Watchdog Report Vol.11 No.42 March 13, 2011 Est. 05.05.00 – I go when you cannot

CONTENTS

Argus Report: Tragedy strikes Sendai Japan with 8.9 magnitude quake, thousands may have died, three nuclear plants damaged, nature at its worst

Florida: Gov. Scott continues to contract the fiscal budget envelope, but will state legislature push back?

Miami-Dade County: In 48 hours, residents will know if Mayor Alvarez & Commissioner Seijas out, will there be one month sprint of campaigning for candidates?

Miami-Dade Public Schools: Minority contracts expected to expand after “23 years of lack of consideration,” says Supt. Carvalho

Public Health Trust: Commissioner Heyman makes her presence known, new PHT board leadership in the wings, who wants the top board leadership jobs?

City of Miami: District 2 candidates Callahan & Niemeyer in their own words why they are running against Commissioner Sarnoff

City of Miami Beach: Beach City Commissioner Jorge Exposito guest speaker at Tuesday Breakfast Club

City of Coral Gables: Two Group IV candidates Rosenblatt & Sanabria get some ink on their past

>>> Other stories around Florida

Broward County: Gov. Scott puts second notch in suspension belt removing Tamarac Mayor Talabisco

Palm Beach County: Head of Krazy Locos criminal street gang and associates plead guilty to homicides, robbery, narcotics, firearms and obstruction of justice

Indian River County: Scott taps Swan as county’s supervisor of elections

Monroe County: Tallahassee sends down new rules for ACSC, says Administrator Gastesi

Community Events: A Special Tribute Celebrating the Legendary Cole Porter – March 19 – Tribute to Women Awards at Biltmore Hotel – Downtown Bay Forum Luncheon — How to run a clean political campaign forum held by county ethics commission

Editorials: It is time, the will of the county’s voters is in the wind but will you vote, or just complain about your local government? — Citizen outrage should be on public big-ticket items, not just the excessive perks for some employee

Letters: Reader on number of women in Congress — Reader on National Anthem – Reader on Port Tunnel funding from Gov. Scott

Sponsors – Publisher’s mission statement & Subscription information is at the bottom of this issue

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ARGUS REPORT – Heard, Seen on the Street

>>> Tragedy strikes Sendai Japan with 8.9 magnitude quake, thousands may have died, nuclear plants damaged, nature at its worst

With the massive 8.9 magnitude earthquake in Sendai, on the main island of Honshu Japan and the mammoth Tsunami wave it created in the Pacific Ocean, that may leave thousands dead, and a number of nuclear power plants damaged. I can only send my deepest condolences to my friends, former neighbors, and their relatives in the country. Japan constantly experiences earthquakes but this one is the fifth largest in a Century and the devastation, destruction and death being seen rips at your heart. I spent almost 20-years of my adult life working in Asia and lived in both Tokyo and Sydney. However, Japan was the big market for the company I was with and I was there almost every month and made some great friends in the process, and my prayers go out to all those people affected by the natural crisis that will touch so many.

Japan is a tight knitted nation given the relatively small living area in a country the size of about California, but with roughly 125 million people living in a much smaller area and why being polite and personally measured is so important for this population concentration can be seen in the cities of Yokahama and Tokyo where the total population is around 25 million residents in that area alone. Japan is now having to respond to a crisis unlike anything seen since World War II that left the country devastated and under American Occupation, but morphed decades later to be an economic powerhouse with the late 1980s being its zenith. And books came out back then saying the country would have the largest economy in the world soon, would rival the United States, and could tell nations “no” finally when it came to requests for help or government funding. Now, the people are facing their biggest challenge since the war with long lines forming for water, food and basic needs unheard of in such a developed nation but occurring on a large scale basis and America is responding with help by sending of a Carrier Group that includes the U.S.N. Ronald Reagan, a modern nuclear aircraft carrier. However given the destruction in lives and vast infrastructure, including the expansive rail and subway systems. It will be years before the area affected recovers and the people of Japan are in my prayers, during this time of tremendous tragedy that has exposed the risks of being on a significant geological fault line to the world.

It also is a wake-up call for America because the West Coast has its own special history when it comes to earthquakes and to think we are immune to such a large one is only dependent on time for such a severe one will happen say experts. And Mother Nature constantly reminds us of the fragility of life on this planet and in Japan where the population is so concentrated, the indiscriminate destruction goes to the very soul of the nation and its people.

>>> Press release: Women’s History Month by Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz

On March 8th people around the world marked the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day. This day, which falls during National Women’s History Month, is marked worldwide with conferences, rallies, parties, and a wealth of events that recognizes the indelible contributions that women have made worldwide. It’s incredible to note the difference a century can make.  100 years ago, women in the United States, and many other countries, could not even vote. They could not attend many universities and were severely limited in employment options. Now, women can not only vote, but have held Cabinet positions, achieved momentous feats in science, law, and medicine, and have even served as presidents and prime ministers in nations around the world. Yet for all that there is to celebrate, this month is also a time to reflect on where we need to go from here. As the saying goes, a woman’s work is never done. And unfortunately, there is plenty left to do. Today, in America, women make only 75 cents, on average, for every dollar earned by their male counterparts- even when education and experienced are taken into account. Women represent 57 percent of undergraduate students, a number which is steadily climbing, but earn only 20 percent of bachelor’s degrees in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. And while the number of women running for political office has been increasing, women still only represent 17 percent of Congress and hold only six Governorships.

This is not a time to get comfortable. This is a time to get moving.

We have so much left to accomplish before we can truly say that we have achieved equality, and the obstacles facing women are at once both subtle and overt. Whether it is degrading remarks made in the workplace, abusive relationships at home, or deserved promotions that don’t materialize women still face far too many impediments. This year, the theme of National Women History Month is “Our History is Our Strength”. We have come a long, long way, and few women would disagree that we are better off now than we were a decade or a century ago. But there is no denying that women’s history is full of darkness—back alley abortions, diminished legal rights, and narrow access to education.

That’s why I’m so troubled at what appears to be a deliberate, extreme legislative agenda against women in the House of Representatives. We have seen the House Republican Leadership introduce legislation that would raise taxes on individuals and small businesses that purchase health insurance that includes comprehensive reproductive health coverage. We have seen attempts to redefine ‘rape’, by including only cases where a woman was “forcibly” assaulted, which would not include, for example, date rape or instances where a woman was otherwise unable to consent. I believe that this in and of itself is a violent act against women.

And most recently, we have seen proposed funding cuts that would harm women, children, and families across the board. H.R. 1, the Republican bill to fund the federal government for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2011, would, among others, cut: $747 million from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), which provides vital nutrition and counseling to 9.6 million low-income women and children monthly; $327 million—ALL funding—for Title X family planning programs, which provide contraceptives, cancer screenings, and STI tests to millions of women and men nationwide; $50 million from Maternal and Child Health grants, which provide prenatal and preventive care to more than 2.5 million women and 31 million children yearly; $39 million from Head Start and Child Care programs, which will cause 368,000 children to lose access to early education programs; and millions of dollars from the Social Security Administration, which women rely on, at higher rates than men, for employment services, meals, and housing. Whether carrying a child or in their sunset years, women of all ages would be adversely affected by these reckless cuts. I am committed to reducing the deficit, creating jobs and getting our economy turned around. But this hole was not dug by women and children, and we cannot climb out of it on their backs.

