Good point. Who is to say what we could do with that $100K to improve our community rather than spend it to repair the misdeeds of the Tree Cutting Scofflaws! I'm still waiting for someone to tell me why this has to be!:shrug:

I think a lot of people in this thread are accused of not caring when they really just don't think there is a dark, hidden cover-up conspiracy. As has been said many times before, seeing what appears to be an obvious solution to a crime and proving those allegations are two totally different things.

I definitely care, but I also like to give community leaders and law enforcement the benefit of the doubt...within reason of course...that they're doing the best they can.

That is exactly how I see it too.

Good post
 

So what are they doing?

I think if they just billed that district for the deed, then maybe someone would possibly spill the beans.

My guess would be...their job.

It seems to me the primary potential suspects are few in number, those who in some manner might benefit from the trees being cut down.

Could a civil action be brought by the district to recover its costs (fine(s), tree replacement, overhead, and so on) incurred due to the commission of any tortious act(s)? Plus, the public has had to pay for the time spent by law enforcement and CDD management on this matter, time which might have been spent on more productive endeavors.

The burden of proof for a civil action is normally less than for a crime - the preponderance of the evidence rather than beyond a reasonable doubt or whatever it may be in Florida.

Why don't you call and ask them?

This seems, from the outside looking in, a breach of the district's fiduciary responsibility to the owners. Perhaps a query at the attorney general's office is in order.

Mulligan. I am surprised that you would say that.

The district was fined by an outside authority. Should they not pay the bill?

The district restored the trees. Are you suggesting they made money on it?

I honestly don't understand.

This is all originating from the St. John's or is it St. James River authority that is some agency protecting the wetlands and preserves. The district owns a bunch of wetlands and preserves. You aren't allowed to mess with them.

They will fine you. I don't see how paying the fine and restoring the trees is smarmy. You are just obeying the law.

District to Pay for Unauthorized Tree Cutting
 

It would be far worse and far more expensive if the district did not do what it is required to do. You are on point Gracie.

I suspect there isn't any evidence at all.

Website of the St. Johns River Water Management District


.

Sumter County is in the Southwest Florida Water Management District not St John's.

Agriculture → Wetlands and Permitting Wetlands and Permitting


View the Environmental Resource Permit (ERP) page for more information and links to parts A through D of the Permit Information Manual.
View or download the Environmental Resource Permit Information Manual, Part B – Basis of Review http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/img/pdficon.gif
To request a print version of the manual or for more permitting information, contact your regional regulation department.

It is the intent of the District Governing Board that environmental criteria be implemented in a manner that achieves a goal of no net loss of wetlands or other surface water functions (unless otherwise exempted by statute or rule).
(Condensed and modified from Environmental Resource Permit Information Manual, Part B – Basis of Review, Chapter Three – Environmental)
Wetlands serve as spawning, nursery and feeding habitats for many species of fish and wildlife, and they often provide important flood storage and water quality functions. Not all wetlands or other surface waters provide all of these functions nor do they provide them to the same extent. A wide array of biological, physical and chemical factors affect the functioning of any wetland or other surface water community. Maintenance of water quality standards in applicable wetlands and other surface waters is critical to their ability to provide many of these ecological functions.
Permits are typically required for the construction, alteration, operation, maintenance, abandonment and removal of systems to conserve the beneficial functions of these important communities and require that reasonable assurances are met.
Though some specific, limited activities in wetlands may be part of normal agricultural operations (as described in industry specific best management practice manuals), some activities conducted in wetlands may require some form of prior authorization from the District. Prior to conducting any operations in wetland areas, landowners are strongly encouraged to contact their local service office Ag Team for permitting guidance and assistance

Have we answered the OP's question yet???

Maybe not, but riddle me this:

If someone steals a car, and the tires from that car are found in my garage, is that not evidence enough to make me explain how they got there? Will you accept my answer if I say, "I don't know" or will you make me explain because it's my garage?

Circumstantial? Yes. Damning? For sure. Troubling? Without question. Worth pursuing? I certainly think so. Is that enough to charge someone for something? Maybe.

