Watchdog Report Vol.15 No.12 August 17, 2014 EST.05.05.00 – I go when you cannot- Celebrating 15 Years

>>> The Watchdog Report publisher would like to thank the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation www.knightfoundation.org for funding by the Knight Foundation with technical support from the Knight Center for International Media http://knight.miami.edu within the University of Miami’s School of Communication www.miami.edu to maintain my webpage. The Watchdog Report webpage is free, has no pops-up and is just the news in a mainstream reporting manner.

On another note, I Had a mild Stroke Wednesday and went to Baptist Health South Miami hospital for treatment and care and after four days I am happy to say I am home after their fine physicians got me back on my feet, but I AM not yet up to Par and am Feeling my Way back into the reporting world but it was definitely a personal hit and I hope my supporters who have sent their best wishes will stay with me while I work though this medical condition that can strike so suddenly with such devastating effects and I plan to be back in the Future and hope my readers will understand given the circumstances. There will be possible no Watchdog Report next week and I will be returning soon thereafter and ask my readers to understand given the circumstances, Thank you.

ARGUS REPORT – Heard, Seen on the Streets

>>>> With Identity Fraud “dwarfing,” Medicaid fraud, the federal busts just keep on coming and children’s identities are new soft targets

The Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce at its monthly luncheon on Wednesday at Parrot Jungle featured a speaker on identity fraud and as reported in past Watchdog Reports it is an exploding problem that is “dwarfing,” Medicare Fraud said the local U.S Attorney of the Southern District and is such a problem that people from Miami are showing up around the nation and perpetuating the scam in unsuspecting communities. And below is another federal case as this scam and theft metastasizes throughout our community and at a recent school board meeting board member Raquel Regalado warned that children identities are the new choice targets for thieves since they are unlikely to have any safeguard’s to their identities in place and parent must also now protect these kids personal information in Miami, what has become the epicenter for the illicit activity and includes false IRS returns.

Two Miami Residents Sentenced for Money Laundering Activities Involving Stolen Identity Tax Refunds

Press release: Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Donnell Young, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), and Ronald J. Verrochio, Inspector in Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Miami Division, announce that Steven Toussaint, 33, and Emmanuel Marvin Alphonse, 28, both of Miami, were sentenced before U.S. District Judge Jose E. Martinez. Toussaint was sentenced to 46 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Alphonse was sentenced to 37 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Each defendant previously pled guilty to one count of money laundering, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1956(a)(1)(B)(i).

According to court documents, from January 1, 2011 through July 29, 2011, the defendants engaged in money laundering activities involving the cashing of money orders funded with fraudulent, stolen identity tax refunds. Both Toussaint and Alphonse had their own check cashing accounts at the Cash-A-Check check-cashing store. Steven Toussaint cashed 985 money orders, totaling $490,401, using his own Cash-A-Check account. Emmanuel Marvin Alphonse cashed 581 money orders, totaling $286,995, using his own Cash-A-Check account. The defendants knew that the money orders were funded by unlawful activity, and knowingly conducted the transactions on behalf of third-parties for the purpose of concealing and disguising the nature and source of the unlawful proceeds in exchange for a portion of the funds involved in each transaction.Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of IRS-CI and USPIS. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank R. Maderal.

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. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

>>>> Press release; Miami-Dade County Resident Sentenced in Stolen Identity Tax Refund Scheme Involving Thousands of Individuals’ Personal Identifying Information

Press release: Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Donnell Young, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), and Alysa D. Erichs, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI), announce that Paul Evans Auguste, 30, of Miami, was sentenced today to 61 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release for his participation in a stolen identity tax refund scheme.Auguste previously pled guilty to one count of access device fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1029(b)(2), and one count of aggravated identity theft, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1028A. According to court documents, beginning on approximately September 30, 2013, Auguste began advertising to friends and acquaintances that he had personal identifying information (PII) for sale, that is, stolen names, dates of birth, and social security numbers belonging to real individuals. On December 9, 2013, Auguste sold PII belonging to 200 different individuals to an undercover law enforcement officer for $2,000. The PII sold by the defendant consisted of patient information sheets from rehabilitation center in Philadelphia.

Court documents also state that on January 6, 2014, the defendant sold an additional 60 pieces of PII to an undercover law enforcement officer for $500. During that exchange, the defendant stated that he was opening a “tax” office and needed money; the defendant reiterated that he obtained the PII from Philadelphia and offered to sell another 200 pieces of PII for $1,000. According to court documents, on January 28, 2014, law enforcement executed a search warrant of the defendant’s residence and discovered an additional 2,164 pieces of PII (702 of which were in his car, which the defendant was driving on his way to another controlled sale to law enforcement, and the remaining 1,462 of which were found in the defendant’s room).

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of IRS-CI and ICE-HSI. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Francisco R. Maderal. 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. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

>>> Press release: Zogby Report Card: Good moves in Iraq and Ferguson, Mo., buoy midterms

John Zogby’s Obama Weekly Report Card is Featured in Paul Bedard’s “Washington Secrets” Published weekly in The Washington Examiner

Pollster John Zogby reports in our weekly White House report card that President Obama scored good points with his Iraq policy and efforts to quell violence in Ferguson, Mo., giving him something to brag on in November.

“The president is on vacation, but global crises are not. Mr. Obama revealed a steady hand in the Iraq crisis by deliberating then acting judiciously in northern Iraq to assist persecuted religious minorities and halt the progress of the Islamic State.

Please click on the link below to view this week’s grade:
http://zogbyanalytics.com/news/482-zogby-report-card-good-moves-in-iraq-and-ferguson-mo-buoy-midterms

>>> National profile of the publisher in The Tribune papers Jan. 2003 & UNCCH 2004 media study that cites Watchdog Report having 100,000 readers weekly

To read a national story run in the Tribune papers on my life and how this all began done by Orlando Sentinel featured reporter Maya Bell go to: 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 >>>  And to read a University of North Carolina Chapel Hill study on the media in the Southeast United States that mentions the Watchdog Report with 100,000 readers weekly, done back in 2004 and to read the Southern Media Study go to: 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 … – – Cached.

>>> 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, twice in 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. Further, I am a frequent guest on CWWW.WPBT2.ORG on Helen Ferre’s show Issues, and have also appeared on  Eliott Rodriguez’s show News & Views.

FLORIDA

>>> Will Florida ever get it right with Congressional redistricting still up in the air?

With the Florid Legislature approving new redistricting maps for Congressional seats pundits believe these new maps will be further challenged in court and it continues Florida being in the national spotlight as not being able to hold proper elections in a timely way and with the Aug 26^th primary election looming in the near future time is short and this matter must be settled in the near future if people are not to be disenfranchised when it comes to the electorate.

What about the governor’s race?

Former Gov. Jeb Bush is helping Gov. Rick Scott in his campaign and Bush also came out against the Marijuana amendment on the November ballot for medical use and he is against, though polls show it is popular with Florida voters and could help Bush if he decides to run for president in 2016.

Bush over the week campaigned with Scott and his expected challenger former Gov. Charlie Crist if he gets through the party primary and beats state Sen. Nan Rich, D-Weston, in the primary but his campaign has yet to catch fire and voters are generally giving the race a big yawn and you either want Crist because you hate Scott so much and when it comes to these politicians talking about new ideas, the political landscape is barren. And Crist is the expected candidate just based on his name recognition and ability to raise campaign cash and he is talking about increasing educational funding but the topic is not taking root with many voters.

>>> Now what, court rules redistricting process flawed and new Congressional maps must be redrawn, but time is short with Aug. 26 primary?

With primary elections approaching, once again Florida is under the gun after a Florida Court ruled that the legislature approved redistricting of congressional seats and the state legislature seats were invalid and must be redrawn and approved by the legislature in a special session. However, the court ruling has thrown a couple of congressional district races up in the air and GOP leaders are crying foul at the court ruling that also has the federal Justice department looking at the matter as well. For more go to http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/08/01/4266657/florida-judges-orders-special.html

Further a new wrinkle has been introduced into the upcoming races with billionaire Tom Steyer saying he will contribute $750,0000 to the Crist campaign for governor and the man is an advocate of stopping Climate Change something Gov. Rick Scott has said he will not comment on since he is not a “scientist.” http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/08/02/4268750/billionaire-climate-change-supporter.html

>>> Here is the original press release: Florida League of Women Voters press release: Late yesterday afternoon Leon County Circuit Judge Terry Lewis released his opinion in the redistricting trial, declaring that the congressional map drawn by the Florida legislature and adopted in 2012 is invalid and unconstitutional. In response to Judge Lewis’ ruling, League of Women Voters of Florida President Deirdre Macnab released the following statement.

For the first time, a group of citizens has shown that with commitment and perseverance, they can take on the might and unlimited resources of the Florida Legislature and win by exposing what the judge calls ‘the secret, organized campaign to subvert the supposedly open and transparent redistricting process.’ “

Judge Lewis’ ruling puts real teeth in the Fair Districts amendments that were passed so overwhelmingly by Florida voters. With many other states grappling with the cancer of gerrymandering, this nationally precedent-setting decision sends a clear message that triumphs in the name of fair and transparent government are possible. This is a thrilling victory for the people of Florida and for the open, fair and accountable government that for decades the League has worked tirelessly to promote. To read Judge Terry Lewis’ opinion in full, please click here.

