Ron Book, Lobbyist, Always Scores Big in Budgets. By Geniusofdespair

There is so little money to go around yet Lauren's Kids (Ron Book and His daughter State Senator Lauren Book's charity) is slated to get $1.5 from the State Budget.

Lauren Book, as a State Senator, had to do a financial disclosure. Someone please look it up for me. Never mind I did it. Lauren Book's net worth is 1,566,718. Her salary fro Lauren's Kids was, in 2016, $135,000. Until recently she also Made $71,300 doing research for Ron Book's firm. She has two residences worth almost a million dollars. She has very little debt.

What kills me, Ron Book is a master fundraiser, why doesn't he raise the money himself for this charity? Why is he always at the public trough getting the money? Exactly how much money has this charity collected over the years? And how has Ron Book separated charity funds from his lobbyist/law firm funds at the same address? Which one pays for the staples and scissors?

The Saga of Lauren Book and Senate District 38 is up for grabs without Gwen Margolis in the race. By Geniusofdespair

State Senate District 38 - Senator Margolis recently resigned from running.

State Senators Races in our area:

Bullard is in trouble...

CHARLIE CRIST RUNNING RUNNING FOR U.S. REP IN DISTRICT 13. I must live under a rock since he has been registered since January and I didn't even know.

FINALLY,  FLORIDA U.S. SENATE RACE HAS TURNED INTO A FREE-FOR-ALL WITH 32 PEOPLE ON THE LIST: (And Marco Rubio said today he wants to add his name to the list because of the mass shooting in Orlando? Doesn't compute. He favors no gun control and Florida's law: shoot first, say you were threatened later. And ask around about his history on gays. How is this tragedy his inspiration to run?)

I looked at one Florida Senate campaign report. Ron's daughter, Lauren Book has raised $553,159 for a State Senate race, or should I say Ron raised the money. Too bad Ron Book is so incompetent at raising private money for Lauren's charity, he goes after PUBLIC DOLLARS for that. Why are we financing Lauren's Kids? I have my own charities I like to fund, I don't like my charities chosen for me by a stupid lobbyist. Still working out of Ron's Office, Lauren spent $5,000 for Claire Vansusteren, also in Ron's Office for "campaign support". She works as communications director for Lauren's Kids. Why do they keep mixing funds in that office? She also spent $500 for hair and make-up. She is a pretty young woman, $500? What in the world did they do to her? I think that is a bit excessive.

As to the $5,000 paid to Claire from the campaign, in an article Written in May Vansusteren describes herself as a VOLUNTEER for Lauren's campaign. Hey the 3 of you: WAKE UP! Volunteers don't get paid!

ICK Photo of the Week. By Geniusofdespair

Yes I know it is part of the job to be photographed with people, but this Society Sunday Miami Herald Photo of Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava with Lobbyist Ron Book made me spit out my coffee. Levine Cava celebrates small business Friday. Is this lobbyist Saturday night? (Sally Heyman was also in the shot). Ron Book gave $2,500 to Lynda Bell's campaign against Daniella Levine Cava. Now I bet he is kissing Daniella's ring.

Lobbyists are like the mafia, I am sure his reply to her on skunking her campaign is: "It was just business." Well, No Ron it is more. You should support candidates that are right for the people of this good community not for your pocketbook. Lynda Bell was toxic for us.

Eye on Miami Saturday Editorial Oct. 10: UDB, Suarez, Jordan, Lobbyist Spawns and Hudstead Investigations. By Geniusofdespair

Miami Herald: Your Saturday Editorial Page is a Faux Editorial Page. More than one person in your household? You're out of luck sharing the paper edition. Only one section of news!

PICTURE OF THE WEEK

Marco Rubio conferring with his BFF David Rivera when they were in the Fl. House of Representatives.

COMMISSIONER XAVIER SUAREZ (the X man)

The gala is tonight. I haven't figured out what it is REALLY for but I am going. I heard he was not going to announce his bid for Mayor of Miami Dade County, but then I heard he would. Anyway, the $1,000 table costs will go towards his District 7 account. It now has $106,000 in it. It wouldn't be hard to switch it over to a Mayoral run account, he just has to send letters to the contributors.  If he does run for Mayor, Pinecrest Mayor Cindy Lerner and City Commissioner Marc Sarnoff have threatened to run for the District 7 seat.

COMMISSIONER BARBARA JORDAN'S RICHES OVER THE YEARS:

She dumped the house in St. Pete and the house co owned with her her daughter. It appears she got new cars. She has lost value on the Key West retreat/rental.

THE GWEN MARGOLIS STATE SENATE SEAT

Kris Korge's son Andrew is running for Gwen Margolis' State Senate seat. He has no political experience, except being related to his politically connected father. This is just like Lauren Book running with no political experience. All she has is a politically connected father - Ron Book. Does she even have a college degree?

In a campaign letter Andrew said:

If you support transparency and stronger oversight of lobbyists...

Ahem. Have you ever met your father Andrew? Do you know he has been a lobbyist his whole working life, just like Lauren's father?  What is this, a new trend: Lobbyists spawning politicians?

HUDSTEAD INVESTIGATION
 

Steve Shiver with one of his X or current wife.

