Cape Coral Wednesday Breeze

Tips for newcomers, experienced players

DeSantis: ‘Freedom lives here’

Governor delivers second inaugural address; sets priorities for second term

Breeze Staf f Repor t news@breezenewspapers com

Gov Ron DeSantis delivered his second inaugural address this morning, keying in on a central theme: "Freedom lives here " Standing on the steps of the Florida Historic Capitol in Tallahassee DeSantis outlined promises made and accomplishments delivered; reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring our state remains the Free State of Florida; and pledged a rejection of woke ideology at the "expense of enduring principles "

“We will never surrender to the woke mob ” DeSantis said “Florida is where

woke goes to die!

In addition to hammering policies he said “have sparked a mass exodus of productive Americans from these jurisdictions – with Florida serving as the most desired destination, a promised land of sanity, DeSantis slammed the floundering federal establishment in Washington, D C

“The federal government has gone on an inflationary spending binge that has left our nation weaker and our citizens poorer it has enacted pandemic restrictions and mandates – based more on ideology and politics than on sound science – and this

merce, he said, also targeting recklessly facilitated open borders that make a mockery of the rule of law” and an energy policy he said has “crippled our nation’s domestic production causing energy to cost more for our citizens while eroding national security

Listening to the governor after his swearing in gave me goosebumps ” said Rich Leon a Cape resident who attended the inauguration He continues to have a vision for the free state of Florida that the majority of Floridians share I am excited for the governor to continue what he has accomplished the last four years ”

Here is the full transcript of DeSantis' second inaugural address: M r C h i e f J u s t i c e m e m b e r s o f t h e Cabinet and fellow citizens: From the Space Coast to the Suncoast from St Johns to St Lucie from the streets of Hialeah to the speedways of Daytona, from the Okeechobee all the way up to Micanopy F r e e d o m l i v e s h e r e i n o u r g r e a t Sunshine State of Florida!

It lives in the courage of those who patrol the streets and keep our communi-

Shell Factory rings in the New Year

By CHUCK BALLARO news@breezenewspapers com

Three years ago, the Shell Factory in North Fort Myers started a new tradition ringing in the New Year a tad early so that those who like to be home before the page officially turns at midnight have a celebration option

COVID caused a pause in 2020 and 2021, but the attraction swung its doors wide open this year as they celebrated the Early Bird Ball Drop at Tommy’s on Saturday with champagne party hats and an 8 p m ball drop

General Manager Anne Sheridan said she was happy with the great response and that they were able to do it again

“The communities around here are older and they don’t want to stay up all night The response is phenomenal They want to party but not until midnight Sheridan said Why not an early bird ball drop?

Singer Sase provided the entertainment, and the Southern Grill had a special menu that melded the new year with the college football games going on at the same time

By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers com

A

Everyone is invited to this very special event celeb r a t i n g t h e 5 0 - y e a r anniversary of the Friends of the Cape Coral Library w h i c h w a s s t a r t e d f i v e decades ago to raise funds f o r t h e l i b r a r y a n d w a s known back then as The Little Acorns

The event will be held in the large meeting room of the Cape Coral Lee County P u b l i c L i b r a r y , w h i c h i s located at 921 S W 39th Terrace, just northwest of the intersection of Mohawk P a r k w a y a n d S k y l i n e Boulevard in Cape Coral The morning will begin at 9 :3 0 w ith coffee tea s p e c i a l r e f r e s h m e n t s a n d social time The celebration will start at 10 a m and will include a brief history prese n t a t i o n a n d r e m a r k s b y p a s t p r e s i d e n t s a n d l o c a l dignitaries

A g u i d e d t o u r o f t h e l i b r a r y w i l l f o l l o w w i t h focus on the Friends’ contributions over the years

The public is welcome to a t t e n d t h e f e s t i v i t i e s a n d participate in the tour

For additional information about the Friends of the Cape Coral Library please v i s i t w w w c a p e f r i e n d s o r g and follow the organization on Facebook

Lombardo, Bob DeClue, known to most as Willy-Bob used to live on a boat in Matlacha Hurricane Ian left DeClue homeless at least temporarily

