Watchdog Report Vol.19 No.18 June 9, 2019 EST: 05.05.00 – I go when you cannot – Celebrating almost 20 Years of Weekly publishing
>>> Today is the Watchdog Report’s 19 Anniversary and when I started back in 05.05.00 I never imagined I would be doing this weekly publication now closing in on 20 years. I am not a big chest thumper and just try to be an informational electrolyte, between the many large public entities (That in total is about $16 billion and Miami $1 billion). that make up Miami-Dade County. For many times it is at the lower level of government that deals, and other beefs are discussed and to my early supporters thank you for putting your trust in me.
May we all pay a somber reflection on the 75th Anniversary of the Normandy invasion and the Greatest Generation’s contribution that included my father, a physician his twin and older brother an oral surgeon and a colonel and they brought their experiences there when they returned after the war and the war changed them said a uncle before he passed.
This is my second report after my surgery (Thank you Dr. Jorge Rabaza at S. Miami hospital), a few weeks ago and while still weak I am trying to get back in the saddle on a normal basis and I apologize to my supporters for this unexpected break.
What about the Super Bowl and sex trafficking?
At a school board meeting a few months ago a human trafficking expert and prosecutor said with the big event trifactors are building “capacity of young girls,” and many of the 7th and 8th graders are in foster care. Further the pimps use 7th and 8th graders to recruit these new young girls and this was brought into focus after N.E. Patriots owner Robert Kraft was busted in a Broward massage parlor. Further state attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle also busted some people doing sex trafficking and this dark side of the community will only intensify up to the Super Bowl next year. State attorney Rundle in a Sunday editorial noted some 570 people over years have been arrested for human trafficking and her office is working with Super Bowl host committee chair Rodney Barreto.
What about the homeless 100 Day Challenge?
What about the issue of homeless children in Miami-Dade?
The Miami-Dade Count point count recently was 947 kids on streets since this most recent count? “The count found 49 percent were ’homeless the first time,” 65 percent were non-Hispanic, and 40 percent were LGBT and 180 people were moved into new homes and the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust participated in the 100 Day challenge and above is some of the results I asked trust chair Ron book about the program discussed at the trust meeting Friday and he responded: “The 100 Day Challenge relates to ending youth homelessness, and we were 1 of 5 Communities identified nationally. We accepted the challenge, and there are now 15 Communities in the Country that have accepted it. We are considered probably if not the most successful to complete the 100 Day Challenge ranking in the top 2 or 3.”
We did things to create new best practices, and if you had the opportunity, which you may already have seen the video from the Chicago Summit, you would see that the other 4 that participated in this 100 Day Challenge were truly taken by our efforts, commitment, and our success. We blew our goals out of the water, and we will continue to push, and pursue every youth that are on our streets until we have everyone out, and taken care of,” wrote the long-time chair.https://www.wesh.com/article/desmond-meade-on-time-100-speaks-to-what-this-country-is-all-about/27185500
>>> the 2020 Census Task force and the bureau are looking for census takers who are paid between $16.00 to $18.00 and include health benefits.
What about water in the school district?
During Wednesday’s school board meeting the student advisor asked about getting water for students and noted what happened in ‘Flint Michigan schools,’ and lead in the water system as Miami-Dade which pays for schools’ water is under-going a massive replumbing under a federal consent decree. This caught my eye because there may be a rumor that the county water is suspect and here are a couple reports on the matter
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/environment/article148112799.html
https://www8.miamidade.gov/global/water/water-quality-reports.page
>>> And to support the WDR go to my Pay Pal account that is easy to use and right now would be a great time: http://paypal.me/WatchdogReport Further, if you would rather send a check send it made out to Daniel Ricker and mail it to 3109 Grand Ave., #125 Miami, Fla. 33133. Thank you, Dan
>>>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. And hope you can support the WDR efforts to have informed residents to public institutions issues, in our community.
>>> Further thewww.watchdogreport.net in South Florida is an established news service presence, because most people are too busy to go to these important meetings., 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.
WATCHDOG REPORT
Miami-Dade, Fla.
Vol.20 No.18 June 9, 2019 Soon Celebrating 20 years of weekly publishing! www.watchdgreport.net & Former Miami Herald news & editorial columnist. EST: 05.05.00, I go when you cannot, for 1almost 18 years & a trusted community education resource & news service, without the attitude
CONTENTS
ARGUS REPORT: Once again Miami is in the global spotlight with Democratic party debates Wed cut to crowded field evolving DNC deadline for ten candidates –Dueling mayors on WLRN, Suarez Gimenez discuss the fate of the Coconut grove historic Playhouse theater, clock is ticking with state milestones by 2020 — Miami Civil Service board violates Sunshine Law with extensive discussion while on coffee break after commissioner testifies about firing of aide claiming whistle blower status, all caught on city television — 2020 Census complete count top priority $177 million lost in 2010 count only,82 percent, says census bureau outreach coordinator Diaz a former Little Havana resident $675 billion annually at stake nationwide $29 billion goes to Florida commissioner Bovo leading the charge, school district must work closely to ensure accurate count students’ best way to explain to parents what the 2020 Census is, undercount costs millions, maybe even a new future house seat like in 2010, the worse count ever after Cuban boy Elian Gonzalez sent fear through the Cuban community of the federal government, some $800 billion at stake for some counties around the nation.
