Watchdog Report Vol.16 No. 48 April 17, 2016 EST.05.05.00 – I when you cannot – Celebrating 17 Years of Weekly publishing May 5th

>>> 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 almost 17 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 information 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 we have about $9 billion in GOB funds being spent through a variety of institutions and that is no small number 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. 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 you’re 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

>>> With Cuban & Haitian controversy in Miami & Miami Beach, ethnic tensions on the rise last seen at this level back in 2000 after Elian Gonzalez was extracted by federal authorities

Miami-Dade County is heating up along ethnic lines, last seen back in 2000. After the young Cuban boy Elian Gonzalez was extracted from his relative’s home in Little Havana by federal authorities and South Florida erupted. Currently we have the Haitian community feeling disrespected and filling the City of Miami commission chambers protesting the firing of Sandy Dorsainvil a city employee running the Haitian Cultural Center.

Further you have President Barack Obama going to Cuba where human rights and repression have only gotten worse and the local Exile Community is divided on the new relationship and protestors had some sharp exchanges at a Miami Beach commission meeting where the chambers were packed as well. And at both meetings, people shouting from the audience was the order of the day and both sides were rigid in their opinions that one side was wrong versus another opinion or in the case of the Miami Haitian employee fired where some information is not known but brought out sharp exchanges and a call for the Miami Manager’s Daniel J. Alphonso’s firing is reminiscent of the past and residents and clergy after Elian had a major community discussion on how to bring our diverse ethnic groups together and coexist. And that may need to be considered by the Miami-Dade County Community Relations Board founded in 1962. For with the national elections the community calm we have had since 2000 is getting choppy. >>>> Editor’s note: Since 2000 I have only tried to facilitate all of our diverse community getting along and it has been over a decade since I have had to write such a story as this. And if you live in Miami-Dade you are on a ship and we are in this together and on top of this is the constant killing of our youth on our streets. And WPLG channel 10 had a community conversation on the youth violence and to see the profound show go to http://www.local10.com/news/crime/overtown-town-hall-kicks-off-myfuturemychoice-campaign

Ros-Lehtinen and Sherman Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Urging Assistance to Kurdish Peshmerga in Fight against ISIS

Press release: U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa, and Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, introduced H.Res 682, which urges the State Department to provide necessary equipment and training to the Kurdish Peshmerga and assist the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in meeting the needs of refugees and displaced persons, and encourages the Peshmerga to continue protecting minorities who are fleeing to the Kurdistan Region from persecution in Iraq and Syria.

Statement by Ros-Lehtinen:

“The Kurdish Peshmerga have been an extremely effective fighting force against ISIS yet continue to be at a disadvantage because of their outdated weapons and low ammunition stocks. As ISIS continues to wreak havoc across Iraq and Syria, the State Department should be doing everything it can to ensure the Peshmerga have what they need. I urge State to provide the necessary equipment and training to the Peshmerga in the most expeditious manner possible while helping the KRG meet the needs of the hundreds of thousands of minorities, displaced persons, and refugees who are fleeing the brutality of ISIS.”

Statement by Sherman:

“Both the Assad Regime and the Islamic State are creating regional instability and need to be confronted effectively.  While the United States continues to focus on ISIS alone, the Kurdish Peshmerga have been front and center in confronting both these both evils, and we should support their efforts.  That is why we urge that the Peshmerga continue and expand their efforts to protect ethnic and religious minorities that have had to flee these conflicts and urge the President to order significantly increased military support.”

>>> Zogby press release: The GOP Has Dealt with Demagoguery before By: John Zogby Forbes.com Contributor

Like a lot of other folks I have spent the past few months saying that I have never heard of (let alone experienced) anything quite like the presidential campaign of 2016. Setting aside the powerful insurgency of a 74 year old socialist in the Democratic primaries, the “ain’t never been here before” reference is all about Donald Trump. Trump’s success has been attributed to a combination of his astutely channeling the deep anger of a suffering (mainly white) middle class, an incredible aptitude for showmanship combined with the sheer entertainment of breaking all the rules, a toady cable news media more in love with its enhanced ratings than doing its job responsibly, and the independence a man possesses when he doesn’t need anyone else’s money or love. It hasn’t hurt that the Republican Party is hurting by deep internal divisions that prevent it from presenting a united front against the larger than life Donald.

