Watchdog Report Vol.16 No. 45 March 20, 2016 -EST. 05.05.00 – I go when you cannot – Celebrating almost 17 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 providing 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 Oriental fruit fly quarantine and its huge economic impact to name just a few of the more recent stories in past WDR’s.

>>>And you can now easily support the Watchdog Report by going to my new PayPal Button account at www.watchdogreport.net However, because of fiscal issues I was barely able to publish this week as Miami continues to get more expensive and it is no easy task to do the WDR weekly. And years ago the County Ethics Commission did a report that suggested over the past decade some $50 million had been spent fighting waste fraud abuse and public corruption and having the press at public meetings (some very obscure) changes the tone of the meeting (and is why you don’t speed past a state trooper, if your smart) Further, I have tried to be an information electrolyte available to all free (and that is a problem) between these large public institutions when I first started back in 1997. And many public meetings back then were not being recorded except by me and that is no longer the case. For an accurate public record is key and diminishes legal action. For you either have an accurate public record or you don’t. And I hope you will consider helping me in this effort to keep the community informed and saving taxpayer monies in the process. For I need your help and Thank you for the past support over the last 17 years. And to read a national story and profile of the WDR publisher in the early years back in 2003 go to: http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2003-01-20/news/0301190045_1_ricker-miami-watchdog

ARGUS REPORT – Heard, Seen on the street

>>> When GOP dust cleared, Trump wins Florida and Rubio says sayonara, senator never recovered from sharp Christie debate exchange, Sanders   continues to dog Hillary with her winning four primaries

After Donald Trump prevailed in the Florida primary. I was glad to see the sun come up the next day for the nation’s political worlds is closer to becoming reality television than deciding the leader of the Free World. And Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, R- has retired from the field of candidates saying he will finish out his term in the U.S. Senate and he will not run for governor and given the size of his young family. I suspect he will go into private law practice and make some money given his net worth back in the mid-2000s was some $8600. When he was a Florida House Speaker. But at 44 he has many years left and when asked if he would do something political he gave an open “maybe,” response.

But once you have run for president it is rare for someone to run for a lesser post and with the stop Trump movement missing its window of opportunity and a potential brokered convention on the GOP side is looking more likely. Since Trump won four of the five primaries and has only Gov. John Kasich and Sen. Ted Cruz, R-TX still in the race. And Trump says if he is denied the nomination there will “be riots in the streets,” and he has continued that theme and the GOP is waiting to see if Trump can unify the party and the billionaire real estate magnate is still getting the free media coverage and some $13 million in attack ads had little results and the man for the moment has a Teflon exterior as he continues to speak his own mind with the bark on.

And while Hillary Clinton won four of her primaries her campaign is still lacking enthusiasm versus Sen. Bernie Sanders, I VT. But Clinton did win four of the recent Democratic Party’s primaries and while Trump says he can’t wait to take her on in a campaign she is having trouble connecting with the sixty or older voter and millennials are with Sanders and his rallies have palatable energy.

White House press release: Summary: Public leaders and legal experts across the political spectrum have offered full-throated support for the President’s nominee.

President Barack Obama, with Vice President Joe Biden, delivers a statement announcing Chief Judge Merrick B. Garland as his nominee to the United States Supreme Court, in the Rose Garden of the White House, March 16, 2016. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

>>> And after almost 60 years President Obama goes to Cuba, And Stones give free concert, will Cubans get any satisfaction on human rights and political freedoms?

And given the change in the political vortex this week with President Barack Obama traveling to Cuba. South Florida and the exile community is demanding the president get some human rights concessions, release jailed dissidents from the Castro brothers, and still has the Ladies in White getting roughed up even as travel restrictions are easing. And while all the details have not been hashed out and he is slated to speak to the people directly but it remains to be seen if that happens. And the trip is more surreal.

Since The Rolling Stones are doing a free concert on the Island where for 70 years there have been no free elections but critics say the embargo after all the decades has not changed the regime’s policies as hoped and many believe it is time for the nation to try a new diplomatic tact when it comes to the island nation just 90 miles from America.

>>> And WPLG Channel 10 reporters are claiming they are not being censored and on Sunday were broadcasting from the Island the reporters said they have been able to interview anyone if the reporting was factual and fair, said Glenna Milberg. However, it remains to be seen how this plays out in the decades ahead. And to see some of the station’s reporting on the president’s trip go to www.local10.com

>>> Tuesday is Diabetes Awareness day and it is a new scourge some of us face as we age, diet and excise key

Tuesday is Diabetes awareness day and each of us should review the risk factors www.mayoclinic.org for it us becoming a part of the ageing process and dealing with it early can be very beneficial and is emerging quickly in the public domain.

