v o t e r s t o g o o u t a n d v o t e "
V o t e r s w h o h a v e v o t e d v i a a m a i l - i n
b a l l o t c a n t r a c k t h e s t a t u s o f t h e i r b a l l o t a t L e e v o t e
E a r l y v o t i n g s i t e s i n C a p e C o r a l
i n c l u d e : ■ C a p e C o r a l E l e c t i o n s O f f i c e –
By CJ HADDAD
Former council member accused of fraud related to residency pleads guilty to three felonies
B y C J H A D D A D
c j h a d d a d @ b r e e z e n e w s p a p e r s c o m F o r m e r C
h r e e f e l o n i e s f o r l y i n g o n h e r e l e c t i o n p a p e r w o r k a n d s u b s e q u e n t l y s u s p e n d e d f r o m o f f i c e b y t h e g o v e r n o r h a s a c c e p t e d a p l e a d e a l w i t h t h e S t a t e A t t o r n e y ’ s
O f f i c e C u m m i n g s , 5 2 , p l e a d e d g u i l t y t o f r a u d u l e n t a p p l i c a t i o n f o r a d r i v e r ’ s l i c e n s e a n d t w o c o u n t s o f f a l s e s w e a r i n g i n c o nn e c t i o n w i t h o r a r i si n g o u t o f v o t i n g , a l l t h i r d - d e g r e e f e l o n i e s C u m m i n g s w a s s e n t e n c e d M o n d a y t o 2 4 m o n t h s o f p r o b at i o n a f t e r p l e a d i n g g u i l t y t o l y i n g a b o u t w h e r e s h e l i v e d w h i l e r u n n i n g f o r t h e D i s t r i c t 4 C o u n c i l s e a t i n 2 0 2 2 S h e i s n o t a l l o
By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com
The majority of the Cape Coral City Council want to look at how the “rollback” millage rate would affect next year’s budget
Councilmember Jessica Cosden was not present at the workshop at reached a Council consensus was reached and Councilmember Tom Hayden said no to further data about the rollback rate
“I wouldn’t have supported the half-back rate,” Hayden said “I certainly will not support the rollback rate You have to look at a budget in a wider view I want everyone to be cautious It’s a bad model to continue to go to the rollback rate ”
Councilmember Bill Steinke said if the rollback rate is going to come before them as a vote, then he wants to have that information to be able to vote
“Right now, I’m not in favor of rollback rate I don’t know if I can get behind the rollback rate because of the forecasting,” he said “Caution to take too much of a rollback now because of the changes in the market and values ”
Councilmember Dan Sheppard said although they have
The rollback rate is the millage rate at which revenue from property taxes would remain flat, taking into account increased property valuations and new construction If Council ultimately approves the rollback rate 5 0888 mills the reduction would be $6 3 million less than proposed, meaning the budget would either need to be cut or revenue would have to be found from some other funding source or sources
a responsibility to provide services to their citizens, they also have the responsibility to help citizens in need
“We are going through some tough times, so it is a balancing act,” he said “I see more good on the horizon for our city I have the confidence that we are going to do well in the future I am looking at the citizens’ need some help A possibility of getting to the rollback rate is where I am leaning,”
The rollback rate is the millage rate at which revenue from property taxes would remain flat, taking into account increased property valuations and new construction
The so-called halfback rate is the rate between what City Manager Mike Ilczyszyn proposed and the rollback
Ilczyszyn built his proposed budget on a millage rate of 5 312, which is lower than the existing rate of 5 3694 mills but higher than the roll back
Council, at a July meeting, set a maximum millage rate of 5 2188 million, a reduction in revenue of $2 6 million
If Council ultimately approves the rollback rate 5 0888 mills the reduction would be $6 3 million less than proposed, meaning the budget would either need to be cut or revenue would have to be found from some other funding source or sources
One mill is equal to $1 for every $1,000 of assessed taxable valuation
Ilczyszyn said from a personnel perspective, the rate of growth in full-time equivilents is 3.3% to keep at pace with growth
Financial Services Director Mark Mason provided an overall discussion on such areas as revenues and taxable value, millage rate and revenue adjustments and budgetary adjustments during the Tuesday afternoon workshop He said the amount of tax the revenue that supports the
general fund from ad valorem taxes is 63% of the fund’s total
Other revenue sources, including the city’s fire assessment tax, equate to about 36% in total
“For us, we are seeing about a $2-$3 million change in all of the revenues, which then causes a reliance on the overall ad valorem taxes to cover the remaining costs and services provided by the general fund,” Mason said In 2023, the city saw the largest base value changes a function of the market, sales that occurred in the city, and any new construction that took place
He said as a percentage of the change of property values, they have seen a reduction in the base value of a home.
“For us, we are certainly hoping that will settled down and get back to the 3-5% range on an annual basis,” Mason said
Ilczyszyn provided an easy example of the rollback rate
“The rollback rate says you have a tax growth, but it makes you notify the public of what the rate would be to get the same amount of money to operate the city That is the rollback rate,” he said “That rate needs to support all the ongoing expenses that you have built in, unless you want to cut the level of service ”
Ilczyszyn said the 6 9% of new growth sits outside of the millage calculation. He said the budget he proposed grew is at 6%, which Council brought down to 4 8% Revenue adjustments for FY2025 include $994,721 for the half cent sales tax, $133,332 for municipal revenue sharing for sales and $33,541 for municipal revenue sharing for fuel, and $69,968 for communications services tax The additional revenue is $1,231,562 With the revenue adjustments, and adjustments to the revenue for maximum millage rate the total net adjustments to the general f u n d e x p e n d i t u r e s i s $1,432,275 B
made thus far include the removal of three proposed c
adding five traffic police officers in six months and
course and remediation The all funds proposed b u d g
3 , 6 8 2 , 8 3 2 and the general fund, or operating budget, as proposed is $240,682,838
budget also includes
RAYMOND M. ECKENRODE Publisher
VALARIE HARRING, Executive Editor
CHRIS STRINE, Editor
2510 Del Prado Blvd • Cape Coral, FL, 33904
• Phone 239-574-1110 – Fax 239-574-5693
Member Florida Press Association
The attorneys who represented a 70-year-old Cape Coral man in a federal civil rights lawsuit say they hope the $100,000 settlement the longtime resident received serves as a wake-up call for the city
If by “wake-up call,” the lawyers mean Cape Coral city officials now realize they might have to modify again its questionable “decorum” policy that allows city council to ban residents from public meetings dream on: Despite a sixfigure alarm shrill enough to shake even the constitutional comatose, the city snoozes on in the sleep of the righteous, admitting no wrongdoing in a case that saw a resident bounced, banned and subsequently arrested on charges ultimately dropped
“This decision was made to avoid prolonged litigation,” the city said in a statement released by its Communications Office “The City has not stipulated or agreed to any validation of the plaintiff’s claims and chose to settle to bring this matter to an expedited conclusion ”
Actually, the decision to settle was made by the city’s insurance provider
And the $100,000 payout was the city’s deductible, meaning taxpayers bore the entire brunt of the big buck snafu that started after Scott Kempe turned his back on the council in silent protest of their figurative “turning their backs” on Cape residents protesting the city’s plans for Jaycee Park
At the risk of boring readers who get it, and wasting newsprint on city officials who don’t, let us reiterate what we shared on these pages in February and reiterated in March:
While Cape Coral City Council has the right to maintain decorum at public meetings, while the chair has the authority to order the removal and even arrest of attendees who are disruptive, the city has an obligation to uphold a resident’s right of free speech even if the person holding the gavel does not like how that right is being peacefully expressed
What is more, no elected board anywhere has the authority to impose what the courts call “prior restraint” on protected speech by imposing meeting bans based on actions at a previ-
County, and here’s how
The public’s health, safety and welfare is of the upmost importance to the Board of Lee County Commissioners, and we are funding significant investments in both the Sheriff’s Office and Lee Emergency Medical Services
Next year’s budget will include $315
increase of $38 million for 75 new positions, technology upgrades, and competitive wages
Additionally, the county is investing $16 million in four new ambulance stations in the Central, Southeast, North and Northeast areas of the county, more resources in Cape Coral, and, in the past year, has approved 34 new positions
As chairman of the Commission, I hear citizens’ concerns about code enforcement and illegal dumping The budget we will approve in September includes four new positions in code enforcement
Relief from traffic congestion is an ongoing effort that includes new roads, adding lanes to existing thoroughfares, and ensuring light timing optimizes traffic flow
Two of the county’s top transportation priorities
should spell relief for many commuters
The county is widening and connecting Alico Road to State Road 82 at Sunshine B
Lehigh Acres motorists to get to and from south Lee County This improvement also
Colonial Boulevard And the Three Oaks extension north from Alico to Daniels will relieve congestion on other north-south roadways
Adding lanes to the soon-to-be replaced Cape Coral Bridge and existing Midpoint Bridge will help with morning and afternoon traffic across the Caloosahatchee River
Transit continues to provide Mobility on Demand service in Bonita Springs and Lehigh Acres to augment fixed bus routes
And the county’s commitment to land preservation is strong This Tuesday, the Board will be asked to purchase a 41-acre tract in North Fort Myers off Moody Road.
Finally, it has been one of my major goals as your county commissioner to revitalize the Lee County Civic Center and its surrounding property for the county’s
Lee Health Conversion: Benefit or detriment to Lee County residents?
To the editor:
Based on my review and research of the Lee Health Conversion Proposal, I believe it to be detrimental to Lee County citizens
I filed this Notice of Objections to our duly elected Board of Lee County Commissioners regarding the Lee Health Conversion Plan from a Public Hospital to a Non for Profit Private Hospital
My Objections:
The citizens of Lee County will no longer be the primary stakeholders and shareholders of Lee Health per Florida Statutes and its Charter which has been the case since 1968
The citizens of Lee County will not be allowed to vote for Board Members to represent the public interest versus private generated agendas and initiatives
Lee Citizens will be barred from governance per the Sunshine Amendment (FS 112, 119), there will be no requirement for advertised meetings/agendas and or open meetings/public comments, no financial disclosure of board members will be required nor will citizens be able to make public records requests which holds Lee Health to be transparent, accountable and responsible as to their organization and operations
I find it disingenuous and objectionable that Lee Health’s primary reasons for wanting to convert rests on fiction rather than facts Lee Health falsely claims that conversion will allow them to expand their market share outside the county
Fact: Lee Health is currently providing health and rehabilitative services in Charlotte, Collier and Hendry counties
Lee Health purports that conversion will enable them to increase their profit margin Fact: Lee Health’s profit margin as a public hospital is recognized as being healthy and is run effectively and efficiently by US News and World Report Lee Health recently received by the Governor the Sterling Award for Best in its Organization and Operations and sustainable service to its community
Lee Health bemoans as fact that not going private hinders its recruitment efforts Fact: According to Lee Health’s Consulting Firm Kaufman, it states in its report on page 54, by going Private will hinder recruiting efforts Note because of the loss of sovereign immunity per Lee
that will result in
Fact: Lee Health introduced a new funding plan called the Lee County Local Participation Fund (LCLPF) to Lee County Board of County Commissioners Meeting on July 30 Lee Health never brought up the LCLPF in their public hearings/final vote, nor in their submitted and draft Proposal Covenant Documents
The purpose of the Lee Health’s plan according to Dr Raymond Kordonowy, a physician is “basically a work around to reclaim Federal dollars that will be allowed to disband its Public District Charter ”
The bottom line is that Lee Health’s plan has saddled and burdened the Commissioners with another task
This new task is that the Commission must come to terms with them; reviewing and considering how to keep their promise to provide “in perpetuity a safety net for the Public ” (Dr Kordonowy, August, 2024)
It is evident that the Commission “is now being instructed to start collecting levies from health care providers “(Dr Kordonowy, 2024) Does collecting levies mean taxes, fees, charges?
It should be noted that the legality of the Lee County Local Participation Fund is now being reviewed by the Federal Office of the Inspector General
The Lee County Commission will meet on Tuesday, Aug 20, at 9:30 a m to discuss the review of its staff findings regarding Lee Health’s Proposal Steve Maxwell, MPA, EdD Sanibel
To the editor:
Early voting for the Aug 20th primary is under way
Please vote Charlie Pease for Cape Coral City Council District 5!
I know Charlie Pease
I worked with Charlie over many months, and countless hours, all of which were after his day job hours I saw him accept a challenge, work tirelessly on behalf of others, stand for no compromise to Keep Hunters Run Golf Course greenspace, and keep its designation in the Cape Coral City Land Use Plan as Parks and Rec
Charlie is a proven leader. Transparent. Disseminator of truth A communicator He produced educational and enlightened presentations, encouraged public participation and presence at the P&Z, and Council Meetings, and was the community spokesperson Charlie functions like the “Energizer Bunny” energetic, hard working, focused,
cious and he keeps going and going
Charlie Pease is a great man of integrity Honest and of good reputation He has a heart for people, and this community where he grew up, married, and is now raising his son
His credentials, community service and agenda for serving us are public: www VoteCharliePease com
I know Charlie Pease
He has my support, admiration, respect, and my vote for Cape Coral City Council District 5
L. Colleen Simon Cape Coral
Vote Colombo
To the editor:
I am a local real estate agent and have been a resident of Cape Coral for 14 years, residing in the Sandoval community I am writing to support our local election on Aug 20, and specifically, would like to recognize Attorney Michael Colombo, who is running for Circuit Court Judge Attorney Colombo was a resident of Cape Coral for over a decade Attorney Colombo moved his family to Cape Coral after being stationed on the Northern Border, defending our country, post 9-11 I personally know Attorney Colombo and his family, for a decade Our children played baseball together here in Cape Coral, when they were younger I personally watched Attorney Colombo coaching kids, as well as interacting with children and adults
Colombo has the best temperament to be a judge Attorney Colombo’s integrity is second to none and his experience is what we need for a judge Over 20 years trying cases, member of the Florida Bar Professional Ethics Committee, and a fierce defender of our U S Constitution Attorney Colombo was always an advocate in the courtroom, as he has been both a prosecutor and defense attorney I know Attorney Colombo will always uphold the law Vote Colombo!
Scott Brucker
Cape Coral
Don’t allow PACS to sway your vote
To the editor:
Is PAC money determining which candidates get into elected office?
Seriously, how many people really know what a PAC is? A Political Action Committee is an entity or special interest group that can receive as much money as an organization, another PAC, or an individual wants to give to be used for political campaigns.
PACs can spend as much money as they want sabotaging candidates by telling lies Candidates can sue but will rarely win even though their character is disparaged
Information put out by PACs can come in the way of mailers, robo-texts, radio ads, social media ads and more
The only way that you know that this information is coming from a PAC is because somewhere on the mailer the name of the PAC has to be written On a radio ad, it must be stated
One particular campaign manager that has helped put almost 30 elected officials into office in Lee County has access to five PACs The names of these PACs are Just the Facts, Southwest Florida Jobs Alliance, One Penny Too Many, Parents for Accountability in Education, and Families for Freedom and Fairness
Because certain candidates receive money from PACs, elected officials, and builders and developers they are often referred to as establishment candidates Candidates whose contributions come from everyday people are often referred to as grassroots candidates Grassroots candidates will not raise as much money as establishment candidates making it very difficult for them to win Since this is the case, one must ask the question, am I better off voting for an establishment candidate or a grassroots candidate Who will work for me?
Several mailers and radio ads disparaging particular candidates have been utilized this election season.
