Watchdog Report Vol.13 No.35 January 20, 2013 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. The Watchdog Report webpage is free, has no ads, pops-up and is just the news in a mainstream reporting manner.

>>> Red Alert: If you think it is important to have an alternative mainstream news service, I hope you will consider becoming a financial supporter for I do have to live and pay my rent. I also want to thank again all those people and organizations that have supported me and I have been honored by that trust and support of my efforts over the past almost 14 years.

>>> May you and your family have a happy and reflective Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Birthday Monday and may we reflect on the ongoing issue of the nation’s demographics and race relations and those people that have sacrificed and paid the ultimate price for freedom for all of us in America.

>>> CORRECTION: The WDR last week incorrectly reported that in the Miami mayor’s race in 2009 that Commissioner Joe Sanchez had raised more money for his campaign than Commissioner Tomas Regalado. In fact Regalado had over $900,000 for his mayoral race to Sanchez who had about $500,000 in his campaign war chest. I apologize for the error.

ARGUS REPORT – Heard, Seen on the Street

>>> What a difference four-years makes, President Obama sworn in today in low-key ceremony in the White House

What a change four-years can make as President Barack Hussein Obama was sworn into another four-year term in the White House around noon today versus in January 2009 when millions of people from around the world watched on television or came out to see the nation’s first Black president take the oath of office to the nation’s highest office. Obama will have his public celebration and inaugural speech on Monday, Dr. Martin Luther King’s Birthday and the 44^th president is one of only sixteen Commander in Chief’s that have had the privilege of being reelected to a second term of office.

Obama and his changing cabinet is now embarking on the dangerous journey of the second term, a time that has marred more than one president and their historical place in the pantheon of United States presidents. And with the dangerous world scene, the massive $16. 3 trillion debt, and the nation on track to rack up another $1 trillion in national debt this year. This also includes an American people divided across a host of divisive lines from politics, church to sex and ethnic relations. And politically Obama will not only have to mend some bridges in his own party but must reach out to Republicans, especially on foreign policy issues and the debt. If Obama’s second term is not to become mired and stalled in the political weeds known as Washington D.C.

>>> Sen. Nelson goes hunting for Burmese Pythons, comes up short but with 150,000 of these snakes in River of Grass, cost to fight invasive species a $500 million hit

U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-FL the sole statewide Democrat in Florida went hunting for Burmese pythons over the week in the Everglades, and while he did not bag one of the prolific snakes that grow up to 20 feet and there an estimated 150,000 of them out there in the Everglades and Big Pine Reserve. He made his point about the invasive species damage to the ecological food chain when he got significant media coverage and it shows the seventy-year-old fifth generation Floridian still has the showman’s touch. Nelson who beat back Republican challenger Connie Mack IV in November in a decisive victory has been the point of the spear in pushing for federal funds for the River Of Grass CERP costing over ten billion and has seen $1.5 billion in federal funding over the past four years. And Nelson’s aw shucks manner has proven to be a winner though Republican challengers since his first election in 2000 have been weak after he dispatched former GOP Congressman Bill McCollum and later in 2006, U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris, R-FL after he won 48 percent of the statewide vote to her 41 percent. Nelson’s critic’s charge that he is in lockstep with the President Barack Obama administration, that he fly’s below the national radar in the nation’s most exclusive club and the former Space Shuttle payload specialist just seems to do his own thing, but that seems to work for the former congressman and longtime politician.

What is the economic cost for these invasive species to FL?

The cost to fight these invasive plant, fish and reptiles statewide is not cheap and $500 million is spent annually on the matter and $50 million alone is spent “just to eradicate exotic weeds from our fields, pastures, canals, ponds, lakes, rivers and greens,” Wildlife Commission documents state. South Florida with millions of acres of public lands is prone to this problem and is not going away anytime soon since these public lands “are highly vulnerable to invasion by exotic plant and animal species – and more than 1.7 million acres of Florida’s natural areas have become infested.” For more go to www.floridainvaders.org or www.fws.gov

PAST WDR: What are the invasive reptiles of concern?

While the Burmese Python’s proliferation in the Everglades has caught the national medias attention, there are a host of other reptiles including the Nile Monitor, the green Iguana and both can grow to around seven feet to the slightly smaller Argentinean black and white tegu lizard that has joined the invasive species invasion force and female reptiles lay around 35 eggs a year. The Nile monitor has been spotted in the Village of Pinecrest area and Iguanas that first came in the mid 1960s to South Florida have proliferated. Moreover, in the case of the Burmese python that can grow to 20 feet and more than 144,000 have been imported since 2005 into the United States and hundreds of them ended up in the Everglades National Park since then. Documents on the subject indicate some 230 pythons were removed alone in 2007, but the female snakes reproduce and these are laying dozens of eggs every year. To report one of these invasive reptiles go to www.myfwc.com

Tegu	Nile Monitor

Wikipedia photos

>>> John Zogby Press release:  Obama II — Will We Be a Better Nation

As President Barack Obama prepares to be sworn in for a second term as the 44th President of the United States of America, there are a few things we know for sure. There will be a monument erected in his honor somewhere along the pantheon of similar constructions that venerate the likes of Washington, Jefferson, and Lincoln. There will also be a coin or some form of currency that will place his likeness in the same category as Jackson, Grant, and Kennedy. He is, after all, the first African American President, was elected twice with majorities, and built a new demographic coalition ushering in a new future for this country. Significantly, his Second Inauguration occurs on the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., not simply our greatest civil rights leaders but perhaps the greatest American.

But how large will the monument be and how much circulation and longevity the currency will have will depend on the answer to one key question: did the Presidency of Barack Obama make this nation a better one? To a greater degree than ever before, this answer will be supplied by men and women we refer to today as “quants”, a fitting role for those who function in an era of endless supplies of data. More than previous Presidents, Mr. Obama’s performance will be judged by the numbers of new jobs, the distribution of income, the numbers of deaths by firearms, the numbers of lives saved by our health care system, the status of the national debt, the numbers of high school and college graduates.
This has not been the case with previous greats. Washington established a new definition of chief executive and benchmarks for how strong and weak the new federal government could be. Jackson redefined the Presidency as an authority that emanated from the will of the electorate, while Lincoln both expanded and contracted civil rights as he saved the Union. One Roosevelt battled giant corporate trusts and expanded the American Empire abroad, while the other Roosevelt inspired a nation that was hopeless and methodically moved a reluctant people toward a war against an ugly tyranny. Kennedy inspired a whole new generation to service and called for landing a man on the moon. But the quants were nowhere to be found.

To date, President Obama has had to do repair work. He has stopped the bleeding in the auto and banking industries, thus saving hundreds of thousands of jobs. He has created a new set of banking regulations and a consumer regulation agency that have at least established parameters for acceptable behaviors in that industry. And he has tackled health care reform in a way that previous Presidents have wanted to but never succeeded. His very presence in the Oval Office, and his subsequent majority re-election has produced for the very first time the thought that perhaps down the road this nation may finally move beyond its terrible color line. And he signed his first piece of legislation that established the principle of “equal pay for equal work”.

On Monday, a stronger President Obama will produce a bold new agenda. It will include immigration reform, tougher measures to stem an epidemic of gun violence, new measures to curb the emissions of carbon gases, new spending that not only build and repair infrastructure but prepare for the green technology jobs of tomorrow. While the debate in his first term revolved around curbing spending and adding new revenues, on Tuesday the debate will be framed around how much new spending (pump-priming, in the words of FDR’s New Dealers) will be required to prepare this nation for a future of growth.