OBITUARY: Miami loses two iconic media professionals C.M. Guerro and Todd Tongen of WPLG, and both will be missed for their past work and warm nature
STATE of FLORIDA: Governor Ron DeSantis Announces $78 Million Award to Miami-Dade County for Hurricane Irma– UM Ryder sign MOU with Hebrew University, over half of all Israeli trauma surgeons trained at UM Ryder – Check out Children’s Trust heart gallery, kids needing forever homes, will break your heart when you see their smiles – Disruptive pre-k children getting “suspended,” new challenge for Children’s Trust — Complete 2020 Census count critical to get our share of $675 billion annually, some $29 billion in 2010, undercount costs $1,400 in lost revenue
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY: remediating mold in country fire houses, made worse by Irma must be addressed immediately says Commissioner Sosa -The Miami-Dade property Appraiser Thursday released his estimates and countrywide property tax value rose “5.9 percent,” with a value of $307,213,billion and this revenue bump is because of the new development to see the report by municipalities go to: http://www.miamidade.gov/pa/reports.asp
Will county commission spend this new tax revenue wisely while new commissioners are termed out, how much in rainy day fund? — M-D County Youth Commission finds “rampant,” bullying and “code reds,” climate change, vaping new issues, body creating the leaders of the future, and note Miami is one of the first “cities to run out of water say,” studies show- Will the county float a new GOB for infrastructure, getting thousands off septic tanks, suggests commissioner Jordan? –Commissioner Souto says with humongous county government mayor should “crack the whip,” believes, running slower, “wants more eyes on major contracts”– Last week’s hot topics were, vehicles & furniture, “4 to 10 police,” vehicles a week can be processed by county in new police cars, $84 million contract, $38 million from previous year “1,006 new cars from that amount
Miami-Dade County Public Schools: Community leaders in shock after M-DC public Schools former chair Dr. Solomon Stimson charged with felony after shooting at police in Broward– School district will get property appraiser funding on time after value adjustment board met Monday and whittled down the time for appeals with more hearing masters, loss years ago was $171 million hit to district– School District Impact Fees audit Check out the audit and what the county owes to the public– http://mca.dadeschools.net/AuditCommittee/AC_May_14_2019/Agenda.pdf — Charter schools 134 of them are asking to receive some of the $1.2 billion GOB proceeds passed by county voters, teacher raises and facilities upgrades, is running into protests.
PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST: New continuum of care center coming for homeless with mental issues, JHS involved one stop center– New wellness program cohort had a “600 Lb.” loss of weight and another cohort had 29 employees getting their B.A.’s at MDC, says trustee Dr. Lipof —
Christine E. Lynn rehabilitation facility fitted Friday $175 million rehab, home to UM Project to Cure Paralysis
CITY OF MIAMI: A behind the look at F1 race negotiations done by county ethics commission, no charges since attorney did not accept getting “full VIP credentials,” went diving instead memo closed out, but fascinating read, Commission Chair Ken Russell tapped by Florida DNC as “chairman of their statewide Municipal Victory program,” in Orlando–Commission Dist. 1 candidate Alex de la Portilla trying to bounce back has $167,000 in war chest leads pack of candidates since Gort termed out, ex Miami commissioner Hernandez plying the halls of city hall was disbarred attorney for mortgage fraud – Mayor Suarez needs to get commission under control law practice gives Carollo a huge opening and now we find he is a lobbyist for ritzy Fisher Island, he is a well-paid mayor, causing his own problem by not fighting acknowledging the potential conflict — Will commission turbulence affect bond ratings, “you are not the chair,” says Carollo, says he “knows one Harvard idiot [referring to mayor’s father and political nemesis], commissioners tooling around in new $73,000, SUVs with massage chair button — Is Omni CRA public records request suggest Sarnoff will run for Dist. 2 seat? Man is known to be vindictive aloof, I was polled again– Commissioner Carollo attacks staff and administration for dereliction of duty and code enforcement, end of meeting like a Tchaikovsky sympathy’s climax — Mayor Francis Suarez gave his first state of the city speech at the Miami Freedom Tower and the high energy young man and attorney was received by quests almost like a rally as he detailed the administrations goals in the coming year, but can he deliver? – mayor Suarez moving on up now sitting on dais between manager and attorney, make it seem he is a strong mayor though voters rejected that idea, not stopping him – Bayside Foundation Willy Gort scholarship to get $250,000 anti-poverty funding from his dist.1 fund, foundation gives $200,000 in scholarships, odd taxpayer money being used, will it start a trend of scholarship programs?
EDITORIALS: S. Florida’s political vendettas holds back what could be Miami’s greatness, Failure to move on costs all S. Florida residents, in quality of life?
Carollo claims extensive corruption in code enforcement, verbally beats down mayor Suarez and administration, not a good look for commission, political daggers out – Elected leaders’ foreign trips, could determine if they are Marco Polo, to county and city voters! – Mayor Suarez’s strong mayor proposal flawed should not allow outside income for either mayor or manager, not about him but future mayors – 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 a gov. 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 municipalities out of control and get little press coverage or oversight, legislators are on wrong side of this one
Community Event:
>>> If you wish to be deleted, just e-mail me with that message.
>>> 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.)
ARGUS REPORT: Heard Seen on the Street
>>> Once again Miami is in the global spotlight with Democratic party debates cut to crowded field evolving
The Democratic Party field of candidates will get their first change in 14-days to take on each other here in Miami at the Adrienne Arts Performing Arts Center and with the DNC adding certain requirements to qualify to be on the stage that will be broadcast worldwide and on local Spanish media and while Obama Vice President Joe Biden is leading n the polls the party is in a transition from Hillary Clinton as millennials and other voters take up the flag and the party cannot look like they’re favoring anyone candidate like in 2016 when U.S.. Rep. Debbie Wassermann Schultz, D- Weston after strong turnout rallies was involved in trying to tamp down support to insurgent Sen. Bernie Sanders and his supporters who “felt the burn,” and had strong turnout rallies during the last election cycle. Further the DNC is changing some of the rules to be on the stage and has some candidates crying foul and if it replays the 2016 race tipped to favor Clinton and resulted in a low energy turnout that suggested Clinton was just going through the motions and Biden has to prove he wants to be president and is coming off as not having the charisma of Obama and is a safe candidate that may or may not appeal to the key younger voters who failed to turn out in 2016 allowing Donald Trump to be elected. Voters want candidates that have the fire in their belly and can inspire For more on this go to: Editor’s note: in Obama’s 2006 election a pregnant woman broke water and while elections got an ambulance and moved the lady up in line she would not leave till she voted. That is passion and energy a candidate needs to be successful in politics and was short in Hillary’s campaign.
