Pine Island Eagle

Lee County building height and resiliency plan discussed at GPICA’s August meeting

By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers com

The main topic of the Greater Pine Island Civic Association meeting Aug 1 was a discussion with Lee County Commissioner Kevin Ruane on building heights, as well as a presentation from Lee County Zoning Section Manager of Community Development Anthony Rodriguez

Deb Swisher-Hicks opened the monthly meeting of the Greater Pine Island Civic Association on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, by reading from the Greater Pine Island Community Plan, written in 2001.

In June, Rodriguez said his staff was directed by the Lee County Board of County Commissioners to make an

“Depending upon where you are in Lee County, how our staff measures building height can differ Captiva has one specific set of regulations, Pine Island has another, San Carlos Island has another and then the rest of unincorporated Lee County has other regulations.”

Lee County Zoning Section Manager of Community Development Anthony Rodriguez

effort to reach out to the public with a package of land development code amendments, specific to Pine Island “This is part of a series of meetings, that we are cur-

Disabled island veteran Breaux needs a few helping hands

By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers com

Islander Eugene Breaux, a Vietnam Navy veteran and president and founder of the Greater Pine Island Fishing Warriors (an organization dedicated to wounded and disabled veterans), finds himself in need of help Since Hurricane Ian destroyed his manufactured home on Pine Island, he has been trying to find help any place he can

“After the hurricane, I stayed with a friend for two weeks and when I got to the island, I went to my house and it was a total disaster Everything looked like it had been in a washing machine,” Breaux said The VA had given him an emergency supply kit,

containing items such as a small nylon tent, sleeping bag, food and toiletries He’d kept this survival kit on hand for any homeless veterans who came his way in need, however, Breaux ended up needing it himself

“I pulled out that kit and I set up that little survival tent and the sleeping bag and that’s what I was living in for about two weeks. The wind and storms came and ripped the tent up and it was destroyed,” Breaux said

See HELPING HANDS, page 21

Above is some of the mess islander Eugene Breaux found outside his home after Ian PHOTOS PROVIDED BY EUGENE BREAUX

rently conducting, over the summer, and the intent is to bring these amendments back to the Board of County Commissioners for consideration for adoption on Sept 5th,” Rodriguez said.

Currently, no building or structure may be erected or altered so that the peak of the roof exceeds 38 feet above the average grade of the lot in question, or 45 feet above mean sea level, with the lower of the two governing, he explained There are additional provisions related to the exemption of minimum required flood elevation in exchange for the average grade of the lot in question, and also provisions for preventing exceedances height in

See GPICA, page 20

Donalds responds to state’s changes in Black history instruction standards

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com

Florida Congressman Byron Donalds, R-19, weighed in on the state’s controversial new Black history teaching standards, giving them an overall thumbs up with one caveat

He called them “good, robust and accurate. That being said, the attempt to feature the personal benefits of slavery is wrong and needs to be adjusted ”

In a post on Twitter X, the Naples Republican who is the GOP’s lone B l a c k c o n g r e s s m a n r e p r e s e n t i n g Florida, also said that the attempts to feature the personal benefits of slavery “obviously wasn’t the goal and I have faith that FLDOE (Florida Department of Education) will correct this ”

Florida Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz responded to Donalds the same day on Twitter by saying, “The federal government won’t dictate Florida’s education standards This new curriculum is based on truth We will not back down from teaching our nation’s true history at the behest of a woke White House, nor at the behest of a supposedly conservative congressman ”

Donalds’ district covers Fort Myers Beach and most of Lee County

Last week, the Florida Board of Education approved a revision of the state’s Black history curriculum for Social Studies classes which was meant to satisfy the requirements of the Stop W O K E Act approved by the Florida state legislature and signed by Gov Ron DeSantis last year.

The new standards include instruction that enslaved people benefited from skills that they learned The issue

See DONALDS, page 18

Rep. Byron Donalds

LeeFlight celebrates 10 years of service

A special celebration was held on Thursday, Aug 3, to recognize the 10th a n n i v e r s a r y o f L e e F l i g h t a i r m e d i c a l service Crew members, community leaders and about 100 guests came together at the LeeFlight hangar in Fort Myers for the festivities

LeeFlight is a partnership between Lee County and Air Methods, the nation’s leading provider of air medical services, and is staffed by both Air Methods and Lee County EMS personnel

“LeeFlight has operated in partnership with Air Methods for the last 10 years, providing safe and fiscally responsible air medical transportation to the Southwest Florida community,” said Lee County Director of Public Safety Ben Abes, who kicked off the event “The team provides around-the-clock critical care medicine to those who need medical treatment or immediate, life-saving transportation to s p e c i a l t y m e d i c a l c e n t e r s a r o u n d t h e region We're proud to celebrate the 10th anniversary of this partnership and look forward to seeing the program grow with the community in the future ”

Among the special guests in attend a n c e w e r e L e e B o a r d o f C o u n t y C o m m i s s i o n e r s C h a i r m a n B r i a n Hamman, County Commissioners Cecil P e n d e r g r a s s a n d R a y S a n d e l l i , L e e C o u n t y P o r t A u t h o r i t y E x e c u t i v e

Director Ben Siegel and Director of Page Field Scott Sheets

“On behalf of the Board of County Commissioners, I want to say thank you and congratulations on 10 years of amazi n g s e r v i c e i n L e e C o u n t y , ” s a i d Hamman “The service provided makes

Lee County a much better place to live, and it’s great to live in a county where we have assets like this I’d like to thank the LeeFlight team for their professionalism and service to our residents ”

While Lee County has provided air medical services for approximately 50 y e a r s , t h e y j o i n e d f o r c e s w i t h A i r Methods 10 years ago to form LeeFlight T h i s p a r t n e r s h i p h a s r e s u l t e d i n f a s t response times, reliable service, and clinical excellence

“Life is precious and many times the task of preserving that gift falls to our

dedicated emergency personnel,” said Sandelli “Time to respond and administer care is increasingly critical for the p a t i e n t a n d t h e i r l o v e d o n e s T h e LeeFlight team is that combination of talent and resources that saves lives every day We are forever thankful, and today’s event is an opportunity to celebrate them and their 10 years of service to our community ”

Pendergrass added, “Since my tenure o n t h e L e e B o a r d o f C o u n t y Commissioners began in 2012, I have witnessed the success of our LeeFlight

program in partnership with Air Methods My prior career being in law enforcement for 25 years, I can honestly say that our first responders are some of the best men and women working out on the frontlines, dedicating their lives to public safety and to our community ”

L e e F l i g h t s e r v e s t h e p e o p l e o f Southwest Florida with highly trained trauma clinicians, pilots and mechanics who have years of experience in the field and receive advanced, ongoing training

see LEEFLIGHT, page 18

PHOTO COURTESY OF LEE COUNTY GOVERNMENT

The LeeFlight crew and county officials on hand for the 10th anniversary celebration last week

