Elawyers Elawyers
Washington| Change
Find Similar Cases by Filters
You can browse Case Laws by Courts, or by your need.
Find 49 similar cases
RICK MARTINEZ vs DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES, 97-003863RE (1997)
Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Filed:Tampa, Florida Aug. 22, 1997 Number: 97-003863RE Latest Update: Apr. 03, 1998

The Issue Petitioner has challenged a series of emergency rules promulgated by the Respondent to address the discovery of Mediterranean fruit flies (medflies) in parts of central Florida. Specifically, Petitioner contends that 5BER 97-3, 5BER 97-4, 5BER 97-6, and 5BER 97-7 are invalid to the extent that they make any geographical area subject to emergency rule for more than 90 days. The issue for determination, therefore, is whether the emergency rules are invalid as claimed.

Findings Of Fact Petitioner Rick Martinez resides and operates an organic farming business in Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida. As stipulated, Mr. Martinez is substantially affected by the emergency rules at issue. The Mediterranean fruit fly (medfly) is considered one of the world's most serious pests affecting fruits and vegetables. It has a host range of over 260 different fruits and vegetables, 80 of which are grown in the state of Florida. It is an exotic pest of grave concern to commercial agricultural interests as well as to home gardeners. In the adult stage, the female medfly deposits or lays eggs in ripe fruit. The eggs develop into larva or maggots that feed on pulp of the interior portion of fruit, causing damage and secondary pathogens to enter the fruit and causing the fruit to rot and fall from the tree. The medfly reproduces very rapidly. It can complete a life-cycle in as little as 18 days under optimum conditions; in Florida and in recent months, it completed its life-cycle in approximately 23-25 days. As a winged insect the medfly can move several miles from its point of introduction in search of a host to deposit eggs or in search of a food source. Over a lifetime, the female can lay hundreds or thousands of eggs. The medfly enters an area via the traveling public or on commercial fruits and vegetables. Host plants or fruits can include plants or fruits that are not grown in Florida. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) maintains a detection program, including 13,000 traps to detect the presence of the medfly. Under certain circumstances for every medfly detected, there can be hundreds of others in the area. Because of the biology of the medfly, mere control is difficult to achieve. Eradication, or complete elimination of the pest from a particular area, is the goal when the medfly is detected. To further this goal, Florida cooperates with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and other states. On or about May 28 or 29, 1997, a medfly was discovered in the Seminole Heights area of Hillsborough County. Very quickly other medflies were discovered in Hillsborough County, with the epicenter determined to be in the Brandon area. Soon other detections occurred in Manatee, Sarasota, Orange, and Polk Counties. This was determined to be the most severe infestation of medflies in Florida in several decades. On May 30, 1997, Commissioner of Agriculture, Bob Crawford, issued a proclamation announcing an immediate danger to the public health, safety, or welfare in the state of Florida on account of the infestation by the Mediterranean fruit fly. The proclamation cited authority and powers conferred by Article IV, Section 4, Florida Constitution and Sections 120.54(4) and 570.07(21), Florida Statutes. The proclamation called for immediate eradication procedures including aerial and ground pesticide applications in infested areas. FDACS also promulgated and filed an emergency rule, 5BER 97-2, Florida Administrative Code, "Mediterranean Fruit Fly Rule and Quarantine." The rule provided definitions, designated a quarantine area and treatment area, identified regulated articles and host plants, and provided for entry of authorized representatives to inspect, confiscate suspect fruit, or apply treatment on property on which the medfly is known or suspected to exist. The