Watchdog Report Vol.12 No.5 June 5, 2011 Est.05.05.00 Celebrating my 12th Anniversary
CONTENTS
Argus Report: It’s big, its bad and its boring its way to the Port of Miami June 26, the four story, 150 yard dredging machine is arriving for the new $1 billion tunnel
Florida: Gov. Scott’s $615 million in budget cuts buffeting lawmakers around the state, Haridopolos keeps his head down, Cannon still fumes
Miami-Dade County: Mayoral candidates financially reload, clock ticking, Robaina has Jeb in his camp, and Gimenez picks up Llorente endorsement
Miami-Dade Public Schools: M-DC Youth Commission picks “anti-bullying & violence” as top issues to emphasize with county and schools
Public Health Trust: FRB starts to get handle on PHT, projected loss for year drops to $55 million, but CEO Migoya looking for $200 million more from unions; thanks but no thanks they say to any more salary cuts
City of Miami: Mayor Regalado back from Taiwan, CFO Spring says sayonara, what about Mgr. Crapp?
City of Miami Beach: Residents outraged after Urban Beach Weekend shootout, city officials in a dilemma, since sudden surge of tourists to Beach not illegal
City of Coral Gables: Commissioner Quesada says city leaders “are focused on our community,” excited to be in Sorenson’s good government program
Town of Miami Lakes: Mayor Pizzi takes road trip to Miami, sees Sarnoff staff, but not registered as a lobbyist
>>> Other stories around Florida
Broward County: When it comes to public corruption probes of elected leaders, feds ‘Shoot to kill, you don’t shoot to wound,’ says U.S. Atty. Valle
Volusia County: Gov. Scott taps Harold “Pat” Card and Ferdinand “Ferd” Heeb to the Southeast Volusia Hospital District.
Ocala County: Gov. Scott reappoints Cory B. Pool and taps Joyce J. Brancato, Priya A. Ghumman and Donald L. Taylor to the District Board of Trustees, College of Central Florida.
Achuala County: Gov. Scott reappointed D. Ray Curtis III and taps Kevin Brown and George Cole to the Governing Board, Suwannee River Water Management District.
Manatee County: Gov. Scott picks Charlene J. Neal, Ann Y. Moore and Dr. Craig A. Trigueiro to the District Board of Trustees, State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota.
Monroe County: Gov. Scott taps Phillip L. Goodman to the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District.
Community Events: Good Government Initiative luncheon — Miami-Dade CAA board of directors meeting – UEL Annual Meeting Jun. 15 — Elephant Forum features state Sen. Anitere Flores
Editorials: Without vibrant press to keep watch on elected leaders, any Good Government Initiative will never achieve its goal —
Letters: Public school Supt. Carvalho got help from UTD – Bernanke on children issues – Readers on supporting WDR
Sponsors – Publisher’s mission statement & Subscription information is at the bottom of this issue
>>> Just because you do not take an interest in politics does not mean politics will not take an interest in you. –Pericles (430 B.C.)
>>> If you wish to be deleted, just e-mail me with that message and you are free to e-mail this on to friends.
>>> The Watchdog Report publisher would like to thank the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation www.knightfoundation.org for funding the University of Miami’s Knight Center of International Media http://knight.miami.edu within the University’s School of Communication www.miami.edu to financially support and maintain my webpage.
>>> If you think it is important to have someone watching your public institutions consider becoming a supporter or sponsor. For there is no trust fund and I do have to live. I almost did not write this week because of my financial condition. And while I as so many others are facing tough times. I hope you or your organization will consider helping in a small or larger way and help keep another voice on line and in the media. A convenient form is at the bottom of this week’s Watchdog Report with all the instructions on how to support this newsletter and news service that is celebrating its 12th Anniversary.
ARGUS REPORT – Heard, Seen on the Street
>>> It’s big, its bad and its making its way to the Port of Miami June 26, the four story, 150 yard dredging machine is arriving for the new $1 billion tunnel
It’s coming, a gigantic German made boring machine, 150 yards long and four stories high that will be used to create the $1 billion dollar tunnel from the Port of Miami to the mainland will arrive June 26, said Bill Johnson, the port’s director at the Greater Miami Chamber Goals Conference luncheon on Thursday. The tunnel is part of an overall port offensive to make the facility as competitive as possible by 2014 when Supermax cargo ships will be able to go through the expanded Panama Canel, and includes a $55 million dredging project that takes the channel to 50 feet and able to handle these new super sized container ships. The port exports over $20 billion in cargo versus what comes in is in a fierce competition with other ports in the U.S. and Caribbean but Johnson says the facility that also services cruise lines in a substantial way is making the right moves, while trying to make it a joint facility for cruise and cargo ships that is state of the art by 2018, he said. The port will also get a boost from the increase of the use of rail and the Florida East Coast will be providing increased rail access and use expected to deliver goods at destinations around the nation in “three to four days,” said Johnson.
>>> Sen. Rubio will get section of Miami street named “Marco Rubio Way,” M-DC Commissioner Sosa sponsor
U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-FL is getting a portion of SW 15th street between 57th and 67th avenues in Miami named after him and it will be called Marco Rubio Way if the resolution sponsored by Miami-Dade Commissioner Rebeca Sosa is passed on Tuesday at the county commission meeting. Rubio began his political career as a West Miami Commissioner before being elected to the Florida House in 2000 and later became its speaker from 2006 to 2008. He was elected to the Senate in 2010 and Sosa has been an adamant supporter of him since she was mayor of West Miami when he was there. And at one point a few years ago, their district offices were only separated by a hallway on a second floor of a bank building in West Miami. For information on the legislation go to 111112 PDF
>>> Good Gov. Initiative freshman class, a wide & diverse swath of elected officials
The Good Government Initiative headed up by former Miami-Dade Commissioner Katy Sorenson in collaboration with the University of Miami has its first class of people and state Rep. Dewight Bullard, D-Miami is a member of this freshman class, and below is his press conference and the names of others taking part in the ground breaking program trying to make legislators and other leaders the most effective they can be regarding public policy and being ethical and transparent in their duties.
>>> Press release: State Representative Dwight M. Bullard has been selected to join the inaugural class of The Good Government Initiative, a collaboration between former Miami-Dade Commissioner Katy Sorenson and the University of Miami to help develop the leadership skills of elected officials. Members of this first class include elected officials from Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties, and include members from a range of levels of government, including municipal, School Board, County, and State. “I’m pleased to have been selected for this opportunity,” said Representative Bullard. “I know my constituents and the State of Florida will benefit.” The inaugural class will participate in comprehensive training on a variety of issues, including budget and finance, economic development, land use, ethics, cultural diversity, and more. “I’m excited about this first crop of students who represent the future of leadership in our community. They have demonstrated that they are interested in improving their skills in governance and in working with their peers to improve government throughout South Florida,” Sorenson said.
