Watchdog Report Vol.17 No.35 January 22, 2017 -EST :05.05.00 – I go when you cannot – Celebrating 16 years of reliable weekly publishing without the attitude

 

>>> And here is the story done by Miami New Times when they named the publisher as the community’s Best of Miami and Best Citizen and to read the story go to: http://www.miaminewtimes.com/best-of/2003/people-and-places/best-citizen-6399517    

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 16^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 here is the verbiage related to the award: Three years ago we said Ricker was our Best Gadfly. Given his dedication and perseverance, this new honor, Best Citizen, is well deserved. Ricker goes to 2500 mind-melting meetings annually, from the Public Health Trust’s purchasing subcommittee to the Efficiency and Competition Commission to the Alliance for Human Services’ nominating council to the school board’s audit committee. Sometimes he’s the only public observer. Object: to be the Public Citizen for all those out there who can’t attend, and to connect and serve as an information bridge among the special-interest-dominated Miami-Dade governmental institutions that seem so problematic and indifferent to the democratic process. This month his e-mail newsletter, The Watchdog Report, celebrates its [16^th] Anniversary. In a former life Ricker made a handsome living as an international salesman of heart pacemakers. As the hard-working publisher of Watchdog, though, he’s struggling financially — this despite the fact that his weekly compendium of meeting summaries, analysis, interviews, and commentary has become essential reading for anyone involved in public affairs. What his written work may lack in polish, it more than makes up for in comprehensiveness. So raise a toast to the man whose official slogan says it all: “A community education resource — I go when you cannot!”

>>> And checkout the new Watchdog Report merchandising campaign

Featuring Knowledge is Bliss coffee cups and includes premium cotton super soft tee shirts.

 

ARGUS REPORT- Heard and seen on the street

 

>>> Trump swearing in 50th transfer of power since Republic created, may be isolationist, for the people and continues to irked by press estimation of size of crowds, still has to deal with $19 trillion debt, no small number

 

With the swearing-in of President Donald J. Trump at noon. Another smooth 50th transfer. Of power occurred. And that smooth transfer is one of the nation’s hallmarks occurred in our country, and it was interesting to see Trump walk with former President Barack H. Obama to Marine One to go on vacation and it should have reminded Trump that when the presidency term if not reelected is over, you are out the door and it is this smooth transition that makes democracy work in our nation and while protests flared in D.C. and San Francisco

 

How is Trump going to pay for some of things like the $1 trillion in infrastructure rebuilding but Trump said nothing about the U.S. debt now $19 trillion and the nation lost its it’s AAA bond rating and the tension that could develop with China and given Trump’s isolationist foreign policy and trade barriers will China pick up the T-bills is unknown if China and other nation’s will continue to invest in American bonds if it is in a trade war. Something that is double-dyed sword for many companies looking to expand their market in the Middle kingdom.

 

Further Given the Great Experiment the U.S. Republic there have been 50 transitions of power and all of the went smoothly on the whole.

 

Further Trump is going to find there is no magic wand and he has to get legislation done and that process is longer than a business memo, he will also find legislator and chairs of congressional committees weld some incredible political power and may find Trump’s demands need to be modified

 

What about the 600 sister marches around the nation and world drawing millions of women men and daughters around the globe?

 

Oddly Trump made no comment about the 600 sister demonstrations bringing millions of women and children in The Woman’s March and sent millions of protestors to Washington D.C. and a host of other major cities around the nation. And crowds like this have not been seen since The Vietnam War in the 1860s.

 

Further, Trump’s new press Secretary Sean Spitzer held an odd news conference where he defended the size of the number of visitors at the inauguration and the president went after the Lying media again and the CIA director John Brennan criticized Trump his comments (when he used the term Nazis in reference) to leaks in front of the Wall of honor, with 117 stars denoting the number of case officers died serving their nation. In a variety of capacities since the CIA was created.

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>>> The new WPBS Channel 2 new show “Your South Florid” debuted Friday night and former U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez R-Fla. was on the hosted by Pam Giganti’ s first show and they discussed Trump and immigration issues and Cuban American opines how the president might do in the halls of Congress. And he has a fascinating take on the new administration. And for more go to: http://www.southfloridapbs.org/yoursouthflorida/

 

 What about 10 mile long Under Line?

 

U.S. Rep Ileana-Ros Lehtinen, R-Miami on the floor of the U.S House recently talked about the 10 mile linear Park known as the Under Line and the extensive exercise trail will also have public art and it is gaining momentum with millennials and the municipalities it runs through including South Miami and the city of Miami. And the line stretches from Dadeland under metro rail and is model after the Under Line in New Yok City. And is expected to be tourist draw like Wynwood has become where the streets are filled with street art and tourists pose to get selfies in front of the street murals.

 

>>> Press release: Ros-Lehtinen Disappointed That New F-35A Fighter Jets Will Not Be Stationed at Homestead Air Reserve Base

 

Washington, DC – U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-27) made the following statement regarding the announcement that the first Reserve-led F-35A program will not be stationed at Homestead Air Reserve Base (HARB). In 2016, Ros-Lehtinen led two bipartisan letters to Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James advocating for the placement of this program at HARB.

 

Statement by Rep. Ros-Lehtinen:

 

“I’m disappointed that Homestead Air Reserve Base was not chosen to host the nation’s first Reserve-led F-35A program. Given HARB’s strategic importance to our community and nation, I will be asking the incoming administration to review this decision as quickly as practical. HARB’s 482nd Fighter Wing, with the ability to deploy anywhere around the world, was a natural partner for this program in addition to its advantages when it comes to runways, storage, and space. However, I am hopeful that the Air Force will choose to place and implement other programs in our beautiful community in the near future.”

 

America must get a handle on cyber security with it evolving so rapidly the nation and world are many times all defenseless

 

events that are evolving in the world and the issue of cyber terrorism, should rise to the level of the Manhattan Project, or the moon shot with the hack of a Vermont wanted to ‘influence the election’ power company where malware was found suspected to be from Russia and cyber sabotage ( and confirmed last week in a FBI,NSA, CIA released report) noting that the nation did not hack into any voting machines or change outcomes to the number of voters–Russia can be just as destructive as weapons and computer specialists say every “organization has been hacked, they just may not know it yet.” But with the presidential election over. The nation must design a cyber fire wall as we become more and more dependent on computers. And maybe a bounty for hackers if they find a backdoor and Chrysler Motors was the first company to hire hackers and look for vulnerabilities and later had Apple paying $25,000 for bug hunters. For it is clear there are some very determined and smart people out there and it may be time to try the economic incentive of a bounty for hackers who find a backdoor in software and for more go to http://abcnews.go.com/US/russian-hacking-malware-found-vermont-utility-computer/story?id=44479579   http://thehill.com/policy/cybersecurity/223266-report-russian-hackers-infiltrate-us

 

What about Trump and the press?

 

The national press “and the dishonest media,” is taking a beating and Trump still has no press pool that follows him around just in case something happens and can be reported on and has been in effect for decades and the WDR has gotten the pool reports. Since George W. Bush. and this disdain the billionaire has for the press should be considered because the media is the nation’s watchdog. But after the terrible polling Americans believe the press is slanted and that it tends to favor liberals y made worse when Clinton called Trump supporters “the basket of horribles,” because of what some supporters were saying. And for more go

https://www.thenation.com/article/the-american-press-is-under-threat-as-never-before/

And the Trump administration went ballistic when a Time pool reporter tweeted out the bust of MLK, Jr., Ph.D been removed but was blocked by a secret service special agent and the tweet caused a firestorm and the reporter had to retract the story. And had Spicer calling the erroneous tweet “shameful,” said the administration will correct any media stories that are wrong, and hopefully he will stop feeding on the media bias and the nation. For the role of the media in today’s new world where false news become acceptable and hyperbole is the coin of the realm it seems for President Trump

 

And at a press conference Trump went after a CNN reporter after CNN that Russia might have a unverified dossier on his time in Russia some that are salacious and Trump denies the suggestions and essentially feels he cannot be blackmailed by the nation. A nation that plays hardball and along with China will be his first foreign challenges after he chastised China concerning the nation claiming parts of the South China sea including an artificial Island with an air strip and the Middle Kingdom said in response that America had better be prepared for ‘war.’ And for more go to http://en.mercopress.com/2017/01/14/warning-to-trump-beijing-prepared-to-a-large-scale-war-over-the-south-china-islands

 

Further Trump’s tweets are reverberating around the globe and the China response is an example of what happens when foreign policy is made by the technology and should remind Trump the world is a dangerous and complex challenge.

