Cape Coral Weekend Breeze

Ilczyszyn named Cape Coral city manager

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com

Cape Coral City Council decided to “keep it in the Cape” Wednesday, making a long-time employee the city’s top administrator

Michael Ilczyszyn, who has been interim city manager since Council let its last manager go without cause in February, was given a four-year contract with a starting base salary of $285,000, an annual compensation greater than that paid to the

Michael Ilczyszyn, a 20-plus year employee who has been interim city manager since February, has been given a four-year contract with a starting base salary of $285,000.

administrative heads of Lee County and the Lee County School District Mayor John Gunter, who negotiated the

contract, told his fellow council members he used data which showed what similar cities throughout the state paid their city

managers He said by looking at the 75th percentile, or the top 25 percent, it would land the city at $288,000 for the post The salary was negotiated down to $285,000, he added

The contract also includes retroactive compensation going back to Feb 17 when Ilczyszyn was appointed as the interim city manager Gunter said it is for the base salary only.

See MANAGER, page 26

Contract approved for new K-8 Cafferata campus

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com

The Lee County School Board agreed Tuesday to move forward with building a K8 school to replace Hector A Cafferata Jr Elementary at a cost of up to $99,796,782 50

The Cape Coral Breeze presents

Cape locations added to annual event

By MEGHAN BRADBURY

news@breezenewspapers com

Cape Coral locations have been added to the popular Island Hopper Songwriter Fest for the first time

The 10-day festival, now in its ninth year, began

See ISLAND HOPPER, page 28

Chris Janson, (left) with special guest Kristian Bush (right) of Sugarland, is the headliner for the ninth Island Hopper Songwriter Fest taking place from Sept. 22 through Oct. 1 on Captiva, in Cape Coral and downtown Fort Myers, and on Fort Myers Beach.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF FORT MYERSISLANDS, BEACHES AND NEIGHBORHOODS

IF YOU GO

What 9th Island Hopper Songwriter Fest

When Sept 22 through Oct. 1

Where Captiva, Cape Coral, Fort Myers and Fort Myers Beach

The approval was for a public-private partnership to Fortress Secured, LLC, out of Jacksonville, to build a new campus on a 30 77-acre site using funds from the capital budget and Hurricane Ian recovery funds

The district plans to build the new K-8 school on vacant property at 214 N W 20th Ave According to the district, contract services include a turnkey solution to build the school for a minimum of 1,500 student stations with a projected completion during the 2025 calendar year The cost includes a 25% contingency fee

The original campus at 360 Santa Barbara Blvd N sustained significant damage from Hurricane Ian The school had torrential rains inside the building for 12 to 14 hours due to severe roof damage and the decision was ultimately made to demolish the damaged building.

Hector A Cafferata students currently attend school in portable classrooms at a temporary campus at Cape Coral Technical College

There were 134 vendors notified of the ITN with three vendors submitting a proposal Building Tomorrow’s Schools, from Palm Beach Gardens and Gulfpoint Construction Co , Inc , from Fort Myers also submitted proposals

Redfish Pointe rep: Any development would preserve wetlands, have minimal impact on nearby park and neighborhoods

By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers com

While some Cape Coral residents are gearing up to protest a proposed development near Rotary Park, representatives of the project say impacts won’t be damaging to the environment or drastically increase traffic

Redfish Pointe, which sits just east of Tarpon Point totaling 350 acres, features more than 4,500 linear frontage along the Caloosahatchee River The “Redfish Pointe Mixed Use Preserve Future Land Use District,” has been submitted to the city by the property owners, who have owned the land since the 1950s The 110 22 acres for development improvement plans features a 90 37-acre mixed use site to include 800 residential units, resort hotel, restaurants, retail shops, office space, and 120-space parking lot

Annette Barbaccia of Milo Aubuchon Realty Group, has represented the owners since 2017 when they first approached her with the idea they wanted to sell Barbaccia said they met and discussed what could be a

potential fit in the area, and what should be preserved and not touched

Barbaccia said environmental consultants were brought in to examine the property, and identified that a section in the middle of the 350-acre site that contained many exotics and could be developed She points out only onethird of the property will be marked for development, while the remainder will be preserved

“It will have to be permitted because of its proximity to wetlands, but that’s how they carved out that 90 acres,” Barbaccia said “Then it was figuring out how you access it.”

A proposed development plan for Redfish Pointe, a 350 acres site j u s t e a s t o f Ta r p o n P o i n t . It’s early in the process with a P l a n n i n g a n d Zoning hearing still pending

The protected wetlands and related habitats are the issue as is possible encroachment on Rotary Park Protesting residents say the landowners, under the title of ZZW Development, LLC, have proposed building an entrance road at the intersection of Rose Garden Road and Southwest 6th Place through a section of Rotary Park to reach their landlocked development site

This road would cross a Conservation Easement signed in 1991 between the City of Cape Coral and the State Department of Environmental Regulation The easement states that the wetlands will be preserved forever in their natural state and specifically states no roads are to be built on it, they said

Barbaccia said other options were discussed with the city as to best practices for an entrance, and that a traffic study deemed the entry though Rose Garden would not impact traffic greatly

“Because of the demographic character that would likely occur from this development (having looked at Tarpon Point and Cape Harbour), they’re not people who tend to go to work at 7 or 8 a m Most of them tend to work at home Their household size is smaller Their traffic isn’t as big as you would think The traffic assessment showed you could keep a two-land road even with the development

“It doesn’t affect any of the existing Rotary Park facilities,” Barbaccia added “But it is part of a conservation easement ”

Barbaccia said the landowners will convey 54 acres of high-quality natural resource property to the city in exchange for the 2 24acre roadway connection to Rose Garden

A future developer would have to obtain approvals from the DEP and Army Corps of Engineers for any design and development of the property

Concerns have also come up regarding protected man-

PROVIDED

OPINIONS

CAPE CORAL BREE ZE

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

‘Revenue diversification’ no path to lower tax bills

Cape Coral City Council held its final public hearing on the city budget Thursday night, approving a billion-dollar financial plan for the fiscal year starting Oct 1

The budget, all funds included, came in at $1,095,678,548, a 13 25% increase, with the city’s General Fund for operations set at $228,269,306, a 5 41% increase over FY 2023

On the plus side, there are many good and necessary things in this budget for a growing city: Additional police and firefighters; additional personnel and infrastructure to provide city utilities; road improvements, including paving and intersection upgrades; money for “deferred maintenance” issues at city parks and ballfields as well as new playgrounds

On the negative side, for those of us who are city taxpayers, the budget holds tax increases nearly across the board

Council held the property tax rate, for city operations, at the same level as last year $5 3694 per $1,000 of assessed taxable valuation

Due to new construction and another sizeable increase in overall valuation despite Hurricane Ian, the impact of leaving the rate the same is a 12 99% increase over the “rollback rate” of 4 7519 mills

Rollback is the rate at which the city would receive the same amount of money from property taxes as the year before If property value increases on an individual property, taxes increase even if the rate remains the same with the actual amount depending on whether the property is owner-occupied and homesteaded or not with state-mandate caps limiting increases to no more than 3% and 10 % respectively

Other taxes will increase as well with Council approving an increase in the city’s Fire Services Assessment, one of two new taxes approved in 2013 that were intended to provide “revenue diversification” and better balance the tax burden for property owners The assessment currently offsets 70% (up from 62%) of the city’s cost of providing fire protection with the money going into the General Fund Before the FSA was passed, fire services, like police services, were funded solely through property taxes

The city will receive an estimated $47,204,210 in FSA funds, more than four times the overall amount levied a decade ago as the “recapture” percentage has climbed since its inception and now exceeds the originally discussed “cap” of 60%

The rate for the second tax passed in conjunction with the FSA as part of that revenue diversification plan, the public services tax, remains this year at 7% of the taxable portion of your electric bill where the city also collects another 3% for the franchise fee it levies

The city got a windfall last year due to escalating fuel costs

Also going up? Stormwater fees, solid waste assessments, lot-moving fees

City officials can and do cite needs and growth

Well, enough

They made their arguments with little public protestation

We’ll not offer any here

We will, though, point out that the criticisms of a decade ago are a truth in today’s fiscal reality: “Revenue diversification” has proven to be simply additional taxes for the General Fund that come out of the same taxpayer pockets while cloaking the true millage rate a hot button, especially when increased as the FSA is not reflected

“Additional revenue streams” may allow the city to rely less on “only” property taxes for personnel, projects and more

But Cape taxpayers may only rely on little to no out-ofpocket benefit in terms of actual tax relief or a lower tax bill

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

It’s time to consider a change!

To the editor:

It’s time to consider a change in the way we elect our district council members in the city of Cape Coral Currently, council members representing each of the seven districts in Cape Coral are elected “at large,” meaning anyone eligible to vote is entitled to vote for all district council members on the ballot I live in District 6 In November of 2024, I will be voting to elect council members to represent Districts 2, 3, 5, and 7, districts in which I don’t live I suggest our great city Council should engage in a discussion about changing to “single district voting ” In single district voting, electors only vote for the council member who will represent their district It seems simpler, doesn’t it? It’s a lengthy process to make a change like this, so let’s get on with it. If the change to single district was already in place, I would not be voting for any city Council members in November 2024 But I think that’s OK Cape Coral districts have distinct geographic boundaries and nuances Each of the seven unique districts in Cape Coral are set apart by geography and the issues important to it District 1 and District 6, for instance, are nuanced by the issues unique to each district, the property owners who sought the distinct ambience of the area, and the length of residency I attended a meeting at the Cape Coral Yacht Club Ballroom several years ago and was dismayed to learn some attendees at my table did not know where District 6 was located and had never been north of Pine Island Road They had no reason to go “up north.” But they all can vote for my council member And I can vote for theirs Hmm

So why do we vote at large? Well, that’s just how we started And it’s common in small municipalities But we’re not small anymore I’ve heard we will grow to 400,000 residents in less than 20 years so the time to start talking about this change is now it requires a Charter change and a Ballot Referendum Yes, we will have to vote on how we will vote if we consider making this change But isn’t that how it should work?

For the “If it isn’t broken don’t fix it” readers, I think how we vote is broken and needs a fix One reason is in at large elections, large city-wide voting blocs can pull together and sway a district election They are big enough with enough power to endorse “their” candidate and encourage their membership to vote accordingly In doing so, they are essentially swamping the voters in the district and seating a candidate

Imagine a world where candidates running for council member positions only campaigned in their district and only made campaign commitments to residents in their district Imagine a world where campaign signs posted for an election were only posted in the candidate’s district Imagine a world where every ounce of energy a candidate expended campaigning was spent in their district And finally, imagine a world where candidates could run a campaign without relying on donations from large voting blocs. That world is single district voting and I believe it’s how candidates should campaign and how residents should vote

This issue is beyond my pay grade, but I don’t think it is unreasonable to ask Council to consider this issue now Do the due diligence necessary to understand the benefits and risks but please do it now Since this issue would require a referendum on the ballot, the clock is ticking

It will be telling to see who opposes this change and who benefits from the current method of at large voting My guess is they are one and the same

John Bashaw NW Cape Coral

Our mayor has a problem with statistics

To the editor:

Our mayor has a problem with statistics He said at the most recent Council workshop meeting last Wednesday:

“I think that we are always looking at the city as a whole,” he said “We represent all of the citizens of Cape Coral, the 215,000 plus There are about 60 citizens, 20 to 22 that made comments Take the 5,000 petitioners that you say you have collected so far, that is about 2 3 percent of the population here in Cape Coral I’m not trying to minimize your input, I am putting it into perspective ”

Putting it in perspective? Really? Your “methodology” is seriously flawed Let’s look at the data he should have used The data from the Mercado Market is probably the most accurate But Gunter doesn’t care what we want It is all about

what HE wants

There is a petition of over 5,000 signatures that are against the Jaycee Park project

There are ZERO petitions or signatures in support of the Jaycee Park project

The event at Mercado Market drew 217 attendees Of those, 136 (62%) opposed the project; 55 either supported or partially supported the project (25%) and 26 (13%) had questions So 62% are against it, 25% supported or partially supported it and 13% only had questions and even if you put them into the in favor of column, those that oppose the project still overwhelmingly eclipse those in favor Why can’t or won’t Gunter accept that?

So, our mayor, whose education he stated as “studied criminal justice,” is trying to tell us that only 2.3% of the residents do not want Jaycee Park changes as presented and is assuming the balance of 97 7% of residents are in favor of the project Who does that? No one familiar with statistics for sure

Uh, that is not how statistics are done, Mr Gunter Manipulating, or in your case using data that has no relevance to the subject at hand to get your end result is not the way democracies or surveys are run Maybe taking a course in Statistics 101 is in order

And the online “survey” for Jaycee Park did not even give participants the option to reject the entire project If you objected, the only place to document that choice was in the notes section There were around 1,400 people who took the survey so even if all of them were in favor, the data available would still overwhelmingly oppose their plan

We want GREEN SPACE, not the concrete jungle your plans call for Jaycee Park as proposed is not going to be a “destination ” There is nothing unique about it and could be in any city in the world And spending $10-$12 million (and I’m sure the true number is significantly higher) more than the $60 million we just voted on to fix and establish more parks is apparently not enough for our spendaholic city council It is an outrage

Marie Kavanaugh Cape Coral

Back to the drawing board on Jaycee Park

To the editor:

After watching the council meeting of Sept 13, I have some comments about parts of the discussion It was mentioned that there were 60 citizens in attendance who mostly presented their reasons for opposing the changes to Jaycee Park as they are proposed To be fair, the meeting was held at 9 a m when many people are working and, in September, when many of our winter residents are away For a better representation, why not an evening meeting in January or February if you want a more accurate representation? There is no need to speed forward with this project especially since the Yacht Club is unavailable to folks now and for the foreseeable future

Also mentioned was a number of 2% of the population petitioning for maintaining Jaycee Park in its present state as a green space neighborhood park Developers and planners have put this proposal for change together for an estimated $12 million plus to be borrowed and repaid by Cape Coral citizens There have not been any residents’ petitions requesting the changes proposed Many residents are not aware of the existence of this park let alone its importance as a green space oasis in its neighborhood and for all of Cape Coral

The on-line survey was also part of the presentation. Anyone taking this survey was asked for their choices about HOW the changes to Jaycee Park would be made, not IF they wanted these changes made Only at the end was there a comment box How many people filled in their survey thinking the multiple choice options presented were the only possibilities?

Back to the drawing board!