The investigation into the petition began in June. Assistant State Attorney Luis Perez-Medina and Tim Vander Giesen are conducting it with Karl Ross from ethics.

Shiver Family standing at the MCM table.

There are other investigations going on....who can keep up with Hudstead.

MCM constructions was given three city contracts totaling $50 million in the past 18 months. Steve Shiver was their lobbyist. MCM had a table at the sock hop at the race track. The Sock hop was hosted by the track and run by Sandra Nanni of Cutler Bay who is also a grant writer for the City of Homestead.

The racetrack charged Mayor Porter $435 for a gala there. Mario Diaz-Balart paid $2,000 for the same venue. Also under investigation is Jorge Luis Lopez (he is the track attorney).

THE TOXIC UDB MOVING APPLICATIONS 7 and 8 COMING UP

I don't see them going anywhere. I don't think the unreformable majority is a super majority, what is needed now. And, it would be suicide for the Mayor not to veto them. He needs the voters that find this issue important.

Zapata said he was not a sure vote on these. So who do they have for sure, Jordan, Pepe Diaz, Souto, Bovo? Maybe Monestime but he would be a fool to vote for them, it takes money for infrastructure from his district. The tides are turning. The two applications will be heard before the Planning and Zoning Board October 19th. The key is, the County Commission cannot send these up to Tallahassee for review they have to deny them outright. They have never paid attention to Tallahassee's Department (of whatever it is called now) anyway so what is the point of getting their opinion?

Just what we need, a city on the edge of the Everglades. They call it "green" because they think we are fools.

SHOOTINGS

Movie goers, grade school children, high school children, church members, and now college kids (over and over) -- innocent people are killed and the dopey gun lobby thrives in the Repugnant party. They all support lunatics with guns. Yawn. This story is getting old. Soon they will stop reporting mass shootings.

Mayor Carlos Gimenez's PAC: The VERY STRANGE expense and donation. By Geniusofdespair

Photo from New York Magazine 2013 - Why is Carlos Gimenez taking money from these guys?

 ASK YOURSELF WHY THESE NEW YORK SLICKSTERS MADE A $20,000 DONATION TO A MIAMI-DADE MAYOR!

Let's revisit a Post I did that has been on my mind.  It is really bothering me. You might say do a public records request of the Mayor's calendar. Well, I did a public records request to Jack Osterholt on June 30th at 2:45pm on something else. I have not heard back. I copied the chair so I have proof it was sent. Not a peep back. That is a violation but that is not what I want to talk about today.

There were 2 expenses on Gimenez's known PAC, MIAMI DADE RESIDENTS FIRST, in New York City. One was for a 3 night's (at least) stay in June  or for 3 rooms in the amount of $1,049.78 at the Empire Hotel. The other expense was for a one way cab ride to or from the airport I suppose. No food expenses,  no cab ride back. The PAC posted a donation soon after from the owners of the Empire hotel, Amsterdam Hospitality (Podolsky Family) for $20,000.

There is feuding going on between the Homeless Trust and Cammilus House on housing the Homeless. There is not enough room. They are having the homeless sleep on mats under a porch at Cammilus and The Homeless Trust (Ron Book) is pissed. It is front page news. City of Miami Commissioner Mark Sarnoff and Ron Book are trading barbs. Who is going to offer a solution?

Coincidentally Amsterdam buys run down buildings and with public subsidies houses the homeless. They own about 40 buildings in the New York area bought through shell corporations.  According to New York Magazine:

The Podolskys take pains to keep a deniable arm’s length from the shelter business. It operates behind a firewall of arcane lease arrangements and interrelated holding companies, many of which have been placed in the maiden names of the brothers’ wives, Shirley and Sharon. “It may appear that it’s all in the family,” Satnick says, but he claims the structures reflect both the brothers’ status as “passive owners” and the wives’ interests as independent investors. “Stuart and Jay have much bigger fish to fry than what their wives are doing in their business.” (During a legal dispute over a hotel purchase in 1999, a court-appointed referee found it “credible” that Jay and Stuart were “the real players” in the disputed transaction and that their use of their wives’ maiden names in that instance “was to avoid state/city scrutiny” owing to their felony convictions.)

The Podolskys don’t deal with the city; they lease the shelter buildings to companies run by Alan Lapes, a building contractor who has long worked with them. “These buildings are not owned by Mr. Lapes,” Satnick says. “They are owned by the Podolsky family in one way or another.” But Lapes, a blustery guy, serves as a manager and a lightning rod. Over the years, his facilities have been investigated by the police (over criminal activity by a manager and tenants in a Times Square location the Daily News dubbed the “Hell Hotel”) and cited by the city comptroller’s office for safety violations and bookkeeping irregularities. In a recent e-mail, Lapes called those allegations “old [stories] that are on google and for the most part are not true” and said journalists should “look for the good in all of the hard work that I do to help homeless New Yorkers.”