Individuals who save money do the right thing but that doesn’t make them great. The same with companies and governments. After all, it is ultimately those who risk, invest, spend, and take chances who make things work and get the monuments built in their name. This will be the debate that Mr. Obama will launch on Monday – the pre-eminent risk-taker’s birthday. Will the nation be better off because of the Obama Presidency? In some ways it already is and the tangible monuments will be created. But the final answer will come from not only passing an agenda but by the numbers that show it. Other News Releases available at – http://www.jzanalytics.com

>>> Zogby press release: Inaugural Washington Examiner Obama Weekly Report Card Grade: A

The president heads into his second inauguration with a 56 percent job approval and a majority praising his efforts during the fiscal cliff negotiation. His ratings are nearly 40 points higher than the approval given to House Speaker John Boehner, the House Republicans, and the Senate Republicans. By a factor of 49 percent to 31 percent, the Zogby Poll shows the public preferring that the GOP members of Congress support the president and the Democratic Party’s agenda. Moreover, Americans, especially younger voters feel they are doing better and are more optimistic than pessimistic about the future. The president gets to sparkle on his big day and then again in his State of the Union Address in February. He is riding high, he is talking tough on key issues like guns, debt ceiling, and domestic spending for technology and infrastructure. Let’s see if his performance can match his ratings. Other News Releases available at – http://www.jzanalytics.com

>>> Press release: As Washington, DC Prepares For President Obama’s Inauguration, Cong. Ros-Lehtinen Is Pleased To Announce That Her DC Office Will Be Open Tomorrow Saturday, Sunday & Monday To Assist South Florida Constituents Who Are Attending Inaugural Celebration Events

With President Obama’s Inauguration taking place this Monday, January 21st in our nation’s capital, Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) is pleased to announce that her DC office will be opened all weekend and Monday to help South Florida constituents in town for the celebrations. The Congressional office will be open during the following schedule: Saturday January 19th: 10am to 2pm Sunday January 20th:   10am to 2pm Monday January 21st:  8am to 4pm – The Congressional office is located in the 2206 Rayburn House Office Building. You may enter the building through Independence Avenue or South Capitol Street.

Said Ros-Lehtinen, “Our great democracy renews herself every four years with the inauguration of a president. Regardless of one’s political beliefs, our presidential inaugurations are the envy of the world because freedom, liberty and democracy have the final say. Our DC Congressional staff is honored to be open all weekend long to assist South Florida constituents as they celebrate the greatness of the United States.”

>>> Brazilian Husband and Wife Plead Guilty in Florida to Human Smuggling

Press release: Two Brazilian nationals pleaded guilty today in Miami to smuggling undocumented migrants to the United States for profit, announced U.S. Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer of the Southern District of Florida, Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director John Morton.

Juliana Rose Tome-Froes, 36, and her husband, Fabio Rodrigues Froes, 49, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Federico A. Moreno in the Southern District of Florida to six counts and two counts, respectively, of bringing and attempting to bring aliens to the United States for commercial advantage and private financial gain.

According to plea documents, from at least October 2008 until approximately September 2010, the defendants organized, operated and managed a human smuggling network that spanned from Brazil to France, England, The Bahamas and the United States.  The defendants met with undocumented migrants and negotiated forms of payment to be smuggled into the United States.  Before the undocumented migrants departed Brazil, the defendants instructed them to act like tourists and explained that the itinerary through Europe would support a tourist cover story.  In exchange for approximately $16,000, Tome-Froes, with assistance from Froes, arranged air transportation from Brazil to Paris, then London and Nassau, Bahamas.  Tome-Froes arranged the undocumented migrants’ lodging in Paris and Nassau, and then instructed them to fly to Freeport, Bahamas, where they waited for a boat to transport them to the United States.  For the final leg into the United States, Tome-Froes coordinated with various individuals in South Florida to pilot a small boat to Freeport, which picked up the undocumented migrants and transported them to the United States.

At sentencing, scheduled for March 21, 2013, Juliana Tome-Froes faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, and Fabio Froes faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. >>> The case was prosecuted by Trial Attorney Jay Bauer of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Marton Gyires of the Southern District of Florida. The investigation was conducted by ICE Homeland Security Investigations in Miami. 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.

>>> Award winning Miami Herald shooter Koltun holds photography exhibit of Arab & Middle East shots

Roberto Koltun, the award winning Miami Herald photographer is holding a photo exhibition called Mystic misteries; it begins Jan. 19, and runs through Mar. 2, 2013 at the Cuban American Phototheque at the Bird Road Art District located at 4260 S.W. 74^th Avenue. The exhibit is of his photographs during multiple trips to the Arab world and Middle East and these photos are a stunning example of a professional photographer at work. Colton gained global fame for his photo of the taking of Elian Gonzalez during a federal raid back over the Easter Holiday in 2000 and he is a Herald fixture at many important political events. For more go to www.cubanphototheque.com

>>> 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 and was Best Citizen in the 2003 Best of Miami of The Miami New Times, profiled twice in The Miami Herald, and the Orlando Sentinel ran a nationwide story on me in the Tribune papers on Jan. 2003, and UNC Chapel Hill named 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 91.3 FM since 2000, including yearly election coverage since then, and also numerous times over the past decade. Further, I am a frequent guest on WWW.WPBT2.ORG on Helen Ferre’s show Issues, and have also appeared on  Eliott Rodriguez’s show News & Views on www.CBS4.com and The Florida Roundup on www.wlrn.org

FLORIDA

>>> Gov. Scott starting to appreciate Miami-Dade is the big economic gorilla when it comes to 35 percent of state’s GDP makes multiple stops on Friday

Gov. Rick Scott is understanding how important Miami-Dade County is especially on the economic front and the state’s total GDP. Florida CFO Jeff Atwater and reported in last week’s Watchdog Report said Miami-Dade with only 13 percent of the state’s 19 million population accounts for 35 percent of the state’s GDP. Scott recently came down to South Florida to work in the Goya Foods distribution site and now this past Friday. He attended the swearing in of Miami-Dade Commission Chair Rebeca Sosa at the commission’s chambers and he also met with the junior Florida GOP Sen. Marco Rubio before the event. And in his remarks in the commission chambers. Scott said, “Miami and Miami-Dade are doing very well,” and in his international travels and trade missions “everyone wants to be in Miami,” and it is remarkable “how you are developing jobs” and the “importance of education.” The governor told leaders and the public gathered for the installation ceremony. He then offered an olive branch to Miami-Dade’s leaders saying, “Anything you need in Tallahassee,” let him know and the governor closed saying I “look forward to working with you.”

Scott later in the day, then went to a the Booker T. Washington Senior High School in urban Miami where he met with representatives  of City Year that brings tutors and young college graduates as mentors into inner city schools to help teachers and work with students and the program is a major success here in Miami-Dade. Scott after the high school visit later went to meet with Hialeah Mayor Carlos Hernandez at the Hialeah City Hall and he is clearly trying to broaden his political base her in South Florida running up to the 2014 election. That currently has his approval rating in the doldrums with statewide voters and he could be vulnerable to a former Gov. Charlie Crist run as a Democratic Party candidate next year.

Scott

>>> CFO Atwater press release: Florida Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater today released the following statement regarding Gov. Rick Scott’s inspector general report on the travel expenditures of Citizens Property Insurance Corporation management and employees.

“I commend the Governor for deploying his inspector general to look into the exorbitant travel expenditures by management and employees of Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, the largest insurance company in Florida. This culture of excess and poor judgment is unacceptable, and Floridians deserve better.  I applaud the work of the Governor’s inspector general and support her recommendations, including implementing the most stringent travel standards. “This inexcusable behavior confirms that an independent inspector general be put in place to ensure that Citizens’ management and employees are held to the highest ethical standards and operate in full transparency.”

