It must be election season because the mudslinging has commenced. Miami Herald first slams Mayor Steve Bateman for alleged corruption then the Miami New Times slams him for alleged vandalism. The South Dade News Leader interviews the Mayor, he defends himself, says it's all lies or at least 90% of it. HIH is curious about the 10%. Is that like being "a little" pregnant? We're not sure but we're gonna try to find out. Then we get a new blog: goodmorninghomestead.org. A peculiar blog defending the Mayor with little color and lots of text but an interesting story with lots of question marks. Last but certainly not least we get this gem of an email today blasting Mayor Bateman for the alleged corruption and vandalism once more. Conversely, HIH will just report the happenings as we see them. We'll try really hard to stay out of the way of the mudslingers. We'll chime in from time to time, but really we don't make this stuff up, it truly does happen here in good ole Homestead.
Showing posts with label Mayor Bateman. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mayor Bateman. Show all posts
Monday, 17 June 2013
It must be election season because the mudslinging has commenced. Miami Herald first slams Mayor Steve Bateman for alleged corruption then the Miami New Times slams him for alleged vandalism. The South Dade News Leader interviews the Mayor, he defends himself, says it's all lies or at least 90% of it. HIH is curious about the 10%. Is that like being "a little" pregnant? We're not sure but we're gonna try to find out. Then we get a new blog: goodmorninghomestead.org. A peculiar blog defending the Mayor with little color and lots of text but an interesting story with lots of question marks. Last but certainly not least we get this gem of an email today blasting Mayor Bateman for the alleged corruption and vandalism once more. Conversely, HIH will just report the happenings as we see them. We'll try really hard to stay out of the way of the mudslingers. We'll chime in from time to time, but really we don't make this stuff up, it truly does happen here in good ole Homestead. Thursday, 13 June 2013
Excerpt from Miami New Times
A dispute over a locked gate prompted Miami attorney John Ruiz, operator of La Ley Sports Complex in Homestead, to call the police on Mayor Steven Bateman this past March 7. According to a recently released investigative report, Ruiz accused Bateman of cutting the lock to the northwest gate of the complex at 1601 SE 28th Ave. so that students and parents could access a road that leads to the neighboring Keys Gate Charter High School. Ruiz, who had locked the gate, claimed the city had no authority to allow the school to use the road, which is part of the complex's property.
Read the rest of the story on the link below:
Homestead Mayor Steven Bateman Accused of Vandalism - Miami New Times
Monday, 10 June 2013
The Annual Gala 2013: Bridge to the Stars - A Starry Night, featured Mayor Steven Bateman and his wife, Donna Bateman, as well State Attorney Katherine Fernandez-Rundle (KFR). It's ironic that this event's theme was "Starry Night", which may refer to the "Stars" at the Gala, of the human variety, and not Van Gogh's depiction of the view outside of his sanitarium room window during his hospitalization in Arles, France. Perhaps it was just a coincidence that could imply a depiction, a prophesy of sorts, of a prison cell window in the not too distant future for the Mayor, if the allegations of corruption are found to be true.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but then again Mayor Bateman has been know to schmooze and glad-hand for photo opportunities. We hope these pictures don't reflect a special relationship where exceptional considerations needs to be taken with Mayor Bateman's corruption investigation. Otherwise, there will be calls in the community for the State Attorney's Office (SAO) to appoint a Special Prosecutor, effectively having KFR recuse herself from this investigation. We truly want to believe that this is a mere happenstance and a photo-op apropos for the occasion. Sunday, 9 June 2013
City of Homestead a town on the southern mainland tip of the Florida peninsula between two National Parks. A place where one can raise a family or conversely retire in peace and tranquility. Except of course for the scandal ridden City of Hall, which is in need of new leadership. Finally the State Attorney's office is zeroing in on Mayor Steven Bateman for facilitating a land grab in Historic Downtown Homestead by one of his main campaign contributors. This election season will be a roller coaster ride depending on the different scenarios that may develop. No matter the outcome the the City's reputation is sullied with what has already transpired. If the allegation brought forth by the State Attorney's Office are true, Mayor Bateman will be removed by Governor Rick Scott soon enough. However, deposing the Mayor from his position may not stop him from running in the Mayoral election in November. This story could turn out to be a similar scenario of when Governor Crist removed Miami Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones after her arrest for corruption in November 2009. If Steven Bateman is once again re-elected as Mayor in November, he can still be removed once more if new charges are filed, plea bargain, or a conviction occurs. Stranger things have happened in South Florida so don't think it would be odd if this is one of the unfortunate outcomes. The victims of course in this sad turn of events are the residents of Homestead who will have to endure this mess along with the Mayor and his band of cronies supporting his corrupt endeavors. We can only hope the voting citizenry of Homestead wise up and give the Mayor a pink slip come November, better yet, the Primary could put this issue to rest. The corruption charges will continue for the Mayor. Nevertheless, the citizens may be able to turn the page on another dramatic stain for the history books of Homestead on its 100th anniversary.
