Commish Judah addresses concerns at Beach
Lee County Commissioner Ray Judah fielded over an hour full of questions during his slotted time at the all-day town hall meet and greet meeting at Fish Tale Marina in Santini Plaza.
From beach issues dealing with Estero Boulevard to county concerns about the extended Boston Red Sox spring training contract, Judah was courteous and concise in his answers to the members of the community who addressed him.
He began by stating he could fill up his hour-long session by talking about America’s favorite pastime to boosting the economy to improving Lee County’s mass transit system to addressing the shortfall of the county budget before thanking the attendees, the mayor and town staff for putting on this type of forum.
His first question centered on South Florida Water Management District and its unilateral decision to suspend water release from Lake Okeechobee.
“Many of you living on the beach at some time know the importance of having an optimum mix of fresh and salt water to provide for the nurturing environment that our marine fishery strives on,” said Judah. “Lake Okeechobee is a little under 13 feet today and we feel the water district has unilaterally made a decision in error. We’re going to ask the Army Corps of Engineers – which is the entity that will make the final decision – not to acquiesce the district’s request to halt any further fresh water flow but, at least, give us minimum flow of no less than 5,000 cubic feet per second.”
The next question focused on insufficient trolley driver pull offs.
“We’re going to end up putting money into our 5-year capital improvement program to address some specific concerns like being able to provide for a trolley pullover system,” said Judah. “Yes, we’ll make sure that we work and talk to those trolley drivers but, in the long run, the improvements that can be made to the capital program – at the request of the town of Fort Myers Beach – is going to be the answer.”
More questions mentioned trolley pullovers, bicyclists concerns over concrete sidewalks, inadequate bike paths on the beach and better traffic light synchronizing in the county before touching on the poll and troll zones in the Back Bay.
“We’re looking to set aside a certain amount of area of aquatic preserve as a poll and troll zone where there is no motorized activity,” said Judah. “We need to compensate for (the upcoming) dredging by setting aside a certain amount of acreage in Estero Bay where we can help protect the grass beds and require boaters to have to use their polls. We’re going to be able to come up with a science to determine whether or not management objectives really accomplish to protect the grass beds.”
He then defended the choice of keeping the Red Sox spring training site in Lee County and talked about courting the Baltimore Orioles to the vacancy at City of Palms Park in 2012.
“We felt that (Boston) is a historic franchise after winning the World Series in 2004 and 2007,” said Judah. “Typically, a major league baseball franchise has 15-17 media outlets following the team during spring training. The Red Sox have 50-70. They needed to accommodate their fan base, their team and also have a comprehensive facility with the stadium and practice complex all in one location. We had to step up in order to keep them. We’ve now inked them to a 30-year contract.
“The Baltimore Orioles are a free agent right now. We’re offering ourselves out there if they want to work with Lee County. The City of Palms Park is a beautiful stadium. It doesn’t work for the Red Sox, but it does for the Orioles.”
Judah then dealt with ongoing aircraft concerns and traffic problems before receiving many inquiries on the Beach’s poor landscaping and beautification issues.
“Depending on the bid on the re-surfacing of a third of Estero Boulevard that I believe starts next month, there’s a likelihood we might be able to provide the money for the material for (beautification) if the town council would promise to maintain it,” he said.
He concluded his question and answer segment by discussing the issue of allowing unleashed dog parks on Conservation 20/20 lands like Bunche Beach on John Morris Road.
“Conservation 20/20 lands have very strict requirements and the purpose of the purchase of those lands was for conservation for wildlife and recreation opportunities like tenting, camping and birding,” said Judah. “Bunche Beach is a very critical wildlife area with the piping plover and nesting sea turtles.
However, we do provide alternatives. The state turned over five acres at Lover’s Key so that we turn it into Dog Beach. We also have O.K. Kennels at Estero Community Park – an exercise place for people to bring their dogs – and Barkingham Park in Buckingham. Hopefully, when we can move forward with the next phase of Wa-Ke Hatchee Park, we will also be putting in a dog park. Everyone should have the right to exercise their dog in an area where their dog can run free, if there is a certain amount of responsibility that comes with it.”