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HomeMy Public PortalAboutCorrespondence (O'Hare)jONESFOSTER �onnsl u. s s'1 uu❑s, r ,. John C. Randolph Attorney (561) 650-0458 Fax: (561)650-5300 jrandolph@jonesfoster corn June 12, 2014 William H. Thrasher, Town Manager Town of Gulf Stream 100 Sea Road Gulf Stream, Florida 33483 Re: Town of Gulf Stream Litigation Status Report Our File No. 13147.1 Dear Bill: Following is a list of the pending litigation with Christopher F_ O'Hare, Martin E O'Boyle, Citizens Awareness Foundation, Inc. and Stopdirtygovernment, LLC. 13147.33 Christopher F. O'Hare vs Town of Gulf Steam Case No 50 2013 CA 15012 AJ Verified Complaint to Enforce Florida's Public Records Act and for Declaratory and Monetary Relief 10/3/13 Summons and Complaint served on the Town 10/23/13 Answer filed on behalf of Town 5/15/14 Reassigned to Division AJ Judge Timothy P. McCarthy 13147.34 Christopher F. O'Hare vs Town of Gulf Stream Case No. 50 2013 CA 015380 AF Verified Complaint to Enforce Florida's Public Records Act and for Declaratory and Monetary Relief 10/9/13 Summons and Complaint served on the Town 10/31/13 Answer filed on behalf of Town 5/15/14 Reassigned to Division AF Judge Janis Brustares Keyser 13147.35 Christopher F. O'Hare vs Town of Gulf Stream. Town of Gulf Stream Commission, William Thrasher, Lara Donlon Officer David Ginsberg. Sergeant Adam Gore], Steven Tobias and Marty Minor United States District Court Case No. 13 CV 81053 Ryskamp/Hopkins Complaint for Legal Damages and Other Relief Since 19'_41 %Vest Palm Bench 1lnpiter 1'I.1gi,r (.enn.7 Toner illi snwh I hoer I)riu. suit, 11110 kC�m I'.dn, Nadi nurid.t 33 iOl wwlc jonesfnster cnnl William H. Thrasher, Town Manager June 12, 2014 Page 2 The Town is represented in this action through its insurance defense attorneys Michael R. Piper and Christopher J. Stearns of Johnson, Anselmo, Murdoch, Burke, Piper & Hochman, P.A. 13147.36 Christopher F. O'Hare vs Town of Gulf Stream Case No. 50 2013 CA 016864 AD Verified Complaint to Enforce Florida's Public Records Act and for Declaratory, Injunctive and Monetary Relief 11/13/13 Summons and Complaint served on the Town 12/11/13 Answer filed on behalf of Town 2/5/14 Depositions taken of Rita Taylor and Joan Orthwein 5/15/14 Reassigned to Division AD Judge Gregory Keyser 13147.37 Christopher F. O'Hare vs Town of Gulf Stream Case No. 50 2013 CA 17717 AA Verified Complaint to Enforce Florida's Public Records Act and for Declaratory, Injunctive and Monetary Relief 12/5/13 Summons and Complaint served on the Town 12/23/13 Answer filed on behalf of Town 4/21/14 Notice of Appearance as Co -Counsel Robert Sweetapple 13147 38. Christopher F. O'Hare vs Town of Gulf Stream Case No. 50 2013 CA 017793 AA Verified Complaint to Enforce Florida's Public Records Act and for Declaratory, Injunctive and Monetary Relief 12/11/13 Summons and Complaint served on the Town 12/27/13 Answer filed on behalf of Town 5/27/14 Reassigned to Division AA Judge Peter Blanc 13147.39 Christopher F. O'Hare vs Town of Gulf Stream Case No. 50 2013 CA 018093 AA Verified Complaint to Enforce Florida's Public Records Act and for Declaratory, Injunctive and Monetary Relief 12/17/13 Summons and Complaint served on the Town 1/8/14 Answer filed on behalf of Town 4/23/14 Transferred to Division AA Judge Peter Blanc 4/24/14 Request to Produce to O'Hare 5/29/14 Response to Request to Produce — No records William H. Thrasher, Town Manager June 12, 2014 Page 3 13147.40 Christopher F. O'Hare vs Town of Gulf Stream Case No. 50 2013 CA 018095 AA Verified Complaint to Enforce Florida's Public Records Act and for Declaratory, Injunctive and Monetary Relief 1/10/14 Summons and Complaint served on the Town 1/30/14 Answer filed on behalf of Town 4/24/14 