To date, we pundits comforted ourselves with the sense that things like this just cannot happen here. The voters, we have felt, are ultimately too smart to be fooled by demagoguery and, if not, there is the solid foundation of a political party establishment that can use its resources to step in and place a check on the will of its own voters. On the eve of the GOP primary in New York, the only question remaining is whether or not Mr. Trump wins more than 50% of the vote statewide and in its congressional districts to walk away with all of the state’s delegates. Please click on the link below to view the full release: http://zogbyanalytics.com/news/738-the-gop-has-dealt-with-demagoguery-before

OBITUARY

>>> Decorated Vietnam Veteran Bob Levy passes at 67, was a prince of a man supported a host of issues including the WDR since May 2000, he will be missed

Robert M. Levy, 67, passed last week after a long battle with Cancer and county Commissioners Tuesday had two moments of silence during a committee meeting when Bob passed and friends heard that his “email has gone silent,” and Commissioner Sally Heyman said Bob who founded Robert M. Levy & Associates Public & Government Relations, was “a good friend for us and Miami-Dade County and a champion for many causes and underdogs,” said Heyman from the dais. And Bob was a great friend of the Watchdog Report. And since 2000 he would send me monthly a $100.00 check and the decorated U.S. Army Vietnam veteran was a major advocate for veterans and he was awarded three Purple Hearts and a Silver Star for his combat service in Vietnam. And his office in Tallahassee, where he worked as a lobbyist was filled with mementoes of his decades at the capital.

And he created Dade Days at the capital now in its 28^th year and included a giant Payaya.And Bob ran a host of judicial campaigns and lobbied for a number of municipalities and while a progressive he politically was hard to pin down. Further since I first began Bob would email my WDR every Sunday night to all the people on his distribution list and his blast helped get me established in the early days and that was most appreciated, and I and many others will miss him as a friend. Rest in Peace Bob, you made your mark in so many ways. And I will run when his Celebration of Life is being held and here is the Herald story on Bob

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article71441502.html

Levy in an email photo I got concerning his passing

FLORIDA

>>> Enterprise Florida’s Johnson’s sayonara package of $132,500, but no resignation letter going to Korea and Taiwan, one last trade trip for controversial man’s life style

Bill Johnson the former director of Enterprise Florida is leaving the office with a smile on his face after getting a $132,500 severance package and added to his county pension of $14,254 for his three decades of county service the man is well set. Johnson, who at public events would periodically carp that he could make much more in the private sector, and he was a county trouble shooter for years and he still is getting to travel with a trade trip to Korea and Taiwan trying to drum up business for Florida in his role as commerce secretary http://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/article71918437.html

And here is a story on Johnson’s high living in the job that may have created a problem with Gov. Rick Scott: http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/enterprise-floridas-high-living-liability-bill-johnson

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY

>>> With county population expansion 10 new early voting sites gets $12.2 million up from 20 for three upcoming elections done with temp employees, will save $1 million says election staff

For the upcoming elections the county is expanding the number of early voting sites from 20 to 30 and there will be two weeks of early voting to reduce the long lines that have become a tradition with big national elections in South Florida and while hiring temporary poll workers through a agency may save the county an estimated $1 million said an elections staffer at a commission committee meeting. It is requiring $12.2 million in already allocated funds to make this transition to temporary staff for the three upcoming elections

What was the most expensive Miami-Dade election?

Back in 2002 and a botched primary in August the county in November spent over $12 million to hold the General Election done and run by then county police Director Carlos Alvarez who was given the assignment to run the national election and by using police officers the cost of having the general Election back then that included the gubernatorial race was one of the most expensive county elections in the nation but after the botched 2000 presidential election the embarrassment and a harsh IG report made elections a priority here in Miami-Dade that involved the hanging chads and the recount of the Gore vs Bush election at county hall on the 19^th floor.

What about the mayor race?

Mayor Carlos Gimenez needs to be careful that he does not raise too much money for his reelection campaign because voters this election cycle are very squirrelly and a large campaign coffer gives the impression the candidate has been bought and GOP candidate Jeb Bush raised over $100 million and got very little in return and democratic Party candidates Hillary Clinton, may find that as well, plus her $200,000 speaking fees with Wall Street investment firms and Sen. Bernie Sanders is raising thousands of small donations and part of the appeal of Donald Trump is self-financing and the theory is he can’t be bought.

And Gimenez also has to deal with the massive Liberty Square project where he is getting blow back by County Commissioner Audrey Edmonson and others in the African American community. And Gimenez sometimes has a political tin ear and there is potential discussion about going back to an executive manager form of government and asking voters if they want to rescind the strong mayor form of government.

What about the ethics commission?

M-DC Ethics and Public Trust Commission: Ethics Commission calls for restrictions on public employee’s job hunting with contractors

Press release summary: The Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics and Public Trust (COE) today approved a proposed amendment to the Conflict of Interest and Code of Ethics Ordinance that would prohibit County and municipal employees who perform contract-related duties from seeking jobs with those outside vendors, while employed by the local government.  Currently, the only limit on such a “revolving-door” is the so-called two-year rule, which prohibits former public employees from lobbying their prior departments on behalf of their new company for two years after leaving public service or from disclosing confidential information, which is difficult to prove.

