Miscount on council’s MERTF vote under review
f i l l f i v e s e a t s o n M E R T F a f t e r C h a i r
S t e v e J o h n s o n a n d V i c e C h a i r M a r y
R o s e S p a l l e t t a r e s i g n e d t h e i r s e a t s o n t h e a d v i s o r y b o a r d a n d t h r e e s e a t s w e r e
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H o w e l l , R o s e L a r k i n a n d J e n n i f e r R u s k
I n t h e f i r s t b a l l o t i n g , R u s k r e c e i v e d
t h r e e v o t e s , H o w e l l r e c e i v e d t w o v o t e s
a n d L a r k i n r e c e i v e d n o n e
R u s k j o i n e d E d R o o d ( f i v e v o t e s ) ,
S h a r o n H e g s t r o m ( f i v e v o t e s ) a n d L e o
S a n d ( f o u r v o t e s ) i n b e i n g a p p o i n t e d b y
t h e t o w n c o u n c i l t o M E R T F .
Sea Change
By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com
T
Council voted 4-1 to move the proposed development agreement from Seagate Development Group to a second town council hearing on the ordinance to con-
struct two 17-story towers with a total of 141 residential units at the former Red Coconut RV Resort The project, which will have its residential development on the Bay side of Estero Boulevard while a beach club will be built on the Gulf side The project requires a deviation for its
height By right, the residential tower is limited to three stories through the town local development code
Voting in favor of moving the project forward was Vice Mayor Jim Atterholt, C
T h a t l e f t a r u n o f f a m o n g a l l t h e c a nd i d a t e s w h o h
By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com
Town of Fort Myers Beach Manager
Andy Hyatt told the town council he believes the town will not escape being put on probation and losing its flood insurance discount for homeowners who h
Flood Insurance Program
The town had a 25% insurance discount before Hurricane Ian which was put at risk in March after FEMA informed Fort Myers Beach, Lee County and other municipalities that they risked losing their discounts due to permitless work and other related issues in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian
“I think it was predetermined months ago, years ago they wanted to do this,” Hyatt said
Following an appeal and letters from federal representatives, FEMA gave the town, county and other municipalities a grace period to show a remedy to the situation and improvement in the handling of permits by Nov 18
“It’s just been prolonged six months because we went to a higher level in my professional opinion” Hyatt said
The town was given until Sept 16 to develop and submit a plan that includes t i m e l i n e s a n d a c t i o n s t o a d d r e s s a l l FEMA-identified program deficiencies and violations to the maximum extent possible
“It would be the discount and you would be on probation and you would never get another discount,” Hyatt said Mayor Dan Allers said he believes losing the discount was a best-case scenario based on his understand of the town’s situation with FEMA “What they have told
Vote NO on Amendment 1
In terms of the Nov 5 General Election ballot, the Florida State Legislature has been
Four of the six constitutional amendments to be decided by voters were placed there by those we send to Tallahassee Their ballot initiatives represent a diverse range of proposed changes to our state’s bedrock governing document
Amendment 1 proposes to make local
; Amendment 2 purports to establish a right to hunt and fish in Florida; Amendment 5 would provide for annual adjustments for certain Homestead Exemptions, taking the rate of inflation into account annually; and Amendment 6 would repeal the state’s public campaign financing requirement
Amendments 3 and 4 are citizen initiatives, placed on the ballot via petition
Amendment 3 is “Adult Personal Use of Marijuana,” which would allow adults 21 years or older to possess, purchase, or use marijuana products
Amendment 4 is “Amendment to Limit Government Interference with Abortion,” which would provide that “No law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patient’s health, as determined by the patient’s healthcare provider This amendment does not change the Legislature’s constitutional authority to require notification to a parent or guardian before a minor has an abortion ”
To pass, constitutional amendments in Florida whether placed on the ballot by the state legislature or via a citizen initiative like Amendments 3 and 4 require that at least 60% of voters vote “YES” on the initiative
Members of District School Boards, which would have candidates declare and run by
Democratic elite are the real threat to democracy
To the editor:
If I were leaning towards voting for the Democratic candidate for president this year, I would be very mad Mad at the Democratic power elite for denying me the right to vote for the candidate that won the Democratic primary election The Democratic candidate for president was ousted from running in the
party, is one to which we recommend a resounding NO
Not because we think “partisan politics” is a bad thing while the Founders were d
would be good for the then-fledging new republic or would lead the new United States of American down a path of divisiveness, the two-party system is imbedded in our history
Not because we are naive enough to think that politics have not permeated our public school system, something voters statewide tried to avoid by engraving nonpartisan school board races into the state constitution in 1998 with a 64% majority
But because we are idealistic enough to think that the most local of races races where the issues are unique to community and a hometown constituency and not issues of national, state or even regional scope should be decided by and open to all voters, no matter their party of choice
We are, though, realists first
place Amendment 1 on the ballot was to gain state control of local decision-making for the party currently in power, which, here in Lee would effectively disenfranchise a majority of voters.
Among Lee County’s 490,639 registered voters there are 234,272 who have registered as Republicans and 110,976 who have registered as Democrats
So why would it be wrong to formalize w
process here in Lee that partisan races
Commission and all of the Constitutional offices from Lee County Sheriff to Tax Collector, Clerk of the Court and more are pretty much decided in the primary because
Letters to the Editor
General Election by the Democratic elite Talk about a bloodless coup if Kamala gets into office The Democratic elite continuously talk about Trump being a threat to democracy, but they are the threat to democracy They have installed a puppet candidate to do their bidding if she wins
Harris has no policy that she can speak of All she says is Trump did this and Trump did that, even though her administration has been
all it takes is a no-party “ghost” candidate to close those races to all but those of the dominant party?
It is wrong because as partisan as politics may be, we are not all declared Republicans or Democrats
There is a third collective group of registered voters the second most, in fact Many of them are younger with a good number in their family-raising years
In Lee County alone there are 145,391 voters who have registered with no party, or a third party, affiliation
Add this “Other” group to the Democrats and you have a majority 256,367 voters, to be exact, a majority who a YES vote on Amendment 1 might not be able to vote for their candidate of choice in a deciding school board primary
Statewide, there are 13,845,913 active registered voters 5,455,480 Republicans; 4,400,561 Democrats; 404,890 minor party and 3,584,982 with no party affiliation
This means a YES vote could effectively disenfranchise up to 3,989,872 non- major party aligned voters no matter the majority party in their county if, as here in Lee, partisan primaries can and usually do determine who wins the seat.
We are not OK with that, especially not in terms of school board elections, nor, for that matter, municipal elections
We cannot pull politics out of school board races entirely and shouldn’t but we can and should make sure that our politics are local and our local officials have a true and diversely decided mandate
Vote NO on Amendment 1
in power for the last three and a half years I was hoping that the first female president of the United States would be someone with a strong character like the Iron Lady herself, Margaret Thatcher of the United Kingdom, or the Liberal West’s Last Defender, Angela Merkel of Germany N o , w e m a y g e t t h e C a c k l e r f r o m California.
Ken Kendrick Cape Coral
Childhood cancer fight also requires support for parents, family members
When it comes to kids with cancer, even one case is too many
Although the disease remains rare in children and adolescents, nearly 15,000 U S residents under age 19 will be diagnosed with cancer this year, according to t h e N a
Approximately 1,600 children and adolescents in the U S die of cancer each year
Advancements in treatment persist, and the pediatric cancer survival rate has also increased significantly over the past several decades
Regardless of age, the road to recovery is fraught not just with the disease’s physical toll, but also its financial, psychological and emotional impact
Guest Commentary
With National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month just past, the importance of providing such support to a young person’s parents and family members is worth highlighting Because when your child has cancer, it’s easy to feel like no one else can understand
Our team at the nonprofit Cancer Alliance Network helps individuals facing a cancer diagnosis receive the dignity and relief they deserve by offering non-medical financial assistance for essential living expenses, which may include rent, mortgage, car payments, utilities, gas and food
Since our nonprofit’s creation in 2002 by a group of community volunteers in Naples, our support programs have served thousands of individuals with cancer and their families in Collier County. In 2017, Cancer Alliance Network expanded to Lee County, and the organization is now also serving children in neighboring
Hendry and Glades counties
Providing such support (at no cost to families) as they navigate the financial strain and emotional stress of the disease allows recipients to better focus their attention on the fight against cancer
W e a l s o c o n v e n e m o n t h l y s u p p o r t groups to provide our young clients and their families with opportunities to discuss their feelings, fear and frustrations as well as their successes with others who know firsthand what they are experiencing
The challenge is a particularly tough one for parents, who in addition to the myriad decisions about treatment and care will also likely navigate feelings of guilt, grief, shame, abandonment and other complex emotions, all while continuing to work and in some cases care for other children, or elderly family members
Our support groups include one that is open to all clients, survivors, caregivers and family members It meets on the first Wednesday of each month, with sessions in both English and Spanish
Our breast cancer support group meets on the second Wednesday of each month, also in the evening, while a men’s support group convenes on the third Wednesday of each month
With a broader public focus on the issue, we have started a new support group specifically aimed at parents of young people with cancer
Guided by a trained facilitator, the parent support group meets at 6:30 p.m. at the Chrysallis Wellness Center, 11932 Fairway Oaks Drive in Fort Myers, as well as online
CancerAllianceNetwork org
Through the years, clients and their families repeatedly mention how vital the support of others going through similar circumstances was in their own healing journeys
Connecting with other parents of children with cancer can be one of the best ways to deal with the emotional, physical and spiritual challenges, allowing participants to listen and learn from each other, share advice and tips, and find valuable resources and information as part of a community with a shared viewpoint
“I think it is essential to have other people who have been through this and understand it This diagnosis will change your life,” breast cancer survivor and CAN client Alice Karow said in 2022 “It’s a whole other realm of existence ”
At Cancer Alliance Network, every dollar raised here stays here, and is tax-deductible Our organization was formed to help our neighbors and friends through the most difficult times anyone could imagine.