Throughout the remainder of National Women’s History Month, I would hope that my colleagues across the aisle will rethink their dangerous proposals. But, if they won’t then women need to help them rethink by doing everything we can to let the Republican House majority know that women refuse to go backward.  As history has shown us, a nation is at its best when its women are succeeding. This March, I urge the women of South Florida to draw upon the strength of our sisters before us. Susan B. Anthony, Harriet Tubman, and Jane Addams did not struggle for us to remain silent. This March, we must stand up for ourselves. If we don’t, no one else will.   Whether you have a question, a comment, or you are having trouble with a federal agency, my office is here for you.  You can reach us in Pembroke Pines at 954-437-3936, in Aventura at 305-936-5724 and in Washington, DC at 202-225-7931.  You can also find me on the Web where you can sign up for my e-newsletter, at: http://wassermanschultz.house.gov I’m also on Facebook or on Twitter @DWSTWEETS

>>> Press release: Diaz-Balart reminds Secretary Clinton of her statement in 2010 regarding ‘Our rising debt levels pose a National Security threat’ in light of the President’s debt-ridden FY2012 Budget

Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) questions Secretary Hillary Clinton during a Foreign Operations Subcommittee hearing regarding the FY2012 State Department budget request. During the hearing, Diaz-Balart reminds Secretary Clinton of a statement she made in September 2010 saying, “Our rising debt levels pose a national security threat in two ways: it undermines our capacity to act in our own interest, and it does constrain us where constraint may be undesirable.  And it also sends a message of weakness internationally…” At such time, the national debt stood at $13.4 trillion. Considering the President’s budget for FY2012 would add another $13 trillion to the debt over the next decade, Diaz-Balart asks, “Is it fair to say that the President’s budget gives you [Sec. Clinton] 13 trillion more reasons to be concerned about our national security?”

>>> Miami-Dade County press release:  Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners Chairman Joe A. Martinez issues the following statement following the 8.9 magnitude earthquake and resulting tsunami: “My thoughts and prayers go out to the people in Japan.  As they begin the process of recovery, I am hopeful that impacted communities are able to rebuild quickly.  On behalf of the Board of County Commissioners and the residents of Miami-Dade County, my office is prepared to assist Consulate General of Japan in Miami Elichi Kawahara and any resident that has been impacted by this disaster.” Residents of Miami-Dade County who are concerned about loved ones in Japan or in the Pacific Islands, or would like to offer their assistance are encouraged to contact the Office of Chair’s the Office of Community Advocacy Division at (305) 375-5730.
>>> All photos in the Watchdog Report are taken from public government sites, and the Report goes on line at www.watchdogreport.net on Monday sometime during the day usually. >>> If you believe it is important to have someone watching your public institutions consider supporting the Watchdog Report for I am a low cost news service yet I do have to live, thank you! Further, I have been honored over the years by being named a WFOR-4 Hometown Hero in 2000, being profiled in a major way by The Miami New Times, The Miami Herald, and the Orlando Sentinel which ran as a nationwide story on me in the Tribune papers on Jan. 2003 and UNC Chapel Hill naming me one of the top columnists in Florida in a  multi-state study of the media back in 2004. I also thank Joseph Cooper for the opportunity to be on the WLRN/NPR showTopical Currents on www.wlrn.org since 2000, including yearly election coverage since then, and also numerous times over the past decade.

FLORIDA

>>> Gov. Scott continues to contract the fiscal budget envelope, but will state legislature push back?

Gov. Rick Scott (Net worth $218 million) is crisscrossing the state and the nation with a number of stops in Washington D.C. recently in his whirlwind approach to government with a business approach that is surprising many Floridians in its intensity. He has his own jet that facilitates the extensive travel and while many understand why he shot down the high-speed train lines federal funding, $2.4 billion to build the track from Tampa to Orlando (84 miles). They are also perplexed by his stand with pill mills, and the end of a state database on who is prescribing and  getting the drugs that kill and destroy a cross-section of the fabric of society through there abuse and misuse and people from around the nation come here to stock-up on the drugs. Broward and Miami-Dade to a lesser extent are the epicenter of the storefront operations (detailed extensively by featured columnist Fred Grimm www.miamiherald.com) over the years and the governor’s decision has caught many supporters by surprise. Scott says it is about privacy and patient rights but one person observed maybe he believes these pill mills bring in tourists from other state’s which does generate state revenue, but that argument would seem to be a stretch.

Scott says he is having “fun” as the governor and his mission is to force the state to live within its budget, but critics wonder how much more will be cut now that the Department of Education, Department of Children and Families, Department of Consumer Affairs (DCF), no funding for Florida Forever, and a variety of other state departments are on the axing block for major hits and he is sticking to his guns in these matters for the moment. The new governor still forming his top leadership team will also over the next four years make some 4,000 appointments to state and local boards around Florida says Florida TaxWatch and these people are expected to  reflect Scott’s philosophy of limited government involvement. The former healthcare executive is also playing hardball when it comes to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami-Dade that is waiting for a $35 million payment from the state and the funds were appropriated by the legislature last year but are now under control of the governor’s office when it comes to the release to the Health Trust. The money is “conditional” on certain actions being done in the case of the hospital including a plan showing how the enterprise can be sustainable and the release of the money is Scott’s call, but is unknown how this will play out in the coming weeks.

Where did the $2.4 billion in federal high-speed train money go?

>>> Press release: Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced that he is making available approximately $2.4 billion, through a competitive process, to states eager to develop high-speed rail corridors across the United States.

“The Obama Administration’s bold high-speed rail plan will create jobs, reinvigorate our manufacturing sector and spur economic development for years to come,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “States across the country have been banging down our door for the opportunity to receive additional high-speed rail dollars and to deliver all of its economic benefits to their citizens.” President Obama’s vision is to connect 80 percent of Americans to high-speed rail within the next 25 years.  To put America on track towards that goal, the Obama Administration has proposed a six-year, $53 billion plan that will provide rail access to new communities; improve the reliability, speed and frequency of existing lines; and, where it makes economic sense, build new corridors where trains will travel at speeds of up to 250 miles per hour.

The Obama Administration’s investments in high-speed rail are also projected to create hundreds of thousands of good-paying jobs in the United States. Jobs will be created both directly on manufacturing, construction and operation of rail lines, and indirectly, as the result of economic developments along rail corridors. A report by the U.S. Conference of Mayors, projected that high-speed rail would create tens of thousands of jobs in cities and along rail corridors across the United States.

A one-hundred percent ‘Buy America’ requirement for high-speed rail projects also ensures that U.S. manufacturers and workers will receive the maximum economic benefits from this federal investment. And, in 2009, Secretary LaHood secured a commitment from 30 foreign and domestic rail manufacturers to employ American workers and locate or expand their base of operations in the U.S. if they are selected for high-speed-rail contracts. A merit-driven process will be used to award the newly available high-speed rail dollars to projects that can deliver public and economic benefits quickly. A project’s ability to reduce energy consumption, improve the efficiency of a region’s overall transportation network, and generate sustained economic activity along the corridor are among the selection criteria. Applications for the additional high-speed rail money will be due on April 4, 2011. Information about the Notice of Funding Availability can be found here: http://www.fra.dot.gov/rpd/passenger/477.shtml.

>>> Press release: Gov. Scott’s Weekly Radio Address – Friday, March 11, 2011

This week I gave my first State of the State Address, urging the Florida Legislature to not allow special interests to persuade them to turn their backs on you – the people who elected them. Like me, many of them were sent to Tallahassee to reduce the size of state government, lower taxes, and eliminate regulation. While the legislative session that began this week is a regular session, it is – in many ways – an emergency session. This week, we learned that January’s unemployment rate remains unacceptably high – at 11.9 percent.

For the 1.1 million Floridians out of work, it is an emergency. We must make Florida the No. 1 state for business and get people back to work. I am completely committed to this mission. We have to reduce the size, scope and cost of government, and return tax savings to tax payers. We must modernize the pension of state workers so that it is fair to the taxpayers of Florida. We must have an education system that focuses on individual student learning, recruits and promotes the best teachers, and encourages schools to outperform other schools in order to attract students. I look forward to working with the Legislature during the coming weeks to make Florida the best place to live, work and play. Let’s get to work!

