Board appoints new member to fire commission

By TIFFANY REPECKI trepecki@breezenewspapers com

The Captiva Island Fire Control District's commission filled a vacant seat on its board with a familiar face during its recent meeting, as well as was updated on the post-hurricane business of the district

O n J a n . 2 4 , C o m m i s s i o n e r s

Sherrill Sims and Carole Campbell

voted 2-0 to approve a resolution appointing Jeff Brown to Seat 3 for the remainder of t h e t e r m o r n e x t G e n e r a l Election It was vacated in November by Commissioner J o h n B a t e s , w h o w a s appointed in April to assist with the budget Brown served on the com-

Excursion to Tarpon Lodge, Calusa mounds planned

Departing from McCarthy's Marina on Captiva, Captiva Cruises will offer a special cruise on Feb 8 from 10 a m to 3 p m to the Historic Tarpon Lodge and Calusa Indian Mounds on Pine Island

It will focus on the fishing cultures of the Pine Island Sound, encompassing more than a thousand years of fishing from the indigenous Calusa and Spanish-Cuban fishing era, to commercial fishing with the Punta Gorda Fish and Ice Company and on up to today, including the area's incredible sport fishing

The tour will travel to the community of Pineland on Pine Island. The historic fish houses of the Sound will be seen along the way, as well as North Captiva, Cayo Costa, Cabbage Key and Useppa Island

“The ecology and the importance of the back bay estuary are discussed, which is the common denominator throughout time The cultural history, wildlife and present day living are all intricately tied into the waters around the islands,” Captiva Cruises educator Richard Finkel reported “Dolphins and a variety of birds are often seen cruising the waters of the Pine Island Sound ” mission only a few months ago He had to resign at the end of September because he would no longer be residing on Captiva Campbell was appointed to his empty seat

Brown first joined the board in 2019 via appointment and was elected unopposed in 2020

Prior to the vote, Fire Chief Jeff Pawul reported that Brown had returned to the island and was once again a resident He had also thrown his hat back into the ring for consideration for the open seat

“Congratulations, Jeff, and thank you so much,” Sims said after the vote

The commission will pick its officers at the February meeting

Also at the meeting, Pawul provided an update on the status of the fire station He

See NEW MEMBER, page 7

Storm debris set-out date set for island

Lee County recently announced another set-out deadline for some additional unincorporated areas, including Captiva, to place remaining Hurricane Ian debris at the curb

The following areas are asked to place residential storm debris at the curb by Feb 13:

∫ Captiva

∫ Cypress Lake

∫ Fort Myers Shores

∫ I o n a / M c G r e g o r ( n o r t h o f Summerlin Road)

∫ Island Park

∫ Pine Island north of the Pine Island

R o a d a n d S t r i n g f e l l o w i n t e r s e c t i o n (Matlacha and St James City are unaffected)

∫ Waterway Estates

This collection is for residential storm debris only and does not include debris

See STORM DEBRIS, page 7

County library system offering virtual programs

T h e L e e C o u n t y L i b r a r y S y s t e m , which includes the Captiva Memorial Library, is offering the following free virtual programming:

Adult programs

∫ Feb 6: Online Meditation Mondays at 11:30 a m

The guided program will provide visual instructions to help keep participants focused and meditating Advance registration required

For more information or to register, visit leelibrary librarymarket com

Questions can also be directed to 239479-INFO (4636)

On Pine Island, participants will disembark for lunch at the Tarpon Lodge They will learn about the family business' storied tradition of fishing the Pine Island Sound and Charlotte Harbor An historic home converted into an inn and restaurant, the lodge dates back to the mid 1920s. Today it main-

See EXCURSION, page 7

Download books, stream video and other online content at www leelibrary net

The Captiva Memorial Library is currently closed due to Hurricane Ian

T h e C a p t i v a l i b r a r y i s a t 1 1 5 6 0 Chapin Lane, Captiva