Watchdog Report Vol.16 No. 32 December 6, 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 for 16 years now, has reported back weekly on how your billions of public dollars in local government are being spent. And how to help support me and this service is at the end of the WDR, and I hope you will consider keeping an independent news service out in our community, where what is going on with all our government entities is of critical benefit for both the public institutions but voters as well. Thank You. And to my Supporters I pledge to keep ‘going when you cannot.’ And in the past I have broken the story on Cuban refugees coming in droves and also the fruit fly quarantine and its huge economic impact to name just a few of the more recent stories in past WDR’s.

>>> CORRECTION: Donald Slesnick, II is no longer with the controversial Dade Medical College, that is currently defunct, and he had left before the scandal and its owner went to jail.

ARGUS REPORT – Heard, Seen on the street

>>> Top drawer GOP donor Fernandez, in frustration of GOP field taking on Trump with major ads in paper’s around the nation, blasting the man as a bully and demagogue yet he continues to surge in the polls, tells Miami Herald if only choice Trump or Hillary he would vote for her!

And Donald Trump. Still rising in the polls has a new Republican critic Mike Fernandez and the Coral Gables billionaire healthcare executive is running full page print ads in papers around the nation denouncing some of trump’s bombastic statements on immigration and other issues real estate developer and celebrity has uttered. And Trump has defied the odds and is pulling ahead in the polls over the likes of neurosurgeon Ben Carson Ohio Gov. John Kasack and Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla. And Fernandez is a big Jeb Bush supporter whose poll numbers have disappointed some of the GOP faithful and the business man is quoted he would vote for Hillary before voting for Trump and that is some serious talk when it comes to the GOP supporter.

A party that considers Hillary close to the devil incarnate and carrying a wide swath of political baggage and has many Democratic Party voters saying she is not “trustworthy,” given all the issues that have surrounded the candidate over the years. However with the recent terroist attack in San Bernardino Trump’s strong rhetoric is expected to resonate with the base though Bush is stronger on foreign policy but many voters are scared with the all the attacks and that might strengthen GOP appeal since the party is seen as tougher when it comes to international threats from abroad that many feel is because President Barack Obama is seen as reluctant to take on ISIS and had one of the San Bernardino California terroist writing on Facebook that she was inspired by the rogue and brutal terroist organization and it was a home grown attack and will focus both parties candidates on the domestic war on terrorism and ultimately how it will be dealt with now that it has reached America again.  And for more on the Fernandez ads go to: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/elections-2016/article48067815.html

And Which candidate will keep the nation safe in this new world that has the nation on edge, especially since the wife, with a six month old child was involved and killed in the shootout and that has rattled mothers who have a hard time understanding how a mother could do such a thing and is creating a fear atmosphere similar to the late 1950s when a perceived “missile gap,” had American children told “when you see the flash, duck and cover,” under your desks after a potential nuclear exchange with the Soviet Union and why this home grown attack is striking emotions this way and is why fear is overtaking reason for many people but clearly the world has changed and national Islamic leaders are denouncing these rogue attacks inspired by ISIS or DASH.

>>> Pollster Zogby gives update on topsy turvey presidential races, suggest race is still very much in flux

Pollster John Zogby was the featured speaker at the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon and the man once a Miami chamber member has been giving polling election advice since 1998. The man gave an animated overview of the strange world the presidential races had become from Trump to Hillary, to neurosurgeon Ben Carson, and he predicts on the GOP side their might be a combination of Ohio Gov. John Kasich and Sen. Marco Rubio, R Fla, as a potential future GOP slate but with all the races turned upside down from Sen. Bernie Sanders insurgent race, who once said at a rally “will someone shut that baby up,” and is the only leading challenger against the presumed Democratic Party front runner Hillary Clinton.

And Zogby believes the GOP has a rallying point in Obamacare and the belief by many voters that “America is going to hell in a hand basket,” even with polls showing 25 percent of the nation say the “nation is going in the right direction.” And the “GOP has to prove they have someone better,” Zogby believes. And while Republicans have a “wedge issue with immigration,” reform he believes with “Millennials,” the party is on the wrong side of this emerging key block of voters because they “care about the environment,” and the GOP is “on the wrong side,” of that debate, he considered. And he predicts “Millennials will determine the winner,” in 2016. But this emerging voting block has one flaw and that is they don’t turnout in off year elections and why Democrats have lost a number of races since 2012.

And in describing Trump Zogby likened him to John Edwards 2004 campaign saying he is “running against everyone as a billionaire populist,” and suggested Trump “doesn’t believe [many of the things he says] and he is “just having fun and it has gotten out of hand.” And his attacks of the mainstream media have only amped up his poll numbers. Since ‘there is nothing less popular than the mainstream media.” And he addressed Carson’s candidacy as “Making it up,” and ‘what the hell,” since the man is a neurosurgeon. And the pollster sees Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla. “on the upswing and I did not give him much chance but he is fresh and articulate,” and could get the Party’s ‘second place nomination after trump,” he considered, and when it came to Sen. Ted Cruz, R-TX the freshman senator “just fights,” and could pick up any Trump supporters if the billionaire and celebrity falters, Zogby predicted

What about Gov. Bush’s campaign?

And Florida’s favorite son former Gov. Jeb Bush, Zogby said, “is not doing anything wrong, [believing] it’s not his time,” and the “ultra conservatives hate him and not another Bush,” he said. Zogby said since Ronald Reagan the GOP “has normally nominated the most moderate candidate and it could be Bush.” The pollster also suggested that John Kasich “is the best candidate in the field, and wonders why he has not hit “Carley Fiorina who he believes is “running for vice president.” And the man considered Kasich and Rubio a “dream Team,” since that would likely bring the 49 electoral votes from Florida and Ohio.

And he thinks Democrats “are not convinced Hillary,” voters have the passion to “come out on the coldest day, “of the year to vote for her versus Sanders and his showing could “surprise,” everyone.” And if “Hillary loses Iowa nd New Hampshier in a row,” That has the party “worried,” and the concern is “she cannot go the distance, and you don’t know which Hillary will show up,” he considered.

And is why he believes Vice President Joe Biden could still become a possibility. But the man is as confused as everyone else at the dynamics of this presidential campaign where voters are not looking at a campaigns war chest but whether candidates will not be absorbed by money interests and leaves the impression that the economy barometric’s are showing everything is “good,” with Wall Street,” while “on main street and community it is bad,” and is highlighted by the growing inequity of American’s wealth, the pollster observed.