Pat Germinario Cape Coral

A sheriff with a multiple skill set

To the editor:

Two stories have appeared recently about Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno

One, the apprehension of drug dealers, drugs, and See LETTERS, page 6

money has appeared widely in the regional daily newspaper and on most local media outlets

The second one which covers the sheriff’s great skillset at playing slot machines was only covered by one outlet, Gulf Business

Why would all of the other outlets neglect to cover the sheriff’s wizardry in gambling casinos? He has declared collective winnings of over $450,000 playing slot machines that according to the odds return $24 14 on a $25 investment Where did our sheriff learn how to do this? One could also speculate how he has any time left for his day job given the amount of time it would take to accrue such a reportable amount of money

Given this great set of skills wouldn’t it be in the county’s best interest to take the money gained from all the narcotics busts and have the sheriff multiply it exponentially at the slot machines? If he could do this, it would certainly fall under the heading of great caretaking of our funds as opposed to what the county now does

I would like to know where the daily newspaper was on the second story and why, even if it would have been as a johnnycome-lately, it seems they did not look into it

Norman Cannon Fort Myers

New legislation for veterans needed

To the editor:

At any VFW Post in the nation, we are extremely proud and protective of our members Since they have done so much to serve our country, we feel it is only fair we find a way to serve them now and thank them for their service We want to be able to help Florida disabled veterans and have found a way to do so with no cost I bet all of you would be willing to do the same! Well, the Association of Independent Mortgage Experts is asking exactly that of Florida lawmakers

Disabled veterans with a 100% disability rating are exempt from real estate property tax in all of our Florida counties As a matter of fact, since July of 2023, any real estate taxes which were paid by the veteran after closing on a home are fully refundable. But, Florida still needs to improve this important legislation because our disabled veterans are still being hurt by the taxes

Right now, many veterans have to often wait months after closing to apply for that exemption The big problem here is that during the loan process, they’re not considered exempt so the taxes they don’t have to pay are still considered a debt, reducing the price of a home they are qualified to purchase This could possibly push them out of a market which is already high enough They may even have to settle on buying a house they could actually afford because the debt ratio is skewed by a tax bill which is not theirs

With thousands of dollars collected from disabled veterans for prorated escrows, the money is held from their savings until the exemption comes through and the refund is on its way This is not only unfair, at times it can be a hardship for the veteran and his or her family since the money is actually for a debt which isn’t theirs and takes time to get refunded

The State Advocacy Captain of AIME, Laura Ray, who also is the owner of Liberty Mortgage Lending Group in Lee County, stated during 20222, more than $14 6 billion in VA home loan purchases occurred The sum doesn’t include nonVA loans Maryland and Virginia have already solved the problem by passing legislation allowing the exemption to happen during the loan process This ends the problems at no cost to taxpayers or their respective states Now,it’s Florida’s turn!

The way to help is to let your state senators and representatives in your district know you want this legislation to be supported Also, inform the Property Appraiser who is also an elected official know this is important You’ll be glad you did!

Pat Whitehall

VFW Post 4174

Lehigh Acres

Who do you trust?

To the editor:

The CDC recommends the new COVID vaccine for all Americans including Floridians!

A study published July 2023 in the Journal of the American Medical Association might help you decide “Excess Death Rates for Republican and Democratic Registered Voters in Florida and Ohio During the COVID-19 Pandemic ”

Question: “Was political party affiliation a risk factor associated with excess mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic in Florida and Ohio?”

Findings: In this study excess mortality was significantly higher (15%) for Republican voters (linked to their 2017

voter data) than Democratic voters after COVID-19 vaccines were available to all adults, but not before The excess death rate among Republican counties was 43% higher than the excess death rate among Democratic counties

The flu vaccine is recommended for everyone over age 6 months The RSV vaccine for everyone over 60 Scientific studies show that vaccinations will not prevent transmission They will prevent serious illness and death across all age groups Most children and adults hospitalized for COVID since January 2023 had not received the most recent booster shot Even a mild case of COVID can give you long-COVID Adults over 65 accounted for up to 85 percent of flu-related deaths in recent years It’s your decision on whether or not you will be vaccinated But if you don’t “believe in science” then why on earth would you trust the doctors and nurses to save your life when you become deathly ill from a preventable disease?

I am no fan of big Pharma pandemic profiteering If onethird of us get the new vaccine at $130 a pop, big Pharma stands to make about $13 billion in profits after we taxpayers paid for the Research & Development via our federal government giving them $18-$23,000,000! Will they even pay taxes on those profits? Is the CDC nothing but a marketing agent of Pfizer and Moderna? Thank a Republican for their votes supporting big business Shouldn’t our government be required to negotiate these costs for the citizens?

I had myocarditis as a side effect of having COVID in 2019 It’s no fun You might have been deceived by Florida’s anti-vaccine surgeon general deliberately hiding details in a vaccine safety report he released that showed risk of myocarditis in young males was actually increased by the vaccine not COVID itself Multiple studies show the risk of myocarditis from COVID 19 infection is seven times higher than the risk from the vaccine For some people, being honest and rational is just too hard Many of us are simply confused but would do the right thing if we really knew what that was Who do you trust more with your health your politicians or your doctors? Be smart for yourself

I’m getting my flu shot, COVID booster and RSV I hope this helps

Lynn Hagedorn, MD Cape Coral

Thank a veteran

To the editor:

With 100% of our nation’s freedoms, through the years, coming to us from the sacrifices of our veterans, I cannot believe what I read in the Cape Coral Breeze from Ellen Starbird’s letter on Sept 15

The writer states, “Most our debt comes from funding wars overseas, including benefits to the veterans injured or killed ” To equate the benefits for our killed and injured veterans which, by the way is only is only 4% of the national debt, compared to providing 100% of our nation’s freedoms is ludicrous.

Consider the wages of our World War II Greatest Generation veterans whose sacrifices saved the world I can give a accurate beginning military wage from the mid1960s of being $78 50 a month After taking out a $25 Savings Bond, in supporting our nation, along with taxes we cleared approximately $44 a month

A veteran, whether serving his nation during peacetime or during war, wrote a blank check to his nation for up to and including their life Four percent is too much for protecting 100% of our freedom?

What was not mentioned is the $119-plus billion the American taxpayer pays for illegal immigration. I could go on, but feel it would not change minds of people that follow this way of thinking

As a combat-wounded veteran I have combated many things in life But I have found the most difficult thing to combat are those with these types of opinions

Maybe instead we should give praise and thanks to those injured veterans and the families of those killed veterans whose sacrifice showed their “no greater love” in providing all in this nation our freedoms

Jack Wagner Cape Coral

The Liber tarian alter native

To the editor:

If you are one of those fuddy-duddy Republicans who persist in believing in limited government and limited taxation, you have a place to go

If you believe in balanced budgets and non-intervention, you have a place to go

If you believe in maximum personal freedom and maximum personal responsibility, you have a place to go

If you have been dismayed by trillion-dollar deficits

(even BEFORE the pandemic) and executive arrogance, you have a place to go

Most importantly, if you expressly renounce the use of force to achieve political goals, you have a place to go

The Libertarian party will welcome you with open arms See: https://www lpf org

Larry Gillis Cape Coral

Mer ging of church and state

To the editor:

Congratulations to the Biden administration for rescuing six dual citizens from Iranian incarceration this week And deepest condolences to the family of Mashsa Amini, the woman who “died in the custody of Iranian authorities” last year The family went to her grave past a phalanx of hundreds of militarized Iranian men as Iran has resumed the “morality” police patrols of thuggish random attacks on women this month The women of Iran continue to lead the people’s protest of the regime, and defy the brutality Meanwhile the good men and women of Ohio will be asked to consider restoration of first class citizenship for women in Ohio in a few weeks, as the men of the Florida Supreme court ponder coercing gestation here This is not about being pro-life The liars who wish to control women and restrict our autonomy know full well that the death rate for pregnant women skyrockets by 30% where the state intercedes to restrict medical decisions being made in the guise of monitoring abortion access California, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana and Vermont have all affirmed Roe v Wade rights to female autonomy since the perjurers on the Supreme Court handed down the Dobbs decision attempting to enforce the Vatican’s view of gestation last year New Mexico and Texas are likewise squandering resources in senseless litigation over this matter (Bear in mind we have been told by the GOP that there is no funding available for day care, food stamps for families with children, etc ) The six Catholics, a sexual harasser and an accused sexual assailant sitting as Justices on the court all swore under oath that they would respect the previous decisions of the court Instead they joined in cutting away women’s protections for privacy and personal autonomy to ensure that men would be allowed to opine on women’s ob-gyn needs state by state

The separation of church and state was treasured by our founders for a reason When Sharia law, or Doctrine of Patriarchy prevail over legislation that considers cultural pluralism, your dogma can be confronted by my karma Women are particularly excluded when reason can be flit aside with assertions of male-only holiness

To get a copy of the petition for Florida women’s ballot measure to restore your local rights, you can go to floridiansprotectiongfreedom com You must be registered to vote I advise you, do not delay The beatings will continue until simply morality, like truth telling, resume among the judges

Ellen Starbird Cape Coral

This week’s poll question:

How would you rate this year’s city budget process?

∫ Good, no issues Happy with the process, happy with the outcome

∫ Few issues except the elimination of the Budget Review Commissions

∫ I have issues with the outcome; taxes and spending are too high.

∫ Other

Previous poll question

Should the city of Cape Coral begin a conversion to electric vehicles?

∫ Yes 19%

∫ Maybe I have no problem with buying some vehicles and evaluating their use 31%

∫ Not at the is time The current cost difference, as illustrated by the numbers for the school buses, is too great. 15.5%

∫ No 35%

SWFL Peace Day fest set for Sunday

Now in its 16th year, annual event becomes block party celebration

By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers com

A long-standing tradition in Southwest Florida will continue to spread the message of harmony and goodwill this weekend in Fort Myers

The 16th Annual SWFL Peace Day takes place this Sunday from 10 a m to 5 p m , taking on a “block party” format on Cottage Street in downtown Fort Myers The street will be closed at both ends for visitors to fully enjoy activities, vendor booths, and opportunities to connect with the community

“We are so excited for this year’s Peace D a y c e l e b r a t i o n , ” s a i d e v e n t c r e a t o r

Zachari vanDyne “The block party concept has been around for many years, and it’s known as a way to bring a community together for fun and connection So many people we have talked to this year are thrilled with SWFL Peace Day hosting a block party in downtown Fort Myers We hope that the new format continues to expand the spiral of Peace and inspire our community ”

The free event, held in honor of the International Day of Peace, also will feature food trucks, vendor and artist booths, live music, entertainment, and fun for the entire family, with many more surprises yet t o b e r e v e a l e d T h i s y e a r ’ s t h e m e i s

"Community: Flow with It! Grow with It!"

Here’s What’s Happening This Year at Peace Day:

■ Vendor and artisan Booths

■ Delicious Food and Sweet Treats: Vegetarian, Vegan & Omnivore

■ Live Music and DJs throughout the D a y : H o s t e d b y J e n n i B ( A l l S m i l e s Entertainment)

■ Live Entertainment

■ Water stations for pets

■ Massage, Reiki, & Crystal Bowl Sound Baths

■ Local non-profit organizations

■ Food and Supplies Drive for ACT (Abuse & Counseling Treatment)

■ P e a c e B l o o d D r i v e ( O n e B l o o d Bloodmobile)

■ Family Time Music Singalong

■ Morning Time Tai Chi

■ Yoga for All Ages

■ Bounce House, Kids’ activities & Art

■ Face Painting and Giveaways

■ Butterfly Tent

■ Mocktails and Kid-Friendly Drinks by Millennial Brewing

■ C o m m u n i t y L i v e A r t , H e n n a & Readings

Due to Hurricane Ian, this year’s Peace Day event had to take on a new look, but nothing could stop organizers for presenting this event to the community

“Since the first SWFL Peace Day 16 years ago, people have anticipated each annual Peace celebration, and many call it their favorite event of the year,” vanDyne said “It’s not only the live music, fabulous food, and imaginative and creative vendor booths It’s the combined energy of peace we all bring to share with community that is tangible, in the air and all around us ”

In 2017, Jaycee Park was damaged by Hurricane Irma and the event was moved to Alliance for the Arts When COVID-19 was keeping the community from gathering

IF YOU GO

What:

16th Annual SWFL Peace Day

When: Sunday, Sept 17, from 10 a m to 5 p m

Where: Cottage Street in downtown Fort Myers

Parking:

Parking for the event will be in the “Jury Parking Lot” located on the corner between Heitman Street and Cottage Street

“Since the first SWFL Peace Day 16 years ago, people have anticipated each annual Peace celebration, and many call it their favorite event of the year. It’s not only the live music, fabulous food, and imaginative and creative vendor booths It’s the combined energy of peace we all bring to share with community that is tangible, in the air and all around us ”

Zachari vanDyne, event organizer and founder

in person, organizers created a billboard campaign and yard art signs for people to connect and support peace in the community A few years later, due to the increase in attendance, it moved to Wa-Ke-Hatchee Park. This year, with Hurricane Ian damage to the park, organizers decided to hold the first-ever Peace Day Block Party

“It’s an actual day of peace, created by all of us together,” vanDyne continued “When people get together in the name of peace and begin to communicate and cocreate, the spiral of peace expands and grows, and we set a world-changing example for generations to come ”

Parking for the event will be in the “Jury Parking Lot” located on the corner between Heitman Street and Cottage Street

If parking becomes full, attendees can find a parking spot in surrounding areas, such as Centennial Park and surrounding parking garages

Lee Schools target reading proficiency

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com

The School District of Lee County is redefining its processes and changing curriculum to help students read by the third grade

The school board listened to a presentation regarding academic initiatives during its Tuesday afternoon meeting, which included the third grade reading goal as well as algebra support

Reading proficiency by third grade has long been a state and district goal.

“The reason all the other goals have failed is because we have had leadership turnover Any transitional change requires a minimal of three years to see the full impact,” said Board member Cathleen Morgan at Tuesday’s School Board of Lee County meeting “If we are going to have transformational changes in this district If we are going to move the needle, this board has to acknowledge its responsibility to ensure that the leadership that has made effectively the promise to you is here to see it through If they are not, it’s not their problem, it’s our problem and we have failed the kids and not the leadership I am so gratified to see the level of leadership we have brought into this district

“We have a real opportunity to step into the real world as a large school district in our laps It is here and it is on us to see that it happens They will be able to do the job if we create the conditions for them to be successful ”

The presentation as included “high school cohort talking” and principal supervisor professional development

“We needed to refine our processes and reestablish clear expectations for teaching and learning,” Academic Services Deputy

Superintendent Dr Jennifer Cupid-McCoy said “What’s different? We narrowed our focus to teaching the benchmarks at appropriate rigor, clear expectations around instruction to our school leaders and monitor those expectations for fidelity of expectations ”

Reading by Grade 3

Cupid-McCoy said although it is an obtainable goal having students reading by grade 3 it requires transformational work in the organization

That work begins before students enter kindergarten, which dives into expanding the district’s reach and collaboration with external partners for early childhood learning, such as the Early Learning Coalition

Cupid-McCoy said the collaboration is an exciting venture as this is their pipeline to have really productive conversations with the leadership at Early Learning Coalition

“We have discussed bringing together their coaches and talking about the experiences here at our kindergarten sites and provide opportunities to come in and interact with our kindergarten teachers,” she said “The more information we can share, the better position our students are to be ready for kindergarten ”

In addition, Chief Academic Officer Dr Jeff Spiro said another undertaking for the district, which they consider their legacy work, is doing a kindergarten, first and second grade audit, as well as redesigning curriculum

The district has engaged a consulting group to do the K-2 audit of curriculum This will include working with stakeholders to look at resources, instructional guides, cur-

riculum maps and scope and sequence, he said

“What is different when doing an audit and redesign the teacher feedback,” Spiro said, adding that they are inviting teachers to be part of the process, so they can develop the work with them

The district is also engaging with the University of Florida for professional development for teachers, coaches, and administration for Science of Reading

Cupid-McCoy said the research has always supported the strategies and techniques taught through the Science of Reading Teachers will be provided with the tools they need, as well as support given to administrators, so they, too, can recognize good reading instruction to provide tools necessary to coach teachers

“The focus of professional development from the Lastinger Center will be on small group instruction,” Cupid-McCoy said “We want to be very strategic, and emphasis is on small group instruction anywhere from four to six students with a teacher working on specific skills as it relates to training for the Science of Reading ”