OPINIONS

COM

It’s hot! Cool ways for seniors to stay active in the summer

Publisher Raymond M Eckenrode reckenrode@breezenewspapers com

Executive Editor Valarie Harring vharring@breezenewspapers com

Editor Paulette LeBlanc pleblanc@breezenewspapers com

Advertising Director Laurie Ragle lragle@ breezenewspapers com

Advertising Sales Charlene Russ cruss@breezenewspapers com

Design & Layout Chris Strine cstrine@breezenewspapers com

Debbie Carletti obits@breezenewspapers

Much of the U S is experiencing higher than normal temperatures. High temperatures combined with high humidity often result in a high Heat Index, which describes how the conditions feel to the human body, usually higher than the actual temperature outside While Floridians may be used to summer heat, seniors, whose bodies aren’t able to cool as easily as they once were, are more likely to overheat Skin changes, poor blood circulation and inefficient sweat glands can happen with aging, making seniors more subject to hyperthermia, including heat stroke, heat edema, heat syncope, heat cramps and heat exhaustion

Other factors can make heat worse for older adults, including heart, lung and kidney diseases, salt-restricted diets, certain prescribed medications and being over or underweight

Heat stroke happens when the body is overwhelmed and unable to control its temperatures Someone with a body temperature above 104 degrees Fahrenheit is likely suffering from heat stroke, with symptoms of fainting, changes in behavior (confusion, combativeness, staggering and delirium), a rapid pulse, lack of sweating and dry, flushed skin

If you suspect someone is suffering from heat stroke, call 911 Urge the person to lie down in a shady, air-conditioned or other cool place Offer cool fluids such as water and fruit juice, but not alcohol or caffeine, which can make the condition worse Apply a cold, wet cloth to the wrists, necks, armpits and groin, where blood passes close to skin to help cool the blood.

While there are risks for older adults, hot weather does not necessarily mean that active seniors must remain inside in air condition-

The walls are closing

To the editor:

in

Hunter Biden’s “sweetheart deal” for crimes that would have sent any of us to prison was finally scrutinized by an unbiased Judge and deemed totally inappropriate The deal was tossed

This may be the beginning of the house of cards falling around and on Joe Biden and his many accomplices over his years of selling his office to the highest bidder using his son as the auctioneer

The potential list of impeachment proceedings grew exponentially on July 26, 2023, when Hunter Biden pleaded “not guilty” to the charges he was supposed to be excused from and able to walk out of court as a free criminal

The web of lies, treason and corruption may finally be coming home to roost on the perpetrators and benefactors that have been doing the “rope-a-dope” for decades

“Influence peddling” is illegal and punishable by law, even for the president of the United States

Now, maybe, the public can finally respect and understand why Merrick Garland was not confirmed as a Supreme Court Justice He’s as corrupt as the Bidens

ing There are several ways to stay active, even when temperatures are high

According to the Physical A c t i v i t y G u i d e l i n e s f o r Americans, older adults need about 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise a week, or about five days per week for about 30 minutes a day The right kind of exercise helps seniors feel stronger and more confident and offers an abundance of mental health and health benefits

The most important thing is to listen to your body If you don’t feel right as you exercise, s t o p i m m e d i a t e l y S t a y i n g active also means understanding the risks of being active in the heat In the summer, it’s often beneficial to break exercise into smaller time periods, like three 10minute walks Take extra breaks and avoid being outdoors alone, in case of overheating

Ann Walsh Guest Commentary

For any summer outdoor activity, don’t underestimate the impact of clothing Darker c o l o r s a n d h e a v i e r f a b r i c s a b s o r b h e a t

Clothing that is loose and light allows air to circulate Clothes that wick away sweat can help keep you cool, and UV protection clothing will protect you from the sun’s rays A broad-brimmed hat will provide shade on your face

For walking, golfing, cycling, gardening, fishing, boating and other outdoor activities, try to get out early in the morning or in the evening, when it’s usually cooler. The sun is especially strong between 10 a m and 4 p m , so it’s best to avoid outdoor activities during these times Some exercises can be

Letters to the Editor

It was really laughable when the Biden mouthpiece, Karine Jean-Piere, refused to answer any questions after the plea deal was tossed and said simply, “It’s a private matter” and “we don’t need to comment on it ”

Really, a private matter? Biden’s Department of “Justice” wrote the plea agreement for the defense How many citizens get to go before the judge and have the prosecutor collude with the defense attorney to let them walk out of court with a kiss on the cheek for the crime they are pleading to and all other crimes that may be brought against them for all activities?

Not a private matter at all, it’s just more of the same injustice system brought to us by the dictator and thief-in-chief, Joe Biden Your time is coming Joe, Max Christian St. James City

Slavery beneficial to slaves?

To the editor:

My congressman, Byron Donalds, and I don’t agree on much, but we do agree that this section of the new Florida education curriculum needs to change Donalds was concerned with the section of Florida’s new African

done indoors, like walking at the mall, the gym or an indoor track, exploring a museum or library or using a stationary bike

Be sure to stay hydrated to a v o i d o v e r h e a t i n g a n d w e a r s u n s c r e e n T h e A m e r i c a n Academy of Dermatology recommends Water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher that protects against UVA and UVB rays

S u m m e r h e a t a l s o o f f e r s opportunities to try something new, like yoga, which is a fantastic way to build muscle, flexibility and balance, with many p r o g r a m s g e a r e d t o s e n i o r s Yoga is available in studios or at home through exercise apps or online videos Tai Chi can improve balance, muscle strength and flexibility, offering benefits for the mind and body Dancing provides activity and social interaction

Summertime means pool time and great exercise through swimming and water aerobics, particularly for people who may struggle with balance or joint pain

While the dog days of summer may inspire a slower pace, it’s important to keep moving to maintain strength and balance and keep your mind sharp However, before making significant changes to your physical activity, it’s always best to talk to your doctor, who can help advise what activity is right for you based on your health

Ann Walsh is the Regional Vice President of Operations Healthcare for Volunteers of America National Services

American history standards that said, “How slaves developed skills which in some instances could be applied for their personal benefit ”

In a recent press conference, Florida Gov Ron DeSantis said Black people learned beneficial skills as slaves “They’re probably going to show that some of the folks that eventually parlayed, you know, being a blacksmith into doing things later in life ”

Gov DeSantis doubled down on those comments, in promoting that slavery was good for the slaves He said, “You got to choose Are you going to side with Kamala Harris? In liberal media outlets? Or are you going to side with the State of Florida? Don’t side with Kamala on that Stand up for your state where there are beneficial aspects to slavery ”

Really? This is embarrassing and shameful to think that my state would teach our children that as Ron DeSantis stated, “there are beneficial aspects to slavery ” NO ONE should be in public office who thinks that I am standing up for my state of Florida when I say, DeSantis needs to resign

Janine Vitray Mohl Cape Coral

Eight factors that impact hurricane damage

A drive through neighborhoods after Hurricane Ian revealed disproportionate damage to homes and businesses Some s t r u c t u r e s w e r e b a t t e r e d a n d b r u i s e d , while the property next door appeared in mint condition

How can the same storm cause significant damage to one home and not the next?

