October 1, 2011 – Guest Appearance by Danny Ramos

Thanks....
To our listeners, guests, crew and sponsors who make the Yo Soy Latino show possible a warm and heartfelt thank you.

Yo Soy Latino Radio has been bringing great radio to your neighbors, friends, family, and to you (our listeners) for the past two years. We have done so with help and advertisers like you. But like everyone else in this tough economy we’ve had to tighten our belts and made choices to keep quality programming alive.

If we are to keep the doors open, the lights on and maintain great quality programming like this on the air in Central Florida given these tough economic times, WE NEED YOUR HELP! Your generous contribution today to the Yo Soy Latino Radio Show will fuel its commitment to bringing Central Florida’s focus on public media.

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You can talk with the host on air by calling the station’s guestline at 407-774-0810 every Saturday from 12-1 p.m.


Cool Trivia...
October 1, 2011
1830 – General Trade Journal newspaper begins publishing in Amsterdam
1847 – Maria Mitchell discovers a non-naked-eye comet
1851 – 1st Hawaiian stamps issued
1863 – 5 Russian warships welcomed in NYC
1864 – John S Staples is paid $500 as a substitute for President Lincoln
1867 – Karl Marx “Das Kapital” published
1869 – 1st postcards are issued (Vienna)
1889 – Washington voters adopt state constitution in referendum
1890 – Congress creates Weather Bureau
1893 – Third worst hurricane in US history kills 1,800 (Mississippi
1896 – Yosemite becomes a National Park
1907 – Plaza Hotel (5th Avenue and 59th Street, NY) opens
1928 – USSR launches its first 5-year plan
1943 – Germans attack Jews in Denmark
1945 – Heavyweight champ Joe Louis is discharged from army
1947 – First helicopter air mail and express service, Los Angeles CA
1949 – People’s Rep of China proclaimed by Mao Tse-tung (National Day)
1951 – 1st treaty signed by woman ambassador (Eugenie Anderson) AND the 24th Infantry Regiment, last all-black military unit, deactivated
1955 – “Honeymooners” premieres
1958 – Inauguration of NASA
1971 – Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL opens
1974 – Watergate cover-up trail opens in Washington DC
1995 – NY Yankees win first baseball wildcard ever

Sponsored by:
NAI Realvest
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Office location at 2200 Lucien Way, Maitland FL 32751
Telephone: 407-875-9989, Website: www.realvest.com


Movies...
Top 10 Box Office
October 1, 2011
1. The Lion King
2. Moneyball
3. Dolphin Tale
4. Abduction
5. Killer Elite
6. Contagion
7. Drive
8. The Help
9. Straw Dogs
10. I Don’t Know How She Does It
Opening This Week:
50/50
Dream House
What’s Your Number?
Courageous
Take Shelter
Tucker and Dale vs. Evil

Movie Review
The Lion King — Rating: 4.5 STARS
This movie is still as great as when it was first released in 1994, except that the 3D effect genuinely adds a layer of freshness. Especially when it comes to the stampede of the wildebeests you get a sense that you are right smack in the middle of it. It was awesome! And, the immersive effects of each frame will make you appreciate the exquisite animation of the film. Outstanding!!!

Though the story hasn’t changed much as there is no love conquers all meaning in this movie. The only significant point is it tells us that we can always learn from the past, that tyrants should be overthrown and more important that we should own up to our mistakes no matter what. Hmm! Maybe our politicians should be sent a copy of this movie. They might learn a thing or two from the film.

Any way, aside from Hukuna Matata (Swahili for don’t worry) The Lion King is by far a winner and a worthwhile film.

Sponsored by:
Father Natures
Right off of Oakridge Road at 5816 Makoma Drive
Telephone: 407-850-5911


Breaking News...
World and Local News
October 1, 2011
Drone strike Kills U.S. Born al Qaeda cleric al-Awlaki, U.S. officials say
(CNN) – Muslim cleric Anwar al-Awlaki -- an American whose fluency in English and technology made him one of the top terrorist recruiters in the world -- was killed Friday in a U.S. drone strike in Yemen, U.S. and Yemeni government officials said. "It was a joint U.S. military-intelligence operation," a U.S. official said, adding that the U.S. military helped target al-Awlaki and that manned American military aircraft were flying overhead ready to offer assistance. The drone was operated by the CIA, officials said. The strike also killed American Samir Khan and two others who were in the same vehicle as al-Awlaki, said another U.S. official, who was briefed by the CIA.

