Watchdog Report Vol.19 No. 29 Sept.15, 2019 – EST:05.05.00 – Celebrating almost 20 years of weekly publishing – I go when you cannot
>>> Today is the Watchdog Report’s 28th issue and when I started back in 05.05.00 I never imagined I would be doing this weekly publication now closing in on 20 years. I am not a big chest thumper and just try to be an informational electrolyte, between the many large public entities (That in total is about $16 billion and Miami $1 billion). that make up Miami-Dade County. For many times it is at the lower level of government that deals, and other beefs are discussed and to my early supporters thank you for putting your trust in me.
>>> MDC trustees punt pick Dr. Rolando Montoya as interim president, after leading candidate Rodico, gets tagged as sympathetic to communism in oversight role of Confucius Institute at the college since 2010
The controversial search for a president of Miami-Dade College to replace community icon Dr. Eduardo Padrón is coming into focus while former college provost Lenore Rodicio an outstanding candidate and recommended by Padrón and her top rating of the candidates was derailed for her being on the oversight board that oversees the Confucius Institute considered a propaganda arm of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC).
That issue has been percolating for months and had U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R- Fla. Writing a letter critical of the program as well as county commissioner Estephan Bovo, Jr. last week and Miami commissioner Joe Carollo has the institute on the upcoming city agenda and MDC trustee chair Bernie Navarro was Rubio’s campaign chair when he ran for the senate and presidency in 2016, so he is close to the senator.
Another critic of Rodicio is Marcel Felipe and he was involved in the controversial firing of the director of the Cuban Museum. He was also flagged for paying for a political ad. Felipe called a public service announcement and used a Phantom political action group to fund the ad that was done pro bono by Spanish radio stations WFUN & WJAN where he is general counsel for the station. He donated $2,700 to the Rubio campaign. For more on this check out these links and the Inspire America Foundation that promotes Democracy in South America and has a host of Cuban community leaders on the foundation board.
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/article198447704.html
https://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/article234446452.html
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article225367655.html
https://www.inspiredemocracy.org/marcell-felipe.html
This is the story on the Rubio ad and controversy https://publicintegrity.org/federal-politics/catching-a-political-phantom/
Here is the Inspire America link: https://www.inspiredemocracy.org/
EDITORIAL
The petty spate between Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez and Miami Mayor Francis Suarez regarding cancelling a press conference at the Port of Miami and had Gimenez saying the tragedy in the Bahamas should not be used for public officials to promote themselves and while Gimenez has been a rival to the Suarez family and Francis’ father Xavier a former Miami mayor and now a county commissioner expected to run for mayor in 2020 since Gimenez is termed out and might run for Miami mayor when Francis is termed out in 2021.
Miami a poor but diverse community has many challenges and this kind of political bickering gets us know where.
Suarez the younger had a campaign tag line at one time that it “is our time,” his generations to run the city with trust, vision, and conciliation for the good of city residents but instead rather than stretching out a hand to Gimenez over the past years, and begs the question what kind of strong mayor he would have become.
Further, Gimenez also needs to dial back some of his political payback for I was with him outside the old Miami arena after the state oversight board dissolved and the city was on its own. At the time he raised his fist toward the Stephen P. Clark saying the county “was the problem,” and he would later run for the District 7 commission seat beating Suarez the senior in 2004.
This kind of posturing is below what the office should be especially after Dorian flattened the Bahamas which has strong roots in both the county and city.
The WDR had hoped Francis would be independent enough from some of his father’s many beefs with Gimenez but that appears to just be a festering problem that only hurts Miami voters and these politicians should remind themselves why they ran for office in the first place for public service at this level demands more and only great politicians’ show these qualities, something these two men seem to have forgotten.
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article234786447.html
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/election/article217211050.html
What about the Super Bowl and sex trafficking and the Guardian Litem Program (GAL)?
At a school board meeting a few months ago a human trafficking expert and prosecutor said with the big event traffickers are building “capacity of young girls,” and many of the 7th and 8th graders are in foster care. Further the pimps use 7th and 8th graders to recruit these new young girls and this was brought into focus after N.E. Patriots owner Robert Kraft was busted in a Broward massage parlor. Further state attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle also busted some people doing sex trafficking and this dark side of the community will only intensify up to the Super Bowl next year.
State attorney Rundle in a Sunday editorial noted some 570 people over years have been arrested for human trafficking and her office is working with Super Bowl host committee chair Rodney Barreto. And the state attorney this week busted a couple, and this is an ugly scourge on our community with many retirees on break the Guardian Ad Litem program is looking for children advocates. The organization provides training for these children representatives. For more call Victoria Harris at 786.469.3840.https://guardianadlitem.org/
Miami has become a premier cancer care destination, UM/ Miami Cancer Institute, $400 million Proton therapy all cutting edge cancer centers, community residents are lucky when it comes to new cancer therapies
Miami has become an area destination for cancer care with University of Miami’s new Federal designation as a National Cancer Institution (NCI) and The Baptist Health South Florida Cancer Institute with a Photon beam device. The only one in South Florida and a $400 million investment in cancer care and patients no longer must go to north Florida to get this less damaging treatment than chemotherapy and is more precise for more go to:
https://umiamihealth.org/sylvester-comprehensive-cancer-center for more on Baptist go to:https://www.baptisthealth.com/pages/services/cancer-care/treatments/proton-treatment-for-prostate-cancer.aspx https://baptisthealth.net/cancer-care/treatments-and-services/radiation-therapies/proton-therapy
And here is Dr. Stephen D. Nimer’s message on the new NCI designation:https://umiamihealth.org/sylvester-comprehensive-cancer-center/research/message-from-the-director
>>> What about the issue of the 947 homeless children in Miami-Dade only Lotus House Village can take children Chapman has adults?
The Miami-Dade County point count recently was 947 kids on streets since this most recent count? “The count found 49 percent were ’homeless the first time,” 65 percent were non-Hispanic, and 40 percent were LGBT and 180 people were moved into new homes and the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust participated in the 100 Day challenge and above is some of the results
I asked trust chair Ron book about the program discussed at the trust meeting Friday and he responded: “The 100 Day Challenge relates to ending youth homelessness, and we were 1 of 5 Communities identified nationally. We accepted the challenge, and there are now 15 Communities in the Country that have accepted it. We are considered probably if not the most successful to complete the 100 Day Challenge ranking in the top 2 or 3.” For more on lotus House go to https://lotushouse.org/contact-us/ https://lotushouse.org/childrenfirst/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1J22jC2bBY
We did things to create new best practices, and if you had the opportunity, which you may already have seen the video from the Chicago Summit, you would see that the other 4 that participated in this 100 Day Challenge were truly taken by our efforts, commitment, and our success. We blew our goals out of the water, and we will continue to push, and pursue every youth that are on our streets until we have everyone out, and taken care of,” wrote the long-time chair.https://www.wesh.com/article/desmond-meade-on-time-100-speaks-to-what-this-country-is-all-about/27185500
>>>>What about Friday’s trust meeting and why was $150,000 donated to the trust of which $50,000 was from the city of Surfside?
Sen Oscar Braynon, D- Miami Gardens and state Rep. Nick Duran, R-Miami were both honored by the trust board as well as the manager of Surfside a former county employee. The $100,000 was from the state and the two legislators made it happen. Further, the trust signed a MOU with the state attorney’s office re human trafficking cases the trust finds on the city’s streets.
> the 2020 Census Task force and the bureau are looking for census takers who are paid between $16.00 to $18.00 and include health benefits. In the recent federal job creation report is 25,000 new census workers.
What about water in the school district?
During Wednesday’s school board meeting the student advisor asked about getting water for students and noted what happened in ‘Flint Michigan schools,’ and lead in the water system as Miami-Dade which pays for schools’ water is under-going a massive replumbing under a federal consent decree. This caught my eye because there may be a rumor that the county water is suspect and here are a couple reports on the matter
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/environment/article148112799.html
https://www8.miamidade.gov/global/water/water-quality-reports.page
http://www.miamidade.gov/water/library/reports/water-quality-2018.pdf
>>> 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.
