Watchdog Report Vol.20 No.9 March 17, 2019 EST:05.05.00 – I go when you cannot – Celebrating almost 20 Years of Weekly publishing
See you next week (I must raise money) and I was given a fiscal miracle thank God. So, this is slightly shorter, and I hope you will consider supporting a reliable news service and keeping me in the field and I think over the years I have done my best work covering Jackson health System and the school board and these still need to be monitored and hope you will help. If you are no longer getting the WDR please send me an email after my internet service earth link account was hacked by a foreign actor a few months ago and the cost for the IT was not cheap. Thanks for all the past support! Please if you can use PayPal it will be most appreciated, and I need some help! Thank you.
>>>>Further today is my Vol.20, 09 weekly edition since 05.05.00 of publishing the Watchdog Report and while I have had a variety issues over the past years, I thank my supporters again for the privilege of doing this free news service along with the internet.
>>> And to support the WDR go to my Pay Pal account that is easy to use and right now would be a great time: http://paypal.me/WatchdogReport Further, if you would rather send a check send it made out to Daniel Ricker and mail it to 3109 Grand Ave., #125 Miami, Fla. 33133. Thank you, Dan
>>>And having a member of the press at public meetings gives teeth to the Florida Sunshine Law (and why you get a Flu Shot) and open meetings tape recorded keeps good governance in place and reduces waste fraud and abuse, and public corruption, and is why you don’t speed in front of a state trooper for example. And hope you can support the WDR efforts to have informed residents to public institutions issues, in our community.
>>> Further the www.watchdogreport.net in South Florida is an established news service presence, because most people are too busy to go to these important meetings, and all the information comes through me as a central point allowing me to see things at a 100-mile altitude and being an early warning system when projects have overruns or other issues. But my job is to sound the alarm and I have done so many times over the past years in a host of ways.
CONTENTS
ARGUS REPORT: Census 2020 kickoff April 1, “all hands must be on deck,” billions at stake in a minority majority community, commissioner Bovo leading the charge, school district must work closely to ensure accurate count students’ best way to explain to parents what the 2020 Census is, undercount costs millions, maybe even a new future house seat like in 2000, the worse count ever after Cuban boy Elian Gonzalez sent fear through the Cuban community of the federal government, some $800 billion at stake for some counties around the nation.
STATE of FLORIDA: Governor DeSantis Announces Formal Notification from FEMA for 45 Days of 100 Percent Federal Cost Governor Share Reimbursement for Hurricane Michael
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY: Commissioner Dennis C. Moss stands in solidarity with the Circle of Brotherhood during Operation Hunger Strike to combat gun violence–
Commissioner Souto says with humongous county government mayor should “crack the whip,” believes, running slower, “wants more eyes on major contracts”–Domestic violence takes a new twist, “strangulation,” new issue, difficult for cops to see some 200 cases since bruising takes a couple of days, may being underreported in Miami-Dade – Last week’s hot topics were, vehicles & furniture, “4 to 10 police,” vehicles a week can be processed by county in new police cars, $84 million contract, $38 million from previous year “1,006 new cars from that amount
Miami-Dade County Public Schools: Holocaust survivor tells SB, “it must never be forgotten” since some 54% around the globe don’t believe it happened, he spent two years living in closet in a Nazi administrative building, came to Miami in 1954, faced local discrimination educated at Beach High, then law school
PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST:
Last girder to state-of-the-art Christine E. Lynn rehabilitation facility fitted Friday $175 million rehab, home to UM Project to Cure Paralysis
CITY OF MIAMI: Will commission turbulence affect bond ratings, “you are not the chair,” says Carollo, says he “knows one Harvard idiot [referring to mayor’s father and political nemesis], commissioners tooling around in new $73,000, SUVs with massage chair button — Is Omni CRA public records request suggest Sarnoff will run for Dist. 2 seat? Man is known to be vindictive aloof, I was polled again– Commissioner Carollo attacks staff and administration for dereliction of duty and code enforcement, end of meeting like a Tchaikovsky sympathy’s climax — Mayor Francis Suarez gave his first state of the city speech at the Miami Freedom Tower and the high energy young man and attorney was received by quests almost like a rally as he detailed the administrations goals in the coming year, but can he deliver? – mayor Suarez moving on up now sitting on dais between manager and attorney, make it seem he is a strong mayor though voters rejected that idea, not stopping him – Bayside Foundation Willy Gort scholarship to get $250,000 anti-poverty funding from his dist.1 fund, foundation gives $200,000 in scholarships, odd taxpayer money being used, will it start a trend of scholarship programs?