U.S. President Barack Obama called al-Awlaki's death a "major blow" to al Qaeda, reeling still from the killing and capture this year of several top leaders, most notably Osama bin Laden.

Fastest Man on no Legs – Oscar Pistorius: The Bullet in the Chamber
(CNN) – Oscar Pistorius will be the first double amputee to compete at Olympic Games. South African has already been first to run at World Athletics Championships. His carbon-fiber prosthetic blades were temporarily banned by the IAAF in 2008. However, the 24-year old is a multiple gold medal winner at the Paralympics since his 2004 debut.

Florida hold Fast to January 31 Primary Date
Washington (CNN) A panel of Florida legislators bucked national Republican Party rules Friday and approved a motion to hold the state’s presidential primary on Jan. 31 of next year. The move, crafted to ensure that Florida goes fifth in the nominating process, is certain to scramble the presidential primary calendar and push the first contest of the GOP nomination fight into the early days of January.

Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina - the only four states allowed to vote before March 6 under Republican National Committee rules - have collectively vowed to move the dates of their caucuses and primaries ahead of Florida to protect their early voting status. If those first four states move to the front of line as expected, the campaign for the GOP nomination will officially begin a full month earlier than expected, leaving candidates and potential candidates like Sarah Palin and Chris Christie even less time to make their cases to voters.

Matt Strawn (Chairman of the Iowa Republican Party) said, “The arrogance shown by Florida’s elected leadership is disappointing, but not surprising.”

CDC: Death Toll from contaminated Cantaloupe Rises to 15
(CNN) – Two more people have been killed by consuming cantaloupe contaminated by Listeria monocytogenes bacteria, raising the outbreak’s death toll to 15, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday. The two additions were from New Mexico and Colorado. The total is now five in New Mexico, three in Colorado, one in Kansas, one in Maryland, one in Missouri, one in Nebraska, one in Oklahoma, and two in Texas. In addition, there have been eighty-four illnesses in 19 states reported since September 12. The contaminated cantaloupes were traced to consumption of Rocky Ford cantaloupes grown at Jensen Farms' fields in Granada, Colorado. The farm has recalled Rocky Ford whole cantaloupes that were shipped between July 29 and September 10.

Also, a California lettuce grower has recalled 2,498 cartons of chopped or shredded romaine lettuce shipped to wholesale food service distributors after a random sample deted Listeria monocytogenes in one bag.

Bank of America May Get the last Laugh
New York (CNN Money) -- In the aftermath of Bank of America’s new debit card fee announcement ($5/month) many customers have declared this is the last straw. Despite threats to leave the bank, it is more likely that consumers will simply switch back to credit, says Bill Hardekoph CEO of LowCards.com. Since banks are not making money on the debit card fees it is a strategy to push people to use their credit cards where banks make a heck of a lot more money down the road. Blame the new rules that limit how much revenue banks can get from the swipe fees they collect from merchants, added Ken Clayton, Senior Vice President and General Counsel for the American Bankers Association. One way customers can avoid the fee is to use the ATM at the bank.

Hurricane Ophelia Grows to Category 3
(CNN) – Ophelia strengthened Friday into a Category 3 hurricane, with winds of 115 mph as it barreled northward across the Atlantic at nearly 12 mph, the National Hurricane Center said. It is about 580 miles south of Bermuda. Tropical Storm Philippe, meanwhile, is churning through the eastern Atlantic.