Beyond just luck, eight factors come into play

Impact of weather

Florida is the Sunshine State, but it also features the nation’s most severe weather Intense heat, high humidity and preponderance of tropical storms and hurricanes can damage even the best-built structures Obviously, the severity of weather can impact hurricane damage, especially for a roof structure:

■ Wind speeds: When meteorologists report hurricane strength, they refer to the maximum sustained winds that a storm produces Within a storm, there are periods with higher gusts and periods with calmer breezes Thin squall lines can produce sharp wind gusts, micro-bursts and even tornadoes This is why homes on some streets appear to sustain more hurricane damage than houses on the next block

■ Direction of wind: In the northern hemisphere, tropical storms and hurricanes spin counterclockwise That means

a storm’s winds blow in all four directions Where the storm’s eye makes landfall and its direction of travel determines whether a structure will see winds from the north, south, east or west, or all four directions A roof’s slope and direction could either be an asset or a liability depending on the wind direction

■ Obstruction of wind: Beachfront homes generally experience significant hurricane damage because wind i s u n i m p e d e d I n l a n d , though, winds can potentially be slowed by other structures, trees or berms The smallest home along a street, for example, may be somewhat protected in a row of two-story homes. A two- or three-story home, though, may face the full force of hurricane winds because it stands above the rest

Rast Bryant Guest Commentary

the elements, roofs break down over time due to heat, m o i s t u r e , w i n d a n d e v e n rodents or insects Roofs that are 25 or 30 years, or older, are far more likely to s u s t a i n h u r r i c a n e d a m a g e than newer roofs

■ Type of roofing materials: In Florida, there are three primary types of residential roofs, tile, shingle a n d m e t a l C o m m e r c i a l structures can also feature these materials, but most are flat roofs that require a PVC or TPO membrane roofing system Of the four, metal is often considered the most hurricane resistant, but none is immune to a Category 4 or 5 hurricane. Wind can pull up nails or screws and tear away adhesives holding shingles and tiles in place. Wind also can send debris flying into tiles, cracking them in half Heavy rain can cause pooling or ponding on flat roofs

■ Workmanship of installation: A roof

Manufacturers offer guidelines on how their products should be installed The key is having highly trained, experienced roofers working with familiar products and roof styles Some manufacturers even invalidate warranties if a roofing company did not adhere to installation guidelines

■ Date of last inspection: Home-owners and property managers often assume a roof is in good working condition if they don’t see any visible signs of damage or experience a leak However, it takes time for water intrusion to rot wood and roofing materials, penetrate insulation and finally the ceiling Inspections at the start and end of rainy season catch concerns before they become costly problems

A good roof is an investment that protects your loved ones, valuables and property Not all hurricane damage is preventable, but the first step in being prepared for the next storm is partnering with a trusted roofing contractor for a thorough inspection

Impact of roof condition

The roof itself plays a vital role in whether it will survive a hurricane These are the most important roof-related factors in preventing hurricane damage:

■ Age of roof: In Florida, the average expected lifespan of a roof is about 12 to 20 years Like many products exposed to

■ Quality of roofing materials: A topof-the-line product, whether it’s an appliance, vehicle, furniture or roofing material, is typically worth the extra cost. Inferior products may cost less initially, but often break down sooner or have a shorter life expectancy, eating away at any potential savings

Rast Bryant is general manager for Lloyd Roofing’s Southwest Florida division, which provides roof installations, repairs and replacements for residential

St. John’s Episcopal Church to host Rummage Sale and Bake Sale

St John’s Episcopal Church will host a rummage sale and bake sale in its air-cond i t i o n e d C o m f o r t H a l l t h i s S a t u r d a y , August 12, from 8 a m to 1 p m There will be various household items including glassware, pots and pans, picture frames and books, teens' golf clubs, embroidery thread, bathroom tiles, etc

Examples of baked goods for sale will include the bread that won first place at MangoMania – Mango Zucchini Bread,

as well as banana bread, regular zucchini bread with walnuts, mini pineapple upside down vales, Kahlua chocolate cupcakes, etc

Water, coffee, iced tea, lemonade and children’s drinks will be available for sale

Holding crosses will be available for $10 each The small wooden cross is shaped to fit comfortably in the palm of your hand Many adults and children have

used these for evening prayers to remind the user that God is always with them even in the darkest hours They are made of wood so they can also be taken into the operating room, as well as to hold during chemotherapy or radiation, to bring peace and comfort

All adult attendees will receive one ticket to go in a free raffle to win a large basket of food items along with a WinnDixie Gift Certificate

In addition, there will be a raffle to win various gift baskets for fishermen, games for families, for coffee lovers and for wine lovers

All proceeds will benefit St. John’s outreach programs Everyone is invited come to St John’s Comfort Hall at 7771 H Stringfellow Road in St James City to have a fun day shopping for treats and treasures

Contact the church at 239-283-5439

Lee Commissioners approve creation of 23 Community Development positions to aid county rebuilding efforts

The Lee Board of County Commissioners voted Tuesday to approve the immediate creation of 23 new p o s i t i o n s w i t h i n t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f C o m m u n i t y Development to address increasing building permit volumes

Increased permitting volumes are projected to continue over the next several years as Lee County’s population continues to grow and as residents continue to rebuild following Hurricane Ian From Oct 1, 2022, to June 30,

Cat of the Week

2023, staff accepted 72,516 permit applications, 45,411 of which were identified by the applicant as being hurricane related Staff issued 68,362 permits, 43,006 of which were identified by the applicant as being hurricane related

I n t h e s a m e p e r i o d , 2 0 7 , 0 5 6 i n s p e c t i o n s w e r e requested and 131,323 inspections were completed, of which 108,831 were hurricane related

The estimated cost of the 23 new positions for the remainder of the current fiscal year, including benefits, indirect, computers, licenses and vehicles − for Building Inspectors only − is $806,033 For the next full fiscal year 23/24, this equates to a $2 8 million increase over the proposed budget Community Development has implemented strategies

to address permit backlog and review times, including filling of all vacancies, shifting internal staff resources as available, paying overtime and using consultants

In February, the Board of County Commissioners authorized a mid-year budget adjustment to hire 11 new positions to address permitting demands amplified by recovery following Hurricane Ian Building Services operations are funded by building permit fees as permitted under Florida Statutes There are currently 113 positions in DCD funded by building permit fees.

To receive updates from Lee County Government, sign up for the newsletter here: www leegov com/ resources/newsletters Follow Lee County Government on Facebook, www facebook com/leecountyflbocc

Ar thur

This handsome boy is hoping to be the center of your world Arthur was very scared when he first came to us, but time and kindness has turned him into a lap cat. He enjoys following the volunteers around, but the moment a lap is available, he’s in it. Arthur prefers to be petted on his head, which makes us curious a b o u t h i s h i s t o r y a n d i f s o m e o n e h u r t him He’s approximately 2 years old and is hoping to be your best friend For more information, call Helping Paws Animal Sanctuary at 239-283-9100. If you’d rather just donate, our address is 10060 Mallory Parkway, E., Unit D, St. James City, FL, 33956 or there’s always our website www.helpingpawsanimalsanctuary com

Team Shevlin's Player earns Realtor's license

Team Shevlin at Century 21 Sunbelt Realty has introduced its newest/old memb e r T o n y a P l a y e r h a s worked as the Team Shevlin assistant on and off for 5 years She recently earned her Realtor’s license and is now a Realtor/assistant with Team Shevlin Player is a Pine Island native and was raised with her 2 sisters by their father, A J Davis, who was a commercial fisherman

