Watchdog Report Vol.12 No.2 May 15, 2011 Est.05.05.00 Celebrating my 12th Anniversary
WATCHDOG REPORT
Miami-Dade, Florida
Vol. 12 No.2 May 15, 2011
Daniel A. Ricker, Publisher & Editor
Est. 05.05.00 I go when you cannot & A community education resource & news service
www.watchdogreport.net & Former Miami Herald independent news columnist
CONTENTS
Argus Report: Braman is a “tea party supporter myself,” still pushing his charter reforms with Diaz, possible looking at Commissioner Bell as well for recall
Florida: State Rep. Bileca tapped for Jackson Financial Recovery Board, “great acquisition for PHT” says, state Sen. Garcia
Miami-Dade County: Who knew discussions between Commissioner Heyman, Lapciuc, Migoya on PHT issues should be secret, felt like NORAD nuclear launch codes might be discussed
Miami-Dade Public Schools: Charter schools siphon off $220 million from district, around 40,000 students enrolled and climbing
Public Health Trust: Sayonara PHT board, welcome FRB, but new oversight now has heightened conflict of interest criteria for the seven members
City of Miami: Commissioner Carollo holds firm on city shakedown by connected state lobbyists, takes victory lap after FL legislative session ends
City of Miami Beach: Mayor Mattie Bower’s perspective on the ending of the legislative session in Tallahassee and what it meant to the city.
City of Coral Gables: Ponce luncheon May 16th – features Dennis L. Weiner – Chief of Police for the City of Coral Gables
City of Doral: City begins 90-day warning period for red light camera safety program
>>> Other stories around Florida
Broward County: Three people arrested and charged with mail and wire fraud for purported “Cleansing” of evil spirits
City of Weston: Weston man pleads guilty to impersonating FBI agent
Community Events: The Elephant Forum luncheon May 16 being held at the Rusty Pelican is featuring state Rep. Carlos Lopez-Cantera, R-Miami and Majority leader in the FL House — Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado Announces the First Annual Wynwood Art Fair First-of-its-kind street fair showcasing – GMCVB annual hurricane readiness program for Beach hotels
Editorials: Voters must ask about outside income and FL Sunshine law and if open records laws a problem with variety of candidates in May 24 election, much is a stake — Two past WDR editorials –- History of the WDR since 1997
Letters: Reader on Orlando Sentinel front-page profile of me back in Jan. 2003
Sponsors – Publisher’s mission statement & Subscription information is at the bottom of this issue
>>> 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.)
>>> If you wish to be deleted, just e-mail me with that message and you are free to e-mail this on to friends.
>>> The Watchdog Report publisher would like to thank the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation www.knightfoundation.org for funding the University of Miami’s Knight Center of International Media http://knight.miami.edu within the University’s School of Communication www.miami.edu to financially support and maintain my webpage.
>>> If you think it is important to have someone watching your public institutions consider becoming a supporter or sponsor. For there is no trust fund and I do have to live. I almost did not write this week because of my financial condition. And while I as so many others are facing tough times. I hope you or your organization will consider helping in a small or larger way and help keep another voice on line and in the media. A convenient form is at the bottom of this week’s Watchdog Report with all the instructions on how to support this newsletter and news service that is celebrating its 12th Anniversary.
>>> I was on WLRN 91.3 FM on Monday May 9, at 1:00- 2:00 on Topical Currents hosted by Joseph Cooper and the panel discussion included the conclusion of the Florida Legislative session and the bills passed. To listen to the show featuring Watchdog Report publisher Dan Ricker; Florida Public Radio Senior Producer James Call and political columnist Joy Ann Reid. Go to http://www.wlrn.org/radio/programs/topical-currents/archive/
>>> I will also be on WLRN/NPR 91.3 FM on Wed. May 18, to discuss the mayoral race and Miami-Dade Charter Amendments on the May 24 election day ballot. I will be on Topical Currents at 1:00 p.m. hosted by Joseph Cooper and will include Herald editorial board columnist Jackie Bueno Sousa and former charter review member and attorney Jorge Luis Lopez.
ARGUS REPORT – Heard, Seen on the Street
>>> Braman says he is a “tea party supporter myself,” still pushing his charter reforms with Diaz, possible looking at Commissioner Bell as well for recall
At a recent Elephant Forum luncheon last month, auto magnate and billionaire Norman Braman spoke and while he continues his crusade for county charter reform in Miami-Dade, he also gave an indication that when it came to fiscal restraint by government. He liked what the tea party members had to say, and is “happy to identify myself as a tea party supporter myself,” he told the luncheon quests. He also believes “good government does not involve one group, but all groups,” he thought and why he was pursing the Charter Changes now that former Mayor Carlos Alvarez had been recalled March 15. He also noted that change was in the air at the county commission as well. “We elected [the first] Haitian American” to the 13 member body and “no one thought Commissioner Dorrin Rolle could be defeated.”
The Watchdog Report has always known Braman was a fiscal conservative but did not know of this new development until the luncheon. He along with former Miami-Dade Charter Chair Victor Diaz, Jr., have launched a full fledged effort to introduce more charter reform items than what the county commission has put on the May 24 ballot, including the commission’s idea that term limits should start in 2024 which Braman said was “outrageous” and critics say that is not term limits. Braman and Diaz also say it should be two terms for only eight years and the commission is just ignoring the will of county voters. They further want a smaller nine-member commission with two at large seats and a salary of over $92,000 is being suggested, as well as making petitions and organizing a recall easier in the future if this other legislation gets in front of county voters and passes.
Braman also took a shot at new Commissioner Lynda Bell who replaced retiring Commissioner Katy Sorenson in District 8 saying she “ran as a tea party” candidate but also voted yes to allow Commissioner Natacha Seijas to donate around $250,000 from her district fund, a vote that actually occurred on the recall election day for Seijas as well. The majority of the other commissioners shot down the disbursement but this vote had Braman saying. “She has been a major disappointment” and he is considering adding her name to the possible recall list of commissioners. He closed the affair saying “talk to your neighbors” for we are “trying to empower the people” who want “constructive good governance” like what occurred when 88 percent of voters “resoundingly voted” to remove Alvarez and Seijas.
What about the at large district seat court issue?
However, the at large commission district seats could be a problem because in a lawsuit in 1992 brought by then former congresswoman Carrie Meek in federal court concerning its limiting minority voters and an assistant county attorney that argued for the at large districts at a commission meeting. He recently noted the federal judge did not buy the county’s argument and the court’s drew the 13 new discrete commission districts for the county back then.
