WATCHDOG REPORT Vol.26 No.50: June 21, 2026: Celebrating 26 weekly years of free publishing
WATCHDOG REPORT
Miami-Dade, Fla.
Vol. 26 No. 50, June 21, 2026, Celebrating May 5th, 2000: 26-years of free weekly publishing! www.watchdogreport.net & Daniel A. Ricker: Editor-in Chief: Former Miami Herald, featured, news reporter & free: 25-years weekly community education resource & news service, without the attitude,
>>>I will return next week, trying to raise money, thorough the webpage with past, still trying to raise money after severe loss of Knight Foundation Founding, ironic given is emphasis on local reporting, that I have after 26-weekly years, for free, with the community’s help that has been stressed recently, with the Trump economy, still hanging on by a thread sadly, as public institutions go through their toughest fiscal times in memory.
>>> Just because you do not take an interest in politics does not mean politics will not take an interest in you. –Pericles (430 B.C.)
Readers will get a corrected format WDR: Monday
>>>The Warehouse in Miami is a real art lovers treat: https://www.margulieswarehouse.com/attachment/en/5e14ec99a5aa2c4d308b4567/News/6734bcf5b7d31c21460df697
OBITUARY
>>> A sad day for Miami with passing of colonel Mike Carricarte, a man known for giving to anyone in need, and a sad community loss, RIP, my friend
The passing of Michael “Mike” Carricarte, 82, is a major community loss, the man an Army colonel, a Ranger, Green Berate in Vietnam, and Camilus House trustee was known for his commitment to giving back to the community, as a Christopher Columbus graduate, he mentored many and would help in any way he could including the WDR, when I was in trouble financially.
The praise from Sweetwater Mayor Pepe Diaz and others has been extensive and validates the great impact the veteran had on the community RIP, Mike you are missed.
Miami-Dade County
>>> The Miami port fuel farm fiasco, staff “just assumed after six title changes it would always be a fuel supplier,” said a deputy vice mayor on Tuesday at BCC meeting, also a county cultural issue, believing the can control more than can, look at Coconut Grove Playhouse failure another example.
The drama of Miami’s fuel farm at the port is a problem but more often a cultural problem within the county. A port staffer was said to believe and “just assumed after 6 past title changes [that it would always be a fuel supply], said a deputy mayor on Tuesday at the commission meeting, and it was decided to do eminent domain which has its risks as well. The property first came on the market in April 2024 and was closed on in Oct 2025 said port staff.
CITY OF MIAMI
>>>> Miami salaries and payouts coming in rapid succession, poor documentation of poor performance hitting DDA, as executive Dir, on leave and settlement up in the air.
With tight budget revenues coming up and commissioners always proclaiming their budget hawks, yet approve major separation packages that are way too generous like at the Downtown development Authority under Christina Crespi. Further Ralph Rosado chair and very well educated including a Ph.D., opening up the city for more litigation a persistent problem over the years, should haven documenting his concerns, rather her acting surprised and challenging the terrible public record being created like a “kangaroo court or lynching,”. A persistent problem and further litigation is expected
>>>>The 82nd Anniversary of D-Day, June 6th is a solemn event that changed the world for good, and few of the Greatest Generation are still alive today, including my father Arther J. Ricker, M.D. and his twin both Army captains and my uncle O. Lee Ricker a LT, colonel and oral surgeon, all were in the war after the invasion, and never talked about the horror they saw.
Further, I grew up in New Hope Pa., and boats were used they’re for Washington’s crossing for the battle Trenton and later of Monmouth in New Jersey.
I write this as the nation celebrates its 250th Anniversary, July Fourth, and the concern is it becoming a marketing opportunity, rather than a solemn testament to the Great Experiment, of people by the people governance.
The seizure of 520 pounds of cocaine says money laundering in Miami is in full swing and such a large load decades ago built much of Miami and has not died down apparently and while usage is no so prevalent the money from this trade generally goes into real estate, and Miami’s condos fit the bill, sadly for regular citizens.
>>> I got my last summons for jury duty, because of my age and unfortunately, I was never allowed to serve on a jury something I wanted to do in my life, but couldn’t because working as a journalist and knowing the judge and attorneys disqualified me years ago.