rule also declared the medfly a pest and nuisance pursuant to Section 581.031(6), Florida Statutes, and described the rule's purpose: . . . to provide detailed direction for conducting a regulatory and eradication program to prevent spread of the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata, within the State. This rule is promulgated to provide a quarantine on areas regulated due to the presence of the Mediterranean fruit fly, and to specify conditions under which regulated articles may be certified as free of Mediterranean fruit fly when moved from the quarantined area. This rule also provides for the treatment and eradication of the Mediterranean fruit fly within the State of Florida. (5BER 97-2(2), Florida Administrative Code) The quarantine area within 5BER 97-2 is an area of Hillsborough County described with specificity with references to road boundaries. The treatment area was defined as "[a]ny location including urban and residential areas within a nine- square-mile area around an [sic] Mediterranean fruit fly detection. " Quarantine areas are generally 81 square miles; treatment areas are 9 square miles and may be wholly outside of a quarantine area. In the words of FDACS Director of the Division of Plant Industry, Richard Gaskalla, "[t]his was a very active infestation. For the first 90 days of the program, it was a very fluid and dynamic situation. Each day brought a new challenge, a new area to place traps in or regulate fruit in. So it was giving us quite a challenge." (transcript, 48-49) As new medflies were discovered subsequent to the end of May 1997, FDACS expanded the treatment and quarantine areas. Additional emergency rules on the infestation were filed: 5BER 97-3, on June 20, 1997; 5BER 97-4, on July 3, 1997; 5BER 97-6, on July 28, 1997; and 5BER 97-7, on August 11, 1997. With the exception of the specifically described quarantine area in section (4), each emergency rule is substantially the same. 5BER 97-3 repeats the quarantine area described in 5BER 97-2 and adds a specific portion of Polk County. 5BER 97-4 repeats the quarantine area described in 5BER 97-3 and adds a specific portion of Manatee County. 5BER 97-6 and 5BER 97-7 include a much larger quarantine area to include portions of Hillsborough, Polk, Manatee, Orange, and Sarasota Counties. There are portions of Hillsborough County which are found in the quarantine area described in all five emergency rules. Other geographical areas overlap in two or more of the five rules. The "treatment area" remains described in each of the five emergency rules as the nine-square-mile area around a medfly detection. As more medflies were found, this area obviously expanded. Eventually the treatment area became almost as large as the quarantine area in Hillsborough County. FDACS developed its series of emergency rules to address the medfly eradication program as it evolved. The agency consulted a science advisory panel that was put together to review the eradication program, and the agency received public comment and suggestions from public meetings. As new detections were made, the emergency rules were promulgated to cover the areas which the agency considered important for its regulation and control (quarantine). Richard Gaskalla did not consider each new emergency rule to be a renewal but rather a response to the unpredictable expansion of the medfly within existing areas. As soon as FDACS adopted the first emergency rule, it began work on a permanent rule and scheduled a rule development workshop in June to receive public comment. Citizens in Hillsborough County requested another workshop which was held approximately two weeks prior to the hearing in this case. A permanent rule has not been adopted, but the pre-adoption process continued as of the hearing in this case. As of the time of hearing, the last medfly detected in Hillsborough County was mid-July. Medflies were discovered after this in other counties covered by the emergency rules. Eradication is generally not considered complete until traps have been empty for two life cycles after the last treatment. Depending on the length of the life cycle, eradication could be complete from 60 to 100 days after the last fly find.

