YOUR PROBLEM IS STILL OBVIOUS

Around July 15, 2005 my yard was inappropriately desecrated by Orange County (FL) code enforcement. An anonymous complaint aledged violations; however, none was proven and the county did not folllow prescribed processes and protocols.

List of damages:
· 25'x10' Blackberry garden - been cultivating for over 5 years: DESTROYED. Fortunately, we picked several quarts in May (as we have done every year)

· ~6 Lantana plants - several years of effort; up to 4 ft. tall (6" lantana available at the store for about $3): DESTROYED

· 5' x 20' flower bed of Coreopsis (aka tickseed) variety; over 5 years effort to cultivate and spread these along front property line. I have been sucessful in using coreopsis to reduce overgrowth (wild grape, brazilian pepper and other invasives). At least until the Isle of Pines idiots ("If it isn't a rose, it must be a weed") came and DESTROYED.
Coreopsis deisgnated as the Florida State official wildflower (http://dhr.dos.state.fl.us/facts/symbols/symbol.cfm?page=1&id=12). Several varieties native to Florida. Commonly cultivated by road departments along rights-of-way.: destroyed main bed and several smaller outcrops.
· Cut down a 4 ft. loquat tree.

· Cut all native grasses and greenery in front and rear yards down to dirt.
(Granted, the only grass in my yard is crab grass - but at least it was green!). My property is densely wooded (over 40 trees - ~3 Live oaks, 3 cypress, several draecana ("corn plant") - the original was over 20 ft! and 3 dozen Pines. In the last year, the draecana was damaged (which has been rooted into nearly 10 rootlings!) by hurricane Charley. One of two palms was taken down, as was one medium pine. Another champion pine is damaged and will need to be removed soon. The key thing is that my property is a FOREST and for the most part, growing grass/sod would be futile. We love the shade.