Four Of Seven Inspections Require Follow-ups At Clewiston Inn
CLEWISTON, FL. -- The state of Florida's Division of Hotels and Restaurants is required to do periodic spot inspections of restaurants, hotels and motels each year, and publishes the results of each inspection online. The Sunday Morning News looked at the most recent health inspection of Clewiston's well known restaurant at the Clewiston Inn Colonial Room.
A state food safety inspector observed the violations August 11, 2009 finding violations still existing after a June inspection found 15 violations. The inspector found among other things, no hot water at employee sink.
A summary of the violations found during the inspection are listed below. The department cites violations of Florida's sanitation and safety laws, which are based on the standards of U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Food Code. In general, critical violations are those that, if not corrected, are more likely to contribute directly to food contamination, illness or environmental damage.
Although the report uses the industry-standard term "critical", varying degrees of severity and potential risk to the public require inspectors to assess each situation in determining the appropriate action. In addition, while an establishment may have multiple violations, the inspectors' training and judgment formulate the overall result of the inspection to ensure the public health and safety. While most establishments correct all violations in a timely manner (often during the inspection), the division's procedures are designed to compel compliance with all violations through follow-up visits, administration action or closure when necessary.
Follow up inspections required, noted the inspector. Four of the last seven inspections since February 2008 have required follow up inspections due to the food safety problems found.
August 11 Re-Inspection Results
Violation Observation
27-16-1 Critical. Violation: 27-16-1 Hot water not provided/shut off at employee hand wash sink.at center prep/kitchen -only one faucet -cold water-at callback 8/11/09 no hot water provided-only sink available for
48-12-2 Critical. Violation: 48-12-2 No current boiler certification provided/available. For reporting purposes only.
51-13-1 Violation: 51-13-1 No Heimlich maneuver sign posted.
June 9, 2009 Inspection Results
Violation Observation
03A-07-1 Critical. Observed potentially hazardous food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Walk-in cooler at 44 F-maintenance arrived and adjusted cooler dropped to 41 during inspection. Corrected On Site.
03A-07-1 Critical. Observed potentially hazardous food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Melon at 2 door stainless reach-in at dessert prep-maintenance adjusted and temp reached 41 F Corrected On Site.
03A-07-1 Critical. Observed potentially hazardous food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Sliced turkey /sliced ham in reach-in cooler at salad prep found at 55 degrees Corrected On Site. PHF food removed to another unit
03A-07-1 Critical. Observed potentially hazardous food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Diced ham /sausage at 55 degrees at reach-in prep end of cook-line Corrected On Site.discarded food will not use unit until maintaining 41 degrees
08A-28-1 Critical. Observed food stored on floor. 2 bags potatoes on walk-in cooler floor
08A-28-1 Critical. Observed food stored on floor. 2 boxes v pork on walk-in freezer floor
10-04-1 In-use utensil for non-potentially hazardous food not stored in a clean, protected location.ice scoop on top of ice machine in wait station
25-04-1 Observed single-service items stored on floor. Boxes of j cups in dry storage
27-16-1 Critical. Hot water not provided/shut off at employee hand wash sink.at center prep/kitchen -only one faucet -cold water
36-13-1 Observed grease accumulated under cooking equipment.at back kitchen hood
36-22-1 Observed floor area(s) covered with standing water.in back dry storage area
37-10-1 Observed attached equipment and walls soiled with accumulated grease in back kitchen area at hood/cooker/hand sink area
48-12-2 Critical. No current boiler certification provided/available. For reporting purposes only.
51-13-1 No Heimlich maneuver sign posted.
53A-01-2 Critical. Manager lacking proof of Food Manager Certification.
