After a drought of water parks -Water, water, everywhere! Water park competition heats up b/w Fort Laudedale Stadium and Dolphins Stadium

After a drought of water parks -Water, water, everywhere!
Water park competition heats up between Fort Lauderdale Stadium to the north and Dolphins Stadium on the Broward and Miami-Dade county line.

Per this interesting Broward Politics blog story by Scott Wyman re Thursday morning's Broward Planning Council meeting -which I will likely be attending- the info below may well interest you, since the area may well go from almost nothing H2O in this market to double our fun with some nearby competition in the future for water park users.

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Broward Politics blog

Fort Lauderdale water park plans could clear hurdle this week

By Scott Wyman

May 25, 2011 09:00 AM

Fort Lauderdale’s proposal to turn its sports stadiums into a major water park resort could clear a major hurdle this week.

The Broward County Planning Council is set to consider whether to sign off on the project and send it to the state for review.

City commissioners are negotiating a deal with Schlitterbahn Development Group for the use of the Lockhart and Fort Lauderdale stadium property for the park.

Read the rest of the post at:

http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/broward/blog/2011/05/fort_lauderdale_water_park_pla.html

Previous posts by Scott Wyman on this topic were April 25th

http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/broward/blog/2011/04/fort_lauderdale_see_progress_o.html

and on September 13th of last year

http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/broward/blog/2010/09/neighborhood_opposition_develo.html

There are a lot of well-informed reader comments there!

Before seeing this story tonight, I was going to post this news regarding the July 21st hearing before the Miami-Dade County commissioners on the plan near Dolphins Stadium to my blog on Sunday, after getting a look at the plans on Friday down at the Steve Clark Bldg. and snapping some photos.

But since the hearing on the facility up in Fort Lauderdale is Thursday, rather than wait a few days, I thought you'd all like to know that the market for this sort of enterprise will be very different once the Dolphins get their way with the M-D officials... which I think is a pretty safe bet I'd say, even if it's not a particularly well thought-out plan.

I still plan on making that trip to downtown Miami on Friday and after snapping some photos of some places and people I've been aiming to mention and show here on the blog for a while -inc. some of the American Airlines Arena for some readers overseas- at some point, I'll swing over and snag some photos or artists depictions of the water park from the formal application.

-----

Miami Herald

Plans for water park near Sun Life Stadium making a splash

By Hannah Sampson

August 20, 2010

A new water park with wave pools, slides and a snorkel area is planned just across the street from the current playground of the Marlins and Dolphins.

Miami Dolphins owner and real-estate developer Steve Ross intends to turn a 40-acre parking lot next to Sun Life Stadium into a water attraction pegged to a spring 2012 opening -- just as the Florida Marlins will move from Sun Life to the new baseball stadium in Little Havana, said Dolphins CEO Mike Dee.

"We're looking at any and all ways that we can utilize the stadium and bring economic value. It's both an opportunity and a challenge,'' Dee said.

The water park -- which would include private cabanas and a "swim with the fish'' pool -- would be South Florida's first new major attraction since Jungle Island opened in 2003 on Watson Island. And it will be the region's first water park since Atlantis the Water Kingdom closed almost two decades ago. The water park would occupy 20 acres, with another 20 acres of parking.

The Miami Gardens land designated for the park is owned by Ross, former team owner H. Wayne Huizenga and other team partners. The project, still unnamed, will cost "tens of millions'' and will be privately financed, Dee said.

It will require a zoning change from office use to an "unusual'' designation that must be approved by the Miami-Dade County Commission. The project is meant to offset revenue losses in the summer months that would have normally been busy with baseball. It is the first stage of a new stadium master plan, Dee said. Talks on other plans to improve the stadium are ongoing, he said, though he wouldn't give details.

It is expected to create approximately 600 construction jobs and an additional 400 jobs from the water-park operation and increase tourism stays in the area, according to a company release.

The new park would be a unique attraction in South Florida. While the World Waterpark Association says an estimated 1,000 water parks operate in North America, none have existed in this area since Hollywood's Atlantis closed in 1992. The closest comparable park, Rapids Water Park in Palm Beach County, is slightly larger than the planned new project.

Earlier this year, team officials floated the idea of a hotel tax increase to fund nearly $200 million in stadium upgrades, saying the improvements were necessary to keep the Super Bowl coming back. The campaign was put on hold.

But the addition could also boost the region's chances of hosting the Super Bowl again, said William Talbert III, CEO of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau.

"Certainly we would use any asset, any enhancement to the facility, as part of our bid,'' Talbert said.

Dee called the planned park a "best-in-class, state-of-the-art facility'' that should appeal to tourists: "We're going to market it aggressively.''

So will the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, Talbert said. ``It would have an appeal to the family vacationer as something new and exciting.''

Company estimates forecast nearly 700,000 visitors during the first year and and additional $7 million in local, state and federal taxes.

Dreams of grand attractions are not new in South Florida. Huizenga himself had planned in the 1990s to build Blockbuster Park, a baseball stadium, movie studios and entertainment complex. The designated site was in Miramar west of Interstate 75. The plan fell apart when Blockbuster was taken over by Viacom in a merger.

While water parks are not primary draws like Disney or Universal theme parks, they still play a role in tourism, said Abraham Pizam, dean of the Rosen College of Hospitality Management at the University of Central Florida in Orlando.

"It would be an addition to the attractions that are already there,'' he said. ``If people are already there, they can extend their stay for another half a day or day, which is great because everybody wins.''

Water parks have survived despite the recession, with more coming online during the past 5-10 years. More of that business has been indoors or at resorts or municipalities rather than outdoors, said Aleatha Ezra, the association's director of park membership development.

Florida -- specifically, Orlando -- has four of the world's top seven parks in terms of visitors, with a combined total of more than 6.7 million visitors in 2009, according to an attraction attendance report from AECOM and Themed Entertainment Association.

"They are still good drivers of tourism and, similar to regional theme parks, they have tended to do a little bit better than larger, more extensive destination-oriented ones,'' said Edward Shaw, senior associate with the economics arm of consulting firm AECOM. "The tickets tend to be a little more reasonable for the markets and they're good for staycations and the resident-oriented market.''

The proposed water park will have some features similar to Aquatica, SeaWorld's water park in Orlando, which opened in 2008.

The Neuman Group, the aquatic destination planning and construction firm shoring up the local project, is involved with both. Theme-park operator Palace Entertainment -- which runs Boomers arcades and Sea Life Park in Hawaii, among others -- is also working with the Dolphin venture.

The downturn in the economy could actually be a boost to a new project like the one Ross plans, some experts say.

"It's much cheaper to build anything nowadays than it was two or three years ago,'' said UCF's Pizam. ``People are out of jobs, companies are looking for projects. The cost has been going down, almost spiraling down.''

------

Per the embarrassing butt-kissing comments above of the CEO of the Greater Miami CVB, whom I've ripped before, all I can say is how very preposterous but typical coming from this over-paid sycophant, who supports the idea of M-D taxpayers bankrolling expensive improvements to the stadium -owned by a billionaire!
Read them again:

But the addition could also boost the region's chances of hosting the Super Bowl again, said William Talbert III, CEO of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau.

