Watchdog Report Vol.17 No. 10 August 21, 2016 EST: 05.05.00 – I go when you cannot — Celebrating 16 years of reliable 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 l. 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 R 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 and background back in 2003 go to: http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2003-01-20/news/0301190341_1_ricker-school-board-president-miami-s-first-cuban-american

 

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 public tax dollars are being spent.

 

>>> And checkout the new Watchdog Report merchandising campaign featuring Knowledge is Bliss coffee cups and includes premium cotton super soft tee shirts.at http://store.inkcampaigns.com/watchdog_report_store .    >>>

http://store.inkcampaigns.com/watchdg_report_store or go to

                           www.watchdogreport.net

 

ARGUS REPORT – Heard, Seen on the street

 

>>> Mayor’s Rafael Garcia Toledo connection includes his wife power broker and attorney Vicky Leiva Garcia Toledo connection, they entertain blue chip power brokers to connect with mayor says Raphael in Miami Herald

 

With the mayoral race drawing to a potential close Aug 30, incumbent Mayor Carlos Gimenez is being dogged by his high profile campaign treasurer Rafael Garcia Toledo a lobbyist and a man about town formerly married to attorney Vicky Garcia Toledo and the power couple walk the halls and do business in county Hall and the City of Miami like it was their living room and she mingles with senior county staff periodically and her former husband Raphael (who on his lobbyist form lists all matters related to the county) has been getting some significant ink in the media. Since he historically drives the mayor to different election polling sites during the election for free. However, the man is slated to make millions in upcoming County Water and Sewer contracts and over the past years the Watchdog Report has warned Gimenez about this relationship with this man as being politically dangerous with the public and its perception. But the mayor just shrugs it off as no big deal and he just follows the contract process, he says. But the recent media reports highlight the mayor’s close ties with a number of lobbyist, and includes his attorney son CJ who periodically lobbies and the son lobbied for red light cameras at Miami city Hall along with state Sen. Miguel Diaz de la Portilla, R-Miami a few years ago. http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article88600672.html Editor’s note: I first flagged Garcia back in the early 2000s when he was trying to get a contract for the bleachers at the Crandon Park Tennis Center.

 

What did the mayor say about the County’s laid back Culture?

 

Back in 2011 when Gimenez was first elected mayor. The Watchdog Report asked him about the county’s laid back culture and how he would change it? He asked back “how do you eat an elephant?” “One bite at a time,” he surmised back then but for many residents the general perception is that County employees treat residents ‘like dogs,’ was one quote in The Miami Herald.

 

What is his challenger Raquel Regalado saying at community forums and she brings up Garcia Toledo and his son’s lobbying activities?

 

And Regalado brings up this close relationship at community gatherings and she notes that when she and Gimenez were at the Miami Herald for an interview. He refused to do it together and she asked, “what is he afraid of,” since she has been reluctant to debate but Regalado is still being dogged with personal finance issues and given the $7 billion county budget many question if she can run the county with 77 different revenue streams given her own personal issues that included a ‘messy’ divorce and an autistic child. And the former schoolboard member brought up the matter at a Rotary Club Meeting Luncheon held at the Coconut Grove Sailing Club and she told attendees that the County’s office of the “Inspector General,” was looking into the relationship she told attendees. As she tries to chip away at the bureaucrat’s management style and ‘cronyism’ when it comes to friends of the mayor getting contracts and has put Garcia Toledo smack into the middle of that controversy. Further last Friday I discovered the Spanish Radio and television host and personality has a street named after her just off Unity Avenue around 66^th street and I suspect it was authorized by the City of Miami given its location. And she joins a small select group of elected leaders with a street named after themselves and she joins state attorney Katherine Fernandez-Rundle with such a street designation while being in elected office.

 

What about a runoff?

 

And while Regalado lags in county polls with other candidates running she is hoping she can force a runoff since any winner has to get over 50 percent of the vote to win outright and there is a good chance she may force a runoff with her hard hitting campaign ads and she has “run nine campaigns,” she says, including her fathers and is a “winner” she says at campaign events like the luncheon.

 

>>> Ransom Everglades

 

A cohort of Ransom Everglades parents gathered at Spasso Restaurant Friday afternoon to watch the Rio Olympics and the Water polo match between Italy and USA. And had a Ransom graduate guarding the goal in a tough match they won winning Gold by a 12-5 with school alumni Ashleigh Johnson making nine saves in the game and she is attending Princeton university before trying out for the U.S. Water Polo Team. And the WDR gives her and the team a Tip of The Hat for a job well done and good luck in your future goals. And the group got a quick segment on NBC 6 on Friday.