Facing a world of unknowns and forced to make lifechanging medical decisions, as well as dealing with the mounted pressures of everyday living expenses, is more than any one person or family – can manage on their own For parents of kids with cancer, it’s crucial to connect with others in similar circumstances
To learn more about our organization, including our s u p p o r t g r o u p s a n d o t h e r p r o g r a m s , v i s i t CancerAllianceNetwork org or call 239-643-HOPE
Kristie Sammons is programs director at Cancer Alliance Network
Kristie Sammons
BUSINESS
Ford’s employees participate in Lakes Park Scarecrows in the Park event
For the second year in a row, employees from Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille decorated a scarecrow for Lakes Park Scarecrows in the Park event Team members from the Fort Myers Beach restaurant created a Monsters
Wazowski and Boo are enjoying smores by the fire A Title Sponsor for this year’s event, Doc Ford’s will also donate food to the contest winners
For this year’s theme, “The Great Outdoors,” teams were challenged with designing their scarecrows to depict the outdoors, such as an animal or an outdoor activity like camping or fishing
“The team really enjoys participating in this event e a c h y e a r , ” s a i d J o e H
w
t h H M Restaurant Group, the parent company of Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille “Participating in these events has fostered team building within our organization and gives back to the community we serve at our establishments We love expressing our creativity in a fun way that gives back to the community ”
Doc Ford’s team members frequently donate their time at Lakes Park, recently building and installing a miniature version of the Fort Myers Beach restaurant as part of the popular Lakes Park and Gulf Railroad train ride which winds around lakes and small villages The
London Bay receives design award for Grandview at Bay Beach
STAFF REPORT
London Bay and its partners were recently presented 10 Sand Dollar Awards during the Collier Building Industry Association’s Sales and Marketing Council’s annual program, “Midsummer Night’s Dream – Dream it Build it Honor it ”
London Bay received top honors for product, design, renovation and marketing for a variety projects in Southwest Florida
London Bay Development Group was awarded Product Design of the Year – Multi-Family Homes
Grandview at Bay Beach The 11-story tower overlooking the Gulf of Mexico and Estero Bay was the first high-rise built on Fort Myers Beach in 15 years Representing the building’s largest floor plan, the model home spans 2,923 square feet under air, offers three bedrooms, a den, three full baths and a powder room, screened and open-air terraces offering sunset and sunrise views
team also helped install Halloween decorations at the park recently
Scarecrows in the Park will be on display until Nov 2 as part of Lakes Parks Fall Festival Activities include a pumpkin patch, hayrides, inflatables, and concessions presented by Wheel Fun Rental and the Halloween Express train ride presented by the Southwest Florida Train Museum The park is located at 7330 Gladiolus Dr in Fort Myers
Renowned for its legendary guest experience, Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille is open daily from 11 a m to 10 p m with locations on Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel Owned and operated by HM Restaurant Group, award-winning Doc Ford’s offers food with a unique balance of flavors inspired by the Caribbean Rim Beloved for its sauces, spices and signature Yucatan shrimp served daily, it’s highly regarded by locals and visitors alike as a spectacular seafood restaurant , Doc Ford’s is a perennial Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice winner. Doc Ford’s also offers live music most nights at its Fort Myers Beach and St Petersburg Pier locations
Philanthropy and community outreach are engrained i n H M
Proceeds from specialty cocktails at Doc Ford’s raise money to support children’s hospitals and water quality issues HM Restaurant Group also supports local nonprofits dedicated to conservation, community and the environment The “Ding” Darling Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament has raised nearly $1 3 million for Sanibel’s J N “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge since 2012. The 13th annual tournament will be held May 9, 2025
Margaritaville reopens after Milton
STAFF REPORT
The Margaritaville Beach Resort, which took on a lot of sand and flooding from Hurricane Milton, fully reopened this past week after extensive work cleaning outs its pool and restaurants
The Fort Myers beach hotel partially reopened on Oct 14 though its pool and restaurants needed a lot of cleaning This past week, the hotel announced it was fully reopening its ground floor, beachfront Lah De Dah Beach Bar & Grill and Fins Up! Beach Club
Workers were seen clearing out piles of sand from out of the pool over the past two weeks before the reopening
“We are thrilled to reopen our doors and offer a warm welcome back to our guests,” said General Manager, Yenier Marrerro. “Our team’s dedication has ensured that Margaritaville Beach Resort is ready to provide an unforgettable experience ”
The resort announced it would be offering special rates to Florida and Georgia residents as part of the reopening
PHOTO PROVIDED
PHOTO PROVIDED
Kohler to retire as principal, named assistant to town manager
By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com
Fort Myers Beach Elementary School
Principal Traci Kohler has announced her retirement, days after Fort Myers Beach Elementary School students were moved to San Carlos Park Elementary School due to flooding that infiltrated Fort Myers Beach Elementary School after Hurricane Milton Kohler took over the leadership of Fort Myers Beach Elementary School two years ago to succeed Karen Manzi after her retirement Hurricane Ian devastated the school months afterwards and shuttered the building, resulting in many of the families of students moving out of the district and the remaining students attending classes at San Carlos Park Elementary School
Last year, after grassroots organizing by local parents to save the school, the district repaired the historic school at a cost of $6 million to reopen it while also demolishing other damaged structures on the property Plans to rebuild other parts of the school have hinged on whether the school's population grows
Kohler, who has 29 years of experience as an educator, has a new job lined up after retirement takes effect She has been named assistant to Fort Myers Beach Manager Andy Hyatt starting Nov. 12.
A request to Hyatt for Kohler’s new salary was not provided as of press time
“It has been a pleasure and an honor to serve the students and families of the School District of Lee County,” Kohler said Lee County School District Superintendent Dr Ken Savage said “The School District is deeply appreciative of Dr Kohler’s service to the students of Lee
County Appointed principal of Fort Myers Beach Elementary only four months before Hurricane Ian her leadership and innovation kept her students, staff and school community together through in incredibly difficult time We wish her the best in her retirement ”
Savage said that the district is working to address flooding damage from Hurricane Milton
“Our top priority is to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the students and staff
at Fort Myers Beach Elementary School,” Savage said “We are working as quickly as possible to stabilize the damage caused by Hurricane Milton and will update the school community with meaningful information when we know more about the remediation and repairs necessary We have been through this before and will work together through the process again ”
The latest news will be a new blow to a community working to rebuild from three hurricanes in two years while also trying to
regrow the student population at the school.
