Watchdog Report Vol.20 No.02 Jan.13, 2018- EST 05.05.00 – Celebrating 19 Years of weekly publishing – I go when you cannot
See you next week and hope you will consider supporting a reliable news service and keeping me in the field and I think over the years I have done my best work covering Jackson health System and the school board and these still need to be monitored and hope you will help. If you are no longer getting the WDR please send me an email after my internet service earth link account was hacked by a foreign actor a few months ago and the cost for the IT was not cheap. Thanks for all the past support!
>>>>Further today is my Vol.20, 02 weekly edition since 05.05.00 of publishing the Watchdog Report and while I have had a variety issues over the past years, I thank my supporters again for the privilege of doing this free news service along with the internet.
May you and your family have a great, safe New Year in 2019 and let us pray we learn to have a civil discourse in the nation’s political universe in this coming year.
>>> This national story ran in all the Tribune papers around the nation and covers the early years of the WDR: http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2003-01-20/news/0301190045_1_ricker-miami-watchdog and here is a different versionhttp://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2003-01-20/news/0301190341_1_ricker-school-board-president-miami-s-first-cuban-american
Further, if this works the WDR will go back to my original schedule over the last 18 years. bailed me out of this IT nightmare that coincided with my 18th anniversary of weekly publishing since May 5, 2000. However, this hack has deleted several my email addresses and hope those readers just go to the web page to see the latest issue
>>> And to support the WDR go to my Pay Pal account that is easy to use and right now would be a great time: http://paypal.me/WatchdogReport Further, if you would rather send a check send it made out to Daniel Ricker and mail it to 3109 Grand Ave., #125 Miami, Fla. 33133. Thank you, Dan
>>>And having a member of the press at public meetings gives teeth to the Florida Sunshine Law (and why you get a Flu Shot) and open meetings tape recorded keeps good governance in place and reduces waste fraud and abuse, and public corruption, and is why you don’t speed in front of a state trooper for example. And hope you can support the WDR efforts to have informed residents to public institutions issues, in our community.
>>> Further the www.watchdogreport.net in South Florida is an established news service presence, because most people are too busy to go to these important meetings., and all the information comes through me as a central point allowing me to see things at a 100-mile altitude and being an early warning system when projects have overruns or other issues. But my job is to sound the alarm and I have done so many times over the past years in a host of ways.
CONTENTS
ARGUS REPORT: Who will be the new community ethics and Good government advocate like former Supreme Court Judge Kogan, back in 1999?- – The super bowl is not the big enchilada of upcoming events, but the 2020 Census, undercount costs millions, maybe even a new future house seat like in 2000, the worse count ever after Cuban boy Elian Gonzalez sent fear through the Cuban community of the federal government, some $800 billion at stake for some counties around the nation.
STATE of FLORIDA: Newly minted Florida Gov. Ron De Santis is shaking things up after his swearing in in Tallahassee Tuesday and he skipped the parade, removes Sheriff Israel s. fires SFWD board members
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY: Chair Edmonson & vice chair Soda take the helm Friday, continue collegiate dialogue tone set by outgoing chair Bovo, term limits and institution history leaving body in mass
Miami-Dade County Public Schools: OIG finds principle used staff as a nanny, shows importance of office in watching over publics tax dollars
PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST: Dr. Lilian Rivera, the head of the Florida Health Department in Miami Dade, was honored, dealt with Zika, Dengue, AIDs and a host of other health issues, made her mark as a health professional — JHS like a phoenix rebuilds itself, Bariatric and transplants two areas for growth girders rising on the campus
CITY OF MIAMI: >>>> MESA Chaired under former mayor Regalado hires and supports questionable director, audit report finds major lapse of city code, some $170 million not included in city budgets from a host of organizations and CRAs
EDITORIALS: Mayor Suarez’s strong mayor proposal flawed should not allow outside income for either mayor or manager, not about him but future mayors – Politicians don’t realize voter’s frustration is they are such hypocrites, many times (like now when congress gets paid but no other federal departments with a gov. shut-down) in their own actions Florida Constitutional commission should insist on transparency, not darkness as Sunshine law gets diluted — Most politicians hate the press- Florida needs Sunshine Amendment many municipalities out of control and get little press coverage or oversight, legislators are on wrong side of this one
Community Event :Lotus Village gala https://lotushouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/2019-Gala-Sponsorship-Package-final.pdf
>>> If you wish to be deleted, just e-mail me with that message.