Reference Links:
Homestead Mayor Bateman at center of Corruption Trifecta
Saturday, 8 June 2013
The Miami Herald broke this story on Saturday night!
The mayor of Homestead, Steven Bateman, who is running for reelection is under criminal investigation for allegedly pushing Ernesto Perez’s project to build the for-profit college, Dade Medical College, on city-owned land in the historic downtown district. Mayor Bateman lobbied relentlessly through backdoor deals while maintaining a poker face in the public eye.
The complete article is available on the link below:
Homestead mayor’s ties to downtown redeveloper probed - Miami-Dade - MiamiHerald.com
Stay tuned for more.
The photo was taken at the 45th Annual Miami Heart and Stroke Ball showing City of Homestead Mayor Steven Bateman, Donna Bateman, his wife, and Event Chair, Ernesto Perez.
Sunday, 26 May 2013
The long list for the sitting Mayor's fundraiser is full of glad-handlers and sycophants lined up to eat at the trough of taxpayer handouts. The "Baitster" as he is euphemistically called by some of his most ardent critics, is revving up the political machine. He'd better launch an offensive quickly as Mark Bell, husband of County Commissioner Lynda Bell, is getting ready to mount a political assault on City Hall. Eye on Miami (EOM) has provided the list.Wednesday, 19 December 2012
NMB's CRA Sounds a Lot Like Homestead's CRA, a Waste of Time and Space
Reprinted with Stephanie's permission: http://www.votersopinion.com/?p=7093
The new “PC:” Politically Connected
There are some strange things going on at North Miami Beach City Hall. As you know, the former City Manager Lyndon Bonner was given his walking papers at the end of his contract in September. Instead of looking for a new City Manager, the Council decided to shuffle the deck and rehire/promote the Current Assistant/One Time Interim City Manager Roslyn Weisblum. This is the same Ms. Weisblum who immediately handed out raises the minute she was handed the interim position to temporarily replace the former-former-and-fired City Manager Kelvin Baker. Obviously, she was the perfect candidate to fill the new vacancy, right? Uh, huh.
As current (and future ex, I’m sure) City Manager, Ms. Weisblum has made some changes. For starters, she fired the CRA Director Dan Wick. I don’t know the reasons why she canned him, nor do I care, since I think a CRA is another one of those questionable ponzi schemes that we should abolish altogether, but that’s for another day, another blog.
Good old Ros decided that we didn’t need another CRA Director because it would cost too much money, which was probably the only good decision she’s made so far. Then she blew that political capital by creating a position called “CRA Coordinator” and figured that the job was worth at least eighty thousand bucks. Boy, that sounds familiar. Where did I hear about this before? Oh, yeah! That’s EXACTLY what happened in North Miami! You’ll remember that our sister city’s mayor Andre Pierre created just such a position for his crony, Lesly Prudent, to replace its then CRA Director Tony Crapp. Smells like nepotism to me!
So who did Ros pick to fill our newly created “CRA Coordinator” job? Glad you asked.
A woman by the name of Rasha Soray-Cameau just happened to be available. Her resume is fairly impressive. She received a Masters in Business Administration from Florida International University in 2007. Ms. Soray-Cameau claims she worked for the Human Services Coalition from 1997 to 2004, and cites her job description as “oversight of staff, finance, contract management, human resources, day to day operations, negotiations with auditors, contractors and [illegible].” From 2004 to 2009, she worked for the City of Miami/NET, where she was again in charge of “oversight of staff, community programs, met with constituent [sic] to deal with issues” and the like. In 2009 she was transferred to the City of Miami/Little Haiti Cultural Center, where her job description was to “develop programs for cultural center, oversight of faculty, staff, events, grants management.”
When asked to explain in her own words why she’s qualified for the position, she wrote simply, “I believe that my past work experiences dealing with constituent issues, economic development and issues [illegible] management and budgeting make me qualified for the position mentioned.”
