Watchdog Report Vol.18 No.44 April 22, 2018, on May 5 Celebrating 18 years of weekly publishing – I go when you cannot a community education resource EST: 05.05.00
The WDR will return next week I am having to deal with some medical issues, and Here is my philosophy on why I do this? >>> This national story ran in all the Tribune papers around the nation and covers the early years of the WDR: http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2003-01-20/news/0301190045_1_ricker-miami-watchdog and here is a different versionhttp://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2003-01-20/news/0301190341_1_ricker-school-board-president-miami-s-first-cuban-american
>>> And having a member of the press at public meetings gives teeth to the Florida Sunshine Law (and why you get a Flu Shot) and open meetings tape recorded keeps good governance in place and reduces waste fraud and abuse, and public corruption, and is why you don’t speed in front of a state trooper for example.
>>> Further the www.watchdogreport.net in South Florida is an established news service presence, because most people are too busy to go to these important meetings. That is why my motto is ‘I go when you cannot.’ >>> Further, I am very efficient. Since I work alone, and all the information comes through me as a central point allowing me to see things at a 100-mile altitude and being an early warning system when projects have overruns or other issues. But my job is to sound the alarm and I have done so many times over the past years in a host of ways.
CONTENTS
ARGUS REPORT: World hopes N. Korea will abandon nuclear program and tests, young leader testing his political chops, Trump says sayonara at talks if not credible negotiating – – After 9/11 the states were asked to include their driver license info to federal officials and this never happened since the states fought the federal mandate and with all the shootings going on not having this background information many potential bad people might not get- flagged by officials and it became an issue of state rights.–Will President Trump’s verbal shock and awe diplomacy strategy work? Nation will see with talks with N. Korea first test since 1953, appears Kim Jung Un checked in with Beijing
OBITUARY: Former First Lady Barbara Pierce Bush passes at 92, “benevolent dictator,” says Jeb, gave a quite grace, in WH, pushed literacy, attended Smith college during war and married a naval aviator flying torpedo plans!
STATE of FLORIDA: What about the 8 bundled amendments recommended by the Florida Constitutional Review commission? – “Police will be police,” said Miami Police Chief Jorge Colina to Miami commissioners Thursday when discussing putting Miami police in the Miami schools. He noted a school environment is different from the streets and the WDR in an extended conversation with Miami-Dade Schools police. They all said in the schools it is “all about conflict resolution,” and I started to gain an understanding of the different environment dealing with students many with home issues. Will Gov. Rick Scott push back against arming teachers, and will he get $400 million in new mental health funding?
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY: The Ambrosia beetle has killed 1. 5 billion native species trees in nation, devasting a $600 million Avocado industry. The fungus lives inside the tree goes from tree to tree, unfortunately after Irma many trees were stressed, and the bugs seek the weak ones to attack, and can kill in 26 days once infected, say UF researchers. — ATV “drag racing” coming to Opa-Locka a closed airport county gets approval from PAB Wednesday, commissioners trip to China, did a party cadre do the translating?– New Mayoral Communication’s director Marquez on the job Apr.1, many county employees wonder how the Miami Herald and El Nuevo editor will be like, public record requests could get easier, knows community like back of her hand — the County will face a “$95 million gap,” said budget Director Jennifer Moon.
Miami-Dade County Public Schools: Millions of student’s March on Washington protesting people being able to buy AR-15 type of rifles like the one used at Margaret Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland and the movement has spread around the nation and protests are being held around the world.
PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST: Pillar of community past PHT Chair Daryl Sharpton indicted on several counts of tax evasion, was considered the fiscal watchdog since CPA – JHS got a reprieve and $65 million in cuts and a resolution passed Tuesday hastily at the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commission Board meeting may have helped for JHS dodged a fiscal Bullet — Florida Legislature needs to fund Ryder Trauma, the communities crown jewel for Trauma– Ryder Trauma Center Celebrates 25th Anniversary — Community Crown Jewel Ryder Trauma Center has its Silver Anniversary last week, only Level 1 public trauma center in Miami-Dade, saves lives daily a community treasure!
CITY OF MIAMI: Will strong mayor form of government come to Miami, concern has always been “retribution,” by mayor to commission districts, Suarez’s father also pushed strong mayor in 1997 – Coconut Grove Playhouse Foundation raises $25 million will help with preservationist Heisenbottle proposed plan supported by many Grovites– Miami manager Gonzalez adds Napoli from MIA to his staff, Commission Carollo ads Rodriguez to his staff and Reyes hires Regalado son Jose –Commission shakes down land use attorney Diaz for $10,000 donation to the Optimist Club, was a major habit back in late 1990s — Miami code enforcement officers will be followed by a “beat cop,” says new code enforcement director high ranking Miami police officer, long overdue– Will power boat racing come back to Virginia Key basin in ecologically sensitive basin habitat, 100 personal watercrafts expected in different races? Needs Coast Guard approval and county’s DERM?
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH: Kristen Rosen Gonzalez was not charged, in ethics investigation
EDITORIALS: The Florida Legislature should keep its hands off the 20 counties that have Home Rule Charter local government is better with local leaders but yes not perfect, at least we arrest our own – Where does Miami draw the line with Lt. Col. Colmenares, stealing $300,0000 in donations for veterans?
–Politicians don’t realize voter’s frustration is they are such hypocrites, many times (like now when congress gets paid but no other federal departments with the shut-down) in their own actions Florida Constitutional commission should insist on transparency, not darkness as Sunshine law gets diluted — Most politicians hate the press- Florida needs Sunshine Amendment many municipalizes out of control and get little press coverage or oversight, legislators are wrong side of this one
LETTERS: Important mission of Lotus Village, helping women and children needs community support
>>> Just because you do not take an interest in politics does not mean politics will not take an interest in you. –Pericles (430 B.C.)
>>> If you wish to be deleted, just e-mail me with that message.