The League of Women Voters of Florida, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. For more information, please visit the League’s website at: www.TheFloridaVoter.org.

>>> And it’s good to be an incumbent legislator and 43 percent of the unopposed incumbents were reelected Friday ay at noon, www.miamiherlad.com to another term and some local senators have been reelected including Rene Garcia, R-Hialeah and incumbent state Sen. Miguel Diaz de la Portilla, R-Miami has another four year years in the upper legislative body, and his brother Renier is running to be a local Circuit Court Judge.

What about write-in candidates?

While write in candidates this election cycle were less than in some past years like in the early 20000 time frame, that had hundreds of voters disenfranchised since there was a write in candidate in the party primary, and back then I checked on some of these candidates and one candidates address did not exist, another had their phone disconnected. After I contacted them concerning a story on the matter and how they were disenfranchising hundreds of thousands of county voters since if it was a Republican write in candidate, Democratic Party voters could not participate and GOP party officials defended this by saying it was the GOP’s primary and why should they be swayed by none party voters in their own primary. But over the decades write in candidates have become a double edged sword for some races but their names on the ballots given the current rules do deprive thousands of voters across the state to vote on many of their elected state official’s that will represent them in their state capital.. http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/04/30/4088964/crist-leads-gov-scott-by-10-points.html

Scott

Crist

Rich

>>> Below is the latest campaign reports for candidates running for Circuit Court judicial seats in Miami-Dade County and are on the August primary ballot. Judges when they run often don’t get the scrutiny they deserve and voters should learn as much as they can about the candidates before they cast their vote and in the months ahead I will  profile some of the candidates in future WDRs.

>>> Campaign brochure says three strikes and you’re out to judicial candidate Diaz de La Portilla

The judicial races are getting nasty and the WDR received a campaign attack piece in the mail saying isn’t it time for Renier Diaz de la Portilla to say enough is enough since he has lost the last three elections he has run in and he is facing Veronica Diaz (who also has generated controversy) in the juridical race. The campaign piece asks “isn’t three times of voter rejection enough?” and because of his political connections his family he has gotten a variety of political endorsements, but through all his years in politics there has been a undercurrent of controversy and it remains to be seen if Diaz will win the day.

Group	Incumbent	Challenger	Contributions	Loans	In-Kinds	Expenditures	Balance
16		Steve Millan	27,980.00	50,000	0.00	56,160.35	21,819.65
		Thomas A. Cobitz	19,940.00	500,000.00	1,051.06	101,323.42	418,616.58
26	Rodney “Rod” Smith		107,094.34	100.00	2,375.31	57,283.06	49,911.28
		Christian Carrazana	19,100.00	7,000.00	134.92	13,715.05	12,384.95
27		Mary C. Gomez	14,615.00	0.00	1,135.85	13,004.44	1,610.56
		Alberto Milian	59,728.00	100,000.00	1,060.82	7,335.20	152,392.80
58		Martin Zilber	142,558.00	100,000.00	7,964.98	38,811.06	203,746.94
		Oscar Rodriguez Fonts	72,079.00	0.00	833.86	26,566.39	45,512.61
67	Fleur J. Lobree		35,645.81	100,000.00	2,416.20	12,700.58	122,945.23
		Mavel Ruiz	20,902.00	0.00	4,918.94	14,713.90	6,188.10
70		Veronica Diaz	44,410.01	40,000.00	8,509.82	12,606.59	71,803.42
		R. Diaz de la Portilla	60,992.67	200.00	128.87	32,684.26	28,508.41

>>> Children’s Movement of Florida  Voices of Florida – We all have a story, a story that defines us. It is our collective story, our challenges and our triumphs that inspire a movement. Floridians from all walks of life have joined together with an understanding that the future of our state rests on the well-being of our children. Visit The Children’s Movement website to read their stories and share your own. >>> I find it unacceptable, as all of us should, that at least a half-million children in Florida – all citizens — have no health insurance. How could this be in our beloved country that seeks to be a beacon to the world? Health insurance for all children is one of the five major planks of The Children’s Movement. With the support of Florida Covering Kids and Families, The Children’s Movement is working with dozens of local partners to help build a meaningful signing-up initiative in more than a dozen Florida communities. Already we have: Completed 18 KidCare trainings around the state. Signed up, trained and deployed more than a hundred volunteers. Begun to build a growing collaboration between local school districts and KidCare outreach coalitions. It’s a good start, but only the start. If you’d like to become a volunteer, just click here. Another way to help is to make a contribution – of any size – to help support this work. It is easy. Just click here. A real movement isn’t possible without your helping in some meaningful way. Dave Lawrence, Jr., Chair The Children’s Movement. >>> Update: Two encouraging meetings… The first, a visit from the Governor to the Rainbow Intergenerational Child Care center in Little Havana where he discussed his early learning priorities. That includes his support for “Help Me Grow,” a statewide parent resource system where parents would be able — via phone and online — to get answers to questions about their child’s development and connected with the proper resources. The second, a meeting with future House Speaker, Rep. Jose Oliva from Hialeah. He’s a father of three, a real reader of history and student of policy, and committed to better understanding early learning. Dave Lawrence, Chair The Children’s Movement

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY

>>>> Commission races beginning to get ugly, how low will they go? And mayor Gimenez backs off on announced massive cuts in law enforcement, but will health care savings by dependents going to JHS materialize in a significant way?

A number of Miami-DADE County Commissioners are up for reelection and one is Jean Monestime who is being challenged by former long serving Commissioner Dorrin Rolle for the District 2 Seat, whom Monestime defeated back in 2010 after Rolle was hit over the years with a variety of ethics violations and the long serving organization he was director of JESCA, founded in 1925 by Capt. James C. Scott went into bankruptcy and JESCA at one point had some $250,000 in bounced checked charges and other financial issues that turned voters cold, to the man and commissioner originally appointed to the office by the governor after Rolle’s predecessor James Burke was arrested and suspended from office at the time around 1998.

What about his calm demeanor?

In a recent profile in The Miami Herald on the race. Monestime was portrayed as almost being meek since he is soft-spoken and anyone who attended the redistricting process 9held in a commission conference room) knows that is not the case where he verbally fought hard to get a District he wanted with his peers on the dais and he just choses his fights on the dais and has strong convictions and pushes for his constituents interests generally fairly effectively, but he is not the showman his challenger many times comes off to be, Dorrin Rolle. http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/08/04/4271500/in-a-rematch-miami-dade-commission.html

Further former Homestead Mayor and Commission District 8 incumbent Lynda Bell is being challenged by  Daniella Levine Cava, a longtime community social services advocate who was director of Catalyst Miami and has gained traction in the race. Both have raised enough money for their campaign war chest to run a competitive race for the sprawling district that includes South Dade but had the city of PInecrest cut out of it during the commission redistricting process a few years ago, and Bell replaced Commissioner Katy Sorenson back in 2010 when Sorenson decided to not run for reelection and is heading up the Good Government initiatiative at the University of Miami.

Also long serving commissioner Javier Souto is seeking reelection and he is facing challenger Marina Meadows and Souto is a constituent maven who has served for years  without a hint of scandal and the former state senator and representative is a cultural and Parks maven but periodically goes on a jag at the dais and becomes long winded but he has high name recognition, holds numerous town hall meetings and Meadows is a relative unknown candidate and given Souto’s fundraising efforts he is likely to retain his District 10 seat on the 13 member commission.

And Jose “Pepe” Diaz is facing a challenger for the first time in many years since he was first elected back in 2003. Diaz is facing Marjorie Figuueira for the District 12 seat and he is a former Sweetwater mayor prior to his election.

What about the recall of Mayor Carlos Gimenez?

After the Fourth of July boat deaths on Biscayne Bay near Coconut Grove a former county fire Rescue employee whose son Andrew was killed is calling for the recall of County Mayor Gimenez, http://www.local10.com/news/county-fire-boat-captain-aims-to-recall-miamidade-mayor/27234262 but recent polls suggest that task will not be easy, after Gimenez replaced the previous Mayor Carlos Alvarez, after he was successfully recalled but that was with the help of auto magnate Norman Braman but the political environment is different from 2011 and this recall effort is unlikely to catch on with the electorate at this moment in time since Gimenez is also committed to keeping tax rates low and Gimenez is seeking concessions from county employees that plays well with property owners but is different from Alvarez’ who was in many ways was politically tone deaf.

And while recall advocates had a press conference last week that was sparsely attended, the mayor cannot take this movement lightly given the results of the past recall effort that did recall Mayor Carlos Alvarez and how the upcoming September public budget hearings go will in many ways determine if this effort has legs or not, and if the recall signatures were certified by the county Clerk’s office there could be an special election in January under the county charter.

Gimenez

What about the mayor’s budget press conference?