“There is nothing in the Ethics Code that prevents County or municipal employees involved in the oversight or administration of outside contracts from the disturbing and conflicting behavior of negotiating a new position with the vendor,” COE Executive Director Joseph Centorino told Ethics Commissioners.  “We have conducted investigations based on complaints of such personnel moves.  At the very least it creates a huge appearance of impropriety,” he said.

If approved by the Board of County Commissioners, the new rule would expressly prohibit department personnel from soliciting, accepting or negotiating a job with a private vendor for themselves or others, and would require them to immediately report any job offer to the department director.  The proposal would also prohibit any government contractor or bidder from offering or suggesting an offer of a position to any public employee involved in contract work — or to an immediate family member — while the outside company has a current or prospective interest in a government contract.  The rule would be included in all County and municipal contracts and subcontracts.  Violations could result in revocation of the contract and other penalties.  The proposal will require a County Commission sponsor and would have to be passed by the full County Commission to go into effect.

In other action today, the Ethics Commission found No Probable Cause to a complaint (C 16-03) filed against South Miami officials for violating that city’s ethics ordinance prohibiting influence over a city board.  Yvonne Beckman accused Mayor Philip Stoddard and Commissioner Robert Welsh of coercing members of the South Miami Green Task Force (GTF) to support a plan to redevelop South Miami City Hall.  An investigation found that the elected officials did attend several GTF meetings in late 2014 and early 2015 and that the mayor did speak in favor of selling the existing city hall. Mayor Stoddard contended that the South Miami ethics code prohibits attempts to influence city boards and that the GTF is not a board.  He told Ethics Commissioners today that he is drafting legislation to clarify the intent of the decades-old ordinance and remove the ambiguity regarding the regulations associated with a “board,” “committee” or “task force.”

The COE also found No Probable Cause to a complaint (C 16-04) filed against Miami-Dade Transit officials by a Metrorail driver who claimed he was fired in retaliation for being a whistleblower, in reporting dangerous activity.  The investigation determined that the driver was disciplined for not following transit policy of making specific announcements at each train stop (the alleged safety issue), and later terminated due to insubordination and for conduct unbecoming a County employee.  The complaint was dismissed.

No Probable Cause was found to a complaint (C 16-06) filed against the Miami-Dade County Public Housing and Community Department’s Public Information Officer, who was accused of failing to abide by the Public Records access requirement in the County’s Citizens’ Bill of Rights.  A resident in County housing filed the complaint, but the investigation found that the PIO had properly responded to two of his requests and misunderstood the nature of the third.  Once clarified, that request was fulfilled and the complaint was dismissed.

A Miami-Dade Police Sergeant who owns an apartment complex was accused of improperly using his position in the Special Investigation Division to evict a tenant.  However, the investigation found that the officer followed due process for eviction and No Probable Cause was found to the complaint (C 16-07).  A different complaint (C 16-10) filed against two MDPD majors that alleged racial discrimination and other personal issues outside of the jurisdiction of the Ethics Commission was found Not Legally Sufficient and dismissed. The Ethics Commission was created in 1996 as an independent agency with advisory and quasi-judicial powers. It is composed of five members, serving staggered terms of four years each. Through a program of education, outreach and enforcement, the Commission seeks to empower the community and bolster public trust.   

>>>> MIA director Gonzalez says airport ready to take off, over 100 carriers, east west the new frontier, routes to Turkey and Dubai

Emilio Gonzalez, the director of MIA was the featured speaker at the Greater Miami Chamber’s monthly luncheon and he is in charge of the state’s largest economic engine, Miami International Airport. And at a recent omission meeting Commissioner Dennis Moss was critical of the man for being slow to give a couple of minority business slots to open restaurants at MIA. And Gonzalez who operates the most “regulated county department,” told the Watchdog Report when I asked him about the exchange that Moss has his own agenda and I have mine,” which is to generate the money necessary to pay off the airports $6.5 billion in bonds used to pay for the massive expansion of north and south terminals at MIA and the payments are close to $1 million per day. Gonzalez accepted the pressure cooker job after Jose Abreu retired after the expansion was finished and a new Central Terminal is the next big project and there are over 100 carriers flying out of MIA and while most flights are north and south there is also a push for carriers going east and west including Dubai and China and one of the challenges is to be able to absorb these new flights and “not to be constrained,” for carriers will go elsewhere given the investment and the man is a former U.S. Army officer who retired with the rank of colonel and he has a Ph.D. in international affairs from the University of Miami. He noted MIA accounts for 282,000 jobs he has a “new best friend, in Gov. Rick Scott,” he joked since Scott is known as the jobs governor

MIA 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

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.

>>> And here is what Lester Sola the director of Water and Sewer wrote regarding the matter of the torn up streets, “In response to your recent statement in The Watch Dog Report, I wanted to clarify the process that Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department (WASD) undertakes in relation to paving roadways following construction projects. It is the policy of the department to leave an area better than they found it and to ensure the public’s safety and convenience.