Atwater

>>> Sen. President Don Gaetz press release: On Wednesday, January 30, members of the Okaloosa County State Legislative Delegation will hold a public hearing where you will have the opportunity to voice your opinion on what matters in the upcoming legislative session. During the delegation meeting, the State of Florida Auditor General’s Office will speak regarding their operational audit of the Okaloosa County Tourist Development Council (TDC), which shed an unfavorable light on the TDC and therefore our county.  I encourage you to attend the meeting, held from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Niceville City Hall, 208 N. Partin Drive, and ask questions you may have regarding the audit and Florida’s legislative agenda. Any member of the public is welcome to attend and participate.

This week, our Northwest Florida legislators have been hard at work in Tallahassee. During our second round of committee weeks, the Joint Legislative Budget Commission approved budget amendments, B 0320 and B 0385, which will provide the critical funding needed to continue the restoration of Florida’s seafood industry in the wake of Tropical Storm Debbie and the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. I applaud the Legislative Budget Commission, as well as Senator Bill Montford, for their efforts to help our Northwest Florida communities and businesses flourish. In addition, our analysis of Florida’s choices as the federal government implements Obamacare continued this week as committee members met with representatives from three different-size Florida companies, as well as a number of health care experts, to discuss impacts and trends facing Florida. Again, I encourage you to visit http://www.flsenate.gov/topics/ppaca to track the Senate’s progress and voice your opinions and any concerns you may have.

In an effort to improve both Florida’s voting system and the ethics regulations that guide our local officials, the Ethics and Elections Committee also met twice this week with a dual focus. Ten of Florida’s Supervisors of Elections, including our own Bay County Supervisor of Elections, Mark Andersen, and Escambia County Supervisor of Elections, David Stafford, provided testimony to the committee on Monday about their experiences during the 2013 session. I was proud that Northwest Florida led the way, setting an example of how to run a successful election. As well, the committee filed two bills, SPB 7006 and SPB 7008, today concerning ethics reform. While SPB 7008 deals directly with public records and meetings of the Commission on Ethics, SPB 7006 will revise broader ethics laws.  Both bills will be considered during the Committee’s next meeting on Tuesday, January 22, from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. and will push forward critical ethics reform measures, which given the issues we’ve seen locally,  continue to be one of my top priorities for the 2013 legislative session.

Today, I spoke with the Tampa Bay Times Editorial Board and Florida Trend Magazine and taped a weekend television news segment called “Political Connections,” on Bays News 9 in Tampa to discuss the upcoming 2013 legislative session. We discussed a range of topics from elections reform and economic incentives to higher education and Florida’s bright future. I’m heading back to the district this afternoon and looking forward to participating in a ceremony with our purple heart recipients at the Air Force Armament Museum tomorrow. During the week, I also had the opportunity to speak with many of the men and women of our Northwest Florida communities.  I met with State Attorneys, Bill Eddins of Pensacola, and Glenn Hess of Panama City, to hear their views on court and criminal justice issues. Principal Bob Jones of Crestview High School, John Spolski of Bruner Middle School and John Williams of Pryor Middle School in Ft. Walton Beach stopped by to share their concerns about education funding and personnel. Also, I discussed health care concerns with David Whalen of Twin Cities Hospital in Niceville, Jeremy Gray representing Fort Walton Beach Medical Center and Edy Rivard from the Gulf Coast Medical Center.

Coming up next week, on Tuesday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., the Gaming Committee will hear presentations by industry representatives regarding how the gaming industries relate to Florida’s economy and social welfare.  At the same time, professionals from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Cato Institute will provide lessons from the implementation of universal healthcare in Massachusetts and will present on the expected impacts of Obamacare here in Florida. I would like to wish you all a happy and safe Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. As you go about your day, I encourage you to take a moment and reflect on King’s message of equality, freedom and family. As always, I hope you will contact me with any comments or concerns you have regarding our great state. I look forward to your input and am honored to have the opportunity to serve.

>>> Children’s Movement of Florida  Voices of Florida – We all have a story, a story that defines us. It is our collective story, our challenges and our triumphs that inspire a movement. Floridians from all walks of life have joined together with an understanding that the future of our state rests on the well-being of our children. Visit The Children’s Movement website to read their stories and share your own. >>> I find it unacceptable, as all of us should, that at least a half-million children in Florida – all citizens — have no health insurance. How could this be in our beloved country that seeks to be a beacon to the world? Health insurance for all children is one of the five major planks of The Children’s Movement. With the support of Florida Covering Kids and Families, The Children’s Movement is working with dozens of local partners to help build a meaningful signing-up initiative in more than a dozen Florida communities. Already we have: Completed 18 KidCare trainings around the state. Signed up, trained and deployed more than a hundred volunteers. Begun to build a growing collaboration between local school districts and KidCare outreach coalitions. It’s a good start, but only the start. If you’d like to become a volunteer, just click here. Another way to help is to make a contribution – of any size – to help support this work. It is easy. Just click here. A real movement isn’t possible without your helping in some meaningful way. Dave Lawrence, Chair The Children’s Movement.

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY

>>> Hail Sosa & Bell, second time women rule 13 member dais, a pledge of civil discourse & working together, says Sosa

Rebeca Sosa, the new Chairman of the Miami-Dade County Commission took the oath of office in a packed commission chamber and doing the swearing-in honors was longtime friend U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-FL. Sosa has known Rubio before he was even married, and the friendship continued when the freshman senator was in the Florida House. Where he rose to become the first Hispanic House Speaker. His local district office back then was across the hallway in a second floor bank building in West Miami. And Sosa is the first Hispanic and Cuban American woman to chair the 13-member body for the next two years, was in the past the long time commissioner and mayor of West Miami before being catapulted to the county commission. After Miami-Dade Commissioner Pedro Reboredo was forced from office in a deal with the state attorney’s office and he was forced to resign and pay a fine for exploiting his political office back in 2001. http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2001-06-13/news/0106130013_1_miami-dade-county-pedro-reboredo-rebeca-sosa

Sosa, 45 back in 2001 won the commission seat race when she garnered 60 percent of the Commission District 6 vote against her major challenger Ana Alliegro who got 31 percent of the vote and two lesser challengers received the rest of the ballots. Since then she has been reelected to the county commission seat and has been a champion against resident’s homes being flooded like during the “No Name Storm,” that had homes in her district and Sweetwater swamped and flooded with water. Since then two giant pumps have been built and that has mitigated this issue and Sosa along with fellow Commissioner Jose “Pepe” Diaz were the point of the spear in getting these federal, state and local funded projects done. Sosa, a breast cancer survivor, over the years has chaired a variety of commission committees and presided on the Public Health Trust Nominating Council back in 2005-2006 as well and she is a consensus taker on the dais.

On Friday after taking office, Sosa thanked the many people that attended the event including Florida Gov. Rick Scott and a host of other local and state leaders. She then pledged to keep the discourse civil on the dais and would do her up most to work together with federal and state leaders to make Miami-Dade a better place. She also pledged, “To conduct the meetings in a timely manner,” and wants to look at the county’s issues in a holistic way, she said. We “are entrusted in improving lives,” and to work for “the greater good,” of the community and she will “work with all the government partners to make it work.” For she noted commissioners and county employees are there to “serve” our “employers, the residents of Miami-Dade County,” she said.