>>> Press release: U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, appeared earlier today on Fox News Channel’s “Happening Now” with Jenna Lee. Ros-Lehtinen discussed the Peace Corps’ alarming response to serious crimes, including rape and murder, committed against a number of Peace Corps volunteers in their host countries. Ros-Lehtinen is working on legislation to mandate changes at the Peace Corps in order to provide for the safety and security of volunteers. Yesterday, the Committee held an oversight hearing during which former Peace Corps volunteers who were victimized testified about their experiences. >>> JENNA LEE: Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen, tell us a little bit about the objective, what is the objective, where does Congress fit into effecting change here?
CHAIRMAN ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN: Well for a dangerously long time, the Peace Corps has been considered a sacred cow in that anyone who questioned the lack of security, the lack of protection, the lack of follow through, the lack of any empathetic care and protection of the Peace Corps volunteers, was considered to be a heretic, and someone who was not supportive of the Peace Corps mission. Quite the contrary. We need safeguards, and the only way to do that is to pass legislation because good intentions are not getting the work done. Whether the rape, the assault, the gang rape, the brutal robberies that have taken place in many locations in Peace Corps volunteer sites, throughout these years, all those good intentions have gone for naught. And [we must] pass legislation that mandates whistleblower protection, that mandates certain sensitivity training, so that the Peace Corps organization itself is no longer back in the1950s, where rape was considered to be the woman’s fault. They still have the blame the victim mentality, and it’s part of a culture change that must be changed. And the good intentions of the current Director, we commend him for that, but he will go in a few years, another person will take his place, and it seems to be a repeated pattern. We need legislation to make sure that the Peace Corps volunteers continue to perform their noble mission in a safe, nurturing environment where they will be protected. Instead, they are being sent to dangerous territories and the Peace Corps itself is not policing what is going on. It’s similar to what has been happening at college campuses, many years ago. Now it’s totally different where rapes are being reported, there is follow through and care. Here in the Peace Corps, it’s lets hush it up, don’t tell people what’s happened to you because it will endanger our mission.
JENNA LEE: So we can point out to our viewers why maybe there is congressional involvement, the Peace Corps is federally-funded, like many organizations around this country. And you pointed out that the Peace Corps has been doing great work, for years and years and years, not to say or belittle any of the experiences, but we are balancing these two things.
The Peace Corps Director did apologize yesterday; you are talking about legislation to come forward to mandate certain changes. Here is what the Director had to say. I’m just going to read this, so we have this point of view in the story:
Over the past 20months, we have put in place new policies to minimize the risks faced by Volunteers and to improve the way we respond to victims of crime. While the Peace Corps cannot eliminate every risk Volunteers face during their service, I am committed to making sure that we do everything we can to protect Volunteers and provide effective support to them and their families when a tragedy occurs.”
JENNA LEE: So Congresswoman what’s the next thing you need to see?
CHAIRMANROS-LEHTINEN: Sure, it’s a nice start. But it’s not good enough. Nothing will change unless you mandate it. We need to legislate these changes. Nothing will change, because we have heard these platitudes before and good intentions are wonderful but it’s only when they are mandated to report – just like college campuses were mandated to report, just like police departments now take crimes like rape seriously, they take domestic abuse seriously – it needed to be a mandated change in the way that we trained people. And the Peace Corps– yes, it’s a wonderful mission, but we need to force them [to make the changes].
>>> WDR says sayonara to my webmaster Trucchio, best yet when it comes to web pages
The Watchdog Report gives a Tip of the Hat to my webmaster assistant Lisa Trucchio, a University of Miami School of Communication undergraduate who graduated over the weekend with a degree in Visual Journalism & Graphic Design. I have had three students over the last three years doing my webpage, and she was the best and the other two were no slouches and I used to say she was a reliable machine. After she would post the WDR in just a couple of hours after getting it, allowing my readers two ways to read the report on Sunday nights as they wished, either by email or the web. I have never met her but her website says she wants to work in Miami and if you need a webpage or other such service created contact her through her webpage. >> www.lisatrucchio.com Lisa, thanks for the great job you did and good luck in the future.
>>> See what was said about the Watchdog Report in the Miami New Times 2003 — Best of Miami — BEST CITIZEN — Daniel Ricker –
Three years ago, we said Ricker was our Best Gadfly. Given his dedication and perseverance, this new honor, Best Citizen, is well deserved. Ricker goes to 2500 mind-melting meetings annually, from the Public Health Trust’s purchasing subcommittee to the Efficiency and Competition Commission to the Alliance for Human Services’ nominating council to the school board’s audit committee. Sometimes he’s the only public observer. Object: to be the Public Citizen for all those out there who can’t attend, and to connect and serve as an information bridge among the special-interest-dominated Miami-Dade governmental institutions that seem so problematic and indifferent to the democratic process.
This month his e-mail newsletter, The Watchdog Report, celebrates its fourth anniversary. In a former life, Ricker made a handsome living as an international salesman of heart pacemakers. As the hard-working publisher of Watchdog Report, though, he’s struggling financially — this despite the fact that his weekly compendium of meeting summaries, analysis, interviews, and commentary has become essential reading for anyone involved in public affairs. What his written work may lack in polish, it more than makes up for in comprehensiveness. So raise a toast to the man whose official slogan says it all: “A community education resource — I go when you cannot!
>>> Repeat of national Tribune paper profile, a blast from the past of Watchdog’s life back in Jan. 2003, not all that much has changed financially
The Watchdog Report is going down memory lane again, during the past moving process, and here is a national profile and story done by Maya Bell in the Orlando-Sentinel, but ran in all the Tribune papers around the nation on Martin Luther King’s Birthday back in Jan.20, 2003. After she spent about six weeks, off and on, experiencing the world I was living in back then, and she nicely captured the reality of my life, that in many ways continues to today, which I wish was otherwise after now 12-years.
>>> `I Go When You Cannot’ – January 20, 2003|By Maya Bell – Orlando Sentinel – Miami Bureau Chief
Sometimes Dan Ricker lives in the dark so others may live in the light. It’s not by choice. Miami’s self-anointed citizen watchdog depends on the people he writes for and about to finance his quixotic quest to attend nearly every government meeting in Miami-Dade County. That’s a lot of mind-numbing meetings — as many as 2,500 a year — but not a lot of income. So Ricker teeters on bankruptcy. He dashes to his post office box daily, hoping subscribers to his weekly Watchdog Report have finally mailed their checks.