Cigars...
Fire Up with Jose’s top suggestions!
October 1, 2011
Diamond Crown Robusto No. 5
Padilla 1932 Robusto
Vegas Robaina Unicos
El Rey del Mundo (Hon) Robusto Suprema (M)
Cohiba (Cuba) Lanceros
Arturo Fuente Don Carlos No. 4
Hoyo de Monterrey (Cuba) Edicion Limitada 2003 Piramides
H. Upmann (Cuba) Upmann No. 4
Ramon Allones (Cuba) Specially Selected
Montecristo (Cuba) No. 2

Sponsored by:
Ol’ Times Smoke Shop
Casselberry’s best kept secret, located at 860 E HWY 436
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Today’s Highlights
Guest Appearance by Danny Ramos, Host of Hispanics SpeakOut.TV
October 1, 2011
By Haydee Ayala
Orlando, FL — YSL host Jose Miranda began the hour on a sad note, bidding farewell to a former radio host on WEUS, Valerie Jones. Jones was a colleague and friend. Who will always be remembered as a strong willed, spirited, opinionated, do it on my terms modern women. But for those who knew her well she will also be remembered as one of the most beautiful kind loving soul. Though 57 years young, she lost her battle to cancer. Valerie thought in no way did she give enough but she was sadly mistaken for she touched the lives of many, said Miranda.

After a moment of silence, Miranda leaps right in to discuss a poll by Mississippi Republicans taken in March of this year questioning whether Interracial Marriage should be legal or illegal. 40% said yes while 46% said no and the remaining 14% were unsure. A befuddled Miranda said, “We are in the 21 century right? And still in 2011 60% of Mississippi’s Republicans can’t decide if Interracial Marriages is illegal? Is this the platform from a party in conflict with the reality of time?

Multicultural marriages have been legal since the 60s though the United States incubated a deep culture of anti-miscegenation (against mixing origins) buttressed by laws banning it. This was an effort to prevent the “unnatural” mixing between black and white or other races. But the ugly truth it was to deny the protections and legal benefits which marriage provided. Why are we so preoccupied with race when there are so many other crucial issues!

And, of course, Governor Scott was given no clemency for Miranda reminded our listeners of a vow he made that helped win his election...a promise to create 700,000 jobs in Florida within 7 years. Now he is back stepping his campaign arithmetic stating his goals will take longer because a lot of his tax cuts were not enacted. Miranda fired back saying, “I mean really not enough cutting? Name one thinking economists who states that tax cuts by themselves leads to job creation.”

Then there is the matter of Florida’s Fair Districts Amendment 6 which passed in 2010 by 63% of the voting public. However, Republican majority leader Dean Cannon, who is alleged of using taxpayer monies to bring a lawsuit to stop the process, wants to eviscerate the power of the people to regulate their own legislature. Wake up people! This is a startling attempt to undermine and attack the Puerto Rican and African American communities.

Miranda asked, “Is this who you voted in? A party who decides it knows more then the people who voted their choice! Welcome to the new Republican Party, to the new breed of men and women who care more about power and themselves then about you.” Enough already!

With the clock ticking Jose invites Haydee to talk about her movie pick for the week, The Lion King. If you want a more complete rundown of the film go to our movie section. However, to describe it in a word breathtaking!

Next, Jose introduces Danny Ramos, host of Hispanics SpeakOut.TV. Ramos who has appeared on the Yo Soy Latino radio show several times before is always welcomed mainly because he is uplifting and enlightens us with the events that are taking place either here in Orlando or in Osceola regarding Hispanic Achievers, Job fairs or other matters that are currently being discussed.

Even today he spoke briefly about his position on the Republican Party with host Miranda, specifically, Ron Paul as a possible frontrunner in the 2012 elections. Ramos explained that so far he appears the only honest one in the bunch of politicians. Seeing the Congressman as humble, intelligent and well-read but more importantly as a man who understands complex issues such as the economy. Further, that it is his belief that he stands for freedom for the common man, and all those who are concerned their liberties being restricted as one caller also agreed with him.

Paul has a strong policy about war—stay out of other countries as that can incite hatred. If elected he wants our troops home. His view on foreign policy is that we should stay out of other countries, as that can incite hatred from other nations. He recommends talking to the nations, opening in discussion and solving issues peacefully.

