Balancing Miami-Dade County Budget is not personal: Just Business!

A balanced city or county budget is required by law; however, sometimes it seems that the city and county unions take it personally. “There is no money in the budget!” for continued perks and the massive employee roll at the same time!

Remember when then Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, on July 3, 2010 ordered The State Controller, John Chiang to roll all the state employees wages back to minimum wage, whereby the Controller refused and the order was immediately taken to court and the ruling was upheld by the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals, saying that “The DPA has the authority to direct the controller to defer salary payments in excess of federally mandated minimum wages when appropriations for the salaries are lacking due to a budget impasse. “There is no money in the budget!

Perhaps the county’s legal team could research and determine what is and isn’t legal in the case of a budget impasse. One thing is for sure! You can’t expect to continue to receive the “special perks” and “keep all the employees” at the same time. Something or someone has to be eliminated. There is no money in the budget!

It was once said by a psychologist that you have to repeat something seven times before it begins to penetrate the human physic. So, let’s try it again. “There is no money in the budget!”

The “General Funds Account” aka “Slush Funds” has gone fishing and will not return any time in the foreseeable future due to lack of funds. “There is no money in the budget!”

Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez’s proposed budget will be formally taken up and voted on by the commissioners in two commission meetings next month. The mayor needs to plug a $400 million budget gap and is relying heavily on the unions to meet him halfway. Keep in mind, “There is no money in the budget!” and no money coming to fill the gap!

The ball is currently in the union’s court, and they have until Nov.1 to voluntarily come up with a game-plan. After Nov.1, the unions will technically forfeit their right to negotiate and whatever the commissioners and mayor decides will become law. Remember, once again! “There is no money in the budget!”

All Charges dropped against former IMF Chief, Dominique Strauss-Kahn

A tale of who is more believable! Strauss-Kahn, the former head of The International Monetary Fund and a prominent French politician or Diallo, the maid who worked at Manhattan’s Sofitel on May 14.

Diallo accused Strauss-Kahn of sexual assault, unfortunately or fortunately, depending on where you stand, Nafissatou Diallo, could not convince the District Attorney’s Office and Cyrus Vance, that she was telling the truth and therefore the prosecutors could not in good faith continue forward.

Consequently, the prosecutors had no choice but too request that Judge Michael Obus drop the sexual assault case.

After investigating Diallo’s allegations and checking into her past the credibility of the victim became an issue as they discovered that she had lied several times about some legal matters in the past and therefore could not or did not believe her latest allegations.

Diallo filed a motion accusing Vance’s office of bias and bungling and asked Obus to name a special prosecutor to take over. Judge Michael Obus declined in a two-page ruling, describing removal of an elected official as an “exceptional” step that wasn’t warranted.

“It’s the end of a terrible and unjust ordeal,” Strauss-Kahn said in French after returning to his Tribeca townhouse after the dismissal. “I’m relieved for my wife, my children, everyone who supported me during this time, sending me letters and mails. I want them to know their support is important,” he said.

I want to return to my country, but I still have some business to take care of here. I’ll comment further in France.”

The dismissal ended a three-month media sensation that began when Diallo, a 33-year-old Guinean immigrant, said Strauss-Kahn attacked her when she entered his suite to clean.

However, her case began to fall apart in late June when prosecutors revealed that Diallo had made misstatements on her tax return and immigration papers, had lied to prosecutors about a prior rape and gave different versions to the grand jury.

Strauss-Kahn is now free to return to France, but his lawyer said he had no immediate plans to do so.

Michelle Spence-Jones –Returning to Miami City Hall

It’s Christmas in August for Michelle-Spence Jones and her family & friends. The Angels of “Grace” and “Mercy” have once again granted her favor and the state dropped a grand theft case against her, ending two troubled prosecutions and returning her to Miami City Hall.

It takes a wise person to know that it was a power greater than their own to deliver them from the Lion’s Den. “I’m great, I’m blessed,” Spence-Jones, 44, told her supporters after the Miami Dade State Attorney‘s announced it was dropping the charge. “I’m grateful the case is dismissed and my client can resume her position as city commissioner,” said defense attorney Peter Raben.

Under state law and city charter, Spence-Jones can resume her seat almost immediately. Unfortunately, that means Commissioner Richard P. Dunn, who has represented District 5 since her removal, is out.

However, when Spence-Jones return to City Hall, the political structure will be very different from the one she left. Michelle Spence-Jones is not going to have very much time to celebrate if she is going to represent her district effectively. She will be behind the eight ball until she can catch-up with the latest happenings since her removal from office.

Spence-Jones will have to quickly get up to speed with the current political climate and how the current culture will affect her progress or success, if you will, moving forward. She will have to introduce herself to the new city manger as well as re-introduce herself to a new mayor and former colleague, Tomás Regalado, while at the same time attempt to gain some understanding and prospective of the very visible and well publicized feud between the mayor and it’s police chief.

