WATCHDOG REPORT Vol.25 No. 25 October 26, 2025: EST 05.05.00: A free weekly community education resource, for 25 years
WATCHDOG REPORT
Miami-Dade, Fla.
Vol. 25 No. 25, October 26, 2025, Celebrating May 5th, 2000: 25-years of free weekly publishing! www.watchdogreport.net & Daniel A. Ricker: Editor-in Chief: Former Miami Herald featured, news reporter & free: 25-years weekly community education resource & news service, without the attitude, I will return next week, trying to raise money none this week, yeah IRS tax refund deposit despite shutdown, always happy when compliant on taxes.
>>> Further Baptist Health, Nov.8th is having a major fundraising event and the health system is part of the healthcare constellation available to Miami residents and Baptist saved my life so I have a special interest in helping Baptist & JHS: for more go to https://baptisthealth.net/baptist-health-foundation
>>> 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.)
>> To contribute to the WDR send and make it payable to Daniel A. Ricker, I can now transfer the PayPal money. Hopefully some $ help will come in.
Thank you. Dan ALERT NEW POST OFFICE ADDRESS SINCE OLD ONE HAD TO MOVE:
Please make check out to me.
Daniel A. Ricker
3692 Grand Ave.#125
Miami, Fla.33133
A recent featured story on the WDR publisher, not feeble…Still Barking: A Watchdog at 25 – Coconut Grove Spotlight
In 2000, when I started the WDR, I made it free, rather than a select few many times lobbyists, and after 25 weekly years, and a benevolent landlord I have to move by December 16, and no easy task when not financially able, and frankly I thought I would die here given a variety of challenges over the years, but still ticking after threats, eating at a neighbor’s house and of course eating my way through government meetings.
I am also waiting to hear from a Founding Sponsor if they will renew next year’s support.
Further, my power just went out at noon. Corruption is the topic at all levels in a good old boy system, be it Angolese or Hispanics and is a left over from the days past. Miami with so many new residents is still evolving but now with a more political bent. The five new constitutional county officials’ holders are social dynamos, donating to an event to get coverage and this also applies to our count judges. The officials mostly republican reflects this change in population from decades past when democrats had a lock on Miami-Dade Count but has been changing over the years, since I arrived in 1975.
>>> After 20-years I need community help to keep at this and know you have many demands on your finances but if you can please keep me going when you cannot. Thank you
>>> I was once asked by county commission chair Barbara Carey -Shuler what I thought in the press room in the chamber? I said it was a blend of announcer and umpire occasionally like when MPO was going to give $20 million to an obscure a.m. station to do traffic up-dates that are already being done as a community requirement for free.
The commission shot it down, but it had commissioner joe Martinez saying to the board member, Ron Korngold on the TPO committee. Martinez said, “you’re on fire, bail out,” and the commission did not pass it, he would later be a partner at Jungle Island.
PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST
>> Update on Miami Transplant Institute
JACKSON HEALTH SYSTEM CHIEF PHYSICIAN EXECUTIVE REPORT un edited: Dr. Chris A. Ghaemmaghami, Chief Physician Executive of Jackson Health System (JHS), introduced Luke B. Preczewski, Vice President of Transplant Services, and Dr. Rodrigo Vianna, Director of Transplant Services to present an update on the Miami Transplant Institute (MTI) Quality Report. Dr. Vianna reported that MTI remains one of the most complex and high-performing transplant programs in the nation and the largest in the world conducting multi-organ transplants within a public health system.
The program continues to demonstrate exceptional outcomes through the collective efforts of hundreds of professionals dedicated to patient care. Fiscal Year 2025 focus on rebuilding, talent acquisition, and program restructuring. Staff advancement to leadership roles nationwide reinforces MTI’s reputation as a leading training and expertise center. Ongoing recruitment and leadership development efforts continue to sustain program excellence.
Recent organ allocation changes have posed challenges, yet program performance remains strong. Growth in transplant volume is projected for Fiscal Years 2026 and 2027. Patients continue selecting Jackson for quality care, supported by dedicated clinical teams. Kidney disease continues to place a heavy burden on the healthcare system, particularly among older populations. Emphasis on transplantation over long-term dialysis improves patient outcomes and productivity. The living donor program continues expanding, with MTI remaining among the few programs worldwide performing fully robotic kidney transplants for both donors and recipients. Same-day discharge for certain donors reflects program innovation. The lung transplant program continues to perform strongly, projected to rank among the top five nationally. The lung failure unit continues saving patients from requiring transplantation.