Fort Myers Beach Elementary School parent Monica Schmucker, who was at the forefront of working to save the school, is optimistic that the school will carry on despite the latest hurdles
“I am glad that when it came to addressing any damage to our building from Hurricane Milton, that the district moved faster than they did after Ian,” Schmucker said “I attribute that to a having a different superintendent and board, and hopefully that is a good sign. Fortunately, the damage isn’t too extensive like it was in Ian, and we hope displacement will not be for long ”
Schmucker said she wished Dr Kohler the best “We are used to principal turnover, as the last few principals have been here only a few years before retiring Our school nevertheless has continued to be great because it’s the beach people, kids, parents, teachers, and community who make it great We certainly hope to get a principal who is committed to our school and our community so that he or she will work with us in continuing to have the best K-5 in the county ”
Kohler has a doctorate in educational administration from the University of Florida and a master’s degree from Florida Gulf Coast University in curriculum and instruction, with a focus on information technology
Dr Kohler previously served as assistant principal at Bonita Springs Elementary School and as assistant principal at Highlands Elementary School in Collier County A native of Wisconsin, she earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison
FILE PHOTO
Fort Myers Beach Elementary School Principal Dr Traci Kohler after taking the job as Fort Myers Beach Elementary School Principal in 2022
Beach Living
Fort Myers Beach Fire Control District Commissioner Ron Fleming (left to right), Fort Myers Beach Mayor Dan Allers, Commissioner Jim Knickle,State Sen. Jonathan Martin, Chief Scott Wirth, Commission Chairman John Bennett, Commissioner Larry Wood and Commissioner Jacki Liszak take part in the groundbreaking for a new fire station Friday
PHOTOS PROVIDED
Ground broken for fire station
STAFF REPORT
Nearly five years after the Fort Myers Beach Fire Control District Board of Commissioners approved purchasing the former Topps supermarket lot for $3 99 million for a new fire station, the plans are finally coming to fruition
Ground was broken Friday during a ceremony in which the department and its commissioners paid tribute to the department's history and letting go of the old station at Donora Boulevard that the new station at 2545 Estero Boulevard will replace
The project is the first part in a plan for the department which is also planning to build a new administration building and training center at 1101 Shrimp Boat Lane after purchasing the property for $3 4 million earlier this year
The department sold the old fire station at Donora Boulevard for $875,000 in September to local businessman and resident Mike Miller The station was totaled by Hurricane Ian and the department had been looking to sell the property which it had outgrown. The funds were split with the Zimmer family that donated the land for the station Members of the family attended the ceremony on Friday The family’s donation, which was made in the early 1950’s, stipulated that the property can only be used for fire station purposes or it would revert back to the family’s ownership
Fort Myers Beach Fire Chief Scott Wirth related the history of the fire control district and credited the Zimmer's contribution to that early history "The first chapter of the District’s history involves the Zimmer family The first fire chief was Earl Howie. Ora Howie was the daughter of Earl Howie and she married Don Zimmer,” Wirth said “Earl and Don were both members of the original volunteer fire district The original Fire Station 31, located at 3043 Estero Blvd, was damaged beyond repair for fire district use during Hurricane Ian That original station sits on land donated to the district in two parts The original part was donated in the early 1950s and the second part was donated in the early 1960s Both pieces of land were donated by Don and Ora Zimmer ”
ABOVE: Fort Myers Beach Fire Chief Scott Wirth kicked off groundbreaking ceremony for the long-awaited construction of a new fire station at the former Topps lot at 2545 Estero Boulevard next to the former Town Hall. The new station will replace the one destroyed by Hurricane Ian at Estero Boulevard and Donora Boulevard. Next to Wirth (left to right) is Fort Myers Beach Board of Fire Commissioners Chair John Bennett, Commissioner Jacki Liszak and Commissioner Larry Wood
LEFT: The grandchildren of Don and Ora Zimmer, who donated the property for the Fort Myers Beach Fire Control District fire station at Estero Boulevard and Donora Boulevard, attended Friday's groundbreaking ceremony for the new fire station.
Go Green Tournament unites players for Keep Lee County Beautiful
STAFF REPORT
Keep Lee County Beautiful, Inc hosted its 33rd annual “GO GREEN” Golf Fundraiser on Oct 18 at The Plantation Golf & Country Club The highly anticipated event featured a day of golf, exciting on-course contests, delicious food, and exclusive auction items, all in support of the nonprofit's mission to protect the environment and enhance the quality of life in Lee County The funds raised will help sustain programs and events dedicated to environmental preservation and community well-being
The “GO GREEN” Golf Tournament, organized by an all-volunteer Board of Directors, is Keep Lee County Beautiful's largest fundraising event We are excited to announce that the 2024 tournament raised a net profit of nearly $22,000! The proceeds will go toward enhancing and expanding our environmental protection and preservation programs
Keep Lee County Beautiful is the largest environmental education organization providing community cleanups,
beautification projects, and environmental education programming in Lee County Last year, volunteers removed more than 85,000 pounds of litter and debris from the environment and planted 145 trees As we mark our 35th anniversary serving Lee County, we are proud to share that this year alone, we have already collected over 31,000 pounds of trash, planted 107 trees, and 808 shrubs In addition, we have had the opportunity to educate over 18,000 individuals on the importance of protecting our natural environment
All proceeds stay in Lee County and support Keep Lee County Beautiful’s mission of preserving and protecting the environment through waste reduction efforts, education outreach activities, and beautification projects in our local communities
Keep Lee County Beautiful would like to thank all the golfers, supporters, and volunteers who made the event possible Thank you to the presenting sponsor Nextran, VIP sponsors: UES, Waste Pro, WM, Coastal Waste &
Prifrel joins Harry Chapin Food Bank as chief development officer
Harry Chapin Food Bank, the largest hunger-relief organization and only Feeding America partner
s
a , announced Ann Prifrel has been named the organization’s chief development officer In this role, Prifrel will lead strategic fundraising efforts focused on the food bank’s mission to end hunger in Southwest Florida
Prifrel has more than a decade of experience in nonprofit food bank leadership She most recently served as the founding chief executive officer of the St Croix Valley Food Bank in Wisconsin Founded in 2021, the St Croix Valley Food Bank serves a four-county region in western Wisconsin
During her tenure as CEO, the St. Croix Valley Food Bank grew to a $9 4 million organization serving approximately 60 food relief programs throughout western Wisconsin Prifrel was not only pivotal in securing financial support from foundations, corporations, individuals and governmental agencies
“I am thrilled to join Harry Chapin Food Bank and support the food bank’s mission of ending hunger in Southwest Florida,” said Prifrel “I wholeheartedly believe that together we can turn hunger into health and look forward to working with business and community leaders to ensure that no one in our community has to worry about where their next meal will come from ”
Prifrel has a bachelor's of arts degree in soci-
ology and a master of arts in human resources and industrial relations from the University of Minnesota Prior to her work in
operations manager at Thomson Reuters, a global content and technology company.
“We are pleased to welcome Ann to the Harry Chapin Food Bank team,” said Richard LeBer, the president and CEO of the Harry Chapin Food Bank “Her experience creating meaningful change in communities and dedication to ending hunger will play a key role in achieving our vision of a hungerfree Southwest Florida ”
About Harry Chapin Food Bank H a
America partner, is the leading hunger-relief organization in Southwest Florida The food bank rescues food that would otherwise go to waste and distributes it to children, families and seniors who are hungry through a series of food distribution programs that feed more than a quarter of a million people each month
Harry Chapin Food Bank distributed 35 7 million pounds of food, including 8 6 million pounds of fresh produce This food is the equivalent of 29 million meals distributed to families who are hungry
For more information or to make a gift, please call 239 334 7007 or visit harrychapinfoodbank org
Recycling, EZ Pack, Petersen Industries, Florida Power & Light, Wasteequip/Toter, Cascade Cart Solutions, Fleet Genius, and Big Truck Rental, Callaghan Tire, Coca-Cola Beverages Florida, Gavin’s Ace Hardware, Jan-Pro, LCEC, Passarella & Associates, Permite Paints, Southwest Waste Services of Florida, and Suncoast Beverages Visit https://www klcb org for additional information on Keep Lee County Beautiful and the programs focused on protecting and preserving our environment
About Keep Lee County Beautiful, Inc.
Keep Lee County Beautiful, Inc , established in 1989, is the county’s largest volunteer-based community action and education organization This local nonprofit forms public-private partnerships and programs that engage individuals to take greater responsibility for improving their community environments.
For more information, call 239-334-3488 or visit www klcb org
Community Foundation starts new season
STAFF REPORT
T h e F o r t M y e r s B e a c h
Community Foundation seeks to empower members and the comm u n i t y b y e n c o u r a g i n g p h i l a nthropic endeavors to improve the q u a l i t y o f l i f e i n F o r t M y e r s Beach
The 2023-2024 season was no exception as the Fort Myers Beach C o m m u n i t y F o u n d a t i o n announced giving $93,000 to the f o l l o w i n g o r g a n i z a t i o n s : E s t e r o Island Historic Society, Fort Myers Beach Marine and Environmental Resources Task Force, Friends of M a t a n z a s P a s s P r e s e r v e , F o r t Myers Beach Friends of the Arts
A s s o c i a t i o n , K e e p L e e C o u n t y Beautiful, Support for Sailing, Bay O a k s R e c r e a t i o n , O s t e g o B a y Marine Science Center summer camps and equipment replacement, FMB Strong, Fort Myers Beach Elementary and the Beach Kids Foundation
I n a d d i t i o n , 1 1 s c h o l a r s h i p s were awarded to college students
with ties to Fort Myers Beach The Foundation also continues to fund a n e n d o w m e n t a t F l o r i d a Southwestern State College that will provide scholarships for years to come
T h e F o r t M y e r s B e a c h Community Foundation is comprised of approximately 75 women d e d i c a
ever-changing and emerging needs o
g efforts in 2024-2025 will include a Casino Night, Style Show, Putt ‘ N P u b a
events that will surely arise The F
y Foundation is overwhelmed with gratitude for the support of both residents and businesses who generously support with both their time and donations.
Anyone interested in learning more or to join and contribute should visit the foundation's website at www fmbcommunityfountation com for more information
Ann Prifrel
Donalds faces challenge from Lerner in race for Congress
By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com
In his two terms in Congress representing Fort Myers Beach, most of Lee County and Collier County in the 19th Congressional District, Republican Byron Donalds has built himself a national reputation through m
President Donald Trump through his trials and tribulations
His opponent in next week’s election, former New Hampshire State Rep Kari Lerner believes Donalds has spent too much time in the national spotlight and not enough time in his own district Lerner, a 64-year-old Cape Coral native who returned to Lee County and has worked as a Realtor while also previously leading the local Democratic Party, said the 46-year-old Donalds has not done enough to bring federal resources back to Lee County
Through alliances with the conservative Freedom Caucus in the House, Donalds found himself nominated for Speaker of the House last year during a power strugg
Republican Kevin McCarthy Donalds was named on as many as 20 ballots by his fellow Republicans over several rounds of voting After 15 rounds of voting, McCarthy was eventually elected Several months later, McCarthy would be removed and replaced by Louisiana Republican Mike Johnson.