The purposeful small group instruction will focus on reading fluency, targeted assessment, explicit word instruction, reading for meaning and connecting reading and writing

“Ideally it would be great to have all elementary teachers trained, but it’s not a viable option for us right now,” she said, adding that there are 200 K-2 teachers who will participate in the training, which will use Flamingo Literacy Playbook “We took a look at PM3 English language arts results and that was the basis for the selection Fifteen schools were identified, and the training dates predetermined ”

Those elementary schools include All Park, Bonita Elementary Colonial Elementary, Edgewood Academy, Franklin Park, G Weaver Hipps, Hancock Creek, Harns Marsh, James Stephens, Lehigh, Manatee, Orange River, River Hall, Sunshine and Tice

“Literacy, while we often think about it in terms of English Language Arts, is a skill that expands all content areas,” Cupid-McCoy said

High school cohort talking

This year all high schools implemented a freshman orientation that focused on goal setting and accountability, Naviance tour, how to calculate grade point averages, student services and social media etiquette

There are interventions set up, Back on Track Credit Recovery and Connect with Lee

Spiro said they will work with students

who have a D or an F Staff connects with those students, as well as parents, to provide guided options for the student

“Students would be assigned with Connect with Lee and schools provide a support person to monitor a teacher, mentor, or counselor to make sure students are connecting and determine if the intervention was working,” Spiro said “If the intervention is working, continue with Connect with Lee If it’s not working, try another intervention because we want to have early intervention ”

This process will occur on Sept 13, at the end of the quarter, interim report in November, at the semester and again at the third quarter

Spiro said there is a monitoring component at the school and district level

Algebra support

“If a student has matriculated through the system and taken algebra 1 in ninth grade, we really need a different approach in instruction to allow that student to be successful,” CupidMcCoy said “Part of what we are doing is considered transformational work It’s an absolute necessity if we intend to achieve different outcomes ”

The difference is students will engage in the use of manipulatives to help them understand the concepts of algebra

“Students need a variety of avenues to understand the concepts to become successful,” Cupid-McCoy said

With significant gaps in students’ understanding, this past summer 50 of the district’s teachers attended a state conference for Florida Best Benchmarks for mathematics, which included algebra tiles

“Students learn and utilize array models to understand and perform multiplication starting in third grade,” she said “Using algebra tiles allows students to make connections to foundational understanding of operations and numbers ”

Principal supervisor professional development

The district began working with the Wallace Foundation two years ago

“The goal is to make sure we are consistent with what research says around principal supervisors, focus on practice and focus on application,” Spiro said “The model that the Wallace Foundation uses is a model of standards clear and concise indicators to help us move forward ”

The theory of action is if each principal supervisor increases the positive impact on quality of instruction that is happening in the classroom, it will ultimately improve student achievement as well, Spiro said

‘Transitional change’ initiatives will work toward having more students on grade level by the third grade

Cape Council opposes county charter change on annexations

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com

Cape Coral City Council has opposed a proposed change to the Lee County Charter that would change the process for voluntary annexations

The elected board on Wednesday unanimously approved a resolution in opposition of a charter change proposed by the Lee County Charter Review Commission that has draw criticism among the county’s municipalities

Mayor John Gunter said the first concern lies with language that would allow the county to have the overall decision on annexations that are land-owner requested, an authority that is a rarity in Florida

“Out of 67 counties, only three have it,” Gunter said

The city received a letter from Charter Review Commission Chairman Nathan Fred Shaw who provided some background As a Home Rule Charter County the County Board of County Commissioners appoints 15 members to its Charter Review Commission every

eight years The commission meets over a period of 18 months to review the county charter and may make proposed amendments or revisions that may be placed on the general election ballot The commission began meeting in February

The letter advises the city that the Charter Review Commission decided to pursue language related to voluntary annexations, which the panel discussed at its Sept 12 meeting The change would pull the county into the approval loop if the annexation would impact county utilities or roads or affect an independent taxing district

The municipalities believe this would encroach on their authority and public property rights as well

“I believe all the cities are going to come together and provide a resolution by their council to oppose any type of charter amendment for voluntary annexation,” Gunter said

The letter included the proposed amendment, which states that the “voluntary annexation of a property in an unincorporated area that meets any one of the follow-

ing criteria requires approval by a majority vote of the Board of County Commissioners:”

■ The property is located in a Lee County Utilities Future Water Service Area

■ The property is located in a Lee County Utilities Future Sewer Service Area, or

■ The property abuts, has direct access to, or its primary access to the public street network is or will be a county-maintained roadway

With the property meeting one of the criteria, “prior to petitioning the Board of County Commissioners for approval of the voluntary annexation, the owner, or owners of the property must first petition the governing board of the municipality to be annexed into the municipality ”

If the property is located within an independent special fire control district, annexations could not be approved by the municipality unless they first enter into an interlocal agreement for fire protection services for the property

With Council passing the resolution in opposition, City Manager Michael

Ilczyszyn said they intend to submit it to the Lee County attorney’s office to get it on record for the Charter Review Commission

The resolution states the amendment would place an unnecessary legal burden upon residents and disrupt and intrude upon individual private property rights Further, it fails to identify additional financial costs and exposures associated with requiring residents and owners seeking voluntary annexation and the city and other municipalities have the responsibility to protect the health and safety and serve as partners in the larger community’s growth and development

City Attorney Aleksandr Boksner said with a voluntary annexation, it is improper for Lee County to make the final decision

The resolution sends the appropriate message

“It’s still being debated by the Charter Review Commission No matter what happens, it must go before the electorate,” Boksner said

City Council eliminates appointed Budget Review Committee

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com

The Cape Coral City Council eliminated the city’s long-standing the Budget Review Committee Wednesday

The original motion, to deny the elimination of the council-appointed panel , was made by Councilmember Tom Hayden The motion deadlocked 4-4 and died

Those who voted in favor of his motion, which would have retained the commission, were council members Robert Welsh, Jessica Cosden, Patty Cummings and Hayden Mayor John Gunter then made the motion to eliminate the BRC, which passed 5-3 with Welsh, Cosden and Hayden voting no

During a workshop, Councilmember

Bill Steinke, the liaison of the BRC, said he wanted there to be opportunities for citizens to be involved in the budget process With the elimination of the BRC, the city now plans to hold a town hall style delivery of the budget providing citizens with the opportunity to ask questions and talk with department heads and the city manager during a four-hour time period

Other budget engagement opportunities

for the public include the winter and summer retreat, as well as the workshops that are held with the proposed budget, assessments and millage rates

The BRC fell apart this budget cycle after Council questioned the effectiveness of the panel and voted to oust its chair with the rest of the volunteer appointees then resigning

Yellow allamanda

By ANN BLOCK news@breezenewspapers com

Living in Cape Coral coming from the Northeast, I had a big learning curve when I moved here gardening would never be the same My garden was a blank canvas, but I would dream and wake up with plans I achieved a wonderful butterfly garden, originally by accident, and every year I add to it Now I know more about nectar plants and food for the caterpillars

My mission now is to incorporate as many flowering plants as possible that will feed the bees, butterflies and birds I encountered a beautiful yellow flowering plant in our neighborhood so I had to find out more Have since planted five dwarf variety allamanda bushes, also known as dwarf golden trumpet, under my foxtail palms

Today, I’d like to share what I have learned about a l l a m a n d a b u s h e s

Amongst all the allamanda varieties among Southwest Florida shrubs, bush allam a n d a i s p r o b a b l y t h e most easy to grow, with bright green foliage and prolific yellow flowers

Kiwanis Division 19 holds fourth quarter council meeting

The last council meeting this year for Kiwanis Division 19 was hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Lehigh Acres at Dave and Buster’s at Bell Tower on Saturday, Sept 9 Kiwanis Clubs from Cape Coral, Edison, Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach, LaBelle, Lehigh Acres, Metro McGregor and San Carlos were represented

F o r t y - s e v e n K i w a n i s m e m b e r s a t t e n d e d , i n c l u d i n g P r a i r y R i e h l , Florida district governor elect; Suzi

B r e d b e n n e r , d i s t r i c t c h a i r f o r t h e

B U G S p r o g r a m ; H e i d i W e b b a n d Laura Pegler, representing Kimmie’s Recovery Zone; Esteban Pinnila and S a m a n t h a J o n e s , m e m b e r s o f t h e

GARDEN CLUB OF CAPE CORAL

There are clusters of golden trumpet-shaped blossoms which appear on and off most of the year This summer they appeared constantly!

The regular bush allamanda will grow too large eventually to work as a foundation shrub, but other than that, it's one of the most versatile yellow flowering shrubs for any sunny spot

The size and color make it an ideal accent, hedge or single specimen for the yard They also work very well as a privacy screen around your pool cage or any patio.

Occasionally trimming will enhance the flowering Allamandas tend to become bare at the base when they're mature If that happens you can grow other smaller flowers underneath

I chose the dwarf variety as I felt the regular bush variety would be too big under my foxtail palms

There is a vine, brown bud allamanda, with huge yellow flowers that you can use for a trellis or around a mailbox

Here is some information on the regular, dwarf and vine bush allamandas they are evergreen and moderately salt-tolerant They're moderate growers that like full to partial sun and do best in Zone 10

You can keep them trimmed at 3 feet while young and then 4 or 5 feet tall once they're mature Fertilize three times a year - in spring, fall and wint outside of the fertilizer black-out

Allamanda bushes grow wider at the top, so place them no closer than 3 feet apart Come out from the house at least 2 1/2 feet If planting along a walk or drive, come in 3 to 4 feet These shrubs can be grown in large containers.

Dwarf allamanda is my favorite It has fabulous butter-yellow flowers with glossy green foliage The dwarf variety of allamanda stays bushy but small

Watering correctly is the key to keeping these small flowering shrubs at their best They need regular irrigation but must dry out a bit in between waterings This has not been a problem this year with our drought

Like a lot of other plants here in Southwest Florida, allamandas contain toxins and will make you sick if you ingest them The milky sap may cause skin irritations as well. I recommend to always wear garden gloves when handling cuttings if you have sensitive skin

My love of any kind of flower in my garden, makes me so happy! With every walk in the garden, it gives me an explosion of pleasure Treat yourself to an allamanda bush or vine and hopefully you’ll experience the thrill! Happy gardening!

Ann Block is Past President of the Garden Club of Cape Coral Visit the club website www gardenclubofcapecoral com

F G C U C i r c l e K C l u b ; a n d E m i l y Staller, Key Club Division 19b lieutenant governor

Division 19 Lt Gov Denny Sharma introduced each club and gave each president a few minutes to share what they are doing The clubs reported that they are rebounding from COVID restrictions that closed schools and hurricanes that hit the area The Kiwanis motto is “Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time” and each club told how they are carrying that out in their areas

The first speakers were Webb and Pegler, who shared Al Kinkle’s story and the purpose for starting Kimmie’s Recovery Center They shared statistics on how many children and students are hurt now that fentanyl is added to other drugs or candy-looking drugs They reported that there are many ways people can help their program Along with literature on their presentation, they gave out Narcan and told of the importance to have it available in case of an

o v e r d o s e T h e y s a i d d o n a t i o n s a r e always welcome but volunteers are also needed

The Kiwanis members networked as they enjoyed a lunch of panini sandwiches, salad, garlic Parmesan truffle fries, fruit and dessert or a vegetarian meal The wait staff were attentive as they checked on drinks and refilled the banquet dishes

Staller gave an update on what is happening in the district’s high school Key Clubs

The first speaker after lunch was R i e h l H e r G o v e r n o r ’ s P r o j e c t f o r 2023-2024 will be foster care She said her heart is with foster children and she shared how local clubs can help the children in foster care, foster care parents and the children who age out of foster care

Bredbenner discussed Bringing Up G r a d e s a n d h o w i t h e l p s c h i l d r e n increase their grades in school with the support of local Kiwanis Clubs There is now a virtual version for families that homeschool The information has been translated into Spanish. She has encouraged school principals and counselors to contact their local Kiwanis Club for information on how to set up this program at their schools

Sharma concluded the meeting reminding the clubs of the Two for Two Membership Program He commended the clubs for what they accomplished this year despite hurricanes and challenged the club presidents as they begin their year on Oct 1

Information on other Kiwanis clubs in the area is available on Kiwanis org

Introducing A.N.A.’s Friends

Local foundation was formally known as Guardian ad Litem

Formerly known as Guardian ad Litem Foundation –20th Judicial Circuit, A N A ’s Friends continues its mission of serving Abused, Neglected and Abandoned children in the local community For over 40 years, the organization's mission has been to provide the support, care, guidance and resources needed to conquer adversity and create brighter futures for the most vulnerable in the community

A N A ’s Friends achieves this mission through a network of devoted volunteers and professionals, including vital Guardian ad Litem Volunteer Advocates

Learn more about A N A ’s Friends and how you can get involved by watching the video below, or on its website at www anasfriends org

On Thursday, Oct 5, at 4:30 p m , there will e a ribboncutting ceremony for the A N A 's Friends new name, expanded offerings and new location at 11691 Gateway Blvd , Suite 102, Fort Myers -- in the Sanibel Captiva

Community Bank building The public is invited to stop by and learn about the organization's new space, new identity and its increased programming

To RSVP, please email program@galfoundation20 org or call 239-245-7787

You can also visit www anasfriends org

Cape Coral for the Children’s Annual Charity Fashion Show & Luncheon set for Oct. 17 at Cape Cabaret

Cape Coral for the Children's Annual Charity Fashion Show & Luncheon will be held Tuesday, Oct 17, at 11:30 a m , at Cape Cabaret at 4725 Vincennes Ave , Cape Coral

The show will feature Fashions by Anthony's and all proceeds benefit a scholarship program for children in Cape Coral Cape Coral for the Children is an all volunteer 501(c)(3) charity

There will be a special raffle for prizes valued at $100plus, a cash raffle and over $3,000 in gifts and certificates

The menu for the luncheon features a choice of south-

ern fried chicken thigh with garlic mashed potatoes and vegetable, or Mediterranean Atlantic cod with rice pilaf, or French dip on Italian roll/au jus and french fries All are served with salad, coffee, tea and dessert A cash bar will be available

The cost is $40 per person prepaid make checks out to Cape Coral for the Children, which is at 4112 S E 8th Ave , Cape Coral, FL 33904

Reservations must be made by Oct 1 For additional i n f o r m a t i o n , c o n t a c t J u l i e L o m b a r d i a t c c f c l u n c hbunch@comcast net or 239-540-8288

Prairy Riehl

Car seat safety check offered

By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers com

Are you strapping your child into their car seat correctly, or have the properlyapproved apparatus?