>>> And here is the story done by Miami New Times when they named the publisher as the community’s Best of Miami and Best Citizen and to read the story go to: http://www.miaminewtimes.com/best-of/2003/people-and-places/best-citizen-6399517
>> Given his dedication and perseverance, this new honor, Best Citizen, is well deserved. Ricker goes to 2500 mind-melting meetings annually, from the Public Health Trust’s purchasing subcommittee to the Efficiency and Competition Commission to the Alliance for Human Services’ nominating council to the school board’s audit committee. Sometimes he’s the only public observe
Object: to be the Public Citizen for all those out there who can’t attend, and to connect and serve as an information bridge among the special-interest-dominated Miami-Dade governmental institutions that seem newsletter, The Watchdog Report, celebrates its [18h] Anniversary. In a former life Ricker made a handsome living as an international salesman of heart pacemakers. As the hard-working publisher of Watchdog, though, he’s struggling financially — this even though his weekly compendium of meeting summaries, analysis, interviews, and commentary has become essential reading for anyone involved in public affairs. What his written work may lack in polish, it more than makes up for in comprehensiveness. So, raise a toast to the man whose official slogan says it all: “A community education resource — I go when you cannot!”
ARGUS REPORT: Heard Seen on the Streets
>>>> World hopes N. Korea will abandon nuclear program and tests, young leader testing his political chops, Trump says sayonara at talks if not credible negotiating
The announcement that North Korea is halting any new missile test has the world hoping this isn’t just the big stall and President’s Donald Trump has said he will politely leave if the nation is not serious about ending their nuclear program and this was after CIA director Mike Pompeo made a secret trip to The Hermit Kingdom and Kim Jung UN change in tone could because of his recent train trip to Beijing and the Chinese have vested interest in this matter since American Troops are at the DMZ.
>>> I became aware of this after I talked with an investigator and later when I went to get my Florida Driver’s license and ID Act has been delayed again until Jan 22, 2018 and this act was created after 9/11 and was fought as a national ID matter something very controversial throughout America and if it infringes on a state’ s rights. Further I only bring this up after all the talk of background checks and other issues.
For more on the I.D. Act go to https://www.uspassporthelpguide.com/id-act/
>>> Will President Trump’s verbal shock and awe diplomacy strategy work? Nation will see with talks with N. Korea first test since 1953, appears Kim Jung Un checked in with Beijing
Trump’s shock and awe foreign diplomacy has stunned the world as he tells a Rally he wants to withdraw from Syria and caught the Pentagon off guard and he is touting his upcoming meeting with north Korea leader Kim Jung Un trying to end the stalemate since the 1950s Armistice.
Trump when he was running said he would never telegraph his intentions when it comes to foreign policy and is why the Syria comment caught so much attention, at a time the nation does not have a secretary of state and Trump continues to shake -up his cabinet. Pundits suggest his behavior is part of his negotiating style and that will be tested when he meets with the Hermit Kingdoms leader who recently may have visited Beijing to consult with the Chinese leadership that is wary of Americas intentions on the peninsula long under the Middle Kingdoms orbit.
With Trump’s new Tariffs the newspaper industry takes another hit since much of the newsprint paper comes from Canada and is another hit to the industry’s bottom line and shows for every action there is a downside and while the industry struggles to compete with the internet. For more go to: https://www.cjr.org/business_of_news/newsprint_tariff_canada_layoffs.php
What about replacing Miami-Dade County Commissioner Bruno Barreiro?
During Wednesday’s Miami Dade County commission meeting where commissioners were discussing a replacement for Barreiro and many believed despite a $500,000 election cost the 13 member body felt it was inappropriate for the body to pick someone and that only happened last when Commissioner Barbara Carey-Shuler announced she was resigning at the end of 2005 and she recommended El Portal Mayor Audrey Edmonson to take her seat and she was appointed but ran soon after for the office. Further, When commissioner Myriam Alonso was removed then Gov. Jeb Bush appointed commissioner Jose “Pepe” Cancio, Sr., and the man said he would not run for the office and he kept his word and he reopened the redistricting process Since Alonso carved out Jose “Pepe” Diaz’s home and after that was done Diaz ran for the office in 2002 and won the seat.
OBITUARY
>>>> Former First Lady Bush passes at 92, “benevolent dictator,” says Jeb, gave a quite grace, in WH, pushed literacy, attended Smith college during war and married a naval aviator flying torpedo plans
Former First Lady Barbara Bush passes at 92 this past Tuesday and the woman from Rye New York lived her life to the fullest as her husband President George H. Bush rose through the political ranks from congress to the first American U.S. Envoy to the People’s Republic of China. Further it turns out the pearls she always wore at events were fake though looked authentic.
After President Nixon opened relations with the Middle Kingdom. And from my standpoint Bush and his wife changed my career since I had a degree in Chinese Studies in 1974 from GWU’s Sino-Soviet institute and would later essentially spend some 20 years in Asia living in Tokyo and Sydney. So, both president Nixon and Bush helped create the China we see today after being sealed off since 1949 when the Communist Party took over under Mao Tse-Tung defeated the armies of Chiang Kai-shek who later fled with his government to Taiwan.
The worldly couple at a dignitary dinner toasted then PRC Premier Teng Xiao Ping and the couple rode around Beijing on bicycles, so they would get to know the people and the emergence of the nation that was coming off the Cultural Revolution that destroyed so many Chinese lives. When Bush was president she pushed literacy as her theme and loved books and she was a woman of quite determination to do the right thing, a Greatest Generation belief. She is said to have joked to a physician the reason George W. Bush, 43 was the way he was is because “she smoked and drank,” when she was pregnant. Further, she also hugged one of the first babies with AIDS when at the time no one knew how it was transmitted and the nation was in fear back in the 1988s.
One line heard about was from a movie the pearls are fake but I’m not,” from “To Catch a Thief,” and Grace Kelley made that remark to Carey Grant and her honest telling like it is role as the family “enforcer,” was known to my mother Linda as well and one look was all that was needed many times as my father Arthur J. Ricker., chaired the meal with mandatory family attendance.
Florida Gov. Jeb Bush said humor was her antidote for many things when family fights at the dinner table might erupt and since I am one of five children. I have a pretty good idea what the environment might have been at the dinner table.
