Watchdog Report Vol. 18 No. 43 April 15, 2018 EST: 05.05.00 – I go when you cannot Celebrating almost 18 years of weekly publishing

Higgins

 

>>> A group of passionate speakers spoke against the extension of 836 at the County’s PAB Wednesday claiming it will only cause more congestion and would result in disrupting the community.

 

>>> It was revealed last week at a County Commission meeting that there is “15,000 frozen county employees,” and the reason for this is in the next two years the County will face a “$95 million gap,” said budget Director Jennifer Moon.

 

And these unfilled positions are going unfilled because of legislation changing the Homestead Exemption and governments are having to adjust budgets before this kick in in two years and this is a significant gap that the county’s administration must close in the months ahead n why some of these steps are in place.

 

Mayor Carlos Gimenez told county commissioners that when it comes to solar panels for electricity and need a lot of acreage that the rock pits owned by the county could be used for large solar arrays once battery technology has been perfected since there would be a drop off at night. However, this is the first time I had heard of this idea as FP&L expands its solar footprint.

 

Robert A. Ginsberg, the longest serving Miami-Dade County Attorney will have his portrait hung in the lobby of the Stephen P. Clark government center and the man was a legal legend and a true gentlemen and he was the longest serving attorney in county history from 1980 to 2005 and is why it is “one of the top law firms in the county,” multiple commissioners said. The legal eagle deserves this honor and his “warm smile,” is missed said Commissioner Rebeca Sosa. For more on his passing go to. http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/obituaries/article167018567.html he was also an early supporter of the WDR.

 

What did the OIG find back in 1999?

 

Back in 1999 the newly created office of the Miami-Dade County inspector general did an investigation of 30,000 water meters and found some two thirds of 15,000 meters were bypassed, and it was a cottage industry back then and farmers in Homestead were using county water for fields using fire hydrants for the long lines and the report concluded some $30 million was being lost in county revenue through leaks and this systematic bypassing of water meters and is a cottage industry in South Florida. I bring this up because the county has raised the price of water and if you have any leak it will involve serious money and will hit renters hard in the coming years.

 

>>> Further, last year’s IG annual report is out and it is a fascinating read and the office has saved millions since its creation 20-year ago and to read the report go to:   http://www.miamidadeig.org/ANNUALREPORTS2.htm

 

>>> New continuum of care center coming for homeless with mental issues, JHS involved one stop center

 

The Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust along with Jackson Health System is opening a one stop public facility for homeless who qualify for a new diversion program with a mental illness and includes many veterans on the streets and is an old facility previously used by the state, but it will offer a continuum of care and was briefly discussed at the trust board meeting Friday. The whole community has been seeking ways to resolve the mental health issues of the homeless now drawing in people with opioid addiction and a drop of fentanyl can kill and many times is cut with cheap yellow Mexican heroin that appeared years past and is causing thousands of overdoses and the city of Miami spent $150,000 in procuring the miracle drug Narcan that can revive a overdosed person almost immediately and these people cut across all ethnic lines and the issue was discussed Sunday on “This Week in South Florida,” and to see the show go to https://www.local10.com/this-week-in-south-florida/this-week-in-south-florida-oct-29

 

>>> And here is a broader explanation on the new facility Health System – Public Health Trust.

 

“Progress is being made to create a first of its kind mental health diversion and treatment facility which will centralize, coordinate, and provide a seamless continuum of care for individuals, including homeless individuals, who are frequent and high cost users of taxpayer funded services in the criminal justice and acute care treatment systems. South Florida Behavioral Health Network, Inc., DCF’s Managing Entity for administering state substance abuse and mental health funding in Miami-Dade County, will lead the renovation of a former state forensic hospital in Miami which will bring together community-based treatment and social services providers under one roof.

 

The project will include an integrated crisis stabilization unit and addiction receiving facility, various levels of residential treatment, day treatment and day activities programs, intensive case management, peer support and mentoring services, outpatient behavioral health and primary care treatment services, and vocational rehabilitation/supportive employment services. All services will be designed to address the complex and co-occurring needs of the target population, including mental health, substance abuse, physical health, histories of physical and emotional trauma, and risk factors for future criminal justice involvement.

