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August 2011
The Employee e-Newsle t t er o f t he F lor ida F ish and Wi ld l i feConservat ion Commission
Serves Them Right Shining Stars Employee Mi les tones
In t h is issue...
Video tribute to Rodney BarretoSix-time Chairman saluted at June Commission meeting... [more]
Lee County billboard urges panther aw areness Over 50,000 motorists see the message every day... [more]
Fuss 'n' feathers Transporting an injured hawk proves more than officer bargained for... [more]
Doing the heavy lifting 2 officers pick up gold, silver for weightlifting at Police and Fire Games... [more]
Video tribute to Rodney Barreto
The June Commission meeting marked the end of an era, as Rodney
Barreto stepped down as Chairman, having served six one-year terms in
that capacity.
To commemorate the many accomplishments during his 10 years of
service on the Commission, a special video was produced for showing at
the June meeting in St. Augustine.
You can watch the 5-minute piece on the FWC's YouTube channel.
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Commissioner Rodney Barreto
(FWC photo)
Commissioner Barreto's second five-year term expires August 1.
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Lee Co. billboard urges panther aw areness(from U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service news release)
A digital billboard on U.S. 41 in Lee County is reminding 50,000 motorists a day to watch out for Florida
panthers.
Featuring an image of a panther running across a
road in Okaloacoochee Slough State Forest, the
billboard urges caution, because vehicle collisions are
a leading cause of panther deaths. As of July 12,
seven Florida panthers have been killed on Southwest
Florida roads this year.
The billboard space was donated by Lamar Outdoor
Advertising, and the message will run indefinitely.
Bob Repenning of Lee County Parks and Recreation took the
photograph used in the billboard.
(Design by Lamar Outdoor Advertising)
"We're proud to help the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission reach as many motorists as possible with this message of caution," said Lamar's southwest Florida
sales manager Vinny Fazio.
The panther population has grown five-fold since the 1980s, when its numbers dwindled to 20-30. Its increase
to a current estimate of 100-160 adult panthers is a success story, but one tempered with the knowledge thatan increasing population means a greater chance for vehicle collisions.
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Fuss 'n' feathersBy Officer Sam Cohl
After 13 years as an FWC officer, I thought I had seen it all. At least I did until the other day.
On July 8, I was on routine patrol along the Charlotte/Sarasota County line when a family flagged me down.
The driver said a hawk had just been struck by a car one block away.
I reached the scene to find a large red-tailed hawk standing in the center of the two-lane road blocking traffic in
both directions. Its wing was covered in blood, and it apparently had no intention of moving from the roadway.Someone handed me a beach towel, which I draped over the bird's head and body to keep it calm. I picked up
the towel-wrapped hawk and placed it on the passenger-side floor of my truck.
I knew the hawk's best chance for survival would be at The Wildlife Center of Venice, about 45 minutes away.
Most of the trip was uneventful, but as I got closer to the Wildlife Center, the weather deteriorated and rain
poured from the sky. At about 3 miles from our destination, I began to have a strange suspicion I was being
watched.
I slowly looked down to see two large eyes locked onto me like I was a giant mouse. The now-alert bird had
decided it didn't need the towel draped over it for protection. I felt like Wyatt Earp at the OK Corral, and the
hawk was giving me until sundown to get out of town. But I figured the hawk had a broken wing; surely, it
wouldn't try to take flight. Wrong!
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Recovered from its injury, the hawk was
transported to its release site - in a more
suitable carrier.
(FWC photo)
While maintaining control of my truck on the wet road, I was also
fending off flying feathers, flapping wings, a stiletto-like beak and
razor-sharp talons. I stopped the truck, jumped out in the pouring
rain and grabbed my rain jacket from the back and used it to
subdue the hawk. Though soaked and a bit disheveled, I arrived at
the Wildlife Center of Venice with no further injuries to the hawk -
or myself.
Fortunately, the hawk's wing was not broken, and we were able to
release the bird a little more than a week later. I was also the
grateful recipient of a gift from the Wildlife Center, an animal cratethat will help prevent further comedic episodes with temporarily
stunned wildlife.
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Doing the heavy lifting By Katie Purcell, Law Enforcement
Every June, law enforcement officers, firefighters and military personnel take part in the Florida Police and Fire
Games. Thousands of participants, from over 200 different agencies, compete in Olympic-style sporting events.
The FWC had a successful year in the weightlifting events. Officer Billy Giles and Officer Joe Johnston , both
of the North Central Region , earned medals in their weight classes. Billy won gold medals for bench press
and power lifting in the 220-pound class. In his first weightlifting competition, Joe won the gold medal in power
lifting and silver in bench press in the 242-pound class.
