Watchdog Report Vol. 17 No. 4 May 29, 2016 EST 05.05.00 – I go when you cannot – Celebrating 16 Years of regular 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 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, you know you want to do it 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 financially 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

>>>May you and your family have a safe and reflective Memorial Day Tuesday remembering the sacrifices so many of our brave men and women have made in blood and treasure to keep our nation free and the beacon to the rest of the world and this Great Experiment of Democracy and a Republic.

And the Watchdog Report is doing a once in 17 years fundraising drive campaign for after sixteen years of doing this. I am reminded of the refrain said by a nun, that if there was “no margin [there is] no mission,” and that applies to the WDR where since 1997. I have used my own money some $200,000 to finance this and that money is depleted and I ask my friends and readers to pitch in to help continue to keep this independent news service out in the community after so many years. And I won’t be able to come back until my financial life stabilizes and has put me under major pressure and stress. Which I wish was otherwise but that’s the fact.

And the credibility I have established over that time of news you can trust without an attitude. And to help me in this quest to keep the community informed can easily be done since I know have PayPal at www.watchdogreport.net and it accepts a host of credit cards and I hope you will consider supporting me allowing to have someone watch over how your public tax dollars are being spent. And few web blogs have the duration and community history as I have given in this effort and has people saying “you were blogging before we even knew what it was,” And I hope I get a decent response so I can get back to what I do best ‘go when you cannot,’ and the Watchdog Report will only return when my fiscal health is in better shape and to any of my past contributors. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

>>> May 5^th was my 17^th Anniversary, and I thank all my supporters and can’t believe it has been that long and hope you will help keep me in the field and reporting back how your tax dollars are being spent.

ARGUS REPORT – Heard, Seen on the street

>>> President Obama goes to Hiroshima, wants world to reflect on horror of nuclear age

With President Barack Obama going to Hiroshima and making a plea for the elimination of nuclear weapons he is closing a chapter in America’s history that some suggested had racial undertones since the bomb was not used on Germany, but was not tested before Germany surrendered and with casualties rising as the allies got closer to Japan’s home Island Honshu their troops were fanatical and fighting to the last man.

And the history of the war is taught different in Japan versus the U.S. and in Japan there is little mention of the country’s brutal invasion of China and Manchuria that killed millions in brutal subjugation leading to the infamous Rape of Nanjing where bullet holes are seen in a variety of locations in the ancient city.

And I was in Hiroshima in Aug. 1981 when I got a phone call telling me my father Arthur J. Ricker, M.D., had died, at 65, suddenly after being stung in his extensive garden by aggressive Africanized bees, had an allergic reaction and passed.

>>> White House press release: I wanted to make sure you saw the President’s remarks today during a wreath laying ceremony at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial in Hiroshima, Japan.

President Obama reminded us that “[w]we’re not bound by genetic code to repeat the mistakes of the past. We can learn. We can choose. We can tell our children a different story, one that describes a common humanity, one that makes war less likely and cruelty less easily accepted…Those who died, they are like us. Ordinary people understand this, I think. They do not want more war. They would rather that the wonders of science be focused on improving life, not eliminating it.” And he urged us to create “a future in which Hiroshima and Nagasaki are known not as the dawn of atomic warfare, but as the start of our own moral awakening.”

Julie Rodriguez Special Assistant to the President and Senior Deputy Director

The White House | Office of Public Engagement

What about the presidential race?

With GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump the assured candidate given the delegate count. The brash billionaire is amping up his remarks against Hillary Clinton and seems to relish losing women and ethnic voters including calling a governor of Native American descent Pocahontas that had a reporter yelling that was offensive that he ignored. And there are calls for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R Fla. to run again since the large GOP field of senate candidates has yet to produce a strong statewide candidate though his friend Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez Cantera, R Fla. Is working hard on his own campaign and while Rubio is often to have said he “hated,” being in the Senate. He since has clarified the word hate was the wrong word but he said Sunday he was ‘ more frustrated with the body,’ and when he ran for president he said it was either the White House or he was getting out of national politics. And he is being peppered if he would jump back in the race which he says is unlikely but Florida is a competitive state for both parties and Trump is asking Rubio to reconsider given the GOP might lose a seat in the divided senate.