Request to Product to O'Hare 5/28/14 Response to Request to Produce — No records 5/28/14 Transferred to Division AA Judge Peter Blanc 13147.41 Christopher F. O'Hare vs Town of Gulf Stream Case No. 50 2013 CA 018098 AA Verified Complaint to Enforce Florida's Public Records Act and for Declaratory, Injunctive and Monetary Relief 1/17/14 Summons and Complaint served on the Town 1/31/14 Answer filed on behalf of Town 5/22/14 Reassigned to Division AA Judge Peter Blanc 1314742 Christopher F. O'Hare vs Town of Gulf Stream and William H Thrasher Case No 50 2014 CA 000720 Al Complaint regarding denial of permit for shooting range The Town is represented in this action through its insurance defense attorneys, Michael R. Piper and Christopher J. Stearns of Johnson, Anselmo, Murdoch, Burke, Piper & Hochman, P.A. 13147.43 Christopher F. O'Hare vs Town of Gulf Stream Case No. 50 2013 CA 018100 AA Verified Complaint to Enforce Florida's Public Records Act and for Declaratory, Injunctive and Monetary Relief 1/21/14 Summons and Complaint served on the Town 2/10/14 Answer filed on behalf of Town 4/23/14 Transferred to Division AA Judge Peter Blanc 13147.44 Christopher F. O'Hare vs Town of Gulf Stream Case No. 50 2013 CA 018101 AA Verified Complaint to Enforce Florida's Public Records Act and for Declaratory, Injunctive and Monetary Relief 1/24/14 Summons and Complaint served on the Town 2/13/14 Answer filed on behalf of Town William H. Thrasher, Town Manager June 12, 2014 Page 4 4/24/14 Request to Produce to O'Hare 5/22/14 Reassigned to Division AA Judge Peter Blanc 5/29/14 Response to Request to Produce — No records 13147A5 Christopher F. O'Hare vs Town of Gulf Stream Case No. 50 2013 CA 018102 AA Verified Complaint to Enforce Florida's Public Records Act and for Declaratory, Injunctive and Monetary Relief 1/24/14 Summons and Complaint served on the Town 2/13/14 Answer filed on behalf of Town 4/28114 Plaintiff's Notice of Voluntary Dismissal Without Prejudice 13147.46 Christopher F. O'Hare vs Town of Gulf Stream Case No. 50 2014 CA 000818 AG Verified Complaint to Enforce Florida's Public Records Act and for Declaratory, Injunctive and Monetary Relief 1/24/14 Summons and Complaint served on the Town 2/7/14 Request for Production to Town 2/7/14 Request for Admissions and Interrogatories to Town 2/13/14 Answer filed on behalf of the Town 5/19/14 Plaintiffs Notice of Voluntary Dismissal Without Prejudice 13147.47 Christopher F. O'Hare vs Town of Gulf Stream Case No. 50 2014 CA 000824 AG Verified Complaint to Enforce Florida's Public Records Act and for Declaratory, Injunctive and Monetary Relief 1/24/14 Summons and Complaint served on the Town 2/13/14 Answer filed on behalf of Town 4/28/14 Transferred to Division AG Judge Donald W Hafele 5/16/16 Notice to Set Cause for Non -Jury Trial 5/23/14 Request for Admissions, Request to Produce and Interrogatories to Town 13147.48 Christopher F. O'Hare vs Town of Gulf Stream Case No. 50 2014 CA 000835 AG Verified Complaint to Enforce Florida's Public Records Act and for Declaratory, Injunctive and Monetary Relief 1/24/14 Summons and Complaint served on the Town 2/6/14 Request for Admissions and Interrogatories to Town 2/13/14 Answer filed on behalf of the Town William H. Thrasher, Town Manager June 12, 2014 Page 5 3/14/14 Town's Response to Request for Admissions 3/14/14 Town's Answers to Interrogatories 13147.49 Christopher F. O'Hare vs Town of Gulf Stream Case No. 50 2014 CA 000894 AH Verified Complaint to Enforce Florida's Public Records Act and for Declaratory, Injunctive and Monetary Relief 1/28/14 Summons and Complaint served on the Town 2/18/14 Answer filed on behalf of the Town 4/1/14 Transferred to Judge Judy Brown 5/15/14 Request to Produce to O'Hare 5/23/14 Request for Admissions, Request