>>> Press release: There’s Only One Way to Beat Donald Trump By: John Zogby Forbes.com Contributor

I have been studying the GOP numbers very carefully. It is still early and many voters are still not focused but thus far developer Donald Trump remains in the lead in national, Iowa, and New Hampshire polls. I looked closely at my most recent national poll taken November 8 and 9 and Mr. Trump still has 31% support, 13 points ahead of his nearest challenger, Dr. Ben Carson. Following them are Florida Senator Marco Rubio with 8%, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush 7%, Texas Senator Ted Cruz 6%, former Hewlett Packard CEO Carly Fiorina 4%, and Ohio Governor John Kasich 3%.

Reports have persisted for months that the Republican Party establishment is flummoxed over how best to damage Mr. Trump and remove him from contention. More recently, mainstream pundits have been suggesting the previously unthinkable – i.e. that Mr. Trump can actually win the nomination. Thus far, the billionaire has defied everyone and all the rules. The more outrageous his utterances, the better he seems to do in the polls. Challengers seem to come and go, but he has stayed on top. Any candidate who has dared to trash talk the former reality show star has been trashed right back one hundredfold. Negative ads are up and running by Super PACS devoted to either other candidates or simply to his demise – but all to no avail. Please click on the link below to view the full release: http://zogbyanalytics.com/news/678-there-s-only-one-way-to-beat-donald-trump

>>>> Press release: Zogby report card: Obama has to take the lead, even on bad days

John Zogby’s Obama Weekly Report Card is Featured in Paul Bedard’s “Washington Secrets” Published weekly in The Washington Examiner

With the nation seemingly more divided than ever, President Obama should move to take charge and set a national agenda. But he isn’t, leading pollster John Zogby to give the president a below average C-minus in his weekly White House report card.

From Zogby: “I am on the road again and it is hard to find neutrality about President Obama. Two women came up to me after a Chamber of Commerce speech in Miami. One said she has never been more terrified, the other said she feels the president has tried but has never gotten the cooperation he has needed. Both are right. Please click on the link below to view the full release:
http://zogbyanalytics.com/news/679-zogby-report-card-obama-has-to-take-the-lead-even-on-bad-days

>>> WPLG 10 teams up to find section 8 housing for homeless veterans with County’s Homeless Trust and Neighbors for neighbors is also working on the issue of ending veteran homelessness by 2017.

And Lynn Cammeron the CEO of CBS 4 Neighbors was the featured speaker at the Coconut Grove Rotary Club, Tuesday and she is a member of the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust and Neighbor’s a not for profit organization has been helping people since it was created after Hurricane Andrew in 1992 and has expanded its wings since then and is a community treasure along with WPLG 10 that has been trying to find rental Section 8 housing for homeless veterans and is working with the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust where the trust will help with the deposit and is trying to end any veteran being homeless by 2017. http://www.neighbors4neighbors.org/ and for more on section housing and why landlords should rent out these available units. http://landlords.about.com/od/Landlord101/a/Advantages-Of-Renting-To-Section-8-Tenants.htm?utm_term=section%208%20rental%20housing%20list&utm_content=p1-main-2-title&utm_medium=sem&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=adid-17676a34-3444-433f-a695-103e75c113dd-0-ab_gsb_ocode-29657&ad=semD&an=google_s&am=broad&q=section%208%20rental%20housing%20list&dqi=&o=29657&l=sem&qsrc=999&askid=17676a34-3444-433f-a695-103e75c113dd-0-ab_gsb

>>>> Florida Highway Patrol cracking down on ‘lane divers,’ who cut through yellow polls on 1 95, causing some terrible accidents, even though $179 fine and 3 points on driver’s license, but with some 300,000 south Florida drivers not having insurance or valid licenses, will the enforcement make a difference, lanes take a high toll when it comes to injuries?

The Florida Highway Patrol is starting a major campaign called ‘Drive Safe 95 Express,’ states a Sun sentinel article, people that cut through the plastic cones into the Lexus lane called ‘lane divers’ and is taking a significant toll in accidents and injuries on these express lanes that are expanding throughout Florida since that is the only type of highways Gov. Rick Scott is supporting say local transportation mavens like Maurice Ferre at a past MPO meeting. And the Watchdog Report caught up with Florida Highway Patrol spokesman Joe Sanchez, a former Miami commissioner Thursday and asked him about the new program http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/fl-95-express-pole-crackdown-20151121-story.html

And Sanchez said drivers in the express lanes were complaining about the lane divers and the highway patrol is stepping up enforcement and a public service campaign warning drivers not to cut through the yellow lane dividing polls and having an accident and there are some 7,000 poles on a mile stretch up to the Golden Glades interchange intersection and are run over to the tune of 500 poles replaced per week costing to replace some $1 million a year and because the lanes are slimmer is difficult for state troopers to safely ticket these intruders with the imposed $179. Fine but more important are the 3 points on your driver’s license resulting in higher insurance costs, if in fact they have it as required but in Miami-Dade. Where an estimated 300,0000 people don’t have valid Florida drivers licenses or car insurance leaving many accident victims in the fiscal lurch when it comes to potential medical bills caused by these wayward, impatient and irresponsible drivers who feel their time is more important than being a safe driver. And while an education campaign is fine in the Wild West traffic of South Florida it is unknown how well the clamp down will be complied with while accidents will ultimately continue the Watchdog Report predicts. And the enforcement campaign will continue to June. But this has been an ongoing problem since the lanes were created and troopers can only ticket offenders if it is safe for them as well as cars zip by in the generally less congested lane that through Sun Pass charges a premium price to be on the exclusive lanes, and seems to give drivers a sense of entitlement and when the other lanes are backed up is when drivers drive over the polls to get into the less congested lanes but this lane diving has remained a persistent problem over the years since the program was instituted to enhance traffic flow and the tolls help to pay for road maintenance and other areas.

>>> PAST WDR: ID theft the new ‘crack cocaine’ for thieves why sell drugs when you can steal identities with a key stroke, Classic Miami Moment when federal Judge Seitz says “only in Miami is stopping at a red light and paying all your taxes an aspirational act.”