Florida Laws (7) 120.52120.54120.56120.595120.68570.07581.031
# 1
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES vs NANCY BONO, 07-000985PL (2007)
Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Filed:Lauderdale By The Sea, Florida Feb. 26, 2007 Number: 07-000985PL Latest Update: Dec. 24, 2024
# 2
DONALD E. CAMPBELL vs. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES, OFFICE OF ENTOMOLOGY, 83-000109RX (1983)
Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Number: 83-000109RX Latest Update: Mar. 31, 1983

Findings Of Fact At all times material hereto, Petitioner was, and is, a Florida certified pest control operator. Petitioner owns and operates Campbell's Pest Control, a firm licensed by the State of Florida for pest control purposes and doing business in Alachua, Florida. In his capacity as owner and operator of that firm, Petitioner supervises two cardholder employees. In the latter part of 1982, Petitioner received two letters from Respondent, one dated August 13, 1982, and the other September 7, 1982. Both of these letters contained notification to Petitioner of Respondent's contention that he had failed to comply with the requirements of Section 482.152, Florida Statutes, which provides as follows: A certified operator in charge of pest control operations of a licensee shall be a Florida resident whose primary occupation is in the structural pest control business, who is employed on a full-time basis by the licensee, and whose principal duty is the personal supervision of and participation in the pest control operations of the licensee as the same relate to the following: The selection of proper and correct chemicals for the particular pest control work to be performed. The safe and proper use of these pesticides. The correct concentration and formulation of pesticides used in all pest control work performed. The training of personnel in the proper and acceptable methods of pest control. The control measures and procedures used. The notification of the Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services within 24 hours of any knowledge of accidental human poisoning or death connected with pest control work performed on jobs he is supervising. Two memoranda were enclosed with the letter from Respondent dated September 7, 1982. The first of these was a legal memorandum from Respondent's counsel concerning an interpretation of Section 482.152, Florida Statutes, quoted above. This memorandum provided in pertinent part that: It is clear from a careful reading of Chapter 482 that the requirement concerning a fully qualified certified operator exists as a condition precedent to licensure because of the many dangers inherent in pest control activities. The interpretation placed on the language above quoted from Section 482.152, F.S. is that the certified operator's primary job should be that of a certified operator. Because of the many functions which are required to be performed by the certified operator, he should be on the job on a full-time basis or a nearly full-time basis for the licensee. It is obvious that the legislature, by using the language above described, intended to preclude 'certificate selling'. . . The other memorandum was dated February 23, 1978, and furnished to all commercial pest control licensees and certified operators, and concerned the subject of "renting" of pest control certificates. This memorandum provided in part that: It has come to the attention of this office that some licensees and certified operators are not in compliance with the provisions of Chapter 482.121 and 482.152, Florida Statutes, concerning the status and activities of a certified operator in charge of pest control activities of a licensee. * * * The intent and purpose of the provisions of the Pest Control Act . . . are to prevent such practices as certificate 'renting' or 'selling' under the pretense that the certified operator is in the [sic] charge of pest control activities of the licensee, when in fact he or she is not. The Office of Entomology will enforce the referenced provisions of chapter 482 F.S. as interpreted by legal counsel [in the January 25, 1977 memorandum] with regard to certificate 'renting'. Licensees and certified operators should examine their present arrangements with regard to this matter to determine if they are in compliance with the law. Violations could be grounds for suspension or revocation of licenses or certificates. Any licensee adversely affected would be entitled to apply for an emergency certificate upon loss of certified operator. By Administrative Complaint dated October 13, 1982, Petitioner was charged with a violation of Chapter 482, Florida Statutes: . . . in that you are presently employed on a full-time basis by the City of Gainesville as a firefighter and at the same time registered with the Department as an employee--identification cardholder and as a certified operator in charge of the pest control operations of Campbell's Pest Control . . . This constitutes a violation of Section 482.152, F.S., which requires, in part, that the primary occupation of a certified operator in charge of the pest control operations of a licensee shall be in the pest control business and that such certified operator be employed on a full-time basis by the licensee with the principal duty of personal supervision of and participation in the licensee's pest control operations as these operations relate to selection and safe, and correct use of pesticides, control measures and procedures used, and training of personnel; and a violation of section 482.121(1), F.S., which provides that no certified pest control operator shall allow his certificate to be used by any licensee to secure or keep a license unless such certified operator is in charge of the 'pest control activities of the licensee in the category or categories covered by his certificate and is a full-time employee of the licensee.

Florida Laws (5) 120.52120.56120.57482.121482.152
# 3
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES vs KEITH B. LEWIS, 08-002580PL (2008)
Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Filed:Defuniak Springs, Florida May 27, 2008 Number: 08-002580PL Latest Update: Sep. 19, 2008

The Issue The issues in this case are whether Respondent violated Subsections 482.121(1)(a) and 482.121(1)(b), Florida Statutes (2007),1 and, if so, what discipline should be imposed.

