Watchdog Report Vol.25 no.32 December 28, 2025: EST:05.05.00: A free community education resource for 25years: I cover when you cannot
WATCHDOG REPORT
Miami-Dade, Fla.
Vol. 25 No. 33, December 28, 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, thought the webpage with past,
>>> WDR; on line for another year, after this housing crisis I am having and for first time, question why I decided to step up, and try to help the community be more honest and transparent in public institutions, and not benefit from having such early knowledge, as so many have.
When I came in 1975, to Miami with pacemaker 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.
>>> Still no new housing and move Jan30, and stay at the Gables Inn, while still looking so their may be a publishing blip but not going away, because I have been through worst over last 25-years, and I cannot wait till 2025 is over a painful sad year for me and humanity, and America in some ways, a mixed year for many, including me.
The Warehouse in Miami is a real art lovers treat: https://www.margulieswarehouse.com/attachment/en/5e14ec99a5aa2c4d308b4567/News/6734bcf5b7d31c21460df697
>>> Quality Control in government is a non-existent sight with the roadways the glaring example, throughout Miami-Dade. Residents wonder why road repair jobs make the roads worse than they were before, and shoddy work doesn’t have any ramifications, for the contractors.
One company decades ago Church &Tower, (now MasTec, and brothers building new Freedom Park stadium) was disbarred, for shoddy work. For more go to: https://progresoweekly.us/blackballed-mastec-still-does-plenty-of-business-with-county/
And the community memory fades way to fast, as the many scandals go away in years ahead and a weaker IG and weaker ethics commission.
Drivers pay a lot of taxes, and these companies if dealing with county a little slack is allowed and many times built in. However, the roads are a giant blinking light of discontent, of the county Not delivering excellence every day, its tag line almost humorous, excluding police & fire men all dangerous jobs.
What about county mayor Levine Cava, but her close lobbyist’s, connections, bothered me. For with ethics, actions are perception, and you can’t be a little bit pregnant, in the public’s eyes.
The WDR originally supporter Cava but the use of her campaign manager Christian Ulvert, a lobbyist who happened to be in Japan and Qatar, when the mayor delegation was there, was over the top and Cava doesn’t see this as a problem.
Further she is seeing a recall petition, that likely will go nowhere versus the one used to recall county mayor Carlos Alvarez, in 2011 but that was after the Great Recession, and a different time after he gave staffers raises. That intensity is not the same she was just reelected against a weak municipal mayor she hired as a staffer later.
With Mental Health a national problem: One reader pointed out
This is a huge problem today. 2 key points made in the article: Insurance companies pay psychiatrists, psychologists and mental health counselor less than other doctors—so few signs up. It’s cheaper to break the law than follow the law. Here’s the WSJ article on subject https://www.wsj.com/us-news/law/health-insurance-lawsuit-network-provider-list-4ab84fbd?st=1LDeji&reflink=article_email_share
What about new Miami Mayor Eileen Higgins, being driven around like past mayor, security in a large SUV. Her predecessor Suarez kept a security team, at his home and even when out of office. An oversight says Chief Manny Morales in the press but Suarez may have used them for personal items like for his wife.
Miami has no accountability in employees’ actions, and this along with disgraced county judge Martin Zilber who used a bailiff for personal uses, and resigned before any real punishment, and just continues the abuse.
And when it comes to salaries Coconut Grove Spotlight, did a great analysis: go toohttps://coconutgrovespotlight.com/2025/12/11/as-city-spending-soars-top-administrator-rakes-it-in/ https://coconutgrovespotlight.com/2025/12/11/as-city-spending-soars-top-administrator-rakes-it-in/ and it’s the pensions at these salary levels that is the real problem, and had the city bankrupt in1990s.
When did security come with the mayor’s job?
Back in 2003, mayor Joe Carollo, first and then later, Manny Diaz started having a police officer drive him around, and had deceased Commissioner Art Teele, Jr suggest the commissioners needed a sergeant-of -arms, as well.
>>> Finding an apartment in Miami is almost impossible, so far as well as affordable senior living facilities, and the options are few, despite the elaborate array of organizations, publicly funded. Further cell numbers are
Rare and my D-Day is Jan 1,2026 when power cut, said new corporate developer, planning a mega mansion on the double lot property with small cottage, one of the last in the Grove, as developers with cash buyup these lots that for 11-years I have stayed, hoping my last rental but sadly not the case.
>>> Two photos from Shanghai China 1977, with surgeon Dr. Dryden Morse, grandson to Samual Morse of code fame, and me in OR, testing a Cordis pacemaker electrode, one of the first implants in China, me with an analyzer, (I include this because at the end of road soon. This is one of the experiences I had and brought me to do the WDR, and different from many Miamians, experiences here, I caught the transition of sleepy segregated Miami, speak English time, to the global brand it is today.