These are questions that will be answered this Saturday at Cape Coral Fire Station 12

Lee Health's Safe Kids SWFL, along with the Cape Coral police and fire departments, will host a “seat check safety” event from 9 a m to noon at the station located at 2129 Chiquita Blvd

Nationally certified technicians will be on-site to help parents properly install car seats and provide information vital to their child's safety while on the road

“A lot of parents do they best they can to install their child's car seat correctly,” said Safe Kids SWFL Coordinator Julie Noble “What we see as technicians, is that four out of five are improperly installed Of course that’s going to impact that child’s safety in the event of a crash We like to host these events and educate families on proper installation ”

Noble said education is paramount for preparation every time a child is strapped into their car seat before a trip up the road or across the country She said at Golisano Children’s Hospital (the lead agency for Safe Kids SWFL), they see many motor vehicle crash victims that were not properly restrained

Golisano even has a child passenger safety program, where they help parents of newborns know the proper protocol

“This is what we do on a regular basis,” Noble said “We’re beginning to see a lot of counterfeit seats, or ‘fake seats,’ and it’s really become a bigger problem lately ”

Noble said issues can stem from

Lee Health’s Safe Kids SWFL, along with the Cape Coral police and fire departments, will host a “seat check safety” event from 9 a m to noon Saturday at the station located at 2129 Chiquita Blvd.

improper use of latch systems while anchoring a car seat, putting children in front-facing seats too early, and not tethering the car seat in correctly which can cause a deadlier wider range-of-motion

“Parents, because they want to see their child in the rearview mirror and looking forward -- they should keep them in the rear-facing position as long as possible, to the maximum weight and height of that seat,” Noble said “That rear-facing position is most protective That shell is going to spread those crash-forces across the seat and help protect the head, neck, and spine ”

When it comes to counterfeit or nonapproved car seats, Noble said it’s an issue that’s been more and more prevalent

“People are buying them online or getting them from family members or friends, and they’re not U S approved car seats, meaning these are tested and literally shatter,” Noble said “They’re not going to protect their children in the event of a crash like a U S approved car seat It’s really worrisome ”

Technicians on-site will be able to assist parents with any questions they may have about their car seat and its safety Educational information will also be distributed in pamphlets for parents to take home For those that cannot attend, call Safe Kids SWFL at 239-343-5101 to schedule an appointment for an inspection

REAL ESTATE

consider in rent-to-own deal

Mr. Feichthaler,

I am considering a rent-to-own situation where I would rent for the next five years, with an option to purchase at the end The owner/landlord has agreed to credit $200 every month toward the purchase price He also has asked for $20,000 down payment for the “option,” which would also apply to the purchase price Do you see any issues with this?

Dear Lee,

I n o u r n e w e r a o f higher interest rates and bank charges, many residents like you are seeking alternative ways to p u r c h a s e a h o m e A lease-option is a way to a c c o m p l i s h t h i s However, like any major purchase, caution should b e e x e r c i s e d b e f o r e signing

Eight months into 2023 home sales, prices lower, listings up

Lee D

One year ago in this column we wrote that the key takeaways in our local real estate market involved rising mortgage rates, which had then climbed above 6%, ultimately resulting in a substantial drop in the number of closed home sales in August 2022 We also noted that our market had clearly shifted away from the wild seller’s market of earlier that year, as the number of active listings through a Realtor in Cape Coral for single-family homes had risen dramatically from a mere 424 listings on Feb 22, 2022, to just over 1,400 listings in September 2022 We finished our opening paragraph back then by stating, “For now, the keys to the housing market are in the hands of the Jerome Powell-led Federal Reserve ”

In

months of 2023, there were a total of 3,601 closed sales in the Cape’s overall singlefamily home market, which was down 20.1% from the 4,509 closed sales in the first eight months of 2022

The median sales price in the overall Cape Coral single-family home market was $399,950 in August, or 7% lower than the $430,000 posted in August 2022, and 2 5% below the $410,000 in July of this year In the first eight months of 2023, the overall median sales price for single-family homes in the Cape averaged $412,452 per month, which was 4 1% less than the average of $430,000 per month in the first eight months of 2022

Indirect gulf access canal homes

First, we would want to make sure that both a lease and a Purchase and Sale Agreement for the eventual purchase of the home would be signed at the same time The lease would be written as you have noted, which should be reviewed to confirm there is no conflict with the purchase contract, or terms that are detrimental to you The same review should be done for the sales contract

Eric P Feichthaler Real Estate Law

My next concern would be the $20,000 payment for the option Would the owner have immediate access to this, or would it be held in escrow until the purchase? Is there anything protecting you if the seller left town, died or attempted to sell the property to someone else? One way to protect your contract interest is to require a memorandum of the sale or lease with the county clerk By doing so, you put all prospective purchasers on notice that you have a contract to purchase the property, and that should stop any type of sale to an intervening buyer

Of course, you will also want to confirm the numbers being asked for make sense financially for you, based on the current and potential future value of the property There are many other issues to consider before dedicating that level of money to a transaction well into the future, so I highly recommend seeking legal counsel before proceeding.

Eric P Feichthaler has lived in Cape Coral for over 35 years and graduated from Mariner High School in Cape Coral After completing law school at G e o r g e t o w n U n i v e r s i t y i n W a s h i n g t o n , D C , h e returned to Southwest Florida to practice law and raise a family He served as mayor of Cape Coral from 2005-2008, and continues his service to the community through the Cape Coral Caring Center, Cape Coral Museum of History, and Cape Coral Kiwanis He has been married to his wife, Mary, for over 20 years, and they have four children together He earned his board certification in Real Estate Law from the Florida Bar. He is AV Preeminent rated by Martindale-Hubbell for professional ethics and legal ability, and is a Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator He can be reached at eric@capecoralattorney com, or 239-5424733

This article is general in nature and not intended as legal advice to anyone Individuals should seek legal counsel before acting on any matter of legal rights and obligations

This week we were writing this column before the conclusion of the Federal Open Market Committee meeting on Wednesday, with 30-year fixed mortgage rates firmly above 7% and the keys to the housing market, and much more, still largely in the hands of Powell The “expert” opinions about what is coming next with interest rates, the economy, oil prices, inflation and the housing market all vary widely However, exiting from multiple years worth of abnormal monetary policy and “rescue plans” in the aftermath of the Great Recession years, followed by the impact of the COVID lockdowns, will likely require “foaming” a very wide runway on which to land the U S economy and the housing market

As of this Tuesday, Sept 19, the number of active singlefamily Cape Coral homes listed for sale through the MLS climbed up to 1,987 homes from 1,946 homes a week ago At the beginning of this year there were 1,330 active listings Current list prices ranged from $258,000 to $7 59 million, and the median list price based on the snapshot taken in our weekly market survey came in at $515,000 (up from $512,675 a week ago) There are currently 647 pending home sales in the Cape, down from 675 pending sales a week ago, but up from 522 on Jan 3 Current pending sales prices ranged from a low of $175,000 for a storm damaged home, with the second lowest pending sales price at $249,900 and the highest coming in at $2 299 million The current median pending sales price for a Cape Coral home was $398,500 as of Tuesday, down a fraction from $398,885 on Sept 12

In the overall Cape Coral single-family home market, there were 464 closed home sales in August, which was 10 2% higher than the 421 closed sales in August 2022, and 10 7% above the 419 closed sales in July of this year In the first eight

In the Cape Coral single-family indirect gulf access canal home segment (meaning canal homes with bridges in the canal system), there were 19 closed home sales in August, which was 50% lower than the 38 closed sales in August 2022, and 38 7% below the 31 sales in July of this year In the first eight months of 2023, we had 310 closed sales in this segment, down 32.6% from 460 sales in the first eight months of 2022.

The median sales price in the Cape’s single-family indirect gulf access canal home segment spikednup to $881,000 in August, which was 10 1% above the $800,000 posted in August 2022, and 25 9% higher than the $700,000 in July of this year In the first eight months of 2023, the median sales price in this segment averaged $786,313 per month, or 2 4% below the average of $805,631 per month in the first eight months of 2022

Direct sailboat access canal homes

In the Cape Coral single-family direct sailboat access canal home segment (homes with no bridges in the canals to reach open water), there were 29 closed home sales in August This was even with the 29 sales in August 2022, and up 7 4% from the 27 sales in July of this year In the first eight months of 2023, there were 274 closed sales in this segment, or 30 8% less than the 396 sales in the first eight months of 2022

The median sales price in the Cape’s single-family direct sailboat access canal home segment was $750,000 in August, or 14 3% below the $875,000 in August 2022, and 6 3% lower than the $800,000 in July of this year In the first eight

See 2023 HOME SALES, page 17

REAL ESTATE BRIEFS

John R. Wood Christie’s International Real Estate acquires new Cape Coral office

John R Wood Christie’s International Real Estate, a leading Southwest Florida real estate brokerage, this week announced the acquisition of a new office building at 4017 Del Prado Blvd , S , in Cape Coral

“In addition to almost tripling the size of our previous space, the new waterfront office ensures excellent visibility and contributes to our local prominence while highlighting Cape Coral’s boating lifestyle,” John R. Wood Christie’s International Real Estate President and CEO Phil Wood “This central location offers greatly enhanced facilities and easy access to downtown Cape Coral, the Midpoint Bridge and the Cape Coral Bridge ”

The 4,400-square-foot, free-standing building is situated in a central location along the Plato Canal with direct Gulf access via the Caloosahatchee River The building is three times as large as the company’s previous Cape Coral location

In addition to increased space, the new location offers enhanced facilities including a spacious foyer and greeting area; 16 individual offices and workstations, a cyber room

and work area designed specifically for mobile agents; agent training area; two spacious, glassed conference rooms overlooking the waterway; full kitchen and ample parking for guests and staff via a private parking lot

John R Wood Christie’s International Real Estate, founded in 1958, is the oldest major real estate brokerage in Southwest Florida Family owned and operated, it is a nationally recognized company with 65 years of market experience and broad international exposure to buyers in various countries John R Wood has more than 800 agents and staff in 23 offices, offering luxury real estate services throughout the area For more information, visit johnrwood com

Ruane to discuss hurricane recovery projects and funding at REIs meeting

Kevin Ruane, Lee County commissioner and chair of the Recovery Task Force, will report on hurricane recovery projects and funding at the Real Estate Investment Society (REIS) Oct 10 luncheon

Ruane will explain the federal Community Development

See REAL ESTATE BRIEFS, page 17

Bob and Geri Quinn Homing

There are many issues to

CENTURY 21 Selling Paradise acquires CENTURY 21 Birchwood

CENTURY 21 Selling Paradise has announced its acquisition of CENTURY 21 Birchwood, a move that will reshape the landscape of real estate services in Cape Coral This acquisition brings two industry leaders together to combine their strengths, expertise and resources

l l i n g P a r a d i s e " W e a r e c o nf i d e n t t h a t t h i s m o v e w i l l f u r t h e r s t r e n g t h e n o u r p o s i t i o n a s l e a d e r s i n t h e

i n d u s t r y a n d a l l o w u s t o b e t t e r s e r v e o u r c l i e n t s "

“Clients and partners of both CENTURY 21 Selling Paradise and CENTURY 21 Birchwood can rest assured that the integration process will be seamless, with a focus on maintaining the high level of service they have come to expect,” remarked

Greg Guminski, broker/chief operating

office of CENTURY 21 Selling Paradise

For more information about CENTURY 21 Selling Paradise, please visit c21sellingparadiserealty.com or contact Guminski a t 2 3 9 - 5 4 2 - 5 7 7 7 o r v i a e m a i l a t greg guminski@c21sp com

The CENTURY 21 Selling Paradise regional office is at 3409 Del Prado Blvd , S , #103, Cape Coral

2023 home sales: Prices are lower but listings have increased in city

From page 16

months of 2023, the median sales price in this segment averaged $757,559 per month, or 14 9% less than the average of $889,816 per month in the first eight months of 2022

Freshwater canal and lake homes

In the Cape’s single-family freshwater canal home segment (landlocked canals and lakes with no boating access to the river or Gulf of Mexico), there were 52 closed home sales in August This was 33 33% above the 39 sales in August 2022, and even with the 52 sales in July of this year In the first eight months of 2023, there were 373 closed sales in this segment, which was down 20 8% from 471 sales in the first eight

From page 16

Block Grant and Disaster Recovery Funds and present the draft Action Plan that's been developed by the Recovery Task Force and Lee County’s Department of Strategic Resources and Government Affairs The plan outlines use of $1 1 billion in funding

months of 2022

The median sales price in the Cape’s single-family freshwater canal and lake home segment was $574,500 in August This was 2 6% above the $560,000 posted in August 2022, and 17 4% higher than the $489,188 in July of this year. In the first eight months of 2023, the median sales price in this segment averaged $514,430 per month, down 2 1% from the average of $525,231 per month in the first eight months of 2022

Dry lot homes

In the Cape Coral single family dry lot (non-canal) home segment, there were 364 closed sales in August, which was 15.9% higher than the 314 sales in August 2022, and 19% above the 306 sales in July of this

year In the first eight months of 2023, there were 2,629 closed sales in this segment, which was down 16 6% from the 3,151 closed sales in the first eight months of 2022

The median sales price in this segment was $370,000 in August, or 5 2% below the $390,495 posted in August 2022, and down 1 3% from $375,000 in July of this year In the first eight months of 2023, the median sales price in this segment averaged $374,510 per month, or down 1 8% from the average of $381,356 per month in the first eight months of 2022

The sales data for this article was o b t a i n e d f r o m t h e F l o r i d a R e a l t o r s Multiple Listing Service Matrix for Lee County, FL, as of Sept 18, 2023, unless

REAL ESTATE BRIEFS

from the U S Department of Housing and Urban Development to assist Lee County in restoring housing and rebuilding infrastructure Following the presentation, the Commissioner will respond to specific questions from attending real estate and development professionals

Ruane represents District 1 on the Lee

County Board of County Commissioners and also serves on the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force He formerly served as mayor of Sanibel His company, Castleton Capital, provides financing for businesses throughout the country

The meeting is sponsored by Busey Bank and will begin promptly at 11:45 a m on

otherwise noted It was compiled by Bob and Geri Quinn and it includes information specifically for Cape Coral single-family homes, and does not include condominiums, short sales or foreclosures The data and statistics are believed to be reliable, h o w e v e r , t h e y c o u l d b e u p d a t e d a n d revised periodically, and are subject to change without notice The Quinns are a husband and wife real estate team with the R E / M A X R e a l t y T e a m o f f i c e i n C a p e Coral They have lived in Cape Coral for over 44 years Geri has been a full-time Realtor since 2005, and Bob joined Geri as a full-time Realtor in 2014 Their real estate practice is mainly focused on Cape Coral residential property and vacant lots

Tuesday, Oct 10, in the Osprey Room at Pelican Preserve’s Clubhouse, on Treeline Avenue at Colonial Boulevard, one mile east of I-75 exit 136, in Fort Myers

Admission is $30 for members and $45 for guests, which includes lunch Reservations are required by Oct 5 and may be made at the REIS web site: www reis-swfl org

EDUCATION

Kramer awarded gold stars for spring 2023 at The Citadel

CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Zachary Kramer of Cape Coral is one of the more than 450 cadets and students recognized for their academic achievements during the spring 2023 semester at The Citadel

Gold stars are awarded to cadets and students at The Citadel who achieved a 3 7 grade point average or higher Cadets and students who achieve gold star recognition are also placed on The Citadel's dean's list

Those cadets may wear gold stars on their uniforms t h r o u g h o u t t h e s e m e s t e r f o l l o w i n g t h e i r a c a d e m i c achievement A gold star recognition certificate is awarded to non-cadet students who meet the requirements; veteran and active duty students are also awarded challenge coins

The Citadel, located in Charleston, South Carolina, offers a classic military college education for young men and women focused on leadership excellence and academic distinction The approximately 2,300 members of the South Carolina Corps of Cadets are not required to serve in the military, but about one-third of each class earn commissions to become officers in every branch of U S military service The Citadel Graduate College, founded more than 50 years ago, offers dozens of graduate degree, graduate certificate and evening undergraduate programs in the evening or online Learn more about The Citadel at https://www.citadel.edu/.

