Watchdog Report Vol. 17 No. 2 May 15, 2016 EST: 05.05.00 – I go when you cannot- celebrating 16 Years of Weekly publishing

>>> The Watchdog Report publisher would like to thank the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation www.knightfoundation.org for funding by the Knight Foundation with technical support from the Knight Center www.knightfoundation.org   to maintain my webpage. The Watchdog Report webpage is free, has no pops-up and is just the news in a mainstream reporting manner.

>>>> The Watchdog Report publisher for 16 years now, has reported back weekly on how your billions of public dollars in local government are being spent. And how to help support me providing this information is at the end of the WDR. And I hope you will consider keeping an independent news service out in our community, where what is going on with all our government entities is of critical benefit for both the public institutions but voters as well. Thank You. And to my Supporters I pledge to keep ‘going when you cannot.’ And we have about $9 billion in GOB funds being spent through a variety of institutions and that is no small number and in the past I have broken the story on Cuban refugees coming in droves and also the Oriental fruit fly quarantine and its huge economic impact to name just a few of the more recent stories in past WDR’s.

>>>And you can now easily support the Watchdog Report by going to my new PayPal Button account, you know you want to do it at www.watchdogreport.net However, because of fiscal issues I was barely able to publish this week as Miami continues to get more expensive. It is no easy task financially to do the WDR weekly. And years ago the County Ethics Commission did a report that suggested over the past decade some $50 million had been spent fighting waste fraud abuse and public corruption and having the press at public meetings (some very obscure) changes the tone of the meeting (and is why you don’t speed past a state trooper, if you’re smart) Further, I have tried to be an information electrolyte available to all free (and that is a problem) between these large public institutions when I first started back in 1997. And many public meetings back then were not being recorded except by me and that is no longer the case. For an accurate public record is key and diminishes legal action. For you either have an accurate public record or you don’t. And I hope you will consider helping me in this effort to keep the community informed and saving taxpayer monies in the process. For I need your help and Thank you for the past support over the last 17 years. And to read a national story and profile of the WDR publisher in the early years back in 2003 go to: http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2003-01-20/news/0301190045_1_ricker-miami-watchdog

And the Watchdog Report is doing a once in 17 years a fundraising drive campaign for after sixteen years of doing this. I am reminded of the refrain said by a nun, That if there was “no margin [there is] no mission,” and that applies to the WDR where since 1997, I have used my own money some $200,000 to finance this and that money is depleted and I ask my friends and readers to pitch in to help continue to keep this independent news service out in the community after so many years.

And the credibility I have established over that time of news you can trust without an attitude. And to help me in this quest to keep the community informed can easily be done since I know have PayPal at www.watchdogreport.net and it accepts a host of credit cards and I hope you will consider supporting me allowing to have someone watch over how your public tax dollars are being spent. And few web blogs have the duration and community history as I have given in this effort and has people saying “you were blogging before we even knew what it was,”

And I hope I get a decent response so I can get back to what I do best ‘go when you cannot,’ and the Watchdog Report will only return when my fiscal health is in better shape and to any of my past contributors. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

>>> May 5^th was my 17^th Anniversary, and I thank all my supporters and can’t believe it has been that long send hope you will help keep me in the field and reporting back how your tax dollars are being spent.

ARGUS REPORT – Heard, Seen on the street

>>> Chilling warning on Zika virus, residents must drain and cover any standing water, with old tires big problem where mosquitoes lay their eggs, also dealing with Chikungunya fever, says health department official Dr.Rivera

Miami-Dade County commissioners got a chilling update on the spreading Zika virus and County Health Department officials are warning we must reduce the number of mosquitoes being breed and that involves a massive public service program. That asks residents to drain and cover any standing bodies of water and old tires are especially targeted since the insects like to lay their eggs there.

Dr. Lillian Rivera, RN,MSN, Ph.D. also noted it is not just Zika but Dengue and Chikungunya fever that are transmitted by mosquitoes and there is the 60 second psa drain and cover spot produced by the department. And the health administrator said what makes Zika so scary is it can be transmitted sexually and the department is trying to keep the disease and mosquitoes from spreading this dramatic disease that leaves a newborn with a reduced size brain. Called microcephalus, and a major debate is also going on whether to release genetically modified sterile mosquitoes.

And here is the public service video http://www.floridahealth.gov/videos/drain-and-cover.html

Health Department: Chikungunya Fever (CHIK)Mosquito Control Measures CHIKEpidemiology and Medical Importance CHIK For a recording of the April 1st training please contact
Epi.Training@flhealth.gov and list “CHIK Training” in subject line.

From the Dept.’s web page: Chikungunya fever (CHIK) is an infection caused by the Chikungunya virus (CHIKV). The virus is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito, similar to West Nile and dengue viruses. The Chikungunya virus was first identified during an outbreak in 1952 in southern Tanzania, although it is suspected to have been present in Africa and Asia for much longer.*Note: This page contains materials in the Portable Document Format (PDF). The free Acrobat Reader may be required to view these files.