Before a negative mailer or radio ad should be believed, due diligence needs to be done in terms of contacting the candidate Without really understanding the harm that PACs can do, your vote can be easily swayed and given to a candidate that is not really the best candidate but is the candidate with more money
One such piece was sent by Just the Facts PAC claiming that commissioner candidate Matthew Thornton committed voter fraud and was under investigation This allegation was based on opposition research that was conducted on Thornton and used against him to make it seem like he voted in two states committing voter fraud It turns out that Thornton was actually a victim of voter fraud Another local reporter hired a court-appointed handwriting expert who stated that the signature from his former state did not match his signature from Florida
When the money in PACS comes from other PACS, special interest groups, and organizations that we know nothing about, they are called dark money PACs There are clean money PACs, but they are fewer in number
If you want to know who is contributing to a PAC operated in the State of Florida, you can research them at https://dos elections myflorida com/committees/
Unless you completely understand the motives behind particular PACs, you would be best off disregarding them Don’t allow a PAC to sway your thinking without investigation Denise Nystrom Bonita Spring
To the editor:
I recently read the guest commentary by Sally C Pipes, “Medicare Doomsday Clock ticks toward midnight” and I was disgusted Using the word “doomsday” is a scare tactic intended to alarm seniors She also uses the term “Ponzi scheme,” which also is inflammatory and inaccurate Medicare has worked well for patients and doctors for 59 years and will continue to do so
Ms Pipes correctly points out that in 2023 Medicare had a shortfall of $12 billion That sounds like a lot, until you do a little research and learn that the total Medicare budget is $821 billion, something she failed to mention in her guest commentary This is deliberately misleading
If you do the math, Medicare in 2023 was 98 5% funded by the tax revenue it took in In other words, the shortfall only represented 1.5% of total revenue. Medicare is not going to go broke Some reforms are needed, but the system is stable Additionally, economists have noted that, after years of steady increases, annual spending per beneficiary has leveled off in recent years, something the author fails to mention
Of course, we should strive to continually reform Medicare, and we should try to root out fraud, waste and abuse For instance, the Wall Street Journal recently reported that home health nurses were generating multi-thousand dollar bills on a single home health visit by padding the patients’ diagnoses lists The total cost of these? About $15 billion We always have room for improvement
And if you see a name brand drug advertised on TV, you can be sure it is expensive The costs run into the thousands, tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands per year So there is fat there that can be trimmed But we don’t have to blow up the system to do it
Ms Pipes has never been to medical school, never cared for patients and doesn’t talk to dozens of Medicare patients every day as I and my fellow Lee County physicians do She did not attend medical school, nor did she earn a Ph D in economics as far as I can tell She holds only an honorary degree from Pepperdine
Ms Pipes told us the sky was falling in the 2010s in her numerous treatises on the evils of Obamacare She claimed that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) would somehow ration care In fact, it has done the opposite It’s given affordable health insurance to millions of working adults These are people with too much income to qualify for Medicaid, but who don’t earn enough to pay the $1,000 monthly premiums for conventional health insurance The ACA has kept people healthy And it has allowed entrepreneurial folks to leave their large employer (and its health insurance) and to go out and open a small business People aren’t necessarily stuck in their jobs because they want to keep their health insurance This is good for the economy Furthermore, self-employed folks are able to get coverage and not worry about going bankrupt if they get sick and need hospitalization Her doom and gloom predictions were wrong then, and they are wrong now.
The sky is not falling Medicare may need some continual tweaks, but fundamentally the system is sound Dr Scott Crater Fort Myers
F l o r i d a a s a v a c a t i o n d e s t i n a t i o n , l e a d i n g t o a d e c r e a s e i n t o u r i s t i n c o m e f o r t h e s t a t e F u r t h e r m o r e , t h e r i s e o f a b o r t i o n r e s t r i c t i o n s i n t h e 1 9 7 0 s w a s d r i v e n b y p o l i t i c a l a g e n d a s r a t h e r t h a n g e nu i n e c o n c e r n f o r t h e w e l l - b e i n g o f f a m i l i e s a n d i n d i v i du a l s I t ’ s c l e a r t h a t t h e s e r e s t r i c t i o n s a r e n o t r o o t e d i n b i b l i c a l l a w , a n d t h e y h a v e n o p l a c e i n d i c t a t i n g p e r -
s o n a l a n d f a m i l y d e c i s i o n s I u r g e p o l i c y m a k e r s t o r e c o g n i z e t h e i m p o r t a n c e o f a l l o w i n g i n d i v i d u a l s a n d f a m i l i e s t o m a k e t h e i r o w n r e p r o d u c t i v e h e a l t h d e c i s i o n s i n c o n s u l t a t i o n w i t h t h e i r h e a l t h c a r e p r o v i d e r s a n d t o r e f r a i n f r o m i m p o s i n g u n n e c e s s a r y r e s t r i c t i o n s I t ’ s t i m e t o p r i o r i t i z e t h e w e l lb e i n g a n d a u t o n o m y o f i n d i v i d u a l s a n d f a m i l i e s i n o u r s t a t e K a r y n E d i s o n F o r t M y e r s
Vote for leadership
T o t h e e d i t o r : A t t e n t i o n : I n d e p e n d e n t s , v e t e r a n s , w o m e n , S w i f t i e s , B e y h i v e s , L G B T Q + , g e n x , g e n z a n d m i l l e n n i a l s A n e w D e m o c r a t i c t r a i n h a s l e f t t h e s t a t i o n H o p o n t h i s t r a i n c a r r i e s h o p e a n d j o y , n o t f e a r a n d r e v e n g e .
V i c e P r e s i d e n t K a m a l a H a r r i s a n d T i m W a l z w a n t a c o u n t r y w h e r e l i b e r t y , e q u a l i t y , c h a r a c t e r , d e c e n c y , a n d h o n e s t y a r e p a r a m o u n t D e m o c r a t s c o n d e m n b u l l y i n g , c h a o s , i l l e g a l f a k e e l e c t o r s , l i e s , d i s i n f o r m a t i o n , a n d p r e v e n t i o n i n t h e p e a c e f u l t r a n s i t i o n s o f p o w e r I w a n t a P r e s i d e n t a n d V i c e P r e s i d e n t w i t h a w o r k e t h i c , p l a t f o r m s a n d p l a n s t o s o l v e p r o b l e m s V i c e P r e s i d e n t H a r r i s a g r e e d t o a b i p a r t i s a n b o r d e r i m m i g r at i o n s b i l l , v e t e r a n s b e n e f i t s t o s e r v i c e m e n a n d w o m a n w h o w e r e i n j u r e d b y t o x i c b u r n p i t s , i n c r e a s e d b a c kg r o u n d c h e c k s f o r g u n o w n e r s , t h e C h i p s a c t , t h e I n f r a s t r u c t u r e A c t a n d s u p p o r t e d t h e s u p p o r t e d t h e V i o l e n c e A g a i n s t W o m e n A c t V i c e P r e s i d e n t H a r r i s b e l i e v e s i n t h e w o r k i n g m a n a n d w o m a n i n t h e g r e a t
U S A I d o w a n t c h a o s , f e a r , a d i c t a t o r s h i p , r e v e n g e a n d r e tr i b u t i o n t o r e i g n i n m y f u t u r e I w a n t a d e c e n t l e a d e r , a w o r l d l e a d e r w h o i s s m a r t , s t e a d y , w h o i s k n o w l e d g ea b l e o f l a w s a n d o u r C o n s t i t u t i o n I a m n o t v o t i n g f o r a c o n v i c t e d c a n d i d a t e w h o i s a w a i t i n g t o b e s e n t e n c e d
V o t e , V o t e , V o t e
V o t e b y m a i l K a t h l e e n C a l l a r d , R N B S N o r t h F o r t M y e r s Impact of unhealthy water on real estate industr y
T o t h e e d i t o r :
T h e r e a r e 1 5 m i l l i o n R e a l t o r s i n t h e U S w i t h t h e
h i g h e s t v o l u m e o f 2 1 6 , 4 9 3 i n t h e s t a t e o f F l o r i d a
( M a r c h 2 0 2 3 ) L e e C o u n t y a g e n t s l i s t e d 5 9 8 p r o p e r -
t i e s , s o l d 2 0 4 a t a n a v e r a g e p r i c e o f $ 4 4 5 , 6 4 4 ( J u n e 2 0 2 3 - J u n e 2 0 2 4 , L e e C o u n t y R e a l t o r s A s s o c i a t i o n W e b s i t e ) G r e e n e E c o n o m i c s , L L C p u b l i s h e d a s t u d y
D e c 2 0 , 2 0 2 3 , e s t i m a t i n g t h a t L e e C o u n t y p r o p e r t y v a l u e l o s s e s c o u l d b e u p t o $ 3 . 8 b i l l i o n w i t h a n a s s o c ia t e d $ 2 1 4 m i l l i o n i n l o s t p r o p e r t y t a x r e v e n u e i f t h e a r e a e x p e r i e n c e s a n o t h e r l a r g e - s c a l e a l g a l b l o o m l i k e
2 0 0 5 / 6 a n d 2 0 1 8
D u r i n g 2 0 1 8 , t h e G r e e n e s t u d y a l s o r e p o r t e d t h a t r e s i d e n t i a l r e a l e s t a t e l o c a t e d w i t h i n o n e m i l e o f a w a t e r w a y e x p e r i e n c e d a 2 5 % l o s s i n v a l u e d u e t o u n h e a l t h y w a t e r w a y s G i v e n t h e h i g h r i s k t o o u r g o ve r n m e n t i n t h e f o r m o f p r o p e r t y t a x r e v e n u e a n d t h e h i g h r i s k t o t h e r e a l e s t a t e i n d u s t r y , o n e w o u l d t h i n k t h a t l o c a l g o v e r n m e n t s a n d R e a l t o r a s s o c i a t i o n s w o u l d b e w o r k i n g 2 4 / 7 t o e n s u r e t h e h e a l t h o f F l o r i d a w a t e rw a y s ! A l l t h o s e w h o c a r e a b o u t p r o p e r t y v a l u e s s h o u l d t a k e i m m e d i a t e a c t i o n b y m a k i n g a d o n a t i o n a n d / o r o b t a i n i n g a p e t i t i o n ( h t t p s : / / w w w f l o r i d a r i g h t t o c l e a nw a t e r o r g / d o n a t e ) , s i g n i n g i t a n d m a i l i n g i t i n T h i s a c t i o n w i l l h e l p e n s u r e t h e h e a l t h o f o u r w a t e r w a y s , o u r p r o p e r t y v a l u e s a n d t a x e s , a n d t h e s e c u r i t y o f t h e r e a l e s t a t e i n d u s t r y W h i t n e y T a y l o r C a p e C o r a l
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 rc u m s 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 e m e n t s b e f o r e e m e r g e n c y f e m a l e c a r e 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
ous meeting
From page 4
Not the ban in place when Mr Kempe was told he needed a Council vote aka permission before he could again attend public meetings after his ouster
Not the policy modified in February which established specific bans of 30 to 90 days, depending on whether a meeting attendee left when asked, was escorted out, was arrested, or had been previously bounced for a violation of Council rules
Not the modified policy modified again in May that gives those ousted and banned an optional appeal faceoff with the city via a hearing before a special magistrate, something the city added to strengthen its specious position
This is something Council knows or should know full well as on-point case law pertaining to bans has been cited at least three times: Once in a 2023 Florida League of Cities advisory sent to its members; once in a First Amendment Foundation letter send to the city after it revised its meeting policy but doubled down on its purported authority to impose bans, and finally in Mr Kempe’s lawsuit that outlined violations of both the First and Fourteenth Amendments
The city says it settled “ to avoid prolonged litigation ”
If so, its officials are dreaming and it’s time for those we elected to wake up to a hard reality:
It is not a matter of whether Council’s decorum policy will be tested again
It’s a matter of when
For we agree that acts that actually disrupt public business should be dealt with appropriately in the moment
But Council meting out after-the-fact punishment that will not pass legal muster if past precedent means anything at all?
That’s a hard no that should have been a no from the get-go as the case law most often cited, Brown v City of Jacksonville, dates back to 2006
We urged Council to rescind the ban portions of its policy back in March
We urge them again to rescind for the most recent modification simply imposes more onerous hoops to jump through than the previous asking Council pretty please
A $100,000 settlement may not be a wake-up call for Council but it sure is an eyeopener for the rest of us.
From page 4
youth and 4-H
The county ran its first ever Ag Expo t h i s p a s t F e b r u a r y w i t h m a i n t e n a n c e updates to existing facilities The excitement I witnessed from local kids with their livestock and just those attending for the carnival activities was proof enough that while this county continues to be one of the fastest growing in the nation, we have a responsibility to protect the things that have made this area a special place to live
Agree? Disagree?
Weigh in! Letters, guest opinions, comments welcome
The views expressed on the Opinions pages are just that opinions
These pages are intended to convey a range of viewpoints; opinions printed on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of this newspaper. Opposing views are welcome. Letters to the editor or guest columns may be emailed to vharring@breezenews papers.com. All letters and guest opinions must be signed and must include a phone number for verification purposes. Readers are also invited to comment on any letter or editorial opinion online at: capecoralbreeze.com.
I want to continue that excitement into the coming years and make the Civic Center facilities one that we all can be proud of and can be an anchor for our east county neighbors
Please know that I and my fellow Commissioners continue to work to make Lee County a safe and great place to live
Mike Greenwell is the chair of the Board of Lee County Commissioners
Cape Coral City Hall will be closed Monday, Sept 2, in observance of the Labor Day holiday. City offices will reopen on Tuesday for regular operating hours
Trash collection services will be delayed by one day for the entire week Parks & Recreation: Boat ramps, parks, and preserves will be open , Coral Oaks Golf Course will remain open; administrative offices, recreation facilities,
C a p e C o r a l B r e e z e w w w . c a p e c o r a l b r e e z e . c o m A u g u s t 1 6 , 2 0 2 4 ■ P a g e 8
B y C J H A D D A D
h
c
E c o n o m i c s / A c c o u n t i n g , a s w e l l a s h e r n u r s i n g d e g r e e
S h e i s a 2 0 - y e a r r e s i d e n t o f t h e d i s t r i c t , a n d a c t i v e l y v o l u n t e e r s w i t h p a r k g r o u p s “ I w o u l d l i k e t o s h a r e w i t h C a p e C o r a l v o t e r s , p l e a s e v e t a l l t h e c a n d i d a t e s s o t h a t y o u a r e m a k i n g a n i n f o r m e d c h o i c e , ” L e h m a n n s a i d “ W e a l l w a n t t h e b e s t f o r C a p e C o r a l , o u r h o m e R e m e m b e r w e w i l l h a v e t h e p e o p l e w e c h o o s e f o r t h e n e x t f o u r y e a r s M a k e s u r e t h a t t h e c a n d i d a t e s y o u c h o o s e w i l l b e
e x p a n s i o n t o o u r h o s p i t a l “ B r i n g u s a n i n d o o r s p o r t s c e n t e r w i t h c o m p e t i t i v e O l y m p i c p o o l Y M C A h a s p a r t n e r e d w i t h t h e c i t y t o a c h i e v e t h a t g o a l “ I n v e s t i n q u a l i t y s e r v i c e s W e i n v e s t e d i n m a n y i m p r o v e m e n t s i n o u r w a t e r a n d s e w e r f a c i l i t i e s , a s w e l l a s m o v i n g f o r w a r d w i t h U E P W h
c o m p l i s hm e n
F o u r y e a r s a g o , I p r o m i s e d t o m e e t t h e c h a l l e n g e s f o r t h e c i t i z e n s o f C a p e C o r a l ” h e s a i d , t i c k i n g o f a b u ll e t l i s t “ B r i n g m o r e m e d i c a l t o o u r c i t y W e n o w h a v e m u lt i p l e f a c i l i t i e s b e i n g b u i l t t h r o u g h o u t t h e c i t y a n d a b i g
l C i t y C o u n c i l f e a t u r e s f i v e r a c e s
s e a t s i n D i s t r i c t s 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 a n d 7 , w i t h
M a s t e r ’ s f r o m J a c k s o n S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y
D o n n e l l a l s o e a r n e d h i s D o c t o r a t e i n
i d e r a c e s , m e a n i n g e v e r y r e g i s t e r e d
C a p e v o t e r , n o m a t t e r t h e i r p a r t y a f f i l i at i o n o r c i t y a d d r e s s , m a y c a s t a b a l l o t i n e v e r y r a c e i n b o t h t h e P r i m a r y a n d
G e n e r a l E l e c t i o n I n D i s t r i c t 3 , t h e r e a r e f o u r i n d i v i d u -
a l s t h a t h a v e q u a l i f i e d : D e r r i c k D o n n e l l ,
C h a d B r u e n i n g , D a n i e l J L u d l o w a n d
D e b o r a h L e e M c C o r m i c k
C u r r e n t D i s t r i c t 3 C o u n c i l m e m b e r
T o m H a y d e n d i d n o t s e e k r e - e l e c t i o n
B r u e n i n g , 5 5 , i s a c o m m e r c i a l c o n -
s t r u c t i o n p r o j e c t m a n a g e r w i t h
E n v i r o s t r u c t , L L C
A t h r e e - y e a r r e s i d e n t o f t h e d i s t r i c t ,
h e h a s h i s B a c h e l o r s D e g r e e i n c o n s t r u ct i o n m a n a g e m e n t H e i s a 4 - y e a r m e m b e r
o f R o t a r y H e f u n d r a i s e s f o r Y M C A o f
A m e r i c a , i s a c o n t r i b u t o r / v o l u n t e e r f o r
“ J a k e s f i e l d d a y s , ” G e f f e c o n t r i b u t o
e x p a n s i o n p r o j e c t s f o r G r o v e , O k l a h o
s c h o o l d i s t r i c t
S
M i d d l e S c h o o l , a n d a d j u n c t p r o f e s s o r a t
F l o r i d a S o u t h W e s t e r n S t a t e C o l l e g e
H e i s a f o r m e r C i t y C o u n c i l m e m b e r
H e h a s r e s i d e d i n t h e r e c o n f i g u r e d d i st r i c t f o r t w o y e a r s H e r e c e i v e d h i s B a c h e l o r s i n S c i e n c e
f r o m J a c k s o n S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y , a n d
E d u c a t i o n f r o m t h e U n i v e r s i t y o f C e n t r a l
F l o r i d a
H e s e r v e d o n t h e L e e C o u n t y H u m a n
S e r v i c e s C o u n c i l , i s a f o r m e r M P O
D i s t r i c t 4 a p p o i n t e e , b a s k e t b a l l r e f e r e e ,
d e e j a y f o r c o m m u n i t y e v e n t s , a G r a c e
C h u r c h m e m b e r , a n d K a p p a A l p h a P s i
f r a t e r n i t y m e m b e r “
W e h a v e a r e a l l y n i c e c i t y , ” D o n n e l l s a i d . “ T h i s h a p p e n s b e c a u s e t h e r e s i d e n t s
v o t e f o r c o u n c i l m e m b e r s t h a t a r e c o mm i t t e d t o e n s u r i n g t h e h e a l t h , s a f e t y , a n d
w e l f a r e o f a l l r e s i d e n t s a s w e l l a s p r o v i d -
i n g n i c e a m e n i t i e s a n d n o t a b l e s e r v i c e s t h a t w i l l p r o v i d e u s w i t h a n e x c e l l e n t q u a l i t y o f l i f e H a v i n g p r e v i o u s l y s e r v e d f o r t w o t e r m s a s y o u r C a p e C o r a l
C o u n c i l m e m b e r I a m w e l l a w a r e , p r ep a r e d , a n d c o m m i t t e d t o d o t h e h a r d
w o r k i t t a k e s t o g o v e r n o u r c i t y W e h a v e a u n i q u e o p p o r t u n i t y t o g r o w s t r a t e g i c a ll y w h i l e m a i n t a i n i n g t h e c h a r a c t e r a n d i d e n t i t y o f c o m m u n i t i e s t h a t h a v e b e e n e s t a b l i s h e d f o r m a n y y e a r s " ” L u d l o w , 5 3 , i s a d i s a b l e d v e t
By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers com
a
With the 2024 Primary Election right
District 4 Cape Coral City Council seat are sending one last message to residents before they cast their ballots
The 2024 municipal election for Cape Coral City Council features five races seats in Districts 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7, with the District 7 race to appear only on the General Election ballot
While candidates must live in the district they seek to represent, Cape Coral City Council races are non-partisan, citywide races, meaning every registered Cape voter, no matter their party affiliation or city address, may cast a ballot in every race in both the Primary and General Election
In District 4, there are four individuals
Carr, William Matthews, former District 4 c
Robert J Sutter The top two vote-getters will move on to the General Election this November.
