Fort Myers Beach Observer/The Beach Bulletin

Bridge toll proposal ends on second attempt

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com

For whom the bridges toll? Not for Fort Myers Beach visitors after town councilmember Karen Woodson withdrew her own proposal

Woodson had previously raised the concept of instituting tolls on Big Carlos Pass Bridge and Matanzas Pass Bridge in November, but it was denounced by former councilmember Bill Veach and not taken up by the town council

The proposal faced many hurdles For

one, the town does not own the bridges

entranceways and exits onto and off the island. Big Carlos Pass Bridge is a Lee County bridge currently undergoing a $91 million replacement with a new 60-foot fixed-span bridge, while the Matanzas Pass Bridge is a state bridge currently

expansion

After Woodson's initial proposal in November disappeared into a black hole, she resurrected the idea in June with a

new council in place and received backing from Fort Myers Beach Mayor Dan Allers to place the idea on the council's August agenda for a discussion.

Last Wednesday, the toll proposal died again after Woodson said she received letters from county officials indicating that the tolls would not be feasible anytime soon

Woodson said Wednesday she had been working with Fort Myers Beach Manager Andy Hyatt, town staff and Lee County Manager Dave Harner on her pro-

Work begins on Matanz as Pass Bridge project

By NATHAN MAYBERG

nmayberg@breezenewspapers com

The transformation of Matanzas Pass Bridge on Fort Myers Beach has begun

Traffic lanes on the state bridge have been shifted and narrowed as w o r k e r s b e g i n a p r o j e c t t h a t w i l l expand the sidewalk for pedestrians and bicyclists by two feet while creating a new seasonal lane up the bridge that will merge the previous bus lane

and open it up to all traffic during the offseason The bus lane will revert back to a restrictive lane during the peak tourism season

Traffic cones are presently separating the traffic from the top of the bridge in the first steps of an overhaul of the state bridge and San Carlos Boulevard.

P a r t o f t h e r i g h t - o f - w

S a n Carlos Boulevard and Main Street will be taken to expand a second lane of

traffic onto the bridge during a later phase of the construction work

The $13 million project is expected to be completed by the beginning of 2026

The state Department of Transportation project will include a new traffic light at the intersection of San Carlos B

See BRIDGE PROJECT, page 18

NATHAN MAYBERG

posal Woodson said she wanted the tolls to help “monitor traffic, to help with cutthroughs, that type of thing "

“It didn’t go very far,” Woodson said. Woodson said she received a letter from Lee County District 1 Commissioner Kevin Ruane with input from the county’s attorneys that stated a toll couldn’t be considered now

“We are a long way out from even cons

Matanzas Pass Bridge, Woodson said

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers

com

Fort Myers Beach Marine and Environmental Resources Task Force member Jennifer Rusk announced the comple-

Friends Forever," delivering 175 copies to the Fort Myers Beach Elementary School Tuesday

The coloring and activity book teaches children about the island's nature, wildlife

Force member Jennifer Rusk (in rear) delivered 175 copies of the

Forever" to the Fort Myers Beach Elementary School Tuesday Two of the recipients were third graders Jasmin and Daisy

574-1110

Fax: (239) 574-5693

Web: fortmyersbeachtalk com

Exciting year ahead for School District of Lee County

It’s hard to believe we are just a few days away from welcoming our students back for the 2024-25 school year. Our dedicated school administrators, teachers, and support staff have been working tirelessly to prepare for this big day I hope they all had a restf u l a n

while celebrating the successes of the previous school year

We have several accomplishments to celebrate: S t e p h

Leader Award, is now serving as an assistant principal

K

Commentary

Assistant Principal of the Year at East Lee, was a finalist for the state award

A graduating senior from Gateway High School won the highest scholarship award in D

attend MIT

We had state champions in JROTC competitions and wrestling

Our official enrollment has topped 100,000 for the first time, and we opened two new schools.

While we celebrate these s u c c e s s e s , w e

acknowledge our challenges O

dropping us from the number two spot in the top 10 districts in Florida down to ninth place over the past 12 years As superintendent, it’s my duty t

d trend and take action.

We are implementing significant changes, especially in our Academic Services division We have introduced a new service delivery model that divides our District into four regions: North, South, East, and West Each region will be overseen by newly

address areas such as Student Services, English Language Learning, Curriculum, our

Operational areas, and more This structure will enable us to be more responsive and supportive to the needs of our schools We will work together as one, committed to student a

expectations, and responsibilities

Looking ahead, we are excited about the

Elementary School, a beautiful campus fulfilling a promise made during the 2018 sales tax campaign We are also unveiling some major upgrades to Riverdale High School and will begin the rebuild of Cypress Lake Middle School, also thanks to our community through our sales tax dollars

For the first time in decades, we will have an elected superintendent come November It’s going to be an exciting year for the School District of Lee County We look forward to honoring our incredible staff members and celebrating the accolades, accomplishments, and awards our students achieve We can’t wait to see everyone on Aug 12th

Dr Ken Savage is the superintendent of schools for the School District of Lee County

Building stronger, more resilient communities

Lee, Hendry and Glades Counties are fortunate to have so many highly rated, highly effective nonprofits working diligently to shape our society and provide hope for a brighter future United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades is proud to be among this group providing resources, programs and services that improve the lives of everyone in Southwest Florida. The organization is one of 1,800 regional affiliates of United Way, each of which is an independently incorporated nonprofit with its own grantmaking guidelines and local board that makes funding decisions

Web Poll

Are you planning to vote

From providing therapeutic pets for Children's Advocacy Center of SWFL to offering free tax preparation for low-income households to advocating for military veterans, United Way’s impact is felt daily across Southwest Florida

Please join me in recognizing and celebrating these organizations and others on National Nonprofit Day, commemorated on Aug 17

The annual observance encourages citizens to take some time to learn more about nonprofits operating in their community

That includes nonprofits such as Hope Clubhouse of Southwest Florida Hope Clubhouse supports adults living with a mental illness by providing opportunities for paid employment and access to education, housing and wellness By working together with United Way, Hope Clubhouse can connect more deeply with its audiences, building stronger,

more resilient networks of support

Hope Clubhouse Chief Executive Officer Lauren Walker had this to say about her nonprofit having an opportunity to collaborate with United Way: “Southwest Florida is a naturally collaborative community For a smaller nonprofit like Hope Clubhouse, nothing speaks to this more than being part of the United Way agency family We are honored to work closely with United Way through their many programs Access to these programs directly impacts our ability to increase the quality of life for our members ”

Guest Commentary

As a new applicant and award recipient starting in January of 2025, the United Way has opened doors for Trailways Camp to a broad range of collaborative relationships and potential partnerships that will improve the lives of adults with special needs and their caregivers

“We are participating in virtual provider network meetings, with introductions to a variety of community providers and opportunities to make personal contacts leading to potential partnerships,” Trailways Camp Director Jamie Senkeleski said. “There are opportunities for the distribution of information about Trailways

Camp and how we can address such great numbers in need of healthy living opportunities and through overnight camping experiences and overnight respite for caregivers ”

As a new organization with start-up capacity building needs essential to grow outreach and impact, the United Way has favorably considered Trailways Camp’s initial grant request that will spur outreach to hundreds of entrants from special education programs each year

As United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades gets set to commemorate National Nonprofit Day, we will reinforce our dedication to creating positive, lasting change in the Southwest Florida communities we serve By focusing on education, income and health, and leveraging the power of collective action, we continue to build stronger, more resilient communities This again proves that together, we can make a difference

Matt Humphreys is president of the board of directors for the United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades For more information, visit https://unitedwaylee.org/ or call 239-4332000

mentary at

Dr Ken Savage Guest

Matt Humphreys

N a t i o n a l P u r p l e H e a r t D a y

To the e di to r:

O n W e d n e s d a y , A u g 7 , o u r n a t i o n

h o n o r e d t h o s e s e r v i c e m e m b e r s w h o w e r e a w a r d e d t h e P u r p l e H e a r t T h e P u r p l e H e a r t i s a w a r d e d t o t h o s e

s e r v i c e m e m b e r s w h o h a v e b e e n e i t h e r w o u n d e d o r k i l l e d a s a r e s u l t o f e n e m y

a c t i o n w h i l e s e r v i n g i n t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s

M i l i t a r y A P u r p l e H e a r t i s a s o l e m n

d i s t i n c t i o n a n d m e a n s a s e r v i c e m e m b e r

h a s g r e a t l y s a c r i f i c e d t h e m s e l v e s , o r

p a i d t h e u l t i m a t e p r i c e , w h i l e i n t h e l i n e

o f d u t y

M a n y P u r p l e H e a r t M o n u m e n t s

a c r o s s t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s b e a r t h e s a y i n g ,

“ M Y S T O N E I S R E D F O R T H E

B L O O D T H E Y S H E D T H E M E D A L I

W E A R I S M Y C O U N T R Y ’ S W A Y T O

S H O W T H E Y C A R E I F I C O U L D B E

S E E N B Y A L L M A N K I N D , M A Y B E

P E A C E W I L L C O M E I N M Y L I F E -

T I M E . ”

M a y w e a s A m e r i c a n s , r e m e m b e r

w h y w e m a r k N a t i o n a l P u r p l e H e a r t

D a y a n d t h e s a c r i f i c e s o f o u r n a t i o n ’ s

v e t e r a n s

L e t u s s e t a s i d e a l l o f t h e t u m u l t u o u s

c a m p a i g n p o l i t i c a l r h e t o r i c b y h o n o r i n g

a n d r e c o g n i z i n g t h e t r u e m e a n i n g o f

s a c r i f i c e m a d e b y o u r n a t i o n ’ s h e r o e s i n

t h e p r o t e c t i o n o f o u r n a t i o n ’ s f r e e d o m s

F o r t h o s e w h o f o u g h t f o r i t , f r e e d o m

h a s a f l a v o r t h e p r o t e c t e d w i l l n e v e r

k n o w . F R E E D O M I S N O T F R E E .

