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Yacht Club design gets Council nod

By MEGHAN BRADBURY

news@breezenewspapers.com

Plans for the Cape Coral Yacht Club — which include a two-story, 37,000square-foot Community Center, resortstyle pool and possibly a four-story parking garage — got a nod from the Cape Coral City Council Wednesday.

Councilmember Dan Sheppard commended Kimley-Horn and Associates for the new design as it took all the ideas and

“I am for it 100%. I believe if this is accomplished, this design will be an extreme asset to our city. I think it will be well used and I think we are going to need more parking.”

— Councilmember Dan Sheppard input from citizens and council.

“I am for it 100%,” he said. “I believe if this is accomplished, this design will be

an extreme asset to our city. I think it will be well used and I think we are going to need more parking.”

James Pankonin with Kimley-Horn and Associates said they summarized the comments they heard in November and reflected it in the new influenced plan concept for the Yacht Club.

The preference overall was for the first preliminary concept with minor revisions — such as a curved entry drive into the riverfront park, a replica of the historic

See YACHT CLUB, page 13

State rep asks Council to repeal stipend

AOW

If answer is no, will work on bill to eliminate such compensation

By VALARIE HARRING

vharring@breezenewspapers.com

The Cape Coral Breeze presents Athletes of the Week — Page 47

INDEX Business........................18 Commentary....................4 Community....................17 Coupon Corner.............31-33 Obits..........................50 Puzzles.............48 Real Estate....................14 Sports..........................45 Weekly Recap...............19

Today’ s Ad Inserts*

* Selected ZIP Codes

Annual event to start today as 21 of Cape’s best creators and designers display 28 different models

By CJ HADDAD

cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com

ooking for the perfect home tailored to your wants and needs or hoping to find the right builder to make upgrades?

Future and current Southwest Florida homeowners can get an up-close-and-personal look at some of the region’s residential builders over the next three weekends as part of an annual event.

The Cape Coral Construction Industry Association’s 2024 Builders’ Showcase of Homes starts today, as 21 of the Cape’s best creators and designers display 28 different models for prospective buyers, or just anyone, to tour

L

over three weekends.

“The showcase is in its 28th year of celebrating Cape Coral’s finest builders,” said CCCIA Executive Director Lynn Boldissar. “This event is so impactful because it brings knowledge, networking, inspiration, community building while celebrating achievements and also contributes to the growth, development, and cohesion of the industry as a whole.”

Model homes will be open to the public this See SHOWCASE, page 38

Best overall interior design and home technology, Poseidon Homes for “Pegasus 4 Premiere.”/PHOTO PROVIDED

The state representative whose district encompasses Cape Coral has added his name to the thousands of city residents decrying Cape Coral City Council’s decision to pay themselves a stipend, thus doubling the money they receive for duties related to their office.

Rep. Mike Giallombardo, R-79, asked the city’s elected board via a letter Mike Wednesday to “do the right thing” and repeal Giallombardo decision they made in December.

If not, he informed Council he would “work diligently with my colleagues to ensure it is repealed and that this never happens again in the State of Florida.”

The Jan. 17 letter, in its entirety, reads: “Dear Mayor Gunter and City Council Members: “On December 13, 2023, as part of a consent agenda, the Cape Coral City Council approved ‘stipends’ that would essentially

See REPEAL, page 8

January 19, 2024 ■ Page 2

By CJ HADDAD

This weekend’s festivities begin with a kick-off celebration tonight at Rotary Park, at 5505 Rose Garden Road. From 4-7 p.m., participants can pick up race packets, maps and T-shirts at the event.

cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com

It’s that time of the year once again, as long-standing tradition for cycling enthusiasts returns to Cape Coral this weekend.

The 33rd annual Tour De Cape cycling event takes place Jan. 19-21 where riders from novice to expert can hit varying courses in the spirit of fun, exercise and self-competition.

“January always is a ‘new year, new you,’ and we love do this,” said Cape Coral Special Events Coordinator Todd King. “It’s an athletic activity that includes a 5K and series of tour rides through the city to promote healthy lifestyles. It’s one of the largest cycle events in Southwest Florida.”

This weekend’s festivities begin with a kick-off celebration tonight at Rotary Park, at 5505 Rose Garden Road. From 4-7 p.m., participants can pick up race packets, maps and T-shirts at the event. Tour De Cape continues Saturday with a 5K run/walk and a mini kids bike ride and culminates Sunday with the Tour De Cape bike rides. Riders have a choice of 15, 30, 62, or 100-mile bike tours in the

southwest, northwest, and northeast regions of Cape Coral.

Each year, Tour de Cape brings in athletes from countless states across the U.S., with roughly 1,000 individuals taking part. In 2023, those states included California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.

The best thing about the varying tour lengths, is that it gives an opportunity for all skill levels to take part.

“There might be someone who wants to start a new lifestyle or got a new bike for Christmas,” King said.

“And having the various levels meets all the needs, from novice riders up to expert riders. The course is well-supported by the Cape Coral Police Department.

We just think we create an environment for people to really enjoy the sport of cycling.”

Course choices feature: ■ The 15-mile bike tour loops through southwest Cape Coral and includes a 24-foot elevation change.

■ The 30-mile bike tour loops through southwest Cape Coral, extending out and back into northwest Cape Coral, and it includes a 65-foot elevation change.

Cape Coral Breeze

www.capecoralbreeze.com

Tour de Cape begins tonight with kickoff celebration ■ The 60-mile bike tour takes place in southwest and north Cape Coral and includes a 102-foot elevation change.

■ The 100-mile bike tour takes place in southwest and north Cape Coral and includes a 154-foot elevation change.

There is a new “speed zone” challenge built into each of the tours, which will time each participating rider’s final quarter mile. Those who can complete their final quarter mile in under a minute have a chance to win a Trek gift card.

While cyclists and runners can register the day of the event, it is encouraged to register ahead of time to ensure participants receive a performance cycling shirt and chipped trackers.

King said all together, the ability to get out, get exercise, and see the city in a new light is what makes the Tour de Cape a special event.

“We ride a lot of spectacular neighborhoods in the southwest Cape, all the way up northwest,” King said.

“We showcase our parks along the way. Ideally, any major event, as a traveler or someone looking to relocate, when you see an active city that cares about quality of life and puts in the effort to host and put on a major event like this, that’s telling as well.”

Additional information and registration can be found by visiting tourdecape.net.

Paving project road closures announced Beginning Monday, Jan. 22, crews will begin necessary paving operations on Surfside Boulevard near Veterans

Parkway, requiring daytime lane closures and overnight road closures, city officials said Thursday.

During the day, one lane of Surfside Boulevard will be closed in each direction for milling operations.

Surfside Boulevard will be closed from 6 p.m. until 5 a.m. from Southwest 25th Street to Southwest 25th Place while crews complete the required paving.

Detours will be posted, and residents living in the area will be accommodated.

This two-day operation will begin at 7 a.m.

Monday, Jan. 22, and is expected to be completed around 5 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24, barring any unforeseen circumstances or weather events, officials said.

Silent Art Auction under way

Cape Coral Breeze Vol. 63, No. 6

The Cape Coral Art League’s Silent Auction opened Jan. 8 and will continue through Jan. 30.

The Auction runs Monday–Friday from 11a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.

The public is invited to come bid on various artworks, classes, and art supplies to raise money for league projects. Find that special piece of art that you have been looking for... and help donate to a very worthy cause.

Winners will be contacted after the auction closes on Jan. 30.

For more information call the office at 239-7725657.

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Cape Coral Breeze

January 19, 2024 ■ Page 4

OPINIONS

www.capecoralbreeze.com

JANUARY 19, 2024

us in opposing harmful land use bill SB 738 CAPE CORAL BREEZE Join Over the strong objection of many lands or environmentally sensitive areas.

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

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

Cape Coral Breeze

THE BREEZE

• Phone 239-574-1110 – Fax 239-574-5693 Member Florida Press Association

Stay tuned Cape residents got an update on the city’s plans for the Cape Coral Yacht Club this week.

The “final” site plan for the historic complex held little surprise as Council had already tweaked previous plans and given staff ample direction for what will be a wholly new complex.

What’s coming?

A lot. ∫ A new two-story centerpiece to replace the Ballroom built by the city’s developers and opened to the public in June of 1962.

The new 37,000-square-foot Yacht Club Community Center will feature a large open-to-the-second-story multi-purpose room on the first floor which also will include six meeting rooms for groups both small and large as well as room for a retail shop. The second floor will offer two more meeting rooms but its focal point will be a large venue hall, dubbed the Ballroom, with balconies wrapped around three sides to offer views of the river. An abutting kitchen will allow the Ballroom to accommodate the needs of most events, from fundraisers to weddings. ∫ A landscaped “resort-style pool” with a separate children’s pool on the riverfront side of the Community Center. ∫ Two piers, one closer to the entrance of the complex on Driftwood Parkway, the other near the existing Boathouse restaurant. ∫ An expanded sandy beach along the riverfront ∫ A parking garage of at least three stories with four stories the current consensus, expanding the amount of vehicular parking to more than 750 spaces, including surface spots. ∫ Space for a second restaurant ∫ Amenities for boaters: Day docks offering 27 slips, an expanded yacht basin with 121 slips, five boat staging slips and a 46-spot lot for boat trailer parking. ∫ Boardwalk along the marina front.

There is more, but those are the highlights for what supporters say will be a destination draw for not only residents looking for a little access to the city’s scarce public riverfront, but for those looking for a spot to enjoy a daycation or stage a family milestone celebration.

There was little presented on the financial side for the project the cost of which has been estimated previously at $100 million-plus. Funding is to come — possibly— from revenue bonds to be paid back by charging for parking and other user fees, public-private partnerships, or some combination of the two.

We invite you to stay tuned.

Floridians, the Legislature has systematiThis bill will harm our environment, our cally made the public's ability to challenge economy that relies on it and the people questionable development decisions insurfighting to protect the future of Florida. mountably dangerous by requiring the losProtections against frivolous lawsuits ing party of a legal challenge to pay for the already exist in current statute. These bills winner's legal fees. are meant to punish citizens and advocacy Now, during the very first week of the groups that file credible legal challenges.

Legislative Session, our legislators want to Individuals, neighborhood groups and noncompletely close off the last remaining profits simply don't have the resources to opportunity to challenge bad development take on the well-funded development with Senate Bill 738, which will require industry. the payment of $50,000 of prevailing parSB 738 slams the door on citizen parties attorney's fees for failing to succeed in ticipation to protect Florida's environment. any challenge to Florida Department of Please join us in opposing this bill. There Holly Schwartz Environmental Protection and Water is an amendment filed by Sen. Tina Polsky Management District actions. that would remove some of the harmful Similar bills that have passed: language in this bill, but our call to action ∫ In 2019, legislators took away your is to remain opposed to the bill because of ability to legally challenge development concerning provisions throughout. orders and zoning permits by passing preTo take action against SB 738, visit vailing party's attorney’s fees legislation. https://p2a.co/WwpqNqg. ∫ Last year, legislators ended your ability to challenge local comprehensive plans by requiring intervening party's attorney’s fees to be paid in addition to the preHolly Schwartz is policy associate for the Sanibelvailing party's legal costs.

Captiva Conservation Foundation. Founded in 1967, the Should SB 738 pass, your tax dollars would go toward SCCF's mission is to protect and care for Southwest paying expensive law firms to fight against its own citi- Florida’s coastal ecosystems. For more information, visit zens trying to exercise their free speech rights by bring- www.sccf.org. ing legitimate claims to question development in wet-

Guest Commentary

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Another perspective

To the editor: This is a response to the open letter by Councilman Bill Steinke Mr. Steinke, I read your open letter to the city of Cape Coral this morning, and I hope you will give me the respect of reading my letter to you. I feel your letter was composed very well, and makes a compelling argument to raise the salary of the mayor and fellow council members, the people’s representatives. However, I can’t help but be disappointed that this body neglected to address the means by which they sought to enrich themselves before going forward with this action. I realize the word “enrich” is a bit charged, but you need to understand that this is also a perspective this body created by the actions taken, and should have been considered before voting for what clearly was intended as a salary increase.

In your open letter, and which I have already stated, you make a compelling argument for a salary increase based on “reasonable compensation for required work.” You put forth some interesting statistics on the size and population of Cape Coral relative to other cities. Size and population, and growing population, all suggest greater attention required by our representatives. In my opinion, any reasonable person would concede that this increase deserves, at the very least, thoughtful consideration. You make the accurate point in your letter that “you can’t please all the people, all the time.” Thoughtful consideration also ends with those same results. The issue at hand here is that this is not a stipend.

In your letter you generally make the case based on “work,” a higher wage is warranted. Generally speaking, — Breeze editorial and not looking to create a red herring debate, a stipend can be issued for a variety of reasons, typically offsetting expenses, and not necessarily in exchange for labor.

Agree? Disagree? Weigh in!

Setting that point aside, a stipend that increases the Letters, guest opinions, comments welcome mayor’s and council members salary by at or near 100% The views expressed on the Opinions pages are just that — goes well beyond a stipend. Along the same lines of opinions. These pages are intended to convey a range of view“work,” you also mention that when you took office you points; opinions printed on this page do not necessarily reflect signed on to a calendar of 51 meetings/events to be held in the views of this newspaper. Opposing views are welcome.

2023. I would like to remind you that you also signed on Letters to the editor or guest columns may be e-mailed to vharfor the salary. ring@breezenewspapers.com. All letters and guest opinions My wife is a teacher. She signed on for specific duties must be signed and must include a phone number for verificaas well as a salary, too. During that time, the number of tion purposes. Readers are also invited to comment on any letevents have increased, and she has been tasked with new ter or editorial opinion online at: capecoralbreeze.com. responsibilities/requirements increasing her workload and

the amount of time required to perform these duties.

Unfortunately, it did not increase her salary. I am sure others across the city can attest to similar scenarios in their own professions. I believe it can be easily argued that the “optics” of this decision are terrible. I think the larger issue is one of the degree of thoughtfulness, or lack thereof that went into this decision.

It is a common thought that as our representatives in the city you are held to higher standards. I don’t agree with that. You are held to high standards. That standard should also include being good stewards of our tax dollars. In my estimation thoughtful consideration should have gone into this decision. I believe a good steward of our tax dollars would conclude that a “stipend” of this amount is unreasonable, and while the amount may be justified the ultimate decision belongs to the people in the form of a vote.

In the meantime, those who signed on for the job should continue to do their job and propose this salary increase at the proper time.

I believe that this body has severely tarnished its image within the city, and also to many on the outside looking in.

The attitude that “you can’t please all the people, all the time,” while accurate, too often takes the place of thoughtful consideration in decision-making.

Mike Szymanski Cape Coral

Perspective not persuasive To the editor: I read the Guest Commentary by Mr. Bill Steinke in the Jan. 12 edition of The Breeze where he is patting himself and his other Cape Coral Board members on the back for having the courage to stand up against any opposition to any of their lame ideas. He says that they have to consider the entire city and all citizens of their long-term view.

In this case, he is trying to justify the Board essentially doubling their pay through a stipend that wasn’t voted on by the citizens of Cape Coral. He whines that the city of Port St. Lucie pays its board members and mayor about $71,000 and $106,000, respectively, each year, so why can’t he get this amount. He continues to justify this stipend by saying he attended 51 + 234 meetings last year.

Well, given his salary and stipend of $82,000 and 285 meetings, he makes $288 for each one-hour meeting, $144 per hour if each meeting lasts two hours. That’s a

See LETTERS, page 6

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Cape Coral Breeze

January 19, 2024 ■ Page 6 www.capecoralbreeze.com Cape Coral Breeze

Saving families before they’re broken The news is full of stories about our overburdened foster-care system, the dire need for more adoptions and foster families, and the abuse and neglect that leads to more than 400,000 children living in U.S. foster care on any given day.

Sadly, all that is true. But there’s something crucial missing from the headlines.

Something I saw day in and day out in my years as a child-welfare case manager, and later as the director of a foster-care agency: Too often children end up in state care not due to physical abuse or the irreparable breakdown of the family, but instead due to what might be temporary problems exacerbated by unemployment, poverty, and the breakdown of relationships that nourish and support the family.

By finding parents meaningful work and mending those vital relationships—with family and friends, neighbors and employers, faith and community groups—we can protect more children from neglect and abuse while keeping more families together and easing the burden on our foster-care system.

The numbers are staggering. More than a third (37%) of children in the U.S. undergo an investigation from child protective services for referrals for child abuse or neglect before their 18th birthday. More than 8 in 10 (85%) families investigated have an income below 200% of the federal poverty line.

While a growing percentage of that abuse

out of prison. and neglect is due to substance When I worked as a abuse and mental illness, the child-welfare case manager, root cause in many cases is the I saw it again and again: stress on homelife that accomFamilies without those key panies joblessness, poverty, relationships usually lost and eventually hopelessness. their children; those with Poverty, I’ve learned, isn’t them didn’t. As director of a just a lack of money but a lack foster-care agency, I saw of relationships. When you’re something similar. Foster in a crisis and you’re poor, families with those meaningyou don’t have the luxury of ful relationships provided calling a babysitter when safe and stable homes; while you’re searching for work, those without them struggled driving to interviews, or called to create a nurturing, fosterin at the last minute for temMegan Rose care environment. porary work. Moreover, At Better Together, the poverty often leads to isolaFlorida-based nonprofit I’ve tion from your peers, family headed since 2015, we promembers, and community, vide community-based supsparking a chain reaction that port and job training to help lands your children in foster prevent the poverty, neglect, care.

I know this because I experienced it grow- and abuse that may result in a child being ing up. When my father went to prison for taken into state custody.

Over 60% of the families we serve are stealing to support his opioid addiction, my siblings and I may have ended up in foster introduced to us by law enforcement and care if not for the determination of my moth- child investigators. Better Together focuses er and the help of our family, local communi- on dedicating more resources to families ty, and faith leaders. We needed a helping upstream—before children are removed from hand not a handout—and that’s exactly what their birth families—as an effective and they offered us with much-needed emotional humane way to keep the foster-care system and moral support, childcare, acceptance, from overload.

Our “families-helping-families” approach understanding, and a job when my dad got

Guest Commentary

helps couples succeed as spouses and parents, and single parents thrive. When a crisis occurs, the families we serve typically have no one to call for help. Our volunteers step in, caring for their children in their homes while helping parents find work, housing, counseling, or treatment for substance abuse.

This approach has proven successful in our home state of Florida. Since 2015, we’ve served 9,000 children and 42,000 job seekers through two programs: Better Families and Better Jobs. Nearly all (98%) of the families we serve have no further involvement with child services.

If you have children, reflect on your own parenting experience and the relationships you depend on. How many times have you reached out to others—friends, relatives, coworkers, your faith community—for help in a pinch or full-blown crisis?

We should all be blessed with such relationships, especially when it means keeping a family together in a safe and loving home.

— Megan Rose is founder and CEO of Better Together, a Florida-based nonprofit that supports struggling parents by helping them work to build a better life, keep children out of foster care, and ultimately reunite families.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR From page 4 great hourly rate for part-time work.

