Watchdog Report Vol.19 No.25 August 4, 2019 – EST: 05.05.00 – I go when you cannot — Celebrating almost 20 ears of Weekly publishing
>>> Today is the Watchdog Report’s 25th issue and when I started back in 05.05.00 I never imagined I would be doing this weekly publication now closing in on 20 years. I am not a big chest thumper and just try to be an informational electrolyte, between the many large public entities (That in total is about $16 billion and Miami $1 billion). that make up Miami-Dade County. For many times it is at the lower level of government that deals, and other beefs are discussed and to my early supporters thank you for putting your trust in me.
What about the Super Bowl and sex trafficking and the Guardian Litem Program (GAL)?
At a school board meeting a few months ago a human trafficking expert and prosecutor said with the big event traffickers are building “capacity of young girls,” and many of the 7th and 8th graders are in foster care. Further the pimps use 7th and 8th graders to recruit these new young girls and this was brought into focus after N.E. Patriots owner Robert Kraft was busted in a Broward massage parlor. Further state attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle also busted some people doing sex trafficking and this dark side of the community will only intensify up to the Super Bowl next year.
State attorney Rundle in a Sunday editorial noted some 570 people over years have been arrested for human trafficking and her office is working with Super Bowl host committee chair Rodney Barreto. And the state attorney this week busted a couple, and this is an ugly scourge on our community with many retirees on break the Guardian Ad Litem program is looking for children advocates.
The organization provides training for these children representatives. For more call Victoria Harris at 786.469.3840.https://guardianadlitem.org/
>>> What about the issue of the 947 homeless children in Miami-Dade only Lotus House Village can take children Chapman has adults?
The Miami-Dade County point count recently was 947 kids on streets since this most recent count? “The count found 49 percent were ’homeless the first time,” 65 percent were non-Hispanic, and 40 percent were LGBT and 180 people were moved into new homes and the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust participated in the 100 Day challenge and above is some of the results
I asked trust chair Ron book about the program discussed at the trust meeting Friday and he responded: “The 100 Day Challenge relates to ending youth homelessness, and we were 1 of 5 Communities identified nationally. We accepted the challenge, and there are now 15 Communities in the Country that have accepted it. We are considered probably if not the most successful to complete the 100 Day Challenge ranking in the top 2 or 3.” For more on lotus House go to https://lotushouse.org/contact-us/ https://lotushouse.org/childrenfirst/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1J22jC2bBY
We did things to create new best practices, and if you had the opportunity, which you may already have seen the video from the Chicago Summit, you would see that the other 4 that participated in this 100 Day Challenge were truly taken by our efforts, commitment, and our success. We blew our goals out of the water, and we will continue to push, and pursue every youth that are on our streets until we have everyone out, and taken care of,” wrote the long-time chair.https://www.wesh.com/article/desmond-meade-on-time-100-speaks-to-what-this-country-is-all-about/27185500
>>>>What about Friday’s trust meeting and why was $150,000 donated to the trust of which $50,000 was from the city of Surfside?
Sen Oscar Braynon, D- Miami Gardens and state Rep. Nick Duran, R-Miami were both honored by the trust board as well as the manager of Surfside a former county employee. The $100,000 was from the state and the two legislators made it happen. Further, the trust signed a MOU with the state attorney’s office re human trafficking cases the trust finds on the city’s streets.
> the 2020 Census Task force and the bureau are looking for census takers who are paid between $16.00 to $18.00 and include health benefits.
What about water in the school district?
During Wednesday’s school board meeting the student advisor asked about getting water for students and noted what happened in ‘Flint Michigan schools,’ and lead in the water system as Miami-Dade which pays for schools’ water is under-going a massive replumbing under a federal consent decree. This caught my eye because there may be a rumor that the county water is suspect and here are a couple reports on the matter
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/environment/article148112799.html
https://www8.miamidade.gov/global/water/water-quality-reports.page
>>> 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.
WATCHDOG REPORT
Miami-Dade, Fla.
Vol.19 No. 21 June 30, 2019 Soon Celebrating almost 20 years of weekly publishing! www.watchdgreport.net & Former Miami Herald news & editorial columnist. EST: 05.05.00, I go when you cannot, for 1almost 18 years & a trusted community education resource & news service, without the attitude
CONTENTS
ARGUS REPORT: 29 dead in Walmart El Paso, Dayton shooting is this digital mass narcissism in the binary world, another white 21-year-old, third mass shooting in a week, 215th mass shooting in 215 days. — Laconic Special Counsel Robert Mueller,III, testimony not the silver bullet Democrats wanted, said “no obstruction,” to his work by Trump – JFK challenged the country to go to the moon in a decade, sent engineers scrambling to develop technology involved 400,000 problem solvers, the landing was a global event and mankind Across the globe felt a certain satisfaction and oneness among residents of planet earth, technology spin off created first programmable pacemaker in 1973 digital IC by Miami company Cordis Corp, big deal for 100,000 getting the life saving devices back then Investigative reporter Brown’s deep dive of Epstein plea no bond gets sec. Acosta out with resignation, more to follow? — Miami Civil Service board violates Sunshine Law with extensive discussion while on coffee break after commissioner Carollo testifies about firing of aide claiming whistle blower status, all caught on city television — 2020 Census complete count top priority $177 million lost in 2010 count only,82 percent, says census bureau outreach coordinator Diaz a former Little Havana resident $675 billion annually at stake nationwide $29 billion goes to Florida commissioner Bovo leading the charge, school district must work closely to ensure accurate count students’ best way to explain to parents what the 2020 Census is, undercount costs millions, maybe even a new future house seat like in 2010, the worse count ever after Cuban boy Elian Gonzalez sent fear through the Cuban community of the federal government, some $800 billion at stake for some counties around the nation.