FLORIDA

>>>> Gov. Scott sparse with vetoed pen, JHS gets $70 million for charity care

Gov. Rick Scott is trying to play nice with the legislature many of whom he has alienated since he first took office back in 22010 and quickly signed the 80.3 billion state budget and Jackson Health South is getting some $70 million to make up for the lost federal funding for indigent care. And a host of local projects were spared the ax and the Miami-Dade County Legislative leaders worked well together and given the delegation’s size South Florida did well and Scott was gentle with his veto pen. And for more on the florid Budget that begins Jun 30^th. Go to http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article66786202.html

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY

>>> Red light cameras repeal gets deferred, has cut down accidents says Buoniconti of Miami Cure for Paralysis, $30 million in fines have gone to state’s trauma centers

Repealing the Red Light camera law was discussed at a County Commission committee meeting and Commissioner Sally Heyman asked members to not repeal the law but to let “it sit.” And Marc Buniconti of the Miami Cure for Paralysis and a tireless advocate of research at the University of Miami’s Miller Medical School. Said that since the cameras installation round the state. There has been a “49 percent reduction,” in crashes and some $10 million in funding that has provided statewide some $30 million for trauma Centers. However, Commissioner Juan Carlos Zapata believed the cameras were used in many municipalities “to balance the books,” and he admitted he had gotten a “ticket coming home from Church,” and ultimately the commissioners made a motion to defer the item and in a memo County Mayor Carlos Gimenez in a “pretty extensive memo,’ detailed his concerns and cost of the program said deputy mayor Russell Beneford at the committee meeting. And Commissioner Barbara Jordan noted that yes people are not wild about them but the “cameras save lives,” she asserted and the law was similar to the motor cycle helmet law that reduces head trauma in the case of an accident.

>>> Commissioner Suarez’s constant quips causes meetings to run longer, and then many times lose a quorum

Miami-Dade County Commissioner Xavier Suarez needs to keep his dialogue to the issues, constantly mentions quorum will be lost at committee meetings, using up more time and try to keep the historical tale of his life to a minimum. For he is causing meetings to run later than they should and while he promotes his son Francis every chance he can it is getting old. And Suarez the younger has to blaze his own trail in politics after his failed and premature bid to run as Miami Mayor years ago something his father did, but that last election was later nullified after the courts found rampant voter fraud including Manuel Yip who voted for years after he died back then and is the 2006-2008 poster child of past Miami election antics.

>>> Women are doing some of the work on 106 Hitachi Metro Rail cars, $375 million CITT funded project

The new Hitachi trains for Metro Rail’s ageing and over 20 year old trains are being built in a facility in Medley and the project is being funded with the half-cent sales tax proceeds and is the second largest CITT project being funded by this sales tax revenue. The 106 Metro rail vehicles are costing $375 million and only the Orange Line to MIA is using more of this transportation money dedicated to transportation improvements but has been a disappointment since it passed back in 2002 on the promise of a massive expansion of public transit but has fallen short.

What about the new Lexus lanes on 836?

County Commissioner Estephan Bovo noted he is getting “incoming” criticism from residents regarding tolling on the MDX expressways and people believe the county Commissioners are doing this not the separate MDX board and he is suggesting a community education program to tamp down this discontent with County Commissioners by residents. Since the public thinks it is the work of the commissioners who are much more visible than the MDX board members.

Central Terminal extensive discussion Moss wants a vigorous debate on expansion and cost to get it done?

MIAs massive Central Terminal is getting a massive face lift and airport officials gave a major presentation to a tourism commission committee meeting and the issue of a “Fuel Farm,” for MIA is still up in the air and a pipeline route along the Miami River once considered is a no go said staff to the commissioners. And MIA had a record 50.6 million passengers and while some S. American countries have financial problems and “Venezuela’s [economy] is in a basket,” but a new ten year Chinese Visa is expected to help increase tourism from the Middle Kingdom even though the country’s economy has slowed as well. And international trade at MIA is down “4.87 percent,” said Manny Gonzalez at the tourism meeting.

And the estimated cost is $1.2 billion and other renovations will come in around $20 million per year in maintenance projects to allow the facility to “have capacity,” and not be “constrained,” to grow and will include new gates capable of handling the new domestic and international jumbo aircraft. And when it comes to the proposed fuel farm that will come in “close to $7 billion,” said Commissioner Jose Pepe Diaz at the tourism and trade committee meeting. A plan for that has yet to be finalized.

>>> Sosa wants to push for film incentives, blocked by state, productions go to Georgia, big economic impact

Film incentives that get vetoed or shot down in the Florida legislature was a hot topic and the county is looking at its own incentive program for movie people are going to Georgia to film and it is costing Miami-Dade millions in local community development revenue. And Commissioners Rebeca Sosa and Jose “Pepe” Diaz want to get the local state legislative delegation together, and also talk to Gov. Rick Scott and Enterprise Florida in a public sunshine meeting in the commission chambers, suggested Sosa last week and see if there was some way to end the stalemate in getting any film incentives money and funding. And the special Miami sun was what “brought the famous Jackie Gleason Show,” to Miami Beach said Diaz and the show put the Beach on the map back in the 1960s.

