Watchdog Report Vol.13 No.13 August 5, 2012 Est.05.05.00 – I go when you cannot

>>> 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 ads, pops-up and is just the news in a mainstream reporting manner.

>>> To all those readers who say to me during the week they will contribute in the near future, now would be a great time if you can. All the information is at the bottom of the WDR. >>> FURTHER, The Watchdog Report will go online on TUESDAY, not on Monday as usual.

ARGUS REPORT – Heard, Seen on the Street

>>> UM Sylvester Dr. Nimer stuns Miami Chamber lunch attendees with oncology research advances, believes it is “the beginning of an era,” for cancer breakthroughs

Stephen D. Nimer, M.D., Ph.D., the former head of the Hematologic Oncology Division at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City and now the head of the University of Miami’s Miller Medical School’s Sylvester Comprehensive Center blew attendees away at the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon on Wednesday with the advances being made in Cancer Research. Nimer for 35 years has studied Oncology, including Leukemia and extensive Stem Cell research and he arrived in Miami only three months ago, he said. Nimer with a medical degree from the University of Chicago and a Ph.D. in biology from MIT spent time at UCLA before joining Sloan-Kettering decades ago and now he has this new choice research and clinical post in Miami.

Nimer said, “There is not a glut of academic medical centers, [around the nation] and Sylvester represented a unique situation and opportunity.” The man was drawn to “basic science” and “the root causes of cancer,” and “what drives the process of leukemia,” because when a patient is “diagnosed with cancer, it is a devastating experience,” the physician said. He also believes when it comes to research that the bulk of “it should apply to human diseases,” since there is basic research being done in a variety of ways from plants to fish species. He also noted the mission at Sylvester, among other things, was to train “future physicians and scientists” and they needed to have “a strong understanding of science,” noting that in many research centers the researchers are from Europe or Asia, he said. Nimer said it was important early on to be sure the diagnosis was correct when it came to cancer, citing that statistics “show 15 percent with Lymphomas are misdiagnosed” and the “correct diagnosis” is critical if the patient is to “get the right treatment, and you don’t want to wait,” given the terminal nature of cancer if left untreated.

The researcher said in the 1970s that scientist would spend “a decade” trying to isolate “one gene, now 10,000 can be done in a week” and when it comes to “synthesizing 60,000 drug [permutations] in a month, that used to take a decade,” he said. Nimer also noted that federal stimulus money a few years back spurred some of the explosion of new scientific break through and “this huge [federal] infusion into research two years ago.” He lamented now has been “whittled down to zero,” but he still believes “we are at the beginning of a new era,” noting in regard to colon and brain cancer. “We have an understanding of it like never before,” he said. And after showing a mind-boggling clip of a stem gene being created in a genetically altered zebra fish that was completely clear. He closed his remarks noting the body “creates 5 million blood cells in us everyday,” and why, if the cells are cancerous these abnormal cells must be stopped or killed immediately. If the disease is not to overwhelm the human body with the cancer and death.

>>> UM MILLER MEDICAL webpage: New Sylvester Director Starts This Week

Stephen D. Nimer, M.D., the new director of the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, officially starts work this week. One of the world’s premier leukemia and stem cell transplant researchers and clinicians, Nimer arrives Wednesday, May 2, coming from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, where he headed the Division of Hematologic Oncology.
“I’m very excited to finally be here at Sylvester,” said Nimer. “I look forward to meeting and working with everyone at the center.” Nimer’s office will be in the Fox Cancer Research Building, suite 200, and his laboratory will be in the Biomedical Research Building, seventh floor. To read more about Dr. Nimer, visit his announcement online. >>> http://med.miami.edu/news/internationally-recognized-leukemia-physician-and-researcher-to-lead-sylves

Stephen D. Nimer, M.D.

>>> Is a cheap white heroin epidemic coming South Florida’s way after pill mill busts send clients to a new more dangerous drug?

With the closure of the bulk of South Florida’s pill mills by state and federal authorities, a by product is more people are becoming addicted to opiates, and they are now turning to low cost Mexican White Heroin, said Jon Schmidt, a former addict and a man working on the upcoming crisis, since rehabilitation beds are way to low at around 56 beds (6- female, 50 –male), though a few are available in other facilities for the wave of patients trying to get clean. Schmidt told Ricardo Gonzalez a senior staff member of Miami-Dade County Commissioner Xavier Suarez that a wave of new people will be coming in the near future since the pain pill addicts are simple turning to an alternative that is cheap and does the job when it comes to the drug dependency issue, however has a much more dangerous withdrawal process. Schmidt said heroin addiction is an “Ugly disease,” and it “affects all of us,” and the people under this influence have an “inability to see the consequences to get money for heroin.” And these crimes can range from a “crack and grab,” where a car window is broken into and when it comes to increasing the new treatment beds. “We need them quick,” he said.
Rabbi Solomon Schiff said it was important to get this public health message out to the public and suggested the media be enlisted to help. “This is a story that incites the community,” and the oncoming need has to be addressed before it becomes a tsunami in the community and jails, where crime will up tick and the people arrested will end up in jail for heroin possession. And Seth Gordan an outside advisor to Suarez suggested a “collaboration with television stations” and the fact that while “there were seven deaths a day from prescription drugs in Florida” in the past, and now that “is down to 6.4 deaths.” He said that still is way to many he thought and the public needs to hear about this scourge coming that is affecting all demographics of people in South Florida.

>>> Jim Hall an expert on the addiction and substance abuse issue sent the following email on the county’s substance abuse statistics: >>> Substance Abuse Treatment in Miami-Dade County – For the Fiscal Year July 2011 to June 2012 there is state funding to provide substance abuse treatment services (including both residential and outpatient) for 12,354 adults (age 18 and above) and 4,520 children (age 17 or below) in Miami-Dade County according to the South Florida Behavioral Health Network (SFBHN). The SFBHN is the designated managing entity for mental health and substance abuse services in Miami-Dade County by the Florida Department of Children and Families. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health estimates that there are 114,511 Miami-Dade County residents (age 12 and above) in need of, but not receiving treatment for alcohol and 38,711 Miami-Dade County residents (age 12 and above) in need of but not receiving treatment for illicit drug use (including non-medical use of pharmaceuticals) in the past year.

Suarez

>>> White House press release: Alan B. Krueger, Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, issued the following statement today on the employment situation in July. You can view the statement HERE.

While there is more work that remains to be done, today’s employment report provides further evidence that the U.S. economy is continuing to recover from the worst downturn since the Great Depression. It is critical that we continue the policies that build an economy that works for the middle class as we dig our way out of the deep hole that was caused by the severe recession that began in December 2007. To build on the progress of the last few years, President Obama has proposed an extension of middle class tax cuts that would prevent the typical middle class family from facing a $2,200 tax increase next year. In addition, to create more jobs in particularly hard-hit sectors, President Obama continues to support the elements of the American Jobs Act that have not yet passed, including further investment in infrastructure to rebuild our Nation’s ports, roads and highways, and assistance to State and local governments to prevent layoffs and rehire hundreds of thousands of teachers and first responders.

