HOMESTEAD IS HOME

Are Criminal Charges Possible For Releasing Text Messages and Publishing Former City Manager's Social Security Number?

2012-01-27T15:36:00.008-05:00

While Employers May Monitor Employee Communications and Records, Publishing Personal Communications and Personal Identity Information Is Strictly Prohibited Which Brings Us to the Homestead City Council, Will There Be Criminal Charges and Civil Penalties?

Electronic Communications

Introduction
"You have mail!" As electronic mail and voice mail become the standard means of personal and business communication, the danger that such communication will not remain confidential has increased. Unlike telephone conversations and letters, which are temporary transmissions or within the control of the sender and the receiver, e-mail and voice mail are stored transmissions, which can be recalled at a later time and monitored by those who control the storage system. Where a business provides its own e-mail or voice mail facilities, employees' electronic communications may be subject to inspection and monitoring by employers, raising concerns over employees' right to privacy. On the other hand, employers have a legitimate interest in assuring that facilities they have furnished for business purposes are used for those purposes, or at least not for improper purposes. Federal legislation has attempted to define what monitoring of electronic communications is and is not allowed by employers.

Federal Legislation
In 1968, Congress enacted Title III of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act restricting the monitoring of wire and verbal communications by both governmental and private persons.1 The federal wiretapping act prohibits the interception of wire or verbal communications except in limited circumstances, such as where a court order allows the interception or where some party to the communication consents to the interception. The federal law allows an employer to record or monitor the telephone conversations of its employees if it is done on equipment provided by the employer and for a legitimate business reason. However, employers must limit monitoring and taping to business-related telephone conversations of employees and may violate the wiretapping act if personal calls are intercepted, especially where employees have been allowed to use business telephones to make and receive personal calls.
Nevertheless, the federal wiretapping law was enacted before the advent of email and voice mail and is not, by its terms, wholly applicable to electronic communications. Congress addressed this legal gap by passing the Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1986 (ECPA)2, which extended the restriction on interception to electronic communications. The ECPA extended the privacy protections of Title III of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to both the transmission and storage of digitized textual information exemplified by electronic mail. The ECPA amended the definition of the term intercept to make it clear that it is illegal to intercept the non-voice portion of a wire communication such as the data or digitized portion of a voice communication. The non-voice portion includes electronic communication, which is defined as any transfer of signs, signals, writing, images, sound, data, or intelligence of any nature transmitted in whole or in part by a wire, radio, electromagnetic, photoelectric or photo-optical system. The ECPA also established access and use restrictions of stored wire and electronic communications. E-mail and voice mail are both stored communications covered by the ECPA because the intended recipient transmits these communications to electronic memory for access at a later time.
Although the ECPA imposes some restrictions on access to electronic communications, it imposes few practical restrictions on employers desiring to monitor employee e-mail or voice mail where the employer provides the system that stores and receives the transmissions. The ECPA only prohibits access to an electronic communication facility if it is done "without authorization" or in a manner that exceeds the authorization given. While there is no specific prohibition in the ECPA for an employer to monitor the e-mail of employees, the ECPA does not specifically exempt employers. But, the prevailing view among lawyers is that an employer that provides internal e-mail and voice mail facilities for employee use can establish the policies for access to those systems and grant supervisors the authorization to inspect and monitor e-mail or voice mail, provided the employee forewarns employees that they should expect no privacy concerning those communications.
The ECPA provides two different standards governing when employers may monitor employees electronic communications. The ECPA permits the interception of email messages by an employers delegate if the interception is made in the normal course of that persons employment while engaged in any activity, which is a necessary incident to the rendition of his service or to the protection of the rights or property of the provider of that service. A supervisor who intercepts e-mails as part of the employers monitoring employee communications would not necessarily fall within this exception. Therefore, the supervisor could be held to civil and criminal liability for violation of Title III and the ECPA.3 But, courts have interpreted the "interception" of electronic communications narrowly as extending only to acquisition of the content of such communications during transmission. In order to engage in an improper interception, an employer/supervisor would have to acquire the content of the email during the split second it is being transmitted, or listen into the voice mail message as it is being left for the intended recipient. While this conduct is possible, it is unlikely because employers desiring to monitor e-mail or voice mail on systems they provide need only access the memory where it is stored, rather than the actual transmission itself.
On the other hand, the ECPA appears to impose no restriction on the employers retrieval of employees electronic communications when the employer, instead of intercepting the communication while it is en route to its destination, simply retrieves the message from computer storage, at least when the communications system is strictly internal and accessible only to employees.4 Employers should not have access to their employees' e-mail or voice mail that is not contained on an employer-provided system. The ECPA prohibits entities that provide electronic communication service to the public from divulging the content of any stored electronic communication except as authorized by the customer. Even if employees access their e-mail and voice mail through computer or telephone systems at work, employers should not seek access to those communications where they are stored in a system that the employer does not provide.
Of course, it is not unlawful for the employer to monitor the employees e-mail or voice mail when the employer has the employees consent. There are two methods for obtaining the employees consent. Express consent can be obtained by having the employ consent in writing to such monitoring. Consent can also be implied by notice to the employee that the employer is monitoring e-mail and voice mail. This notice should appear in the employers policy manual. Notices to this effect should also be placed on the system start-up screens as well.