AND:

The city government does not publicize the addresses of shelters, citing the privacy of its homeless “clients.” But a list obtained via a Freedom of Information request suggests the industry is dominated by a handful of competitors. There’s Shimmie Horn, whose father, a notorious slumlord, willed him an empire of hotels. There is a consortium of investors who administer a portfolio of tenement shelters from an unmarked office above a Brooklyn laundromat. Most players operate through shell companies and front men, obscuring their interests, and the Podolskys are particularly secretive. But the evidence suggests the family is among the largest shelter providers, and they are expanding aggressively.

Altogether, public records indicate that the Podolskys own or control close to 40 shelter properties, which house at least 1,300 homeless families, about 11 percent of the city’s total. (Families now make up the vast majority of the homeless population.) A calculation based on city records suggests that the Podolsky-related shelters have generated rents in the range of $90 million since 2010.

AND:

Hess, who earns at least $250,000 annually, has since capitalized on city demand for new shelters, boosting the nonprofit’s revenues to $57 million last fiscal year. DHS officials have said there is no conflict of interest in his dealings with the agency he ran for four years.

The Podolsky shelter business has two prongs. There are a dozen or so Manhattan hotels, some of which the Podolskys have owned since the Koch era. Then there is a collection of outer-borough residential buildings that operate as “cluster” sites—basically, apartments rented by the city to house homeless families. The city’s largest shelter cluster encompasses fourteen locations in the Bronx. All but one of the buildings are owned by the Podolskys.

The cluster shelters still typically open under per diem arrangements, providing minimal social services. In a deposition last year, Hess said that the approach circumvents a “rather lengthy and cumbersome procurement process,” allowing the shelter system to expand and contract “like an accordion.” But it’s controversial, because clusters usually operate with scant oversight. In a recent decision, a state judge likened the city policy to “a CIA black op, spending unbudgeted funds without apparent restraint.”

If you want the quotes to make sense, read the entire article but we are dealing here with unsavory business practices and maybe unsavory people. So, my point is, with the homeless housing front and center, why is Mayor Carlos Gimenez dealing with these New York "businessman," homeless housing specialists? Is he going to SAVE the day with his new pals that New York would like to rid themselves of? They are probably already here. Apparently they are good at hiding behind corporations.

2  of the 24 comments from the NEW YORK MAGAZINE article:

Eye On Miami Saturday Editorial Page June 27th. By Geniusofdespair

We Do What the Miami Herald Left Undone: The Saturday Editorial.

SPECIAL TAXING DISTRICTS
Frankly I have nothin' except the big, big meeting on June 30th about the special taxing districts. The County is raising taxes on tens of thousands of people. The hearing is scheduled time certain at 9:30 am. Chair Monestime is calling for yearly audits now because of the shock of the increase to homeowners who live in special taxing districts. It is rumored the mayor held off on increases and did some mumbo-jumbo accounting. If you have community lighting or a guard booth on a public road--- you are in a special taxing district.

TURKEY POINT NUKE PLANT
Turkey Point's salt water intrusion is now 4 miles inland according to CASE information.

RON BOOK'S CHARITY DOES A QUESTIONABLE POLL
Franscisco Alvarado of the Florida Bulldog looks closely at the Lauren's Kids poll:

On June 4, Lauren’s Kids, released the results of an Internet poll it commissioned that found more than one-third of female respondents and one-fifth of male respondents had admitted to being sexually abused as children.

The survey’s results came in just as legislators reconvened for a special session to decide the 2015-2016 budget, which included a $3.8 million grant for the Aventura-based charity that specializes in child sex abuse prevention education.

And:

The appropriation for Lauren’s Kids was tucked in a $23.8 million pot for “school and instructional enhancements” that emerged unscathed when the governor finalized the budget earlier this week. Scott obliterated funding for 24 other special interest projects on the list, including $100,000 for youth summer job programs and $30,000 for a financial literacy pilot program in Broward County.

Read the detailed analysis of the phony-sounding technique for the poll in the article. Ron Book hired Vanessa Brito's partner Heather Gray to be executive director of the non-profit and now she is the spokeswoman, leaving Lauren and Ron to other pursuits. Poor Lauren must be very fragile. I believe she is exploited, reliving her abuse over and over for others. Vanessa Brito does polls with Dario Moreno.

According to the National Center for Victims of Crime, 1 in 5 girls and 1 in 20 boys are victims of child sexual abuse. Quite different from the polls findings.

HOMESTEAD
The CRA gave a grant to Start off Smart, Inc.  Start off Smart are charging $400,000 out of their allocations for salaries. That is a lot of salary. The group helps women in domestic abuse situations and abused children.

Want to Make Major Bucks for Your Charity? Adopt Ron Book as Your Father. By Geniusofdespair

 The Non Profit Lauren's Kids:

Did you donate or was it done for you by your Government?

Below are the 2013 tax returns for the non-profit Lauren's Kids. I also blogged (on June 5th) on this charity that recently got a windfall  of our tax dollars from the State of Florida. My biggest complaint about them is all the public money they get (see return) and that I want to give to the charities of my choice not the choice of the State of Florida's and Miami Dade County (they also give to this non-profit. To add insult to injury, Lauren's Kids gives to other charities, I believe two were former clients of her dad's. Why is Lauren's Kids choosing charities for me to donate to? Does every official is the state find it necessary to take my tax dollars and distribute my money to charities of their choice?  It appears they pay rent from the return. I wonder if that is also Book's Lobbyist office. Lauren's Kids is addressed at 18851 NE 29th Avenue No. 1010, the same as his business address. They show $113,724 in office expenses, occupancy total is $24,628 and to attend conferences, conventions and meetings they spent $40,500 (Note, they only have one employee: $40,500?).  Their total expenses for 2013 are $1,579,538.