 

NBC 6 reporter Giganti gets new “Your South Florida,” gig on WPBT?

 

Former NBC 6 WTVJ reporter Pam Gigantic has a new gig on WPBS TV channel 2 and it looks like the one hour show is an update to the long serving Friday night governmental show Issues. Formerly hosted by Helen Ferre. And in brief promo ad on the station the show will try to appeal to millennials and the community needs all the political commentary shows it can get and should still include the essence of Issues which was to have healthy informed debate and informed voters on the issues of the day and was a valuable news show. Further I have been on Ferre’s show Issues a number of times since July 2000. The new show is named “Your South Florida,” and on Friday night she had a great interview with former U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez and to see the show go www.wps.org

 

>>> Ros-Lehtinen Honored To Be Re-Appointed To Foreign Affairs, Intelligence Committees

 

Press release: Washington, DC — U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL – 27) made the following statement after it was announced that she would be retaining her seat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Statement by Ros-Lehtinen:

 

“I’m honored to continue to serve on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. As the Gateway to the Americas, South Florida plays an important and crucial role when it comes to foreign affairs because our economic future is directly impacted by it. These committee assignments will make sure our community is heard in the halls of Congress on the issues that impact and matter to us. I’ll continue working diligently to ensure South Florida’s priorities are Congress’ priorities.”

 

What about Trump’s cabinet picks?

 

Who knew someone like Rick Perry was pushing wind power in Texas and during one campaign known as the “oops,” moment which was when he forgot the name of the EPA that he wanted to abolish and was created during the Nixon administration and is a key fire wall in the protection of the environment and people’s health. And when people ask me what I think of Trump who will probable win the Electoral College Monday that has many trying to get the College to revolt and not confirm Trump who lost the popular vote yet won the College and the nation is in uncharted waters and as one Trump supporter said “lets if he does what he says he will do.”

 

What about President-Elect Donald Trump?

 

Trump is still deciding his cabinet, some of whom are having tough confirmation hearings and some of his choices are sending howls in parts of the foreign policy community and with environmentalist. Who are aghast but the billionaire businessman, is picking some unorthodox people and it remains to be seen what transpires during the confirmation hearings in the U.S. Senate. Though the GOP has 52 seats enough to carry a Trump nomination and the nation with this man is in uncharted waters and the Democratic Party is trying to re build after the drubbing in the general election but in fighting is still occurring and the party has to rebuild its bench and here in Florida only one Democrat Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla. has a statewide profile and he minority party has some soul searching to do to stay relevant in the world of politics.

 

What about the Coconut Grove Playhouse new master plan proposed?

 

Past WDR: The County’s Cultural Affairs department held a town hall meeting Thursday night in the 1,000 seat auditorium at Ransom Everglades school and presented the proposed master plan for the iconic Coconut Grove Playhouse shuttered in 2006 and vandalized including at one point a homeless encampment inside, water intrusion and mold and the facade can be saved but the former silent movie theater must be gutted and a 300 seat facility created and another possible 1,000 seat theater if funding becomes available and would be part of FIU and run by GableStage.

 

However, preservationists question some of the architectural assumptions and their will clearly be a battle for the final concept that must “be on time and in budget,” said spring who has $20 million in GOB funding tucked into a $1.2 billion countywide bond, for a host of projects including $160 million for the Frost Museum of Science.

 

Any surprises?

 

One of the key principles of getting the state to transfer the ownership of the theater back from the state was former state Rep. Carlos Lopez-Cantera, R-Miami, now the. Lt. governor of Florida and the man said there was a deadline to break ground by 2022 or it would revert back to the state, and be sold as a state asset and surplus property and he indicated there should not be any “retail or restaurants,” he said included in the master plan and includes a five story parking garage with a liner and would have some 30 lofts on top. And to see the plans go http://www.miamidadearts.org/coconut-grove-playhousehttp://www.miamidadearts.org/coconut-grove-playhouse

 

But what is clear is the plan is still in flux

 

And the Playhouse also has a foundation, and spring said the goal was to have a ‘flagship regional theater and such a facility “would keep local talent here, said the cultural maven to the public. He said a “thorough study of the historical nature,” of the Playhouse has been done and the county even has a “cost estimator,” to make sure it stays in budget after the Playhouse closed in its 50^th year. And for an update go to http://www.miamidadearts.org/coconut-grove-playhouse

The Miami Herald did a story on the future fate of the iconic Coconut grove Playhouse something that the County has been working on for years and includes $30 million in 2004 GOB bond funding and while the exterior façade can be saved much of the interior is unsalvageable given the condition of the roof and kids skateboarding and hanging out inside the facility years ago. Once, I saw some kids coming out of aside entrance door on Main Highway and I wrote about it back then. And for more go to: and the WDR first broke the state deadline last week and the clock is still clicking http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/coconut-grove/article118604468.html

 

What about China?

 

Trump who had tough words for the People’s Republic of China is going to find the Chinese are no pushover either and the nation deals in hundreds of years as it seeks its rightful place on the global scene. And China is introducing its new fighter with the J-20 stealth fighter After the Middle Kingdom hacked into the Pentagon and stole the plans   and for more go to http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/31/asia/china-zhuhai-airshow-j-20/

 

New J-20 with stealth technology.

 

And Trump will soon learn every word he speaks has real consequences as the nation digests how this could have happened and one millennial told me Saturday the race was “rigged,” even though all the polls and pundits had the nation going for Clinton. Who just had too many controversies, the Clinton Foundation and then the emails and people wanted some of that too end. And having her husband Bill campaign so much looking old and tired probable did not help and reminded many voters of his own controversial time in office despite being re-elected and popular. And now people are floating Trump might get indicted because of things at his Trump foundation.

 

Voters were tired of the status quo establishment candidates

 

But the polls and pundits were all wrong and Clinton’s rallies did not have the enthusiasm as did early challenger Bernie Sanders, I-VT and while he tried to inject that enthusiasm onto Clinton’s campaign it did not occur and voters wanted something new and she admits the FBI Director James Comey’s letter put just another damper on her campaign’s success where many GOP women voted for Trump who also claims global warming and climate change are a Chinese “hoax,” he has said in the past and while he calls for rebuilding the nation’s infrastructure estimated to cost over $1.8 trillion and where would that money come from given the $18 trillion nation debt mostly held by public institutions retirement funds and Americans.

 

And the nation while experiencing demonstrations must realize we get one president at a time and Obama voters did not turnout and it showed Obama’s Democratic Party base was only wild about him and candidates are like a new car and controversies and scandals are like dings on the candidate and Obama benefited from that when he ran against Clinton and that did not transfer to her and she had a lower turnout among African-Americans and Trump despite his rhetoric carried Hispanic voters and did well with women voters and the Clinton Foundation and the epic fundraising turned off many people and now Trump has to heal and bring the nation together and Obama was right that he has to be successful for it will make the nation stronger and candidates many times change with the enormity of the office and both political parties got a major wakeup call and want the senate to end insider stock trading and one of the reasons most senators are millionaires. And parties can no longer force candidates that aren’t’ supported by the base and trump believes social media gave him the edge and that it is “more powerful,” then people realized. And how Trump handles the challenges the office faces. The nation waits with trepidation and fear for some groups and we all will see what his administration believes in and how he welds power. And whether there is diversity in his staff or exclusively Anglo men and the nation does not know since he has never been a public servant or in the military what his governance style will be.