>>> PAST WDR: JUL. 2008: Here are the graphs former PHT CEO Marvin O’Quinn presented to the PHT/BCC joint board meeting in 2008 on Jackson Hospital’s future.

>>> Jackson Health System – Future Uncertain

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY

>>> In 48 hours residents will know if Mayor Alvarez & Commissioner Seijas out, will there be one-month sprint of campaigning for candidates?

With the clock ticking before the close of the polls Tuesday at 7:00 p.m., deciding the fate of Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez (Net worth $1.74 million) and Commissioner Natacha Seijas (Net worth $617,000) after a voter petition recall put their names on a ballot and the final results are expected to be certified by Friday. And if a recall is the case for the mayor, the following scenario is expected to play out in county hall in the coming days after the election. Alvarez before Friday would delegate county Manager George Burgess to act as the executive CEO until the county Commission either appointed a interim mayor or called for a new election within the 45-day timeframe required by Miami-Dade County Charter (Something similar to when the manager runs the county administration in the summer months when the commission is on vacation, but later votes on any major actions taken). Further, the candidate pool of people running for mayor including County Commission Carlos Gimenez (Net worth $871,000) who will have to resign to run, a 10-day process, is pretty much set up at the present and the race, once announced will essentially be a 30 day sprint to election day with absentee ballots going out almost immediately once the ballot is established followed by two weeks of early voting starts that will occur at 20 early voting sites. Other candidates in the mix are Hialeah Mayor Julio Robaina, former state Rep.  Marcelo Llorente, R-West Miami, and rapper Luther Campbell are a few of the active candidates for the strong mayor job. Llorente has the largest campaign war chest. Here is The Herald’s take on the issue If pols get the boot in recall, what happens next? – Miami-Dade – MiamiHerald.com

What is going on with Alvarez and Seijas on the Spanish airwaves?

Seijas is fighting for her political life after 18-years in office and is said to be returning her county car in the near future but she is lashing out verbally on Spanish media against Alvarez and his using some county employees for the campaign and having Burgess go on a media blitz about all the great things that the county has done during the Alvarez years but this activity is raising eyebrows with voters www.miamiherald.com . Further, the armies of yellow shirted Alvarez supporters that first vaulted him in office and gave him strong mayor powers seem to be staying home this time around and at some of the early polling sites like Miami city hall. There were no Alvarez supporters urging voters to vote no Friday and could be because it is considered a loss leader when it came to the mayor’s supporters.

Alvarez

Seijas

Burgess

What about the commission appointing someone as an interim mayor?

There has been a under current of comments at county hall that the commission might decide to appoint someone saving the cost of further special elections that for mayor, a countywide office costs about $4 to $5 million to hold. Some names kicked around are former Mayor Alex Penelas, former County Commissioner Jose “Pepe” Cancio, former Miami Mayor Maurice Ferre (Net worth $2.76 million) and former county manager Merrett Stierheim, but the commission has also gotten a wake-up call from the public after a poll showed residents were highly critical of Alvarez and county commissioners.  www.miamiherald.com Further, Norman Braman, the billionaire auto magnate who has led the charge to recall Alvarez, gathered, and had certified over 93,000 petition signatures is saying if an election is not called. He will crank-up his efforts to recall the other commissioners in the future, and whatever happens, these races will have national implications given Miami-Dade’s government size and importance in Florida.

At committee meetings commissioners comment on the poll indirectly

At a county commission committee meeting last week on parks, recreation and culture, Commissioner Javier Souto (Net worth $790,000) noted a number of times that “we are here at the pleasure of voters” during the discussion on a RFP being let out for bids by the county, that would allow up to 31 communication towers, with security cameras, 4G compatible, have lightning detectors, and WiFi in some of the county’s parks trying to generate badly needed revenue. Souto a former state legislator with “25 parks in my area” said the administration should “go slow” and thought the number of sites was “a little bit drastic.” He was concerned the commission might be “accused of putting this [issue] under the people’s radar,” he said. He told the administration it was important to get resident buy in at the parks and how the towers would look was a critical issue and while “I am not against making money,” for the county. “I have an issue of the people getting mad,” he said. Commissioner Carlos Gimenez also chimed in on the issue saying they “must take into account how these look” and asked, “what would happen if there was push back” by the public and could the number be reduced to “say 20 or 15 parks,” he inquired. He also stressed,” The poles should blend into the parks” and these “must be esthetically acceptable like a tree or maybe flag pole,” he said. He also suggested looking at each park individually because he feared “community groups would be up in arms.” Parks Department director Jack Kardys noted this was only a request for proposals and “our goal was to maximize the income and the discount,” said Alex Munoz, an assistant county manager but the administration has heard the four commissioners concerns.

Gimenez

Kardys

Souto

What County Commission District 7?

When Gimenez steps down it would open up Commission District 7 and so far former Miami Mayor Xavier Suarez has filed and I am being told former Miami Mayor Joe Carollo is eyeing the commission district that includes South Miami, Coconut Grove, parts of Coral Gables and part of Little Havana, and after lying low for years. Carollo, divorced again and single is now on Spanish media blasting the administration of Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado (Net worth $5,000) on the controversial slot machines in the city and the busting of these establishments by Miami Police as has been reported in the past. Both men have lost their past political races, Carollo in 2001 when he did not make the runoff in the ten-man race for the Miami mayoral runoff election ultimately won by Manny Diaz (Net worth $1.8 million) over Maurice Ferre. Suarez also was a failed mayoral candidate in 2001 and he later lost to Gimenez in 2004 when he ran for the county commission seat. Both have considerable past political baggage but they also both have elected relatives in office. Suarez’s son Francis is a Miami Commissioner as is Carollo’s brother Frank on the five-member Miami commission. However, other candidates may emerge for this tony commission district and it remains to be seen whom the final candidate field will be made up of.

>>> Press release: Joe A. Martinez, Chairman of the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners, announced today his candidacy for Miami-Dade County Mayor in 2012.  After several weeks of speculations, Chairman assures his constituency that he would not be walking away from the position they elected him to serve until 2012.  “My parents taught me to finish what I start,” said Chairman Joe A. Martinez.  “The residents of District 11 and my colleagues elected me to lead them during these times and I am not going to quit before my term ends.  As Chairman of the Board, I know I can do more for this community, and will focus on a mayoral race when my term is up.” The Board of County Commissioners is the legislative body of Miami-Dade County that sets policies and establishes laws for the community.  They approve contracts and set the county budget.  It also has the power to override the Mayor’s veto with a two-thirds vote.

“Miami-Dade County is facing unprecedented times.  Our residents have lost faith in their elected officials and need someone they can trust and offer true leadership, as well as someone with experience,” said Chairman Martinez.  “In the coming months and year, the County will be facing many challenges — $150 million budget shortfall, making Jackson Health System a sustainable health care provider, transit and housing investigations, ten year re-appropriation and redistricting due to the census, and various charter amendments which I initiated in 2010 — that require experience and institutional knowledge to provide the right solutions. These issues are ones that Commissioners can and should address,” said Chairman Martinez. Chairman Martinez has been representing the residents of District 11 as County Commissioner for the past 11 years…

>>> Press release: GMCVB: HO$PITALITY JOB$…JOB$…JOB$:  GREATER MIAMI’S LEISURE AND HOSPITALITY JOB$ INCREASE IN JANUARY 2011

In the month of January 2011, Greater Miami’s Leisure and Hospitality Industry employment increased +3.3% compared to the same period in 2010. This is the 8th consecutive month of increased employment in Greater Miami’s Leisure and Hospitality industry.  In January 2011, an average of 107,000 people were employed in Greater Miami’s Leisure and Hospitality sector compared to 103,600 for January 2010.