On this return they show $1,111,710  in Government Grants.

Look at the tax return. Since 2013 Lauren has been getting steady raises and now makes over $100,000 to do whatever it is she does. On this return it appears she makes $96,718. According to page 7 she made $103,000. Read the return and maybe you too can game the system, you just need a well connected lobbyist to adopt you.

Ron Book is the President and Lauren Book is the Vice President and CEO.  Also see Florida Bulldog Report "Politicians send millions to charity of lobbyist’s daughter" by Franscico Alvarado.

By the way how much Daniella Levine Cava made from her charity was a big deal in the campaign with an ad on her salary misstated, According to Doug Hanks of the Miami Herald:

Fine print on the screen shows the $500,000 figure came from 10 years of federal tax returns. The reference is to Catalyst Miami, a social-services organization that Cava left before running for Bell's District 8 seat. The two most recent tax returns for Catalyst (officially called the Human Services Coalition of Dade County) record Cava earning $38,900 in 2012 and $55,593 in 2011.

Levine-Cava has two degrees -- law and social work and the charity was in existence for over 10 years. What does Lauren have?

Laurens Kids 2013 Tax Returns

Ron and Lauren Book and Their Most Annoying Charity. By Geniusofdespair

Love Her Ron - Just Don't Take Our Public Dollars for Your Charity. Don't cash in on tax dollars for  something you thought up to remedy your families' personal adversity. You know you could raise the money from the public sector: like all your clients. How about asking your pal multi billionaire Micky Arison for funds for Lauren's Kids?

I want to choose what charities I give to. I don't want the government doing it for me ESPECIALLY when the charity is headed by one of the most successful lobbyists in Florida. Ron Book has the ability to raise funds privately and not use public dollars but again and again this charity gets public dollars -- from the County as well.

According to Florida Bulldog in May:

Over the last four years, Lauren’s Kids, a nonprofit founded by the daughter of top Tallahassee lobbyist Ron Book, has become one of the Legislature’s favorite charities, raking in nearly $7 million in taxpayer funds. If and when legislators reconvene to pass a budget, that total is slated to rise to $10.8 million.


They did reconvene and they did give the charity more money. Governor Scott said, when he signed the bill to give them more OF OUR HARD EARNED TAX DOLLARS:

“We’re going to do everything we can to make this the safest place in the entire world to grow up,” Scott told the group. “Lauren and Ron, thank you for doing this.”

Well, Governor Scott, I personally think there are numerous charities more needy and I think the money you gave this charity could have gone to schools: Something you should be funding! I would give to the NAACP, Earthjustice, and the Everglades Law Center. They don't get our public dollars. Most charities fund raise in the private sector, as they should.  It is funny that you are against social programs Governor Scott and you are giving to Book's charity.

Somehow Lobbyist Ron Book has maneuvered money from every facet of government. Yes we know Lauren has her sad story with her nanny's molestation, didn't I hear Gwen Margolis also vomited on her at her wedding? That girl was born with bad luck, having given political donations when she should have been playing with girlfriends.  Was her dad setting a good example, sticking her name on financial disclosures as a teen? Was she really supporting all those candidates? Do teenagers care about politics? I think we all now know that poor Lauren was up to other things besides politics.

There are plenty of sad stories out there of needy charities. How about we fund orphan diseases like Spasmodic Torticollus. Who is looking for the cure for that crippling  disease? No one because it is not funded. Governor Scott, let's fund that. 90,000 people have that painful incurable disease in the US -- including my brother.

Let's stop funding charities with our tax dollars. Last year Ron is said to have made $5 million. He should duplicate the work of Developer Marty Margulies' funding the Lotus House, not suck from the public tit:

Lotus House women's shelter got a 20 million dollar pledge from Martin Z. Margulies.

Corporate records for Lauren's Kids:

 It is your money: What charity would you want it to go to readers?

From a reader, Book's daughter make a hefty salary at the non profit:

FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C THE ORGANIZATION REVIEWS THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY ANNUALLY TO ENSURE NONE OF THE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS OR TRUSTEES HAVE NEW INTERESTS THAT COULD GIVE RISE TO CONFLICT
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 18 THE ORGANIZATION MAKES ITS GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, CONFLICTS OF INTEREST POLICY, AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UPON REQUEST


Form 990 (2011) Page 7 Part VII Compensation of (A) Name and Title (2) Lauren F Book Vice President, (B) Average hours per week 50.00, (C) Position-Officer, (D) Reportable compensation from the organization (W-2/1099-MISC) $ 67,596.00, (E) Reportable compensation from related organizations (W-2/1099-MISC) 0, (F) Estimated amount of other compensation from the organization and related organizations 0.