Miami-Dade, Fla.
Vol.19 No. 21 June 30, 2019 Soon Celebrating almost 20 years of weekly publishing! www.watchdgreport.net & Former Miami Herald news & editorial columnist. EST: 05.05.00, I go when you cannot, for almost 18 years & a trusted community education resource & news service, without the attitude
CONTENTS
ARGUS REPORT: After ‘record player gaffe,’ vice president Joe Biden campaigns today at Ball &Chain Sunday at 3:00 p.m. Massive relief effort of Bahamas shows depth of charity after Dorian flattens the Bahamas, similar to what Andrew brought to south Dade, and took a decade to recover-Local Grand Jury report says Biscayne-bay on life support, septic tanks poor infrastructure, plastics deadly to bays survival, past attempts to turn bay around have not been successful, but at tipping point, says jury report –
— Miami Civil Service board violates Sunshine Law with extensive discussion while on coffee break after commissioner Carollo testifies about firing of aide claiming whistle blower status, all caught on city television — 2020 Census complete count top priority $177 million lost in 2010 count only,82 percent, says census bureau outreach coordinator Diaz a former Little Havana resident $675 billion annually at stake nationwide $29 billion goes to Florida commissioner Bovo leading the charge, school district must work closely to ensure accurate count students’ best way to explain to parents what the 2020 Census is, undercount costs millions, maybe even a new future house seat like in 2010, 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: Gov. De Santis kept his cool versus navy hat wearing Scott, as Dorian crawls the Florida coast — Years ago Rodney Barreto was peppered by recalled commissioner Seijas saying she thought the manatee herd was getting “to large” and asked DERM to remove the one in her canal, which they could not do but she had a dislike of the gentle sea cow after environmentalist put her face on a manatee and asked who is the better looking? Gov De Santos taps commission veteran Barreto for FFFW Conservation commission t —UM Ryder sign MOU with Hebrew University, over half of all Israeli trauma surgeons trained at UM Ryder – Check out Children’s Trust heart gallery, kids needing forever homes, will break your heart when you see their smiles – Disruptive pre-k children getting “suspended,” new challenge for Children’s Trust — Complete 2020 Census count critical to get our share of $675 billion annually, some $29 billion in 2010, undercount costs $1,400 in lost revenue
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY: County Commissioners want to tighten up municipal whistleblower laws, will it run into municipal resistance like what happened with county IG office? –With Miami-Dade #1 in HIV infections UM Idea program showing results needs second mobility van for dispensing HIV preventative drugs Prep doses “middle school students,” at “risk,” too says county commissioner Rebeca Sosa an educator. At the disparity committee Monday, a sobering presentation was done on the rising HIV infections IDEA the UM needle exchange pilot program needs dedicated mobile van may get surplus county van suggests, commissioner Jordan: -The Miami-Dade property Appraiser Thursday released his estimates and countrywide property tax value rose “5.9 percent,” with a value of $307,213,billion and this revenue bump is because of the new development to see the report by municipalities go to: http://www.miamidade.gov/pa/reports.asp – Will county commission spend this new tax revenue wisely while new commissioners are termed out, how much in rainy day fund? — M-D County Youth Commission finds “rampant,” bullying and “code reds,” climate change, vaping new issues, body creating the leaders of the future, and note Miami is one of the first “cities to run out of water say,” studies show- Will the county float a new GOB for infrastructure, getting thousands off septic tanks, suggests commissioner Jordan? –Commissioner Souto says with humongous county government mayor should “crack the whip,” believes, running slower, “wants more eyes on major contracts”– Last week’s hot topics were, vehicles & furniture, “4 to 10 police,” vehicles a week can be processed by county in new police cars, $84 million contract, $38 million from previous year “1,006 new cars from that amount
Miami-Dade County Public Schools: The bands from local high schools will be playing at Noticia Tropicana festival held in Tropical park and is a major event for years pushed by Commissioner Javier Souto a former state senator and county parks advocate.– Some board members not seeking reelection, will it impact past school achievement no F schools in district with future turbulence on the nine-member board, Dr. s Karp, Feldman leaving board? – School Board Budget Review Advisory committee meets Tuesday, is the taxpayers firewall, made up of CPAs & tax attorneys, not always the case until 2004, when chair Hank Mack finally steps down reluctantly, two schools named after the man on in Dade another in Broward – District saves $68 million in COP bond refinancing, IG busts electrical contractor and minority “front” –Community leaders in shock after M-DC public Schools former chair Dr. Solomon Stimson charged with felony after shooting at police in Broward, has dementia Parkinson– School district will get property appraiser funding on time after value adjustment board met Monday and whittled down the time for appeals with more hearing masters, loss years ago was $171 million hit to district– School District Impact Fees audit Check out the audit and what the county owes to the public– http://mca.dadeschools.net/AuditCommittee/AC_May_14_2019/Agenda.pdf — Charter schools 134 of them are asking to receive some of the $1.2 billion GOB proceeds passed by county voters, teacher raises and facilities upgrades, is running into protests,. Audit committee meets Tuesday
PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST: Has JHS health trust been hit with a body blow feds audit of Florida and LIP draw down Medicaid program could cost $436 million in returned federal funds. Being litigated with feds, not good news – state funding cut proposed $58 million versus $1.5 million JHS trustee Rep. Duran R-Miami worked across party lines to mitigate cuts- Joint PHT BCC meeting goes smoothly love fest versus the past CEO Migoya says, “Doral west on budget and on time by Nov. 2020,” can be seen from landing MIA planes The new AOA agreement calls for health trust to pay $130 million to UM for a host of medical services and below is a complete breakdown of the services and payments.
http://www.seiu1991.org/files/2011/07/AOA-Payments-Rationale-and-Distribution-3.pdf
CITY OF MIAMI: Commissioner Reyes calls mayor’s stalling tactic “Machiavellian,” since Reyes and Gort oppose deal and 4/5th vote needed for no bid deal with Beckham and MLS — Miami Commissioner Joe Carollo aide is busted at 10:00 a.m. for a DUI after running into the back of a boat on Fuller and Grand Ave. Further, this continues the turmoil in the District 3 commission office that has major staff members being fired because of a hostile work environment and Carollo responded after hearing the charges. He was just glad there were no injuries but the political turmoil in the office should be monitored by manager Emilio Gonzalez for the lawsuits will likely be coming from some of these past employees including one claiming whistle blower status which ultimately was declined. – Miami mayor’s counsel Eddy Leal, a Duke Blue Devil, gets some media ink on Babylon project. Says not paid so does not have to register as lobbyist, ethics commission starts investigation, says ‘hit piece,’ in Miami herald, mayor vetoes commission vote on Babylon and zoning anomality — Joseph Napoli a deputy Miami assistant manager has something in common with manager Emilio Gonzalez. The men are both retired U.S. Army colonels Napoli told me Thursday at the commission meeting. — Influential attorney Diaz de la Portilla, not prepared is denied a zoning exemption for Montessori village school off Coral Way, associations not notified they say, Little Havana, Silver Bluff, his brother Alex running for commissioner , police policy to have a sergeant -of arms travel with mayor, WDR has made some 80 trips to Honolulu in my corporate capacity on my way to Japan, Suarez named a trustee out of 500 city mayors — Suarez administration runs into headwinds on MRC development project, Carollo calls it “sweetheart deal,” worse “than Marlin’s stadium deal,” the former mayor claims, only small # of city’s 4,400 employees work in building, mayor will deal after back from Honolulu — Unacceptable to hold public meeting in private venue excluding public Miami Parks Dir. Lara Hamway, needs ethics and Sunshine law class, I once went to Fischer Island MAC and was welcomed, mayor talks transparency, we need to see it. – A behind the look at F1 race negotiations done by county ethics commission, no charges since attorney did not accept getting “full VIP credentials,” went diving instead memo closed out, but fascinating read, Commission Chair Ken Russell tapped by Florida DNC as “chairman of their statewide Municipal Victory program,” in Orlando–Commission Dist. 1 candidate Alex de la Portilla trying to bounce back has $167,000 in war chest leads pack of candidates since Gort termed out, ex Miami commissioner Humberto Hernandez plying the halls of city hall was disbarred attorney for mortgage fraud – Mayor Suarez needs to get commission under control law practice gives Carollo a huge opening and now we find he is a lobbyist for ritzy Fisher Island, he is a well-paid mayor, causing his own problem by not fighting acknowledging the potential conflict — Will commission turbulence affect bond ratings, “you are not the chair,” says Carollo, says he “knows one Harvard idiot [referring to mayor’s father and political nemesis], commissioners tooling around in new $73,000, SUVs with massage chair button — Commissioner Carollo attacks staff and administration for dereliction of duty and code enforcement, end of meeting like a Tchaikovsky sympathy’s climax — Mayor Francis Suarez gave his first state of the city speech at the Miami Freedom Tower and the high energy young man and attorney was received by quests almost like a rally as he detailed the administrations goals in the coming year, but can he deliver? – mayor Suarez moving on up now sitting on dais between manager and attorney, make it seem he is a strong mayor though voters rejected that idea, not stopping him – Bayside Foundation Willy Gort scholarship to get $250,000 anti-poverty funding from his dist.1 fund, foundation gives $200,000 in scholarships, odd taxpayer money being used, will it start a trend of commissioner scholarship programs?
