Year in Review: 2010
January
Major Powell receives Beach key and certificate
Newly appointed Major Matt Powell of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office was presented a Certificate of Appreciation and the Key to the Town of Fort Myers Beach at a special ceremony at the Lee County Sheriff’s Office at 15680 Pine Ridge Rd.
Beach officials at the ceremony included FMB Mayor Larry Kiker and Council members Bob Raymond, Jo List, and Vice Mayor Herb Acken; retiring interim Town Manager Jack Green; former FMB mayors Dan Hughes, Bill Van Duzer and Dennis Boback; and former FMB Councilman Bill Shenko, Jr.
Snug Harbor to be purchased by Sanibel family
Family owners at a recently closed Fort Myers eatery will be running business and property operations at one of the most established restaurants on Fort Myers Beach next week.
Sanibel resident Rob DeGennaro, who closed the doors of Icabod’s Wicked Good Food & Drink at 13851 S. Tamiami Trail Sunday, is part of a team which will soon take over Snug Harbor Waterfront Restaurant, a business which has been on the Beach for more than 35 years.
DeGennaro said the move began when his team’s re-negotiation attempts fell through with the property owners of Icabods. Move over Snug Harbor. Here comes Nervous Nellie’s Crazy Waterfront Eatery.
February
Change of the guard: Manager transition
Former Cape Coral Manager Terry Stewart became the official town manager of Fort Myers Beach Monday. The FMB Town Council’s top choice among four candidates made it formal when he signed the official employee agreement contract and unanimously received the voted approval of the council at a regular public meeting in town hall.
Stewart, who signed a draft employee agreement at Bennett’s Fresh Roast coffee shop in Downtown Fort Myers Thursday, vowed to give his all in his new surroundings.
“I promise you that I will work very hard with these ladies and gentlemen up here and do the very best that we can to make you proud of the town you live in and comfortable that this town is doing everything it can to represent you,” said Stewart.
Roxie Smith captures Citizen award
Fran Myers receives Humanitarian Award
Fort Myers Beach resident Roxie Smith was recognized for all she does on Estero Island when she was selected to the 19th annual Paulette Burton Citizen of the Year Award (recognizes a Lee County citizen who has provided outstanding civic contributions to Lee County Government) for 2009. She received the award at the Lee County Board of County Commissioners meeting Tuesday morning.
This marks the second time this decade a Beach resident has picked up the citizen award. Fran Myers, Smith’s good friend, won the 2001 citizen honor.
Myers has been called an environmentalist, preservationalist, leader, activist, volunteer, founder, community-minded and inspirational. She can now add Humanitarian of the Year to her titles after picking up that distinction at the 2009 Best of the Beach Awards hosted by The Beach Observer/Bulletin at Pink Shell Resort Friday, Feb. 12.
March
Kiker, Mandel win election for council
The most qualified candidates vying for the two available seats on the Fort Myers Beach Town Council are in. Larry Kiker and Alan Mandel collected the most individual votes among the three hopefuls on the ballot Tuesday to knock out long-shot candidate Joe Kosinski and become the newly elected officials for the Town.
Mandel, vice chairman of the Town’s Local Planning Agency, collected the most votes with 837 or 38.84 percent of the tallies, while Kiker, the Beach council’s current mayor who was looking for re-election to the council, received 784 votes or 36.38 percent of the vote. Kosinski, who had no prior experience working for the Beach or town government in general, amassed 534 votes or 24.78 percent of the vote. The plurality election format featured the top two vote-getters being elected without the need of a runoff.
Beach Chapel needs help with foundation
An urgent restoration project is underway for the oldest church on Fort Myers Beach. Chapel by the Sea at the 2500 Estero Blvd. block on 100 Chapel St. is in need of dire repair due to an aging foundation that has caused the building’s pillars to crumble.
According to Church Administrator Linda Baldwin, 49 of the 52 pillars under the Chapel’s sanctuary are either so severely worn, damaged or in need of attention that if repair is not completed within the next 12 to 18 months, the deteriorating foundation may cause damage to the rest of the building and the roof may begin to buckle.
April
Bay Oaks to officially host 2010 Taste of Beach
The Fort Myers Beach Town Council officially approved to bring the 2010 Taste of the Beach back on Estero Island and to a neutral site through a special event permit application process during its consent agenda. The event, which received unanimous approval from the five council members, will be held on Bay Oaks Recreational Campus on Sunday, May 16, from noon to 6 p.m.