Findings Of Fact PFSG, Inc., d/b/a US Lawns of Destin (US Lawns),2 submitted a Pest Control Business License Application to the Petitioner, listing Mr. Lewis as its certified operator in charge for lawn and ornamental pest control, effective August 9, 2007. Mr. Lewis’ certificate number is Jf 13685. US Lawns had been operating on an emergency certificate from June 6, 2007, until Mr. Lewis’ employment on August 8, 2007. In its application for a business license, US Lawns requested that its emergency certificate be canceled as of August 8, 2007. In order for a pest control company to operate, the company has to have a certified pest control operator in charge of the pest control activities at the licensed business location. If a company does not have a certified operator to serve as the certified operator in charge, an emergency certificate can be issued and renewed monthly up to a year, allowing an employee who did not have a certified operator’s certificate to serve as the certified operator in charge. As the certified operator in charge for US Lawns, Mr. Lewis applied to Petitioner for a pest control employee identification card, effective August 9, 2007. He listed the commencement of his employment with US Lawns as August 9, 2007. He also stated that his last employment with a pest control company had ended on June 11, 2007. A pest control employee identification card was issued to Mr. Lewis by Petitioner. Mr. Lewis’ wife died on July 4, 2007. Petitioner received a complaint that Mr. Lewis was not working full time for US Lawns and was allowing US Lawns to use his certificate to maintain its business license. Based on the complaint, Michael Walters, who is employed by Petitioner as an environmental specialist II, began an investigation. Mr. Walters went to US Lawns' office and made an inspection. On October 31, 2007, Mr. Walters went to see Mr. Lewis at Mr. Lewis’ home for the purpose of interviewing Mr. Lewis. Mr. Lewis gave Mr. Walters a signed affidavit, which stated: I work full time with U.S. Lawns of Santa Rosa Beach. I have been part time since the loss of my wife, but I do go to work at least once a week and check on things. I do all the training for card holders and such. As soon as I feel better I should be back fulltime. I have been there around 5 yrs., minus one year with another company. In his request for an administrative hearing, Mr. Lewis stated: “I was on vacation for 4 weeks, due to the death of my wife,” and I was not working part time ever. The evidence is clear that Mr. Lewis was not working full time for US Lawns from the time of his wife’s death until at least the date of his affidavit, October 31, 2007.

Recommendation Based on the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED that a final order be entered finding that Mr. Lewis violated Subsection 482.121(1)(a) and 482.121(1)(b), Florida Statutes, and revoking his certified operator’s certificate. DONE AND ENTERED this 19th day of August, 2008, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. S SUSAN B. HARRELL Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 (850) 488-9675 SUNCOM 278-9675 Fax Filing (850) 921-6847 www.doah.state.fl.us Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 19th day of August, 2008.

Florida Laws (5) 120.569120.57482.111482.121482.152
# 4
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES vs. KINSEY C. HADDOCK, D/B/A H & K PEST CONTROL, 79-000721 (1979)
Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Number: 79-000721 Latest Update: May 19, 1980