Conclusion
As with the technology itself, the law governing electric communications technology and the privacy issues it implicates is emerging and developing. Although federal law imposes few restrictions on employer monitoring of employer provided e-mail and voice mail, recent statutes and laws may address employer policies of monitoring employee communications. Before embarking on a program that involves monitoring employees' electronic communications, employers would be wise to consider both the legal ramifications and the effect such a policy would have on labor relations. Employees also should be aware of their rights and responsibilities with respect to electronic communications in the workplace. The law is too complex for an employer to embark on a monitoring program without the advice of counsel concerning the circumstances under which the employer proposes to proceed.

It should be noted that one of the contributors to the hih blog was tipped off to the existence of the published SS# of a former City Manager and immediately contacted authorities in late March of 2010.

The information was published on a blogsite called HomesteadIsMyHome.org, this site was set up on February 20, 2009 on the Word Press Network. The site is currently parked at bluehost.com and was linked to Palmetto Bay and the District 8 Commission Election of 2010, won by former Homestead Mayor Lynda Bell, it is also linked to a City of Homestead Councilperson, despite being taken down as an active website. The site subscription runs out on February 20, 2012.

The cached links will not be posted to protect against identity theft. Those links are still viable. The form with the former City Manager's Social Security number was posted sometime after March 23, 2010. It should be noted that the form was first sent to the City of Homestead Human Resources Department.

The first item posted on the website was this:

Incumbent Judy Waldman Files for Council Seat

On February 24th, Incumbent Councilwoman Judy Waldman filed documents with the Homestead City Clerk initiating her re-election campaign.

The United States Code covers the majority of violations but is cumbersome, this file from the State of Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi describes the violations covered under U.S. Code 1028 relating to identity theft. http://www.myfloridalegal.com/usc1028.pdf

SSA Links: http://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/cfr20/401/401-0115.htm

http://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/cfr20/401/401-0110.htm

http://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/cfr20/401/401-0105.htm

http://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/cfr20/401/401-0030.htm

Homestead's Facebook Friend's Can Support Local VFW Post 4127 In Bid To Win Aprons In Action Facebook Contest

2012-01-25T13:55:00.005-05:00

VFW Post 4127 (Homestead, FL)

VFW Post 4127; The purpose of the VFW is fraternal, patriotic, historical, charitable, and educational; to preserve and strengthen comradeship among its members; to assist worthy comrades; to perpetuate the memory and history of our dead, and to assist their widows and orphans.

Past Project : 60 Team Depot volunteers from six Home Depot stores in the Homestead, FL area came together to provide necessary updates to the exterior of the VFW Post 4127’s facility. Volunteers landscaped around the entire building, repaved the parking lot, built a wheelchair ramp, and installed a drop ceiling in the office and new flooring throughout the building.

Proposed Project : Team Depot and the VFW Post 4127 are ready to put the $25,000 in Home Depot gift cards to use by installing new, energy-efficient windows, updating the game room and banquet hall and installing additional flooring. The modifications will provide a comfortable setting for the group meetings and events.

To Vote You Must Be A Registered On Facebook, You Can Vote Every 24 Hours, Hit On Link & Vote

http://www.facebook.com/homedepotfoundation?sk=app_136044879800951

By Sue Arrowsmith, Special to The Miami Herald

On Feb. 1, the Home Depot Foundation will award $25,000 to a non-profit organization through its monthly Aprons in Action Facebook Contest, which began in last spring. The winners then get to compete for a grand prize of $250,000 this March.

The Arrant-Smith Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4127 in Homestead is among four organizations competing this month. If the post wins, officials said they plan to renovate their lodge, located at 601 NE Second Rd.

“Being selected for the Aprons in Action Program is an honor, and we are so thankful for the recognition,” said William A. Strickland, senior commander of Post 4127. “If we actually win the $25,000 Home Depot gift card, we will be able to decrease our operating expenses by replacing our faulty air conditioner, old windows and building’s deterring infrastructure.”

Senior Vice Commander Robert McConnachie, 65, would love to cast a vote for his team, but he hasn’t figured out the Facebook thing yet. And that’s precisely why he wants to win so badly. He’s hoping the renovation will attract younger vets returning from Afghanistan and Iraq to join.

“We need some new blood!” McConnachie said. “We’re fading. What we have to do is pass the baton.”

Post 4127, a chapter of a national organization that provides services for veterans, spouses and families, gathers in what used to be a house built in the 1940s.

The post serves as a central meeting place for veterans who served on foreign soil, offering resources for retirees, those seeking work when they return home and helping them adjust to civilian life.