Carr, 59, is a 30-year resident of the city, and is a retired law enforcement officer His educational background includes
Bachelors in Public Administration, and has his certificate from the FBI National Academy
He was appointed to fill the District 4 seat in the wake of former council member Patty Cummings’ suspension from office by Gov Ron DeSantis following her arrest on charges related to falsifying her address to run for the seat
Appointed on Dec 13 of last year, Carr was not in office during some of Council’s
more controversial votes, including its approval of the stipend which Carr has declined to accept
“I have lived in Cape Coral for over 30 years and am committed to representing its citizens with professionalism, integrity, and enthusiastic dedication,” Carr said “I will bring my extensive leadership experience in public administration and law enforcement to every decision, always considering public opinion My goal is to make Cape Coral the safest and best place to live in the country ”
William Matthews, 45, is a financial comptroller and philanthropist He’s lived in the district for four years, and assists older residents in putting up shutters each year Matthews hosts student educational a c t i v
clean-ups, and distributed packages of water and food after Hurricane Ian, as well as removed debris from the homes of hundreds of neighbors
His educational background includes a
Bachelor of Science in Finance; and AAS in Paralegal Studies
“I am a truly conservative candidate and
have advocated for fiscal responsibility for years,” Matthews said “As a financial expert, I firmly believe we need to streamline operating costs and minimize large expenditures such as land acquisitions, or any project that is not absolutely necessary for at least two years, so that we can truly g
include effectively lowering taxes during the next three years to compensate for the tax increases in the last four years “Which paired with the dramatic increases in insurance and cost of living, have made it nearly impossible for the average residents to survive in Cape Coral ”
He also pointed out the need to mitigate the increase in flooding city-wide
“During basic storms, some main roads are dangerously flooded, and some neighborhoods are seeing water nearly entering their homes,” he said “We must act on this ” Matthews also aims to tackle the water infrastructure breakages that he said are already beginning to happen in South Cape, “because pipes in that area are start-
ing to reach the end of their useful life ” “It’s important we are very fiscally responsible for a number of years to address these big needs,” Matthews said “Simply put, we really need to pinch a penny so that the growth that has happened in the city doesn’t come at the expense of residents ”
Jennifer Nelson, 54, is a former District 4 council member, having served from 2017 to 2022
She has her Bachelors Degree in Fine Arts, and is the Executive director, Dress for Success Southwest Florida “ I ’
leader who leads with honesty, integrity and compassion,” Nelson said “I want to restore our voters’ faith back into city government and make sure your voices are heard I’m incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to work with all of you to make our city exceptional ”
Robert J. Sutter, 62, has resided in the district for more than three years
He is a consultant for Fortune 100 companies on Department of Defense pro-
degree/Internet Marketing; Earned Value Management System Certificate; Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification; Project
Administration
Sutter is a 20-year Army officer, and member of Cape Coral VFW Post #8463, Cape Coral American Legion Post #90, Cape Coral Republican Club, and Lee County Republican Executive Committee (awaiting to be sworn in)
“I am a seasoned leader with greater
DISTRICT 4, page 20
By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers com
While responding to a call of an individual experiencing suicidal tendencies and being met with violent aggression, Cape Coral police were able to de-escalate the situation without lethal force
Cape Coral Police Department officers Juan Aviles and Robert Hendershot were called to a home Monday afternoon in northwest Cape Coral and met by two parents who said their son was locked in his bedroom with “multiple hatchets” and was giving “suicidal statements,” according to officials
Police stated both officers entered the home and were met with "non-compliant and aggressive behavior" and attempted to talk and calm down the male
CCPD officials said the male remained aggressive and came out of his room with a hatchet in had
“Officer Aviles held lethal coverage, and Officer Hendershot chose a less-lethal use of force option with his Taser,” police officials stated in a release Monday “Officers gave multiple commands to the subject to drop the weapon, and he refused to do so ”
CCPD stated that Hendershot tased the male, and both officers immediately secured the weapon and detained the individual
Police stated, “A lethal use of force could have been justified Instead, officers used lethal and non-lethal coverage, along with de-escalation techniques, to gain compliance and save the subject's life ”
The male's mental health was declining, according to
the police report, and he was Baker Acted and taken to a hospital to get the help he needed, police added
Based on successful de-escalation, Officer Aviles and Officer Hendershot were awarded with the Police Tactical De-Escalation Award
During a press conference Monday afternoon, CCPD Chief Anthony Sizemore said that he couldn't be more proud of his officers
“Their performance not only represented our agency, helped this family, and saved a life to the highest distinction, but I believe that their actions and their tactics should serve as an example for law enforcement across this nation,” Chief Sizemore said. “This is what families
By CHUCK BALLARO news@beezenewspapers com
Every day, teachers throughout the country give 100% to their students or at least they strive to
But if teachers can find a way to devote 1% to reaching a particular student or to engage them in a different way, the results can really transform a class and even a school
That is what the founder of an acclaimed school in Atlanta told the teachers from five area schools Friday at Ida Baker High School during a back-to-school presentation
Founder, teacher and administrator of the acclaimed middle school Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta, Ron Clark spoke to the staffs of Caloosa, Diplomat, Gulf and Tropic Isles elementaries and Diplomat Middle School
Chuck Vilardi, regional associate superintendent for the west zone, said student engagement is important, and that Clark could give them hints on how to engage with and show excitement for the kids.
“I’ve had the opportunity to go to his school He walks the walk with what he’s talking about I decided to bring him here and invite four other schools to join us and hopefully impact the Cape Coral community,” Vilardi said “We always give 100% What 1% can you add to impact a child?”
Clark’s success with students from low-income areas of North Carolina and New York City led him to be named Disney’s American Teacher of the Year and to be the subject of the film, "The Ron Clark Story," starring Matthew Perry
Clark talked about giving 1% effort more and the difference it can make in a student’s life
“Little things mean a lot Hand-written cards to parents, music in class or just smiling during class,” Clark said
He also said to get the most out of students, you teach to the smartest kid in the class to get the most out of every student. Some of those students may not reach the smartest kid’s level, but will come closer by not teaching to the middle
This is especially important because U S schools are not doing well They are ranked 41st in math and science, ranking behind most industrialized countries and some that aren’t
Clark said kids are pushed to learn worldwide, but not in the United States, where many are coddled He said it’s up to the teachers to make the school experience better
“You have the power to make the school what you want it to be If you don’t, it’s your fault,” Clark said “Do whatever it takes to make kids what you want them to be ”
Kim Verblaauw, principal at Gulf Elementary, said Clark has inspired the school for years and has sent some teachers to his school to observe, with great results
“He has definitely helped our school culture and inspired our teachers to be better, they engage our students with the strategies they have learned,” Verblaauw said “The needs of our kids are changing and they need that engagement ”
Diplomat Elementary, said there was so much to learn from him She said coming from Newark, N J , she can relate to Clark in teaching inner-city kids
“Actually seeing him in person and feeling his energy and listening to the amazing things he’s accomplished has given me a completely different perspective to my current school,” Santos said “He does things on a completely different level I did not expect to get what I’m getting ”
By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com
More than 68,000 Cape Coral residents will receive a letter from the City of Cape Coral regarding its effort with working with FEMA to retain a 25% discount for the National Flood Insurance Program
More than 100,000 letters are being sent to the N a t i o n a l F l o o d I n s u r a n c e P r o g r a m p o l i c y h o l d e r s throughout Lee County More than 67,000 letters will be sent to unincorporated Lee County residents, and more than 5,000 to the Town of Fort Myers Beach residents
“I sincerely appreciate these community leaders taking this matter seriously, and all the work they’ve done to improve identified deficiencies," FEMA Region 4 Regional Administrator Robert Samaan said in a prepared statement “We look forward to continuing our work together to ensure everyone is building back stronger and more resilient against future floods and dis-
asters ”
Last month, the city told homeowners they will continue to receive their 25% discount on federal flood insurance policies as FEMA will not retrograde the city’s Community Rating System classification – at least not for now
FEMA gave the city, as well as Lee County and Fort Myers Beach, until Nov 18 to continue efforts to meet what FEMA says are “outstanding compliance issues ”
“FEMA found that 90% of Cape Coral’s properties they identified are complete or currently in the code enforcement process,” Mayor John Gunter said at a July press conference “FEMA also applauded the hard work and dedication of city staff and meeting the floodplain
improvements over the last two months and has identified potential areas of improvement ”
FEMA has worked with Cape Coral, Bonita Springs,
Estero, Fort Myers Beach, and unincorporated Lee County over the past several weeks evaluating their compliance with the program, as well as addressing any identified issues
According to the FEMA notice “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 surcharge for at least one year beginning Nov 18, 2024 Additionally, as of April 1, 2025, policy holders would lose any discounts they are receiving through the Community Rating System ”
The release further states that residents are encouraged to reach out to their local floodplain administrator, or community established websites if they have any unpermitted repair work from Hurricane Ian to obtain additional information about the process
t h r e e y e a r s a g o H e i s a m e m b e r o f S t
K a t h a r i n e D r e x e l C a t h o l i c C h u r c h , C a p e
C o u n c i l f o r P r o g r e s s , R e p u b l i c a n P a r t y
o f L e e C o u n t y , H a b i t a t f o r H u m a n i t y
f u n d r a i s i n g , K n i g h t s o f C o l u m b u s , H a r r y
C h a p i n F o o d B a n k , a n d C a p e C o r a l
i d e n c e i n D i s t r i c t 5 f o r m o r e t h a n t h r e e y e a r s ,
G e n e r a l E l e c t i o n
W e l s h , J a s o n C o n z e l m a n , J o s e p h
K i l r a i n e a n d C h a r l i e P e a s e . T h e t o p t w o
v o t e - g e t t e r s w i l l m o v e o n t o t h e G e n e r a l
E l e c t i o n t h i s N o v e m b e r
C o n z e l m a n , 4 4 , i s t h e o w n e r o f
P o o r m a n ’ s C a r d a n d C o l l e c t i b l e s , a n d
w o r k s p a r t - t i m e h e l p a s t h e o f f i c e m a n -
a g e r o f P o o r m a n ’ s A u t o R e p a i r , a s m a l l f a m i l y b u s i n e s s o p e r a t i n g f o r 4 0 y e a r s i n
C a p e C o r a l
A g r a d u a t e f r o m B i s h o p V e r o t H i g h
S c h o o l , h e e a r n e d h i s A s s o c i a t e i n A r t s d e g r e e i n P o l i t i c a l S c i e n c e , a n d
B a c h e l o r s i n M a t h e m a t i c s a n d P o l y / S c i .
A 2 0 - p l u s y e a r r e s i d e n t o f t h e d i s t r i c t , h e i n t e r n e d a t t h e o f f i c e o f f o r m e r s t a t e s e n a t o r B u r t S a u n d e r s i n c o l l e g e H e
o r g a n i z e s a y e a r - l o n g c o l l e c t i o n o f t o y s f o r T o y s f o r t o t s a n d t o y d o n a t i o n s t
C
u s i n
A
n
s
n
i n
n i n P o l y m
E n g i n e e r i n g / M S C h e m i c a l E n g i n e e r i n g , a n d D o c t o r a t e B u s i n e s s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n p r o g r a m H e ’ s l i v e d i n t h e d i s t r i c t f o r 2 0 y e a r s , a n d w a s r e c e n t l y a c a n d i d a t e f o r c i t y c o u n c i l m e m b e r i n 2 0 2 0 i n D i s t r i c t 3
b e f o r e b e i n g r e a p p o r t i o n e d t o D i s t r i c t 5
C a r i n g C e n t e r H e i s a p a s t m e m b e r
R o t a r y C l u b o f C a p e C o r a l , w a s
S a n d o v a l H O A B O D p r e s i d e n t , a n d c h a i r
o f t h e F i n a n c e G r o u p & T r a n s i t i o n
C o m m i t t e e
“ A s a 2 0 - y e a r C a p e r e s i d e n t , I a m
f o c u s e d o n t r a n s p a r e n c y , c o m m o n s e n s e
l e a d e r s h i p a n d s t r a i g h t t a l k , ” K i l r a i n e
s a i d “ W e w i l l f i g h t t o g e t r e s i d e n t s
h e a r d a n d r e s p e c t e d , k i l l t h e s t i p e n d , a n d
g e t r e s i d e n t s c o m m i t t e e s b a c k I h a v e
s t r o n g t e c h n i c a l a n d m a n a g e m e n t s k i l l s a n d e x c e l l e n t c i t y b u d g e t a n d p o l i c y k n o w l e d g e G e t a l o n g , g o a l o n g n o t m y
s t y l e I w i l l d e l i v e r r e s u l t s ”
P e a s e , 4 0 , i s t h e d i r e c t o r o f C a p e
C o r a l T e c h n i c a l C o l l e g e ( h e a d o f
s c h o o l ) H e h a s h i s M B A , M A i n
E d u c a t i o n a l P o l i c y a n d L e a d e r s h i p , B S
i n M a t h e m a t i c s , a n d a N a t i o n a l M e r i t
S c h o l a r H e w a s a l s o C a p e C o r a l H i g h
S c h o o l v a l e d i c t o r i a n P e a s e h a s h e l d r e s -
What are your views on “accessor y dwelling units?”
❑ Laurie LehMann
Accessory dwelling units or granny flats can be a good situation for an aging parent or adult children moving back home ADUs can afford privacy for the main homeowner and also for aging parents or adult children. ADUs must adhere to zoning laws and city/county ordinances and not cause an increased parking issue or nuisance for the neighborhood An ADU can increase both the property value and the property taxes An ADU is not acceptable for short-term vacation rentals or an airbnb
Craig unroe SaveCapeCor al.com
ChaD bruening br ueningforCouncil.com
I support all property owners and their property rights Any new structure upon property in Cape Coral must meet current building codes and zoning regulations This week’s question is a prime example of why we need to reapply advisory committees in Cape Coral Before I could stand behind or against accessory dwelling units as I define them, I would like to know have the public’s input on the issue first This is what I feel being a City Council member is all about, engaging the citizens in the decision-making process
ow
In Savannah they’re called Carriage Houses, Mother-inlaw suites As long as it is safe and aesthetically pleasing to the property and neighborhood, I honestly don’t have a problem with it
Breeze will ask the candidates for Cape Coral City Council an issue-related question In the interest of fairness, each candidate is limited to the same amount of space, about 100 words, for their response
I believe accessory dwelling units should be allowed for four-lot sites, half acre, or bigger so they are not invasive to their neighbors I don’t believe there is enough space on twoor three-lot sites There is negative impact when trying to achieve this on small property 1 Additional parking 2 Taking up green space for rainwater percolation. Most homes are already maxed out when it comes to vehicle parking and can’t handle more It wouldn’t be aesthetically pleasing and would affect the quality of life of their neighbors My job is to represent all citizens in my decision making
Cape Coral has a city manager/council form of government. A Council-appointed, contract city manager runs the day-to-day operations of the city Cape Coral City Council is an elected eight-member board comprised of a mayor and seven council members who set policy and are accountable to the voters The mayor may live in any district Council members are elected “at large” meaning while candidates must live in the district they seek to represent, the seats are filled via non-partisan, citywide elections Every registered Cape voter, no matter their party affiliation or city address, may cast a ballot in every race in both the Primary and General Election.