>>> Just because you do not take an interest in politics does not mean politics will not take an interest in you. –Pericles (430 B.C.)
>>> 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
>> 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 observe
Object: to be the Public Citizen for all those out there who can’t attend, and to connect and serve as an information bridge[electrolyte] among the special-interest-dominated Miami-Dade governmental institutions that seem newsletter, The Watchdog Report, celebrates its [18h] 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 even though 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!”
ARGUS REPORT: Heard Seen on the Street
>>> Who will be the new community ethics and Good government advocate like former Supreme Court Judge Kogan, back in 1999?
>>> Partial federal shutdown enters third week, to end by state of union unlikely after GOP pundits pounce day 23 and federal courts maybe shutting down in coming weeks
The nation’s partial shut-down is in its third week and President Donald Trump will not reopen it until the congress funds $5 billion for an expanded border wall but has been met by Democrats as a non-starter and the federal government from the Coast Guard to the federal courts and national parks are closed with volunteers in some cases helping in the nation’s parks. Trump has publicly stated that he would take the heat for the shutdown but as time passes and starts being felt by the public like at airports and a variety of other areas and the president is saying he believes he can build the “wall,’ by “Executive Order,” that he has not done but indicated it could happen in the future as this stalemate continues through January and some suggest may end by the State of The Union Speech January 29.th
What have I learned being a watchdog of our community’s public institutions?
Since 1997 I have watched the interaction of all our public institutions and there is still a need for an information facilitator between these public institutions and while these institutions are communicating and are not like ships passing in the night saying essentially to each other drop dead we will do what we want regardless if its redundant or counterproductive. That has been my goal to be information nervous system.
>>>> John S. and James L. Knight Foundation CEO Ibarguen gives his thoughts on the evolving media industry
“The Biscayne Times,” had former veteran Miami Herald reporter John Dorschner interview Knight Foundation CEO and former Herald publisher Alberto Ibargüen on the state of the media and it is an insightful interview by Ibarguen whose organization has changed the arts and cultural drought that is now in a Renaissance and making its mark on the cultural scene like ART Basil and performances at the Arsht Center. The man a former Peace Corps member in South America is also a trained attorney and a mentor to many including me. To read the interview go to: http://www.biscaynetimes.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3128:idea-man&catid=46:features&Itemid=252
What about former Florida Supreme Court Judge Gerald Kogan?
I recently ran into retired Florida Supreme Court Judge Gerald Kogan and the university of Miami Law school graduate went to Miami Beach High and graduated law school in 1955 and on his retirement in 1999 he was asked to teach community ethics and good government and it was his talks that started me thinking about the idea of the WDR and back then I had a business card that stated, “Citizen Advocate for Ethical government.” Further with Kogan would show up at some meetings I was at and his effort was followed by county voters in 1996 creating the Miami-Dade County Ethics and Public Trust Commission after an overwhelmingly approval and was later followed at the county with the office of the Inspector General.
It made me ask who in the community might pick up his ethical mantle that would be respected by the community at a time there was a “Scandal a week,” at the county and the school board where he was on the district ethics committee along with board member Marta Perez who pushed for its creation but has little activity recently and for more on Judge Kogan go: https://www.jamsadr.com/kogan/
>>> Who knew that there was a Trump Teddy Bear and it comes with an American flag in the front and an ad has a biker with the bear on his handle bars cruising down the road. I only became aware because of a television ad I saw. See the ad here for trumpy Bear
>>> What about Dr. Peter Tarjain, chief scientist at Cordis Corp was considered a “treasure,” by founder William P. Murphy, Jr., M.D. and a mechanical engineer himself
Dr. Peter Tarjan, 82, a holocaust orphan,, a Hungarian Freedom fighter, has donated his letters to the U.S. Holocaust Museum after he translated the letters in Hungarian and the brilliant scientist was a friend and he was the Chief Scientist at Cordis Corp a cutting edge biomedical company designing cardiac pacemakers in the 1960s and many of the companies fundamental patents were his hard work and had the company’s founder William P. Murphy, Jr., M.D., referred to the Syracuse University Ph.D as a “treasure to Cordis research.” For more on this man and his interview on WLRN 91.3 F.M., go to:http://www.wlrn.org/post/meet-woman-finding-and-preserving-holocaust-survivors-stories-across-south-florida Further, I traveled with Tarjan to Japan and the far east and he was the closet person I know to Aristotle since his range of interests was vast and I have been trying to get in contact with the man. If any readers can help me locate or contact him, please let me know thanks.