U.S. Attorney General of the Southern District of Florida Wilfredo Ferrer is calling Identity Theft the ‘crack cocaine’ for criminals and his office is being inundated with cases and the Watchdog Report was first alerted to this looming problem back around 2009 when State Attorney Katherine Fernandez-Rundle brought the crime to my attention and Miami has become ground zero for people looting social security and Medicare fraud and stealing peoples IRS refund checks and some of the choice ways of getting this confidential information is having essentially Tupperware parties where people in large medical practice offices get paid some $500.00 to a $1,000. Per file and given the rate of return with this information it is a small rice for thieves to pay and jail time as in Medicare fraud here in Miami and identity theft is increasing and one of the most high profile case was the Carlos and Jorge de Céspedes  nine year sentence for Medicare and income tax fraud. And when the men’s defense attorney argued they should get a reduced sentence. Since they did pay some of the taxes and in a classic Miami Moment. U.S. District Court Judge Patricia Seitz stopped the attorney and then delivered the classic line just stop there, “Only in Miami is stopping at a red light or paying all your taxes an aspirational act,” the judge intoned and she had allowed Miami Herald award winning reporter John Dorschner and I to sit in the jury box in the packed courtroom so we could hear the proceedings better.

And one prominent Miamian who had written a letter asking for leniency when I said he and I were different. He wanted to know what I meant. And I said I would not have written the letter. And he responded “they gave a lot of money to the community,” and I shot back “It was not their money.” And the brothers were Pedro Pans who founded the pharmaceutical company Pharmed but much of the growth was based on Medicare fraud federal investigators found. But the community’s permissive acceptance of fraud and corruption is sometimes unbelievable and in the case of the brother’s. They hired County Commissioner Jose “Pepe” Diaz and when Pharmed lost the Jackson Health System contract worth millions, the company started to unravel and for more go to: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pharmed_Group http://www.hcpro.com/CCP-226312-862/Pharmed-coowners-get-nine-years-for-fraud-scheme.html

And what about credit card skimming at gas stations?

The Watchdog Report had a credit card ID theft and within hours of charges coming from Chicago my bank’s fraud alert called me Monday and the card was cancelled and here in south Florida the use of skimmers at gas pumps is becoming the new fraud of the day and state legislatures must figure a way to harden these pumps from scammers. Since we are a tourist state and one of the reputations we don’t need is to known as a place where tourist’s credit cards will be compromised and Florida lawmakers need to jump on this for http://www.local10.com/news/hollywood-police-crack-down-on-gas-station-skimmers/36800020

However federal authorities have been wanting the same ability to stop Medicare fraud where someone is identified by their social security number and a past FBI SAC said. If such an ID change occurred the nation could Save some $20 billion in Medicaid fraud and given the size of the U.S. Debt $18 .7 trillion you would think congress would give some these over sight agencies the needed tools to fight fraud. Something the credit Card companies are very much on top of. And part of the problem is government payments have to be done in 15 days and creates this pay and chase activity after the fact when it comes to this type of fraud.

>>> Press release: U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida Collects $146,171,229.47 in Civil and Criminal Actions for U.S. Taxpayers in Fiscal Year 2015

United State Attorney Ferrer announced today that the Southern District of Florida collected $146,171,229.47 in criminal and civil actions in Fiscal Year 2015.  Of this amount, $56,256,636 was collected in criminal actions and $89,914,593.47 was collected in civil actions. Additionally, the Southern District of Florida worked with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and components of the Department of Justice to collect an additional $217,282,980.63 in cases pursued jointly with these offices.  Of this amount, $15,169.93 was collected in criminal actions and $217,267,811 was collected in civil actions.

Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch announced today that the Justice Department collected $23.1 billion in civil and criminal actions in the fiscal year (FY) ending Sept. 30, 2015.  Collections in FY 2015 represent more than seven and a half times the approximately $2.93 billion of the Justice Department’s combined appropriations for the 94 U.S. Attorneys’ offices and the main litigating divisions in that same period.

“The Department of Justice is committed to upholding the rule of law, safeguarding taxpayer resources and protecting the American people from exploitation and abuse,” said Attorney General Lynch.  “The collections we are announcing today demonstrate not only the strength of that commitment, but also the significant return on public investment that our actions deliver.  I want to thank the prosecutors and trial attorneys who made this achievement possible, and to reiterate our dedication to this ongoing work.” The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, along with the department’s litigating divisions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the U.S. and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims.  The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss.  While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the department’s Crime Victims’ Fund, which distributes the funds to state victim compensation and victim assistance program. The largest civil collections were from affirmative civil enforcement cases, in which the United States recovered government money lost to fraud or other misconduct or collected fines imposed on individuals and/or corporations for violations of federal financial, health, safety, civil rights and environmental laws.  In addition, civil debts were collected on behalf of several federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services, Internal Revenue Service, Small Business Administration and Department of Education. Additionally, the U.S. Attorney’s office in the Southern District of Florida, working with partner agencies and divisions, collected $34,109,303 in asset forfeiture actions in FY 2015. Forfeited assets deposited into the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund are used to restore funds to crime victims and for a variety of law enforcement purposes. A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

>>> History Miami on Jun. 26 to Jan.17 2016 features a major and moving Operation Pedro Pan exhibit, and includes comments from U.S. Sen. Martinez, Miami Mayor Regalado, to Codina, one of the many boys sent to freedom leaving their parents back in Cuba, unknown if parents were to be seen again and has changed the fabric of Miami since the 1960 airlift, and the exodus of 14,000 Cuban children

And the History Miami Museum is celebrating its 75^th anniversary and an upcoming moving display of Operation Pedro Pan is being chronicled and includes interviews of the 14,000 children sent from Cuba to Miami. After Fidel Castro took over and it is a moving exhibit after the Watchdog Report saw the promotional piece on the exhibit including comments from former U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez, R-Fla, Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado and a host of other children who said good bye to their parents in the Havana airport’s “fish bowl,” not knowing if they would ever be seen again or would join them in Miami. Where many were welcomed by members of their extended families and for more go to http://www.historymiami.org/events/details/pedro-pan-at-55-lawyers-and-the-legal-profession-looking-back-and-looking-forward/2015-10-22/ and for more on the Pedro Pan airlift, exodus by the Catholic Charities go to http://www.pedropan.org/category/history

>>> Dan Marino Foundation teams up with Badia Spices to help support children with autism, something appearing across all ethnic groups kids