 

The facility will also include space for the courts and for social service agencies such housing providers, legal services, and immigration services that will address the comprehensive needs of individuals served.  By housing a full array of services and supports in one location, it is anticipated that many of the barriers and obstacles to navigating traditional community mental health, substance abuse, and social services will be removed; and individuals who are currently recycling through the justice system, crisis units, hospitals, and other deep end services will be more likely to engage in ongoing and sustainable treatment and recovery services. The Mental Health Diversion Facility is championed by Judge Steven Leifman, who chairs the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust’s Finance & Audit Committee.  The project has been developed with input from the Department of Children and Families and the Agency for Health Care Administration, which will be responsible for designating and licensing service providers at the facility.  The Miami-Dade County Legislative Delegation spearheaded efforts to occupy the building based on a 99-year lease at $1/year.  The facility is funded, in large part, with county General Obligation Bond funds, with additional funding provided by the Jackson Health and The Public Health Trust.

 

>> GMCVB press release: During the month of February 2018, passengers through PortMiami reached record levels and increased by +1.3 percent compared to the previous year. Growth is due in part to the addition of a new ship offering year-round service and the extensive cruise options offered by PortMiami.

TOP STORY – RECORD PORTMIAMI PASSENGERS FOR FEBRUARY 2018

PortMiami Passengers February 2018 February 2017 % Change 492,998 486,579 +1.3%

 

What about the Homeless Trust’s Rent Connect program with landlords?

 

The trust has a new program where people with rental housing can register their rental with the county and for more on the program go to: http://www.homelesstrust.org/rentconnect.asp

 

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

 

>>> Millions of student’s March on Washington protesting people being able to buy AR-15 type of rifles like the one used at Margaret Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland and the movement has spread around the nation and protests are being held around the world.

 

However, one high profile student is being portrayed as against the Second Amendment and in an interview with the media. He says he understands the importance of this since his father is a retired FBI Special Agent and their guns in his house. He said people have no reason to have a weapon of war the AR-15 and the guns were banned until 2004 when the assault weapon ban was lifted and the gun gained popularity after President Obama was elected and people feared the government would take their guns and that did not materialize but the gun ownership went up after his election and has become ubiquitous around the nation.

 

The Hialeah Gardens Middle School Jazz band rocked the school board auditorium and the band’s stirring rendition of Glenn Miller’s “Sing, Sing Sing,” was moving and the drummer a future Gene Krupa got the tom-tom-beat just right and these musicians should get signed up for these were great musicians and having these programs was the idea of Supt. Alberto Carvalho. As a former drummer I say to the band great job!

 

The School Board Audit and Budget Review Committee is meeting, and this board is the community firewall and watchdog and is made up of accountants and CPA.s and is one of the community’s best functioning boards with a smooth transition of its leadership since 2004 and that is a big deal because a decade before the chair Hank Mack never changed. Further when he was voted out there was “awkward pause,” in the room and the requisite plaque was created. Further the Audit department has a new Chief Auditor And here is the agenda and includes the WLRN audit. http://mca.dadeschools.net/AuditCommittee/AC_March_13_2018/item5.pdf

 

PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST

 

>>> The PHT board gave a pay raise to President and CEO Carlos Migoya for his impressive performance in turning around the beleaguered public health system that was hemorrhaging millions, remarkable job

 

President and CEO Carlos Migoya received the highest marks in his evaluation and while a total compensation package over $1 million that number is consistent with what other healthcare executives are compensated and one of his strengths is letting unions and other stake holders have a seat at the table and working on efficiencies with the unions and his leadership kept the state from slashing $95 million in reduced state funding and is in contrast where past leadership did not inspire lawmakers of the largest public hospital in the SE United States.

 

Who was Jackson’s first anchor baby Dr. Joe Greer?

 

Community legend Joe Greer, Jr., M.D. spoke to the trustee board and he “( noted he was Miami’s first anchor baby,” since he was born at Jackson and his physician father Dr. Greer, Sr.,)” and the physician thanked the board for the role Jackson has played to the benefit of having FIU medical students in the community and along with University of Miami’s Miller Medical school were making in the community. Greer said the institutions working together for the overall community health with their primary physicians going into practice and these new physicians are getting good reviews from their peers.

 

Further, Steven Falcone, M.D. noted the physicians Match Day had passed and many of the new students were matching with Jackson and will keep them generally in South Florida since many physicians stay where they do the specialist training and given Miami’s demographics these new doctors are needed.

 

What about the FIU bridge collapse?

