>>> 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: Jeb Bush was not the governor of Florida when Hurricane Andrew hit, but he did live through the storm back in Aug. 1992.  

>>> May you and your family have a safe and reflective labor day and please be safe on the crowded roadways.

ARGUS REPORT – Heard, Seen on the Street

>>> When it comes to China, South Florida “has to be all in,” given the “infrastructure,” needs such as top notch Chinese restaurants and other amenities targeted to the Asian markets, says DR. Ki at Chamber monthly luncheon

At the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon. Sino trade and investment was the order of the day at the event held at Jungle Island (the attraction did make its required payment on a $25 million HUD loan payment to Miami, after years of being delinquent). And trade and investment with China in Miami is becoming hot given the current Chinese investments in New York City, and Los Angles, but Miami as a global brand is on the rise “and China is ready for Miami,” said Dr. Angie Ki. She noted the large country has a “middle class,” the size of the “United States and the European Union” combined given the nation’s 1.6 billion population despite the one child mandate. And to the rest of the world “Miami looks stable,” the Chief Business Development Officer told the attendees and she described the tensions with China as “moderate,” even with the presidential campaign in full swing and the trade imbalance with the country is being widely debated by politicians running for the nation’s top office. And the “Chinese Super Rich,” are wanting to “diversify their investment portfolios and she believed in the future “Miami will become as important [to the Chinese] as we hope it will be.” And while the nation’s growth has slowed to 7.3 percent last year she said and is below what china’s leadership wants which is 9.0 percent GNP growth given the huge disparity between the wealthy and local business owners who are struggling.

Ki also noted while Miami is the Gate Way to Central America, and you have all this infrastructure dedicated to the region. The Chinese customers will want this same “infrastructure to be available,” for them she suggested and is seen in San Francisco that has a long history with the Chines in the international city that abounds with Asian restaurants of all types. And just as South Florida has thousands of Hispanic restaurants we are short of some of the “Infrastructure,” that the Chinese would enjoy and while we call ourselves the “gateway to South America.” When it comes to doing business with the Middle Kingdom an organization has to be “totally in, from top to bottom,” said Ki.

What about Jack Lowell?

Jack Lowell, a former chair of the Chamber was also honored. Since it was his birthday and years ago when a scandal rocked the organization because employees were stealing. It was Lowell who righted the ship. And he cleaned up the mess and “even got the money back,” a introducer said before they sang Happy Birthday to the man who is a major supporter of not only the Chamber but also WPBT Channel 2, and the Watchdog Report gives the New Englander a Tip of The Hat for a job well done and Happy Birthday Jack!

FLORIDA

>>> When it comes to redistricting in Florida, nothing is easy and lawmakers have to try, try again and court’s get called to duty in highly charged process, but the clock is ticking

With the courts and the Florida Legislature trying to get new redistricting maps the debate for new congressional districts in Florida including the House and Senate is heading back to the courts to create districts consistent with Constitutional Fair Voter District Law passed by statewide voters demanding districts be drawn that in many ways limit gerrymandering of the districts. But the Florida Supreme court ruling sending it back to a local court to decide after some public input has stalled political campaigns since candidates don’t know their respective districts yet and is sending politicians into limbo but many believe they deserve since the first redistricting process was said to be ‘tainted.’ And here is the latest on the upcoming legislative special session http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article34169631.html

And Sen. Margolis says she will seek another term

And Florida Sen. Gwen Margolis, D- Miami, told the Watchdog Report Saturday that she plans to run for reelection and she has one more term before she is termed out. And the veteran legislator was the first woman to be the Florida Senate President from 1990 to 1992. And she has been a trailblazer over the decades in public office including as Chair of the Miami-Dade County Commission up to 2002. When she ran for the vacated senate seat in the upper body held by Sen. Ron Silver, D-Miami, and the former Dean of the Senate.