EDITORIALS: Carollo claims extensive corruption in code enforcement, verbally beats down mayor Suarez and administration, not a good look for commission, political daggers out – Elected leaders’ foreign trips, could determine if they are Marco Polo, to county and city voters! – Mayor Suarez’s strong mayor proposal flawed should not allow outside income for either mayor or manager, not about him but future mayors – Politicians don’t realize voter’s frustration is they are such hypocrites, many times (like now when congress gets paid but no other federal departments with a gov. shut-down) in their own actions Florida Constitutional commission should insist on transparency, not darkness as Sunshine law gets diluted — Most politicians hate the press- Florida needs Sunshine Amendment many municipalities out of control and get little press coverage or oversight, legislators are on wrong side of this one
Community Event: Lotus Village gala https://lotushouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/2019-Gala-Sponsorship-Package-final.pdf
>>> If you wish to be deleted, just e-mail me with that message.
>>> Just because you do not take an interest in politics does not mean politics will not take an interest in you. –Pericles (430 B.C.)
ARGUS REPORT: Heard Seen on the Street
>>> Health Foundation of South Florida, paints grim findings on poverty, health food insecurity, data shows Key Biscayne one of healthiest communities
The Miami-Dade County commission has a new subcommittee dealing with community disparities and its effects on a host of social issues further an eye opening report was given by staff at the Health Foundation of South Florida concerning life expectations and looking by zip codes and census tracts that include 5 to 6000 residents show poverty, food insecurity and crime are common traits in certain parts of the county. Key Biscayne was one of the healthiest municipalities. The new committee is chaired by county commission Eileen Higgins and the committee will be meeting monthly given its charge. Commissioner Barbara Jordan railed against how charter schools are getting public tax dollars and believes the state is creating a “tiered education system,” and these schools’ students are not required to take the state FCAT like at the public schools nor do teachers have to be certified like in the public schools.
However, commissioner Rebeca Sosa noted these schools only require that you are “smart,” and autistic children or other handicap children are not let in versus at public schools and in Miami-Dade there are some 115 charter schools. However, this new committee is breaking some new ground and the committee is a welcome look at this community disparity. Here is the Foundations: web page for more info
https://www.hfsf.org/ and here is a report on cancer rates in Miami-Dade https://www.hfsf.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/UM-HFSF_cancer_late_stage_report_100810.pdf
>>> Census 2020 kickoff April 1, “all hands must be on deck,” billions at stake in a minority majority community, commissioner Bovo leading the charge, school district must work closely to ensure accurate count students’ best way to explain to parents
April1, is the kick off of the Miami-Dade County census efforts that include a taskforce that includes the public school district since students area key information electrolytes with their parents and since Miami is a minority majority community an accurate count is the top priority and the county is sending out some 90 community speakers and county commissioner Estephan Bovo, Jr.’ is heading up the county commission’s efforts commissioner Barbara Jordan is concerned that multiple families are sharing homes and could be worried of county code violations, she noted “there is fear in this population” and that fear is somewhat similar to the 2000 census after young Elian Gonzalez was extracted from his Little Havana home by federal agents in an early morning raid. And the community erupted and hated the federal government and attorney general Janet Reno.
What did Mayor Carlos Gimenez say at the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon about MDX?
Mayor Gimenez blasted the state legislature that considers the Miami Expressway Authority (MDX) a “cash cow,” and wants to change the oversight to the state and it is also an attack to county’s home rule charter and is a perennial issue with the state legislature. The mayor noted that many of the toll’s residents are paying are own state roads where tolls go up based on the “CPI,” he said like on the turnpike. Critics cite the MDX’s headquarters as a “Taj Mahal,” structure and it’s not that fancy. Further the legislature looking at MDX reserves needed for its bonding capacity and he is bullish on the Florida legislature leaving MDX alone. MDX was created by the legislature since Miami toll dollars were being used around the state for other projects and we were getting the short end of the stick he said.
Further, Gimenez got some new info recently on how short engine life is on the new LNG buses plying the highways and while cleaner engine life is some 150,000 miles says transit staff
>>>The Knight Foundation releases commission report on restoring trust in media
The John. S. and James L. Knight Foundation has released a report looking at restoring trust in the media and its corrosive effect to Democracy to read the commission’s report go to: http://csreports.aspeninstitute.org/Knight-Commission-TMD/2019/report
>>>>What about the Homeless Trust and this year’s number of who had died on the street, a new high many opioid related, last year 138 passed this year 201 passed state’s medical examiner confirms.
The Watchdog Report contacted Book about the solemn but stirring meetings after the students spoke and he wrote back, “It was even more because we had the vigil for an hour and a half before in the lobby and it was extremely emotional and painful. Last year, 138 individuals died on our streets. The number popped up this year to 201, which is the highest year yet and 77% are confirmed by the medical examiner to have died from opioid overdoses. That is simply unconscionable and unacceptable and disheartening.
