Governor Desantis,
I am writing to implore you to rescind Governor Scott’s egregious overreach of naming Carlos Beruff as an FWC Commissioner last week.
In case Tallahassee is so out of touch with what real Floridians think, let me recap Commissioner Beruff’s resume, as seen by those in the Florida Outdoors community:
- He is currently facing an ethics commission complaint over how he helped one of his former development partners while serving as chairman of the Southwest Florida Water Management District. He resigned from SWFWMD after this action.
- He has been accused of illegally moving an eagle’s nest.
- Manatee County investigated his company, Medallion Homes, for ripping up a county-owned conservation area.
- In December of 2011, as a governing board member of SWFWMD, he voted against expanding hunting in Cypress Creek Preserve, Hampton Tract of Green Swamp, in Green Swamp East out parcels, in Halpata Tastanaki, in Conners Preserve, in most of the 16,000 acre Lower Hillsborough Tract with the exception of the small tract opened (2600 acre Washburn tract) for youth and family hunts only (5 permits each).
- He planned a Marina that would require a 60′ wide channel through 2,100′ of sea grass, but declared it would do no harm to the environment.
I recognize “growth” and “Florida” are synonymous in this day and age; however, this appointment is such an egregious overreach and beyond the pale as a political favor. It is an embarrassment for the state. It is a blatant abuse of power. It is a slap in the face to outdoorspeople statewide.
This decision MUST be rescinded immediately. Failure to do so immediately can only be viewed as an adversarial position for this administration towards hunters, fishermen, and, ultimately, Floridians. Mr. Beruff may very well be qualified for some position on development, or growth, or any manner of other areas; it is unfathomable to any reasonable stakeholder that he be given any authority over Florida’s Wildlife Commission.
Thank you,
Capt. Travis Thompson
Host, Cast and Blast Florida Podcast
travis@castandblastfl.com
Guide, Gasparilla Charters
travis@gasparillacharters.com
@travisthompson – @castandblastfl
(863) 206-0762
31 Comments
Andrea Illiano
Please remove this man before more harm is done to our ecosystem, this is not an appointment we need Governor DeSantis . Thank you for your support!
Walt Reynolds
We tried get get Roland Martin picked for that job but no luck He would have made a great Commissioner He is not a politician and loves Florida Outdoors
Deb
Pose choose another!
Mary Spratt
Rescind Carlos Beruff appointment to FWC.
Patrice Matz
Thank you . I agree. Rick Scott pulled a fast one on Governor Desantis and Floridians by appointing this man who apparently has no regard for our environment and wildlife.
Laurie Johnson
I agree with you. Rick Scott screwed up by this approach
Judie Williams
Thanks Travis!
Without people like you and your group the Public would never know what deals go on with politicians that only benefit a select few.
Ms. Claudia Emrich
I agree. Carlos Beruff would NEVER be my choice for anything related to environmental oversight!
Chuck Echenique
Attaboy Travis, give him hell.
Renne Jo Villademoros
Remove Beruff immediately! SWFMD needs to be investigated too! They are out of control.
I’ve lived in Florida 48 yrs. My Grandparents and Father were born here. It breaks my heart the way Florida waters are being polluted. Our beautiful beaches are being destroyed by so many uncaring Companies, over development, over use of toxic weed killers, Big Sugar, the mutilation of the Everglades…the list just goes on. Heartbreaking 💔
Lea
I agree with Renne Jo.
Janet Friedrich
Governor Desantis…..please rescind this appointment. Florida’s water and waterways are our biggest asset.
Christopher Champagne
I support Captain Thompson in this matter. Florida can and must do better!
Karl Deigert
Call Governor Desantis and demand Carlos Beruff resign: 850-488-7146. A live person answers the phone.
Beruff Profile is Rick Scott cronyism at highest level.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlos_Beruff
Randy Forbes
I, and many others in Manatee County share this author’s sentiment.
This appointment rings of blatant textbook “good ol’ boy” favoritism, and definitely tarnishes the face(s) of Florida’s politicians.