Currently, WASD also works with municipalities, local and state utilities/entities that also conduct roadwork to attempt to schedule projects simultaneously in order to minimize repeated cuts and repairs to roadways, as well as to mitigate traffic impacts.

For emergency repairs following an event such as a water main or sewer line break, WASD performs a temporary road repair will allow the roadway to be reopened to traffic. The department then submits a paving request to Miami-Dade County’s Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW) for final restoration that is then completed in accordance to Public Work standards.

I hope this information is useful to both you and your readership and whether this would be something that you would be inclined to update on your site for your audience. If you have any questions, please contact me,” wrote director Sola last week.

GMCVB press release: During the month of February 2016, domestic passenger arrivals into Miami International Airport (MIA) increased by 6.8% compared to 2015. International passenger arrivals increased by 1.1% while total passenger arrivals increased 4.1% percent compared to the same time last year.

Record MIA Passenger Arrivals
Record Domestic Arrivals
February 2016	February 2015	% Change vs. 2015
949,469	889,119	+6.8%
Record International Arrivals
February 2016	February 2015	% Change vs. 2015
818,899	810,902	+1.1%
Record Total Arrivals
February 2016	February 2015	% Change vs. 2015
1,769,368	1,700,021	+4.1%

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

>>>> Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, part of Miami Children’s Health System, has partnered with Miami-Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS) in a pilot program that provides telehealth consultations to support assessment of children who exhibit health issues while at school.

Ron Fraser told the school board Wednesday that the District’s minority contracting policy for projects paid for by the $1.2 billion GOB passed back in 2012 was fair and Fraser has been a critic of many contracts being let out and he is an architect and fixture on various bond boards including the $830 million Jackson Health System bond oversight board and he often speaks at public meetings on small and minority companies winning contracts an benefiting from the bond.

M-DCPS, The Children’s Trust, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Launch Pilot Program to Provide Telehealth Consults to Students

Johanna Perez, a Nicklaus Children’s nurse based at W.R. Thomas Middle School, provides a demonstration of consultation using telehealth technology

Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, part of Miami Children’s Health System, has partnered with Miami-Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS) in a pilot program that provides telehealth consultations to support assessment of children who exhibit health issues while at school.

Press release: The pilot program, offered at four M-DCPS schools, connects school-based nurses and their patients with advanced care providers at Nicklaus Children’s using a secure audiovisual connection. Using audio visual tools, the hospital-based providers are able to assess certain conditions of the skin, ears, eyes, throat and lungs to help determine if the child is well enough to stay in school. When appropriate, a prescription can be submitted to the pharmacy of choice, supporting families in obtaining treatment at the earliest opportunity.

“Innovative, cutting-edge technology is essential not only to classroom instruction, but is also fundamental to the health and well-being of our children,” said Superintendent of Schools Alberto M. Carvalho. “Our partnership with Nicklaus Children’s Hospital to provide students with telehealth consults will enhance their health care and give them access to hospital-based medical professionals who can provide immediate health assessments.”

Nancy Humbert, Executive Vice President of Ambulatory Services and External Affiliations for Miami Children’s Health System, Dr. Narendra M. Kini, CEO of Miami Children’s Health System, Alberto M. Carvalho, Superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Schools

“We are delighted to partner with Miami-Dade County Public Schools to utilize our advanced telemedicine program to increase access to care for students in Miami-Dade County. This pilot program is part of our ongoing vision to bring quality healthcare to children wherever they are, whenever they need it, and we hope to continue our relationship with the school system,” said Narendra Kini, CEO of Miami Children’s Health System.

This program is an enhancement to the clinical services provided at the schools through the School Health Program, which provides comprehensive health services and improves health outcomes at high-risk schools through a partnership between Nicklaus Children’s Hospital and The Children’s Trust. There is no cost to the families who participate.

The schools participating in the pilot program are: W.R Thomas Middle School, Southwest Miami Senior High School, Richmond Heights Middle School, and Airbase K-8 Center for International Education. For more information on this program and to enroll in the pilot, parents should contact their school nurse. More information is also available at www.nicklauschildrens.org/schooltelehealth.

About Nicklaus Children’s Hospital: Founded in 1950 by Variety Clubs International, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital – part of Miami Children’s Health System – is South Florida’s only licensed specialty hospital exclusively for children, with more than 740 attending physicians and over 220 pediatric subspecialists. The 289-bed hospital is renowned for excellence in all aspects of pediatric medicine with several specialty programs ranked among the best in the nation in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015-16 by U.S. News & World Report. The hospital is also home to the largest pediatric teaching program in the southeastern United States and has been designated an American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet facility, the nursing profession’s most prestigious institutional honor. For more information, please visit www.nicklauschildrens.org.