Secondly, if that’s not bad enough, the national average from a life expectancy perspective on someone who lives on the streets is 79 years of age nationally. Our average this year amongst the 201 was 55 years old. Think about it, our average is 24 years younger than the national average and we don’t have minus 44-degree weather. It was very emotional and very hard and draining. Then we go to the Trust Meeting and it just becomes a high, but it was a high after one of the worst downers in the 25 years I’ve served this Board. Then right after the Board meeting, I had to judge with four of my team members, our annual essay and poster contest amongst elementary, middle school and high school kids. Just a hard day around on homelessness, wrote the long-time chair. For more on the Sadowski trust go to;https://www.bradenton.com/opinion/editorials/article48810155.html
>> The super bowl is not the big enchilada of upcoming events, but the 2020 Census is, undercount costs millions, maybe even a new house seat like in 2000, the worse count after Cuban boy Elian Gonzalez, sent fear through the Cuban community of federal government, Chair Bovo wants to help this important event, All hands-on deck activity
While Miami-Dade county is preparing for the Super Bowl next year a bigger event is coming in the 2020 U.S. Census that in Miami the count has been generally a flawed process and the worst count was the 2000 Census after the young boy Elian Gonzalez was extracted from Little Havana and the community erupted in ethnic tensions and fear for many residents since even though the count is done by the commerce department many saw a “federally,” and would not participate and years later the numbers had to be revised and south Florida got an extra congressional seat that was later filled by U.S> Rep. Mario Diaz Ballart, R-Miami and the census count per person back then brought some $23,000 in federal funding and was in stark contrast to other counties around the nation where very high count was achieved. Further for some counties the undercount could result in some communities losing some $800 billion in lost federal funding that includes Medicare funding and a host of other programs.
School Board member Lubby Navarro is part of the 2020 census taskforce being assembled an she spoke in front of the county commission about the important matter and noted residents will get a form with a number on it and they can file online using that number. She also noted there will be Major outreach at schools’ libraries and other sites with NGOs to get an accurate count and the community’s fair share of representation and federal funding. She also noted we might get a new house seat if the census is done accurately.
Update?
County Commissioner Dennis Moss asked to put a representative from the United Way of Miami-Dade, The Children’s Trust on the 2020 Census Task Force given the importance of children to explain to parents what the national census is and is not used to target illegal people. Further he counts maybe asking people of their immigration status which is expected to diminish the count. However, the last time the government did this was during World War II with the Japanese internment.
Back in 2000 I watched and wrote a lot about the undercount and how it starts and then stops, though the county did get an extension back then but that is no longer assured.
https://www.naco.org/articles/2020-census-what-counties-need-do-now-prepare
>>> Connect Miami is a new program trying to get residents to engage with their neighbors and friends to broaden community interaction something that at times may be difficult to do. And for more go to www.connectmiami.org And Many of the events are free.in the future.
STATE OF FLORIDA
>>> Press release: Governor DeSantis Announces Formal Notification from FEMA for 45 Days of 100 Percent Federal Cost Governor Share Reimbursement for Hurricane Michael
Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) sent a formal notification to Florida’s congressional delegation informing the state that President Donald J. Trump granted 45 days of 100 percent federal cost share for Hurricane Michael debris removal and emergency protective measures (FEMA Categories A and B).
This historic support for Florida came at the request of Governor Ron DeSantis in a meeting with President Trump in Washington, D.C. where he committed this additional FEMA funding, a grant which can only be authorized by the President of the United States.
“I thank President Trump for taking decisive action at this critical time that will result in transformational improvement to recovery efforts for the many counties impacted by this natural disaster,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Hurricane Michael survivors and all Floridians will be profoundly grateful. We thank President Trump for his unwavering commitment to the people of Northwest Florida.”
Previously, Florida was to receive 100 percent reimbursement for the first five days of debris pickup and hurricane relief efforts. The additional 40 days added by President Trump at the request of Governor DeSantis will facilitate much needed support to the counties directly affected by the devastating impact of Hurricane Michael and Florida.
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
>>>> Commissioner Dennis C. Moss stands in solidarity with the Circle of Brotherhood during Operation Hunger Strike to combat gun violence
MIAMI – Marches have not worked. T- Shirts have not worked. Desperate to combat gun violence across Miami-Dade County, the Circle of Brotherhood has employed one of the most extreme forms of protest as they launch Operation Hunger Strike.
On March 9, 2019 a select group of nine dedicated community advocates gathered at the Dr. Dorothy Bendross-Mindingall Social and Economic Institute to introduce the faces of change who would come to be known as the Hunger 9. “There is no time limit on the hunger strike,” said Ed Haynes, a member of the Circle of Brotherhood.
The Circle of Brotherhood is often seen at community events offering support for those who are working to make a difference. After leaving a meeting with a mother who lost a child to gun violence, it was obvious that they were not getting support from men in the community.
“There were 50 women at this meeting,” said Haynes. “We were the only men there. We realized that something had to be done.”
After much consideration, the group concluded that traditional awareness campaigns were not working. They decided to try something new. “No hunger strike has been done by people of color outside of prison,” said Haynes.
Miami-Dade County Commissioner Dennis C. Moss recently visited the Hunger 9 at the protest site, at 1199 NW 62nd St. in Miami, to support their efforts as the district that he represents has had its share of gun related incidents in recent months.
