City of Sanibel 50th

Source: City of Sanibel

What’s Inside

❏ Incorporation: Prote cting the island by controlling growth By

Betty Anholt

PAGE 6

❏ Natural e cosystems ser ve as basis for : The Sanibel Plan PAGE 10

❏ The mayoral seat: Comparing ‘then’ to ‘ now ’ PAGE 14

❏ Past, present and future of the island’s Share d Use Path PAGE 16

❏ De cades of prote cting, ser ving for Sanibel police PAGE 21

❏ Supporting the island through affordable housing PAGE 30

❏ Vision, statement and mission: L eading the city A profile of former city manager Judie Zimomra PAGE 33 . . . AND MORE . . .

ON THE COVER

The city of Sanibel held a relighting ceremony on Feb. 28, 2023, for the iconic Sanibel Lighthouse on the island, which had not been operable since it was damaged by Hur ricane Ian five months earlier. SCOTT CRATER

CITY OF SANIBEL ~ 50 YEARS ~ 1974-2024

Incorporation: Protecting the island by controlling growth

By Betty Anholt

Sanibel's incorporation had deep, if invisible, roots. Indeed, it would be the island's second incorporation the first coming in 1833 with the settlement of a New York land company attempting to develop the islands and adjacent mainland.

Development has ever been the push. The unique nature of the islands and the surrounding waters has been the pull That tug-of-war could go back to the Spanish incursions, but as World War II ended, the pulse of development threatened to become a torrent. Military personnel had traveled far from home and had caught the allure of new places.

In the 1950s, large “bedroom communities” were being built, such as the Levittowns in the northeast In Southwest Florida, hundreds of square miles of untouched land were being scraped clean, canals cut for boating access, and houses thrown up. Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres, Golden Gate, Rotonda the list was extensive and the pressure to build more intensive. Yet the infrastructure the roads, the water, sewer and power facilities, the schools and hospitals was seriously lacking

All these incoming people wanted beaches. Sanibel had beaches, with famous reputations. The island also had much untouched land, ripe for canals and houses Untouched except for the wildlife and subtropical growth the birds, fish, shells that meant so much to islanders. And to many visitors But the islands were isolated, and passage to them meant a ferry trip that had limited capacity. Developers perceived swaths of land to build upon. But they needed a visionary who could provide a bridge, a way to bring more people.

The islands have long been a haven for nature lovers whether environmentalists, scientists, artists, writers, birdwatchers, more. Even long before Jay Norwood Darling,

residents had formed groups to safeguard the special nature of our islands, and the specter of that unique character of place disappearing was alarming What was needed to protect the exceptional characteristics of Sanibel was thoughtful, planned development. No zoning or control on development destroyed the beautiful island of Miami Beach, and others Islanders formed the SanibelCaptiva Planning and Zoning Authority with county and state blessing. The move wasn't considered important to Lee County considering that less than a single percentage of voters resided here. Islanders' opinions were inconsequential.

Enter Hugo Lindgren. He bought large swaths of the island,

Betty Anholt. CONTRIBUTED

CITY OF SANIBEL ~ 50 YEARS ~ 1974-2024

Incorporation: Protecting the island ~ from page 6

once lighthouse reservation land. Today it is Shell Harbor. He also acquired land that is now Beachview He wanted to dig canals, bulldoze trees But there was that planning and zoning authority in charge. A roadblock. Lindgren went to the county to tout the benefits of a bridge to the islands, the increased tax revenue and tourism The island authority was eliminated on April 3, 1963, just as the Sanibel Causeway approached its opening date on May 26.

More tourists came Causeway numbers skyrocketed Visitors expected facilities, paved roads, water, bathrooms, places to eat, security. What was here was undersized, and the island was overwhelmed Potholed dirt roads, limited water from cisterns, no public restrooms, no lifeguards or police, few eating places and building resentment from locals due to dumped trash, damaged property, demands from the isitors and a

Years of conversations and complaints evolved into meetings and serious discussions of the pros and cons of controlling the island’s growth. By early 1974, things came together.

~ Betty Anholt

Sanctuary), later the SanibelCaptiva Conservation Foundation, shell club, and others became more vocal The county had no land use plan, although it claimed one was coming. Meanwhile, so were condos, one after the next, lining the beachfront. There was the report that the county envisioned 90,000 residents on Sanibel by 1990 And they weren't counting the shore-

were crying out for help that was delayed, refused, or inadequate. Only a few hundred votes out here, but more and more tax money flowing in, spent off-island Several residents gathered, conversations and complaints ensued, a groundswell built.

It was clear that the islands had become Lee County's golden goose, and that protections would be few and far between. Becoming incorporated was not easy. It would involve a long state legislative process and the blessing of the majority of islanders Another layer of government was not something many people desired, yet protecting the special environment here and not being overrun was also necessary. Years of conversations and complaints evolved into meetings and serious discussions of the pros and cons of controlling the island's growth. By early 1974, things came together.

Continued on page 52

CITY OF SANIBEL ~ 50 YEARS ~ 1974-2024

Natural ecosystems ser ve as basis for: The Sanibel Plan

By Charles LeBuff Island Pioneer

Fifty years is nearly a lifetime But I vividly remember the epic events that occurred a half-century ago that led to the creation of the city of Sanibel on Nov 5, 1974. The majority of us who lived and voted on Sanibel agreed we would become a municipality that day. We opted to take a step into our future in hopes of saving our island from Lee County's advancing level of exploitation. It was unabashedly aiming to increase land development on Sanibel and Captiva islands. The ruling body of five persons sitting as the Lee County Board of County Commissioners at the county seat in Fort Myers in those days proposed to rezone Sanibel and Captiva. Their zoning plans fostered the idea to eventually accommodate a build-out rate of 90,000 persons on the two barrier islands.

At the beginning of the '70s, land development with high building densities per acre was already underway on Sanibel By 1974, county-issued building and subdivision development permits were increasing at an alarming rate. The explosive level of development that an earlier group of county leaders visualized and encouraged 11 years before, in 1963, with the completion of their

Sanibel Causeway, had arrived and was happening Most Lee County leaders have always, since the creation of the county in 1887, lacked genuine consideration for the residents of Sanibel and Captiva. Their sole interest in the islands was to increase the county tax base. Those additional tax dollars would have minimal benefit for the barrier islands. Tax monies that flowed into their coffers were used for general county purposes Island residents feared further degradation and the loss of the unique quality of life that we enjoyed by living on the barrier islands. So, to control our own destiny, we took the necessary

step and broke away from Lee County's control, became independent, and decided to follow our own aspirations into the future.

We were successful in our quest to become a municipality and take control of our own destiny The people of Captiva Island, although invited, opted not to join us in our crusade to protect both islands. They were concerned that the larger voting population on Sanibel would be overbearing and their island's interests would not be fully addressed. Fifty years hence, they are now feeling the sting of

Charles LeBuf f. CONTRIBUTED

Genesis of ‘People’s Choice’ charter amendments

By Larry Schopp

When Sanibel's founders created the Sanibel Plan in 1976, they had lofty goals in mind:

❏ Lots of open, undeveloped space for wildlife habitat and groundwater replenishment.

❏ Limits on population density based on the sensitivity of ecological zones to human intrusion.

Nonconforming structure problem

Lar r y Schopp

❏ A building height limit of three stories so the natural beauty of the island was not overwhelmed by tall buildings.

The Sanibel Plan soon won awards and became a model for city planners throughout the United States.

There was a complication, however: The founders were not starting with an undeveloped island. Sanibel had already been developed.

With the opening of the first Sanibel Causeway in 1966, developers rushed in with visions of Sanibel becoming another Miami Beach.

Since Sanibel was not incorporated until 1974, it was the Lee County Board of County Commissioners that set the rules for development on the island in the early days. With official approval, some developers built condos on the Gulf beach that were taller (four stories), had far greater population density and more developed land area with impermeable coverage than the Sanibel Plan and Land Development Code would later allow.

After the city of Sanibel adopted its own Land Development Code,

in sync with the Sanibel Plan, those condos became “nonconforming” legal when built but not aligned with current standards. They could exist but not be built back or redeveloped in the event they were destroyed in a natural disaster or simply became obsolete.

The Sanibel Plan didn't address what to do with nonconforming condos. That created understandable anxiety for condo owners. And that wasn't the only cause for anxiety There were rumblings that Sanibel was behind the times and in need of bigger, more luxurious resorts to drive the local economy. Redevelopment was viewed as the best way forward.

Redevelopment looms

The specter of larger, perhaps taller, luxury resorts was evident to the board members of the Committee of the Islands (COTI), who saw irreplaceable value in

Continued on page 26

The Sanibel Plan ~ from page 10

another Lee County Commission's inability to do the right thing for their island. A majority (63.6%) of Sanibel voters chose to incorporate The minority of our residents who opposed incorporation did so because of several factors. Some feared the creation of another taxing authority bringing them increased taxes, others suspected more restrictive environmental controls, and many others were concerned with the potential loss of business opportunities and overall diminishment of their financial dreams.

Despite repeated attacks and lawsuits by members of the real estate and construction industries, as well as anti-incorporation indi-

viduals early on, the validity of the incorporation election prevailed in the courts. The benefits of our actions half a hundred years ago are visibly exemplified for the world to witness today, 50 years later. Because of forwardthinking residents and a progressive city council, Sanibel did not become another one of Florida's overdeveloped barrier islands

One, like the others, resplendent with densely built, high-rise multifamily dwellings and an unacceptable local government. In my view, Sanibel Island was saved by incorporation

Friends encouraged me to become a candidate for the island's first city council.

Although I was a career federal government employee stationed at the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, this was possible My participation was acceptable because the pending election was non-partisan. I qualified and joined 15 other islanders when I tossed my hat in the ring. On the special election day on Dec 3, 1974, I was elected as a council member. At the organizational meeting on Dec. 11, I drew a two-year term. The first official meeting of the newly elected Sanibel City Council took place on Dec 16 at The Community House. In 1976, I was re-elected for a four-year term. I Continued on page 74

The mayoral seat: Comparing ‘then’ to ‘ now ’

By Tiffany Repecki Island Reporter/ Islander Editor

Since the city of Sanibel's incorporation in 1974 and seating of the first Sanibel City Council, nearly two dozen councilmembers have held the title of mayor. While the city has a weak mayor system, meaning the role has largely ceremonial and parliamentary functions only, the island has undergone changes and every council has celebrated accomplishments and faced challenges during its tenure.

Former and first Mayor Porter J. Goss, who served as the council's figurehead for two separate terms,

and current Mayor Richard Johnson, who is serving his second consecutive year in the position, provide a “then versus now” comparison of the role, priorities, issues and more five decades apart

Viewpoint on position

For Goss, it was seeing through the establishment of Sanibel's new government.

“I think, mostly, it was honoring the commitments that we made for incorporation. The community wanted professional management, a small police department, low tax base,” he said, explaining that the first year and a half for the council was very intense because it had to

set up the charter and staffing.

With the impacts of Hurricane Ian still being felt throughout the island, Johnson views his role as mayor as leading Sanibel alongside his fellow councilmembers back to its pre-storm condition

“It's an honor to serve my community and help in a small way in the recovery,” he said. “It's an honor and a privilege to be in a leadership role with the other four individuals that comprise our council ”

Approach to role

As for serving as mayor, Goss and Johnson showed that not

Continued on page 15

City of Sanibel Mayor Por ter Goss, left, and City Councilmember s Zee Butler and Ver non MacKenzie, right, attend the 100-year celebration of the Sanibel Lighthouse in the mid-70s. CONTRIBUTED

Mayoral seat ~ from page 14

everything changes

“There's no question the mayor was basically just the chairman of the council, but also for ceremonial purposes the spokesperson,” Goss said, noting that he never spoke though without approval from the others “We were very much of the idea there wasn't much difference between any member of council.”

“It was giving everyone a chance to talk and to listen,” he added “It's the hallmark actually of good government, in my view. But you also have to have strong management, and Sanibel has had that.”

Johnson shared that sentiment

“We're a council of five, five individuals elected as leaders in the community,” he said, noting that mayoral duties, including conducting meetings, participating in workshops and signing legislation, are done through the support of the vice mayor and other three on the dais.

“I am an advocate for the city, along with the other elected officials,” Johnson added, explaining that though he is the representative for the council in public, he encourages all members to speak up.

Mayor versus councilmember

Both highlighted one aspect of similar note about holding the mayoral seat

“I think the hardest part of my job on the council was making sure everyone had the opportunity to make their best case,” Goss said of when there were differences of opinion among the councilmembers on how to proceed forward on certain policy matters. “I usually did not have much of an opinion.”

Johnson explained that hearing from the others is important to him.

“I want to hear what their thoughts are and how we feel or the position we should take on a particular topic I think my role as a leader is to listen more than I talk,” he said, adding that it can help them work toward a consensus. “I don't want anybody to go away from a public meeting thinking, 'I didn't have a chance to say what's on my mind '”

Priorities and goals

For Goss and the first council, it was again laying the foundation for the city's government.