Commissioner Lynda Bell, the new Commission Vice Chairman was also sworn-into office Friday and the former Homestead Mayor first joined the commission in 2010 after a tough race against a municipal mayor for the District 8 seat that was vacated by long serving Commissioner Katy Sorenson. Bell a Republican in a non partisan race parlayed the community sentiment in 2010 and rise of the tea party movement to win and she has been a tough advocate on accountability of public tax dollars and specifically how some of the county’s 11 Community Redevelopment Authorities (CRAs) spend their public tax dollars. And some insiders say she may have aspirations for Congress and in 2014 might consider taking on newly minted U.S. Rep. Joe Garcia, D- FL who knocked off incumbent GOP Congressman David Rivera this past November.

Not first time women rule dais

This is the second time the commission has been led by two women, and the first was back in 2002 when Commissioner Barbara Carey-Shuler was named the top commissioner and Sorenson was tapped as the number two. Moreover, it was Shuler that created the current committee system now expanded to eight, and the commission was able to pick its own leadership rather than the county mayor, then Alex Penelas. At the time, since public input is only asked for at committee meetings. I joked with Shuler that the committee system would “be a work program” for me and in many regards that has been the case over the past decade. Since most of the time, the bulk of the chamber’s audience is made-up of county staff and lobbyist, but the general public and their participation in any public discussion is in short supply during many of these committee meetings.

>>> Vice Chair Bell has some sharp words for some of county’s 11 CRAs

Lynda Bell, the new Vice Chair of the commission left her committee chair position Tuesday with a blast at the 11 CRAs, some she thinks “are great” but there are others that she was skeptical about and “Have strayed.” And noted she will revisit the issue after taking her number two post on the dais. Bell said some local municipal leaders that oversee CRAs and there budgets think the money is endless, but it is “not endless” and these are public dollars. Bell further hammered CRA staff from the cities of Homestead to South and North Miami CRAs and the thrust of her comments focused on money spent on expenses and activities that while some might be good.

The issue was should money spent for community and economic development be used for certain of these services or people paid with these public dollars. She noted a county commission audit found wide spread problems with the CRA in Homestead and for “four years.” She fought some of this when she was mayor of the municipality and now we find “millions” after the audit have been lost or misspent, she said. Bell also took aim at a museum curator position being paid $100,000 in North Miami, was such expenditure appropriate, and is it fulfilling the CRAs economic development criteria and plan that is approved and voted on by the local city commissioners.

Jennifer Glazer-Moon, the director of the County’s office of Management and Budget noted that all the county can do is review if the CRA budget is legally sufficient under the state law by the county attorney’s office and she noted the creation guidelines of all these entities are all different. Bell said she has tried to get the state legislators in the past to tighten up some of these loopholes and odd expenses but has had little success. She told commissioners they might as well hit their head on the wooden commission dais if they think the law might change since all the municipalities around the state would block such a move. Bell said opponents statewide would argue this would be county meddling into local affairs and local legislators have no desire to stir up a hornets nest with cities around the Sunshine State, she observed.

Sosa

Bell

>>> Wednesday bomb scare at county hall, issue defused

There was a bomb scare outside the Stephen P. Clark Center on Wednesday when a large box was left on the plaza outside of the large county government center. Police and bomb squad experts handled the wayward package that only contained papers and a note that is being examined by law enforcement.

What about the security for the BCC Leadership swearing-in ceremony?

The security before the Friday swearing-in of Sosa and Bell as the chair and vice chair was tight, with a complete sweep of the chambers and security and Miami-Dade police out front stopping people from entering the chamber’s until the event was to proceed and had Scott, Rubio and a host of other prominent leaders attending the event.

>>> Port of Miami Director Johnson says, “I do what I am told,” when it comes to running MIA when Abreu leaves in March

With Miami International Airport breaking a yearly passenger and cargo record this past year, but with Jose Abreu, the county’s aviation director since mid 2005 leaving Mar. 31. The talk at county hall is whom will County Mayor Carlos Gimenez pick to replace the long serving transportation maven set to retire. The mayor has told the Watchdog Report in the past that he has a couple of people in mind. And the Watchdog Report asked Port of Miami Director Bill Johnson on Friday if he was interested in the job at MIA? And Johnson replied, “I do what I am told [to do],” he said if he was asked by Gimenez to pick up the MIA leadership baton. However, there are others said to be in the running for the post and people note given the major expansion at the Port of Miami, the $1 billion tunnel and the fifty-foot deep dredge project. They believe now is not the time to change the leadership at the Port and is the number two county economic generator that has only MIA ahead in its economic impact in Miami-Dade.

>>> $400 million redo of Sun Life stadium pits Dolphins against Braman in fight for new tax dollars

The Miami Dolphins are proposing a $400 million renovation for Sun Life stadium that would use a variety of public sources or tax incentives to pay for the refurbishment the team believes is needed to keep the Super Bowl coming to Miami and a host of other bowl events in the coming years. Steve Ross, the professional football team’s owner says he is putting up over 50 percent of the cost, and  is why the financing package is different from the controversial Miami Marlin’s new enclosed stadium that finances out to $2.5 billion in the coming decades.

However, Norman Braman, the auto magnate and billionaire who led the recall effort of former Mayor Carlos Alvarez back in the spring of 2011 is fighting this new giveaway to a billionaire team owner. He noted Ross by Forbes Magazine’s estimate has a $4.4 billion net worth and to hear Mike Dee of the Dolphins defend the deal and Braman’s comments go to www.wpbt.org/issues where they both appeared on the show hosted by Helen Ferre. >>> And Braman and Rodney Barreto both penned opposing columns in http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/01/20/3189753/braman-dolphins-proposed-deal.html >>> http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/01/20/3189759/barreto-dolphins-stadium-proposal.html

>>> Press release:  Miami International Airport set new all-time records for annual passenger and cargo traffic in 2012 with 39.5 million passengers and 2.1 million tons of cargo.  The annual passenger total increased by 3.0 percent, up more than 1.1 million passengers from 2011, and cargo volume grew 4.6 percent.  International passengers led the way with an increase of 5.2 percent to 19.4 million travelers, while domestic passengers grew by one percent to 20.1 million. “Despite a national economy still struggling to rebound, MIA continues to reach new heights as our community’s primary economic engine,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez.  “I applaud the leadership team at MIA for another record-breaking year of outstanding growth.” MIA’s passenger traffic benefited from hub carrier American Airlines beginning in November its largest schedule ever at the airport with 328 daily flights and expanded service to 38 cities.  American launched six new routes from MIA in 2012 as well: Asuncion, Paraguay; Barcelona, Spain; Manaus, Brazil; Recife, Brazil; Roatan, Honduras; and Seattle, Washington.

MIA also added five new carriers in 2012: LAN Colombia began four weekly flights from Bogota; Mexican low-cost carrier Interjet began daily flights from Mexico City; Dutch Antilles Express began daily service from Curacao; Russian carrier Aeroflot began three weekly flights from Moscow; and Brazilian low-cost carrier GOL began weekly charter service from Sao Paulo in July that expanded to daily service in December. With the addition of American’s direct flights from Recife and Manaus, MIA is now the U.S. airport serving the most destinations in Brazil, with a total of seven cities: Belo Horizonte; Brasilia; Manaus; Recife; Rio de Janeiro; Salvador; and Sao Paulo.  Brazil was MIA’s top international market in 2011 with 1.4 million passengers, and U.S. Department of Transportation results are expected to show continued growth in 2012.  Combined, American, TAM and now GOL provide 123 flights per week between Brazil and MIA. While cargo tonnage growth at MIA was greater than projected in 2012, its value increased even more.  Air trade value set a record in 2011 with more than $61 billion worth of goods and products transported to/from MIA, and estimates for 2012 are for that record to be surpassed by 10 percent, based on results through November.  For a complete listing of MIA’s 2012 statistics, see the attached report.

>>> Press release: Miami-Dade County’s unemployment rate increased to 9.1 percent in December, according to statistics released Friday, due to job cuts in construction, healthcare and government.