Woman charged with embezzling from Fish-Tale
Jody Lynne Lovejoy, a long-time and trusted office manager at Fish Tale Marina at 7225 Estero Boulevard, has been charged with one count of first degree grand theft and one count of first degree fraud after authorities say she embezzled more than $200,000 from the Fort Myers Beach business at Santini Marina Plaza.
After the Lee County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by a representative of the Fish Tale Marina in mid-February, an investigation revealed Lovejoy had totaled 81 fraudulent transactions dating as far back as 2003, officials said, adding she deposited a total of $243,772.75 into her personal account, not counting any cash deposits that may have occurred. Detectives arrested Lovejoy, 52, at 9851 Quail Hollow Rd, North Fort Myers, on Wednesday, April 14, and she was booked into the Lee County Jail.
Town re-structures after attorney resigns
The Fort Myers Beach Town Council has begun looking at restructuring their legal services after receiving a resignation letter from Town Attorney Anne Dalton last week. Dalton will continue counseling the Town in transition issues over a necessary reasonable time period, according to the letter she sent to council members.
May
Town preps for possible oil spill impact
The Town of Fort Myers Beach discussed initial preparation plans for response to the Gulf’s Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill during the Town Council meeting Monday. Currently, there are no impacts to the state projected through Wednesday.
Town Environmental Sciences Coordinator Keith Laakkonen, Town Manager Terry Stewart and Marine Resources Task Force chairman Jeff Werner weighed in on the sensitive matter.
“The latest is that there are no projected impacts on the West Florida coast in the next few days. However, that can change depending on winds and current situations right now,” said Laakkonen. “There’s nothing forecasted to come this way for some time. However, with the enormity of the scope continuing, it potentially is going to increase. We should prepare and be ready to go.”
Beach re-nourishment gets new life
A familiar word resurfaced in council chambers Monday evening – one some thought was forgotten or considered too risky to use. Call it what you want – re-nourishment, restoration or navigation plan – but the project is back on the table and may happen in the near future.
After tweaking the conditions in Lee County’s latest agreement, the Fort Myers Beach Town Council decided by a 4 to 1 vote to end an existing stalemate and agree to certain terms to get the north end of Estero Island some needed relief. Now, Town Manager Terry Stewart will contact county officials to advise them of the action that took place at Town Hall, and a new interlocal is expected to be constructed.
Remembering “Petro”
D.J. (Petro) Petruccelli, the longest serving Chamber of Commerce director in the United States, passed away Friday, May 14, after struggling with a heart condition. He would have been 82 years old next Saturday, May 29.
Many knew “Petro” -as he was affectionately called- as a hard worker who used to show up at the Beach Chamber office at 4 a.m. He leaves this world as the longest-consecutive Chamber executive in the United States at 55 years.
June
County buys foreclosed Beach property
The future of property which was once included in a Times Square redevelopment project at the foot of Fort Myers Beach is now in the hands of Lee County officials. On Tuesday, the Board of County Commissioners locked up an approved purchase agreement for the acquisition of parcels located at 1080, 1113 and 1130 Estero Blvd.
According to County documents, what used to be Gulf front lots once occupied by Howard Johnson, Days Inn and Sandman Motels may soon become a beach side park much like Lynn Hall Park. The plan for the roughly 38,000 square foot Seafarer’s Mall building at 1113 Estero Blvd. includes demolition with an intended use for parking. The purchase price of the properties is $5.6 million.
Local pilot club changes name, not focus
There is new nonprofit organization ready to serve the community on Fort Myers Beach. In actuality, the organization’s name may be different but you may still recognize the same faces … as former members of the Pilot International Club.
The ladies who have always been instrumental in the club’s work turned their local charter into Pilot International and will officially begin operations as the Fort Myers Beach Community Foundation beginning July 1.
July
Perception problem coats Southwest Florida
With media sources, it’s been said you can’t believe everything you read or hear. Consider the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Disaster for instance.
Recent news reports from a prominent New York paper has shown the state of Florida covered in an oil splotch. Another report from Iowa said the beaches in Florida are closed. International travelers are wondering if they should cancel their vacations to Southwest Florida.
“We have to convince some of these media outlets that we are victims,” said Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce President John Albion. “We are not physical victims. We have become victims of the perception, and our businesses have certainly suffered from it.”
Bayfront Bistro receives two awards
Bayfront Bistro at 4761 Estero Blvd. (behind Publix Supermarket) is the recent recipient of two prestigious awards -one for its wine selection and another for its community service.