Her wake was emotional and well done and the Watchdog Report sends my condolences for the first Lady set the bar high along with her husband for class and grace. With a can-do attitude and always doing, something my own mother had. My sister once remarked. For more on the Mrs. Bush go to: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/ex-us-presidents-among-mourners-at-barbara-bush-funeral/ar-AAw82KI?ocid=spartandhp BIO: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbara_Bush
>>> Knight Foundation injects $2.5 million to fact check news
The John S. and James L. Knight foundation has committed $2.5 million to organizations fighting fake news and the idea of fake news. I believe started when Dan Rather of CBS ran a story on George Bush II that turned out to be wrong and after that mistake broke a republican candidate when I was interviewing him said “are you going to Rather me?” I joked back you want me to FOX you instead and that blunder on Rather’s part started the ball rolling and then Brian Williams (who still has a snarky attitude) added to the fire when he embellished his military coverage and saying he had been under fire which was not true.
https://knightfoundation.org/articles/where-you-can-meet-knight-at-nicar-2018
>>> Connect Miami is a new program trying to get residents to engage with their neighbors and friends to broaden community interaction something that at times may be difficult to do. And for more go to www.connectmiami.org And Many of the events are free.in the future.
STATE OF FLORIDA
>>>> What about the 8 bundled amendments recommended by the Florida Constitutional Review commission?
The commission is putting 8 questions on the No.6 ballot Further, one if it reaches 60 percent will allow Asians to buy land barred at one time in Florida.
Further, there is an item changing local schoolboards oversight of charter schools. Miami -Dade County Public Schools has almost 120 of them and the amount is “the size of a region,” in the district and there have been irregularities with these schools like at the ARTs & Mind school in Commodore Plaza and the owner of the building in a “related, “Transaction,” and ended up in a 342-page forensic district audit where the landlord was getting $85,000 a month in public money for rent including a rubber stamp board. With one member living n South America and did not know he was on the board. For more on revisions go to https://www.flcrc.gov/
The Democratic gubernatorial debate showed some of the candidates need to do more homework on the state of Florida budget and while the candidates had a 17 second time to speak. The way the debate went must be longer and NPR reporter Joshua suggested WPLG have a debate with WLRN NPR and voters did to watch a larger pallet. Joshua Johnson of their ideas and to see the show go to: https://www.local10.com/this-week-in-south-florida
>>> “Police will be police,” said Miami Police Chief Jorge R. Colina, to Miami commissioners Thursday when discussing putting Miami police in the schools. He noted a school environment is different from the streets and the WDR in an extended conversation with Miami-Dade Schools police. They all said in the schools it is “all about conflict resolution,” and I started to gain a better understanding of the different environment dealing with students many with home issues.
>>> The Children’s Trust of Miami-Dade Annual Report is out and to see what the organization has done over the years go to; https://www.thechildrenstrust.org/ and is seen when children have to repeat a grade and results in a large community bubble and County Commissioner Dennis Moss noted when he was in school there was a “Truancy officer,” and they would pick you up take you to school and also “call your mama,” said Moss but that oversite is hard since a parent may be taking care of multiple kids and not able to ensure her children are in school and the lack of literacy was brought home when the County’s Police Department Director Juan J. Perez told a committee when he was in school he spoke no English and was held back an d he said he learned to read ‘real fast after that,” wake up call. And at a county commission meeting the issue of literacy and the lack of it among certain parts of the community had Jean Monestime wondering how he can do more in his own community to foster literacy and the Children’s trust has a host of reading programs throughout the county including in the summer free books being sent to eligible students.
What about the United Ways new program?
United Way of Miami-Dade County has a number of programs for-not for-profits with good ideas fostering their growth for more go to: https://unitedwaymiami.org/contact-us/media-kit/
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
>>>> Ambrosia beetle has killed 1. 5 billion native species trees, devasting a $600 million Avocado industry. The fungus lives inside the tree goes from tree to tree, unfortunately after Irma many trees were stressed, and the bugs seek the weak ones to attack, and can kill in 26 days once infected, say UF researchers.
The Avocado Industry is under stress by the Ambrosia Beetles that don’t like “Light,” and since the beetle live in the tree the fungus cannot be sprayed and it travels through the Avocado roots infecting all the trees in an avocado row. They don’t like “small trees,” And Commissioner Daniela Levine Cava sponsored the briefing from University of Florida’s researchers in the deadly beetle that has “killed 15 billion trees,” The beetle is said to come from China and Japan and may have been brought in wood infected products, said Dr. Crane The trees have coevolved in the laurel family in Asia and Avocado trees in Asia get killed. It’s the female beetle that lays the eggs and it is wreaking havoc as an invasive species
Avocado industry is a $600 million economic generator
Further, Hurricane Irma seriously stressed the crop and downed many trees and is hurting the industry that needs assistance in removing the trees and money to get back in business. Further, the state has allocated some $150,000 for tree replacement in the current state budget and some $6 million in research funding affects trees in the Laurel wilt and half a billion trees have been killed spread from North Carolina to now California ($450 million in economic damage) and here in Florid represents some $600 million in revenue and a half billion trees have been impacted and it is killing habitat in the Everglades. The discussion was set up by County Commissioner Daniela Levine Cava who represents South Miami-Dade and the problem is a big deal. For more info on the destructive beetle go to: https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=ambrosia+beetle+trap&view=detail&mid=3EEC144313947C2F32F03EEC144313947C2F32F0&FORM=VIRE
What torpedo has hit the unsolicited bid for a new Civil Courthouse?
A new torpedo was picked up on radar when it comes to building a new civil Courthouse discussion including the “unintentional forwarding an email that was a “confidential unsolicited proposal,” was compromised by consultants at KPMG. The firm was fired said Sally Heyman. Further, Heyman also wanted to know whom the firms KPMG represents, and Commissioner Barbara Jordan questioned the “unintentional,” statement by KPMG as just trying to protect the company that does audits from the public school’s district, Jackson Health System, all have their audits done by KPMG.
Heyman, essentially took the mayor to the woodshed. The attorney, was upset that there had been such a delay before the mayor got the information from KPMG before she found out about the issue that had Jose “Pepe” Diaz saying the breach could be “criminal,” but the county attorney said there were only civil charges, and maybe “trade secrets,” Heyman has also banned the phrase, “ in the best interest of the county,” and in the future is going to grill staff more when that phrase is used. She was upset the Aril. 10 letter from KPMG was not made public since it followed a three-hour BCC meeting when a host of jurists and some of Miami’ most respected attorneys attended asking for a new court house that has lead pipes mold and served when AL Capone was around, and the county has been trying to figure out a way to get “out of the sick building.”