And who gets to have concessions at MIA had commissioners grilling MIA Director Emilio Gonzalez last week and commissioners Dennis Moss and Barbara Jordan asked if a local Creole restaurant had found a spot and commissioners have been beating on staff in what is a mystical process of becoming a concessionaire at the airport and had Commissioner Rebeca Sosa asking what she can say when asked about getting someone a concession.. Since in all her years on the dais she has never been involved with deals at MIA. And she did not know what to tell a resident, and frankly does not want to get into procurement and she has pushed for procurement reforms at the county and MIA, over her years in office.

Bovo

Heyman

Diaz

Sosa

>>> Mayor Gimenez let the media park at the Stephen P. Clark Center, they fell on their sword when juvenile court House built and three press spots were absorbed, created in 2000 after Elian Gonzalez controversy, parking on plaza sidewalk gets tickets from Miami Parking Authority

The Mayor should consider reinstating parking areas for the press that were lost when the Children’s Juvenile Court House was built and for a decade there were three parking slots for the media but since then parking around county hall is almost impossible and needs to be corrected and can be done by having a couple of dedicated media parking slots in one of the county’s garages now charging around $10.00 to park which in today’s world adds up if you try to be there every day like I used to be able to do and cannot for a variety of reasons.

>>> Mayor Gimenez should insist water and sewer repairs on roads should end with a smooth roadway, and be part of a repairs final inspection.

Mayor Carlos Gimenez could get a huge number of votes if county contractors doing the $10 to $20 billion in water and sewer repairs on the streets after they dug up the road asphalt that the new asphalt be done so there is a smooth road and not the rough uneven surface the road usually becomes and this is a big deal given the mammoth scope of the upcoming work and any final inspection should include a suitable final road surface for currently the streets are getting badly torn up and is a major complaint that I hear all the time.

HOSPITALITY JOBS, JOBS, JOBS… >>> GMCVB press release: RECORD ACCOMMODATIONS AND FOOD SERVICE JOBS IN GREATER MIAMI AND THE BEACHES REPORTED FOR JANUARY 2016 MARKING 6 YEARS AND 1 MONTH OF CONSECUTIVE JOB INCREASES Greater Miami’s Accommodations and Food Service jobs increased +4.5 percent in January 2016 compared to the same period in 2015. This marks 6 years and 1 month of consecutive increased employment in Greater Miami’s Accommodations and Food Service Industry. Record Greater Miami Accommodations and Food Service Jobs January 2016 January 2015 % Change 123,500 118,200 +4.5%

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

>>> Supt. Carvalho and Perez getting more involved with The Children’s Trust all trying to end the violence and killings of children and is community nightmare with social media becoming a conflict electrolyte

The Children’s Trust of Miami-Dade County was the topic of the day at the school board’s Audit and budget Committee meeting and Supt Alberto Carvalho who has recently attended Trust meetings along with new school board Member Marta Perez and he asked the District Attorney Walter Harvey. If the public schools could audit some of the programs and how the $100 million in public property tax money is being spent on programs and childhood development throughout the county and since 20006. The Trust has been targeting high crime and shooting communities and the Trust plans to get this detailed information and graphs to the public and media and (I am unable to copy) the charts but can supply them to anyone interested in the tragic graphs of where children have been shot and killed throughout the County. And Carvalho gave the impression the Trust did their own auditing but that is for the providers and the Watchdog Report contacted the Trust. And Emily Cardenas the communication director came back with the following clarification statement to Carvalho’s questions. “Thanks for the call today. Upon reflection of the Superintendent’s questions at our recent board meeting, I think what he was referring to in the school system audit committee you subsequently attended is how our funded providers are audited, not how we as an institution are audited.

Funded providers are required to annually submit a financial audit and a program specific audit to The Children’s Trust, which is more stringent than what many other funders require. Providers are allowed to hire their own independent auditing firm. We do not assign them an auditing company, although we assist by providing a list of pre-qualified auditing firms from which to choose. As an institution, we follow all statutory requirements and receive an external audit annually ourselves. Here is a link to last year’s CAFR: https://www.thechildrenstrust.org/uploads/images/about/financials/2014/CAFR_Report_FINAL_9_30_14.pdf

Regarding our investments in high crime areas, attached are some maps and a funding summary that you may find informative. Please look at the legend on Map 2 to understand where all the varied programs we fund are located.

Note that at the top of the summary document we explain that The Children’s Trust direct services budget is approximately $93 million annually, of which $71.2 million is under contract with service providers to deliver on-the-ground services at specific sites. The six ZIP codes shown receive 17% of The Trust’s on-the-ground investment dollars ($12 million) and represent 10% of the county’s 548,000 children and 18% of the county’s 148,000 children living in poverty. Our new CEO starts April 4,” wrote Cardenas.

>>>> JAMES R. HAJ APPOINTED PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE CHILDREN’S TRUST

>>> Press release:  James R. Haj, assistant superintendent at Miami-Dade County Public Schools, has been appointed president and CEO of The Children’s Trust.