“He was the one that was cooking for a couple of months at That Barbecue Place he s a very giving guy Even though he s homeless, he was still helping other people out, Lombardo said Contractor Mike Cosentino, from Sarasota, who was on the island working on post-hurricane restoration stopped at That Barbecue Place for lunch Lombardo said After a conversation with DeClue in which Cosentino learned that DeClue had lost his home he left a n d s o o n r e t u r n e d w i t h a 1 9 6 8 , 3 7 - f o o t Dodge Travco Motorhome that he gave to DeClue to use as long as he needed it

He said, you can use this indefinitely, u n t i l y o u g e t y o u r s e l f s i t u a t e d a g a i n ” Lombardo said A l t h o u g h L o m b a r d o w o u l d n o t h a v e described the vintage motorhome’s original condition as attractive she said it was safe and functional, even equipped with air conditioning

I t w a s l i v a b l e , b u t i t l o o k e d l i k e a Twinkie, Lombardo said

While Lombardo was eating lunch at That Barbecue Place she said DeClue who likes her artwork showed her the bus and told her to paint it

I power-washed it and sanded it with a rotary sander and then power-washed it again – painted the whole thing with exterior latex

said Cosentino told her he didn’t want anything

The response packed the parking lots Vicki Johnson was one of those who came for a good time and loved the idea of an early ball drop

“ Sase is here and I had to see her ” Johnson said “I’m really close and come here a lot, especially since I m a Green Bay Packers fan (The Shell Factory hosts a fan club for the team) Besides, look at us, we re not going to be up at midnight We’ve been there done that ” Barbara Royal is from North Carolina and came down to assist her sister She said when her sister goes to the Shell Factory, she comes along

We might not be up when the ball in New York drops at midnight I might not see it So this is a good thing to have ” Royal said

That wasn t it for the celebration On Sunday morning, the Shell Factory hosted a Hair of the Dog party, with a Bloody Mary special and a “special handover cure menu ”

Mass for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI to be celebrated today

A

31 2022 We are saddened by the loss of such a renowned humble scholar and

Shepherd, who gave his life to the service of the Universal Church The longest living Pope he was a giant of faith and reason

Upon learning of his death requests have been received from the Faithful of the Diocese asking what they can do in light of th is s a d o cca s io n Fir s t a n d fo r em o s t, prayer for the repose of the soul of the Pope Emeritus should be offered The most

Coral Oaks Golf School sessions scheduled at Cape golf course SPORTS

Friends of Cape Coral Librar y 50th anniversar y celebration set for Jan. 21

XVI at Epiphany Cathedral in Venice at 5 p m , today, Jan 4

Faithful of the Diocese of Venice in Florida are invited and are encouraged to attend ” a release from the diocese issues Dec 31 states

Cathedral is at 310 Sarasota St in Venice

words,

said Being an islander, Lombardo said mangroves came quite naturally to her She did most of the artwork herself but also

BY CHUCK BALLARO

From left, Ashley Burris, Lindsey Burris and Tosha Willis, servers at the Shell Factory, take a moment for a photo op during the Early Bird Ball Drop on Saturday at the Shell Factory

PHOTOS PROVIDED

Above, artist Zan Lombardo paints the motorhome on loan to Bob WillyBob DeClue Top, the finished creation

Reception of Pope Benedict XVI, from Federal President Christian Wulff and his wife Bettina Wulff at Schloss Bellevue on Sept 22, 2012, in Berlin, Germany

PHOTO

Sanibel Causeway has re-opened; non-residents urged to postpone island visits as recovery continues

City officials: ‘There is nothing to see or do – yet’

The Sanibel Causeway reopened Monday but the city of Sanibel is asking non-residents to wait a while longer before visiting the storm-damaged island

The City of Sanibel asks that non-residents respect and understand the fact that Sanibel is still acti w o r k i n g t o r e c o v e r f r o m H u r r i c a n e I a n , " release from the city issued Sunday states "While the requirement for reentry passes will no longer be necessary on January 2 2023 we are discouraging visitors at this time and look forward to welcoming back visitors later in our recovery "

"There is nothing to see or do – yet " release which includes an overview of the communi ty's recovery status states:

■ Beaches and beach parks, including the Sanibel Lighthouse, remain closed Sanibel s extended State of Emergency prohibits non-residents from being on the beach