Community Events: Arsht Center function; Future of Miami Arts- New Knight Foundation programs strengthening democracy and a strong free media
EDITORIALS: Mueller testimony to congress not the silver bullet Democrats hoped for but veteran marine, did shoot a flare regarding hacking of America’s election infrastructure calls for paper ballots as back-up cyber-attacks coming from a host on nation’s not just Russia, Iran N. Korea in the mix. – “civility oath goes out the window,” says Mayor Suarez — S. Florida’s political vendettas hold back what could be Miami’s greatness, Failure to move on costs all S. Florida residents, in quality of life? -! – 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 gaov. 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
>>> If you wish to be deleted, just e-mail me with that message. “
You may not take an interest in politics, but politics may take an interest in you.” –Pericles (430 B.C.)
ARGUS REPORT: Heard Seen on the street
>>> After ‘record player gaffe, ‘vice president joe Biden campaigns today at Ball &Chain Sunday at 3:00 p.m.
Joe Biden is getting mixed reviews after the recent Democratic Party debate and some of the candidates took shots with one reflecting on his memory but with voters ageing such shots could come back to haunt the candidates, and he if I was not writing I would have gone to the political event. That likely has Miami commissioner Joe Carollo steaming since he is a hard-core Republican and has a vendetta going with the bar’s owner Bill Fuller and the commissioner has been using code enforcement in a running battle with Fuller that is in federal court. It will be interesting to see what the turnout of supporters will be at the affair this afternoon.
>>>>Massive relief effort of Bahamas shows depth of charity after Dorian flattens the Bahamas, like what Andrew brought to south Dade, and took a decade to recover
South Florida is rising to the challenge of helping flattened Bahamas after hurricane Dorian leveled the Island and looking very similar to Hurricane Andrew that flattened south Dade back in 1992 and took a decade to rebuild. Further Dorian put parts of North Carolina under significant water. As the storm limps to the Canadian coast. The number of deaths from this monster Cat-5 hurricane is still coming in but at the Episcopal Crist church on Hibiscus has served as drop off point for donations and with the help of WPLG channlel10 reporters was doing a brisk business well organized and the amount coming in showed the true heart of the Bahamian community that built and settled decades ago in Coconut Grove.
Here’s a video of the minister:https://www.facebook.com/nate.robinson.9/videos/10158629399414989/
#Bahama Strong -Want to help our friends in the Bahamas?
Here’s where you can donate and/or volunteer in Coconut Grove:
Greater St. Paul AME Church: 3680 Thomas Ave. Christ Episcopal Church: 3475 William Ave. We also need boxes to put the donated goods into to get them transported. Please share! Thank You!
Another way to donate…. at www.Miamidade.gov and here as well:
https://www8.miamidade.gov/global/initiatives/cares/home.page
here’s the Red Cross: https://www.redcross.org/donate/donation.html/?cid=fy19hurflorence&med=referral&source=microjll-pub&scode=BAG11070EY00&subcode
>>> Local Grand Jury report says Biscayne-bay on life support, septic tanks poor infrastructure, plastics deadly to bays survival, past attempts to turn bay around have not been successful, but at tipping point, says jury report
A recent Miami-Dade County state attorney’s Grand Jury report has concluded Biscayne- Bay is at a tipping point when it comes to the bays health and is a major tourist draw. The report says banning straws and plastic bottles along with reducing septic tank leakage and the lack of an infrastructure to discontinue with septic tanks are one of the reasons to blame, but fixing it is not cheap. To read the report go to: https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6248684-Grand-Jury-Report-Biscayne-Bay.html
The Miami-Dade County State Attorney Katherine Fernandez-Rundle was on WLRN recently discussing the grand jury reports findings (net worth $3.359 million through 07.01.19). She is up for reelection in 2020 since being elected in 1993. She noted The Super Bowl host committee is making two community commitments. One to too plant some 100 staghorn corals at Rainbow Reef offshore of Key Biscayne and the other is concerning “human trafficking,” said the state attorney on air and below is the federal consent decree on Miami-Dade’s. federal settlement with its Water & Sewer department and is costing billions in the coming years and the county has enhanced the funding given the size of the problem and some lead may be in pipes running into old houses from the connection and below are water testing findings and I was surprised at what appears in the county. Further check out the exploration of coral reefs in the Keys.https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/florida-keys/article230807454.html and here are links to the county’s massive water and sewer plan and accomplishments.
https://www.miamidade.gov/water/library/consent-decree-overview-english.pdf
https://www8.miamidade.gov/global/water/consent-decree.page
https://www.mswmag.com/editorial/2017/06/utility_of_the_future
local pipe break: https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/topstories/miami-dade-sewage-leak-still-not-fixed-over-1000000-gallons-spilled-so-far/ar-AAFUGIv?ocid=spartandhp
>>>> Miami Civil Service board violates sunshine law with extensive discussion while on coffee break after commissioner testifies about firing of aide claiming whistle blower status, all caught on city television ethics commission needs to review this violation
The Florida Sunshine Law and open public records is being assaulted in the municipalities in a variety of ways and since many public meetings are being televised it is easy to see board members talking among themselves as was the case at a City of Miami Civil Service board meeting April 2nd and 3rd just after commissioner Joe Carollo testified concerning the firing of a former staffer Steven Miro who was claiming a whistle blower status in front of the five member board where one member had to recuse himself. The county’s Ethics commission needs to review this private conversation because it was so blatant.
At this meeting around 11:40 a.m., there was a long animated conversation, after he moved the mic away between the members and chair and finger pointing to make a point and it also had the chair moving the mic away even though it was turned off while they were waiting for someone to bring them coffee but it was so blatant.
I later went down to the commission to cover this blatant disregard for the law and to get the names of the board members since they are not on the city’s webpage for this board. Editor’s note: The Miami-Dade County Ethics and Public Trust should review this meeting because the Sunshine law was so clearly violated, right after Carollo had testified and their final deliberations.