>>> White House press release: President Obama and Macklemore: A conversation about addiction Today, President Obama and Grammy Award-winning artist Macklemore teamed up to discuss a disease that affects far too many Americans: addiction. Here are the highlights: Macklemore opened up about his own experience with addiction: “I’m here with President Obama because I take this personally. I abused prescription drugs and battled addiction. If I hadn’t gotten the help I needed when I needed it, I might not be here today. And I want to help others facing the same challenges I did.” President Obama laid out why opioid abuse is a problem that affects all of us: “Drug overdoses now take more lives every year than traffic accidents. Deaths from opioid overdoses have tripled since 2000. A lot of the time, they’re from legal drugs prescribed by a doctor. So addiction doesn’t always start in some dark alley — it often starts in a medicine cabinet.” And the President talked about what we all can do to help: “I’ve asked Congress to expand access to recovery services, and to give first responders the tools they need to treat overdoses before it’s too late. This week, the House passed several bills about opioids — but unless they also make actual investments in more treatment, it won’t get Americans the help they need. On top of funding, doctors also need more training about the power of the pain medication they prescribe, and the risks they carry. Another way our country can help those suffering in private is to make this conversation public.” “The good news is, there’s hope. When we talk about opioid abuse as the public health problem it is, more people will seek the help they need. More people will find the strength to recover, just like Macklemore and millions of Americans have. We’ll see fewer preventable deaths and fewer broken families. “Watch https://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2016/05/14/weekly-address-conversation-addiction?utm_source=email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=email598-text&utm_campaign=opioids

>>> The Past week was choppy waters for Trump, his change on self-funding his campaign through loans that may get paid back by the party, is hard for his supporters to swallow.

After the brash billionaire made such a big deal about not being bought like other politicians. The Donald Trump campaign is taking a hit since he is hesitating to release his taxes but a more serious issue is he has said he would self-finance his campaign and in campaign reports these are loans and may get paid off by supporters or the GOP.

But the man’s using his own money and they’re for not bought had great appeal to many of his supporters and the media is digging into the man’s past and how he was with women and has Trump trashing Bill Clinton as a philander and his wife is an “enabler,” but his campaign has to start focusing on policy, but after a meeting with House Speaker Paul Ryan, R- Wisc.

People said Trump is a good listener but it remains to be seen if he can ramp-up his knowledge on foreign affairs to make him a competent president who also seems to support dropping the nuclear nonproliferation policy of America when he said he thought S. Korea and Japan might benefit if they developed a nuclear capability, noting Pakistan has them and he believes it will happen unless all nuclear weapons were eliminated he suggests. And for more go to http://www.cbsnews.com/news/donald-trump-japan-south-korea-might-need-nuclear-weapons/ and for more on the Trump Ryan meting go to: http://video.foxnews.com/v/4891422282001/trump-paul-ryan-is-doing-good-job-uniting-party#sp=show-clips

>>>Ros-Lehtinen, Deutch, Granger and Lowey Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Urging Expedited Completion of New, Robust and Long-Term Memorandum of Understanding on U.S. Military Assistance to Israel

Press release: Today, U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa, Rep. Ted Deutch (D-FL), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa, Rep. Kay Granger (R-TX), Chairwoman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, and Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY), Ranking Member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, introduced H. Res. 729, expressing support for the expeditious consideration and finalization of a new, robust and long-term Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on military assistance to Israel between the United States Government and the Government of Israel.

Statement by Ros-Lehtinen:

“The United States has no greater friend and ally than the democratic Jewish State of Israel. But our major strategic partner is under constant threat in a region marred with terror, violence and instability – all of which are ever present on Israel’s borders. Ensuring Israel maintains its QME is not only U.S. policy, but it is our law. A new MoU between the United States and Israel is needed to help guarantee Israel’s safety and security in the face of these new threats and challenges. That is why it is incumbent upon the Obama administration to conclude a new, robust and long-term MoU with Israel that will increase the amount of assistance over the current agreement, expand its scope, and to do so expeditiously. We stand ready and willing to work with the administration to make sure that this priority is addressed in a manner that is mutually beneficial for the U.S. and our ally, Israel.”

Statement by Deutch:

“The Memorandum of Understanding between our countries forms the backbone of the U.S.-Israel security relationship. Prompt completion of a new agreement will significantly enhance Israel’s ability to defend herself against all threats and deepen our cooperation to ensure Israel’s safety and security for years to come. This bipartisan resolution reaffirms the long-standing Congressional commitment to strengthening the U.S. – Israel relationship.”

Statement by Granger:

“It is vital that the U.S finalize a new, strong Memorandum of Understanding with Israel as soon as possible. Israel faces constant threats that are increasing due to instability in the Middle East and we must provide our closest ally with the support they need to defend themselves.  Completion of a long-term MoU will ensure that Israel has that support.”

Statement by Lowey:

“This bipartisan resolution reaffirms the unshakable commitment of the United States to Israel’s security and sends a strong message of support for finalizing a new Memorandum of Understanding between our governments.  Without a doubt, the political, security, and economic interests of the United States and Israel are fundamentally enhanced by continued cooperation that strengthens stability and security in the region and bolsters the longstanding, bilateral relationship that exists between our two countries.”