The members of the inaugural class are:
Patricia Asseff Vice Mayor, City of Hollywood
Jennifer Ator Councilmember, City of Miami Springs
Dwight Bullard State Representative, Florida District 118
Heather Carruthers Mayor, Monroe County
Daniel Dietch Mayor, Town of Surfside
Jorge Exposito Commissioner, City of Miami Beach
Wendy Harrison Councilmember, Town of Jupiter
Barbara Kramer Councilmember, City of North Miami Beach
Keith London Commissioner, City of Hallandale Beach
Frank Quesada Commissioner, City of Coral Gables
Raquel Regalado Board Member, Miami-Dade County Public Schools
Felicia Robinson City of Miami Gardens
Roxanna Ross Village of Biscayne Park
Nora Rupert Board Member, Broward County Public Schools
Robin Smith-Martin Board Member, Monroe County School District
Francis Suarez Commissioner, City of Miami
Elsa Vazquez Commissioner, City of West Miami
What about The Miami Herald?
The Miami Herald if you read the paper version has expanded by an inch in width last week and I finally compared a section with an older one since the paper seemed more robust (However, on Sunday, it was back to the reduced paper size). The issue of the contracting size of the paper around 2003 had then featured Herald news columnist Jim DeFede writing a critical column about the amazing shrinking of the paper and what it meant for the future of print journalism, and while I am not sure, why they expanded the paper’s size. It was a pleasant surprise to one long time reader.
>>> Press release: Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Albio Sires (D-NJ) and Richard Hanna (R-NY) introduced legislation to make buildings safer and increase public safety. Strong building codes will help strengthen emergency preparedness against natural disasters. The Safe Building Codes Incentives Act, H.R. 2069 creates a financial incentive for states to adopt and enforce statewide building codes that would protect communities in the event of hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, fire, and other natural disasters. States that enact comprehensive building codes will qualify for an additional four percent of funding for disaster relief. Additionally, this legislation will enable states to utilize existing pre-disaster mitigation grants to establish and administer building code programs prior to the occurrence of a disaster.
“In the past few weeks and months multiple cities around the country have been victims of natural disasters destroying numerous homes, lives, and businesses. While these events have been devastating, they confirm the importance of investing in strong homes and buildings,” said Rep. Diaz-Balart. “My goal is to keep our families and communities safe while saving taxpayers money, which is precisely what this legislation focuses on.” “Strong building codes are critical to protecting the safety and vitality of our communities in the event of a natural disaster. I am proud to sponsor this important bill to encourage states to adopt model building codes that will save lives, reduce property loss, and better construct our homes and buildings for natural catastrophes,” said Rep. Sires.
Stronger, more modern building codes will make homes and buildings more likely to withstand higher impacts, helping them to remain intact in the event of a disaster. The proactive action taken by this legislation aims to reduce the amount of taxpayer dollars spent on future recovery efforts. Research has shown that having nationally-recognized standards for building codes can provide a tremendous level of protection. The Louisiana State University Hurricane Center has estimated that of the $10 billion in damage to homes in Louisiana, modern building codes would have spared 80 percent of the damage.
The Safe Building Codes Act has been endorsed by a large coalition of groups, companies and organizations, including: Allstate Insurance Company, American Insurance Association (AIA), Farmers Insurance Group of Companies, Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH), Financial Services Roundtable (FSR), Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS), Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America (IIABA), International Code Council, Liberty Mutual Insurance, MetLife, National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC), National Fire Protection Association, Nationwide Insurance, NeighborWorks America, Property and Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCIAA), St. Paul Travelers, Simpson Strong-Tie Co., Solutia, State Farm Insurance Companies, The Hartford and USAA Insurance.
>>> Poll release: IBOPE Zogby Poll: GOP Cold-Hearted; Democrats Weak Dems seen as more moderate by 11-point margin
Voters are significantly more likely to say Republicans are cold-hearted and Democrats are weak when the two parties are compared, a new IBOPE Zogby Interactive survey finds. On other measures, Democrats are seen as more moderate, reasonable, closer to the middle class, yet fiscally irresponsible, while Republicans are thought of as more unwilling to compromise and extreme. Nearly identical numbers of likely voters say each party is out of touch. The survey of 2,225 likely voters was conducted from May 27-31. Please click the link below to view the full news release on our website:
http://www.zogby.com/news/2011/06/01/ibope-zogby-poll
>>> See what was said about the Watchdog Report in the Miami New Times 2003 — Best of Miami — BEST CITIZEN — Daniel Ricker –
Three years ago, we said Ricker was our Best Gadfly. Given his dedication and perseverance, this new honor, Best Citizen, is well deserved. Ricker goes to 2500 mind-melting meetings annually, from the Public Health Trust’s purchasing subcommittee to the Efficiency and Competition Commission to the Alliance for Human Services’ nominating council to the school board’s audit committee. Sometimes he’s the only public observer. Object: to be the Public Citizen for all those out there who can’t attend, and to connect and serve as an information bridge among the special-interest-dominated Miami-Dade governmental institutions that seem so problematic and indifferent to the democratic process.
This month his e-mail newsletter, The Watchdog Report, celebrates its fourth anniversary. In a former life, Ricker made a handsome living as an international salesman of heart pacemakers. As the hard-working publisher of Watchdog Report, though, he’s struggling financially — this despite the fact that his weekly compendium of meeting summaries, analysis, interviews, and commentary has become essential reading for anyone involved in public affairs. What his written work may lack in polish, it more than makes up for in comprehensiveness. So raise a toast to the man whose official slogan says it all: “A community education resource — I go when you cannot!
>>> Repeat of national Tribune paper profile, a blast from the past of Watchdog’s life back in Jan. 2003, not all that much has changed financially
The Watchdog Report is going down memory lane again, during the past moving process, and here is a national profile and story done by Maya Bell in the Orlando-Sentinel, but ran in all the Tribune papers around the nation on Martin Luther King’s Birthday back in Jan.20, 2003. After she spent about six weeks, off and on, experiencing the world I was living in back then, and she nicely captured the reality of my life, that in many ways continues to today, which I wish was otherwise after now 12-years.
>>> `I Go When You Cannot’ – January 20, 2003|By Maya Bell – Orlando Sentinel – Miami Bureau Chief
Sometimes Dan Ricker lives in the dark so others may live in the light. It’s not by choice. Miami’s self-anointed citizen watchdog depends on the people he writes for and about to finance his quixotic quest to attend nearly every government meeting in Miami-Dade County. That’s a lot of mind-numbing meetings — as many as 2,500 a year — but not a lot of income. So Ricker teeters on bankruptcy. He dashes to his post office box daily, hoping subscribers to his weekly Watchdog Report have finally mailed their checks.
Among them are managers with Florida Power & Light, the utility that regularly cuts power to Ricker’s Coconut Grove home, most recently while he was attending a legislative delegation meeting last month. But what Ricker, once a successful international sales executive, lacks in financial stability, he makes up for in credibility. When he walks into Miami-Dade’s government center, the county manager salutes him. When he runs into Miami’s first Cuban-American congresswoman, she greets him with a kiss. “He knows where the bodies are buried,” said U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Miami. “He knows the people behind the curtain. He knows the real wizard of Oz.” >>> To read the section’s large front page story, but without the photos and smart box graphics, go to: `I Go When You Cannot’ – Sun Sentinel 20 Jan 2003 … Sometimes Dan Ricker lives in the dark so others may live in the light. … to his weekly Watchdog Report have finally mailed their checks. … http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2003-01-20/news/0301190341_1_ricker-school-board-president-miami-s-first-cuban-american
>>> All photos in the Watchdog Report are taken from public government sites, and the Report goes on line at www.watchdogreport.net on Monday sometime during the day usually.
