Watchdog Report Vol.24 No.34 October 8, 2023: EST: 05.05.00 – I go when & watch when you cannot a trusted news source free weekly for 24-years
WATCHDOG REPORT
Miami-Dade, Fla.
Vol.24 No.34, October 8, 2023, Celebrating May 5th,2000: 24 -years of free weekly publishing! www.watchdogreport.net & Former Miami Herald news & editorial columnist for eight years weekly. 05.05.00, I go when you cannot, for almost 22-years & a trusted free community education resource & news service, without the attitude.
>>> 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.)
>> I WANTED TO APOLOGIZE FOR NOT GIVING MY READERS THE SCOPE OF INFORMATION THEY HAVE COME TO EXPECT : 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. If I get a little help, I will be able to carry on another year and I know many citizens have many demands asking for help. Overall, I am a very low-cost solo operation covering all your major public institutions like none’ve before me for 23 years free weekly. Thank you and please help if you can? I also had a medical issue with my hand and should be back to normal next week. I was also hit with some very bad financial news last week, hardly sleeping now.
ARGUS REPORT: HEARD & SEEN ON The STREET
>>> Horrific attack on Israel, by Hamas killing & hostages by hundreds, stunning the globes leaders governments instability around world not helping: JHS/UM 2023 annual operating agreement drops to $72.12 million, was in 2016 $127.844, hard negotiations involve CEO Migoya, county mayor’s office in deal, wasn’t always that way in 2000, as I followed process and it just drooped off and suddenly came to board. The WDR brings the underside of our public institutions in a unique way, allowing me to become a “institution,” said CBS reporter Joan Murray, which surprised me at the time. Wish me well in these inflationary times and lets pray for Isael’s people under siege.
The world is watching in horror after Israel in a Hamas sneak attack that has killed hundreds and hostages involved is playing out on the world stage. It makes the WDR less relevant, in the scheme of things. Some good news locally is that Jackson Health System has finalized an Annual Operating Agreement (AOA) in Sept. with the University of Miami Miller medical School.
This year,2023 JHS is paying $72.12 million for U/M medical services. In 2024 that increases to $84.0 million. JHS as the only public hospital in the community and all the not-for-profit health systems who in the past were overwhelmed with the uninsured. An example was the public D.C. General that closed in early 2000. That closure ended up with another hospital closing as well.Whats interesting is the reduction of the agreement which in 2016 was for $127.844 million >>>> To see the May AOL approved in September go to: file:///C:/Users/Dan/Downloads/AOA%20PHT%20Presentation%202023-2024%20FINAL%203.30pm%205192023%20(6).pdf
>>> Miami unsafe structures board, finding residents dealing with unscrupulous contractors leading to “slew of violations” dangerous to occupant, happening so often after lack oversight over years, by Miami.
City of Miami Unsafe Structures Board met Friday and a poor lady was scammed by her contractor and her home at one point “had a slew of violations,” and the city wanted possible demolition, and the waiting for violation to happen was out of the question said the board. I have been covering this board for Miami has a slew of unsafe structures that are hazardous over the years.
>>> New computer scam alerts your locked up call bogus number. Don’t it is a scam. I was hit Wednesday.
>>> The new Miami-Dade County clerk needs to change its web page for lobbyists. The system asks you to log in and search by name versus a complete list you can scroll through. It was updated Sept. 17, 2023, and is terrible. The city of Miami has an easy way to see the lobbyist names….
>>> Keys icon Buffett, 76, gave Keys new tourist life, as well as 1962 Baptist Health South Florida Fishermen’s Community Hospital crushed after Irma in 2017, newly reopened in July 2021, 38,000 patients treated since then only two hospitals in Monroe County.
Keys icon Buffett & gave lifestyle tourist dollars as well as new community hospital after Irma devastated old 1962 Fishermen’s Community Hospital, one of two in Keys.
With Jimmy Buffett,76, passing. He gave the Keys and Monroe County new visibility and a lifestyle. The other important institution in Monroe is the rebuilding of the 1962 Fishermen’s Community Hospital (Part of Baptist Health South Florida).After Hurricane Irma devastated it in 2017. The facility since reopening on July 21, 2021, has served some 38,000 patients and in a county with few medical facilities, actually only two in the tourist county. The updated facility was needed given the county’s demographics.
>>> The roles of local health foundations in Miami-Dade County are important for all residents. The Baptist Health Foundation Youth Athletic Outreach program is one such community service with 94,000, student athletes impacting benefitting trainers on site, as well as EKG screenings preventing unrecognized heart conditions has partnered with the Miami Dolphins.