Growing up on Pine Island and then raising her family, working and eventually retiring on Pine Island has given her a special perspective and insight on the challenges of the growing community. She brings this lifetime of Pine Island experience to all the organizations she’s worked and/or volunteered with

Player has a bachelor of science in ele-

m e n t a r y e d u c a t i o n a n d a masters in educational media and worked at Pine Island Elementary School for 17 years She then worked at the Pine Island Public Library a n d N o r t h w e s t R e g i o n a l Library and retired in 2018 as the children’s librarian

She has been a member of the Pine Island Kiwanis Club for almost 20 years and has served as president and board member for multiple terms

She is the vice president of the Pine Island Playhouse and has performed in multiple plays and has even directed a few

She was one of the founding sponsors of what is now known as the Pine Island Leaders of Tomorrow (PILOT), which is an organization dedicated to mentoring and supporting Pine Island youth She currently helps provide transportation for

the kids to and from this great program

Elementary School and is a member of the School Advisory Council

She is a member of the Pine Island Moose and the Elks

And last, but certainly not least, she has served as a commissioner for The Matlacha/Pine Island Fire Control District since 2014 She says she is proud of the

Department and hopes to continue supporting the department as it grows and changes to meet the needs of the Greater Pine Island community

Player is excited to expand on her opportunities with Team Shevlin and looks forward to helping the community with their Real Estate needs Feel free to give her a call any time at 239-203-4682

Lee County to host FloridaFriendly and Native Plant Swap & Seed Exchange on Aug. 19

Event set for the Karl Drews Community Center in Fort Myers

Lee County Parks & Recreation will host a Florida-Friendly and Native Plant Swap & Seed Exchange from 9 a m to noon Saturday, Aug 19, at the Karl Drews Community Center, 18412 Lee Road, Fort Myers

Participants can expect a morning of plant-related educational opportunities with fellow plant enthusiasts The event features a Plant Swap & Seed Exchange, the UF/IFAS Master Gardener Help Desk, a Native Plant Sale hosted by the Native Plant Society, local nurseries, consultation firms and more

To participate, bring one or more clearly labeled healthy plants or seeds Plant species listed by Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council, Federal Noxious

Weed or USDA Invasive Species will not be permitted

To RSVP and reserve a table, call 239-533-1470 or email TRossi@leegov com

F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t L e e County Parks and Recreation locations, a m e n i t i e s , a n d s p e c i a l e v e n t s , v i s i t www leeparks org, call 239-533-7275, e m a i l l e e p a r k s @ l e e g o v c o m o r v i s i t leeparksandrecreation on Facebook and Instagram

To receive updates from Lee County Government, sign up for the newsletter at www leegov com/resources/newsletters Follow Lee County Government on Facebook, www facebook com/leecountyflbocc

Tonya Player

Public meeting on future of Lee County Civic Center complex Aug. 17

Lee County Parks & Recreation will host a drop-in style public meeting regarding the Civic Center complex from 6-8 p m Thursday, Aug 17, at the North Fort Myers Recreation Center, 2000 North Recreation Park Way, North Fort Myers.

A public survey was created in March t o g a r n e r p u b l i c i n p u t o n l o n g - t e r m options for the Lee County Civic Center complex The public meeting will give residents the opportunity to view the survey results and help give input on the future of the complex

The meeting will be a drop-in format so residents can attend at whatever time is convenient for them to view presentation materials and interact with staff

Lee County has launched a landing page, www leegov com/CivicCenter, to provide easy access to information about the Civic Center, including interactive maps, history, timelines and more in a u s e r - f r i e n d l y f o r m a t T h e s i t e a l s o includes summaries of recent Board of County Commissioners’ actions and links to videos so residents can watch the Board discussions A virtual comment card will be available on the Civic Center landing page for one week following the meeting for those who were not able to attend

F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t L e e County Parks and Recreation locations, a m e n i t i e s a n d s p e c i a l e v e n t s , v i s i t

Lee County has launched a landing page, www leegov com/ CivicCenter, to provide easy access to information about the Civic Center, including interactive maps, history, timelines and more in a user-friendly format

www leeparks org, call 239-533-7275, e m a i l l e e p a r k s @ l e e g o v c o m o r v i s i t @leeparksandrecreation on Facebook and Instagram

To receive updates from Lee County Government, sign up for the newsletter here: www leegov com/resources/newsletters

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Lee County will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities in its services, programs, or activities To request an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication or a reasonable modification to participate, contact Joan LaGuardia, 239-533-2314, F l o r i d a R e l a y S e r v i c e 7 1 1 , o r j l ag u a r d i a @ l e e g o v c o m A c c o m m o d a t i o n w i l l b e p r o v i d e d a t n o c o s t t o t h e requestor Requests should be made at least five business days in advance

21st Annual Blessing of the Animals Sept. 30

T h e 2 1 s t A n n u a l B l e s s i n g o f t h e Animals will be held Saturday, Sept 30, from 11 a m to 1 p m , under the oaks at St John’s Episcopal Church at 7771 H Stringfellow Road, St James City

Hosted by the Rev Bill Gilmore, vicar of St. John’s Episcopal Church, the bless-

ing will also include the Rev Jacek M a z u r , p a s t o r o f O u r L a d y o f t h e Miraculous Medal Catholic Church; the Rev Kaylee Vida, pastor of Pine Island United Methodist Church; and the Rev Tom Hafer, pastor of Fishers of Men Lutheran Church

All animals welcome -please remember to bring your owner

More details to follow

Island Mahjongg

W e w e r e h a p p y t o w e l c o m e b a c k A r l e e n and Stephanie to mahjongg Aug 3 Increased n u m b e r s g a v e u s t w o tables of play

The top scorers were Jerilynn and Arleen with 70 points, Judy with 85 and Mary with 110 Mahjongg is played f r o m 1 - 4 p m e v e r y Thursday For now we are not playing at the St James City Civic Center, so please call Carolyn 239-233-7682 to find out where the group will be playing this Thursday, Aug 10

Work continues to permanently repair Pine Island Road causeway and bridge

As part of the emergency restoration of t h e P i n e I s l a n d R o a d c a u s e w a y a n d b r i d g e , t h e F l o r i d a D e p a r t m e n t o f T r a n s p o r t a t i o n h a s a n n o u n c e d t h a t motorists can expect temporary, intermittent lane closures with flagging operations along Pine Island Road from west of Little Pine Island Bridge (Bridge #120111) to west of Shoreview Drive

■ Crews are working seven-day weeks, including weekends, to complete driving sheet pilings on the south of the roadway Work is expected to last approximately two months

■ A lane shift remains in place east of the Matlacha Pass Bridge Eastbound traffic has shifted to the westbound lane, and the westbound traffic has shifted to the

Vote by mail? Lee County voters must request new ballots for upcoming elections

Lee County Supervisor of Elections

Tommy Doyle wants to ensure voters are aware that all previous Vote-by-Mail Ballot requests expired as of December 2022 due to a change in Florida law As a result, voters who plan to vote by mail in 2024 must submit a new request to the office

“The change in the law marks an unprecedented event for our office We have a significantly low number of Voteby-Mail requests compared to previous years,” Doyle said “Our office began a proactive campaign earlier this year ahead of the 2024 election cycle in our effort to inform voters of this change and ensure voting accessibility for all ”

Voting by mail is a safe, secure and convenient voting method. Voters are encouraged to act now and submit their Vote-by-Mail requests before the 2024 election cycle to ensure their voices are heard!

