Petitioner: TURFGRASS AMERICA, LP
Respondent: ROADSCAPE, INC., D/B/A EROADSCAPE AND HARTFORD FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY
Judges: WILLIAM F. QUATTLEBAUM
Agency: Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Locations: Tallahassee, Florida
Filed: Apr. 15, 2005
Status: Closed
Settled and/or Dismissed prior to entry of RO/FO on Thursday, June 9, 2005.
Latest Update: Dec. 24, 2024
STATE OF FLORIDA
Turfgrass America, LP,
Petitioner,
LB CASE NO. 05-0009,
ORDER
vs AGENCY CLERK# A35560
DOAH CASE NO. 05-1355
LB CASE NO. 05-0017
FINAL ORDER
AGENCY CLERK #A39009
Roadscape, Inc., d/b/a Eroadscape and
Hartford Fire Insurance Company, Division of Administrative Hearings
FILE D |
THIS CAUSE, arising under Florida’s “Agricultural License and Bond Law”
Respondents.
/
FINAL ORDER
(Sections 604, 15-604.34), Florida Statutes, came before the Commissioner of Agriculture of
the State of Florida for consideration and final agency action. On October 11, 2004, the
Petitioner, Turfgrass America, LP, a producer of agricultural products as defined by Section
604.15(5), Florida Statutes, timely filed an administrative complaint pursuant to Section
604.21, Florida Statutes, to collect $14,565.69 for sod they sold to Respondent, a licensed
dealer in agricultural products. Respondent’s license for the time in question was supported by
a bond required by Section 604.20, Florida Statutes, written by Hartford Fire Insurance
Company in the amount of $5,700. On November 10, 2004, a Notice of Filing of an Amended
Complaint was mailed to Respondent and Co-Respondent. The Respondent did not file an
answer to the complaint or request a hearing. The Co-Respondent acknowledged receipt of the
complaint, but did not contest the matter or request a hearing.
On March 4, 2005, the Department issued an Order in this matter in which the parties are
given 14 days to request a hearing prior to the Order becoming final. The Respondent filed a
timely response to the Order wherein they noted alleged inaccuracies in the Complainant’s
invoices, thereby disputing the complaint as filed. A hearing was not requested by the
Respondent, but was requested by the Department due disputed issues of fact. Therefore, this
matter was referred to the Division of Administrative Hearings (DOAH) for an administrative -
hearing in accordance with the provisions of Section 120.57(1), Florida Statutes. An
administrative hearing was scheduled in this matter for June 8, 2005.
The scheduled hearing convened on June 8, 2005, however, neither party appeared for the
hearing. In the NOTICE OF HEARING issued by the Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”) on
May 20, 2005, the ALJ noticed the parties that “Failure to appear at this hearing may be
grounds for entry of a recommended order of dismissal”. Accordingly, the ALJ issued a
RECOMMENDED ORDER OF DISMISSAL on June 9, 2005 based on the failure of either
party to appear at the June 8, 2005 hearing.
A copy of the ALJ’s RECOMMENDED ORDER OF DISMISSAL is attached hereto as
Exhibit A, to which neither party filed written exceptions with this Department.
The record consists of this Department’s file in this matter.
Upon the consideration of the foregoing and being otherwise fully advised in the
premises, it is
ORDERED:
Based on the failure of the parties to appear at the scheduled June 8, 2005 hearing after
being forewarned that by doing so may result in the case being dismissed, the Department
hereby adopts the ALJ’s RECOMMENDED ORDER OF DISMISSAL. The Department
hereby dismisses the complaint and the file is closed without further action.
Any party to these proceedings adversely affected by this Final Order is entitled to seek
review of this Final Order pursuant to Section 120.68, Florida Statutes (2002) and Rule 9.110,
Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure (2003). Review proceedings must be instituted by filing
a petition or notice of appeal with the Agency Clerk, 5" Floor, Mayo Building, Tallahassee,
FL 32399-0800. A copy of the petition for review or notice of appeal, accompanied by the
filing fees prescribed by law must also be filed with the appropriate District Court of Appeal
within thirty (30) days of the date this Order was filed with the Agency Clerk.
ot
DONE AND ORDERED this “7 ~ day of Sephen lon , 2005.
Assistani Commissioner of LL.
Yo
Filed with Agency Clerk this 7 _ day of , 2005.
Ce oD
Agency Clerk
COPIES FURNISHED TO: SEE ATTACHED
COPIES FURNISHED TO:
Judge William F. Quattlebaum
Administrative Law Judge
Division of Administrative Hearings
The DeSoto Building
1230 Apalachee Parkway
Tallahassee, FL 32399-3060
(Certified No. 7160 3901 9849 1095 2691)
Mr. Scott Cochrane, Assistant Vice President
Hartford Fire Insurance Company
Hartford Plaza, T-4
Hartford, CT 06115
(Certified No. 7160 3901 9849 1095 3995)
Mr. Justin Whittaker, President
Roadscape, Inc., d/b/a Eroadscape
P. O. Box 2132
Palmetto, FL. 34220
(Certified No. 7160 3901 9849 1095 4008)
Mr. Justin Whittaker, President
Roadscape, Inc., d/b/a Eroadscape
1310 12" Street, East, Unit #5
Palmetto, FL 34221
(Certified No. 7160 3901 9849 1095 4015)
Mr. Justin Whittaker, President
Roadscape, Inc., d/b/a Eroadscape
4117" Street W, #6
Palmetto, FL 34221
(Certified No. 7160 3901 9849 1095 4053)
Mr. James Mercer, President
Turfgrass America, LP
103 Big Bend Road
Apollo Beach, FL 33572
(Certified No. 7160 3901 9849 1095 4022)
Mr. Justin Whittaker, President
Roadscape, Inc., d/b/a Eroadscape
4435 Ascot Circle, South
Sarasota, FL 34235
(Certified No. 7160 3901 9849 1095 4039)
Mr. Robert K. Grennan, Authorized Representative
Hartford Fire Insurance Company
Hartford Plaza, T-4
Hartford, CT 06115
(Certified No. 7160 3901 9849 1095 4046)
Mr. Bill Graham, Senior Attorney, General Counsel’s Office
Mr. Mark Moritz, Field Representative
Ft. Myers Field Representative
Docket for Case No: 05-001355
Issue Date |
Proceedings |
Sep. 08, 2005 |
Final Order filed.
|
Jun. 09, 2005 |
Recommended Order of Dismissal. CASE CLOSED.
|
Jun. 09, 2005 |
Recommended Order cover letter identifying the hearing record referred to the Agency.
|
Jun. 08, 2005 |
CASE STATUS: Hearing Held. |
Jun. 06, 2005 |
Letter to Judge Quattlebaum from M. Tice advisng that they have negotiated a settlement filed.
|
May 20, 2005 |
Order of Pre-hearing Instructions.
|
May 20, 2005 |
Notice of Hearing (hearing set for June 8, 2005; 9:30 a.m.; Tallahassee, FL).
|
Apr. 15, 2005 |
Initial Order.
|
Apr. 15, 2005 |
Producer Complaint filed.
|
Apr. 15, 2005 |
Letter to Mr. Cochrane from B. Hyatt enclosing Notice of Filing Amended Complaint filed.
|
Apr. 15, 2005 |
Notice of Filing an Amended Complaint filed.
|
Apr. 15, 2005 |
Licensed Dealer Complaint filed.
|
Apr. 15, 2005 |
Complaint from Turfgrass America, LP filed.
|
Apr. 15, 2005 |
Agency referral filed.
|