“It takes a lot of courage for these individuals to make this kind of sacrifice,” said Commissioner Moss. “I wanted to let them know that we are in support of them 100 percent as they try to help us curb the gun violence in this community.”
The Hunger 9 include Anthony Blackman, McArthur Richard, Albert Campbell, Phillip Muhammad Tavernier, Melvin El, Ed Haynes, Anthony Durden, George Jackson, and Leroy Jones. Those participating in the hunger strike are checked twice a day by paramedics and are only consuming water unless they have a medical condition.
>>> Commissioner Souto says with humongous county government mayor should “crack the whip,” believes, running slower, “wants more eyes on major contracts”
“Let’s crack the whip,” says commissioner Javier Souto to mayor Carlos Gimenez Tuesday when discussing a controversial water and sewer contract and believes things are slowing down with a “Humongous,” county government and he believes it is important “for people to watch the process, the more the merrier.” He said the county is “sweating money at MIA,” and the county is floating some $700 million in new aviation bonds for MIA and I was reminded of the county’s “Review,” committee in the 1990s chaired by attorney Norman Powell and they were reviewing some $400 million in change orders twice and explained in a one paragraph memo referencing new airline “alliances,” but there was no discussion and it took about three minutes to pass the change orders and that trend ballooned the cost of MIA to over $6.4 billion and at one point having to pay some $1 million a day in debt payments.
>>> Domestic violence takes a new twist 200 cases of, “strangulation,” new issue, difficult for cops to see since bruising takes a couple of days, may being underreported in Miami-Dade
When it comes to domestic violence a new way is being reported, strangulation said county commissioner Sally Heyman during a discussion at Tuesday’s and presentation about the county’s domestic violence board and its need for another safe house for abused residents. The police when it comes to strangulation may not file a report since versus being hit where a bruise is easily visible but with strangulation it may take days for the trauma to be seen said Heyman. She noted the issue was being discussed at a national county organization national association of counties (NACO).
The board of county commissioners voted on two Jackson memorial trustees on Tuesday and one new member is a relative to a past PHT chairmen Amadeo López Castro and it is his son an attorney Amadeo Lopez Castro, III and the commission also reappointed Dr. Walter Richardson
Commissioner Dennis Moss has suggested a representative from the Children’s trust and the United Way of Miami be on the 2020 Census taskforce because the correct count is so important to the community and there is concern given the possible question of one’s immigration status and will have a chilling effect
Last week at the last committee meetings for a number of county commissioners Chair Rebeca Sosa and Jean Monestime, and Javier Souto all had their last meeting and Souto who has been chair of the parks and recreation committee that commissioner Barbara Jordan called a lifetime and. Souto thinks parks are “scared like a church,” and is a big tourist draw the life blood of the counties revenues that pay for all the cultural perks including helping fund the county’s homeless trust.
What about a furniture and vehicle contract costing millions?
Commissioner Joe Martinez a former police officer took the administration to the wood shed after the administration missed deadline when ordering new police cars and some fire apparatus and garbage trucks that leave a sheen of oil when thy pass by in neighborhoods because they’re so old. And the r
What about shot spotter more cameras and extra police for school safety.?
Mayor Gimenez told commissioners recently shot spotter and their use by police that someday drones may be found “on police cars in the future,” after commissioner Javier Souto went into a discussion about the need for police “to have eyes in the sky,” he thought and would decrease gun violence.
Further the county has “three dome areas,” which is what the shot spotter areas are called and the Ring security camera on people’s homes i reducing crime and Gimenez at his home has one and he can keep track of his home.
Gimenez said the one-time funding to have county police guard schools cannot be sustained and will approach school district Superintendent Alberto Carvalho in January since the district had a bond passed to enhance teacher pay and more school security that the county cannot cover any longer. MDPD director Juan Perez that shell casings collected by ATF is an invaluable tool along with license plate reader technology. He noted two officers killed in south dad end the shell casings showed the gun was “used five times before,” in a crime said Perez
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Will elections and sheriff be political patronage havens, or repositories for termed out elected officials to land?
Lack of competency in candidates in new elected offices, highlighted during the last election cycle has many concerned what the future of key elected officials will be. For example, Miami-Dade state attorney in office since 1992 has said she was not running again back in 2015 her last election and there is no current successor of an organization that handles some 250,0000 cases. This highlights the problem when offices are political like a supervisor of elections, sheriff and a host of others recently created by statewide voters and create political patronage rather than competency is one of the reasons Broward elections supervisor Brenda Snipes had problems in November’s elections
What is the new elderly crisis coming seniors & children housing money their lack of permanent long-term homes?