■ The Fishing Pier and Boat Ramp are closed

■ Bike paths are not yet safe to travel The city’s shared use paths still have stacked debris waiting for pickup in many places and nails from that debris could cause flat tires, officials said, adding the city is discouraging people from using the paths

■ Collection of debris is continuing which will inter-

rupt traffic flow and could cause travel delays

■ Most businesses remain closed

■ A curfew remains in effect between the hours of 9 p m and 6 a m daily A police checkpoint will be in place during the curfew hours

Residents and contractors with re-entry passes should continue displaying their re-entry passes at all times on their vehicle’s dashboard to assist police

During the hours the curfew is in place vehicles with ollowing credentials will be allowed through the land checkpoint: ■ Sanibel and Captiva residents with a resident re-entry pass and a valid driver s license The name on the driver’s license must match the name of the person that the reentry pass was issued to ■ Guests of Sanibel and Captiva resorts with a nted reservation confirmation where the name on the reservation matches the name on the person s driver’s license

■ People driving on Sanibel Island between the hours of 9 p m and 6 a m should expect to be stopped by police patrols to verify residency or resort guest status All persons leaving the island after 9 p m should expect to be stopped by police at the causeway checkpoint

Residents and business owners who observe any suspicious activity at any time on the island are asked report this activity to the Sanibel Police Department immediately by calling 911

Cape Coral Development Services

makes changes to improve services, decrease permit process time

■ All documents for plans review should be submitted electronically utilizing the CSS portal

■ Each required document should be submitted utilizing submittal requirements:

1 Must be in proper electronic format and must only t h e b e d o c u m e n t r e q u i r e d f o r s u b m i s s i o n E x a m p l e :

PERMITTING SERVICES

■ Air Conditioning (Residential)

■ Emergency Electrical (Repair/Replace)

■ Fence Residential (Repair/Replace)

■ Garage Door Replacement

■ Roof Residential (metal or shingle)

■ Roof Residential (tile)

■ Dock Electric (Residential)

■ Plumbing Re-pipe (Residential)

■ Plumbing Re-pipe (Commercial)

■ Shutters with Awning (Residential)

■ Shutters with Electric (Residential)

2 City Hall Counter Changes

■ New Counter Hours: Monday thru Thursday 7:30 a m – 4 p m (last sign-in through Q-less at 3 p m) Friday through Sunday – Closed

■ Appointments will no longer be taken for the permitting counter Customers will be able to join the line through QLess beginning at 7:20 a m each day

3 Effective Jan 17:

■ Permits applied for at the counter will no longer be issued the same day Only push-button permits will be issued immediately and only when applied for through CSS

DOCUMENT SUBMISSION

1 Electronic Submission

Application requires a site plan, building plan, and truss plan The site plan building plan and truss plan should be uploaded to the designated location in the proper file format and should only include the required document

2 Avoid grouping files together and uploading to each location Example: site plan, building plan, and truss plan are all in one file and uploaded to each required location in CSS Applications submitted with files grouped together will be rejected

■ S u b m i s s i o n g u i d e l i n e s a r e l o c a t e d a t : https://www capecoral gov/department/community development/customer service-permitting/index php

2 Permit Submission Best Practices

■ Submit your application for a permit through the CSS portal

■ Ensure that you are applying for the correct permit for the work you are performing Descriptions of the permits are provided in CSS

■ Ensure that all required documents are correct signed, and uploaded to the proper place in the application

■ Call Permitting Services when you need assistance or have questions concerning the type of permit that you need or other aspects of an initial application DO NOT call to check the status of a submitted application or in attempt to speed up processing of your application

■ Utilize CSS to determine the status of your application Permitting Services staff will not be able to provide any additional information into the status of your permit other than what you can see in the CSS portal Calling staff to inquire about permit status slows permit processing due to staff being assigned to answer phone call

Source: City of Cape Coral

Cape man dies after traffic crash in Fort Myers

collided

The motorcyclist was transported to an area hospital with serious injuries and the FHP reported that he was pronounced deceased on Sunday Jan 1 at Gulf Coast Hospital

The driver of the pickup was uninjured FHP reports the crash remains under investigation