>>> If you believe it is important to have someone watching your public institutions consider supporting the Watchdog Report for I am a low cost news service yet I do have to live, thank you!
Further, I have been honored over the years by being named a WFOR-4 Hometown Hero in 2000, being profiled in a major way by The Miami New Times, The Miami Herald, and the Orlando Sentinel which ran as a nationwide story on me in the Tribune papers on Jan. 2003 and UNC Chapel Hill naming me one of the top columnists in Florida in a multi-state study of the media back in 2004. I also thank Joseph Cooper for the opportunity to be on the WLRN/NPR showTopical Currents on www.wlrn.org since 2000, including yearly election coverage since then, and also numerous times over the past decade.
FLORIDA
>>> Gov. Scott’s $615 million in budget cuts buffeting lawmakers around the state, Haridopolos keeps his head down, Cannon still fumes
Lawmakers around the state are still feeling reverberations and blowback after Gov. Rick Scott (Net worth $218 million) vetoed $615 million from the state’s 69.8 billion legislature approved budget starting July 1, and part of the reason is he used the word “frivolous” to describe some of the axed programs. Some state funding biting the dust was around $750,000 for Farm Share that has recycled almost $500 million in food to over 460,000 needy people since created in 1991 to an elderly food program in Miami and his cavalier attitude is not going down well with Floridians or state lawmakers as they try to figure out what makes Scott tick in his first months as governor, and Democrats are longing for the days when Gov. Jeb Bush was in office. Since he at least understood the role of legislature and political parties that has Democrats now outside the legislative process, looking in, since the House and Senate have a supermajority of Republicans in both the chambers.
Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Melbourne (Net worth $233,000), one of a pack of Republicans seeking to run against U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-FL in 2012 has tried to stay out of the fray and has not debated the budget cuts not wanting to alienate Tea Party supporters that could prove pivotal in the GOP primary next year. He also took a political hit in the waning hours of the legislative session that concluded in early May and had House leaders crowing that they prevailed over the upper body in some of the heated and protracted budget compromises. Further, House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park (Net worth $209,000) continues to fume about the governor’s new found interest in public school funding, that actually hits charter school funding fairly hard, a eight percent cut, and only the fiscally strong charters around the state are expected to survive this next year. And in the past only about 10 percent of all Charter Schools approved by public school districts around the state actually would open, said staff at a Miami-Dade Public Schools meeting last month and why this decrease in per pupil funding is expected to depress new future charter schools opening.
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
>>> Mayoral candidates financially reload, clock ticking, Robaina has Jeb in his camp, and Gimenez picks up Llorente endorsement
Let the battle begin between former Miami-Dade Commissioner Carlos Gimenez (Net worth $871,000) and Hialeah Mayor Julio Robaina (Net worth over $8 million) as the clock ticks down to the June 28 election to be the next Miami-Dade mayor. Last week, Robaina in a email carped that Gimenez was using dirty political tactics and Gimenez has fired back regarding charges that the mayor is under investigation and has called out the mayor for his support of the Florida Marlins Stadium deal that costs out to around $2.5 billion after the financing charges are added over the decades. However, both men are not energizing the electorate and an even lower turnout than the 15.8 percent in the last election a couple of weeks ago is expected. Absentee ballots, to the tune of 118,000 www.miamiherald.com are going out and since voters no longer have to get their signature witnessed by another person. It is almost impossible to prosecute any kind of ballot fraud that might occur and why using these absentee ballots have become so popular in races.
What about political endorsements?
Robaina, who got 34 percent of the vote in last month’s election, to Gimenez’s 29 percent in the 11 candidate field has former Republican Gov. Jeb Bush in his camp along with former PHT trustee Jorge Arrizurieta and Gimenez on Friday picked up former state Rep. Marcello Llorente, R-Miami endorsement who came in third in the mayoral race garnering 15 percent of the vote followed by rapper Luther “Uncle Luke” Campbell who got 11 percent of the vote on a shoe string campaign budget. The front man for 2 Live Crew and businessman has yet to say if he will endorse a candidate but he was part of a panel www.wpbt.org/issues over the weekend and he is staying visible in the public eye. Robaina has held a wide fund raising margin in the first race raising over $1.2 million to Gimenez’s $450,000 but that money gap is expected to tighten now that there are only two candidates in the race to be mayor for 18-months before they have to run again in 2012.
>>> Bovo steps up to the District 13 plate, quite a contrast to acerbic Seijas, he had net worth of $25,898 through Mar. 2011
Former state Rep. Esteban Bovo Jr., R-Hialeah (Net worth $25,898) will be sworn in Monday morning in the Miami-Dade Commission Chambers and the long time politician is replacing recalled Commissioner Natacha Seijas for the District 13 seat. He has been a Hialeah council member from 1998 to 2008 when he ran for the state house vacated by now state Sen. Rene Garcia, R-Hialeah (Net worth $130,000 in 08) who at the time was termed limited. Bovo, born in Queens NY in 1962 attended Miami-Dade College for a number of years before graduating from Florida International University in 1987 with a BS degree. He works at Miami Children’s Hospital as the director of public policy and his wife’s name is Vivian. Bovo faced three challengers but garnered 73.8 percent of the vote and his number two challenger got only 10.5 percent of the vote. However, his $315,200 campaign fund dwarfed the other candidates and he was swept easily into the office and faces being reelected in 2012.
What do we know about his finances?
Bovo through Mar. 31, 2011 has a net worth of $25,898 and he lists $75,000 in household goods on his financial disclosure form on file with the state. There is $14,396 in a checking account, his home in Hialeah is valued at $368,500, a unit in Palmetto Bay is valued at $47,110, he owes $463,138 in mortgages, and there is $15,970 in other loans. His income for the year was $120,664 for his job at Miami Children’s Hospital and the state kicked in $29,682 in state representative salary.
Bovo
>>> Third time the charm for Dist. 7 Commissioner Suarez, sworn–in Monday
Former Miami Mayor Xavier Suarez will also be sworn-in Monday and he wrote a editorial piece Saturday that ran in the www.miamiherald.com of some of his ideas regarding transit costs and services, the use of more smaller trolleys, changing the name of Jackson Memorial Hospital, citing the name Memorial and its connotations, and selling the MIC to the private sector to retire some of the county’s debt. The Harvard trained attorney-defeated state Rep. Julio Robaina, R-South Miami in a low turnout race by 53.4 percent and for Suarez after losing two previous campaigns in 2001 and 2004 it was political vindication, though he had a significant fund raising edge reporting over $249,000 in his campaign war chest to Robaina’s $74,000.
For Suarez, the win gives him the public limelight again and District 7 voters are holding their breath waiting to see how he does with this second chance at political office, after being what only can be called a “colorful” mayor, before a local judge removed him from office after massive voter fraud was discovered in the mayoral race back in 1997. Suarez was never charged by the state attorney’s office but it has been a dark cloud over him since then. In the past, as an attorney he has represented companies doing business with the PHT and back in the early 2000s; he had a lawsuit against the trust and represented a medical supplier seeking I believe a $500,000 settlement at the time.