"Certainly we would use any asset, any enhancement to the facility, as part of our bid,'' Talbert said.

Scott Wyman in Broward Politics blog: Red-light camera accident data & behavior in Fort Lauderdale comes under new scrutiny as car accidents INCREASED

Above, a photo I snapped of the red-light camera Warning sign on the north-side of west-bound Hallandale Beach Blvd. at NE 9th Terrace in Hallandale Beach, February 27th, 2011, a bit past sundown. The only reason you see it is because I'm standing on the curb, using my flash.

Below this three-hour old blog post from the Sun-Sentinel's Scott Wyman is a link from the Google Alert on Hallandale Beach I received yesterday to the most recent gullible newspaper that Mayor Cooper was able to peddle her self-serving Florida League of Cities red-light camera talking points to.

Yes, another newspaper that has no idea how truly mendacious she was last year in twisting the true facts on this subject here in Hallandale Beach, when her desire for money could hardly have been more appallingly obvious.
http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2011/apr/04/joy-cooper-florida-lives-depend-on-red-light/

Last Friday, it was the Miami Herald's turn to play the part of the stooge.
http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/04/01/2145934/red-light-cameras-save-lives.html

Make sure you read the reader comments!

By the way, the red-light camera WARNING sign on west-bound Hallandale Beach Blvd. -two blocks east of 1-95- is STILL almost completely hidden to passing traffic, hidden as it is behind the two trees it was placed between.
The sign that also ISN'T near a street light.

I was there again last night, and it was as ridiculous as ever.
But then they already knew the sign was hard to see even before it went operational on March 1st.

On this issue in HB, as with so many, self-evident facts don't really seem to matter much, do they?

---------

South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Broward Politics blog
Fort Lauderdale accident data cast cloud over reliance on red-light cameras
By Scott Wyman
April 5, 2011 07:13 PM

The use of cameras to catch red-light runners may not be as effective at improving traffic safety as expected, according to an early review of accident data by the city.

The Fort Lauderdale Police Department told city commissioners Tuesday that accidents increased in the last four months at two of the six intersections with cameras, compared to the same time a year ago. Collisions declined at three and remain the same at the sixth.

Read the rest of the post at: http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/broward/blog/2011/04/fort_lauderdale_accident_data.html

Now as before, facts seldom if ever matter in red-light camera debate in Hallandale Beach. Instead, it's just a pathetic case of "Show me the money!"

South Florida Sun-Sentinel video:
Vehicles running red lights -30 seconds, no sound.

This past Saturday, after having breakfast and talking local politics and current events with a friend over at the Denny's on Hallandale Beach Blvd. & N.W. 10th Terrace, I walked a block or two over to the scene of the crime.
Or should I say, what will soon be the scene of a highway robbery.

I spent about 25 minutes walking around and taking new video and photos of Hallandale Beach's two red-light cameras, the second of which goes into action on March 1st on Hallandale Beach Blvd. & N.W. 10th Terrace, right in front of the IHOP and across from... yes, the Denny's.

The two blocks I watched were to snap some shots of the city's mobile electronic message board flashing the news that the camera goes LIVE on Tuesday.

The electronic message board that was directly below the permanently-affixed FDOT message board above 1-95 that is partially obstructed by tree branches.

And where is the required permanent warning sign with the silhouette of the traffic signal with no mention that it's all the handiwork of the City of Hallandale Beach?
Oh, well, this being Hallandale Beach and all, the sign is between two trees.

Think for a moment or two of all the places in HB where you see drivers routinely make rolling right turns that could be dangerous for other drivers, pedestrians or bikers.

HBB & NW 10th Terrace, which connects to Ansin Blvd -home of the faux newspaper, the Sun-Times- would be near the bottom of such a list.
So why is it there?

Because this city, in the form of the mayor and her see-no-evil puppets, Dotty Ross, Anthony A. Sanders & Alexander Lewy, want to make a lot of revenue from local residents eager to get onto I-95.
(So why have there never been any police officers stationed near there? Exactly!)

IF it's only about public safety, as the mayor says, logic would dictate that the two cameras, if we are to have them, ought to be located at the scene of the two intersections home to the most traffic accidents, right?

So what are the THOSE intersections?

The Hallandale Beach Police Dept. ought to be telling us.
Reporters ought to be asking them.

Shouldn't we already know the answer to that question if Mayor Cooper and City Manger Antonio were really only interested in public safety?

But a number of weeks ago, with the mayor and city manger on the dais, the late Police Chief, Thomas Magill, intentionally misled the City Commission and the public in the Commission Chambers while talking about that more infamous red-light camera on U.S.-1 and hallandale Beach Blvd., saying that a fatality had taken place there.

The lie was caught only because in responding to some fact-based questions posed by Comm. Keith London, the only person who seemed to know ANY genuine facts about the subject, when London again asked where the fatality took place, Magill grudgingly admitted that it was, in fact, on U.S.-1 & S.E. 3rd Street -near the public library and the entrance of Gulfstream Park Race Track and the Village at Gulfstream Park retail complex.

For those of you reading this post from outside the area, that's exactly one block from HB City Hall and the Police Dept. HQ!

From where I sat in the room, Cooper and Antonio seemed perfectly content to let Magill lie to the public and not correct him, because he was saying what they wanted to hear.
Folks, THAT'S what we're up against in this city.

----

South Florida Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/palm-beach/fl-redlight-cameras-problems-20110219,0,3591958.story

Red light cameras plagued by problems across South Florida

By Scott Wyman
February 20, 2011

Red light cameras have become a legal nightmare for cities across South Florida.

It's costing taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars to defend camera-related citations in court with the result being that some cities are spending thousands more than they are collecting in fines.

The state Legislature is considering pulling the plug.

The networks of traffic cameras installed from Pembroke Pines to Fort Lauderdale have failed to live up to promises that thousands of drivers would be caught running red lights and that cities would collect millions of dollars in fines.

An increasing number of drivers are fighting their tickets and winning. Courts in Palm Beach and Broward counties have stunned city officials with rulings that severely limit enforcement. Cities have been forced to devote extra attorneys and cops to pursue tickets, and to readjust budgets as reality overtakes their once rosy projections about fines.

"The rulings have been going against us, and it's been very labor-intensive for our department," Fort Lauderdale Police Chief Frank Adderley said.

As a result, some communities like Boca Raton and Delray Beach have delayed plans to install cameras.

Still, supporters believe the legal problems will be sorted out over the next year and that the cameras will prove helpful in reducing accidents and improving traffic safety.

"For me, it has always been a safety issue period," Hallandale Beach Mayor Joy Cooper said. "We have cameras in our parks and other public facilities, and this is a natural progression of technology to enforce our laws. We have busy roadways and a lot of pedestrians, and I believe it will make the roads safer."