The heart transplant program, rebuilt under Dr. Hari Mallidi, achieved record cardiac surgery volumes and continues to grow. Pediatric and multivisceral programs remain nationally recognized, with the latter performing nearly half of all such U.S. procedures and achieving a 90% survival rate—the highest worldwide. Recent innovations include publication of the first fully robotic kidney and pancreas transplant performed at Jackson, integration of transplantation with oncology, and advancement in lung organ preservation techniques. MTI continues to lead globally in complex transplant care.
Chairwoman Khaghan expressed appreciation for the team’s work and noted ongoing concerns regarding organ shortages. Dr. Vianna highlighted that approximately 85% of organs used at MTI originate from outside Miami due to limited local availability.
Mr. Preczewski presented OPTN metrics confirming strong program performance across all indicators. Organ Offer Acceptance and Graft Survival rates meet or exceed national standards. Patient Experience goals—appointments within two weeks— continue to be met. Clinic efficiency has improved, with late checkouts reduced from 40% to 15%, meeting performance targets. Transplant Evaluation completion within 60 and 120 days continues to meet or exceed goals, with higher benchmarks planned for next year. Length of stay remains at or near national medians across programs, with notable improvements in lung and kidney transplants. Patient satisfaction increased from 77% in Fiscal Year 2022 to 90% in Fiscal Year 2025 following the transition from Press Ganey to Qualtrics, with a goal to maintain this level. Members of the Public Health Trust Board of Trustees received the Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement Plan for Fiscal Year 2025–2026 for review and approval. The Board recognized the MTI team for continued excellence, innovation, and service to patients and the community
CITY OF MIAMI
>>> Termed out Miami Mayor Francis Suarez was honored Thursday for his 11 years of public service, to the city but leaving much wealthier then when he started as a commissioner. Net worth in 2014 $383,000 in 2024 $9.5 million, after numerous side clients including exclusive Fischer Island, where the WDR, got a golf cart escort on at the island wanting to incorporate.
The family man was able to smooth out the reputation of his father, nick named “mayor loco,” Xavier Suarez. The now mayor would go out of his way to show the press, how diligent of the sunshine law he is during a meeting in his office concerning strong mayor legislation with his aide Carlos Lago who would later join legal firm Greenberg & Traurig.
One of their past land use attorneys Lucia Dougherty represented some 90 projects in Miami in the 2000s, and passed by the city commission.
>>> Further, I write about the homeless since back in 2002. I was one of the people laying on the government center plaza and learned these people were essentially looked on as trash.
Further, for some reason October has traditionally been a tough month when it comes to fundraising. So, if you appreciate what I have done for almost 20-years weekly using thousands of my own money go to: The WDR report will return next week. I need a break thank you for your support over the past 20-years.
ARGUS REPORT HEARD & SEEN ON THE STREEET
What about the Nov. 4 election?
>>> Early voting began Saturday, Sunday, at Miami city hall where I stopped bye and checked the election workers, but few dropped off ballets. The race no longer non-partisan has an attack brochure that Emilio Gonzalez “betrayed us,” also called a “judas” by being friends with “Obama’s Miami front man Joe Arriola,” (Arriola is the only one who ever struck me at a meeting.)
After his campaign took money in his PAC, from the mercurial business man, and former chair of the Public Health Trust. He is considered as “Barack Obamas man in Miami,” says the hit piece, making the race ethnically charged, with Anglos being left out, of consideration. Suarez the younger has been shopping around for another elected position but Miami around the state has a mixed reputation, seen almost an anomaly of political nature to northern Florida.
>>> Tree canopy on El Prado Blvd. a thing of the past with major lot clearings, canopy becoming thing of past as mega mansions dominate new architecture.
The Coconut Grove tree canopy is being severely reduced on El Prado Blvd., and city staff has a history of fast-tracking tree canopy destruction with only a $500.00 fine for some tree removals, that are heard at the code enforcement appeals board. The tree canopy is what gives the area such a great tax base for the city, that it totally disregards with denuded foliage homes lining the small south grove street.
Here are the candidates and campaign reports and while all are talking ending corruption, but later pushing the limits like the current mayor struggling for another post within the trump administration. Something happens to people who win public office, and a sense of entitlement sets in and people should just be glad, they were elected, and not doing a favor to voters as many believe.