 

STATE OF FLORIDA

 

>>>> Miami-Dade County is the big enchilada, contributes “36 percent,” of Florida revenue and is the “economic engine that carries the state,” says CFO Atwater at Chamber luncheon

 

Florida CFO Jeff Atwater told the luncheon crowd at the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon that Miami-Dade was the big enchilada when it came to funding 36 percent of the state’s 79.3 billion budget. Further Miami-Dade is the “economic engine that carries the state,” said the former senate president and banker.

 

H noted the state’s bond rating was AAA and Florida has $24 billion in “outstanding debt and is much less than many other state’s budgets and Atwater and Gov. Rick Scott have since 2000 paid down the state’s debt. He said “ people are still coming to Florida,” versus many other states and with this population boon comes state revenue and the former legislator elected in 2000 said Florida is “in solid shape,” and did not include raising taxes. Here is more on the state budget http://www.floridafirstbudget.com/content/current/reports/Budget-Presentation-FY-17.pdf

 

>>>> The Children’s Trust of Miami-Dade served 25,000 children in a host of programs, has operated without hint of scandal, new CEO James R. Haj, over sees $119 million budget, 6,686 eye exams and 60 percent get glasses, 25,000 children served in the 2016 year, service providers to ensure every child gets the intellectual nourishment and youth development reading skills to be prepared for preschool and start off their education in a strong manner and thousands of kids get this help in a broad way and can include health exams and clinics in public schools, collaboration is one key to a child’s success along with reading skills

 

>>> The Children’s Trust of Miami-Dade created by voters back in 2002 has released its annual report and through collaborations with the County and public schools the agency funded with a small millage over the years is currently budgeted at $119

Million. Further the trust funds a host of health checks and 6,686 eye exams were given for the year given to some an included another 61 percent received glasses states the report and   in glasses and the trust has not had a hint of scandal `excluding some store on Flagler selling trust tee-shirts and that was immediately shut down back in around 2004 and the large board was created to minimize the influence of political issues since a number of officials from the County to the school board and the schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho is a board member. And the trust’s programs impacted some 25,000 children served for the year

 

And the Trust board has an assistant state attorney Esther Jacobo who deals with human trafficking a major problem here in South Florida and these people are all volunteers and put in significant time and the Trust was the brainchild of former The Miami Herald Publisher David Lawrence, Jr.

And Laurie Weiss Nuell is the chair of the trust board and she was a long time member of the Public Health Trust board that oversees Jackson Health System and is a solid leader and wants children to succeed and the diverse board also has state rep. Jose Felix Diaz, R-Miami.

Further the Trust is looking for nominees for The David Lawrence, Jr. Champion for Children Award given to people for trailblazing work and the deadline to submit names is Jan.31 and over the years I have covered the nominating process and some of the people are doing outstanding programs to make Children’s more productive with fuller development and teen bullying along with violence continue to be the number one issue of the county’s Youth Commission and to nominate someone go to the www.childrenstrust.org.

 

And some past winners are very impressive children advocates over the decades. And Lawrence who when he retired he used his passion to get such a Trust created and was untimely approved by voters back then and a few years later it overwhelmingly passed again reaffirming the community’s belief ,” Because All Children are Our Children,” is the organizations motto and they are delivering on that promise.

What about Pam Bondi on human trafficking?

Bondis Weekly brief email: Today I announced efforts to spread awareness of human trafficking and call Floridians and travelers to action. January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month and in an effort to encourage people to learn how to identify the signs of human trafficking, I am launching a new website, YouCanStopHT.com. Additionally, starting this month, digital signs will be displayed throughout the Tampa International Airport encouraging travelers to visit the site for tools to spot human trafficking and report suspicious activity.

Many people will be traveling to Florida this weekend, especially to the Tampa Bay area. Having a high volume of visitors can attract traffickers. Thousands pass through the Tampa International Airport every day, and ensuring these travelers know how to identify a human trafficking victim and how to report the crime could save a life and free someone from abuse.

 

What about the horrific shootings at Hollywood international airport?

 

And the tragedy is causing a major discussion on the issue of mental health and the continued attacks by lone wolves who in this case exhibited mental issues and twice went to FBI Offices complaining of hearing voices and after this with all the returning soldiers the nation and Florida needs to beef up its mental health programs if the community is ever to get a handle on this and we will see how this plays out since the shooter is still alive.

 

>>>> Leg. Review of state constitution should be watched closely by the public and should be televised

 

With Gov. Rick Scott putting together a commission to review the Florida Constitution the public needs to keep a watch on this for it is the soul of the state and The District Amendment ( and applies thaw redistricting is done) will be in their sights along with a host of other issues and it is one of those obscure political reviews that can have significant impacts on all Floridians and needs to be watched very closely and the proceedings should be televised so that Floridians can see the process in real time if state lawmakers have the guts to do that though there will be minutes.

 

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY

 

>>>. The last meeting of the Economic and Prosperity Committee met last week and its Chair Xavier Suarez noted multiple times that he had been honored to serve on the new committee created by Chair Jean Monestine, as a civil engineer he loves “mathematics,” when discussing the number of new jobs a Meek Foundation project would create, and had a major discussion between commissioners Rebeca Sosa and Barbara Jordan, and will a Living wage requirement be included?

 

And the Meek Foundation” agreement for development was the topic of the day and an extensive discussion from commissioners and county staff took place in regard to the number of new jobs that would be created since this was a public private deal. And Commissioner Barbara Jordan noted jobs were one her priorities and Sosa wanted to be sure local people would get the jobs since it was government sponsored project and included a critical OIG report on the deal and Miami-Dade County Inspector General Mary Cagle tried to dissect her office’s concerns and to read the report go:
Economic and Prosperity Committee Meeting, January 19, 2017, Agenda Item 3B – OIG Observations, Comments and Recommendations on the Grant Agreement between CCRE Meek, LLC and Miami-Dade County for the Carrie Meek International Business Park, IG15-04, January 17, 2017.

 

What about the “seed money,” commissioners contributed from their office funds and years ago around 2003 Meek an iconic African American lawmaker who through a federal court challenge enlarged the commission and created the 13 member body.

 

And back in 2002-03 she retired from Congress and started the Foundation and its initial seed money came from commissioner’s office funds and $2,00,000 to $500,000 were the common contributions and the term “seed money,” was used frequently. For the donation to the charity a not-for-profit.

 

>>> Should the Community be concerned when we run out of elected leaders to take a course program at The Good Government Initiative run by former Miami-Dade County Commissioner Katy Sorenson who represented South Dade on the 13 member body?

 

The founder of the Good government Initiate former county Commissioner Katy Sorenson attended a reception Thursday at the Coral Gables law firm of Weiss Serota, Helfman, Biermann and about 100 people and good government advocates attended including Miami-Dade Ethics and Public Trust CEO Joe Centorino and County Commissioner Daniela Levine Cava attended to thank Sorenson for her work and the programs she produced “did make a difference,” said many of the 90 officials who had taken the course. Further, The program that teaches ethics and good public policy, and dealt with corruption. However, Sorenson noted that 90 elected officials, from multiple counties and municipalities went through the course and there was no further pool of leaders that wanted to go through the program headquartered at the University Of Miami. And was why she wanted to shut down the not-for-profit and for more on the program go to http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article85073537.html

 

Good job Katy though a little disconcerting that so many politicians are so smug about not needing any guidance on the Florida Sunshine Law and being ethical and I attended many of the organizations programs and they covered a host of subjects and it is a shame it is being wound down for lack of officials who think they know everything right up to the moment they may get arrested something not uncommon from Palm Beach County to Monroe County.

 
GMCVB press release: RECORD LEISURE AND HOSPITALITY JOBS IN GREATER MIAMI AND THE BEACHES REPORTED FOR DECEMBER 2016
Greater Miami’s Leisure and Hospitality jobs increased +4.8 percent in December 2016 compared to the same period in 2015, showing the continued strength of the destination’s travel and tourism industry in generating jobs for the community.  “The Miami area remained a top tourist destination and had another great year of job creation,” said Florida Governor Rick Scott in his press release of December 16, 2016.