Then Ramos goes on to say that the Hispanic license plate was not among those prominently displayed at the tag offices. However, if you are interested in purchasing one they are available online just copy and past the information below and order yours today, under Hispanic Achievers.

https://services.flhsmv.gov/MVCheckPersonalPlate/PlateInquiryView.aspx?LoadFromView=LoadFromView.

Also, with seconds remaining he went on to say that there’s a Diversity Job Fair coming up on Thursday, November 3, 2011 (Time 12p.m – 4p.m.) at the Florida Hotel Convention Center, 1500 Sandlake Road, Orlando, FL. To reach out to Mr. Ramos or should you need additional information go to http://www.hispanicachievers.org/Careers.html.

To listen to the program in its entirety go to the YSL website archived shows or if you prefer go to http://www.wix.com/yosoylatino5/yosoylatino5, also on ustreamtv.com enter yslyosoylatino click on latest show and you can see the broadcast as it was telecast live. Until next week, keep it here for Jose Miranda!


Fashion...
Ooh La La Perfumes
October 1, 2011
Perfume has always played a strong role in fashion. Ever since the dawn of recorded history, fragrances like myrrh and frankincense were used in religious ceremony, for healing purposes, even as part of the pre-love making preparation. One primary reason is because it soothes the senses. Yet you can not touch it once it has been worn, and the aroma does fade hours later. Nonetheless, it does contribute to a person's understanding of self and culture. However, for today's women perfume it is a staple!

In this editorial, we will cover the bestselling and most popular ladies perfume over the last few years into 2011 starting with the classic "Eternity by Calvin Klein" a hot seller, to the biggest selling ladies perfume of all time, Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel’s "Chanel no 5." A scent which increased in popularity partly due to Marilyn Monroe, who was quoted as saying that she wore five drops of the perfume every night when she went to bed; and, the rest ladies is history.

It is important that when you apply any perfume always apply to pulse points -- such as the folds in the crook of your elbow, back of knees, wrist, neck and cleavage. Make sure NOT to rub wrists together as this crushes the smell. If unsure, spray a little into the air then walk straight into the perfume as this will help to diffuse it over your body. Remember always work up the body as the scent rises. Another helpful hint is wearing a small cotton ball lightly impregnated with your favorite perfume place the ball inside your bra. This will keep the scent from fading. Now let’s begin!

Bestselling worldwide
The following perfumes are popular not only because of their scent but also because they appeal to the average consumer who is on a budget ($25 to $88). Like Burberry Brit by Burberry for Women, Paco Rabanne, Eternity by Calvin Klein for Women, Paris Hilton by Paris Hilton for Women, Obsession by Calvin Klein for Women, Versace Bright Crystal by Gianni Versace for Women, Cool Water by Zino Davidoff for Women, Escape by Calvin Klein for Women and Chloé.

Bestselling worldwide
Now these fragrances are top choice for women all over the world. For example, Dolce and Gabbana Light Blue Perfume for women, Euphoria by Calvin Klein, Eternity by Calvin Klein, CK One for women by Calvin Klein, Jessica McClintock by Jessica McClintock, Obsession By Calvin Klein, Versace Bright Crystal By Gianni Versace, Lovely by Sarah Jessica Parker, Dolce and Gabbana, and Dream Angels Heavenly by Victorias Secret.

Most Popular Ladies Perfume for 2011
There are many ladies perfume new and upcoming but we will focus on a few even though this listing is considerably long. Like Ralph Lauren’s Romance, Pretty Hot by Elizabeth Arden, Wild Elixer by Estee Lauder, L’Eau de Kenzo Amour by Kenzo Perfume, Happy Game by Adidas, Prada for Women by Prada, Heat Rush by Beyonce, Comme une Evidence Green by Yves Rocher, Daisy Eau So Fresh by Marc Jacobs, Eternity Summer by Calvin Klein, DKNY Golden Delicious by Donna Karan, Jimmy Choo perfume, Lacoste for Women, Reb’ Fleur by Rihanna, Chloe Love by Chloe, Pure Brilliance by Celine Dion, Forbidden Rose by Avril Lavigne, Creed by Aventus, Dolce and Gabbana Light Blue, Perfume, Donna Karan’s Iris, Joop Ladies Perfume, Gucci Perfume For Women, DKNY Perfume, Versace Perfume, Ghost Perfume, and the list goes on.