What about women and equal pay?
The Miami -Dade County Commission on the status of women after a FIU study was done and it shows there is still a wage gap that has some 27 percent of the women living in poverty but that number would drop to if women were paid the same wages as men and more women are now college graduates in the county and for more on the study go to https://equalpaymiamidade.org/
>>>> Further, the League of Women Voters was honored at the county and school board and who knew the voter information organization once had a man as president, Sandy Leone, for a period.
>>> The super bowl is not the big enchilada of upcoming events, but the 2020 Census is, undercount costs millions, maybe even a new house seat like in 2000, the worse count after Cuban boy Elian Gonzalez, sent fear through the Cuban community of federal government, Chair Bovo wants to help this important event, All hands-on deck activity
While Miami-Dade county is preparing for the Super Bowl next year a bigger event is coming in the 2020 U.S. Census that in Miami the count has been generally a flawed process and the worst count was the 2000 Census after the young boy Elian Gonzalez was extracted from Little Havana and the community erupted in ethnic tensions and fear for many residents since even though the count is done by the commerce department many saw a “federally,” and would not participate and years later the numbers had to be revised and south Florida got an extra congressional seat that was later filled by U.S> Rep. Mario Diaz Ballart, R-Miami and the census count per person back then brought some $23,000 in federal funding and was in stark contrast to other counties around the nation where very high count was achieved. Further for some counties the undercount could result in some communities losing some $800 billion in lost federal funding that includes Medicare funding and a host of other programs.
School Board member Lubby Navarro is part of the 2020 census taskforce being assembled an she spoke in front of the county commission about the important matter and noted residents will get a form with a number on it and they can file online using that number. She also noted there will be Major outreach at schools’ libraries and other sites with NGOs to get an accurate count and the community’s fair share of representation and federal funding. She also noted we might get a new house seat if the census is done accurately.
Back in 2000 I watched and wrote a lot about the undercount and how it starts and then stops, though the county did get an extension back then but that is no longer assured.
https://www.naco.org/articles/2020-census-what-counties-need-do-now-prepare
>>> The Miami Foundation is starting a program where people can tell their Miami story and to tell your story go to :https://miamifoundation.org/mymiamistory/https:
Give Miami Day was a rousing success with donations topping a new record and Camillus House did very well and shows that Miami is a very giving city something that was always not the case.
What about the internet back in 2000?
Back then everyone was using e-mail and would say to people at the time “my email is on the card,” very proudly and even then, there was a question if this would stay around but later exploded to what it is today. Further the community’s major public institutions were like giant ships in the night not knowing what each was doing in an aggregate way. Wasting millions in public tax dollars since they operate in a discrete fashion.
>>> I also pushed to have schoolboard committees taped. Since I had the only tapes of these and contained what was said about a variety of land purchases sold by politically connected individuals with one piece needing some $49 million in demucking given the containments.
During the 1990s one trick in Miami was to sell contaminated land to a public entity which would in one deal involve some $44 million to demuck and clean up the site but the land was owned by a politically connected man. Now deceased school member Betsy Kaplan once said to me “Dan your trying to keep us out of jail,” she said. I responded, “no kidding.” And to read the early years go to Maya Bell’s long profile in the Orlando Sentinel and she spent weeks with me in an old BMW without air and it captured my journey in this endeavor and to read the national story go to:http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2003-01-20/news/0301190341_1_ricker-school-board-president-miami-s-first-cuban-american
>>> Connect Miami is a new program trying to get residents to engage with their neighbors and friends to broaden community interaction something that at times may be difficult to do. And for more go to www.connectmiami.org And Many of the events are free.in the future.
STATE OF FLORIDA
>>>> Newly minted Florida Gov. Ron De Santis is shaking things up after his swearing in in Tallahassee Tuesday and he skipped the parade, removes Sheriff Israel s. fires SFWD board members
Newly minted Gov. on DeSantis is moving quickly to set his agenda and fired all the board members of the and district and also approved a pardon for four men falsely accused of a crime and he has created a Chief of Science office and has people optimistic of his environmental record in the future since the green algae and red tide has tanked some of the states beaches and tourism is down statewide which fuels the bulk if the state government.
What bout the Governors financial disclosure form?