The breach of the unsolicited bid by Bright Line has Commissioner Sally Heyman’s blood pressure up, and to calm her she “hugged some cows,” to calm down at the Tropical Park horse and cattle show since she has taken on the courthouse issue. She revealed at the committee she chairs that there was a “breach, of the confidential business plan because a KPMG employee “unintentionally forwarded the information,” to a competitor and Mayor Carlos Gimenez terminated the KPMG contract.
What did Gene Stern say?
Attorney Gene Stern during public comment lite into the procurement process saying it was awful and commissioners “don’t have all the facts,” dealing with a new court house P3 RFQ. He also cited such a deal in southern California that went bad and over budget, but the communities attorneys want a decision and to start a new facility.
>>>> What about Queen Brown and county commissioner Daniela Levine Cava the commissioner said Brown was a one of a kind when it came to advocate for a host of causes and Brown joined the county all she had was a JDG and now has two bachelor’s degrees and a Master’s.
She started with only a GD now has two B.A., degrees and now has a master’s degree. She will be missed after 30 years at the c county.
>>> A group of passionate speakers spoke against the extension of 836 at the County’s PAB Wednesday claiming it will only cause more congestion and would result in disrupting the community.
>>> It was revealed last week at a County Commission meeting that there is “15,000 frozen county employees,” and the reason for this is in the next two years the County will face a “$95 million gap,” said budget Director Jennifer Moon.
And these unfilled positions are going unfilled because of legislation changing the Homestead Exemption and governments are having to adjust budgets before this kick in in two years and this is a significant gap that the county’s administration must close in the months ahead n why some of these steps are in place.
Mayor Carlos Gimenez told county commissioners that when it comes to solar panels for electricity and need a lot of acreage that the rock pits owned by the county could be used for large solar arrays once battery technology has been perfected since there would be a drop off at night. However, this is the first time I had heard of this idea as FP&L expands its solar footprint.
Robert A. Ginsberg, the longest serving Miami-Dade County Attorney will have his portrait hung in the lobby of the Stephen P. Clark government center and the man was a legal legend and a true gentlemen and he was the longest serving attorney in county history from 1980 to 2005 and is why it is “one of the top law firms in the county,” multiple commissioners said. The legal eagle deserves this honor and his “warm smile,” is missed said Commissioner Rebeca Sosa. For more on his passing go to. http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/obituaries/article167018567.html he was also an early supporter of the WDR.
What did the OIG find back in 1999?
Back in 1999 the newly created office of the Miami-Dade County inspector general did an investigation of 30,000 water meters and found some two thirds of 15,000 meters were bypassed, and it was a cottage industry back then and farmers in Homestead were using county water for fields using fire hydrants for the long lines and the report concluded some $30 million was being lost in county revenue through leaks and this systematic bypassing of water meters and is a cottage industry in South Florida. I bring this up because the county has raised the price of water and if you have any leak it will involve serious money and will hit renters hard in the coming years.
>>> Further, last year’s IG annual report is out and it is a fascinating read and the office has saved millions since its creation 20-year ago and to read the report go to: http://www.miamidadeig.org/ANNUALREPORTS2.htm
>>> New continuum of care center coming for homeless with mental issues, JHS involved one stop center
The Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust along with Jackson Health System is opening a one stop public facility for homeless who qualify for a new diversion program with a mental illness and includes many veterans on the streets and is an old facility previously used by the state, but it will offer a continuum of care and was briefly discussed at the trust board meeting Friday. The whole community has been seeking ways to resolve the mental health issues of the homeless now drawing in people with opioid addiction and a drop of fentanyl can kill and many times is cut with cheap yellow Mexican heroin that appeared years past and is causing thousands of overdoses and the city of Miami spent $150,000 in procuring the miracle drug Narcan that can revive a overdosed person almost immediately and these people cut across all ethnic lines and the issue was discussed Sunday on “This Week in South Florida,” and to see the show go to https://www.local10.com/this-week-in-south-florida/this-week-in-south-florida-oct-29
>>> And here is a broader explanation on the new facility Health System – Public Health Trust.
“Progress is being made to create a first of its kind mental health diversion and treatment facility which will centralize, coordinate, and provide a seamless continuum of care for individuals, including homeless individuals, who are frequent and high cost users of taxpayer funded services in the criminal justice and acute care treatment systems. South Florida Behavioral Health Network, Inc., DCF’s Managing Entity for administering state substance abuse and mental health funding in Miami-Dade County, will lead the renovation of a former state forensic hospital in Miami which will bring together community-based treatment and social services providers under one roof.
The project will include an integrated crisis stabilization unit and addiction receiving facility, various levels of residential treatment, day treatment and day activities programs, intensive case management, peer support and mentoring services, outpatient behavioral health and primary care treatment services, and vocational rehabilitation/supportive employment services. All services will be designed to address the complex and co-occurring needs of the target population, including mental health, substance abuse, physical health, histories of physical and emotional trauma, and risk factors for future criminal justice involvement.
The facility will also include space for the courts and for social service agencies such housing providers, legal services, and immigration services that will address the comprehensive needs of individuals served. By housing a full array of services and supports in one location, it is anticipated that many of the barriers and obstacles to navigating traditional community mental health, substance abuse, and social services will be removed; and individuals who are currently recycling through the justice system, crisis units, hospitals, and other deep end services will be more likely to engage in ongoing and sustainable treatment and recovery services. The Mental Health Diversion Facility is championed by Judge Steven Leifman, who chairs the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust’s Finance & Audit Committee. The project has been developed with input from the Department of Children and Families and the Agency for Health Care Administration, which will be responsible for designating and licensing service providers at the facility. The Miami-Dade County Legislative Delegation spearheaded efforts to occupy the building based on a 99-year lease at $1/year. The facility is funded, in large part, with county General Obligation Bond funds, with additional funding provided by the Jackson Health and The Public Health Trust.
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What about the Homeless Trust’s Rent Connect program with landlords?
