April 17, 2019 by The Independent Florida Alligator

www.alligator.org

We Inform. You Decide.

VOLUME 113 ISSUE 82

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2019 Published by Campus Communications, Inc. of Gainesville, Florida

Not officially associated with the University of Florida

Gov. DeSantis speaks at UF about environmental goals By Kelly Hayes Alligator Staff Writer

Gov. Ron DeSantis made his first stop at UF since his election Tuesday morning. He spoke to a crowd of about 50 on the Steinmetz Hall courtyard about his strategies to target environmental concerns and about his recent appointment of Thomas Frazer, the director of the UF School of Natural Resources and Environment, as the state’s first chief science officer. “Dr. Frazer has a very good reputation as being a leading environmental researcher in the state,” DeSantis said in his speech. “He understands our state well and the actions that we must take.” In this new role, Frazer will work with both the governor’s office and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to provide scientific advice so the state can best address these environmental challenges, DeSantis said. “This is part of our environmental rollout where we said, ‘We want to be informed about what works on this stuff,’” DeSantis said. DeSantis also spoke on his environmen-

tal goals for the state’s water quality, the Everglades, coral reefs, last year’s harmful red tide algal outbreak and Florida’s springs. DeSantis also spoke on his environmental goals for the state’s water quality, including establishing a new board for the South Florida Water District. He also discussed creating a blue-green algae task force following last year’s harmful red tide algal outbreak. In his speech, DeSantis said the state is on track to receive $625 million this year for projects on water quality and Everglades restoration. This comes as part of a billion dollar increase ordered by DeSantis over the next four years for these projects. If the state continues with this momentum, then over the next four years it would allocate $2.5 billion to these critical needs, DeSantis said. “The legislature is going back-and-forth with the budget, but I think this is going to be something that has brought agreement,” DeSantis said. “I’m really, really happy that we’re going to be able to do

Aaron Ritter / Alligator Staff

SEE DESANTIS, PAGE 3

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis spoke about the environment to a crowd of about 50 people Tuesday on the Steinmetz Hall courtyard.

‘I’m in savage mode’: Rapper 21 Savage finally performs at UF About 6,000 people attended the concert By Kelly Hayes Alligator Staff Writer

While it may never be known if 21 Savage ate his chicken wings, UF students definitely saw him perform. About 6,000 people watched rapper 21 Savage, who requested 50 wings in his contract with

UF, perform Monday night at the O’Connell Center. The performance was first scheduled for Feb. 27 in honor of Black History Month. However, it was rescheduled due to the detention of 21 Savage, whose legal name is She’yaa Bin AbrahamJoseph, by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Feb. 3

for overstaying his U.S. visa. Rapper Yung Garzi, who was a UF plant science student for two years, opened for 21 Savage, performing a 40-minute set in pink and white socks. “I used to go here,” Garzi told the crowd. “UF, turn the f--- up.” 21 Savage came out at about 8:40 p.m. and performed for

about an hour, including his songs “rockstar,” “Savage Mode” and “a lot.” The performance included fire and smoke cannons. “Gainesville, I’m in savage mode,” 21 Savage said in his performance. Several students leaving the concert said it wasn’t too vivacious, which they said was expected considering it was a school event. Students were able to return

their $10 tickets for a full refund because of the schedule change, said Student Government Productions Chairman Andrew Kelly. “I’m sure [students] are definitely not going to forget tonight,” Kelly said. “There’s a lot of work and effort that went into the show, not only by myself but, of course, the entire team.” The O’Connell Center offered refunds until the start of the show

SEE SAVAGE, PAGE 3

Man killed by cassowary bird may have entered its cage HE MAY HAVE TRIED TO GET AN EGG By Tien Le Alligator Staff Writer

An Alachua man who was killed by a cassowary bird Friday may have been trying to get an egg, deputies said. Marvin Hajos, 75, died from his injuries Friday after he was at-

Casuarius casuarius

tacked by at least one of his two cassowaries in Alachua County. The species is considered the world’s most dangerous bird, according to the

San Diego Zoo. While the exact sequence of events is unknown, Hajos is be-

Gators complete season sweep of JU

Brady McConnell hit a leadoff home run in the first inning of the UF baseball team’s 8-4 victory over the Dolphins, pg. 14

lieved to have gone inside the pen to get an egg from the birds and was then attacked, said Lt. Brett Rhodenizer, an Alachua County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson. Hajos was able to get out of the enclosure and call 911 himself, Rhodenizer said. “In considering livestock, we have farmers and ranchers in our community that can be and are hurt in working with other large

animals,” Rhodenizer said. “While this is a fatal injury, and a tragic injury, for the man and his family, there are risks associated with interactions with large animals.” Hajos was taken to UF Health Shands Hospital, where he died from his injuries. Cassowaries are flightless birds native to Australia and New Guinea. They can grow up to 6 feet tall. They have black body feathers and

What goes into a $20,000 SG banquet

Shrimp and grits skewers and potted palm trees are on the receipt, pg. 4

A new restaurant in town

A seafood restaurant is coming to Celebration Pointe, pg. 5

an at least 4-inch-long claw on each foot. Cassowaries are classified as class II wildlife, meaning experience and cage requirements must be met in order to possess the birds, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website.

@tientle11 tle@alligator.org