“We cannot rely on any one industry to sustain our economy which is precisely why One Community One Goal’s plan to diversify our economy is so important,” said Frank R. Nero, President and CEO of The Beacon Council. “The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate which looks at the data over a longer period of time and takes into consideration seasonal fluctuations only increased slightly.”

The numbers analyzed

During the last year, from December 2011 to December 2012, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell 1.1 percentage points, from 10.2 percent to 9.1 percent. The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate from November 2012 to December 2012 increased by 1.1 percentage points, from 8.0 percent to 9.1 percent. This higher rate can be attributed to a combination of a decrease in the total number of people employed as well as an increase in the labor force and number of unemployed people. In December 2012, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for Miami-Dade County (taking into consideration seasonal fluctuations in the labor force) was 8.8 percent, which is 0.4 percentage points higher than November 2012. Miami-Dade County is the only Florida County to use the seasonally adjusted rate. With regards to the seasonally adjusted numbers, there was also a decrease in the total number of people employed as well as an increase in the labor force and number of unemployed people.

When looking at the data over a longer period of time, Miami-Dade County has seen improvements in the unemployment rate. A one-time month-to-month increase can happen without being an indication yet, that it might be the beginning of a negative trend. Notably, Financial Activities experienced significant job growth during this period (1,200 jobs gained or a 1.9 percent increase). December 2012 marks the third consecutive month that the Financial Activities sector has experienced an increase in employment. The job creation numbers are derived from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Current Employment Statistics Program (CES), and only account for non-farm payroll jobs. However, the unemployment rates are derived from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Local Area Unemployment Statistics Program (LAUS), which includes farm payroll jobs as well as self-employed workers. The December 2012 unemployment rate for the State of Florida was 7.9 percent, a decrease of 0.1 percentage points compared to November 2012. The United States unemployment rate was 7.6 percent in December 2012, compared to 7.4 percent in November 2012.

For Broward County, the unemployment rate in December 2012 was 6.7 percent, a decrease of 0.3 percentage points from November 2012 and a decrease of 1.8 percentage points compared to December 2011. For Palm Beach County, the unemployment rate was 8.0 percent, a decrease of 0.4 percentage points compared to November 2012 and a decrease of 1.8 percentage points compared to December 2011. In the case of Palm Beach County, the month-over-month numbers show that there was a decrease in the total labor force as well as the number of people employed. In short, unemployed people left the workforce. In addition, there was a slight drop in the number of people employed. As a result, the unemployment rate went down despite a decrease in the number of employed people or the lack of new jobs created.

The overall unemployment rate for the South Florida region (Miami-Ft. Lauderdale-Pompano Beach MSA) in December 2012 was 8.1 percent, up from 7.7 percent in November 2012. A year ago, in December 2011, the South Florida unemployment rate was 9.5 percent. In Miami-Dade County from December 2011 to December 2012, several sectors saw improvements including Professional and Business Services, Retail Trade, Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities, Financial Activities, and State Government. Sectors that lost jobs between December 2011 and December 2012 include Local Government (-4,700 jobs), Construction (-2,600 jobs), Leisure and Hospitality (-1,900 jobs), Hospitals (-1,700 jobs), Wholesale Trade (-1,600 jobs), Ambulatory Health Care Services (-1,000 jobs), Manufacturing (-700 jobs), and Information (-600 jobs).

Sector		December 2011 – December 2012 Job Change (% Change)
Professional and Business Services		4,400 (+3.2%)
Retail Trade		3,400 (+2.5%)
Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities		1,700 (+2.7%)
Financial Activities		1,200 (+1.9%)
State Government	200 (+1.1%)

… From the data and analysis above, we see continued improvement in the local economy. Nevertheless, the community needs to remain focused on job-creation projects in the target industries outlined in The Beacon Council Foundation’s One Community One Goal (OCOG) initiative. These industries have been identified as the Miami-Dade County industries most able to create additional well-paying job opportunities, leading to an improved quality of life for Miami-Dade County residents. For more information, go to www.onecommunityonegoal.com. The Beacon Council continues to aggressively work on attracting new companies to our community and work on the expansion and retention of existing business. For more information, visit www.beaconcouncil.com.

>>> GMCVB press release: RECORD ACCOMMODATIONS AND FOOD SERVICE JOBS IN GREATER MIAMI AND THE BEACHES REPORTED FOR NOVEMBER 2012 – MARKING 3 YEARS OF CONSECUTIVE JOB INCREASES
Greater Miami’s Accommodations and Food Service jobs increased +2.3% in December 2012 compared to the same period in 2011. This marks 3 years of consecutive increased employment in Greater Miami’s Accommodations and Food Service Industry. In December 2012, 103,200 people were employed in Greater Miami’s Accommodations and Food Service sector compared to 100,900 in December 2011, a +2.3% increase.

GREATER MIAMI LEISURE AND HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY JOBS
December 2012	December 2011	% Change
103,200	100,900	+2.3%

>>> Press release: Farm Share Prepares for 2013 Legislative Session – Patricia Robbins, Founder and CEO, made a presentation to the Miami-Dade Delegation on Jan. 10 to request their continued support of the Farm Share program.  The following letter was submitted for the record: Dear Members of the Miami-Dade Delegation:

I am writing on behalf of the less fortunate citizens of the State of Florida who are experiencing food insecurity as a fact of daily life to request that the State continue to support the Farm Share program at the same amount as last fiscal year: $750,000. Farm Share has served the State faithfully and successfully for over twenty years by providing over 300 million pounds of food with a value of over 700 million dollars to those in need in Florida. The return on investment for the State of Florida for $750,000 would be at least 15 million lbs of produce/other food valued at $26,250,000, or $35 for every $1 of State funding. The tax deduction benefit for Florida farmers would equal $46,410,000, or $61.88 for every $1 of State funding. The combined ROI in terms of food value and federal tax deduction alone would equal $96.88 for every one dollar invested by the State.

As for the role of government in participating in the care of our least fortunate, we would argue that the answer pivots on utilization of our state’s natural resources. Florida is one of the few heavily agricultural states in America. Our abundance of produce leads to a natural surplus, which is caused by the production process. This surplus of food should not be thrown away when there is a demand for it caused by the economic downturn. Wasting this food would be failing to utilize a unique natural resource of Florida to care for Florida’s elderly and children and would also increase the federal tax burden of Florida farmers. Thank you for your continued support wrote Patricia Robbins the Founder of . www.farmshare.org

MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC SCHOOL

>>> $1.2 billion GOB bond money will touch “every school,” low enrollment schools may consolidate, and “technology equality” will be order of the day, says Supt. Carvalho

Alberto Carvalho laid out an ambitious plan with appropriate independent oversight for the utilization of the $1.2 billion bond passed by voters by 79 percent of countywide voters in Nov. over the next seven years and “every school in Miami-Dade will be touched” by this funding bonanza. He told the school board, staff and attendees at the Thursday General Obligation Bond Workshop that the district owes a “debt of gratitude” to the county’s voters and he is not forgetting that fact. He ticked off eight main policies and guiding principles all that will ensure fairness in the process and the money spent will “touch every school” in the district and includes “technology equality.”  Though he admitted, there would also be a consolidation of some schools that are under enrolled. “The right sizing element” of the plan will include “not renovating schools with 40 percent enrollment” when a near by school could absorb the kids just as easily, he said. And in conversations with parents and others the “consolidation of buildings makes sense,” but that consolidation won’t happen without “a lot of conversation with a lot of people,” he told the gathering.

