Fort Myers Beach Civic Association - Welocme Page - News and Information for Fort Myers Beach

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BEACH NEWS TODAY !

More Money for Fireworks Fund

The Civic Association is donating $500 to the Semmer Team's Fort Myers Beach fireworks fund. The money comes from the Civic Association's Fourth of July parade fundraisers.

Matt Powell is coming back to the beach

Lee County Sheriff's Major Matt Powell is reassuming command of the department's west district, which includes our island.

Sheriff Mike Scott announced Powell's return in an e-mail to the Civic Association Friday. Here's his announcement as it was made the department:

Most of you are aware that I frequently emphasize the importance of family and even made special mention of this in my commencement address at the FBI National Academy just a few weeks ago. Family considerations are a critical part of many if not all of the important decisions we make during our lifetime.

Earlier today and after careful thought, Matt Powell shared his and his family's personal decision with me regarding his position as Patrol Major. As a result, I have arranged for Matt Powell to resume command of Charlie District. I respect and understand his decision and I want to remind each of you of his 22 years of decorated service which includes being shot in the line-of-duty. Matt Powell's commitment to this agency is surpassed only by his commitment to his family.

Captain Bobby Johnson is a 27 year decorated veteran of our agency and will assume the position of Patrol Bureau Commander.

Captain Matt LeClair will replace Captain Johnson and these changes will be effective next Tuesday, July 20th.

Deputy Scott Thompson was promoted to Sergeant today and I ask that you join me in congratulating the promotions and wishing well the transfers.

Mike

Times Square vacant land to become beach park
by Lee Melsek

Lee County government has agreed to purchase the vacant, Gulf front property at Times Square that once was to be hotels and condos. The county also is purchasing the Seafarers Mall across the street from the vacant land. The Gulf front property will be a beach park. Seafarers Mall will be torn down and replaced with parking.

The purchase price for both parcels: $5.6 million. The property has been in foreclosure after investors lost it as the economy went south.

Plans for a hotel and condos on the vacant land were designed but never built.

Alert: Only 30 days to clear property easements
by Lee Melsek

Lee County is requiring a new rescind document from Fort Myers Beach Gulf front property owners who want their federal 10 year renourishment easements rescinded or replaced by a temporary construction easement. The county wants to turn a list over of ALL easement owners to the town and give EACH EASEMENT OWNER A 30 DAY DEADLINE from the date of the notification to the Town to have his request to rescind the federal easement back in the hands of Lee County in 30 days! Then the window closes ! Since the last Owner list had substantial errors (10 years of unrecorded changes), return to sender mail is a significant problem.. In April 2009, both County and Town Council agreed to return the easements to the about 70 property owners who subsequently submitted written rescinding requests. But all of that has changed. Those easements will not be automatically returned to rescinding property owners. A new rescind document will be required from 2009 rescinding owners.
Any beach front property owner who feels unfairly treated by getting only 30 days to respond to the deadline set by the county, or who feels town council should keep their original commitment to automatically have easements returned for those who rescinded long ago, or who may feel subject to being possibly missed entirely because the County mailing list is inaccurate due to 10 years of missed Owner or address changes, needs to notify Town Council of any concerns they have by E mail or mail by June 14. Council will act June 21 and you will be stuck with a very tight deal and possibly missed altogether.

You may contact Council at:
Larry Kiker: larry@fortmyersbeachfl.gov
Bob Raymond: bob@fortmyersbeachfl.gov
TomBabcock: tom@fortmyers beachfl.gov
Jo list: jo@fortmyersbeachfl.gov
Alan Mandel: alan@fortmyersbeachfl.gov

Town Hall: Town of Fort Myers Beach - 765-0202
Fort Myers Beach Town Hall, 2523 Estero Blvd. Fort Myers Beach Fl. 33931

On June 7, Town council considered changes to the proposed Navigation Project and Restoration Project agreements with Lee County. Those changes are being worked by the Town attorney and Lee County. The projects include a 240 foot groin at Matanzas Pass to reduce future dredging and a beach restoration project including the very northern private properties and County land at Bowditch Point, County's Lynn Hall Park, the Pie and probably the new Gulf front properties that County is buying south of the pier. There is real erosion in the last several years at the north end plus County plans to cover their properties.