And here are the most recent campaign reports due yesterday: https://www.voterfocus.com/CampaignFinance/candidate_pr.php?el=8&c=muncitymiami
Also go to www.coconutgrovespotlight.org for more and for the candidates for Nov.4 election here are candidates, https://www.voterfocus.com/CampaignFinance/candidate_pr.php?el=8&c=muncitymiami
‘No King’s’ peaceful demonstrations around America were peaceful, creative as millions of citizens turned out, with the rough treatment of immigrants, being a key issue.
However, with the assault on the Constitution pundits recommend ‘the courts, people protest,” and “courage.” As the antidote to America’s democracy today. As the trump administration keeps pushing the boundaries and the past essentially Honor System, of governance and following the constitution.
>>> Mike Fernandez posted that 72 percent of immigrants arrested had no criminal conviction and 28 percent arrested had no criminal record, the man posted.
But the rough treatment is causing Americans to protest versus arresting the “worse of the worse,” cites an ICE recruitment television ad. Not your neighbor’s grandmother, humanity has mostly been an American trait.
Customs used to ha a storied reputation as the first department created b the new congress in 1789. One long time friend in custom’s remarked when the department was consolidated with immigration. He joked “everyone knew immigration was screwed up, and customs had one of the largest number of planes all shifted after departments were consolidated after 9/11.
MIAMI
Mayoral race partisan as De Santis, Sen. Cruz support candidates, along with Emily’s List, as partisan race assured, GOP vs Dems in minority majority community, redistricting being debated in supreme court
Municipal leaders continue to ignore the role of the county with their cities billions of dollars bigger, at debates with the Grove Playhouse debacle being a classic example along with the school district, which put a new development next to an elementary school in Coconut Grove. The candidates are facing a major trust deficit with city voters. However, voter turnout is an issue with the supreme court looking at redistricting of minority majority congressional districts in the mix.
>>> Willy Bermello on social media is asking his supporters to remember Miami-Dade County, 11th Circuit Court Judge Mavel Ruiz (benign net worth $778,000.), a “Michelle Obama,” supporter in 2027, when up for reelection, he posted on Facebook, let the retribution begin locally, sad. The president of MDC is a political choice, after Dr. Eduardo Pedron, during his tenure built the powerhouse college still rising in rank, and would want the miner the school if land was sold. Padron would stand in rain storms talking to voters to get a sales tax passed, but failed at a state level years ago.
Since the judge stopped the transferring a Miami-Dade College parking lot for president Trumps presidential library, for the moment., Roberto Gonzalez (net worth in 2024 $1.7 million), the board’s chair. The man said he was unaware, what the development might be in the media.
Prominent Miami architect, Willy Bermello, on social media has him and Miami Commissioner Ralph Rosado, in the Oval Office with Trump, in a posting Bermello is on many Miami boards. The architect has been a community frontman, and tried to bring a grand Prix race to downtown but failed in 2004. Here are stories of the failed race idea,
Bermello’s company has a school board past member and a senior county employee. Here is more on the failed race: https://www.miamitodaynews.com/news/040115/story5.shtml on the race deal.
>>> The resignation of Adm. Alvin Holsey, Combat Commander of Southern Command, and Morehouse college known for strong ethical teaching of students. Halsey, with four stars, watching over the Caribbean and South America, is a blow to the nation’s security, especially at a time America is targeting assumed drug runners, but without due process.
>>> Pam Joy Bondi Florida Attorney General (net worth $1.864 million in 2019), for eight years, which included a number years filing financial disclosure forms something the WDR, has thousands of these disclosures.
The general is not wealthy, given her past as a Hillsborough County assistant state attorney, and press spokeswoman, when in 2010 she decided to run at the height of the tea party movement, and a GOP wave back then that catapulted Marco Rubio to the senate seat held by retiring GOP Sen. Mel Martinez. For more on that race go to:https://www.cltampa.com/news/riding-the-republican-wave-tampas-pam-bondi-blows-out-dan-gelber-in-attorney-general-race-12308817/
I could not find the other owner of a one third interest in a condominium valued at $375,000. Bondi married twice has a “partner,” John Wakefield a financier, and once dressed as a flight attendant on a flight to the Bahamas with other lawmakers and the photo has not been scrubbed but copyright a problem. I have it.