Shell Factory: An early New Year celebration

Source: City of Sanibel

Bowles: Buccaneers won't rest starters in regular-season finale

TAMPA, Fla (AP) Tom Brady doesn't sound like he's looking for rest and coach Todd Bowles isn't inclined to sit other key players either when the playoff-bound Tampa Bay Buccaneers clos e the regular s eas on agains t the Atlanta Falcons

The Bucs (8-8) clinched their second straight NFC South championship last weekend and have little to play for next Sunday except the prospect of taking a winning record into the postseason Bowles said Monday, however, that he doesn't plan to sit healthy regulars in hopes of avoiding injuries I mean it's football You can't play 16 games and then worry about the 17th, Bowles said Y o u c a n ' t p l a y t h r e e p r e s e a s o n games and 16 games and practice every day and say you may get hurt in the 17th game the coach added You can get hurt the first week, you can get hurt in training camp If you worry about that, you're probably going to get hurt anyway ”

As division champs the Bucs are already assured of hosting a first-round playoff game in two weeks Sunday s result at Atlanta will not affect their seeding “But we can get better at a lot of things so right now I'm planning on playing them, Bowles said We ll see as the week goes forward, but we can get better at a lot of things that we need to work on and we don't need to take our foot off the gas ”

Brady threw for a season-best 432 yards and three touchdowns in the team s d i v i s i o n - c l i n c h i n g 3 0 - 2 4 w i n o v e r Carolina

Afterward the 45-year-old quarterback was asked if it would bother him to not play in the regular-season finale

It s always up to coach But yeah, that would bother me, Brady said I haven't missed a game other than my ACL (injury in 2008) and then in 2016 I missed the first four games (suspension) Other than that I ve played them all

Several key players, including tackles Tristan Wirfs and Donovan Smith safety Antoine Winfield Jr and cornerbacks Carlton Davis and Jamel Dean were slowed by injuries for stretches of the team s drive to the NFC South title

While Bowles reiterated healthy players should expect to play particularly offensive linemen whose primary job is protecting Brady the coach conceded he might be open to pulling some starters at some point against the Falcons

It's possible Like I said, it's early in the week We haven't made any decisions yet We haven't met on it we haven't talked about it everything is on the table, Bowles said We ll talk about it and we'll move forward from there WHAT’S WORKING

It only took 17 weeks but the Bucs' deep passing game finally re-emerged against the Panthers Brady threw three long TD passes to Mike Evans, who finished with 10 receptions on 12 targets for 207 yards The TDs were the first for Evans in 12 games doubling his total for t h e y e a r t o s i x M e a n w h i l e C h r i s Godwin had nine catches on nine targets for 120 yards

They were playing a lot of Cover 1, and Tom was just dropping dimes Those were some really really good balls ” Evans said “One of the best games I've seen Tom play since he has been here They were falling right in the breadbasket every time He had an unbelievable game ”

WHAT NEEDS HELP

After showing signs of improvement the previous week, the running game

Coral Oaks Golf School dates set

Four sessions remain from Jan 31 until April

Want to improve your golf game? Coral Oaks Golf Course in Cape Coral will be hosting a Golf School in January and four additional Golf Schools through April

The January Golf School will begin on Thursday Jan 12 and will be conducted on Tuesday Thursday and Saturday mornings at 9:30 a m through Jan 21

Each Coral Oaks Golf School is a comprehensive five session instructional program covering all aspects of the game of golf The cost is $249 for the complete course

The Golf School is a comprehensive program that covers Ball Flight Laws, Full Swing R e v i e w s , C h i p p i n g , P u t t i n g , P i t c h i n g a n d Bunker Play over five sessions each lasting 75 to 90 minutes Classes are a maximum 5 to 1 student to instructor ratio for more personalized interaction

Whether you are a beginner wanting to learn the game of golf for the first time or an established player who wishes to fine-tune your skills Coral Oaks Golf School will help provide knowledge and improvement to your game Session #1 is already under way The remaining class dates are:

Session #2 – Jan 31 Feb 2 4 7 & 9

Session #3 – Feb 21 23 25 28 &

Monday Boys Soccer

Bishop Verot 3, Gulf Coast 3 (tie): Cooper Banks scored twice for the Vikings (1-3-6) and Ryan Gadson also had a goal Raul Blandon and Luke Antonelli made assists for Bishop Verot

