Cape Coral Weekend Breeze

Council winners: Gunter, Steinke, Cummings & Long

By CHUCK BALLARO news@breezenewspapers.com

Mayor John Gunter and District 6 Councilmember Keith Long were re-elected Tuesday night with political newcomers Bill Steinke and Patty Cumming, who won a tight come-from-behind race, garnering the Cape Coral City Council seats up for grabs.

At around 9:30 p.m. on Election night, Cummings looked to lose, trailing her District 4 opponent, incumbent Jennifer Nelson by around 10 points.

However, Nov. 8, 2022 would not be like every other election.

Because of Hurricane Ian, the same-day ballots would take much longer to count because there were only 12 polling sites countywide for people to vote instead of the usual 97 precincts.

Throughout the night, Nelson’s lead dwindled until finally, late Tuesday, Cummings overtook Nelson to win the election by less than 2 percent, 50.9 percent to 49.1

Mariner JROTC cadets celebrate veterans

By CHUCK BALLARO news@breezenewspapers.com

Military veterans got some early thank yous in advance of Veterans Day this week.

On Wednesday, the entire student body at Mariner High School, which includes nearly 600 JROTC cadets, met in the courtyard for a veterans appreciation ceremony.

The cadets, some in uniform and some in street clothes and the student body surrounded the veterans being honored, some of whom have become teachers at the school, while others’ service dates as far back as World War II.

“Every community has these unsung heroes, and today it is my pleasure to recognize our own Mariner veterans and those from our community,” said Esteran Jaramillo, Sgt. 1st Class with the U.S. Army.

The event included recognition for the veterans at the school, guest speaker David Casteneda, the playing of “Taps” and a rendition of “God Bless America” by vice principal Angel McNeeley.

Casteneda, who served in the Army for 22 years, said he had the opportunity to serve the greatest country in the world, and on a day where we celebrate with parades and cookouts, it’s important to remember what Veterans Day is all about.

“They are patriots who selflessly volunteered to become part of an unbroken chain of service

Nicole puts Lee on alert

Winds, rain, power outages reported

By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com

Just 42 days after Hurricane Ian wreaked havoc across the Southwest coast of Florida, the east coast experienced a hurricane late into the season Wednesday into Thursday.

Category 1 Hurricane Nicole made landfall in Vero Beach Thursday morning, with the outer bands of the storm causing high wind gusts and rain here locally.

As of 10 a.m. Thursday, Nicole was downgraded to a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph.

The Florida Division of Emergency Management, working with the National Hurricane Center to evaluate weather predictions, determined there would be continued risk of dangerous storm surge, heavy rainfall, flash flooding, strong winds hazardous seas, and isolated tornadic activity.

Timely precautions are needed to restore the impacted communities, infrastructure, and the general welfare of Florida, the office of Gov. Ron DeSantis stated.

Cape Coral's Emergency Operation Center was actively monitoring Nicole along with county, state, and federal partners. City offices operated for business as usual on Thursday, and garbage collections operated normally.

Debris collection was halted though, as wind speeds over 20 mph caused a suspension of service. City officials said debris removal should resume operation on Friday.

Lee County Electric Cooperative spokesperson Karen Ryan told The Breeze as of Thursday afternoon, there were 39 customers in Cape Coral without power. She added that at 7 a.m. Thursday morning, roughly 500 customers were without power “and most were restored quickly.”

Lee County announced its

Jordan re-elected, Fisher & Langford-Fleming win seats

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers.com

Incumbent Debbie Jordan will be joined by Sam Fisher and Jada Langford-Fleming as the newly elected school board members.

A fourth race, District 5, was decided in the August primary. Challenger Armor Persons beat incumbent Gwynetta Gittens by receiving more than 50 percent of the vote. Persons had 8,232 votes, or 55.09 percent, while Gittens received 6,712 votes, or 44.91 percent.

District 1 Sam Fisher claimed the District 1 seat during Tuesday's election with 26,425 (51.75 percent)

24,634

"I am very excited," he said. "I was really

percent.

It was the culmination of a campaign that saw Cummings barely get through the primary, endure

Hurricane Ian that saw her home damaged and her fiancee become seriously ill to become the fourth straight chal-

of the votes beating his opponent Kathy Fanny, who received

(48.25 percent) of the votes.

City’s breakfast in the park moved to Saturday

TOP: Angel McNeeley, assistant principal at Mariner High School, performs “God Bless America” during a Veterans Day tribute at Mariner High School on Wednesday.

ABOVE: Adam Smith of Mariner High School performs “Taps” during a Veterans Day tribute at Mariner High School on Wednesday. PHOTOS BY CHUCK BALLARO

John Gunter

Mayor

Bill Steinke District 1

Patty Cummings District 4

Keith Long District 6

Sam Fisher District 1

Debbie Jordan District 4

Jada Langford-Fleming District 6

Veterans Recognition Breakfast moved to Saturday

By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com

The Cape Coral Parks and Recreation Department's Veterans Recognition Breakfast has been moved to Saturday, Nov. 12, at Founders Park starting at 9 a.m. The event is free to attend, but registration is required. The breakfast is for Cape Coral veterans and veteran groups.

The breakfast has a capacity of 300 and takes place

The event for for Cape Coral veterans and veteran groups is free to attend, but registration is required. To register, visit Eventbrite.com and search “Veterans Recognition Breakfast.”

under a large tent outdoors. The Cape Coral Police Department honor guard, local JROTC and other components will be featured in the program.

King said in speaking with the Cape Coral police and fire departments, the aftermath of Hurricane Ian looms too present to safely carry out usually well-attended parade on the parkway.

“Based on the conditions of the South Cape, the lingering debris, the things you may not see in grassy areas where we stage parade elements, for the general safety of the public, it was best to offer a recognition breakfast instead of the parade,” King said.

He said it’s extra special for the city when World War II veterans, members of the “Greatest Generation,” have the opportunity to be recognized at local events.

“Every opportunity we have to honor that great World War is important, for not only them, but also our young people,” King said. “The further removed you are from things or are not able to talk to an individual from that era, the less you remember. Sadly, the Greatest Generation is slowly diminishing.”

King teased that there may be plans in the works to honor veterans during the 2023 July 4 celebration.

Each veteran that plans to attend must bring their Military ID, and each veteran can bring a guest to join them. Those who are planning on bringing a guest must register for two tickets (all tickets are free).

To register, visit Eventbrite.com and search “Veterans Recognition Breakfast.”

Founders Park is at 929 S.E. 46th Lane in Cape Coral.

Cape man accused of investment scam; arrested by FDLE investigators

A Cape Coral man faces multiple charges related to scams investigators say bilked at least 20 victims of “hundreds of thousands” of dollars.

Agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement arrested Ludovic Laroche, 54, on Tuesday on charges of racketeering, securities/investments prohibited practices, embezzlement, sale of unregistered securities and violations of the Florida Securities and Investor Protection Act.

Laroche is accused of stealing the money through

fraudulent investment scams , according to a joint investigation between FDLE and The Office of Financial Regulation.

FDLE agents began the investigation in 2020 after receiving a complaint.

Agents say Laroche targeted the Haitian community making presentations to several Haitian Christian church congregations in Lee, Charlotte and Collier counties.

In one scheme, he urged more than a dozen victims to invest in Laroche Real Estate Investments, LLC telling potential investors he bought and flipped houses. He promised 10 percent interest annually on the investment, but agents say he never bought houses to flip. Over eight years, he purchased five properties, selling four of them. He collected more than $672,000 from the victims, but only repaid $93,500 to them, a release from the FDLE issued Wednesday states.

In another scheme, he enticed his victims to invest in Houdini Taxi Apps, LLC telling them he owned a taxi service and was developing a cell phone ride share application.

“The investigation shows Laroche never owned any taxis and the application was never made available to the public,” officials said.

In a third scam, Laroche convinced a neighbor to give him $15,000 to invest in a car company, but Laroche never purchased the stock.

Laroche was booked into the Lee County Jail where he remained Wednesday afternoon.

The State Attorney’s Office, 20th Judicial Circuit, will prosecute the case.

FDLE said the investigation is ongoing and there could be additional victims.

FDLE asks that anyone with information contact its Fort Myers office at (800) 407-4880.

Source: FDLE

Ludovic Laroche

CAPE CORAL BREEZE RAYMOND M. ECKENRODE Publisher VALARIE HARRING, Executive Editor CHRIS STRINE, Editor

Seven Islands: A simple question

A project pursued by the city of Cape Coral since 2016 reached its penultimate moment last week.

City Council approved a $20 million purchase agreement for the 47 acres off Old Burnt Store Road known as the Seven Islands. The buyer, Gulf Gateway Resort and Marina LLC, is to pay a $1 million deposit within 30 days.

Closing is pending a development contract to be approved by both parties as well as the buyer obtaining the necessary permits to build what both sides agree will be a “destination” — a $1 billion waterfront community to include a marina, a 240-room hotel with 25,000 square feet of meeting space, a commercial village and 995 residential units, mostly condominiums in buildings up to eight stories.

Gulf Gateway Resort and Marina Village will create an estimated 9,500 jobs and will add an additional $6.5 million per year to the city’s tax base.

Kudos to the city for bringing this project to near-fruition. Kudos as well to Gulf Gateway Resort and Marina for seeing the potential in our city and its commitment to invest.

Did you miss this game-changing action?

You’re not alone.

The agenda item was toward the bottom of a list of resolutions and ordinances, noted by a lengthy legal description where pretty much the only thing understandable was a reference to “the islands.”

At the meeting, there was little from the buyer or staff with City Manager Rob Hernandez providing a brief intro.

There was no Council discussion, debate, or a figurative popping of the cork in a city sorely in need of such good news.

The sale contract simply passed 7-0 and Council moved on to other business without discussing what we believe was a key issue at hand: An in-the-works change to a major component of the city-approved development framework included in its request for proposals for the Seven Islands.

In the online documents, and referenced by Mr. Hernandez to Council, is a new phrase for the public component of the project for which the taxpayers provided the seed money — i.e. the funds with which the city bought the land as part of a multi-parcel $13.74 million foreclosure package during the Great Recession.

That phrase is the inclusion of “functional public space” for which the developer will receive a $500,000 incentive to create.

Why is this key?

The Council-selected development option approved after months of public “charrettes,” input from residents and neighborhood associations, council debate and much discussion, included all of the “destination” elements and a few more: A two-story, 40,000-square-foot community center abutting a public marina on the “island” directly across from Tropicana Park. With green space, boardwalk, public edge and acrossthe-water connection to the city park, Seven Islands was touted as a potential Cape Coral Yacht Club type amenity for residents in the northern half of the city — but better — as development would offer more and would help pay for the public component via increased tax revenues.

Undiscussed at the meeting this week was Point 9 among city staff’s “contract of sale/key terms” which states that a change in zoning is will be proposed to allow the community center amenity to replaced.

“Development will be consistent with the Developer’s master concept plan, MX7 zoning, the D-1 Concept, and proposed development schedule (Change to the MX7 zoning will be proposed. MX7 requires a 40,000 square foot community center. Greater flexibility is desired to build an outdoor public space or conference room space inside the hotel that can be used by community organizations may be more useful and doesn’t require staffing.)

The information in parentheses was printed in red so you would not miss it — if you waded through the backup material provided. The italic emphasis is ours.

So, instead of a community center four times larger than the Yacht Club’s 10,000-square-foot facility, city staff has brought forward “functional public space” — conference room space in the hotel. Or “outdoor space” of some sort.

For which taxpayers will pay a $500,000 incentive to include.

After Mayor John Gunter flagged the public amenity component — or a lack there of —in February, Mr. Hernandez was directed to go back and get additional details as to how the components of the development proposed filled the Councilapproved template provided in the RFP.

We guess he did that.

But if undefined “functional public space” is the best commitment Mr. Hernandez and his administrative team could obtain pre-contract when the city has the greatest ability to obtain what it wants as a condition of sale, they failed.

Abysmally.

As did Council.

Residents were promised more than another Cape Harbour or Tarpon Point — as wonderful as we agree they are — by adding public facilities in an area of the city where such amenities are most needed.

Let us be an advocate for the taxpayers of the north Cape since one seems to be sorely lacking.

The owner of every single home-in-waiting — all those vacant lots — have had their pockets picked for taxes, fees and assessments since the city’s incorporation 50-plus years ago. For the vast majority of that time they have received nothing in return.

The owners of every home built with hard-earned money have paid and pay much more. They have received comparatively little in the way of near-by quality-of-life amenities thus far.

Let us be clear for those who like to designate the city north of Pine Island Road as proper noun: The “North Cape” is not some lesser-than relative to whom one grudgingly gives the hand-me-downs, the leftovers.

The northern portion of our city is simply... Cape Coral.

The growing half of Cape Coral.

The future of Cape Coral as the city moves toward a projected population of 450,000 at buildout.

It is time those taxpayers start getting prioritized — and it is time they get what they were told they would be getting.

No money to staff a 40,000-square-foot community center as a public component of the Seven Islands development?

Another $6.5 million a year to the city’s property tax coffers should be a healthy start.

The city still has to approve a development plan.

We urge our new, election-configured Council to, yes, be flexible when it comes to the public amenity aspect.

All told, the project substantively meets the city’s proposal.

But also ask: Is this an upgrade to what was asked for?

We wager a 40,000-square-foot community center abutting a marina will be hard to beat.

—Breeze editorial

Hurricanes have hit those most in need hard

More than 18,000 homes across Southwest and Central Florida were reported to have been destroyed or suffered major damage in the wake of Hurricane Ian. Damage estimates by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration exceeded $50 billion, making Ian one of the costliest hurricanes in Florida’s history. Previous experience has demonstrated that recovery from a storm like Ian is likely to take many years. As communities begin the hard work to build back, Hurricane Nicole is likely to set some of those initial efforts on their heels.

Habitat for Humanity affiliates across the state have been actively engaged in efforts to help Florida communities in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Ian’s landfall, but also long-term recovery through the assessment and repair of damaged homes, and planning for the construction of new affordable homes.

Storms like Hurricane Ian tend to most adversely impact the lower-income populations that Habitat serves.

A sincere thank you

To the editor:

As one of the largest nonprofit housing organizations in Florida, Habitat is uniquely positioned to help those most in need rebuild stability through safe and resilient shelter.

To build back the place we all call home, Habitat calls on the greater Florida community to support our efforts to ensure that everyone—at the end of the storm— has a safe place to call home. Together, we can do that.

Though we are unlikely to know what impact Nicole will have on our communities for days to come, we know for certain that there is a need now for your continued support.

To help fund recovery efforts related to Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Nicole, visit the Habitat for Humanity of Florida Hurricane Fund. These resources will be allocated to Habitat affiliates in communities across the state where recovery efforts are and will be taking place.

— Roxanne Young is the executive director of Florida Habitat for Humanity

LETTERSTOTHE EDITOR

Thank you for letting me serve you the past five years. Thank you for trusting me and supporting me throughout this re-election campaign. The outcome is not what we had hoped, but I assure you that my work is not done. Thank you to my team— without you all I wouldn’t be where I am today. Thank you to all of the organizations and elected officials who supported me — your endorsements mean the world to me. Thank you to everyone who voted for me — you have no idea how thankful I am that you had my back.