As we continue to grow towards buildout, I am in favor of working with the residents, council, and city staff to identify the appropriate area(s) in which to allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs) to be built The challenge will be twofold First, we must clearly define what an ADU is and what it is not Secondly, we must collaborate with the residents to identify areas in the city and establish parameters by which these structures may be allowed It is imperative that we ensure the safety of the neighborhoods while recognizing a resident’s ability to exercise their private property rights
I see no issue with homeowners building them, as long as they follow the proper permitting processes and as long as they don’t perturb the surrounding residents to the property in question However, in terms of the permitting process in general, the city is currently facing a backlog which is causing significant detriments to home renovations and other construction progress I will work with the City Manager’s office to look into appropriating funds to hire more staff in the permitting office so that this backlog can be cleared, if necessary
Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) come in many forms, both attached and detached from the primary dwelling To meet the definition of an ADU, it must contain a bedroom, living room, and kitchen The distinction between an in-law suite and an ADU is that an ADU has a stove Since our city is pre-platted with relatively small lot sizes (10,000 sq. feet), I do not support ADUs I believe the negative impact on surrounding neighbors would be significant and would detract
Additionally, any attempt to regulate ADUs in a meaningful way would be difficult or impossible to enforce ❑ RIchaRD caRR (Incumbent) VoteRichcar r.com
JennIFeR nelson nelsonforDistrict4.com
Accessory Dwelling Units can serve as an affordable housing option and a positive addition to a single-family home These units can help encourage options for workforce housing or generational living opportunities, both of which our city needs.
Breeze will ask the candidates for Cape Coral City Council an issue-related question In the interest of fairness, each candidate is limited to the same amount of space, about 100 words, for their response
Accessory dwelling units are a great way to combat the high cost of the current real estate market Some families have retired parents that live on a fixed income and want to move closer to their family, or can’t afford their mortgage payments because of the constant increases in real estate taxes Others have children returning from college because they can’t afford their own place. Accessory dwelling units allow family members to move in with their family while having their own private space This also allows the family members to help out financially and make things easier for everyone
❑
RobeRt J. sutteR Facebook (facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558157836677)
We have all heard and felt the increase in the cost of living within Cape Coral and that it will continue to rise as outof-control spending from our city council increases For some, accessory dwelling units can be an answer to off-set these increasing costs. Accessory dwelling units or multigeneration housing is common in Europe and is often used to assist the elderly (grandparents) that are on fixed incomes as well as young families that are looking for a way to save money for a down-payment on their first home Lastly, I believe that any directive regarding accessory dwelling units needs to have parameters that can be easily identifiable and enforced
❑ JosePh KIlRaIne Kilr aineforcape.com
I believe that accessory dwelling units, ADUs, are a great way for citizens to find cheaper housing, and for people on a fixed income, to easily receive an extra source of income
For people with extra rooms or other places that can be made into an ACU, I think it’s great for the community to have places where people can pay less rent, save money, keep our city from having to build affordable housing that could lower prices of the surrounding houses.
ACUs need to be easy to get access for a permit because they help our city
Accessory dwelling unit (ADU) ordinances are encouraged by the Florida Legislature ADUs present a number of challenges as to defining scope, code development, enforcement, city services & cost delineation, etc Pros include live-in generational support, affordability, incremental income, etc Cons include affect on neighboring property, increased city services consumption, existing ADUs without standards, higher population density & traffic impacts, etc. ADU governance also has property rights considerations On the flip side from affordability, high-end construction often includes live-in service personnel options My bias is to not impose additional landuse/ordinance standards & allow existing code on property to control on those parameters already defined
We need to start thinking creatively about housing that’s affordable for working-class residents and multi-generational families in Cape Coral Currently, you can’t have two kitchens in a single-family home (or a “dwelling unit”). As a believer in private property rights, I would argue that residents should be able to add a permitted second kitchen to a residential home to create, for example, a true mother-in-law suite However, the requirement to have a garage in Cape Coral should not go away (that is, garages should not be eligible for conversion to ADUs) More Council discussion and debate is worth having
Accessory dwelling units can be a great source for affordable housing in Cape Coral, however I do not see this being how they will be used I think they will just become illegal vacation rentals or non-permitted converted garages. I do not think we have the capability to enforce the current codes on vacation rentals properly and do not want to expose the city to additional enforcement issues
What are your views on “accessor y dwelling units?”
As a property owner I feel that ADUs have a place in our society, providing they comply with the county/city zoning laws That said, we need to make sure that the city sets some sort of standard for these units as most lots in the Cape would have difficulty fitting them onto their property due to easement restrictions I would also want to make sure the consumer is well educated on all the costs associated with building an ADU (construction cost, separate utilities, higher taxes and insurance cost, possible parking issues)
∫ T h e L e e C o u n t y S u p e r v i s o r o f
E l e c t i o n s ’ s o f f i c e p o s t s a l l c i t y - e l e c -
t i o n r e l a t e d d o c u m e n t s , i n c l u d i n g
c a m p a i g n r e p o r t s a t l e e . v o te
∫ T h e L e e C o u n t y S u p e r v i s o r o f
E l e c t i o n s h a s a w e a l t h o f e l e c t i o n s -
r e l a t e d i n f o r
t r a t i o n , v o t i n g , d a t e s a n d c a n d i d a t e l i s t s a n d
r e e z e w i l l p o s t a l l o f i t s
e l e c t i o n s s t o r i e s t o o u r w e b s i t e , Cape c o ral bre e z e . c o m
e r e d b a l l o t s m a y b e
d r o p p e d o f f a t a n y o f t h e L e e C o u n t y
E l e c t i o n s O f f i c e s , M o n d a y t h r o u g h
F r i d a y , f r o m 8 : 3 0 a m t o 5 p m o r o n
Breeze will ask the candidates for Cape Coral City Council an issue-related question In the interest of fairness, each candidate is limited to the same amount of space, about 100 words, for their response
aduk com
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are intended to provide additional, affordable living space on an existing property It’s more than just a shed on your lawn ADU’s must adhere to zoning, size guidelines, setbacks, permitting, design requirements, & more If someone wants to put an ADU on their property that lawfully adheres to existing residential requirements, I see no reason why it shouldn’t be allowed, especially with the rising cost of living here This can benefit families with adult children with special needs, aging parents, and young adult children in college Property rights should always be protected
Races with more than two qualifying candidates are placed on the primary ballot, which this year will be held Aug 20 with Seats 2, 3, 4 and 5 on the ballot.
The two primary candidates receiving the most votes in each race will then be candidates in the City General Election
which also will include the District 7 seat (If there are fewer than three qualifying candidates in any a given race, their names will not appear on the primary election ballot They will appear on the City General Election ballot only )
The 2024 municipal election for Cape Coral City Council features five races the seats Districts 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7 with the District 7 race to appear only on the General Election ballot While candidates must live in the district they seek to repre-
Voters who have not submitted a Vote-by-Mail request to the office since the 2022 General Election will need to submit a new request to receive a Vote-by-Mail Ballot for the 2024 General Election Requests can be made by calling
E l e c t i o n D a y f r o m 8 : 3 0 a m t o 7 p m
V o t e - b y - M a i l B a l l o t s m a y a l s o b e r e t u r n e d a t a n a u t h o r i z e d S e c u r e B a l l o t I n t a k e S t a t i o n , l o c a t e d a t e v e r y E a r l y
V o t i n g s i t e d u r i n g E a r l y V o t i n g d a t e s a n d t i m e s
E a r l y V o t i n g f o r t h e P r i m a r y o p e n e d
sent, Cape Coral City Council races are n o n
p a r t i s a n ,
every registered Cape voter, no matter their party affiliation or city address, may cast a ballot in every race in both the Primary and General Election
∫
S a t u r d a y , A u g 1 0 , a n d r u n s t h r o u g h
S a t u r d a y , A u g 1 7 , 1 0 a m t o 6 p m , d a i l y E a r l y v o t i n g s i t e s i n C a p e C o r a l i n c l u d e :
∫ C a p e C o r a l E l e c t i o n s O f f i c e1 0 3 9 S o u t h e a s t 9 t h A v e
g y c o s t s , e d u c a t i o n a n d m o r e E v e r y e l i g i b l e v o t e r s h o u l d e x e r c i s e t h e i r r i g h t t o b e h e a r d a t t h e b a l l o t b o x , ” s a i d S a n d y F r a n k , p r e s i d e n t o f t h e L e a g u e o f W o m e n V o t e r s o f L e e C o u n t y , I n c s a i d i n a p r e p a r e d s t a t e m e n t A l l e l i g i b l e v o t e r s , i n c l u d i n g t h o s e w i t h o u t a p a r t y a f f i l i a t i o n , m a y v o t e i n t h e A u g 2 0 e l e c t i o n
B a l l o t s w i l l i n c l u d e n o n - p a r t i s a n r a c e s f o r L e e C o u n t y S c h o o l B o a r d , C a p e C o r a l C i t y C o u n c i l , F o r t M y e r s C i t y C o u n c i l a n d j u d g e s B a l l o t s f o r v o t e r s w i t h a p a r t y a f f i l i a t i o n w i l l i n c l u d e t h e i r p a r t y ’ s c a n d i d a t e s T h e l e a g u e a l s o o f f e r s t h e f o l l o w i n g i n f o r m a t i o n a n d r e s o u r c e s :
■ V O T E 4 1 1 : V o t e 4 1 1 o r g b y t h e L e a g u e o f W o m e n V o t e r s E d u c a t i o n F u n d h a s n o n - p a r t i s a n e l e ct i o n i n f o r m a t i o n , r e s o u r c e s a n d v o t e r g u i d e s 2 0 2 4 c a nd i d a t e i n f o r m a t i o n w i l l b e a v a i l a b l e m i d - J u l y ■ R e t u r n i n g C i t i z e n s V o t i n g R i g h t s : R e s t o r a t i o n i n f o r m a t i o n a n d a s s i s t a n c e i s a v a i l a b l e f r o m L e a g
By JANETTA FOX news@breezenewspapers com
increased residential and commercial development and their associated infrastructures One of the negative impacts of this rapid development has been and continues to be the destruction of the natural habitat for our native birds and animals. Being that Florida is the third most diverse state when it comes to wildlife and is a major stop for migratory birds, Florida friendly yards not only create a wildlife sanctuary but serve as a natural corridor for safe migratory passage
Like people wildlife need food, water, shelter and space
To satisfy these requirem e n t
begin by creating a backyard habitat plan (always good to plan first!), and then planting a variety of vegetation of varying sizes and heights Diverse areas
t
sources of nectar and food such as seeds, nuts and berries attract a wider variety of animals. And by layering vegetation, including ground cover, your yard becomes a refuge, providing shade and rest Adding a small pond or birdbath as a water source will ensure all bases are covered and all basic needs are met
It is important to note that, if left unattended, birdbaths will quickly accumulate algae and become a breeding ground for mosquitoes As a control measure, change out the water frequently When cleaning, scour and wash birdbaths without the use of harsh bleach or soap For additional control of algae, consider adding a drop or two of algaecide into the birdbath periodically Prior to the purchase of any algaecide, though, read the label to confirm that the product in question is safe for wildlife
You can also add Bti (aka Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis), which is a biological control for the larvae stages of mosquitoes The great thing about Bti is that it is safe for humans and other animals And adding an agitator to keep water moving can only help!
Snags are trunks of dead trees If leaving them in place doesn’t pose a danger consider doing so, because they provide a place for birds to perch nest, and feed And because the idea is to attract beneficial insects as well as land animals and birds, avoid the use of widespectrum pesticides as they do not discriminate and will enter the food chain. Along with problem pests such as aphids, mealybugs, whiteflies and the like, they will kill beneficial insects such as lady beetles (or lady bugs as I like to say) and bees and can be toxic to birds and other wildlife
When selecting plants consider Florida native plants as these provide reliable sources of food and nectar for native wildlife Disease resistant, non-native Florida friendly plants can also be an option
Consider providing nourishment for all stages of life For example butterflies need specific plants during their life cycle, i e , nectar plants as adults and larval or host plants while caterpillars And, depending on where you live, you may want to consider seasonal plants for year round feeding
So, there you have it, a brief introduction to the fifth principle of Florida friendly landscaping For further i n f o r m a t i o n , v i s i t h t t p s : / / f f l . i f a s . u f l . e d u / f f
fflminute-0156-attract-wildlife htm
Happy gardening!
Janetta Fox is a member of the Garden Club of Cape Coral and a Lee County Master Gardener Volunteer www gardenclubofcapecoral com like us on Facebook
AUGUST 16,
Special to The Breeze news@breezenewspapers com
Part art, part science, part cooking
That’s how Adrianne Gerard describes the Practical Magic Kitchen, a new innovative culinary concept aimed at improving resident quality of life and access to tasty, and inclusive, culinary options. The concept won the grand prize of $15,000 at the Volunteers of America Annual Futures Fund Pitch Competition to bring the idea of incorporating special cooking techniques like molecular gastronomy to life, transforming weekly resident cooking classes and introducing exciting flavors
Gerard is the memory support manager at Palmview at Gulf Coast Village in Cape Coral She and her colleagues came up with the idea for the Practical Magic Kitchen last Valentine’s Day when some residents couldn’t participate in tasting chocolate covered strawberries due to dietary restrictions, including those who require a mechanical soft texture and those on puree diets.