When state lawmakers agreed to allow red light cameras last year, cities thought ticketing would be as simple as what happens when someone speeds through a toll booth without paying. Officials were convinced that the law allowed them to snap pictures of cars running red lights along with their license plates, and simply mail tickets to the owners.

But defense lawyers have been winning decisions in both Palm Beach and Broward that require much more proof.

Judges and hearing officers have required photographic evidence that the car had not entered the intersection before the light turned red. Tickets have been thrown out because officers did not have certified copies of vehicle registrations.

Cases also have been dismissed because cities couldn't prove the employees who review tapes for violations are certified to do so. Cases involving drivers turning right on red without stopping have been all but impossible to prosecute.

One major setback occurred Jan. 5 when Broward cities had 53 red light violations scheduled for trial. In the first case, the court rejected Pembroke Pines' evidence as inadmissible and unreliable. The rest of the cases were dismissed or continued as a result.

"We are in uncharted waters," said Sam Goren, Pembroke Pines' city attorney. "We believe the statute is explicit, and the cities are making every effort to follow the statute. As this evolves, I think it will become more consistent."

City attorneys met with Broward's chief judge two weeks ago in an unsuccessful effort to set guidelines for court cases. They now plan to find a case to take to the regional appellate court or the state Supreme Court. They want a written decision that lays out uniform standards.

Cities that planned to add cameras are debating what to do as a result of the questions.

Delray Beach and Boca Raton signed contracts to install cameras at key intersections, but are now waiting until the legal dust settles. Pompano Beach were scheduled to discuss adding cameras, but will now wait to look at all issues raised.

"There were some issues, a number of legal things, that were mulling around. We don't want to implement the program until those iron out," said Boca Raton's assistant city manager Mike Woika.

Boynton Beach, however, is moving forward. Its cameras could be operational as soon as April. Palm Beach County is pressing ahead, as well. Its first camera is in place at Powerline and Palmetto Park roads west of Boca Raton and within a month could begin issuing warnings. Two more cameras are planned at as yet undetermined intersections in southern and central Palm Beach County.

"We are continuing to go forward," said Palm Beach County Engineer George Webb.

American Traffic Solutions, which has contracts across both counties to manage red-light cameras, is urging cities to stay the course. Its representatives are telling cities that Florida's court rulings have been out of step with how other states have enforced red-light camera violations.

"I don't think things are quite as dire as they seem, but they are a lot rockier than expected," said Michael McAllister, a lobbyist who represents ATS.

But Fort Lauderdale illustrates just how rocky the situation has become for cities.

Fort Lauderdale started its red-light enforcement in September and issued about 70 tickets a day for the first three months. But in December, the number of tickets issued each day dropped to 30. The average last month was 15 tickets.

While the number of tickets is issued is plunging, the costs are soaring.

Fort Lauderdale's Police Department is spending more time than planned reviewing tapes and preparing evidence files for court. There is now a backlog of 1,000 cases. The city also has had to assign attorneys to prosecute cases at the court's direction instead of relying on police officers as is done with other traffic citations.

City commissioners are closely monitoring the situation because their budget depended on bringing in $3 milllion from red-light camera tickets. Now they think they may collect as little as just $500,000 in light of the higher costs and fewer-than-expected tickets.

Pembroke Pines has similar cost concerns. That city has received $76,294 from citations, but the red-light camera program has cost $83,337. Legal fees encompassed $33,189 of that, with the rest going to ATS to manage the cameras.

Cities also are running into problems installing cameras.

Broward County has not allowed cities to use its right-of-way for cameras or agreed to let cities tie cameras into its traffic signal equipment.

County commissioners will discuss that idea March 1, but Commissioner Barbara Sharief, a red light camera critic, also wants her colleagues to discuss supporting the move to have the Legislature repeal the law allowing cameras. And some commissioners have raised concerns about the cost that red light cameras could have on the court system.

State Sen. Rene Garcia, R-Hialeah, and state Rep. Richard Corcoran, R-New Port Richey, have proposed repeal and want the camera program ended by July. Garcia describes the cameras as an "unwarranted, Big Brother initiative."

Red light camera supporters say they want to return the focus to safety. They cite a recent study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety that cameras in 14 large cities in other parts of the country have reduced the rate of fatal crashes by 24 percent between 1996 and 2004.

"The whole purpose of this is a life-safety issue," said Bruce Roberts, a Fort Lauderdale city commissioner and its former police chief. "Red light cameras have been used successfully around the country, and behavior changes and modifies as people realize the cameras are there."

Staff writers Brittany Wallman, Larry Barszewski, Andy Reid Erika Pesantes and Ariel Barkhurst contributed to this report.

Reader comments at:

http://discussions.sun-sentinel.com/20/soflanews/fl-redlight-cameras-problems-20110219/10

-------

I'll have the red-light camera photos I snapped here on the blog by Saturday.

Tone-deaf billionaire owner of Miami Dolphins looks for Broward County tax money -$225 M- to renovate (his own) stadium. Sure, how much do you need?

My comments follow this very thorough story by the Sun-Sentinel's Scott Wyman and Co.

-------

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/fl-broward-stadium-dolphins-20110105,0,5932754.story

South Florida Sun-Sentinel'
Dolphins look for Broward aid to renovate Sun Life Stadium stadium
By Scott Wyman, Sun Sentinel
9:07 PM EST, January 5, 2011

The Miami Dolphins want Broward County to share its tourism tax revenue to help pay for a $225 million renovation to its stadium in Miami-Dade.

Dolphins CEO Mike Dee has been meeting with area hoteliers, business executives and tourism officials to pitch the idea of rewriting state law to allow Broward to spend its tax money outside the county. The Dolphins argue that Broward has benefited heavily from past Super Bowls at the Miami-Dade venue and that a new stadium would help ensure their return in the future.

Broward played host to the Super Bowl headquarters in 2010. That game, along with the subsequent Pro Bowl, generated $333 million for South Florida businesses. Dee said a renovated stadium could add about $2.5 billion to the South Florida economy through 2040.

"This is a community decision," said Dee, who publicly unveiled the idea in a speech Wednesday at a Miami chamber of commerce lunch. "This is about the ability to continue to bring big-time events to the community."

Although South Florida has been home to both the 2010 and the 2007 Super Bowls, the chance at more games has been in doubt because of the condition of the 23-year-old Sun Life Stadium. NFL officials have made clear that while they enjoyed the area's amenities, that is not enough to return. Newer and fancier venues have been chosen for future games.

The Dolphins last year unveiled plans for a renovated stadium that include a partial roof over the seating area and seats closer to the action. But after spending $300 million on stadium upgrades over the past six years, the team has maintained that it cannot make the investment by itself.

Broward County commissioners, who control the tax dollars that tourists pay to stay at hotels, reacted skeptically to the Dolphins proposal. Broward and Miami-Dade have flirted with cooperation on sports venues before to no avail.

Commissioners said that Broward has many needs of its own for the tax dollars, which already go to promote tourism and pay for the debt on the construction of the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise. The tax money has been a key feature of plans to both expand the Broward County Convention Center and build a nearby hotel for convention-goers.