M o s t p e o p l e i n l i f e n e v e r g e t a

c h a n c e t o m e e t t h e i r h e r o e s , I s e r v e d

a n d c o n t i n u e t o s e r v e w i t h m i n e

A s p e c i a l t h a n k y o u t o a l l o u r

n a t i o n ’ s v e t e r a n s f o r t h e i r s e r v i c e a n d

s a c r i f i c e

A n d , a s p e c i a l t h a n k y o u t o t h e c i t y

o f C a p e C o r a l f o r t h e d i s p l a y o f t h e

P u r p l e H e a r t B a n n e r s o n C a p e C o r a l

P a r k w a y

J a c k Wa g n e r, C o m m a n d e r C h a p t e r 6 9 6

( L e e , C o l l i e r & H e n d r y C o u n t i e s ) T h e M i l i t a r y O r d e r

o f t h e P u r p l e H e a r t C a p e C o r a l

C o u n t r y d e s e r v e s b e t t e r

To the e di to r:

A n y o n e w h o d o u b t s D o n a l d T r u m p ’ s

r a c i s m s h o u l d p u l l u p t h e v i d e o o f h i m

b e i n g i n t e r v i e w e d b y t h r e e b l a c k , f e m a l e j o u r n a l i s t s a t t h e c o n v e n t i o n o f

t h e N a t i o n a l A s s o c i a t i o n o f B l a c k

J o u r n a l i s t s H i s d i s d a i n f o r ( p e r h a p s f e a r o f ) b l a c k w o m e n w a s o n f u l l d i sp l a y H e k e p t r e f e r r i n g t o t h e q u e s t i o n -

e r s a s r u d e a n d d i s r e s p e c t f u l , w h e n h e

w a s t h e o n e f o r w h o m t h o s e t e r m s

a p p l i e d H i s o b s e s s i o n w i t h t h e r a c i a l i d e n t i t y o f K a m a l a H a r r i s i s b e y o n d o u tr a g e o u s L e t ’ s n o t f o r g e t , T r u m p g o t i n t o p o li t i c s b e c a u s e h e w a s a p p a l l e d t h a t a

b l a c k m a n s h o u l d p r e s u m e t o r u n f o r p r e s i d e n t H i s “ b i r t h e r ” c o n s p i r a c y t h eo r y b r o u g h t T r u m p i n t o t h e p o l i t i c a l a r e n a , a n d w h e n h e w a s e l e c t e d h i m s e l f , h e s p e n t t h e f i r s t t h r e e y e a r s o f h i s p r e si d e n c y t r y i n g , w i t h s o m e s u c c e s s , t o o b l i t e r a t e t h e O b a m a l e g a c y H e r e f u se s t o c o n d e m n h i s s u r r o g a t e s ’ r a c i s t s m e a r s o f K a m a l a H a r r i s a s a “ D E I

h i r e ” a n d s e e m s t o s p e n d m o s t o f h i s w a k i n g h o u r s t r y i n g t o c o m e u p w i t h a

r e a l l y v i l e n i c k n a m e f o r h e r

K a m a l a f o r P re s i d e n t ?

J o e B i d e n

l e

i

t h e p r i z e a s t h e w o r s t P r e s i d e n t e v

c a n d i d a t e ?

H e r t e r m a s V i c e P r e s i d e n t h a s n ’ t s h o w n h e r t o h a v e a n y l e a d e r s h i p s k i l l I t h a s t o b e t h a t t h e p a r t y f e e l s t h e y c a n

c o n t r o l h e r , s h e w o u l d b e a f i g u r e h e a d

P r e s i d e n t f o r t h e p a r t y l e a d e r s b e h i n d

t h e c u r t a i n T h i s s h o r t l i s t i n c l u d e s

B a r a c k O b a m a , N a n c y P e l o s i a n d

C h u c k S c h u m e r S i n c e t h e y w e r e o b v io u s l y b e h i n d p u s h i n g B i d e n o u t o f r u nn i n g , w e c a n b e s u r e t h e y e x p e c t t o c o nt r o l a n o t h e r w i s e i n e p t K a m a l a H a r r i s

s h o u l d s h e a c t u a l l y b e e l e c t e d N e i l M i l l e r C a p e C o r a l

P r i o r i t i z e a u t o n o m y

o f i n d i v i d u a l s & f a m i l i e s

To the e di to r:

T h e e x p e r i e n c e o f a f a m i l y m e m b e r ’ s p r e g n a n c i e s a n d t h e c h o i c e s o u r f a m i l y h a d t o m a k e h a v e s h o w n m e t h e i m p o rt a n c e o f s a f e a n d a c c e s s i b l e a b o r t i o n p r o t o c o l s M y f a m i l y m e m b e r ’ s l i f e w a s

a t r i s k d u r i n g h e r s e c o n d p r e g n a n c y , a n d

t h e o p t i o n o f a s a f e a b o r t i o n n o t o n l y

s a v e d h e r l i f e b u t a l s o a l l o w e d h e r t o h a v e a h e a l t h y p r e g n a n c y a n d b i r t h l a t e r

o n I n d i v i d u a l s a n d f a m i l i e s m u s t h a v e t h e f r e e d o m t o m a k e t h e s e d i f f i c u l t d e c i s i o n s b a s e d o n t h e i r u n i q u e c i r c u ms t a n c e s , w i t h t h e s u p p o r t o f t h e i r t r u s t e d m e d i c a l p r o f e s s i o n a l s a n d t h e i r o w n b e l i e f s G o v e r n m e n t r e s t r i c t i o n s o n r e p r o d u c t i v e c a r e n o t o n l y i n f r i n g e u p o n t h i s f r e e d o m b u t a l s o h a v e n e g a t i v e i m p l i c a t i o n s f o r o u r s t a t e ’ s e c o n o m y a n d w o r k f o r c e

L i m i t i n g a c c e s s t o r e p r o d u c t i v e c a r e c a n d r i v e y o u n g c o u p l e s a w a y f r o m

F l o r i d a , h a m p e r i n g t h e g r o w t h o f o u r w o r k f o r c e a n d e c o n o m y A d d i t i o n a l l y , i m p o s i n g i n v a s i v e s c r e e n i n g r e q u i r em e n t s

c a n d i s c o u r a g e t o u r i s t s f r o m c h o o s i n g

l o r i

o l i t i c

A s V P H a r r i s s a y s , t h e c o u n t r y “ d e s e r v e s b e t t e r ” t h a n D o n a l d T r u m p H i s m i n d i s f u l l o f g r i e v a n c e a n d p l a n s f o r r e t r i b u t i o n a g a i n s t h i s p e r c e i v e d e n e m i e s , n o t p l a n s f o r i m p r o v i n g t h e l i v e s o f A m e r i c a n s T r u m p i s a r a c i s t , m i s o g y n i s t c o n m a n w h o h a s t o l d h i s f o l l o w e r s h e d o e s n ’ t n e e d t h e i r v o t e s : m e a n i n g h e p l a n s t o s e i z e p o w e r , e v e n i f h e l o s e s t h e e l e c t i o n H e d o e s n ’ t i n t e n d t o f a i l i f h e n e e d s a s e c o n d c o u p R a y C l

e n d

BUSINESS

IRS announces tax relief for Hurricane Debby victims

STAFF REPORT

The Internal Revenue Service has announced tax relief for individuals and businesses in Florida that were affected by severe storms and flooding that began on Aug 1 due to Hurricane Debby These taxpayers now have until Feb 3 to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments

F

b y FEMA individuals and households that reside or have a business in Lee County, as well as Alachua, Baker, Bay, Bradford, Brevard, Calhoun, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Escambia, Flagler, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Glades, Gulf, Hamilton, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, M

, M

s a , Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Santa Rosa, Sarasota, Seminole, St Johns, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Volusia, Walton, Wakulla and Washington counties qualify for tax relief

Casualty losses

Affected taxpayers in a federally declared disaster area have the option of claiming disaster-related casualty losses on their federal income tax return for either the year in which the event occurred, or the prior year In this instance, the 2024 return normally filed next year), or the return for the prior year (the 2023 return filed this year) Taxpayers have extra time – up to six months after the due date of the taxpayer’s federal income tax return for the disaster year (without regard to any extension of time to file) – to make the election

Other relief

The IRS will waive the usual fees and requests for copies of previously filed tax returns for affected taxpayers

Qualified disaster relief payments are generally excluded from gross income. This means that affected taxpayers can exclude from their gross income amounts received from a government agency for reasonable and necessary personal, family, living or funeral expenses, as well as for the repair or rehabilitation of their home, or for the repair or replacement of its contents

Additional relief may be available to affected taxpayers who participate in a retirement plan or individual retirement arrangement (IRA) For example, a taxpayer may be eligible to take a special disaster distribution that would not be subject to the additional 10% early distribution tax and allows the taxpayer to spread the income over three years Taxpayers may also be eligible to make a hardship withdrawal Each plan or IRA has specific rules and guidance for their participants to follow

Postponing filings and payments

Seagate to present plans for high-rise condos

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com

Seagate Development, which purchased the Red Coconut RV Park site on Fort Myers Beach last year for $52 million, will hold a presentation for the public on its proposed high-rise condo development at the Pink Shell Beach Resort on Wednesday, Aug 14

The presentation will take place from 4 to 5 p m at the Fort Myers Beach hotel, 275 Estero Boulevard Seating will be limited to 100 people

To apply to attend, visit www.seagatedevelopmentgroup com/fort-myers-beach

The developers have proposed two 17-story high-rise buildings with 137 total luxury condominium units, a beach club, spa, outdoor pools, cabanas, villas and a beachfront restaurant at the 10-acre site

Seagate is proposing a private “resident-only” pedestrian overpass crossover to straddle both sides of Estero Boulevard

The plans were presented to the town earlier this summer and haven’t changed, Seagate Development Group Director of Marketing Trish Lorino said

The developers are proposing to keep three acres of the property open for public use, including a beach park and walking path Access to Matanzas Pass on the bay side of the property would be made available with an area for bike parking

RENDERING PROVIDED

There would be four units of single-family bay homes and a 29,000-square-foot beach club

The private beach club would extend two stories high and would be accessible by a private overpass across Estero Boulevard The club would have 35 parking spaces

According to plans submitted to the town, the project would also include a linear park and fountain.