Opinion:
Editor’s Note: I run this again, with all the arrests of Trump foes, he blames, for past legal troubles he has publicly tweeted about, naming FBI Dir. James Comey, and a NYC prosecutor. Further the world prays the ceasefire & hostage exchange in Gaza holds.
“Quite professional [stone faced] silence greeted,” President Trump at the Quantico televised production Tuesday (that surprised him). After Sec. Of Defense Pete Hegseth, lectured 800 senior flag officers and senior enlisted staff, most service university grades, who know their lethal business well.
Hegseth said he wants to bring “back hazing, other brutalities,” to the all-volunteer service the most lethal in human history, with over 400 W88 nuclear warheads in MIRV warheads on attack nuclear submarines, and the diminishing of women was off base with pilots IT specialist, or language skills important warrior tools in future conflicts making him seem out of touch with today’s intellectual AI world.
My, brother a former airman texted in 1965 at basic training he was not hazed, something only the “Soviets do,” given past culture, said a retired general about the unusual event last week.
Americas humanity is what made America great, not abusing the weak and vulnerable.
Trump wishing, he was Gen. George Patton, in the movie, standing in front of a huge American flag like in the movie’s introduction. These flag commanders after 18-years of brutal combat in Iraq and Afghanistan, know the horrors of war all too well to be talked down to be a guard major, used to a platoon, to command, and made the stoic silence professional manner a firm rebuke to what theses warriors knew So well and have the battle ribbons to prove it.
The president hinted American “war torn,” cities could be used for urban fighting, by the military contrary to the constitution. A policy clearly https://www.miamidade.gov/charter/library/2025-10-10-agenda.pdfadministration forgets. A very good sign for the nation. The nation needs to stop hating each other, said a senior retired federal special agent to me recently. For more on Trump administration to:https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-just-tried-to-rewrite-reality-but-it-can-t-stand-up-in-court-opinion/ar-AA1NTAfu?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531&cvid=68e2858c14f9400f8b14f3e4f556f693&ei=6
>>> The Miami-Dade Charter Review committee met at commission chambers Friday and salary, set in the 1950’s, at $5000: Was the hot topic, state formula around $123,000., rejected six times of “last 13 ballot questions.” Annexation incorporation next items up, countywide services, controversial topic from police, fire, local or regional has been question, UMSA, supports 42 percent of county budget.
The charter members many land use attorneys had a major discussion on county commissioners pay $6,000. The pay issue has been “presented to voters 12 times,” and more recently six attempts also failed to pass muster, but termed out commissioner Dennis Moss, who had to work at the Perrine Optimist Club, while in office. He thinks commissioners should be paid at a state formula level (“though he called the issue a can of worms”), some $123,000. However the real sticking point is having outside income, and its approval and has been one the past reasons for many voters to reject the salary increase over the decades.
Miami commissioners did get a salary bump after Johnny Winton pushed the item along with Joe Arriola and combined it in a homeland security bond money approval, in 2003 to enhance city’s, security after 9/11, and it passed but that took a unique set of circumstances for voters to take the leap of faith, for the salary increase from $5,000., to around $100,000., with benefits, now.
>>> Here is a link to the charter deliberations, which will include the new five constitutional offices, annexation and incorporations, potentially in the potentially charter if the count commission approves it going on a ballot.
https://www.miamidade.gov/charter/library/2025-10-10-agenda.pdf
The school Board meeting Wednesday was a warm affair, with the 75Anniversary of Coral Gables High School: >>> Caring for Miami honored, 850 children a week get free dental care, in 28 district schools, includes 37,000, volunteer hours, by residents.
The board also honored the nonprofit Caring for Miami, and their mobile dental clinic, serving some 850 children per week with dental care. The organization helps people one check away from losing their housing. Volunteers provide “37,000 hours and Caring works with 28 district schools in a feeding program, said a member of the organization, and county residents don’t realize how important these organizations are to the community.
The organizations mobile dental clinic is a real problem solver for a child hungry, or in pain cannot study well, or not clothed all areas Care augments as well as je can and the WDR thanks them for their nurturing work with underserved, children. For mor go to: https://caringformiami.org/
CITY OF MIAMI
>>> Miami voters are being hit with a barrage of mayoral candidate’s campaigns hit pieces of the candidates, and of course past transgressions, of voters’ trust.