"There would have to be a lot of sweetener in the pot before I would even think about it," Broward Mayor Suzanne Gunzburger said.

Commissioner Lois Wexler said she opposes any additional use of tourism dollars to support professional sports teams. Meanwhile, Commissioner John Rodstrom, one of the primary architects behind the construction of the BankAtlantic Center, said he would want to see a significant sharing of revenue or taxation from the stadium in order consider a deal — even suggesting that the county line be moved to split the stadium.

"I'm willing to listen to any plan, but you have to put it into the context of the dollars that come out of it," Rodstrom said. "We're being asked to fund a stadium that is not in our county. We all recognize how important the Super Bowl is, and it would be good if we could get it every couple years. But we also have other needs in Broward."

The Dolphins have sought Miami-Dade hotel taxes for at least a year, but had not previously included Broward tax money in the plan. In another significant shift, Dee also is pledging Dolphins financial support for a stadium renovation.

Dee said the Dolphins want to pursue legislation that would allow counties to increase the hotel tax from the current maximum of 6 cents to 7 cents. The plan would then be for Miami-Dade to split its increased tax revenue between the stadium renovations and a rehab of its convention center. Broward currently charges a 5-cent hotel tax and also would be allowed to raise it and spend proceeds outside its jurisdiction.

The Dolphins plan is dividing the region's business community.

The head of the Greater Miami tourism bureau has not endorsed it, and city commissioners in Miami Beach have voted to oppose public funding for the football stadium. Sunrise Sports & Entertainment, the operators of the BankAtlantic Center, issued a strong statement Wednesday opposing the plan as well.

In his statement, Sunrise Sports president Michael Yormark said he believes the Dolphins intend to turn their stadium into a multipurpose entertainment facility that would then compete with his venue. "So their request is, in effect, to use Broward County tax dollars to help a privately owned Miami-Dade facility compete with a publicly owned facility in Broward County," he said.

Broward tourism czar Nicki Grossman, though, described the Dolphins proposal as tantalizing if it means Miami-Dade lands future Super Bowls. She said Broward hoteliers did the "lion's share" of business associated with the Super Bowl, and that the Dolphins training camp at Nova Southeastern University in Davie also pumps at least $15 million into the Broward economy.

Grossman, the president of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, said Broward hoteliers want Super Bowl 2015 in South Florida and that she understands that "in order to get a Super Bowl, the stadium has to be a major player.''

"What they need is a reason for Broward County to get into this game," Grossman said. "My reach into the hotel community says that our hoteliers really want to continue to be Super Bowl hosts, and Pro Bowl hosts."

Staff writer Brittany Wallman, Pro Sports Editor Joe Schwerdt and the Miami Herald contributed to this report.

------------

Ron Book is the lobbyist hired by Stephen Ross and the Dolphins on this Quixotic effort to fleece Broward County taxpayers.

Anyone who saw the embarrassing video 11 months ago of Greater FTL tourism czarina Nicki Grossman reacting to New York City being awarded the 2014 Super Bowl over South Florida and other candidate cities, knows what sort of silly sycophant she is for any corporate interest who'll tell her what she wants to hear.
In my opinion, she's an old-fashioned shill for hire.

When someone actually stumbled into telling the truth for a change about what happened in January, i.e. that the fix was in for NYC to be awarded the game, and that person was the Chair of South Florida's effort, influential Rodney Barretto,
http://www.southfloridasuperbowl.com/Host_Committee/Board_Of_Directors.html
predictably, Nicki Grossman acted just like the corporate puppet she is, and actually criticized HIM, not the shell-game that was perpetrated on them by the NFL at taxpayer's expense.

Surprise!

I know, I know, you don't have to tell me.
You're hoping for a snowy Super Bowl three years hence, too!

Latest on Broward County ethics debate, inc. Verbatim Minutes of June 18th, 2010 Broward County Ethics Commission meeting

In case you never got around to seeing it the first time I mentioned it, please take a moment to look at Robert Wechsler's excellent take on the transparently self-serving excuses being foisted on Broward's citizen taxpayers in the fight against getting meaningful ethics legislation here with real teeth, and consider bookmarking his blog, too.
http://www.cityethics.org/Blog-RobWechsler

The Broward County Commission Should Not Be Challenging the Constitutionality of a Lobbying Provision
http://www.cityethics.org/content/broward-county-commission-should-not-be-challenging-constitutionality-lobbying-provision

(He had a newer post on Monday relating to something I have below,
A Second Constitutionality Opinion in Broward County, Just Like the First http://www.cityethics.org/content/second-constitutionality-opinion-broward-county-just-first

His first post was written on the 18th, the same day as the Broward Ethics Commission meeting -which I missed, unfortunately.

I have the Minutes to that meeting, including the Verbatim Minutes, the Real McCoy as it were, to use a phrase I've never used in a blog post before.
Guess I'm just in an idiomatic mood!

While not exactly a Stieg Larsson page-turner, it makes for some interesting reading.

I've also included Brittany Wallman and Scott Wyman's spot-on Broward Politics posts from Friday and Monday afternoon on the latest development in the ethics power play that has slowly morphed into a morality play -and jobs bill.
That is to say, jobs for the commissioner's spouses and family if they can finesse it.

You also want to be sure to read the reader comments, too, since one of the folks who read it and had something to say is Comm. Stacy Ritter.
She and that "gifted" golf cart and what many Broward citizens believe is her larger-than-life sense of entitlement were the subject of Michael Mayo's Mayo on the Side blog column on Friday, also at the bottom.

And not that you asked, but I like the Netherlands to win the World Cup.

I have a few World Cup-related posts on the way that I've heretofore chosen to keep in Draft, including one on the England National Team (ENT) that I'll be calling, modestly,
The Bungle in Bloemfontein: How English football culture's weaknesses were exposed again, with nary a silver lining to be found.

1. June 18th, 2010 Broward County Ethics Commission Meeting Minutes http://www.broward.org/EthicsCommission/Documents/06182010Minutes.pdf

2. June 18th, 2010 Broward County Ethics Commission Verbatim Minutes
http://www.broward.org/EthicsCommission/Documents/06182010MinutesVerbatim.pdf

Code of Ethics Ordinance - Final Approval
http://www.broward.org/EthicsCommission/Documents/CodeofEthics2010%20-%20Final%20%20Approved.pdf

-----
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Broward Politics blog
Broward's ethics ordinance legally wobbly but could be adopted, lawyer says

Posted by Brittany Wallman on June 28, 2010 04:25 PM

The proposed cleanup of Broward County government could move forward despite questions about its constitutionality, under a scenario proposed by an outside attorney hired by the county.

Attorney Bruce Johnson weighed in Monday with a memo to the county, saying that parts of the proposed overhaul of Broward County Commission ethics rules would probably not withstand a constitutional challenge. The problematic part, in particular, he said, is a proposed lobbying ban in Broward that would apply not just to county commissioners but also to their family members and spouses or domestic partners.