Form 990 (2012) Page 7 Part VII Compensation of (A) Name and Title (2) Lauren F Book CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, (B) Average hours per week 50.00, (C) Position-Officer, (D) Reportable compensation from the organization (W-2/1099-MISC) $ 82,250.00, (E) Reportable compensation from related organizations (W-2/1099-MISC) 0, (F) Estimated amount of other compensation from the organization and related organizations $7,346.00.

Form 990 (2013) Page 7 Part VII Compensation of (A) Name and Title (2) Lauren F Book CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, (B) Average hours per week 60.00, (C) Position-Officer, (D) Reportable compensation from the organization (W-2/1099-MISC) $103,540.00, (E) Reportable compensation from related organizations (W-2/1099-MISC) 0, (F) Estimated amount of other compensation from the organization and related organizations 0.
Entity Name: LAUREN'S KIDS, INC. DOCUMENT# N07000009940 FILED Jan 15, 2015 Secretary of State CC9561003146 2015 FLORIDA NON PROFIT CORPORATION ANNUAL REPORT
Officer/Director Detail : Title PRESIDENT Name BOOK, RONALD L Address 18851 N.E. 29TH AVENUE, SUITE 1010 City-State-Zip: AVENTURA FL 33180
Title VICE PRESIDENT Name BOOK, LAUREN F Address 18851 N.E. 29TH AVENUE, SUITE 1010
City-State-Zip: AVENTURA

WTF? I was watching the Miami Heat victory parade and guess who was there? Friggin' Ron Book. By Geniusofdespair

Chris Anderson enjoying the crowd.

Yes it was Lobbyist Ron Book riding on Erik Spoelstra's bus, now how did he get there?

Erik Spolestra front, Ron Book left (arrow).

That friggin' guy has his dirty fingers everywhere.

Someone else with some bucks to hire a plane has a beef with Mayor Carlos Gimenez. Flying over the crowds was a banner saying "Put the Heat on Mayor Gimenez." And a second plane had a banner saying "Heat Champs. Gimenez Chump." They had a third banner saying "Lebron for Mayor." So who is it with a lot money that is after Mayor Carlos Gimenez? I thought they all liked him.

Miami-Dade County Boondoggle with Millions of Our Tax Dollars. By Geniusofdespair

“The big picture here is how the hell did this happen? How could somebody steal this money with minimal excuses? It’s almost ridiculous. It’s mind-boggling.” - Chris Mazzella, Miami-Dade County Inspector General

The Miami Herald reported that an ex-Miami Beach Clinic head was arrested for stealing almost $7 million dollars from a Miami Beach clinic funded with plenty of our tax dollars both County and Federal.

I looked up all the checks that were written directly from the County to this clinic, Miami Beach Community Health Center Inc., since 2008 (when the theft started). You can add it up if you like, I am too lazy. It was 6 pages of checks about 153 were written during this time period.

All the County checks written DIRECTLY to Miami Beach Community Health Center, Inc. since 2008. They also got money from other County entities.

The officers of Miami Beach Community Health Center Inc. are Myriam Notkin of Surfside, Jane D. Gross of Miami Beach, Melvin Deutsch of Miami Beach and Antonio Wong of Pembroke Pines.  RON BOOK is the lobbyist.

The Miami Herald said:

"The center receives about $4 million annually in federal funding. In 2011, the clinics received about $15 million from various county funds, including the Children’s Trust, AIDS support and Jackson Health System."

Who is to blame for this? The Miami Herald reported that Miami-Dade County Inspector General Chris Mazzella said:

He planned to brief the Miami-Dade County Commission as soon as possible because the center had “a total breakdown of fiscal accountability” and “very very lax oversight.”

He said he’ll be “putting the county on notice that there needs to be close oversight of this organization, which spends millions and millions in county funds.”

Mayor Gimenez, who signed all these checks? Some heads at the county should roll over this one. How can you steal almost $7 million dollars of mostly county funds and no one notices? Remember that the Children's Trust money is County money and so is Jackson.

Chris Mazzella you must do audits, audits and more audits to uncover county boondoggle.

The Power of Ron Book. By Geniusofdespair

This is how Miami Dade County Commissioner see Lobbyist Ron Book

This is how the public views Lobbyist Ron Book - A Bully

You will see the power of lobbyist Ron Book on display at the County Commission later today. He is the top lobbyist for the insane Sun Life Stadium, Marlin Dolphin vote today. No match for Beyonce, watch some of the commissioners lip sync Book's words. Only Book will have the power of persuasion and the silver tongue to turn a REALLY BAD DEAL into sounding like a good one...for us. We are not that stupid Ron but apparently the Commission is, to even entertain public financing for a Multi Billionaire. There are other lesser known lobbyists, such as Brian May, working the County Commission.

Don't be fooled again Commissioners. Get out of the dark side. The superbowl is an insignificant sham in this argument. Put an end to this today: Make no approvals/changes/urgings by increments. Cut it off at the knees.

Moss and Bovo will speak first as they are on the pull list. I was told it is time certain for 11:30 1:30. Watch the meeting.

