Volume 2 Number 13
March 28, 2005










TEXT VERSION

The day the Lord created hope was probably the same day he created Spring.  --Bern Williams

Florida's recent storms recall pain as well as perseverance and hope through family and community. As we move forward in this gentle season, we are stronger for our experiences and hopeful for the future. 

As we renew our hearts and minds, let us hope for the good health and welfare of all people. I hope that your holidays have brought you and your family together to share your lives in love and peace. And as we reflect on the rebirth of life around us, let us hope for the freedom to change for the better in all we do.  

Last week, we lost a public servant who looked on the bright side and loved Florida dearly. It is with sadness that we mark the passing of our dedicated lawmaker, Representative David Coley of Marianna.  Our prayers are with his family.

Okeechobee County's historic courthouse, built in 1925, sits next to the county's new state-of-the-art courthouse scheduled to open this spring.



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


SATURDAY TOWN HALL MEETING TO BE HELD IN FORT PIERCE

Due to overwhelming response at the four town hall meetings held so far, three additional town hall meetings have been scheduled. 

Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher has announced dates and locations for the next town hall meetings to assist Floridians still recovering from last year’s hurricanes.  The first four meetings were held in Pensacola, Sebastian, Punta Gorda and Orlando. 

Fort Pierce, Jupiter and Bartow are the next scheduled locations. 

“Hurricane victims who are still struggling to settle insurance claims are urged to attend one of these meetings,” Gallagher said.  “We want to direct all available resources to getting storm victims’ lives back to normal.”

Gallagher will be accompanied by consumer specialists who will be able to work with policyholders individually.

CFO Tom Gallagher Town Hall Meetings

Saturday, April 2nd,  9 a.m. to noon.
Lincoln Park Academy, 1806 Avenue I, Fort Pierce 

Thursday, April 7th,  5 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Jupiter Community Center, 210 Military Trail, Jupiter

Saturday, April 9th, 9 a.m. to noon.
Bartow High School, 1270 South Broadway, Bartow.  

For more information, call the Department of Financial Services’ storm hotline at 1-800-22-STORM or log on to www.MyFloridaCFO.com.



 

 

 


CONSUMER ALERT
GALLAGHER REMINDS FLORIDIANS THAT BLUE TARP REPLACEMENT IS A COVERED REPAIR UNDER HOMEOWNERS POLICIES

Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher today alerted Floridians who are still waiting to have their roofs replaced and repaired that costs for replacing temporary blue tarps are reimbursable by their insurance company.  Because of the widespread damage caused by the four hurricanes that crossed the state last year, Florida is now facing a shortage of available contractors to repair all of the property damage caused by the storms.
 
 “As we enter the spring season in Florida, we are seeing the sun get stronger and the heavy rains are starting,” said Gallagher.  “Many of our neighbors, unfortunately, have had these tarps on their roofs for over six months, and the tarps may be getting worn or loose and will provide less protection from UV rays or water.  While we want storm victims to get a real roof over their heads as soon as possible, we at least want the tarps they have to be in good shape while they wait.” 
 
Gallagher said homeowners policies approved in Florida require insurance companies to pay reasonable costs incurred by homeowners for necessary measures to protect covered property from further damage, including purchasing and installing the tarps.  Gallagher added that homeowners should not risk injury trying to replace the tarps because materials and labor costs are reimbursable. 
 



 

 

TOWN HALL MEETINGS

CFO GALLAGHER COMMENTS ON PROGRESS OF HURRICANE INSURANCE CLAIM PAYMENTS IN PENSACOLA AREA

“The last time I was here for the town hall meeting, I had the opportunity to listen to and talk with more than 1,000 Pensacola residents who were frustrated with their insurance companies and did not know what to do or where to turn.

 
“Residents like Marlene Bigalow, who told me she was eating grits three times a day and was desperate to get her insurance check. I’m happy to say that a check was cut within seven days to Ms. Bigalow on her claim, and we are hoping she has already started getting her life back.
 
“Following the town hall meeting, I called in the chief executive officers of five insurance companies to get an explanation of why they were unresponsive, stalling payments or low-balling claims.
 



 

 

 


REGULATORS ORDER SHUTDOWN OF BOGUS SECURITIES SCAM

REVOCATION OF LICENSES TO SELL INSURANCE ALSO SOUGHT

Regulators from the Florida Office of Financial Regulation (OFR)  ordered the principals of a bogus real estate securities organization to cease operations immediately.   Thomas Andrew Masciarelli, 47, of West Palm Beach, and Steven Paul Petrarca, 54, of Delray Beach, are charged with securities fraud and with the sale of unregistered promissory notes by unregistered persons.  The scheme operated under the name American Income Real Estate Investments Inc. (AIREI). 

“Kudos to our investigators for identifying this scam early on so more Floridians avoided being trapped in AIREI’s scheme,” said Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher.   “Consumers should be wary of investment offerings from unlicensed entities.  Too often consumers invest in programs offering high rates of return only to discover that their life’s savings are gone.   Now we will go after the licenses of these two and consider additional charges and penalties.”   CONTINUED