“Initially, it was trying to hire a management team city manager, city attorney Coming up with a comprehensive plan; it was the number one chore, the number one expectation,” he said. “Building up relationships in the community, so everyone had a voice We had a planning commission, and set up committees ”

“The community vibe was, 'How do we help this success story remain a success story?'” Goss added.

Fifty years later, Johnson cited maintaining the Sanibel Plan as one top focus.

“Public safety is at the top of the ark, whether it be the safety of our kids at school or safety on our beaches I think at this time in our recovery we ' ve got to get people back into their homes and help them to develop plans to be more resilient. At the same time, we ' ve got to get our businesses back in operation and more resilient,” he said

“All of those are critical to our success and our future,” Johnson

The Mayors

❏ Por ter J. Goss: 1974-1976 and 1981

❏ Zelda P. Butler : 1977 and 1980

❏ C. Duane White: 1978 and 1981 (pro tempore)

❏ Francis P. Bailey Jr.: 1979

❏ Myron Klein: 1982 and 1987

❏ Fred W. Valtin: 1983-1984 and 1986

❏ Louise M. Johnson: 1985

❏ Lenar t A. Lorenson: 1988

❏ Jer rold A. Muench: 1989 and 1993

❏ William J. “Mike” Miracle: 1990-1991

❏ Mark Westall: 1992

❏ Wallace M. K ain: 1994 and 1997

❏ Rober t P. Janes: 1995 and 1998-1999

❏ Rober t B. Davison: 1996

❏ Nola E. Theiss: 2000-2001

❏ Steve R. Brown: 2002-2003

❏ Mar tin J. “Mar ty” Har rity: 2004

❏ Carla Brooks Johnston: 2005-2006

❏ Michael “Mick” Denham: 2007-2009 and 2020

❏ Kevin Ruane: 2010-2020

❏ Holly D. Smith: 2021-2022

❏ Richard Johnson: 2023 to present

Source: City of Sanibel

Past, present and future of the island’s Shared Use Path Sanibel Crown Jewel:

By Allison Havill

Referred to as one of the crown jewels of the island for decades, the origins of the Shared Use Path system began shortly before the incorporation of the city of Sanibel.

In 1972, the Sanibel Bike Path Committee organized to advocate for a network of “hike and bike” trails for the community to protect children The group adopted the slogan, “Preserve, Protect and Pedal.” We can thank original members Mariel Goss, Starr Thomas, Sherry Vartdal and Grace Whitehead for their vision in spearheading a project that would later become an integral part of our island community.

They began with local fundraising activities and demonstrations to generate interest and funding to launch the plan for providing safe access around the island. In addition, island bicyclists rode from the Chamber of Commerce to Bailey's General Store to demonstrate to Lee County commissioners the need for safe and separate paths on the island.

In 1974, residents worked with county officials and the Sanibel Bike Path Committee to complete a countywide eight-point plan to establish a network of paths and a funding strategy for county and state financial participation necessary to partially support construction costs

The following year, Goss, Thomas and Whitehead spearheaded a project to raise $10,000 in “seed money” that was

Contributed

matched by the Florida Department of Transportation to build the first segment of the

Continued on page 20

Shared Use Path ~ from page 16

city's bike path system along Periwinkle Way from Lindgren Boulevard to Bailey’s. From 1975 to 1996, 23 miles of today's current system were constructed.

In 2003, the city’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee recommended that the term “bike path” be changed to “Shared Use Path” to recognize the wide variety of non-motorized users and the separation of paths from vehicular traffic, indicate that both recreation and transportation services are provided, and enable the city to successfully apply for federal and state grants and funding

The Shared Use Path has become an essential part of the city's Comprehensive Land Use Plan, which includes a Shared Use Path Master Plan. Funding for the system is now part of the city's annual budget

Today, Sanibel boasts over 26 miles of paved paths, all of which are separated from the road by grassy medians. The system runs the entire length of the island, linking many main attractions Users can enjoy water fountains, restrooms and shady areas along the way. Thanks to its Shared Use Path, the city continues to be recognized with the gold Bicycle Friendly Community award from The League of American Bicyclists.

Formed in 1994, the Sanibel Bicycle Club has also played an integral role in the system's history In addition to promoting cycling for recreation, transportation and health and providing an opportunity for cycling enthusiasts to ride and socialize together, one of the club's missions is to

advocate for improvements in the safety and infrastructure of the Shared Use Path.

In 2005, the Sanibel Bicycle Club established the Trails in Motion Fund and was the original donor The fund is used for “planning and construction cost of new and improved SanibelCaptiva shared-use paths as well as maintenance and associated amenities.” The preparation of the Shared Use Path Master Plan, path-side gazebos and the Path User Welcome Center on Periwinkle Way near Periwinkle Park are just some of the ways monies from the fund have been utilized

While our city leaders have faced many challenges in Hurricane Ian's aftermath and other more critical items have necessarily taken priority, rest assured that the city is committed to the restoration and improvement of our Shared Use Path. Efforts to secure additional grants and federal funding continue.

In the meantime, cyclists and pedestrians can look forward to enjoying a new path extension on the west side of Palm Ridge Road, running from the Tarpon Bay Road intersection to Periwinkle Way, where a future crosswalk is planned Construction began in August of 2024. It will be the first extension completed since the Bowman's Beach Road extension in 2018 and will provide additional safe traveling along the corridor

Following community input meetings and input from stakeholder groups, an updated Shared Use Path Master Plan was approved in the summer of 2024

with the intention of providing direction to the city for the next 10 years. Public workshops were held as part of the Environmental Protection Agency's grant for coastal recovery and resiliency partnership program One workshop proposed possible future improvements and specifically asked for community and stakeholder input on the topic of connectivity on our island. One of the key areas of discussion was improving bike-pedestrian access and safety.

The updated Shared Use Path Master Plan also includes additional funding opportunities to be considered Plans for the path system is a collaborative effort between multiple departments within the city of Sanibel, including Public Works, Administration, Planning and Natural Resources

The biggest priorities for the future of our system will be an emphasis on safety and education as operator use continues to change. In the meantime, we still live in an island paradise and are privileged to have an existing path system that is able to be safely enjoyed in many areas. As always, please exercise caution, respect and courtesy to all users of the path!

Allison Havill is president of the Sanibel Bicycle Club and has been a member since 2020. She has written multiple articles on the importance of safer roads and cycling. A resident of Sanibel, she is an avid dog lover and active outdoor enthusiast, who enjoys running, cycling, paddling and pickleball.

Decades of protecting, ser ving for Sanibel police

By Johnathan Minehan

The Sanibel Police Department has undergone many changes over the course of its history, from an increase in staffing and divisions to advances in technology to improve the agency’s efficiency.

Police Chief William “Bill” Dalton, who has been with the department for 30 years, has seen its growth. He watched it go from 20 employees when he joined in 1994 to a total of 27 today.

“I would say the most significant change in my 30 years has been in technology. We didn’t even have a

computer in the car when we started. If we wanted to issue a citation written in any reports, it was written by hand. Arrest reports or crime reports were all done by hand,” he said “Later on, we got computers in the squad rooms to write reports. Now, each officer ’s car is like a mobile office. They’ve got everything they need right there in the car.”

How the officers do their daily job has changed significantly as a result of upgrades in computers and equipment. However, the department has continued to protect and serve Sanibel through the years

“We’re out and about, and our officers, they maintain a high pres-

ence in all the neighborhoods. Then, of course, we answer calls for service,” Dalton said. “We are pretty proactive when it comes to speeding; we have a lot of radar details They do work accidents every day in different areas. We get our share of arrests as well, not as much as Fort Myers or anything, but we still do.”

As for one of the most challenging times of his career with the agency, Dalton described the events with Hurricane Ian in 2022. He prided the department on its commitment to assisting the city.

“We were out here as soon as possible after the storm,” he said The agency has seen several

Continued on page 22

SPD patches, uniforms over the years

When the city of Sanibel incorporated on Nov 5, 1974, the first patch worn by the Sanibel Police Department depicted the historic Sanibel Lighthouse and an alligator two of the island’s wellknown features The original uni-

form consisted of a tan shirt and brown pants

The second patch worn by the SPD during the 1980s was simple in form a shield with the city’s official seal in the center. The uniform remained tan over dark brown

In 1990, the SPD changed its uniform to gray shirts and dark blue pants. Today, its uniform is a blue shirt and dark blue pants with a black stripe, while the patch still depicts the city’s official seal

Source: Sanibel Police Department

chiefs over the years:

Sanibel Police ~ from page 21

❏ John Butler: 1974-1986

❏ William E. Trefny: 1986-1987

❏ Richard H. Plager: 1987-1996

❏ Lewis L. Phillips Jr.: 1996-2002

❏ William Tomlinson: 2002-2016

❏ James G. Phillips: 2016-2017

❏ William Dalton: 2017 to present

Two of the first officers at the department were brothers-in-law Richard Noon and Ray Rhodes.

Noon joined the agency in 1976 and founded the Sanibel Swim Team, the competitive Sanibel Water Attack Team (SWAT), during his service. It won the Greater Lee County Youth (GLCY) YMCA League Championship in 1979 and 1980 and led to the creation of the first Sanibel Recreation Center.

Rhodes, who served until 1987, saw the changes the department went through

“I was hired in May. There wasn't much. They had a small office with City Hall down at Periwinkle Place. So the entire police department was the chief of police, a sergeant, a secretary, me, and two little offices,” he said “I wasn't in much during the day. I had the night shift from four in the afternoon till eight the next morning.”

working with the sheriff's office.”

Things on the island began to grow rapidly, and the need to expand the department arrived.

The agency had only one patrol car, and it initially did not even have uniforms

“We had no badges or uniforms, so we wore a sheriff's uniform. However, it was a while before we were deputized as deputy sheriffs,” Rhodes said “Finally, badges came in and uniforms started coming in. We kind of got changed to our own, but we remained close in

“The causeway, with the tourists coming over. The traffic was heavy because they had no traffic direction at that time, and a lot of growth going on,” he said. “So they decided they needed to enhance the police department, which the council graciously did ” It was not until 1979 when the agency gained the funding and staff to create bureaus, such as the Emergency Response Division, Investigations Division and Records Division Originally, the officers had to take on the roles themselves as part of their daily duties.

Continued on page 25

William Dalton

Sanibel Police ~ from page 22

“There basically were no divisions; it was everybody The chief and the sergeant kind of did patrol, and then, obviously, I was assigned patrol at night,” Rhodes said. “The chief's philosophy was that if you were the first officer on the scene of something, you were also the person who did the investigation ”

With the older technology in the mid-1980s, the department's radio systems ran on a low 46-megahertz band. The officers were able to speak with other officers as far away as North Carolina and Tennessee.

“Then technology began to increase. Over the years, we went to a 150 band, and the sheriff's office also did,” he said “Eventually, we led the way with having, as I remember, the first 800 radio system.”

When Rhodes departed the agency, he saw the police station gain its first data terminal The days of writing notes in pen and paper were replaced by a comprehensive storage system for data and evidence.

Some of the most noteworthy

events he remembers are the celebrities who visited Sanibel, such as former Presidents Ronald Reagan and James “Jimmy” Carter, and the security details that were authorized for them during their stay.

“The Rolling Stones, Buffet, and other groups would go and shoot their album covers, so we would provide them protection in the early ‘80s,” he said.

The greatest thing Rhodes gained from working at the department was the opportunity to help people and save lives. Each experience emphasized his role within the community and the need to help wherever he can.

“I pulled a little girl that was 18 months old out of a pool She was at the bottom of the pool and not breathing got her up and gave her CPR. Another instance, I had a gentleman who had a heart attack. I was able to revive him before the ambulance had arrived,” he said “Anytime you go to people and you can save a life is important.”

As for the future of the Sanibel Police Department, the construc-

tion of a new building is in the works for the agency. Located where the city’s recycling center is, the proposed design is three stories a two-story building over parking. It includes a briefing room, men’s and women’s locker rooms, a gym facility, training room, additional space and more

“We’ve got plans to build a new building; we have a grant application with Lee County,” Dalton said. “It will be about twice the size of this building We had an architect come in and do a space survey ”

In addition to everyday operations, the new station will play an integral role during disasters.

“After the storm (Hurricane Ian), we had a lot of help from around the state I had to hold briefings in the parking lot because, like downstairs, half of our department got washed away,” he said. “We want to have a suitable place to do that. So for this department, this building would also help in emergency management and recovering from hurricanes.”

SANIBEL POLICE DEPARTMENT

Charter amendments ~ from page 11

the small town, sanctuary character for which Sanibel had become famous.

But why the anxiety? Wouldn’t the Sanibel Plan prevent overdevelopment? Not necessarily. The Sanibel Plan was vulnerable.

Unlike the city charter which can only be amended with voter approval, the Sanibel Plan could be amended by a simple majority of the Sanibel City Council. It meant that the limits on building height, residential density and developed area were not guaranteed. The COTI board saw at least the possibility that a future city council might forgo the founders' idealism and jeopardize Sanibel's essential character as they dealt with post-disaster build back and redevelopment.

‘People’s Choice’ amendments

To prevent any weakening of

the protections of the Sanibel Plan, COTI developed three city charter amendments in 2004 later known as the “People's Choice” amendments that enshrined limits on building height and residential density. Only a vote of the people could overturn those protections.

The amendments also protect the Land Development Code’s limits on developed area, impermeable coverage and vegetative removal.

But the condo owners still had no protections. So COTI came up with a compromise between the founders' idealism and basic fairness to condo owners. A provision based on what existed on May 4, 2004, states: 1) the condos with four stories could be built back after a disaster with all four stories intact; 2) the city council

could allow redevelopment of parcels up to the number of dwelling units then in place; and 3) voters would need to approve any ordinances to increase developed area, impermeable coverage and alter vegetation removal, but variances would still be available to prevent hardship on a case-bycase basis.

Not everyone agreed with what COTI was trying to accomplish Some said state law the Growth Management Act gave Sanibel all the protection that it needed from over-development. As it turned out, the state Legislature repealed the Growth Management Act and abolished the agency that was responsible for its administration in 2011. When the campaigning was over, the residents of Sanibel

Continued on page 34

Supporting the island through affordable housing

By Johnathan Minehan

When Sanibel incorporat-

ed in 1974, Community Housing & Resources (CHR) had to be created to meet the state's requirement for an affordable housing program. Established in 1979, the not-forprofit organization has been housing individuals for 45 years and it continues to grow to meet the island's needs.

“The city of Sanibel, when the community decided they wanted to incorporate, they went up to Tallahassee, and the state told them they needed to have an affordable housing program. It's written in the Sanibel Plan,” Executive Director Nicole DeckerMcHale said “1987 was the first time CHR owned a property ”

CHR was the first affordable home program in Florida. The organization has helped many individuals create a life on Sanibel With the expensive housing market, it provides an opportunity for working families and community members to live on the island.

In 1983, the Sanibel City Council passed an ordinance that established the city's affordable housing program, and CHR was designated as the city's housing foundation. Although the organization does not work for the city, CHR works with it to establish homes for families and individuals who work and who serve the island community.

“CHR is its own entity, but we manage the city's below-marketrate housing program,” she said. “Four of our locations are cityowned land that we have a 99year lease on, and we own the buildings. We maintain the properties, landscape, insurance, all of that, but it is on city-owned land.”

Making it feel like a home that people can establish a family in and create a worthwhile living experience in has always been a major goal for the staff and volunteers involved at CHR.

“You will see how they decorate, even their carport area, a home at Mahogany Way or Airport Way,” Decker-McHale said. “What's great about all the properties, too, is the plan was thought out that they're all located and are surrounded by conservation land. But they're located near resources, so jobs, parks, churches, supermarkets, so that the residents can bike or walk to work ”

Some of the first homes established by CHR were located along Beach Road. They had a cottage aesthetic to make community members feel cozy and at home.

Peter Valtin, one of the founding board members, helped to

establish the organization.

“As president, I worked with a number of different people to formalize a plan for city support of moderate-cost housing that involved the novel use of spreadsheets that many people were skeptical of,” he said. “It was instrumental in getting one of the first units moved from a beachfront property to the Sanibel Highlands and remodeling it in the Highlands for occupancy by one of the first families.”

CHR started off with five housing units, and it slowly increased its inventory as the need for homes increased As people and workers moved to the island, many were concerned about finding homes.

“People were concerned about the cost of housing and the obvious trajectory of that cost and wanting to ensure that the residents on the island remained accessible for the kind of people that we were at the time, just starting out, just able to support ourselves, but not a whole lot more than that,” Valtin said. “There were about a dozen of us in that first meeting.”

Much of the beginning for CHR

Continued on page 31

CHR strong ~ from page 30

was getting residents to support the organization's efforts and raising funds for the apartment projects. It looked to gain some influential following to get the ball rolling.

“One of them was Ray Fenton, an employee and associate of the South Seas Plantation. His support was important because he was connected to the developer community,” he said. “We also got at least one other mature personality The woman who had worked for the Bureau of Standards before she retired.”

By the time Valtin left the organization, it was a small operation

“I would say, when I left, it was in its infancy,” he said. “Whoever took it over, with the city's cooperation, really fulfilled the dream that we had but hadn't yet fulfilled.”

One milestone for CHR was the creation of the Limited Equity Ownership program (LEO).

Decker-McHale explained that the organization started the Coast and Islands Community Land Trust, which purchases land A combination of LEO units and CHR rental units are located on the land.

“It was developed so that a community member who worked here could purchase this home at a very affordable price, with the understanding that when they sell it back, they sell the property back to CHR at a 1% accrual rate over 10 years. A lot of the properties have SHIP loans attached to them from the county,” she said. “It makes it easy for a low or moderate-income individual to purchase the home because they can use that SHIP loan as a down

payment towards this property to own it ”

For the future growth of the organization, a five-year strategy has been developed.

“When the city incorporated, the state said they had to have this low market rate housing program. It had to be 3% of households. So we need to have at least 100 or more apartments to be at the level that we ' re supposed to be,”

Decker-McHale said “Our plan is to build and develop as much housing for the workforce that we can. And we ' re reimagining housing, and we ' re being more efficient when it comes to housing individuals ”

Continued on page 34

CITY

Vision, statement and mission: Leading the city

By Tiffany Repecki Island Reporter/ Islander Editor

When Sanibel City Manager Judith “Judie” Ann Zimomra retired on Sept. 29, 2021, she had served the city and community for 20 years the longest-serving city manager on the island and in the region.

Two decades of leadership in and public service to one community is a long commitment worth commending When asked why she continued to serve, the answer was simple for the now full-time Ohio resident and Ohio State University's John Glenn College of Public Affairs faculty member

“The people and the environmental mission. The citizens, the council, the staff,” she said.

“It felt good to be there,” Zimomra added “There's a Sanibel feel.”

Prior to her arrival on the island in 2001, the city was going through a tumultuous period, cycling through a handful of city managers within four or five years. At the time, Zimomra was serving as chief of staff for the mayor of the city of Cleveland, Ohio, and he had decided not to run again for office.

She had visited Sanibel before,

Judith “Judie” Ann Zimomra. CONTRIBUTED

and upon hearing that the city was looking for a new city manager, Zimomra seized the opportunity on the road traveling at the time, she sent a fax from a truck stop

“What attracted me most to

move away from my family was the environmental component,” she said.

Her 22 years of government experience with the city of Worthington, Hamilton County

Continued on page 38

CHR strong ~ from page 31

e c t s l i k e M a h o g a n y Wa y, w h i l e w o r k i n g t o w a r d r e b u i l d i n g a k e y h o u s i n g c o m p l e x

The new Riverview will consist of a two-story building with 10 one-bedroom units, plus eight en suite units built over parking. It will be ADA accessible and comply with the new elevation requirements. The eight en suites will be a creative way to support a key demographic: young, lower-income workers.

“We want to create a community,” she said “We’re not landlords ”

The organization has received several awards for its hard work in the community. Most recently, it was presented with the “Storytellers Award” at the Florida Housing Coalition’s 37th Annual Statewide Affordable Housing Conference in August of 2024. Also at the event, CHR representatives spoke about revitaliz-

ing housing, reimagining new housing, and developing it

“We’re close to the development of this, and we want to build this and build it right. There are lots of other opportunities in the community to purchase land or develop these partnerships like we want to with the city,” DeckerMcHale said. “So our next goal for the next five years is to get to 100 apartments.”

Charter amendments ~ from page 26

showed that they wanted to control their own destiny by approving the People’s Choice charter amendments in March of 2005. Those amendments today still provide the legal underpinning for the city’s post-disaster buildback and resort redevelopment

ordinances. Older condos have the means to rebuild and the island maintains its special status as a sanctuary haven for wildlife and residents

Larry Schopp is a past board member and president of the Committee

of the Islands and chair of its Land Use Planning Committee. He was principal author of the 2005 “People’s Choice” amendments and a member of the city’s Charter Review Committee in 2018. Schopp lived on Captiva for several years before relocating to Sanibel in 1998.

CITY OF SANIBEL ~ 50 YEARS ~

Leading the city ~ from

page 33

and city of Cleveland included positions as commissioner of environment and director of environmental services.

Upon arrival, Zimomra was quickly educated on the city's vision, statement and mission.

“Some people think you ' re balancing the environment with growth, traffic, economic viability,” she said. “On Sanibel, the pinnacle is the environment. So, you ' re not balancing. You put the environment at the top. That's how you judge your programs, your budget.”

Zimomra described what the island was like in her first years

“A lot of what is still the backbone of Sanibel. Predominately the local businesses, the mom and pop businesses, the multigenerational businesses. Some of the founders were younger and still with us both of the Baileys, Sam and Francis,” she said, explaining that founders included those who led the incorporation movement, who still had a strong presence. “Most of the founders of FISH were still alive and active.”

“The library was not

“Some people think you’re balancing the environment with growth, traffic, economic viability. On Sanibel, the pinnacle is the environment. So, you’re not balancing. You put the environment at the top. That’s how you judge your programs, your budget.”

~ Judie Zimomra

tion, they always knew the goal, and city staff was always remarkable and stepped up and delivered.”

Fast-forwarding two decades, Zimomra shared what the island was like in her final years.

an independent library. It was part of the Lee County Library System,” Zimomra added. “The school was only an elementary school. A group of parents were very involved in expanding physically the facility, as well as the grade offerings. A major community initiative was the expansion of the grades offered at the school ”

Real estate and tourism were the top industries on Sanibel.

“One thing that was not uncommon but was changing was businesses closing during the summer. It was more of a seasonal-based tourism,” she said, explaining that restaurants and shops reopened in September or October. “We had not reached any level of being overbooked. For

many people, it felt like a secret, an off-the-grid location still.”

Asked about her initial goals, the answer again was simple for Zimomra.

“My goals were the city council's goals,” she said, adding that the goals of all of the councils she worked for focused on maintaining the environmental mission, small-town feel and Sanibel Plan, while keeping city government as small and tight as possible, as well as taxes as efficient as they could.

Zimomra noted that city managers are only going to be as good as their council and team

“Twenty years of excellent officials,” she said of her tenure. “They always gave clear direc-

“I'd say the number one change was driven by technology,” she said, explaining that as technology become more robust, people were selecting to live on Sanibel because they could work remotely

There was the increase in traffic with the rise in population, as well as more people utilizing the beaches, which required more public education, patrol and enforcement on the city's part.

“Twenty years is a generation,” Zimomra said, explaining that she saw people pass away who had contributed greatly to the island, while also seeing a generation grow up and become new contributing members within the community. “There's a number of multigenerational businesses on the island ”

“There were people on the city council who

Continued on page 39

CITY OF SANIBEL ~ 50 YEARS ~

Leading the city ~ from page 38

were second generation, third generation,” she added, noting that it also applied to the planning commission and boards “I found it very rewarding.”

In terms of challenges that the city faced during her last years, Zimomra cited the ever-changing technology, potential for overbooking environmental resources and managing the COVID pandemic.

During her tenure, Sanibel ranking among the “Safest Cities in Florida” by the National Council for Home Safety and Security, based on the FBI Uniform Crime Report, was the greatest accomplishment.

“There is no service a city pro-

vides to citizens more important than public safety,” she said, noting that it did not earn the designation by accident “The elevation of our community safety was a team effort between our excellent police department, the mayor and city council financially supporting investment in upgrading our law enforcement technology, and a vigilant engaged community. We worked directly with neighborhood and condominium associations, as well with the local businesses, the schools, the day cares and our faith-based community ”

Other major accomplishments for Zimomra include the ribboncutting for the Sanibel Recreation Center, named a gold Bicycle

Friendly Community by The League of American Bicyclists, serving as a cooperative partner for nonprofits to help them achieve their mission and even small enhancements, like upgrading the restrooms at the boat ramp and beaches and getting those funded by the county

“That, overall, improves quality of life for visitors and residents,” she said.

As far as some of the biggest challenges, Zimomra pointed to recruiting and retaining employees, replacement of the Sanibel Causeway drawbridge with a high-span bridge, securing funds for the new rec center from the

Continued on page 43

Leading the city ~ from page 39

county and School Board of Lee County, finding a new site for the farmers market when it outgrew its location, and when the library and BIG ARTS wanted to rebuild and renovate

“But any challenges I’d rather think about as opportunities,” she said.

Some of the most rewarding moments were establishing the Employee Dependent Scholarship Fund following Hurricane Charley, which was later renamed the Judith Ann Zimomra Scholarship, and instituting a program for city employees to receive the maximum tuition reimbursement permitted by the IRS, which they can use to improve their educational status and advancement for their family.

However not wanting to mention details the biggest for Zimomra was the smallest.

“When you work with maybe a family that had a fire in their home or is displaced, or a visitor drowns while on vacation and everything that it takes to get them back home. We had employees that passed away while working,” she said. “You try and work with the family compassionately and thoughtfully ”

“The big projects, they’re

important. You’ve got to get them done, that’s what you’re paid to do, it’s your job,” Zimomra said. “But it really is those small things. The day you go home and you made a difference and improved someone’s life.”

Zimomra holds a Bachelor of Arts from Kent State University, master's degree in public administration from Ohio State and juris doctorate from Capital University She is also a graduate of the Senior Executives in State and Local Government Program at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government

During her time as city manager, Sanibel received the American Planning Association’s National Planning Landmark Award and Government Finance Officer ’s Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting and Budgeting every year. The city was also recognized by the National Hurricane Conference and Governor ’s Hurricane Conference

Zimomra is a recipient of the Committee of the Islands’ Citizen of the Year, Sanibel-Captiva Rotary Club’s Citizen of the Year, SanCap Chamber of Commerce’s Citizen of the Year and Lee County Visitor & Convention

City Attorne ys

❏ Neal Bowen: 1976-1983 ❏ David LaCroix: 1983-1987 ❏ Rober t Pritt: 1987-2002 ❏ Kenneth Cuyler : 2002-2018 ❏ John Agnew: 2018 to present

Source: City of Sanibel

Bureau's Junonia Award, among other recognitions. She was presented with the Local Government Service Award in 2016 and 2021 by the International City/County Management Association

At Ohio State, she teaches courses in public policy writing and communication skills, as well a capstone course for graduating seniors Zimomra is the advisor for the Student City Manager Chapter, and she was selected by the students for the 2024 Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award.

City Managers throug h the years

David Bretzke: 1974-1976

Alber t Muench: 1976-1976

William Nungester : 1976-1979

War ren C. Hyde:

Gar y Price: 1984-1999

Bob Pritt (interim):

Edward Sealover : 1999-2001

Sam Ackley: 2001-2001

Judith A. Zimomra: 2001-2021

Steve Chaipel (interim): 2021-2021

Dana Souza: 2021 to present

Source: City of Sanibel

CITY

50th anniversar y merchandise available

As the city of Sanibel approached the November kickoff of its 13month 50th anniversary celebration of incorporation, it in partnership with the SanCap Chamber unveiled an initial line of merchandise to commemorate the occasion.

“I know residents have been anxiously awaiting purchasable mementos featuring the cool new logo for the 50th anniversary of the city's incorporation on Nov 5, 1974,” chamber President and Chief Executive Officer John Lai said. “And now they’re here.”

The chamber is handling the merchandise sales and shipping

“We have created an easy way to order logo shirts, mugs, baseball caps and tumblers right now,” he said. “And expect even more merchandise items to come ”

Shoppers can order long-

sleeved performance shirts in white, light blue and melon; and short-sleeved T-shirts in white and ivory. Both come in all adult, unisex sizes Baseball caps are available in blue and cream.

Other anniversary souvenirs

At left and below; the city of Sanibel’s 50th anniversar y logo merchandise showcases the Sanibel Lighthouse.

include a black, 26-ounce Yeti bottle; a black, 30-ounce tumbler; a pink, 40-ounce travel tumbler; and campfire mugs in teal or blue

For more information, visit 50YearsofSanibel com

SANCAP CHAMBER

50 Years Later: Today’s Sanibel City Council

Mayor Richard Johnson

PART ONE THE RESIDENT:

Originally from?

Houston, Texas

Why did you come to Sanibel?

I arrived on Sanibel the day after Hurricane Charley devastated Sanibel and Captiva My family made the move to Sanibel shortly after. Mead and I returned to her childhood home to help her father recover the family business, the Sanibel

Packing Company dba Bailey’s General Store.

How long have you lived on the island?

We have been proud residents for 20 years.

What was your fir st impression of Sanibel?

What a beautiful, low-density, environmentally sensitive island! What stood out were the people and the magnificent sense of community throughout.

What do you like most about living on the island?

Our community and the people that make it up.

What is your favorite place to visit on Sanibel?

Easy, Bailey’s General Store. It is where the people of Sanibel gather in their most natural state As Randy Wayne White stated, “Coming to Bailey’s is a little like coming home, even the first time.”

Best island stor y or memor y?

There are many, but this one

really describes the Bailey/Johnson family. This story has been retold thousands of times over the years. After Hurricane Charley, Sanibel and Captiva were devastated. Many people did not evacuate There was no power, but the roads were passable, and people came to Bailey’s for some comfort and a sense of normalcy.

Sam Bailey met them at the door and handed them a flashlight, pencil, and a notepad, and said the following to everyone who came to the store. “Come on in, take what you need, write it down, and pay us when you can ” To this day, I still have people recall that day and thank us. We have used this as a guide to the operation of our 125-year-old family business to this day.

PART TWO THE OFFICIAL:

Fir st year that you became a council member?

I was elected in 2019, although I ran unopposed.

Ter ms ser ved on the council? 2019-2023 and re-elected in 2023. I faced three other candidates during my last election.

During your tenure on Sanibel, what changes have you seen?

Thankfully, not too many. Our population turns over each year so there are new people to meet and serve. Our guest season has broadened its shoulders making it more of a year-round environment. Our Chamber of Commerce has become a strong leader in our business and civic environment. Our business com-

Continued on page 47

City C ouncil members throug h the years

❏ Francis P. Bailey Jr.: 1974-1976

❏ Zelda Butler : 1974-1976

❏ Por ter Goss: 1974-1976

❏ Ver non G. Mackenzie: 1974-1976

❏ Charles R. LeBuf f Jr.: 1976-1980

❏ C. Duane White: 1976-1978

❏ Joseph A. Gault: 1978-1982

❏ Myron W. Klein: 1980-1984

❏ Fred W. Valtin: 1980-1984

❏ William E. Hager up: 1982-1986

❏ Louise M. Johnson: 1982-1986

❏ Lennar t A. Lorenson: 1986-1990

❏ Jer rold A. Muench: 1986-1990

❏ Mike Miracle: 1988-1992

❏ Mark Westall: 1988-1992

❏ Wallace K ain: 1990-1994

❏ Daphne Miller : 1992-1996

❏ Rober t P. Janes: 1992-1996

❏ Bob Davison: 1994-1998

❏ George Madison: 1996-2000

❏ Andrew Reding: 1996-2000

❏ Steve Brown: 1998-2002

❏ Nola Theiss: 1998-2002

❏ W.F. Bill Hillebrandt: 1999-2000

❏ Mar tin J. Har rity: 2000-2004

❏ Dick Walsh: 2000-2004

❏ Judy Workman: 2000-2004

❏ James “Jim” Jennings: 2003-2007

❏ Mick Denham: 2005-2009

❏ Carla Brooks Johnston: 2005-2009

❏ Tom Rothman: 2005-2009

Continued on page 50

Richard Johnson

Today’s City Council ~ from page 45

munity and our environmental community have joined forces to help bring about change in protecting Southwest Florida’s environment. Our not-for-profit organizations have grown in number and impact As a city, we are much more involved with issues at the local, state, and federal levels that have an impact on our city, Southwest Florida, and the state of Florida. We no longer stand with our feet in the sand We get involved and have a positive impact.

How would you describe the island today in ter ms of accomplishments and challenges?

We have successfully resisted the push for additional development on and near our island community. The Sanibel Plan and the associated Land Development Code have stood the test of time Those who came before us were astute and clearly understood how to balance the needs of the people with our natural environment We have continued to support each other and find numerous ways to live in harmony with each other and the natural flora and fauna.

Our challenge is that we must learn to be more resilient in all aspects of island living. We must take working with nature to the next level. What we have been doing for the past 50 years has served us well, but it is no longer enough

Where do you see the city in 10 year s? Twenty-five year s? At its centennial?

Much the same as today. Technology and science will continue to accelerate at a rapid pace. We will continue to use these additional tools in the toolbox to bolster our resiliency and security

from increased stormy times ahead Maybe in the future bridges will be obsolete and traffic will no longer be a concern.

Vice Mayor Mike Miller

PART ONE THE RESIDENT:

Originally from?

Union Lake, Michigan (outskirts of Detroit)

Why did you come to Sanibel?

Like so many other Sanibelians, we first came to Sanibel as tourists, spending one week. But each year thereafter, we returned, spending more and more time. We later purchased our condo as a second home and when I had the opportunity to retire from the corporate world, we moved into that “second home” as full-time residents, disappointing many of our recurring renters (and some relatives as well)

reunion that I hosted But maybe my favorite event has been riding with the Bike Club in various Fourth of July parades.

PART TWO THE OFFICIAL:

Fir st year that you became a council member?

Mike Miller

I was elected in March of 2021

Ter ms ser ved on the council?

My current term is 2021 to 2025.

During your tenure on Sanibel, what changes have you seen?

How long have you lived on the island?

Twenty-five years.

What was your fir st impression of Sanibel?

The unbelievable beauty of the Gulf when driving over the causeway.

What do you like most about living on the island?

We moved to Sanibel because of the beach and the bike paths But now, the principal attraction is the community and its sense of neighborhood.

What is your favorite place to visit on Sanibel?

The beach! Although biking through “Ding” Darling at dawn is a close second.

Best island stor y or memor y?

I have great memories of introducing visitors to the island including an Air Force squadron

The most significant action has to be the hiring of City Manager Dana Souza, who has contributed immeasurably to the city’s recovery and progress. And to aid in that recovery, we’ve liberalized many zoning provisions making it easier for residents and businesses to rebuild after the storm, and raised substantial funds from state and federal governments to allow rebuilding of our infrastructure with enhanced resilience.

How would you describe the island today in ter ms of accomplishments and challenges?

Our greatest challenge, which is becoming our greatest accomplishment, is recovering from the storm, while achieving increased resilience and still maintaining our commitment to our island sanctuary values

Where do you see the city in 10 year s? Twenty-five year s? At its centennial?

Ten years, 25 years, 100 years, Sanibel will still be unique among Florida locations a paradise island combining natural beauty with the virtues of a multi-generational, small-town community.

Today’s City Council ~ from page 47

Councilmember

L aura DeBruce

PART ONE THE RESIDENT:

Originally from?

I was born just outside of Boston, Mass., but I grew up mostly overseas. My mother and father wanted to explore the world and give back to the United States, and so as my father joined the U. S. Agency for International Development.

Why did you come to Sanibel?

that our son had started at University of Florida helped inspire the move.

How long have you lived on the island?

Like so many people, we started coming to the island as tourists who were enchanted by the beautiful beaches and wildlife. We moved here in 2015 when we finally had the opportunity to live on island. The fact

We bought our house in 2010 and moved here in 2015

What was your fir st impression of Sanibel?

My first impression was that Sanibel is a magical place surrounded by manatees and dolphins and birds I had not known of before. I loved the shared use paths and nature trails as well as the unique shops and restaurants.

What do you like most about living on the island?

I love that Sanibel is a small town committed to living in harmony with wildlife. I have never lived in a small town before, much less one where the commu-

nity comes together to support each other and our nonprofits that provide for affordable housing and other services for people as well as those focused on protecting our environment. I am grateful to be able to live here. What is your favorite place to visit on Sanibel?

My husband, Jeff Blackman, and I walk our dogs just about every day on the stretch of beach between Tarpon Beach and Gulfside City Park I love seeing turtle tracks and watching the progress of the nests during turtle season. That is probably my favorite place to be on the island. Best island stor y or memor y?

Our extended family on both sides loves coming to Sanibel. My favorite memories are of all of us together enjoying each other ’s

Continued on page 50

Laura DeBr uce

Today’s City Council ~ from page 49

company in the midst of our beautiful, tropical island.

PART TWO THE OFFICIAL:

Fir st year that you became a council member?

I was elected in a special election in March of 2024 to fill out the remainder of a term that expires in March of 2025.

Ter ms ser ved on the council?

Serving first one.

During your tenure on Sanibel, what changes have you seen?

Prior to being on city council, I served on the Planning Commission which gave me the opportunity to learn about many of the provisions of the Land Development Code and the way those provisions help shape the building and development on the island. Over the past two years, since Hurricane Ian, I have seen the loosening of certain regulations to help citizens and business build back from the storm.

How would you describe the island today in ter ms of accomplishments and challenges?

Sanibel’s greatest challenge is building back more resiliently. We live on a barrier island vulnerable to storms. We need to make sure that our homes and businesses are able to better withstand and rebound more quickly from future weather events. As for accomplishments, all credit goes to the city’s founders who recognized the importance of preserving the unique natural environment of this tropical island. Both the written rules that protect Sanibel from overdevelopment and the ongoing ethos of conservation are a tribute to them

10 year s? Twenty-five year s? At its centennial?

I see Sanibel in the future as a model for resilient coastal living thanks to the unique combination of an engaged community, strong leadership, and organizations like SCCF and the “Ding” Darling devoted to safeguarding the island’s natural resources.

Councilmember

John Henshaw

PART ONE THE RESIDENT:

Originally from?

Washington, D.C., and before that St Louis, Missouri

Why did you come to Sanibel?

We owned a vacation home on Sanibel since 1998. Several months after 9/11/2001, my wife decided she did not want to live in the D C area, so about midway through my appointment as U.S. Assistant Secretary of Labor for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, she decided to live full-time in our vacation home on Sanibel, and I would come home on weekends. We also decided to change our full-time residency to Sanibel at that time. I resigned from that position at the end of 2004 and set up a consulting firm here on Sanibel starting on Jan. 1, 2005. How long have you lived on the island?

We owned a vacation home on Sanibel since 1998 and became a resident around 2003

What was your fir st impression of Sanibel?

It was a great place to live on the water and in harmony with nature. The major attractions for us were that two-thirds of the island is in conservation, it was a

City Council members ~ from page 45

❏ Kevin Ruane: 2007-2009

❏ Peter Pappas: 2007-2011

❏ Douglass Cong ress: 2011-2015

❏ Chauncey Goss: 2015-2019

❏ Jason Maughan: 2017-2021

❏ Scott Crater : 2021-2023

❏ Holly D. Smith: 2017 to present

❏ Richard Johnson: 2019 to present

❏ John Henshaw: 2021 to present

❏ Mike Miller : 2021 to present

❏ Arlene Dillon: 2024

❏ Laura DeBr uce: 2024 to present

Source: City of Sanibel

“sanctuary island” and city governance was guided by the Sanibel Plan

What do you like most about living on the island?

Small town feel, with residents holding similar views regarding limited development, conservation and living in harmony with nature.

What is your favorite place to visit on Sanibel?

Shell Museum, “Ding” Darling and CROW

Best island stor y or memor y?

The accounts of many who stayed on the island during Hurricane Ian and the fact, to the person, vowing never to do that again.

PART TWO THE OFFICIAL:

Fir st year that you became a council member?

I was elected in March of 2021

Ter ms ser ved on the council? 2021-2025

During your tenure on Sanibel, what changes have you seen?

Where do you see the city in

Continued on page 64

of Sanibel 50 Years 1974-2024

John Henshaw

Calendar of City and Community Anniversary Events

❏ City of Sanibel Time Capsule

Opening Nov. 5 from 4 to 5:45 p.m.

Sanibel City Hall, 900 Dunlop Road, Sanibel

❏ Fall Health Fair

Nov. 14

from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Sanibel Recreation Center, 3880 SanibelCaptiva Road, Sanibel

❏ The History & Future of the Sanibel Causeway

Nov. 19 from 10 to 11 a.m. The Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel

❏ Sanibel Plan

Documentary Premiere, Exhibit Opening and Reception Nov. 19 from 6 to 8 p.m.

The Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel

❏ City of Sanibel Tree Lighting Ceremony

Nov. 30 from 5 to 8 p.m.

Sanibel Community Park, 2231 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel

❏ Sanibel

Luminary Holiday

Stroll Dec. 6

from 5:30 to 9 p.m.

Various locations on Sanibel

❏ FISH JOG N JAM

10K/5K Race Dec 7

from 7 a.m. to noon

The Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel

❏ FISH JOG N JAM

Concert on the Beach with Fireworks Dec 7 from 5:30 to 9 p.m.

'Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa, 15951 Captiva Drive, Captiva

❏ Art the Gift for All Seasons Dec 12 from 5 to 7 p m

Tower Gallery, 751 Tarpon Bay Road, Sanibel

❏ Wines in the Wild

Jan. 10

from 6:30 to 9 p.m.

Bailey Homestead

Preserve, 1300 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel

❏ A History of Shelling and the Future of Sanibel's Shell Museum

Jan. 15 from 10 to 11 a m

The Sanibel Captiva Trust Company

❏ Volunteer Expo

Jan. 16 from 4 to 7 p.m.

The Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel

❏ Wellness in Nature

Jan 23-26

J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, 1 Wildlife Drive, Sanibel

❏ “Timeless”

Historical photography of

Sanibel by Charlie McCullough

Feb. 6 from 5 to 7

p.m. Tower Gallery, 751 Tarpon Bay Road, Sanibel

❏ A Smart Way to Give Back: Donor Advised Funds and Charitable Foundation of the Islands Feb. 11 from 10 to 11 a m

The Sanibel Captiva Trust Company

❏ Go Wild for “Ding” Dreaming of a White Pelican

Feb. 12 from 5 to 8 p m

The Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel

❏ Taste of the Islands

March 1

from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sanibel City Hall, 900 Dunlop Road, Sanibel

❏ The History and Future of CROW (Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife)

March 5 from 10 to 11 a m

The Sanibel Captiva Trust Company

❏ Sanibel Shell Festival

March 6-8

from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel

❏ Art Seekers! Create,

Play, Win! March 13 from 5 to 7 p.m. Tower Gallery, 751 Tarpon Bay Road, Sanibel

❏ BIG ARTS Annual Benefit: Shadows of the 60s! March 22 from 6 to 11 p.m.

BIG ARTS, 900 Dunlop Road, Sanibel

❏ The History and Future of CHR March 25 from 10 to 11 a m

The Sanibel Captiva Trust Company

❏ SanCap Cares 25th Annual Island Celebration March 28 from 5 to 9 p.m.

The Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel

❏ Project Refuge: A Couture Fashion Show Using Trash April 2 from 11:30 a m to 2:30 p m

The Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel

❏ The History and Future of SCCF (SanibelCaptiva Conservation Foundation)

April 9 from 10 to 11 a.m.

The Sanibel Captiva Trust Company

❏ Beer in the Bushes

April 19 from 6 to 10 p.m. TBD

❏ Islands Night May 7

from 6 to 10 p.m.

Lee Health Sports

Continued on page 52

Incorporation

Three choices were apparent. Lee County could continue to govern, and ignore, us. We could become an independent district. Or incorporate. A straw vote in March indicated overwhelming support for becoming a city, and by the end of May, the bill managed to pass the state Legislature after encountering numerous difficulties. At the same time that the incorporation bill was moving through the Legislature, another bill traveled the same path, requiring municipalities to have a minimum number of residents before incorporating. If Sanibel's bill hadn't managed to pass, it would be barred.

On Nov 5, the voters chose

~ from page 8

incorporation with a turnout of nearly 85% Lee County issued a blizzard of additional building permits for the island between the vote and when the first Sanibel City Council was seated.

Fifty years later, what is the result? I am no longer a young mother helping to run a business with my husband, undecided as to whether I want home rule. It has certainly been an improvement over what would have been But I do mourn for those early quiet island days that now seem idyllic. I know that's just nostalgia.

I've never understood though why the word “city” was chosen over “town,” “community,” even

“village.” I may live in the city of Sanibel, but I live on Sanibel Island, and that makes a real difference to me. The city is a protection, often appreciated, but the island and the people (past and present), wildlife, and place are the reasons I remain.

A Sanibel resident since the late 1960s, Betty Anholt is often described as the “unofficial historian” of the islands. She has been long fascinated by Florida's ecology and history, in particular Southwest Florida and SanibelCaptiva, which has led her into research and volunteer work. Anholt has published seven books related to her work, as well as numerous articles, columns and smaller pieces.

Time capsule opening to kick off 50th celebration

The city of Sanibel will kick off a year-long celebration of its 50th

anniversary with the opening and unveiling of a time capsule on Nov 5 at 4 p.m. at Sanibel City Hall.

It will mark five decades since the city’s official date of incorporation Nov. 5, 1974.

The time capsule and kickoff will commemorate the grassroots movement to block overdevel-

opment by protest and finally a majority vote to separate from county governorship in favor of home rule.

The event is free and open to the community. For more information, visit 50YearsofSanibel.com.

Calendar ~ from page 51

Complex, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Parkway, Fort Myers

❏ “Ding” Darling & Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament May 9 Doc Ford’s ❏ Fourth of July Parade July 4 from 8 a.m. to noon

Various locations on Sanibel ❏ Sanibel Luminary Holiday Stroll Dec. 5, 2025, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Various locations on Sanibel

Source: Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce

Decades of Island Living ~ Memories of Sanibel Youth

‘It takes a village to raise a child’ pertained to us

By Deb McQuade Gleason

Ask any island kid from the 1950s60s what they enjoyed most about growing up on Sanibel or Captiva and they might say the freedom to fish, swim and shell to their heart’s content Or they might say the ferry boat crossings or hanging out at Bailey’s General Store on the bay, just running and jumping off the county dock there. They would probably mention The Community House, where square dancing, potluck dinners, Christmas plays and movie night by film projectionist Hadwin Starbuck were always a treat. Everyone participated in the annual Shell Fair and your entry was part of your school science grade.

And speaking of school, there were some (not all) moments to enjoy at the small white schoolhouse on Periwinkle Way Not only was it painted white, but only white students were allowed to attend. Sanibel finally changed that in 1964, when all island kids went to the new school on Sanibel-Captiva Road But in our day it was a small school with grades 1-6, where “no nonsense” Nancy McCann taught for almost a decade. We sang a different medley of songs every morning before hitting the books Somehow, most of us made it through high school and some college. The highlight of our day was a recess softball game that included

all students, big and small. But what stood out in our childhood was the freedom to roam. Some had bicycles and some just walked, often using the shoreline as a clear passage to a friend’s house or a fishing hole or a trip to Bailey’s. The old saying of “It takes a village to raise a child” certainly pertained to us as we all knew Francis Bailey (the kindly figurehead of Sanibel), Uncle Clarence (storyteller extraordinaire), Esperanza Woodring (who would teach kids to use a cast net), Jack VanBell (baker of amazing eclairs), barber Doc Bryant (who explained his mounted jackalope to me without mentioning it was mythical), Realtor Priscilla Murphy (who taught the island girls tea time manners), Joe and Mary Gault (who owned the wondrous Sea Horse Shop), Leroy Friday (jeweler who shared his love of stones),

and many more who welcomed and nurtured us.

To be sure, we endured clouds of mosquitoes, plumbing with sulfur water, fields of sand spurs, dangerous snakes, scorpions and roaming gators. And we didn’t have air-conditioning or cell phones or color TVs, but we had the best possible childhood anyone could imagine.

Deb McQuade Gleason moved to Sanibel in 1958 with her parents and siblings. She currently resides on the island with her husband. Their two sons were raised on Sanibel and one is still an islander. Gleason has been a Realtor for over 25 years and a volunteer for various organizations, including the Sanibel Historical Museum and Village and city of Sanibel’s Historical Preservation Committee.

Esperanza Woodring used to teach kids how to use a cast net.

CHARLIEMCCULLOUgHPHOTOgRAPHY COM/PHOTO BY CHARLIE MCCULLOUgH

Deb McQuade Gleason

Decades of Island Living ~ Memories of Sanibel Youth

‘If you want to have fun on Sanibel, you need to make it yourself ’

By Jason Maughan

When I was asked to write about growing up on Sanibel in the 1970s and ‘80s, I immediately conjured up Elrond the Elf King in “Lord of the Rings” saying, “I was there Gandalf. I was there three thousand years ago … ” Well, I wasn’t on the island then, but it seems that much time has passed given the changes to the character and nature of its

Jason Maughan

denizens over the last 40 years. However, one thing hasn’t changed the oldest rule: If you want to have fun on Sanibel, you need to make it yourself. Even as kids we understood that there were a million things to do, but you had to get your mates together and go and do it There was no mall to hang at, no real cinema with a game room or a strip mall to cruise. To that end, I want to talk of the island not in a specific storyline or historical thread, but as a collection of vignettes that tell the story of how it was in a general flavor more than historical

specificity.

My immediate family came to Sanibel in 1976 as part of a reverse “grand tour” of the Colonies that my dad wanted us to make from Ireland for the bicentennial. But the first of my family came here in the '50s as their winter places in Cuba were subsumed by revolutionary fervor I spent my summers and winters on the west end on Pine Tree Drive in the ‘70s, and then my family built its first house on White Heron Lane when we received our green cards and moved full time to Sanibel I had the fun of riding the school bus from the Blind Pass minimart to Bishop Verot (two hours and 15 minutes each way) every day. In those days, you could

Continued on page 65

Decades of Island Living ~ Memories of Sanibel Youth

Sense of community and pride makes the island so special

By Erika Arnowitz

Growing up on Sanibel Island was a unique experience. I moved to Sanibel in 1988 with my parents, Moni and Marty Arnowitz, and older brother, Alex. We lived in The Dunes community. Growing up on a barrier island gave me an appreciation for sea life, conservation, and a deep connection to nature.

I started at Sanibel Elementary in the first grade when Mrs Ward was our principal. One of my first memories of Sanibel was doing the “no-see-um” dance while waiting for the school bus and walking to class I would take the short ride on the bus with my brother to school. All the kids from the neighborhood rode together talking about the fish they caught, shells they found and other fun activities they participated in I remember our teacher having unhatched chicken eggs in an incubator in my class. It was always exciting to come in the morning and check to see if they hatched I joined SWAT and worked toward becoming a junior naturalist, where my classmates and I learned about sea life, birds, and shells. Our class would visit CROW and the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge regularly Becoming a junior natu-

ralist was rewarding. Being able to teach others what you have learned was rewarding School Resource Officer Schulty taught the students about the DARE program. Everyone signed a pledge to keep off drugs. At the year-end program, he always told the audience the story of the starfish stranded on the beach. The “Starfish Story” begins with an old man walking along a beach strewn with thousands of stranded starfish, which had washed ashore after a storm. As he walks, he notices a young girl gently picking up the starfish one by one and tossing them back into the ocean Curious, the old man approaches the girl and asks her why she’s doing this, as it appears to be a futile effort given the sheer number of starfish on the beach The girl responds, “If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die.” The old man, skeptical, points out that there are miles of beach and countless starfish, and her actions couldn’t possibly make a difference The girl, undeterred, picks up another starfish, tosses it into the ocean, and replies, “It made a difference to that one.” That story resonated with me. It inspired me to look at social work as a career

The Sanibel community truly cares about its residents. The teachers became like family, and some of them are still there! Mrs. Wappes was one of my teachers, and now my daughter is in the same classroom. I walk my daugh-

ter, Emma, to class in the same halls I walked at her age with my mother It brought back so many wonderful memories. Families helped build the huge wooden playground behind the school, the large painted map in the school courtyard, and the rec center buzzing with activity

I was part of a group of children in the third grade that wrote and published a book that is still in the library called “My Principal Lives Next Door ” I joined the rec center SWAT team, and now my daughter is part of the team 30 years later. In fifth grade, our class went to Cayo Costa for the weekend. We traveled by boat and played all day at the beach, visiting historical sites and sleeping in small wooden cabins. The teachers would tell us stories around a large campfire while we cooked hot dogs. My mother loved the beach and shelling She would take my brother and me to Bowman’s Beach or Lighthouse to shell. Back then, we would easily find large lightning whelks, conch, junonia and hundreds of sand dollars on the sandbars that you could feel and lift with your feet. We would wade in the tide pools and watch the small fish and crabs. We would always remember to do the “stingray shuffle” to scare off any stingrays in the shallows to prevent stepping on one. I was taught early on about rip tides, no swimming during dusk or dawn due to sharks, and never take a live shell home! My brother and I would go fishing off the Sanibel pier or

Erika Ar nowitz

Decades of Island Living ~ Memories of Sanibel Youth

A truly one-of-a-kind experience that couldn’t be had anywhere else

By Dane Johnson

Iwas informed I would be moving to Sanibel when my parents purchased Bailey’s General Store from my grandfather, Francis. I arrived on the island at the start of my seventh grade school year in 2008 to attend The Sanibel School. Life on the island was good, but I didn’t realize it at the time We had many freedoms that most kids do not, such as going fishing after school, riding bikes up and down the islands, golf ball hunting, and more of those three activities when I wasn’t in school.

There was always a new fishing hole to try, a path to follow, and trouble to seek Because of the island's vast natural area, there was always something to do. Naturally, fishing was at the top of my activities list. If I wasn’t working or in school, I would ride my bike to another fishing spot. Once I found my way onto a boat, all bets were off.

Dane Johnson

My favorite fish to catch, in good company with many anglers, was snook I would catch snook, redfish, tarpon, trout certainly, a working man’s dream! Little did I know how lucky I was to have my childhood as someone’s dream vacation You can’t get that experience many other places, especially in Florida these days.

credit for helping with. Our customers were as much fun as the owner at The Bait Box

Not to get too sappy, but I will always be grateful for my experience there and for the encouragement Ralph gave me in learning new skills While I worked at The Bait Box, I found myself fixing rods under Ralph’s tutelage, which I still do for fun to this day. Other important skills I learned were financial and people management, as well as cursing, ha!

Spending most of my formative years on the island I remember fondly, but many kids growing up on the island feel like they don’t want to come back after dreams of busier locales. There were very few of us and we all looked forward to finding our way to “more interesting” opportunities, though looking back, of course, we realize what we had I remember always being able to travel anywhere any of us wanted on bikes and skateboards, thanks to the community’s extensive shared use paths and the safety of the area making that possible

Working on the island was an interesting experience, especially when your boss was Ralph Woodring. To call him a character is an understatement, but if he likes you, he will keep you around. My first job was technically at Bailey’s, but my first experience outside of the family business was The Bait Box. This was necessary for my formative years because I was able to develop a tough work ethic. Don’t worry, we had a lot of fun We found ourselves in a variety of shenanigans, such as night shrimping on the weekends, mullet fishing on his mom Esperanza’s wooden row boat, and a roofing project I won’t take

In hindsight, growing up on the islands had more benefits than disadvantages. While I lamented not leaving for months at a time when I wasn’t working or in school, I wouldn’t trade those experiences and I am proud to have returned to the islands to serve our community at Bailey’s and currently at Benchmark General Contractors while the store is being rebuilt It was a truly one-of-a-kind experience that couldn’t be had anywhere else in the world.

Dane Johnson is a fourth generation owner-operator at the Bailey's General Store on Sanibel and The Island Store on Captiva. His great-grandfather arrived to the islands in the 1890s and founded Bailey's General Store in 1899. Currently, Johnson is working as a superintendent at Benchmark General Contractors. He is proud to carry on the family legacy of community engagement by using his talents to help rebuild the islands.

Rec department grows with community’s needs

By Johnathan Minehan

The city of Sanibel’s Recreation Department and its facilities stem from the island community.

“The Recreation Department was established in 1981 We’ve grown and changed in a lot of ways over the years,” Rec Department Director Andrea Miller, a Sanibel native whose family arrived on the island in the 1940s, said “Since it was first established, we have constructed a new facility. The facility we’re in now is not the original facility that was created in the ‘80s.”

Richard Noon, who is also Miller's uncle, was the first director of the department.

Previously a teacher in Illinois, he and his wife moved to Sanibel in the early 1970s and Noon con-

tinued to pursue teaching before looking for a different job In 1976, he joined the Sanibel Police Department as one of its first police officers and he eventually started the Sanibel Swim Team.

“I was a police officer and we got involved with the youth on the island,” Noon said “My police chief, John Butler, asked if I wanted to pursue a swim team. He knew I was active in sports, and I was working with the youth on the island, so I did ”

He was always an active swimmer, involved in it from grade school until college.

Noon graduated from Illinois State University with a major in history and physical education and recreation certificates. He taught history and also coached basketball, track and field, and baseball. In the summers, however, Noon

trained and managed an Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) swim team

The competitive Sanibel Water Attack Team (SWAT) was born.

The team went on to win multiple competitions, including the Greater Lee County Youth (GLCY) YMCA League Championship in 1979 and 1980 The need for a Recreation Department arose.

“As it grew, we suddenly had almost 100 children on the swim team,” Noon said.

Fundraising began for the first recreational complex, which included the building, an Olympicsized pool and equipped gymnasium. Combined with donations from the community and a matching $150,000 from the city, the pool was up and running by July of 1981 and the total complex by 1982.

Continued on page 62

Recreation department ~ from page 60

Because of his efforts and qualifications, Noon was asked to become the director.

The Recreation Department consisted of five workers running the operation until the gymnasium opened and then there was a need to expand. The recreation center primarily focused on swimming, the hundreds of island members it attracted, and the softball matches residents would gather to enjoy

“Things started to groove We entered soccer and all kinds of sports, and we were able to utilize the existing ball fields,” he said. “We had numerous little activities up there for the general public ”

Then decades later in 2004, the facility sustained damage in a storm.

“When Hurricane Charley hit, the recreation center was an already aging facility, and the hurricane just exacerbated some of the issues,” Miller said. “It brought up the question of whether to continue to repair the existing facility, or whether it was time to build a new recreation center In time, the decision was made to demolish the old recreation center and build a new one.”

She described the new recreation center opening in 2007 and how the community came together to make it happen as one of the biggest accomplishments in the

“

That was a big step for the community. They voted by referendum to agree that the other rec center had outlived its useful life, and it was time to scrap that and build a new one.”

~ Andrea Miller Director, Sanibel Recreation Department

department's history. Constructed on the site of the existing center, it was funded by the city, Lee County and School District of Lee County.

“That was a big step for the community. They voted by referendum to agree that the other rec center had outlived its useful life, and it was time to scrap that and build a new one,” Miller said. “That was a big milestone to go through with the construction and opening of the new facility.”

Hurricane Ian in 2022 was another massive change for the department. Again, the recreation center sustained damage, including losing part of the gymnasium roof and the pools needing restoration Throughout the recovery,

though, it served as a haven for many trying to find peace in the aftermath.

“When people would walk back in and just come to tears to see a little bit of normalcy, see familiar faces of their staff It was about much more than physical fitness in those times; it was a social and emotional connection,” she said. “We would hear people talking about their storm experience and helping them with what they were going through. It points out that recreation is more than just physical; it is social and emotional for our community.”

Today, the Recreation Department offers a range of amenities and programs.

As for the future of the Recreation Department, Miller hopes it keeps up with trends.

“I hope that for the future of recreation on Sanibel, the staff will stay on top of the changing trends and evolving needs. Down the road, there may be a new trend for some type of outdoor facility,” she said “Once upon a time, skateboarding was a big trend, but now that’s changed and pickleball. In another 10 years, something else may take over on the radar. I hope they can stay fresh and in tune with their community and provide the services and activities the community wants and needs.”

~~~ What the Sanibel Rec Center does ~~~

Rec Center amenities

Gymnasium; Playground; Outdoor courts; Three pools; Weight room/fitness center; Game room; Program rooms Programs Community health screenings and wellness talks; Special

events and large community events; Land and water fitness classes; Personal and small group training; Adult and youth sports leagues; Pickup sports ; Aquatics programming; Youth programming; Community programming

Ser vices

Issue beach parking permits; Issue dog licenses; Issue hurricane re-entry passes; Issue Segway permits; Intake, process and issue special event permit; Membership and program sales; Recreation facility and city facility rentals

Mayoral seat ~ from page 15

added. “Without one of those, we ' re going to slow down on recovery and it's going to be more expensive and painful ”

Issues and challenges

While one spoke to the island looking inward, the other talked of Sanibel looking outward.

“It was the relationships and making sure there was trust in the community making sure everyone was heard,” Goss said, explaining that the first council also had to do a little extra lifting on the management side as policymakers, such as securing funds to run the city “Number one was moving forward with the best possible team to make Sanibel a success.”

Johnson shared that water quality was one of the driving forces for him to run for council.

“It is a priority, and it is also a challenge We are the catcher's mitt coming out of the Caloosahatchee,” he said, adding sea level rise and storm readiness to the list. “How do we become a more resilient community (environmentally and fiscally)? How do we, as a city council and government, help the community become more resilient, so that we can adapt and overcome the changes coming our way?”

Noteworthy accomplishments

Goss pointed to the adoption of the city's Comprehensive Land Use Plan as the biggest one.

“Building of the police department, city staff, city hall. All of these things didn't just spring out of the ground It took a lot of work,” he said “We set up what is basically what Tallahassee recommended for good government: policy, council and professional management staff. We stuck with

it, and it was the right decision, in my view.”

For Johnson, it was the work to enable residents and businesses to rebuild post-Ian.

“The progress that we ' ve made on recovery and sustaining our financial stability,” he said. “One of the things that we ' ve been able to accomplish as a council and Planning Commission and city government is looking for ways that we can address recovery through the Code. We are allowing people to get their lives back in order ”

Rewarding part of role

At the end of the day, the satisfying part is not what they got out of it, but what others did.

“I think probably the most rewarding part was the privilege of working with people on what was clearly a team success That was absolutely extraordinary,” Goss said. “The satisfaction that we did something that matters to a lot of people.”

Johnson spoke of feedback received from the community

“The genuine appreciation for what we ' ve been able to accomplish since September of 2022,” he said. “It warms my heart, especially when folks understand that we can't do everything That means so much.”

Difficult part of position

Without going into detail, Goss explained that there were a couple of incidents during his tenure as mayor that “were unpleasant.” They caused some concern and some angst for him and his wife

“There were some difficult conversations as well at our policy meetings,” he said.

Johnson referenced those who

are new to the area or adjacent communities and are not familiar with or do not understand the island's hierarchy of values, where environment and community are at the top.

“Trying to get them to understand and appreciate those values like we do,” he said Unforgettable moment

“There was a family on the island that happened to be a Black family and they'd been there for a very long time. The federal government came in and said they were squatters and were coming to throw them out,” Goss said “The community rallied around them. There wasn't an empty seat in the house. The council basically stood up and said, 'You're not taking these people's land.'”

“All together, members of community said the federal government was not going to do that to anybody,” he said. “It was one of my proudest moments.”

Johnson recalled how The Sanibel School was inundated with flood waters during Ian The students were transported off island for school as their school grounds had to be used for the recovery progress.

“I remember driving by the school week after week, month after month,” he said. “I was there that morning with the principal, school superintendent, the police department and fire department, staff I've never been more excited to see kids get dropped off and come back to school. I've never seen kids so excited to come back to school.”

“Everyone was just thrilled to have The Sanibel School back in operation,” Johnson said. “That was a high point for me.”

Today’s City Council ~ from page 50

Hired a new city manager, updated compensation plans, streamlined permitting process, facilitated a more rapid recovery process from the devastation created by Hurricane Ian, initiated plans for 50th anniversary, fostered a citizen-driven structural resiliency effort, etc.

How would you describe the island today in ter ms of accomplishments and challenges?

We are recovering quite well from Ian, but much more is needed. Major challenge: incorporating novel and innovative structural and natural habitat resiliency technologies given the threat of rising sea levels and more frequent storms

Where do you see the city in 10 year s? Twenty-five year s? At its centennial?

The city's residential, commercial and governmental structures will be more resilient, and we can return to normal shortly after a major storm. Update our Sanibel Plan to incorporate mitigation strategies for sea-level rise and more frequent storms. We will address the traffic issues and provide alternative means of transportation. Demonstrate leadership in what it means to live in harmony with nature.

Councilmember Holly Smith

PART ONE THE RESIDENT:

Originally from?

Cumberland, Maine

Why did you come to Sanibel?

Met my husband on spring break at Fort Myers Beach in 1985 and moved to Florida in 1988. I was working as a real estate appraiser specializing in Sanibel, Captiva and North Captiva starting in 1989. As I learned about what Sanibel was all about by working here, I grew to love the island community When Jason and I had chil-

dren, we knew we wanted our kids to go to school here at The Sanibel School and grow up in this special community.

How long have you lived on the island?

We bought our land in 1997 and moved full time into a rental in 2001. Our home was completed in November of 2004, just three months after Hurricane Charley

What was your fir st impression of Sanibel?

There are two answers to that As a first-time visitor my impression was, like most, what a rare and special place it was. Beautiful and protected. Our family love is the ocean As I transitioned to be able to work here, my impression was what an amazing community it is. It was a neighbor knowing and helping neighbor community. It was knowing the people around you and seeing that they truly cared It was Fourth of July parades. Small-town sense of community, which is so lost in most places.

What do you like most about living on the island?

Without question it's the people every demographic from young families to the older generations and our combined commitment to the environment Sanibel is known for. We learn from each other. We work together. The sense of strength and belonging binds us Sanibel can be a verb

What is your favorite place to visit on Sanibel?

My favorite place is home. I consider all of Sanibel home. I can't pinpoint one place … every place connects to another place … that's the beauty of our island.

Best island stor y or memor y?

Oh wow. I have decades of Sanibel stories and memories which have shaped my husband, two sons and myself. Having said that nothing compares to Hurricane Ian.

I have to look at this through my lens of leading Sanibel as mayor after Ian as that was and will always be such a defining time in my life, as well as for our island's history. This time will be looked back upon as Sanibel's next best chapter I am so confident of that As mayor, I saw a community shattered by the incomprehensible catastrophic impact from Ian, but then I saw this community residents and businesses come together with a strength and determination based on a love and belief in Sanibel. What Sanibel is to her core. Following our darkest months, light came back. We worked side by side crying together, laughing together sharing our stories strengthening each other. Our Lighthouse was a beacon of that light for the world to see. I witnessed firsthand and was incredibly humbled by the outpouring of support from outside our island to help put us back together. I am grateful beyond words as that dedication continues. Sanibel is truly a rare jewel loved worldwide It is no surprise to me that our community has proven to be a model for what can be accomplished in the face of such a devastating weather event. The spirit of our island community lifts us all up together and moves us forward. Continued on

Holly Smith

Jason Maughan ~ from page 55

pay the county a fee and it'd drop off the Catholic kids, too

The island in those days had a very large population of former U.S. Marines and retired CIA (the island being considered a safe spot with limited access) and veterans of World War II There were really only two types out here: semiretired people and normal people who earned livings on the island or motored into town for work. The island was literally so far from downtown Fort Myers that no one really wanted to live out here, and certainly not 10 miles down the road on the west end. So we still had a fishing and crabbing fleet on that end located in Sunset Bay and down at Los Colony. I recall one time my parents had a party on Dinkins Bayou and one guest sang the Marine Corps song over a quiet dark bayou. When he finished,

voices arose from the left and it was a couple singing the Air Force song. When they finished, a couple across the other side of Dinkins sang the Navy song.

For us kids, the bayou was the road Everyone had a jon boat and did whatever minor alterations that could be made to make it faster. It was tradition to roll up on a neighbor's dock and shout up to the house, “Is little Johnny or Jane able to come out?” Picture a garden with bicycles in the grass and then you can picture a dock with little boats all tied up. We really got to enjoy the bayous as we could water ski all of them. We skied from one dock all the way to another, up and down Dinkins, in and out of bayous, across Blind Pass and down the Roosevelt Channel to 'Tween Waters. Captiva was a favorite spot to ski because of an action the

county considered In the early '80s, it was proposed that a moratorium should be put on dock building this never happened, but what did happen was that every lot owner went out and built docks in a panic, lest they lose the right That moratorium never occurred, as it was now pointless, but it made landing stages and shaded areas for all the kids to set up shop without interruption on the weekends. The other thing we loved as kids was running Buck Key at light speed, laying down in the boats to dodge the banana spiders; we would also maintain the channels for this purpose to cut through the Key, as well as for racing purposes There were other places for us to go, and where the Lazy Flamingo was at Blind Pass was one such location. I started as a dishwasher Continued on page 72

One of the newspaper adver tisements published before 1974’s vote. CONTRIBUTED

The original Sanibel City Hall sign from the Periwinkle Place Shopping Center. CITY OF SANIBEL

Nonprofit

organizations (at the time of incorporation)

❏ C.E.C.I. (The Children’s Education Center of the Islands) “Celebrating 35 years of dedication to education”

❏ C.O.T.I. (The Committee of the Island)

❏

C.R.O.W. (Care & Rehabilitation of Wildlife, Inc.)

❏ S.C.A. (The Sanibel Community Association, Inc.) ❏ S.C.C.F. (Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation)

❏ F.I.S.H. (Friends In Service Here)

Source: City of Sanibel

Smal

l businesses

(at the time of incor poration)

❏ Accent Shoppe

❏ Al Wolf

Electronic Service

❏ Artisan Shop

❏ Associated Property Services, Inc

❏ B Hive

Gourmet Foods

❏ Bailey’s

General Store

❏ The Bait Box

❏ Beachview

Resort Cottages

❏ Castaways

Restaurant

❏ The Clove

Hitch

❏ Coconut Grove

Restaurant

❏ Dairy Queen

❏ De Scottish Pub

❏ Dotti of Sanibel, Island

Boutique

❏ Duggers of Sanibel

❏ Electric

Sanibel, Inc.

❏ Elsie Malone

Specimen Shells

❏ Fridays’

Creative Jewelry

❏ Fur, Feathers & Scales, Inc.

❏ The Gallery

❏ Gasparilla

Restaurant

❏ Hurricane House on the Beach

❏ Huxter ’s

Market &

Delicatessen

❏ Island Aire, Inc

❏ Island Beach

Club

Island Boat Rental

❏

Island Cinema ❏

Island Home

Protection Service

❏

Island Inn

❏

Island Interiors

❏ Island Travel

❏ The Jade

Butterfly

❏ The Last Straw

❏ Laughrey & Holtz Island Real

Estate, Inc.

❏ Lees’ House of Treasures

❏ The Letizias

❏ Lighthouse

Restaurant

❏ Mariner

Properties, Inc

❏ Marylou’s House of Fashions

❏ McCauls Gift Shop ❏ Nave

Plumbing

The Nutmeg House ❏ The Open Gate

Periwinkle Place

Periwinkle

Way Trailer Park ❏ Photo Sanibel ❏ Pirate Playhouse

❏ Priscilla Murphy Realty, Inc

❏ The Red Pelican ❏ San Carlos Realty

Sanibel Beauty Salon

Sanibel Botanic Garden

Sanibel Realty

Sanibel Siesta

Sanibel Standard Station

Sanibel Tune Up

Schoolhouse Gallery

Scotty’s Pub

Sea Horse Shop

Seven Seas Shop

Shannon’s Real Estate

The Shell Net

Smitty’s Exxon Service

Song Of The Sea

Surf ‘N Sand Cottages

The Surfrider

Tarpon Bay Marina

Thetan Crafts

Three Star

The West Wind Inn

Wooster TV and Appliances Source: City of Sanibel

CITY OF SANIBEL ~ 50 YEARS ~ 1974-2024

Today’s City Council ~ from page 64

PART TWO THE OFFICIAL:

Fir st year that you became a council member?

I was appointed to the Sanibel City Council in December of 2017 after serving on the Sanibel Planning commission for nearly 10 years.

Ter ms ser ved on the council?

Appointed in 2017 to fill a vacancy from Jim Jennings. Ran unopposed three months later (2018) for the remainder of that term and unopposed again in 2019 for the four-year term I was re-elected with 80% of the vote in March of 2023. I have served as councilwoman, vice mayor and mayor.

During your tenure on Sanibel, what changes have you seen?

The most important answer to this is what changes we have not seen We have stayed true to our Sanibel Plan our governing document which our founding fathers and mothers were bold enough to put in place. I cringe to think what we would be if we did not incorporate back in 1974 The Sanibel Plan is a model to illustrate how a conservation-based island uniquely and successfully combines and incorporates humans, while prioritizing the conservation needs for long-term resiliency and sustainability for both (humans and nature). I have seen this challenged all around us, and have felt the pressure even within Sanibel from those who don't understand or want to understand what this document does to protect us all.

Short answer on changes: After Ian, we have very methodically looked at and revised our ordi-

nances to reflect how our businesses and residents can built back within the plan, and we policymakers work to make the process less burdensome to our community, while staying true to our core mission. We continue to work to that end as we learn more and more.

How would you describe the island today in ter ms of accomplishments and challenges?

The primary and obvious challenge post-Ian was to the Causeway our life line being impacted in five locations. Gov. Ron DeSantis, his general and I flew in just a few days poststorm. We extensively toured quietly and thoroughly where we could. After he witnessed on the ground the devastation to our island and saw our infrastructure totally obliterated, he committed to get the bridge built. That was the single game changer which pushed our recovery forward exponentially. The accomplishment: On Oct. 11, hundreds of essential trucks rolled over the causeway for restoration and on Oct. 19, ahead of schedule, our residents and businesses were able to drive home for the first time since evacuating on Sept 27 That was nothing less than a miracle. The world watched.

Two years post Ian, I can say I am amazed at how far we have come in many ways. It has not been without the input of our community on the directions we have gone in. We need to think outside the box, like we have never before. I give great credit to City Manager Dana Souza. He

was on the job about a year prior to Ian. His calm leadership was just what we needed and he continues to move us forward administratively I cannot underscore the Herculean work accomplished through our staff. The state of Florida and our Legislature have also made possible many of the accomplishments through the funding mechanisms in place. We don't accomplish what we do alone. We are a small municipality with a very loud voice at the local, state and federal levels We have to be

Challenges: We are in a longterm recovery. This is measured by years (not two or three, but five, seven, 10 and beyond). We have a long road ahead. An immediate need is for our accommodations and businesses to get back in operation as we are a tourist-based economy. We need our jobs filled again. We need our values to increase again. We have lost some of our population, post Milton and Helene we could lose more. We will need to grow that back for the economic revitalization of our community. That takes time. I am committed to continue on our advocacy efforts at every level as I have since I stepped into office. All of council understands the priority of finding potential finding sources. Insurance is a huge challenge It's hobbling our accommodation sector. It’s a crisis which must be addressed. I’ve seen too many lose everything after trusting a system which was supposed to protect them I see that as legalContinued on page 71

Today’s City Council ~ from page 70

ized extortion. I'm lost to understand how they are not held accountable We also need to look at our entire stormwater management system. In less than three years, we have had one major event and three following, which have introduced storm surge inundation through our system Mother Nature will always bat last, but we need to look at every aspect or how to attempt to bounce back with our focus on resiliency. Every storm teaches us something we didn't know before We can't continue to rebuild the same way and expect a different result. Sadly, we all need to think these water events will continue and adjust how we live accordingly

Where do you see the city in 10 year s? Twenty-five year s? At its centennial?

My hope is see this island is

still protected by our Sanibel Plan. This plan this living document has protected us We need to protect that plan, even with the outside pressures on development. We are different here. It works. If you don't believe in it please there are other places you can chose to live I want to see us to remain the island Sanctuary where we live in harmony with nature and conservation. I welcome those around the globe who have Sanibel on their bucket list to visit and drive over that “happy lane” to dip their toes in our sand and experience what we locals may sometimes take for granted. This is our island home. We are incredibly lucky to live, work and play here We know we live in an hurricaneprone area. I cannot imagine, even with what we have gone

through, anywhere else I'd rather be. Sanibel is working its way back every day Come be a part of our success and our rebirth We are not broken, we are still healing.

Our first mayor, Porter Goss, has said to me he is so proud that we have been able to protect this island for 50 years My hope (and dedication while I am here) is that we continue to protect her for generations to come. I sincerely hope all future leadership on Sanibel continues that dedication to what this island was founded upon and understands the importance for this to continue for both the humans living and visiting here and, as importantly, for the natural environment we protect There is only one Sanibel We are worth protecting.

Jason Maughan ~ from page 65

there in 1983 (yes, cash under the table to a 13-year-old) and was very proud. But that was when it was La Tavalata and then Gringo's Mexican Pizza, where all the tables were two-sided video games and there was a big jukebox. Once every quarter, the music company would send a lad out to change the singles and any kids there could have the old ones, which was very exciting There was also a petrol station at Blind Pass which made it very insular on the west end, but it was preferred as there was nothing of note until the elementary school and then Timber's restaurant on Rabbit Road You see, there was no shopping except at a grocery store and one toy shop in Periwinkle Place. There was a video rental shop located beside where Bank of the Islands is now and hanging at Island Pizza when the viewing

tower was open was fun, too. We also drove with doors pushed open on side roads. You see, the feeder roads on Sanibel were mostly sand and on dry days you could make all the other cars disappear behind you by creating a vortex with the passenger and driver pushing your feet out on the doors to make wings; Dixie Beach Boulevard was the best for this (you could also wade out to decks that used to be built around the bases of the power poles).

There was no Summerlin Road in those days, just McGregor Boulevard, so a trip “into town” was to go to the Miner's Corner shopping plaza for your basics. If it was a really big trip, you pressed on through the cattle and citrus fields to US 41 and the Edison Mall As we passed the airport, I liked watching people blink away

the brightness as they walked from their planes across the tarmac to the one-gate terminal at Page Field. Those planes make me think of one thing that has stuck with me and that is the Lee County Mosquito Control District's Dakotas “bombing” Sanibel. There was one that flew and did big drops of poison, enough to watch it splash back up from pools, when things were particularly bad Once in a while, they would bring in Dakotas from other districts and three would fly in a vic formation at roof-top level when I say roof-top level, I mean duck your head low as it shakes the house to pieces in a Berlin 1945 feel.

When I think about the island then, I also think about the night sky one that has to a certain

Continued on page 76

CITY OF SANIBEL ~ 50 YEARS ~

The Sanibel Plan ~ from

did not seek re-election when my second term ended. As I look back over the last 50 years, I am satisfied that I contributed a small part in protecting the island I love.

At the time of incorporation, the state of Florida had no special regulations on land use planning Then, in 1975, the Florida Legislature passed the Local Government Comprehensive Planning Act. It mandated that individual municipalities must develop their own Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Such plans were to “provide meaningful guidelines for the content of more detailed land development and use regulations ” We five, seated as the first city council, took the Legislature's requirement seriously and made the obligation a priority of an already heavy workload. It was decided our plan would essentially be based on the major ecosystems found on Sanibel Island. We opted to adopt a moratorium on building permits until such time as our Comprehensive Land Use Plan was finalized and implemented That action brought a bevy of complaints from the regional construction industry. With costs borne by the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF), biologist John R Clark of the Washington, D.C.-based Conservation Foundation visited Sanibel and assessed the parameters for the establishment of an environmental database for Sanibel's ecosystems Clark spent several weeks on Sanibel gathering data pertain-

page 11

ing to all environmental aspects of the island The D C -based foundation published a document compiled by Clark entitled, “The Sanibel Report: Formulation of a Comprehensive Plan Based on Natural Systems.” After we on the city council accepted his prepublished findings, Clark's report and files were turned over to Wallace McHarg Roberts and Todd, the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based award-winning planning firm It was hired by the city council to draft and present Sanibel's Comprehensive Land Use Plan for the council's consideration. It was one of the most prestigious urban planning, urban design, and landscape architecture firms in America

After months of unending hearings with vigorous studies, public input, and debate, Sanibel's Comprehensive Land Use Plan was unanimously accepted and adopted by the Sanibel City Council on July 19, 1976. It was a proud day for all five council members and a day of celebration for most Sanibel citizens. Some residents of the island were bitter and unhappy over incorporation

Words taken from the Sanibel Plan and written on the walls at City Hall.

and they sold out and left. A similar exodus had occurred after the Sanibel Causeway opened and many anti-bridge residents moved away believing the islands were “ruined.” The passage of the plan with its environmental safeguards attracted new residents and they were replaced Our planning document was among the first in Florida to be submitted to Tallahassee for approval. Since then, the “Sanibel Plan” has worked well and has become highly esteemed and admired by planners and local governments across the nation. The people of Sanibel Island took the right step in 1974.

Charles LeBuff served on the Sanibel City Council from 197480. During his years as a Sanibel resident, he served as president of the Sanibel-Captiva Audubon Society and he was a founding board member of the SanibelCaptiva Conservation Foundation. LeBuff has authored 20 books, many of which deal with Sanibel's history and wildlife, and he hosts a YouTube podcast, “Sanibel Chronicles.”

CITY OF SANIBEL

Erika Arnowitz ~ from page 57

Blind Pass. We would stop at The Bait Box for live shrimp and ride our bikes with our poles and tackle in tow. One time my brother landed a huge tarpon at Blind Pass! He still has the large model hanging on his wall We learned very quickly about which tides to fish, how to unhook a fish safely, filleting, and which fish were in season. We would rush our fresh catch home to our mother to cook that night for dinner My dad would always say, “You don't get fresher than that!”

My first jobs were at the Dairy Queen and Jerry's Foods. I don’t know how the managers put up with all of us island kids Coming into work wearing flip-flops and sometimes sandy from the beach. But they were kind and patient, showing us how to use the register or stock food. My brother and I would ride our bikes to Jerry’s to visit the birds at the shopping center, get homemade fudge, and ride to Bailey’s General Store to get its famous fried chicken! We did not have electronics back then, so you would find the neighborhood kids by the pile of bikes in front of a home. We would climb banyan trees, play tennis at The Dunes, swim in the pool, skimboard, or look for shells at the beach. In the summer, our parents would hardly see us We would go to the Sundial to play on the beach, in the pool, and even get a Shirley Temple at its tiki bar. I was barefoot most summers, and I think the only time I wore shoes was to go into town to Fort Myers. Most of the time we were barefoot on the beach, rollerblading or swimming. After years of running around on crushed seashells, you

“

We would go to the Sundial to play on the beach, in the pool, and even get a Shirley Temple at its tiki bar. I was barefoot most summers, and I think the only time I wore shoes was to go into town to Fort Myers.

~ Erika Arnowitz

get used to it!

My friends and I would ride our bikes to Billy’s Beach Bikes and rent a Surry for the afternoon. It was the closest thing to driving we had and we would explore the island We would ride to the east end for ice cream at Pinocchio's or to the west end to the rec center to swim. At the end of summer, the rec camp counselors would throw tons of coins in the pool for the children to dive down and pick up We all spent it immediately at the small snack stand that the center had. It was a perfect spot for the island kids to meet up. We played basketball, dodgeball, went swimming and played on the playground

Holidays on the island were always special. Every Fourth of July we would go on the Ellenbergs’ boat and watch the fireworks together On Christmas Eve, the church put on a beautiful beach service. My family would take beach chairs and a blanket to enjoy the program. The pastor would tell stories for the kids, giv-

ing out small musical instruments to the children to help enhance his stories while a beautiful choir would sing. Inevitably, the parents would stay for the service and the kids would end up playing on the beach. At the end of the program, everyone received a small candle and slowly you could see the growing flames of the candles move through the crowd. Just as the sun set, the program would be lit up by the small candles You could feel a sense of community and pride that makes Sanibel so special.

My father was with the Rotary Club for 10 years, then the Kiwanis Club for 20 years I loved helping with the annual spaghetti dinners. I would help pass out food, collect tickets and refill drinks. The community had many wonderful events our family attended, like when The Dunes would host Taste of the Islands It was so much fun to sit on the golf course, listen to live music and sample all the wonderful dishes the restaurants offered. My friends and I would help pick up trash, get ice for the vendors and help set up.

On the weekends, my family would go to The Lighthouse Cafe and have its pecan waffles and homemade jam or The Sanibel Cafe for its famous fluffy pancakes. We had countless sunsets on the Sanibel Causeway eating pizza from Johnny’s Pizza. An exciting part of the weekend was going to Pic-a-Flic to choose a movie from its rows of VHS tapes.

Learning to drive a car on the island presented many challenges. Pedestrians and bikers have the

Continued on page 76

CITY OF SANIBEL ~ 50 YEARS ~ 1974-2024

Jason Maughan ~ from page 72

extent returned to us though the Dark Sky initiative. We could drive at night without lights. Now, this is exceptionally stupid and ill advised, but the sky was so bright that when we came onto the island and got to Sanibel-Captiva Road, we would convoy with our lights off. The stars lit a trail between the trees on either side there was no bike paths or even shoulders to the road and you drove by just looking up. This was summertime and during the summer you could walk from Blind Pass to the General (what is now Rebel) without moving from the center of the road It was really that quiet It would be amazing to people now to imagine the amount of pine forest there was on Sanibel. It was thick everywhere. The west end neighborhood I lived in did not have one mangrove or sea grape in the entire neighborhood. It was solid forest with pine litter carpeting everything. My aunt decided she liked mangroves, so she collected seed pods and planted them on every canal around me She has not stopped apologizing for that! Now, the great thing about growing up in a pine forest is you may camp in it as the bugs are considerably less, generally We had what is now the

Sanctuary as our biggest campground (we also used it for fourwheeling and motor bikes). While there have been improvements to the island, I have to say, I liked it when we had forests and cool shade, as well as natural nesting areas for bald eagles and ospreys.

In the 1980s, overfishing had taken a toll though. Boats with 500yard nets took up entire basins and bays of Dinkins and scooped out everything they could. The osprey population collapsed and my dad decided to act, as well as demand some action. He decided he would have his sons “mine” the bayou. This was accomplished as a byproduct of clearing Australian pines. One would cut a length of pine trunk, and leave a foot of all branch bases sticking out in all directions. Then he would have his sons lay these on spots that the nets dragged, but that were not accessible by boats, thus entangling the net in the pine so laden with sap and dense that it stays on the bottom and does not float When the ban on netting like that finally went into effect, it was shocking how fast the ospreys and fish returned.

The last thing I want to talk about is the police on Sanibel and how spectacularly lucky the citi-

zens of Sanibel have been with the department. Now when we were kids, most of the police had second jobs to supplement their income and most of those jobs were on island, so everyone was very well known Things are a lot more organized and professional, but I know our own current department has the same community policing that made for a happy island. I can't remember how many times as a boy I heard, “Anybody not from the island who is still here in 60 seconds goes to jail …, ” when a beach party was being broken up. Then we would have to listen to the lecture about letting our families down and not trying hard enough to hide whatever we were up to. At the end of the day, they were always kind to us and made us proud to be islanders, just like our own department does now

Jason Maughan lives on the west end of Sanibel with his wife and son. An attorney on the island, he has served on the Sanibel City Council and Sanibel Planning Commission and on the board or as general counsel for CHR, CROW and SCCF. He has served as president of the Sanibel School Fund, as well as chairman of the Southwest Florida Boy Scouts and Scoutmaster for the island.

Erika Arnowitz ~ from page 75

right of way, so pulling out of any store or parking lot was scary! Driving on and off the island was always exciting. Many times we would see sailboats coming in and see the drawbridge open Everyone would get out of their cars and take in the scene. The pelicans would fly right next to the

cars in what I thought was a fun race, while dolphins jumped in the water and swam after fish. Seeing a manatee or alligator was a normal occurrence. I did not appreciate it back then, but now I would give anything to have my little one experience Sanibel the way I did.

Erika Arnowitz is senior services director at FISH of Sanibel-Captiva.

Her mother was the office manager for a doctor's office, and her father was a personal injury attorney in Fort Myers. Arnowitz holds a Bachelor of Social Work from Austin Peay State University and is a Certified Dementia Practitioner, licensed assisted living facility administrator in Florida and FGCU senior care partner.