And Trump and Clinton both have a trust deficit and it includes both of them which is frustrating to voters since both seem to be liars and it is getting down to who will lie the least and about what as a state Department IG audit was released about Clinton’s private email server and she has been unable to put away independent socialist Bernie Sanders who is betting everything on winning California where large crowds are turning out for the man but Clinton and Trump both lead in unFavorability polls which is different for Sanders who seems genuine to many voters especially millennials.

>>> PAST WDR: Chilling warning on Zika virus, residents must drain and cover any standing water, with old tires big problem where mosquitoes lay their eggs, also dealing with Chikungunya fever, says health department official Dr.Rivera

Miami-Dade County commissioners got a chilling update on the spreading Zika virus and County Health Department officials are warning we must reduce the number of mosquitoes being breed and that involves a massive public service program. That asks residents to drain and cover any standing bodies of water and old tires are especially targeted since the insects like to lay their eggs there.

Dr. Lillian Rivera, RN, MSN, Ph.D. also noted it is not just Zika but Dengue and Chikungunya fever that are transmitted by mosquitoes and there is the 60 second psa drain and cover spot produced by the department. And the health administrator said what makes Zika so scary is it can be transmitted sexually and the department is trying to keep the disease and mosquitoes from spreading this dramatic disease that leaves a newborn with a reduced size brain. Called microcephalus, and a major debate is also going on whether to release genetically modified sterile mosquitoes. And all mosquitoes are not the same, and the one capable of carrying the virus has a white strip on a leg. And the County is working with Monroe County and is allocating additional resources to fight mosquito breeding and all cases have all been imported and no cases were gotten without foreign travel.

And here is the public service video http://www.floridahealth.gov/videos/drain-and-cover.html and the County is working with Monroe and other counties re spraying and Mayor Carlos Gimenez is saying any extra funding will be covered given the sensitive health crisis.

Health Department: Chikungunya Fever (CHIK)Mosquito Control Measures CHIKEpidemiology and Medical Importance CHIK For a recording of the April 1st training please contact
Epi.Training@flhealth.gov and list “CHIK Training” in subject line.

From the Dept.’s web page: Chikungunya fever (CHIK) is an infection caused by the Chikungunya virus (CHIKV). The virus is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito, similar to West Nile and dengue viruses. The Chikungunya virus was first identified during an outbreak in 1952 in southern Tanzania, although it is suspected to have been present in Africa and Asia for much longer.*Note: This page contains materials in the Portable Document Format (PDF). The free Acrobat Reader may be required to view these files.

>>> The Past week was choppy waters for Trump, his change on self-funding his campaign through loans that may get paid back by the party, is hard for his supporters to swallow.

After the brash billionaire made such a big deal about not being bought like other politicians. The Donald Trump campaign is taking a hit since he is hesitating to release his taxes but a more serious issue is he has said he would self-finance his campaign and in campaign reports these are loans and may get paid off by supporters or the GOP.

But the man’s using his own money and they’re for not bought had great appeal to many of his supporters and the media is digging into the man’s past and how he was with women and has Trump trashing Bill Clinton as a philander and his wife is an “enabler,” but his campaign has to start focusing on policy, but after a meeting with House Speaker Paul Ryan, R- Wisc. It remains to be seen if he can ramp-up his knowledge on foreign affairs to make him a competent president who also seems to support dropping the nuclear nonproliferation policy of America when he said he thought S. Korea and Japan might benefit if they developed a nuclear capability, noting Pakistan has them and he believes it will happen unless all nuclear weapons were eliminated he suggests. And for more go to http://www.cbsnews.com/news/donald-trump-japan-south-korea-might-need-nuclear-weapons/ and for more on the Trump Ryan meting go to: http://video.foxnews.com/v/4891422282001/trump-paul-ryan-is-doing-good-job-uniting-party#sp=show-clips

>>> Obama says presidency serious business, not a “reality show,” in Oval office, as Trump last GOP candidate standing, some plan to boycott party convention

With billionaire Donald Trump being the last man standing after starting the race with 17 other Republican presidential contenders for the GOP nod to be the party’s standard barrier. Hillary Clinton and Sen. Bernie Saunders are still battling it out for the Democratic Party nod and Clinton has said she is ready for any of Trump’s “counter punches,” during the race and Trump made another gaffe with Hispanics tweeting out a lunch photo on Cinque de Mayo having a taco bowl and writing he loves Hispanics, but the tweet was criticized as to little and too late after some off his past remarks on the people coming from Mexico being “rapists and drug dealers,” And the Republican leadership is having a hard time embracing the brash and out spoken man who swept the candidate field and is saying his VP would likely be someone from the political world given his neophyte status as a politician. And one Hillary’s attack ads on Sanders was a flop since all the senator talks about is breaking up the big banks and she calls him a single issue candidate https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gndPevAo8Yk and commentators question its effectiveness in her race against the independent socialist.