They serve the community in other ways too. Each year, Post 4127 participates in the annual VFW’s Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen essay competitions, which award students up to $30,000 in college scholarship money. They also award teachers and support police, firefighters, ROTC and Cub Scouts clubs.

The post’s Ladies Auxiliary, which raises money to award grants for cancer research and treatment, assist in other functions and events, such as the annual Freedom Walk down U.S. 1.

“We also get a lot of people who are not members, but come here for help. Sometimes it’s a spouse of a soldier who can’t afford to pay her light bill, for instance,” said Pete Hendrick, former post commander. “We’ve let the post go because we’re taking care of all these other things.”

Last year, Home Depot stepped in to help renovate the lodge through the Aprons in Action program. Post members and Home Depot volunteers worked together to paint and landscape the exterior, put down new flooring in the banquet hall and installed a wheel chair ramp, which was first used by a 101-year-old vet last year on Veteran’s Day.

McConnachie said a new central air-conditioning system, energy-efficient stove and windows would not just make the lodge look more modern but also reduce energy costs. He added that their current operating budget is about $12,000 per month.

“It costs money to make a building green today,” he said. “Our overhead is high.”

There are about 350 members in the post, and annual membership dues are currently $35 each year, or $190 to become a lifetime member. It’s not enough to fund operational costs, McConnachie said.

So they have come up with creative ways to raise money, from providing a venue for local bands to fish fry nights.

Thursdays from 6 – 8 p.m. they serve steak with baked potato and garlic bread for $10 per person and $1 for dessert. Jeff’s Famous Fish Fry is held on the last Saturday of the month, from 6 – 8 p.m., for $10 per person. There is also a Sunday brunch from 9 – 11 a.m. for $5 per person. Mimosas and bloody Marys are $1.25 each. All dining specials are open to the public.

They even compete in the annual Chili Bowl Cook Off in Homestead, winning first place in the amateur category for the past three years in a row.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/01/24/2605757/homestead-vfw-needs-votes-in-contest.html#storylink=cpy

Homestead Rodeo Information

2012-01-25T13:11:00.008-05:00

63rd Annual Homestead Championship Rodeo

Doc’ DeMilly Rodeo Arena at Harris Field

At the corner of U.S. 1 and SW 312th Street in Homestead, Florida

Friday, January 27th, 2012 at 8 P.M.
Saturday, January 28th, 2012 at 2 P.M.
Sunday January 29th, 2012 at 2 P.M.

Gates open approximately 2 hours before performance.

Rodeo Parade in Downtown Homestead, Florida Saturday January 28th starting at 11:00 A.M.

Key Largo Seafood Festival This Weekend

2012-01-25T12:53:00.004-05:00

http://www.fkrm.com/crabandseafood/

When: Saturday, January 28, 2012 from 11am - 10pm,
and Sunday, January 29, 2012 from 11am - 6pm
Where: Rowell's, Marina Property, mm 104.5 Bayside Key Largo
Admission: $5 donation per person (over 12 years of age)
Proceeds to benefit Florida Keys Youth Sports

Family Fun Including:

• Little Mermaid Contest
• Kids Play Area
• Shrimp Eating Contest
• Key Lime Pie Eating Contest
• Arts & Craft Vendors
• Face Painters
• Boat Dealers

• Live Fish Aquarium / Touch Tank
• Kids Band
• Junkanoo Band
• Pirate Demonstrations
• Magic Shows
• Fireworks on Sat. Night at 7:30
and a Car show on Sunday!

KEYS GATE FARMER'S MARKET OPENING SATURDAY

2012-01-25T01:46:00.004-05:00

We are a local Farmer’s Market located directly behind the Keys Gate Sales Center in Homestead, FL. We specialize in organic and hydroponic produce that we either grow on-site or obtain from an organic profucer. We opened to the public for the first time last year and plan on re-opening Saturday January 28th. We welcome the public; however, if you are a Keys Gate resident, you will receive a special discount on top of our already reduced pricing. (CASH ONLY ON ALL PURCHASES)

We are located at 888 Kingman Road Homestead, FL 33035 (directly behund the Keys Gate Sales Center on the corner of Kingman Road and North Canal Drive.)

We will open on Saturday, January 28,2012 from 9 AM to 1 PM (unless we sell out early) and plan on being open every Saturday!

If you have any questions or would like to make a suggestion, please feel free to leave us a message! You can also contact us at 305-230-0000.

Hope to see you there!

Only In Homestead Part Three; Install Hampton Inn Road 2011, Redesign For Courtyard Marriott 2012, City Had Knowledge 2010

2012-01-24T18:58:00.019-05:00

Both Hotel Company logos are on submitted signage, City went ahead with project prematurely and revisions are being done by Abbo's contractors.

Plans appear to feature parking around and in front of Portico, if so median in roadway will have to be replaced or removed.

Change orders from Homestead Concrete and Drainage total about $95,000.

Median in front of Portico and curbing cutout area to the right.