PAST WDR: Mayor Carlos Gimenez on Tuesday held his budget press conference in his 29^th Floor conference room, filled with plaques and awards but this year it seemed to be a much more scripted affair and Gimenez as would be normal did not take reporters’ questions after his presentation, and instead had interviews with the media on an individual basis and the names were selected by lottery said the mayor’s press person Michael Hernandez. Further, the mayor is going through staff at a good clip and last week his chief of staff Lisa Martinez announced she was leaving after only a few months on the job and Martinez was credited with creating structure to the office that includes numerous deputy mayors and ancillary staff and the high pay of some of these employees has been a hot topic with county commissioners in the past. And below is the announcement of Martinez leaving the office. Further Gimenez who can come off as thin skinned later during the presentation and he later had an odd exchange with Jim DeFede, a CBS 4 reporter. And the man who was once asked if he could take the heat on the dais when he was manager of the City of Miami?, back then he remarked as the previous Fire Chief where he had to run into burning buildings, and the grilling he was getting from Miami Commissioners at the time was nothing he suggested back then in 2003. But the county is a much bigger operation than Miami and as the strong mayor the duties are much greater and larger in scale. And it will take all his leadership in the weeks ahead to get through this upcoming budget cycle.

And for more on the county budget go to: http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/06/19/4189565/miami-dade-budget-cuts-could-eliminate.html Further, Chip Iglesias also announced his retirement as Gimenez’s longtime chief of staff and the mayor’s office is clearly feeling the pressure of the protracted budget negotiations going on with the county commissioners. http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/07/23/4250580/exit-at-county-hall-miami-dade.html And the question is will a whole new army of lobbyist be descending on county hall in the months ahead as they go into the private sector.

County Commissioner Xavier Suarez at a meeting to discuss Baylink mass transit going to Miami Beach from the City of Miami. The former Miami Mayor who represents Commission District 7 made a frank statement about his job as commissioner and he told attendees he was “just a part time commissioner” after he arrived just a few minutes late since he was attending a Commission Committee meeting in the chamber’s that he is on. Suarez along with a number of other commissioners is still having a hard time living on the $6,000 salary he is paid for being on the body and while voters have been asked almost a dozen times to raise that salary. Voters have persistently said no way at the ballot box over the years and shot down any pay raise for commissioners. However Suarez is a persistent critic of the administration and there is speculation that he might run for county mayor (that pays $150,000) in 2016 and Suarez continues to be critical and snipe at the mayor’s staff during commission meetings, but his armchair quarterbacking many times after the fact is not playing well with his 13 peers on the dais and it is unknown if his son Francis a Miami Commissioner will seek the seat in the future if his dad does run for mayor. After Suarez lost past bids for the office in the City of Miami after a past bid back in 2001. And he clearly cherishes the role of being a mayor.

Suarez

Bovo

Heyman

Gimenez

 

>>> With The Miami Herald detailing a story on possible further budget cuts from the Mayor Carlos Gimenez administration, especially, in regard to the Miami-Dade Police Department, let the budget battle begin in the commission chambers http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/08/14/4289558/gimenez-nixes-planned-briefing.html The game of budget chicken is heating up as the county commission begins reviewing the mayor’s final, yet to be submitted budget, that is still evolving through July, but it is clear some hard decisions will have to be made in the future months, that also include some commission races and it is unlikely any incumbent is going to raise taxes or campaign on higher taxes and while property taxes have increased, it is insufficient to cover rising expenses in a host of departments but the 13 member commission will have to grapple with this funding dilemma in the weeks ahead to the final fiscal document.  However, some of the dire warnings are getting old as holes in the budget get plugged from one of the county’s some 74 budget streams that include a host of tourist taxes  and for example Jackson Health System is benefiting from strong sales tax receipts and as long as tourism is booming the county administration has some flex ability but is also now saving money by asking county employees to start going to JHS instead of other hospitals and it remains to be seen how county employees buy into this and other changes especially in the health care are which is an  around $350 million county expense, but efforts to date to slow the rising healthcare costs have not been successful and these rising costs are also hammering the nation’ fourth largest public schools district.

Ethics Commission endorses expansion of ‘two-year rule’

>>> M-DC Ethics Comm. Press release: The Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics and Public Trust (COE) today unanimously endorsed a proposal to increase the so-called “two-year rule” prohibiting elected officials and public employees from lobbying their former governments to a four-year ban on such activity.  According to COE Chairman Nelson Bellido, “If you choose to be a public servant, you are beholden to the community.  You don’t serve for public gain.  We have seen on the Ethics Commission that the two-year rule is just not long enough.”  Ethics Commission Executive Director Joseph Centorino said, “This would diminish the perception that a former official is trading on any influence he or she may have gained in office.”  The proposed ordinance was approved by a 7 to 5 vote of the Board of County Commissioners on first reading and is scheduled for a public hearing before the Public Safety and Animal Services Committee on August 27^th.

>>>Probable Cause was found to a complaint (C 14-25) against a member of the Village of Pinecrest Community Center Advisory Committee in 2011, who had neglected to file a financial disclosure form as required by law, even though she was notified several times to do so. Joyce Paredes finally complied with the rule two months ago, so the COE voted to dismiss the complaint upon payment of a $100 fine for investigative costs.

>>>After No Probable Cause was found to a complaint (C 13-42) filed against an attorney for not registering as a lobbyist when she represented companies seeking concessions at Miami International Airport, the Ethics Commission today issued a Letter of Clarification to the Miami-Dade Aviation Department.  The respondent claimed reliance on the wording of the Request for Proposal (RFP), which did not accurately reflect lobbyist registration requirements in the Ethics Ordinance.   The Letter instructs the Aviation Department to correct the verbiage in bid solicitation documents and any applicable appendix to mirror the language of the Conflict of Interest and Code of Ethics Ordinance regarding lobbyist registration.

>>>The Ethics Commission today issued an opinion (RQO 14-03) stating that reservist service for the United States Armed Forces is not considered outside employment.  The decision was based on review of administrative rules for the County, the State of Florida and the Federal government, and was issued to clarify previous interpretations of the Conflict of Interest and Code of Ethics Ordinance.  It means that Miami-Dade workers who serve in the reserve do not have to request a supervisor’s approval for outside employment and do not have to file a financial statement (unless they are in a political position that requires disclosure).  Under County administrative rules, the employee should provide proof of reserve status and a copy of his military orders.

>>>>What about the Sea Level Rise Task Force recent findings? Below are the links to the comprehensive report and the Task Force was headed up by County Clerk Harvey Ruvin, a long time environmental advocate

The Miami-Dade SLRTF, sponsored by Chairwomen Rebeca Sosa, and unanimously established by the BCC; for nearly one year the SLRTF has been conducting hearings, studying reports/expert testimony and carefully deliberating this critical issue. The Report is now final and scheduled to be presented to the BCC on July 1st. The Report (l3 pages) and the Appendix l80 pages) can be downloaded at the following two links: http://www.miamidade.gov/planning/library/reports/sea-level-rise-final-report.pdf http://www.miamidade.gov/planning/library/reports/sea-level-rise-appendices.pdf

GMCVB press release: Total passenger arrivals at Miami International Airport (MIA) increased in the months of January – June 2014 by 1.7%.

Record MIA Passenger Arrivals Total Arrivals January – June 2014 January – June 2013 % Change vs. 2013 10,407,748 10,234,795 +1.7%

>>>> PAST WDR: Is conflict developing over 2.9 billion GOB funds going to other commission districts

Ramifications of redistricting of the 13 commission districts in 2012 are rippling through the county’s 2.9 billion GOB program passed by county voters in 2004. The problem is some approved projects in one District are now in another commissioner’s and Commissioner Javier Souto bristled because of the ramifications and the money he considered solely for his district use. However, the discussion on the matter got heated and the problem will likely raise its head on the dais in the future.

>>> PAST WDR: Finance Committee Chair Bovo wishes more commissioners would attend budget hearings with the clock ticking running up to the public budget hearings in Sept. and Mayor Gimenez is facing a $75 million hole in the upcoming budget that must be filled. And Bovo and Commissioner Juan Zapata had  extensive discussions on how Convention and Development Tourist (CDT) taxes are used and how these monies get allocated and will ultimately be paying for the debt on the new Florida Marlins Stadium that after financing could cost around $2.3 billion with the bulk of the bond payments in the later years and why Zapata does not want to drop this fiscal nightmare on future commissioners and wants a better plan in place of how these CDT funds are spent and future obligations for the funds, and could also be used for such projects as Baylink, a proposed mass transit project from Miami to Miami Beach.

County Commissioner Estephan Bovo has been holding budget hearings for months since he is chair of the Finance Committee and there is a $200 million gap in next year’s budget that begins Oct. 1 and the lack of funding has segments of the community in a uproar when it comes to cuts in the library District, or the animal Services budgets and in cultural programs.

Bovo is going through all the 25 county department budgets and he wished his other 12 commissioners attended the meetings so they could give they’re input early to the administration of Mayor Carlos Gimenez what the body’s budget priorities are and what other commissioners think, he said Monday.

What about the Miami Science Museum?