STATE of FLORIDA: Years ago Rodney Barreto was peppered by recalled commissioner Seijas saying she thought the manatee herd was getting “to large” and asked DERM to remove the one in her canal, which they could not do but she had a dislike of the gentle sea cow after environmentalist put her face on a manatee and asked who is the better looking? Gov De Santos taps commission veteran Barreto for FFFW Conservation commission t –UM Ryder sign MOU with Hebrew University, over half of all Israeli trauma surgeons trained at UM Ryder – Check out Children’s Trust heart gallery, kids needing forever homes, will break your heart when you see their smiles – Disruptive pre-k children getting “suspended,” new challenge for Children’s Trust — Complete 2020 Census count critical to get our share of $675 billion annually, some $29 billion in 2010, undercount costs $1,400 in lost revenue
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY: Will the county commission be able to fill the three slots on the new Greater Miami Express Way agency that the state created to dissolve MDX and the criteria for applicants is daunting in the future Commission Chair Audrey Edmonson will create a search committee to review the applicants but will state date guidelines be met given the extensive applicant limitations in the law. The Miami-Dade County is looking for applicants to fill three seats on a nine member Greater Miami Express Way agency and applicants need to file by Aug. 9thHere is the criteria for applicants: http://miamidadetpo.org/newsroom.asp — MIA directed to do study of impact of Melreese soccer stadium deal on runways and if in “safety zones,” for runways
Deputy mayor Hudak says sayonara after 30 years was a good governance model, Mayor Gimenez says “she’s a killer [Hudack],” when it comes to Zika eradicated after panic a few years back, calm hand on the county’s tiller- Will new HUD program RAD help with affordable housing crisis, could create some 10,000 units in five to seven years in S. Florida?–With Miami-Dade #1 in HIV infections UM Idea program showing results needs second mobility van for dispensing HIV preventative drugs Prep doses “middle school students,” at “risk,” too says county commissioner Rebeca Sosa an educator. At the disparity committee Monday, a sobering presentation was done on the rising HIV infections IDEA the UM needle exchange pilot program needs dedicated mobile van may get surplus county van suggests, commissioner Jordan: -The Miami-Dade property Appraiser Thursday released his estimates and countrywide property tax value rose “5.9 percent,” with a value of $307,213,billion and this revenue bump is because of the new development to see the report by municipalities go to: http://www.miamidade.gov/pa/reports.asp – Will county commission spend this new tax revenue wisely while new commissioners are termed out, how much in rainy day fund? — M-D County Youth Commission finds “rampant,” bullying and “code reds,” climate change, vaping new issues, body creating the leaders of the future, and note Miami is one of the first “cities to run out of water say,” studies show- Will the county float a new GOB for infrastructure, getting thousands off septic tanks, suggests commissioner Jordan? –Commissioner Souto says with humongous county government mayor should “crack the whip,” believes, running slower, “wants more eyes on major contracts”– Last week’s hot topics were, vehicles & furniture, “4 to 10 police,” vehicles a week can be processed by county in new police cars, $84 million contract, $38 million from previous year “1,006 new cars from that amount
Miami-Dade County Public Schools: Some board members not seeking reelection, will it impact past school achievement no F schools in district with future turbulence on the nine-member board, Dr. s Karp, Feldman leaving board? – School Board Budget Review Advisory committee meets Tuesday, is the taxpayers firewall, made up of CPAs & tax attorneys, not always the case until 2004, when chair Hank Mack finally steps down reluctantly, two schools named after the man on in Dade another in Broward – District saves $68 million in COP bond refinancing, IG busts electrical contractor and minority “front” –Community leaders in shock after M-DC public Schools former chair Dr. Solomon Stimson charged with felony after shooting at police in Broward, has dementia Parkinson– School district will get property appraiser funding on time after value adjustment board met Monday and whittled down the time for appeals with more hearing masters, loss years ago was $171 million hit to district– School District Impact Fees audit Check out the audit and what the county owes to the public– http://mca.dadeschools.net/AuditCommittee/AC_May_14_2019/Agenda.pdf — Charter schools 134 of them are asking to receive some of the $1.2 billion GOB proceeds passed by county voters, teacher raises and facilities upgrades, is running into protests.
PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST: Has JHS health trust been hit with a body blow feds audit of Florida and LIP draw down Medicaid program could cost $436 million in returned federal funds. Being litigated with feds, not good news – state funding cut proposed $58 million versus $1.5 million JHS trustee Rep. Duran R-Miami worked across party lines to mitigate cuts- Joint PHT BCC meeting goes smoothly love fest versus the past CEO Migoya says, “Doral west on budget and on time by Nov. 2020,” can be seen from landing MIA planes The new AOA agreement calls for health trust to pay $130 million to UM for a host of medical services and below is a complete breakdown of the services and payments.
http://www.seiu1991.org/files/2011/07/AOA-Payments-Rationale-and-Distribution-3.pdf
CITY OF MIAMI: Miami mayor’s counsel Eddy Leal, a Duke Blue Devil, gets some media ink on Babylon project. Says not paid so does not have to register as lobbyist, ethics commission starts investigation, says ‘hit piece,’ in Miami herald, mayor vetoes commission vote on Babylon and zoning anomality — Joseph Napoli a deputy Miami assistant manager has something in common with manager Emilio Gonzalez. The men are both retired U.S. Army colonels Napoli told me Thursday at the commission meeting. — Influential attorney Diaz de la Portilla, not prepared is denied a zoning exemption for Montessori village school off Coral Way, associations not notified they say, Little Havana, Silver Bluff, his brother Alex running for commissioner , police policy to have a sergeant -of arms travel with mayor, WDR has made some 80 trips to Honolulu in my corporate capacity on my way to Japan, Suarez named a trustee out of 500 city mayors — Suarez administration runs into headwinds on MRC development project, Carollo calls it “sweetheart deal,” worse “than Marlin’s stadium deal,” the former mayor claims, only small # of city’s 4,400 employees work in building, mayor will deal after back from Honolulu — Unacceptable to hold public meeting in private venue excluding public Miami Parks Dir. Lara Hamway, needs ethics and Sunshine law class, I once went to Fischer Island MAC and was welcomed, mayor talks transparency, we need to see it. – A behind the look at F1 race negotiations done by county ethics commission, no charges since attorney did not accept getting “full VIP credentials,” went diving instead memo closed out, but fascinating read, Commission Chair Ken Russell tapped by Florida DNC as “chairman of their statewide Municipal Victory program,” in Orlando–Commission Dist. 1 candidate Alex de la Portilla trying to bounce back has $167,000 in war chest leads pack of candidates since Gort termed out, ex Miami commissioner Hernandez plying the halls of city hall was disbarred attorney for mortgage fraud – Mayor Suarez needs to get commission under control law practice gives Carollo a huge opening and now we find he is a lobbyist for ritzy Fisher Island, he is a well-paid mayor, causing his own problem by not fighting acknowledging the potential conflict — Will commission turbulence affect bond ratings, “you are not the chair,” says Carollo, says he “knows one Harvard idiot [referring to mayor’s father and political nemesis], commissioners tooling around in new $73,000, SUVs with massage chair button — 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 commissioner scholarship programs?
Community Events: Arsht Center function; Future of Miami Arts
EDITORIALS: Mueller testimony to congress not the silver bullet Democrats hoped for but veteran marine, did shoot a flare regarding hacking of America’s election infrastructure calls for paper ballots as back-up cyber-attacks coming from a host on nation’s not just Russia, Iran N. Korea in the mix. – “civility oath goes out the window,” says Mayor Suarez — S. Florida’s political vendettas hold back what could be Miami’s greatness, Failure to move on costs all S. Florida residents, in quality of life? -! – Mayor Suarez’s strong mayor proposal flawed should not allow outside income for either mayor or manager, not about him but future mayors – Politicians don’t realize voter’s frustration is they are such hypocrites, many times (like now when congress gets paid but no other federal departments with a gaov. shut-down) in their own actions Florida Constitutional commission should insist on transparency, not darkness as Sunshine law gets diluted — Most politicians hate the press- Florida needs Sunshine Amendment many municipalities out of control and get little press coverage or oversight, legislators are on wrong side of this one
>>> If you wish to be deleted, just e-mail me with that message.
>>> 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
>>> 29 dead in Walmart El Paso, Dayton shooting is this digital mass narcissism in the binary world, another white 21-year-old, third mass shooting in a week, 215th mass shooting in 215 days.
Has digital mass narcissism created individuals that want to go out in a blaze with another mass shooting in El Paso Dayton, Ohio Texas Saturday? The frequency of these tragic events suggests our society is creating disenchanted young white adults that seem lost in our society and crave attention. The digital age is binary and shades of conscious become a stark contrast
>>> Feds bust repeat Medicare Fraudster, past U.S. attorneys have stated we are the “Graduate school,” for such schemes and is costing the community billions in lost federal revenue.