Curbing from original road and the construction access road from Campbell.

This is one of the most bizarre tales of incompetence and waste of tax dollars yet. We all know the Hampton Inn Road contract was originally going to be awarded to the Redland Company. We all know the property owners (Abbo Family) are donors to Mayor Steve Bateman, Councilwoman Judy Waldman and the Little Angel's Foundation received several contributions. This past year the Mayor and Councilwoman shared $11,000. We know the City of Homestead advertised Portofino Coal Fired Pizza on it's website, that is a no-no.

It just so happens that pressure from reporter Laura Morales of the Miami Herald forced the City of Homestead to rethink awarding the Redland Company, who had a higher bid by >$50,000 over the eventual winner Homestead Concrete and Drainage. This occurred in summer 2010, in November of 2010 the City of Homestead Planning and Zoning Department received a request for a sign variance by the company fronting for the Abbo Family, Homestead Treasures, LLC. The sign contains both hotels.

The road was constructed, as in a couple prior cases, Homestead Concrete and Drainage submitted change orders totaling about $95,000, making the project go up to $490,000 from the bid of $385,000. The images were shot this week showing curbs removed, cutouts made in the roadway for traffic, landscaping pulled out, manholes sticking out yards above the roadway and a construction access road put in off of Campbell because large trucks can't make it around the grandfathered in PUBLIC ART, a fountain. Add to that the waiver of $114,000 the Abbos got for the code enforcement violations and Homestead has directed $604,000 to the project owners plus whatever a fountain as PUBLIC ART is valued at. The construction company at the behest of the Abbos appear to plan rerouting the roadway formerly known as the Hampton Inn Access Road as you can see in the second image above, it appears as if there will be parking around the entrance portico which may mean removal of the median directly in front of the same. Boondoggle defined. When will Homestead ever learn?

It's good to be the Abbos in Homestead. The City of Homestead serves campaign donors well.

Only In Homestead Part Two; P&Z Member Moves Item, Discusses Item, Recorded Absent

2012-01-24T18:33:00.011-05:00

This one brings back memories of the Steve Bateman (only) vote recorded by the City Clerk, signed off on by the City Attorney and Mayor. Only in Homestead people. Did you know it is a violation of Florida Law to be recorded as not casting a vote when present and we know he was present because he motioned the item and discusses it. P&Z Board member Dr. Raines was recorded as absent, really check the documents. Who is signing off on these minutes? Chair Ed Powell? (see photo above) City Attorney? City Clerk?

Here is how the law reads.
Title XIXPUBLIC BUSINESS

Chapter 286 PUBLIC BUSINESS: MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
View Entire Chapter
286.012 Voting requirement at meetings of governmental bodies.—No member of any state, county, or municipal governmental board, commission, or agency who is present at any meeting of any such body at which an official decision, ruling, or other official act is to be taken or adopted may abstain from voting in regard to any such decision, ruling, or act; and a vote shall be recorded or counted for each such member present, except when, with respect to any such member, there is, or appears to be, a possible conflict of interest under the provisions of s. 112.311, s. 112.313, or s. 112.3143. In such cases, said member shall comply with the disclosure requirements of s. 112.3143.
History.—s. 1, ch. 72-311; s. 9, ch. 75-208; s. 2, ch. 84-357; s. 13, ch. 94-277.

Only In Homestead Part One; City Surveyor Bill High

2012-01-24T18:25:00.007-05:00

Nothing against Mr. William High, his abilities or his firm but with the Homestead Concrete and Drainage overbilling still fresh in our minds this brings back some recent memories.

Is The Homestead City Council Keeping Score?

2012-01-20T22:34:00.009-05:00

John Ruiz of La LEY Sports Complex has made several presentations to the City Council of Homestead, explaining some of the plans, hopes, aspirations and dreams of his organization. On February 8, 2011 a list of those were transcribed to the meeting minutes. Is anyone at the City keeping tabs on what has actually happened and how close have the numbers been? Dennis, George and Judy can you give the update on the reality?

Have the South Miami and Coconut Grove Boys and Girls Clubs moved in?
Did 30,000 people show up for the Mixed Martial Arts Expo?
How did the Don King negotiations pan out?
How many campers were at the Udonis Haslem and Joakim Noah Basketball Camp?
Do we know any of the 25 professional athletes that have invested funds?
How many of the 1,000 teams actually showed up to play baseball in the summer of 2011?
When will the football field be built?
When will the 8 additional baseball fields be built?
What is the date for the opening of the Olympic size swimming pool?
How many of the promised 200 summertime employees got W-2's from La LEY Sports Complex?

Early Voting Starts Saturday @ Florida City-City Hall

2012-01-20T11:39:00.004-05:00

By Miami Herald Staff

Early voting in Miami-Dade County begins Saturday and runs through Saturday, January 28. Hours of operation: 7 a.m.- 7 p.m. each day.