Please rescind this appointment, before he can do more damage than he’s already done.
ED SCHULTE
WE DO NOT NEED PERSONS WITH CARLOS BERUFF RESUME
TO HAVE ANY ASSOCIATION WIYH EITHER THE FWC OR THE SFWMD.
Edwina
Not good for FLA.. How could you do this to us?
Pingback:
Marilyn Gilley
Please remove this man! He is a FOX who should not be guarding Florida’s environment.
John Winters
Florida must do better. Remove Carlos Beruff from the FWC Commission. Do Floridians and outdoorsman some justice.
Ole
Red Tide Rick gives Florida one last hosing on his way out of town. He is like a Mersa infection that you can’t get rid of- it’s effects linger on forever.
I cannot believe the Stupidity of Fla voters who voted him in as Senator! 6 more years of looking at that chrome done and bug eyed maniac looking geek. And all the damage he will do voting for every gift to the Rich and their tax evading corporations that the RepubliCONS put up this year.
Sean Dowie
“Red Tide Rick at it again, stepping on Floridians not with Floridians, Governor Desantis the new future begins by removing this appointment!”
Billue Guignard
Protect our water…it is Florida’s resource!
Diana Sanchez Zimmerman
Environment before profit, please do the right thing and do not place someone so hateful to our precious environment in a place where they could do even more harm.
Kim Manley
Please please remove Beruff. His only agenda is self interest and as a lifelong resident of Florida and a Captain, I implore you to understand we cannot have the fox in charge of the henhouse. Don’t trust me, educate yourself. This man is poison to our Florida environment. Thanks for listening.
Dennis Lee
Governor DeSantis. Please remove the current FWC board and replace with people that understand the environment ,like outdoor Sportsman, fisherman and Hunters. Our precious States resources have been sorely abused over the last 8 years Administration. Water is life, Florida must have clean pure water to thrive or severe consequences will result. God bless you and your new office of Public Service.
Cathi Shannon
Governor DeSantis please remove Beruff’s appointment NOW from the FWC Commission, his history speacks for it’s self !
Thank you,
https://www.change.org/p/ron-desantis-rescind-appointment-of-carlos-beruff-from-florida-fish-wildlife-conservation-commission?recruiter=668628278&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=psf_combo_share_initial.pacific_email_copy_en_us_3.control.pacific_email_copy_en_gb_4.v1.pacific_email_copy_en_us_5.v1.pacific_post_sap_share_gmail_abi.gmail_abi.lightning_2primary_share_options_more.control&utm_term=psf_combo_share_initial.pacific_email_copy_en_us_3.control.pacific_email_copy_en_gb_4.v1.pacific_post_sap_share_gmail_abi.gmail_abi.pacific_email_copy_en_us_5.v1.lightning_2primary_share_options_more.variant&utm_content=fht-14148475-en-us%3Av6&fbclid=IwAR0XyazNo-TTUiI8fn58Jsk-379scw7F1erEdbo0MqNLOsg5rXgA_7JtucM
Patrick Moran
How voters elected Rick Scott to be governor and now senator when he shows such hatred of our environment and our state in general, is beyond comprehension. Gov DeSantis appears to have a mind of his own and NOW is the time to prove it. Remove Beruff immediately!
Mike Martin
Please remove Beruff. He is one of the most corrupt people in Florida and has no regard for the environment. The only reason he wants to be on this board is to push through his illegal goal of cutting mangroves and a channel for his new development Longbar Point in Bradenton. I am a huge supporter of the new governor and the Republican Party, but Beruff has no business being appointed to any political position in Florida.
Debra Kossmann
Protect our waters!
Debbie Rhodes
Rick Scott gave us the bird when he did this. It was purposeful. He knew it would tick a lot of people off. Beruff is a criminal. He built homes on toxic lands and built other homes with toxin Chinese drywall. When sued he claimed he was broke so he didn’t have to pay these homeowners. When stopped for speeding at 103 mph he told the cop his expensive car was safer at that speed than other cars are at lower speeds. He lost his license. The guy is bad news for Florida!