 

Greer said four FIU physicians rushed to the site of pedestrian bridge collapse and tried to render whatever aid they could. Greer who used to go into the homeless camps providing aid has been a passionate humanitarian and has been awarded a host of honors. And for more on Greer go to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedro_José_Greer And for more on the pay raise go to:http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article207301134.html

 

>>>> Florida Legislature needs to fund Ryder Trauma, the communities crown jewel for Trauma

 

What about Ryder Trauma?

 

Florida Legislators need to reaffirm the importance of the Ryder Trauma Center and keep funding for the medical center. One of the finest in the world and is the only Class I Center in South Florida and should be nurtured by law makers. I reminded Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera, R Monday of this fact. He noted when a Florida State Trooper was badly injured it was Ryder that saved his life and he seemed to understand what a jewel the center is to the community.

 

>>> Trust continues to have clean audits, challenges continue ahead, closed the year with $30 million budget surplus, 50 days cash on hand, new rehabilitation Center property prepped Friday

 

The PHT trustees meeting was short and sweet Wednesday with the health trust having a “clean,” KPMG audit for last year and the auditing firm has been the trust’s auditor for 7 years but having no audit exemptions is a big deal and back in 2004 under previous management the trust took a $84 million chargeback on past audits going back to the late 1990s.

 

What about the new rehabilitation Center?

 

Migoya said Friday dignitaries were going to start the demolition of buildings on land that will be used for the new rehabilitation facilities long awaited and needed at JHS and is being founded from the $830 million obligation bond passed overwhelmingly by voters after the trust righted itself with help of the unions and currently there are some 1,200 full time workers an there is currently “50 days of cash,” on hand and at one point years ago it was only some 9 to 15 days and put the health trust in jeopardy but Migoya and his team has turned that fiscal situation through efficiencies in the rear mirror.

 

>>> New report on how JHS spending $830 million bond monies, going well

 

Here is the most recent update on the $830 million GOB passed by County wide voters to update the ageing facilities at Jackson Health System and the projects are going very well and includes minority vender participation similar the public schools oversight system and this public money is key to the communities’ health since there is a big push toward prevention and wellness has FIU physicians doing primary and family medicine and is a real boon in keeping healthcare costs down. To read the report go:

file:///C:/Users/DAN%20RICKER/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/Content.Outlook/8UMCRP67/Mayor-BCC-PHT%20-%20CAC%20Quarterly%20Report%20-%20July%20to%20September%202017.pdf

 

CITY OF MIAMI

 

>>> Another shakedown by commission public benefit contribution goes from $40,000 to $100,000 for development approval, body has long tradition of this, certainly not good governance

 

 

For a brief second Thursday at the City of Miami Commission meeting the commission was back in 2000. Right after the Elian Gonzalez controversy and the dust up occurred when Commissioner Ken Russell wanted commissioners to support a resolution to join a DACA amicus brief lawsuit that has multiple states but only a few cities like LA, Seattle and New York and the commissioner who just ended his congressional campaign the day before. He said joining this was like street naming’s for Cuban dissident groups. But Reyes bristled saying this was “Political” versus the dissidents who are tortured beaten and killed, and Russell later apologized for giving that impression when he made the comment. Further, Commissioner joe Carolllo who has a history of sowing ethnic discontent gave it a pass and the commission settled down to do the people’s business

 

What about an agreement with the Village of Key Biscayne regarding events on Virginia Key and its lawsuit that went into mediation?

 

An agreement hammered out with Key Biscayne, by Commissioner Ken Russell failed 2-2 so the settlement failed. However, Commissioner Joe Carollo disagreed, and commission Manola Reye’s said it struck at the “sovereignty,” of the city and the concessions were ones suggested by the administration but will now be settled in court.

 

Carollo also questioned a Miami Off-Street Parking board member Larry Spring, CPA seeking to stay on the autonomous board, where commissioners can only confirm appointees. He asked Spring what he would do if he gave him proof “beyond the shadow of doubt,” that some illegal activities are occurring with rogue private parking sites that included one on a church’s parking lot at night and Carollo says there are numerous examples of this. He further, suggested criminal behavior saying when you “discuss, parking, and towing, you had better go and wash your hands,” his experience suggests. He is also thinking of requiring valet drivers to have a background check and many of them he says go through a cars glove box. For more on Spring go to: http://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/miami-cfo-larry-springs-house-of-disorder-6561964

 