Suarez also benefited from his son Francis, a Miami commissioner, who is proving to be an effective leader and he is less flamboyant and chooses his words more carefully when he speaks from the commission dais than his father sometimes does. The most telling is the son drives a low-key black Ford Fusion sport model versus the father who drives around town in a used silver blue BMW Z3 convertible. The former mayor also got the endorsement of auto magnate and billionaire Norman Braman that led and funded the mayoral recall and now is calling for charter reforms along with former Miami-Dade County Charter Review Chair Victor Diaz, Jr. However, District 7 that stretches from Pinecrest to Miami along the coast in the past has generally been environmentally friendly when it came to votes on the commission dais, and had the former Commissioner Carlos Gimenez voting against the expansion of the Urban Development Boundary but Suarez does not discount that he would block such a move, and he is reported to support public funding for the renovation of Dolphin Stadium, including a new retractable roof, if Broward County bought into the idea and financially participated as well.
Suarez
>>> Press release: Chairman Joe A. Martinez and the Board of County Commissioners will host the Installation Ceremony for newly-elected Commissioners Xavier L. Suarez, District 7, and Esteban Bovo, Jr., District 13. The ceremony will begin promptly at 10 a.m. on Monday, June 6, 2011 in the Stephen P. Clark Center’s Commission Chambers, 111 NW 1st Street, in Downtown Miami. Media are advised to be checked-in by 9:30 a.m. by the pressroom and to present a picture ID from their respective employer (a business card will not suffice). Upon check-in, the press will be provided a media kit with information on the commissioners participating in the ceremony. Once the event starts, no movement of videographers, roving cameras, or photographers will be permitted. For more information, please contact the Office of Chairman Martinez at 305-375-5511.
Martinez
>>> Ex Port Director Lunetta settles with county, will pay $100,000 over next two years
Carmen Lunetta, the former disgraced Port of Miami director who went to federal prison is settling a law suit with Miami-Dade County and he will make two payments of $50,000. each over the next two years to settle the case. Lunetta’s claim to fame was he, through the port, gave massive political contributions to both political parties at all levels and he was later charged by the feds, where in the first trial, the federal judge Michael Middlebrook threw out the proscutirs case and stopped the trial, but the federal prosecutors later got him convicted on other charges and he was the poster child of how corrupt Miami-Dade had become in the 1990s.
>>> Some items on the June 7 BCC agenda this Tuesday
>>> Barry University looking for $76 million in bonds through Pinellas County, will include public hearing at BCC meeting
RESOLUTION APPROVING ISSUANCE BY PINELLAS COUNTY EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES AUTHORITY IN ONE OR MORE SERIES OF ITS REVENUE AND REVENUE REFUNDING BONDS IN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $76,000,000 (BARRY UNIVERSITY PROJECT), AS PLAN OF FINANCE ON BEHALF OF BARRY UNIVERSITY PURSUANT TO SECTION 147(F) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED; APPROVING FORM OF AND AUTHORIZING COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR’S DESIGNEE TO EXECUTE SECOND AMENDMENT TO INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH PINELLAS COUNTY EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES AUTHORITY; PROVIDING THAT SUCH BONDS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE LIABILITY OF COUNTY; AND AUTHORIZING COUNTY OFFICIALS TO TAKE ALL ACTION AND TO DO ALL THINGS NECESSARY TO ASSIST IN ISSUANCE OF SUCH BONDS PDF
>>> Miami Beach Jewish Community Center looking for $11 million in bonds, will include public hearing Tuesday at BCC
RESOLUTION APPROVING ISSUANCE BY COLORADO EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL FACILITIES AUTHORITY OF ITS VARIABLE RATE DEMAND REVENUE BONDS (NATIONAL JEWISH FEDERATION BOND PROGRAM) IN ONE OR MORE SERIES IN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $11,000,000 ON BEHALF OF MIAMI-BEACH JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER, INC. TO FINANCE CAPITAL PROJECTS LOCATED IN MIAMI-DADE COUNTY FOR PURPOSES OF SECTION 147(F) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED 110711 PDF
>>> Press release GMCVB: RECORD ARRIVALS AT THE ‘NEW MIA’ (MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT ) FOR FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF 2011
Passenger arrivals at the “New MIA’ (Miami International Airport) increased for the first four months 2011 with international passenger arrivals up +7.5% and domestic arrivals up +4.9% when compared to the same four months last year. Total arrivals increased in the first four months 2011 by +6.1%.
INTERNATIONAL MIA Passenger Arrivals
January – April 2011 January – April 2010 % Change
2,976,653 2,767,780 +7.5%
DOMESTIC MIA Passenger Arrivals
January – April 2011 January – April 2010 % Change
3,272,119 3,120,324 +4.9%
TOTAL MIA Passenger Arrivals
January – April 2011 January – April 2010 % Change
6,248,772 5,888,104 +6.1%
MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
>>> M-DC Youth Commission picks anti-bullying & violence as top issues to emphasize with county and schools
The Miami-Dade County Youth Commission met in the county commission’s chambers Friday afternoon and the 27 member body, that includes a smaller number that vote made the number one issue they wanted to deal with “anti-bullying and anti-violence” that school kids face in Miami-Dade public and private schools. The bullying and violence issue beat out substance abuse by a decent margin and the commission members all had on red Miami-Dade County polo shirts for the meeting. The commission was the brainchild of county Commissioner Barbara Jordan (Net worth $1.97 million) who represents District 1 back in Jan 2010 state county documents. The county commissioners got to select two members, but one must be from the Miami-Dade Public Schools and all have to have an interest in government and community while maintaining at least a 2.0 GPA.
They can serve two one-year terms and the televised public meeting was a delight to watch on the county cable station and Youth Commissioner Natalie Roberts chaired the body, the senior is interested in law and she kept the meeting moving, civil, commissioners engaged and transparent where there were public comments added to the meeting record. The Youth Commissioners were sworn in Mar. 15 and the county ethics commission ruled that these kids from 15 to 18 did not have to file financial disclosure forms and county Clerk Harvey Ruvin (Net worth $1.38 million) did the honors when it came to them being sworn into the county commission advisory office. The fact the body picked bullying and violence in all its forms shows what the children face when they venture out into the world as students, armed with current technology and others with weapons of all forms.
Jordan
PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST
>>> FRB starts to get handle on PHT, projected loss for year drops to $55 million, but CEO Migoya looking for $200 million more from unions; thanks but no thanks they say to any more salary cuts
On Monday morning, the Financial Recovery Board had their first official board meeting in the Miami-Dade Commission chambers and FRB Chair Marcos Lapciuc said their mission was clear, and that was to make the PHT and Jackson Health System not only financially stable but also viable and sustainable into the future. Change has come quickly to Jackson by public institution standards and the new seven-member board, now only six, since the mayor has an appointment and if former Hialeah Mayor Julio Robaina wins June 28. His choice is likely to be former PHT trustee Jorge Arrizurieta who is actively working in the Robaina campaign and is a long time friend of former Gov. Jeb Bush. >>> Check out Chair Lapciuc’s editorial in the http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/06/04/2250042/new-board-has-will-and-skill-to.html and here is the paper’s take on Monday’s board meeting http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/05/31/2243593_p2/jackson-health-system-to-ask-labor.html
What about next year’s budget and exploding health insurance costs for PHT employees?