Homeless seniors are becoming the biggest threat facing the county in the future and it is a “Crisis, said Ron Book,” the Miami-Dade County Homeless trust chair. At past trust meeting and the need for permanent housing for this emerging group is critical and he is on a crusade to find permanent housing the trust can buy but in Miami the inventory is small an expensive he has said in the past. And to review the task force recommendations and has some elderly having to live in shelters for up to “1,000,” s and that number qualifying will only increase in the future.
Ron Book has been making the political rounds speaking at a Miami commission meeting about a new encampment in the inner city that has been blocked off by the health department after open sexual acts and drug dealing has resulted in a spike of AIDs cases and the finding of drug paraphernalia around the local schools and the trust has gone into emergency mode to get these people into rehabilitation and other programs and those coming back are being addressed where one Women had “black lips,” gangrene and was “spotted having a rat eating the food in her mouth,” in her stupor condition said Book to city commissioners and she was taken into rehabilitation but this is the challenge the county’s homeless trust faces. For more go to https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/downtown-miami/article219921130.html
>>> New continuum of care center coming for homeless with mental issues, JHS involved one stop center
The Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust along with Jackson Health System is opening a one stop public facility for homeless who qualify for a new diversion program with a mental illness and includes many veterans on the streets and is an old facility previously used by the state, but it will offer a continuum of care and was briefly discussed at the trust board meeting Friday. The whole community has been seeking ways to resolve the mental health issues of the homeless now drawing in people with opioid addiction and a drop of fentanyl can kill and many times is cut with cheap yellow Mexican heroin that appeared years past and is causing thousands of overdoses and the city of Miami spent $150,000 in procuring the miracle drug Narcan that can revive a overdosed person almost immediately and these people cut across all ethnic lines and the issue was discussed Sunday on “This Week in South Florida,” and to see the show go to https://www.local10.com/this-week-in-south-florida/this-week-in-south-florida-oct-29 Chapman, Jr. partnership go to: https://www.chapmanpartnership.org/about-us/leadership/ https://www.chapmanpartnership.org/wpq_events/nextgen-gala-party/
The trust has a new program where people with rental housing can register their rental units with the county and for more on the program go to: http://www.homelesstrust.org/rentconnect.asp
PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST
>>> Last girder to state-of-the-art Christine E. Lynn rehabilitation facility fitted Friday $175 million rehab, home to UM Project to Cure Paralysis
On Friday the last girder was added to the new state of the art rehabilitation facility and it is dearly needed after the previous one was inadequate and antiquated and was always a hot topic with county commissioners especially commissioner Sally Heyman who had a back issue and had to get rehab there. The $175 center will also be home for UM’s The Miami Project to cure Paralysis and the fundraising got a jolt when Christine E. Lynn donated the first $25 million and was augmented with proceeds from the $830 million GOB approved by county voters.
>>>> Sen. Braynon taps Rep. Duran for PHT delegation appointee, replaces Rep. Avila, helps keep Tallahassee informed and major progress being made
Sen. Oscar Braynon, III, D- Miami Gardens and the chair of the Miami-Dade delegation has tapped state Rep. Eric Duran, D-Miami as the delegation’s appointment to the seven member PHT board. Duran is replacing state Rep. Brian Avila,R-Miami on the trustee board and Duran is on the healthcare committee and campaigned very hard back in November 2018 and having a member of the delegation helps in Tallahassee and began in 2010 when JHS was on life support and a smaller 7 trustee board was created from 21 considered unwieldy and the smaller board along with CEO Carlos Migoya has turned around the largest public hospital in the South East.
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
>>> Holocaust survivor tells SB, “it must never be forgotten” since some 54l % around the globe don’t believe it happened, he spent two years living in closet in a Nazi administrative building, came to Miami in 1954, faced local discrimination educated at Beach High, then law school
School board member Dr. Martin Karp sponsored a resolution in remembrance of Holocaust month celebrated in March and April and he had a survivor speak during the school board meeting and
.
The man now an attorney said when the Nazis invaded Poland and they were living in Warsaw. He said he had to hide in a “closet” for two years and said the survivors all said to “never forget what happened and it is surprising that 54 percent of people around the globe don’t believe it happened I have met a number of survivors and one was a good friend of my father a local physician and with the rise of hate groups and antisemitism. The global community must recognize this reality even though dark forces are trying to distort the truth.
>>> For the second time Ryan Ramirez was honored for his advocacy of childhood diabetes and he has made socks to sell to help raise money $45,000 for research at the school board and at the county as well and his sister also has the disease
SB item Wednesday Ryan A. Ramirez is an advocate for Type 1 diabetes (T1D) and a student in District 7 at Leewood Elementary School. As Ryan grew up, he was involved in physical sports six days a week as the starting quarterback in flag football and tackle football, did mixed martial arts, and did strength and agility training with a trainer. Ryan was also an exceptional student receiving straight A’s and making the Principal’s Honor Roll, ranking top in spelling bees, and receiving other academic and citizenship awards. On May 4, 2016, weeks before his 8th birthday, Ryan was diagnosed with T1D.