While the Democrats and GOP are trying to heal and bring their party together in the presidential primaries both parties have a similar problem in that some Republicans are hesitant to support Trump and Democrats supporting Sanders are reluctant with Hillary Clinton as well and social media is once again morphing the political landscape.

And Trump 2.0 is debuting on the campaign trail and the real-estate mogul is saying he will be the most “presidential” person voters have ever seen but Hillary Clinton is already running ads attacking the bombastic man who is calling her dishonest and says he is relishing running against her in November, but he has also been rattling the cage of the GOP establishment questioning whether the primaries are fair and not rigged, even though he has a higher percentage of delegates then he got in votes and many wonder even if he steps back has the damage been done given his high unfavorable. But this presidential cycle is like no other and the role of social media that is getting more mature and larger in scope is bleeding into politics in a way never seen before. And the GOP is shifting its strategy of trying to stop the billionaire’s run for the nomination and are trying to come together something Sanders supporters are finding hard when it comes to Clinton. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gndPevAo8Yk

FLORIDA

>>> Sen. Floris cries foul, regarding how her immigration record is being depicted in press

State Sen. Anitere Floris, R-Miami, is upset how her stance on immigration is being distorted by Andrew Korge, the son of a prominent Democratic Party lobbyist and challenger for the redistricted senate seat. Korge the younger is the son of confident Bill Clinton and has had extensive business dealings with MIA. And below is the unedited press release decrying the distortion of her record and this race is expected to get nastier running up to the August primary. ICYMI: The TRUTH about Senator Anitere Flores’ immigration record.

Trust along with Miami-Dade County investing in 1,300 summer internships, managed by public schools district, joint funding first tri-government effort

For the first time ever the Children’s Trust along with Miami-Dade County is embarking on a new program that will fund some 1,300 internships with the County investing $1.7 million in conjunction with the Trust and here is the announcement of the new jobs program that will be administered by the Miami-Dade Public Schools and here is a release from the Trust on the new program that has public entities working together for the betterment of the community, “I thought you may like to know that plans for The Children’s Trust, Miami-Dade County and Miami-Dade County Public Schools to collaborate on a project together for the first time is almost officially sealed. Hard to believe this is “a first” but it is. Together we’ll soon launch a summer internship program for teens, which was originally pitched by Commissioner Xavier Suarez, if you recall. Our CEO announced the agreement to our board Friday, April 22 in a memo below.

The item is on the May 11 school board agenda to approve their participation in this tri-government collaboration and an official news release will follow suit. Structurally, Miami-Dade County is investing $1.7 million towards the program in conjunction with $750,000 provided by The Children’s Trust. A total of 1,300 summer internships will be created, with 10 percent of the internships going to children with special needs and 100 being allocated to each commission district. M-DCPS will administer the program.  There is definitely a need to recruit local business to participate so teens can be placed in great work environments. Here is a link to the Website where both businesses and students may apply www.https://miami.getmyinterns.org/

Below is a link to our periodic talk show airing this Saturday in which Deputy County Mayor Russell Benford, Superintendent Carvalho, and a member of our staff participated to talk about this new initiative and explain why it is so meaningful? You may be interested in watching that first 10 minute segment. I’ve provided a link below, wrote Emily Cardenas” the Trust’s director of communications, and check out the video on this initiative; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5_5g0nGhM8

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY

>>> Will commission term limits just empower lobbyists? Commissioner Jordan believes it will

Commissioner Barbara Jordan believes with commission term limits in effect that it only empowers lobbyist she insists in a discussion on campaign finance reforms. And in six years all the incumbent commissioners will be termed out. And Commissioner Bruno Barreiro a former state representative asked if anybody had done a “study on the effects of term limits,’ after they are passed he wondered.

>>> Homeless Trust dips into rainy day fund, to the tune of $4.6 million to cover $6 million in HUD cuts

The Homeless Trust is going to tap into its reserves to the tune of $4.6 million to cover a $6 million hit in HUD funding that is impacting providers in a serious way and is prompting a massive community response for HUD to reconsider is funding formula that is pushing for permanent housing programs versus transitional housing and Miami-Dade historically has been a national model of best practice programs that also includes domestic violence shelters and beverage and sales taxes help fund some of these programs and

What about Camillus House & Health?