GREATER MIAMI LEISURE AND HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY JOB$

January 2011	January 2010	% Change
107,000 jobs	103,600 jobs	+ 3.3%

MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

>>> Minority contracts expected to expand after “23 years of lack of consideration,” says Supt. Carvalho

School Board Member Dorothy Bendross-Mindingall during Wednesday’s monthly school board meeting noted a recent audit report showed dismal results when it came to the district letting out contracts to minority and small local businesses. Alberto Carvalho, the superintendent noted that the problem has been “historical” and persisted for “23-years.” He said these minority organizations “lack of consideration” by the person in charge of this activity was dealt with and “was fired” and the district is looking for a new “head for the entity.” Carvalho said the goal was to bring “parity” to the process and “acknowledged” this “needed to be fixed” and believes that will be the case in “23-days,” the superintendent said to the school board members after the issue was pushed by Bendross-Mindingall and later passed by the school board.

>>> Press release: The School Board unanimously approved an item proposed by Dr. Dorothy Bendross-Mindingall, School Board Member for District 2, at its regular meeting this week. The item will develop a process to grant minority and women businesses certification status so designated by the federal, state, county and other school districts. “I am proud to lead the charge to develop a process to expedite the certification process,” said Dr. Bendross-Mindingall.  “The School Board is committed to diversifying the field of businesses it works with.”

Budget constraints, administration changes and other factors have led to a backlog of applications awaiting certification. There are approximately 225 businesses awaiting certification.

Dr. Bendross-Mindingall

>>> Ethics committee releases annual report, plays key role in district along with IG since 2002

The school board’s Ethics Advisory Committee (EAC) created in 2002 along with the establishment of the Office of the Inspector General is asking the school board to make the ethics body official since it is only an advisory board. The EAC was pushed by school board member Marta Perez years ago and later embraced by other members on the board after it was perceived there was a need for a body to review ethics and conflict of interest issues and make recommendations to the school board. The current EAC is Chaired by Roberta Kressler and the vice Chair is Jacqueline Becerra and they both spoke to the school board last week. Over the years, this widely respected body of volunteer citizens has reviewed issues like nepotism where it was found years ago, that 101 people had close relatives working within the nation’s fourth largest such district and left the impression that it was who you knew when it came to advancement and in 2000 the Superintendent hand selected all the district’s principles, that led to charges of favoritism rather than professional skills.

The EAC is coordinated by the District’s Internal Auditor’s Office and that organization also coordinates with the school board Audit Committee that reviews that department’s activities and both are key citizen fire walls when it comes to having good oversight and monitoring how precious pubic tax dollars are being spent, to the tune of about $4.3 billion in public dollars a year. >>> To read the annual ethics committee’s report go to E-89 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE ETHICS ADVISORY COMMITTEE (revised) RECOMMENDED: That The School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida, receive and file the Annual Report of the Ethics Advisory Committee.

PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST

>>> Commissioner Heyman makes her presence known, new PHT board leadership in the wings, who wants the top board leadership jobs?

The all day PHT committee meetings Thursday had Sally Heyman (Net worth $425,000) animated in her discussion on and off the 17-member PHT board with board members and hospital senior staff. Heyman just recovered from an ankle injury in April last year and was treated at the hospital. She wanted to be on the PHT board along with County Commission Chair Joe Martinez (Net worth $245,000) and he appointed her to the volunteer body overseeing how the $1.9 billion health system is run. Heyman, an attorney with law enforcement background is trying her hand at overseeing the sprawling medical system with 11,187 PHT employees now, down from a high of 12,500 while the health facility fights for its financial life trying to streamline operations that has resulted in almost $200 million in savings and union concessions, but is being hammered with a dropping patient census while giving around $700 million in charity care.

However, the outside $1.1 billion offer by Stewart Health Care System has clouded some of the efforts, that now has the county commission taking over the negotiations with Steward of this county public medical asset since it is a Miami-Dade County commission “policy decision,” said Martinez. Further, the PHT leadership will probable change in the coming weeks and the officers nominating committee is meeting in the near future to nominate the board’s new leadership now that the board is at its 17-member compliment of members. John Copeland III has been the chair of the PHT board the last few years, but it has taken its toll on the man and it remains to be seen who will step into his leadership role.

Who is on the PHT Officers Nominating Committee?

Press release: Public Health Trust Officer’s Nominating Committee Georgena D. Ford, Chairperson; Jose Arrizurieta, Ernesto A. de la Fe, Gladys L. Ayala, and Joaquin del Cueto – A Public Health Trust Officer’s Nominating Committee meeting has been scheduled for Friday, March 18, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. in the West Wing Board Room.

Copeland

Heyman

Martinez

CITY OF MIAMI

>>> District 2 candidates Callahan & Niemeyer in their own words why they are running against Commissioner Sarnoff

Marc Sarnoff, the Miami Commissioner representing District 2 since Nov.  2006 has gotten some more competition in his race to be reelected in November 2011. As was reported in the past, he currently is facing Michelle Niemeyer and Kate Callahan but two more candidates, Donna Milo and Williams Armbrister have jumped into the commission race since then as well. Niemeyer is an attorney, Callahan is a public policy wonk and ethics professor, Milo ran for the U.S. Congress in 2010 as a Republican against Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, D-Weston but lost, and Armbrister is a long time Grove activist. Sarnoff was expected to coast to victory a couple of years ago, but candidates believe there may be a opening to replace him and parts of the commission district that includes Coconut Grove, downtown Miami, Brickell and the Upper East Side feel under represented, since Sarnoff an admiralty attorney lives in the Center Grove which is his political base.

The Watchdog Report contacted the four new candidates last week by email (And I will give Sarnoff an opportunity to make his case in the future) asking why they are running and what they wanted to accomplish. Callahan wrote back, “Why I’m running: I am the most qualified person in this race who should be elected to do this job!  I have a Masters degree in Public Administration from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. There, I formally learned how to run organizations and municipalities. Presently my opponents have Law degrees where they have learned about laws and how to defend people or prosecute people.  Lawyers receive no formal education on City Budgets, City Planning, Union negotiations, etc. like the one I did at Harvard. This city is in crises!  This city needs an educated person like myself to hit the ground running and deal with things like the City Budget and the situation that was just published in the “Miami Herald” about the City Audit, which occurred on one of my opponents watch. I also have a Ph.D. in leadership from Barry University. I have formally learned and mastered skills in negotiation, leadership and management. These skills are key right now and needed when dealing with Union contracts and the problems facing our City Budget.

Not only have I formally learned these lessons but also, I have demonstrated a mastery of these skills in my business as well as the positions I have held while serving my community over the last 20 years. When I am elected I would like to increase the transparency of governance in this city. Just try to get a public record in this town and if you’re young, you could be on Medicare by the time you see the document. All public records should be on-line in real time.  This includes all the Commissioners and the Mayor’s City business. This includes cell phone records, E-mails, and meetings that they are have scheduled and with whom. Also, we need to get City Hall into the 21st century by helping people get things they need on line – like a building permit.  Other Cities are doing this why can’t Miami?  In the long run, it’s cheaper and more convenient for citizens and the City government for folks to not have to go to the City Clerks office to get things like permits.