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/article231278938.html
>>> Dueling mayors on WLRN, Suarez Gimenez discuss the fate of the Coconut grove historic Playhouse theater, clock is ticking with state milestones by 2020
Former Miami-Dade Mayor Alex Penelas is considering returning to the political world not since 20004, when he was termed out. After healthcare executive Mike Fernandez contributed $100,000 to the man’s campaign pace Fernandez a veteran U.S. Army Air Borne Ranger has been an outspoken critic of some Republican rhetoric, and immigration policies and called out past campaign staffers making ethnic slurs against Hispanics.
Further, I ran into a longtime Penelas confidant banker and builder Sergio Pino and I asked him if the mayor was going to run and he indicated he thought he would and as a Democrat Penelas will be facing a host of Republican candidates in a crowded field.
However, his time in office was controversial and after numerous scandals at MIA the Miami Herald was pushing for an airport authority and Penela set up a Blue-Ribbon Task Force to study the issue. He also created a task to study the plight of the around 400,000 residents without health insurance that was taxing Jackson Health Systems resources.https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article230383894.html
Further, Penelas’ choice of county manager after he fired long time and respected county Manager Merritt Stierheim and replaced him with former Homestead Mayor Steve Shiver who was way above his depth and did try to be transparent like allowing a number of reporters to have complete access to his emails and the WDR was one of them back in 2000.
What happened at the Grove Playhouse?
While passions ran high Thursday at the Miami commission meeting regarding the fate of the historic Playhouse in Coconut Grove, the objectors to the county’s plan did not realize the battle and fate happened long ago at the selection committee meeting at Miami-Dade County, here is the county’s description of the process and its members one of which had to get an ethics commission ruling that found a conflict with the FIU member https://www.miamidadearts.org/news/coconut-grove-playhouse-update-february-2015
Update
The Coconut Grove Playhouse was the topic last week on Sundial and Miami mayor Francis Suarez had the first crack at their position and the county’s smaller controversial plan. Suarez vetoed the commission decision approving the county’s plan and here are the radio show’s links to each of their side on the issue that has Suarez believing all remedies must be considered and Gimenez who wants to get the project done since there are state milestones that have to be met or the property could revert back to the state and be sold as surplus in an action. Here’s Suarez’s showhttps://www.wlrn.org/post/demolishing-grove-house-miami-mayor-francis-suarez-says-we-need-exhaust-all-remedies Here is Gimenez’s response and discussion on the radio show
>> Will inconclusive Mueller report satisfy anyone or will congress, and House be the determining factor?
With the Robert Mueller III report released on the Trump campaign. The report portrays a campaign that did not conclude (while not definitive will probably not satisfy either of the political parties) and is why this is the first time I am writing about the investigation that was kept very close to the vest by the Mueller team. What the report suggests while no collusion the Russians GRU was trying to help the Trump campaign after Hillary Clinton caused a nightmare during the Arab Spring and could have spread to Russia especially after the Ukraine invasion by the Russians. Further it highlights the number of conflicting contacts during those years and suggest naiveite or new to the political world of global spying and the efforts adversarial countries to try to influence the nation’s politics, something America has a long history of doing from Vietnam to Panama. An invasion that Barr bought into in a position paper under President George H. Bush during Iran Contra when Cap Weinberger was pardoned by Bush, but Barr wrote the memo that the nation could take out a leader Daniel Noriega. Here are some of the stories on the matter and other media comments on the report and there is a wide range of views. Editor’s note: readers please don’t go crazy with this story because it will in the end be decided by the congress. Further let’s see how this plays out.
https://politicalwire.com/2019/04/15/barr-misled-congress-in-1989-summary-memo/
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/19/opinion/mueller-trump-russia-report.html
Here is a great story on Mueller’s wartime record in Vietnam after he graduated from Princeton University and was a Marine Corps platoon captain in the conflict.
https://medium.com/@Smalltofeds/the-untold-story-of-robert-muellers-time-in-combat-6fde3bd69d18
>>>> Miami Civil Service board violates sunshine law with extensive discussion while on coffee break after commissioner testifies about firing of aide claiming whistle blower status, all caught on city television
The Florida Sunshine Law and open public records is being assaulted in the municipalities in a variety of ways and since many public meetings are being televised it is easy to see board members talking among themselves as was the case at a City of Miami Civil Service board meeting April 2nd and 3rd just after commissioner Joe Carollo testified concerning the firing of a former staffer Steven Miro who was claiming a whistle blower status in front of the five member board where one member had to recuse himself.
At this meeting around 11:40 a.m., there was a long animated conversation between the members and chair and finger pointing to make a point and it also had the chair moving the mic away even though it was turned off while they were waiting for someone to bring them coffee but it was so blatant I later went down to the commission to cover this blatant disregard for the law and to get the names of the board members since they are not on the city’s webpage for this board. Editor’s note: The Miami-Dade County Ethics and Public Trust should review this meeting because the Sunshine law was so clearly violated, right after Carollo had testified and their final deliberations.
Rerun because so important: 2020 Census complete count top priority $177 million lost in 2010 undercount, says census bureau outreach coordinator Diaz a former Little Havana resident $675 billion annually at stake nationwide $29 billion goes to Florida
The Miami-Dade County Community Relations board (CRB) met Wednesday in the county commission chambers and the topic was community “fear,” when it came to the upcoming 2020 Census. Where some $1,400 is lost in federal funding across the board through federal agencies and in the 2010 Census only “82 percent” of the community was counted and nationwide the percentage was “74 percent,” said Ana Maria Diaz with the Census bureau outreach coordinator.