Handal graduates from Valdosta State University

Nine Lee County students selected as National Merit Scholarship semifinalists

Cape High’s Wright, Oasis’ Feichthaler among those earning honor

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers.com

Nine students from Lee County, two from Cape Coral schools, make up the 1% of all high school seniors selected as semifinalists in the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program

The nine students include Gabriel Wright from Cape Coral High School; Tyler Feichthaler from Oasis High School; Yamicel Bermudez from Lehigh Senior High School; Advaith Menon, Jakob Musich, Jaansi Parsa from Dunbar High School; John Stamatopoulos from Fort Myers High School; and Patrick R Dendis and Stephen D Zell, both of Bishop Verot High School.

There were 1 3 million high school juniors entered into the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2022 Preliminary SAT – National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test Those selected as a semifinalist had the highest scoring entrants in each state

In order to become a finalist, semifinalists and a high school official must submit a detailed scholarship application, which includes the student’s academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstration of leadership abilities, employment, honors, endorsements and an essay. Out of the approximately 16,000 semifinalists nationwide, 7,140 National Merit Scholarships will be awarded worth $28 million

needed to focus and that is how I got ready,” Wright said

Although he did not think the test was too hard, the biggest challenge was the length of the test and number of questions he had to answer in a short amount of time

“I had to go through it pretty quickly and that was the hardest part,” Wright said

Cape High Principal Ryan Jackson said the school is proud of Wright for his accomplishment

“He is representing Cape Coral High School – a standout Seahawk,” he said

Jackson said Wright is a model student and shines every day for Cape High

VALDOSTA, Ga

Gabriel Interiano Handal of Cape Coral has earned the bachelor of science in computer science from Valdosta State University

Nearly 550 students completed their degree requirements at VSU during Summer Semester 2023

Established in 1906, Valdosta State University boasts nearly 200 academic programs leading to associate, bachelor, master, specialist and doctoral degrees as well as options to add a certification, minor, endorsement or certificate to that degree. VSU also offers a full menu of extracurricular activities, from national championship athletic and academic teams to honors organizations, sororities and fraternities, intramural sports, educational and service clubs, a symphony orchestra, art and theatre, research opportunities, and more Learn more about the university on the Web at www valdosta edu

Gilber t named to Kennesaw

State's Summer 2023 Dean's List

KENNESAW, Ga -- Delaney Gilbert of Cape Coral has been named to Kennesaw State University's Summer 2023 Dean's List in recognition of academic achievement

Majoring in criminal justice, Gilbert is among the

See EDUCATION NOTES, page 25

“It is very exciting,” Wright said of being named a semifinalist “I have been looking forward to this for a long time ”

When Wright applied for the IB program at Cape Coral High School, the staff was blown away and knew he was going to be an exceptional student, as he had a score of 1,260 on his SAT as a 7th grade student

The student spent months of studying and getting ready for the test, which he is glad paid off

“I had a review book that I would go over almost every day for a few months I did practice tests to see where I

He said making it as one of the six Semifinalist in the county is a huge deal

“We are more proud of him and his accomplishments Sure, it looks great for Cape Coral High School, but he had to do all of the work He is very capable, and we are excited to see what he has in store for the future,” Jackson said

After graduating from high school, Wright said he wants to eventually be a psychiatrist, a field he became interested in his sophomore year when he took a psychol-

See SEMIFINALISTS, page 39

FSW offers transition opportunities for Hodges University students

Florida SouthWestern State College will hold two “FSW For Hodges” events aimed at assisting students from Hodges University. Recognizing the urgency and potential challenges these students may face, FSW seeks to ensure a seamless transition for those looking to continue their academic pursuits

F S W F o r H o d g e s t r a n s i t i o n e v e n t s w i l l b e h e l d Tuesday, Sept 26, from 5-7 p m , in Building U-102, and Friday, Sept 29, from noon to 2 p m , in Building J-103

These events will provide admissions application fee waivers and assistance, detailed information about the transferability of Hodges credits, comprehensive advising regarding FSW’s diverse program and certificate offerings,

and financial aid information for a smooth transition “Florida SouthWestern State College has been a steadfast pillar of education in Southwest Florida for more than 60 years,” said Dr Judith Bilksy, vice president, FSW Academic Affairs “During this time of uncertainty for Hodges students, we want to offer a clear pathway and the support necessary to 'move forward' with their academic goals ”

For more information or to register for these events, visit www fsw edu/fswforhodges or contact the FSW Admissions Office at 239-489-9054

Florida SouthWestern is at 8099 College Parkway, at the intersection with Summerlin Road, in Fort Myers

Gabriel Wright Tyler Feichthaler

We e k ly B R E E Z E R e c ap Lee Health and the CDC urge COVID vaccines; DeSantis questions booster shots

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com

Lee Health and the Centers for Disease Control continue to recommend that the public obtain the most upto-date COVID vaccinations at a time when Florida Gov Ron DeSantis maintains the vaccines are not sufficiently proven to be effective

The remarks by DeSantis this past week followed a discussion he led with his appointed state Surgeon General Dr Joseph Ladapo and several other public health professionals who shared his view about the recently federally approved COVID-19 mRNA boosters

Ladapo advised against the use of COVID booster vaccines for those under the age of 65

“I will not stand by and let the FDA and CDC use

healthy Floridians as guinea pigs for new booster shots that have not been proven to be safe or effective,” DeSantis said in a prepared statement

The CDC stands by its public guidance

Mandy Cohen, CDC director, called efforts to undercut vaccine uptake “un-founded and dangerous ”

C o h e n s a i d “ v a c c i n a t i o n against COVID-19 remains the safest protection for avoiding hospitalizations, longterm health challenges, and death As we head into the fall and winter seasons, it is important that Americans

North High comes up just short of securing first football win of season

By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers com

North Fort Myers dropped a heartbreaker Friday night at home, falling to Lemon Bay, 34-33, in a backand-forth shootout

The Red Knights (0-4) put up their highest scoring total thus far this season behind a pair of running backs eclipsing the 100-yard mark But it was the Manta Rays (4-0) that snuck out a win, as a fourth quarter touchdown that gave the road team a 1-point advantage went unanswered.

Despite a tough defeat, North head coach David Pasquale took the positive from the contest

“We're improving every week,” Pasquale said “We got hit with an injury bug early We have four seniors right now that are playing This group is getting better every week I think this was a great game for us to learn from We had opportunities to win the game, but obviously the outcome wasn't what we wanted But at the end of the day, we had our opportunities, and we left it out all on the field ”

Both teams' offenses were stifled on their opening possessions, though that would quickly change for the remainder of the game

On its second possession, Lemon Bay senior running back Joseph Scott broke through the line of scrimmage and turned on the jets, bursting for a 63-yard score to put the Manta Rays on the board first at 6-0.

The Red Knights offense swiftly responded, as Cadeon Conn hit Kirtis Denham for a big play up the left sideline, setting North up inside the 15

A few plays later, senior running back Andre Costa took a handoff from 4 yards out and suck in on the right side to put North up 7-6 with the extra point kick

The Red Knights built on their lead 5 minutes into the second quarter, as Costa again found pay dirt, this time from 3 yards out to give North a 14-6 advantage

Costa, who carried 18 times for a whopping 121 yards, scored his third TD of the game with 1 minute to play in the second quarter After the Red Knights forced a fumble to set them up deep in Lemon Bay territory, Costa followed his blockers from 5 yards out, pushing the North lead to 20-7

“(Costa) is a special kid,” Pasquale said “He does what we ask of him, and he does it right When he gets the ball in his hands, he does special things with it ”

Lemon Bay did not go quietly into the half, as quarterback Lorenzo Maurceri connected with Scott for a 33yard catch with just 22 seconds to play before the half A successful 2-point conversation made the score 20-14 heading into the half

The Manta Rays scored first in a busy quarter for the scoreboard operator, as Scott reeled in his second touch-

North Fort Myers running back Virgil Malloy looks for room to run during the Red Knights’ home game with Lemon Bay Friday Malloy ran 20 times for 177 yards and a touchdown in the tough loss.

down reception of the game and third overall, this time a 25-yard strike from Maurceri after Lemon Bay picked off Conn

The Manta Rays pushed their lead to 28-20 just three minutes later, as Scott once again found the end zone -a 42-yard reception from Maurceri

The Red Knights offense fired back on the ensuing possession, as Virgil Malloy, who ran 20 times for an astonishing 177 yards, found the end zone from 10 yards out North's 2-point try was unsuccessful, with the team still trailing 28-26

“That was our goal all week, we had to execute, and I think they did that,” Pasquale said of his offense

A defensive play in the waning moments of the third quarter provided a massive momentum swing, as the Red Knights forced a quarterback fumble that was recovered by Christian Weber who ran it back from 5 yards out giving North a 33-28 lead heading into the fourth quarter

Lemon Bay had the final say, though, as Scott's fifth touchdown on the night, a 6-yard rush with 9:17 left to play, provided a 34-33 advantage that was not relinquished

Pasquale said he was proud of the way his team continued to battle throughout the game.

“This group fights,” Pasquale said “We've seen it week in and week out ”

North will have its first district matchup this Friday as it hosts Cape Coral (4-0)

get the updated COVID-19 vaccine. They are proven safe; they are effective, and they have been thoroughly and independently reviewed by the FDA and CDC Since this Administration’s launch of the largest adult vaccination program in our nation’s history, COVID-19 vaccines have saved millions of lives and kept countless people out of the hospital ”

Lee Health is following protocols

“ L e e H e a l t h i s f o l l o w i n g a l l r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s regarding COVID and the new booster from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention The CDC says updated COVID-19 vaccines are recommended for everyone six months and older,” Lee Health spokesperson Katie Egan said.

Lee Health hospitals had four people hospitalized for COVID as of Sept 12, Egan said

A pedestrian bridge will be included in the design for the proposed new Cape Coral Bridge with Lee County deciding its design option of choice Tuesday

The Lee Board of County Commissioners confirmed the consensus direction it reached at a board workshop earlier this month to advance the Alternate 1 design of the Cape Coral Bridge Replacement Project and incorporate a pedestrian bridge

Both the Alternate 1 and Alternate 2 designs would modify access to the Caloosa Yacht and Racquet Club, requiring a U-turn movement Alternate 1 - the design option selected places the U-turn near the Caloosahatchee River underneath the replaced bridge structure

It is the most cost effective option, officials said.

Alternate 2 would place the U-turn closer to the Caloosa Yacht and Racquet Club entrance, but it would require the construction of an additional bridge structure

The Cape Coral Bridge Project is a priority and has been the subject of several board workshops, including in 2022, early 2023 and – most recently – on Sept 5, officials said

Lee County also continues to maintain a no-build option as project development moves forward, which would include only refurbishment of existing structures

Maintaining a no-build option is a requirement of the Project Development & Environment Study The project development phase is anticipated to conclude in about a year The PD&E phase includes further opportunity for public input at a public hearing, which will be followed by a board vote

The bridge replacement project is expected to cost an estimated $300 million, with construction set to begin in 2026

The Cape Coral Bridge was originally a two lane bridge that opened to traffic in 1964 as the sole direct link between Cape Coral and Fort Myers

The toll was 25 cents and it was removed in 1975

A parallel span was added to the south side of the existing bridge in the fall of 1989

A toll of 75 cents was imposed to pay the bonds associated with the new facility, and a 10-lane toll facility was opened simultaneously.

The toll was raised to $1 in November of 1993 to allow funds to be accrued to reduce the bonding requirements for the then-planned Midpoint Memorial Bridge

The Midpoint Memorial Bridge and Toll Facility, an east/west corridor between the Cape and Fort Myers, opened to traffic Oct 19, 1997

Gov Ron DeSantis

County Commission confirms design direction for replacement of Cape Coral Bridge

CJ HADDAD

October programs at Cape Coral Lee County Public Library

Next month’s roster of activities at the Cape Coral Lee County Public Library offers topics for all ages The following activities are free to the public:

Adult Programs

Savvy Caregiver Course presented by The Dubin Center

2 p.m., Tuesdays, Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

Join The Dubin Center for a six-week, evidence-based course designed to help you become a more confident caregiver for someone living with a dementia-related illness. It is recommended you attend all six consecutive courses Registration is required

English Café

6 p m , Tuesdays, Oct 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

10 a.m., Fridays, Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27

Free, informal conversation sessions for adult ESOL/ESL students

Book Discussion: “Daisy Darker” by Alice Feeney

11 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 4

Trapped on an island where someone is killing them one by one, the Darkers must reckon with their present mystery as well as their past secrets, before the tide goes out and all is revealed

Download Drop-In

11 a.m., Thursdays, Oct. 5, 19

Receive personalized help downloading e-books, movies, music and more from Overdrive/Libby and Hoopla, two of Lee County Library System’s largest online content providers. Bring your fully charged digital device for this hands-on help session Note: Please bring any passwords you may need for downloading apps Kindle

users will also need an Amazon account and their password for accessing it

Frida and Diego: The Lives and Times of Kahlo and Rivera

2 p m , Thursday, Oct 5

These historical characters lived excitin g liv es in v er y ex citin g times : Th e Mexican Revolution; the mural movement; the birth of communism; a love relationship; a horrible accident and chronic pain; extramarital affairs and on and on This lecture will show how these events influenced our characters and how they colored our perception of those events Registration is required

Riddle Me This? Fandom Trivia

1 p m , Saturday, Oct 7

Test your trivia skills in this battle of wits with questions from your favorite fandoms Come solo or with a team of up to five players Teams are welcome to dress up in their favorite fandom The winning team will receive a prize Space is limited to 10 teams of five Registration is required

Crafts at Cape: Fandom Disney Paper Quilling

11 a m , Thursday, Oct 12

H e l p c e l e b r a t e D i s n e y ' s 1 0 0 t h Anniversary with this fun craft Use templates to recreate different characters with paper quilling Great for beginners to interm e d i a t e l e v e l q u i l l e r s R e g i s t r a t i o n i s required Seating is guaranteed until the start of the program

Social Security and Medicare Solutions Program

2 p m , Thursday, Oct 19

Learn the ins and outs of Social Security

Lynch Identify the cost, benefits and features of these two programs to help you make the best-informed decisions Registration is required

Florida's Top 10 Ghostly Legends

5 p.m., Monday, Oct. 23

Join author and folklorist Christopher Balzano, author and host of the podcast

spooky stories and ghostly legends of Southwest Florida and beyond Registration is required

Crafts at Cape: Halloween

11 a m , Thursday, Oct 26

Get ready for Halloween with spooky character blocks Supplies and instructions will be provided Space is limited to 20 Registration is guaranteed until the start of the program

Children’s Programs

Lego Club

4 p m , Wednesday, Oct 4

For all ages Drop in for building challenges the whole family will enjoy All materials are provided

Riddle Me This? Fandom Trivia

1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 7

Test your trivia skills in this battle of wits with questions from your favorite fandoms Come solo or with a team of up to five players Teams are welcome to dress up in their favorite fandom. The winning team will receive a prize Space is limited to 10 teams of five Registration is required

Kids Read Down Fines

1-2 p m , Saturday, Oct 7

5:15-6:15 p m , Wednesday, Oct 18

Children and teens can earn a $2 credit on overdue fines for every 15 minutes they read in the designated area for a total of $8 in one session Please bring your library card Please check in at the Youth Services Reference Desk

Preschool Storytime

10:30 a.m., Tuesdays, Oct. 3, 24, 31

For ages 3-5 Children attend this program independently while parents and caregivers wait nearby First-come, firstserved Space is limited Please arrive early and pick up a ticket at the Youth Services desk