We had a PRC party cadre, and doors just flew open back then a year after Mao died, and the beginning of a transformational trajectory seen today.
>>>MIA has ads promoting immigrants to self deport and have flight out free, and the federal ending of any legal issues, regarding their status, by CBP. And $1,000. in cash.
>>> Community Icon and trailblazer Thelma Gibson turns 99 soon, both she and husband Father Gibson were the first Miami black commissioners, along with Mrs. “Mother Range,” in segregated Miami.
>>> A ground breaking woman community angel Thelma Gibson, R.N., is 99, (She was first to integrate Jackson, as a nurse, later public health official, and Miami commissioner in 1977, like Farther Gibson & was a long time PHT trustee), she and her husband Rev. Theodore R. Gibson, a past Miami commissioner and civil rights champion in the deep south Miami in Coconut Grove Episcopal church. Here’s more on Father Gibson: https://dunnhistory.com/the-reverend-canon-theodore-r-gibson/
And for more on the remarkable Mrs. Gibson, journey go to: Thelma Gibson’s Biography
Further, some funding during this precarious time and my curse of profiles has really kicked in since the article, that I wished I, never gave, as renting a apt., in Miami has the same documentation as buying a house and landlords are not checked, for fear of declining a renter, but with scams everywhere in all forms, and I will lose power on Jan1, said a new landlord. A recent featured story on the WDR publisher, not …Still Barking: A Watchdog at 25 – Coconut Grove Spotlight
From a citizen journalist trying to stop corruption, waste, fraud abuse, and personally stopped almost $40 million in bad deals over the past 25-weekly years. Sadly, after a recent profile things have gotten only worse, and could lose phone, internet all terrifying. I live in a community where couples can have matching Ferraris’, and someone I respect but help is needed, and praying.
>>>Also lack of a new apartment, and maybe a new medical issue is a nightmare, after 25 years, and may end at hospital?
There will never be another WDR, because certain circumstances made me or someone have to do it since the corruption was so blatant, if you knew the players like I did,
And I want to thank again all those people that have supported my efforts over all those 25-years, to keep the community informed using the internet, free of charge.
You would have never known the WDR if a political operative Phil Hammersmith, hadn’t said to me in 1999, “You F…king little people were going to crush you,” he said to me, he would later die of a heart issue, soon after. That was a defining factor, after I thought there were a lot of things to say to me but that was over the top, he would say, I get them elected and then tell them what to do.
>>>Public school board member Joe Geller and peer Dr. Stephen Gallon, III, both decried the horror of hate spewed when people “say Global Intifada,” and Geller Jewish said it made violence open season for Jews. Here is one explanation: https://pjmedia.com/robert-spencer/2025/12/14/australia-discovers-what-it-means-to-globalize-the-intifada-n4947062
Gallon, black agreed, that “all forms of hatred or antisemitism must be condemned,” said Gallon there is no place for this hate, and fears for Jews, is known “as the oldest hate,” said Doug Emhoff, the past second husband.
I know this is a deeply sensitive subject, but Gellers tone and concern after the Bondi Beach killings during a Hanukkah Celebration was just one of many examples of violence against the Jews. With peace an elusive currency this holiday season, sadly. Australia, having lived there for 5 years has a mixed bag when it comes to racism with the Aboriginals, a prime example.
MIAMI
>>> Mayor Higgins, (net worth 2024 $4.494million), takes over Miami, and her choice as manager will be her first test, since the commission has to approve the person, she has a nice panel of advisors, including Migoya, & Haggman.
Eileen Higgins was sworn in Thursday and the woman has the best municipal office in the county with the Dinner Key marinas just below and past mayors would drink Pinch and have cigars, overlooking the marina, at night. She has brought together some advisors including Carlos Migoya of JHS success fame and a previous city manager, as advisors. And the WDR wishes her good luck and not to be complicit in the old boy culture where lying is an acceptable trait or not giving the full story. She is a mechanical engineer by training a past Peace Corp Director in Belize, an MBA from Cornell are her many talents and experiences. She wants the city to be more responsive to permitting and has a 100-day challenge to get an affordable housing permit down at the city, very friendly with developers, historically.
Residents have heard this all before, and it will be seen if anything in Miami changes, along with her staff, later becoming developer lobbyist?
>>> The nation has to mourn again the shootings at Brown U, later Bondi Beach in the bucolic seaside town and the tragedies just go-on and on, sadly., with no end in sight.
OPINION
If residents want to really change and end corruption, they must do it in a serious way and frankly dress conservatively and speak calmly, if they are to be listened too.
Also go to lower-level public meetings like the WDR did for so many years, and has continued via television, public meeting notices are on line, and people not speaking into microphones creates a dubious public record, that attorneys will challenge later.
