Watchdog Report Vol.12 No.24 October 16, 2011 Est.05.05.00 – I go when you cannot!

>>> The Watchdog Report publisher would like to thank the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation www.knightfoundation.org for funding by the Knight Foundation with technical support from the Knight Center for International Media http://knight.miami.edu within the University of Miami’s School of Communication www.miami.edu to maintain my webpage.

>>> If you think it is important to have someone watching your public institutions consider becoming a supporter or sponsor. For there is no trust fund and I do have to live and I hope you or your organization will consider helping in a small or larger way and help keep another voice on line in the media. A convenient form is at the bottom of this week’s Watchdog Report with all the instructions on how to support this newsletter and news service that has celebrated its 12th Anniversary May 5, 2011.

ARGUS REPORT – Heard, Seen on the Street

>>> Developer Tate calls Miami-Dade “not an honest government,” and asks Mayor Gimenez why do “we have to pay a permit expeditor” to get projects done

Stanley G. Tate lobbed a community systemic corruption grenade in a question to Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez (Net worth $923,000) on Wednesday at a Good Government Initiative luncheon.  Tate is a prominent Republican, past special advisor to President George W. Bush, and appointed to head the Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) under Bush 41. He also is a former municipal mayor, developer and advocate for the creation of the now Stanley G. Tate Florida Prepaid College Program decades ago now with well over 1 million participants.  Tate, attending the forum headed up and moderated by former Miami-Dade Commissioner Katy Sorenson (Net worth $1.79 million) http://goodgov.net/about.html along with the University of Miami asked what the newly minted mayor, elected in late June, would do when it came to developers and other people being essentially shaken down when it comes to projects getting approval and needing permits. The man said, “This government in Miami-Dade County is basically not an honest government” and there are a variety of fees and charges that are “illegal” and is one of the reasons “we don’t have honest government in Dade County,” he said. In his case, he is thinking to just give Miami-Dade a miss when it comes to new developments he is involved with in the future because of this fact. When challenged by Sorenson to expand and prove his charges. Tate said why do “we have to pay someone to be a [permit] expeditor to get a permit” and believes these activities are “measurable,” given there frequency. Tate said he has lived in Miami all his life, has watched the community grow from four cities to 35 municipalities over the decades, and his observations suggest, “if you don’t have honesty in government,” you will never have “good government,” he thought.

He noted people in county government, and some municipalities would ask developers for a variety of things over the years, and payments to a permit expeditor is a common example. In that case, a prospective developer pays attractive women in the know to go to the county or municipal planning and zoning departments and get these documents shepherded through the labyrinth of county and local government but at a price, sometimes “around $25, 000,” multiple highly reliable sources have told me over the past decade.  And I have written about these permit expeditors in the past, and these people first sprang up after Hurrican Andrew hit in Aug. 1992. After which there was a massive backlog for building permits to be issued, projects inspected as residents tried to rebuild their homes, commercial properties after the devastating event laid waste to southern Dade, and it has just grown into an industry since then.

What did Gimenez say at the luncheon in this regard?

Gimenez acknowledged, “It takes forever and a day to get a permit,” at the county and told a story of some men starting a business down in Homestead. It was a “mom and pop pharmacy” and not one of the chains and one of the men trying to open the business made a “bet” with his partner to not cut his hair until it had opened, said Gimenez. When the mayor met him, his hair was very long because “14-months had gone by until it opened” and that is unacceptable time the mayor said. And with the economy in South Florida in the tank and high unemployment, he thought some of these barriers should be streamlined noting in this case. The drug store now “employees 30 people.”

Gimenez

>>> Edna Shalala, mother of UM President Donna Shalala turns 100

Edna Shalala Esq., the mother of Donna Shalala Ph.D., the former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services in the President Bill Clinton administration and University of Miami president turned 100 on Oct. 12 and quests included U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen R-Miami. The Watchdog Report publisher first met and had a decent conversation with Mrs. Shalala when I spoke to a group of about 70 retirees at the University of Miami about four years ago and she was very articulate and almost feisty in some of her comments and said she only stopped practicing law when she turned 90 in 2001. She has also been an avid competitive tennis player for decades and the Watchdog Report wishes the senior Shalala continued health and happiness. To read a Herald story in 2002 on the mother and daughter team go to: http://www6.miami.edu/UMH/CDA/UMH_Main/1,1770,8548-1;13647-3,00.html

>>> National profile of the publisher in The Tribune papers Jan. 2003 & UNCCH 2004 media study that cites Watchdog Report having 100,000 readers weekly

To read a national story run in the Tribune papers on my life and how this all began done by Orlando Sentinel featured reporter Maya Bell go to: To read the section’s large front page story, but without the photos and smart box graphics, go to: `I Go When You Cannot’ – Sun Sentinel 20 Jan 2003 … Sometimes Dan Ricker lives in the dark so others may live in the light. … to his weekly Watchdog Report have finally mailed their checks. … http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2003-01-20/news/0301190341_1_ricker-school-board-president-miami-s-first-cuban-american >>>  And to read a University of North Carolina Chapel Hill study on the media in the Southeast United States that mentions the Watchdog Report with 100,000 readers weekly, done back in 2004 and to read the Southern Media Study go to: Daniel Ricker of the Miami Herald also writes an influential column as well as an email newsletter called the Watchdog Report that goes out to more than … – – Cached.

>>> All photos in the Watchdog Report are taken from public government sites, and the Report goes on line at www.watchdogreport.net on Monday sometime during the day usually. >>> If you believe it is important to have someone watching your public institutions consider supporting the Watchdog Report for I am a low cost news service yet I do have to live, thank you! Further, I have been honored over the years by being named a WFOR-4 Hometown Hero in 2000, being profiled in a major way by The Miami New Times, The Miami Herald, and the Orlando Sentinel which ran as a nationwide story on me in the Tribune papers on Jan. 2003 and UNC Chapel Hill naming me one of the top columnists in Florida in a  multi-state study of the media back in 2004. I also thank Joseph Cooper for the opportunity to be on the WLRN/NPR showTopical Currents on www.wlrn.org since 2000, including yearly election coverage since then, and also numerous times over the past decade.

FLORIDA

>>> State Sen. Richter in the spotlight, Vietnam veteran first elected in 08, respected banker, had $4.69 million net worth through 2010

State Sen. Garrett Richter, R-Naples took a road trip to Miami last week with his wife Diana to see one of his two daughters’ and her husband. They also have a son.  The Watchdog Report spoke to the state senator briefly after I recognized him at a restaurant in Coconut Grove having dinner. The former Vietnam veteran, who was awarded a U.S. Army Vietnam Bronze Star when he served there from 1969 to 1971 was first elected to the state House in 2006 and won his Senate District 37 seat in 2008. He is a successful banker that founded two banks, the First National Bank of Florida and the First National Bank of the Gulf Coast. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1981, and attended a graduate school in banking in Wisconsin. He was born in the Keystone State and moved to Florida in 1987 and is an avid golfer.

Richter

What do we know about his finances?

Richter through Dec. 2010 had a net worth of $4.69 million and he lists $140,000 in household goods. His total assets are $4.85 million but he owes Fifth Third Bank $238,198 on a line of credit and a Bank of America mortgage is owed $301,951. His home is worth $1 million in Naples, another in North Carolina is also valued at $1 million and a condominium in Tallahassee is valued at $125,000. His investments include $650,000 with Charles Schwab; another investment property in NC is worth $900,000 and there is $389,000 in an IRA and is just a few of his listed investments for the year. His income was $156,000 from Gulf Bank, Schwab kicked in $18,492 and $13,500 in interest and dividend payments and the state paid him $30,243 in his official capacity.

>>> State Atty. Fernandez-Rundle holding first fundraiser, will she draw a challenger in 2012?

Katherine Fernandez-Rundle (Net worth $1.75 million), the 11^th Judicial Circuit state attorney is gearing up for another run for the office in 2012 and she is holding her first campaign fundraiser in the days ahead I am being told. She was first elected in 1993 after Janet Reno was tapped by President Bill Clinton to become the U.S. Attorney General and she has never looked back beating any challengers that came her campaign way. However, while she has been criticized as being soft on elected leaders she has prosecuted some high profile cases but misfired on some like the dropped charges against Miami Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones being the most recent example, after a key witness recanted her testimony and has some residents in the community wondering about her effectiveness. Another case coming up is local developer Raul Masvidal who was charged with billing Miami-Dade County for an expensive art piece that he is accused of keeping and creating a phony invoice. Masvidal’s trial was set to begin in the coming days, but has been changed to November after the former banker’s attorney withdrew from the case. She is a Democrat and has yet to draw a challenger, but the countywide partisan race usually does draw a challenger and she is gearing up for this next election.