Voters are encouraged to be "Election Ready" before heading to the polls by reviewing their personalized sample ballot on the Elections Department website, www.miamidade.gov/elections.

The Republican presidential primary is only open to registered Republican voters. However, the two charter amendments on the ballot are open to all registered voters.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/01/20/2598754/early-voting-locations-in-miami.html#storylink=cpy

Mayor Steve Bateman Disregards Open and Transparent Bid Process Rewarding Campaign Donor Who Placed 3rd of 4 in Wilton Manors

2012-01-17T15:20:00.003-05:00

Homestead Ask Yourself What Would You Do For $3,500?

Bypassing the rules is nothing new in Homestead but to push a contract without an open bid process is unfair to taxpayers, residents and other service providers shutting them out in the process.

Something as important as Development Services needs to be a transparent process and not commingled with Building and Inspections without a bid process. In Wilton Manors Florida, they recognized this and opened the bid process. The tabulations are documented and MT Causley who is on record donating $3,500 to the Steve Bateman Campaign, came in third of four and this is the Mayor's choice.

Why no bid advertisement Mayor Bateman, what are you afraid of another third place finish of your choice for the job? Review the results from Wilton Manors. Page six has the results and page nine starts the advertised bid.

http://www.wiltonmanors.govoffice2.com/vertical/Sites/%7B2C239055-61E9-4560-8E7D-93852EF4306C%7D/uploads/7-12-11_Agenda%281%29.pdf

Mayor Bateman said he would be open and transparent, he is currently miles from how he said he would conduct himself and the City of Homestead's business as Mayor. Let's advertise for bids and let the City Manager put a panel in place to review the bids and it might be wise to include the Building Inspections, put everything out to bid.

PANERA BREAD PLANS STORE IN HOMESTEAD

2012-01-17T12:37:00.002-05:00

An outlying parcel within the Homestead Pavilion retail shopping area will soon be home to Panera Bread. Here are some answers to FAQs.
http://www.panerabread.com/

Company FAQs

When was Panera Bread® established?
1981

Who is the Executive Chairman of the Board?
Ronald M. Shaich

Who is the Chief Executive Officer and President?
William W. Moreton
Where is Panera Bread headquartered?
3630 S. Geyer Road
St. Louis, MO 63127
Tel: (314) 984-1000
Fax: (314) 909-3300

What is the NASDAQ ticker symbol for Panera Bread?
PNRA

Where are Panera Bread® bakery-cafes located?
Panera Bread is expanding quickly across North America, operating 1,504 company-owned and franchise-operated bakery-cafes in 40 states and in Ontario Canada as of September 27, 2011, under the Panera Bread®, Saint Louis Bread Co.® and Paradise Bakery & Café® names.
What is the company mission?
A loaf of bread in every arm®

What is bread leadership?
With the single goal of making great bread broadly available to consumers across America, Panera Bread freshly bakes more bread each day than any bakery-cafe concept in the country. Every day, at every location, trained bakers craft and bake each loaf from scratch, using the best ingredients to ensure the highest quality breads.

Panera Bread bakery-cafes showcase the art and craft of bread making, helping customers truly appreciate and enjoy a great loaf of bread by studying its crust, crumb and craft. Panera Bread understands that great bread makes great meals, from made-to-order sandwiches to tossed-to-order salads and soup served in bread bowls.

Panera Bread is widely recognized for driving the nationwide trend for specialty breads. As reported by The Wall Street Journal, Panera Bread scored the highest level of customer loyalty among quick-casual restaurants, according to research conducted by TNS Intersearch. For the eighth consecutive year, customers rated Panera Bread tops among chain restaurants in the 2009 Sandleman & Associates Quick-Track® "Awards of Excellence." Additionally, Panera Bread was awarded #1 ranking for Best Salads and Top Rated Facilities (for chain restaurants with less than 5,000 outlets) by Zagat, the trusted restaurant review service, in its annual consumer-generated 2011 Fast-Food Survey. Panera Bread was also named to BusinessWeek’s 2010 list of top 25 “Customer Service Champs,” to FORTUNE magazine’s 2010 list of 100 Fastest-Growing Companies, and has also won Awards and Recognition in nearly every market it resides. Most recently, Panera Bread was named Casual Dining Brand of the Year in the 2011 Harris Poll EquiTrend^®.

January 21 -22 Redland Heritage Festival 10:00 A.M. Start

2012-01-16T18:53:00.003-05:00

Redland Heritage Festival
Hosted by: Maryellen
The event will start on: Jan 21, 2012, 10:00:am
And will end on: Jan 21, 2012, 5:00:pm
Posted by: admin
Fruit & Spice Park
24801 S.W. 187th Avenue
Admission: $8 (Children 11 & under are FREE)
A tradition at the Park since 1976, this annual festival features local arts and crafts, historical exhibits, a large selection of tropical plants and great food. Children's activities include a petting zoo, pony rides, an interactive puppet & magic show, and a wild and wonderful Everglades reptile show.