 

>>>>Past WDR: Mayoral Candidate Regalado makes her cases in debate with incumbent mayor Gimenez, he claims, “you make stuff up,’ He charges in debate, clock is ticking how low will the campaigns go?

 

With only days before the Aug.30 Election Day challenger and early voting starting Monday Raquel Regalado,42, is amping up her campaign pitch( and here is her financial disclosure for the year http://public.ethics.state.fl.us/Forms/2015/234873-Form6.pdf ) and given her Spanish Radio shows she has a smooth and Natural oratory delivery and she claims her rival Mayor Carlos Gimenez (and here is his financial disclosure for the year http://public.ethics.state.fl.us/Forms/2015/97170-Form6.pdf) governs like the past Miami Fire and Rescue fighter he was at the City of Miami and he is only “proactive,” especially when it came to the Zika Virus and the hot zone in Wynwood.

 

She believes Gimenez should go to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce and ask for money to cover the economic damages once the CDC, made the health warning and she claims Gimenez does not want federal monies and is why she said the County’s grant department was eliminated, she said to the lunch crowd attending the Coconut Grove Rotary club luncheon Thursday. And a campaign piece sent out by the Gimenez campaign criticizing Regalado’s attendance record (and she does attend the school board Audit and Budget Advisory Committee etc.) on the school board is off the mark she told the Watchdog report that the legislation cited was only “Proclamations,” and are ministerial and generally are done in the early part of school board meetings saying she has a “good attendance record,” and the campaign piece was misleading. And during the Putney show debate Gimenez repeatedly said to Regalado that some of her statements that “you just make stuff up,’   said the incumbent mayor, now termed out and former Miami Fire chief and Miami manager, who Regalado considers a professional bureaucrat and a creature of the county’s “pay to play,” culture and she believes if you are a friend of the mayor’s you will get his help she charges. And she debated Gimenez on Michal Putney’s show on WPLG for an hour on This “Week in South Florida,” and to see the debate go to http://www.local10.com/this-week-in-south-florida/this-week-in-south-florida-aug-7 and for more on the race go to

 

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article95513472.html

 

What about Zika and Mayor Gimenez trying to clean “5,000, storm drains a day countywide?”

 

Mayor Carlos Gimenez told county commissioners last week that when it comes to reducing standing bodies of water in streets. The county is trying to clean out some “5,000 drains a day,” he said, but he noted some are in the municipalities and since there are some “150,000, storm drains countywide,” this is no easy task and the county needs the cities help said Gimenez. And Regalado has been hammering the mayor that he should have been more proactive when it came to Zika and he responds that he had taken earlier action. But early voting starts Monday at a host of sites including Miami City Hall and others around Miami Dade.

 

Question of Homestead Exemption still out there, she says it will be resolved by ex-husband’s involvement

 

County Mayoral candidate, Raquel Regalado continues to have controversy dog her personal life, since she was hit with back taxes on property, using Homestead Exemption, she says part of ‘messy, ‘divorce,’ but excuses are getting old with voters.

The Zika Virus outbreak is infecting the Miami Dade County Mayoral race pitting incumbent Carlos Gimenez against past school board member Raquel Regalado who continues to have missteps and self-inflicted political wounds including a unpaid property tax bill   http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article94128262.htmlm and the story first broke in the www.crespogram.com http://www.crespogram.com/index_public_html/INTRO_PAGE.html published by reporter Al Crespo last week and the story is another ding on Regalado in a race where many of her foibles ( including getting campaign contributions from the owners of the love Hotels on 8^th street are beginning to- add up) in this high stakes race to run a county government with 27,000employees and a $7 billion budget all under a strong mayor form of government.

 

What about the WDR publisher’s health and what about the second surgery Wednesday and I hope to be back soon?

 

I am slowly coming back after I heal from a major infection of my right index finger’s tendon and had me in a hospital for some 18 days getting antibiotics IV and to be in a hospital for that long of a period gives one time to reflect on this unique and colorful community. And I thank all the readers wishing me well since then and continuing to support my efforts to keep the community informed while I have been on the sidelines but I continue to monitor our local public institutions via cable and other methods and should be back in full- form in a couple of months. If not sooner God willing. And I have another procedure on Wednesday and hope to be back in action soon.