Sounds qualified to me!
The fact is that I have no idea what qualifications are required to run a city’s CRA, or Community Redevelopment Agency. Then again, I don’t have to know. I didn’t apply for the job. Considering that the word “CRA” does not appear on Rasha Soray-Cameau’s application, other than in the blank space after “Position Applied For,” I’m wondering why she thinks she’s qualified to run one. But, more importantly, why does the City Manager think she’s qualified?
I’m also wondering why someone who thinks she’s qualified to be a CRA Coordinator believes that this position has anything to do with constituent issues. Last time I checked, the management of a city, or its CRA, has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH POLITICS!
Unless, of course, the person seeking to fill this position just happens to be Politically Connected. Like Lesly Prudent, for example, whose political radio show helped Andre Pierre win his election as mayor of North Miami. Just who’s political career is this new hire advancing? I’m just saying.
Whether or not Rasha Soray-Cameau is qualified for the job, she sure is Politically Connected. Her list of Facebook friends is quite telling. For starters, she’s friends with two women with the last name “Martelly” – Rosa and Midge, and a man by the name of Ralph Martelly. As you know, “Martelly” just happens to be the last name of the president of Haiti, so I’m wondering if any of them are related to him.
Speaking of President Martelly, you’ll remember the hoopla during his visit stateside in July, when the City of North Miami shelled out $8,800.00 for police protection so that he could attend a gala at the Renaissance Ballroom given by Francois Adrien, owner of “Pikliz.com, a popular Haitian website.”
In a coincidence of all coincidences, one Francois J. Adrien just happens to be one of Rasha Soray-Cameau’s Facebook friends! The fact that Francois J. Adrien lists http://www.pikliz.com on his Facebook page leads me to believe he’s the same Francois Adrian, owner of pikliz.com, who hangs with the Haitian Prez. How cozy.
For Ms. Soray-Cameau, it sure doesn’t get more Politically Connected than that!
On December 2, 2012, ten days ago, I sent an email to North Miami Beach City Manager Roslyn Weisblum asking her questions about this new “CRA Coordinator” position, including the job description, whether or not it was advertised, and copies of all the other applicants’ resumes. So far, just like ignored public records requests in North Miami, I have received no response.
What I do know, however, is that in the month or so that Ms. Soray-Cameau has been an employee of our city, she’s done little more than sit at the receptionist’s desk in the City Manager’s office and answer the phones. Considering her resume, I’m sure she’s highly qualified to do just that.
Then again, so am I. If I had known that this position offered a salary of EIGHTY THOUSAND DOLLARS, I would have applied myself!
Then again, I’m not Politically Connected.
But since no receptionist, no matter how well she can answer a phone, is worth EIGHTY THOUSAND DOLLARS, one just has to wonder what the hell is going on around here.
Enquiring minds want to know!
Stephanie Kienzle
“Spreading the Wealth”
As current (and future ex, I’m sure) City Manager, Ms. Weisblum has made some changes. For starters, she fired the CRA Director Dan Wick. I don’t know the reasons why she canned him, nor do I care, since I think a CRA is another one of those questionable ponzi schemes that we should abolish altogether, but that’s for another day, another blog.
Good old Ros decided that we didn’t need another CRA Director because it would cost too much money, which was probably the only good decision she’s made so far. Then she blew that political capital by creating a position called “CRA Coordinator” and figured that the job was worth at least eighty thousand bucks. Boy, that sounds familiar. Where did I hear about this before? Oh, yeah! That’s EXACTLY what happened in North Miami! You’ll remember that our sister city’s mayor Andre Pierre created just such a position for his crony, Lesly Prudent, to replace its then CRA Director Tony Crapp. Smells like nepotism to me!
So who did Ros pick to fill our newly created “CRA Coordinator” job? Glad you asked.
A woman by the name of Rasha Soray-Cameau just happened to be available. Her resume is fairly impressive. She received a Masters in Business Administration from Florida International University in 2007. Ms. Soray-Cameau claims she worked for the Human Services Coalition from 1997 to 2004, and cites her job description as “oversight of staff, finance, contract management, human resources, day to day operations, negotiations with auditors, contractors and [illegible].” From 2004 to 2009, she worked for the City of Miami/NET, where she was again in charge of “oversight of staff, community programs, met with constituent [sic] to deal with issues” and the like. In 2009 she was transferred to the City of Miami/Little Haiti Cultural Center, where her job description was to “develop programs for cultural center, oversight of faculty, staff, events, grants management.”