Jackson Health Foundation also plays a great community health role and why I report on it so much, for their importance to overall health and prevention, has allowed residents to continue their endeavors.
STATE OF FLORIDA:
>>> They’re he goes again DeSantos suspends, removes Miami commissioner Diaz de la Portilla, 8th Miami commissioner to be removed by past governors. He “claims [charges are a work of fiction to WPLG],” will more come as trials & investigations continue, could be reelected nov.7, has happened before with ex commissioner Humberto Hernandez?
Gov. Ron DeSantos has a dilemma in the city of Miami after a republican commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla(DLP) was arrested Thursday after a commission meeting. He says he is innocent, and it is a witch hunt to the press after a Democrat state attorney in Broward brought the charges of money laundering, bribery public corruption after the local state attorney asked the governor to have the Broward office do the investigation since locally state attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle was conflicted.
The governor running for president risks alienating the republican Cuban voters if he removes DLP (which he did Friday) the longtime political fixture in Miami-Dade County. He has served as both a Florida state representative as well as senator and his younger brother Renier ran as a judge losing .Renier a former state representative and school board member slid into the seat after no one ran for the open seat. He lost the reelection. DLP says the arrest removal is political hit since he supports Trump in 2024. He further used a slang name to describe the governor in the press, defending himself.
The commissioner has two world class defense attorney’s Ben Kuehne, and the second defendant Willliam Riley. an attorney and lobbyist is represented by former U.S. Atty. Kendall Coffey, whose wife Joni was an assistant county attorney for years and later the Broward County Attorney. Editor’s NOTE: This is why I started to go to all these meetings and had a card that read. Citizen Advocate for Ethical Government back in 1997 here because it was so blatant and in the open.
What do we know about Alex’s finances?
The former state legislator had a net worth of $31,643, back in 12/2009.Last year 2021, it jumped to $1.668 million mostly in real estate.
The commissioner Sunday tells WPLG that the indictments are a “work of fiction,” “same as Trump” he says to media. He also said he would be campaigning on Sunday, now out on bail. The race has challengers and are starting to get media attention. The commissioner has $76,603 in his campaign war chest. His brother Miguel, also a former senator, is a major Miami lobbyist including World Plaza 600 Brickell and the older brother pushed having a county IG back in 1994 along with Jimmy Morales and Katy Sorenson. Below is the governors order.
Press : Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 23-184 (Executive Order of Suspension), suspending Alejandro Diaz de la Portilla from his position as City of Miami Commissioner, District 1.
On September 14, 2023, Alejandro Diaz de la Portilla was arrested on one count of Money Laundering, a first-degree felony under section 896.101, Florida Statutes; three counts of Unlawful Compensation or Reward for Official Behavior, a second-degree felony under section 838.016, Florida Statutes; one count of Bribery / Misuse of Public Office, a second-degree felony under section 838.015, Florida Statutes; one count of Criminal Conspiracy, a third-degree felony under section 777.04, Florida Statutes; four counts of Official Misconduct, a third-degree felony under section 838.022, Florida Statutes; one count of Campaign Contribution in Excess of Legal Limits for Political Committees, a third-degree felony under section 106.08(1)(a)(3), Florida Statutes; and two counts of Failure to Report a Gift, a second-degree misdemeanor under Miami-Dade County Code Sec. 2-11.1(e) and section 125.69, Florida Statutes.
To read the full executive order, click here or read below:
>>> Eight commissioners removed since 1997,one twice, will many more follow this clean-up of Miami politics?
Here is a list of all the Miami Commission removed or suspended from office since 1997.They are Miller Dawkins, Humberto Hernandez(twice),Art Teele, Angel Gonzalez, Johnny Winton, Michelle Spence Jones (later reinstated),Alex Diaz de la Portilla, most recently. The public is wondering if others will be charged as well since Miami has the so called “friends and family plan” often referred to at city boards where people get a break at the boards on their fines or punishment. Forced out police chief Art Acevedo mentioned the interference and use of government against political enemies by commissioners and interfering with police operations like code enforcement.
The authorities from the Broward state attorney’s office to Miami-Dade County state attorney working together have delved deep into the city and some wonder if years of corruption will finally be weeded out in this minority majority community. All the candidates running against DLP say they will fight the corruption at City Hall, where cozy relations with lobbyist is the rule of the day, with many sayings what’s the problem everyone is doing it, which is so true and blatant.
The commission Saturday decided not to appoint and to have a special election but to Dist. 1 in the Nov.7 municipal election already scheduled. This choice gives the suspended commissioner a good chance at being reelected despite the pending charges and has happened before. Editor’s Note: Hope to be back next week depending on finances, for another year achieved. Since I just had a birthday this month.