The Camillus House’s Sixth Annual ‘The Auction’ raised $1 million for persons who are poor and homeless in Greater Miami. And Camillus has been the bedrock homeless organization along with the Chapman www.chapemanpartnership.org and www.camillushouse.org       and for more on using the Trust’s reserves go to    http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article80445617.html

>>> PAST WDR: Homeless Trust “All hands on deck,” in trying to make up $6 million cut in HUD funding, impacting transitional housing and domestic violence shelters, U. S. Rep Mario Diaz-Balart House appropriation’s chair tying but no short turn resolution, luckily Trust has reserves, but not sustainable

“All hands are on deck,” said Commission Chair Jean Monestime during a discussion on the lost $6 million in federal funding for the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust after U.S. HUD changed some of the scoring criteria for federal funding trying to end veteran homeless by 2017 and not scoring transitional housing very high versus permanent housing the ultimate desired goal. And Monestime plans to see HUD Sec. Julian Castro in Orlando he told commissioners Tuesday and Commissioner Rebeca Sosa noted homeless people from around the nation are sent to South Florida and while there are two annual census. And to see the issue on a national basis go to the   US HUD fact sheet http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/documents/huddoc?id=AHARPt2DataRel1152015.pdf

>>>> Commissioner Bovo when it comes to campaign reforms cost of running a race is “the media,”

Campaign reform legislation pushed by County Commissioner Daniela Levine Cava passed after an extensive discussion. Commissioner Estephan Bovo carped the cost of running a campaign was the “media,” and there costs are only going up and while in the 2000 mayoral race then Mayor Alex Penelas jumped on the cost of media ads (when challenged by how much he had raised) with a prominent political reporter after the close election he won by a few points. And the station back in 2004 gave the candidates some free time to make their cases and was a real public service in the county races back then. And the station was WPLG Channel 10 at www.local10.com .

And Commissioner Barbra Jordon noted when she first ran she used the County’s Public Campaign Financing Program that was dissolved afterwards when candidates’ campaigns co-mingled public and campaign contributions ( because it was allowed) and made auditing almost impossible though in Jordan’s case she had to pay the county just under $10,000. After she won the crowded race that included a prominent municipal mayor she said from the dais and Bovo noted there were examples where money did not produce a winner incumbent including Chair jean Monestime who defeated long time commissioner Dorrin Rolle who had raised considerable more money but was controversial and lost in 2010.

>>> MPO Smart Plan video just released: http://www.miamidadempo.org/smartplan.asp

>>> The County is asking the VA administration to open a clinic in homestead where the veteran’s population at Homestead Naval Air Base is expanding and the base needs a “flight surgeon,” for the pilots a veterans affairs rep told the BBC.

>>>> Public got to weigh in on controversial liberty square project, pressure on commissioner Edmonson includes “Voodoo, I don’t believe and I should watch out,” she says at Contentious liberty Square project public hearing where she voices support for Urban Related project, could not speak because of “cone of silence,” she says

A commission committee meeting and public hearing on the proposed Liberty Square public housing project went hours as people spoke on the planned $300 million Mega HUD housing project in what is locally called the “pork n’ Beans,” projects.

Commissioner Audrey Edmonson is behind Liberty Square project just wants accountability of community benefits after failed Scott Carver debacle

And Commission committee Chair Xavier Suarez had his hands full last week trying to keep the packed hearing orderly. After forces tried to “divide the [African American community and includes a number of ministers] in the community,” and “Edmonson says she was the one making the project happen and “they made a whole lot of promises,” and “did the developer,” make too many promises and “I want this to work,’ said Edmonson.

But Suarez’s constant banter and quips made the meeting go so long (And at the podium there should be a sign that says, please give your name and address.) because Suarez had to constantly repeat the phrase and one woman gave a very heated comment, and later had County Commissioner Audrey Edmonson, trying to deflect some of the criticism directed at her by speakers saying, contrary to what some of the residents are being told “She supports the redevelopment,” project and said “not to believe the lies,” that are being spread, and she had “given the charge,” to Mr. Liu. The public housing department head. Further, Edmonson said she wanted the project to go forward and had even been threatened with “voodoo,” she said and she was going to ask the inspector general and the Miami-Dade County ethics and Public Trust commission to look into the way the developer was chosen and the project is coming when Gimenez is up for reelection in August.

