WEEk of DEcEmbEr 27, 2023 FLIER INSIDE
Need directions? Pine Island Street Map featured in this week’s issue of The Eagle — INSIDE pINEISlaND-EaglE.com
VolumE 47, NumbEr 34
Islanders make case against removal of lock By PAULETTE LeBLANC
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
Petitioner’s challenge of the City’s Environmental Resource Permit (“ERP”) for the removal of the Chiquita Boat Lock was concluded on December 20, 2023, and the Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”) will be issuing her recommended Order to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (“FDEP”),” the city said in a statement provided to The Breeze Thursday. “In consideration of the factual and expert testimonial evidence that was presented at the Final Administrative Hearing by the City and FDEP, the City is optimistic that this evidence has established a clear legal right and entitlement to the ERP and that the ALJ’s Recommended Order will support its issuance to the City.” The challenge was filed by the Matlacha Civic Association and other parties who oppose the water retention device’s removal. The petitioners contend the application “fails to meet any of the standards required under Florida Law.”
Local attorney J. Michael Hannon is currently working as a qualified representative pro-bono in the ongoing hearing before Administrative Law Judge Suzanne Van Wyk, concerning the city of Cape Coral's request for the removal of the Chiquita Boat Lock located at 5808 Cape Harbor Drive in Cape Coral. “The City of Cape Coral has tried to bury us by throwing a half a dozen lawyers up against us and spending millions of dollars and I am personally appreciative of all of the islanders who have supported us, both financially and with work and research. I think that this will once again pay off,” Hannon said, estimating that the city of Cape Coral will have paid its attorneys nearly $1.5 million before the case is over, and that the fees to experts will likely approach $500,000. According to Hannon, readers are getting a glimpse of what he would call the Pollution Industry. Florida's rules and procedures are now Byzantine and arcane, formulated by lawyers and bureaucrats who are in-bred in the Pollution Industry, he said. “This process is truly unfortunate. Florida, the city of Cape Coral and businesses in our state have plenty of money to develop prudently and protect the environment at the same time. Advancements in environmental protection are available to keep our waters clean. Under the processes created by the Pollution Industry, there is no incentive to do so. Spending $60 million to replace the lock with a dual, high-speed lock is well worth the money, and well within the reach of the city of Cape Coral, the self-professed fastest growing city in the nation. Its own environmental director testified that the city is now only 50% built out. What will the future look like, since the city admittedly uses its
See HEARING, page 6
See ISLANDERS, page 8
FILE PHOTO
A boater passing through the Chiquita Lock in Cape Coral.
Hearing on Chiquita Lock concludes By CJ HADDAD
cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com
A hearing to determine whether the state should issue a permit allowing the city of Cape Coral to remove the Chiquita Lock concluded Wednesday afternoon. The next steps will be post-hearing briefs of the parties filed in late January or early February, followed by a written decision by Administrative Law Judge Suzanne Van Wyk, which will be a recommended final order. The parties may then file written exceptions to all, or parts of the recommended order. The final order, with exceptions, will then go to the Secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for review and final say. The hearing will determine whether the FDEP can move forward with its announced intent to issue the permit to allow the removal of the lock based on a plan the city says will improve the quality of water that flows into the South Spreader canal. “The Final Administrative Hearing pertaining to the
County DOT thanks islanders for participating in intersection study The Lee County Department of Transportation would like to thank the residents and business owners of Pine Island for their recent participation in DOT’s Intersection Improvement Evaluation for Stringfellow and Pine Island roads. More than 120 people attended DOT’s public meeting Dec. 7, at which islanders completed comment cards.
Hundreds more participated via online comment cards. More than 86% of respondents said they preferred to keep the existing intersection as is. DOT’s evaluation also included options of a roundabout or a traffic signal. The three options were evaluated for operations and costs as they relate to improving traffic flow and reducing delays.
DOT has stated that the intersection currently is functioning safely and will continue to monitor the intersection as needed. To receive updates from Lee County Government, sign up for the newsletter at www.leegov.com/resources /newsletters. Follow Lee County Government on Facebook, www.facebook.com/leecountyflbocc.
Athlete of the Week.........16 Island Mahjongg.............12 On the Water......................7 insidetoday Cat of the Week...............14 Letters................................4 Web Poll.............................4 Classifieds & Obituaries
The Kiwanis of Greater Pine Island and Lee County Parks & Recreation will host the annual Junior Olympics event at 10 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 20, at Philips Community Park, 5675 Sesame Drive, Bokeelia. This free event is for children in kindergarten through fifth grade. The
event includes the long jump, 50-yard dash, 400 meters, softball throw and frisbee toss. Trophies will be given for firstplace winners and ribbons for first, second and third place. Participants may register at Pine Island Elementary School or on the day of the event. Arrive by 8:30 a.m. to register and
The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation's Pine Island Sound Eastern Indigo Snake Project began monitoring and researching the remaining populations of the rare and protected snakes in 2012. The SCCF reported that unfortunately,
An indigo snake.