>>> Webpage info: Badia Spices invites consumers to join their efforts in support of children and young adults living with autism. From now through December 31st, 2015, when you purchase a bottle of Badia (1 LT) Extra Virgin Olive Oil anywhere in the world where Badia Spices are sold, Badia Spices will donate 5% of the proceeds from that sale to The Dan Marino Foundation. Badia Spices believes that being a member of a community means giving back through charitable and community investment. As such, the company supports a variety of charitable and educational organizations. Through the course of the past ten years, Badia Spices and the Badia Family have contributed millions in financial contributions and in-kind donations to a variety of local and national institutions. The family’s efforts on a broad sense have focused on education, healthcare, women’s issues, youth sports, and underserved communities. For more than 23 years, The Dan Marino Foundation has been serving the autism community through unique, impactful initiatives, like Marino Campus – a post-secondary educational opportunity for young adults with developmental disabilities, ages 18-28. The Campus, which opened in 2014, was the logical next step in furthering the Foundation’s mission of “empowering individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities.” Badia Extra Virgin Olive Oil has a rich nutty flavor with delicate notes of fruitiness. The Olive Oil is made from the first cold press of Manzanilla, Arbequina, and Lechin and Picual olives. Aside from all the attributed health benefits of olive oil, it is bottled with the promise of full aroma, freshness, rich flavor. “Badia Spices is looking forward to once again partnering with The Dan Marino Foundation,” said Joseph “Pepe” Badia, President of Badia Spices. “This partnership enables us to support the Foundation and Marino Campus, in providing state of the art programing and services for children, teens and young adults with autism and other developmental disabilities on their path to independence.” Over the last three years with the support of its customers through the “Go the Extra Yard for Those with Autism Campaign”. Badia Spices has raised more than $300,000 for The Dan Marino Foundation and the Marino Campus programs for young adults with autism and other developmental disabilities. “We are continually grateful for the friendship and support of Pepé Badia. It is a privilege for all of us at the Foundation to be a part of the Badia Spices family, stated Dan Marino, Chairman of The Dan Marino Foundation. I hope Badia Spices and their customers realize the significant impact they have in changing the lives of the young people we serve.” ABOUT BADIA SPICES: Established in 1967 by Jose Badia, Badia Spices is the world’s leading privately Hispanic-owned spice manufacturer with 2012 sales totaling over $100 million. Badia Spices has brought to market the finest ingredients from all corners of the world, making it a favorite among all types of cooks. More than 350 different products are prepared, packaged and shipped to 70 countries and the entire United States. In addition Badia Spices is committed to offering their consumers the highest quality. Badia Spices has added an Organic and Gluten-Free line, and is proud to have its products certified by Safe Quality Foods, an audit recognized around the world as being one of the most rigorous and credible food safety management systems in the marketplace today. For more information, visit the company’s website badiaspices.com.

>>> History Miami on Jun. 26 to Jan.17 2016 features a major and moving Operation Pedro Pan exhibit, and includes comments from U.S. Sen. Martinez, Miami Mayor Regalado, to Codina, one of the many boys sent to freedom leaving their parents back in Cuba, unknown if parents were to be seen again and has changed the fabric of Miami since the 1960 airlift, and the exodus of 14,000 Cuban children

And the History Miami Museum is celebrating its 75^th anniversary and an upcoming moving display of Operation Pedro Pan is being chronicled and includes interviews of the 14,000 children sent from Cuba to Miami. After Fidel Castro took over and it is a moving exhibit after the Watchdog Report saw the promotional piece on the exhibit including comments from former U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez, R-Fla, Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado and a host of other children who said good bye to their parents in the Havana airport’s “fish bowl,” not knowing if they would ever be seen again or would join them in Miami. Where many were welcomed by members of their extended families and for more go to http://www.historymiami.org/events/details/pedro-pan-at-55-lawyers-and-the-legal-profession-looking-back-and-looking-forward/2015-10-22/ and for more on the Pedro Pan airlift, exodus by the Catholic Charities go to http://www.pedropan.org/category/history

FLORIDA

>>> Supremes rule congressional districts set, Rep. Corrine Brown cry’s foul and injects racial tone in media comments

With the Florida Supreme Court approving a redistricting plan Congressional candidates finally have their marching orders what geographical district they must run in and represent in the hollow halls of Congress and the body has the lowest approval rating of the three branches of the federal government with the public. And other districts around the state are still waiting for their final maps expected to pit some GOP state senators in the Republican primaries. And locally U.S. Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Miami and U.S. Rep Carlos Curbello districts were affected and Curbello’s new district is a party toss-up and he is being challenged in 2016 by Annete Taddeo, who was former Gov. Charlie Crist’s running mate back in 2014 and the former Miami-Dade County Democratic Party chair is taking another shot at going to congress and the race for the district is expected to be spirited. But Ros-Lehtinen has been in congress since the late 1990s and while she has had challengers in the past her hard campaigning and constituent services has made her a perennial favorite with voters. And below is a press release from Ros-Lehtinen’s office on the court ruling.

>>> Press release: Ros-Lehtinen Statement on the Florida Supreme Court’s Redistricting Ruling “My love for South Florida knows no boundaries and every part of it is special to me.” U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL – 27) made the following statement after today’s Florida Supreme Court ruling regarding Congressional redistricting.  

Statement by Ros-Lehtinen:

“My love for South Florida knows no boundaries and every part of it is special to me. How can it not be when we live in paradise? I know it’s a humbling honor to represent our community and I’ll continue to work hard every day to continue to earn the trust so many have placed in me. I’m ready for the road ahead and hope South Floridians will join me in working to improve our home.”

However, U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown, D- Fla. is disagreeing with her new map and has taken the challenge to federal court and she suggests the black congressional district has been marginalized since inmates in jail were counted part of her electorate population and for more on this go to: http://www.firstcoastnews.com/story/news/local/2015/08/11/corrine-brown-redistrcting-update-jacksonville/31465401/ and for more go to: http://jacksonville.com/news/2015-10-09/story/judges-decision-sends-districts-drawn-voting-rights-groups-florida-supreme Further, U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown is disagreeing with her new map and has taken the challenge to a local federal judge and she suggests the black congressional district has been marginalized since inmates in jail were counted part of her electorate population and for more on this go to: http://www.firstcoastnews.com/story/news/local/2015/08/11/corrine-brown-redistrcting-update-jacksonville/31465401/ and for more go to: http://jacksonville.com/news/2015-10-09/story/judges-decision-sends-districts-drawn-voting-rights-groups-florida-supreme and for more on the congress women’s charged comments to the media go to http://jacksonville.com/news/2015-11-10/story/corrine-brown-rails-against-changes-her-district

