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Showing posts with label Peter Bober. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Peter Bober. Show all posts

Saturday, May 6, 2017

Bombshell! It's actually worse than I thought! Latest news from Buddy Nevins at Broward Beat has left me dumbfounded: Broward Auditor Blasts Fast-And-Loose Spending By Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau Under Former Director Nicki Grossman; No Meaningful Operating Controls on CVB Spending. #ethics

Bombshell! Just when you thought that things in #Broward County could not get any worse, that the Broward Establishment and its chosen people could NOT show their contempt for rules, common sense and the taxpayers of the county any more than they have in the recent past, they do.
Thing are actually worse than I thought! 

 That's the only conclusion a reasonable, well-informed person like me can draw from the latest news made public Friday by Buddy Nevins at his Broward Beat website. News that has left most of the concerned Broward civic activists, bloggers and elected officials I know and trust dumbstruck by the sheer scope of this scandal, and in my case, for a rare time, left me almost speechless. Almost.

Broward Auditor Blasts Fast-And-Loose Spending By Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau Under Former Director Nicki Grossman; No Meaningful Operating Controls on CVB Spending




Broward Beat
Auditor Blasts Fast-And-Loose Spending By Tourism Bureau Under Nicki Grossman
By Buddy Nevins
May 5, 2017
Broward’s tourism and convention bureau routinely violated the county’s and state spending rules for years, according to a critical audit released this week. Among the shocking findings:
  • Former Tourism Czar Nicki Grossman handed out $178,000 in sales commissions over two years to 14 members of her staff – extra pay based on hotel rooms sold — without having any proof of results, the audit stated.
The audit of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Tourism and Convention Bureau began in June 2016.  Grossman retired after 21 years the same month and was replaced by Stacy Ritter, a former county commissioner.
Read the rest of the post at:





Apparently, the Greater FTL CVB has been run for years just like the Hallandale Beach CRA has been the past ten-plus years under Mayor Joy Cooper, where money goes out the back door without much need to justify it, and with lots of political cover to keep curious citizens from asking pesky questions.
No oversight, no accountability and, seemingly, no proof of anything tangible actually being accomplished required to actually receive $$$.
Just the approving nod-and-wink of the people in charge.

Before continuing on to the Nevins bombshell, I remind you loyal readers of the blog - especially you newcomers!- that I posted something here on the blog about the curious goings on with the Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB as recently as last month. 

 For those of you who don't know, the Greater FTL CVB has long been a  bête noire of mine, in large part because for so many years, it has seemed clear to me based on all the available evidence that they were able to consistently get away with frequently saying and doing things publicly that could not be substantiated or proven by facts or data more than probably any other group in South Florida.
Even more, dare I say, than the intentional misstatement of facts, misdirection and spin emanating from the Dolphins and Marlins so often the past ten years, which is really saying something. 

Whether stated at public meetings or via pithy comments to the local South Florida news media that rarely holds tourism groups like them to account publicly for what they say, I'd frequently read and hear things that simply didn't add up.
But the local news media, even when presented with information that contradicted what the CVB said, did and said nothing.
Did nothing like actually engaging in some old-fashioned reporting because the media was dependent upon the CVB for both information and access to many important events, esp. ones with well-known personalities and celebrities certain to attend.

That post of April 6th was labeled, Downward Tourism Trend: Broward County's Tourism efforts, as measured by number of hotel visitors, are suffering just as Las Vegas is seeing very positive changes and results in key demographics, including Millennials




Since then, Buddy Nevins on his website -and me in my tweets at @hbbtruth- has publicly questioned what was going on with the Broward Convention Center and efforts to either expand it or move it, because of a desire to have a large, new convention-style hotel attached, something that has been a goal of the Broward Establishment for multiple 
DECADES.



But the lack of an attached convention-style hotel has also been a longstanding problem for the Miami Beach Convention Center, and yet they seem able to still book big events there every year, like Art Basel, because there are so many hotels within a reasonable walking distance.
But it's true that they are NOT able to book larger corporate or industry conventions because of that very same problem. It's a genuine problem that won't solve itself.

So let's review the reality of 2017 for Broward taxpayers, residents and Small Business owners.
Broward County currently has a Convention Center that nearly everyone agrees now is situated in a bad location. A bad location as far as traffic goes and which crowds out economic engine Port Everglades' legitimate current and future expansion needs.

Broward County owns an indoor sports arena situated in a very bad location out near the Everglades that's not only far from the center or even bulk of Broward's population, but which is also NOT near any existing or future mass transit like TriRail.
And for good measure, that sports arena never generates revenue for Broward County taxpayers AND has a very curious management contract that most US cities and counties would never agree to.
But wait, there's MORE!