City of Miami Civil service board meeting Wednesday was a back to the future event. The issue a past sergeant’s exam and possible cheating “rumor [not true]” that has a “group,” legally challenging the city’s process. Police Ast. Chief Armondo Aguilar, represented the city’s view. Promotion exams have been a persistent problem for decades and not getting resolved is a problem.
>>> Tuesdays smaller Miami mayoral candidate debate erupted in usual Miami style with Carollo and Gabela going at it, and DLP. vs Russell.
Carollo, as mayor almost got into a fight with deceased commissioner Arthur J Teele, Jr., a former Airborne Ranger major in Vietnam, but both were separated by the mayor’s security, an ex-Masoud agent at the time…
>>> Ending corruption is the new theme for candidates but this refrain is easy to say but difficult to end given the “friends & family plan,” where employees give someone a break on something.
The race is no longer non-partisan has split into MAGA Emileo Gonzalez, with endorsements from the governor and Higgins and Russell being like candidate Mamdani in NYC mayoral race. The runoff race is the real deal with so many candidates and in a 65 percent minority majority. It remains to be seen if a non-Hispanic candidate can prevail?
>>> An earthquake size ripple is surprising Miami voters with two past political dynasties facing off both with colorful nicknames “crazy Joe Carollo,” (net worth -$63 million) and “loco mayor Xavier Suarez,” (net worth$902,000 in 2020) clashing again after Carollo winning mayoral office after the courts in 1996 over turned the election against Suarez.
Candidates are pushing the old guard or progressives a dangerous word in Miami.
Carollo once flew to San Jose to complain to Tony Ridder about the Miami Herald coverage at the time. In an interview in city hall, I asked who paid for the flight and why didn’t he just call? He responded “I was being used by the paper to ask me such a question,” he claimed at the time. I got up and walked out saying it was like talking to a wall with him.
Carollo, faltered and would later lose reelection allowing to be followed by mayor Manny Diaz, who seemed a more normal person. But faltered with the new $6.2 billion Marlins Stadium deal that barely favors the city but with big loan payments in the back years, and created a political firestorm
They both have a strong base in Little Havana but Suarez has come back before and failed with his son Francis, termed out trying to carry on the tradition, and if Carolo’s mother (because beloved by voters in the past is still alive), the edge joes to Carollo, I think since both are very self-absorbed and being in office is almost addictive for them. There are 13 candidates in total with Ken Russel, and Eileen Higgins, both past elected leaders, as well as Emilio Gonzalez, Alex Diaz de la Portilla, who beat a corruption case recently, but all say corruption in Miami has to end and there will be a runoff when the real battle will begin.
Carollo who has cost taxpayers some $22.5 million in legal fees, states a campaign piece sent by the Gonzalez campaign.
However, from early 2000, Miami led national news stoked by then mayor Carollo, and the return of the Cuban boy Elian Gonzalez, over the Easter Weekend, removed and sent back to Cuba that had Homestead residents with confederate flags and blacks shouting F… the Cubans and was not a good look for Miami, and when I started the WDR after predicting his removal too the press.
>>>>The new Inspector General for Miami is a retired Miami police major Antonio G. Diaz an over 30-year veteran with the force. The five-member selection committee didn’t do what the county did with their first inspector general Christpher Mazzella, a former FBI special agent, and new to Miami.
Diaz has to fight the ubiquitous “Friends and Families Plan,” when people get special favors. The WDR is worried Diaz might not give the independence to develop the community trust like Mazella did over the years, that Diaz has to establish.
>>> RFK, Jr. as Secretory of health &Human services, is a bridge to far. He may have a point re color additives but, he is not a scientist, engineer, or physician, and America better not have another outbreak like Covid, and his lack of knowledge, could hamper generations in the future. A man who had a brain worm removed has benefited from medical advances. But he is not a scientist or physicians and his refusal to listen to the scientific community, is dangerous to public health. (Don’t dare watch shows of his life the bear body in a park and whale incident, are just crazy entitled preppy behavior, given family tragedy), but concerning in this new role.
>>> I emphasize this because it is such a tragedy for America and our children, as he continues to make medical blunders, re autism & circumcision.
Americas medical advancements from stents to pacemakers, cutting edge, and his crusade on vaccines and incidents of smallpox rising a (highly contagious disease) once thought eradicated plus hepatitis B vaccination saving 20,000 patients said one US senator physician, in a hearing.