“We are delighted to welcome Jim to our organization,” said Laurie Weiss Nuell, chair of The Children’s Trust Board of Directors. “Jim brings a dynamic combination of administrative experience, knowledge of the Miami-Dade community, and passion for the rights of children and I am certain his leadership will further the mission of the Children’s Trust.”

Prior to becoming Miami-Dade County Public School’s chief negotiator with five labor unions representing more than 31,000 full-time employees, Haj served as administrative director for its south and central regions, during which he collectively oversaw 170 schools and nearly 200,000 students. In that capacity, he provided one-on-one support and guidance to principals and assistant principals with regard to curriculum and instruction; state accountability and school improvement; teacher evaluations and professional standards; and crisis response plans and student safety.

Earlier in his career, Haj served as principal at Paul W. Bell Middle School and Southwest Miami High School, his own alma mater. Haj took the latter from a “C” to an “A” rating on Florida’s A+ Plan for Education and significantly improved overall academic achievement, boosting graduation rates and championing inclusion for the school’s special needs population, the largest mainstreamed group of students with disabilities in any Miami-Dade high school.

Haj is a lifelong Miami resident and father of three young children. He received an MBA in business management from the University of Miami and a B.S. in education from Florida State University.

“Leading The Children’s Trust is a calling for me and the culmination of my life as an educator,” continued Haj. “I look forward to working with nonprofit organizations, community leaders, families and child advocates with the same collaborative spirit that I have with schools, parents, teachers and administrators to help our children and youth reach their full potential.”

The Children’s Trust is a dedicated source of revenue established by voter referendum to improve the lives of children and families in Miami-Dade County by making strategic investments in their future.

>>> Press release: Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Continues to be the Silent Killer – Learn How to Detect & Prevent CO Poisoning & Raise Funds for More Awareness

Janelle Bertot, FIU student, died inside a parked idled car at Weston Town Center in 2004. Cause of death Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning.

Janelle’s Wishing Well Foundation formed to educate the public on CO exposure prevention. In 2008, State of Florida passed “Janelle’s Law” which requires all new buildings to install CO detectors. Hundreds die annually of CO poisoning and it can be prevented. Last week, residents of Miami Beach apartments were evacuated due to CO exposure. In January, workers at a Doral food company were sickened by CO exposure.

Janelle’s Wishing Well Foundation donates CO detectors to communities throughout South Florida including local police, coast guard/boating and healthcare entities and Florida Power & Light’s community outreach division.

The Miami-Dade Schools and Broward County Schools approved a curriculum on Carbon Monoxide prevention to educate school-age children on the dangers and exposures of Carbon Monoxide. Janelle’s Wishing Well collaborates with Florida International University, Nova University, Western High School and other educators, in providing students with Carbon Monoxide detection badges/kits for cars, as well as awarding annual scholarships totaling more than $65,000 year-to-date.

The annual “The Janelle Bertot Memorial Scholarship” is designed for a Health Science student who displays the same qualities that endeared those to love Janelle. Those qualities include mental discipline, compassion, kindness and pursuit of academic excellence. Janelle’s Wishing Well Foundation has attended the annual Governor’s Hurricane Preparedness Conference to educate communities throughout Florida on the prevention of CO exposures.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning is the Silent Killer
Learn How to Detect & Prevent CO Poisoning & Raise Funds for More Awareness

WESTON, FL:   Don’t sit inside your closed vehicle in idle for extended periods. This is Janelle’s Wishing Well’s founder Barbara Bertot’s advice to avoid a carbon monoxide poisoning accident. Known as the “silent killer,” carbon monoxide (CO) is an invisible, odorless gas that can claim lives without warning.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are more than 400 deaths and approximately 15,000 emergency room visits nationally a year as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning each year. The highest percentage of carbon monoxide exposures occurs during the winter months, although CO poisoning can occur year round – especially in South Florida.

In January, 11 workers were sickened by CO exposure at a Doral food delivery company and a mother and her two young children died in New Jersey after the tailpipe of their car became covered with snow while the father cleared snow around their vehicle. In December 2015, two East Bay High School students in St. Petersburg, Florida were found accidently dead in an SUV in a garage. On November 14, 2004, FIU student Janelle Bertot of Weston fell victim of a CO poisoning accident while parked idle at Weston Town Center’s parking lot. Due to her avoidable death, Bertot’s family and friends formed the Janelle’s Wishing Well Foundation to raise awareness on accidental carbon monoxide poisonings. While Janelle’s death is a tragedy, the foundation is steadfast on taking steps to prevent another tragedy from happening. One of the foundation’s largest accomplishments to date is the State of Florida’s passage of Janelle’s Law in 2008. It requires that a carbon monoxide alarm be installed in every building (residential and commercial) for which a building permit is issued for new construction on or after July 1, 2008, and having a fossil-fuel-burning heater or appliance, a fireplace, or an attached garage. The carbon monoxide alarm will need to be installed within 10 feet of each room used for sleeping purposes. The state law also applies to public lodging, as it relates to every enclosed space or room that contains a boiler system. Janelle’s Wishing Well Foundation would like to see CO detectors installed inside vehicles too; however, the automotive industry has not been responsive to their pleas.