>>> Gov. Scott (Net worth $103 million) taps Ivan “Marty” Ford, Susan H. Maurer and Linda M. Robison to the Commission on Ethics.

Ford, 72, of Vero Beach, is a retired agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and was a United States Secret Service Agent from 1961 to 1965.  He has been a member of the Association of Former Agents of the United States Secret Service since 1988 and Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI, having served as the organization’s vice chairman.  From 1997 to 2000, he served as a board member of the Florida Board of Bar Examiners and has continued as an emeritus member since 2000.  Ford served in the United States Air Force from 1954 to 1958 and received a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University.  He is reappointed for a term beginning October 12, 2011, and ending June 30, 2013.

Maurer, 55, of Fort Lauderdale, is the managing partner at Panza Maurer and Maynard P.A.  She also serves as a commercial arbitrator with the American Arbitration Association.  Previously, Maurer served as general counsel at the Florida Insurance Guaranty Fund and served as a board member of the Community Hospital Education Council from 1994 to 2000.  She has been a board member of the American Lung Association of the Southeast since 2000, past president of Dade, Broward and Monroe County American Lung Association, past board member of Broward County Women’s Executive Club, a member of the American Heart Association “Go Red for Women” campaign, and a board member of Fort Lauderdale Historical Society.  Maurer earned a bachelor’s degree from Emory University and law degree from Nova Southeastern University.  She is reappointed for a term beginning October 12, 2011, and ending June 30, 2013.

Robison, 63, of Pompano Beach, has been a partner at Shutts and Bowen L.L.P since 2010.  Previously, she was an attorney at Fowler White Boggs PA. from 2006 to 2010.  Formerly, Robison served on the management committee at Johnson and Gibbs and as head of the corporate department of Weil, Gotshal and Manages L.L.P., both in Texas.  She has been a Life Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation since 2001 and a member of the American Health Lawyers Association since 1990.  She received a bachelor’s degree from Auburn University and a law degree from the University of Houston.  She is reappointed for a term beginning October 12, 2011, and ending June 30, 2013. The appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

>>> Press release: Gov. Scott announced the reappointment of Richard S. Browdy to the Florida Building Commission to serve as its chair.

Browdy, 65, of Jacksonville, is the president of Browdy and Browdy Inc. He succeeds Raul L. Rodriguez as chair and is appointed for a term beginning October 14, 2011, and ending October 14, 2015. This appointment is subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY

>>> There they go again; Federal DEA & Medicare IG agents bust pharmacy in Stephen P. Clark Government Center, second time in a decade

The U.S. DEA and the Medicare Inspector Generals special agents busted the Miami-Dade Stephen P. Clark Government Center pharmacy in the lobby last week and this was the second time over the past decade, for the now called Robert’s Pharmacy. Federal agents swept into the center’s lobby in the morning and this pharmacy was part of a giant undercover investigation of pill mill operations in South Florida that took place over 18 months. The issue of pill mills has been front and center at the federal and state levels and this crackdown is slowly having an affect that includes prosecuting wayward physicians and pharmacists. What is of concern in this case is that the pharmacy is in a governmental building and is so brazen when you consider police and other law enforcement officials are everywhere in the 29 story building.

>>> Press release: TWENTY-FOUR INDICTED IN OXYCODONE

TRAFFICKING AND HEALTH CARE FRAUD SCHEME -Defendants Used Public Funds to Finance Trafficking in Oxycodone and Oxymorphone

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Mark R. Trouville, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Christopher B. Dennis, Special Agent in Charge, Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), José A. Gonzalez, IRS Special Agent in Charge, Director James K. Loftus, Miami-Dade Police Department, Al Lamberti, Sheriff, Broward Sheriff’s Office, and H. Frank Farmer, M.D., State Surgeon General, Florida Department of Health (DOH), announced the unsealing of a federal indictment charging twenty four defendants for their participation in, among other things, conspiracy to distribute oxycodone and oxymorphone, and conspiracy to defraud Medicare. Twenty-one of the defendants, including a doctor, a pharmacist and two pain clinic operators are currently in custody after a multi-agency takedown was executed early this morning.  Three defendants, Hattie Mae Green, Eliezer Salgado and Ronald Regains, remain at large.         Researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that Schedule II prescription painkillers, like oxycodone, today cause more drug overdose deaths than cocaine and heroin combined.  Oxycodone and other Schedule II drugs have a high potential for abuse and can be crushed and snorted, or dissolved and injected, to get an immediate high.  This abuse can lead to addiction, overdose, and sometimes death.

The nine-count indictment filed on September 30, 2011 and unsealed today, charges all defendants with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, namely oxycodone and oxymorphone (Count 1), and conspiracy to commit health care fraud (Count 9). Several of the defendants also face substantive charges of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances (Counts 2-6, 8), and attempted possession of controlled substances (Count 7). Charged in the indictment are Aiman Izzedin Aryan, 40, of Pinecrest, Emerson Carmona, 40, of Miami, Frank J. Ballesteros, M.D., 57, of Miami, Gerardo Gomez, 38, of Miami, Juan De Dios Gomez, 40, of Miami, Danay C. Manso, 22, of Miami, Danilo Falcon, 38 of Miami, Eliezer Salgado, 29, of Hialeah, Francisco Hernandez, 57, of Miami, Leroy Paige, 49, of Madison, Alyssa Lyn Paige, 32, of Madison, Cynthia Suzette Adderley, 53, of Ft. Pierce, Victor D. Alexander, 50, of Ft. Lauderdale, Aaron Lamar Allen, 44, of Ft. Lauderdale, Henry Louis Conley, Jr., 53, of Miami, Hattie Mae Green, 53, of Miami, Petronella Smith Howard, 52, of Ft. Pierce, Eric Fyke Miller, 42, of Ft. Lauderdale, Annie Mims Simmons, 72, of Miami, Bobbie Lee Anderson, 58, of Gifford, Denise Darcelle Dardy, 48, of Miami, Margaret Marie Elliott, 54, of Ft. Pierce, Billy Joe McCoy, 53,of Ft. Pierce, and Ronald Regains, 56, of Ft. Lauderdale.

U.S. Attorney Wifredo Ferrer stated, “According to recent estimates, Florida prescribes ten times more oxycodone pills than all other states combined. Each day, individuals die from prescription drug overdoses.  To stop this drug epidemic, we have previously charged clinic owners, operators, and doctors who deal drugs while hiding behind a medical license.  Today, we have focused our efforts on those pharmacies who are churning out pills that are fraudulently prescribed at area pain clinics.  We will continue to tackle South Florida’s pill mill epidemic from all angles and at all levels to eradicate these drug dealing organizations.” DEA Special Agent in Charge Mark R. Trouville said, “The Drug Enforcement Administration continues its relentless attack on those who supply the prescription drug epidemic in our country, state, and local communities.  With today’s arrests, twenty four people will no longer add to this drug problem.” “Today’s multi-agency operation makes clear that drug trafficking and health care fraud make for a vile combination that simply cannot be tolerated,” said Christopher B. Dennis, Special Agent in Charge for the HHS-OIG region based in Miami.  “Schemes to steal from taxpayers to pay for highly addictive, highly profitable street drugs , as the government alleges in this case, will trigger investigation and prosecution.” “The Internal Revenue Service will continue to provide its financial investigative expertise to further the prosecution of criminals, especially those involved in complex financial schemes,” said IRS Special Agent in Charge Jose Gonzalez. “The trafficking of oxycodone and oxymorphone has seeped into our community and extends beyond the borders of Miami-Dade County.  We stand committed to working with our state and federal partners in the ongoing effort to apprehend these drug dealers who are destroying lives with their criminal behavior,” said Miami-Dade Police Department Director James K. Loftus.