He would be courageous if he heard the voices of Cape Coral and rejected the stipend.

Also, I had to laugh — the article says that he represents District 1 on the Cape Coral City Council, but he doesn’t represent the citizens of District 1 at all. If he did, he would not be pushing the redevelopment of Jaycee Park in District 1 that almost all its residents are against. The City Council wants to spend about $12 million to change this beautiful park into, guess what, a park! Instead, he should push for using that $12 million to buy the abandoned golf course about two miles straight west of Jaycee Park and develop that into a park.

He says three times in his short commentary that he is committed to our “ENTIRE CITY and ALL OUR CITIZENS.” Well, he is not listening to his constituents. He’s like the Cowardly Lion: “If I only had the nerve” (and some courage).

Ken Kendrick Resident of District 1 Cape Coral

Lack of an ‘official’ language least of our country’s worries To the editor: On Jan. 4, The Breeze published a letter titled “Time for the U.S. to have an official language” by local writer Lou Walker. The writer argues this should be a 2024 priority because of his recent observations in stores and public places wherein “many people get annoyed and frustrated, both employees and customers, by not understanding each other.”

Firstly, I think we are doing just fine as a multilingual nation with the English language as de facto. Secondly, a minor annoyance in public should not become the impetus for legislative reform. Most people accept that language barriers are a normal part of human experience, and I find it much more productive to laugh it off. These days, if you have a smartphone and can conduct a basic search, it’s surprising how a simple exchange can be achieved with Google Translate. Or, you can always engage the nearest third party for ad hoc translation — the possibilities are endless, you might even find yourself coming into a new language.

If, however, we go the legislative route, the methods which might be required to police grocery store chatter is, quite frankly, a sick and frightening thought.

The writer suggests that “Having an official language

would help efficient government operations and public services.” But the writer may not know is that in the United States, every person is entitled to translators in government settings, if needed. Law is always published first and foremost in English.The same process goes for Judicial proceedings, even if the Judge happens to speak the native language of the other parties.

No need for an “official language law;” we set the bar.

The letter states that a so-called official language “simply serves as a common foundation for communication and integration and keeps a nation together.” I don't see it that way. What keeps our nation together is not a common tongue. It’s our values and principles which bind us together. Does that mean we must have the same beliefs or language? Nyet. We uphold the ability to speak freely, regardless if we differ in code or context.

Should nationality be defined by language or language define your allegiance? In my Ukrainian-American family, we refuse to cut off our Russian tongue, in spite of the brutality from Russia’s terrorist regime. Just because the Russian language is spoken in Ukraine or in our American home, does not make us Vladimir Putin’s property. In Ukraine, the new and controversial official language law was enacted as a response to political subversion by foreign actors who claimed to be “pro-russian” yet exploited the Russian language as a political weapon. Even in the States as I find more and more opportunities to speak Ukrainian, I understand this movement was sparked by threat and struggle just as much as it was nationhood.

Ask yourself, do you really want to open up this can of worms?

I’ll finish with how the letter starts: the US border crisis. The writer opines, “In the last couple of years there have been a surge of people entering this country both legally and illegally.” In my view, it’s backwards to entangle unnecessary issues that don’t even come close to the root cause. Let’s face it, language diversity is not what troubles this country. We’ve got real problems. We have a real national security crisis. Our border is wide open. That means anyone can cross, with zero checks and balances, and no respect for the law. Without a secure U.S. border, our sovereignty is in question, our domestic security is at risk, meanwhile, human trafficking is one of the main routes into our country. It’s unacceptable.

What we actually need to prioritize in 2024 is national security. This dysfunctional Congress does not need to be bogged down with anything superfluous. Our very own Congressman Byron Donalds is already having a difficult time balancing both domestic and international security.

On Dec 12, 2023 during his recent clash with Piers Morgan on Fox News, Donalds left us with uncertainty

when he stated, “Secure our border, then we can talk about Ukraine. Until then, there's nothing to talk about.”

“Nothing to talk about,” says the three-time nominee for Speaker.

Actually, there’s a lot to talk about, but I’ve got the feeling like the Congressman is avoiding the issue. I admit though, Donalds is a good interlocutor when it comes to Hunter Biden’s criminal escapades, a topic he can’t seem to get enough of.

Meanwhile our government is on autopilot headed straight for another shutdown, our border is open, and we have Ukraine and Israel, two key U.S. allies, under two active wars. And I don’t know about you, but I’m just gripping the edge of my seat to see if Congress will go with a better strategy.

Say what you want, in whatever language you want.

But what we need right now will take far more than words.

Alexandra Zakhvatayev Cape Coral

This week’s poll question: Do you use city parks or recreation facilities ∫ Yes, frequently. ∫ Yes, when I am here in the winter. ∫ Sometimes. ∫ No.

Previous poll question On terms of transparency, how would you grade the city of Cape Coral? ∫ A -1% ∫ B- 1% ∫ C- 15% ∫ D- 20.5% ∫ F- 62.5% * 362 votes at press time Poll results are not scientific and represent only the opinions of Internet users who have chosen to participate.

Vote at capecoralbreeze.com.

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Cape Coral Breeze

January 19, 2024 ■ Page 8 www.capecoralbreeze.com

Sheppard renounces council stipend

By VALARIE HARRING

vharring@breezenewspapers.com

A second member of the Cape Coral City Council has renounced acceptance of the elected board’s controversial stipend.

Councilmember Dan Sheppard said Wednesday he will return the money that has been direct-deposited to his account and has told the city he will not accept the additional remuneration Council approved in December.

Sheppard said he planned to donate the money to median beautification, said so at a Council meeting and on social media, but given the public’s adamant opposition to the stipend, has decided it best to just return it to the city.

“I thought about the stipend over the holiday,” Sheppard said. “I wasn’t happy with how it was introduced. I do see a need for an increase in the pay of a council person. The job has changed immensely in the last few years. I can assure you: It’s not a part-time position any longer. As we all know, the right job needs to have the right people.

... “I have decided I am not going to accept the stipend — I accepted the job and the pay level we have today and I will finish my term with what I accepted.”

— Councilmember Dan Sheppard “I thought by donating it, it would turn a negative into a positive and that’s why I offered to donate it to beautification,” he said, adding there would have been a visible benefit, perhaps two beautified medians, a need on which he campaigned.

“But the citizens aren’t happy with that so I will have it transferred back into the city account and finish my term with the original pay. I have decided I am not going to accept the stipend — I accepted the job and the pay level we have today and I will finish my term with what I accepted.”

The stipends — $3,333 per month for council members and $5,000 per month for the mayor in addition to salaries of

$40,620 per year and $46,604 per year respectively — were approved as part of the consent agenda for Council's Dec. 13 meeting.

The vote was 5-1 with Councilmember Robert Welsh voting nay and Sheppard, who had stepped out momentarily, absent.

Councilmember Richard Carr, who was not appointed to the vacant District 4 seat until after the vote, declined the stipend shortly after being sworn into office.

Stipend controversy aside, Sheppard said the issues of council compensation and the duties related to the positions need to be addressed.

Council member salaries, set by the

city’s charter with only cost-of-living increases, have not keep pace with the growth of the city and so the duties members of council perform, he said.

And, while the “job descriptions” posted for council members and mayor on the city’s website may give the impression these are part-time jobs, that has long been wrong.

“I would like the job description redone — basically it says a council member needs to go to a meeting one day a week,” he said. “I don’t want people running for office to think that’s the right job description. That is not our job anymore. That’s not a description of what we do.”

It also may be at the heart of what spurred some members of Council to support the stipends.

“This can be very difficult for someone who ran for office thinking it’s a part-time job,” Sheppard said. “I think we need to pay enough for the job, and for people to see it as a full-time position.”

The city has told Sheppard they will accept the returned funds on Thursday.

Cape Coral Breeze

Repeal: Giallombardo says compensation for work performed is salary, not a stipend From page 1 double the salary of each Council Member and the Mayor. This consent agenda item passed by a vote of 5-1 without discussion or debate, even after a very strong show of opposition from the public.

“Long-term compensation for work hours is not a stipend; it's a salary and the Cape Coral city charter is clear that salary increases for Council Members and Mayor must be

approved by the electorate through the referendum process. Passing this under the guise of a stipend is nothing more than an attempt to circumvent the referendum process, which sets a dangerous precedent not only locally but also statewide.

“As elected officials, when we run for office we accept the terms and conditions of the position we are campaigning for, including the demands and compensation rate of the

office. I understand that more time may be needed to ensure you can effectively do the job that you were elected to do than was required over a decade ago, when the council’s compensation was last changed. If that is the case, and you feel the job of Councilmember or Mayor is not appropriately compensated, then the Council should follow the charter and bring this salary increase to the voters via a referendum.

“I am asking you to do the right thing, listen to the people that you represent, and repeal the stipend. I believe there can be meaningful conversations through workshops on changing the roles and responsibilities of the Council and Mayor and those changes can be addressed through charter referendums. If the stipend is not repealed, I will work diligently with my colleagues to ensure See REPEAL, page 9

Re-election support to be withheld for those who accept the money

By VALARIE HARRING

vharring@breezenewspapers.com

Councilmember Richard Carr, who was not appointed to the city council until after the vote.

Carr has notified the city he will not be accepting the stipend as has, as of Wednesday, Sheppard.

The LeeGOP resolution voted on Jan. 16 states “that no funding, resources, or support shall come from the Republican Party of Lee County” for any member of council who has accepted the stipend or accepts it in the future.

“The point of it is to have future council members decline the stipend as well,” Hartman said.

Repeal: State Rep committed to ‘changing the law so that this cannot happen again’ Breeze call to his office. “I believe the City Council circumvented the referendum process and doubled their salary under the guise of a stipend. And, they did so on a consent agenda without even discussion or debate.

“Cape Coral residents have been very outspoken with their displeasure of this decision, and yet the City Council continues to ignore them.

“If they were able to find a loophole in state law that allowed them to raise their salary without going through the referendum process, I am committed to changing the law so that this cannot happen again.

“I sincerely hope they will readdress this issue and reverse their decision.”

The dissenting vote was cast by Councilmember Robert Welsh, Councilmember Dan Sheppard was absent at

the time of the vote and Councilmember Richard Carr had not yet been appointed to Council.

Voting in favor of the consent agenda, which included three resolutions to allow for the payment of stipends, were Mayor John Gunter and council members William Steinke, Tom Hayden, Keith Long and Jessica Cosden.

Motions to rescind must be made by a voting member who voted in the affirmative.

Welsh said Wednesday he intends to address the issue in another way.

“As the lone no vote on the stipend unfortunately I am not able to bring it up for reconsideration,” he said via email in response to a Breeze query. “I am going to meet with the city attorney on the next steps of a charter amendment.”

The Lee County Republican Party

Executive Committee, meanwhile, has now formally “condemned” members of the Cape Coral City Council who have accepted the stipends.

With approximately 135 members in attendance, the LeeGOP unanimously approved a resolution Tuesday night that condemns the “profiteering by the Cape Coral City Council” and withholds support for the re-election of council members who have accepted the stipends.

The LeeGOP resolution voted on Jan. 16 states “that no funding, resources, or support shall come from the Republican Party of Lee County” for any member of council who has accepted the stipend or accepts it in the future.

The resolution does not apply to Richard Carr, who was not appointed to the city council until after the vote. Carr has notified the city he will not accept the stipend.

Cape Coral Breeze

From page 8 it is repealed and that this never happens again in the State of Florida.

Sincerely, Mike Giallombardo” The stipends, of $3,333 per month for council members and $5,000 per month for the mayor, are in addition to voter-approved salaries paid to members of the elected board.

According to the most recent figures posted to the city’s website, the mayor’s post is paid approximately $46,604 per year. Council members are paid approximately $40,620 per year.

Passed 5-1 on Dec. 13 as part of the city’s consent agenda, Council made the stipends retroactive to Oct. 1, the start of the new fiscal year.

“I think my letter clearly speaks for itself,” Giallombardo said via email in response to a

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The Lee County Republican Party Executive Committee has formally condemned members of the Cape Coral City Council who have accepted a controversial stipend in addition to their city charterapproved salaries.

With approximately 135 members in attendance, the LeeGOP unanimously approved, Tuesday night, a resolution that condemns “profiteering by the Cape Coral City Council” and withholds support for the re-election of any council members who have accepted the stipends Council

approved in December and made retroactive to Oct. 1.

According to LeeGOP Communications Chair Sean Hartman, who drafted the original resolution, that is all members of the Cape Coral elected board serving at the time of the Council vote, including Councilmember Robert Welsh, who voted “nay” on the consent agenda, of which the stipend proposal was a part, and Councilmember Dan Sheppard, who left the room momentarily before the vote and said last week he would donate his stipend to city beautification projects.

The resolution does not apply to

Council was given an option to vote to reverse or repeal the city resolution that granted them “a substantial pay raise, described as a ‘stipend,’ of $5,000 per month for the Mayor and $3,300 per month per City Council member.”

Council declined, and that window has closed, Hartman said.

“They cannot unring this bell,” Hartman said.

The stipends are in addition to voterapproved salaries paid to members of the elected board. According to the most recent figures posted to the city’s website, the mayor’s post is paid approximately $46,604 per year. Council members are paid approximately $40,620 per year.

Page 9 ■ January 19, 2024

LeeGOP resolution condemning stipend passes unanimously

Cape Coral Breeze

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January 19, 2024 ■ Page 10

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Cape Coral Breeze

January 19, 2024 ■ Page 12 www.capecoralbreeze.com Cape Coral Breeze

ARTIST RENDITION OF ONE OF THE OPTIONS PROVIDED BY LEE COUNTY

Cape Council discusses aesthetic options for new Cape Coral Bridge’s pedestrian component

By MEGHAN BRADBURY

news@breezenewspapers.com

The aesthetic details for pedestrian overpass near the foot of the Cape Coral bridge were discussed during Wednesday’s Cape Redevelopment Agency meeting with City Council sitting as the CRA governing board.

CRA Executive Director Mike Ilczyszyn said they have been working with the Lee County Department of Transportation staff regarding the South Cape Bridge design options for the pedestrian overpass amenity.

Part of that discussion was looking at where the city would be in 25 to 50 years when it has 300,000 to 400,000 residents looking to have access its waterways.

“The plan for the South Cape Bridge is to have walkways to go over each side of the bridge,” Ilczyszyn said, adding to also provide a pedestrian overpass for runners, or walkers to utilize the park to see the water, boats, and wildlife. “To have a way to get across both sides of the bridge.”

The crosswalk options start off with a basic design — a simple bridge span with a chain link fence from either side of it and then towers that support the structure going over the roadway.

The idea is to eliminate “blight” by adding esthetic features to the basic pedestrian overpass, as the bridge is part of South Cape. The county asked what the city and CRA would like to see, so they could put together some concepts and a general magnitude of cost.

Ilczyszyn said they wanted to have some type of sail, LED lights that they could change throughout the year for different holidays and events, as well as an architectural feature.

The second option, a premium cost of $825,000 is what the city advised Lee County they would like to move forward with.

This option would have “Welcome to Cape Coral” in the center, an anchor that has the individual logos on it with sails above. There would also be art elements of mangroves and greenery to make it look more like a shoreline with waves

The South Cape Community Redevelopment Agency has been working with the Lee County Department of Transportation staff regarding the South Cape Bridge design options for the pedestrian overpass amenity.

Part of that discussion has included looking at where the city will be in 25 to 50 years when it has 300,000 to 400,000 residents looking to have access its waterways.

and sails.

CRA Vice Chair Dan Sheppard said he would like to see an LED screen the full length of the bridge, or at least in the middle, that they could change.

“To me I like that idea than making a permanent image or design because then we are stuck with them. I don’t want it to be stuck to one permanent design for years. If we had that digital opportunity, we would be able to change the pictures,” he said.

Ilczyszyn said he will have further communication with the Lee DOT, although he knows when they first negotiated with the entry structure the changing message was made sure to be off the roadways so it would not cause vehicular crashes.

Commissioner John Gunter said the second option is one he can stand behind.

During his comments, he put his “mayor hat on” and spoke about the need for a parking lot as part of the modification of the new bridge and turn lane. It is important to address today’s needs, as well as those in the future, he said.

Ilczyszyn said he did meet with Lee County to discuss how they could, as a CRA, incorporate additional parking that does not exist today at Bernice Barden Park for the pedestrian overpass and bridge. He said they will bring that project and what it looks like at a later date.

From page 1

PROVIDED BY THE CITY OF CAPE CORAL

Artist’s rendition of the concept plan now moving forward. towels, and sunscreen, Pankonin said.

There also is a multipurpose hall with a very open two-story space, which recreates the volume look and feel, he said.

The second story has an additional ballroom, exterior wrap around balcony that overlooks the pool, river, and canal.

There also is a kitchen that supports the ballroom with an elevator, additional storage space, meeting space and restrooms.

Hayden said with the eight possible meeting rooms he would like to have one of those designated as a history room.

“Hopefully those discussions can con-

Cape Coral Breeze

that is a plaza served for gathering or smaller events, or a waiting space for the restaurant,” he said.

Hayden said he is glad the fountain has been worked into the design, but asked if it could be more visible.

Plans also call for a 6,500- to 6,700square-foot restaurant with an outdoor dining deck.

The presentation highlighted the expanded zero entry resort-style pool that has both 25-foot three-lane functions and a deeper portion of the pool for recreational swimming and gathering. The pool deck will have palms and planter beds, as well as lounge chairs and cabanas for shade.

Next to the adult pool there is a children’s pool that may have slides, or other water activity options.

Along the beach, there will be restrooms that serves the beach front and an additional restroom in the Community Center that would serve the pool patrons.

There is also a nice open lawn that can hold wedding receptions, or gatherings tied to the Community Center building.

The Community Center would have 20,000 square feet on the first floor, and 17,000 square feet on the second.

The first floor would have a foyer with entrances, administrative space, loading and mechanical space, restrooms, bathhouse and locker rooms for the pool area, smaller meeting space in the center, storage space and retail where patrons could pick up such supplies as a quick snack,

tinue as we move forward,” he said.

The parking garage, harbor master building and restroom will also have a coastal look and feel.

Hayden asked about the timeline regarding the Yacht Club, as residents are curious.

“We have talked about demolition since August. I know there are a lot of unknown variables. We are out to bid on a lot of things and waiting on permits. What are the possible timelines moving forward with this/” he said.

City Manager Michael Ilczyszyn said right now it is unknown on the construction cost, and demolition, as well as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit to do work on the site.

He said demolition can start in 30 days and it takes 60 to 90 days, which takes them out to April, May time. Ilczyszyn said hopefully by May they will have the Army Corps permit.

“Two years are planned for the site work. Now we are adding another floor to the parking garage — I still have scope increasing,” he said.

Ilczyszyn said after demolition there will be an interim for the city to use the space when the building is taken down, pool out and filled and sod and seed is put down. He said the open green space will be open while doing the design. Marine improvements will also be made when they receive the permit.

The city will work out a phasing plan impacting certain areas over other areas.

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fountain moved to a more prominent area, shifting the location of the beach restrooms to a central location, maintaining a walkable path connecting the entire beach front, longer pier without a restaurant, a resort style pool with a lane component and a quick snack option, Pankonin said.

The overall concern of Council was about having enough parking for what the city envisions will be a destination complex.

Pankonin said based on uses and code, 463 spaces are required. With a threelevel garage in the proposed master plan they would have 550 spaces, 90 spaces on top of the minimum requirement.

There are also 158 marina slips – five dedicated to police and fire, 121 slips in the marina basin, 27 slips for the day deck and five slips dedicated to launch and recovery.

Those equate to 708 parking spaces.

There was lengthy discussion about adding a fourth floor to the parking garage, which could potentially add another 150 parking spaces, which the council was highly in favor of adding.

With this addition, the site could potentially offer 904 parking spaces.

“I like the changes to the design.

Adding a fourth floor to the parking garage depending on the cost would be something to consider,” Councilmember Tom Hayden said. “We know we have to have enough parking. I like the look and concept moving forward with where we are at.”

The revised final site plan was discussed, which received an overwhelming nod of support from Council.

Pankonin began on the north end of the property which has boat trailer parking for 46 spaces, which was relatively unchanged from the current master plan.

The boat marina remained the same as the approved master plan.

The main changes were for the harbor master building, which was shifted down toward the east because the parking garage was expanded into an L shape, he said.

The visual tour then headed south on Driftwood Parkway where there will be access to neighborhoods to the north, which will create some additional stormwater and landscaping opportunities in front of the parking garage. There is an open lawn in this area that can be used for small events.

Pankonin said the smaller pier provides nice views of the sunrise and sunset.

“As you come into the site one of the first things is a reconstructed fountain. It’s a great opportunity for photos. Behind

Page 13 ■ January 19, 2024

Yacht Club: Fourth story may be added to planned parking garage at city park

January 19, 2024 ■ Page 14 www.capecoralbreeze.com Cape Coral Breeze

REAL ESTATE

THE BREEZE JANUARY 19, 2024

Adding grandson Cape’s 2023 luxury condo as joint owner market weaker than last year of home could create problems Mr. Feichthaler: I have a vacant lot in Cape Coral that I have owned for over 30 years. Thankfully, it has increased in value substantially. I have a grandson that I want to benefit from the value of this property, so I want to add him as an owner now, with me jointly. Do you see any issues with this? I know he has had some trouble with his finances, so I just want to help out.

- Beverly N. Dear Beverly, I have the pleasure of representing many clients like you, that want to share their blessings with family members and friends.

Your generosity is noted and appreciated. However, like so many others have learned, there can be unforeseen negative consequences to your proposal.

Eric P. Feichthaler First, by adding your grandson as an owner, you will not be able to sell the property without his consent and approval. If you ever have a falling out with him, this could become an incredible stress for you. Also, if your grandson has a judgment or IRS debt entered against him, it could now be attached to your property.

Eventually, if he doesn’t pay that debt, a foreclosure could occur on the property.

From a property tax perspective, you may benefit from the cap on increases in assessed value on nonhomestead properties, like vacant lots and investment properties. Given that you held this property during the recession, you may be taxed at a substantially lower rate than market value. By adding owners, you could lose part of that savings.

Many new clients contact me with requests similar to yours, and we often recommend an Enhanced Life Estate Deed. This offers an economical option that results in the property passing directly to your grandson without probate. While living, you retain full rights to the property, including the right to sell or mortgage. In some cases, like yours, a trust to hold the property may be in everyone’s best interests. For example, if you placed the property in trust, the interest to benefit your grandson could be retained in the trust, protecting that asset from his creditors if you died. I recommend this method when, for a variety of reasons, it may not be in the best interests of a client’s beneficiaries to allow them direct ownership of the asset. It is advisable to speak to an attorney to provide them all of the details of your intentions and the potential issues of your grandson, and formulate a plan that best protects your hardearned assets.

Real Estate Law

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

See GRANDSON, page 15

occurred in the first quarter of 2023, This week we will examine the perwith the fourth highest-priced condo sale formance of the Cape Coral luxury condo last year closing in October for $1.65 market for the year that was 2023 commillion. Back in 2022, a total of 13 of pared to 2022, in our salute to the the 65 condos sold were at $1 million Champagne wishes and caviar dreams of and above, with the three highest-priced Robin Leach, the late great host of sales coming in at $1.495 million to “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.” $1.5 million. So the highest-priced luxuThis past year was a wild one with ry condo sale in 2023 went for 33% mortgage rates rocketing higher into the more than the highest-priced sale in 8% range before dropping back to the 2022, while the median sales price for 6.7% range as oil prices plunged late in the luxury condo segment in the Cape the year and the rate of inflation eased. declined by 2.4%, with the number of Many economists believe the rampant million dollar-plus condo sales dropping inflation that caused prices on most goods by 46% year-over-year from 2022 to and services to skyrocket over the past 2023. several years has been permanently reset Bob and Geri Quinn As of Tuesday, Jan. 16, there were at these higher price levels, putting pres381 active condo listings in Cape Coral sure on household budgets. For their part, through the MLS at list prices ranging home and condo prices have continued to from $150,000 to $3.9 million. The soften as sellers are forced to compete median condo list price is at $299,000 aggressively with other sellers on pricing in order to attract interested buyers. Our luxury condo mar- with a total of 232 condos, or 61% of our market, priced ket, which we define as condo units listed and sold in the at $325,000 and under, including 37 units priced below Cape for $500,000 and above, saw the number of closed $200,000. At the other end of the spectrum, a total of 45 sales decline in 2023 with sales all but drying up in the condos are listed for sale meeting our luxury definition of $500,000 and above, including 13 units priced at $1 milthird quarter before rallying a bit in the fourth quarter.

As we noted in this column back on Nov. 10, the num- lion and above. The number of active condo listings is up ber of closed sales in our luxury condo market went into a from the 362 listings from our market survey on Jan. 2, slow down in the first half of 2023 with a total of 31 sales, when the median list price was also at $299,000 and there compared to 43 sales in the first half of 2022. Then the were 44 condos priced at $500,000 and above including luxury market went into an all-out “breaking bad” mode in 14 units listed above $1 million. Just over one year ago on the third quarter of last year with only three luxury units Jan. 5, 2023, there were a total of 171 condos in the Cape being sold. To be fair, the slowdown in the first half of last listed for sale through the MLS at prices ranging from year was more of a return to normal coming off of the red $176,100 to $1.9 million and the median list price was at hot market conditions in the first half of 2022. But the $320,000. Only 8 condos were listed for less than plunge to only three sales in the third quarter of 2023 was $200,000 and a total of 23 condos were on the market at far worse than the 13 closed sales in the third quarter of $500,000 and above, including 7 units priced above $1 2022 and the 9 post-Hurricane Ian sales in the fourth quar- million.

Shifting over to pending condo sales in the Cape, as of ter of 2022.

Even with the fourth quarter rally, the second half of Jan. 16, there were 50 condo units under contract with 2023 finished with a total of 15 luxury condo sales, down buyers in the MLS at prices ranging from $150,000 to 31.8% from the 22 sales in the second half of 2022. For $1.39 million, with a median pending sales price of the year in 2023, we registered a total of 46 luxury condo $294,000. A total of 33 of the 50 pending condo sales, or sales, down 29.2% from the 65 luxury units sold in 2022. 66% of the market, were priced at $325,000 and under, As far as actual sales prices were concerned, the medi- including 13 units under contract for less than $200,000. an sales price in our luxury condo market dipped to Only seven condos in the Cape were pending in our luxu$620,000 for the 46 units sold in 2023, compared to ry market, with four units under contract from $629,000 $635,000 for the 65 sales in 2022. Last year, seven of the to $699,800 and three units pending from $1.049 million 46 condos sold in the Cape went for more than $1 million, to $1.39 million. with the three highest-priced sales ranging from $1.7 milSee LUXURY CONDO MARKET, page 15 lion to $2 million. All three of the highest-priced sales

Homing In

REAL ESTATE BRIEFS Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association presents annual awards at Member Breakfast The Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association recently announced the outstanding achievements of its members at a Member Breakfast at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre in Fort Myers. The event celebrated excellence and dedication within the real estate industry, showcasing the exceptional talent of RPCRA members.

Among the notable highlights of the member awards ceremony were the recognitions in various categories.

Consideration for award winners is given to those who were nominated by their peers and reviewed by the RPCRA Awards Committee. Applicants must meet a defined set of award criteria to qualify. Awards are bestowed upon members who have demonstrated outstanding involvement and accomplishments over a specific number of years, showcasing significant engagement since joining the association.

The award recipients are: ■ Realtor of the Year: Jack Martin, Century 21 Selling Paradise, Florida Realtors District 5 Vice President

■ Broker of the Year: Jason Jakus, NextHome Advisors ■ Affiliate of the Year: Zoe Higginson, Loan

Originator, Mortgage 1 ■ Educator of the Year: Sal DiStefano, Royal Palm Realty of SW FL LLC ■ New Member Participant of the Year: Miguel Blanco, Rose Tree Realty, LLC ■ New Member Participant of the Year: Nicole Robinson, Miloff Aubuchon Realty Group ■ Faye L. Roberts Honorary Lifetime Achievement Award and Realtor Emeritus Award: Marion Briggs, Sun Country Realty of Fl, Inc ■ Faye L. Roberts Honorary Lifetime Achievement Award: Donna Stout, Miloff Aubuchon Realty Group.

“These accolades mirror the commitment, professionalism and enthusiasm exhibited by our members in the real estate sector,” said Marlissa Gervasoni, president of RPCRA in 2024. “We take immense pride in their achievements, which stand as a testament to the elevated standards maintained by our association and the broader Realtor® community in our locality.”

See REAL ESTATE BRIEFS, page 15

From page 14 For information about the RPCRA, visit rpcra.org or call 239-936-3537.

MK Architecture awarded design contract for renovation of Winward Passage on Fort Myers Beach

Dominium to resyndicate Aria Landings in Fort Myers with $11 million renovation Dominium, a leading affordable housing owner, developer and manager announced this week the resyndication of Aria Landings, a 320-unit family property at 4050 Winkler Avenue Extension in Fort Myers.

Dominium will renew the property’s

affordable housing status while beginning an $11 million rehabilitation of the property. Aria Landings will undergo an extensive remodel of the existing clubhouse and site amenities, including upgrades to the fitness center, outdoor amenities, landscaping, unit interiors, building exteriors and more.

Resyndication of Aria Landings is supported by the Section 42 Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program. Nationwide, LIHTC is the largest source of support for the construction and maintenance of affordable housing communities. In exchange for tax credits, affordable housing developers and operators agree to maintain rents at levels tied to the Area Median Income. Construction of LIHTC properties has a positive effect on the local housing market by increasing the supply of

affordable housing.

Aria Landings was originally constructed in 1999/2000 and was initially financed through the 9% and 4% lowincome housing tax credit program.

Dominium acquired the property in June 2022 and has since owned and operated the property.

Founded in 1972, Dominium is a leading national owner, developer, and manager of affordable apartment communities with offices in Atlanta, Dallas, Phoenix and Minneapolis. The company owns and manages over 38,000 homes at over 230 sites in about half of all U.S. states.

Dominium is known for creative solutions to unique and challenging development projects, and property management expertise. For more information, visit www.dominiumapartments.com.

Luxury condo market: Sales in 2023 weaker than previous year From page 14

Grandson: Ownership of home From page 14 University in Washington, D.C., he returned to Cape Coral 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, and Cape Coral Kiwanis. He has been married to his wife, Mary, for 22 years, and they have four children. He earned his board certification in Real Estate Law from the Florida Bar, and primarily practices in real estate law

and wills and trusts. 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 239542-4733.

This article is general in nature and not intended as legal advice to anyone.

Individuals should seek legal counsel before acting on any matter of legal rights and obligations.

lion to keep the penthouse. He reportedly spent another $5 million customizing the unit, eventually renting it out for $85,000 per month in 2020 after he moved to Miami. Solomont’s article said the seller eventually listed the penthouse for sale in June of 2022 at an initial list price of $30 million and he most recently reduced the price to $20 million. It was recently sold for $18.75 million in a cash deal, which was $11.25 million or 37.5% less than the initial list price. This sale shows how much some markets have changed since June of 2022.

The sales data for this article was obtained from the Florida Realtors Multiple Listing Service Matrix for Lee County, Fla., as of Jan. 16, 2024, unless

otherwise noted. It was compiled by Bob and Geri Quinn and it includes information specifically for Cape Coral condominiums, townhouses, and villas and it does not include any single-family homes, short sales or foreclosures. The data and statistics are believed to be reliable, however, they could be updated and revised periodically, and are subject to change without notice. The Quinns are a husband and wife real estate team with the RE/MAX Realty Team office in Cape Coral. They have lived in Cape Coral for over 44 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.

Cape Coral Breeze

The number of pending condo sales is up from 42 on Jan. 2, when there were 4 luxury units under contract at $629,000 and above, including one unit priced above $1 million. Back on Jan. 5, 2023, there were a total of 54 Cape Coral condos under contract with buyers as pending sales, including four luxury units pending at prices from $725,000 to $2.195 million, with the other two priced at $1.55 million and $1.65 million, respectively.

Since we have already featured the highest-priced condo sale of the fourth quarter in our column back on Nov. 10, we thought we would show an example of the conflicting reports we keep coming across about the state of the real estate market. We frequently hear various real estate experts and economists discussing the “strength of the real estate market” on a national level and how the lack of inventory is supporting higher home prices. We realize there are some pockets around the country where the real estate market may be holding up, but

here in Cape Coral we do not have a shortage of homes and condos listed for sale and our market has clearly softened. Locally, we have shifted from what was a booming sellers market to a much slower rising inventory buyers market, while list prices and final sales prices have generally continued to move lower.

To help illustrate some of the weaknesses we are seeing on a national level, here is an overview of a recent sale of a New York City penthouse condo. This information is from an article written by E.B. Solomont in the “Mansion” section of the Wall Street Journal on Jan. 13, 2024. In the article, Solomont notes that this 3-bedroom, with a separate media room, Manhattan penthouse condo spans the top three floors of the building with 5,500 square feet of living area. It comes complete with a landscaped rooftop and a 21-foot-long rooftop infinity pool and Jacuzzi, along with an outdoor shower, kitchen and grill.

According to Solomont, the records show that the seller invested in the project when it was built in 2011, and paid $8 mil-

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MK Architecture, LLC has been awarded the architectural design for the renovation/restoration of the Winward Passage Resort on Fort Myers Beach, which was heavily damaged by Hurricane Ian. Phase I includes the full restoration of the 16-unit hotel building at 418 Estero Blvd., being rebuilt under the FEMA 50% rule.

Construction will begin in the first quarter of this year.

MK Architecture specializes in commercial, multi-family, and hospitality architecture, with offices in Fort Myers, Naples, and Lexington, Kentucky.

MK Architecture's office is at 8200 College Parkway, Suite 101, Fort Myers.

For additional information, call 239-4822121 or visit www.MK-ARCH.com

Page 15 ■ January 19, 2024

REAL ESTATE BRIEFS

January 19, 2024 ■ Page 16 www.capecoralbreeze.com Cape Coral Breeze

Cape Coral woman gets bonus with oyster order

By CJ HADDAD

cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com

A quote from author Anthony T. Hincks that states, “Pearls are at the heart of an oyster,” came to life for one Cape Coral resident to kick-start her new year.

Wanda Richmond was out to eat with a small group of friends at Pawnbroker Restaurant in Fort Myers to catch up with one another following a busy holiday season.

In the bar area, Richmond ordered her usual appetizer; oysters Rockefeller, which she said looked especially lovely that night.

“And I just picked up a morsel with my fork and put it in my mouth and started to bite down, and there was something hard,” Richmond said. “And I rolled it around a bit and looked at it, and it was a pearl.”

At first, Richmond naturally thought, “Is this really a pearl?” Turns out, it was indeed a bit of calcium carbonate in minute crystalline form produced within a mollusk.

“I'm glad I had the sense to bite down and not swallow the pearl,” Richmond said. “I’m sure it could happen and people don't even know it.”

According to experts, finding a pearl in an oyster is roughly one in 10,000.

The server, who said she had never seen an pearl come from the restaurant before, gave her a little to-go bag for her prize.

Richmond brought it home, cleaned it, and is now on her nightstand.

“It’s just a nice, fun thing to happen,” Richmond said. “Everyone was really excited when it happened. I look at it periodically and think of how much fun it brought.”

Soon, the pearl will go from Richmond’s nightstand, to being encapsu-

lated.

“I’ve decided that what I’m going to do with it is take it to a local jeweler here and have it made into a pendant,” she said. “My thinking is to put it into a little round glass protector to keep it safe and make a little pendant.”

Richmond even joked having to decide which of her granddaughters she would leave the pearl to.

“That's going to be hard, because they're all wonderful,” she said.

As finding a pearl is usually a sign of good luck, Richmond did in fact try her hand at the lottery. Unfortunately, lightning did not strike twice.

“Not a single number,” Richmond joked. “But it was a nice way to start the new year.”

Wanda Richmond was out to eat with a small group of friends at Pawnbroker Restaurant in Fort Myers and got a happy surprise with her oysters Rockefeller — a natural pearl.

PHOTOS PROVIDED

JANUARY 19, 2024

Buying plants

By ANN BLOCK

news@breezenewspapers.com

G C

C

C

Valerie’s House ‘Family is Forever Home’ now open in Fort Myers

By MEGHAN BRADBURY

news@breezenewspapers.com

A new “Family is Forever Home” recently opened its doors, giving grieving families the gift of somewhere they can always go in Fort Myers.

“It’s paid off. We didn’t have to take a mortgage out or loan. It is debt free,” Valerie’s House Founder and CEO Angela Melvin said. “Valerie’s House families will always have a house.”

She said they moved into their new house the first week of January after having a soft opening -- a private event with some families and early donors -- on Nov. 30.

“We had some families grieve the old house. That is where so much healing took place,” she said of the Fowler Street house they called home for five years. “It was small, and we certainly outgrew it, but it is difficult to say goodbye.”

The community is invited to attend a Community Wide Grand Opening of the Valerie’s House Family is Forever Home from 4:30-7 p.m., Thursday, March 14, and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, March 15, at 3551 Valerie’s House Way, formerly Shoemaker Lane.

The new house The functionality of the previous, 1,700-square-foot home was difficult, as it became too small to host group nights, which sometimes caused the groups to have to meet outside.

The new home, a little more than 7,000 square feet, was first discussed in 2019.

That was when they secured the property from the city of Fort Myers, with a 100-year lease for a dollar a year.

Unfortunately, the pandemic hitting in 2020 slowed planning, fundraising and construction.

Melvin said when they broke ground in April 2022, they felt secure that enough time had passed since COVID to begin fundraising and campaigning. Then, six months later Hurricane Ian hit.

“Because the builder, Lennar, is such a massive, national homebuilder, they had so many resources (and) were able to make it happen and keep it going even through the construction nightmare,” she said.

One of the best features of the home is that although large, it has a cozy, homey touch.

Melvin said there are big windows, a front porch with rocking chairs, a basketball court, a kitchen and dining area, not to mention various rooms that all hold a special place for those who use the home. She said there is a big art room for projects, as well as a volcano room with punching bags to work out anger.

The basketball court is a great upgrade from their “dinky” basketball hoop that rarely remained standing at the old house. Melvin said before they get into grief support groups, the kids and teens go outside to work off some energy.

Outside the home also features a firepit for groups to

gather around, as well as a big playground and memory garden.

Melvin said the old house isn't completely forgotten.

“There’s lots of color. Lots of kids’ artwork all over.

We brought a lot of the old house artwork,” she said of inside the home.

Her favorite part of the house is the big kitchen, as the previous home actually did not have one.

The kitchen paid dividends on the first group night on Jan. 7.

“We baked cookies,” Melvin said. “It was so fun.”

The dining room has two long farm tables that seat 15 to 20 people each.

“They are big beautiful wooden tables,” she said, where they can eat together, break bread and have fellowship.

Valerie’s House worked with a design team of four who listened to and interviewed staff, as well as families, to get a sense of what they needed. Melvin said the furniture was either donated or given to them at cost.

She said the whole purpose is for families, who might be a little nervous asking for help, will be able to fit in and know there is a place for them. “(The families can) walk up to see this incredible home built for them. It allows them to let down their guard a little bit more and gives us a chance to help,” Melvin said.

A reflection of the community Valerie’s House currently has a little more than 300 families who visit the home on a monthly basis. They come from all around the region. Melvin said they represent all demographics and walks of life, financial backgrounds and races, and are there because of anything from car accidents or cancer, to suicide, overdose or out of the blue medical issues.

“When you walk into Valerie’s House, it’s a reflection of the community. Grief doesn’t discriminate. It is all of us. No matter who we are, we will be touched by death,” Melvin said.

On Jan 11, Valerie’s House celebrated the eighth anniversary of its first grief group night with 20 children in a shared space in downtown Fort Myers' Dean Park.

Since then, Valerie’s House has grown into offering many different groups ranging from grandparents raising grandchildren, children loss, traumatic loss and a young adults' grief support group.

Valerie’s House also expands its walls by offering multiple support groups in Lee County schools.

“The community continues to embrace us. Everything we have done the community has said yes to and is open to it. They have wholeheartedly embraced us. The schools to law enforcement, to our partner nonprofits, city government, county government. We have had so much support,” Melvin said.

That support has also been through financial backers.

“The bulk of the money, 90% of what we received, is See ‘FAMILY IS FOREVER HOME,’ page 46

Cape Coral Breeze

Ann Block is Past President of the Garden Club of Cape Coral. The club has meetings the second Wednesday of the month from September through May. Guests are welcome.

Our website is www.Gardenclubofcapecoral. Like us on our Facebook page.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Valerie’s House’s new “Family is Forever Home” in Fort Myers.

www.capecoralbreeze.com

Everywhere you go in Southwest Florida you see plants for sale. Garden centers, box stores, grocery stores, flea markets and nurseries. Easy to buy but do you know anything about the plant … light, watering, how fast it will grow, how tall? Most plants will have a tag with basic information. But please be aware that those tags are generic and NOT specific to our Southwest weather. These tags sometimes fool an experienced gardener!

The big box stores can be the worst place to buy plants or any place that ARDEN doesn’t grow plants for a living. Our hot summer sun LUB OF does not allow the right conditions for the greenAPE ORAL house grown plants in box stores or grocery stores. So please be careful. Best to do your own research before buying. Reputable nurseries ALSO have some plants shipped in, however, they buy from top-quality local growers … AND they can pass correct plant information to you. Local nurseries will assist with giving advice about any plant problems you may have. They also carry soil amendments, stock supplies for treating pests and have the knowledge to share. It sounds like I work at nursery. I don’t.

Annual and perennial plants come in 4 1/2-inch pots.

Other plants are available in 1 gallon, 3 gallon, 7 gallon, 10 gallon, 15 gallon or 25 gallon. The largest size plants are balled and burlapped. These are field-grown. Plants in a 3 gallon usually have 3 plants in them which is meant to grow as a bushy plant. Please don’t separate them as their roots are intertwined. For fast growing shrubs, 3 gallon works well. If you need privacy quickly, buy 7 gallon. Trees and palms are offered in 15 or 25 gallon. If you want large mature trees or palms, please go to a nursery where they can install for you.

In Southwest Florida, we can plant anytime. But remember, you must be able to water daily for the first month.

And always mulch to keep your new specimen moist.

Mulch also cools the soil aiding in root growth.

What does full sun mean, part sun or partial shade mean? Always confusing.

Let’s start with: ∫ Full Sun – At least 8 hours of sunlight … every day. ∫ Full Shade – no sunlight touches the leaves of the plant. Bright indirect sunlight is perfect. ∫ Part Sun – At least 4 hours of strong sunlight … preferably morning sunlight. ∫ Part shade – Sunlight that is filtered possibly by tree canopies. Or early morning sunlight.

The north side of your house may have full shade, the south side is usually the sunniest. East side provides morning sun with a partial shadiness. West side is afternoon sun for part sun plants. We are in our winter season, so our sun has moved more to the south. Your plants will respond differently than in summer when our sun is overhead at noon.

Some basic planting information … When planting, dig a hole one and a half times as wide and as deep as you new plant’s pot. Add soil amendments to the bottom of the hole. Remove the pot from the plant’s base and gently loosen the roots. The top of the soil should be a little higher than the garden’s soil level. Make sure to water the bottom of the hole and rewater once the plant is in place.

Enjoy the process of buying and planting! And as always, Happy Gardening!

Page 17 ■ January 19, 2024

COMMUNITY

THE BREEZE

January 19, 2024 ■ Page 18 www.capecoralbreeze.com Cape Coral Breeze

BUSINESS BUSINESS BRIEFS Fort Myers Hooters employees make special delivery of books to Lee Regional Cancer Center Fort Myers Hooters employees Skylar Becker and Hannah Gordon represented their restaurant in giving back at Lee Regional Cancer Center Jan. 8. Every month several employees from the Fort Myers Hooters location have the opportunity to visit the hospital and deliver additional books for patients to read, word searches, coloring books, writing utensils and bookmarks. During each visit they join several of the Cancer Center employees in bringing the cart around to the patients to select items to enjoy.

Every month the restaurant donates more books to the selection at each of the partnering hospitals. Since 2022, Hootie’s Lending Library has provided over 6,200 books to the local hospitals in South Florida and Southwest Florida.

LTP Management, a franchisee of Hooters of America, owns and operates 15 locations in South Florida. For more information about South Florida Hooters community involvement please visit www.HootersFlorida.com or follow us at Twitter @HootersFlorida, Instagram @SouthFLHooters, TikTok @southflhooters and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hootersflorida/.

Camadeco named senior associate at Aloia, Roland, Lubell & Morgan Attorney Katherine Camadeco has been promoted to senior associate in the Family Law & Adoption Department at Aloia, Roland, Lubell & Morgan, PLLC. Camadeco has helped hundreds of families navigate their unique and personal situations. This year, she has advocated on behalf of her clients in 7 trials, a number of hearings and mediations in pursuit of the best interests of her clients and their families.

She received her law degree from Delaware Law School after receiving a master’s in business administration from Florida Gulf Coast University and a bachelor of science from Bryant University. Her law school experience is highlighted by clerkships with the Honorable Justice James T. Vaughn of the Delaware Supreme Court and Judges Robert B. Coonin and Arlene Minus Coopadge of the Delaware Family Court.

Aloia, Roland, Lubell & Morgan is a full-service law firm with practice areas in business and real estate law, commercial litigation, personal injury and wrongful death, civil litigation, family law, estate planning and probate. Established in 2004 and led by senior partners Frank Aloia, Jr., Ty Roland, Evan Lubell and Jack Morgan along with partners Danielle Levy Seitz, Scott Hertz, Jonathan Martin and Stephen Dommerich, the firm has deep roots in Southwest Florida. Aloia Roland is headquartered at 2222 Second Street in downtown Fort Myers. Learn more at www.LawDefined.com or call 239-791-7950.

THE BREEZE JANUARY 19, 2024

Salt & Poppy boutique now open on Pine Island New shop owned by actor and stand-up comedian Kevin Farley with his wife, writer and director Michelle Wendt

By PAULETTE LeBLANC

pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com

In an endeavor to become a part of the Pine Island community, stand-up comedian Kevin Farley and wife, director and Emmy Award-winning writer Michelle Wendt, opened a specialty store, Salt & Poppy, in Bokeelia Thursday.

The couple met in New York, Wendt said, while she was directing a musical she wrote, in which Farley was cast. After closing the chapter on a global pandemic and a ghastly hurricane, Farley and Wendt are now putting down roots as islanders, and opening a new chapter as retail store owners.

Salt & Poppy is not a place you just run through, said Wendt, as she is hoping people find joy in the unique quality of the store where you can find everything from pet supplies to genuine Kevin Farley merchandise.

“There’s a convenience in having a store that’s a unique boutique—a little bit of everything. It’s not a hardware store, it’s not a general store. Salt & Poppy is a place where you can get something for your kids, your dogs and maybe even some candy,” Wendt said.

Years of spending time as kids with their parents vacationing in Sanibel and Captiva brought the couple down south as adults, where they decided on Pine Island shortly after Covid.

“Once I found Pine Island, I thought this is the coolest place — it felt the most like us — artsy, bohemian, different — unique,” Wendt said.

Calling Pine Island home now reminds them both of vacations from their time as youths in south Florida, and the two are very excited about their choice to be part of the tight-knit Pine Island community, as Farley admits he loves Pine Island.

“Most of my time is spent on the road doing stand-up, so this will be a chance for me to do something new — to set roots and be a part of Pine Island. When I do come off the road, the island is a quiet place to relax. For me this place offers me a chance to decompress. I’m interested in making the store a place that people can enjoy. I just want people to come to the store for unique kinds of gifts — things you won’t find anywhere else,” Farley said.

Family plays an important role in the lives of these

PHOTO PROVIDED

Salt & Poppy boutique owners Kevin Farley and Michelle Wendt.

Alden Pines residents, as Farley, who is the brother of the late actor Chris Farley, also enjoys time with Wendt’s son Leo, who is currently a busboy at Tarpon Lodge and a varsity football player at Bishop Verot Catholic High School in Fort Myers. Wendt said Leo really enjoys being at home more than anything and insists the family is adapting to life on the island as they are becoming a clan who never wants to leave the island unless it’s absolutely necessary.

“We used to find ourselves leaving Pine Island for every little thing and now we’re wondering, what do we need to do, to never leave the island? So that has changed for both of us,” Wendt said.

Salt & Poppy is at 10502 Stringfellow Road, #5501, Bokeelia. For additional information about the boutique, call 310-567-4546.

AYR Cannabis Dispensary announces opening of two new facilities in Florida MIAMI -- AYR Cannabis Dispensary, a cannabis retail chain owned by AYR Wellness Inc., a leading vertically integrated U.S. multi-state cannabis operator, recently announced the opening of two Florida retail stores located in Leesburg and Fort Myers. The opening of these dispensaries expands AYR’s retail presence to 64 locations in Florida and 91 locations nationwide.

AYR Cannabis Dispensary Leesburg began serving patients on Dec. 11 while AYR Cannabis Dispensary Fort Myers began serving patients later that month.

AYR Cannabis Dispensary Fort Myers, located at 2952 Cleveland Ave., is a freestanding, 2,480-squarefoot venue with ample parking space and four point-ofsale stations. Each AYR dispensary offers a diverse selection of premium cannabis products from leading brands, including kynd, Haze, Entourage, Secret Orchard, Nordic Wellness and Levia.

To learn more about AYR Wellness or to locate your nearest dispensary, please visit www.ayrwellness.com.

The front of the Salt & Poppy boutique, left, and a sample of some of the items you wil find in the new store, below.

PHOTOS BY PAULETTE LEBLANC

‘A pretty grim picture’

By NATHAN MAYBERG

nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com

By CJ HADDAD

cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com

Various Cape Coral streets resembled canals Monday evening, as heavy rains caused severe flooding throughout the city and across Southwest Florida.

According to the National Weather Service, Page Field in Fort Myers received an inch of rain in just one hour from roughly 6 to 7 p.m., with a total of three inches coming down in a six-hour span.

Cape Coral was under a flood advisory until 7:45 Monday night, with local meteorologists reporting up to 9 inches of rain in some areas of Cape Coral.

Numerous drivers in the city abandoned their cars, getting stuck attempting to pass through flooded streets.

Cape Coral Police Department Public Affairs Officer Mercedes Philips said, “The Cape Coral Police Department had 155 reports of flooded/disabled vehicles. There were many accidents, thankfully none of which involved injuries. All of these calls were tended to as safety allowed.”

Cape Coral Fire Department Public Affairs Officer Andrea Schuch shared via social media, “When we receive a lot of rain in a short amount of time, water pools before it has time to drain. Because of this, flooding is being seen throughout Cape Coral, particularly in the southwest.

“Driving through flooded roads is dangerous because it is hard to tell how deep the water is, which

could cause damage to your car, or worse.”

The CCFD said six inches of water is enough to impact your vehicle, which could cause loss of control or stalling. One foot of water will float many vehicles, and two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles including SUVs and trucks.

“Please avoid going out if at all possible until the water has had time to drain, and the roads have cleared,” Schuch said.

CCFD added that standing water could contain bacteria, chemicals and even sewage.

“Wash your hands and disinfect items the have come in contact with flood water,” Schuch said.

According to the NWS, mow rain was in the forecast Tuesday evening, with showers “likely and possible a thunderstorm after 4 p.m.”

Today's forecast bring a reprieve, with mostly sunny conditions during the day, with clouds at night.

Heavy downpours late Monday flooded streets across Cape Coral and many drivers became stranded in the high waters. This vehicle was spotted near Santa Barbara Boulevard and Veterans Parkway.

See ECONOMIC IMPACT, page 22

PHOTO COURTESY OF CHARLIE LOPEZ OF ROYALTY EVENTS AND PHOTO BOOTHS

Lee County Commission approves land purchases in North Fort Myers and Bokeelia for Conservation 20/20 The Lee Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday voted to approve the purchase of a parcel in North Fort Myers and a parcel in Bokeelia, totaling more than 70 acres, for the Conservation 20/20 Land Acquisition Program.

Commissioners voted to approve the purchase of: ■ 51 acres in North Fort Myers, contiguous to the Caloosahatchee River and the Caloosahatchee Creeks Preserve. The parcel includes oaks, pines, cabbage palms, buttonwood, sea grape, mangrove, bamboo, ear leaf acacia, cogon grass, Caesar weed poinciana tree, and lead trees and natural wetlands. It has wetland hard forest, upland mixed forest, upland coniferous forest and a naturally occurring lake. There are potential gopher tortoises on site. The purchase price is $5 million plus closing costs.

■ 20 acres in Bokeelia, at the end of Ficus Tree Lane,

a private dirt road, immediately south of the Calusa Land Trust & Nature Preserve, and in the vicinity of existing Conservation 20/20 Smokehouse Bay Preserve. The property has scattered trees and was formerly used as a tree farm, permanently closed after significant damage from Hurricane Ian. The purchase price is $1 million plus closing costs.

The Conservation Land Acquisition and Stewardship Advisory Committee (CLASAC) recommended approval of each of the purchase agreements by unanimous vote.

There are currently 31,432 acres within the Conservation 20/20 Land Acquisition Program.

To receive updates from Lee County Government, sign up for the newsletter at www.leegov.com/ resources/newsletters.

Follow Lee County Government on Facebook, www.facebook.com/leecountyflbocc.

NATHAN MAYBERG

Representatives of the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, Captains for Clean Water and the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation at the press conference Tuesday at Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille on Fort Myers Beach.

Cape Coral Breeze

Heavy rains swamp Cape Coral’s roadways

More action is needed to ensure the disastrous environmental and economic tolls of harmful red tide and algae blooms don’t return. That was the unified message Tuesday from the leaders of several environmental groups committed to clean water at a press conference held Tuesday at Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille on Fort Myers Beach.

A new study undertaken by the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, Captains for Clean Water and the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation sought to quantify the cost of unclean water. The study found that if another harmful algae bloom or major catastrophic red tide event were to occur like the one in 2018 that killed off more than four million pounds of fish in the region, the disastrous consequences could potentially lead to thousands of jobs lost and hundreds of millions of dollars in economic activity.

Rob Moher, executive director of the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, said the study showed the “economic repercussions of degraded water quality.” Moher said the study also “paints a pretty grim picture of water quality.”

Moher said that if a red tide event like the one in 2018 were to reoccur, as many as 40,000 jobs could be at stake, according to the study.

Moher said the study was a ”wake-up call.”

The representatives of the environmental groups expressed concern for the level of Lake Okeechobee, currently at 16 feet. With increasing rain levels this winter, more releases of nutrients from Lake Okeechobee could “exacerbate red tide blooms,” Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Commission Chief (SCCF) Executive Officer James Evans said. “We continue to be concerned,” he said. Evans said it was important for the restoration of the Everglades to continue so that water would flow south and not into the local estuary.

Evans and Moher also warned about the threats to water quality by the potential development of land near or on wetlands.

Among the most concerning projects for environmental groups is the Kingston development near the

www.capecoralbreeze.com

Study shows economic impact of harmful red tides, algal blooms

Page 19 ■ January 19, 2024

Weekly BREEZE Recap

January 19, 2024 ■ Page 20 www.capecoralbreeze.com Cape Coral Breeze

Garden Club of Cape Coral accepting applications for Merit Scholarship Awards Deadline for submittals is Feb. 10 With awards of up to $2,000 to each winner, applications for the 2024 Merit Scholarship Awards, offered by the Garden Club of Cape Coral, are now open and available at https://www.gardenclubofcapecoral.com/meritaward/ Science teachers, environmental club sponsors, counselors and career specialists at high schools that enroll Cape Coral residents and some youth organizations also have information related to this opportunity. Completed applications must be emailed to meritaward@gardenclubofcapecoral.com no later than midnight, Tuesday, Feb. 20.

These annual awards were established in 2011 as a civic project for the purpose of assisting eligible graduating seniors to obtain college degrees. Applicants are required to be residents of Cape Coral and to have demon-

strated active, ongoing participation related to environmental issues, horticulture, agriculture, natural resources and conservation through classes, extracurricular activities and work or volunteer experience. Career goals compatible with the purpose of the awards, fostering environmental action, can be a factor in award decisions, but current involvement has more weight.

Since 2011, 52 awards have been earned by students participating in environmental programs and projects at Bishop Verot, Cape Coral, Canterbury School, Florida Southwestern Collegiate, Ida Baker, Island Coast, Mariner, North Fort Myers, and Oasis Charter high schools. Other schools, which enroll stu-

dents who reside in Cape Coral, are included on the application distribution list of school contacts.

Yearly success of the club’s annual major fundraiser March in the Park event, a juried plant and garden show and sale held at Jaycee Park since 2009, supports the Garden Club’s Merit Scholarship Awards.

The Garden Club of Cape Coral meets at 5:45 p.m. on the second Wednesday of the month from September through May at the Lake Kennedy Center, 400 Santa Barbara Blvd., Cape Coral.

For more about the club, visit its website at https://www.gardenclubofcapecoral.com/

Eighth Annual ‘BEE’yond Teacher Essay Contest begins Doherty Enterprises-owned Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar restaurants in Florida and Georgia recently announced the official start of their 8th annual Above and "BEE"yond Teacher Essay Contest.

The annual essay contest recognizes top teachers - as nominated by their classroom students - rewarding the educators with a $500 sponsorship check and special endof-year class party.

The essay contest is open at participating Applebee's restaurants in Florida and Georgia that are owned and operated by local franchisee, Doherty Enterprises.

One deserving teacher from each school district throughout 13 counties in Florida and Georgia will be awarded with a $500 sponsorship check to use toward their classroom for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year,

along with an end-of-year party for their current class!

To nominate a teacher and enter the contest, students must submit an essay in-person at their local Applebee's explaining why their teacher deserves to be Applebee's "Teacher of the Year."

Elementary school students are required to nominate their teacher with a half page essay, while middle and high school students are required to write a 500-word essay on why their teacher is most deserving. As an additional incentive, students who enter an essay will also receive a free ice cream certificate for later use.

Essay submissions are limited to one per student and will be accepted at participating Applebee's restaurants now through Sunday, March 17, no later than 10 p.m.

Winners will be announced on Friday, April 19, and end-

of-year parties will be thrown before Friday, June 14. If end-of-year parties are not viable, class parties will be replaced with two Free-Dinner-for-Four certificates for the winning essay writer.

Applebee's Above and ‘BEE’yond Teacher Essay Contest entries will be accepted at the following Applebee's locations owned and operated by Doherty Enterprises in: FLORIDA: Cape Coral, Cutler Bay, Delray Beach, Fort Myers, Fort Pierce, Greenacres, Hialeah, Jacksonville, Margate, Naples, North Port, Okeechobee, Pembroke Pines, Port St. Lucie, Punta Gorda, Sarasota, St. Augustine, Tamarac, Venice, Vero Beach, and West Palm Beach.

GEORGIA: Waycross.

Devito-Spiro, Mings make Fall 2023 Dean's List at Georgia Southern

Wylie named to Wofford College's fall 2023 Dean's List SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- Kendall Wylie of Cape Coral has been named to the fall 2023 Dean's List.

To be named to the Dean's List, a student must be enrolled for at least 12 semester hours of graded courses and attain a semester grade point average of 3.6 or higher.

Wofford College, established in 1854, is a four-year, residential liberal arts college located in Spartanburg, South Carolina. It offers 27 major fields of study to a student body of 1,875 undergraduates. The college community has 12 sororities and fraternities as well as 20 NCAA Division I athletics teams.

For more information about Wofford College, visit www.wofford.edu

STATESBORO, Ga. -- Georgia Southern University recently recognized approximately 2,350 students on the Fall 2023 President's List. Joseph 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.

NEWTON, Ma. -- Lataya Simmons, a Lasell University student from Cape Coral, was named to the Dean's List for their academic performance in the fall 2023 semester.

To be named to the Dean's List, Lasell students must complete at least 12 credits as a full-time student and achieve a semester GPA of 3.5 or higher.

An innovator in education for over 150 years, Lasell University today is a comprehensive coeducational university offering professionally oriented bachelor's and master's degree programs. It's 50-acre campus is located in suburban Newton, Massachusetts, within eight miles of downtown Boston at the heart of the Route 128 high-tech corridor.

For additional information about Lasell University, visit https://www.lasell.edu/

Buck on Saint Mary’s College Dean’s List NOTRE DAME, Ind. — Lily Buck of Cape Coral has been named to the Saint Mary’s College Dean’s List for the Fall 2023 semester.

To earn this academic honor at Saint Mary's, a student must achieve a grade point average of at least 3.6 on a 4.0 scale, have a minimum of 12 graded credit hours, no incompletes and no grades 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 more information, visit SaintMarys.edu.

Goncalves named to University of Notre Dame dean’s list Anna M. Goncalves of Cape Coral has been named to the dean's list in the University of Notre Dame's First Year

Enrollment open for spring VPK programs in Lee, Collier, Hendry and Glades counties Registration for Voluntary Prekindergarten is now open for spring programs in Lee, Collier, Hendry and Glades Counties. The free educational program is available to 4year-olds who reside in Florida, regardless of family income.

VPK gives children a strong start by preparing them for school and enhancing their pre-reading, pre-math, language, and social skills. Classrooms are taught by certified teachers with a focus on school readiness and social and emotional well-being. As children develop the early skills needed to become strong students, they have a greater chance of achieving their academic goals.

To be eligible, children must live in Florida and be four years old on or before Sept. 1 of the current school year.

Through the Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida, 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 offices for assistance, located in Fort Myers at 2675 Winkler Ave., Suite 300, and in Naples at 3050 North Horseshoe Drive, Unit 231, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Friday. Offices provide free kiosks, and no appointments are needed.

To learn more about spring VPK, visit VPKSWFL.org or call 239-935-6100.

Cape Coral Breeze

Marino recognized on Georgia Southern University's Fall 2023 President's List

Simmons named to Fall 2023 Dean's List at Lasell University

of Studies for outstanding scholarship during the Fall 2023 semester.

Students who achieve dean's honors at Notre Dame represent the top 30% of students in their college.

The University of Notre Dame is located in Notre Dame, Indiana. For additional information, please visit https://www.nd.edu/ or call 574-631-5000.

www.capecoralbreeze.com

STATESBORO, Ga. -- Georgia Southern University recently recognized approximately 3,550 students for excellence in academics on the Fall 2023 Dean's List. To be eligible for the Dean's List, a student must have at least a 3.5 grade point average and carry a minimum of 12 hours for the semester.

Among the students recognized were Austin DevitoSpiro and Jasmine Mings of Cape Coral.

Georgia Southern University, a public Carnegie Doctoral/R2 institution founded in 1906, offers approximately 155 different degree programs serving more than 26,100 students through 10 colleges on three campuses in Statesboro, Savannah, Hinesville and online instruction.

Visit GeorgiaSouthern.edu for additional information.

Georgia Southern University, a public Carnegie Doctoral/R2 institution founded in 1906, offers approximately 155 different degree programs serving more than 26,100 students through 10 colleges on three campuses in Statesboro, Savannah, Hinesville and online instruction.

Visit GeorgiaSouthern.edu for additional information.

Page 21 ■ January 19, 2024

EDUCATION NOTES

January 19, 2024 ■ Page 22 www.capecoralbreeze.com Cape Coral Breeze

Executive Option offering Remarkable Achievements Recognizing Everyday Scholarships College-bound seniors from Lee County School District eligible to apply Executive Option, the business consulting firm with enterprise systems and change management teams across the globe, has announced its Remarkable Achievements Recognized Everyday (RARE) Scholarship program in partnership with the School District of Lee County.

Created to commend students demonstrating resilience and determination in and outside of the classroom, the program will award one deserving student with a $10,000 scholarship.

Applications are currently open for college-bound high school seniors from the School District of Lee County, including Bonita Springs High School, Cape Coral High School, Cypress Lake High School, Dunbar High School, East Lee County High School, Estero High School, Fort Myers High School, Gateway High School, Ida S. Baker High School, Island Coast High School, Lehigh Senior

High School, Mariner High School, North Fort Myers High School, Riverdale High School and South Fort Myers High School. Students from the above schools are encouraged to apply by submitting an essay for the opportunity to earn the $10,000 scholarship.

“As a company operating across the globe, we are elated to expand our RARE Scholarship program to a new school district in the United States,” said Mike Del Prado, chief executive officer, Executive Option. “After launching our first RARE Scholarship program in Southern Nevada last year, Executive Option looks forward to creating an even greater positive impact across the country.”

For more information about the scholarship as well as access to the application open now through Feb. 29, visit https://executiveoption.com/rare/.

About Executive Option, LLC Executive Option, LLC specializes in delivering endto-end solutions, complex, high-risk and high value initiatives, and projects to its partner clients. They specialize in providing salvage expertise and resuscitation services for distressed projects. A minority- and U.S. veteran-owned company, Executive Option, under the direction of President and Chief Executive Officer Mike Del Prado, has a successful record of providing technological and operational solutions while maintaining core values of partnership, innovation, integrity and transparency.

Headquartered in Southern Nevada, Executive Option provides services for mid-size companies to billion-dollar organizations in more than 30 countries around the globe.

For additional information about Executive Option, please visit the company website at www.executiveoption.com or follow the business on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Economic impact: Determining the cost of algal blooms and red tide From page 19 Audubon Corkscrew Wildlife Sanctuary that could result in up to 10,000 homes being built on more than 6,000 acres of land in some of Lee County’s most sensitive environmental areas near the endangered Florida Panther habitat and near an extensive tract of wetlands.

Daniel Andrews, the executive director of Captains for Clean Water, said he is concerned about the increased rain this season leading to the type of red tide and algae blooms the area witnessed back in 2016 that could harm the local economy again.

“We want clean water and the ability to go outside and enjoy nature,” Andrews said. “We’re here because we like the water. We like the local seafood.”

Andrews said there was “almost zero awareness” of the water quality issues that led to the red tide problems the

area faced back in 2016. He said that awareness has improved.

“Until we stop destroying our local watershed, we are at risk of this happening again,” Andrews said.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce President & CEO John Lai said “water quality is our number one legislative priority.” Lai said the chamber works with the state legislative delegation to improve water quality. A repeat of a red tide event like the one that occurred in 2018 “can not return,” Lai said. “We saw our paradise in peril.”

Moher said a harmful algae bloom or red tide event can be part of a domino effect if they occur close together or after a major hurricane. Moher said the regions needs to “fix the fundamentals in our own watershed” and to “look at the patterns of development.”

Evans said one of the roadblocks to improving water

quality was negative state legislation passed last year which makes it harder for environmental groups to challenge large-scale developments. The legislation made those who file lawsuits challenging comprehensive plan amendments more liable for attorney fees if they lose.

As for the Kingston project, Nicole Johnson of the Conservancy of Southwest Florida said the organization has reached out to the Environmental Protection Agency to call on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to study and address the question of whether the project could threaten the survival of the endangered Florida panther. Initial studies show the development could lead to a large number of panther deaths due to habitat loss and vehicle collisions.

There are only approximately 200 Florida panthers left in the wild, with most residing in Southwest Florida and the Everglades.

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JANUARY 19, 2024

Mastering the Lee Health welcomes first facility art of aging dog at Gulf Coast Medical Center Special to The Breeze

news@breezenewspapers.com

Food, fitness and fun For seniors living in a senior living community, exercise, events and meals are easily accessible. For seniors aging at home, getting the proper nutrients, exercise and socialization requires an extra step. Luckily, there are available resources to fulfill these requirements. Meal preparation and delivery services offer nutritious meals that are specifically designed for seniors. Grocery delivery services, such as Instacart, are also available and easy to use for seniors who would prefer to receive their groceries on their doorstep, rather than make their way to their local grocery store.

To stay active, consider joining exercise groups.

Many gyms such as the YMCA offer fitness classes for older adults that benefit seniors with arthritis and poor balance. If you prefer home exercise, consider fitness videos on YouTube, such as yoga, Tai Chi or a lowintensity dance class. Fitness classes are a great way for older adults to socialize, but they can also socialize by going to local events, such as movies at the local library, joining friends and family for a meal outside of the house or getting together with friends or neighbors for game nights. Socialization promotes positivity, is mentally stimulating and reduces isolation.

Become tech savvy In our ever-changing world, technology has become the face of activities as we know it. For seniors with children or grandchildren, technology is an easy way for them to stay connected. Take the time to learn how to use platforms like Zoom, FaceTime or Google Meet so you can spend time with your loved ones through the convenience of your smart devices. If you need help, visit a neighbor or a younger family member and enlist their help.

See ART OF AGING, page 36

news@breezenewspapers.com

The first Gulf Coast Medical Center facility dog, a 2year-old Labrador retriever, is now assisting staff with occupational and physical therapy patients.

“Fitzgerald III is adjusting well. Patients and staff look forward to seeing him and we love having him here to help make the hospital stay a little easier for patients and families and aid the recovery process,” Gulf Coast Medical Center Chief Nursing and Operations Executive Darcy Allen said in a prepared statement. “He is dedicated to his job and has such a calming presence for both staff and patients. Sometimes, his presence alone can really make an impact on a patient’s recovery. He trains twice a day and still makes time for fetch, one of his favorite activities.

We’ve enjoyed working with Canine Companions and we know it’s the start of a fantastic relationship.”

Jean Rodgers, the caretaker of Fitzgerald, said he came from Canine Companions, a national organization that breeds their dogs in California and sends them nationwide to be trained. She said the dogs are sent to formal training in one of six national sites where they are vetted.

The national organization provides service dogs to those with disabilities, as well as facility dogs to professionals in healthcare, criminal justice and educational organizations, all free of charge.

“We just couldn’t be happier with the level of professionalism. The way they care,” she said of the organization, adding that they have monthly conference calls.

“Their success depends on our success.”

Rodgers said the dogs are trained in anywhere from 25 to 40 different commands. She said they went through the application process last January and were placed on the waiting list at the beginning of June.

“I got called in October to come up for a training. He is just the best little boy. He just turned 2. He is mostly golden but presents as a lab. He’s one of the sweetest dogs, so in-tuned with patients and everybody,” Rodgers said. “He was raised by a man in Tampa. This was his 16th dog to raise.”

He arrived at Rodgers' house on Nov. 3, and started at the Gulf Coast Medical Center on Nov. 6.

“He’s getting used to his surroundings,” she said.

Occupation Therapist Megan Hendrix said it has been beautiful to see how quickly Fitzgerald has acclimated to the hospital. She said he has already built on the com-

PHOTO PROVIDED

Fitzgerald III was introduced this week as Gulf Coast Medical Center’s new facility dog. mands he knows and has learned to apply that to specific populations – oncology patients, neuro patients, as well as any other psychosocial needs to initiate treatment and therapy.

“He does have a broad spectrum of commands,” Hendrix said.

One of those commands is working with an orthopedic patient who has just come out of spinal surgery and may be afraid to get out of bed. She said Fitzgerald will use the pull command to help the patient get out of bed while facilitating good body mechanics.

See FACILITY DOG, page 46

HEALTH NOTES Byrd joins Florida Senior Consulting as regional manager Florida Senior Consulting welcomes Rachel Byrd, CDP, to its team as regional manager of Lee and Collier counties. A senior advocacy and consulting organization, Florida Senior Consulting partners with older adults and their families to help them navigate the next stage of their lives.

As regional manager, Byrd is focused on building relationships with seniors and their families and providing personalized guidance to help them find the best care and living options tailored to meet their needs.

Byrd has a decade of experience in senior living and is the former director of sales and marketing at The Preserve in Fort Myers, where she spent over four years opening the community. Her other roles included director of life enrichment, life enrichment assistant, therapeutic recreation lead, dietary aide and a marketing internship.

Byrd earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology from Florida Gulf Coast University and her master’s degree in gerontology from the University of South Florida. She is a certified Advanced Activity Professional, a CORE certified assisted living administrator and a Certified Dementia Practitioner. Byrd is a former board member of CAMEO of Lee County.

With a growing Florida presence currently serving Sarasota, Seminole, Pinellas, Orange, Manatee, Lee,

Hillsborough, DeSoto, Charlotte and Collier counties, Florida Senior Consulting offers expertise in family assistance, case management, education, selection and placement and ongoing advocacy ensures each senior's journey is met with the highest level of care and personal attention.

To learn more, visit FloridaSeniorConsulting.com, contact info@floridaseniorconsulting.com or call 800-9697176.

Spinelli joins Precision Healthcare Specialists as breast surgical oncology specialist Dr. Natalia Spinelli, a fellowship-trained breast surgeon who is board-certified by the American Board of Surgery and Society of Surgical Oncology, has joined Precision Healthcare Specialists, a Southwest Florida multi-specialty physician group.

Fluent in English and Spanish, Spinelli focuses on patients with breast cancer and other breast diseases. Her areas of expertise include treatment of benign and malignant disorders of the breast, high-risk breast cancer screening and prevention, and improvements in surgical techniques and management.

Spinelli, licensed to practice in both Florida and Texas,

See HEALTH NOTES, page 36

Cape Coral Breeze

A safe space One of the most important parts of aging at home is making sure that your home is equipped to prevent injuries. Home modifications can range from large to small, but a few to consider are installing more lighting in stairwells and hallways, installing safety rails in bathrooms and making sure that no cords are lying across the floor in heavy traffic areas. Ensure your safety by receiving a home safety assessment.

By MEGHAN BRADBURY

www.capecoralbreeze.com

Choosing to age in place is a monumental decision, and it can bring many benefits to seniors who choose to do so. According to the AARP, nearly 90% of adults over 65 wish to remain in their homes as they grow older. From being happier in the comfort of familiar surroundings to having more independence, the number of seniors who opt to age in place is growing.

The concept of choosing to age at home, rather than in a retirement or senior living community, may sound simple in theory; continuing to live at home doesn’t sound any different from what we’ve done our entire lives, right? In actuality, aging in place requires extra attention. It comes with health care changes, the potential of isolation, and life changes.

Senior Choice at Home, a comprehensive membership-based, life plan at-home program for healthy and proactive older adults, has compiled the top tips for seniors to incorporate into their plans to ensure a successful pathway to aging. From home modifications to food delivery services, consider these tools when aging in place:

Page 35 ■ January 19, 2024

HEALTH

THE BREEZE

January 19, 2024 ■ Page 36 www.capecoralbreeze.com

Coast Chiropractic Centers announces publication of ‘Wellness from Within: Your Roadmap to a Pain-Free Life’ Coast Chiropractic Centers, a chiropractic and wellness institution in Fort Myers, has announced the publication of its latest book, “Wellness From Within: Your Roadmap to a Pain-Free Life.” Authored

by Dr. B. Timothy Harcourt, a third-generation chiropractic physician with over 37 years of experience, the book is a comprehensive guide to achieving and maintaining optimal health and wellness.

“Wellness from Within” offers readers an insightful look into the holistic approach

apy and CBD ultrasound.

To celebrate the release of “Wellness from Within,” Coast Chiropractic Centers will host a series of community events, including free wellness classes, "Breakfast with the Doctor" sessions, and unique Crosley truck ride events around Fort Myers. These events aim to bring the community together and provide an opportunity for individuals to engage with the author and learn more about holistic health practices.

“Wellness From Within: Your Roadmap to a Pain-Free Life” is now available for purchase at Coast Chiropractic Centers, local bookstores, and online retailers. For more information on the book visit https://a.co/d/4jIrzb8 Located in Fort Myers, Coast Chiropractic Centers has offered holistic health and wellness for over 12 years. For more information, visit https://chiropractor-fortmyers.services/ or call 23902783344.

HEALTH NOTES From page 35 is a member of the Society of Surgical Oncology, American Society of Breast Surgeons and American College of Surgeons.

Prior to joining Precision Healthcare Specialists, Spinelli was a breast surgical oncologist for a Fort Myers-based inde-

pendent physician group with locations across three states. She also has served as an assistant professor of surgical oncology in the Department of Surgery at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School.

Spinelli earned a bachelor of science degree in molecular biology and microbiology from the University of Central Florida,

graduating magna cum laude. She then completed a doctor of medicine degree with the highest honors from the University of South Florida Health’s Morsani College of Medicine. For her postgraduate training, Spinelli completed her clinical residency in general surgery at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and a clinical fellowship in breast

surgical oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

Spinelli treats patients at Precision Healthcare Specialists’ office, 13813 Metro Parkway, Suite C, in Fort Myers.

For more information, please visit PHSpecialists.com.

Art of aging: Creating a proper plan for those who wish to age at home From page 35

Cape Coral Breeze

of chiropractic care, emphasizing the importance of understanding the body’s needs and potential. Drawing from Harcourt's extensive experience and unique perspective as a board-certified chiropractor in neuromusculoskeletal medicine, the book demystifies the process of achieving a pain-free life through non-invasive techniques.

This book covers a range of topics from nutrition and exercise to advanced chiropractic techniques like Diowave laser ther-

Establish a care plan Above all, the most important aspect of aging at home is curating a health care plan. Begin with a standard assessment that covers your physical, mental and emotional needs and all health conditions you may have, regardless of whether they are minor or chronic. Meet with health care profes-

sionals if further health services are required, such as weekly physical therapy.

Additionally, do research on community resources, such as senior transportation services or senior centers, and research inhome services, such as a cleaning service or companion service if necessary.

Through Senior Choice at Home, members are provided with resources to make their aging journey as beneficial as possi-

ble. Personal care coordinators support members in a variety of ways including performing home safety assessments, support and coordination for health and wellness services and by serving as a personal advocate if necessary. Members join the program when they are healthy and independent, but as future needs arise, they can also receive companion and homemaker services, home health aides, live-in com-

panions and the option to transition into an assisted living or memory care community.

All these services are offered by compassionate and vetted expert health professionals who will guide and support seniors as needed.

To learn more about Senior Choice at Home, please visit SeniorChoiceatHome.com/Benefits.

Two-day session set to continue today as staff, city council, look at surrent, long-terms needs

By MEGHAN BRADBURY

news@breezenewspapers.com

— Mayor John Gunter

at the last 50 years of the city, it morphed into where they are today, which probably could have used a better job of planning.

“There are some prime parcels in our city that has been sitting dormant for many years because of restrictions. There has to be answers there. We need to work on those to make those particular parcels viable for some type of development,” Gunter said. “If you want to change the end results, you need a change in the approach. Our approach many times has been the same. We keep making the same decisions.”

The first day of the two-day workshop also included highlights for the beginning stages of the next fiscal budget year.

“Clearly our goal is and continues to be completion of projects with GO Bond,” Financial Service Director Mark Mason said.

“These are in progress. Several still are being reviewed by the Army Corps of Engineers and the State of Florida. We are bringing forward at least one project here shortly.

Another larger one is being reviewed for funding. We should be able to finish up over the next year and year and a half.”

Another area Mason discussed was areas of inflation, which for 2023 had an overall rate of 3.4%.

“We will be working off the idea that the

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accommodate a neighborhood shopping center. The shape and the legal way the land can be used makes it useless. Figure out a legal way to get that property into useful — paying property taxes on it and get it developed,” Farmer said.

Ilczyszyn said the city will have to look into changing zoning with the new development services director. They are going to need to do long-range planning in the north, Kismet, Burnt Store northwest and Gator Circle.

Ilczyszyn said the city can incentivize higher entitlement rights and development rights to get the acreage rights for commercial. He talked about a piece of property on Pine Island Road and Veterans, a 35-acre track that has a minimum amount of commercial — 7 acres, which would not even fit a neighborhood center that needs a minimum of 10.

“The 20% we got on one of the best corners it is going to 7 acres of commercial. We just lost an opportunity forever,” Ilczyszyn said.

The presentation also highlighted the necessity of shopping centers — both neighborhood shopping centers and community shopping centers. Farmer said by 2050 the city will need six more neighborhood shopping centers and three community shopping centers. A neighborhood shopping center can include a Publix, or Neighborhood Walmart, Hallmark store, Walgreens, gas station and a fast-food restaurant. He said that meets more of the daily needs, as well as offering employment and the ability to travel closer to home.

A neighborhood shopping center is generally for every 16,800 people.

Community shopping centers are vital, Farmer explained. There are already six in Cape Coral.

The discussion stemmed around the growth to come north of Pine Island Road, which by 2030 will be 64%, resulting in the need for more planning in the area. By 2040, 75% of the growth will be north of Pine Island Road — 17,000 housing units and 46,000 permanent residents.

Mayor John Gunter said the information provided will give Council direction and information to make important decisions moving the city forward.When he looks back

overall inflation rate will go down again over the course of the next year,” he said.

Mason said although the Save Our Home cap is at 3%, there is a bill in legislature that would lower that particular rate, which has not passed yet.

He said the largest contributed headline for inflation is the cost of rental property, which is very high, as well as transportation.

“We are in the process of going through and making sure that the funding is necessary to support the operation in place to move forward. All capital replacements, departments are developing and looking at their current annual budgets and adjusting for any rising costs we may see going into the future,” Mason said.

The city also will take budget impacts into consideration, such as the rising labor costs, increased operating capital costs, long building times for larger vehicles, and legislation impacts.

Following the hour lunch break, Council was expected to have discussions about the utilities master plan and the multimodal transportation plan Thursday afternoon.

The budget workshop, which was anticipated to go on for two days, will have discussions regarding parks and recreation master plan, city’s comprehensive plan for community beautification, Pine Island Road Corridor Vision Plan, Bridge Rehabilitation Master Plan and Weir Update and impact fee discussion Friday, Jan. 19, beginning at 9 a.m. at Mercola Market, 125 SW 3rd Place.

The workshop will be streamed live on Comcast Channel 98, CenturyLink Channel 944, YouTube, Cape TV, or on the city’s website. The recordings of the meeting will be placed on the city’s website within 24 hours of the meeting.

www.capecoralbreeze.com

The overall message for the beginning of Cape Coral City Council’s first workshop of the budget season was to understand the growth model — the increase in demand for services, infrastructure and accommodating growth that will come to the north of Pine Island Road.

“We are not in maintenance mode. For the next 17 years there is going to be increasing demands for parks and recreation, police, 911 calls, EMS calls, schools,” said City Manager Michael Ilczyszyn, adding that the north Cape is going to come alive.

David Farmer, with Metro Forecasting Models kicked off the meeting with population, commercial and industrial forecast.

Cape Coral currently has a population of 215,000 people, which is 26% of the Lee County’s population.

“The future is not that far away. By 2050 you are going to have another 100,000 people coming,” he said. “We view the vacant land as a natural resource. The less you have, the more constrained you are with what you do. We need to start planning now. A lot of needs are going to come from that. A lot of capital needs to be expended north of Pine Island Road.”

Cape Coral has about 79,543 single family homes and 20,646 multifamily homes, which is an additional 7,000 housing units since the 2020 census.

The city also has 11 million square feet of commercial space — 75% of which is retail and 25% service. Farmer said in the last seven years the city has added 800,000 square feet of commercial space during a period of time that they needed closer to 2.5 million square feet.

“Your per capita actually decreased in the last seven years. We would expect you to see closer to 70 square feet per capita basis. Over time you are going to see more demand for services in the Cape. Services are going to be more of a part of what people need. You need those in the right location, so people don’t have to drive a long way,” Farmer said of such services as lawyers, tax advisors and doctors.

There is about 2,200 acres of vacant commercial space and 300 acres of vacant industrial space. Farmer encouraged Council to have more sites with a clear indication of what the city wants for the commercial space property.

Farmer said the existing commercial land will be completely depleted by 2055.

“You won’t have any land left. Now is the time to start allocating the lands,” he said.

The city has commercial property but, because the land came from the original developer, there are restrictions.

“The planning is so 1950s you can never

“There are some prime parcels in our city that has been sitting dormant for many years because of restrictions. There has to be answers there. We need to work on those to make those particular parcels viable for some type of development. If you want to change the end results, you need a change in the approach. Our approach many times has been the same. We keep making the same decisions.”

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Cape’s first budget workshop provides overview

January 19, 2024 ■ Page 38 www.capecoralbreeze.com Cape Coral Breeze

Showcase: CCCIA’s 2024 Builders Showcase of Home opens today in Cape Coral From page 1 weekend, next weekend, as well as the weekend of Feb. 2.

Touring hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays. All but one of the home models are located in Cape Coral (one in North Fort Myers), varying in location from northwest to southwest.

Those who visit locations in the showcase will find there’s something for all walks of life and budget to explore. The event also helps connect potential buyers with builders who can work together in the future to design exactly what you may be looking for. Model homes on display range from $400,000 well into the millions.

Whether you’re looking for your final home, looking to see what’s out there, or wondering what’s being offered, the Showcase of Homes is a great weekend out for any who has the chance to experience it.

This could also be a great opportunity to chat with local builders and designers on renovations or repairs still needed following Hurricane Ian. At press time Thursday, the CCCIA’s Builders’ Showcase of Homes awards presentation was set to take place at La Venezia Ballroom Thursday night to recognize those who stood out among the rest.

Awards in 14 categories (differentiated by price range) were given for best pool design, best landscape, best outdoor living, best exterior design, best interior design, best kitchen, best bath, best livability and best overall in that price range.

“This prestigious event allows the industry to acknowledge and celebrate the dedication, innovation, and contributions these builders bring to the City of Cape Coral,” Boldissar said. “It’s a rewarding experience for both the builders and the community and we’re honored to be hosting it annually.”

There were also top overall awards for best overall interior design, best overall landscape design, best overall pool design, best overall home technology and best overall home, all regardless of price.

This year’s awards include: ■ Best overall pool design, Lux Development Group

PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE CCCIA

Koogler Homes’ “The Crown Jewel” has been awarded Best overall home. for “Bayshore.”

■ Best overall interior design and home technology, Poseidon Homes for “Pegasus 4 Premiere.”

■ Best overall landscape design, Rosado Landscape Design and Koogler Homes for “The Crown Jewel.”

■ Best overall home, Koogler Homes for “The Crown Jewel.”

■ Category 2 (the first category) saw D.R. Horton sweep the category, including best overall, for “The Cali” ■ In Category 3, Delta Build Services swept with “Verona.”

■ Category 4 saw Holiday Builders named best exterior design, landscape design, interior design, and livability See SHOWCASE, page 39

From page 38

www.capecoralbreeze.com PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CCCIA

Lux Development Group won a number of awards in Category 14, including best overall for “Bayshore.” exterior design and landscape for “The Mahina,” while said. “The top winners presented concepts and designs Lux Development Group won the remaining categories, that are guaranteed to impress the most affluent home buyers in the market.” including best overall, for “Bayshore.”

For more information on the CCCIA and The Builders’ ■ Koogler Homes swept Category 15 with “The Crown Showcase of Homes, including a (Google-friendly) map Jewel.”

“Cape Coral’s builders offer the most cutting-edge and and detailed imaging of each model home, visit distinctive design trends in home construction,” Boldissar www.cccia.org.

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with “Charlotte,” while Holiday swept the remaining honors, including best overall, with “The Ibis.”

■ In Category 5, best pool went to ClickInvest for “Model 1767;” best outdoor living, kitchen, and livability to D.R. Horton for “Destin;” with Holiday Builders taking home all other categories, including best overall, for “Captiva.”

■ In Category 6, it was Coastal Craft Homes named best exterior design, kitchen, interior design and livability for “Paradise Point,” while Urban Domus took home all others, including best overall, for “Gaia.”

■ In Category 7, Lauren Homes swept all categories with “Lucy.”

■ Category 8 saw S.P.O. Construction earn best kitchen and interior design for “The Highland,” while Ramos Builders took honors for the remaining categories, including best overall, with “The Bayview.”

■ Eagle Home Builders were named best landscape design, outdoor living, and interior design in Category 9 with “Sailfish,” while Arnold Roberts Signature Homes took the remaining categories, including best overall, for “The Savannah Grand.”

■ Category 10 saw Poseidon Homes sweep with “Pegasus 4 Premiere.”

■ In Category 11, Frey & Son Homes took home best exterior design, bath, and livability with “Palm Beach II,” while Palmer Homes of SWFL won the remaining categories, including best overall, with “Reflection.”

■ SW Florida Dream Homes was named tops in exterior design, and landscape in Category 12 for “Casa Dei Song Grande.” Toto Custom Homes won best pool for “Bella Casa” and best bath for “Augusta.” Tracey Quality Homes won the remaining categories, including best overall, for “Hammerhead.”

■ Category 13 saw Arnold Roberts Signature Homes win best interior design for “Barrington II,” while Tundra Homes won for best outdoor living, kitchen, bath and livability with “La Palma Estate.” Windward Construction won all others, including best overall, with “The Makani.”

■ In Category 14, Windward Construction was tops in

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Showcase: CCCIA event continues across three weekends throughout Cape Coral

January 19, 2024 ■ Page 40

CRA board eyes cleanup of South Cape properties

By MEGHAN BRADBURY

Cape Coral Breeze

www.capecoralbreeze.com

news@breezenewspapers.com

A proposed lot mowing program for the unimproved sites in the Cape Redevelopment Agency would help eliminate blight and enhance services the city already does.

The recommendation was brought forward by CRA Executive Director Michael Ilczyszyn during Wednesday’s morning meeting with the Cape Coral City Council sitting as the CRA governing board.

There is a city lot mowing program that encompasses all the unimproved lots throughout the city.

“As you drive around the city — the catch basins, around street signs, around the telephone poles and Realtor signs — there is a five-foot buffer where the farm tractor drives around it,” said Ilczyszyn, who also serves as city manager.

In that buffer there tends to be shrubs, long grass and the seedlings of invasive exotics.

Ilczyszyn asked the commission for direction to move forward with a contract with an existing contractor that maintains the 240 plus, or minus, unimproved lots that have exclusion zones to further eliminate the slum and blight.

“The number of unimproved lots in the CRA is 240 that are in the program.

Another handful have opted out and are mowing it themselves,” Ilczyszyn said.

He said they would go into those exclusion zones and finish mowing them with a two-inch to three-inch cut, remove the garbage and get rid of exotic growth.

The recommendation would be to do it in the winter and summer at an enhanced level of service that is eligible to be utilized through CRA TIFF funds.

Ilczyszyn said the enhancement is only

A proposed lot mowing program for the unimproved sites in the Cape Redevelopment Agency would help eliminate blight and enhance services the city already does, officials said.

in the exclusion zone — wherever the tractor does not currently mow. They are currently doing the inventory analysis to see how many of those areas might have poles, or signs.

Vice Chair Dan Sheppard said they should go in this year and do a sweep cleaning and then it should be the responsibility of the property owner. A clean sweep is necessary because there are invasives and wild growth lifting sidewalks and growing over sidewalks.

Ilczyszyn said the code requires property owners to keep properties cut and clean. With the lot mowing assessment, the city takes on that responsibility for that property owner, he said.

If the property owner “owns an unimproved lot and stays in the lot mowing program it provides that level of service on the behalf to be kept on code,” Ilczyszyn said.

If a complaint comes in and says there is two feet of grass around a utility pole, they would not be written up because they are part of the program.

Mayor John Gunter, wearing his commissioner hat, said he could support a one-time initiative. If there is a vacant lot that can get mowed by the standard service the city provides and then a Realtor causes an obstruction with a sign, that should fall on the property owner to maintain.

“The goal is to beautify the CRA,” Gunter said.

“We have to hold the property owners accountable for their properties.”

Ilczyszyn said they will write up the detail specification, get the bid, cost and a contract involved and bring it before the City Council to vote upon.

“What do we want our CRA area to look like?

Should we change the level of expectation for the CRA? Should we have different rules for the CRA? Aren’t we trying to change the image of the CRA? Basically our job here is to raise the level of quality of the CRA to become a magnet for further improvements. By it being clean and orderly, it benefits all the businesses and landowners down there. I want to make sure we fine tune it,” Sheppard said.

By MEGHAN BRADBURY

news@breezenewspapers.com

www.capecoralbreeze.com Cape Coral Breeze

Wildlife advocates showed their support Wednesday for a burrowing owl grant program the Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife helped create, Interim Development Services Director Matthew Grambow discussed a potential grant opportunity that the city has through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission for a Burrowing Owl Habitat Protection Grant program.

Te grant is a new grant opportunity, which was created after advocacy work from the Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife.

The program was established in 2022 by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida. The grant utilizes incidental take permit fees to fund property acquisitions for the preservation of the burrowing owl habitat.

Grambow said they put together an analysis and applied for the 2023 session.

In the spring of 2022, city staff developed an analysis of properties with high borrowing owl habitat conservation value based on cost, burrow density, risk of displacement, future mitigation needs, proximity to city parks and preserves and desirability of residential lots for development.

From that, staff selected six target areas for parcel acquisition, which developed a ranked list of 178 potential properties. Of those six targeted areas — four are north of Pine Island Road and two south of Pine Island Road.

Grambow said there were 13 parcels in the original April application, with a request of $415,755 for property acquisition and costs associated with mowing and owl nest trimming.

In December they had three or four property owners drop out because they sold their lots.

In June 2023, staff from Florida Fish and Wildlife contacted them and began the process of moving forward with a grant agreement. Over the last six months the city has been in discussion over the Memorandum of Understanding.

The potential grant could be anywhere from $415,000 up to a funding limit of $900,0000.

Grambow said properties acquired under the grant program require a perpetual conservation easement, which is enforceable by FWC upon acquisition.

The grant funding is limited to property acquisition costs and initial maintenance

costs for two years. There is a $246.20 per parcel per year cost for maintenance, which includes lot mowing, nest trimming and stormwater.

The Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife, Florida Gulf Coast University, FWC and the city will coordinate maintenance, monitoring, educational activities, and reporting.

When the grant agreement is approved, staff will begin the acquisition process, with closings taking place as soon as May. He said the hope is to move relatively quickly to utilize some of the parcels included in the original application.

Every parcel is a single family, single lot.

Councilmember Robert Welsh asked for more information of where the properties were located, as he would be more in favor of lots next to each other, instead a house located on either side of the parcel of property.

Mayor John Gunter said he would also like to concentrate on a certain area — buying, say, 13 lots in close proximity and developing a wildlife park and making it an amenity for the city.

“It fits the need of the burrowing owls, but we also represent the residents of the community too,” he said, adding that he would like to make sure the surrounding property owners understand their intent. “The concept I am 100% on board with.”

Grambow said the city’s Parks and Recreation Department Natural Area Division will be administering the program.

There was a large discussion regarding assessments.

Grambow said grant dollars cannot be utilized for assessments. Of the parcels originally proposed there are properties that would be subject to the assessment costs.

Councilmember Keith Long said he supports the concept and principal, but wanted to prioritize the land to try to avoid UEP assessment costs.

City Manager Michael Ilczyszyn said they are pending an award entering into an agreement. Once they get notice of an award then they will send each acquisition for approval, which may, or may not include the initial parcels.

Ilczyszyn said his understanding is to most of the council the assessments and cost if any will be weighed heavily on their consensus to move forward.

He said they will take that and use that when looking at properties.

Page 41 ■ January 19, 2024

Cape looks toward grant money for lot acquisition to protect city’s burrowing owls

January 19, 2024 ■ Page 42 www.capecoralbreeze.com Cape Coral Breeze

Cape business upcycles crab and lobster traps Former Key West restaurateur turns sea-washed wood into useable table items

By CJ HADDAD

cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com

One Cape Coral entrepreneur is giving Southwest Florida establishments a chance to bring a unique, yet useful item from sea to table.

Jim Brush, a long-time Florida business owner in the hospitality service, creates condiment caddies and paper towel holders made from reclaimed crab and lobster traps from the Keys.

Brush, now a Cape resident that once lived in the popular vacation spot, became friendly with many fisherman during his time in the Keys, even helping construct traps.

Former owner of Key West Key Lime Pie Co., Brush came up to Cape Coral in 2015. One day in his shop, seeing some a trap laying around, an idea came to mind.

“I looked over and I saw this box made out of (a trap) a friend a given me down in the Keys, and I thought, ‘I could make something from this,’” Brush recalled. “So I called a friend of mine in Grassy Key and asked if she had any trap wood laying around.”

Those that have driven through the Keys will know roadsides are littered with traps from fisherman either preparing for season, or finishing up one.

“When you’re living there, you see these things every day,” Brush said.

So, Brush went down and met a friend at their trap yard, where roughly 9,000 traps were stored. He said every year, and on-the-fly, repairs are made to these traps, and some parts are discarded or rendered useless.

He grabbed a bunch of wood, went back to the Cape, and created his prototype. Being skilled with his tools and hands, Brush constructed his first confident caddy back in 2017. The process includes the cutting, grinding, smoothing, and refurbishing of the wood.

“I started going around, and (businesses) were purchasing them and people thought they were really neat,” he said. “I thought, ‘maybe this thing has crab legs, so to speak.’”

At one point in mid-2018, Brush said he couldn’t keep up with demand.

“But it’s fun. I can sit in my garage and make them,” Brush

Jim Brush creates condiment caddies and paper towel holders made from reclaimed crab and lobster traps from the Keys. said. “Then, COVID-19 hit, and threw a two-year wrench into my business.”

With many restaurants and food establishments having to close for a long period of time during the pandemic, business started to taper off.

“It’s been rolling along a little bit, but the big problem is, because of what COVID did to finances, (businesses) just go to the dollar store to buy something," Brush said.

He recalled going to an upscale, waterfront restaurant, where the condiment caddy on the table was a cheap plastic basket that had clearly not been cleaned in some time.

“I’ve been in the hospitality business all my life, people deserve something better than a dollar store basket,” Brush said.”Especially if you have a seafood spot. Everything you do in your business, you want it to be aesthetically appealing to your guests.”

Now, Brush hopes his business can return to pre-pandem-

ic levels on functionality.

Other than being a sturdy, unique-looking piece to host the usual table condiments or paper towels, Brush’s work helps clean up the beaches and ocean.

“At the end of a season, old traps are put by the road. And unfortunately, if no one takes them, they end up in a landfill down in the keys,” Brush said. “Which is really sad. They use these to catch nature’s bounty, and when it’s all done, it winds up like a piece of plastic.”

Brush heads down periodically with his saw, cuts the pieces he wants, and brings them back to his shop for cleaning and construction.

“I’ll scrape some of the barnacles off, grind off the nails -leave the staples in there because that's the patina, that's the authenticity,” Brush said. “I make it so when I do construct it, it’s a safe piece of tableware that people are not going to cut themselves on.”

Once all pieces are precisely cut, the assembly line begins.

“I’ll take three of four days cutting for 150, 200 boxes,” Brush said. “And then it will take me three of four days to put them together -- finish sanding them down and varnish. I put an authentic lobster trap tag on it that I pick up at the yards.”

All-in-all the business is a labor of love for Brush, who enjoys putting these together, and getting to visit old friends in the Keys one in a while.

“I like it because it’s the type of thing that I get satisfaction out of, knowing that a restaurant or hospitality business is taking the time to make sure their operation looks nice,” Brush said. “It’s a unique item.”

Condiment caddies, both rectangular or slim-rail in shape, are $17, while paper towel holders are $12. Both standard and custom sizing available.

Each piece is unique, and can be seen at spots around Southwest Florida such as Blue Dog Grill, Twisted Lobster, Island Seafood, Tony's Chicago Beef, Sand Bar & Grill, the Westin Resort Cape Coral, Fine Swine, Street Eats & Ale, Lazy Flamingo, First Round Draft, and more.

For more information, or to order a caddy or paper towel holder, visit www.usedoldwood.com or contact Brush at 305731-9233.

Next month’s roster of activities at Northwest Regional Library offers topics for all ages. The following are free to the public:

Adult Programs Tech Tuesdays: One-on-One Help 2 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 6 Need help with a laptop, tablet, e-reader or other device? Are you looking to gain basic technology skills? We can help with a 15 minute, one-on-one technology help session. Registration is required.

The Roots of Black Music in America Concert 11 a.m., Monday, Feb. 12 Hear the songs and stories of artists including Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson, The Drifters, Stevie Wonder and Nat King Cole.

Chess at the Library 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 13 Enjoy chess at the library in a casual environment. Chess boards will be provided, but you can also bring your own. All ages and skill levels are invited.

Tabletop Game Time 5 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 20 Meet up for a monthly board game night

Tea Time Talks 6 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 27 Do you enjoy robust, engaging book discussions? Join us and share your latest reading recommendations. Tea and cookies will be served.

Children’s Programs Preschool Storytime 10:30 & 11:30 a.m., Thursdays, Feb. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 For ages 3-5. Children attend this program independently while parents and caregivers wait nearby. Space is limited to 14 tickets. Arrive early and visit the children's desk to check in. First come, first served.

Birthday Storytime 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 3 Join us, along with your family and friends, at our fun monthly storytime celebrating your child's birthday. This fun and engaging storytime promotes and reinforces early literacy skills and language development through stories, music, movement and activities. Parents and caregivers participate with their children while learning helpful early literacy strategies and tips to continue at home.

Baby Rhyme Time

Kids Read Down Fines 4:30–5:30 p.m., Wednesdays, Feb. 7, 14 11 a.m.–Noon, Saturday, Feb. 17 Children and teens can earn a $2 credit on overdue fines for every 15 minutes they read in the designated area for a total of $8 in one session. Please bring your library card.

Toddler Tales 10:30 & 11:30 a.m., Wednesdays, Feb. 7, 14, 21, 28 For ages 18 – 36 months and caregivers.

Toddlers and caregivers move and groove during this interactive storytime. Space is limited to 14 tickets. Arrive early and visit the children's desk to check in. First come, first served.

Chess at the Library 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 13 Enjoy chess at the library in a casual environment. Chess boards will be provided, but you can also bring your own. All ages and skill levels are invited.

Family Storytime 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 17 For children through age 5 and caregivers. Families with young children enjoy a variety of stories, songs, rhymes and movement.

Artsy Crafternoon 1 p.m., Monday, Feb. 19 Stop by the library for an afternoon filled with arts and craft stations. All supplies provided. No registration required.

LEGO Club 2 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 24

For all ages. Drop in for building challenges the whole family will enjoy. All materials are provided.

Books and Blankets 6:15 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 27 Join us with your blankies and pajamas for this nighttime edition of storytime. Your whole family is invited to this enjoyable, allages storytime that encourages the development of pre-reading skills through songs, rhymes, fingerplays and stories.

Teen Programs Kids Read Down Fines 4:30-5:30 p.m., Wednesdays, Feb. 7, 14 11 a.m.-Noon, Saturday, Feb. 17 Children and teens can earn a $2 credit on overdue fines for every 15 minutes they read in the designated area for a total of $8 in one session. Please bring your library card.

Tech Free Thursday 2 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 8 Let's play like it is 1985 and pretend there is no technology, at least for one day.

For teens ages 12-18.

Overbooked: Teen Book Club 3 p.m., Monday, Feb. 12 Join us the second Monday of each month for a Teen Book Club. Discuss what you're currently reading and enjoy light snacks. For ages 14-18.

Chess at the Library 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 13 Enjoy chess at the library in a casual environment. Chess boards will be provided, but you can also bring your own. All ages and skill levels are invited.

The Northwest Regional Library is located at 519 Chiquita Blvd., N. in Cape Coral.

For more about a program or to register, please call the library at 239-533-4700.

Cape Coral Breeze

Books and Bagels 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 14 Do you enjoy robust, engaging book discussions? Join us and share your latest reading recommendations. Bagels and coffee will be served.

Author Talk with Terrie Farley Moran 2 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 21 Bestselling author Terrie Farley Moran is the co-writer, with Jessica Fletcher, of the “Murder, She Wrote” mysteries. She is author of the beachside “Read ‘Em and Eat” cozy mystery series and co-author of Laura Childs’ New Orleans scrapbooking mysteries. Registration is required.

10:30 a.m., Mondays, Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26 For babies up to 18 months. Babies and caregivers wiggle and giggle in a supportive environment. Space is limited. Arrive early and visit the children's desk to check in.

www.capecoralbreeze.com

Knit and Stitch 10 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 7 A casual, self-guided group of knitters and crocheters that join together to share projects, ideas and techniques. Participants are encouraged to bring their own projects and tools. Basic materials and supplies are available for newcomers.

featuring modern tabletop games. New games (light to medium weight) will be highlighted each month, but feel free to bring your own games to teach and share.

New and experienced players are welcome.

Page 43 ■ January 19, 2024

Programs for February scheduled at Northwest Regional Library

January 19, 2024 ■ Page 44 www.capecoralbreeze.com Cape Coral Breeze

Cape Council addresses how to deal with residents asked to leave meetings

By MEGHAN BRADBURY

news@breezenewspapers.com

After a lengthy discussion regarding individuals violating decorum in the Council Chambers, Cape Coral City Council said it will continue to work with the city attorney on provisions or modifications as to when a member of the public can return after breaking the rules.

City Attorney Aleksandr Boksner said the city has had a few incidences where a few individuals have violated the decorum rules and had been removed from the chambers as a result.

One of the individuals is being prose-

cuted by the state attorney’s office for two, first degree misdemeanors, he said.

Based on the council’s rules, for a person asked to leave, an action from Council is required before they may come back.

Boksner said while speaking with the city manager they want to provide a level of clarification into the rules itself to make it more self-executing. He said when someone is removed, there needs to be a provision or modification on whether they can return on their own after a certain amount of time, depending on what occurred.

Some of on Council said there are two scenarios — when an individual voluntarily leaves, and when they are asked to leave.

Mayor John Gunter they there should be two different sets of guidelines for that individual can come back, as well as how that individual comes back.

The time fluctuated on how many days the person should be required to stay out of a meeting from one week to 30 days. If there was an escalation in offense, there was discussion the number of days would also increase.

“Once that individual leaves, what type of process do we want for them to come back?” Gunter asked.

Councilmember Bill Steinke said he would speak in favor of having two different methods based on their following direc-

tion of leaving when asked to leave.

Councilmember Richard Carr said if the individual leaves peacefully, he does not know how to decipher how many days before they can return. He said if they do leave and cool off, they could come back the following meeting.

Councilmember Robert Welsh asked that if someone does leave the chambers that the availability to watch the meeting be made available.

“Are we projecting the council meeting outside in the hallway? We need to have it so they can view it,” he said.

JANUARY 19, 2024

See MUDDY WATERS, page 46

TIDES CHART Tide Time

at Cape Coral Bridge Height Sunrise Moon Time Feet Sunset

Day

High /Low

% Moon Visible

Sa 20 20

Low 6:44 AM High 10:10 PM

-0.2 0.9

7:17 AM 6:01 PM

Set 2:53 AM Rise 1:37 PM

67

Su 21 21

Low 7:47 AM High 11:07 PM

-0.3 0.9

7:17 AM 6:01 PM

Set 3:55 AM Rise 2:24 PM

76

at Matlacha Pass (Bascule bridge)

Sa 20 20

Low High

6:10 AM 9:38 PM

-0.4 1.7

7:17 AM 6:01 PM

Set 2:53 AM Rise 1:38 PM

67

Su 21 21

Low 7:13 AM High 10:35 PM

-0.6 1.7

7:17 AM 6:02 PM

Set 3:56 AM Rise 2:24 PM

76

PHOTO PROVIDED

Sam Biondo of Naples recently finished second in the world in the Garmin’s 2023 Endurance Swim Challenge.

168 miles to his tally. “I was second on the leaderboard by then and I knew, barring injury to my 70-year-old body, I could do it,” he said. “So, I slowed way down and added gym work, to save my body, and went for it.”

In October, Biondo’s Garmin recorded the 1,000th mile, the 1,760,000th yard.

“I thought I’d be ecstatic, but it really was more like just surreal relief,” he said. “I felt like Forrest Gump when he just stopped running, and went back home to Greenbow, Alabama. I was done… but I got a cool T-shirt. What people will do just for a shirt, eh?”

For more information about Del Webb Naples, visit www.DelWebb.com/Naples or call 239-842-9643.

PREP REPORT Wednesday

Solis Valdez each had 13.

Girls Soccer Mariner 2, Naples 0: Ryleigh Acosta scored twice, once on an assist by Caroline Orth, to give Mariner the victory, Trishelle Lopez made 11 saves to preserve that win.

The Tritons (15-3) were ranked No. 1 in Florida Class 5A and No. 30 in the nation by MaxPreps.

Boys Soccer Ida Baker 1, Dunbar 0: Reed Verblaauw scored the only goal of the match. David Padilla made six saves for the shutout victory in goal. Ida Baker (7-4-5) faces Clewiston in its last match before the district tournament.

North Fort Myers 1, Cypress 1, tie: The Red Knights are 7-7-4 as the regular season nears its end.

Tuesday

Boys Basketball Bishop Verot 61, Community School of Naples 35: Jerry Ashley led the Vikings with 20 points and 12 rebounds as Bishop Verot earned a spot in the Private 8 Conference Tournament final against First Baptist Academy. Gavin Williams scored 21 points, while Leroy Roker contributed 11 points and 9 rebounds.

Island Coast 97, Naples Classical 86: Jose Bido was the big run in the Gators' shootout victory, pouring in 31 points. Four other Island Coast (7-9) players scored in double figures: Izaiah Bacchus and Mathias Harmon scored 14 points each, while MarKey Pointer and Roanin

Girls Basketball Neumann 66, Bishop Verot 39: Neumann (17-2) advanced to the championship game of the Private 8 Conference Tournament, dropping the Vikings to 14-4.

Brynn Stambaugh and Caroline Ward scored 12 points each for Bishop Verot.

Cape Coral 43, Riverdale 27: The Seahawks upped their record to 5-6 with their second win this season against Riverdale North Fort Myers 48, Island Coast 29: Faith McKay scored 18 points, while Bianca Iten posted a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds as the Red Knights (68) downed the Gators (4-9). Lily Erickson pulled down 11 rebounds and Gia Molloy had 10.

Girls Soccer Bishop Verot 5, Canterbury 1: Verot (13-1-1) rolled into the final of the Private 8 Tournament with a victory against Canterbury. The other semifinal, pitting ECS and Seacrest, was postponed until Wednesday.

Boys Soccer Bishop Verot 3, First Baptist Academy 0: The Vikings (7-5-1) will play for the Private 8 Tournament title after Tuesday's victory. Bishop Verot's opponent will be either Canterbury or Community School of Naples.

That match was delayed until Wednesday.

Cape Coral Breeze

Recently Cape motorists, many driving way too fast, splashing and drowning their engines, were shocked to learn that their cars weren’t very seaworthy, and had to bail out. Will car insurance rates go down now if you carry a car life vest?

This same quick 8-inch deluge also muddied up the area's waters making upcoming days of slow tides and chilly waters an even more challenging inshore angling puzzle to try and solve.

Saturday and Sunday mornings super low negative tides of -0.4 -0.6 could make for some good early sight fishing, but a predicted cold front dropping Friday afternoon's high of 76 down to 60 for Saturday and an all-day slow incoming tide will have many Capt. George anglers -- and the fish, Tunison sleeping in. If you do go early anyway, make sure you don’t back the trailer too far back and drop over the ramp's edge, which will assuredly ruin your morning, especially if you rip an axel or two off the trailer trying desperately to get back up the ramp. Low and slow all-day incoming tides continue till the 25th with the tide chart for Tuesday the 23rd predicting a 12-hour-long -0.7 for the Matlacha area and a nearly full moon. Talk about tough!

Dropping baits down to weekend nearshore reef dwellers might be more productive, but expect cold and breezy conditions. Find the usual cast of snappers, grunts, porgys and sheepshead with legal red grouper much further out.

For now most locals and visiting anglers are focusing on catching our inshore sheepies. Each year at this time I receive many emails asking, "How do I rig for sheepshead fishing and where do I find them?" For this mostly vertical fishing, starting with the hook, use an ultra-sharp, thin wire 2- 4 quality circle hook, attached to 10 to 20-pound leader material. Lighter leaders catch more sharp-eyed sheepies.

Rigging can be as simple as attaching a baited hook to your leader and a single split shot 10 inches above it which will be fine for slow current vertical presentations.

Some simply tie on a light jig head and bottom bounce while others swear by a sliding weight, fish finder rig and a short leader.

For me, I like using a dropper rig with the sinker on the bottom of my line and the hook a foot above it on a short

NAPLES – Del Webb Naples resident Sam Biondo swam 1,000 miles this year to a worldwide second-place finish in Garmin’s 2023 Endurance Swim Challenge, surprising himself and outpacing some of the premier marathon swimmers on the planet. Making the victory even sweeter, Biondo completed the challenge the week of his 71st birthday, the final yard, the final inch in Del Webb’s lap pool clocked, locked and recorded for posterity by his Garmin swim watch.

“I was the oldest challenger – Del Webb was representing – and I was the second in the world to accomplish it,” he said.

Although he averaged two to three miles several times a week before accepting the year-long challenge, Biondo’s regular routine fell far short of the 1,000-mile mark and his single longest swim was the 4.4-mile open-water Great Chesapeake Bay Swim in Maryland. The 2023 competition, a field of 263, included distance marathoners who’ve covered the 21 miles across the English Channel, the 28.5mile 20 Bridges swim around Manhattan Island and the 30-something miles in the Atlantic Ocean circumnavigating Madeira Island, Portugal.

“I knew it was going to be brutal,” said Biondo, who was invited to participate by a group of long-distance swimmers through Garmin’s Connect app. “After all, 1,000 miles requires almost three miles every day for 365 days, and my wife and I had already scheduled almost two months away for traveling with no access to distance swimming.”

Biondo bypassed the shorter 100- to 300-mile endurance challenges, opting instead for both the 500- and 1,000-mile swims.

“The real goal was reaching 500 miles,” he reasoned.

“1,000 was just a dream.”

Biondo calculated his initial training goal to his age.

He’d swim 6,000 yards daily for the first 70 days, amassing 42,000 yards in a week and 420,000, or almost 250 miles, in the allotted timeframe, figuring if – and a big if, at that – he accomplished the goal, the entire 1.76 million yards was a possibility. Biondo reached the first milestone in March, realizing if he committed every available day, he could keep up with 1,000-mile swimmers tracked and displayed on Garmin’s online leaderboard.

At home in Del Webb in June, he ramped up to 10,000 yards (5.7 miles) daily for the month and added another

www.capecoralbreeze.com

Recent storm Naples’ Biondo places second in the muddies the world in 1,000-mile swim challenge waters, literally

Page 45 ■ January 19, 2024

SPORTS

THE BREEZE

January 19, 2024 ■ Page 46 www.capecoralbreeze.com Cape Coral Breeze

Tommy Bohanon Foundation reaches $1 million milestone It’s a touchdown for the Tommy Bohanon Foundation.

The local nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting young athletes reach their highest potential on and off the playing field recently surpassed the $1 million mark in funds raised since its 2017 inception.

Started by former NFL fullback Tommy Bohanon and his wife Katie, the 501(c)(3) organization serves adolescents from ages 5 to 18. The foundation hosts several events and programs annually to help raise money to support the youth of Southwest Florida. Those events and programs include: ■ Playmakers Tailgate Party – a one-

night event designed to raise money for the foundation. This event features food, drinks, silent and live auctions, raffles and the awarding of scholarships.

■ Tommy Bohanon Youth Football Camp – a one-day event that benefits young athletes in grades one through eight to expand their love and knowledge of football.

■ Man UP Seminar – a one-day program that brings male leaders together to promote young men to have a brighter future.

■ Tommy Bohanon Scholarship Fund an opportunity for any high school senior athlete in Southwest Florida who has demonstrated leadership, volunteerism

and excellence in education while balancing athletics to receive financial aid for their academic future.

■ Sports Equipment Grant - an opportunity for Southwest Florida athletic programs in need to receive funding or physical equipment for their athletes.

■ Softball Tournament and Toy Drive – a one-day tournament and toy drive to benefit local families in need. Attendees enjoy bounce houses, holiday craft vendors, food trucks and exciting action on the softball fields.

“We’re thrilled to have reached this milestone,” said Foundation President Tommy Bohanon. “The community has given us such tremendous support over the

last six years, and we can’t thank them enough for giving us the resources to help the youth in our community.”

Tickets for the 6th Annual Playmakers Tailgate Party on Friday, April 12, are now available. To purchase yours please go to TommyBohanonFoundation.org/ Playmakers.

Opportunities to help the foundation through volunteering, participating or donating can be found at Tommy BohanonFoundation.org. For more information, please contact Katie Bohanon at 239-671-0441 or katie@tommybohanonfoundation.org.

United Soccer League announces USL Naples as new expansion club for 2025 TAMPA & NAPLES, Fla. – Professional soccer is coming soon to the Paradise Coast.

The United Soccer League has announced it has awarded a USL League One franchise to Naples. USL Naples will begin play in 2025, led by a world-class ownership group with decades of experience in the global sports industry and investments in North American and European sports leagues. The team will call the Paradise Coast Sports Complex home.

USL Naples aims to establish a team that truly reflects Collier County’s diverse residents and business community, while

supporting the next generation of local athletes. With the Azzuri Storm youth soccer club and Naples United of the NPSL, soccer has been an integral part of this region for many years.

USL Naples is committed to involving the community in shaping the club. The club will host listening sessions and community-focused events throughout 2024 to connect with fans of all ages and perspectives. USL Naples will develop its name, crest, and colors – the spirit of the team – to authentically reflect the people and the place that make the Paradise Coast unique.

Now entering its sixth year, USL

League One will kick off the 2024 season in March, featuring 12 teams and live coverage of every match via national media partners such as CBS Sports. A robust, strategic expansion plan will see the league double in size within the next five years along with several new soccer-specific stadiums.

The Paradise Coast Sports Complex will serve as home to the USL Naples team. Opened in 2019, the 160-acre complex is anchored by PCSC Stadium, which boasts great views from every seat, designated family areas, VIP suites and cabanas, and multiple dining options and a capacity

of 5,000 for soccer. The complex also includes eight other professional-level synthetic turf fields and on-site recreation and entertainment areas.

Fans are invited to meet the operating and ownership group during its kick-off party on Saturday, Jan. 27, from 3-5:30 p.m., at the Paradise Coast Sports Complex. The afternoon will feature games, prizes, food trucks and goodie bags for the first 500 people. This event is free and open to the public. Learn more about this event and register for important fan updates at www.uslnaples.com.

Muddy waters: Recent storm, slow, low tides make fishing difficult From page 45 piece of leader line coming off my main line, keeping it out of the snags, but much more importantly, allowing for better bite detection. Actually, I tie a clip on the end of my leader line first which allows me to change sinker weights without retying as tidal conditions change throughout the day.

There are several ways to easily create a dropper loop in your main line or leader to

attach a dropper line to and plenty of instruction on YOU TUBE. You could use a simple 3-way swivel, but don’t expect many bites. Light lines and no hardware is the ticket to sharp-sighted, soft-biting, sheepie dinner happiness.

Bridges, docks, any structure that supports various marine life as well as shallow inshore oyster bars and nearshore reefs are all called home. Pick a bridge and start hunting as they won’t be at the base of

every piling so stop and fish a few minutes then move to the next. Another technique is chumming them to your location with small bits of oyster, crabs or shrimp. Catching them requires a little practice but most catch on.

I heard that Bob and his top-flight crew at A-1 Marine in Matlacha are still laughing about that experienced captain with several decades on the water that pulled in in a panic for service because the boat “was

dead.” “Must be some kinda bad short because the batteries are good,” Bob quickly reinserted the spacer under the kill switch button which some knucklehead had accidentally pulled out. Two-second fix!

(Thanks again A-1!)

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

‘Family is Forever Home:’ New Valerie’s House facility now open From page 17 private funding at this point,” she said.

'We did it' A dream of helping others through their grief stemmed from Melvin losing her mother Valerie to an automobile accident in 1987, when she was only 10 years old.

“It’s hard to take a moment sometimes and take it all in,” she said of what Valerie’s House has turned into over the years.

Melvin is always ready to help the next family in need, treating them as if they were the first family to walk through the doors.

“When I pull up to the house in the morning, (and think) this is ours, this is Valerie’s House -- we did it. We go there every day now. It’s beautiful. I hope we can continue to grow, and more families will give this a chance,” she said.

Valerie’s House offers a unique approach, something that had never been done in the community before. The home is

both friendly and peaceful and offers a relaxed approach -– as they do not claim to have all the answers.

She said they want families to have a voice, especially children and teens.

“It’s a sense of fellowship and community for people that have gone through grief,” Melvin said.

There's also a pay-it-forward element to Valerie's House as families who have gone through grief help others grieve as well.

“That is exciting -- not even eight years ago, there was nothing like this. It is really

a reflection of Southwest Florida and Lee County. It’s truly the supporters that have made it happen,” Melvin said. “Now we are leading the country. We are one of the top grief centers in the country. Grief centers are coming and touring with us from around the country to see what we are doing here.”

Those whose lives have been touched by grief are invited to visit www.valerieshouse.org

Facility dog: Fitzgerald III lending a paw at Gulf Coast Medical Center From page 35 Fitzgerald will also work with oncology patients by helping them conserve their energy. Hendrix said he will walk alongside them, at their pace, and will sit when they need intermediate breaks along the way.

For those patients who are relearning how to get dressed, Fitzgerald is there to help – helping the patient pull off their socks.

“He is super gentle now,” Hendrix said.

Need a Kleenex, Fitzgerald is there to provide those, too.

The help also comes in the form of games with the patients in practicing fine motor skills and hand/eye coordination.

She said Fitzgerald can pull out a piece the size of a coffee stirrer while taking turns with the patient.

“It’s a fun way to have seated activity time,” Hendrix said. “Some people have to be here for a while. Having him be a part of that is much more joyful.”

She said Fitzgerald has had a beautiful effect on patients and is helping them do better in whatever it is they are tackling.

It’s “animal-based mindfulness,” Hendrix said.

The friendly dog also offers emotional support.

Hendrix said an oncology patient who had undergone treatment, said they were done and wanted Hospice.

“We were able to go in there and be

with her. He sat in the bed with her and put his head on her lap, her hand on his paw,” she said, adding the patient said it was real comfort and they knew they could handle it. “It was a beautiful moment.”

Hendrix said Fitzgerald makes everything better.

Therapy Manger Michelle Standard said when they first came together with this vision of a program, she does not think they truly understood the impact Fitzgerald would have.

“I couldn’t be prouder of Megan and Jean for all of their work. It’s a unique experience, and I am so grateful to be a part of it,” she said.

Fitzgerald works four days a week from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. He exercises for an

hour a day. Rodgers said they take him upstairs for 20 minutes to get his heart rate up and wiggles out.

“He sees a couple of patients in the morning and one to two in the afternoon.

We are trying to ease him into it. We don’t want to overwhelm him too much. We have to give him rest breaks,” she said.

The Lee Health Foundation is sponsoring Fitzgerald’s ongoing care. He joins Dorian and Lemon, two other facility dogs, who focus on pediatric patients at Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida.

For more information about Fitzgerald III, or any of the other facility dogs, visit www.leehealth.org.

Page 47 ■ January 19, 2024 www.capecoralbreeze.com

Breeze Athletes of theWeek (Selected by the Breeze Sports staff)

Cape Coral Breeze

Cape Coral

January 19, 2024 ■ Page 48 Flea Markets

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Page 49 ■ January 19, 2024

Air Conditioning

January 19, 2024 ■ Page 50 www.capecoralbreeze.com Cape Coral Breeze

Obituaries

Death Notices

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1?0= ,/H> /@?D >?,?4:9 /0;7:D809?> ?: ,;,9 &,9 402: #09>,.:7, ,9/ ,.6>:9A4770 :8 ,9/ ,/ >0??70/ /:B9 49 "=,920 #,=6 7:=4/, ? B,> ?30=0 ?3,? :8 0,=90/ 30= ;47:?H> 74.09>0 :8 B,> , -@>490>> 49>?=@.?:= ,? 7:=4/, @94:= :77020 49 ,.6>:9A4770 1:= 8,9D D0,=> &30 3,/ 0,=90/ , ,.307:= ,9/ ,>?0= /02=00 /@=492 ?304= 8,==4,20 B3470 =,4>492 ?304= .347/=09 9 30= >;,=0 ?480 >30 B,> , .:8;0?4?4A0 >,47-:,? =,.0= :9 ?30 &? :39> %4A0= ,9/ /,--70/ 49 =0,7 0>?,?0 /0A07:;809? 49 "=,920 #,=6 ,9/ &? @2@>?490 *309 :8 B,9?0/ ?: =07,C >30 8,/0 -0,@?41@7 <@47?> := 7::60/ 1:= >3,=6>H ?00?3 :9 7:=4/,H> -0,.30> :8 ,7B,D> 1:@9/ ?30 8:>? ?00?3 :9 0A0=D -0,.3 ?=4; :8 7:A0/ -0492 :9 ?30 B,?0= B4?3 ,/ /0>;4?0 9:? 69:B492 3:B ?: >B48 B309 ?30D 14=>? 80? 0= ,9/ ,/ ?::6 ?30 1,847D >,47-:,? ?: ?30 ,3,8,> /:E09> :1 ?480> &30 0>;0.4,77D 7:A0/ ?30 -,.: >7,9/> :8 B,> , ?,709?0/ 9,A42,?:= ,7B,D> ;7:??492 :@= .:@=>0 B4?3 30= 0C;0=409.0 49 =0,/492 ?30 9,@?4.,7 8,;> :1 ?30 ,=0,> ?30D A4>4?0/ :8 ,7>: >;09? D0,=> =0>0,=.3492 :@= 1,84 7DH> 2090,7:2D &30 8,497D 1:.@>0/ :9 30= >4/0 :1 ?30 1,8 47D ?=,.6492 2090=,?4:9> -,.6 ?: ?30 14=>? 48842=,9?> 1=:8 =07,9/ ,9/ 0=8,9D :8 B,> ,9 ,.?4A0 808-0= :1 '30 !,?4:9,7 090,7:24.,7 &:.40?D ,9/ ?30 ,;0 :=,7 $@47?0=> @47/ ,?0= 49 7410 :8 8:A0/ ?: ,;0 :=,7 7:=4/, ?: -0 .7:>0= ?: 30= 2=,9/64/> +:@ .:@7/ ,7B,D> 149/ :8 ,? , 2=,9/64/>H 1::?-,77 2,80 >:..0= 2,80 .300= .:8;0?4 ?4:9 := 4.0 3:.60D ?:@=9,809? &30 B,> , ;:>4?4A0 ,9/ >@;;:=?4A0 F =,88DG &30 B,> , 1,9?,>?4. :8 ,9/ 7:D,7 B410 '3,96 D:@ 1:= ?30 7,>?492 808:=40> D:@ 70,A0 @> ,9/ D:@= 2=,9/.347/=09 B4?3 *0 B477 .30=4>3 ?30>0 808:=40> ,9/ ,7B,D> 1007 D:@= 7:A0 ,> B0 =0808-0= :@= ?480 ?:20?30= +:@ /4/ >: 8@.3 1:= @> *0 149/ ;0,.0 49 69:B492 ?3,? D:@ 3,A0 -009 =0@94?0/ B4?3 ,/ 49 0,A09 *4?3 7:A0 :8 B0 B4>3 D:@ 1,4= B49/> ,9/ 1:77:B492 >0,> #0= :@= :8H> B4>30> .=08,?4:9 >0=A4.0> ,=0 09?=@>?

0/ ?: @770= 0?E "9 7490 .:9/:709.0> ?: ?30 1,847D 8,D -0 701? ,? 3??;> BBB 1@770=80?E .:8 :8 B477 5:49 ,/ 49 &,=,>:?, !,?4:9,7 080?0=D

,=2,=0? +:@92 :1 ,;0 :=,7 ;,>>0/ ,B,D :9 ,9@,=D ==,920809?> ,=0 -D :=,7 %4/20 @90=,7 :80 080?0=D ,9/ =08,?4:9 &0=A4.0> ,;0 :=,7 #70,>0 A4>4? BBB .:=,7=4/201@90=,73:80 .:8 1:= ,//4?4:9,7 491:=8,?4:9 %4.3,=/ # /B,=/> :1 ,;0 :=,7 ;,>>0/ ,B,D :9 ,9@,=D ==,920809?> ,=0 -D :=,7 %4/20 @90=,7 :80 080?0=D ,9/ =08,?4:9 &0=A4.0> ,;0 :=,7 #70,>0 A4>4? BBB .:=,7=4/201@90=,73:80 .:8 1:= ,//4?4:9,7 491:=8,?4:9 %:-49 >,=9:A :1 ,;0 :=,7 ;,>>0/ ,B,D :9 0.08-0= ==,920809?> ,=0 -D :=,7 %4/20 @90=,7 :80 080?0=D ,9/ =08,?4:9 &0=A4.0> ,;0 :=,7 #70,>0 A4>4? BBB .:=,7=4/201@90=,73:80 .:8 1:= ,//4?4:9,7 491:=8,?4:9 4774.09? ,0 *,77,.0 :1 ,;0 :=,7 ;,>>0/ ,B,D :9 0.08-0= ==,920809?> ,=0 -D :=,7 %4/20 @90=,7 :80 080?0=D ,9/ =08,?4:9 &0=A4.0> ,;0 :=,7 #70,>0 A4>4? BBB .:=,7=4/201@90=,73:80 .:8 1:= ,//4?4:9,7 491:=8,?4:9 %4.3,=/ # )0>07D :1 ,;0 :=,7 ;,>>0/ ,B,D :9 ,9@,=D ==,920809?> ,=0 -D :=,7 %4/20 @90=,7 :80 080?0=D ,9/ =08,?4:9 &0=A4.0> ,;0 :=,7 #70,>0 A4>4? BBB .:=,7=4/201@90=,73:80 .:8 1:= ,//4?4:9,7 491:=8,?4:9 =,96: & 43,7:A4. :1 ,;0 :=,7 ;,>>0/ ,B,D *0/90>/,D ,9@,=D @7749> 08:=4,7 @90=,7 :80 =08,?4:9 &0=A4.0 ,;0 :=,7 4> 09?=@>?0/ B4?3 149,7 .,=0 ,>;0= :.4 :1 ,;0 :=,7 ;,>>0/ ,B,D :9 ,9@,=D ==,920809?> ,=0 -D :=,7 %4/20 @90=,7 :80 080?0=D ,9/ =08,?4:9 &0=A4.0> ,;0 :=,7 #70,>0 A4>4? BBB .:=,7=4/201@90=,73:80 .:8 1:= ,//4?4:9,7 491:=8,?4:9 0: =/74.6, :1 ,;0 :=,7 ;,>>0/ ,B,D :9 0.08-0= ==,920809?> ,=0 -D :=,7 %4/20 @90=,7 :80 080?0=D ,9/ =08,?4:9 &0=A4.0> ,;0 :=,7 #70,>0 A4>4? BBB .:=,7=4/201@90=,73:80 .:8 1:= ,//4?4:9,7 491:=8,?4:9 (=>E@7, 4.390= :1 ,;0 :=,7 ;,>>0/ ,B,D :9 0.08-0= ==,920809?> ,=0 -D :=,7 %4/20 @90=,7 :80 080?0=D ,9/ =08,?4:9 &0=A4.0> ,;0 :=,7 #70,>0 A4>4? BBB .:=,7=4/201@90=,73:80 .:8 1:= ,//4?4:9,7 491:=8,?4:9 :D 99 +:@92 :1 ,;0 :=,7 ;,>>0/ ,B,D ,9@,=D ==,920809?> 09?=@>?0/ ?: 00 :@9?D =08,?4:9 &0=A4.0> ,;0 :=,7 7:=,990 %:>0 '0>?, :1 ,;0 :=,7 ;,>>0/ ,B,D =4/,D ,9@,=D @7749> 08:=4,7 @90=,7 :80 =08,?4:9 &0=A4.0 ,;0 :=,7 4> 09?=@>?0/ B4?3 149,7 .,=0

0990?3 @9/D :1 ,;0 :=,7 ;,>>0/ ,B,D :9 0.08-0= ==,920809?> ,=0 -D :=,7 %4/20 @90=,7 :80 080?0=D ,9/ =08,?4:9 &0=A4.0> ,;0 :=,7 #70,>0 A4>4? BBB .:=,7=4/201@90=,73:80 .:8 1:= ,//4?4:9,7 491:=8,?4:9

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