Findings Of Fact At all times material hereto, Respondent was the holder of Pest Control Business License No. 875, Pest Control Operator's Certificate No. 667, and Identification Card No. 6415. Respondent's business was and is located at 512 South Eighth Street, Fernandina Beach, Florida. The anniversary date for purposes of renewal of Respondent's Pest Control Business License was November 30, 1978. Those persons holding identification cards issued in connection with the operation of H & K Pest Control were Respondent, Dolphus Lee White, Donna Kay Young and George Morrison Young. Respondent was licensed to conduct pest control business only in the category of Lawn and Ornamental pests. On November 28, 1978, two days before Respondent's pest control business license was to expire, HRS received an Application for Pest Control Business License and Identification Cards from Respondent requesting renewal of the aforementioned licenses and identification cards. However, the Certificate of Insurance attached to the renewal application failed to meet the requirements for minimum financial responsibility for property damage contained in Section 482.071, Florida Statutes. The Certificate of Insurance in question indicated that the limits of liability for property damage were $50,000 for each occurrence, and $50,000 in the aggregate. The statutory requirements are $50,000 for each occurrence and $100,000 aggregate. As a result, by notice dated November 29, 1978, HRS returned Respondent's application, indicating that the Certificate of Insurance did not meet the statutory standard. In addition, the November 29, 1978 letter specifically informed Respondent that . . . it is unlawful to operate a pest control business that is not licensed." HRS received a corrected Certificate of Insurance on February 27, 1979. However, this Certificate of Insurance did not indicate the name of the insured pest control business, and was, accordingly, returned to Respondent's insurance agent. Respondent's name was then apparently inserted in the Certificate of Insurance by the agent, and the corrected Certificate of Insurance was received by HRS on March 3, 1979. As a result, Respondent's application for renewal of his licenses and identification cards was not, in fact, complete until March 3, 1979. The renewal licenses and identification cards were thereafter issued on June 4, 1979. The delay between receipt of the completed application and issuance of the licenses and identification cards was apparently due to work load in the HRS Office of Entomology. Notwithstanding the fact that Respondent was licensed only in the area of Lawn and Ornamental Pest Control, H & K Pest Control performed pest control services inside buildings at the Florida Marine Welcome Station in Fernandina Beach, Florida, for the period July 1, 1978 through and including two days prior to the hearing in this cause on September 28, 1979. The State of Florida, Department of Commerce, Office of Administrative Services was billed ten dollars monthly on H & K Pest Control statements for this service, and payment was remitted by the State of Florida for these services to H & K Pest Control. In addition, on at least two occasions H & K Pest Control performed pest control services inside buildings at the Florida Welcome Station on Interstate Highway 95 in Yulee, Florida. One of these occasions occurred in November, 1978 for which H & K Pest Control billed the Florida Welcome Station in Yulee, Florida, thirty dollars on its statement dated January, 1979. At no time during the performance of pest control services inside the Florida Marine Welcome Station in Fernandina Beach, Florida, and the Florida Welcome Station on Interstate Highway 95 in Yulee, Florida, was Kinsey C. Haddock or any other employee of H & K Pest Control licensed in the category of General Household Pests and Rodents, or in any other category that would have allowed them to treat the inside of buildings for pests. Although Respondent was never observed to have personally sprayed the insides of buildings at either Welcome Station, persons identifying themselves as employees of H & K Pest Control did perform those services, the State of Florida was billed on statement forms of H & K Pest Control for these services, and payment was remitted by check to H & K Pest Control. On December 27, 1978 an inspector from HRS visited the business location of H & K Pest Control at 512 South Eighth Street, Fernandina Beach, Florida. The business office was open and being operated by a person claiming to be an employee of H & K Pest Control who identified herself as Joyce French. Ms. French advised the inspector that she had been trained in the category of General Household Pest Control, and had performed these services inside the Florida Welcome Station on Interstate Highway 95 in Yulee, Florida. Records maintained by the Office of Entomology indicate that no identification card or other license had ever been issued to a "Joyce French" in the area of General Household Pest Control. Respondent denied that he had ever employed a "Joyce French", nor was Miss French called as a witness in this proceeding. Further, other than the statement attributed by the inspector to Ms. French, there is no evidence in this proceeding to corroborate that Ms. French did, in fact, perform pest control services of any description. Further, on December 27, 1978, Respondent did not have displayed in his business office a certified operator's certificate renewal or a current business license, as required Chapter 482, Florida Statutes. Finally, the record in this proceeding establishes, and Respondent has, in fact, admitted, that he is not a full- time employee of H & K Pest Control. In fact, the record clearly establishes that Respondent has been a full-time employee of Container Corporation of America as an engineer in the Power Department of that company since December 9, 1937. Respondent works rotating shifts in his employment at Container Corporation of America, but usually works the 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. shift an average of only five days per month. When not working the 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. shift at Container Corporation of America, Respondent operates his pest control business at the address above mentioned.