Medicare Fraud continues to plague Miami-Dade County and continues to make South Florida the fraud capital and “graduate school,” for Medicare fraud. Further, this fraud makes it difficult for federal lawmakers to convince their peers to send large amounts of tax dollars like for Everglade’s restoration, now retired Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Miami told me years ago. For more on the fraud go to:
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article41961015.html
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article91231277.html
https://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/article233379147.html
>>>> Laconic Special Counsel Robert Mueller testimony not the silver bullet Democrats wanted, said “no obstruction,” to his work by Trump
A laconic Robert Mueller,III gave his testimony to congress and the must see testimony was inconclusive whether there was collusion with the Russians but he did say the Russians and other state actors were infiltrating the American elections and while democrats were looking for some knockout punch the wounded marine veteran officer did not offer that response referring to his two volume report as his answer. He also was not familiar with Fusion GPS the Michael Steele document on Trump that started the counsel’s investigation paid for by the Clinton campaign. He also had trouble remembering sections of the 400 plus page report. That had Republicans in congress hammering him with questions and suggested many of his staff wrote the tome that he oversaw. Further Mueller, 74, has some wondering about his mental state and staffers noted the man did not want to testify. Though when asked if there was “obstruction,” by Trump. He said “no.” and the public is still digesting the comments and observations and was not the silver bullet Democrats were hoping for. And did not make the case for a congressional impeachment of the president, many pundits agree.
>>> JFK challenged the country to go to the moon in a decade, sent engineers scrambling to develop technology involved 400,000 problem solvers, the landing was a global event and mankind Across the globe felt a certain satisfaction and oneness among residents of planet earth, technology spin off created first programmable pacemaker by local company Cordis Corp
With the 50th Anniversary of the moon shot Apollo 11 I have talked to many young people who think it was faked and we didn’t have the technology to pull it off and after president John F. Kennedy made it a priority to land on the moon in the 1960s decade. I was born in 1951 and young people today don’t know what the space race was with the Russians. We had with duck and cover drills in schools and of course the frightening sound of the wailing air raid sirens, civil defense groups, since nuclear bombs were being redevelop[ed by both America and Russia and building a bomb shelter was the discussion of the day in the late 1950s and after the Russian launch of sputnik and then a man it looked like the U.S. was losing the space race and I used to watch sputnik in the dark Solebury township, Pa. sky as a kid and Kennedy when he ran against Nixon in 1960 claimed there was a missile gap.” That annoyed president Dwight Eisenhower and WWII was still fresh in people’s minds and people with artificial limbs hocks were seen on service men after the war. And check out all the rockets that blew up and made the flight in some ways a suicide mission live on TV and you would listen on a cheap a.m. transistor radio at the time. Check out the rocket explosion videos to see what the public was seeing, and a crewcut was the hair cut of the day along with a slide rule. Moon pies and Tang the drink of astronauts.
>> Will inconclusive Mueller report satisfy anyone or will congress, and House be the determining factor?
With the Robert Mueller III report released on the Trump campaign. The report portrays a campaign that did not conclude (while not definitive will probably not satisfy either of the political parties) and is why this is the first time I am writing about the investigation that was kept very close to the vest by the Mueller team. What the report suggests while no collusion the Russians GRU was trying to help the Trump campaign after Hillary Clinton caused a nightmare during the Arab Spring and could have spread to Russia especially after the Ukraine invasion by the Russians. Further it highlights the number of conflicting contacts during those years and suggest naiveite or new to the political world of global spying and the efforts adversarial countries to try to influence the nation’s politics, something America has a long history of doing from Vietnam to Panama. An invasion that Barr bought into in a position paper under President George H. Bush during Iran Contra when Cap Weinberger was pardoned by Bush, but Barr wrote the memo that the nation could take out a leader Daniel Noriega. Here are some of the stories on the matter and other media comments on the report and there is a wide range of views. Editor’s note: readers please don’t go crazy with this story because it will in the end be decided by the congress. Further let’s see how this plays out.
https://politicalwire.com/2019/04/15/barr-misled-congress-in-1989-summary-memo/
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/19/opinion/mueller-trump-russia-report.html
Here is a great story on Mueller’s wartime record in Vietnam after he graduated from Princeton University and was a Marine Corps platoon captain in the conflict.
https://medium.com/@Smalltofeds/the-untold-story-of-robert-muellers-time-in-combat-6fde3bd69d18
>>>> Miami Civil Service board violates sunshine law with extensive discussion while on coffee break after commissioner testifies about firing of aide claiming whistle blower status, all caught on city television ethics commission needs to review this violation
The Florida Sunshine Law and open public records is being assaulted in the municipalities in a variety of ways and since many public meetings are being televised it is easy to see board members talking among themselves as was the case at a City of Miami Civil Service board meeting April 2nd and 3rd just after commissioner Joe Carollo testified concerning the firing of a former staffer Steven Miro who was claiming a whistle blower status in front of the five member board where one member had to recuse himself. The county’s Ethics commission needs to review this private conversation because it was so blatant.
At this meeting around 11:40 a.m., there was a long animated conversation between the members and chair and finger pointing to make a point and it also had the chair moving the mic away even though it was turned off while they were waiting for someone to bring them coffee but it was so blatant I later went down to the commission to cover this blatant disregard for the law and to get the names of the board members since they are not on the city’s webpage for this board. Editor’s note: The Miami-Dade County Ethics and Public Trust should review this meeting because the Sunshine law was so clearly violated, right after Carollo had testified and their final deliberations.
Rerun because so important: 2020 Census complete count top priority $177 million lost in 2010 undercount, says census bureau outreach coordinator Diaz a former Little Havana resident $675 billion annually at stake nationwide $29 billion goes to Florida
The Miami-Dade County Community Relations board (CRB) met Wednesday in the county commission chambers and the topic was community “fear,” when it came to the upcoming 2020 Census. Where some $1,400 is lost in federal funding across the board through federal agencies and in the 2010 Census only “82 percent” of the community was counted and nationwide the percentage was “74 percent,” said Ana Maria Diaz with the Census bureau outreach coordinator.
The importance of the Census is not only financial but is key to reapportionment of congress and in 2010 south Florida picked up two congressional seats.
What about community outreach and education?
Further, while many residents may not be eligible to vote these people must be counted for the federal funding helps these possible undocumented and the citizenship question is what many residents and while many residents fear that ICE or HSH might raid and arrest them. The count since 1790 has been sealed for 72 years and a president cannot unseal the information and that can only be done by an act of congress said the Census Bureau outreach coordinator who grew up in Little Havana populated with seniors and may have their kids living with them and they all must be counted she said and “a 3 percent increase in the count,’ would be a major achievement for the county and while it is a year away now is the time to educate. For many residents who don’t understand the Census that starts April 1 next year. The WDR spends so much time on this subject since I interviewed many people working on the 2000 Census and the count was terrible after the young Cuban boy Elian Gonzalez was extracted from his Little Havana home after federal authorities raided the home and chaos erupted in Miami with extensive ethnic divisions and curb sitting counting was a problem where there were many people living in homes or apartments and the undercount was considerable and had to be adjusted later but that may not happen again so it has to be done right because as Diaz said “It starts and cannot be stopped,” despite weather or any other issue. She noted when challenged about “doing damage control, ” for the Trump administration and her boss U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilber Ross and the fear in the community which is a minority majority committee that keeps many people afraid to even go to a bank and use check cashing stores where there are lines but that is the reality of South Florida and is why getting a complete count is so important. Update: in 2010, under the Obama administration which employed extensive minority outreach it is estimated in that count some 2 million children were missed in the final count.