Among them are managers with Florida Power & Light, the utility that regularly cuts power to Ricker’s Coconut Grove home, most recently while he was attending a legislative delegation meeting last month. But what Ricker, once a successful international sales executive, lacks in financial stability, he makes up for in credibility. When he walks into Miami-Dade’s government center, the county manager salutes him. When he runs into Miami’s first Cuban-American congresswoman, she greets him with a kiss. “He knows where the bodies are buried,” said U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Miami. “He knows the people behind the curtain. He knows the real wizard of Oz.” >>> To read the section’s large front page story, but without the photos and smart box graphics, go to: `I Go When You Cannot’ – Sun Sentinel 20 Jan 2003 … Sometimes Dan Ricker lives in the dark so others may live in the light. … to his weekly Watchdog Report have finally mailed their checks. … http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2003-01-20/news/0301190341_1_ricker-school-board-president-miami-s-first-cuban-american
>>> 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
>>> State Rep. Bileca tapped for Jackson Financial Recovery Board, “great acquisition for PHT” says, state Sen. Garcia
The Watchdog Report caught up with state Sen. Rene Garcia, R-Miami on Friday and I asked him about state Rep. Carlos Lopez-Cantera, R-Miami’s choice for the person he selected being on the Jackson Memorial System Financial Recovery Board created last two Tuesday by the Miami-Dade County Commission. Garcia a termed out state representative in 2008 won his senate seat in 2010 and he has been a administrator at both Mercy Hospital and at the old Cedar’s hospital now owned by the University of Miami. He though Bileca was “a great acquisition for the Public Health Trust, especially in these difficult times.” He said Bileca brought experience and “understands business and healthcare policy” which should serve him well in this new capacity.
Bileca, 41 is a graduate of Tulane University, got his M.B.A. from the Kellogg School of Business at Northwestern University, is currently on the Baptist Health South Florida Founders Society, and on the hospital’s Foundation states his legislative web page bio and he will obviously have to resign from these organizations.
What do other state legislators around the state think of Jackson?
Garcia when I asked what others in the Florida legislature thought about the problems at Jackson. He said many state legislators “think we put too much money in Jackson” and why federal funding for the hospital was directed to some other public hospitals during the last session. However, he noted he and other Senate and House legislators from South Florida “fought [hard] for Jackson because without this state money they will never get out of the [fiscal] hole,” the institution is in he closed.
 Garcia |
 Lopez-Cantera |
 Bileca |
>>> Press release: Miami Dade Delegation Chair state Rep. Carlos Lopez-Cantera, R-Miami on Bileca appointment.
Representative Carlos Lopez-Cantera, Chairman of the Miami-Dade County Legislative Delegation (Delegation), selected Representative Michael Bileca to serve as the Delegation’s appointment to the newly formed Financial Recovery Board tasked with addressing the on-going financial and management troubles at the Jackson Health System. “Representative Bileca possesses the training, background and fiscal discipline necessary to assist the Board in its efforts to see the Jackson Health System through these trying times”, said Chairman Lopez-Cantera.
Representative Michael Bileca is the President and Founder of Towncare Dental Partnership, Inc. Towncare operates 48 dental practices which employ 100 doctors and 600 employees throughout the State of Florida. Prior to Towncare, as a former CPA, he worked for Ernst & Young, LLC. At Ernst & Young, LLC he audited various healthcare clients including Parkway and Deering Hospital (which were later purchased by Jackson and are currently Jackson North and South). He is a managing partner of a consulting company that specializes in organizational alignment and performance and is a certified Lominger and FranklinCovey trainer certified in many courses including 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, FranklinCovey Leadership, and Team Architect. He received his MBA from Kellogg University, the #1 ranked EMBA program in the Country, and his BSM from Tulane University. Mr. Bileca was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in November of 2010 and in the 117th District. Jackson Hospital and its financial crisis continue to be a priority policy issue for the Delegation. The Delegation has worked with state and local officials to address developing issues, ensure financial relief through critical state appropriations, and held special meetings both in Miami and in Tallahassee to closely monitor the progress of attempts to rectify concerns with JHS.
>>> Press release: appointment of Melissa L. Meeker as Executive Director of the South Florida Water Management District
I am pleased to announce the appointment of Melissa L. Meeker as the new Executive Director for the South Florida Water Management District, following a unanimous decision by the Governing Board this morning. Melissa brings to the Executive Director position a unique combination and proven record of executive leadership, policy development, business management and government relations expertise. During nearly two decades in both the public and private sectors, Melissa has served in a variety of key management roles at both the South Florida Water Management District and Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), as well as achieving success at a major international environmental consulting firm and operating her own strategic consulting business.
Most recently, Melissa served as DEP’s Deputy Secretary for Water Policy and Ecosystem Projects, charting a new course for the implementation of statewide water policy for Governor Rick Scott. Prior to her current role, Melissa’s record of public service also included leading DEP’s Southeast Regulatory District and serving on the Environmental Regulation Commission and as a member of our own Governing Board. Melissa earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Palm Beach Atlantic University and a Master of Science degree in Environmental Resource Management from the Florida Institute of Technology. She will take the helm beginning on June 1, 2011. While we have a challenging road ahead, I know Melissa is uniquely qualified to lead this agency in a new, fiscally-sound direction. Her extensive experience in environmental resource management, along with her intimate knowledge of Everglades restoration and her proven ability to resolve complex problems will serve the District well as we move practically and decisively forward with our flood control, regulatory and restoration priorities, wrote Joe Collins, Governing Board Chair, of the South Florida Water Management District.
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
>>> Who knew discussions between Commissioner Heyman, Lapciuc, Migoya, on PHT issues should be secret, felt like NORAD nuclear launch codes might be discussed
What should have been a routine public Florida Sunshine meeting in the second floor conference room at the Stephen P. Clark Government Center used by county commissioners for meetings Tuesday afternoon had County Commissioner Sally Heyman suggesting maybe it should be cancelled, since there were 16 others in the room including a county clerk taping the meeting, county staff members from a number of departments, and the Watchdog Report. She had thought she would be only discussing what was going on at the PHT with Marcos Lapciuc, and new PHT CEO Carlos Migoya alone, and the previously planned meeting was an attempt to give county commissioners a heads up early and get to know the new CEO who started May 1. But it was an advertised public meeting, and also included PHT trustee Joaquin del Cueto attending, but that body was dissolved and put in hibernation earlier in the morning at a BCC meeting.