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST
CITY OF MIAMI
>>>
EDITORIAL
COMMUNITY EVENTS
SPONSERS
>> The Jackson Health System has seen a small bump, “maybe 10 systemwide “of new Covid patients, wrote a reliable source last week a few weeks ago…
>>> M-D COUNTY IG 25 years old, has helped save taxpayers, millions
>>> With surging homeless populations around country, local county trust getting more attention re permanent housing “four new vertical permanent sites” coming online, from Cutler Bay to Doral in next 30-days, says Trust chair Book to Miami commissioners.
The Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust is acquiring “four new vertical sites for permanent housing,” said long time serving Chairman Ronald L. Book at last Fridays city of Miami first budget meeting. The attorney told commissioners that a facility in North Miami is housing 120 seniors where “80 percent came off the streets of Miami,” he said. He noted the facility was at capacity and the trust was opening other housing facilities in Cutler bay and around 190 single units off of Krome in South Dade. He said the trust is a national model as all cities in America are dealing with dramatic increases in homeless on the streets from NYC to L.A., and Book has been contacted by former Miami school district Supervisor Alberto Carvalho, about creating such a program in LA. The city has some 79,000 unsheltered in the city and is looking for solutions as well. The new facilities will have homeless case workers helping with any clinical diagnosis and getting their required medication.
Further on the 2024 ballot there will be a question asking voters to approve a food & beverage tax on Miami Beach and other beach communities, which were originally exempted from the tax. This extra income is critical to the trust in eliminating homelessness in the county, with the extra fiscal boost. Editor’s Note: Book has been a long-time sponsor of WDR. He has also kept the county commissioners from raiding the trusts funds over the years.
>>> County Homeless count down slightly 15%, versus many other metropolitan cities, trust, and CBOs key driver to success, permanent housing solution not more shelters in the future.
The Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust annual count on August 18th is out. The city of Miami had 640 homeless in 2022, and 534 this year. For last year the number of homeless unsheltered homeless countywide was 3,566. This year it was 3,729 and trust should be a national model for other cities facing a homeless population crisis.
The Miami-Dade County Inspector General celebrated its 25th Anniversary. The agency fights waste, fraud, and abuse. Since the first I.G. Christopher Mazzella, the office has not been used for retribution that was first feared thanks to his leadership. Here’s one report on MIA elevator mechanics 2023-08-31-elevator-mechanics-dispo-ig-21-0008-i.pdf (miamidadeig.org)
>>> Fake it till you make it when it comes to GOP debate stage for Mayor Francis Suarez, who considers himself a “unicorn candidate,” says “option” should be to bomb Cuba, not registering in national polls, people wonder if Miami all sizzle, given long colorful history around the nation. He is expected to dropout and home no longer has many cars as he licks his political wounds that the commissioners will now pounce on in his weakened termed out position.
The man claims to have made the GOP debate requirements, not confirmed by the party. He has an extensive record of lack of leadership, especially the commission which gives candidates opposition research a trove of negative examples of the turmoil of Miami politics. He says he is a generational figure, and believes attacking Cuba “ should be an option,” citing past presidents actions Panama and other countries. He also believes what people do in off hours is there business. He told me this as a commissioner years ago at a restaurant in Coconut Grove having drinks but with a Miami police officer, why I remember this. However, the numerous investigations into him will emerge in the national press if his candidacy catches fire but for now it is just embers. The man is considered a cheer leader of the city and cryptocurrency now in decline and he has a spoiled kid perception being the scion of the city’s first Cuban mayor growing up and revered by many exiles. Editor’s note I write about the man since I have known him since he first tried to get a slate for the local GOP executive committee back in 2004.He wanted to get his dad elected as the county’s party chair after the father lost a county commission race, back then and backed Coral Gables mayor Vince Lago years ago.
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. https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-2003-01-20-0301190045-story.html
>>>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
>>> 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 of 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.
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MIAMI-DADE COUNTY HOMELESS TRUST: www.miamidade.gov/homeless/
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MIAMI DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY www.miamidda.com
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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/
>>> Public, Educational & Social institutions – subscribers at $1,000 or less
CITY OF MIAMI www.miamigov.com.
CITY OF CORAL GABLES www.coralgables.com
CHAPMAN PARTNERSHIP FOR HOMELESS www.chapmanpartnership.org
FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY www.fiu.edu
THE STATE OF FLORIDA www.myflorida.gov
To contribute to the WDR send and make it payable to Daniel A. Ricker
Daniel A. Ricker
3109 Grand Ave.#125
Miami, Fla. 33133