>>>The Knight Foundation releases commission report on restoring trust in media
The John. S. and James L. Knight Foundation has released a report looking at restoring trust in the media and its corrosive effect to Democracy to read the commission’s report go to: http://csreports.aspeninstitute.org/Knight-Commission-TMD/2019/report
The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation is funding programs and films documenting Miami blocks and Dennis Scholl discussed the program on PBS show Your South Florida Friday night. The foundation has been the cultural Miracle Grow for the arts and is seen throughout Miami from Wynwood to the walls and I could not find the shows link on the shows webpage but one filmmaker looked at the MLK bike celebration wheels up guns down that is locally considered a protest the film maker found out. Further the Knight Arts Challenge is going on and artists should check out the application process at www.knightfoundation.org
>> The super bowl is not the big enchilada of upcoming events, but the 2020 Census is, undercount costs millions, maybe even a new house seat like in 2000, the worse count after Cuban boy Elian Gonzalez, sent fear through the Cuban community of federal government, Chair Bovo wants to help this important event, All hands-on deck activity
While Miami-Dade county is preparing for the Super Bowl next year a bigger event is coming in the 2020 U.S. Census that in Miami the count has been generally a flawed process and the worst count was the 2000 Census after the young boy Elian Gonzalez was extracted from Little Havana and the community erupted in ethnic tensions and fear for many residents since even though the count is done by the commerce department many saw a “federally,” and would not participate and years later the numbers had to be revised and south Florida got an extra congressional seat that was later filled by U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz Ballart, R-Miami and the census count per person back then brought some $23,000 in federal funding and was in stark contrast to other counties around the nation where very high count was achieved. Further for some counties the undercount could result in some communities losing some $800 billion in lost federal funding that includes Medicare funding and a host of other programs. School Board member Lubby Navarro is part of the 2020 census taskforce being assembled an she spoke in front of the county commission about the important matter and noted residents will get a form with a number on it and they can file online using that number. She also noted there will be Major outreach at schools’ libraries and other sites with NGOs to get an accurate count and the community’s fair share of representation and federal funding. She also noted we might get a new house seat if the census is done accurately.
Update Trump will not add a citizenship question on the long form?
Back in 2000 I watched and wrote a lot about the undercount and how it starts and then stops, though the county did get an extension back then but that is no longer assured.
https://www.naco.org/articles/2020-census-what-counties-need-do-now-prepare
>>> Connect Miami is a new program trying to get residents to engage with their neighbors and friends to broaden community interaction something that at times may be difficult to do. And for more go to www.connectmiami.org And Many of the events are free.in the future.
FLORIDA
>>> Years ago Rodney Barreto was peppered by recalled commissioner Natacha Seijas saying she thought the manatee herd was getting “to large” and asked DERM to remove the one in her canal, hitch they could not do but she had a dislike of the gentle sea cow after environmentalist put her face on a manatee and asked who is the better looking?
Years ago, Barreto gave the Miami-Dade County Commission an update on the manatee herd in Florida and he was asked if the population was to large asked recalled commissioner Natacha Seijas
The watchdog Report ran this in a story in The Miami Herald and she got hundreds of phone calls back then and even suggested in “Cuban lore these sea cows made excellent sushi on the Island and she also wanted DERM too remove the one in a canal in her neighborhood.
Florida Sen. Lauren Book, D- Broward is demanding an independent investigation of the Jeffrey Epstein deal and his sweetheart work release deal and Book a survivor of abuse by a nanny has been a champion in getting justice for victims and is currently getting threats to stop her snooping into this and that is unacceptable and while the Palm Beach Sheriff Ric Bradshaw. To support her efforts go to: https://laurenskids.org/do-you-stand-with-lauren/?fbclid=IwAR2OwsUaActvezmHGZxMNZGsjbi0MIntZ7JH2sQiLqNKM0WmHAYEDHHVcgo
>>> Gov De Santos taps veteran Rodney Barreto for FFW conservation commission
Tallahassee, Fla Press release: Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointments of Steven Hudson and Rodney Barreto to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
“I am pleased to appoint Steven Hudson and Rodney Barreto to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to help advance our state’s conservation mission and help preserve Florida’s natural resources for the enjoyment of all,” said Governor DeSantis. “These individuals have a proven track record of public service and professional experience working to protect Florida’s environment and wildlife.”
“Governor DeSantis continues to demonstrate his commitment to protecting our environment and wildlife through the appointment of strong leaders such as Rodney Barreto and Steven Hudson to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission,” said CEO of the Everglades Foundation Eric Eikenberg. “Both Barreto and Hudson are proven leaders in their own right who have demonstrated a care, depth and knowledge for the preservation of wildlife and habitat conservation, including the Everglades, to the benefit of future generations to come.”
Steven Hudson
Hudson, of Fort Lauderdale, is the president and chief executive officer of Hudson Capital Group. He is also a board member and former chairman of the Humane Society of Broward County and a founding board member of the Marine Research Hub, an alliance of marine research universities and community supporters headquartered in South Florida. Hudson owns Quail Creek Plantation in Okeechobee, Florida, a nearly 5,000-acre preservation dedicated to sporting clays, as well as quail, turkey and pheasant hunting. He earned his bachelor’s degree in business economics from Southern Methodist University. Hudson is appointed to the remaining three years of a term.
Rodney Barreto
Barreto, of Coral Gables, is the president and chief executive officer of Barreto Group. He served on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for 10 years under Governor Bush and Governor Crist. He is a member of the Guy Harvey Foundation Board, the Bone Fish Tarpon Trust and the Costal Conservation Association. Barreto received his bachelor’s degree in professional studies from Barry University. Barreto is appointed to a five-year term. These appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.
>> Check out Children’s Trust heart gallery, kids needing forever homes, will break your heart when you see their smiles
The Miami-Dade County Trust is featuring its heart gallery on children looking to be adopted into lifetime homes and to see the gallery that will break your heart go to
>>> Disruptive pre-k children getting “suspended,” new challenge for Children’s Trust Miami-Dade County
When it comes to pre-K early learning programs many minority and other children are being “suspended,” for their behavior and since it is proven that these early programs put children in a readiness state to learn. And this a new challenge among these troublesome children for decades children age “3 to 5,” the expert said.
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
>>> Will the county commission be able to fill the three slots on the new Greater Miami Express Way agency that the state created to dissolve MDX and the criteria for applicants is daunting in the future Commission Chair Audrey Edmonson will create a search committee to review the applicants but will state date guidelines be met given the extensive limitations in the law. The Miami-Dade County is looking for applicants to fill three seats on a nine member Greater Miami Express Way agency and applicants need to file by Aug. 9thHere is the criteria for applicants: http://miamidadetpo.org/newsroom.asp
Candidates must meet the following eligibility requirements: Nominees must be permanent residents of Miami-Dade County, Must be residents of an incorporated municipality within Miami-Dade County, May not have been a member of the governing body or employee of the Miami-Dade Expressway Authority on or after July 1, 2009,May not be a lobbyist as that is defined in House Bill 385,May not currently represent the Miami-Dade County Expressway Authority as a lobbyist. May not have lobbied the Miami-Dade County Expressway Authority in the previous 4 years, May not have done business with, or been an employee of a person or entity that has done business with the Miami-Dade Expressway Authority in the previous 4 years, May not hold, or have held, in the previous two years, elected or appointed office in the county,
May not have been an employee of the Miami-Dade Expressway Authority in the previous 2 years.>>>> Please submit resumes by close of business on Friday, August 9, 2019, to Ms. Zainab Salim, TPO Clerk of the Board, at 111 NW First Street, Suite 920, Miami, Florida 33128 or via email at Zainab.Salim@mdtpo.org.