Read the rest of the post at:

http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/broward/blog/2010/06/outside_lawyer_browards_ethics.html

-----

South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Broward Politics blog
County attorney defends role in ethics code controversy

Posted by Scott Wyman on June 25, 2010 09:00 AM

Nothing to see here. That’s the official response from Broward County’s attorney concerning the week of controversy that surrounded the botched move to go to court over long-sought ethics reform.

In a memo sent to county commissioners Thursday, County Attorney Jeff Newton rejected allegations that he had been part of a conspiracy to derail reform. He said the concerns he raised about the ethics legislation was, instead, a legitimate response to an inquiry made by Commissioner Ilene Lieberman before the June 15 board meeting.

Read the rest of the post at:
http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/broward/blog/2010/06/county_attorney_defends_role_i.html
--------

South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Michael Mayo
Mayo on the Side blog
Stacy Ritter: Husband asked for golf cart from developers

Posted by Michael Mayo on June 25, 2010 11:37 AM

Before she was elected to the Broward County Commission in November 2006, Stacy Ritter got a golf cart from the father-and-son developer team of Bruce and Shawn Chait.

"I didn't ask for it," Ritter told me this week. "Russ asked for it."

Russ is her husband, lobbyist Russ Klenet.

Read the rest of the post at:
http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/news/columnists/mayo/blog/2010/06/stacy_ritter_husband_asked_for.html

Some questions re Broward County Courthouse, Broward Ethics Committee, unsafe Broward Schools and Steve Geller's residency

Since I was already planning on heading down
to the Broward Govt HQ early Wednesday
morning for the next Ethics Commission meeting,
at 8 a.m., I was surprised over the weekend
in perusing the county's scheduled meetings page,
http://www.broward.org/Commission/Documents/sunmeet.pdf
to see that there's yet another County Commission
meeting scheduled for Tuesday morning.

Morning agenda, 10 a.m.:
http://205.166.161.204/agenda_publish.cfm?mt=ALL&get_month=2&get_year=2010&dsp=ag&seq=166#ReturnTo0
Public comments agenda, which includes
humanitarian relief to Haiti, at 2 p.m.
http://205.166.161.204/agenda_publish.cfm?mt=ALL&get_month=2&get_year=2010&dsp=ag&seq=167#ReturnTo0

Since I wasn't able to make it up there in time
last Tuesday for the actual vote on the Courthouse
issue, I'm inclined to swing-up there tomorrow
to see if there's any residual effects, or any public
speakers want to get a few things off their chest,
now that this decision has had some time to sink in.

Anthony Man's blog post from Friday, below,
includes a link to the newest version of the proposed
ethics legislation, an issue which the Herald has
largely ignored, like it does so many other issues
in Broward County.

(Did you know that the person in charge of the
Broward's Herald bureau for most of last year
was rarely present in the the Broward office in
Pembroke Pines?
It's all-too-true, and was told to me by a frustrated
Herald employee in a position to know who keeps
me in-the-loop on what's going down at
Herald HQ at One Herald Plaza.
They've been losing a ton of money on that building
in The Pines, too.
And did you see the column yesterday about
improved local news coverage here?
http://www.miamiherald.com/video/index.html?media_id=10150879
Zero about Broward, a subject I will be writing
about here on the blog later this week.)

I think it's very curious given how much the
Sun-Sentinel has proven over the years that
it loves to quote him -even on issues that
he's not qualified to speak to, per se- that
in Scott Wyman's Friday blog post, after writing
that the proposed Ethics legislation would
"ban commissioners from moonlighting as lobbyists,"
Wyman doesn't drop Steve Geller's name and
mention what he happens to thinks about this idea.

(Or what fellow lobbyist and frequent
Sun-Sentinel quote-machine and Broward
Dem Chair Mitch Caesar thinks about it?
Is it that the South Florida media can't find
Caesar, or that they don't want to incur his
wrath by pressing him to answer questions
he'd find uncomfortable and not have their
phone calls returned?)

Many if not most of the Geller supporters I've
run into -none of whom are friends of mine,
it goes without saying- not only personally
think that Geller's main rationale for running
for Commissioner is to lobby Broward cities and
govt. entities on behalf of his law firm's clients
and make a lot of money, but also think that it's
NOT an ethical problem.

They don't even think it'd be unethical for him
to lobby cities and entities located in his own
district, here in Hollywood and Hallandale Beach,
HB being a city with a mayor in Joy Cooper
who publicly said at a 2008 City Commission
meeting that I was at, that she only wished
that Geller could've stayed State Senator
forever.

Hardly surprising that such a thoroughly
anti-democratic, disingenuous -and
thin-skinned- pol like Dan Gelber-supporter
Joy Cooper doesn't care for citizen-initiated
term limits.

But as most honest and observant people who've
followed things here know, Cooper has a huge ego
and sense of entitlement, which is why she had
no compunctions about telling City Manager
Mike Good to approve funds to build her a
brand new office at City Hall last January,
even though under the city's charter, the only
power she has is that of being presiding officer.
That's it -no vetoes, no nothing.

Joy Cooper is the same two-faced person
who has always said for public consumption,
especially when African-American
residents of NW HB were present,
that she was always FOR specific
geographical districts for HB commissioners.

Yet while I personally want to see it actually
become a reality, as is the case in Hollywood,
when the HB City Commission-appointed
Charter Review Commission actually brought
that proposal up to the City Commission a few
years ago, so that it could be voted upon and then,
if approved, placed on the ballot for citizens
to vote on one way or the other, Cooper & Co.
voted AGAINST it.
Shocker!

Yet despite that vote of her's, Cooper acts like
it never happened.
Typical.

Getting back to Geller supporters now, they think
he's entitled to lobby if elected and exploit the system,
having more than once actually used the phrase
'spoils system' in a way that you don't hear much
these days.
Well, at least they're honest about it, which is more
than can be said for Geller himself in all of this.

That leads me to ask, once again, when exactly is
Steve Geller of Cooper City going to comply with
the existing law and actually move into the
Broward Commission District seat he is running for,
and when is the sleep-walking South Florida
news media going to actually press him to state
a specific date when this is going to happen?
Don't hold your breath!

-----
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/fl-schools-whistleblower-20100207,0,3403460.story

Fired school district official wins legal battle but doesn't get apology

Former inspections supervisor warned about building safety issues

By Megan O'Matz, Sun Sentinel

February 6, 2010

If the Broward School District had listened to Charlene Rebecca Blackwood instead of firing her, could some of its construction department problems have been solved a long time ago?

Some think so.

"She was a prophet. What do they do to a lot of prophets? Try and silence them," said community activist Charlotte Greenbarg, president of The Broward Coalition, a group of condo and homeowner associations.

The school district disagrees, calling Blackwood a bully to her co-workers and an ineffective leader — characterizations she vehemently denies.

"We didn't discipline her because she raised alarms about school construction. That's her job," said Eugene K. Pettis, an attorney representing the district in the case. "But… you don't treat your staff and behave in the ways she behaved."