Edmonson said she wants the important project to move ahead and there are many community benefits like a Miami Police Athletic League (PAL) facility for kids and this massive housing project (Where children sleep on the floor because of the gun fire) is playing into the elections that has his major challenger Raquel Regalado in recent polling only around 13 points behind the incumbent mayor first elected in 2011 and reelected in 2012 but voter disillusionment of incumbents is keeping this race so close, and while the mayor has raised some$1.3 million for his campaign he also has a number of well-funded PACs.

And Edmonson indicated she was upset with Mayor Carlos Gimenez because he held a community meeting on Liberty City Rising in the district and she was not asked, yet got all the negative blowback, she carped and is not “just a liberty City development,” she closed.

But Regalado will likely use this campaign money against Gimenez saying he has been bought and on Tuesday after a school board Audit Committee she said concerning the last sentence of the poll results says it all, when you try to get something done at the county one quote said was, they ‘treat you like a dog.’ And she believes she can bring in a new perspective and some wonder how she would be given the strong mayor form of government and its 27,000 employees. And her lack of experience with such a massive workforce, though she has had a number of victories including the value Adjustment Board. And for more on the polling go to http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article76606382.html

>>>PAST WDR: Record 15.5 million visitors help pay for JHS, Homeless Trust, the arts

The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau celebrated a record year with 15.5 million visitors coming to South Florida and that is 6.4 percent growth and these people play a key funding role. Since we have a variety of sales taxes for the Homeless Trust, transportation and Jackson Health System, the Adrianne Arsht Center gets convention development taxes and this funding gets ginned up by these visitors and also helps pay for some of the $6 billion debt at MIA.

>>>. In China Miami becoming education destination, UM said to have some “1, 000,” students from China, big business at $50,000. Tuition

Commissioner Jose “Pepe” Diaz lead a trade delegation along with the Greater Miami Convention and Visitor Bureau to S. Korea, China and Taiwan and Diaz called it a very successful trade delegation and County staffer Manny Gonzalez said in China especially there is “a shortage of colleges,” and the University of Miami has some “1,000,” students from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and their tuition is around some $50,000 said Gonzalez and Diaz noted “no public funds,” were involved for the trade delegation and it will be seen if Diaz, becomes the county’s sinologist in residence when it comes to the growing Middle Kingdom.

>>> MD-C IG publishes 2015 annual report also keeps watch on public schools district

The Miami-Dade County Office of the inspector General Mary Cagel has issued their 2015 annual report and the Watchdog agency created in 1997 amid numerous scandals also keeps watch of the public schools district and a host of county’s 25 departments including Jackson health system and to read the annual report go to http://www.miamidadeig.org/annualreports/2015AnnualReport.pdf

>>> BCC Joint meeting with Miami-Dade County Youth Commission still highlights number one issue, “violence,” and “bullying in middle schools,” an amazing group of youth, doing a host of activities

And a joint Board of Miami-Dade County Commissioner’s Youth Commission was a breath of fresh air as these high school leaders in committees have begun a host of projects including collecting 500 used AP/ Sat test books, very expensive but highly helpful on the tests. Further another program was handing out of book bags with supplies and working closely with The Children’s Trust of Miami-Dade, trying “to mend the gap with our youth and the police,” said one committee chair and the members wearing Miami-Dade County logo monogramed polo shirts, went to Tallahassee and met with state leaders,” and these future community leaders are an impressive group and in past years when the body met, violence and bullying (with the majority happening in middle schools, said one commission member) were at the top of their list and the civility and quality dialogue gives me hope concerning the leaders of the future. And many of them are going to top notch universities. And these members also worked with the Miami-Dade Community Relations Board and had a anti bullying forum at the Miami Beach Botanical Gardens

And Commissioner Barbara Jordan a former social worker came up with the idea of the Youth commission and chair Jean Monestime said, I am “very proud of the body… and the leadership is second to none,’ he considered during the joint body meeting held in the county commission chambers. During the discussion Jordan said, “I don’t know how you did all these activities,” and suggested working closer with the school board.

>>> 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

>>>> GMCVB press release: RECORD ACCOMMODATIONS AND FOOD SERVICE JOBS IN GREATER MIAMI AND THE BEACHES REPORTED FOR APRIL 2016 MARKING 6 YEARS AND 4 MONTHS OF CONSECUTIVE JOB INCREASES
Greater Miami’s Accommodations and Food Service jobs increased +1.3 percent in April 2016 compared to the same period in 2015. This marks 6 years and 4 months of consecutive increased employment in Greater Miami’s Accommodations and Food Service Industry.