 

>>>M-DC Homeless Trust gets new senior JHS member Esther Abolila, Greater Miami Chamber picks Migoya to fill their seat on trust and Abolila seats in for JHS president that has close collaboration with trust

 

And the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust has a new member from Jackson Health System (JHS) and senior staffer Esther Abolila is the new designated member representing Jackson health for CEO Carlos Migoya on the large board looking after the services provided to homeless residents and the next County homeless Census will be due in August.

 

>>> Trust soon to hear HUD “appeal results,” in next few weeks, after federal funding slashed in NOFA process

 

And the Trust in the next “10 to two weeks,” is expected to hear from HUD concerning the organizations “appeal,” resulting in reduced funding said Chair Ron Book at the monthly televised board meeting.

 

STATE OF FLORIDA

 

>>> Gov. Scott Encourages Floridians to Apply for the Florida Constitution Revision Commission

 

Gov.Scott press release: Today, Governor Rick Scott announced that the Governor’s Office will begin accepting applications for the Florida Constitution Revision Commission. The 37 member Commission convenes every 20 years to review Florida’s Constitution and propose potential changes to be approved by Florida voters.

 

Governor Scott said, “Every 20 years, we are given the opportunity to review Florida’s Constitution to ensure that our laws are best serving the citizens of our state. The Constitution Revision Commission will serve on behalf of all Floridians, and appointees will learn firsthand what issues and potential changes are most important to our families in order to best make these impactful decisions. I encourage Floridians interested in serving on the Commission to apply today and I look forward to appointing qualified individuals who will represent our families and communities.”

 

To view the appointment application from Governor Scott’s Office, click HERE. Of the 37 appointments to the Constitution Revision Commission, the Governor will appoint 15, the Florida Senate President will appoint nine, the Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives will appoint nine, the Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court will appoint three, and the Florida Attorney General will be automatically appointed. Appointments will be made no later than March 6^th, 2017.

 

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY

 

>>> County Commissioners likely to approve and accept 125,000 signatures calling for campaign reform legislation, on November ballot, keeps unions in the game

 

Commission Monday to take up campaign reform legislation and to approve accepting 125,000 signed petitions not taken up earlier for a lack of quorum of county commissioners but political blowback occurred with an outraged public and the commission on Tuesday is expected to approve putting the initiative on a upcoming November ballot that coincides with the presidential election and high voter turnout is expected. http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article93347707.html

 

>>> What about the Children’s Trust and Children’s Savings accounts program that Commissioner Levine-Cava wants to promote public schools on board?

 

Miami-Dade County Commissioner Daniela Levine Cava had a presentation done at the Prosperity committee meeting on a new program to teach children financial literacy and the opening of Children’s Savings accounts. She noted the public schools district, The Children’s Trust have all been involved in this important skill that results in many of the participants attending a four year College or university and starts the saving habit early.

 

PAST WDR: What did FIU President Mark Rosenberg say to the Miami-Dade County Commission about China? CITIZEN’S PRESENTATION BY FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY’S PRESIDENT MARK B. ROSENBERG ON ”OPPORTUNITIES FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COLLABORATION’

 

Incoming Greater Miami Chamber President Marc Rosenberg, Ph.D. the president of Florida International University (FIU) gave a passionate citizen’s presentation in front of the Miami-Dade Commission and the role the Peoples Republic of China is playing in South Florida and how he believes just as foods are from all parts of South America the community needs to foster the availability of great Asian cuisine if we are to effectively lure a greater number of Asian tourists and a direct flight from Miami is a must and Cathay Pacific is looking at a long distance aircraft for such a flight but is still up in the air. However FIU has an extensive presence in the Middle Kingdom including a school of hospitality in Tianjin and for more on FIU go to www.fiu.edu

 

>>> 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

 

>>> GMCVB press release: During the month of June 2016, passengers through PortMiami increased by +17.9 percent compared to the same time last year. Growth is due in part to the addition of a new ship offering year-round service and the extensive cruise options offered by PortMiami.

PortMiami Passengers
June 2016	June 2015	% Change
351,261	297,956	+17.9%

RECORD ACCOMMODATIONS AND FOOD SERVICE JOBS IN GREATER MIAMI AND THE BEACHES REPORTED FOR JULY 2016 MARKING 6 YEARS AND 7 MONTHS OF CONSECUTIVE JOB INCREASES
Greater Miami’s Accommodations and Food Service jobs increased +2.1 percent in July 2016 compared to the same period in 2015. This marks 6 years and 7 months of consecutive increased employment in Greater Miami’s Accommodations and Food Service Industry.