Rerun because so important: 2020 Census complete count top priority $177 million lost in 2010 undercount, says census bureau outreach coordinator Diaz a former Little Havana resident $675 billion annually at stake nationwide $29 billion goes to Florida
The Miami-Dade County Community Relations board (CRB) met Wednesday in the county commission chambers and the topic was community “fear,” when it came to the upcoming 2020 Census. Where some $1,400 is lost in federal funding across the board through federal agencies and in the 2010 Census only “82 percent” of the community was counted and nationwide the percentage was “74 percent,” said Ana Maria Diaz with the Census bureau outreach coordinator.
The importance of the Census is not only financial but is key to reapportionment of congress and in 2010 south Florida picked up two congressional seats.
What about community outreach and education?
Further, while many residents may not be eligible to vote these people must be counted for the federal funding helps these possible undocumented and the citizenship question is what many residents and while many residents fear that ICE or HSH might raid and arrest them. The count since 1790 has been sealed for 72 years and a president cannot unseal the information and that can only be done by an act of congress said the Census Bureau outreach coordinator who grew up in Little Havana populated with seniors and may have their kids living with them and they all must be counted she said and “a 3 percent increase in the count,’ would be a major achievement for the county and while it is a year away now is the time to educate. For many residents who don’t understand the Census that starts April 1 next year. The WDR spends so much time on this subject since I interviewed many people working on the 2000 Census and the count was terrible after the young Cuban boy Elian Gonzalez was extracted from his Little Havana home after federal authorities raided the home and chaos erupted in Miami with extensive ethnic divisions and curb sitting counting was a problem where there were many people living in homes or apartments and the undercount was considerable and had to be adjusted later but that may not happen again so it has to be done right because as Diaz said “It starts and cannot be stopped,” despite weather or any other issue. She noted when challenged about “doing damage control, ” for the Trump administration and her boss U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilber Ross and the fear in the community which is a minority majority committee that keeps many people afraid to even go to a bank and use check cashing stores where there are lines but that is the reality of South Florida and is why getting a complete count is so important. Update: in 2010, under the Obama administration which employed extensive minority outreach it is estimated in that count some 2 million children were missed in the final count.
>>>The Knight Foundation releases commission report on restoring trust in media
The John. S. and James L. Knight Foundation has released a report looking at restoring trust in the media and its corrosive effect to Democracy to read the commission’s report go to: http://csreports.aspeninstitute.org/Knight-Commission-TMD/2019/report
The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation is funding programs and films documenting Miami blocks and Dennis Scholl discussed the program on PBS show Your South Florida Friday night. The foundation has been the cultural Miracle Grow for the arts and is seen throughout Miami from Wynwood to the walls and I could not find the shows link on the shows webpage but one filmmaker looked at the MLK bike celebration wheels up guns down that is locally considered a protest the film maker found out. Further the Knight Arts Challenge is going on and artists should check out the application process at www.knightfoundation.org
>> 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.
Update Trump will not add a citizenship question on the long form?
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
>>> 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.
FLORIDA
>>> Gov. De Santis kept his cool versus navy hat wearing Scott, as Dorian crawls the Florida coast
Gov Ron De Santis a naval officer and attorney was quite a contrast to his predecessor Sen. Rick Scott who controlled the whole conversation being televised versus the professional staff who gave a more measured explanation of the storm’s impact in the state versus Scott who was much more frightening in his public announcements and shows the difference of being an naval officer versus a healthcare executive and De Santis is being praised for his handling of Hurricane Dorian making its way up the eastern seaboard.
What about his appointments to the Miami-Dade College trustee board see story above?
>>> Years ago Rodney Barreto was peppered by recalled commissioner Natacha Seijas saying she thought the manatee herd was getting “to large” and asked DERM to remove the one in her canal, hitch they could not do but she had a dislike of the gentle sea cow after environmentalist put her face on a manatee and asked who is the better looking?
Years ago, Barreto gave the Miami-Dade County Commission an update on the manatee herd in Florida and he was asked if the population “was to large asked recalled commissioner Natacha Seijas “
The watchdog Report ran this in a story in The Miami Herald and she got hundreds of phone calls back then and even suggested in “Cuban lore these “sea cows made excellent sushi,” on the Island and she also wanted DERM to remove the one in a canal in her neighborhood.
Florida Sen. Lauren Book, D- Broward is demanding an independent investigation of the Jeffrey Epstein deal and his sweetheart work release deal and Book a survivor of abuse by a nanny has been a champion in getting justice for victims and is currently getting threats to stop her snooping into this and that is unacceptable and while the Palm Beach Sheriff Ric Bradshaw. To support her efforts go to: https://laurenskids.org/do-you-stand-with-lauren/?fbclid=IwAR2OwsUaActvezmHGZxMNZGsjbi0MIntZ7JH2sQiLqNKM0WmHAYEDHHVcgo
>>> Gov De Santos taps veteran Rodney Barreto for FFW conservation commission
Tallahassee, Fla Press release: Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointments of Steven Hudson and Rodney Barreto to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
“I am pleased to appoint Steven Hudson and Rodney Barreto to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to help advance our state’s conservation mission and help preserve Florida’s natural resources for the enjoyment of all,” said Governor DeSantis. “These individuals have a proven track record of public service and professional experience working to protect Florida’s environment and wildlife.”
“Governor DeSantis continues to demonstrate his commitment to protecting our environment and wildlife through the appointment of strong leaders such as Rodney Barreto and Steven Hudson to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission,” said CEO of the Everglades Foundation Eric Eikenberg. “Both Barreto and Hudson are proven leaders in their own right who have demonstrated a care, depth and knowledge for the preservation of wildlife and habitat conservation, including the Everglades, to the benefit of future generations to come.”
Rodney Barreto
Barreto, of Coral Gables, is the president and chief executive officer of Barreto Group. He served on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for 10 years under Governor Bush and Governor Crist. He is a member of the Guy Harvey Foundation Board, the Bone Fish Tarpon Trust and the Costal Conservation Association. Barreto received his bachelor’s degree in professional studies from Barry University. Barreto is appointed to a five-year term. These appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.
>> Check out Children’s Trust heart gallery, kids needing forever homes, will break your heart when you see their smiles
The Miami-Dade County Trust is featuring its heart gallery on children looking to be adopted into lifetime homes and to see the gallery that will break your heart go to
https://www.miamiheartgallery.org/
>>>> Disruptive pre-k children getting “suspended,” new challenge for Children’s Trust Miami-Dade County
when it comes to pre-K early learning programs many minority and other children are being “suspended,” for their behavior and since it is proven that these early programs put children in a readiness state to learn. And this a new challenge among these troublesome children for decades children age “3 to 5,” the expert said.
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
>>> Golden Glades interchange funding at risk, $1.8 billion in FDOT funding at risk to go to north Florida, gas pipeline talks “stalled,” need 60-foot unencumbered easement
At Friday’s Transportation Planning Committee, Chair Dennis Moss said he is hearing talk from FDOT that some $1.8 to $1.6 billion in funding for the Golden Glades interchange could be reallocated to a project in norther Florida and would jeopardize some “30,000,” jobs and there is also a major issue is a Florida gas transmission 18 inch pipeline and requires a 60’ unencumbered land accusation and could cost up to $700 million in the urban neighborhoods along the pipeline route. Moss noted there was still no “decision but there are discussions” going on in Tallahassee he said.
MIAMI-DADE PROJECTS ON TABLE: The Florida Department of Transportation will hold a meeting about several projects within the Golden Glades Interchange in Miami-Dade County. (Thursday, 6 p.m., Trinity Church, 17801 N.W. Second Ave., Miami.)
>>> County Commissioners want to tighten up municipal whistleblower laws, will it run into municipal resistance like what happened with county IG office?