>>> ‘Let’s hope no one needs a [fire rescue] bird],” after BCC defers getting new helicopters after 7 – year procurement process, says committee chair Sally Heyman
The issue of new helicopter for Miami-Dade Fire Rescue is still up in the air and Heyman is getting impatient with not getting the new birds and while they have 4 many times these are being repaired and originally the county considered to sell them to fill a budget gap years ago and that has yet to happen. Check out the links for more on the department.
https://fireaviation.com/2015/01/04/miami-dades-aviation-program/
Miami-Dade county has 34 municipalities and the issue of incorporating parts of S Dade had a host of speakers not wanting to be incorporated since the county’s services like police and fire rescue are provided by the county’s regional departments and some residents complained it would create another political body and given only Pinecrest was in corporate an property values rose all most all the other new incorporations ended up raising their taxes over decades.
>>> MIA directed to do study of impact of Melreese soccer stadium deal on runways and if in “safety zones,” for runways, could impact MLS stadium at golf course
The county will do a study on the proposed MLS stadium at Mel Reese golf course that includes a stadium and hotel and if it would fall into a “runway safety zone,” that The FAA could not certify said MIA director Lester Sola and he is trying to get the study done in 90 days since Miami voters in November will be asked to vote on the controversial project since it is proposed by private interests and commission vice Chair Rebeca Sosa wants nothing to put the largest economic engine MIA in any jeopardy she believes and requested the study.
When it comes to transportation planning Organization (TPO) chair Oliver Gilbert,III thinks more technology international trips should be done with a larger group including professors from UM FI,U should be included and Broward county is sending a second delegation to Asia with some 70 people going on the research trip and may be looking at monorail technology.
>>> Further, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez made a motion for a new $1.2 million in office lease space for the Citizens Independent Transit trust from their current cubicle office in government center and after it was approved, he left from MIA and fly to Honolulu. However, Javier Souto objected to spending this much money, but it passed.
>>> Will new HUD program RAD help with affordable housing crisis, could create some 10,000 units in five to seven years in S. Florida?
A new U.S. HUD program called RAD was presented at a county commission committee meeting and it could over 4 to 5 years increase rental housing stock to up to 10,000 units said Michael Liu the county’s housing director and could be a boon in South Florida where housing and affordable housing is a crisis.
https://www.hud.gov/RAD/program-details
>>> With Miami-Dade #1 in HIV infections UM Idea program showing results needs second mobility van for dispensing HIV preventative drugs Prep doses “middle school students,” at “risk,” to says county commissioner Rebeca Sosa an educator.
At the disparity committee Monday, a sobering presentation was done on the rising HIV infections IDEA UM needle exchange pilot program needs dedicated mobile van may get surplus county van suggests, commissioner Jordan,
Miami-Dade is #1 in new HIV infections Idea syringe exchange pilot program going statewide, mobile van needed to deliver HIV medicine
The UM Miller Medical needle syringe exchange program was a major discussion at the community disparities committee chaired by county commissioner Eileen Higgins who has part of Miami Beach and is a “hot zone,” for new infections that cuts across all ethnic lines black or Hispanic and has one person getting AIDs daily and last week and the controversial exchange program has shown positive public health outcomes said Dr. Hansel Tookes, III, M.D., M.P.A. http://medicine.med.miami.edu/ideaexchange
Tookes who took the needle exchange program to the state legislature and high rates of HIV infections are found in Broward and Palm Beach Counties and a traveling Prep mobile unit donated by Sylvester Cancer is going into the community and giving testing and antiviral drugs. However, reaching some of the infected runs into stigmas that includes blacks and Hispanics who are sometimes reluctant to be tested and one hot spot is on 14th street in Miami and Higgins is trying to get a dedicated van to increase the coverage and help for infected patients.
>> M-D County Youth Commission finds “rampant,” bullying and “code reds,” climate change, vaping new issues, body creating the leaders of the future, and note Miami is one of the first “cities to run out of water say,” studies show
A joint meeting with county commissioners and the Miami-Dade County Youth Commission created by the body in 2011 is always an eyeopener. These young members say what they mean with the bark on and in the past years school violence and bullying was a number one concern and after the tragedy at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas students expressed concerns when it comes to “code red,” drills that they need the teachers to explain more what the “procedures,” should be and that these drills “should end after some six minutes the students,” on the council said.
Further the issue of vaping and e cigarettes is a big concern since some 2.3 million students in the county are vaping and has a variety of Side effects that still need to be studied more but it has become increasing number the student representatives said.
http://www.miamidade.gov/youthcommission/prindex.asp?year=2017&web=youthcommission
These members also did community service like Books for Tots where they give out children’s books like Vegetable Soup and others to get preschoolers reading early.
They also traveled to Washington, D.C. PAMM and a school board meeting where they believe “zoning changes should be modified where vaping stores in strip malls should be outlawed in the county code close to schools. Further, each member talked about the programs impact on them from a roundtable meeting with Miami-Dade County Police Department and changed people’s perspective about officers that was different from what you see on social media.
>>> Summer Youth intern program funding running into trouble with school district “that has problems accepting the funding,” says Gimenez
Summer Youth Internship program is facing obstacles with the county school board said Gimenez and involves the Children’s Trust funding and the school district. It may be something “bureaucratic,” and will continue to fund it and maybe next year figure a way to resolve it said Gimenez. In the past years 5,000 to 7,000 kids have participated in this program for at risk youth during the summer break. Part of the problem is a new requirement for “audits,” said sponsor Barbara Jordan. The mayor said, “they [the school district] has problems accepting the funding in this cycle. He is continuing to negotiate with the district since this an important youth program.
>>>> What about the Homeless Trust and this year’s number of who had died on the street, a new high many opioid related, last year 138 passed this year 201 passed state’s medical examiner confirms.
The watchdog Report contacted Book about the solemn but stirring meetings after the students spoke and he wrote back, “It was even more because we had the vigil for an hour and a half before in the lobby and it was extremely emotional and painful. Last year, 138 individuals died on our streets. The number jumped up this year to 201, which is the highest year yet and 77% are confirmed by the medical examiner to have died from opioid overdoses. That is simply unconscionable and unacceptable and disheartening.
Secondly, if that’s not bad enough, the national average from a life expectancy perspective on someone who lives on the streets is 79 years of age nationally. Our average this year amongst the 201 was 55 years old. Think about it, our average is 24 years younger than the national average and we don’t have minus 44-degree weather. It was very emotional and very hard and draining. Then we go to the Trust Meeting and it just becomes a high, but it was a high after one of the worst downers in the 25 years I’ve served this Board. Then right after the Board meeting, I had to judge with four of my team members, our annual essay and poster contest amongst elementary, middle school and high school kids. Just a hard day around on homelessness, wrote the long-time chair. For more on the Sadowski trust go to;https://www.bradenton.com/opinion/editorials/article48810155.html
What about shot spotter more cameras and extra police for school safety?
Mayor Gimenez told commissioners recently shot spotter and their use by police that someday drones may be found “on police cars in the future,” after commissioner Javier Souto went into a discussion about the need for police “to have eyes in the sky,” he thought and would decrease gun violence.
Further the county has “three dome areas,” which is what the shot spotter areas are called and the Ring security camera on people’s homes i reducing crime and Gimenez at his home has one and he can keep track of his home.
Will elections and sheriff be political patronage havens, or repositories for termed out elected officials to land?