Congratulations to my opponent, I hope you fight for the residents of District 4 with honesty, integrity, vigor, and strength.

All my best,

Many thanks To the editor:

Jennifer Nelson Cape Coral

Thank you to everyone who voted. Thank you to all the candidates who threw their hat in the ring. Winning or losing, a democracy relies on a feisty debate to survive. Even those who lost their bid for office did us a service if they made us think about policy. Thanks.

It wasn't easy voting this year, many people lost their homes in the hurricane, but even on Election Day Tuesday, people were willing to wait in long lines to mark their ballots. Patient beyond understanding are the election workers who staffed the polling sites. Thank you.

If you did not vote, it is time to register to vote for the next one. You can do it online.

While on the subject of thankfulness: The hurricane responders, the debris teams, those who restored our electricity, those who managed our water, patrolled the streets, you were awesome. All the first responders and the crews who restored our infrastructure should get more than a thank you. They should get paid extra duty pay and any bonus due to those who are essential in a crisis. We are pound foolish to not acknowledge with wage compensation the sacrifice of our city and county staff. The infrastructure staff, the police, firefighters and emergency staff who kept the body and soul of our community connected in this hurricane should get compensated for the extra effort in their paycheck.

I hope our city and county leadership will re-examine who gets “essential worker pay” and who gets overtime. We will surely have another hurricane. Those who literally saved lives should be acknowledged and paid more.

Ellen Starbird Cape Coral

A carwash on the Mast Canal during Hurricane Ian — The making of a Perfect Storm

To the editor:

I wrote my first draft of this letter while I watched Hurricane Ian come in. We were under a mandatory evacuation order; that means the car wash property on the Mast Canal was within the evacuation order area. I have stated in several of my writings that I am very concerned about what would happen to a car wash built on coral, on top of a canal that flows to the Caloosahatchee River, during a hurricane. So here we are during a hurricane and I still have this question.

I know a few more things since this whole thing started, such as: the Canalwatch coordinator for the City of Cape Coral will not be testing the water next to the car wash. They test San Carlos lake down the canal. Of course that is a lot of damage by the time they pick it up in the basin. If there is pollution they deal with it on a case-by-case basis, but of course the damage is done. And they rely on someone complaining. This is their approach for noise and light pollution as well.

“If there is a suspected illicit discharge to the City’s stormwater infrastructure, including the Mast Canal, Cape Coral Code Compliance can be contacted for enforcement. While we have had local business, construction companies, and even residents behaving unethically by using storm drains for dumping of materials that are considered pollution, those instances are administered on a case by case basis, and largely center on what was dumped and what are the lasting consequences. Whether those actions result in education / warning, fines, or loss of business license, again is determined by the extent of the offense.”

Harry Phillips, Canalwatch Coordinator, Environmental Resources Section

The City is not taking any responsibility, leaving this matter to us. We would like to see the carwash denied by the USACOE because that is the most effective way to make sure there is no pollution — saving the canal wildlife, the waterway and our community. At minimum, a hurricane mitigation plan should be required and someone other than the business should be required to monitor to ensure compliance. We are skeptical that the City has the acumen to do that; they trust the wolf to guard the hen house. I have been saying the word stupid a lot lately.

The storm has passed and we were lucky. Storm surge, fresh water flooding from the weir at Kamal Parkway and Veteran’s Boulevard, and the wind raised the water level 10-12’ above mean tide, another few inches and the neighborhood on all sides would have flooded. It was no longer a canal but a lake. When the lineman came 11 days later they said the water table was 6” down. The ground was saturated for weeks after the storm.

We have all seen the power of water. Had the carwash been there, its wells and dirty water containers would have been swamped. We could have had a toxic chemical spill and environmental disaster. The chemicals could have gone everywhere: our fresh water supply, storm drains, flooded homes, lawns, canals — all the way to the Caloosahatchee River. The Mayor, Council, City Manager, City Attorney and Director of Development would have been personally responsible for the impacts.They are all aware of the problem and choose to take no action.

Nancy Cavanaugh, on behalf of The Mast Canal Preservation Group

Proud supporter of the Constitution

To the editor:

I worked 42 years for the Department of Defense and held a top secret clearance supporting military operations and contingency planning worldwide. But now, I find myself being called an enemy of the state, a threat to democracy, a fascist and an insurrectionist because I am following the oath I took to the Constitution. That oath was not to an individual politician or political party. It transcends politics and pledges allegiance to the fundamental tenets of the Bill of Rights, The Constitution and the Republican form of government it established. That oath has no expiration date, it is a life -long commitment.

It is a mystery to me why the occupier of the oval office calls me a fascist because I wholeheartedly disagree with what he is doing to the Constitution to which I took that oath.

I am not a barbarian or troglodyte as liberals taint people who disagree with them. I hold an Master’s degree in Business Administration, a Master’s degree in National Security Strategy from the military war college and a PhD in Public Policy, but apparently my informed opinions and beliefs, based on experience and training, which disagrees with the democrat totalitarian orthodoxy of the Obama/Biden regime, makes me an enemy of the state and a fascist.

I would argue that most of my Democrat /liberal/progressive/neo communist detractors lack the level of experience and education that has allowed me to form rational cognitive positions, not political double speak spouted off by TV talking heads and gaslighting (lying) Democrat politicians.

So why is it that all of a sudden, I am a threat to national security? I guess it’s because Joe Biden, Obama, Susan Rice, Valerie Jarrett et al said so. And why did Joe Biden label me a threat to national security after 42 years of holding a security clearance? As with all totalitarians it is simply because I disagree with the collectivist, authoritarian policies and tactics of the Democrat party.

I am an enemy because I want to follow and defend the Constitution, the rule of law (including voting and border security) and make America the greatest country on earth, not the tarnished example of crime, violence and decay that decades of democrat rule and policies have devolved our cities into.

The First Amendment does not apply in Biden’s America. When critical of Democrat totalitarian policies, opposition to the neo communist Democrat theology becomes a crime to be

Agree? Disagree? Weigh in!

Letters, guest opinions, comments welcome

The views expressed on the Opinions pages are just that — opinions. These pages are intended to convey a range of viewpoints; opinions printed on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of this newspaper. Opposing views are welcome. Letters to the Editor or guest columns may be emailed to vharring@breezenewspapers.com, or mailed to 2510 Del Prado Blvd., Cape Coral, FL 33904. All letters and guest opinions must be signed and must include a phone number for verification purposes. Readers are also invited to comment on any letter, guest opinion, or editorial online at: capecoralbreeze.com.

Association

Roxanne Young

School District to spend $20 million on temporary portable campus for Hector A. Cafferata Elementary

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers.com

The School District of Lee County will spend $20 million on a temporary portable campus for Hector A. Cafferata Jr. Elementary School.

Before Hurricane Ian the school at 250 Santa Barbara Blvd. had 750 students, a number that has since decreased to 725. Due to heavy storm damage — including the loss of its roof and heavy water infiltration throughout both floors — those students are now split between two campuses with those in kindergarten through second grade are attending Hancock Creek Elementary School. Third, fourth and fifth graders are attending school at Pelican Elementary.

There are 90 affected staff members, including Principal Jason Kurtz who goes back and forth between the two campuses throughout the day.

“We have to focus on the fact it is not a conducive educational environment,” Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier said last week at the board meeting at which the funding was approved. “The state is not going to make any changes to its expected testing schedule, or accountability system for the state. We have a responsibility, hopefully, to get these young people back to a school building with principals to move forward with skills and wonderful abilities, but also work related to testing.”

Construction Project Management Director Scott Reichenbacher said right now portables are in short demand.

“We got the state to allow us to use portables that were permitted in other states, similar to what the State of Florida did in the panhandle for (Hurricane) Michael. They are just not available and this company has the resources at a premium to gather all the resources and materials and set up the campus in a one month period,” he said. “There is a price you pay for that. Part of doing

business is if it is important for you to set up a campus and bring these students and families together,” he said.

The $20 million price tag is for up to two years, with the temporary campus to be completed in a month's time. Cotton Commercial USA, Inc. will lead the design-build project, which includes support from BSSW Architects, Inc.

“I want to close by thanking all of you. There are no easy decisions moving forward here. This is the first of many difficult ones that will come before this board,” Bernier said after the board voted unanimously to approve the temporary campus.

The campus will include a total of 46 portables, with a breakdown of 36 24x36 classrooms with restrooms; three 12x36 portable restroom facilities; one 48x60 modular office space to utilize the cafeteria; three 24x60 office space modules for administration and the clinic; one 53x8-1/2 foot kitchen to serve hot food, one 53x81/2 foot cold prep trailer and one 48x8-1/2 foot dishwasher trailer to supplement the food and service prep. There also will be raised and covered walkways.

The temporary campus will be located on adjacent Cape Coral Technical College property and will include a perimeter fence that separates the elementary school from the college campus.

“This is not a portable campus that we will own. We are not going to buy these portables. These portables, we will be renting them and leasing them from this company until we no longer need it,” Bernier said.

The location already has the infrastructure in place, as it was a swing campus previously. That infrastructure includes plumbing and electricity.

Board member Mary Fischer supported the project.

“This is an emergency situation. There have been a lot of disruptions to our community. Families are displaced, they are out of their homes. We have between 700 and 800 students and the staff who are disrupted, but they are also part of the disruption for two other schools,” she

said. “How much are we spending anyway with this whole transportation? I live in Cape Coral. The traffic is a nightmare. I think that further inconveniences can be avoided by doing this.”

Fischer said the $20 million, when subtracted from what they are already spending, is a small price to pay to give that number of people a sense of normalcy. She said it is also an opportunity to be together as a school family and not disrupt two other schools, while working on social, emotional and academic progress.

Although board member Chris Patricca voted in favor of the recommendation, she did so uncomfortably.

“It is also about the 103,000 other students in the district and the fact that we could be putting $20 million towards 725 students by denying $20 million in capital available to the rest of the district,” she said. “That is where I am struggling.”

Patricca said when she broke down that number, it equated to $27,586 per student.

“We were reimbursed for two-thirds of our Hurricane Irma expenses. I get that we are working with Imperium and doing everything we can to get the maximum reimbursement that we can get, but we only got two-thirds of our current hurricane reimbursement with Irma. Twothirds of that brings it down to $9,100 per student. I am really struggling. I will approve this because I believe in the necessity of this for the kids and that community, but I have to beg for efficient, out of the box, really innovative thinking in terms of what our next steps are with this school,” Patricca said. “I don't know if I have been more uncomfortable voting on this than I am right now. I am not confident in reimbursement and the impact it has on all of our students across the district.”

Bernier said they are putting their best proposal forward in order to be qualified for reimbursement.

“FEMA is an organization that gets to decide. I wish I could be more specific,” he said.

FEMA, city host packed town hall meeting

By CHUCK BALLARO news@breezenewspapers.com

There was a packed house, a packed overflow into the hallway and a lot of angry residents who couldn’t get into City Hall at all as the city of Cape Coral and FEMA hosted an informational town hall Thursday.

The town meeting was jointly organized to allow residents impacted by Hurricane Ian to get information on what FEMA does, the "50 percent rule" that restricts rebuilds and other information on how they can rebuild their lives, their homes and get back to a semblance of normalcy.

Lots of signs, long lines, late results

Due to impacts from Hurricane Ian, voting sites were reduced to a dozen on Election Day Tuesday, making for long lines and later-than-usual results. Top, voters queue up outside the Lee County Elections office in Cape Coral nearly to the side parking lot late Tuesday morning, a sight seen at other polling locations.

Left, Kathy Long and Ashley Derupo, Cape Coral City Councilmember Keith Long’s mom and sister, wave signs on the sidewalk outside the Lee County Elections office in Cape Coral. Signs from a variety of candidates lined the street, greeting those who turned out to vote.

VALARIE HARRING

Displaced teachers get needed school supplies

By CHUCK BALLARO news@breezenewspapers.com

Those who have been impacted by Hurricane Ian have been the recipients of much relief from people all over the country.

On Thursday, at Pelican Elementary School, displaced teachers from the badly damaged Hector Cafferata Elementary School got some much-needed help from teachers from a Wisconsin high school from which one of the teachers at Pelican had graduated.

A truckload of school supplies arrived from the teachers at D.C. Everest High School in Weston, Wisconsin, which gave Cafferata staff the opportunity to gather things they needed for their classrooms.

Hannah Mack, the first-grade teacher from Cafferata who graduated from D.C. Everest in 2015, said she shared a post of Cafferata that was heavily damaged on Facebook and her high school picked it up.

“A lot of friends and family donated 16 pallets' worth of school supplies and sent it down in a semitruck here,” Mack said. “The teachers are going to get anything and everything they need.”

Teachers were able to get notebooks, paper, glue,

books to read to the students, games, crayons and even Play-Doh.

Jason Kurtz, principal at Cafferata, is now serving a similar role at Pelican and Hancock Creek as he and the assistant principal rotate between Pelican and Hancock Creek

“These people said they wanted to do something to help. They did it on their own and just wanted to do something to help because she lived here and saw some of the damage to our school,” Kurtz said. “The last few weeks have been an emotional roller coaster. It's sad to see our building but heartwarming to see the support we’ve received.”

The displaced teachers and students at Cafferata have been relocated to other schools. The grade K-2 teachers were sent to Pelican while the grade 3-5 teachers went to Hancock Creek Elementary.

Jeannette Edwards, a second-grade teacher, said she was happy with what everyone sent.

“I’m just looking for the basics like folders, notebooks and staplers, everything you need to run a classroom,” Edwards said. “We are so appreciative of everybody’s generosity.

“We want to give you the resources that you need. This is a very complex situation, but we have the best state and federal representatives here to try to explain that process so you can go in the direction you need,” Mayor John Gunter said.

The experts answered questions on the 50-percent rule, what happens to flood insurance, assistance for small business, and our neighbors, dealing only with reputable contractors and more.

Cape Coral Fire Department Chief Ryan Lamb also announced the opening of a new disaster recovery center at 400 Santa Barbara Blvd., which is the Lake Kennedy Community Center. The FEMA Disaster Recovery Center opened this morning and will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Because of the small venue and the lack of alternative places to hold the meeting, many were unable to get into the building, which made more than few people angry, preferring to watch in person (or suggesting they hold multiple meetings) than on Cape TV or on YouTube later.

Ryan Bubenheimer and his wife, Christine, lost their home in the storm and did not have flood insurance. They said FEMA only gave them $2,900 for rental assistance. Their home on Tower Drive, near the Yacht Club, was flooded out, forcing them to weather the storm standing on top of a table.

They lost their vehicles, one of which was almost brand new and another Ryan uses for work as a contractor. They also lost all the furnishing and wanted to know what to do next.

“There are TVs in the hallway but you can’t hear them. You’re trying to read the dialogue from across the room,” Ryan said. “I don’t think they thought they would have this turnout,” Ryan said.

“They should have chosen a different venue. There are a lot of angry people,” Christine asked. “My salary at Panera isn’t going to cut the mustard.”

Residents who couldn’t attend the meeting can watch it on YouTube or Cape TV at their convenience.

