July 8, 2016 – The News-Press
Hendry County didn’t break the Sunshine Law by permitting two huge monkey farms without letting the public know, Circuit Judge James Sloan ruled Friday.
Neighbors of one of the farms on the Lee County border brought suit against the county, alleging that because it never held hearings or told them about a primate facility being built in their neighborhood, the county violated Florida’s Sunshine Law.
Hendry County argued that approving the farm, which was no different than a cattle ranch, was a routine matter that fell to county staff, and it had no obligation to tell the public.
“(We are) delighted with the judge’s ruling that we did not violate the Sunshine Law,” said county spokeswoman Electa Waddell in a statement. “Hendry County continues to stand by the rights provided to our property owners contained within the language of our comprehensive plan and land development code.” [READ MORE]