Record Greater Miami Leisure & Hospitality Jobs
December 2016	December 2015	% Change
141,700	135,200	+4.8%

 

Ethics Commission calls for “civility” oath for public officials

 

Ethics Commission press release: The Miami-Dade County Commission on Ethics and Public Trust (COE) today approved a proposed resolution requesting that County and municipal governments add language requiring a civility pledge to oaths of office for elected and appointed officials.  According to the resolution, “the practice of ethical conduct by public officials requires that those who hold the public trust practice and maintain respect for the human dignity of their peers, subordinates, political allies and adversaries, as well as members of the general public,” noting that “rude and insulting behavior… has become too prevalent and too accepted in government and political campaigns at all levels…”  and “threatens the integrity and proper functioning of government and politics…”

 

The measure will be sent to the County and all municipal clerks, and requests that their governing bodies adopt the following language to the oaths for swearing in:  “To my colleagues and to all of those I represent and serve, I pledge fairness, integrity and civility, in all actions taken and all communications made by me as a public servant.”

Ethics Commissioners also reviewed a resolution filed by Miami-Dade County Commission Chairman Esteban Bovo calling for the County to ensure that its current lobbying team does not include the firm Gomez Barker Associates or lobbyist Fausto Gomez, and that would prevent them from contracting with the County for three years. That measure is scheduled to go before the Board of County Commissioners later this month and stems from an investigation conducted by the Ethics Commission last year.  It determined that Mr. Gomez failed to disclose a conflict of interest while representing both the County and the Miami-Dade Expressway Authority (MDX), leading to his promotion of an MDX version of a transit bill during the 2016 state legislative session over the County’s version.  The investigation concluded that Gomez’s efforts undermined the County’s potential to receive nearly $1 billion in state transportation funding over the next 30 years.  The report also noted that Mr. Gomez was previously found by the COE to have failed to disclose a conflict of interest regarding a prior County lobbying engagement.

 

In other action today, the Ethics Commission agreed to settle a complaint (C 16-40) against Hialeah’s Fire Chief for failing to abide by gift disclosure rules.  Chief Miguel Anchia accepted a ticket for a seat in a skybox leased by AMR Ambulance Company to watch the Miami Dolphins-Baltimore Ravens game on December 6, 2015.  The ticket was valued at $1,000 – ten times the $100 threshold required for officials to report a gift, which must be disclosed by the end of the quarter after it is received.  Chief Anchia did not report the gift until he became aware of the ethics investigation in December 2016.  As part of the settlement, Chief Anchia pled no contest to the charge and agreed to accept a Letter of Instruction.

 

No Probable Cause was found to a complaint (C 16-15) filed against Miami-Dade Inspector General Mary Cagle by a former employee who accused her of retaliation by violating the Whistleblower protection ordinance.  James Rosenberg alleges that he was fired because an “explosive” audit he oversaw found misuse of restricted funds by the County’s Public Works and Waste Management Department, upsetting high-ranking County officials.  However, the Ethics investigation showed that Ms. Cagle had lost confidence in Rosenberg’s ability to lead her office’s audit division during his ten month tenure, and Ms. Cagle and others had repeatedly counseled him before asking him to resign.  Mr. Rosenberg accepted a transfer to another County agency upon his removal from the OIG payroll.  Since he was considered an “at will” employee under the Inspector General who determined he wasn’t serving well on her executive team, there was No Probable Cause found to his whistleblower claim and the complaint was dismissed.

 

COE Executive Director Joseph Centorino reported that the Commission of the Town of Surfside last night adopted an “Honor Code for Elected and Appointed Town Officials and Town Employees.”  The Honor Code, created by the Ethics Commission in 2015, calls on public servants to report criminal misconduct, place public interest ahead of personal loyalties and cooperate truthfully with investigations regarding government operations. Also today, it was announced that the Ethics Commission will sponsor a day-long conference on Friday, March 10, 2017, on Doing Business in Cuba: Legal, Ethical and Compliance Challenges, in conjunction with the Barry University School of Business. Further details will be released as the program is confirmed.

The Ethics Commission was created in 1996 as an independent agency with advisory and quasi-judicial powers. It is composed of five members, serving staggered terms of four years each. Through a program of education, outreach and enforcement, the Commission seeks to empower the community and bolster public trust.   

 

>>> Past WDR: Tragically a “rough life on the streets,” claims some 162 people passing on the streets, up from 2014 where 80 passed that year and in 2015, 95 souls passed on the streets “given the rough life on the streets,” says Homeless Trust Chair Book

 

The Miami-Dade county Homeless trust held its yearly vigil reciting the names of homeless people that died during the year on the Miami streets and it is a solemn affair with a bell rung for each soul that has passed after reading their name and some years the numbers are lower but periodically there are some spikes in the number of deaths over the years and in this current year some “142 souls” passed said trust chair Ron Book at the trust’s monthly meeting Friday and he detailed the past years numbers to the board members. And in past years 2011 it was 97, 2013 had 100, 2014 was 60 and there is also 104 veterans this year in shelters where the trust helps fund Camillus House and the Chapman Partnership and the trust does this vigil every year and “is a sad commentary,” said Book solemnly. And “two decades ago,” the homeless in the thousands would gather in “Potterfield,” and the trust was created to have a continuum of care and the numbers have dropped dramatically to under 1,000 and has become a national model.

Past press release: MIAMI-DADE COUNTY HOMELESS TRUST CELEBRATES NEARLY $30 MILLION DOLLARS IN FEDERAL FUNDING; LARGEST GRANT IN THE STATE

 

New Funding Supports More Than 8,000 Homeless Individuals; Newly-Awarded Projects Add 111 New Permanent Housing Properties

 

December 20, 2016 – Miami, FL – Holiday celebrations began early in Miami-Dade County, as the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust learned it was awarded $29,898,527 in funding by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (USHUD) for Fiscal-Year 2016.   The award will maintain, and more importantly, expand housing and services for homeless individuals and families.

 

All 71 renewal projects were funded, as well as three (3) new projects totaling more than $1.5 million which will provide Permanent Supportive Housing for 111 chronically homeless individuals and/or families (see details below).  Included in the total award is an $870,831.00 planning grant which will be used to offset the costs of administering and monitoring the federal grant portfolio.

 

“This is a community victory,” said Ronald L. Book, Chairman of the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust.  “And it couldn’t have been done without the trust and confidence coming from both Washington, DC and our local community leadership.  Special thanks go out to US Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart, Chairman of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee, and his staff, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez, and the Board of County Commissioners for their tireless advocacy and support.”

 

Today’s award is part of US-HUD’s NOFA process or Notice of Funding Availability that is required by communities across the U.S. to compete for dollars to support local projects that meet the needs of individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

 

“This is the holiday message we were waiting for,” continued Chairman Book.  “This year’s award is indicative of a highly-competitive application developed by the Homeless Trust staff and points to the fact that we are moving in a positive direction, with an emphasis on creating Permanent Supportive Housing for the chronically homeless.”

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY HOMELESS TRUST CELEBRATES NEARLY $30 MILLION DOLLARS IN FEDERAL FUNDING; LARGEST GRANT IN THE STATE

 

New Funding Supports More Than 8,000 Homeless Individuals; Newly-Awarded Projects Add 111 New Permanent Housing Properties

 

December 20, 2016 – Miami, FL – Holiday celebrations began early in Miami-Dade County, as the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust learned it was awarded $29,898,527 in funding by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (USHUD) for Fiscal-Year 2016.   The award will maintain, and more importantly, expand housing and services for homeless individuals and families.

 

All 71 renewal projects were funded, as well as three (3) new projects totaling more than $1.5 million which will provide Permanent Supportive Housing for 111 chronically homeless individuals and/or families (see details below).  Included in the total award is an $870,831.00 planning grant which will be used to offset the costs of administering and monitoring the federal grant portfolio.