ORDINANCE RELATING TO MUNICIPAL WHISTLEBLOWERS; AMENDING ARTICLE LXXI OF CHAPTER 2 OF THE CODE OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA; REQUIRING MUNICIPALITIES TO ADOPT ORDINANCES BY A CERTAIN DATE TO PROTECT MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES WHO DISCLOSE SPECIFIED INFORMATION; SETTING MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR MUNICIPALITIES TO ENACT SUCH ORDINANCES; REQUIRING MUNICIPALITIES TO SUBMIT ANNUAL REPORTS; PROVIDING FOR INSPECTOR GENERAL OVERSIGHT; PROVIDING THAT BOARD MAY TAKE CERTAIN ACTIONS IN THE EVENT MUNICIPALITIES ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH MINIMUM STANDARDS; PROVIDING SEVERABILITY, INCLUSION IN THE CODE, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
From back-up memo on the legislation:
The Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics and Public Trust (COE) on May 8, affirmed support for this proposed ordinance — noting that the “goal is to protect municipal workers who disclose wrongdoing in their cities from retaliation on the job.
The Ethics Commission and Office of Inspector General (OIG) may provide technical support to cities seeking assistance developing processes or procedures for handling complaints of adverse personnel action following reports of wrong-doing.
The proposed ordinance also enables municipal employees who are not satisfied by their city’s process to file a complaint of retaliation for the Ethics Commission to investigate and empowers the OIG to track and oversee municipal compliance with the ordinance.”
>>> Commissioner Suarez gets no love for reconsideration of his MCM MIA contract vote, no second, company has relationship
County Commissioner Xavier Suarez is not getting the love he hoped for when he asked the body Tuesday to reconsider a vote on a MCCM contract and one of the companies wives is a relation to the influential at Munilla construction management LLC the controversial company in bankruptcy is dealing with the FIU bridge collapse.
Mayor Gimenez’s wife Lourdes is a relative to the six-son firm as well as public schools board member.
Now for a different look at the bridge collapse check out:
https://heavy.com/news/2018/03/munilla-construction-management-mcm-built-florida-fiu-bridge-collapsed/
http://www.politicalcortadito.com/2019/03/03/mcm-chapter-11-carlos-gimenez-other-firms/
County upcoming budget from mayor Gimenez twitter: : https://twitter.com/MiamiDadeCounty/status/1148705840175730688
Homeless Trust honors young women
>>> ‘Let’s hope no one needs a [fire rescue] bird],” after BCC defers getting new helicopters after 7 – year procurement process, says committee chair Sally Heyman
The issue of new helicopter for Miami-Dade Fire Rescue is still up in the air and Heyman is getting impatient with not getting the new birds and while they have 4 many times these are being repaired and originally the county considered to sell them to fill a budget gap years ago and that has yet to happen. Check out the links for more on the department. At this week’s Healthcare committee, the county is going to buy 4 Agusta helicopters replacing the very old ones. Mayor Carlos Gimenez said he was going with Agusta because they outperformed the competitor Bell helicopters. Gimenez said the Agusta could carry more weight 3,000 more than Bell. They fly faster than Bell’s 124 knots versus 165 knots and travel 363 miles said Gimenez and 13 pilots split on either Bell or Agusta and has a higher crash rating than Bell. Further the county ethics commission found no conflict in the procurement process and it was redone and Gimenez said this companies and re investigator we fired the employee and his supervisor after doing are own investigation with an independent law firm and Gimenez said the aircraft great performance capability and was “more capable,” said Gimenez to the Bell. However, lobbyist Timothy Gomez said after ethics investigation the competitor was only fined $6,000 even thought there were 100 violations in the $60 to $51 million contract. The contract has languished over almost seven years. Commissioner Xavier Suarez said this is example of a terrible “procurement and gone to sealed competitive bids.” The mayor says the Agusta safe operation since a turbine engine can operate for an hour without oil and transmission turbine would give you lift. This not the way this “should have been done and made more if old helicopters if sold four years ago, said Suarez.” I will move and send this to the commission,” said Suarez. Mayor made a brilliant, but there is “trepidation, we have a full board only four commissioners here and send to full commission and end the trepidation, said committee member Javier Souto and moved to send to full board. Editor’s note the contract came up last week and is going to the BCC with no recommendation
And for more go to :https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article138053133.html
And here is more:https://www8.miamidade.gov/global/fire/air-rescue.pagehttps: //www8.miamidade.gov/global/fire/air-rescue.page
https://fireaviation.com/2015/01/04/miami-dades-aviation-program/
https://www.miamidade.gov/auditor/library/2019-09-12-hcco-meeting.pdf
Miami-Dade county has 34 municipalities and the issue of incorporating parts of S Dade had a host of speakers not wanting to be incorporated since the county’s services like police and fire rescue are provided by the county’s regional departments and some residents complained it would create another political body and given only Pinecrest was in corporate an property values rose all most all the other new incorporations ended up raising their taxes over decades.
>>> MIA directed to do study of impact of Melreese soccer stadium deal on runways and if in “safety zones,” for runways, could impact MLS stadium at golf course
The county will do a study on the proposed MLS stadium at Mel Reese golf course that includes a stadium and hotel and if it would fall into a “runway safety zone,” that The FAA could not certify said MIA director Lester Sola and he is trying to get the study done in 90 days since Miami voters in November will be asked to vote on the controversial project since it is proposed by private interests and commission vice Chair Rebeca Sosa wants nothing to put the largest economic engine MIA in any jeopardy she believes and requested the study.
When it comes to transportation planning Organization (TPO) chair Oliver Gilbert,III thinks more technology international trips should be done with a larger group including professors from UM FI,U should be included and Broward county is sending a second delegation to Asia with some 70 people going on the research trip and may be looking at monorail technology.
>>> Further, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez made a motion for a new $1.2 million in office lease space for the Citizens Independent Transit trust from their current cubicle office in government center and after it was approved, he left from MIA and fly to Honolulu. However, Javier Souto objected to spending this much money, but it passed.
>>> Will new HUD program RAD help with affordable housing crisis, could create some 10,000 units in five to seven years in S. Florida?
A new U.S. HUD program called RAD was presented at a county commission committee meeting and it could over 4 to 5 years increase rental housing stock to up to 10,000 units said Michael Liu the county’s housing director and could be a boon in South Florida where housing and affordable housing is a crisis.
https://www.hud.gov/RAD/program-details
>>> With Miami-Dade #1 in HIV infections UM Idea program showing results needs second mobility van for dispensing HIV preventative drugs Prep doses “middle school students,” at “risk,” to says county commissioner Rebeca Sosa an educator.
At the disparity committee Monday, a sobering presentation was done on the rising HIV infections IDEA UM needle exchange pilot program needs dedicated mobile van may get surplus county van suggests, commissioner Jordan,
Miami-Dade is #1 in new HIV infections Idea syringe exchange pilot program going statewide, mobile van needed to deliver HIV medicine
The UM Miller Medical needle syringe exchange program was a major discussion at the community disparities committee chaired by county commissioner Eileen Higgins who has part of Miami Beach and is a “hot zone,” for new infections that cuts across all ethnic lines black or Hispanic and has one person getting AIDs daily and last week and the controversial exchange program has shown positive public health outcomes said Dr. Hansel Tookes, III, M.D., M.P.A. http://medicine.med.miami.edu/ideaexchange
Tookes who took the needle exchange program to the state legislature and high rates of HIV infections are found in Broward and Palm Beach Counties and a traveling Prep mobile unit donated by Sylvester Cancer is going into the community and giving testing and antiviral drugs. However, reaching some of the infected runs into stigmas that includes blacks and Hispanics who are sometimes reluctant to be tested and one hot spot is on 14th street in Miami and Higgins is trying to get a dedicated van to increase the coverage and help for infected patients.
>> M-D County Youth Commission finds “rampant,” bullying and “code reds,” climate change, vaping new issues, body creating the leaders of the future, and note Miami is one of the first “cities to run out of water say,” studies show
A joint meeting with county commissioners and the Miami-Dade County Youth Commission created by the body in 2011 is always an eyeopener. These young members say what they mean with the bark on and in the past years school violence and bullying was a number one concern and after the tragedy at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas students expressed concerns when it comes to “code red,” drills that they need the teachers to explain more what the “procedures,” should be and that these drills “should end after some six minutes the students,” on the council said.