Friday Boys Basketball Island Coast 53, Sarasota Christian 34: Korey Babernitch scored 17 points to l e a d t h e G a t o r s ( 6 - 6 ) t o t h e S a r a s o t a Christian Holiday Tournament champio n s h i p d e f e a t i n g h o s t s c h o o l S a r a s o t a Christian (5-7) Elijah Cook who scored 1 9 p o i n t s a g a i n s t L e m o n B a y o n Thursday, had 9 against Sarasota Christian and was named the tournament s most valuable player De'naidrick Cook's outstanding defensive play earned him a spot on the all-tournament team as well Led by Cook the Gators held both Lemon Bay and Sarasota Christian to their season-low scoring totals Frisco (Texas) Rock Hill 82, Mariner 56: The Tritons (10-8) dropped their finale in The Basketball Classic in Palm Beach

Har vest of red grouper and lane snapper reopens

Harvest of red grouper and lane snapper will reopen in Gulf state waters on Jan 1, after early season closures

The FWC is committed to collecting critical recreational harvest fishing data to inform management of popular reef fish including red grouper The State Reef Fish Survey provides the FWC with a clearer picture of stock health, so please make sure you are signed up as a State Reef Fish Angler This designation is required for recreational anglers and spearfishers who intend to fish for or harvest certain reef f i s h s p e c i e s f r o m a p r i v a t e v e s s e l i n Florida To learn more about the State R e e f F i s h S u r v e y , v i s i t MyFWC com/SRFS

For more information on recreational r e g u l a t i o n s f o r r e d g r o u p e r v i s i t M y F W C c o m / M a r i n e a n d c l i c k o n Recreational Regulations, Reef Fish and then Grouper " For more information on recreational lane snapper regulations visit MyFWC com/Marine and click on “Recreational Regulations ” “Reef Fish” and then Snapper You can also download the Fish Rules App to keep up to date on current fishing regulations while on the water

Recreational har vest of gag grouper and

gray trigger fish

PREP REPORT

Gardens

Suwannee (Georgia) Peachtree Ridge 8 5 , B i s h o p V e r o t 2 3 : T h e V i k i n g s wrapped up play in the Daytona Beach Sunshine Classic with a loss to a 13-3 Peachtree Ridge team

Girls Basketball

Lehigh 35, Cape Coral 25: Cape Coral (7-6) lost to the Lightning (12-3) in the f i n a l o f t h e L e h i g h N e w Y e a r s E v e Shootout

Thursday Boys Basketball

C a p e C o r a l 5 8 , L a n d ' O L a k e s Sunlake 47: Isaiah Newson poured in 32 points as the Seahawks (7-5) defeated Sunlake in the Nature Coast Tournament c o n s o l a t i o n b r a c k e t f i n a l J o h n T e r a n added 14 points and made four steals Newsom was named to the all-tournament team I s l a n d C o a s t 5 7 , L e m o n B a y 3 6 : Elijah Felix scored 19 points to lead the G a t o r s ( 5 - 6 ) p a s t L e m o n B a y i n t h e Sarasota Christian tournament Terrell Hill hit three 3-pointers for his 9 points Island

waters on Jan 1 Recreational harv e s t o f g a g g r o u p e r f o r a l l Gulf state waters excluding Monroe County, will open on Sept 1, 2023

This modification of the Gulf gag grouper recreational season was approved by the Florida Fish and Wildlife C o n s e r v a t i o n C o m m i s s i o n a t i t s J u l y 2022 meeting in order to reduce overfishing and improve gag grouper abundance Recreational harvest of gray triggerfish in Gulf state waters will open on March 1 2023

The FWC is committed to collecting critical recreational harvest fishing data to inform management of popular reef fish including gag grouper The State Reef Fish Survey provides the FWC with a clearer picture of stock health, so please make sure you are signed up as a State Reef Fish Angler This designation is r e q u i r e d f o r r e c r e a t i o n a l a n g l e r s a n d spearfishers who intend to fish for or harvest certain reef fish species from a private vessel in Florida To learn more about t

closed

Recreational harvest of gag grouper and gray triggerfish closes in Gulf state

Cape Coral Parkway, Cape Coral, FL 33904 All virtual racers can pick up their items during packet pickup Check payable to: LCEC/UW 5K P O Box 3455 North Fort Myers FL 33918 Visit uw lcec net for race information including the registration link Contact 5k@lcec net with questions

Since its inception, the annual Goblin Gallop has raised nearly $24 000 to benefit the United Way! LCEC sincerely thanks all the sponsors volunteers and participants who make the Goblin Gallop a spooktacular success for the United Way!

