SwampMatt
Well-known member
IF IT CAN HAPPEN TO THIS GUY, IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU
I got this from the Coalition for Property Rights newsletter to which I subscribe.
It's a sad story that this man is being treated like this - I'm not sure how to take it.
on one hand I like that the state is making it difficult to build on waterfront, on the other, this man is a decorated veteran whose house burned down - he just wants to REPLACE it.
Interested in opinions from sportsmen and airboaters about this.
From the Newsletter:
We have an individual land owner who needs your help today. Bill Grosscup is a retired, decorated military veteran who needs our support. About two years ago, Bill's modest waterfront home burned down. He lost nearly everything he owned in this fire, including his beloved pets, and told us his remaining belongings could have fit in a shoe box. Bill has been fighting with Florida DCA and DEP and the Attorney General's office for more than 23 months for right to rebuild his home. The City in which his home is located has been fully supportive, but due to bureacratic apathy at the state level, Bill has been denied the permits he needs to reconstruct his home.
Even worse, the State has insulted him. A senior attorney with AG Bill McCollum's office actually sent Bill and his attorney a letter with the nasty last line which stated and typed in all caps "PLEASE GOVERN YOURSELVES ACCORDINGLY." In lawyer-speak this means, "GO AHEAD, SUE US." While this kind of language may be perfectly acceptable in private practice, this is inexcusable coming from any state attorney. This writer believes our elected AG will not be pleased to learn a member of his litigation staff sent this type of missive to a veteran decorated for extraordinary service to our country and feels he should issue a formal written reprimand to ensure the attorney is held accountable for this action.
As if this story could not get any worse, know that Bill has received permission to replace the burned pilings his home sat upon before the fire. For months now he has looked at the brand new pilings waiting for Tallahasse bureacrats to grant him permission to a house. State Senator Ron Saunders took up Bill's cause and arranged for Bill to meet with DCA staff, but DCA would not budge. Senator Saunders is a very sharp legislator and an attorney who feels Bill's case has genuine merit.
This week, on Bill's behalf, the law firm of Becker & Poliakoff filed suit against the State. While CPR applauds this litigation, it is shameful that Bill or any veteran should be forced to sue their State government for the right to replace a residence which has existed since the 1960's and lost due to an accidental fire.
Bill has tried everything he could think of try to resolve this case without going to court. At the end of the day, he simply wants permission to rebuild his small home and perhaps an apology for being subjected to unreasonable delay and insult.
Today, CPR members can bring Bill's situation to the personal attention of Bill McCollum - who is known for his fairness and responsiveness to constituents. McCollum has the ability to resolve this case immediately. Members can email the simple message - "VETERAN BILL GROSSCUP DESERVES THE RIGHT TO REBUILD...AND AN APOLOGY!" to ag.mccollum@myfloridalegal.com and can also copy Governor Charlie Crist who oversees both DCA and DEP at charlie.crist@myflorida.com.
To steal a slogan from the Hannity & Colmes Show....If this can happen to Bill Grosscup,"It Could Happen to You."
(end quote)
matt.
I got this from the Coalition for Property Rights newsletter to which I subscribe.
It's a sad story that this man is being treated like this - I'm not sure how to take it.
on one hand I like that the state is making it difficult to build on waterfront, on the other, this man is a decorated veteran whose house burned down - he just wants to REPLACE it.
Interested in opinions from sportsmen and airboaters about this.
From the Newsletter:
We have an individual land owner who needs your help today. Bill Grosscup is a retired, decorated military veteran who needs our support. About two years ago, Bill's modest waterfront home burned down. He lost nearly everything he owned in this fire, including his beloved pets, and told us his remaining belongings could have fit in a shoe box. Bill has been fighting with Florida DCA and DEP and the Attorney General's office for more than 23 months for right to rebuild his home. The City in which his home is located has been fully supportive, but due to bureacratic apathy at the state level, Bill has been denied the permits he needs to reconstruct his home.
Even worse, the State has insulted him. A senior attorney with AG Bill McCollum's office actually sent Bill and his attorney a letter with the nasty last line which stated and typed in all caps "PLEASE GOVERN YOURSELVES ACCORDINGLY." In lawyer-speak this means, "GO AHEAD, SUE US." While this kind of language may be perfectly acceptable in private practice, this is inexcusable coming from any state attorney. This writer believes our elected AG will not be pleased to learn a member of his litigation staff sent this type of missive to a veteran decorated for extraordinary service to our country and feels he should issue a formal written reprimand to ensure the attorney is held accountable for this action.
As if this story could not get any worse, know that Bill has received permission to replace the burned pilings his home sat upon before the fire. For months now he has looked at the brand new pilings waiting for Tallahasse bureacrats to grant him permission to a house. State Senator Ron Saunders took up Bill's cause and arranged for Bill to meet with DCA staff, but DCA would not budge. Senator Saunders is a very sharp legislator and an attorney who feels Bill's case has genuine merit.
This week, on Bill's behalf, the law firm of Becker & Poliakoff filed suit against the State. While CPR applauds this litigation, it is shameful that Bill or any veteran should be forced to sue their State government for the right to replace a residence which has existed since the 1960's and lost due to an accidental fire.
Bill has tried everything he could think of try to resolve this case without going to court. At the end of the day, he simply wants permission to rebuild his small home and perhaps an apology for being subjected to unreasonable delay and insult.
Today, CPR members can bring Bill's situation to the personal attention of Bill McCollum - who is known for his fairness and responsiveness to constituents. McCollum has the ability to resolve this case immediately. Members can email the simple message - "VETERAN BILL GROSSCUP DESERVES THE RIGHT TO REBUILD...AND AN APOLOGY!" to ag.mccollum@myfloridalegal.com and can also copy Governor Charlie Crist who oversees both DCA and DEP at charlie.crist@myflorida.com.
To steal a slogan from the Hannity & Colmes Show....If this can happen to Bill Grosscup,"It Could Happen to You."
(end quote)
matt.