Town has required a bond to cover the cost of restoring premature beach erosion failures oft been cited by our public. That apparently will not happen. County said that they would fix any problems with the groin required by the government. County did not agree to fix any premature erosion of the private property areas. The town also gave up on requiring an independent engineer to review the Army Corp. of Engineers groin design because the count would rather simply rely on the Army Corp.

Starting the two separate projects does not depend on the majority of the private property owners in that area signing easements. Nor is there any number or percentage of easements required. Private property owners who do not sign easements will be skipped. on the restoration project , and do not have to have beach vegetation as do those that sign.easements will be required to do.

Lee County says that new sand may be placed up to the Erosion Control Line (ECL) on all property fronts. The ECL line is the year 2000 mean high tide line . That is the property line demarcation between private and public property. At the upper end of the project, the ECL is under water by a lot, now That is also true at the Pink Shell. Further south, the ECL line varies with some on land some not.. County agreed today that for properties that have added beach, nature will tend to level those with the non restored beach.

When the project starts construction, non-signing owners will be strongly "encouraged" by County to sign easements. Probably the best advice is to secure the professional advice from a realtor or a lawyer before keeping your 10 year easement , signing a construction easement or not signing.

The original 4.6 mile federal renourishment project died in December 2009 when there were only about 30% of the valid easements signed that belonged to private property owners.

As a result of that Renourishment Project cancellation, our town saved $890,000 that was to be sent to County.. Town committed $110, 000 to these two new projects, deducting the costs for the large County owned tracts of land (Bowditch Point, county park and pier and their newly purchased Gulf front land at Times Square) which County is restoring for their own benefit.

FrankSchilling 823-6822 fjsflwi@earthlink.net

Resident alert: Our town sign law is about to be rewritten
by Lee Melsek

The town's sign law is about to get a serious overhaul and islanders are being invited to let town officials know how you feel about it.
The town's Local Planning Agency will begin public workshops sometime in July as it attempts to bring the law into compliance with what Town Attorney Anne Dalton says are new constitutional questions.

Will the overhauled version stay true to the law that so many of our town's residents wanted and helped write 11 years ago or be changed? That's a major question as workshops continue through the summer. All of those who helped shape the law that restricts the size and placement of business signs are encouraged to attend those workshops and speak up on the reasons they worked so hard to create and adopt our law.

Many of the things in the current law are worth fighting to keep. The law was designed to clean up the visual blight on our Boulevard as well as rid our town of the busted, rusted and battered signage littering our island. It was also designed to create reasonable uniformity in size and location. Among other things, it prohibited sandwich signs from being placed on our public sidewalks where visitors and residents had to walk around them, often having to go into the street to do so.

The Civic Association urges islanders to be aware of when these public workshops are scheduled and turn out in force to make sure the sign law is not diluted beyond recognition. A whole lot of islanders participated in the creation of this law. Hopefully, they'll participate again in saving it's most important parts.

Tidelines will let you know when the dates are set for those workshops. We will also put the dates in the Observer.

Fireworks fund, summer camp get a boost
by Lee Melsek

The Civic Association's joint fireworks fundraiser with the Yucatan Beach Grill on May 2 raised $1,050 for the Semmer Family's Fourth or July fireworks fund.
In addition to the fireworks money, Yucatan owner Tom Kollar donated $500 to the Bay Oaks youth summer camp at the Civic Association's request.

The Association is still seeking money to help underprivileged beach kids go to camp this summer. Checks can be written to Bay Oaks and mailed to the Fort Myers Beach Civic Association, P.O. Box 2356, Fort Myers Beach Fl. Summer camp tuition is $500 per child.