Lack of competency in candidates in new elected offices, highlighted during the last election cycle has many concerned what the future of key elected officials will be. For example, Miami-Dade state attorney in office since 1992 has said she was not running again back in 2015 her last election and there is no current successor of an organization that handles some 250,0000 cases. This highlights the problem when offices are political like a supervisor of elections, sheriff and a host of others recently created by statewide voters and create political patronage rather than competency is one of the reasons Broward elections supervisor Brenda Snipes had problems in November’s elections.
|
|||||||||
What is the new elderly crisis coming seniors & children housing money their lack of permanent long-term homes?
Homeless seniors are becoming the biggest threat facing the county in the future and it is a “Crisis, said Ron Book,” the Miami-Dade County Homeless trust chair. At past trust meeting and the need for permanent housing for this emerging group is critical and he is on a crusade to find permanent housing the trust can buy but in Miami the inventory is small an expensive he has said in the past. And to review the task force recommendations and has some elderly having to live in shelters for up to “1,000,” s and that number qualifying will only increase in the future.
Ron Book has been making the political rounds speaking at a Miami commission meeting about a new encampment in the inner city that has been blocked off by the health department after open sexual acts and drug dealing has resulted in a spike of AIDs cases and the finding of drug paraphernalia around the local schools and the trust has gone into emergency mode to get these people into rehabilitation and other programs and those coming back are being addressed where one Women had “black lips,” gangrene and was “spotted having a rat eating the food in her mouth,” in her stupor condition said Book to city commissioners and she was taken into rehabilitation but this is the challenge the county’s homeless trust faces. For more go to https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/downtown-miami/article219921130.html
The homeless trust has a new program where people with rental housing can register their rental units with the county and for more on the program go to: http://www.homelesstrust.rg/rentconnect.asp
PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST
>>> Has JHS health trust been hit with a body blow feds audit of Florida and LIP draw down Medicaid program could cost $436 million in returned federal funds. Being litigated with feds, not good news
https://www.miamiherald.com/ for more go to:
https://www.miamiherald.com/site-services/profiles/article233162581.html
>>>> State funding cut proposed $58 million versus $1.5 million JHS trustee Rep. Duran R-Miami worked across party lines to mitigate cuts
PHT agenda: State Legislative Update: Carlos A. Migoya, President and Chief Executive Officer stated that the 2019 Legislative Session concluded with Jackson Health System (JHS) receiving a cut in funds totaling $1.5 million versus the proposed $58 million. Mr. Migoya stated that the work of the Miami-Dade County Legislative Delegation, the House of Representatives who remained strong with their formula attributed to less funding cuts to JHS, and Representative Nicholas X. Duran who did a great job working across party lines. In all, slightly few health care bills were passed but for the ones that did pass are beneficial for JHS and long-term health care. The Certificate of Need (CON) House Bill (removes a requirement that general hospitals apply and obtain approval from the state to build or expand) passed. The approval of the House Bill does present some challenges but the positive side of it gives JHS the opportunity to finalize the CON for Jackson West Medical Center. Mr. Migoya stated that Don S. Steigman, Chief Operating Office, Mark T. Knight, Chief Financial Officer and the construction team are working together to maximize JHS opportunities to successfully complete the work to open and occupy the facility at the end of year 2020. 4. Adjournment Joe Arriola, Vice Chairman, Strategy and Growth Committee at 11:29
>>> Joint PHT BCC meting goes smoothly love fest versus the past CEO Migoya says, “Doral west on budget and on time by Nov. 2020,” can be seen from landing MIA planes
The PHT board had its joint meeting Tuesday with the county commission and it was a love fest versus years in the past where people were talking about selling the public hospital after years of mounting debt serving the uninsured and residence confidence was plummeting after all the bad fiscal news and leadership changes that included the county commission periodically weighing in and had a past CEO Marvin O’Quinn telling me after he arrived. This “place is so political,” and I responded back no kidding. Or more see the better building bond webpage. Doral east “is own time and budget,” CEO Carlos Migoya tells commissioners. Or more go to https://jacksonhealth.org/jackson-bond-program/
>>>> The AOA agreement calls for health trust to pay $130 million to UM for a host of medical services and below is a complete breakdown of the services and payments.
http://www.seiu1991.org/files/2011/07/AOA-Payments-Rationale-and-Distribution-3.pdf
This is a breakdown of the payments and a graph is on the pdf above
Distribution of AOA Payments Direct Patient Care, $20,057,576 Residency and Fellowship Program Administration, $5,704,521 Residents and Fellows Clinical Instruction Support, $22,941,836 Residents and Fellows Direct Expense Stipend, $587,640 Residency and Fellowship Program Coord and Admin, $1,391,611 Hospital Administration Support, $10,143,812 Recruiting Support, $11,752.
The 50-year affiliation with the UM Miller school of medicine is a tremendous boon for the community and ends the tag line. “You go to Jackson to die,” was a frequent refrain, but that medical synergy has made the health trust one of the top medical health systems in Miami-Dade and is rebooting after a GOB bond was passed allowing for new updated facilities.
>>> New continuum of care center coming for homeless with mental issues, JHS involved one stop center, upcoming special PHT board meeting to ratify new committee chairs
The Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust along with Jackson Health System is opening a one stop public facility for homeless who qualify for a new diversion program with a mental illness and includes many veterans on the streets and is an old facility previously used by the state, but it will offer a continuum of care and was briefly discussed at the trust board meeting Friday. The whole community has been seeking ways to resolve the mental health issues of the homeless now drawing in people with opioid addiction and a drop of fentanyl can kill and many times is cut with cheap yellow Mexican heroin that appeared years past and is causing thousands of overdoses and the city of Miami spent $150,000 in procuring the miracle drug Narcan that can revive a overdosed person almost immediately and these people cut across all ethnic lines and the issue was discussed Sunday on “This Week in South Florida,” and to see the show go to https://www.local10.com/this-week-in-south-florida/this-week-in-south-florida-oct-29 Chapman, Jr. partnership go to: https://www.chapmanpartnership.org/about-us/leadership/ https://www.chapmanpartnership.org/wpq_events/nextgen-gala-party/
>>> Last girder to state-of-the-art Christine E. Lynn rehabilitation facility fitted Friday $175 million rehab, home to UM Project to Cure Paralysis
On Friday the last girder was added to the new state of the art rehabilitation facility and it is dearly needed after the previous one was inadequate and antiquated and was always a hot topic with county commissioners especially commissioner Sally Heyman who had a back issue and had to get rehab there. The $175 center will also be home for UM’s the Miami Project to cure Paralysis and the fundraising got a jolt when Christine E. Lynn donated the first $25 million and was augmented with proceeds from the $830 million GOB approved by county voters.
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
>>> Some board members not seeking reelection, will it impact a past school achievement no F schools in district with future turbulence on the nine-member board, Dr. s Karp, Feldman leaving board?
>>> School Board Budget Review Advisory committee meets Tuesday, is the taxpayers firewall, made up of CPAs & tax attorneys, not always the case until 2004, when chair Hank Mack finally steps down reluctantly, two schools named after the man on in Dade another in Broward
The school district’s Audit and Budget review committee is meeting Tuesday and this citizen based board is made up of CPAs and tax attorneys something that was not the case back in the late 1990s and 2000 and only changed around 2003 when the long time chair stepped down after the WDR broke the man Hank Mack had violated the Sunshine law and Mack has two schools named after him of which one is in Broward County as well as Dade. Here is the committee’s agenda great read:
http://mca.dadeschools.net/AuditCommittee/AC_July_16_2019/Agenda.pdf
>>> District saves $68 million in COP bond refinancing, IG busts electrical contractor and minority “front”
The school board is refinancing some Certificates of Participation (COP) bonds and the maneuver suggested by a treasury advisory board is saving the public district 468 million and the nation’s second largest district has an extensive bond portfolio and has been refinancing since interest have been so low especially a few years ago.