Florida Laws (8) 120.57482.021482.071482.091482.111482.152482.161482.191
# 5
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES vs. CHARLES T. NOEGEL, D/B/A SEMINOLE-GATOR EXTERMINATORS, 78-001614 (1978)
Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Number: 78-001614 Latest Update: Nov. 28, 1978

Findings Of Fact Respondent Charles T. Noegel has been in the pest control business for some sixteen years. In February of 1976, the petitioner Office of Entomology sent all licensees a license renewal application for a license to be effective on March 31, 1976. Petitioner received a check from respondent, but the proceeds thereof were applied to review respondent's pest control operator's certificates. A check sent by respondent during 1975 had been returned for insufficient funds. A pest control business license cannot be issued unless there is evidence of a current operator's certificate in existence. Petitioner did not receive respondent's application or a check for the license which was to be effective on March 31, 1976. In June of 1976, petitioner notified respondent that they needed his application and a check for the renewed license. They also sent him an application form. According to respondent, he did not receive the entire application form. Respondent testified that he telephoned the petitioner's office in Jacksonville on two or three occasions and told a secretary there that he did not have a complete application form. In March of 1977, Mr. Page from petitioner's office called respondent. Respondent was not available and Mr. Page left the message with respondent's answering service that respondent was operating illegally without a license and asked Mr. Noegel to call him. Mr. Page received no reply from this message. According to Mr. Noegel, he received the message but did not receive the name or telephone number of the person who left the message. In April of 1977, petitioner did receive from respondent an application for the renewal of his operator's certificate and a check. Respondent has been delinquent in the past in applying for his license, and various checks have been returned for insufficient funds. Had respondent timely applied and paid for the renewal of his March 31, 1976, license, petitioner would have issued the license to him. By certified letter dated August 10, 1978, petitioner notified respondent that his pest control operator's certificate number 519 was being revoked for failure to comply with Chapter 482 of the Florida Statutes and Chapter 10D-55 of the Florida Administrative Code. Generally, respondent was charged with conducting his pest control business, known as the Seminole-Gator Exterminator, without a license. While more specific charges are contained in the August 10, 1978, letter, petitioner offered no evidence at the administrative hearing to substantiate such specific allegations.

Recommendation Based upon the findings of fact and conclusions of law recited above, it is recommended that petitioner find that respondent violated Section 482.071(1) by operating his business without a valid license. It is further recommended that respondent's operator's certificate number 519 be suspended for a period of sixty (60) days from August 10, 1978, and that upon the payment of all back license renewal fees, respondent's certificate be reinstated, and respondent be placed on probation for a period of eighteen months. The terms of probation should include the timely renewal and payment of all permits required by petitioner's laws and regulations. Respectfully submitted and entered this 6th day of October, 1978, in Tallahassee, Florida. DIANE D. TREMOR Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings 530 Carlton Building Tallahassee, Florida 32301 (904) 488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 6th day of October, 1978. COPIES FURNISHED: Charles T. Noegel Entomologist - Manager Seminole Gator Exterminator 1409 Pichard Drive Tallahassee, Florida 32304 Donna Stinson, Esq. Department of HRS 2639 N Monroe Street Suite 200-A Tallahassee, Florida 32304 William J. Page, Jr., Secretary Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services 1323 Winewood Boulevard Tallahassee, Florida 32301 Andrew J. Rogers Director, Office of Entomology Department of HRS Post Office Box 210 Jacksonville, Florida 32231 =================================================================

Florida Laws (3) 482.071482.072482.161
# 7
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES vs. ROY C. HULING AND HARRY E. POWELL, 78-002527 (1978)
Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Number: 78-002527 Latest Update: Nov. 19, 1979