About Miami-Dade County Public Schools: Miami-Dade County Public Schools is America’s fourth-largest school system. With a diverse enrollment of over 350,000 students from over 100 countries, M-DCPS offers innovative educational programs at its more than 460 schools, including elementary, K-8 centers, middle, senior high schools and alternative, specialized and vocational centers. Students and their families have an active voice in choosing learning opportunities that foster academic excellence, school-to-career pathways and real-world learning.

About The Children’s Trust: 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 futures. The Trust is guided by principles and values that include targeting early intervention and prevention services to our most vulnerable children, families and neighborhoods, while advocating for and supporting the increased availability of needed services for all children and their families. Additional information about The Children’s Trust can be found at www.thechildrenstrust.org.

>>> Miami-Dade County School Board Awarded For Excellence in Financial Reporting

District press release: The Miami-Dade County School Board has been awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the U.S and Canada (GFOA) for its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the 2015 fiscal year. The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management. This is the 31st consecutive year that the District has received this prestigious award. The CAFR is judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program including demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the CAFR. A nonprofit organization, GFOA serves approximately 17,500 government finance professionals with offices in Chicago and Washington, D.C.

PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST

>>> PAST WDR: PHT Trustee Patino withdraws his application at last minute, five remain Dotson major lobbyist, cop Javier Ortiz has his own controversies, and how will commissioners vote?

A new efficiency expert hired by JHS has streamlined getting approvals for projects from months to just a few days, partially because in the old days there was no money for projects and thus no pressure to get projects approved in the highly beau acratic organization. And this new spirit is being demonstrated in the numerous projects being paid by the $830 million GOB passed by voters in 2012 and is funding a host of new projects including a new rehabilitation building badly needed. And an early flow chart was some 15 feet long and that has been shrunk considerable the man said.

>>>> Trustee Patino withdraws his application at last minute, five remain Dotson major lobbyist, cop Javier Ortiz has his own controversies, and how will commissioners vote?

Who are the finalists as new PHT trustees, high profile community service conflicts verboten, comes with media, IG and ethics and public trust commission. “Please see the revised list as Ralph Patino withdrew his application this morning. William Joseph, Heffernan, Dr. Irene Lipof, Albert Eugene Dotson, Esq., Robert Zarco, Javier Ortiz,” wrote Paulette M. Acevedo Assistant to the Deputy Mayor, Miami-Dade County Office of the Mayor, after the WDR did a public records request late week.

And the board is chaired by Joe Arriola whose son Rickey is a Miami Beach commissioner and was featured in a story on www.newtropic.com/mismi-leaders-havana on Obama’s trip to Cuba.

CITY OF MIAMI

>>> Manger Alfonso dodges political near death experience when angry Haitian residents demand he be fired after termination of Haitian cultural center director Dorsainvil

Miami Manger Daniel J. Alfonso found Thursday’s commission meeting took on some serious drama after he terminated the director of the Haitian cultural museum. Sandy Dorsainvil who is Haitian and the close Haitian community and its leaders came in mass to Miami city hall Thursday to protest her termination and they wanted her reinstated but Alfonso was adamant she would not come back and then Commission Chair Keon Hardeman said he was going to hire her for his office but the manager would not divulge what a city audit found out re the organization and had commission chair Hardeman calling for the manager to be terminated. And over the years the city has had a mixed record with some of its managers and residents see the difference by the services they receive in their neighbor hoods.

But Mayor Tomas Regalado said if the commission voted to fire him he would veto the matter and commissioners would need five votes to sustain it on the five member body and had caught commissioners and the public by surprise. And Alfonso a former County finance professional is a professional manager who was being criticized for not giving commissioners more of a heads up on some controversial matters and when the motion was withdrawn people are wondering what is next. Since Miami once had six managers over a decade. Further under his watch Miami finally reached its target level of reserves called for in the city Charter and is in great fiscal shape but with this political upheaval residents should expect the bond rating companies to weigh their assessment of the Miami bonds. And while some might suggest the mangers people skills could be better. The Watchdog Report believes something in a city audit must have prompted this firing for the manager has a good temperament and has hired some talented people to keep Miami in good fiscal health.

>>> Walker tapped as CEO of Omni CRA, good choice by Miami commission and Russell, started work Monday

Jason Walker the new Omni CRA Director approved by the Miami commission recently is a great choice and the former El Portal manager has the experience needed to get the job done and he was once a District 2 candidate back in 1997 when Miami Commissioner Johnny Winton beat long serving commissioner J.L. Plummer 29 years in office. And Walker was a Winton staffer and has the temperament to get the job done and I wish him good luck in this new capacity.