Donalds, of Naples, said he supports Johnson “I didn’t go to Washington D C to be Speaker To be part of history in a small way was surreal,” said the New York native
“I hope we don’t have to do that again,” Donalds said “We need to be supportive of Speaker Johnson ”
Since then, Donalds was also floated as a potential Vice President pick for Trump and has not dodged rumors he is considering a run for governor when the term of Ron DeSantis ends in 2026
Donalds has more recently made headlines for having voted in September against a continuing resolution to fund the government. That included $20 billion for F E M A ’ s d i s a s t e r r e l i e f f u n d a n d f u n d i n g f o r t h e National Flood Insurance Program Supporters of the m e a s u r e a c c u s e d R
watered down the bill
Donalds said his vote against the stopgap funding bill Sept 25 due to issues unrelated to FEMA or hurricane assistance The vote occurred just a day before Hurricane Helene landed “There was a myriad of reasons,” Donalds said of his no-vote
“It’s not clear if Joe Biden is actually running the country,” Donalds said “There are still resources in the F E M A r e c o v e r y f u n d . ” D o n a l d s c a l l e d F E M A a “bureaucratic agency that doesn’t respond well to natural disasters ”
Congressman Byron Donalds Kari Lerner
Two years ago after Hurricane Ian hit, Donalds said he would look to help bring funds and resources to Fort Myers Beach through a member item as part of a supp l e m e n t a l p a c k a g e D o n a l d s s a i d h i s e f
unsuccessful
“We hit a blockade,” Donalds said
Donalds said he has put forth other bills to assist hurricane victims, including one bill which would allow those affected by hurricanes to deduct expenses related to disasters from their taxes
Lerner ‘s views differ
“Byron Donalds did absolutely nothing for us,” Lerner said in regards to Hurricane Ian “We were ground zero and he did nothing,” she said “We needed resources ”
Lerner said that the vote by Donalds against the continuing resolution as Hurricane Helene approached Florida “compounded” the issue
“His actions seem to indicate he is more interested in playing political games,” Lerner said “There are a lot of things you can do for your district ”
Lerner, who was born in Ohio, moved to Cape Coral in the early 1970s and graduated from Cypress Lake High School She also lived in Captiva and Sanibel and said she worked three jobs In New Hampshire, she also worked as a substitute math teacher
Donalds, originally of Naples, has worked as a financial advisor.
Donalds said that while FEMA has helped Lee County and Fort Myers Beach with assistance, he believes the agency needs an overhaul He took part in hearings with FEMA as part of a House subcommittee in Fort Myers last year
Donalds wrote a letter to FEMA objecting to the agency’s decision earlier this year to take away the National Flood Insurance discount for Lee County, Fort Myers Beach and other municipalities based on what FEMA said was unpermitted work after Hurricane Ian
“We were very direct with FEMA,” Donalds said He credited the letters with putting the action on hold while the county and town file plans with FEMA to address their concerns. “It doesn’t make sense to penalize everybody in Southwest Florida,” Donalds said Donalds said he supports funding FEMA
Nonetheless he’s not all happy with the agency
“FEMA has become a very bureaucratic agency as opposed to being action-oriented and giving people help in a moment’s notice,” he said
Lerner said Donalds needs to do more to bring resources home and meet in public forums with residents and elected representatives “Bring the resources of the federal government home,” she said
Lerner also criticized votes by Donalds in 2021 not to fully certify the results of the presidential election between Trump and President Joe Biden
“I think that it is anti-American,” Lerner said Lerner supports funding and arming Ukraine against the invasion by Russian forces “The smart move is to continue to support Ukraine,” Lerner said Donalds said the war there “needs to come to an end ” He believes both sides are at a stalemate “We don’t have another $200 billion for Ukraine to continue the conflict,” Donalds said
In regards to the war Israel is fighting against the terror-
ist organization Hamas, Iran and its other terrorist p
needs to finish the job The only pathway for peace is for Israel to eradicate its enemies " Lerner said that she supports “Israel’s right to defend itself and the right of the hostages to come home” but also said she “doesn’t support genocide ” When questioned to support her claim of genocide, Lerner said “I don’t have the citations ” Hamas kidnapped more than 200 people from Israel on Oct 7 and murdered more than 1,200 people The terrorist group continues to hold more than 100 hostages Israel has responded by attacking Hamas in the Gaza Strip, which has resulted in approximately 40,000 deaths - about half of which are believed to be Hamas fighters, according to the Associated Press
Both candidates say they want to secure the border with Mexico “We need to know who is crossing our borders,” Lerner said Lerner said a bipartisan bill negotiated earlier this year would have allowed for more border agents and judges The bill ultimately did not garner enough Republican support in the Senate “It was a terrible piece of legislation,” Donalds said Donalds said if former President Donald Trump is elected, the former immigration restrictions enacted by Trump would return
“Walls alone won’t do it,” Lerner said
Lee commissioners approve Lee Health privatization
By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com
In a special meeting Monday, the Lee County Board of County Commissioners voted to privatize Lee Health while approving a mission agreement
The move, referred to by Lee Health as the "conversion to a community-focused nonprofit organization," will take away the public's ability to vote in the board members of the Lee Health Special District Board of Directors and also will transfer assets into the new entity
The conversation will not have a negative impact on patient care but will bring new opportunities to Lee County's largest healthcare system, officials said
“Patients can expect the very same level of reliable, quality healthcare they have come to expect from Lee Health today, tomorrow, next month, and next year,” Dr Larry Antonucci, president & CEO of Lee Health said “This change gives us the opportunity to provide additional access to care, bring in new clinical and business opportunities for providers, and expand healthcare options for our community.
Converting to a community-focused nonprofit is not just about governance; it’s about
ensuring a sustainable, high-quality healthcare system that serves the diverse needs of the community now and in the future ”
The members of the elected board currently serving will have the option of remaining in their seats for the new nonprofit entity, Lee Health System, Inc , which will become effective on Nov 1
"The current board members will remain in place through the transition," Lee Health spokesperson Jaclyn Bevis said "The Board of Directors will then work through a process to repopulate and be self-perpetuating, possibly through a governance committee or something similar They will seek talent from around the community and grow through similar processes of many other nonprofit board of directors "
The board had previously voted to pursue the path of privatizing from a publicly-overseen nonprofit to a private nonprofit The organization has always been nonprofit
Lee Health Board of Directors Chair Donna Clarke, a former state representative, said the mission agreement will reinforce the commitment of Lee Health to treat patients "regardless of their ability to pay " Clarke said the privatization will allow Lee Health to "compete effectively" while continuing
"our critical safety net mission "
Lee County resident Steve Maxwell expressed skepticism of the decision and gathered 100 signatures regarding the vote by the county commissioners to approve the agreement with Lee Health He said he reached out to the county attorney's office for an explanation of the new agreement but didn't receive a response He said his family worked for Lee Health for more than 35 years
"Hopefully the public will know what's going on behind closed doors We are losing the idea of a public hospital Remember, we were always nonprofit "
The votes allow for the conversion of the health system from a public/special district of government to a community-focused nonprofit and clears the path for Lee Health to finalize the conversion through the complete transfer of assets and liabilities of Lee Health to the successor community-focused nonprofit entity, Lee Health System, Inc
Changes to Lee Health’s Enabling Act in 2023 allowed the Board of Directors to evaluate if conversion to a communityfocused nonprofit was in the best interest of the residents of Lee County. Following the course prescribed by the legislation, the
Board of Directors commissioned an independent study, engaged expert, third-party counsel, collaborated with federal, state and local governments and held multiple Board work sessions, community town halls and public workshop meetings
“We appreciate the important work done by the Lee County Board of County Commissioners in developing and approving the Mission Agreement,” Clarke said “With broad community engagement, Lee Health is now poised to complete the process of becoming a community-focused nonprofit Providing quality healthcare to everyone in our community is our fundamental responsibility and we are committed to carrying that mission forward ”
The vote by Lee County commissioners on Monday took place with few questions by any of the commissioners for county staff or Lee Health representatives Following approval of the mission agreement, commissioners also voted to approve the Industrial Development Agency's re issuance of Lee Health bonds not to exceed $850 million The re-issuance of the assigned indebtedness ends Lee Health's ability to issue tax exempt debt directly.
under review From page 1
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Race for Fort Myers Beach Council
e n t l y a t r u s t e e o n t h e F o r t M y e r s B e a c h L i b r a r y B o a r d , i s t h e l o n e c h a l l e n g e r
T h e s e a t o f t h e m a y o r a n d v i c e
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m a y o r a r e a p p o i n t e d b y t h e c o u n c i l a n d n o t e l e c t e d b y t h e v o t e r s V o t e r s o n l y
Editor's note: We are running the answers to our Oct 16 edition since it only ran online due to Hurricane Milton
Question this week: In light of the most recent hurricanes to hit the island, what can the town do to improve protections for residents from flooding?