Record Greater Miami Accommodations and Food Service Jobs
July 2016	July 2015	% Change
121,300	118,800	+2.1

 

 

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

 

>>> Modesto “Mo” Abety working hard at the polls, rain or shine, so are some of his rivals, someone even wrote a campaign jingle for Mo!

 

Supt. Alberto Carvalho gave an extensive update of the District’s Parent Academy and had gotten the support of philanthropist Adrienne Arsht and had criticism the beginning but Carvalho says it was a major success in improving student performance.

 

And Issues also interviewed Sam Gill of Camillus and Zeka is discussed as well and to see go to http://wpbt2.typepad.com/issues/

 

>>> PAST WDR: “More district’s arrests are coming,” when it comes to Medicare fraud ring in District with $400 million self-insured health insurance program, money stolen from students and teachers, and thieves will be caught, says Carvalho.

 

Alberto Carvalho the superintendent of the nation’s fourth largest public schools district said the busting of a Medicare fraud ring is just the beginning,” and “more arrests,” are coming since the self-insured district has a $400 million health insurance program. And he said this money stolen is coming from the classrooms, students and teachers he asserted at Wednesday’s school board meeting. And the man vowed to use a, variety of law enforcement resources to root out this South Florida scourge.

 

>>> Child Advocate Modesto Abety throws hat into school board Dist. 6 race, for vacated seat held by Raquel Regalado running for county mayor

 

Child Advocate Modesto Abety filed to run for the school board District 6 seat vacated by Raquel Regalado and the man was the Children’s Trust of Miami Dade’s first CEO and is a solid candidate and worked at the county for years and is coming out of retirement for the race.

 

>>>> Facebook Post: Modesto Abety added 2 new photos — checked in to Miami-Dade County Elections Department.

June 24 at 5:10am · Miami, FL ·

 

Family, friends, and colleagues for children: it’s official! I have qualified as a Candidate for Miami Dade County School Board; District #6 (the seat that Raquel Regalado is vacating to run for Miami Dade Mayor). After a couple of fabulous years of retirement, I am so excited to get back to advocating for children, families, and community full time, and I am so looking forward to fighting for teachers… It goes without saying… Cause you know me: I’m in it, to win it! Only 60 days to the election. It will be fast and furious. More soon… And Abety recently got the Miami Herald endorsement over his rivals.

 

>>> Pets for Vets and Teaching Responsible Pet Ownership to Kids

 

Press release: County Commissioners have unanimously adopted two initiatives, sponsored by Commissioner Sosa, to better the lives of Miami-Dade County’s pets. In a move to help connect veterans with pets, Commissioner Sosa advanced legislation that waives adoption and spay/neuter fees for qualifying individuals. This new initiative is meant to give Miami-Dade County’s over 60,000 veterans of war greater access to the health benefits of pet ownership. Recent evidence suggests that bonding with animals greatly reduces stress and the effects associated with PTSD, a condition identified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as afflicting the veteran population.

Additionally, Commissioner Sosa filed legislation to expand the Responsible Pet Ownership Curriculum. The incredibly successful program, an initiative sponsored by Commissioner Sosa in 2013, now teaches over 89,000 elementary school students the principles of responsible pet ownership. This new measure seeks additional funding to bring the program to our community’s junior high and high school students.

“I truly believe that our veterans are this community’s greatest source of pride, and I know that they will give our pets warm and loving homes,” said Commissioner Sosa. “We are forever indebted to them for their service and protection of our freedoms.” Continued Commissioner Sosa, “In 2013 when I sponsored the initiative to teach our children the importance of responsible pet ownership I could never have imagined just how great the program would have turned out. It is my hope that we can grow the program to our older students, who can play a larger role in saving animals.”

Pets for Vets legislation: http://www.miamidade.gov/govaction/legistarfiles/Matters/Y2016/160987.pdf

Responsible Pet Ownership Curriculum Expansion legislation:

http://www.miamidade.gov/govaction/legistarfiles/Matters/Y2016/160987.pdf

>>>> 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

 

>>> AOA agreement with U university of Miami Miller Medical School gets heated over non-exclusive transplant agreement,

 

PAST WDR: Calm voices and restrained tempers need to prevail at PHT board meetings these meetings cannot go back to old days when a major security presence was necessary. After CEO Ira Clark was replaced and there were contentious meetings and one was so packed that there was extensive security. And in this case there was a hot exchange between a UM physician and the PHT board Chair Joe Arriola who is known for his temper but this is a public setting where decorum is a must because in the past some of those meetings erupted into shouting and in that case back then racial undertones

 

CITY OF MIAMI

 

>>> Mayoral candidate Regalado campaign sign racking up code violation fines, on old Senior Frog’s building, how low will mayoral race go to Election Day?

