The Fort Myers Beach Town Council proclaimed this week to be Safe Boating Week
The Fort Myers Beach Town Council named two winners of the annual Mulholland Stewardship Award.
After debating whether Tom Myers or Dr. Leroy Hommerding would get the award, Councilmember Ray Murphy made a motion to give the award to both. The motion was passed unanimously.
Hommerding, who will be given the award posthumously, was instrumental in the construction of the Beach library with its green features and use of green energy, and was eager to promote environmental stewardship through the library’s resources.
Hommerding died in January after he was attacked while opening the Fort Myers Beach Library, where he was director, for a book sale.
Myers was president of Friends of the Matanzas Pass Preserve for 40 years, and without his leadership, the Preserve would likely not be in existence today. He is credited in creating a generation of people who grew interested in the stewardship of the island and environment.
On other business:
– Town Council approved the Newton Beach Strategic Plan.
The goals of the plan include an increase in the number and type of programs, staff increases, property improvements, marketing, community service and partnerships.
– Town Council approved a special event at Bayside Park adjacent to Nervous Nellies, for a concert to kick off Memorial Day weekend.
Five bands are expected to perform beginning at 5 p.m. and going through 10 p.m. Two off-duty Lee County Sheriff’s Office deputies and two licensed security guards will be present.
– A motion to donate surplus emergency radios to the city of Bonita Springs was tabled by a 4-1 margin.
– Town council, without discussion, voted 5-0 to ratify an agreement entered into with Thomas Franchino to be the town’s Special Magistrate, to designate Tom Gressman as the town’s representative to the Lee County MPO citizen’s advisory committee, and to support efforts to decrease the number of low aircraft overflights over the town.
– Mayor Anita Cereceda made a proclamation, declaring May 21 to 27 to be Safe Boating Week.