Toddler Tales

10:30 a.m., Wednesdays, Oct. 4, 25

For ages 18-36 months and caregivers Toddlers and caregivers move and groove during this interactive storytime Firstcome, first-served Space is limited Please arrive early and pick up a ticket at the Youth Services desk

Baby Rhyme Time

10:30 a m , Thursdays, Oct 5, 26

For babies up to 18 months Babies and caregivers wiggle and giggle in a supportive environment First-come, first-served Space is limited Please arrive early and pick up a ticket at the Youth Services desk

Bilingual Storytime and Author Visit

10:30 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 7

Children and their families are invited

See CAPE CORAL LIBRARY, page 25

Cape Coral Library: Programs and activities scheduled for October

From page 20

to a special storytime in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month Local authors Yajaida and Michelson Aristhyl will be reading their book “La Casita Hispaniola ” There will be music, singing and activities that will make this a storytime you do not want to miss

Limited to 40 children plus caregiver

Tickets available 30 minutes before program start time

Baby Play Date

10:30 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 11

For babies up to 24 months Meet new friends and explore sensory activities that promote the development of early literacy skills through free play, games and toys

Dress for mess Space is limited to 30 babies plus caregiver Tickets are available 30 minutes before the start of the program

Not Too Spooky Storytime

10:30 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 14

Join us for stories, rhymes and songs that are slightly spooky and silly, but not scary For children through age 5 with a caregiver Costumes are welcome Space is limited Please arrive early and pick up a ticket at the Youth Services desk

Fandom Fest Disney Celebration

10 a.m., Monday, Oct. 16

Celebrate Disney turning 100 There will be various crafts and activities themed around some of our favorite Disney characters, along with a special guest appearance While supplies last

STEAM Club

4 p m , Wednesday, Oct 18

For ages 5-11 Be ready for fun experiments and projects as we explore the world

of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) Dress for mess Registration is required and is guaranteed until the start of the program

Kids Fall Wreath Craft

10:30 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 21

For ages 5-11 and accompanying adults Help bring the fall season to Florida by making a bright and beautiful themed wreath Registration is required

Fandom Fest Family Movie Night

4 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 25

Run amok and celebrate Disney's 100 years with a family movie night Snacks will be provided Rated PG

Teen Programs

Fandom Fest Teen Movie

3 p m , Thursday, Oct 5

For ages 11-18 Roll the dice and make D&D buttons as we watch a new movie All supplies and snacks provided Sponsored by the Friends of the Cape Coral Library Rated PG-13

Riddle Me This? Fandom Trivia

1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 7

Test your trivia skills in this battle of wits with questions from your favorite fandoms Come solo or with a team of up to five players. Teams are welcome to dress up in their favorite fandom The winning team will receive a prize Space is limited to 10 teams of five Registration is required

Kids Read Down Fines

1-2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 7

5:15-6:15 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 18

Children and teens can earn a $2 credit on overdue fines for every 15 minutes they

read in the designated area for a total of $8 in one session Please bring your library card Please check in at the Youth Services Reference Desk

What the Craft?: Glow Art Party

4 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 12

For ages 11-18. Paint on black canvas with glow-in-the-dark paint and enjoy themed drinks and activities All supplies are provided while they last Please wear white or other neon colors so you will stand out Sponsored by the Friends of the Cape Coral Library

Random Acts of Tech: Code-A-Maze

4 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 19

For ages 11-18 Learn about coding and robotics with Sphero SPRK+ robots Each month will build on the skills from the previous activity All supplies provided

Florida's Top 10 Ghostly Legends

5 p m , Monday, Oct 23

Join author and folklorist Christopher Balzano, author and host of the podcast “Tripping on Legends,” as he shares spooky stories and ghostly legends of Southwest Florida and beyond Registration is required

Fandom Fest Teen Movie

5 p.m., Monday, Oct. 30

For ages 11-18 Bring your friends for this special movie showing Snacks will be provided Rated PG-13, 120 mins

The Cape Coral Lee County Public

Terrace in Cape Coral For more information about a program or to register, please call the library at 239-533-4500 Check the Lee County Library System’s website at www leelibrary net to find out about programs at other locations Call the host library, or Telephone Reference at 239479-INFO (4636), for more information about a specific program

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

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Lee County will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities in its services, programs or activities To request an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication or a reasonable modification to participate, contact Joan LaGuardia, 239-533-2314, F l o r i d a R e l a y S e r v i c e 7 1 1 , o r j l ag u a r d i a @ l e e g o v c o m A c c o m m o d a t i o n will be provided at no cost to the requestor Requests should be made at least five business days in advance

EDUCATION NOTES

From page 18

982 students named to the Summer 2023 Dean's List To qualify, students must earn a semester grade point average of 3 5 or higher and complete a minimum of nine credit hours

Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 43,000 students Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. For more information, visit kennesaw edu

Redfish Pointe: Owners’ spokesperson says most of the land will be preserved

From page 2

grove trees Barbaccia said many of the mangroves along the river were destroyed by Hurricane Ian, and that the landowners have suggested a replanting of mangroves at the waters edge with the elevated public boardwalk to improve the natural resource environment

“Right now, most of the mangroves along the water were destroyed,” Barbaccia said, adding that experts say only 20% of mangroves in the proposed development area survived the near category 5 hurricane

“The thought is it could be a balance of development and planting ”

As for flood mitigation, Barbaccia said the landowners have consulted with engineering experts, and that if anything, the development could improve potential flooding to homes in the vicinity

“(A potential developer) will make sure all of the water is retained on the property,” she said “In fact, (the expert said) it could probably be even better, especially if we do plantings Because right now, everything has been devastated The buildings and other barriers can help serve as that, as well Two hundred and forty acres are still going to

remain as they are.

“Other concerns were with the way the roadway is designed Concern was if it would stop the water from feeding wetlands to the north, and the answer is no It will be designed with culverts It will be designed in a way where they won’t occur, the agencies won't let it occur

“The future land use is a template Even if you look at the development area, which is 100 acres overall, you’re looking at eight units an acre for multifamily, which is not a high number ”

Barbaccia said the landowners understand the concerns of the surrounding neighborhoods and have held three community meetings at Rotary Park (on Aug 22, Sept 13 and16) to present the proposal and consultants’ assessments

She said landowners are open to including a natural resource education center and/or special district

“There’s still opportunity to make changes,” Barbaccia said “We’re still early on in the process ”

A city Planning and Zoning hearing is pending

“We anticipate there will be a planning and zoning hearing on the Redfish Pointe development in October,”

Manager: Four-year contract includes paid health insurance, car allowance

From page 1

Ilczyszyn was paid $222,164 80 for t h e i n t e r i m c i t y m a n a g e r p o s i t i o n , a n increase of $46,883 20 over the salary of $175,281 60 he earned in his most recent position as director of Public Works Benefits include paid health insurance, c e l l p h o n e a l l o w a n c e a n d a v e h i c l e allowance of $600 a month.

The contract includes severance pay up to 20 weeks if he is terminated without cause, which Gunter said is very similar to the negotiation he did with the city attorney post whose contract calls for 16 weeks severance for an without cause termination

“The previous city manager was 20 weeks I tried to do something very similar t o d e p a r t m e n t d i r e c t o r s , t h e y g e t 1 6 weeks,” Gunter said, adding that is how he came up with four months

The length of the contract was also discussed, with Gunter saying Ilczyszyn wanted five year, and he wanted three They settled on four years, which began on Sept 20, and will end on Sept 19, 2027 The contract, upon agreement, will be automatically renewed for successive two-year terms

Once the contract is up for renewal, the city must notify him within 120 days if

they elect not to renew his contract

T h e f o r m e r c i t y m a n a g e r , R o b e r t o

H e r n a n d e z m a d e a b a s e s a l a r y o f

$259,129 60

Lee County’s county manager, David Harner, is paid a base salary of $270,000

The superintendent of the School District of Lee County, Dr Christopher Bernier, is paid $255,000 Other city managers in Lee County include Andy Hyatt on Fort Myers

$$197,000, and Dana Souzaon Sanibel, who is paid $219,240

Before being appointed as the interim city manager, Ilczyszyn was the city’s

Public Works director He began his career in the city in 2002 as a water treatment plant director He was promoted to business manager within the Public Works Department before moving into the city manager’s office as the business manager for the city and then back to Public Works, following a demotion for disciplinary reasons

Ilczyszyn graduated from Mariner High School He graduated with a Magna Cum Laude in environmental studies and a master’s in public administration from Florida Gulf Coast University He is also a Navy veteran who served on the USS Yorktown

the city’s Communication’s Office said last week For more information on the development, visit redfishpointe com

PROVIDED PHOTO

Cape Coral Together: Resilience Rally to mark one-year milestone post-Ian

City-organized event to benefit local not-for-profits; price of admission is food or goods-related donation

By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers com

To mark the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Ian, the city of Cape Coral is organizing a community rally for a cause

The “Cape Coral Together: Resilience Rally” will be held Friday, Sept 29, from 6-10 p m at the German-American Social Club

The event will feature live music from D e e p C o v e r ( 6 p m ) , D e b & T h e D y n amics ( 7 :1 5 ) , an d Tay lo r G o y ette (8:45) as well as a variety of food trucks

“As we reach the one-year-anniversary of Hurricane Ian making landfall, the city of Cape Coral reflects on the significance of this milestone and the profound impact the storm had on our community,” said city spokesperson Lauren Kurkimilis “The (rally) is an opportunity for our community to come together to remember the hardships we overcame and the challenges we continue to face today In doing so, we can gain valuable insights, strengthen our disaster preparedness, and reaffirm our commitment to rebuilding better than before ”

In addition to bringing the community together for some fun, the event aims to aid l o c a l n o n - p r o f i t o r g a n i z a t i o n s w h o s e resources were exhausted by the storm Organizations include the Cape Caring Center, Came Coral Animal Shelter, Cape V i n e y a r d C h u r c h , F a i t h G e n e r a t i o n , Kiwanis and the Military Order of the

In addition to live music and food trucks, the event set for Sept 29 aims to aid local non-profit organizations whose resources were exhausted by the storm

In place of an entry fee, attendees are encouraged to bring donation items such as non-perishable food, pet supplies, and safety gear. Participants will be given one raffle ticket for each donation item they bring

Purple Heart

In place of an entry fee, attendees are encouraged to bring donation items such as non-perishable food, pet supplies, and safety gear Participants will be given one raffle ticket for each donation item they bring.

“The city is hosting (the rally) to celebrate the indomitable spirit of our residents in the face of adversity,” Kurkimilis said “In doing so, we draw wisdom from these experiences and continue to forge a more resilient and unified community Residents can take this opportunity to give back to t h e i r n e i g h b o r s a n d h e l p r e s t o c k t h e shelves of local non-profit organizations, w h o s e r e s o u r c e s w e r e d e p l e t e d a f t e r

City to unveil monument on Sept. 28 to commemorate first anniversar y of Hurricane Ian

The city of Cape Coral invites the public to a monument unveiling to commemorate the first anniversary of Hurricane Ian to be held at 8:30 a m on Thursday, Sept 28 at Reflections Park

Attendees are invited to join city officials for a reception at Pops Cafe inside City Hall immediately following the ceremony

No reservations are required to attend.

“This monument will honor the lives lost from Hurricane Ian’s destruction and the 1,289 City employees who worked tirelessly to safeguard Cape Coral,” the city said in a release “Our community weathered the storm, emerging stronger and more united than ever ”

Reflections Park, 815 Nicholas Parkway

Hurricane Ian ”

Requested supplies include jelly, peanut butter, canned fruits and vegetables, jarred sauces for pasta, pasta, boxes of mac and cheese, canned meats and hearty soups or stews, rice and dried potatoes, boxed cereals, non-perishable sweets, baby items including diapers and wipes, bottles and sippy cups, blankets and towels and personal hygiene items like soap, toothpaste and shampoo

“Following Hurricane Ian, our local non-profits addressed various needs and f o s t e r e d a s e n s e o f t o g e t h e r n e s s , ”

Kurkimilis said “Now it’s our turn to help

them We encourage residents to join us in s u p p o r t i n g t h e s e o r g a n i z a t i o n s s o t h a t together we can give back to those who helped us in our time of need and who continue to make a positive impact ”

Other wish list items include powdered Esbilac Puppy Milk Replacer, Pro Plan canned puppy chow, pine pelletized bedding and littler, toilet paper, copy paper and Post-Its

Raffles will be drawn from the main stage throughout the evening, and winners must be present to win

The German-American Social Club is at 2101 SW Pine Island Road

Island Hopper: 10 days of music featured throughout Lee County

From

because September is the “neediest” month in Southwest Florida and the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau wanted to drive the economy by putting “heads in beds ”

Nancy MacPhee, Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau Island Hopper lead, said the festival which jumps from today on Captiva and bounces through Oct 1 at various venues across Lee County cannot happen without donations of rooms for the songwriters She said it is a stipend to travel here, to lure them in with the promise of a beautiful resort

“Westin has been a wonderful partner for two years They hosted songwriters for us,” MacPhee said, adding the Cape Coral resort asked to be considered as a venue for the future “Luminary is totally booked and doesn’t have any rooms for us We had to move them (songwriters) from downtown after shows (last September) all the way out to the Westin ”

A conference is being held at Luminary again this year, which is why she said they decided to split the festival midweek

“We want to embrace other communities

Westin is so beautiful and such great generous partners,” MacPhee said

Here in the Cape, Island Hopper Songwriters Fest performances will offered on Monday, Sept 25, and Tuesday, Sept 26, at The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village’s Nauti Mermaid, Gather, High Tide Social House and Pinchers

The festivities will kick off with a Songwriter Dinner featuring Charlie Worsham, who recently had a track, “How I Learned To Pray” with Luke Combs, as well as a performance from Frank Myers, from 6:30 to 8:30 p m Monday, Sept 25, at Gather, 5971 Silver King Blvd , Suite 116

Tickets are $60

Other shows, all free, at Gather, 5971 Silver King Blvd., include:

Tuesday, Sept 26

■ 6:45 p.m., featuring Billy Buchanan and Grace Morrison

■ 8 p m , featuring Clare Cunningham and Madeline Finn

High Tide Social House, 6095 Silver King Blvd , free shows include:

Monday, Sept 25

■ 6:30 p m , featuring Billy Buchanan, Clare Cunningham and Sam Blasko

■ 7:30 p m , featuring Autumn Nicholas and Madeline Finn

■ 8:30 p m , featuring Reed Foley, Grace Morrison and Wyatt Edmondson

Tuesday, Sept 26

■ 6:30 p m , featuring Collin Roberts, Dave Janofsky

■ 7:45 p m , featuring Tony Saint Tone and Billy McKnight

Nauti Mermaid Dockside Bar & Grill, 5951 Silver King Blvd., free shows include:

Monday, Sept 25

■ 6:30 p m , featuring Joe Vitale Jr , Joey McGee and Tony Saint Tone

■ 7:30 p m , featuring Dave Janofsky and Claire Liparulo

■ 8:30 p.m., featuring Billy McKnight and Catie Offerman

Tuesday, Sept 26

■ 6:45 p m , featuring Joey McGee, Reed Foley and Wyatt Edmondson

■ 8 p m , featuring Frank Myers and Claire Liparulo

Pinchers, 5991 Silver King Blvd., free shows include:

Tuesday, Sept 26

■ 6:30 p m , featuring Joe Vitale Jr and Autumn Nicholas

■ 7:45 p m , featuring Sam Blasko and Chris Bepko

The Cape Coral events are the second group of performances

The festival kicks off on Captiva and performances there run from today, Friday, Sept 22, through Sunday, Sept. 24, at Mucky Duck, Green Flash, South Seas, Tween Waters, RC Otters and Key Lime Bistro

Following the Cape Coral performances, the festival then hops to Downtown Fort Myers on Wednesday, Sept 27, and Thursday, Sept 28

MacPhee said they only have so much in the budget to bring out-of-town songwriters in and host them at hotels, so they also invite local songwriters into the mix Their own special ticketed event is Wednesday, Sept 27, at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First St , Fort Myers Doors open at 6:30 p m , with the show starting at 7:30 p m

The ticketed show is $10 in advance, $15 at the door and will feature Ray Cerbone, Bill Metts, Roy Schneider, Kim Mayfield and Robert Bidney

There are four other venues downtown featuring songwriters during the festival City Tavern, Luminary Hotel & CO , Social House, and The Banyan Hotel and include an abundance of free shows

The final performances will be on Fort Myers Beach from Friday, Sept. 29, through Sun , Oct 1, at Pink Shell Beach Resort, Diamondhead Beach Resort, Matanzas Inn, Lighthouse Tiki Bar, Bayside Park and the Mound House

When you hear these invited songwriters sing, MacPhee said “80 percent of their songs are recognizable and are on the radio It’s really kind of fun ”

MacPhee said they work with BMI, the largest organization representing songwriters and rights with songs, which calls for songwriters to participate in the Island Hopper event

“Many of them are alums because they come back year after year,” she said, adding that this year there is a very good group of new songwriters for the festival

As for the venues, they only use BMI licensed venues that are in a walkable footprint with parking and hotels nearby

“We are luring people in (from) out of the area to spend a couple of days and we want them not to get back into the car,” MacPhee said “It is 10 days In a songwriter’s festival world, it is probably the longest It’s a big undertaking While we would love to touch every community, we think it is a model that other people can replicate It has worked for us, and we encourage other communities to do the same.”