“Through operations like this one, prescription drug peddlers are getting the message that pill pushing is no longer tolerated in Florida,” Broward Sheriff Al Lamberti said.  “Federal and local enforcement efforts have turned the tide but we need to keep up the good work.” “The Florida Department of Health has been diligently working with our law enforcement partners to identify unscrupulous practitioners who are inappropriately prescribing controlled substances,” stated Florida Surgeon General Dr. Frank Farmer. “When DOH learns that a practitioner is not following the law, we suspend that practitioner’s license.  We will aggressively continue to fight the prescription drug problem in Florida.”        According to the indictment, from as early as November 2007 September 2011,  defendants Gerardo Gomez, Juan De Dios Gomez, and Danay C. Manso operated and utilized pain clinics in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties.  These pain clinics housed physicians, including defendant Frank J. Ballesteros, M.D., who would fraudulently prescribe oxycodone and oxymorphone for co-conspirator beneficiaries of Medicare and other prescription drug insurance plans.  The beneficiaries would then present the fraudulent prescriptions obtained from the Gomezes’ pain clinics at complicit pharmacies operated by defendants Aiman Izzedin Aryan and Emerson Carmona.  Once the prescriptions were filled, Aryan and Carmona would bill Medicare, and other insurers, for the cost of the prescriptions, knowing that the drugs were medically unnecessary and were being re-sold by the beneficiaries.

Defendants Leroy Paige, Alyssa Lyn Paige, Cynthia Suzette Adderley, Victor D. Alexander, Aaron Lamar Allen, Henry Louis Conley, Jr., Hattie Mae Green, Petronella Smith Howard, Eric Fyke Miller, and Annie Mims Simmons facilitated the drug-trafficking and health care fraud conspiracies by recruiting the corrupt health insurance beneficiaries to visit the Gomezes’ pain clinics and Dr. Ballesteros.  Often, these recruiter defendants further participated by transporting the  beneficiaries to the pain clinics to obtain the prescriptions and then to the pharmacies where they were filled.  At the pharmacies, these defendants would receive and take control of  the drugs from the beneficiaries.  Once these defendants had the drugs, they would distribute them to Gerardo Gomez, Juan De Dios Gomez, Danilo Falcon, and Eliezer Salgado. Defendants Bobbie Lee Anderson, Denise Darcelle Dardy, Margaret Marie Elliott, Billy Joe McCoy, and Ronald Regains were beneficiaries who posed as patients to obtain the fraudulent prescriptions for oxycodone and oxymorphone, which they then sold. The indictment contains a forfeiture allegation seeking approximately $40,000,000 which is listed as the amount of proceeds derived by the defendants from the drug trafficking offenses charged in Counts 1 to 8 of the indictment. If convicted, the defendants face a statutory maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on Counts 1 to 8, and a statutory maximum penalty of 10 years in prison on Count 9. Today’s case, named Operation Gotham, is the result of the ongoing efforts by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.  The OCDETF mission is to identify, investigate, and prosecute high level members of drug trafficking enterprises, bringing together the combined expertise and unique abilities of federal, state and local law enforcement… An indictment is only an accusation and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls.

>>> Homeless Trust dealing with surging demand for beds, some families are now going to moderate priced hotels with Publix food vouchers

With the down Miami-Dade economy, the county’s Homeless Trust is doing a brisk business trying to find shelter for these displaced people and when it involves whole families with kids. The trust is having to place some of them given the new number of them in hotels and currently around 41 families are in such residences. The trust has increased its funding to Miami and Miami Beach for this shelter effort, because the cities have the greatest populations of homeless. And because of surging tourists and beverage tax revenues, the organization has more money coming in then was originally anticipated and is helping to pay for these increased homeless services. The Trust was created in 1993, is a private/public partnership that works closely with the Community Partnership for Homeless (CPH), and is a national model for how a county can reduce the number of people living on the street that was over 8,000 residents in the early 1990s and now below a 1,000 people living on the streets. For more information go to: Miami-Dade County – Homeless Trust – You Can Help End … The Homeless Trust website will help you to find information and help with things like developed goals for emergency, transitional and http://www.miamidade.gov/homeless/ >>> Camillus House: Homeless in Miami View information about the causes of homelessness… Source: Miami Dade County Homeless Trust; Miami Dade County Homeless Trust: “Homelessness: 2001 … http://www.camillushouse.org/camillus_resources/homeless-in-miami.php

>>> CPHI Community Partnership For Homeless – Florida Homeless … Community Partnership for Homeless, Inc., is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation that is the private sector partner of the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust. http://www.cphi.org/

>>> Upcoming BCC Tuesday agenda legislative items

>>> Commission Chair Joe Martinez is sponsoring a  “RESOLUTION URGING THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO AUTHORIZE ONE OR MORE DESTINATION RESORT CASINOS IN MIAMI-DADE COUNTY WITH REVENUES GENERATED TO BE USED TO REDUCE COUNTYWIDE PROPERTY TAXES,” at Tuesdays county commission meeting.

>>> Commissioner Sally Heyman is sponsoring an ORDINANCE REQUIRING LICENSED DAY CARE CENTERS IN MIAMI-DADE COUNTY TO INSTALL ALARMS TO PROMPT DRIVERS OF VEHICLES TRANSPORTING CHILDREN TO CHECK FOR CHILDREN UPON VEHICLE SHUT OFF; AMENDING CHAPTER 8CC, SECTION 8CC-10, OF THE CODE OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, TO PROVIDE FOR PENALTIES; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, INCLUSION IN THE CODE, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE

>>> Betsy Kaplan, a former Miami-Dade Public Schools 16-year board member who retired from the board in 2004 has been appointed by County Commissioner Bruno Barreiro to the Miami-Dade Art in Public Places Trust. Kaplan has been a long time supporter of the arts and culture in South Florida.

>>> Press release: Community Advocacy’s “DMV to Go” offers quick and easy service in Downtown Miami – The Miami-Dade County Office of Community Advocacy joins efforts with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DMV) to bring residents “DMV to Go.” This special event on Thursday, October 20, 2011 will offer residents a convenient central location in Downtown Miami for a number of DMV services, such as license renewals and identification cards. Anyone who is interested can visit the Stephen P. Clark Center, 111 NW 1st Street, in the main lobby from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Space is limited, so residents are encouraged to reserve a spot at www.miamidade.gov/advocacy. Residents looking to renew their licenses or ID cards must bring proper identification with them listed on www.gathergoget.com. The “DMV to Go” does not administer any driving exams, so first-time driver’s license applicants cannot be assisted at this location. >>> Future “DMV to Go” events will be scheduled for the third Thursday of every month. For more information, please contact the Office of Community Advocacy at 305-375-5730.  WHO: The Miami-Dade County Office of Community Advocacy WHAT: DMV to Go Special Event WHEN: Thursday, October 20, 2011 – 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. WHERE: Stephen P. Clark  Center, Main Lobby, 111 NW 1st Street, Miami, FL

>>> Don’t toss your old eyeglasses! Donate them to someone in need – Press release: In an effort to help people in need, the Board of County Commissioners passed legislation spearheaded by Chairman Joe A. Martinez in which Miami-Dade County will partner with the Lions Club International to allow for the collection of eyeglasses and reading glasses for distribution to those in need.   The Lions Club International has a long-standing successful program to collect used eyeglasses and distribute them to people who have difficulty affording prescription eyewear. Miami-Dade will contribute to this great cause by setting up collection points in libraries and other public facilities throughout the county where residents will be able to discard of old eyeglasses and reading glasses.

For nearly 100 years, the Lions Club International has worked on projects aimed at preventing blindness, restoring eyesight, and improving eye care for hundreds of millions of people worldwide. “For those who have glasses or contacts, imagine if you didn’t have access to basic eyewear anymore. How would you complete simple day-to-day tasks?” said Chairman Martinez. “Thankfully, organizations like the Lions Club International exist to help people who need assistance in maintaining better vision for a more fulfilling and happier life.” For more information on donating eye glasses, contact Chairman Martinez Office at 305-552-1155.

MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

>>> Board Member Bendross-Mindingall in the spotlight, first elected in 2010 after termed out in state House in 08, had $491,000 net worth last year

Dorothy Bendross-Mindingall, the school board member who represents District 2      is in the spotlight this week and she replaced long serving Board Member Solomon Stinson on the nine-member board in 2010. She bested Rhonda Vangates, an attorney, in the general election runoff garnering 55 percent of the vote in a highly contested race. Since the election, she has been active and vocal on a wide variety of board and district issues and speaks her mind from the dais. She is a former educator, was termed out in the Florida House back in 2008, and went back into politics when Stinson announced his retirement from the board.

Bendross-Mindingall

What do we know about her finances?

Bendross-Mindingall through Dec. 2010 had a net worth of $491,000 and she lists $66,000 in household goods. Her home is worth $225,000; two cars are valued at $55,000 and $5,000 and she owes Master Card $2,982 and AX wants $2,569.  Her income for the year was $60,000 from the Florida Retirement Fund, $23,636 came in from Social Security and the school district kicked in $38,000 as a board member.

PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST

>>> Holtz Children’s Hospital executive Armstrong tapped as Chair of American Cancer Society in Florida

Press release: Daniel Armstrong, Ph.D., chief administrative officer of Holtz Children’s Hospital, has been elected the  2011-12 chairman of the board and president of the American Cancer Society, Florida Division. In this role, he will oversee the governance body for all American Cancer Society activities in Florida. “It is an honor and privilege to serve as president and chairman of the board for the Florida Division of the American Cancer Society,” said Dr. Armstrong. “Cancer is a disease that can and probably will directly affect each of us or one of our immediate family members. The American Cancer Society in Florida has played a critical role in raising cancer awareness, providing critical transportation and support services, and advocating for public policy that decreases risk, increases research funding, and improves access to care for all Floridians affected by cancer.  I am humbled by the chance to be able to serve the continued mission of the ACS and contribute to the likelihood that more and more children and adults with cancer will have many more birthdays.”

Dr. Armstrong, who also serves as professor and associate chair of pediatrics for the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, director of the Mailman Center for Child Development at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, and co-director of the Biobehavioral Oncology Program at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, has been an American Cancer Society volunteer since 1999.

“Dr. Armstrong brings tremendous skills to this position,” said Ralph DeVitto, chief executive officer for the Florida Division. “He understands the complex issues involved in the fight against cancer and has tremendous capacity to help us develop strategies to advance our life-saving mission. We are very fortunate to have someone of his caliber in this position.” Dr. Armstrong has served as a member of the society’s National Assembly and chairman of the Childhood Cancer Advisory Council of the society’s Florida Division and the Reaching out to Cancer Kids (R.O.C.K.) Scholarship Committee. He also served as chair of the Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Committee for the National Cancer Institute’s Children’s Oncology Group and was the recipient of an American Cancer Society national research grant. In 2009, he received the national Lane Adams Quality of Life Award. “Dr. Armstrong is the kind of thoughtful and caring leader that this community deserves and this mission demands,” said Carlos A. Migoya, president and CEO of Jackson Health System. “When he brings the American Cancer Society the kind of passion he brings every day to the children and families at Holtz, the impact will be profound.”

Holtz Children’s Hospital

Holtz Children’s Hospital at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center is one of the largest children’s hospitals in the Southeast United States. Through its experienced medical and support staff, including some of the top pediatricians in the nation, the 254-bed facility provides research and treatment for a wide range of pediatric medical specialties including diabetes, hematology/oncology, bone marrow transplant, cardiology and cardiac surgery, infectious diseases/immunology, transplantation and gastroenterology. UM/Holtz trains the most pediatric physicians of any medical center in the southeast U.S.

CITY OF MIAMI

>>> District 2 race heats up, flyers getting vicious, one charge against Callahan bogus since on Jackson oversight board only through early 2006

With the Miami Commission District 2, candidates making their final push leading up to the Nov. 1 municipal election, the campaign fliers are getting uglier. The candidates are incumbent Commissioner Marc Sarnoff, Williams Armbrister, Kate Callahan, Donna Milo, and Michelle Niemeyer, all the challengers are taking their shots at the maritime attorney, and only Milo does not live in Coconut Grove but in Belle Mead. Past commission elections have been low turnout affairs when it comes to the district’s roughly 45,910 voters and how the new Brickell Avenue and people in the downtown condominiums vote is the new variable in the property tax rich sliver of a district. However, the non-partisan race has brought some odd alliances and references in campaign flyers including one from Sarnoff that says he is “A True Fiscal Conservative” that features photos of him with U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-FL and U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Miami, (though neither have endorsed the local politician) which is fine.

But the former Grove activist also jumped on the President Barack Obama campaign bandwagon early on and switched to the Democratic Party back in 2006 when he ran for office the first time and is why it caught my eye. He also sent a Grove specific campaign piece that emphasized Sarnoff knows that in “Coconut Grove… Actions Speak Louder Than Words,” and shows four photos of sites in the Grove and a shot of him walking with his wife and three dogs. However, a piece paid for by Miamians for Honest and Responsible Government attacks the commissioner and asks voters “ARE YOU BETTER OFF NOW THAN IN 2006?” that includes Sarnoff with two blurred photos of prominent developers and closes with the tag line that “MARC SARNOFF AND HIS FRIENDS ARE!”

And in Callahan’s case, she is being hammered for her time as a Public Health Trust trustee with a campaign flyer attacking her for her 16 years on the PHT and the piece references all these news and media reports on Jackson Hospital done in 2010 and 2011. Citizen Action Inc. paid for the piece and to say the flyer is inaccurate is an understatement and the claims are totally false since in fact she only served six-years on the PHT board from late 1999 to 2006 and she was not reappointed to a third three-year term after verbally running into Miami-Dade Commissioner Javier Souto during the PHT Nominating Council interview that I attended. (Note: this occurred because The Miami Herald reported she was on the PHT for 16-years in a long District 2 candidate profile that ran Oct. 7 and in a story today www.miamiherald.com the paper clarifies her time on the health trust in fact was much shorter). And she clearly had nothing to do with the problems at the Jackson Memorial Foundation and a host of other issues referenced in the piece since she left the board so many years earlier. And for her own campaign, she has a piece where she says, “Miami needs Kate Callahan,” and voters should vote for her.

However, the wealthy former PHT trustee did get a certified letter sent Oct. 11 by the Miami Clerk’s office for her failure to file her campaign financial reports on time at the end of September. Her campaign report was six days late and she now owes a $1,650 fine and she has 20-days to pay-up or request an appeal with the state elections commission of the matter. Armbrister in his campaign piece asks voters to “APPOINT Your Servant Nov.1.” Milo’s has the tag line, “Honesty and Experience Working for Miami’s Future, though Saturday I received an attack piece claiming Milo believes “…it may be time to look to homeowners for more money,” a quote from a Miami Herald story Oct. 5. And Niemeyer is “for Neighborhoods,” state’s her campaign pieces.

What about Sarnoff’s massive fund raising advantage?

Sarnoff through Sept. 30 has raised $417,900 for his campaign war chest and he has spent $268,000 for his campaign through that date. Callahan has raised $80,000 but has spent $75,000 and Milo also has a similar amount raised but has only spent $29,980 to date, and Niemeyer raised $$78,000 and has spent $74,000 through the month. And Armbrister has raised $675.00 and expended $869.00 for his grassroots campaign.

The Watchdog Report contacted all the candidates asking how their campaigns were going and if they won what they wanted to accomplish but by my deadline, only Armbrister and Niemeyer responded back. “The process is going better than anticipated and the reason for the www.yourservant.org Webb site is so MY words would speak as there is need for understanding. The current candidates and administration have provided the necessity for my untainted presence (a servant) in the political arena. You may inform your readers that I am guaranteed to exceed the expectations of the voters, businesses, and employees in this City. My commitment will be focused on the investigative outcomes in how we’ve arrived at this crossroad of disparity and self-destruction. If oranges are what’s growing on a tree there is a root cause and I won’t be distracted by campaign contributors, lobbyist, or GREED because I’m not in debt to either,” wrote the candidate, a retired FP&L employee.

Niemeyer wrote, “Residents and stakeholders need confidence to invest in improving their homes, expanding their businesses and opening new businesses.  For the last several months, I have attended neighborhood events and knocked on doors all over District 2.  People want honest government and basic services, clean streets, less crime, jobs, and a good education and job opportunities for their children.  I will assure that the primary focus of the City of Miami will be to become fiscally stable and to provide those basic and essential services. Fiscal stability will make the City strong and able to negotiate when faced with huge development projects, so that the best interest of our community is tantamount, not the City’s need for short-term cash flow.

Residents are fed up with corruption and high taxes.  The City’s burdensome permit processes slow the creation of jobs, the provision of needed services, and the recovery of our property values.  Meanwhile, we have an opportunity for improvement in empty storefronts and foreclosed homes that are now littering neighborhoods, attracting crime, and dragging down property values.  I will propose programs to help residents and businesses restore and occupy those properties.

We need leaders who can work well with others to maximize the impact of our tax dollars. It is an easy excuse to blame the County or the State, but that is not acceptable.  I have developed good working relationships with our County Commissioner and Mayor, City of Miami officials, some members of the School Board, and State officials.  I have proven myself as a consensus builder in the work I have done in our community, and will carry that skill into the City Commission.  In District 2, there is a real lack of attention to neighborhoods outside of Coconut Grove, so I will be taking the suggestion of an Upper Eastside resident and will establish office hours at the NET office or Legion Park once a week so residents north of downtown have convenient, direct access to their Commissioner.  I have the benefit of fluency in Spanish and a personal understanding of urban issues that affect Midtown, Downtown and Brickell.  Before Coconut Grove I lived in urban centers, including almost 5 years in Washington, DC without a car.  Miami needs to be proactive in improving public transportation and pedestrian/bicycle safety.  Parks should provide educational and social/recreational opportunities for all of our residents.  Finally, I am a huge proponent of SMART urban planning that will protect our quality of life while allowing Miami to flourish and provide opportunities and a better quality of life for all of us.