 We also have in county-owned Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport a place that as we all saw to our dismay and shock in January, quite literally, is full of people who do NOT know what to do in case of a real emergency, like a shooting. 
The County and the airport actually had people in-place there that day who made a horrible situation MUCH WORSE... and given the airport a much-deserved black eye.


http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fort-lauderdale-hollywood-airport-shooting/fl-airport-chaos-response-20170320-story.html




Everyone here understands that FLL airport is a hugely important economic engine for the community whose ripple effects are felt all over South Florida, and whose safe, smart and efficient operation is crucial to our area and daily lives.
Yet few people know that it currently lacks an appointed Citizen Advisory Board that can provide a degree of independent oversight and accountability to the community at large that is separate and NOT beholden to the airport's current management, the airlines or the airports contractors and vendors who contribute large campaign funds to County Commission candidates.
We have an airport where most Broward residents no longer comment publicly on the absurd reality that confronts us on a daily basis - when you are at the Tri-Rail Airport train station, you are NOT actually at the airport itself.

You can imagine how dismayed tourists, esp, international visitors, are when they encounter something like that for the first time.
They wonder who would plan something like that, that is both short-sighted and second-rate. And they are right!

 I have been publicly urging for years that the Broward County Commission create an Airport Citizen Advisory Board that can be a voice for the people of this community, who are, let us not forget, also the airport's main clients.
We are the customers.

And yet now these same Establishment Movers and Shakers in the Broward political and business community responsible for most of these problems I've mentioned want to have major input in the future location of a new U.S. Courthouse?
Instead of, say, at a minimum, agreeing and insisting that it be located near a prospective Tri Rail Coastal train station so that people all over the county can access it without a car or the need for more expensive parking garages to be built?



No thanks!!!

In light of what I read in Buddy' Nevins' article today about the audit of the Greater FTL CVB and their predilection for winging-it, I truly wonder if the hotel visitors numbers that I cited in my blog post of last month are even lower than what the CVB publicly stated.
It really makes you wonder what you are supposed to believe, if people put in powerful positions of influence can't or refuse to be bothered to document things that would be required in any other well-run business, much less, one that's affiliated with govt. funds.

Do I need to remind you that as things currently stand, there is NOT an elected, county-wide Mayor for Broward County to ensure that there is positive direction, leadership and accountability for its residents and Small Business owners? I thought not.

 Yes, to quote myself from this blog several months ago, we could definitely use someone as capable, savvy, hard-working and ethical as former Hollywood Mayor Peter Bober as Broward County Mayor when that title really means something tangible.


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Friday, January 27, 2017

Saturday's Broward County Charter Review Commission meeting in Hollywood, 10 AM at the Anne Kolb Nature Center. Creation of a county-wide elected mayor among many other topics to be discussed at workshop.

Just found out about this Saturday morning Broward County Charter Review Commission meeting at the Anne Kolb Nature Center in Hollywood earlier this evening.
It will be held at 751 Sheridan Street at 10 AM tomorrow, and will last until 1 PM.




 http://www.broward.org/commission/pages/sunshinemeetings.aspx
Saturday, January 28, 2017
10:00 AMAgency: Charter Review Commission, Purpose: Subcommittee Workshop Meeting, Committee: Governance Subcommittee, Location: Anne Kolb Nature Center - 751 Sheridan Street, Hollywood, FL 33019 The Governance Subcommittee will have a workshop meeting from 10:00AM - 1:00PM.

Despite not finding out about this until tonight, I'm going to try to my best to make this meeting, which is not surprising given my many past public -and critical- comments on some of these issues and the often quite inexplicable public votes and performance of the 2008 Broward CRC, which, counter-intuitively, voted AGAINST putting many important public policy issues on the November ballot for the voters of Broward to decide for themselves, one way or the other.

For me and most people I know and trust in Broward County, the most noteworthy of these issues was the creation of a county-wide elected Mayor, which I strongly supported then and support now, for many of the same reasons.
It seems clear to me that the past history and current reality of this county makes this position a requirement if Broward County is ever going to come anywhere close to reaching its true/full potential, as well as give the public of this county someone they can put their trust/faith in, but also hold personally accountable in a way that the county's current power structure does not allow or encourage.
With results that we can see everyday that are less-than-satisfactory for all concerned.

Many, if not most of you, also know that if such a position were to be created anytime in the near-future -whatever that is- I would very much be in favor of former Hollywood Mayor Peter Bober seriously considering a run for that particular office.