In November, after a four-year legal battle, the School Board agreed to settle. It awarded Blackwood $217,500 in back pay and attorney fees, and its own legal fees totaled $145,000. The settlement comes during a severe budget crisis when the district has had to cut teachers, electives, supplies and renovations.

Blackwood, 68, wanted more from the board members than money.

"I feel like I have been owed an apology," she told them in an emotional appeal last month. She did not get one.

Her saga began more than a decade ago when, as a senior supervisor of building inspectors, she began complaining that new schools were opened despite "life safety" code violations. That contractors were allowed to walk away without fixing problems. And that leaky school roofs were being repaired improperly, leading to mold and mildew.

She warned that some schools that doubled as hurricane shelters had equipment on the roofs, such as air conditioners, that were not properly secured and posed a hazard in a storm. The district took steps to fix the problem, but Blackwood said it dismissed other issues, such as opening schools prematurely.

Today, years after they opened, scores of schools still are operating without documents showing they meet code.

"They didn't want an effective building department," Blackwood said in a recent interview. "They wanted to neutralize the inspectors so the contractors could not be interfered with in doing their construction. Whether it was bad or not, they didn't care."

Recent internal audits back up some of her concerns. They show inflated construction costs, overbillings, and millions of dollars wasted to fix mistakes in building designs. In September, School Board member Beverly Gallagher was indicted on charges of taking payoffs from undercover FBI agents to rig construction contracts.

Board member Stephanie Kraft said that while a lot of the issues Blackwood raised were legitimate, she was "overzealous" in her approach and alienated some co-workers, board members and key administrators.

"She didn't know how to pick her battles," Kraft said. "Everything to her was a mountain. Even the molehills were mountains. It's unfortunate because there was a lot of validity to some of the stuff she said. But because she made everything a big deal, you couldn't deal with her at all.''

Kraft acknowledged there is great urgency to open a new school on schedule. Otherwise the district has a "nightmare" of a problem housing students elsewhere.

At a hearing of a newly formed district ethics commission last month, speakers told the panel that school employees who are critical of district leaders or policies have been labeled disgruntled and retaliated against, creating fear among the ranks.

"The Blackwood case is indicative of that," Nick Sakhnovsky, chairman of a district facilities advisory council, said in an interview. "Anyone who has a contrary opinion should not immediately be shut down or vilified."

Miami Herald
http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/story/1463793.html

Editorial
Build Broward courthouse right

February 5, 2010

Confronted by a public hostile to footing the bill for a new county courthouse, Broward Commissioners dithered but ultimately made the right call: To build anyway.

There's no arguing that the 50-year-old courthouse is in bad shape. Its many parts, three additions to the main structure, were built under lax codes and couldn't withstand a Category 2 hurricane. Mindful of the construction slump, commissioners knew they could get a good price on a new structure. However, the commission must ensure that the new building is strong, roomy enough to accommodate future growth and has a decidedly green -- as in eco-friendly -- tinge.

Voters reject tax

What made the decision so tough is that voters in 2006 rejected a tax increase to pay for a new courthouse. Broward voters, relatively friendly toward most capital-improvement bond issues, were fed up -- or else county officials did a poor job of convincing them of the need for a better facility.

Voters said, in essence: ``We elected you to lead, to be the deciders, so do it.'' Stuck between a genuine need for a new facility and taxpayers' reluctance to shell out more money for it, commissioners took responsibility.

The resulting deal won't raise property taxes, but that's based on a technicality. Taxpayers will soon pay off about $38 million in debt for libraries and parks, meaning county taxes would drop about 25 cents per $1,000 of taxable property. To pay off the debt for courthouse construction the county will assess taxpayers about five cents per $1,000 of taxable property at a time when property values are dropping. So taxes won't rise along with the new courthouse, but they won't drop as much as they could have, either.

Fill funding gap

Still, this was the most practical choice. The county has set aside $120 million for construction. It will use a legislatively mandated increase in court fees and federal stimulus money to help cover the $328 million price tag. That leaves a funding gap to be filled by the five-cent property-tax assessment.

The new courthouse's 20-story tower will be built on the west side of the current structure, adding parking, more courtrooms and offices for public defenders and prosecutors.

Now that the commission has stepped up, its next task is to ensure the county gets the best construction prices and that the new courthouse is built to outlast its predecessor.

Reader comments at:
http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/story/1463793.html?commentSort=TimeStampAscending&pageNum=1


South Florida Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/fl-courthouse-vote-20100205,0,1369524.story

Backlash against courthouse tax could hurt Broward commissioners
By Scott Wyman, Sun Sentinel
February 5, 2010

FORT LAUDERDALE

When Broward county commissioners decided last week to tax residents for a new courthouse, they risked the wrath of voters.

Critics warn that the backlash could cost at least some of them their jobs.

"I recognized the decision would be unpopular, but in a representative form of government, we have to do what we think is right," Commissioner Stacy Ritter said.

Voters overwhelmingly rejected the project in 2006. But the existing building has only deteriorated since.

Plumbing is so bad in the old wing of the courthouse that burst pipes have caused repeated floods. The elevators constantly break and are so antiquated that parts must be specially made.

Court workers are suing over health problems caused by pervasive mold. The electrical system is so maxed out that an employee once blew out a computer in the next office by plugging in a space heater.

Consulting engineers say the building might not survive a Category 2 hurricane.

Since the defeat at the ballot box more than three years ago, county officials reviewed and rejected options, including the renovation of the old wing or the purchase of an existing office building. They also investigated whether construction could be delayed.

The commission went with plans that cut the cost from $510 million to $328 million.

A 20-story tower will be built on land the county already owns on the downtown Fort Lauderdale court campus. The central wing will be demolished and turned into a plaza that connects the high-rise to the jail and newer court wings.

The tax increase to pay for it will cost the average homeowner $8 a year for the next 30 years. But the issue is not just the money. Some are incensed over the fact that commissioners decided to impose the tax without seeking voter approval.

"We may need a courthouse, but now is not the time," said Charlotte Greenbarg, president of the group of homeowner and condo associations known as the Broward Coalition. "We haven't hit bottom in this recession and people are hurting. Voters will be angry over the insensitivity that commissioners showed in their actions."

A task force of judges, lawyers and elected officials led the effort to explore alternatives.

Their review concluded renovating the old wing would be more costly. Not only would the interior have to be gutted and brought up to existing building codes, but the exterior walls are in such poor condition that they must be replaced.

Space would have to be leased for judicial offices and courtrooms during seven years of renovation work. The county would have to pay to renovate the leased space to accommodate court operations and meet security requirements.

The task force looked into other locations for the court building, such as the neighboring 110 Tower, but county officials decided the renovation work needed to ready an older building for court operations would be too extensive-–adding a heavy cost on top of the purchase price. They also said private buildings off the county's court campus would lack a direct link to the main jail that allows the easy movement of dangerous inmates.

Waiting also was considered unacceptable.

The county's point person on the court project, Pete Corwin, said a delay risks repeated prolong closures of the courthouse because of major maintenance problems. In recent years, the courthouse has shut down for days following some of the flooding caused by burst pipes. And there's no telling when a potentially devastating hurricane could hit the building.

