Watchdog Report Vol. 16 No.4, June 14, 2015 EST. 05.05.00 I go when you cannot – Celebrating 16 years of weekly publishing

CONTENTS

Argus Report: NEW NOAA technology better at showing storm Surge areas of Hurricanes, says Dir. Knapp, Ph.D.

Florida: Florida Legislature comes up with solution to LIP federal funding after legislative stalemate past few weeks will split $1 billion among the state’s charity care hospitals including Jackson where fiscal blow was softened by local legislators says PHT President Migoya

Miami-Dade County: Mayor Gimenez arguing he should be on MDX Authority since his office hears the complaints of residents  on toll increases passed by a freeway citizen board appointed by commissioners and governor.

Public Health Trust: JHS system dodges LIP bullet as Legislature comes up with compromise splitting some $2 billion in low income charity care pool but federal program ending. — BCC approves $26 million in revenue bonds, and is part of financing $630 million in improvements for the public hospital system that has an ageing infrastructure campus

City of Miami: When Campaign signs can go up causing debate in Dist.2 race could be Aug.3, but Miami Elections Dept. maven Dania checking with Dir. Of Code Compliance Office before final ruling

City of Miami Beach: Mayor Levine throws hat in ring seeking reelection, has taken job for a spin, what will termed out Commissioner Wolfson do with .$5 million in PAC? — Mayors band together against gambling – Extra County CDT funds cannot be used on Venetia Causeway construction

Broward County: Broward Charter Review committee should give IG ability to initiate investigations, let voters decide

Community Events: — Margulies Warehouse opens in Oct. Lotus House benefits, public students enter free the date draws closer to “Ethics in Education: A to Z” – the two day conference touching on controversial and critical issues in all levels of schools — COE Executive Director Joseph Centorino encouraged early registration today and noted the positive response received so far to the program. The conference, scheduled for May 1 and 2

Editorials: The City of Miami has to become more transparent, people and governments’ have to sue to get public records and gives Miami commissioners transparency black eye- Elected leaders perform better when media and public watches what they do

Letters: Grove preservationists get historic designation for home on St. Gaudens Street in South Grove

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ARGUS REPORT – Heard, Seen on the Street

NEW NOAA technology better at showing storm Surge areas of Hurricanes, says Dir. Knapp, Ph.D.

As of Jun. 1, 2015, it’s Hurricaine Season and while South Florida has been spared over the past few year’s officials at the National Hurricane Center on the campus of FIU are rolling out some new modeling maps that project storm surge coverage along the South Florida Coast. And Dr. Richard Knapp the director of the National Hurricane Center told attendees what new products and warnings the Center will have this year and it includes new local coastal Storm Surge maps allowing people to leave coastal areas under teh threat of flooding when the most damage of a hurricane comes, Knapp said. And he told the Crowd at the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon that the community cannot be “complacent,” when it came to these “weather events,” that had Hurricane Wilma hit us but that was “10 years ago,” he said, but Florida now has “one million new Floridians, “ who have come to the state since then,” he noted. And Irene White of FP&L, the director of External Affairs and Corporate Community outreach, said the Company since Wilma has spent “$2 billion in strengthening the electrical grid,” including for hospitals she said. She also noted this strengthening would assist in returning power sooner lessening the “damage to lives,” because of a “quicker restoration,” that includes “gas stations and pharmacies,” she said to the well-attended Chamber event last Wednesday at Jungle Island. And white closed saying” FP&L” was proud to be your electrical provider.” And for more on the new maps go to http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/experimental/inundation/ and here is an example of one such map.

Press release: Zogby: ‘F’ for Obama who ‘lost his base’ on trade deal, fumbled ISIS

John Zogby’s Obama Weekly Report Card is Featured in Paul Bedard’s “Washington Secrets” Published weekly in The Washington Examiner For a president trying to nail down his legacy, this week couldn’t have gone worse, or been more embarrassing for Barack Obama. Starting with a weak response to the ISIS terror gripping the Middle East and ending with the disaster on his trade deal, it was one the president would likely want to forget. Please click on the link below to view the full release: http://zogbyanalytics.com/news/593-zogby-f-for-obama-who-lost-his-base-on-trade-deal-fumbled-isis

On the well-being of our children. Visit The Children’s Movement website to read their stories and share your own. I find it unacceptable, as all of us should, that at least a half-million children in Florida – all citizens — have no health insurance. How could this be in our beloved country that seeks to be a beacon to the world? Health insurance for all children is one of the five major planks of The Children’s Movement. With the support of Florida Covering Kids and Families, The Children’s Movement is working with dozens of local partners to help build a meaningful signing-up initiative in more than a dozen Florida communities. Already we have: Completed 18 KidCare trainings around the state. Signed up, trained and deployed more than a hundred volunteers. Begun to build a growing collaboration between local school districts and KidCare outreach coalitions. It’s a good start, but only the start. If you’d like to become a volunteer, just click here. Another way to help is to make a contribution – of any size – to help support this work. It is easy. Just click here. A real movement isn’t possible without your helping in some meaningful way. Dave Lawrence, Jr., Chair the Children’s Movement.