The attorney changing western medicine will go down in history as the destroyer of public health through acronyms. His role at the CDC with many scientists leaving after his odd wake-up call and shake-up. The man from a famous family has decided he’s a physician and God help the nation. https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/covid-vaccine-costs-just-spiked-for-millions-thanks-to-rfk-jr/ar-AA1Lv007?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531&cvid=0ddd9c0047a14bdd8dd4527847e5d628&ei=12
Further, having worked in the cardiac pacing world so advanced now knowing one of the driving forces Dr. Michel Mirowski, of the implantable defibrillator team at Johns Hopkins University, and driving a force in the team when other physicians laughed at the idea of shocking the heart, and the physician is a Holocaust survivor. Kennedy” questioning at the Senate makes him seem nuts, and disrespectable to the questioning senators.
When I came in 1975, to Miami with Cordis Corp, with 3,800 employees many Cuban workers. Pacemakers were the size of a hockey puck, with a three-year life, and there was even a nuclear pacemaker (mostly sold in Palm Springs, Ca.), but kept patients’ hearts beating and pacemakers, were considered one of, the great medical inventions of the 20th Century, versus physicians telling patients “It’s your ticker, get your affairs in order,” and the patients would die in their sleep from a complete heart block, or bradycardia.
Further, my parents sponsored some Cubans they met on a family trip to Varadero Beach in 1957, and one was a physician Dr. Martinez, that county Commissioner Javier Souto knew after he bought me lunch at government center, when I was hungry and just starting in 2000.
>>> The Jackson Health System, Christine E. Lynn, rehabilitation center was ranked “#48 in the country,” and one of the best, after only three years in the nation by News & World Report rankings said CEO Migoya at Wednesday’s PHT board meeting.
Migoya, told of a young stroke bleed recovery, that was remarkable, and is: the highest distinction for the new facility after a countywide bond was passed replacing an old appalling decrepit rehab facility, highly criticized. Migoya noted new wellness, sites for yoga, aroma, and a puppy.
What about the decertification of The Miami Transplant Program?
Migoya, Wednesday, said it would “have no impact, on patients at Jackson. And the usual lifesaving [operations as] previous,” are being done, the CEO said.
>>> What about the new PHT trustee Abigail Price-Williams, Esq., a highly respected attorney, and longtime trustee Laurie Nuell Weiss, is leaving and her father Jay Weiss was a major benefactor to JHS, and has a statue in his honor. His daughter Laurie also a past trustee of the Children’s Trust as well and twice on the PHT board serving as Trust Secretary. She was a good model as trustee, and the WDR thanks her for community service over almost 25-years when I first met her at the trust board meeting.
>>> I should be dead if it were not for the surgical skill of Dr. Jorge Rabaza and technology, at South Miami hospital to heal me after becoming septic having waited too long since no health insurance.
Kennedy’s role at the CDC is almost a Dark Ages, philosophy from the past heroin addict that claims faith God has filled the tragic family’s history void he felt when using the narcotic now in charge of the nation’s health, for a change has physicians clamoring, for new scientific research before America gets in serious health problem after the big announcement about Tylenol and Autism….
However, medical advances like the COVID vaccination Operation Warp Speed, saved thousands of lives. Politics is one thing but science and medicine is based on validated research not wild rumors. And the CDC role globally cannot be underestimated. Having sold pacemakers in Japan because the Japanese medical industry wanted to take risk of Sony pacemaker killing a grandmother in a Japan, I am a Constitutionalist but this CDC issue is a disaster waiting to happen and physicians nationwide are calling for his resignation.
>>> Further, no help from my readers has come in. I know times are tough for all of us but if you can Thank you, I had to forgo a number of meals recently. Thankfully, I was able to transfer from my PayPal act. Another miracle keeps me going thank you readers Dan.
>>> ‘Full Force,’ instructions to troops being sent to Portland is being a crossing of the Rubicon for the American Constitution, many are saying, with a compliant congress. Trump’s push of presidential powers is a work in progress, with the hollowing out of federal institutions, ongoing, with a budget showdown looming in the coming days.
America and Miami are reeling from the local firing of three Assistant U.S. Attorneys, in The Southern District of Florida, and across the nation and throw in the indictment of James Comey, and potentially Christopher Wray.
“Miami is the graduate school for fraud.” said Alex Acosta, while Miami U.S. Attorney, but we are losing some of our top fraud prosecutors.
