attorney of the Public Ministry of Venezuela. “We must help provide a voice to those whose rights continue to be trampled, and take swift and decisive actions, such as imposing sanctions on the regime officials who facilitate those abuses.” NOTE: Please click here to view the signed letter. Cosigners of the letter (10 GOP and 10 Democratic Members) are: Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Carlos Curbelo (R-FL), Frederica Wilson (D-FL), Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL), Patrick Murphy (D-FL), Ted Deutch (D-FL), Lois Frankel (D-FL), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Alan Grayson (D-FL), Ron DeSantis (R-FL), Jeff Duncan (R-SC), Albio Sires (D-NJ), Christopher Smith (R-NJ), Michael McCaul (R-TX), Norma Torres (D-CA), Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), Matt Salmon (R-AZ), and Brian Higgins (D-NY).

Leopoldo wrongly convicted and sentenced to 13 years and 9 months View this email in your browser

Contact: English Media Requests for Counsel        Jared Genser, international counsel jgenser@perseus-strategies.com +1 202 320 4135 Spanish Media Requests for Counsel Juan Carlos Gutierrez, domestic counsel juangutierrez@delgadogutierrez.com +58 412 33 217 44 English Media Requests for Lilian Tintori (wife)   Samuel Ritholtz sritholtz@perseus-strategies.com +1 845 558 7027 Spanish Media Requests for Lilian Tintori Sthefanie Balcazar prensaliliantintori@gmail.com +58 424 29 122 03 Share this story: For more information on Leopoldo’s imprisonment and the abuse of human rights in Venezuela, please visit us: On the web:  freeleopoldo.com  Facebook:  Leopoldo Twitter: @free_leopoldo

FLORIDA

>>> Oriental Fruit Fly quarantine expands from 18 to 85 square miles of South Dade, major hit to $800 million agricultural enterprises in the affected area first broken in WDR last week, Putnam comes to South Dade to inspect how to improve quarantine effectiveness

Adam Putnam (Net worth $8.28 million in 2014) the Florida Consumer and Agricultural Commissioner came to South Dade last week after the Watchdog Report reported on the Oriental Fruit Fly infestation in the Redlands and was 18 square miles when the Watchdog Report first broke the story last Sunday and a quarantine  area was imposed but that quarantined area has now grown to 85 square miles and was why it was my lead Miami-Dade County story after Agricultural Manager for the County Charles La Pradd, told commissioners at a Tuesday commission meeting about the infestation and I started to work on the story after he made those public statements and understood the sweeping impact it could have on the $800 million plus industry and had most crops impacted given the 400 or so crops affected by the fruit fly. And to read Putnam’s financial disclosure form go to http://public.ethics.state.fl.us/Forms/2014/234671-Form6.pdf and below is the latest information of the eradication program and options for growers to tamp down the infestation. And for more on Putnam’s office go to http://www.freshfromflorida.com/News-Events/Commissioner-s-Email-Update

Oriental Fruit Fly Information

Bactrocera dorsalis, an Oriental Fruit Fly

2015 Eradication Program – Miami-Dade County

Oriental Fruit Fly Pest Alert [  474.05 KB ]

Oriental Fruit Fly Press Release

Oriental Fruit Fly Facts & Photos

Industry Information – Oriental Fruit Fly

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY

>>> PAST WDR last Sunday:  “20 square mile, Ag quarantine hits South Dade,” gets expanded to 85 square miles. Oriental Fruit Fly infestation, could “possible shut down,” # 2 economic engine generating $834 million in revenues, could last through Nov., “height of produce season,” says La Pradd

A quarantine of South Dade Agriculture produce went into “effect Friday at 4:00 a.m.”  and the order covers more than 20 square miles,” and “almost every crop [that includes 170 permutations of crops] and “500 host items,” are affected by the order and produce in that area is subject to the quarantine,” wrote Charles La Pradd, the Miami-Dade County agricultural manager. After the reported infestation of Oriental Fruit Flies was discovered and is a national problem since the fruit fly affects “hundreds of crops,” said County Agricultural Manger Le Porte at the Tuesday Miami-Dade County Commission meeting. And agriculture is the County’s number “two economic driver,” said Commissioner Daniella Levine-Cava and is a $834 million economic enterprise, and the pest “could potentially shut down agriculture” in the affected areas and the official at the time said if the area gets quarantined it would possible not end until November. The “height of our sales,” of these products said La Pradd. The agricultural maven told Commissioners Daniela Levine Cava and Dennis Moss who represent the area on the commission given the importance of the region for vegetables food prices will likely rise and farmers will get slammed financially. And if how the state and feds handled Citrus Canker, a few years ago is any guide trucks going into the area could have to be washed down along with numerous other inspections, and the proven eradication methods could become an issue with organic farmers who grow produce like papayas, bananas and tomatoes could take a significant hit. And I asked Le Porte for an update on the matter and he sent to the Watchdog Report by email regarding the quarantine. “It went into effect at 4 a.m. Friday. It covers more than 20 square miles. Almost every crop produced in that area is subject to the quarantine. Host material cannot be moved out of or through the quarantine area without approval. Host Crops in the quarantine area must meet quarantine compliance before it can be moved out of area. It takes 30 days to meet compliance. [And could cause] Serious economic hardship on producers in the area who cannot sell product for 30 days, plus added expense of compliance. State folks doing a great job of trapping and killing flies. Contact mark Fagan with Fl dept. of Ag for all details (954) 410-4119,” the agricultural advocate wrote back last week. And for more on the economic impact of the agriculture in South Dade go to