Today’s report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that private sector establishments added 172,000 jobs last month, and overall non-farm payroll employment rose by 163,000. The economy has now added private sector jobs for 29 straight months, for a total of 4.5 million jobs during that period. The household survey showed that the unemployment rate ticked up to 8.3% in July (or, more precisely, the rate rose from 8.217% in June to 8.254% in July). Acting BLS Commissioner John Galvin noted in his statement that the unemployment rate was “essentially unchanged” from June to July. The establishment survey indicated that manufacturing employment continues to expand and manufacturers added 25,000 jobs in July. After losing millions of manufacturing jobs in the years before and during the recession, the economy has added 532,000 manufacturing jobs since January 2010 – the strongest growth for any 30-month period since June 1989. Within manufacturing, motor vehicles and parts added 12,800 jobs in July, its strongest monthly growth since January 2011, partly reflecting fewer seasonal layoffs last month. To continue the revival in manufacturing jobs and output, President Obama has proposed tax incentives for manufacturers, enhanced training for the workforce, and measures to create manufacturing hubs and discourage sending jobs overseas.

Other sectors with net job increases included professional and business services (+49,000), education and health services (+38,000), leisure and hospitality (+27,000), and wholesale trade (+9,200). Within leisure and hospitality, restaurant employment rose by 29,400 jobs. Government lost 9,000 jobs as State government payrolls fell by 6,000. Local governments shed 7,000 education jobs. Since February 2010, State and local governments have lost 485,000 jobs. As the Administration stresses every month, the monthly employment and unemployment figures can be volatile, and employment estimates can be subject to substantial revision. Therefore, it is important not to read too much into any one monthly report and it is informative to consider each report in the context of other data that are becoming available.

>>> Press release: Two Bahamian Men Plead Guilty to Alien Smuggling

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Alysa D. Erichs, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI), Miami Field Office, Noel Manheimer, Director of Marine Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Rear Admiral William D. Baumgartner, Commander, 7th Coast Guard District, and Matthew Zetts, Chief Patrol Agent, U.S. Border Patrol, announce that defendants Rico Jerome Miller, 23, and Wardell Hall, 31, both of the Bahamas, pled guilty yesterday to charges of attempted alien smuggling, in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1324. Sentencing is scheduled for October 2012 before U.S. District Judge Daniel T.K. Hurley in West Palm Beach, Florida. At sentencing, Miller and Hall each face a minimum mandatory sentence of three years and possible maximum statutory sentence of up to 10 years in prison, on each of two counts to which they pled in the Indictment.

Defendants Miller and Hall were indicted on charges of attempted unlawful transportation of aliens into the United States. According to statements made in open court and documents filed in the case, on April 30, 2012, the U.S. Coast Guard intercepted a small boat cast adrift with engine trouble off the Florida coast. On the boat were Miller and Hall and six passengers, none of whom had authorization or visas to enter the United States. The passengers told authorities how they had embarked from the Bahamas on April 27, 2012, under the direction of Miller and Hall, with the intent and expectation to illegally enter the United States near Miami, Florida. >>> Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of ICE-HSI. Mr. Ferrer also thanked the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the U.S. Border Patrol for their work on this investigation. The case is being 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.

>>> 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 and was Best Citizen in the 2003 Best of Miami of The Miami New Times, profiled twice in The Miami Herald, and the Orlando Sentinel ran a nationwide story on me in the Tribune papers on Jan. 2003, and UNC Chapel Hill named 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 91.3 FM since 2000, including yearly election coverage since then, and also numerous times over the past decade. Further, I am a frequent guest on WWW.WPBT2.ORG on Helen Ferre’s show Issues, and have also appeared on Eliott Rodriguez’s show News & Views on www.CBS4.com and The Florida Roundup on www.wlrn.org

FLORIDA

>>> Lt. Gov. Carroll finds politics is a contact sport, staffer controversy brings her into the spotlight, had $526,600 net worth through 2011

Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll has found politics is a contact sport after some controversial accusations she had a liaison with one of her staff who is bringing this to light. The former naval officer says the accusations are false but she made a reference that set off the gay and lesbian community, and was later punctuated this week when a relative was arrested; and she says does not know what he does. The former state legislator was picked to assist Gov. Rick Scott with the legislature since he was a neophyte of politics when he first ran in 2010 and prior to this incident; the Lt. governor has flown under the state’s radar in many respects.

What do we know about her finances?

Carroll through Dec. 2011 had a net worth of $526,600 and she lists joint properties valued at $92,000, $177,000, $38,000 and $83,000. There is $37,000 in an investment account, an IRA has $46,100 in it, there is around $298,000 in loans, and joint loans account for another $180,000. In addition, her income for the year was $121,875 in her official capacity and another $35,873 came in from her retirement account with the U.S. Navy.

>>> Web bio: Jennifer Carroll is Florida’s 18th Lieutenant Governor. She is the first female elected as Lieutenant Governor in Florida and the first African-American elected Statewide. She was a state legislator for over seven years, a small business owner, former Executive Director of Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs and a Navy veteran. Carroll is an example of the American Dream come true. In addition to her duties assisting the Governor with economic development, Carroll oversees the Florida Department of Military Affairs, Florida Department of Veterans Affairs, Governor Designee on the Florida Defense Support Task Force and also serves as Chairperson of Space Florida.

Carroll’s work as Chair of Space Florida has been instrumental in creating thousands of new private sectors space and aerospace related jobs. During her first year in office the State of Florida won a 10 year contract to manage the International Space Station National Laboratory bringing in $15 mil per year to the state for life science research and development… http://www.flgov.com/meet-the-lt-governor/

>>> Press release: Gov. Scott named Barbara Palmer as director of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, effective August 22, 2012. She has served as the agency’s chief of staff since 2011.

“Throughout her distinguished career, Barbara has been widely recognized for her leadership and advocacy work on behalf of individuals seeking equal opportunities, and she has demonstrated that same high energy on behalf of Floridians with disabilities,” Governor Scott said. “The agency and the customers it serves will benefit from her broad range of experience and expertise.” Previously, Palmer served as assistant secretary for administration with the Florida Department of Children and Families from 2009 to 2011. Among her private-sector experience, she was president and CEO of Palmer, Musick and Associates from 1993 to 2009 and CEO of Illuminactive Multimedia Inc. from 1995 to 1997. She served as director of the division of hotels and restaurants within the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation from 1989 to 1991.

At Florida State University, she was associate vice president for governmental relations from 1985 to 1989 and director of women’s intercollegiate athletics from 1977 to 1985. Nationally recognized for her efforts to secure passage of Title IX and ensure equity in sports for women in school athletic programs, Palmer was inducted into the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame in 1982. In the 1970s, Palmer began her career as executive director and vice president of IMPACT Enterprises Inc., a company serving individuals with developmental, mental and physical disabilities transitioning from institutional settings to community placements. She received bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Florida State University.

The current director, Mike Hansen, has accepted a position with the Florida Senate. With more than 30 years of experience with health and human services policy and budgeting, Hansen has spent the past year working to continue increased efficiencies at the agency with the goal of balancing the agency’s budget and ensuring the continuation of services to Florida’s persons with disabilities. “Mike’s extensive experience with Medicaid services and budgeting have been a tremendous help as we continue to work to ensure the availability of services to one of Florida’s most vulnerable populations,” Governor Scott said. “I wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”

>>> 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.

