FMB considers speed boat races
For years, Fort Myers Beach was a place for people to go to watch speed boat racing.
And if advocates have their way, the town be that place again.
That group spoke to the town council during its regular meeting Monday at Town Hall about a plan to hold an end-of season offshore speedboat race on the weekend of Oct. 10-12.
The idea is to help bring the community some much-needed tourism during a relatively slow time, without the town having to spend a lot of money, as funds would come from sponsorships and donations.
Speed boat racing was an attraction in town for years, but was discontinued more than a decade ago. In the past, there was also an air show element to it.
This event would kick off with a street party on Thursday, Oct. 10, where boats and pilots would get a chance to mingle with spectators.
The races, which would take place near the pier and go to the area near DiamondHead, would be the following two days, featuring boats that can travel as fast as 180 mph on the straightaways.
The idea was embraced by council, though Councilmember Joanne Shamp had concerns regarding parking and thought it might be a good idea to hold the street party elsewhere, perhaps on San Carlos Island.
There was no vote on the proposal.
In other business, the town council unanimously approved Ivan Corbin, Norbert DeMars and Michael Lund to fill out the seven-member Community Resource Advisory Board, or CRAB. Also, Beverley Milligan was appointed to one of the two open slots on the Historic Preservation Advisory Committee, or HVAC.
The town also approved an agreement with Florida Power & Light for a no-cost conversion of the lighting fixtures to LED on town-owned side streets.
The lights are expected to be brighter and cost much less money to operate. They will also be shielded for when sea turtles hatch so they aren’t diverted there.
Also approved was $25,000 in additional funding for Phase 3 Joint Outfalls.
The money is to ensure the residents are kept informed of the water and stormwater projects in the vicinity of their property.
The town has used $35,000 so far. The current allocation has been exhausted due to multiple neighborhood public meetings and public notices.
Vive Mayor Ray Murphy called the money “well spent.”