Delaying a new courthouse also could increase costs, officials said. Federal assistance available through President Barack Obama's economic stimulus program is set to end this year, and interest rates and construction costs are low.

"The easier answer would be to push this off or to renovate, but those are not the right things to do," Mayor Ken Keechl said. "We have a constitutional obligation to provide space for the judiciary, and something needed to be done now."

But to Commissioner John Rodstrom, the concerns about a delay are exaggerated, contrived to ensure the result that influential judges and lawyers have long wanted. He cast one of the three votes against the courthouse.

"The fix was in," Rodstrom said. "I know there are problems and the courthouse is not in the best condition, but the time is problematic. It is time to hunker down and save money. There is an anti-tax sentiment out there, and we should listen to it."


Sun-Sentinel's Broward Politics blog
Commission could lose influence on contracting, be banned from moonlighting

Posted by Scott Wyman
February 5, 2010 09:26 AM

A new ethics code being drafted for Broward County commissioners amid a growing corruption scandal will rein in their influence and require greater disclosure of their business dealings.

A task force assigned with writing a code of conduct agreed Thursday to ban commissioners from moonlighting as lobbyists and limit their control over what companies win county contracts. They’d have to disclose any contact with lobbyists on county business and their fundraising on behalf of charities and political campaigns.

Read the rest of the story at:
http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/broward/blog/2010/02/commission_could_lose_influenc.html


Sun-Sentinel's Broward Politics blog
Satz wants new anti-corruption law

Posted by Anthony Man

February 5, 2010 06:34 AM

Amid a series of public corruption scandals that have so far hauled up eight Broward and Palm Beach county officials on charges, the top prosecutors in the two counties are joining forces to seek passage of a new law tightening the screws on dishonest politicians.

“It will fill a lot of loopholes and hopefully restore peoples’ confidence in what went wrong,” Broward State Attorney Mike Satz said Thursday.

Read the rest of the story at:
http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/broward/blog/2010/02/satz_wants_new_anticorruption_1.html

-----

http://www.broward.org/Commission/Documents/sunmeet.pdf

In compliance with Section 286.011, Florida Statutes, announcement is made of the following meetings for the week of February 7, 2010 through February 13, 2010.
This information will be posted in prominent locations at County facilities and on the County’s web page (www.broward.org/sunmeet.pdf).

If any person shall decide to appeal any decision made with respect to any matter considered at these proceedings, it shall be the responsibility of that person to ensure that a verbatim record is made including testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.
If you require any auxiliary aids to communication, please call Public Communications Office at 954-357-6990 so that arrangements can be made in advance.


February 9, 2010 - Tuesday

9:30 a.m. Meeting of the Broward County HIV Health Services Planning Council, Outreach QI Network, 915 Middle River Dr., Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

10:00 a.m. Regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners, Governmental Center Room 422, 115 S. Andrews Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

10:30 a.m. Meeting of Waste and Recycling Services, Resource Recovery Board, Technical Advisory Committee, Programs Subcommittee, Government Center West, Waste and Recycling Services 4th Floor Waste Wing Conference Room, 1 N. University Dr., Plantation, FL.

1:30 p.m. Meeting of the Board of County Commissioners, Proclamation Announcements and Presentations, Governmental Center Room 422, 115 S. Andrews Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

2:00 p.m. Public Hearing of the Board of County Commissioners, Governmental Center Room 422, 115 S. Andrews Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

3:00 p.m. Meeting of the Broward Healthy Start Coalition, QI/QA Committee, Broward Healthy Start Coalition, #304, 6555 Powerline Rd., Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

5:30 p.m. Meeting of the Housing Finance and Community Development Division, Review current Broward County State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) 2008-2010 Local Housing Assistance Plan strategies and recommend new strategies or revisions to new 2011-2013 LHAP, Housing Finance and Community Development Division, Suite 201, 110 NE Third St., Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

February 10, 2010 - Wednesday

8:00 a.m. Meeting of the Ethics Commission, Governmental Center Room 430, 115 S. Andrews Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, FL. (The public is invited to attend but will only be allowed to ask questions/comment from 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.)

9:00 a.m. Meeting of the Children’s Services Administration Section, Needs Assessment Committee, Governmental Center Annex Room A-370, 115 S. Andrews Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

9:00 a.m. Meeting of the Transportation Department, Review community bus 2010 interlocal agreements, Mass Transit Division Administration Bldg. #1, 2nd Floor Conference Room, 3201 W. Copans Rd., Pompano Beach, FL.

10:00 a.m. Meeting of the Emergency Management Agency, Emergency Coordinating Council; Forum to foster coordination between county and municipal governments in Broward County, with other public and private organizations, which plan for and respond to disasters and other emergencies; Emergency Operations Center, 201 NW 84th Ave., Plantation, FL.

10:30 a.m. Meeting of the Cultural Division, Broward Cultural Council, Public Art and Design Committee, Main Library, Bienes Conference Room on 6th Floor, 100 S. Andrews Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

1:00 p.m. Meeting of the Aviation Department, RLI #R0729109R1, Professional Design Services for New South Runway at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport to include full design of the New South Runway and preparation of the Design Criteria Package for Runway/Taxiway Structures; Post, Buckley, Schuh, and Jernigan, Inc.; Negotiations, Aviation Department Airport Development Conference Room, 100 Aviation Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

2:30 p.m. Meeting of the Enterprise Technology Services, Computronix Master Agreement, Negotiation, Governmental Center County Attorney Office 423, Conference Room No. 4, 115 S. Andrews Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

3:00 p.m. Meeting of Waste and Recycling Services; In lieu of scheduled Infrastructure Subcommittee meeting, a tour of the Reuter Recyling Facility will be held; 20701 Pembroke Road, Pembroke Pines, FL.

3:30 p.m. Meeting of the Office of Economic and Small Business Development, Broward County/Greater Fort Lauderdale Broward Economic Development Alliance, New Five Year Agreement for Economic Development Services, Negotiation, Governmental Center Room 430, 115 S. Andrews Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

5:30 p.m. Meeting of the Housing Finance and Community Development Division, Housing Finance Authority of Broward County, Suite 201, 110 NE 3rd St., Ft Lauderdale, FL.