More Greg Lake This Time With Sand Artist Ilana Yahav

2012-01-16T06:57:00.006-05:00

Sand Court of the Crimson Queen, Very Cool Lady

SandFantasy – Hands, sand and soul

Using only her fingers, Ilana Yahav, a world renowned sand artist, creates a wonderful and magical story that emerges in front of the eyes of amazed viewers: be it in front of an audience, in video clips or in advertisements. On this website, you can gain your own impression of her works, read about her, and contact her

Ilana Yahav's Website: http://sandfantasy.com/

New $41M Office Building for SOCSOUTH in Homestead Air Force Reserve Base

2012-01-15T07:50:00.004-05:00

The Miami Herald reported last week Special Operations Command - South (SOCSOUTH) would be getting a new building to the tune of $41M so they can move from trailers to permanent facilities.

Here's the article:

http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/01/09/2582908/new-office-building-at-homestead.html

The irony of this effort is that all this is being done when the Defense Department (DoD) is being forced to cut $450B during the next 10 years never mind they were already on track to cut $400B prior to the sequestration bill. So it begs the question, if DoD is shrinking why plan to build this new building? Why not just consolidate these facilities into existing facilities that are losing staff such as SOUTHCOM up in Doral? That would make to much sense and besides it's only taxpayer money we're talking about here.

I bet some of you are saying this will bring jobs to Homestead. I would agree that in the short term construction jobs will come to Homestead. However, once the building is completed there will be few maintenance staff for the building and the current command staff to run the place. The twist here is that during military consolidations of commands, this building may just turn out to be another empty facility. The main facility, Special Operations Command (SOC) is up in Tampa. That one is not expected to close anytime soon. Already, SOCSOUTH has fired IT staff and farmed out the work to the likes of Dell who bring in their own staff to run the Data Center. Even then the effort will be short lived since the Data Center consolidations within DoD is scheduled to be completed by 2015. This may affect SOUTHCOM as well.

Reference article:

http://www.federaltimes.com/article/20111125/DEPARTMENTS01/111250301/

The moral of the story is that if we think this will bring the middle class jobs to our area that we need to sustain a growing community, think again. We may just end up with an empty shell of a building that while it produced some short-term jobs now, in the long run, it's just another empty office building looking for a tenant.

For $3,500 Is The Mayor Planning To Insert MT Causley In Development Services In Addition To Inspections?

2012-01-14T16:57:00.011-05:00

It's DEJA VU once again almost two years to the day when CAP Engineering was replaced by MT Causley as the City of Homestead Building Inspectors. This current plan is being met with skepticism because it opens up the possibility to allow developers the opportunity to take shortcuts and liberties that an independently city run separation of offices would never allow. Having both the development side and the inspection side run by the same outside firm sets the stage for an instance where there may exist the opportunity to compromise operations. That may never happen but why take a chance?

Currently Joseph Corradino is managing the Development Services Department and MT Causley is doing the inspection side. Now two years ago, January 6, 2010 a text message showed Mayor Bateman was heavily involved in the process in this text message from Elinette Ruiz, an attorney who was the lobbyist for MT Causley:

StevenBateman.223,"SBateman@cityofhomestead.com","Incoming","","13057728530","","Hi, it's elinette, Michael Causley was very happy! Thanks... What is your e-mail address - I have the proposal we discussed.","2010/01/06 22:04:42","2010/01/06 17:16:20","Rx_Received","Add","95097628"

Mayor Bateman did receive $3,500 from MT Causley related sources in 2011. Those are highlighted from his 2011 Mayoral Campaign reports.

The word coming from separate sources close to the city is the Mayor is pushing this to get done. Why the Mayor would be getting a hard copy proposal and not the manager back in 2010 is very interesting.

Get This, People Holding Moving Cables At A Lake, Toss In No Insurance, What Could Go Wrong?

2012-01-14T16:27:00.012-05:00

This latest attempt at possible bamboozlement of the City Council involves Cable Wakeboarding at the La LEY Sports Complex at the City of Homestead. This week the Council will give staff direction on the proposal. Pages 305-322 of this weeks City Council Agenda contain the outline of the plan.

From youth Baseball to selling used cars to offering Christmas Trees and now to people being winched around the lake on a cable. Maybe at some point La LEY will fix the dozens of broken lights for the stadium and focus on the original intent, whatever that was once upon a very long time ago. July 14th, 2011. Hard to imagine what is next, maybe a flea market.

Fear not on the insurance issue, Mayor Bateman has put Parks Chair Waldman on the task. La LEY President Ruiz said he was not sure about the insurance issue at last week's COW meeting and wanted the City of Homestead to keep it under their coverage and he would reimburse the city. That idea has certain liability issues that you can be sure the City thought they unloaded when they signed the lease and accepted La LEY's terms.

District 8 Commissioner Holds State of District Review

2012-01-14T11:17:00.002-05:00

By Christina Veiga

cveiga@MiamiHerald.com

Just over a year into her first term, Miami-Dade County Commissioner Lynda Bell’s office has saved millions of taxpayer dollars and helped hundreds of residents, the commissioner said Thursday in her first state of the district address.