When asked to explain in her own words why she’s qualified for the position, she wrote simply, “I believe that my past work experiences dealing with constituent issues, economic development and issues [illegible] management and budgeting make me qualified for the position mentioned.”
Sounds qualified to me!
The fact is that I have no idea what qualifications are required to run a city’s CRA, or Community Redevelopment Agency. Then again, I don’t have to know. I didn’t apply for the job. Considering that the word “CRA” does not appear on Rasha Soray-Cameau’s application, other than in the blank space after “Position Applied For,” I’m wondering why she thinks she’s qualified to run one. But, more importantly, why does the City Manager think she’s qualified?
I’m also wondering why someone who thinks she’s qualified to be a CRA Coordinator believes that this position has anything to do with constituent issues. Last time I checked, the management of a city, or its CRA, has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH POLITICS!
Unless, of course, the person seeking to fill this position just happens to be Politically Connected. Like Lesly Prudent, for example, whose political radio show helped Andre Pierre win his election as mayor of North Miami. Just who’s political career is this new hire advancing? I’m just saying.
Whether or not Rasha Soray-Cameau is qualified for the job, she sure is Politically Connected. Her list of Facebook friends is quite telling. For starters, she’s friends with two women with the last name “Martelly” – Rosa and Midge, and a man by the name of Ralph Martelly. As you know, “Martelly” just happens to be the last name of the president of Haiti, so I’m wondering if any of them are related to him.
Speaking of President Martelly, you’ll remember the hoopla during his visit stateside in July, when the City of North Miami shelled out $8,800.00 for police protection so that he could attend a gala at the Renaissance Ballroom given by Francois Adrien, owner of “Pikliz.com, a popular Haitian website.”
In a coincidence of all coincidences, one Francois J. Adrien just happens to be one of Rasha Soray-Cameau’s Facebook friends! The fact that Francois J. Adrien lists http://www.pikliz.com on his Facebook page leads me to believe he’s the same Francois Adrian, owner of pikliz.com, who hangs with the Haitian Prez. How cozy.
For Ms. Soray-Cameau, it sure doesn’t get more Politically Connected than that!
On December 2, 2012, ten days ago, I sent an email to North Miami Beach City Manager Roslyn Weisblum asking her questions about this new “CRA Coordinator” position, including the job description, whether or not it was advertised, and copies of all the other applicants’ resumes. So far, just like ignored public records requests in North Miami, I have received no response.
What I do know, however, is that in the month or so that Ms. Soray-Cameau has been an employee of our city, she’s done little more than sit at the receptionist’s desk in the City Manager’s office and answer the phones. Considering her resume, I’m sure she’s highly qualified to do just that.
Then again, so am I. If I had known that this position offered a salary of EIGHTY THOUSAND DOLLARS, I would have applied myself!
Then again, I’m not Politically Connected.
But since no receptionist, no matter how well she can answer a phone, is worth EIGHTY THOUSAND DOLLARS, one just has to wonder what the hell is going on around here.
Enquiring minds want to know!
Stephanie Kienzle
“Spreading the Wealth”
Tuesday, 18 December 2012
Saturday, 15 December 2012
Yes it's true, keys were turned in and new locks have been installed, tenants have received their new keys and the era of the BTDC has come to an end. Good for Homestead, Dennis Moss does not look good on this one, he made a terrible decision to support this group under criminal investigation by the OIG.
John Hasan Ruiz, 5040 N.W. 7 th St., Ph. 1, Miami, publicly reprimanded following a Nov. 18, 2011, court order. (Admitted to practice: 1992)
A tenant fell and was injured at an apartment complex owned by Ruiz. When she asked for insurance information, Ruiz told her that the co-owner had allowed the insurance policy on the property to lapse, and therefore, that the apartment was uninsured. Ruiz subsequently sold the apartment for more than $2 million and received $375,000 of income from the closing. When the tenant's case went to trial, Ruiz failed to disclose that he was a director and 50 percent shareholder of the owner corporation, and that the corporation had sold its only asset, the apartment complex.
The court subsequently ruled in the injured party’s favor, and Ruiz paid her judgement and attorneys fees in excess of $200,000 from his personal funds. (Case No. SC11-1011)
Friday, 14 December 2012
The Two Council YES! Votes Appear With Ruiz In The Photo Along With La LEY Staff, They Wanted La LEY To Continue Getting Free Benefit Of City Paid Insurance, Anyone Know Why?