Vote-by-Mail Ballot requests can be made online, by mail, e-mail, fax or in person at any one of our branch office locations New requests are valid through December 2024

T h e m i s s i o n o f t h e L e e C o u n t y Supervisor of Elections is to deliver superior election services to the voters of Lee County

For additional information about the Lee Elections office, visit www lee vote

newly paved, temporary lane

■ Pedestrians and bicyclists are not permitted within the construction zone

■ Noise from construction equipment in the area is to be expected

■ Please use caution and watch for workers and construction vehicles entering and exiting the roadway

■ Please be patient and plan for addi-

tional travel time as it may be slower than usual in the area

For additional information about the Pine Island Road project or any other roadway work in the area or across the state, please visit the FDOT project web page at https://www swflroads com/proj e c t / 4 5 1 9 3 7 - 2 o r e m a i l a t

PineIslandinfo@qcausa com

John R. Wood Properties

PROVIDED

Christies International Real Estate announces top agents for June

John R Wood Properties Christies

I n t e r n a t i o n a l R e a l E s t a t e h a v e announced its top producers on the

islands for the month of June

The #1 Overall Sales Team was the Pine Island Team of Mike Faulkner, B r i a n F a u l k n e r , P a u l a Barwick and Cindy Harmon

The #1 Single Agent was Beth Sweet and the #2 Single Agent was Kristi Dunfee

John R Wood Christies International Real Estate’s island offices are located at 5 4 0 0 P i n e I s l a n d R o a d , S u i t e A , i n B o k e e l i a a n d 2959 Oleander St , in St James City.

For additional informat i o n , p l e a s e v i s i t j o h n rwood com or call 239-2621900

PHOTOS

The Pine Island Team, from left, Cindy Harmon, Brian Faulkner, Mike Faulkner and Paula Barwick

Beth Sweet

Kristi Dunfee

‘Clear The Shelters’ pet adoption campaign underway

By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers com

Now might be the perfect time to add a new four-legged friend to the family, as local shelters are taking part in a nationwide campaign to help animals find new homes

T h r o u g h o u t t h e m o n t h o f A u g u s t , NBCUniversal Local’s nationwide pet adoption and donation campaign, “Clear The Shelters,” will return for its ninth consecutive year As part of the initiative, Lee County Domestic Animal Services, NBC, and Telemundo are partnering to promote pet adoption

From Aug 1 through 25, all dog adoptions will be reduced to just $20 and c a t s / k i t t e n a d o p t i o n s t o $ 1 0 w i t h a n approved application The month-long event will culminate from 10 a m to 4 p.m. on Aug. 26, with the waived adoption event at 5600 Banner Drive, Fort Myers

“The marketing involved with Clear The Shelters helps get the word out about the benefits of adoption versus buying and also the importance of helping shelter pets,” said spokeswoman for Lee County Domestic Animal Services Karen Frick “It also increases traffic into our facility and drives our adoption rate up not only for the day of our event, but the entire month.

LCDAS currently has more than 80 dogs and 60 cats/kittens in its care, with more returning from foster care each day

Frick said this number changes daily as does the intake rate

With Hurricane Ian having displaced so many pets from their families for a

multitude of reas o n s , C l e a r T h e

S h e l t e r s h e l p s

t h o s e t h a t h a v e

b e e n t h i n k i n g about adding an addition to their f a m i l y s a v e money

“

N o w i s t h e

p e r f e c t t i m e t o adopt and give a possibly displaced pet a new home,” Frick said. “Our adoption floor has seen a steady increase in pets over the past six months and many have been obviously well cared for and we would love for them to go back into a loving home as soon as possible ”

Of course, with a new pup or cat comes new responsibilities

“

W e e n c o u r a g e p r o s p e c t i v e p e t adopters to do some research ahead of adopting,” Frick said “For example, what type of pet will fit into your family and lifestyle? Is one breed a better fit, or a certain age or activity level?”

Since its inception in 2015, Clear The Shelters has helped more than 860,000 pets find new homes In 2022, the camp a i g n e s t a b l i s h e d a n e w s i n g l e - y e a r record with more than 161,000 adopt i o n s , w h i l e a l s o r a i s i n g m o r e t h a n

$540,000 Nearly 1,400 animal shelters and rescues in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam participated in last year’s efforts

“We are proud that Clear The Shelters supports the many outstanding shelters and rescues in our communities that perform the vital work of caring for vulnera-

ble animals, so we are very excited for the campaign’s return this August to help them find new homes for animals in need a n d r a i s e m o r e m o n e y t o f u n d t h e i r e f f o r t s , ” s a i d M e r e d i t h M c G i n n , NBCUniversal Local’s executive vice p r e s i d e n t o f D i g i n e t s & O r i g i n a l

Production, in a release “We are so thankful for our many generous supporters and partners, including our employees, participating shelters, affiliate stations and Hill’s Pet Nutrition, who enable Clear The S h e l t e r s t o m a k e s u c h a m e a n i n g f u l impact each year ”

Another local shelter taking part in Clear The Shelters, as it has over the past six years, is Gulf Coast Humane Society

“It has been a wonderful experience

w i t h d u a l p u r p o s e s i n h e l p i n g a s a fundraiser and as an adoption campaign,”

said GCHS spokesperson Brian Wierima.

Currently, GCHS has 70-plus dogs and 80-plus cats in its care Wierima said not all are up for adoption, but will be eventually

The impacts of Hurricane Ian are still being felt for pets, with Wierima saying, “Since the hurricane, adoption numbers have been down and owner surrenders up With one adoption, forever families can make an impact on numerous shelter animals, since it opens up kennel space and GCHS can take in more rescues.”

For more information on Clear The S h e l t e r s o r t o d o n a t e , v i s i t www clearthesheltersfund org Adoptable pets may be found at leegov com/anim a l s e r v i c e s / a d o p t / s e a r c h a n d g u l fcoasthumanesociety org

American Legion to host community event Saturday

Funds raised to help post with Girls

T h e A m e r i c a n L e g i o n a t 4 1 0 6 Stringfellow Road is holding a community event this Saturday, Aug 12, from 8 a m to noon There will be yard sale tables, vendor tables and a table of bake sale goodies

The Legion will also be selling hot dogs on the grill and soft serve ice cream

The baked goods table and ice cream will be inside but everything else out in

State program

the front of building

If you would like to reserve a space p l e a s e c o n t a c t K r i s t e n a t 2 3 9 - 7 3 86457 Spaces are $25 and the funds go to the Girls State program

The Legion sends young girls to the Girls State program to learn about the judicial system and pre-college life.

Everyone is invited to stop by, have fun and support a good cause

St. John’s Episcopal Church to host Island Remembrance Service on Sept.

St John's Episcopal Church will be h o l d i n g a c o m m u n i t y R e m e m b r a n c e

Service Thursday, Sept 28, at 6:30 p m Everyone is invited to come together and pray:

■ For those who lost their lives

■ For those who lost their businesses

■ For those who lost their homes

■ For those who lost their pets

■ For those who lost their livelihoods

■ For those still struggling.