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY

>>> No resolution of conflict over zoning control of Sun Light stadium, but Miami Garden’s Mayor Gilbert, says county treats municipality like “second class[city],” tussle is about charter interpretation, and Sun Lite stadium zoning, and “possible repercussions,” says Dolphin’s lobbyist Dotson, Jr., threat of losing Jazz in the Garden’s, because the Miami “Dolphins “have taken the posture the city will never control permits,” for Sun Lite stadium, says Mayor Gilbert, and the council will take this issue to the Florida Supreme Court if they have to, he intones during mediation meeting where further negotiations will continue with Commissioner Jordan the liaison

A joint mediation session Tuesday between the Miami-Dade County Commission and the suing City of Miami Gardens, as required after mediation failed to resolve the impasse was a heated session with racial undertones and the issue is Miami Garden’s Sun Lite stadium owned by the Miami Dolphins and was supposed to come under the municipalities zoning and permit umbrella when it came to zoning while waiting for that to kick in around 2013 and the exception in the City’s Charter was approved by the commission back in 2003 when the Garden’s first incorporated and fiscal stability was the concern but the city has flourished and has 110,000 plus black voters in the state’s largest black community.

And the County’s attorney’s office is ruling that the turnover of control to Miami Garden’s requires a supermajority two-thirds vote of commissioners who heard the arguments from both sides including a couple of prominent attorney’s and Al Dotson, Jr. representing Sun Life Stadium insisted the county still needed to be involved and if Miami Garden’s did not go along there would be “repercussions,” and Miami Garden’s Mayor Oliver Gilbert, III an attorney, said that sounded like a “threat.” Since the popular Jazz in the Garden’s is held there and Gilbert bristled at Dotson saying he would not surrender 110,000 people’s rights for a concert. Since every other of the County’s 34 municipalities control zoning and other aspects of big items in these cities. Thought the seaport is excluded and even the Stephen P. Clark Government Center had to get COE’S FROM Miami and is probable why one of the plugs in a new press room used by commissioners is nonfunctioning.

Further Mayor Gilbert promised it would be the courts that decided this and he demanded Miami Gardens not be considered a “second class city,” by agreeing to exempt the large privately owned stadium from its municipal codes and the City’s Attorney Richard Weiss argued it was a question of the ‘interpretation of the County Charter and in that arena( the courts have extensively ruled) a council or commission has wide latitude in how it might be interpreted and the County attorney’s office insists a number of votes and process must be followed and Weiss argued it was just a matter of a disagreement in “interpretation,” with the county attorney’s office especially when it came to the procedural process and commissioners wanted more details before they voted on anything.

But Mayor Gilbert noted how much more time do you need since nothing happened, when the deadline passed. He said “nothing changed” and that is why they were in this mediation process required by Florida statutes when a municipality has a beef with the county. But Dotson’s threat of repercussions by the Dolphins did not sit well with Gilbert who commented on Dotson’s “beautiful hair,” versus his shaved head but the mediation showed a sharp divide concerning the Dolphins’ who apparently only want to deal with such issues with the County and not the local municipality and the County Attorney’s office is firm on their interpretation of the City’s charter and had Commissioner Xavier Suarez questioning why the mediation was necessary and he noted commissioners as the meeting ran late had been here all day and they were tired and he did not want to “delay,” resolving the situation that has been festering for years and he believed needed a resolution since it seemed the Dolphins were hesitant to fall under the City’s jurisdiction and after Dotson’s comments.

Oliver told the high profile attorney to be “very careful,” with his words and while no resolution occurred the issue will likely be resolved by the Florida Supreme Court and the council believes only the courts have the right to declare if Miami Garden’s is a “second class,” city but the issue of the stadium has been controversial since the County Commission allowed the city residents to vote for incorporation back in 2003 and there was a stadium carve out of controlling zoning issues at Sun Lite because of the small tax base and would the city survive which it did and flourished and the city has tried to be “accommodating to the pro football team,” said Mayor Gilbert during the session.

Does mediation like this happen often?

And a similar mediation process was held between the City of Miami and the Village of Key Biscayne recently though that is still being litigated and involves the Miami Boat Show going to Virginia Key.

>>> Commissioner Levine-Cava says getting more water flow to the Everglade’s is a key issue for her, says it will help stop salt water intrusion into county water supplies.

Miami-Dade County Commissioner Daniela Levine Cava, one year in office was on WPBT 2 on Issues hosted by Helen Ferre and to see the show go to: http://wpbt2.typepad.com/issues/

and another quest on Issues was the executive director of the Miami Citizens Investigative Panel, (CIP) that monitors Miami police department activities and hears complaints about any officers and the CIP was created back in 2001 when City of Miami voters approved the body after a series of questionable shootings back then and is one of the few in the nation and also has subpoena power and the panel’s chair Horatio Aguirre told the Watchdog Report recently that while the CIP has had a backlog of cases. He said these cases have been cleared and here is no longer a backlog of cases that had caused controversy in the past and has drawn media scrutiny in the past and resulted in the CIP being reorganized by the Miami commission in 2015.

GMCVB press release: During the month of October 2015, Miami-Dade County’s reported collections for the 2% Tourist Development Tax (TDT) for Greater Miami (excluding Miami Beach, Bal Harbour and Surfside) showed an increase of 18.3% compared to the same time in 2014; the 2% Hotel Food and Beverage Tax collections from hotels in Miami-Dade (excluding Miami Beach, Bal Harbour and Surfside) showed an increase of 15.1% compared to the same time in 2014, while the 3% Convention Development Tax (CDT) collections for Greater Miami (excluding Bal Harbour and Surfside) showed an increase of 12.4% compared to the same time last year.

Record October Miami-Dade County Tax Collections
2% Tourist Development Tax
October 2015	October 2014	% Change vs. 2014
$1,815,296	$1,534,264	+18.3%
2% Hotel Food & Beverage Tax
October 2015	October 2014	% Change vs. 2014
$652,914	$567,150	+15.1%
3% Convention Development Tax
October 2015	October 2014	% Change vs. 2014
$5,131,174	$4,564,329	+12.4%

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

>>> Keys Gate Charter School in Homestead draws scrutiny, since won’t disclose details of money transfer without district signing non-disclosure form, they refuse or do, highlights need of more oversight of charter schools

Keys gate Charter School in Homestead was the talk of the day Tuesday at the district’s Audit and budget Review committee, the community’s firewall when it comes to monitoring how public tax dollars are being spent, and the school was flagged after it made an internal loan and refuses to provide documentation unless the school signs a non-disclosure form which the district will not do but it again highlights how charters in the district that are the size of a region since there are over 100 some and to read the audit and report go to http://mca.dadeschools.net/AuditCommittee/AC_December_1_2015/item12.pdf

PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST

>>> State gives preliminary approval for new JHS 104 bed facility in West Dade, part of patient medical pipeline to main facility

Jackson’s Health System’s pending Certificate of Need to build a 104 bed urgent care Center in West Miami-Dade in Doral was given preliminarily approved last week by the state and the health trust is spouting up clinics throughout the county and is a major expansion of public health clinics and is expected to provide a pipeline of patients to the ancillary hospitals in the public hospital system and through preventative healthcare is expected to cut down the number of Miami residents who present at JHS with advanced diseases that could be reduced through preventative healthcare and the facilities are being well accepted in these new areas that are getting the clinics. For more go to http://www.miamiherald.com/news/health-care/article48032300.html

Latest Construction Projects Jackson is proud to begin work on major initiatives throughout Miami-Dade County, including pursuing our 100-bed inpatient… [Read More] CITY OF MIAMI >>> A modest white ageing Volvo XC 70 tells Miami District 2 constiuents newly minted Commissioner Ken Russell is in his office, and the Miami ritual of repainting the offices is in full bloom, and helps scare some of the old political demons out, a time honored Miami tradition over the years A modest white Volvo EX 70 with roof racks lets residents know when new Miami Commissioner Ken Russell is in his office. That is getting a fresh coat of white paint, a ritual in Miami in an attempt to remove any past ghosts still floating around the office in the Historic Pan American terminal that periodically deals with infestation s of rats but that was back in 2003 and the issue has been greatly resolved and no traps or poison are in sight in can be seen in the building now. And Russell who speaks a variety of languages. And he is the first District 2 commissioner who speaks Spanish and that linguistic ability also includes Portuguese and these languages will serve him well in the demographically diverse district. And the new leader has yet to select a chief of staff and last week he was in his office meeting with constiuents and getting the feel of an office where the phone rings off the hook and residents are looking for action but it is clear a breadth of fresh air has blown into District 2. With Russell’s stunning victory despite the long shot odds and some residents are actually jubilant and could signal the end of any further political career for outgoing commissioner Marc Sarnoff who is rumored to be eyeing the County Commission District 7 seat but will never get elected given his past reputation and has insiders saying after the blowout loss despite a $1 million campaign war chest.   And Russell’s new email is krussell@miami.gov.com What About Sarnoff’s salaw law firm email account, and will they be subject to public records request? The Watchdog Report brings up this issue again because the commissioners past records must be preserved and Sarnoff did a lot of public business at that email address. And I noted the Watchdog Report had become aware that the commissioner uses two email accounts when he conducts public business. And I asked his law partner Jay H. Solowsky, if his “server was secure?”   And he said the salaw account was supposed to be used “only for business,” but that is not always the case. And Solowsky said the firm’s server “was as secure,” as one can be in today’s world he noted referencing all the cyber-attacks that have hit the nation. And at a Miami Exhibition and Sports Authority (MESA) meeting that Solowsky sits on with Commissioner Sarnoff, Willie Gort and is chaired by Mayor Tomas Regalado. A speaker making a presentation noted the people in the room were very “erudite,” and Sarnoff, quipped he must be talking about only “Solowsky,” but it was a snarky comment the others in the room did not deserve. Update: Sarnoff at Thursday’s commission meeting honored Solowsky with a proclamation saying he is one of the “five smartest people he knows,” and he is the number five,” of them and the snarky comments keep coming from the man who is clearly going to miss the life of an elected Miami commissioners and all the perks that come with it, after voters approved a salary bump for them but included commissioner term limits, something his wife is trying to get around with this election maneuver. And Sarnoff is being coy about his future plans still believing he has a political future and will the man be like a phoenix rising from the political wilderness for as Abraham Lincoln said, “You can measures the mettle of man, when he is given power,” and Sarnoff seemed to inhale it and why him being a mediator is almost funny. And for more on his departure and after life go to; http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article45777700.html The Watchdog Report brings up this issue again because the commissioners past records must be preserved and Sarnoff did a lot of public business at that email address. And I noted the Watchdog Report had become aware that the commissioner uses two email accounts when he conducts public business. And I asked his law partner Jay H. Solowsky, if his “server was secure?”   And he said the salaw account was supposed to be used “only for business,” but that is not always the case. And Solowsky said the firm’s server “was as secure,” as one can be in today’s world he noted referencing all the cyber-attacks that have hit the nation. And at a Miami Exhibition and Sports Authority (MESA) meeting that Solowsky sits on with Commissioner Sarnoff, Willie Gort and is chaired by Mayor Tomas Regalado. A speaker making a presentation noted the people in the room were very “erudite,” and Sarnoff, quipped he must be talking about only “Solowsky,” but it was a snarky comment the others in the room did not deserve. Update: Sarnoff at Thursday’s commission meeting honored Solowsky with a proclamation saying he is one of the “five smartest people he knows,” and he is the number five,” of them and the snarky comments keep coming from the man who is clearly going to miss the life of an elected Miami commissioners and all the perks that come with it, after voters approved a salary bump for them but included commissioner term limits, something his wife is trying to get around with this election maneuver. And Sarnoff is being coy about his future plans still believing he has a political future and will the man be like a phoenix rising from the political wilderness for as Abraham Lincoln said, “You can measures the mettle of man, when he is given power,” and Sarnoff seemed to inhale it and why him being a mediator is almost funny. And for more on his departure and after life go to; http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article45777700.html CITY OF MIAMI BEACH >>> With such heavy rains, what will be economic impact of Art Basel this year, has become global; art and culture bonanza for tony Beach With the heavy rains coinciding with Art Basel the city is finding Mother nature is not cooperating with the municipality and even with large pumps the street flooding must have created havoc given the nature of the torrential downpour and Basel is a tremendous shot in the arm for the economy City of Davie >>> Pres release: Certified Public Accountant Sentenced to 78 months in big house for Using Her Tax Preparation Business to Facilitate an Income Tax Refund Fraud Scheme A Certified Public Account (CPA) was sentenced to 78 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $3,684,921.20 for using her tax preparation business to facilitate an income tax refund fraud scheme. Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Kelly R. Jackson, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), made the announcement. Pamella B. Watson, 61, of Davie, previously pled guilty to one count of wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, and Section 1343. According to court documents, Watson operated Watson & Associates Business Services, Inc., a tax preparation business in Miami.  