The commission once again asked for cash donations from the dais to an attorney and the developer originally said the public benefit payment $40,000, got bumped to $100,000 continues bad tradition of shake down

 

Carrolo believes the city of Miami has been “taken as chumps,” when it comes to developers and after all the development all “the big fish,” did not make the public benefit he believes some of the zoning changes granted by the commission the city deserves. The issue was an affordable housing project that includes two units of workforce housing wanting a fifth story and when the attorney proffered $40,000. However, The commissioner Carollo pulling out his calculator doing some calculation thought a much higher number was deserved and that’s when the attorney talked to his client and then changed the contribution to $100,000 and returns a shake down policy that had the Ritz Carleton project having to pay $500,000 for every zoning variance to complete the complex and former Commissioner J.L. Plummer was pushing this policy that fly’s in the face of good government and is a horrible habit when done at the public dais to get into.

 

Residents on the Venetian Causeway want attention from the Miami Police department and the issue came up at a Miami zoning board meeting where the residents live in a co-op and they complained of frequent car break-ins and are looking for some attention since many residents are retires many said.

 

Arts maven Lewis “Mike” Eidson has kept his word and raised some $11 million for the coconut Grove Playhouse Foundation and is still pushing his plan for Richard Heisenbottle historic plan and is the one favored by Grove preservationist versus the County’s plan that is described as mixed retail that happens to have a theater. Eidson the former Chair of the Adrianne Arsht Performing Arts Center has said the county’s plan was not bold enough and would not draw top order acts and theater to the area in the Grove that sits empty since 2006 when it closed under fiscal pressure and debt and the county has to 2020 to open the facility and could be sold as state surplus property and will revert back to the state.

 

>>>Update: The Coconut Grove Playhouse Foundation raises $11 million will help with preservationist Heisenbottle proposed plan supported by many Grovites — Editor’s note Eidson on Thursday told the WDR it was more like $25 million including grants available for the historic playhouse

 

>>>Miami manager Gonzalez adds Napoli from MIA to his staff, Commission Carollo ads Rodriguez to his staff and Reyes hires Regalado son Jose.

 

Former state Rep. Jose “Pepe” Diaz pitched an affordable housing development at Thursday’s Miami Commission meeting and Commissioner joe Carollo extracted $10,000 from the past lawmaker and while the money is to go the optimist Club and this type of shakedown was very popular at the end of 1990’s a when the Ritz Carleton added an unpermitted extra floor. Then Commissioner J.L. Plummer asked the developer to make a $500,000 donation to a worthwhile charity, but this is not a good governance practice and makes it seem when it comes to Miami. Money talks and is a poor habit for leaders to bargain this way. Miami City Hall is up armored and on Thursday two policeman were outside the building with assault rifles instead of just a hand gun. Further police cars were spotted outside Coconut Grove Elementary school and Saint Stevens.

 

What about all the mayor’s travel?

 

Carollo also is taking digs at all the travel the Mayor is doing and he noted when he was mayor he did not do that much but Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado did extensive travel, many times with his children in tow. Further, Carollo and Suarez had a sharp exchange when discussing the creation of the Miami Forever oversight board and Carollo lectured Suarez on the city’s form of government and that it was not a strong mayor form that Suarez is pushing but meeting resistance.

 

What about the Watson Island Flagstone project?

 

Suarez Friday told the WDR that he believes the city appeal of a local court ruling will be successful saying past administrations due diligence for the Flagstone Development on Watson Island was flawed and the developer never had the financial where with all to get the project done and the company “had been shopping the deal,” he said and the final verdict will be determined by the District’s Third Court of appeal. However, this deal has always been political and was selected by the financial urgency board created by the state and at the time was chaired by banker Adolpho Henriques and the Flagstone project was to pay the most of three proposals that were put on the ballot. The selection committee back in 2001 met at the Miami outboard motor club. Further, the city was sued $120 million for it claiming the development was in default and along with pension concerns the city is dealing with a variety of fiscal obligations.

 

>>> Miami code enforcement officers will be followed by a “beat cop,” says new code enforcement director high ranking Miami police officer, long over due

 

The City of Miami is cracking down on code violations and enforcement and a new director is a high-ranking Miami Police officer and these “beat code enforcement officers. Will works weekends and a new hot line is being established. Since over the weekends many people “cut down trees,” or do other violations including noise and Commissioner Joe Carollo led the charge and has asked how “Many blind code enforcement officers does the city have?” Further, the director noted “police officers, “will be “visible and prevalent.” The city has been known to be lax when it comes to the enforcement of the city’s code.