Jury duty is one of the most solemn city duties required of a citizen and a fair trial is a sacred right not found in many countries but along with voting is a bedrock right of every >>>citizen, if not a felon, or a citizen.
Miami Commissioner Miguel A. Gabela (net worth $4.88 million), has a thin skin after executive director Raul Pino of The Bay Park Trust salary has now been reduced to $150,00 salary after Billy Corben challenged the high salary of a man Piro who is a friend of the commissioner at a trust meeting and videotaped it and was on the web. Gabela after this challenge then changed the salary saying he was being fiscally responsible given the financial challenges facing the city.
Corben has also clashed with Gabela at commission meetings and asked the sgt. -of-arms to intervene and is not a good look for Gabela.Gabela has a temper problem and needs to calm down when challenged. For more on Corben go to:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Corben
>>> After years of Miami–Dade County Clerk Harvey Ruvin, the county has a new Clerk Juan Fernandez Barquin (net worth $831,361 in dec. 24), https://www.miamidadeclerk.gov/clerk/clerks-biography.page
The attorney and former state representative was first appointed to the post after Ruvin passed suddenly, by Gov. DeSantos. He has served on many community boards including the PHT and Children’s trust. The man is a FIU grad and American U law school grad and is married.
>>>The county cutting back funding on maintenance of the 10-mile Underline, under the metro line and asking the municipalities to pick up the slack caused extensive discussion at the Coral Gables commission Tuesday and Miami is also being helped to pick up the slack as well.
the underline billed as an alternative to parks and healthy meeting places has run smack into the reduction of property taxes and other fiscal constraints. The plan pushed and coordinated by Meg Daly the daughter of attorney Parker Thomson a driving force on the Arsht center downtown, is the executive officer and includes public and private support including Baptist health South Florida.
>>> Essentially county manager COO Morales resigned after fuel farm negotiated deal tossed out by mayor Levine-Cava, may go to imminent domain, and port replacement resigned last week too, and is a major headache for mayor Cava.
“What do you have to do get fired at Miami-Dade County?” asked past commissioner Dennis Moss. It seems to cost the county some $400 million, in unexpected loss of a fuel farm on tony Fischer Island, and the deal negotiated by COO Jimmy Morales didn’t fly with mayor Daniella Levine-Cava, and dismissed the man who is essentially the county manager paid a handsome sum $378,000 salary states salary records. And with major property tax reform being voted by the state’s voters the county is bracing for some major cuts in revenue.
What about the sheriff’s office which is the largest county budget item?
Rosie Cordera-Stutz (net worth$1.3 million) the county sheriff has been asking for more budget over the years and will add to the budget strain.
What about House speaker Daniel Perez, now nominated as ambassador to Brazil?
Perez who pushed the property tax reform along with the governor has been nominated by President Trump to be Ambassador to Brazil, and the only connection he has is a $691,770, loan with Banco Brazil state’s his financial disclosure that includes his IRS 1040, showing $1.3 million, in income as an attorney. His net worth $2.9 million as of Dec. 2024., and the man is the fourth ambassador named from Miami-Dade County to be nominated by the president.
May 5th was 26 weekly Anniversary of the WDR publishing and during that time back then I just wanted public institutions to be more informed, what the others were doing and getting good people on public boards.
However, since then many things have challenged a free weekly including getting sepsis and surviving a stroke and later covid when the economies were on life support and now the Iran War and I understand the strain people are under but for me the recent move was the most serious challenge and its cost and stress of finding a new apt after 12-years in the old one.
IF Florida lawmakers want to lower car insurance stiffen up the penalties for using a phone while driving because in Miami and I suspect elsewhere it is rampant along with new hazards of e bikes, also on the roadways, and make take a driver’s test and the state’s laws because drivers in expensive cars are out of control.
>>> Retiring president CEO Carlos Migoya got a standing salute at his last PHT meeting Wednesday, after 16-years in the post. The former banker and Miami city manager was a gamble when he interviewed for the job with me and John Dorschner the only press there.