The last time the council took the issue up in May, only Mayor Steve Bateman and Councilman Elvis Maldonado voted for it. Councilman Jimmie Williams III was absent.
By Christina Veiga
cveiga@MiamiHerald.com
The operator of Homestead’s baseball stadium is once again behind on more than $162,000 of utility and insurance bills.
The city is locked in a legal battle with the operator, in part, over the bills. The operator, La Ley Sports, filed a class action lawsuit against the city in May, claiming that Homestead overbills its utility customers.
A Miami-Dade Circuit Court judge dismissed the case in October and gave La Ley a chance to re-file its complaint because of issues with the way it was originally filed, Homestead’s attorneys said. La Ley has filed an amended complaint which Homestead’s attorneys have again asked a judge to dismiss, in part because the lawyers still believe there are problems with the way the case has been filed.
Meanwhile, La Ley’s bills have stacked up.
The sports organization, owned by Miami Spanish-language TV lawyer John H. Ruiz, owes about $118,000 in utility bills as of Nov. 26, according to city documents. His group owes about $45,000 in insurance bills, according to the city.
Ruiz’s company has been behind on its utility bills essentially since it first took over the stadium in July 2011.
But Ruiz has argued that he was never past-due because he never owed the money in the first place, because Homestead overbilled him.
The city in April admitted that it did, in fact, accidently overbill La Ley by $22,000 for a dumpster that wasn’t even on the property. But taking into account the overbilling, Ruiz’s company still owed $3,000 in past-due utility bills at the time.
Karen Barnet-Backer, who is representing La Ley in the case, did not return an email for comment and did not immediately return a phone call for comment.
In a separate lawsuit, La Ley has sued the city for fraud and breach of contract because of disagreements between the two sides over their rental agreement. The relationship between the company and the city soured quickly after La Ley tried to get out of paying insurance premiums for the stadium. The city refused to waive the $10,000-a-month bill.
“The city’s position is that he now owes upwards of $100,000,” said Michael Popok, one of the attorneys representing Homestead in both cases.
The lawsuit stemming from the lease disagreements is still pending.
The suits have been “relatively dormant,” Popok said.
Follow @Cveiga on Twitter.
The city is locked in a legal battle with the operator, in part, over the bills. The operator, La Ley Sports, filed a class action lawsuit against the city in May, claiming that Homestead overbills its utility customers.
A Miami-Dade Circuit Court judge dismissed the case in October and gave La Ley a chance to re-file its complaint because of issues with the way it was originally filed, Homestead’s attorneys said. La Ley has filed an amended complaint which Homestead’s attorneys have again asked a judge to dismiss, in part because the lawyers still believe there are problems with the way the case has been filed.
Meanwhile, La Ley’s bills have stacked up.
The sports organization, owned by Miami Spanish-language TV lawyer John H. Ruiz, owes about $118,000 in utility bills as of Nov. 26, according to city documents. His group owes about $45,000 in insurance bills, according to the city.
Ruiz’s company has been behind on its utility bills essentially since it first took over the stadium in July 2011.
But Ruiz has argued that he was never past-due because he never owed the money in the first place, because Homestead overbilled him.
The city in April admitted that it did, in fact, accidently overbill La Ley by $22,000 for a dumpster that wasn’t even on the property. But taking into account the overbilling, Ruiz’s company still owed $3,000 in past-due utility bills at the time.
Karen Barnet-Backer, who is representing La Ley in the case, did not return an email for comment and did not immediately return a phone call for comment.
In a separate lawsuit, La Ley has sued the city for fraud and breach of contract because of disagreements between the two sides over their rental agreement. The relationship between the company and the city soured quickly after La Ley tried to get out of paying insurance premiums for the stadium. The city refused to waive the $10,000-a-month bill.
“The city’s position is that he now owes upwards of $100,000,” said Michael Popok, one of the attorneys representing Homestead in both cases.
The lawsuit stemming from the lease disagreements is still pending.
The suits have been “relatively dormant,” Popok said.
Follow @Cveiga on Twitter.
Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/12/13/3141055/homestead-says-ballpark-tenant.html#storylink=cpy
Monday, 10 December 2012
"Don't forget in Homestead you can have a contaminated city hall for decades but you better not contaminate the streets every other week." -Misplaced Confucius 2012
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Wednesday, 21 November 2012
The Mayor appeared for an interview on October 5, 2012, just two days after a New City Hall Discussion Special Called Meeting took place, some priority agenda.