The importance of the Census is not only financial but is key to reapportionment of congress and in 2010 south Florida picked up two congressional seats.
What about community outreach and education?
Further, while many residents may not be eligible to vote these people must be counted for the federal funding helps these possible undocumented and the citizenship question is what many residents and while many residents fear that ICE or HSH might raid and arrest them. The count since 1790 has been sealed for 72 years and a president cannot unseal the information and that can only be done by an act of congress said the Census Bureau outreach coordinator who grew up in Little Havana populated with seniors and may have their kids living with them and they all must be counted she said and “a 3 percent increase in the count,’ would be a major achievement for the county and while it is a year away now is the time to educate. For many residents who don’t understand the Census that starts April 1 next year. The WDR spends so much time on this subject since I interviewed many people working on the 2000 Census and the count was terrible after the young Cuban boy Elian Gonzalez was extracted from his Little Havana home after federal authorities raided the home and chaos erupted in Miami with extensive ethnic divisions and curb sitting counting was a problem where there were many people living in homes or apartments and the undercount was considerable and had to be adjusted later but that may not happen again so it has to be done right because as Diaz said “It starts and cannot be stopped,” despite weather or any other issue. She noted when challenged about “doing damage control, ” for the Trump administration and her boss U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilber Ross and the fear in the community which is a minority majority committee that keeps many people afraid to even go to a bank and use check cashing stores where there are lines but that is the reality of South Florida and is why getting a complete count is so important. Update: in 2010, under the Obama administration which employed extensive minority outreach it is estimated in that count some 2 million children were missed in the final count.
>>> Census 2020 kickoff April 1, “all hands must be on deck,” billions at stake in a minority majority community, commissioner Bovo leading the charge, school district must work closely to ensure accurate count students’ best way to explain to parents
April1, is the kick off of the Miami-Dade County census efforts that include a taskforce that includes the public school district since students area key information electrolytes with their parents and since Miami is a minority majority community an accurate count is the top priority and the county is sending out some 90 community speakers and county commissioner Estephan Bovo, Jr.’ is heading up the county commission’s efforts commissioner Barbara Jordan is concerned that multiple families are sharing homes and could be worried of county code violations, she noted “there is fear in this population” and that fear is somewhat similar to the 2000 census after young Elian Gonzalez was extracted from his Little Havana home by federal agents in an early morning raid. And the community erupted and hated the federal government and attorney general Janet Reno.
>>>The Knight Foundation releases commission report on restoring trust in media
The John. S. and James L. Knight Foundation has released a report looking at restoring trust in the media and its corrosive effect to Democracy to read the commission’s report go to: http://csreports.aspeninstitute.org/Knight-Commission-TMD/2019/report
>> The super bowl is not the big enchilada of upcoming events, but the 2020 Census is, undercount costs millions, maybe even a new house seat like in 2000, the worse count after Cuban boy Elian Gonzalez, sent fear through the Cuban community of federal government, Chair Bovo wants to help this important event, All hands-on deck activity
While Miami-Dade county is preparing for the Super Bowl next year a bigger event is coming in the 2020 U.S. Census that in Miami the count has been generally a flawed process and the worst count was the 2000 Census after the young boy Elian Gonzalez was extracted from Little Havana and the community erupted in ethnic tensions and fear for many residents since even though the count is done by the commerce department many saw a “federally,” and would not participate and years later the numbers had to be revised and south Florida got an extra congressional seat that was later filled by U.S> Rep. Mario Diaz Ballart, R-Miami and the census count per person back then brought some $23,000 in federal funding and was in stark contrast to other counties around the nation where very high count was achieved. Further for some counties the undercount could result in some communities losing some $800 billion in lost federal funding that includes Medicare funding and a host of other programs.
School Board member Lubby Navarro is part of the 2020 census taskforce being assembled an she spoke in front of the county commission about the important matter and noted residents will get a form with a number on it and they can file online using that number. She also noted there will be Major outreach at schools’ libraries and other sites with NGOs to get an accurate count and the community’s fair share of representation and federal funding. She also noted we might get a new house seat if the census is done accurately.
Update?
County Commissioner Dennis Moss asked to put a representative from the United Way of Miami-Dade, The Children’s Trust (the choice is Gus Barreiro a former state representative) on the 2020 Census Task Force given the importance of children to explain to parents what the national census is and is not used to target illegal people. Further he counts maybe asking people of their immigration status which is expected to diminish the count. However, the last time the government did this was during World War II with the Japanese internment.
Back in 2000 I watched and wrote a lot about the undercount and how it starts and then stops, though the county did get an extension back then but that is no longer assured.
https://www.naco.org/articles/2020-census-what-counties-need-do-now-prepare
>>> 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.
OBITUARY
>>> Miami loses two iconic media professionals C.M. Guerro and Todd Tongen of WPLG, bothe will be missed for their past work
It was with great sadness that I read two friends I have gotten to know had passed. Zone was C.M. Guerro a talented photographer with the Miami Herald and Todd Tongen personal feature and hard news reporter for WPLG channel 10 and of course his Ten taxi stories driving an old checker taxi and interviewing a host of eclectic personalities. And both will be missed. Please rest in piece gentleman you will be missed.
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/obituaries/article230881769.html
https://www.today.com/news/florida-reporter-todd-tongen-who-died-suicide-may-have-feared-t155631
FLORIDA
>>> Governor Ron DeSantis Announces $78 Million Award to Miami-Dade County for Hurricane Irma
>> Press release: Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that Miami-Dade County is receiving $78.1 million for Hurricane Irma recovery. This funding is awarded by the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) to reimburse the county for debris removal in the months following Hurricane Irma’s landfall in Florida.