Last month, the U.S Senate designated January as National Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Awareness Month to raise awareness about the dangers of carbon monoxide and encourage the installation of detectors which will help break the silence and help families across the country prevent this tragedy before it strikes. The legislation would allow the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to provide support for public safety education and the installation of safe and reliable carbon monoxide detectors.

Cars, trucks, boats, recreational vehicles, fireplaces, wood stoves and pool heaters all pose a potential risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is produced by burning fuel, such as gasoline, wood, paper, natural gas, or kerosene. Many of these deaths are due to faulty or defective products, including lawn mowers, gas stoves, hot water heaters, furnaces, fireplaces or snow blowers. Exposure can occur even in the outdoors. Cases have been reported of children who suffered carbon monoxide poisoning from exposure to boat and jet-ski exhaust fumes. One of the main dangers is that sitting in a car where one can be overcome with this odorless gas and a resulting tragedy as the Bertot family experienced. “In an effort to continue Janelle’s legacy, the foundation not only provides CO poisoning education but also enhances educational opportunities by providing scholarships to deserving students interested in health care,” said Barbara Bertot. “Help us avoid these tragedies throughout our communities.”

About Janelle’s Wishing Well Foundation: Janelle’s Wishing Well Charitable Foundation 501 (c) 3 is focused on raising the general public’s awareness to prevent accidental carbon monoxide poisonings. The foundation was formed in memory of Janelle Bertot, a victim of an accidental CO accident in Weston, Florida, in 2004. Janelle’s Wishing Well was established to honor her community spirit. www.janelleswishingwell.org | Facebook

PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST

>>> $70 million will not make up for loss of federal LIP funding, legislature tries to soften the blow

The Florida Legislature gave Jackson Health System a fiscal break with a $70 million appropriation for the charity care and the losing of hundreds of millions in LIP funding for the uninsured and while it could have been worse at least JHS gets something to help defray the hundreds of millions in charity care that it and other hospitals provide countywide.

>>> PAST WDR: With $1.4 billion in capital funding change is coming to dated JHS campus and facilities, board and management say projects will be on time and on budget as public system tries to catch up with other health systems

The PHT continues the massive expansion of the health system and at Friday’s televised board meeting Board Chair Joe Arriola discussed the $1.4 billion upgrade of facilities that will actually happen including the rehabilitation facility long promised but never materialized. And FIU Medical College Dean Rock, M.D. at the PHT board meeting televised noted the schools two year physician assistant program is going well and has “some 120 students,” in the program and is a key component to the community healthcare program being pushed by the public university and has medical students at a host of hospitals around Miami-Dade and these budding physicians are making their mark while training and are getting good reviews from their peers. And JHS is itself getting fiscally better and cash on hand is at 49 days much higher than when at some points. It was at nine or ten days of cash and under the leadership of Carlos Migoya and his team along with concessions from the unions they have done a remarkable job turning around the beleaguered organization whose new facilities will mirror the great medical care the system provides to the poor and uninsured now.

>>> Four trustee’s applicants accepted, but two more applicants are needed, application deadline extended

PHT webpage Overview: The Public Health Trust (PHT) was created in 1973 by the Board of County Commissioners as an independent governing body concerned with the county’s most vital healthcare resource: Jackson Memorial Hospital. The Trust is comprised of concerned volunteer citizens who set policies that assure that Jackson Health System is responsive to community needs. This “citizen body” provides leadership for joint planning between Jackson Health System, the University Of Miami Miller School Of Medicine, Miami-Dade County and other private and community organizations.

In 2003, the Board of County Commissioners amended Chapter 25A of the Miami-Dade County Code that governs the Public Health Trust. Notably, these changes altered the composition and size of the Public Health Trust as well as the responsibilities for countywide health care. A new Office of Countywide Health Care Planning was created under the Office of the County Manager and Jackson’s role was redefined to focus solely on the planning of facilities within the system. To read the Public Health Trust Bylaws, click here . View the Public Health Trust meeting calendar by clicking here.

>>> Please hold Monday, March 21^st, 2016 at 11:00 AM to reconvene the Public Health Trust (PHT) Nominating Council at Jackson Memorial Hospital, located at 1611 N.W. 12^th Avenue, 1^st Floor, in the West Wing Board Room (see directions below) to review the applicants and interview process to fill the open seats on the Public Health Trust Board of Trustees.  The applicant matrix will be emailed to the Nominating Council the week of March 7^th, 2016 and the meeting agenda will be provided the week of the PHT Nominating Council meeting.

>>> Press release: As of the February 9, 2016 deadline for Public Health Trust (PHT) Board of Trustee applications, the following four (4) applications were received:

William Heffernan,
Irene Lipoff,
Albert Dotson, and
Ralph Patino.

Per the County Attorney’s Office, in order to bring an item forth to the Board of County Commissioners, the Nominating Council must put forth six (6) names, at a minimum.  Therefore, Chairman Arriola has extended the PHT Board of Trustees application deadline until March 2, 2016 (3 weeks) at 4:00 pm.