>>> Omni CRA Dir Bockweg out the door reluctantly, was only following board policy, Claims “not a political position,” but became very political under Sarnoff

The past Omni CRA director Peter Bockweg was terminated Thursday after he made a desperate plea to retain his job during the Miami Commission meeting arguing he was only following the orders of the board members and his leaving was wrong since it was ‘not a political position,” he told commissioners who unanimously gave him the boot after he agreed to not sue the city that has one t will firing having the employee seeing the city for millions said Miami Commissioner Francis Suarez. However, Bockweg arguing about the politics of the position was almost funny after then Miami Commissioner Marc Sarnoff had his predecessor James Vilacorta fired and subsequently replace by Sarnoff with Bockweg and the man was very compliant to the commissioners wishes and prior to the CRA meeting Bockeg was outside of city Hall chain-smoking before the expected vote where he was relieved of his position.

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article67624957.html

>>> 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

Russell this past Thursday briefly was the commission chair during the tense exchanges with Haitian residents who packed Miami City Hall and he did a great job keeping everyone in order and deescalating the situation and joked at the end of the tense meeting they would break for lunch and “get a drink,” which he did not do but it was a baptism of fire and he did a good job.

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

Russell

>>> Avid biker Zyscovich meets with Russell staff to explain “plan Z,” and the creation of protected bike lanes after riders killed on Rickenbacker Causeway

Miami architect Bernard Zyscovich an avid biker met with Russell’s staff Thursday to discuss his Plan Z to create protected bike lanes after numerous cyclists were killed going over the Rickenbacker Causeway and

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article7965759.html And Zyscovich is connected and his firm has done extensive work for the public schools district and once gave a major presentation on what the District could develop on the land it owns in downtown Miami and at the time I was shocked how he was pitching development ideas at the time years ago, and he is frequently seen riding his bike in the Grove.

CITY OF MIAMI BEACH

>>> Cuban consulate debate gets heated, passions run high, as Carnival Cruise denies taking Cuban Americans to homeland

The debate, on whether to support a Cuban consulate in Miami Beach has set off a host of passions not seen since 2000 when Elian Gonzalez had Miami transfixed and there was one sharp exchange between Joe Arriolia and Commissioner Michael Grieco. And President Barak Obama’s initiative to restore relations with the Castro Regime has set Cuban Exiles off. Since less repression of citizens has not occurred and President Obama has argued that after 50 years another foreign policy must be tried but when it comes to human rights no real change has occurred. And since the visit it even appears that Carnival Cruise lines is under the thumb of the regime and Cubans are unable to go to Cuba under the communist country’s laws and this discrimination also coincides with one Cuban Exile dissident becoming persona no-grata and Chanel 10 identifies Joe as a Beach commissioner, but it is his son Rickey who is on the dais not the father who is chair of the PHT board and to watch some of the exchanges go to. http://www.local10.com/news/cuba/miami-beach-commissioners-say-no-to-cuban-consulate-in-city-unless-change-in-regime and the matter was deferred. And federal authorities have deemed exile activist Saul Sanchez persona non grata and he is fighting the matter with his attorney’s but is part of the discussion

And the Watchdog Report contacted Miami-Dade mayor Carlos Gimenez’s office asking his opinion on a consulate and his press person Michael Hernandez responded “The decision to open a Consulate in Miami-Dade County will be made by the U.S. and Cuban governments. Should the two governments decide that the City of Miami Beach, another municipality or an unincorporated area within Miami-Dade County is where the Consulate should be located, Mayor Gimenez and his administration will work with all parties just as it does with the 50 other consulates currently located within the County, “responded Hernandez.

Press release: Miami Beach Signs Amicus Brief Backing Clean Power Plan– In Support of Federal Efforts to Curb Pollution –

Miami Beach, FL:  The City of Miami Beach has announced their support of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Power Plan, a critical measure that will protect the safety and economic security of local communities across the United States facing the rising impacts of climate change. The city joined the amicus curiae (“friend of the court”) brief drafted and filed in federal court by Columbia Law School’s Sabin Center of Climate Change Law on behalf of local governments across the country in support of this EPA plan.

“In Miami Beach, we are on the front lines of climate change and taking aggressive action with the raising of roads, installation of storm water pumps and elevation of seawalls,” said Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine. “Part of our commitment to building a sustainable future is supporting the Clean Power Plan, which is a key element to reducing greenhouse emissions, driving innovation and advancing new energy solutions.”

The Clean Power Rule will impose — for the first time — reductions in greenhouse gas emissions by existing power plants. Signing the amicus brief reinforces Miami Beach’s belief that the Clean Power Plan is a necessary legal step towards addressing the extraordinary threat posed by climate change.

Without the Clean Power Plan, cities across the United States will be left without a path forward towards real carbon reductions and will face missed opportunities for local economic growth.

“Under this framework, a growing green sector will mean more jobs for Miami Beach constituents and more affordable energy for local businesses and homes,” said Miami Beach Environment & Sustainability Director Elizabeth Wheaton. “As we continue to better our city by accelerating cleaner solutions, we hope the federal government will be able to do the same for our generation and those to come.”