However, del Cueto and Lapciuc have both been named to the new seven member Jackson Health System Financial Recovery Board newly created by the county commission and that board is getting organized on Monday at 1:00 p.m. at the Ira C. Clark Diagnostic center. While Heyman was possible technically right, county assistant attorney Gene Shy noted the meeting was advertised and while he did not say no when it came to whether it was a public meeting. Heyman remarked “your making us nervous” after his comments saying Migoya and her “will get together another time [in private],” she said. However, it would have looked very odd if they did not have the discussion after everyone was gathered in the small conference room.
Heyman, an attorney and former state legislator and cop, won another commission term in 2010 unchallenged for her northeast Commission District 4 seat, and she often cites the need for “transparency” and the importance of “process” but at this meeting she oddly challenged the issue, that in fact it might not be public since the PHT 17-member board was now dissolved, but she changed her tack when she started to see some of the reactions of people attending the meeting, and it ultimately was a productive session. Though she continued referring to wanting to have private discussions with Migoya a number of times during the discussion, and after the meeting she met with the CEO and former banker for about 25 minutes in her office.
The Watchdog Report usually does not flag some of these public meeting indiscretions but the meeting was unusual and I along with the county’s clerk’s office have the only audio recordings of the proceedings. Heyman gave Migoya information that she had requested over the “last 18-months” and one document included all the real estate the trust and county owned, trying to find ways to reduce their rental costs and where PHT staff was working such as the DuPont Building in downtown Miami, that has finance and collections people working over the past years. Further, Heyman since joining the PHT board four months ago, but now in hibernation has saved the health trust some $500,000 using a state contract program that returns a two percent hit to the entity and was one of her pet projects. But on this afternoon, she joked, “I make myself nervous” at the beginning of the meeting and for what was an innocuous meeting. She made it seem like nuclear launch codes might be discussed and when at the end I was shaking my head at some of the discussion. I said (something I rarely do) that I felt like we were at NORAD where things are very hush hush, given you are dealing with nuclear ICBMs, which clearly was not the case in this meeting.
 Lapciuc |
 Heyman |
>>> Over 35 attorneys vie for Ethics Commission director slot, Centorino and Judge Young some of the high profile candidates
The application deadline to apply to be the new director of the Miami-Dade County Commission on Ethics and Public Trust passed on Friday and over 35 attorneys applied for the job that is paying a “highly competitive salary” states the job posting. Current ethics director Robert Meyers is making around $230,000 with benefits and he has been the only director since being selected in 1998 by the then newly formed commission. I was one of two people not involved with the process back then at this selection committee meeting and the other person in the room, back then, a prominent attorney sitting next me turned and said. “Who the h… are you” and I just replied, “a citizen.”
Some of the high profile candidates that applied are Joseph Centorino, the head of the Miami-Dade state attorney’s public corruption unit and former local county judge and television Judge David Young. The commission is expected to short list the group and will bring them in for interviews that will be held in public.
>>> Press release: Election Ready – Absentee ballots have been mailed for the May 24 Special Election. Early voting will begin on Monday, May 9 and end on Sunday, May 22. Make sure to be Election Ready. > Sample ballot > Early voting schedule >
>>> MIA 13-mile baggage system slips two months from adjusted projected open date
Jose Abreu, the director of Miami International Airport told a county commission transportation committee last week that only eight percent of the gigantic north terminal project is left, but while the automated baggage system passed a 40-hour test run, there were glitches and he said these need to be ironed out. Abreu, since his arrival from FDOT in 2005 noted the 13-mile baggage system is also 2 months over the adjusted timetable that actually had the massive capital program’s work to be completed in 2004.
>>> M-DC IG Mazzella discusses charter question enshrining the office
Christopher Mazzella was on www.wpbt.org/issues over the weekend and he is the only Miami-Dade County Inspector General since 1998. The former FBI special agent discuses what his office does and how over the years since, the IG’s office has saved $78 million in public money and has caused or assisted in the arrests of over 200 people. To see the show go to Watch This Week’s Issues >>> Miami-Dade Inspector General’s Office
>>> Press release: The Miami Dade County Homeless Trust announced that The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded Miami-Dade County an additional $1,613,106 in new funding this year for the implementation of three brand new programs focusing on the chronically homeless, families and veterans in the areas of Miami Beach, South Dade and Miami. This figure brings the amount of HUD funding to nearly 30 million for 2011 and the number of HUD funded programs in Miami Dade County to 89, adding 98 new beds to the county’s Homeless Continuum of Care.
“It is noteworthy to point out that HUD’s focus this year was on confronting rural homelessness by targeting a record $16.4 million to 87 never-before-funded programs in less populated areas of the country,” said Ronald L. Book, chair of the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust. “The fact that Miami-Dade County was selected to receive new funding is a testament to the superlative performance of our programs and our Continuum of Care. We are honored to partner with US HUD to help end homelessness in Miami-Dade and throughout America,” he added. Over the past 18 years, the work of the Homeless Trust has reduced the number of homeless people on the streets of our community from 8,000 to 800. What’s more, Miami-Dade County has seen the amount of HUD funding double in the past decade from $15 million to nearly $30 million, which reflects the excellence of the wide variety of programs funded by The Homeless Trust.
In addition to administering the majority of these federal funds, The Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust also manages the unique local food and beverage tax for homelessness and serves as a policy and coordinating body for homeless services in the County. It also prepares the annual federal application for funding, following community input and the identification of service and housing gaps and needs. >> About The Miami Dade County Homeless Trust: Founded in 1993, The Miami Dade County Homeless Trust is a county agency headed by a board of 27 volunteers appointed by the Miami-Dade County Commission charged with the responsibility of implementing the Miami-Dade County Community Homeless Plan. These volunteers represent the business community, the religious community, the educational community, the provider community, the political community, and formerly homeless individuals. Since its inception, the Homeless Trust has been instrumental in reducing the number of homeless in Miami-Dade County from over 8,000 in 1993 to approximately 800 people today. For more information on the Homeless Trust, please contact Sara Schermer at 305-571-1455
MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
>>> Charter schools siphon off $220 million from district, around 40,000 students enrolled and climbing
The role and increase of charter schools in Miami-Dade continues to gnaw at the public schools district finances, district CFO Richard Hines said last week. He said there were around 40,000 students in these schools, and public tax dollars to the tune of $220 million are going to these organizations this year alone. Hines said there are other charter schools in the district pipeline that could absorb another 5,000 students, which would mean the district has to divert another $30 million out of general operations funding nest year. However, while charter schools are popular here in South Florida there is the same number of them as the New York City public schools district with over 1 million students versus Dade’s 346,000 pupils. Further, some charter schools are for profit or not for profit organizations and while the goal is to give parents and children a choice where they go to school. The charter schools are exempt from many of the restrictions placed on public schools including having some of these schools surrounded by bars and restaurants, or the owner of a vacant building who opens a charter school and gets a reliable tenet funded with public tax dollars.