 

What about soccer fields on Virginia Key? However, Bruce Matheson told me recently that a 116acre land fill could be cleaned up and mitigated for some $5 million, a Hollywood firm did similar site in St. Lucie County, he said

 

Miami Commissioners are starting to express an interest in putting soccer fields possible on Virginia Key and it was suggested by Commissioner Joe Carollo and Commissioner Manolo Reyes who also noted the need for such facilities as did Mayor Francis Suarez. However, the Key is an ecological treasure and includes a major landfill dump that the county has $40 million from a bond to clean it up but says that is short. However, Matheson had an outside engineering firm Hazel & Sawyer, from Hollywood look at it and they believed the 116-acre landfill could be capped and mitigated for some $5 million and the firm did a similar project in St. Lucie County near their airport. Further, in this landfill is an earthmoving machine that was sucked into the toxic dump decades ago. But if cleaned up it is prime waterfront property and this dump should be addressed once and for all for Virginia Key needs to no longer be a Miami stepchild asset,

 

What about the new commissioner staffers and Gonzalez snares Napoli from MIA?

 

Miami Commissioner Manola Reyes has hired Jose Regalado as a staffer in his office and he is an underwater photographer and his brother Tomas lost to Commissioner Joe Carollo in the past election. However, it continues the political patronage of children of polls living off the public dole and Jose is the one that convinced his father climate change was real and had the city passing a $430 million bond last year.

 

Commissioner Jo Carollo is bringing in Anthony Rodriguez into his office. Rodriguez is a Miami man and veteran from the Chicago Transit to be his chief of staff.

 

Further, Emilio Gonzalez has recruited Joe Napoli from MIA where he had worked before under Gonzalez. And a former aide to former mayor Manny Diaz is on Gonzalez’s staff

 

What about the Venetian Causeway residents?

 

>>> Commission balks at rubber stamping board for Bayfront Park trust, at large members all Carollo’s choice

 

Commissioner Joe Carollo when it comes to the Bay Front Park Trust, he chairs a watchdog board. He wants to be able to pick all the at Large members on the relatively small board which he says is the “commission’s tradition,” but Commissioner Ken Russell balked at that and he wanted to see resumes” to see Carollo’s appointments. And back in 2000. This trust caught my attention and was then chaired by long serving Commissioner J.L. Plummer and the executive director Ira Katz was later arrested. However, Carollo shot back that he doesn’t remember of needing resumes with past candidates and suggested maybe the “CRA,” chairs not appoint their own board members if an exception can’t be made.

 

Carollo also during a budget update warned given some of the city’s possible liabilities and a potential $120 million settlement with the police and fire unions could send the city in a fiscal spiral and frugality should be the watchword. Further, and of course the Flagstone development suit on Watson island another $120 million liability facing Miami.

 

What about good governance at Bayfront Park Trust?

 

The WDR ears perked up when I heard this about the trust board members and was surprised. Carollo was so serious about having essentially a rubber stamp board. Since he is such a stickler on other matters, but this trust and the MESA board are a Miami back door entity to do projects on the waterfront. That rarely come to fruition such as the Flagstone project. Further his brother Frank had been pushing for an over $1 million German playground set that was a no bid contract and caused discussion among many the board members. Russell also suggested FIU professor Nathan Kurland be on the board. The man has been on it for some time and readers will see if Carollo changes his mind.

 

Carollo

Russell

 

What about the Miami Children’s Museum (MCM)?

 

Carollo also went after the MCM director because the not for-profit was seeking some city land about a half-acre for a new Autism wing and is offering to also make a park in the land left and would be maintained by MCM saving the city money. Editor’s note: Carollo said his wife had an autistic boy and one Miami Charter school once they heard the “A” word never called his wife back, he told his peers on the dais, and he thought that was deeply wrong he said. Without naming the school. He also reminded commissioners when he left there was $100 million in reserves back in 2001 when Mayor Manny Diaz was elected and blew through a lot of this reserve with the Marlins stadium and the Global Agreement with the county being the final strain on the Miami budget.

 

What about the Forever Miami bond Oversight Board?