Civic Association gets new garbage laws
by Lee Melsek

It's official. Town law now requires lids placed on all garbage cans set on the side of streets for pickup, and fences high enough to conceal garbage dumpsters.
The town council approved both additions to the town's garbage laws at a meeting Monday May 2. The new law was initiated by a Tidelines investigation last year detailing how many condos and businesses on the island have been ignoring the dumpster concealment law and how rental homes routinely put garbage cans on the streets days before pickup, in violation of the law. Those cans often are uncovered, helping animals climb in, tip them over and strew garbage across neighborhoods and streets.

As a result of that investigation, an Ad Hoc committee last year recommended the additions to the law that the council approved May 2. Town Code Enforcement officers will now let residents and businesses know of the law as they find uncovered garbage cans and unconcealed dumpsters along the island. A previous fence law didn't allow fences high enough to conceal dumpsters but the new law allows them to go high enough to shield them from view.

Attorney resigns
by Lee Melsek

Town Attorney Anne Dalton has resigned but it's not clear when she will officially leave. She said she is resigning to spend more time with her private law practice.
A successor hasn't been picked. The town council may look for a law firm to represent the town.

Alcohol on the shoreline
by Lee Melsek

What's almost sure to be a contentious issue soon will be coming before council - whether to let bars and restaurants along the Gulf pour booze outside on the beachfront. Currently, only the Lani Kai and the Top O' Mast are allowed to do so because they were given permits by the state and the county 30 years ago and were grandfathered in by the town when the island incorporated in 1995. The town has prohibited the expansion of booze along the Gulf by other businesses through its Comprehensive Plan, the document that defines what the town should be.

The Civic Association Board of Directors has voted to support the town's Local Planning Agency, which opposes the idea to expand booze onto the beaches. That panel said it would harm the island's reputation as a family island. One of the LPA members who voted to oppose the plan, Alan Mandel, is now on the town council. He and Councilman Tom Babcock have both opposed the idea. Council member Jo List appears to be leaning in favor of the idea. Mayor Larry Kiker and councilman Bob Raymond have not disclosed their preference, at least not publicly.

Some Sheriff's officials have told Tidelines they oppose the idea and say enforcing more alcohol consumption along the shoreline would be "a nightmare."
It is unclear when the council may begin discussing the idea and scheduling it for public hearings. Tidelines and this website will keep you posted on when those discussion begin.

Fifties dance raises $1200 for Bay Oaks
by Lee Melsek

Kathy Van Selow and her daughter, Valerie, looked stylish in their fifties era poodle skirts. Attorney Bill Shenko came with the cuffs of his jeans rolled up above his white socks.

Councilman Tom Babcock and wife Annie shimmied and shook to the old time rock and roll wafting across the huge gymnasium. A couple of guys rocked with packs of cigarettes rolled up in the sleeves of their t-shirts.
Shades of the fifties and sixties. All that was missing was the 57 Chevy in the parking lot.

Under the Live Oaks beside Estero Bay islanders braved the seasonal traffic to boogie for a community cause; to raise money for Bay Oaks Recreational Campus programs.
Sponsored by the Beach Civic Association and its partners, The Mermaid Lounge and Liquors and The Beached Whale, the dance turned out to be so much fun that the rockers - to a person - insisted on having another one. The sponsors agreed and are aiming at this fall. One couple said they may come back from Kentucky just to attend the next one.

"We're in," The Mermaid's Kathy Van Selow said, vowing another sponsorship.
This one was held on a tough night. The NCAA basketball sweet sixteen playoffs kept some at home and glued to their televisions and long lines of traffic out on Estero Boulevard persuaded others to be square rather than be there.
Too bad. They'll be singing Who's Sorry Now when they hear from the rockers that were there having a ball.

The night raised $1,200 for Bay Oaks programs, including money for kids needing help to attend this years summer camps.
The money raised from the dance gets added to the $4,000 raised by Harbor House earlier this year and the $2,500 from Century 21. But more is needed, Bay Oaks Manager Nicole Olsen said. There are about six kids right now needing help with the $500-per-child summer camp program and the center's programs for seniors also needs some money.