What about all the past public employees becoming lobbyists? That and the socializing, with the electives…
Past county municipal employees are just the tip of the iceberg, usually directors or past state employees, and creates a clubby atmosphere.
And the Lopez appointment to the BCC predicted last month is just one example.
However, the appointment of Vicki Lopez to the commission given her history, of federal prison, only highlights that South Florida, is becoming like the nation in its political world. Plus, the defanging of the ethics commission and IG, by the state legislature doesn’t help clean-up government.
Further, software on my iPhone can’t let me fill the housing form and just becomes another challenge finding rental housing, the elderly don’t need, re software use, and filling out forms, with references, another area for many. Finding housing with a clean slate, is no easy task, and I have done what I could these past 25-gifted years, something never before thought possible as Miami-Dade County evolved, over those years, and being watched by someone was important, hence the weekly report. I hope you and your family or faith have wonderful holidays, and peace in our lives, for the year ahead.
What about outgoing mayor Francis Suarez?
Young Suarez, first came in as a commissioner, in 2013, with a $800,000 or so net worth, and he’s leaving roughly $7 million richer with a tony home in South Grove, and includes police security while mayor. The family man bristles when challenged, any ethics conflicts and given past mayors he was at least sane, but greedy, in the course of his time in office. For mor go to:https://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/miami-mayor-francis-suarez-made-nearly-5-million-while-in-office-40506745/ alley
What about crazy Joe Carollo, we won’t have to kick around anymore gone after 50 years on dais, will peace in valley prevail?
After almost 50 years Carrolo is leaving the dais, and people are hoping for peace in the valley, after his antics over the years and a $63 million personal judgement, for weaponizing code enforcement. The man who is explosive in nature, was termed out and his brother Frank was denied office, as well.
He had his quirks one being superman, in his mind and dress, said his chief-of staff, back in 2000, Rhonda Van gates.
>>>Suarez, during his time in office has become a millionaire, and was loose re freebees, and ethics conflicts etc., forget his running for the presidency, that crashed shortly after his announcement.
>>> The Coconut Grove Sailing Club’s lease with the city, is being discussed and the great organization has taught some 20,000, county public school students, in sailing program as well as Shake-A-Leg, and a love and respect for the water: The Miami Rowing Club, lease is also a gift to the community.
>>>And if any of my readers have a rental after 11-years in my current, home and needing to vacate before the holidays, I would appreciate a reference to a place thank you, Dan.
>>> Public schools audit committee, reviews 160 charters, 18 flagged, at Tuesday’s meeting
The MDC Schools, audit committee is meeting Tuesday and tax attorneys, and the board made up of CPAs, is the community firewall for responsible oversite, of the billions in public tax dollars. Sadly, decades ago the members were political appointees, and scandals were the order of the day. The districts 160 charter schools were examined and 18 were deemed to be of concern: and for more go: http://api.dadeschools.net/WMSFiles/23/pdfs/25-26/AC_December_9_2025/Agenda.pdf
Here’s the complete agenda.
http://api.dadeschools.net/WMSFiles/23/pdfs/25-26/AC_December_9_2025/Agenda.pdf
>>>MDC: Trump Library Land vote unanimous to approve, at 8:00 am trustee meeting at Hialeah Campus, but legal battle goes on, says Dr. Marvin Dunn, “case still active,” says Dunn.
The 70th Anniversary dinner of the Florida American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), at the restored Historic Hampton House in Miami honored community leaders making a difference in Miami, included Dunn. Ana Navarro Cardenas, a television personality, Miguel “Mike” Fernandez, who is fighting the rough treatment of immigrants, by the Trump administration and the lack of “due Process.” Were honored for taking a stand against injustice, in many forms.
>>> Saying R.N., nurses are not professional and skilled nursing, is absurd and they fulfill a key role in the outstanding American medicine, and the federal Department of Education status change comes as a great nursing shortage is facing America, and is an insane change ask surgeons about their open heart “scrub nurse,” in the sterile field, being not professionals. Further, the FDA change of the Hep-b. Vaccination recommendations is shocking the medical world, with its lack of scientific basis and a real crisis at the federal agency, led sadly by RFK, Jr, with no medical training.
>>> David Lawrence, Jr. was honored with doctorate of education by FIU, for his lifelong advocacy of early readiness children’s programs and the driving force of the Miami-Dade County Children’s Trust, passed by county wide voters. He believes do today what you can, not wait and is famous for his passion of books, and would ask candidates what was the last book they read.
Lawrence, the former publisher of the Miami Herald, fostered the Florida Children’s Movement. Further, in his career at the paper, he was threatened to the point the threats were on bus ads, derogatory of the paper of record.