Further, when it comes to the new Miami Science Museum being constructed in Museum Park and its management contractor being dismissed recently. No one was talking at Miami-Dade County about the new wrinkle in the project that got a $275 million slug of public GOP money from the county and the Watchdog Report asked County Mayor Carlos Gimenez and Cultural Affairs Director Michael Spring and both said they were aware of some issues, but “no more money” was coming from the county they both suggested, Further Spring last week said the museum was working through the issues and said the reason no further details have become public is because there “will likely be lawsuits,” in the future and  since the County has a $200 million budget hole to plug  when it comes to finding spare money as in many past years, “there is no more magic,” in the county’s budget since some $4 billion has been cut out of the county budget since around 2008, said one long time experienced budget expert at the county.  And the reason the Watchdog Report is so interested in what is going on over at the Frost Museum of Science and if there will be a need for money to finish the impressive, but complex facility. It is because there is now no more money and while the Museum has raised some $80 million on its own. It is unknown if the organization can fill in any fiscal gap for the final construction. And here is the Museum’s website that talks about a new management company being selected and Spring told the Watchdog Report that the “project will not become a PACT II ,” he assured me. He said last week the “Miami Science Museum is just getting re-organized and they have not asked for any money,” said Spring, the County’s Cultural Affairs Director. http://www.frostscience.org/blog/ http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/05/16/4121231/new-contractor-named-for-frost.html http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/24/miami-science-museum-breaks-ground_n_1298730.html Editor’s Note: The Museum recently received two major donations. Patricia and Phillip Frost that the museums are named after announced two gifts one for $7.5 million from the Batchelor Foundation and a second $2.5 million gift bringing the total fundraising commitments to a total of $135 million in private fundraising including $86 million in commitments says www.miamiherald.com and the Watchdog Report for one thanks these benefactors for these contributions to this important cultural institution that had all the earmarks of needing significantly more public financing. And Trish and Dan Bell told the Watchdog Report last week that the new Museum will be “Magnificent,” and is expected to “be on time” and the organization will not ask for anymore county money, the board Co Chairs said.

>>> Absentee ballots are doing a brisk business and as of last week some 188,256 such ballots have been requested by Miami-Dade County voters for the Aug. 26 primary election that has judicial candidates on the ballot including a host of judges, some county commissioners and a some school board members and county commissioners up for reelection and on the ballot.

>>>> County Advisory Board members put on notice

M-DC ETHICS Commission Press release: Citizens who serve on advisory boards, quasi-judicial agencies, task forces, committees and other organizations created by the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners will be removed from their positions if they fail to provide financial disclosure as required by their appointments.   The Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics and Public Trust today expressed support for the ordinance passed by the County Commission last week.  It establishes procedures to remove delinquent individuals who do not submit the forms as required by July 1 after each year of board service.  The Ethics Commission will notify the offenders six months after that.  If they fail to comply within 31 days after receiving notice, they will be removed from the board.  The delinquent member would also be subject to fines and other penalties. Ethics Commissioners agreed to change the schedule of its regular meetings to the second Wednesday of each month.  The next meeting will be Wednesday, August 13, 2014, at 10 a.m.

>>>>OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL RELEASES 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

The goal of the Office is to ensure an honest, efficient, and transparent County government for the citizens of Miami-Dade County. The report can be viewed in its entirety on the OIG’s website at www.miamidadeig.org.

>>>> Press release: Policeman Indicted For Aiding and Abetting a Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Marijuana and For Extortion

Press release: Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Filed Office, and J.D. Patterson, Director, Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD), announce the indictment of Roderick Silva, 45, of Miami, a police officer who formerly served as a detective assigned to the MDPD Narcotics Bureau. The indictment charges Silva with one count of aiding and abetting a conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846, and one of count of extortion in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1951.  The conspiracy charge against Officer Silva alleges that he aided and abetted a group of persons who were illegally growing hydroponic marijuana in numerous homes that they owned, rented, or otherwise controlled, in the south west Miami-Dade County area. The conspiracy charge further identified this group of persons as members of the Santiesteban family, and their friends and associates. The Santiesteban family members, and a number of their friends and associates, have already been convicted in a federal prosecution brought against them in 2012 for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute over 1000 marijuana plants. They pled guilty to that charge in 2013, and are serving long prison sentences.

The conspiracy charge also alleges that Officer Silva aided and abetted the Santiesteban family members, and their friends and associates, in their marijuana growing activities by providing them with confidential MDPD information about when MDPD narcotics detectives were investigating them, and when they might have their marijuana grow houses searched, and their marijuana plants seized; and by providing advice to the Santiestebans and their friends and associates about how to avoid, deflect, frustrate, and obstruct those MDPD investigations and by providing confidential MDPD information about suspected grow houses operated by other marijuana growers, so the Santiestebans and their friends and associates could rob those grow houses of their marijuana plants.

The extortion count of the indictment charges that Officer Silva obtained money from Santiesteban family members, “under color of official right.” It specifies that Officer Silva received $1500 cash on January 5, 2011, in Miami-Dade County for “maintaining his silence and not disclosing to any law enforcement authorities all that he knew about the illegal, criminal activities of the Santiesteban family members.”

U.S. Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer stated, “We are especially saddened when a public servant misuses his position of trust to engage in criminal conduct.  Mr. Silva’s criminal conduct not only undermined the trust of this community, but also undermined the trust of the officers who served by his side.  Today’s indictment sends a message to all public officials who commit crime that they are not above the law and that they will be brought to justice.”

“Mr. Silva’s actions undermines the public’s trust in law enforcement, as well as betrays the officers and agents who worked by his side” said Special Agent in Charge George L. Piro of the FBI’s Miami Division. “Silva must now face the consequences of his actions in large part due to the dedication and commitment of the Miami Dade Police Department and the FBI.” Director J.D. Patterson stated, “The community’s trust is vital to us and make no mistake, the Miami-Dade Police Department remains committed in seeking out, identifying, and ridding itself of individuals who violate that trust.  This violation of trust tarnishes the badge of every hard-working officer who risks his/her life daily to protect this community.  We appreciate the partnership and support of our federal partners during this sensitive investigation.”

If convicted, Officer Silva faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years in prison up to life in prison on the aiding and abetting a conspiracy count and up to 20 years in prison on the extortion count. An indictment is only an accusation and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of FBI and MDPD. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael P. Sullivan and Andy Camacho. 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. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL

>>>> The start of the school year begins this Monday and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR) would like to remind parents and kids on making this school year educational, fun and safe by following these safety precautions:

Press release: Walking to school: Use the buddy system by walking to school with a group of kids and if possible, be accompanied by an adult.

It’s recommended to find a safe route in which crossing guards are placed at every intersection. If the child is taking a new route, parents should accompany them for the first week to make sure they know how to get there safely.

Always walk on the sidewalk. If a sidewalk is unavailable, walk facing traffic.

Cross the street carefully. The safest way is at a street corner or intersection. Remember to look left-right-left before you cross a street!

Walk, don’t run! By walking instead of running, kids can give drivers time to see them before entering the roadway. It also decreases the risk of injury due to falling on the pavement or in the street.

Riding a bicycle to school: When riding a bicycle, always wear a helmet. Make sure that the helmet fits correctly by ensuring that it sits low on the forehead so that two fingers fit between the helmet and your eyebrows. Another way to check that the helmet is fitted correctly is to put the helmet on and look up. If you can’t see the helmet, it’s too far back.

Know the rules of the road. Ride on the right side of the road in a single file line in the same direction as traffic. Come to a complete stop before crossing streets and wait for a driver’s signal before doing so. Mind all traffic signals and the crossing guard. Also, walk the bicycle through intersections.

Bright is right! When riding a bicycle, wear bright colors during the day and right before the sun rises or sets.

Riding a bus to school: When the bus arrives, stand away from the curb. A trick to know how far you should stand is to take three big steps away from the curb. Wait until the bus comes to a complete stop and you are addressed by the driver to get on. Use the handrail when entering the bus. When walking towards or away from the bus, remember to always stay in clear view of the bus driver and never walk behind the bus. If you have dropped something near the bus, inform the bus driver.

When riding the bus, find a seat and sit down. Do not get up while the bus is in motion. While on the bus, do not put your head, arms or hands outside the window. When the bus is at the designated stop, wait for the bus to stop moving completely before getting up.

Use the handrail to go down the steps when getting off the bus. If you need to cross the street, walk 10 feet ahead of the bus so the driver can see you and then wait until the driver gives you a signal to cross.

Riding a car to school: Always wear a seat belt. Children should be placed in the appropriate car seats or booster seats for their age, weight and size. Children under the age of 13 should ride in the backseat of a vehicle. Teen drivers should not use their cell phones to text or call and should avoid eating or drinking while driving. For more information, please contact MDFR’s Public Affairs Bureau at 786-331-5200.

>>>Seven South Florida Residents Charged in Conspiracy to Distribute -Performance Enhancing Drugs to Underage High School and Professional Athletes

In Separate Case, Three Miami-Dade County Residents Charged in Conspiracy to Distribute and Attempted Possession of Molly

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Mark R. Trouville, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Miami Field Division, announce that seven individuals have been charged with conspiring to distribute anabolic steroid testosterone to underage high school and professional athletes.

