i believe this is the main reason the U.S. Dollar is falling. it's become obvious that we are idiots.

That is definitely an omen!!!!

Come on, dollar failing and an omen?
Just because some protected birds were found Near 5th Ave...

Laws are laws and I'm all for the birds, they were here first.

Screw the contracter.

I'm with you mimi. Over 80% of this county is protected. Fifth Avenue? C'mon mama hawk, give us a break. As for Opinionated, I was here first, and I'm sure I'll still be here when mama hawk has long-since disappeared.

The Cooper's Hawk was nearly driven to extinction in the first half of the 20th century because of the use of DDT in agriculture.

There is a reason we have laws protecting the environment from business. This is a good one. The delayed parking lot won't ruin our economy and let the communists-Chinese-freedom-haters turn us into slaves.

Not all conservatives are idiot gluttons. Stop speaking on their behalf.

In fact... stop breeding.

Should I use smaller words next time?

Yes, it is worth saving one nesting Copper's hawk at the expense of a bit of inconvenient encroachment on the building of another monstrosity. We need to respect our fellow creatures with the hope that humans will remember to respect their own kind. I'm surprised by all the negativity here. Didn't your mothers teach you better? Is this how you teach your children? Shame on you!!!

During the years when our local economy and downtown businesses were truly growing, I might have agreed to continue building around the nesting hawks...but Now? Who cares about the delay of this silly garage for more and more visitors? If I go to 5th to eat, I drive the block, find parking and walk a block..so what??
After three decades here, 5th Ave. is the least 'local' spot in town anyways. You don't run into old pals anymore, just a congested mass of tourists and condo-commandos...It was a great spot when you could ride a bike down 5th and show your visiting friends the new restaurants..now,5th Ave. is as friendly and familiar as a trip to DisneyWorld. Not unlike a recent experience on boating to a favorite fishing hole and tourist in a rent-a-boat complely decked-out with Bass Pro Outlets latest gear...plops his anchor right next to our boat...and he doesn't even know what kind of fish he's fishing for! I say the birds Stay, it won't be long before they fly off with those of us who still remember when this town was cool, quaint and easy to get around in. Nesting "Local" hawks sure won't lead to a coup d' ta directed by Bejing...Leave the 'Locals' alone!

Screw the parking garage, save a bit of greenspace and let these birds have a place to nest for awhile. I would rather see a few Coopers Hawks than a big monsterous concrete garage.

What about the trolly service and the valet parking service they used this past year? That's not good enough? I've been downtown once a week for the past six months and the only time I had trouble finding parking was when the art show was going on. Otherwise I parked on a side street and walked to Cambier.

WAY TO GO HAWKS!
We don't need another parking facility.
People need to walk farther, its EXERCISE.

Just give the Hawks a couple hundred thousand and they'll move to a Condo on a Golf Course.

8.6 million for a Parking Garage and the City just hired a consultant to help them save money by identifying where they can go green.

I have an idea, how about we let everybody park on the beach and get mexicans dressed up like chinese to pull the tourists in rickshaws on over to 5th Av.

Gee, I should get a job as a Government Consultant!

Because of two lousy birds, the invading Chinese armies won't have a place to park.

Where do you find time to read the news?

I'm a General Contractor and a Certified Teacher and I have plenty of time for what I want to do.
You all must be doing it wrong.

Gatorhater:
So YOU"RE the reason our great Florida spots are going to pot! All of your sickening overdevelopment, with not a thought or care to environmental issues.
Stop blowing smoke up your own butt.
I love the use of the word "oversee."
It basically means you are paid to do nothing but order others around, not much intelligence in that!

The vast amount of time you spend blogging and insulting teachers just proves that you don't do much valid "overseeing."

I am not impressed.

#15 "I'm not against protecting endangered or threatened species, BUT..."

You do know what the conjunction "BUT" means right Gator? LOL
To me it means everything you said before BUT is BS, and you could care less and don't believe it yourself.

Who cares about the animals as long as you and fellow GC's stay busy in your prospective field huh? My Dad was a GC as well. We moved here from the East Coast in the early 90's. Construction was pretty burned out there. We were doing a lot of remodeling and insurance work but not much new. They kept relaxing the restrictions for environomentally sensitive land and before you knew it they had built so far west it was up against SR 27 , Lake O and the Florida Everglades.
Crackerjack homes and strip shopping malls. One project right after another after another.
Let's just keep building Collier to the East and eventually we will meet in the middle right?
I'm glad to see your still doing some GC commercial work but do we honestly need another fricking parking garage downtown?
Something to keep some GC and subs busy until the economy picks up and they are back to churning out the cracker jack buildings?
I would rather see the hawk stay, screw the parking garage , they don't need it.

So why are you whining about a little parking garage in Naples then Gator? And why are you still here in Naples?

Be happy your one of the few still working in the construction field in these depressed times, many are not.

I don't do anything full time. I only taught for a few years, I didn't like the beauacray. I spread my time about based on my own personal priorities with the number one being my free time now that my Sons are well on their way to being productive adults.

It sounds like you might be stressing out with all those responsibilities, I suggest you take some time off and discover there's more to life than good looking work resume'.

Thank you, Phil Fisher! We need more people like you watching out for wildlife!

It does seem the overwhelming majority have other feelings regarding another idle Structure downtown. Without the Coopers Hawks, it is not much of a want I'd say.
I had much personal time with Mayor Arend's Office in BS, and I am stoked to have read above the word EXCERCISE. The Greenways Pathway Coalition returned me back to my roots in New England; a large Road Cycling w/ Tour D' France entry caliber allowance(s)starting Canada to Boston (largest US) just recently cleared for passage to Capitol Montpelier by my new home of Lamoille County. With proper attention to the whole of Cycling sought.
Recent the local Medias uncovered 600 (!) unused ski hills dating back to my blue jeans.
Conservancy has to start somewhere, even it is for the Birds.

Feels great!
Mainly because I don't care what an old wind bag like you writes.

You're just jealous because you did not pick a career that is so rewarding.
I dont care about the raise, I love my job, and don't have to try to convince anyone how big and important I am, LIKE SOME PEOPLE.

Oh, and by the way, I don't blog during the work day, I do my work, and enjoy it.
Try it sometime. You may be surprised how much better you feel without that stick up your butt.

Who cares?

What are they eating?

It seems obvious that they are surviving on man-made by products, or at the very least, the rodents that eat them. I would say it is a perfect circle of the food chain.

Moss at his best. Marco is lucky that he is gone. Hope Mike Bauer stays. He is truly knowledgeable and well credentialed. Too bad for the City of Naples with Moss at the helm.

Hopefully the residents will stand up to him. I believe the residents of the City are are stronger in general than the folks on Marco. I also think there are more informed environmental activists.

I don't want the hawks to move but I would love to see Moss fined. (like that would ever happen)