The trust has a new program where people with rental housing can register their rental with the county and for more on the program go to: http://www.homelesstrust.org/rentconnect.asp
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
>>> Millions of student’s March on Washington protesting people being able to buy AR-15 type of rifles like the one used at Margaret Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland and the movement has spread around the nation and protests are being held around the world.
However, one high profile student is being portrayed as against the Second Amendment and in an interview with the media. He says he understands the importance of this since his father is a retired FBI Special Agent and their guns in his house. He said people have no reason to have a weapon of war the AR-15 and the guns were banned until 2004 when the assault weapon ban was lifted and the gun gained popularity after President Obama was elected and people feared the government would take their guns and that did not materialize but the gun ownership went up after his election and has become ubiquitous around the nation.
The Hialeah Gardens Middle School Jazz band rocked the school board auditorium and the band’s stirring rendition of Glenn Miller’s “Sing, Sing Sing,” was moving and the drummer a future Gene Krupa got the tom-tom-beat just right and these musicians should get signed up for these were great musicians and having these programs was the idea of Supt. Alberto Carvalho. As a former drummer I say to the band great job!
http://mca.dadeschools.net/AuditCommittee/AC_March_13_2018/item5.pdf
PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST
>>> High profile Pillar of community past PHT Chair Daryl Sharpton indicted on several counts of tax evasion, was considered the fiscal watchdog since CPA
The watchdog report almost fell out of my chair when I read in The Miami Herald that past PHT Chair Daryl Sharpton, C.P.A, had been indicted for failing to file IRS 1040s for a number of years and he was considered the fiscal watchdog after the board was reorganized and reduced from 21 to seven a number consistent with better governance, it was thought and worked. Further his son is a professional football player with the Houston Texans. And for the full story go to: http http://www.miamiherald.com/article209103589.html
>>> Florida Legislature needs to fund Ryder Trauma, the communities crown jewel for Trauma
What about Ryder Trauma?
Florida Legislators need to reaffirm the importance of the Ryder Trauma Center and keep funding for the medical center. One of the finest in the world and is the only Class I Center in South Florida and should be nurtured by law makers. I reminded Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera, R Monday of this fact. He noted when a Florida State Trooper was badly injured it was Ryder that saved his life and he seemed to understand what a jewel the center is to the community.
>>> Trust continues to have clean audits, challenges continue ahead, closed the year with $30 million budget surplus, 50 days cash on hand, new rehabilitation Center property prepped Friday
The PHT trustees meeting was short and sweet Wednesday with the health trust having a “clean,” KPMG audit for last year and the auditing firm has been the trust’s auditor for 7 years but having no audit exemptions is a big deal and back in 2004 under previous management the trust took a $84 million chargeback on past audits going back to the late 1990s.
What about the new rehabilitation Center?
Migoya said Friday dignitaries were going to start the demolition of buildings on land that will be used for the new rehabilitation facilities long awaited and needed at JHS and is being founded from the $830 million obligation bond passed overwhelmingly by voters after the trust righted itself with help of the unions and currently there are some 1,200 full time workers an there is currently “50 days of cash,” on hand and at one point years ago it was only some 9 to 15 days and put the health trust in jeopardy but Migoya and his team has turned that fiscal situation through efficiencies in the rear mirror.
>>> New report on how JHS spending $830 million bond monies, going well
Here is the most recent update on the $830 million GOB passed by County wide voters to update the ageing facilities at Jackson Health System and the projects are going very well and includes minority vender participation similar the public schools oversight system and this public money is key to the communities’ health since there is a big push toward prevention and wellness has FIU physicians doing primary and family medicine and is a real boon in keeping healthcare costs down. To read the report go:
CITY OF MIAMI
>>> Will strong mayor form of government come to Miami, concern has always been “retribution,” by mayor to commission districts, Suarez’s father also pushed strong mayor in 1997
Commissioner Joe Carollo continues to butt heads with Mayor Francis Suarez since the mayor wants voters to approve a strong mayor form of government in the charter and using campaign funds is doing a petition drive to get it on the ballot and Carollo likened it to what was going on in Venezuela. A hot button and the Maduro regime. In the past when this was last discussed by the body. The concern was “retribution,” in the five districts with the mayor withholding services unless the commission went along by abolishing the city manager’s office. Further, there is also a concern if Suarez an attorney has the skills to run a $1 billion size organization facing potentially over $200 million in pension liabilities and a major lawsuit.
What about an agreement with the Village of Key Biscayne regarding events on Virginia Key and its lawsuit that went into mediation?
An agreement hammered out with Key Biscayne, by Commissioner Ken Russell failed 2-2 so the settlement failed. However, Commissioner Joe Carollo disagreed, and commission Manola Reye’s said it struck at the “sovereignty,” of the city and the concessions were ones suggested by the administration but will now be settled in court.
Carollo also questioned a Miami Off-Street Parking board member Larry Spring, CPA seeking to stay on the autonomous board, where commissioners can only confirm appointees. He asked Spring what he would do if he gave him proof “beyond the shadow of doubt,” that some illegal activities are occurring with rogue private parking sites that included one on a church’s parking lot at night and Carollo says there are numerous examples of this. He further, suggested criminal behavior saying when you “discuss, parking, and towing, you had better go and wash your hands,” his experience suggests. He is also thinking of requiring valet drivers to have a background check and many of them he says go through a cars glove box. For more on Spring go to: http://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/miami-cfo-larry-springs-house-of-disorder-6561964
The commission once again asked for cash donations from the dais to an attorney and the developer originally said the public benefit payment $40,000, got bumped to $100,000 continues bad tradition of shake down
Carrolo believes the city of Miami has been “taken as chumps,” when it comes to developers and after all the development all “the big fish,” did not make the public benefit he believes some of the zoning changes granted by the commission the city deserves. The issue was an affordable housing project that includes two units of workforce housing wanting a fifth story and when the attorney proffered $40,000. However, The commissioner Carollo pulling out his calculator doing some calculation thought a much higher number was deserved and that’s when the attorney talked to his client and then changed the contribution to $100,000 and returns a shake down policy that had the Ritz Carleton project having to pay $500,000 for every zoning variance to complete the complex and former Commissioner J.L. Plummer was pushing this policy that fly’s in the face of good government and is a horrible habit when done at the public dais to get into.