Update: Two encouraging meetings… The first, a visit from the Governor to the Rainbow Intergenerational Child Care center in Little Havana where he discussed his early learning priorities. That includes his support for “Help Me Grow,” a statewide parent resource system where parents would be able — via phone and online — to get and she thought answers to questions about their child’s development and connected with the proper resources. The second, a meeting with future House Speaker, Rep. Jose Oliva from Hialeah. He’s a father of three, a real reader of history and student of policy, and committed to better understanding early learning. Dave Lawrence, Chair The Children’s Movement.

Three of the basics of building a real movement for all children:
• Nothing is more important than a caring and knowledgeable parent. (Know that 71 percent of American mothers with children between birth and age 5 work outside the home, meaning high-quality, brain-stimulating child care is a major necessity.)
• 85 percent of brain growth occurs by age 3.
• Early learning is a continuum between before birth and age 8. (“Families are the ultimate pre-pre-school,” wrote Clare Huntington in The New York Times last September, adding, “I don’t want to rain on the pre-K parade, but we can’t pretend that school preparation begins at age 4. Four is better than 5, but zero is better than 4.”)

All that brings to me to a Miami-Dade Public Schools initiative focused on the transition from child care to kindergarten. This week I spent time at the superb YMCA in Allapattah, a bit north of downtown Miami. I spoke with Drs. Maggie Abrahante and Marisel Elias-Miranda, two key people responsible for early childhood programs that the superintendent has made a priority in this nationally honored school system. They’ve put together an excellent handbook for parents of children headed for kindergarten, and also:
• Five retired school administrators with a special interest in early childhood already have met with 400 child care center directors to give them a sense of what school is all about and the expectations for children.
• Principals are meeting with center directors.
• Parents are offered superb neighborhood workshops, one of which I attended.
Wouldn’t that be smart to do in every school system?
Dave Lawrence
Chair
The Children’s Movement of Florida

The Children’s Trust of Miami-Dade County has released its 2014 Annual Report and the Trust continues its mission of preparing all children to be ready to perform in school and live in a safe healthy environment and funds $90.240 million in budgeted programs and services countywide and 18 percent of this money is used to ensure “children are healthy physically and emotionally,’ state’s the report. Further 19 percent of the budget goes to programs directed towards making sure “Children are ready to succeed when entering school, and another 34 percent goes to developmental programs that “Children are successful in school and society,” And 9 percent is spent on Administration and another 3 percent goes to “non-operating expenses,” state’s the Annual report for that year.

Governor Rick Scott Appoints Three to Children’s Trust Governing Board of Miami-Dade County

Press release: Today, Governor Rick Scott announced three appointments to the Children’s Trust Governing Board of Miami-Dade.

Tiombe Bisa Kendrick-Dunn, 41, of Miami, is a school psychologist for the Miami-Dade County School Board. She succeeds Roymi Membiela and is appointed for a term beginning June 12, 2015, and ending March 17, 2018.

Eveline Pierre, 44, of Miami, is the founder and executive director of the First Haitian Heritage Museum. She fills a vacant seat and is appointed for a term beginning June 12, 2015, and ending March 17, 2017.

Lileana de Moya, 58, of Coral Gables, is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the De Moya Foundation. She is reappointed for a term beginning June 12, 2015, and ending March 17, 2018.

Governor Rick Scott Appoints Daniel Diaz Leyva to Miami Dade College District Board of Trustees

Press release: Today, Governor Rick Scott announced the appointment of Daniel Diaz Leyva to the Miami Dade College District Board of Trustees.

Leyva, 35, of Miami, has been an attorney with Foley & Lardner since 2014. He was an attorney with Infante Zumpano from 2009 to 2014. He has served on the board of advisors for the University of Miami Institute for Cuban and Cuban American Studies since 2011, the Hispanic Business Initiative Fund Regional Council since 2012, and the Florida Health Choices Board of Directors since 2013. Leyva previously served on the CHARLEE Homes for Children from 2004 to 2013, and the Latin Builders Association Board of Directors from 2009 to 2011. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Miami in 2001, and his Juris Doctorate from St. Thomas University School of Law in 2004. He succeeds Jose Fuentes for a term beginning June 12, 2015, and ending May 31, 2018.The appointment is subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

State of Florida:


Florida Legislature comes up with solution to LIP federal funding after legislative stalemate past few weeks will split $1 billion among the state’s charity care hospitals including Jackson where fiscal blow was softened by local legislators says PHT President  Migoya.