And the GOB Oversight committee is expected to kick in by late February or March and this 25-member oversight board will be the community’s firewall when it comes to the proper utilization of these new funds in the coming years. However, this new committee has all the makings of a work program for the Watchdog Report, because such an oversight board will quickly drop off the mainstream medias radar and it will be a work program for me if the public is to ever know a year from now what is going on.

Carvalho

>>> Press release: Governor Rick Scott and First Lady Ann Scott visited City Year Miami, an innovative mentoring and tutoring AmeriCorps program administered by Volunteer Florida that is dedicated to keeping students in school and on track to graduation. Governor Scott met with 185 City Year corps members, teachers and administrators, and learned about City Year’s work to target high-risk schools and students by harnessing the power of young leaders.

Gov Scott said, “It was great meeting with City Year AmeriCorps members and teachers today. We are continuing to work to make sure that every student in Florida has the opportunity to get a great education. I applaud everyone involved in this program, which is making a tremendous difference in the lives of Florida families.” Volunteer Florida CEO Chester Spellman said, “City Year is an excellent example of our AmeriCorps programs having an impact in Florida, and we are pleased to partner with them to help Florida’s students. Last year, Volunteer Florida’s AmeriCorps members provided teaching, tutoring or mentoring to 48,147 students in nearly 400 Florida schools, and City Year is a significant contributor toward this achievement.”
City Year Miami Executive Director Saif Ishoof said, “We are honored to host Governor Scott today at Booker T. Washington Senior High School, and we’re inspired by his dedication to this important work. These 185 dedicated and idealistic City Year Miami AmeriCorps members are proud members of a national network that is more than 2,500 strong, each helping students stay in school and on track to succeed.” City Year is a national nonprofit dedicated to keeping students in school by working to improve their attendance, behavior and course performance. By recognizing that 50 percent of our nation’s dropouts come from just 12 percent of the schools, City Year targets students as early as the third grade for intervention. City Year members provide individual support to students who need extra care and attention through in-class tutoring, mentoring, and after-school programs. City Year integrates a “near-peer” approach and utilizes the talent and energy of young leaders ages 17-24 to serve as corps members. At the completion of their year of service, City Year members are eligible to receive a college scholarship. Last year at Booker T. Washington Senior High School, City Year AmeriCorps members supported nearly 200 students with direct interventions to improve behavior, increase attendance, and improve performance in math and English. In the fall of 2012, City Year celebrated the start of its fifth year in Miami and launched new sites in Orlando and Jacksonville.

PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST

>>> CEO Migoya’s contribution to Miami Mayoral candidate Suarez “legal” and “personal,” but “no way,” would public schools Supt. Carvalho do it

The holding of a fundraiser and contribution of CEO Carlos Migoya to Miami Commissioner Francis Suarez’s political committee initially created endorsing a strong mayor form of government has raised eyebrows because of the banker’s high profile public position as being the face of Jackson since May of 2010. Suarez has amassed some $460,000 in the PAC and the money is expected to be used to augment his campaign for Miami mayor. Suarez last week announced he will challenge Mayor Tomas Regalado in the November election and the young attorney believes he can do a better job guiding the city and its 3,600 employees.

Migoya on Tuesday when asked about the matter told the Watchdog Report. “I did it personally,” and it was a “private matter” and he did not think it conflicted with his public role heading up the health trust and that the matter was dragging Jackson into the political race. The Watchdog Report contacted Miami-Dade Ethics Commission Director Joe Centorino about the matter afterwards and the former assistant state attorney that handled public corruption for the office since the mid 1990s before joining the ethics commission. He said it was perfectly “legal” and even better that it was not given directly to the campaign, but he also noted there was a “perception,” issue when something like this is done. One Jackson Health System media spokesman said when asked about the contribution. It’s “the American Way,” he said and one FRB trust member said he told Migoya to “be very careful” with this and another trustee I asked thought it was not a problem.

However, when I asked Superintendent Alberto Carvalho later in the week, in a similar public capacity running the nation’s fourth largest public schools district as its top administrator. He said when it came to him making campaign contributions or holding fundraising events for candidates. He would “absolutely not” do that and he discouraged the school board members making political contributions as well. A problem that plagued the school board in the mid 1990s where campaign bundling by big school board lobbyist also resulted in them getting choice school contracts after the incumbents won their office back. And the Watchdog Report does not enjoy writing about this but when stories in www.miamiherald.com appear concerning the Miami mayoral race, Migoya’s campaign contribution is being mentioned and also the fact he runs JHS. And for some of the paper’s readers it could be perceived that the public hospital has taken a side in the non-partisan race in November and pubic administrators in such capacity should be very careful in their blending of private political activities and contributions to campaigns.

CITY OF MIAMI

>>> The contest is set, Commissioner Francis Suarez to take on Mayor Regalado in November election, how low will they go?

The political battle lines for the next Miami mayor are set for the coming year; Miami Commissioner Francis Suarez is challenging incumbent Mayor Tomas Regalado in a race that is expected to be a verbal slugfest between the two up to Election Day in November. Suarez entering the race has been expected for months, and he has a considerable war chest $460,000 in a political action committee and he is a fresh face. And he is drawing financial support from a host of people and companies including former Miami Mayor Manny Diaz and Carlos Migoya, a former banker, Miami manager pro bono and now the CEO of the Jackson Health System.

Regalado raised $91,000 in the same period to Suarez’s and he still has good will in the heart of Little Havana say insiders, though others suggest that he has made a lot of enemies during the past over three years in office. And these are some of the people flocking to support the younger Suarez, whose father Xavier is a former controversial Miami mayor and now a county commissioner representing Commission District 7.

Regalado

Suarez

>>> Police moving to get 600 new Taser’s in sole source $759,000 contract, replacing two older models “now obsolete”

The Miami Finance Committee reviewed and approved a single source contract last week for 600 Taser X2tm ECDs and a four-fifths vote on the Miami commission is necessary to approve the contract. The new stun gun devices are replacing 780 older Tasers models, one of which is no longer supported by the company. Police staff said Taser was the only company that they knew of that made the devices, and the police department was getting a $126,000 credit for the old devices being replaced in the $759,753 sole source contract.

>>> Press release: Miami Police Sergeant Convicted of Civil Rights Violations,

Narcotics Distribution Conspiracy and Obstruction of Justice

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Michael B. Steinbach, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, and Manuel Orosa, Chief, City of Miami Police Department (MPD), announced the conviction of Raul Iglesias, 40, of Miami, Florida, a City of Miami Police sergeant, on eight counts, including two civil rights violations, conspiracy to possess and possession with the intent to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine, obstruction of justice and making false official statements. The defendant was found guilty by a jury after a two-week trial before United States District Judge Cecilia Altonaga.  Sentencing has been scheduled for March 28, 2013.  At sentencing, the defendant faces a maximum statutory sentence of up to 20 years in prison.

U.S. Attorney Wifredo Ferrer stated, “A law enforcement badge brings with it privileges and responsibilities.  Although it bestows on the bearer the trust and respect of the community, the bearer is expected to preserve that trust through his actions: by following the law, doing what is right, and seeking to do justice.  Sergeant Iglesias, unfortunately, did just the opposite:  he broke the law by planting drugs on a private citizen, distributing drugs, obstructing justice, and making false statements.  My office, and the honest and dedicated men and women in law enforcement, have zero tolerance for such corruption.” “We are pleased with the conviction of Raul Iglesias because his actions not only violated the law, they also undermined the public’s trust in law enforcement,” said acting Special Agent in Charge Michael B. Steinbach of the Miami Division.  “Iglesias was brought to justice in large part due to the dedication and commitment of the members of the Miami Area Corruption Task Force.”