The news of her imminent return quickly spread through City Hall and ultimately to Dunn, who was appointed and later re-elected to serve the district that was left without representation during Spence-Jones legal troubles. Richard Dunn has said that he would do the right thing, which is to yield to Spence-Jones, however feels that he is entitled to compensation for the three remaining years of his term.

Michelle Spence-Jones can return to City Hall after Gov. Rick Scott sign an executive order, which he is compelled to do so by law, according to the city’s legal office.

Appeals Court Rules On Casey Anthony Probation -”She will have to serve Probation!”

Click on link below to read details:

Appeals Court Rules On Casey Anthony Probation – Casey Anthony Extended Coverage News Story – WESH Orlando

In an order this month, Strickland clarified that Anthony must begin her probation now that she is out of jail. He then recused himself from the case and turned it over to Judge Belvin Perry, who presided over Anthony’s murder trial. Perry upheld Strickland’s order, and Anthony’s attorneys appealed last week to the Fifth District Court of Appeals in Daytona Beach.

“The petitioner and her attorney’s were well aware that her probation placement was not to begin until her release from confinement,” the appellate court said.

The Fifth District Court of Appeals disagreed with Anthony’s argument that enforcing the probation order would violate the constitutional prohibition on double jeopardy. Anthony maintains she already had completed the probation sentence in jail while she was awaiting trial on murder charges in the 2008 death of her 2-year-old daughter, Caylee.

The ruling upheld a lower court’s order requiring Anthony to report to a Florida probation office no later than noon Friday.

Speaking Sunday on Fox News’ “Geraldo at Large,” Anthony’s attorney, Jose Baez, said Anthony was in Florida and would report to a probation office to start probation if the appeal failed.

“We are going to follow the law wherever the courts follow the law and I am certain she will do what’s asked of her if necessary and hopefully it won’t come to that,” Baez said.

Unemployment continues to break all records in Florida despite job growth

Unemployment is allegedly coming in or being reported at 13%, when in reality it is closer to 20% and in the African American community it’s closer to 30% and climbing upward.

Job Fairs are being held at least once a week with upwards of over 500 job seekers anxiously standing in line for their chance or opportunity if you will, to showcase their talent and skills. Unfortunately, [after creating a massive mailing list, to be sold at a later date] little progress is being made to connect future employees to employers.

Laid off or displaced workers a year ago would normally be out of work a maximum of six months. Today the minimum time between jobs is hovering around one year.

So, while the administration would have you to believe that things are getting better, in retrospect things are only getting worse, with no foreseeable relief in sight for years to come.

And as unemployment continue to rise, so will crime as once law abiding citizens become desperate to feed their families and save their homes.

There is an apparent disconnect between the employee and the employer. Perhaps the companies that are actually hiring, with real jobs could hire some of the unemployed and train them, if they have some but not all the skills necessary to obtain the job.

Due to the worst financial crisis in recent years, everyone need to begin to “think outside the box” as the days of ole is gone and will never return. Employers need to take a chance on the unemployed and train the new employees to meet their qualifications. Maybe the government could pay the companies a stipend to encourage participation in a back to work training program.

At any rate, there are still millions of people unemployed or underemployed ready and able to work 8:00AM – 5:00PM, or longer, if only given the opportunity to do so.

The ball is in the employers court and the employees are anxiously waiting in the outfield to see which direction the employer will hit the ball. Will the employer hit the ball to first base and the employee is immediately called out, no interview? Will the employer hit the ball to second base and allow the employee to come in for an interview? Or,will the employer throw the ball to third base and give the new employee a temporary assignment? Or will the employer hit a home run with the bases load and actually hire several employees to be trained for their new careers in his/her organization?

Remember! The employers have the ball in their hands and are up to bat and over a million employees are holding out their gloves in anticipation of catching the ball and finally landing a job. “Let’s Play ball, everybody!” Good-Luck, Everyone!!!

Zachery Tims, 42, Pastor of Mega-Church Found Dead in New York hotel!

The body of Pastor Zachery Tims, [co-founder along with his now ex-wife Riva in 1996] of The New Destiny Christian Center, located in Apopka,Fl with a membership over 7,500, was found on the floor of his room at the W Hotel on Broadway, police told the Associated Press. No criminal activity was suspected as of Sunday.

Two years ago, Tims divorced his wife of 15 years after admitting to an affair with a stripper, reported Black Christian News in 2009.

In Florida, members of New Destiny Christian Center drove to the Christian Center Sunday after hearing news of the pastor’s death.

He was a great man, “Shirley Jackson told the Orlando Sentinel as she drove onto the Apopka church property.

Apopka Mayor John Land said ‘Tims was a key member of the community and will truly be missed, I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Please pray for the family, friends and church members of Pastor Zachary Tims that God will enfold them in His arms and give them the peace that surpasses all human understanding!”

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. (1)

In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (2)

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there ye may be also. (3)

And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. (4)

John14:1-4

Update on little Madeline Samaan-Fay, the subject of California’s Amber Alert found Dead!