The Florida legislature has reached a deal funding the federal Lower Income Pool (LIP) and the impact to Jackson Health System the most affected hospital given the  level of charity care it gives and local Channel 10 reports the impact will be about $10 million, a number the Trust could live with versus potentially some $200 million in reduced funding and  it is good news for JHS as it fiscally heals itself and now armed with a $830 million bond for upgrades and new IT called “Miracle,” and CEO Carlos Migoya has done a remarkable job turning around the health Trust since taking over in June 2010. http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/article20436915.html

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY

Mayor Carolos Gimenez is arguing he should be on MDX Authority since his office hears the complaints of residents on toll increases passed by citizen board approved by commissioners.

Mayor Carlos Gimenez is arguing that he should be on the Miami-Dade Expressway Authority since he is a strong mayor of Miami-Dade and his office gets the complaints from residents livid with some of the freeway toll increases levied by the independent transportation Authority, that Gimenez’s office says does not make information available easily and the issue came up when Michael Hernandez, the mayor’s media spokesman appeared on www.WLRN.org  Channel2/ Issues . H cites the isolation of MDX since there are no politicians on the board, just citizens that get confirmed by the County Commission. Further, Gimenez is said to not be looking for a tax millage increase given an expected county surplus. http://www.wpbt2.org/pressreleases/PR20140916IssuesReport.html

Gimenez is up for reelection in 2016 and the former Fire Fighter and Miami Manager has already raised some $1 million for his campaign war chest where he will likely face school Board Member Raquel Regalado for the strong mayor post he has held since 2011. And possible former Miami Mayor Xavier Suarez who has yet to announced his intentions but snipes from the dais at Gimenez.

A County Commission Committee debated the merits of the county giving county employees an “incentive” to become “U.S. Citizens,” and that would involve some “96 Citizenship clinics,” but Commissioner Rebeca Sosa said she had a problem with this since it is a “federal responsibility.” And she did not want to go into the budget hearings adding such “a new cost,” that should be covered by the “federal government,” noting citizenship ceremonies are expensive and she also was concerned it made it “partisan,” since it was not going to be “done countywide,” she objected during the discussion called “Cities for Citizenship Resolution.” The long serving Commissioner also noted the County’s lobbyist in Washington should lobby to get the funding, but it should not come out of Miami-Dade, she insisted.

What happened at Parcel B at the AA Arena on Saturday?

A mystery has been discovered by Glenna MIlberg of Channel 10.www.local10.com and the mystery is who has put up a chain linked  locked fence ( Which was done by the Miami Heat after an agreement with the County, and was unlocked for the picnic on Saturday) http://www.local10.com/news/mystery-fence-closes-off-promised-public-park/33556110  Parcel B behind the Miami Arena and was promised to be a park but has been used for a host of other activities including recent electric race car races when black top was used to cover the grass and activists on Saturday were planning to have a big community event there and dedicate the Park to the father of the Miami-Dade County’s Home Rule Charter, and strong public advocate for Parks and First Amendment  Rights, Attorney Dan Paul, who passed in 2010.

Miami Officials at the Bayfront Park Trust say it was not them when MIlberg of Channel 10 visited a while ago. She said the fence was not up and it is unknown if it was done because of the upcoming event? http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article24007723.html

But there has been a strong undercurrent by Park activists pushed by Urban Environment Leagues (UEL) Parks representative Gregory Bush that will not let this parcel go to any other use and it creates a dilemma for Miami-Dade Commissioner Audrey Edmonson, whose District includes the Park. But was indicated to voters it would be a Park on the county ballot question but was never followed through with over the years, and has become a staging area for the County’s AA arena on the bay in front of the parcel. And for more go to http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article24002659.html since these activists have once again put a spotlight on the matter.

County’s health self-insurance program making the targeted savings anticipated says, budget guru Moon to BCC committee

Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez during last year’s budget hearings proposed making the County’s health insurance program self-insured believing that some $40 million could be saved in the rising healthcare costs at the county. And County budget guru Jennifer Moon said the plan was on track and I contacted her after she made a presentation at a county commission committee meeting and she wrote back by email, “We are on target to achieve the savings we anticipated.  I tripped because the lady next to me put her foot out in front of me.  She didn’t know I was getting up.

What did Transportation Chair Estephan Bovo say to the members of the Citizens Independent Transit Trust last week? Bovo told the citizen Based board that he is working a number of ways the County might be able to have a connection going South but might also have a link to the MIC which is a major transit hub and people should not expect much in the way of federal funding for Washington doesn’t have money for this and expects communities to also have fiscal skin in the game that might include a tourist tax or making a transit area a CRA to help fund it and the community has two Congressmen well positioned on the Transportation Committee, U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz Balart, R-Miami and U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbello, R-Miami said Bovo but he noted the fiscal limitations the nation faces.