However only 10 percent of proposed charter schools actually open said school staff in the past and when it comes to public funding levels. These schools will also get an eight percent cut per student from the state starting July 1 and for some of the financially poor performing schools. These shaky charter schools may have to close in the next year, since they might not have the fiscal wear with all to weather the current economic downturn in funding.
>>> Grove A&M school to be discussed at board’s audit committee Tuesday
The school board audit committee is meeting at the school district’s headquarters Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. in the 9th floor conference room, one of the items is an oral presentation, and discussion on the Arts & Minds Academy in Coconut Grove as was reported in last week’s Watchdog Report. The fundamental issue with this A rated charter school is its governance and the fact it is considered a “related transaction” since the building’s owner started the school and is getting $69,000 in monthly rent from the public district. To review the audit committee agenda go to http://mca.dadeschools.net/AuditCommittee/AC_May_17_2011/Agenda.pdf
>>> Press release: SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS ALBERTO M. CARVALHO RECOMMENDS SALARY CUTS FOR ADMINISTRATORS, ASSISTANTS
Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho recommended salary cuts for district administrators and high-level clerical employees at the May 11 School Board meeting. The cuts come on the heels of a projected $80 million cut to school funding for the 2011-2012 fiscal year, which begins July 1. “We must lead by example in these tough times,” said Carvalho. “The tough times continue, and our administrators, who have already shouldered significant salary reductions in the past three years, will again take the lead in absorbing the financial blow.” The measure will save approximately $500,000 in the coming year, and millions of dollars in the years ahead.
The salary cuts will affect approximately 400 administrators and clericals and were approved by the School Board. The move will reduce the maximums of managerial pay grades by 20 percent. Managers currently in those positions will face a two percent pay cut, as well as a three percent pay cut as a result of the Legislature’s action that requires state employees to pay into their retirement funds.
PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST
>>> Sayonara PHT board, welcome Jackson FRB, but new oversight now has heightened conflict of interest criteria for the seven members
A May 5th memo from County Attorney Robert Cuevas to Miami-Dade Commission Chair Joe Martinez, other commission board members, the PHT board chair, the Hospital Governance Task Force Chair and others details the heightened issues of conflicts of interest for members selected to serve on a new oversight board for Jackson Health System. The county commission approved and appointed some members to the Jackson Health System Financial Recovery Board (FRB) on Tuesday that includes seven members but is one member short, because the slot is a mayor’s appointment. Cuevas in his memo notes when the new recovery board was created additional attention was given to the “perception” of conflicts of interest and these new members serving should focus only on their role of governance and the survival of Jackson.
The attorney’s memo states “a perceived conflict of interest is one that a third party might reasonable believe could cause the individuals action or advocacy to be affected by conflicting duties or loyalties whether or not an actual conflict exists,” wrote Cuevas. He writes some of the conflicts are people that are “competitors” of the PHT, a PHT vendor, a “contract partner” such as the University of Miami and Florida International University that have medical schools affiliated with the PHT, “physicians” and other healthcare professionals that compete with the PHT and “officers” in unions with “collective bargaining agreements” with the PHT. He also noted in his closing that people with conflict of interests and whether they should serve on the new board “May require a case-by-case determination by the Commission,” wrote the county attorney.
The current members selected for the new board are state Rep. Michael Bileca, R-Miami, Joaquin del Cueto, Marcos Lapciuc, Stephen Nuell, Jose “Joe” Arriola, and Daryl Sharpton. Arriola’ selection caused a little controversy last week since he had been UM’s appointment on the old 17 member PHT board, but resigned from the university’s board a few days before being selected to be a member of the FRB. In www.miamiherald.com Saturday, Hospital Governance Task Force Chair former state Rep. Juan Zapata, R-Miami is quoted saying about the Arriola appointment by the county commission. ‘Just because somebody resigned, that to me doesn’t remove the perception,’ of the conflict of interest he thought.
Further, it also raises the question of what body rules if someone has a conflict, and what will the role of the County’s inspector general, and ethics commission be regarding ruling on these board members conflict questions in the future, something the county commission itself does not have when it comes to the resources to investigate conflict issues with these new members.
 Martinez |
 Arriola |
What about the PHT committees?
Last week county commissioners at a committee meeting dealing with Jackson and its governance, and the new FRB discussed the number and role of the PHT committees, where there are eight committees, eight subcommittees and three other committees that deal with such items as the $135 million Annual Operating Agreement between the PHT and UM for example. It remains to be seen how all these committees, that are very time consuming will be dealt with under the newer small board, especially those that involve patient quality of care and national clinical board accreditations.
>>> CEO Migoya taps attorney Lago as an aide at hospital system
PHT CEO Carlos Migoya has hired Carlos Lago, an attorney and former aide to Miami Commissioner Francis Suarez to assist him at the hospital system. Lago will find this is a leap from what he was doing for the commissioner and as Migoya is learning, running the system is a big time job that gets a fair amount of media scrutiny. The Watchdog Report wishes Lago good luck in this new high profile position.
>>> What else is going on?
Past WDR: However, the commission is without two county commissioners in District 7 and District 13, there is a mayoral race with 13 candidates, a Hospital Governance Taskforce meeting (also created by the county commission – To review minutes of the taskforce go to http://www.miamidade.gov/auditor/hospital_goverance.asp ) is trying to submit recommendations by May 12, said its chairman former state Rep. Juan C. Zapata, R-Miami. >>> Updated May 15: The task force is recommending a not for profit model that will take over a year to create if the Miami-Dade County Commission accepts the recommendations and for more on that story go to www.miamiherald.com to see the story done on the subject by veteran Herald reporter John Dorschner.
Zapata
>>> Blast from the past: PHT CEO Marvin O’Quinn’s presentation to the Miami-Dade BCC in June 2008 on the financial issues facing Jackson Memorial Health in the years ahead.