Oriental Fruit Fly Press Release Oriental Fruit Fly Facts & Photos Industry Information – Oriental Fruit Fly  Treatment Products Question and Answers Spinosad [  18.68 KB ]
SLN Warrior II with Zeon Technology [  1.52 MB ] Lambda Cyhalothrin (Warrior II) [  140.62 KB ]Maps Treatment [  1.23 MB ]Quarantine Area Map and Description [  461.57 KB ]  http://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/pestalert/2015/09/01/oriental-fruit-fly-eradication-program-in-miami-dade-county-florida/

>>> After 66 months of steady growth county wide sales tax growth for PTP and JHS comes in at 1.9 percent growth in June

After 66 months in a row of sales tax revenue growth, the revenue from the countywide half cent sales taxes for Jackson Health System (JHS) and the Peoples Transportation Trust (PTP) has slowed and in June and collections are down 1.9 percent but overall  is still up 6 percent for the year, but the extra surge in funding has helped JHS run in the black and also the county’s transit department and the past robust sales tax growth has been a pleasant surprise and it remains to be seen if this important revenue source begins to plateau. And currently provides some $229 million a month in revenue to both the PTP and JHS.

>>> With nine percent property value rise, Mayor Gimenez has smooth sailing at public budget meeting hearing Tuesday on $6.8 billion proposed budget

The First Public Budget hearing last week turned out to be a love fest for Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez. The Mayor stressed the $6.8 billion budget is “sustainable,” for 2015-2016 and the document will also begin the process of increasing the County’s reserves to over $100 million by 2020 and is weighing down the County’s bond ratings with the credit agencies. Gimenez got praised by a number of county commissioners for holding the line during some “painful” financial times when the unions took major cuts and concessions

But perennial mayoral rival County Commissioner Xavier Suarez has ratcheted up his criticism of Gimenez, who once beat him for the Commission District 7 seat back in 2004. And Suarez the Harvard University trained attorney has continued to snipe at the mayor and he is mulling his own possible race for the top leadership position in Miami-Dade County that has a strong mayor form of government and through this austerity the County has saved some “$1 billion,” in salary reductions and concessions, says Gimenez but Suarez is hammering the mayor for the unification of the countywide half-cent sales tax for transportation with the County’s Transit Department. And he is running television ads blaming the mayor for the horrendous traffic residents face daily and he was on WPBT Channel 2 Issues with Helen Ferre making his case that voters have been deceived in regards to how this new transit money is being spent since it was “unified,” by the County Commission that Suarez blames Gimenez for back in the mid-2000s. And Suarez wants to recoup all the past People’s transportation Plan money claiming the PTP “was for the people not bureaucrats,” he intones http://www.miamitodaynews.com/2014/03/19/transit-tax-path-still-debated/ http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article26645788.html However,  commissioners pushing for the “unification” of this new funding back then were Commissioners Dennis Moss and Barbara Jordan and not just Gimenez, and Moss argued merging the funds was a necessity if there was to be a real “transit system,” that needed to be subsidized. But Suarez a former Miami mayor wants to be running things at the county and believes eliminating “inefficiencies,” and the attendant savings were not out of the question.  And while he tells Ferre’s he has “never lied,” to the public in his 30 years of public service he tells the host in the show.  http://wpbt2.typepad.com/issues/ and he challenges the mayor’s transit plan and how it is being funded and the ads will run up to the Commission’s final Public Budget Meeting on Sept. 17.

What about homeowner’s property tax bills?

The Watchdog Report has talked to a number of people about their property tax bills TRIM and what is surprising them is all the listed funding items from the Florida Inland Navigation District, to the bond for Jackson’s renovation, the Children’s trust, and the school board bonds and while they say these are worthy organizations to fund. The aggregate number of items when combined are what they are shocked about and also includes a $2.9 billion County GOB passed in 2004 and is still being paid off. And it shows taxpayers have been generous to these public institutions but they are at their limit. And elected leaders should not expect any more such funding requests will be passed by county voters until these new debts are retired in some 20 to 30 years and these precious new tax dollars must be used efficiently and with great care for the well is dry and any further tapping of voter good will for new funding is over and they are waiting to see what they actually get for their hard earned tax dollars.

What about County Commissioners wanting to modify the Florida Sunshine Law?

County Commissioners on Tuesday discussed asking the Florida Legislature via a resolution  to modify the open meeting law that makes meetings open to the public, must be advertised, but does not cover state legislators and Commissioner Juan Zapata, a former state Rep. thinks modifying the law would make the local legislature more efficient and effective. And Bruno Barreiro, also a former state representative called the Sunshine Law, “the lobbyist empowerment Act,” from his experience in the House but it was a legislative urging on the County’s agenda with the state and would exclude any judicial cases like zoning said Zapata, but critics hope it does not open the door to less transparency and concern of insider deals on issues.

What about the issue of a new MPO director’s name?