The center's aerobics program needs a microphone. The meeting room needs a stove. More kids will need help paying for the after school programs when school begins again at the end of the summer. The island's Little League could always use help, as could the soccer league.
More volunteers would be helpful, too.

New Members sign up, offer help
by Lee Melsek

New memberships to the Civic Association are arriving in the mail every week. Our organization is growing, and many of our new members remind us to put them on the Tidelines mailing list.

They come here from all over the map - North Carolina, Missouri, Vermont, Illinois, South Carolina, Washington, D.C. and even other parts of The Sunshine State.
We're also getting memberships from folks who have lived on the island a long time but are only now deciding to become more active in the community - and in town government.

Some are staying put here on the island, others return to their home states in the spring. They send their checks, tell us to send them Tidelines and some even tell us they want to help the association.

"I will help out and contact you when I return in April," wrote Donna Fagan from Spring Hill, Florida. She even shared her opinion with us on a current local issue. "I am not for renourishment of the beach," she said on her membership application.
Jane Hyatt Upsal grew up on Fort Myers Beach in the fifties and lives here nine months a year when she's not in North Carolina. She saw Tidelines during a stay here and immediately joined the Civic Association.She wants Tidelines sent to both of her homes.

Johanna and James Farley of the beach and Washington D.C. joined last month.
"We were there in August and saw Tidelines and intended to join. We like what it has to say. You are talking for the people of the beach and not just the business interests," Johanna told us.
Judy Hanson and her husband joined in November after living here since 1976. They're retired, live on the south end of the island and wanted to make sure they got Tidelines. They joined the Civic Association because they don't like some of the things the town is doing and decided to get more active.

"There are a lot of things about the city that bother us, like the Mound House and Newton properties," Judy said. "We decided we needed to be more active. We read Tidelines and enjoy it. It's very informative."
Welcome aboard, folks. And call us when you need us, or just want to sound off.

Call for an end to county renouishment plan
by Lee Melsek

Despite promises by Mayor Larry Kiker earlier this year to put an end to the renourishment plan by the end of December if easements were still not obtained, this fiasco has apparently gained renewed life amid private meetings between town and county staffs and some of the reluctant property owners.
And once again, the issue is on a town council agenda, this time at the meeting of Jan. 4 at 9 a.m.
All of those who have opposed this failed plan and are tired of the continuing slights-of -hand tactics to keep it alive are urged to attend that meeting.
Joanne Shamp, one of the leading opponents of the county's $11 million renourishment plan also is asking folks to e-mail council members and ask them to please put an end to this issue that has divided our island for years.
Here's Joanne's plea and the individual council e-mail addresses.

The Town Council stated that they want to hear from people regarding beach renourishment for the Monday, January 4th meeting at 9 AM at Town Hall . This is yet more delaying, when the lack of easements have already spoken and they promised the decision at year end.

Renourishment plan is dead
by Lee Melsek

Thursday, Dec. 8 - Lee County's elaborate beach renourishment plan is dead. The plan that included controversial dunes and vegetation was set aside by the county commission this week after commissioners gave up on trying to persuade beachfront property owners to grant the necessary easements to do the 4.6 mile job. Fewer than 50 percent of the needed easements have been granted over the 10 years the county has sought them.

Instead of the $11.5 million plan, the county is planning a scaled down renourishment only from Bowditch Point to the county pier at Lynn Hall Park and groin at Matanzas Pass. It isn't know yet if the county will ask the town to share in the cost of that plan, which will amount to about $4 million.

Attempt to make the mayor town manager
by Lee Melsek

Thursday, Dec. 3 - An attempt by at least one councilman to determine if Larry Kiker could become the new town manager has run into a road block - the town's charter.
Public records show Town Attorney Anne Dalton on Nov. 24 responded to a question from Councilman Bob Raymond, who works in Kiker's real estate business. Raymond wanted to know if Kiker could resign from the council and become the town's next manager.

In a written opinion obtained by Tidelines, Dalton said the answer is no. She said the charter prohibits council members from going to work for the town for one year after their term ends.