Margolis

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY

>>> “20 square mile, Ag quarantine hits South Dade,” Oriental Fruit Fly infestation, could “possible shut down,” #2 economic engine generating $834 million in revenues, could last through Nov., “height of produce season”

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 Le Porte, 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 LePorte. 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 http://hortbusiness.ifas.ufl.edu/pubs/EIADADE.PDF and for more on the pesky pest go to  http://us6.campaign-archive1.com/?u=7beeb7c984c54dc5a8218c1fd&id=6bcdf6ea80&e=b41e5ed448 oriental Fruit Fly Information

Bactrocera do Oriental Fruit Fly Pest Alert 

Oriental Fruit Fly Press Release

Oriental Fruit Fly Facts & Photos

Industry Information – Oriental Fruit Fly

Treatment Products Question and Answers Spinosad 
SLN Warrior II with Zeon Technology  Lambda Cyhalothrin (Warrior II) Maps

Treatment Area Map Quarantine Area Map and Description  http://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/pestalert/2015/09/01/oriental-fruit-fly-eradication-program-in-miami-dade-county-florida/

>>> 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. 18.

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 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.

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

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

>>> 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

>>> 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”

Jackson Health System CEO Carlos Migoya updated Miami-Dade County Commisssioners 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

>>>> One Grove resident incensed by $380.00 special assessment for Solid Waste services, brings in $40.4 million for Miami, but County gets $1.9 million of the funds

And a Coconut Grove woman was incensed about her Miami property tax bill recently over a special assessment for Solid Waste Service to the tune of $380.00 per residential unit and the estimated gross revenue was $40.4 million to the City of which $1.9 million is paid to the county the insert to her tax bill stated. And she wondered where she could appeal this issue?

And some Coconut Grove residents are pushing for more police be hired and has had Commissioner Marc Sarnoff verbally pounding the Miami Police Chief that the office is short of sworn officers, and includes a five percent attrition rate partially because of the high “standards,” the department operates under because of past police digressions and controversies and a couple of Grovites believe the manager Daniel J. Alphonso should be replaced but at a meeting Thursday. The manager said the police department had “1,190 sworn officers,” and another “289,” have been hired so that there is a “net gain overall of 100,” new officers. Alphonso said at the press conference and the man who has guided the quirky city to over $100 million in reserves and a stable administration after numerous past managers over the years and when past senior employees talk about working for the city. A similar refrain is heard, that it was “like working for the mafia,” and fighting that culture, that includes a host of federal investigations, is no easy task and residents should realize how complicated this is. For Miami only wants the right police officers and finding them is not just hiring a body but with the Final public budget hearing Thursday Sept. 10. Expect Sarnoff and others to carp on the topic that is slowly getting better but seems to be lost on these critics of the manager and his performance in the office, which is very much above some of the past managers over the past 16 years including a couple going to jail and that seems to be forgotten.

>>> 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?

Commission District 2 candidate 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 and he 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 around $300,000 and Teresa with her husband’s help has raised $ 483,961. And through the period she has spent $185, 728 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: 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 are rarely seen at Miami City Hall and that also applies to Teresa. But the race is expected to get nasty and 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 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 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 MIAMI BEACH

>>> After media firestorm Commissioner Wolfson PAC dissolved, after reflection, returns the $1.5 million but it now haunts candidate races

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.

CITY OF CORAL GABLES

>>> Commissioners Lago and Quesada has meeting cancelled with County Mayor Gimenez, to discuss Formula One Race, since not coming back to Miami because of costs

A planned July 9, public meeting with Coral Gables Commissioners Vince Lago and Frank Quesada and Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez to “discuss Formula One,” racing in the Gables was cancelled and people organizing the race recently done in Miami will not do so again. Since the race needed a big name sponsor to cover the costs, but the two commissioners seem to be investigating the issue with the County?

>>>> Press release: Gov. Scott names Judge Charles Johnson to the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court.

Judge Johnson, 53, of Coral Gables, has served as a Miami-Dade County Court judge since 2010. He previously served as an Assistant State Attorney for the Eleventh Judicial Circuit from 1989-2010. Judge Johnson received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and his law degree from Florida State University. He fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Victoria Sigler. Governor Rick Scott said, “Judge Johnson has more than two decades of legal experience, and I am confident he will continue to serve Florida families honorably. I am proud to welcome Judge Johnson to his new position on the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court today.”

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 33143
for more information or to reserve a seat, call Robert Thompson at 305-350-0630 or e-mail robthom@miamidade.gov.