“We wanted to find alternatives that went beyond milkshakes and ice cream options that were visually appealing and impactful,” said Gerard
That’s when they discovered molecular gastronomy, which incorporates science and art to transform the presentation and function of a dish
“Since one of our residents is a former rocket scientist, and we have several amazing cooks and artists, we thought this would be a great opportunity to increase resident engagement in our weekly cooking classes,” said Gerard
Thanks to a partnership with local restauranteur Greg Gebhard of Nice Guys Pizza in Cape Coral, and Cindy Halvorson, owner of One Call Catering, an impressive menu of molecularly modified foods were presented to residents, including: Mom’s Molecular Meatloaf with French Pressed Potato, “Carbonated” Watermelon with Whipped Feta and Balsamic, Smoked Salmon Deviled Eggs with “Caviar” and a selection of beverages, like a “Suspended” Sangria
Each of these dishes featured a unique twist, or as Gerard says, a little magic The meatloaf was vegetarian, the “caviar” was made of small balls of dill and basil, and the Golden Girls Passionfruit Margarita actively billowed with smoke
“We’ve added a little bit of the elements of science to
the food dishes It makes it a little more interesting! A lot of times it makes the food better,” said Gebhard
During the event, Gebhard carbonated each piece of watermelon as it was presented to the residents If you listened close enough, you could actually hear the watermelon fizzing with tiny bubbles trapped inside “He’s the best of the best,” said Cindy Halvorson of Gebhard “I knew we needed someone who could think outside the box and create something special ” The event itself was a special combination of local creatives who worked together to make a true difference in the lives of Palmview residents
Gerard said moving forward, they hope to host more tasting events for residents and families to experience the magic of the Practical Magic Kitchen
American Legion Post 90 in Cape Coral won three state-wide awards and several membership awards: Best Department Sargent-at-Arms, Best Post Scouting program, Best Post Shooting Sports Program, Post membership Achievement, 100% Family Ribbon, 100%+1 membership plaque, 103% membership goal and 90% + member retention goal
In addition, Post 90 achieved its highest membership goal in 10 years, 108%
Post Commander Keith Berres said, “Our Sargent-atArms, Armand La Fleur; our Boy Scout and Sports Shooting Chair, Dennis Stebbins; and our Marketing and Membership Chair, Ted Clark, and his committee, devote d
Americanism programs and membership goals achieved the highest possible levels ”
The American Legion Department hosted its 105th
statewide convention from June 13-16 at the Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista, Fla Approximately 4,000 American Legion members were in attendance The A m e r i
130,000 members and more than 300 posts statewide During this event, the department convention also conducts its annual business, electing new leadership, celebrating successes and recognizing outstanding individuals and posts
American Legion Post 90 in Cape Coral was founded in April 2001 The post offers a full canteen and food service at 1401 S E 47th St , and sponsors scholarships, scouting troops, blood drives, V A volunteers and national emergency funds programs to assist veterans in need
For more, call 239-540-8128 or contact alpost90 cape@yahoo com or the Post 1st Vice Commander Ted Clark at tedclark12@gmail com or 845-527-7948
Resident to celebrate Ukrainian Independence Day, collect donations for military Aug 24
Saturday, Aug 24, local resident and advocate for Ukraine’s defense Alexandra Zakhvatayev will be manning a booth at the downtown Cape Coral Farmer’s Market The booth will be a fusion of Ukrainian/American culture and have a central focus on freedom of country There will be homemade sweet Ukrainian donuts known as Ponchiki and Pampushki
All proceeds raised on Ukrainian Independence Day will go toward her August campaign to raise funds to purchase protective gear for the military battalion led by her dear friend, Commander Yuri of the Presidential Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Yuri leads a platoon of 20 men on a mortar battery for combat work on the intensely
violent frontlines of Luhansk, Ukraine
This campaign is a collaborative effort with Ukraine Defense Support, a 501(c)(3) led by Carl Larson, a U S combat veteran of Iraq and former commander in the International Legion for Defense of Ukraine
Those interested can support Yuri’s unit now by navigating to the link at https://donorbox org/august-camp
russia-in-luhansk-direction
The booth will be located at the Club Square of Southeast 47th Terrace and Southeast 10th Place, South Cape, from 8 a m to 1 p m , Aug 24, and ongoing Saturdays, for which proceeds will continue to be raised for Ukraine’s military
B y M E G H A N B R A D B U RY
t o g a t h e r a n d l e a r n a b o u t t h e h i s t o r y o f o u
From page 12
than 35 year of experience managing programs and teams,” Sutter said “As an Eagle Scout I was raised to respect our environment and strongly believe in preserving our ‘Green Spaces ’”
Sutter served in Desert Storm, Desert Shield, Bosnia/Kosovo, and Operation
E n d u r i n g F r e e d o m / O p e r a
I r a q i Freedom
“I am accustomed to making hard decisions under pressure,” he said “After the
Army, I went to work on a large IT Department of defense program valued at more than $4 7 billion During my 14 years on the project, I held several leadership positions, all increasing in responsib i l i t y A
Manager, I was held accountable annually for $120 million and was audited by the federal government monthly for three years ” He said he currently works part-time as
Defense programs, and still possesses a Secret clearance “I want to leverage my experience and education to make our community a better place and my No 1 concern is the rising cost-of-living in Cape Coral,” he said “I want to work to minimize the cost-of-living increases by focusing on what we need as a community and not what they want My intent is to bring ‘common sense’ back
processes
Sutter said he would want to rescind the stipend immediately, stop the building of Jaycee Park, and focus the city’s efforts on infrastructure, work to allow free access for all Cape Coral citizens into Parks and Recreation facilities, and create a smart plan for the UEP
Danley earns advanced degree from University of Maryland Global Campus
ADELPHI, MD -- Scott Danley of Cape Coral has earned a master of business administration from University of Maryland Global Campus
Danley was one of nearly 600 students to earn an advanced degree from UMGC in late spring 2024 Degrees were conferred June 30 for the doctor of business administration and master of business administration, as well as a variety of master of science specializations
University of Maryland Global Campus was founded more than 75 years ago specifically to serve the higher education needs of working adults and military servicemembers Today, UMGC is the largest provider of postsecondary education in Maryland and continues its global tradition with online and hybrid courses, more than 175 classroom and service locations worldwide, and more than 125 degrees and certificates
For more information, visit umgc edu
Heritage Charter Academy providing free breakfast and lunch for students
Heritage Charter Academy has announced an amendment to its policy for serving meals to students under the National School Lunch Program, Community Eligibility Provision, for the 2024-2025 school year. All students will be served breakfast and lunch at no charge at the Heritage Charter Academy, 2107 Santa Barbara Blvd , Cape Coral FL 33991
For additional information, please contact Heritage Charter Academy, attention Ms Flynn, food service director, at 239-829-5134
Haney-Withrow named director of the new Institute of Innovative and Emerging Technologies at FSW
Anna Haney-Withrow has been named director of the new Institute of Innovative and Emerging Technologies at Florida SouthWestern State College In her new role, Haney-Withrow will help foster a collaborative and innovative culture within FSW and the broader community
Haney-Withrow brings a background in teaching and learning design, with a track record of leadership in both the private sector and academia
Florida SouthWestern State College annually serving nearly 20,000 students globally, offering a variety of career-focused academic programs with two- and fouryear degrees and professional certifications
Visit www FSW edu for more information Foundation for Lee County Public Schools welcomes new teachers
On Tuesday, July 30, the Foundation for Lee County Public Schools hosted a reception to welcome new teachers to the district The event, which took place at the foundation’s location, 2266 Second St , provided an opportunity for educators to unwind, socialize and connect with their peers, as well as get a chance to stock up on school supplies
The reception, attended by a diverse group of educators and community members, featured refreshments and networking opportunities Highlighting the event was the distribution of supply bags, prepared by the foundation. Each bag was filled with essential classroom materials, ensuring that teachers had the resources they needed to start the school year
The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools remains committed to fostering a nurturing environment for educators and students alike, ensuring that every teacher feels empowered and equipped to make a meaningful impact in the classroom
The Foundation is a private, 501(c)(3) organization established in 1986 Its mission is to enhance and enrich the quality of public education in Lee County for students and educators through programs, resources and experiences made possible through corporate, individual and educational partnerships
Find us online at www leeschoolfoundation org, on Instagram @FoundationLCPS, and on Facebook
Two recipients graduates of Cape High, another from North Fort Myers High
The “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge this summer awarded $33,200 in conservation education scholarships to 15 students from the surrounding five-county area During its 19-year history, the DDWS Environmental Scholarship Program has awarded a total of $295,600 to deserving students
Of the 15 scholarships, three are permanently endowed Individuals passionate about helping students make a difference in all areas of conservation donate the other scholarships on an annual basis.
The Richard Bailey Scholarship, named in memory of a longtime refuge volunteer and donated by his family, went to Alaynna Harms, a graduate of Lemon Bay High School in Englewood She pursues a major in bioengineering at Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers
The Mike & Terry Baldwin Scholarship, named for a DDWS past president and his wife, an emeritus board member, went to Isabella Moon, a graduate from Cypress Lake High in Fort Myers who is heading to Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton to study biological science
William Sobczak, a Barron Collier High (Naples) alumnus and environmental engineering and computer science student at the University in Florida, Gainesville, received the Dr Andrew and Laura Dahlem Scholarship The Dahlems live part-time on Sanibel Island; their family honors them with a named scholarship
Audrey Albrecht, a Rhode Island University alumnus and former SCCF (Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation) shorebird biologist, pursues a master’s degree at Unity Environmental University in Thorndike, Maine, studying geographic information systems She received the Dr H Randall Deming Endowed Scholarship for Conservation & Environmental Studies Deming’s family established the scholarship in 2016 as a permanently endowed scholarship in his memory
The DDWS Award of Excellence Scholarship, presented to a student showing outstanding promise in the field of environmental science, went to Nathaniel Lawson, a recent graduate of Cape Coral High School with plans to attend FGCU this fall majoring in environmental engineering
Haven Mena recently graduated from Cape Coral High and will study environmental engineering at the University of Central Florida in Orlando She accepted the “Ding” Darling Conservation Scholarship, made possible by an anonymous donor
Two Leslie & Hans Fleischner Scholarships went to Izabella Smolnicka-Dos Santos, a graduate of Florida SouthWestern State College (Fort Myers) studying environmental systems engineering at Stanford University in California; and Alexandra Polk, an alumnus of Fort Myers High She graduated from the University of South Florida (USF) in Tampa, where she will pursue a post-graduate degree in the fields of environmental education and marine life The Fleischners were part-time Sanibel residents whose love of the island’s environment has inspired them to sponsor the scholarships for several years
Mallory Poff, an alumnus of Barron Collier High and Elon University in North Carolina, pursues her master’s degree in mechanical engineering and materials science at Duke University in North Carolina She received the Mary Elaine Jacobson Memorial Scholarship, made possible by the Sanibel-Captiva Audubon Society
The Kent and Sharon Jager Scholarship went to Sharon Swiersz, who graduated from Southwest Florida Christian Academy in Southwest Ranches, Fla , and UF and is pursu-
ing a master’s degree at UF in interdisciplinary studies, where she is researching community engagement in Everglades watershed policy The Jagers, Illinois residents, have been fans of Sanibel Island and “Ding” Darling for decades
Established as a permanently endowed scholarship by the estate of longtime DDWS board and Education Committee member and her husband, the Win and Marilyn Kloosterman Memorial Scholarship, went to Cole Beiner, a Port Charlotte High graduate He will study environmental engineering at Florida State University in Tallahassee Victoria Gonzalez -- a graduate of the TERRA Environmental Research Institute in Miami and a current student at the USF majoring in environmental science and policy with a concentration in sustainability and a minor in urban studies -- received the Barry & Francine Litofsky Scholarship, in memory of two former refuge volunteers made possible by their children
The Tarpon Bay Explorers Scholarship went to Kylee Lange, who graduated from North Fort Myers High and will attend Georgia Tech in Atlanta, where she will pursue a degree in environmental engineering Tarpon Bay Explorers, “Ding” Darling’s recreation concession, started the original DDWS scholarship program in 2006
Two Jane Werner Endowed Environmental Scholarships, established in 2011 as DDWS’ first permanently endowed scholarship fund, went to Tori Guarino, a graduate of Golden Gate High in Naples and FGCU, who pursues a doctoral degree in environmental horticulture at UF; and Carter Eleckna, who graduated from Imagine High School in North Port, Fla , and FGCU and has been accepted into the doctoral program at UF to study seagrass ecology The late Jane Werner, who volunteered at the refuge for 25 years, established the permanent scholarship fund prior to her death
DDWS again will be awarding scholarships starting at $1,000 each at the end of the 2024-2025 school year. High school seniors and college students from Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Glades, and Hendry counties pursuing careers in biology, conservation, and environmental studies are eligible
For an application and to read full descriptions of 2024 scholarship winners and donors, visit dingdarlingsociety org/student-scholarships
Have you ever wondered who to call with a concern about wildlife, or what the rules are protecting burrowing owls living on the empty lot in your neighborhood?
The Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife invites the public to attend a special presentation by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to explain the role of FWC in protecting burrowing owls and other Florida wildlife Bradley Johnson, FWC public information officer, will discuss the protections and guidelines for burrow-
ing owls, permitting and when and how to call FWC
The presentation will be held at Rotary Park, 5505 Rose Garden Road, Cape Coral, this Wednesday, Aug 21, at 7 p m Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife is an all-volunteer organization whose mission is to preserve and enhance the habitats of protected wildlife species and to educate the community about Cape Coral’s wildlife resources
To learn more, or to join or volunteer, please visit ccfriendsofwildlife org or call 239-980-2593
New regional associate superintendents to take hands-on approach this school year
t i
b e c o m e b e t t e r , a n d b u s e s t o r o l l
s m o o t h e r W i t h
a r e a n y m a j o r i s s u e s w i t h t r a n sp o r t a t i o n , t h e p a r e n t s s h o u l d c o n t a c t t h e i r s c h o o l ’ s p r i n c i p a l , s o t h e y c a n g e t
“Buses are rolling out much quicker each and every day My principals are reaching out to me I hope everyone enjoyed the first week of school Get rest this weekend and I look forward to a smoother next week ”
Chuck Vilardi, regional associate superintendent
i n g a m o d e l f o r n e w e r p r i n c i p a l s “ T h e g o a l f o r t h i s
a r i n c r e a
s t u d e n t a c h i e v e m e n t , i n c r e a s e t r u s t , a c c o u n t a b i l i t y a n d c o m m u n i c a t i o n , ”
V i l a r d i s a i d
A n o t h e r g o a l i s c l o s i n g t h e a c h i e v e -
m e n t g a p t h a t C O V I D c a u s e d , h e s a i d
V i l a r d i s a i d t h o s e C O V I D y e a r s r e a l l y
a f f e c t e d t h o s e w h o a r e i n f o u r t h a n d f i f t h
g r a d e n o w a s t h e y m i s s e d s o m e o f t h e
f o u n d a t i o n a l y e a r s i n e d u c a t i o n T h e d i s -
t r i c t i s l o o k i n g a t t h e s k i l l s m i s s e d a n d
w h a t i n t e r v e n t i o n s c a n b e p u t i n t o p l a c e
t o m e e t t h o s e n e e d s
V i l a r d i s a i d t h e y a r e l o o k i n g a t e v e r y
p i e c e o f c u r r i c u l u m , s o t h e y c a n i n c r e a s e
l e a r n i n g a n d e n g a g e m e n t T h e d i s t r i c t i s l o o k i n g a t c l i e n t e l e i n e a c h r e g i
t e r m i n e w h a t t h e c u r r i c u l u m i s g o i n g t o
District 5: Top two vote-getters will advance to General Election in November
From page 15
C o m m i t t e e , P l a n n i n g & Z o n i n g C o m m i s s i o n , N a t i o n a l
L e a g u e o f C i t i e s , S W F L L e a g u e o f C i t i e s , P a r k s a n d
R e c r e a t i o n A d v i s o r y B o a r d , C o m m u n i t y
R e d e v e l o p m e n t A g e n c y , a n d A v e d a E a r t h M o n t h
D o n a t i o n D r i v e “ I a m r u n n i n g f o r c o u n c i l t o r e p r e s e n t t h o s e o f u s w h o h a v e l i v e d h e r e o v e r 3 0 y e a r s t h a t h a v e l e a r n e d t h r o u g h t h e g r o w t h , s t r u g g l e s , a n d h u r r i c a n e s w h a t i t t a k e s t o k e e p t h e c i t y m o v i n g f o
Matt Caldwell (incumbent)
Seat sought: Lee County Property Appraiser
Party: Republican Age: 42
Occupation: Lee County Property Appraiser, consultant
Education: Degree in hist o r y , F l o r i d a G u l f C o a s t
University
Years in Lee County: 7th generation Floridian, grew up in Lee County, Alva resident
Family: Married and raising a daughter
Campaign website: https://votecaldwell org/
Steve Cunningham
Seat sought: Lee County Property Appraiser
Party: Republican Age: 71
Occupation: Real Estate appraiser, broker and CEO o f C u n n i n g h a m R e a l t y
Advisory Group
Education: Bachelor of Science Degree, University of Illinois
Years in Lee County: 48
years as a practicing real estate appraiser, broker and consultant
Family: One son, two sisters, lot of nieces and nephews
Campaign website: www steveforlee com
c
a n c e a n d b a n ki n g , a g r i c u l t u r e , n a t u r a l r e s o u r c e s a n d p u b l i c l a n d s , t r a n s p o r t a t i o n a n d i n f r a s t r u c t u r e , l o c a l , f e d e r a l , a n d
m i l i t a r y a f f a i r s , a n d o v e r s i g h t o f g o v e r n m e n t o p e r at i o n s , s u c h a s p e n s i o n s a n d e l e c t i o n s “ I a m e a g e r t o s e r v e L e e C o u n t y a s t h e e l e c t e d P r o p e r t y A p p r a i s e r f o r a s e c o n d t e r m , ” C a l d w e l l s a i d “ M y g o a l i s t o b e a c o n s t a n t a d v o c a t e f o r t h e t a x p a y e r , w h e t h e r t h a t i s i n a d m i n i s t e r i n g
From page 1
r e l e a s e d T u e s d a y e v e n i n g : " T o t h e p e o p l e o f C
m e s t h i n g s
p e C o r a l ,
r e n ’ t a l w a y s a s t h e y a p p e a r . I h a v e c h o s e n w h i c h b a t t l e i s t h e m o s t i m p o r t a n t t o f i g h t a n d i t ’ s m y h e a l t h a n d f a m i l y
c h a l l e n g e i n t o h o p e a n d r e s i l i e n c e , o n e d a y a t a t i m
F o r w e l i v e b y f a i t h , n o t b y s i g h t ' 2 C o r i n t h i a n s 5 : 7 " I e x t e n d m y h e a r t f e l t t h a n k s f o r y o u r i n c r e d i b l e s u p -
p o r t d u r i n g t h e s e c h a l l e n g i n g t i m e s Y o u r e n c o u r a g e -
m e n t a n d u n d e r s t a n d i n g h a v e b e e n a t r e m e n d o u s
s o u r c e o f s t r e n g t h I a m d e e p l y g r a t e f u l f o r y o u r k i n d -
n e s s , p r a y e r s a n d f o r s t a n d i n g b y m e
" T h a n k y o u a n d G o d B l e s s . "
T h e i n v e s t i g a t i o n i n t o C u m m i n g s ' s r e s i d e n c y s t a r t e d w i t h a c i t i z e n c o m p l a i n t
J u l i a E t t a r i , w h o l o d g e d t h e s i g n e d c o m p l a i n t f i r s t
s e n t t o F l o r i d a A t t o r n e y G e n e r a l A s h l e y M o o d y , s a i d s h e b e l i e v e s t h e m o r e t h a n $ 2 3 , 0 0 0 i t c o s t t h e c i t y a n d t a x p a y e r s t o i n v e s t i g a t e C u m m i n g s s h o u l d b e p a i d
b a c k “ W h e r e i s t h e r e s t i t u t i o n f o r t h e v i c t i m s ? ” E t t a r i s a i d “ W h e n y o u p l e a d g u i l t y , t h e v i c t i m s a r e s u p p o s e d t o h a v e r e s t i t u t i o n - - t h e v i c t i m s i n t h i s c a s e b e i n g t h e
C a p e C o r a l c i t i z e n s C i t i z e n s s h o u l d b e g e t t i n g b a c k t h e
m o n e y t h a t s h e c o s t t h e m I d o n o t u n d e r s t a n d w h y
t h a t ' s n o t h a p p e n i n g . T h e p e o p l e t h a t d o n a t e d t o h e r c a m p a i g n T h e p e o p l e t h a t s h e s t o l e f r o m , w h i c h w a s t h e c i t i z e n s , a n d t h e m o n e y s h e w a s p a i d ( w h i l e s e r v i n g
Statement from for mer council member Patty Cummings
"To the people of Cape Coral, "Sometimes things aren’t always as they appear I have chosen which battle is the most important to fight and it’s my health and family.