Charged in this investigation are Anthony Publio Bosch, 50, of Key Biscayne, Carlos Javier Acevedo, 35, of Miami, Yuri Sucart, 52, of Miami, Jorge Augustine Velazquez, a/k/a “Ugi,” 43, of Miami, Christopher Benjamin Engroba, 25, of Miami, Lazaro Daniel Collazo, a/k/a “Lazer” and “Laser,” 50, of Hialeah, and Juan Carlos Nuñez, 48, of Fort Lauderdale. The charges stem from an over 21-month-long investigation by DEA, which focused on the illegal distribution of testosterone by the charged defendants in Miami-Dade County, and elsewhere. Specifically, the investigation focused on the operators of several anti-aging clinics in Miami, recruiters of these clinics, and a black market distributor of testosterone. These anti-aging clinics were incorporated under several different corporate names: Biogenesis of America, LLC; Biokem, LLC; Revive Miami, LLC; and others by the same group of people who occasionally worked together from 2008 through 2012. In addition, the investigation also uncovered a separate conspiracy which involved Acevedo and the alleged illegal distribution of 3,4-Methylenedioxy-N-Methylcathinone Hydrochloride, a Schedule I controlled substance. The controlled substance 3,4-Methylenedioxy-N-Methylcathinone Hydrochloride is commonly referred to as “molly.” Charged in a separate case with conspiring to distribute molly are Giovanny Brenes, 35, and Jorge Canela, Jr., 25; and charged with attempted possession of molly is Carlos Luis Ruiz, 34, all of Miami. “The defendants charged today are alleged to have provided easy access to dangerous concoctions of performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) to impressionable high school kids and professional athletes on the promise of playing better, recovering faster from injury and having more energy,” said U.S. Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer. “Bosch and his network of recruiters and black market suppliers ignored the serious health risks posed to their so-called “patients,” all for a profit. Simply put, doping children is unacceptable – it is not only wrong and illegal, but dangerous. Cheating doesn’t pay and individuals like Bosch and his co-defendants, who distributed PEDs to athletes and, more importantly, to our children, will be held accountable for their actions.” “Anthony Bosch, the self-acclaimed “Best Fake Doctor Ever” has turned in his lab coat for an orange jumpsuit,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Mark R. Trouville. “Mr. Bosch’s alleged actions were a danger to the minors and adults who consumed his concoctions. I’m so proud of the men and women of the DEA and our law enforcement partners who conducted this investigation, which focused on greedy drug traffickers, who exploited athletes of all ages for their personal gain.”

PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST

>>> New “aggressive,” PHT budget for next year causes controversy with nursing staff, July’s revenues come in at $6.3 million, 27.6 days cash on hand

PAST WDR: While the Jackson Health System oversight board approved last week the 2014 proposed $1.6 billion budget that the county commission has to ultimately approve by Sept. 30 it was not without extensive discussion http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/07/30/4263702/jackson-adopts-budget-excluding.html from the seven member board on its “aggressiveness.” Martha Baker, R.N. the union representative for nurses said in the past years they had given “some $100 million in concessions” but  a staff Shortage of some “500 nurses,” is creating what Baker calls a “demographic nightmare,” as this work force ages and she argued that some past concessions were not included in the new budget figures the board was voting on and the nursing shortage has been aggravated by higher wages at competing hospitals like the Memorial Hospital system in Broward and the shortage of nurses has been a persistent problem for over a decade. Trust chair Daryl Sharpton, C.P.A., noted that one of the reasons so many young nursing graduates leave is they go to JHS to get the experience in their resume which he said is similar to the private sector.

However, Baker repeatedly argued that the administration was not keeping its word and they had been working under a three year contract that ends Sept 30 and PHT President and CEO Carlos Migoya noted that in contract negotiations some of these issues had been discussed and PHT vice Chair Joe Arriola said he thought it was “time to get really serious about the labor situation.” Baker noted the nurses also want “to ensure the long term viability of the public health system,’ as swell and why they have agreed to  Millions in past concessions, but a loss of patient volume is hurting the fiscal bottom line staff said as well.

What about July’s financials?

Sometimes it takes a MIRACLE (The new electronic health record system) for JHS now in operation in July closed the month with $6.3 million in unbudgeted revenue after the health system received some 1.7 million in GOB reimbursement and a $2.7 million contribution from Jackson Memorial Foundation and half cent sales tax receipts were $1.2 million higher than budget states the fiscal month memo. Further the overtime rate was 4.11 percent lower than in June where overtime was 4.8 percent and cash on hand has grown to 27.6 days, which is lower than the national norm but up from when it was just 14 to 18 days of cash on hand historically in the past.

>>> Press release: Applications to Serve on the Jackson Health System General Obligation Bond Citizens’ Advisory Committee of Miami-Dade County

Applications are now being accepted for nomination to serve on the Jackson Health System General Obligation Bond Citizens’ Advisory Committee of Miami-Dade County, the advisory committee for Jackson Health System’s general obligation bond program.  At least five voting members (and no more than 15) will be nominated by the Public Health Trust Nominating Council. Each voting member of the Advisory Committee must have an outstanding reputation for professional ability with substantial professional accomplishment and shall hold a senior or prominent position in one of the following fields: Professional Engineer, Florida CPA,Real Estate Development, Emergency Medical Services, Professional Architect  Download the application.  Applications must be received no later than September 2, 2014 by 4 p.m. The PHT Nominating Council will contact selected applicants for interviews and a background check. The Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners, upon recommendation of the Nominating Council, will make the appointment to the advisory committee. If nominated by the PHT nominating council and appointed by the Board of County Commissioners, the committee members will serve without compensation for  either one or three years.

All applications must be submitted with a current resume or curriculum vitae and must be received by:

Christopher Agrippa, Director, Clerk of the Board
111 NW 1st Street
Suite 17-202
Miami, Florida 33128

Emails or facsimiles of the application will be accepted and can be sent to clerkbcc@miamidade.gov or faxed to 305-375-2484. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure electronic receipt of the application by calling the Clerk of the Board at 305-375-1652.  For additional information regarding the application process, please call 305-375-5311.If you cannot view PDF files, you can download Acrobat Reader for free from Adobe Systems, Inc. In order to use PDF files, you must have Acrobat installed on your computer.

Back to Top Page Last Edited: Fri Jul 18, 2014 4:23:19 PM

>>>> PAST WDR: For GOB oversight board, only four people apply, Has Commission chilled the pool of applicants after good ones in past have been overlooked,

As of the June 26 deadline, only four people applied to be on the new JHS Bond Oversight board created by the County Commission to provide oversight of how an $830 million in bond proceeds are spent to update the infrastructure at the Jackson Health Systems facilities and is long overdue. The low number of applications will likely result in the Nominating Council requesting to re run the advertisement that asked for people to apply to be on the advisory board and below is the link to the past request for applicants. And the qualifications the applicants are suggested. However, this lack of applications could be symptomatic of past county commission votes where nominated candidates did not make the cut and I hear from many top notch potential board members. Why should they apply since the board is also ultimately under the thumb of county commissioners, and not truly independent. Though recently JHS CEO Carlos Migoya has been given the benefit of the doubt now that the Health Trust is now in the black and not hemorrhaging hundreds of millions in losses, while also giving some $600 million in charity and uncompensated care but that could also change anytime in the future depending on the political winds blow down at county hall. But this lack of applicants applying for this important oversight board is disturbing and if a trend county commissioners should discuss why this lack of civic engagement is occurring for this important community jewel that apparently few people want to serve on.

CITY OF MIAMI

>>>> Commissioners Suarez and Sarnoff meet to discuss offer of Fernandez for large Flagpole of gratitude in Museum Park

Miami Commissioners Francis Suarez and Marc Sarnoff had a public Sunshine Meeting on Thursday to discuss the proposed Charter Review Committee and the proposal of philanthropist Mike Fernandez to erect a 400 foot flag pole and base on a  small plot of land on Museum Park and reported in the media http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/08/12/4286285/flag-at-museum-park.html and had generated a backlash of public reaction. Suarez wanted to discuss the matter with Sarnoff since the park is located in his commission District. Sarnoff noted that a number of neighborhood organizations in the condos next door were “organizing,” against it and the large flag that weighs some 500 pounds and the the object Fernandez has said was to honor America and all the people that had given their lives, for the freedom we all enjoy today comes with a price and would honor all those that died over the Centuries and he was not seeking publicity when he first suggested the gesture that he would solely fund since the Cuban American is a billionaire having created a variety of companies over the years and has donated significant money to a host of local causes after critics wondered why he would not use this money to end homeless for example or some other worthy cause. The Flag pole would be the tallest in the nation except for one in Wisconsin said Suarez and the commissioner said he thought Fernandez was trying to give back to the community with something that was “unique,” he said. Further Suarez said Fernandez asked the city to maintain and follow the protocol that the flag involves and there was some discussion of the cost and the pole itself will be an engineering tour de force since it will have to swivel and be able to withstand a Cat.5 Hurricane, and Sarnoff wondered if another location might be better such as next to the Miami Marine stadium he said and that would possible end the controversy with the nearby condominium owners he considered.