Record Greater Miami Accommodations and Food Service Jobs
April 2016	April 2015	% Change
122,700	121,100	+1.3

FOR THE MONTHS OF JANUARY – APRIL 2016, HOTEL ROOM OCCUPANCY IN GREATER MIAMI AND THE BEACHES REACHED 82.5 PERCENT, ONE OF THE HIGHEST IN THE NATION. HOTEL ROOMS SOLD FOR THE SAME TIME PERIOD WERE UP 1.9 PERCENT COMPARED TO THE SAME TIME IN 2015, PARTIALLY ABSORBING THE 3.9 PERCENT INCREASE IN HOTEL ROOM INVENTORY YEAR ON YEAR. DEMAND FOR TRAVEL TO GREATER MIAMI AND THE BEACHES DURING JANUARY – APRIL 2016 REMAINED STRONG RANKING #1 IN REVENUE PER AVAILABLE ROOM (REVPAR), #1 IN AVERAGE DAILY ROOM RATE (ADR) AND #2 IN HOTEL ROOM OCCUPANCY AMONG THE TOP 25 U.S. MARKETS AS DEFINED BY SMITH TRAVEL RESEARCH.

January – April 2016 Rooms Sold January – April 2016 January – April 2015 % Change vs. 2015 5,192,819 5,097,757 +1.9% Rooms Supply January – April 2016 January – April 2015 % Change vs. 2015 52,437 50,492 +3.9% Miami #1 – Revenue Per Available Room (RevPar) January – April 2016 January – April 2015 % Change vs. 2015 $194.13 $203.40 -4.6% Miami #1 – Average Daily Room Rate (ADR) January – April 2016 January – April 2015 % Change vs. 2015 $235.24 $241.75 -2.7% Miami #2 – Average Daily Occupancy January – April 2016 January – April 2015 % Change vs. 2015 82.5%  84.1% -1.9%

>>> 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.

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

>>> M-DCPS Hosts Bond Project Event at Ruth K. Broad/Bay Harbor K-8 Center

Press release: Superintendent of Schools Alberto M. Carvalho was joined by School Board member Dr. Martin Karp, District 3, at Ruth K. Broad/Bay Harbor K-8 Center today for a bond kick-off project event resulting from the overwhelming voter approval of the $1.2 billion General Obligation Bond. The GOB will be used to modernize and construct school buildings throughout the district, expand student capacity, enhance facility safety, and provide technology upgrades at all schools.

The Ruth K. Broad/Bay Harbor K-8 Center work includes 396 new student stations in a building addition containing classrooms, labs, bathrooms and other related spaces, a new addition to be built over existing hard courts creating a covered basketball court with all new back boards, nets and lighting, completion of artificial turf playfield, related site work improvements, new public address, fire alarm, and security systems at building addition to connect with existing campus. The total value of the project was $6.7 million, which includes an additional $600,000 approved by the School Board at its May meeting.

>>> First graduates of Braman automotive Training Center are on their way to a rewarding job, along with M-DCP Schools

A technician training program created with the Miami-Dade County Public Schools with Braman Management and Norman Braman is an outstanding success with some of the first class getting high paying jobs and was the brainchild of the auto magnet with Supt. Alberto Carvalho and with automobiles getting more complex and trained technicians needed and in short supply and to read more on the innovative project go to: http://www.bramanmiami.com/Braman-Automotive-TrainingCenter

>>>> 18 charter schools lend money, one transfer Keys Gate Charter was for $750,000 with no explanation unless district sign a non-disclosure form, which they can’t

It appears that a number of the nation’s fourth largest public schools district’s 125 charter schools and 18 of them use their public funding like a banking system sending money out of the district to a host of affiliated organizations and the district Auditor did an analysis of some of these transactions including one transfer that the school KEYS Gate Charter will not divulge unless the public schools District signs a non-disclosure form which they can’t do but $750,000 was given to a unknown settlement and “the transfers have to be approved by the school board, said chief Auditor Jose F. Montes de Oca, C.P.A.at the Audit and Budget Advisory board Tuesday and he said the schoolboard is “working on policies to address,” some of the issues and to see some of the long term interest free transactions go to http://mca.dadeschools.net/AuditCommittee/AC_May_10_2016/item7.pdf

The Auditor also notes these transfers to different “Intra-County advances may be permissible under certain circumstances,” but must have the County’s School approval,” writes the CPA in a May 3, 2016 memo.