Every woman wants to feel feminine, sexy, seductive, irresistible and sensual. And, a simple spray of a favorite perfume can set your “love” mood into swing making an evening or weekend naughtier. Perhaps even create an environment where romance can flourish further as the two of you embark on one more moment together. But...what it comes down is this...certain fragrances do actually attract men.


Sports Box...
October 1, 2011
Baseball
Top Two Teams in Each Division — Standings: W/L
(MLB.MLB.com) As of Friday, 9.30.11
AMERICAN LEAGUE
East:
y-NY Yankees (97-65)
w-Tampa Bay (91-71)

Central:
y-Detroit (95-67)
Cleveland (80-82)
West:
y-Texas (96-66)
Los Angeles (86-76)

NATIONAL LEAGUE
East:
y-Philadelphia (102-60)
Atlanta (89-73)
Central:
y-Milwaukee (96-66)
St. Louis (90-72)
West:
y-Arizona (94-68)
San Francisco (86-76)

Basketball
With eye on clock, NBA Owners, Players Seek Deal
New York (AP) – They don’t have a deal yet, and they are just about out of time. After some two years of on-and-off negotiations, that’s about all NBA players and owners agree on. The gaps in their financial proposals have been so great they sometimes decide it’s best to just talk about something else. “We realize that the calendar, the clock, the watch, whatever you want to say, is running out in terms of starting our regular season on time. So we’re going to try to get some things done this weekend and see what we can do,” said the Lakers Derek Fisher, president of the players’ association.

Football
Vikings LB E.J. Henderson questionable vs Chiefs
Eden Prairie, MN (AP) – Minnesota Vikings middle linebacker E.J. Henderson is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game at Kansas City with a sore knee. Henderson was limited this week in practice, resting the knee that has bothered him since the first week of the season. Running back Adrian Peterson was listed as probably Friday after returning to full participation in practice with a sore calf muscle. Minnesota listed safety Jamarca Sanford (thigh) as questionable but he was a full participant in practice this week.

Wines...
Top Choices for Under $25
October 1, 2011
White...
Brancott 2008 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Domaine La Hitaire 2007 "Les Tours"
Reds...
Monterra 2005 Merlot
Di Majo Norante 2007 Sangiovese
Eguren 2006 Tempranillo
Goats Do Roam 2006 Red
Vigne & Vini 2005 "Schiaccianoci" Negroamaro del Salento


Special Interest...
Helping Others
The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe has recently been through 2 winter storms leaving the reservation without power or water. They are in dire need of monetary contributions of any size to assist with the incurring expenses. Your donations and contributions will help in keeping their Tribal members alive, fed and warm.

For more information go to the link below: https://secure.piryx.com/donate/0oFFsK8c/Cheyenn-River-Sioux-Tribe/

Also, keep in mind that it’s been a tough year for many Americans and the world at large and your local American Red Cross was not immune. Give generously to this non-government humanitarian emergency assistance and disaster relief program so that they can continue to perform their acts of kindness; for more information go to www.redcross.org.


Recipe...
Butternut Squash Risotto
This recipe has been provided by Nataly Fishberg, RD/LD/N, (Registered Dietician/Licensed Dietician/Nutritionist) from Digestive and Liver Center of Florida, PA
October 1, 2011
Dietician’s Corner: Here is a great recipe to kick of the fall season, Butternut Squash Risotto. It is high in fiber and beta carotene, which can protect us from inflammation, heart disease and certain cancers.