Last month Kiker said during a council meeting he didn't think the town should hire anyone to find candidates for the town manager position, which Jack Green is retiring from in February. He didn't say if he planned to seek the position.
Raymond said Thursday he asked Dalton for the opinion on his own and didn't talk to Kiker about it. He said he did so because he thinks Kiker would make a good manager.

Bay Oaks meeting
by Lee Melsek

Mark you calendar - Tuesday, December 8th, 2009
Bay Oaks Gym

Details of what islanders and others can expect at Bay Oaks Recreation Center and swimming pool will the be the topic of discussion at the Civic Association's Tuesday, December 8th meeting at the Bay Oaks Recreation Center gym.

The meeting starts at 7 p.m. Food will be provided, compliments of The Beached Whale.

The town's Director of Parks and Recreation, Nicole Olsen, will provide details of what folks can expect to pay in new fees and what programs they can join.

The meeting is free and open to the public. Come early and meet and chat with Nicole and Civic Association members.

Mound House Pier maybe Sunk
by Lee Melsek

Thursday, Nov. 19 - A majority of the town council is leaning toward making the Mound House a lower intensity attraction and vetoing a 2,770 foot pier planned for the property but opposed by neighbors.

In the second workshop in a week to look at the property's neighborhood concerns, council members Larry Kiker, Jo List and Bob Raymond appeared to be siding with the neighbors, who fear the pier will attract fishermen and others at all hours of the day and night, making their neighborhood noisy and perhaps even unsafe.
The council did decide to pursue rezoning a town owned lot down the street from the Mound House for a parking lot that would serve the historic homes museums and other amenities. But neighbors at that end of the street have said they will oppose such a move.

After seeing projections of 52,000 visitors a year to the 106 year old historic property in five years, the council and the neighbors appeared stunned by such intensity at the end of a single family neighborhood. Neighbors asked for, and Kiker, List and Raymond supported, reducing attempts to attract such numbers.

Raymond said he would not vote to spend any money advertising the place and said he wouldn't want the facility at the end of his own street.

Town Manager Jack Green and Mound House Director Theresa Schober are to come up with a plan for lowering the intensity of the property and get it to council by the end of the year.

Bigger fines for code violators?
by Lee Melsek

Nov. 18 - The town council is considering getting serious about enforcing town laws.
During a workshop Wednesday to find new revenue sources, Mayor Larry Kiker said it's time to step up code enforcement.

Councilwoman Jo List saId it may be the town also needs to increase the amount of fines for violators of town codes and ordinances, a Move that could increase badly needed revenues for an expanding government.

The council put the proposal on a list of possible new revenue sources. Other ideas include a storm water utility tax, increasing various fees for residents and businesses and looking at what town services could be outsourced to save money.

Town Manager Resigns
by Lee Melsek

Tuesday, Nov. 17 - Interim town Manager Jack Green resigned Tuesday citing "personal reasons."

Green was appointed to the post in July when then-Town Manager Scott Janke was fired. He was previously the town's public works director.
Green will stay on until February.

Green was the town's seventh town manager in it's 14 year history.
Green resigned twice before while serving as the town's public works director but later changed his mind and remained on the job.

Water bills increasing 23 percent
by Lee Melsek

Monday, Nov. 16 - Your water bills are going up in January. The beach council voted Monday night to raise water rates 23 percent across the board for homes, condos and businesses.

The reason: The town needs money, lots of it, to get itself out of default on its 2000 loan to buy the water system and needs $11 million to fix the system and replace old piped. In some cases, water lines to homes at he end of streets are too small and many of the pipes are ancient galvanized pipes.

The new rate system will also begin charging each condominium unit a base monthly fee, which single family homes have been paying for the past eight years but not condominium units.

Some condominium residents protested the higher rates but council members said the hikes are absolutely necessary to get the water system and its debt under control. They must still decide where to get the millions of dollars to rebuild the system. A bank loan may be possible but at higher interest rates because of the town's default on the current loan.