FLORIDA SUPREME COURT

>>> Justice Canady goes from the halls of congress to top state court, tapped by Gov. Crist, had $453,000 through Jun. 2012

Justice Charles T. Canady is in the spotlight this week in the Watchdog Report’s yearly series of the financial disclosure forms of the seven-member court justice’s and he was a former congressman, a former state appeals court judge before being tapped by Gov. Charlie Crist to the Florida high court in Sept. 2008. He is widely respected and has been in public life for most of his life and the Yale Law School graduate has been absent of any negative public gaffes or embarrassments while in office.

What do we know about his finances?

Canady through Jun. 28 2012 had a net worth of $453,000 and he lists $100,000 in household goods. A home in Lakeland is worth $310,000, there is $168,000 in savings, a deferred income account has $94,300 and a bank account has $28,200 in it. He owes Wells Fargo $154,700, a car financing company wants $8,560 and his only income was $155,574 as a jurist and he lists receiving no gifts over $100.00.

>>> Court webpage bio: Justice Charles Canady was born in Lakeland, Florida, in 1954. He is married to Jennifer Houghton, and they have two children. He received his B.A. from Haverford College in 1976 and his J.D. from the Yale Law School in 1979. Justice Canady practiced law with the firm of Holland and Knight in Lakeland from 1979 through 1982. He practiced with the firm of Lane, Trohn, et al., from 1983 through 1992. From November 1984 to November 1990, Justice Canady served three terms in the Florida House of Representatives, and from January 1993 to January 2001, he served four terms in the United States House of Representatives. Throughout his service in Congress, Justice Canady was a member of the House Judiciary Committee. For three terms, from January 1995 to January 2001, Justice Canady was the Chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution. Upon leaving Congress, Justice Canady became General Counsel to Governor Jeb Bush. He was appointed by Governor Bush to the Second District Court of Appeal for a term beginning November 20, 2002. On August 28, 2008, Justice Canady was appointed to the Florida Supreme Court by Governor Charlie Crist and took office on September 8, 2008. >>> Attorneys or law students interested in clerkships in this office should check our Law Clerk Recruitment Page. There also is information on Internships. All inquiries about this page: publicinformation@flcourts.org NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC: The Code of Judicial Conduct governing behavior by judges forbids the Justices of the Florida Supreme Court to discuss pending cases with the public. Please do not call the Court expecting to speak with a Justice about any case. If you have a comment to make, please mail it to the Clerk’s Office at 500 S. Duval St., Tallahassee FL 32399. http://www.floridasupremecourt.org/justices/canady.shtml

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY

>>> Issue of absentee ballot manipulation finally on the front burner with busting of local ballot collector Deisy Cabrera, it has been going on for years

The recent scandal of people handling and getting absentee ballots signed by voters by a group of absentee ballot brokers in Miami-Dade has been the hidden but known secret of many political campaigns. And while the request for absentee ballots started as a trickle 12 years ago, it has now turned into a torrent and the controversy is commingling with both the Miami-Dade mayoral race that is pitting incumbent Mayor Carlos Gimenez against Commission Chair Joe Martinez, as well as state Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle. Who has now recused herself from the investigation and has asked Gov. Rick Scott to appoint another state prosecutor to handle the case since she is up for election as well and is facing fellow Democratic Party challenger Rod Vereen. The issue has exploded into the public domain after a private investigator alerted authorities after seeing some absentee ballots in the hands of these absentee ballot brokers. http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/08/03/2930855/inside-the-shady-world-of-ballot.html

At a debate on Tuesday at the Downtown Bay Forum hosted by WPLG Channel 10 senior political reporter Michael Putney, the two leading mayoral candidates sparred on a variety of issues but when it came to this absentee voting irregularity. Both men said they did not support this type of activity and in the case of Gimenez. He had asked his political operatives to sign a notarized document stating they did not hire the woman now under arrest for a felony. Martinez noted the only way for this to end was to get the state legislature to ban the issuance of a list of people that had requested absentee ballots, allowing these ballot brokers to go to these voter’s locations and try to gin up the absentee ballot vote turnout for one candidate over another.

What about any protests?

Denny Wood also a mayoral candidate held a peaceful protest outside of the meeting’s location believing Putney is excluding the other candidates from getting their message out. He believes he and Helen Williams, Edna Diaz, Gary Johnson, and Farid Khavari also on the Aug. 14 ballot should have been able to state their case as well. And in the case of Williams, a mayoral candidate in 2008 who got around 35 percent of the vote when she ran against incumbent Carlos Alvarez (Who would later be recalled in March of 2011). She was allowed to speak to the audience of around 120 people and Forum host Annette Eisenberg said that was because Williams had contacted her in a polite way, versus Wood who has been sending out mass email blasts railing against the organization and Putney’s handling of these mayoral debates.

Gimenez

Martinez

>>> GMCVB press release: RECORD ARRIVALS AT “THE NEW MIA” (MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT) FOR THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 2012

Passenger arrivals at MIAMI International Airport (MIA) increased in the first six months of 2012 with international passenger arrivals up +8.2% and domestic arrivals up +5.6% when compared to the same time period last year. Total arrivals increased in the first six months of 2012 by +6.9%.

INTERNATIONAL MIA Passenger Arrivals
January – June 2012 January – June 2011 % Change
4,814,045 4,447,741 +8.2%

DOMESTIC MIA Passenger Arrivals
January – June 2012 January – June 2011 % Change
5,252,260 4,972,512 +5.6%

TOTAL MIA Passenger Arrivals
January – June 2012 January – June 2011 % Change
10,066,305 9,420,253 +6.9%

MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

>>> Board votes 7 to 2 to seek $1.2 billion capital bond, education and robust oversight critical ingredients for passage

With the Miami-Dade School Board voting 7 to 2 to see if the nation’s fourth largest school district will ask for state Department of Education approval to see if countywide voters will approve a $1.2 billion bond for capital improvements of the around 350 schools. The dye is set. The public school district in 1988 passed a similar almost $1 billion bond that runs out in 2017, and this new paper if sold will be serviced until 2050. And school Board Member Marta Perez elected in 1998 and saw how some of the past bond proceeds were spent. On Wednesday at the school board meeting she said the oversight of the money if approved should include a “Big magnifying glass” when it came to outside oversight and the money was ripe for plundering, if it was not managed and watched carefully she said. The board and citizens supporting the bond said if not addressed now, the deferred maintenance would only cost more in the future. They note interest rates have never been lower and with the down economy would be a shot in the arm to the construction industry, and with over half the schools over 50-years old. These facilities need attention, since state funding is not keeping up and in recent years has been totally eliminated, with some of this money going to the charter schools around the state of which Miami-Dade has 103 such schools.

What happened when the board discussed using school facilities for political events?

School board members Marta Perez and Renier Diaz de la Portilla had a sharp exchange at the board meeting when it came to schools being used for political events after First Lady Michelle Obama used one recently. And the event set off a firestorm on the board even though the presidential campaign paid around $2,300 in rent and got the necessary insurance required by the school. Since then Diaz de la Portilla and Board member Carlos Curbelo have suggested the modification of the school board rule concerning who can use public school facilities and the discussion by the board is continuing and is going back to a board committee for further hashing out in September. However, after the harsh exchange from the dais, long serving Board Chair Perla Tabares Hantman once again shut the bickering down. She then expressed her dismay that the comments that had gone back and forth from the two members had gotten so personal on the board, and the matter was ultimately tabled with no further discussion. After Board Attorney Walter Harvey suggested caution in continuing the discussion at the dais.