He was also chair on the state DCF Blue Ribbon panel, created after a 4-year-old Riyla Wilson disappeared, in state DCF care, back in 2000. For more go to:/115-rilya-wilson-act-requirements/ https://www.elcgate,way.org/providers/115-rilya-wilson-act-requirements/
After all I wanted to do was create a public nervous system via the internet, for more informed public institutions. And learned if you have good people on boards, trusts or commissions, you have a chance for better government so elusive in colorful Miami, that tantalizes the nation with Stone Crab’s The Size of small children, great weather beaches etc.
>>> Miami Mayoral candidates one a Judas, after support Obama ally, at first gets Trump’s endorsement & other influenced by Unabomber, brother’s talk, GOP & DNC, both betting on Miami candidates as party test?
The mayoral race candidate dirt is coming in from Emilio Gonzalez a “Judas,” for not supporting Trump, but recently got it back by text too Eileen Higgins ‘political awakening,’ occurring at a brother of the Unabomber event, it states in a campaign piece and national support from Trump’s endorsement of Gonzalez, to Cruz, DeSantis, are supporting the former Miami manager. Higgins has the DNC, Emily’s List, and the county mayor’s support, and turnout is the key in this off-election Dec. 9.
>>> Further Baptist Health, 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 & Public JHS: for more go to https://baptisthealth.net/baptist-health-foundation
>>>And given the amount of medical research Miami, is a strong medical destination, now, most communities would beg for.
>>> 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 …Still Barking: A Watchdog at 25 – Coconut Grove Spotlight
Further, to have reached 25-years of WDR, not planned, but kept getting more popular, and established being called a “institution,” by CBS4 reporter Joan Murray, years ago, but the newsletter was becoming a trusted entity through the Knight Foundation for 25-years.
People forget Fernandez quite the DeSantis campaign, after hearing derogatory comments on immigrants from his staff. And the treatment of these law-abiding neighbors by ICE, lack of “due process,” is a stain on America, unseen ever before. Further, both have had threats like the WDR, over the years, which is unacceptable to us.
Dunn has been leading, social justice long shots all his life and back in 2014. He talked about the new super criminal devoid of emotion (inmates he had interviewed back then and were becoming a type of new unfeeling man, the phycologist said at the Downtown Bay Forum luncheon, years ago. His fight for transparency in the deal for Trump’s Library, land giveaway, has erupted a firestorm of publicity, and fair market land value would help the school that for decades wanted a half-cent sales tax pushed by Dr. Eduardo Padron, and passed in the county but failed in the statewide vote, and MDC, has had to make due with a lot, of underfunding given its growth for funding, and has impacted so many students goals, at a reasonable price but as the nation’s largest community college. Only votes are needed states the meeting announcement, unusual for such a deal: https://www.local10.com/news/local/2025/10/21/miami-dade-college-president-answers-question-about-activits-dispute-with-trump-presidential-library-land/
>>> FOX NEWS over the weekend ran an ad for a line of Trump watches, in its programming, a first.
Mr. Braman, further, suggested the county use General Elections, dates for sales tax approvals versus in late July one time in late 1990s in a rain storm but was shot down decisively by countywide voters and the auto dealer ran a few critical ads, which killed the measure. https://icamiami.org/
The community leader and I were on WPBT-17, many times, and he is a down to earth man, I used to call him “Great One, that wife Irma, “joked don’t call him that.” Miami-Beach recently dedicated 17th street The Norman Braman Way, for his philanthropy and civic engagement, and a well-deserved honor, to the man who helped bring Art Basil to Miami.
>>> Braman also funded the county’s past mayor Carlos Alvarez’s petition drive recall vote in 2011 after numerous blunders, the stadium deal and staff raises. Alvarez was similar to Trump in the way he dismissed the media’s questions.
Mr. Braman, (And his friend Stanley G. Tate of Florida Prepaid College plan fame, and one of my first supporters), And hope Braman as one of the few who might help me, whatever they can. and possible healthcare magnate Mike Fernandez, who I first met at a public, meeting with then mayor Alex Penelas on the uninsured and its impact and how to mitigate the uninsured and, with no other choice. I kid you not.
I would not go to this extreme first time in 25-years, and hope help or anything if possible is goal?
>>>Further I am available as spokesperson on scams, over the holidays that even took in the skeptical WDR, but time is clicking down for this stupid stressed person.
>>> FOUR ICONIC MIAMIANS JOIN TOGETHER TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST, CRUEL IMMIGRATION POLICIES TARGETING SOUTH FLORIDA FAMILIES
New public campaign calls for courage, compassion, and due process
for law-abiding immigrants who strengthen our community, (America’s Constitution not an option it seems for many, in gov. now.)