Mound house pier may be revised
by Lee Melsek

Friday, Nov 13 - A majority of the town council appears to be backing off plans for a 2,770 square foot pier at The Mound House. or perhaps build a smaller model.
Facing about 20 upset neighbors of The Mound House during a workshop Thursday night, council members agreed to take another look at the pier.

Mayor Larry Kiker said he thinks the Lee County Tourist Development Council, which plans to pay for the $400,000 pier, may be willing to forgo the pier and divert the money instead to fixing up the interior of the historic home, built in 1906. Although the town has owned the property since 2000 the home remains closed to the public because it's interior is a mess and unsafe for public entrance.

Council also learned that it will cost $746,000 to complete all that needs to be done to the property, home and mound exhibit in order to open everything to the public. So far, the town has no idea where it will get that much money but Kiker pushed to find it and open the home as soon as possible.

A number of the residents challenged council members to cancel plans for the pier because they fear it will attract too many people at all hours of the day and night. They also want the town to back off plans to bring hundreds of people a day to the home, which sits in the middle of a single family neighborhood at the end of a dead end street. A committee projection for the property found as many as 52,000 people a year could be coming down the two-lane street to visit the property five years from now.

Beach Civic Association's famous yard/bake sale returns
by Lee Melsek

Mark your calendar - Saturday, Nov. 21.
It's the return of the Civic Association's popular Yard and bake sale, back again at the Beach movie theater.

The big event will begin at 8 a.m. and stay open until 1 p.m.
Everyone can participate by cleaning out those closets, attics and garages and donating them to this community event. Clothes, dinner ware, tools, appliances, bedding, cookware, cookies, breads and just about anything you care to donate will go on sale. Proceeds will be used by the Civic Association for other community events, like our annual fourth of July parade, the Semmer family fireworks show and sponsorships of our local youth programs.

You can start donating your goods to us by taking them to Cherie and Dave Smith's home at 180 Egret Street on the south end of the island. Or, you can call Cherie at 463-0345 or Betty Simpson at 463-2772.
Let's make this the biggest yard and bake sale the island's ever seen.

Bay Oaks users will pay more.
by Lee Melsek

Tuesday, Oct. 27 - It's going to cost more to use the Bay Oaks Recreation Center and swimming pool.
The council on Tuesday also agreed to charge membership fees and program fees for people using the center and create some serious marketing to draw both residents and non-residents there. The tentative fee schedule now is $25 per year for individual residents, $4 for a resident's day pass and $2 for children under 12. Family memberships for residents will cost $50 a year and $8 for a family day pass. Non residents of the island will pay $35 a year for individuals, and $4 a day for adults and $2 for children. Non-resident family fees will cost $70 year for individuals and $8 for a day pass.

The swimming pool will cost $50 a year for both residents and non-resident individuals who belong to the recreation center and $100 a year for families. A day pass to the pool will cost $3 for individuals and $1for children under 12 and infants. People who don't buy memberships to the recreation center will pay $75 a year for an individual to use the pool and $125 for an annual family pass.

Town officials soon will begin recruiting organizations on the island to hold their meetings at Bay Oaks Recreation Center and help fund the center's functions, including fees for kids whose families can't afford to pay.
Ad Hoc Committee member Pete Yeatman told the council Tuesday the recreation center will never pay for itself or even break even. That's why the town needs to attract as many organizations and members as possible to help offset the town's costs to operate the center.

"You have a tough row to hoe. You have virtually zero people utilizing it now. If you assume it will be a zero investment for the town you may as well close the doors today," Yeatman said. "It will never be a zero investment for the town. You better reach outside the community, otherwise you can't support this facility."
The town council is scheduled to adopt the new fees at it's Nov. 2 meeting.

Mound House to get increased sheriff's patrols
by Lee Melsek

Saturday, Oct. 17 - The town has asked for increased sheriff's patrols around the Mound House after a dog knocked down a neighbor.
Interim Town Manager Jack Green told Tidelines he has asked the sheriff's department for more patrols after a complaint from neighbor Paul Abraham. Abraham was knocked to the ground by a dog on the Mound House grounds and cut his elbow. The dog belongs to a boat dweller in the bay near the Mound House. Boaters there have been using the Mound House dock to dock their dinghies and let their dogs run loose on the grounds. Green said he is putting a stop to that. Dogs are required to be on leashes. He also said he is prohibiting the boat dwellers from using the Mound House dock for mainland business.