In 2018, Ryan became a youth ambassador for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, better known as JDRF, the leading global organization funding in T1D research, with a mission to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications. The organization hosts a yearly walk, the JDRF One Walk, which brings together more than 900,000 people across the country to change the future for everyone living with T1D. This fun, family–friendly event gives people with T1D, their loved ones, companies and the local community the opportunity to come together, create change and positively impact the lives of those living with T1D. Before being diagnosed, Ryan had been participating in the walk since he was born. His sister, Ashley Ramirez, had been diagnosed four years prior to his own diagnosis. Today, Ryan continues to be involved with his own team the “Ashley’s Army/Ryan’s Rangers,” and has spoken at the event for two consecutive years. In 2018, he partnered with Are You Kidding Socks and JDRF, to raise awareness for T1D through the sale of the socks for the 2019 JDRF One Walk. To date, Ryan has sold upward of 600 pairs of socks and raised over $40,000 for this year’s Walk. This year, the JDRF One Walk in Miami will be held on Saturday, March 16, at 9:00 a.m. at Tropical Park.
Although, Ryan has experienced numerous life changes, he has overcome his challenges by becoming an advocate for T1D. The day after Ryan’s diagnosis, he went to speak with his then second-grade class about diabetes. Additionally, with the help of his parents, Ryan has shared his experience about living with T1D, and how he learned to try new devices such as the continuous glucose monitor and insulin pumps. In 2018, an article was published in the Kendall Gazette about Ryan’s story and the different fundraisers he has done to help find a cure. He has appeared on Channel 7 for a video used at the May 2018 JDRF Hope Promise Dreams Gala to raise funds for research and spoke at the event about his life with T1D. Last month, Ryan addressed the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners to raise awareness for T1D through the socks he designed for the cause. Ryan and the family continue be hopeful that a cure for juveniles and adults facing T1D will soon be found. Ryan A. Ramirez is to be commended for his extraordinary efforts in creating awareness for Type 1 diabetes to his peers in Miami-Dade County and for his determination, through his remarkable work. Here is the link honoring the young man whose father is a deputy county police chief and his mother sleeps with Ryan to make sure he is OK and the disease cuts across all ethnic and social strata. Here is a link to the resolution http://www.dadeschools.net/schoolboard/agenda/b9rev.pdf
Check out the OIG report on the selling of GED documents:
http://www.miamidadeig.org/2019MDCPS/MemoandPressReleaseGED.pdf
>>> Mentoring is being emphasized at the public schools’ district and was sponsored by board member Lubby Navarro who was mentored by board chair Perla Tabares Hantmen the school board chair and this activity can have profound effects on young people, WLRN agreement at workshop Feb.27 at administrative bldg.
CITY OF MIAMI
>>> Will commission turbulence affect bond ratings, “you are not the chair,” shouts Carollo, says he “knows one Harvard idiot [referring to mayor’s father and political nemesis], commissioners are tooling around in new $73,000, SUVs with massage chair button
“You are not the chair,” shouted commissioner Joe Carollo Thursday to mayor Francis Suarez after he suggested his speaking during the meeting was OK since he was the “commission chair,” when in fact under the executive mayor form of government all he can do is appoint the commission chair said Carollo. The man then suggested that Chair Ken Russell was playing favorites and did not want to be cutoff until his question was answered. Carollo has escalated his attacks on the mayor and has said “He knows one Harvard idiot.” Referring to the younger man’s father.
The WDR writes about this because this simmering rehash of past political battles is making commission meetings real theater and eventually the rating agencies are going to pick up on this and could potentially downgrade the city’s bonds given the cities past fiscal issues.
What about the sergeant-of -arms new SUVs?
At a time when budgets are tight the commissioners along with a police officer are tooling around in a new ride. A Ford SUV and a “platinum edition,” car that has a massage feature for the two front seats and is a top of the line SUV including a heated steering wheel. I am sure these cars might be leased but what message does it send to the city’s taxpayers, many of whom don’t even have a car. When they go to community events.
>>> IS Omni CRA public records request suggest Sarnoff will run for Dist. 2 seat? Man is known to be vindictive aloof
Former Dist. 2 commissioner Marc Sarnoff has made a public records request for all at the OMNI CRA an agency he once chaired and ruled with an iron fist and there has been speculation he might run again against commissioner Ken Russell who defeated his wife Teresa in a brutal race where millions were spent and was considered humiliating for Sarnoff who is a man who settles scores and can be vindictive and when he was termed out a few year ago people were glad to see new leadership and he helped raise money for Joe Carollo’s comeback election and Sarnoff may just be missing the sergeant-of-arms that he used the officer like Uber and had his staff onetime handled his Tesla for service outside city hall. Further, when he left office a host of people gave a sigh of relief and his jumping in is no guarantee he will win again given his history and he even had a book created showing his deeds and that had never been done before by a Miami commissioner. The attorney first supported Barack Obama but would later support Gov. Rick Scott and he be a FIU trustee as his reward. Editor’s note: this is just a hunch and on Thursday I was polled again asking about Sarnoff and the county’s plan for the Grove Playhouse.