Defendant Watson prepared the client’s tax return and provided him/her a copy showing a refund amount and/or an amount payable to the IRS.  Without the client’s knowledge or authorization, the figures on the return were changed, and a tax return showing a higher refund amount was filed with the IRS.  The client’s bank account received the refund amount reflected on the copy they received from defendant Watson, and the remainder of the tax refund was deposited into an account controlled by Watson.  The client did not have any knowledge of the refund falsification and splitting. Court documents state that Watson prepared approximately 557 U.S. Individual Income Tax Returns (Forms 1040) for tax years 2010 through 2013 for her clients.  Approximately 395 (71%) had refunds split into an account controlled by defendant Watson, or the entire refund diverted into Watson’s bank account.  From approximately January 2011 through September 2014, defendant Watson deposited $3,405,479.20 of client tax refunds from 183 individual taxpayers into accounts she controlled. According to court documents, Watson also diverted checks totaling $222,676 into her personal IRS account, and an additional $56,766 in IRS payments from Watson’s clients was applied to an associate’s tax account.  These checks were generated by clients who were informed by defendant Watson that they were paying their own tax liability. Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of IRS-CI, and thanked the Jamaican Financial Investigations Division for its substantial assistance.  The case is being prosecuted by Senior Litigation Counsel Neil Karadbil. A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov. COMMUNITY EVENTS
The Next King Mango Strut Meeting and gathering will be held TUES., Nov. 17th, 2015, 7:00 p.m., at GREENSTREET CAFE 3468 MAIN HIGHWAY, COCONUT GROVE Select Happy Hour drinks, some free appetizers Come join us for our meeting of the Mangoheads & Mangominds. We can’t wait to poke fun at any and everything, satirizing the people and events that made news during the year. Put the word out to your friends, family and anyone who you think would want to join the Mango Madness! Mark your calendar for upcoming meetings and events. Wed., Dec 2, Bookstore in the Grove, 3390 Mary St., 7:00 p.m. Tues., Dec. 8, Taurus, 3540 Main Highway, 7:00 p.m. Tues., Dec. 15, Coconut Grove Sailing Club, 2990 S. Bayshore Dr. CHANCE FOR SOME STUFF EVENT, 7:00 p.m. Mon., Dec. 21, Berries in the Grove, 2884 SW 27 Ave., 7:00 p.m. www.kingmangostrut.org kingmangostrut@gmail.com hotline: 305-582-0955
>>> THE MARGULIES COLLECTION AT THE WAREHOUSE is proud to announce its new exhibitions Anselm Kiefer: Paintings, Sculpture and Installation -Susan Philips: Immersive Sound Installation -through April 30, 2016 – Anselm Kiefer: Paintings, Sculpture and Installation  Staged across 18,000 sq. ft. of space the new Kiefer exhibition at the Margulies Warehouse is the largest presentation of the artist work ever made in the United States. The show includes major sculptures, installation and paintings from 1986 to 2015. Four immense rooms within the Warehouse have been built specially to house the exhibition. “Anselm Kiefer is one of the most important European artists of the past four decades,” says curator Katherine Hinds. “In our ongoing process of building the collection we recognized that Anselm Kiefer was critically important. This exhibition comes at a pivotal time. It is the most comprehensive project ever undertaken by the collection. We are honored to present this exhibition, which is the result of an ongoing collaboration between the collector Martin Z. Margulies and the artist. We see this exhibition as a fulfillment of our educational mission at the Warehouse to produce powerful exhibitions of seminal work by the greatest international artists of our times.” The artist traveled to Miami to install his 17ft high work Die Erdzeitalter (Ages of the World), 2014 that was the centerpiece of his retrospective at the Royal Academy in London in 2014. The largest work in the show, Geheimnis der Farne (The Secret of the Ferns) is based on a work Kiefer created eight years ago for Monumenta 2007 Grand Palais exhibition. After meeting with the collector, Kiefer changed and rearranged elements of the work and made a site-specific installation for the Margulies collection. Included in the show is the 3-ton workSprache der Vögel, 1989, which was the first work by Anselm Kiefer acquired by the Margulies collection. It has been on exhibit at the Warehouse since 2013. The Margulies Collection at the Warehouse is honored to join the exemplary collection exhibitions devoted to the art of Anselm Kiefer including the Hall Art Foundation at Mass MoCA, the Doris and Donald Fisher Collection, The Broad Art Foundation and HangarBicocca, Milan. Anselm Kiefer was born in Donaueschingen, Germany in 1945 and has lived and worked in France since 1993. He has exhibited widely, including solo shows at MoMA, New York (1987); Neue Nationalgalerie, Berlin (1991); The Metropolitan Museum, New York (1998); Fort Worth Museum of Art (2005); the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (2006); Mass MoCA, Massachusetts; Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao; the Grand Palais, Paris; Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, Denmark (2010); the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam (2011), Tel Aviv Museum of Art (2011) and The Royal Academy, London (2014). In 2007 Kiefer became the first artist to be commissioned to install a permanent work at the Louvre, Paris since Georges Braque some 50 years earlier. In 2009 he created an opera, Am Anfang, to mark the 20th anniversary of the Opéra National in Paris. The Centre Georges Pompidou and the Bibliothèque Nationale de France in Paris will stage major solo presentations of his work in 2015. Susan Philipsz: Immersive Sound Installation The Margulies Collection is also pleased to feature a large scale Immersive Sound Installation by the acclaimed European artist Susan Philipsz, winner of the prestigious Turner Prize in 2010, Tate Britain. Drawing from the histories of 1930’s emigrant artists who fled Germany for America only to experience McCarthy-era blacklist censorship, Susan Philipsz’ work evokes the emotions of alienation, loss and exile. The audience views the work by walking into a large room with abstract sound emanating from 12 speakers placed in a symmetrical pattern at eye level. On the walls of the room 12 large prints of musical compositional scores are layered over with redacted FBI documents. “The sound of the deconstructed music heard over 12 channels combined with the visual experience of the recognizable but evasive censored text in the prints is a stunning and evocative experience,” says Ms. Hinds. “This has been a very ambitious project for us, it is the very first sound art installation work here at the warehouse and we are excited about adding a new dimension to the Collection.” Permanent exhibitions: Magdalena Abakanowicz, Ron Bladen, Pier Paolo Calzolari, Anthony Caro, John Chamberlain, Willem de Kooning, Olafur Eliasson, Dan Flavin, Michael Heizer, Jannis Kounellis, Sol LeWitt, Mario Merz, Joan Miró, Isamu Noguchi, Michelangelo Pistoletto, George Segal, Richard Serra, Tony Smith, and Franz West New works: Meuser, Lawrence Carroll, Liat Yossifor, Mark Handforth and Martin Boyce Click here for more information about this season’s exhibitions The Margulies Collection at the Warehouse 591 NW 27th Street, Miami, FL 33127 p: 305.576.1051 / f: 305.576.4963 mcollection@bellsouth.net www.margulieswarehouse.com The Martin Z. Margulies Foundation, inc. is a not for profit institution dedicated to the presentation of exhibitions and educational programs. The Margulies Collection at the WAREhOUSE houses an extensive collection of contemporary and vintage photography, video, sculpture and installation art.  Curator, Katherine Hinds