Diaz de la Portilla

Curbelo

Hantman

Perez

What do we know about the finances of Diaz de la Portilla and Perez?

Diaz de la Portilla through Dec. 2011 had a net worth of negative $135,350 and he lists $40,000 in household goods. There is $1,500 in a checking account, and his liabilities include owing Honda $20,000, Sallie Mae wants $125,400 for student loans and U.S. Century Bank is owed $21,450. His income for the year was $10,000 from his law practice, the school board kicked in $35,600 and DeMattress Inc. contributed $2,500.

Perez through Dec. 2011 had a net worth of $2.13 million and has $60,000 in household goods. Her home is valued at $360,000, an IRA has $288,000 in it, there are investments valued at $525,000 and $200,000 and a portfolio of stocks is worth $909,000. Perez lists her only liability a credit line owed $7,850 and her income for the year was $27,181 from the school district and there was $29,731 in dividends and interest.

>>> Press release: At today’s meeting, the School Board of Miami-Dade County approved taking the first step to request authorization for the issuance of a $1.2 billion General Obligation Bond. Prior to placing the issue before the voters, approval by the Florida Department of Education must be secured. Approval by the voters of the General Obligation Bond is essential to the District as it seeks a more sustainable solution to its financial capital shortfall. The District’s capital needs have been an ongoing priority for the current district administration and a recurring topic of concern for Board members. Over the last 7 years, the District has made great strides to build new and replacement schools district-wide, in anticipation of the full implementation of the class size mandate. In total, the District delivered over 100,000 new student seats.

Yet, despite this sizable effort, almost 50 percent of the District’s facilities are over 40 years old, and almost one third are over 50 years old. The downturn in the real estate market over the last five years and the resultant steady decrease in the District’s capital revenues have made it nearly impossible for the District to address the mounting needs of the aging inventory in a way that is meaningful and sustainable. Voter approval of the bond is considered critical in resolving the problem of inequality and safety in our schools. The proposed bond referendum is based on six principles, including: achievement of district-wide infrastructure improvements; a guarantee of technology equity across schools; involvement of stakeholder input and decisive participation while minimizing the taxpayer burden; promoting greater public/private partnerships; providing for economic development; and transparency and confidence through a citizen’s advisory and oversight committee. Superintendent of Schools Alberto M. Carvalho made a guarantee of 100 percent local reinvestment of funds.

PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST

>>> Belt tightening hitting all hospital systems, JHS likely the hardest hit with hundreds of millions in reduced Medicare & Medicaid payments in months ahead

With healthcare costs rising nationwide from around $2.5 trillion in 2009 to an estimated $4.3 trillion in 2018, the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is putting pressure via reimbursement rates to health canters and even healthy hospital systems are feeling the fiscal pinch. Jackson Health System JHS) is being hit to the tune of tens of millions in reduced Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement rates and while a recent ruling by federal health administrators bumped about $2 billion in payments in the Oct. 1 federal budget. >>> http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-08-02/hospitals-to-get-2-billion-medicare-payment-increase-next-year >>> http://www.medpagetoday.com/PublicHealthPolicy/Medicare/34047 The cuts are rippling through local hospital health systems in South Florida and driving reorganizations through some of the biggest health systems including the University of Miami, Baptist Health South Florida (that did $172. 3 million in charity and uncompensated care in 2011) and internal belt tightening is the word of the day.

And JHS is the biggest loser with the new payment reductions while trying to give over $1 billion in charity and bad debt healthcare last year. And South Florida overall gives around $2.4 billion in charity care and bad debt healthcare in a year. And in the case of JHS, there is potentially up to a $350 million hit in lost federal and state funding at risk in the years ahead, adding further fiscal challenges to a health system that lost $420 million over the last three-years, and generally has only 20 days or less of cash on hand. Further while the U.S. Supreme Court has settled the matter constitutionally, though slightly modified. The patient’s individual payment mandate did survive the high court challenge and the legislation’s enactment is moving forward. But has Gov. Rick Scott saying state Medicaid programs will not be expanded claiming Florida cannot handle the new financial burden in the coming years.

The federal government would cover Medicaid costs in states under the new federal legislation if expanded fully, but that reimbursement rate drops to 95 percent in 2017, goes to 94 percent in 2018 and to 90 percent by 2020. The reduced funding also includes the ultimate elimination of a federal program that allows states to draw down increased federal funding for healthcare costs. This funding is then divided up around a state’s hospitals but primarily going to public hospitals like Jackson that is also the prime contributor of dollars to priming and making this past federal drawdown possible. And in the case of Jackson Health System, where 40 percent are Medicaid patients, this loss of federal funding could be around $100 to $150 million and this federal money will be diverted to other states around the nation to bolster the expansion of Medicaid programs but the current program is eliminated. http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/06/29/2874460/gov-rick-scott-says-he-likely.html >>> http://www.mbfhealthcarepartners.com/public/go.php/action=news_briefs_full/id=78

Further, in Florida, around $21 billion is spent on Medicaid, that is 30 percent of the state’s $70 billion budget, and these costs are competing with funding Florida public schools, that for the moment have taken a back seat to healthcare. But there is mounting pressure to reign in these rising costs and public and private hospital systems are trying to thread the needle of staying in the black while adjusting to the new medical reality that bases hospital reimbursement rates on successful patient care and outcomes and financially punishes hospitals that have poor medical outcomes where patients need further follow-up or have high patient readmissions.

Moreover, in the case of South Florida and Miami-Dade residents, there is a significant ripple effect since an estimated 600,000 residents do not have health insurance and that has created the highest healthcare costs in the nation. Making the Miami-Dade Public Schools District the single largest payer of these medical expenses since there are about 60,000 people in the institution’s self-insured health system that paid around $360 million last year and except for teacher’s salaries. This health insurance cost is the second highest expense the nation’s fourth largest public schools district has in its well over $3 billion budget. http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/06/28/2872349/some-south-florida-healthcare.html

>>> JHS Pediatric Cardiac program only gets one year extension, loss of physicians, funding and staffing cuts, and low surgical volume cited by CMS

While Carlos Migoya, the President and Chief Executive of Jackson Health System was cited for his “outstanding leadership role” since taking over Jackson Health System (JHS) in the spring of 2011. The Florida Children’s Medical Services (CMS) Cardiac Subcommittee has concluded “unanimous approval” to continue JHS as a “CMS Pediatric Cardiovascular Center facility for an additional year,” wrote Steven L. Harris, M.D., the state’s Health Officer for Children’s Medical Services in a letter to Migoya sent Jul. 20. Harris said the one-year extension instead of the traditional three years of certification was due to “a number of concerns.” The state oversight physician wrote that with the “departure of Dr. Marco Ricci,” it leaves only one pediatric cardiac surgeon at the facility and a priority should be the “recruitment of a second pediatric cardiac surgeon.