 

“This is a community victory,” said Ronald L. Book, Chairman of the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust.  “And it couldn’t have been done without the trust and confidence coming from both Washington, DC and our local community leadership.  Special thanks go out to US Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart, Chairman of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee, and his staff, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez, and the Board of County Commissioners for their tireless advocacy and support.”

 

Today’s award is part of US-HUD’s NOFA process or Notice of Funding Availability that is required by communities across the U.S. to compete for dollars to support local projects that meet the needs of individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

 

“This is the holiday message we were waiting for,” continued Chairman Book.  “This year’s award is indicative of a highly-competitive application developed by the Homeless Trust staff and points to the fact that we are moving in a positive direction, with an emphasis on creating Permanent Supportive Housing for the chronically homeless.”

 

What about the County report on women and discrepancies in pay in the workplace released Tuesday?

 

On Tuesday The Miami-Dade Commission will release a report on the economic discrepancies women face in pay and Commissioner Daniela Levine-Cava is eagerly waiting for the study and she discussed it Friday on WPBT 2 Issues, hosted by Hank Mack who is apparently the new moderator. http://www.wpbt2.typepad.com/issues/

 

ASIAN AMERICAN ADVISORY BOARD ELECTS NEW CHAIR

 

(MIAMI, April 9, 2012) – On Tuesday, March 20, 2012, Miami-Dade County Chairman Joe A. Martinez inducted Mr. Adam Tavakoly to serve as chairman of the County’s Asian-American Advisory Board (AAAB).  Shabbir Motorwala, Barnaby Min, Esq., and Mehment Ulutas were also inducted as the AAAB’s vice chairs. 

 

The Asian-American Advisory Board (AAAB) was created to work in an advisory capacity to the Board of County Commissioners, administration, community and all agencies in Miami-Dade County with respect to matters pertaining to the Asian-American community. In addition, the board and its staff routinely assist people with their grievances and intervene with the appropriate parties to seek a resolution.

 

Incoming AAAB Chairman Tavakoly, CEO and President of CompuSOURCE Eng., a computer consulting and Internet  company, promises to tap the power of social media and networking to connect the AAAB to the entirety of the Asian American constituency and business community in an attempt  to identify  their needs and concerns.

 

“I look forward to better articulating the wishes of my fellow Asian American community to the Chair of the Miami-Dade County Commission so that they can be appropriately addressed. Chairman Martinez’s commitment and sympathetic interest in our Asian American community is unprecedented.  We hope we could start another good working relationship with the Miami-Dade County Commission,” said Mr. Tavakoly.

 

“Asian Americans have contributed to the growth and prosperity of our community in various industries, such as medicine, public safety and commerce.  For this and many other reasons, I look forward to fostering another round of constructive engagement with our Asian American constituency,” said Chairman Martinez.

 

For more information on the Asian-American Advisory Board, please contact Mohammad Shakir at 305-375-1570.

 

>>> County Parks to get signs warning of “wildlife in parks, using emogies for bears, alligators, and foxes are seen at “Amelia Earhart Park,” at night, says Bovo

 

Sen. Javier Souto sponsored the legislation to have new signs to try to warn people that there is a lot of “wildlife,” in Miami-Dade and when they come to the parks to be aware they might see a “bear,” panther and foxes are frequently seen at night at Amelia Earhart Park noted Bovo. And given the “20 languages spoken in the county. Souto once he learned what a mojoie was said to use these renderings and the tragedy in Disney World may have prompted this discussion. Further county attorney’s said there would not likely be any liability to the County since it is not providing a safe Harbour for the wildlife that exists in Florida.

 

What about tourism from Brazil?
The Watchdog Report caught up with MIA director Emilio T Gonzalez Friday and I asked him if Zika affected the record passengers passing through MIA and he said with the turmoil in Brazil and now the president is being impeached. He said travelers from that country are down some 28 percent, he considered and MIA is almost a city in its own right and had a record number of passengers and in cargo but this money is needed to service the cost of the expansion of the $6.4 billion facilities debt.

 

What did William “Bill” Talbert, III say about the “headwinds,” hitting tourists levels after Zika and Hurricane Mathew in October said the tourist maven. Further Talbert noted that when one market is down the Bureau ups their game in other markets. Further, Talbert said Argentina was up “16 percent,” and Columbia is growing as well and the first “nine months were a record year through October the tourist maven told commissioners during a tourism committee.

 

What about the art of Black Miami ART during Basil?

 

Talbert said Art Basil was a major success and there were “25 other shows,” including African American art at the historic Lyric Theater and black art is ‘exploding,” in the county said Commissioner Dennis Moss at the tourism committee last week and included a black art kick off at the Catalina hotel on the Beach before Art Basil and included a black Art insert in the Miami Herald he noted and these events were well attended.urricane mathew

 

>>> GMCVB press release: For the months of January-November 2016, hotel room supply in Greater Miami and the Beaches increased by 4.2% over the previous year.  Hotel rooms sold during this same period increased by 1.6% compared to 2015, significantly absorbing the increase in hotel room inventory year on year.

During the month of October, the destination was impacted by hurricane Matthew. Other headwinds facing the destination year to date through November 2016 include the Miami Beach Convention Center expansion and renovation, global economies, the national elections and other factors such as alternative accommodations.

January – November 2016
Rooms Sold
January – November 2016	January – November 2015	% Change vs. 2015
13,523,722	13.315.379	+1.6%
Rooms Supply
January – November 2016	January – November 2015	% Change vs. 2015
53,827	51,641	+4.2%

 

OIG: report on MIA vendor keeping two sets of books

For more go to http://www.miamidadeig.org/newsreleases2016/IG15.07AMSIRamirezPlea10.13.16.pdf

 

>>> PAST WDR: The Miami-Dade Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is asking Gov. Rick Scott to appoint a member to the regional planning board and the request came from Rebeca Sosa and she is close with Scott. And other municipal representatives come from Dade cities with over 50,000 residents and back in 2001 one governor representative Ron Krongold tried to get the MPO back then to fund to the tune of $10 million a local A.M. radio station to-do traffic updates (owned by prominent Haitian Rudy Moise, D.O. that I pointed out these were free from all the other stations and was part of their federal community benefit package with federal agencies. And had then Commissioner Joe Martinez said “You’re on fire, bail out,” he told Krongold who was fighting the issue on the MPO and Bush would later remove him from the body after this incident.

 

>>> And Commissioner Javier Souto wants the MPO to study water taxis and using the extensive canal and water routes to reduce road congestion and Miami used to be a major boating manufacturer he said during World War II and it could become a considerable tourist draw he suggested at the MPO on Thursday and the man is the longest serving commissioner along with Commissioner Dennis Moss..

Miami-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

 

 

>>> Audit committee delayed, waiting for audit of WLRN 71.3 F.M., radio station

 

A delay in a WLRN 91.3 FM station audit has put an audit committee meeting on hold until the audit is received and the school board holds the license for the radio and television station, and years ago the station’s board changed their bylaws eliminating the need for the superintendent support for the general manager position and was done e years ago behind the scenes but Carvalho worked it out and the by-laws were changed and for a while the station was the hot topic at district audit meetings. So the WDR looks forward to the document being released.

 

>>>> School board Audit committee votes on new leadership, was not always the case for community firewall, looking after your tax dollars, Atty. CPA Rayfield McGhee, Jr., Chair, vice-chair Wendelken, CPA, Charters account for “18 %,or 63,000 students” of nation’s fourth largest public schools district

 

The all-important Miami-Dade public Schools Audit and Budget Review committee met and selected its new leadership Tuesday and the committee is the community’s firewall for any wayward projects like buying land on an native Indian burial ground or land owned by a politically connected individually and the effective committee is one of the reasons you don’t see scandals like in the past and the leadership now rotates every two years per school board rules. But years ago when Hank Mack chaired the committee for almost ten years there was a “awkward pause,” when the committee voted a new chair Betsy Amos to take the leadership post but since then every two years it changes and this is good and the committee is made up of CPAs and attorneys.

 

New leadership?