De Santos through Dec.31, 2017 had a net worth of $310,971, and his home is worth $480,000, and has two loans one with JP Morgan $205,000 and with Wentworth he owes 267,500. The rest of the disclosure is begin and to read it go to; http://public.ethics.state.fl.us/Forms/2017/275100-Form6.pdf
>>> DeSantis in course of term will make 4,000 board appointments, not happy with a few water district board members and some of their deals
Florida Tax Watch has estimated that an incoming governor in the course of one four year term will appoint some 4,000 people to a host of boards around the state and incoming Gov. Ron De Santos is said to be looking closely at a number of people especially in the water management districts that have done some unusual land deals and the man is softening some of his past rhetoric since winning the close race.
>>> 16 states have strong cyber stalking laws but not Florida, Legislators should look at this before it happens to them
The upcoming Florida legislature must pass legislation strengthen laws regarding cyber stalking and such laws are common in 16 states and with cameras in dorms and many other sites even a home is capable of being hacked Floridians need greater protections. For it is clear this threat is not going away. Here is what some states are using re legal laws and the Florida legislature should beef up the statutes. For more go to http://www.ncsl.org/
What about the Children’s Trust of Miami-Dade Count funded by taxpayers and nurtures our children?
Check out all the programs the Children’s Trust of Miami-Dade
https://www.thechildrenstrust.org/
What about the United Ways new program?
United Way of Miami-Dade County has several programs for-not for-profits with good ideas fostering their growth for more go to: https://unitedwaymiami.org/contact-us/media-kit/
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
>>>> Chair Edmonson & vice chair Soda take the helm Friday, continue collegiate dialogue tone set by out going chair Bovo, term limits and institution history leaving body in mass
County Commission Chair Audrey Edmonson was sworn in Friday in a packed chamber in government center along with Vice Chair Rebeca Sosa, a process supporting reform maven given the unenviable job at; looking at procurement process at the county and her reforms have served well. Edmonson is on a host of county boards at the Jackson Health system (where she is on the nominating council and the oversight board for the system’s GOB committee, and the Adrianne Arsht Center for the perming Arts)
What about shot spotter more cameras and extra police for school safety.?
Mayor Gimenez told commissioners recently shot spotter and their use by police that someday drones may be found “on police cars in the future,” after commissioner Javier Souto went into a discussion about the need for police “to have eyes in the sky,” he thought and would decrease gun violence.
Further the county has “three dome areas,” which is what the shot spotter areas are called and the Ring security camera on people’s homes i reducing crime and Gimenez at his home has one and he can keep track of his home.
Gimenez said the one-time funding to have county police guard schools cannot be sustained and will approach school district Superintendent Alberto Carvalho in January since the district had a bond passed to enhance teacher pay and more school security that the county cannot cover any longer. MDPD director Juan Perez that shell casings collected by ATF is an invaluable tool along with license plate reader technology. He noted two officers killed in south dad end the shell casings showed the gun was “used five times before,” in a crime said Perez.
>>> Sidewalks on Flagler street like mountain trails in Pyrenees mountain paths, says commissioner Higgins said an older woman fell when she was watching pedestrians on the street, has found with state county commissioners have very little leverage
FDOT Flagler street work puts pedestrians at risk County Commissioner Eileen Higgins said she an older lady fell on sidewalk under construction and a path like trail similar “the Pyrenees,” mountains,” she maintains
The recent Orange Bowl recently is said to have generated some “220 million in economic development,” said past chair Donald Slesnick, II to the count commissioners in December and the Orange Bowl football game was to showcase South Florida and competed with the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Each commissioner was given a split team helmet and these need to be listed as gifts because they are well worth more than the $100.00 gift threshold and need to be reported
>>> Dr Frost settles civil SEC case with $100,000 penalty, legal bill at museum continues to rise
Dr. Philip Frost the benefactor of the Dr. Phillip & Patricia Frost Museum of Science settled with the security exchange commission for a stock pump and dump scheme with a few men and is paying a $100,000 fine in the civil case and he still must deal with investors who lost money. For more go to: https://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/article223637625.html
What about legal bills mounting at the Frost?
Extensive litigation is going on with the many vendors after then CEO Gillian Thomas fired abruptly the lead construction company Suffolk Construction and legal costs are coming into the $5 million range and still climbing said a reliable source. The only reason I write about this was during the construction the county IG nor the press could cover the meetings and the public had to rely on Michael spring the cultural director at Miami-Dade County. At a time when it was suddenly announced the organization would run out of money.
Will elections and sheriff be political patronage havens, or repositories for termed out elected officials to land?