❑ dan allerS (Incumbent)
One of the biggest struggles with living on a barrier island is flooding We have multiple streets at or below sea level Before Hurricane Ian, the town started on our storm drain repair and replacement We have since started that backup and continue working to complete the tier-one project streets with the most repeat flooding issues. This will not eliminate all flooding, especially during king tides and heavy rains that breach the sea walls leaving no place for the water to drain However, with these improvements, we should see water recede much faster than we do now Going forward the town must look to increase the height of our seawalls island-wide and add a coastal protection system like what was proposed for the Grand Resort now the Margaritaville project Raising the seawalls even 18-24” higher would eliminate a lot of the flooding currently caused by typical high tides Adding a coastal protection system would not only protect from higher tides and typical surges but also move the gulf front properties out of the VE zone Multiple federal and state grant programs can make both a reality with minimal impacts on our local tax base
The Town of Fort Myers Beach has already changed significantly since Hurricane Ian Many residents and businesses are building back higher up off of the ground or building back more resilient This trend will continue The Town’s massive beach renourishment plan coupled with an emergency berm component is one way we can help mitigate damage at least from the smaller storms Once the renourishment is complete, hopefully by the end of this year, vegetation on the emergency berm can then be planted to help anchor down some of the sand
Certainly intense focus on improving and enhancing our storm water system must continue The Town must welcome input from our residents on these storm water improvements as each side street has its own unique set of challenges The necessary financial resources have already been committed to the storm water improvement plan we just need to continue to move forward as quickly as possible with laser focus
Fort Myers Beach can implement several strategies to enhance flood protection for residents. First and foremost, we need to continue to upgrade our drainage system We need to throw everything we have at this We were lucky that the last two hurricanes had minimal rain totals We also need to get our beach renourished ASAP I also would not be opposed to looking at the coastal protection system once again, especially in the downtown area
We should look at funding options from FEMA for raising our sea walls and as I have mentioned in the past, quick reimbursement for lifting your home
By adopting a multi-faceted approach, Fort Myers Beach can better safeguard its residents against future flooding events.
We live on a barrier island Gulf storms produce surge and that is just a fact of life, and we can never mitigate 100% of the risk that comes with these storms What we need to do as a Town is to encourage resilient build back measures, so that recovery from these events is swift and cost effective In addition, I feel the Town can do more in holding people and contractors accountable and/or educating them on the dangers of items left behind in a storm's path Things like containers, large Dumpsters, construction materials all become missiles and battering rams when a storm comes through, causing more damage and cleanup than necessary It will take a cooperative effort by the Town, residents, businesses and contractors to assure we are doing everything possible to minimize the damage from any future storm events
❑ JIm atterholt (Incumbent)
❑ Scott Safford (Incumbent)
❑ GreG ScaSny
Early voting sees ‘record numbers’
By CJ HADDAD
cjhaddad@breezenewspapers com
Not even one week into the Early Voting period for the 2024 General Election, officials are seeing historic numbers when it comes to voter turnout thus far
Early Voting started last Monday and runs through Nov 2 There are 12 locations throughout the county where individuals can vote, as well as drop off their voteby-mail ballot Locations will be open from 10 a m to 6 p m daily
Supervisor of Elections Tommy Doyle said the number of ballots are already coming in “record numbers ”
“Turnout for Early Voting and Vote-by-Mail is great so far,” Doyle said. “Early Voting is seeing record numbers The 2020 general election saw higher Vote-byMail numbers, but that was due to COVID-19 ”
As of Tuesday afternoon, a total of 240,559 votes had been counted by the Elections Office -- 139,3491 VoteBy-Mail, and 101,076 in Early Voting (134 provisional) Those numbers equate to a 49 05% voter turnout
“Voters are eager to cast their votes,” Doyle said on what the high-number so far means
Doyle said some misinformation on social media was spread concerning the functionality of the Express Vote voting machines, “but that was quickly debunked Using the Express Vote is quick, easy and secure. If a voter encounters an issue, they should seek immediate assistance from a poll worker ”
He added that voters are encouraged to review and mark their sample ballot before going to the polls There is a two-page ballot containing six amendments, and knowing what they want to vote for ahead of time can save individuals a significant amount of time at the polls
He also reminded voters to bring a valid photo ID with their signature
Taking advantage of the Early Voting period and not waiting for Election Day itself could prove to be a benefit to voters.
“Voters have more voting flexibility before Election Day,” Doyle said “Avoid the Election Day rush and vote early in person or by mail On Election Day you can only vote in your assigned precinct ”
Fort Myers Beach voters will have one location to vote in at the Bay Oaks Recreational Campus gymnasium at 2731 Oak Street on Fort Myers Beach
According to the office of the Lee County Supervisor of Elections, there have been 1,772 votes already recorded among Fort Myers Beach voters out of 3,351 eligible voters
Voting hours will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
In addition to the hotly contested presidential race highlighted by the Donald Trump/JD Vance and Kamala
Flood insurance
us is that in best case scenario you lose your discount, in the worst case you get taken out of the National Flood Insurance p r o g r a m a l t o g e t h e r a n d t h e y h a v e n ’ t given us a definitive answer,” Allers said Allers asked town management last week to ask FEMA to hold off on enforcing a rule limiting the use of trailers for businesses, such as food trucks like La Ola at Times Square. “The timing of this is irresponsible by FEMA,” Allers said Hyatt and Operations Manager Frank Kropacek said La Ola had actually been identified by FEMA as a trailer that had to be removed Hyatt said “we have been going through the process we were directed to do ”
Kropacek said one of the items on the town’s corrective action plan is why the trailer hadn’t been addressed “week in and week out ”
Kropacek said the town will also have to go through the same magistrate process as other operators of trailers due to the
Harris/Tim Walz faceoff, races and state constitutional amendments on the General Election Ballot in Lee County include:
Fort Myers Beach Council (three open seats)
■ Incumbent Councilmember Dan Allers (Mayor)
■ Incumbent Councilmember Jim Atterholt (Vice Mayor)
■ Incumbent Councilmember Scott Saford
■ Greg Scasny (challenger)
■ Fort Myers Beach Fire 2: Ron Fleming
■ Fort Myers Beach Fire 4: Keran Farell
■ Fort Myers Beach Mosquito Control District 2: Joanne Semmer
■ Fort Myers Beach Mosquito Control District 3: James Murphy
■ Fort Myers Beach Library 5: Julianne Schmidt
■ Fort Myers Beach Library 6: Jeanette Tardiff
■ Fort Myers Beach Library 7: Sondra Flick
■ Lee County School Board
District 7 - Vanessa Chaviano and Sheridan Chester
The District 7 race is at-large, meaning all Lee County voters may cast a ballot in this race
■ District Superintendent of Schools
Denise Carlin (REP) and Victor Arias (DEM)
■ Lee County Sheriff
Carmine Marceno, incumbent (REP) and write-in
Michael Hollow
■ Board of County Commissioners
District 3 - David Mulicka (REP) and write-in Jake Cataldo
District 5 - Mike Greenwell, incumbent (REP incumbent) and Kizzie Fowler (DEM)
Lee County Commission races are at-large elections meaning Lee County voters may cast a ballot in each race
From page 1
town’s use of trailers
“Where are we going to go? Are we going to have to go in a tent?”
Kropacek said the process is “unchartered water ”
Hyatt said he also received action review comments from FEMA to remove all non-compliant trailers by Nov 18 Issuing notices of violation was considered “insufficient,” Hyatt said.
Allers said the town couldn’t just hook up the La Ola trailer and remove it though the town’s legal counsel said the town did have enforcement power to remove it
Allers accused FEMA of moving the goalposts
Kropacek said town officials were told that federal law superceded local law while in a meeting with State Department
o f E m e r g e n c y M a n a g e m e n t K e v i n Guthrie
Kropacek said the town was, in effect, being told that its enforcement actions didn’t amount to “a hill of beans ”
no matter in which district they reside
■ Lee Memorial Health System Board of Directors
District 5 - Daniel Alder, Kathy Bridge-Lines and Joseph R. Gambino
■ United States Senator Rick Scott (REP) and Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (DEM) and three other challengers
■ Representative in Congress
District 1 9 - Byron Donalds, incumbent (REP) and Kari L Lerner (DEM)
■ State Representative
District 7 9 - Mike Giallombardo, incumbent (REP) and Denise McCleary (DEM)
■ Constitutional Amendments
Voter vote yes to approve, no to oppose A 60% majority is required for passage.