>>> Obama says presidency serious business, not a “reality show,” in Oval office, as Trump last GOP candidate standing, some plan to boycott party convention

With billionaire Donald Trump being the last man standing after starting the race with 17 other Republican presidential contenders for the GOP nod to be the party’s standard barrier. Hillary Clinton and Sen. Bernie Saunders are still battling it out for the Democratic Party nod and Clinton has said she is ready for any of Trump’s “counter punches,” during the race and Trump made another gaffe with Hispanics tweeting out a lunch photo on Cinque de Mayo having a taco bowl and writing he loves Hispanics, but the tweet was criticized as to little and too late after some off his past remarks on the people coming from Mexico being “rapists and drug dealers,” And the Republican leadership is having a hard time embracing the brash and out spoken man who swept the candidate field and is saying his VP would likely be someone from the political world given his neophyte status as a politician. And one Hillary’s attack ads on Sanders was a flop since all the senator talks about is breaking up the big banks and she calls him a single issue candidate https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gndPevAo8Yk and commentators question its effectiveness in her race against the independent socialist.

While the Democrats and GOP are trying to heal and bring their party together in the presidential primaries both parties have a similar problem in that some Republicans are hesitant to support Trump and Democrats supporting Sanders are reluctant with Hillary Clinton as well and social media is once again morphing the political landscape.

And Trump 2.0 is debuting on the campaign trail and the real-estate mogul is saying he will be the most “presidential” person voters have ever seen but Hillary Clinton is already running ads attacking the bombastic man who is calling her dishonest and says he is relishing running against her in November, but he has also been rattling the cage of the GOP establishment questioning whether the primaries are fair and not rigged, even though he has a higher percentage of delegates then he got in votes and many wonder even if he steps back has the damage been done given his high unfavorable. But this presidential cycle is like no other and the role of social media that is getting more mature and larger in scope is bleeding into politics in a way never seen before. And the GOP is shifting its strategy of trying to stop the billionaire’s run for the nomination and are trying to come together something Sanders supporters are finding hard when it comes to Clinton. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gndPevAo8Yk

FLORIDA

>>>> State Attorney Katherine Fernandez-Rundle elected unopposed, has been in office since 1993, some ask if term limits should apply to office, rotation gives better government and is how U.S. Atty. Office operates

Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez-Rundle was reelected unopposed and she has held the countywide office since 1993, when she replaced Janet Reno who was tapped to be the U.S. Attorney General in the President Bill Clinton administration and she has rarely had a contested race but critics believe all the countywide offices like Clerk, the mayor, should all have term limits like the county commissioners now have. Further critics say because the office is countywide the office tends to be soft on elected leaders in the county’s 34 municipalities. However Fernandez Rundle counters that is not the case and her office has been going after corruption all through her tenure in office but some good government types believe challenging incumbents is good for the good government process an makes an elected official more responsive and they do not take their position for granted which happens very often in South Florida and can do in a candidate, just ask recalled Mayor Carlos Alvarez when he got recalled for having a tin ear when he gave raises to a select few of his inner staff.

What do we know about her finances?

Back in 2010 her net worth was $1.75 million and her most current one is not yet up on the Florida Ethics Commission web page and her total assets back then was $1.89 million and she makes $150,000 as the state attorney and the office handles some 250,000 cases. And the office is one of the largest in the nation.

>>> The Miami-Dade public Schools board passed this agreement with the Children’s Trust along with Miami-Dade County investing in 1,300 summer internships, managed by public schools district, joint funding first tri-government effort

For the first time ever the Children’s Trust along with Miami-Dade County is embarking on a new program that will fund some 1,300 internships with the County investing $1.7 million in conjunction with the Trust and here is the announcement of the new jobs program that will be administered by the Miami-Dade Public Schools and here is a release from the Trust on the new program that has public entities working together for the betterment of the community, “I thought you may like to know that plans for The Children’s Trust, Miami-Dade County and Miami-Dade County Public Schools to collaborate on a project together for the first time is almost officially sealed. Hard to believe this is “a first” but it is. Together we’ll soon launch a summer internship program for teens, which was originally pitched by Commissioner Xavier Suarez, if you recall. Our CEO announced the agreement to our board Friday, April 22 in a memo below.

The item is on the May 11 school board agenda to approve their participation in this tri-government collaboration and an official news release will follow suit. Structurally, Miami-Dade County is investing $1.7 million towards the program in conjunction with $750,000 provided by The Children’s Trust. A total of 1,300 summer internships will be created, with 10 percent of the internships going to children with special needs and 100 being allocated to each commission district. M-DCPS will administer the program.  There is definitely a need to recruit local business to participate so teens can be placed in great work environments. Here is a link to the Website where both businesses and students may apply www.https://miami.getmyinterns.org/

Below is a link to our periodic talk show airing this Saturday in which Deputy County Mayor Russell Benford, Superintendent Carvalho, and a member of our staff participated to talk about this new initiative and explain why it is so meaningful? You may be interested in watching that first 10 minute segment. I’ve provided a link below, wrote Emily Cardenas” the Trust’s director of communications, and check out the video on this initiative; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5_5g0nGhM8

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY

>>>> Public gets to weigh in on controversial liberty square project, pressure on commissioner Edmonson includes “Voodoo, I don’t believe and I should watch out,” she says at Contentious liberty Square project public hearing where she voices support for Urban Related project, could not speak because of “cone of silence,” she says

A commission committee meeting and public hearing on the proposed Liberty Square public housing project went hours as people spoke on the planned $300 million Mega HUD housing project in what is locally called the “pork and Beans,” projects.

Commissioner Audrey Edmonson is behind Liberty Square project just wants accountability of community benefits after failed Scott Carver debacle

And Commission committee Chair Xavier Suarez had his hands full last week trying to keep the packed hearing orderly. After forces tried to “divide the [African American community and includes a number of ministers] in the community,” and “Edmonson says she was the one making the project happen and “they made a whole lot of promises,” and “did the developer,” make too many promises and “I want this to work,’ said Edmonson.