The commissioner, who represents District 8 in South Dade, also presented new plans she hopes will make it easier for businesses to open in Miami-Dade, and bring more attention to local attractions.

A few hundred people munched on hors d’oeuvres and sipped sodas in the lobby of the new South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center in Cutler Bay before the speech, which started late. It wasn’t until Bell came into the lobby, after the 7:30 p.m. starting time, and asked why the doors weren’t open, that people were ushered into the theater.

Bell spoke easily, but quickly, for about 23 minutes, standing in front of a screen inscribed with her name and the county seal.

She highlighted legislation she helped author that requires county departments to “recommend better workforce strategies and identify unnecessary spending.”

“By adopting these new measures, the county saved $32 million this past year alone,” Bell said.

County Management and Budget Director Jennifer Moon calculated that the county actually saved more then $49 million through union concessions, according to a spreadsheet provided to the Miami Herald. Bell’s staff said the savings were identified as a result of the resolution Bell sponsored, which directed the mayor’s office to search for possible savings, and use those in union negotiations.

The commissioner also highlighted legislation she co-sponsored that provides relief to residents hit with mysteriously high bills after The Miami Herald wrote a story about Cynthia Potter, a South Dade resident who was hit with a $6,222 water bill. But the legislation is not effective retroactively, despite Bell’s efforts to make it so.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/01/12/2588380/commissioner-touts-achievements.html#storylink=cpy

Homestead Is Not Alone When Looking For the State Attorney's Help

2012-01-14T11:14:00.006-05:00

Miami blogger Al Crespo has been railing against the lack of attention from the State Attorney, Katherine Fernandez-Rundle for some time relating to obvious public corruption. We in Homestead have seen promising corruption cases dropped by her office and those involved cleared. The most recent were the Homestead Energy Services utility bill waiver and rebate to friends and associates of Mayor Steven Bateman.

This year she is running for re-election, Al Crespo has posted his thoughts on his blog.

http://web.me.com/alcrespo1/Site_10/BEWARE_OF_KATHERINE_RUNDLE.html
Pictured is State Rep. Frank Artiles, Miami-Dade Count State Attorney Katherine Fernandez-Rundle and Homestead Mayor Steven Bateman

In Mazzella We Trust, Office of the Inspector General

2012-01-14T05:46:00.007-05:00

There seems to be one consistent office/department where they take their role seriously and that is the Office of the Inspector General who is Chris Mazzella. On Friday it was learned that the OIG is now looking into the financial statements of the Miami Heat.

http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/riptide/2012/01/micky_arison_and_miami_heat_ge.php

The deal with the county goes something like this: the county pays the Heat and owner Mickey Arison $6.4MM per year for the Triple A (American Airlines Arena) in exchange if the heat make more than $14MM annually a portion (40%) gets paid back. The county has never received a dime. The OIG lists their accomplishments on their website which can be found here.

http://www.miamidadeig.org/staff2.htm

Finally a public servant doing something about corruption. Tip of the hat to Jim Defede on this as well.

Miami New Times, Francisco Alvarado Friday January 13, 2012

Following multiple stories from Riptide about the Miami Heat refusing to share profits from the American Airlines Arena with county taxpayers who subsidize the place, Miami-Dade Inspector General Christopher Mazzella has apparently decided that someone should try to verify how much the team is actually making. We've now confirmed that the county's top watchdog is auditing the Heat to determine if the arena's revenues, expenses, and profits are accurately reported to the county.

Judging by public documents obtained by Riptide, Heat owner Micky Arison is doing everything he can to stonewall the IG from obtaining information beyond basic annual budgets and annual financial statements. Since the Heat's controversial deal was signed in 1997, the county has never shared the wealth as owner Arison had promised. In order to keep the team in Miami, then-county Mayor Alex Penelas agreed to give away $38 million worth of prime waterfront public land to build the arena.

The team paid $240 million for the construction, but the Heat got an annual $6.4 million subsidy to operate the arena for the next 30 years -- that's $192 million in taxpayer funds for the life of the deal. In return, a Heat subsidiary -- Basketball Properties Ltd. -- agreed to share 40 percent of all its profits over $14 million.

The arena has never hit that magic number, not even during last season's NBA Finals run as prized free agents LeBron James and Chris Bosh helped the Heat bank $60 million in record-breaking revenue. New Times wasn't the only media outlet to note the NBA franchise's consistent inability to break the $14 million mark. Last May 5, CBS4 investigative reporter and former New Times columnist Jim DeFede did a news segment on the arena's finances.