The bistro, located at Snook Bight Yacht Club & Marina, was chosen as the National Restaurant Association’s 2010 Neighbor Award which is given to restaurants throughout the country for outstanding community service activities each year. It also received the Award of Excellence by The Wine Spectator Magazine, a worldwide renowned publication. Earlier this year, the waterfront restaurant captured the Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s award of excellence.
August
FMB Coast Guard changes commanding officer
The U. S. Coast Guard Station Fort Myers Beach experienced a change of command at a ceremony at its 719 San Carlos Dr. headquarters Friday. Chief Warrant Officer Jeffery Kerner, who now becomes the new commanding officer of the Beach station, relieved departing Chief Warrant Officer Gene Gibson.
Commanding officers receive new assignments after roughly three years. Gibson’s next orders will be at Coast Guard District 7 in Miami.
“I’d like to thank all my brothers and sisters of law enforcement for being such great partners and helping share resources and patrol hours with us,” said Gibson, who also recognized members of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Collier County Sheriff’s Office, the Fort Myers Beach Fire Department, Lee County Maritime and Response Team, Southwest Organized Smuggling Intelligence Group, his Coast Guard crew and the more than 500 Division 9 men and women of the Coast Guard Auxiliary as well as many individuals such as his family and commanders. “Thank you to everyone for making this such a memorable and rewarding tour.”
BOCC hopefuls field questions at forum
Eight candidates vying for two seats on the Lee County Board of County Commission answered many Beach-related questions at the Legislative Committee of the Greater Fort Myers Beach Area Chamber of Commerce “Commotion by the Ocean” forum at Town Hall on Fort Myers Beach last Wednesday.
BOCC District 1 hopefuls Chris Berardi, Bob Chilmonik, Mike Jackson and recently appointed Commissioner John Manning as well as District 2 applicants Sonny Haas, Cecil Pendergrass, Dick Ripp and incumbent Brian Bigelow sandwiched their responses to the chamber panelist questions between opening and closing comments at the political event held in the FMB Town Council’s chambers located at 2523 Estero Boulevard. The primary election is set for Aug. 24.
September
Beach Theater closes/others feel pinch
Many Fort Myers Beach businesses are feeling the squeeze from a dragged-out poor economy, a depreciating euro and a misguided, plaguing perception problem from the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Disaster, which continues to scare off visitors and tourists alike.
Beach Theater is the most recent business to close its doors for good, following Jimmy B’s Rooftop Bar, Dixie Fish Co. and Luna Rossa. The popular theater closed yesterday (Tuesday, Sept. 7) after 10 years of showing movies and serving food at its 6425 Estero Blvd. location. A past Best of Beach Awards winner for Best Place for Family Fun, the Beach’s only theater succumbed to the struggles over the last five years, according to General Manager Nick Campo.
“It was a business decision,” said Campo. “It has been 10 great years, but the last five have been a real struggle and we no longer see the viability in keeping the theater open.”
Beach Realtor named to elite 40 under 40 club
Beach Realtor Andrew Cochrane was recently named as one of the top 40 fresh faces of leadership under the age of 40 in Southwest Florida by Gulfshore Business magazine, the leading business-to-business publication in Southwest Florida which serves the Gulf Coast area from south of Naples to north of Port Charlotte. He will receive a crystal trophy at the Moraya Bay Beach Tower in Naples on Thursday, Sept. 16.
The “40 Under 40” distinction was bestowed to him in the September issue of the Naples-based magazine, which monitors the area’s major industries, including real estate and development, healthcare, tourism and agriculture. A Realtor for Lahaina Realty, Cochrane has been reading Gulfshore Business for many years with his father Dennis Cochrane, a retired Beach Realtor, and was humbled and surprised by the induction.
County-purchased land remains untouched
It’s been referred to as the gateway to the community as recently as Sept. 21 by Lee County Commissioner Ray Judah at Tax Day 2010. But what actually is in store for the entrance to Fort Myers Beach once one drives over the bridge?
The plan remains the same for the Gulf front properties secured by Lee County last week and recently vacated by Taylor Rentals’ giant slide and volleyball net. Lee County Parks & Recreation officials have placed a sign on the flat, barren land which states it is “working hard to improve this public park facility” and “no access or trespassing at this time” though no work has visibly been done so far. The Seafarer’s Mall building still stands and remains in limbo until Judah and his staff hold further meetings with FMB Mayor Larry Kiker and Town Manager Terry Stewart. A ground parking lot is being proposed.