My campaign is being counted out by some of the media because I do not have the advantages of incumbency, massive personal wealth, or a unique personal story on my side.  Instead of littering your mailbox with propaganda and assaulting you with robocalls, we are focusing on what counts, meeting actual voters and getting the support of a wide variety of people who want better government in Miami.  Now all we need is for informed voters who want good government to get to the polls.  Please check out my website at www.michelleformiami.com, and VOTE!”

>>> PAST Sept. WDR: Sarnoff defends his record in second Dist. 2 candidate debate, but with four challengers, he takes some verbal hits, how low will this go?

Commissioner Marc Sarnoff, Esq. looked slightly pensive before the Miami Commission District 2 debate at The Downtown Bay Forum luncheon Wednesday that had him sitting at the end of the table with the other four challengers on his right as he faced the audience. Sarnoff with over $377,000 raised for his reelection campaign is facing Williams Armbrister, Kate Callahan, Ph.D., Donna Milo (she is the only one that does not live in Coconut Grove, but resides in the Upper Eastside of the city, and is a general contractor) and Michelle Niemeyer, Esq. in the race and a previous debate held in Coconut Grove was a heated affair with verbal charges flying. This luncheon moderated by Sean Foreman, Ph.D., a professor at Barry University was a more staid affair and he took written questions from the audience and peppered the candidates on where they stood on a wide variety of issues.

Sarnoff first elected in Nov. 2006 and getting a full four year term in 2007 stood when he spoke and moved in front of the table since he could easily do that given his end spot. He took a sharp verbal barb from Milo who objected to him using the commission dais to campaign after the earlier debate where he referenced some of the comments and representations he considered inaccurate from the seat. That verbal action at the Miami commission dais has resulted in Callahan filing an elections campaign complaint against Sarnoff with the Federal Elections Commission but the race has also split the Grove into five different political camps. The Grove is important because that has historically been his political voter base in what is generally a low turnout election being held on Nov. 1 with a likely runoff election in this race.

Armbrister said he would be “the Energizer Bunny” for all of Miami since he is retired and carped that the Village West part of the Grove “gets no representation” at the city by Sarnoff. Callahan with a Masters in public policy said there “was no excuse for Miami to have a $105 million deficit last year,” and for it to be “$62 million this year,” she said. Milo said she “knows when to make hard decisions” and said it was wrong when candidates “make statements here but cannot be clarified on the dais” like Sarnoff did and challenged the commissioner’s claim of a one stop shop to start a business, that is only used for “special events,” but had Sarnoff shaking his head that the statement was incorrect. Niemeyer took a different tact saying, “residents and stakeholders need confidence and are frustrated with city government.” She said during the last five years with the incumbent “things have gotten worse and there was a need to look at job creation.” She went for the throat when she noted she was “a fluent Spanish speaker and the commissioner does not speak that language.”

Sarnoff in response to the verbal pummeling noted elections were a “Democratic process” and one of the challenges that a commissioner faces representing the shoreline city district is that it accounts for “78 percent of the tax base” of Miami and has “the other [four] commissioners tapping into this money,” he said. The maritime attorney said the city’ homeowners and commercial property values have fallen “49 percent”, and that is an unprecedented number since the Great Depression, and has some big cities “turning off 2,600 street lights to save money.” He is in support of a convention center in downtown Miami, notes there is a new movie studio in operation and “all are labor intensive industries.” And when it came to developer Jorge Perez’s three-condominium massive towers project that was shot down near Vizcaya a few years ago. He “stood up” to the man and noted when he “was sued by the developer” that his credit rating dropped from around 800 to the 400 range. And when it came to the firing of Miami Police Chief Miguel Exposito the reason for the action “seemed to be a pretext” and he believed it “exposes the city to a lawsuit” and said Miami Manager Johnny Martinez “did not handle” the firing well. Further, he also supports getting someone for the Police Department who is “a healer” and from the outside. He thinks the department is “fractured” and there are a “number of other factions” and why he thinks the new chief should be “someone external from the city and could bring [the department] together.”

The debate went on for well over an hour but one thing was clear to the Watchdog Report, and that is Sarnoff has a political fight on his hands and the only upside for him is that he has massively more money then the under funded candidates, none of which have broken the reported $100,000 fundraiser mark yet. Further, while all the other candidates had campaign materials on the tables, there was none for Sarnoff and in looking at local mailings in the Grove his campaign material has been rare, suggesting he is waiting until the last few weeks to unleash his effort to get voters attention, counter any political charges against him, and to conserve this campaign money for any runoff that might occur. However, when he first ran he was a political neophyte and a local community activist who was grateful for voters support, but since getting a full term some people have called him “arrogant” and “vindictive,” to people that get in his way and he has a habit of making fun of other people at their own expense, which is a terrible dangerous trait for a politician to have.

Sarnoff also claimed he was the grandson of a Great One, Gen. David Sarnoff the founder of NBC and made RCA a corporate powerhouse in the late 1930s and onward but when The Miami New Times a few years ago contacted the man’s library in Princeton N.J. They indicated they did not know who Miami Commissioner Sarnoff was and said he was not related to the Great One’s family. It is this enigma about who Sarnoff is and his many personal traits, that seem to have voters confused, and his past supporters in a quandary about the leader after the past five years. And it will be who gets out the vote that ultimately counts, which in his case does not have the grassroots political passion of his supporters as was seen in his past two races.

Sarnoff

>>> Atty. Bru says Spence-Jones qualifies for another term, but charter review needs to occur

Julie O. Bru, the Miami Attorney’s gave a ruling Thursday that Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones is eligible to serve another full four-year-term since she was absent from the commission for around 21 months after being suspended by Gov. Charlie Crist after she was indicted, though later the charges were later dropped shows the need for a Miami Charter Review. Spence-Jones came back to the commission dais in early September and has gotten her past salary, benefits back from her time from the commission, and that is the problem. The Miami charter should clearly detail what happens when a commissioner or mayor is suspended or removed and is one of just a host of issues that need to be clarified in the document that is the city’s soul. It should be noted that Bru’s interpretation could be challenged in court if someone contested the ruling and Bru in this legal capacity makes around $300,000 in salary and benefits to provide legal services to the commission and manager.

Spence-Jones

Bru

>>> Clerk Thompson counting down the days before saying sayonara next Sept.

Priscilla Thompson the long sitting Miami Clerk will say sayonara next September when she leaves the city after being in the state DROP program. She took over the post after Miami Clerk Walter Foeman left the office to join newly elected Broward Elections Supervisor Miriam Oliphant in 2000 and he is now the current Clerk of Coral Gables. Thompson, who makes around $250,000 in salary and benefits, is known for reminding commissioners to turn on their microphones; getting public people speaking to give their names, and just trying to keep order when it comes to the commission meetings minutes and its accuracy. However, she also gets carried away sometimes like when she addressed newly minted Miami Commissioner Francis Suarez as “young man” when he first came on the commission and the Watchdog Report wrote up the incident. She later apologized to Suarez but this was odd since the commissioners approve her contract. The woman is also an active world traveler and has been to Shanghai and Dubai to name a few of her travels over the years.

Thompson

>>> Michelle Spence-Jones is the city of Miami’s new representative on the Miami-Dade County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). The organization deals with countywide transportation issues.

CITY OF MIAMI BEACH

>>> Is Mayor Bower getting campaign services help pro bono? Candidate Crystal  asserts she is

Mayoral Candidate Dave Crystal contacted the Watchdog Report last Sunday after the Report went out by phone. He claimed in the conversation the reason Mayor Mattie Herrera Bower has so much left in her campaign war chest is because she is getting some services like campaign signs pro bono and are not being listed on campaign disclosure reports. He thinks this is outrageous and I pointed out if that was true, it could back to haunt the incumbent official in the future, but any investigation of the matter would probable be after the Nov. 1 election took place.