Editorials

>>>> One of Watchdog Report’s main missions is to keep watch on all the host of Trust’s in Miami-Dade and involve some serious public money in the billions

Residents in Miami-Dade County periodically ask why I cover all the trust’s found in the county, from the Children’s Trust to the Public Health Trust to the County’s Homeless Trust and it is because elected county leaders are always looking for new funds and while the raids of these public dollars periodically occurs like in the case of the Citizens Independent Transit Trust where the county is slowly paying back the sales tax dollars absorbed by the county’s transit system in what was called “unification,” by county leaders but the Public Health Trust was also raided back in 20002 when county commissioners shifted some $ 70 million in unfunded mandates on to organization and that cost has risen over $100 million a year and was one of the reasons the Public health trust needed a $830 million GOB passed overwhelmingly by voters a few Years back to upgrade its infrastructure and ageing main campus after this past money was diverted over a decade by the County commission that does provide some $250 million in public funds for a maintenance of effort contribution. But in Miami-Dade where everything is political I keep watch so that these organizations are kept whole and politics is kept to a minimum and this oversight helps keep the organizations on the straight and narrow when it comes to public dollars and it is no small amount of money and helps explain why there have been so few scandals in the past that plaque the county back in the 1990’s and a frequent topic in the media.

>>> PAST WDR: Miami Commissioner Russell shows truth, trust and candor can prevail over obscene amount of money challenger raised and later dropped out, leaving many contributors to the $1 million campaign war chest steaming

With words flying among all the presidential candidates the issue of trust has to be the coin of the political realm and elected leaders find that out when they get busted in lies or embellishment of their accomplishments and experiences and once trust is lost. It’s almost impossible to turn around that perception with voters and all the candidates must realize there is extreme skepticism among the electorate and a politician at his peril sheds this sacred bond with voters he or she is trying to woo and a local example of this is the election of Ken Russell as the new Miami District 2 commissioner despite the long odds given the formidable fund raising machine he faced and the man was able to overcome that fiscal deficit because he sounded genuine and had a normal family life populated by two fun loving daughters and a son who campaigned with him and will probable remember the long shot activity the rest of his life. And after the previous commissioner’s lock-down approach Russell has an opportunity to reinvigorate the district and he will find his civility and Kentucky up bringing will serve him well and the Watchdog Report wishes him the best of luck and a Tip of The Hat for a job well done and running a positive campaign and shows candor and honesty can overcome any perceived obstacle with voters if they are truly committed to being in public service.

LETTERS

>>> Transit employee questions none Sunshine meeting validity, to Miami-Dade County vice Mayor Ed. Marquez

On or around November 16, 2015, your Human Resources Director, Ms. Arlene Cuellar organized a hearing in violation of the Florida Sunshine Law, after she was put on notice that she was required to follow the Florida Sunshine Law. The hearing was conducted by the Tuition Refund Appeal Board (“Board”), which is charged with decision-making authority on behalf of the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners, and consists of board members, Ms. Virginia Washington, Ms. Erin New, and Ms. Joy Clodfelter. Also in attendance at the hearing in their official capacity were county employees Mr. Andrew Mullings, Mr. Jay Flynn, and Ms. Jennifer Walker. At the commencement of the hearing, the Board members and the officials were put on notice that because the hearing was being held in secret, it violates the Florida Sunshine Law. The Board members and the officials ignored the notice, stating something to the effect that such hearings are never public, and proceeded accordingly. In addition to the lack of public notice, immediately after the hearing, the Board and the other county officials went into a secret session.

The law provides both civil and criminal penalty for public officials who violate any of its provisions. Specifically, the law states that, “…any person who is a member of a board…or authority of any county…who knowingly violates the provisions of this section by attending a meeting not held in accordance with the provisions hereof is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083”. The record will prove that the individuals named above, knew that they were violating Florida law. In particular, Ms. Cuellar, attempted to put together an incoherent excuse in an email, on why the Sunshine Law does not apply to her or the Board. In this instance, Ms. Cuellar’s and the others’ willful conduct contributes to the erosion of our quality of life in Florida, where public corruption and reckless disregard for our laws by public officials have been on the rise. For that reason and in the interest of justice, the Chief Prosecutor in this judicial circuit and members of local media are being notified herein. Further, any action taken by the Board resulting from the illegal hearing is invalid, as held by Florida courts, and you are being urged to do the same, and moving forward to ensure that those who report to you abide by and respect Florida law. Also, please advise when the board will publish its decision. Thank you.

Dunbar Corneille

Miami-Dade Transit

>>> 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

Michael Rosenberg

President Pets’ Trust

Rita Schwartz Cofounder

>>> And another reader sent the following the shocking truth about Miami-Dade Animal Services, http://www.animalliberationfront.com/ALFront/Actions-USA/MiamiAnimalServices.htm

DR

Coconut Grove

>>> 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 long

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

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FLORIDA POWER & LIGHT www.fpl.com .

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

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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

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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

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

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Rbb PUBLIC RELATIONS www.rbbpr.com

ROYAL MEDIA PARTNERS www.royalmp.com

SHUBIN & BASS www.shubinbass.com

WILLIAMSOM AUTOMOTIVE GROUP http://williamsonautomotivegroup.com/

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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.

********************************************************************************************************************************************

Watchdog Report Supporters Invoice-Form NOTE: Invoice is for Yearly supporter/sponsorship Rates: Thank you.

Supporting Sponsors $5,000

Sustaining Sponsors $2,000

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

Large Business Supporters $500

Small Business Supporters $250 

Individual Supporter $150

Name & Address Make checks payable to Daniel A. Ricker

Send to:

3109 Grand Avenue, #125

Miami, FL 33133

And to contact me go to watchdogreport1@earthlink.net

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