Last year the estimated attendance was about 13,000 people over the course of 10 days In 2019, pre-COVID, the festival attracted 21,000, the largest crowd since its inception

The reaction from the visitors is what MacPhee enjoys the most, as she has made many new friends that come back year after year She said a few live in Chicago and Pennsylvania and come back with new friends annually

“It’s so interesting, the storm (Hurricane Ian) hit two days after Island Hopper. Some new friends kept in touch and checked on us Our partners at BMI and some of the songwriters themselves organized a benefit for the Lee County hospitality workers,” MacPhee said, adding it helped 400 hospitality workers “The reaction and hospitality from our bars, hotels and staff, they love everything a b o u t F o r t M y e r s i s l a n d b e a c h e s a n d neighborhoods ”

Teachers ask for ‘living wage’

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com

Lee County public school teachers continue to voice struggles with the pay they receive and the related challenges of living in Southwest Florida

Many spoke during public comment at Tuesday’s school board meeting, saying the 8% pay increase shared with teachers the night before via email is not enough

Teacher Todd Dusenberry said an email was sent to everyone on Monday saying that there was an 8% increase and $32 8 million was put out there, which was not an option at negotiations and that it was not discussed

Jesse Smith, a 12th-year teacher at Gateway Elementary School, also said that the 8% increase was not mentioned Monday night

“No one agreed on it last night,” she said, adding that if 8% was the final number, it would not be enough

For her, that 8% would be $167 more every two weeks, which would barely cover her electric bill

“I am saying teachers should be compensated for their expertise and experience,” Smith said, adding that teachers and support staff are not paid enough to survive “You don’t put us first This is embarrassing for you We all need a raise We have earned it ”

One teacher said they cannot pour from empty cups and take care of students

Carrie Ferguson said previously the county is going into catastrophe mode and the district needs to take into consideration that 8% is truly not enough

“We appreciate coming forward with

more money, but we truly need more to be able to live, do our jobs and not worry every night Please give Lee County teachers and support staff a living wage,” she said

Superintendent Dr Christopher Bernier the district put out a message about the evening’s bargaining session

“We wanted everyone to know that a substantial offer to TALC proposing a base salary increase of $32 8 million was put on the table This was done because this money was originally earmarked in our budget as a comprehensive salary study and the dollars that would be necessary to potentially go the result of that study in order to true up people and ensure that our compensation packages met what a good salary study would do for the district,” he said “However, after listening at the last board meeting and again tonight we decided to call an executive session with our board, and we asked them and us to heed the immediate call for action of our dedicated staff ”

Bernier said staff means union and nonunion employees and administration He said in addition to the $32 8 total, the school board also put forth $19 million that has already been spent to ensure employees do not pay additional money for insurance costs

“Medical inflation has been absorbed to the board,” Bernier said “We know we have to be fair and considerate in all of our employee groups We respect it We have to balance a budget and ensure we can pay our people and run our organization as well ”

8% proposed is not enough, Lee educators say

,

S e p t e m b e r

City looks to tweak ‘cap’ parameters within the Pine Island Road Development District

A f t e r m u c h d i s c u s s i o n t h a t r a n t h e g a m u t f r o m e l i m i n a t i n g r e s i d e n t i a l l a n d f r o m t h e P i n e I s l a n d R o a d D i s t r i c t t o r e m o v i n g c a p s a n d b u i l d i n g v e r t i c a l l y ,

C a p e C o r a l C i t y C o u n c i l a g r e e d

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“As of today, we have not reached our cap of 5,030 units We have several projects under review and projects that have preapplication Assuming they get approval, we will breach that cap substantially What we are doing now is notifying owners and developers of development caps and use restrictions No permits have been issued for units over the cap All cap issues are in permitting process or identified in pre-application stages.”

Planning Team Coordinator Wyatt Daltry, who said currently there are 2,300 residential units constructed. Approved projects coming online include an additional 1,800 units in the Pine Island Road District.

s t a n d i n g t h e r e i s s t i l l s o m e s m a l l c a p c a p a c i t y a v a i l a b l e , ” h e s a i d I l c z y s z y n s a i d s i n c e N o v e m b e r , j u s t a f t e r H u r r i c a n e I a n , t h e r e h a s b e e n a f l u rr y o f d e v e l o p e r s l o o k i n g t o b u i l d m u l t if a m i l y , s o m e r e l a t e d t o S e n a t e B i l l 1 0 2 , o t h e r s t r y i n g t o b u y d i s t r e s s e d p r o p e r t i e s d a m a g e d b y t h e h u r r i c a n e “ O n l y s i n c e N o v e m b e r i n t h i s y e a r a l o n e a l l t h e s u b m i t t a l s c a m e i n W e h a v e n o t a l l o w e d a n y b o d y t o v i o l a t e t h e c a p A s s o o n a s w e h i t t h e p e r m i t 8 8 9 , w e h a v e t o p u t r e j e c t i o n c o m m e n t s , ” h e s a i d T h e r e w e r e f o u r o p t i o n s p r e s e n t e d t o C o u n c i l w i t h c i t y s t a f f r e c o m m e n d i n g t h e f i r s t t h r e e o p t i o n s T h o s e i n c l u d e d r e m o v i n g r e s i d e n t i a l l a n d f r o m t h e P i n e I s l a n d R o a d D i s t r i c t , a m e n d i n g t h e d e v e l o p m e n t c a p t a b l e , r e m o v i n g c a p s a n d s t a t u s q u o

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S o u t h B o u l e v a r d

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i n c r e a s e R e t a i l w o u l d g o f r o m

4 , 8 3 7 , 7 2 5 s q u a r e f e e t t o 5 , 9 1 2 , 5 9 5 ; o f f i c e , w a r e h o u s e a n d l i g h t m a n u f a c t u ri n g w o u l d g o f r o m 1 , 5 4 5 , 4 8 0 t o

2 , 1 3 6 , 3 7 5 s q u a r e f e e t ; h o t e l s w o u l d g o f r o m 9 4 5 t o 1 , 0 6 7 r o o m s a n d r e s i d e n t i a l f r o m 5 , 0 2 2 t o 6 , 7 9 1 u n i t s T h e t h i r d o p t i o n w o u l d i n c l u d e v e r t ic a l l y i n t e g r a t e d m i x e d u s e

I l c z y s z y n s a i d w i t h t h e v e r t i c a l l y i n t eg r a t e d m u l t i - f a m i l y o p t i o n , t h e c i t y w o u l d b e ” b u y i n g ” a y e a r a n d t h e n t h e r e

i s n o m o r e m u l t i - f a m i l y o n P i n e I s l a n d R o a d . T h e t o p i c , w h i c h w a s m o v e d f r o m t h e p r i o r w e e k ’ s w o r k s h o p t o W e d n e s d a y n i g h t ’ s m e e t i n g , h a d m a n y c o u n c i l m e mb e r s s a y i n g i t n e e d s t o c o m e b a c k t o a w o r k s h o p f o r m o r e d i s c u s s i o n “ I a m r e a l l y n o t c o m f o r t a b l e w i t h t h i s W e s h o u l d f u r t h e r d i s c u s s t h i s b e c a u s e t h e s e a r e b i g d e c i s i o n s , ” C o u n c i l m e m b e r P a t t y C u m m i n g s s a i d M a y o r J o h n G u n t e r a g r e e d , s t a t i n g i t i s a w o r k s h o p t o p i c “ I t h i n k w e a r e i n a s p o t w h e r e w e h a v e t o d e c i d e a s a c o u n c i l w h a t i s i m p o r t a n t a n d w h a t i s n o t a s i m p o r t a n t i n t h e P i n e I s l a n d R o a d D i s t r i c t ? ” G u n t e r s a i d “ W e a l l k n o w t h a t m u l t i - f a m i l y c o n s t r u c t i o n i s p r o f i t a b l e W h y d o w e h a v e t o g o i n a n d c h a n g e w h a t t h e c a p s a r e ? T h e o n l y t h i n g I w o u l d a g r e e t o , i f w e i n c o r p o r a t e m o r e p r o p e r t y , I h a v e n o p r o b l e m r a i s i n g t h e c a p t o 1 5 % ” G u n t e r s a i d i t ’ s w o r t h l o o k i n g i n t o v e r t i c a l d e v e l o p m e n t w i t h t h e f i r s t f l o o r o r t w o c o m m e r c i a l w i t h m u l t i - f a m i l y u n i t s a b o v e “ I f w e a l l o w t h e s e a d d i t i o n a l m u l t if a m i l y , w e a r e n o t g o i n g t o g e t c o m m e rc i a l W e a r e g o i n g t o g e t m u l t i - f a m i l y , ” G u n t e r s a i d , a d d i n g t h a t t h e y n e e d t o p r o t e c t t h e n e e d i n t h e c o m m u n i t y –i n c r e a s e t h e c o m m e r c i a l i n t h e C i t y “ I c o u l d s u p p o r t a 1 5 % i n c r e a s e a n d t r y t o d e v e l o p a v e r t i c a l c o m p o n e n t , s o m u l t if a m i l y i s n o t p a r t o f t h e c a p w h e r e w e h a v e a n e w c a p o n d e v e l o p m e n t ”

BUSINESS

Inaugural South Cape Save

Second Base Walking Pub Crawl Oct. 7

BUSINESS BRIEFS Bubbakoo’s Burritos opens new restaurant in Cape Coral

T h e I n a u g u r a l S o u t h C a p e S a v e S e c o n d B a s e Walking Pub Crawl is Saturday, Oct 7, from 7-11 p m Those participating in this 21+ charity pub crawl can enjoy a drink or appetizer sample at various South Cape hotspots All proceeds of the event will benefit Partners for Breast Cancer Care

Each attendee will be provided a passport to have stamped at all 10 locations. Completed passports can be entered into a grand prize drawing for a breast cancer awareness-themed cooler, sponsored by Yuengling Flight To do so, drop completed passports at a participating location

All-inclusive tickets for the pub crawl are just $15 in advance ($20 day of event) via Eventbrite Check in begins at 6 p m at Big John's Plaza in South Cape

P a r t i c i p a t i n g l o c a t i o n s a n d s a m p l e s i n c l u d e

BackStreets Sports Bar, Chicken Salad Crostini; BIG8 BBQ, Pulled Pork Sliders; Cruisers, Pink Sunset; The Dive, Tata Juice; Dixie Roadhouse, Victoria's Secret; Monkey Bar Steak & Seafood, Donkey Kong Punch; Nice Guys Pizza, All Aboard the Breast Express; Pizza Parma, Barbie Malibu Martini; Rack’em Spirits & Times, Barbie Margarita; Ralph's Place, TBD; Rusty's Bar & Grill, Itty Bitty Kitties (chicken balls)

The South Cape Hospitality and Entertainment Association Inc is at 909 S E 47th Terrace, #105, Cape Coral Call 239-900-4028 for more information, or visit SCHEA online at SouthCapeEntertainment com

SWFL Inc. hosts State of the Region

SWFL Inc hosted its second annual State of the Region event on Sept 7 at the Hyatt Regency at Coconut Point. The event brought together 250 community leaders, business professionals and policymakers to address critical issues impacting the region’s economy and quality of life

This year’s event centered on SWFL Inc ’s policy priorities, which are aimed at addressing pivotal challenges and opportunities within the Southwest Florida community The key focus areas revolved around workforce housing and talent development, as these factors play a pivotal role in shaping the region’s economic landscape

The event featured two panels: “How We Move Goods & People” and “Normal Housing for Normal People.” These panels facilitated in-depth conversations about transportation, infrastructure and workforce housing challenges, providing attendees with valuable insights and actionable strategies

SWFL Inc is a five-star accredited chamber of commerce serving businesses in Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties For more information, visit swflinc com

Pushing the Envelope to launch 13th annual CAN IT! Campaign food drive

Pushing the Envelope Inc is seeking businesses to serve as drop-off locations for its 13th Annual CAN IT! Campaign food drive set to launch Sunday, Oct. 15. This drive was created to help area residents suffering from food insecurity PTE has set a collection goal of 3,500 non-perishable food items this year, with all items going to benefit Community Cooperative

While PTE has collected more than 20,000 pounds of food since starting the CAN IT! Campaign, hunger remains an ongoing problem in Southwest Florida PTE’s CAN IT! food drive aims to feed families throughout the area for the holiday season and beyond

To serve as a drop-off location, businesses are simply asked to provide an area where the public can drop off non-perishable food items between Sunday, Oct. 15, and Wednesday, Nov 15, during their regular business hours They are also encouraged to collect donations from their staff and customers if they choose

Individuals or businesses interested in donating or serving as a drop-off location this holiday season may call (239) 221- 2858, email hannah@getpushing com, or visit https://www getpushing com/can-it/ for more information

A leading fast-casual Mexican fusion brand, Bubbakoo’s Burritos, has announced its newest restaurant opened in Cape Coral Thursday, Sept 21

Situated within the Del Prado Crossing shopping center at 1751 N E Pine Island Road, the new restaurant is owned and operated by Taylor Bidinost Having previously held the positions of general manager and operations manager at multiple corporate-owned Bubbakoo’s Burritos establishments, Bidinost is now embarking on a new venture as a franchise partner

Bidinost aims to launch two more restaurants in the thriving Florida market, building upon the brand’s growing presence in the state

“I am a true Bubbakoo’s Burritos enthusiast,” said Bidinost “My roles as general and operations manager have fueled my professional development over the years, and I am thrilled to be contributing to the brand’s continued growth There truly is no other concept like Bubbakoo’s, and the brand’s commitment to innovation across all aspects of the business is incredible I know the restaurant will become a staple in the Cape Coral community, and I look forward to continuing to grow alongside the brand ”