Thursday, September 03, 2009
Home Sales In LaBelle
Seven LaBelle Homes Sold In Two Weeks At Distressed Prices
LABELLE, FL. -- From August 18 to September 1, there were seven homes sold in the LaBelle area for an average price of $58,429. All homes were in the Port LaBelle subdivision, except the Lincoln Avenue property in the city of LaBelle. Most of the properties sold at prices that a vacant lot was selling for two years ago. The homes sold during the two week period include:
1) $47,000 on Lady Ln
2) $45,000 on Penny Cir
3) $40,000 on Penny Cir
4) $67,000 on Royal Cir
5) $130,000 on Springview Cir
6) $38,000 on E Lincoln Ave
7) $42,000 on W Palomar Cir
LABELLE, FL. -- From August 18 to September 1, there were seven homes sold in the LaBelle area for an average price of $58,429. All homes were in the Port LaBelle subdivision, except the Lincoln Avenue property in the city of LaBelle. Most of the properties sold at prices that a vacant lot was selling for two years ago. The homes sold during the two week period include:
1) $47,000 on Lady Ln
2) $45,000 on Penny Cir
3) $40,000 on Penny Cir
4) $67,000 on Royal Cir
5) $130,000 on Springview Cir
6) $38,000 on E Lincoln Ave
7) $42,000 on W Palomar Cir
State Cuts Some Cell Phones
Chief Financial Officer Sink Wants To Sink State Costs
Florida CFO Alex Sink today announced that her department will realize savings of $210,209 in state-paid annual wireless costs by implementing the recommendations of her Wireless Communications Cost Efficiency Team�s report. CFO Sink�s cost-cutting measures represent a 37% reduction in annualized costs for cell phones, BlackBerries, and air cards.
'We are always looking for more efficient and cost-effective ways to do business and figuring out ways to cut cell phone and blackberry spending just made sense,' said CFO Sink. We need to be doing everything we can in state government to cut waste and I am excited by the money we will save for the taxpayers of Florida.'
By disconnecting 116 BlackBerrys, 56 cellular phones, and 40 aircards that did not meet the newly established criteria, the Department of Financial Services (DFS) will realize an annual savings of $122,061. By matching employee usage to the most appropriate vendor, lowering monthly costs for air cards, and reducing unused services, DFS will realize an additional $88,148 in annual expected savings.
Less than a year ago, CFO Sink announced plans to consolidate the Department�s 11 consumer call centers into 2 call centers, saving millions and improving customer service. The call center consolidation took effect February 1, 2009 and has already saved nearly $727,000, with $2.25 million projected in annual, recurring savings. In March 2009, CFO Sink announced that her initiative to renegotiate existing department contracts already has saved Florida taxpayers more than $300,000.
At www.GetLeanFlorida.com, CFO Sink allows citizens to offer tips on how to cut government waste and inefficiencies. Get Lean has already received approximately 1,226 citizen suggestions since March 2009 about how state government can rein in wasteful spending and has passed these tips along to the agencies for action. Get For more information visit www.MyFloridaCFO.com.
Florida CFO Alex Sink today announced that her department will realize savings of $210,209 in state-paid annual wireless costs by implementing the recommendations of her Wireless Communications Cost Efficiency Team�s report. CFO Sink�s cost-cutting measures represent a 37% reduction in annualized costs for cell phones, BlackBerries, and air cards.
'We are always looking for more efficient and cost-effective ways to do business and figuring out ways to cut cell phone and blackberry spending just made sense,' said CFO Sink. We need to be doing everything we can in state government to cut waste and I am excited by the money we will save for the taxpayers of Florida.'
By disconnecting 116 BlackBerrys, 56 cellular phones, and 40 aircards that did not meet the newly established criteria, the Department of Financial Services (DFS) will realize an annual savings of $122,061. By matching employee usage to the most appropriate vendor, lowering monthly costs for air cards, and reducing unused services, DFS will realize an additional $88,148 in annual expected savings.
Less than a year ago, CFO Sink announced plans to consolidate the Department�s 11 consumer call centers into 2 call centers, saving millions and improving customer service. The call center consolidation took effect February 1, 2009 and has already saved nearly $727,000, with $2.25 million projected in annual, recurring savings. In March 2009, CFO Sink announced that her initiative to renegotiate existing department contracts already has saved Florida taxpayers more than $300,000.