2. I am an ethics professor.  Here is what I teach hundreds of young men and women every year: The study of Ethics – 1. Right or good conduct (Ethical behavior) 2. Telling the truth (Honesty, Integrity Veracity) 3. Doing no harm/doing good (non-malfeasance/beneficence) 4. Keeping a contract with your fellow men and women (fidelity) 5. Respecting the rights of others (autonomy) 6. Being fair to others (justice)  7. professional responsibility (Meta principle) Some folks in the governance of the City still don’t quite get the concepts of ethical behavior as indicated recently in the “The Miami Herald” Audit article on 2/18/11 where it stated: “Still Thursdays audit, was the latest barb in a series of financial setbacks that have plagued Miami since December 2009. It was then that the SEC launched a probe to determine whether Miami misled bond investors about the City’s troubled finances. It was all eerily similar to an investigation by federal authorities more than a decade earlier when city officials shuffled millions of dollars to mask massive deficits.  The moves lead to federal sanctions in 2003. At the heart of the current SEC investigation are a pair of transfers from 2007 and 2008 totaling $26.4 million -including $8.2 in highly restricted impact fees. That went into the City’s general fund to make the budget whole.  Investigators are trying to determine whether Miami engaged in a shell game of sorts by moving money around to make it appear the City’s finances are healthy.” I am the most appropriately educated, skilled and prepared leader in this race. I am ready to help our citizens by working together to bring this city successfully into a prosperous future.”

Further, she wrote, “Currently, the incumbent [Sarnoff] has failed to represent ALL of his constituents.  Folks in the West Grove especially, but, the Grove over-all as well, folks in the Upper East Side, the folks in precincts 577 and 578 (our Spanish speaking neighbors) and the folks in Brickell Bay are all complaining that the Incumbent focuses MOST of his time and energy in the small part of the Grove in which he lives and the business community of Miami.  The folks that are being ignored are MAD! They ALL want to be represented and want the attention of their Commissioner. I am prepared to do that.  I also have a facility with Spanish so, I can listen to and help out all the people who live work and play in District 2,” wrote the commission candidate last week.

Niemeyer responded, “Thank you for the opportunity to respond.  Our campaign is off to a strong start and an opportunity to talk about the issues that matter is appreciated. Through my community involvement and experience as a resident and small business owner in District 2, I have learned so much about the important issues facing our District.  I am ready to put that experience to work to improve our quality of life in Miami. I will work to make our local government a partner in improving the local economy and public safety, providing opportunities for our young people who are our future, and protecting our environment. Accessibility and accountability are important to me. As Commissioner, I will focus on serving the citizens of the district and improving their quality of life.

I decided to run because I have the skills and desire to make a difference for the people of District 2.  I know that now, more than ever, people are hurting and need help.  For these reasons, I want to continue my record of service as District 2 Commissioner. My website is www.MichelleforMiami.com.  Please suggest readers visit my site and learn more about who I am and why I am running,” wrote the chair of the Coconut Grove Village Council. Editor’s note: I did not get a response to emails to the other two candidates and these were the only usable photos I was able to find on the candidates and none came up for Armbrister.

Sarnoff

Callahan

Niemeyer

Milo

>>> Will road naming of state attorney Fernandez-Rundle be revisited?

The commission passed on Thursday naming a section of a Miami street after Miami-Dade state Attorney Katherine Fernandez-Rundle by a 3 to 0 vote, and while the attorney Julie Abreu told commissioners the supermajority requirement in the past had sunset and it was okay. However, the issue is still rattling around the community and I suggested Clerk Priscilla Thompson check into it for on the city webpage dealing with the code, it does not show the requirement had sunset. The Clerk said she would research the issue since she did not know the answer off the top of her head.

>>> General election is moved up to Nov. 1, qualifying dates advance as well

The Miami commission on Thursday approved having the city’s general election on Nov. 1, 2011 rather than a week later, so the activity coincides with elections in Homestead, Miami Beach and Hialeah and saves the city money. Miami-Dade Election Supervisor Lester Solis had requested the move up date at a past meeting and it passed Thursday without debate. This change also moves up the qualifying dates to Aug. 26 to Sept. 10, 2011 wrote Clerk Priscilla Thompson in a Feb. 17 memo to the mayor and commissioners on the subject.

>>> Readers should stay tuned and catch the meeting on the city’s cable station channel 77. >>> Stream Channel 77, for all City of Miami meetings, (Commission, PAB,CIP, Code, etc. hearings)    http://videos.miamigov.com/

CITY OF MIAMI BEACH

>>> Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club – Meeting Date: Tuesday, March 15th, 2011 -Meeting Time: 8:30 AM Meeting Place: David’s Café, 1654 Meridian Ave. , South Beach – Miami Beach City Commissioner Jorge Exposito will be the guest speaker at the March 15th meeting of the Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club. >>>

At the February 24th meeting of the Finance Committee, of which Mr. Exposito is a member, and with additional non-member Commissioners attending, the proposed expansion of the Miami Beach Convention Center, couched as a Basis of Design Proposal, was presented to the committee by the city administration with a request that the Finance Committee endorse the report and its estimated $640 million dollar cost and move it forward for Commission approval.

Commissioner Exposito was the first committee member to speak after the presentation and correctly questioned the cost VS benefit of the plan, noting also that while the consultants suggested that a 100,000 increase in square footage would help make the center more competitive, the administration was proposing a one million square foot expansion.  This line of questioning was continued and other issues added by those members following Mr. Exposito.  Notwithstanding the concerns expressed by Mr. Exposito and the Finance Committee, when the City Commission met yesterday it heard the presentation and resolution to approve the plan, and with the exception of Commissioner Wolfson, voted 5 to 1 to approve it. There is no charge and everyone is welcome to attend. David Kelsey, Moderator for the Breakfast Club For more information contact David Kelsey.  To be placed on the Breakfast Club’s mailing list, contact Harry Cherry.  Both can be reached at www.TuesdayMorningBreakfastClub@Yahoo.com

CITY OF CORAL GABLES

>>> Two Group IV candidates Rosenblatt & Sanabria get some ink on their past

A dust up between some of the Group IV Commission candidates hit the media last week with WPLG Channel 10 doing a story and also www.miamiherald.com on Brad Rosenblatt and his past financial dealings including a bankruptcy.

http://www.justnews.com/video/27139625/index.html The candidates running for the commission seat are Rene Alvarez, Jackson Rip Holmes , Richard W. Martin II , Frank C. Quesada , Brad Rosenblatt , and Gonzalo Sanabria (click their name to go to their campaign contributions) and Rosenblatt is said to be a front runner candidate and has raised the most money fir the race. Local municipal races like in Coral Gables can get intense, and with the April 12 general election day drawing closer. Voters in the City Beautiful should hold on for besides this race, another race for mayor is likely to get even more viscous in the weeks ahead that has incumbent Mayor Donald Slesnick, II facing former diplomat James Cason and attorney Tom Korge. Slesnick, after serving since the spring of 2001 was thought to be stepping aside but he said his supporters urged him to run one more time and ultimately filed his candidate papers again.

What about the mayoral candidates war chests?

Slesnick who entered the race late has raised $80,645 during the reporting period that ended on Friday for a total of $131,770 state’s www.miamiherald.com Tom Korge has $108,635 in his campaign, and Cason, a former Ambassador has $28,040 available for the race. Slesnick in a past forum with the other candidates went on the offensive promoting all the things that had been achieved over the past decade. But Korge and Cason hammered him on past scandals; the city’s building department performance and other issues. However, with these political funds each candidate will do their best to get their message out, it is a winner take all race, and all that is needed is one more vote than the other two candidates to win under the city’s Charter.

>>> Press release: “Keeping you abreast of the pressing issues affecting Coral Gables.” If you missed our Candidate Forum for the City of Coral Gables Commission Seat 4, it is now available to view in its entirety on our website at http://www.poncebusiness.com/Candidate_Forum_Link.html Our next and last Candidate Forum will be on March 22nd at the Coral Gables Congregational Church – Fellowship Hall (3010 DeSoto Boulevard) from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm.  Ponce Business Association

>>> The Ponce Business Association will be sponsoring three Candidate Forums for the upcoming Coral Gables City Commission election on April 12, 2011.