Their accomplishments are impressive enough on their own,
but perhaps what is even more noteworthy is that Billy
achieved this less than a year after suffering serious
lacerations to his legs in a boating accident.
The accident occurred last August and required several
surgeries. Billy's doctor told him that had he not been in
such good physical shape, his femoral artery could havebeen cut, which could have been fatal. Billy vowed to
recover from his injuries and return to the competition
stronger than ever. He returned to full duty in November
and resumed training in December.
Billy and Joe work out for 90 minutes three or four times a
week, focusing on squats, bench press and dead-lifts.
The hard work seems to be paying off. Billy moved up from
the 198-pound weight class and achieved his personal best
in all three categories in which he participated.K-9 Officer Billy Giles (L) and Officer Joe Johnston with
their medals from the Florida Police and Fire Games.
Johnston is awaiting the arrival of his silver medal.
(FWC photo by Karen Parker)
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Serves Them Right
Citizens and FWC customers were so impressed by the following employees, they told us about it through the
"Praise an Employee" page of MyFWC.com/Contact:
Andrea Boliek (HSC) - "...My brother's truck was not properly equipped for off-roading, and he got us
stuck...We were lucky that Andrea...saw us...and she was able to pull our Jeep out of the mud. She took the time
to explain to us (very nicely) that what we were doing was actually frowned upon because of the resource
depletion...She asked for nothing in return only that we respect the land and not do that sort of thing again..."
Nancy Brock (L&P ) - "I wanted to take the time to thank Nancy & the entire team for being so helpful and kind
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in assisting me."
[also]
"I was missing some information...Nancy took the time to explain to me step-by-step what I needed to do...she
responded expeditiously & courteously in such a manner that is rarely seen today..."
Nancy Brock, Karen Barnes (L&P ) - "These ladies went out of their way to help me with my license. You guys
are doing such a great job there. I really appreciate it and want you to know how well you are doing..."
Officer Carmon Brow nell - "I was up the East River, in the evening, and had run out of gas...He towed us to
the dock and, I feel, went above and beyond the call of duty. Officers like this make people feel safer on the
water and not scared to "run in with the FWC"..."
Bambi Clemons (FWRI ) - "...I am studying tick-borne disease in Florida and collecting ticks from state
parks...she has given me information on white-tailed deer, including...one of her personal books...to make finding
the ticks I need a more simple task...Thanks Bambi for providing me with the opportunity to learn more about
Florida wildlife as I pursue my degree!"
Gabriella Ferraro (OED/ CR) - "...is exceedingly easy to work with and adds tremendous value to my
performance serving my readership as a reporter and outdoors columnist...works tirelessly to ensure proper and
accurate information is dispensed...I don't know what I'd do without her."
Officer Bret Gill - "...displayed such exceptional professionalism, because it wasn't about citing a ticket or
chewing us out. It was entirely about the proper safety for the kids...You don't meet law enforcement that often
who are so patient or willing to entertain the many questions 6-year-old boys may have..."
Officer Charles " Buck" Higman - "We had some trailer issues...while pulling our boat...was kind enough to pull
over to be sure all was okay...A big thank you to Bucky Higman for not only ensuring that we were out of harm's
way, but for staying with us until we were safely back on the road again..."
Lt. Wayne Maahs, Officer Dan Stermen - "For their courageous work in arresting the perpetrators of, and then
conducting the investigation into, the massacre of 21 migratory birds on Feb. 17, 2009..."
[also]
"...We want to thank Officer Dan Stermen and Lt. Wayne Maahs for their work in conducting the investigation into
this shocking massacre of wildlife."
Officer John Mattox - "...I was stranded in Lake Harney on a boat...not only got me the help I needed, but gave
me his phone number to make sure I made it back to the launch alright. This is over and above the call of
duty..."
Officer Nick Ridgway - "A few months ago, I spotted a baby deer on the side of the interstate. He assisted me
and a few road crew members on trying to keep the baby safe...Very nice, polite and such an asset to the FWC..."
Officer Matthew Steelfox - "...gave us a verbal warning earlier in the day, and unfortunately a passenger on
my vessel did not comply...officer was very polite, and conducted himself in a professional manner...had his hands
full on opening day of scallop season...He should be commended for his patience in such chaos."
Jenny Tinnell (HSC) - "She is very helpful. No matter how many questions I have she makes time to find the
answers for me. She made the process of settling down in Florida much easier. Thank you."
Unidentified officer - "...informed me that PWCs were not allowed on the water after dark...was very nice,
professional and polite. He declined to cite me and performed a safety inspection and let us head back into shore.
I want you to know that this nice gesture was very much appreciated..."