But Suarez’s constant banter and quips made the meeting go so long (And at the podium there should be a sign that says, please give your name and address.) because Suarez had to constantly repeat the phrase and one woman gave a very heated comment, and later had County Commissioner Audrey Edmonson, trying to deflect some of the criticism directed at her by speakers saying, contrary to what some of the residents are being told “She supports the redevelopment,” project and said “not to believe the lies,” that are being spread, and she had “given the charge,” to Mr. Liu. The public housing department head. Further, Edmonson said she wanted the project to go forward and had even been threatened with “voodoo,” she said and she was going to ask the inspector general and the Miami-Dade County ethics and Public Trust commission to look into the way the developer was chosen and the project is coming when Gimenez is up for reelection in August.

Edmonson said she wants the important project to move ahead and there are many community benefits like a Miami Police Athletic League (PAL) facility for kids and this massive housing project (Where children sleep on the floor because of the gun fire) is playing into the elections that has his major challenger Raquel Regalado in recent polling only around 13 points behind the incumbent mayor first elected in 2011 and reelected in 2012 but voter disillusionment of incumbents is keeping this race so close, and while the mayor has raised some$1.3 million for his campaign he also has a number of well-funded PACs.

And Edmonson indicated she was upset with Mayor Carlos Gimenez because he held a community meeting on Liberty City Rising in the district and she was not asked, yet got all the negative blowback, she carped and is not “just a liberty City development,” she closed.

But Regalado will likely use this campaign money against Gimenez saying he has been bought and on Tuesday after a school board Audit Committee she said concerning the last sentence of the poll results says it all, when you try to get something done at the county one quote said was, they ‘treat you like a dog.’ And she believes she can bring in a new perspective and some wonder how she would be given the strong mayor form of government and its 27,000 employees. And her lack of experience with such a massive workforce, though she has had a number of victories including the value Adjustment Board. And for more on the polling go to http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article76606382.html

And Suarez said he had seen a letter from the entire congressional delegation asking HUD Sec. Julio Castro to reestablish a $7 million funding loss for The Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust putting homeless providers in a bind and some 700 people could be going back on the street if this funding is not restored and even had Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla. calling in from Iraq given the magnitude of the problem says the Miami Herald And longtime Trust Chair Ron Book got a big profile piece in The Miami Herald

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article77604477.html

And while people and organizations have tried to raid the Trust’s reserves, Book over the past decade was able to defend the organization and those reserves that may now have to be bought into play to keep established providers lights on for these services.

>>> Record 15.5 million visitors help pay for JHS, Homeless Trust, the arts

The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau celebrated a record year with 15.5 million visitors coming to South Florida and that is 6.4 percent growth and these people play a key funding role. Since we have a variety of sales taxes for the Homeless Trust, transportation and Jackson Health System and The Adrianne Arsht Center gets convention development taxes and this funding gets ginned up by these visitors and also helps pay for some of the $6 billion debt at MIA.

>>> In China Miami becoming education destination, UM said to have some “1, 000,” students from China, big business at $50,000 tuition

Commissioner Jose “Pepe” Diaz lead a trade delegation along with the Greater Miami Convention and Visitor Bureau to S. Korea, China and Taiwan and Diaz called it a very successful trade delegation and County staffer Manny Gonzalez said in China especially there is “a shortage of colleges,” and the University of Miami has some “1,000,” students from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and their tuition is around some $50,000 said Gonzalez and Diaz noted “no public funds,” were involved for the trade delegation and it will be seen if Diaz, becomes the county’s sinologist in residence when it comes to the growing Middle Kingdom.

>>> MD-C IG publishes 2015 annual report also keeps watch on public schools district,

The Miami-Dade County Office of the inspector General Mary Cagel has issued their 2015 annual report and the Watchdog agency created in 1997 amid numerous scandals also keeps watch of the public schools district and a host of county’s 25 departments including Jackson health system and to read the annual report go to http://www.miamidadeig.org/annualreports/2015AnnualReport.pdf

>>> BCC Joint meeting with Miami-Dade County Youth Commission still highlights number one issue, “violence,” and “bullying in middle schools,” an amazing group of youth, doing a host of activities

And a joint Board of Miami-Dade County Commissioner’s Youth Commission was a breath of fresh air as these high school leaders in committees have begun a host of projects including collecting 500 used AP/ Sat test books, very expensive but highly helpful on the tests. Further another program was handing out of book bags with supplies and working closely with The Children’s Trust of Miami-Dade, trying “to mend the gap with our youth and the police,” said one committee chair and the members wearing Miami-Dade County logo monogramed polo shirts, went to Tallahassee and met with state leaders,” and these future community leaders are an impressive group and in past years when the body met, violence and bullying (with the majority happening in middle schools, said one commission member) were at the top of their list and the civility and quality dialogue gives me hope concerning the leaders of the future. And many of them are going to top notch universities. And these members also worked with the Miami-Dade Community Relations Board and had a anti bullying forum at the Miami Beach Botanical Gardens

And Commissioner Barbara Jordan a former social worker came up with the idea of the Youth commission and chair Jean Monestime said, I am “very proud of the body… and the leadership is second to none,’ he considered during the joint body meeting held in the county commission chambers. During the discussion Jordan said, “I don’t know how you did all these activities,” and suggested working closer with the school board.