Beach Civic Association's famous yard/bake sale returns
by Lee Melsek

Mark you calendar - Saturday, Nov.. 21.
It's the return of the Civic Association's popular Yard and bake sale, back again at the Beach movie theater.

The big event will begin at 8 a.m. and stay open until 1 p.m.
Everyone can participate by cleaning out those closets, attics and garages and donating them to this community event. Clothes, dinner ware, tools, appliances, bedding, cookware, cookies, breads and just about anything you care to donate will go on sale. Proceeds will be used by the Civic Association for other community events, like our annual fourth of July parade, the Semmer family fireworks show and sponsorships of our local youth programs.

You can start donating your goods to us by taking them to Cherie and Dave Smith's home at 180 Egret Street on the south end of the island. Or, you can call Cherie at 463-0345 or Betty Simpson at 463-2772.
Let's make this the biggest yard and bake sale the island's ever seen.

Warning - Buckle Up!
by Lee Melsek

Thursday, Oct. 8 - Sheriff's deputies are on our island full force this week ticketing drivers who aren't wearing their seat belts. Remember to buckle up before driving off or the next ticket may be yours.

Mound House Blues
by Lee Melsek

Tuesday, Oct. 6 - Mayor Larry Kiker and Councilman Bob Raymond sound as if they are finally realizing what past council's were faced with - The Mound House exists in the Twilight Zone, always expanding but never opening.
More than 10 years after its purchase, the promise of this historic site as a vibrant public attraction remains unfulfilled.
The state paid $1 million of public funds to buy the property in 1998 and give it to the town. While some programs are offered on the grounds, the house has been unsafe for years and remains closed to the public that owns it. Only the director and some connected.islanders have had access into it.
Every time Kiker asks when it will be open, he gets non-answers, just as his predecessors got.

Kiker said early this month he thought the council had an agreement with Mound House Director Teresa Schober to have the mound exhibit and the 1906 home open by the end of this year.
No, he was told. Won't happen. Not finished yet. There's no money for fixing the interior of the home, he was told.
An obviously frustrated Raymond made a prediction: "I don't expect to see it open this year and maybe next year. It seems to be under constant changes, one thing after another."

Kiker reiterated his earlier pledge not to vote to spend a nickel more on the place until he has a clear understanding of where the property and its plan are going.
The council agreed to discuss the property in more detail later this month. But money is scarce and the poor condition of the home's interior may remain that way until times get better.

Petition opposes take over of Estero Blvd.
by Lee Melsek

Friday, Oct. 2 - Beach resident Paul Abraham was so upset to learn that Mayor Larry Kiker wants the town to take ownership of Estero Boulevard from Lee County that he decided to do something about it.
Abraham, who lives on Connecticut Avenue across from the Mound House, is strongly opposed to taking over that road with its expensive repair and maintenance needs. So, he wanted to see what his neighbors thought.
Abraham circulated a petition opposing any such takeover, walking it around his street.
Virtually everyone he talked to signed it. There are 19 names on it.
Mayor Larry Kiker said last summer he planned to appoint a committee to look into taking over the road but town officials say no such committee has yet been created.

Sandsculpture contest will cost you
by Lee Melsek

Tuesday, Sept. 29 - If you want a close up look at the detail in our island's professional sandsculpturing at this year's contest it will cost you, The local Chamber of Commerce has decided. This year's annual event is scheduled for the first week in November.

To get a good look beginning this year it will cost you $3 for children and senior citizens, $5 for adults and $10 for a family package. The contest in the past has been free.

This year, the event will be held again at the Holiday Inn and will extend north to Gull Wing/Point Estero instead of to the Outrigger.

Interim Town Manager Report
by Lee Melsek

Friday, Sept. 25. - Tidlelines asked Interim Town Manager Jack Green for the latest update on the town's enforcements of its signage and garbage laws.

