27 Palm Trees Cut Down on Perdido Key Yesterday

27 large Palms were removed by FPL's contractor in one day, yesterday, on Perdido Key.  

.....But it was known this was going to occur.

One week ago marked the 39th day since FP&L whittled-down their initial list of Palms need for removal from 70 down to 27.  In speaking with FPL in March about this topic, I asked for 45 days for the HOA's to have an opportunity to relocate any palms they wished to save.  Numerous HOA's reached out to the county, and I spoke with the Sundown HOA manager about the 8-9 Palms in front of her development twice back in March.  But they (Sundown HOA) didn't move on removing any of them.  I called and left messages for this individual asking if they were interested in relocating the palm trees, and did not receive a call back from any of my repeated messages to her after we had first initially spoken and she did initially seem interested in saving the palms.  When contacted by a resident of Sundown two weeks ago on an unrelated matter, we subsequently spoke about the Palms.  I let this individual know I was not hearing back from the HOA manager and the clock was ticking.  He said he'd have her call me, but that never happened.  Then, we received this email one week ago on Tuesday,  from the Arborist:

"Good afternoon.  This will be my final email concerning Perdido Key Drive prior to completing the work on Monday, May 2, 2022.  My Contract Arborist and I drove down this morning to recheck the road right-of-way for any changes in the count of palm trees.  I noticed none of our initial 27 palms as having been removed by anyone.  The 9 palms I marked specifically for the Sundown Condominiums HOA, at the request of Commissioner Bergosh, are still present.  So, again, in total, we are removing the 27 tallest palm trees between Lafitte Reef Rd and the state line this year under the scope of this project.  I will be on-site Monday morning." 

I received the final word yesterday, May 2nd, that the Palms had been removed via a follow-on email from FP&L's Arborist, Chris Pope.  FP&L kept their word and waited 45 days.  But then they took action.  From Mr. Pope:

"I wanted to let everyone know that Wright just removed the final palm.  All 27 palms at the locations on the list below were cut down today.  A small amount of debris will get picked up shortly as the guys drive out.  We appreciate the cooperation from the county!....We will re-evaluate this same section of right-of-way next year and will put a similar plan in place for necessary removals at that time.  The