HomeMy Public PortalAboutCorrespondence (O'Hare)jONESFOSTER
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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
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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
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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.