Press release: MIAMI, FL — In an unprecedented act of civic leadership, four of Miami-Dade’s most respected community figures — Dr. Eduardo J. Padrón, Leticia Callava, David Lawrence Jr., and Michael Putney — have come together to lend their respected voices to a new public awareness campaign defending the rights and dignity of South Florida’s immigrant families. (Editor’s note: Pedro Pan Armando Codina and Jeb Bush should join this group, if available Bush wrote a book on immigration reform. And Codina is widely respected in the community and former FIU trustee chair, who said one term and that’s what he did.
>>> Further, many Hispanic stories are never told, like the young Mexican girl Sylvia Mendez, whose father and others in a federal lawsuit ended segregation in California schools in 1947, and was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, after schools in landmark federal case Mendez v Westminster. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sylvia_Mendez
The effort, part of the Keep Them Honest initiative, responds to increasingly cruel and unconstitutional immigration enforcement policies under the Trump administration that are targeting hardworking, law-abiding immigrants across South Florida.
The campaign — titled “Four Voices, One Miami” — will feature a coordinated media rollout including television and digital ads, social media content, and billboards across the region, each delivering a shared message: silence in the face of injustice is not an option.
Further, Braman has an affiliation with the county public schools district offering training and internships for advanced car service for many years now, since I wrote about the program years ago.
>>> At Wednesday’s school board meeting the success of the Parent Academy, created with the help of Adrienne Arsht a very prominent banker, (With a performing arts center named after her, after a huge $30 million donation, and another $10 million to the MMA). people were at first skeptical, of the program but it has been a success, drawing parents’ involvement in their child’s education.
>>>The district’s financial reports: https://pdfs.dadeschools.net/Bdarch/2025/Bd111925/agenda/e1.pdf
>>>My cell is 305 586 8560 for help, and includes 25-years of WDRs on line at www.watchdogreport.net
I know this sounds self-serving but pray someone with little help me keep this going. History Miami losing 25 years of county public documents and files, if you want?
>>> As the WDR sadly predicted two weeks ago state Rep. Vicki Lopez, R-Miami, (net worth $370,551, in May 2025), a former felon no longer after charges vacated by federal judge. The state legislator was picked to fill in the district 5, commission term remaining on the seat after Eileen Higgins (June 25, net worth $2.721million) when she resigned to run for Miami mayor.
However, no one discussed Lopez’s checkered past and vacated federal felony conviction, and: she was later commuted by Clinton, but an eyebrow raises, after “honest services law,” modified. For more on Lopez on this go: https://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/when-vicki-met-syl-6360715/
Further her conviction was vacated by a federal court judge https://www.miaminewtimes.com/opinion/former-lee-county-commissioner-vicki-lukis-is-no-longer-a-convicted-felon-6539127/
And here is what I wrote 2 weeks ago, in the WDR, Clinton commuted Lopez sentence in federal court after serving 15-months, after charge law modified and vacated the charge, she has Sylvester Lukis connection, major south Florida lobbyist connection Ballard Partners, and eventually married Lukis, for more go to: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vicki_Lopez
>>>Lobbyists Selfies with elected judges, state attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle (net worth 2024 $7.017million), makes for just one happy family and these new countywide celebrities should consider how all this social content appears to residents, not in a positive way. This, disregard of who your photographed with condones any of their possible past transgressions. And sullies both people’s reputation.
>>>The Public Health Trust met Friday and, CEO Carlos Migoya, in his report noted “some challenging headwinds,” if the state abolishes property taxes, the impact to JHS, is major, to the tune of $110 million, further if Obama Care is repealed, by congress that’s another $100 million. These, changes will impact all the local hospitals in Miami, adding a further fiscal strain, to not just the county public hospital, but to all health systems, in region. JHS also reported zero infections and ranked top ten hospital in U.S. News Report.
A major change in the past Jackson reputation of where “poor patients went to die,” was the Jackson reputation refrain, that has changed dramatically in healthcare quality, recently.
The health “zero infections” over 365days care, and preventative healthcare has been a decade driving goal at JHS, that recently, infections had “dropped to zero,” and a senior physician known as Dr. G., has indicated they “are close to a cure sickle cell disease.”
JHS trustee minutes: Infection prevention remained a major success area. The hospital achieved record-low infection rates for central line (CLABSI), catheter-associated urinary tract (CAUTI), and C. difficile infections. Several quarters recorded zero infections, and the hospital maintained 365 consecutive days without a healthcare-associated infection, a milestone reflecting the system’s high reliability and consistent quality standards.
Ms. Ruggiero also previewed plans for the new Emergency Department, with Phase One scheduled to open in April 2026. The first phase will feature 82 exam rooms, triage and fast-track areas, advanced imaging units, a pharmacy, and 50 observation rooms on the second floor.