Listening to meeting now: Sally Heyman wants to move the meeting from 11:30 to 1:30.  Xavier Suarez said he can't be there at 1:30 but he said "Go ahead and change it"???  The time was changed to 1:30. Why did they change it for Sally and Suarez had no problem with that even though he couldn't make the later meeting.  He didn't want to be there I guess. Is it that he doesn't want to anger Braman, a supporter of his so he would rather duck out?  That was bad as far as I am concerned. Suarez was supporting a public vote on the ballpark money, Suarez should have been there to make an argument.

Read Miami New Times on this same subject:

"In total, Ross (Marlins Dolphins owner) raised $71,600 for Gimenez and the four county commissioners in the last election. "

UPDATE: TIME CERTAIN AT 1:30? IT IS 1:56....nothing. What do they think the public does all day wait for them? I guess I am the only idiot out here. What exactly does time certain mean: any time.

Who is Lobbyist Ron Book Lobbying for in 2012? By Geniusofdespair

Inexplicably, there is a billboard honoring Lobbyist Ron Book on the Southbound side of I95. Did Ron Book pay for it? As I drove by I couldn't see any dedication to him on the giant billboard. Was he being congratulated by himself?

It is time to look at who Ron Book is lobbying for in 2012:


County Government - 19 Cients (State Government's 73 Clients follow after the County list)

MIAMI PROJECT/BUONICONTI FUND TO CURE PARALYSIS 11/6/2012
RED LIGHT CAMERA ISSUE Open

BMG MONEY INC 11/1/2012
NONE Open

AIRCRAFT SERVICES INTERNATIONAL GROUP INC 8/15/2012
BAGGAGE HANDLING SYSTEM Open

ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES, INC 6/1/2012
FLAVORED TOBACCO Open

SECURE WRAP OF MIAMI INC 5/14/2012
LUGGAGE WRAP AT MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Open

AMERICAN TRAFFIC SOLUTIONS "ATS" 7/25/2011
RED LIGHT CAMERAS Open

MV TRANSPORTATION INC 3/3/2011
STS RFP 709 Open

ALLIANCE ONE 1/19/2011
COLLECTIONS Open

NATIONAL HEALTH TRANSPORT, INC. 7/9/2010
NONE Open

SUN LIFE STADIUM 7/7/2010
NONE Open

What's Doin' in Lobbyist Land. By Geniusofdespair

I found a Circuit Court filing by Chris Korge for a Final Default Judgment in the amount of $4,012,500. Korge is trying to recover the bucks from Claudio Osorio and others (filed March 3, 2011). Good luck with that, you can't get money from a stone. Also Chris consolidated a mortgage (10/27/2011) in the amount of $1,982,500 he has with partners Lee and Barry Goldmeier. I also ran across a Financing Statement Form from 2010. Chris Korge is the debtor but what made it interesting to me was that Rodney Barreto is the secured party. The lawyer is Machado & Herran. They certainly keep things in the family in lobbyist world.

Roman Gastesi

Rodney Barreto just bought a condo in Kendall. It sold for $495,000 in August of 2007. He paid $280,000 3/2012.

Inbred? Money makes strange bedfellows. Lobbyist Ron Book wrote a second balloon mortgage to Roman Gastesi for $25,000 (in 2004). The amount was increased to $35,000 in December
2011. I wonder if Gastesi had any job that Book benefited from? He worked for the County for a long time and he was the Monroe County Manager last I heard. I wonder if Book is lobbying for Monroe? Also wondering if Gastesi is paying interest to Book. The paper work said the principle is due "with interest, if any." The latest mortgage said it is due in 2013.

An Alexander Heckler bought a million dollar home on Miami Beach in 2011. He also got a mortgage for almost $800,000.  Erik Fresen satisfied a judgement May 9th for about $2,000.  Someone named Eston Melton is facing an internal revenue bill.  Appears to be a running problem since 2008.

Lobbyist Ron Book...again. By Geniusofdespair

Like, this is the ONLY guy that is suitable for this Board? We have to waive residency requirements for Lobbyist Ron Book; We have to waive term limits for him; We have to waive multiple board requirements for him. The Commission shouldn't be waiving requirements period. That is why they are there, to be adhered to. We need new blood.

This lobbyist gets all the breaks from the County Commission. Expect this to pass today, he raises money for all the County Commissioners. Wouldn't you know that Pepe Le Pew Diaz is the sponsor. How about looking for someone in Miami Dade County, Pepe? Denny Wood who sent the press release said, "Ronnie Book needs to get out of the Homeless business due to his hate ridden conflicts" (Many of the homeless are former sexual offenders and Book's daughter was a target of a predator). More on Ron Book.

The North Miami Ongoing Boondoggle. By Geniusofdespair

Broward County Commissioner John Rodstrom, who opposed the port deal, still distrusts Swerdlow and contends that no government is a match for the developer.

This link will take you to the latest version of the Biscayne Landing (a.k.a. Munisport) Lease between Oleta Partners, LLC (Michael Swerdlow) and the City of North Miami.  Talk about leaving your options open, look at this paragraph about gambling. It appears everyone wants in on that gaming action.