Residents on the Venetian Causeway want attention from the Miami Police department and the issue came up at a Miami zoning board meeting where the residents live in a co-op and they complained of frequent car break-ins and are looking for some attention since many residents are retires many said.
>>> Arts maven Lewis “Mike” Eidson has kept his word and raised some $24 million with grants and donations combined for the Coconut Grove Playhouse Foundation and is still pushing his plan for Richard Heisenbottle historic plan and is the one favored by Grove preservationist versus the County’s plan that is described as mixed retail that happens to have a theater. Eidson the former Chair of the Adrianne Arsht Performing Arts Center has said the county’s plan was not bold enough and would not draw top order acts and theater to the area in the Grove that sits empty since 2006 when it closed under fiscal pressure and debt and the county has to 2020 to open the facility and could be sold as state surplus property and will revert back to the state.
>>>Update: The Coconut Grove Playhouse Foundation raises $11 million will help with preservationist Heisenbottle proposed plan supported by many Grovites — Editor’s note Eidson on Thursday told the WDR it was more like $25 million including grants available for the historic playhouse
>>> Miami code enforcement officers will be followed by a “beat cop,” says new code enforcement director high ranking Miami police officer, long over due
The City of Miami is cracking down on code violations and enforcement and a new director is a high-ranking Miami Police officer and these “beat code enforcement officers. Will works weekends and a new hot line is being established. Since over the weekends many people “cut down trees,” or do other violations including noise and Commissioner Joe Carollo led the charge and has asked how “Many blind code enforcement officers does the city have?” Further, the director noted “police officers, “will be “visible and prevalent.” The city has been known to be lax when it comes to the enforcement of the city’s code.
Commissioner Jo Carollo is bringing in Anthony Rodriguez into his office. Rodriguez is a Miami man and veteran from the Chicago Transit to be his chief of staff.
Further, Emilio Gonzalez has recruited Joe Napoli from MIA where he had worked before under Gonzalez. And a former aide to former mayor Manny Diaz is on Gonzalez’s staff
>>> Mayor Suarez wants to be a strong mayor getting voter signatures since commission is balking at the idea will voters ultimately approve?
Mayor Francis Suarez id proposing once again to make the mayor a strong mayor and CEO like he proposed a few years back but was shot down by the commission who were concerned such an arrangement could lead to the five commission districts be punished by the mayor if they did not fall in line and the idea was what he father Xavier Suarez wanted when he was briefly mayor in 1997 and later removed by Circuit Court Judge Tam Wilson after voting irregularities that had Manuel Yip voting despite he was dead along with others. Suarez the father was never charged but was removed from office and followed by Carollo into the office.
What about the historic Guzman theater?
A discussion of the historic theater had Commissioner joe Carollo carping that Miami tends to have assets the city can’t afford after Commissioner Ken Russell said he was talking along with the manager a relationship with highly regarded Miami-Dade College and he continues to deride the GOP since the party he once strongly supported another candidate against him saying “what’s his name Gov. Rick Scott.” Since Carollo is a diehard Republican.
 Carollo |
 Russell |
What about the Miami Children’s Museum (MCM)?
Carollo also went after the MCM director because the not for-profit was seeking some city land about a half-acre for a new Autism wing and is offering to also make a park in the land left and would be maintained by MCM saving the city money. Editor’s note: Carollo said his wife had an autistic boy and one Miami Charter school once they heard the “A” word never called his wife back, he told his peers on the dais, and he thought that was deeply wrong he said. Without naming the school. He also reminded commissioners when he left there was $100 million in reserves back in 2001 when Mayor Manny Diaz was elected and blew through a lot of this reserve with the Marlins stadium and the Global Agreement with the county being the final strain on the Miami budget.
What about the Forever Miami bond Oversight Board?
However, Carollo wanted with MCM to see three property appraisals part of legislation known as “the Carollo Amendment,” that sates any projects on waterfront land must get voter approval and was passed by voters back in 1984. The city’s finances were very aggressive saying. Miami is dependent on real estate and when things are good the city “spends money like a drunken sailor,” and rarely socks anyway in a “rainy day” fund.
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
>>> Kristen Rosen Gonzalez was not charged, in ethics investigation still running for congress
Press release: Ethics Commission Issues Letter Critical of Miami Beach Commissioner. The Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics and Public Trust (COE) today approved a Letter of Instruction to Miami Beach City Commissioner Kristen Rosen-Gonzalez regarding a complaint (C 17-38) that she exploited her official position when she got involved in the police investigation of a political supporter. Last month the Commission voted to issue the Letter, which admonishes Rosen-Gonzalez. The Ethics probe determined that Rosen-Gonzalez was unaware of illegal activities, for which the friend was under police investigation, when she forwarded an email from him containing distorted facts about an event he claimed led to the investigation, but that she did not intentionally try to prevent his arrest. The Letter of Instruction warns that, in the event she decides to forward information from constituents about possible criminal activity to the police department in the future, she must exercise caution “so that it does not appear that she is using her official position…to intervene in a criminal investigation.” It further states that “Rosen-Gonzalez’s rush to defend [her supporter] was ill-conceived and demonstrated a lapse in judgment” and adds, “the public’s trust is diminished when it appears that a City Commissioner has influence over members of the police department.”
The COE found No Legal Sufficiency to a complaint (C 18-01-03) filed against North Miami Beach City Commissioner Phyllis Smith for accepting a paid trip to Monte Carlo, Monaco, and not truthfully reporting the costs of the gift. The investigation found that, after the city accepted a sculpture donated by a French artist, he invited North Miami Beach City officials to attend his exhibition in Monte Carlo at his expense, including air fare, accommodations and meals for seven days. The City Commission agreed that Commissioner Smith could represent the City at the event, and Smith filed the required Gift Disclosure form for the travel expenses. Smith also submitted requests for reimbursement to the City for supplemental expenses not covered by the artist. The same complaint was filed with Florida Commission on Ethics, which last month also dismissed it as legally insufficient, finding that the disclosures made by Smith were adequate.