A reader did a public records request and below are the names of the Metropolitan Planning Organization” s finalists applying for the $200,000 or so pay level job and coordinating regional transportation issues to the 22 member MPO board that is chaired by County Commission Chair Jean Monestime, and below are the names the reader got from MPO staff handling the matter and the reader provided the links of who these people are and their past accomplishments. Here are the names: Aileen Boucle https://wts.fiu.edu/first-guest-speaker-event/ , Carlos Cejas, P.E. ,  https://www.linkedin.com/pub/carlos-cejas/9/537/247, Harold Desdunes, P.E., FDOT Director of Transportation Development http://www.micdot.com/news_room/biographies/Bio%20-%20Harold%20Desdunes%20PE%20-%20MIC%20Ltrhead%2010-1122.pdf, Wilson Fernandez  http://www.miamidade.gov/citt/wilson-fernandez.asp ( a current MPO employee) Huasha Liu, Linked-In profile   https://www.linkedin.com/pub/huasha-liu/12/7a4/120

(photo) http://qpc.co.la.ca.us/liu.asp   http://www.scag.ca.gov/about/Pages/Departments.aspx and Erik Steavens  http://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/division/rail/bio.html a transportation consultant have all applied for the coveted job of trying to resolve the region’s transportation nightmare.

>>> And to read the Miami-Dade County’s upcoming budget go to http://www.miamidade.gov/budget/fy15-16-proposed.asp

>>> County Committee moves ahead on Honor Code, great idea and should be considered by the BCC

Ethics Commission press release: A Miami-Dade County Commission committee today took a step forward to adopting a Public Service Honor Code for elected officials and employees.  The Strategic Planning and Government Operations Committee voted 5-0 to approve the proposal, initiated by the Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics and Public Trust (COE). If the resolution, implementing order and ordinance – all sponsored by Commissioner Rebeca Sosa — are adopted by the full Commission and implemented by the County, all officials and employees would be obliged to follow an honor code of conduct that revives a long-ignored 1964 County Administrative Order requiring that they report criminal government misconduct to appropriate authorities when they know about it.  It adds directives that employees monitor their workplaces for misconduct, place the public interest ahead of personal loyalties, and cooperate truthfully with investigations.  Failure to abide by the code could result in disciplinary action. “It is time to bring a public service honor code into all levels of Miami-Dade County government,” said COE Executive Director Joseph Centorino.  “No one whose primary duty is to serve and protect the public may be said to perform that duty adequately by remaining a bystander after becoming aware of corrupt practices by a colleague or supervisor.” Also today, the BCC Committee adopted a resolution proclaiming Thursday, October 22^nd as Ethical Governance Day 2015.  The resolution echoes the Ethics Commission call for all public and private institutions and residents to participate in appropriate civic or educational ethics programs.  In addition, for the fourth year in a row, the COE will place community leaders in almost every 12^th grade government and economics class on that day to emphasize the importance to high school seniors of civic engagement.   For more information or to volunteer, visit www.ethics.miamidade.gov

GMCVB press release: During the months of Jan. – July 2015, Domestic passenger arrivals into Miami International Airport (MIA) increased by 8.2% compared to 2014. International passenger arrivals increased by 5.7% while total passenger arrivals increased 7.0% compared to the same time last year.

Record MIA Passenger Arrivals
Domestic Arrivals
Jan. – July 2015	Jan. – July 2014	% Change vs. 2014
6,767,342	6,252,481	+8.2%
International Arrivals
Jan. – July 2015	Jan. – July 2014	% Change vs. 2014
6,377,739	6,036, 217	+5.7%
Total Arrivals
Jan. – July 2015	Jan. – July 2014	% Change vs. 2014
13,145,081	12,288,698	+7.0%

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

>>> September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and teal is the color to bring home this “tragic issue,” afflicting women of all ethnic groups and is “The Silent Killer,” UM Health doing study, and district’s 29,133 women employees welcome to participate in program

An early disease detection initiative is being raised with the Miami-Dade County’s Public Schools District’s, 29,133 women employees after a long time  staffer, of Board member Raquel Regalado, Marisol Perez-Picon, passed after being diagnosed  with stage 4 ovarian cancer in 2010. And she later passed in 2012 of the disease. That if detected early has a better survival rate and Brian M. Slomovitz, M.D., MS,  the co-leader of the Gynecologic Oncology Cancers and site disease Group at the University of Miami Miller Medical School and the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center and is an expert on the disease at the  School of Medicine. He talked about a study, available to employees being done by the University of Miami Health System. Dr. Slomovitz spoke to the school board members on the need for early detection and the disease is considered “The Silent Killer,” if not diagnosed early said the physician. And The American Cancer Society estimates some 21,290 women a year in America will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer and about 14,180 women will die from this disease nationwide and in Florida the average number of new cases of ovarian cancer was 1,395 and the average annual number of deaths was “104.” Sates the district documentation on the matter. And when detected early some 95 percent pf patients live longer than 5- years after diagnosis, however, “many women are not diagnosed until the disease has begun to spread to the ovaries,” and survival rates dip as well. For more on ovarian cancer, the symptoms and the physicians at UM Health go to  http://obgyn.med.miami.edu/gynecologic-oncology/ And the Watchdog Report wishes them good luck in eradicating and treating this dreaded disease for women and cuts across all ethnic groups in South Florida.

Dr. Slomovitz

>>>> The issue of the nation’s fourth largest public schools district debt (with a 4.8 billion budget was discussed at Wednesday’s school board meeting and through refinancing the debt payment is considerable) and with $93 million in reserves in the current budget, that is well above the 3 percent required by state law. Further the District’s bond rating may get reviewed by the ratings agencies (currently A1 negative outlook, said staff) in the coming months an and while the reserves at this level are adequate under state law having a strong bond rating is critical given the new issuance of $1.2 billion in bonds for upgrading the 400 schools in the District and increasing IT capabilities district wide.