“Today, we are taking yet another significant step forward for hurricane recovery in Florida,” said Governor DeSantis. “When I took office, I made a commitment that Northwest Florida and every community impacted by recent hurricanes will make a full recovery. I’m proud that today we are continuing to honor that commitment by providing this funding to Miami-Dade County.”
“Florida has been severely impacted over the past several years due to devastating hurricanes. This critical funding provided by FEMA and FDEM is imperative for continued recovery efforts in Miami-Dade County after Hurricane Irma,” said Lt. Governor Jeanette Nuñez. “Our administration continues to make good on our promises and this $78 million will provide much needed relief.”
“When I took over at FDEM, Governor DeSantis directed me to speed up the reimbursement process to make sure that Florida counties and cities received the money they are owed,” said FDEM Director Jared Moskowitz. “Cities and counties have waited too long to replenish their reserves or repay loans from Irma but with today’s announcement we are showing that the Governor’s policies are working, and funding has been accelerated.”
In January, FDEM implemented new procedures to accelerate FEMA reimbursements to communities impacted by hurricanes Irma, Matthew and Hermine. Previously, the Division required projects to be 100-percent validated before any funding was awarded. Under the new process, half of the funds are awarded when a project is 50-percent validated, while the Division continues to work with applicants to provide funding as projects continue to be validated. This process is in addition to expedited payments for communities impacted by Hurricane Michael.
>> Check out Children’s Trust heart gallery, kids needing forever homes, will break your heart when you see their smiles
The Miami-Dade County Trust is featuring its heart gallery on children looking to be adopted into lifetime homes and to see the gallery that will break your heart go to
Miami heart Gallery https://www.miamiheartgallery.org/children
>>>> Disruptive pre-k children getting “suspended,” new challenge for Children’s Trust Miami-Dade County
During a Children’s Trust television show on the c0unty cable channel a speaker said when it comes to pre-K early learning programs many minority and other children are being “suspended,” for their behavior and since it is proven that these early programs put children in a readiness state to learn. And this a new challenge among these troublesome children age “3 to 5,” the expert said.
>>>> Complete 2020 Census count critical to get our share of $675 billion annually, some $29 billion in 2010, undercount costs $1,400 in lost revenue
The state of Florida must also gear up for the 2020 Census since the federal government will be allocating some $675 billion and for the state that is $29 billion annually and in Miami-Dade the undercount cost us some $177 million and this has got to be a top priority for the state’s leaders.
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
>>> remediating mold in country fire houses, made worse by Irma must be addressed immediately says Commissioner Sosa
An emergency contract to remediate mold in the many county fire stations was the talk of the commission after a $250,000 later bumped to $500,0000 contract with a pool of venders and commissioner Rebeca Sosa was not happy it has taken so long since mold is a health issue and elderly can stop by these stations with paramedics and wants a full report on the scope that has gotten worse after hurricane Irma. Back in 1999 the county’s public schools had a similar problem with mold and it ultimately cost the district some $200 million to complete the massive reroofing capital program back then and mold mitigation depends on a sealed facility and while “patches,” are being tried it may not be worth it on certain facilities and S. Florida in almost any public building there is probable mold given our weather.
The Miami-Dade Mayoral race in 2020 is becoming a race for money. below are past articles on his tenure including a NYT article on the past corruption in the county in the late 1990s.
https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/person.asp?personId=39564793&privcapId=30179328
https://floridianpress.com/2018/03/alex-penelas-adds-unnecessary-swamp-to-florida/
https://www.floridatrend.com/article/4021/life-after-politics-for-former-miami-mayor
https://www.nytimes.com/1998/06/20/us/miami-wrestling-with-corruption-of-officials.html
After years of controversy County Commission Chair Audrey Edmonson did something not done before but had new commission chairs bought and the lite blue leather chairs replace old ones with worn springs and most commissioners were using back pillows but when it was first suggested years ago it caused a media firestorm. Further Edmonson has also banned people after meeting break with living things at the commissioner’s spot on the dais and what I call the Forbidden Zone where staff it behind the commissioners as staffers.
The commission approved six names to be submitted to the governor’s office for appointment to the Children’s Trust of Miami-Dade and one of the names is former Miami commissioner Rev. Ricard Dunn and the governor will make his appointments in the future.
>>> The Miami-Dade property Appraiser Thursday released his estimates and countrywide property tax value rose “5.9 percent,”
with a value of $307,213,billion and this revenue bump is because of the new development to see the report by municipalities go to: http://www.miamidade.gov/pa/reports.asp
Further, in 2017 the increase was “6.0 percent,” so the increase is not creating a bubble in the real-estate market that decimated tax rolls back in 2007 and 2008 and had government coffers swelling with revenues prior and was one of the reasons that mayor Carlos Álvarez got recalled along with giving his staff a raise while freezing county employees salaries’.
>> M-D County Youth Commission finds “rampant,” bullying and “code reds,” climate change, vaping new issues, body creating the leaders of the future, and note Miami is one of the first “cities to run out of water say,” studies show
A joint meeting with county commissioners and the Miami-Dade County Youth Commission created by the body in 2011 is always an eyeopener. These young members say what they mean with the bark on and in the past years school violence and bullying was a number one concern and after the tragedy at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas students expressed concerns when it comes to “code red,” drills that they need the teachers to explain more what the “procedures,” should be and that these drills “should end after some six minutes the students,” on the council said.
Further the issue of vaping and e cigarettes is a big concern since some 2.3 million students in the county are vaping and has a variety of Side effects that still need to be studied more but it has become increasing number the student representatives said.
http://www.miamidade.gov/youthcommission/prindex.asp?year=2017&web=youthcommission
These members also did community service like Books for Tots where they give out children’s books like Vegetable Soup and others to get preschoolers reading early.