Our third Candidate Forum, for City Commission Seat 5 has been rescheduled  to Tuesday, March 22nd.  The Forum will be held at the Coral Gables Congregational Church (Fellowship Hall – 3010 DeSoto Avenue).  The doors will be open to the public at 7:00 pm.  The forum will begin at 7:15 pm.   The candidates are William Kerdyk Jr. and Richard Namon.  The agenda for this Forum will not only consist of questions from the audience but also the candidates asking questions of each other.  The Moderator will be CBS4 news anchor Eliott Rodriguez.

>>> OTHER STORIES AROUND FLORIDA

BROWARD COUNTY

>>> Gov. Scott puts second notch in suspension belt removing Tamarac Mayor Talabisco

There he goes again, Gov. Rick Scott has a second notch on his suspension belt since taking office in January when he suspended Tamarac Mayor Beth Flansbaum-Talabisco http://blogs.browardpalmbeach.com/pulp/bob_normans_pulp/ after she was arrested last week on corruption charges and the number of way word officials over the past few years busted for public corruption sentenced and in jail or awaiting trial nears 12 public officials. Mayor Pamela Bushnell follows her in office and the commission District 1 is vacant state’s the city’s web page on Saturday.

Bushnell

The state’s second largest county has been a Democratic Party bastion and with elections partisan at the county level. The bulk of elected officials are Democrats. Over a decade ago when I first started covering Broward I was repeatedly assured the voters loved their leaders and everything was great in the county with 31 municipalities and only about 50,000 residents in the small unincorporated area, significantly different from Miami-Dade where over 1 million residents live in the unincorporated areas.

Commissioner Ilene Lieberman, a Broward Commissioner and attorney one time years ago took umbrage with a story I wrote about her working as a lobbyist using her married name believing that people would not recognize her. I criticized her for working in that capacity at the time, even though commissioners get $92,000 in yearly salary and she carped it was necessary so that she could buy tables at charity events and in my mind that changed the subject completely because that reason was supposed to make it right in her mind, which I disagreed with. Now the commissioner is being swept-up in the Tamarac mayor’s story and could explain why she has been absent so much from the county commission. But clearly, the time has come for Broward wayward officials to clean-up their act, for if not, they likely might be next to be arrested. >>> Editor’s note: See Fred Grimm’s column Sunday at www.miamiherald.com

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

PALM BEACH COUNTY

>>> Head of Krazy Locos criminal street gang and associates plead guilty to homicides, robbery, narcotics, firearms and obstruction of justice

>>> Press release: Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, John V. Gillies, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Miami Field Office, Hugo Barrera, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Anthony V. Mangione, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations, Miami Field Office, and Ric Bradshaw, Sheriff, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, announced today the entry of guilty pleas by Jonathan Gonzalez, the leader of the Krazy Locos criminal street gang of Lake Worth, Florida, his brother, Christopher Gonzalez-Chamberlain, and Itzel Candela-Campos, an associate of the gang for their roles in two homicides, two “drive-by” shootings, narcotics and firearms trafficking, and obstruction of justice.

As set forth in the Fourth Superseding Information, Gonzalez was a leader of the “Krazy Locos,” also known as the “KL” gang, which is a group composed primarily of juvenile and young adult males with a smaller number of juvenile and young adult females, with members operating primarily in Palm Beach County, Florida, in the Southern District of Florida.  The Krazy Locos has been affiliated at times with another gang, the “Making Life Krazy” or “MLK” gang, which also operates in Palm Beach County, Florida.  During the period of 2007 through 2009, there were approximately forty Krazy Locos gang members and associates.

Beginning in approximately late 2007, the Krazy Locos began an alliance with a larger gang named Sur-13, or the “Sureños,” which is a gang that first became prominent in California but has now spread to cities throughout the United States.  The alliance was formed when certain high-ranking Krazy Locos members learned that they would be imprisoned and sought to affiliate themselves with Sur-13 in order to insure that they would have protection while in the prison environment, where Sur-13 has a large presence.  Thus, beginning in approximately mid-2008, some Krazy Locos members began referring to the gang as “KL-13.” The Krazy Locos organization made money through the sale of controlled substances, primarily oxycodone, Xanax, methadone, cocaine, crack, and marijuana.  With respect to the prescription medications (oxycodone, Xanax, and methadone), a Krazy Locos member would “sponsor” a patient, that is, pay for the patient’s medical visit and prescription, in exchange for a portion of the prescription medication.  The gang would then re-sell the prescription medication.  Members of the gang also were required to pay “taxes” to the gang on a weekly basis and often resorted to criminal activity to secure the money to pay their “taxes.”

In January 2009, Jonathan Gonzalez ordered a juvenile gang member, Manuel Medina, to murder Rolando Franco because Franco was trying to leave the Krazy Locos and Florida to start a new life.  In February 2009, Jonathan Gonzalez ordered his brother, Christopher Gonzalez-Chamberlain, and two juvenile gang members, Medina and Alejandro Tomas, to participate in the home invasion-style robbery of an apartment in Lake Worth, Florida, that Gonzalez believed was used as a “stash” house by the 18th Street Gang.  Instead, the small apartment was occupied by a family of five adults and seven children who were not involved in drug trafficking.  Gonzalez-Chamberlain and Medina attempted to rob the house on February 22, 2009, but were startled to find Daniel Rivera sitting outside the house.  Gonzalez-Chamberlain and Medina both fired shots, killing Daniel Rivera and wounding Angel Rivera.  Tomas served as the getaway driver. In April 2009, Gonzalez ordered Medina and Tomas to shoot up the home of another former Krazy Locos member.  The two juveniles went to the home on April 18, 2009, firing several shots into the home, almost injuring the sister of the former gang member.  Gonzalez was angry that the two juveniles had not emptied the entire clip in the AK-47-style firearm, so he sent them back to the house on April 22, 2009 to finish the job.  On that occasion, Medina fired the weapon into the air, causing damage to a number of homes in the area. That evening, Gonzalez sold the firearm to an undercover officer as part of a joint federal/local investigation that eventually led to the arrest of Gonzalez and a number of other Krazy Locos members and associates.  During the undercover operation, undercover PBSO officers along with special agents from the FBI and ATF, recovered 28 firearms and over a thousand rounds of ammunition, along with a bulletproof vest and a fake grenade.

This afternoon, Gonzalez and Gonzalez-Chamberlain entered their guilty pleas.  Gonzalez pled guilty to Counts 1, 3, 4, 8, 10, 12, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 26 of the Fourth Superseding Indictment which charge conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, murder in aid of racketeering, attempted aggravated assault in aid of racketeering, carrying, brandishing, and discharging firearms during crimes of violence, conspiracy to transfer firearms to others for use in crimes of violence and drug trafficking, and felon in possession of firearms.  Gonzalez faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of life imprisonment plus eighty-five years up to a maximum of six consecutive life terms plus 126 years.  Gonzalez-Chamberlain pled guilty to Count 9, which charges assault with a deadly weapon in aid of racketeering.  Gonzalez-Chamberlain faces a maximum term of twenty years’ imprisonment. Yesterday, Itzel Candela-Campos, the girlfriend of another one of the leaders of the Krazy Locos, pled guilty to Count 35 of the Fourth Superseding Indictment, which charges conspiracy to use intimidation, threats, and corrupt persuasion to prevent the testimony of another, or to alter, destroy, or conceal objects needed in an official proceeding.  Candela-Campos faces a maximum term of twenty years’ imprisonment… A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls.