"I am Embracing the unknown with an open heart with my family and dear friends, we’re turning this challenge into hope and resilience, one day at a time 'For we live by faith, not by sight' 2 Corinthians 5:7
"I extend my heartfelt thanks for your incredible support during these challenging times Your encouragement and understanding have been a tremendous source of strength I am deeply grateful for your kindness, prayers and for standing by me
"Thank you and God Bless "
a s a c o u n c i l m e m b e r ) i s s u p p o s e d t o g o b a c k P l u s t h e m o n e y f o r t h e
K e n n
f i n d i n g s i n c l u d e :
1 O n o r a b o u t M a y 9 , 2 0 2 2 , i n L e e C o u n t y , F l o r i d a , P a t t y L e e C u m m i n g s d i d u n l a w f u l l y a n d k n o w i n g l y m a k e f a l s e s t a t e m e n t , k n o w i n g l y c o n c e a l m a t e r i a l f a c t , o r o t h e r w i s e c o m m i t f r a u d i n a n a p p l i c a t i o n f o r d r i v e r l i c e n s e o r i d e n t i f i c a t i o n c a r d , c o n t r a r y F l o r i d a S t a t e
S t a t u t e 3 2 2 2 1 2 ( 5 ) ( a )
2 O n o r a b o u t J u n e 1 4 , 2 0 2 2 , i n L e e C o u n t y , F l o r i d a , P a t t y L e e C u m m i n g s d i d u n l a w f u l l y a n d w i l l -
f u l l y s w e a r o r a f f i r m f a l s e l y t o a n o a t h o r a f f i r m a t i o n i n c o n n e c t i o n w i t h o r a r i s i n g o u t o f v o t i n g o r e l e c t i o n s , c o n t r a r y t o F l o r i d a S t a t e S t a t u t e 1 0 4 0 1 1 ( 1 ) 3 O n o r a b o u t N o v e m b e r 1 8 , 2 0 2 2 , i n L e e C o u n t y , F l o r i d a , P a t t y L e e C u m m i n g s d i d u n l a w f u l l y a n d w i l lf u l l y s w e a r o r a f f i r m f a l s e l y t o a n o a t h o r a f f i r m a t i o n i n c o n n e c t i o n w i t h o r a r i s i n g o u t o f v o t i n g o r e l e c t i o n s , c o n t r a r y t o F l o r i d a S t a t e S t a t u t e 1 0 4 0 1 1 (
By JOHNATHAN MINEHAN news@breezenewspapers com
The business community got an update on the post-Ian housing market Tuesday.
The Real Estate Investment Society held its monthly luncheon at the Pelican Preserve Clubhouse Tuesday to discuss the future and status of real estate in the wake of the near category-5 hurricane that devastated Lee County’s coastal communities
The meeting also touched on the latest trends
The Clubhouse was filled with attendees from businesses essential to rebuilding efforts construction companies, roofing firms, real estate agents, and more Sallee Promotions Inc , a business that s
Hurricane Ian, sponsored the meeting The business was looking to expand and grow and saw that a contract with several of the schools in Lee County as a great way to start
“When I say school uniforms, I’m not just talking about a web store I’m talking about inventory So, I will never compare myself to Amazon, but when people walk into our office, they leave with the product So we have ready-to-go school uniforms for our contract at school We married that with a web store option where parents can order online ” Nate Sallee, owner, said Matt Caldwell, Lee County property appraiser, led the presentation and spoke of the duties of an appraiser and the job, as well as his research on the county and the real estate market
Caldwell was a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 2010 to 2018 and was elected to serve as property appraiser in 2020
the tax value gradually increasing countrywide In 2021, the countrywide value was $ 1 3 5 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 , a n d i t i s n o w
$235,000,000,000
“Well, we have a hurricane that wipes improvements off the land You need to have a land value that reflects what the actual situation is And so we have begun to rebuild We’ve not excluded these We’re still using extraction allocation, but we’re now going to include a sales comparison. The mass appraisal model will be applied to all of the land We’ve used it in certain categories, in certain types, but everybody’s going to get that treatment ” Caldwell said
What this plan means for Lee County p r o p e r t y o w n e r s i s t h a
steadily increased after the storm, and the county continues to make these efforts as it moves forward
For buyers and sellers, Caldwell and his team have constructed a website with videos entailing how to interact with the charts and graphs and what the trends are currently looking like within Southwest Florida
The team also plans to update its website with data on properties around canals and what the municipalities and county owns compared to what the citizens own
Caldwell explained the efforts the county has put into recovery after Ian and the tax recovery of homes and businesses within Lee County
“Twenty thousand property improvements essentially they came back on the tax roll This is where most of this taxable value recovery came from last year And I would expect, then, of course, to see that again,” Caldwell said, adding he expects to
see similar numbers next year
“I’d say, two-thirds of what was still outstanding should be back on the roll next year, based on what we see the biggest obstacles,” Caldwell said Caldwell touched on the three aspects t
including sales comparisons, extraction (depreciated cost), and allocation (ratio) Graphs and charts in the presentation show
The Real Estate Investment Society will discuss the Punta Gorda Airport and the plans for that area at its next meeting, which will be Sept 10
This information update will be key in making it efficient for real estate agents, buyers, and sellers
To attend the next meeting, you can sign u p b y v i s i t i n g h t t p s : / / w w w r e i sswfl org/event-details html?eventid=1136
Sposen Signature Homes celebrating 10th anniversary with appreciation events
Sposen Signature Homes has announced its 10th anniversary this August, marking a decade of excellence in semi-custom home building in Southwest Florida To c o m m e m o r a t e t h i s s i g n i f i c a n t m i l e s t o n e , S p o s e n
Signature Homes is dedicating the entire month to celebrating the clients, Realtors, partners and community members who have played a vital role in the company’s success
Since its founding in 2014, Sposen Signature Homes has built close to 600 homes, offering a range of models tailored to meet the diverse needs of its clients Over the past 10 years, the company has grown from a small local builder to a leading name in Southwest Florida, known for its affordable price points and quality builds
Throughout August, Sposen Signature Homes will host a variety of events and promotions to show appreciation and give back to those who have supported the company over the past decade
Sposen Signature Homes is at 2311 Santa Barbara Blvd , #112, Cape Coral For more information, call 239-244-8886 or visit
Grand opening for new
Goodwill in Cape set for Aug. 26
Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida will holding a grand opening at the new west Cape Coral store Monday, Aug 26, with a grand opening at 8:30 a m
The first 100 customers at the new store at 1499 S W Pine Island Road, will receive a $10 Goodwill Gift Card, which can be redeemed only at the Goodwill Southwest Florida locations in Lee, Collier, Charlotte and Hendry counties The card cannot be exchanged for cash, check or credit, and no cash will be given for an unused portion
The store's hours are Monday through Saturday, 9 a m to 7 p m , and Sundays from 10 a m to 7 p m
Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida is located at 5100 Tice St , Fort Myers
For additional information, visit Goodwill's website at https://goodwillswfl org/
Burlington Stores Inc , a national discount retailer, is opening a new store in Fort Myers. The new store brings the total number of stores in the state to 113 With more than 1,020 stores open nationwide at the end of Q1 2024, Burlington is proud to offer customers deals on quality top brands and the chance to find something new every time they shop
The Fort Myers location at 13300 S Cleveland Ave, Suite 13
Store hours are Sunday through Thursday, 8 a m to 10 p m , and Friday and Saturday, 8 a m to midnight
On Friday and Saturday, Sept 13-14, following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the first 100 customers, aged 18 and up, enjoy a $10 Bonus Card to be used toward their purchase!
On Sunday, Sept 15, customers will receive a free Burlington umbrella, while supplies last, no purchase necessary
For information, visit www burlington com
As part of its Kindness Kid initiative, Busey Bank recognizes a child from the places it serves who has shown extraordinary compassion and gone above and beyond to help someone else
Nominations for Kindness Kid are currently open and will be accepted through Friday, Aug 30 Each child will be selected based on the merit of their deed(s) and generosity displayed to their community Nominees must be younger than 18 years old
Winner(s) will be announced the week after the nomination period closes and recognized through Busey’s social media channels
Visit busey com/kindnesskid to submit a nomination and to view official rules and eligibility
For more about Busey Bank, visit busey com
Brews from Bikini Bottom celebrate 25th anniversary of animated Nickelodeon series
Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants, Bones Coffee Company has announced the launch of its new coffee collection inspired by the fan-favorite animated series
The collection includes three all new flavors with thematic mugs to go with them
“So many of our Bones Coffee fans love SpongeBob SquarePants, and we are thrilled to work with Paramount Consumer Products on this new collection celebrating a quarter century of this animated icon,” said Travis Rule, CEO and co-owner of Bones Coffee Company, a family-owned and operated business “We can’t wait for SpongeBob SquarePants superfans and coffee lovers to get their hands on these exciting new flavors ”
The SpongeBob SquarePants collec-
tion is available in three flavors:
■ Bikini Bottom Brew coffee, a pineapple upside down cake flavor with buttery cake and hints of caramelized, brown-sugar covered pineapple
■ Goofy Goober Sundae coffee, a brew combining smooth ice cream and ripe banana flavors
■ Soufflé Symphony coffee, a mix of rich, chocolatey layers of flavor
SpongeBob SquarePants collection are available in 12 oz. bags of Whole Beans and Ground Coffee ($17 99) and Bones
($17 99) at bonescoffee com
The SpongeBob SquarePants-inspired Handthrown Mugs for each flavor are sold separately ($42) at bonescoffee com All Bones Coffee products are made
Rainforest Alliance Certified Bones Coffee is at 79 Mid Cape Terrace, #8, Cape Coral. For additional information, please call 239-323-9959
Frey & Son Homes, a custom home builder with over 50 years of experience in Southwest Florida, is extending a helping hand to homeowners impacted by the recent closure of Beattie Development The company is committed to assisting customers who have been left in limbo by offering to discuss options for completing their unfinished homes
Recognizing the significant disruption and uncertainty facing these homeowners, Frey & Son Homes is eager to leverage its extensive resources and expertise to bring much-needed relief. With a proven track record of building exceptional homes, the company is confident in its ability to seamlessly continue projects and deliver the dream homes these customers have been anticipating
“We understand the disappointment and frustration that Beattie Development’s closure has caused,” said Barry Frey, president of Frey & Son Homes “Our goal is to provide a smooth transition for affected homeowners and
ensure their projects are completed to the highest standards We invite anyone who has been impacted by this situation to contact Niska Gazlay, Sales Manager Lee County at 239-699-6938 to discuss their options ”
Clients of Beattie Development and the public are welcome to visit the Frey & Son model home center located at 2579 Surfside Blvd in Cape Coral so they can see firsthand the quality of a Frey & Son home Frey & Son Homes is dedicated to building strong relationships with its clients and is committed to providing exceptional customer service throughout the entire homebuilding process.
Founded in 1972 by Doris and Bill Frey, Sanibel Homes was launched on Sanibel Island Joined by son Barry in 1985, Frey & Son Homes was born Since then, the team has been building homes for clients all over Southwest Florida, from Marco Island to Cape Coral
For more information, call 239-495-8200, email info@freyandson com or visit www freyandson com
The Greater Fort Myers Chamber installed its 2024-25 board of directors, officers and new members for the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce During its third annual Chamber Awards on July 25, board members were sworn in by Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Anderson
The chamber’s board of directors will be led by Board Chair Jay Johnson, owner of Bubba’s Roadhouse & Saloon; joined by Vice Chair Jen Whyte, owner of Fort Myers Brewing Company; Second Vice Chair Rodney Ford, territory director, south region for Coca-Cola Beverages Florida; and Immediate Past Chairman Michele Hoover, managing partner of Solomon & Hoover CPAs
Board members also include Daniel Adams, Stevens Construction; Mark Blust, Prawnbroker Restaurant & Fish Market; Dr Ryan Brown, Lee Health; Mike Cannington; Jesi Crane, Northwestern Mutual – Jesse Bouchard Financial Group; Dan Detrick, CopyLady Inc.; Ashleigh Droz, Florida Gulf Coast University; Kelly T Drumm, KTD Accounting and Consulting LLC; Neftali Feliciano, Cancer Alliance of Naples; Phil Gaylor (Ex-Officio); Lee
Golden, Sanibel Captiva Community Bank; Randall P Henderson, Corbin Henderson Company Investment Real Estate; Matt Karastamatis, Florida SouthWestern State College; Heather Langdale, First Horizon; Jim Larkin, DoubleTree by Hilton Fort Myers at The Bell Tower Shops; Jeff Mielke (Ex-Officio), Lee County Sports Development; Alicia Miller, Children’s Advocacy Center of SWFL Inc ; Brandon Miller, Quantum Fiber; Joe Mitchell, Pool Pros Inc ; Randy Mitchelson, M&M Multimedia; Dean Piccirillo, HBKS Wealth Advisors; Todd Rauchenberger, PF&A Architect; Angela Schivinski, Florida Health Care News; Shawn Smith, Boston Red Sox JetBlue Park at Fenway South; Christopher T Spiro, Spiro & Associates; Adam Stachurski, Scotlynn; Doug Stevens, Stewart Title; Kelly Thawley, Florida SouthWestern State College; Melissa Vogt, Florida Weekly; Steve Weathers (ExOfficio), City of Fort Myers; and Andrew Williams, Spada Salon & Day Spa
For more about the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce, visit FortMyers org or call 239-332-2930
By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com
Cape Coral’s city attorney was awarded a near 21% raise Tuesday
C i t y A t
received an above-standard rating from the Cape Coral City Council during a special meeting with the elected board adjusting his base salary just under $300,000 a year
T
$247,500 approved a year ago when he
increase of more than $51,000 per year
He and the mayor will now work to
draft language for his new contract B o k
working for the city
t 2 0 2 3 after working as the
Sarasota County
include 20 weeks
Aleksandr Boksner
effective his fourth year should he be let go without cause It will remain at 16 weeks
until then
Councilmember Tom Hayden said his salary is still below the 75th percentile, a wage goal set by Council for city salaries
“He kind of based his salary a little low comparable to other cities,” he said
Hayden said Boksner has brought uniformity to the office and has aligned it to where they are more effective in writing ordinances and resolutions, as well as partnering with other law firms that the city may have to contract with for litigations, such as Chiquita Lock
“I think he has guided us well in certain cases during meetings, especially when it
comes to quasi-judicial matters He is very communicative during meetings It has been a strong point for me,” Hayden said, adding that if Boksner thought something was misinterpreted, he would correct the council legally
One of the asks from Hayden was for Boksner to write an employee evaluation of how they thought the first year went, as well as a look into the future
“I think he has had an effective first year,” Hayden said of his score of 3 8 out of 4 0
By CJ HADDAD
cjhaddad@breezenewspapers com
A man died of gunshot wounds in Cape Coral Tuesday night after he attacked his girlfriend’s brother and refused to stop although her child pointed a gun to save his uncle from future injury
Responding officers discovered Norbert Mess Junior, 55, with bullet wounds, laying in the field next to the street near Northwest 25th Place, according to Cape Coral Police Department officials
Officers provided aid but Mess was pronounced dead at the scene at 10:17 p m
CCPD officials said detectives determined that “the son shot Norbert Mess in self-defense to protect his mother and uncle from serious bodily injury or death ”
No charges will be filed, police said.
at him, and he continued to batter the uncle,” CCPD officials said
Police said the son was in fear for his uncle’s life, and “multiple shots were fired ”
Police said they executed search war-
“The woman called her brother to help her, and he came to the home to try to diffuse the situation When the brother arrived at the home, Norbert Mess was waiting
At a press conference Thursday afternoon, CCPD stated that during the Violent Crimes Unit investigation, detectives discovered that prior to the call to police, Mess and his girlfriend were involved in an argument
outside for him with a solid wooden rod and brass knuckles,” police stated
CCPD officials said the woman’s son, who is a minor and lives at the home, saw his uncle getting beaten
The minor retrieved a firearm, and pointed it in Mess’ direction to warn him
“Norbert Mess saw the firearm pointed
Northwest 25th Place, and that all parties involved cooperated with the investigation
CCPD officials said detectives determined that “the son shot Norbert Mess in self-defense to protect his mother and uncle from serious bodily injury or death ”
No charges will be filed, police said
The public is invited to attend an upcoming meeting about the Cape Coral Bridge Project – either in person or virtually The meeting continues Lee County’s and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Project Development and Environment Study, which is required to happen prior to design and construction
The Lee Board of County Commissioners is committed to planning for growth and alleviating congestion The Cape Coral Bridge Project is a strategic priority and has been the subject of several board workshops as well as a public meeting related to bridge and roadway approaches that was held June 20, 2023
Meeting presentation materials were posted online at the project website Aug 7 Project documents also will be available for public viewing until Sept 11 at the Cape Coral-Lee County Public Library, 921 S W 39th Terrace, Cape Coral, FL 33914, and at Lakes Regional Library, 15290 Bass Road, Fort Myers, FL 33919.