CITY OF MIAMI
>>> Commissioner Carollo holds firm on city shakedown by connected lobbyists, takes victory lap after FL legislative session ends
The Watchdog Report wants to give Miami Commissioner Frank Carollo a Tip of the Hat for holding tough when the commission was essentially being held as a political hostage, if the state legislature took up a amendment that could have lost the municipality some $4 million in expected revenue, and allow the city to only charge $500.00 for any outdoor advertising permit. At a previous commission meeting weeks ago, Commissioner Marc Sarnoff suggested the city not take this hard line, and the risk to the city’s finances suggested a settlement might be the more prudent idea at the time with the company, South Florida Equitable Fund. However, Carollo felt ‘they were calculated risks,’ www.miamiherald.com and he stood by his guns and with the Florida legislature Session ending last Saturday morning. The city was free and clear.
Carollo, a CPA has been an interesting study, very much different from his significantly older brother and he served on the Miami-Dade Public Schools audit committee board before running and winning his office back in 2009 without a runoff. He and his wife have a baby girl that he is most proud of and she periodically pops up down at city hall to see her dad.
>>> 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
>>> Press release: Mayor Mattie Bower’s perspective on the ending of the legislative session in Tallahassee and what it meant to the city.
>>> “State Legislative Report –
As you know, this spring session in Tallahassee was a brutal one for almost every community across the state. Miami Beach was in the trenches throughout the session, fighting for a number of issues important to residents and businesses. In short, we won some and we lost some. Some of the issues we pursued included ensuring sufficient funds for beach renourishment. We preserved $1.7 million for that in the state budget.
We were also successful in getting our ordinances governing short-term rentals of homes grandfathered in to a bill that otherwise prohibits local governments from doing so. So we will continue to be able to address an issue that has had a large impact here on Miami Beach. Also on the plus side, the Miami Dolphins were unsuccessful in attaching the team’s hopes for a stadium renovation to funding for the convention center. And efforts to bring casinos to Florida also didn’t pass. We lost a few battles as well. Our efforts to partially fund our convention center rehab with a slight increase in bed taxes did not pass this time. Our efforts to be able to regulate Segways on our streets also did not pass. But rest assured that we’ll be back in the next session to fight for you once again,” wrote Bower.
CITY OF CORAL GABLES
>>> May 16th – Dennis L. Weiner – Chief of Police for the City of Coral Gables
Press release: Please join us for lunch at JohnMartin’s on May 16th. Our guest speaker will be Dennis L. Weiner, recently hired as Chief of Police for the City of Coral Gables. Chief Weiner was the former police Chief in the City of Juno Beach. He has over 25 years of municipal law enforcement experience. Dennis began his law enforcement career with the New York City Police Department starting as a police officer and rising to the rank of Sergeant. He is also a Naval Reserve Officer in charge of the Maritime Civil Affairs Detachment in Miami. Dennis holds a Bachelor of Science degree from John Jay College in Criminal Justice, a Law degree from St. John’s University, a Masters of Law (LLM – Taxation) from New York University and a Masters Degree in Public Administration from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy. Please reply to this message with your RSVP to poncebusiness@gmail.com Please forward this announcement to any friends or business associates who may be interested in attending. Please check out our website for upcoming events and newsletter at www.poncebusiness.com contact Richard Martin, President
CITY OF DORAL
>>> Press release: Doral begins 90-day warning period for red light camera safety program
In an effort to prevent dangerous accidents resulting from drivers running red-lights, the City of Doral announced that its intersection safety cameras will begin taking photos of red-light runners at designated intersections beginning on Friday April 1, 2011 and issuing warning notices during a 90-day period. These cameras will capture still images and video of red-light running violations. During a 90-day warning period, a warning notice will be issued to the vehicle’s registered owner. There will be no fine for this warning notice during this time. However, at the completion of the warning period, citations will be issued. Red-light running is the leading cause of urban crashes according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Deaths caused by red-light running are increasing at more than three times the rate of increase for all other fatal crashes, and more people are injured in crashes involving red-light running than in any other crash type.
The first safety camera will be located at the following intersection: Southbound on 79 Avenue and NW 36 Street. Throughout the following weeks, 10 additional safety cameras will be installed in the following intersections: Northbound NW 87TH AVE @ NW 36TH ST / DORAL BLVD; Eastbound NW 36TH ST / DORAL BLVD @ NW 87TH AVE; Westbound NW 36TH ST / DORAL BLVD @ NW 87TH AVE; Eastbound NW 36TH ST / DORAL BLVD @ NW 79TH AVE; Westbound NW 36TH ST / DORAL BLVD @ NW 79TH AVE; Northbound NW 97TH AVE @ NW 41ST Street/ DORAL BLVD; Southbound NW 97TH AVE @ NW 41ST Street/ DORAL BLVD; Westbound NW 41ST Street / DORAL BLVD @ NW 97TH AVE; Eastbound NW 41ST Street / DORAL BLVD @ NW 107TH AVE; Westbound NW 41ST Street/ DORAL BLVD @ NW 107TH AVE: Additional cameras could be added in the future. >>> The warning period will give the Doral community an opportunity to become familiar with the system. Drivers in Doral are encouraged to slow down and definitely stop on red before the actual citations begin. This is a public safety program, and the City of Doral’s goal is to deter red-light runners and prevent collisions and deaths resulting from these violations. Cameras will operate 24-hours a day and capture images of every vehicle running a red-light at the intersection. Warning signs alerting drivers to the intersection safety cameras have been installed prior to the warning period. The program is administered by American Traffic Solutions, Inc. (ATS) with each violation reviewed and approved by the Doral Police Department prior to being issued. Red-light running is the leading cause of urban crashes according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Deaths caused by red-light running are increasing at more than three times the rate of increase for all other fatal crashes, and more people are injured in crashes involving red-light running than in any other crash type. Intersection safety technology is just one way the City of Doral will make local streets safer for everyone. For more information on the City of Doral’s Road Safety Program, visit www.CityofDoral.com.
>>> OTHER STORIES AROUND FLORIDA
BROWARD COUNTY
>>> Press release: Three people arrested and charged with mail and wire fraud for purported “Cleansing” of evil spirits
Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and John V. Gilles, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, announced the May 6 unsealing of an indictment charging defendants Bridgette Evans, 32, of Broward County, Polly Evans, 36, and Olivia Evans, 22, both formerly of Texas, with two counts of mail fraud and ten counts of wire fraud for their alleged participation in a scheme to defraud. The three were arrested Friday, May 6, 2011, and all made their initial appearances in federal court later that day. Defendant Bridgette Evans made her initial appearance in Fort Lauderdale before U.S. Magistrate Judge Barry S. Seltzer. Defendants Polly and Olivia Evans made their initial appearances in federal court in Forth Worth, Texas.