 

The giant campaign political sign supporting Raquel Regalado on the old Senior Frog restaurant on Historic Main Highway next to the Coconut Grove Playhouse is racking up code violation fines with the city of Miami and the owner of the building is a longtime friend of Mayor Tomas Regalado says one knowledgeable source. And it is hard to miss as the race winds down and voters will see how low the campaigns go in the coming days.

 

>>> Since June 1^st has passed I asked for the financial- disclosure forms for Mayor Tomas Regalado and Commissioners Francis Suarez, Ken Russell Frank Carollo and Wilfredo Gort, Keon Hardeman. And next week I will review these reports.

 

>>> Press release: Governor Rick Scott Appoints Three to Miami River Commission Policy Committee

 

Rick Scott announced one appointment and two reappointments to the Miami River Commission Policy Committee.

Horacio S. Aguirre, 65, of Miami, is the president and principal of H.S. Aguirre & Associates, Inc. He is reappointed for a term beginning August 11, 2016, and ending July 1, 2019.

Patricia Harris, 73, of West Miami, is a former legal assistant with twenty three years of experience. She is reappointed for a term beginning August 11, 2016, and ending July 1, 2019.
Luis Garcia, 45, of Miami, is the owner and operator of Garcia’s Seafood Grill and Fish Market. He succeeds James and is appointed for a term beginning August 11, 2016, and ending July 1, 2019.

 

Tomorrow (Friday, June 3), an information session will be held at 2pm in the Miami Beach City Hall 4th Floor (City Manager’s Large Conference Room), to discuss a Sustainability. The City of Miami Sea Level Rise Committee Last but not least, the FIU School of Journalism and Mass Communication (SJMC) is proud to present work done by undergraduate students in a recent Spring Visual Storytelling course that contributed to the FIU Digital Commons, by curating research, storytelling, art, and communication related to work on sea level rise conducted by FIU faculty, students, and staff. Their project is titled, “Submerging the Sunshine: Explore Sea Level Rise in South Florida” and categorizes stories of rising seas into four main narratives that highlight FIU’s work on this pressing issue.

 

Some of the media captured, digitized, and archived for this project includes what’s been published on eyesontherise.org and work conducted in other units at FIU. Students in this course were introduced to cultural themes of visual communication, museums, and libraries. Through practical application and collaboration, they created digital narratives, using the content that is already in – and that was added to – the collections to make the archives approachable and sharable for wider audiences.

 

But they are not done, and THEY NEED YOU:

 

As you can see, there are several units represented, but a lot may be missing. Please help to promote this project for its potential for interdisciplinary curricular integration, and feel free to contribute work to this collection, which can be as easy as emailing a PDF, URL, or other file (even if some things aren’t captured, they can help with that, too)! Contact Jamie Rogers (rogersj@fiu.edu) or Dr. Robert Gutsche Jr. (rgutsche@fiu.edu) for more information, or to add the work of your units or recommend others.

As always, you can visit our SLSC website for more info, or email us (slsc@fiu.edu) with any questions and/or recommendations for other events to include. Thank you,

Brad Schonhoff

Communications Coordinator

 

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

 

City of Sweetwater’s running man video totally different from the one in MIAMI and has certain City of Sweetwater edge to but it’s a must see it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3t9M2zTxtfI

 

CITY OF MIAMI BEACH

 

>>> Miami Beach Mayor Phillip Levine press release on Zika: Dear Miami Beach Residents, Businesses and Visitors:

 

Governor Rick Scott with the Department of Health (DOH) announced and confirmed five, locally-transmitted Zika cases connected to Miami Beach. The suspected zone covers less than 1.5 square miles of Miami Beach, from 8 to 28 streets between the beach and the intercoastal waterway.