Ethics Commissioners were informed of a staff recommendation that the Board of County Commissioners deny a conflict waiver for three prominent lobbyists who supported private clients’ legislation during the 2018 state legislative session that would usurp the County’s local authority. Ron Book, Nelson Diaz and Sean Pittman are on Miami-Dade County’s lobbying team, but also represent the retail pet industry. They requested a waiver from the ordinance that prevents them from representing any entity that opposes a County position, so they could continue to represent clients lobbying for a proposed state law that would prevent local governments from banning the sale of puppies and kittens. The legislation did not pass but is expected to be reintroduced next session. The Ethics Commission staff determined that their supporting such a law would be directly at odds with the County’s longstanding and principled opposition to any legislation that would undermine Miami-Dade’s Home Rule powers and will urge the County Commission to deny waiver for the three lobbyists.
In other action today, the COE adopted a procedure to find a replacement for Executive Director Joseph Centurion who announced his intention to leave his position at the end of August. Last month, Ethics Commissioners agreed on the wording of an advertisement that has been, and will continue to be, posted in several ethics and legal recruitment publications, as well as on the Ethics Commission website (ethics.miamidade.gov). Commissioners will receive copies of the resumes of all qualified applicants who meet the May 4, 2018, deadline, then narrow the choice to approximately six semi-finalists at their May 9th meeting. They will conduct interviews with those individuals at open meetings in June. If all goes as planned, the Ethics Commission would approve a contract with the chosen candidate at the July meeting.
Lotus Village gets a $50,000 Drake donation and completes new $25 million complex
The Lotus House village since Feb.2, 2018 has 265 women and children at the facility and will eventually hold 500 women and children in the future and the shelter provides much need services for women and their children. And for more go to
http://www.miamiherald.com/entertainment/article198995194.htmlhttp://www.miamiherald.com/entertainment/article198995194.html and for more go to https://lotushouse.org/
>>> Some leaders leave office with grace, others Sarnoff can’t live without the limelight, walking the halls and commissioner’s offices during commission breaks, even had a book done of his achievements something rarely done
Some elected leaders leave office with grace, while others still crave the adulation and former Miami Dost. 2 Commissioner Marc Sarnoff at the last commission meeting was shuttling between Commissioners Manolo Reyes and Joe Carollo’s offices and the man in a Miami Herald opinion column last week reminded readers that the issue of affordable housing in the Village West in Coconut Grove and the man who pushed his wife into running for his past office since he was termed out. Further, using public money he christened a book on his accomplishments while in office, and I suggested maybe he wanted an obelisk after his reign.
What was shocking at a commission meeting?
A Over town woman Karen Cartwright gave a blunt assessment of what it is like to live in Overtown calling it a “warzone,” with residents being threatened with AR-15 type of firearms and children are getting used to seeing “dead bodies,” on the streets and Miami Commission Chair Keon Hardeman who represents the area called what is going on “domestic terrorism,” that all the government employees see every day and Hardeman said around the nation Overtown is “known as where someone can get the best drugs,” he said. Yet the area also receives released inmates from county jails and since there is a UM state legislation allowing a “needle exchange program,” the commissioner wondered why the not -for-profit van doing the program resides in Overtown and wondered why this area is so neglected and has “residents in fear.” The exchange was more a pleading for the city to do something about it. He said he was tired of Overtown being treated like a “freak show,” said the chair.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eli%C3%A1n_Gonz%C3%A1lez_affair
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article124820224.html
EDITORIALS
>>> The Florida Legislature should keep its hands off the 20 counties that have Home Rule Charter local government is better with local leaders but yes not perfect, at least we arrest our own
Thank you, Florida Legislature, for requiring at local meetings the public has “a right to be heard,” and at the county commission and at local municipal meetings law makers are hearing a host of matters many times with the bark on and usually deal with a local community dilemma that might be heard without this new opportunity to be heard. However, the legislature is wrong to dilute the powers of Home Rule Counties and try to put a state overlay of laws that don’t represent the diversity of the state’s communities and since there are 20 Home Rule Counties local government is always better for residents and voters should let their legislators know they should keep their hands off parenting local government since counties already get beat up in the capital and since Miami-Dade is the state’s largest county with 2.5 million residents and a donor community by some 34 percent of the state’s budget, said the Florida CFO years ago. The state lawmakers should keep that in mind and let local government decide their own legislation regarding issues that affect the local communities.
>>> Mayor Suarez needs to lead by example, and be careful who he hob nods with, city needs to tighten-up
New Miami Mayor Francis Suarez has a unique chance to change the permissive culture of the city where practically no Miami employee wears their city ID or carries cards. Further, city leaders have to tighten up with whom they associate with and if someone is a convicted felon one might want to steer clear because the mayor sets the tone of the administration and after the last few years things were very loose and who you knew versus your competency, was many times over rode and Miami residents deserve better and every city employee represents all and should never forget that you are a public figure and a public servant something many employees seem to forget.
>>> Politicians don’t realize voter’s frustration is they are such hypocrites, many times in their own actions
Politicians are always asking for our trust but it is the hypocrisy of their actions that has gone on for years that makes voters jaded and even if voters pass something they then renege on any promises made and the Pet Trust is one such example and for many local politicians who are high maintenance they forget they work for the people and voters should not have to say thank you for running for office which periodically raises its ugly head and that it is a privilege that just sometimes is based on someone getting their resume punched and the idea of political dynasties in the coming 2017 election is not the way to elect our local representatives and the public can only hope that their true colors will not be seen during their time being a public servant. Further, with municipal elections coming. Since you did not run yourself will you at least vote Nov. 7 and make your community a better place with quality elected leaders or have a small minority chose your leaders. It is up to you.
>>> The Watchdog Report is soon Celebrating 18 years of weekly reliable publishing since May 5th 2000 and when I started back then I never thought I would be doing this so this is a national story in all the national Tribune papers: http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2003-01-20/news/0301190045_1_ricker-miami-watchdog. And while I have taken a licking over the years including some medical issues I have kept at the job thanks to my supporters who I thank so very much over the many years. And the community’s public institutions are better when it comes to them knowing what the other is doing. And Why I have tried to be an information electrolyte for these giant institution’s leaders and things 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.