Mark Knight, the hospital systems CFO noted one expense is running over the anticipated budget, and it is the cost for healthcare for employees and it is running $20 million over budget and this issue gets added to the overall mix where CEO Carlos Migoya is asking the unions in the coming weeks for $200 million in further concessions on salary and benefits ranging from 16 to 18 percent. However, the nurse’s union representative Martha Baker, RN said no way were they going to take another round of cuts after what they already given up and unlike some professions where people can be easily replaced. When it comes to skilled nurses, there is a shortage in South Florida and she notes these people will just leave and go to another hospital to work.
Migoya also is closing the gap on a $100 million budget loss for the current year that through some past 90 initiatives over the past two years saved over $100 million, but further cost cuts must be done while still maintaining the health systems medical care quality. He and his financial team believe the new loss will come in now at $55 million for the current fiscal year than ends Sept. 30. Further, the hospital system is being helped when it comes to cash flow with the Trust booking $24 million in one-time Medicare payments, another $35 million is coming in the next couple of days from the state, and the countywide half-cent-sales tax for Jackson is climbing back to $185 million, which is $14 million over what the county had budgeted. Cash on hand is in the 20 to 21 day level but this is slightly inflated because of these cash injections and the administration is still anticipating having only 16 to 17 days of cash in September.
Migoya said he will continue to streamline the system, something started by his predecessor Eneida Roldan, M.D., M.B.A. over the last two years but he said the main challenge now is to get paying patients to use the hospital because the patient census is down and growing its patient base will be critical in the coming months for the health system to reach a form of financial stability, which is the ultimate goal.
What about women being on the FRB?
So far the FRB has no women on it even though women represent over 50 percent of the 2.5 million residents in Miami-Dade and I have written about this fact and gender deficit for over a decade since these type of board’s are expected to show community diversity and when there are no women on such a critical board. It should be corrected and since the only member choice will be made by the new mayor to be elected June 28. Whoever wins should give their opinion on the issue now, since once elected it will drop by the wayside, but having no women on the board is a demographic anomaly that should be addressed.
>>> This is on the June 7 BCC agenda for first reading
ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 25A OF THE CODE OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA; PROVIDING THE FINANCIAL RECOVERY BOARD SHALL RECOMMEND TO THE COUNTY COMMISSION PROPOSED LABOR AGREEMENTS NEGOTIATED WITH LABOR ORGANIZATIONS REPRESENTING TRUST EMPLOYEES; PROVIDING COMMISSION MAY APPROVE OR TAKE OTHER ACTION REGARDING THE PROPOSED AGREEMENT BY A MAJORITY VOTE, EXCEPT THAT THE COMMISSION MAY ONLY DISAPPROVE OR AMEND THE PROPOSED AGREEMENT BY A TWO THIRDS (2/3) VOTE OF THOSE COMMISSIONERS THEN IN OFFICE; AND PROVIDING SEVERABILITY, INCLUSION IN THE CODE, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE 111243 PDF
>> Tentatively scheduled for a public hearing before the Public Safety & Healthcare Admin Cmte Hearing Date: 7/12/2011
CITY OF MIAMI
>>> Mayor Regalado back from Taiwan, CFO Spring says sayonara, what about Mgr. Crapp?
Larry Spring, the city’s financial budget guru has tendered his resignation last week and it highlights the tough budget and inaccurate revenue projections passed by the Miami commission back in Sept. 2010 coming home to roost. Spring joined the city in 2003 after working at TotalBank and survived after Mayor Manny Diaz (Net worth $1.8 million) left office in 2009 and Mayor Tomas Regalado (Net worth $5,000) was elected. Regalado would later bring in banker Carlos Migoya for a year as the manager and he left the city administration in Jan. 2011 and is now the new CEO of the Jackson Health System. Spring, who has been under the gun for sometime and is written about in a blistering way in some Miami blogs told www.miamiherald.com that he had wanted to transition to the private sector for sometime, but it is crunch time when comes to the city’s budget and the lack of projected revenue actually coming in, versus what was originally budgeted, and could result in a fiscal meltdown in the months ahead.
Miami, for example had projected $8 million would come in for the red light cameras set up at major intersections throughout the city, but these cameras have failed dramatically to bring in the much needed revenue projected, even though the number was “conservative” said Migoya when Commissioner Marc Sarnoff (Net worth $2.17 million) challenged the soundness of the figure last September in budget hearings. Now, Tony Crapp, Jr. has to deal with this new challenge and while rumors swirled he also might bail out. Mayor Tomas Regalado on Friday said that was not the case, though he and his daughter Raquel had just returned from a trip to Taiwan where Miami has a Sister City relationship with Kaohsiung City.
Spring
What about the Mayor’s trip to Taipei & Kaohsiung City?
>>> Taiwan Embassy press release on the trip: Mayor of the City of Miami, the Honorable Tomas Regalado Visiting Taiwan – Post Date：2011/6/1
At the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan), the Honorable Tomas Regalado, Mayor of the City of Miami, is currently visiting Taiwan from May 27 June 1, 2011. The Senior Policy Advisor to the Mayor for Economic Development, International Alliances and Intergovernmental Affairs, Ms. Mikki Canton and the Member of School Board of Miami-Dade County of Florida, Ms. Raquel Regalado also take part in this important trip. During their stay in Taiwan, Mayor Regalado and members of his delegation called on Vice Minister of Foreign Affair, Mr. Ssu-Tsun Shen; Mayor of New Taipei City, Dr. Eric Chu; Mayor of Kaohsiung City, Madam Chu Chen and other government officials. Mayor Regalado also signed the Memorandum of Understanding with Mayor of Kaohsiung, Madam Chu Chen, acknowledging the value in facilitating and strengthening mutual interactions between the two sister cities. In an interview with local media, Mayor Regalado said the United States should grant Taiwan Visa-free treatment. He noted that Taiwanese travelers spend about US$ 1 billion each year when visiting the U.S. If the were granted visa-free treatment, the tourism income would increase. Mayor Regalado extent his thankfulness to Director General Ray Mou of TECO I Miami for arranging his first trip to Taiwan.
>>> For more information on TECO got to http://www.taiwanembassy.org/us/mia/ct.asp?xItem=17534&CtNode=2878&mp=57&xp1
 Mayor Regalado |
 School Board member Regalado |
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
>>> Residents outraged after Urban Weekend shootout, city officials in a dilemma, since sudden surge of tourists to Beach not illegal
What occurred over Memorial Day when Urban Beach Weekend was held for the tenth year was the topic of discussion on Helen Ferre’s show Issues over the weekend and she had a insightful panel discussing the shootings, the large crowds and what solutions might be tried in the future when it comes to this private event that has taken a life of its own with over 250,000 people descending on the city and selling out Beach hotel rooms, but resulted in one person dead and others wounded in a gunfight that had some beach residents calling it a “war zone.”
The Watchdog Report contacted the Miami Beach mayor and commissioners asking for any thoughts they might have on the subject, but by deadline none had bothered to respond back to this charged issue that has a racial tone since many of the tourists and partiers are African American.