At www.GetLeanFlorida.com, CFO Sink allows citizens to offer tips on how to cut government waste and inefficiencies. Get Lean has already received approximately 1,226 citizen suggestions since March 2009 about how state government can rein in wasteful spending and has passed these tips along to the agencies for action. Get For more information visit www.MyFloridaCFO.com.
Bald Eagles Arriving In Florida
Bald Eagles - Florida's First Snowbirds
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has received reports of bald eagles returning to nesting territories throughout Florida the past few weeks.
This majestic bird that calls Florida home during its nesting season has been flying back to former nesting sites from Duval to Collier counties, although there are no reports of nesting activity yet. The official start of the nesting season is Oct. 1.
The FWC removed the bald eagle from the state's threatened species list in 2008 and at the same time implemented a bald eagle management plan with guidelines to help residents avoid causing a disturbance to nesting bald eagles. People should follow the management plan whenever activities or projects are being conducted within 660 feet of an eagle�s nest when eagles are present. Bald eagles are protected from disturbance by the Florida Administrative Code, as well as two federal laws: the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.
The FWC is committed to conserving the bald eagle. All known nesting territories are surveyed annually by aircraft to monitor nesting activity and reproduction, according to Kirkpatrick.
In Florida, bald eagles may begin gathering materials for nests in late September or early October. They begin laying eggs as early as October and as late as April, with incubation lasting approximately 35 days. Once hatched, the fledglings begin flying from the nest at 11 weeks, but stay with their parents an additional four to 11 weeks.
For more information on bald eagles and a copy of the management plan, go to MyFWC.com/Eagle. If you suspect there is a potential wildlife violation occurring, call the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has received reports of bald eagles returning to nesting territories throughout Florida the past few weeks.
This majestic bird that calls Florida home during its nesting season has been flying back to former nesting sites from Duval to Collier counties, although there are no reports of nesting activity yet. The official start of the nesting season is Oct. 1.
The FWC removed the bald eagle from the state's threatened species list in 2008 and at the same time implemented a bald eagle management plan with guidelines to help residents avoid causing a disturbance to nesting bald eagles. People should follow the management plan whenever activities or projects are being conducted within 660 feet of an eagle�s nest when eagles are present. Bald eagles are protected from disturbance by the Florida Administrative Code, as well as two federal laws: the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.
The FWC is committed to conserving the bald eagle. All known nesting territories are surveyed annually by aircraft to monitor nesting activity and reproduction, according to Kirkpatrick.
In Florida, bald eagles may begin gathering materials for nests in late September or early October. They begin laying eggs as early as October and as late as April, with incubation lasting approximately 35 days. Once hatched, the fledglings begin flying from the nest at 11 weeks, but stay with their parents an additional four to 11 weeks.
For more information on bald eagles and a copy of the management plan, go to MyFWC.com/Eagle. If you suspect there is a potential wildlife violation occurring, call the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
Hendry's Harlem Library Reduces Hours
Reduced Library Hours At Harlem
CLEWISTON, FL. -- The Harlem Public Library in Clewiston will soon be changing the hours it is open. Effective September 11, 2009, the Hendry county library will be open on weekdays from 12 noon to 7 p.m. It will be closed on Saturday and Sunday.
Head Librarian Florida Thomas observed, 'The reduction of hours was done to help with budget constraints and still give the community quality service.' Statistics from daily logs show that the reductions made will affect the fewest number of library patrons.
Located on Harlem Academy Drive, the library serves about 3,000 residents. For further information please call 863-675-5264.
CLEWISTON, FL. -- The Harlem Public Library in Clewiston will soon be changing the hours it is open. Effective September 11, 2009, the Hendry county library will be open on weekdays from 12 noon to 7 p.m. It will be closed on Saturday and Sunday.
Head Librarian Florida Thomas observed, 'The reduction of hours was done to help with budget constraints and still give the community quality service.' Statistics from daily logs show that the reductions made will affect the fewest number of library patrons.
Located on Harlem Academy Drive, the library serves about 3,000 residents. For further information please call 863-675-5264.
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