The beachfront restaurant would be open to the public and total 7,500 square feet with a 2,500-square-foot dining terrace

The development will need both approval from the Local Planning Agency and Town of Fort Myers Beach Council to be rezoned as a Commercial Planned Development

Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s Manatee Rehabilitation Center opens

The declaration permits the IRS to postpone certain tax-filing and tax-payment deadlines for taxpayers who reside or have a business in the disaster area For instance, certain deadlines falling on or after Aug 1, 2024, and before Feb 3, 2025, are granted additional time to file through Feb 3, 2025 As a result, affected individuals and businesses will have until Feb 3, 2025, to file returns and pay any taxes that were originally due during this period C

opened its Manatee Rehabilitation Center today, heralding a significant milestone for the Aquarium This

p accommodate the surge in manatees requiring care CMA will provide a

orphaned manatees which includes individuals affected by habitat loss, boat strike wounds, ingestion of foreign objects, entanglements and cold stress syndrome Equipped with the latest technology, including ozone treatment and medical habitats with

false bottoms, the center is designed to ensure the comfort and well-being of these gentle sea creatures

" C

M

A

u m has been dedicated to the conservation and protection of manatees for over two decades Thanks to our donors, guests, and sponsors, this vision is now a reality,” said Joe Handy, CEO of Clearwater Marine Aquarium “We are the first responders of the ocean, from research to monitoring, and now rehabilitation F r o m i n t e r n a t i o n a l w a t e r s l i k e Belize, Cuba and the Dominican

Republic, to our own local Florida waters, we are ready to protect this keystone species," said Handy "By educating our visitors and supporting research and rescue efforts, we can make a real difference in the survival o f t h e s e g e n t l e g i a n t s I t i s o

responsibility to ensure that future generations have the opportunity to appreciate and admire manatees in their native waters "

The first two manatee patients were recently welcomed and both t r a n

T

m p a a t Lowry Park, which like CMA, is

manatees currently receiving care, so

CMA

Woman’s Club announces design, capital campaign

STAFF REPORT

The Fort Myers Beach Woman's Club has released details of their planned new clubhouse to replace their former home on Sterling Avenue - a historic schoolhouse that was destroyed by Hurricane Ian

The nonprofit has put together renderings of the project that it is sharing with the public as the club embarks on a multimillion-dollar fundraising campaign to pay for the project

The organization played a major role in assisting citizens after Hurricane Ian in conjunction with the Fort Myers Beach Community Foundation, delivering more than 1,400 gift cards worth more than $700,000 to needy families in the community

The nonprofit was formed to assist other community organizations locally After Hurricane Ian, the group also donated $20,000 to Beach Baptist Church for their relief meal program, $10,000 to Cultivating Hope for their Hurricane Ian relief meal program, $47,500 to FMB Strong and $34,000 to Fort Myers Beach Elementary School

Over the past years, the Fort Myers Beach Woman's Club launched a Pub Passport program to support local restaurants

Its annual Christmas Tree Festival and Putt & Pub has raised tens of thousands of dollars for local nonprofits.

To learn more about supporting the Fort Myers Beach Woman's Club capital campaign, visit www fmb-wc org or email FMBWCRebuild@gmail com

Tax relief

From page 6

The Feb 3, 2025, filing deadline applies to:

∫ Individuals who had a valid extension to file their 2023 return due to run out on Oct 15, 2024 The IRS noted, however, that because tax payments related to these 2023 returns were due on April 15, 2024, those payments are not eligible for this relief

∫ B

extended due date including, among others, calendar-year partnerships and S corporations whose 2023 extensions run out on Sept 16, 2024, and calendar-year corporations whose 2023 extensions run out on Oct 15, 2024

applies to any payment normally due during this period, including the quarterly estimated tax payments due on Sept 16,

2024, and Jan 5, 2025, and the quarterly payroll and excise tax returns normally due on Oct 31, 2024, and Jan 15, 2025 In addition, penalties on payroll and excise tax deposits due on or after Aug 1, 2024, and before Aug 16, 2024, will be abated as long as the tax deposits are made by Aug 16, 2024

The IRS automatically identifies taxpayers located in the covered disaster area

and applies filing and payment relief But affected taxpayers who reside or have a business located outside the covered disaster area should call the IRS disaster hotline at 866-562-5227 to request this tax relief

For more information, visit the IRS website at www IRS Gov

Rendering of the future Fort Myers Beach Woman's Club on Sterling Avenue

Beach Living

Dion, the Doowop King, basks in Florida revival

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com

Dion, the King of the New York streets, the leader of the Belmonts, the Don of Belmont Avenue, the Doowop King, the Godfather of New York rock ‘n’ roll, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, The Wanderer, just turned 85 and is making some of the best records of his life

“I feel great,” said Dion DiMucci during an interview with the Fort Myers Beach Observer

The New York native turned Florida transplant known for his legendary doo-wop and early rock ‘n’ roll hits “Runaround Sue” and “The Wanderer” has lately been putting out blues records with guitar legends like Bruce Springsteen, Peter Frampton and Paul Simon.

Sure, you might have known Dion was one of the greatest doo-wop singers and an early rock ‘n’ roll legend, but did you know he can still sing the blues as good as anybody who has done it? Or that the roots of his rock ‘n’ roll swagger go back to the country songs of Hank Williams and the blues of Jimmy Reed?

Dion just released his third blues album in four years –this one titled “Girl Friends” featuring a bevy of female musicians from Rory Block, Sue Foley, Susan Tedeschi and Caroline Ohlman The duets album follows his other blues albums where he teams with legends like Van Morrison, the late Jeff Beck and Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits

And now he is about to put out a musical on Broadway about his life

Dion gives a hearty greeting over the phone as if you just walked up to him on the corner of Belmont Avenue in the Bronx with his old buddies Angelo D’Aleo, Carlo Mastrangelo and Fred Milano, who made up the Belmonts – the group that helped make him famous

After all of the fame and musical success Dion experience, it was a move to Florida in 1968 that saved his life

“I love Florida I raised my three daughters down here I moved here in 1968 to North Miami and moved to Boca in 1989 I’ve been here since It was rural when I got here ”

DiMucci said the change in atmosphere and some help from some good friends stopped him from the substance abuse disorder he was going through

“For me, it was a geographical cure I was drinking and drugging in the ‘60s I wanted a chance Of course I brought myself with me I got clean and sober on April 1, 1968 I haven’t had a drug or a drink since,” DiMucci said “I met the right people and I never looked back I met people who had some wisdom and who I had great respect for. I became very respectful of hierarchy and age and wisdom and I listened and here I am ”

Dion’s grew up poor in the Bronx His dad Pasquale worked jobs sporadically in the Catskills resorts upstate making marionettes like skeletons that he would dance around and which would light up “He would pull a string and it would come together again and start dancing,” DiMucci said

His mother Frances worked two jobs and was the main provider for the family

DiMucci’s love for music started young from hearing Hank Williams and Jimmy Reed songs His grandfather used to take him to the opera and then his mom and uncle bought him a guitar – changing the course of his life in the process

How did a kid living in New York City get into a country musician like Hank Williams?

“No one was listening to Hank Williams, no one But I

Dion DiMucci

was in my own world I fell in love with Hank Williams,” DiMucci said “I learned how to live through his records It started opening up my own world right there ”

His other young hero was the blues legend Jimmy Reed “I heard a song that Jimmy Reed did and he said ‘you better take some insurance out on me baby because if you ever say goodbye I am going to haul right off on die.’ I thought that was the most clever thing I ever heard,” DiMucci said “I ran up to the corner and I told my group of friends ‘I heard a guy who said this and he rhymed buzz with luzz He said you’re the one who really gives me a buzz I didn’t think I could last much longer but it shows you just how wrong I was ’ They looked at me like I was nuts Like what are you talking about? So I

had to go out and buy a guitar My mother and uncle got me a Gibson guitar It was an L1 It was like $8 from a hock shop ” DiMucci said He was about 14 at the time

“They gave me some money to take guitar lessons but I spent it in the pool room I picked it up I don’t know how I did it I went for one lesson and they gave me a picture book and I started learning it myself,” he said

“My whole neighborhood was listening to Jerry Vale and Al Martino and you know Tony Martin – all these crooners, Tony Bennett, Sinatra But vibrato – I didn’t like vibrato My uncles, they used to sing at the weddings and it was disgusting When I heard Hank Williams – he grabbed the word with his mouth and he kind of ripped it

See DION, page 10

PHOTO PROVIDED

off at the end and just dug into it and ripped into it It was just so appealing to me It was so committed Spiritually, emotionally, mentally – it just grabbed me It just rang my bell Actually, it took me to a place of enchantment – like a higher reality When I was a kid, I wouldn’t explain it that way ”

DiMucci said his vocal style derived from Williams and Reed “All I wanted to do and I still do it is I try to get a song and kind of craft a song that brings people to the same place when I experienced when I was a kid when I heard Hank Williams and Jimmy Reed and that same enchantment And I am still like that I am going to turn 85 and I still wake up with it ”

“I feel great,” DiMucci says “If somebody would have told me I would be writing the greatest songs I have ever written in my 80s, I would have told them they were nuts In the last three albums I did, I am writing the best songs of my life I don’t know It’s just crazy "

By the age of 17, he was signed to Laurie Records and cut his first record “The Chosen Few” and “Out in Colorado” with the backing group The Timberlanes

Unsatisfied with the group’s approach, he recruited his friends from the neighborhood - buddies D’Aleo, Mastrangelo and Milano

“I knew Carlo from the pool room. I knew (Milano) from the candy store Angelo (first tenor) had perfect pitch like an opera singer,” DiMucci said

“I Wonder Why” was their first hit – a wild doo-wop song largely carried by the cracking bass vocals of Mastrangelo the smooth, sharp hard-hitting leads of Dion

"If somebody would have told me I would be writing the greatest songs I have ever written in my 80’s, I would have told them they were nuts. In the last three albums I did, I am writing the best songs of my life I don’t know It’s just crazy "

-Dion DiMucci

He believes the best song that captures the Belmonts was “That’s My Desire ” The song had previously been recorded by The Channels. “I think our record was better than the original I didn’t know it They (The Belmonts) knew it ”

The song features D’Aleo howling falsetto vocals throughout the song Dion enters one minute in and takes over amid a bass-thumping breakdown “I love backing him up,” DiMucci said

Though D’Aleo is the only other surviving member of The Belmonts, Dion doesn’t see a reunion in the works The group reunited several times after they parted at the end of the 1950s over disagreements in musical approach

Mastrangelo would later follow DiMucci, playing on his solo albums and touring with him on drums DiMucci called Mastrangelo a “creative force” within The Belmonts

Once, while in Chicago at a nightclub Dion was playing with the great jazz saxophonist Sonny Rollins, Mastrangelo asked if he could sit in on drums during the set “He (freaking) killed it,” DiMucci said “He could hear the arrangements coming.”