Jaycee Park is located at 4125 S E 20th Place in Cape Coral

Coast advanced to face Sarasota Christian on Friday

Wellington 66, Mariner 51: At the Palm Beach Gardens tournament, an 11-2 Wellington squad snapped Mariner's (107) six-game winning streak Frisco (Texas) Rock Hill was the Tritons' scheduled opponent for Friday G u l f p o r t B o c a C i e g a 7 4 , B i s h o p Verot 23: At the Daytona Beach Sunshine Classic, Boca Ciega (6-3) dropped the Vikings to 2-7 Verot was scheduled for one more game in Daytona on Friday morning

Girls Basketball

Cape Coral 48, Gateway Charter 36: The Seahawks (7-5) won their second game in the Lehigh New Year's Shootout Cape was to play Lehigh on Friday

Boys Soccer

Fort Myers 2, Mariner 0: The Tritons (8-4-3) finished fourth in the Mike Stone Classic after falling to the Green Wave on Thursday Mariner now prepares to participate in the Tampa Bay Invitational coming up Jan 5-7

State wildlife aler t system now available

DeSantis: Sworn in Tuesday for second term of office as governor

ties safe, it lives in the industry of those who work long hours to earn a living and raise their families it lives in the dedication of those who teach our children it lives in the determination of those who grow our food, it lives in the wisdom of our senior citizens, it lives in the dreams of the h i s t o r i c n u m b e r o f f a m i l i e s w h o h a v e m o v e d f r o m t h o u s a n d s o f m i l e s a w a y because they saw Florida as the land of liberty and the land of sanity

Over the past few years, as so many states in our country grinded their citizens down we in Florida lifted our people up

When other states consigned their people s freedom to the dustbin Florida stood strongly as freedom s linchpin

When the world lost its mind – when common sense suddenly became an uncommon virtue – Florida was a refuge of sanity a citadel of freedom for our fellow Americans and even for people around the world

In captaining the ship of state, we choose to navigate the boisterous sea of liberty rather than cower in the calm docks of despotism

We face attacks we take hits but we weather the storms, we stand our ground, and we do what is right

As the Book of Psalms reminds us, I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side ”

We have refused to use polls and to put our finger in the wind – leaders do not follow, they lead

We have articulated a vision for a free and prosperous state

We have through persistence and hard work executed on that vision

We have produced favorable results And now we are here today because the p e o p l e o f F l o r i d a h a v e v a l i d a t e d o u r efforts in record fashion

Florida shows that results matter We lead not by mere words but by deeds

Four years ago, we promised to pursue a bold agenda We did just that and we have produced results:

We said we would ensure that Florida taxed lightly regulated reasonably and spent conservatively – and we delivered We promised we would enact big education reforms – and we delivered We said we would end judicial activism by appointing jurists who understand the proper role of a judge is to apply the law as written, not legislate from the bench – and we delivered

We promised to usher in a new era of s t e w a r d s h i p f o r F l o r i d a ’ s n a t u r a l resources by promoting water quality and Everglades restoration efforts – and we delivered

We said we would stand for law and order and support the men and women of law enforcement – and we delivered

We promised to remedy deficiencies in Florida s election administration and to hold wayward officials accountable – and we delivered

We said we would support the areas in Northwest Florida stricken by Hurricane Michael – and we delivered

And when Hurricane Ian came last year, the state coordinated a massive mobilization of response personnel, facilitated the fastest power restoration on record

and even quickly rebuilt key bridges that had been wiped out by the storm We have stood by the people of Southwest Florida and we will continue to do so in the weeks months and years ahead

Because of these efforts and others, Florida is leading the nation:

We are #1 in these United States in net in-migration

Florida is the #1 fastest growing state

We are #1 in new business formations Florida is #1 in tourism

We are #1 in economic freedom Florida is #1 in education freedom

And we rank #1 in parental involvement in education

Florida also ranks #1 in public higher education

This is a record we can all be proud of And we are far from done:

F l o r i d a h a s a c c u m u l a t e d a r e c o r d budget surplus and we need to enact a record amount of tax relief particularly for Florida families who are grappling with inflation

We must ensure school systems are responsive to parents and to students not partisan interest groups and we must ensure that our institutions of higher learning are focused on academic excellence and the pursuit of truth, not the imposition of trendy ideology

Florida must always be a great place to raise a family – we will enact more familyfriendly policies to make it easier to raise children and we will defend our children against those who seek to rob them of their innocence

We will always remain a law-and-order state we will always support law enforcement, and we will always reject soft-oncrime policies that put our communities at risk

Florida is now in a golden era for cons e r v a t i o n o f o u r t r e a s u r e d n a t u r a l resources Our momentum is strong and we will finish what we started – we will leave Florida to God better than we found it!

This much we pledge and so much more It is often said that our federalist constitutional system – with fifty states able to pursue their own unique policies – represents a laboratory of democracy Well these last few years have witnessed

a great test of governing philosophies as many jurisdictions pursued a much different path than we have pursued here in the state of Florida

The policies pursued by these states have sparked a mass exodus of productive Americans from these jurisdictions – with Florida serving as the most desired destination a promised land of sanity

Many of these cities and states have embraced faddish ideology at the expense of enduring principles

They have harmed public safety by coddling criminals and attacking law enforcement

They have imposed unreasonable burdens on taxpayers to finance unfathomable levels of public spending

They have harmed education by subordinating the interests of students and parents to partisan interest groups

They have imposed medical authoritarianism in the guise of pandemic mandates and restrictions that lack a scientific basis

This bizarre, but prevalent, ideology that permeates these policy measures purports to act in the name of justice for the marginalized but it frowns upon American institutions, it rejects merit and achievement, and it advocates identity essentialism

We reject this woke ideology We seek normalcy not philosophical lunacy!

We will not allow reality, facts, and truth to become optional

We will never surrender to the woke mob

Florida is where woke goes to die!

Now Florida s success has been made more difficult by the floundering federal establishment in Washington, D C

The federal government has gone on an inflationary spending binge that has left our nation weaker and our citizens poorer it has enacted pandemic restrictions and mandates – based more on ideology and politics than on sound science – and this has eroded freedom and stunted commerce

It has recklessly facilitated open borders: making a mockery of the rule of law allowing massive amounts of narcotics to infest our states, importing criminal aliens, and green lighting the flow of millions of

illegal aliens into our country, burdening communities and taxpayers throughout the land

It has imposed an energy policy that has crippled our nation s domestic production causing energy to cost more for our citizens and eroding our nation s energy security and in the process our national security

It wields its authority through a sprawli n g , u n a c c o u n t a b l e a n d o u t - o f - t o u c h bureaucracy that does not act on behalf of us, but instead looms over us and imposes its will upon us The results of this have been predictably dismal

This has caused many to be pessimistic about the country s future Some say that failure is inevitable

Florida is proof positive that We the People are not destined for failure

Decline is a choice Success is attainable And freedom is worth fighting for Now fighting for freedom is not easy because the threats to freedom are more complex and more widespread than in the p a s t – t h e t h r e a t s c a n c o m e f r o m entrenched bureaucrats in D C jet-setters in Davos, and corporations wielding public power

But fight we must We embrace our founding creed that our rights are not granted by the courtesy of the State but are endowed by the hand of the Almighty We reject the idea that self-government can be subcontracted out to technocratic elites who reduce human beings to mere data points

We insist on the restoration of time-tested constitutional principles so that government of, by and for the people shall not perish from this earth

Florida has led the way in preserving what the father of our country called the sacred fire of liberty

I t i s t h e f i r e t h a t b u r n e d i n Independence Hall when 56 men pledged their lives their fortunes and their sacred honor to establish a new nation conceived in liberty