What about the County’s Library District?

Library District needs “innovation, to go from analog to digital,” says advocate and Knight Foundation

Lynn Summer’s a County Library Advocate noted the facilities need more “money” and libraries of “the future require innovation,” including dealing with “analog to digital,” and she noted while the District has all the old newspapers, these are on micro phish and not cataloged, she said.

She said one of the ways to get more money for libraries was to get more in “collections,” which is currently now around $3 million, but supporters want to get to “$5 million” in the upcoming budget year. Summer also noted the Libraries are also losing some “400 librarians,” in the future and these people are necessary in the coming years to make these changes. She said “The John S. and James L., Knight  Foundation,” had a recent symposium on libraries and “future libraries require innovation from analog to digital,” she said and asked :”Where are the letters of Iraq veterans going to be archived,?” she asked. And while last year’s budget  battle was bruising proponents are still putting pressure on County Hall where the South Dade Library, a “3,1000 sq.,” facility needs a new air conditioner but “costs $1 million,” that the District does not have since “some $40 million in District’s” reserves were raided by the commission last budget year to fill a shortfall with the County’s Fire Rescue Department that was facing layoffs but were averted with this new money but has let the large Library District in a lurch. When it came to maintenance of the facilities that is ranked seventh around the nation in similar systems, said Summers. It was also noted that four municipalities were excluded in the Library taxing (including Miami) District so that reduces the revenue coming in versus some other counties around the nation. And had Juan C. Zapata asking how these reserves “could be put in a lock box?” keeping commissioners hands off it in the future but that is difficult challenge for the 13 member commission, and while Summer’s  noted “While We have begun the turnaround,”  more needs to be done. And Commissioner Javier Souto during the discussion said again why are not local companies stepping up? “and these are huge companies” that “make so much money,” like the “Cruise lines and the airlines,” he said. Souto a former state senator and Representative said he pushed in the 1980’s for the state to fund more library funding in the Capital and he mused “What happened to philanthropy?” he questioned and this is not the first time Souto has looked to the private sector to help fill some budget gaps in county government “where the money is limited,” Souto closed when it came to the Library funding request of the administration in the future budget. However business leaders note they are taxed and should not be responsible for County Commission decisions and shortfalls on how they spend the community’s public tax dollars.

State Law allowing more public comments is working to make government more transparent and easier for public input

A law passed by the Florida Legislature to allow “a reasonable opportunity to speak,” is resulting in the public to speaking more often on a host of issues allowing more public input into municipal, counties and the school board discussions is working very well and public comments are bringing many issues be cut off and while elected leaders hate the new state law. It is having a positive affect when it comes to public discourse. And has made for a more open discussion with residents who are asking for their time and no longer have to wait for hours until their item is called sometimes almost all day, and while local lawmaker’s are not wild about this, it is working nicely and the public thanks the Florida Legislature for this new law.

TOP STORY: RECORD MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT ARRIVALS FOR JANUARY – APRIL 2015

GMCVB press release: During the months of January – April 2015, domestic passenger arrivals into Miami International Airport (MIA) increased by 6.2% compared to 2014. International passenger arrivals increased by 3.8% while total passenger arrivals increased 5.0% compared to the same time last year.

Record MIA Passenger Arrivals
International Arrivals
Jan. – April 2015 Jan. – April 2014 % Change vs. 2014
3,776,757 3,555,471 +6.2%
Domestic Arrivals
Jan. – April 2015 Jan. – April 2014 % Change vs. 2014
3,579,411 3,448,829 +3.8%
Total Arrivals
Jan. – April  2015 Jan. – April 2014 % Change vs. 2014
7,356,168 7,004,300 +5.0%

PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST

JHS system dodges LIP bullet as Legislature comes up with compromise splitting some $2 billion in low income charity care pool but federal program ending.

Jackson Health System was the big winner when the Florida Legislature compromised last week and committed $2 billion in state and federal funding for charity care hospitals around the state that receive Lower Income (LIP) Pool federal monies http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/miami-beach/article23914081.html   Though CEO Carlos Migoya notes this is only a one time fix (since the federal government is ending the program next year) though Migoya thanked local legislators for pulling together and avoiding the public health Trust with getting a bigger hit in the funding that could have really crippled Jackson’s ability to stay running in the black, given the massive charity care being given around some $ 500 million and only receiving some $350 million in public funds that has not kept up with the charity care number.

What about Migoya at the BCC?