 

However, Carollo wanted with MCM to see three property appraisals part of legislation known as “the Carollo Amendment,” that sates any projects on waterfront land must get voter approval and was passed by voters back in 1984. The city’s finances were very aggressive saying. Miami is dependent on real estate and when things are good the city “spends money like a drunken sailor,” and rarely socks anyway in a “rainy day” fund.

 

CITY OF MIAMI BEACH

 

>>> Kristen Rosen Gonzalez was not charged, in ethics investigation still running for congress

 

Press release: Ethics Commission Issues Letter Critical of Miami Beach Commissioner. The Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics and Public Trust (COE) today approved a Letter of Instruction to Miami Beach City Commissioner Kristen Rosen-Gonzalez regarding a complaint (C 17-38) that she exploited her official position when she got involved in the police investigation of a political supporter.  Last month the Commission voted to issue the Letter, which admonishes Rosen-Gonzalez.  The Ethics probe determined that Rosen-Gonzalez was unaware of illegal activities, for which the friend was under police investigation, when she forwarded an email from him containing distorted facts about an event he claimed led to the investigation, but that she did not intentionally try to prevent his arrest.  The Letter of Instruction warns that, in the event she decides to forward information from constituents about possible criminal activity to the police department in the future, she must exercise caution “so that it does not appear that she is using her official position…to intervene in a criminal investigation.”  It further states that “Rosen-Gonzalez’s rush to defend [her supporter] was ill-conceived and demonstrated a lapse in judgment” and adds, “the public’s trust is diminished when it appears that a City Commissioner has influence over members of the police department.”

 

The COE found No Legal Sufficiency to a complaint (C 18-01-03) filed against North Miami Beach City Commissioner Phyllis Smith for accepting a paid trip to Monte Carlo, Monaco, and not truthfully reporting the costs of the gift.  The investigation found that, after the city accepted a sculpture donated by a French artist, he invited North Miami Beach City officials to attend his exhibition in Monte Carlo at his expense, including air fare, accommodations and meals for seven days.  The City Commission agreed that Commissioner Smith could represent the City at the event, and Smith filed the required Gift Disclosure form for the travel expenses.  Smith also submitted requests for reimbursement to the City for supplemental expenses not covered by the artist.  The same complaint was filed with Florida Commission on Ethics, which last month also dismissed it as legally insufficient, finding that the disclosures made by Smith were adequate.

 

Ethics Commissioners were informed of a staff recommendation that the Board of County Commissioners deny a conflict waiver for three prominent lobbyists who supported private clients’ legislation during the 2018 state legislative session that would usurp the County’s local authority.  Ron Book, Nelson Diaz and Sean Pittman are on Miami-Dade County’s lobbying team, but also represent the retail pet industry. They requested a waiver from the ordinance that prevents them from representing any entity that opposes a County position, so they could continue to represent clients lobbying for a proposed state law that would prevent local governments from banning the sale of puppies and kittens.  The legislation did not pass but is expected to be reintroduced next session. The Ethics Commission staff determined that their supporting such a law would be directly at odds with the County’s longstanding and principled opposition to any legislation that would undermine Miami-Dade’s Home Rule powers and will urge the County Commission to deny waiver for the three lobbyists.

 

In other action today, the COE adopted a procedure to find a replacement for Executive Director Joseph Centurion who announced his intention to leave his position at the end of August.  Last month, Ethics Commissioners agreed on the wording of an advertisement that has been, and will continue to be, posted in several ethics and legal recruitment publications, as well as on the Ethics Commission website (ethics.miamidade.gov).  Commissioners will receive copies of the resumes of all qualified applicants who meet the May 4, 2018, deadline, then narrow the choice to approximately six semi-finalists at their May 9^th meeting.   They will conduct interviews with those individuals at open meetings in June.  If all goes as planned, the Ethics Commission would approve a contract with the chosen candidate at the July meeting.

 

Lotus Village gets a $50,000 Drake donation

 

The Lotus House village since Feb.2, 2018 has 265 women and children at the facility and will eventually hold 500 women and children in the future and the shelter provides much need services for women and their children. And for more go to

http://www.miamiherald.com/entertainment/article198995194.html http://www.miamiherald.com/entertainment/article198995194.html and for more go to https://lotushouse.org/

 

>>> Some leaders leave office with grace, others Sarnoff can’t live without the limelight, walking the halls and commissioner’s offices during commission breaks, even had a book done of his achievements something rarely done

 

Some elected leaders leave office with grace, while others still crave the adulation and former Miami Dost. 2 Commissioner Marc Sarnoff at the last commission meeting was shuttling between Commissioners Manolo Reyes and Joe Carollo’s offices and the man in a Miami Herald opinion column last week reminded readers that the issue of affordable housing in the Village West in Coconut Grove and the man who pushed his wife into running for his past office since he was termed out. Further, using public money he christened a book on his accomplishments while in office, and I suggested maybe he wanted an obelisk after his reign.