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY

>>> Scott taps Swan as county’s supervisor of elections

Press release: Gov. Rick Scott today announced the appointment of Leslie R. Swan of Vero Beach as Indian River County Supervisor of Elections.

Swan, 52, is currently the Assistant Supervisor of Elections for Indian River County.  She succeeds Kay Clem and is appointed for a term beginning March 7, 2011, and ending January 7, 2013.

MONROE COUNTY

>>> Tallahassee sends down new rules for ACSC, says Administrator Gastesi

The Watchdog Report last week contacted county Administrator Roman Gastesi about the challenges in the Keys and how it was going with the state, now that Gov. Rick Scott is in office and the legislature is meeting. He emailed back, “We are closely monitoring the on goings in Tallahassee, I have been personally visiting for the last few weeks and intend on visiting a few more times during the legislative session. Insurance and retirement are at the top of our attention. We also got our new rules under the designation of Area of Critical State Concern (ACSC) passed last week by the Governor & Cabinet, the rules outline the action items that need to be implemented for Monroe County, Islamorada, and Marathon. The rules consist of items related to: Enumerating number of Rate of Growth Ordinance housing allocations received annually; Clarifying and making consistent the changes from last summer related to central wastewater being installed by 2015 and outlining benchmarks for installation of various wastewater improvements throughout Monroe County; Outlining Tier Mapping refinement and how the maps may be adopted and revised in the future.

The County creating a Goal 106 in the Comprehensive Plan to establish a Tier Designation Review Committee to assist in future analysis of the Tier Maps; Reporting requirements for all administrative relief permits denied 4 years or more so DCA can keep track of permits awarded; Monroe County adopting an ordinance that discourages private development applications that increase density/intensity; Monroe County  applying for land acquisition grants annually; Monroe County and all municipalities entering into a memorandum of understanding related to hurricane evacuation modeling and the assumptions that are to be used in the modeling to determine build out or maximum number of housing units/transient units permitted in the County,” wrote the Monroe County Administrator.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

>>> A Special Tribute Celebrating the Legendary Cole Porter – March 19, 2011 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets $50 – $125 – John S. and James L. Knight Concert Hall – Now celebrating its Fifth Anniversary Season, the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County proudly presents the return to the Adrienne Arsht Center of the famed Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra, under the baton of renowned conductor Keith Lockhart, on March 19, 2011 at 8 p.m. in the John S. and James L. Knight Concert Hall. The program will honor the marvelous Cole Porter in celebration of the 120th anniversary of his birth. Porter’s saucy style will come to life with special guests Kelli O’Hara, who recently starred in the Tony Award-winning Broadway revival of South Pacific, and Jason Danieley, who most recently starred on Broadway in the Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical Next to Normal. Highlights of the tribute, entitled You’ll Get a Kick Out of Cole, include Porter’s iconic songs: “Night and Day,” “I Get A Kick Out of You,” “Begin the Beguine,” “It’s De-Lovely,” “What Is This Thing Called Love?,” plus much more. Works by Berlin, Bernstein, Gershwin, and Rodgers will also be performed. >>> The Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra is the third engagement of the new four-concert 2010-2011 Signature Pops Series as part of the John S. and James L. Knight Masterworks Season. Tickets range from $50 to $125 and may be purchased through the Adrienne Arsht Center box office by calling (305) 949-6722, or online at www.arshtcenter.org.

>>> Press release: In celebration of Women’s History Month, the Miami-Dade Park and Recreation Department (MDPR) and the Miami-Dade County Commission for Women are hosting the 23rd Annual In the Company of Women Awards Celebration on Thursday, March 31, from 6-9 p.m., at the Biltmore Hotel, 1200 Anastasia Ave., Coral Gables.  The event includes a cocktail-reception and an awards-presentation recognizing 12 local women for their long-standing contributions to the residents of Miami-Dade County.

WPLG Channel 10 reporter Neki Mohan will emcee the festivities.  As part of the program, a representative from the Office of the Mayor will present the Mayor’s Pioneer Award, which honors a woman who has proven leadership, creativity, and vision in addressing community issues in Miami-Dade County within the past 10 years. The honorees include: Arts & Entertainment–Eveline Pierre, Founder of the Haitian Heritage Museum; Business & Economics–Patricia Thorp, Senior Counselor, RBB Public Relations; Communications & Literature–Michele Gillen, Chief Investigative Reporter, CBS Miami; Education & Research–Dr. Stacey Mancuso, Principle, DASH; Government & Law–Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz; Health & Human Services–Lucy Morillo-Agnetti, President & CEO, Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation; Science & Technology–Sherry Thompson Giordano, Executive Director, IT Women, and June Randall, Chief, Administration & Technology Division, Miami-Dade County Police; Sports & Athletics–Marta Montenegro, Founder, Publisher & Editor-In-Chief, SoBeFit Magazine; Mayor’s Pioneer Award–Elaine Bloom, former member of the Florida House of Representatives; Community Spirit Award–Donna Ginn, Founder & Managing Partner, Crossroad Consulting Group; and posthumous honors–Amanda Haworth, Detective, Miami-Dade Police Warrants Bureau.

Nominations were solicited from the general public from October through December 2010.  Nominees must have a history of continued accomplishments in their field and have met these five criteria: professional development, community responsibility, leadership and vision, contribution to women’s progress and promotion of pluralism.  Award recipients were selected by a panel, comprised of some of last year’s winners and the event’s organizing committee.

Tickets for In the Company of Women $40 and can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at 305-358-5885, or visiting their web site: www.ticketmaster.com; or at Miami-Dade County Auditorium, 2901 West Flagler Street. For more information about the event, call Lisa Fernandez at the Women’s Park, 305-480-1717.

>>> Downtown Bay Forum monthly luncheon on Mar. 30-titled Economic and Social Dimension of Job Creation in Miami-Dade County. For more information go to  www.downtownbayforum.com

>>> Press release: How to Run a Clean Campaign — Citizens considering running for elected office can learn how to do it right by attending the next Campaign Skills Seminar sponsored by the Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics and Public Trust. The seminar, at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 7, 2011, at the North Miami Police Department’s Community Service Room, will provide essential information on fundraising and record keeping to candidates, campaign treasurers, volunteers and anyone who wants to understand the legal and ethical obligations of seeking public office.  Speakers include representatives of the Miami-Dade Ethics Commission, the State Attorney’s Office and the Elections Department.  The event is free and open to the public.  Attorneys can earn Continuing Legal Education credits from the Florida Bar. Campaign Skills Seminar, Thursday, April 7, 2011 6:30 p.m., Community Service Room at the North Miami Police Department, 700 NE 124 Street, North Miami, Florida 33161 >>For more information or to reserve a seat, call Robert Thompson at 305-350-0630 or e-mail robthom@miamidade.gov. >> The Ethics Commission was created in 1996 as an independent agency with advisory and quasi-judicial powers.  It is composed of five members, serving staggered terms of four years each.  Through a program of education and outreach, the Commission seeks to empower the community and bolster public trust.

EDITORIALS

>>> It is time, the will of the voters is in the wind but will you vote, or just complain about your local government?

There is a wind in the air of discontent and unhappiness around the globe and here in Miami-Dade we have the recall of Mayor Carlos Alvarez and Commissioner Natacha Seijas ending on Tuesday, and the results will have profound ramifications around the nation. Alvarez got strong mayor powers in 2007 by county voters but he has failed to connect with many of his once supporters that turned out in droves back in 2004 and even 2008 when he was elected to his second term ending in November 2012. Though a local activist Helen Williams got some 35 percent of the vote against the incumbent back then. A series of events have brought us to where we are today, and many have said they would vote to keep the mayor because he has done nothing criminal but make a policy decision, but they also admit that if he is recalled. They could live with it because it makes a point, that voters are frustrated at how they are being governed.