A third option exists for those unable to attend in person or virtually Comments can be provided through the project website or via email at info@capecoralbridgeproject com You can also mail comments to Lee DOT (attention Vince Miller), 1500 Monroe St , Fort Myers, FL 33901 Or call 239-533-8580
Disabilities Act, Lee County will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities in its services, programs, or activities To request an auxiliary aid, services for effective communication or a reasonable modification to participate, contact Raphaela Morais-Peroba, 239-5338 7 8 2 , A
Service 711 Accommodation will be provided
to the requestor Requests should be made at least five business days in advance
The Aug 28 meeting, which is called a hearing, will be 5-7 p m at Florida Southwestern State College, Lee C a m p u s , U B
, 8 0 9 9 C
g
,
Parkway, Fort Myers, 33919 For those attending in person, there will be an open-house drop-in style format from 5-6 p m , with a formal presentation at 6 p m
For those who want to attend virtually, registration in a
www capecoralbridgeproject com The project team will be available for online discussion from 5-6 p m , and then virtual attendees can view the 6 p m formal presentation and provide comment
The PD&E study is evaluating potential improvements to the Cape Coral Bridge, which connects Cape Coral Parkway in the city of Cape Coral to College Parkway in south Fort Myers Its purpose is to address roadway capacity and overall traffic operations to alleviate existing traffic congestion, accommodate future growth, improve safety conditions and enhance bicycle and pedestrian connectivity.
The Aug. 28 hearing is being conducted to present the preferred alternative and all analysis to date, as well as to give interested residents an opportunity to express their views concerning the location, conceptual design, and social, economic and environmental effects of the proposed improvements
Lee County DOT is sending notices to property owners, business owners, interested persons and organizations within at least 300 feet of the project to provide the opportunity to give comments to DOT regarding this project
DOT solicits public participation without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability or family status In accordance with the Americans with
The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable Federal environmental laws for this project are being, or have been, carried out by FDOT pursuant to 23 U S C §327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated May 26, 2022, and executed by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and FDOT
To receive updates from Lee County Government, sign up for the newsletter at www leegov com/resources/ n
Facebook, www facebook com/leecountyflbocc
The Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida will host its annual public meeting to propose direct services under the Older Americans Act Monday, Aug 26, at 8 a m , in the agency's main conference room at 2830 Winkler Ave , suite 112, Fort Myers
The meeting, which is open to the public, is also available online: Microsoft Teams Meeting, ID 254 219 993 312, passcode wtDDvd
Services include education/training intake, technology
group, tailored caregiver assessment and referral, health and the following wellness workshops:
■ A Matter of Balance
■ Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (Living Healthy)
■ Powerful Tools for Caregivers
■ Savvy Caregiver
■ Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program
■ Arthritis Foundation Tai Chi
■ Walk With Ease
■ Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance
The Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida is a nonprofit organization serving Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hendry, Lee and Sarasota counties AAASWFL is the state's designated Aging and Disability Resource Center for Southwest Florida The organization is committed to connecting older adults and adults with disabilities to resources and assistance for living safely with independence and dignity
Additional information is available at https://www. aaaswfl org or by calling the toll-free Helpline at 866-41ELDER
E l e c t i o n s i s b y 7 p m o n A u g 2 0
A c c o r d i n g t o t h e L e e C o u n t y
E l e c t i o n s O f f i c e , a s o f T h u r s d a y a f t e rn o o n , 7 7 , 9 1 2 v o t e s h a v e b e e n t a l l i e d
t h u s f a r , r e s u l t i n g i n a 1 6 3 8 % t u r n o u t o f t h e m o r e t h a n 4 7 5 , 0 0 0 a c t i v e r e g i s t e r e d
v o t e r s O f t h o s e b a l l o t s , 6 9 , 0 7 8 w e r e v i a
m a i l , w i t h 8 , 8 3 1 b e i n g i n - p e r s o n a t
E a r l y V o t i n g s i t e s H a n d - d e l i v e r e d b a l l o t s m a y b e
d r o p p e d o f f a t a n y o f t h e L e e C o u n t y
E l e c t i o n s O f f i c e s , M o n d a y t h r o u g h
F r i d a y , f r o m 8 : 3 0 a m t o 5 p m o r o n
E l e c t i o n D a y , f r o m 8 : 3 0 a m t o 7 p m
V o t e - b y - m a i l b a l l o t s m a y a l s o b e
d r o p p e d o f f a t a u t h o r i z e d S e c u r e B a l l o t
I n t a k e S t a t i o n s l o c a t e d a t e a c h e a r l y v o ti n g s i t e d u r i n g t h e e a r l y v o t i n g p e r i o d
D o y l e s a i d h i s o f f i c e h a s p r e p a r e d
d i l i g e n t l y t o e n s u r e e v e r y b a l l o t c a s t i s a c c u r a t e , l e g i t i m a t e , a n d c o u n t e d c o r -
r e c t l y . T h e E l e c t i o n s O f f i c e s h a r e d s o m e
w a y s t h e y p r e p a r e f o r v o t e r s t o h e a d t o t h e p o l l s : ■ C o d i n g a n d t e s t i n g o f e l e c t i o n e q u i p m e n t , i n c l u d i n g t a b u l a t o r s a n d
e l e c t r o n i c p o l l b o o k s , t o e n s u r e e v e r y -
t h i n g i s w o r k i n g p r o p e r l y
■ T i m e l y a c q u i s i t i o n o f e a r l y v o t i n g
s i t e s ■ L o g i s t i c a l c o o r d i n a t i o n o f t h e
d e l i v e r y a n d p i c k u p o f a l l e l e c t i o n
e q u i p m e n t t o a n d f r o m e a r l y v o t i n g s i t e s
■ C o m p r e h e n s i v e p o l l w o r k e r t r a i ni n g a n d s c h e d u l i n g f o r a p p r o x i m a t e l y
5 0 0 e a r l y v o t i n g p o l l w o r k e r s
L e e C o u n t y e l e c t i o n o f f i c i a l s a r e
c h e c k i n g s i g n a t u r e s t o m a t c h t h o s e o n
f i l e f o r v o t e - b y - m a i l b a l l o t s a n d a t t h e v o t i n g b o o t h M a k e s u r e y o u r b a l l o t i s
is Election Day; lots
i
n
t u r e V o t e r s w i l l h a v e u n t i l t h e
v e r i f y t h e i r s i g n a t u
D i
c
7 r a c e t o a p p e a r o n l y o n t h e G e n e r a l E l e c t i o n b a l l o t W h i l e c a n d id a t e s m u s t l i v e i n t h e d i s t r i c t t h e y s
k t o r e p r e
, C a p e C o
C i t y C o u n c i l r a c e s a r e n o n - p a r t i s a n , c i t y w i d e r a c e s , m e a n -
n g e v e r y r e g i s t e r e d C a p e v o t e r , n o m a tt e r t h e i r p a r t y a f f i l i a t i o n o r c i t y a d d r e s s , m a y c a s t a b a l l o t i n e v e r y r a c e i n b o t h t h e P r i m a r y a n d G e n e r a l E l e c t i o n ■ I n D i s t r i c t 2 , i n c u m b e n t D a n
S h e p p a r d , L a u r i e L e h m a n n a n d C r a i g
U n r o e , h a v e q u a l i f i e d ■ I n D i s t r i c t 3 , t h e s e a t i s h e l d b y
■ I n D i s t r i c t 5 , i n c u m b e n t M i k e
G r e e n w e l l ( R E P ) , A m a n d a C o c h r a n ( R E P ) w i l l f a c e o f f i n t h e p r i m a r y T h e w i n n e r w i l l f a c e K i z z i e F o w l e r ( D E M ) i n N o v e m b
T o m H a y d e n w h o h a s a n n o u n c e d h e w i l l
n o t s e e k r e - e l e c t i o n , D e r r i c k D o n n e l l ,
C h a d B r u e n i n g , D a n i e l J . L u d l o w a n d
D e b o r a h L e e M c C o r m i c k h a v e q u a l i f i e d
■ I n D i s t r i c t 4 , i n c u m b e n t R i c h a r d
C a r r , W i l l i a m M a t t h e w s , f o r m e r D i s t r i c t
4 c o u n c i l m e m b e r J e n n i f e r N e l s o n a n d
R o b e r t J S u t t e r a n d h a v e q u a l i f i e d
■ I n D i s t r i c t 5 , i n c u m b e n t R o b e r t
W e l s h , J a s o n C o n z e l m a n , J o s e p h
K i l r a i n e a n d C h a r l i e P e a s e h a v e q u a l i -
f i e d
■ I n D i s t r i c t 7 , J e s s i c a C o s d e n h a s
t e r m - l i m i t e d o u t a n d s o c a n n o t s e e k r e -
e l e c t i o n M i c h a e l D a v i d H a r p e r a n d
R a c h e l K a d u k h a v e q u a l i f i e d .
L e e C o u n t y C o m m i s s i o n T h e r e a r e t h r e e L e e C o u n t y
C o m m i s s i o n s e a t s u p t h i s y e a r T w o w i l l
b e o n t h e p r i m a r y b a l l o t
■ I n D i s t r i c t 1 , i n c u m b e n t K e v i n
R u a n e , a R e p u b l i c a n , h a s b e e n e l e c t e d a s
a n u n o p p o s e d i n c u m b e n t
■ I n D i s t r i c t 3 , R a y S a n d e l l i i s n o t s e e k i n g r e - e l e c t i o n D a v i d M u l i c k a
( R E P ) , M a t t h e w R T h o r n t o n ( R E P ) w i l l
f a c e o f f i n t h e p r i m a r y J a k e C a t a l d o ,
W r i t e - I n c a n d i d a t e , a l s o q u a l i f i e d f o r t h e
G e n e r a l E l e c t i o n
c e n o ( R E P ) h a s q u a l i f i e d , a s h a s M i c h a e l D H o l l o w ( W r i t e - I n ) ■ L e e C o u n t y T
The city of Cape Coral contracts solid waste removal services to help keep the city's streets clean and safe. Residential waste collection begins at 5 a m from May 1 through Sept 30 each year to help combat the summer heat
Each residence is provided a tan bin for household waste and a green bin for recyclables The city owns these bins, which must remain with the dwelling
Residents should familiarize themselves with trash collection protocols to optimize available services and comply with city requirements
■ Trash collection services run MondayFriday Check your area's trash day online at https://www capecoral gov/ department/public works/general support services division/solid waste php
■ Garbage, recycling, yard waste and bulk
waste are collected on the same day
■ Service does not occur on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving or Christmas
When any of these six holidays falls on a weekday, trash service will be delayed one day from the holiday for the remainder of the week
■ Bins should be placed at the road's edge, with wheels and handles facing the house
■ When your garbage bin is full, extra garbage should be placed in plastic bags next to the cart
■ Extra recycling should be set out in a clearly labeled cardboard box
■ Neither can weigh more than 50 pounds.
■ Bulk items should not be stacked and easy for two people to pick up
■ Cardboard should be broken down and placed in the recycle bin
■ All items need to be placed within 3 feet of the road
■ Any item that can fit in a trash bin should be placed in the bin
■ "Move-Outs" are not part of the normal bulk pick-up process and must be scheduled for removal Please note: A fee may be imposed
From page 1
operation, and well-being of its animals
“Last year we raised $40,000 and we hope to exceed that amount this year,” said CCAS Executive Director Liz McCauley “The money raised goes directly to the care of the animals we take in These animals often come to us requiring thousands of dollars in medical care Most have never had any throughout their lives Some are heart wormpositive, and many are sick or require surgery The majority need to be spayed and neutered All proceeds from the auction will go to their medical expenses because they all deserve a second chance and a forever home ”
Donated items will be displayed online, and supporters will have the opportunity to bid on various items through a secure online platform
CCAS officials said various local businesses and individuals came forward to help the animal shelter Bidders are able to view the link on the CCAS website, social media, and through shared links throughout the community
“We are so grateful to the many businesses and individuals who donated to our auction, and we have some amazing items,” McCauley said “We truly could not do what we do without the continued support of our shelter from so many in the community We
have an outstanding committee of volunteers who canvas the area asking for donations and help organize all the items which is a huge undertaking We could not do this auction without their help ”
McCauley said the auction will have everything from exquisite jewelry and health and beauty items to beautiful artwork from local artists and, of course, pet-themed items. Some of her favorite auction items feature experience packages from local attractions such as Downtown Fort Myers, The Westin of Cape Coral, Margaritaville, and Fisherman’s Village in Punta Gorda There are handcrafted, one-of-a-kind treasures, spa packages, and unique getaways all available to bid on from a computer or phone All proceeds from this virtual fundraiser will go to assist the Cape Coral Animal Shelter in caring for the 100-plus animals in its care
daily
“The impact of the is immense,” McCauley said “We have seen a significant increase in the number of unwanted and abandoned animals over the last year and, in general, donations have been down This auction is a great opportunity for us to showcase local businesses and individuals and raise muchneeded funds at the same time. Plus, you can get some great deals on some awesome items ”
McCauley added, “We operate at maximum capacity every single day and often take animals with severe medical conditions, puppies, kittens, senior animals that have been abandoned We are constantly reinventing the
Residents can drop off bulk waste at the North Cape Government Complex, 1200 Kismet Parkway, Tuesday through Saturday, from 8 a m to 4 p m The site can be accessed from Northwest 14th Avenue
When a resident hires a company to work on fences, provide landscaping services, trim trees, etc , the service provider is responsible for disposing of all debris and rubbish They may not leave anything behind for City contractors to collect
The city holds semi-annual drop-off events to collect bulk items and household chemical waste at City Hall, 1015 Cultural Park Blvd Large, gently used donation items will also be accepted The next dropoff event will be held Nov 2, from 7-11 a m
way we’ve always done things to continue to raise enough money to care for our animals We hope this community will enjoy the auction and continue to support our mission ”
Since opening in March of 2020, CCAS has found loving, forever homes for more than 4,700 unwanted and abandoned animals, and their low-cost clinic provides full services to over 7,000 clients and their pets. For a complete list of auction items, to bid, and for more information, visit www capecoralanimalshelter auctions networkforgood co m/auctions/2024-cape-coral-animal-shelterauction
CCAS is at 325 Southwest 2nd
The city of Cape Coral contracts solid waste removal services to help keep the city's streets clean and safe Residential waste collection begins at 5 a m from May 1 through Sept 30 each year to help combat the summer heat
Each residence is provided a tan bin for household waste and a green bin for recyclables The city owns these bins, which must remain with the dwelling.
R
selves with trash collection protocols to optimize available services and comply with city requirements
■
Monday-Friday Check your area's trash day online at https://www capecoral gov/
port services division/solid waste php
■ Garbage, recycling, yard waste and
bulk waste are collected on the same day
■ Service does not occur on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving or Christmas
When any of these six holidays falls on a weekday, trash service will be delayed one day from the holiday for the remainder of the week
■ Bins should be placed at the road's edge, with wheels and handles facing the house
■ When your garbage bin is full, extra garbage should be placed in plastic bags next to the cart
■ Extra recycling should be set out in a clearly labeled cardboard box
■ Neither can weigh more than 50 pounds
■ Bulk items should not be stacked and easy for two people to pick up
■ Cardboard should be broken down and placed in the recycle bin
■ All items need to be placed within 3 feet of the road
■ Any item that can fit in a trash bin should be placed in the bin
■ "Move-Outs" are not part of the normal bulk pick-up process and must be scheduled for removal Please note: A fee
may be imposed
Bulk Waste Drop-Off:
Residents can drop off bulk waste at the North Cape Government Complex, 1200 Kismet Parkway, Tuesday through Saturday, from 8 a m to 4 p m The site can be accessed from Northwest 14th Avenue
When a resident hires a company to work on fences, provide landscaping services, trim trees, etc , the service provider is responsible for disposing of all debris and rubbish They may not leave anything behind for City contractors to collect
Household Chemical Waste:
The city holds semi-annual drop-off events to collect bulk items and household c
Cultural Park Blvd Large, gently used donation items will also be accepted The next drop-off event will be held Nov 2, from 7-11 a.m.