Harris also cites “the highly documented” funding and staffing cuts at Jackson and the University of Miami Miller’s Medical School in the media as another reason and there is also concern of the “loss of the leadership role of Dr. Steven Lipschultz,” an internationally known pediatric cardiologist. And finally, he notes the number of cardiac surgeries on children done last year “barely meets the minimum requirement of 150 such procedures in a 12 month cycle,” wrote Harris. The regulator wrote that near the end of this year’s approval, there will be “a repeat site visit.” Harris wrote the goal at that time after this next review “would be to achieve a three-year approval of this Pediatric Cardiovascular Center, Harris closed.

>>> Press release: Joshua D. Lenchus, D.O., R.Ph., FACP, SFHM, was recently named president of the medical staff at Jackson Health System. In this capacity, Dr. Lenchus will be charged with representing the nearly 2,500 physicians, licensed independent practitioners, and allied health professionals to the chief executive officer, Carlos A. Migoya, and his leadership team. Dr. Lenchus assumes this position following Michael Barron, M.D., FAHA, a cardiac anesthesiologist who has completed a successful four-year term. “Dr. Barron has left big shoes to fill, and I intend to work as tirelessly as he did,” said Dr. Lenchus.

Dr. Lenchus is an associate professor of clinical medicine in the division of hospital medicine at the University of Miami (UM) Miller School of Medicine, an associate program director of the Jackson Memorial Hospital (JMH) internal medicine residency training program, and the associate director of the UM-JMH Center for Patient Safety. He also pioneered a training program which, to date, has trained more than 1,100 medical students, nurses, and house staff to more safely perform invasive bedside procedures. Dr. Lenchus, 42, is the youngest physician, as well the first osteopath, to be elected to this position in Jackson’s 94-year history. JMH is the flagship facility of the Jackson Health System and primary academic partner with the UM Miller School of Medicine. This safety net, urban, tertiary-care, international referral hospital has more than 1,500 licensed beds, serves the 3 million residents of Miami-Dade County, and is the teaching institution for the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. As Dr. Lenchus begins his eighth year as an attending physician for the Miller School, he is more committed than ever to providing excellent care at Jackson and leading his colleagues in this effort. “I am dedicated to the continued and strengthened partnership between UM and Jackson, and will be responsive and visible to all medical staff members,” he said.

>>> Press release: Miami Home Health Care Agency Owner Pleads Guilty In $42 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme

The owner and operator of a Miami health care agency pleaded guilty today for his participation in a $42 million home health Medicare fraud scheme, announced the Department of Justice, the FBI and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Eulises Escalona, 43, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Joan A. Lenard to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud. In addition, as part of his plea agreement, Escalona agreed to forfeit to the government two residential properties and cash proceeds of the fraud contained in several bank accounts. According to the court documents, Escalona was the owner of Willsand Home Health Inc., a Florida home health agency that purported to provide home health care and physical therapy services to eligible Medicare beneficiaries… From approximately January 2006 through November 2009, Escalona and his co-conspirators submitted approximately $42 million in false and fraudulent claims to Medicare and Medicare paid approximately $27 million on those claims. >> The plea was announced by U.S. Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer of the Southern District of Florida; Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division; Jeffrey C. Mazanec, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Miami Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Christopher Dennis of the HHS Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), Office of Investigations Miami Office… Since its inception in March 2007, the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, now operating in nine cities across the country, has charged more than 1,330 defendants who have collectively billed the Medicare program for more than $4 billion. To learn more about the Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Action Team (HEAT), go to: www.stopmedicarefraud.gov.

CITY OF MIAMI

>>> Will Chalk’s Airways after 2005 fatal crash, emerge to fly another day? MESA Board cool on preliminary introduction

The Miami Sports & Exhibition Authority (MSEA) staff is in preliminary talks with the possible new owners of the contract with Chalks Airline owners when it comes to flying out of Watson Island. But the MSEA board members just wanted to know who the new people were after years of litigation by the past owner with the city since the first crash in 2005 closed down the seaplane service. The crash in Biscayne Bay that killed the passengers and crew ended the service of the old decades Mallard seaplanes and the city and the company since flying was stopped. The two parties have been in court with the airlines owner and Miami suing each other with mixed legal rulings over the years, that included judges changing and the over turning of one past court decision.

The MSEA board given the short notice wanted to hear more in the future but the idea the discussions with any new owner would continue the monthly rental on the prime waterfront site at $2,500 for the seaplane base seemed ludicrous to some members. Further Kevin Jones a Miami assistant attorney said there was $160,000 in past rent money in a account with the Miami-Dade Clerk’s office and legally the city is going to the Third District Court of Appeal and are “now awaiting a new trial,” said Jones. Mayor Tomas Regalado said that while there were “new developments” and that “They are buying the lease” The contract was a “bad deal 35-years ago,” and that should not stand and the item was brought up just to “hear what they have to say.” However, the mayor said the thrust of any new deal going forward was to get the property back or too “get rid of the current operator,” said Regalado.

>>> Commissioner Sarnoff on verge of deal with Burn Notice to stay, could include explosive ending

Commissioner Marc Sarnoff who represents District 2 appears to have brokered a deal with the popular television show Burn Notice that has its set in the Coconut Grove Convention Center for the past six years. The commissioner elected in 2006 had wanted to evict the production facilities inside the building that had been rehabilitated after past Manager Joe Arriola shut down the building because of unsafe structure issues years ago. Moreover, the show does many parts of the location shots in Coconut Grove and around Miami and Miami Beach in general and it has a worldwide audience that showcases South Florida and brings in tens of millions in residual revenues to the local communities.

However, Sarnoff has been getting pressure to tear down the structure and make the waterfront area next to city hall a park but he apparently has reached a agreement to let the production stay another last year. He is also asking for the production to demolish the site at the end saving hundreds of thousands of dollars. However, that explosive ending to the CIA spy show would only happen if FOX Television renews the show for another year and that is expected to be known sometime in September. Further, after Sarnoff suggested throwing out the show at a recent Commission meeting a landslide of emails came into Miami Manager Johnny Martinez’s office to the tune of around 1,500 messages asking him and the commission to save Burn Notice at the Center for another year.

CITY OF MIAMI BEACH

>>> Will Miami Beach become another Atlantis with Global Warming?

Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club Meeting Date: Tuesday, August 7th, 2012
Meeting Time: 8:30 AM Meeting Place: New Location: David’s Café One, Corner of Collins Ave. and 11th Street, South Beach – The effect raising sea water – brought on by climate change – will have on our barrier island (Miami Beach) will be the topic at the August 7th meeting of the Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club. Dwight Kraal, a retired engineer and member of the Miami Beach Capital Improvements Oversight Committee, and Capt. Dan Kipnis, a member of the Miami-Dade Climate Change Advisory Task Force and Chairman of the Economic, Social, and Health Committee, will share their concerns over the Miami Beach Storm Water Master Plan and other related climate change issues. Both men question the wisdom of building a wall around Miami Beach, as planned. Recent data indicates that seawater is rising faster than anticipated, and if so, this could cause serious problems for Miami Beach in the near future. There is no charge for attending and everyone is welcome. David Kelsey, Moderator for the Breakfast Club.