>>> Sosa wants to push for film incentives, blocked by state, productions go to Georgia, big economic impact

Film incentives that get vetoed or shot down in the Florida legislature was a hot topic and the county is looking at its own incentive program for movie people are going to Georgia to film and it is costing Miami-Dade millions in local community development revenue. And Commissioners Rebeca Sosa and Jose “Pepe” Diaz want to get the local state legislative delegation together, and also talk to Gov. Rick Scott and Enterprise Florida in a public sunshine meeting in the commission chambers, suggested Sosa last week and see if there was some way to end the stalemate in getting any film incentives money and funding. And the special Miami sun was what “brought the famous Jackie Gleason Show,” to Miami Beach said Diaz and the show put the Beach on the map back in the 1960s.

And who gets to have concessions at MIA had commissioners grilling MIA Director Emilio Gonzalez last week and commissioners Dennis Moss and Barbara Jordan asked if a local Creole restaurant had found a spot and commissioners have been beating on staff in what is a mystical process of becoming a concessionaire at the airport and had Commissioner Rebeca Sosa asking what she can say when asked about getting someone a concession.. Since in all her years on the dais she has never been involved with deals at MIA. And she did not know what to tell a resident, and frankly does not want to get into procurement and she has pushed for procurement reforms at the county and MIA, over her years in office.

Bovo

Sosa

GMCVB press release: During the months of March 2016, domestic passenger arrivals into Miami International Airport (MIA) increased by 6.9 percent compared to 2015. International passenger arrivals increased by 2.4 percent while total passenger arrivals increased 4.8 percent compared to the same time last year.

Record MIA Passenger Arrivals
Domestic Arrivals
March 2016	March 2015	% Change vs. 2015
1,087,598	1,017,016	+6.9%
International Arrivals
March 2016	March 2015	% Change vs. 2015
948,242	926,229	+2.4%
Total Arrivals
March 2016	March 2015	% Change vs. 2015
2,035,840	1,943,245	+4.8%

>>> Mayor Gimenez let the media park at the Stephen P. Clark Center, they fell on their sword when juvenile court House built and three press spots were absorbed, created in 2000 after Elian Gonzalez controversy, parking on plaza sidewalk gets tickets from Miami Parking Authority

The Mayor should consider reinstating parking areas for the press that were lost when the Children’s Juvenile Court House was built and for a decade there were three parking slots for the media but since then parking around county hall is almost impossible and needs to be corrected and can be done by having a couple of dedicated media parking slots in one of the county’s garages now charging around $10.00 to park which in today’s world adds up if you try to be there every day like I used to be able to do and cannot for a variety of reasons.

>>> Mayor Gimenez should insist water and sewer repairs on roads should end with a smooth roadway, and be part of a repairs final inspection.

Mayor Carlos Gimenez could get a huge number of votes if county contractors doing the $10 to $20 billion in water and sewer repairs on the streets after they dug up the road asphalt that the new asphalt be done so there is a smooth road and not the rough uneven surface the road usually becomes and this is a big deal given the mammoth scope of the upcoming work and any final inspection should include a suitable final road surface for currently the streets are getting badly torn up and is a major complaint that I hear all the time.

>>> And here is what Lester Sola the director of Water and Sewer wrote regarding the matter of the torn up streets, “In response to your recent statement in The Watch Dog Report, I wanted to clarify the process that Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department (WASD) undertakes in relation to paving roadways following construction projects. It is the policy of the department to leave an area better than they found it and to ensure the public’s safety and convenience.

Currently, WASD also works with municipalities, local and state utilities/entities that also conduct roadwork to attempt to schedule projects simultaneously in order to minimize repeated cuts and repairs to roadways, as well as to mitigate traffic impacts.

For emergency repairs following an event such as a water main or sewer line break, WASD performs a temporary road repair will allow the roadway to be reopened to traffic. The department then submits a paving request to Miami-Dade County’s Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW) for final restoration that is then completed in accordance to Public Work standards.

I hope this information is useful to both you and your readership and whether this would be something that you would be inclined to update on your site for your audience. If you have any questions, please contact me,” wrote director sola last week.

>>>> Ethics Commission addresses outside employment issues

Ethics Commission summary: The Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics and Public Trust (COE) today approved a settlement to a complaint (C 16-13) against a Miami-Dade firefighter who has admitted to violating outside employment rules.  In addition to working as a firefighter at Miami International Airport, Angel Luna accepted a job in 2010 as a Fleet Service Clerk with Envoy Air, Inc., without seeking permission for outside employment each year or filing an annual financial disclosure form, as required by the Conflict of Interest and Code of Ethics Ordinance.  In addition to discipline from the Fire Department, Luna has agreed to pay the Ethics Commission a $500 fine and accept a Letter of Instruction.  He has since received approval to his Request for Outside Employment and has filed Outside Employment Statements for the past three years.

In another employment-related issue, the COE opined that a part-time security guard for Miami-Dade’s Internal Services Department may continue working full-time with a County contractor, Security Alliance, LLC, as long as there is no conflict between the two positions.  The response to RQO 16-02 cautions the employee to avoid working at County facilities serviced by his outside employer and reminds him that he is prohibited from using County time or resources or sharing confidential information for Security Alliance, and may not represent the company in any matter before the County.  He must also obtain permission for outside employment and file a financial statement every year he works both jobs.