 

What was shocking at a commission meeting?

 

A Over town woman Karen Cartwright gave a blunt assessment of what it is like to live in Overtown calling it a “warzone,” with residents being threatened with AR-15 type of firearms and children are getting used to seeing “dead bodies,” on the streets and Miami Commission Chair Keon Hardeman who represents the area called what is going on “domestic terrorism,” that all the government employees see every day and Hardeman said around the nation Overtown is “known as where someone can get the best drugs,” he said. Yet the area also receives released inmates from county jails and since there is a UM state legislation allowing a “needle exchange program,” the commissioner wondered why the not -for-profit van doing the program resides in Overtown and wondered why this area is so neglected and has “residents in fear.” The exchange was more a pleading for the city to do something about it. He said he was tired of Overtown being treated like a “freak show,” said the chair.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eli%C3%A1n_Gonz%C3%A1lez_affair

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article124820224.html

 

EDITORIALS

 

>>> The Florida Legislature should keep its hands off the 20 counties that have Home Rule Charter local government is better with local leaders but yes not perfect, at least we arrest our own

 

Thank you, Florida Legislature, for requiring at local meetings the public has “a right to be heard,” and at the county commission and at local municipal meetings law makers are hearing a host of matters many times with the bark on and usually deal with a local community dilemma that might be heard without this new opportunity to be heard. However, the legislature is wrong to dilute the powers of Home Rule Counties and try to put a state overlay of laws that don’t represent the diversity of the state’s communities and since there are 20 Home Rule Counties local government is always better for residents and voters should let their legislators know they should keep their hands off parenting local government since counties already get beat up in the capital and since Miami-Dade is the state’s largest county with 2.5 million residents and a donor community by some 34 percent of the state’s budget, said the Florida CFO years ago. The state lawmakers should keep that in mind and let local government decide their own legislation regarding issues that affect the local communities.

 

>>> Mayor Suarez needs to lead by example, and be careful who he hob nods with, city needs to tighten-up

 

New Miami Mayor Francis Suarez has a unique chance to change the permissive culture of the city where practically no Miami employee wears their city ID or carries cards. Further, city leaders have to tighten up with whom they associate with and if someone is a convicted felon one might want to steer clear because the mayor sets the tone of the administration and after the last few years things were very loose and who you knew versus your competency, was many times over rode and Miami residents deserve better and every city employee represents all and should never forget that you are a public figure and a public servant something many employees seem to forget.

 

>>> Politicians don’t realize voter’s frustration is they are such hypocrites, many times in their own actions

 

Politicians are always asking for our trust but it is the hypocrisy of their actions that has gone on for years that makes voters jaded and even if voters pass something they then renege on any promises made and the Pet Trust is one such example and for many local politicians who are high maintenance they forget they work for the people and voters should not have to say thank you for running for office which periodically raises its ugly head and that it is a privilege that just sometimes is based on someone getting their resume punched and the idea of political dynasties in the coming 2017 election is not the way to elect our local representatives and the public can only hope that their true colors will not be seen during their time being a public servant. Further, with municipal elections coming. Since you did not run yourself will you at least vote Nov. 7 and make your community a better place with quality elected leaders or have a small minority chose your leaders. It is up to you.

 

>>> The Watchdog Report is soon Celebrating 18 years of weekly reliable publishing since May 5^th 2000 and when I started back then I never thought I would be doing this so this is a national story in all the national Tribune papers: 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.

 

LETTERS

>>> Lotus Village provides vital services for Miami women and children

 

Here is some information about the Lotus Village. In Lotus Village, we seek to create a prototype for the future, in which shelter and services for those in need are fully integrated with the urban fabric of the neighborhood we call home. In addition to offering increased capacity with efficient design and land utilization, Lotus Village will include a holistic neighborhood health clinic and children’s day care and wellness center, serving Lotus House and our community.