As I've stated previously in various forums, tweets and blog posts, as well as emails to some of you, I believe Peter Bober has precisely the right mix of personal and professional qualities, abilities and person-to-person skills that would make him not just a formidable candidate, but also someone who could help give this usually-fragmented and often-parochial county some much-needed unity of purpose, as well as Common Sense leadership and demands for public accountability of the county's bureaucracy.

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Thursday, October 16, 2014

Message from Hollywood Mayor Peter Bober on Ebola Virus Precautions and Preparedness at Memorial Regional Hospital-Hollywood, @mhshospital; It's time for #HallandaleBeach residents to let City Hall know they want changes to existing emergency transportation policy re Aventura Hospital vs. Memorial Regional Hospital

Looking northwest from N. Johnson & N. 35th Avenue in Hollywood, FL at part of the main campus of Memorial Regional Hospital, the flagship facility of Memorial Healthcare System's far-flung Broward healthcare empire. November 1, 2011 photo by South Beach Hoosier.

My comments are below yesterday's email that I received from Hollywood Mayor Peter Bober.
-----
Dear Hollywood Residents:

Like most of you, I’ve been watching with great interest recent news reports about the outbreak of the Ebola virus.  As Mayor, it is therefore appropriate to advise Hollywood residents what is being done locally to monitor the Ebola virus as well as coordinate a preparedness plan.  To be clear, there have been no cases of Ebola reported in South Florida, to date.

I wanted you to know the steps the City of Hollywood and our regional partners take whenever there is concern regarding the spread of an infectious disease like Ebola.  The Florida Department of Health, in partnership with local hospitals and healthcare facilities, medical officials, fire/rescue, police and emergency management agencies, has implemented preparedness plans to respond to the situation and take a series of precautionary measures.

Every Florida hospital has been requested to mandate all healthcare professionals undergo Ebola protection training.  Local hospitals, such as Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood, have implemented the following protocols to protect personnel from exposure to Ebola and other infectious diseases:

• If someone walks into a hospital and has symptoms consistent with Ebola, hospital staff will quarantine the patient, wear protective gear to protect themselves from possible exposure, and begin treating the symptoms.
• Hospital staff use a “buddy system” while putting on and removing protective gear to ensure medical personnel wear and remove protective gear properly.

If someone calls 911 to report a possible infection:
• The 911 dispatcher asks the caller about his/her symptoms and whether he/she has traveled to West Africa within the last 2-21 days and/or has come into contact with someone who is infected with Ebola. 
• When Fire/Rescue is dispatched to the caller’s address, firefighter/paramedics wear protective gear, such as gloves and masks, while examining the patient. 
• Fire/Rescue notifies the hospital of a possible Ebola infection.  The hospital will then prepare an isolated room to treat the patient.
• After transporting an infected patient, Fire Rescue crews will quarantine and disinfect the rescue unit used to transport the patient to the hospital. 

Other precautions by the City of Hollywood include:
• Hollywood Police Officers use protective gloves and masks while handling individuals who are suspected of having any infectious disease.  The department has a service to disinfect police vehicles after transporting individuals suspected of having an infectious disease.
• Hollywood Emergency Management is monitoring the Ebola outbreak, receiving daily updates from the Florida Department of Health, Broward County Emergency Management, local hospitals and regional law enforcement agencies, and providing status updates.

Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions related to the Ebola outbreak:

What is Ebola?
Ebola is an animal-borne virus that was first discovered in 1976 near the Ebola River in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Africa.  Previously called Ebola hemorrhagic fever, outbreaks occur sporadically in Africa.  Human death rates for Ebola range from 50 percent to 90 percent. 

How does Ebola spread?
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Ebola virus is spread through direct contact (through broken skin or unprotected mucous membranes) with:

• A sick person’s blood or bodily fluids, including but not  limited to urine, saliva, feces, vomit, and semen.
• Contaminated objects (like needles and syringes). 
• African bats and primates (by contact with their blood, fluids,  or infected meat).
The virus is not an airborne virus.  Signs of Ebola include fever (greater than 38.6°C or 101.5°F) and symptoms such as: 

Severe headache Diarrhea
Muscle pain Abdominal pain
Vomiting Unexplained hemorrhaging

The time between exposure to the Ebola virus and the first sign of symptoms is two to 21 days, though the average time is eight to 10 days.  A person infected with the Ebola virus is not contagious until symptoms appear.

What should I do if I suspect someone might have Ebola?
If you know or encounter anyone who meets these criteria, please avoid contact with the individual, call 911, and ensure that he/she is treated at a local hospital immediately. 

Is Ebola treatable?
Early recognition is important to treating and preventing the spread of Ebola.  There is no vaccine for Ebola.  However, symptoms of Ebola are treated as they appear: 

• Providing intravenous fluids and balancing electrolytes (body salts). 
• Maintaining oxygen status and blood pressure. 
• Treating other infections if they occur. 