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Shining Stars
Tom Champeau (Director, Freshwater Fisheries Mgt.) and Jessica McCawley (Marine Fisheries Mgt.)
recently graduated as Fellows of the fifth cohort of the National Conservation Leadership Institute (NCLI).
Each year professionals within the natural resource conservation community are nominated by their top
administrators to compete for one of 36 fellowship spaces. The goal of NCLI is to develop future leaders in the
realm of natural resource conservation.
Previous graduates from the FWC include Thomas Eason (HSC), Dianne Eggeman (Director of HGM), Elsa
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Haubold (HSC) and Nick Wiley.
Joanne Peagler , Hunter Safety Coordinator in the Northeast Region , has been named the International
Hunter Education Association's 2010 Professional of the Year. This award recognizes outstanding service to hunter
safety education and the future of hunting. Nominees are evaluated on several categories, including education of
hunters, recruitment efforts, youth hunting activities, innovation in training, community service and enforcement
efforts.
The FWC received 4 awards for excellence in communications from the Association for Conservation Information
(ACI), a nonprofit organization of information and education professionals representing state, federal and
Canadian agencies and private conservation organizations. The awards were presented at ACI's recent conference
in Cincinnati.
First Place, Photography for a close-up photo of a bay scallop by David Moynahan (Recreation Services) .
Second Place, Graphics for a logo design by Ann Marie Tavares (Community Relations) for the Coastal
Wildlife Conservation Initiative.
Second P lace, Video for a video about protecting sea turtlesfrom the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, produced by
the Media Services section ofCommunity Relations.
Third Place, News Release for Gabriella Ferraro's (OED/ CR)news release and photos about a burrowing owlthat took up temporary residence on a cruise ship miniature golf course.
David Moynahan's photo of a bay scallop won 1st
place in the Photography category.
Ann Marie Tavares designed the CWCI logo,
which won 2nd place in Graphics.
Gaby Ferraro's news release
about this burrowing owl won 3rd
place for News Releases.
Also at the conference, the members elected Scott Ball (CR) as ACI president for a second year.
While at a rest area off I-75, Lt. Tim Kiss was approached by a man asking for an aspirin. Kiss observed the
man's discomfort and disorientation, so he helped the gentleman back to his van to rest and summoned an
ambulance. Emergency medical personnel arrived and confirmed that the man was having a heart attack and
immediately transported him by helicopter to Shands Hospital in Gainesville. Kiss, based in the North Central
Region, was credited with potentially saving the man's life and the lives of others, in the event he had continued
driving.
Gov. Rick Scott took notice of Kiss' quick thinking and action, commending him in a recent weekly message to
state employees.
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Milestones
Editor's note: The FWC has a great many non-FTE employees, and they deserve recognition for reaching 5-
year milestones too. Unfortunately, the system doesn't keep track of such statistics; but we don't want that to
stop us. If you know of a non-FTE employee about to reach a 5-year milestone, please have his/her section
leader notify the Inside Job by email.
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Congratulations to the following employees, who reach 5-year milestones of employment with the FWC in August.
Numbers in parentheses indicate total state service, if different.
30 YearsToni Brannon - Executive Director's Office (32 years, 2 months )
Randall Cohron - Habitat & Species Conservation
Carla Lambert - Executive Director's Office
Jeffrey McGrady - Habitat & Species Conservation
Michael Murphy - Fish and Wildlife Research Institute
25 YearsTraci Wallace - Planning & Policy Coordination
20 YearsPatricia Roberts - Community Relations
15 YearsCedric J ohnson - Finance & Budget (17 years, 1 month )
10 YearsJustin Ellenberger - Habitat & Species Conservation
Elsa Haubold - Habitat & Species Conservation
Matthew McGlothlin - Fish and Wildlife Research Institute
James Mullins - Habitat & Species Conservation
Kathleen O'Keife - Fish and Wildlife Research Institute
Lisa Phillips - Habitat & Species Conservation (17 years, 11 months)
Nancy Sheridan - Fish and Wildlife Research Institute
Lavern Williams - Fish and Wildlife Research Institute
5 YearsJames Douin - Law Enforcement
Patricia Duboise - Habitat & Species Conservation
Jennifer Johnson - Fish and Wildlife Research Institute
Norma LaMonica - Information Technology
Norma Plummer - Finance & Budget
Scott Stahl - Fish and Wildlife Research Institute
And "Congratulations; we're jealous," to these retirees:
AugustElaine Richardson - 31 years (Executive Director's Office)
Randy Vaughn - 25 years (Law Enforcement)
JulyBruce Buckson - 29 years (Law Enforcement)
Deborah Stewart - 26 years, 7 months (Law Enforcement)
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