An electrical contractor was busted by the county’s IG for being a front when applying and complying with the district’s minority contract policies to read the report click on
http://www.miamidadeig.org/2019MDCPS/OIGFinalReportofInspectionGOBIG0015.pdf
here is the link to the audit agenda: http://www.dadeschools.net/schoolboard/agenda/e35.pdf
The Value adjustment board met, and commissioners Jose Pepe Diaz attended along with commission chair Audrey Edmonson a and school board member Lubby Navarro and this year there is no delay in money owed to the district that in the past was roughly $171 million. For more on that funding conflict with the county go to:
https://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/12/05/dade-teachers-union-files-lawsuit-against-mayor/
School District Impact Fees audit Check out the audit and what the county owes to the public district http://mca.dadeschools.net/AuditCommittee/AC_May_14_2019/Agenda.pdf
>>> Charter schools 134 of them are asking to receive some of the $1.2 billion GOB proceeds passed by county voters, teacher raises and facilities upgrades, is running into protests.
Charter schools are asking for a portion of a 1.2 billion property tax that was expected to raise teacher pay and upgrade some schools and the district has 134 charter schools that are managed by private firms and upgrade private property with public funds and these entities do not have to follow the same rules and do not have to accept all students versus the public district and the legal battle is occurring in Tallahassee during the session, and these local tax dollars should go to the public district the fourth largest https://digital.olivesoftware.com/Olive/ODN/MiamiHerald/ https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/education/article229066424.html
CITY OF MIAMI
>>>> Miami mayor’s counsel Eddy Leal, a Duke Blue Devil, gets some ink on Babylon project. Says not paid so does not have to register as lobbyist, ethics commission starts investigation, says ‘hit piece,’ in Miami herald, mayor vetoes commission vote on Babylon and zoning anomaly
Eddy Leal got some ink for his involvement in the Babylon project a ziggurat building since torn down and was a anomaly in the city’s zoning code argued attorneys and Miami Mayor Francis Suarez new legal counsel Eddy Leal was drawn in the controversy because he was not registered as a lobbyist. He is claiming he is not being paid but an ethics complaint has been filed calling the Herald story a ‘hit job,’ and said he did not talk to the mayor about the project that Suarez vetoed Friday. Suarez is claiming he is listening to residents ‘his employees’ not the city’s employees but the whole issue now has become an ethics commission investigation.
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/article233453547.html
here is Leal’s law office web [age http://www.leallegal.com/#leallegallawfirm
>>> Joseph Napoli a deputy Miami assistant manager has something in common with manager Emilio Gonzalez. The men are both retired U.S. Army colonels Napoli told me Thursday at the commission meeting.
It is interesting because commissioner Joe Carollo is referring to Gonzalez as the colonel and last Thursday he focused on Napoli in a very sharp exchange about the Ultra contract and really dressed him down.
What else happened Thursday?
Carollo reached into his old toolbox when people were asking about 4 new parks in his district. He said the people complaining just didn’t want people outside the neighborhood using the parks and one person actually “grabbed his wife’s arm.” And he suggested this was racially or anti Hispanic rhetoric from elites in his district and he used this tactic back in 2000 but now is a different time and he may not get the ethnic divide traction he is looking for and had people throwing bananas in front of Miami City Hall back then.
Speeding boats on Miami River scarring manatees in river
What about the speeding boats on the Miami River and these hitting manatees? The river with a dubious history has restaurants dotting the shores and residents are asking for a more robust police marine patrol and say the fast boats are scarring the slow-moving sea cows that swim along the shore to avoid these boats
>>>>The sea Level Rise committee wants bump in funding for resiliency officer’s office, an extra $500,000 in the upcoming budget would help for “most important Miami committee,” manager has said.
“The most important committee the sea level rise committee,’ is going to ask for more public funding for studies and members going to conferences and after much debate is asking the commission to fund $500,000 to the resilience and sustainability officer’s office and the chair will be speaking at a upcoming commission meeting since budget hearings are in September. To read the budget go to:
https://www.miamigov.com/Government/Departments-Organizations/Management-Budget
here are the Miami commissioner campaign reports: check out the serious coin raised: for races on the five member body https://www.voterfocus.com/CampaignFinance/candidate_pr.php?c=muncitymiami
>> Influential attorney Miguel Diaz de la Portilla, not prepared is denied a zoning exemption for Montessori village school off Coral Way, associations not notified they say, Little Havana, Silver Bluff
A long Miami Planning and zoning board meeting went past 11:00 as attorney former senator Miguel de la Portilla, R Miami, argued for an exemption for a Montessori school and day care center off Coral Way and had residents up in arms about the traffic congestion his brother Alex is running for the commission seeking replacing Willy Gort for District 1.
Suarez gets selected as a trustee at national mayor’s conference
“It was an extremely productive trip where I got an aggressive pro-environment national policy passed for the environment committee I chaired and was selected as a trustee. They chose 4 trustees out of 26 advisory board members which are chosen from the entire group of 500 mayors. Only trustees can be chosen to be the President of the organization so in essence in less than 2 years I have been elevated by my national colleagues as one of the top 13 mayors in the US.,” wrote Suarez
Miami’s City’s budget next year http://archive.miamigov.com/budget/docs/FY20/BudgetinBrief.pdf
The Virginia Key Marina vote was indefinitely deferred after hours long discussion between opposing attorneys Al Dotson Jr., and Miguel de Grandy a former republican state representative who lost a race by one vote years ago
>>>> Suarez administration runs into headwinds on MRC development project, Carollo calls it “sweetheart deal,” worse “than Marlin’s stadium deal,” the former mayor claims, only small # of city’s 4,400 employees work in building, will deal after back from Honolulu attending the mayor’s conference that had some 300 other mayors attending and he said he flew,” coach after I inquired and he did take a sergeant-of-arms since hat is police protocol he wrote in an email.
The lease for a new city of Mimi administrative center and a deal with Adler development ran into an iceberg in the form on controversial commissioner Joe Carollo.
Carollo called the deal the “worse since the Miami Marlins stadium,” he proclaimed and did not buy the current administrative building built by FPL as needing to be replaced and would save the city having to issue a $150 million bond that Adler wants to use to fund the project. The issues went in front of the voters and passed but the question did not highlight that the city would need an over 30-year $150 million bond be sold and would ultimately cost city residents some $238 million over that time.
The Suarez administration negotiated the deal and Carollo has used this to egg on the new administration and noted the new special counsel to the mayor Eddy Leal, III whose salary is $110,000 would have to be approved by the commission and Suarez when he gets back from Honolulu will have to deal with these pressing issues. Further, the city has 4,400 employees and only 1,33 employees work at the headquarters and it remains to be seen if this development deal moves forward and includes two condominium towers and the former Miami mayor believes it is a “sweetheart deal,” and his wing man commissioner Manola Reyes agrees with much of Carollo’s concerns and the two men are both republicans and have an ongoing beef with commission chair Ken Russell a dye hard democrat and the political schism is very plain to see during commission meetings.