Experimental vaccines and treatments for Ebola are under development, but have not yet been fully tested for safety or effectiveness.

How are people screened for Ebola?
Current Ebola screening procedures include:

• Checking for the symptoms described above AND whether an individual suffering from symptoms has traveled to West Africa (Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone or other countries where Ebola virus transmission has been reported) or the Democratic Republic of Congo within 21 days (3 weeks) of symptom onset. 
• Screening an individual who exhibits the symptoms described above, and who has been in contact with someone who has been diagnosed with Ebola.

In conclusion, the Ebola virus is a serious issue, and it demands serious attention at all levels of government.  Please know that City Hall is closely monitoring this issue, as well as the global events surrounding it, which unfold daily.  Additional information can be obtained through the Florida Department of Health-Broward County at 954.467.4700, and I will work to ensure that City Hall informs you about any additional preparations occurring at the local level as such information becomes available.  In the interim, the City of Hollywood will continue to implement all recommended protective and preventive measures.  Wishing you and your family all the best, I hope you continue to stay informed about this important public safety issue. 

Sincerely,

Mayor Peter Bober

 -----
Like many of you, I've had unpleasant personal/family experiences over at Aventura Hospital over the recent past -in my case, several- that cause me to have great misgivings about ever suggesting to anyone that they go there instead of to Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood.
Even if it's physically closer, even if it's for something relatively minor.


My own experiences at Memorial have been uniformily very good-to-excellent and the differences in how you are treated as a patient or a family member by the staff -and the process itself- are literally night-and-day.
http://hallandalebeachblog.blogspot.com/2011/11/my-life-of-late-another-brush-with-good.html

I never wrote about how truly bad things were at Aventura Hospital and the many, many upsetting things my late father and I dealt with there with respect to the level of care he received, the apathy/attitudes of many hospital employees I dealt with and their bureaucratic process. 
To say nothing of the days he was basically held hostage there on a visit for some tests that should have taken no more than 3-4 hours.
After my father died -elsewhere- I've often regretted letting that slide and NOT taking them to task, as they were/are the very picture of  target-rich environment.
Though I tried to give them the benefit of the doubt at the beginning after all the negatives I'd heard from area residents and neighbors after returning to South Florida, I came to learn the hard way that the hospital's bad rep was, indeed, EARNED.

I mention this because this timely email from Hollywood Mayor Peter Bober yesterday morning makes me wonder how much longer Hallandale Beach-area residents must tolerate City of Hallandale Beach Fire/EMT personnel continuing to (usually) disregard people's stated desire to be transported to Memorial instead of Aventura when they call for an ambulance.

It seems to me like some time after November's election would be a good time for Hallandale Beach residents and business owners to let their new City Commission know that they want to seriously re-examine that existing transportation policy, since more than a few of you have told me that you've left specific -or even written- instructions with family members and friends that you do NOT want to ever be transported to Aventura Hospital -under any circumstances.
Trust me, for all the wrong reasons, I know exactly what you mean.
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Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Important 'Meet the Candidates' forum tonight in Downtown Hollywood at the Hollywood Center for the Performing Arts; I'll be there, pen, pad and camera at the ready, to observe whatever happens


Hollywood City Hall, August 5, 2012 photo by South Beach Hoosier. © 2012 Hallandale Beach Blog, All Rights Reserved.
Given the paucity of scheduled candidate debates and forums here in Hallandale Beach -which is the way that that the powers-that-be in Hallandale Beach City Hall like it- those of you like me who like to see a good give-and-take might want to check-out tonight's second of two 'Meet the Candidates' forum hosted by the Hollywood Coalition of Civic and Business Associations, the first having been Tuesday night in western Hollywood.

Tonight at the Hollywood Center for the Performing Arts, 1650 Harrison -i.e. just south of the backside of the Publix at Young Circle- will be an event for Hollywood candidates for Mayor and the Commission seats for Districts 1, 2 & 3, which is the beach west to I-95 just north of us, and from I-95 north of Hollywood Blvd., west to N. 56th Street. 
It's slated to run from 6-9 p.m.


Candidates Treasurer’s Reports: http://www.hollywoodfl.org/index.aspx?NID=151

If what I'm hearing is true, there are a lot of people who'll need to drastically step-up their "game."

* Reminder: Kickoff for Dolphins at Cowboys exhibition football game is 8:30 p.m., airing on Channel 33 instead of Channel 4 due to Republican National Convention
coverage at 10 p.m., which will consist of Vice-Presidential nominee Paul Ryan's speech, after remarks by former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez. 
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