Bubbakoo’s Burritos has become a fan-favorite over the past 15 years for its unique menu, customer service and dining environment The new Bubbakoo’s Burritos offers the classic menu items the brand is known for such as hibachi steak and shrimp burritos, sriracha shredded pork nachos, Nashville hot chicken burritos, customizable entrees and more Each menu item is made with fresh, tasty ingredients that will please any palette

“It’s amazing to see the way that the Bubbakoo’s brand has positively impacted people and communities across the country,” said Paul Altero, co-founder of Bubbakoo’s Burritos “Taylor has been a valued member of the Bubbakoo’s team for years, and we are proud to be a part of his personal and professional growth as he embarks on his new journey of restaurant ownership in Cape Coral ” Bubbakoo’s Burritos has been a Mexican-fusion staple in many communities since the brand’s inception in 2008 Featuring a variety of unique, customizable menu items made-to-order with fresh ingredients, the brand has grown

from its Jersey Shore roots and expanded to more than 100 locations across the United States

To learn more about Bubbakoo’s Burritos franchise opportunities, e-mail franchise@bubbakoos com or call 732-691-0848

Hook’d Up Bait Co & Art Gallery

owners dream of mom and pop shop

By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers com

Hook’d Up Bait Co & Art Gallery opened on July 8 of this year In addition to offering necessary fishing essentials, such as live bait and tackle, the front of the store is an art gallery featuring local artists, said store owner Brittney Bransfield

“It’s a neat combination, so the women stay busy shopping while the men get to buy all their fishing gear,” Bransfield said

After having had 4 feet of water in the building following Hurricane Ian, the previous tenants had no plans to stay and clean up This offered Bransfield and her husband, Michael Dillevig, a unique opportunity, since she had previous experience in the construction industry The couple was able to invest their own money and brought in a crew to do the necessary cleanup and work on the interior of the store to get the doors open

Since they are both Pine Islanders, opening a bait and tackle shop, with the twist of artistry, wasn’t a stretch for their imagination of a local business Formerly a full-time f i s h i n g g u i d e , i t w a s a l w a y s B r a n s f i e l d ’ s h u s b a n d Michael’s dream to open a bait shop, she said

After all the necessary cleanup following the hurricane, the couple found that they were ready financially to get into the store and open it

“We had a newborn recently, and once we had her, we took a leap of faith, and added the bait shop, too,” Bransfield said

“We want it to be that mom and pop shop, where people come in, sit and hang out and talk about what they caught that day or different things they’re doing out on the island a place where people gather and the community really comes together We want to be part of the Matlacha rebuild, in a store with a small-town island feel, that brought everyone together as a community and that will continue to bring everyone together ”

Owner Brittney Bransfield

Although the couple sees plans of expansion for the shop in the future, their desires include securing Hook’d Up Bait Co & Art Gallery as a celebrated store owned by locals, where islanders will grow familiar with them and their family

“We want it to be that mom and pop shop, where people come in, sit and hang out and talk about what they caught that day or different things they’re doing out on the island a place where people gather and the community really comes together. We want to be part of the Matlacha rebuild, in a store with a small-town island feel, that brought everyone together as a community and that will continue to bring everyone together,” Bransfield said Hook’d Up Bait Co & Art Gallery is at 4630 Pine Island Road, NW , in Matlacha Call 239-887-0689

Opinions will always vary on leader length

Opinions about leader length for inshore saltwater angling are like bananas, there’s a bunch On spinning equipment I’m a use the longest castable and fishable leader that I can accurately cast guy, and I also don’t like leader knots pinging through my guides on every cast

Most people picking up my typical spinning outfit find it uncastable because of my long leader choice Typically my leader almost touches the reel before the lure goes on but I’ve learned to accurately cast that way and it also allows me use it to underhand flip and pitch when I’m in a closer shoreline situation

Most lure anglers seem to fall in the 24 to 30-inch leader length category and do well

As Southwest Florida fishing pressure continues to increase y e a r l y a n d m a n y f i s h a r e caught and these days thankf u l l y r e l e a s e d , p u t t i n g t h e odds in your favor by adding another foot or so of leader material may up your game

On the other hand, I’ve a s e t - i n - h i s - w a y s f r i e n d t h a t laughs at my long leaders and f i s h e s 2 0 - p o u n d t e s t d a r k green Power Pro straight to t h e l u r e w h i c h I a l w a y s

laughed at till he caught that 41-inch snook about a hundred yards from Bert’s Bar at 4 in the afternoon on a bright, nearly cloudless day Go figure

Remember most fluorocarbon compounds sink while mono generally floats which is a consideration when choosing leaders for particular applications like when using topwater plugs or using fly rod-casted bass bugs or saltwater poppers, especially with cupped or dished out faces Fluorocarbon sinking or pulling down will interfere with the lure's intended action and hinder picking up the bug on your fly cast so go monofilament for better results For most underwater presentations, I believe flour produces better results in reasonably to very clear waters and also has added abrasion resistance which comes in handy when fishing unforgiving mangroves, docks and other rough structure that big snook or red calls home

Although there are times when a straight length of leader material will work when using your fly rod, you’ll usually get much better performance using a pre-made or self-tied tapered leader I’m cheap and build my own from sections of different pound test materials creating that all-important taper that transfers the energy of the casted fly line down the leader with enough power to turn over that bulky fly or highly wind-resistant big bug or popper

A typical home-tied fly leader for general saltwater might start with 3 feet butt section of 50 pound then 2 5 feet of 25 pound, 2 feet of 15, and end with 2 feet of 12 For tarpon or other rough mouthed fish, you might add a

See LEADER LENGTH, page 39

TIDES CHART

Mussels’ Olivar named FSL All Star

FORT MYERS – Mighty Mussels’ catcher and outfielder Ricardo Olivar has been named a Florida State League All Star, the league office announced Tuesday

Olivar was one of 10 hitters recognized by the league’s managers and the Commissioner’s Office In over 100 games for Fort Myers, Olivar hit 285/ 403/ 452 with 28 doubles, 10 home runs, 58 RBI and 59 walks ( 855 OPS)

Olivar was also rock solid on defense, committing just four errors in 647 2 innings split between catcher and the outfield

The Barquisimeto, Venezuela, native finished in the top 10 in the league in 10 different offensive categories He posted the best on-base percentage and the most doubles in

the Florida State League, ranking third in the circuit in total bases (168), runs (75) and OPS ( 855)

The 22-year-old showed steady development throughout the season, improving his OPS in every month from April through August He mashed left-handed pitching to 952 OPS and posted an 892 mark on the road

Olivar is currently ranked as the No 21 prospect in the Twins’ organization by MLB Pipeline He signed with Minnesota in 2019 just before his 18th birthday

Olivar helped lead the Mussels to a 67-64 record on the season The Fort Myers team won 17 of its final 25 games to finish over 500 for the third consecutive year

LCEC announces results for fishing, golf tournaments

LCEC held its annual fishing tournament and golf tournament within one week of each other and raised approximately $100,000 for the United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades

The 27th Annual LCEC Fishing Tournament was held Sept 9, at D & D Matlacha Bait & Tackle on Matlacha This popular community event brought in more than $65,000. The tourney had 180 anglers on 53 boats who took part in winning and bidding on nearly 150 raffle and auction prizes

Fishing tournament winners included:

■ Grand Slam – Team Big Boys Bait & Tackle

■ Largest Trout – Team Big Boys Bait & Tackle

■ Largest Red Fish – Team Danella Companies

■ Largest Snook – Team Marine Trading Post

■ Mystery Fish – Team Southern Fab

Tuesday

Volleyball

The LCEC Golf Tournament was held Sept 16 at the Plantation Golf & Country Club in Fort Myers This funfilled event brought in approximately $35,000 The tourney included 104 golfers which made up 26 teams Golf tournament winners included:

■ First place – EPR/GIR

■ Second place – Designated Drivers

■ Third Place – RE/MAX

■ Longest Drive – Skyler Cargo

■ Closest Pin – Cameron Nero

■ Best Team Name – Three Men and a Stranger LCEC is extremely thankful to all tournament participants, sponsors and volunteers For photos of the 27th A n n u a l L C E C F i s h i n g T o u r n a m e n t , v i s i t facebook com/lcecfish For photos of the LCEC United Way Golf Tournament, visit facebook com/lcecgolf

PREP REPORT

Bishop Verot 3, Fort Myers 2: Izzy Lentzx led the Vikings with a 113 game

Bishop Verot 3, Neumann 0: The Vikings (11-3) swept Neumann (8-5) 25-18, 125-17, 25-21 Riverdale 3, Oasis 0: Sophia Skala had seven kills and five blocks for the Sharks (5-8) in the 29-27, 25-18, 2519 loss

Estero 3, Cape Coral 0: The Seahawks (2-8) fell by scores of 25-3, 25-13, 25-17

Bonita Springs 3, Mariner 0: The Tritons’ 25-15, 2512, 25-18 road loss to 7-3 Bonita dropped them to 5-4

Girls Bowling

Oasis 5, North Fort Myers 0 (forfeit): Lexi Lenius rolled a 174 to lead the Sharks. Meesa Neujahr bowled a 170 and Molly Dysarczyk posted a 125 game

Cape Coral 4, Mariner 1: Mariner (530) -- Samantha Contino 136, Regan Tucker 110, Malia Araujo 113, Alyssa Jenkins 96, Delaney Tucker 75

Boys Bowling

Oasis 5, North Fort Myers 0 (forfeit): Charles Broadley bowled a 143, Nicolas Grande a 117 and Jason Pina a 110

Bishop Verot 3, Fort Myers 2: CJ Carranza bowled a 216 and Nolan Wagner a 200 for the Vikings, who posted their best Baker score (259) of the season

Cape Coral 5, Mariner 0: Mariner (909) -- Mike Testa 267, Brady Yount 156, Bo Laventure 153, Andre Enslin 367, Seth Schulte 159

Capt George Tunison

PHOTO PROVIDED

Mighty Mussels’ Ricardo Olivar takes a big cut during a game this season. The standout catcher and outfielder was named to the FSL All Star team this week.

City Championship golf tournament Oct. 21-22 at Coral Oaks

PGA Family Golf Month continues

The 2023 Cape Coral City Championship is scheduled for the weekend of Oct 21-22 at Coral Oaks Golf Course with the Pro-Am and Kick-off BBQ Friday, Oct 20.

Also, Coral Oaks has extended its PGA F

Saturday, Sept 30

Among the specials is a $60 round of golf for a family of four (two adults and two children under 18) with carts after noon and a free bucket of driving range

balls for a child under 18 when accompanied by an adult who purchases a bucket of range balls

If you are interested in golfing programs, golf outings or group bookings or would like to hold a banquet or party at Coral Oaks, please call 239-573-3100 or

visit www CoralOaksGolf com Also, follow Coral Oaks Facebook page for the latest course happenings and special deals Coral Oaks, which is part of the city Parks and Recreation Department, is located at 1800 N W 28th Ave , in northwest Cape Coral

Leader length: Anglers’ opinions vary and the debate will continue

From page 38

1-foot shock tippet of much heavier mono Build your leader for the proper application and lure weight and type Mixing flour and mono isn’t a good leader building plan For those with six thumbs, simply buy perfectly constructed one-piece tapered leaders at your tackle store

When it comes to fly rod leader length, I’m still the long leader guy using up to 13foot leaders in clear flats water, especially when fishing skittish highly pressured fish like Keys bonefish, skinny water permit or a Burnt Store Bar redfish Up close to the mangroves I may go as short as 6 feet making quick short accurate shots looking for reaction strikes

Generally a leader as long as your rod will do the trick for most fly applications With our local redfish poking around the flats looking to eat almost anything that moves, picking the proper fly rod presentation is easy Reds love crabs/shrimp so any crab/shrimp imitator crawled slowly along the bottom is always a sure bet Probably the number one redfish spinning rod lure is

a spoon, so gold spoon flies are deadly Any weighted streamer with the hook riding upwards is bottom candy to a redfish

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

Semifinalists: 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program selections

From page 18

ogy class Ideally, he hopes to attend Stanford University, with the University of Florida as another option

“It’s a profession I felt I could really be excellent at,” he said

T h e a c c o m p l i s h m e n t i s a l s o f e l t immensely by the Feichthaler family

“Tyler has always presented himself with quiet confidence. Attaining this level of achievement is undoubtedly a harbinger of the success he will bring to international diplomacy in his future career,” his dad, Eric Feichthaler, said

Tyler’s mother, Mary, said she was very excited by all his accomplishments in high school both in and out of the classroom

“It is wonderful that he is receiving recognition for this major accomplishment,” she said

Tyler said it means the world to him that

he has been named a semifinalist

“It was incredibly gratifying to see all of my hard work pay off,” he said

To get prepared, he did many practice t e s t s a n d a n s w e r e d s a m p l e q u e s t i o n s , focusing on the trickiest questions first

Once Tyler graduates from high school he plans to attend a college with a strong international relations department, so he can become a diplomat

“I’m not sure what school I want to attend, but Harvard seems pretty good,” he said

Another Lee County student who set a goal of being a National Merit Finalist his senior year was among the six students

“I really worked for this,” Bermudez said “I remember spending weeks in my room studying and then studying some more I heard about the opportunity in middle school I really have to do this and have to set myself apart from the rest of my

CAPE CORAL ANIMAL SHELTER

Looking for a loving home

Blaze is a 5 to 7-year-old male

He can be a little nervous around new stuff and quick movements, but he is learning every day how loved he is and is g a i n i n g c o n f i d e n c e i n t h a t l o v e Blaze really likes to be around his people and despite his size, he just loves being a lap dog! He is pretty low maintenance, but does enjoy a good brushing several times per week

Espresso is a 1 to 3-year-old female who, like her name, she is a strongwilled kitty who needs to be the only cat in the home See, she has something

called “tortie tude” which means she can be sassier than your average kitty But 99% of the time, she is really sweet and loves the company of her people

If you are interested in meeting any of the animals available for adoption at The Cape Coral Animal Shelter, please visit its website at www capecoralanimalshelter com for more information

The shelter is located at 325 S W 2nd Ave , Cape Coral, and hours of operation are Tuesday and Thursday, noon to 5 p m , and Friday through Sunday, noon to 4 p m

class ”

He earned a 1490 on his PSAT, 32 on ACT and 1470 on his SAT

Bermudez said he has applied to the University of Chicago where he wants to study biophysics and become a sports medicine doctor He said he became interested in sports two or three years ago, which grew his interest of how to help athletes through injuries, recovery and becoming a better athlete

“It’s a good opportunity and usage of my time to help out athletes to do what I want to do,” Bermudez said Lehigh Senior High School Cambridge C o o r d i n a t o r D a w n C i o f f o l e t t i s a i d Bermudez made the goal to become a finalist his freshman year

“Two weeks ago, we all heard him up and down the hallway asking if the results had been released yet,” she said “I have seen a lot of students over the last 12 years say they were going to meet that status I have never seen one that continuously worked towards it all four years We are just as proud and amazed by those test scores and so excited for him ”

Cioffoletti said he is one of their most well-rounded students – from academics to athletics and after school programs

“He has volunteered his time to assist with the ACT and SAT math portion Everyone in our program knows who he is and considers him a friend,” she said “He will be graduating high school with a Cambridge diploma with distinction ”

Espresso

(Selected by the Breeze Sports staff)

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).

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