>>> Commissioner Carollo attacks staff and administration for dereliction of duty and code enforcement, end of meeting like a Tchaikovsky sympathy’s climaxes,
The Way Back Machine was in full use Thursday at the Miami commission meeting when commissioner joe Carollo had what was likened to a star chamber interrogation of code enforcement staff and past lapses, including verbally attacking Mayor Francis Suarez and his law firm. Further hours later commission chair Ken Russell later apologized to city workers for the way they were spoken to by Carollo who believed there was a plot to get him out of office based on his demands for code enforcement saying it was selective enforcement and some people connected got a pass especially if they used attorneys from the firm that Suarez is of counsel and he promotes the firm on his twitter page. Carollo used terms like corruption and had one sharp exchange with Miami Police Chief Jorge Collina, who shot back that the commissioner “cannot bully him,’ like he was doing with a lot of other staff.
Suarez on his twitter account had him giving blood with a tee-shirt that said “not all super heroes wear caps,” but on Thursday Carollo’s relentless hammering had the man and attorney sliding low in his chair at the dais and clearly Carollo bested the man in the heated rhetoric on selective code enforcement and had Suarez, saying the city follow’s the “law,”
Further later in the night Bill Fuller the owner of the Ball and Chain restaurant came to the podium and accused Carollo being like Castro’s Cuba and the man said his uncle in 1960 “was executed in Cuba,’ and what was happening to him was like the communist country. The man also noted he had a federal case against the commissioner
Carollo using photos showed numerous photos of code violations
He also brought up how to get co you needed to hire an “expeditor,” commissioner Wilfredo Gort said he has been looking at this for years and believes the city departments need to work closer together.
What about the state lobbyist contract?
The city will be using Becker and Poliakoff as the new state lobbying team though Carollo had a problem with the process and that the manager made the decision on the firm and believed a request for letters of interest would be a better way.
Commissioner Manola Reye’s son is a government lobbyist for the firm, and he should have recused himself from voting on the contract and supporting Carollo in the discussion and I am sure the county’s ethics commission will way in on this ethical lapse Since a son is one of the forbidden relationships when it comes to voting on contracts. Further Reyes is always talking about transparency and while he is facing no challenger. Since one withdrew. He has raised $165,932 for his campaign war chest and these races are just escalating in cost to the point it is perceived to be compromising of the official.
What about Reyes and corruption?
Commissioner Manola Reyes said he was shocked by all the comments about all the “corruption in the city and noted in the media Miami,” was again cited as one of the most corrupt in the nation and the read the report go to: https://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/miami-dade/fl-ne-miami-ranked-among-most-corrupt-cities-20190213-story.html
County official Spring does public record request of HEP board member Lynn Lewis, however, no other member of the HEP asked about she is strong preservationist, had issue with demolitions outstanding member on many Miami boards!
The Miami Historic and Environmental Planning board had a records meltdown after a discussion on the Coconut grove Playhouse did not have the attendant 1,000 pages of documentation with the packets and members would not vote on the county plan until they knew what they were voting for and has people wondering if the county is running out the time. editor’s note: The County attorney Edward Kirtley who went after HEP member attorney Lynn Lewis and any conflict of interest and that she was “Biased” against the county’s plan was the subject of a public records request with the city by Cultural Affairs director Michael Spring. However, Spring only focused on her and none of the other board members, so he was focused only on her because ultimately, she had a hard time with the idea of demolition of the playhouse, but it shows the county is playing hardball and is determined the mixed-use plan gets approved regardless what the Grove residents want.
>>> Mayor Francis Suarez gave his first state of the city speech at the Freedom Tower and the high energy young man and attorney was received by quests almost like a rally as he detailed the administrations goals in the coming year, but can he deliver? Suarez facing some losses like his strong mayor rejection by Miami voters sees the sunny side of the city and his only road block is Miami commissioner Joe Carollo who has challenged a host of deals being presented by the young mayor following in his father’s footsteps as mayor. The man who raised millions from firms and lobbyist has been criticized for this blatant addiction to campaign money that he Cooley says that is the world of politics despite facing no real competition for his last race where millions were raised.
>>> Mayor Suarez moving on up now sitting on dais between manager and attorney, make it seem he is a strong mayor though voters rejected that idea, not stopping him
Well Mayor Francis Suarez may have failed in his bid to become a strong mayor rejected by city voters, but he is moving ahead anyway and now sits between the city attorney and manager with a sign below his seat on the dais proclaiming the occupant is mayor Francis Suarez on the commission dais and that is a first. Further we will see over the weeks if he takes a more aggressive tone in his battles with commissioners and was seen on the questionable deal for a new city government center that commissioner Joe Carollo believes is a terrible deal and hammered Suarez during the commission discussion Thursday. Editor’s note: After Carollo’s accusations about the administration both Suarez, and manager Emilio Gonzalez want to hire their own attorneys on the city’s dime.