How did the Norman Braman Motors training program with Lindsey Hopkins work out and the 50 students that have graduated?

What about the Braman Motors Corp training program with Miami-Dade County’s Lindsey Hopkins Technical School that has finished four classes and they are employed. The students who were trained on how to repair and maintain high performance cars like BMWs and Audie and these 50 students end up getting “very healthy salaries,” and the “program was a crazy good idea,” and “has been an incredible partnership with Braman,” said Supt. Alberto Carvalho on the training program that has graduated some 50 students and all have found employment.

Call for Action, Inc.  a grass roots organization that fights for consumer rights, and promotes “financial literacy,” was spoken of by Linda Brickman, a former HR manager at nearby Braman Motors and for more on the organization go tohttp://www.volunteermatch.org/search/org44939.jsp and around the nation. The organization fights for “fair treatment in the market place,” realizing there may be “two sides on any issue, and the goal is to bring the sides together through mediation and volunteers to solve problems,” Brickman told the school board members and I could not find the local webpage but the other link has the larger umbrella organization and it seems like a good idea I hope the district considers. Brickman said the organization “coordinates topical topics and consumers have saved “millions in [less] consumer fraud,” and is free to the district,” the retired business woman closed. And Regalado echoed her saying it is, “useful to educate the community on the issues. And the Call for Action mission statement is:  “To empower consumers by giving them a voice of their own. We strive to protect the consumer through our proven process of mediation and intervention. We also educate consumers about the most current consumer issues such as fraud, scams, identity theft, credit and debit issues and online privacy. Each office is paired with a media outlet which gives the consumer a voice much larger than their own,” states the web page.

>>> Bond funding spending through Aug. hits $193 million, $46.3 million goes to technology

Alberto Carvalho gave a schoolboard committee an update on the $1.2 billion GOP bond projects approved by voters in 2012 and out of “152 accelerated GOB small projects, 101 have been completed and 20 more are in construction,” states a handout the superintendent gave the Watchdog Report at a school board Committee meeting Wednesday. The document also state’s as of Aug.31, 2015, bond expenditures totaled $193 million of which $46.3 million went to technology and $147 million for facilities and there is another $119.3million  contracted out, states the summary handout given to the school board members and Carvalho says, the results reflect “promises made,” to the public when the bond passed, and is “promises kept, “ he reiterates from the board dais and while the new money was desperately needed for the ageing 400 public schools of which most were over 50 years old, and are now getting renovated.

PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST

>>> PAST WDR:  President Migoya tells county commissioners health trust is expanding its brand with new strategic clinics opening, also warns “CMS is trying to end [public money] addiction, to public hospitals” 

Past WDR: Jackson Health System CEO Carlos Migoya updated Miami-Dade County Commissioners on the Trust’s progress with utilizing the recent $830 million GOB and how the health system is opening up outpatient clinics in Doral, Miami Beach and other locations, and one “buildout,” clinic was ahead of schedule and “under budget,” he remarked to commissioners. At the required quarterly update the commissioner’s asked for when they approved putting the bond on the ballet a couple of years ago. However, the former banker has said while the trust is in the black, the third year in a row. The government and “CMS is trying to end [the public money] addiction to public hospitals,” and that was why Gov. Rick Scott “created the Task Force to see where this public money is going,” said the health system president, to commissioners. He also warned this public money has been critical to the JHS turnaround and the Trust has done a remarkable job after years of hemorrhaging red ink and the County Commission created a smaller oversight board to watch over the health trust, now Chaired by businessman Joe Arriola.

CITY OF MIAMI

>>> Iconic Jimbo’s has become paddle board heaven & Kayak launch, now a beautiful park, near extensive Dirt Bike track, giving spectacular views of the bay, says Nelson

Jimbo’s the iconic hang out of old Miami has been transformed into a waterfront park that might even have a viewing tower, but not funded. The location once used for model backdrop photo shoots and movies was returned to the city by the family a few years ago and a park was created said Bob Weintraub to the Miami Waterfront Advisory Board members Sept 8. Further, the old Bocce Court is gone that was the home to many a tight Bocce game rain or shine and some of the payers included 29 year serving District 2 Miami Commissioner J.L. Plummer, who was defeated by former Commissioner Johnny  Winton back in 1999.

What about the Miami Museum Science Dock?

The Philip and Patricia Frost Science Museum will have a scientific barge in the bay notch on submerged land owned by the city of Miami and was a hot topic of discussion at a Miami Waterfront Advisory Board meeting. And a $200,000 grant from the Knight Foundation is helping in the major scientific attraction that will offer 15 STEM labs and is a $25 million investment said Ted Caplow, Ph.D. and a member of the Frost Science museum board and the floating barge is modeled after a similar one in Manhattan and currently in the Bronx and the education programs are aimed at school children in third grade, and there will be many hands on activities including peering into the Biscayne Bay where cameras are on the bottom of the barge and the attraction hopes to be a “catalyst of sustainability,”  said the scientist and his power point presentation to the waterfront board was amazing and is a new addition to the future new Miami Science Museum. http://www.miamisci.org/  being constructed in Museum Park.

>>> MESA Topic of the day will be who holds licenses for seaplanes and helicopters?