>>> To see the show go to: Urban Weekend Worries 1 of 2 – Urban Weekend Worries 2 of 2 and to read Mayor Mattie Bowers editorial in www.miamiherald.com
CITY OF CORAL GABLES
>>> Commissioner Quesada says city leaders “are focused on our community,” excited to be in Sorenson’s good government program
The Watchdog Report contacted newly minted Coral Gables Commissioner Frank Quesada last week asking how it was going and the fact he is in the freshman class of a Good Government Initiative program put together with former Miami-Dade Commissioner Katy Sorenson in collaboration with the University of Miami located in the City Beautiful. The attorney emailed back, “Things are going well so far. We have a great group of commissioners right now in Coral Gables who are focused on our community and will move Coral Gables in the right direction,” wrote the attorney.
What about Sorenson’s Good Governance class at UM? (See ARGUS section for more)
“As far as Katy Sorenson’s first class, I’m very excited. I’m looking forward to learning about the experiences, good and bad, that other public officials have endured while in public office as well discussing less familiar topics that I will see as a public official. This class will afford those involved the opportunity to learn from other leaders in our community as well as help us work together as a community as we discuss issues that affect all municipalities. I firmly believe that Ms. Sorensen’s class is the beginning of something that will help our leaders and communities for many years to come,” wrote Quesada.
Quesada
TOWN OF MIAMI LAKES
>>> Mayor Pizzi takes road trip to Miami, sees Sarnoff staff, but not registered as a lobbyist
Mayor Michael Pizzi took a road trip to Miami city hall last week and he dropped in to see Commissioner Marc Sarnoff’s staff regarding an unknown subject. Pizzi, an attorney who portrays himself as if he is just a country boy in the big city gets up to $500.00 an hour as a lobbyist and that fee is considered top dollar. The Watchdog Report checked with the Miami clerk’s list of registered lobbyists and he was not listed and if it was a social call, that is fine. But if he was lobbying that is a different story, especially since Sarnoff pushed for more stringent lobbying restrictions that now include registered lobbyists taking a class on ethics.
>>> OTHER STORIES AROUND FLORIDA
BROWARD COUNTY
>>> When it comes to public corruption probes of elected leaders; feds ‘Shoot to kill, you don’t shoot to wound,’ says Valle
Broward Commissioners thought they were just getting eight hours of ethics training last Tuesday, but instead got a broadside from ethics and judicial experts with the cherry on the cake coming from a U.S. Attorney representative who is quoted in www.sun-sentinel.com that when it comes to federal investigations. The paper quotes Alicia Valle, the special counsel for the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Southern District of Florida saying, ‘You shoot to kill,’ when it comes to federal public corruption probes, ‘You don’t shoot to wound,’ and county commissioners should heed these tough words since four top Broward elected leaders are already in federal prison, while others are awaiting their own trials.
People speaking before the nine member county commission were former Supreme Court Chief Judge Gerald Kogan, Robert Meyers, the past director of the Miami-Dade Ethics Commission for 13-years and still filling in while the commission selects a new director, John Scott the new Broward Inspector General, an office created by voters last year and he is a former assistant U.S. Attorney, along with attorney George Knox and others rounded out the field of speakers. And people attending said it was a frank and brutal session when it came for the need of not only a IG, but creating an ethics commission like in Miami-Dade in 1996 by voters after the county and municipal governments were rocked with public corruption arrests and numerous elected leaders going to jail for a variety of reasons. However, some Broward commissioners were hesitant about adding any new costs to the county’s general fund with the draconian budgets cuts that have been made over past, current and expected in future years, but some of these objections by commissioners are just a canard.
What about the mayor’s celebration luncheon after the election?
Further, County Commissioners have a terrible tradition that feeds the perception that they try to avoid the Sunshine Laws after they elect their new ceremonial mayor for the year. The nine of them then go out with staff and have lunch and years ago I followed them to the restaurant but I was told it was a private affair even though there were about 45 people in the banquet room. And at the time Commissioner Sue Gunzberger (Net worth $5.35 million) saw me and she almost flinched when she saw restaurant staff had stopped me, realizing this was a mistake, but she let it go. However, commissioners did not plan on my presence and they had this lunch in a room that had glass walls so the water could be seen and I just watched then Mayor Lois Wexler (Net worth $231,000) point her finger repeatedly at the port director in what seemed to be giving directions to the man and wrote it up in a past Watchdog Report back then, which is a no-no given the county charter where the chief administrator runs the staff but you see the slippery slope this kind of activity creates for elected officials but these are the rules.
 Wexler |
 Gunzberger |
>>> No comment from the Broward Commissioners by my deadline
The Watchdog Report contacted the bulk of the county commissioners by email last week asking them what they thought about the session, their appetite to create a ethics commission since some issues would not fall under a IG’s office that currently only has one person in it. And as of deadline, Sunday there has been no response. Here are two pf the paper’s graphics and stories on Tuesday’s ethics and public corruption meeting.
>>> http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/sfl-ni-broward-corruption,0,3671724.htmlpage
>>> Here is the main print story – http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/fl-county-corruption-20110531,0,753233.story
>>> Gov. Scott taps Elizabeth “Liz” Tonkin to the District Board of Trustees, Broward College.
Tonkin, 53, of Davie, is the president of MedPro Staffing. She succeeds Georgette Douglass and is appointed for a term beginning May 31, 2011, and ending May 31, 2014. The appointment is subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.
>>> 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.
VOLUSIA COUNTY
>>> Press release: Gov. Scott taps Harold “Pat” Card and Ferdinand “Ferd” Heeb to the Southeast Volusia Hospital District.
Card, 67, of Edgewater, is a retired insurance corporate officer. He succeeds John T. Marsh and is appointed for a term beginning May 31, 2011, and ending March 31, 2015.
Heeb, 76, of Edgewater, is a retired certified public accountant. He succeeds Thomas W. Ownby and is appointed for a term beginning May 31, 2011, and ending December 31, 2014.
OCALA COUNTY
>>> Press release: Gov. Scott today announced the reappointment of Cory B. Pool and taps Joyce J. Brancato, Priya A. Ghumman and Donald L. Taylor to the District Board of Trustees, College of Central Florida.
Pool, 36, of Ocala, is the vice president of DRJ Management Company. He is reappointed for a term beginning June 1, 2011, and ending May 31, 2014.
Brancato, 51, of Inglis, is the chief executive officer of Seven Rivers Regional Medical Center. She succeeds Carol Runnels-Sullivan and is appointed for a term beginning June 1, 2011, and ending May 31, 2014.
Ghumman, 40, of Ocala, is the president and chief operating officer of DECCA Real Estate. She succeeds Bernard Little and is appointed for a term beginning June 1, 2011, and ending May 31, 2015.
Taylor, 62, of Homosassa, is a financial manager for Progress Energy Florida. He succeeds Betty Strifler and is appointed for a term beginning June 1, 2011, and ending May 31, 2015. The appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.
ALACHUA COUNTY
>>> Press release: Gov. Scott today announced the reappointment of D. Ray Curtis III and the appointments of Kevin Brown and George Cole to the Governing Board, Suwannee River Water Management District.