The United Nations 80 years old, having its General Assembly soon and Americas Ambassador to the body is Mike Waltz, a former Green Beret Officer national security adviser who got caught up in Single gate, scandal months earlier.
>>> President Trump’s speech was odd after he called many countries a derogatory name and said Climate Change was a “hoax.”
The firing of comedians after pressure from President Trump is staggering and is a direct threat on the First Amendment. Thankfully Jimmy Kimmel was brought back after a major backlash.
The killing of a young political provocateur Charlie Kirk, has stunned America and politicians are now questioning their own security, and all agree this a dark turn for the country. The controversial man with strong religious beliefs had a major following with young men. He was a lieutenant in the MAGA movement and said to have been helpful to reelecting President Trump, commentators say.
However, a new conspiracy has emerged after doctors said there was no exit wound on Kirk shot with a .30-06 bullet used in deer hunting, and You Tube is full of these theories.
>>> Miguel “mike” Fernandez, a veteran penned another letter in the Miami Herald calling out the hypocrisy of the Trump Library being next to the historic Freedom Tower Miami’s Statue of Liberty, to many Cuban Americans. And the man has been criticized by many for speaking out over what’s happening in America and the rough immigration policies.
>>>And I am surprised more leaders are not sticking their neck out, like Fernandez about the rough treatment of immigrants and not the bad people, drug dealers, rapists they are claiming in a recruitment ad ICE is interested in, says the hiring COMMERCIAL, given how many Cuban immigrants have come to Miami I am surprised, how alone and vilified Fernandez has become, from his letters decrying harsh treatment.
MIAMI_DADE COUNTY
Count commissioners continue to negotiate count contracts from the dais, and is a terrible practice for the count administration.
Miami Dade County’s last budget meeting started late after a Special Commission meeting was called by the chair Anthony Gonzalez who sponsored the item regarding buying 9.6-acre property on the exclusive Fisher Island (where I went one time for a failed incorporation meeting and had a golfcart escort to the clubhouse.) The land valued at $180 million has the fuel farm bunker supplying fuel to ships, a feature all other ports have said Port Miami staff, with one saying he didn’t even know earlier the land was for sale. He said “not my job,” to follow real estate sales and the county only now has to get it done.
“This looks bad [so late],” said Commissioner Gilbert III. Danielle Cohen Higgins, (net worth$2.72 million) said they could wait hours still her vote was no. The UF? FSU law grad wanted to hear from both sides it passed and will come back to the BCC, Oct.9.
What about the delayed budget meeting
The County Charter Review Task Force met last Wednesday, and during the discussion on increasing commissioners’ salaries like San Antonio Texas was able to do. One board member suggested “giving cover,” for the salary imitative with the public he suggested and is fine, just poor choice of words, in Miami, said Mike Redondo a task force member.
MIAMI-DADE COUNT PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Wednesday’s budget meeting was a staid affair, since there were no layoffs, given the funding challenges and”1,000” less students that in years past were “7,000” to “20,000,” new arrivals. But this year of ICE raids is making families afraid of the public school district that deals with”85,000” ESOL students learning English in county schools no small challenge.
PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST
>>> Health insurance battle not just Miami-Dade but JHS as well $50 million contract passes 6 to 0
CITY OF MIAMI
People wondering how the city’s tree canopy being destroyed just need to watch Miami’s Ticket Appellate Hearing board, on Wednesday when someone cutting down a tree only gets a $100. Fine after negotiating with city staff and small financial penalties, are the result. The lack of any fine to limit the tree cuttings around all the city even El Portal, under a development siege currently. Miami is a fiscal crack addict when it comes to development property tax always needing more money.
Saturday the Miami City commission had their last $1.2 billion public budget hearing and, the lack of knowledge re budgets at a variety of smaller public organizations was stunning. Staff have to lift their game when it comes to numbers. Was not a strong performance at the DDA, and BayFront Park Trust, though new director at job but Carollo said, months.
COMMUNTY EVENT
New Exhibitions to Open at the Warehouse
November 12, 2025 – April 4, 2026
MIAMI–The Margulies Collection at the Warehouse opens to the public this season with three exhibitions highlighting key moments of 20th Century art and photography history. https://www.margulieswarehouse.com/
Pop Art features sculpture and paintings from the 1960s through 1990s by Johns, Lichtenstein, Warhol, Wesselmann, Rosenquist, Chamberlain, and Segal. Records of the Past includes 60 photographs from the National Child Labor Committee by Lewis Hine. Additionally, this season we present an exhibition of Italian Art grounded in the 1960s movement Arte Povera where artists subverted traditional ways of making art by using ephemeral and “poor” materials. Our presentation of these art historically relevant exhibitions with contemporary art continues our founding mission to provide visitors with opportunities for active learning and direct engagement with the art.