Servings: 4-6 • Time: 50 MINS

Ingredients:
1 butternut squash (2 pounds)
2 tablespoons olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
6 cups chicken stock, preferably homemade (when using barley 4 to 5 cups of stock is enough)
3 tablespoons olive oil (not a mistake)
½ cup minced shallots (or one small onion)
½ cup dry white wine
1 ½ cup Arborio rice (10 ounces) or 1 ½ cup pearled barley
1 teaspoon saffron threads
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (or ½ cup)

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees

2. Peel the butternut squash, remove the seeds, and cut into ¾ inch cubes (about 6 cups)

3. Place the squash on a sheet pan and toss it with the 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper.
4. Meanwhile, heat the chicken stock in a small covered saucepan. Leave it on low heat to simmer.

5. In a heavy bottomed pot or Dutch oven heat the 3 tablespoons of olive oil and sauté the onions (or shallots) on medium low heat for 10 minutes or until the onions are translucent but not browned. Add the rice and stir to coat the grains with oil.

6. Add the wine and cook for 2 minutes.

7. Add 2 full ladles of stock to the rice plus the saffron, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper. Stir and simmer until the stock is absorbed, about 5 to 10 minutes.

8. Continue to add the stock, 2 ladles at a time, stirring every few minutes. Each time, cook until the mixture seems a little dry, then add more stock. Continue until the rice is cooked through, but still al dente, about 30 minutes total.

9. Take the pan off the heat add the roasted squash cubes and Parmesan cheese. Mix well and serve.

Nutritional Info:
Nutrients per serving: Calories 383, Cal. From Fat: 134, Total Fat: 15g, Sat. Fat: 3g, Carbs: 51g, Fiber: 8g, Sugars: 3g, Protein: 10g, Sodium: 212 mg, Chol: 11.5 mg

Source: http://thejoyofcleaneating.com/recipes/lindas-butternut-squash-risotto/

Sponsored by:
Digestive and Liver Center of Florida, PA
Srinivas Seela, M.D., Harinath Sheela, M.D., Seela Ramesh, M.D.
100 N. Dean Road, Suite 101, Orlando FL 32825
125 W. Pineview Street, Suite 1001, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714 and
3000 N. Orange Avenue, Suite C, Orlando FL 32804
Telephone: 407-384-7388, Fax: 407-384-7391, Web: www.dlcfl.com


Health...
Clear Brain Plaques with this Nutrient
October 1, 2011
If your mother gave you vitamin D-rich cod liver oil when you were a child, she may have been way ahead of her time.

A new animal study from Japan suggests that vitamin D may help clear the brain of amyloid beta, a toxic protein-like compound that accumulates in the brains of Alzheimer's patients.

Human Research Support
This animal study validates the results of a previous study done in human Alzheimer's patients. In the human study, vitamin D together with curcumin -- a chemical found in turmeric spice -- appeared to stimulate the immune system in a way that helped clear the brain of toxic amyloid beta. But this new animal research suggests that vitamin D alone may be able to do that job nicely. Even more amazing, the lab animals that received vitamin D were able to remove a significant amount of amyloid beta buildup in their brains, literally overnight. It seems the vitamin may somehow regulate production of transporter proteins that ferry amyloid beta across the blood-brain barrier and out of the brain. That’s pretty exciting stuff.

Many grown-ups lack vitamin D -- especially in the winter months. Are you ready to make sure you get your fill? Try these strategies:

• Go fishing. Canned salmon supplies a whopping 530 international units (IU) of vitamin D for each 3-ounce serving. Or open the canned tuna for 360 IU of vitamin D from a 3-ounce serving.

• Seek fortification. Grab the orange juice that's been fortified with vitamin D and you'll add an additional 100 IU of the sunshine vitamin to your day with each cup you drink.

• Crack an egg. If you like scrambled eggs, you'll garner 20–26 IU of vitamin D per large egg.

• Did you know? Vitamin D is vital for your frame, too.

Source: realage.com

Sponsored by:
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Richard R. Lotenfoe, M.D.
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Politics...
State Senator Mike Fasano’s Request for
Public Records Draws $10,750.13 Invoice
October 1, 2011
(St. Petersburg Times) -- When state Sen. Mike Fasano (R-New Port Richey) requested records about a $125 million pension fund investment the head of the State Board of Administration sent him a three-page invoice for $10,750.13.