Though Dion would sometimes play guitar uncredited on his early songs, he would not showcase his guitar skills dur-

ing television appearances

“They said ‘take off your glasses,’ they said ‘put down your guitar,’” DiMucci said. He thinks his image might have been different if he had been playing his guitar on the Ed Sullivan Show instead of being presented as a crooner

When Dion and the Belmonts went on the Winter Dance Party Tour in 1959, they never knew the tour would devastate them Dion faced personal hardships after the 1959 plane crash that killed his friends Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and the Big Bopper during a frigid winter morning in Iowa He turned down a flight on the plane for $36 because it was the cost of rent for his parents

Dion would eventually part with the Belmonts because he wanted to move away from the smooth-sounding vocals they were doing He said some of the biggest hits he had with the Belmonts like “I Wonder Why” and “Teenage in Love” were “a stretch” for his vocals

“I consider myself a rhythm singer, not like Vic Damone where I can hold notes,” he said

After leaving the Belmonts, Dion recorded his biggest hits - “Runaround Sue” and “The Wanderer” (a combined 383 million plays on Spotify) in 1961 as a

solo artist with a new backing group The Del Satins DiMucci is still friendly with Del Satins singer Stan Zeska

Dion’s “The Wanderer” is where his Hank Williams influence met his street upbringing with the new rock ‘n’ roll sounds mixed with the blaring jazz saxophone of the Alabama-born Buddy Lucas It cemented himself as the pioneer of early New York rock ‘n’ roll

Dion’s solo cover of The Drifters “Ruby Baby” was one of his biggest hits He would also treat The Drifters “Drop Drop” to a re-worked bluesy version with some Dion-style lyrics

While there were some slow years in the mid 1960s as he battled addictions, Dion bounced back in 1968 after going sober with his hit “Abraham, Martin and John ”

His 1968 self-titled album featured a cover of the Jimi Hendrix classic “Purple Haze ” That was a bold move for not just Dion but anybody at the time as Hendrix was only emerging as the guitar hero he would be known for

It’s just one of many chances Dion has taken over the years He joined forces with Beach Boys and Ronettes producer Phil Spector in the 1970s on a monumental album “Born to be with You/Sweetheart” which had large ambitions

“People say I recreated myself,” DiMucci said “I matured You’re an acorn and now you are an oak I’m not the same as I was at 13 or 35 I don’t like the same ”

He is largely retired from playing live “I am not a real road guy Some people just stay on the road, I don’t know how they do

See DION, page 11

it. I like creating. Maybe serving people that way My friend Frankie Valli, he just loves it ”

He has been married for the last 61 years to his wife Sue, who he fell in love with in high school at PS 45 after she

moved from Vermont. “To me she looked like Miss America I don’t know, off the charts,” Dion said of his early impressions of his future wife “I couldn’t hear the teachers, I couldn’t hear anybody ”

Dion said the key to being married so long is respect “If you start taking your wife for granted – it’s over If you get any of that contempt mixed in – you are gone ”

Despite her name, Sue was not the inspiration for his classic “Runaround Sue ” That was about a different neighborhood girl who took his love and “ran around with every single guy in the town” as the lyrics go

As for the actual classic song “Runaround Sue,” Dion said, “I did everything by instinct ” While Ernie Maresca is credited with co-writing the song with Dion, DiMucci said the background parts sung by the Del Satins was all his

“I arranged all the background vocals for my songs,” DiMucci said “The Del Satins thought I was crazy They didn’t know exactly what I was doing.”

Dion has said in interviews that back then he would just play with letters and make things up – ala the chorus background “hey hey amadayadayahey” for “Runaround Sue” – still unmatched by any group more than 60 years later for pure rock and roll group vocal joy

These days, DiMucci stays in shape by going to the gym three times a week “I like lifting weights I like moving I like doing something I feel better,” he said DiMucci still goes to rehabilitation programs and works with those battling addictions “I love it You go to get and you stay to give ”

A musical about Dion’s career “The Wanderer” is set to be on Broadway Playwright Charles Messina worked with Dion on putting it together “He’s as good as Martin Scorcese,” Dion said about the playwright, who has previously worked on a musical on the life of Queen singer Freddie Mercury

Dion said Bruce Springsteen and E Street Band guitarist Steve Van Zandt worked with him on every song in the musical “Every song moves the story forward,” Dion said. “We made sure the concept was right ”

“It’s a play that can not be denied,” Dion said “It’s full of hope ”

Dion stays hip with social media pages on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) He occasionally goes on X and posts video of himself playing some of his old songs

During an interview once, Dion described how his use of substances as a teenager was a way for him to escape his shyness

“You’re on top of the world with that stuff but you are an illusion ”

Now, at 85, Dion is still on top of the world the way he always has been A rock on top of the rock ‘n’ roll and doo-wop mountain that can never be replaced An icon to all wanderers He is still making great music

“I can’t take any credit for it I don’t think I can take a bit of credit for it It just seems like these songs are being downloaded into my head,” DiMucci said

“I think I am just being blessed I don’t know I am grateful for it I want to share it with people ”

PHOTO PROVIDED

Dion DiMucci

Town, FEMA send letters to insurance policy holders

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com

The Town of Fort Myers Beach sent out letters to property owners this week ahead of an announcement by FEMA regarding letters to insurance policyholders in reference to the town's status in the National Flood Insurance Program.

Town Manager Andy Hyatt sent letters to more than 5,000 households in Fort Myers Beach with policies from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to offer an update and reassurance about efforts to work with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to retain policy discounts, according to an announcement by the town

The letter is to give policyholders a heads up that a letter from FEMA is on the way to detail the status of the town in the flood insurance program

According to an announcement sent out from town spokesperson Nicole Berzin, "the Town believes some of the language may understandably cause residents concern Specifically, the FEMA letter may speak to removing the Town of Fort Myers Beach from the Community Rating System (CRS), which is now giving Fort Myers Beach residents up to a 25% discount on their flood insurance The letter also may say that all policyholders would receive a $50 surcharge on their policies if the Town were placed on probation The letter may also state that if the Town is suspended, then no one in the affected area will be eligible for federal flood insurance "

“The Town of Fort Myers Beach is committed to transparency and as such we will continue to provide information to our citizens regarding the National Flood Insurance Program," Hyatt said "Town staff continues to work with FEMA to avoid probation and maintain the current CRS Rating of 5 ”

FEMA notified the town last month that it has until Sept 16 to develop a plan that includes a timeline for addressing deficiencies in permitting

The Town of Fort Myers Beach has until Nov 18 to correct or remedy all identified violations of FEMA regulations to the maximum extent possible or the town could lose its eligibility for Community Rating System participation, and would be retrograded to Class 10 effective on April 1

According to the letter from Berzin, the town has had weekly meetings with FEMA officials since the spring

Earlier this year, FEMA had notified the town, Lee County, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs and Estero that they would lose their insurance discounts as a result of permitting issues after Hurricane Ian After appeals from the municipalities, the municipalities were all given extra time to address the alleged deficiencies

FEMA will be mailing letters to more than 100,000 National Flood Insurance Program policyholders in Lee County this month to update them on their community’s status in the program

The agency has been working with the communities of Bonita Springs, Estero, Cape Coral, Fort Myers Beach and unincorporated Lee County over the past several weeks to evaluate each community’s compliance with the program and address any identified issues

According to FEMA, all flood insurance policy holders will receive a letter as an advance notice that if their community is unable to correct any identified deficiencies or violations, it will be placed on probation from the National Flood Insurance Program If this occurs in a community, policy holders will see a $50 probation surc

Additionally, as of April 1, policy holders would lose any discounts they are receiving through the Community

Rating System.

“I sincerely appreciate these community leaders taking this matter seriously, and all the work they’ve done to improve identified deficiencies,” said FEMA Region 4 Regional Administrator Robert Samaan “We look forward to continuing our work together to ensure everyone is building back stronger and more resilient against future floods and disasters ”

FEMA, in its letter to residents, is encouraging policyholders to "support their community with its efforts to keep residents safe by addressing any deficiencies Any r e s i d e n

m Hurricane Ian is encouraged to reach out to their local floodplain administrator or websites that communities have established for additional information about this process "

According to FEMA, of the permit packages submitted to the Town of Fort Myers Beach, 31% were deemed completed More information is required from 20% of the permit packages, 15% were ongoing code enforcement cases and 32% will be followed up on during a future compliance engagement

FEMA also found that 51 out of the 105 permit packages submitted did not include permits for structures that sustained documented damage. Of the 105 permit packages submitted, 76 were deemed to be missing itemized/detailed cost information for repair performed About 60%, or 62 of the 105 had individual permits issued, did not include total repair costs

Among the unpermitted work was new lights put up at the Fort Myers Beach Post Office, for which the property owners were cited by the town The property owners were also cited by the town for the lights violating the town's turtle-nesting light ordinance

Lovers Key State Park announces guided nature programs

STAFF REPORT

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection announced that Lovers Key State Park on Fort Myers Beach will present weekly programs on nature, park history and wildlife throughout the month of August The park is located at 8500 Estero Blvd

Space is limited for all events; reservations are required To register, visit the Friends of Lovers Key’s Eventbrite page: https://bit.ly/FOLKS-Events

The park offers many recreational opportunities for visitors with disabilities For accommodations assistance, please contact the park office at 239-707-6328

Programs include:

∫ Thursday, Aug 8 at 8 a m

Lovers Key Garden Club Workday

Park entry fee is waived for participants

Join a park ranger to help maintain Lovers Key’s native pollinator garden

Weeding, pruning, and planting are all on the table at a garden club workday, and we welcome both beginner and expert gardeners to participate Closed-toe shoes are required, and work gloves, hand clippers, water bottles, sunscreen, bug spray, kneeling pads, and hats are highly recommended Space is limited; reservations are required To register, visit https://bit ly/FOLKSEvents

∫ Friday, Aug 9, at 10 a m

Seashell Walk

Program is free with paid park entry

Join a park ranger for a relaxing hike along the Lovers Key shoreline Learn the names of the seashells that wash ashore at the park, fun facts about the creatures who craft them, and the shelling regulations that help protect these iconic Florida treasures Space is limited; reservations are required To register, visit https://bit ly/FOLKSEvents

∫ Friday, Aug 16, at 10 a m

Walk on the Wild Side

Program is free with paid park entry

Join a park ranger for a guided hike along

our Black Island Trail Learn about the fascinating vegetation and wildlife that reside in our maritime hammock ecosystem and enjoy a little local history along the way Closed-

toe shoes, sunscreen, bug spray, and water bottles are highly recommended Space is limited; reservations are required To register, visit https://bit ly/FOLKS-Events

Mound House Events Schedule

The Mound House on Fort Myers Beach is a public museum on the National Registrar of Historic Places which traces its roots to the Calusa, the ancient Native American tribe who built a shell mound approximately 2,000 years ago underneath the house and museum The house at 451 Connecticut St. is the oldest standing structure on Estero Island The Town of Fort Myers Beach operates the Mound House as a museum complex and cultural and environmental learning experience that offers entertainment and educational programs, including for children There is also public land for picnics and docks for fishing along the bay Overflow parking is available at 216 Connecticut St For more details, reservations, and a monthly programs schedule, call 239-765-0865

Regular programming

The Mound House is currently offering regular kayak tours Wednesdays through Saturdays, from 9 to 11 a m The tours are $20 for Mound House members and $50 for non-members.

Explore the winding mangrove creeks and go places only a kayak can go on this guided eco tour of Estero Bay This beginner-friendly tour allows you to experience and learn more about the natural beauty of

a mangrove estuary and the history of the area Mound House kayak tours are conducted in accordance with Florida Society for Ethical Ecotourism guidelines All paddling and kayak safety equipment are provided

The tours are restricted to ages 12 and up, weather permitting. A maximum of 12 paddlers per tour are allowed Shoes are required Tours can be booked at www MoundHouse org

Shell Mound Tours

Shell mound tours are given Wednesdays through Saturdays from 10 a m to 10:30 a m, from noon to 12:30 p m and from 2 p m to 2:30 p m

The tours are free for Mound House members, and cost $5 plus museum admission to non-members

Discover the archaeology and history of the shell mound site and learn what clues were uncovered about the nearly 2,000-year-old shell mound This handson tour will explore the environmental and cultural history of the site and feature replica artifact demonstrations No reservations required

More information can be found at www MoundHouse org

Early voting underway in primary, school board races

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com

Early voting has begun in Lee County statewide primary races Voters can request their ballot online at www lee vote, by emailing votebymail@lee vote or calling (239) 533-8683 Voters can also track the status of their ballot at www lee vote

The deadline to return a Vote-by-Mail Ballot to the Lee County Supervisor of Elections is by 7 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, August 20

Early voting in person will be held ahead of the primary from Saturday, Aug 10 to Saturday, Aug 17 at 12 locations throughout the county A list of the locations c

gInformation/Early-Voting-Dates-and-Locations

The closest site to Fort Myers Beach is Lakes Regional Library at 15290 Bass Road

Hand-delivered ballots may be dropped off at any of the Lee County Elections Offices, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a m to 5:00 p m or on Election Day, from 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Vote-by-Mail Ballots may also be dropped off at authorized secure ballot intake stations located at each early voting site during the early voting period

Lee County School Board

Three Lee County School Board seats are on the ballot for the Aug 20 races:

In at-large District 7, every voter countywide may cast a ballot regardless of the district in which they live Vanessa Melbis Chaviano, Sheridan Chester and Joshua D Molandes have qualified In District 2, incumbent Melisa Giovannelli and Carol Frantz have qualified In District 3, which covers Fort Myers Beach, Bill Ribble and Kaitlyn Schoeffel have qualified

Primar

y races

There are four countywide primary races this season for political offices

Two seats on the Lee County Board of County Commissioners are being contested In District 3, which includes Fort Myers Beach,

Bonita Springs, Estero and unincorporated South Fort Myers, Republican Ray Sandelli is not seeking re-election David Mulicka and Matthew R Thornton are contesting the seat in a closed Republican primary

In District 5, which includes Alva, Lehigh Acres, Buckingham, Olga and eastern unincorporated Fort Myers, incumbent Republican Mike Greenwell is facing a challenge from Republican Amanda Cochran in a closed primary The winner will face Democrat Kizzie Fowler in November

All Lee County Republicans can vote in the two races

Lee County Supervisor of Elections Tommy Doyle, a

Republican Party Executive Committee member Michael “Mick” Peters The race will be an open primary, meaning all voters can partake regardless of voter registration

Lee County Property Appraiser Matt Caldwell is facing a Republican Party primary challenge from Steve Cunningham The race will also be on the primary ballot

Campbell, Rod Joseph, Debbie Mucarsel-Powell and Brian Rush

There are two Republican state committee seats up for election in a primary

Michael "Mick" Peters is running against Andrew Sund for the Republican state committeeman seat

There are four Republicans seeking to fill the open state Republican committeewoman seat: Adele Amico, Melissa Giovanelli, Krissy Houlihan and Tara Jenner

For those voting in-person on Tuesday, Aug 20, the Fort Myers Beach location for the primaries and school board elections will be town hall at 2731 Oak Street on Fort Myers Beach

Three school board seats up on Primary Day

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com

Three Lee County School Board seats are up for grabs as early voting gets underway, including an at-large seat to be determined countywide on Primary Day School board races are non-partisan

District 3, which includes Fort Myers Beach, will have a new board member after Chris Patricca decided not to seek re-election The candidates are Bill Ribble and Kaitlyn Schoeffel Fort Myers Beach Magistrate Monica Schmucker, who had initially filed to run for the office, withdrew from the race

Three candidates are vying for the at-large district in District 7: Vanessa Melbis Chaviano, Sheridan Chester and Joshua D Molandes

The District 2 candidates include incumbent Melisa Giovannelli, a real estate agent, and Carol Frantz, a retired radiologic technologist

District 2 represents South Fort Myers from Allen Park Elementary School to three Oaks Elementary School

District 3

District 3 runs from Fort Myers Beach to Estero Schoeffel, 31, a car dealership spokesperson and mother, said if elected, she will help students achieve their fullest personal potential by creating a school district where every child has the opportunity to succeed, where schools are safe and inclusive, and where teachers are supported and valued

“I hope to be a voice for the new generation of parents and educators, bringing innovative ideas and a deep commitment to making a positive impact on the Lee County School District,” she said

Schoeffel, who has firsthand experience in education, having worked as a substitute teacher, said she is committed to advocating for better pay, resources and support for teachers and staff to create an optimal learning environment and ensure they attract and retain the best educators

“Our teachers deserve to be valued and supported in

their crucial role,” she said

Safety and a positive school environment are essential, Schoeffel said, adding that she will advocate for safety measures and programs that foster a supportive and inclusive culture

“Mental health resources must be readily available to support our students and staff, ensuring their well-being and success,” she said.

Ribble, a resident of Estero since 2007, worked as a vice president of corporate operational development with UPS

“If elected, I will continue to monitor the Envision 2030 Strategic Plan and hold the district accountable for the execution of the plan,” he said “Key initiatives of the pan include promoting a safe learning and working environment by enforcing the Code of Conduct and eliminating classroom disruptions Increase employee recruitment and retention by paying our teachers a fair competitive wage ”

As far as tackling teacher and bus driver shortages, Ribble said wages must be competitive to keep existing employees and to attract new employees

“With the Lee County School District budget of almost $2 8 billion dollars, the budget needs to be revisited for how this money is spent,” he said

The 26% teacher turnover of teachers and staff is the most concerning issue for the Lee County School District, according to Ribble

“We need to be able to attract well-qualified employees for all positions in the district for the district to be effective We need to address wages,” he said

Ribble said the district also needs to continue to enhance the English Language Learners program, so the students presently 18% of the district can excel in the classrooms with their peers

Ribble said although he is impressed with the safety at the schools, he will encourage the continued training and expansion of the Guardian Program, as adding that level of security will help support SRO effectiveness

“Our Lee County Sheriff’s Department has done an

excellent job of keeping our schools safe here in Lee County I continue to be impressed with the one point of entry at each school and the School Resource Officers that staff them The new Gateway Security Monitors are now in place at each school location to check each person accessing the school,” he said

District 3 candidate profiles

∫ Bill Ribble

Seat sought: District 3

Age: 74

Education: BS education and MBA

Occupation: retired VP

development with UPS

Length of residence in county: since 2007

Fami l y : w i f e a n d t w o children

Campai g n w e bs i te : www voteribble com

∫ Kaitlyn Schoeffel

Seat sought: District 3

Age: 31

Education: BA in broadcast and minor in political science and dance

Occupation: car dealership spokesperson

Length of residence in county: 6 years

Family: husband and two children

Campai g n w e bs i te : w w w k a i t y l n f o r l e e c o u ntyschoolboard com

Bill Ribble

Kaitlyn Schoeffel

Greenwell, Cochran face off in District 5

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com

When Lee County Board of County Commissioners Chairman Mike Greenwell was hitting home runs for the Boston Red Sox three decades ago, running for political office was about the last thing on his mind Greenwell still doesn’t consider himself a politician though he takes his politics seriously representing District 5 on the board of county commissioners

“I didn’t think I was going to be a politician and I still don’t think I’m a politician,” Greenwell said

The Alva Republican and former Red Sox All-Star faces a primary challenge from fellow Alva resident and Realtor Amanda Cochran, with the main issue between the two being the level of development in their communities and countywide