 

And on Tuesday the Audit board elected Rayfield McGee, Jr., Esq., as the chair of the important board and Erick Wendelken, CPA is the vice-chair of the board.

 

What about Charter Schools?

 

The explosion of Charter Schools that offers parents’ choice have become very profitable for people running them like Academica that manages 39 of the charters said audit staff. Further Supt. Alberto Carvalho noted that Charters student enrollment “reached 63,000 students,” or 18 percent,” of all the district’s enrollment and is a huge number of students and is similar in size to a school region.

 

However, some charters have some unusual practices and there are cases of loans unaccounted for and in one case district Charter School funding was sent to different county which is “illegal,” states a letter from the Florida department of Education. And to read all the agenda and back-up go to and the charter school reports are a great read.

http://mca.dadeschools.net/AuditCommittee/AC_December_6_2016/Agenda.pdf

 

And here is an IG report on stealing, http://www.miamidadeig.org/2016MDCPS/SB1516.1002CutlerBayArrest.pdf

 

And since the district is self-insured when it comes to Medicare fraud the IG office is much needed and recently discovered some coaches bringing baseball players from Mexico and Cuba who attendee sports academies in violation of Florida statutes and it is a great read. http://www.miamidadeig.org/2016MDCPS/SB.1213.1005.pdf

 

>>> 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:

 

PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST

 

>>> PASTWDR: Jackson Health Foundation celebrates its 25^th birthday with Gala fundraising event Jan 21, 2017

 

The Jackson Health Foundation is celebrating its 25^th anniversary Jan 21, 2017 and the goal is to seek donations to the Foundation’s Miracle Fund with the Gala being held at Soho Studios. AND the foundation plays a major role in paying for treatment when local residents cannot and is an important arm of JHS

 

>>>PHT CEO Carlos Migoya updated the Miami –Dade Commission at the Prosperity committee on the progress updating Jackson Health System and its new clinics and was the result of county voters overwhelmingly passing a Jackson Miracle $636 million bond to refurbish the ageing campus with over 12,000 employees and affiliated with the University of Miami Stuart Miller Medical School

 

And does more transplants than any hospital in the nation and most of it is cutting edge medical care, yet is available to the public augmented by a half-cent sales tax that generated some $251 million, based on transit revenue numbers and is a similar number for JHS

 

>>> Miami-Dade BCC taps Rev. Walter T. Richardson as new trustee, “works hard,” says Commissioner Moss

 

The Rev. Dr. Walter Richardson was confirmed by the county commission Tuesday to be new trustee on the seven member PHT board chaired by Joe Arriola and he is a “hard worker,” said county commissioner Dennis Moss and the man was appointed to the Community Relations board where his leadership has helped deal with a host of issues over the years. The man is an adjunct professor in religion at St. Thomas University and is the Chaplin of the Miami-Dade County police Department and has been a calming community voice yet an advocate and is a good choice for the PHT board and he was at the last all day PHT committee meeting.

 

>>> Jackson South new trauma center gets busy over the weekends provides top notch trauma medical care for South Dade residents

 

The Trauma Center at Jackson South Community hospital is getting very busy on weekends and the new center is a community jewel with some of the best Trauma surgeons in the nation and when it first opened the state questioned if it was needed since Kendall regional also has a trauma center as well but this new location is busy on weekends and is much appreciated.

>>> Jackson Health System to open new renovated primary care clinic in lobby of Stephen P. Clark Center, Tuesday at 9:00 a.m.

 

Press release: We know that Miami-Dade County employees are true believers in the power of public services like Jackson Health System. We are proud to be re-introducing one of our specialized programs designed especially to serve them: the Downtown Medical Center in the lobby of the Stephen P. Clark Center.

 

The Downtown Medical Center has been recently renovated and upgraded to provide primary care services that are convenient for County employees, including both scheduled appointments and walk-in care. The center will continue operating from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays.

 

The physicians and staff at the Downtown Medical Center represent the same high level of expertise that you have come to expect from Jackson’s programs and facilities across Miami Dade County, and we know many County employees take advantage of these services near their homes and other work sites. Our centralized electronic medical record means we can provide a seamless experience regardless of which Jackson facility they choose. To celebrate this evolution in the center’s mission, please join us for a ribbon-cutting on Tuesday, November 15 at 9 a.m., with thanks to Chairman Jean Monestime for accommodating this reception.

 

>>> GOB oversight board doing good job, main campus hospital looks great, halls glisten and welcome patients to world class public healthcare, major change since 1997

 

The Watchdog Report covered the GOB oversight board made up of citizens with specific skills sets and is the public firewall of how the $830 million in GOB bonds are being spent. And the GOB committee chair is Jose Luis Gomez and the group overseeing these new dollars are taking their job very seriously and are doing a good job of overseeing the projects including approving new fuel lines for generators in dire need of replacement and cost $205,839 of which $234,489 will come from bond proceeds state’s committee documentation.

 

How does Jackson look?

 

Since 1997 I have covered Jackson health System and the hospitals transformation is remarkable and the hospital is more inviting and much easier to navigate through its glistening hallways that used to have a worn look and JHS is reaching new heights in patient care and patient experience at the public hospital that receives some $350 million in public funding but given the level of charity care over $500 million.. However, PHT CEO Carlos Migoya working with the unions has transformed the world class healthcare institution that is affiliated with the University Of Miami Miller Medical School into the community jewel we need.

 

CITY OF MIAMI

 

>>>> Upper East side residents go ballistic over proposed mega development on Legion Park land, mayor Regalado says he would veto any such development

 

The Miami Upper East Side and Morningside neighborhoods residents went ballistic at a town Hall over a mega development on Legion Park after the VFW sold it to developers, and demolished the long time rustic clubhouse with beautiful views of Biscayne Bay and this new development in Morningside is causing a Rochus in the very community activist neighborhood. And Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado says he will vetoed the project but here in Miami things get approved even if it requires a 5 vote threshold on the commission and residents up there are some of the most active advocates for smart community development and many of these voters are very politically active and want to keep the feel of the historic neighborhood that decades ago was looking tired but has bounced back as a tony location and readers will see how this pans out

 

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article126501109.html

 

>>> “A number of failures,’ occurred when it came to leaky evidence trailer and has mold and had evidence for homicides and other crimes says, Miami Police Chief Llanes

 

“ A number of failures occurred,” said Miami Police Chief Rodolfo Llanes in a discussion of the police department evidence room in a trailer under 1-95 that leaked and had mold and affected over 500 cases including homicides but the chief after reviewing the evidence noted none of the cases would be impacted. He also made a pitch for a new police headquarters since the current one was for 900 officers not the 1,338 on the force now said the chief to commissioners during the discussion.

 

What about Miami Commission Chair Keon Hardeman?

 

Hardeman a former public defender noted this was “Platinum,” for any defense attorney and they would argue any evidence was tainted given the condition of the trailer and a new building once owned by the city but now the county will be perhaps a longer term solution to the evidence room in a trailer.

 

>>> Former Mayor Carollo jumps into commission District 4 race Monday, resurrecting his political career

 

Former Mayor Joe Carollo filed his papers to run for the commission District 4 seat Monday now held by Frank Carollo who is seeking to become mayor and is facing off against Francis Suarez for the top job.

 

>>>> With the pack of candidates running for a variety of City of Miami commission seats the slogan of a new generation takes an autocracy aspect as Francis Suarez seeks the mayoral spot and he has been pushing for a “strong mayor form of government.”

 

And controversial former Miami Mayor Joe Carollo is eyeing the commission district 4     seat (and filed papers last week) now held by his brother Frank Carollo and Carollo the elder was never accused of being dishonest (which was a big deal given the arrests of a couple of commissioners), but was perhaps a little paranoid getting the press moniker “Crazy Joe,” given his mercurial moods that. I witnessed first-hand years ago and some of his drama and antics made me realize a Watchdog was needed (since everyone was getting emails by then) and had Anglo Miamians throwing bananas (and it was an ethnic meltdown) in front of city hall and ethnic tensions were exploding all over the county and Miami had lead national news for almost nine months over the saga of Elian Gonzalez.

