‘Club Blu, What is Next?’
By TIFFANY REPECKI
A discussion on the Club Blu shooting and the issue of local street violence will be held next week, with law enforcement officials taking part as the guest speakers.
The Tiger Bay Club of South-west Florida will host the luncheon Wednesday, Aug. 24, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Harborside Event Center, at 1375 Monroe St., Fort Myers. Registration will open at 11 a.m. Open to both club members and non-members, the title of the program is “Club Blu, What is Next?”
Interim Cape Coral Police Chief David Newlan will speak, as well as Lee County Sheriff Mike Scott and Fort Myers Police Capt. Dennis Eads, who was the interim chief when the tragedy occurred.
“We’re fortunate to have all three of those guys speak about the causation of the Club Blu shooting,” Ron Inge, the club’s president, said. “Is it gang related? Is it drug related? Is it unrelated to either?”
Recently sworn-in Fort Myers Police Chief Derrick Diggs has also been invited.
“What caused it and what can we as a community do about it?” Inge asked.
Opening remarks will kick off at 11:30 a.m., followed by a buffet lunch and discussion.
The cost is $35 for club members or $45 for non-members, with lunch included.
“We would prefer that they register in advance,” he said.
Typically, 60 to 80 people attend the club’s events.
“I’m expecting 100 or so for this,” Inge said, noting that the site can hold a lot of people.
“We can fit as many people as would like to attend,” he added.
The club has prepared a series of questions for the speakers, including whether budget restraints or other elements may have been a factor, like a lack of community support or community involvement.
“How do we keep these things from happening in our community?” Inge asked.
“If I want to help, what can I do?” he added.
The law enforcement agency officials will also address how they are working together on the issue.
“We have a moderator who will follow up their comments with questions,” Inge said.
Attendees can submit questions at the luncheon or in advance at the Tiger Bay Club of Southwest Florida’s website at: www.swfltigerbay.org/. The public can also submit questions online.
“We’ll try to get as many of the questions answered as we can,” he said.
A non-partisan organization, the club hosts speakers in an effort to provide members with current information about civic, governmental and political issues at the local, state and federal levels.
“It’s not always about politics,” Inge said, pointing to the shooting as one example.
“It’s an item that’s on everybody’s minds,” he added. “Our job is to educate our members and bring forward topics of interest to the community – topics that need to be discussed and highlighted.”
For more information or to register in advance, visit: www.swfltigerbay.org/.