Cochran, who manages and co-owns RE/MAX River & R a n c h , b e l

Commissioners has been too permissive in allowing zoning changes that go against the county’s comprehensive plan including a rezoning of Greenwell’s property that led to a lawsuit she has filed against the county

Greenwell has countered that the rezoning was necessary after the state took approximately 17 acres of his property for an expanded highway on State Road 31 that

School board seats

District 7

M

Southwest Florida for more than 10 years, said the board has to address the teacher shortage in order to fix the student achievement

“Teacher pay must be raised,” he said School safety is also of paramount importance and he will continue to work and add to the Guardian Program, , Molandes said

“The most important issue is teacher shortage and overspending on construction,” he said “If elected, I will use my decade of experience representing folks as a trial attorney to advocate on behalf of the teachers, students, staff, and parents ”

Chaviano, a 25-year resident of Lee County, is in marketing operations at LIV Digital Marketing

If elected, she said she will prioritize a student-centered approach to education, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to achieve their fullest potential

“This includes enhancing academic programs, supporting diverse learning styles, and providing robust special education services I will advocate for smaller class sizes, increased access to mental health resources, and t e c h n o l o g y i n

n g Additionally, I will foster a collaborative environment where teachers, parents, and community members work together to support students’ academic and personal growth,” Chaviano said

Competitive salaries, improved benefits, and supportive working conditions are at the top of her list in attracting and retaining high-quality educators Competitive pay and benefits, along with flexible scheduling options is needed to improve the bus driver shortage, she added

Safety, as with the other candidates, is paramount

“I will support comprehensive safety plans that include physical security measures such as secure entrances, surveillance systems, and emergency response protocols Expanding the Guardian Program will also be a key focus, allowing trained school personnel to provide additional protection,” Chaviano said

Student achievement is the most important issue the district is facing, she said

“Ensuring all students receive a high-quality education that prepares them for future success is essential. T h i s r e q u i r e s a d d r e s s i n g d i s p a r i t i e s i n

d u c a t i o n a l resources, supporting teachers, and implementing innovative teaching methods,” Chaviano said

Chester, a 23-year substitute teacher in the school district, has lived in Lee County for 25 years

She said if elected, she will visit each school and let the students and staff know that she is completely vested in their success

Chester believes the most important issue the district is currently facing is teacher and substitute teacher shortages She said they must provide teachers with a realistic wage.

“How do we expect to hire and retain quality teachers if we are unwilling to make an investment?” she said

Mike Greenwell (incumbent)

Seat sought: Lee County Commission Disrict 5 Party: Republican Age: 61

Oc c upati o n: L e e

C o u n t y D i s t r i c t 5

Commissioner

Education: North Fort Myers High School Years in district: 33

years

Family: Married, two children

Campai g n w e bs i te : MikeGreenwell com

connects to Babcock Ranch

For Greenwell, who counts two home runs against Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan to his credit and a runner-up finish to Jose Canseco in the 1988 American League MVP race, this political fight is shaping up to be about as tough as any at-bat he faced as a ballplayer He is seeking a second term in office after being appointed by Gov Ron DeSantis in

From page 14

To ensure schoolhouses are kept safe, Chester said they have to enforce policies that are already in place

“I love my community and am willing to do the work required to provide our community with an educated population,” she said

District 7 candidate profiles:

∫ Vanessa Melbis Chaviano

Seat sought: District 7

Age: 40

E d u c a t i o n : B a c h e l o r ' s degree in criminal justice a n d c r i m i n a l f o

masters degree in criminal

degree in business administration

Occupation: Marketing operations at LIV Digital Marketing

Length of residence in county: 25 years

Family: husband and two children

∫ Sheridan Chester

Seat sought: District 7

Age: 75 Educ ati

Community College, AA,

Specialist

Oc

School District

Length of residence in county: 25 years

Family: husband, two children and two godchildren

∫ Joshua D Molandes

Seat sought: District 7

Educ ati o n: B A

n molecular genetics and law

Occupation: retired trial attorney

Length of residence in the county: more than 10 years

Family: wife and four children

Amanda Cochran

Seat sought: Lee County Commission District 5 Party: Republican Age: 49

O c c u p a t i o n : O w n e r / m a n a g e r o f

RE/MAX River & Ranch

Education: Fort Myers High School Years in district: 28

years

Family: Married, two children

Campai g n w e bs i te : www Amandsforlee com

2022 to fill the seat left vacant by the late Frank Mann Greenwell went on to win a three-way Republican primary and then a special election Cochran, a sixth-generation Lee County resident, said the lawsuit she filed led to a greater awareness of the deci-

District 2

Frantz, who has lived in the district for 46 years, was a supervisor of a radiology staff of 12. Giovannelli, who has been on the school board since 2016 and 25 years building her business in the real estate business, is a product of the school district, as are her children and grandchildren

District 2 candidate profiles

∫ Carol Frantz

Seat sought: District 2

Age: 68

Occupation: retired radiologic technologist

Le ng th o f re s i de nc e in county: 46 years

Fami l y : h u s b a n d a n d three grown children

Educ ati

Memorial Hospital School of Radiologic Technology, Carol Hesselgrave

Campai g n w e bs i te : http://carolfrantz com

∫ Melisa Giovannelli

Seat sought: District 2

Age: 61

Occupation: Realtor at Barclays Real Estate Group

Length of residence in c o unty : N a t i v e t o L e e County

Fami l y : h u s b a n d , t w o daughters and two grandchildren

Campai

board wordpress com

Sheridan Chester

Joshua D Molandes

Carol Frantz

Melisa Giovannelli

Vanessa Melbis Chaviano

Back on the Beach

Lynn Hall Memorial Park reopened on Fort Myers Beach after being closed by Lee County temporarily due to flooding from Hurricane Debby last week. Enjoying a day on the beach Monday were the Hardy, Murphy and Pierce families of Fort Myers, South Africa and Michigan From left to right is Jordan Murphy, Jayden Murphy, Jamie Murphy, Leslie Murphy, Lizelle Murphy, Jacob Hardy, Phoebe Hardy, Rachelle Pierce, Emmie Hardy, Liam Hardy and Blakely Hardy NATHAN MAYBERG

Tur tle Time nest data

For t Myers Beach: 109 nests 237 false crawls 28 nests hatched

Bonita Beach: 134 nests 218 false crawls 57 nests hatched

Neighborhood mural program

Done in partnership with the Fort Myers Mural Society, the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau (VCB) recently launched a neighborhood mural program

The placemaking initiative highlights what makes each area of the destination special, and the project gives the public a chance to interact with the murals' designs by taking and sharing photos

The VCB reported that the latest murals include the following:

∫ Side of the SanCap Chamber building on Sanibel

∫ Series of murals in the children's garden at Lakes Park in Fort Myers

∫ Side of the Community Redevelopment Agency building in Cape Coral

∫ Side of the Eagle's Nest Restaurant on Pine Island

∫ Double-mural on both sides of the North Fort Myers Recreation Center's entrance doors

and remind everyone never disturb a sea turtle or nest. For more information or to report a nest, please contact Turtle Time, Inc. at 481-5566. visit Turtle Time at turtletime.org.

For more information about the program, visit visitfortmyers com/visit/editorial/ making-splash-evolution-fort-myers-mural-movement

Bridge project

Monday, a sign at the right-of-way was down and a bench on the right-of-way had been destroyed - victims of a recent accident

The San Carlos Boulevard project will also include converting the existing south-

Carlos Boulevard that approaches Main Street and Fishermans Wharf before the Matanzas Pass Bridge into a general use

From page 1

travel lane That lane will extend straight onto the Matanzas Pass Bridge and will involve the state taking a portion of the

Carlos Boulevard and Fishermans Wharf

Other aspects of the work will include the seasonal replacement of the alternating traffic signal light at the intersection of San Carlos Boulevard, Prescott Street and Buttonwood Drive with a convention-

NATHAN MAYBERG At top, traffic cones begin the narrowing of lanes on the Matanzas Pass Bridge from the top of the bridge for a project expected to last until the beginning of 2026 At bottom, the right-of-way on San Carlos Island near the Main Street intersection with San Carlos Boulevard which will be cut into for a widening the road onto the Matanzas Pass Bridge

al light during peak tourism season

According to a presentation from the Florida Department of Transportation to the Town of Fort Myers Beach Council in January, the conventional light would be in place from April through December to allow a free flow of traffic From January through April during peak season, there will be the alternating traffic lights where one lane heading towards the Matanzas

Pass Bridge alternates with the other From Main Street to Hurricane Bay Bridge, the posted speed limit is expected to be reduced from 45 mph to 40 mph

The Florida Department of Transportation advised that overnight lane closures can be expected during the project on weeknights

Lee Health officials explain benefits of status conversion

Held on Aug 1 at the Sundial Beach Resort & Spa on Sanibel, the SanCap Chamber's business luncheon kicked off with a ribbon-cutting to celebrate the resort's official first day of business since Hurricane Ian

Along with keynote speakers Lee Health President and Chief Executive Officer Dr Larry Antonucci and

Architecture representatives hailed the significance of the island's largest accommodations complex to reopen to date

“I can’t wait for everyone to have this day,” Sundial General Manager Becky Miller said of the current daycation operations model, adding that rooms will begin to open for occupancy in November beginning with westside units “This is our Day 1 ”

Antonucci and Nachef took the podium to explain the “why and why now” reasoning behind Lee Health's current process of returning to a community-centered nonprofit structure from today's public special district structure, which has been in effect since 1960. At the time, the Florida Legislature sanctioned the transition from a private not-for-profit to a non-taxing district committed to offering “safety net” health care to all, with or without Medicaid, Medicare, or commercial health insurance

Now under the oversee of the Lee County Board of County Commissioners, Lee Health has been working for the past six months evaluating the conversion back to a

President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Larry Antonucci spoke about the health system's conversion to a community-centered not-for-profit at the SanCap Chamber's business luncheon on Aug 1 at the Sundial Beach Resort & Spa on Sanibel

Toll proposal

From page 1

Since the Matanzas Pass Bridge is not being replaced, there is not a process for adding a toll on the state bridge at this time, Woodson said The state would have to approve putting a toll on the bridge but there is no ability to do so now since the bridge isn’t being replaced Woodson said a toll couldn’t go on Big Carlos Pass Bridge for now either since the construction of the replacement bridge is already underway

“The bridge project is being funded with local monies, federal highway administration monies and CARES Act federal monies,” Woodson said Adding a toll would have required input with the federal government before the funding for the bridge was applied for and approved,

Press From page 1

and native plants.