They also traveled to Washington, D.C. PAMM and a school board meeting where they believe “zoning changes should be modified where vaping stores in strip malls should be outlawed in the county code close to schools. Further, each member talked about the programs impact on them from a roundtable meeting with Miami-Dade County Police Department and changed people’s perspective about officers that was different from what you see on social media.
County keeps policy of using CNG for bus and waste hauler fleet, that’s has Mayor Carlos Gimenez “cooling on the technology,” and believes “electric is coming,” much faster down the track he told commissioners.
The county commission had a long policy debate concerning the use of compressed natural gas to power buses and waste hauling fleet. That nationwide has 1,700 CNG trucks in use said county lobbyist Miguel de Grandy, who once lost an election for the Florida house by one vote.
>>> Summer Youth intern program funding running into trouble with school district “that has problems accepting the funding,” says Gimenez
Summer Youth Internship program is facing obstacles with the county school board said Gimenez and involves the Children’s Trust funding and the school district. It may be something “bureaucratic,” and will continue to fund it and maybe next year figure a way to resolve it said Gimenez. In the past years 5,000 to 7,000 kids have participated in this program for at risk youth during the summer break. Part of the problem is a new requirement for “audits,” said sponsor Barbara Jordan. The mayor said, “they [the school district] has problems accepting the funding in this cycle. He is continuing to negotiate with the district since this an important youth program.
>>>> What about the Homeless Trust and this year’s number of who had died on the street, a new high many opioid related, last year 138 passed this year 201 passed state’s medical examiner confirms.
The watchdog Report contacted Book about the solemn but stirring meetings after the students spoke and he wrote back, “It was even more because we had the vigil for an hour and a half before in the lobby and it was extremely emotional and painful. Last year, 138 individuals died on our streets. The number jumped up this year to 201, which is the highest year yet and 77% are confirmed by the medical examiner to have died from opioid overdoses. That is simply unconscionable and unacceptable and disheartening.
Secondly, if that’s not bad enough, the national average from a life expectancy perspective on someone who lives on the streets is 79 years of age nationally. Our average this year amongst the 201 was 55 years old. Think about it, our average is 24 years younger than the national average and we don’t have minus 44-degree weather. It was very emotional and very hard and draining. Then we go to the Trust Meeting and it just becomes a high, but it was a high after one of the worst downers in the 25 years I’ve served this Board. Then right after the Board meeting, I had to judge with four of my team members, our annual essay and poster contest amongst elementary, middle school and high school kids. Just a hard day around on homelessness, wrote the long-time chair. For more on the Sadowski trust go to;https://www.bradenton.com/opinion/editorials/article48810155.html
>>> Commissioner Souto says with humongous county government mayor should “crack the whip,” believes, running slower, “wants more eyes on major contracts”
“Let’s crack the whip,” says commissioner Javier Souto to mayor Carlos Gimenez Tuesday when discussing a controversial water and sewer contract and believes things are slowing down with a “Humongous,” county government and he believes it is important “for people to watch the process, the more the merrier.” He said the county is “sweating money at MIA,” and the county is floating some $700 million in new aviation bonds for MIA and I was reminded of the county’s “Review,” committee in the 1990s chaired by attorney Norman Powell and they were reviewing some $400 million in change orders twice and explained in a one paragraph memo referencing new airline “alliances,” but there was no discussion and it took about three minutes to pass the change orders and that trend ballooned the cost of MIA to over $6.4 billion and at one point having to pay some $1 million a day in debt payments.
What about shot spotter more cameras and extra police for school safety.?
Mayor Gimenez told commissioners recently shot spotter and their use by police that someday drones may be found “on police cars in the future,” after commissioner Javier Souto went into a discussion about the need for police “to have eyes in the sky,” he thought and would decrease gun violence.
Further the county has “three dome areas,” which is what the shot spotter areas are called and the Ring security camera on people’s homes i reducing crime and Gimenez at his home has one and he can keep track of his home.
Gimenez said the one-time funding to have county police guard schools cannot be sustained and will approach school district Superintendent Alberto Carvalho in January since the district had a bond passed to enhance teacher pay and more school security that the county cannot cover any longer. MDPD director Juan Perez that shell casings collected by ATF is an invaluable tool along with license plate reader technology. He noted two officers killed in south Dade end the shell casings showed the gun was “used five times before,” in a crime said Perez
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Will elections and sheriff be political patronage havens, or repositories for termed out elected officials to land?
Lack of competency in candidates in new elected offices, highlighted during the last election cycle has many concerned what the future of key elected officials will be. For example, Miami-Dade state attorney in office since 1992 has said she was not running again back in 2015 her last election and there is no current successor of an organization that handles some 250,0000 cases. This highlights the problem when offices are political like a supervisor of elections, sheriff and a host of others recently created by statewide voters and create political patronage rather than competency is one of the reasons Broward elections supervisor Brenda Snipes had problems in November’s elections.
What is the new elderly crisis coming seniors & children housing money their lack of permanent long-term homes?
Homeless seniors are becoming the biggest threat facing the county in the future and it is a “Crisis, said Ron Book,” the Miami-Dade County Homeless trust chair. At past trust meeting and the need for permanent housing for this emerging group is critical and he is on a crusade to find permanent housing the trust can buy but in Miami the inventory is small an expensive he has said in the past. And to review the task force recommendations and has some elderly having to live in shelters for up to “1,000,” s and that number qualifying will only increase in the future.