Here are Jack's responses:

I'll admit neither of these issues has made it onto my radar. You may or may not know we've been without a code enforcement officer for several months due to illness. Approximately two weeks ago we hired a full time temporary, experienced code enforcement officer from Collier County. His efforts are already visible. Many of the banner signs that started showing up around town have been taken down voluntarily and he continues to pursue that issue. I can tell you we have about 65 permanent signs that are still out of compliance. The Community Development Department is working this issue as well.

One good note as far as the dumpster enclosures is that the Town is now in compliance with its own dumpsters. Some of the suggestions brought fourth by the ad hoc committee such as higher enclosure fences have been provided to the LPA for action.

As soon as other higher priority issues are resolved this issue will bubble to the top.
I have spoken to our new code enforcement officer about the trash cans out on the streets in excess of 24 hours before pickup and he is aware of the simmering problem and will take action as is appropriate.
We are working on these issues and the dozens of others that seem to be of equal priority.

Fire Board gets the Message
by Lee Melsek

Wednesday, Sept. 16. - Fort Myers Beach Fire District commissioners apparently got the message delivered to them by angry islanders earlier this month. The commission voted Tuesday to set their property tax rate at 2.3 mills, which is the rollback rate that will collect the same amount as last year. Despite that, some property owners could still see a slight increase in their fire taxes.

A room full of locals protested any tax hike for the fire department at a Sept. 4 public hearing. And despite Commissioner Ted Reckwerdt's criticism of those folks, calling them "negative" in their views of the department, he backed off his earlier desire to raise taxes and voted with the rest of the commission to keep the tax rate at the rollback rate.

Meanwhile, some of the department's union firefighters are continuing their attack on Chief Mike Becker for laying off six firemen in a cost-saving mood. And Reckwerdt, whose son works for the department, appears to be backing them. He has also criticized Becker for laying off the six people, all of whom were apparently the newest employees.

Civic Association News:
Newton Cottage demolition approved
Miss Florida a big hit here

Town Fire Dept. News:
Protests thwarting higher taxes
Tax Payers Protest Higher Fire Taxes

Renourishment News:
Feds argued over sand placement
Our town was suckered by county government
Renourishment is a wash out
Renourishment Appears Dead
Renourishment's last stand
Renourishment pitch set for July 16
Another slick sales pitch
More renourishment woes

Janke's Firing:
For the Record
Ulterior Motive?
Skirting the Sunshine Law

Bay Oakes:
County appoves Bay Oakes Transfer
County throws another Monkey Wrench
For the Record

Town Water News:
Town water rates going up

Town Budget News:
Raising Taxes and Doubling Parking Fees
Higher taxes coming?
Pruning the budget

Council Clips:
Where's the Mound House?
Garbage cleanup takes another step

Civic Association meetings will resume in November.
The time, place and speakers will be announced in Tidelines in the fall.

About Us

The Fort Myers Beach Civic Association is dedicated to informing citizens about key local issues. Increasing growth, development, and environmental issues already affecting and potentially affecting further our quality of life provide major incentives for residents to visit Civic Association meetings, to join our organization, and to stay informed. Our meetings are always open to the public and all islanders are cordially invited to attend.

Civic website has been updated
The Civic Association Website is updated a few times a each week. Each month the latest Tidelines will be on our web page along with our meeting dates and featured speakers, alerts on developing community issues, important actions by our town council and advisory committees and the latest in Civic Association news.

We're also a link on the town's website. Check us out.

For those who haven't joined us yet, fill out the membership form and send it in together with your $25 annual membership fee. In the future, more information and services will added to our website. If you have ideas for us, a column, a letter to the editor or would like to run an ad call Lee Melsek at 470-3407.

Thanks for all your support and please keep in touch with us. We're the island's oldest home-based non-profit organization and now boast of a member ship of well over 600 islanders.

If you'd like Tidelines mailed to your home or business each month call Lee at 470-3407 and let him know. It's free.