CITY OF CORAL GABLES

>>> When it comes to $1.2 billion bond for public schools, Rotarians give spit decision, education and oversight will be key to any passage

The Watchdog Report was the featured speaker on Thursday at the Coral Gables Rotary Club Luncheon at the Coral Gables Country Club and the membership is significant for a civic organization that brings members together for community fellowship and making a contribution. I talked about what I did, how I got into this since the 1990s, but I did ask for a show of hands of those in favor of the Miami-Dade County School District floating a $1.2 billion bond for voter approval. And the hands going up were fairly equal in support or not and shows how close this issue will be with countywide voters. If there is not an extensive education on the matter, explicit details about what will be done for the schools. And that there will be a robust public oversight board to watch over where these potentially new public tax dollars are going over the term of the bonds life that ends in 2050.

>>> OTHER STORIES AROUND FLORIDA

BROWARD COUNTY

>>> Mayor Rodstrom says sayonara at dais since 1992, wife running to replace him faces two challengers in closed primary race

John Rodstrom, Jr., 60, the Broward County Commissioner termed out in 2012 but the county’s current mayor is in the spotlight this week and his wife Charlotte is trying to fill his spot on the nine-member commission dais. He is an investment banker and bond salesman over the decades for a variety of municipalities and counties and he has sold bonds even to the Miami-Dade Expressway Authority over the years. He has been a fixture on the dais since 1992, he represents Commission District 7 and was caught for years in the middle of the Hollywood International airport runway expansion controversy, and he has gotten some critical ink. For some of the votes he has taken while in office. However, the Columbia University educated and NSU law graduate has tried to bring a business sense to the county’s $3 billion budget and he has made his imprint on county government over these years and has been considered a steady hand on the dais.

What do we know about his finances?

Rodstrom through June 2012 had a net worth of $2.12 million and he lists $100,000 in household goods. His home is worth $1.1 million, a property in North Carolina is valued at $305,000, there is $13,100 in cash, he owns a wide variety of securities and he owes Bank of America $370,802. His income for the year was $225,000 from Stern Agee and Broward County kicked in $92,210.

Rodstrom bio: http://www.broward.org/Commission/District7/Pages/About.aspx

What about the Commission Dist. 7 race?

His wife Charlotte is a municipal commissioner with Ft. Lauderdale and she is stretching her wings with this run but she is facing Democratic challengers in the closed primary race. Former Broward Commissioner Ken Keechl is running as well as Tim Ryan against her and a recent legal challenge to open up the election to Republicans and Independents was thrown out of court because of the issue of two write in candidates with ties to Keechl and Ryan. http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/fl-primary-lawsuit-dismissed-20120803,0,3049338.story

PALM BEACH COUNTY

>>> Commissioner Abrams in the spotlight, came after past political purge, had $310,000 net worth through 2011

Steven L. Abrams, the vice chair of the Palm Beach Commission is in the spotlight this week and he is up for reelection in 2014. The man is the former mayor of Boca Raton and left that office after term limits in 2008 kicked in. He was first appointed to the county commission in 2009 after a member quite due to a scandal and he has served without major controversy since then.

What do we know about his finances?

Abrams through Dec. 2011 had a net worth of $310,056 and his home is valued at $177,977. He has $38,000 in a bank account, there is $85,000 in securities and CDs and a 2007 Volvo is worth $14,700. His only liability for the year was $12,950 owed to Wells Fargo and his income was $92,090 as a county commissioner.

Abrams

>>> Web bio: Steven L. Abrams currently serves on the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners as vice chairman. He was appointed to represent District 4 in 2009 and was subsequently elected in 2010 without opposition to a full four-year term. Commissioner Abrams has a lengthy record of public service. Abrams is the former mayor of Boca Raton, elected in 2001 and re-elected in 2003 without opposition and in 2005 with the most votes in city history. He was named mayor emeritus when he stepped down in 2008 due to term limits. The commissioner also served five terms as a city council member in Boca Raton from 1989 to 1999 and was a member of the city’s Planning and Zoning Board between 1987 and 1989. http://www.pbcgov.com/countycommissioners/district4/biography.htm

ROYAL PALM BEACH

>>> Press release: Royal Palm Beach Man Sentenced to 33 Months for Tax Fraud Involving First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit
Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and José A. Gonzalez, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division (IRS-CI), announced that Gregory J. Salgado, Jr., 40, of Royal Palm Beach, FL was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge Kenneth A. Marra to 33 months in prison, to be followed by one year of supervised release following his conviction on tax fraud charges. Salgado was also ordered to pay $188,108.38 in restitution. Salgado previously pled guilty to one count of filing a false personal tax return with the Internal Revenue Service in violation of Title 26, United States Code, Section 7206(1); and to one count of preparing and filing a false tax return with the Internal Revenue Service for another taxpayer, in violation of Title 26, United States Code, Section 7206(2). The total tax loss to the United States was $570,000.

On January 23, 2012, an eight-count indictment was unsealed, charging that Salgado filed false income tax returns for himself and his clients in which he fraudulently claimed the First-Time Home Buyer Credit (FTHBC) and other tax credits and deductions. The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (the Act) established a refundable tax credit for first-time homebuyers equal to 10 percent of the purchase price, up to $7,500, for home purchases completed in 2008. Under the Act, the taxpayer is required to repay the credit interest free over 15 years. According to court documents, Salgado filed a personal income tax return for the tax year 2008 in which he falsely claimed the FTHBC of $7,500 even though he knew that he was not entitled to the credit because he had not purchased a home in 2008. In addition, Salgado operated a tax return preparation business in West Palm Beach in 2009, where he prepared tax returns and electronically filed them for his clients, usually for a fee of $175 per return. Salgado filed false tax returns for his clients for the tax year 2008 by entering fabricated information to support false claims that the taxpayers were entitled to claim the FTHBC and other credits and deductions and without supporting documentation from the taxpayer. Other credits and deductions falsely claimed by Salgado on his clients’ returns included the earned income tax credit, business expenses, home mortgage interest, gifts to charity, unreimbursed employee expenses and medical and dental expenses.

According to court documents filed in connection with his guilty plea, after numerous taxpayers received letters from the IRS requesting proof that the taxpayers had in fact purchased a home in 2008 to support their claim for a FTHBC, these taxpayers brought the IRS correspondence to Salgado, who promised to provide support to the IRS that would allow the taxpayers to keep the credit. On at least 21 occasions, Salgado then mailed to the IRS a fictitious Bank of America letter stating that the taxpayer was “approved” for a mortgage, in an attempt to convince the IRS that the taxpayer had purchased or was purchasing a home and was entitled to claim the credit. As Salgado knew, that letter was false and there was no home purchase and therefore no basis for those taxpayers to claim the credit. Through this scheme, between January 2009 and May 2009, Salgado submitted more than 75 tax returns that included false claims for the FTHBC. >>> Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Jorgensen. 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.

PALM BEACH GARDENS

>>> CFO Jeff Atwater Announces Additional Charges for Palm Beach Gardens Ponzi Schemer

Press release: Florida Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater announced today the filing of additional charges against convicted Ponzi schemer Joseph D. Ransberger, 49, for 105 counts of grand theft and money laundering. The new charges allege that Ranzberger, a former Palm Beach Gardens insurance agent, conducted a Ponzi scheme to defraud premium finance companies out of more than $1 million dollars in premium finance loans. A premium finance company is a lending institution that finances insurance premiums for a fee. “Career scam artists undermine the intent of insurance coverage and put businesses at risk for their own personal gain,” CFO Atwater said. “Our fraud investigators will continue to track down these schemes and put the perpetrators behind bars where they belong.”