The service is being hosted by the Rev

28

B i l l G i l m o r e , v i c a r o f S t J o h n ’ s Episcopal Church, and will include the Rev Jacek Mazur, pastor of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Catholic Church, the Rev Kaylee Vida, pastor o f P i n e I s l a n d U n i t e d M e t h o d i s t Church and the Rev Tom Hafer, pastor of Fishers of Men Lutheran Church

St John’s Episcopal Church is at 7771 H Stringfellow Road, St James City For additional information, contact the church at 239-283-5439

Lee County School Board approves $2.4 billion budget; sets tax rates

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com

T h e L e e C o u n t y S c h o o l B o a r d approved a tentative budget of $2 4 billion for the 2023-24 school year during its first public hearing Monday night, July 31

T h e t e n t a t i v e b u d g e t , $ 2 , 4 4 4 , 1 7 1 , 3 7 4 , b r e a k s d o w n t o a General Fund of $1,142,749,696 for operations, 47% of the total budget; and a capital budget of $876,893,895, or 36% of total

The remaining components include internal services at $189,362,870, 7% of the budget; debt services of $94,744,982, 4%; special revenue food services of $71,772,463, 3% and special revenue grants of $67,647,468, 3% of the budget total

The board also approved the tentative proposed required local effort millage of 3 1820 mills The required local effort m i l l a g e i n c l u d e s b a s i c r e q u i r e d l o c a l effort of 3 1640 and a prior period adjustment millage of 018

The tentative proposed basic discretionary millage of 748 mills was also approved

The proposed capital outlay millage of 1.500 was also approved.

The total millage will equal 5 43 mills, or $5 43 per $1,000 of taxable assessed property valuation

The total millage is higher than the socalled rollback rate, the rate at which the impact on owner-occupied home would remain flat The increase over the roll back rate is 11 17%

B u d g e t D i r e c t o r K e l l y L e t c h e r explained the millage rollback rate is the rate which applies to the current year's tax rolls net adjustments for new growth, which will produce the same dollars as received in the previous year

The calculated roll back rate is 4 8844 mills The proposed rate for the 20232 0 2 4 s c h o o l y e a r i s 5 4 3 0 m i l l s , a decrease of 127 mills from the 20222023 millage rate of 5 557 mills

“The new millage rate will generate an additional $41 9 million from the previous year because of the increase in the tax roll,” Letcher said

The required local effort portion is 59% of the total millage, she said

“One of the things we like to point out is the change in the roll back rate from

year to year,” Letcher said “The tax roll this year is $145 billion and the required local effort portion is 3 164 We also have a prior period adjustment 018 for a total required local effort of 3 182 We also request that you levy 748 discretionary millage and 1 5 capital mills, which is the total 5 430 mills ”

The millage is a negative 127 from previous years

“As the millage rate goes down from year to year, it is because the tax roll goes up As the tax roll goes up the millage rate will go down,” Letcher said. “We are given the amount for the required local effort from the state and you must levy that in order to participate in the Florida Education Finance Program ”

With the millage rate that the district is proposing, if the tax roll was an 8 34% increase, and it was a $100,000 home, that new value is $108,340 Letcher said at last year's rate, the homeowner would have paid $555 70 compared to this year's $588 29, a $32 59 increase in their school tax.

Homestead Exemption and Save our Homes only allows for 3% a year for o

e s S o a $100,000 home would have a new value of $103,000 Last year's rate, the homeowner paid $416 78, compared to this year's $423 54, a $6 76 increase A

o n , t h e required local effort millage of 3 182 would generate $443,197,701 in total

“While that does generate more than it did last year, the required local effort portion, as that goes up, our state funding goes down in the same amount,” Letcher said “We will not generate any additional dollars from the required local effort than what the state says we can do through the Florida Education Finance Program ”

The basic discretionary millage of 748 would generate $104,183,496 The capital outlay of 1 500 mills would generate $208,924,120 The total millage of 5 430 would raise $756,305,316 from total millage.

T h e F l o r i d a E d u c a t i o n F i n a n c e Program is $932 million in total revenue with approximately $42 million of the t o t a l a n t i c i p a t e d f o r t h e F a m i l y Empowerment Scholarships Letcher said it was a $77 million increase from the previous year and $75 million of that is the increase for the teacher salary increase allocation

Letcher said the district will receive $8,933 per FTE and the base student alloc a t i o n i s $ 5 , 1 3 9 . 7 3 , a n i n c r e a s e o f $552 33 She said they are funded by the state, 42% of the amount

Letcher said the sources of operating revenues is 60 92% local, 38 59% state and 49% federal

The final budget hearing will be held Wednesday, Sept 6, at 5:05 p m , at the School District of Lee County board r o o m , 2 8 5 5 C o l o n i a l B l v d , i n F o r t Myers

Repairs to the athletic field lighting at Lee County Parks & Recreation sites will begin this month in an effort to minimize impacts to youth leagues later this fall

According to county officials, most repairs will be completed by Nov 5, when the clocks fall back to Eastern Standard Time

Lee County will use a combination of its own staff and outside vendors to complete the work in order to minimize the impact to youth sports leagues following the time change

League managers can check for updates on their specific sites at www leegov com/parks

When Hurricane Ian made landfall on Sept 28, 2022, high winds caused major damage to athletic field light poles and sports lighting fixtures throughout various Lee County Parks These facilities have

been closed for nighttime use since the storm, which has severely limited recreational activities

The Lee Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday voted to approve a contract with Musco Lighting for repairs and replacement of lighting at 10 sites The board is expected to consider a second agenda item related to the repairs on Aug 15

The total cost of the repairs is estimated at $3 million

To receive updates from Lee County Government, sign up for the newsletter here: www leegov com/resources/newsletters

Follow Lee County Government on Facebook, www facebook com/leecountyflbocc

Source: Lee County Government

County: repairs to athletic field lighting to begin, youth games to start by November

MCA to hold Ian Remembrance Ceremony Sept. 28

The Matlacha Civic Association will be hosting a special Ian Remembrance Ceremony Thursday, Sept 28, at 6:45 p m , at the RE/MAX Sunshine office, which is located at the corner of Pine Island Road and Island Avenue

LeeFlight

There will be Color Guard from the Pine Island American Legion Post 136, the Trafalgar Middle School Choir, Community Hero Awards along with guest speakers sharing their stories

Luminaries have been hand-painted with care by

From page 2

Every nurse and paramedic has access to Air Methods Ascend, an in-person and online training program that allows clinicians to perform at the top of their licensure Air Methods Ascend is available to medical personnel across the county

“We are incredibly proud of the program we have built with Lee County,” said Matt Turner, vice president of customer experience with Air Methods “We measure our success by the lives we touch and the trust we build

became a lightning rod on the presidential campaign trail for DeSantis, who is seeking the Republican nomination for president

The response from Donalds to the issue further grew the national attention to the subject as DeSantis has been running for president and he has been questioned repeatedly about the curriculum changes

While answering a question from the press last week about the state revisions to the Black history curriculum, DeSantis said he wasn’t involved in devising the Board of Education’s standards but defended the components concerning how enslaved people benefited.

