elgin_jones_web_13.jpgATTORNEYS DISCIPLINED
The Florida Supreme Court has disbarred two South Florida attorneys and suspended 11 others for various offenses. Mark Blumstein of Weston and Leo Greenfield of North Miami were permanently disbarred. Attorneys suspended indefinitely included: Robert W. Frazier Jr. of Fort Lauderdale, Penny E. Grades of Lake Worth, Willie Jones of Delray Beach, Alan Kelman of Boca Raton, Cecilia Carolina Maluje of Miami Lakes, Alan Martin Medof of Pompano Beach, Shawn Louis Michaelson of Miami Lakes, Gregory Ernest Monaldi of Fort Lauderdale, Pablo Perez of South Miami, James L. Soule of Sunrise and Eric Jefferson Tinsley of Lake Worth.


DEREGULATION BILL
The Republican-controlled Legislature is moving forward with bills that will deregulate dozens of professions. Gov. Rick Scott says the measures are needed to make it easier to do business in the state. Sports agents, auctioneers, vending machine companies, moving companies and telemarketers are some of the businesses that will be deregulated. Consumer groups are concerned that state oversight of numerous businesses that is intended to protect consumers is now being wiped out. The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services fields consumer complaints and Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam said if the measures are passed into law it would mean $6 million in lost revenue to the state and more than 100 layoffs.

DISTURBED COUPLE
Dustin Hicks and Jessica Brown were arrested in Key Largo after allegedly fighting with a man and his wife. While at a bar, Hicks and Brown propositioned a woman for sex, police said. When the woman and her husband took offense, Hicks and Brown attacked them, police said. When officers arrived to break up the melee, Hicks and Brown started fighting with them. Whew!

Palm Beach County

SCHOOL DAYS
The Palm Beach County School District is considering switching to a four-day school week to meet a $50 million budget shortfall. Officials say Monday through Thursday classes would save nearly $7 million in
costs for bus drivers, fuel, and related expenses in the transportation division
alone.

BUS AIDE CHARGED
Thony Desir, 39, a Palm Beach County school bus driver’s assistant, is being held on charges of molesting a special-needs student. According to the police report, Desir exposed himself to the 9-year-old girl and fondled the child on a school bus last week. Police say he has confessed. Desir was granted bail and is barred from having contact with the student, her family or any minors, including his own daughters. He has been reassigned to another job within the school district until the case is resolved.

STATION FOR SALE
The managers of WXEL Channel 42 will offer $700,000 for the public television station, which is worth much more than that. The station is owned by Barry University, which is expected to reject such an offer. The Palm Beach County School District had offered $4.5 million for the station in 2009 and the new offer makes you wonder what is really going on.

BOYNTON JOB CUTS
More than two dozen employees have accepted buyouts at Boynton Beach as the city seeks ways to balance its budget. City Manager Kurt Bressner has told department heads to cut 10 percent from their budgets and still expect layoffs and unpaid
furloughs.

Broward County

KAUFMAN FOR CONGRESS
Radio talk show host Joyce Kaufman is considering a run for Congress in 2012. Kaufman lives in the 19th Congressional District, which is currently represented by Ted Deutch, a Democrat. Kaufman, 57, is known for making on-air rants, taking controversial positions and supporting Tea Party groups.

STATEWIDE DRESS CODE
A bill intended to address the manner in which too many of our children are showing up for class in Florida schools has passed a key subcommittee. State Rep. Hazelle Rogers (D-Lauderdale Lakes) sponsored the measure which would prohibit the display of underwear or lingerie while on school grounds. The penalties for repeatedly violating the policy could result in possible internal suspension and being barred from extracurricular activities. This bill is a good starting point and Rogers deserves credit for tackling the issue. Next, we need a similar dress code for teachers. If you have not visited a high school lately, do so. You will find that at times it is difficult to tell the teachers from the students, judging by
their clothing.

CITY MESS
The city of Lauderdale Lakes is broke. Mayor Barrington Russell and the other commissioners have asked Gov. Rick Scott for help. However, little, if any, help is coming and it’s time for the Legislature to take steps to dissolve the municipality.

BBEO UPDATE
Broward County’s first majority black city, Lauderdale Lakes, is on the verge of collapsing. A grand jury report has confirmed that the Broward School District is corrupt and dysfunctional. Yet, the members of the Broward Black Elected Officials (BBEO) have been silent on these and other critical issues. It makes you wonder what has happened to them, so I am perusing the group’s tax returns again. Wait until you see what I’ve found. 

Miami-Dade County

SHOOTING SUSPECT
Diron Percy Andrew, 19, has been arrested in connection with the brazen shooting of a woman and her child last week at a Miami apartment complex. According to police, Andrew argued with another man near Northwest Fifth Avenue and 19th Street when he pulled a gun and started firing at the man and then rode off on a bicycle. Barbara Smith-Brown and 8-year-old son were hit in the thigh and wrist, respectively, and are recovering from their injuries. Andrew has been charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and discharging a firearm in public.

BRAMAN’S WARNING
Norman Braman, the billionaire businessman who funded and led the successful recall of Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez and County Commissioner Natacha Seijas, has warned the remaining commissioners to approve major reforms of county government. Braman wants term limits and a modest salary with restrictions on outside employment. He also supports doing away with the county’s strong-mayor form of government. Commissioners are supporting some reforms, but Braman says those do not go far enough.