The Florida Department of Financial Services’ Division of Insurance Fraud (DIF) conducted an investigation after receiving a complaint by SIUPREM, a licensed premium finance company, which alleged Ransberger submitted over 100 fraudulent premium finance agreements in a 14-month period totaling more than $1 million. The applications contained misrepresentations regarding fake insurance policies, placed with Lloyd’s of London through International Risk Specialist Inc., a shell company established by Ransberger. These charges come as Ransberger is currently serving a one-year prison sentence for operating similar premium finance Ponzi schemes. He utilized the proceeds from these schemes to finance a lavish lifestyle for himself and his wife. The Palm Beach County Office of the State Attorney, 15th Judicial Circuit will be prosecuting the new charges against Ransberger. If convicted, he faces up to an additional 30 years in prison. Anyone with information about these or any other incidents of suspected insurance fraud is asked to call 1-800-378-0445. Citizens who provide tips can remain anonymous. The Department of Financial Services to date has awarded almost $275,000 to more than 40 citizens as part of its Anti-Fraud Reward Program. The program rewards individuals up to $25,000 for information that directly leads to an arrest and conviction in an insurance fraud scheme.

DUVAL COUNTY

>>> Press release: Gov. Scott Signs Bill to Designate Cecil Field as Florida’s Newest Spaceport

Continuing his focus on developing Florida’s aerospace and high-tech industries, Governor Rick Scott celebrated the addition of Cecil Field Spaceport to Florida’s aerospace infrastructure during a ceremonial signing of House Bill 59, passed by the Florida Legislature during the 2012 Legislative Session. “It is critical that we continue to focus on and invest in infrastructure projects that will directly benefit our state’s economy,” said Governor Scott. “Having Cecil Field designated as a spaceport will play a major role in the continued development of Florida’s aerospace and aviation industries and will continue to keep our economy heading in the right direction.”

House Bill 59 designates Cecil Field Spaceport and authorized any real property that is licensed by the FAA as a spaceport and designated as such by the board of directors of Space Florida as “spaceport territory” according to state statute. Space Florida is able to include Cecil Field Spaceport and any other designated state spaceports in its Spaceport Master Plan, which includes recommendations for infrastructure projects that meet current and future commercial, national, and state space transportation requirements. On June 8, 2011, the Space Florida Board of Directors enacted a resolution to adopt Cecil Field as a state spaceport territory to be named Cecil Field Spaceport. Prior to passage of HB 59, Florida law only designated two areas as spaceport territories: Cape Canaveral Spaceport and Eglin Air Force Base. According to Space Florida, the aerospace and aviation industry’s employment and economic impact to the State of Florida was $17.8 billion involving 3,891 companies, employing over 74,200 people with a $9.1 billion in total wages in 2010, the latest numbers available. In Duval, Nassau, St. Johns and Clay counties, the industry directly impacts 261 companies, employing over 6,781 people with more than $743 million in total wages.

COLUMBIA COUNTY

>>> Gov. Scott reappoint’s Marc A. Vann to the Lake Shore Hospital Authority of Columbia County.

Vann, 54, of Lake City, has been the vice president of Vann Carpet One since 1979. His community involvement includes serving on the Columbia County Economic Development Board, Columbia County Charter Review Commission from 2005 to 2006, and Columbia County Industrial Development Authority. Vann received a bachelor’s degree from Trevecca Nazarene University. He is reappointed for a term beginning August 01, 2012, and ending July 19, 2015.

MONROE COUNTY

>>> Commissioner Wigington in the spotlight, she is saying sayonara to dais, Clerk Kolhage will take her place on dais

Kim Wigington, the Mayor Pro Tem who represents Commission District 1 is in the spotlight this week and she has decided not to run after one term in office. She was first elected in 2008 and represented District 1, which includes voting precents Precincts 1-4, 10-12 in the Keys. While Monroe has only about 65,000 residents, the tony county swells in population during tourist season and has made Key West a tourist mecca. However, the county has also had to deal with the fragile environmental nature of the Keys and water and sewer issues have been a sticking point for much of the 2000s with a protracted political battle going on between past county leaders and the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority. A battle that was only resolved after a crucial state audit found outlandish salaries and benefits being given to FKAA senior management and uncovered in the Watchdog Report back then.

What do we know about her finances?

Wigington through Dec. 2011 had a net worth of $402,500 and she lists $5,500 in household goods. Her jointly owned homes are valued at $145,000 and $180,000, there is $72,000 in savings, she lists no creditors and her only income was $43,130 as a commissioner.

Wigington http://keysnews.com/node/40276 >>> http://www.keysnet.com/2012/07/27/466603/raises-get-cold-reception-with.html

Who is taking her place on the commission?

Danny L. Kolhage the Monroe Clerk is stepping down from that position and has won unopposed taking over Wigington seat in November, after no one else filed to qualify for the office prior to the closing deadline.

>>> Press release: After Meeting With NOAA Administrator Over Funding Possibilities For Aquarius, Ros-Lehtinen Says NOAA’s Plans To Move Away From Manned Ocean Exploration Will Cause Irreparable Damage To Vital Ocean Research

Today on Capitol Hill, Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), whose district includes the Florida Keys, along with her South Florida colleagues Mario Diaz-Balart and David Rivera, met with NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco regarding the future of Aquarius Reef Base. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss possible funding options, in light of the fact that the President did not provide funding in his budget nor did NOAA. Ros-Lehtinen came away from the meeting with a commitment from Administrator Lubchenco that she will explore all available options. For a picture of the meeting, click here.

Said Ros-Lehtinen, “I would like to thank Dr. Lubchenco for making herself available to meet with my colleagues and me. The issue at hand in trying to find other funding options to keep the Aquarius Reef Base operational is not an easy task, especially in these tough economic times of diminishing budgets. However, funding for Aquarius was not supported by the White House or by NOAA in their respective budgets, making the saving of Aquarius a more difficult task. NOAA’s plan to move away from manned ocean exploration in favor of robotic and sensor driven data will essentially be taking the humanity out of science, conservation and research and this will cause an irreparable damage to vital ocean investigations. The Aquarius Reef base is the world’s only remaining undersea research station that has supported over 124 missions and produced hundreds of scientific papers on a vast array of marine issues. While I am not in the business of giving false hopes, I am encouraged that Dr. Lubchenco will exhaust all options and if this doesn’t work out, then the private Aquarius Foundation will do all it can to save this unique and one of a kind underwater installation.”

COMMUNITY EVENTS

>>> Press release: PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE – The Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe will hold its monthly Board of Directors meeting at 8 a.m., Monday, Aug. 6, 2012 at 2555 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Fifth Floor, in Coral Gables.