Ron Book has been making the political rounds speaking at a Miami commission meeting about a new encampment in the inner city that has been blocked off by the health department after open sexual acts and drug dealing has resulted in a spike of AIDs cases and the finding of drug paraphernalia around the local schools and the trust has gone into emergency mode to get these people into rehabilitation and other programs and those coming back are being addressed where one Women had “black lips,” gangrene and was “spotted having a rat eating the food in her mouth,” in her stupor condition said Book to city commissioners and she was taken into rehabilitation but this is the challenge the county’s homeless trust faces. For more go to https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/downtown-miami/article219921130.html
The trust has a new program where people with rental housing can register their rental units with the county and for more on the program go to: http://www.homelesstrust.rg/rentconnect.asp
PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST
>>> New continuum of care center coming for homeless with mental issues, JHS involved one stop center, upcoming special PHT board meeting to ratify new committee chairs
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 Chapman, Jr. partnership go to: https://www.chapmanpartnership.org/about-us/leadership/ https://www.chapmanpartnership.org/wpq_events/nextgen-gala-party/
>>> New wellness program cohort had a “600 Lb.” loss of weight and another cohort had 29 employees getting their B.A.’s at MDC, says trustee Dr. Lipof
Trustee Dr. Irene Lipof at this week’s televised board meeting noted a new wellness program cohort had a “600 Lb.” loss in weight. She further said that another program collaboration with MDC had a host of nurses getting their B.A. degrees and these programs are proving to be quite useful and while the trust given its payer mix is facing some financial strains and resulted in some staff administration cutbacks the health system believes it will be in the black by April and March (where cash was good). And there is 50 days of cash on hand that years ago was only 9 to 10 days but a leaner JHS has improved that condition.
>>> Last girder to state-of-the-art Christine E. Lynn rehabilitation facility fitted Friday $175 million rehab, home to UM Project to Cure Paralysis
On Friday the last girder was added to the new state of the art rehabilitation facility and it is dearly needed after the previous one was inadequate and antiquated and was always a hot topic with county commissioners especially commissioner Sally Heyman who had a back issue and had to get rehab there. The $175 center will also be home for UM’s the Miami Project to cure Paralysis and the fundraising got a jolt when Christine E. Lynn donated the first $25 million and was augmented with proceeds from the $830 million GOB approved by county voters.
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
>>> Community leaders in shock after M-DC public Schools former chair Dr. Solomon Stinson charged with felony after shooting at police in Broward
Community leaders are in shock after long time schoolboard chairman Dr. Solomon Stinson was charged with a felony and no bail after he shot at police and ended up crashing and his Cadillac on fire. The man an icon in the Afro American community and a mentor to hundreds over the decades was on the board. For ten years before retiring in 2010. He was given a mental evaluation and prominent attorney H.T. Smith is representing him in the case. Stinson was first introduced to me back in 2019 when I started to attend the unrecorded school board committee meetings and I started to tape them while some had consternation and Dr.Michael Krop said to me once “if we tape the meetings people and staff will not be able to speak freely,” he said back then and I still have all these committee meeting tapes and Stinson was a behind the scenes powerbroker. I responded back then “that was the problem,” I believed
Stinson on the two minutes to speak limitation kept public comments short and to the point and one-time county commissioner Katy Sorenson came to the podium gave her name and said she represented some 165,000 people in her district. The chair shot back “you have a minute and a half,” sternly and the former principle ran more than a tight ship
>>> School district will get property appraiser funding on time after value adjustment board met Monday and whittled down the time for appeals with more hearing masters, loss years ago was $171 million
Last Monday he county property appraiser’s office ’s office cleared faster the appeals process that historically delayed the school district getting the property tax funding and put a squeeze on the nation’s fourth largest public schools district.
Monday The Value adjustment board met, and commissioners Jose Pepe Diaz attended along with commission chair Audrey Edmonson a and school board member Lubby Navarro and this year there is no delay in money owed to the district that in the past was roughly $171 million. For more on that funding conflict with the county go to:
https://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/12/05/dade-teachers-union-files-lawsuit-against-mayor/
School District Impact Fees audit Check out the audit and what the county owes to the public district http://mca.dadeschools.net/AuditCommittee/AC_May_14_2019/Agenda.pdf
>>> Charter schools 134 of them are asking to receive some of the $1.2 billion GOB proceeds passed by county voters, teacher raises and facilities upgrades, is running into protests.
Charter schools are asking for a portion of a 1.2 billion property tax that was expected to raise teacher pay and upgrade some schools and the district has 134 charter schools that are managed by private firms and upgrade private property with public funds and these entities do not have to follow the same rules and do not have to accept all students versus the public district and the legal battle is occurring in Tallahassee during the session, and these local tax dollars should go to the public district the fourth largest in the nation with 350,000 students. for more go to: https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/education/article229066424.html
CITY OF MIAMI
>> A behind the look at F1 race negotiations done by county ethics commission, no charges since attorney did not accept getting full VIP credentials, went diving instead memo closed out, but fascinating read
If Miami residents want to see the behind the scenes process for the formula F1 races negotiations check out this Miami-Dade County ethics and Public trust investigation dealing with a city of Miami Ast. Attorney who did nothing wrong but shows the efforts of the promoters to get a favorable contract that brought VIP passes to the race, but the attorney Rachael Dooley was going snorkeling and had to pass the offer. To read the report go to: http://ethics.miamidade.gov/library/closed%20investigations/2019/pi_19-17_dooley.pdf
>>> Commission Dist. 1 candidate trying to bounce back has $167,000 in war chest leads pack of candidates since Gort termed out, ex commissioner Hernandez plying the halls of city hall was disbarred attorney for mortgage fraud
Former state Sen. Alex Diaz de la Portilla leading in the fundraiser bracket at $167,000 in his war chest and he is a controversial candidate and has lost a number of recent races and is drawing more attention by his having a relationship with convicted Miami Commissioner Humberto Hernandez since disbarred and his claim to fame was mortgage fraud.