“They’re probably going to show is some of the folks that eventually parlayed being a blacksmith into doing things later, later in life But the reality is: All of that is rooted in whatever is factual,” he said

Vice President Kamala Harris assailed the new standards in a visit to Jacksonville last week

in the community In 10 years, we have made a tremendous difference for the people of Lee County Our crew is the best in the industry and they are passionate about serving this community for years to come We are thrilled to be able to share this success with everyone here today ”

Air Methods believes everyone deserves access to lifesaving care without the need for memberships They are in-network with most major insurance providers,

“They dare to push propaganda to our children,” Harris said there. “This is the United States of America. We’re not supposed to do that ”

The 2022 Stop W O K E Act is also meant to prevent critical race theory from being discussed and changes the way other social studies and history subjects are taught as well

island artists and will be lit in memory of those lost in the storm

T h e p u b l i c i s i n v i t e d t o a t t e n d t h i s m e m o rable moment For information about the MCA, please visit www matlachacivic org

including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Humana, United, and many other leading health insurance companies.

All patients transported by LeeFlight have access to robust patient advocacy services to help ensure affordability, regardless of insurance status

Fore more about Air Methods, visit airmethods com

For more about Lee County Public Safety, visit https://www leegov com/publicsafety

Harris, the nation’s first Black vice president, said, “How is it that anyone could suggest that in the midst of these atrocities that there was any benefit to being subjected to this level of dehumanization?”

The Stop W O K E Act is being challenged in court Messages left with the office of DeSantis were not returned

Free autism screening for young children Aug. 18

Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida, in partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southwest Florida, offers a free monthly autism spectrum disorder screening for toddlers 18 months to five years of age

The next screening will be held Friday, Aug 18, from 9 a m to 2 p m , at the Pediatric Specialist Office, 15901 Bass Road, Suite 102, Fort Myers

The ASD screening is conducted by the Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida The screeni n g s a r e a d m i n i s t e r e d b y a n A d v a n c e d P r a c t i c e Registered Nurse, who has extensive training and experience in typical child development and developmental disorders

A physician referral is not required To schedule a screening, please call 239-343-6838

In this heat, protect yourself -- and the fish

With this heat, slow your lure presentations, seek shade and depth during the day, and fish at night when the big fish come out to play. Be sure to give the fish a break and don’t play them till exhaustion, especially big fish like tarpon The heat plus the fight can kill any fish, so don’t under-tackle and take the time to thoroughly revive your catch before release or unnecessarily feed the sharks with a 25-year old beautiful gamefish

The tarpon report remains pretty much the same this week with the main body of tarpon still seeming to prefer Boca Grande Pass over the harbor and coastline possibly due to relatively cooler and more oxygenated Gulf waters in the pass

Crabs up top or threadfins are always good choices with bigger and catchable threadfins reported over and around the 20-foot holes in the harbor Remember that lots of bait with insufficient aeration and room coupled with Southwest Florida heat equals dead, wasted bait, and time

Lots of little tarpon in the Cape and PGI canals if you want to drive yourself crazy, trying to get one to bite Just keep telling yourself they have to get hungry sometime

If you want to start collecting your own bait, you don’t need a net as Sabiki rigs work well but the process is often time consuming If you go the Sabiki route, it’s a good plan to buy a dedicated Sabiki rod outfit that houses all those tiny hooks internally preventing a tangled mess and wasted time

Buying expensive bait locally from shop holding tanks often gives less than desirable results as typically it’s already weakened from the capture and storage

process Learning to throw the cast net is much more productive

Choosing the net mesh size and diameter will depend on the size baits you intended to collect A general rule might be a 1 inch mesh or larger for big baits like mullet for tarpon and big snook down to 3/8 inch mesh for general duty, then down to 1/4 i n c h f o r m i n n o w s a n d s m a l l s h i n e r s Seasoned pros throw 12-footers, but the typical inshore guide or causal collector can do just fine with an all-purpose 8-footer Good nets open well and sink fast not allowing bait to escape so buy the best net that you can afford and take care of it and it will pay for itself.

There are Lots of small snook and some redfish hanging around shady mangrove shorelines on both sides of Charlotte Harbor Beach front or night bridge fishing puts you in bigger to trophy-sized snook territory Spanish macs are in the harbor, around the passes to almost anywhere offshore and don’t be surprised if my favorite light tackle fish, the bonito, occasionally moves in to feed with the mackerel

Make sure you check the FWC website before heading out to the 150-foot depths and beyond as seasonal closures for popular species like red snapper and red grouper are in effect. Red grouper re-opens Jan. 1 and red snapper re-opens again in October and November for 3day harvest weekends

Grey or mangrove snapper are open year-round with a 10-inch total length in state waters, 12-inch total length in federal

If you want to deeply bend a rod and your back, amberjack opened this past Tuesday but ends quickly on

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary offers one day boating safety class Aug. 19

Boating enthusiasts seeking to obtain the state boating safety certificate are encouraged to enroll in a one-day responsible boating class on Saturday, Aug 19, from 9 a m to 5 p m The course will be held at the Pine Ridge Community Center, located at 15699 Pine Ridge Road, in Fort Myers, next to the fire station and across from the tax collector’s office

Completion of the course will make participants eligible for the state boating certificate

The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary offers the one-day program every third Saturday of the month Greg Masonick, the Flotilla Commander of Fort Myers Beach Flotilla 91, stresses the importance of education and awareness of boating hazards

Masonick said, “Attending an in-person class is an excellent opportunity for students to interact, share perspectives, and gain local knowledge Participants learn about the importance of life jackets, risk reduction, preparedness, and exercising sound judgment ”

According to Florida law, anyone born on or after Jan 1, 1988, who plans to operate a boat in Florida waters with an engine of 10 horsepower or more must complete an approved boating safety course and obtain a Florida boating safety ID card This card certifies that the person has completed the required boating safety course, but it is not a boating license

The one-day class costs $45 per person and includes study materials Mandatory registration is required and m a y b e c o m p l e t e d a t www Aux91FMB org or by c a l l i n g 2 3 9 - 6 9 0 - 6 7 8 0 , option 1.

B o a t i n g i s a p o p u l a r r e c r e a t i o n a l a c t i v i t y i n Southwest Florida, but it can also be dangerous for

According to Florida law, anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1988, who plans to operate a boat in Florida waters with an engine of 10 horsepower or more must complete an approved boating safety course and obtain a Florida boating safety ID card This card certifies that the person has completed the required boating safety course, but it is not a boating license

the unprepared or uninformed Human error and poor decision-making can increase the risk of accidents According to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, statewide in 2022, there were 735 reportable recreational boating accidents resulting in 67 fatalities

For more about boating safety classes or registration for a class, contact Kevin McTaggart, Public Education Officer, cgaux91education@ gmail com, at 239-6906780, option 1, or www Aux91FMB org/Safeboating

the 25th of the month My favorite aquarium fish, the triggerfish, is also outstanding on the plate and also opened to harvest Tuesday You only get to keep one with a 15-inch fork length measured with the mouth closed

Inshore seatrout aren’t big fans of hot water but there are schools of smaller fish so bending down jig head barbs saves small trout from nasty barb injuries

Hard to believe but happy that fall redfish schooling season is right around the corner starting in September, in the meantime stay well hydrated

Capt George Tunison is a Cape Coral resident fishing guide You can contact him at 239-282-9434 or via email at captgeorget3@aol com