Further the issue of vaping and e cigarettes is a big concern since some 2.3 million students in the county are vaping and has a variety of Side effects that still need to be studied more but it has become increasing number the student representatives said.
http://www.miamidade.gov/youthcommission/prindex.asp?year=2017&web=youthcommission
These members also did community service like Books for Tots where they give out children’s books like Vegetable Soup and others to get preschoolers reading early.
They also traveled to Washington, D.C. PAMM and a school board meeting where they believe “zoning changes should be modified where vaping stores in strip malls should be outlawed in the county code close to schools. Further, each member talked about the programs impact on them from a roundtable meeting with Miami-Dade County Police Department and changed people’s perspective about officers that was different from what you see on social media.
>>>>What about the Homeless Trust and this year’s number of who had died on the street, a new high many opioid related, last year 138 passed this year 201 passed state’s medical examiner confirms.
The Watchdog Report contacted Book about the solemn but stirring meetings after the students spoke and he wrote back, “It was even more because we had the vigil for an hour and a half before in the lobby and it was extremely emotional and painful. Last year, 138 individuals died on our streets. The number jumped up this year to 201, which is the highest year yet and 77% are confirmed by the medical examiner to have died from opioid overdoses. That is simply unconscionable and unacceptable and disheartening.
Secondly, if that’s not bad enough, the national average from a life expectancy perspective on someone who lives on the streets is 79 years of age nationally. Our average this year amongst the 201 was 55 years old. Think about it, our average is 24 years younger than the national average and we don’t have minus 44-degree weather. It was very emotional and very hard and draining. Then we go to the Trust Meeting and it just becomes a high, but it was a high after one of the worst downers in the 25 years I’ve served this Board. Then right after the Board meeting, I had to judge with four of my team members, our annual essay and poster contest amongst elementary, middle school and high school kids. Just a hard day around on homelessness, wrote the long-time chair. For more on the Sadowski trust go to;https://www.bradenton.com/opinion/editorials/article48810155.html
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.
Will elections and sheriff be political patronage havens, or repositories for termed out elected officials to land?
Lack of competency in candidates in new elected offices, highlighted during the last election cycle has many concerned what the future of key elected officials will be. For example, Miami-Dade state attorney in office since 1992 has said she was not running again back in 2015 her last election and there is no current successor of an organization that handles some 250,0000 cases. This highlights the problem when offices are 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.
>>> GMCVB Press release: The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) wishes for the safety of all who may remain under threat from Hurricane Dorian. The GMCVB’s thoughts and prayers are with the people of the Bahamas following the destructive path of Hurricane Dorian.
As partners in the tourism industry, the GMCVB encourages visitors and residents in Greater Miami to donate to the Bahamas’ relief efforts. The list below is a sampling of the major donation initiatives being organized thus far in the local Greater Miami community. As the recovery efforts begin, the travel and tourism industry for Greater Miami stands ready to lock arms with local private and public partners to help our neighbors in the Bahamas.
BAHAMAS RELIEF EFFORTS IN GREATER MIAMI
United Way Operation Helping Hands
National Association of the Bahamas (NAB)
The Smile Trust Hurricane Relief Fund
Caribbean Tourism Organization
World Central Kitchen Relief
Miami-Dade County
City of Miami Beach
City of Miami
City of Coral Gables
City of North Miami
City of Hialeah
Miami-Dade County Youth Fair
Outreach Aid to the Americas
American Red Cross
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
The homeless 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.rg/rentconnect.asp
PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST
>>> Has JHS health trust been hit with a body blow feds audit of Florida and LIP draw down Medicaid program could cost $436 million in returned federal funds. Being litigated with feds, not good news
https://www.miamiherald.com/ for more go to:
https://www.miamiherald.com/site-services/profiles/article233162581.html
>>>> state funding cut proposed $58 million versus $1.5 million JHS trustee Rep. Duran R-Miami worked across party lines to mitigate cuts
PHT agenda: State Legislative Update: Carlos A. Migoya, President and Chief Executive Officer stated that the 2019 Legislative Session concluded with Jackson Health System (JHS) receiving a cut in funds totaling $1.5 million versus the proposed $58 million. Mr. Migoya stated that the work of the Miami-Dade County Legislative Delegation, the House of Representatives who remained strong with their formula attributed to less funding cuts to JHS, and Representative Nicholas X. Duran who did a great job working across party lines. In all, slightly few health care bills were passed but for the ones that did pass are beneficial for JHS and long-term health care. The Certificate of Need (CON) House Bill (removes a requirement that general hospitals apply and obtain approval from the state to build or expand) passed. The approval of the House Bill does present some challenges but the positive side of it gives JHS the opportunity to finalize the CON for Jackson West Medical Center. Mr. Migoya stated that Don S. Steigman, Chief Operating Office, Mark T. Knight, Chief Financial Officer and the construction team are working together to maximize JHS opportunities to successfully complete the work to open and occupy the facility at the end of year 2020. 4. Adjournment Joe Arriola, Vice Chairman, Strategy and Growth Committee at 11:29
>>> Joint PHT BCC meting goes smoothly love fest versus the past CEO Migoya says, “Doral west on budget and on time by Nov. 2020,” can be seen from landing MIA planes
The PHT board had its joint meeting Tuesday with the county commission and it was a love fest versus years in the past where people were talking about selling the public hospital after years of mounting debt serving the uninsured and residence confidence was plummeting after all the bad fiscal news and leadership changes that included the county commission periodically weighing in and had a past CEO Marvin O’Quinn telling me after he arrived. This “place is so political,” and I responded back no kidding. Or more see the better building bond webpage. Doral east “is own time and budget,” CEO Carlos Migoya tells commissioners. Or more go to https://jacksonhealth.org/jackson-bond-program/
>>>> The AOA agreement calls for health trust to pay $130 million to UM for a host of medical services and below is a complete breakdown of the services and payments.
http://www.seiu1991.org/files/2011/07/AOA-Payments-Rationale-and-Distribution-3.pdf
This is a breakdown of the payments and a graph is on the pdf above
Distribution of AOA Payments Direct Patient Care, $20,057,576 Residency and Fellowship Program Administration, $5,704,521 Residents and Fellows Clinical Instruction Support, $22,941,836 Residents and Fellows Direct Expense Stipend, $587,640 Residency and Fellowship Program Coord and Admin, $1,391,611 Hospital Administration Support, $10,143,812 Recruiting Support, $11,752.
The 50-year affiliation with the UM Miller school of medicine is a tremendous boon for the community and ends the tag line. “You go to Jackson to die,” was a frequent refrain, but that medical synergy has made the health trust one of the top medical health systems in Miami-Dade and is rebooting after a GOB bond was passed allowing for new updated facilities.
>>> New continuum of care center coming for homeless with mental issues, JHS involved one stop center, upcoming special PHT board meeting to ratify new committee chairs
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/
>>> Last girder to state-of-the-art Christine E. Lynn rehabilitation facility fitted Friday $175 million rehab, home to UM Project to Cure Paralysis
On Friday the last girder was added to the new state of the art rehabilitation facility and it is dearly needed after the previous one was inadequate and antiquated and was always a hot topic with county commissioners especially commissioner Sally Heyman who had a back issue and had to get rehab there. The $175 center will also be home for UM’s the Miami Project to cure Paralysis and the fundraising got a jolt when Christine E. Lynn donated the first $25 million and was augmented with proceeds from the $830 million GOB approved by county voters.
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
>>> The bands from local high schools will be playing at Noticia Tropicana festival held in Tropical park and is a major event for years pushed by Commissioner Javier Souto a former state senator and county parks advocate.