Tina Gerard, who came on behalf of her son’s family, which lost everything in the storm, said FEMA made a “valiant attempt” to try to help people understand a very complicated situation.

“I’m trying to process this and help them make a decision on their home. It’s a complicated situation without a one-on-one meeting with someone helping you,” Gerard said. “The younger generation can’t really figure this out. The best resource would be a middle person.”

Audrey Noel said the city has to do better making sure contractors build houses of better quality.

“My home had water seeping through it and that should never happen. I saw a house next to me and I could see the work done through the walls,” Noel said “I learned a few things. Anything they have and you understand it, you get something. I didn’t know I could go face-to-face with FEMA tomorrow.”

Gunter said they looked at other venues, but decided on council chambers because it had the Cape TV option that other venues didn’t.

Donations being sought for Full Plates Project

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers.com

Community Cooperative is seeking donations, so it can feed more than 3,500 families throughout Southwest Florida this season for its Full Plates Project.

Community Cooperative CEO Stefanie Ink-Edwards said the number is a little bit higher than previous years.

"I am hoping that meets the need," she said. "There is a lot of unknowns, obviously because of Hurricane Ian. There are still so many people that are going to be celebrating Thanksgiving, but not have a functioning kitchen to cook in, or a place."

If the need is greater, Ink-Edwards said they have a plan B to meet the needs of the

Donations can be dropped off no later than 4 p.m., Friday, Nov. 18, at the Community Cooperative office, 3429 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Checks made payable to Community Cooperative can be mailed to P.O. Box 2143, Fort Myers, FL 33902, or made online

Full Plates Project.

Community Cooperative is seeking food and monetary donations for the project, which provides Thanksgiving meal kits for a family of four that are unable to afford the cost of a Thanksgiving dinner. The kits will be distributed through Community Cooperative's emergency food program.

Donations can be dropped off no later than 4 p.m., Friday, Nov. 18, at their

office, 3429 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Checks made payable to Community Cooperative can be mailed to P.O. Box 2143, Fort Myers, FL 33902, or made online at www.CommunityCooperative.com.

"The biggest things that we really need is just food drives and donations to support that program in particular," Ink-Edwards said. "It's crazy to think we are five weeks

LETTERSTOTHE EDITOR

out from the storm and only three weeks from Thanksgiving. Usually we would have started a couple of weeks ago."

The Thanksgiving meal kits provides a full Thanksgiving meal with all the fixings and a dessert, so people do not have to spend a couple hundred dollars on the meal. Those items include such things as mashed potatoes, stuffing, yams, veggies, gravy, desserts and a turkey, sometimes precooked.

"It doesn't have to just be those requested items. Some people get a laundry basket to do paper plates, dish towels and salt and pepper shakers. Those are really great. A lot of people may not have those things anymore," she said.

From page 4A

stamped out by the coercive power of the state using DOJ, FBI, IRS and numerous other alphabet federal agencies to harass and persecute political opponents using complicit media as the cover for this behavior. Obama started this weaponization of government by using the IRS and Lois Lerner to stifle and destroy the conservative tea party movement. And now, Biden will hire an additional 87,000 armed IRS agents to come after Americans who disagree with Democrats and hired — yes Lois Lerner to hire, train and deploy them.

Totalitarians use the techniques of projection, transference, gaslighting, othering and scapegoating to dehumanize their political targets and condition their weak-minded sycophants to accept any form of atrocity against “the enemy.” What is frightening is the uniformity and vitriolic tone of the cries of fascist from all Democrats to demonize 71 million Americans who voted for Donald Trump, questions the 2020 election, turning us from energy independent to energy dependent or borrowing trillions of dollars for ineffective Green New Deal handouts to crony Democrat-supporting capitalists and corporation.

That is exactly the tactics Hitler, Lenin, Mao, Stalin, Pol Pot and every dictator used to justify horrendous atrocities against those who they labeled as “enemies of the state.”

After decades of abandoning history and civics in the collectivist education system, much of America is in a media induced coma either not understanding or not caring that the real danger is not MAGA but the totalitarian DNA that has infected the Democrats in power.

MAGA is not evil and a threat to democracy, it is a set of principles grounded in the Bill of Rights and Constitution of the United States. The underlying principles of MAGA include “charity begins at home” by focusing on the problems in America, not being the

piggy bank and police department for the rest of the world. Our infrastructure, culture, national debt and fractured political system are in jeopardy and need primary focus and attention yet we send billions of dollars and US troops to countries that hate us.

The tenets of MAGA are in the roots of “conservatism” which means to conserve the guiding principles in the Bill of Rights, the Constitution, our Constitutional Republic governance structure and the enumerated powers that restrict the type of out of control governance and taxation we see now.

MAGA, like the left elements ANTIFA/ BLM/Black Panthers etc. has its fringe elements which most who believe in America first, disavow any violence or use of force for political reason whether by fringe groups or government.

When we objectively look at an America first platform, we see things like adherence rule of law and equal application of law to all strata of society, not a two-tiered application for the politically connected elite and the rest of us or the catch-and-release of career criminals that have made urban centers unlivable, leading to mass exodus from many Democrat cities and states.

MAGA also believes in individual liberty and freedom, so laws and regulations that inhibit the guaranteed rights of individuals should be limited in scope. Most government rules that control our behavior are regulations promulgated by the various self-perpetuating government agencies.

MAGA stresses individual, professional and political responsibility and accountability. It believes in the Constitutional guarantees of individual liberty in which people choose courses of action. If you commit a crime, expect to be punished. If you choose to take out a loan for a worthless college degree, expect to pay it back. If a politician or government bureaucrat makes policy with negative outcomes, own it and take responsibility,

not blame everybody else.

Dependency on government programs and largesse makes us susceptible to extortion and coercion. Government can simply say, comply, obey or have your benefits denied. With dependency comes servitude — whether it is dependency on other countries for critical material or on government for sustenance.

MAGA focuses on enforcing voting laws, not making it hard to vote and disenfranchising any group, but making it hard to cheat and ensuring the principles of being a citizen and identifying yourself as a registered voter. MAGA supports one citizen, one vote in the tradition of a Constitutional Republic.

MAGA focuses on border security. After 42 years of working in National Defense, open borders are the biggest threat we face. I watch the news and see millions of military aged males from countries run by criminal/government cartels and sworn enemies of the United States, being let loose into a country with already double digit millions of illegals and millions of accessible firearms. This year alone 2 million illegals have walked uninhibited across the border. An Army Division is about 10,000 members and there are 120 in active status. That means Biden has allowed over 200 army Divisions of possible hostile forces to enter the US. What reason could there be for that — use your head.

Perhaps open borders make rich liberals in safe suburbs feel virtuous, but it is a national security risk to anyone who can think beyond their liberal emotive state.

MAGA supports moms at school boards wanting to take back control of their kids’ education from “progressive” teacher unions and school boards who consider their children to be wards of the state. Remember, Hillary Clinton said it takes a village to raise our children, and that village is the government. Yet, these concerned parents are considered

domestic terrorists by the government for wanting to diminish the governments total control over their children and indoctrinating them with their own personal view of the world. The government wants compliant procreators to have their children and turn them over to the indoctrination mills/neo communist madrassas we call the education system.

I taught at the University level for 10 years and saw the results of the lack of critical thinking skills and emotional fragility resulting from this system.

MAGA supports national self sufficiency and dominance in energy production, critical manufacturing capabilities, supply chains and not incurring $35 trillion in debt for programs that only benefit a few while the taxpayer pays the bill.

The behavior projected by Democrats on MAGA are the exact actions they that totalitarians have used such as divide and control (Biden labeling MAGA/racism behind every tree,) scapegoating and othering, intimidating/incarcerating political opponents, inciting violence in the streets with their militia (ANTIFA/BLM), destroying the economy and strengthening the coercive power of the state (87k armed IRS agents).

They are propelled and supported by a controlled and complicit media that lies (Russia hoax), hides (Hunter laptop) and displays such overt bias that anything they report should questioned.

I am not a fascist, enemy of the state or other terms used to discredit dissent and opposition by Democrat totalitarians. I am an American who took an oath to uphold the Constitution and an advocate of making and keeping America great and Joe Biden and his warped ideologues can kiss my patriotic butt!

Anthony Cosenza Cape Coral

Elections Office moves on to certifying the election

By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com

Nov. 8 was an Election Day like no other in Southwest Florida this past week.

With the destruction of Hurricane Ian still visibly and tangibly present, the Lee County Elections Office had to switch gears. Many of the usual polling sites were either destroyed, heavily damaged, or unsafe for the public. The large number of volunteers needed to smoothly tabulate votes and work precincts had larger things on their plate due to the storm.

Despite the chaos and needing a bit of patience to figure out results, whcih will be be certified Nov. 18, Supervisor of Elections Tommy Doyle said he is encouraged with the 53.27% voter turnout considering what took place just over a month ago.

"Myself and our staff were pleased with the voter turnout for the General Election, especially considering the effects this devastating hurricane had on Lee County and its citizens," Doyle said.

There are 518,035 active eligible voters in Lee County, of which 276,256

cast a ballot. In terms of how people voted, 142,387 voted by mail, with 133,638 were labeled as Early Voting (which included Election Day).

Of the usual 97 precincts open on Election Day, only 12 were operational with a 13th on Boca Grande. Doyle's office urged voters to get their ballots cast early, though that's an “easier said than done” task to some whose lives have been turned upside down. Long lines and wait times were experienced at some locations.

"Early voting numbers weren't as high as we had liked, despite the repeated messages from our office to early

vote," Doyle said. Some voters preferred to vote on Election Day."

Doyle said he anticipated long lines at voting sites on Election Day, and to best serve voters, they purchased approximately 50 more ExpressVote marking device systems to place in the Early Voting locations.

"Voters and poll workers had positive responses to using the ExpressVote marking devices," Doyle said. "The system is easy to use and helped to move the voters through lines efficiently."

Doyle said he understands the concern from voters for more voting sites. He said with the number of sites they

were limited to, they managed to keep many Early Voting locations voters were already familiar with.

"By replacing traditional Election Day polling places, the voter center model was successful in providing everyone access to vote, especially those displaced by the hurricane," Doyle said.

All provisional ballots, write-in votes, overseas Vote-by-Mail ballots, and Vote-by-Mail ballots with signature cures still have to be canvassed. Numbers won't be official until the election is formally certified .

"We are incredibly thankful to our voters for coming out to vote and for their patience and understanding," Doyle said. "Our office conducted this election under emergency conditions and with limited poll worker availability. Despite the challenges, our office remained committed to ensuring the voters of Lee County could cast their votes safely and securely."

—Connect with this reporter on Twitter: @haddad_cj

Council: Nelson upset in District 4 race despite an early lead

From page 1A

lenger to defeat an incumbent in District 4.

“I started praying and said it was in God’s hands. She got a lot of votes through mail-in ballots. It at the polls where we won,” Cummings said. “Talking to the residents of Cape Coral is what kept me going. They were saying they needed me and it helped me keep going.”

Nelson said the people spoke, the vote wasn’t in her favor, and she wished Cummings success.

“I have no regrets. I ran a clean campaign. I’m proud of the work I’ve done over the last five years. I will continue to work hard for my community in other ways,” Nelson said. “I’m grateful for all the support I received. It’s really heartwarming.”

Bill Steinke, from District 1, cruised through the primary before winning the general election by nearly 15 percent over Carol Rae Culliton, 57.24 to 42.76 percent.

Steinke said he is looking forward to getting on the dais and working on the city’s infrastructure so it can keep up with the continuing growth.

“They say the average overnight success takes about seven years. The ease on which I won was not easy. People said nobody knew who I was before the primary, and that is not true,” Steinke said.

“I’ve been in the area a long time and have been involved in a lot of ways. I just never stuck out my chest and never needed to be in the limelight.”

In the mayor’s race, incumbent Gunter, who served as the District 1 council member before being appointed mayor in January 2021 following the death of Joe Coviello, had little trouble defeating challenger Thomas Shadrach. Gunter took 61.08 percent of the vote to Shadrach’s 38.92, despite spending very little time campaigning as the city continues to rebuild following Ian.

Long also saw his lead diminish when the same-day ballots were counted, but staved off challenger Wayne Hecht, 52.46 to 47.54 percent.

Long, who was appointed to the District 6 seat after the health-related retirement of Rick Williams, said his year on the council proved positive all the hard work he has

done.

“It’s still a win. That’s the thing about democracy, you vote and you get the results. I’m encouraged by the victory and its positive affirmation for the work I’ve done,” Long said. “Those people who supported me I look forward to continuing the support through my actions.”

Gunter, who has made recovery postIan his primary focus, could not be reached for comment Thursday.

Results are not final until certification on Nov. 18.

At press time, the date and time for the swearing in of the new council had not yet been announced.

Nicole: Late-season hurricane causes worry for Ian-impact communities

From page 1A

offices and locations were open for regular business Thursday. The Lee County Emergency Operations Center remained activated for assessment and Hurricane Ian recovery.

Lee County officials told The Breeze no county buildings sustained damage or flooding.

The county’s shelters that were opened in advance of Nicole at North

Fort Myers Recreation Center and Estero Recreation Center housed 105 residents, 14 cats and four dogs overnight. Shelters closed midday Thursday. LeeTran assisted those who need rides to return to the LeeTran transfer stations where they were picked up prior to the storm.

Public Safety-Emergency Operations is working with the United Way to collect names and addresses of those who

need help re-tarping due to winds from Nicole. Residents in need of help should call 2-1-1 or 239-439-3900.

Public Safety-Emergency Operations staff will help coordinate repairs with partnering entities.

Garbage and debris: Solid Waste garbage and recycling

collections that normally occur on Thursdays continued. The Waste-toEnergy facility in Buckingham is open.

The county’s debris hauler, CrowderGulf, did operate Thursday.

—Connect with this reporter on Twitter: @haddad_cj

"We are incredibly thankful to our voters for coming out to vote and for their patience and understanding. Our office conducted this election under emergency conditions and with limited poll worker availability. Despite the challenges, our office remained committed to ensuring the voters of Lee County could cast their votes safely and securely.”

— Tommy Doyle, Lee County Supervisor of Elections

Korean War Veterans #155 welcomes new members

By KATIE EGAN news@breezenewspapers.com

The Korean War is often called the forgotten war.

But the veterans from Chapter 155 can never forget it.

“Korean people love Korean veterans because we saved their country and we know that. They really look up to and admire Korean War veterans to the highest esteem,” said President of the Korean War Veterans Southwest Florida Chapter 155, Bob Kent. “That’s probably the best thing that came out of this war.”

Fought from 1950 to 1953, the Korean War is often overshadowed by World War II, which ended five years before the Korea War began, and the Vietnam War, which started five years after the Korean War concluded.

The Korean War saw the United States, South Korea and their allies wage battle against North Korea and the Chinese Communists.

Kent, who was a support person in Okinawa, Japan, joined Chapter 155 in 2002 when they had 150 members.

Now they have 41.

Membership has gone down due to members aging out of the organization.

One of the things Kent enjoys about being part of the chapter is its commitment to veterans in the community.

Chapter 155 has an endowment schol-

arship with Florida Southwestern that began in 2008. The scholarship is awarded to a veteran or a child or grandchild of a veteran.

For the past five years, the chapter has also provided $500 scholarships to Cape

maintain an active board of directors.

And each Tuesday around 11:30 a.m., a few of them meet, along with some Vietnam veterans, at American Legion Post 90, 1401 S.E. 47th St.

At one point, members had to be in the Korean War for a certain period of time during the conflict.

“But because national membership has dwindled, they’ve opened it up to anyone who has served in Korea for one day,” Kent said. “We are open to accepting any service personal who has served in Korea.”

Chapter 155 is always looking for more members, especially younger members who can take over one day.

“If we don’t get younger members, we’re going to cease to exist,” Kent said.

Widows of Korean War veterans can also join.

Normally, they stay in the chapter after their significant other, who was a veteran, passed away because they’ve made friends, Kent said.

“I joined for some camaraderie and I was interested in knowing other Korean veterans and the activities they do to help support veterans,” Kent said. “It’s just a veterans thing.”

Those interested in joining or learning more about Chapter 155 can contact Kent at 239-945-3018 or rkent9000@aol.com.

Veterans: More than 600 JROTC cadets pay respect to those who served

From page 1A

which dates back to the beginning of our nation,” Casteneda said. “I’m here to share my appreciation of these great Americans and salute them for their willingness to put on the uniform of our military.”

The six JROTC battalions also had a chance to compete in a battalion motto contest before taking a class picture with all those in the program.

However, the true stars were those who served, no matter if it happened during wartime or not.

There were three veterans from World War II, Cpl. Stanley Gamso U.S. Army, Seaman 1st Class John Hughes, U.S. Navy, Fireman 1st Class Charles G. Hunt Jr., U.S. Navy.

Hunt, World War II veteran, who said he was thrilled to see the kids of the JROTC program.

“A lot of people say there is no hope for America, but looking around I see a lot of hope,” Hunt said. “If these kids keep doing what they’re doing and vote, we’re going to be OK.”

Wayne Whitting, a Vietnam veteran, said he had never taken part in such an event before, and seeing the JROTC cadets was something else.

“These kids are ready for anything that comes up to defend their country. It’s different now from when I was a kid. It’s impres-

— Wayne Whitting, Vietnam veteran

sive to see them work out here,” Whitting said.

“We’re from a different generation and we grew up a lot rougher than the kids today. But to see these kids stand up and support the flag, the country and the uniform means the world to me,” Hunt said.

Not all JROTC cadets will go on to serve in the military, Tenille Perez, Brigade Commander, said adding it was an honor to meet and speak with veterans whose service dates back to the 1940s.

“It’s interesting to see them in person instead of reading about them in history because they were a part of it,” Perez said, who will attend Nova University to study oncology. “Here, you talk to them, you shake their hand, thank them for their service and see they are living history.”

She also added that after two years of having to do the ceremony differently because of COVID, it was great the have things return to the courtyard instead of indoors.

Charles Hunt, U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, is recognized during a Veterans Day tribute at Mariner High School on Wednesday.

CHUCK BALLARO

Coral Technical College and Fort Myers Technical College. The Facebook group has about 200 members and that’s one of the ways the chapter stays active. Kent says they also collect dues and

PHOTO PROVIDED

The Korean War Veterans Memorial at Eco Park, dedicated by the Korean War Veterans #155 of SW Florida in 2008.

“These kids are ready for anything that comes up to defend their country. It’s different now from when I was a kid. It’s impressive to see them work out here,”

DeSantis expands state of emergency for Tropical Storm Nicole

Fort Myers Beach, hard-hit by Hurricane Ian, reports minimal impact from second storm of the season

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com

Gov. Ron DeSantis expanded the state of emergency for all 67 counties as Hurricane Nicole was downgraded to a tropical storm Thursday.

Locally, there were not yet any reports of major damage, Fort Myers Beach Manager Roger Hernstadt said.

“Nothing obvious, we are still checking,” Hernstadt said.

Lee County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Anita Iriarte said there were minor trees down blocking roadways in the county briefly and some traffic signals that went out but were restored.

Fort Myers Beach Fire Chief Ron Martin said there were no reports of wind damage or flooding.

Nicole made landfall as a Category 1 Hurricane near Vero Beach Thursday

morning.

As of 10 a.m., Nicole was downgraded to a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph.

The Florida Division of Emergency Management, working with the National Hurricane Center to evaluate weather predictions, has determined there is a continuing risk of dangerous storm surge, heavy rainfall, flash flooding,

strong winds hazardous seas, and isolated tornadic activity. Timely precautions are needed to restore the impacted communities, infrastructure, and the general welfare of Florida, the office of DeSantis stated.

Lee County said its offices and locations were open for regular business Thursday. The Lee County Emergency Operations Center remains activated for

T.S. Nicole assessment and Hurricane Ian recovery.

The county’s shelters that were opened in advance of Tropical Storm Nicole at North Fort Myers Recreation Center and Estero Recreation Center housed 105 residents, 14 cats and four dogs overnight. Shelters closed midday. LeeTran will assist those who need rides to return to the LeeTran transfer stations where they were picked up prior to T.S. Nicole

Public Safety-Emergency Operations is working with the United Way to collect names and addresses of those who need help re-tarping due to winds from Tropical Storm Nicole. Residents in need of help should call 2-1-1 or 239439-3900. Public Safety-Emergency Operations staff will help coordinate repairs with partnering entities.

School Board: Voters approve elected superintendent referendum

From page 1A

able to get the message out there. It's so important to put students first, empower parents. It is going to be a great day for Lee County and our kids. I am a father of three in the district. I am really excited for their future, for everyone's future."

Fisher, a resident of Lee County since 2008, became a resident of Cape Coral in 2013. He is a small business owner and an attorney, and former Oasis Charter School Governing board member and former Deputy Administrator of a local state agency.

He is also a father of two 7-year-olds and a 13-year-old.

"They stayed up with me last night," Fisher said of the kids, adding that they were among his biggest cheerleaders. "They were very excited. I have a very supportive wife and kids."

Once sworn in, he said one of the main focuses will be continuing to make sure students, teachers and staff are safe, especially with the devastation Hurricane Ian left behind. The work lies in continuing to get the schools back up and running, as well as making sure the focus remains on rebuilding the three heavily impacted schools.

"Listen. It is important we listen to our parents, our teachers, our staff, community members, everyone. That is the biggest thing for me," Fisher said.

District 4 Jordan reclaimed her seat with 19,722 (55.67 percent) of the votes. Her opponent, Dan "Doc" Severson received 15,770 (44.43 percent).

"I was so appreciative that the people

had the confidence in me, so overwhelming and humbling," Jordan said of winning. "I have worked so hard. Steadily working for this community for so many years. Regardless (of winning) I was going to continue to work for the community. This is another opportunity, so I can continue working."

Jordan, the current board chair, has lived in the same Fort Myers home for 33 years, where she raised her children. She is a small business owner of a hospitality management company, Nina Rose Events. Jordan was first elected to the board in 2018.

With the re-election of another four year term, Jordan will continue to work at getting kids back into their regular schools following the hurricane, working on the proximity plan, which will hopefully eliminate some of the busing issues, as well as making sure the district continues to work towards career and technology for students.

"I am just grateful," she said of the opportunity to continue to serve. "It's very humbling to see that they have the confidence and I will continue to be the advocate for this district for children and our families."

District 6 Jada Langford-Fleming won the District 6 seat with 111,436 (51.53 percent) of the votes beating her opponent Denise Nystrom who had 104,817 (48.47 percent) of the votes.

"I am so excited, just very honored to have earned once again the support of voters in Lee County. Just to know they

believe in me and what I stand for and know I have that kind of support is a true honor. I am overwhelmed by it," LangfordFleming said. "I felt very good about it once the polls started to come in and precincts came in."

She said she stood at a precinct from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and the lines were nonstop.

"There was a steady flow for 12 hours and then some," Langford-Fleming said.

Langford-Fleming, a seventh generation Floridian, lives in Fort Myers with her husband and three children. Before becoming a small business owner, Jada Fleming Fitness LL and personal trainer for young adults and athletes, she taught elementary education for 20 years. She also was a P-5 PE coach for the last four years of her education career, as well as a high school volleyball coach for 12 years.

Langford-Fleming said she is ready to roll up her sleeves and get to work for the families.

"I owe the community. I am so ready to get to work and I am excited," she said. The platform she ran on, the ideals she shared with the community remain the same. Once she sits at the dais she is going to keep her promise of putting families and parents first and to make sure their rights are protected and children are getting the best education in the classroom. LangfordFleming is about sticking to the basics and teaching the standards. In addition, she wants to make sure educators feel valued and parents have a voice.

Elected Superintendent Referendum

The voters also voted in favor of having an elected superintendent with 153,461 (62.15 percent) in favor and 93,478 (37.85 percent) opposed during Tuesday's General Election.

HB 497, entitled Lee County School District, was one of 10 bills DeSantis signed on May 3. Jenna Persons-Mulicka,

District 78-R, filed the bill on Nov. 4, 2021.

With the majority answering yes, the 1974 resolution will be repealed and the school district will move to an elected superintendent, which would be done in a “partisan election by vote of qualified electors residing in Lee County for a term of four years, beginning with the 2024 general election.”

With the superintendent becoming another elected constitutional officer, Lee County now has a total of eight, including Sheriff, Clerk of the Courts, Tax Collector and Property Appraiser.

Bobbie D'Alessandro, with Quality of Schools, said she was disappointed the voters are in favor of an elected superintendent.

"But, I think the voters spoke and we need to listen," she said. "I think we just have to wait and see. My hope is really good, qualified people will want to run, people with great backgrounds will move forward. I do believe it will be more political. That is just the way it is going to be because the voters voted. It is in the voters hand and yesterday they voted. A lot of people seem to be happy about it."

D'Alessandro said the school district has to be good for the kids.

Jordan said she is supported keeping an appointed superintendent.

"I think when we have an elected superintendent that just becomes more of a political issue versus the person with the right experience," she said.

When out and about Wednesday, she said people are still confused about what transpired with the vote.

Jordan was part of the board that appointed the current Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier.

"The minute he came here it was boots on the ground, 100 days to get out to the schools and be part of the community," she said. "He is speaking to everybody that is in the district. He wants to hear what you have to say."

Jordan said she feels sad to think about the election in the coming years. She said he now has to consider what does his future hold and does he start campaigning for the elected superintendent position.

"Unfortunately that is the situation we are in right now. It saddens me that he has to make those decisions because he does have a lot of work to do," she said.

Persons-Mulicka could not be reached for comment.

Gulf Coast Village to host Veterans Day celebration

Gulf Coast Village and its sponsoring partner, Volunteers of America National Services, will host its annual Veterans Day celebration for residents and their families on today, Nov. 11 from noon to 3 p.m.

The celebration will be inside Gulf Coast Village's Auditorium at 1433 Santa Barbara Blvd. in Cape Coral.

The Home Depot Foundation has chosen Gulf Coast Village to be the recipient of a surprise, act-of-kindness donation in

honor of the veteran residents of Gulf Coast Village.

The foundation is also providing lunch for residents to mark the occasion.

Following The Home Depot Foundation announcement, Mike King, the CEO of Volunteers of America Inc., will host a Celebration of Service honoring the veteran residents at Gulf Coast Village, followed by a streamed national service.

The Florida Division of Emergency Management, working with the National Hurricane Center to evaluate weather predictions, has determined there is a continuing risk of dangerous storm surge, heavy rainfall, flash flooding, strong winds hazardous seas, and isolated tornadic activity. Timely precautions are needed to restore the impacted communities, infrastructure, and the general welfare of Florida, the office of DeSantis stated.

Armor Persons

Donalds, Greenwell surge to wins in red wave

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com

Gov. Ron DeSantis and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio were re-elected on Tuesday while Congressman Byron Donalds easily won re-election to represent the 19th Congressional District that covers most of Lee and Collier counties as part of red wave that swept over the area and the state.

Lee County Commissioner Mike Greenwell (R-Alva) handily won a special election for District 5 against Lehigh Acres Democrat Matthew Wood while Lee County Board of County Commissioners Chairman Cecil Pendergrass (R-District 2) and Commissioner Brian Hamman (RDistrict 4) were re-elected after facing only write-ins.

The election results were indicative of the overwhelming advantage Republicans hold in Lee County with nearly 100,000 more registered voters than Democrats. According to statistics from the Lee County Board of Election Supervisors, there are 226,672 registered Republicans in the county compared to 128,650 Democrats. There are 162,709 voters affiliated with other parties or no party.

Greenwell secured 68.59% of the still-to-be-certified vote Tuesday. The former Boston Red Sox All-Star outfielder and the owner of several businesses in Lee County, was appointed by DeSantis to fill the seat of the late Commissioner Frank Mann in July. Greenwell won a Republican primary weeks later for the special election.

“It’s a great feeling,” Greenwell said Tuesday night. “It’s a great honor to be appointed by who I think is the greatest governor in the country. It’s an even greater honor to be voted in by your community,” he said.

Greenwell said he was focused on helping the county recover from Hurricane Ian, where more than 10 million cubic yards of debris was still waiting to be picked up. More than 2 million cubic yards had already been picked up, Greenwell said. Greenwell said more than 21,000 homes in the county had been flooded.

“There is so much to be done,” Greenwell said.

Greenwell said he had not done any campaigning since Hurricane Ian, instead choosing to focus on the recovery effort, going out to hard-hit areas such as Sanibel and Matlacha and working with county officials to find solutions to issues such as the 50% rule with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and how residents may be affected. The county had tried to add on to 15% of the market value of properties to help homeowners build back without having to tear down their properties if 50% or more of the property was damaged but the county received a letter from the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FEMA) on Tuesday that it may not be able to.

“We are doing everything we can. We are discussing with FEMA and the state if we can improve the 50% rule and we are not sure if we can. If we can, we will,” Greenwell said.

Donalds, who was in a rematch against Fort Myers Democrat Cindy Banyai, carried 63% of the electorate in Lee County and 70% of voters in Collier County based on unofficial tallies with more than 130,000 ballots counted.

Donalds, of Naples, faced a rematch with Fort Myers Democrat Cindy Banyai. The two clashed over abortion, immigration and other issues with the two taking starkly different positions on most issues. Banyai had attacked Donalds for voting not to certify the 2020 presidential election in two states and for a vote against a spending bill after Hurricane Ian that would have aided the Federal Emergency

Management

Vicki Collins, spokesperson for the office of the Lee County Supervisor of Elections, said there were “lines all day” to vote. There were 13 voting locations throughout the county, down from the normal amount of 97. The limited number of polling locations was due to damage from Hurricane Ian to facilities.

Collins said there were some “signature discrepancies” with some mail-in ballots though an exact number was not immediately available. Those with signature discrepancies in which the signature provided with the mail-in ballot did not match a signature on file or license, “have until 5 p.m. Thursday to cure their ballots,” Collins said. Collins said there were no issues with signatures at polling locations. Under a voting law passed by the Florida legislature, signatures must match though election officials can utilize multiple records to match signatures.

State Rep. Adam Botana (R-80) won re-election in a landslide over Mitchel Schlayer. Botana, of Bonita Springs, received 67% of the unofficial vote. The district covers Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel and Bonita Springs.

Lee County Republican Party Chairman Jonathan Martin faced only a write-in in the District 33 State Senate seat held by Ray Rodrigues. Rodrigues was appointed by DeSantis as chancellor of the State University System of Florida. Martin received 95% of the unofficial vote.

Results are not final until certification on Nov. 18.

Agency. Donalds ran on a platform criticizing the immigration policy of President Joe Biden and calling for a change in Federal Reserve policy. Donalds said he is seeking a position on the financial services committee.

Byron Donalds

Lee County Commissioner Mike Greenwell

Gov. Ron DeSantis

Dignity Closet helps Cape Coral High School students

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers.com

An idea that stemmed from a group of four seniors from the graduating class of 2020, has turned into a place of necessity for Cape Coral High School students.

“I would like the school and community to know that our closet is a safe place that is here for anyone who needs it and that we appreciate anyone who donates, or uses this space that is provided for them," Dignity Closet President Lauren Binghak, a junior, said. "I believe that all schools should have a Dignity Closet, since it offers students this safe space that is provided since not every child has an outlet for clothes, school supplies, hygiene products, etc."

Cape Coral High School Chemistry teacher and Dignity Closet Sponsor Dana Isaac said plans for the Dignity Closet began in the spring of 2019.

"A group of four seniors (from the class of 2020) planned it all," she said. "They reached out to administration to help them find a room to build the closet. A local businessman donated his time to build the closet, as long as the students paid for the materials. During the summer of 2019, the students raised money and as word spread, monetary donations began to come in. Once the closet opened, we have had a steady supply of clothing and toiletries donated."

Dignity Closet Vice President Renee Bella, a junior, became involved at the end of her freshman year after a friend made the suggestion.

"I really liked the idea. They were looking for officers. My sophomore year I was secretary and now vice president. I have been pretty involved," Bella said. "I really like how much it can help people, especially now."

Binghak also became involved in the club her freshman year because she truly believed that the organization's mission was positively impacting Cape Coral High School and community.

"There are many things I enjoy about Dignity Closet, but the thing I most enjoy would be being in the closet and organizing and seeing all the donations we receive from people in our community," she said. "Especially after the hurricane, we received an overwhelming amount of donations and it warms my heart to see how our community comes together and thinks of others in times of need."

The closet is comprised of so many "nice clothes that people have generously given," Bella said, which she thinks is amazing.

The closet consists of an abundance of clothes, including hoodies and jackets, T-shirts and pants. There is also a

great deal of hygiene items including shampoo and toothbrushes.

Bella said this year they held a school supply drive, with Target contributing items.

"I thought that was pretty cool," she said.

For this drive, Binghak said they collaborated with the Red Cross for both a school supply and backpack drive, which is running through Nov. 18.

"These donations will go toward the HeadStart program to help out children and families," she said.

Bella said they have another partnership with the school's student government, as Cape Coral High School's Homecoming is Nov. 12.

"Last Friday (Nov. 4) from 5 to 7 anyone from the Cape could come to school and drop off formal wear. We got an enormous amount of clothes from teachers, shop owners and students that already had homecoming dresses," Bella said.

Students who are in need of items reach out to their guidance counselor, who will then bring them to the closet to choose the items they need. Those who

visit the closet remain anonymous.

"We have also allowed students to borrow clothes for their senior pictures, graduation and dances," Isaac said for prom and homecoming.

Isaac said she became the sponsor because she thought it was a wonderful idea to help those in need on their campus.

"It wasn’t that long after Hurricane Irma hit our area and I remembered hearing about students and faculty that needed items," she said. "I thought it would have been a good idea to have a place on campus that they could have come to get clothing and toiletry items until they got back on their feet."

Dignity Closet is entirely student run. As the president, Binghak organizes and leads the meetings, networks with other clubs and organizations and keeps everything in check with the closet. In addition, she and the other officers organize drives and photoshoots.

"They have learned to organize materials, work together on collaborative projects, set up fundraisers, complete an inventory, all on their own," Isaac said. "My main job is to sign paperwork."

Isaac said the community's support is much appreciated, as they have more clothing and toiletry items than they have room for.

Bella said her hope is that other schools become inspired by Dignity Closet and start their own at their school to help their student body.

How to honor a veteran this Veterans Day

Veterans Day, Nov. 11, is a day set

aside to remember and recognize veterans who have served or who are currently serving to protect our freedoms.

American Legion Auxiliary units will be hosting special events in their communities nationwide to honor veterans. In addition to attending these events, there are simple things people can do to make a big difference in a veteran’s life on this special day. The ALA also recognizes the devoted caregivers and families who give selfless support and dedication to the men and women of the armed forces.

∫ Seek out Veterans Day events. Attend a ceremony, parade or other special event in your community.

∫ Offer help. Do you have a relative, friend or neighbor who’s a veteran? Offer to help with household chores or yard work.

∫ Thank veterans for their service or write a thank-you card to show your gratitude. Both are small gestures that can make a huge impact.

∫ Ask a veteran about their time in the military. Be sure to be an engaged listener.

∫ Volunteer with an ALA unit in your community. Reach out to the local American Legion post home for ALA unit information or visit www.ALAforVeterans.org for more information.

∫ Donate to a cause that helps veter-

ans. Every dollar helps. Even a small donation is money well spent to support our nation’s heroes. Consider donating to the American Legion Auxiliary Foundation to support veterans, military and their families for generations to come.

Veterans Day originated in 1919 as Armistice Day to mark the one-year anniversary of the end of World War I. The date of Nov. 11 is significant because fighting between the Allied nations and Germany ceased on the 11th hour of the 11th day in the 11th month in 1918. In 1954, former U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower changed the name to Veterans Day.

Not to be confused with Memorial

Day, Veterans Day pays tribute to all veterans — those who have served and are currently serving, along with those who have passed.

Source: The American Legion Auxiliary, a community of volunteers serving veterans, military and their families. Members support the mission of The American Legion in improving the quality of life for veterans. Founded in 1919, the ALA is one of the oldest patriotic membership organizations in the United States. For more information, visit www.ALAforVeterans.org.

“I would like the school and community to know that our closet is a safe place that is here for anyone who needs it and that we appreciate anyone who donates, or uses this space that is provided for them. I believe that all schools should have a Dignity Closet, since it offers students this safe space that is provided since not every child has an outlet for clothes, school supplies, hygiene products.”

— Dignity Closet President Lauren Binghak, CCHS junior

SPORTS

Fishing for the freshwater king -- the musky

Recently I took a trip to Tennessee to deal with a family health emergency and while there found that I had some time to kill. Always trying to make lemonade from life’s sometimes sour hurricane lemons, I made a call to a nationally known but local guide and found that due to client health issues he also had a few days available as well. Timing!

I truly enjoy lite tackle Southwest Florida saltwater fishing and the reason I live here, but when it comes to freshwater fishing I’m a musky nut. Freshwater stripers, smallmouth bass, trout are all favorites but in freshwater, the musky is king and the greatest challenge, which is why it’s commonly called “The fish of 10,000 casts.”

Some folks spend a lifetime of weekends chasing them and never even see one. More often than not, if you do see one it’s just following your lure out of curiosity then simply fades away at the last second, which is why musky anglers do the “figure eight” at the end of each and every cast even if you don’t see a following fish.

As you retrieve your lure, get it to within 12 inches of the rod tip and without stopping the lures movement, bend and stick the rod down in the water a foot or two and draw a large and wide underwater figure 8 with your rod tip and lure. The rod being underwater pulling your lure doesn’t seem to bother a fish that’s really interested in eating your offering. Often the musky will follow your lure from below unseen during the straight retrieve then come up and strike during the figure eight. Most pro guides will tell you that 50% to as much as 65% of their musky strikes happen on the figure eight and why you must spend the extra effort to do a couple at the end of -- each and every cast.

A 45 to 50-inch, 40-pound fish like a musky strikes any lure hard but that same big fish unexpectedly striking at boat side with only 12 inches of line out, is nearly heart stopping.

Now for the down side; unless you are blessed with beginner’s luck, musky casting is simply hard work requiring real dedication and physical endurance. Musky anglers don’t call it fishing they call it “grinding.”

These always unpredictable fish often bite best in unsettled windy, rainy and cold stormy weather so good quality rain and snow gear is a must. Muskies are at the top of the lake’s food chain and eat animals as big as muskrats and raccoons, ducks and, of course, other big fish, which is another reason musky lures are so large (Yes, there are full-sized muskrat and duck lures!)

This is where the dedication and endurance part comes to play. Cast a 10foot-long, heavy action rod, equipped with a 24-inch-long, 1.5-pound rubber lure non-stop for 10 hours in the cold pouring rain, while doing a figure 8 at the end of each cast, for multiple days. That’s musky fishing and why it’s not wildly popular with everyone. For me, it’s a fish and fishing challenge that fascinating. In saltwater I’m used to seeing big fish but to see and actually catch a large super predator like a musky in freshwater, is always a special thrill.

Folks think of the musky as an “up north” fish but the muskies' population is widespread with Tennessee and a few spots in northern Georgia at the very bottom of its range. Waters below that are simply too warm to support this oddball, super predator.

If you’re up for a change of scenery and a true angling challenge, world class musky lake Melton Hill near Knoxville, Tennessee, is calling your name and is only 12 hours away. The fishing goes on all winter with giant stripers and 30pound brown trout as by-catch!

Capt. George Tunison is a Cape Coral resident fishing guide. Contact him at 239-282-9434 or captgeorget3@aol. com.

Flag football game scheduled to raise funds for students, educators, teachers

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers.com

An event scheduled next month came to be as a vision to bring the community together through sportsmanship while raising funds for students, educators and teachers through a Hurricane Ian relief fund.

The Hurricane Ian Relief Flag Football Tournament will be held at 8 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, at Dunbar High School, 3800 Edison Ave., Fort Myers.

“As a teacher at The Sanibel School, I have been blessed with the outpouring of support from our community and strangers near and far,” tournament coordinator Joe Camputaro said. “I felt that it would be nice to pay it forward and serve as a goodwill ambassador, similar to a program that I have implemented with my fifth grade students at our school titled, Blueberry Ambassadors.”

Camputaro, a 2021 Golden Apple recipient, is an advocate of the work that the Foundation for Lee County Public Schools CEO and President Marshall Bower does for the students and educators

of the county.

“I have also served as league coordinator for various adult intramural leagues through the School District’s employee wellness program. When I returned home from evacuating the hurricane, I shared my vision with employee wellness and the foundation. Both were incredibly supportive and let me run with the ball, so to speak, to organize this tournament. Since its inception, many individuals from the foundation and the school district, including full support and endorsement of district leadership, have made this possible,” he said.

Participation is $10 per person and will go towards the Foundation for Lee County Public Schools Hurricane Ian Relief Fund. Those interested must register by 11:50 p.m., Dec. 1, by visiting https://playpass .com/HurricaneIanFlagFootballFundraiser.

Additional donations are encouraged,

but not required.

“There is no max number for registration. The tournament will be 7 vs. 7 adult only (18-plus years or older) to play. There is a men’s division and a co-ed division. Teams can have as many players on their roster as they wish, however only seven players can be on the field for their respective team during the game,” Camputaro said.

He said the event would not be possible without the incredible support of the School District of Lee County, the Foundation for Lee County Public Schools and those who are volunteering for the tournament.

“In order to ensure all funds go directly to the Hurricane Ian Relief Fund, myself, our officials and anyone else who is helping us on the 3rd are volunteering their time to bring our community closer and support our amazing School District employees and families,” Camputaro said.

Calvin Peete Golf Classic set for Saturday

By CHUCK BALLARO news@breezenewspapers.com

It was at the last minute, but the Calvin Peete Golf Classic, the main fundraiser for the North Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce, has been rescheduled to this Saturday, Nov. 12, at the Magnolia Landing Country Club.

And it’s not too late to get out your clubs and play a round or to be a sponsor.

The tournament had been scheduled for Oct. 15, but with Hurricane Ian, it was considered too early to get back to normal and the golf course needed to be worked on.

It looked as though the tournament would either be cancelled altogether or rescheduled to 2023. Wendy Murray, executive director of the North Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce, said this new date was out of necessity.

“We were running out of time to get it in this year. The golf courses get so busy during season that there’s no opportunity to host a tournament anywhere,” Murray said. “We worked with Magnolia Landing and we’re putting it together with most of the original teams staying with us. We’re hop-

ing for a sellout.”

Murray said all the sponsors have also stayed with them with room for several more. Lee County Insurance as the title sponsor.

With the new date, several teams will be unable to compete because of other commitments or the hurricane. This leaves four foursomes needed to fill the 18-team field.

There will be a 1 p.m. shotgun start and a buffet dinner afterwards. It is still $125 per person and $500 for a team, which includes golf, dinner, adult beverages, live auction, silent auction and raffle.

Murray said the rescheduling and all that has happened with the hurricane has definitely hurt the chamber.

“Personally, I lost my home and our members have struggled with their businesses reopening. The roofers, air conditioning and gutter people have done really well,” Murray said. “There was a point where I was referring six roofers a day. Some members lost their offices and buildings. Lee County Insurance and McDaniel Insurance got flooded. Some businesses are working out of the Chamber offices, where we had no damage.”

The chamber appears to be getting back on solid footing. Although its breakfast mingle was cancelled this past week, it held its Business Leaders Luncheon Wednesday at Gulf Coast Village.

For more information or to register to play of sponsor, call Wendy Murray at 239-707-6722.

The Boston Red Sox Foundation will once again be awarding $5,000 scholarships in the spring of 2023 to one deserving student from each of the 15 public high schools in Lee County.

Again this year all Lee County charter and ALS schools are also included with one $5,000 scholarship also being awarded to a student from this category for a total of 16 scholarships worth $80,000.

Applications are now open and available at https://www.redsoxfoundation.org/leecou ntyscholarship/

The deadline to apply is Jan. 13, 2023. All applications should be submitted to flscholarships@redsox.com.

“The Red Sox are great partners with the School District of Lee County, and we sincerely appreciate their continued commitment to our students,” said Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier. “I encourage our seniors to apply for this

scholarship. Selecting just one student from each high school will not be easy, but I look forward to meeting the selected recipients."

The scholarships are for academically talented students who have shown a commitment to community service and are pursuing a two- or four- year degree at any college or university.

Scholarship funds are raised annually from proceeds of the Red Sox annual Swings for the Sox Golf Tournament. To date, the Swings for the Sox has raised more than $497,000 for local charities and specifically $437,175 for the scholarship program.

Due to Hurricane Ian this year’s tournament was cancelled.

“The Red Sox Foundation continues its

PREP REPORT

Brown also scored. Tawny De La Fe Cruz and Nickeistein Orelus made assists.

Cape Coral 1, Ida Baker 0: The Seahawks pick up a rivalry victory to open both teams' season.

commitment to providing the funds for these scholarships,” said Brennan Whitley, senior manager Florida business operations for the Boston Red Sox. “Our 11th annual Swings for the Sox golf tournament was cancelled but we are proud to still be giving more money for these scholarships for deserving students.”

The Red Sox Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the official team charity of the Boston Red Sox. The foundation’s primary focus locally is in serving the health, education, recreation and social service needs of children and families across Southwest Florida. The Red Sox Foundation is one of the most successful in all of Major League Baseball.

For more information about the Red Sox Foundation, please visit its website at www.redsoxfoundation.org.

Tuesday Boys Soccer

Island

Naples 2, Mariner 0: Mariner faced a tough road opponent in its first match, falling at Naples.

Canterbury 1, Oasis 0: Canterbury earned a shutout as the Cougars' Joshua Wiese scored the only goal of the match.

S P O R T S B R I E F

Mussels’ Meyer named FSL Manager of the Year

Fort

Minor

The Cleveland native managed Fort Myers to a 41-23 finish in the First Half, the best mark in the Florida State League. The club’s .641 winning percentage ranked fifth out of 120 teams in Minor

League Baseball and fifth all-time in Fort Myers history (30 seasons).

The 2022 Mussels finished atop the FSL in both OPS and ERA. Their 3.51 ERA also ranked first amongst all 30 Low-A clubs.

Over the last two seasons, Meyer and his staff have helped roughly 30 players earn promotions to higher levels. In September Louie Varland made his MLB debut, the first professional player managed by Meyer to reach the Majors. Meyer joined the Twins organization in 2019.

Oasis slipped to 1-1 despite 13 saves by Josh Hill.

Girls Soccer

Oasis 3, Canterbury 0: Jaclynn Mars scored twice and made an assist for the 20 Sharks. Samantha Chitu had a goal and an assist, and Ariana Suarez contributed an assist.

Lehigh 4, Island Coast 0: The Gators opened with a loss to the Lightning.

Capt. George Tunison

Myers Mighty Mussels skipper Brian Meyer has been named the 2022 Florida State League Manager of the Year.

League Baseball announced the honor on Thursday after Meyer led the Mighty Mussels to a 69-59 record and the First Half Championship in the FSL West.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Capt. George Tunison holds the big musky he caught recently in Tennessee

Cape Coral Breeze Athletes of the Week

Athletes Weekof the

Tommy Bohanon Foundation to hold softball tourney to help families in need for the holidays

Recovery from Hurricane Ian making holidays harder for many

Many Southwest Florida families are unable to afford Christmas gifts this year, especially with recovery efforts underway after Hurricane Ian.

Despite the disruption of the storm, the Tommy Bohanon Foundation is spreading holiday cheer by hosting its third annual Charity Softball Tournament, along with a toy drive and Hurricane Ian Relief Drive, at the Northwest Cape Coral Softball Complex on Sunday, Nov. 27, to help local families in need enjoy the holidays this year.

“Not only are these events a ton of fun for the entire family, but every dollar raised is going back into the community to help ease the financial burden that Hurricane Ian caused,” said Bohanon, a former NFL player and founder of the Tommy Bohanon Foundation. “The holidays can be really tough for families who

are struggling to put food on the table, so anything the community can contribute will help. By donating, you are doing more than adding a gift underneath someone’s Christmas tree, you are bringing joy to families who have experienced a lot of hardship these past few months.”

The softball tournament is open to the public and admission is one unwrapped toy per spectator.

The whole entire family can enjoy elite softball games, a 50/50 cash raffle, bounce houses, holiday crafts, food trucks, a visit from Santa Claus and more. Money raised during this event will stay local and go directly towards purchasing gifts and hurricane relief necessities for families and children in Southwest Florida.

Last year, the Tommy Bohanon Foundation softball tournament raised $18,000. The foundation hopes to surpass

that and provide further support with recovery efforts compounding issues that make the holidays challenging for some local families.

The Tommy Bohanon Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization working to ensure that every child can achieve his or her goals on and off of the field. The foundation funds annual scholarships, sports equipment grants to local high schools, youth football camps, seminars and programs, as well as funding for other local nonprofits.

Please consider making a donation that will go to local families impacted by Hurricane Ian at tommybohanonfoundation.org.

The Northwest Cape Coral Softball Complex is located at 1030 N.W. 16th Place, off of Chiquita Boulevard.

The Joel Foundation donates $250,000 for victims of Ian to Community Cooperative

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com

The Community Cooperative, which recently announced receiving $250,000 from The Joel Foundation to aid the victims of Hurricane Ian, delivered meals to Fort Myers Beach residents, shrimpers and businesses at the Key West Express parking lot Friday morning.

The organization was at 1200 Main Street in Fort Myers Beach providing meals, water and essential supplies.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame musician Billy Joel and his daughter Alexis Joel made a $250,000 contribution to the Community Cooperative for the Lee County Strong Hurricane Ian Relief Fund, through their organization The Joel Foundation.

The relief fund is an emergency fund providing relief and long-term recovery assistance to the residents of Southwest Florida recovering from the devastating impacts of Hurricane Ian. According to Community Cooperative, The Joel Foundation is focusing on relief and rebuilding efforts in southwest Florida for those impacted by the storm, for children and school programs, as well as the local maritime community.

The Lee County Strong Hurricane Ian Relief Fund was established the day Hurricane Ian made landfall by Community Cooperative, a nonprofit organization which working to alleviate hunger and homelessness.

The Lee County Strong emergency relief fund will provide displaced residents and families with food and basic needs, as well as assist hurricane victims with additional resources and long-term recovery assistance.

“We are blown away by the outpouring of support from people across the world, including Billy and Alexis Joel,” said

Stefanie Ink Edwards, CEO of Community Cooperative. “The Joel Foundation’s incredible donation will go such a long way in getting our community back on its feet, our children back in school, and their families back at home. We can’t thank The Joel Family and their organization enough.”

According to Edwards, Community Cooperative has already purchased recess equipment for three merged schools thanks to The Joel Foundation’s contribution. Fort Myers Beach Elementary and The Sanibel School are being temporarily placed inside the San Carlos Elementary School. Providing additional recess equipment ensures students a sense of normalcy while their own schools are rebuilt.

“Our family is moved to action by the catastrophic hurricane that wiped out an entire coastline in Lee County Florida,” said Billy and Alexis Joel in a joint statement.

“Florida is our winter home and living through our own experience during Superstorm Sandy and the rebuilding needed in the ongoing years, our goal is to help those less fortunate. While we always put music education at the forefront of our agenda, we also help those during devastating times. We have partnered with The Lee County Community Cooperative to aid those that are suffering in the aftermath of this storm. We are grateful to them for their tireless work in the community,” Billy and Alexis Joel said.

The Joel Foundation has made and pledged more than $7 million in charitable donations with a focus on music education and humanitarian aid. In addition to supporting vital global relief efforts, The Joel Foundation provides grants to organizations throughout New York City

In 2021,

of

Those who wish to apply for relief through the Lee County Strong emergency relief fund can do so at www.CommunityCooperative.com.

Supporters looking to donate to the

Lee County Strong Emergency Relief Fund can do so at www.LeeCounty Strong.com

Those interested in becoming a volunteer for Community Cooperative can apply or learn more at www.

CommunityCooperative.com/GiveHelp/Volunteer, or contact via email at volunteer@communitycooperative.com.

To learn more about Community Cooperative, visit www.Community Cooperative.com or call 239-332-SOUP (7687).

(Selected by the Breeze Sports staff)

Cape

Sponsored by:

Tommy and Katie Bohanon

and Long Island leveraging the power of music to enhance the lives of people of every age.

Community Cooperative provided more than 2.1 million pounds

food to those in need, assisting over 42,000 Southwest Florida residents through their vital human services programs.

Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Billy Joel and wife Alexa Joel's The Joel Foundation recently donated $250,000 to The Community Cooperative to assist Hurricane Ian victims. The Community Cooperative fed Fort Myers Beach residents, workers and shrimpers at Key West Express on Fort Myers Beach over the weekend.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Why include native plants in your landscape?

By JANETTA FOX news@breezenewspapers.com

There are a number of reasons to include Florida native plants in your landscape, with two very important ones being the sustenance and shelter they provide to our native birds, butterflies, insects and other wildlife, and money savings for you.

Shell Factory to host GoldenFest

12th annual fundraiser for GRRSWF to be held this Sunday

By CHUCK BALLARO news@breezenewspapers.com

GoldenFest XII, the annual fundraiser for Golden Retriever Rescue of Southwest Florida (GRRSWF) will be held on Sunday, Nov. 13, at the Shell Factory & Nature Park, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

All dogs are welcome to an event that will have numerous pet demonstrations, entertainment and the ability for Golden lovers to adopt a pet.

GRRSWF, founded in 2009, has saved more than 1,100 goldens and goldens mixes from Florida to South Korea, Iran to China, as part of its international mission.

To be considered native, plants and other creatures would have been present in our territory prior to any initial contact with Europeans; so, prior to the 16th century. The symbiotic relationship and co-dependence that would have been present hundreds of years ago continue in today’s environment. It is wonderful to think that the native plants in our landscape today have connection to a distant past.

GARDEN CLUBOF CAPE CORAL

When we plant a diversity of native plants, we can do our part to help ensure the continuance of other native species, e.g., our native insects and the birds and other insects that feed upon them. This diversity also provides a refuge for our fauna, providing protection from the weather, resting places for lovely creatures such as butterflies and a safe place for nesting animals.

Because many native plants are drought tolerant once established, their watering needs are greatly lessened unlike, for example, turf. Many people enjoy the look of a well-manicured lawn but, did you know that most turf grasses are water guzzlers? If one were to compare an equal square footage of native plants to turf, the grass consumes at least three times the water. If we were to replace a portion of that turf with native plants, it would equate to savings for us and help preserve our precious water resources.

Planting natives can prove to be a lower-maintenance money-saver. Unlike turf, which often requires considerable maintenance to stay healthy, and the need for fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides, native plants often do well in the absence of these products when planted in the right place. And no mowing required nor the need for gas mowers polluting the air! It is definitely a win-win for the environment and us.

On a related note: Lee County Master Gardener volunteer, Rose Larkin will be presenting “Gardening With Native Plants” at the North Fort Myers Public Library on Thursday, Feb. 16, from 2:30-3:30 p.m.

See NATIVE PLANTS, page 4B

Hundreds of people and even more dogs will be in attendance. Cathy Cottrell, publicity director at GRRSWF, said after last year’s event was cancelled, they are looking forward to holding it again.

“This is something that brings people together with a happy event that’s dog related. We welcome all dogs, especially those who were adopted at our rescue,” Cottrell said. “We want to continue to raise awareness for the importance of spaying and neutering dogs and that dogs are family pets and not items that belong on dinner plates.”

Cottrell said they have been lucky to work with South Korea, rescuing many dogs from there. The dogs are constantly vetted before they come to the states. They bring several dogs per year from there.

All breeds of well-mannered, leashed dogs — especially golden retrievers — are invited to attend with their owners. Admission, parking, and color-coded bandanas (for dogs who were adopted out or up for adoption) for all dogs attending are free.

As far as the other countries they are much more difficult and with the changes in policies in recent years, almost impossible, Cottrell said.

“GoldenFest is our annual fundraiser that raises money to help the dogs we take in,” said GRRSWF President Alesia Galuppo in a statement. “This family-fun event provides activities for the whole family — human and canine alike. It is because of gracious donors and GoldenFest that GRRSWF can help dogs, especially those with special medical needs.”

Peter Busch and Lisa Spooner, of NBC-2, will be the masters of ceremony for the event which will feature vendors, exhibits, dock dog diving, obedience, flyball, scent work and trick and agility demos.

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office will provide K9 demonstrations, deputy dogs, a SWAT Team Bear Cat tactical vehicle, and a virtual reality vehicle where visitors get to experience a deputy’s real-life decision-making situation.

ABC4K9, a North Fort Myers training group, will be doing obedience and rally demos. Representatives of Bratty Paws in Punta Gorda will provide canine agility demonstrations.

The North Fort Myers Fire Control District will display equipment and vehicles. Vendors include a large variety of

pet-related business services and non-profits.

Entertainment will include live music by the Rosada Projects, dancing by the Calendar Girls and a Santa Paws photo booth. The event includes a raffle and a silent auction.

The title sponsor is The Gunterberg Charitable Foundation - Brotherhood of Heroes of Cape Coral.

For more information, visit www.grrswf.org, email info@grrswf.org or call 369-0415.

The Shell Factory & Nature Park is located at 16554 North Cleveland Ave., in North Fort Myers. Call 29-9952141 or visit www.shellfactory.com for additional information.

PHOTO PROVIDED

GoldenFest XII, a fundraiser for Golden Retriever Rescue of Southwest Florida, will be held Sunday, Nov. 13, at the Shell Factory. The family-friendly event will include a number of activities, entertainment, a raffle, a silent auction and much more.

Cape Animal Shelter to hold Blessing of the Pets Nov. 20

The Cape Coral Animal Shelter has rescheduled its 3rd Annual Blessing of the Pets for Sunday, Nov. 20, at 2 p.m. The blessing had originally been scheduled for Oct. 2 but was postponed due to Hurricane Ian.

This outdoor event is open to people and pets of all faiths. There will be a service celebrating the special bond people have with their pets and each pet will receive a special blessing from special guests Pastor Cindy Jones of Grace United

Episcopal Church Women card party, luncheon today

The Episcopal Church Women of Epiphany Episcopal Church in Cape Coral is hosting a Card Party and Luncheon today, Nov. 11, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. The public is invited to this annual event. So, round-up your friends and reserve a table for cards, lots of fun and a delicious lunch served at 11:30 a.m.

There will be prizes, hand-made crafts and jewelry on display and a yummy bake sale. Tickets are $15 and reservations are required by Nov. 4 with plenty of free parking. Call the church office at 239-5723200 or Ruth McConnell at 239-5744299 for tickets.

The church is located at 2507 Del Prado Blvd., S, Cape Coral, FL 33904.

Better Together, Grace Church to host Second Chance Job Fair Nov. 15

Better Together and Grace Church are partnering to host a Second Chance Job Fair from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 15, for Southwest Florida residents facing barriers to employment.

Better Together’s Second Chance job fairs help job seekers overcome barriers to employment, such as incarceration, home-

Methodist Church, the Rev. Dr. Mark McAnlis and Pastor Joe Spradlin, from First Congregational Church.

Each participant will receive a prayer card and St. Francis medallion (the Patron Saint of Animals). There will be a photo station for pictures with your pet, a delicious bake sale and a CCAS swag boutique.

“Blessing of the Pets is one of our very special community events and we are thrilled to be able to host it considering all

our community is going through right now” said Liz McCauley, shelter executive director. “Our pets are a very important part of our families, providing us with companionship and unconditional love. Showing our gratitude for their presence in our lives is a beautiful thing.”

Sponsors for this event are Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service and Raso Realty.

Dogs must always be on a leash (no retractable leashes). Cats, critters and other

RELIGION NOTES

lessness and even lack of transportation, by opening the door to background-friendly employers. Participating employers include Chicken Salad Chick, Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida, Hands On Staffing, Jimmy John’s, The Salvation Army, Secure Staffing and Spherion Staffing.

The church-based job fair not only connects job seekers with local employers who offer on-the-spot job opportunities, but also provides resources to facilitate stronger connections and more hires. Free one-onone job coaching sessions also available to job seekers to review resumes and interviewing skills, and additional services, such as free haircuts and clothing, will be available onsite.

The community job fair is part of Better Together’s “Better Jobs” program, which has helped 36,000 applicants connect with employment opportunities across 26 states. At job fairs hosted by Better Together, twothirds of attendees get a job interview, and nearly half receive a job offer on the spot.

The job fair will take place at Grace Church’s Fort Myers Central Campus, located at 2415 Grand Ave., Fort Myers. Job seekers and employers can register at BetterTogetherUS.org/Events/FtMyers-JF.

Churches interested in hosting a Better Together job fair can visit Better TogetherUS.org for more information.

Saint Michael Lutheran School to host 5th Annual Touch-a-Truck Jan. 21

Saint Michael Lutheran School in Fort Myers will hold its 5th Annual Touch-aTruck event Saturday, Jan. 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The free family event is open to the public and takes place at the Saint Michael Lutheran School campus, 3595 Broadway, Fort Myers, FL 33901.

Touch-a-Truck 2023 will transform the Saint Michael campus into a hands-on interactive experience that allows kids to get up close with vehicles of all kinds. This event gives truck-obsessed toddlers and young children a chance to turn their imagination into reality. Kids can honk horns, open doors, climb into the driver’s seat, and learn from community leaders and vehicle operators.

Sponsorship proceeds from Touch-aTruck 2023 will benefit local hurricane relief charities and SMLS students.

Event attendees can expect construction equipment, fire trucks and police vehicles, bucket trucks, dump trucks, farm equipment, helicopters, mail and delivery trucks, and more.

The first hour of Touch-a-Truck 2023, from 10-11 a.m., will be a sensory-safe time. During this time, lights, sirens, horns and other sounds that might disturb young

pets must be in a carrier. Donations are encouraged and all proceeds support the life saving efforts of the Cape Coral Animal Shelter. To date, the shelter has found loving, forever homes for over 3,000 animals.

The Cape Coral Animal Shelter is at 325 S.W. 2nd Ave., Cape Coral. For additional information, please see visit the shelter's website at www.capecoralanimalshelter.com.

or sensory-sensitive children, are prohibited.

Saint Michael is seeking sponsors, family-friendly vendors, and vehicles to participate in this event. Contact Touch-a-Truck event coordinator Chelsea Clementi at (941) 524-6104 or chelsearclementi @gmail.com.

For additional information, please visit www.smlcs.org or call 239-939-1218.

Catholic Mass to honor veterans moved due to weather

The Diocese of Venice in Florida will celebrate its 13th annual Veterans Day Catholic Mass to honor veterans today, Nov. 11. The Mass, originally scheduled to be held at The Sarasota National Cemetery, has been moved due to weather constraints. The Mass will now be celebrated at the nearby St. Patrick Parish, 7900 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota.

The Mass will begin at 3:30 p.m., with opening ceremonies at 3:15 p.m. All are encouraged to arrive early. The Most Rev. Frank J. Dewane, Bishop of the Diocese of Venice, will be the principal celebrant of the Mass.

The Diocese of Venice in Florida is assisted in this Veterans Day effort every year by the Knights of Columbus and students from Cardinal Mooney High School, who work diligently to prepare for this annual event.

Concert at St. Columbkille Catholic Church Nov. 20

Lee Van Asten will perform in concert Sunday, Nov. 20, at 7 p.m., in Iona Hall at St. Columbkille Catholic Church at 12171 Iona Road in Fort Myers.

Special guests for the performance are Mark Sanders, Bonnie Lancaster and more

Musical performances will include classical, jazz, standards, Broadway from “Claire de Lune” to “Fly Me to the Moon” to “Rhapsody In Blue” to “Bring Him Home”

A free will offering will be taken. All donations will directly benefit the Catholic Charities “Hurricane Relief Fund.”

For more information, please call 239-489-3973.

SCHEA to host blood drive in Club Square Nov. 19

SCHEA will host a Lee Health blood drive Saturday, Nov. 19, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The bus will be parked in Club Square, behind the BackStreets Sports Bar, on Southeast 47th Terrace.

Type O+ & O- remain critically low, and supply levels for all other blood types are also below normal. Please consider making a donation to help our local community.

Donors will receive a punch card with complimentary offers from the following local businesses: BackStreets, Chips &

Bourbon Chipotle Queso; Cape Cleaners, 10% off laundry or dry cleaning services (excludes alterations); The Dive, 10% off your next visit; Dixie Roadhouse, no cover charge for two people before 11 p.m. (excludes special events); DIY Yogurt, small cup of DIY; Eight-Foot Brewing, select draft; Fish Tale Grill, 10% off total check; (cannot be combined with any other offer); Genius Computer Repair & Service, $10 off any repair or service; Greek Spot, piece of baklava; Hair Artistry, blow out w/purchase of a hair cut; The House of

Glitter Salon & Spa, $10 off or 20% off any nail service; Karma and Coconuts, pocket size crystal heart; Kimber's Wine & Cigar Lounge, glass of wine or domestic beer; Lehne Burger, pretzel bites app; Maria's Pizzeria, small one-topping pizza; Merrick Seafood Company, 10% off total check (cannot be combined with any other offer); Nice Guys Pizza, order of regular or vegan garlic knots; Penny's Coffee Bar, small hot or iced coffee; Perk & Brew Coffee Shop Cafe, $5 off purchase of $15 or greater; Rack'em Spirits & Times, 1

hour of billiards (up to five people); Rusty's Raw Bar & Grill, loaded tots; South Cape Hub, free surprise; Tiki Hut, well drink, wine or domestic draft; and Zak's Jewelry, watch battery replacement.

All blood donated will stay local to Lee County, and appointments are available to eliminate wait times. Please call or text Shannon at 239-900-4028 (Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) or email info@southcapeentertainment.com to secure your time slot.

SCCF’s McNeal to address Cape Friends of Wildlife Tuesday

Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife has announced that Kealy McNeal, Coastal Watch Director at Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation, will be the speaker for the November membership meeting. She will present a program, entitled “Habitat Restoration in Pine Island Sound.”

McNeal has been in the sustainability and conservation education field for over ten years. As an environmental graduate

from University of Tampa, she gained a passion for protecting Florida’s marine environments through public education. She worked at several non-profit organizations in Florida with a focus on educating both children and adults on native species and habitats.

In 2018, Kealy started as the outdoor education coordinator at Sanibel Sea School, where she coordinated all aspects of their recreational paddling programs,

Lee County Community Band to begin 137th season Sunday at Cape High

The Lee County Community Band kicks off its 137th year with a free concert Sunday, Nov. 13, at 3 p.m., at Cape Coral High School.

Director Richard Bradstreet has selected a program featuring spirited and patriotic American music by American composers and a salute to U.S. military veterans. The program includes a tribute to Walt Disney, Big Band Polka, Navy Hymn, Fantasy on American Sailing Songs, The Light Eternal, The Armed Forces Salute and other well-known melodies. Vocalist Jan Fenn will perform “More Than You Know.”

The 50-member adult band will perform six concerts between November and April. Programs reflect the band’s reputation for lively, upbeat music and promise

an entertaining mix of old favorites, marches, patriotic tunes, Broadway and Silver Screen hits and a sing-alongs.

Band members are musicians from all walks of life who reside in Lee, Collier, and Charlotte Counties. The band welcomes new members every year; call Frances Pace at 239-691-3115.

Lee County Community Band concerts are free of charge (donations accepted), and open to the public. Additional concert dates are Dec. 11, Jan. 8, Feb. 5, March 12, and April 23.

All concerts will be at Cape Coral High School, 2300 Santa Barbara Blvd., one block north of Veterans Parkway. Plan to arrive early for best choice of seating.

For additional information, visit www.leecountyband.org

teen camps and various educational offerings. With the merger of Sanibel Sea School and SCCF in January 2020, she found herself switching her focus from children to community-based education. She currently serves as the director of Coastal Watch at SCCF, with a mission of engaging the community in both sustainable and conservation action. In the past year, she has organized over 30 volunteerled shoreline and habitat restoration proj-

ects on and around Sanibel Island with future projects in the works.

The Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife meeting is Tuesday, Nov. 15, starting at 6:30 p.m. with a meet and greet (and food!). McNeal will speak at 7 p.m., followed by a membership meeting at 7:50.

All are welcome. The meeting will be at the Rotary Park Environmental Center, 5505 Rose Garden Road, Cape Coral.

Handbag Happy Hour Nov. 15 at Nevermind Awesome Bar

Handbag Happy Hour returns with a collection party set for Tuesday, Nov. 15, in Cape Coral.

New and gently loved handbags and men’s accessories can be brought to the collection party at Nevermind Awesome Bar, 927 Cape Coral Parkway. The collection party begins at 5:17 p.m. and includes appetizers and beverages.

“We are so excited to bring this fabulous event back again this year,” said event chair Jennifer Nelson. “We have more than 100 new and previously loved handbags from celebrities and local supporters.”

Nelson and her committee have rescheduled the main Handbag Happy Hour event for Thursday, Jan. 25, in the lobby and Players Circle Theatre, located at The Shell Factory in North Fort Myers. Funds raised will benefit The Nature Park Environmental Education Foundation, the non-profit located at The Shell Factory, which

LIBERTY Dental and The Health Planning Council of Southwest Florida invites families to Southwest Florida Health Fair

LIBERTY Dental Plan of Florida, The Health Planning Council of Southwest Florida, and other community partners invite families to the Southwest Florida Health Fair Saturday, Nov. 12, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event will provide awareness of services and programs available to the community, and feature fun activities for the whole family, food trucks, and more.

LIBERTY Dental Plan will give out free dental kits and information to help keep young smiles healthy and bright.

The health fair will be held at Jaycee Park, 4125 SE 20th Place, Cape Coral, Fla. 33904

Oral health is vital to overall health, and LIBERTY Dental has connected families with quality dentists for nearly 20 years. For more information, visit LibertyDentalPlan.com.

For more information about the event, visit allevents.in/cape%20coral/health-planning-council-ofsouthwest-florida-health-fair/10000388076706877#.

Lee Health’s Allen a 2022 Health Care Leadership Award Recipient

Darcy Allen, chief nursing and operations executive at Gulf Coast Medical Center, has been named as one of the

received major damage in Hurricane Ian.

“This is a great opportunity for fashionistas everywhere to clean out their closets and bring those gently loved handbags to the party and mingle with other handbag aficionados,” said Pam Cronin, owner of The Shell Factory.

Nelson and Cronin emphasized that Handbag Happy Hour is a fund-raising event for both men and women. As a special added attraction for men, a Cigar & Whiskey Bar will be set up.

Sponsorships are available. For sponsorship information, contact Nelson at 239-826-0556.

Tickets may be purchased online at www.shellfactory.com or 239-995-2141 extension 110. Adult and holiday beverages and appetizers are included in the ticket price of $75 per person.

All proceeds will benefit The Nature Park

HEALTH NOTES

recipients of PRC’s 2022 Health Care Leadership Award.

The award recognizes health care professionals who were selected across a variety of categories created to represent the divisions of the health care experience company’s solutions and core values.

Allen was recognized by PRC for her leadership as it relates to patient experience.

PRC is a health care experience company that supports more than 2,800 health care organizations nationwide.

Recipients of the 2022 Health Care Leadership Award were selected by PRC leadership from more than 100 nominations.

As the chief nursing and operations executive at Gulf Coast Medical Center, Allen focuses on many key initiatives, including quality, safety, reliability and patient experience.

Allen has more than 20 years of nursing experience. She has a Bachelor of Science in nursing and her Master of Business Administration with a concentration in healthcare administration. Allen joined Lee Health in November of 2019.

Since the opening of the first hospital in 1916, Lee Health has been a health care leader in Southwest Florida. Learn more at www.LeeHealth.org.

Smiles for the Community to hold Free Dentistry Day Nov. 19

Smiles for the Community will be holding its first Free Dentistry Day Saturday, Nov. 19, at Lee Dental Care,

Environmental Education Foundation, which provides transportation funding for Lee County school children to visit the park. All donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

The Nature Park Environmental Education Foundation is located at The Shell Factory in North Fort Myers and provides new and enhanced habitats, nutritious meals and enrichment for the animals, birds, reptiles and fish that call the Nature Park home. Contributions also provide funding for transportation for Lee County School students to visit the park. The organization’s mission is to provide an educational and fun experience for local school children by providing the opportunity to learn about and explore the animals and the environment.

For more information or to make a tax-deductible gift, visit www.shellfactorynaturepark.com .

3436 Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers. Teams from the Blue Sea Dental group of practices along with volunteers from the local dental community will be offering free dental care to area residents.

Free Dentistry Day offers adults 18 and older the choice of a free tooth cleaning, filling or extraction. The first 200 patients to register will be seen.

Registration begins at 7 a.m. and patients will be treated until 3 p.m. Treatment is first-come, first-served and early arrival is recommended. The waiting area will be outdoors and people should dress for the weather.

It is suggested that patients bring a chair, snacks, water and anything else needed to be comfortable while waiting. Onsite parking is limited but overflow parking will be available nearby. Free transport from the offsite parking locations will be available.

Smiles for the Community was founded in 2022 by Dr. Paul UIiasz of Fort Myers. He established Smiles for the Community so the teams from his dental group, Blue Sea Dental, along with volunteers from the community, could come together to hold Free Dentistry Days for those with no access to dental care. The Blue Sea Dental family of practices includes Lee Dental Care (Fort Myers), Community Dental Care (North Fort Myers), Smile Cape Coral, Elite Dental Care (Naples), Punta Gorda Dental Care, Estero Bay Dental, and, coming in early 2023, Sunset Harbor Dental (Cape Coral).

For additional information about Free Dentistry Day, please call 239-215-4721.

Native plants: Why?

From page 1B

Library location: 2001 N. Tamiami Trail, North Fort Myers. During the free session you will learn much more about the positive benefits of adding natives to your landscape, and be introduced, through vivid pictures, to a wide array of native plants that do well in Southwest Florida. Handouts and tips on planting natives using FloridaFriendly Landscaping principles will be available and a Q&A session will round out the hour presentation. What a great learning experience it will be!

To register for the in-person presentation, go to https://GS2223.eventbrite.com. You can also register to attend online via zoom by visiting https://GS2223zm.eventbrite.com.

Other presentations planned for 2023, and for which you can also register through Eventbrite, include: Plants that Bloom Year Round at the Lakes Park Library on Jan. 19; Compost: Black Gold for Your Garden at Rotary Park on March 16; Butterfly Basics at the Dunbar Library on April 22; and Water Quality (Exploring the World of Microplastics) at Rotary Park on May 18. All hour-long presentations are free to the public and begin at 2:30 p.m. Until next time…Happy Gardening!

Janetta Fox is a Lee County Master Gardener volunteer and member of the Garden Club of Cape Coral.

Sources:

Jurgensen, A. (May, 2015). Attracting wildlife with florida native plants. Plant City Observer. Retrieved from https://www.plantcityobserver.com/attracting-wildlifeflorida-native-plants/

Purnell, J. (June, 2022). 12 reasons you should grow native plants. LawnLove. Retrieved from https://lawnlove.com/reasons-to-grow-native-plants/ Vaughn, M. (Oct, 2021). Gardening uncovered: florida native species. Central Ridge Villager. Retrieved from https://ansonnursery.net/newsletters/10%202021%20%20FL%20Native%20Species.pdf

Damaged home sold after Ian … who gets insurance payment?

Dear Mr. Feichthaler:

After dealing with the hurricane and the aftermath, we decided to return to Pennsylvania. This will also bring us closer to a new grandchild, so the timing is good.

Our home sustained damage, and we are in the middle of our insurance claim. How do we deal with that. Will the new owners receive payment when the claim is paid?

Dear Sam, I have several clients that feel the same way you do. They were on the fence on where they preferred to live prior to the storm, and the hurricane has led to favoring being closer to family up north.

Your insurance policy is a contract between you and the insurer. I have been handling several title transactions involving homes with damage.

— Sam P.

Third quarter condo sales drop, prices soften but hold

First, on this Veterans Day, we would like to salute and thank everyone who has served our country! We cannot say thank you enough.

In the Cape Coral condo market, the number of closed condo sales plummeted by every measure in both September and in the third quarter of this year, before Hurricane Ian slammed into our area. However, despite some pockets of softness, median sales prices in our condo market have been holding up reasonably well so far during the Federal Reserve’s rising interest rate war on inflation. Hopefully, the roundhouse blow from Ian will only result in a “standing eight count” on the road to recovery.

but 4.5 percent lower than the $335,000 in August of this year. In the third quarter, the median sales price averaged $348,333 per month in this segment, which was 35.4 percent higher than the average of $257,283 per month in the third quarter of 2021, and 4.5 percent above the average of $333,333 per month in the second quarter of this year.

In the first nine months of 2022, the median sales price for Cape gulf access condos averaged $330,833 per month, or 33.3 percent more than the average of $248,233 per month in the first nine months of 2021.

Eric P. Feichthaler Real Estate

Law

Generally, the seller retains the right to any payments to be received from insurance companies, and the buyer pays a lower price to account for the damage. Alternatively, the seller can assign all rights to insurance policies to the new buyer. In that case, the seller would demand a sales price that would take the future payments into account, leading to a market value after repairs.

Keep in mind, while an insurance claim is pending, you will need to disclose this to prospective buyers. You will also disclose the damage to the best of your knowledge. Buyers may have difficulty in obtaining a new insurance policy where there is a pending claim. I have seen several contracts where the parties did not adequately address insurance issues, which has led to disagreement. As always, it is vital to address everything of concern in the contract so the parties know their rights and obligations. Insurance issues must be expressed clearly so there is no doubt which party is entitled to insurance payments.

Regardless of the decision you make, you will want to inform your insurance company of the sale. They may have additional items to allow for the continued claim or transfer to a new buyer.

Just over six weeks after the largest storm to hit Cape Coral in recorded history, we have come a long way to recovery. Before signing anything with an insurance company, be sure what you are agreeing to. If unsure, speak with your insurance agent. If still unsure, you should seek professional legal advice. There is way too much money at stake on a homeowner’s insurance claim to handle informally. I wish you the best on your sale and move.

Eric P. Feichthaler has lived in Cape Coral for over 35 years and graduated from Mariner High School in Cape Coral. After completing law school at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., he returned to Southwest Florida to practice law and raise a family. He served as mayor of Cape Coral from 20052008, and continues his service to the community through the Cape Coral Caring Center, Cape Coral Museum of History, and Cape Coral Kiwanis. He has been married to his wife, Mary, for over 20 years, and they have four children together. He earned his board certification in Real Estate Law from the Florida Bar. He is AV Preeminent rated by Martindale-Hubbell for professional ethics and legal ability, and is a Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator. He can be reached at eric@capecoralattorney.com, or 239-5424733.

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

REAL ESTATE BRIEFS

CRE Consultants announces recent real estate transactions

CRE Consultants has announced the following real estate transactions:

∫ Vitas Healthcare of Florida leased a 2,217-squarefoot office space in Metro Executive Center at 4415 Metro Parkway, Suite 110, Fort Myers, from Coral Reef Metro, LLC. Randal Mercer of CRE Consultants represented the lessor and Andrew Pearl of Investment Management Associates represented the lessee in negotiating the transaction.

∫ Lifetime Roofing Specialists leased a 1,525-squarefoot office building at 1620 Medical Lane, Bldg. 2, Fort Myers, from Ferreira MD Investments, LLC. Enn Luthringer, CCIM of CRE Consultants negotiated the transaction.

CRE Consultants, company that provides a full spectrum of commercial real estate and property management services to property owners, investors, landlords, tenants and developers, is located at 12140 Carissa Commerce Court, Suite 102, Fort Myers. For information, call 29481-3800 or online visit https://creconsultants.com/

Average long-term U.S. mortgage rate back above 7% this week

WASHINGTON (AP) — The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate returned to the 20-year highs of two weeks ago when rates breached 7% for the first time since 2002.

Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac reported Thursday that the average on the key 30-year rate rose to 7.08% from 6.95% last week. A year ago the average rate was 2.98%.

The rate for a 15-year mortgage, popular with those refinancing their homes, climbed to 6.38% from 6.29% last week. It was 2.27% one year ago.

Last week, the Federal Reserve raised its short-term lending rate by another 0.75 percentage points, three times its usual margin, for a fourth time this year as part of its inflation-fighting strategy. Its key rate now stands in a range of 3.75% to 4%.

More increases are likely coming, though there is some hope that the Fed will dial them down as more evidence comes in that prices have peaked.

As of Tuesday, Nov. 8, there were 157 active condo listings in the Cape through the Multiple Listing Service at prices ranging from $154,900 to $2.195 million, with the median list price for condos at $310,000. There were only 12 condos listed at $500,000 and above, with three of these units priced above $1 million. A total of 38 Cape Coral condos were priced at $250,000 and below, with 16 of these units priced at $200,000 and under. Currently, 64 condos are under contract with buyers as pending sales ranging from $160,000 to $525,000 with 18 of these at $250,000 and under. Since Hurricane Ian hit on Sept. 28 (through Nov. 7), there have been 36 closed condo sales, along with 37 new pending sales, and 36 new active condo listings coming on the market. In this time frame, 24 condo listings were withdrawn and 11 listings were terminated by sellers, with another 20 listings expiring.

Homing In

Direct sailboat access canal condos

In the Cape Coral direct sailboat access canal condo segment, which is a subgroup of gulf access condos and includes condos with no bridges to go under in the canal system, there were 8 closed sales in September. This was 52.9 percent lower than the 17 condo sales in September 2021, and 33.33 percent below the 12 sales in August of this year. In the third quarter, there were 32 condos sold in this segment, which was down 38.5 percent versus the 52 sales in the third quarter of 2021, and 55.6 percent below the 72 sales in the second quarter of this year. In the first nine months of 2022, there were 158 sailboat access condos sold in the Cape, or 19 percent below the 195 condos sold in the first nine months of 2021.

Two months ago on Sept. 6, we had 162 active Cape Coral condo listings in the MLS at prices ranging from $154,900 to $5 million, with the median list price also at $310,000. There were 64 pending condo sales ranging from $169,000 to $1.635 million and four of these units were above $500,000 with only one above $1 million. We also had 25 condos pending at $250,000 and under, with 11 of these units below $200,000. A year ago on Nov. 9, 2021, there were only 41 active Cape condos listed in the MLS ranging from $155,900 to $1.1 million, with the median list price at $279,900. A year ago, there were 87 sales pending.

In the Cape’s overall condo market, there were 34 closed sales in September, which was 50 percent lower than the 68 condo sales in September 2021, and 40.4 percent below the 57 sales in August of this year. In the third quarter, we had a total of 142 closed condo sales, which was down 32.4 percent versus the 210 sales in the third quarter of 2021, and 38.5 percent below the 231 sales in the second quarter of this year. In the first nine months of this year, there were a total of 556 condos sold in the Cape, or 28.1 percent below the 773 sales in the first nine months of 2021.

The median sales price came in at $285,000 for the overall Cape Coral condo market in September, which was 20.6 percent above the $236,250 posted in September 2021, and 3.6 percent higher than the $275,000 in August of this year. In the third quarter, the median sales price averaged $276,667 per month in the Cape’s overall condo market, up 24 percent from the average of $223,050 per month in the third quarter of 2021, but 0.92 percent below the average of $279,250 per month in the second quarter of this year. In the first nine months of 2022, the overall median sales price for Cape condos averaged $276,139 per month, or 31.3 percent more than the average of $210,322 per month in the first nine months of 2021.

Gulf access canal condos

In the Cape Coral gulf access canal condo segment, which includes all saltwater canal condos, there were 17 closed sales in September, which was 52.8 percent lower than the 36 closed sales in September 2021, and 26.1 percent below the 23 sales in August of this year. In the third quarter, there were 61 closed condo sales in this segment, which was down 39 percent versus 100 closed sales in the third quarter of 2021, and 40.8 percent below the 103 gulf access condo sales in the second quarter of this year. In the first nine months of 2022, there were 255 gulf access condos sold in the Cape, or 29.4 percent less than the 361 condos sold in the first nine months of 2021.

The September median sales price came in at $320,000 for the Cape’s gulf access condo segment, which was 17.7 percent above the $271,950 posted in September 2021,

The September median sales price was $335,000 in the Cape’s sailboat access condo segment, which was 6 percent above the $316,000 posted in September of 2021, but down 13.4 percent from $387,000 in August of this year. In the third quarter, the median sales price averaged $386,083 per month in this segment, or 24.2 percent higher than the average of $310,833 per month in the third quarter of 2021, and 7.5 percent above the average of $359,167 per month in the second quarter of this year. In the first nine months of 2022, the median sales price for Cape Coral sailboat access condos averaged $367,522 per month, or 18.3 percent above the average of $310,800 per month in the first nine months of 2021.

Dry lot condos

In the Cape Coral dry lot (non-canal) condo segment, there were 14 closed sales in September, which was 44 percent lower than the 25 dry lot condos sold in September 2021, and 50 percent below the 28 sales in August of this year. In the third quarter, there were 66 sales in this segment, which was down 17.5 percent versus the 80 sales in the third quarter of 2021, and 41.1 percent lower than the 112 sales in the second quarter of this year. In the first nine months of 2022, there were 252 dry lot condos sold in the Cape, or 21.7 percent less than the 322 condos sold in the first nine months of 2021.

The September median sales price came in at $252,500 for the Cape’s dry lot condo segment, which was 18 percent above the $214,000 posted in September 2021, and it was 12.1 percent higher than the $225,200 in August of this year. In the third quarter, the median sales price averaged $231,733 per month in this segment, or 24.4 percent higher than the average of $186,333 per month in the third quarter of 2021, but 5.3 percent below the average of $244,650 per month in the second quarter of this year. In the first nine months of 2022, the median sales price for Cape dry lot condos averaged $231,142 per month, or 38.4 percent above the average of $166,994 per month in the first nine months of 2021.

The sales data for this article was obtained from the Florida Realtors Multiple Listing Service Matrix for Lee County, Fla., as of Nov. 7, 2022, unless otherwise noted. It was compiled by Bob and Geri Quinn and it includes information specifically for Cape Coral condominiums, townhouses and villas, and it does not include any singlefamily homes, short sales, or foreclosures. The data and statistics are believed to be reliable, however, they could be updated and revised periodically, and are subject to change without notice. The Quinns are a husband and wife real estate team with the RE/MAX Realty Team office in Cape Coral. They have lived in Cape Coral for over 43 years. Geri has been a full-time Realtor since 2005, and Bob joined Geri as a full-time Realtor in 2014. Their real estate practice is mainly focused on Cape Coral residential property and vacant lots.

Bob and Geri Quinn

Taco Fest Nov. 19 at Mercola Market

Businesses Supporting Communities has announced it is bringing Taco Fest to Mercola Market in Cape Coral for the first time Saturday, Nov. 19, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Taco Fest will feature local food vendors, business vendors, live music and fun for the entire family.

The event will also provide the community with the opportunity to support two local charities: Over the Moon Room and The Dr. Piper Center for Social Services.

Over the Moon Room is an organization based in Cape Coral that is dedicated to bringing joy to children and their families who are fighting life-threatening illnesses by transforming their favorite rooms into something magical.

Taco Fest Cape Coral will also benefit the Dr. Piper Center’s Christmas Celebration. Members of the community who bring an unwrapped gift to Taco Fest will not only help to brighten the holidays for our community’s at-risk children, but will also get free admission to the event.

Tickets are $10, ages 3 +, and can be purchased at BSCEvent.com or on the day of the event at Mercola Market, 125 S.W. 3rd Place, Cape Coral. Call 239-5999400 for more information about the event.

There will be live music featuring The Dead Ataris, Hat Trick and Rocker.

Visit bscevent.com/ to learn more about these events, vendor registration, volunteer sign up, sponsorship information and more.

BSC is a locally owned, women-led event company routed in bringing businesses, charities and families together in Southwest Florida through community events and festivals. Each BSC event highlights and contributes to a local charity; including Cameo of Lee County, Harry Chapin Food Bank, St. Mathew’s House, and many more. Since its inception, BSC has given back over $100,000 to local charities.

A tribute to veterans

Lee County Domestic Animal Services to host annual Pet Fest, photos with Santa

Join Lee County Domestic Animal Services for its annual Pet Fest event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 12, at 5600 Banner Drive, Fort Myers.

This fun-filled event will feature “Rescue Row” with area shelters and rescues, a craft fair, garage sale and silent auction - all in time for the holidays. The facility will also have Santa flying in for pet photos from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. You will receive two digital photos and one animat-

ed photo with your $10 donation to our Animal Care Trust Fund.

Please call 533-7387 to schedule your appointment today as Santa is booking his time slots quickly.

There will also be reduced adoption fees, so visit www.leelostpets.com to complete your adoption application prior to the event to save time. All adoptions are just $10 with an approved application the day of the event.

The adoption package includes spay or neuter, microchip, up-to-date vaccinations, county license and a 10-day health guarantee. This is a $500 package.

Volunteers and staff are waiting to introduce a new family member at the adoption center, open 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday, at 5600 Banner Drive in Fort Myers.

CCPD Fill the Boat Toy Drive Dec. 2-4

The Cape Coral Police Department has announced it will hold its 16th Annual Fill the Boat Toy Drive the first weekend in December.

The event was created in Cape Coral by Cape Police Officer (U.S. Coast Guard Reserve) Matt Squires 16 years ago.

The CCPD's Marine Boat will be stationed at the Walmart Supercenter at 1619 Del Prado Blvd., South, Friday, Dec. 2, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 3-4, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Those wishing to participate can purchase a new unwrapped toy and place it in the boat. At the end of the toy drive, the toys will be taken to the Cape Coral Police Department, where they are distributed to children in need throughout Cape Coral in time for the holidays.

Cape Coral resident Lou Navarra created this special poster to pay tribute to veterans on Veterans Day. Navarra is a U.S. Army veteran, serving during the Vietnam War era, and a former educator with Lee County schools.