When the Miami Exposition and Sports Authority (MESA) board meets Sept. 16 at noon the main topic will be the dispute between the FAA and FDOT if there is one or two licenses for a helicopter and seaplane base on Watson Island long dormant and “considered abandoned,” and Mayor Tomas Regalado noted at a past MESA the issue “was a mess.” Regalado told the Watchdog Report Thursday that there is still confusion on the matter and it will be discussed at the MESA meeting, but it is stalling efforts to get the bases back open and generating revenue to the city.

>>> Will litigation stall Watson Island getting sea plane and helicopter service back, FAA may have the final say?

“We have a mess,” Mayor Tomas Regalado told Miami Exhibition and Sports Authority members recently and reported in a past Watchdog Report. The problem is with the FAA and who owns the license for a seaplane base service and helicopters services on Watson Island and the litigation is flying said one knowledgeable  source and MESA needs the concessions for funding and after the Caulks Airways crash, the FAA license has been inactive and there is also an issue with FPL infrastructure and state and federal authorities don’t seem to realize there are two separate entities and the debate probable through attorney’s will continue and currently MESA does not have an executive director.

>>> PAST WDR July 19, 2015: When it comes to seaplanes and helicopters coming to Watson Island, “We have this mess now,” says Mayor Tomas Regalado

“We have this mess now,” said Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado at the Miami Sports and Exhibition Authority (MESA) meeting a few weeks ago referring to the fact the license for Helicopters and seaplanes “are both in the city of Miami’s name,” he told authority members. The city for years have been negotiating with two companies to bring the amenities back to the City. However, a Jun.15 letter from the Florida Department of Transportation says the Miami Heliport license was “revoked, due to abandonment,” of the site and the “airport license and Airport site location was included in that revoking, and MESA has to meet again to resolve the issue with FDOT because “This could mean the end of two projects that we want,” said the mayor. Further any reestablishment of the air services also includes electrical infrastructure needs and MESA may have to pay $348,273 to FPL, and this funding has yet to be approved given the limited funding the organization has in in bank accounts. And the body will meet again and see if any resolution to the issues have been resolved but the clock is ticking for the reestablishment of these air services, that made Caulk’s Mallard Seaplanes an iconic part of Miami but ended after a tragic crash a few years ago.

Regalado

What about the Miami Commission District 2 race?

>>> Campaign reports through Sept 10^th have been filed and Grace Solaris has $156,999 in her campaign war chest, Teresa Sarnoff is posting $561,236 and Ken Russell has $103,000 in his war chest and Javier Gonzalez is trailing the pack with $50,545 in their race for the District Commission seat now occupied by termed out Miami Commissioner Marc Sarnoff.

Further, Sarnoff the husband knocked on my door last week and he left a canvas bag emblazoned with his name and the seal of the City of Miami, and inside was a book on his achievements in office and what he did to clean up Merri Christmas Park that was contaminated with ash. But the bag was probable bought with public funds since his office has been giving them out for some time, but the man is blurring the line of who is the candidate running for office, she or the husband, and the very official looking bag has no markings that it is a campaign give away item. And Sarnoff, an attorney was once a big President Barack Obama supporter, but in 2012 supported Florida Gov. Rick Scott and he is an enigma to many and people are just getting to know his wife Teresa who has the financing to by-pass voter interaction and just use the television airwaves to make her case in the District 2 commission race.

>>> Further, Miami Commissioner Francis Suarez, seeking reelection is reporting $213,000 for his reelection campaign and Commissioner Willy Gort has $172,430 which is a more typical number for a Miami Commission seat. And Sarnoff’s wife may get some pushback because her husband Marc has helped her raise a lot of money and the amount is sure to raise eyebrows given the many people that contributed $1,000. And if she wins in November will keep her husband’s political career alive which is now over in November. After he served for eight years but is now termed out. And his wife Teresa Sarnoff is popping up at women business events and she is getting a run for her money in the race. That is very polarized because of her termed out husband Marc on the five member commission has been on the dais since 2006. When he beat Linda Haskins by two to one in votes despite her vast campaign war chest of some $750,000. To Sarnoff, a community activist’s, much punier campaign cash of around $300,000 and Teresa with her husband’s help has raised $ 561,000. And through the period she has spent $185,000 for her campaign and she has picked up the support of the Fraternal Order of Police,  who did not support her  commissioner husband in his last election and to read all the candidates campaign reports go to: And to read all the  candidates campaign reports go to: http://www.ci.miami.fl.us/City_Clerk/Pages/Elections/CampaignReports15/CampaignTreasurersRpt_M7_TeresaSarnoff_Aug10_2015.pdf

And some of the candidates coming on strong are Grace Solaris and Ken Russell and all the candidates are first time runners and excluding Solaris, and Russell are rarely seen at Miami City Hall and that also applies to Teresa. But the race is expected to get nasty, some candidates are expected to drop out. Further, people are getting annoying robo calls and they sent to the Watchdog Report some comments on the calls, “I’m getting very robust and annoying robo-calls from the Miami Fraternal Order of Police endorsing Teresa Sarnoff. How did she get the endorsement? Was it paid for through her campaign funds? And if it was a through a contribution to the Miami Fraternal Order of Police how much was paid? (No not paid said the union representative, and she was the only candidate that reached out to him, he said during a press gaggle), last week. And the emailer was concerned about retribution because “I’ve been told Marc is vindictive!” the emailer wrote but that fear and concern of her husband is an obstacle candidate Teresa has to face and overcome if she is too successful in her own campaign that is sure to bank heavily on the absentee ballot brokers in what is expected to be a low turnout race. And Solaris is getting help from incumbent Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado raising money for her campaign.