LETTERS
>>> Lotus Village provides vital services for Miami women and children
Here is some information about the Lotus Village. In Lotus Village, we seek to create a prototype for the future, in which shelter and services for those in need are fully integrated with the urban fabric of the neighborhood we call home. In addition to offering increased capacity with efficient design and land utilization, Lotus Village will include a holistic neighborhood health clinic and children’s day care and wellness center, serving Lotus House and our community.
The shelter facilities in Lotus Village, to be operated by Lotus House, are being designed to accommodate high special needs individuals and families, including programs for youth, elders and the medically needy, a safe haven for those with severe trauma histories, pregnant women and infants, and families of all shapes and sizes. The children’s wellness center will offer child therapy services, nurturing parenting classes, a day care and playground. Food service and dining facilities will include training programs for life skills and job readiness, in addition to meal preparation, dining and a wide range of social activities. A neighborhood health clinic will offer a complement of basic and preventive health care, maternal and pediatric care, eye and dental care, behavioral health and wellness, and a wide range of health and wellness programming for the shelter and our Overtown neighborhood. Deeply integrated in the fabric of our neighborhood, Lotus Village will provide critical linkages to a network of service providers and resources in the larger community, empowering those we shelter and serve to build the foundation for enriched, happier and healthier lives.
You can learn more at: http://lotusendowment.org/about-lotus-village/
>>> 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 www.knightfoundation.org to maintain my webpage. The Watchdog Report webpage is free, has no pops-up and is just the news in a mainstream reporting manner.
>>>> The Watchdog Report publisher for 16 years now, has reported back weekly on how your billions of public dollars in local government are being spent. And how to help support me providing this information is at the end of the WDR. And I hope you will consider supporting keeping an independent news service out in our community, where what is going on with all our government entities is of critical benefit for both the public institutions but voters as well l. Thank You.
And to my Supporters I pledge to keep ‘going when you cannot.’ And we have about $9 billion in GOB funds being spent through a variety of public institutions and that is no small number and in the past I have broken the story on Cuban refugees coming in droves and also the Oriental fruit fly quarantine and its huge economic impact to name just a few of the more recent stories in past WDR’s.And I also keep watch for the all-important tourism industry and with the Zika Virus people are starting to understand how vital these tourists are for a host of amenities like culture and the arts, Jackson health System and transportation dollars all entities that benefit from tourism sales tax dollars.
>>> And while the Watchdog Report has reached16 years of using my own money to survive in the costlier Miami community. And while I have cut expenses I need my readers help. In this fast changing world and with Pay Pal now you can easily use a credit card to contribute and I hope you will consider helping keeping someone out in the field. And I have not wanted to be a lobbyist but rather a lobbyist for everyone and is why I use the tag line ‘I go when you cannot’. But things were made worse after spending 18 days in the hospital with a badly infected finger. And is why I am behind sending my traditional thank you letter to any supporters contributing and hop to catch up in the near future. And I thank these people from the bottom of my heart for the past financial help.
>>> I just ask any reader, once a year who thinks this community resource is valuable to contribute via my Pay Pal account for the fiscal issues sometimes keeps me from going to a meeting sometimes, and the stress also affects my health and only with my readers support can “I go when you cannot,” thank you and hope you will help so the WDR can celebrate 17 years on May 5th.
>>> And to support the WDR go to my Pay Pal account at https://paypal.me/WatchdogReport
>>>And you can now easily support the Watchdog Report by going to my new PayPal Button account, you know you want to do it at https://paypal.me/WatchdogReport for as media resources contract residents still need to know that someone is also watching out for their interests. Because government watched is a better governing experience for voters and their local quality of life?
However, it is no easy task to do the WDR weekly. And years ago the county Ethics Commission did a report that suggested over the past decade some $50 million had been spent fighting waste fraud abuse and public corruption and having the press at public meetings (some very obscure) changes the tone of the meeting (and is why you don’t speed past a state trooper, if you’re smart) Further, I have tried to be an information electrolyte available to all free between these large public institutions when I first started back in 1997. And many public meetings back then were not being recorded except by me and that is no longer the case.
For an accurate public record is key and diminishes future legal action. For you either have an accurate public record or you don’t. And I hope you will consider helping me in this effort to keep the community informed and saving taxpayer monies in the process. And I thank my supporters over the last 17 years. And to read a national story and profile of the WDR publisher in the early years and background back in 2003 go to: http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2003-01-20/news/0301190341_1_ricker-school-board-president-miami-s-first-cuban-american
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>>> Publisher’s Statement on the mission of the Watchdog Report and the special people and organizations that make it possible: Government Subscribers/Corporate Subscribers/Sustaining Sponsors/Supporting Sponsors the Watchdog Report covers a few of the meetings attended weekly. It remains my belief that an informed public will make better decisions. Therefore, I go to meetings, make the presence of an informed citizen known, and bring the information to you. The Watchdog Report is in the fourth year of publication and it has been an honor to be able to send this information to you. It is sent to readers in Miami-Dade, Florida, the U.S. and the world. The Watchdog Report is sent to thousands free and while readers have been prodded to subscribe the results have been mixed. Over 250 reports and Extras 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. I welcome letters via e-mail. Letters may be edited for length or clarity and must refer to material published in the Watchdog Report. Please see address and contact information. Please send any additions and corrections by e-mail, fax or snail mail. All corrections will be published in the next Watchdog Report. If you or your organization would like to publish the contents of this newsletter, please contact me. Please send your request to watchdogreport1@earthlink.net
Daniel A. Ricker
Publisher & Editor
Watchdog Report
Est. 05.05.00
Copyright © of original material, 2017, Daniel A. Ricker
>>> 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
Published on January 20, 2003, Page 1E, Orlando Sentinel, PAPERWORK TIGER, Miami’s citizen watchdog piles up government files in his quest to keep the “little people” informed. http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2003-01-20/news/0301190045_1_ricker-miami-watchdog
>>>Watchdog Report publisher named ‘Best Citizen’ 2003 by the Miami New Times
The publisher would like to thank the weekly alternative paper Miami New Times for bestowing their 2003 Best of Miami, ‘Best Citizen’ award to me and I am honored. Thank you. To read the full story go to http://www.miaminewtimes.com/best-of/2003/people-and-places/best-citizen-6399517
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