As a result, the Chairman has requested that the February 24, 2016 meeting be rescheduled so the Nominating Council can review all the applicants after the extended deadline and decide finalists to interview.  The date of the next Nominating Council meeting and a revised timeline will be forthcoming. I have included the 2016 PHT Board of Trustees application in case you would like to share with any candidates.

>>> Past WDR: Health trust will be looking for trustees in near future, only the best of the best need apply to be on seven member oversight board, $830 million GOB oversight board looking for trustees as well

The Public HealthTrust Nominating Council is meeting and is expected to be running an ad soon asking for residents to apply to be on the seven member oversight board that looks after the health trust system and is currently a much more nimble board then when it was 18 members years ago, but County Commissioners reduced the board’s size and under the leadership of Carlos Migoya alongside with the unions and major concessions from them the trust has operate the organization in the black the last three years after years of hemorrhaging red ink to the tune of a $84 million loss back in 20003.

>>> And the $830 million GOB bond oversight board is looking for trustees as well and if you have skills in construction consider applying here http://www.jacksonhealth.org/jackson-bond-program-CAC.asp#2

CITY OF MIAMI

>>> CRA’s still on Miami Commissioner Russell’s mind, wants ‘increased accountability and transparency,” of Omni CRA, says a staffer to county commissioners, after critical grand jury report

Miami Commissioner Ken Russell is pushing for more “increased accountability and transparency,” at the Omni Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). A commissioner staffer told commissioners at a county commission committee meeting last week and Russell has taken these CRAs to tasks after a grand jury report noted they many times became a political slush fund for politicians that sit on the board. And the commissioners are debating whether there should be a CRA workshop given the 11 in the county but representatives from a Homestead CRA were Luke warm on the workshop. The staffer also noted it will take the Omni CRA board to approve some of the reforms Russell has suggested in the past

>>> SEC done bond investigation

And The Securities Exchange Commission has decided not to charge the municipality for bonds sold to fund a Florida Marlins Parking garage that had irregularities when the bonds were sold but also says the investigation could be reopened and the letter is not condoning what they did and a trial of a city CFO is planned for next summer said Miami assistant attorney Robin Jackson at the Miami Finance Committee Wednesday.

Russell

CITY OF MIAMI BEACH

>>> Beach leaders go back to the drawing board after 800 bed hotel fails to get voter approval, key component to new convention center’s success

With the defeat of a referendum approving an 800 bed anchor hotel at the remodeled convention center officials are going back to the drawing board and are trying to put new language on the presidential election at the end of the year. And given the 60 percent threshold the new design will have to incorporate some of the critic’s complaints into the issue and while conventions are changing the big ones like the American Heart Association just get more demanding when some 18,000 to 30, 0000 people might be coming to the Beach from 100 countries.

>>> Mayor Philipp Levine and the commission are expediting work on flooding in parts of the tony Beach http://www.miamiherald.com/news/ and he is continuing his just get the job done regime and is dealing with hordes of Spring Breakers that are trashing the beaches and causing issues with the crowds and check out his exclusive interview with presidential candidate Hillary Clinton on Sirius

>>> Press release: Please enjoy my exclusive personal interview on Sirius with Secretary Hillary Clinton while she was in Miami Beach this week.

Click: An-intimate-conversation-with-Hillary-Clinton

CITY OF CORAL GABLES

>>>> Broward OIG report critical of Manager Swanson-Rivenbark and procurement practices, “Called gross mismanagement”

A critical Broward Office of the Inspector General report is out and it refers to the current Coral Gables Manager Cathy Swanson-Rivenbark when she was the City Manager of Hollywood and it is a great read and below is the short section that discusses what her role was and the link to the complete report is below.

ENTITIES AND INDIVIDUALS COVERED IN THIS REPORT Atrium Personnel, Inc., dba Transhire has been providing temporary staffing to local governments and businesses since 1984. It was awarded a contract by the Southeast Florida Governmental Purchasing Cooperative on October 16, 2007 to provide certain types of temporary services to the local governments that were party to the contract. The contract expired in October 2013. Cathy Swanson-Rivenbark Ms. Swanson-Rivenbark was the City Manager from June 2011 until December 2014 (initially as interim). 1 She had been working for the city since May 2009 as the Assistant City Manager. 1 Although she is no longer with the City of Hollywood, Ms. Swanson-Rivenbark was City Manager at all times relevant to the events in question and is referred to as City Manager throughout this report. OIG 14-027 March 2, 2016 Page 2 of 68 BROWARD OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL FINAL REPORT RE: MISCONDUCT AND GROSS MISMANAGEMENT BY THE CITY OF HOLLYWOOD IN THE PROCUREMENT OF TEMPORARY EMPLOYEE SERVICES Matthew Lalla Mr. Lalla has been the city’s Director of Financial Services (Finance Director) since July 2010. The Finance Director is responsible for the supervision of the city’s Procurement Services D.

http://www.broward.org/InspectorGeneral/Documents/20160302OIG14027FinalReport.pdf

COMMUNITY EVENTS

>>> Press release: The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County Presents -THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: SYMPHONY OF THE GODDESSES

MASTER QUEST Multimedia symphonic concert returns with new music and scenes from “Tri Force Heroes,” the latest The Legend of Zelda video game. The Legend of Zelda franchise celebrates its 30^th anniversary in 2016!