T h e L e e B o a r d o f C o u n t y Commissioners voted Tuesday, Aug 6, to accept about $407,750 from the Florida Department of Children and Families for housing and services for people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness
The funding is expected to serve about 576 individuals before June 30, 2025 The funds are divided among four grant programs:
■ C h a l l e n g e G r a n t ( $ 1 4 8 , 5 0 0 )Administered by Lee County Human & Veteran Services direct services staff to provide housing and services to an estimated 420 individuals who are experiencing, or at risk of homelessness
■ Emergency Solutions
G r a n t ( $ 1 0 5 , 5 2 5 )A d m i n i s t e r e d b y L e e County Human & Veteran Services to fund street out-
r e a c h w o r k e r s t o e n g a g e persons living in places not intended for human habitation and connect them with
h o u s i n g a n d s u p p o r t i v e services necessary to end their homelessness It also includes a Rapid Rehousing
P r o g r a m w h i c h p r o v
d e s move-in and rental assistance. It is estimated that
street outreach and 12 individuals will be assisted through rapid rehousing
■ Temporary Assistance for Needy Families - Prevention Grant ($46,582)Administered through a sub-recipient cont
Development Corp. to provide case management and assistance with past due rent
becoming homeless It is estimated that 24 individuals will be assisted
) -
Administered through a sub-recipient contract with Lee County Homeless Coalition to support the Coalition to improve the
overall quality of life for individuals/families who are homeless through advocacy and coordination with community partners
The Lee County Continuum of Care i
advocates and program users who collectively plan and implement programs to serve persons who are homeless or at
Human & Veteran Services coordinate this
effort, and the county submits grant applications for State of Florida Department of Children and Families funding as the lead agency
To receive updates from Lee County Government, sign up for the newsletter at www.leegov.com/resources/ newsletters.
The water was so hot this past Wednesday afternoon that we had to put on a new soft plastic grub every third or fourth cast as they kept melting off the jighead!
Well, not really and anyway in this heat, I’m strictly on the night shift which makes it almost tolerable If you must fish the inshore day shift, pick a moving tide period and fishing west of the Intracoastal Waterway might produce better results
One thing for sure, beach snooking is at its summer peak and is a good pick for your next day or night trip by boat or on foot
Tarpon are definitely on the night prowl for chow as well and hunting
t h e S a n i b e l C a u s e w a y a n d C a p e b r i d g e s i s always a good bet this time of year, although you might be distracted by “by-catch” like the fat and just a hair under 40inch snook I wrestled to the boat this past week
Capt. George Tunison
n i g h t t a r p o n f i s h i n g using a black Hogy eel Although Boca Grande numbers have thinned considerably, tarpon are still there with many now using it to move between the harbor holes, the coastline and Gulf, but being there fishing at night on a moving tide will still pay off
Another at night or early morning option would be to find the clearly marked deep water spots in the middle of Charlotte Harbor (check the FWC website for GPS numbers) and hang a live ladyfish under a balloon off the transom while casting jigs and soft plastic swimbaits ahead as you correct course with the electric motor If you have up-to-date electronics like side scan, finding them can become easier Coastal anglers will wait or slowly motor along looking for signs of moving or rolling fish sometimes right off the beach to several miles out.
Speaking of side scan and other modern tech marvels, I stumbled on a big bass tournament clip showing Scott Martin, son of famed angler Roland Martin, in his bass boat which looked like a four screen, drive-in theatre with two huge screens at the driver position, and two at the electric motor station up front Maybe in another year or so the technology will improve to the point that you’ll be able to scan the area, spot all the fish, the machine will determine the species, sex, length and weight, with all the info fed back to you on the screen Simply choose your target, hit the button and a harmless stun ray will
BEAT THE HEAT, page 39
By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers com
It’s that time of year once again where shoulder pads are being strapped on, chin straps are being tightened and high school football programs start chomping at the bit to get back onto the field
Friday nights are about to get turned up across Southwest Florida as countless talented teams call the region home
The Breeze will highlight West Zone and other local teams leading into the regular season to give fans an early look at their favorite team We sat down with each head coach and select players a series of questions on what they expect from their program
Look for continued coverage of local high school programs in The Breeze in upcoming editions as we continue the journey to Friday nights where the lights shine the brightest
Cape Coral High School
Head Coach: Tyler Murphy (1st Year)
2023 record: 4-6 (0-3 district)
Competes in: 5A District 10
First regular season game: Aug 23 at home vs North Fort Myers, 7:30 p m
After staring 4-0 last year and dropping its final six games, the Seahawks look to find some magic from the early stages of last season and push forward to stay consistent An assistant last season, Tyler Murphy takes over as head coach with the help of former NFL safety Jaylen Watkins, who was also on the coaching staff last year Cape has lofty goals for its squad, who is led by a group of seniors on both sides of the ball
(Questions below answered by Watkins, the defensive backs/assistant coach)
How do you feel as a program heading into the season?
“I feel really good We want to show these kids how to play this game at a high level, but also off the field how it can take care of you This game creates lifelong brotherhoods The relationships at this age are important And
From page 38
we're trying to incorporate that into winning some football games "”
Expectations from the team on and off the field?
“I expect to go out and compete At the end of the day, football is a competitive sport It's not going to always turn out the way that you want, but as long as we leave that field knowing we gave everything we got, the preparation was there, and that team beat us, we can live with it We try to teach our guys to compete in everything that they do and to give 100% effort. It might not turn your way, but at least you can be proud
“And off the field, obviously the education portion is big Just keeping our guys locked in at school and handling themselves correctly We also want to be good examples in the community The football team is a representation of the school and the city We try to instill in our guys that when you wear that jersey or don't, you have a responsibility to do it the right way and be leaders. Hopefully later in life, those trails translate to being a business owner, or great employee We try to show them how football correlates to life ”
How do you plan to build off of last season?
“Just getting these guys to not have the highs and lows Last year we started off high going 4-0 We lost one and then we tanked That's life Sometimes you have some highs and lows We're trying to build despite not having success last year, but to use that example of getting out of the mud if you lose one.”
How would you describe your coaching style/team identity?
“Being a former professional and having won a Super Bowl, I try to take everything that I learned from my teammates and coaches and implement it into these guys It's very hard to make it to that level I try to show them accountability on the field and off the field You have to be on time The first rule of getting better is showing up I'm doing my best to implement high-level college and NFL programs into our school system, and I'm proud of the guys Buying into the culture is what's most important, and if we do that, all of our processes as coaches will turn into wins
“I want to be fast, physical, accountable I want what we preach off the field to show up on the field No mistakes, no turnovers -- assignment style football I'm hoping this year we can go in with a clean head and make plays ”
What do you hope to take as a whole from this upcoming season?
“Our seniors, I don't know if these guys have had a winning record since they came into the program Our goal as a staff is to send them out the right way I want to be able to help them get that Just trying to give them the feeling of being proud to be a Cape Coral Seahawk ”
Expected challenges?
“The only challenges I see that we'll face is ourselves, and how we act internal-
ly when we do have a tough game or down 24 points How will we respond? There's not anything outside of our room or building that can hurt us. As long as well keep that family the main thing, we'll be fine ”
Players to watch this year?
■ Deiondre Joseph, tight end, senior
■ Nathaniel Hickson, defensive end, senior
■ Westin Alcime, defensive tackle, senior
■ Ivan Harvin, quarterback, senior
■ Richard West III, defensive end, senior
What has the team chemistry been like so far with the team?
“I think our chemistry has definitely built over this off-season We've got a culture at Cape where we can count on each other, and I can count on my teammates ” - Harvin
“I think that now more than ever, we've been more vulnerable with each other We know a lot about each other so we can connect on different levels outside of football, and that brings us together on the field Our team chemistry is definitely the best it's ever been ” - West III
How has the coaching staff pushed you to be your best heading into the year?
“The coaching staff has been pushing us during summer workouts They won't let us give up It's a great thing to have when you have a coach that keeps pushing you even when you want to quit ” - Joseph
“ O u r c o a c h e s o b v i o u s l y k n o w t h e game And we can learn from them I've learned so much from our coaches already It's really nice to have that experience ”Hickson
What do you think will make this group successful?
“The biggest key for us, and what brought us down last year, is complacency I think if we lean on each other and play as a team, we'll be successful ” - West II
“Getting in each other's heads and holding each other accountable Last year, a big problem for us would be us getting down if we were losing in the game A key for us is to hold one another accountable and going out there and keeping a clear head on the field.” - Joseph
Goals for the year?
“To come together as a team and to win districts and be district champions And of course, get to Tallahassee and win the state championship ” - Harvin
“We all have that same goal ” - Hickson, Harvin, West III, Joseph and Alcime
Head Coach: Brian Staats (1st year) 2023 record: 8-3 (3-0 district; District Champions)
Competes in: 5A District 10
First regular season game: Aug 23 at home vs Fort Myers, 7:30 p m
Having won its first district title since the late '90s, the Tritons are looking to continue the winning ways this season, but with a new head coach and playmakers Brian Staats, who brings decades of coaching experience both in high school and college
ball, takes over for Josh Nicholson as head coach of the program Mariner graduated its top players last season, but has a group of young men hungry to set the tone for what the program hopes to be moving forward, and that's a force in the West Zone
How do you feel as a program heading into the season?
“Good I think we've had a good start dating back to June We put them through some different things that I have done in my career More conditioning I think than maybe they've done in the past, which I'm a big believer that you're going to win games in the fourth quarter So I think we're in better shape We've had the opportunity to spend some time together so they get to know me a little bet better and vice versa, and take each other's strengths and put them to work ”
Expectations from the team on and off the field?
“I tell them all the time, we're going to represent Mariner High School They're going to represent themselves, their families, the school, the entire Mariner community And we're going to be leaders on and off the field We are going to give maximum effort in any and everything we do. If that's in class, or on the field Good things will come We're going to get focused up and go play our tails off ”
How do you plan to build off of last season?
“We want another district championship And we want to build on that Some of these guys didn't play as much because of the group that graduated They've waited in the wings, and now it's their turn They're going to take full advantage of that And (the previous class) got it started, to win the district championship. Now these guys are taking it upon themselves, it's their responsibility, to win another one and make that the standard as opposed to every so often It's their turn to make sure that happens ”
How would you describe your coaching style/team identity?
“I would say, I've been doing this a long time I've been around the game of football my entire life I don't know anything else And I don't know too many other ways to do it than how we do it I would say I bring an intensity to it. I'm very serious and very passionate about being a football coach And that comes out I have high expectations But at the same time, it's about building relationships We've taken the time to sit down with each player individually; and it's a little bit about football but it's a lot about each other and getting to know each other I will do anything and everything for these guys Once we truly understand that, these guys will run through a brick wall for me and what we're trying to do Part of my style is intensity, but it's intensity in all ways. If I have to stay up and call (college coaches) on the west coast because that's where they want to go to school, than OK
“Our identity, I think we're going to be in shape, tough and live up to being the Fightin' Tritons We're going to set the standard The standard is, we win football games at Mariner The district championship was not a fluke, that's now the
expectation and the standard ” What do you hope to take as a whole from this upcoming season?
“Helping guys wherever they need that help If they want to go on and play in college, I'll do everything I can to find them a place to go play If they don't, I'll do everything I can to help them get into school some place and be the best in whatever they want to do To be a positive influence for these guys ”
Expected challenges?
“I think some experience in some certain spots, based on the guys that graduated They took a lot of the reps We're going to have some guys that are going to take reps that didn't have as many last year Some depth at a couple of positions Setting the theme for the year, and getting more of our procedures and schedule going, which will be a bit of an adjustment I think we can have a good season and compete ” Players to watch this year?
■ Kameron Wilcox, linebacker, running back, senior
■ David Merveilleux, left guard, linebacker, senior
■ Nicholas Purdy, left tackle, senior
What has the team chemistry been like so far with the team?
"I believe we're just as strong as our weakest link And that's what we say all the time Chemistry is big for us And we all need to communicate on and off the field to build everyone together That's how we're going to play stronger and harder ”Wilcox
“I know we lost some key pieces, but a lot of these guys have those strong bonds and relationships I have my fellow teammates' back, and I know they have mine We're on the same page.” - Purdy
How has the coaching staff pushed you to be your best heading into the year?
“A coaching change is hard for some, but our new coaches came in and he came with a fierce intensity he likes to instill on us And it's been good It's been working ”Merveilleux
“It's definitely different, but something that can take us to the next level It's something we haven't experienced before, but it's something we can adapt to I think it will get us ready for the next level.” - Wilcox
What do you think will make this group successful?
“Our biggest thing is going to be coming together as a team With a new coach and players, we're still trying to figure out our identity, which is to be expected because of so many new pieces Once we click, we have the athletes and guys that want to play football We'll be a team to worry about ”Purdy
“Focus on and off the field You have to have your grades right to even play If you focus in school and at home, you can really succeed ” - Wilcox
Goals for the year?
“Win the district We want to win a playoff game We want to have a successful season Off the field, just really making sure we're doing the other things right -- in the classroom and in the community Being not just good players, but good men ” - Purdy
Beat the heat: Now’s a great time to try fishing the night shift
From page 38
reach out and immobilize the fish causing it to float to the surface for easy pick-up and photo ops.
It’s getting ridiculous Guess I’m old school and sorry in advance to bass tournament anglers, but I’d like to see all big buck, bass tournament boats equipped with the exact same, very basic depth finder and temperature readout machine, with anglers
instead relying on their knowledge of the species, habits and seasonal movements and locations to find their targets Maybe it’s just me
If you don’t desire a beach snook encounter, you’ve put away your tarpon gear and it’s way too hot to fight a big shark, then you’re probably looking forward to fall red fishing Actually on both sides of Charlotte Harbor, it’s already started with under, slot and over-slot fish being
caught along shady shorelines and docks spots, with cut bait or frozen/live shrimp attracting fish to the hook
Mostly gone are the huge schools of reds I first encountered after relocating here in 1999 Every October massive schools would show up in front of Burnt Store Marina and for the next three years I would often be the only boat in sight catching one after another as the sun woke up As the word got out it, of course, quickly
changed O
angling but unfortunately continued water pollution from multiple sources and ever increasing angler pressure continues to take a toll
Capt George Tunison is a Cape Coral resident fishing guide You can contact him at 239-282-9434 or via email at captgeorget3@aol com
CemeteryCremation
7:- $)4- +:A8<; 16 <0- -57:1)4 $7=<0 =<;1,- 0)8-4 )< 7:)4 #1,/- -5-<):A 16 )8- 7:)4 )44
!-:;76 367?4-,/-)*4- 76 16<-:6-< )6 ?7:3 .:75 075- )6, 7: 8-: ;76)4 );;1;<)6< $-617:; ?-4+75-
%0- )14-A )<<0-?; )<176)4 $0-44 =;-=5 9=):1=5 76 $)61*-4 ;--3; ) 8):< <15- )+141<A )6)/-: <7 );;1;< 16 5)16<-6)6+- )6, +):- 7. <0- .)+141<A )6, /:7=6,; 4-@1*4;+0-,=4- +758-<1<1>- 07=:4A ?)/)6, *-6-.1<; 16+4=,16/ <744 :-15*=:;5-6< -):6 57:- )< $0-44 =;-=5 7:/ +):--:; 16<-:6;018
)8- 7:)4 $)>76) !3?A )5 85 7?6;1B16/ $)4- =:61<=:- 1<+0-6 %774; %77 =+0 %7 1;<
0):4-; 1+3-6; 0:1;<5); '144)/07=;-; 07:;- +)::1)/-; ;5)44 )615)4 ;<)<=-; 0:1;<5); <:--; ? ;67? 8):3 /)<- -6<:)6+-; ? ;3)<16/ :163 84=; :-;1,-6<; )44 16 7:1/16)4 *7@-; 8+ 4)+3 4)+9=-: 51::7:-, 316/ ;1B- *-,:775 ;-< 16/ *-, -6, <)*4-; ,:-;;-: ? 51::7: )6, % ' *=:-)=
)8- $ <0 !4 :1 $)< )5 85 =:61<=:%=88-:?-): 7:616/?):- 1;0-; 4);;?):- 4-+<:761+; %774; )5-:); 744-+<1*4-; 7:-
4-Wheel Drive
2015Isuzu NPR16ftBoxTruck White,GVW16,000lbs, 408,050miles
3,500lb.TommyLiftGate $5000 CallHenry 239-425-8862
(, %)D= (, :->D=
$ , & ?144 75- %7 (7= %7 $-- < "=1+3 );A $)4& #" ' &$#' '16+-C C 7+)4
(, %)D= (, :->D=
$ , & ?144 75- %7 (7= %7 $-- < "=1+3 );A $)4& #" ' &$#' '16+-C C 7+)4
Rooms For Rent
#775 )>)14)*4- --, ) 41>- 16 0-48-: +758)6176 $75-76- <7 *<0-:- 1. 6--, );;1;<)6+- --8 A7=: :-/=4): 27* !:-.-: ;75-76- 74,-: #-6< 6-/7<1)*4-
Annual Rentals
73--41) 76,7 -,:775 )<0 6, =61< &8,)<-, 8-: 576<0 6+4=,-; =8 <7 8-: 576<0 16 -4-+<:1+ )44
Fill in the blank cells using numbers 1 to 9. Each number can appear only once in each row, column, and 3x3 block. Use logic and process of elimination to solve the puzzle. The difficulty level ranges from Bronze (easiest) to Silver to Gold (hardest).
Vehicles :< &-71 C #A91< :<0 &?;1<