>>> Stream Channel 77, for all City of Miami meetings, Public Budget Hearings or (Commission, Village Council meetings, Waterfront, Zoning, PAB, Code, etc. hearings)    http://videos.miamigov.com/

CITY OF HIALEAH

>>> M-DC Ethics commission press release: Letter of Reprimand issued to Hialeah’s mayor Hernandez

Following the determination that Hialeah Mayor Carlos Hernandez twice made false statements to the public about income he earned from a private loan and violated the Citizens’ Bill of Rights “Truth in Government” provision, the Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics and Public Trust (COE) today approved a Letter of Reprimand to him.  The complaint (C 14-36) showed that statements Hernandez made at news conferences in English and Spanish in 2011 contradicted sworn testimony he gave during a federal trial last year.  At the conclusion of a public hearing on July 8, 2015, the Ethics Commission fined Mayor Hernandez $3,000 for two counts of violating the County Citizens’ Bill of Rights and assessed another $1,000 for investigative costs. The Letter states that his conduct “showed a lack of respect for and was contemptuous of the very public he serves.  The Mayor’s failure to tell the truth violated the public trust.”  The Reprimand reminds Hernandez that he is a public servant and that “It is his ethical legal obligation to be honest and accurate regarding his finances, which are a public matter.”

CITY OF MIAMI BEACH

>>> PAST WDR:  After media firestorm Commissioner Wolfson PAC dissolved, after reflection, returns the $1.5 million, but it now haunts candidate races and the qualifying period is over

After a public relations firestorm over a PAC with $1.5 million in it from city vendors and others called Relentless for Progress formed by termed out Beach Commissioner Jonah Wolfson. The commissioner an attorney after reflection (and after a discussion with former Miami Beach Mayor David Dermer). Wolfson has decided to dissolve the entity and return the money prorated to the donors and the PAC had become a very public irritant drawing numerous stories in the media. But as in many such cases, the damage may be done when it comes to Beach voters considering the candidates running for office and includes Mayor Philip Levine seeking re-election who was associated with the PAC as well and was drawing criticism and the incumbent is now facing a challenger David Wieder, who would probable not have run. If not for this PAC controversy, that looked bad to many, and since Levine is self-funding his race, that subtle aspect was lost on many residents who have supported him for the job he has done as mayor since taking office two years ago in a tough race for the office. And Levine last week officially announced he was a candidate for mayor and he will again self-finance his campaign as he did when he first ran for office.

>>> Press release TUESDAY MORNING BREAKFAST CLUB Meeting Date: Tuesday September 15^{th, Meeting} Time: 8:30 AM, Meeting Place: Abuela’s Cuban Kitchen, South Beach1654 Meridian Ave., South Beach – HURRICANE PREPARDNESS Charles Tear, Emergency Manager for the City of Miami Beach, will be the guest speaker at the September 15^th meeting of the Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club.  We were fortunate not to get the hurricane that was expected last week, but sooner or later we are going to get hit with one and depending on the magnitude of the hurricane, it could be devastating.  It’s been ten years since we had a hurricane, and then it was not a powerful one like Andrew was in 1992.  With all the new high-rise buildings, and a population that has not had experience with a hurricane, Mr. Tear, as the Emergency Manager, will face a tremendous challenge when a hurricane hits.  Getting people off the beach early will be essential.  And making sure the people who don’t evacuate are safe will be one of his most important jobs.  Learn more and be prepared. Everyone is welcome to attend. David Kelsey, Moderator Visit our web site atwww.MBTMBC.com (Miami Beach Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club).

CITY OF CORAL GABLES

>>> Veteran Coral Gables Police Chief Hudack gets the nod, and his first challenge is to arrest creepy stalker breaking into people’s homes and bedrooms, spooky guy and suspect drawing may help in capture

The City Beautiful residents are having to deal with a creepy stalker who has broken into residents homes around Miami-Dade and the Police Department which just got a permanent Police Chief Edward Hudak but it  is of concern since the man seems very persistent and has shown violent and assault tendencies and for more and a drawing of the possible suspect go to http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/crime/article34685760.htm and the city manager  wants to review some issues before the position is confirmed states the  www.miamiherald.com

CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI

Clean Campaign Class set for South Miami

Press release: Candidates, campaign workers and politically active citizens involved in local elections are encouraged to attend the “Clean Campaign Class” sponsored by the Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics and Public Trust on Monday evening, September 21, 2015, in South Miami City Hall.  Votes are scheduled in Miami-Dade’s largest cities — Miami, Miami Beach, Hialeah and Homestead — during the next few months, but this class is geared toward those earlier in their campaigns. Candidates and campaign workers involved in elections during 2016 (Florida City, South Miami, Indian Creek, Surfside, Bay Harbor Islands, West Miami, Key Biscayne, Miami Gardens, Aventura, Bal Harbour, Biscayne Park, Cutler Bay, Doral, El Portal, Medley, Miami Lakes, North Bay Village, Opa-Locka, Palmetto Bay, Pinecrest, and Sunny Isles Beach, as well as district, judicial and County-wide posts) can learn how to properly open campaign accounts and start off on an ethical path. The two-hour seminar, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., will feature representatives from the Ethics Commission and the Elections Department who will provide essential information to avoid legal pitfalls, correctly raise and report funds, properly keep records and understand the legal and ethical obligations of seeking public office.  The class is free and open to the public.  Attorneys can earn Continuing Legal Education credits from the Florida Bar. Clean Campaign Class, Monday, September 21, 2015, 6:30 p.m., South Miami City Hall, 6130 Sunset Drive, South Miami, FL 33143for more information or to reserve a seat, call Robert Thompson at 305-350-0630 or e-mailrobthom@miamidade.gov.