“An utterly flawless presentation!” – WIRED Part of the 2015-2016 Live at Knight Series

April 16, 2016 at 8 p.m. Tickets: $35-$125* VIP Package: $150*John S. and James L. Knight Concert Hall

MIAMI, FL January 15, 2016 – Now celebrating its 10^th Anniversary Season, the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County is proud to present the return of THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: SYMPHONY OF THE GODDESSES and its new highly-anticipated multimedia symphonic concert MASTER QUEST. This latest edition of The Legend of Zelda symphony will feature brand-new music and visuals from the new The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes video game released in October 2015. As part of the Center’s Live at Knight Series, MASTER QUEST will delight video game and orchestral music fans alike on April 16 in the John S. and James L. Knight Concert Hall.

Tickets to MASTER QUEST are on sale now and range from $35 to $125*. A VIP Package for $150* includes premium seating, meet and greet with executive producer Jason Michael Paul and principal conductor Amy Andersson, official tour VIP lanyard, limited edition poster and a VIP Fast Pass to the merchandise booth. Tickets may be purchased at the Adrienne Arsht Center box office by calling (305) 949-6722, or online at www.arshtcenter.org.

Making its South Florida premiere, MASTER QUEST is a never before seen or heard multimedia concert experience featuring a live 56-piece orchestra, 20-person choir and a larger-than-life video presentation of gameplay imagery. The concert also boasts live orchestral performances of theme music from Nintendo’s beloved The Legend of Zelda franchise – now celebrating its 30^th anniversary. Guests will enjoy their favorite game moments from the series, carefully and beautifully timed with a gorgeous orchestral score approved by Nintendo sound director and The Legend of Zelda composer Koji Kondo.

Those new to THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: SYMPHONY OF THE GODDESSES will also have the opportunity to experience the beautifully orchestrated four-movement symphonic work from last season which chronicles fan-favorite moments from the video game’s rich and storied history, carefully and expertly timed with videos. The concert is a festive experience for all fans, many of which attend in “cosplay” as their favorite characters.

For more information, please visit: www.zelda-symphony.com. Support for the Live at Knight Series is provided by Wells Fargo. *All programs, artists, ticket prices, availability, dates and times are subject to change without notice. Additional fees may apply. Visit www.arshtcenter.org for up-to-date information, details and performance.

Additional high-resolution photos are available at www.arshtcenter.org/press.

 

The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County is made possible by the public support of the Miami-Dade County Mayor and the Board of County Commissioners, the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Tourist Development Council and the City of Miami Omni Community Redevelopment Agency, as well as the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture. The Adrienne Arsht Center also receives generous support from individuals, corporations and local, state and national foundations. In its 10^th anniversary season, the Arsht Center thanks its institutional donors for their historic commitment to the performing arts and Greater Miami: Adrienne Arsht; Miami-Dade County; John S. and James L. Knight Foundation; Dr. Sanford L. and Dolores Ziff & Family; The Arison Family/Carnival Corporation; Knight Ridder Inc. and The Miami Herald/El Nuevo Herald; Sears Roebuck and Co.; Arthur F. and Alice E. Adams Foundation; Bank of America; Joyce and M. Anthony Burns; Audre and Donald Carlin, Hedy Carlin and B. Pair Carlin; The Cejas Family Foundation; Gilbert S. Kahn and John J. Noffo Kahn; Haskell Company; Miami Salon Group Inc.; Odebrecht; Peacock Foundation Inc.; Ryder Charitable Foundation; Terra Group; Wells Fargo and Lynn Wolfson.

 

About the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County

Set in the heart of downtown Miami and designed by world-renowned architect Cesar Pelli, the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County is one of the world’s leading performing arts organizations and venues. Since opening in 2006, the Arsht Center, a 501C3 non-profit organization, has emerged as a leader in presenting innovative programming that mirrors South Florida’s diversity as well as a catalyst for billions of dollars in new development in the downtown area. Spotlighting legends and serving as a launch pad for local artists to make their mark on the international stage, the Center presents nearly 500 events each year across its eight flexible, state-of-the-art performance spaces. The Center programs 12 signature series, including the largest jazz series in South Florida, the biggest flamenco festival on the East Coast, and a robust program of new theatrical works as well as free programming for the community and an arts education program that serves nearly 30,000 children each year. As Miami’s new Town Square, the Arsht Center also houses Brava! A fine dining restaurant; the Café at Books & Books in the historic Carnival Tower and a weekly Farmers Market. Visit www.arshtcenter.org for more information.