The guest speaker will be Ellyn Bogdanoff (D-25), Florida State Senator and Executive Director of the Florida Association For Child Care Management. A longtime education and child advocate, Senator Bogdanoff has served 23 years as a volunteer in various charitable and community activities, and as an active member of the Broward business community. If you are unable to attend the meeting in person, you may join via teleconference by dialing (786) 389-5135 or (866) 502-2994, followed by the code 8 0 4 #. For more information about the Early Learning Coalition’s board meetings, or to learn more about citizen presentations and speaking before the board, email lpena@elcmdm.org.

>>> Yoga Basics 101 with Ana Magret -When: Saturday August 11, 2012 – 4:00pm-6:00pm Where: Zen Village, Main Highway, Coconut Grove – What: This workshop is for anyone that has wanted to try yoga but doesn’t know where to begin. Many aspects of starting a yoga practice will be addressed, such as: the meaning of yoga, the benefits of yoga, breathing, simple movements, and relaxation. Price: $35 per person or $60 for two people.

>>> Kristi House press release: Please mark your calendars! We hope you will join us for the 13th Annual Touch A Heart Dinner on Friday, November 2, 2012 at
the Four Seasons Hotel 7:00 p.m. Reception 8:00 p.m. Dinner For more information, please visit www.kristihouse.org or call: Bianca Fernandez – 305-547-6802 Mary Faraldo – 786-218-9748

>>> Press release: Registration Now Open for Miami-Dade Parks’ Summer Camps! Exciting Summer Camps are being offered by the Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department, June 11-August 17, 2012, at its parks around the County.

EDITORIALS

>>> When it comes to the cry for term limits, startling contrast from Miami-Dade County versus the School Board members

It dawned on the Watchdog Report recently that when it comes to term limits. The Miami-Dade County Commission has become the poster child of some kind of limit on the dais with voters, but in the case of the county school board, there has not been a peep in this regard. And the contrast may have happened because the past school board members have moved on over the years into retirement or other elected positions. And a fair number of them have sought, sometimes losing or winning higher office but they have moved on. Something that at the county level has not occurred and may be fermenting this call for some new blood on the 13-member body where this year the incumbents are facing a pack of challengers.

The school district, the second largest public institution with well over 10,000 more employees than the county has a primary role in the education of our young people and the Watchdog Report knows that while the county provides essential services, especially when it comes to public safety and fire rescue. Nevertheless, educating the young generations to come must also be the highest priority after life safety and this lack of term limits debate when it comes to the school board shows that something is different, despite the grim fiscal reality the public district faces. And the District and the school board must be doing something right for if they were not. Parents with pitchforks or bullhorns would be out side the administration offices protesting, but in the scheme of things, it has been calm at the school district. And county residents should reflect on why there is such a difference as they go to the polls. For this could be a change election if turnout is high, and voters have one question to ask themselves. Now that they did not run themselves, will they at least vote and be part of the Republic’s electorate or will they just grumble and do nothing, as so often has been the past.

LETTERS

>>> I would hope you would do some investigation before calling me a neophyte candidate. I have been an advocate for over 15 years on property rights and farming issues. I am an environmentalist and as a taxpayer. I am appalled at how this career politician (Dennis Moss) of 19 years has been misspending our taxes.

Alice Pena www.alicepena.com

>>> Please forward to all the people you know. Thanks. http://investmentwatchblog.com/facts-you-must-know-before-you-vote-for-miami-dade-mayor/

Farid Khavari, Ph.D.
Miami-Dade County mayoral candidate

>>> Dear Mayor and Commissioners: I would like all the current absentee ballots destroyed or rendered not accepted, And an absentee ballot of a different color mailed to voters. With instructions that the voter must mail such ballot back. The only middle person should be the mail carrier. Voters will understand this request and support it. They do not like corruption either. Very outraged.

Denny Wood, Mayor Candidate
www.dennywood.net
www.dignity4disabled.com

>>> Attached a link http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444840104577552823507551472.html to an article titled ” Remember Managed Care? It’s Quietly Coming Back”
and video clip to the same topic
http://live.wsj.com/video/health-insurers-erect-more-patient-hurdles/00207EE1-AEBD-4631-A6B8-78616EA417C1.html#!00207EE1-AEBD-4631-A6B8-78616EA417C1 highlighting the emergence of a new (old) policy by some of the U.S.’s biggest health insurers requiring doctors to get prior authorization before patients can get certain care. Managed care companies tried this in the 90’s and quickly backed off responding to political pressure and the fact that employers switched away from restrictive health-maintenance organizations. So what will be different now? Health insurers say today’s versions of 1990s strategies use new technology to focus closely on improving care as well as reining in expenses. United Health, for one, said it is using prior authorization “surgically” to counter “extreme variations in quality and cost.” But doctors are not sure how much things have changed. We must carefully monitor this new (old) development because it certainly will increase the workload in primary care practices WITHOUT receiving additional reimbursement.

Bernd Wollschlaeger, MD,
North Miami Beach

>>> I do not understand why the county (Broward) and FDOT (and many of the cities) allow broken bus stop signs and bus shelters along its roadways. Someone should fix and remove these hazards – Someone can be seriously hurt by sharp and rusting metal especially during Hurricane season. (When there will be flying debris). I realize governments are strapped for cash and have limited resources, personnel and funding…but public safety is at risk for pedestrians, auto drivers, and bus riders. Isn’t that what government is supposed to do – Protect Health and Safety!…and be responsible. I suspect, no one knows who or whom is responsible or who is in charge! Additionally, trees, landscaping, sidewalks are not being repaired in a timely fashion. How can someone who is a pedestrian or on bicycle, wheelchair user, or blind be expected to use these facilities (county, state, city). THE ADA and Federal and State law require MAINTENANCE of Traffic and Repair of these facilities…THIS is not happening!
There are hundreds of bus stop signs that are MISSING, damaged, loose, and in need or repair. There are approx 5,000 bus stops in Broward. Benches should not be blocking sidewalks! SOMEONE needs to pay attention to these critical, illegal, AND UNSAFE conditions! Thank you…. A concerned citizen

>>> LIFETIME FOUNDING MEMBERS & INITIAL SPONSORS IN 2000

ANGEL ESPINOSA – (Deceased) owner COCONUT GROVE DRY CLEANER’S
HUGH CULVERHOUSE, Jr.
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
FLORIDA POWER & LIGHT www.fpl.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
RON BOOK
LINDA MURPHY: Gave a new laptop in Oct. 2001 to keep me going.
WILLIAM PALMER
SHUBIN & BASS www.shubinbass.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
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP FOR HOMELESS www.cph.org
THE STATE OF FLORIDA www.myflorida.gov
GREATOR 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 www.miamidade.gov
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY ETHICS & PUBLIC TRUST COMMISSION www.miamidade.gov/ethics
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY INSPECTOR GENERAL www.miamidade.gov/ig
MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC SCHOOLS BOARD www.dadeschools.net
PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST & JACKSON HEALTH SYSTEM www.jhsmiami.org
THE BEACON COUNCIL www.beaconcouncil.com
THE CHILDREN’S TRUST www.thechildrenstrust.org
THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY LEAGUE OF CITIES www.mdclc.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 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 600 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 www.watchdogreport.net
Est. 05.05.00
Copyright © of original material, 2012, 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 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 >>> 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.
********************************************************************
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 To contact the Publisher please e-mail watchdogreport1@earthlink.net