According to the allegations in the indictment, from January 2007 through February 2009, the defendants falsely represented to their victims that they had the power to detect the presence of evil spirits and get rid of these evil spirits and resulting illnesses through a religious cleansing. In this way, the defendants fraudulently induced the victims to send them thousands of dollars for the purported cleansings, promising to return the monies to them after the cleansings. In fact, however, the defendants did not return any of the victims’ monies. The indictment lists ten separate wire transactions, totaling $59,000, from December 2007 to October 2008. If convicted, the defendants face maximum statutory penalties of up to 20 years in prison on each count of mail fraud and wire fraud. >>> U.S. Attorney Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the FBI for their hard work in this matter. Mr. Ferrer also thanked the Royal Anguilla Police Force for their assistance in this investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Keene. An indictment is only an accusation, and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. 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 .
>>> 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.
CITY OF WESTON
>>> Press release: Weston man pleads guilty to impersonating FBI agent
Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and John V. Gillies, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, announce that Daniel F. Cleary, 48, of Weston, Florida, pled guilty Friday to impersonating a Special Agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 912. Sentencing has been scheduled for July 15, 2011 at 1:45 p.m. before U.S. District Judge William P. Dimitrouleas. According to in court statements and documents filed with the court during Friday’s hearing, on January 13, 2011, Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a call regarding property damage at a residence in Weston, Florida. Upon the deputies arrival, Clearly, the occupant of the residence, identified himself as a Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and displayed counterfeit FBI credentials bearing his name and photograph. He also possessed a Glock Model 17 9mm semi-automatic pistol. A check of the FBI official records confirmed that Cleary had never been employed by the FBI in any capacity. At sentencing, Cleary faces up to 3 years’ imprisonment. >> Mr. Ferrer commended the FBI and the Broward Sheriff’s Office for their investigation in this case. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Lanigan. 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.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
>>> The Elephant Forum luncheon May 16 being held at the Rusty Pelican is featuring state Rep. Carlos Lopez-Cantera, R-Miami and Majority leader in the FL House as its featured speaker. He will be discussing the legislative session that concluded early Saturday morning. To make reservations contact Mary Ellen Miller at memil@comcast.net or call 305.377.9187 Cost is $21 for members – $25 for others
>>> Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado Announces the First Annual Wynwood Art Fair First-of-its-kind street fair showcasing interactive, performance-based contemporary art will take place in Miami, Oct. 21-23, 2011
WHAT: PRESS CONFERENCE hosted at Margulies Warehouse by Wynwood Art Fair WHO: Tomas Regalado, Mayor, City of Miami; Constance Collins Margulies, Director, Wynwood Art Fair, curators, exhibitors and artists. WHEN: 9 a.m., May 18, 2011 WHY: Miami is launching the first annual Wynwood Art Fair, a groundbreaking, collaborative, performance-based, interactive, contemporary art fair involving virtually every major contemporary art institution and venue in Miami, together with artists from Miami and across the country. This extraordinary three-day celebration and exploration of contemporary art is more than just good fun, it’s also for a good cause. All admission proceeds benefit the Lotus House Women’s Shelter, providing shelter, sanctuary and support to women and children in need. WHERE: Margulies Art Warehouse, 591 NW 27th Street, Wynwood Art District, Miami, Fl 33127. For directions see www.margulieswarehouse.com or call 305-576-1051 BAGEL BREAKFAST SERVED. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Pamela Cohen 561-322-5611 perminak@comcast.net or Constance Collins Margulies 305.613.1573 president@lotushouseshelter.org
>>> Press release: Attention GMCVB Hotel Members: The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, City of Miami Beach and the Greater Miami and The Beaches Hotel Association will hold its annual Hotel Hurricane Preparedness Meeting on Tuesday, May 17th at 2 p.m. at the Miami Beach Convention Center Hall C Room C220/222. Please join us for the latest information on the upcoming hurricane season and get tips for updating or developing your hurricane preparedness plan. Learn about the resources available to you and your guests during hurricane season and weather emergencies. Please RSVP as soon as possible to NatalieKoller@MiamiBeachFL.gov or call Natalie at 305-673-7577 ext. 6523.
EDITORIALS
>>> Voters must ask of outside income and Sunshine law and open records laws a problem with candidates in May 24 election, much is a stake
With the polls open for a variety of state and county races, voters should ask and be sure candidates and other current elected officials know what the rules are and what the compensation for the office is, and these people accept that fact. Given an incident at the county last week regarding a Sunshine meeting that almost did not happen because county staff and the press was there shows some politicians do not get it when it comes to transparency and open government. Further, a number of county commissioners’ carp about their $6,000 pay but also get another $42,000 in benefits and years ago I dubbed them “disgruntled commissioners” and one has to wonder why they ran since they chaff under some of the restrictions. In the case of the mayor’s race, there are 11 candidates running and a runoff is likely but candidates should clearly say they would not moonlight if elected to such a lofty and well paid for post and that they will honor the law when it comes to public meetings and public records requests. One would think such issues were a given but there is a new attitude by some politicians to essentially not take some of these tough questions with Gov. Rick Scott’s election being ground zero for such activity. Since he did not attend any of the state’s papers editorial boards prior to the election and essentially bypassed the mainstream media.
Some elected leaders at all levels seem to forget that it is not only about them and their level of self-absorbment is truly amazing and sometimes when they get on their high horse or ramble on about their “expertise” in some area. It always comes back to them and to say politicians love to talk is an understatement. Residents of South Florida constantly complain about their public institutions and elected officials but with the incredible low voter turnout, 17 percent when former Mayor Carlos Alvarez was recalled March 15 (though 88 percent of the voters did want him recalled which was stunning), this current election cycle that climaxes May 24 may not have a higher voter turnout and that gives many of our politicians a free pass. Since the political ground game, getting absentee votes is a key activity to victory depends on a strong organization and substantial money, which many incumbents or front-runners bring to the table, but not the lesser candidates. In the mayoral race, there will likely be a runoff in June since no candidate is expected to get over 50 percent of the vote but the question is will you do your part and participate in the election since you did not run yourself, will you at least vote?
>>> PAST WDR: JUNE 2010: Watchdog Report touches a nerve when it comes to elected leaders paying their property taxes
Last week’s lead Argus Report story on elected leaders that are in the rears concerning their property taxes has apparently struck a nerve for I am getting information from readers of others in public office that also are delinquent in paying their taxes. This issue is important because in the months ahead these same elected leaders will be setting property millage rates and other levies and to say they have a conflict is an understatement. These records are public and when it comes to officials with multiple years of unpaid taxes. One has to ask how that could happen and what occurred behind the scenes for an average citizen and homeowner would be out on the street by now.