Toast Jack Daniel’s biggest fan: American icon, Frank Sinatra. Jack Daniel’s was as much a part of Sinatra as his tuxedo, his fedora and his golden voice. And much like Sinatra, this whiskey is one of a kind. Jack Daniel’s Distiller Chris Fletcher is flying all the way from Tennessee to present you with an exclusive whiskey tasting. Learn about Jack Daniel’s and how it became Sinatra’s signature cocktail. Taste Jack Daniel’s Black Label, Gentleman Jack, Single Barrel, and of course the new Sinatra Select. Hors d’oeuvres will be served. Ticket also grants admission to view the exhibition Sinatra: An American Icon currently displayed at the History Miami Museum. Space is limited and advanced reservations and payment is required. For more information call 305-375-1492. Members: $40 Non-Members $55

RSVP HERE

Taste of Little Haiti: Culture Walk Saturday, March 26, 2016 from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM Little Haiti Cultural Center, 212 Northeast 59th Terrace, Miami, FL 33137 Vin went no! Come join us! Taste your way through the heart of Little Haiti with a guided tour led by our History Miami guide. Savor conch fritters with pikliz, a spicy cabbage relish, freshly made Haitian pastries and the popular candy tablet pistach, the Haitian version of peanut brittle. Stop at Libreri Mapou bookstore and taste Kremas Mapou, a rum drink, while hearing stories about the Haitian diaspora experience in Miami.  Visit the Little Haiti Cultural Center’s art galleries, shop at the Caribbean Marketplace and enjoy the rhythm and aromas from this vibrant community. Reservations are highly recommended. Members: $40 Non-Members: $50

RSVP HERE

>>> History Miami is celebrating the 100^th Anniversary of iconic singer Frank Sinatra and for more go to www.historymiami.org  

EDITORIALS

>>> Elected officials and municipal employees getting free tickets that are not disclosed is still a problem with some 30,000 public employees, Ethics commission years ago found very few people get gifts since so few reported as required, state attorney KFR lists a host of tickets, many for charities, one even to Miami Heat game

The issue of elected leaders getting free bees and tickets to events has been a persistent problem over the years in South Florida and the Miami-Dade County Ethics and Public Trust Commission once did an analysis and report and found out of some 30, 0000 employees at the County and the 34 municipalities only a hand full of people listed these items on the required disclosure forms for any ticket over $100. And the commission could only conclude that people were not accepting these benefits and one of the main people when it came to these types of gift disclosers was Miami Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez-Rundle who extensively reported receiving a host of event tickets including one to a Miami Heat game and at least she reported them. But when it comes to the municipalities only sporadically are these gifts reported though many are on Miami Beach. But officials should realize how taking these perks send residents through the roof and is one of the reasons on a national scale voters are so angry with government and with elections coming around in the months ahead there was never a better time to play by the book and either wave off these gifts or pay the price at the polls. And voters are watching.

>>> Public institutions need to remember baby boomers not as nimble with technology as young folk’s small font a nightmare for some

There is not just a digital divide, but a widening technological gap as baby boomers get older and are expected to be more capable of their computer skills, despite having some medical issue like a stroke and public institutions are moving faster with this new technology leaving many people behind, who may or not have a smart phone that was first introduced Jan. 9^th 2007 by Steve Jobs and the Apple iPhone and while young people have no problem with all this technology that is likely not the case if you are in your sixties where reading small font requires a magnifying glass and public institutions as they rush to embrace this technology that they need to remember that for some people they may need some help navigating it and catching up to speed of this technological revolution.

>>> One of Watchdog Report’s main missions is to keep watch on all the host of Trust’s in Miami-Dade and these organizations 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 plagued the county back in the 1990’s and was a frequent topic in the media.

LETTERS

>>> Correction on Children’s Trust funding about $250,000 not the $5 million I reported my error

I’m pretty sure our investment in this project with the County is $750,000. The discussion probably got wrapped up in other facts and information about us. For example, this year we directly funded $6 million in youth enrichment programs with summer youth employment components. This was procured in 2015. Here is a link to what that that solicitation looked like and its outcome, including details of what orgs were funded and for what:

https://www.thechildrenstrust.org/uploads/images/providers/funding/FY14-15/2015-03/2015-03_RFP_Youth_Enrichment_Recommendations_052215.pdf

So, for The Children’s Trust, our contribution to the County initiative helps to leverage funding pledged by them to fund even more programs and augments our own investment in this arena further. It’s a win, win for everyone — especially inner city youth who need these opportunities most.

Emily Cardenas

Director of Communications

The Children’s Trust of Miami-Dade County

>>> A Reader on danger of yellow pole barriers on 195, and sign petition asking FDOT to modify polls https://www.change.org/p/florida-department-of-transportation-change-i95-plastic-poles-to-unable-movement-in-and-out-of-the-express-lanes

>>> 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

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.

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

>>> LIFETIME FOUNDING MEMBERS & INITIAL SPONSORS IN 2000

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

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ALFRED NOVAK

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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

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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, 2016, 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

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