However, Alex had a controversial divorce is a chain smoker and got into it at a Boston hotel where he was smoking and interfaced with a police officer
>> Commissioner Carollo attacks staff and administration for dereliction of duty and code enforcement, end of meeting like a Tchaikovsky sympathy’s climaxes,
The Way Back Machine was in full use Thursday at the Miami commission meeting when commissioner joe Carollo had what was likened to a star chamber interrogation of code enforcement staff and past lapses, including verbally attacking Mayor Francis Suarez and his law firm. Further hours later commission chair Ken Russell later apologized to city workers for the way they were spoken to by Carollo who believed there was a plot to get him out of office based on his demands for code enforcement saying it was selective enforcement and some people connected got a pass especially if they used attorneys from the firm that Suarez is of counsel and he promotes the firm on his twitter page. Carollo used terms like corruption and had one sharp exchange with Miami Police Chief Jorge Collina, who shot back that the commissioner “cannot bully him,’ like he was doing with a lot of other staff.
Suarez on his twitter account had him giving blood with a tee-shirt that said “not all super heroes wear caps,” but on Thursday Carollo’s relentless hammering had the man and attorney sliding low in his chair at the dais and clearly Carollo bested the man in the heated rhetoric on selective code enforcement and had Suarez, saying the city follow’s the “law,”
Further later in the night Bill Fuller the owner of the Ball and Chain restaurant came to the podium and accused Carollo being like Castro’s Cuba and the man said his uncle in 1960 “was executed in Cuba,’ and what was happening to him was like the communist country. The man also noted he had a federal case against the commissioner
What about Reyes and corruption?
Commissioner Manola Reyes said he was shocked by all the comments about all the “corruption in the city and noted in the media Miami,” was again cited as one of the most corrupt in the nation and the read the report go to: https://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/miami-dade/fl-ne-miami-ranked-among-most-corrupt-cities-20190213-story.html
What about Carollo verbally pounding Suarez like a punching bag?
At the last commission meeting Carollo verbally decimated the mayor and the mayor’s nonresponse has made the young man and scion of his father former Mimi mayor Xavier Suarez an arch enemy of Carollo after a disputed mayoral election.
EDITORIAL
>>> S. Florida’s political vendettas holds back what could be Miami’s greatness, Failure to move on costs all S. Florida residents, in quality of life
If Miami wants to reach its true heights its political leaders need to end political vendettas work together and remember why they originally ran for office and not to get absorbed with the trappings of political office that makes many politicians lack empathy and just focus on getting even or worse themselves. Regardless how constituents might be impacted.
This comes to mind after the contentious Miami commission meetings where commissioner Joe Carollo verbally slaps around city staff and its manager Emilio Gonzalez a retired colonel in the army who seems ill prepared for this disrespect by the elected commissioner and former mayor that when in office in 2000 would go on Spanish radio and gin up the community and the city story on the young rafter boy who lost his mother on the journey and resulted in an ethnic divide that allowed some one like saloon owner Jay Love to get some 19 percent of the vote over incumbent county mayor Alex Penelas and challenger Miguel Diaz de la Portilla in a countywide race Pinellas won., and it took the county years to heal from this ethnic divide that had blacks in Homestead with red necks and confederate flags protesting “f…ck the Cubans,” and the Miami Herald had a great photo of the demonstration that showed a black man looking at the flag thinking this is so weird and was a black eye for S. Florida.
>>> Carollo claims extensive corruption in code enforcement, verbally beats down mayor Suarez and administration, not a good look for commission, political daggers out
What happened last Thursday at the Miami commission meeting where commissioner Joe Carollo went after the mayor and city staff reminded me of the Sen. Joe McCarthy hearings since words like corruption possible incompetence were thrown around like confetti and it was only the police chief Jorge Collina who stood up to the inquisition by the former mayor, “saying he would not be bullied,” that had the moniker of “Crazy Joe,” it was Mayor Francis Suarez who had it worse and the man just got up and started to walk away (realizing anything he said was useless) under the tirade and has the magic city becoming one of the counties dysfunctional governments
>>> Elected leaders’ foreign trips could determine if they are Marco Polo, to county and city voters!
Since Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez is termed out next year he is a lame duck and he is using this time to become the community’s Marco Polo as he travels the globe with his wife in tow and while he pays for her trip it comes across to the public as someone with entitlements and is his reward for being the strong mayor since 2011 and while luckily the region is booming people are wondering what is being accomplished on what used to be called junkets in the congress. However, Miami is not some unknown place throughout the world, and I used to joke. I could be with headhunters in Borneo and say Miami and they would come back with a response. The man a former Miami Fire and Rescue Chief should consider what his legacy will be in the twilight of his political career and these types of trips are little dings, especially since he never admits he might be wrong and bristles when challenged with is lobbyist son C.J. Gimenez his biggest liability as he ply’s the halls of the municipal governments.
And to support the WDR go to my Pay Pal account http://paypal.me/WatchdogReport Further, if you would rather send a check send it made out to Daniel Ricker and mail it to 3109 Grand Ave., #125 Miami, Fla. 33133. Thank you, Dan
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Daniel A. Ricker
Publisher & Editor
Watchdog Report
Est. 05.05.00
Copyright © of original material, 2018, Daniel A. Ricker
>>> The Miami Herald and Orlando Sentinel & Sun-Sentinel articles on the Watchdog Report publisher over the years.
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CITIZEN ADVOCATE’ KEEPS TABS ON POLITICIANS
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MIAMI-DADE WATCHDOG WILL BE MISSED
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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
Daniel A. Ricker
Publisher & Editor
Watchdog Report
Est. 05.05.00
Copyright © of original material, 2018, Daniel A. Ricker
The trust has a new program where people with rental housing can register their rental units with the county and for more on the program go to: http://www.homelesstrust.org/rentconnect.asp
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Daniel A. Ricker
Publisher & Editor
Watchdog Report
Est. 05.05.00
Copyright © of original material, 2018, Daniel A. Ricker
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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