SOCSOUTH HQ Building Groundbreaking Worth $41 Million

2012-01-13T23:08:00.003-05:00

Navy Rear Adm. Thomas L. Brown II, the commander of Special Operations Command South, along with Maj. Gen. Todd T. Semonite, Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers South Atlantic Division, Command Sgt. Maj. Donald White, Miami-Dade County commissioners, Homestead officials and several other key leaders were on hand to formally welcome the beginning of construction for the new SOCSOUTH Headquarters Building, Jan 10 at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla. The new 125,000-square foot, $41 million headquarters facility will be designed to host more than 400 people representing all branches of the armed forces. The new facility will be LEED-certified and is expected to be completed in three years.

By Christina Veiga

cveiga@MiamiHerald.com

Special Operations Command South’s move into trailers at the Homestead Air Reserve base in April 2004 was supposed to be temporary.

Almost seven years later, the command — in charge of special operations in Latin American and the Caribbean — will finally have a permanent home after a groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday.

“There will be stability in our relationship with the community and our commitment to this facility,” said Rear Adm. Thomas L. Brown II, the commander of SOCSOUTH.

Whereas now the command’s medical staff and chaplain rub elbows in the same space, the new, 123,000-square foot building will provide the room needed to be “more efficient and more effective,” Brown said. The new facility will also allow greater video conferencing capabilities, which Brown called “key to our future.”

The $41-million building will be erected on land leased from Miami-Dade County, and will have offices for more than 400 people from all branches of the armed services, making it possible to temporarily house more staff during a crisis — such as the Haiti earthquake two years ago, when hundreds of additional service members flooded the air base to coordinate aid.

The building will be constructed to withstand a category five hurricane, and will be LEED silver certified — meaning it will meet some of the more stringent environmental standards set by the U.S. Green Building Council. In fact, plans for the new facility hit a snag after rare small’s milkpea and sandflax plants were discovered on the site, said command engineer Maj. Kyle Merolla. The new facility will be built around the discovered colonies, Merolla said, and native plants, which require little watering, will be used to landscape the facility.

“We’re being as responsible as we can for future generations,” Brown said.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/01/09/2582908/new-office-building-at-homestead.html#storylink=cpy

City of Homestead and Bowling Alley Operator Fail to Strike Agreement

2012-01-13T16:57:00.001-05:00

There will be no bowling alley reopening in the near term according to those who attended the Committee of the Whole meeting at Homestead City Hall Tuesday. The property will remain empty as the parties could not come to terms.

Kaufman and Sons, LLC., had been told at a November meeting that the City was giving them notice to act fast or the deal was done. The City incurred several thousand dollars in legal fees on the proposed project.

Miami Dade Special Election Ballot Has Two Questions for All Registered Voters and One for Republicans

2012-01-13T15:25:00.009-05:00

Question 1
Charter Amendment
Relating to Initiative Petitions and
Elections on Charter Amendments
Shall the Charter be amended to increase
from 60 to 120 days the time allowed to
circulate initiatory petitions, and to provide that
elections to amend the Charter, either through
initiatory petitions or by Board action, be held
in conjunction with the next scheduled General
Election rather than within 60 to 120 days, as
currently required?

Question 2
Home Rule Charter Amendment
Relating to Salaries, Service, and Term
Limits of County Commissioners

Shall the Charter be amended to provide that,

as of January 31, 2012, County Commissioners
shall:
• Devote full-time service to the offi ce of
County Commissioner and hold no other
employment;
• No longer receive the $6,000 annual salary
established in 1957, but receive instead the
salary provided by state formula, adjusted
annually (currently approximately $92,097);
and
• Serve no more than two consecutive
four-year terms in office excluding terms of
service prior to 2012?

Ballot: http://www.miamidade.gov/elections/s_ballots/1-31-12_sb.pdf

Republicans Only

PRESIDENT (Vote for One)

Michele Bachmann 10
Herman Cain 11
Newt Gingrich 12
Jon Huntsman 13
Gary Johnson 14
Ron Paul 15
Rick Perry 16
Mitt Romney 17
Rick Santorum 18

Republican Candidate Matrix for the Florida Presidential Primary on 1/31/12

2012-01-13T15:19:00.006-05:00

This was put together by the Southern New Hampshire 9/12 Project. Has all of the key points about the candidate's position(s) on national topics.

http://southernnh912.com/sites/default/files/PresidentialCandidatePositions_0.pdf

City Owned Sports Complex Has Liens Courtesy Of La LEY

2012-01-11T21:31:00.008-05:00

Do having liens on the City of Homestead Sports Complex for non-payment bring a smile to John Ruiz, Mayor Steve Bateman and Councilman Elvis Maldonado?

Two separate companies have had liens placed upon the City of Homestead owned and renamed La LEY Sports Complex. Both La LEY and the City of Homestead were noticed of this action. The property address is 1601 SE 28 Avenue. Approximately $41,700 is owed according to the filings.

Mayor Bateman says City will work on insurance issues for La LEY. John Ruiz says the La LEY Sports Complex is losing $100,000 per month*. Insurance estimated at an additional $10,000 per month.

*1/10/2012 COW Agenda, prior meetings minutes