>>> Some board members not seeking reelection, will it impact a past school achievement no F schools in district with future turbulence on the nine-member board, Dr. s Karp, Feldman leaving board?
>>> School Board Budget Review Advisory committee meets Tuesday, is the taxpayers firewall, made up of CPAs & tax attorneys, not always the case until 2004, when chair Hank Mack finally steps down reluctantly, two schools named after the man on in Dade another in Broward
The school district’s Audit and Budget review committee is meeting Tuesday and this citizen based board is made up of CPAs and tax attorneys something that was not the case back in the late 1990s and 2000 and only changed around 2003 when the long time chair stepped down after the WDR broke the man Hank Mack had violated the Sunshine law and Mack has two schools named after him of which one is in Broward County as well as Dade. Here is the committee’s agenda great read:
http://mca.dadeschools.net/AuditCommittee/AC_September_17_2019/Agenda.pdf
>>> District saves $68 million in COP bond refinancing, IG busts electrical contractor and minority “front”
The school board is refinancing some Certificates of Participation (COP) bonds and the maneuver suggested by a treasury advisory board is saving the public district 468 million and the nation’s second largest district has an extensive bond portfolio and has been refinancing since interest have been so low especially a few years ago.
An electrical contractor was busted by the county’s IG for being a front when applying and complying with the district’s minority contract policies to read the report click on
http://www.miamidadeig.org/2019MDCPS/OIGFinalReportofInspectionGOBIG0015.pdf
here is the link to the audit agenda: http://www.dadeschools.net/schoolboard/agenda/e35.pdf
The Value adjustment board met, and commissioners Jose Pepe Diaz attended along with commission chair Audrey Edmonson a and school board member Lubby Navarro and this year there is no delay in money owed to the district that in the past was roughly $171 million. For more on that funding conflict with the county go to:
https://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/12/05/dade-teachers-union-files-lawsuit-against-mayor/
School District Impact Fees audit Check out the audit and what the county owes to the public district http://mca.dadeschools.net/AuditCommittee/AC_May_14_2019/Agenda.pdf
>>> Charter schools 134 of them are asking to receive some of the $1.2 billion GOB proceeds passed by county voters, teacher raises and facilities upgrades, is running into protests.
Charter schools are asking for a portion of a 1.2 billion property tax that was expected to raise teacher pay and upgrade some schools and the district has 134 charter schools that are managed by private firms and upgrade private property with public funds and these entities do not have to follow the same rules and do not have to accept all students versus the public district and the legal battle is occurring in Tallahassee during the session, and these local tax dollars should go to the public district the fourth largest https://digital.olivesoftware.com/Olive/ODN/MiamiHerald/ https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/education/article229066424.html
CITY OF MIAMI
>> Commissioner Reyes calls mayor’s stalling tactic “Machiavellian,” since Reyes and Gort oppose deal and 4/5th vote needed for no bid deal with Beckham and MLS
The Miami Freedom Park discussions Thursdays was a drama with Miami commissioner Manola Reyes calling Mayor Francis Suarez “Machiavellian” given the mayor’s slow progress with The David Beckham groups $1 billion development deal and MLS soccer stadium on the Melreese golf course. Reyes and Wilfredo Gort suggest the delays are to allow for the upcoming elections to add new commissioners in support of what many call a sweetheart deal of a billion dollar give away to the politically connected Mass brothers. Since both Gort and Reyes are against the deal. Former Miami commissioner Marc Sarnoff is part of the negotiating deal and his law firm Shutts & Bowen. Sarnoff noted that the traffic and environmental studies have yet to be done and wont be ready till close to the Nov. election and the commissioners believe it is a stalling tactic by proponent Suarez who notes it was overly passed by Miami voters but the devil is in the details and the commission o them as commissioners put some form time lines for the administration to present a contract while Gort is still on the dais.
In one sharp exchange Reyes does not call Suarez and the mayor hot back that he should be called “mayor,” since he refers to them as commissioners, but the heated meeting highlights the divisions on the five member body as Suarez tries to wrap-up the deal expected in the coming months and the value of the golf course has yet to be established.
>>>> Businessman Fried challenges Miami commission chair Russell, has company called “Fried on Weed, “his niece is AG commissioner Nikki Fried
Incumbent Dist. 2 Miami commissioner ken Russell has a new challenger James fried whose niece is Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and he said he is a Democrat when I talked to him at Thursday’s commission meeting at the clerks office window and the business man is a neophyte in the Miami political world. He spoke briefly Thursday from the podium and wore a name tag saying he was a candidate.
>> Miami Commissioner Joe Carollo aide is busted at 10:00 a.m. for a DUI after running into the back of a boat on Fuller and Grand Ave. Further, this continues the turmoil in the District 3 commission office that has major staff members being fired because of a hostile work environment and Carollo responded after hearing the charges. He was just glad there were no injuries but the political turmoil in the office should be monitored by manager Emilio Gonzalez for the lawsuits will likely be coming from some of these past employees including one claiming whistle blower status which ultimately was declined. For more on the incident go to: https://miami.cbslocal.com/2019/08/16/aide-miami-commissioner-joe-carollo-arrested-drunk-driving/
>>>> Ken Russel subject of hit campaign piece paid by gambling lobbyist, how low will the District 2 race go?
Miami Commissioner Ken Russell is being characterized for causing a court ruling that the city owes a flagstone development of putting the city having to pay a $20 million judgement and is being pushed by a lobbyist supporting clients that want the city to approve gambling. The race for District 2 is said to get uglier and he has only one opponent a realtor in the Grove Javier Gonzalez who claims he will be his own man since he owns a Maserati and has a Rolex he has said in past forums.
>>> Commissioner Carollo tells Mgr. Gonzalez he was in Marine Corps, but evidence of proof not forth coming, and stonewalls media requests seeking proof
I have known Commissioner Joe Carollo since 1999 after an election was thrown out for voter fraud and his moniker was “Crazy Joe,” and had people saying, “That’s just Joe being Joe, but at least he is honest,” was he general refrain. I bring this up for recently his bombastic behavior has gotten more frequent.
However, the latest controversy concerns whether he had served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves as he told manager Emilio Gonzalez and he received a certificate for his service in the reserves but the man in all my years has never given a hint he might have been a Marine and he is getting lambasted for his what appears a false tale and while he was once a Miami public service aide. The press and media are trying to hunt down the truth about his military service at a time he is up for reelection and is always carping about all the corruption in Miami. Here is Grant Miller’s take on the Carollo issue in community newspapers: https://communitynewspapers.com/biscayne-bay/is-joe-carollo-a-victim-or-has-he-stolen-valor/ Further Carollo also has fired his chief of staff a former police chief in Doral Richard Bloom and had the commissioner suggesting https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article233555347.html
PAST April WDR Carollo staffer Miro loses his whistleblower civil service board case against Carrolo, federal court next up,
Fired Miami commissioner staffer Steve Miro who had worked for Miami commissioner Joe Carollo For two days was on the dais during his hearing with the city’s Civil Service Board. Miro maintains he was fired for bringing a whistle blower case against Carollo since he was fired just after two state attorney investigators had stopped by the office asking about a campaign event at a senior center where another candidate Alex de la. Portilla was running for the county commission attended. Miro was claiming public funds were being used for that campaign and he was supporting a rival candidate. However, the city’s attorney said the man was a “Jeckle and Hyde,” because when there were no “men in the office he acted differently said one of three women to the board.