I write this update through tears streaming down my face for little Madeline Samaan-Fay and her family. In a written statement, the FBI in Sacramento, California, said two bodies were discovered in her father’s vehicle Saturday night , believed to be that of Little Madeline and her father Mourad “Moni” Samaan, but did not identify the bodies, saying more information would be released later.

The green Toyota 4Runner was found in a remote area of El Dorado County near Placerville, California, the FBI said.

Calls made Sunday afternoon to the FBI and sheriff’s office, inquiring about the identity of the two bodies were not immediately returned.

“The Amber Alert system has been put in place so that we can hopefully locate and safely take people back into custody and put the child back, if that’s the case,” El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Lt. Bryan Golmitz told CNN affiliate KCRA. “When you end up with cases like this, it’s tough.”

The FBI was working on the case along with members of the Sacramento Police Department, the Sacramento County Sheriff, the California Highway Patrol and the California Department of Justice.

California issued “Amber Alert” for 2 year-old Madeline Samaan-Fay!!!

Please be on the look out for a 2 year-old California girl” who the FBI says was abducted by her father.

An Amber Alert was issued Friday for Madeline Samaan-Fay, who was last seen around 9:00a.m., five days earlier in Sacramento, California.

Madeline has brown hair and brown eyes, weighs about 28 pounds and stands 2 feet, 8 inches tall, according to the Amber Alert.

Madeline was taken by her father Mourad “Moni” Samaan, 49, a U.S. citizen born in Egypt, stands 5’6”, weighs approximately 160 pounds, and has black hair and brown eyes. He is fluent in Spanish.

The federal agency is very concerned about the circumstances surrounding the abduction “particularly concerning” adding that the officials have reason to believe that the child’s life may be in danger.

The suspected abductor is known to drive a green Toyota 4Runner with a California license plate, the FBI said.

‘In spite of extraordinary efforts by our field agents and local law enforcement, we have been unable to develop any leads on the whereabouts of the child or her father since this Saturday,” said Sacramento-based Special Agent in Charge Herbert M. Brown.

The FBI is working in conjunction with members of the Sacramento Police Department, the Sacramento County Sheriff, the California Highway Patrol and the California Department of Justice, according to Brown.

The FBI is requesting the public to call (916) 481-9110 if you see Mr. Samaan, Madeline, the Green Toyota or have any information to assist us, said Brown.

Judge Perry ordered Casey Anthony to Return to Orlando!

Judge Belvin Perry order states that Casey Anthony must return to Orlando within two weeks to begin servicing her one year probation for check fraud. Anthony have not been seen in public since she was acquitted last month in the death of her daughter, little Caylee Marie.

Anthony’s acquittal sent shocked waves not only through her community but around the world and the public was not shy in showing their anger and some even expressed violence against Casey over what they perceived to be a miscarriage of justice and a plea for justice for little Caylee Marie. As you know if you have been following this case, upon Anthony’s release from jail, many in the crowd outside screamed “baby killer” as she was making her way to the dark tinted SUV.

In rendering his order, Judge Perry notes that Casey Anthony must follow an previous order issued by Judge Stan Strickland in January 2010, ordering her to serve one year probation upon her release, after she plead guilty to stealing checks from a friend. Anthony was to report to a probation officer in Orange County, therefore Judge Perry ordered Anthony to indeed report to the probation officer in Orange County by Aug.26. The mix up over where Anthony was to report was caused by clerical error. The written order from the judge somehow didn’t make it to the court file.

Casey Anthony’s attorney argued that she had served her probation while in jail awaiting her murder trial and that she would be in danger if her location was known. It would be interesting if Anthony’s attorney could present case law to strengthen his argument that she had indeed served her probation while in jail. Nevertheless, Judge Perry did concede however in authorizing the Department of Corrections to keep her address private during her probation due to the notoriety that this case have generated and the anger that the public still express for Casey Anthony.

Richard Smith, 87, the oldest F.I.U. Graduate & WWll Veteran Receives PH.D. in History

Can you imagine living in the era when Calvin Coolidge was president and foxtrot was king? Well, that is the life and era in which F.I.U. oldest graduate, Richard Smith, lived through.

Smith,87-year-old will be among more than 3,400 students to receive their degrees at 7:30 p.m. He will walk across the stage, perhaps his steps will be a little slower but his perseverance even stronger, hopefully to a standing ovation, on Saturday at the U.S. Century Bank Arena at Modesto Maidique Campus, located at 11200 SW Eighth St., and shake hands with the chancellor and pick up his PH.D. in History and make history at the same time.

“Anyone out there who thinks it is too late to go back to school, I’m here to tell them it’s not and it’s worth it,” said Smith. He enrolled in the doctorate program when he was already in his 80’s and completed his dissertation on John Sherman, the lesser known brother of Civil War General William T. Sherman.

Smith had just completed his freshman year at the University of Pennsylvania before he was called into the Air Corps and sent to fight in Europe. After the war, Smith resumed too his civilian life, completed his bachelor’s degree, married, had three children and successfully operated a women’s clothing company.