>>>> Mayor Levine and Commissioner Arriola make pitch for Cuba to have a consulate on Beach, after Miami demurs, new tropic does a inside the Cuba trip story, Hispanic Affairs Committee to weigh in on hot button matter and make recommendation to commission

Mayor Philip Levine and Commissioner Rickey Arriola joined president Obama on his trip to Cuba and the politicians were trying to sell the idea that the Island nation put a new consulate in Miami Beach since Miami officials did not want it citing security concerns and past issues with the Venezuelan consulate Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado has told me in the past and Regalado, a former Pedro Pan has been adamant he would never go back to Cuba until the Castro brothers were dead and Levine and Joe Arriola took advantage of this split and while competing with Tampa, since South Florida has the highest concentration of Cubans and Miami Beach is a logical choice but it is generating controversy.

Check out Mayor Levine’s trip to Cuba with Commissioner Rickey Arriola.

New Tropic.com did a major story on Mayor Phillip Levine’s trip with President Obama and included Commissioner Rickey Arriola https://thenewtropic.com/miami-leaders-havana/ and his father Joe Arriola, is the chair of the PHT board.

>>> 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 OPA-LOCKA

>>> City Atty. Brown in the spotlight for emailing names of employees, used to chair County Review Committee

Opa Locka City attorney Vincent Brown is in the media for accidently emailing all city employees the names that will be called before the federal grand jury to testify what they know about any corruption and unusual contracts being let by city leaders and the Watchdog Report first got to know Brown when he chaired the Miami-Dade County Review Committee that approved large contract change orders at MIA and at one meeting. A one page paragraph explained why three change orders totaling some $800 million were passed in less than 30 seconds with no comments.

However, Brown says it was an ‘accident’ emailing the names of city employees that will be called before the federal grand jury to testify what they know about any corruption and unusual contracts being let by city leaders

And the Watchdog Report first got to know Brown when he chaired the Miami-Dade County Review Committee that approved large contract change orders at MIA and at one meeting a one page paragraph explained why three change orders totaling some $800 million were passed in less than 30 seconds and no discussion and I could not believe it at the time. And since then he has been seen on a billboard commercial for apartments in North Dade and the attorney was involved with the County’s Metro-Miami Action Plan Trust (MMAP), an organization formed after the Arthur McDuffie riots and he has a host of honors but it is surprising he sent out the email blast out ‘accidently’ he told the Miami Herald but given his education and experience it is odd.
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.

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

EDITORIALS

>>> Will anyone be punished for Frost Museum “quagmire,” Moss used to say you have to kill someone to get fired from county?

Note to Miami-Dade county commissioners, trust but verify. After the Frost Science Museum discussion and passing a $45 million supplement using CDT funds and is originally for convention development and not for administration costs said Commissioner Juan C. Zapata last week at Tuesday’s Frost museum discussion in the commission chambers. That the WDR first saw coming a couple of years back when I observed the mindset of the CEO Jillian Thomas.

First when she came before the commission and demanded the body put a bond for the new museum on the ballet and $175 million was later included in a 2004 $2.9 billion countywide bond along with the Perez Art Museum (PAM). But it was at internal budget meetings called resource allocation meetings where she showed an entitled attitude and even Commissioner Sally Heyman gave her a shoot-out for her strong leadership in promoting science in Miami-Dade. But Heyman is wrong if that science leadership is enough to forgive what a “quagmire” the project had become and the need for this new money through a “creative,” way of financing Mayor Carlos Gimenez came up with using future money already pledged for maintenance of the state of the Art facility where certain features are being scaled back to rein in the cost and to listen to county commissioners, The public asks why was it hidden for so long and sprung as a surprise and with 75 percent completed the next 25 percent is going to be the really hard part and the commission will be getting reports but will this be the end to something?

That Gimenez once said was not “a county project,” an answer that could haunt him running up to his reelection in August and the Phillip and Patricia Frost will be a visible reminder of his administration’s competence and oversight and commissioners should be less armchair quarterback’s and more proactive if taxpayers are going to have confidence as major projects are going on at JHS, the public schools and a host of other locations.

>>>> When it comes to PACs, politicians demur increasing transparency of shadowy groups and funding, usual attack ads says Suarez

The fact that only two Miami-Dade County Commissioners attended a commission workshop where enhancing transparency legislation was discussed seeking more transparency (Daniela Levine Cava sponsored the legislation and in her own race was attacked by some shadowy ECO) (Commissioner in where money is coming from and most of these ECOs do attack ads,” said Commissioner Xavier Suarez and had been a target of such ads and while a campaign expert spoke and the County’s Ethics and Public Trust Commission Director Joe Centorino also spoke of the need of transparency and he believes is one of the reasons the public has lost confidence in their elected leaders. And while commissioners may have had conflicts. The item should come back and get a thorough vetting and discussion. For ignoring the reforms will not help the commission when it comes to public trust and the lack of participation suggests commissioners don’t even care what the public thinks. And here is the Miami Herald’s take on the matter http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/article68914782.html

>>> 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.