Amendment No. 1 - Partisan Election of embers of District School Boards
Amendment No. 2 - Right to Fish and Hunt
Amendment No 3 - Adult Personal Use of Marijuana
A me ndme nt N o . 4 – A
Government Interference with Abortion
Amendment No 5 - Annual Adjustments to the Value of Certain Homestead Exemptions
Amendment No 6 - Repeal of Public Financing for Statewide Campaigns Amendment
F
Information/Sample-Ballots
F
lee vote/Vote-by-Mail/Vote-by-Mail-Information For Early Voting information, visit lee vote/EarlyVoting-Information/Early-Voting-Dates-and-Locations
Kropacek said town management has informed federal officials that they are following local and state law
“To me it sounds like we have to prepare our residents that they may lose their N a t i o n a l F l o o d I n s u r a n c e P r o g r a m , ”
Allers said
Vice Mayor Jim Atterholt said he is hopeful a new presidential administration could change things and said the town should hold out hope to see what happens in the November election
“
Atterholt said
The town must assess all floodplain development from Hurricane Ian in the Special Flood Hazard Area, ensuring that permits for all repairs, construction and development were obtained consistent with local floodplain management regulations
FEMA is requiring the town to provide a status update for structures deemed substantially damaged on a list provided by
the town in accordance with an April letter sent to FEMA
In addition, the town must provide evidence to support compliance action taken for the structures identified as having damage and FEMA identified as Future C
y Assistance Visit follow up, and additional information needed
The town must also provide FEMA an assessment of all floodplain development impacts from Hurricane Ian to structures in the Special Flood Hazard Area and provide a plan for remedying any identified violations
The town must provide documentation that demonstrates the community is leveraging its code enforcement process to address new and existing code cases for all structures not confirmed as compliant
Allers said he wants to get a direct answer from FEMA. “All we can do is keep trying and keep pushing every lever we can ”
School board discusses potential NIL agreement
By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com
New policy was introduced to the Lee County School Board at its meeting on Oct 22 for a Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) agreement for high school athletes
“This is really groundwork for a revolving issue,” Superintendent Dr Ken Savage said “We need to make sure we set some groundwork on this topic ”
Athletics & Activities Director David LaRosa said NIL, which has been around at the college level for three or four years, is the new norm for today’s culture
“It’s now filtering down to the high school level in our state,” he said
According to the pre-briefing of the policy, the definition for the NIL Agreement is “an NIL agreement is a fully executed, written contract that allows for student-athletes to profit from or be compensated for promoting, partnering, and/or representing product endorsements and other activities by the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) ”
One of the conditions of the agreement states that the “student who engages in an NIL activity must sign an ‘affidavit of compliance with the regulations on amateurism and interscholastic athletic activity ’”
LaRosa said the document must be filed out and submitted to the FHSAA within five days of signing the NIL.
“This is something that has come into place in the last month and a half It’s now being implemented for us to use,” he said of the contract between the athlete and family and
business or organization
“If there is no signed contract or agreement, there is no NIL,” LaRosa said “The athletes that have the stronger brand is the one that is going to benefit from this ”
School board Assistant Attorney Robert Dodig said the School District of Lee County or school board are in no way a party to an NIL agreement
LaRosa said as of the middle of September, there are only two NIL on record within the state of Florida
“Florida was the 36th state to adopt NIL,” he said in the beginning of June
Permitted NIL engagements include commercial endorsements, promotional activities, product advertisements, service advertisements and social media presence
“Social media is the big thing,” LaRosa said if the athlete is befriended and liked, it will increase their viewers and bring more value to them
The prohibited NIL engagements include: adult entertainment products and services; alcohol, tobacco, vaping and nicotine products; cannabis products; controlled substances; prescription pharmaceuticals; gambling, including sports betting, lottery, betting in connection with video games, online games, and mobile devices; weapons, firearms and ammunition; political or social activism; and NIL Collectives
LaRosa said there are potential problems misleading young people; tax issues; financial literacy; bad deals; athletes being taken advantage of; and the loss of amateur status and eligibility He said it could also affect the athletes’
financial aid as it is income to them, not their family
“It could affect them qualifying for financial aid going to college Not all sports is a full ride,” LaRosa said
There are also penalties established with the first offense a formal warning and dissolving of the deal, the second leads to the loss of eligibility for a year in the sport played and the third offense is the athlete cannot play anymore in the state of Florida for a FHSAA member school
There will also be disciplinary measures for employees if they are involved in this type of activity
Dodig said they put reservation language in the policy regarding discipline for employees
“We don’t have a scheme set up for penalty,” he said Board Member Chris Patricca said it would be beneficial to spell out those consequences, as it will lead to better compliance in procedures
LaRosa said they began the education process for NIL in May, with training in June and August.
“Our job is not to tell a family if a deal is a good deal or bad deal It’s not our job or position It’s something up for them to determine themselves,” he said “Coaches, principals, athletic directors are not allowed to get NIL opportunities for their athletes ”
There was discussion around permitting the district’s high school athletes to wear their school uniform or T-shirt designating their school in endorsements, advertisements, or commercials Another topic for further discussion revolved around students who are 18 years old having the ability to make their own NIL deal without parental consent
School district receives state grant funding
By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com
A $2 million state grant will benefit 13 high schools in Lee County
For the second year in a row, the School District of Lee County is a recipient of the Florida Department of Education Workforce Capitalization Incentive Grant Program
Adult and Career Education Director Brian Mangan said the district followed the Florida Department of Education Workforce Capitalization Grant process, which the state released a request for proposals in June
“The district’s CTE (career and technical education) and grants departments then worked with our public and charter high schools to develop the proposal Data was gathered from the Comprehensive Needs
Council
From page 1
C o u n c i l m e m b e r S c o t t S a f f o r d a n d Councilmember Karen Woodson. Mayor Dan Allers voted against the project The project had previously been rejected by the Fort Myers Beach Local Planning Agency and had faced concerns from some neighbors regarding its impact to the views of the Gulf of Mexico and on local traffic
“I hear people say I don’t want it to be M i a m i , ” F o r t M y e r s B e a c h Councilmember John King said before his decision to vote in favor of the project “I don’t want it to be Mexico Beach or Matlacha ”
Fort Myers Beach Mayor Dan Allers said he voted against the project because he was upholding the vision of the comprehensive plan and local development code the town installed after its incorporation in the 1990s “It's a tremendous project,” Allers said "It's being done the right way," he said However, Allers said he doesn’t know that it meets the intention of the Comprehensive Plan
“I don’t think it is completely in line with the comprehensive plan and local development code,” Allers said King revisited the history of the town’s incorporation before Monday’s vote on the Seagate Development Group's propos-
Assessment (CLNA), Futuremakers, Lee County EDO and FGCU to identify programs,” he said “The schools used the same information and added additional layers of student interest and facility capacity ”
With $2,066,751 in grant funding received, Mangan said they will now work on the request for application and submit it to the state by Nov 22
“This is the second year of the Workforce Capitalization Grant that has been funded and our second year as a district benefiting from it,” he said
The grant will impact 13 high schools 10 public and three charter schools by expanding and enhancing 10 programs and initiating four new programs
“The new programs are applied robotics
al King dredged up the decision of voters to incorporate in the 1990s, taking a poke at the vote by noting it was done in the summer "It won by 174 votes, that is not an overwhelming majority," King said King moved to Fort Myers Beach from Iowa in 2021 "This decision continues I think to divide the island," he said "If height was why the town incorporated why did they put openings in the land development code, in the comprehensive plan that allows these deviations?"