Curtis, 29, of Perry, is a self-employed attorney. He is reappointed for a term beginning June 3, 2011, and ending March 1, 2015.
Brown, 53, of Alachua, is a chief appraiser for Farm Credit of Florida. He succeeds N. David Flagg and is appointed for a term beginning June 3, 2011, and ending March 1, 2015.
Cole, 71, of Monticello, is a part-time adjunct professor at Florida State University. He succeeds Charles Davidson and is appointed for a term beginning June 3, 2011, and ending March 1, 2015. The appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.
MANATEE COUNTY
>>> Press release: Gov. Scott picks Charlene J. Neal, Ann Y. Moore and Dr. Craig A. Trigueiro to the District Board of Trustees, State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota.
Neal, 58, of Bradenton, is the president and owner of Charlene Neal PureStyle. She succeeds Ronald Allen and is appointed for a term beginning June 1, 2011, and ending May 31, 2015.
Moore, 52, of Sarasota, is a real estate broker with Michael Saunders and Company. She succeeds Christine Robinson and is appointed for a term beginning June 1, 2011, and ending May 31, 2014.
Trigueiro, 61, of Lakewood Ranch, is a self-employed physician. He succeeds Susan Miller Kelly and is appointed for a term beginning June 1, 2011, and ending May 31, 2014. The appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.
MONROE COUNTY
>>> Press release: Gov. Scott taps Phillip L. Goodman to the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District.
Goodman, 63, of Cudjoe Key, is the retired chief executive officer of Boehme Filatex. He will fill the vacancy created by the death of Dick Rudell and is appointed for a term beginning May 31, 2011, and ending January 1, 2015.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
>>> The Good Government Initiative At the University of Miami Invites you to its second Community Conversation and Luncheon – Wednesday, June 8th
Northern Trust, N.A. 700 Brickell Avenue, 9th Floor – 11:30 a.m. registration, 12 p.m. lunch, 12:30 p.m. panel begins Featuring: Broward County Commissioner Kristin Jacobs, **Attorney, Lobbyist and Former State Legislator Miguel De Grandy (new panelist) Miami Herald Columnist Fred Grimm, Florida New Majority Executive Director Gihan Perera – Moderated by: Kendall Coffey, Founding Member of Coffey Burlington, PL Host: Katy Sorenson, President and CEO, The Good Government Initiative *There are a limited amount of seats available. Register Now!
>>> Press release: The members of the Miami-Dade Community Action Agency (CAA) Board of Directors will hold their regular monthly meeting on Monday, June 13, 2011 at 4:00 p.m. at the Overtown Transit Village, 1st Floor Training Room located at 701 NW 1st Court, in Miami, in the Historic Overtown community.
Originally, created in 1968 as a result of Federal Equal Opportunity legislation, the CAA Board of Directors became an official Board of the County pursuant to Ordinance 09-31. Under the Ordinance, the Board will continue to provide oversight over all programs and services provided by CAA to assist Miami-Dade County’s poor. These services range from providing child development services through a nationally recognized Head Start Program that serves over 6,700 children and their families; to services ranging from youth and family intervention; self sufficiency; housing assistance; emergency food and shelter; weatherization and energy conservation programs. The forty-five member, tripartite board is mandated by the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) guidelines. It is made up of representatives from sixteen Community Advisory Committees (CAC) in addition to representatives for each of the County Commissioners, a representative of Miami-Dade County’s Mayor and other stakeholders. These meetings are open to the public and residents are encouraged to attend. Who: Miami-Dade Community Action Agency (CAA) What: Board of Directors Meeting When: Monday, June, 13, 2011 at 4:00 p.m. Where: 701 Northwest 1st Court, First Floor Training Room Miami -Why: To discuss local poverty issues and Community Action Agency Programs.
>>> Urban Environment League’s Orchids& Onions Award Presentation and Annual Meeting Wednesday – June 15th – 6 pm Coconut Grove Sailing Club, Overlooking Biscayne Bay 2990 South Bayshore Drive. Please join us for some fun/networking at our 6 pm Cocktail Hour Award presentation to follow at 7 pm Hors d’ oeuvres and Cocktails (cash bar) $15 Donation At Door RSVP uelinfo@bellsouth.net or call: 786 472-0011
>>> Elephant Forum Jun. 20 features Republican state Sen. Flores
The Elephant Forum June 20th luncheon is featuring state Sen. Anitere Flores, R-Miami (net worth $163,000) as the organization’s key note speaker. Flores was elected to the state senate in 2010 after serving a number of years in the Florida House. She is an attorney and works for FIU. For more information or to make reservations contact Mary Ellen Miller at memil@comcast.net or 305.377.9187.
EDITORIALS
>>> Without vibrant press to keep watch on elected leaders, any Good Government Initiative will never achieve its goal
Former Miami-Dade County Commissioner’s Katy Sorenson’s (Net worth $1.7 million) initiative to teach Good Government to elected and future South Florida leaders in collaboration with the University of Miami is a noble idea, but must include the press, and not just doing mock interviews with the media. I mentioned this to her at the Greater Miami Goals Conference Thursday and she did not get what I was suggesting. She said panel speakers and trial interviews would be done by such people as Michael Putney, Helen Ferre and Jim DeFede to say a few and that is great. However, my point is what if the media is not covering public institutions and watching after public tax dollars because of financial issues and the contraction of the medium that leaves what few reporters that are out there now feeling fairly lonely and wondering who will be next. And any chance of good governance will be at risk in the community as politicians run wild with no check of what they say and do.
One major catalyst to good government is a vibrant and large media capability and the Founding Fathers understood this when they wrote the First Amendment and in the Miami-Dade Charter in the Citizen’s Rights section. It opens that this governance document is written to “protect the governed, not the governing” and the press is a major ingredient in the good governance equation. I know this from my own empirical observation and experience of watching public institutions and these leaders since 1997 and for some elected leaders or board members. It still makes them nervous when I am covering a meeting, bring out the tape recorder or photograph who is in attendance and it is sometimes visible but since we live in a state with Sunshine Laws, that is the way it is. But what if I or other media outlets were not in the field. Regardless how these fine people are taught, they will still possible feel a urge to become wayward politicians, just as we are taught not to speed or run a red light, but it happens all the time, except when a state trooper is alongside you next to your car and that is also the medias role when it comes to public institutions and the crafting of effective public policy.
The Watchdog Report does not have an answer to this dilemma but I know how difficult it is to survive when a publication lives off community support as I have over the past 12-years and this press ingredient must exist if any good governance initiative is to stick. For human nature tells us having some force of restraint or oversight, be it our laws, law enforcement or the press is necessary when it comes to politics and governance if the human condition is not to run amuck as history so clearly teaches us over the past centuries. The publisher wishes Sorenson good luck in this important activity but they should also debate what would they do if the media was not around, would that change how they govern and conduct themselves, and any frank discussion of that media absence would be one I would love to hear. For people would likely say that would not change what they did or how they voted, but our local history says other wise, where being good is seen as almost evil, and when it comes to stealing or being corrupt, many people question what is the issue, everyone does it.
LETTERS
>>> Supt. Alberto Carvalho was not alone. UTD also participated in the Race to the Top discussions and was instrumental in helping to craft the language.