This highlights the problem when offices r e political like a supervisor of elections, sheriff and a host of others recently created by statewide voters and create political patronage rather than competency is one of the reasons Broward elections supervisor Brenda Snipes had problems in November’s elections
What about the 2009 IG report?
Years ago the county’s OIG office checked some 30,000 water meters on residences and in the fields where fire hydrants were supplying free water to farmers and in homes investigators found 15,000 private meters had been bypassed and was a local cottage industry costing the county “$35 million,” the report found in loss revenue an these smart meters will be introduced in the coming years.
What is the new elderly crisis coming seniors & children housing money their lack of permanent long-term homes?
Homeless seniors are becoming the biggest threat facing the county in the future and it is a “Crisis, said Ron Book,” the Miami-Dade County Homeless trust chair. At past trust meeting and the need for permanent housing for this emerging group is critical and he is on a crusade to find permanent housing the trust can buy but in Miami the inventory is small an expensive he has said in the past. And to review the task force recommendations and has some elderly having to live in shelters for up to “1,000,” s and that number qualifying will only increase in the future.
Ron Book has been making the political rounds speaking at a Miami commission meeting about a new encampment in the inner city that has been blocked off by the health department after open sexual acts and drug dealing has resulted in a spike of AIDs cases and the finding of drug paraphernalia around the local schools and the trust has gone into emergency mode to get these people into rehabilitation and other programs and those coming back are being addressed where one Women had “black lips,” gangrene and was “spotted having a rat eating the food in her mouth,” in her stupor condition said Book to city commissioners and she was taken into rehabilitation but this is the challenge the county’s homeless trust faces. For more go to https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/downtown-miami/article219921130.html
What about shot spotter technology 80% of shots residents hear do not call 9/11? Going to be combined with license plate readers in Miami and Miami Gardens, along with Ring security systems helping
A presentation by a regional rep of shot spotter which employs sensors around the county and the facts show only a small number 80 percent of people who hear shots” will not call 9/11 when they hear shots and many families have a “protocol,” when they hear shots and the rep believes they are afraid of being known as a “snitch,” and residents why call after hearing shots and no police coming. Commissioner Dennis Moss suggested they think “the police just don’t care.” One thing the shot spotters is good at is recovering shell casings which helps law enforcement on who the shooter might be. Further county police will soon be equipped with “license plate readers’ already in use in a variety of municipalities. And for more on the technology go to: http://www.shotspotter.com/ Update: In Miami Gardens which along with Miami are getting license plate readers one resident said large number of residents are using Ring security systems as well and hope all these efforts will reduce the violence facing the two municipalities
IG Report affordable housing contractor investigation?
>>> 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 Chapman, Jr. partnership go to: https://www.chapmanpartnership.org/about-us/leadership/ https://www.chapmanpartnership.org/wpq_events/nextgen-gala-party/
The trust has a new program where people with rental housing can register their rental units with the county and for more on the program go to: http://www.homelesstrust.org/rentconnect.asp
>>>> GMCVB press release: From January-November 2018, international passenger arrivals at Miami International Airport (MIA) reached a new record, increasing by +1.2 percent compared to the previous year. Domestic passenger increased by +2.4 percent compared to January-November 2017, contributing to record-breaking passenger arrivals with an increase of +1.8 percent.