PHT President Carlos Migoya gave a County Commission Committee an update on the Health Trust’s plans last week to open new clinics throughout Miami-Dade that currently includes the Doral area and one in Country Walk and on the upper Biscayne Blvd. And would include others throughout the County he said. Commissioner Rebecca Sosa inquired when one would be put her in her District and she noted some money for such a facility was put “in the 2002 $1.9 billion general obligation bond,” passed by voters. But Migoya noted he was aware of her desire and JHS is trying to target areas of need with also residents qualified for some sort of health insurance to make them financially viable, as other hospital system’s pop up with their own Clinics throughout the County.

CITY OF MIAMI

When Campaign signs can go up is causing debate could be Aug.3, but Miami Elections Dept. maven Dania checking with Dir. Of Code Compliance Office before final ruling

There has been some confusion when candidates can put out campaign signs if they are running for the commission and the Watchdog report contacted Dwight Dania in the Miami Clerk’s office and he runs Miami Elections and in an email last week. He wrote,” Good question….Miami 21 says: Miami 21 – Article 10.3.1 c.   Class A (political election Signs) No sign permit shall be required for political election Signs displayed on private property. Such political election Signs shall be permitted no earlier than three (3) months prior to the date of the election and removed within fifteen (15) days after the election. In Elections, we always count backwards from the Election Day.  When the increment of time is in days or hours, it’s pretty easy. When the increment is weeks and months, it gets a little tricky. My guess would be that a month before Nov. 3 would be Aug. 3.But… I’ll have to ask the Director of Code Enforcement the answer to this question.  I wouldn’t want to give any candidate a 2-day head start on putting up signs,” wrote the Miami Elections department maven, last week.

Former Miami Mayor Manny Diaz is taking to a higher profile now that he is an investor and board member of the local Company known as Eastern Airlines that has arisen from the companies” ashes said Edward J. Wegel, The President and CEO of Eastern Airlines Group, Inc. The featured speaker at the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon on Wednesday at Jungle Island.

Diaz who has been a Cambridge Don http://www.iop.harvard.edu/manny-diaz  teaching public policy the last few years, and he set up the development boom downtown with just over 90 condominiums being built under his watch with insufficient traffic infrastructure that is currently being experienced today.

Diaz after two terms in office was once considered a Democratic Party Florida gubernatorial candidate challenging GOP Gov. Rick Scott but that failed to Materialize for the attorney who first gained prominence in 2000 for being part of the team defending the young Elian Gonzalez, the Cuban boy Whose mother died on the passage from the Diaz an early Communist Nation and divided the community along ethnic lines back in 2,000.

Diaz was an early supporter of President Barack Obama along with Miami Commissioner Marc Sarnoff who cooled his support for Obama in 2012. But Diaz did a campaign ad for Obama in Spanish that ran back then and he was seen as effective for the incumbent president getting the Hispanic vote out important to winning South Florida. And checkout Diaz’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/FormerMiamiMayorMannyDiaz   And there was talk of Diaz going to Washington in Jan. 2008 in a new Obama administration but that failed to materialize given the man’s many business connections and past controversy including buying a house in the Grove with Miami Commissioner Johnny Winton and Miami Manager Jo Arriola who put up the money for the loan gotten in a very short time. But Diaz got a significant letter of “reprimand,” from the Miami-Dade Ethics Commission a few years ago for this activity and is part of his legacy,” while in office.

District 2 candidate Sarnoff says “I love to drive,” and will not use commission sergeant-of arms like her husband does.

“I love to drive,” said Teresa Sarnoff when I asked her if she was going to use the sergeant-of-arms like her husband does to take her around Miami very often and is a perk some commissioners over use since they do get a $11,00 car allowance in that position and it involves a sworn Miami police officer providing them protection. And first started back in the early 2000s when now deceased Miami Commissioner Arthur Teele, Jr. pushed the commission having these type of officials. After then Mayor Joe Carollo hired an Israeli security guard for himself, and Teele thought commissioner’s deserved the same protection staff. This is important because Commissioners use it sometimes like Uber to get around including going to a restaurant like Versailles which occurred a few month back when one commissioner was thinking about running for mayor and huddled with his advisors at the iconic Cuban Restaurant, but that story in the Watchdog Report back then did have the Miami Police Chief send out a revised SOP for the sergeants to follow and these officers use must now have some city business to be covered.