Also today, the COE dismissed a complaint filed against Miami-Dade Transit workers for not answering a series of questions about a public record (C 16-11) as Not Legally Sufficient.  There is no requirement under Florida’s Public Records Law that an official or employee create documents not in existence or furnish answers to specific questions from a citizen.

A complaint alleging illegal lobbying (C 16-14) filed against the CEO of Uber was dismissed as Not Legally Sufficient because it exceeded the three-year statute of limitations.  Christopher Davis accused Uber executive Travis Kalanick of lobbying Miami-Dade officials between July 26 and October 15, 2012, without registering to do so. Kalanick was certified as a lobbyist on October 25th of that year.

COE Executive Director Joseph Centorino announced that nearly 1,000 posters promoting adherence to the County’s recently approved Honor Code have been distributed this past week among Miami-Dade departments and agencies.  The message encourages public workers and citizens to report unethical or illegal conduct in local governments to the Ethics Commission.  The posters are also being offered to all municipalities that have passed or are considering enacting their own versions of the Honor Code.   Mr. Centorino has invited representatives of all Miami-Dade cities who may serve as liaisons to the Ethics Commission to a meeting next Wednesday, May 18^th at 10 a.m. to discuss that and other issues in hopes of improving communications between the COE and the entities over which it has jurisdiction.

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

>>>> 18 charter schools lend money, one transfer Keys Gate Charter was for $750,000 with no explanation unless district sign a non-disclosure form, which they can’t

It appears that a number of the nation’s fourth largest public schools district’s 125 charter schools and 18 of them use their public funding like a banking system sending money out of the district to a host of affiliated organizations and the district Auditor did an analysis of some of these transactions including one transfer that the school KEYS Gate Charter will not divulge unless the public schools District signs a non-disclosure form which they can’t do but $750,000 was given to a unknown settlement and “the transfers have to be approved by the school board, said chief Auditor Jose F. Montes de Oca, C.P.A.at the Audit and Budget Advisory board Tuesday and he said the schoolboard is “working on policies to address,” some of the issues and to see some of the long term interest free transactions go to http://mca.dadeschools.net/AuditCommittee/AC_May_10_2016/item7.pdf

The Auditor also notes these transfers to different “Intra-County advances may be permissible under certain circumstances,” but must have the County’s School approval,” writes the CPA in a May 3, 2016 memo.

>>> ABC keeps nation’s fourth largest public district on the straight and narrow, CPA’s tax attorney’s, provide great public service, and was not always the case back in 2007

The nation’s fourth largest public schools district community firewall is meeting this Tuesday and the Audit and Budget Advisory Board is one of South Florida’s best boards and is made up of CPA’s and tax attorney’s and its leadership is rotated on a regular basis which was not always the case and back in 2007 the chair would not step down until 2004 when the man made a Sunshine Law violation and his physician suggested he step down but this ABC keeps Supt. Alberto Carvalho feet to the fire and along with Carvalho’ s leadership keeps racking up awards in education and he successfully pushed a $1.2 billion general obligation bond that was overwhelmingly passed by county voters back in 2012.

>>>> Here is the office of the inspector general’s annual report for the nation’s fourth largest public schools district

http://www.miamidadeig.org/2015MDCPS/SB%20ANNUAL%202015%20WEBSITE%20version.pdf And when it comes to oversight there are a number of mechanisms watching over the diverse public schools district and to read the IG report go to http://www.miamidadeig.org/2015MDCPS/SB%20ANNUAL%202015%20WEBSITE%20version.pdf

PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST

>>> Dean Goldschmidt set to retire at end of May, Belgium cardiologist had his ups and downs in post over past decade

Pascal Goldschmidt, M.D. the University of Miami’s Leonard Miller Medical School is leaving after a decade and the man is a cardiologist by training and was recruited from Duke University’s medical school and during his tenure a couple of simmering controversies emerged including if UM was poaching patients from the Jackson Health System and later a petition signed by over 1,000 physicians a few years back and with his retirement something that caught the WDR by surprise because UM Board Chair Stuart Miller told me a few months ago that the dean had an ongoing role in the schools future when I asked about the man born in Belgium. And for more go to http://www.miamiherald.com/news/health-care/article77214087.html

CITY OF MIAMI

>>> For hopeful Mayoral candidate Francis Suarez, will the second time be the charm with frustrated Miami voters and the over development and traffic

Francis Suarez is ready to try again running for mayor in 2017 after a 2013 attempt flamed out and his theme the first time was its “our time,” suggesting it’s his generation time and to have a bold forward looking vision for Miami and he says he has ‘matured’ since he has a new son and frequently comments about the child before he votes on some legislation, and while his father Xavier was a Miami mayor and had a turbulent aborted term in office. After a county judge annulled the election after massive voter fraud occurred. The father was never charged and so he younger Suarez wants to follow in his shoes including asking voters via a Miami Charter Change to have a strong mayor form of government rather than a professional manager which has been shot down by the commission in the past. And the attorney is clearly ambitious and he may find his youth can also be a double edged sword, and the fear is if there was a strong mayor certain commission districts would get better services and given the political turbulence of Miami in the past including commissioners arrest. It remains to be seen if voters would approve such a change in how the city operates.

And he and his father around 2006 tried to run a slate of candidates trying to be the Republican Party’s chairman but they did not get the votes and he needs to remember why he ran for office.

