Nearly 35 spectators, including independent journalist Jane Velez-Mitchell, were at the first day of a trial alleging Hendry County broke Florida’s Sunshine Law when it permitted two massive monkey farms without public input.
Three plaintiffs, represented by attorneys from the nonprofit Animal Legal Defense Fund, say they had no idea their rural neighborhood would soon house thousands of macaque monkeys.
The county maintains that as long as land is zoned for agriculture, any species could be allowed. The public doesn’t need to be notified about such facilities because staffers are in charge of their vetting and approval. At no time did two elected officials meet about the farm, the county contends, so there was no violation of the law.
In her opening statements, plaintiffs’ attorney Justine Cowan said, “What my clients are seeking is so reasonable: They just want a voice in what is happening in their backyard.”
But Edward Dion, representing the county, said the Sunshine Law “Is supposed to prevent officials from meeting in secret. (It) doesn’t require that people be notified of routine decisions by county staff.”
Plaintiff Billy Stephens lives less than half a mile from one of the sites, on the Lee County border along Bedman Creek, a Caloosahatchee tributary. He spent years pouring money and labor into his 5-acre homestead, which he was counting on for his retirement. He wishes officials had warned him about the monkey farm.
“Had I known it was coming, I wouldn’t have bought there,” Stephens said. “Homes are foreclosing out there now; nobody can sell.”
Stephens’ fellow plaintiffs echoed his dismay.