However, Sarnoff thought he had seen something in Chicago on Millennium Park (The involved some kind of cube feature) that also might work and included a water feature that might achieve the same goal Fernandez was looking for but perhaps without the community dissent, that both commissioners admitted would come about with anything that was proposed since some park advocates even objected to placing exercising equipment in parks something Sarnoff has supported in the past but has been criticized for. The Watchdog Report contacted Fernandez by email asking him about the project and he could not attend the meeting since he was out of the country. In an email last week he wrote back, “As to the City and the Flag of Gratitude which I offer to build. There are many ways to express our honor and respect to a myriad of worthy causes. As a Veteran, I am most respectful to those who gave their blood and ultimately their lives so we can be free. Let’s not forget that Freedom is not Free. Freedom is paid for with lives and ideals. Those who gave their all should never be forgotten. I would be supportive of such a project.

Yet, what I have proposed in the building of a Flag of a Gratitude which will also represents not only those who Served our Country but the 300 plus million Americans whose ancestors or themselves came to our shores. This too is an honorable project.

This is not a business.

I am not asking for recognition (the only reason my name was identified was because a good reporter did his job). I am not asking for public funding, except for an 88 by 88 corner of land, where we could raise our flag. Some people have said that I should instead give the funding to healthcare, education, inner city youth at risk, help the less fortunate.. Allow me to say that I have done all of this and will continue to do. I have been blessed and will support causes which I believe in.But this time….All I want to do, is to say…. Thank you to our great country,” wrote Fernandez in closing.

What about the Miami Charter Review Committee?

Suarez called the meeting to also discuss what Sarnoff thought of the possible makeup of a new charter Review committee that he also wants to appoint himself and his former chief of staff Michael Llorente too and Sarnoff had no problem with the suggestion since years ago former Miami Commissioner Johnny Winton also appointed himself to the 2001 charter committee and in the past Commissioner Willy Gort had been on such a body in 1999. Suarez said Llorentte, an attorney and now lobbyist, knew the charter better than most and Suarez acknowledged that when he tried to push for a strong form of mayor, he spent months on the matter though the commission at the time including Sarnoff failed to buy into the idea and city voters never were able to weigh in on the issue and Suarez’s idea died years ago.

What about a Sarnoff dynasty on the commission?

There has been past speculation that Sarnoff’s wife Teresa would run to replace her husband on the dais since he is termed out in 2016 and she is pondering the idea, but many people that know her wonder “why she would want to run,” in a race that is expected to be brutal and her husband’s political star is not what it once was and for more go to http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2014/08/teresa-sarnoff-pondering-2015-run-for-husbands-miami-commission-seat.html and District 2 voters will have to see if she decides to run to replace her husband on the dais in the months ahead.

>>>> Real Estate Developer and Mortgage Broker Plead Guilty to Mortgage Fraud Scheme

Press release: Two Miami, Florida, residents pleaded guilty this week to participating in a mortgage fraud scheme involving the sale of condominium units in the Miami area.

U.S. Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer of the Southern District of Florida, Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Special Agent in Charge Nadine Gurley of the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of the Inspector General in Miami (HUD-OIG) and Acting Inspector General Michael P. Stephens of the Federal Housing Finance Administration (FHFA) made the announcement. Luis Michael Mendez, 44, and Wilkie Perez, 39, each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud before U.S. District Court Judge Darrin P. Gayles in the Southern District of Florida.  In their pleas, both defendants admitted that they participated in a scheme to place straw buyers in condominium units owned by real estate developers who are members of Mendez’s immediate family in return for a share of the profits. As part of Mendez’s plea agreement, he admitted participating in a scheme to sell condominium units in developments controlled by members of his immediate family to straw buyers who would neither own nor be financially responsible for the properties.  Mendez conspired with two Florida mortgage brokers to finance the fraudulent transactions with loans obtained by submitting false loan applications and supporting documentation.  Mendez also admitted submitting false loan applications in his own name to purchase a number of properties.  Following the purchase of the units, the seller funneled a portion of the sale proceeds to shell corporations controlled by Mendez.  In total, Mendez admitted that his conduct caused a loss of over $3 million.

According to court papers, Perez was a licensed mortgage broker who owned Kinetic Mortgage Group, Inc., a mortgage brokerage company in Miami, Florida.   Perez admitted that he and Luis Mendez, one of Mendez’s immediate family members who owned and controlled the real estate developments, entered into an agreement in which Perez arranged for straw buyers to obtain financing to purchase units controlled by Luis Mendez by, among other things, submitting to financial institutions loan applications and supporting documents containing false information about buyers’ employment, income, and assets.  Luis Mendez paid kickbacks to Perez out of the loan proceeds following the closings on the properties.  Perez, in turn, used a portion of the kickback payments to compensate straw buyers for the use of their identities and credit information.  In total, Perez admitted to obtaining more than $2.5 million in fraudulent loans. Mendez and Perez were indicted by a federal grand jury on March 31, 2014, with Luis Mendez, Stavroula Mendez, Marie Mendez, and Enrique Angulo, who have entered pleas of not guilty and are scheduled for trial beginning Sept. 8, 2014.  The charges contained in an indictment are merely accusations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The case is being investigated by HUD-OIG and FHFA.  The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Gary A. Winters and Brian Young of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section. 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. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

CITY OF MIAMI BEACH

>>>> Mayor Levine leads business delegation to Israel

I would like to invite you to join me, the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce, and the Development Corporation for Israel (Israel Bonds), on the trip of a lifetime to Israel to learn about Israeli economic successes and interesting business opportunities. This November, we embark on an exciting six-day journey to Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. This trip offers a chance to network with senior management from various industries, to meet with local and national leaders, to promote Israeli/Miami and Miami Beach economic opportunities, and to visit some of Israel’s most important tourist and cultural sites. Trip highlights include:

Opening night dinner with the Mayor of Jerusalem; Meet and greet with members of the Knesset and other Israeli dignitaries as well as industry leaders;

Breakfast with the head of the Finance Ministry, the Accountant General, followed by a briefing on the Israeli economy;

Visit Israel Bonds-financed projects; Visit the manufacturer of the Iron Dome, Rafael Industries; Visit the 9/11 Memorial, various Tel Aviv real estate projects, Jewish Diaspora Museum, and Miami Beach Sister City, Nahariya; and

Other unique experiences to be revealed prior to departure. This six-day land package that has been organized includes three days in Jerusalem (November 9th – 12th) followed by three days in Tel Aviv (November 12th – 15th). The land package includes meals and other amenities. There is an optional flight package that departs Miami International Airport on November 8th and returns November 16th.Seats are filling up VERY quickly so reserve your space as soon as possible. A deposit of $500 is due with the application; full balance due by Tuesday, September 9th, 2014. Click here to register. I am personally very excited to lead this economic mission to Israel with the hopes that many business ideas and opportunities will be developed further increasing economic ties between South Florida and the State of Israel. Please join me!

Philip Levine

Mayor of Miami Beach

Town OF MIAMI LAKES

>>> Mayor Pizzi wants back in office after jury acquittal, but issue is becoming complicated with Gov. Scott refusing to lift suspension, Atty. Kuehne disputes standoff, probable going to court

With the acquittal of suspended Mayor Michael Pizzi by a  federal jury, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has been shooting blanks when it comes to public corruption prosecution’s having also lost a tax evasion trial against former Hialeah Mayor Julio Robaina and his wife.   http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/08/14/4289556/suspended-miami-lakes-mayor-michael.html and the next politicians up into the docket is Homestead and the North Miami Mayor and with Pizzi not getting convicted it shows in some ways how difficult it is to prosecute a public corruption case but Pizzi the brash attorney is asking the governor to lift the suspension and put him back into office and on Thursday night after the verdict he went out and celebrated his vindication though one juror hoped he might have learned from the experience. However, Gov. Rick Scott has said he will not reinstate Pizzi back in office and a court showdown is expected and Pizzi’s attorney is crying foul and below is the defense attorney’s letter written by Benedict P. Kuehne to the manager and Clerk, but without Scott’s intervention it spears it will remain to the courts to reinstate the suspended mayor. Below is the attorney’s letter unedited.

Dear Manager Rey and Clerk Tejeda:

In strict accordance with Florida law following Mayor Pizzi’s acquittal on all charges in United States v. Michael Pizzi, U.S.D.C. Case No. 13-Cr-20815-Cooke (S.D. Fla.), Mayor Pizzi has resumed his constitutional duties and responsibilities as the duly elected Mayor of the Town of Miami Lakes to serve the 4-year term to which he was elected in November 2012. His suspension has been automatically lifted as a matter of law as a result of his acquittal.

Mayor Pizzi appreciates The Town’s assistance in having restored his  mayoral office to him on the evening of August 14, 2014, when he re-entered Town Hall as Mayor immediately following his acquittal. At that time, you also returned his official Town photograph as Mayor to the Town Hall wall, and removed the personal effects of temporary Town Mayor Slaton from Mayor Pizzi’s office. That same evening, Mayor Pizzi was welcomed to Town Hall to resume his official duties and held a series of constituent meetings as Town Mayor.