Councilmember Scott Safford called Seagate’s proposed development "a beautiful project” and had no problem with the height deviations "I live right next to Ocean Harbor and it doesn’t bother me in the least bit," Safford said
Kathy Turner, who lives adjacent to the building, said she opposed the proposal “We like the quiet residential project where we live,” Turner said “Our retirement for Fort Myers Beach was supposed to be the last chapters of our lives We are watching closely what happens ” Turner, who is the present of the Estero Island Garden Club, said "it is really a confusing process " Turner said she is concerned about the height deviations as w e l l a s t h e a b i l i t y o f S h e l l M o u n d
Boulevard and Donora Boulevard to han-
at Island Coast High School, solar at Estero High School and environmental water and reclamation at Cypress Lake High School
Three charter high schools, North Nicholas, Coronado and Island Park, are offering a new certified nursing assistant program. All three of these schools are operated by Accelerated Learning Solutions The goal is to increase student access to CTE programs and continue to enhance graduates whose post-secondary plans enable them to follow one of the four E’s Enrollment, Enlistment, Employment, and Entrepreneurship,” Mangan said
The new programs applied robotics and environmental water and reclamation are aligned with local and regional needs
“They both also can support other related
dle the increased traffic
"It is a very quiet, residential neighborhood," Turner said She is worried about the view and that her water would be impacted
T u r n e r s a i d t h e o f f e r b y S e a g a t e
Development of an expanded view corridor is not a public benefit
Seagate Development CEO Matt Price said it took seven months to work with staff "to find out what we were allowed to do by right "
During his presentation to the town, Price said the property tax bill for the developers for the property was more than $588,000 with more than $134,000 of that going to the town The developers purchased the property for $52 million last year
The developers estimate the project will generate $8 2 million in real estate tax receipts by full build-out with the town’s portion of that estimated at $1 9 million
They also expect to pay the town $2 3 million in permits and fees during the course of construction
“Eventually, this island has to change,” Price said
“You will start to see attorneys, you will start to see letters ”
career clusters For example, applied robotics fits in engineering but also in manufacturing Veterinary, agri-technology and outboard marine are existing programs that are in demand by our students and have postsecondary pathways to the 4 E’s,” he said. Mangan said all the high schools had the opportunity to apply, and they worked with those who were able to submit the proposal information in the summer
“There is still work to be done with the RFA (request for application), but the future is looking bright for CTE in the SDLC (School District of Lee County),” he said
The Florida Department of Education awarded $62 million through the incentive grant program
Atterholt sought some new gestures by the developer in order to support the project, asking for them to put in a public restroom on the beach side and for a water fountain which Seagate Development Group CEO Matt Price said he would do
S e a g a t e D e v e l o p m e
chased the former Red Coconut RV property off Estero Boulevard near the intersection with Donora Boulevard for $52 million last year
Fort Myers Beach resident Barbara Hill called on the council to cut the number of units by one-third, saying 17 stories was too high
Michael Dagnese, an electrician who lives on Shell Mound Boulevard near where the development would, said there was no longer any need for the town council if it were to grant the height deviation for the development Dagnese
“We have a height plan for a reason They built DiamondHead, we (created) a height plan for that reason If you are going to turn around and change it and let them get away with a 17-story building, we don't need you You can go away and we can go back to Lee County ” Dagnese said the “purpose was to keep the height down, to keep our beach beautiful ”
Native Portrayals
STAFF REPORT
The Town of Fort Myers Beach and the Mound House will host the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida for a compelling evening of art, film, and conversation that explores the p o r t r a y a l s o f I n d i g e n o u s p e o p
e s i n Hollywood and how Miccosukee artists challenge and reframe these representations
The event begins with an exclusive art e x h i b i t i o n s h o w c a s i n g t h e w o r k o f Miccosukee artists, each offering their unique perspectives on the U S Through their pieces, the artists reflect on themes such as U S pop culture and history Attendees can enjoy light refreshments during the art reception
At 7:15 p.m., the program will continue with an outdoor screening of the critically acclaimed documentary “Reel Injun: On the Trail of the Hollywood Indian” by Cree filmmaker Neil Diamond The film takes a deep dive into how Indigenous peoples have been portrayed in Hollywood films over the last century, offering a critical perspective on the effects these depictions have had on both Indigenous communities and global perceptions
Special commentary from Miccosukee community members will further contextualize the portrayal of the Miccosukee in media, offering insights into how these representations have impacted their identity and culture
This unique event provides a powerful blend of art and film, encouraging participants to reflect on the intersection of pop culture, history, and Indigenous experiences Additional concessions will be available for purchase during the film screening
About Mound House: L
About the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida:
American tribe in Florida, with a rich history and a unique cultural heritage The Tribe has played an integral role in preserving the ecology and cultural identity of the Everglades while contributing to the state’s vibrant cultural landscape
For more information about the event, please contact Adam Knight at 239-765-0865
If You Go:
What:
Art showcase of Miccosukee Tribe of Indians, screening of film documentary "Reel Injun: On the Trail of the Hollywood Indian"
When:
Friday, Nov. 8, 6 to 9:00 p.m.
Where: Mound House, 451 Connecticut St Fort Myers Beach
Southwest Florida Ag Expo returns with new theme: ‘An Ag-citing Adventure’
Lee County invites the community to get ready for “An Ag-citing Adventure” at the Southwest Florida Ag Expo from Thursday, Feb 27, to Sunday, March 9, at the Lee County Civic Center Complex, 11831 Bayshore Road This year’s event promises to be a family-friendly adventure filled with fun, learning and excitement for all ages
Sponsorships are available for the 2025 Enchanted Gala to be held Feb 13 to benefit planned improvements to the historic Wonder Gardens in Bonita Springs “An Enchanted Oasis” is the theme of the 8th annual fundraising gala
“We are looking forward to gathering again to ensure Wonder Gardens remains a place of wonder in B
Gardens “With the support of the community and the City of Bonita Springs, we will continue to enhance the Old Florida feel while adding exciting exhibits, enhanced guest experiences and pursuing zoological accreditation to ensure the best for the animals in our care
”
At the event, guests will enjoy the beautifully lit
exhibits, enjoy a fantastic meal, hear an engaging program about the Wonder Gardens while bidding on exciting experiences and unique items to support the development of the Wonder Gardens
Fundraising will help fund projects in a masterplan for the 88-year-old attraction that include:
- Naturalistic exhibits, like an otter exhibit that is currently under construction
- Keeping the attraction an Oasis of Old Florida, while updating and modernizing animal care and guest experiences
- Enhanced educational programming
Sponsorship levels include Signature Sponsor for $15,000; Presenting Sponsor for $10,000; Video Sponsor, $10,000; Flamingo Sponsor for $5,000; Peacock Sponsor for $3,000; Parrot Sponsor for $ 1 , 5 0 0 A v a i l a b l e i n - k i n d s p o n s o r s h i p s i n c l u d e Signature Cocktail Sponsor; Raffle Sponsor; Guest Photos/Photo Booth Sponsor, and Event Photography Sponsor.
Sponsors to date include Flamingo Sponsor Billy the Bee Foundation; Peacock Sponsor North Bonita Country Club and Patron Party Sponsor FineMark National Bank & Trust The Wonder Gardens does n o t r e c e i v e t a x p a y e r f
Improvements, maintenance, staff and animal care are paid for by admissions, memberships, giftshop sales, fundraisers and donations
Tickets to the event will be available soon and are $250 Patron tickets are $325 and include a private patron party on Jan 30 In 2023, a record $468,000 was raised at the event. For information, visit wondergardens org/wow
About Wonder Gardens
The Wonder Gardens, a nonprofit zoological park and botanical garden established in 1936 in Bonita Springs, is home to rescued birds and reptiles nestled among sprawling banyan trees and plantings While preserving the best of this site’s history, the nonprofit cares for rescued, rehabilitated, and non-releasable animals, is upgrading wildlife enclosures and growing the botanical beauty of the property, while delivering education programs and events and further engaging t h e c o m m u n i t y t o e n j o y t
Downtown Bonita Springs
The Wonder Gardens at 27180 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs is one of the few remaining cornerstones of Old Florida, an enduring symbol of the history of the region, as well as a resource for learning about the environment and wildlife For information, visit wondergardens org or call 239-992-2591
“This is more than just an event it’s an Ag-citing Adventure for the whole family,” said Director Mack Young of Lee County Parks & Recreation "We’re thrilled to offer a range of interactive exhibits, thrilling rides, delicious food and an up-close look at agriculture that celebrates the hard work and dedication of our community’s youth ”
The Ag Expo continues to highlight the work of Southwest Florida’s youth involved in 4-H, FFA and other programs The event will open with a traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony at 3:30 p m on Thursday, Feb 27 The livestock events kick off that evening with the popular goat agility show and will continue until the conclusion of the horse awards on Sunday, March 9
This year’s expo will feature a range of activities and attractions, including:
∫ Livestock exhibitions showcasing local talent and agricultural expertise
∫ Crafting and creative living displays to inspire vis-
Calusa Waterkeeper invites the public to sign up for its highly antic-
Workshop scheduled for Saturday, Nov 9, from 9:30 to 11:30 p m , at Rusty’s Raw Bar & Grill in Estero This popular community outreach
Waterkeeper’s ongoing efforts to restore water quality in Southwest Florida, a need that has become even more critical due in part to climate
harmful algae blooms
Oysters can play a critical role in
ecosystems They create habitats for a variety of marine life, support shoreline protection by providing a base for mangroves, and serve as a vital food source for fish, birds, c
n
m a l s Remarkably, each oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water per day, improving water quality
T h e V O G w o r k s h o p i n v o l v e s
itors of all ages
∫ Midway thrills with rides and attractions for the entire family
∫ Delicious sweet and savory treats from a variety of food vendors
Lee County Commissioners remain committed to ensuring the Ag Expo remains a beloved community experience County staff will again manage and run the event, ensuring a seamless and exciting experience for all attendees.
For more information, including the complete schedule of events, special promotions, ticketing and parking details, visit www swflagexpo com or follow Facebook at www facebook com/swflagexpo Stay tuned as event details, ticketing and updates continue to be posted
About Southwest Florida Ag Expo
The Southwest Florida Ag Expo is a celebration of the region’s rich agricultural heritage, providing a platform for local youth, families and the community to come together for fun, learning and entertainment
For additional details about Lee County Parks & Recreation locations, amenities and upcoming events, visit www leeparks org, call 239-533-7275, or email leeparks@ leegov com
educational and hands-on instruction to build your own vertical hanging oyster gardens using recycled oyster shells from local restaurants that would have otherwise ended up in landfills These shells are strung onto stainless steel flexible cables and suspended from docks, providing surfaces for juvenile oysters and other life to attach and grow Prior to assembly, the recycled shells are biocleaned and hole punched
Join Calusa Waterkeeper in this restoration project, and learn more about our other initiatives to help restore and protect the waters of Southwest Florida
Space is limited to the first 30 registrants A tax-deductible donation to Calusa Waterkeeper of $25 per participant is requested to cover the cost of time and materials Each guest will get to take their VOG h o m e t o h a n g f r o m t h e i r d o c k
Additional oyster gardens are available with a $25 donation while sup-
plies last To register, visit calusawaterkeeper org/vogworkshop F
t Calusa Waterkeeper, call 239-8991440, email info@calusawaterkeeper org or visit calusawaterkeeper org
About Calusa Waterkeeper F
Inc
organization dedicated to the protection, conserva-
Caloosahatchee River and its watershed CWK’s jurisdiction covers four counties in Southwest Florida and encompasses 1,000 square miles of water Through advocacy, education, community engagement, and science-based programs and research, Calusa Waterkeeper strives to ensure clean water for current and future generations that is drinkable, fish-
information, visit calusawaterkeeper org or call 239-899-1440
Fair at Fenway South returning to JetBlue
The Fair at Fenway South will mark its 10th Anniversary and exciting return to JetBlue Park Nov 8-24
After being canceled in 2022 due to Hurricane Ian, this popular community event is coming back a week later than usual because of Hurricane Milton The fair will take place for three big weekends with a popular assortment of fair favorites including free family entertainment, thrill, amusement and kiddie rides, challeng-
Park Nov. 8-24
ing games of skill, merchandise vendors and delicious fair food
“The Fair at Fenway South has always been about bringing people together and this year that feels more important than ever,” said Brian Schuman, owner of Fair Productions, producer of the Fair at Fenway South
“As we celebrate our 10th year at JetBlue Park, we're excited to offer a place where families create memories, friends reconnect, and our community
enjoys a great time together We can't wait to welcome everyone back!"
As always, a full schedule of award-winning entertainment is included with admission including hours of fun shows, educational demonstrations, and thrilling performances daily
This year's lineup includes the Victoria Circus Thrill Show, Dynamo Trick Dogs, Rosaire's Royal Racing
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Red Cross offers tips for a safe Halloween
Halloween is around the corner, and your plans might include trick-or-treating, handing out candy and driving The American Red Cross offers these tips so you can enjoy a healthy, safe holiday
“Halloween is always a fun time, especially for children,” said Tiffany Gonzalez, Regional Director of Communications, South Florida Region “We here at the Red Cross want everyone to enjoy it and more importantly, to be safe ”
Here are some tips to consider to keep you and your family safe and healthy this Halloween
Trick-or-Treating
∫ Make your trick-or-treaters visible to others Provide kids with reflective gear, flashlights and glow sticks to help make the route easier for them to follow and more visible to any vehicles on the roads Adding reflective tape to costumes and treat buckets can help increase your trick-or-treater’s visibility to traffic
∫ Keep your hands clean Bring hand sanitizer and wash your hands when you get home
∫ Practice pedestrian safety Look both ways before crossing streets (at street corners) Use sidewalks to walk to the next destination If sidewalks are not available, walk on the edge of the roadway, while facing traffic Cross at the corners of the street, not between parked cars
∫ Be considerate of other people Only visit homes
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with a porch light on and accept treats at the door
∫ Know where your trick-or-treaters are going and who they will be with Have a parent or responsible
Halloween activities
∫ Have an adult check all candy before eating Dispose of any loose, open candy, or candy that could be a choking hazard or any unfamiliar brands
Handing Out Candy
∫ Do not hand out candy if anyone in the household is not feeling well or isolating This helps keep everyone as healthy as possible.
∫ Provide proper lighting and sweep clear your sidewalks and steps Having good lighting and a clear path helps visitors see where they are walking and avoid getting hurt
Driving on Halloween
∫ Watch for trick-or-treaters Sometimes people may forget to look both ways before crossing streets, so make sure you pay attention while driving Many areas practice daytime trick-or-treating on Halloween too and will have children on the streets throughout the entire day
Download the free Red Cross First Aid and Swim apps for instant access to safety tips
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A l - A n o n , A l - A t e e n m e e t i n g s
Island pets seeking forever homes PET PALS
Find A Home Give A Home Pet Rescue
Spotlight on Queen Iris!
By ISABELLE WELLS Co-founder of the Find
Home,
Iris was on death row before she was rescued A note from her foster Mom: Iris a 4-year-old, black-brindle pitterrier mix, and acts like a Queen, because she's all personality and will be your new shadow I would imagine her to be the BEST emotional support animal for someone struggling with anxiety, depression, PTSD, and/or sensory issues, as she is a 55 pound weighted dog blanket AND she will also be your 'big spoon' if you lay down on the couch and save even an inch of room for her to scooch behind you (complete with her head resting on yours) Iris understands personal space too She intently looks at you and listens and brings her quiet love and intensity while she shakes her approving tail at you You are already her favorite person, no doubt You'll never wonder if you're loved again, you'll see it in her eyes She would love to sleep in your bed if you'll let her But she is also crate trained and treat motivated She is such a good girl when you give her a bath She loves peanut butter, and actually, I haven't found a treat or toy she doesn't like, and she's perfectly potty trained When she meets new people she doesn't jump and bark, she quietly inspects to meet them and then wags her tail She knows how to 'sit' , knows her name, she can fetch and is good at learning how to bring it back and 'drop-it' but also loves playing tug-ofwar She's full of energy, and can run fast She gets so excited, she leaps at you to catch her arms, because she loves
hugs Iris gets along well with my three other male dogs but, she is the 'queen on the scene' and makes the boys cowtow to her She is the boss and I don't see it working in any other way, in any home What was supposed to be a 2 week foster has been over a month, Iris and I are getting very attached and the dogs and her are more and more bonded Unfortunately, I cannot keep her, so it's best to get her into her forever home as soon as possible and I recommend a home where she is the only dominant dog her size or where she is with a smaller dominant dog she will respect barking in her face (like my 15 year old male Pomeranian)
She would be a great new friend to a submissive and bored older dog who might want to feel the joy of chasing lizards again She is an Angel If you are interested in adopting Iris please text or call Isabelle at 239-281-0739 thanks We are looking for a place to expand somewhere in the area and would appreciate your help. If you know anyone who could help getting us a place that would be great We would love to have some land (one acre is good) and a place where our trainer can live on promises Please contact Isabelle at 239-281-0739- the place needs to be fenced
Follow us on Facebook at Find A Home Give A Home Pet Rescue and see all the amazing pets we saved these past few months
Please note our new PO Box #864, Bonita Springs, Fl 34133
You can also make a donation at www.findahomegiveahome.com using the donation tab using PayPal
Please make sure you do it through “Friends and Family” so there is no fee and all the donation comes to us directly.
Please donate if you can Hurricane Milton flooded our rescue. We need kitten food and clumping litter. The rescue goes through a large case of wet food per day Our links to Chewy & Amazon can be found on our website Your donation will be delivered to the rescue https://www SaveOurStraysFMB org If you can help any other way our PO Box is Save Our Strays PO Box 5014 Fort Myers Beach FL 33932
Fair at Fenway
Pigs, the Cowtown USA Petting Corral, the Magic of Lance Gifford and a Las Vegas Comedy Hypnosis Show
The Fair at Fenway South also features more than 30 state-fair style amusement rides and a large Kiddieland with a tremendous selection for kids, families and thrill seekers alike The Giant Ferris Wheel stands over 100 feet tall and the carnival midway will be packed with games, prizes
Before and After Milton
Former Fort Myers Beach Councilmember Bill Veach described the situation at his home on the island before Hurricane Milton and after in time for this week's Halloween.
From page 17
and fun
A Flash Sale will take place Oct 29 that includes discounted $30 admission and unlimited rides, the lowest price for the fair Afterwards, advance sale discounts, unlimited ride wristbands, express entry, halfprice BOGO admission and other deeply discounted deals will be available until the fair opens at 5 p m , Friday, Nov 8, at www fairatfenway com Admission and
Sunset at Bowditch Point Park
A recent sunset at Bowditch Point Regional Park on Fort Myers Beach as captured by Fort Myers Beach Observer and Beach Bulletin photographer Nathan Mayberg.
ride tickets can be purchased on site each day at the fair Fair at Fenway South hours are Thursdays, 5-10 p m , Fridays, 5-11 p m , Saturdays, 1-11 p m , and Sundays, 1-10 p.m.
Plenty of on-site parking is available at JetBlue Park, located at 11500 Fenway South Drive, Fort in Myers For more information, visit www fairat-
fenway com For vendor, sponsorship and group sales information, contact info@fairproductions2 com
The Fair at Fenway is proud to donate a portion of the proceeds to the Jordan Schuman Foundation for Kindness, which provides grants, scholarships and donations to charities and individuals in need within the local community
BILL VEACH
HugeEstateSale
Sat&SunNov2nd&3rd 8amto3pm 250SE9thTerrace (offSantaBarbara)
H omefulloffurniture, h omedecor,paintings, b irdhouses&glassware. L anaifurniture,and garagefulloftools. L otsofjewelry. D onátmissit! Itwillbegreat!
Sat11/2,8am-1pm 2573SandovalPkwy CapeCoral MapsatFrontGate (VeteransPkwy)
Screening
AFFORDABLE
FREE ESTIMATES
NewInstallation IncludesPermit 2YearWarranty RainBirdContractor
A+RATED-ANGIES LIST
Installation&Repair Licensed&Insured FAMILYOWNEDSINCE 1981
LEE#LSO200031
CAPE#06938 Sanibel#S11-000923