He changed that perception working with nursing staff and the unions in a respectful collaborative way, and quickly brought in a competent new staff and later got a transformational GOB passed that updated the ageing medical campus frozen in time many ways and hanging on by a thread.
>>> With the retirement of CEO Carlos Migoya. June 1, and David Zambrana, with two doctorates, after being a trauma nurse 35-years and he is expected to follow in the success of the largest public hospital in the NW United States.
Migoya brought credibility to the institution almost in bankruptcy and needing hundreds of millions in upgrades that had the institution struggling to survive and only 7 days of cash on hand when he took over. The man a former banker worked with the unions and has made the facilities some of the best of any public institutions in the nation partially because of ending county commissioners meddling in its operation. He successful got countywide approval for a $840 million GOB, that expanded the health facilities throughout the county with projects on time a budget.
However, on Sunday I am homeless and will be in a low-cost hotel, while trying to find an affordable apartment. I have been looking diligently
When I came in 1975, to Miami with pacemaker Cordis Corp, with 3,800 employees many Cuban workers. Pacemakers were the size of a hockey puck, with a three-year life, and there was even a nuclear pacemaker (mostly sold in Palm Springs, Ca.), but kept patients’ hearts beating and pacemakers, were considered one of, the great medical inventions of the 20th Century, versus physicians telling patients “It’s your ticker, get your affairs in order,” and the patients would die in their sleep from a complete heart block, or bradycardia. With many patients alive today because this technology.
What about the new FP&L Outpatient burn center, that was approved at Wednesday’s board meeting.
FLORIDA
>>> Termed out Florida state senator Lauren Book has thrown her hat in the ring for senate district 30, recently. The women founded Lauren’s Kids an organization helping abused children, www.laurenskids.org and has made that a defining effort in the legislature
The retirement of congresswoman Fredericka Wilson after many years in office, has local political leaders from the county commission (Oliver Gilbert, III, to the school board member Dr. Steven Gallon, III, Wone a seat on the county commission, as candidates. Wilson an educator and principal in her own right founded the 5,000 Role Models organization quidding young black men to college, and beyond and was beloved in her community and known for hats.
>>> Community leaders’ line up pledging homes and other assts fop disgraced congressman David Rivera’s bond, not a flight risk since likely pardoned by Trump, since Rubio was best friend sharing house in Tallahassee together that went into foreclosure.
Rubio who testified at his trial claimed was unaware of Riveras work representing Venezuela, which many find skeptical given their roommate status and financial house issue
Rivera a Republican bad boy always pushed the limits of his power and position and cleaned out his office at the GOP headquarters at night said Maty Ellen Millier the party chair at the time
>>> Memorial Day is more than a family barbecues, the day is honoring those fallen heroes and not a political branding opportunity, but a sacred day of reflection and thanks for all who gave their full measure, in our defense that is being challenged like never before today, and in congress, not being the independent checks and balances found in the Constitution.
As a Life Boy Scout, in Bucks County Pennsylvania, I had the opportunity to camp at Valley Forge and Gettysburg, and with Memorial Day. we should reflect on the sacrifices our forefathers made to make this a great yet flawed nation and not try to make it a branding issue for one person. Camping as a boy in Gettysburg was eerie and you could almost feel the ghosts of the fallen in the battlefield.
I bring this up given all the deals in Washington being made to benefit only one person, and its corrosive effect bleeding into local government where ethics and conflicts of interest are going by the wayside sadly.
>>> Miami commissioner Rosado uses $31,000 district money for namesake scholarship will five more be coming for each commissioner what about the mayor using FIU as cover for scholarship?
I write this as Miami commissioner Ralph Rosado introduced a scholarship Thursday named after his family name using $31,000 from his district office fund to fund it through FIU where his wife works as well. Rosado who was photographed in the Oval office with president trump and Willy Bermello, in the past opens the door for all the commissioners starting their own name scholarships, and certainly not a good government model.
Former Disgraced Miami employee Angel Zayon, deadbeat father, has been hired by tax collector Dariel Fernandez (net worth $660,715), whose wife may become the new Coral Gables manager in October?