If someone illegally cuts down trees, and the wood from those trees is stacked in my yard, will you ask me how it got there? Will you accept my answer if I say, "I don't know" or will you make me explain because it's my yard?

Is that what happened in this tree cutting case?

Many times over.

Yep.

Oh Good. With +450 posts I was starting to lose faith in ToTV.

Agree. At the very least, sworn depositions would be taken. Maybe this was done. We don't know if a real investigation actually took place. Too many unknowns. Is this fair to those forced to pay?

If you have a question to ask, I would suggest that you attend the next Welcome Wednesday at 11 A. M. in the District office at Lake Sumter. As representatives from all areas of our local government including law enforcement will be attendance, it’s a great place to start. I was impressed with the people in attendance, the presentations given and the amount of time given for questions.

Ask questions and let your feelings on this matter be known at this meeting.

Most people would see no reason to think that law enforcement didn't follow all procedures in gaining information. All the laws of the land protect all of us from illegal search. It simply looks to me like not enough evidence to convict.

But I think sooner or later we will find out what landscaper was hired to do this.

I wasn't there during the investigation so I clearly don't know what happened. However, you can't force someone to talk. You are under no obligation to talk to investigators and you have the right to not incriminate yourself. I believe the most likely turn of events is that nobody has admitted anything, therefore, there is no evidence to act upon. I understand the cut down trees were not transported (i.e. they were left in place). It isn't as if the wood was stacked in someone's yard.

It is not a matter of who the landscaper is,but who hired them,They are the guilty party !

District to Pay for Unauthorized Tree Cutting
 

It would likely be both. Any legititmate landscaping business would know whether such significant work was properly permitted or not.

That will be difficult for some these posters, can't hide behind name as on TOTV.

Everyone must pick and choose what battles to wage. Golf cart safety is much more important to me than apprehending the persons responsible for the tree cutting. So, I made a passionate appeal for more attention to be focused on that issue when I was there.

As I am now in Ohio until sometime in October, I will not be attending another meeting anytime soon. However, I would not hesitate to attend when in town as the people in attendance seem to respond to questions from anyone, even me a newbie.

When I was new to the Villages, I wasn't concerned about what battles to wage. I was trying to absorb how things worked. No. That is wrong. I thought things worked very well. I just enjoyed how things worked very well.

I suspect that the results of the investigation (to date) can be FOIA'd if anyone has the time and interest to go that route.

Things still do work very well. In fact, much better than almost anywhere else in the developed world. That does not stop the conspiracy theorists from spewing negativity. Too many of these posts are speculative garbage rooted in watching too many law and order television programs. Only on TV do the authorities keep the citizens informed every step of the way during an investigation.

Stuff happens. Now, let's start Happy Hour early!

I'm sorry. I just thought some of us had some legitimate questions about what we felt was an injustice to all of us in our community, and we refuse to accept the "stuff happens" defense for that injustice.

"Stuff Happens" is and was not offered as a defense for the injustice. It was another way of saying: "The incident is being investigated. Period. Move on. This huge injustice cost us all $3 or $4. The angst is costing exponentially more than that. Many more critical and catastrophic wrongs end up unresolved.

Consider the possibility that this entire thing was a screw up on the part of a third party contractor. It would not be the first time something like that has happened. The wrong houses get demolished. The wrong cars get repossessed . The wrong leg gets amputated. For most of these, the guy who screwed up is around to get blamed. In this instance, it is possible no one witnessed the incident and a home owner who inadvertently gained a "view", may have decided to not look a gift horse in the mouth.

There is reasonable doubt. Just embrace it and move on. Justice has a way of just "happening" when you least expect it.

I have ignored this thread long enough. I wanted to see what warrants almost 500 responses. Now I know.

So can you tell me? :)

Good points all. Thank you for the clarity. It's not the $3 or $4 to me at all. It's the principle! Some folks are chuckling at all of us and they may get away with it. I just find it difficult to sit back and take that but maybe I should.

For me it's about the principle of right vs. wrong!