Phase Two will expand services to include Corrections Health, Pediatrics, and Behavioral Health. Upon completion, the facility will provide nearly 180,000 square feet of new emergency care space for the community. In closing, members of the Board commended Ms. Ruggiero and the Jackson Memorial Hospital team.
>>> The M-DC Homeless Trust met and federal changes in programs are coming.
The trust’s continuum of care has been a national model, but is requiring some change
Ron Book the longtime chair of the trust said, “it’s a real policy shift, from 35 years ago.” But the organization has faced different challenges during this time,” Book said.
He said it was “important to not skip a beat,” with HUD, that funded a $53 million NOFA contribution and is largest single funding program for the Trust. The leadership later in the day was meeting with providers, and Book, said they “are embracing,” the federal changes, it was also noted 1,517 new beds were coming on line.
What about Chapman’s Alma’s Story?
A woman living with her granddaughter in a car wrote a 4page letter to every person who helped her along the way, “and back on her feet,” and “this Thanksgiving Day, she will be in a home not a vehicle,” and is a testament to the work of the Chapeman partnership. https://chapmanpartnership.org/
>>> For 25-years weekly every Sunday, the WDR after that time was given a “good luck,” from the very supportive and generous Knight Foundation, over those years and the new senior management, is not familiar with the work and nightmare life I drew for myself, but single no family could be threatened, like “your wife have a scar on her face?” was one used and someone had to cover and watch our very wayward politicians. Further, stress of moving with little money is one way to lose it, but I said I would never give in to Miami and its accepted norms.
I am looking for work as a public oracle regarding all the public institutions and considered a “Institution,” said WFOR reporter Joan Murray, years ago, and I can answer a question re public institutions and disclosures call at 305 586 8560.
In a county willing to spend $150,000, for people to learn civics, and for me it took a year before comfortable at public meanings that later felt like a living room over the years, later.
>>> Further, I am eating fast food, and food donations for the first time. So, if you can help plus my having to move is another problem after someone reneged in supporting me in this emergency, of trying to keep the community informed of their public institutions and ICE, treatment of immigrants is stunning Americans who were told “The worst of the worst,” and ICE senior agents say the press doesn’t always get the full story as the department becomes the biggest federal law enforcement agency, and under Homeland Security Sec. Kristi Noem.
>>>Press release: Lauren’s Kids: You are a friend and have supported the work that Lauren’s Kids does year after year as we work to make our community safer for our most important assets, our young and vulnerable children, and so I and we are again appealing to you to help us continue.
>>> Thank you for caring and for helping us create a world where abuse is never tolerated and every child can live safely, smartly, and without fear. I will send you a link in the days to come. www.lauren’skids.org.
>>> Having lived overseas I always had my passport with me and in Japan I would be asked to see my working visa.
The administration continues flooding the zone, from ballrooms to a Gatsby party at Mar-A. Largo. IF you can, I used $350,000 of my own money, a big mistake, as I got older and thought someone might have taken me out by then.
>>> I also want to thank JoAnn Bass of Joe’s Stone Crab for allowing me to eat free at the corner bar spot, for years, where I saw everyone come in, and could interview them. She was always very kind to me and her support check in 2009, allowed me to leave the hospital, with an external suction device after being septic.
>>> She also had Joe’s the first homeless trust parking meters raising money at the self-park parking lot. IF you can I’m in real trouble and stress is the new disease these days, and why I have written about being homeless in Miami, over the ears.
The WDR was notified today that I do not fit in the plans of the Knight Foundation after 25-years and it has been an honor to have the organizations support and original inspiration by past presidents Hodding Carter, III, and Alberto Ibargüen,(I never embarrassed or had a scandal in that time, no easy task in Miami, strewn with people lionized from the very beginning, but later arrested or plea deal none which applies to me for 25 years, and the Foundation paid for my webpage thank you Knight.
The Knight Foundation with new senior administrative staff sent me this email when I asked after 25-years would Knight Foundation continue to support me? And this is what came back, sadly:
The Knight Foundation will not be able to provide any funding for WDR. We fund specific priorities, and this does not fit into our current priority areas. Our team has emailed you previously letting you know this information to be responsive to your inquiries. Good luck, Amalie Nash, V.P. Journalism wrote.
“I don’t have a phone to God,” I would tell people in my face on some subject, and saved some 40 million in public funds over the years, mostly by killing things like $20 million to a am radio station to do traffic updates. That were already being done for free, as community service.
Maor Suarez gives $7.5 million in services to FIFA, but venders cannot sell food or merchandise on streets during sporting events. This reduces local business support as the termed-out mayor walks out the door.