It is the fire that burned at a cemetery at G e t t y s b u r g w h e n t h e n a t i o n s f i r s t R e p u b l i c a n p r e s i d e n t p l e d g e d t o t h i s nation a “new birth of freedom ”

It is the fire that burned among the boys who stormed the beaches of Normandy to liberate a continent and to preserve freedom for the world

I t i s t h e f i r e t h a t i n f u s e d a y o u n g preacher’s dream relayed at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial that the Declaration of Independence said what it meant and meant what it said: all men are created equal

It is the fire that led a resolute president to stand in Berlin and declare “tear down this wall staring down the communists and winning the Cold War

It is our responsibility here in Florida to carry this torch

We do not run from this responsibility; we welcome it

We will be on our guard We will stand firm in the faith We will be courageous We will be strong!

And we thank God and are proud to be citizens of the great Free State of Florida!

Source: Office of the

From page 1

friends created what she describes as a beautiful hippie bus for DeClue who she d e s c r i b e s a s b o t h a n i c e p e r s o n a n d beloved figure in the Matlacha community “It’s very sweet how the community came together around Bob people keep coming to him and using him as a sounding board, because he s a good listener People kept coming in to see him all the time I was concerned that he might be lonely but while I was painting a constant stream of people were coming in and out talking to him and he was just listening he was really wonderful about that they brought him a Christmas tree, they brought h i m d e c o r a t i o n s t h e y b r o u g h t h i m Christmas lights ” Lombardo said With an old vintage motorhome that n o w r e a d s p e a c e , p a s s i o n , p a r a d i s e i n Matlacha, DeClue currently lives on the island in a traveling creation, festooned by local artists with love

Mass: Service by Bishop Dewane at Diocese of Venice set for 5 p.m.

g b e e n b l e s s e d t o k n o w t h e n C a r d i n a l R a t z i n g e r a n d l a t e r P o p e Benedict XVI, I had the opportunity to speak with him on a number of occasions and was particularly touched by his kindness and humility as well as the warmth and encouragement he imparted to all Appointed by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI as Bishop of the Diocese of Venice, I have always had a special place for him in

prayer and indeed will continue to remember him While we mourn the death of this holy man, we continue to pray: Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace Amen

Source: Diocese of Venice

Bowles: Buccaneers won’t rest its starters in regular-season finale

From page 3

stalled again as Leonard Fournette (28 yards, 10 carries) and Rachaad White (22 yards, 11 carries) combined for 50 yards on 21 attempts against Carolina STOCK UP LB Anthony Nelson had a strip-sack for the second straight game Sunday and has

forced three fumbles over the past four weeks most in the NFL over that span He's tied for second on the team with a career-best 5 1/2 sacks STOCK DOWN

The offense continues to struggle on third down Despite scoring 30 points and finishing with a season-high 478 yards of offense the Bucs converted just 4 of 13

FWC updates: Season openings/closings and wildlife alert system

From page 3

“We are excited to begin using the new Tip411 system to connect the public and FWC law enforcement ” Wildlife Alert Board Chair Virginia Jenny Brock said We believe in this digital age the text and app options will increase public safety and conservation efforts by encouraging more people to report violations ”

The Wildlife Alert program began over 30 years ago to encourage the public to contact FWC with information regarding wildlife violations When the information leads to a citation or arrest the tipster is eligible to receive reward money ranging from $100-$1 000 The program is admini s t e r e d b y t h e W i l d l i f e A l e r t R e w a r d

Association which is funded primarily by court ordered fines paid by violators The members of the association promote the program and raise private, tax deductible, charitable donations to supplement the rest of the fund

Governor

Gov Ron DeSantis takes his second oath of office on the steps of the Florida Historic Capitol in Tallahassee Tuesday morning

common prayers for the deceased include the Our Father Hail Mary and Glory Be along with the recitation of the Rosary with the intention for the soul of Benedict XVI On January 4 at 5:00 p m at Epiphany C a t h e d r a l i n V e n i c e a M a s s f o r t h e Deceased Pope will be celebrated to which

Sheehan and Sue Dahod

PHOTOS PROVIDED

A “before” picture of the motorhome, above, and a view of the front of the motorhome after it was painted by Zan Lombardo left