Public’s “reasonable opportunity to speak,” at public meetings is having results, and should be emphasized

Miami Commissioners and Chair Willy Gort needs to ask more often if there is anyone from the public that would like to speak to the commission because at Miami-Dade Public Schools Board Chair Perla Tabares Hantman asks all through their meetings if there is anyone from the public that wants to speak on any topic since the new state law requires more public input at from the “public that wants to speak? She asks and she is in stark contrast to the Miami commission meetings and Chair Gort should get some guidance on this matter. Since there is such a contrast versus the county where elected leaders ask often if any public wants to speak. And Gort also urges public speaking after they  run over two minutes, “and in conclusion” he reminds speakers which many times disrupt’ s the person’s train of thought  at the podium. http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2015/03/miami-commissioner-willy-gort-draws-a-challenger-in-reelection-campaign.html

Commissioners Gort and Suarez want more funding to keep Miami “clean of trash,”

Miami Commissioner Wilfredo Gort is also pushing a “Clean Miami,” proposal trying to get  young people and their parents to not litter and throw trash “out of a car window,” which someone would “get cited for in the past,” said Gort and just  makes the city look bad while clogging up storm drains and contaminating the Bay, he insisted. And Gort has an ally on the dais with commissioner Francis Suarez who “almost” voted “against last years,” budget because “there wasn’t taxes going to Beautification,” which he says residents want and deserve,” believing a “certain amount of their tax dollars [should] be invested for beautification,” he insisted last week on the dais at the commission meeting during a discussion by Gort on the matter that has Miami officials working with the schools to get the word out about not throwing trash in the public domain.

What about Miami’s bond holdings?

The City of Miami has some $200 million in bond holdings and the Signa Cyber Security guidelines after a breach a while ago was discussed by one of the board members and Cyber Security in a host of ways is becoming a major worry for municipalities.

What about the Miami Audit Committee?

PAST WDR: Because of the lack of appointments by the Miami commission the critical Audit Committee has not met in the “past year,” and commissioners need to make appointments to this critical oversight board for it also plays an important role in keeping the city on an even fiscal keel.

What about the other candidates for the Dist.2 seat becoming open?

Teresa Sarnoff has decided to knock on doors with her husband Miami Commissioner Marc Sarnoff who she wants to follow in his seat since he is termed out after eight years in the office and there is clearly voter fatigue for the man. Who comes off as irritating and has trouble connecting with people and could be the wife’s downfall in the crowded Dist.2 Miami Commission race with a host of challengers who just need to get 50.1 percent to prevail in the primary and the expected general election in late November and having a strong organization getting voters to the polls will be key to any victor.

And When it comes to the Miami Commission District 2 race things are very quiet and the Watchdog Report has seen a couple of candidates in my neighborhood or down at Miami Commission meetings, (That is changing and a couple of candidates were seen at Thursday’s Commission meeting.) but campaign reports show candidate Grace Solaris has raised some $118,820 (up from 57,680) to her likely challenger’s Teresa Sarnoff who has increased her war chest to $389,964., through April 2015. And she was seen knocking on doors in the South Grove last week where she was walking with some women volunteers wearing tee shirts so she is now doing traditional campaigning.

And in the District 4 race incumbent Miami Commissioner Francis Suarez is reporting $23,125 for his campaign and the younger Suarez is facing long time perennial candidate Manolo Reyes who has raised $70,710 and another challenger Antonio J. Diaz has $23,125 for his own campaign but Reyes has been trying to get elected for years. And there are gaps on who contributed this money and the only listed expense was $3,360and to read all the latest campaign reports go to http://www.ci.miami.fl.us/City_Clerk/Pages/Elections/CampaignReports15.asp

What about the Miami Charter Reform and Review Committee with Miami Commissioner Francis Suarez on it?

The City’s Miami Charter Review and Reform Committee has been meeting for months and for some of the members this is not the first time being on such a committee and some good discussion is going on, some that is fairly nuanced but there are number of things that need clarification in the Charter like who can fire the Miami Police Chief after the botched firing of a former Chief by a past City Manager a couple of years ago and perhaps a clarification in the Charter who the City attorney works for. The people, the commission or the mayor, for many of these municipal attorneys when asked who they work for they say for three votes on the commission. Further Miami Commissioner Francis Suarez wants to create a City Transportation Trust noting that the popular Trolley system is running out of money,” and the City needs to set aside general funds for funding, including “sea level hardening,” he said. And upkeep the Vice Chair of the MPO told Charter Review members and Suarez planned to bring the item to the commission in the future possible May 28. And Suarez, the Younger “wants to create a policy that we “set aside,” “monies,” for a “pay as you go basis,” for these needs as the booming city tax base increases but has created a traffic nightmare downtown where “some 200,000 people come to Miami,”  every day says the Miami DDA.

What about Past Committees?

Back in 1999 a charter Review committee chaired by Gort created ballot language that was written specifically to force then controversial Mayor Joe Carollo to run for reelection again which he won but it was a real eye opener to what can go on at such a committee which is not the case now.

CITY OF MIAMI BEACH

Mayor Levine throws his hat in ring seeking reelection, has taken the job for a spin, what will termed out Commissioner Wolfson do with .$5 million in PAC?

Wow, Miami Beach Commissioner Jonah Wolfson has raised $500, 0000 for his PAC called ‘Relentless for Progress,’ and much of it is coming from developers says the General circulation daileyhttp://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/miami-beach/article23914081.html  And Wolfson has been an enigma on the dais in some ways but he is termed out. But apparently still wants to keep his finger in politics that includes his wife a County Circuit Court Judge Andrea Wolfson elected again in 2012 to the bench but her husband at first would verbally battle it out when with then Mayor Matti Bower, who later lost reelection to Mayor Philip Levine who has announced he is running again as well and Levine has really taken the job for a spin becoming very active on the County’s MPO body. A regional transportation body pushing a form of Baylink mass transit to the Beach. And Levine again plans to self-finance his campaign, he says.

At a County Commission Committee meeting during a discussion by Commissioner Juan C. Zapata when he inquired of county budget people if that there was a “extra $3.5 million in CDT funds,” but he found out this money could not be used to accelerate such projects as the historic Venetian Causeway now to be closed for over a year and is making such events as Art Basil a nightmare to get to say critics.

Mayors ban together to fight gambling in Florida

Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado and Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine are linking up with other Florida mayors to fight the expansion of gambling in Florida and the state legislature is currently trying got come up with some deal but that seems unlikely

Mayor Levine press release: Dear Fellow Floridians and Friends,
Please click here to view the ad below, that I was honored to participate in with my fellow Mayors from Bradenton, Orlando, and Miami.

We must fiercely fight efforts in Tallahassee to STOP the expansion of gaming in Florida, especially in my home county of Miami-Dade. Gaming expansion will negatively affect our state’s good brand and quality of life. Don’t be fooled. Stand with us!
Sincerely,
Philip Levine
Mayor of Miami Beach

What about the Watson Island project the City of Miami wants to allow?

Beach residents are gearing up to fight the large project proposed by a local developer for Watson Island and has been delayed since voters approved it back in 1999 and was selected because they agreed to pay the highest fees back to the city back then but since then traffic on the MacArthur Causeway has ben horrendous and is becoming a nightmare that this new development would only make worse and the lawsuits are flying.

And had one Miami Beach City Attorney speaking at a Miami Planning and Zoning Board against it recently.

Broward County

Broward Charter Review committee should give IG ability to initiate investigations, let voters decide

The Broward County Commission has formed a Charter Review Committee and they should recommend that the County Auditor be allowed to initiate an investigation like it can be done in Miami-Dade County and while Commissioner Stacey Ritter modified some of that wording after the IG office was created by voters. The office needs the right to initiate investigations if the  new County Office  is to reach its full potential, but there are concerns that will not happen given commissioners picked the people on the committee and would not make the recommendation cut critics charge. For more go to:  http://www.broward.org/charter/Pages/Default.aspx

COMMUNITY EVENTS

KITTEN SEASON IS HERE! MIAMI-DADE ANIMAL SERVICES OFFERS RECOMMENDATIONS TO ENSURE THE BEST CHANCES OF SURVIVAL FOR KITTENS TOO YOUNG TO FEED THEMSELVES

Press release: Spring is near and as the weather gets warmer unaltered stray cats begin to reproduce prolifically. As a result, it is not uncommon to find nests of what appear to be unattended or abandoned newborn kittens. Before jumping to the rescue, Miami-Dade County Animal Services (Animal Services) advises residents to consider the following recommendations to ensure the best chances of survival for the kittens.

WHAT TO DO SHOULD YOU FIND A LITTER OF KITTENS

Resist the urge to immediately touch them or move them. Instead, observe the kittens quietly from a distance for 12 to 24 hours as the mother may simply be out looking for food or a better place to move them to and is likely to return to care for them. Very young kittens cannot fully feed themselves and need their mother’s milk to survive until they are fully able to eat on their own or weaned off the mother.

You can put out cat food for the mom and a box that the mother could use to keep her kittens in (don’t put the kittens inside it, just put it near them). Don’t disturb the kittens as this may discourage the mother from returning to them, or she may move them away from you.

If you sense the kittens are in immediate danger or a dangerous area, such as underneath a car, in an area that is flooding due to rain, etc., look for the nearest safe area to which you can move them—close enough to the original spot— that will still allow the mother to find them. Place them in a sheltered area, away from direct sun, rain or traffic and continue to watch for the mother.