6:30 p.m. Meeting of the Planning and Redevelopment Division, Broward County Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, Discuss issues regarding bicycles and pedestrians and advise Board of County Commissioners, Governmental Center Room 329F, 115 S. Andrews Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

February 11, 2010 - Thursday

8:30 p.m. Meeting of the Aviation Department, Contract #T308103CAF, Cost impact to comply with runway safety and phasing for airfield modifications, Central Florida Equipment Rentals, Negotiation, Aviation Department, 100 Aviation Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

9:00 a.m. Meeting of the Construction Management Division, RLI #200030904-0CM-01, New Courthouse – Optional Services to Consultant Services Contract, Spillis/Candela/Heery/Cartaya, Negotiations, Governmental Center Annex Room A-550, 115 S. Andrews Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

9:30 a.m. Meeting of the Metropolitan Planning Organization; Discuss prioritization of transportation projects, to ensure local transportation issues are addressed and funds are appropriately allocated; Governmental Center Room 422, 115 S. Andrews Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

9:30 a.m. Meeting of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau, Tourist Development Council, Convention and Visitors Bureau, Suite 200, 100 E. Broward Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

9:30 a.m. Meeting of the Office of Public Communications, 2010 Census Complete Count Committee, Promotions Subcommittee, Ongoing planning, Governmental Center Room 302, 115 S. Andrews Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

10:00 a.m. Meeting of the Seaport Engineering and Construction Division, RLI #20050927-CPD-1, General Architectural Services at Port Everglades, Third Amendment to Agreement, Bermello Ajamil & Partners, Negotiations, Port Administration Bldg., Room 301, 1850 Eller Dr., Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

10:00 a.m. Meeting of Water and Wastewater Services, RLI #R0728501R1, Energy Performance at Water and Wastewater Services, Chevron Energy Solutions, Negotiations, WWS Administration Bldg. No. 1, Administration Board Room on 1st Floor, 2555 W. Copans Rd., Pompano Beach, FL.

11:00 a.m. Meeting of the Management and Efficiency Study Committee, Procurement Subcommittee, Governmental Center Annex Room A-460, 115 S. Andrews Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

11:00 a.m. Or immediately following the Fire Chief’s Provider meeting, Meeting of the Office of Medical Examiner and Trauma Services, First There First Care Conference Committee, Office of Medical Examiner and Trauma Services Conference Room, 5301 SW 31st Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

1:00 p.m. Meeting of the Broward Regional Health Planning Council, Inc.; System of Care Workgroup, System of Care Planning in Circuit 17, Broward Regional Health Planning Council, Conference Room 115, 915 Middle River Dr., Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

1:00 p.m. Meeting of the Purchasing Division, Reconvene Selection Committee, RLI #R0754608R1, Wind Mitigation, Governmental Center Room 430, 115 S. Andrews Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

2:00 p.m. Meeting of the Seaport Engineering and Construction Division, RLI #113098-RB, Berth No. 34 Consultant Services, Third Amendment to Agreement, CH2M Hill, Negotiations, Port Administration Bldg. Legal Conference Room on 5th Floor, 1850 Eller Dr., Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

3:00 p.m. Meeting of the Public Safety Coordinating Committee, Main Courthouse, Court Administration Conference Room, North Wing, 201 SE 6th St., Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

6:00 p.m. Meeting of the Cultural Division, Broward Cultural Council, Social Networking between Emerging Cultural Leaders and Broward Cultural Council, 9360 NW 18th Dr., Plantation, FL.

February 12, 2010 - Friday

8:00 a.m. Meeting of the Ethics Commission, Governmental Center Room 430, 115 S. Andrews Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, FL. (The public is invited to attend but will only be allowed to ask questions and/or comment from 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.)

2:30 p.m. Meeting of the Broward County HIV Health Services Planning Council, Mental Health/Substance Abuse QI Network, 915 Middle River Dr., Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

Tuesday's important Broward vote on ethics; My resolutions re South Florida news media are already being kept!

This is an edited version of the email I sent out
earlier this evening.

------

Originally, since attending the December 9th,
2009 public meeting of the county's Ethics
Commission, and seeing certain things emerge
in the meeting and in the interim, my plan had
always been to post some things today on
Tuesday morning's Broward County Commission
meeting and the high-visibility ethics vote they'll
be casting.

I thought I'd describe some of the historical context
and the peculiar cast of characters who have brought
us to the point where, as a precursor to whatever
rules and operating structure the county's appointed
Ethics Commission comes up with to govern the
County Commission's behavior, the County
Commission will have to either vote Yes or No
on collectively drawing a firm line in the sand about
the ethical behavior of and expectations on County
employees, and say, "Here, and no further."
http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/broward/blog/county_commission/

Tusday's agenda is here; ethics is item # 36
http://205.166.161.204/agenda_publish.cfm?mt=ALL&get_month=1&get_year=2010&dsp=ag&seq=156#ReturnTo0

But since last week, as I started getting more and
more emails and phone calls from interested people
around the county about what I had heard or thought
was going to happen, I came to the realization that
I was going to change plans.

Because until something actually happens, it's all
just talk, and that's what Broward's citizen taxpayers
are completely fed-up with: pols talking about doing
the right thing instead of simply doing it and setting
the right example.

One of my resolutions for the New Year was to stop
wasting so much of my time and energy on certain
people, especially elected officials or people with
influence, talking about doing something -presumably
positive- and instead, expend that time and energy
by writing about what they actually do -if anything-
and explain as best I understand, why I thought
things had either failed or succeeded.

Here, as anywhere else, you learn a lot by actually
showing-up, though that's a lesson many erstwhile
reporters down here seem to ignore.

Another resolution of mine concerns my frequent
emails around the South Florida area, especially
prior to an event I believe is of some importance.
That's now ancient history.

If the local TV stations or newspaper reporters
or columnists want to ignore the story, that's their
choice, and in South Florida, as we all know from
experience, that's always their default position
anyway: doing nothing and then being surprised.

Frankly, in the face of self-imposed personnel
cuts -or in the Miami Herald's case, consistently
refusing to send reporters or photographers to
events, meetings or forums in Broward County
that would merit coverage in most parts of the
country as journalism has traditionally been
practiced- I don't see my particular civic role
while living in South Florida as simultaneously
playing the roles of Paul Revere, TV station
News Director or Assignment Editor, for
TV/print reporters and columnists.

That's especially the case when so many
reporters have consistently chosen to either
ignore or downplay the significance of verifiable
information or easily-understood stories I've
given them on a silver platter, despite their
claiming to me that they want to be kept
"in the loop" on what I know or hear.

Actually, they don't.
They just like to have the illusion they do.

There's no need for me to name names here,
but that's precisely why I'm deleting so many
newspaper/TV people from my email list,
including many people who are getting this
email.

Additionally, within the next few days, I plan
on finally -FINALLY!- editing the video
I made of that Dec. 9th Broward County
Ethics Commission meeting, which featured
the public testimony of the Broward Workshop's
George Morgan,
http://www.browardworkshop.com/ which is
described here:
http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/broward/blog/2009/12/broward_business_leaders_want.html

(Dubious distinction: I was the only member of the
public for a good portion of that morning meeting
on December 9th, while Scott Wyman of the
Sun-Sentinel was THE only South Florida reporter
who bothered to swing by in-person for even a
few minutes. Additionally, I was actually on time,
even early, while MANY members of the Ethics
Commission showed-up late.
Very Hallandale Beach-like!)

To make it easier to follow, I broke my film
up by subject, and that's how I plan on putting
it onto my YouTube page.

I'll be there in person at the County Commission
Chambers on Tuesday morning, and hope you'll
make plans to be there, too.

Also see
Wimps of the Roundtable and Other Challenges for Journalism Schools
by Wayne Robins
http://journalism.nyu.edu/pubzone/debate/forum.1.essay.robbins.html