 

The safety and well-being of residents and visitors alike is top priority for the city. We would like to reassure each of you that the city continues to aggressively eliminate potential mosquito breeding sites throughout this urban-island, and we will be doubling our inspection and mitigation efforts in the designated area. The county has also continued its targeted, on-ground mitigation efforts using EPA, CDC and Department of Agriculture approved pesticides. Please click here for more information on Miami-Dade County’s mosquito control inspections.

 

We remain optimistic about the steps that are being taken by Miami-Dade County mosquito control.  We know that these steps have worked in Wynwood and we know that they will also be successful in Miami Beach.

 

Remember, prevention is key and we are asking each of you to take extra precautions to guard against mosquito bites. Mosquitoes can breed in as little as a capful of water, so it is imperative to drain all sources of standing water on individual properties, including flower pots, buckets, car tires, toys, etc. To report standing water for more than 48 hours on Miami Beach, please call our Public Works Department at 305.673.7625 or 305.604.CITY.  You can also report standing water through our free, Miami Beach eGov app.

 

As students return to school next week, we are looking forward to welcoming back your children to our Miami Beach Parks & Recreation facilities. All facilities and fall programs are on schedule. In our effort to fight the bite, insect repellent will be available to your children from staff with a signed permission slip from a parent or guardian. You can access the permission slip by clicking here.

 

We realize this is a concerning issue for pregnant women and encourage expecting mothers to speak to their primary care or OBYGN physician. Free Zika testing is available for pregnant women at the DOH Clinic at 1350 NW 14 Street.

 

If you have questions about what you can do to protect yourself from mosquitoes or would like more details on the Zika virus, please visit the Florida Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control websites.

 

We will be continuously updating our website here as information develops.

 

Together, we will get through this and be stronger than ever.  Miami Beach is and will continue to be a world-class destination. Thank you,

 

Broward County

 

>>> Dr. Robert Runcie was on WPBT Issues discussing the past GOB bond program and its pace of renovating many of the schools.to see the show go to: http://video.wpbt2.org/video/2365824788/

 

COMMUNITY EVENTS
 

>>> Press release: FFCR’s Claws for Kids Luncheon is an annual tradition! Whether you’re a regular or have never been before, don’t miss out. Mark your calendar and keep your claws ready to grab a ticket! In the meantime, check out these pics from last year’s event.

Save the Date! Online Ticket Sales Opening Soon! Sponsorship Packages Available! Please contact Candice Maze at cmaze@fostercarereview.org or 305.679.2735 for more information or to inquire about Sponsorship packages.

 

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

 

CITY of Sweetwater https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3t9M2zTxtfIery funny

Running Man challenge https://www.facebook.com/steven.miro.50?fref=pymk

EDITORIALS

 

>>> Now what? will you at least vote? “Reset & “Pivot” should be banned from campaign speeches, just be honest and tell the truth

 

Public officials should banish the term “pivot,” and “reset,” and just tell voters the truth and be honest about their positions and this verbal fluff is not what voters want to hear. Instead honest and clear plans will get candidates what they want to be elected. And while I have been going by early polling sites from the West Dade regional Library site this past week candidate turnout at the polls is surprisingly low in comparison to past years where candidates stood in the rain talking to voters but that is a rare sight today. And that is a shame for this is a test of commitment to elected office and every candidate needs to experience this process. For it makes them a better person and voters now have their chance to help their community. And once again the Watchdog Report asks, NOW what? You did not run yoursel, will you at least vote?

 

>>> Public institutions Collaboration must be our goal if South Florida to reach its greatness

 

Collaboration should be Miami-Dade’s watchword for we are too big with too many challenges and collaboration was one of the main topics at the Greater Miami Chamber’s Goal conference and with FIU President Mark Rosenberg, Ph.D. being chair of the Chamber. South Florida has never been a better position to leverage the academic excellence from the local public institution and not to go it alone and our other public institutions need to work together, like the Children’s Trust of Miami-Dade did recently and helped create some over 3,000 summer jobs with the assistance of the county and public schools district but with the limited resources it is important every tax dollar is used effectively and tax payers are getting there, money worth of these precious and scarce money. And this working together includes the 34 municipalities that many times signore what tis the common good an generally just produces more traffic and chaos since from the homeless population to many other issues there are no boundaries and what happens in one part of Miami-Dade impacts somewhere else for our 1.6 million residents are essentially on a ship and we have to learn to for our public institutions to learn and work together. If we are to attain the greatness South Florida can be while maintaining our environment. >>> And is one of the recommendations on an economic prosperity report doe by FIU and is at www.FIU.edu

 

>>> 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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