>>> ABC keeps nation’s fourth largest public district on the straight and narrow, CPA’s tax attorney’s, provide great public service, and was not always the case back in 2007

The nation’s fourth largest public schools district community firewall is meeting this Tuesday and the Audit and Budget Advisory Board is one of South Florida’s best boards and is made up of CPA’s and tax attorney’s and its leadership is rotated on a regular basis which was not always the case and back in 2007 the chair would not step down until 2004 when the man made a Sunshine Law violation and his physician suggested he step down but this ABC keeps Supt. Alberto Carvalho feet to the fire and along with Carvalho’ s leadership keeps racking up awards in education and he successfully pushed a $1.2 billion general obligation bond that was overwhelmingly passed by county voters back in 2012.

>>>> Here is the office of the inspector general’s annual report for the nation’s fourth largest public schools district

http://www.miamidadeig.org/2015MDCPS/SB%20ANNUAL%202015%20WEBSITE%20version.pdf And when it comes to oversight there are a number of mechanisms watching over the diverse public schools district and to read the IG report go to http://www.miamidadeig.org/2015MDCPS/SB%20ANNUAL%202015%20WEBSITE%20version.pdf

PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST

>>> Chair Arriola is “allergic,” about saying nice things about CEO Migoya, then compliments banker on job he has done over last five years, relationship with UM and academic partners, best in 100 year history, he says

PHT Chair Joe Arriola made sure there was a doctor in the audience at the televised board meeting in the commission chambers. He asked because he was “really allergic to say nice things about President Carlos Migoya,” he joked and noted saying nice thins makes my “my throat choke.” Arriola then complimented banker and president Carlos Migoya for the job he had done over the last five years when JHS was losing hundreds of millions for “four years,” and when he first toured the facility “he understood why patients weren’t coming,” because the “facilities looked terrible,’ and former chair Daryl Sharpton knew the “crisis was much deeper,” and the community had lost faith in JHS,” and it was “only for the poor and sick,” the businessmen said and Arriola noted the relationship with the University of Miami Leonard Miller Medical school has never “been stronger,” in JHS hundred year history and some 55 years with JHS.

>>> PR campaign “Miracles Made Daily,” spurs births and patient admissions, with concierge maternity ward

The Jackson Health System has been embarking on a very effective public relations campaign called “Miracles Made Dailey, “and includes a new concierge style maternity ward that is driving increased births at the public hospital system and has become a good investment for the institution and the WDR Gives a Tip of the Hat to the people that came up with the series of ads… people like them.

CITY OF MIAMI

>>> Badly needed Lotus House Village $25 million expansion for homeless children and mothers comes to Miami commission Tuesday, unanimously passes first reading, leaders do more community outreach. privately funded and much needed facility with HUD fund cuts

A privately funded $25 million expansion of Lotus House Village for women is came before the Miami Commission for a vote Thursday and the commission district commissioner Keon Hardeman was balking at the proposal. But because of extensive outreach he ended up supporting the zoning change and advocates note there is only private money for the pink facility for the organization that is a much needed community sanctuary for homeless women and their children, especially after the $6 million in HUD cuts that hit the county’s Homeless Trust.

But the housing for women and children is a sanctuary for homeless women and children and needs to expand http://lotushouse.org/ sanctuary-has-new-blueprint/ and wear pink to the Miami commission meeting in support of this badly needed expansion and the Lotus House Village in Overtown. http://lotushouse.org/ http://lotushouse.org/ .

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2015/11/francis-suarez-sworn-into-office-makes-case-for-new-miami.html an here is a video of Miami PD doing the running man challenge very funny especially the end and has 179,000 views as of last week.https://twitter.com/wsvn/status/731197152110616576

And Miami Commissioners designated Little Haiti as a distinct community that had preservationist like Dr. Enid Pinkney of the black Archives arguing the area should continue to be called Lemon City a designation before Miami was created and where the county’s oldest library is located and the area was settled by the Bahamians who helped build the railroad and the city and many in the Black community thought the name change was diminishing the past history which Haitian activists pleading said was not the case.

What about the Miami police contract?