 

The young Cuban boy who was extracted by the federal government and returned to Cuba after his mother died in the crossing. And tensions were so high that in South Dade Anglos were carrying confederate flags and African-Americans were chanting “F… the Cubans, “and the Herald had a great shot of that protest back in 2000. And at that point I thought we had crossed a line as fires and demonstrations rocked Miami and the older brother after a divorce said. He “was worth more dead than alive,” he considered at the time and the WDR was at the divorce proceedings.

 

Further, he threw a tea container at his then wife and believed much of the social turbulence in Miami was the fault of the Miami Herald and the mayor back then actually flew (on his dime) to San Jose to complain to Knight Ridder Publisher Tony Ritter about the paper’s coverage of Elian. Since Carollo believed he helped the Herald get another Pulitzer Prize years earlier for the voter fraud story when his election was thrown out in 2007 by the courts for widespread voter fraud and included Manuel Yip voting for years after his demise. And the courts invalidated the election between Xavier Suarez and Carollo was made mayor.

 

And in 2002 Carollo lost to Manuel “Manny” Diaz after one of his media operatives Carlos McDonald had a Spanish radio station saying that outgoing voter were voting for Diaz and the move was said to diminish Carollo’s voters from bothering to vote before the polls closed and he lost the close race to Mayor Diaz.

 

And When I asked Carollo why he just did not call Ridder since they knew each other and why fly there because it was not an easy connecting flight back then to San Jose?

 

“He said I was being setup by The Herald,” and I walked out and told his chief of staff Rhonda Vangates. In the future I will just cover him out in the public but no more one on ones. I told her back then. Further, with him following his brother in the district he has more than a good chance of winning, given voters lack of political memory in these races.

 

What happens every two years?

 

The commission every two years has to vote on the city’s clerk and attorney and is part of the Miami code but this is an off year.

 

>>> The 2017 mayoral race will be contentious but will candidates Suarez & Carollo remember why they are running or will mayoral perks be the reason. —heads would roll in private sector, “says Carollo to manager after police evidence contaminated in leaky moldy trailer, 11 guns missing from Homicide evidence room warned by Miami attorney not to discuss, causes a call for manager Alphonso to be fired saved after 2-3 vote but has to be super majority,

 

“Heads would roll,” carped Miami Commissioner Frank Carollo regarding the revelation that the Miami Police Department evidence room was contaminated and will subject the city with a host of legal cases, and Carollo said the city’s attorney Victoria Menéndez advised him not to discuss the issue in public given the legal ramifications and was brought to light by blogger Al Crespo and has attorneys lining up to sue the city an also includes the loss of a number of guns and the commission had an extensive discussion on whether to fire Miami Manager Daniel Alphonso and commissioner Wilfredo Gort, and Suarez noted with the current form of government “It is not easy to work with commissioners,” Further Commissioner Ken Russel noted “there was an agenda error,” relating to puppy mills legislation he was proposing and the city has to tighten-up its act, if they want to pass a GOB in the future.

 

What did blogger Al Crespo say to commission Chair Keon Hardeman?

 

Crespo a frequent critic of Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado’s administration said commissioners were wrong and not “Democratic,” when they discussed speeders on the South Grove streets after numerous people talked at the beginning of the meeting seeking some remediation measures like having residential streets be changed to only 20 m.ph. But they then went back to the discussion in the late afternoon after all the speakers had left and had commissioner Francis Suarez questioning the commission procedures trying to prevent this disconnect that Hardeman said was not the intention in the back and forth exchange. And at one point looked like he might cut him off but that did not happen and Al made his point. And to red Crespo go to www.crespogram.com

 

What about Miami Commissioner Frank Carollo?

 

Miami Commissioner Frank Carollo is mulling whether he should run for mayor next year since , Mayor Tomas Regalado is termed out and if he does he will likely face Commissioner Francis Suarez who wants to follow in in his father’s footsteps Xavier Suarez as mayor and Suarez years ago beat the elder Joe Carollo but the race was voided after one dead voter Manuel Yip, cast a ballot but the elder Suarez was never implicated or charged but the whole affair was tumultuous and gave Miami a major black eye and might explain why the younger Suarez is working the political circuit and showed up at the Miami-Dade School board meeting for the creation of student “safe zones,” that are being pushed to keep kids out of the line of violence that has been plaguing parts of Miami’s inner cities where young people have been getting killed almost daily and has been vexing for local leaders to correct including a bullet missing a child in a portable at Francis Tucker Elementary and had Supt. Alberto Carvalho saying this is totally unacceptable and had school officials promising to redouble their efforts to stop this student carnage..

 

>>> Miami PD to get Ar-15s for active shooter situations, small caliber bullet can penetrate body armor many times worn by active shooters

 

The Miami Police department’s officers will be getting new rifles including the Bush master similar to a AR-15 since some situations put officers in a situation where they need the extra firepower and having the police chief citing the San Bernardino incident, Pulse and others tragic shootings from around the country. And here is more on the rifle that some3.5 million are estimated in circulation.

http://www.slate.com/blogs/crime/2013/01/02/gun_control_ar_15_rifle_the_nra_claims_the_ar_15_rifle_is_for_hunting_and.html And 59 police officers were killed in 2016 and is why the chief is suggesting this new hardware escalation.

 

>>> Miami taxpayers better hold on to their wallets as leaky rusted police evidence trailer has 564 cases compromised from homicides to suicides, will be a wok program for suing attorneys and calls into question the integrity of all these cases and is another unacceptable Miami moment that will have legs.

 

What the heck is going on at the City of Miami Police Department that has a rusty leaky trailer as the evidence room for some 564 cases including homicides and suicides compromised because of exposure to the elements under the 1-95 underpass near police headquarters and was exposed by blogger Al Crespo and to read the disturbing story go tohttp://www.thecrespogram.com/miamis-police-chief-and-city-manager-need-to-be-fired-mobile-.html
What about potential lawsuits against Miami?

 

While the city is flush with some $220 million in reserves Miami taxpayers better hold on for attorneys are salivating at the lawsuits they will be able to bring and given the condition of the container this neglect may have come while Johnny Martinez was city manager because the determination and rust is significant. However, this kind of neglect is almost criminal and defendants cannot be cleared or correctly charged for some of these violent crimes and this kind if dereliction of duty and responsibility to Miamians is beyond belief and since this kind of stuff still surfaces it must not be condoned for taxpayers and the code of justice for all deserves better as the city fills its coffers with traffic congestion and overdevelopment.

 

What about Miami commissioner’s net worth for the year?

 

Miami Commissioners Francis Suarez, Frank Carollo, Keon Hardeman, Ken Russell and Wilfredo Gort, and Mayor Tomas Regalado financial disclosures show Regalado’s net worth was $12,000 through July 2016, Carollo is worth $952,534 Gort lists $414,000 for 2016 Russell has $397,603 Hardeman has ($153,000.00) and Gort owns a property in Tavernier worth $200,000 and another house in Sebring Florida valued at $7,000.

 

>> 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 Communications Coordinator

 

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2015/11/fSLSC website for more info, or email us (slsc@fiu.edu) with any questions and/or recommendations for other events to include. Thank you,

 

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

 

>>> Mayor Levine says sayonara, will not seek reelection, mayoral field could be Grieco, Gelber but field still in flux

 

Mayor Phillip Levine has decided to say sayonara to being mayor and is feeling out the political landscape for a possible gubernatorial run in 2000 when Gov. Rick Scott is termed out and Levine pushed a let’s get it done agenda and he was shocked at how slow the county government moved and he pushed the pumps projects to stop street flooding during king tides but these pumps came with a dark side since testing showed the ejected water carried some bacteria that leached from the streets into the Bay. However when Levine was first elected he was thin skinned when it came to criticism but he has gotten less sensitive over the four years in office and one of his allies Michael Grieco has announced he will run for mayor and Grieco is a defense attorney on the Beach.