While six council members being advised by City Manager George Gretsas tried to come to the best solution for the City Hall contamination, it appears as if Mayor Bateman was trying to secure a Superintendent's position with the South Florida Water Management District.
Get Out of Dodge!
To leave somewhere immediately, to evacuate or scram. "Get the hell out of Dodge" is a reference to Dodge City, Kansas, which was a favorite location for westerns in the early to mid 20th century. Most memorably, the phrase was made famous by the TV show "Gunsmoke," in which villians were often commanded to "get the hell out of Dodge." The phrase took on its current meaning in the 1960s and 70s when teenagers began to use it in its current form. Awesome. We're done here, so lets get the hell out of dodge! |
His NO vote to build the New City Hall spoke volumes about his concerns for the safety of staff.
There are unconfirmed rumors that multiple lawsuits are being prepared against the city on the contamination issue. The legal eagles who read this blog would obviously know if the possibility of a class action lawsuit is a reality.
"Staff has advised that Mr. Bateman applied for the Director -Budget Office (137BR) that was posted on 9/3/2009."
From the SFWMD Public Records Office.
Would he have been able to serve as Mayor of Homestead if he had secured the position?
How does this jive with the Bateman talking points of being a successful businessman?
Thanks to a blog contributor for the tip.
The list is courtesy of the SFWMD Public Records Office. All candidates are listed and eight of those made it to final interviews, Mayor Steve Bateman was one of the eight. Michael Worley was the successful candidate for the position of Superintendent.
Why is he trying to get a job if he is a successful businessman?
Bateman and Purrinos after the same job, maybe they should have let them go at it like rock 'em, sock 'em robots. So ironic they end up in the same place.
Does the Mayor just want to get out of Dodge now, so to speak?
Saturday, 3 November 2012
The Carrie P. Meek Center for Business is under investigation by the Miami-Dade County Inspector General’s office and the state has shut it down.
By Christina Veiga
cveiga@MiamiHerald.com
The county Inspector General is investigating a Homestead organization that landed almost $1 million in federal grants while purporting to be a nonprofit organization.
Trouble is, the IRS revoked the Carrie P. Meek Center for Business’ nonprofit status last year after the center didn’t file tax returns for three straight years. The center has no affiliation with former U.S. Rep. Carrie Meek.
The nonprofit status is not the only problem facing the center: The state has shut it down for failing to carry the required insurance. And court records show the center, also known as the Business and Technology Development Corp., has a trail of unpaid bills owed to a local bank, a payroll company and others.
Now, the center’s executive director, Hilda B. Hall-Dennis, has gone missing. She hasn’t answered phone calls from Homestead city officials, a city spokeswoman said. The number for the center is disconnected. Hall also didn’t answer an email sent Friday by The Miami Herald. Additionally, calls from The Herald to her cell phone went unanswered and text messages were returned as undeliverable.
The Meek center opened in 2003 as a “business incubator” — a place to help entrepreneurs launch new businesses in south Miami-Dade County . It claims to have helped 4,000 business people, according to its most recent grant application filed with the city of Homestead. County auditors in 2010 recommended closing the center after they couldn’t find proof of any of the center’s claims.
Its latest problems center on whether the nonprofit met the requirements to receive federal grants.
According to a memo from the county inspector general, since 2008, the center has obtained $898,000 in federal Community Development Block Grant money. As a condition of getting the money, the center is supposed to be registered as a nonprofit with the IRS and the state and have workers’ compensation and liability insurance, the memo states.
But the center lost its nonprofit status in June 2011 for not filing tax returns for three consecutive years. The center’s nonprofit status was still revoked as of Thursday, according to an IRS representative. However, the representative noted that there’s no way to know whether a new application is in the pipeline.
The state’s Department of Financial Services confirmed Friday that it had issued a “stop work” order for not carrying the requisite insurance.
The city gave the center a lucrative deal.
Since at least 2010, it has operated rent free out of a building owned by the Homestead Community Redevelopment Agency — a special taxing district of the city that helps spur economic development. The CRA has also given the center more than $220,000 in grants since 2005, according to city documents.