Rusk worked for months on the project with the aid of the Fort Myers Beach

s Task Force (MERTF)

private community-based system.

“The role of leadership is identify icebergs before you hit them,” Antonucci said “You don’t wait until you hit the iceberg and are taking on water before you make structural changes to meet the future challenges you anticipate you’re going to face ”

He cited some of the challenges as cost increases; service disrupters in the marketplace, such as CVS, Amazon and private equity companies; rise in consumerism; keeping pace with technology; shifts in valuebased care; and physician and nurse shortages

The conversion would also allow Lee Health to expand beyond Lee County's borders to better serve the 20% of current patients coming from outside of the county's boundaries

“For why conversion makes sense now we believe in Lee Health and Lee County, and the strong leadership and economic growth in the region is what makes this possible,” Nachef said “If the economy here were not strong, this would not be a viable option ”

The speakers pointed out Lee Health is a local economic driver and the top employer in the county with 30,000-plus related jobs

“We are among one of the largest public health systems in the country … and we are clearly the largest pub-

she said A new ordinance would be needed for a funding mechanism to approve the toll for the county-owned bridge after the construction is completed

“There is no way to go back to that now,” she said

The bridge is not expected to be completed until 2026.

Woodson said she received comments from the public

“I do appreciate some of the comments I received I got comments but this is why you bring things up like this,” she said

“We did our due diligence,” Woodson said “There is absolutely no way this is going to happen now or in any-

lic health system that does not levy a tax on its citizens,” Antonucci said

They emphasized nothing would change as far as patient care or Lee Health’s safety-net mission and nontaxing status The group has spent the past 100 days working with the county commission and educating the public about conversion Currently, it is working to post a final document due by Aug 27 for voting in October In the meantime, the public can visit leehealth org/lookingahead to learn more and ask questions about the conversion

One question posed by attendees had to do with continuing Lee Health's on-island office.

“Yes, we plan on growing with Sanibel We’re in fact, exploring other options on Sanibel, too, so yes, we’re committed to the Sanibel community,” Nachef, who also serves on the chamber's board, said

“Michael and Larry clearly demonstrated today their promises of transparency with salient, straight-forward discourse regarding a complicated issue,” chamber President and Chief Executive Officer John Lai said “Their commitment to the island and greater county community is apparent We thank them for sharing Lee Health’s vision ”

The luncheon was sponsored by MHK Architecture.

time in the near future ”

The proposal had stirred up an avalanche of criticism on social media, with opponents arguing that tolls would amount to a new tax on residents and workers, while depressing tourism

An online survey of Fort Myers Beach Observer readers in June found that 83% of respondents opposed the bridge toll idea and 13 7% approved of tolls on the bridges Three percent of respondents had no opinion or were unsure

An existing town ordinance would have also required that a referendum of town voters be held before the town asked the county or state to put up tolls on the bridges

The Fort Myers Beach Community Foundation helped fund the cost of the project along with a generous donation from Fort Myers Beach homeowner Patti Smith The Town of Fort Myers Beach funded the work of illustrator Macy Noell, a Florida Gulf Coast University student

Attendees of the Mound House children's camp also contributed drawings Rusk, who curated the book with the assistance of MERTF, said it was impor-

tant for the island to have its own book for children to teach about the island's nature and native plants For years, Rusk has passed out children's nature books to youngsters on Fort Myers Beach at the MERTF pop-up tent while helping to educate the public on the island's environment

The books are currently available for

free at the Mound House, Fort Myers

Recreational Campus, the Roxie at Times Square and at Town Hall

"It's a great joy It took a while to get this done with the help of the community," Rusk said "It warms my heart It's something that inspired me "

SANCAP CHAMBER

The SanCap Chamber held a ribbon-cutting on Aug. 1 for the Sundial Beach Resort & Spa on Sanibel

SANCAP CHAMBER

sions and actions by the county commissioners in approving developments in the county

“What led me to my decision to run is seeing there are several communities conc e r n e d a b o u t o v e r d e v e l o p m e n t i n L e e County,” Cochran said

C o c h r a n i s c o n c e r n e d i n p a r t i c u l a r about Greenwell’s North Olga property which has been approved by the county commissioners for a rezoning to allow for 400,000 square feet of commercial space and 122 multifamily units

In the lawsuit, Cochran alleges that the project will be the largest commercial development ever requested by anyone on State Road 31 She alleges that the county’s rezoning of the property is spot zoning, allowing commercial development in a rural agricultural area

Cochran said that while she understood Greenwell is losing about 17 acres to the state for the road expansion, the result would be “urban sprawl.” The court case centers around, in part, whether proper notice was given to the public before the 2023 rezoning hearing took place, while Greenwell was on the Lee County Board of County Commissioners Another hearing had been held in November of 2022, not long after Hurricane Ian

The main concern regarding the project for Cochran is traffic and safety

“Traffic is more than an issue It’s a life safety issue,” Cochran said

“ W e a r e a l i t t l e b u c o l i c c o r n e r , ” Cochran said of the Alva and Olga community that includes some of the last large

tracts of large and undisturbed rural lands in the county

“People come out there to gain a sense of exhale from the big city,” Cochran said For Greenwell, the rural nature of the community has already started to disappear since Babcock Ranch was developed with commercial components both completed and under way

He said he is losing more than 1 million square feet of his property to eminent domain for the road expansion necessitated by the nearby 18,000-acre Babcock Ranch development which will ultimately will consist of 19,500 homes and an estimated 50,000 residents Commercial development includes a shopping center anchored by a Publix with an adjacent center under construction

As a result, Greenwell will be closing his 31 Produce fruit and vegetable market and his family’s Cracker Shack Cafe They are both still open for now

He said the rezoning of his property for commercial development is what is best for his family to compensate him for the loss of his property

“I didn’t seek out the city of Babcock R a n c h , c

y , ” Greenwell said “It (stinks) There is nothing I can do about it ”

As a county commissioner, Greenwell touts his work to speed up development of a new road connecting State Road 80 with Alico Road which he says will lessen travel along Interstate 75 from Lehigh Acres.

“We unfortunately don’t have a gate The people keep on coming,” he said “We

live in paradise ”

Cochran said her concerns about development extend to other projects throughout the county, including the Kingston project which could bring up to 10,000 new units to Lee County and which has environmental groups alarmed about the impact to the endangered Florida panther

“We have to be very careful about the developments coming through after a category 4 hurricane,” Cochran said. “My heart goes out to the people of Fort Myers Beach and what they have been through ”

Greenwell, who was on Fort Myers Beach during Hurricane Debby, saw firsthand the flooding on the roads there and s

Boulevard to fix the drainage “We need to fix it,” he said

Greenwell said development can’t be stopped

“There is no way to stop the development,” he said He has had to change his phone number over what he said is an attack campaign focused at him and county commissioners for closing the Lee County Civic Center

Greenwell and the county commissioners voted earlier this summer to build an expanded Fort Myers Beach Pier to replace the one destroyed by Hurricane Ian

“We had to build something special for Fort Myers Beach,” he said Greenwell said the enlarged pier will be “a draw for the county ” Though a larger pier will cost more and take more time, Greenwell said he is working with state leaders to speed up the process

Greenwell also wants to redo plans for Crescent Beach Family Park The commissioners had approved replacing the sand at t h e p

Greenwell said he wants to revisit the plan and discuss an alternative

Cochran said her top issues are infrastructure, road safety, environmental conservation and clean water

She is strictly opposed to amendments approved by commissioners to approve zoning changes such as the one county c

Harbour marina and residential project on Main Street in Fort Myers Beach before Greenwell took office A new zoning change request to allow for a hotel to be put there is expected to go in front of the coun-

opposed by a group of residents nearby Greenwell said he can’t comment on the proposal as he will be voting on it

“Stop amending the plan to erode the quality of life that people bought into for a lifestyle,” Cochran said “We wouldn’t be fighting this if they stuck to the plan Every time they get an opportunity they amend the comp plan ” While District 5 covers the area of Alva,

unincorporated eastern Fort Myers, all registered Lee County Republicans can vote in the closed primary race

Democrat Kizzie Fowler in November

Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce to hold miniature golf tourney with pirate theme

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com

TSmugglers

The

For more information, visit https://www fortmyersbeach org/events/jolly-roger-mini-masters/

Lee County Archers offer

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Shy Wolf Sanctuary announces 4th Annual Shy Wolf Scramble Charity Golf Event

Shy Wolf Sanctuary Education & Experience Center is excited to announce the 4th Annual Shy Wolf Scramble, a charity golf event to benefit the sanctuary’s mission of rescuing and educating about captive-bred exotic and un-releasable wild animals. The event will take place on Saturday, Sept 28, at the Heritage Bay Golf and Country Club in Naples

The Shy Wolf Scramble will feature a four-person, best shot format, where golfers can enjoy a fun and competitive day on the course Participants will also have the opportunity to take part in various challenges and contests, including a hole-in-one contest sponsored by Porsche Naples, tee advancement hole, a putting contest, longest drive, and closest to the pin Adding to the excitement, Shy Wolf Sanctuary’s animal ambassadors will be onsite to greet golfers and share in the experience

Registration for this event starts at $175 for individuals and $650 for a foursome The registration fee includes a round of golf, lunch, and drink tickets In addition to participating in the event, individuals and businesses are invited to explore sponsorship opportunities

All proceeds from the Shy Wolf Scramble will directly support Shy Wolf Sanctuary’s efforts in providing rescue, sanctuary, and education for captive-bred exotic and un-releasable wild animals The sanctuary’s work has

touched many lives, offering a second chance to animals that have been abandoned, neglected, and abused, and sharing their stories through community outreach and educational programs

“We are thrilled to host our 4th Annual Shy Wolf Scramble and look forward to another successful event that brings our community together for a great cause,” said Debbie LoVerde, Interim Executive Director at Shy Wolf Sanctuary “This event not only supports our mission but also provides a unique and enjoyable experience for all participants ”

To register for the Shy Wolf Scramble or to learn

events@shywolfsanctuary org

About Shy Wolf Sanctuary:

Shy Wolf Sanctuary Education & Experience Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the rescue, sanctuary, and education of captive-bred exotic and unreleasable wild animals The sanctuary provides a safe haven for animals that have faced abandonment, neglect, and abuse, and works to educate the public about the importance of protecting these remarkable creatures

IMAG History & Science Center hosting Annual Community Day Aug. 17

Community Day Saturday, Aug 17, from 10 a m to 2 p m , with half-off admission, activities, shows and discounted memberships For Community Day, the IMAG is planning different activities and crafts for children and families as well as animal shows, science shows and other presentations while NBC 2 meteorologists provide teaching seminars for hurricane preparedness

In addition, organizations from the community are joining in on the fun

Resources and Solid Waste as well as Lee County Mosquito Control District

It just wouldn’t be Community Day without our Fight-the-Bite friends

Also joining in on the fun are the Edison and Ford Winter Estates, the

Matthews National Shell Museum and Aquarium, and the Sanibel Captiva

information about activities and camps for kids, families and adults on Sanibel and Captiva Islands And, if you love animals, Community Day is a must for

Rehabilitation of Wildlife), a teaching hospital and education center dedicated to saving wildlife, will be on hand as well as Dogs Inc, acknowledged for their wonderful work in training guide dogs and providing service and companion dogs.