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2015/11/francis-suarez-sworn-into-office-makes-case-for-new-miami.html an here is a video of Miami PD doing the running man challenge vert funny https://twitter.com/wsvn/status/731197152110616576

What about the new Miami Police dept. helicopter?

The Miami commission approved a single source Airbus helicopter Thursday, after an extended discussion and heard the city’s old one had been in the hanger for 19 months because it needed a $250,0000 overall and it was better to get a new one for $1.7 million which had a bigger payload but Commissioner Willy Gort wanted to know if it would only be used on police business since in a previous administration the helicopter was used once and awhile by the mayor years ago when John Timoney was the chief.

What is former commissioner Marc Sarnoff up to?

Past Miami Commissioner Marc Sarnoff was spotted at the Brickell homeowners Association looking dapper and the attorney was also spotted on his motorcycle so his winding down of his political career may not be over and people are speculating what he might run for in the future because he loved being a commissioner and all the perks, but his wife’s failed race was viscous and his standing and popularity dropped significantly with voters since as politician his acerbic personality was a turnoff to voters even though he raised some $1.2 million for her campaign and she has not been spotted since the election either.

CITY OF MIAMI BEACH

>>> Mayor Levine pushes for minimum living wage, but commissioners want it phased in to not hurt small business, goes to committee for further discussion

Press release:  This Wednesday, May 11 at 11:00 a.m. an ordinance proposed and sponsored by Mayor Philip Levine to raise the minimum living wage in the City of Miami Beach will be presented at first reading during the City Commission meeting.

The proposed legislation would gradually raise, over a period of four years, the minimum living wage. Minimum wage is currently at $8.05 per hour, as mandated by the State of Florida’s Minimum Wage Act. The proposed ordinance

This Wednesday, May 11 at 11:00 a.m. an ordinance proposed and sponsored by Mayor Philip Levine to raise the minimum living wage in the City of Miami Beach will be presented at first reading during the City Commission meeting.

The proposed legislation would gradually raise, over a period of four years, the minimum living wage. Minimum wage is currently at $8.05 per hour, as mandated by the State of Florida’s Minimum Wage Act. The proposed ordinance

>>>> Mayor Phillip Levine amped up his criticism of Gov. Rick Scott, and FL minimum wage, with creative ad that ran in Ca. where Scott wanted to poach some businesses citing the low wages in the Sunshine State and Levine wants to phase in a higher hourly rate to see the video click here http://mayorphiliplevine.com/

>>> Commissioner Malakoff tapped for County’s Homeless Trust Board, replaces Weithorn on body

And Joy Malakoff is the new municipal appointee on the Miami-Dade Homeless trust and she replaces former Commissioner Deede Weithorn who was termed out on the commission and the Beach dedicates significant resources to the issue of the homeless on the tony island.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

http://www.margulieswarehouse.com/index.php#/exhibitions

>>> And the Margulies Warehouse will be closing the season in weeks and to see what art is on display and when it plans to close the season for this community treasure go to http://www.margulieswarehouse.com/#/home

EDITORIALS

>>> Congrats to Miami Herald for runner –up Pulitzer for investigative story ‘License to Launder,’ highlights how critical investigative stories are to a community

The Miami Herald being a finalist for a Pulitzer Prize highlights the importance of in depth investigative reporting and while the Watchdog Report has not reached that depth over the past 16 years I have put a light to many government activates from Jackson Hospital to the city of Miami that once went through 10 mangers in a few months and arrests were becoming rampant. And back in 1998 it looked bleak an someone from the public needed to step forward especially after a major political operative said to me “You little people we are going to crush you,” and I thought the public needed someone to look after their interests and the introduction of the internet gave me that opportunity as well as being an editorial and news columnist for The Miami Herald an experience that cannot be described unless you experienced it and here we are today and May 5, 2016 will be my anniversary and hope with my readers help to continue on but I do need financial help and to read what the early years were like go to and I know your hard earned money is sacred. I hope you will honor me with your trust news you can trust without the attitude and my best to all my friends who have supported me. And to read a national story on the early years go to: http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2003-01-20/news/0301190045_1_ricker-miami-watchdog

>>> One of Watchdog Report’s main missions is to keep watch on all the host of Trust’s in Miami-Dade and these organizations involve some serious public money in the billions

Residents in Miami-Dade County periodically ask why I cover all the trust’s found in the county, from the Children’s Trust to the Public Health Trust to the County’s Homeless Trust and it is because elected county leaders are always looking for new funds and while the raids of these public dollars periodically occurs like in the case of the Citizens Independent Transit Trust where the county is slowly paying back the sales tax dollars absorbed by the county’s transit system in what was called “unification,” by county leaders but the Public Health Trust was also raided back in 20002 when county commissioners shifted some $ 70 million in unfunded mandates on to organization and that cost has risen over $100 million a year and was one of the reasons the Public health trust needed a $830 million GOB passed overwhelmingly by voters a few Years back to upgrade its infrastructure and ageing main campus

After this past money was diverted over a decade by the County commission that does provide some $250 million in public funds for a maintenance of effort contribution. But in Miami-Dade where everything is political. I keep watch so that these organizations are kept whole and politics is kept to a minimum and this oversight helps keep the organizations on the straight and narrow when it comes to public dollars and it is no small amount of money and helps explain why there have been so few scandals in the past that plagued the county back in the 1990’s and was a frequent topic in the media.

