James Scott–native Floridian, Executive Committee Chair of the Suncoast Sierra Club, and longtime
environmentalist—recounts how he scrapped his original intent to become a veterinarian (noting his lifelong love of animals), graduating from the University of South Florida St. Petersburg with a degree in Environmental Science and Policy. During his college years, Scott accumulated some significant leadership skills and experiences, including serving as Student Body President and Sustainability Analyst, where he led several major sustainability initiatives. Subsequently, he co-led the campaign that secured St. Petersburg’s commitment to 100% clean energy. Scott said in our conversation that his most notable achievements have tended to revolve around climate and energy. His conservation work has included managing the 2024 No To 2 campaign, which he explained in some detail in our interview, including how the amendment was mislabeled “the right to hunt and fish” For the last couple of years, Scott has worked with conservation organizations across Florida to challenge the state’s bear hunt. Indeed, this appearance on “Talking Animals” is pegged to his appearance at the Tampa Bay VegFest (Nov. 14 at Perry Harvey Sr. Park), where Scott is slated to deliver a talk about the bear hunt, part of an environment panel convened at the festival. The title of Scott’s talk 
shows his cards: “Jets, Jackboots & Trophy Hunts: Taking On Florida’s Crony Conservation
Commission.” In the same vein, Scott larded our conversation with no-holds-barred commentary about the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), starting with Chairman Rodney Barreto, on through the rest of the board. Scott’s rebukes, while focused on the FWC turning a collective deaf ear to the majority of Floridians’ objection to the bear hunt, extend to the assortment of covert operations (surveillance, etc.) the Commission has been accused of deploying against vocal critics of its decisions and other actions. He offers a bit of a sneak preview of his VegFest talk, starting with a word-by-word dissection of its provocative title. Scott says he doesn’t know if his presentation will be recorded and available to access subsequently, but assumes it will be. (https://www.tampabayvegfest.com/)
ALSO: I spoke with Rick Chaboudy, co-founder of Suncoast Animal League, an animal rescue based in Palm Harbor, FL. He was previewing Suncoast’s big upcoming event, Dogtoberfest, which is happening Nov. 14 at Highlander Park in Dunedin. On the eve of the 17th edition of Dogtoberfest, Chaboudy outlines the chief virtues for the organization of presenting this event, including fundraising and what he called “friend-raising.” He also discusses the activities Suncoast will offer at Dogtoberfest, including adoptions, the highly popular lure course, photos with Santa, the blessing of the animals, vendors a plenty, several food trucks, and beer. He also describes the Alumni Parade, a powerfully-emotional procession of animals who found their homes through Suncoast’s adoption efforts. Incidentally, there’s no cost to attend Dogtoberfest. (https://www.dogtoberfest.info/)
COMEDY CORNER: Robert Mac’s “Animals” (https://robertmac.com/)
MUSIC: Rebekah Pulley’s “Talking Animals Theme,” instrumentals
NAME THAT ANIMAL TUNE: We didn’t play “Name That Animal Tune” today.
AUDIO ARCHIVE:
