Cape Coral Weekend Breeze

Residents make plea for Cape Coral Yacht Club

Residents again crowded the City Coral City Council chambers in a effort to save the historic Yacht Club Ballroom

Pleas to Council ranged from the Yacht Club being the last legacy building in the city; that it is an historic structure that needs to be kept; that the $60 million GO Bond was sold to voters, in part, to make improvements at the city facility; that it is a place with an abundance of memories for many families

A 63-year Cape resident, Gloria Tate applied for historic designation for the Yacht Club and she shared with Council Wednesday the response she received back

from the state

“I am happy to report that I have applied to the state as a citizen on behalf of many people in this room and others who could not be

here tonight,” she said

Tate read her latest correspondence with Dr Kyra Lucas of the Florida State Historic Preservation Office, as its Historic Preservation committee reviewed her application Tuesday

“Our team has begun reviewing the Cape Coral Yacht Club ballroom We believe that the Cape Coral Yacht Club Ballroom is likely eligible for the National Registry of

B y C H U C K B A L L A R O

n e w s @ b r e e z e n e w s p a p e r s c o m

W h i l e o v e r a l l p r o p e r t y v a l u a t i o n d i dn ’ t b l o w u p i n t o t h e d o u b l e d i g i t s i n 2 0 2 2 , t h e e s t i m a t e d p r o p e r t y v a l u a t i o n s t h r o u g h o u t L e e C o u n t y a g a i n i n c r e a s e d o v e r a l l , w i t h C a p e C o r a l a g a i n a t t h e t o p o f t h e p o d i u m B u t H u r r i c a n e I a n o n e o f t h e m o s t d e v a s t a t i n g s t o r m s i n F l o r i d a h i s t o r y s t i l l d i d m a k e f o r a w i l d y e a r f o r v a l u at i o n s , a s c o a s t a l c o m m u n i t i e s t h a t w e r e h i t t h e h a r d e s t b y t h e n e a r C a t e g o r y 5 s t o r m , l i k e S a n i b e l , C a p t i v a a n d F o r t M y e r s B e a c h , s a w t h e i r n u m b e r s d r o p h e a v i l y C a p e C o r a l s a w i t s e s t i m a t e d o v e r a l l j u s t v a l u a t i o n i n c r e a s e 7 2 8 p e r c e n t a f a r c r y f r o m t h e 3 8 9 0 p e r c e n t i t w a s i n

2 0 2 1 b u t s t i l l s i g n i f i c a n t T o t a l j u s t p r o p e r t y v a l u a t i o n s i n c r e a s e d f r o m

$ 3 9 , 4 4 9 , 1 2 5 , 4 3 6 t o $ 4 2 , 3 2 0 , 0 3 1 , 0 0 0 , a n i n c r e a s e o f $ 2 , 8 7 0 , 9 0 4 , 5 6 4 , a c c o r di n g t o t h e L e e C o u n t y P r o p e r t y A p p r a i s e r ' s p r e l i m i n a r y r e p o r t I n t e r m s o f t a x a b l e v a l u a t i o n , o v e r a l l p r o p e r t y v a l u a t i o n i n c r e a s e d f r o m

$ 2 2 , 5 4 5 , 0 6 9 , 6 2 3 t

More than 80 locations provided for Summer BreakSpot program

Youth 18 and younger can receive free breakfast and lunch at various schools and community sites

Youngsters will be fed breakfast and lunch for free once again this summer through the Summer BreakSpot program, available at more than 80 sites through July 28

“The School District of Lee County has p a r t n e r e d w i t h t h e S u m m e r F e e d i n g Program for over twenty years” Food and N u t r i t i o n S e r v i c e s D i r e c t o r K a n d y Messenger said in a prepared statement.

“Serving summer meals to the students when school is not in session is an important service that we are able to provide ” F o o d a n d N u t r i t i o n C o o r d i n a t o r o f

Staffing and Operations Sabah Yassin said t h r o u g h t h e N a t i o n a l S c h o o l L u n c h Program, the district began offering the program in Lee County in 2013

“We feed complete meals We have the protein, the bread, vegetables, fruit and milk. We have a dietician here to calculate all the components. We vary to make it something the kids will like.”

“We have to have at least a minimum of 35 days Our locations include schools and community sites,” she said “We feed 18 years and under They can all have free meals all summer long ”

Yassin said although school finished for the year on June 6, they do not stop feeding kids, as they understand, for some, it is their only meal.

Last year in June, Yassin said they fed almost 70,000 kids lunch, almost 43,000 meals served for breakfast and 11,000 kids

received an afternoon snack

“We fed quite a bit The kids need it,” she said

In July, Yassin said they fed 33,290 kids breakfast meals, provided 59,036 lunch meals and 13,592 kids snacks

“We feed complete meals We have the protein, the bread, vegetables, fruit and milk. We have a dietician here to calculate all the components,” she said, adding that they offer both hot and cold meals “We vary to make it something the kids will

like ”

As of Monday there were 87 sites that those18 and younger can visit and enjoy a meal at the location, as there are no longer any grab-and-go services provided There are no income requirements nor is registration required

To find a Summer BreakSpot location, visit www SummerBreakSpot org, Dial 21-1, or text “FOOD” to 304-304 The interactive map on the website provides an area to put a ZIP code to find the nearest location, as well as times offered at a particular site

Those who have any questions are encouraged to call (239) 461-8449

“We are always here during the summer,” Yassin said

School’s Out, Hunger’s Not Campaign kicks off

B y M E G H A N B R A D B U RY n e w s @ b r e e z e n e w s p a p e r s c o m D o n a t i o n s a r e b e i n g s o u g h t t o s u p p o r t C o m m u n i t y C o o p e r a t i v e ’ s S c h o o l ’ s O u t , H u n g e r ’ s N o t C a m p a i g n t o f e e d t h e k i d d o s t h i s s u m m e r w h i l e t h e y a r e o u t o f s c h o o l C o m m u n i t y C o o p e r a t i v e C o m m u n i t y E n g a g e m e n t M a n a g e r J a n e l l e O l s o n s a i d t h e S c h o o l ’ s O u t , H u n g e r ’ s N o t C a m p a i g n i s t w o f o l d S h e s a i d n o m a t t e r w h a t k i n d o f c a m p a i g n t h e y a r e d o i n g i t i s a c o n s t a n t r e m i n d e r t h a t o n e i n s i x p e o p l e a r o u n d u s a r e h u n g r y , w i t h 3 0 p e r c e n t o f t h a t p o p u l a t i o n b e i n g k i d s “ W e k n o w k i d s r e l y o n s c h o o l l u n c h p r o g r a m s . I t i s a c r i t i c a l c o m p o n e n t , ” O l s o n s a i d S h e s a i d t h e y k n o w t h a t p r o p e r n u t r i t i o n a n d r e s t

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

“ W e k n o w k i d s a r e g o i n g t o b e h u n g r y i n o u r c o mm u n i t y W e k n o w t h e r e a r e p a r e n t s i n o u r c o m m u n i t y t h a t a r e s t r u g g l i n g t o k e e p f o o d i n t h e p a n t r y , ” O l s o n s a i d , w i t h m a n y p a r e n t s w o r k i n g m u l t i p l e j o b s D u r i n g t h e s u m m e r m o n t h s , C o m m u n i t y C o o p e r a t i v e p u t s t o g e t h e r g r a b - n o - g o H u n g r y H u n g r y K i d d o K i t s f o r c h i l d r e n i n n e e d T o f i l l t h e n e e d , t h e y a r e s e e k i n g i n d i v i d u a l s , b u s i n e s s e s , o r g a n i z a t i o n s , c h u r c h e s a n d c o m m u n i t y g r o u p s t o s u p p o r t t h e S c h o o l ’ s O u t , H u n g e r ’ s N o t c a m p a i g n b y h o s t i n g f o o d d r i v e s , v o l u nt e e r i n g , o r p r o v i d i n g a f i n a n c i a l c o n t r i b u t i o n O l s o n s a i d t h e H u n g r y H u n g r y K i d d o K i t s a r e p u t t o g e t h e r s p e c i f i c a l l y f o r k i d s t o b e a b l e t o f e e d t h e m s e l v e s , a s s o m e h a v e p a r e n t s w o r k i n g a n d t h e y a r e r e s p o n s i b l e t o f e e d t h e m s e l v e s a n d t h e i r s i bl i n g s “ I t ’ s m e a l s , s o t h a t t h e y a r e n o t h u n g r y i n t h e s u mm e r , ” s h e s a i d S o m e o f t h o s e m e a l s i n c l u d e p e a n u t b u t t e r a n d j e l l y s a n d w i c h e s , r a v i o l i , r a m e n n o o d l e s , s t e w s a n d m a c a r o n i a n d c h e e s e “ I t ’ s n o t j u s t t h e l i t t l e s n a c k s , ” O l s o n s a i d o f s i tt i n g d o w n a n d e a t i n g m e a l s . T h e H u n g r y H u n g r y K i d d o K i t s a r e a v a i l a b l e a t t h e i r m o b i l e f o o d p a n t r y A l i s t c a n b e f o u n d a t w w w c o m m u n i t y c o o p e r at i v e c o m F o r J u n e , t h o s e p a n t r i e s i n c l u d e l o c a t i o n s a t T r a f a l g a r M i d d l e S c h o o l , V A H e a l t h c a r e C e n t e r , N o r t h F o r t M y e r s R e g i o n a l P a r k , H e c t o r C a f f e r e t a E l e m e n t a r y S c h o o l , I s l a n d C o a s t H i g h S c h o o l a n d N o r t h F o r t M y e r s H i g h S c h o o l “ W e a r e a l w a y s l o o k i n g f o r d o n a t i o n s t o p u r c h a s e e l e m e n t s f o r t h e k i d s , ” O l s o n s a i d , w h i c h c a n b e m a d e o n t h e i r w e b s i t e F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n , c a l l (

OPINIONS

CAPE CORAL BREE ZE

2510 Del Prado Blvd. • Cape Coral, FL, 33904

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

Member Florida Press Association

End of an era?

They stepped to the podium as individuals, newcomers and those long immersed in the city’s history alike

They stepped up as representatives of organizations collectively representing hundreds of members the Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral, the Cape Coral Museum of History, the Lee Trust Preservation Society

Agree or not with those who are trying to raise, not raze, the Cape Coral Yacht Club Ballroom, the types of voices heard at Wednesday’s City Council meeting are part of what has long been an integral part of Cape Coral governance

From weighing in on a cause celebre or ensconced sacred cow, turning out to be heard, to make a difference, dates back, literally, the city’s inception when residents wrangled back in August of 1970 and voted to incorporate with 2,067 in favor, 1,798 opposed

Much like the Yacht Club, which Council says is set for demolition, public input on matters that matter to the public has long been a part of our history

“Has,” perhaps, being the operative word here

There has been a tangible change over the past few years in the city’s approach to the public and, while Council and city staff are correct when they say technology has made it much easier for residents to share their views, city policies and procedures are making it progressively harder to be an active, informed part of the process

The city also has often made it a whole lot less pleasant

Wednesday night was illustrative

First, some members of our elected board blamed Yacht Club supporters for somehow allowing its Ballroom to fall into a state of disrepair so severe that the city which owns, operates and is solely responsible for the maintenance of is now forced to tear it down And then added those speaking should have raised the money to keep the building sound Let us point out they, and every other property owner in Cape Coral, did

It’s a fundraiser called paying your tax bill

Council then bulldozed another long-standing institution, this one far from unique to Cape Coral

By a 5-3 vote, council members Tom Hayden, Robert Welsh and Jessica Cosden dissenting, the elected board eliminated non-mandated advisory boards: the Golf Course Advisory Board, Nuisance Abatement Board, Waterway Advisory Board, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and Cape Competes Advisory Board Council also converted its Youth Council into a “fact-finding board ” The Budget Review Committee was left standing in a previous vote but remains on the chopping block

Such appointed boards are too costly as they suck up staff time and turning them into “stakeholder groups” makes better fiscal sense, the board majority determined

Ahem

Stakeholder groups as the city has used them, are handselected, staff-tapped ad hoc groups that meet with staff Stakeholder groups, unlike ordinance-defined, publicly appointed advisory committees, do not provide recommendations or findings directly to Council Nor are their meetings public, and so transparent so residents are looped in early

Elimination of advisory boards standard with Lee County, standard with the School District of Lee County, standard for citizen input virtually everywhere was not only disrespectful of all those who volunteer but a disservice to the rest of us

As was discounting the organizations and residents who spoke on the Yacht Club’s fate as not being representative of the city as a whole

Those who want the Yacht Club restored say it is a symbol of the city’s history, of an era gone by

If this week’s Council meeting is illustrative of a new dawn, count us among those who will mourn the era’s passing

Incredible journey should be celebrated

A s w e m a r k e i g h t m o n t h s s i n c e Hurricane Ian hit our community, some areas still look like they did the day after the storm Many members of our community remain in recovery mode, and that includes our staff and families While recovery work continues across the School District of Lee County, we have much to celebrate as we look back at all that we have accomplished to ensure that teaching and learning continued uninterrupted since returning to school after the storm

Amid the chaos and uncertainty caused by Ian, the School District of Lee County stood as a beacon of resilience, demonstrating unwavering determination and adaptability. As the storm swept through the region, we faced numerous challenges

Chris N. Patricca Guest Commentary

But, under the leadership of a new superintendent, collaborative efforts, and a united spirit, we ensured the continuity of education and support for our students, staff, and community Let us celebrate the incredible journey of the Lee County School District as we triumphed

over the challenges brought by Hurricane Ian

The Lee County School District had a robust disaster preparedness plan in place prior to Hurricane Ian, which proved invaluable

The District, under the leadership of Dr. Christopher Bernier, worked diligently to ensure the safety of students and staff, by implementing proactive measures such as early school closures, shelter coordination, and emergency communication protocols By prioritizing the well-being of our community, the District laid a solid foundation to face the challenges head-on

Recognizing the importance of continued education amidst the storm’s aftermath, the School District of Lee County immediately launched recovery and rebuilding initiatives. The District worked tirelessly to assess damages to school facilities, swiftly repair infrastructure, and make necessary adjustments to resume classes as soon as possible, getting most students back into their

See GUEST COMMENTARY, page 6

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - CAPE CORAL YACHT CLUB

Save the Yacht Club

To the editor:

Sending out a personal appeal to all past and present residents of Cape Coral, or anyone who may have been impacted by the Yacht Club ballroom and who cares about historical significance

If you missed the June 7 meeting in City Council Chambers to demand the ballroom be saved, please contact the mayor and city council via email and phone (capecoral.gov/.../city.../city council/index.php)

The structure survived Ian like a champ with a broken window and sheetrock replacement resulting from the window no surge flooding

What has caused issues is the neglect by city leadership to fulfill their responsibility as stewards of the resources of our city Years of deferred maintenance is what has led to the need for a new roof and HVAC, and upgraded electrical system All other costs presented were smoke to justify this irresponsible action

Additionally, the city has the ability to declare this historically significant example of mid-century architecture exempt from the 50% rule There is zero evidence that ONE building will trigger massive increases in our flood insurance premiums as suggested by one council member Other municipalities across the nation have done so without any change in rates

Time is running out as they race to demolition at extensive financial and cultural cost Please help

Chamber suppor ts preser vation of the Yacht Club Ballroom

To the editor:

On behalf of the Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral, I submitted and then read the following at Wednesday’s Cape Coral City Council meeting:

Dear Mayor and Council,

The Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral fully supports celebrating the history of Cape Coral including its historical buildings and landmarks So, on behalf of the Chamber’s Board of Directors, I will be attending tonight’s council meeting to speak on record in support of preserving the Cape Coral Yacht Club Ballroom

In 1962, the Rosen Brothers built the Cape Coral Yacht Club for the residents of Cape Coral and for more than 60 years, the residents of Cape Coral made countless memories there From the beaches to the ballroom, to the teen/senior center, the Yacht Club is where Cape Coral truly comes together

The ballroom also holds some significance in the Chamber’s History As our organization transitioned from the Cape Coral Merchant’s Association to the Chamber of

Commerce in 1965, our very first board election took place in the ballroom on February 2 of that year Since then, we have celebrated milestones, inducted new leaders, held monthly membership meetings, hosted countless community town hall meetings and so much more

The Chamber supports the fact that the Cape Coral Yacht Club is the most significant historical area in the city. The Chamber also believes that the historic midcentury modern style ballroom is a unique structure that celebrates the architecture of that era and is something to be celebrated and preserved and not destroyed Throughout the country this post war era style of architecture is being commemorated and communities are fighting to preserve those structures We ask that you do the same and stop the plans to demolish this important piece of our history

As an organization that works very closely with the city, we fully understand the desire to make Cape Coral the best city it could be We understand you are looking towards the future However, we ask that you please not abandon our past in doing so

For the last 30 years, our organization has facilitated a Leadership Program and for the last 20, a Junior Leadership Program On the first day, the class learns the complete history of Cape Coral from our local historians One of the main stops on our tour is the Yacht Club. Just the impact of standing in the exact building where so much of this history took place brings it to life More than once, it has changed that student’s viewpoint of Cape Coral and created a greater appreciation for their hometown When you take these things away, it makes it that much harder to connect our young leaders with our history

As an organization, we believe the city can restore our ballroom to its original beauty while making the major improvements needed to the beaches and the park We believe it can once again be the gem of Cape Coral with our beloved ballroom as the focal point standing as a symbol of where we came from and what we have overcome as a community Please do not take our last piece of history from us

Sincerely,

Sad day for Cape Coral

To the editor:

Like a lot of people living here in Cape Coral, we moved from someplace else We moved from cities that had buildings and monuments that the city maintained, that still remain today We will remember those structures our entire lives If the City moves forward with tearing down the Yacht Club Ballroom, the only thing remaining from the past is a statue of some guy carrying a bag of groceries in a parking lot

Manage development, save Cape Coral

To the editor:

I have written numerous letters regarding the mayor, Council and city manager putting development before the best interests and sustainability of the city I can’t say I am surprised at the Editorials in last week’s Breeze Mayor Gunter is 100% all in on development to the benefit of developers, builders, and Realtors, not the citizens of Cape Coral Mayor Gunter’s campaign funds primarily came from the Realtors Association, builders and developers and he owns a building company It looks like you get what you pay for! Just consider what he has worked to pushed through: $4 billions of U S government money for new building after Ian, the car wash on the Mast Canal, land grab from Matlacha, building houses and commercial space on the old golf course, Seven Islands, demolition of the Yacht Club, multi-level and mix use developments in South Cape, Redfish Pointe development, $60 million dollar bond for parks which wasn’t enough money for a few All while “deferring maintenance” throughout The Cape And Gunter’s political leadership has ensured that he has pro-development staff around him, like the current acting city manager Gunter’s actions are like Sherman’s march to the Caloosahatchee

Many of our neighborhoods suffer neglect and blight with multiple cars parked on front lawns, vehicles abandoned in driveways, unkempt lawns and yards, and deteriorating buildings that were substandard before Ian Our 400-mile canal system, which is our claim to fame, is undervalued and ignored For example, the Mast Canal is a nursery for manatees and thriving with wildlife This City doesn’t care let them fill-in a canal for a car wash that would have been flooded during Ian; sending chemicals all the way to the Caloosahatchee and into our water system Don’t worry about the increase in traffic It’s OK to push commercial traffic into residential neighborhoods Don’t worry about the light and sound pollution Don’t worry about water quality or wildlife Don’t worry about the health of the canal system. Don’t worry about quality of life or the devaluation of residential property The city’s mantra is all development is good; commercial development is even better

It doesn’t have to be no development vs all development; there is middle ground You can put commercial use at the end of a canal without filling it in or polluting the canal You can keep the historical piece of the Yacht Club and still develop for the future You can turn the old golf course into a park You don’t need to invade Matlacha You don’t need to develop the watershed You can develop the South Cape without re-creating Miami You can use Ian money for block grants to support and encourage maintenance But to do that the city needs to listen to its citizens

We are no longer on the lists of best places to live over development is killing our city We will all suffer the negative effects of overdevelopment and neglect Listen to the editors of the Breeze and Gloria Tate If you couldn’t attend the Cape Coral City Council Meeting of June 7, at 4:30pm at City Hall, please still let them know if they don’t pull back from development at any cost; they will lose their seat in the next election Save the Heart in Our

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

City - Manage Development - Save Cape Coral!

Proposed housing project puts the Cape on the wrong path

To the editor:

Many of us left urban blight, why do we invite this to Cape Coral?

HUD equals urban decay, loud music, drugs, declining property values and constant police calling to a point where they don’t come anymore. This will what becomes of the old golf course if the Cape Coral Council gets its way

The old golf course is in District 4, Councilmember Cummings’ district and she voted for this She campaigned for this area to be a safe and green place, once she was on the dais, things changed She rents her home, rents her business space, has moved several times in the last two years She can easily move again once the damage is done

If I had bought property next to a golf course, I would expect to see a golf course, not densely populated lowincome housing They say it is for teachers, nurses, and police, but we all know how this ends up.

C o n t a c t P a t t y C u m m i n g s a t pcummings@capecoral gov or office phone at 239-5740437 to request a Town Hall on this subject She loves Town Hall meetings

Jour nalists, like other ‘intellectual workers,’ deser ve decent pay

To the editor:

In the last 20 years news has become increasingly concentrated in the hands of the wealthy few Hundreds of papers are run by Gannett, which is currently on strike

Newspaper workers are expected, like teachers and other intellectuals, to do without decent pay Also, they are getting shot at more often

The coursing of our political dialog is exacerbated by this systematic removal of interesting new ideas in favor of the policy that if it bleeds it leads and the homogenization of national “stories” at the expense of an informed local electorate Let's hope that these intellectual workers get some respect for the nuance of their craft

Mor tgaging of America

To the editor:

Have we crossed that threshold where there is no turning back? Is our democracy leaving us? In fact, has much of it left?

This country was founded on independence and freedom 250 years ago and that required character and bravery For example, much of the west was tamed and settled by people who loaded up their belongings and went west

Guest Commentary: Student well-being prioritized

From page 4

ing the School District of Lee County overcome the challenges caused by Hurricane Ian

Understanding the emotional impact of a natural disaster, the District prioritized the well-being of its students and staff We provided counseling services and resources to help individuals cope with the emotional aftermath of the storm By fostering a nurturing and compassionate environment, the District ensured that the healing process extended beyond the physical aspects of recovery

The challenges posed by Hurricane Ian served as a catalyst for growth and learning within the School District of Lee County The experience prompted the District to review and enhance its disaster preparedness protocols to

refine our response strategies and build upon the strengths we exhibited during this challenging period

Hurricane Ian may have tested the resilience of the School District of Lee County, but it did not break our spirit Dr Bernier led our District through the worst natural disaster the area has endured and will continue to lead us through the last stages of recovery as we finalize repairs to buildings and rebuild schools that Ian rendered total losses We appreciate the patience and continued support of our students, staff, and community

not sure if they would make it and not sure what they would find when they arrived One characteristic was necessary, they had to be self-reliant There was no government around to make sure they were safe and had enough to eat

Today we have incurred $10 trillion more of debt in a few years supplying every conceivable financial assistance to millions of people who have cell phones, eat out and live in a society with jobs galore, health services, food supplies etc Ten trillion is $30,210 per person and for a family of five, $151,000 This money was just printed from thin air A new mortgage for America!

Where is America going? In Turkey, they recently had an election and the current president won again He has now served nine years From a meager financial position when he took office, he now is worth billions and just built a $615 million home He has given more money to voters than anyone in history and they love him Even when the inflation rate was 85%, he lowered interest rates

Clinton and Obama are now very rich and the one in office is headed in that direction Many believe his family is already there Must be the coffee

Turkey recently had two severe earthquakes in 9 hours, killing 50,000 (Erdogan numbers) but those who know think it may be closer to 300,000 The buildings were not regulated by the government so they were prone to damage and the help after the earthquakes was mediocre Yet the people in the towns hardest hit increased their votes for Erdogan in this election They love the guy

I see similarities in America Our inflation cost Americans 20% of their net worth We set a record for illegal immigrants, oil prices doubled, etc but people were more interested in abortion rights and hating Trump

All this spending carries criminal activity Medicare is conservatively scammed out of 20% of the cost and that is only the criminal activity Some companies make a living by overcharging and getting government to approve the price

In the support given during the pandemic, $170 to $470 billion was stolen (we don’t even know the amount), much of it by international fraudsters North Korea is one of the leading fraudsters in the world The more we give the more we lose Are the politicians at fault? Or the voters?

How can spending trillions be anything but buying power from people who are only looking for a free lunch

Maybe it is too late I hope not

This week’s poll question:

As Ron DeSantis launches his presidential bid, how is he doing as Florida’s governor?

∫ He continues to lead, and perform his duties, well

∫ I don’t perceive much difference

∫ If anything, he’s doing a better job

∫ I was never happy with his performance

∫ Other

Previous poll question

Are you prepared for hurricane season?

∫ Yes 58%

∫ We gear up with the first warning 15%

∫ We don’t prepare, we evacuate 14%

∫ We play it by ear 14%

Poll results are not scientific and represent only the opinions of Internet users who have chosen to participate

Vote at capecoralbreeze com

Agree? Disagree? Weigh in!

Letters, guest opinions, comments welcome

The v i e w s e x pre s s e d o n the Opi ni o ns pag e s are jus t that o pi ni o ns . The s e pag e s are i nte nde d to c o nv e y a rang e o f v i e w po i nts ; o pi ni o ns pri nte d o n thi s pag e do no t ne c

ne d and mus t i nc l ude a pho ne numbe r f o r v e ri f i c ati o n purpo s e s . Re ade rs are al s o i nv i te d to c o mme nt o n any l e tte r o r e di to ri al o pi ni o n o nl i ne at: c ape c o ral bre e z e . c o m.

Florida VPK vouchers empower families to succeed

When it comes to the promise of school choice that families can actively select the most appropriate educational paths for their children Florida’s publicly funded prekindergarten programs are delivering in a big way

In the four-county region of Southwest Florida that our nonprofit education coalition serves, no fewer than 260 different V o l u n t a r y P r e k i n d e r g a r t e n ( V P K ) p r ograms provided a head start to nearly 7,500 children in school year 2021-22

These state-approved VPK programs are offered not just through public and private schools but also at some childcare centers, and through home-based and faithbased organizations Parents choose a VPK provider based on what programs best meet their children’s needs, with a curriculum t h a t c o v e r s e i g h t c o r e d e v e l o p m e n t a l domains:

■ physical health

■ approaches to learning

■ social and emotional development

■ language and communication

■ emergent literacy

■ mathematical and scientific thinking

■ social studies and the arts

■ motor development

Once parents register for the free program, they receive a VPK voucher for the

school of their choice, which fully covers program costs This innovative effort came to pass thanks to Florida voters, who more than 20 years ago approved a ballot initiative to provide high-quality, p u b l i c l y f u n d e d p r e k i n d e rgarten programs for every 4year-old in the state. Since the free program began in 200506, more than 2 6 million children have benefited Program benefits are significant Florida Department of Education data shows that children who participate in VPK are far better equipped for not just kindergarten but for their entire academic journey compared to than those who do not Statewide, of the roughly 188,000 students enrolled in kindergarten in fall 2022 who completed VPK, 62% were deemed ready for kindergarten based on early literacy tests Only 40% of those who participated in VPK but didn’t finish, scored as high And just 37% of those who didn’t attend at all were considered ready for kindergarten Research by The Children’s Reading

Foundation found that children who enter kindergarten one year behind academically have a 26% chance of dropping out of high school Fall behind by two years, a n d t h e d r o p o u t o d d s increase to 45% Kids with a three-year learning gap at that point will drop out 55% of the time, research found

Such choices, of course, create lifelong hurdles, from h o u s i n g a n d e m p l o y m e n t struggles to well-established income gaps compared to t h o s e w h o f i n i s h s c h o o l Fundamentally, it’s a matter of fairness: parents shouldn’t have to choose between early childhood education and covering rent, mortgage payments, utilities, food and other basic household costs

At the Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida, we stand ready to help parents and guardians enroll their children in either summer preschool, which provides up to 300 hours of classroom time, or the regular school-year program, which provides up to 540 hours of preschool

Classes are capped at 12 students in the

summer and 20 during the school year

If your child is 4 years old on or before Sept 1 of the current school year, they can sign up Kids whose fourth birthday falls between Feb 2 and Sept 1 can delay their VPK enrollment until next year, when they are 5, provided they don’t yet enroll in kindergarten

Temporary Florida residents are also eligible from military families and seasonal residents to those displaced by natural disasters or whose families are experiencing homelessness

Apply for a VPK voucher today by visiting us online at VPKSWFL org or calling the Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida at 239-935-6100 You can also visit our Fort Myers office from 8 a m to 5 p m Monday through Friday for assistance, located at 2675 Winkler Ave The office provides free kiosks, and no appointments are needed.

Melanie Stefanowicz is the CEO for Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida, which provides access to highquality early education services for children in Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee Counties

Enrollment now open for 2023-2024 VPK programs

Registration for Voluntary Prekindergarten is now open for the 20232024 school year in Lee, Collier, Hendry and Glades Counties.

The free educational program is available to 4-year-olds that reside in Florida, regardless of family income

Voluntary Prekindergarten is designed to give children a jump-start for school by incorporating early literacy and math, language and social skills VPK classrooms are taught by highly qualified teachers with a focus on school readiness and social and emotional well-being By developing the early skills children need to become strong students, they are more likely to be successful in school.

To be eligible, children must live in Florida and be 4 years old on or before Sept 1 of the current school year Through the Early Learning Coalition of SWFL, parents can register their qualifying child to attend

540 hours of preschool during the regular school year, or 300 hours of summertime preschool In 2021-2022, Early Learning Coalition reported 7,464 children attended 260 different VPK programs in Lee, Collier, Hendry and Glades Counties

To register, families must first apply for a VPK voucher online at VPKSWFL org Individuals can also visit the Early Learning Coalition office from 8 a m to 5 p m Monday through Friday for assistance, located at 2675 Winkler Ave , Suite 300 in Fort Myers The office provides free kiosks, and no appointments are needed

To learn more about the 2023-2024 VPK program, visit VPKSWFL org or call (239) 935-6100.

About Early Learning Coalition of SWFL

Supported by a Florida Department of Education grant, the Early Learning Coalition of SWFL exists to enhance the

quality of children’s lives by providing families, early childhood educators, caregivers and community partners in Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee Counties, with opportuni-

ties to positively impact the future To learn more, visit ELCofSWFL org or call (239) 935-6100

w w w . c a p e c o r a l b r e e z e . c o m

Celebration of life service to mark Menendez’

passing

B y C J H A D D A D c j h a d d a d @ b r e e z e n e w s p a p e r s c o m

A m e m o r i a m f o r a c i t y e m p l o y e e w i t h m o r e t h a n t h r e e d e c a d e s o f s e r v i c e w i l l b e h e l d t h i s S a t u r d a y i n C a p e C o r a l

C i t y A t t o r n e y D o l o r e s M e n e n d e z , 6 7 , p a s s e d a w a y o n M a y 1 8

A C e l e b r a t i o n o f L i f e w i l l t a k e p l a c e a t t h e W e s t i n C a p e C o r a l i n t h e T a r p o n

B a l l r o o m f r o m 3 t o 5 p m , a n d i s o p e n t o t h e p u b l i c M e n e n d e z ’ l e g a l c a r e e r i n F l o r i d a s p a n n e d 4 3 y e a r s , 3 2 o f w h i c h w e r e s p e n t w o r k i n g f o r t h e c i t y o f C a p e C o r a l S h e w a s h i r e d i n 1 9 9 1 a s a n a s s i s t a n t c i t y a t t o r n e y , a n d p r o m o t e d t o c i t y a t t o rn e y i n 2 0 0 1 , h o l d i n g t h e r o l e f o r 2 2 y e a r s “ I t i s w i t h p r o f o u n d s a d n e s s t h a t w e a n n o u n c e t h a t C i t y A t t o r n e y , D o l o r e s M e n e n d e z p a s s e d a w a y t o d a y , ” M a y o r J o h n G u n t e r s a i d u p o n h e r p a s s i n g “ O u r t h o u g h t s a n d p r a y e r s a r e w i t h h e r d a u g ht e r a n d t h e r e s t o f h e r f a m i l y ”

C i t y M a n a g e r M i c h a e l I l c z y s z y n s a i d , “ I ’ d l i k e e v e r y o n e t o k e e p D o l o r e s a n d h e r f a m i l y i n y o u r p r a y e r s S h e w a s a c a r i n g w o m a n w h o l o v e d h e r f a m i l y , c a t s a n d p r o f e s s i o n , a n d s h e w i l l b e m i s s e d . ” M e n e n d e z w a s k n o w n f o r h e r t h o u g h tf u l a p p r o a c h o n k e y i s s u e s i n C a p e C o r a l g o v e r n m e n t a n d s e r v e d t h e c i t y o f C a p e C o r a l w i t h d i g n i t y a n d r e s p e c t “ C i t y A t t o r n e y M e n e n d e z d e v o t e d m a n y y e a r s o f h e r l i f e t o w a r d h e l p i n g C a p e C o r a l g r o w , ” s a i d C a p e

C o u n c i l m e m b e r J e s s i c a C o s d e n “ H e r e x p e r t i s e , p r o f e s s i o n a l i s m , a n d k i n d n e s s w i l l b e s o r e l y m i s s e d ” S h e i s s u r v i v e d b y h e r d a u g h t e r , L a u r a M e n e n d e z S h e w a s p r e d e c e a s e d b y h e r m o t h e r , E l e a n o r M e n e n d e z a n d f a t h e r L u c i a n o M e n e n d e z I n l i e u o f f l o w e r s , d o n a t i o n s m a y b e m a d e t o t h e C a p e C o r a l A n i m a l S h e l t e r a n d V e t e r i n a r y C l i n i c o r G u l f C o a s t H u m a n e S o c i e t y T h e W e s t i n C a p e C o r a l i s a t 5 9 5 1 S i l v e r K i n d B l v d

Hor ton Park boat ramp closed temporarily beginning June 14

T h e H o r t o n P a r k B o a t R a m p w i l l b e c l o s e d b e g i n n i n g J u n e 1 4 d u e t o

C a l o o s a h a t c h e e C o n n e c t c o n s t r u c t i o n

T h e r a m p i s e x p e c t e d t o o p e n o n J u n e 2 3 ,

b a r r i n g a n y u n f o r e s e e n c i r c u m s t a n c e s

M e s s a g e b o a r d s a r e p o s t e d i n t h e a r e a

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

l o w i n g C a p e C o r a l b o a t r a m p s : R o s e n P a r k B o a t R a m p , 2 4 1 4 S E 1 5 T e r r a c e ; B u r n t S t o r e B o a t R a m p , 2 3 0 B u r n t S t o r e R o a d S o u t h ; o r t h e B M X S k a t e P a r k B o a t R a m p , S o u t h w e s t 7 t h C o u r t ( f r e s h w a t e r a c c e s s ) T o r e c e i v e u p d a t e s f r o m t h e C i t y o f C a p e C o r a l , s i g n u p f o r t h e n e w s l e t t e r , C a p e C o n n e c t a t c a p e c o r a l g o v M o r e i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t C a p e C o r a l P a r k s & R e c r e a t i o n l o c a t i o n s a n d a m e n it i e s m a y a l s o b e f o u n d o n t h e c i t y ’ s w e bs i t e

Owls: CCFW photo competition attracts more than 100 entries

Dr Christopher Robbin was named the winner in the adult division, and Sienna Long took home top honors in the youth category

“We had 101 entries this year from photographers ages 8 to 80,” said CCFW’s Cheryl Anderson “It was a really great day, with almost all of the winners there to accept There were smiles on the faces of all in attendance ”

Robben is a member of the county’s Conservation Land Acquisition and Stewardship Advisory Committee, which is a group dedicated to protecting natural areas in Lee County for the benefit or present and future generations in Southwest Florida

An avid photographer who travels the world taking photos of wildlife, Robben said it was at his home where the perfect opportunity presented itself

“I would like to say that I spent a lot of time searching for the perfect light and setting up and spending hours, but sometimes the best photos fall right in your lap,”Robben said. “As luck would have it, that little guy was in my island in my front yard, kind of nestled into my landscaping And I saw him there and saw the backdrop, and knew it would be a great shot Luckily, he stayed put and cooperated and let me get on ground level It was really cool ”

Participants were able to submit just one photo, and were permitted to do the following: crop; make minor adjustments to color, white balance, lighting levels and curves, shadows and highlight, saturation, contrast, sharpness; moderate dodging and burning; removal of dust sports and moderate reduction of image noise

Photographs that were been digitally or otherwise altered beyond standard optimization were disqualified

Final judges were Cape Coral Mayor John Gunter, NBC2 Meteorologist Rob Duns, and last year’s photo contest winner, Connie Hessler

Robben’s picture will be the official photo of the 2024 Burrowing Owl Festival

Of being named the winner, Robben said, “It was very, very exciting I was super happy with the picture I think it will be a great promotion for the Burrowing Owl Festival next year and I’m excited it’s going to be on the Tshirts I was very humbled, there were a lot of excellent entries -- especially in the youth division, it was extremely impressive, and overall, a lot of fun ”

Robben said not only is photography a ton of fun, but a useful tool towards conservation efforts

“It’s one thing to try and convey the importance of things like habitat conservation with words, but when people see images of vulnerable lands and species, it can really raise people’s interest to another level,” Robben said

His photography has already played a role in saving a parcel that included areas of Four Mile Cove in Cape Coral

The next project Robben is working on concerns land at Rotary Park in the Cape

“There’s a proposition to change the zoning of the land south of Rotary Park from preserve to multi-family, and they’re actually requesting that the city of Cape Coral allow them to put a road directly through the middle of the park, which would basically devastate the wildlife there As everyone knows, we have very few green spaces left in Cape Coral, so for them to allow that to happen, I think would be a real tragedy ”

Robben said he is taking photographs of wildlife in and around Rotary Park, to send those images to city council members

“I put that challenge out to all of my fellow winners, and hopefully they take that up,” Robben said Robben said residents interested in learn-

T h e C a p e C o r a l Friends of Wildlife a n n o u n c e d i t s 2 0 2 3 B u r r o w i n g Owl Photo Contest winners Saturday. Top, youth category winner, taken b y S i e n n a L o n g A t l e f t , a d u l t d i v is i o n r u n n e r - u p photograph, taken by Mike Fisher

ing more and getting involved in environmental protection locally can visit www protectourwetlandsincapecoral org

Drowning tragedies prompt pet lover to warn others

When the unimaginable took place over a span of six days for Cape resident Nancy Scafuri, she felt compelled to share her story to prevent other tragedies

Scafuri lost two of her dogs; Little Joey and Penny in less than a week, in two incidents involving her swimming pool

Joey, who was 7, drowned when he and Penny were playing in the pool Days later, Penny, who was a year-and-a-half, lost her life when a pool hose wrapped around her

“It’s just very peculiar for me knowing that these pups have swam hundreds of times in the pool -- it’s our daily activity -and in a split second, they’re gone,” Scafuri said.

Home videos depict Joey and Penny playing gleefully in and around the pool Both were smooth coast short-legged Jack Russell terriers and proficient in the water

“I always make sure my pets can swim I have a pool,” Scafuri said “When they were little, they learned to swim and I was confident ”

Scafuri said in the incident involving Little Joey, who is named after Scafuri’s late husband, Penny “over-swam” him and u n i n t e n t i o n a l l y p u s h e d h i m u n d e r t h e water.

“It only took a second,” Scafuri said “Joey’s love and passion was water As a dog mom, it wasn’t uncommon to run inside quick to grab something, as we were always playing in the pool

“My hope is to raise awareness to never turn your back You just cannot turn your back ”

While Scafuri was doing yard work mere feet from Penny playing with the pool hose on the in-ground pool steps, an activity she did quite often, the hose ended up wrapping around her neck

“She loved chasing that hose,” Scafuri said “Little did I know that the hose is also a danger

She was at the steps, and the hose is tied around the steps so it doesn’t go far She would grab the hose and bring it back to the steps It was an innocent activity turned deadly ”

She added, “The pool can be a deadly playground I don’t look at (my pool) the same anymore That’s what I want to get out to the people of Cape Coral.”

When faced with criticism of having two incidents take place in such a short period of time, Scafuri said: “These dogs are proven swimmers and very agile Penny would leap into the pool after a ball ”

“Pets are such a huge part of our lives I just want to get awareness out that pools can be extremely dangerous Water is beautiful, but is extremely dangerous ”

Dog drownings, especially in a state such as Florida where swimming pools and bodies of water are abundant, can happen in an instant

A Jack Russell terrier that garnered attention on TikTok for her swimming and pool-side antics also drowned Scafuri said a friend of her daughter’s dog also recently drowned in a Florida pool

“Don’t take for granted during a fun a c t i v i t y l i k e s w i m m i n g , t h e p o w e r o f water,” Scafuri said “It was only seconds I was trying to do compressions and resuscitate on them, and they were gone within seconds I never saw it coming ”

Scafuri said dealing with the loss of a pet, never mind two in less than a week, is something she’s coping with She got Joey two weeks after her husband passed away

“He was with me day and night He was just incredible,” Scafuri said “Everybody’s dog has a story I just feel I’ve lost this huge part of my heart ”

She feels there is a need for a group or outreach program for grieving pet owners that have just lost a companion One thing she says has helped her has been listening t o a n a u d i o b o o k f r o m a u t h o r C h e r y l Richardson titled, “How to Survive the Loss of a Pet ”

“I think there are a lot of people that are grieving over the loss of their best friend,” Scafuri said “There’s nothing out there, at l e a s t i n o u r c o m m u n i t y , o t h e r t h a n a Facebook group, but that’s not the same as making a connection with someone ”

Scafuri hopes to bring awareness to dog drowning potential, and even create or help organize a support group for those feeling the loss of a pet.

“There are other people out there that feel the same way I do in the area, I just don’t know where they are,” Scafuri said

“Pets are such a huge part of our lives I just want to get awareness out that pools can be extremely dangerous Water is beautiful, but is extremely dangerous ”

Museum of History to hold birthday bash this Saturday

Secures rights to re-publish popular book on the city’s founding

T h e k e e p e r a n d p r e s e r v e r o f C a p e

Coral’s history is celebrating its 43rd birthday this weekend with a special treat for residents

The Cape Coral Museum of History is hosting a birthday celebration this Saturday on museum grounds from 9 a m to 2 p m featuring food vendors, vintage cars, open house, and limited re-release of a book that depicts the early days and founding of the city

“We are proud to have served the community since 1980 as the only entity in the city to collect, preserve and share our city’s history,” said museum Executive Director Janel Trull “At the Cape Coral Museum of History, we welcome all generations to share the unique history of Cape Coral and Southwest Florida through our collections, exhibitions, educational initiatives, programs, and research By throwing a party for the community every year it helps the museum gain awareness from a variety of

audiences who may not be familiar with us ”

The museum will have a full slate of activities available throughout the day sponsored by Coral Ridge Funeral Home

From 9 to noon, there will be vintage vehicles on-site from the Hot Chilli Rods a n d t h e C a p e C o r a l C o b r a C l u b E n t e r t a i n m e n t w i l l b e p r o v i d e d b y “

M o m e n t s i n T i m e ” f e a t u r i n g R o b e r t Gonnelli

From 10 to 11, the CCFD will providing a fire truck for visitors to explore

At 11, former council member Gloria Tate and Elmer Tabor, two members of some of the first families to settle Cape Coral, will discuss the book “Lies that Came True” by Eileen Bernard And for the first time in years, the museum will have a limited batch of newly reprinted books for sale

“The Museum is so excited to have been given the rights to the ‘Lies That Came True,’” Trull said “The book has been a constant request in the Museum Store for at

least the last five years and unfortunately, it was out of print By receiving the rights, we can now reprint the book making it more readily available to the general public The first batch that we printed is only 100 books, which were paid for by Gloria Tate and Bob Lauson As we sell out, we will be able to take preorders for the next batch ”

The museum will be open to tour for free from 10 a m to 2 p m

T h e r e w i l l b e c r a f t s f o r k i d s , a n d Randell Research Center will be participating with information about touring their location on Pine Island

“We will even have food on site so you can make a day of it,” Trull said “The museum will be grilling up hot dogs and hamburgers for a donation and Scoop Me Up Ice Cream will be on site all day serving up tasty homemade ice cream treats ”

For more information, call 239-7727037 or visit www capecoralmuseum org

The Cape Coral Museum of History is at 544 Cultural Park Blvd

On sale at the museum

Yacht Club: Council expected to vote on demolition on June 14

From page 1

Historic places,” Tate said adding it met a number of qualifying categories including design, events, social history, planning and development “Some of the adjacent structures may also be eligible in the listing of the National Registry of Historic Properties However, to continue our review and provide the formal letter of determination, we will need additional information including, but not limited to interior and exterior photos and more information on its history, construction and alterations ”

Given Council’s previous consensus vote to raze the structure, she said it is highly likely that they will have historic preservation

“It is my hope that you will consider this information and slow the process, if not stop the process of demolition altogether and work with the residents to formally claim the historic significance of this building and restore it for future generations to know and appreciate its history,” Tate said

Many long-time residents spoke in favor of keeping the Yacht Club, as did other members of the community

Cape Coral Museum of History Executive Director Janel Trull took a stand for and to protect historic buildings that have no voice She said the Yacht Club opened in 1962 and from day one it was a true community center, the heartbeat of the community until Hurricane Ian hit the Cape on Sept 28

The city originally said the structure has suffered severe hurricane damage but has since said much of the millions of dollars in repairs needed are due to “deferred maintenance ”

“Since then the building’s fate has been in limbo A limbo created on a false premise and misinformation,” Trull said "” have worked in preservation for more than 20 years and I am dismayed at the council's indifference for saving one of the few original buildings that the city has left The cultural relevance of the Cape Coral Yacht Club alone makes this building more valuable than you understand ”

She said the 1998 City Council saw the relevance and designated the Yacht Club a historic and cultural resource through a resolution

“Twenty-five years later this council is willing to vote to tear the building down without looking to any experts on preservation for solutions Did you know that saving historic buildings can enhance the sense of communi-

ty? Showing visitors and locals alike that we take pride in our history that we celebrate examples of historical architecture,” Trull said

She said the Yacht Club ballroom is not beyond repair

“I implore you to slow down,” Trull said, asking the council to set up committees, seek grants and do what it can to save the building Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral President and CEO Donna Schuman Germain also spoke in support of preserving the Yacht Club

“In 1962, the Rosen Brothers built the Cape Coral Yacht Club for the residents of Cape Coral and for more than 60 years, the residents of Cape Coral made countless memories there From the beaches to the ballroom, to the teen/senior center, the Yacht Club is where Cape Coral truly comes together,” she said. “The ballroom also holds some significance in the Chamber’s history As our organization transitioned from the Cape Coral Merchant’s Association to the Chamber of Commerce in 1965, our very first board election took place in the ballroom on Feb 2 of that year Since then, we have celebrated milestones, inducted new leaders, held monthly membership meetings, hosted countless community town hall meetings and so much more ”

Germain said the Yacht Club is the most significant historical area in the city.

“The Chamber also believes that the historic mid-century modern style ballroom is a unique structure that celebrates the architecture of that era and is something to be celebrated and preserved and not destroyed Throughout the country this post-war era style of architecture is being commemorated and communities are fighting to preserve those structures We ask that you do the same and stop the plans to demolish this important piece of our history,” she said

Germain also talked about the chamber’s Leadership Program, and a Junior Leadership Program

“On the first day, the class learns the complete history of Cape Coral from our local historians One of the main stops on our tour is the Yacht Club Just the impact of standing in the exact building where so much of this history took place brings it to life More than once, it has changed that student’s viewpoint of Cape Coral and created a greater appreciation for their hometown When you take these things away, it makes it that much harder to

connect our young leaders with our history,” she said

Council members also shared their thoughts and feelings about the facility, many full of emotions, saying it was a hard decision to make regarding the fate of the building

“I moved here almost 30 years ago Me and my wife fell in love with the city. I have the same memories My children, memories of bringing them to the Yacht Club, but I have memories of being a citizen to protect it,”

Councilmember Dan Sheppard said “I was attacked for almost 25 years For some reason past leadership and influencers had no interest in investing in this gem That is the most upsetting part of it all Now, I sit up here and think back, I was fighting for all of this for years and pretty much shunned and told to shut up ”

He said the building has decayed to the point where it is not safe anymore.

“I am elected by all citizens of Cape Coral I am passionate about it My kids and wife I represent 200,000 The majority that contacted me are all telling me to build a new Yacht Club where everyone in the city can have the experience,” Sheppard said

He said the only thing that was important in the past 25 to 30 years was real estate and making money through real estate

“I am kind of pissed off It’s all thrown on our laps That’s my feelings on the issue It was a tough one,” Sheppard said.

Interim City Manager Michael Ilczyszyn said the structural, mechanical, electrical and plumbing issues that exist today have been there for a while He said unfortunately through Operation Sparkle it revealed a systemic problem in the city’s park system, an issue of deferred maintenance and lack of funding

Councilmember Patty Cummings asked why fundraisers have not been held to fix the problems, why those spearheading that have been in the seat as a public figure, allowed the Yacht Club to get to this point.

“I don’t want the finger pointed at me,” she said

Councilmember Tom Hayden, who voted against the demolition and was accused of being party to Tate’s application in defiance of Council, said it is their responsibility

“We have an opportunity now to look forward and fix the neglect and come up with a plan that takes the Yacht Club forward, but also all of our other parks The community is responding now because they were not aware

the Yacht Club has been damaged to this point Now it becomes a priority because it is one of the center pieces of our community,” he said

He said he was not part of Tate’s application but supported her effort

Tate’s application included a special commemorative section published by The Breeze last year for the Yacht Club’s 60th anniversary Hayden, a member of the Cape Coral Museum of History’s Board of Directors wrote most of the stories

Council voted at the end of the meeting to send a letter to the state stating that Hayden’s inclusion in the effort to get the Yacht Club placed on the historic register was not a Council action

City staff provided a status update on the complex including where the Boat House, beach and demolition of the Yacht Club and the deconstruction of the ballroom stood during Wednesday nights Hurricane Ian update

Director of Capital Improvements Paul Clinghan said the Boat House restaurant is set to open July 1 There is still work being done regarding cleaning, parking lot lighting, fencing and fuel tanks

The boat ramp is still being utilized for boat removal, which will end on Aug 31

The goal, Clinghan said, is to have the beach open on Aug 31, which Ilczyszyn was not sure would happen by that date

Ilczyszyn said to be candid that opening date is pretty aggressive, as they have to take buildings down, sand sift the beach, restore sand, have utilities capped and hazards removed He said he personally thinks it will open in November, as they have no intent on opening something prematurely

The critical path, Clinghan said, is obtaining the permits for land site beach raking and water raking, as well as securing the pier to make sure there are no loose components In addition, he said they have to have temporary restrooms, as the existing bathrooms need to be demolished, as well as the two pavilions and playground

The demolition of the Yacht Club and deconstruction of the ballroom will come before Council for a formal vote on June 14, as they have to put together a bid package contract Clinghan said it will take a couple of months to put a bid package together with a bid opening mid September Upon council approval the demolition and deconstruction would start in October

Cape Council eliminates non-mandated advisory boards

e z e n e w s p a p e r s c o m

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

Y o u t h C o u n c i l t o a f a c t - f i n d i n g b o a r d

B o a r d s t h a t w e r e r e p e a l e d a n d d e l e t e d i n c l u d e d t h e G o l f C o u r s e A d v i s o r y

B o a r d , N u i s a n c e A b a t e m e n t B o a r d , W a t e r w a y A d v i s o r y B o a r d , P a r k s a n d R e c r e a t i o n A d v i s o r y B o a r d a n d C a p e C o m p e t e s A d v i s o r y B o a r d T h e v o t e w a s 5 - 3 w i t h c o u n c i l m e mb e r s T o m H a y d e n , R o b e r t W e l s h a n d J e s s i c a C o s d e n d i s s e n t i n g I n t e r i m C i t y M a n a g e r M i c h a e l I l c z y s z y n s a i d h e h a d a d i s c u s s i o n l a s t w e e k w i t h t h e e x e c u t i v e l e a d e r s h i p t e a m t o l e t t h e a d v i s o r y b o a r d m e m b e r s k n o w

t h a t t h a t t h e b o a r d s w o u l d t u r n i n t o s t a k e h o l d e r g r o u p s “ I f t h i s d o e s g o t h e w a y i t i s w r i t t e n , s u n s e t , ( w e w o u l d ) s t i l l l i k e t o h a v e t h e i r v o l u n t e e r i s m o n a s t a k e h o l d e r g r o u p , ” h e s a i d C o u n c i l m e m b e r B i l l S t e i n k e s a i d t h e w o r k i s n o t e n d i n g i t i s j u s t t a k i n g o n a d i f f e r e n t f o r m , w h i c h i n t h e l o n g r u n m a y m a k e e f f o r t s m o r e e f f e c t i v e . J o e M a z u r k i e w i c z s p o k e d u r i n g p u bl i c c o m m e n t r e g a r d i n g t h e Y o u t h C o u n c i l , f o r w h i c h h e h a s b e e n a n a d v i -

s o r f o r s i n c e i t s i n c e p t i o n H e s a i d b y h a v i n g t h e m a s Y o u t h C o u n c i l t h e y a r e p a r t o f t h e e x p e r i e n c e “ T h e y n e e d t o u n d e r s t a n d w h a t i t i s l i k e t o g o v e r n i n F l o r i d a , ” M a z u r k i e w i c z s a i d a b o u t d o i n g i t w i t h i n S u n s h i n e , a n a m e g i v e n t o t h e s t a t e ’ s o p e n m e e t i n g l a w s H e d i d n o t a g r e e t o t a k e Y o u t h C o u n c i l o u t o f a n a d v i s o r y r o l e a n d t u r n i t i n t o a f a c t - f i n d i n g r o l e “ T h i s i s a r e a s o n w h y a l o t o f t h e m a p p l y a n d j o i n , s o t h e y c a n h a v e a c o n -

v e r s a t i o n w i t h y o u a n d s h a r e t h e i r e x p e r t i s e a s a y o u n g p e r s o n i n t h e C i t y o f C a p e C o r a l , ” M a z u r k i e w i c z s a i d H e s a i d b y t a k i n g t h e m o u t o f t h e a d v i s o r y r o l e i t e l i m i n a t e s t h e r e a s o n w h y t h e b o a r d w a s f o r m e d i n t h e f i r s t p l a c e “ T h i s i s a g o o d e d u c a t i o n f o r t h e m I t g i v e s t h e m e x p e r i e n c e o f g o v e r n i n g u n d e r t h e r u l e s o f t h e s t a t e o f F l o r i d a

I t ’ s a n i m p o r t a n t l e s s o n t o l e a r n , ”

M a z u r k i e w i c z s a i d I l c z y s z y n s a i d h e a s k e d t h e C l e r k ’ s

O f f i c e h o w m a n y h o u r s w o u l d b e s a v e d i f t h e b o a r d s w e r e s u n s e t , w h i c h w a s 5 0 0 h o u r s a y e a r i n s t a f f t i m e H e s a i d 9 7 6 h o u r s w e r e u s e d f o r t h e r e s t o f t h e c i t y d e p a r t m e n t s .

Deadlines change for CRA Special Event Sponsorship applications

T h e d e a d l i n e s f o r t h e C o m m u n i t y R e d e v e l o p m e n t A g e n c y S p e c i a l E v e n t Sponsorship application deadlines have changed to make it easier for those seeking financial support

Application packets must be received by July 31, 2023 for events to be held between October 2023 and March 2024

For those events held between April 2024 t o S e p t e m b e r 2 0 2 4 , p a c k e t s m u s t b e received by Jan 31, 2024

CRA Board Chair Linda Biondi said they provide grants for nonprofit organizations that hold events in the South Cape CRA district To receive the grant, applicants have to meet certain criteria, fill out

Application packets must be received by July 31, 2023 for events ‘to be held between October 2023 and March 2024. For those events held between April 2024 to September 2024, packets must be received by Jan 31, 2024

an application and go through a permitting process through Parks and Recreation

Some of those requirements include the special event being held in the South Cape CRA district, promote economic development within the area, or benefit residents, and the anticipated attendance of the special event be a minimum of 1,000 persons

Up to $5,000 is provided per event for eligible services or equipment, such as

police presence, road closure and performance stage The CRA annually, sets aside $90,000 to help fund events

Biondi said the events have to be open to the public and be held for all ages They have provided grants to such events as the Veteran’s Day Parade, Bike Night, Touch A Truck and Trunk or Treat

“It’s a good way for us to assist these nonprofits,” she said “It helps Every little

bit helps It’s a cool way to help out everybody ”

By having these events in the South Cape CRA district, Biondi said it provides a huge economic impact to businesses and shops For example, she said the Rotary Club’s Art Festival attracts 100,000 people to the area, a large number of people that may not know a certain restaurant or shop exists.

“It’s important for us, especially our CRA area to make sure people know we are improving our area It’s a win-win for everybody,” Biondi said

F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n , v i s i t https://cms4files revize com/capecoralfl/C RA/CRA%20applicaiton pdf

Cape passes new regulations for sprinkler systems

3

n e w s @ b r e e z e n e w s p a p e r s c o m

J u n e 9 , 2 0

A n o r d i n a n c e w h i c h i m p o s e s n e w s p r i n k l e r r e q u i r e m e n t s w a s p a s s e d b y

C a p e C o r a l C i t y C o u n c i l W e d n e s d a y n i g h t a f t e r s i x y e a r s o f p r e v i o u s a t t e m p t s

C o u n c i l m e m b e r K e i t h L o n g a n d

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

G u n t e r s a y i n g t h e o r d i n a n c e d o e s n o t p r o p e r l y a d d r e s s w a t e r c o n s e r v a t i o n , a p r i m a r y r e a s o n f o r t h e o r d i n a n c e G u n t e r s a i d h e w o u l d n o t s u p p o r t t h e o r d i n a n c e b e c a u s e t h e c i t y i s a b o u t 5 5 p e r c e n t b u i l t o u t w i t h 8 7 , 0 0 0 s i n g l e f a m i l y r e s i d e n t i a l h o m e s , a n d n o t i n c l u di n g a l l t h e c o m m e r c i a l “ T h i s o r d i n a n c e d o e s n o t a d d r e s s t h a t T h e y m a y b e a b l e t o a p p l y f o r r e b a t e s o r u p g r a d e , b u t n o t h i n g m a n d a t o r y t o d o t h a t . W e a r e m i s s i n g t h a t c o m p o n e n t i n t h i s o r d i n a n c e , ” G u n t e r s a i d “ W a t e r c o n s e r v a t i o n s h o u l d b e a p r i o r i t y o f o u r s ” H e s u g g e s t e d t h a t t h e i n s t a l l a t i o n o f m e t e r s o n a l l o f t h e s y s t e m s a n d m a k e r e s i d e n t s p a y f o r a n y w a t e r o v e r a n d a b o v e a c a l c u l a t i o n T h i s , G u n t e r s a i d , w o u l d p r o v i d e a d r a s t i c r e d u c t i o n i n u s a g e “ W e c h a r g e a n y t h i n g o v e r a n d a b o v e a n d t h e y a r e g o i n g t o s e l f r e g u l a t e t h e ms e l v e s , ” h e s a i d . U t i l i t i e s D i r e c t o r J e f f P e a r s o n s a i d

The ordinance does not require existing systems to be altered, or modified to meet new irrigation design standards

The new regulations, not to be fully implemented for the first 18 months, will require accurate design drawings for irrigation systems, with residential systems having the ability to be hand drawn to scale The ordinance also requires installers to provide property owner asbuilt drawings, and maintenance checklists.

The ordinance also includes a variance for those who have a soil moisture sensor and/or an evapotranspiration or weatherbased smart controller

a c c o r d i n g t o E P A , a s m u c h a s 5 0 p e r c e n t o f w a t e r u s e d f o r i r r i g a t i o n i s w a s t e d d u e t o e v a p o r a t i o n , w i n d , o r r u n o f f c a u s e d b y i n e f f i c i e n t i r r i g a t i o n m e t h o d s a n d s y st e m s H e s a i d a s t u d y p u b l i s h e d b y I r r i g a t i o n & G r e e n I n d u s t r y s t a t e s t h a t u s e o f s m a r t c o n t r o l l e r s c u t w a t e r u s e b y a t l e a s t 3 0 p e r c e n t a n d p o s s i b l y a s h i g h a s 7 0 p e r c e n t T h e o r d i n a n c e a p p l i e s t o “ a l l n e w r e si d e n t i a l a n d c o m m e r c i a l a u t o m a t i c i r r ig a t i o n s y s t e m s , w h e t h e r o p e r a t e d a u t om a t i c a l l y , o r m a n u a l l y , a n d t o m o d i f i c at i o n s o f $ 2 , 5 0 0 o r m o r e t o e x i s t i n g i r r ig a t i o n s y s t e m s ” I t w i l l b e v o l u n t a r y f o r t h e f i r s t 1 8 m o n t h s b e f o r e i t i s f u l l y i m p l e m e n t e d

P e a r s o n s a i d i t d o e s n o t r e q u i r e e x i s ti n g s y s t e m s t o b e a l t e r e d , o r m o d i f i e d t o m e e t n e w i r r i g a t i o n d e s i g n s t a n d a r d s

A c c u r a t e d e s i g n d r a w i n g s a r e r e q u i r e d f o r i r r i g a t i o n s y s t e m s , w i t h r e si d e n t i a l s y s t e m s h a v i n g t h e a b i l i t y t o b e h a n d d r a w n t o s c a l e T h e o r d i n a n c e a l s o r e q u i r e s i n s t a l l e r s t o p r o v i d e p r o p e r t y o w n e r a s - b u i l t d r a w i n g s , a n d m a i n t en a n c e c h e c k l i s t s T h e o r d i n a n c e a l s o i n c l u d e s a v a r ia n c e f o r t h o s e w h o h a v e a s o i l m o i s t u r e s e n s o r a n d / o r a n e v a p o t r a n s p i r a t i o n o r w e a t h e r b a s e d s m a r t c o n t r o l l e r “ T h e s e s y s t e m s t h a t a r e g r a n t e d a v a r i a n c e w o u l d n o t b e r e q u i r e d t o f o l l o w t w o d a y s p e r w e e k , y e a r r o u n d w a t e r i n g

r e s t r i c t i o n s , ” P e a r s o n s a i d H e s a i d t h e C a p e C o r a l C o n s t r u c t i o n I n d u s t r y A s s o c i a t i o n a n d s t a f f r e c o mm e n d a $ 5 0 0 i r r i g a t i o n i m p a c t f e e r e d u ct i o n , o r r e b a t e f o r i n s t a l l i n g s m a r t i r r i g at i o n s y s t e m s , w h i c h w o u l d r e q u i r e a s e pa r a t e u p d a t e “ I f a n e x i s t i n g h o m e c a m e i n a n d u p g r a d e d t h e i r s y s t e m t o m e e t t h e n e w

7 0 p e r c e n t e f f i c i e n c y s t a n d a r d t h e y w o u l d q u a l i f y a s w e l l A s w e l l a s n e w r e s i d e n t i a l c o n s t r u c t i o n a u t o m a t i c i r r i g at i o n s y s t e m s I t ’ s n o t m a n d a t o r y T h e y a r e l u x u r y i t e m s t h a t y o u c a n g e t T h e e x i s t i n g h o m e s w o u l d h a v e t h e o p p o r t un i t y t o j u m p o n t h e b a n d w a g o n a n d s o m e o f t h e s e o l d i n a d e q u a t e s y s t e m s w i t h o l d t i m e s w o u l d a c t u a l l y h a v e a n o p p o r t u n it y t o g e t a $ 5 0 0 r e b a t e a n d h e l p o f f s e t s o m e o f t h o s e c o s t s , ” P e a r s o n s a i d P e a r s o n s a i d i t i s c o s t i n g t h e m a b o u t $ 3 a g a l l o n t o g e t t h a t e x t r a w a t e r s u pp l y , w h i c h e q u a t e s t o a b o u t $ 1 2 m i l l i o n t h a t w o u l d b e s a v e d b y i m p l e m e n t i n g t h e o r d i n a n c e C o u n c i l m e m b e r B i l l S t e i n k e s a i d h e w a s i n f a v o r o f t h e o r d i n a n c e b e c a u s e t h e y h a v e t o s t a r t s o m e w h e r e . “ W e d i d n ’ t s t a r t s o m e w h e r e l o n g e n o u g h a g o t o m a k e s u r e w e h a v e e f f ic i e n t s y s t e m s T h e r e w a s n o s t a n d a r d I d o b e l i e v e a n d a g r e e a b i g p l a c e t h a t w e c a n m a k e a t r e m e n d o u s i m p a c t a r e t h e e x i s t i n g h o m e s , ” h e s a i d

T HE BREE ZE

JUNE

Traditional, normal seasonal market slowdown is upon us Proving you own your property outright

Mr. Feichthaler:

I recently paid off my mortgage with a settlement I received With that payment, I have no liens against my property, and I would be able to keep all of the proceeds from a sale. Is there anything that I need to do, and what do I need to prove I own the house outright?

Dear Donald,

It is great you were able to pay off the mortgage, hopefully the settlement was not for something other than a financial matter When you purchased your property and obtained a loan, you would have signed a mortgage That mortgage would be recorded in Lee County public records, which provides notice to the public that they have a lien on the property It is very likely that this lien will be in first position, so that any other liens are junior to it When the mortgage is paid off, the lender is required to prepare and record a Satisfaction of Mortgage in the public records, which now tells the public that the original mortgage no longer encumbers the home

After several years of abnormally hot market conditions from roughly June 2020 through June 2022, we have returned to somewhat slower, more “normal” looking seasonal market conditions In many respects, we are now posting closed home sale numbers that are beginning to look a lot more like they did back in 2019, but with 2023 prices By that, we mean that our market has come down off of all of the record highs that were set over the past several years for the number of closed home sales and down from the record peaks in sales prices, without crashing At the same time, the number of closed home sales and median sales prices have recovered from the lows set in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Ian

Eric

Most lenders are diligent in preparing and recording satisfactions, but this is not always the case Especially with smaller lenders, or private individual lenders, a satisfaction is never recorded If this is not recorded, the mortgage will still be against the property, even though you paid it in full

I recommend speaking with the lender, and provide them correspondence, asking for proof that the debt has been paid in full, and to provide you a copy of the recorded Satisfaction of Mortgage. You can also search your name in the public records with the Lee County Clerk of Courts to see what has, or what has not, been recorded

If no satisfaction is recorded, and you then decide to sell the property, this cloud on title could delay your sale Although banks are required to execute and record the satisfaction within 60 days, if they do not, your remedies all involve lawsuits to remove the mortgage from the property Another situation where asking questions and confirming actions could save a lot of time and expense later

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 2005-2008, 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 239-542-4733

We have also seen our market shift away from the record low number of active listings in the Multiple Listing Service over the past several years, to a substantially higher level of inventory as we quickly transitioned from a seller’s market to a buyer’s market in 2022 As we have noted recently, we are in what we would call a “Goldilocks” market right now, where things are not too hot and not too cold, while our market is taking a pause to refresh and consolidate all of the gains that seem to be just the right temperature

Bob and Geri Quinn Homing

10 % below list price with the likelihood of negotiating a higher price, on up to full-price offers Unlike several years ago when we were in the red hot seller’s market, if a home is priced properly in the current market, it will most likely not generate a bidding war between multiple buyers and it will do well to get anywhere near a full-price offer

However, if a seller has their home overpriced to the current market, it will generate few, if any, showing appointments from potential buyers and it will most likely not receive any offers

Overpriced homes are likely to sit on the market unsold for an extended period of time, until the seller starts making adequate price reductions to bring the list price in line with the market It can take longer for higher priced homes to attract a buyer, while homes in the Cape priced from about $450,000 and under should draw interest pretty quickly with things likely moving even faster at lower price points

Anecdotally, on the ground in our market we are back to the days when “price matters most” for sellers trying to attract buyers Basically, clean, uncluttered, well-maintained and updated homes that are move-in ready and priced properly to the current market will attract a flurry of immediate interest from potential buyers as soon as the home comes on the market as a new listing These types of homes are likely to receive a solid offer from a buyer or two within the first several days or weeks on the market Legitimate offers are tending to range anywhere from about

Owen-Ames-Kimball Florida promotes Watchowski to director of operations

Owen Ames Kimball Company, a general contractor with a longstanding presence in Southwest Florida, has promoted Alesha Watchowski to director of operations

In addition to managing the day-to-day operations of OA-K's diverse projects, Watchowski is responsible for coordinating training and procedural processes for the company She joined O-A-K in 2014 as a project manager assistant and was promoted to project manager in 2017

In 2022, she was named senior project manager

Watchowski graduated cum laude twice from Ferris State University, earning an associate of applied science degree in civil engineering technology and a bachelor of science in construction management

An employee-owned company, O-A-K has provided general contracting, design-build, and construction management services in Southwest Florida since 1982

O-A-K's Florida operation is an affiliate of its parent company in Grand Rapids, Michigan Its Lee County office is at 11941 Fairway Lakes Drive in Fort Myers L

kimball com or call (239) 561-4141

Weicher t, Realtor – Agency ONE welcomes Ingrasselino

Weichert, Realtors - Agency ONE has welcomed distinguished restauranter, businessman and real estate agent Peter Ingrasselino to its team of agents.

As a Weichert affiliated agent, Ingrasselino has access to in-depth training programs, the latest technology and the sales and marketing tools to help provide the best possible

Based on the preliminary sales results for the overall Cape Coral single-family home market for the month of May, we are seeing more confirmation that our market is settling into its new sales equilibrium The number of closed home sales in May will be at the highest level since June of last year and may end up settling in somewhere close to the 574 closed sales from back in May 2019, but well below the peak levels from the first half of 2022 As we discuss below, the numbers seem to be pointing towards a somewhat slower market in the coming months

For its part, the preliminary median home sales price for the month of May continues on the somewhat softer side while leveling out in the $420,000 range This is down

See SLOWDOWN, page 19

real estate service to his clients.

Ingrasselino holds real estate licenses in Florida, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania, serving clients for all their residential and commercial needs As part of his restaurant consulting business, he helps clients find the best possible commercial properties to meet their needs and ensures for smooth business transactions

Weichert, Realtors - Agency ONE is an independently owned and operated Weichert affiliate The company serves Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Naples and surrounding areas in Southwest Florida

For more information about Weichert, RealtorsAgency ONE, located at 8191 College Parkway, Suite 206, in Fort Myers, and 1113 S E 47th Terrace, Suite 7, in Cape Coral, contact Megan Eister at 239-415-6500 or visit weichertagencyone com

Stevens Construction completes Fetch Specialty & Emer gency Veterinar y Center

Stevens Construction has completed Fetch Specialty & Emergency Veterinary Center, located at 3848 Colonial Blvd , in Fort Myers, announced Dan Adams, executive vice president

Stevens Construction completely gutted the existing 5,858-square-foot building and transformed it into a veterinary center specializing in emergency, oncology, critical, internal medicine, surgery and ophthalmology care Fetch Fort Myers includes a vaulted-ceiling lobby, six exam rooms, two operating rooms, intensive care unit, chemotherapy dedicated suite, CT scan, digital X-ray, treatment area, offices, IT room and laundry The exterior

Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties raises over $379,000 during 13th successful season of Women Build

Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties recently concluded its 13th successful season of Women Build, a national initiative to engage women in the effort to provide safe and decent homes for families in need of affordable housing

During the 2023 Women Build season, more than 140 volunteers contributed 895 hours on seven different homes for femaleled families Fundraising teams, individual donors and local companies raised more than $379,000 and counting to fund the construction costs of affordable homes for two single moms, each with young children Through their partnership with Habitat, both

future homeowners will put in 300 hours of sweat equity, attend more than 20 hours of homeownership classes, contribute to their closing costs and pay an affordable mortgage set at no more than 30% of their monthly income

“We are thrilled with the outcome of this year's Women Build season and grateful to all of our supporters who helped make it happen,” said Becky Lucas, CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties

“With our area rated the most overvalued real estate market in the nation, Habitat is meeting one of the most critical needs our county has ever faced The dedication of our volunteers

and donors is truly inspiring and allows us to continue providing safe and affordable housing for families in our community.”

Women Build in Lee and Hendry Counties also celebrated the support of 131 SuperPeople, women and men who pledged at least $250 annually for five years Since 2011, Women Build in Lee and Hendry Counties has partnered with 27 families to build strength and stability for more than 68 children through local fundraising and volunteer efforts This year, the nonprofit is set to build 66 affordable homes in Lee and Hendry counties, with the majority of Habitat homebuyers being women

Women Build 2023 was generously sponsored by Title Sponsor FineMark National Bank & Trust, Aubuchon Team of Companies, Edison National Bank, Alan Einhorn & Vicki Cooper, John & Lesley Hill, Royal Palm Coast Realtors Association, Habitat ReStores of Lee and Hendry Counties, Suffolk Construction, Suncoast Credit Union, Stilwell Enterprises & Restaurant Group, Victory Layne Chevrolet, Wells Fargo and Zonta Foundation of Southwest Florida, Inc

To learn more about Women Build or to get involved, visit Habitat4Humanity org /WomenBuild

Slowdown: Traditional, seasonal market arrives in Cape community

From page 17

from the peak prices of 2022, but still well above the prices registered in all other years In the first five months of this year, the average home sales price is at $505,362 per month, down 6 6% from $540,981 per month over the first 5 months of 2022, which also reflects a softening in home sales prices, but nothing even remotely close to prices crashing, as some buyers have been waiting for

Moving over to the number of active listings in the MLS for Cape Coral singlefamily homes, as of June 6 they have continued to increase There are now 1,656 homes available on the market compared to 1,616 listings two weeks ago on May 23, and up from 828 listings about one year ago on May 31, 2022 The current active listings range in price from $250,000 to $3 995 million, with a median list price of $525,000 Two weeks ago the median list price was $530,000 and we have spent the past several months with median list prices in a tight range between $525,000 and $538,000 based on our weekly market surveys Median list prices have climbed up from $504,990 back on Jan 1 of this year

From page 17

of the building was enhanced with new paint and landscaping.

W i t h l o c a t i o n s i n B o n i t a S p r i n g s , Brandon and Greenville, South Carolina, Fetch is expanding in the Fort Myers market with this new office For more information, visit www fetchvets com

With offices in Fort Myers, Sarasota and Orlando, Fla , Stevens Construction special-

One year ago on May 31, 2022, list prices ranged from $259,900 to $5 995 million in the Cape, with the median list price at $ 5 7 0 , 0 0 0 a f t e r h i t t i n g i t s p e a k a t $610,000 on April 19, 2022

Also of note, the number of homes currently listed at $400,000 and under in the Cape has increased to 416 homes on the market this week from 378 homes on May 23, for a 10% rise Back on May 31, 2022, there were only 130 homes listed for sale in this price range By contrast, there are currently 227 homes listed for sale in the Cape at $1 million and above, the same number as two weeks ago, but up from the 155 homes listed at $1 million and above back on May 31, 2022

As the current number of active singlefamily homes listed for sale in the Cape is increasing, the number of pending home sales has been decreasing This week on June 6, there were a total of 761 homes under contract with buyers as pending sales at prices ranging from $149,900 to $4 15 million It should be noted that the lowest priced pending sale is a special situation, and the second lowest priced pending sale is at $215,000 Just two weeks ago on May 23, there were 857 homes under con-

tract in the Cape, and looking back seven weeks ago on April 18, there were 925 pending sales in our weekly market survey

So the number of pending home sales has declined by 17 7% over the last seven weeks A year ago on May 31, 2022, we h a d 9 3 3 p e n d i n g h o m e s a l e s i n t h e pipeline Right now, 377 of the total of 761 pending sales, or 49 5% of the market, are priced at $400,000 and under, with the median pending sales price at $403,900 At the other end of the price spectrum, there are only 35 pending sales at $1 million and up versus the 227 active listings in this price range

In analyzing this data, the current median list price for homes in the Cape is at $525,000 and the current median pending sales price (as of June 6), which is indicative of the upcoming closed home sales prices in the next 30 to 45 days, is at $403,900 We also know that the preliminary median sales price for the month of May, which is mostly made up of homes that went under contract with buyers over the prior 30 to 45 days, will be around $420,000 So for now, it appears that there will continue to be some downward pressure on list prices as a number of homes are

REAL ESTATE BRIEFS

izes in providing construction management, general contracting and consulting services to clients and design professionals Other services include site and design team selection, budgeting, project scheduling, permitting, cost and quality control and warranty service

The company builds healthcare, commercial and hospitality facilities For information, visit www stevensbuilds com or call 239-936-9006

Neal Communities hires Morales as sales associate at Verandah

Neal Communities, a Southwest Florida private homebuilder, has welcomed Maria Morales to its team as sales associate at Verandah in Fort Myers

Morales has worked in the real estate industry in Southwest Florida since 2009, most recently as a new home consultant for

likely to go under contract for less than the list price Also, the current drop off in pending home sales over the past seven weeks is most likely due to our return to a more traditional seasonal market slowdown as we head into our summer months

The sales data for this article was o b t a i n e d f r o m t h e F l o r i d a R e a l t o r s Multiple Listing Service Matrix for Lee County, Fla , as of June 6, 2023, unless otherwise noted It was compiled by Bob and Geri Quinn and it includes information specifically for Cape Coral singlefamily homes, and does not include condominiums, 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

another homebuilder in the area, where she achieved more than $25 million in sales volume through networking and relationship building

For much of her life, Morales resided on Florida’s east coast She moved to Naples 14 years ago

Verandah is a private, gated, golfcourse community

F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n , p l e a s e v i s i t NealCommunities com

COMMUNITY Native grasses

When we gardeners think of grass, what probably comes to mind is a well-manicured lawn, one that often requires considerable mowing, water, pesticides and other upkeep However, turf is not the topic of today’s article Rather, let us explore two attractive, low-maintenance natives in the Poaceae family: Muhly Grass and Fakahatchee Grass

Jehovah’s Witness Convention returning to Estero June 22-25

After a three-year pandemic pause, one of the largest convention organizations in the world has once again chosen Estero to host its global three-day event, the 2023 “Exercise Patience”! Convention

GARDEN CLUB OF CAPE CORAL

You may have seen the most popular species of M u h l y G r a s s , M u h l e nb e r g i a c a p i l l a r i s , a l o n g roadways and in various communities Growing to a h e i g h t a n d s p r e a d o f three feet, with narrow, d e l i c a t e - l o o k i n g b l a d e s and pinkish-purple flower stalks reaching to five feet, the plant is quite drought tolerant once established. Being a warm-season grass, growth begins in summer, with blossoms forming in early autumn and lasting eight weeks or more

A tip: Cutting plants back in late winter or early spring will encourage new growth

Grouping several plants together lends an expressive touch to the landscape In my landscape, for example, a number encircle mid-size trees at both the front and back of my property There is nothing quite as stunning as experiencing the beauty of their wispy pink flower clusters dancing in the slightest of breezes on a pleasant autumn day A lovely sight to behold!

Seed heads form in the aftermath of blooming If you wish to try your hand at seed propagation, gather them in winter, sow in flats and transfer to the garden once new plants have rooted Or, alternatively, sow seeds directly into the garden in spring, making certain to prepare the soil first In each case, avoid planting the seeds deep; rather, lightly press seeds into the soil

To avoid overcrowding and keep plants healthy, divide clumps every few years, or sooner if needed You can dig some up and relocate them on your property, or consider giving some away so others can also enjoy the many benefits of M capillaris

There are other Muhlenbergia species you may wish to consider For example, a cultivar of M capillaris designated "White Cloud" boasts soft, white plumes

Besides plume color, the cultivar can be differentiated from its parent by its upright appearance and bloom schedule, with the white blooms lasting well beyond those of the pink

Tripsacum dactyloides, also known as Fakahatchee Grass or Eastern Gamagrass, grows upright to a height and spread of four to six feet Its blooms may be less conspicuous than those of Muhly Grass, but they are no less eye-catching, growing on spikes in colors of white, pink, yellow or rust

Fakahatchee Grass can tolerate occasional “wet feet” and even periods of flooding, although the ideal situation would be well-draining moist soil Being a cold-season grass, flower production occurs spring through summer, or longer.

Like Muhly, the grass is clump-forming and should be divided every few years

If you are short on space, Dwarf Fakahatchee, or T floridanum, may be just the plant for you Boasting slightly thinner leaves than T dactyloides, and a compact appearance, the dwarf version grows to a height of three feet

Muhly and Fakahatchee grasses provide shelter for wildlife and the seeds they produce are enjoyed by small birds T dactyloides also serves as a larval host plant for the Byssus Skipper butterfly

If you are looking to incorporate added texture and variety to your landscape, consider the value that native grasses offer Their low-maintenance needs and benefit

See NATIVE GRASSES, page 33

Prior to 2019, summers in Estero were marked by Jehovah’s Witnesses filling hotels and restaurants as they attended their annual conventions at the Hertz Arena In 2020, the pandemic interrupted that tradition in Estero when the Witnesses canceled their in-person events throughout the world and held their convention programs as virtual events in more than 500 languages Beginning June 22, the Witnesses will bring that tradition back to Estero

“Virtual conventions allowed us to stay safe and united through the pandemic, but nothing can replace being together with our friends and family in a large group setting” said Rudy Romero, spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses “We are excited to return to our peaceful and joyful fellowship at these large gatherings ”

Some 6,000 conventions will be held worldwide as part of the 2023 “Exercise Patience”! Convention series In the U S alone, more than 708 conventions will be held in 144 host cities From Friday through Sunday, six convention

sessions will explore the quality of patience, highlighting its modern-day relevance through Scriptural examples A live baptism will be performed following the Saturday morning session and a prerecorded drama will be featured in two parts during the Saturday and Sunday afternoon sessions

“Patience is a beautiful quality that Christians desire to display in their daily lives,” Romero said “We try our best to be patient with others, but the pressures of life can make this a daily challenge Exploring this quality over these three days will allow us to see how it is possible to successfully cultivate patience and benefit from it in our lives!”

Jehovah’s Witnesses have been holding public conventions in stadiums, arenas, convention centers and theaters around the world for more than 100 years. After resuming smaller in-person meetings and their public ministry during 2022, the summer of 2023 marks the first time they will gather at much larger regional events around the world since the lifting of pandemic restrictions

The convention is open to the public and no collection is taken For more information on the program or to find other convention locations and dates, please go to jw org and navigate to the “About Us” tab

The Coastal Voices women’s barbershop chorus. The group, based in Fort Myers, recently competed in the Harmony International event in Tampa

PROVIDED

Local chorus scores big in Tampa competition

A local women's barbershop chorus, Coastal Voices, scored remarkably well in the latest Harmony Incorporated competition held in Tampa in April

The members of Coastal Voices, based in Fort Myers, have been working tirelessly for months, rehearsing and perfecting their performance songs Their dedication paid off, as the six contest judges deemed their score qualified them for Harmony Inc ’s International Convention and Contest in Grand Rapids, Mich , in November

Speaking after the event, Coastal Voices’ Director Pam Ringo expressed her pride in the group's achievement

“This is a fantastic result for us,” she said “We've worked so hard to get here, and I'm thrilled that all our hard work has paid off ”

“Some of our members are long-time singers, having performed in other groups before joining the chorus They bring with them a wealth of experience and knowledge, which they have passed on to younger members, helping to develop their skills and talents” explained Associate Director Jeanne O’Connor

The competition featured choruses and quartets from across Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina and Alabama, each bringing their unique style and sound to the stage.

Barbershop music is four-part a cappella singing that emphasizes tight vocal harmonies It is a unique and challenging style of music that requires vocal skill, precision and a love for harmonizing Barbershop choruses provide a platform for singers to come together and perform this timeless and beautiful music

Success in the competition has sparked renewed interest in barbershop singing in the local community Many people have expressed their admiration for the group's achievements and are eager to learn more about this unique style of music

“If you love to sing, please contact us We’d love to see you at one of our rehearsals!” said Sue Marderness, membership coordinator

For additional information about the group, visit coastalvoiceschorus com

Better Together hosting Parents’ Night Out today in Fort Myers

Better Together, a nonprofit dedicated to families and children, is hosting a Parents’ Night Out event on Friday, June 9 in Fort Myers

The program offers parents, grandparents and other caregivers access to a couple of hours of no-cost care for children ages infant through 17 years old Better Together will provide background-checked volunteers in addition to dinner, games and fun for children to enjoy while parents

are away

Parents’ Night Out will take place from 6-8:30 p m at First Assembly of God, located at 4701 Summerlin Road in Fort Myers.

To register, please visit BetterTogetherUS org/PNORegistration or call 239-470-2733

To learn more about Better Together, please visit its website at BetterTogetherUS org

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

Convicted cop killer sentenced to life in prison

The man found guilty of killing a Fort Myers Police Officer in 2018 was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on Monday in a Fort Myers court Wisner Desmaret, 34, of Fort Myers, shot Officer Adam Jobbers-Miller, who had responded to an assault and larceny call at a gas station in July 2018

S t a t e A t t o r n e y A m i r a F o x a n d A s s i s t a n t S t a t e Attorney Andreas Gardiner prosecuted the case.

“I hope today’s sentence brings some peace and solace to the families of Officer Adam Jobbers-Miller, both those who raised him and his law enforcement family, the Fort Myers Police Department, and all in law enforcement," said State Attorney Fox in a release "The actions of the defendant on July 21, 2018, impacted so many lives, as well as an entire community Officer Adam Jobbers-Miller was upholding his oath, to preserve, protect, and serve, when he was executed in a malicious and violent act He lost his life protecting us

We must all remember that this is what law enforcement does for us every day, often making the ultimate sacrifice like Adam did "

The State did seek the death penalty, but the jury did not make the unanimous findings necessary, under the law at the time the case was tried, for a death sentence

“I would like to thank the jury for their hard work on this case," Fox continued "I would also like to commend the swift actions of Fort Myers Police Department Lt Peter Tarman, who was the first to render aid to Officer Adam Jobbers-Miller, Officer Britney Johnson, who rushed him to the hospital in the back of her patrol vehicle, and Officer Matt Zarillo who stopped the defendant’s violent rampage following such a horrendous crime All three also testified at trial Officer Adam Jobbers-Miller is a hero, who was performing his official duties, in trying to stop the chaos caused by the defendant that day, just feet away from a very busy and populated roadway His heroic actions in a dangerous and erratic situation exemplified what it is to be a law enforcement officer He will forever be remembered "

A member of the FMPD since September 2015, Jobbers-Miller was a life-long public servant, as he was a volunteer firefighter in his home state of New Jersey where his father served as fire chief of Wayne Fire Company No 2 for 30 years

On July 21, Jobbers-Miller, along with other Fort Myers Police Department officers, responded to a call involving a stolen cell phone near a Marathon Gas station Desmaret fled from the responding officers on foot and Jobbers-Miller pursued the fleeing suspect and caught him A struggle ensued between Jobbers-Miller and Desmaret, who managed to knock Jobbers-Miller down and grab his gun He shot him in the head and then fired at another officer before being wounded and taken into custody

J o b b e r s - M i l l e r f o u g h t f o r h i s l i f e i n s i d e L e e Memorial Hospital for a week before succumbing to his injuries He was 29

Standout high school athletes, coaches recognized at second Breeze Breakfast of Champions

Breeze Staf f Repor t

news@breezenewspapers com

The Breeze Newspapers held its second annual Breakfast of Champions Saturday morning at Cape Vineyard Community Church, honoring student-athletes from all over Cape Coral and the West Zone schools

The Breeze Team of the Year was awarded to the Mariner girls soccer team, which went back to the state championship match and lost a heartbreaker in penalty kicks after winning it all the year before

Ryleigh Acosta, the leading scorer of the Mariner girls soccer team, was named female Athlete of the Year

Coach of the Year, as well as male Athlete of the Year, were all connected to the Mariner wrestling team

Head Coach Clay French was named coach of the year for producing four state championships in two years

The pair that earned those four championships, Maximus Brady and Chris Minto, were named co-male Athletes of the Year

Minto, a senior, won his third-consecutive state title on the mat, and Brady, a sophomore, won his second ina-row.

Island Coast's Jake Mueller was voted Reader's Choice Athlete of the Year, a senior baseball star on the Gators, who went deep into the state tournament looking to defend its state championship

"It's been gratifying to watch the Athlete of the Week program grow in its second year and this event was a fitting conclusion," said Breeze Newspapers Publisher Ray Eckenrode "We want to thank our sponsors again for making it possible to honor these stellar student-athletes "

Student-athletes along with their families and school personnel gathered, as attendees were all selected as Breeze Athletes of the Week over this past school year

The Breeze Athlete of the Week program features two local student-athletes from our readership area, and is distributed in print, online and via social media each and every week The recognition also includes a fan-voted Athlete of the Month and Reader’s Choice Athlete of the Year Each and every week from the beginning to end of the school year (minus a few holiday breaks and Hurricane Ian), The Breeze sports staff, with the gener-

ous help of the coaches and athletic directors, were able to shine a light on the amazing feats happenings on and in athletic fields and facilities

A buffet-style breakfast while each Athlete of the Week's picture rolled on dual screens was followed by g u e s

M i s s i o n , Dwayne Jackson

Jackson's personal stories and words of wisdom resonated with the audience of student-athletes

From there, Associate Sports Editor CJ Haddad honored each Athlete of the Week by School, calling them up and reading off their accomplishments that earned them their selection

Next, Haddad revealed the winners of the Reader's Choice Athlete of the Year, Team of the Year, Coach of the Year, and male and female Athlete of the Year

“It's an absolute honor to highlight and recognize these student-athletes who work so hard all year balancing school with sport, as well as home life,” Haddad said “As Cape Coral's hometown newspaper, with Cape students attending schools all over the West Zone, this program is all about them ”

The Breeze thanks the sponsors the made the event possible: Experience Real Estate, Zak's Jewelry, Gavin's Ace Hardware, and SP Designs

Grand opening for The PokeStop this Sunday

com

I f y o u w a n t t o c a t c h ‘ e m a l l , T h e

PokeStop trading card store just make it a little easier

It will be located at 2135 Santa Barbara Blvd , Unit 105, in Cape Coral and feature Pokemon competitions, trade nights and more

“Pokemon gives you a sense of community,” said Paris Jenkins, who co-owns The Pokestop with Justin Yandle and Matthew Foster “And it gives you a chance to meet new people ”

T h e P o k e S t o p ’ s g r a n d o p e n i n g t h i s Sunday, from 10 a m - 5 p m , will feature food trucks, giveaways and discounts.

“There’s nothing like it around here,” J e n k i n s s a i d . “ M a y b e S a r a s o t a a n d Charlotte County, but nothing like this in Cape Coral ”

Jenkins said during the pandemic, Str8 C a r d s f o u n d e r , F o s t e r , s t a r t e d t o s e e Pokemon cards get more popular and the desire for Pokemon began to skyrocket, enough to open a new store

“People started to get a bit of nostalgia and it reinflamed the hobby,” Jenkins said The PokeStop is owned by Str8 Cards & Collectables at 2135 Santa Barbara Blvd , Unit 102 Jenkins sees customers come in from all generations, from 6 years old to age 60 The PokeStop fosters an environment

To go:

What: The PokeStop

Where: 2135 Santa Barbara Blvd , Unit 105, Cape Coral

When: 9 a m to 7 p m , Monday through Friday; 10 a m to 5 p m , Saturday; closed on Sunday

Information: 239-763-3110

for people to casually come in and hang out

There will be trade nights about once a month, as new card sets come in each month

“We usually debut a new set when it comes out,” Jenkins said.

All events will be broadcasted on The PokeStop’s social media pages, PokeStop 239 on Facebook and Instagram

“We’d love for kids to come in and have an educational atmosphere, too,” Jenkins said

Trading Pokemon cards can get pretty addicting

“You start off small and it’s almost like a fire,” he said “Once you get that initial spark, it starts to burn and you keep wanting to get more packs It’s almost like the lottery. You never know what you’ll get.”

For more information, please call 239763-3110

Fort Myers Brewing to host 2023 Summer Beer Fest June 15-18

Fort Myers Brewing Company is kicking off the hottest season of the year with its annual Summer Beer Fest from June 1 5 - 1 8 , a f o u r - d a y b a s h f e a t u r i n g l i v e music, food trucks and more than 50 specialty beers

Gearing up for the main event, Fort Myers Brewing will also host Tie-Dye Sunday on Sunday, June 4, which will feature an early release of Summer Beer Fest commemorative T-shirts for a tie-dye party led by brewery staff To reserve a time slot and supplies to tie-dye a shirt, sign up at

E v e n t B r i t e . c o m / e / T i e - D y e - S u n d a y -

Tickets-639324164787

Registration is $35 and covers the Tshirt, tie-dye supplies and hands-on guidance, plus a voucher for a complimentary Summer Beer Fest commemorative glass, to be released during the main festival weekend

For the main Summer Beer Fest event r u n n i n g T h u r s d a y , J u n e 1 5 , t h r o u g h

Sunday, June 18, Fort Myers Brewing is featuring four days of festivities for families, friends and pets to enjoy A wide

selection of locally brewed ales, stouts and lagers are on tap throughout the weekend

Food truck rallies will feature eats from popular trucks such as Wicked Streatery, Kings Tacos & Burritos, Vesuvius Wood Fired Pizza, Mambo and Mobstah Lobstah Live performances will take place throughout the weekend featuring Chasing Denver, Rock Republic, The Rowdy Bards and more

Anhorn Entertainment will be at the brewery every day with caricature entertainment The brewery is also releasing

limited-edition Summer Beer Fest swag, including commemorative glasses and Tshirts, available for purchase in the taproom

The four-day celebration will be held at Fort Myers Brewing Company, 12811 Commerce Lakes Drive, Suite 28, in Fort Myers

F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n , v i s i t Facebook com/FMBrew or call 239-3136576 Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, as seats tend to fill up quickly

Legion Post 90 wins national press award

American Legion Post 90 in Cape Coral was awarded the prestigious American Legion Media Alliance Award for Best Public Relations Program

Post 90 of SW Florida was awarded first place in the nationwide competition for 2022-2023 Judges selected Post 90 over 95 entries from any Post in the country with over 750 members Winners were selected by The American Legion Media Alliance, (TALMA) task force and certified by the American Legion Media & Communications Commission

The PR Chair of Post 90, Ted Clark, stated “he was delighted with the award, because it is a recognition at the national level and is the result of the collective hard work of the Post’s Marketing Committee, the American Legion Riders, the Sons of t h e A m e r i c a n L e g i o n , a n d t h e L e g i o n Auxiliary The Commander of Post 90, Keith Berres, stated “he was very proud of the effort made by the Post Marketing Committee to promote recognition with our local print media of the assistance the Post provides to veterans and the commu-

nity of Cape Coral ”

TALMA awards are open to any branch of The American Legion family However, it is intended primarily for members who handle media, including but not limited to public relations, websites, social media, newsletters, etc , at the post, district, state, and national levels

American Legion Post 90 was founded in April 2001 The Post offers full canteen and food service on Southeast 47th Street in Cape Coral It sponsors scholarships, Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops, blood

drives, V A volunteers, and national emergency programs to assist veterans in need For more than 100 years, the American Legion has acted as the nation's leading advocate for U.S. military veterans' benefits and help for transition assistance from m

resources for careers, education opportunities, and childcare

For additional information at the local level, please call 239 540-8128 or contact alpost90@yahoo com

City first responders recognized by American Legion

Each year the Cape Coral Fire Department honors a firefighter and an EMS paramedic Similarly, American Legion Post 90 of Cape Coral honors those chosen

Recently the two organizations held a brief ceremony to present the American Legion awards

The annual Firefighter of the Year and Paramedic of the Year process began last J a n u a r y , a n d t h e d e p a r t m e n t r e c e n t l y announced the winners

Fire Lt Laurel Cornelius won firefighter of the year She has been with the Cape Coral Fire Department for 16 years and was promoted to fire lieutenant one year ago

Cornelius stated she was excited and surprised to receive the award because she feels she only does her job and strives to help everyone, especially in training She also stated she “was particularly pleased about the recognition from her fellow firefighters ”

Paramedic Henis Bitri, who recently transferred from the city fire department to

serve as a paramedic said, "I was surprised about the award and felt I hadn't done anything extraordinary and just performed at his best during every shift "

Deputy Chief Michael Russell praised both Cornelius and Bitri, saying the two "were deserving of the awards as they just didn't just do their jobs but helped to move people forward by the commitment and the extra effort they made to meet all challenges "

Post 90 Commander Keith Berres said he was pleased that Post 90 could particip a t e i n r e c o g n i t i o n o f t h e s e t w o f i r s t responders

From left, American Legion Chairm a n C a r l S a i t t a p r e s e n t s t h e awards to Paramedic Henis Briti and Fire Lt Laurel Cornielius as Deputy Chief Mike Russell looks on

Next veteran recognition Honor Flight #25 Sept. 30

Collier-Lee Honor Flight has announced that the next Honor Flight, Flight #25, is scheduled to take place Sept 30 An invitation has been extended to all military veterans from Collier and Lee counties to register for consideration to participate for free in this extraordinary event.

In addition to welcoming veterans, compassionate volunteers are also needed to serve as guardians for the veterans during these historic journeys As guardians, these volunteers will accompany and support the veterans throughout the trip, ensuring their comfort and safety

Collier-Lee Honor Flight's mission is to provide free air transportation to local veterans, enabling them to visit the memorials in Washington, D C , dedicated to honoring their service and sacrifices These trips serve as a poignant reminder of the valor and dedication displayed by our veterans

During the Honor Flight, Collier-Lee Honor Flight introduces surprises of recognition and honor, ensuring that each veteran feels appreciated throughout the day

“It is our firm belief that these brave men and women deserve nothing less than our utmost gratitude and admiration,” said Debi Lux, Collier-Lee Honor Flight originator

Wheelchairs are provided for all veterans to assure their comfort and safety.

The support for these trips is made possible by dedicated military and non-military volunteers and comes at no cost to the

veterans

Individuals and companies are encouraged to consider sponsoring the Honor Flights, as Collier-Lee Honor Flight seeks support for veteran heroes Sponsors will receive prominent mention and recognition on the organization's website as a token of appreciation for their invaluable contribution

SGT Richard Erschik, one of the veterans who recently participated in Honor Flight #24, expressed his gratitude, stating, "When I got out of the Army in 1967, I had to hide my uniform because of Vietnam War protestors This Honor Flight experience made me proud, again, that I wore one "

For more information regarding veterans, guardians and sponsorship opportunities, please visit the Collier Honor Flight w e b s i t e a t h t t p s : / / w w w c o l l i e r h o n o r flight org/ or contact us at 239-777-9295

About Collier-Lee Honor Flight Collier Honor Flight is a non-profit organization dedicated to honoring and thanking military veterans for their selfless service Through free air transportation to Washington, D C , the organization provides veterans with the opportunity to visit the memorials dedicated to honoring their sacrifices. With the support of dedicated v

F l i g h t strives to create a memorable and transformative experience for each veteran

Cape Council approves raises, new employee minimum wage

Cape Coral city employees will receive a raise retroactive to April 1

Cape Coral City Council to make $15 the minimum wage for city employees

The board rejected making the increase effective as of July 1 for General Union bargaining unit employees

Non-bargaining employees will see a raise of 1 25 percent, not the 4 24 percent union employees will receive

Mayor John Gunter said he recalls over the years, the raises follow suit with bargaining and non-bargaining

“Whatever one gets, the other gets,” he said

The discussion first began as some employees were being paid less than $15 an hour, which is a little different than where Council found itself Wednesday night

“What we have in the resolution today is not only doing the 4 25 increase for the general union to help get those individuals to $15, so we don't have compression, we are doing that across the board,” Gunter said

He said they added another caveat to the equation,

Lee County Utilities annual water-quality report available

Lee County Utilities’ customers received water that met or exceeded all federal and state requirements last year, according to a recent report that has been placed online at www.leewaterquality.com.

The report, which also includes information such as source water assessments and service areas, is required annually by the Environmental Protection Agency and may be found online

Lee County Utilities’ 2022 Water Quality Report can be found at www leewaterquality com

A printed copy can be obtained by contacting Customer Service at (239) 5338845

adding 4 25 percent to non-bargaining

“6 25 percent was what the non-bargaining unit had gotten on Oct 1 They had their 3 5 percent increase If we get the 4 25 percent to the bargaining unit, they got a 10 5 percent raise this year,” Gunter said “If we approve the 4 25 percent, we are at 7 5 percent increase from October to today I'm willing to do the same formula for non-bargaining ”

That, he said, would be 1 25 percent increase, so they can compare apples to apples, 7 5 percent to 7 5 percent for non-bargaining and bargaining employees

Interim City Manager Michael Ilczyszyn said non-bar-

gaining increases are annual with no collective bargaining agreements

“That is looked at every year by city administration, budget for and approved in the budget,” he said

Ilczyszyn said by just attacking the $15 in itself and not moving the entire scale, it will create salary compression

In other business, the council also approved School Resource Officer agreement with Accelerated LearningNorth Lee County Campus, Inc, Cape Coral Charter School Authority, Southwest Charter Foundation and Heritage Charter Academy, Inc

T HE BREE ZE EDUCATION

Wetmore graduates from Jacksonville State

EDUCATION NOTES School District of Lee County to host Summer Virtual Recruitment Fair Monday

JACKSONVILLE, Ala -- Elizabeth G Wetmore of Cape Coral graduated from Jacksonville State University on April 29 with a degree in exercise science/wellness

More than 900 students received undergraduate and graduate degrees as part of the university's spring commencement ceremony at JSU Stadium

F o u n d e d i n 1 8 8 3 a s a s t a t e t e a c h e r s c o l l e g e , J a c k s o n v i l l e S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y i s l o c a t e d i n t h e Appalachian foothills midway between Birmingham and Atlanta The accredited university offers more than 150 courses of study at the undergraduate and graduate level, including three doctoral programs Learn more at www.jsu.edu.

Randall earns degree at Wilkes University

WILKES-BARRE, Pa -- Jennifer Randall of Cape Coral received a master of science in nursing degree in nursing from Wilkes University The degree was one of over 650 bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees at its 76th spring commencement ceremonies on May 20 in the McHale Athletic Center in the Simms Center on Main, 169 S Main Street, in Wilkes-Barre

The degrees conferred include 278 bachelor's, 305 master's and 83 doctoral degrees

Before both ceremonies, a procession of graduating students led by bagpipers processed from the Henry Student Center on West South Street to the Campus Gateway, where graduates entered the McHale Athletic Center

Wilkes University has over 2,200 undergraduates and ore 2,200 graduate students For more information about the university, which is located at 84 W South St , Willes-Barre, Pa , visit https://www wilkes edu

Knoth earns Spring 2023 dean's list honors at Nazareth College

R O C H E S T E R , N . Y . - - N a z a r e t h C o l l e g e h a s announced that Matthew Knoth of Cape Coral has been named to the dean's list for the spring 2023 semester

A student's grade point average must be at least 3 5 or above, and they must complete 12 credit hours of graded work that semester in order to be included on the dean's list at Nazareth

Nazareth College has nearly 2,100 undergrad and 600 graduate students enrolled in degree and certificate p r o g r a m s F o r a d d i t i o n a l i n f o r m a t i o n , v i s i t https://www2 naz edu/

Pires makes Goodwin University Dean's List for Spring 2023

EAST HARTFORD, Conn -- Thalis Pires has earned a spot on the Goodwin University Dean's List for Spring 2023

Thalis, a student from Cape Coral, is one of 652 students to make the Dean's List, reserved for those who demonstrate great academic performance

Dean's List inclusion requires a student to earn a minimum 3 5 GPA, the equivalent of an A- average, during a given academic session The student must also be enrolled in a minimum of six academic credits to qualify Goodwin University in East Hartford, Connecticut, offers classes year-round - days, evenings, weekends and online Degrees may be flexibly layered across certificate, associate, bachelor's and master's programs in a variety of in-demand fields For more information, please visit www goodwin edu

Devito-Spiro recognized on Geor gia Souther n University's Dean's List

STATESBORO, Ga -- Georgia Southern University recently recognized approximately 3,110 students on the Spring 2023 Dean's List Austin Devito-Spiro of Cape Coral has been named to the list for excellence in academics To be eligible for the Dean's List, a student must

The School District of Lee County is hosting a Summer Virtual Recruitment Fair from 2-3:30 p m , Monday, June 12, to recruit for a range of positions for the 2023-24 school year

During the virtual event, principals and d ment hiring managers will be interviewing h i r i n g t e a c h e r s , s c h o o l c o u n s e l o r s a n instructional support professionals. High demand positions include English, elementary education, science, math and special education, as well as non-instructional p o s i t i o n s A p p l i c a n t s c a n r e g i s t e r a t LeeSchools net/Careers/Work In Lee

The School District of Lee County among the largest school districts in Flor and the United States To be considered teaching or school counselor position, candidates must meet one of the following criteria:

■ Hold a valid standard teaching certificate (Florida or out-of-state) OR

■ Expected to graduate from a college of education by August 2023 OR

■ Hold a bachelor’s degree in an area where certification can be obtained or any degree major and a passing score on a subject area exam AND

■ School counselors must hold a master’s degree in oper area

The District’s efforts to put “The Right alent in the Right Place” means that new hires will receive the support and necessary resources that will enable them to succeed upon entering the field of education The District offers a competitive and comprehensive compensation plan for its employees, and additional benefits and earning pportunities are also available via advanced gree supplement, summer school, athletic ing and more Upon hire, a personal benefits selection process will be made available to eligible employees

F o r s u p p o r t o r a d d i t i o n a l q u e s t i o n s , e m a i l careers@leeschools.net or call 239-337-8676.

To learn more about available career opportunities, visit LeeSchools net/Careers

Community Cooperative launches ‘School’s Out, Hunger’s Not’ summer campaign

Community Cooperative is asking community members to support its School’s Out, Hunger’s Not campaign The increased need for emergency groceries and volunteers each summer is a challenge for Community Cooperative

During the summer months Community Cooperative needs additional volunteers and donations to make grab-n-go Hungry Hungry Kiddo Kits for children in need as part of the "School’s Out, Hunger’s Not" campaign

“Summer months, when children are not in school, can be especially difficult for families who are already facing f o o d i n s e c u r i t y , ” s a i d R e b e c c a B u s b y , C o m m u n i t y Cooperative’s Food Program’s Director “Additionally, nearly half of our volunteers are seasonal residents, so we have a lot of volunteer openings to fill each summer We are in need of willing volunteers who can lend a helping hand and their time.”

Community Cooperative is looking for local individuals, businesses, organizations, churches and community groups to support the School’s Out, Hunger’s Not campaign by hosting food drives, volunteering and giving financially Food drives can range from simple collection days to hosting social donation events

For more resources and information on how to get

112 Monetary donations are always welcomed a n d c a n b e m a d e d i r e c t l y o n t h e i r w e b s i t e a t CommunityCooperative com, or mailed to: Community Cooperative, P O Box 2143, Fort Myers, FL 33902

Since 1984, Community Cooperative has worked to effectively eliminate hunger and homelessness in southwest Florida while simultaneously inspiring and supporting sustained positive change in its clients by delivering innovative food, education, and social service programs With a dedicated team of volunteers, board of directors and staff, Community Cooperative stays committed to its core responsibility to collect and distribute resources through a s t r o n g a n d v i a b l e n e t w o r k o f c o m m u n i t y p a r t n e r s Community Cooperative is an exemplary steward of the resources entrusted to it and serves clients with compassion and integrity Through collaboration and ongoing education, Community Cooperative supports and strengthens those whose lives have been affected by hunger and homelessness, ensuring that they have access to the resources necessary to transform their lives with dignity

Southwest Florida Gator Club awards scholarships

For over 40 years, the Southwest Florida Gator Club, a l o c a l c h a p t e r o f t h e U n i v e r s i t y o f F l o r i d a A l u m n i Association, has contributed to scholarships that assist students in earning their degrees from the University of Florida This year, the SWFL Gator Club awarded $18,500 for local students that will be attending the University of Florida.

Last year, the club awarded a record-breaking $20,000, doubling its community contribution to maximize its impact

The SWFL Gator Club raised funds through their Gator Gathering with University of Florida Head Football Coach Billy Napier in April, as well as alumni donations during game-watching parties and other club activities

This year’s donation will support 20 local students, with scholarship amounts varying between $500 and $2,000 and renewable for up to four years to continue to support students during their academic journey Students were selected based on their leadership skills, community involvement and financial need

“As University of Florida alumni, it is our mission to continue the legacy of UF by supporting future Gators,” said Noelle Casagrande, president of the SWFL Gator

Club “Through our club events and generous Gator community in Southwest Florida, we are able to support more students annually and invest in their futures at the University of Florida, and beyond ”

The SWFL Gator Club is ready to raise more funds for local students looking to attend the University of Florida in 2024 with their Fall Kick-Off Party on Saturday, August 26 at 3 p m at the Edison Restaurant This free-to-attend event is open to the public All UF Alumni and Gator Fans are welcome to learn more about the SWFL Gator Club and help raise scholarship funds through raffles, drawings, and upcoming events To RSVP or to learn more, please reach out toswflgatorclub@gmail com

The scholarship winners are:

Renewals -- Alexandria Henson, Shion Simms, Morgan Russell, Savannah Duff, Lolina Bruggeman, Nathan W

Jinyi (Jimmy) Lian, Kasi Borgerink, Kenise

Ashley Buckley, Benjamin Smith, Jimmy Rose, Marina Garcia-Bello, Celeste Schreiber and Tobin Hertz

,

From page 32

have at least a 3 5 grade point average and carry a minimum of 12 hours for the semester

Georgia Southern University, a public Carnegie Doctoral/R2 institution founded in 1906, offers approximately 140 different degree programs serving more than 25,500 students through 10 colleges on three campuses in Statesboro, Savannah, Hinesville and online instruction

Please visit GeorgiaSouthern edu for additional information about the university

Kenna-Shadrick graduates from Lee University

C L E V E L A N D , T e n n - - C a l e i g h Amanda Kenna-Shadrick of Cape Coral graduated magna cum laude with the bache l o r o f a r t s i n p s y c h o l o g y f r o m L e e University during the 187th commencement exercises May 6, 2023

Kenna-Shadrick was among more than 560 students who received undergraduate and graduate diplomas

EDUCATION NOTES

Lee University is a private, Christ-cen-

h i l l s o f t h e Appalachian Mountains The university's reputation as a quality institution is seen in the high caliber of faculty, students, and friends who are drawn to campus

For more information, visit www leeuniversity edu

Fleitas graduates from James Madison University

HARRISONBURG, Va -- Karli Fleitas of Cape Coral graduated with a degree in counseling and supervision from James Madison University during commencement exercises in May 2023

Fleitas was among more than 4,200 students who received undergraduate and graduate degrees

F o u n d e d i n 1 9 0 8 , J a m e s M a d i s o n University is a public university located in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley Founded in 1908 as the State Normal and Industrial School for Women at Harrisonburg, the institution was renamed Madison College in 1938 in honor of President James

Native grasses: Variety, texture

From page 20

to wildlife easily make them welcome additions to any garden

Until next time Happy Gardening!

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

Marino named to Geor gia Souther n University's Spring 2023 President's List

S

Southern University recently

Marino of Cape Coral has been named to the list for excellence in academics

To be eligible for the President's List, a student must have at least a 4 0 grade point average and carry a minimum of 12 hours for the semester

Georgia Southern University, a public Carnegie Doctoral/R2 institution founded in 1906, offers approximately 140 different degree programs serving more than 25,500 students through 10 colleges on three campuses in Statesboro, Savannah, Hinesville and online instruction

Visit GeorgiaSouthern edu for additional information

Buck named to Saint Mar y’s College Dean’s List for Spring 2023 semester

lower than a C

A private college founded in 1844, Saint Mary’s has more than 60 undergraduate academic programs, as well as accelerated advanced degrees options For additional information about the college, please visit SaintMarys edu

Dougher ty among University of Scranton's under graduate Class of 2023

S C R A N T O N , P a . - - C o n o r J .

Dougherty of Cape Coral was among the more than 850 members of The University of Scranton's class of 2023 who were awarded bachelor's and associate's degrees at its undergraduate commencement ceremony on May 21 at the Mohegan Sun A r e n a a t C a s e y P l a z a , W i l k e s - B a r r e

Degrees were conferred to graduates who h a d c o m p l e t e d t h e i r a c a d e m i c d e g r e e requirements in August and December of 2022, as well as January and May of 2023

Dougherty earned a bachelor of science degree in neuroscience and philosophy from The University of Scranton

Sources: Fakahatchee grass (n d ) UF/IFAS

G a r d e n i n g S o l u t i o n s R e t r i e v e d f r o m https://gardeningsolutions ifas ufl edu/pl ants/ornamentals/fakahatchee html

M u h l y g r a s s ( n d ) U F / I F A S

G a r d e n i n g S o l u t i o n s R e t r i e v e d f r o m https://gardeningsolutions ifas ufl edu/pl ants/ornamentals/muhly-grass html

NOTRE DAME, Indiana The following students have been named to the Saint Mary’s College Dean’s List for the Spring 2023 semester:

■ Lily Buck of Cape Coral.

To earn this academic honor at Saint Mary's, a student must achieve a grade point average (GPA) of at least 3 6 on a 4 0 scale, have a minimum of 12 graded credit hours, no incompletes, and no grades

Members of the university's undergraduate class of 2023 represent 17 states, including California, Connecticut, Florida, G e o r g i a , M a r y l a n d , M i c h i g a n , N o r t h C a r o l i n a , N e w J e r s e y , N e w Y o r k , Pennsylvania and Virginia Undergraduate majors with the most graduates are nursing, kinesiology, biology, finance, occupational therapy and accounting

The University of Scranton is a Jesuit u n i v e r s i t y l o c a t e d i n N o r t h e a s t e r n Pennsylvania

Visit www scranton edu for more information about the university

Not everyone is fishing for tarpon ...

While many local and visiting anglers are putting in time hunting our spring tarpon swimming in the passes and along the beaches, others are taking advantage of the calm weather to venture offshore to public reefs and much further out secret GPS locations in the Gulf in pursuit of a great fight and a good dinner.

One of my favorite eating reef fish, the grey triggerfish, had its harvest season close this past June 1 but will re-open Aug 1 until Dec 31 for a delicious Christmas holiday dinner If you enjoy aquariums, a triggerfish makes an interesting and amusing guest Just be careful when choosing from the many varieties available as some are peaceful while others are very territorial and will quickly chew through all their tank mates

Local grouper fans will be looking for some of the 13 grouper species regulated by the state, with most open to harvest year-round like reds or blacks Always check your FWC website for updates and changes

Speaking of grouper -- really big grouper, Vancouver, B C , chiropractor Steve Grey told me he wanted to fight one of the biggest, baddest fish in Southwest Florida. No problem Dr Grey is now back in beautiful Vancouver healing torn muscles in his right chest and shoulder from an intense fight with a local bully I introduced him to named Goliath Speedy recovery Doc!

Get it on the trophy-sized permit fishing still taking place on many nearshore reefs and near the passes. Thirty poundplus, chrome, hard pulling trophies are requesting that you bring out a bunch of small crabs if you want to play

Boca Grande tarpon anglers do best by being on site and fishing in the early morning hours as the afternoons haven’t been as productive If you haven’t done Boca tarpon, then by all means after arriving just sit back and watch the fleet work to get an understanding of the program and to not become a nuisance to others that have waited all year for their tarpon battle Give way to those already hooked up and don’t anchor in the pass

Some locals and visitors don’t give a hoot about highly corrosive saltwater and the many wonderful gamefish that swim in it, preferring instead to spend their time and money fishing sweet water in high-priced, high-horsepower, sleek, metalflake lake rockets, chasing short green fish that often weigh just a few pounds. Florida “The Bass Capitol of the World” is always a top destination

The goal of most new bass anglers is that first 5-pounder, after that it’s all about bagging the big one, a trophy 10-pound largemouth Although Florida is a great place to make that 10pound bucket list bucket mouth dream a reality, other states, specifically California with its super fat stocked trout-fed reservoir bass, might be a better place to start if you’re truly trophy or record hunting There, anglers throwing soft plastic, life-sized trout replica swimbaits, don’t get too excited over 10 or even 15 pounders, as world record breaking sized bass over 25 pounds are a real possibility.