“The city has identified areas of significant concern regarding the Business and Technology Development Corporation. Staff has made multiple inquires of Ms. Hilda Hall and asked her to provide various documents,” said city spokeswoman Begoñe Cazalis. “Ms. Hilda Hall responded, saying that it was a misunderstanding and that she would provide the documentation. The city gave her a deadline of 30 days to provide the documents, and she has not provided them. She has not answered repeated calls, and her attorney has not answered calls either.”
Referring to the center by its initials, Inspector General Christopher Mazzella wrote in his Oct. 24 memo to the county agency that disperses the grants: “It is the inspector general’s opinion that BTDC has, among other things, misrepresented its nonprofit status. Therefore, it is our request that any further payments or grants to BTDC be suspended pending further review of this matter.”
In addition, the center owes $122,000 to local Homestead bank 1st National, according to a June 2012 court judgment. Another $96,000 is owed to General Electric, according to a 2011 judgment and more than $40,000 is owed to a payroll company in Texas.
Lyons Financial, a Minnesota company, also has a judgment against the center for $103,000.
Follow @Cveiga on Twitter.
Trouble is, the IRS revoked the Carrie P. Meek Center for Business’ nonprofit status last year after the center didn’t file tax returns for three straight years. The center has no affiliation with former U.S. Rep. Carrie Meek.
The nonprofit status is not the only problem facing the center: The state has shut it down for failing to carry the required insurance. And court records show the center, also known as the Business and Technology Development Corp., has a trail of unpaid bills owed to a local bank, a payroll company and others.
Now, the center’s executive director, Hilda B. Hall-Dennis, has gone missing. She hasn’t answered phone calls from Homestead city officials, a city spokeswoman said. The number for the center is disconnected. Hall also didn’t answer an email sent Friday by The Miami Herald. Additionally, calls from The Herald to her cell phone went unanswered and text messages were returned as undeliverable.
The Meek center opened in 2003 as a “business incubator” — a place to help entrepreneurs launch new businesses in south Miami-Dade County . It claims to have helped 4,000 business people, according to its most recent grant application filed with the city of Homestead. County auditors in 2010 recommended closing the center after they couldn’t find proof of any of the center’s claims.
Its latest problems center on whether the nonprofit met the requirements to receive federal grants.
According to a memo from the county inspector general, since 2008, the center has obtained $898,000 in federal Community Development Block Grant money. As a condition of getting the money, the center is supposed to be registered as a nonprofit with the IRS and the state and have workers’ compensation and liability insurance, the memo states.
But the center lost its nonprofit status in June 2011 for not filing tax returns for three consecutive years. The center’s nonprofit status was still revoked as of Thursday, according to an IRS representative. However, the representative noted that there’s no way to know whether a new application is in the pipeline.
The state’s Department of Financial Services confirmed Friday that it had issued a “stop work” order for not carrying the requisite insurance.
The city gave the center a lucrative deal.
Since at least 2010, it has operated rent free out of a building owned by the Homestead Community Redevelopment Agency — a special taxing district of the city that helps spur economic development. The CRA has also given the center more than $220,000 in grants since 2005, according to city documents.
“The city has identified areas of significant concern regarding the Business and Technology Development Corporation. Staff has made multiple inquires of Ms. Hilda Hall and asked her to provide various documents,” said city spokeswoman Begoñe Cazalis. “Ms. Hilda Hall responded, saying that it was a misunderstanding and that she would provide the documentation. The city gave her a deadline of 30 days to provide the documents, and she has not provided them. She has not answered repeated calls, and her attorney has not answered calls either.”
Referring to the center by its initials, Inspector General Christopher Mazzella wrote in his Oct. 24 memo to the county agency that disperses the grants: “It is the inspector general’s opinion that BTDC has, among other things, misrepresented its nonprofit status. Therefore, it is our request that any further payments or grants to BTDC be suspended pending further review of this matter.”
In addition, the center owes $122,000 to local Homestead bank 1st National, according to a June 2012 court judgment. Another $96,000 is owed to General Electric, according to a 2011 judgment and more than $40,000 is owed to a payroll company in Texas.
Lyons Financial, a Minnesota company, also has a judgment against the center for $103,000.
Follow @Cveiga on Twitter.
Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/11/02/3079947/homestead-business-incubator-faces.html#storylink=cpy
Friday, 2 November 2012
Oscar Hentschel Executive Director at Homestead Housing Authority
By Christina Veiga
cveiga@MiamiHerald.com
The former deputy director of the Homestead Housing Authority has sued the agency for sexual harassment, retaliation and negligence.