There will be plenty of fun, food, and treats to eat throughout the day

Center is located at 2000 Cranford Ave , Fort Myers For

The Southwest Florida Symphony to roll out its mobile educational tool, The Music Box Truck, Aug. 28

The Southwest Florida Symphony, L e e C o u n t y ’ s o n l y p r o f e s s i o n a l orchestra and fourth oldest in the state, rolls out its new mobile education and community outreach tool, The Music Box Truck, on Wednesday, Aug 28, at 12:30 p m for a very special visit with patients at Golisano Children’s Hospital This 14’ long “box truck” is painted, polished, and ready to deliver a taste of the Symphony wherever it goes This unique vehicle serves as a r o l l i n g c l a s s r o o m t h r o u g h o u t Southwest Florida, providing school visits and participation at community events, and area hospitals, including Golisano Children’s Hospital Robert V a n W i n k l e , t h e S y m p h o n y ’ s Education and Community Outreach Ambassador, has created curriculum to accompany Music Box Truck visits, which he leads at every stop The M u

hands-on instruments from the orchestra, lectures, games, and even a firstrate boombox to provide musical support for visits. There will also be demonstrations and mini-classes from professional musicians when possible Van Winkle says, “With The Music Box in play, we now have a greater ability to reach more young people and provide music education, appreciation, and motivation to attend classical music concerts The Southwest Florida Symphony is committed to reaching out in every way possible to show the community how beautiful, v a l u

music can be ” To schedule a Music Box Truck visit to a school, house of worship, community center, or festival, contact Robert Van Winkle at rvanwinkle@swflso org or call the Southwest Florida Symphony office at 239-418-0996

PHOTO PROVIDED

This unique vehicle serves as a rolling classroom throughout Southwest Florida, providing school visits

participation at community events, and area hospitals, including Golisano Children’s Hospital.

FLYER PROVIDED

PHOTO PROVIDED

IMAG’s Science on a Sphere exhibit.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Ser vices at St. Peter Lutheran Church

St Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church in America at 3751 Estero Boulevard, Fort Myers Beach

Outdoor Services under the tent

Every Sunday 9 a m

All are welcome, we are pet friendly 239-463-4251

stpeterfmb@gmail.com www stpeterfmb com

YouTube - St Peter Lutheran Church Fort Myers Beach FL

In cooperation with former Chapel by the Sea and Beach United Methodist Church

Pathways to Oppor tunity at Vice & Vougue Fashion Show Aug. 24

Get ready for an electrifying night of Fashion & Creativity that's not just an event – it's an experience!

Join the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center for the second annual fashion show and talent showcase, igniting the stage with passion and purpose, all in support of Pathways to Opportunity, Saturday, Aug 24, starting at 5 p m

All proceeds from this exhilarating event directly fuel Pathways, propelling our life-skills classes to new heights, funding adventurous trips, welcoming fresh faces into our community, and so much more! Mark your calendars for a night of dynamic energy and meaningful impact

Let's light up the night and amplify the possibilities together!

Tickets are available at www.eventcreate.com/e/.

Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center is at 2301 First St , Fort Myers

‘Clear The Shelters’ pet adoption and donation campaign runs through Sept. 10

“Clear The Shelters,” NBCUniversal Local’s nationwide pet adoption and donation initiative – which has helped more than one million pets find new homes and raised millions of dollars for participating animal shelters and rescues since its 2015 inception – is returning for its milestone 10th annual campaign Aug 10 to Sept 10

Gulf Coast Humane Society, 2010 Arcadia St , Fort Myers, is once again participating in the annual “Clear The Shelters” adoption and donation campaign

GCHS will be running a month-long half-off on all adoption fees – including adult cats/dogs, puppies and kittens from Aug. 10-Sept. 10. Also during this time span, there will be a matching donations fundraising campaign for GCHS run through “Clear The Shelters ” Keep updated on the different ways to donate on the GCHS social media, which includes Facebook and Instagram

G C H S a d o p t a b l e s h e l t e r p e t s c a n b e f o u n d a

www gulfcoasthumanesociety org

For more information on “Clear The Shelters”, including participating animal shelters and rescues, along with details on local events, visit ClearTheShelters com and the Spanish-language site DesocuparlosAlbergues com

Follow “Clear The Shelters” on social media:

∫ X: @ClearTheShelter

∫ Instagram: cleartheshelters

∫ TikTok: @cleartheshelters

∫ H a s h t a g s : # C l e a r T

& #DesocuparLosAlbergues

Calusa Waterkeeper announces open enrollment for Fall Ranger Training Academy

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Rock Star Séance tickets on sale now

Celebrate Halloween by joining us for a special concert led by Andrew Lipke, where he and “spirit host” vocalists will channel legendary rock stars like Kurt Cobain, Amy Winehouse, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Marley, and more! Dress as your favorite dearly departed rock star and enjoy a multimedia experience that promises to be a musical séance like no other Oct 24 at 7:30 p m at Barbara B Mann Performing Arts Hall, 13350 FSW Pkwy, Fort Myers

For more information visit https://www bbmannpah com/

PHOTO PROVIDED

PET PALS

Island pets seeking forever homes

Find A Home Give A Home Pet Rescue

By ISABELLE WELLS

Co-founder of the Find a Home, Give a Home pet rescue organization of Fort Myers Beach

Well the answer is right here and as much as we understand the desire to have a puppy or a two-year-old back in your life again, it is not a good idea Do the math and consider a more mature dog As you know shelters are full and many seniors are brought there and abandoned These dogs are left behind because someone could not take care of them anymore and had health issues of their own Even if your family or friends tells you they will take care of your dog if something happens think again This is the sad truth The more time they stay in a shelter environment with over 300 dogs the more they will get sick and will be euthanized How sad is that! Greta is one of them She was found in the canal and was drowning when someone rescued her. She was scared and was brought to Domestic Animal Services where she was scheduled to be euthanized She is a little overweight and still beautiful Greta comes for affection and was very nervous a the shelter She also had a tumor which is getting tested and has a big chance to be non cancerous Very common in older non-spayed females Waiting for results. If you would like to meet and help with Greta’s vet bill please let us know You can call or text 239-281-0739- you can also send a check to Findahomegiveahome Pet Rescue P O Box 864, Bonita Springs, Fl, 34133, or make a donation online at

www findahomegiveahome com

Don’t forget all the dogs we are featuring in our article are available for adoption

ABOVE: Auggie is 16 years old and neutered Still at shelter

LEFT: Zoe is 14 years old, spayed, 16 pounds Still at shelter.

Follow us on Facebook at Find A Home Give A Home Pet Rescue and see all the amazing pets we saved these past few months

Please note our new PO Box #864, Bonita Springs, Fl 34133

You can also make a donation at www.findahomegiveahome.com using the donation tab using PayPal

Please make sure you do it through “Friends and Family” so there is no fee and all the donation comes to us directly.

Our

Volunteers needed

We currently have over 50 cats and kittens in rescue and need volunteers to come to the rescue on Ft Myers Beach to h e l p w i t h v a r i o u s d u t i e s Kittens and cats need played with as well as sweeping, mopping, organizing cat and food items, etc If you can spare an hour or two a week to help out, please call 239-851-3485

We need cat and kitten food

Going thru a case a day of kitten wet food, fancy feast or pro p l a n k i t t e n p a t e s c h i c k e n o r turkey flavors Cat food donations to Save Our Strays can be made by going to our website

h t t p : / / w w w S a v e OurStraysFMB org There are l i n k s f o r b o t h A m a z o n a n d Chewey to order from our cat food wish list that will be delive r e d d i r e c t l y t o t h e r e s c u e Donation checks to help pay

our vet bill can also be mailed

t o S a v e o u r S t r a y s F e l i n e Rescue P O Box 5014, Fort Myers Beach, 33932

Pet Supermarket on US 41 and College Parkway is also a drop off for food or other cat items A donation bin is in the front of the store

Re mi nde r: P l e a s e d o n o t give kittens away free to anyone They must be turned over to a rescue so they can be vetted, spayed or neutered andproperly readied for adoption If kittens are free and not fixed, and get tossed outside, this continues the problem of multiplication so if you see kittens anywhere, please call us immediately so they can be rescued Cats can start multiplying at 4 months old which is why they need to be spayed and neutered at 3 months (12 weeks) old

kittens

Amber is a one year old female tortishell She has beautiful coloring with black, white and orange She is playful but does not like to be picked up which is common with some cats She and her sibling Peaches are a bonded pair so would be best if adopted together

Tiana is a 4 month old female kitten fully vetted and ready for her forever home She is from a litter of 5 and is very affectionate and playful Gets along great with all the other cats and

Greta

These guys came with 4 other little dogs all seniors, so heartbreaking