The chief of staff a former police chief Richard Bloom (since fired) told the board that the women had come to him about their concerns because “they were visible shaken,” and felt he was harassing them by “standing behind them while they worked at their desks,” and his attorney hammered the city for the lack of paperwork of this behavior before he fired and when commissioner Carollo took the podium to be grilled about the episode. The former Miami mayor said when Miro was outside on the phone. Carollo wanted to know if it was “social day,” since the staffer was talking to a lobbyist. Miro the commissioner said was on a website for hours called “Second Life, https://secondlife.com/
>>>> Miami mayor’s counsel Eddy Leal gets some ink on Babylon project. Says not paid so does not have to register as lobbyist, ethics commission starts investigation, says ‘hit piece,’ in Miami herald, mayor vetoes commission vote on Babylon and zoning anomaly
Eddy Leal got some ink for his involvement in the Babylon project a ziggurat building since torn down and was an anomaly in the city’s zoning code argued attorneys and Miami Mayor Francis Suarez new legal counsel Eddy Leal was drawn in the controversy because he was not registered as a lobbyist. He is claiming he is not being paid but an ethics complaint has been filed calling the Herald story a ‘hit job,’ and said he did not talk to the mayor about the project that Suarez vetoed Friday. Suarez is claiming he is listening to residents ‘his employees’ not the city’s employees but the whole issue now has become an ethics commission investigation.
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/article233453547.html
Here is Leal’s law office web page
http://www.leallegal.com/#leallegallawfirm
>>> Joseph Napoli a deputy Miami assistant manager has something in common with manager Emilio Gonzalez. The men are both retired U.S. Army colonels Napoli told me Thursday at the commission meeting.
It is interesting because commissioner Joe Carollo is referring to Gonzalez as the colonel and last Thursday he focused on Napoli in a very sharp exchange about the Ultra contract and really dressed him down.
What else happened?
Carollo reached into his old toolbox when people were asking about 4 new parks in his district. He said the people complaining just didn’t want people outside the neighborhood using the parks and one person actually “grabbed his wife’s arm.” And he suggested this was racially or anti Hispanic rhetoric from elites in his district and he used this tactic back in 2000 but now is a different time and he may not get the ethnic divide traction he is looking for and had people throwing bananas in front of Miami City Hall back then.
Speeding boats on Miami River scarring manatees in river
What about the speeding boats on the Miami River and these hitting manatees? The river with a dubious history has restaurants dotting the shores and residents are asking for a more robust police marine patrol and say the fast boats are scarring the slow-moving sea cows that swim along the shore to avoid these boats
>>>>The sea Level Rise committee wants bump in funding for resiliency officer’s office, an extra $500,000 in the upcoming budget would help for “most important Miami committee,” manager has said.
“The most important committee the sea level rise committee,’ is going to ask for more public funding for studies and members going to conferences and after much debate is asking the commission to fund $500,000 to the resilience and sustainability officer’s office and the chair will be speaking at a upcoming commission meeting since budget hearings are in September. To read the budget go to:
https://www.miamigov.com/Government/Departments-Organizations/Management-Budget
here are the Miami commissioner campaign reports: check out the serious coin raised: for races on the five member body https://www.voterfocus.com/CampaignFinance/candidate_pr.php?c=muncitymiami
Miami’s City’s budget next year http://archive.miamigov.com/budget/docs/FY20/BudgetinBrief.pdf
Here are the civil service minutes:
http://archive.miamigov.com/civil_service/Agendas_Minutes/2019/04%2002-03final.pdf
Here is a list of candidates and the amount of money they have raised
What about the new bomb squad handheld x-ray device that was deferred but needed recently after a suspected baggage was found on Biscayne Blvd by Carrolo.?
>>> Commission Dist. 1 candidate trying to bounce back has $167,000 in war chest leads pack of candidates since Gort termed out, ex commissioner Hernandez plying the halls of city hall was disbarred attorney for mortgage fraud
>Former state Sen. Alex Diaz de la Portilla leading in the fundraiser bracket at over $167,000 in his war chest and he is a controversial candidate and has lost a number of recent races and is drawing more attention by his having a relationship with convicted Miami Commissioner Humberto Hernandez since disbarred and Hernandez’s claim to fame was mortgage fraud. However, Alex had a controversial divorce is a chain smoker and got into it at a Boston hotel where he was smoking and interfaced with a police officer County Mayor Carlos Jimenez’s son C.J. Jimenez, an attorney and registered lobbyist continues to ply the halls of Miami and has his sister Tanya Jimenez ( not a registered lobbyist with the city was spotted on Thursday and the sister and daughter team are trying to maximize the time their father is in office who refers to his kids lobbying that they have the right to make a living he many times has said and is not a conflict.
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EDITORIAL
>>>> Mueller testimony to congress not the silver bullet Democrats hoped for but veteran marine, did shoot a flare regarding hacking of America’s election infrastructure calls for paper ballots as back-up cyber-attacks coming from a host on nation’s not just Russia, Iran N. Korea in the mix.
While Robert Mueller’s testimony was not the silver bullet Democrats thought they would hear. The veteran Marine combat officer did make it clear the nation has to beef up its cyber and voting machine security as foreign actors like Russia and Iran try to impact are elections and states must all consider having back-up paper ballots and beef up their own internal security.
Further, with multiple municipalities, hospitals utilities have been held hostage and cyber ransom blackmail to regain access to encrypted computers. To read more about these hacks and technology go to these two links and it will open your eyes on the danger of these actors including North Korea and is only evolving in complexity and even the CIA has been penetrated along with the ultra-secret NSA.
https://www.wired.com/story/2017-biggest-hacks-so-far/?verso=true
https://decideconsulting.com/5-recent-cyber-security-threats-in-2018/
>>> S. Florida’s political vendettas holds back what could be Miami’s greatness, Failure to move on costs all S. Florida residents, in quality of life,
If Miami wants to reach its true heights its political leaders need to end political vendettas work together and remember why they originally ran for office and not to get absorbed with the trappings of political office that makes many politicians lack empathy and just focus on getting even or worse themselves. Regardless how constituents might be impacted.
This comes to mind after the contentious Miami commission meetings where commissioner Joe Carollo verbally slaps around city staff and its manager Emilio Gonzalez a retired colonel in the army who seems ill prepared for this disrespect by the elected commissioner and former mayor that when in office in 2000 would go on Spanish radio and gin up the community and the city story on the young rafter boy who lost his mother on the journey and resulted in an ethnic divide that allowed someone like saloon owner Jay Love to get some 19 percent of the vote over incumbent county mayor Alex Penelas and challenger Miguel Diaz de la Portilla in a countywide race Pinellas won., and it took the county years to heal from this ethnic divide that had blacks in Homestead with red necks and confederate flags protesting “f…ck the Cubans,” and the Miami Herald had a great photo of the demonstration that showed a black man looking at the flag thinking this is so weird and was a black eye for S. Florida.
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
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
The homeless 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
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
Daniel A. Ricker
Publisher & Editor
Watchdog Report
Est. 05.05.00
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>>> 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
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>>> The Miami Herald and Orlando Sentinel & Sun-Sentinel articles on the Watchdog Report publisher over the years.
Published on September 9, 1999, Page 1EA, Miami Herald, the (FL)
CITIZEN ADVOCATE’ KEEPS TABS ON POLITICIANS
Published on January 3, 2000, Page 1B, Miami Herald, the (FL)
MIAMI-DADE WATCHDOG WILL BE MISSED
Published on January 20, 2003, Page 1E, Orlando Sentinel, PAPERWORK TIGER, Miami’s citizen watchdog piles up government files in his quest to keep the “little people” informed. http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2003-01-20/news/0301190045_1_ricker-miami-watchdog
>>>Watchdog Report publisher named ‘Best Citizen’ 2003 by the Miami New Times
The publisher would like to thank the weekly alternative paper Miami New Times for bestowing their 2003 Best of Miami, ‘Best Citizen’ award to me and I am honored. Thank you. To read the full story go to http://www.miaminewtimes.com/best-of/2003/people-and-places/best-citizen-6399517
>>>>> General subscriber’s names will not be published in the Report. To subscribe to the Watchdog Report please use the form below as a subscription invoice. ****************************************************
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