Merri Mann
United Teachers of Dade
>>> Published on Monday, May 16, 2011 -“The payoffs of early childhood programs can be especially high.” -Federal Reserve Chairman, Ben Bernanke
Excerpt from speech by Fed Chairman Ben S. Bernanke, Challenges for State and Local Governments, March 2011, New York, NY
“…Budget balance and budget stability are important fiscal issues. In the long run, though, the most important fiscal issue is whether the structure and composition of the government budget best serves the public interest. Certainly, most people would support the goal of fostering healthy economic growth. Government can contribute to this objective in a number of ways. One critical means is by ensuring an adequate investment in human capital–that is, in the knowledge and skills of our people. No economy can succeed without a high-quality workforce, particularly in an age of globalization and technical change. Cost-effective K-12 and post-secondary schooling are crucial to building a better workforce, but they are only part of the story. Research increasingly has shown the benefits of early childhood education and efforts to promote the lifelong acquisition of skills for both individuals and the economy as a whole. The payoffs of early childhood programs can be especially high. For instance, preschool programs for disadvantaged children have been shown to increase high school graduation rates. Because high school graduates have higher earnings, pay more taxes, and are less likely to use public health programs, investing in such programs can pay off even from the narrow perspective of state budgets; of course, the returns to the overall economy and to the individuals themselves are much greater….”
…And this holds for ensuring health also. Children who are ill have difficulty learning, no matter what age.
Wil
>>> We have read your report for a long time and thank you for your work. We will be sending you a check. Sorry it can’t be more.
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Redland, FL
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The Watchdog Report covers a few of the meetings attended weekly. It remains my belief that an informed public will make better decisions. Therefore, I go to meetings, make the presence of an informed citizen known, and bring the information to you. The Watchdog Report is in the fourth year of publication and it has been an honor to be able to send this information to you. It is sent to readers in Miami-Dade, Florida, the U.S. and the world. The Watchdog Report is sent to thousands free and while readers have been prodded to subscribe the results have been mixed. Over 250 reports and Extra’s have been sent since May 5, 2000 and over one million words have been written on our community’s governments and events. The report is an original work based on information gathered at public meetings, interviews and from documents in the public domain.
LETTER POLICY
I welcome letters via e-mail, fax, or snail mail. Letters may be edited for length or clarity and must refer to material published in the Watchdog Report. Please see address and contact information. Please send any additions and corrections by e-mail, fax or snail mail. All corrections will be published in the next Watchdog Report. If you or your organization would like to publish the contents of this newsletter, please contact me. Please send your request to watchdogreport1@earthlink.net
Daniel A. Ricker
Publisher & Editor
Watchdog Report
Est. 05.05.00
Copyright © of original material, 2011, Daniel A. Ricker
>>> Watchdog Report is expanding as a new service and this content is now available to other news media, no longer exclusive to The Miami Herald
The Watchdog Report is no longer exclusively with The Miami Herald, and excluding the one story a week that is printed in the paper on Monday in the Metro & State section by me. The rest of the 20 or so news stories weekly sent out Sunday in the Watchdog Report are now available to television stations web pages, and all the newspapers and other media in South Florida if the publishers have an interest to run part or all of the stories. Further, in 2000, I used to have some paper’s running the report in the Spanish press, that option is available again, and publishers should contact me. The news content will not be free, but you can pick and chose the stories of interest, edit them if necessary but you must still keep the general story intact. If you are a news outlet and would like to learn more about, the Watchdog Report and this offer contact me at watchdogreport1@earthlink.net for further information.
>>> Here is what past newspapers have written about the Watchdog Report publisher including a survey and regional study done by the U. North Carolina at Chapel Hill on the media in the southeast United States.
>>> The Miami Herald and Orlando Sentinel & Sun-Sentinel articles on the Watchdog Report publisher over the years.
>>> Published on September 9, 1999, Page 1EA, Miami Herald, The (FL) CITIZEN ADVOCATE’ KEEPS TABS ON POLITICIANS
>>> Published on January 3, 2000, Page 1B, Miami Herald, The (FL) MIAMI-DADE WATCHDOG WILL BE MISSED >>>
>>> To read the full section large two page front page story, but without the photos and smart box graphics, go to: `I Go When You Cannot’ – Sun Sentinel 20 Jan 2003 … Sometimes Dan Ricker lives in the dark so others may live in the light. … to his weekly Watchdog Report have finally mailed their checks. … http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2003-01-20/news/0301190341_1_ricker-school-board-president-miami-s-first-cuban-american
>>>Watchdog Report publisher named ‘Best Citizen’ 2003 by the Miami New Times –The publisher would like to thank the weekly alternative paper Miami New Times for bestowing their 2003 Best of Miami, ‘Best Citizen’ award to me and I am honored. Thank you. To read the full story go to http://www.miaminewtimes.com/issues/2003-05-15/citylife2.html/1/index.html
From the spring of 2003: U. North Carolina, Chapel Hill: Southeast U.S. Media Report lists Watchdog Report publisher as leading Florida commentator >>> Selected excerpts from the report on Florida’s media sources
Those who do read the newspaper in Florida have a bevy of options for state government and political coverage. The dominant newspapers in the state are Knight-Ridder’s The Miami Herald (Acquired by The McClatchy Company in 2006) and the Poynter Institute’s St. Petersburg Times. Both papers endorsed Gore in 2000 but split on the 2002 gubernatorial race, with the Herald endorsing Republican incumbent Jeb Bush and the Times backing Democratic challenger Bill McBride.
Daniel Ricker of The Miami Herald also writes an influential column as well as an email newsletter called the Watchdog Report that goes out to more than 100,000 subscribers. FEBRUARY 2004 – Florida: Columnists in Abundance –ERIC GAUTSCHI, graduate student, School of Journalism & Mass Communication, UNC-Chapel Hill – D) LEADING COMMENTATORS – Resource Commentator Organization Type Web site –Steve Bousquet St. Petersburg Times Column www.sptimes.com/columns/bousquet.shtml -“First Friday” WPBT TV (Miami) TV Show www.channel2.org/firstfriday/issues.html –Lucy Morgan St. Petersburg Times Column www.sptimes.com/columns/morgan.shtml –Daniel Ricker Miami Herald/Watchdog Report Newsletter – http:///www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/columnists/dan_ricker/ >>> Readers who would like to read the complete University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill Southeast United States Media Report go to view the complete report or download all the data used in this study. >>> Watchdog Report Editor’s note to the NCU/CH study: The subscriber number referenced is incorrect and applies to readership.
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Watchdog Report Supporters Invoice-Form
NOTE: Invoice is for Yearly supporter/sponsorship Rates: Thank you.
Supporting Sponsors $5,000
Sustaining Sponsors $2,000
Corporate Sponsors $1,000 (All levels above will be listed in the report with web-site link if desired)
Large Business Supporters $500
Small Business Supporters $250
Individual Supporter $150
Student Supporter $ 75
Any amount $
Name & Address
Please make checks payable to: Daniel A. Ricker
Send to: 3109 Grand Avenue, #125
Miami, FL 33133
Fax 305-668-4784 -To contact the Publisher please e-mail watchdogreport1@earthlink.net
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