I now understand there is some confusion arising from the illegal efforts of the temporary Town Mayor to attempt to exercise official power beyond the temporary term to which he was elected. That is precisely why Mayor Pizzi will be continuing to utilize his mayoral office space effective on Monday, August 18, 2014, at 9 a.m. He will also need the services of an Administrative Assistant, and will require re-issuance of appropriate access credentials.

Mayor Pizzi also intends to call a Special Council Meeting for the purpose of providing a community update to the citizens and residents of the Town. Please provide suitable dates consistent with public  notification requirements. Thank you for your assistance.

Respectfully submitted,

S/ Benedict P. Kuehne

BENEDICT P. KUEHNE

CITY OF CORAL GABLES

The city Beautiful is looking for a new manager and below is the candidate field of applicants and when they will be interviewed in the future. There are some good candidates to fill the post but the commission and Mayor Jim Cason will be making the final choice in the future.

>>>City’s web page: Citizen’s Advisory Committee to Interview Eight Finalists for City Manager Position

The Commission-appointed Citizen’s Advisory Committee met on Friday, August 15 to discuss the credentials of local and out-of-state executives recommended by the search firm Colin Baezinger & Associates as candidates for the City Manager position.

After a lengthy discussion, the Committee selected the top candidates from this preliminary list and agreed to conduct 30-minute interviews with eight job applicants. The interviews will take place on Friday, August 22, in Commission Chambers, beginning at 8:30 a.m. and will air live on Coral Gables Television. The selected candidates to be interviewed, in alphabetical order, are:

-James Beard, Chief Financial Officer, City of Atlanta
-Pieter Bockweg, Executive Director, City of Miami’s Omni, Midtown & South East Overtown Park West CRAs
-Donald Elliott, leader in healthcare non-profits, North Carolina
-Thomas Mattis, City Manager, Colonial Heights, Virginia
-Yvonne McKinley, former City Manager, City of South Miami and City of Doral
-Arthur Noriega, Chief Executive Officer, Miami Parking Authority
-Guillermo Olmedillo, planning and zoning executive in private/public sector, Miami
-Alex Rey, Town Manager, Town of Miami Lakes

Members of the Citizen’s Advisory Committee include: Committee Chairperson and local attorney Cristina Moreno; University of Miami Vice President for Government and Community Relations Rudy Fernandez; University of Miami Board of Trustees Member Manuel Kadre; MasTec CEO Jose Mas; and former Coral Gables Commissioner Wayne “Chip” Withers.

At the conclusion of the candidates’ interviews, the Citizen’s Advisory Committee will welcome public input. Written comments can also be sent via email to the City Clerk’s Office at cityclerk@coralgables.com. Participants should include name and contact information and any constructive information, insights or opinions that will assist in the selection for City Manager.

Candidate interviews with the City Commission are anticipated to be on September 12 and 13 and will also air live on Coral Gables Television. A City Manager selection will be made shortly thereafter.

>>>FairChild Tropical Botanical Gardens is having a major festival and the Garden is one of Miami-Dade’s true treasures that is augmented with an army of volunteers that keep the garden’s in pristine shape at no cost to the taxpayers and if you and your family want a special treat checkout this story on the Garden’s http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/07/08/4224318/colombian-mangoes-will-be-the.html

>>> OTHER STORIES AROUND FLORIDA

BROWARD COUNTY

>>>>Medical Assistant Pleads Guilty After Stealing Patients’ Identities from the Memorial Healthcare System Database

Press release: Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Donnell Young, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), and Paula Reid, Special Agent in Charge, United States Secret Service (USSS), Miami Field Office, announce that La Toya Yvette Tillman, 33, of Hollywood, pled guilty today to one count of possessing fifteen or more unauthorized access devices with the intent to defraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1029(a)(3), and one count of aggravated identity theft, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1028A. Sentencing is scheduled for October 24, 2014 at 9:30 a.m. before U.S. District Judge Darrin P. Gayles. At sentencing, Tillman faces up to ten years in prison for the access device charge, and a mandatory term of two years in prison, consecutive to any other term in prison, for the aggravated identity theft charge.

According to court documents, Tillman, who worked as a medical assistant at Gastroenterology Consultants in Hollywood, confessed to accessing the Memorial Healthcare System database through her computer at work to steal patient identities, including names, dates of birth, and social security numbers, so that she could sell them. She sold an individual approximately 2,000 identities for $1 each, and the individual told her that he used the identities to file fraudulent tax returns. In addition, in her car, Tillman had a list of 114 identities, including names, dates of birth, and social security numbers. Tillman knew that the victims did not authorize her to possess their personal information.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of IRS-CI and the USSS. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Vanessa Snyder.

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. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov

“The key to the success of this operation is in the proactive nature of the enforcement.  With the help of our federal partners, our V.I.P.E.R. unit was able to identify, locate and arrest these violent criminals,” Sheriff Scott Israel said. “We will never know how many crimes were prevented by taking these illegal weapons off the streets, but that’s a statistic I can live without.”

Mr. Ferrer thanked the many law enforcement agencies involved in this South Florida High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force (HIDTA) operation. In particular, Mr. Ferrer thanked the Broward State Attorney’s Office and commended the investigative efforts of ATF, USMS, and BSO. The federal cases resulting from this operation are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Donald Chase.

The South Florida HIDTA was established in 1990. This program, made up of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, fosters intra-agency cooperation among law enforcement agencies in South Florida and involves them in developing a strategy to target the region’s drug-related threats to public safety. The South Florida HIDTA uses the funding provided by the Office of National Drug Control Policy that sponsors a variety of law enforcement initiatives that target the region’s illicit drug threats.

A criminal complaint is only an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.  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. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

>>>>Four Charged in NFL-Related Securities Fraud Scheme Targeting Senior Citizens

Press release:Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, announced that Peter D. Kirschner, 49, of Delray Beach, Stuart R. Rubens, 61, of North Miami, Dean R. Baker, 34, of Coral Springs, and Bret A. Grove, 35, of Delray Beach, were charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud and substantive mail fraud. The four men are charged for allegedly operating call rooms targeting senior citizens and tricking them into purchasing $2.4 million in stock.

U.S. Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer stated, “Securities fraud jeopardizes the well-being of our citizens. The defendants in this case are alleged to have raised approximately $2.4 million by targeting the elderly and representing that they had technology that was about to be used by the NFL. In truth, there was no such arrangement. Today’s charges are the first step in holding them accountable for robbing these elderly folks of their hard-earned savings for their own personal gain.”

“Those charged today materially misrepresented investments to a vulnerable part of our population,” said George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Miami Field Office. “The FBI will continue to prioritize investigations of investment fraud perpetrators who target the elderly.”

According to the indictment and related Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) civil complaints, the defendants pressured seniors and other investors into purchasing stock in Thought Development Inc. (TDI), a Miami Beach-based company that claimed its signature invention generated a green laser line on the football field visible in the stadium to players, fans as well as on television. TDI represented that use of its technology would decrease the time used by officials to determine first downs, freeing up broadcast time that could then be sold to television advertisers. The defendants raised approximately $2.4 million through the use of call rooms that targeted more than 200 investors throughout the nation, who were told that an initial public offering (IPO) in TDI was imminent and that their money would be safe and used to develop the ground-breaking technology. Instead, the indictment alleges that the IPO was not forthcoming as promised, and at least 50 percent of the offering proceeds were retained by the defendants or paid to sales agents through undisclosed, exorbitant commissions and fees. The defendants also lured investors by misrepresenting that TDI’s technology was about to be used by the NFL. One investor even made a second $75,000 investment on top of an initial $2,500 investment after being told that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell purchased TDI’s technology for use in the 2013 Super Bowl. In fact, there was no such arrangement. The defendants also neglected to tell investors the TDI laser technology posed a potential risk of blindness to players on the football field.

The SEC recently announced similar civil charges against Baker and Grove, filed today in federal district court in Miami. This brings to six the number of individuals charged criminally with this scheme. The U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California charged Daniel Baker and Demosthenes Dritsas with mail fraud stemming from this investigation, both of whom recently pled guilty.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the FBI and the SEC. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Roger Cruz.

An indictment is only an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. 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. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

>>> IG Scott issues new report on lobbyist’s registrations in Broward County and 31 municipalities

John Scott the Broward Inspector General has issued a report on lobbyist logs for the County and the 31 municipalities in Broward and is just another example of county and municipal leaders keeping tabs on who is lobbying them and on what issue. To read the report go to http://www.broward.org/InspectorGeneral/PublicationsPress/Documents/OIG13023LobbyingLogsComplianceReview.pdf

>>> 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

>>>> Palm Beach Resident Sentenced in Identity Theft Tax Refund Fraud Scheme

Press release: Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Donnell Young, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), announce that United States District Judge Jose E. Martinez sentenced Tia Lashonda Miller, 39, of West Palm Beach, to 70 months imprisonment, to be followed by 2 years of supervised release. Miller previously pled guilty to one count of unlawful possession of more than fifteen access devices, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1029(a)(3), and one count of aggravated identity theft, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1028A(a)(1).