With billionaire Ken Griffin, saying “if mayor Suarez said jump.” His response is how high? As man tries to move past Arsht, home Villa Serena (a beautiful home and setting I went to when the school board had a reception their organized by Evelyn Greer) at the home and he is making a $20 million donation to the Trust.
He also wants a new corporate headquarters building in Miami, that the city has to approve. Further after all these years of typing my hands, fingers are deformed and there will never be another WDR again given the circumstances that made it possible, and the road this effort took. Help if you can, for there is more to do…
One “Miami Beach older lady once told me I don’t care were corrupt, what bothered her was how cheap we were. And with all this money being spread around the look is not good
>>> Miami-Dade County civics program off to a mixed start and one the county is farming out to MDC, $150,000. Is slotted for this program. But, like the required ethics training for county employees, this subject should also be included in the ethics training.
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.
>>> PAST media on what WDR has gone through: 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 Given having to move and low funding it is difficult for me to write, hope better next week. Losing Knight is a real blow.
>>> Further Baptist Health, 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 & Public 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 …Still Barking: A Watchdog at 25 – Coconut Grove Spotlight
ARGUS REPORT
History of why WDR was started after reading the Empowerment Zone two book report where Miami-Dade was #1in almost everything bad from water quality and brown fields.
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
>>> Army Corps of Engineers Director Captain Miller here: do you know U.S. Rep. Bill Young, R- Tampa? No, I said in a phone call suggested by Dr. Fran Bohnsack but a few days later.
I was at the Elephant Forum luncheon at the old downtown Sheraton, and Stanley J. Tate, (who would later become a special advisor to President George W. Bush and helped create The Florida College Prepaid program,) and had a black diplomatic passport. Tate, said he was playing golf with Young soon and I told him about the need for funding of the Miami River dredging, and through local U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-lehiten, R-Miami, Young got the funding request inserted and it was “included,” in the federal budget bill. After I saw this go through and it was completed and activated the river in property values to the city,
I did a few more side projects an enclosed dumpster pad at the Elementary school in the Grove with principal Dr. von Bebe, amazed since I took the problem to the Dir. Of construction who said it was wrong and a Ninja team did it in a few weeks, versus the six months Bebe had spent, with no luck.
>>>Miami River Maintenance Dredging: Federal Channel Dredging Project
The Miami River is a federally authorized channel constructed in the 1930s. The width of the channel varies from 150 feet wide at the mouth of the river, to 125 feet wide above the NW 17th Avenue bridge, to 90 feet wide above the NW 27th Avenue bridge. The federally authorized channel depth is –15 feet mean low water (MLW). The river has not been maintained since its construction. The dredging will restore the original constructed channel depths and increase efficiency and safety of port operations. The Miami River dredging project will remove accumulated infill; no blasting or removal of rock is included.
Funding is in place for the federal channel dredging which is scheduled to begin in summer or fall of 2002. The USACE is responsible for approximately 80% of the project costs and Miami-Dade County, as the Local Project Sponsor, is responsible for the remaining 20%. A local funding partnership including Miami-Dade County, the City of Miami, the State of Florida, and the Florida Inland Navigation District has been formed to pay the local dredging share.
>>Lotus House for families, where hope blossoms are in need of food donations https://lotushouse.org/ The vital organization that serves women and children has been a community asset for years under the guidance of Constance Collins. Since I have been food insecure it is a rehabilitating condition.
A Miami-Dade County committee meeting Friday discussed extensively that the county has few records of buried infrastructure, and causes numerous venders change orders. It also has some 90 miles of defective pipes from the mid-1970s, and poor records.
>>> Since my profile in the Coconut Grove Spotlight, my life has only gotten worse since I have to move and am eating at Mc Donalds. Here’s the positive article of my past years work. https://coconutgrovespotlight.com/2025/04/14/still-barking-a-watchdog-at-25/ :
AND Here is a national story that ran in all the Tribune Paper’s and Maya Bell the reporterhttps://www.sun-sentinel.com/2003/01/20/i-go-when-you-cannot/ https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2003/01/20/i-go-when-you-cannot/ She spent a lot of time with me back then when the threats were coming in and my house was on police watch, so it would not be a public record, and safer for me as well as a columnist with The Miami Herald. These along with the internet were what I faced trying to bring competent, but good government to Miami public institutions, and JHS, as an uninsured person for five years back then.