Findings Of Fact Respondents, during all times here involved, were licensed by Petitioner as alleged and operated three separate pest control offices in Jacksonville, New Smyrna Beach and Palatka. During the period between May 1976 and April 1977 no certified operator was registered with Petitioner at the Jacksonville or New Smyrna Beach offices. During this period numerous fumigation contracts were entered into by Respondents. When these contracts were carried out all fumigation was performed under the supervision of a currently registered certified operator who was attached to the Palatka office owned by Respondents. Between June 1976 and October 1977 24-hour advance written notice of fumigation was not provided by Respondents to the health authorities in Duval County on five occasions and to the health authorities of Volusia County on six occasions. However, the health inspectors of each county apparently received telephone notice because they inspected the fumigations for which the written notice was not provided a higher percentage of times than the average inspection for fumigation for which 24-hour written advance notice was provided. Several violations involved the certified operator notifying HRS by letter that he would be certified operator for a specific office commencing on a given date and thereafter failing to submit the proper forms to obtain a current pest control identification card for the office at which he worked. Proper registration of pest control salesmen and certified operators requires the issuance of a pest control identification card for a specific location. On some occasions the charges resulted from Respondent, United Pest Control, acquiring another pest control company and continuing operations under United Pest Control without having changed the pest control identification cards of these employees. Two charges involved agents of Respondent who entered into contracts with customers. One resulted from a complaint that the agent inaccurately advised the customer that there was termite infestation and one involved a complaint of improper treatment for subterranean termites. After the customers complained to governmental authorities Respondents refunded their money. When Respondent Powell attempted to inspect the premises to verify the complaint of these two customers he was denied access to the premises by the customers. The certified operator in the Palatka office was used to supervise a fumigation contract obtained in the Jacksonville office and the New Smyrna Beach office during the period here involved. He told Respondent several times that it was a violation of the regulation for him to perform the fumigation on contracts in these other offices, but only after he reported this to HRS was the practice stopped. At the time of the hearing the Jacksonville pest control operation had been sold by Respondent United Pest Control.

Florida Laws (2) 482.111482.161
# 8
# 9
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES vs. A. C. BANERJEE, 80-002160 (1980)
Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Number: 80-002160 Latest Update: Aug. 31, 1981

Findings Of Fact Evidence adduced by the Petitioner in the form of the testimony of F. Robert DuChanois, an entomologist and supervisor in charge of commercial pest control, Office of Entomology, Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services, as well as Exhibit 2, established that on July 1, 1979, the Respondent made an inspection of an apartment house in Hallandale, Florida, to determine whether suspicions by the occupants of drywood termite infestations were well-founded. As delineated in Exhibit 2, the Respondent's report of his inspection, positive evidence was found in a number of places of termite infestation, which findings revealed that indeed the Respondent made a detailed professional investigation of the premises for such infestations. The evidence in the record also reveals (Exhibit 4) that the Respondent is not operating a pest control business, but is only performing consulting work for those property owners who request that he make inspections for termite and other wood-destroying pests. In any event, the Respondent, in the posthearing pleading he filed, has agreed to cease the activity objected to and which forms the basis of the Petitioner's charges. He has agreed to cease practicing consulting work in entomology henceforth.

Recommendation Having considered the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law and the evidence in the record, it is, therefore, RECOMMENDED that the Petition in this cause filed by the Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services against Dr. A.C. Banerjee be DISMISSED and Case No. 80-2160 be hereby closed. DONE AND ENTERED this 10th day of August, 1981, in Tallahassee, Florida. P. MICHAEL RUFF, Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1550 (904) 488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 10th day of August, 1981. COPIES FURNISHED: Harold L. Braynon, Esquire Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services 201 West Broward Boulevard Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 33301 Dr. A. C. Banerjee 10891 N.W. 17th Manor Coral Springs Branch Pompano Beach, Florida 33065 ================================================================= AGENCY FINAL ORDER ================================================================= STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES, Petitioner, vs. CASE NO. 80-2160 DR. A. C. BANERJEE, Respondent. /

Florida Laws (9) 482.021482.032482.071482.111482.161482.191482.226775.082775.084
# 10

Can't find what you're looking for?

Post a free question on our public forum.
Ask a Question
Search for lawyers by practice areas.
Find a Lawyer