Only take them in if you have observed the kittens for 12 to 24 hours and are SURE the mother is not likely to return. Get tips on how to care for them at home by visiting www.alleycat.org or www.peggyadams.org

OTHER WAYS TO HELP

The best way to reduce the overwhelming number of unwanted cats is to spay or neuter your cats starting at 4 months old. Miami-Dade Animal Service offers low cost spay/neuter surgeries as well as free a Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program for community cats. For information on low-cost spay/neuter surgeries or free TNR call 3-1-1 or visit animals.miamidade.gov. Become a foster parent or volunteer at Animal Services. Volunteers and foster parents receive training and supplies and the joy that comes from saving a precious little animal’s life. For information on becoming a pet foster parent or volunteer email: pets@miamidade.gov

For more information click here or visit: http://www.brucesilverstein.com/

Constantin Brancusi (1876-1957), The Fish, c. 1924, gelatin silver print, printed c. 1924, 7 1/8 x 9 1/4 inches

Auxiliary gallery at the warehouse

Photographs by Miami artist Annette Bonnier

India’s Elephants

The photographs of South Florida artist Annette Bonnier capture the many facets of elephant’s lives and their interaction with humanity. This collection of photographs is a cultural documentation of elephants in Indian society. The elephant’s role is changing as wildlife conservation and concerns for the health and safety of domesticated elephants are growing. This complex and majestic animal, with its intelligence, intricate social hierarchy, and highly evolved communication skills, is caught in a changing world between the past and the future. For more information visit: http://www.annettebonnier.com

EDITORIAL

The City of Miami has to become more transparent, people and governments’ have to sue to get public records and gives Miami commissioners transparency black eye

The Watchdog Report back in 1997 first started watching the City of Miami and since then a number of changes have occurred many not that good, but a former Florida Speaker of the House  Richard Pettigrew, in an editorial column in The Miami Herald Friday, hit the nail on the head when he writes how the municipality deals with the almost 50 year old Florida Sunshine Law regarding open records and forces residents and other municipalities to file lawsuits to get access to some public records and it is right on target. The piece was titled “City keeps development deals secret.” http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/op-ed/article22556706.html

The former legislator who represented Miami-Dade County years ago,  at one point notes of the efforts, to keep the public in the dark on many city deals the commissioners have approved, and notes the local municipal attorney is hired by the commission and as one the past attorneys said when I asked if “he worked for the citizens?” He said “he worked “for three votes on the Miami commission,” and that pretty much set the bar of what to expect from the attorney’s legal advice and that has been seen on numerous occasions.

Another odd occurrence is when senior Miami assistant managers meet with lobbyists’ socially and over the years I have seen it occur so many times most recently a couple of weeks ago,  and the average citizen does not get these opportunities to smoooze with senior city staff. And what is funny is how oblivious they are of how bad it looks to the public but they arrogantly don’t seem to care and that is a persistent problem and is reflected when one Miami employee told me what “people do in their free time,” is “their business,” and when I pointed out these people are public figures and have to act in a different manor, the person disagreed.

And this is why I started the Watchdog Report May 5, 2010, when Miami was mired in arrests and corruption charges and had a couple of commissioners going to jail and residents never winning any political battles since it was “who did you know,” to get things approved by the commission where long serving Miami Commissioner J.L. Plummer ruled the dais after 27 years and he was a throwback when it came to Miami’s diversity where many times from the dais he said he “hated,” a long list of ethnic peoples and while he lost his election in 20001. He helped push me into the public arena with this throw back attitude and that is where we are today sixteen years later.

LETTERS

Good afternoon. As you are probably aware, on April 7, 2015, the Miami Historic and Environmental Preservation Board approved the final designation of a “historic resource” for the property at 3529 St. Gaudens Road. The developer filed an appeal to the City Commission to challenge the designation, which appeal was to be heard on June 25, 2015.

We are pleased to announce that, in accordance with our discussion with the developer, the appeal of the historic resource designation was withdrawn on June 1, 2015. The developer has also advised us that some cosmetic renovations and repairs will be performed on the property, after which time it will be offered for sale.

Congratulations and many thanks to all those who have banded together to help preserve this important piece of Coconut Grove history. This success resulted from your hard work and activism and is a testament to the efficacy of an organized and interested citizenry.

As you are aware, there are other historically significant properties in the Grove that are deserving of attention, and we hope that you will remain engaged in your efforts to help preserve them. Of particular noteworthiness is the efforts of City of Miami staff to create historic districts in various Grove neighborhoods—we will keep you informed as those efforts evolve.

Best regards,
Richard Zelman, Esq.
Coconut Grove

The Watchdog Report is going to hit 16 years of weekly publishing and while I have taken a licking over the years including some medical issues I have kept at thanks to my supporters who I thank so very much over the many years.

The Watchdog Report is Celebrating 16 years of weekly publishing since May 5th 2000 and when I started back then I never thought I would be doing this so long and in some ways some of the community’s bigger public institutions have either gotten better or worse and here is a national story done on why I started to watch government back in 2000  http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2003-01-20/news/0301190045_1_ricker-miami-watchdog and to all the people along the way that have helped me I thank you from the bottom of  my heart.

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