COMMUNITY 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

>>> 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

>>> Scott’s declaring this storm as creating a statewide state of emergency when it was travelling at 45 knots a thousand mile away was a complete farce.

His objective was to distract the press from his defunding of chcs. They fell for it, as usual. 

>>> 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

>>> LIFETIME FOUNDING MEMBERS & INITIAL SPONSORS IN 2000

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

HUGH CULVERHOUSE, Jr

FLORIDA POWER & LIGHT www.fpl.com .

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

ARTHUR HERTZ

WILLIAM HUGGETT, Seamen Attorney (Deceased)

ALFRED NOVAK

LINDA E. RICKER (Deceased)

JOHN S. and JAMES L. KNIGHT FOUNDATION www.knightfoundation.org

THE HONORABLE STANLEY G. TATE

>>> Watchdog Report supporters – $2,000 a year

BADIA SPICES www.badiaspices.com

RONALD HALL

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY www.miamidade.gov

UNITED WAY OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY www.unitedwaymiamidade.org

>>> Watchdog Report supporters – $1,000 a year

COLSON HICKS EIDSON, PA www.colson.com

BERKOWITZ POLLACK BRANT Advisors and Accountants www.bpbcpa.com

JEFFREY L. BERKOWITZ TRUST

RON BOOK

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

WILLIAM PALMER www.shutts.com

Rbb PUBLIC RELATIONS www.rbbpr.com

ROYAL MEDIA PARTNERS www.royalmp.com

SHUBIN & BASS www.shubinbass.com

WILLIAMSOM AUTOMOTIVE GROUP http://williamsonautomotivegroup.com/

>>> Public, Educational & Social institutions – subscribers at $1,000 or less

CAMILLUS HOUSE, INC. www.camillushouse.org

CITY OF MIAMI www.miamigov.com.

CITY OF CORAL GABLES www.coralgables.com

CITY OF MIAMI BEACH www.miamibeachfl.gov

CHAPMAN PARTNERSHIP FOR HOMELESS www.chapmanpartnership.org

FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY www.fiu.edu

THE STATE OF FLORIDA www.myflorida.gov

GREATER MIAMI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE www.miamichamber.com

GREATER MIAMI CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU www.miamiandbeaches.com

HEALTH FOUNDATION OF SOUTH FLORIDA www.hfsf.org

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COMMISSION www.miamidade.gov

MIAMI-DADE COMMISSION OFFICE OF THE CHAIR www.miamidade.gov

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY ETHICS & PUBLIC TRUST COMMISSION

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

MIAMI-DADE COLLEGE www.mdc.edu

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

>>> Public, Educational & Social institutions – subscribers at $1,000 or less

CAMILLUS HOUSE, INC. www.camillushouse.org

CITY OF MIAMI www.miamigov.com.

CITY OF CORAL GABLES www.coralgables.com

CITY OF MIAMI BEACH www.miamibeachfl.gov

CHAPMAN PARTNERSHIP FOR HOMELESS www.chapmanpartnership.org

FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY www.fiu.edu

THE STATE OF FLORIDA www.myflorida.gov

GREATER MIAMI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE www.miamichamber.com

GREATER MIAMI CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU www.miamiandbeaches.com

HEALTH FOUNDATION OF SOUTH FLORIDA www.hfsf.org

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COMMISSION www.miamidade.gov

MIAMI-DADE COMMISSION OFFICE OF THE CHAIR www.miamidade.gov

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY 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 Column www.sptimes.com/columns/bousquet.shtml -“First Friday” WPBT TV (Miami) TV Show www.channel2.org/firstfriday/issues.html –Lucy Morgan St. Petersburg Times Column www.sptimes.com/columns/morgan.shtml  –Daniel Ricker Miami Herald/Watchdog Report Newsletter –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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NOTE: Invoice is for Yearly supporter/sponsorship Rates: Thank you.

Supporting Sponsors $5,000

Sustaining Sponsors $2,000

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

Large Business Supporters $500

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Individual Supporter $150

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3109 Grand Avenue, #125

Miami, FL 33133

To contact the Publisher please e-mail: to watchdogreport1@earthlink.net