The suit, filed in federal court Oct. 26, claims that Executive Director Oscar Hentschel sexually harassed former employee Monica Rusconi, that she was fired because she filed a complaint about the harassment and that the housing authority board was negligent for not removing Hentschel after the complaint was filed.
According to the complaint, Hentschel “routinely” called women a derogatory word that also means a female dog, and that he made comments about “female bodies and sexual activity.”
Rusconi and her attorney, Jeffrey Goodz, declined to comment. So did Hentschel and board attorney Gilberto Pastoriza.
Rusconi had worked as the second-in-command at the housing authority for 11 years before Hentschel was hired to lead the agency in March 2011.
Months after his arrival, two women filed sexual harassment complaints against Hentschel.
Despite calls from Mayor Steve Bateman to temporarily remove the director while the complaints could be investigated, board members kept Hentschel in his position.
http://homesteadishome.blogspot.com/2011/11/bateman-pens-his-dear-oscar-letter.html
They hired an independent investigator to look into the claims and considered moving Rusconi’s office away from Hentschel.
Rusconi “was advised to just stay in her office to avoid Hentschel,” the lawsuit states.
One woman later dropped her complaint against Hentschel and told the human resources investigator she had been forced to file it by Rusconi because Rusconi did not get along with the executive director.
Rusconi herself filed two complaint to the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission. The commission, according to the lawsuit, did nothing. Two months after Rusconi made the formal accusations — which she told board members of in an email — Rusconi was fired.
Her lawsuit claims that Hentschel and the housing authority the federal and state civil rights acts and state employment laws.
Follow @Cveiga on Twitter.
The suit, filed in federal court Oct. 26, claims that Executive Director Oscar Hentschel sexually harassed former employee Monica Rusconi, that she was fired because she filed a complaint about the harassment and that the housing authority board was negligent for not removing Hentschel after the complaint was filed.
According to the complaint, Hentschel “routinely” called women a derogatory word that also means a female dog, and that he made comments about “female bodies and sexual activity.”
Rusconi and her attorney, Jeffrey Goodz, declined to comment. So did Hentschel and board attorney Gilberto Pastoriza.
Rusconi had worked as the second-in-command at the housing authority for 11 years before Hentschel was hired to lead the agency in March 2011.
Months after his arrival, two women filed sexual harassment complaints against Hentschel.
Despite calls from Mayor Steve Bateman to temporarily remove the director while the complaints could be investigated, board members kept Hentschel in his position.
http://homesteadishome.blogspot.com/2011/11/bateman-pens-his-dear-oscar-letter.html
They hired an independent investigator to look into the claims and considered moving Rusconi’s office away from Hentschel.
Rusconi “was advised to just stay in her office to avoid Hentschel,” the lawsuit states.
One woman later dropped her complaint against Hentschel and told the human resources investigator she had been forced to file it by Rusconi because Rusconi did not get along with the executive director.
Rusconi herself filed two complaint to the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission. The commission, according to the lawsuit, did nothing. Two months after Rusconi made the formal accusations — which she told board members of in an email — Rusconi was fired.
Her lawsuit claims that Hentschel and the housing authority the federal and state civil rights acts and state employment laws.
Follow @Cveiga on Twitter.
Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/11/01/3078121/homestead-housing-authority-hit.html#storylink=cpy
http://homesteadishome.blogspot.com/2011/11/twenty-four-hours-was-all-it-took-for.html
Wednesday, 31 October 2012
According to sunbiz.org records just three of Steve Bateman's thirteen ventures are still viable. Those three remaining businesses are marked with an asterisk. ZAC Construction, shown as one of two income sources, appears to be dissolved.
Questions have recently arisen about Two Brothers due to the lack of permit pulls on record over the past few years. EB Southern Investments is the most recent endeavour and that is the Cash for Gold/Pawnshop on U.S.1. Golden Land Holdings is a rental property management company according to financial disclosures.
So when challenging the City Manager is the Mayor backing up his opinion based upon business success or does he just enjoy hearing himself talk? 10 of 13 failures is the record of Mayor Bateman, give him credit for trying, just don't give him any praise for proficiency. Fishing, yeah that's the ticket.
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Mayor Steve Bateman did have a stake in an outfit called Homestead KIA Holdings but resigned in 2010.  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Remember our story of the Florida City Shack where dozens of LLCs were parked? Meet the original Homestead KIA Holdings members. http://homesteadishome.blogspot.com/2012/04/dozens-of-corporations-and-llcs.html  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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