Michael Swerdlow & Fish

The most current draft of the lease is 86 pages with other pages not included in the numbering.  John Dellagloria is Michael Swerdlow's attorney, he was a former attorney for the City of North Miami. Brett Dill is Swerdlow's partner. I think the City of North Miami will get screwed again, they always get screwed on Munisport. I have watched this property as part of a half dozen schemes that never panned out in the last 20 years -- and Swerdlow was part of one of those: The failed Biscayne Landing.

Broward New Times Reporter Bob Norman reported on one of Swerdlow's other deals:

"When then-Pompano Mayor Bill Griffin was supporting the controversial International Swimming Hall of Fame project in his city in 2002, I found out that ISHF developer Michael Swerdlow had gotten the mayor a job at Turner Construction, the company lined up to build the project. Here's the story I wrote at the time, Swimming In Trouble. To me. it was a clear case of unlawful compensation, but Satz didn't prosecute. The terrible project, however, was killed and Griffin was ousted by voters at the polls. The Miami Herald cited the scandal and "Swimming In Trouble" as the reason why."

In the same article Norman said:

He has a history of attaching his deals to politicians' livelihoods. You may recall the infamous 1997 Port Everglades deal in which Swerdlow sold 271 acres to Broward County for $120 million, about double the price that county's appraisals showed for the raw land, much of it swamp.

And (this is the worst):

Broward County Commissioner John Rodstrom, who opposed the port deal, still distrusts Swerdlow and contends that no government is a match for the developer. Rodstrom recalls that Swerdlow's lobbyist, Ron Book, offered his private firm work as well. Rodstrom declined the offer, which Swerdlow insists Book made without his knowledge. "Book did it, and at the time, I wasn't doing anything in Broward County," Swerdlow explains. "He was trying to do something for Rodstrom."

Who is Ron Book Lobbying for in 2012? By Geniusofdespair

State of Florida (alphabetical order):

   Advocate Program, The
     1901 SW First St 3rd Floor    Miami,  FL  33135

Industry Code: 624190

Effective: 01/09/2012

   Anchor Towing, Inc
     12555 Biscayne Blvd PMB 455    North Miami,  FL  33138

Industry Code: 488410

Effective: 01/09/2012

   Ashbritt
     408 S Andrews Ave Ste 103    Pompano Beach,  FL  33069

Industry Code: 562111

Effective: 01/09/2012

   Assurance Financial Partners, LLC
     2901 SW 149th Ave Ste 140    Miramar,  FL  33027

Industry Code: 561900

Effective: 01/09/2012

   AT&T
     150 S Monroe St Ste 400    Tallahassee,  FL  32301

Industry Code: 517110

Effective: 01/09/2012

   AutoNation, Inc
     450 E Las Olas Blvd 12th Floor    Ft Lauderdale,  FL  33301

Industry Code: 522220

Effective: 01/09/2012

   Bail Agents Independent League of Florida
     424 S Congress Ave    West Palm Beach,  FL

Industry Code: 525990

Effective: 01/09/2012

   Best Buddies International
     100 SE 2nd St Ste 2200    Miami,  FL  33131

Industry Code: 624110

Effective: 01/09/2012

   Biscayne Bay Pilots
     2911 Port Blvd    Miami,  FL  33132

Industry Code: 485991

Effective: 01/09/2012

   Brevard County
     2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way C301    Viera,  FL  32940

Industry Code: 921120

Effective: 01/09/2012

   Broward County
     115 S Andrews Ave    Ft Lauderdale,  FL  33301

Industry Code: 921110

Effective: 01/09/2012

   Broward County Clerk of Courts
     201 SE 6th St    Ft Lauderdale,  FL  33301

Industry Code: 922110

Effective: 01/09/2012

Can't tame the lobbyists ... by gimleteye

Even by EOM standards, the Miami Herald's, "Miami-Dade Commission aims to cut lobbying tab, ends up paying $50,000 more" is an eye-popper. The thirteen members of the commission, under the direction of chairman Joe Martinez, could not put to rest the need to reduce expenses of lobbyists, because the lobbyists have that much power at county hall. And Martinez wants to be mayor.

The economic crisis continues. Thousands of families are losing their homes. On 60 Minutes, one municipality in Ohio has taken to tearing down foreclosed and abandoned homes in order to preserve the value of homes in some neighborhoods. If that happened in Miami-Dade, the land would be returned to the same scoundrels who employed lobbyists to create the disasters of our built landscape in the first place. So, while millions of Americans-- perhaps as much as 11 million homeowners-- continue to make good on monthly mortgage payments though their homes are only worth half what they paid, local governments are still at business as usual. City and municipal employees are being asked to take pay cuts, face layoffs, and staff reductions, but the lobbyists?

Their bread and butter business-- zoning changes and permitting to convert farmland and open space to residential and commercial-- is dead in the water. A few are engaged (and more want to be) in moving the Urban Development Boundary to rescue land speculators whose investments are under water, too. The billable hours must be down as hard as home values. So that leaves government to exploit.

Ron Book

Ron Book. Brian Ballard. One of the interesting points raised by the Herald is the insistence that some of the lobbyists are connected with the effort to promote full-scale gambling in Miami-Dade, yet they assured the commissioners that they would not be allowing that issue to interfere with other issues before the county commission.