| MIA Passenger Arrivals | ||
| Domestic Arrivals | ||
| January-November 2018 | January-November 2017 | % Change vs. 2017 |
| 10,510,939 | 10,265,798 | +2.4% |
| Record International Arrivals | ||
| January-November 2018 | January-November 2017 | % Change vs. 2017 |
| 10,136,670 | 10,017,252 | +1.2% |
| Record Total Arrivals | ||
| January-November 2018 | January-November 2017 | % Change vs. 2017 |
| 20,647,609 | 20,283,050 | +1.8% |
PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST
>>>> Dr. Lilian Rivera, the head of the Florida Health Department in Miami Dade, was honored, dealt with Zika, Dengue, AIDs and a host of other health issues, made her mark as a health professional
Was honored on her retirement from the Florida Health department and the woman working with Jackson health System has dealt with a host of medical challenges over the years ranging from the appearance of Zika, Dengue Fever and a host of other infectious diseases including AIDs and she is a competent public health official who is retiring back to her Puerto Rico homeland rebuilding after the hurricane and she gave a shout out to Jackson Memorial CEO Carlos Migoya and her expertise and compassion will be missed by the community. For more on her go to:http://miamidade.floridahealth.gov/about-us/senior-leaders/lillian-rivera.html
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
>>> OIG finds principle used staff as a nanny, shows importance of office in watching over publics tax dollars
OIG report principle hires nanny on district money
http://www.miamidadeig.org/Reports2017/DOC102717.pdf
CITY OF MIAMI
>>>> MESA Chaired under former mayor Regalado hires and supports questionable director, audit report finds major lapse of city code, some $170 million not included in city budgets from a host of organizations and CRAs
The Miami independent auditor gave Miami a gift for the new Year and the detailed audit of the obscure Miami agency Miami Exhibition Sports Authority (MESA) shows under former Mayor Tomas Regalado rules and procedures were bypassed and the former mayor’s aide Lourdes Blanco,62, did not have the skill sets (only a AA) for the job as Director and a combined salary of $112,976 sine she was also paid out of a second budget. She claims the audit is a ‘witch hunt,’ and did nothing wrong but lack of oversight and violation of city policies is disturbing and the audit Theodore Guba, C.P.A. report shows a failure of responsibility while also identifying some $170 million in an assortment of other accounts not included in the city budget. Further Blanco who is seeing the city told me months ago she was innocent, and she did not “write any checks,” that was done she said, “by a auditing firm,” she insisted and suggested she was being set up since a hot of lawsuits are coming from deals with MESA like a heliport or seaplane airport base. Further Regalado attended the last MESA meeting even though he was no longer mayor. The audit brings up the fact that minutes were not available, even thou Blanco had a stereo tape recorded in the middle of the table and she assured it was being taped years ago and I have minutes from past MESA meetings but back then there was a different director, and many have occupied that position.
Here is a sentence from the audit
“We also found that approved budgets totaling $170 million for 14 authorities, agencies, and trusts were not included in the City’s adopted budget book.” Wrote the auditor and to see more go to
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article215641790.html
or to read the actual report go to:
what about internal [promotions and Reyes?
Miami Commissioner Manola Reyes wants the administration to look at asst. directors when it comes to promotions in the administration. He believes their loyalty to the job should be rewarded and gives an incentive. Currently there is a lot of changes in personnel as some members retire like the park’s director Kevin Kerwen.
Lotus Village Event
Join Us at the 2019 Gala Benefiting Lotus House and celebrating All Things New at Lotus House, most importantly, new lives and brighter futures with your help. Your sponsorship provides essential programs that heal, support, nurture, educate, and uplift women, youth, and children to improve the quality of their lives on every level and build the foundation for a safer, healthier, brighter future.
2019 LOTUS HOUSE GALA
ALL THINGS NEW! New Village, New Programs, New Clinic, New Lives
Thursday, April 18, 2019, at The Margulies Collection at the WAREhOUSE Wynwood Arts District: 591 NW 27th St., Miami, 33127
6:00pm VIP Reception, 7:00pm Dinner and Program 6-9pm Silent Art Auction
EDITORIAL
And to support the WDR go to my Pay Pal account http://paypal.me/WatchdogReport Further, if you would rather send a check send it made out to Daniel Ricker and mail it to 3109 Grand Ave., #125 Miami, Fla. 33133. Thank you, Dan
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, 2018, 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
Daniel A. Ricker
Publisher & Editor
Watchdog Report
Est. 05.05.00
Copyright © of original material, 2018, Daniel A. Ricker
The trust has a new program where people with rental housing can register their rental units with the county and for more on the program go to: http://www.homelesstrust.org/rentconnect.asp
>>> And to support the WDR go to my Pay Pal account http://paypal.me/WatchdogReport Further, if you would rather send a check send it made out to Daniel Ricker and mail it to 3109 Grand Ave., #125 Miami, Fla. 33133. Thank you, Dan 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 (2000-2007)
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
Weiss Serota Helfman & Cole & Bierman http://www.wsh-law.com/ elfHehhh
>>> 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
BERCOW RADELL FERNANDEZ & LARKIN www.brzoninglaw.com
RON BOOK
BENEDICT P. KUEHNE http://www.kuehnelaw.com/
LINDA MURPHY: Gave a new laptop in Oct. 2001 to keep me going.
WILLIAM PALMER www.shutts.com
Rbb 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 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
Miami Parking Authority www.mpamiami
Daniel A. Ricker
Publisher & Editor
Watchdog Report
Est. 05.05.00
Copyright © of original material, 2018, Daniel A. Ricker
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
Large Business Supporters $500
Small Business Supporters $250
Make Checks payable to Daniel Ricker
3109 Grand Ave, #125 Miami, Florida