According to the evidence presented at trial, Iglesias, in his capacity as a supervisor of an anti-narcotics unit in the City of Miami Police Department, planted cocaine on a subject, stole drugs and money from other subjects, obstructed justice and made false statements to federal investigators. The prosecution was the result of a joint investigation by the City of Miami Police Department’s Internal Affairs Unit and the FBI’s Public Corruption Squad.  Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the FBI and the City of Miami Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ricardo Del Toro and Michael Berger. >>> 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

What about former Mayor Diaz’s new book Miami Transformed?

Francisco Alvarado, a veteran Miami New Times reporter and long time observer of the city of Miami reviewed Manny Diaz’s new book this week and he has a similar opinion as I did over the Thanksgiving Holiday when I wrote a review of the tome, noted it was loaded with omissions and seemed to be a white wash of his administration. To read Alvarado’s story go to: http://www.miaminewtimes.com/2013-01-10/news/ex-mayor-manny-diaz-s-new-book-is-full-of-lies/

CITY OF CORAL GABLES

>>> Will trolley facility controversy in Grove bleed into Mayor Cason’s reelection campaign?

The controversial issue of a Coral Gables Trolley maintenance facility in the Village West of Coconut Grove has now drawn in the Coconut Grove Village Council, an advisory group created in 1991 and the council has linked up with local residents decrying the depot in the middle of residential homes. A developer who needed a site in a land swap deal with the Gables picked the location because the firm says it was unable to find suitable land in the City Beautiful. In the past, Commissioner Ralph Cabrera, Jr., has expressed concern about the facility as has been reported in past Watchdog Report’s but now that he is a mayoral candidate running against incumbent Mayor Jim Cason.

The issue of the trolley service center could bleed into the April general election and become a wedge issue Cabrera could use against Cason who has been supportive of Manager Pat Salerno’s policies and recommendations. Versus Cabrera who has asked in the past for the manager’s resignation believing he and Commissioner Maria Anderson had been cut out of many discussions and their concerns ignored by Salerno. The manager responds to the Cabrera criticism that this is not the case, but there has been continued tension on the dais. However, Salerno continues to have the three votes necessary to stay in place as the top administrator, but will the mayoral election in April change that balance of power on the commission that will also include two new commissioners on the dais.

>>> Press release: CORAL GABLES RESIDENTS INVITED TO FREE LECTURE WITH US SUPREME COURT JUSTICE SONIA SOTOMATOR

ON FEBRUARY 1

As part of the 20-year Development Agreement between the City of Coral Gables and the University of Miami, Coral Gables residents are invited to attend a special lecture with Sonia Sotomayor, the first Hispanic Justice on the United States Supreme Court. Justice Sotomayor will be interviewed by University of Miami President Donna E. Shalala on her new book “My Beloved World.” The event takes place on Friday, February 1, 6 p.m. at the BankUnited Center, 1245 Dauer Drive.

In her new book, Sotomayor recounts her life from a Bronx housing project to the federal bench. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Princeton in 1976 and from Yale Law School in 1979. She worked as assistant district attorney in New York and then at the law firm of Pavia & Harcourt. From 1992 to 2009, she served as a judge on the U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, and from 1998, on the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. In May 2009, President Barack Obama nominated her as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. She assumed this role on August 8, 2009. >>> There is a limit of 250 tickets for Coral Gables residents. Tickets will be distributed in person on a first-come, first-served basis at the War Memorial Youth Center, 405 University Drive beginning Thursday, January 24 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Residents must show proof of residential address. Tickets are limited to two per household. For additional information, contact the Parks and Recreation Division at 305-460-5600.

>>> OTHER STORIES AROUND FLORIDA

BROWARD COUNTY

>>> Political Lazarus ex Sheriff Jenne drops in on Sheriff Israel raises eyebrows but he has no place in BSO

Newly minted Broward Sheriff Scott Israel welcomed back disgraced Sheriff Ken Jenne, 66, this past week when the former state senator and top cop visited the  Sheriff’s main office and was warmly received. Jenne, elected in 1998 turned the Broward Sheriff’s office into a law enforcement powerhouse that provided municipal policing services for over a dozen Broward cities and towns and the office oversaw a well over $500 million budget. Before Jenne was busted by the feds for mail fraud and income tax invasion. He served a year less a day in federal prison and the former attorney was released back in Sept. 2008 and he went to work with Scott Rothstein, now serving 50 years in federal prison for perpetuating a Ponzi scheme at his law firm in the billions, and bilking a host of local investors with the high flying financial scheme that later unraveled. Sending a host of other people to federal prison and the federal prosecutions are ongoing.

Now Jenne is doing consulting work and while Israel is saying the felon has no place in his office and that it was just a social call since Jenne did not attend the swearing in ceremony. However, it highlights how clubby Broward County and some of its elected leaders can be and while people can forgive. Jenne while taking BSO to new heights in many ways. He is also the Gold Standard when it came to name branding, and the self-promotion of himself and he ultimately left office after a long federal investigation and legal fight in disgrace with no pension, after betraying the public trust.  http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2013-01-18/news/fl-ken-jenne-felon-20130118_1_sheriff-jenne-granite-countertops-and-windowsills-ken-jenne

>>> 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

>>> Two Mothers Sentenced to Prison Terms for Using Their Children in Staged Accident Scheme

Press release: Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Michael B. Steinbach, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, José A. Gonzalez, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division (IRS-CID), and Jeff Atwater, Florida Chief Financial Officer, announced that Ana Ovando, 42, of West Palm Beach, was sentenced Friday, January 11, 2013, to 78 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for her role in a staged accident fraud scheme.  On October 25, 2012, a jury convicted Ovando of conspiring with others to commit mail fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1341 and 1349 as well as of 14 substantive counts of mail fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1341.  Ovando used her five children – aged between three and seventeen – during three staged accidents that occurred within twelve months.

On January 3, 2013, Janice Velez, 39, also of West Palm Beach, was sentenced to 24 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release for her role in the same staged accident fraud scheme.  Velez pled guilty on October 24, 2012 to conspiring with others to commit mail fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1341 and 1349, as well as to 8 substantive counts of mail fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1341.  Velez used her two children during one staged accident.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, under Florida’s “No Fault” insurance law, insurers must provide Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage of $10,000 per person.  Ovando and Velez and other co-conspirators unlawfully enriched themselves by submitting fraudulent PIP claims for chiropractic and massage therapy treatments for themselves and their children.  Ovando and Velez made false claims that both themselves and their children received chiropractic and massage therapy services that they neither needed nor received over a several month period.  Ovando took her children to New York Medical and Rehab Center and Velez took her children to Karow Chiropractic Center, both located in West Palm Beach.  There, massage therapists admitted that these patients signed blank treatment sheets that the massage therapists later completed and submitted to the insurance company for reimbursement.

Ovando and Velez are the latest federal defendants to be sentenced in the investigation known as Operation Sledgehammer.  To date, a total of 26 defendants have been charged, resulting in 22 federal convictions.  Four defendants are fugitives who have fled the United States.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the FBI, IRS-CID, and the Florida Department of Insurance Fraud.  Mr. Ferrer also thanked the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) for its assistance in this investigation, as well as the members of the Greater Palm Beach Health Care Fraud Task Force.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney A. Marie Villafaña.

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. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

ORANGE COUNTY

>>> Gov. Scott  taps Jessica Blakley and reappoints Beatriz Lowery to the Early Learning Coalition

Blakley, 31, of Orlando, is a public relations senior account manager with Consensus Communications. She succeeds Linda Landman-Gonzalez and is appointed for a term beginning January 18, 2013, and ending April 30, 2015.

Lowery, 56, of Ocoee, is the minority business development manager with Walt Disney World. She is reappointed for a term beginning January 18, 2013 and ending April 30, 2015.