 

The shelter facilities in Lotus Village, to be operated by Lotus House, are being designed to accommodate high special needs individuals and families, including programs for youth, elders and the medically needy, a safe haven for those with severe trauma histories, pregnant women and infants, and families of all shapes and sizes. The children’s wellness center will offer child therapy services, nurturing parenting classes, a day care and playground. Food service and dining facilities will include training programs for life skills and job readiness, in addition to meal preparation, dining and a wide range of social activities. A neighborhood health clinic will offer a complement of basic and preventive health care, maternal and pediatric care, eye and dental care, behavioral health and wellness, and a wide range of health and wellness programming for the shelter and our Overtown neighborhood. Deeply integrated in the fabric of our neighborhood, Lotus Village will provide critical linkages to a network of service providers and resources in the larger community, empowering those we shelter and serve to build the foundation for enriched, happier and healthier lives.

You can learn more at: http://lotusendowment.org/about-lotus-village/

>>> 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 reached16 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.

 

>>> I just ask any reader, once a year who thinks this community resource is valuable to contribute 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 https://paypal.me/WatchdogReport

>>>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 https://paypal.me/WatchdogReport 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?

 

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        

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

 

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

HUGH CULVERHOUSE, Jr (The first contributor)

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

 

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

 

EIDSON, COLSON & HICKS www.eadisoncolsonon.com

BADIA SPICES www.badiaspices.com

BERKOWITZ POLLACK BRANT Advisors and Accountants www.bpbcpa.com

JEFFREY L. BERKOWITZ TRUST

BERKOW RADELL FERNANDEZ & LARKIN www.brzoinglaw.com

RON BOOK

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

WILLIAM PALMER www.shutts.com

Rbb PUBLIC RELATIONS www.rbbcommmunications.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

 

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

CITY OF MIAMI www.miamigov.com.

CITY OF CORAL GABLES www.coralgables.com

CITY OF MIAMI BEACH www.miamibeachfl.gov

CHAPMAN PARTNERSHIP FOR HOMELESS www.chapmanpartnership.org

FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY www.fiu.edu

THE STATE OF FLORIDA www.myflorida.gov

GREATER MIAMI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE www.miamichamber.com

GREATER MIAMI CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU www.miamiandbeaches.com

HEALTH FOUNDATION OF SOUTH FLORIDA www.hfsf.org

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COMMISSION www.miamidade.gov

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

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

MIAMI-DADE COLLEGE www.mdc.edu

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

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

MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC SCHOOLS BOARD www.dadeschools.net

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

MIAMI DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY www.miamidda.com

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

THE BEACON COUNCIL www.beaconcouncil.com

THE CHILDREN’S TRUST www.thechildrenstrust.org

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

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

THE MIAMI FOUNDATION www.miamifoundation.org

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

UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI www.miami.edu

 

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

 

Daniel A. Ricker

Publisher & Editor

Watchdog Report

Est. 05.05.00

Copyright © of original material, 2017, Daniel A. Ricker

 

>>> The Miami Herald and Orlando Sentinel & Sun-Sentinel articles on the Watchdog Report publisher over the years.

 

Published on September 9, 1999, Page 1EA, Miami Herald, the (FL)

CITIZEN ADVOCATE’ KEEPS TABS ON POLITICIANS

 

Published on January 3, 2000, Page 1B, Miami Herald, the (FL)

MIAMI-DADE WATCHDOG WILL BE MISSED

 

Published on January 20, 2003, Page 1E, Orlando Sentinel, PAPERWORK TIGER, Miami’s citizen watchdog piles up government files in his quest to keep the “little people” informed. http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2003-01-20/news/0301190045_1_ricker-miami-watchdog

 

>>>Watchdog Report publisher named ‘Best Citizen’ 2003 by the Miami New Times

 

The publisher would like to thank the weekly alternative paper Miami New Times for bestowing their 2003 Best of Miami, ‘Best Citizen’ award to me and I am honored.  Thank you. To read the full story go to http://www.miaminewtimes.com/best-of/2003/people-and-places/best-citizen-6399517

 

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

Watchdog Report Supporters Invoice-Form Thank you

 

Supporting Sponsors $5,000

Sustaining Sponsors $2,000

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

 

Large Business Supporters $500

Small Business Supporters $250 

Individual Supporter $150

 

Make Checks payable to Daniel Ricker

3109 Grand Ave, #125 Miami, Florida 33133