to Produce and Interrogatories to Town 13147.50 Martin E. O'Boyle vs Town of Gulf Stream Case No. 50 2014 CA 000834 AH Verified Complaint to Enforce Florida's Public Records Act and for Declaratory, Injunctive and Monetary Relief 1/31/14 Summons and Complaint served on the Town 2/20/14 Answer filed on behalf of the Town 2/20/14 Motion for Sanctions served on Plaintiff 2/24/14 Amended Motion for Sanctions served on behalf of Town 3/28/14 Amended Motion for Sanctions filed with Court 4/14/14 Gulf Stream's Motion for Summary Judgment 6/24/14 Special Set Hearing on Motion for Summary Judgment 13147.51 Martin E. O'Boyle vs Town of Gulf Stream Case No. 50 2014 CA 001572 AJ Verified Complaint to Enforce Florida's Public Records Act and for Declaratory, Injunctive and Monetary Relief 2/18/14 Summons and Complaint served on the Town 3/10/14 Answer filed on behalf of Town 3/26/14 Deposition of Scott Morgan 3/31/14 Notice of Appearance William Ring 3/3/1/4 O'Boyle's Motion for Summary Judgment 13147.52 Christopher F. O'Hare vs Town of Gulf Stream Case No. 50 2014 CA 001776 AJ Verified Complaint to Enforce Florida's Public Records Act and for Declaratory, Injunctive and Monetary Relief William H. Thrasher, Town Manager June 12, 2014 Page 6 2/18/14 Summons and Complaint served on the Town 3/10/14 Answer filed on behalf of Town 3/24/14 O'Hare's Motion for Judgment on Pleadings 4/16/14 Town's Response to Motion for Judgment on Pleadings and Cross Motion for Summary Judgment 8/12/14 Special Set Hearing on Motion for Judgment on Pleadings and Cross Motion for Summary Judgment 13147.53 Christopher F. O'Hare vs Town of Gulf Stream Case No. 50 2014 CA 001833 AJ Petition for Writ of Mandamus or in the Alternative Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief 2/21/14 Summons and Complaint served on the Town 3/12/14 Response filed on behalf of Town 13147.54 Martin E. O'Boyle vs Town of Gulf Stream Case No. 50 2014 CA 02607 AJ Verified Complaint for Emergency Temporary Injunctive Relief 3/4/14 Summons and Complaint served on Town 3/5/14 Order Denying Motion as "Emergency Motion" 3/5/14 Plaintiffs Notice of Voluntary Dismissal Without Prejudice 13147.55 Martin E. O'Boyle vs Town of Gulf Stream 11SDC Case No. 14-80317 CIV Middlebrooks Verified Compliant for Emergency Temporary Injunctive Relief The Town is represented in this action through its insurance defense attorney Jeffrey L_ Hochman of Johnson, Anselmo, Murdoch, Burke, Piper & Hochman, P.A. 13147.56 Christopher F. O'Hare vs Town of Gulf Stream Case No. 50 2014 CA 002311 AN Complaint to Enforce Florida's Public Records Act and for Declaratory Relief 3/11/14 Summons and Complaint served on the Town 3/31/14 Answer filed on behalf of Town William H_ Thrasher, Town Manager June 12, 2014 Page 7 13147.57 Martin E. O'Boyle vs Town of Gulf Stream Case No 50 2014 CA 02728 AO Complaint to Enforce Florida's Public Records Act and for Declaratory, Injunctive and Monetary Relief 3/14/14 Summons and Complaint served on Town 4/3/14 Motion to Dismiss for Fraud on Court 4/28/14 Amended Complaint 5/5/14 First Request to Produce to Plaintiff 5/12/14 Answer to Amended Complaint, Affirmative Defenses and Counterclaim filed on behalf of Town 5/20/14 Answer to Amended Complaint and Amended Affirmative Defenses filed on behalf of Town 5/20/14 Amended Counterclaim filed on behalf of Town 5/21/14 Plaintiffs Response to Request for Production 13147.58 Citizens Awareness Foundation. Inc. vs Town of Gulf Stream Case No. 50 2014 CA 003396 AB Complaint to Enforce Florida's Public Records Act and for Declaratory and Monetary Relief 3/20/14 Summons and Complaint served on the Town 4/10/14 Answer filed on behalf of Town 4/11/14 Motion for Sanctions Pursuant to F.S. 57.105 filed on behalf of Town 