A well-connected consultant received more than half a million dollars from the Fort Lauderdale Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) to build office space which has been used by Charlie Crist, Congressman Alcee Hastings and President Barack Obama. According to the February 2008 Northwest/Progresso/Flagler Heights Implementation Plan, Dickey Plaza would receive $300,000 in “development assistance” and $213,624 in “value of land contribution.” County records show the City of Fort Lauderdale CRA turned over the land to Dickey Consulting Services, Inc. on July 31, 2009 for the sum of $10.00. Dickey Consulting Services, Inc. is owned by Sheryl A. Dickey.

Dickey was not the only well-connected citizen asking the Fort Lauderdale CRA for public funds. Smith Plaza, owned by State Senator Chris Smith, wanted $104, 026 in “development assistance.” The Burnadette Norris Weeks Law Firm asked for $78, 980 in “development assistance.” Norris-Weeks is the attorney for the Broward Supervisor of Elections Office. REDBROWARD reported Norris-Weeks, a former business partner of Dickey, operates concessions at the Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport.

Mount Olive Development Corp.(MODCO) asked the Fort Lauderdale CRA for $137, 350 in “development assistance.” MODCO is under the control of Broward School Board member Rosalind Osgood. Last June, REDBROWARD reported MODCO received questionable funding from the Children’s Services Council Of Broward County (CSC). REDBROWARD obtained invoices for $3,902 paid to the Mount Olive Development Corporation (MODCO) since January 2013. At the February 2014 Children’s Services Council board meeting, a $2,500 payment to MODCO was approved as part of a$115,000 media buy plan. In May, REDBROWARDreported the CSC media buy plan included a $5,000 payment to Community Access Center for television, radio and print advertising. The non-profit organization is tied to Broward Commisoner Dale Holness. The Community Access Center is not a media company. Magaly Prezeau, president of Community Access Center, is a Democrat candidate for the Miramar City Commission.

Broward County Property Apprasier records show Dickey Plaza is currently valued at over a million dollars. Now called The Midtown Commerce Center, the land located at 1033 Northwest 6th Street is valued at $308, 240 while the building is worth $1,158, 170. As of 2014, Dickey Plaza is valued at $1,466,590.

CAMPAIGN OFFICES FOR OBAMA CAMPAIGN

Dickey’s offices were used for the Barack Obama campaign. In 2012, the Sun-Sentinel reported tickets to a Michelle Obama luncheon could be obtained at 1033 Northwest 6th Street. The Obama campaign evenhosted a 2012 Reunion/Potluck Dinner at Dickey’s offices.  According to the Organizing For America (OFA) website, “Let’s get the gang back together! Broward made history in electing President Obama in 2012 and we want to have a reunion to celebrate our accomplishment, dance, eat, catch up and re-engage. Sheryl Dickey is donating the 2012 OFA office at midtown commerce center for our reunion party.”

In May, Dickey and the Midtown Commerce Center hosted a fundraiser for Judge Ian Richards. REDBROWARD reported Dickey and County Commissoner Dale Holness are members of Richard’ campaign committee.

Yesterday, REDBROWARD reported Dickey, helped fulfill the minority participation component of the County’s agreement with B-Cycle of Wisconsin. Nothing in Ms. Dickey’s resume and work experience indicates knowledge of bicycles or bicycle sharing programs. In a contract dated March 15, 2010, B-Cycle LLC agreed to give 5% of the contract to Dickey Consulting Services, Inc.  The Broward B-Cycle program officially launced in December 2011. A press release stated the B-Cycle program was “spearheaded” by Commissioner Kristin Jacobs, who presided at the opening of each station.

OFFICE SPACE FOR CHARLIE CRIST

In July, Congressman Alcee Hastings held a lavish grand opening for his 2014 campaign headquarters. Hastings’ office was located at 1033 Northwest 6th Street #208 in the Midtown Commerce Center.

In August, Charlie Crist opened an office along Sistrunk Boulevard. The grand opening featured local Democrat politicians, candidates, protesters, and the media. The Crist office is located in The Midtown Commerce Center. According to his campaign financial records, Charlie Crist has paid $5,619. 24 in rent to Dickey Consulting Services, Inc.

Surely, the voters and residents of Fort Lauderdale did not intend public dollars to go to well-connected operatives in order to help build office space for politicians, right?

How does the average resident of the Sistrunk neighborhood benefit from having a Charlie Crist office nearby? Does Sheryl Dickey share the rent she receives from Crist and Obama?

Sheryl Dickey, a public relations/social media consultant, did not respond to requests for comment.

A well-connected appointee of County Commissioner Dale Holness received a percentage of a government funded bicycle sharing program in Broward. Dickey Consulting Services, Inc, owned by Sheryl A. Dickey, helped fulfill the minority participation component of the County’s agreement with B-Cycle of Wisconsin. Nothing in Ms. Dickey’s resume and work experience indicates knowledge of bicycles or bicycle sharing programs.