This is almost what happened in 2000, after my debit card was scammed which happened Thursday, as well. But back then someone had to be a lobbyist for the citizens and I have never been arrested sued, or anything else and you had to be almost perfect as an Anglo in the changing Miami demographics, since coming in 1975, when I first came to Miami. After 25- weeks of yearly reports I am waiting to hear if support comes in. The things in the world are bad but local high-definition reporting is still important still important to have historical perspective with so many new peoples, here.
www.WHAT ABOUT KEEPING THEM HONEST.com? .https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/immigration/article312682193.html
>>>Finally, some community leaders are banding together in a media buy to demand due process for the immigrant Miami community. The silence of our congressional delegation to the scenes of rough ICE agents arrests is shocking Americans’ told only, “The worst of the worst, that would be arrested with President Trump giving them federal immunity cover to continue in the present way, that the agents are almost seeming to enjoy it, that has picked up Americans not illegal immigrants, as the administration says.https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/immigration/article312682193.html
The congressional delegation from U.S. Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Miami (net worth $2.22/in 2021, and all our delegation members are Cuban’s and refugees themselves and their silence regarding the intimidation tactics used by ICE, is showing their lack of “due process,” and the broad sweep with ICE becoming the largest federal department, in the nation and for many a scary development, via a national federal law enforcement branch https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2025/jul/11/jon-favreau/ICE-FBI-bill-Donald-Trump-largest/
>>> BCC appointing vacancy candidate after Higgins leaves body, one name suggested is Vicki Gomez state rep., commuted convicted felon, served 27 months, now, living in Brickell condo.
Former state rep. Manny Prieguez is taking to court whether Frank Carollo can run after voters passed limiting number of terms served in a lifetime. A judge will have to decide if retroactive or not.
>>>> Miami-Dade County Commissioner Eilen Higgins, resigning to run and in a run-off with Emileo Gonzalez, for Miami mayor. A commissioner Raquel Regalado Friday told me the county commissioners are considering an appointment replacement, and possible with state Rep. Viki Gomez, R-Miami, (net worth $370,557/in 2025), as a candidate but the women is a convicted felon, served 27 months, but got a commutation from President Bill Clinton, when she was a Lee Count County commissioner, and would be a stretch in this appointment. The woman a Notre Dame graduate also got $200,000, income from the Agape Foundation, LLC. Here is more on the legislator.
>>> Regalado also told me that manager Art Noriega, had no interest or the commission in the county’s IG., being named versus a retired Miami major Antonio Diaz. He claims independent but friends and family plan ingrained in city employees.
Further, county commissioners be investigated by the independent sheriff’s public corruption division, and not the state FDLE.
The historic county court house put out to auction and is empty and some of the courtrooms at the Children’s Courthouse, are being used with many cases handled by Zoom meetings, Regalado said. She said the $5 million maintenance cost was high and that, “$2 million [was a more realistic number she thought],”
>>> WHAT ABOUT THE NEW GROUP OPPOSING FLORIDA Lawmakers, refusal to stand up for immigrants’ rights. Silence by local congressmen, women not leadership in rough ICE treatment of immigrants some are legal but no due process. >>> IN past healthcare executive and veteran Mike Fernandez in letters has needed help calling out this outrageous behavior, since many tax paying law-abiding residents, being abused by harsh treatment and no due process, another example is the destruction of alleged drug boat attacks, whether legal or not is the question?
PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST
>>> Jackson Health System (JHS) Wednesday, posted positive year ending results to the tune of $40 million in the black and is the 14th year in a row, reported staff and CEO Carlos Migoya, who along with the unions and staff achieved this public achievement. They also used consultants for further saving reductions but achieved better clinical results as well. The trust was once on its fiscal knees in 2009, but has achieved a major turnaround in the changing healthcare world of payer mix, and indigent health care.
There was also significant, and “steep infection reductions,”, said chair Amadeo Lopez Castro, III, whose father was also a trust chair. People forget the county almost sold JHS after a $500 million loss, but instead restructured the 21-member board to only 7 trustees, and has made it a more functioning operation that started with the hiring of Carlos Migoya, a former banker and manager of the city of Miami, for a while in 2009, and he has succeeded where others had failed.
What about Ryder Trauma and workforce housing?
>>> JHS, and developer Related Group, got approved by the City of Miami Housing & commercial loan committee Wednesday for a 27 story, 460 workforce housing units on the Jackson main campus. The units are expected to be completed by “November, December,” next year, said Albert Milo, Jr. a senior executive with Related Group, and there is a “30 percent priority,” for Jackson workforce in the Miami tight housing market, he said.
>>>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.
>>>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.
CITY OF MIAMI
>>> Termed out Miami Mayor Francis Suarez was honored Thursday for his11 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.
>>>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.
‘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 by the new congress in 1789. One longtime 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 highest value profit, 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 she 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.
CITY OF MIAMI
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.
>>> 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
County commissioners continue to negotiate county contracts from the dais, and is a terrible practice for the county 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.
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.
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
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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
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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
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WILLIAMSOM AUTOMOTIVE GROUP http://williamsonautomotivegroup.com/
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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
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MIAMI DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY www.miamidda.com
PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST & JACKSON HEALTH SYSTEM www.jhsmiami.org
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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