What about the student savings accounts?
Miami is creating a savings account for every kindergarten student on free food at schools and the program from San Francisco is expected to “triple the number of students,” that go to college and is being administered by the Miami Foundation, united Way of Miami-Dade, catalyst Miami, and a number of other not for profits and has the full backing of public schools superintendent Alberto Carvalho’s program was brought to the commission by mayor Francis Suarez.
>>>> MESA Chaired under former mayor Regalado hires and supports questionable director, audit report finds major lapse of city code, some $170 million not included in city budgets from a host of organizations and CRAs
The Miami independent auditor gave Miami a gift for the new Year and the detailed audit of the obscure Miami agency Miami Exhibition Sports Authority (MESA) shows under former Mayor Tomas Regalado rules and procedures were bypassed and the former mayor’s aide Lourdes Blanco,62, did not have the skill sets (only a AA) for the job as Director and a combined salary of $112,976 since she was also paid out of a second budget. She claims the audit is a ‘witch hunt,’ and did nothing wrong but lack of oversight and violation of city policies is disturbing and the audit Theodore Guba, C.P.A. report shows a failure of responsibility while also identifying some $170 million in an assortment of other accounts not included in the city budget. Further Blanco who is seeing the city told me months ago she was innocent, and she did not “write any checks,” that was done she said, “by an auditing firm,” she insisted and suggested she was being set up since a hot of lawsuits are coming from deals with MESA like a heliport or seaplane airport base. Further Regalado attended the last MESA meeting even though he was no longer mayor. The audit brings up the fact that minutes were not available, even thou Blanco had a stereo tape recorded in the middle of the table and she assured it was being taped years ago and I have minutes from past MESA meetings but back then there was a different director, and many have occupied that position.
Here is a sentence from the audit
“We also found that approved budgets totaling $170 million for 14 authorities, agencies, and trusts were not included in the City’s adopted budget book.” Wrote the auditor and to see more go to
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article215641790.html
or to read the actual report go to:
>>> Lotus Village Event April 18
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EDITORIAL
>>> Carollo claims extensive corruption in code enforcement, verbally beats down mayor Suarez and administration, not a good look for commission, political daggers out
What happened last Thursday at the Miami commission meeting where commissioner Joe Carollo went after the mayor and city staff reminded me of the Sen. Joe McCarthy hearings since words like corruption possible incompetence were thrown around like confetti and it was only the police chief Jorge Collina who stood up to the inquisition by the former mayor, “saying he would not be bullied,” that had the moniker of “Crazy Joe,” it was Mayor Francis Suarez who had it worse and the man just got up and started to walk away (realizing anything he said was useless) under the tirade and has the magic city becoming one of the counties dysfunctional governments
>>> Elected leaders’ foreign trips could determine if they are Marco Polo, to county and city voters!
Since Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez is termed out next year he is a lame duck and he is using this time to become the community’s Marco Polo as he travels the globe with his wife in tow and while he pays for her trip it comes across to the public as someone with entitlements and is his reward for being the strong mayor since 2011 and while luckily the region is booming people are wondering what is being accomplished on what used to be called junkets in the congress. However, Miami is not some unknown place throughout the world, and I used to joke. I could be with headhunters in Borneo and say Miami and they would come back with a response. The man a former Miami Fire and Rescue Chief should consider what his legacy will be in the twilight of his political career and these types of trips are little dings, especially since he never admits he might be wrong and bristles when challenged with is lobbyist son C.J. Gimenez his biggest liability as he ply’s the halls of the municipal governments.
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Daniel A. Ricker
Publisher & Editor
Watchdog Report
Est. 05.05.00
Copyright © of original material, 2018, Daniel A. Ricker
>>> The Miami Herald and Orlando Sentinel & Sun-Sentinel articles on the Watchdog Report publisher over the years.
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Daniel A. Ricker
Publisher & Editor
Watchdog Report
Est. 05.05.00
Copyright © of original material, 2018, Daniel A. Ricker
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Daniel A. Ricker
Publisher & Editor
Watchdog Report
Est. 05.05.00
Copyright © of original material, 2018, Daniel A. Ricker
Published on January 20, 2003, Page 1E, Orlando Sentinel, PAPERWORK TIGER, Miami’s citizen watchdog piles up government files in his quest to keep the “little people” informed. http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2003-01-20/news/0301190045_1_ricker-miami-watchdog
>>>Watchdog Report publisher named ‘Best Citizen’ 2003 by the Miami New Times
The publisher would like to thank the weekly alternative paper Miami New Times for bestowing their 2003 Best of Miami, ‘Best Citizen’ award to me and I am honored. Thank you. To read the full story go to http://www.miaminewtimes.com/best-of/2003/people-and-places/best-citizen-6399517
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