LETTERS

>>> Correction on Children’s Trust funding about $250,000 not the $5 million I reported my error

I’m pretty sure our investment in this project with the County is $750,000. The discussion probably got wrapped up in other facts and information about us. For example, this year we directly funded $6 million in youth enrichment programs with summer youth employment components. This was procured in 2015. Here is a link to what that that solicitation looked like and its outcome, including details of what orgs were funded and for what:

https://www.thechildrenstrust.org/uploads/images/providers/funding/FY14-15/2015-03/2015-03_RFP_Youth_Enrichment_Recommendations_052215.pdf

So, for The Children’s Trust, our contribution to the County initiative helps to leverage funding pledged by them to fund even more programs and augments our own investment in this arena further. It’s a win, win for everyone — especially inner city youth who need these opportunities most.

Emily Cardenas

Director of Communications

The Children’s Trust of Miami-Dade County

>>> A Reader on danger of yellow pole barriers on 195, and sign petition asking FDOT to modify polls https://www.change.org/p/florida-department-of-transportation-change-i95-plastic-poles-to-unable-movement-in-and-out-of-the-express-lanes

>>> Great story on the Pets’ Trust.  I’d love to speak with you and tell you more.  You are right…..it will be an issue in the Mayor’s race.  

Please watch this…      Pets’ Trust…the Story    password is     movie

And read this……..  http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/op-ed/joe-cardona/article2087823.html

Michael Rosenberg

President Pets’ Trust

Rita Schwartz Cofounder

>>> And another reader sent the following the shocking truth about Miami-Dade Animal Services, http://www.animalliberationfront.com/ALFront/Actions-USA/MiamiAnimalServices.htm http://www.examiner.com/article/questions-about-fatal-mauling-by-group-of-dogs-miami-dade-county

DR

Coconut Grove

>>> The Watchdog Report is Celebrating 17 years of weekly publishing since May 5^th 2000 and when I started back then I never thought I would be doing this so

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2003-01-20/news/0301190045_1_ricker-miami-watchdog. And while I have taken a licking over the years including some medical issues I have kept at the job thanks to my supporters who I thank so very much over the many years. And the community’s public institutions are better when it comes to them knowing what the other is doing and why I have tried to be an information electrolyte for these giant institution’s leaders and things and here is a national story done on why I started to watch government back in 2000 http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2003-01-20/news/0301190045_1_ricker-miami-watchdog and to all the people along the way that have helped me I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Publisher’s Statement on the mission of the Watchdog Report and the special people and organizations that make it possible:  Government Subscribers/Corporate Subscribers/Sustaining Sponsors/Supporting Sponsors

***** LIFETIME FOUNDING MEMBERS & Initial sponsors since 2000

>>> LIFETIME FOUNDING MEMBERS & INITIAL SPONSORS IN 2000

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FLORIDA POWER & LIGHT www.fpl.com .

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

ARTHUR HERTZ

WILLIAM HUGGETT, Seamen Attorney (Deceased)

ALFRED NOVAK

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THE HONORABLE STANLEY G. TATE

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

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BADIA SPICES www.badiaspices.com

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BERKOWITZ POLLACK BRANT Advisors and Accountants www.bpbcpa.com

JEFFREY L. BERKOWITZ TRUST

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GREATER MIAMI CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU www.miamiandbeaches.com

HEALTH FOUNDATION OF SOUTH FLORIDA www.hfsf.org

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COMMISSION www.miamidade.gov

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

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY ETHICS & PUBLIC TRUST COMMISSION

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

MIAMI-DADE COLLEGE www.mdc.edu

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

MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC SCHOOLS BOARD www.dadeschools.net

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

MIAMI DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY www.miamidda.com

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

THE BEACON COUNCIL www.beaconcouncil.com

THE CHILDREN’S TRUST www.thechildrenstrust.org

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

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

THE MIAMI FOUNDATION www.miamifoundation.org

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

UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI www.miami.edu

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

CAMILLUS HOUSE, INC. www.camillushouse.org

CITY OF MIAMI www.miamigov.com.

CITY OF CORAL GABLES www.coralgables.com

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CHAPMAN PARTNERSHIP FOR HOMELESS www.chapmanpartnership.org

FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY www.fiu.edu

THE STATE OF FLORIDA www.myflorida.gov

GREATER MIAMI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE www.miamichamber.com

GREATER MIAMI CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU www.miamiandbeaches.com

HEALTH FOUNDATION OF SOUTH FLORIDA www.hfsf.org

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COMMISSION www.miamidade.gov

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

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

MIAMI-DADE COLLEGE www.mdc.edu

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

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

MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC SCHOOLS BOARD www.dadeschools.net

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

MIAMI DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY www.miamidda.com

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

THE BEACON COUNCIL www.beaconcouncil.com

THE CHILDREN’S TRUST www.thechildrenstrust.org

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

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

THE MIAMI FOUNDATION www.miamifoundation.org

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

UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI www.miami.edu

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

Daniel A. Ricker

Publisher & Editor

Watchdog Report

Est. 05.05.00

Copyright © of original material, 2016, Daniel A. Ricker

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

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

CITIZEN ADVOCATE’ KEEPS TABS ON POLITICIANS

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

MIAMI-DADE WATCHDOG WILL BE MISSED

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

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

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

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

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