4/25/14 Plaintiff's Notice of Voluntary Dismissal Without Prejudice 13147.59 Stopdirtyclovernment, LLC vs Town of Gulf Stream Case No. 50 2014 CA 003721 AH Verified Complaint to Enforce Florida's Public Records Act and for Declaratory, Injunctive and Monetary Relief 3/28/14 Summons and Complaint served on the Town 4/21/14 Answer filed on behalf of Town 4/21/14 First Request to Produce to Plaintiff 5/6/14 Plaintiffs Response to Request to Produce 13147.60 Martin E. O'Bovle vs Town of Gulf Stream Case No. 50 2014 CA 004474 AG Complaint to Enforce Florida's Public Records Act and for Declaratory, Injunctive and Monetary Relief 4/1614 Summons and Complaint served on Town William H. Thrasher, Town Manager June 12, 2014 Page 8 5/14/14 Request for Production to Town 5/14/14 Interrogatories to Town 5/16/14 Notice to Set Cause for Non -Jury Trial 5/30/14 Motion to Disqualify O'Boyle Law Firm and, in the Alternative For an Evidentiary Hearing 6/2/14 Plaintiffs Motion for Sanctions Pursuant to F.S. 57.105 13147.61 Town of Gulf Stream vs Christooher F. O'Hare Case No. 50 2014 CA 004631 AE 4/21/14 Verified Complaint (Boat Removal) served on O'Hare 4/30/14 Notice of Appearance Mark J. Hanna 5/12/14 Plaintiffs Motion to Dismiss Complaint 13147.62 Martin E. O'Boyle vs Town of Gulf Stream Case No. 50 2014 CA 005189 AE Complaint for Violation of Florida Public Records Law and Relief Pursuant to Article I, Section 24, of the Florida Constitution and Chapter 119, Florida Statutes 5/1/14 Summons and Complaint served on Town 5/16/14 Answer filed on behalf of Town 5/16/14 Notice to Set Cause for Non -Jury Trial 5/20/14 Order Setting Non -Jury Trial and Directing Pretrial and Mediation Procedures —9 week trial docket beginning 10/15/14 1314763 Martin E. O'Bovle and Christooher F. O'Hare vs Town of Gulf Stream Case No. 50 2014 CA 005628 AG Complaint to Enforce Florida's Public Records Act and Open Public Meetings Act 5/12/14 Summons and Complaint served on Town 6/3/14 Answer filed on behalf of Town 13147.64 Citizens Awareness Foundation, Inc. vs Town of Gulf Stream and Brannon & Gillespie LLC Case No. 50 2014 CA 006112 AG Complaint to Enforce Florida's Public Records Act and for Declaratory and Equitable Relief 5/21/14 Summons and Complaint served on the Town 6/11/14 Answer filed on behalf of Town William H. Thrasher, Town Manager June 12, 2014 Page 9 13147,65 Citizens Awareness Foundation, Inc. vs Town of Gulf Stream Case No. 50 2014 CA 006360 AN Petition for Writ of Mandamus or in the Alternative Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief 5/28/14 Summons and Complaint served on the Town 6/19/14 Answer Due 13147.66 Christopher F. O'Hare vs Town of Gulf Stream Case No. 50 2014 CA 006848 AB Complaint to Enforce Florida's Public Records Act and for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief 6/11/14 Summons and Complaint served on Town 7/1/14 Answer Due I would be happy to answer any questions you or any Commissioner may have in regard to these matters. Sincerely, JONES, FOSTER, JOHNSTON & STUBBS, P.A. p:Womk1314A0000111tr\1p"8412 do= IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA FOURTH DISTRICT, 1525 PALM BEACH LAKES BLVD., WEST PALM BEACH, FL 33401 CHRISTOPHER F. O'HARE June 18, 2013 CASE NO.: 41313-0621 L T. No.: 2012CA01107 v. TOWN OF GULF STREAM Appellant / Petitioner(s) Appellee / Respondent(s) BY ORDER OF THE COURT: ORDERED that the petition for writ of certiorari filed February 27, 2013, is hereby denied on the merits. MAY, C.J., TAYLOR and LEVINE, JJ, Concur. I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true copy of the original court order. Served: cc. John C. Randolph John E. Carter Tyler K Pitchford Louis Roeder, III 07 ARILYN BEUTTENMULLER, Clerk Fourth District Court of Appeal Tracy S Carlin Stephanie Eassa Rapp Page 1 of 1 Rita Taylor From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Randolph, John C. [JRandolph@jonesfoster.com] Thursday, June 20, 2013 10:22 AM Bill Thrasher Rita Taylor O'Hare vs Gulf Stream (4DCA Case No. 4D13-621) Attachments: 1GH3734-order petition denied on merits.PDF 0 In regard to the above referenced case, please see the attached Order denying the Petition for Writ of Certiorari filed February 27, 2013. JOHN C. RANDOLPH JONESFOSTER --'-' JOIINS ION&SSI VIRS. P.A. John C. Randolph-\ttomev Direct Dial: 561.6550.0455 1 Fax: 561.650.5300 1 jnndolphQionesfoster corn )ones, Foster, Johnston & Stubbs, P.A. Nagler Center'fower, 505 South I lagler Drive, Suite 1100, West Palm Beach, Florida 334n I 561-659-3000 1 www.ionesfoster.com U.S. Treasury Regulation Circular 230 requires us to advise von that written communications issued by us are not intended to be and cannot be relied upon to avoid penalties that may be imposed by the Internal Revenue Sen ice. "'corning emails are filtered which may delay receipt. This email is personal to the named recipient(s) and may be privileged and confidential If you arc not the intended recipient, you received this in error. If so, ant. review, dissemination, or copying of thus email is prohibited Please immediate) notiQ h message. us y email and delete the original INTER -OFFICE MEMORANDUM TOWN OF GULF STREAM, FLORIDA OFFICE OF THE TOWN CLERK RITA TAYLOR DATE: September 19, 2013 TO: Mayor & Commissioners RE: Letter from Christopher O'Hare Mayor Orthwein has asked that a copy of the attached letter be distributed to each of you. It was given to her by Mr. O'Hare for this purpose. Comments to Town of Gulf Stream Commissioners Scheduled for Sept 13 2013 My name is Christopher O'Hare; I have been a resident of Gulf Stream for the past ten years. I personally discovered the Town of Gulf Stream about thirty years ago when longtime resident, Mrs. Jean Spence, invited me to design a garden for her home. Jean and I became friends and she introduced me to the place where I decided I would one day live. Growing up poor in the Bronx, everything was a struggle. But I was taught to appreciate and value beauty and craftsmanship. So when I saw how fine and beautiful Gulf Stream was, I knew I would work as hard as I could to someday afford a home, however meager, in this beautiful town. And Gulf Stream is beautiful. Historically, some of the finest examples of American Architecture and private gardens have been built right here. I also found most of the residents to be lovely people. My first ten years here I lived on Middle Road. Mayor Koch was my neighbor across the canal; and his son Bill was my neighbor across the street. They made me feel welcome and part of the community. Police were friendly, Town staff was helpful. As the song goes, "the livin' was easy." Two years ago I moved my family to the other side of Town in a section called Place Au Soleil. There I again found lovely neighbors but discovered that the rules were very different and the living not so easy on the "poor side of town". My troubles seem to have started when a Police Officer stopped by while I was planting some trees in my yard. The Officer told me I had to move the trees closer to the house and away from the road. I was surprised because in all the time I lived on the other side of town I had never been stopped from planting anything in my front yard near the road. I showed the Officer that my trees were no closer to the road than my neighbor's trees; I showed him my copy of the Town's Code book and asked him what ordinance regulated tree placement. The Officer called Town Manager Thrasher and then told me the trees had to go. Later Police Officer Ginsberg came by to photograph the illegal trees. Finally, Mr. Thrasher sent me a letter ordering me to remove the trees or face legal consequences. I took out the trees. Soon after, I hired a tree company to remove some dead trees at my home. Police Officer Ginsberg soon arrived and told everyone to stop working because they did not have a town registration sticker on their truck. I asked Officer Ginsberg if the men could continue working while their boss went to get the sticker from Town Hall. Officer Ginsberg took me aside and said if he let these "beaners," keep working they would never get the sticker. I thought his comment was racist, demeaning and officious. I remarked to him that he was a racist and a Barney Fife. I soon forgot about this incident but in retrospect I believe my remark triggered a retaliation that I can't otherwise explain. Soon after that, this same Officer Ginsberg walked into my home, unannounced and uninvited. He was stopped in my rear yard by my handyman who told him he didn't have permission to enter. Officer Ginsberg told him he was a policeman and could go anywhere he wanted. Standing in my living room, Officer Ginsberg called Mr. Thrasher on his cell phone then ordered all the workers to stop what they were doing, to pack up their tools and leave immediately. Mr. Thrasher evidently gave Officer Ginsberg further instructions, because Officer Ginsberg then proceeded to trespass through a closed gate into the side yard of the adjacent property, which I also own. He reached over the 6' high fence and photographed the rear of my home He later denied this but Mr. Thrasher sent me time stamped photos that prove Officer Ginsberg was lying. I subsequently obtained Officer Ginsberg's written Incident Report, which was full of omissions and false statements. I complained to Mr. Thrasher and the Town Attorney, Mr. Randolph. I presented them with affidavits from witnesses whose accounts were totally different from Officer Ginsberg's report. They told me not to worry, that my family was safe in this Town, and they would look into the matter. Mr. Randolph later said that Officer Ginsberg had stopped by my home to check on the immigration status of workers there — a story apparently added AFTER he filed his fraudulent incident report. Attorney Randolph also said Officer Ginsberg denied that anything happened that was not detailed in his Incident Report. Officer Ginsberg has come by my home numerous times. I have witnessed him driving by my home taking more pictures, warning my workers about me, questioning me about my parking and just standing in the street staring at me. I now believe all these incidents were in retaliation for my earlier remarks to Officer Ginsberg. And by complaining about it to Mr. Thrasher and Mr. Randolph, these men apparently decided that no matter what I requested from the Town, the answer was always going to be "NO." Soon after, on the advice of my engineer, I asked Mr. Thrasher if I could change my concrete roof to a lighter metal roof. Mr. Thrasher said NO. His decision violated the Town's Code and I appealed it to you, the Board of Adjustment. During the hearing Mr. Randolph told you that I had met the requirements of the Code for a metal roof. You ignored his opinion and said NO. Mr. Thrasher then decided to change the zoning classification of the style of my home. He decided it was now a Bermuda style and therefore subject to much more restrictive Town Codes. He did this on his own without any type of hearing or any formal Commission action. He just decided on his own regardless of my objections. I asked for a permit to replace my old garage door with a new hurricane resistant garage door with a smooth face like some of my neighbors. Mr. Thrasher said NO. I asked for a permit to replace my existing windows with hurricane windows. Mr. Thrasher said he didn't like the window style and then said NO. I changed the style and resubmitted the same number of windows. This time Mr.Thrasher said there were too many windows and then said NO. I asked for a permit to install a wall and gate in my rear yard identical to my neighbors. Mr. Thrasher said NO. Now all this time I am appealing the Town's denial of my metal roof to the local court. I am stuck between my engineer's recommendation for a lighter roof and the Town's insistence that I install a heavy concrete roof. My family and I live under a tar paper roof for nearly two years experiencing hurricane Irene and hurricane Sandy and every other major weather event. And worrying about leaks and mold and storm damage. All this without insurance because you can't get insurance without a roof. If that wasn't enough, Mr. Thrasher then started his campaign of code enforcement harassment against me. Mr. Thrasher cited me because my tar paper roof was black - a color not allowed by the Town. Mr. Thrasher then cited me for removing soil from my property even though this section of the code clearly only applies to vacant land. Mr. Thrasher emailed my neighbors to encourage them to complain about my home Mr. Thrasher then cited me for my landscaping. He claimed I installed plants not allowed by the Town's code. He demanded I remove Lady Palms and other illegal plants in my yard. He sent Mr. Minor to my home to photograph them. He knowingly and intentionally changed the meaning of the code to distort the Commission's intent and prosecute me for installing types of plants that are currently growing at the home of every Town Commissioner and every member of the Town's Architectural Review and Planning Board, as well as most residents in Gulf Stream. Then Mr. Thrasher cited me for not having an "open front lawn." Despite repeatedly asking him what that phrase meant, Mr. Thrasher finally defined it at the Code Enforcement Hearing. According to him "open front lawns" means the front door of any home in my neighborhood must be visible from the street. I pointed out to him that about 209 of my neighbor's homes have their front doors screened from the street by landscaping. These include the homes of a Town Commissioner and members of the ARPB. The Magistrate believed Mr. Thrasher when he told her these homes were "grandfathered in." I have since discovered photographic evidence that proves he was lying. I complied with the Magistrates order and removed the plants. Mr. Thrasher agreed that I complied but refused to find me in compliance until I removed even more landscaping to restore the property to a condition only he could approve. The Town of Gulf Stream should be run by people committed to respecting citizen's rights. The Town should treat all residents equally under the law regardless of their wealth or membership to the "in" crowd. There is no place here - or anywhere else - for racism, discrimination, civil rights violations or abuse of town residents or visitors under the color of law. Unfortunately, the leadership of this Town is either ignorant of, or complicit in the immoral, arrogant and apparently criminal conduct of some Town employees. Over the past 2 years my feelings toward the Town of Gulf Stream have changed from disappointment to anger. I am now resolute in my determination to uncover and expose the Town's systemic disregard of the U.S. Constitution, State law and the Town's own Code. I am doggedly committed to find justice in Federal and State court from the Town's malicious conduct perpetuated against my family. This is not a fight that I want or a fight I look forward to; but it is necessary, and it is the right thing to do. I am absolutely committed to it.