Capt George Tunison

exchange for increased setbacks, which he said is a current code provision that can be currently utilized in unincorporated Lee County There are specifications on how to measure structures, he said, outlining the process

“These provisions also specify that no deviations or variances can be granted from the height requirements established in the land development code specific to Pine Island through the plan development process, and that any variance from the height restriction that’s pursued through the land development code requires an extra finding by the hearing examiner, who presides over those variance cases, that the variance that would be approved would actually benefit the general public and not just the property owner in question,” Rodriguez said

The proposed regulations, Rodriguez said, are part of a larger reorganization of h e i g h t - r e l a t e d l a n d d e v e l o p m e n t c o d e provisions into an existing section of the land development code within the general zoning section This is part of a plan for the uniformity of building height measurement throughout Lee County, he explained

“Depending upon where you are in

Lee County, how our staff measures building height can differ Captiva has o

Island has another, San Carlos Island has another and then the rest of unincorporated Lee County has other regulations,” Rodriguez said

The variations make it difficult for staff to administer regulations, creating a little uncertainty for new property owners and developers, he said In an attempt to address this issue, all the building heightrelated provisions in the development code are currently being consolidated into one existing section Because varying areas and zones must be taken into consideration, he said, the measurement will be taken from the lowest permitted point of a building and measured to the highest point of the roof

“In order to compensate for the fact that Pine Island’s existing regulations don’t speak to base flood elevation and they, in fact, specifically exempt it what we’ve done is we’ve taken that 38-foot building height, as measured from grade to the peak of the roof, and we’ve lowered that number to 33 feet, from base flood to the mid-point of the roof, to kind of offset some of the height

related concerns that may be presented as part of these changes,” Rodriguez said Matlacha has a current building maximum height regulation of 32 feet, as measured from design flood elevation to the peak of the roof To provide a consistent method of measuring height, the codes need to be amended, he said

“Relative to the pitched roofs we’re proposing to measure that to the midpoint of the roof essentially what we’ve done is, we’ve changed the maximum building height of the building may not exceed 32 feet, as measured in accordance with the proposed language for measuring height to the mid-point of the roof,” Rodriguez said

Questions raised by GPICA members included the request to add a height restriction to prevent future variances on exceeding maximum building height, setbacks due to increased building height and how the height provisions might affect Matlacha homes already characterized as historic

“The Matlacha Residential Overlay is a separate area from the Historic District, s o t h e p r o v i s i o n s o f t h e M a t l a c h a Residential Overlay do not apply to the Historic District,” Rodriguez said

The future of Pine Island being able to remain protected from further variance requests and anything which deviates from the Pine Island Plan rests in the current governmental practice, Rodriguez told members

“Our legislative process protects that exact thing from happening that

really can’t happen without any public hearings and proper notice The expectation would be that in the future, if that were ever to happen, we would come back out here and we would present that t o t h e c o m m u n i t i e s a t t h a t t i m e , ” Rodriguez said.

Ruane announced that there will be a public meeting on Aug 9, a workshop on A u g 2 9 a n d a B o a r d o f C o u n t y Commissioners meeting on Sept 5

“We have an opportunity to get whatever input you have, feel free to contact me at District 1 at Leegov com any issues you have, we’ll certainly direct them to staff this is a part of the public outreach so we want to make sure you’re engaged in this process The intent initially was to try to help you with resiliency was to try to protect you from flood and have us not go through this process again that was the intent behind this We want to make sure we h a v e a c h i e v e d t h a t d i r e c t i v e , ” R u a n e said

There will be a hurricane recovery m e e t i n g A u g 2 4 a t P i n e I s l a n d Elementary to discuss recovery funds available to Pine Island

E m a i l R u a n e d i r e c t l y a t Dist1@Leegov com

To see building height requirements o n l i n e , v i s i t L e e g o v . c o m / d c d / h e i g h t amendments

E m a i l R o d r i g u e z d i r e c t l y a t Arodriguez4@Leegov com

To see this meeting in its entirety, visit GPICA org

One of the graphics from the slide presentation made during last week’s GPICA meeting with Lee County representatives over building height restrictions on the island

It was then the Cajun Navy came by, he said, and gave him a bigger tent, which could withstand rain and storm conditions He was able to live in this tent for 4 months Breaux went to FEMA to seek help, but found they needed more information than he’d been expecting After an inspection, at which it was determined Breaux had experienced a total loss. He was given $700 for food and also applied f o r s t o r a g e , b u t h i s a p p l i c a t i o n w a s denied He also applied for a trailer, but since this requires 28 feet of free space around all sides, it was determined that there was not enough space on his proper-

ty to contain a FEMA trailer

“Luckily, I was able to find a used RV trailer it’s 8 feet by 21 feet I bought it, and I’ve been living in it ever since,” Breaux said

A small boat, used for his Fishing Warriors group, along with a small utility trailer, takes up the room left in his driveway, leaving Breaux no choice but to park his truck on the street, much to the disappointment of many of his neighbors, he said

Finding a contractor to repair his home became a major priority for Breaux, but there was considerable difficulty obtaining one, since Hurricane Ian ravaged much of Pine Island After finding an a f f o r d a b l e q u o t e f r o m a c o n t r a c t o r , Breaux said he was told by the county he

could rebuild any way he’d wanted, so long as his domicile was up to all the new codes, which in his case included raising the house on pilings

His house flooded, he said, because it had been built only 18 inches off the g r o u n d T o b u i l d a c c o r d i n g t o c o d e , Breaux would have to raise the house another 4 to 6 feet.

Before his contractor can begin work on his place, however, Breaux was told he’d have to remove all the furniture from t h e h o m e A f t e r r e n t i n g t w o s t o r a g e spaces and incorporating the help of anyone willing and able to help, Breaux still finds himself in need

“Neither of the insurance companies that I have the state or the flood paid me enough money to renovate and rebuild the house,” Breaux said Having been approved for an SBA loan through FEMA, Breaux planned to use the money combined with whatever insurance money he was to receive to rebuild He was apprehensive to sign for a loan he’d have to start paying off, however, while still paying a mortgage on a house which was destroyed

“I have to pack and re-pack everything and put it into storage I’m running out of money The problem that I have is getting people to help me move the furniture into a truck and take the truck to storage,” Breaux said

Although many organizations have been successful in helping him, such as the Beacon of Hope and the Cajun Navy, Breaux said he has had to face a few mishaps, with others, such as coming back from retrieving boxes to find many t h i

The 21-foot by 8-foot RV where Eugene Breaux now temporarily resides until his island home is fully repaired

planned on keeping While Breaux is relying on his FEMA case worker to find him help to move his things into storage, he is asking for help from anyone willing and able to lend a hand.

“I need people to help me pack things and I need to move furniture and get my place cleaned out after that, we have to take the walls down so the general contractor can come in and start to rebuild. Something else I need is a place to put my boat, so I can put my car in my driveway and not have it in the street,” Breaux said

Anyone willing to help Breaux can call him at 305-582-4978

The larger tent that was Eugene Breaux’s home for 4 months It was given to him by the Cajun Navy

Eugene Breaux’s small tent from the VA survival kit -- his home for 2 weeks after Hurricane Ian

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