VOLUSIA COUNTY

>>> Press release: Gov. Scott picks David Batten for the Early Learning Coalition of Volusia and Flagler Counties

Batten, 54, of Ormond Beach, is a managing member of BMJ, CPA, PLC. He is appointed for a term beginning January 17, 2013, and ending April 30, 2013.

MANATEE COUNTY

>>> Press release: Gov. Scott names Charles P. Sniffen to County Court.

Sniffen, 39, of Bradenton, has practiced with Harrison, Kirkland, Pratt & McGuire, P.A. since 2011. Previously, Sniffen was a sole practitioner from 2007-2011. From 2005-2007, he practiced with Harlee & Bald, P.A. From 1999-2005, Sniffen served as an Assistant State Attorney in the Office of the State Attorney. From 1997-1999, he practiced with Ferdie & Gouz, P.A. Sniffen will fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge George K. Brown. “Charlie Sniffen has demonstrated throughout his career to be knowledgeable and fair,” said Governor Scott. “I am confident that he will be a great addition to the Manatee County bench.”

COMMUNITY EVENTS

>>> South Florida Regional Planning Board Road Show in seven counties and for more information go to http://seven50.org/uncategorized/registration-work-group-road-show/

>>> The Downtown Bay Forum www.downtownbayforum.org INVITES YOU TO OUR LUNCHEON MEETING ON WEDNESDAY — JANUARY 30, 2013 11:30 AM-1:30 PM “THE SURVIVAL OF NON-PROFITS?” The Impact of State Funding on Services. SPEAKERS: PATRICIA ROBBINS, President & CEO Farm Share

LAUREN BOOK, CEO & Survivor Lauren’s Kids VIRGINIA JACKO, President & CEO, Miami Lighthouse for the Blind, Pres. Of Florida Heiken Children’s Vision Program – MODERATOR DR. SEAN FOREMAN Dept. of History & Political Science, Barry University WOLFSON AUDITORIUM — TEMPLE ISRAEL

137 NE 19th Street  Miami   FREE SELF PARKING AVAILABLE Call ANNETTE EISENBERG (305)757-3633 Fax (305)754-2015 **RESERVATIONS REQUIRED $35 Membership ­­­___ $23 Lunch, member w/reservation __ $58 Membership & Lunch __$27 Non-Member or Member without reservation if space is available ___255 Table of 10 DOWNTOWN BAY FORUM P.O. Box 530916 Miami Shores, FL 33153-0916

>>> Friends, It’s finally here.  Please join me on January 26th for an EPIC event.
Overtown Music Project’s annual fundraiser will be at the Fontainebleau in
Miami Beach on Saturday, January 26, 2013, and will showcase a mash up of
an 18-piece big band with hip-hop, funk and soul. The event celebrates the
connection between Overtown and the Fontainebleau, a hotel where Count
Basie, Dizzy Gillespie and Etta James once performed. Several musicians who
played in Overtown’s numerous venues during its heyday, now in their 60s –
90s, will be showcased. The event funds our six annual events in Overtown and three programs geared toward bringing music back to the area permanently. Tickets can be found here: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/5147700912
EDITORIALS

>>> Past Jan. 2009 WDR: Incivility at public meetings is unacceptable; strength of Democracy is ability to agree to disagree but no place for intimidation

A incident where tempers flared occurred at a Miami Beach committee meeting recently and a local developer got into a face to face with city Commissioner Jonah Wolfson and this kind of confrontation and behavior regardless of the situation is unacceptable and commissioners might consider if there should be a police presence at some of these committee meetings held in the cramped managers conference room on city halls fourth floor. I have attended numerous meetings there over the years and it is an intimate setting where normally no fireworks are flying but this incident should be reflected on by not just the commission, but with all the municipalities for when things become so local, tempers can get hot.

Years ago at a fledgling county community council meeting, people were going after each other with chairs and I pointed this out to county manager Merrett Stierheim and I asked him to send the police to maintain community order and civility and that changed the tone of these meeting since. I have always maintained that just a few things really get my attention and these are lack of transparency of public meetings, citizens and leaders being uninformed on issues, large amounts of cash in a short period of time, and people being uncivil or threatening be they residents or elected officials at meetings. People can agree to disagree but it cannot be done in a hostile environment and not certainly at public meetings. Local municipal leaders from the small to large cities along with residents must always keep this in mind for a democracy cannot survive when intimidation is in the mix and this type of behavior must be nipped in the bud. If the problem is not to spread and become a more frequent issue in the months ahead.

>>> LIFETIME FOUNDING MEMBERS & INITIAL SPONSORS IN 2000

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

HUGH CULVERHOUSE, Jr.

THE MIAMI HERALD     www.miamiherald.com (2000-2008)

ARTHUR HERTZ

WILLIAM HUGGETT, Seamen Attorney (Deceased)

ALFRED NOVAK

LINDA E. RICKER (Deceased)

JOHN S. and JAMES L. KNIGHT FOUNDATION  www.knightfoundation.org

THE HONORABLE STANLEY G. TATE

>>> Watchdog Report supporters – $2,000 a year

BADIA SPICES    www.badiaspices.com

FLORIDA POWER & LIGHT www.fpl.com

RONALD HALL

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY www.miamidade.gov

UNITED WAY OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY www.unitedwaymiamidade.org

>>> Watchdog Report supporters – $1,000 a year

AKERMAN SENTERFITT   www.akerman.com

BERKOWITZ POLLACK BRANT Advisors and Accountants www.bpbcpa.com

RON BOOK

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

WILLIAM PALMER www.shutts.com

SHUBIN & BASS     www.shubinbass.com

>>> Public, Educational & Social institutions – subscribers at $1,000 or less

CAMILLUS HOUSE, INC.   www.camillushouse.org

CITY OF MIAMI www.miamigov.com.

CITY OF CORAL GABLES www.coralgables.com

CITY OF MIAMI BEACH www.miamibeachfl.gov

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP FOR HOMELESS www.cph.org

THE STATE OF FLORIDA www.myflorida.gov

GREATOR MIAMI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE www.miamichamber.com

GREATER MIAMI CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU www.miamiandbeaches.com

HEALTH FOUNDATION OF SOUTH FLORIDA  www.hfsf.org

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COMMISSION   www.miamidade.gov

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

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY ETHICS & PUBLIC TRUST COMMISSION www.miamidade.gov/ethics

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

MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC SCHOOLS BOARD www.dadeschools.net

MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC SCHOOLS www.dadeschools.net

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

THE BEACON COUNCIL   www.beaconcouncil.com

THE CHILDREN’S TRUST www.thechildrenstrust.org

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

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

UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI             www.miami.edu

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 13^th year of publication and it has been an honor to be able to send this information to you. It is sent to readers in Miami-Dade, Florida, the U.S. and the world. The Watchdog Report is sent to thousands free and while readers have been prodded to subscribe the results have been mixed. Over 600 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

Publisher & Editor

Watchdog Report www.watchdogreport.net

Est. 05.05.00

Copyright © of original material, 2013, 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.

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

********************************************************************

Watchdog Report Supporters Invoice-Form

NOTE: Invoice is for Yearly supporter/sponsorship Rates: Thank you.

Supporting Sponsors $5,000

Sustaining Sponsors $2,000

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

Large Business Supporters $500

Small Business Supporters $250

Individual Supporter $150

Student Supporter $ 75

Any amount $

Name & Address

Please make checks payable to: Daniel A. Ricker

Send to: 3109 Grand Avenue, #125

Miami, FL 33133 To contact the Publisher please e-mail watchdogreport1@earthlink.net

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