October
Library sets 2010-11 budget; eyes expansion
The Fort Myers Beach Library Board of Directors unanimously approved a millage rate of 0.5989 mils the same as 2009-10 and a total budget of $1,888,324 -a reduction of $238,155 from the current year’s operating budget for fiscal year 2010-11 at its final budget hearing Tuesday, Sept. 28.
Beach Library Director Leroy Hommerding, who has been a library administrator for 11 years, presented a few facts before the board allowed public input. In the near future, library officials are hoping to break ground on construction to expand the existing library with a new building worth a proposed amount of $8 million.
“Studies show that tax payer return on investment in Florida public libraries actually yields a return of $8.32 for every dollar that tax payers invest in our public libraries,” said Hommerding. “For the past seven years, we have moved toward the expansion that this community told us was necessary mostly via focus groups and actual use of library. Though we have the economic uncertainty of the past few years, the board and the majority of the community say that now is the time.”
Sand sculptors return for Worlds qualifier
Fort Myers Beach will again play host to professional sculptors and a World Championship qualifier for the 2010 American Sand Sculpting Championship Festival in early November.
The five-day Beach festival event will again be held on the sugar-white sands at site sponsors Holiday Inn on the Beach, Gullwing and Pointe Estero beach resorts of Sunstream Hotels and Resorts from Nov. 10-14. The SandVendor Village, a general tent area featuring food, beverage and many other festival vendors, will again be located in between the two venues.
The winning sculptor from the 24th annual American SandSculpting Championship automatically earns an invitation to the 2011 World Championships next September in Federal Way, Wash. The Beach event is one of only 11 events in the world to be chosen as a qualifier for the World Championships.
November
Morris, Schindler gain fire board seats
Incumbent Carol Morris and Ted Schindler took early leads in the unofficial general election race for two available seats on the Fort Myers Beach Fire Control District Board of Fire Commissioners and held on record impressive victories.
The certified results will not be available until Friday, Nov. 12, to allow federal personnel and overseas servicemen and servicewomen a mandated 10-day grace period to vote.
Morris, the current chairperson of the FMB Fire Board who was looking to be re-elected, regained Seat #3 after collecting 1,608 votes or 63.41 percent of the tallies to defeat challenger Al Agathen, who received 928 votes (36.59 percent) for Seat #3 after all four precincts were counted.
Schindler, a retired lieutenant colonel from the U.S. Air Force who admits to having no political experience, amassed 1,162 votes or 47.64 percent to outdistance Gordon “Flip” Harby, who received 929 votes or 38.09 percent for Seat #5.
Council rejects current county trolley ILA
Why would the Town of Fort Myers Beach pay an additional $235,000 to transport tourists or non-Beach residents to a Lee County road on Estero Island for a traffic-related, slow-paced service of LeeTran trolleys? That appeared to be the questioning consensus among town officials.
At Monday evening’s meeting, the Fort Myers Beach Town Council was unwilling to accept and approve the Interlocal Agreement between the town and Lee County for continued additional trolleys for the period commencing on Jan. 13, 2011 through April 21, 2011. Instead, the four present council members decided to modify the existing ILA to include holiday service and exclude the seasonal augmentation for the above dates.
December
Council approves restoration start time
The start time for a much anticipated and needed beach re-nourishment project on the northern 0.8-mile section of Fort Myers Beach will not be delayed beyond the ‘season’ months. To the chagrin of roughly 50 percent of the people who offered public comment, the Fort Myers Beach Town Council passed a motion at its Monday meeting to begin the construction phase as soon as Lee County secures the bids for it. The opening date for sealed construction bids is next Tuesday, Dec. 14.
The approved action, which passed by a tight 3-2 count with Mayor Larry Kiker and Councilman Alan Mandel dissenting, will allow the county to move forward on the processes and not allow the $2 million in state funds to be suspended. The best scenario for actual work on the project is estimated to begin during a late February/early March time frame.
Fire chief absolved at special investigation meeting
An informal investigation involving a local fire chief and allegations made against him by an employee of the Fort Myers Beach Fire Control District yielded no wrong doing regarding the violation of district policies such as work place violence or harassment, according to Attorney Bradley Rothman of Weldon & Rothman, PL in Naples. Rothman’s summarized report was presented to the FMB Board of Fire Commissioners who, in turn, unanimously approved to close the investigation case during a special public meeting at Fire Station #31 Tuesday.
FMB Fire Chief Mike Becker, who was not suspended or placed on administrative leave during the investigation, said he felt “at ease” after the findings and vowed not to pursue retaliatory action against fire fighter Jen Gordon. This is the second time in 14 months the local fire board has called for an investigation on Becker.