A negotiated contract with the Miami Police department had one member at a finance committee saying it was putting the city’s future budget ‘going off a cliff.” However, with proper adjustments the city can forestall a fiscal meltdown at a time it wants to issue some new bonds once a securities exchange investigation is over. And if commissioners did not approve the contract it the police union could come back and seek a even richer contract that three times was negotiated under a financial emergency waiver said staff and the city’s reserves is the highest they have been in years and are at the correct level but people where challenging the revenue projections into the future and while the property base has grown considerable the city is trying to be competitive with other pay levels as it embarks on hiring more police. And in the preceding years will have to make cuts if revenue projections fall short.

CITY OF MIAMI BEACH

>>>> Mayor Philip Levine, attorney and Mgr. Jimmy Morales, takes the Miami Herald executive editor to task on a story concerning the new large pumps the city installed to remove water from the streets and below is the letter send to Aminda-Gonzalez
Last week, my fellow Commissioners and I instructed the City Manager and Attorney to respond to the Miami Herald’s misleading and damaging May 16th article regarding king tides and our flood mitigation system. The following letter was sent to the Executive Editor of the Miami Herald: http://bit.do/LetterTo-Aminda-Gonzalez

We took this step because the article misrepresented the facts about our City’s efforts to address flooding and protecting the environment and caused undue challenges to our commitment to maintain public health and safety.

Further, the inaccuracies in the article wrongly paints a picture for our visitors and residents which could harm our City’s vibrant tourism economy and reduce public confidence in our anti flooding mitigation measures.

The fact is the City’s waters remain swimmable and meet the requirements of our National Pollution Discharge Elimination System as prescribed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection.

My colleagues and I appreciate that protecting our bay is critically important and an issue that affects the broader South Florida community. It is imperative that our community receives accurate and truthful information and is able to continue leading by example for the benefit of all. Thank you, Mayor Philip Levine.

>>>> Miami Beach is readying for Urban Week over Memorial Day and the island city has modified some of its plans that includes hundreds of volunteer Ambassadors from the county’s Community Relations Board (CRB) and for more go to http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/miami-beach/article78279202.html

COMMUNITY EVENTS

http://www.margulieswarehouse.com/index.php#/exhibitions

>>> And the Margulies Warehouse will be closing the season in weeks and to see what art is on display and when it plans to close the season for this community treasure go to http://www.margulieswarehouse.com/#/home

EDITORIALS

>>> Miami-Dade Mayor Gimenez’s critics say he should lighten up a little, Regalado counter punching every chance she can

The issue of a strong mayor form of government and whether that is the way to go in politically charged Miami-Dade. Where everything is political is surfacing at the City of Miami and at Miami-Dade County where Mayor Carlos Gimenez is seeking reelection but he is seen as imperious and a technocrat since he was a Miami fire chief and city manager before being elected mayor in June of 2011.And in some ways this criticism come with the job and is being exploited by his primary challenger Raquel Regalado who counter punches in the media every chance she can and she is more telegenic and glib than the reserved Gimenez and given the mood of the nation. He might need to loosen up a bit.

>>> Congrats to Miami Herald for runner –up Pulitzer for investigative story ‘License to Launder,’ highlights how critical investigative stories are to a community

The Miami Herald being a finalist for a Pulitzer Prize highlights the importance of in depth investigative reporting and while the Watchdog Report has not reached that depth over the past 16 years I have put a light to many government activates from Jackson Hospital to the city of Miami that once went through 10 mangers in a few months and arrests were becoming rampant. And back in 1998 it looked bleak an someone from the public needed to step forward especially after a major political operative said to me “You little people we are going to crush you,” and I thought the public needed someone to look after their interests and the introduction of the internet gave me that opportunity as well as being an editorial and news columnist for The Miami Herald an experience that cannot be described unless you experienced it and here we are today and May 5, 2016 will be my anniversary and hope with my readers help to continue on but I do need financial help and to read what the early years were like go to and I know your hard earned money is sacred. I hope you will honor me with your trust news you can trust without the attitude and my best to all my friends who have supported me. And to read a national story on the early years go to: http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2003-01-20/news/0301190045_1_ricker-miami-watchdog

>>> 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 to 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

>>> 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 http://www.examiner.com/article/questions-about-fatal-mauling-by-group-of-dogs-miami-dade-county

DR

Coconut Grove

>>> The Watchdog Report is Celebrating 17 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

Badia Spices www.badiaspices.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. ************************************

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