>>> Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club Meeting Date: Tuesday, October 18th, 2011 Meeting Time:         8:30 AM Meeting Place; David’s Café II, 1654 Meridian Ave., South Beach – Miami Beach Commissioner Michael Gongora will be the guest speaker at this week’s October 18th meeting of the Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club. Michael was elected in 2009 and is in his first four-year term although he was previously elected in 2005 to fill the unexpired remainder of Commissioner Luis Garcia’s term when he resigned to run for State Representative.  Michael serves as vice chair of the Land Use and Development Committee and is a lawyer with the Becker and Poliakoff law firm. He is active in environmental issues. There is no charge for attending and everyone is welcome. David Kelsey, Moderator for the Breakfast Club.

CITY OF CORAL GABLES

>>> State Atty. Fernandez-Rundle faces the public Monday; is this her 2012 campaign kick-off?

Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez-Rundle is speaking to the public Monday at a luncheon being held at JohnMartins restaurant and this could be her first campaign speech since she is up for reelection in 2012. Coral Gables residents should take the time to hear what she has to say about her office, its duties and how she rates her performance in the job.

>>> PONCE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION -www.poncebusiness.com – “Keeping you abreast of the pressing issues affecting Coral Gables.” We meet the first and third Mondays of the month at JohnMartins restaurant (253 Miracle Mile – 2nd floor) at noon.  Lunch is $20 for members and $22 for guests. Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle – October 17. Ms. Rundle is the first Hispanic woman to serve as Miami-Dade State Attorney, a position she has held since 1993.  Prior to her current position she was an Assistant State Attorney and Chief Assistant to former Attorney General Janet Reno.  For eight years, Katherine served as legal counsel to the Dade County Grand Jury presenting hundreds of murder and capital cases.  Ms. Rundle also oversaw the issuance of reports that resulted in major reforms in juvenile justice and revisions in the County building code following Hurricane Andrew.  Her many accomplishments include creating the state’s first Domestic Crimes Unit, helping form the Dade Partners for Safe Neighborhoods and being instrumental in ensuring that Dade’s celebrated Drug Court became a reality. Please RSVP for our luncheon at poncebusiness@gmail.com

>>> OTHER STORIES AROUND FLORIDA

BROWARD COUNTY

>>> Press release: Gov. Scott taps Kevin P. Tynan to the 17^th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission.

Tynan, 52, of Pembroke Pines, has been a partner at Richardson and Tynan P.L.C. since 2001. From 2000 to 2001, he practiced with Entin, Margules and Della Fera P.A. after serving as staff counsel to the Florida Bar from 1988 to 2000. Tynan was appointed to serve on the Broward County School Board from 2009 to 2010 and the South Broward Hospital District from 2002 to 2010. He received a bachelor’s degree from Barry University and a law degree from Nova Southeastern University. Tynan succeeds Richard Zaden and is appointed for a term beginning October 14, 2011, and ending July 1, 2015. He is appointed from the list of nominees submitted by the Florida Bar.

>>> Thank you for using the Broward County Commission Agenda E-mail Notification System. A new Broward County Commission Agenda is available. Point your browser to http://www.broward.org/commission/welcome.htm to view the new agenda.

PALM BEACH COUNTY

>>> Columbian women hit with arranged marriage fraud to citizen, shaky story when it came to living arrangements

Press release: Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Linda Swacina District Director, U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS), announced that defendant Adrianna Landa Beamon was charged in a criminal complaint with marriage fraud, in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1325(c) and Title 18, United States Code, Section 2.  The defendant appeared in federal court today for her initial appearance, and was released on bond.  Her arraignment is scheduled for November 4, 2011. According to the criminal complaint and affidavit filed in court, on June 17, 2004, Owen Mcnish, a citizen of Colombia, entered the United States on a visitor visa.  About six months later, on December 6, 2010, defendant Beamon, a United States citizen, married Owen Mcnish in West Palm Beach,  Florida.  Thereafter, on April 6, 2011, Beamon submitted to CIS an I-130 Petition for Alien Relative on behalf of her purported husband Owen Mcnish.  In support of the I-130 Petition, Owen Mcnish submitted an Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (Form I-485), naming Adrianna Landa Beamon as his wife.  Adrianna Landa Beamon also submitted an Affidavit of Support (Form I-864), as a sponsor for Mcnish.  All three forms were sent to the National Benefit Center, in Missouri, which processed the form and forwarded them to the CIS Office in Royal Palm Beach, Florida, for review.

According to the complaint affidavit, on June 16, 2011, the National Benefit Center scheduled an interview for Adrianna Landa Beamon and Owen Mcnish at the CIS office in Royal Palm Beach.  On July 19, 2011, Mcnish and Beamon appeared for their scheduled interview.  Owen Mcnish was seeking approval of I-130 Petition, which would change his immigration status to immediate relative for purposes of admission into the United States. During the interview, Beamon and McNish failed to produce requested documentation confirming that they lived together as husband and wife and gave inconsistent responses when asked the same questions about their marriage and relationship.  Ultimately, Beamon admitted that she entered into a sham marriage with Owen Mcnish in exchange for $10,000. >>> Mr. Ferrer thanked the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services for their work on this case.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William T. Zloch. A criminal complaint is merely an accusation and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls.

>>> Today, Governor Rick Scott announced the appointment of

Patricia A. Leonard to the 4^th District Court of Appeal Judicial Nominating Commission.

Leonard, 45, of Palm Beach Gardens, is a shareholder at Greenberg Traurig P.A.  She previously practiced with Beasley, Hauser, Kramer, Leonard and Galardi P.A. from 2002 to 2011 and with Gunster, Yoakley and Stewart P.A. from 1995 to 2002.  She is a member of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit Grievance Committee, as well as the Economic Council of Palm Beach County and Executive Women of the Palm Beaches. Leonard received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia and a law degree from the University of Miami School of Law. Leonard succeeds Gregory Barnhart and is appointed for a term beginning October 14, 2011, and ending July 1, 2015. She is appointed from the list of nominees submitted by the Florida Bar.

ESCAMBIA COUNTY

>>> Press release: Gov. Scott names Judge John F. Simon Jr., to the 1^st Judicial Circuit Court.

Judge Simon, 46, has served as an Escambia County Judge since 2009. Previously, he was an assistant state attorney with the State Attorney’s Office for the First Judicial Circuit from 1996 to 2009, after practicing with Young and Williams P.A. from 1991 to 1996. He received his bachelor’s and law degrees from the University of Mississippi. “Having served as a county judge, prosecutor and practicing attorney, Judge Simon has gained a unique perspective that will allow him to serve as a qualified and capable circuit court judge,” Governor Scott said. “His continued commitment to proper preparation and integrity enable him to make informed, fair, and impartial decisions.” Judge Simon will fill the vacancy created by the appointment of Judge Ronald V. Swanson to the First District Court of Appeal.

LEON COUNTY

>>> Gov. Scott taps Kevin Carroll to the Second Judicial Circuit Court.

Press release: Carroll, 56, has practiced with Ausley and McMullen P.A. since 1992. During the previous 12 years of his legal career, he practiced with Davis, Critton, Hoy and Diamond; Charles C. Powers P.A.; Albury, Heuer and Park; Montgomery, Reither, Lytle, Denney and Searcy; and Fox, Mallette and Earwood. He received a bachelor’s degree from Auburn University and a law degree from the University of Mississippi School of Law. “Kevin brings to the bench 28 years of courtroom experience, together with a tremendous work ethic, a well-rounded background, and community service,” Governor Scott said. “In addition, he demonstrates the demeanor and sense of fairness and restraint appropriate for the judiciary.” Carroll will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge N. Sanders Sauls.

DUVAL COUNTY

>>> Press release: Gov. Scott today taps Mose L. Floyd of Ponte Verde Beach to the Duval County Court.

Floyd, 56, has served as an assistant state attorney for the Fourth Circuit since 2010 and from 1999 to 2008. In 2009 he served as the managing attorney for the State Attorney’s Office for the Seventh Circuit.  Floyd also served in the United States Marine Corps from 1977 to 1999. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy and received master’s degrees from the University of Southern California and the Marine Corps University. He holds a law degree from Georgetown University Law Center. “As a veteran who served 22 years as a Marine officer, Mose demonstrates the character and dedication to be a well-qualified judge,” Governor Scott said. “His experience as a prosecutor, education and background will benefit the court and the community as a whole.” Floyd will fill the vacancy created by the appointment of Judge Kevin Blazs to the Fourth Judicial Circuit.

ST. JOHNS COUNTY

>>> Press  release: Gov. Scott picks George W. Robbins to the Governing Board, St. Johns River Water Management District.

Robbins, 71, of Jacksonville, has been the group chair of Vistage Florida since 2002. He has also served on the board of directors for ACG since 2003. In 1989, he was appointed to serve a four-year term on the City of Jacksonville’s Environmental Protection Board. In addition, he was also appointed to serve four-year terms on the review board for the Better Jacksonville Plan in 1999, the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission in 1983, and as a trustee for the Jacksonville Library System in 2008.