"The cost to the Florida Retirement System (FRS) for satisfying your inquiry using original documents is estimated to exceed $10,000," SBA chief Ash Williams wrote, "and completion of the associated legal process will likely take months."

Stunned, Fasano fired back with a letter to the SBA trustees: Gov. Rick Scott, Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater and Attorney General Pam Bondi.

"I do not want to accuse anyone of attempting to hide anything… '' wrote Fasano, R-New Port Richey. "However, when a $10,000 bill is sent with a warning that it could take months to supply the information requested, a reasonable person could perceive that perhaps something is in fact being hidden."

The SBA manages $145 billion in Florida pensions and other public funds for hundreds of cities, counties and school districts, and 1 million current and former public employees.

At issue is the SBA's decision to invest up to $125 million of public pension money in a hedge fund called Starboard Value and Opportunity, a spinoff of Ramius LLC.

Williams signed off on the investment in early 2010 after exchanging e-mails with Ramius' president, Thomas Strauss. Strauss was a client at Fir Tree Partners, a hedge fund where Williams was a managing director before taking over the SBA in October 2008.

Williams said the firm was under consideration when he arrived at the SBA and won the deal on merit.

The St. Petersburg Times began asking about the Starboard investment in March 2010 and made a formal public records request for documents related to it in July 2010. But the SBA declined, saying the transaction was still in negotiations.

In June 2011, the Times turned to Fasano for help. A week after Fasano filed his request for records, Williams' staff said that it had identified more than 6,000 documents and that many needed to be reviewed for confidential information — a process that might take 380 hours.

To save time and money, Fasano narrowed his request to include some e-mails and evaluation reports about the deal.

Instead, Williams produced what he called a "detailed time line" of the transaction with "supporting contemporaneous documents."

"I will be happy to walk you through this section by section and answer any questions you may have," Williams wrote Fasano. "I believe this will be a straightforward exercise we can easily accomplish by phone."

However, the time line and the documents raised more questions. So Fasano sent a new request for records, including the procedures used to pick Starboard and information about other firms that competed for the pension investment.

Nineteen days later came Williams' reply: "I respect the legislative oversight function. I believe the facts reflect the propriety, objectivity and professionalism of SBA's processes and I am always willing to share our processes with our stakeholders."

Williams repeated his offer to talk Fasano through the deal: "If you prefer the documentary approach, we will comply and commence work upon agreement of financial arrangements."

He attached an invoice: Complying with the request would likely take 300 hours of a paralegal's work at $22.84 an hour; 50 hours of a lawyer's work at $52.40 an hour; 20 hours of information technology work at $34.14 an hour; three hours of a senior investment officer's work at $41.78 an hour; three hours of a senior analyst's work at $24.13 an hour; $450 for 3,000 photocopies and so on.

Total estimate: $10,750.13.

An SBA spokesman said the charges are legal and reflect "the cost to the participants of the (Florida Retirement System) to fulfill such an extensive request."
Scott, Bondi and Atwater, who oversee the SBA, knew about Williams' response before he sent it, the spokesman added.

All ran for office last year vowing to bring more openness and accountability to the agency that runs the nation's fourth-largest public pension system.

Fasano, a strong proponent of public records laws himself, sent a letter to the three officials.

"My first concern is why should it take months to share information that should already be at the SBA's fingertips," Fasano wrote. "Secondly, as a state senator, I am being given an invoice for $10,000 to pay for information pertaining to Florida's investment decisions. What would it cost a private citizen who may request the same information? Beyond reasonable photo-copying costs, why should it cost anything for one state agency to provide information to another?"

Bondi's office told Fasano it was looking into the matter.

Gov. Scott's office declined to comment. A spokeswoman for CFO Atwater said because of the "volume and potential cost associated with this request," Fasano should talk to the SBA.

Fasano called Atwater's office's response "disturbing."
"What would that accomplish?" Fasano said. "To have a one-on-one session with Ash Williams, the individual who approved the Ramius investment, would be akin to meeting the fox who guards the henhouse.

"As this issue drags on, it is hard not to come to the conclusion that someone has something to hide."

Source:By Sydney P. Freedberg, Times Staff Writer