REDBROWARD reviewed an October 2010 Broward County Commission agenda item awarding a $311,000 Florida Department Of Transportation grant to B-Cycle, LLC. The agreement called for the “development and operation of a public bike sharing program in Broward County similar to those being operated in Europe and several large U.S. cities.” The money would be used to purchase 75 bicycles and place stations across Broward County.

The County hoped the program would serve as a “Means of reducing traffic congestion by providing an inexpensive mobility option” for residents and visitors. The five-year agreement would include five-year renewal option.

The Broward County Office of Economic and Small Business Development determined this program required a minority participation component. The Office, “Established a County Business Enterprise (CBE) participation goal of 10% for this agreement.” B-Cycle LLC agreed to the ten percent participation goal.

In a contract dated March 15, 2010, B-Cycle LLC agreed to give 5% of the contract to Dickey Consulting Services, Inc.  The Broward B-Cycle program officially launced in December 2011. A press release stated the B-Cycle program was “spearheaded” by Commissioner Kristin Jacobs, who presided at the opening of each station.

DID DICKEY DISCLOSE HER INTEREST IN PROGRAM?

During this time, Dickey was reappointed to the Broward County Small Business Development Advisory Board by Commissioner Dale Holness. It appears she was originally appointed to this committee by the disgraced Commissioner Josephus Eggelletion. Dickey served on numerous committees and boards throughout Broward.

In January 2011, Dickey was the vice chair of the City of Fort Lauderdale Economic Development Advisory Board. The chairman was Dev Motwani, a developer and campaign treasurer for Chip LaMarca. At this meeting, Kathleen Gunn, a city staffer, discussed the B-Cycle program. Ms. Gunn said, “She is also working on a project called B Cycle that is intended to ‘green the City.’” Gunn told the board a vendor had offered to purchase bicycles and place them at stations in dowtown Fort Lauderdale and along the beach. Then, according to the minutes, “Vice Chair Dickey added that businesses such as hotels might want to consider hosting a rental station, as all sites currently under consideration are on public property.”

The minutes do not indicate Dickey disclosed her financial interest in the B-Cycle program.

The B-Cycle program came up during the December 14, 2011 meeting as well. By the time this meeting was held, Dickey was now the chair of the Economic Development Advisory Board. According the minutes, Dickey tried to get her fellow board members involved in the program. Dickey said, “B Cycle is being rolled out in Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, and Pompano; part of the rollout is an offer for a reduced rate for annual membership. [Dickey] encouraged the members to take advantage of this opportunity.”

Once again, the minutes show no indication Dickey disclosed her financial interest in B-Cycle. Also, while it is unclear if the board voted on any matters regarding the program, the issue was brought before the board more than once.

Dickey serves as a member of the Broward Metropolitan Transportation board. This board has discussed the B-Cycle program on numerous occasions. The program is advertised in Broward MPO literature.

Currently, Dickey is listed on the Broward County website for the airport runway construction. Dickey is listed as a “subcontractor.” The minutes from a September 2012 County board meeting list Dickey as an “acoustical consulting team member.”

Dickey Consulting Services website claims it “Provides staffing for invoicing, accounting, documents control, and small/disadvantaged/County Business Enterprise coordination.” Dickey even admits serving as a middle man for politicians. The website states, “Our firm performs liaison services on behalf of government officials by creating partnerships with the community, businesses and policymakers, before implementing proposed initiatives.”

Dickey does not list any experience in “acoustical consulting.”

FORMER PARTNER OF BROWARD ELECTIONS OFFICE ATTORNEY

In August, REDBROWARD revealed the Broward County Office for Economic and Small Business Development (OESBD) rushed through the application of another well-connected Broward attorney. Records show Broward County officials rushed the Federal minority small business certification process which helped Burnadette Norris-Weeks land a million dollar concession contract at Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport. Norris-Weeks is the attorney for the Broward Supervisior of Elections Office (SOE).

Ms. Norris-Weeks has recently represented SOE in cases involving County Commissioners Kristin Jacobs and Dale Holness. In July, RED BROWARD  reported Holness and Norris-Weeks attended the Airport Minority Advisory Council conference. Norris-Weeks attended the conference to promote her company Right Consulting LLC.

Norris-Weeks and Dickey were formerly business partners in the Right Development Group, LLC.

In 2012, Sheryl Dickey hosted a fundraiser for Holness at her offices on Sistrunk Boulevard. This year, Holness and Dickey at part of Judge Ian Richards’ “campaign committee.”

Sheryl Dickey did not respond to a request for comment.

Once again, it appears government programs and contracts with a minority participation component are being awarded to individuals connected to Broward politicians. Both Dickey and Burnadette Norris-Weeks land contracts involving transportation and the airport, even though they have no experience in those fields.