According to court documents, Miller was found in possession of notebooks containing stolen personal identifying information (PII) for 726 persons (including names, dates of birth and social security numbers), and 20 debit cards, eighteen of which were in the names of persons also found in the notebooks. The IRS determined that approximately 59 of the names and accompanying information were used to file fraudulent tax returns. During a court-authorized search of Miller’s home, agents found additional names and identifying information of identity theft victims, and some letters from the IRS addressed in other persons’ names. Miller admitted that she went to houses, collected mail and debit cards, and gave the envelopes and cards to two other individuals, whom Miller knew were filing fraudulent tax returns using the stolen PII.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of IRS-CI and the Martin County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Theodore Cooperstein.

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. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

>>>> And to read all the Palm Beach elected leader’s financial disclosure reports go to http://public.ethics.state.fl.us/results.cfm

MONROE COUNTY

>>> PAST WDR MAY 2007: Small but colorful county has its share of colorful and erstwhile political leaders, but with only 85,000 residents not a big player

What can you say about a county with a tourist tag line of the Conch Republic and also includes the eclectic city of Key West? The Watchdog Report would never have reported on anything that went on in the small county with 85,000 residents but they came to my attention because of their lack of taking care of the Homeless population there and not providing a shelter for their domestic violence victims. Since then the elected leaders have moved to resolve some of their social issues rather than to just send them to the larger county to the north Miami-Dade for these services. And to review her financial disclosure form go to >>> Elected leaders financial disclosures on line at, www.ethics.state.fl.us

COMMUNITY EVENTS

With the support of the City of Miami, Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners. Sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Council on Arts and Culture.

>>>> As part of its ongoing efforts to get out the vote, the League of Women Voters of Florida wants to remind Florida voters that Sunday, May 18 marks 100 days until Florida’s August 26 primary election. Many important local races are decided at the primary level, where turnout is traditionally light and votes cast can weigh more heavily in deciding outcomes. This makes voting during the primary an issue of utmost importance.

“There will be something for everyone on the August ballot”, says Deirdre Macnab, League of Women Voters of Florida President. “Even voters registered as independents can cast a vote in local non-partisan races as well as an array of judicial races at the county and circuit levels. In many ways, your vote in the primary can have a greater impact than in November.” Most Supervisors will post sample ballots on their websites in early July. Candidate qualifying ends in late June.

The League urges all Florida residents to register to vote by the July 28 deadline. For information on how to register and step by step instructions for registration, visit the League’s website at www.BeReadyToVote.org. If you are already registered, make sure to check your voter status and get ready! Florida makes voting easy and convenient by offering three different ways to vote: by mail, early, and on Election Day. Early voting will November elections, then relax!” IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER: Primary election: Tuesday, August 26 Deadline to register to vote: Monday, July 28 Absentee Ballots will be mailed: Between July 22 and 29 be available for the August primary. The League would like to remind voters who will be unable to vote on-site that any registered Florida voter can request an absentee ballot by contacting their local Supervisor of Elections.  It is also important to check that your voting information, including your address and signature, are up-to-date. “Early summer is the perfect time to get your voting house in order,” said Charley Williams, LWVF Voter Services Chair. “Call your local Supervisor of Elections office and make sure your voter file is accurate. This is particularly important if you have moved recently or if you haven’t voted in past elections. With one call, you can cover details for both the August and

>>> The Margulies Collection will be closed for the summer and will reopen in the fall.

Editorials

>>> Now what you did not run yourself, will you at least vote, we get the leaders we deserve when we don’t vote in this low turnout primary election that ends Aug. 26

With early voting ongoing the electorate is as rare as the Florida Panther and voters, especially the ones that complain so much about their government leaders should go out and vote, though in many cases they may be using absentee ballots that has become a cottage industry for the fraud that has gone on in the past for many candidates and the Watchdog Report wonders how an elected official can live with themselves. if they won the office in a dishonest fashion, but history shows that fact does not stop many politicians because winning is the only thing and ultimately the electorate as a whole pays the price since some of these people become the most sanctimonious and arrogant forgetting that they too were once ordinary citizens who thought they could make a contribution to the community but instead change to becoming high maintenance individuals with more than a dash of being self-absorbed.

I have seen so many candidates start out what I call normal and then morph into almost another person and these people forget that there is a sacred trust between themselves and the electorate and no one asked them or forced them to run for office and let’s hope in this current election cycle we get some good leaders who remember they are public servants and not there to feather they’re own nest or for their ego because the challenges in Miami-Dade are not for the faint of heart and must be addressed by people with principles and vision, something that seems in many cases to drop by the wayside and the worst characteristic of a candidate is the one that thinks the voters should be grateful they were elected for they can become the most dangerous for  only they know what is right and wrong and it is this supreme confidence that is most frightening and no one may never know the truth until perhaps they take this to their grave and hopefully did not do too much damage while they were in office for future generation’s who many times are faced with the problems of past decisions and actions, like the baby boomers have done when it comes to the nation’s debt that the next generation will be dealing with for decades to come and is a sad legacy for the nation that these younger people are acutely aware of since they feel its affects in so many different ways and these same challenges occur at the local level, and many times are felt more personally since local leaders in the scheme of things have a bigger influence on ones quality of life and why it is so important everyone at least vote for it is their future they are voting on, that so many of us seem to forget.

LETTERS

>>>So sorry to hear of your stroke.   You sound “sound” in your writing, and so we hope you continue to
regain all your strength and faculties.  We wish you daily healing and wellness. We appreciate all that you do for the community and we go to you for our Miami info…..thank you so much.
Sincerely,

Fred and Joyce

>>> LIFETIME FOUNDING MEMBERS & INITIAL SPONSORS IN 2000

ANGEL ESPINOSA – (Deceased) owner COCONUT GROVE DRY CLEANER’S

HUGH CULVERHOUSE, Jr

FLORIDA POWER & LIGHT www.fpl.com .

THE MIAMI HERALD www.miamiherald.com (2000-2008)

ARTHUR HERTZ

WILLIAM HUGGETT, Seamen Attorney (Deceased)

ALFRED NOVAK

LINDA E. RICKER (Deceased)

JOHN S. and JAMES L. KNIGHT FOUNDATION www.knightfoundation.org

THE HONORABLE STANLEY G. TATE

>>> Watchdog Report supporters – $2,000 a year

BADIA SPICES www.badiaspices.com

RONALD HALL

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY www.miamidade.gov

UNITED WAY OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY www.unitedwaymiamidade.org

>>> Watchdog Report supporters – $1,000 a year

AKERMAN SENTERFITT www.akerman.com

BERKOWITZ POLLACK BRANT Advisors and Accountants www.bpbcpa.com

JEFFREY L. BERKOWITZ TRUST

RON BOOK

LINDA MURPHY: Gave a new laptop in Oct. 2001 to keep me going.

WILLIAM PALMER www.shutts.com

Rbb PUBLIC RELATIONS www.rbbpr.com

ROYAL MEDIA PARTNERS www.royalmp.com

SHUBIN & BASS www.shubinbass.com

WILLIAMSOM AUTOMOTIVE GROUP http://williamsonautomotivegroup.com/

>>> Public, Educational & Social institutions – subscribers at $1,000 or less

CAMILLUS HOUSE, INC. www.camillushouse.org

CITY OF MIAMI www.miamigov.com.

CITY OF CORAL GABLES www.coralgables.com

CITY OF MIAMI BEACH www.miamibeachfl.gov

CHAPMAN PARTNERSHIP FOR HOMELESS www.chapmanpartnership.org

FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY www.fiu.edu

THE STATE OF FLORIDA www.myflorida.gov

GREATER MIAMI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE www.miamichamber.com

GREATER MIAMI CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU www.miamiandbeaches.com

HEALTH FOUNDATION OF SOUTH FLORIDA www.hfsf.org

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COMMISSION www.miamidade.gov

MIAMI-DADE COMMISSION OFFICE OF THE CHAIR www.miamidade.gov

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY ETHICS & PUBLIC TRUST COMMISSION

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY HOMELESS TRUST: www.miamidade.gov/homeless/

MIAMI-DADE COLLEGE www.mdc.edu

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY INSPECTOR GENERAL www.miamidade.gov/ig

MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC SCHOOLS BOARD www.dadeschools.net

MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC SCHOOLS SUPT. http://superintendent.dadeschools.net/

MIAMI DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY www.miamidda.com

PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST & JACKSON HEALTH SYSTEM www.jhsmiami.org

THE BEACON COUNCIL www.beaconcouncil.com

THE CHILDREN’S TRUST www.thechildrenstrust.org

THE GOOD GOVERNMENT INITIATIVE http://goodgov.net/

THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY LEAGUE OF CITIES www.mdclc.org

THE MIAMI FOUNDATION www.miamifoundation.org

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA http://www.firstgov.gov/

UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI www.miami.edu

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 14^th 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 800 reports and Extras have been sent since May 5, 2000 and over two 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 www.watchdogreport.net

Est. 05.05.00

Copyright © of original material, 2014, Daniel A. Ricker

>>> 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 choose 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 >>> 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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