As CEO of various companies in the chemical industry for 35 years, Robbins helped found the First Coast Manufacturers Association, a non-profit trade association serving Northeast Florida. Beginning in 1983, he served two terms as one of the organization’s tri-chairs. He received a bachelor’s degree in biology from the Virginia Military Institute. Robbins succeeds Hans Tanzler and is appointed for a term beginning October 12, 2011, and ending March 1, 2012. The appointment is subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

MONROE COUNTY

>>> Keys fisherman sentenced for illegal harvesting of black grouper

Press release: Wifredo A, Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Otha Easley, Acting Special Agent in Charge, NOAA Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement, Southeast Division, announced that David P. Horan, Jr., 42, of Key West, was sentenced today at the Sidney M. Aronovitz Federal Courthouse in Key West for having unlawfully harvested and sold black grouper in interstate commerce, without complying with Florida law regarding commercial harvest requirements and without holding valid endorsements and permits essential to the lawful harvest, possession, and sale of saltwater products, all in violation of the federal Lacey Act, Title 16, United States Code, Sections 3372(a)(2)(A) and (a)(4), and 3373(d)(1)(A). U.S. District Judge K. Michael Moore, who previously had accepted Horan’s plea to the felony charge, sentenced him to a period of probation of 2 years, to perform 200 hours of community service, and to participate in a drug treatment program.  Although Horan faced a prison term of up to five years, his sentence was reduced because of his cooperation with the investigative authorities and his willingness to be a witness.

According to court records and statements made during the hearing, from as early as July 2007 through approximately October 2010, Horan regularly engaged in  harvesting activity for spiny lobster and finfish, while holding only a Florida commercial fishing license. During that period, Florida Statutes and the Florida Administrative Code set strict requirements for commercial harvesting methods for Florida spiny lobster and designated a range of marine life, including certain finfish as “Restricted Species” subject to special oversight.  Florida law, as part of its effort to protect and replenish Florida’s reef fish, also required harvesters to hold any federally required permits and licenses. To commercially harvest snapper and grouper in federally regulated Atlantic and Gulf waters adjacent to Florida, specific federal permits issued by NOAA are required. Wholesale dealers in Florida were prohibited from purchasing lobster and finfish without first confirming that the seller possessed all required state and federal licenses. Horan admitted that during the relevant period he had harvested spiny lobster by diving, without holding the requisite dive endorsement, and also harvested finfish without the necessary federal permits that Florida law also required him to possess. The seafood products he harvested were sold to Rusty Anchor Seafood of Key West, Inc. (Rusty Anchor), a business located on Stock Island. Rusty Anchor was previously convicted on related charges in April 2011, and sentenced to pay a $500,000 criminal fine.

The illegal sales of finfish by Horan to Rusty Anchor, including the sale for which he was specifically charged, were concealed from authorities by misidentifying the true species being sold in trip reports filed with the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission. The 133 pounds of black grouper sold by Horan on January 2, 2008, for a wholesale price of $551, was falsely reported as mahoua, purportedly caught by cast net acquired. Mahoua is an unregulated species commonly used as a bait fish. Overall, the relevant conduct identified in Court exceeded $30,000 in unlawfully harvested and sold seafood product. Mr. Ferrer commended the coordinated investigative efforts of the Special Agents of the NOAA Office for Enforcement. The criminal case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Watts-FitzGerald. A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls.

>>> Press release: Gov. Scott taps Jay J. Levin, and reappoints Neil Call and Kathryn A. Ovide to the Lower Florida Keys Hospital District, Monroe County.

Levin, 51, of Key West, is a healthcare consultant and served as executive chairman of Novis Pharmaceuticals L.L.C. from 2004 to 2006.  Previously, he served as chief executive officer of PPOM, president and chief operating officer of Magellan Health Services and executive vice president of marketing, e-commerce and strategy for Oxford Health Plans Inc.  Levin is currently chairman of the board of Equity Healthcare and serves on the board of Novis Pharmaceuticals  L.L.C, Vibes Interactive L.L.C, HealthHelp L.L.C and the Michigan/Israel Business Bridge.  He is also a member of The Corporate Advisory Board of the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan.  He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan.  Levin succeeds David Oatway and is appointed for a term beginning October 13, 2011, and ending September 12, 2014.

Call, 78, of Key West, is a retired certified public accountant. Previously, he was the executive vice president of corporate finance at Gulf and Western Industries and director at Southern National Bank. He is currently a member of the Key West Chamber of Commerce and serves on the economic development committee.  He served in the United States Army from 1956 to 1958 and received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Michigan. Call has been a member of the Lower Florida Keys Hospital District since 2000 and currently serves as chairman of the finance committee.  He is reappointed for a term beginning October 13, 2011, and ending September 12, 2014.

Ovide, 58, of Key West, is a retired Florida Keys Aqueduct Employee, serving from1979 to 2010.  She has been a member of the Key West Bight Management District Board since 2008 and is a founding member of the Lower Keys Heart Council. Ovide has been a member of the American Management Association, Society of Human Resource Management and representative for the Key West Chamber of Commerce. She attended Florida Keys Community College and has served on the Lower Keys Hospital District since 2003. She is reappointed for a term beginning October 13, 2011, and ending September 12, 2014.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

>>> The Wynwood Art Fair Oct 21- 23:  http://www.wynwoodartfair.org/

Performance Art, Exhibitions, and Live Music – A Street Art Happening!

The Wynwood Art Fair is an opportunity to see and experience art first hand like never before. Don’t just see art – be it – at the Wynwood Art Fair! Virtually every form of artistic medium – visual, sound, movement, video, sculpture, installation, conceptual, music and performance – will invite participation by fair goers to create a spontaneous “happening” of “live” works of art, shaped as much by the audience as the artists. The Wynwood Art Fair will feature street art performances and working “artist studios,” along side a diverse array of contemporary art galleries, art exhibitions, live music, and a taste of the area’s distinctive flavors and urban culture. Join us for this very special celebration of street art with heart and the rich urban fabric of the Wynwood arts community!

Exhibiting Artists & Galleries: The Wynwood Art Fair’s artistic theme this year will explore and celebrate “street art with heart.” Today’s urban street art represents a vibrant, emerging Pop Povera movement – with its use of humble materials free from traditional formats and awash in a virtual reality of media bites, idols and icons even Warhol could not have imagined. Combining social commentary and everydayness in discarded objects and spray paint, street art has developed its own language. It is a language which speaks to the heart of urban culture and those who live the streets. And therefore, fitting that this year’s artistic theme celebrates the heart of those whose art speaks of and to the streets –and all of us!

Fair Dates/Hours: Friday October 21, 10am-6pm Saturday October 22, 2011, 10am-6pm Sunday October 23, 2011, 10am-6pm – Admission: • General admission will be $10 per person. • Children under 10 free. • Children under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult. • 3 Day Fair Passes Available • VIP and Patron Passes Available >> Private Art Collection Collaborating with Wynwood Art Fair: Admissions donations to the following world class art collections in the Wynwood Arts District and surrounds will benefit the Lotus House Women’s Shelter during the Fair hours. Make this a fun-filled, awe inspiring art adventure, weekend for the whole family, and see world class art collections of: Margulies Art Warehouse 591 NW 27th Street, Miami, Fl 33127 – Sponsors and VIP ticket holders of the Wynwood Art Fair enjoy free admission!

>>> Kristi House is holding its 12^th Annual Touch a Heart Dinner & Auction on Nov. 4 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Miami. One special guest is actor and Grammy wining songwriter Carlos Ponce and for further information and to make reservations go to www.kristihouse.org or call 305.547.6802.

>>> Baby boomer “mega reunion” set for Tropical Park – South Florida baby boomers  will descend on Tropical Park on Saturday, October 29, 2011, for a first-of-its kind daylong event called “BIRDSTOCK,” featuring classic rock bands, South Florida food and drink favorites, a craft show, classic cars, local authors, casino games, trivia contests and more.  All proceeds will benefit Alzheimer’s disease with direct contributions to The South Florida Alzheimer’s Association’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s, and Easter Seals of South Florida Senior Services. Bird Road Baby Boomers is a Facebook phenomenon started in as a place for “kids” who grew up in South Florida, to meet online, swap stories and share memories.  From its humble beginnings, BRBB now has a following of more than 6,200.  With all the chat, it became apparent that a MEGA reunion was in order. The main event is “Birdstock” at the Equestrian Center at Tropical Park, 7900 SW 40 St.  A pub crawl and dine around Coconut Grove is planned for Friday evening and the weekend will close with a Sunday brunch. Tickets are being sold in advance online. For complete details visit www.birdstock.info.