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

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

>>> LIFETIME FOUNDING MEMBERS & INITIAL SPONSORS IN 2000

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

HUGH CULVERHOUSE, Jr

FLORIDA POWER & LIGHT www.fpl.com .

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

ARTHUR HERTZ

WILLIAM HUGGETT, Seamen Attorney (Deceased)

ALFRED NOVAK

LINDA E. RICKER (Deceased)

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

THE HONORABLE STANLEY G. TATE

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

Mr. NORMAN BRAMAN http://www.bramanmotorcars.com/dealership/normanbraman.htm

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 to $5,000 a year

COLSON HICKS EIDSON, PA www.colson.com

BERKOWITZ POLLACK BRANT Advisors and Accountants www.bpbcpa.com

JEFFREY L. BERKOWITZ TRUST

RON BOOK

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

WILLIAM PALMER www.shutts.com

Rbb PUBLIC RELATIONS www.rbbpr.com

ROYAL MEDIA PARTNERS www.royalmp.com

SHUBIN & BASS www.shubinbass.com

WILLIAMSOM AUTOMOTIVE GROUP http://williamsonautomotivegroup.com/

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

CAMILLUS HOUSE, INC. www.camillushouse.org

CITY OF MIAMI www.miamigov.com.

CITY OF CORAL GABLES www.coralgables.com

CITY OF MIAMI BEACH www.miamibeachfl.gov

CHAPMAN PARTNERSHIP FOR HOMELESS www.chapmanpartnership.org

FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY www.fiu.edu

THE STATE OF FLORIDA www.myflorida.gov

GREATER MIAMI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE www.miamichamber.com

GREATER MIAMI CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU www.miamiandbeaches.com

HEALTH FOUNDATION OF SOUTH FLORIDA www.hfsf.org

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COMMISSION www.miamidade.gov

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

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY ETHICS & PUBLIC TRUST COMMISSION

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

MIAMI-DADE COLLEGE www.mdc.edu

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

MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC SCHOOLS BOARD www.dadeschools.net

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

MIAMI DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY www.miamidda.com

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

THE BEACON COUNCIL www.beaconcouncil.com

THE CHILDREN’S TRUST www.thechildrenstrust.org

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

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

THE MIAMI FOUNDATION www.miamifoundation.org

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

UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI www.miami.edu

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

CAMILLUS HOUSE, INC. www.camillushouse.org

CITY OF MIAMI www.miamigov.com.

CITY OF CORAL GABLES www.coralgables.com

CITY OF MIAMI BEACH www.miamibeachfl.gov

CHAPMAN PARTNERSHIP FOR HOMELESS www.chapmanpartnership.org

FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY www.fiu.edu

THE STATE OF FLORIDA www.myflorida.gov

GREATER MIAMI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE www.miamichamber.com

GREATER MIAMI CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU www.miamiandbeaches.com

HEALTH FOUNDATION OF SOUTH FLORIDA www.hfsf.org

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COMMISSION www.miamidade.gov

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

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

MIAMI-DADE COLLEGE www.mdc.edu

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

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

MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC SCHOOLS BOARD www.dadeschools.net

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

MIAMI DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY www.miamidda.com

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

THE BEACON COUNCIL www.beaconcouncil.com

THE CHILDREN’S TRUST www.thechildrenstrust.org

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

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

THE MIAMI FOUNDATION www.miamifoundation.org

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

UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI www.miami.edu

>>> Publisher’s Statement on the mission of the Watchdog Report and the special people and organizations that make it possible:  Government Subscribers/Corporate Subscribers/Sustaining Sponsors/Supporting Sponsors the Watchdog Report covers a few of the meetings attended weekly. It remains my belief that an informed public will make better decisions. Therefore, I go to meetings, make the presence of an informed citizen known, and bring the information to you.   The Watchdog Report is in the fourth year of publication and it has been an honor to be able to send this information to you. It is sent to readers in Miami-Dade, Florida, the U.S. and the world. The Watchdog Report is sent to thousands free and while readers have been prodded to subscribe the results have been mixed. Over 250 reports and Extras have been sent since May 5, 2000 and over one million words have been written on our community’s governments and events.  The report is an original work based on information gathered at public meetings, interviews and from documents in the public domain. I welcome letters via e-mail. Letters may be edited for length or clarity and must refer to material published in the Watchdog Report.  Please see address and contact information. Please send any additions and corrections by e-mail, fax or snail mail. All corrections will be published in the next Watchdog Report. If you or your organization would like to publish the contents of this newsletter, please contact me. Please send your request to watchdogreport1@earthlink.net

Daniel A. Ricker

Publisher & Editor

Watchdog Report

Est. 05.05.00

Copyright © of original material, 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

>>> 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 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   OR TO USE PayPal go to www.watchdogreport.net