Cape Coral Weekend Breeze

Lee County voter turnout tops 50% mark

By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers com

After months of candidates operating campaigns, messages being spread across communities and country, and polling precincts preparing, the polarizing 2024 General Election is merely days away

The Early Voting period which started Oct. 21 and runs through Nov. 2 has seen a massive turnout of voters before Election Day on Nov 5, as more than half of Lee

“We are seeing a record number of people showing up to vote and expect it to continue through Election Day I encourage you to consider casting your vote early to avoid the rush on Election Day ”

Tommy Doyle, Lee County supervisor of elections

County’s registered voters have already submitted a ballot. There are 12 locations throughout the county where individuals can

By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers com

With just a few days remaining before the 2024 General Election, Cape Coral City Council candidates are letting residents know why they should earn a vote

There are five City Council seats up for grabs this election cycle, with races occurring in District

page 26

vote, as well as drop off their vote-by-mail ballot. Locations will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p m through Saturday

On Tuesday, election day, the polls will be open from 7 a m to 7 p m

Supervisor of Elections Tommy Doyle said the number of ballots are already coming in “record numbers ”

“We are seeing a record number of people showing up to vote and expect it to continue through Election Day,” Doyle stated “I encourage you to consider casting your vote early to avoid the rush on Election

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com

debris pickup, including horticulture by Thanksgiving S

y

Schweitzer updated the Cape Coral City Council Wednesday, saying with the city having back-to-back storms Hurricane Helene with a one-day suspension of pick up and Hurricane Milton with a four-day suspension of pick up it backed up waste services After Milton passed, the first focus was having all resources on picking up solid waste

“Waste Pro has roughly 50 trucks a day All 50 trucks were dedicated to solid waste,” Schweitzer said

A debris recovery plan was set up for Milton, as debris resources were tied up north with Helene CERES, Waste Pro, and two resident debris sites opened to help with the load, he said

“Just like after Ian, there is a ramp up period,” Schweitzer said “We are only one week and three days into it ”

There was a special request for the Pelican Parkway area to be cleaned before trick or treaters arrived Thursday The plan was to blitz that area Thursday for trick or treaters

The resident bulk drop off site is located at 1200 Kismet Parkway W, Monday through Saturday for bulk, horticultural and white goods The citizen debris dropoff site is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. at

Laurie Lehmann

Dan Sheppard Derrick Donnell

McCormick

Richard Carr

Joseph Kilraine Charlie Pease

Rachel Kaduk

Michael David Harper

Jennifer Nelson

Council hears first vested-rights request following moratorium

City denies application by property owner for development of new car wash facility that was in the planning stage

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“We did spend quite a bit of money with engineers, architects, legal fees, contracting and marketing analysis. We believe it would be highly inequitable and Boos would be out a significant amount of money for adoption of a moratorium that basically occurred after we received the site plan comments.”

Bryan Stanley, an attorney for Boos Development Group Inc, the contract buyer that planned to develop the site for a Mr. Car Wash, a nationally recognized car wash operator.

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OPINIONS

CAPE CORAL BREE ZE

RAYMOND M. ECKENRODE Publisher

VALARIE HARRING, Executive Editor

CHRIS STRINE, Editor

2510 Del Prado Blvd • Cape Coral, FL, 33904

• Phone 239-574-1110 – Fax 239-574-5693

Member Florida Press Association

Local races matter

It looks like we don’t have to urge Lee Countians to cast a ballot this election cycle voters are doing so in droves and that is a good thing

The ballot headliner and greatest draw, of course, is the presidential race offering the Republican ticket of Donald J Trump and JD Vance, and the Democratic slate of Kamala D Harris and Tim Walz with choices among five third party pairings as well.

It’s not the only heated federal race on the ballot

D

m o c

Republican incumbent Rick Scott a run for his money in t

e U S S e n

Donalds, meanwhile, is facing a challenge from Democrat Kari L. Lerner in the District 19 House race.

County races of keen interest include the at-large, nonpartisan District 7 School Board race between Vanessa Chaviano and Sheridan Chester; the at-large District 5 County Commission race between Republican incumbent Mike Greenwell and Democrat Kizzie Fowler, and the D i s t r i c t 7 9

Republican Mike Giallombardo and Denise McCleary

We’ll add another the Sheriff’s race between Republican incumbent Carmine Marceno and write-in Michael Hollow who has proven to the far from the typical invisible “ghost candidate ”

And one more, this one a first-time-in-decades race due to a voter-approved change in how School District of Lee County administrative heads are chosen

Lee County voters two years ago decided to make school superintendent an elective, rather than appointive, office

The race is partisan and offers a choice between Denise Carlin, a Republican, and Victor Arias, a Democrat The person elected will run the day-to day operations of the school district and will work in conjunction with, rather than directly for, the School Board of Lee County

See EDITORIAL, page 7

This week’s poll question:

Previous poll question

It’s time to share drug savings with Medicare patients

A simple reform to Medicare’s prescription drug program could put billions of dollars back into seniors’ pockets over the next decade That’d help them better manage their chronic conditions and significantly lower overall health spending Concerningly, that reform is gathering dust That's a huge problem for seniors and one we need to fix sooner rather than later

More than two-thirds of Medicare beneficiaries have multiple chronic illnesses They face health care costs five times higher than their peers without any chronic conditions And right now, because of the way Medicare is structured, they overpay for the medicines they need

Currently, drug companies give the insurers that sponsor Medicare drug plans hefty discounts off the nominal “list” price of medicines In return, those insurers agree to provide better access to those companies’ brand-name medicines, rather than similar medications from other drug companies

In theory, those discounts should help patients But they typically don’t because the negotiated discounts remain secret And that secrecy leads to inflated out-of-pocket payments for seniors

Most Medicare plans require beneficiaries to pay a certain fraction of a drug’s cost an obligation known as “co-insur-

ance ” When pharmacists calculate what seniors owe in co-insurance, they use the publicly disclosed list price of a drug not the secret, substantially lower discounted price

For instance, let’s say a senior needs a medication that nominally costs $100 per month, and her Medicare plan requires her to pay 25% of a drug’s cost in co-insurance That’d put her on the hook for $25 in out-of-pocket payments

But imagine that the drug was actually secretly discounted by 75% to $25 The insurer would collect $25 from the woman, pass it along to the drug company, and pay absolutely nothing itself despite collecting a considerable monthly premium

In an alternate world, one in which insurance plans had to disclose the discounted prices they negotiate, that woman’s co-insurance would instead be just 25% of $25 or $8 25 a month Over the course of a year, she’d save hundreds of dollars just on that one medicine And many seniors with chronic conditions rely on multiple treatments to stay healthy

Thankfully, some lawmakers are trying to make that better world a reality In 2023, a bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced a bill the Share the Savings with Seniors Act to reduce Medicare beneficiaries’ out-of-pocket costs It’d

See GUEST COMMENTARY, page 6

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Vote for candidates who have the taxpayers in mind

To the editor:

Voting is under way in Florida and, in the not-too-distant future, it will be all over, but the shouting and we will have elected a new President and members of Congress along with local officials Whether or not it will be a change for the better, no one will know until all the votes are counted Let’s hope it’s for the best

I hope that voters wake up before they cast their ballots It seems like a large group of our elected officials including the people in the White House now and many other members of Congress have disregarded the rights of everyday citizens in the last four years and most of the media has gone along with their radical and progressive policies like supported a policy that gives transgender people who rely on the government for medical care including those in prison and immigration detention access to free transition treatment, including surgical care, transgender athletes in women sports, men in women’s bathrooms, student loan bailouts, open boarders The motto seems to be “take away from taxpayers and give to the ungrateful, criminals and illegals ” We need candidates that have policies and common sense that support the American taxpayer and law and order

It also seems our elected officials in Cape Coral think running our city is a joke or a game Richard Carr is the only sitting councilmember who was not in the office for the stipend vote and his first act was to not take the money He has the willingness to listen to the people of the community and do what’s best for the city The rest were elected to do their job Instead, they voted to enrich themselves and not listen to the voters like voting for the renovations at Jaycee Park, changing zoning laws allowing huge apartment complexes to be built without worry about the infrastructure of the city It seems they have no intention of doing what's best for our city Enough is enough!

Lou Walker Cape Coral

Jaycee Park tree removal ill-timed and ill-conceived

To the editor:

The shoreline trees at Jaycee Park are being completely demolished As I write this, there is no silt or debris barrier We have well-documented small tooth sawfish and

manatees just offshore

This is a deliberate windbreak that shored up the riverfront as part of the erosion prevention resilient coastline projects by the Visitor & Convention Bureau, TDC Lee County

We are asking for, at least, getting through the hurricane season with our erosion prevention/storm surge flood mediation intact This is not a matter of “what’s invasive” right now, it’s a matter of what is protecting us now Removing this during a hurricane season should have been completely unthinkable

A storm now without this full protection will have devastating results like the storm that originally washed away the beach at Beach Parkway and put this project on the short list for TDC funding for erosion prevention storm surge mitigation.

The rest of this project includes completely bulldozing and re-grading the park, leaving us incredibly vulnerable to wind and storm surge/flooding and erosion damage

Please protect our homes and our lives Stop this action now before it is too late

Please put a stop to this destruction until a permit decision is made and until adjacent property owners can bring their appeal

Heather O'Connell Save the Jaycee Park neighborhood and surrounding area Cape Coral

Another politically motivated, wrongful arrest

To the editor:

I didn’t want to write this letter this week because I didn’t want to partake in a very dark game being played by our wanton American political system But with elections only days away, and since it is directly related, I felt that I needed to speak out against the heavy-handed power which has seeped into the lives of real people just trying to do good for the country

Many people who know me have heard me mention a soldier whom I am close with His name is Jeremy Michael Miller, who not only is a badass tattoo artist who inked the American Eagle on my back, but he is a U S national Wildland Firefighter, and a Ukraine War combat veteran,

See LETTERS, page 6

Kenneth Thorpe Guest Commentary

Breast cancer awareness goes beyond medical care

Each October, we come together as a nation to raise awareness about breast cancer, one of the most life-threatening diseases affecting 1 in 8 women in the U S

In Florida alone, more than 17,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year

Early detection through regular mammograms is key to improving the chances of successful treatment and survival. It’s also important to recognize that hundreds of men in Florida are diagnosed with breast cancer annually, highlighting the importance of awareness and early detection for everyone

From page 4

Sadly, a diagnosis of breast cancer can also lead to a struggle with workplace discrimination Many individuals across the country face unfair treatment at work due to their condition, including being denied reasonable accommodations or even losing their jobs While the

works to protect individuals from such discrimination, greater awareness and education are still needed

As Breast Cancer Awareness Month wraps up, let’s remember that awareness must go beyond medical care It’s essential to support

(who, as a civilian turned foreign fighter, will receive zero compensation for the injury he returned with )

Jeremy empowered me to travel to Ukraine for a war-time civilian volunteer mission Since being back, I have joined our nation's leading effort to support Ukraine's military, which includes the American-led unit Chosen Company of which Jeremy is a part Through our partnership, we continue to make a positive global impact, directly from our local Southwest Florida community

After months of nonstop brutal firefighting along the West of our country, Jeremy returned to Fort Myers Beach last week only to be arrested by the FBI for his activism in the Jan 6 capitol protests As soon as he got out on bond, our devoted countryman immediately joined a humanitarian mission to aid the Southeast amid the Helene floods, where he is transporting emergency vehicles from the West of our country to be delivered to North Carolina

If I was convinced of election integrity, I wouldn’t feel the need to write these letters I wholly stand with Jeremy Michael Miller against his wrongful political persecution, which blatantly comes in perfect sync with the heightened tension of the 2024 election cycle

Never before in our American memory has their been a national disgrace such as this, where the FBI and justice system has taken upon itself to target and intimidate partisanship Jeremy went to the capitol on Jan 6 on his own, as an individual, in order to practice his rights to peacefully protest what millions of Americans feared or believed to be election interference He was not a part of a conspiracy He did not hurt anybody On the contrary, Jeremy was shot in the leg by law enforcement officer with a rubber gun, was sprayed multiple times, beaten with batons, and hit with riot shields But now after years of stalking him, our US government has the temerity to accuse Jeremy of grabbing the shield of a law enforcement officer the shield that they in fact were hitting him with

The twisted irony of the D C court’s ridiculous charges against such a patriot really puts the disconnect of government and the will of its people into perspective, because he is a first responder who often works alongside law enforcement officers

I know this good man He is a soldier, a man who runs toward the enemy, not away from it Before Hurricane Milton broke out, he checked in with me to make sure I evacuated He checked in with me when I was in Ukraine to make sure I was safe He has been there for me, and I know I count on him in moments of distress He’s a protector, a fighter, literally, a defender of country and global freedoms

I vehemently implore the defense, prosecution, and judges to work together to drop the charges against Jeremy Michael Miller and dismiss this case and all of the cases of the Jan 6 capitol protestors who were wrongfully implicated for political purposes. We demand an end to tyrannical political lawfare in the United States Justice system, once and for all Alexandra Zakhvatayev Cape Coral

workplace rights, research funding, and yearround access to affordable healthcare

If you are facing discrimination or would like more information about our agency, please visit our website at https://fchr myflorida com/ or contact us at 850-488-7082 We investigate cases of discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, and state whistleblower retaliation

Angela Primiano is the chair of the Florida Commission

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Be careful of polls and pundits

To the editor:

We are, as this letter is being written, seven days out to the election Every day we are slammed by polls and pundits presenting information Pundits skew the information based upon which party they favor, and use the latest poll information to tell YOU what the American people are thinking.

WRONG

The problem with polls is that a good poll requires a large number of the populace, from a wide area of the nation, and include people from a wide variety of ethnic backgrounds, political backgrounds, and an equal number of men and women of a wide variety of ages Then you need the right questions, that are not skewed to the political right or left Once the answers are obtained, they must be processed using statistics, and here is where the data can be manipulated by the polling company Usually they are honest Sometimes they are not

One problem we are seeing today is that the polls are showing candidates as being +1 or -1 above each other But where is the error of margin? You know, the + or – number that tells you where the poll really is Such as “49 +/- 3 % points”, meaning that the candidate could be at 52% or 46% of the poll data?

Look and listen carefully to what is being written or said Think critically And then use your own mind to vote

Please vote Our nation depends upon it

Cindy Perouty Fort Myers

A plea and a please: Vot e for Harris

To the editor:

This letter is intended for my fellow countrymen of Hispanic heritage I am surprised to learn that many Hispanics intend to vote for Trump Frankly, I am stunned I cannot imagine what would motivate you to vote for a man that clearly despises Hispanics Puerto Ricans

Since descending from the escalator in 2015 he has disrespected immigrants, people of color, women; anyone that disagrees with him Calling them enemies from within His intention is to become a dictator, round-up and deport people he identifies as illegals As I remember, your people fled a dictator to come to America.

But not you, right? Only Hispanics that are here “illegally ” So he says So you think You are safe and so is your family, and your Hispanic friends Look in the mirror Look at your children Your wife and loved ones and tell them you are certain he is going to protect you You with dark skin And Spanish names And an accent

For whatever your reasons you may not like Kamala Harris I respect your right to choose and for us to disagree This is America I find her to be honest Capable Experienced Sincere, especially when she says she will be president for all people She is a child of immigrants

She WILL NOT round-up you and your family and your friends, put you in detention camps. And deport you

Come to your senses my Hispanic brothers and sisters Vote for Harris At least, not for Trump

Please Thank you

Histor y has the last word

Peter Karastamatis Fort Myers

To the editor:

The final word: History Will history exonerate Donald Trump? Will school kids a couple of generations from now be taught the 2020 election was stolen and the Jan 6 rioters were patriots, not insurrectionists? Will Trump, a convicted felon and rapist, a man who appeals to Americans’ worst instincts: fear, racism and xenophobia; a man who admires dictators and aspires to rip up our Constitution; are you suggesting this man will be regarded as one of our finest presidents?