Zayon who failed to pay child support has found a new home in the department that touts such integrity, and all the larceny in Miami, while Fernandez is also being a social media butterfly. Fernandez who left Cuba in 2002 has had a rapid rise to fame since his arrival in the new countywide post.
What about Jackson Health System?
The county commission approved a JHS $300 million revolving credit line that will be used to pay off $100 million in higher price loans stated a staff text to the WDR,
What about the WellCare proposal for the new mental health facility, not yet opened and sitting vacant until a funding stream is found.
The county commission chair Anthony Rodriguez asked JHS to review the WellCare proposal but the health system, this week has yet to receive the proposal texted a knowledgeable staff member, and critics have wanted it opened now since it would solve the expensive cost of incardination versus the more humane treatment of people suffering mental or drug distress.
>>>The Warehouse in Miami is a real art lovers treat: https://www.margulieswarehouse.com/attachment/en/5e14ec99a5aa2c4d308b4567/News/6734bcf5b7d31c21460df697
>>> A little money came in last week, thank you and I no longer have Knight Foundation substantial support sadly.
Can you help? Been working for free again, with high gas prices adding to the strain, and could cost Republicans at the polls, plus the Iran war with no end in sight. For me $30.00 only bought 7 gallons of gas, with shortages being reported in south Florida.
What about Trump’s trip to China?
Next week I will do a story on the president’s trip to the Middle Kingdom and Xi’s time in Iowa learning agriculture technology on the 1980s.
No country knows how to do a spectacle better than China and Putin followed Trump’s trip and has established a new source of oil for China after the Iran war cut off.
Trump was played by China and the world will see if the Boeing plane deal actually goes through similar to when Nixon first went to China in 1972 and China bought jets and also 72 engines where they built a 707 using the jet engines but plane had little payload given the materials used.
Miami-Dade County has had many bonds for Jackson Health and the public schools but the one in 2004 Building Better Communities $1.28 billion, is the one in the spotlight because of the $15 million, with $$13.38 million left money designated for the Coconut Grove Playhouse. The county through inaction has allowed the historical structure to denigrate from its historic self. The county as of Jan.2026, states bond documents that also included $20 million to refurbish the old Orange Bowl, now Marlin’s stadium. The commissioners use creative names to get the bonds passed but rarely follows through on the projects with the Grove theater the most visible tragedy.
What about Dir. Michael Spring, who lied to the WDR (regarding the Frost Science Museum
He said was fine, (but needed over $100 million later to finish), and got performance cover from Sally Heyman. Spring who requested a chair from the theater also didn’t enforce removing Martin Zilber from the Cultural Affairs Council as required when he was appointed to PHT board and signed a notarized document that he would but failed to do for the poor performing man forced to resign as a judge in disgrace.
35>>> Quality Control in government is a non-existent sight with the roadways the glaring example, throughout Miami-Dade. Residents wonder why road repair jobs make the roads worse than they were before, and shoddy work doesn’t have any ramifications, for the contractors.
>> To contribute to the WDR send and make it payable to Daniel A. Ricker, I can now transfer the PayPal money. Hopefully some $ help will come in.
Thank you. Dan ALERT NEW POST OFFICE ADDRESS
Please make check out to me. NEW ADDRESS
Daniel A. Ricker
411 Santander Ave., apt.#1
Coral Gables Fla.
33134
A recent featured story on the WDR publisher, not …Still Barking: A Watchdog at 25 – Coconut Grove Spotlight
I would not go to this extreme first time in 26-years, and hope help or anything if possible is goal?
>>>Further I am available as spokesperson on scams, over the holidays that even took in the skeptical WDR, but time is clicking down for this stupid stressed person.