SPONSERS/ Supporters, news articles:
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. https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-2003-01-20-0301190045-story.html
>>>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
>>> 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 3692 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 of public institutions issues, in our community.
>>> 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., 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.
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
Sponsors
***** LIFETIME FOUNDING MEMBERS & Initial sponsors since 2000
Mr. ANGEL ESPINOSA – (Deceased) owner COCONUT GROVE DRY CLEANER’S, Allowed a $1,000. Dry cleaning bill, go slow payment plan
HUGH CULVERHOUSE, Jr (The first contributor to the WDR)
FLORIDA POWER & LIGHT www.fpl.com .
THE MIAMI HERALD www.miamiherald.com (2000-2007)
ARTHUR HERTZ, deceased one of the first supporters
WILLIAM HUGGETT, Seamen Attorney (Deceased)
ALFRED NOVAK
LINDA E. RICKER (Deceased)
JOHN S. and JAMES L. KNIGHT FOUNDATION www.knightfoundation.org
THE HONORABLE STANLEY G. TATE
>>> Watchdog Report supporters – $2,000 a year
MARTIN MARGULIES margulieswarehouse.com
BADIA SPICES www.badiaspices.com
RONALD Hall
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY www.miamidade.gov
UNITED WAY OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
>>> Watchdog Report supporters – $1,000 to $5,000 a year
BADIA SPICES www.badiaspices.com
BERKOWITZ POLLACK BRANT Advisors and Accountants www.bpbcpa.com
JEFFREY L. BERKOWITZ TRUST
BERCOW RADELL FERNANDEZ & LARKIN & Tapanes www.brzoninglaw.com
RON BOOK, Esq. https://rlbookpa.com/team/
BENEDICT P. KUEHNE, Esq. http://www.kuehnelaw.com/
LINDA MURPHY: Gave a new laptop in Oct. 2001 to keep me going.
Rbb www.rbbcommmunications.com
SHUBIN & BASS www.shubinbass.com
WILLIAMSOM AUTOMOTIVE GROUP http://williamsonautomotivegroup.com/
>>> Public, Educational & Social institutions – subscribers at $1,000 or less
CITY OF MIAMI www.miamigov.com.
CITY OF CORAL GABLES www.coralgables.com
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH www.miamibeachfl.gov
CHAPMAN PARTNERSHIP FOR HOMELESS www.chapmanpartnership.org
FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY www.fiu.edu
THE STATE OF FLORIDA www.myflorida.gov
GREATER MIAMI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE www.miamichamber.com
GREATER MIAMI CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU www.miamiandbeaches.com
HEALTH FOUNDATION OF SOUTH FLORIDA www.hfsf.org
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COMMISSION www.miamidade.gov
MIAMI-DADE COMMISSION OFFICE OF THE CHAIR www.miamidade.gov
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY ETHICS & PUBLIC TRUST COMMISSION
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY HOMELESS TRUST: www.miamidade.gov/homeless/
MIAMI-DADE COLLEGE www.mdc.edu
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY INSPECTOR GENERAL www.miamidade.gov/ig
MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC SCHOOLS BOARD www.dadeschools.net
MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC SCHOOLS SUPT. http://superintendent.dadeschools.net/
MIAMI DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY www.miamidda.com
PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST & JACKSON HEALTH SYSTEM www.jhsmiami.org
THE CHILDREN’S TRUST www.thechildrenstrust.org
THE GOOD GOVERNMENT INITIATIVE http://goodgov.net/
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA http://www.firstgov.gov/
>>> Public, Educational & Social institutions – subscribers at $1,000 or less
CITY OF MIAMI www.miamigov.com.
CITY OF CORAL GABLES www.coralgables.com
CHAPMAN PARTNERSHIP FOR HOMELESS www.chapmanpartnership.org
FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY www.fiu.edu
THE STATE OF FLORIDA www.myflorida.gov
To contribute to the WDR send and make it payable to Daniel A. Ricker
Daniel A. Ricker
3692 Grand Ave. #125
Miami, Fla. 33133