 

Levine made his fortune in the publishing business supplying magazines for the cruise lines and the University of Michigan graduate was a big Hillary Clinton supporter and he went to the Tufts University Fletcher School of Law and diplomacy and the Spanish speaking Levine if Hillary had won was considered possible the first U.S. Ambassador to Cuba. However he appears to want to set his sights higher.

 

What about state Sen. Dan Gelber, D-Miami?

 

Gelber who lost his bid to be Florida AG to Pam Bondi is said to be considering running for mayor too and his father is a past mayor and Gelber is weighing his options but he could have good chance given his name reconition and he was a former federal prosecutor.

 

>>> Long time Miami Beach activist Del Veechio publishes fascinating memoires called “City Streets, the aviator has intriguing story to tell

 

PAST WDR: Longtime community activist and community leader Frank Del Vecchio has a new book called “City Streets, “and it is a memoir of the naval aviators life after graduating from Harvard law and it is a great read and explains why he became so involved in local politics and at the Pensacola naval aviation school he roomed with Donald Rumsfeld and the man has had a very full life in public service and Miami Beach residents should check it out

 

>>> While president-elect Trump says Climate Change is a “Chinese hoax,” octopus in water in Miami Beach parking garage says otherwise, more sea creatures on land expected in the future! Beach cleared of Zika zones says state

 

An octopus was found in a Miami Beach parking garage and brings home climate change and global warming and experts say to expect more creatures from the seas to be seen on land and while the city is trying to mitigate the sea level rise damage that has fish coming through gratings when the King tides hit as last week demonstrated and the moon was closer than it had been for years and for more go to http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/miami-beach/article115688508.html

 

COMMUNITY EVENTS

 

 

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

 

>>>> Now open http://www.margulieswarehouse.com/#/home

 

>>> And the Margulies Warehouse will be opening 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
> Press release: The Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science and Miami Science Barge join together to bring the expression of art to a scientific experiment. Visitors will have the opportunity to create artworks on a drift card that will be deployed into the ocean. These drift cards will help scientists gain understanding of how the ocean currents distribute debris through the Biscayne Bay. Admission is free. Miami Science Barge
1075 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami 305-434-9560www.dwntwnartdays.com

 
EDITORIALS

 

>>> Public servants need to remember that the job they do is not a right but a privilege especially given some of the perks that many in the private sector lost long ago and has – Miami tax payers holding on to their wallets. A place where people are allowed to double dip and get significant payouts when they retire and after watching Miami for 16 years. I can’t believe some of the stuff that goes on like the wet and moldy police evidence trailer under 1-95 that involve homicides and other cases and has attorneys lining up to sue the city. Money that would be better spent on raising cops salaries but because of this fiasco any extra money Miami might have will be spent in settlements. A practice that has gone on for years and is a standard operating procedure. And while Miami has a history of unusual events this police evidence room issue takes the cake

And Braman is right hate breeds nothing good and when one group’s liberty is gone all of us are at risk, and president elect Trump has to deal with this deep divide and quell fanaticism for the very Republic could be at stake and the Great Experiment could come to an end. For Hate and bigotry is an equal opportunity message and when the blow torch of hate turns on you, its scorched earth policy will only cause the bleak charred remains of how special America was and hopefully people will fight this viscous racism and hateful acts. And to read his complete editorial go to: http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/op-ed/article120067443.html

 

>>> After 564 cases compromised in Miami police wet and rusty evidence trailer, law suits will fly along with the miss-justice of Miami residents, what will final bill be?

 

Miami police rusted and leaky evidence trailer of contaminated evidence in 564 cases will cost taxpayers big time and denies justice in homicides and suicides

 

The contamination of Miami Police Department evidence raises the question can Miami govern itself and provide justice as was the cases with the 564 criminal cases ranging from homicides and suicides and is totally unacceptable that this was allowed to happen and police leadership must raise the bar for these kind of disasters just continue and after all the lawsuits it will make it more difficult for the city to pay more in police salaries because the law suits could result in real stiff settlements and frankly one can barely believe this was allowed to happen in an American city and Mayor Tomas Regalado has to raise the bar of performance and put an end to this. Since ‘Miami still stumbles through one disaster after another and shows a real house cleaning has to be done because it just keeps happening and an audit turns out to be bogus and why did the blogger Al Crespo http://www.thecrespogram.com/story-page-mobile-.html have to discover it. Which actually makes it worse and police leadership better get this cleared up and resolved quickly for it taints the whole arrest process and gives the impression that the city is an ongoing criminal enterprise and residents and taxpayers deserve much more of Miami if it is to continue to exist. Which something like this puts into doubt? And must end if the City is to survive and not have a citizens revolt something that has been percolating in some parts of the city.

 

>> And is one of the recommendations on an economic prosperity report done by FIU and is at www.FIU.edu

 

>>> 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 2001 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

 

>>> I was reading your report, by the way thank you for your reports. However, I need to make some corrections, first off thank you for realizing my email was hacked, I have not used the yahoo email in years. Further I would like to clear the airway about any relations to anyone in office, it’s false. I’m not a cousin or close relative to the Suarez folks. As a matter of fact, one of my focal points is to let voters know that I’m a fresh pair of eyes for the commission and indeed I’m ambitious. I’m 27 years old, foster child, a war veteran, and 6 year board member to the Civilian Investigative Panel, and boy did I make changes to that panel. I’m tired of these old family names trying to keep our City in the dark ages. I envision a City with Commissioners who give a darn, and I give a darn. See you out there.

 

Best,

 

Daniel Suarez

 

>>> 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

 

>>> 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 supporting 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 public 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 I also keep watch for the all-important tourism industry and with the Zika Virus people are starting to understand how vital these tourists are for a host of amenities like culture and the arts, Jackson health System and transportation dollars all entities that benefit from tourism sales tax dollars.

 

>>> And while the Watchdog Report has reached 16 years of using my own money to survive in the costlier Miami community. And while I have cut expenses I need my readers help. In this fast changing world and with Pay Pal now you can easily use a credit card to contribute and I hope you will consider helping keeping someone out in the field. And I have not wanted to be a lobbyist but rather a lobbyist for everyone and is why I use the tag line ‘I go when you cannot’. But things were made worse after spending 18 days in the hospital with a badly infected finger. And is why I am behind sending my traditional thank you letter to any supporters contributing and hop to catch up in the near future. And I thank these people from the bottom of my heart for the past financial help.

 

>>> And one of my sponsors who hates reading the above financial pleas suggested to me. I just ask any reader, once a year who thinks this community resource is valuable to contribute five or possible ten dollars via my Pay Pal account for the fiscal issues sometimes keeps me from going to a meeting sometimes, and the stress also affects my health and only with my readers support can “I go when you cannot,” thank you and hope you will help so the WDR can celebrate 17 years on May 5^th.

 

>>> And to support the WDR go to my Pay Pal account at www.watchdogreport.net

>>>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 for as media resources contract residents still need to know that someone is also watching out for their interests. Because government watched is a better governing experience for voters and their local quality of life?
 

 

To support and shop the Watchdog Report store, please click on the button below:

 

 
 

However, it is no easy task to do the WDR weekly. And years ago the county Ethics Commission did a report that suggested over the past decade some $50 million had been spent fighting waste fraud abuse and public corruption and having the press at public meetings (some very obscure) changes the tone of the meeting (and is why you don’t speed past a state trooper, if you’re smart) Further, I have tried to be an information electrolyte available to all free 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 future 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. And I thank my supporters 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        

 

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

 

>>> 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 16^th 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

 

>>> General subscriber’s names will not be published in the Report. To subscribe to the Watchdog Report please use the form below as a subscription invoice. ****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

 

Watchdog Report Supporters Invoice-Form Thank you

 

Supporting Sponsors $5,000

Sustaining Sponsors $2,000

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

 

Large Business Supporters $500

Small Business Supporters $250 

Individual Supporter $150

 

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Send to 3109 Grand Avenue, #125, Miami, FL 33133