Florida and our FWC understand the importance of the state’s famous bass fishing reputation and the anglers desire to catch bigger largemouth In response the FWC has created the Florida Trophy Bass Project in an effort to increase the number of trophy-sized fish through genetics research, supplemental stocking, culling of undersized fish in certain areas and other programs, all designed to promote more trophy largemouth potential throughout the state

Inshore, look for clean water areas and try finding fish both on the inside and outside of Burnt Store Bar, and to the west, Turtle and Bull Bays, for redfish, trout, snook, pompano and sharks Jumbo snook turn up on nearshore reefs as “by-catch” while juvenile canal tarpon are active locally and especially in the PGI canal system

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

Lifelong friends become partners for racing series

A pair of lifelong friends residing in Southwest Florida who have worked hard to attain their goals in life have joined up to support one another despite differing ventures

Growing up just one street away from one another in Twinsburg, Ohio, Alex Tann and Ryan Norman have both become successful at a young age

Just a few years ago, Tann, 27, opened Tundra Air in Cape Coral, delivering a high standard of HVAC equipment and service to homes and businesses across the area Norman, 25, takes part in the IMSA Lamborghini Super Trofeo series behind the wheel of the No 84 car The logo on the side? Tundra Air

Tann said it was a no brainer to sponsor his friend he calls a brother, and a natural extension of his community engagement

“Ryan is like a brother to me,” said Alex, “I’ve known him since we were kids and I’m thrilled that he’s earned a chance to race at this level ”

Norman's mother used to babysit Tann when he was a child, and the pair built a friendship that stands strong today Tann moved down to Florida when he was in high school in 2010, and Norman eventually followed in late 2019 to join his other family members who had already relocated to Southwest Florida Norman is even business partners with Tann's brother, Anthony

“Our families interconnected in many different avenues,” Norman said “We always tried to help each other out in any avenue of life The opportunity came up with the (racing series), and with Alex trying to grow his company and myself trying to grow my career in racing, it was a great mutual benefit for us to come together and promote each other as best we could ”

Norman's love of speed has evolved from racing motocross as a teen to now racing as a pro driver in the international Lamborghini series

“As far back as I can remember, I've always been into motorsports and racing,” Norman said, adding going to his first Indianapolis 500 when he was 9 changed everything

He ran motocross until he was around 14 or 15, and was presented the opportunity to attend a racing school in Atlanta at the age of 16

He did quite well, winning multiple junior racing championships and climbed the ladder He is now part of Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti Motorsports

The series season consists of 10 races, with two races at each track on the schedule Norman finished an impressive second in his first two races that took place in Monterrey, California, close behind the reigning champs

“It was great to share that excitement with people that are close to you,” Norman said. “It's nice having a group of people that are all looking out for each other's best interests ”

Norman's goals include winning this year's championship

“We have a really good shot at doing that,” he said

As far as long-term goals go, while Norman said he likes to take things one step at a time, he hopes to one day compete in and win the race that captured his attenuation at such a young age -- the Indianapolis 500

“I think if you're winning championships and races, everything else kind of takes care of itself,” he said “(Taking part in the Indy 500) is a pinnacle of sport overall That's my long-term goal, and to have Alex involved in that as well ”

With his parents owning a home construction company throughout his life, Tann knew he wanted to work with his hands. He started in the contracting industry and eventually found the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems as his trade of choice

“I decided to try it out and ended up loving it,” Tann said

Tann runs Tundra Air with a commitment to key values: integrity, honestly, customer focus and community engagement

“We believe in giving people the best possible product,” he said “That's why are warrantees are what they are ”

Tundra Air offers a 2-year labor warranty with a full money-back guarantee

“If the equipment doesn't perform the way it's supposed to, we'll come, give you your money back, and take it back,” Tann said “We're one of the only in the area (to offer that) ”

Tann’s philosophy allowed Tundra Air to embrace the Southwest Florida community in its time of need After Hurricane Ian, Tundra Air worked closely with Timothy Hoffman, owner of Fathoms, Gather, French Press and Next Door, to get his several restaurants up and running

According to Hoffman, “Tundra did far more to help than simply fixing broken AC and fridges They provided lights, equipment, tarps, generators and most importantly professional advice and guidance not only to me but my team ”

As the 2022 holidays approached, Tann recognized that many people in the community were still hurting –their lives shattered by the storm In response, Tundra Air hosted its inaugural canned food drive in partnership with Harry Chapin Food Bank -- an effort slated to

Breeze Newspapers Publisher Ray Eckenrode, right, presents a $250 donation check to Dwayne Jackson, representing Hoops on Mission Jackson was the keynote speaker at the Breeze's annual Breakfast of Champions sports awards on June 3 and is the founder of Hoops on Mission, which uses basketball as a tool to make a difference in the lives of young people in our communities.

Breeze Breakfast of Champions

Breeze Newspapers held its second annual Breakfast of Champions Saturday recognizing the standout stud e n t - a t h l e t e s , t e a m s a n d coaches from the 2022-23 s c h o o l y e a r. A m o n g t h e h o n o r e e s w e r e C o a c h o f the Year, Mariner wrestling m e n t o r C l a y F r e n c h , l e f t w i t h B r e e z e A s s o c i a t e Sports Editor CJ Haddad, and female Athlete of the Year Ryleigh Acosta, below l e f t , o f t h e M a r i n e r H i g h g i r l s s o c c e r t e a m w i t h Haddad. The Tritons girls s o c c e r t e a m w a s n a m e d Team of the Year.

One of the studentathletes gets his picture taken at the breakfast, which was held at Cape Vineyard Community Church

Student-athletes representing their schools, and each a Breeze Athlete of the Week during the year, hold the certificates they received at the breakfast The schools are, clockwise from above, Oasis, Mariner, North Fort Myers, Ida Baker, Island Coast and Cape Coral. Two athletes who were unable to attend were also honored as male Athlete of the Year -- Chris Minto and Maximus Brady, both of Mariner.

Partners: Longtime friends team up

From page 40

become an annual event

“Any way we can, we give back,” Tann said “Things have been different since the hurricane really changed things Right after the storm, we were doing things we never thought we'd be doing -- giving out extra generators, giving out food, helping restaurants get up and going

“Any which way we could get involved, we were trying to Right now, we're actually looking at buying a truck to outfit to make food for charity events ”

A d d i t i o n a l l y , T u n d r a A i r r e c e n t l y formed a relationship with IMAG History and Science Center that allows the nonprofit to channel more of its resources into programming and education while Tundra Air will take care of the HVAC systems at no cost to the organization

“It's so they can have more funding towards things for the kids and different exhibits they offer,” Tann said

As for why he enjoys giving back so much, Tann credited his parents

“It's definitely the way I was brought up,” he said “My parents did a very good

job with that ”

Norman next race is June 23-24 at Watkins Glen International in New York

He hopes to have Tann out for an event when his busy schedule will allow him to do so. The closest race to Florida in the series is in Virginia For now, watching the l i v e - s t r e a m a n d g e t t i n g u p d a t e s f r o m Norman is how he stays in touch with race results

“It's pretty awesome to see someone you know in the winner's circle, even if he wasn't sporting Tundra Air,” Tann said Norman said their partnership is the perfect fit, as for any organization or entity to be successful, the right parts need to be in place

“Although (our professions) are two completely different things, there's a lot of similarities in the mindset of doing something correctly,” Norman said “That's what we both try to accomplish ”

For more information on Tundra Air, call 239-867-2665 or send an email to service@tundraair com

C o n n e c t w i t h t h i s r e p o r t e r o n Twitter: @haddad cj

Valuation: Cape up, coastal communities hit hard in wake of Ian

From page 1

v a l u a t i o n f r o m 2 0 2 2 i s c a m e i n s l i g h t l y h i g h e r t h a n l a s t y e a r a t $ 1 , 0 3 8 , 0 4 7 , 6 8 5 H o w e v e r , m u c h o f t h e i n c r e a s e d n u mb e r s h a p p e n e d b e f o r e I a n h i t a n d t h a t p r e v e n t e d t h e i n c r e a s e s f r o m b e i n g m u c h h i g h e r “ W e w e r e h a v i n g a r e a l l y g o o d y e a r u p u n t i l t h e h u r r i c a n e T h e n u m b e r s t h a t c a m e o f f t h e r o l l s b e c a u s e o f t h e s u bs t a n t i a l r e d u c t i o n i n v a l u e c a u s e d b y d a m a g e w e r e n o t e n o u g h t o m a t c h t h e i m p a c t i n S a n i b e l a n d F o r t M y e r s B e a c h , ” s a i d G l o r i a T a t e o f R a s o R e a l t y . O v e r a l l , e s t i m a t e d o v e r a l l j u s t v a l u at i o n i n L e e C o u n t y r o s e 1 0 3 0 p e r c e n t o v e r l a s t y e a r C o u n t y j u s t v a l u a t i o n w e n t u p f r o m $ 1 8 0 , 6 2 9 , 8 9 7 , 6 8 7 t o

$ 1 9 9 , 2 2 8 , 7 6 5 , 0 0 0 , a n i n c r e a s e o f n e a rl y $ 1 8 6 b i l l i o n T o t a l t a x a b l e v a l u a t i o n i n c r e a s e d f r o m a p p r o x i m a t e l y $ 1 1 2 6 b i l l i o n t o $ 1 1 8 4 b i l l i o n , a n i n c r e a s e o f $ 5 8 6 b i ll i o n o r 5 2 1 p e r c e n t T h e s c h o o l t a x a b l e v a l u a t i o n n u m b e r s w e r e h i g h e r w i t h a n i n c r e a s e o f a p p r o x i m a t e l y $ 9 6 3 b i l l i o n , o r 7 . 2 3 p e r c e n t . P r o p e r t y t a x i n c r e a s e s a r e c a p p e d i n F l o r i d a , w i t h o w n e r - o c c u p i e d r e s i d e n t i a l p r o p e r t i e s r e c e i v i n g t h e g r e a t e s t p r o t e ct i o n i f t a x i n g a g e n c i e s d o n o t a d o p t a r o l l b a c k t a x r a t e , t h e r a t e a t w h i c h t a x e s r e m a i n l e v e l f o r e x i t i n g p r o p e r t i e s w h e n v a l u a t i o n s s o a r H o m e o w n e r s w i t h t h e h o m e s t e a d e x e m p t i o n f a c e a m a x i m u m 3 p e r c e n t t a x i n c r e a s e T h o s e w i t h o u t i t a r e c a p p e d a t 1 0 p e r c e n t F o r t h e i s l a n d s , t h e S e p t 2 8 s t o r m h a d a l a r g e i m p a c t o n o v e r a l l v a l u a t i o n . S a n i b e l ' s t o t a l j u s t v a l u a t i o n s o a r e d 3 2 3 9 p e r c e n t w i t h i t s t a x a b l e v a l u a t i o n

Overall, estimated overall just valuation in Lee County rose 10.30 percent over last year. County just valuation went up from $180,629,897,687 to $199,228,765,000, an increase of nearly $18.6 billion.

i n c r e a s i n g b y 1 2 1 3 p e r c e n t i n 2 0 2 1 A f t e r H u r r i c a n e I a n h i t , t h e t o w n l o s t a l l i t s g a i n s a n d t h e n s o m e J u s t v a l u e d r o p p e d 1 6 5 1 p e r c e n t w h i l e t a x a b l e v a l u e c r a t e r e d a t 3 0 8 5 p e r c e n t d o w n F o r t M y e r s B e a c h f a r e d w o r s e I t s j u s t v a l u e d r o p p e d 3 0 8 7 p e r c e n t w h i l e t h e t a x a b l e v a l u e d r o p p e d n e a r l y 4 0 p e r c e n t a s t h e t o w n w a s n e a r l y r e d u c e d t o r u b b l e f o l l o w i n g t h e s t o r m T h e c i t y o f F o r t M y e r s s a w i t s t o t a l j u s t v a l u a t i o n e s t i m a t e i n c r e a s e b y 1 0 9 p e r c e n t f o l l o w i n g a 2 4 6 8 p e r c e n t i n c r e a s e i n 2 0 2 1 , a n d i t s t a x a b l e t a l l y i n c r e a s e w a s 1 0 6 3 p e r c e n t , a s o p p o s e d t o 1 7 1 2 p e r c e n t t h e p r e v i o u s y e a r

T h e f i r e d i s t r i c t s i n u n i n c o r p o r a t e d L e e C o u n t y h a d m i x e d r e s u l t s L e h i g h

A c r e s s a w o v e r a l l t a x a b l e p r o p e r t y v a l ua t i o n i n c r e a s e a n e s t i m a t e d 2 0 4 p e r c e n t , B a y s h o r e w e n t u p 2 7 1 p e r c e n t , w h i l e M a t l a c h a d r o p p e d 4 6 4 p e r c e n t a n d N o r t h F o r t M y e r s 6 4 p e r c e n t , t h e l a t t e r r e p r e s e n t i n g i t s f i r s t d r o p i n v a l u a t i o n s i n a d e c a d e . T h e p u r p o s e o f t h e v a l u e e s t i m a t e i s t o g i v e t h e t a x i n g a u t h o r i t i e s a n i n i t i a l e s t i m a t e f o r d e v e l o p i n g t h e i r b u d g e t s a n d p r o p e r t y t a x r a t e s C a l d w e l l ’ s o f f i c e w i l l c o n t i n u e t o

r e f i n e t h e s e e s t i m a t e s a n d w i l l c e r t i f y t h e o f f i c i a l v a l u e s b e f o r e J u l y 1 I n t h e p a s t t h a t n u m b e r h a s c o m e u p l a r g e r , b u t w i t h t h e e v e n t s o f t h e p a s t y e a r , h o w t h e f i n a l n u m b e r s w i l l c o m e c a n ' t b e p r e d i c t e d o n t h e p a s t

F o r t a x i n g e n t i t i e s , i n c r e a s e d t a x a b l e v a l u a t i o n m e a n s a n i n c r e a s e i n r e v e n u e a t t h e c u r r e n t r a t e o f t a x a t i o n ; t h e “ r o l l -

b a c k ” m i l l a g e r a t e k e e p s r e v e n u e f l a t T h e f i n a l f i g u r e s o f a l l t a x i n g d i s t r i c t s w i l l b e s e n t t o T a l l a h a s s e e f o r a p p r o v a l w h e n f i n a l i z e d

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

A u g u s t P r o p e r t y o w n e r s w i l l t h e n h a v e 2 5 d a y s t o r e s o l v e a n y d i s a g r e e m e n t i n v a l u e w i t h t h e p r o p e r t y a p p r a i s e r

Pressman

PressAssistant

TheBreeze NewspapersBreeze CommercialPrinting hasanimmediate needforthefollowing positionsatour PrintingFacility.

PRESSMAN: experiencepreferred butnotrequired.F/T

PRESSASSISTANT: willtrain,F/T PaidVacation, Benefits,401K,great workenvironment!

ApplyinPersonor emailyourresume

BreezeNewspapers 14051JetportLoop FtMyersFL33913

rbrown@breezenewspapers.com

Multimedia AccountExecutive

TheBreezeNewspapers hasoneopenposition foranexperienced full-timeMultimedia AccountExecutiveto joinourhighly s uccessfulsalesteam. Thepositioniscritical inensuringsuccessfor ournewspapers, magazines,anddigital products.Thisposition isresponsiblefor generatingrevenue throughthesaleofboth printanddigital advertisingproducts. Includedareinsurance, 401Kopportunities,vacation.Basepayplus commissionalongwith assistanceoncell phoneandgasmileage. Pleaseemailan up-to-dateresumeto LRagle@BreezeNewspapers.com forconsideration

Getyour MedicalMarijuanaCard

Fast Easy Appro-val callfora FREEEVALUATIONBY PHONE 239-236-5311

CMMDR.COM

24óHOURSERVICE NOOVERTIMECHARGES FAMILY OWNED/OPERATED Lic#CAC1817070 (239)573-2086

R esidential/Commercia l

FullServiceGeneralContractor

*Additions

*Remodels

TOMáSCONCRETE,INC

ànTractorService

Specializingin ConcreteSlabs Drives Patios Sidewalks

Stucco-LandscapeCurbing

*Renovations

30YearsExperience

VeteranOwned

239-560-5448 bestorcontracting.com Licensed&Insured

INSTANTREBATES AVAILABLE óAirPurificationSystems óHighEfficiencySystems óDuctCleani ng FreeEstimateson ReplacementSystems

CUSTOMDOCKS &BOATLIFTS

WEBUILDQUALITY DOCKS HAWLEY CONSTRUCTION OVER20YEARS OFEXPERIENCE ALLINLEECOUNTY.

FREEESTIMATES

www.marinedocks.net

Call(239)561-8074

CBC026058

Professional Housecleaner

SprayCrete-Keystone âNoJobTooSmallã

BackHoe-Grading-Fill

TopSoil-Rock-BushHogging

PondDigging-LandClearing We fixDrainageProblems

LaborersWanted 239-543-3700

Cell239-849-5375

âNo Bull - Just Quality Work YouCanTrustã

Residential¯Commercial NewConstruction Remodels¯Repairs

RoomAdditions

FreeEstimates 239-707-0654

Bonded-LicCBC058576-Insured BulldogBuildersInc.com

AFFORDABLE FREE ESTIMATES

NewInstallation

IncludesPermit

2YearWarranty RainBirdContractor

A+RATED-ANGIESLIST

Installation&Repair

Licensed&Insured

FAMILYOWNEDSINCE1981

LEE#LSO200031

CAPE#06938

Sanibel#S11-000923

ONEMANPAINTINGCO.

Residential Interior&Exterior

DetailOriented, TidyandPersonal Nojobtoosmallorlarge utilizingathreepersoncrew. Andalways,freeestimates andreferencesfurnished. Givemeacalltodiscussallof yourpaintingneeds.

ThankYouInAdvance Steve (239) 339-7361

AFFORDABLE FREE ESTIMATES

NewInstallation IncludesPermit

2YearWarranty RainBirdContractor

A+RATED-ANGIESLIST