Pine Island Eagle
sign a participant waiver. For more information, email Kory Covaci at Kcovaci@leegov.com or call 239-771-1078. For more information about Lee County Parks & Recreation, locations, amenities and special events, visit www.leeparks.org, call 239-533-7275 or
email leeparks@leegov.com. To receive updates from Lee County Government, sign up for the newsletter here: www.leegov.com/resources/newsletters. Follow Lee County Government on Facebook, www.facebook.com/leecountyflbocc.
SCCF: Are there indigo snakes on Cayo Costa? they were found to be extirpated — or no longer in existence — on Sanibel and Captiva early on, but there was evidence of a remaining population on Pine Island, North Captiva and Cayo Costa. Pine Island and North Captiva were found to have small but reproducing pop-
pineisland-eagle.com
Week of Wednesday, December 27, 2023 n Page 2
Junior Olympics event Jan. 20 at Phillips Community Park
PROVIDED BY SCCF
ulations that were able to be studied. However, Cayo Costa — which has the largest, non-bisected natural habitat of the five main islands of the Pine Island Sound — produced the lowest success. “Roads and traffic, which are not an issue on Cayo Costa, are the usual cause of Eastern indigo snake decline and loss from an area,” Wildlife & Habitat Management Director Chris Lechowicz said. “Instead, the main reason for their rarity on Cayo Costa was concerning and was thought to be due to the feral hog population that has plagued the island for decades.” It is believed that the hogs were brought there by locals to hunt many decades ago. The presence of the feral hogs had drastic implications for the flora and fauna of the mostly undeveloped island, which was designated as the Cayo Costa State Park in 1976. The hogs were finally eradicated in 2018 by the state park system. By removing them, it was
thought that would allow many species, including the Eastern indigo snake, to increase their numbers if enough individuals survived. The SCCF will return to Cayo Costa this season to resume surveys that lapsed in 2016, due to the lack of samples. There have been undocumented reports of indigo snakes since then, but there has been no definitive proof of their continued existence. The SCCF reported that the snakes face many threats throughout their range and are in major decline throughout most of their range. “Viable island populations are even rarer these days, so it is very important that we document all the information we can and educate people about this gentle giant that is disappearing quickly,” Lechowicz said. If you see an Eastern indigo snake on any island in Pine Island Sound, report it to indigo@sccf.org.
Pine Island Sketchers schedule for January Pine Island Sketchers meet on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to noon at different venues on Pine Island from November through April. Just bring your art supplies and a lawn chair. There is no charge to participate and beginners are most welcome. ■ Jan. 2 -- Phuzzys Boat Shack. 3051 Stringfellow Rd, St James City. Go to the 4 way stop and turn left. Follow to almost the end of the road in St James City. ■ Jan. 9 -- The American Legion on
Pine Island at 4106 Stringfellow Rd. Go to 4 way stop and make a left. About 7 miles on the left. ■ Jan. 16 -- At Chucks house in Calusa Trails located on Stringfellow Rd. Go to 4 way stop and turn right. Follow until you see the Calusa Trails on the left. There will be someone to open the gate. Then turn left and first house on the left. Park on side of the road. ■ Jan. 23 -- at FruitScapes on 12870 Stringfellow Rd. Go to 4 way stop and turn right. Follow the road about 5 miles. On the right side of the road. ■ Jan. 30 -- WigertBaron Preserve, Calusa Land Trust Preserve. At 4 way stop go right. Approximately 7 miles turn right onto Barrancas, go past the corner of Aura lane. Fence on left. There is a pond and bench along the trail. Bring bug spray.
MOTI meetings to resume in January Museum of the Islands meetings will be held on the first Friday of each month at the Fishers of Men Lutheran Church, at 10360 Stringfellow Road, St James City, at 7 p.m. There will be a guest speaker each month. The January speaker is Robert Ballard, who will speak on the History of Pine Island. The public is invited – no charge.
Page 3 ■ Week of Wednesday, December 27, 2023 breezenewspapers.com
Pine Island Eagle
Week of Wednesday, December 27, 2023 ■ Page 4 pineisland-eagle.com
OPINIONS
Letters to the Editor 10700 Stringfellow Road, Ste. 60 Bokeelia, FL 33922 Phone: (239) 283-2022 Fax: (239) 283-0232 Web: pineisland-eagle.com Publisher Raymond M. Eckenrode reckenrode@breezenewspapers.com Executive Editor Valarie Harring vharring@breezenewspapers.com Editor Paulette LeBlanc pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com Advertising Director Laurie Ragle lragle@.breezenewspapers.com Advertising Sales Charlene Russ cruss@breezenewspapers.com Design & Layout Chris Strine cstrine@breezenewspapers.com Obituaries Debbie Carletti obits@breezenewspapers.com Subscriptions 1 Year $52 To Pay For Your Subscription P.O. Box 151306 Cape Coral, FL 33915 Circulation (239) 574-1936 Classified Advertising (239) 574-5644
Pine Island Eagle
Report your news to pINEISLaND-EaGLE.cOm
Display Advertising (239) 283-2022
The Eagle is published every Wednesday Customer service hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., except major holidays. Letters to the editor must be typed or handprinted. Your name and phone number must be affixed to the copy. In the event of an advertising error, we are responsible only for the first incorrect insertion of the ad itself. We are not responsible for any credit or reimbursement after 30 days from publication. Postal Information: Bulk rate postage paid at Fort Myers, FL Postmaster. Send address changes to the Pine Island Eagle. Permit # 521.
Web Poll Previous Web Poll Question: Have you noticed an increase in seasonal traffic on the islands or around the area? ■ Yes, everywhere. 32% ■ Off the islands, yes. 3% ■ Not on the islands. 52% ■ Nowhere, yet, but soon I’m sure. 13%
Current Web Poll Question: Do you make New Year’s resolutions? ■ Yes, every year. ■ No, never. ■ Sometimes. ■ It depends on if I feel I really need to set an accomplishable goal. Share your opinion at pineisland-eagle.com
Why Matlacha Park isn’t for Matlacha residents To the editor: Last night's Matlacha Civic Association spotlighted the need for something that might be useful for the residents living in Matlacha. Matlacha Park originated from a group of folks that bought the land and started the Matlacha Park. The folks gave the park to Lee County with the understanding that the park would be for the residents of Matlacha. Lee County accepted the park but ulterior motives of just having a community park was too great for the park's upper management. The county game was on on how to call Matlacha Park a community park to it’s residents and at the same time using every bit of all the water features of the Matlacha Park as a regional park. The community fight with the County Parks and Recreation spilled out, when the county got caught using Regional Park impact fees to fund the expansion of its regional water uses over our community park. Properties next to the park were up for sale, one smart property owner claimed to have a boat ramp. I witnessed the bulldozer making what appeared to me to be the boat ramp the following week. Nevertheless, the county bought the properties for the boat ramp and land. The county park management and county requirements at that time had to elicit what the park’s users wanted their park to be. Naturally ideas of tennis courts, etc., was bought up. A meeting was to be held at the art center to hear what the folks wanted in their park. Not to take any chances, the County Commissioner, at that time, Bob Janes, reportedly told park staff to talk to their kayak friends to show up at the meeting. It was pretty obvious when the kayak folks came to the meeting that they weren’t there for tennis courts or anything else that might interest the local users of the park. The county parks folks proclaimed after the meeting that a kayak launch was chosen by the park users and it was needed for safety away from the power boaters. The county claimed, at that time, that there would not be one more parking space. Well, we all see that lie as well. Of course, the kayak dock was needed and the Matlacha pavilion was added as well. So if you think with the reason that the county is rebuilding the Matlacha pier is a rebuild for the community park, well, not really, it’s just part of their regional park. Leo Amos Matlacha
Can we afford to reject this money? To the editor: Would anyone else besides Gov. Ron DeSantis refuse $320 million of OUR federal monies for our roads and infrastructure? The answer is no. We are the only state that won’t take this money designated for reducing emissions and improving existing roadways. Meanwhile, on Dec. 5, 2023, the governor asked for $14.5 billion to be budgeted from our state monies for transportation projects! Sounds like the governor is grandstanding at our expense. In a press release, Florida Department of Transportation said the DeSantis rejection of $320 million dollars was “due to the continued politicization of transportation funding being pushed by the Biden Administration." See
PHOTO PROVIDED
From left are Dan Loughren, Winn-Dixie manager; Denise Selby, pantry executive director; and Diane Gleason, pantry treasurer.
Holiday Food Bags at the Pine Island Food Pantry To the editor: A huge thanks goes out to Winn-Dixie, where manager Dan Loughren and his staff hosted a food drive on Friday, Dec. 15, which benefitted the Pine Island Food Pantry. We raised over $2,000 in non-perishable food by selling pre-made bags with all the fixings to complete a holiday dinner. Such a crucial time of year to help fellow https://www.fdot.gov/info/co/news/2023/120 52023-2. Taking on Disney is costing state taxpayers millions in lawsuits, now again we will be paying lots of money to “own the liberals.” A. Gilbert St. James City
What is a radical? To the editor: According to the definition in the Meriam Webster dictionary, a radical is described as “very different from the usual or traditional” and “favoring extreme changes in existing views, habits, conditions or institutions.” The current leader in the White House has tried to redefine the term “radical” as a term that he and his lockstep Socialist “Mainstream Media” applies in referring to every idea, every person opposing him and every criticism leveled against their “radical” regime
islanders in need during the holidays and Winn-Dixie came through. Thank you to Winn-Dixie staff for all your extra work leading the food drive and for all the island residents who purchased food bags at this event. It’s just one more example of the generosity that abounds on our Island community. Thanks to all! Happy holidays! Pine Island Food Pantry staff Bokeelia policies. Those opposing open borders aren’t radical. To the contrary, those supporting open borders are radicals. Those opposing the FBI’s investigation of Catholics and churches are not radicals but the administration ordering these investigations is absolutely "radical.” “The Committee and Select Subcommittee’s oversight shows that the FBI abused its counterterrorism tools to target Catholic Americans as potential domestic terrorists,” House Committee Releases Report on FBI's Targeting of Catholics CatholicVote org More information is forthcoming on this and will show that the FBI director, Christopher Wray, lied when he told committee members the investigation was only from
See LETTERS TO THE EDITOR, page 9
Page 5 ■ Week of Wednesday, December 27, 2023 breezenewspapers.com
Pine Island Eagle
Pine Island Eagle
pineisland-eagle.com
Week of Wednesday, December 27, 2023 ■ Page 6
Hearing From page 1
GRAPHIC PROVIDED
Westward Road to perform at Pine Island United Methodist Church Jan. 6 Westward Road, a group that performs a blend of gospel and modern worship music, will perform Saturday, Jan. 6, at 4 p.m., in Pine Island United Methodist Church's Main Sanctuary and all are welcome. Westward Road is a dynamic family trio led by Scott Roberts, a 20-year veteran worship leader and nation charting songwriter, and his wife, award-winning vocalist Kelli Roberts. Their son, Garrett Roberts, completes the group. They have performed for audiences in large theaters and for intimate settings in rural churches, festivals and fairs. PIUMC is at 5701 Pine Island Road, at The Center, across from the fire station. For more information about the church, visit www.pineislandmethodist.com or call 239-283-2386.
“Your readers are getting a glimpse of what I would call the ‘Pollution Industry,’” said Michael Hannon, president of the Matlacha Civic Association and the attorney representing the challenging parties. “Florida’s rules and procedures are now Byzantine and arcane, formulated by lawyers and bureaucrats who are in-bred in the Pollution Industry. When ordinary citizens challenge any environmental permit, they are met by high-priced lawyers and experts and a hearing process which has its own rules.” Calusa Waterkeeper Emeritus John Cassani, in testimony at the trial on the removal of the Chiquita Boat Lock, exposed major failings in the FDEP which allow the city of Cape Coral to “continue polluting the waters of Matlacha Pass and the Caloosahatchee River without adverse consequences,” he added. At the trial, Cassani discussed the department’s major tool intended to clean up the waters of the state, the Basin Management Action Plan, referred to as BMAP. Hannon said the BMAP for Cape Coral sets a target for removal of nitrogen from the surrounding waters at 38,965 lbs. of nitrogen per year. FDEP and the city claim to have overachieved this target, relying on “credits” assigned by the department to off-set the municipality’s yearly goal. Cassani said the problem is that the goal was established in 2012, and that the FDEP has never updated the goal consistent with data collected on a timely basis in the waters around Cape Coral. Hannon said that in so doing, the BMAP program only falls further behind while creating the illusion that restoration of water quality is on track. “This process is truly unfortunate,” Hannon said. “Florida, the city of Cape Coral, and businesses in our state have plenty of money to develop prudently and protect the environment at the same time. Advancements in environmental protection are available to keep our waters clean. Under the processes created by the ‘Pollution Industry,’ there is no incentive to do so.” According to public records, the city has paid attorneys handling the Chiquita Lock case $1,038,804 from Sept. 2020 to Sept. 2023. Additional fees in the six-figure amounts will be incurred from experts, and additional attorney costs from October to December.
“I estimate that Cape Coral will have paid its attorneys nearly $1.5 million before the case is over,” Hannon said. “The fees to experts will likely approach $500,000.” As for what should be done, Hannon said the city needs to replace the lock. “Spending $60 million to replace the Lock with a dual, high-speed Lock is well worth the money, and well within the reach of the City of Cape Coral, the self-professed fastest growing city in the nation. Its own environmental director testified that the City is now only 50% built out. What will the future look like, since the City admittedly uses its canals to flush its stormwater into Outstanding Florida Waters and the Caloosahatchee.” The lock is a barrier across the South Spreader. Ordered by the state in 1977 as part of a Clean Water Act enforcement action, it was designed to separate the canal waters of the southern end of the city from natural waterways including the Caloosahatchee. Located approximately 2.75 miles from the Sanibel Causeway Bridge, the lock provided boaters with a way through the barrier and so provided gulf access from Camelot Canal and Southwest Spreader Waterway into the Intracoastal Waterway via the river. Citing damage and safety issues, the city has kept the lock open since Hurricane Ian. The bid to removal the device, though, dates back years before the Sept. 28, 2022 storm. The city lost a previous challenge to remove the structure in 2019 and then resubmitted its permit request with the addition of a number of mitigation projects. The city’s proposed program put together by Brown and Caldwell includes two stormwater improvement projects; environmental monitoring for small tooth sawfish; enhancement to mangrove, upland, and subtidal habitats along the waterway, and removal of the Chiquita Boat Lock and the associated northern upland pad from the terminus of the waterway. The city states these actions “will result in environmental improvements and increase the sustainability of the Waterway system and the adjacent natural areas.” The city contends the antiquated lock has long outlived its purpose and is no longer needed as a water quality mitigation device.
Church of God of Prophecy's next chicken dinner Jan. 13 The Church of God of Prophecy will hold a Chicken Dinner Saturday, Jan. 13. Dinner will be takeout only, no dine in. The price is $10 per dinner — fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn or green beans, dinner roll, and dessert. Chicken is fried in peanut oil. Baked chicken is avail-
able upon request. Call your order in to 239-283-2128 as soon as possible, quantities limited. Meal pick-up is from 12:30-3 p.m. The church is located at 15146 Stringfellow Road, Bokeelia.
On the Water
PHOTO PROVIDED
Look for good sheepshead fishing with the cooler temperatures through the holidays. This big one gobbled up a small shrimp on a jig head while fishing Matlacha Pass with Capt. Bill Russell. boat, believe me, not a good sight. With an summer or warmer months. If you fish the falling tides, make sure exit plan you should always have an out; an you do a little homework and have an exit egress path that you know will provide plan. It’s easy to get caught up in the enough water to float the boat out to deepmoment, especially when you are catching er water. This is where it’s imperative to fish and before you realize it the plug has been pulled and you are looking at real estate or dry land 360 degrees around the See FISHING, page 12
breezenewspapers.com
tides are generally late in the Cool and windy days evening and at night and the continue as I write this colhighest occur during the day. umn. The wind calmed Study the same chart for late enough by week's end to fall, winter and early spring allow anglers to fish and you will find just the inshore, however conditions opposite -- the lowest tides are were still unfavorable for generally in the early morning offshore and open water and during the day and the inshore areas. highest are during the night Sheepshead are the top hours. target, especially with water No big deal, we still have temperatures dropping into days with good strong tides to the low 60s. Sheepshead up fish, right? If you have spent to 5 pounds were caught in any time fishing the inshore oyster creeks around St. Capt. Bill Russell waters of Southwest Florida James, Sanibel and you quickly learned just how Bokeelia. Sheepshead and a important tides are and not few black drum and redfish just that there is good water took live and cut shrimp movement, but more imporfished around docks and piltantly how high or low the ings around Blind, Redfish and Captiva passes, plus Roosevelt water will rise or drop. We have a lot of very shallow inshore waters; a foot of Channel and Safety Harbor. Fishing low and slow in deeper sand or depth makes a huge difference. In my opinpotholes west of Galt Island turned up ion, one of the best things you can do to seatrout to 18 inches. Shrimp-tipped jigs improve your inshore fishing success is and white shrimp tail soft plastics worked learn how the tides work and how weather affects the tide. Many newcomers to our best slow and near or on bottom. You have more than likely noticed how area do not realize just how much shallow low the tides are on many days. If you are water we have for large bodies of water. With less water to work with during the not familiar with our waters, we get extremely low tides over the cooler day it will affect where we fish and might months. Wind direction also plays a role in also play a role in running or moving from how low it goes. Tides and water depth one spot to another. There are many areas play a key role for anglers and dictate that I fish for snook, redfish, trout and othwhere and when we find fish throughout ers over the high tides during the warm months that just don’t have enough water the year. If you study a yearly tide chart you will depth through the cooler months. And likenotice a slight role reversal for the high and wise, many of my favorite winter holes that low tides. Over the warm months of late I like to fish when the tides are super low, spring, summer and early fall the lowest I wouldn’t think about fishing over the
Page 7 ■ Week of Wednesday, December 27, 2023
Fishing area waters through the holidays
Pine Island Eagle
Week of Wednesday, December 27, 2023 ■ Page 8 pineisland-eagle.com Pine Island Eagle
Islanders From page 1 canals to flush its stormwater into outstanding Florida waters and the Caloosahatchee,” Hannon said. According to Calusa Waterkeeper Ranger Sue Dahod, who is one of the lay witnesses, removing the lock will do unrelenting harm to the Caloosahatchee River, by allowing polluted canal water to pass though freely rather than being filtered naturally by the roots of mangroves. “I was asked by Mike Hannon if I would be a witness, specifically to the degradation of the Matlacha Pass area as a consequence of removing the Ceitus barrier,” Dahod said. The city of Cape Coral made an argument at the hearing, she said, that all of
the lay witnesses were expert witnesses, which would render testimonies inadmissible. Judge Van Wyk ruled against the argument, allowing the lay witnesses to testify, although there were many things they were not allowed to talk about, Dahod said. The Ceitus Barrier, or North Spreader, which was said during the prehearing motions to have been unrelated to this case, was found, mid-hearing, to be relevant as to what might happen at the South Spreader. “When the hearing started, she (Judge Van Wyk) said she’d read through all the information and she changed her mind and would allow some limited background information and testimony to be presented about the North Spreader Canal
Cape Coral information on Chiquita Lock operations (Editor’s note: The following information concerning the Chiquita Lock is from the city of Cape Coral’s website at CapeCoral.gov.) Please note: Following Hurricane Ian, the gates of the Chiquita Lock remain locked in the open position. The Chiquita Lock is usable at the boaters’ discretion. LCEC has deemed the lock red tagged. Until the issues are determined and whether repowering is an option, the lock gates will remain open for safety reasons. The Chiquita Boat Lock provides Gulf access from Camelot Canal & Southwest Spreader Waterway into the ICW via the Caloosahatchee River and is located approximately 2.75 statute miles from the Sanibel Causeway Bridge. This boat lock is operated by the Marine Services Division of the Cape Coral and the consequence of removing the Ceitus Barrier. The reason that was important to the petitioners is that once the Ceitus Barrier was removed there was a lot of sediment deposited in Matlacha Pass, degradation of the mangroves along the North Spreader, and an increase of algae blooms — certainly the water quality in Matlacha Pass has not improved…there is an alternative, which is a high-speed lock. They just don’t want to do it,” Dahod said.
Parks & Recreation Department to help manage boat traffic and water levels. Lock Operators are authorized to engage both doors in the open position when there is a slack tide either at the high tide or low tide cycle approximately 15-30 minutes prior to high or low tide and 15-30 minutes after high or low tide. This gives approximately 1.5 hours of access while both doors are open. Keep in mind that this can only be done if the tides cycles are during working hours. This, however, is at the sole discretion of the Lock Operator based on safety. In the event of a hurricane or other natural disaster, both doors can be locked with a chain in the open position. This is accomplished by facilities and there will be a lock operator at the lock until the city deems that the conditions are too dangerous as per city policy. Post Hearing briefs of the parties will be filed sometime in late January or early February. A written decision will follow, which is a Recommended Final Order. The parties may file written exceptions to all or parts of the Recommended Final Order. The Final Order with exceptions then goes to the Secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for review and Final Order.
From page 4 one field office in Virginia. There are memos showing that office was coordinating with at least two other state offices and their agents to investigate “RTC’s”, Radical Traditionalist Catholics. That would be funny if it wasn’t true. Those opposing organizations like World Professional Association for Transgender Health who now recommends that hormone treatment be started for those who choose it as early as 14 years of age with surgical operations being performed as early as 15, are not radical. But those supporting life-changing decisions to be made by children at these very early ages are most assuredly radical. (Guidelines lower minimum age for gender transition
treatment and surgery | AP News) We could go on and on about the “radical leftists,” their agenda, their accomplishments and the direction they are taking this country. How many Catholic suicide bombers have you seen? How many Catholic terrorists machine gunning civilians at an open concert, beheading babies, raping women and taking hostages have you seen? Who is next? The Baptists, the Episcopalians, the Jews, the Buddhists? Maybe people like me that oppose our would be “dictator-inchief”? Biden is the radical and his fanatical Socialists Democratic party zealots are supporting his revisionist agenda to transform our country into their vision of noth-
ing more than a participant in Obama’s One World Order. Is that what you want for your children and grandchildren? Max Christian St. James City
Roundabout? To the editor: Our four-way stop has to be the most efficient in the country; except for the stoners and the texters (they don’t even know when it’s time to go). It moves traffic at an incredible rate. Put a roundabout there and some will not know what to do, they might get stuck on it for hours. I have been in islander
for over 40 years and have used that intersection thousands of times and never witnessed a problem. Use the money to fix the traffic problem in Matlacha! Start with no perpendicular parking signs and scratch out dozens of shell bottom spaces in the park with a red flashing parking arrow by the Blue Dog, bingo! Put a deputy on foot walking between the east and westbound lanes, blowing a whistle and waving the traffic on - keep moving! No rubbernecking during busy hours, like they do in the cities, a great way to knock off a few pounds. Russ Matson Pineland
Page 9 ■ Week of Wednesday, December 27, 2023
Letters to the Editor
breezenewspapers.com Pine Island Eagle
Pine Island Eagle
pineisland-eagle.com
Week of Wednesday, December 27, 2023 ■ Page 10
Page 11 ■ Week of Wednesday, December 27, 2023 breezenewspapers.com
Pine Island Eagle
Week of Wednesday, December 27, 2023 ■ Page 12 pineisland-eagle.com Pine Island Eagle
Island Mahjongg We had 11 players for mahjongg, Dec. 21. It was good to welcome Diane back to the group. Judy Burchianti was the highest scorer with 155 points. Coming in second was Bonnie Kellen with 125 and tying third place were Sue Rasmussen and Peggy Finley with 110. The mahjongg group meets at the
Moose Lodge on Stringfellow Road every Thursday at 11 a.m. Call Carolyn 239-233-7682 for additional information. The happiest of holidays to all our dear friends who aren’t able to play with our group at this time and much joy in 2024.
Fishing From page 7 learn your boat's draft and limitations and the water depths in areas you fish at all stages of the tide. If you are not familiar with an area or body of water, take it slow and careful and I recommend learning an area over the incoming tide. This way if you mess up and end up grounded (we all have) while taking it slow, the incoming water well have you floating again soon. The ability to sit at the computer or on your phone and study the areas you intend to fish on Google Earth is a huge advantage from the old days. It takes a few hours to study a satellite image of an area and learn what it took me and others years and years to learn growing up on the island without that advantage. But still, there is no substitute for time on the water. If you want to become a consis-
tently successful angler, put in the time to learn how local tides work and how weather, winds and seasons affect the tides. Then apply that knowledge to areas you want to fish. This is one of, if not the most important, aspects of consistently catching fish inshore. It will take some time, including trial and error, but you will become a more complete angler as your catch rate increases. Keep up to date by visiting www.myfwc.com for all current Florida and Federal fishing regulations or download the Fish Rules app on your phone. Thanks for taking the time to read our column. Everyone have a safe and Happy Holiday season as we look forward to the New Year.
As a lifetime resident of Matlacha and Pine Island, Capt. Bill Russell has spent his life fishing and learning the waters around Pine Island and Southwest Florida, and as a professional fishing guide for the past 23 years.
Page 13 ■ Week of Wednesday, December 27, 2023 breezenewspapers.com
Pine Island Eagle
Week of Wednesday, December 27, 2023 ■ Page 14 pineisland-eagle.com Pine Island Eagle
Cribbage at SJCCA We are trying to get our group started up again and we need new players. We will start Thursday, Jan. 4, at 6:30 p.m., at the St. James City Civic Association, which is located at 3300 4th St., at the intersection of Lemon Street, in St. James City. For additional information about the cribbage group
Cat of the Week
or if you have any questions, please call Mike at 906630-1023 Come out and have some fun and bring a friend! For more information about the SJCCA and its programs and events, visit https://www.sjccapi.org/ or call 239-283-0242.
PHOTO PROVIDED
Harley This adorable ball of fluff is full of energy. Her two favorite pastimes are eating and playing. She does make time for pets and, of course, snacking on treats. Harley is a very unique looking 4-year-old Siamese mix. She has medium-length fluffy fur and cute little curls on the tips of her ears. We aren't sure how she got them but suspect she had hematomas as a kitten. She hasn't reached the lap cat stage yet, however I think it will happen quickly in a home with someone she trusts. Don't miss your chance to meet this one of a kind cutie!Call Helping Paws Animal Sanctuary at 239-283-9100 for more info. If you’d rather just donate, our address is10060 Mallory Parkway E., Unit D, St .James City, FL, 33956orthere’s always our websitewww. helpingpawsanimalsanctuary.com
Page 15 ■ Week of Wednesday, December 27, 2023 breezenewspapers.com
Pine Island Eagle
Pine Island Eagle
Cape Coral
Breeze
Athletes of theWeek
(Selected by the Breeze Sports staff)
pineisland-eagle.com
Week of Wednesday, December 27, 2023 ■ Page 16
Page 17 ■ Week of Wednesday, December 27, 2023 breezenewspapers.com
Pine Island Eagle
Week of Wednesday, December 27, 2023 ■ Page 18 pineisland-eagle.com
Skilled Trades (4+?3(4
-58 =581 (: ( (4;-(*:;8,+ 53, !,90+,4:0(2 995*0(:054 54 "(4 (8259 92(4+ (8: :03, 6590:054 "53, -2,>0)020:? =0:/ 9*/,+;2, 5 :=5 +(?9 (201, (4+ ?5; =022 3,,: ( );4*/ 5- .8,(: (995*0(:054 3,3),89 2,(9, :,>: ?5;8 7;(20-0*(:0549 :5 ":,<, (:
Wanted To Buy ( & ;= ;81 (68A2= ;>?@92 2B28=D ;/
( & *- ;@>2> '2.8 >?.?2
8>; @D
Recreation Vehicles Boat Lifts & Docks *- "" '+G>
& - ( =022 53, #5 '5; #5 ",, : ;0*1 (9? "(2,
CUSTOM DOCKS & BOAT LIFTS
$04*,@
Power Boats *- "" % )(
& - ( =022 53, #5 '5; #5 ",, : ;0*1 (9? "(2,
( %$ ) (&%) $04*,@
@ 5*(2
WE BUILD QUALITY DOCKS HAWLEY CONSTRUCTION OVER 20 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE ALL IN LEE COUNTY.
Condos For Rent
FREE ESTIMATES
),+8553 )(:/ *54+5 04 03040 (904 ( *533;40:? 04*2;+,9 ;9, 5- 6552 6,8 354:/ (22 (88?
www.marinedocks.net
Waterfront Lots
Pine Island Eagle
#(8654 %(? ;4:( 58+( **,99 :5 :/, ;2- 5- ,>0*5 =0:/ )80+.,9 2,(8,+ (4+ 8,(+? :5 );02+ 54 %(2104. +09:(4*, :5 +5=4:5=4 ;4:( 58+( 8,9:(;8(4:9 )(4104. (4+ 9/56604. A & A 5990)2, =4,8 04(4*04. =4,8 09 ( 0*,49,+ !,(2 9:(:, 851,8
Air Conditioning
Call (239) 561-8074 CBC026058
C o n c r e t e Contractors
TOMáS CONCRETE, INC àn Tractor Service
Specializing in Concrete Slabs Drives Patios Sidewalks Stucco - Landscape Curbing Spray Crete - Keystone
âNo Job Too Smallã
Pets & Supplies 24óHOUR SERVICE NO OVERTIME CHARGES FAMILY OWNED/OPERATED Lic#CAC1817070
(239) 573-2086
BackHoe - Grading - Fill Top Soil - Rock - Bush Hogging Pond Digging - Land Clearing We fix Drainage Problems
Laborers Wanted
239-543-3700 Cell 239-849-5375
Sporting Goods Contractors
5: 5- -09/04. 85+9 8,,29 :(*12, )5>,9 2(4+04. 4,:9 204, 9041,89 (4+ (8:0-0*(2 )(0: ,9: 5--,8 5<,8 :(1,9 0: (22
Automobiles
INSTANT REBATES AVAILABLE óAir Purification Systems óHigh Efficiency Systems óDuct Cleani ng Free Estimates on Replacement Systems
âNo Bull - Just Quality Work You Can Trustã #.>2=.?6 =20.82 ) 5(+,+ % 42? 302,9
! $ , '21@021
.88 .A61
' q FREE ESTIMATESq q
!2: @D> A2=D?56:4 0;9
5=6>?9.> (565 )E@ <@<<62> 3;= >.82 -,3(2,9 3(2, 59:2? )85=4 45 6(6,89 5:/ 6(8,4:9 8,.09:,8,+ (22
/>;8@?28D >?69.?2>
@ 5*(2
!2:
,4,8(* .,4,8(:58 35+,2 -58 9(2, ;8*/(9,+ )8(4+ 4,= 04 ;.;9: 4,<,8 ;9,+ (4+ 9:022 04 :/, )5> 9104. /54, 4;3 ),8
Dock Maintenance Fill & Dirt Grading & Repair
( %$ ) (&%)
Tools & Machinery
q q AFFORDABLEq qq
Residential ¯ Commercial New Construction Remodels ¯ Repairs Room Additions
Free Estimates
239-707-0654 Bonded - Lic CBC058576 - Insured
BulldogBuildersInc.com
New Installation Includes Permit 2 Year Warranty Rain Bird Contractor A+ RATED - ANGIES LIST
Installation & Repair Licensed & Insured FAMILY OWNED SINCE 1981 LEE#LSO200031 CAPE#06938 Sanibel #S11-000923
Top Notch Docks New Dock Boat Lift Dock Repair Dock Removal
H);< (;68 H 688 6=? H =.16:4 H(5288 (?;:2 H =;>6;: ;:?=;8 H";? 0=2.42 #;B6:4 H =6A2B.D> ';.1> H ><5.8? &.?05 (2.8 H @8A2=? &6<2> H".:1 82.=6:4
We have the knowledge & skills to bring your vision to life.
H :A.>6A2 C;?60 '29;A.8
239-922-0260
H(;8@?6;:> ?; <;;86:4 B.?2=
Servicing Cape Coral & Ft Myers Areas
H ;82> .8;:4 (2.B.88>
"602:>21 :>@=21 BBB 0.9<6;:8.:1>0.<2 0;9
Painting
)6< );< @??2=>
Plants & Trees qq q q AFFORDABLEq
F F (2.982>> @??2=> (22 58 '5;8 8,, 9:03(:,
0*2:>21 .:1 :>@=21 ,6886.9 '6:25.=? .:1D9.:
"2? 92 <@? 9D D=> ;3 2C<2=62:02 ?; B;=7 3;= D;@
=22 >?69.?2>
"60
One-Man Painting Company
:>@=21
No Job to Large or Small And Always Free Estimates References Furnished Thank You In Advance
(239) 339-7361 Steve
q q FREE ESTIMATESq
New Installation Includes Permit 2 Year Warranty Rain Bird Contractor
' () # ) (
=9.:1;G> )=22 (2=A602
#803 #8,,9 ":;36 !,35<(2 5: 2,(804. (4+9*(604. !,90+,4:0(2 533,8*0(2
$;B 6=6:4 C<2=62:021 (0=22: :>?.882=>
Sprinkler Systems & Irrigation q q AFFORDABLEq qq
A+ RATED - ANGIES LIST
LEE#LSO200031 CAPE#06938 Sanibel #S11-000923
Screening )6< );< '2>0=22: &;;8 (0=22: '2<.6= '2>0=22: .:1 '2<.6= 3;= .: 33;=1./82 &=602 .88 ;= -;@= =22 >?69.?2
"602:>21 .:1 :>@=21
$;B %332=6:4 &.A2= :>?.88.?6;:
0*,49,+ (4+ 49;8,+ & " & " ""
" $( $(*' ,%'! '( %#& %+ ' %## ' " ' ( $) "
" ' )% (# "" )' ,%'! ()*#& ' #%+ "
Installation & Repair Licensed & Insured FAMILY OWNED SINCE 1981
Tree Service
* ! ) )'* ! ( '+ q FREE ESTIMATESq q
New Installation Includes Permit 2 Year Warranty Rain Bird Contractor A+ RATED - ANGIES LIST
Installation & Repair Licensed & Insured FAMILY OWNED SINCE 1981 LEE#LSO200031 CAPE#06938 Sanibel #S11-000923
,%% && ' ( '+ , $) )% -%*' )' *- "" # %' , ) + ' -%* $ ' () # ) (
Tony’s Tree Service
)=22 '29;A.8 )=22 )=6996:4 (?@9< =6:16:4
breezenewspapers.com
(;336?> @??2=> ;B:><;@?> H&=2>>@=2 ,.>56:4 H&.6:?6:4 H .=<2? H".96:.?2 8;;=6:4 H)682 $2B '2<.6= '24=;@?6:4 H ;9<82?2 ,;;1B;=76:4 H ;;= ,6:1;B '2<.6= H+6:D8 2:06:4
&'%#&) &'% (( %$ " ( '+ "602:>21 :>@=21
Interior & Exterior Detail Oriented Tidy and Personal
Handyman
! $G( ( ' $ ' & '
Page 19 ■ Week of Wednesday, December 27, 2023
@??2=>
Pine Island Eagle
Pine Island Eagle
pineisland-eagle.com
Week of Wednesday, December 27, 2023 ■ Page 20