>>>The district’s financial reports: https://pdfs.dadeschools.net/Bdarch/2025/Bd111925/agenda/e1.pdf
>>>My cell is 305 586 8560 for help, and includes 25-years of WDRs on line at www.watchdogreport.net
However, no one discussed Lopez’s checkered past and vacated federal felony conviction, and: she was later commuted by Clinton, but an eyebrow raises, after “honest services law,” modified. For more on Lopez on this go: https://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/when-vicki-met-syl-6360715/
Further her conviction was vacated by a federal court judge https://www.miaminewtimes.com/opinion/former-lee-county-commissioner-vicki-lukis-is-no-longer-a-convicted-felon-6539127/
https://ballardpartners.com/team-member
And here is what I wrote 2 weeks ago, in the WDR, Clinton commuted Lopez sentence in federal court after serving 15-months, after charge law modified and vacated the charge, she has Sylvester Lukis connection, major south Florida lobbyist connection Ballard Partners, and eventually married Lukis, for more go to: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vicki_Lopez
>>>Lobbyists Selfies with elected judges, state attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle (net worth 2024 $7.017million), makes for just one happy family and these new countywide celebrities should consider how all this social content appears to residents, not in a positive way. This, disregard of who your photographed with condones any of their possible past transgressions. And sullies both people’s reputation.
JHS trustee minutes: Infection prevention remained a major success area. The hospital achieved record-low infection rates for central line (CLABSI), catheter-associated urinary tract (CAUTI), and C. difficile infections. Several quarters recorded zero infections, and the hospital maintained 365 consecutive days without a healthcare-associated infection, a milestone reflecting the system’s high reliability and consistent quality standards.
I am looking for work as a public oracle regarding all the public institutions and
IF you can, I used $350,000 of my own money, a big mistake, as I got older and thought someone might have taken me out by then.
>>> I also want to thank JoAnn Bass of Joe’s Stone Crab for allowing me to eat free at the corner bar spot, for years, where I saw everyone come in, and could interview them. She was always very kind to me and her support check in 2009, allowed me to leave the hospital, with an external suction device after being septic.
One “Miami Beach older lady once told me I don’t care were corrupt, what bothered her was how cheap we were. And with all this money being spread around the look is not good
>>> Miami-Dade County civics program off to a mixed start and one the county is farming out to MDC, $150,000. Is slotted for this program. But, like the required ethics training for county employees, this subject should also be included in the ethics training.
COMMUNTY EVENT
New Exhibitions to Open at the Warehouse
November 12, 2025 – April 4, 2026
MIAMI–The Margulies Collection at the Warehouse opens to the public this season with three exhibitions highlighting key moments of 20th Century art and photography history. https://www.margulieswarehouse.com/
Pop Art features sculpture and paintings from the 1960s through 1990s by Johns, Lichtenstein, Warhol, Wesselmann, Rosenquist, Chamberlain, and Segal. Records of the Past includes 60 photographs from the National Child Labor Committee by Lewis Hine. Additionally, this season we present an exhibition of Italian Art grounded in the 1960s movement Arte Povera where artists subverted traditional ways of making art by using ephemeral and “poor” materials. Our presentation of these art historically relevant exhibitions with contemporary art continues our founding mission to provide visitors with opportunities for active learning and direct engagement with the art.
>>> PAST media on what WDR has gone through: Published on January 20, 2003, Page 1E, Orlando Sentinel, PAPERWORK TIGER, Miami’s citizen watchdog piles up government files in his quest to keep the “little people” informed. https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-2003-01-20-0301190045-story.html
>>>Watchdog Report publisher named ‘Best Citizen’ 2003 by the Miami New Times
The publisher would like to thank the weekly alternative paper Miami New Times for bestowing their 2003 Best of Miami, ‘Best Citizen’ award to me and I am honored. Thank you. To read the full story go to http://www.miaminewtimes.com/best-of/2003/people-and-places/best-citizen-6399517 Given having to move and low funding it is difficult for me to write, hope better next week. Losing Knight is a real blow.
>>> Further Baptist Health, and the health system is part of the healthcare constellation available to Miami residents and Baptist saved my life so I have a special interest in helping Baptist & Public JHS: for more go to https://baptisthealth.net/baptist-health-foundation
>>> Just because you do not take an interest in politics does not mean politics will not take an interest in you. –Pericles (430 B.C.)
To contribute to the WDR send and make it payable to Daniel A. Ricker
Daniel A. Ricker
411 Santander Ave., Apt 1
Coral Gables Fla
33134