They say that, with straight faces? Let's see if the commissioners-- who could not agree on cutting out any of their favored few--will be shamed enough by the measures passage to quickly revisit it, or, whether the majority is once again "unreformable" as we have claimed for so many years.

Ron Book, Yet Again. By Geniusofdespair

Moms and Dads who get stroller parking permits pay a fee. One third of the fees collected is suppose to go to private not-for-profit, non-denominational agencies providing services for severely abused or neglected children.

Barbara Jordan has on the agenda Tuesday that from this fund: Lauren's Kids, Inc. is scheduled to get $30,000, Center for Family and Child Enrichment, Inc. will get $35,000, and the YMCA of Greater Miami gets $35,000.  YMCA??

Lauren's Kids, Inc. was approved for $35,000 in February from this fund. The stroller fund money was always Natacha Seijas' to disburse and she was on the vote that happened in November of last year to disburse the February funds. I think that is why the "Y" also got the nod this time - a salute that Natacha's influence is still alive.  Additionally, Sally Heyman gave Lauren's Kids, Inc. $5,000 in September from her office funds. Didn't the State of Florida have some legislation that gave Lauren's Kids a big chunk of money recently? Anyone recall?

The reason Lauren's Kids, Inc. does well is because Lobbyist Ron Book is the President. Ron can raise money for this charity, all he has to do is pick up the phone. The charity is in his office. Who doesn't owe Ron Book a favor? I guess everyone in the county does because they are quick to help Ron's charity.  Lets not forget he is a master fundraiser that does NOT need to solicit County funds, he can go to the private sector trough. 

I wish he would just raise the funds somewhere else for his worthy charity -- besides from government entities because there are many deserving charities that don't have a Ron Book as President of them that are struggling and are in NEED of funds.  I hope the next time the County is distributing these parking permit funds that they share the wealth.  Notice to anyone giving out tax dollars: Don't worry about Lauren's Kids, it will NEVER be hurting for funds with Ron Book at the helm.  Here is a listing of county checks to Lauren's Kids:

Ron Book In Defense of Lobbyists (LOL). By Youbetcha'

Ron Book is getting defensive in his golden years as is obvious in a recent article in the Sun Sentinel.

People tend to get pissy about lobbyists and Book seems to be feeling like he has to “explain” the things we don’t understand.

His article was titled: “In Defense of Lobbyists.” He argues that lobbyists help more than people think. Okay....faulty premise to start.

He seriously points out several  things I thought amusing:

“Lobbyists know that the process is driven by information, and more importantly, the integrity of that information. The first time a lobbyist provides bad information is likely the last time that lobbyist will get through a lawmaker's door. The first time you lie or mislead will likely be the last time your information is considered credible. Credibility and the integrity of the information we convey are life and death in our profession, and I cannot emphasize that enough.”

Well, I seem to remember more than once, that the facts were distorted during public hearings as the lobbyist du jour paints his/her picture of their project.  They often paint a picture that is devoid of brush strokes. No matter, the lobbyist has already sold the issue to the eager politicians while in their offices earlier in the week: "Sure we'll build a school and a fire station too!"

Amusing point by Ron Book number 2:

“Many people think lobbyists only represent wealthy, corporate interests, or "special interests," a term we hear so often in the media today. People believe that all these "special interests" want to do is get their way, which will no doubt bring harm to the public. But that is simply not true.”

I know that lobbyists like Ron do an occasional good deed for a non-profit or a neighborhood, or even a daughter's charity. But, let’s be truthful, for lobbyists this is their penance. Lobbyists prefer to help the people who pay them.  And some of the people who pay them will bring us harm if it brings them more profit.

Ron doesn’t want us to believe that lobbyists do evil things or like he sometimes does -- along with Miguel DeGrandy -- represent multiple clients that may have opposing interests.

I have never figured out how Book can ramrod a project for a client through the State legislature to the impairment of another client's best interest. Equally amazing, lobbyist Book appears to get paid by two cities as he screws one of them.

Finally Ron describes himself as an “advocate”, just like you and me. Except, in truth...it is not true. There are so many holes in the logic of this article you could drive a truck through them. Hey, Ron, we ain't no stupid politicians here! Real advocates, like us in the public realm, don’t have the political capital, the election cash tree or the pass key to the Commission offices to  have any hope of advocating effectively.

Stop trying to justify what you do Ron Book, it doesn't ring true. Admit to yourself that you are for sale. I don't subscribe to the opinion that all lobbyists are whores with the gift of gab. To me they are just manipulators or handlers of what are supposed to be OUR public servants.

Who is Ron Book Lobbying for in 2011? By Geniusofdespair

(Photo: Lobbyists Jorge Luis Lopez and Ron Book)

According to Jacksonville's Daily Record Ron Book's lobbying firm was among 4 making the most bucks in the second quarter of the year. Book reported over $1 million dollars of lobbying money. Overall, in this same quarter, lobbyists made over $53 million to lobby our Florida legislature. From the Daily Record:

“It is as critical a time to be engaged in the process as it is in good times,” said lobbyist Ron Book, who represents 67 clients at his small firm, which employs just two other lobbyists.

Who is Ron Book lobbying for? He has 18 municipalities including Miami Dade County. Hit read more to see the entire list of 67 clients: