Updates on duck trapper gone wild - confrontation leads to violence in Plantation, Broward County FL.

As reported on the WSVN Newscast: The City of Plantation said they would not authorize trappers to go onto somebody’s private property to remove ducks. 

What about Palmetto Bay, when are we going to hear such a statement from the Palmetto Bay officials? Will continued silence from officials lead to self-help by residents or even violence? 

There have been plenty of complaints posted on social media in Palmetto Bay, complaints of trappers going onto private property and even comments regarding threats and aggression from the trappers made to those who try to intervene or complain.  

The trappers in these news reports appear bold when armed with a weapon and against the elderly, but it won’t be long before they trespass onto property where the owner will be better prepared or a younger neighbor or family member rushes to their aid. The trappers (or the resident) will be sorry when one or the other stands their ground. 

Both news report aired on Monday evening, May 15, 2023:

News presentation 1 - Channel 10, Miami, Rosh Lowe reporting (Click link to view the both the video and text reports): Man, 71, left bloody, battered after trying to stop beloved ducks from being removed from property

PLANTATION, Fla. – An elderly Broward County resident said he was punched in the face when he tried to stop people from removing ducks from his neighborhood.

Art Cosgrove told Local 10 News he and his wife have been feeding the ducks for years, but others in the Plantation neighborhood feel the animals are a nuisance and want them gone.

Cosgrove said he was beat up by the people removing the ducks.

“I was on the ground when they were kicking and hitting me with a stick,” he said.

The 71-year-old said he also took a right cross to the face. In video of the incident, he can be heard yelling for them to give him the ducks.

Cosgrove was hospitalized, left a bloody mess and needing staples in his head for one of his wounds. ... 

Follow the headline link to read the complete Local 10 news report or CLICK HERE

 

News presentation 2 - WSVN 7, Joe Roetz reporting, 2 men attempting to capture ducks from Plantation home accused of beating homeowner when told to leave property

... 

Eventually, one of the men grabbed a net and went after Cosgrove, striking him over and over.

“I am trying to wrestle the other guy off me to get up, and that’s when I got racked in the head a few times with the stick,” Cosgrove said.

The end result was a lacerated head and an apparent black eye.

Cosgrove now has two staples in his skull.

“They tried putting in seven but they kept hitting the skull,” Cosgrove said.

Those men took off.

Cosgrove said he filed a report with Plantation Police with a video from a neighbor after he found out the men told officers down the street they were the victims.

“I wanna file charges against these SOBs,” Cosgrove said. “They assaulted me. I didn’t touch them, and they’re saying I assaulted him? BS.”

The City of Plantation said they would not authorize trappers to go onto somebody’s private property to remove ducks.

Cosgrove claimed that his HOA also did not authorize the man to do this. (Bold emphasis added)

Follow the headline link to read the complete WSVN 7 report or CLICK HERE

Statement of Eugene Flinn regarding management of wildlife in Coral Reef Park: The truth about the CRP wildlife removal

No Muscovy ducks or Egyptian geese were harmed during any of my three terms as Mayor of Palmetto Bay. This is readily apparent from the receipts for animal removal, which I received from the Village, and which I am attaching. The Village and its council members are well aware that they did not occur during my tenure as mayor, assuming they can read a calendar. 

 For reference, I served on the Palmetto Bay Council from its creation in 2002 until shortly prior to Election Day, 2010. I then took office again in December, 2014 and served until December 4, 2018. I was not in office from November 8, 2010 to December, 2014 or after December 4, 2018. This is when the geese removals took place. 

Removal Receipts During the Stanczyk Administration 

The current Palmetto Manager presented some police and injury reports at the April 17 Council meeting, alleging that the Egyptian Geese (not Muscovy Ducks) were responsible for aggressive behavior. Apparently there were also attorneys who wrote at least one demand letter (I do not know if any suit was filed or it was settled pre-suit, if at all). The receipts for removals that were discussed Monday, April 17, which appeared to cover the following dates: 11-17-2010, 1-03-2011, 4-11-2011, 11-1-2013, 12-5-2013, 1-3-2014 and 4-15-2014 (for service dates of 1-24-14 & 4-16-2014). 

I have undertaken additional research; trying to find the receipts for these alleged trappers. I have itemized the receipts below. The earliest was 11-17-2010 - that removal occurred after my last meeting as Mayor of Palmetto Bay (Second Term). Shelley Stanczyk was sworn in as mayor at the following meeting. She also sat on the council next to me from 2006 – 2010 and served as mayor from 2010 to December 2014. The next receipt was dated April 11, 2011, followed by 11/1/13, 12/5/13, 1/3/2014 and 4/15/2014. 

None of these removals were for Muscovy Ducks. All were for the Egyptian Geese. All but one were during times when I was not in office. I will explain further about removals during my time in office. 

The Only Removals During the Flinn Administration Were Humane Removals/Relocations 

As stated previously, I was not in office from November 2010 through December 2014. 

Back to my first two terms, I was involved in one wildlife re-location with Todd Hardwick; but that was removing Wally the gator from the Perrine Wayside Park (Current Dog Park). I was assured that the gator was to be relocated (and he did qualify for relocation due to his or her size). That capture was featured on Animal Planet, the episode airing in January 2005. It was interesting that I was not made aware of the capture in advance. I was advised by a Miami Herald reporter (pictured above left) who advised me just before it happened. As you can see, I was dressed for court, not gator capture. But I did end up with a story for the hearing which was delayed so I could ensure that the gator was not harmed! 

 I did find a reference of an opossum removal at Coral Reef Park dated 12-11-2009. I was mayor at that time. I do not ever recall being advised of any opossum removal. I would love to hear what it did wrong. Possums are good guys. Perhaps the removal was more to remove a sick or an injured possum or to get it out of a vent or closet rather than a vicious possum running amuck in the park. Regardless, it was not part of an ongoing mission to eradicate opossums. 

I returned to office (Term 3) in December of 2014. Geese were removed at CRP park, but it ended in 2015. Again, I am looking for the reports/documentation relating to parks. Please note the difference in removal that occurred during my Third Term as noted in email of 4-14-2015 from Todd Hardwick of Pesky Critters to CRP Manager Luis Tejeda: 

Pesky Critters can remove geese at Coral Reef Park at a cost of $175 per animal removed. Animals will be placed in captivity. 

Thank you, 

Todd Hardwick 

(Bold emphasis added) 

I take Todd Hardwick at his word. These animals were not slaughtered. To the contrary, they were placed in captivity. 

The removals stopped cold in 2015 – that is until July 29, 2021, as indicated on the village supplied receipts. The Village has not documented any Muscovy duck removals occurring until recently, at least 3 years after my third term ended. 

But there is more. What concerns me is an 11-19-2021 removal of a fox at Coral Reef Park. What did the fox do? It was probably trying to make a go of it in the 5 acre nature preserve at the park - a place where native animals (such as foxes) should have sanctuary. And, by the way, foxes are predators of Muscovy ducks. Both the ducks and the eggs. Perhaps removal of the fox upset a natural balance going on at the park, keeping the duck population manageable - I cannot recall any complaints from 2015 to November 2018 when I last held office. 

Receipts (provided through the Village of Palmetto Bay) (attached): 

11-17-2010     $ 750.00     10 Geese         Pesky Critters 

04-11-2011     $ 675.00     12 Geese         Pesky Critters 

11-01-2013     $ 572.00      7 Geese         Miami Animal Removal 

12-05-2013     $ 218.00     Swan Goose       Miami Animal Removal 

01-03-2014     $ 236.00     10 Geese         Miami Animal Removal 

04-15-2014     $ 413.00      7 Geese         Miami Animal Removal 

04-15-2015     $ 525.00      3 Geese         Pesky Critters 

04-24-2015     $2,275.00    13 Geese         Pesky Critters – 

                                             SPECIAL NOTE see email 

                                             of 4-14-2015 

SPECIAL NOTE email of 4-14-2015 from Todd Hardwick of Pesky Critters to CRP Manager Luis Tejeda: 

Pesky Critters can remove geese at Coral Reef Park at a cost of $175 per animal removed. Animals will be placed in captivity. 

Thank you, 

Todd Hardwick

(Bold emphasis added) 

Don't leave out this 2021 removal:

07-21-2021     $ 350.00      2 Geese         Pesky Critters 

Please note the difference through price and ultimate resolution regarding the wildlife: 

$ 175.00 for Pesky Critters – the geese were humanely removed and placed into captivity 

$   45.00 for current trappers of Muscovy Ducks – slaughtered and photos of dead ducks circulated. 

Also see the records I pulled from the Palmetto Bay check register. (pictured below)

I am available to answer any follow-up questions regarding this at (305) 302-3713. However, my blanket statement is that any statement that ducks or geese were removed and killed during my terms of office is a slanderous falsehood, as the receipts clearly show this was not the case. 

This is not a political issue. The issue is how our wildlife is treated in Palmetto Bay.

Dirty tricks - stealing a lawfully placed campaign sign located on private property

Politics run amok. Resorting to stealing signs to influence a campaign.  Does anyone recognize the truck? It appears to be a black Jeep Pickup. Witnesses advise that the driver had a white dog with him.

Not much to go on, but perhaps it is enough to identify the thief.

ELECT EUGENE FLINN - Palmetto Bay's Thalatta Estate - teamwork to put the "Bay" in Palmetto Bay.

Thalatta Estate has a unique and storied history including the famous image of Capt. Peter Skipp’s 210-ton ship being deposited right here during Hurricane Andrew.

I am proud to have spearheaded an amazing team effort to obtain this historic property for the citizens of Palmetto Bay. We avoided development and made it a wonderful destination. Impressively, this park was purchased entirely through grant money.  

Soon after the purchase, we restored and repurposed the estate into a bayside paradise, with this wonderful path, beautiful water feature and more.

But we can’t rest on our laurels and I never stop looking for better. Too few people know that we obtained a grant AND PERMISSION – to add another amenity here – a beautiful boardwalk where we could walk out and look out into the water.

Sadly, that plan has been rejected, passed and then ignored by the current mayor. The result is that the grant and opportunity may have been lost under the current administration. Significant effort gone to waste.

When elected, you can count on me to properly maintain this treasured property and keep moving forward to improve our park amenities. And do it going back to aggressively seeking grant dollars – and properly spending those grant dollars.

#wecandobetter #flinnformayor #palmettobay #community #environment #trees #itstartsinparks #WeLovePB #TeamPB #PalmettoBayProud #PBturns20

POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT PAID FOR AND APPROVED BY EUGENE FLINN FOR MAYOR OF PALMETTO BAY

ELECT EUGENE FLINN - SW 136th Street multi-path

Taking a critical look at the SW 136th Street multi-use path. It’s a mess in many areas. The SW 136th Street shared path is essentially an inharmonious collection of varying sidewalk sections cobbled together claiming to be a park amenity. It’s not a cycling amenity as even a few of the current’s mayor’s informal project advisers have been honest that the cycling groups will continue to ‘take the lane’.

Also see October 13, 2021, Small bite update: Why are cyclists still riding on the road, not the path along SW 136 Street

POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT PAID FOR AND APPROVIED BY EUGENE FLINN FOR MAYOR OF PALMETTO BAY

BREAKING NEWS - Judge DENIES Miami-Dade County's Motion to Dismiss complaint - bridge litigation moves forward.

I just received this order denying the County's Motion to Dismiss - on all counts. The order was rendered at 6:19 PM on Thursday, September 22, 2022.

I will review this three page order and opine on it at a later date, but for now you can read the full three page order (CLICK HERE).

To those who work hard to make America truly great: I hope you are enjoying your Labor Day Weekend 2022

Happy Labor Day 2022!

I hope everyone who works hard to make America great is enjoying a happy and safe Labor Day weekend.  Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union. The Central Labor Union held its second Labor Day holiday just a year later, on September 5, 1883.

The vital force of labor added materially to the highest standard of living and the greatest production the world has ever known and has brought us closer to the realization of our traditional ideals of economic and political democracy. It is appropriate, therefore, that the nation pay tribute on Labor Day to the creator of so much of the nation's strength, freedom, and leadership — the American worker.

Read more about Labor Day on History.Com - Labor Day pays tribute to the contributions and achievements of American workers, and Labor Day 2018 occurs on Monday, September 3 (it’s traditionally observed on the first Monday in September). It was created by the labor movement in the late 19th century and became a federal holiday in 1894. Labor Day also symbolizes the end of summer for many Americans, and is celebrated with parties, parades and athletic events. (READ MORE)

Enjoy your special day.

National Dog Day - August 26, 2022 - Photos of some of our loyal family members

A furry friend is a life long commitment (for them as well as you). They are not a short term fancy or a photo op. 

Here are some photos of our current family guards - Lil Timmy and Bailey.  Enjoy.

Link to my campaign website. eugeneflinn.com

I have enjoyed tremendous readership of my blog, South Dade Updates. I am continuing to provide updates and post information, the facts, about our community.  But this is not my campaign website.  

CLICK HERE to go to my campaign website for all things Palmetto Bay election related!

Disclaimer: just to be safe:

POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT PAID FOR AND APPROVED BY EUGENE FLINN FOR MAYOR OF PALMETTO BAY

August 7 - Purple Heart Day. Remembering America's Veterans - special recognition for Purple Heart recipients

Palmetto Bay became the first South Florida "Purple Heart City" in 2016 - as per resolution 2016-40 that I was proud to sponsor as Mayor of Palmetto Bay.  It remains important to continue this recognition.

This is a national day of recognition. Purple Heart Day is observed on August 7 each year and is a time for Americans to pause to remember and honor the brave men and women who were either wounded on the battlefield or paid the ultimate sacrifice with their lives.

See Channel 10 News online: Palmetto Bay becomes first Purple Heart city in South Florida - Flag-raising ceremony held to commemorate honor, By Peter Burke - Local 10.com Managing Editor, posted: 1:22 PM, August 10, 2016.

See prior related post of August 12, 2016, Recognizing our Purple Heart Awardees. Palmetto Bay is now a Purple Heart City! where there are additional photos from this 2016 event

CLICK HERE to view other related posts recognizing our Veterans for their service.