History is not kind to authoritarians. In the two world wars of the 20th Century, American soldiers fought and died to preserve democracy in Europe and around the globe by crushing fascism and dictatorship Trump considers those soldiers “losers” and “suckers ” Do we honor their sacrifice by electing this man president? Trump has had secret communications with our enemy, the murderous dictator Vladimir Putin and has talked openly about using the U S military against American citizens

Trump has repeatedly told us who he is; why are we not listening? His MSG rally was the most racist, hate-filled rally since the pro-Nazi rallies of the 1930s Our president should appeal to our better nature, not our sense of grievance, blame and retribution. When Project 2025 becomes reality for us, are you going to proudly tell your grandchildren you voted for this demagogue?

Ray Clasen North Fort Myers

Progress with the positive

To the editor:

In the life of a teacher, as we live our day-to-day lives, it is easy to focus on the negative things Lately I have been trying to step into the positive The solutions that I have come up with are simple, yet they work

1. Keep your expectations realistic

2 Plan ahead

3 Idle time is not helpful

4 Expect the unexpected

5 Clearly state your expectations

6 Offer reasonable choices

7 Catch your children doing good

8 Stay calm

9 Use phrases like first and then

10 Model for success

If we put positive into practice, we should be instrumental in making our little piece of the world a happier place

Pamela Martin preschool curriculum coordinator Cape Coral

Guest Commentary: Legislation could save older Americans millions

From page 4

allow seniors with Part D prescription drug plans to pay cost-sharing based on the real, discounted price of medicines, instead of the list prices

Yet, the bill is stuck in a House committee -- and isn’t moving forward That’s terrible news for America’s aging population

Many seniors currently struggle to afford

necessary medications, leading to skipped prescriptions and costly health complications

Research indicates that an increase in out-ofpocket prescription drug costs can escalate health care spending due to increased hospitalizations and ambulatory care For each additional dollar patients pay out-of-pocket, total Medicare spending rises by $1 80

The cumulative financial and personal toll is staggering Medicare is projected to spend

$18 billion annually by 2030 on avoidable health complications linked to medication non-adherence, which contributes to the premature deaths of 112,000 seniors each year

The Share the Savings with Seniors Act would ensure that patients who face the highest out-of-pocket costs those with chronic illnesses would benefit from drug discounts This straightforward adjustment not only promises immediate relief for seniors,

but also supports better health outcomes by improving access to vital medications

Kenneth E Thorpe is chairman of the Department of Health Policy and Management at the Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University He is chairman of the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease This piece originally ran in Medical Economics

on Human Relations

Angela Primiano Guest Commentary

CCFD to hold open house activities Saturday

By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers com

Cape Coral residents will have the chance to meet and greet with the men and women who keep them safe this Saturday, as well as explore and tour facilities

The Cape Coral Fire Department is hosting an open house event this Saturday from 9 a m until noon at all 13 fire stations Each station will be open to the public, featuring activities, games, and displays

“The annual Open House is a fun and exciting way for us to engage the commu-

“The annual Open House is a fun and exciting way for us to engage the community. Visitors have the opportunity to learn about the different aspects of the CCFD, our all-hazards response capabilities, our partnership with other agencies, and our commitment to the well-being of people in our community We look forward to welcoming everyone at all of our fire stations on Nov, 2 ”

Russell “Visitors have the opportunity to learn about the different aspects of the CCFD, our all-hazards response capabilities, our partnership with other agencies, and our commitment to the well-being of people in our community We look for-

acting Fire Chief Mike Russell

ward to welcoming everyone at all of our fire stations on Nov, 2.”

In addition, a variety of fun and educational activities and displays, many from partner public safety agencies, will be available at each station

The locations of the stations and the activities at each are as follows: ■ Station 1, 4610 Coronado Parkway: T h e “ S a v e a L i f e S t a t i o n ” w i l l h a v e Family and Friends CPR instruction and smoke alarm education with American Red Cross, adoptable dogs from the Cape Coral Animal Shelter, and United Way will have information on their volunteer programs including their pet therapy program Beesley's Paw Prints OneBlood will also be onsite accepting blood donations from 8:30 a m until 2:30 p m

See page CCFD, page 30

Editorial: Five Cape Coral City Council races on the ballot

From page 4

Also on the ballot for voters statewide are six state constitutional amendments three of them controversial with big-money partisans on each side of the latter two: Amendment No. 1 - Partisan Election of Members of D i s t r i c t S c h o o l B o a r d s , ( W e r e c o m m e n d a N O ) ; Amendment No. 3 - Adult Personal Use of Marijuana and Amendment No 4 - Amendment to Limit Government Interference with Abortion

All of the above races and proposed changes to Florida’s Constitution are important, something voters are acknowledging with what election officials are saying are record turnouts here for both mail-in and early voting

But there are another five races that touch very close to home, affecting everything from how Cape Coral grows and develops to what amenities and infrastructure get prioritized to how much and who pays for such things

There are five Cape Coral City Council races a majority of seats on the ballot and registered city voters may cast a ballot in each of the non-partisan races no matter the district in which they live

The races and candidates are:

District 2 - Laurie Lehmann and Dan Sheppard (incumbent)

McCormick

District 4 - Richard Carr (incumbent) and Jennifer Nelson

District 5 - Joseph Kilraine and Charlie Pease

District 7 - Michael Harper and Rachel Kaduk

We particularly urge participation in these city races

These are the ones that affect the quality of our day-today lives, these are the ones that directly affect our wallets

If you have not yet voted, here are two easily accessible sources of information

One, each candidate has a website They are worth checking out and you may find them with this week’s Cape Coral City Council Candidate Question of the Week on pages 16 and 17

Two, for those who want a deeper dive or to compare and contrast, The Breeze news team has provided coverage through both the primary and general election cycles

In addition to news stories, The Breeze also has offered each candidate the opportunity to answer an issue-related question each week

The stories, and answers to each Question of the Week may be found on our website, capecoralbreeze com, under Election 2024.

We invite you to read, and yes, we do urge you to vote There’s a lot at stake from the local races to that hot headliner topping the ballot Breeze

Aquifer levels may

mean

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com

Additional restrictions may be enforced t o i m p r o v e t h e l e v e l s o f t h e M i d -

Hawthorne Aquifer

City Manager Mike Ilczyszyn said staff had a meeting with the South Florida Water Management District regarding the aquifer this week This aquifer, which is approximately 125 feet underground, provides water to private wells in the area

The aquifer has not recovered though irrigation restrictions and enhanced restrictions on water consumption were imposed

“There is concern if we see a drop off c o m e d r y s e a s o n o v e r t h e u p c o m i n g months, we could be entering into an area to take further measures,” Ilczyszyn said

The city will have a follow-up meeting with the South Florida Water Management District in two weeks to discuss what measures may be on the table for consideration “ T h e r e w a s n o r e c o v e r y a s i t w a s observed in previous years basically a flat line,” Ilczyszyn said “They had USGS out and checked the well, the metering equipment and they verified the reading is accurate and recordings have been accurate We are not seeing what we would have like to have seen ”

He said they are looking at fast tracking the north water reclamation facility and flipping areas four and five and area six Ilczyszyn said in the near future they may be bringing the UEP map back to Council to officially change those areas

Jaycee Park

Allegations were brought forth from citi z e n s f o l l o w i n g t h e r e m o v a l o f t h e

Australian pines at the riverfront park earlier this week Staff shared that based on allegations that there are migratory birds, and/or eagles nesting in the trees that are being removed, the city’s environmental biologist went out Tuesday and did not spot any birds

The city staff then went out with U S Fish & Wildlife, which resulted in one possibility, but it was not an active nest

The Australian pines began coming down along the Caloosahatchee waterfront Tuesday after the city closed down the park last week in advance of its planned $16$18 million renovation project

Campaign sites

Mayor John Gunter, during Council c o m m e n t s W

d n e s d a y , s

d h e h a s received several complaints of campaigning at a campaign site those contacting him allege is closer than the required 150 feet from a polling location He asked the council if he could work with the city attorney’s o

received nods of approval Gunter said the city can extend that state-required 150 feet, as long as the city rule is more restrictive than the state statute

Lake Kennedy Racquet Center

Councilmember Bill Steinke shared that the Lake Kennedy Racquet Center hit another milestone – 1,900 memberships

“The new racquet center facility just completed its 60-day opening where we had founding members available to have special membership rates,” he said

FEMA: Community Rating System

retrograde

Emergency Management and Resiliency Director Ryan Lamb said Nov 18 is the next date the city has to meet for FEMA’s timetable regarding “outstanding compliance issues ” He said the information will be sent in early next week, ahead of schedule

Lamb said he is comfortable to share that the city will retain the discount and meet deadlines FEMA has set forward Lamb said they traveled to Hernando County to share lessons learned following Hurricane Ian to protect their flood insurance rating He said they received positive feedback and are looking to help other communities

New parameters for boat canopies to come before Cape Council on Nov. 13

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

N o v 1 3 , i n s t e a d o f D e c 4

“ I w o u l d l i k e t o n o t k i c k t h i s c a n

d o w n t h e r o a d a l l t h e w a y t o D e c e m b e r

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J o h n G u n t e r s a i d

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Cape Council approves $1.64 million for additional land purchases; $2.1 million for infrastructure improvements, for Bimini Basin district

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com

Cape Coral City Council approved a plethora of consent agenda items Wednesday, including one that was pulled for discussion construction of Embers Parkway West median improvements

The award is for Bateman Contracting LLP for the amount of $768,374 with a 5% city-controlled contingency in the amount of $38,419 for a total project amount of $805,793

City Manager Mike Ilczyszyn said due to the width of the city’s medians, curbing is required He said the city needs to revisit how it chooses medians

“We have several different programs are all going shotgun, there is no synergy,” he said, adding that it would take all of them to agree on new ways of thinking on how to approach the topic

COUNCIL BRIEFS: CONSENT AGENDA

Other items approved include:

■ Resolution 338:24: professional engineering services with Caltran Engineering Group Inc. for a six-laning design study, alternate parking lots study and retiming of traffic signals on Cape Coral Parkway between Del Prado Boulevard and Coronado Parkway not to exceed $149,767 74

■ Resolution 334-24: approve amendment to the city’s financial management policies

■ Resolution 362-24: purchase of property at 4816 Triton Court, part of the Bimini Basin District for $1 million with closing costs not to exceed $15,000

■ Resolution 363-24: purchase of 4824

Lee County operations adjust

Manor Courts, part of the Bimini Basin District, for $643,800 with closing costs not to exceed $10,000

■ Resolution 367-24: work authorization form with Gulfpoint Construction Company, Inc to utilize a master agreement for utility upgrades and road reconstruction in support of the Bimini Square Mixed-Use development for $2,108,959 57

■ Resolution 314-24: aggregates all the capital equipment, hardware and software associated across the funds into one approval of $29,693,249

■ Resolution 350-24: award a bid to Burke Construction for neighborhood park improvements for $4,740,001 50 with a 5% city-controlled contingency of $327,000 08

for a total of $4,977,001 58

■ Resolution 360-24: approval of land use restrictions and affordable rental agreements for “live local” projects

■ Resolution 340-24: approving and ratifying a memorandum of understanding between the city and the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 33 for police officers, sergeants, and lieutenants a one-time 10% increase to wages

■ Resolution 351-24: approval of license agreement between the city and Cultural Park Theatre Company for operation and use of the building for an annual cost of $45,000

■ Ordinance 75-24, fire prevention and emergency management – removal of debris by creating an emergency and disaster generated debris removal program

■ Resolution 368-24: purchase orders related to Hurricane Milton of $4,113,971.

schedules for Veterans Day

d a y , N o v 1 2 T h e l i b r a r y i s a l w a y s a v a i l a b l e

o n l i n e a t w w w l e e l i b r a r y n e t / o n l i n e

D o m e s t i c A n i m a l S e r v i c e s

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T h e M i d p o i n t M a d n e s s V e t e r a n s D a y 5 K R u n / W a l k w i l l c l o s e t h e M i d p o i n t B r i d g e f r o m 6 - 9 p m , M o n d a y , N o v 1 1

M o t o r i s t s a r e e n c o u r a g e d t o u s e t h e C a p e C o r a l B r i d g e o r t h e U S 4 1 a n d B u s i n e s s 4 1 b r i d g e s a s a l t e rn a t e r o u t e s L e e C o u n t y D e p a r t m e n t o f T r a n s p o r t a t i o n w i l l p l a c e m e s s a g e b o a r d s o n F r i d a y , N o v 1 , t o a l e r t

See COUNTY, page 29

m p s r e m a i n o p e n o n V e t e r a n s D a y P o o l s , r e c r e a t i o n c e n t e r s a n d a d m i n i s t r a t i v e o f f i c e s a r e c l o s e d M o n d a y , N o v 1 1 , a n d w i l l r e o p e n T u e s d a y , N o v 1 2 C h e c k w w w l e e p a r k s o r g f o r t h e l i s t o f o p e n l o c a t i o n s , h o u r s a n d a m e n i t i e s T h e c o u n t y a s k s p a r k p a t r o n s t o r e m e mb e r n o a l c o h o l i s p e r m i t t e d i n c o u n t y p a r k s L e e C o u n t y r e m i n d s r e s i d e n t s a n d v i s i t o r s t h a t t h e C a u s e w a y

Thrive Academy ribbon-cutting heralds in a ‘game changer’

Family Initiative opens school as part

By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers com

A new era of autism support in Southwest Florida officially opened Wednesday morning in Cape Coral, as the ribbon was cut to welcome those on the spectrum to Thrive Academy

Family Initiative, a Cape Coral-based nonprofit dedicated to supporting children, adolescents, and young adults impacted by Autism Spectrum Disorder, launched the school to create the region’s first comprehensive autism support hub.

“It's been a long time coming,” said Family Initiative President and co-founder, David Brown “This is the culmination of years and years of work by a lot of families, a lot of advocates, and our staff We’re just over the moon For us, it’s the end of the beginning We have a lot more work to do We know the need that our families have is significant Having Thrive Academy and phase one of the campus open is a gamechanger ”

Thrive Academy is a private autism specialty school designed to provide elementary, middle, and high school students with a comprehensive and individualized educational experience Students at the academy will focus on academics, social and life skills, and vocational training.

Through standards-based instruction in English Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies, and Science, students will prepare for future job opportunities while earning their diplomas Thrive Academy’s approach ensures that students are equipped with the skills necessary to transition into adulthood and the workforce

“In talking to families, the thing that they were looking for was an option that was available to them an educational environment that was customized to meet the unique needs of the kids we serve, and to make sure we could tailor the curriculum, the education they’re focusing on, to make sure they’re in the best position to be successful,” Brown said. “The part we’re most excited about is the quality of education and the quality of the support ”

The 4 5-acre campus, which includes three buildings totaling 20,000 square feet, was acquired through a $5 million

of

its planned regional ‘comprehensive autism support hub’

Thrive Academy is designed to provide elementary, middle, and high school students with a comprehensive and individualized educational experience. Pictured, students get right to work in one of the new classrooms.

grant awarded to Family Initiative An additional $250,000 grant from the Golisano Foundation has provided further support for the academy’s development

Brown said the need throughout Southwest Florida and the country has grown, with the ever-increasing population locally, and the growing number of diagnoses

“When we started nine years ago, the CDC would say one in 100 kids in the U S are on the spectrum Today, that num-

ber is one in 36,” Brown said “The demand for services has been unbelievable ”

A main focus of Thrive Academy will be workforce independence, Brown said Thrive Academy will work with local chambers of commerce, Horizon Council, and business leaders, to get students internships and job placement

“It’s how we can talk to our students about what they’re

See THRIVE, page 13

PHOTO COURTESY OF ROGERS MEDIA GROUP

Thrive: Academy in Cape Coral is a Family Initiative success story

From page 12

interested in, so we can actually customize and tailor their curriculum to focus on some of those traits and attributes that employers are looking for in our community ”

In phase one of Thrive, they will be able to enroll 40 students, with expansion in the works Brown said additional space on the campus will be used to be able to take on another 100 students

Vice President and co-founder of Family Initiative, Anjali Van Drie, added, “This new space will dramatically expand the services and support we can provide throughout Southwest Florida With Speaker (Paul) Renner’s support, as well as several of our local Southwest Florida delegates and the commitment from our local community, Thrive Academy will empower our students to reach their full potential ”

Brown and Van Drie gave major kudos to the parents and board members at Family Initiative, who are the backbone of what they do

“Their desire just to reach for something bigger and better,” Brown said “That’s the driving force and the reason this is happening Once we set a vision in motion, our team has just done an unbelievable job of just relentlessly pursuing that vision We’re here because of the hard work and advocacy of those folks ”

Family Initiative worked closely with state leadership on House Bill 1, which gave options to families on how they pursue their education

“The exciting part for us, with the scholarships available, almost all of the tuition (to Thrive Academy) will be covered by state funding,” Brown said

Florida Speaker of the House Paul Renner was in attendance Wednesday, and shared

BY CJ HADDAD

Officials, dignitaries, students, family members, teachers and more cut the ribbon Wednesday for Thrive Academy, a private autism specialty school designed to provide elementary, middle, and high school students with a comprehensive and individualized educational experience.

nothing but praise for Family Initiative and the work they are doing for families with children on the spectrum.

“There’s only a handful of things that you can put in the category of ‘truly special,’ and this is one of them,” Renner said “It’s been a long time coming, and I’ve known (Brown and Van Drie) for a decade Their commitment and leadership, as well as Rep (Jenna) Persons-Mulicka and Sen (Jonathan) Martin on this issue, made it happen ” Renner said working on House Bill 1 was something he wanted to pursue before he even ran for office

“I wanted to make sure every parent could send children to the school that best fit their needs,” he said “And that’s what school choice and educational freedom is about It’s

especially important for children in the unique abilities category, because they need some additional wraparound services. If they don’t get that, they’re just not going to get where they deserve to be and reach their full potential I’m glad to have played a small role in it ”

Of Brown and Van Drie, Renner added, “They not only possess leadership, but incredible heart To me, they’re like angels on earth They're just remarkable people ” Family Initiative Board Member Mary Ann Devivo has been with the organization for more than five years, and has seen firsthand how their program makes a difference Her daughter, Adrianna, is now 27 and started with Family Initiative shortly after the family moved to Cape Coral in 2016

“She has just come out of her shell through their therapists and their experience,” Devivo said “There’s a young adult group, so she’s able to make friends, which is the hardest thing for our kids

“We were encouraging (Family Initiative) to open the school because autism awareness needs to be out there more Because our kids look like everybody else, people just don’t understand why they act the way they do ” Devivo said Family Initiative is just that, a big family, and that money raised for the organization stays within the organization, and directly benefits the children

“And we want to expand and have a place for all our kids and be themselves,” she said “Adrianna now advocates for herself She always came from a place of ‘yes,’ and now she understands she has a voice, and she can say no to certain things They’ve taught her skills that will help her in the adult world office skills, communication skills And they are the most patient people I have met ”

Devivo had nothing put high praise for the staff, adding, “I have never seen a group of young people with so much compassion for our kids, and young adults It’s amazing to be able to walk through Thrive and see what the kids are doing and learning To be able to build out on our complex, gives me chills ”

Established in 2015, Family Initiative is a nonprofit organization based in Cape Coral, dedicated to supporting children, teens, and young adults impacted by ASD through innovative programs and evidence-based therapies. Family Initiative provides clinical services, educational programs, and community support, empowering individuals and families across Southwest Florida

For more information about Thrive Academy or Family Initiative, visit FIFlorida org or call 239-910-0712

We e k ly B R E E Z E R e c ap

Trees start coming down for Jaycee Park project

By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers com

While dreams of a newly renovated Cape Coral park officially began Tuesday afternoon, those at the project site felt as if they were watching a nightmare.

Peering through fenced blocked with black privacy tarps, Cape residents who fought for the preservation of Jaycee Park watched as trees began coming down along the Caloosahatchee riverfront The city of Cape Coral closed the park last Tuesday in advance of its planned $16$18 million renovation project for the facility at the end of Beach Parkway

Long-time Cape Coral resident and veteran James Cavana watched as his “safe space” began being dismantled

He remembered going to Jaycee Park from when he was a kid, to after he returned home from combat

“I love nature, and I would go down (to Jaycee Park) and watch the storms roll in, with dreams of going into the Navy,” Cavana said “When I came back, that was my safe zone They're taking away nature for money ”

The park is expected to remain closed until the fall of 2025, with a target for substantial completion within 15 months The Jaycee Park improvement plan addresses several deficiencies, city officials said Plans call for the replanting native trees, active facilities, as well as upgrading existing playgrounds and bathrooms, in addition to adding what the city says younger residents want open mic night and a cafe

Cape Coral City Council entered into a public-private partnership in August for construction as well as for the management of food and drink services, one of the new amenities

Cape Coral Councilmember Tom Hayden told The Breeze work on removing invasives in the park and along the shoreline will continue this week, which requires no permit (though shoreline disruption is being contested by residents)

“It's site preparation work right now,” Hayden said “Site preparation is going to go on for the rest of the year Construction should start at some point next year I don't know if we've come up with specific timelines yet for when that will start, but treatment will take some time ”

Permits in the pipeline include requests for seawalls that may need to go up along the waterfront Hayden said demolition permits will be required, and a South Florida Water Management permit and building permits will be obtained

Cavana called the project a “mistake,” and likened it to Lake Kennedy prior to Sun Splash, the city-owned, now privately operated, water park

“Twenty years later, they're doing the same thing with Jaycee Park,” he said “To tear down what Mother Nature created for revenue is stupid ”

The proposed enhancements to the park reflect recommendations in the parks master plan and the ULI report a bandshell, food truck court, inclusive playground and splash pad, covered pavilions and boardwalk, the cafe and food truck court and the removal of the pines, which are a designated invasive species

The Reef will sell alcohol There will be an established “wet zone” around the

Residents Beryl McNeal and James Cavana watch as the Australian pines along the Caloosahatchee riverfront at Jaycee Park started coming down Tuesday The city of Cape Coral closed the park last Tuesday in advance of its planned $16-$18 million renovation project for the facility at the end of Beach Parkway

perimeter of the concession stand The remainder of the park will be an alcoholfree dry zone, which could change during special events with the city manager’s approval

Cavana, along with a plethora of Cape residents who have been making their voice heard via City Council Meetings and petitions, said the peacefulness of the park, along with its serene feel, will no longer exist following city plans

Suffering from PTSD after his time served, which included being shot, breaking his leg, and saving a fellow comrade, Cavana said Jaycee Park was an outlet for his mental health struggles

“With PTSD, you don't get to pick and choose what's on your mind, so, I would go to that park,” he said. “It was a safe zone for my mental therapy I'd meditate Put everything behind me God gave me inspiration to overcome (suicidal thoughts) and I'd go down to the park twice-a-day, every day I'd feed the wildlife The park saved my life Along with many other people and veterans down there that used it for psychological and mental therapy It was a place that wasn't just an escape, but a place to clear your mind and set the violence aside It made me calm I could breathe

“I've shed more tears the last couple of days because of that park being taken down than anything The future generations aren't going to know nature like we know nature ”

Save Jaycee Park, a group of residents unhappy with the city’s renovation plan working for months to stop it, organized a petition drive that garnered nearly 8,000 signatures Due to tight time constraints, the number fell short of the 22,000 needed to place the issue on the November ballot as a citizen initiative

Fifteen-year resident and member of Save Jaycee Park, Tony Karp, said there have been a rush of emotions surrounding the ordeal, ones of “disappointment, anger, sadness ”

“It's a peaceful sanctuary,” said Karp, a retired Chicago firefighter “I've met a lot of veterans there, retired first responders,

and just ordinary people who like to go there and clear their heads

“A lot of people who retired here bought into the nearby condos for the peaceful park They wonder where they're going to go now People need a peaceful place to go. And they took that from us.”

Karp said at Jaycee Park, you could find young and old, parents and children- all walks of life enjoying a green space and breathtaking view of the Caloosahatchee

Karp and members of Save Jaycee Park tried in many forms and fashions to work with the city on the future of the site, Karp said, including meetings with city officials and council members sharing their thoughts

“We told them what we had in mind, which was basically restoration, renovation, with enhancements to revitalize the park,” Karp said “The funny thing is now they're using our verbiage ”

Save Jaycee Park members say with the park closing, they will no longer be able to walk the grounds, but rather the roads bordering the park They will no longer be able to drive up to the water with spaces for parking available There is also concern about the groups – particularly the mental health groups that meet at the park – where they are going to go?

Karp, who has a special needs daughter, said, “We would pull right into a car port and get out, it was so easy to do Now, we'll have to park at the end of the park And I talked to people who have walkers or are handicapped They said they're going to miss being able to drive up and get out and sit down right there ”

Much to-do has also been made out of the protection the shoreline trees give to the park and surrounding areas, as well as what wildlife is being disturbed in this process

“People are fed up,” said Karp said of what he said is the city's unwillingness to listen to residents, as well as what he calls their “rush” to get trees removed before the upcoming municipal election “We're just so disappointed We feel we've been

lied to, dismissed, and denied an opportunity to work together

“Because of their egos, their greed, they used their power to take that park away from the good citizens that like to use it ” Cape resident and fellow member of Save Jaycee Park, Kathy Lopez, said she was working outside the polls Tuesday “trying to get us a new City Council ”

“I have never lived in a city that took down their trees,” she said “I never lived in a city that was totally disrespectful of the people who are paying their exorbitant salaries. We've been fighting this for a year and a half And we've been fighting hard And they lie, and they cheat, and they defraud ”

Lopez said she inquired with the water management district, who she says told her the city does not have a permit to do work along the shoreline at Jaycee Park

“And they are destroying the shoreline, and it can't be rebuilt,” Lopez said “It's supposed to be a living shoreline untouched forever And they touched it I walked up this morning and got one block from the park and heard all this noise before 8 a m and they have five trees down already It was horrifying You can't get those 50- to 60-year-old trees back None of the residences on 22nd Place got flooded during the last couple of hurricanes because of those trees ”

A 17-year resident who lives on Beach Parkway, Lopez said she chose her place of residence because of Jaycee Park

“I walk it five days per week Not anymore,” she said “It was peaceful and quiet There was almost a soft whistling sound from the trees that was like a lullaby ”

Lopez said she and a group of friends, all widows, would go to the park once a week and have lunch under the trees along the shore protected from the sun

She said while she was at the park getting petitions, she saw the full power of the park and all those that utilized it

“Every socioeconomic group in Cape Coral uses that park, and the minute they change it and make it where people are going to have to pay, you're going to cut off a whole bunch of people who can't afford their kids to be fighting for a pizza or ice cream and just enjoy the park, instead of bringing their own sandwiches or beverages,” Lopez said,

“And AA used to meet there daily And they were told they had to find a new place to be In October they told all of those who had reservations they were canceled so they could destroy a park before the election so they could get the trees down It's so sad ”

Councilmember Bill Steinke last week asked if there was a temporary fix to supply the replacement need for pavilions during the closure of the park

Steinke said he would like to provide something temporarily possibly a commercial tent with picnic tables, or recommendations of other neighborhood parks close by to offer to people who reserve pavilions at Jaycee Park for birthday parties or social club meetings for the months it takes to complete the park City Manager Mike Ilczyszyn said staff will run an analysis of parks available within a two-tofive-mile radius

VALARIE HARRING

Primary ElEction - District 2

❑ laurie lehmaNN

There have been many issues/concerns expressed by residents and businesses as I have been campaigning

1 Citizens feel that they are being ignored by the current council I would hold monthly town hall meetings in my district to have the citizen’s concerns listened to and then work to rectify the problem

2. Citizens are concerned with wasteful spending. I would recommend a forensic audit by an outside auditor

3 The stipend I would make a motion to rescind it

4 Businesses are concerned with the delays in permitting and inspections thus delaying their openings I would look at staffing numbers and add staff if necessary Also upgrade the current computer system to cut down on the delays

❑ DerriCk DoNNell Der rickDonnell.com

Make no mistake about it, the chief issue expressed by both the residents and our business community was and continues to be that of the stipend Many residents I spoke to shared that they thought council members deserved a higher salary However, they were absolutely against the way the council obtained the salary To address it, the first order of business is to rescind the stipend. After the stipend is rescinded, we should then draft an ordinance that codifies the philosophy that the city council will not have the opportunity or authority in the future to vote on any type of compensation for themselves The authority to grant any type of salary or salary increase will rest solely with the people in terms of a ballot initiative

Each week through the General Election, The Breeze will ask the candidates for Cape Coral City Council an issue-related question In the interest of fairness, each candidate is limited to the same amount of space, about 100 words, for their response

❑ DaN shepparD (iNCumbeNt)

To address growth in north Cape, encourage proper commercial development which will reduce the need for residents to travel long distances for goods and services, minimizing traffic and congestion

Expanding the UEP, completing new parks and focusing on beautification projects will enhance the community

Key opportunities including upcoming Lee Health facilities on Veterans Parkway, which will meet local medical needs Improve boating access off the Spreader Canal in the northwest, boosting recreational opportunities and property values

These efforts will create a more self-sufficient and attractive environment for families and residents alike.

Primary ElEction - District 3

I’ve spent the past nine months speaking with residents and have come to learn a lot from them Having been here 50 years, it came as no surprise to me that the citizens of this city want one, basic thing from their government: respect A government is supposed to support its citizens, not deceive them A government should make life easier for its citizens, not for itself The residents of Cape Coral have made it clear that the city council has fallen short of these standards mainly via the stipend City Council effectively gave themselves a 100% pay increase via a stipend, and because they dubbed it a stipend, they avoided going to a ballot referendum This is not only disrespectful, it’s wrong I intend to motion to rescind the stipend and will never take a dime of it Additionally, I want to go through the process to amend the charter so that a future council can’t do it again My goal is to restore respect for citizens and make our city council trustworthy again

Primary ElEction - District 4

❑ riCharD Carr (iNCumbeNt) VoterichCar r com

I’ve found that many people have lost respect for the city council, largely due to the self-imposed stipend. This decision cast a shadow over all actions taken since, even the positive ones Throughout my work, I have strived to rebuild trust by representing myself in a way that reflects integrity and transparency The first step I took in this effort was to decline the stipend I was appointed after the vote, and ultimately, I did not agree with the process used to implement it If elected, I will continue this effort for the duration of my term To truly begin restoring confidence in the council, the first step must be to rescind the stipend With the support of incoming council members, I believe we can make this change Rebuilding trust takes time and requires consistent actions that prioritize resident involvement in our decisions Listening and fostering meaningful discussions especially when opinions on the city’s direction differ will be key to this process

Important dates

∫ General Election: Tuesday, Nov 5

∫ Deadline to register to vote or change party affiliation: It was Oct. 7.

∫ Mail ballots: The first vote-by-mail ballots were sent out on Tuesday, Oct. 1; the deadline to request one was Oct. 24.

∫ Early Voting: Monday, Oct 21, through Saturday, Nov 2, from 10 a m to 6 p m daily Visit lee vote/Early-VotingInformation/Early-Voting-Dates-and-Locations for locations

JeNNifer NelsoN NelsonforDistrict4.com

Traffic and permitting were two biggest concerns I heard from residents and business owners We need to streamline our permitting process to mirror what Lee County and Fort Myers

Traffic is the number one issue Light timing, road widening, flyover to 75, use of new processes to significantly shorten construction time, such as the design build process I would support Public Safety is a top priority

Resources

The Lee County Supervisor of Elections posts all city-election related documents, including campaign reports at lee.vote.

Lee vote also offers a wealth of elections-related information concerning registration, voting, dates and candidate lists and documents

Information on the Constitutional amendments appearing on the ballot may be found at lee.vote/Election-Information/ProposedBallot-Measures

∫ The League of Women Voters, Lee County offers electionrelated information on its website, my.lwv.org/florida/lee-county.

❑

uestion of the Week Q

❑ chaRlie pease votecharliepease.com W h a t w a s t h e c h i e f i s s u e o r c o n c e r n expressed by residents and/or businesses a s y o u c a m p a i g n e d ? H o w w o u l d y o u address it?

❑ Joseph KilRaine Kilr aineforcape.com

R e s i d e n t s o v e r w h e l m i n g l y u p s e t a t “ m o m e n t - i n - t i m eissues” of residents off committees & the stipend easily fixed by reversing both then rebuilding trust through resident involvement, respect & transparency The durable long-term issue is infrastructure not paced to hyper-growth Manifested in Traffic, too many apartments, potable water supply- North Cape, poor drainage & costs Fixes water!! reorder-accelerate UEP with added federal funding support, traffic!! do roads correctly with UEP in North/pursue I-75 access, reduce driving needs via smart housing eg Grove model (basic needs within walking-improves apartment impacts too) multimodal transport drainage!! right-size North get federal climate funding, fix South locations via smart engineering, cost!!- cut waste-unneeded programs

Each week through the General Election, The Breeze will ask the candidates for Cape Coral City Council an issue-related question In the interest of fairness, each candidate is limited to the same amount of space, about 100 words, for their response

While the self-approved stipend which I will certainly vote to end often comes up, the primary concern for most residents is sustainable growth To achieve smart growth, we need to revisit Cape Coral’s Comprehensive and Strategic Plans and set clear goals with input from stakeholders, including residents and industry partners. The City Council is crucial in planning, funding, and executing infrastructure projects; we need to expedite roadway and utility improvements to enhance traffic flow and solve water issues Protecting preservation and park land is also essential to maintain a balance of green space and wildlife habitat Lastly, we should guide commercial and mixed-use projects using strategies such as tax increment financing, appropriate zoning, and potential new sub-zoning regulations

Rachel KaduK R achelK aduk.com

The majority of the people I have spoken with are concerned about the growth of the city and the problems with the infrastructure There is not much we can do about the growth of the city as people will continue to flock to our area Where we need to do better is we have to be more proactive about the infrastructure needs for the coming years and addressing those needs now before it becomes an issue We also need to look at our remaining commercial space and make sure it is properly zoned for the upcoming needs of the city

Improving the city’s infrastructure and roadways is crucial as we continue to build out The most common compliant is traffic We need to look at coordinating traffic signals to increase flows and reduce delays. This issue is at Del Prado & Cape Coral Parkway every morning The light turns green, but at Cape Coral Parkway that light is still red We also have so many four-way stops that continue to be backed up We need to look at roundabouts or signals for those major arteries now I look forward to being “Road Rachel” for Cape Coral, should I be elected

About CApe CorAl Cit y CounCil

Cape Coral has a city manager/council form of government A Council-appointed, contract city manager runs the day-to-day operations of the city. Cape Coral City Council is an elected eight-member board comprised of a mayor and seven council members who set policy and are accountable to the voters. The mayor may live in any district. Council members are elected “at large” meaning while candidates must live in the district they seek to represent, the seats are filled via non-partisan, citywide elections. Every registered Cape voter, no matter their party affiliation or city address, may cast a ballot in every race in both primary and general elections

Each week first through the primary and then through the General Election, The Breeze will ask the candidates for Cape Coral City Council an issue-related question In the interest of fairness, each candidate is limited to the same amount of space, about 100 or so words, for their response

■ Week 1, published July 5:

Why are you running? What are your top three issues?

■ Week 2: published July 12:

Should the stipend approved by Cape Coral City Council in addition to member salaries be retained, rescinded or modified?

■ Week 3, published July 19:

How will you weigh projects with a potential citywide benefit but also a perceived neighborhood impact?

■ Week 4, published July 26:

How would you define your position on public-private partnerships?

■ Week 5, published Aug 2:

How would you build consensus to accomplish your

objectives?

■ Week 6, published Aug. 9:

What is your first impression of the city's working budget for the next fiscal year?

■ Week 7, published Aug. 16:

What are your views on “accessory dwelling units?

■ Week 8, published Aug. 30:

What should be done with the old golf course acreage?

■ Week 9 published Sept 6:

Where do you see the city in terms of overall employee compensation, i e wages and benefits? What, if any, changes should Council consider?

■ Week 10, published Sept. 13

What, if anything, should be done to address transparency?

■ Week 11, published, Sept. 20

Should members of Council comment on issues outside of scheduled meetings? Should Council appoint a single spokesperson for media and other inquiries?

■ Week 12, published Sept. 27

What role, if any, should the city play regarding affordable and/or “workforce” housing?

■ Week 13, published Oct. 4

With mail ballots on their way, please answer the question you’ve been waiting to be asked

■ Week 14, published Oct 11

With a number of expansive park plans in the queue, how should the city fund these projects?

■ Week 15, published Oct 18

Name a growth-related challenge and/or opportunity you see for the north Cape? How should it be addressed or encouraged?

■ Week 16, published Oct. 25

What local issues should be addressed or prioritized at the state level?

■ Week 17, published today, Nov. 1

What was the chief issue or concern expressed by residents and/or businesses as you campaigned? How would you address it?

Fundraiser for Boathouse employees set

By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers com

A Cape Coral entity that supports local business is putting on an impromptu event to assist those impacted by a recent tragedy

The South Cape Hospitality & Entertainment Association has announced the “It’s a Beautiful Day at the Boathouse Pub Crawl,” to be held next Saturday from 7 to 11 p m

All proceeds from the walking pub crawl event will benefit the employees of the Boathouse Tiki Bar & Grill, which suffered a devastating fire on Oct 17

“SCHEA decided to put on this pub crawl to help out the Boathouse crew after the fire that left over 100 employees without work,” said SCHEA spokesperson Shannon Quinn “It’s all about showing up for our local community, supporting those who suddenly found themselves out of a job, and proving that we’ve got each other’s backs This is a chance for everyone to come together, have some fun, and make a difference for the Boathouse family.”

Attendees can support the Boathouse by coming out and enjoying a drink and appetizer sample at participating locations on Nov 9

“Coming out to support this cause is a great way to have fun and make a real difference,” Quinn said “It’s a chance for the community to rally together, show support for Boathouse employees affected by the fire, and help get them back on their feet Plus, you get to enjoy a night out with friends, meet new people, discover South Cape businesses and feel good knowing you’re making a positive impact right here in the community ”

Tickets are $20 in advance ($25 day-of) and include an event wristband, passport of locations to be stamped for eligibility to win the grand prize, a tiki-themed drink and appetizer sample at each location, eligibility to win prizes and raffle, entry into the photo booth contest, and more Quinn said to expect lots of entertainment, live music, dancing, singing, and good times

Locations, and their samples, include:

■ BackStreets Sports Bar - Koolaid & Coconut Shrimp

■ Cruisers - Pumpkin Apple Cider & Pumpkin Bars

■ The Dive - TBD

■ Dixie Roadhouse - Liki Tiki & TBD

■ Hooked Island Grill - Pineapple Express & Famous

Cuban Egg Roll Bites

■ Monkey Bar - Funky Monkey & Cheese Curds

■ Paradise Pizza - Sangria & Pizza

■ Rack’em Spirits & Time - TBD & Fried Chicken Bites

■ Ralph’s - TBD

■ Rusty’s Raw Bar & Grill - Wild Berry Lemonade & Caribbean Sweet Chili

Check-in time for this 21-plus event is from 6 to 7:30 p m at Big John's Plaza (near Pinch-a-Penny), with late check-in until 10 at the same location

T-shirt sponsorers for the event include BackStreets Sports Bar, No 3 Craft Brews & Beer Bar, Dixie Roadhouse, Genius Computer Repair & Service, High Tide Social, Hooked Island Grill, Lobster Lady, Nice Guys Pizza, Ralph's Place, Rusty's Raw Bar & Grill, Zak's Jewelry, Profiles, Titos Cantina Tequila Bar & Grille and The Dek

On Thursday, Oct 17, employees of the Boathouse discovered a fire shortly after closing, calling it in at 9:40 p.m. A large “fuel load” that included a fully re-stocked bar, and especially windy conditions that night, fed the fire was which was tackled by land and water

The popular eatery at the Cape Coral Yacht Club on Driftwood Drive had re-opened following Hurricane Milton just the day before

Owner Zak Kearns told The Breeze in a prior interview he has plans to reopen the Boathouse Tiki Bar & Grill The restaurant was essentially rebuilt after Hurricane Ian two years ago with all new tiki huts, electric, plumbing, fixtures Kearns said they are compiling data, putting things together and determining what the Boathouse can be and what he wants it to be

Tickets for the pub crawl are available on Eventbrite by searching, “South Cape ‘It’s a Beautiful Day at the Boat House’Pub Crawl ”

COMMUNITY

Surge survivors

BY SHERIE BLEILER

news@breezenewspapers com

If you live on property that was soaked in storm surge, you may be searching for some more salt tolerant plants to replace those that turned black

How does salt hurt plants? It actually dries the roots! When plants are flooded by salt water, their roots have less salt in them than the surrounding salt water So due to osmosis, the water in the roots leaves the plant and goes into the salt water Drying out the roots this way kills or damages the plant.

Many plants living on our coast are well adapted to living in spite of the salt water Sea-purslane does a remarkable job It often grows as a dune stabilizer not far from the water's edge It takes the salt and s t o r e s i t i n i t s t i s s u e s

GARDEN CLUB OF CAPE CORAL

Native Americans ate it raw or cooked as it is quite nutritious It tastes like a salty, crunchy leaf (I tried a leaf at Rotary Park ) Studies are working to determine if it can be used to remove the salt from soil, so that the soil can be productive again It can handle dry conditions as well as wet and can live directly on sand as a ground cover

Other native Florida ground covers - beach verbena, dune sunflower, frog fruit and blanket flower (gaillardia) - all tolerate salty soil and spray, but do not do well with surge, which would drown them for a time Rinsing them off after a surge does help to lower the salt content of the soil, so that most survive

Several small shrubs do not mind salty water Beach creeper is a matt-forming 1 to 2-foot shrub that produces flowers and fruits for birds year round Native sea-oxeye daisy grows in tidal flats and in our garden, too It is a 2 to 3-foot bush with gray-green foliage and yellow daisytype flowers Button sage, a native lantana, grows 3-5 feet Yellowtop, with its beautiful flowers, is 2-3 feet All are great for butterflies Coonties are my favorite They maintain their round form without trimming Indian hawthorn cultivars and dwarf pittosporum (Asia) are easy to grow and stay under 3 feet Day lilies! I had no idea they were so salt tolerant, and will move some to the back to try out

There are many possibilities if you are looking for taller shrubs or small trees Horizontal cocoplums (to 3 feet) take a surge better than red-tip cocoplums (to 10 feet), but both tolerate spray and salty soil. Wax myrtle and Florida privet make excellent hedges or can be trained as a small tree Jamaica caper has a tall cone shape Marlberry can take salt, dry, sun or shade, getting 8-18 feet Bay cedar is a wind resilient 10-foot evergreen shrub Beautyberry has abundant purple berries on its stems, 4-8 feet Necklace pod is 6-8 feet tall Each of these shrubs may be trimmed to suit your needs I prefer to find a space to allow them to grow to full size and let their personalities show Palms often grow near or upland of the shore Cabbage palms, our state palm, contribute much to a

SURGE SURVIVORS, page 34

NOVEMBER

Sun Splash holding ‘2nd Annual Share What You Can Food Drive’

Sun Splash Family Waterpark has announced its “2nd Annual Share What You Can Food Drive” taking place throughout November This initiative aims to support the community by collecting non-perishable food items for Cape Coral Cares

Patrons can bring five non-perishable food items on any operating day during November and receive a daily admission ticket per person for just $10 The ticket is valid through Dec 1, 2024

This food drive not only provides an opportunity for families to enjoy a day of fun at the waterpark but also encourages community involvement in supporting those in need. All donations benefit Cape Coral Cares, helping to ensure that families have access to essential food supplies

“We are thrilled to host this event again and make a positive impact in our community,” said Eric Reed, gener-

al manager at Sun Splash Family Waterpark “It's a great way for families to give back while enjoying everything SunSplash has to offer ”

The 2025 Season Passes are also on sale now for a limited time and include unlimited admission for the remainder of the 2024 Season through Dec 1 and all of the 2025 season Pass Perks include an automatic upgrade to a Premium Pass, 2 Free Buddy Tickets (each good for a onetime visit in 2025), free souvenir bottle, early entry, discounts on food, cabana rentals and friend tickets Both 2024 and 2025 Season Pass holders can bring a friend free on each visit for the remainder of the 2024 Season Plus, get ready to make an even bigger splash with the new Paradise Cove Wave Pool opening Summer 2025! For more information about events and park offerings, please visit www SunSplashWaterpark com

Southwest Florida Fine Craft Guild art exhibit at Cape Coral Library

A juried show titled “Artisan Adventures” featuring exceptional work by members of the Southwest Florida Fine Craft Guild will grace the walls and display cases of the Cape Coral Library art gallery from Nov 14 through Dec 30 Each piece in this exhibit is a handmade, original and unique product of the individual artist’s imagination

On display will be glass art, sculpture and mixed media, two-dimensional art, jewelry, functional art and fiber art

The library is at 921 S W 39th Terrace, off Mohawk Pakway, and the exhibit will be open during regular library hours

The Southwest Florida Fine Craft Guild was formed 53 years ago and is a highly respected non-profit artist collective for creative minds Members actively participate in the local community by lending their expertise and taking part in art exhibitions, workshops, demonstrations and art scholarships

Local artists are invited to join this group to expand their knowledge and connect with others. Whether you’re a seasoned fine craftsperson or just starting your creative journey, the guild is here to welcome you into the fold, and you can find information about joining on their website: www SWFFCG org

Changing art exhibitions in the library’s gallery are sponsored by the Friends of the Cape Coral Library and

www capefriends org Follow “Friends of the Cape Coral Library” on Facebook

Free legal clinic available for Lee County seniors to focus on hurricane hurdles

As parts of Southwest Florida continue to reel from the back-to-back blows of recent Hurricanes Helene and Milton, a local legal nonprofit is again hosting a free clinic for area seniors in need of limited legal advice on civil matters

Law at the Library is a quarterly conversation sponsored by the Lee County Legal Aid Society with support from the AARP Foundation

The next session is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov 13, from 9 a.m. to noon, at the Fort Myers Regional Library meeting room, 1651 Lee St , Fort Myers, and is open to Lee County residents ages 50 and older

The event will begin with light refreshments, followed by a panel presentation by local attorneys on topics in civil law of interest to seniors, with an emphasis on post-hurricane legal issues, including contractor fraud and insurance claims

The panel’s 30-minute presentation will be followed by an audience question-and-answer session and then 20minute individual appointments with volunteer attorneys on

any legal issue, excluding criminal cases, beginning at 10 a m

Advance registration is required Participants should email Nanci@leecountylegalaid org or call 239-334-6118 and provide contact information, a brief description of the legal advice being sought, and any relevant documents Participants should also bring those documents to the meeting

Unlike in criminal law, there is no constitutional right to counsel in civil law, which includes landlord-tenant disputes, foreclosures, evictions, probate, debt collection, child custody cases, domestic violence orders of protection and more

Law at the Library follows a similar series of free legal workshops “Just for Seniors” offered by Lee County Legal Aid Society in prior years through support from The Community Foundation

For more information on Lee County Legal Aid Society, visit leecountylegalaid org or call 239-334-6118

SHERIE BLEILER

A coontie plant

PHOTO PROVIDED

A stone sculpture by Lynn Ondercin

Donalds faces challenge from Lerner in race for Congress

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Byron Donalds, incumbent Kari Lerner

Mariner High Band Director Jimmy Ortega, Mariner High School Principal Dr Thomas Michel and Mariner Band Booster President Meghan Denny

Hafenkapelle German Band from GASC makes donation to Cape’s high school bands

German American Social Club has again made financial donations to the four Cape Coral Public High Schools Part of the club's mission is to support the youth in local communities and to further stimulate interest in the music of both Germany and the United States

The Hafenkapelle donations of $7,000 per school will provide additional financial backing

High School - Stephen Johnson, director; Mariner High School

Grebb, director; and Cape Coral High School - Eduardo Ortega, director

The GASC is located at 2101 S.W. Pine Island Road, in Cape Coral

call 239-283-1400

Lee School District receives landmark grant from Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation to enhance school gardens

The School District of Lee County has announced it has been awarded a transformative three-year, $450,000 grant from t h e S p r o u t s H e a l t h y C o m m u n i t i e s Foundation This groundbreaking funding is the largest grant of its kind awarded to a public school district by the foundation and will significantly enhance the District's Healthy Living Collaboration initiative, focusing on the development and expansion of school gardens

This grant will empower students across the School District to engage in hands-on learning experiences that promote healthy eating, sustainability, and environmental stewardship The funds will support the establishment and maintenance of school gardens, providing students with opportunities to cultivate fresh produce, learn about nutrition, and understand the importance of local food systems.

The Healthy Living Collaboration aims

EDUCATION BRIEFS

Blakemore joins Albion College Program of Distinction

ALBION, Mich -- Cape Coral student

Brooklyn Blakemore was recently accepted as a new member of Albion College's Gerald R Ford Institute for Leadership in Public Policy and Service

T

Leadership in Public Policy and Service provides students, regardless of their

tools, opportunities and “real

cation to pursue their passions for public policy and community leadership B

Albion College, is a resident of Cape Coral and a graduate of Mariner High School in Cape Coral

Albion College is a private liberal arts college of approximately 1,500 students and is nationally recognized for its academic excellence in the liberal arts tradition

to create an integrated approach to health education, incorporating nutrition, environmental education, agricultural education, and mental well-being into the curriculum With the introduction of school gardens, students will not only learn about growing their own food but also develop critical skills in teamwork, responsibility, and problem-solving

In addition to enriching the educational landscape, produce harvested in our school gardens goes directly into our school cafeterias School gardens that provide produce for the cafeteria offer numerous benefits, including:

■ Freshness and Nutrition: Gardengrown produce is often fresher than storebought items, retaining more nutrients and flavor This can enhance the overall quality of school meals

■ Educational Opportunities: Involvement in gardening teaches students about plant biology, nutrition, and environmental science It fosters hands-on learning and promotes a deeper understanding of food sources

■ Healthy Eating Habits: When students see and taste the fruits of their labor, they may be more inclined to try new veg-

etables and adopt healthier eating habits

■ Community Engagement: School gardens can involve parents and local organizations, fostering a sense of community and encouraging collaboration

■ Environmental Awareness: Students learn about sustainability, biodiversity, and the importance of local food systems, which can instill eco-friendly values

■ Social Skills and Teamwork: Gardening activities promote teamwork, responsibility, and social interaction among students

■ Cost Savings: Growing produce can reduce costs for schools, allowing budget reallocations to other important educational areas

■ Waste Reduction: Schools can compost food waste from the cafeteria back into the garden, promoting a closed-loop system that minimizes waste

■ Aesthetic Improvement: A garden can beautify school grounds, creating a pleasant environment for students and staff

■ Emotional Well-being: Gardening can be therapeutic, reducing stress and improving mental health for students and staff alike

From left, Cape Coral High Band Director Eduardo Ortega, Hafenkapelle Band members Dave Kenney, Mike Bortz

Christian Engelhart.

From left, Hafenkapelle Band member Mike Bortz, Ida Baker High Band Director Julian Grubb, Hafenkapelle Band President Ron Hagemeyer and band member Cindy McPhillips.

From left, Hafenkapelle Band member Cindy McPhillips, Island Coast High Band Director Stephen Johnson and Hafenkapelle Band President Ron Hagemeyer.

Lee commissioners approve Lee Health privatization

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com

In a special meeting Monday, the Lee County Board of County Commissioners voted to privatize Lee Health while approving a mission agreement

The move, referred to by Lee Health as the "conversion to a community-focused nonprofit organization," will take away the public's ability to vote in the board members of the Lee Health Special District Board of Directors and also will transfer assets into the new entity

The conversation will not have a negative impact on patient care but will bring new opportunities to Lee County's largest healthcare system, officials said

“Patients can expect the very same level of reliable, quality healthcare they have come to expect from Lee Health today, tomorrow, next month, and next year,” Dr. Larry Antonucci, president & CEO of Lee Health said “This change gives us the opportunity to provide additional access to care, bring in new clinical and business opportunities for providers, and expand healthcare options for our community Converting to a communityfocused nonprofit is not just about governance; it’s about ensuring a sustainable, high-quality healthcare system that serves the diverse needs of the community now and in the future ”

The members of the elected board currently serving will have the option of remaining in their seats for the new nonprofit entity, Lee Health System, Inc., which will become effective on Nov 1

"The current board members will remain in place through the transition," Lee Health spokesperson Jaclyn Bevis said "The Board of Directors will then work through a process to repopulate and be self-perpetuating, possibly through a governance committee or something similar They will seek talent from around the community and grow through similar processes of many other nonprofit board of directors "

The board had previously voted to pursue the path of privatizing from a publicly-overseen nonprofit to a pri-

“Patients can expect the very same level of reliable, quality healthcare they have come to expect from Lee Health today, tomorrow, next month, and next year This change gives us the opportunity to provide additional access to care, bring in new clinical and business opportunities for providers, and expand healthcare options for our community. Converting to a community-focused nonprofit is not just about governance; it’s about ensuring a sustainable, high-quality healthcare system that serves the diverse needs of the community now and in the future.”

Dr Larry Antonucci, president & CEO of Lee Health

vate nonprofit The organization has always been nonprofit

Lee Health Board of Directors Chair Donna Clarke, a former state representative, said the mission agreement will reinforce the commitment of Lee Health to treat patients "regardless of their ability to pay " Clarke said the privatization will allow Lee Health to "compete effectively" while continuing "our critical safety net mission "

Lee County resident Steve Maxwell expressed skepticism of the decision and gathered 100 signatures regarding the vote by the county commissioners to approve the agreement with Lee Health He said he reached out to the county attorney's office for an explanation of the new agreement but didn't receive a response He said his family worked for Lee Health for more than 35 years

"Hopefully the public will know what's going on behind closed doors We are losing the idea of a public hospital Remember, we were always nonprofit "

The votes allow for the conversion of the health system from a public/special district of government to a community-focused nonprofit and clears the path for Lee Health to finalize the conversion through the complete transfer of assets and liabilities of Lee Health to the successor community-focused nonprofit entity, Lee Health System, Inc

Changes to Lee Health’s Enabling Act in 2023

allowed the Board of Directors to evaluate if conversion to a community-focused nonprofit was in the best interest of the residents of Lee County Following the course prescribed by the legislation, the Board of Directors commissioned an independent study, engaged expert, thirdparty counsel, collaborated with federal, state and local governments and held multiple Board work sessions, community town halls and public workshop meetings

“We appreciate the important work done by the Lee County Board of County Commissioners in developing and approving the Mission Agreement,” Clarke said “With broad community engagement, Lee Health is now poised to complete the process of becoming a community-focused nonprofit Providing quality healthcare to everyone in our community is our fundamental responsibility and we are committed to carrying that mission forward ”

The vote by Lee County commissioners on Monday took place with few questions by any of the commissioners for county staff or Lee Health representatives Following approval of the mission agreement, commissioners also voted to approve the Industrial Development Agency's re issuance of Lee Health bonds not to exceed $850 million The re-issuance of the assigned indebtedness ends Lee Health's ability to issue tax exempt debt directly

Turnout: Tuesday, Nov. 5, is Election Day for the General Election

From page 1

Day ”

As of Thursday afternoon, a total of 280,951 votes had been counted by the Elections Office -- 151,408 Vote-ByMail, and 129,328 in Early Voting (215 provisional). Those numbers equate to a 57 29% voter turnout

"It tells us voters do not want to wait until election day to vote," Doyle said on what the high-number so far means

Doyle said some misinformation on social media was spread concerning the functionality of the Express Vote voting machines, but that it was quickly debunked Doyle said using the Express Vote is quick, easy and secure, and that if a voter encounters an issue, they should seek immediate assistance from a poll worker

Doyle added that voters are encouraged to review and mark their sample ballot before going to the polls There is a two-page ballot containing six amendments, and knowing what they want to vote for ahead of time can save individuals a significant amount of time at the polls

He also reminded voters to bring a valid photo ID with their signature

Taking advantage of the Early Voting period and not waiting for Election Day itself could prove to be a benefit to voters

"One primary reason is that unforeseen circumstances may arise that could prevent a voter from going to the polls on election day," Doyle said "Voting early provides voters greater flexibility for when and where they vote "

Doyle added with new technology and an efficient staff, write-in ballots will not slow down tabulating results of the election

"No, we do not expect that, and it hasn't been an issue in the past," he said "However, an update to the voting system now automates the process of counting write-in votes, making it more efficient "

Early voting locations include:

■ Cape Coral-Lee County Public Library – 921 Southwest 39th Terrace, Cape Coral

■ Lee County Elections Cape Coral Branch Office –1039 Southeast 9th Ave

■ Northwest Regional Library – 519 Chiquita Blvd N ,

Cape Coral

■ North Fort Myers Recreation Center – 2000 N Recreation Parkway

■ Housing Authority of the City of Fort Myers – 4224

Renaissance Preserve Way,, Fort Myers

■ Lakes Regional Library – 15290 Bass Road, Fort Myers

■ Lee County Elections Center – 13180 S Cleveland Ave , Fort Myers

■ Fort Myers Regional Library – 1651 Lee St

■ Lehigh Acres Elections Office – 600 Homestead

Road Suite #9, Lehigh Acres

■ East County Regional Library – 881 Gunnery Road N , Lehigh Acres

■ Estero Recreation Center – 9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd , Estero

■ Lee County Elections Bonita Springs Branch – 25987 S Tamiami Trail #105

In addition to the hotly contested presidential race highlighted by the Donald Trump/JD Vance and Kamala Harris/Tim Walz faceoff, races and state constitutional amendments on the General Election Ballot in Lee County include:

■ City of Cape Coral City Council

District 2 - Laurie Lehmann and Dan Sheppard (incumbent)

District 3 - Derrick Donnell and Deborah Lee McCormick

District 4 - Richard Carr (incumbent) and Jennifer Nelson

District 5 - Joseph Kilraine and Charlie Pease

District 7 - Michael Harper and Rachel Kaduk

Cape Coral City Council races are non-partisan, at-large elections meaning Cape Coral voters may cast a ballot in each race no matter in which district they reside

■ Lee County School Board

District 7- Vanessa Chaviano and Sheridan Chester

The District 7 race is at-large, meaning all Lee County voters may cast a ballot in this race

■ District Superintendent of Schools

Denise Carlin (REP) and Victor Arias (DEM)

■ Lee County Sheriff

Carmine Marceno, incumbent (REP) and write-in

Michael Hollow

■ Board of County Commissioners

District 3 - David Mulicka (REP) and write-in Jake Cataldo

District 5 - Mike Greenwell, incumbent (REP incumbent) and Kizzie Fowler (DEM)

Lee County Commission races are at-large elections meaning Lee County voters may cast a ballot in each race no matter the district in which they reside

■ Lee Memorial Health System Board of Directors

District 5 - Daniel Alder, Kathy Bridge-Lines and Joseph R Gambino

■ United States Senator

Rick Scott (REP) and Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (DEM) and three other challengers

■ Representative in Congress

District 19- Byron Donalds, incumbent (REP) and Kari L. Lerner (DEM)

■ State Representative

District 79 - Mike Giallombardo, incumbent (REP) and Denise McCleary (DEM)

■ Constitutional Amendments

Voter vote yes to approve, no to oppose A 60% majority is required for passage

Amendment No. 1 - Partisan Election of Members of District School Boards

Amendment No. 2 - Right to Fish and Hunt

Amendment No. 3 - Adult Personal Use of Marijuana

Amendment No. 4 – Amendment to Limit Government Interference with Abortion

Amendment No. 5 - Annual Adjustments to the Value of Certain Homestead Exemptions

Amendment No 6 - Repeal of Public Financing for Statewide Campaigns Amendment

For a sample ballot visit https://www lee vote

For more vote-by-mail information, visit www lee vote/Vote-by-Mail/Vote-by-Mail-Information

For Early Voting information, visit www lee vote/EarlyVoting-Information/Early-Voting-Dates-and-Locations

Cape Council: Five at-large municipal races on the Nov. 5 ballot

From page 1

2, 3, 4, 5, and 7

Among the races, there are two incumbents up for re-election, while one incumbent did not made it out of the primary

City voters may cast a ballot in each of the non-partisan races, no matter the district in which they live.

The races and candidates are:

■ District 2 - Laurie Lehmann and Dan Sheppard (incumbent)

Sheppard, 61, is the owner of Sheppard Landscape, Inc and Palm Source Pine Island, LLC

His educational background includes a high school diploma and trade school He is a 25-year resident of the district, and is active in supporting and donating to many non-profit organizations throughout Cape Coral

“As voters consider their choices, I want them to know that my commitment to Cape Coral is rooted in nearly two decades of experience and a deep, family-oriented vision for our community’s future,” Sheppard told The Breeze. “Over the years, I’ve dedicated myself to making our city a better place My time on the City Council has brought significant progress new parks and community destinations that enhance our quality of life, the successful purchase of a golf course that will serve the residents for years to come, and the crucial expansion of Lee Health facilities into Cape Coral, which ensures that top-tier healthcare is more accessible to all ”

Lehmann, 70, is a retired registered nurse She practiced at Lakeland Regional Medical Center and Brandon Regional Hospital, with a specialty in neuro intensive care

Economics/Accounting, as well as her nursing degree She is a 20-year resident of the district, and actively volunteers with park groups

“I want voters to know that I am not an incumbent,” she told The Breeze “I want to be part of the solution in a city we can be proud to live in I have been attending and speaking at council meetings for two years to no avail I want to be a voice for the citizens on the council When people make me aware of an issue they are having, I have already endeavored to help them even though I am cam-

About Cape Coral Gover nment

Cape Coral has a city manager/council form of government

A Council-appointed, contract city manager runs the day-to-day operations of the city

Cape Coral City Council is an elected eight-member board comprised of a mayor and seven council members who set policy and are accountable to the voters

The mayor may live in any district Council members are elected “at large” meaning while candidates must live in the district they seek to represent, the seats are filled via non-partisan, citywide elections

Every registered Cape voter, no matter their party affiliation or city address, may cast a ballot in every race

paigning We need change in the city and I will do everything I can to facilitate this I want to see projects completed before the city starts new ones, (such as) the Yacht Club and Festival Park. We need to address traffic problems, and strengthen our infrastructure "

■ District 3- Derrick Donnell and Deborah Lee McCormick

Donnell, 60, is an educator for the School District of Lee County at Dunbar Middle School, and adjunct professor at Florida SouthWestern State College

He is a former city council member He has resided in the reconfigured district for two years He received his Bachelors in Science from Jackson State University, and Master’s from Jackson State University Donnell also earned his Doctorate in Education from the University of Central Florida.

He served on the Lee County Human Services Council, is a former Metropolitan Planning Organization District 4 appointee, basketball referee, deejay for community events, a Grace Church member, and Kappa Alpha Psi fra-

ternity member

“I am a proud husband of thirty-one years and father of two beautiful daughters,” Donnell told The Breeze “I have served my country as both an enlisted man and an officer in the United States Marine Corps. The Marine Corps further enforced the foundational principles upon which my mom and dad instilled in me: honesty, hard work, and teamwork These traits have prepared me for the opportunity to serve our residents as their City Council representative A cornerstone of my campaign is to listen critically to our residents I have heard both the residents and our business community speak loudly and clearly concerning t h e s t i p e n d T h u s , I w i l l v o t e

Simultaneously, I have heard our residents’ desire to be heard and have an opportunity to share their skills and knowledge in order to make us a better community Thus, I will vote to reinstate our citizen advisory committees as well as leave the door open for the potential of new committees Finally, I want the residents to know that I will continue to work hard to gain their trust and rebuild their confidence in the city council We have a fantastic city, and with us working together, we can become the example by which all other cities pattern to follow "

McCormick, 68, is a retired civil servant and legal secretary for 27 years

She graduated from Cypress Lake High School and earned her Secretarial Certificate from the Fort Myers Business College She also attended FGCU for Legal Studies

She is a 37-year resident of the district, and previously volunteered for various political campaigns

“Ahead of Tuesday, I want voters to know that I’m one of them,” McCormick told The Breeze “I’m not an attorney or real estate agent trying to advance my own position I’ve lived here for over fifty years I worked as a civil servant in various government offices for thirty-five years I raised my daughter and I’m helping to raise my grandchildren here I love my city and I want to see it thrive When elected, I intend to restore trust in our city council by

See CAPE COUNCIL, page 27

Cape Council: A majority of city seats up for grabs on Tuesday

rescinding the stipend, reducing costs for first responders, restoring citizen advisory boards, and doing the best I can to represent the people of Cape Coral ”

District 4 - Richard Carr (incumbent) and Jennifer Nelson Carr, 59, is a 30-year resident of the city and a retired law enforcement officer His educational background includes an Associates Degree in Science and Criminal

J u s t i c e H e a l s o e a r n e d h i s B a c h e l o r s i n P u b l i c Administration, and has his certificate from the FBI National Academy.

He was appointed to fill the District 4 seat in the wake of former council member Patty Cummings’ suspension from office by Gov Ron DeSantis following her arrest on charges related to falsifying her address to run for the seat

Appointed on Dec 13 of last year, Carr was not in office during some of Council’s more controversial votes, including its approval of the stipend, which Carr has declined to accept

“I am committed to rescinding the stipend, maintaining public safety, ensuring our infrastructure keeps pace with rapid growth, and involving citizens in decision-making,” Carr told the Breeze “With over thirty years of public administration experience, including twenty-five years as a police officer, I retired as a law enforcement leader I hold a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration and am a proud graduate of the FBI National Academy My entire adult life has been dedicated to public service, and I have been a resident of Cape Coral since 1993

“While I was appointed by the current city council, I have aligned with my colleagues on many issues, but there have been times when I took a different stance As an independent thinker, I carefully evaluate all sides of an issue before making decisions that affect Cape Coral residents If elected, I will continue to serve with professionalism and thoughtfulness, always making decisions in the best interest of our city My commitment is to remain transparent in my decision-making and accountable to all residents ”

From page 26 See CAPE COUNCIL,

Nelson, 54, is a former District 4 council member, having served from 2017 to 2022 She has her Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts, and is the executive director for Dress for Success Southwest Florida

“I’ve led a life of service and focused my career as a nonprofit executive on serving missions that provide workforce development opportunities to people with challenges, providing resources to our next generation of leaders, and coastal resiliency for our beaches,” Nelson told The Breeze “My experience will help me lead our city into the future by developing solutions to our issues with sustainable options moving forward. Our city is changing and becoming multi-generational, which means we must have all of our citizens’ best interests in mind as we grow ”

District 5 - Joseph Kilraine and Charlie Pease

Kilraine, 73, is retired and also a part-time business consultant

He earned his Bachelors in Science in Chemical

Polymer Engineering/MS Chemical Engineering, and Doctorate Business Administration program

He’s lived in the district for 20 years, and was a candidate for city council member in 2020 in District 3 before being reapportioned into District 5 three years ago He is a member of St Katharine Drexel Catholic Church, Cape Council for Progress, Republican Party of Lee County, Habitat for Humanity fundraising, Knights of Columbus, Harry Chapin Food Bank, and Cape Coral Caring Center He is a past member Rotary Club of Cape Coral, was Sandoval HOA BOD president, and chair of the Finance Group & Transition Committee

“I am a twenty-year resident championing resident voice, regaining trust in city government and leading a united drive to a future Cape which everyone is proud to call home,” Kilraine told The Breeze “Diverse groundfloor to senior exec expertise technical, financial, business, leadership in both fortune 100 and small business ownership all directly transferable to city governance I’m a proven leader not by title or appointment, but action

earned through performance I am a non-apologetic fighter for accomplishing what is right for residents in the longterm interest of the city I’m a budget hawk, who knows the city operations and budget inside out, experienced and skilled at building consensus though knowledge and fact’Go along, get along’ is not practiced by me A man of the people not special interests seeking financial reward Your full-time servant ”

Pease, 40, is the director of Cape Coral Technical College (head of school) He has his MBA, MA in Educational Policy and Leadership, BS in Mathematics, and a National Merit Scholar. He was also Cape Coral High School valedictorian Pease has held residence in District 5 for more than three years, and has been a fulltime Cape resident for nine years

He is a board member of Cape Coral Charter School Authority Governing Board, member of the Cape Coral Historical Society and Museum of History, Cape Coral Mayor’s Scholarship Fund and Golf Tournament chair, K

founder/spokesperson and more

“I’m a life-long public servant and educator,” Peas told The Breeze “I’m currently leading a thirty-thousand square-foot campus expansion project at Cape Coral Technical College to add training programs in Automotive Service, Marine Service, HVAC/R, Welding, and Building Trades My work with our community focuses on the intersection of economy, education, and workforce I also actively engage with local non-profits, advocating for school choice as an immediate past board member of the Oasis Charter School System and supporting historical preservation as a board member of the Cape Coral Historical Society & Museum

Infrastructure planning for traffic, stormwater management, water and sewer UEP, including cost reduction strategies, amenities, and conservation of green spaces.

“Restoration of trust This includes ending the stipend, restoring citizen advisory boards, adding town hall meet-

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

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Cape Council: Cape voters can cast a ballot in each district race

From page 27 Sanibel’s 50th anniversary celebration to begin

ings, proactive updates on projects, and transparent decision-making

“Fiscal responsibility Ensuring taxpayer money is used effectively to benefit our community while keeping taxes as low as possible This includes budget transparency and restoration of the Budget Review Committee.” D

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Congress:

From page 20

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t e r r o ri s t o r g a n i z a t i o n H a m a s , I r a n a n d i t s o t h e r t e r r o r i s t

p r o x i e s i n c l u d i n g H e z b o l l a h , D o n a l d s s a i d “ I s r a e l

n e e d s t o f i n i s h t h e j o b . T h e o n l y p a t h w a y f o r p e a c e i s f o r I s r a e l t o e r a d i c a t e i t s e n e m i e s " L e r n e r s a i d t h a t

s h e s u p p o r t s “ I s r a e l ’ s r i g h t t o d e f e n d i t s e l f a n d t h e

r i g h t o f t h e h o s t a g e s t o c o m e h o m e ” b u t a l s o s a i d s h e “ d o e s n ’ t s u p p o r t g e n o c i d e ” W h e n q u e s t i o n e d t o s u pp o r t h e r c l a i m o f g e n o c i d e , L e r n e r s a i d “ I d o n ’ t h a v e

t h e c i t a t i o n s ” H a m a s k i d n a p p e d m o r e t h a n 2 0 0 p e op l e f r o m I s r a e l o n O c t 7 a n d m u r d e r e d m o r e t h a n

1 , 2 0 0 p e o p l e T h e t e r r o r i s t g r o u p c o n t i n u e s t o h o l d

m o r e t h a n 1 0 0 h o s t a g e s I s r a e l h a s r e s p o n d e d b y

a t t a c k i n g H a m a s i n t h e G a z a S t r i p , w h i c h h a s r e s u l t e d i n a p p r o x i m a t e l y 4 0 , 0 0 0 d e a t h s - a b o u t h a l f o f w h i c h a r e b e l i e v e d t o b e H a m a s f i g h t e r s , a c c o r d i n g t o t h e

A s s o c i a t e d P r e s s .

B o t h c a n d i d a t e s s a y t h e y w a n t t o s e c u r e t h e b o r d e r w i t h M e x i c o “ W e n e e d t o k n o w w h o i s c r o s s i n g o u r

b o r d e r s , ” L e r n e r s a i d L e r n e r s a i d a b i p a r t i s a n b i l l n e g o t i a t e d e a r l i e r t h i s y e a r w o u l d h a v e a l l o w e d f o r m o r e b o r d e r a g e n t s a n d j u d g e s T h e b i l l u l t i m a t e l y d i d n o t g a r n e r e n o u g h R e p u b l i c a n s u p p o r t i n t h e S e n a t e

“ I t w a s a t e r r i b l e p i e c e o f l

County: Veterans Day

From page 9

m o t

c

F L / F

r t M y e r s / M I D P O I N T M A D N E S S V e t e r a n s D a y 5 K S o l i d W a s t e A l l g a r b a g e , r e c y c l i n g a n d y a r d w a s t e c o l l e c t i o n s i n u n i n c o r p o r a t e d L e e C o u n t y , t h e C i t y o f B o n i t a S p r i n g s , t h e V i l l a g e o f E s t e r o a n d t h e T o w n o f F o r t M y e r s B e a c h

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

c o l l e c t i o n d a y L e e C o u n t y S o l i d W a s t e o f f i c e s a r e c l o s e d o n M o n d a y , N o v . 1 1 , i n o b s e r v a n c e o f t h e h o l i d a y . T h i s i n c l u d e s o p e r a t i o n s a t t h e H o u s e h o l d C h e m i c a l W a s t e

C o l l e c t i o n F a c i l i t y , 6 4 4 1 T o p a z C o u r t T h e R e s o u r c e

R e c o v e r y F a c i l i t y o n B u c k i n g h a m R o a d a n d t h e

L e e / H e n d r y R e g i o n a l S o l i d W a s t e D i s p o s a l F a c i l i t y w i l l

b e o p e n C o m m u n i t y D e v e l o p m e n t T h e o f f i c e s o f L e e C o u n t y C o m m u n i t y D e v e l o p m e n t , i n c l u d i n g p e r m i t t i n g l o b b y a n d p h o n e s , w i l l b e c l o s e d

M o n d a y , N o v 1 1 , i n o b s e r v a n c e o f V e t e r a n s D a y

C o n t r a c t o r s m a y u t i l i z e t h e e l e c t r o n i c p e r m i t t i n g p o r t a l d u r i n g t h e c l o s u r e L e e C o u n t y U t i l i t i e s T h e o f f i c e s o f L e e C o u n t y U t i l i t i e s , t h e C a l l C e n t e r a n d d r i v e - t h r u w i n d o w w i l l b e c l o s e d M o n d a y , N o v 1 1 , i n o b s e r v a n c e o f V e t e r a n s D a y A d r o p - b o x i s o n - s i t e a t t h e f r o n t d o o r a n d a n o t h e r a c c e s s i b l e v i a t h e d r i v e - t h r u f o r p a y m e n t s b y c h e c k

F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t t h e L e e C o u n t y

D e p a r t m e n t o f T r a n s p o r t a t i o n , v i s i t w w w l e e g o v c o m / d o t o r e m a i l t r a f f i c c o n c e r n s t o L e e T r a f f i c T O C @ l e e g o v c o m F o r q u e s t i o n s r e g a r d i n g t h e b r i d g e c l o s u r e , c a l l 2 3 9 - 5 3 3 - 9 4 0 0

w o u l d

Lots of open house activities at fire stations across the city

From page 7

■ Station 2, 521 Nicholas Parkway: Cape Coral Police Department officers (human and K-9) will be onsite with a patrol car, motorcycle, UTV, and drones at the “CCPD Station ”

■ Station 4, 2007 Santa Barbara Blvd : The “Water Safety Station” will showcase the CCFD’s marine and dive equipment, and the US Coast Guard Auxiliary and their mascot, "Coastie," will also be at this station to interact with visitors Water safety information from Lee Health, the YMCA, and Infant Swim Rescue Instruction will also be available

■ Station 5, 1029 Diplomat Parkway: The “Wildland Safety Station” is where guests can see the equipment used for fighting brush fires including the CCFD’s mon-

ster brush truck, a Florida Fish and Wildlife UTV, and a Florida Forest Service bulldozer and tractor FWC will also have a wildlife artifacts display, and visitors can also meet Forestry's famous mascot, "Smokey "

■ Station 6, 4540 Chiquita Parkway: The “Vehicle Safety Station” will have vehicle extrication demonstrations and car seat checks with SafeKids, and the Florida Department of Transportation will celebrate Mobility Week with safe, multimodal transportation information and free bicycle helmet fittings

■ Station 8, 707 S W 1st St : Visitors will be able to get up close with a Lee County Mosquito Control District (LCMCD) helicopter and a Lee County Hyacinth Control truck and airboat at the “Don’t Bug Me Station ” There will also be an educational insect display

Firefighter Station” allows kids to don gear and navigate firefighter obstacles such as crawling through a smoky tunnel, using a hose, and climbing through a window

■ Station 11, 1038 Burnt Store Road: The “Lee County EMS Station” will have an ambulance and the LeeFlight helicopter for guests to tour

■ Station 12, 2129 Chiquita Blvd : At the “Special Operations Station” visitors will learn about special operations performed by firefighters including hazardous material response and Urban Search and Rescue and can meet some of TRISAR K9 Search and Recovery’s K9 partners

■ Station 13, 2025 N.E. 6th St.: The “Child Safety Station” will have an inflatable fire safety smoke house for guests to explore, face-painting, 9-1-1 for kids with CCPD Dispatch, kids fingerprinting, and the United Way ReUnite program which is offered for children and vulnerable adults who may be prone to wandering or becoming lost

■ Station 3, 1627 Everest Parkway; Station 7, 3942 Burnt Store Road N ; and Station 10, 3623 Gator Circle, West, will have CCFD Open House activities

For more information, visit capecoralfire com/openhouse

Goal: Collections

From page 1

1821 SW 4nd Street and 1119 NW 31st Ave and will take construction debris and vegetative waste

The two drop-off sites initially saw 80 vehicles at the southwest site before dropping to about 20 vehicles while the northwest site was 25 vehicles to 15 vehicles

Now that other areas are covered, Schweitzer said Waste Pro will have additional resources in Cape Coral, beginning Saturday and Sunday

Once they get through Monday things are really going to get rolling, he said

“Things are moving They are happening It is going to take another week or two to get more up off the ground By Thanksgiving, things will get back to normal,” Schweitzer said “It looks slow, but I can tell you, the speed of removal is going to start increasing ”

To date, they have collected just under 2,000 cubic yards of vegetation The estimate is about 100,000 cubic yards at the high end, and 50,000 cubic yards at the low end

He said Waste Pro’s horticulture pickup is 50% higher than usual

In Southwest Cape Coral, 75% of debris collection is horticulture

“That is where we started our debris collection,” Schweitzer said

HEALTH

HEALTH BRIEFS

Elite DNA Behavioral Health relocates Cape Coral office

Elite DNA Behavioral Health, a comprehensive b

e a

h

r

p

o v i d e r , h a s announced the relocation of its Cape Coral office

Now located at 418 S.W. 47th Terrace, the new 9,500-square-foot center accommodates the growing need for mental health care in Cape Coral

The new office provides a range of in-person and virtual mental and behavioral health services for children, adolescents and adults, including psychiatry, psychotherapy, trauma therapy, care coordination, couples counseling, family therapy, veteran mental health and LGBTQIA+ mental health services

All current Cape Coral providers will relocate to the new office along with new staff being hired to support the new location

For more information or to schedule an appointment at the Cape Coral office, call 239-673-9034 or visit EliteDNA com Most insurances, including Medicaid and Medicare, are accepted

T HE BREE ZE

NOVEMBER

1, 2024

How to keep your lungs healthy

Lung cancer kills more men and women each year in the United States than any other cancer To lessen your risk of getting the disease, taking steps to quit any nicotine habit will make an impact With so many new products available, it’s important to know the risks associated with smoking, vaping and other nicotine options, as well as the impact of family history and how to ensure early detection

Are all tobacco products the same?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly nine out of 10 lung cancers are caused by smoking cigarettes Those who are exposed to secondhand smoke also raise their risk of getting lung cancer by 20% to 30%

Dr

Shyam Kapadia

Guest Comment

(CT scan) if you:

■ Smoke 20 packs of cigarettes a year

■ Smoke now or have quit within the past 15 years

■ Are between 50 and 80 years old

If you meet any of these requirements or if you’d like more information, please contact your primary care provider For more information, visit www leehealth org

Advances in lung cancer detection

Lee Health has added the ION roboticassisted bronchoscopy platform to its robotics program to help physicians detect lung cancer much earlier than with traditional methods Additionally, it has launched the Advanced Lung Care Center, where patients can receive both lung cancer screenings and follow-ups for abnormal imaging findings to expedite their care

Healthcare Specialists

Or thopaedic sur geon Sagini joins Precision

Board-certified orthopaedic surgeon Dr Dennis Sagini has joined Precision Healthcare Specialists, introducing a new specialty to the thriving practice

Specializing in hand, wrist and elbow surgery, Sagini treats patients experiencing arthritis of the hand, nerve compression, muscle and tendon injuries, and upper extremity dysfunction He also provides fracture care

C

American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, Sagini performs minimally invasive surgical procedures as well as non-surgical treatments to help patients improve f

includes bones, joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments and cartilage He is a member of the American Academy of O r t h o p a

Society

Prior to joining Precision, Sagini worked for 15 years in Fort Myers as an orthopaedic surgeon for Joint Implant Surgeons of Florida. He earned a bachelor of science degree in medical microbiology and bacteriology from the University of Oklahoma before completing a doctor of medicine degree at Temple University

Sagini’s orthopaedic surgery office is located at 13691 Metro Parkway, Suite 400, in Fort Myers Call 239-302-3216 or visit PHSpecialists com for more information

Smiles for the Community's annual day of free dental care Nov. 16

Smiles for the Community has announced its third annual Free Dentistry Day scheduled for Saturday, Nov 16, at Lee Dental Care, 3436 Cleveland Ave , Fort Myers

Collaborating with the Blue Sea Dental group of practices and in partnership with volunteers from the local dental community, this offers free dental care to adults 18+ who might not otherwise have access to dental care

Registration will begin at 7 a m Treatment services will be administered until 3 p m exclusively for registered patients Services are first-come, first-served, so early arrival is strongly recommended Organizers guarantee that the first 200 patients to register will be seen.

Attendees are advised to dress appropriately for outdoor waiting areas and to consider bringing along refreshments, water and any other essentials to ensure their comfort while waiting for service On-site parking is limited so carpooling is encouraged

Adding to the atmosphere of giving, the Harry Chapin Food Bank will be onsite and barbery students from the Cape Coral Technical College Barbery program will be offering free haircuts to participants

For additional information and updates regarding the f r e e d e n t a l c a r e e v e n t , p l e a s e v i s i t w w w s m i l e sforthecommunity.org.

Smoking is one of the most common ways to put nicotine into your body, however, there are a handful of other nicotine products available as well, many of which advertise appealing flavors to teenagers and young adults They include:

■ Vaping E-cigarettes

■ Using smokeless tobacco pouches

■ Chewing tobacco

■ Nicotine gum

■ Nicotine patches

There are thousands of chemicals in cigarette smoke and many of them are carcinogens The human body can work to detoxify and get rid of carcinogens, but when it’s unable to do so, leftover carcinogens can cause cells in the body to mutate, and sometimes transform into cancerous cells

The more smoke that’s inhaled or put into the body, the more chance there is for these mutations to develop If someone smokes frequently for a long period of time, they will have a higher risk of developing lung cancer However, there are other risk factors

Many of the carcinogens that are in cigarette smoke are found in vape smoke; however, there is not enough research on the newer product to directly explain long-term risks Additionally, vape smoke can also contain food-grade flavorings, aldehydes that can cause heart and lung disease, and other possible chemicals like metals

The most impactful way to decrease the risk of developing lung cancer is to stop smoking completely

Stopping the use of nicotine products can be made easier with the help of a support group and the support of family and friends

What are the risk factors for lung cancer?

Smoking and the use of other nicotine products is the number one cause of lung cancer Radon is the second-leading cause of the disease Radon is a gas that forms naturally in rocks, soil and water and it cannot be seen, tasted or smelled It can get through cracks or holes and become trapped and built up in the air Tests can be done to see if radon is in a home or building

The risk of lung cancer from radon exposure is higher for smokers compared to nonsmokers According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon is responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths every year and only about 14% of these deaths occur among people who have never smoked.

Breathing in other substances, such as asbestos, arsenic, diesel exhaust and some forms of silica and chromium can also put you at risk over time for developing lung cancer

Family

history of lung cancer

While nicotine products increase the risk of developing lung cancer, it is also at risk of being higher if your parents, brothers, sisters or children have had lung cancer

It’s also important for survivors of lung cancer to know that there is a chance that lung cancer can return if you do not quit smoking

How can I get screened for lung cancer?

It’s recommended to get screened before age 50 if you have a family history of lung cancer The United States Preventive Services Task Force recommends yearly lung cancer screening with a low dose computed tomography

So far this year, the ION robotic-assisted bronchoscopy platform has supported physicians in performing 532 biopsies Since its inception nearly two years ago, Lee Health physicians have completed over 800 biopsies

The robotic-assisted lung biopsy is conducted by a physician using the ION platform to navigate the path to the abnormality As the guided catheter approaches the abnormal area, the physician can confirm its location with a CT scan during the procedure This allows for a highly precise biopsy This technology has proven to be safer and better tolerated than traditional approaches

Detecting lung cancer early offers patients a much greater chance of survival and more effective treatment options Both the Advanced Lung Care Center and roboticassisted bronchoscopy support Lee Health’s commitment to the well-being of our community

Lung cancer symptoms

Unfortunately, lung cancer is a silent disease in many patients Therefore, knowing your risk factors and getting the appropriate screening if you meet the criteria is of the utmost importance Some of the symptoms of later stage lung cancer can include:

■ Coughing up blood or rust-colored spit or phlegm

■ A cough that doesn’t go away and is getting worse

■ Hoarseness

■ Chest pain that is worse with deep breathing, coughing or laughing

■ Unexplained weight loss

■ Loss of appetite

■ Feeling tired or weak

■ Shortness of breath

■ Infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia that don’t go away or keep coming back

■ New onset of wheezing

If you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms, it’s important to talk with your doctor and plan a screening to find out what is causing the symptoms

National Lung Cancer Screening Day

National Lung Cancer Screening Day is Nov 11, and the Lee Health Advanced Lung Care Center is hosting a community event on Saturday, Nov 11, from 9 a m to noon, at the Outpatient Center at the Sanctuary, 8960 Colonial Center Drive, in Fort Myers Those interested in attending must be prescreened before Nov 9 and be 50-80 years old, smoke 20 packs of cigarettes a year or have quit smoking within the past 15 years

To register, please visit www LeeHealth org/LungCancer-Screening and complete the “Schedule a Screening” questionnaire on the right-hand side of the webpage Our team will contact you to schedule a visit to complete a health history and discuss lung cancer screening this can be an “in person” or telehealth visit

You can call the Advanced Lung Care Center to schedule a lung cancer screening visit at 239-468-8074

If you have medical questions about lung cancer screenings, please call 239-343-5864 (LUNG)

Dr Shyam Kapadia is a pulmonologist and Medical Director at Lee Health Advanced Lung Care Center

Temple Judea welcomes new congregational leader; community invited to Nov. 10 installation

After a decade of service in Israel, a spiritual leader and multilingual Jewish educator with a musical background is the new rabbi of Temple Judea, Fort Myers’ Conservative synagogue.

To formally welcome Rabbi David Arias, Temple Judea is hosting an installation ceremony Sunday, Nov 10, at noon The public is invited to attend the complimentary event, which includes a ceremony, luncheon, live music and family-friendly activities To RSVP or for more information, visit www tjswfl org

A

Congregation in Haifa, Israel, leading the country’s oldest Conservative synagogue in its third largest city A native of Chile, Arias earned an undergraduate degree in music composition in his home country before moving to Israel, where he both served in the military and was ordained as a rabbi Arias, who relocated to Southwest Florida over the

summer with his wife and y o u n g c h i l d r e n ,

move an opportunity of a lifetime.

“

Judea, as a family, as Israelis, to bring a bit of the promised land to this corner of paradise

said “We’ve felt nothing but love since our arrival ”

“From its founding more than 50 years ago, our congregation has both grown and evolved – much as our city, county and region have similarly blossomed,” said Jan Klein, Temple Judea president “As we look to a future of further growth, investment and continued community service, Rabbi Arias is at the forefront of that effort ”

In addition to his rabbinical duties, Arias has served as a cantor and prayer leader in Jewish communities in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Europe, Israel and now the U S “As a rabbi and musician, I love to integrate both worlds and deepen the spirituality of Jewish tradition through its texts and melodies,” he said

About Temple Judea

Temple Judea is an egalitarian Conservative synagogue located at 14486 A&W Bulb Road in Fort Myers The synagogue serves approximately 120 households, proudly affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism Temple Judea perceives its congregation as a “family of families” and prides itself on being a warm and supportive community

In addition to prayer services, Temple Judea also provides for the educational needs of the community with a preschool, Hebrew school and adult education classes For additional information, please visit tjswfl org, email tjswfl@gmail com or call 239-433-0201

Ten authors to celebrate 10 years of Greater Naples Jewish Book Festival

Ten acclaimed authors are headed to Naples this winter as the Greater Naples Jewish Book Festival celebrates its 10th year of connecting local readers in conversation with renowned writers

The annual series, hosted by the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples, kicks off Dec 9 with author Adam Nimoy, the son of “Star Trek” actor Leonard Nimoy He will discuss his memoir, “The Most Human,” at 7 p m

The series continues Jan 10, with author Stuart E Eizenstat, a former U S ambassador to the European

Additional festival events feature both fiction and nonfiction writers, as well as a couple whose love of big-box retail shopping is chronicled in “The Joy of Costco ”

All events have a $25 admission fee and will take place at the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center, located at 4720 Pine Ridge Road in Naples

The festival highlights books about Jewish subjects or books written by Jewish authors and is held locally in cooperation with the Jewish Book Council, the longestrunning organization devoted exclusively to the support and celebration of Jewish literature

The 10 authors and titles featured in the 10th annual event, along with scheduled dates and times, include:

■ “The Most Human,” by A d

y , Dec 9 , at 7 p m

■ “ T h e A

D i p l omacy,” by Stuart E Eizenstat, Friday, Jan 10, at 1 p m ■

Tuesday, Jan 21, at 1 p m

■ “When Women Ran F

, ” b y J u l i e Satow, Wednesday, Jan 29, at 1 p m

■ “The Sequel,” by Jean Hanff Korelitz, Thursday, Feb. 13, at 1 p.m.

■ “ F o o

, H o p e a n d Resilience,” by June Hersh, Tuesday, Feb 25, at 10:30 a m

■ “The Boy with the Star Tattoo,” by Talia Carner, Monday, March 10, at 3:30 p m

■ “The Money Kings,” by Dan Schulman, Friday, March 21, at 1 p m

■ “We Must Not Think of Ourselves,” by Lauren Grodstein, Thursday, March 27, at 10:30 a m

■ “The Joy of Costco,”

, April 2, at 1 p m Books can be purchased at each event and at Barnes & Noble or Amazon To

Rabbi David Arias

If red tide stays away, expect a good weekend

With damaged homes, sunken or lost boats, local waters still containing boat and engine-damaging debris and to the north of us in Charlotte County, shorelines and bays coated with untold numbers of red tide killed fish, it’s often hard to be optimistic That said, for now let’s hope the remainder of hurricane season spares us more challenges and the fall red tide outbreaks don’t find a home in Lee County

T h e F W C r e d t i d e t e s t i n g m a p s h o w s n o concentrations of red tide issues in Lee County but fish kills have moved all the way down to Boca Grande Pass and could continue south depending on wind and currents Offshore of our slice of Southwest Florida, you may encounter some random patches but thankfully no heavy concentrations have been reported

Capt George Tunison

With the bad news out of the way, those able to get on local waters, wisely taking their time moving from spot to spot to avoid boat damage from obvious floating lumber as well as underwater gremlins, will find good fishing both in, near, as well as offshore With good weather ahead, offshore crews will enjoy a red snapper harvest weekend and also be treated to a variety of grouper, big mangrove and lane snapper fishing and delicious dinners

Hurricane winds and currents may have moved some of your offshore structures around a bit so you may have to adjust your bottom search Current weekend forecasts call for upper 80s, low rain chances and winds from 1015 mph But as any savvy angler knows, that could change at any time so get updated weather info just before your trip to keep yourself and your crew out of harm’s way

With lots of Spanish mackerel, available baitfish and cooling waters, the dinner bell is ringing and kingfish should be moving into our area to take advantage of the bounty Live baits behind the boat while anchored to trolling, these are fun fish to catch and range in size from “snakes” of 30 inches, up to huge razor-toothed, highspeed killing machines, like the current Florida state record 90-pound tank One of my all favorite lite tackle fish, the bonito, have arrived with more on the way and

TIDE CHART

North High volleyball team falls in regional championship match

By CHUCK BALLARO news@breezenewspapers com

The North Fort Myers volleyball team saw its 2024 season end the same way it began Only the venue had changed

On Saturday, the Red Knights were handed their walking papers in the semifinals of the Region 5A-3 championship in a straight set loss at Port Charlotte, 25-19, 25-9, 25-14

North Fort Myers (16-6) saw too much of Port Charlotte star hitter Nygeria Hart, whose 16 kills and 16 digs led Port Charlotte The Pirates also rang up double digit runs in the second and third sets that put those sets and the match out of reach

North coach Nancy Eskay said it was a rough day for her team, adding that her team simply got beat by a better team

“I don’t think we played our best game, but I have to tip my hat to Port Charlotte They’re a great program, they have nine seniors, they minimized their errors and we did the best we could against him,” Eskay said.

After winning their first-round match in four sets against St Petersburg at home, the fourth-seeded Red Knights had to go 30 miles north to face the top-seeded Pirates

Port Charlotte (18-8) opened its season with a four-set win at North, and expected its district rivals to give them another tough battle

And the Red Knights did, for a while Unfortunately, the Pirates found their groove and North Fort Myers made too many hitting errors early which cost them the first set

They also had problems with return of serve, which helped Grace Parent and Hanna Hall ring up runs of 12-0 and 10-0, respectively, to blow everything wide open

The Red Knights also had no answer to Hart, who just got stronger as the match continued, with seven kills in the final set which brought her career kill total to 1,000

Despite the disappointing ending, there is good news on the horizon North has only three seniors, with just one having played for Eskay all four years

Anna Byrne, the team’s leading hitter, returns, along with middle backs, sophomore Amari’Yonna Jennings, who led the team in blocks, and junior Madyson LaMay

Sophomore libero Harley Mendez led the team in digs and will also return, as will assist leader, setter Aliyah Santiago

This abundance of underclassmen presents a window of opportunity for the Red Knights for perhaps bigger and better things in 2025

However, for the seniors, it was the end of a great run of excellence Mya Boyd-Kiphart was a little misty following the match, knowing her high school career was over, but was confident she helped leave the program better for those who remain

“There’s a lot of love on this team We always support each other On the court, you’re pushing your team and keeping them together All you can do is put your best foot forward,” Boyd-Kiphart said “All the younger girls have played together for a long time and there’s a lot of chemistry I think the future looks good ”

Voting begins for Breeze Athlete of the Month for October

Breeze Staf f Repor t news@breezenewspapers com

Voting for the Cape Coral Breeze Athlete of the Month for October is now open

There were a number of top performances from studentathletes in The Breeze coverage area and now it’s up to readers to decide who will earn top honors for the month Nominees for October include:

■ Owen O'Leary, Junior, Mariner Tritons: The junior quarterback tied a single-game school record for passing touchdowns in a 56-17 district win over Ida Baker O'Leary threw for five touchdowns on the night, and was a threat with his legs, rushing for two more

■ Carter Smith, Senior, Bishop Verot Vikings: Smith continued his stellar high school career by helping the Vikings topple First Baptist Academy 34-28 The senior went 12-of-16 through the air for 181 yards and two touchdown passes He also rushed for 131 yards, adding two more scores.

■ Sienna Gasperini, Senior, Bishop Verot Vikings: The senior set a school record for a single-game high-score for the girls bowling team, rolling a 223 against Ida Baker Gasperini bowled eight strikes, including two separate turkeys, adding one spare in the record-setting game

■ Sarah Mikulus, Senior, Oasis Sharks: Mikulus recorded 31 digs, three aces and four kills, hitting 429, with 38 serve receive passes in two matches versus Mariner and

Community School of Naples The senior helped the Sharks get to the district championship match for the first time in a decade

■ Taylor Foster, Junior, Ida Baker Bulldogs: Foster helped lead the Bulldogs to a 6A District 12 semifinal win over Palmetto Ridge. In the 3-2 win, the junior collected 40 digs, 35 assists, four kills and three aces

■ Gervaris Leaphart, Senior, Island Coast Gators: The senior running back once again eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark, totaling 154 rushing yards on 29 carries in a loss to Cypress Lake Leaphart accounted for three rushing scores, giving him 14 touchdowns on the year in eight games He also surpassed the 1,000-yard mark on the season

■ Jacob Terry, Senior, North Fort Myers Red Knights: Terry took home a pair of District 3A-8 titles for the 50and 100-meter freestyle for the Red Knights swim team. He was also part of a second-place 200 freestyle relay that advanced to regional competition

■ Deshon Jenkins, Junior, Bishop Verot Vikings: The talented running back rushed 18 times for a whopping 203 yards and scored five touchdowns in a 56-7 Viking win over Clewiston

Athlete of the Month nominees are comprised of The Breeze’s staff-selected Athletes of the Week for that respective month To vote, visit www capecoralbreeze com and click the “Vote Now” icon on the homepage

PREP REPORT

Annual Calvin Peete Classic held at Magnolia Landing

By CHUCK BALLARO news@breezenewspapers com

The North Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce got exactly what it wanted on Saturday, a “chamber of commerce day” with sunny skies, warm temperatures and little humidity

If only they could have had that a few weeks ago instead of two horrible storms that ravaged the region with flooding, hurricane force winds and heavy rain

As a result, several teams scheduled to compete in the eighth-annual Calvin Peete Classic at Magnolia Landing backed out so they could work of fix their own homes There were still 16 teams in the field, however, and that brought lots of fun and excitement to the annual event

Wendy Murray, executive director of

From page 33

GIRLS Team (Baker) Round one

Jenson Beach d. Cape Coral 3-0

First consolation round

Cape Coral d. Lake Mary 3-1

Second consolation round

Cape Coral d. Cambridge 3-2

Individual

Tashi Baez (CC), Kaylee Marburger (IB) did not qualify

Tuesday Girls Golf District 2A-13

At Coral Oaks Golf Club, Par 72

Top two teams advance to region (* Advances as individual)

Te am: 1 For t Myers 348 2 Estero 418, 3 Riverdale 480

4 Nor th For t Myers 494 Indi vidual: 1 Amelia Alonso+ (FM) 80, 2 Sophia Reed (E) 80 3 Addison Ber ta (FM) 85 4 Macy Sawzyn (FM) 87 5 Sadie Johnson (E) 92 6 Harli Humber t (FM) 96 7 (tie)

the chamber, said two major hurricanes did have an impact, but the event was once again a huge success

“We lost five teams in the last two weeks, but we still had 16 teams, beautiful weather, it was a great day,” Murray said “It was a chamber of commerce day with the golf tournament ”

The event, which had become a little more serious for a few years, brought back some of the fun, gimmicky things that make these scrambles a blast

Some teams donned tutus at one of the

Awareness Month. For $5 teams could put on tutus and get photographed, which gave them the rewards of teeing off on the women’s tees

Then there was the Rotary Rocket, a

gun that shoots golf balls some 275 to 300 yards down the course on the par five Many who don’t have that kind of length or accuracy with their drivers took that offer. Of course, there were contests for closest to the pin on the par threes You could buy mulligans and a yardstick to make your putts a little shorter and cut some strokes off your score There was even a mobile bar so golfers can refresh themselves

Afterwards, there was an Italian buffet with raffle prizes, a 50/50 raffle and a silent auction, as well as prizes for the winning foursome, which was the team of Ed

Tucker and Josh Benson, who shot a 27under-par 45, eight shots better than anyone else

PREP REPORT

Sofia Passos (E) 100, Sydney Caldwell* (NFM) 100 9 Megan Waters* (NFM) 104 Also: 21 Gracie Sand (NFM) 142 23 Emma Tuescher (M) 145 28 Lucy Molloy (NFM) 148 + Amelia Alonso d Sophia Reed on the third extra hole for medalist honors

District 1A-12

At Valencia Golf & Country Club, Naples, Par 72

Top two teams advance to region (* Advances as individual)

Te am: 1 Community School of Naples 285 2 First Baptist Academy 325 3 (tie) Oasis 376, St John Neumann 376 5 Bishop Verot 383 6 Canterbur y 423 Indi vidual: 1 Alayna Friedt (CSN) 68 2 Eva Lye (FBA) 70 3 (tie) Reilly kir win 72, Sydney Young (CSN) 72 5 Isabella Michetti (CSN) 73 6 Emmey Siek (CSN) 75 7

Caraline Har tfield* (VS) 8 Riley Fritz* (O) 80 9 (tie) Jaya Baker (FBA) 81, Savannah Odjick (O) 81 Also: 15 Kate Johnson (BV) 89 17 Raleigh Currin (BV) 92 20 Simone

Henr y (BV) 96 24 (tie) Maddon McDonald (BV) 106, Aiden Lindsey (O) 106 27 Sophia Greenup (O) 109 28 (tie) Willow Cain (O) 110 30 Zoe Vanderbrook (BV) 113

Boys Golf District 1A-12

At Valencia Golf & Country Club, Naples, Par 72

CAPE CORAL ANIMAL SHELTER

Looking for a loving home

Hugh is a 6 months to 1-year-old male He is full of puppy energy and can be a little shy at first meet He prefers to take his time getting to know new friends Once he warms up, he's all about playtime, belly rubs and showing off his adorable little zoomies! Hugh loves to explore and would make the perfect companion for a family that enjoys outdoor adventures as much as cozy snuggles at home

Daisie is a 1 to 3-year-old female She is a super sweet kitty with a laid-back vibe She loves spending time with her people whether it's lounging around or getting some gentle pets, she is all about

the easy life If you're looking for a loving, easygoing companion, Daisie is your girl

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

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

Please call 239-573-2002 for additional information

Top two teams advance to region (* Advances as individual)

Te am: 1 Bishop Verot 291 2 Community School of Naples 307 3 St John Neumann 314 4 Oasis 327 5 Canterbur y 330 6 Village School (Naples) 344 7 (tie)

Seacrest Countr y Day 354, Babcock 354 9 Evangelical Christian 362 10 First Baptist Academy 367 11 Marco Island Academy 390 12 SW Florida Christian 397

Indi vidual: 1 Kaiden Latreille* (MIA) 71 2 (tie) JC Iglesias (BV) 72, Matthew Matta (BV) 72 4 (tie) Adrian Bahnam (BV) 73, Ryan Toole* (SJN) 73 6 (tie) Spencer Ives (CSN) 74, Grant Noren (SJN) 74, Easton Green (BV) 74, Cameron Otterbeck (CSN) 74, Griffin Henr y (BV) 74 Also: 13 (tie) Rhys Skillrud (O), Gabriel Gair (O) 22 (tie) Corbin Odjick (O) 83 30 (tie) Aiden Pietras (O) 39 Job Woodby (O) 91

Bowling

FHSAA Championships

At Boardwalk Bowl, Orlando Continues through Thursday BOYS (Through four games) Team (top 16 advance): 1 Heritage

4,257 2 Edgewood 4,082 3 Leesburg 4,038 4 Seabreeze 4,008 5 East Ridge 3,996 6 Mariner 3,988 Also: 19 Cape Coral 3,521

Good weekend:

From page 33

nearshore reefs, to far offshore This past week we encountered them close to the coast along with tons of Spanish macs under flocks of diving birds giving away their locations

L o t s o f m i x e d - s i z e d c o b i a r e p o r t s around nearshore numbers so a rod prerigged with a colorful bucktail or black plastic eel or worm is good to have on hand I’ve gotten several reports of big jacks and like last season, bigger than norm a l b l u e f i s h a l s o i n t h e a r e a W h e n unhooking a bluefish, be cautious as Mr Blue is definitely playing possum and watching you carefully hoping to slice fingers and hands with it’s mouthful of razors and bad attitude Local fall flats anglers are often treated to a bluefish attack around shallow oyster bars These demons will gladly attack a top-water plug, jump like crazy and fly through the water at amazing drag peeling speeds Here in Southwest

From page 19

beach habitat Royal palm, paurotis palm, green or silver thatch palm are undaunted by storm surge T

a e , pigeon plum and Jamaica dogwood, perf o r m e d w

Buttonwoods take on charming shapes as small trees Green buttonwoods can be 3040 feet and the smaller, silver buttonwoods reach 15-25

“The key to any scramble is that you need really good players who can hit the ball forever You’re also hitting from the white tees, which is shorter. If you have long hitters, it easy to score well,” Tucker said “It’s driving and being able to putt ” Lee County Insurance was again the title sponsor, as it has from the beginning John Gardner said while turnout was lower because of hurricane damage causing some members to work, it was still a successful event

“These people have to go out and work, we had some law enforcement and first responders and we totally understand that. We had a good day, great weather, great event and everybody loved it,” Gardner said “As always Magnolia Landing did a great job ”

Moyr (E) 931 2 Conner Jiminez (H) 924 3 Jacob Muller (J) 918 4 Richard Dannelly (WS) 917 5 Xavier Subia (S) 910 Also: 7 Trey Lemus (M) 908 12 Daniel Lynn (CC) 889

Monday Boys Golf District 2A-13 The Club at Renaissance, Par 72 Top two teams advance to

Red tide threat?

Florida we don’t get the 15 to 20-pounder wolf packs I grew up fighting in the Delaware and Chesapeake Bays but in skinny water and on a lite rod, a fivepounder is pure angling fun Last fall local anglers encountered the biggest bluefish seen in these parts in several years

Tripletail are definitely under stone crab floats not far offshore waiting for your well-presented live or artificial shrimp w h

seatrout hungry Diehard tarpon fans will put in time with Charlotte Harbor currently still the best place to try Snook are moving inland and hungry with many relocating to warmer Cape canals and Caloosahatchee River structures

If red tides stay away, this should be a gorgeous and fishy weekend

Capt George Tunison is a Cape Coral resident fishing guide. You can contact him at 239-282-9434 or via email at captgeorget3@aol.com.

Anyone may grow these plants Salt tolerant plants also grow well in non-salty soil, too Although this is not an exhaustive list, it gives us a place to start

Sherie Bleiler volunteers at the Cape Coral Library Butterfly Garden and Sands Park Butterfly Garden. She is past president of the Garden Club of Cape Coral V i s i t w w

Like us on our Facebook page

Daisie

Cape Coral Breeze Athletes

Week of the

(Selected by the Breeze

Sports staff)

Religious

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REDBARN

HugeEstateSale Sat&SunNov2nd&3rd 8amto3pm 2 50SE9thTerrace (offSantaBarbara) H omefulloffurniture, homedecor,paintings, birdhouses&glassware. Lanaifurniture,and g aragefulloftools. L otsofjewelry. Donátmissit! Itwillbegreat!

Pictures: facebook.com/RedBarnCapeCoral

SANDOVAL COMMUNITYWIDE GARAGESALE ONEDAYONLY Sat11/2,8am-1pm 2573SandovalPkwy CapeCoral MapsatFrontGate (VeteransPkwy)

SavonaNeighborhood Semi-AnnualGarageSale (offDelPrado) Friday11/8-Sunday11/10 ManyFamiliesParticipating ForUpdatesortoSignupcall 239-841-4664 orfollowusonFacebook: SponsoredbytheColeTeam RemaxNauticalRealty

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Recreation Vehicles

Power Boats

Obituaries