>>> Society of Environmental Journalists Conference, Miami, Oct. 19-23

Shark tagging, coral reef and Everglades exploration, a deep-freeze collection of biomedical samples from the ocean, rising sea levels, oil and water, an eco-fashion show… this is just a taste of topics and events waiting for you at SEJ’s 2011 Annual Conference hosted by the University of Miami. Register soon — SEJ’s ever-popular tours are filling fast! See the draft agenda, book your hotel, find a roommate or ride-share, advertise/host a reception and more.  http://www.sej.org/

>>> CLEO Project Launch Forum, Saturday, Nov. 5 @ Pinecrest Gardens, our new home.  For more information go to www.CLEOInstitute.org

EDITORIALS

>>> When it comes term-limits for M-DC Commissioners, “eight [years] is enough,” says Mayor Gimenez, only thing polls show voters want

Miami-Dade County Commissioners have multiple legislation items on the commission’s agenda this Tuesday calling for a new County Home Rule Charter Task Force be created like the one in 2007-2008 and those past recommendations were generally ignored by the body. However, in my empirical observation over the years, the only thing residents want past county voter polls show is commissioner term limits. Further, while there is a debate about when  charter changes might be placed on the ballot with the end of January being one of the first choices or on the Nov. 2012 General Election date it needs to be done. Opponents to the earlier date say because there is an incumbent Democratic Party candidate for 2012, Barack Obama that this January primary date will only see predominately Republicans going to the polls. Others argue that since the issue of term limits is the primary issue concerning voters and some polls have shown 80 percent of the county’s voters want that firewall when it comes to commissioner tenure. It would be handy for commission candidates to know what the rules are and if term limits and a salary increase passed in January. These new changes could apply to people running for the even numbered commission seats in 2012.

Over the past 15-years I have covered all the charter review task forces and on the whole, any recommendations made excluding commissioner pay was ignored and the commission should realize that time is up. Norman Braman, the billionaire auto magnate has been the point of the spear on this issue since he funded the recall of former Mayor Carlos Alvarez in March that took out Commissioner Natacha Seijas along with him, but this debate is not about him but about the future of Miami-Dade as a whole. This push for charter reform is because of the frustration voters feel for their elected leaders that have incumbents with a real cushion when it comes to being reelected. And it took forever for voters to vote out former Commissioner Dorrin Rolle, despite a host of issues that ended with JESCA, founded in 1925 by Captain James E. Scott going into bankruptcy and he was the past executive director.

Like a patient with his doctor, now is the time for the commission to take this bitter medicine and while former County Commissioner Katy Sorenson believes voters get the chance to term people out every four years and is against term limits. “Eight is enough,” says Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez and the commission should focus on this one aspect, especially since the commission through their own legislation can do many of the other charter recommendations, and further delays are no longer warranted. Further, when you add a decent salary into the mix with term limits, the compensation legislation will finally pass after being shot down almost 10 times since 1957. And for the elected leaders that will be a good thing for not only the commission, but also for the county’s 2.4 million residents.

What about the city of Miami Charter?

It is clear the city of Miami also needs a major review of its charter, as it lurches through one crisis after another from the fired police chief, now suing the city, to Michelle Spence-Jones being told last week by the city attorney she could have another four-year term. Since she was suspended for 21 months, though she did get to receive her back salary while off the dais and that is the issue. I don’t have a beef with her getting the money but the Charter should make it clear what the circumstances are for these things to occur and it is clear the city’s Charter needs to be updated in many ways. If taxpayers and elected leaders are to know what the game rules are when they are elected and this vagueness of how to handle many of these issues should be brought to an end. Because not knowing the rules clearly that elected leaders must live by does not help them or the city’s taxpayers who ultimately bear the brunt of any Charter confusion, and that is not a good thing.

LETTERS

>>> Miami District 2 Candidate Niemeyer clarifies her comments last week in WDR

I believe what I said to you was that a number of people I talked with in the Upper Eastside had said they thought there should be redistricting because they feel they are not being represented. I pointed out that their interests and the Grove’s interests are not always the same as the more urban neighborhoods in Brickell, Downtown and Midtown.  I did not say they would not mind being part of District 5.  That is an option you raised, and it would make sense geographically, but it is not something I have discussed with residents. I just got a call from a supporter who told me there is a lot of resistance to the concept of their being merged into District 5. Thank you for publishing about our race.  It’s nice to see someone is paying attention.

Michelle Niemeyer

Miami Commission District 2 Candidate

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The Watchdog Report covers a few of the meetings attended weekly. It remains my belief that an informed public will make better decisions. Therefore, I go to meetings, make the presence of an informed citizen known, and bring the information to you.   The Watchdog Report is in the fourth year of publication and it has been an honor to be able to send this information to you. It is sent to readers in Miami-Dade, Florida, the U.S. and the world. The Watchdog Report is sent to thousands free and while readers have been prodded to subscribe the results have been mixed. Over 550 reports and Extra’s have been sent since May 5, 2000 and over one million words have been written on our community’s governments and events.  The report is an original work based on information gathered at public meetings, interviews and from documents in the public domain.

LETTER POLICY

I welcome letters via e-mail, fax, or snail mail. Letters may be edited for length or clarity and must refer to material published in the Watchdog Report.  Please see address and contact information. Please send any additions and corrections by e-mail, fax or snail mail. All corrections will be published in the next Watchdog Report. If you or your organization would like to publish the contents of this newsletter, please contact me. Please send your request to watchdogreport1@earthlink.net

Daniel A. Ricker

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Copyright © of original material, 2011, Daniel A. Ricker

>>> The Watchdog Report are now available to television stations web pages, and all the newspapers and other media in South Florida if the publishers have an interest to run part or all of the stories. Further, in 2000, I used to have some paper’s running the report in the Spanish press, that option is available again, and publishers should contact me.  The news content will not be free, but you can pick and chose the stories of interest, edit them if necessary but you must still keep the general story intact.  If you are a news outlet and would like to learn more about, the Watchdog Report and this offer contact me at watchdogreport1@earthlink.net for further information. 

>>> Here is what past newspapers have written about the Watchdog Report publisher including a survey and regional study done by the U. North Carolina at Chapel Hill on the media in the southeast United States.

>>> 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 >>> >>> To read the full section large two page front page story, but without the photos and smart box graphics, go to: `I Go When You Cannot’ – Sun Sentinel 20 Jan 2003 … Sometimes Dan Ricker lives in the dark so others may live in the light. … to his weekly Watchdog Report have finally mailed their checks. … http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2003-01-20/news/0301190341_1_ricker-school-board-president-miami-s-first-cuban-american >>>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/issues/2003-05-15/citylife2.html/1/index.html

From the spring of 2003:  U. North Carolina, Chapel Hill:  Southeast U.S. Media Report lists Watchdog Report publisher as leading Florida commentator >>> Selected excerpts from the report on Florida’s media sources

Those who do read the newspaper in Florida have a bevy of options for state government and political coverage. The dominant newspapers in the state are Knight-Ridder’s The Miami Herald (Acquired by The McClatchy Company in 2006) and the Poynter Institute’s St. Petersburg Times. Both papers endorsed Gore in 2000 but split on the 2002 gubernatorial race, with the Herald endorsing Republican incumbent Jeb Bush and the Times backing Democratic challenger Bill McBride. Daniel Ricker of The Miami Herald also writes an influential column as well as an email newsletter called the Watchdog Report that goes out to more than 100,000 subscribers. FEBRUARY 2004 – Florida: Columnists in Abundance –ERIC GAUTSCHI, graduate student, School of Journalism & Mass Communication, UNC-Chapel Hill – D) LEADING COMMENTATORS – Resource Commentator Organization Type Web site –Steve Bousquet St. Petersburg Times Column www.sptimes.com/columns/bousquet.shtml -“First Friday” WPBT TV (Miami) TV Show www.channel2.org/firstfriday/issues.html –Lucy Morgan St. Petersburg Times Column www.sptimes.com/columns/morgan.shtml –Daniel Ricker Miami Herald/Watchdog Report Newsletter >>> Readers who would like to read the complete University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill Southeast United States Media Report go to view the complete report or download all the data used in this study. >>> Watchdog Report Editor’s note to the NCU/CH study: The subscriber number referenced is incorrect and applies to readership.

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