The Miami-Dade Home Rule Charter starts out that the Charter “has been created to protect the governed, not the governing,” and this election is a manifestation of this voter frustration with how they are being governed. Norman Braman, a billionaire provided the “financial juice” to ignite the countywide debate late last year. But ultimately we as a community are entering uncharted waters, that has the PHT reeling and looking for a new president and CEO, the county facing multiple challenges across a wide spectrum of issues, while cutting another $250 million in next year’s budget that needs to be overcome and resolved, but the Dye is Cast, and this week is D-Day when it comes to both of their political future. The question is will you vote and participate in this Great Experiment of Democracy or stand back and let others make your political choice for you. Something I would not recommend if you believe in the Republic that is robust and strong. For a major decision is being weighed and what county voters think will be known on Wednesday and will you be one of those that participated by voting, or will you just complain about the results afterwards?

>>> Citizen outrage should be on public big-ticket items, not just the excessive perks for some employee

I was talking to a long time government employee and budget expert about the hoopla over some official’s spending which in the scheme of things was a pittance when it came to the amount. He noted, the public does not appreciate or get angry at a $30 million government boondoggle but does understand if some one gets thousands of dollars of points from air travel paid for on the public dime, because that is something they understand and it is a salient comment. However, these transgressions must be put into context and the public while rightfully outraged at some of these perks. We must keep our eye on the big issue which is the almost $14 billion in public tax dollars in play here in Miami-Dade yearly, and oversight of these public tax dollars has never been more vital with the slowly recovering economy where every tax dollar is precious.

LETTER

>>> Senator John Ensign (R-NV) will not seek re-election in 2012, bringing the grand total of OPEN SEATS in the U.S. Senate to 8! -Will Rep. Shelley Berkely jump in? (See below)
(http://nationaljournal.com/congress/nevada-senate-ensign-to-retire-race-stays-in-toss-up-20110307) Click HERE for 2011-2012 OPEN SEATS Races and probable/possible candidates as things start to shape up. It is important to not only list the women running for those seats, but also who may be running against them or races where there are NO women running. New Mexico, North Dakota, and Virginia currently send NO women to either house of Congress…Please feel free to send in corrections/additions if you know them. Onward & Upward!
Paula Xanthopoulou

Miami

>>> The National Anthem – When all the Chilean miners had been brought safely to the surface, they stood with their nation’s President, and together, sang all the words of the several verses of the Chilean National Anthem. They sang their national anthem to express their thanks and devotion to their nation.

Contrast that with the tens of thousands standing silent as the Star Spangled Banner is played at the beginning of every Marlins and Dolphin game.  Do the Chilean miners love and respect their country more than those Americans and Americans to be? I think not.. Why is it that the crowds don’t sing the Star-Spangled Banner? Why would anyone want to compete with the talents of the designated singer, the patriotic graphics on the Jumbotron or the flyover by military jets – and then there are some who have either forgotten or never learned the words…Let’s make the opening of every professional game an opportunity for Americans to express their love and respect for their country.  Instead of graphics, put the words on the Jumbotron and let the designated singer invite the crowd to join in singing their Anthem in a singable arrangement and key.

This baseball season would be a great time to start. How about it Mr. Loria?

Don MacCullough

Miami

>>> Gov. Rick Scott has announced a gubernatorial earmark of $77 million in pork for the port dredging. This is in addition to a previous state layout of $17.5 million and $120m in bonds to be let by generous Miami-Dade County. Would it be too much to ask what the taxpayers are getting in return for this $200m gouging? How many new “jobs” will just be for temporary construction? What project was killed to free up those millions? Finally, how much more rent, if any, will port operators pay us to retire all that debt? Sounds like the tea party is laying out the sterling silver.

Mike Burke

Miami Beach

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The Watchdog Report covers a few of the meetings attended weekly. It remains my belief that an informed public will make better decisions. Therefore, I go to meetings, make the presence of an informed citizen known, and bring the information to you.   The Watchdog Report is in the fourth year of publication and it has been an honor to be able to send this information to you. It is sent to readers in Miami-Dade, Florida, the U.S. and the world. The Watchdog Report is sent to thousands free and while readers have been prodded to subscribe the results have been mixed. Over 250 reports and Extra’s have been sent since May 5, 2000 and over one million words have been written on our community’s governments and events.  The report is an original work based on information gathered at public meetings, interviews and from documents in the public domain.

LETTER POLICY

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

Daniel A. Ricker

Publisher & Editor

Watchdog Report

Est. 05.05.00

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

>>> Watchdog Report is expanding as a new service and this content is now available to other news media, no longer exclusive to The Miami Herald

The Watchdog Report is no longer exclusively with The Miami Herald, and excluding the one story a week that is printed in the paper on Monday in the Metro & State section by me. The rest of the 20 or so news stories weekly sent out Sunday in the Watchdog Report are now available to television stations web pages, and all the newspapers and other media in South Florida if the publishers have an interest to run part or all of the stories. Further, in 2000, I used to have some paper’s running the report in the Spanish press, that option is available again, and publishers should contact me.  The news content will not be free, but you can pick and chose the stories of interest, edit them if necessary but you must still keep the general story intact.  If you are a news outlet and would like to learn more about, the Watchdog Report and this offer contact me at watchdogreport1@earthlink.net for further information.

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

>>> The Miami Herald and Orlando Sentinel & Sun-Sentinel articles on the Watchdog Report publisher over the years. >>> Published on September 9, 1999, Page 1EA, Miami Herald, The (FL) CITIZEN ADVOCATE’ KEEPS TABS ON POLITICIANS >>> Published on January 3, 2000, Page 1B, Miami Herald, The (FL) MIAMI-DADE WATCHDOG WILL BE MISSED >>> 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.

>>>Watchdog Report publisher named ‘Best Citizen’ 2003 by the Miami New Times  —The publisher would like to thank the weekly alternative paper Miami New Times for bestowing their 2003 Best of Miami, ‘Best Citizen’ award to me and I am honored.  Thank you. To read the full story go to http://www.miaminewtimes.com/issues/2003-05-15/citylife2.html/1/index.html

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

Those who do read the newspaper in Florida have a bevy of options for state government and political coverage. The dominant newspapers in the state are Knight-Ridder’s The Miami Herald (Acquired by The McClatchy Company in 2006) and the Poynter Institute’s St. Petersburg Times. Both papers endorsed Gore in 2000 but split on the 2002 gubernatorial race, with the Herald endorsing Republican incumbent Jeb Bush and the Times backing Democratic challenger Bill McBride.

Daniel Ricker of The Miami Herald also writes an influential column as well as an email newsletter called the Watchdog Report that goes out to more than 100,000 subscribers. FEBRUARY 2004 – Florida: Columnists in Abundance —ERIC GAUTSCHI, graduate student, School of Journalism & Mass Communication, UNC-Chapel Hill – D) LEADING COMMENTATORS – Resource Commentator Organization Type Web site –Steve Bousquet St. Petersburg Times Column www.sptimes.com/columns/bousquet.shtml -“First Friday” WPBT TV (Miami) TV Show www.channel2.org/firstfriday/issues.html –Lucy Morgan St. Petersburg Times Column www.sptimes.com/columns/morgan.shtml –Daniel Ricker Miami Herald/Watchdog Report Newsletter –www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/columnists/dan_ricker/ >>> Readers who would like to read the complete University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill Southeast United States Media Report go to view the complete report or download all the data used in this study. >>> Watchdog Report Editor’s note to the NCU/CH study: The subscriber number referenced is incorrect and applies to readership.

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

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