CITY OF DORAL

Trump lobbyist Russo gets Letter of Instruction from Miami-Dade Ethics commission

Press release: Also today, the COE approved a Letter of Instruction to Ed Russo, an environmental consultant and associate of Donald Trump.  During their June meeting, Commissioners found Probable Cause to a complaint (C 15-05) that Russo engaged in lobbying activities without first registering to do so when he met with County officials about Trump’s unsolicited proposal to manage the Crandon Park Golf Course.  Because Russo had never previously lobbied in Miami-Dade, and registered as soon as he was informed of the regulation, the COE dismissed the complaint.  The Letter that was approved today emphasized to Mr. Russo his obligations when dealing with local government.  It also recommended that Miami-Dade County administrators add the lobbyist registration requirements to follow-up communications on unsolicited proposals to avoid any future misunderstanding.

The Donald Trump-produced Miss Universe pageant was the subject of a complaint (C 15-16) filed against Doral Mayor Luigi Boria. A citizen activist accused the mayor of violating the “Truth in Government” provision of the Doral City Charter by stating several times last summer that no public funds would be used to underwrite the January 25, 2015, event, when, in fact, at a meeting in September 2014, the mayor and council discussed raising and/or allocating $2.5 million to host the pageant.  The city did end up spending $1.6 million with sponsors contributing the rest of the expenses.  Mayor Boria told Ethics Commission investigators that he truly believed the city could secure the entire cost from private sponsors.  Since all discussions of financial allocations occurred publicly and Mayor Boria expressed hope, rather than certainty that the city would be reimbursed for expenses and later acknowledged that funds spent had been “budgeted,” Ethics Commissioners found No Probable Cause to the complaint and dismissed it.  However, they cautioned Mayor Boria to be more careful in making such potentially-misleading statements.In response to a Request for Opinion (RQO 15-05), the COE determined that travel, meals and lodging costs incurred personally by a lobbyist are NOT reportable expenses, but that such travel, meals or lodging provided by a lobbyist for a public official would have to be reported.  Lobbyists are required to report annually any expenses connected with the effort to influence a government official or employee. >>> 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.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Date: Tuesday, September 15, 2015 -The Good Government Initiative and The New Florida Majority present: Decriminalization With so much in the news about lengthy prison sentences for nonviolent crimes, the exorbitant costs of incarceration and the unconscionable abuse of prisoners by those in charge, there has been increased policy discussion related to decriminalization. Please join us as we explore this timely topic. Featuring: Carlos Martinez, Public Defender, Miami-Dade County; J.D. Patterson, Director, Miami-Dade County Police Department; Kevin Springs, President and CEO, Spring4Ward; and Gihan Perera, Executive Director, the New Florida Majority. Moderated by President and CEO of the Good Government Initiative Katy Sorenson. Date: Tuesday, September 15, 2015 Time: 11:30 AM registration, 12 noon lunch and 12:30 PM conversation. Location: Bank United, Hurricane 100 Room, 1245 Dauer Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33146. http://www.goodgov.net/events/our-events/

Varekai: Cirque Du Soleil BB&T Center More info >> Lazy Fair MTC’s Sandbox Theatre, Miami Shores More info >> IFE-ILE Afro-Cuban Dance Festival Miami-Dade County Auditorium More info >>
Peter Pan at Wick Theater Tuesday, 11 Aug 2015 GableStage I’ll Eat You Last Opening Wednesday, 5 Aug 2015 Mad Cat Theater Presents RAM at MTC Friday, 31 Jul 2015 View all photos Video Gallery Arsht’s Lookingglass Alice Monday, 13 Jul 2015 The Consul at Florida Grand Opera Tuesday, 12 May 2015 View all videos

Editorials

>>> How will our technology addiction change how children evolve, two dimensional world of thought in social media universe?

What kind of society is social media creating as the watchdog Report sees more and more families where the children at the table are on their devices, and not talking with each other and it is also affecting their ability to concentrate and focus. And given the velocity that technology is moving consider the social ramifications in the future and its impact on the family unit and how our kids interact with other cultures could become a real issue for digital communication is a two dimensional world with no shades, in a world that is not so black and white in nature. But part of growing up is socialization and I wonder what the blowback will be to a society so addicted to technology and only the future will tell us what we have lost when it comes to social skills and empathy for our fellow humans around the planet.

>>> Trump embodying electorate discontent, “like a car crash you have to look at,” why no party affiliation fastest growing voter party demographic

The Donald Trump show is an expression of voters discontent over the past 16 years, where elected leaders say one thing but then do another and I have written in the past what a corrosive affect this has had on the electorate and their confidence in their politicians, and all their promises made but not kept and with the social media revolution Trump has become the “car crash that you have to watch,” said one person and the microphone (as one news pundit said Sunday) for Americans trying to get special interests and money out of political campaigns and makes candidates become crack addicts when it comes to fundraising efforts regardless of the political party. And this disgust is being reflected in nationwide polls and people in government now are viewed like used cars and voters are considering buying a new one and for the moment it is called Trump. But leaders should not discount this level of discontent because it is reflected in what is the fastest growing group of registered voters, No Party Affiliation. A demographic that has only grown since 2004, and politicians who do not value the sacred bond of trust with voters are in trouble. For people are finally demanding something different in their elected leaders at all levels and they ignore this truth and honesty anger at their political peril.

Drones and lasers not benign when it comes to impacting the flying public, lawmakers must beef up laws, to end this scourge before a tragic crash

The American flying public should not have to worry about a plane in flight hitting a drone or the pilot being blinded with a laser while flying the plane but incidents of this nature are happening and are on the increase and drones have even caused feuds, with neighbors and there needs to be more stringent guidelines on how these devices are used for it would be a tragedy if a plane had to crash before lawmakers took action for these new devices are not benign and can cause great harm and while people note it is people using them wrong and should not be regulated, but the pervasiveness of the reports is of concern and could cause a lack of confidence to the flying public that deserve better when it comes to their safety while flying in the nation’s crowded skies.

Elected leaders do the public a favor and get to the point at public budget hearings rather than drone on, for audience as much fun as a root canal

With public budget meetings being held will these be a vocal marathons where elected leaders just drone on and repeat themselves and for the public listening to this dialogue, it is quite painful and voters would really appreciate if they got to the point for repetition by the public or the leaders gets old fast and lawmakers should spare the public some of their monologue that is as popular as a root canal.

LETTERS

Great story on the Pets’ Trust.  I’d love to speak with you and tell you more.  You are right…..it will be an issue in the Mayor’s race.  

Please watch this…      Pets’ Trust…the Story    password is     movie         

 And read this……..  http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/op-ed/joe-cardona/article2087823.html

My number is below.

Michael Rosenberg

President Pets’ Trust

Rita Schwartz Cofounder

>>> We are having an incredible exhibit at the Warehouse of Anselm Kiefer, one of the foremost artists this century. Anselm will be here October 21st for an intimate dinner with the proceeds to benefit Lotus House. It is the best exhibit we have ever had in our fifteen years. Please make sure you see it when we open in late October.
Marty Margulies

>>> The Watchdog Report is Celebrating 16 years of weekly publishing since May 5^th 2000 and when I started back then I never thought I would be doing this so

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2003-01-20/news/0301190045_1_ricker-miami-watchdog.  And while I have taken a licking over the years including some medical issues I have kept at the job thanks to my supporters who I thank so very much over the many years. And the community’s public institutions are better when it comes to them knowing what the other is doing and why I have tried to be an information electrolyte for these giant institution’s leaders and things and here is a national story done on why I started to watch government back in 2000  http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2003-01-20/news/0301190045_1_ricker-miami-watchdog and to all the people along the way that have helped me I thank you from the bottom of  my heart.

Publisher’s Statement on the mission of the Watchdog Report and the special people and organizations that make it possible:  Government Subscribers/Corporate Subscribers/Sustaining Sponsors/Supporting Sponsors

***** LIFETIME FOUNDING MEMBERS & Initial sponsors since 2000

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MIAMI-DADE COUNTY HOMELESS TRUST: www.miamidade.gov/homeless/

MIAMI-DADE COLLEGE www.mdc.edu

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COMMISSION ON ETHICS and PUBLIC TRUST www.ethics.miamidade.gov   

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY INSPECTOR GENERAL www.miamidade.gov/ig

MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC SCHOOLS BOARD www.dadeschools.net

MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC SCHOOLS SUPT. http://superintendent.dadeschools.net/

MIAMI DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY www.miamidda.com

PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST & JACKSON HEALTH SYSTEM www.jhsmiami.org

THE BEACON COUNCIL www.beaconcouncil.com

THE CHILDREN’S TRUST www.thechildrenstrust.org

THE GOOD GOVERNMENT INITIATIVE http://goodgov.net/

THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY LEAGUE OF CITIES www.mdclc.org

THE MIAMI FOUNDATION www.miamifoundation.org

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA http://www.firstgov.gov/

UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI www.miami.edu

Publisher’s Statement on the mission of the Watchdog Report and the special people and organizations that make it possible:  Government Subscribers/Corporate Subscribers/Sustaining Sponsors/Supporting Sponsors the Watchdog Report covers a few of the meetings attended weekly. It remains my belief that an informed public will make better decisions. Therefore, I go to meetings, make the presence of an informed citizen known, and bring the information to you.   The Watchdog Report is in the fourth year of publication and it has been an honor to be able to send this information to you. It is sent to readers in Miami-Dade, Florida, the U.S. and the world. The Watchdog Report is sent to thousands free and while readers have been prodded to subscribe the results have been mixed. Over 250 reports and Extras 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. I welcome letters via e-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

Est. 05.05.00

Copyright © of original material, 2015, 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

Published on January 20, 2003, Page 1E, Orlando Sentinel, PAPERWORK TIGER, Miami’s citizen watchdog piles up government files in his quest to keep the “little people” informed. http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2003-01-20/news/0301190045_1_ricker-miami-watchdog

>>>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/best-of/2003/people-and-places/best-citizen-6399517

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 Columnwww.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 –www.miami.com/mld/MiamiHerald/news/columnists/dan_ricker/ 

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)

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Miami, FL 33133

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