It is understandable that some people in these tough economic times have these issues, for the foreclosure swath is broad and long, but when it comes to those that set the community’s taxes. They must be compliant like the people they govern and I am reminded of the 1957 Miami-Dade Home Rule Charter Citizens’ Bill of Rights that opens with, “This government has been created to protect the governed, not the governing” and all such words mean in spirit and action.
What about the other Florida counties and municipalities?
Readers should check out their local leaders’ property tax standing in Broward and Palm Beach Counties and the 31 municipalities officials in Broward should also be reviewed because these documents are public and available to be reviewed by the respective elected county property appraiser. To review these property tax records go to http://www.miamidade.gov/pa/ >>> http://www.bcpa.net >>> http://www.pbcgov.com/papa
>>> PAST WDR: SEPT. 2008: Elected leaders should humor the general public by following the Florida Sunshine Law
At Tuesday’s Miami-Dade County Commission meeting, there were a lot of comments and discussions going on at the dais, while another commissioner was speaking, the microphones picked that up and the Watchdog Report reminds the body they fall under the Florida Sunshine Amendment. Some of the comments were jokes but others fell into that grey area and commissioners, along with others on public boards should remember this is the law and to skirt it, risks fines and other sanctions. Many elected leaders chafe at the transparency that the law is to provide at public meetings and institutions and while there is a cost for this open public discussion. It is well worth the price for government, its actions almost by definition wants to remain hidden, and that only leads to cronyism and poor public policy.
Further, it is just not here in Miami-Dade but in Broward as well where after the new mayor was elected last year. The body has the custom of going out to lunch with over 30 members of county staff, and this was a private event I was told when I tried to attend inside the private room, that unfortunately for them was held in a glass room and I just sat outside and watched the proceedings, that definitely looked more than just a social event. As Mayor Lois Wexler worked the room and other commissioners talked to department directors where they sometimes pointed at the staff members during the discussion.
The recent reelection of all the county commissioners in both counties in August shows that they are in a very secure position with the county electorate, regardless of the scandals or cost overruns of public projects and the elected body and others falling under this state Sunshine law should just abide by the restrictions, for you are very secure in your office and just humor county residents with this one little perk, because eventually if you do not. It will come back to bite you and that would not be a good thing.
>>> PAST WDR: A brief history of the Watchdog Report over the past 12 years, but an odyssey that really started in late 1997 when waste, fraud and public corruption flourished in South Florida
In 2000 when I first started the Watchdog Report using a purple IMac armed with the power of the internet, my only goal was to create a public nervous system of information about what was going on at all the public institutions in South Florida in an attempt to reduce waste, fraud and abuse, while also trying to connect the general public with their public leaders and institutions. The decision to make the Watchdog Report free back May 5, 2000 was a conscious effort on my part and the fact I was single with no children also freed me up to do this on a full time basis, using roughly $500,000 of my own money over the years, everything I had. I also made the report free because I did not want to create a group of people, with inside information, but to make the public knowledge available to all, and when it comes to the Watchdog Report’s readership, that has been achieved. Since that time one of the unanticipated advantages of doing this is the people I have gotten to interview and ask questions too over the years. Ranging from current President Barack Obama (When he was a U.S. Senator), Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, Mikail Gorbachev, Gov. Jeb Bush (who I actually almost saw weekly since he was from Miami) and hundreds of other people and events over the years.
When I have been on WLRN/NPR radio listeners from Palm Beach and other places ask why they don’t have a Watchdog in their community as well, and they may in the future but it takes an odd set of circumstances for someone to have the guts to try this. And in my case, it was a number of events including when federal officials extracted the young Cuban boy Elian Gonzalez that left the community in ethnic flames, combined with the widespread use of the internet back then, along with political corruption flourishing in the 1990s. Including some of these powerful people saying some really contemptible things, like “You little people, we are going to f….. crush you,” said one top political operative back then to me who later died from a heart anomaly. Though a number of people asked if I had killed him. I said no, I just told him when it came to long serving Miami Commissioner J.L. Plummer getting reelected after 29 years in office that it was going to be a tough race. Further, having lived in Japan, Sydney and spent extensive time in China and the rest of Asia where democracy sometimes is in short supply. It seemed here in South Florida there was a need for enhanced high definition transparency at public meetings and I attempted that assignment when no one else wanted to do it.
Now I am starting my 12th year as the editor, publisher, and I again thank all that believed in what I was trying to do, and actually financially supported me in this activity that really began back in 2007 but morphed in 2000 into a news service and community education resource. Further, People ask me all the time what and why I have the Argus Report section, and it is in honor of former Miami Herald Publisher Alberto Ibarguen who when I became a independent editorial columnist for the paper back in the summer of 2000. He told me to be the “community Argus.” At the time I emailed back, he and I were probable the few people who knew the Argus was a Greek mythical colossus with 100 eyes that protected the fawn Io, and would later morph in symbolism to the peacock’s feathers used by NBC for their logo. And I have tried to fulfill that Watchdog role in a small way, in this diverse and exciting community that I refer to as “colorful,” but is likely not to be repeated when I am gone and why for me, publishing solo for these dozen years with over 100,000 readers is a milestone, that I thank my readers and supporters to allow happen, and while it has not been easy. It was necessary for someone to have done it, I just did not think it would have to be me, but here we are today.
LETTERS
>>> Reader on Orlando Sentinel front page profile of me back in Jan. 2003
Great article! Love the Wizard of Oz quote by Congress woman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. Did not know about your years in Australia. Must have been interesting. You must share one day. 2,500 meetings a year [at my peak back in 2002-06]? Wow, I thought the President had a crazy calendar.
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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 >>> >>> To read the full section large two page front page story, but without the photos and smart box graphics, go to: `I Go When You Cannot’ – Sun Sentinel 20 Jan 2003 … Sometimes Dan Ricker lives in the dark so others may live in the light. … to his weekly Watchdog Report have finally mailed their checks. … http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2003-01-20/news/0301190341_1_ricker-school-board-president-miami-s-first-cuban-american >>>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 – http:///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.
Watchdog Report Supporters Invoice-Form
NOTE: Invoice is for Yearly supporter/sponsorship Rates: Thank you.
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Please make checks payable to: Daniel A. Ricker
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