Here is a list of candidates and the amount of money they have raised
What about the new bomb squad handheld x-ray device that was deferred but needed recently after a suspected baggage was found on Biscayne Blvd.?
>>> Commission Dist. 1 candidate trying to bounce back has $167,000 in war chest leads pack of candidates since Gort termed out, ex commissioner Hernandez plying the halls of city hall was disbarred attorney for mortgage fraud
Former state Sen. Alex Diaz de la Portilla leading in the fundraiser bracket at over $167,000 in his war chest and he is a controversial candidate and has lost a number of recent races and is drawing more attention by his having a relationship with convicted Miami Commissioner Humberto Hernandez since disbarred and Hernandez’s claim to fame was mortgage fraud. However, Alex had a controversial divorce is a chain smoker and got into it at a Boston hotel where he was smoking and interfaced with a police officer
County Mayor Carlos Jimenez’s son C.J. Jimenez, an attorney and registered lobbyist continues to ply the halls of Miami and has his sister Tanya Jimenez ( not a registered lobbyist with the city was spotted on Thursday and the sister and daughter team are trying to maximize the time their father is in office who refers to his kids lobbying that they have the right to make a living he many times has said and is not a conflict.
Community Events
EDITORIAL
>>>> Mueller testimony to congress not the silver bullet Democrats hoped for but veteran marine, did shoot a flare regarding hacking of America’s election infrastructure calls for paper ballots as back-up cyber attacks coming from a host on nation’s not just Russia, Iran N. Korea in the mix.
While Robert Mueller’s testimony was not the silver bullet Democrats thought they would hear. The veteran Marine combat officer did make it clear the nation has to beef up its cyber and voting machine security as foreign actors like Russia and Iran try to impact are elections and states must all consider having back-up paper ballots and beef up their own internal security.
Further, with multiple municipalities, hospitals utilities have been held hostage and cyber ransom blackmail to regain access to encrypted computers. To read more about these hacks and technology go to these two links and it will open your eyes on the danger of these actors including North Korea and is only evolving in complexity and even the CIA has been penetrated along with the ultra-secret NSA.
https://www.wired.com/story/2017-biggest-hacks-so-far/?verso=true
https://decideconsulting.com/5-recent-cyber-security-threats-in-2018/
>>> S. Florida’s political vendettas holds back what could be Miami’s greatness, Failure to move on costs all S. Florida residents, in quality of life,
If Miami wants to reach its true heights its political leaders need to end political vendettas work together and remember why they originally ran for office and not to get absorbed with the trappings of political office that makes many politicians lack empathy and just focus on getting even or worse themselves. Regardless how constituents might be impacted.
This comes to mind after the contentious Miami commission meetings where commissioner Joe Carollo verbally slaps around city staff and its manager Emilio Gonzalez a retired colonel in the army who seems ill prepared for this disrespect by the elected commissioner and former mayor that when in office in 2000 would go on Spanish radio and gin up the community and the city story on the young rafter boy who lost his mother on the journey and resulted in an ethnic divide that allowed someone like saloon owner Jay Love to get some 19 percent of the vote over incumbent county mayor Alex Penelas and challenger Miguel Diaz de la Portilla in a countywide race Pinellas won., and it took the county years to heal from this ethnic divide that had blacks in Homestead with red necks and confederate flags protesting “f…ck the Cubans,” and the Miami Herald had a great photo of the demonstration that showed a black man looking at the flag thinking this is so weird and was a black eye for S. Florida.
And to support the WDR go to my Pay Pal account http://paypal.me/WatchdogReport Further, if you would rather send a check send it made out to Daniel Ricker and mail it to 3109 Grand Ave., #125 Miami, Fla. 33133. Thank you, Dan
Informed and saving taxpayer monies in the process. And I thank my supporters over the last 17 years. And to read a national story and profile of the WDR publisher in the early years and background back in 2003 go to: http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2003-01-20/news/0301190341_1_ricker-school-board-president-miami-s-first-cuban-american
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.
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
Daniel A. Ricker
Publisher & Editor
Watchdog Report
Est. 05.05.00
Copyright © of original material, 2018, Daniel A. Ricker
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
>>> And to support the WDR go to my Pay Pal account http://paypal.me/WatchdogReport Further, if you would rather send a check send it made out to Daniel Ricker and mail it to 3109 Grand Ave., #125 Miami, Fla. 33133. Thank you, Dan go to: http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2003-01-20/news/0301190341_1_ricker-school-board-president-miami-s-first-cuban-american
Publisher’s Statement on the mission of the Watchdog Report and the special people and organizations that make it possible: Government Subscribers/Corporate Subscribers/Sustaining Sponsors/Supporting Sponsors
***** LIFETIME FOUNDING MEMBERS & Initial sponsors since 2000
Mr. ANGEL ESPINOSA – (Deceased) owner COCONUT GROVE DRY CLEANER’S
HUGH CULVERHOUSE, Jr (The first contributor)
FLORIDA POWER & LIGHT www.fpl.com .
THE MIAMI HERALD www.miamiherald.com (2000-2007)
ARTHUR HERTZ
WILLIAM HUGGETT, Seamen Attorney (Deceased)
ALFRED NOVAK
LINDA E. RICKER (Deceased)
JOHN S. and JAMES L. KNIGHT FOUNDATION www.knightfoundation.org
THE HONORABLE STANLEY G. TATE
>>> Watchdog Report supporters – $2,000 a year
BADIA SPICES www.badiaspices.com
RONALD Hall
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY www.miamidade.gov
UNITED WAY OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY www.unitedwaymiamidade.org
Weiss Serota Helfman & Cole & Bierman http://www.wsh-law.com/ elfHehhh
>>> Watchdog Report supporters – $1,000 to $5,000 a year
EIDSON, COLSON & HICKS www.eadisoncolsonon.com
BADIA SPICES www.badiaspices.com
BERKOWITZ POLLACK BRANT Advisors and Accountants www.bpbcpa.com
JEFFREY L. BERKOWITZ TRUST
BERCOW RADELL FERNANDEZ & LARKIN www.brzoninglaw.com
RON BOOK
BENEDICT P. KUEHNE http://www.kuehnelaw.com/
LINDA MURPHY: Gave a new laptop in Oct. 2001 to keep me going.
WILLIAM PALMER www.shutts.com
Rbb www.rbbcommmunications.com
ROYAL MEDIA PARTNERS www.royalmp.com
SHUBIN & BASS www.shubinbass.com
WILLIAMSOM AUTOMOTIVE GROUP http://williamsonautomotivegroup.com/
>>> Public, Educational & Social institutions – subscribers at $1,000 or less
CITY OF MIAMI www.miamigov.com.
CITY OF CORAL GABLES www.coralgables.com
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH www.miamibeachfl.gov
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 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 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
CITY OF MIAMI www.miamigov.com.
CITY OF CORAL GABLES www.coralgables.com
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH www.miamibeachfl.gov
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
Miami Parking Authority www.mpamiami
Daniel A. Ricker
Publisher & Editor
Watchdog Report
Est. 05.05.00
Copyright © of original material, 2018, Daniel A. Ricker
>>>>> General subscriber’s names will not be published in the Report. To subscribe to the Watchdog Report please use the form below as a subscription invoice. ********************
Watchdog Report Supporters Invoice-Form Thank you
Large Business Supporters $500
Small Business Supporters $250
Individual Supporter $150 **************
Watchdog Report Supporters Invoice-Form Thank you
Large Business Supporters $500
Small Business Supporters $250
Tags: